Scope
Excessive visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is associated with higher secretion of pro‐inflammatory molecules, contributing to systemic inflammation and obesity‐related metabolic disturbances.
...Methods and results
This prospective analysis includes 117 overweight/obese adults (55–75 years) from the PREDIMED‐Plus study. Fourteen inflammatory markers and adipokines are measured using a Bio‐Plex assay with multiplex technology: insulin, glucagon, IL‐6, visfatin, ghrelin, GLP‐1, TNF‐α, MCP‐1, PAI‐1, resistin, C‐peptide, leptin, adipsin, and adiponectin. Participants are categorized into tertiles according to changes in VAT after 1‐year of follow‐up, determined by dual‐energy X‐Ray absorptiometry. Participants allocate in tertile 3, which represent an increase of VAT content after 1‐year of follow‐up compared to tertile 1, show significant differences in insulin (T3 vs T1, fully adjusted model: p = 0.037, p for trend 0.042), PAI‐1 (fully adjusted model: p = 0.05, p for trend 0.06), c‐peptide (fully adjusted model: p = 0.037, p for trend 0.042), and TNF‐α (fully adjusted model p = 0.037, p for trend 0.042).
Conclusion
The results evidence that a reduction in VAT is associated with clinical improvements in several inflammatory and adiposity markers, mainly in insulin, c‐peptide, and PAI‐1 levels, and these improvements may contribute to a reduction in cardiometabolic disturbances observe in obesity.
Excessive visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is associated with inflammation. Our results evidence that a reduction in VAT is associated with improvements in inflammatory and adiposity markers in participants with metabolic syndrome.
Scope
Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is considered a promising therapeutic candidate for the treatment of obesity. Since FGF21 production is regulated by various nutritional factors, we analyze ...the impact of low protein intake on circulating levels of this growth hormone in mice and in a sub cohort of the PREDIMED (Prevención con Dieta Mediterránea) trial. We also describe the role of hepatic FGF21 in metabolic adaptation to a low‐protein diet (LPD).
Methods and results
We fed control and liver‐specific Fgf21 knockout (LFgf21KO) mice a LPD. This diet increased FGF21 production by inducing its overexpression in liver, and this correlated with a body weight decrease without changes in food intake. The LPD also caused FGF21‐dependent browning in subcutaneous white adipose tissue (scWAT), as indicated by an increase in the expression of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1). In a subgroup of 78 individuals from the PREDIMED trial, we observed an inverse correlation between protein intake and circulating FGF21 levels.
Conclusion
Our results reinforce the involvement of FGF21 in coordinating energy homeostasis under a range of nutritional conditions. Moreover, here we describe an approach to increase the endogenous production of FGF21, which if demonstrated functional in humans, could generate a treatment for obesity.
In mice, a low protein diet induces a huge increase in liver FGF21 expression and serum levels, which correlates with enhanced ATF4 protein levels. Also, this diet caused an FGF21‐dependent browning of subcutaneous white adipose tissue. The observation of an inverse relationship between serum levels of FGF21 and dietary protein content also in humans suggests that the induction of hepatic FGF21 expression by a low protein diet could offer an effective treatment for obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) is largely appreciated for its proven nutritional properties. Additionally, organic foods are perceived as healthier by consumers. In this context, the aim of the ...present study was to compare the phenolic profiles of EVOO from olives of the Hojiblanca variety, cultivated under organic and conventional systems. The quantification and identification of individual polyphenols was carried out by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry in tandem mode (LC-MS/MS). Significantly higher levels (
< 0.05) of phenolic compounds were found in organic EVOOs. The methodology used was able to detect previously unreported differences in bioactive components between organic and conventional EVOOs.
Scope
To assess whether following a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) improves atherothrombosis biomarkers in high cardiovascular risk individuals.
Methods and results
In 358 random volunteers from the ...PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea trial, the 1‐year effects on atherothrombosis markers of an intervention with MedDiet, enriched with virgin olive oil (MedDiet‐VOO; n = 120) or nuts (MedDiet‐Nuts; n = 119) versus a low‐fat control diet (n = 119), and whether large increments in MedDiet adherence (≥3 score points, versus compliance decreases) and intake changes in key food items are associated with 1‐year differences in biomarkers. Differences are observed between 1‐year changes in the MedDiet‐VOO intervention and control diet on the activity of platelet activating factor acetylhydrolase in high‐density lipoproteins (HDLs) (+7.5% 95% confidence interval: 0.17; 14.8) and HDL‐bound α1‐antitrypsin levels (−6.1% −11.8; −0.29), and between the MedDiet‐Nuts intervention and the control arm on non‐esterified fatty acid concentrations (−9.3% −18.1; −0.53). Large MedDiet adherence increments are associated with less fibrinogen (−9.5% −18.3; −0.60) and non‐esterified fatty acid concentrations (−16.7% −31.7; −1.74). Increases in nut, fruit, vegetable, and fatty fish consumption, and decreases in processed meat intake are linked to enhancements in biomarkers.
Conclusion
MedDiet improves atherothrombosis biomarkers in high cardiovascular risk individuals.
Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) improves atherothrombosis biomarkers in high cardiovascular risk individuals. Particularly, it improves HDL antithrombotic functions, non‐esterified fatty acid levels, and other biomarkers in certain subpopulations (antithrombin levels in volunteers with low adherence to MedDiet at baseline, and d‐dimer concentrations in antithrombotic drug users). Substantial increases in dietary adherence are also linked to lower fibrinogen levels.
Plant-based foods are the main source of phytochemicals, including polyphenols, a large family of compounds with highly diverse chemical structures ....
Dietary phytoestrogens are bioactive compounds with estrogenic activity. With the growing popularity of plant-based diets, the intake of phytoestrogen-rich legumes (especially soy) and legume-derived ...foods has increased. Evidence from preclinical studies suggests these compounds may have an effect on hormones and health, although the results of human trials are unclear. The effects of dietary phytoestrogens depend on the exposure (phytoestrogen type, matrix, concentration, and bioavailability), ethnicity, hormone levels (related to age, sex, and physiological condition), and health status of the consumer. In this review, we have summarized the results of human studies on dietary phytoestrogens with the aim of assessing the possible hormone-dependent outcomes and health effects of their consumption throughout a lifespan, focusing on pregnancy, childhood, adulthood, and the premenopausal and postmenopausal stages. In pregnant women, an improvement of insulin metabolism has been reported in only one study. Sex hormone alterations have been found in the late stages of childhood, and goitrogenic effects in children with hypothyroidism. In premenopausal and postmenopausal women, the reported impacts on hormones are inconsistent, although beneficial goitrogenic effects and improved glycemic control and cardiovascular risk markers have been described in postmenopausal individuals. In adult men, different authors report goitrogenic effects and a reduction of insulin in non-alcoholic fatty liver patients. Further carefully designed studies are warranted to better elucidate the impact of phytoestrogen consumption on the endocrine system at different life stages.
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