Search

Cereals are an important source of carbohydrates in the human contributing to a certain extent also to the need of protein. They constitute a rich source of both nonstarch polysaccharides (dietary fiber) and starch, which together comprise 70-77% of kernel. The Guidelines for a Healthy Diet in Italy define the opportunity to take, on a daily basis, at least 60% of energy from carbohydrates, and particularly 45% from complex carbohydrates. In Italy, especially in Sicily, these nutrients are contained in traditional food as pasta and bread made starting from durum wheat as grow material. Recently, especially in the bigger towns, there is also widespread consumption of bread made with soft wheat.2,3 In the last decade, consumer behavior is changing in Italy4 and it is clear a trend of decline in consumption of pasta and bread, instead there is an opposite trend for the consumption of products considered as a substitute for bread (brioches, crackers, biscuits, and other baked goods). It is evident how the nutritional profile of the latter products deviates from the bread due to the fat content, that ranges from 5 to 20%. It is also known as the derivatives of durum wheat, preferably whole grain products, are also characterized by a lower glycemic index than products of soft wheat. So cereals are a key component to set a proper diet. Some studies also report that influence of a regular and correct consumption of cereals may contribute to reach and to maintain normal weight.5 In 2011 was carried out investigations with the aim to understand better the relationship and the presence of cereals in the diet of preteen. Moreover, it is known as in Sicily, as well as other areas of southern Europe, there is a serious problem of childhood obesity,6,7 mainly related to lifestyles considered incorrect and a lower level of education of the population than other European areas that do not registers this phenomenon. The investigation involved a sample of 1335 subjects, aged between 10 and 13 years, identified through the involvement of 62 schools distributed throughout the region. The sample involved in the investigation was extrapolated according to a stratification that has taken into account the size of the population under study, age ,sex, and distribution by province. For each individual was recorded during the first half of December 2011, thanks to personnel appropriately trained to collect information in a standardized way, a 24-h recall questionnaire (noting the foods eaten in the last 24 hours from the individual). In addition to the parents were asked to complete a questionnaire on the frequency to record information on lifestyle, frequency of intake of cereals. For each individual was recorded weight (kg), height (cm) and body mass index (BMI, Body Mass Index), according to the standards proposed by the International Obesity Task Force.8 About frequency of the conditions of the weight of the individuals in the sample, the results have confirmed what was already mentioned by other authors for Sicily.6,7 Results of the study shows as the population sample, in the various daily meals, have not a correct relationship with cereals, considering the models known for the Mediterranean population. In particular, it is clear the high frequency of subjects who have not took any kind of cereals at breakfast (n=699, 52%) or at morning-snack (n=396, 30%). Moreover 17% of individuals (n=228) has neither taken any kind of breakfast cereal nor at morning-snack; these individuals have access to the primary source of complex carbohydrates, needed daily, only with lunch. The individuals who regularly eat pasta are characterized by a lower Body Mass Index than those who do not consume habitually; the same is for those who regularly take breakfast, according as noted by other authors in specific studies conducted in the Mediterranean basin,9 and for individuals who have eaten at least one type of cereal for breakfast. Regarding this survey it can be stated that further studies are needed to define the extent to which an erroneous presence and distribution in diets of cereals can affect overweight and obesity, particularly among younger age groups of the population. It is evident, however, that it is more necessary than ever to support an effective education campaign that fill the gaps on nutritional knowledge on cereals; contribute to implement pathways on enhancement of cereals mainly on nutritional point of view, with the aim to promoting correct lifestyles and diet patterns better oriented to limit the risks of occurrence in the population of chronic degenerative diseases related to obesity.

Experimental observations highlight that the administration of 3,5-diiodo-L-thyronine (T2) may decrease the body weight and the plasma levels of cholesterol and triglycerides and may prevent the onset of hepatic steatosis in rats fed diets rich in lipids (HFD). On the basis of these findings we have carried out some in vivo studies to evaluate the effects of increased levels of T2 on pituitary thyroid axis function in HFD rats. Fifteeen Wistar male rats were divided in 3 groups. The first group (N) was fed with a standard diet. The second group (G) was fed with a diet high in fat (HDF), while the third group (GT2) was additionally administered intraperitoneally with T2 (70 ug/100g body weight) for 3 days a week up to 4 week. Blood samples from animals were collected and stored at -20°C until 3rd generation and TSH, T3, T4, ACTH, triglycerides, cholesterol, glucose ALT, AST, Alkaline Phosphatase were assayed. Furthermore, rat liver from rats underwent histological examination to assess the degree of steatosis. The administration of T2 (70 ug/100 gr body weight 3 times a week up to 4 weeks suppressed TSH secretion in HDF rats. Unlike observed in the liver of rats from group N and group GT2, the histological examination of the liver from G group rats showed the presence of hepatic steatosis. These preliminary data highlight that the administration of 70 ug/100 b.w. of T2 inhibits TSH secretion and prevent the onset of hepatic steatosis in HFD rats.

Emotional factors have great influence on eating habits and increase the risk of obesity (1). Few studies demonstrate that patients affected by binge eating disorder felt negative emotions before overeatings; the main emotions reported were anxiety, then sadness and tiredness. Emotional eating is related to the stress (2,3), so when subjects feel anxiety and depression, is more probable that they use food as modulator of their emotions, in this way the weight develops fast with all risks of obesity. The obesity is often attended by a specific syndrome called metabolic syndrome; the main symptoms are insulin resistence, hyperinsulinemia, not-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, central obesity, hyperuricemia, hypertension; this clinic condition predisposes to cardiovascular diseases (4). So the aim of our study is to observe how CBT can help to manage negative emotions as anxiety e depression (5) and in this way modulate the emotional eating. We began to select a sample of obese subjects, and gave them few questionnaires to evaluate the degree of anxiety and depression (STAI/BDI), the level of self-esteem (BASIC SE), and if there was a diagnosis of Binge Eating Disorder (BED) by a Binge Eating Scale (BES). The first results show a significant relation between anxiety and depression, low level of self-esteem, and their relation with BED. We analyzed the results after an year of treatment with CBT and dietotherapy and we found that patients without BED had a more significant loss of weight, In the subjects with BED the binges disappeared and the self-esteem increased. BIBLIOGRAPHY DallmanMF. “Stress-induced obesity and the emotional nervous system.” Trends EndocrinolMetab. 2010 Mar; 21(3):159-65. Epub 2009 Nov 18. MashebR.M., Grilo C.M.“Emotional overeating and its associations with eating disorder psychopatology among overweight patients with Binge Eating Disorder”. International Journal of Eating Disorders; 2006 39: 141-146. Marci E. Gluck “Stress response and binge eating disorder” Appetite 46 (2006) 26–30 G. M. Reaven (1988). Role of insulin resistance in human disease. Diabetes, Banting lecture 37: 1595-1607 Baumesteir, R.F., Campbell, G.D., Krueger, J.D., Vohs, K.D.,“Does high self-esteem caus

Purpose Carbohydrate and fatty acids are the dominant fuels oxidized for energy production during exercise. Their contribution is influenced by intensity of exercise, with a progressive increase in the relative contribution of carbohydrate oxidation to energy expenditure, whereas the absolute rate of fat oxidation increases from low to moderate intensities of exercise and declines as exercise becomes more intense. In patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) the altered metabolism and the lower capacity to sustain efforts changed the choice and regulation of energy substrates for oxidation. Purpose of our study was to assess the relationship between the highest value of fat oxidation rate (FATmax) and the oxygen uptake (VO2) in sedentary T2D patients and to compare with healthy sedentary subjects. Methods Fifteen sedentary T2D patients (nine males, six females), mean age 58 (range 39 – 65) and fifteen healthy sedentary subjects (eight males, seven females), mean age 53 (range 37 – 71), were studied. All T2D patients were being treated with diet and antiglycemic agents. Significant cardiovascular disease was excluded in all subjects by an instrumental examination. The exercise testing started in the laboratory at 08.00 hours after an overnight fast. All subjects performed a graded exercise test to exhaustion on treadmill, using modified Bruce protocol. Oxygen uptake (VO2) and carbon dioxide (VCO2) were recorded and maximum fat oxidation rate (FATmax) was determined using indirect calorimetry, with the assumption that urinary nitrogen excretion rate was negligible. Substrate oxidation rates were then plotted as a function of exercise intensity, expressed as percentage of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). Experimental data are presented as means ± standard error of the mean, and for the statistical analysis of the data linear regression analysis was used. Results The physical and physiological characteristics of subjetcs are shown in table 1. The average VO2max for T2D patients and healthy subjects was 22.29 ± 1.06 ml/Kg/min and 28.63 ± 2.03 ml/Kg/min respectively (P < 0.01). In T2D patients, absolute fat oxidation rate reached a maximum of 6.71 ± 0.46 mg/Kg/min at VO2 of 15.41 ± 0.68 ml/Kg/min (70 ± 1.27% of VO2max)while in healthy subjects 7.19 ± 0.77 mg/Kg/min at VO2 of 18.23 ± 1.28 ml/Kg/min (64 ± 2.61% of VO2max). When linear regression analysis was performed, a positive linear correlation between FATmax and VO2 (r = 0.85; p = 0.0001) in both groups has been found. Also, positive linear correlation between FATmax and VO2max in both T2D (r = 0.76; p = 0.001) and healthy subjects (r = 0.73; p = 0.002) has been found. Conclusions Our data, comparable with those reported in the literature, indicate that in T2D patients fat oxidation rate is not impaired. VO2max, index of exercise capacity, was significantly lower in T2D patients so that, in T2D compared to healthy subjects, we found a maximal fat rate oxidation at higher exercise intensity. Moreover, the positive linear correlation between FATmax and both VO2 and VO2max suggests that even in T2D patients the muscle oxidative capacity might increase in response to aerobic training.

OBJECTIVES: To examine whether the assumption of extra virgin olive oil enriched with E-vitamin and Q10-coenzyme may improve the plasma anti-oxidant/pro-oxidant balance and be associated with favorable changes in heart rate variability (HRV). METHODS: Four male athletes, mean age 22 (range 21-24), were recruited. They assumed 20 ml per day of the integrator (20 mg Q10 and 15 mg Vit E) for one month. The plasma antioxidant capacity (AC) was evaluated by the crocin bleaching assay. The frequency-domain analysis of HRV was carried out using Cardioline Cube recorder and specific software to obtain, from an autoregressive power spectrum approach, the power in normalized units (nu) of the low-(LF) and high-frequency (HF) bands and LF/HF ratio. HRV was recorded between 8.00 and 13.00, after a 5-min rest, for 10-15 min with the subject seated. We used for the HRV calculation short-term (5 min) interval between the 3rd-8th min of the recording. Data, shown as mean values ± standard error of the mean, was collected before the integration, then after one month since the assumption and finally after one month since the wash-out. RESULTS: An increase of the AC was observed after supplementation (from 582.7+121 to 890.2+253). Furthermore, a reduction in the LF/HF (from 9,1±6 to 3.6±2) and in LFnu (from 72,1±9 to 63,7±8) have been observed and there was also an increase in the HFnu (from 19,9±7 to 25,1±6). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the extra-virgin olive oil enriched with E-vitamin and Q10-coenzyme increased the AC and induced favorable changes in cardiac autonomic function. These results are preliminary observations that need to be confirmed.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the capability of a crude extract of phenols from extra virgin olive oil of Moraiolo cultivar to induce apoptosis and/or differentiation in sensitive and resistant HL60 cell lines to anticancer drugs (Typical Multidrug Resistance). Our data highlight that the crude extract is able to induce apoptosis on both sensitive and resistant cells, whereas the exposure to a number of anticancer drugs does not induce apoptosis in resistant cells. In differentiation experiments we investigated the capability of crude extract of phenols to induce the expression of CD11 granulocytic or CD14 monocytic cell surface antigen in sensitive and resistant HL60 cell lines. At IC50 dose level (17 µg/ml and 32 µg/ml respectively for sensitive and resistant cell lines), the crude extract induced differentiation associated with the expression of CD14 monocytic cell surface antigen either in sensitive or resistant cell lines but not that of CD11 granulocityc cell surface antigen. Further investigations are in progress to better clarify the mechanism by which olive oil phenols induce differentiation differentiation on this cell line.

Unpublished data on the chemical composition and nutritional value of Pleurotus mushrooms, growing on Umbelliferous plants (Apiaceae), are here reported. Cultivated basidiomata of four different Pleurotus taxa were analyzed in order to evaluate the composition in lipids, sugars, nitrogen, water, vitamins, ashes, and energetic values. The results showed that Pleurotus mushrooms are suitable in every type of diet thanks to their low caloric content, gastronomic value, vitamins, and mineral salt contents. The presence of a high content of vitamin B12 and riboflavin in Pleurotus nebrodensis is noteworthy.

Indicaxanthin (IX) from Opuntia Ficus Indica (OFI) has been shown to exert numerous biological effects both in vitro and in vivo, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuro-modulatory activity in rodent models. Our goal was to investigate the eventual neuro-active role of orally assumed fruits containing high levels of IX at nutritionally-relevant amounts in healthy subjects, exploring cortical excitability and plasticity in the human motor cortex (M1). To this purpose, we applied paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation and anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS) in basal conditions and followed the consumption of yellow cactus pear fruits containing IX or white cactus pear fruits devoid of IX (placebo). Furthermore, resting state-functional MRI (rs-fMRI) preliminary acquisitions were performed before and after consumption of the same number of yellow fruits. Our data revealed that the consumption of IX-containing fruits could specifically activate intracortical excitatory circuits, differently from the placebo-controlled group. Furthermore, we found that following the ingestion of IX-containing fruits, elevated network activity of glutamatergic intracortical circuits can homeostatically be restored to baseline levels following a-tDCS stimulation. No significant differences were observed through rs-fMRI acquisitions. These outcomes suggest that IX from OFI increases intracortical excitability of M1 and leads to homeostatic cortical plasticity responses.

Tomato fruits defined as “golden” refer to a food product harvested at an incomplete ripening stage with respect to red tomatoes at full maturation. The aim of this study is to explore the putative influence of “golden tomato” (GT) on Metabolic Syndrome (MetS), especially focusing on the effects on redox homeostasis. Firstly, the differential chemical properties of the GT food matrix were characterized in terms of phytonutrient composition and antioxidant capacities with respect to red tomato (RT). Later, we assessed the biochemical, nutraceutical and eventually disease-modifying potential of GT in vivo in the high-fat-diet rat model of MetS. Our data revealed that GT oral supplementation is able to counterbalance MetS-induced biometric and metabolic modifications. Noteworthy is that this nutritional supplementation proved to reduce plasma oxidant status and improve the endogenous antioxidant barriers, assessed by strong systemic biomarkers. Furthermore, consistently with the reduction of hepatic reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) levels, treatment with GT markedly reduced the HFD-induced increase in hepatic lipid peroxidation and hepatic steatosis. This research elucidates the importance of food supplementation with GT in the prevention and management of MetS.

Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is an extremely complex disease. A non-balanced diet such as high-fat diet (HFD) induces metabolic dysfunction that could modify redox homeostasis. We here aimed at exploring redox homeostasis in male Wistar rats, following 8 weeks of HFD, correlating the eventual modification of selected biomarkers that could be associated with the clinical manifestations of MetS. Therefore, we selected parameters relative to both the glucose tolerance and lipid altered metabolism, but also oxidative pattern. We assessed some biomarkers of oxidative stress i.e., thiols balance, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant barriers, via the use of specific biochemical assays, individuating eventual cross correlation with parameters relative to MetS through a Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The present study shows that 8 weeks of HFD induce MetS in rats, altering glucose and lipid homeostasis and increasing visceral adipose tissue, but also impairing the physiological antioxidant responses that could not counteract the oxidative stress condition. Crucially, cross-correlation analysis suggested that the assessment of specific oxidative stress parameters reported here can provide information comparable to the more widely acquired biomarkers of Mets such as glucose tolerance. Lastly, hepatic steatosis in association with the oxidative stress condition was also highlighted by histological analysis. This research will elucidate the fundamental impact of these oxidative stress parameters on MetS induced in the HFD rat model, tracing paths for developing prevention approaches.

Experimental studies have highlighted that the administration of 3,5-diiodo-L-thyronine (T2) to rats fed diets rich in lipids induces a decrease of cholesterol and triglycerides plasma levels and body weight (BW) without inducing liver steatosis. On the basis of these observations we carried out some experimental in vivo studies to assess the effects of multiple high doses of T2 on the pituitary thyroid axis of rats fed diet rich in lipids. Fifteen male Wistar rats were divided into three groups of five animals each. The first group (N group) received standard diet, the second group was fed with a high fat diet (HFD group), while the third group (HFDT2 group) was additionally given T2 intraperitoneally at a dose level of 70 µg/100 g of BW three times a week up to four weeks. At the end of the treatment, blood sample from each animal was collected, centrifuged and the serum was stored at -20°C. The serum concentrations of thyroidstimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine, thyroxine, adrenocorticotropic hormone, triglycerides, cholesterol, glucose, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase were then determined. In addition, liver of rats was examined by histology in order to assess the presence and degree of steatosis. The administration of T2 to rats fed with a high fat diet suppressed TSH secretion (P=0.013) while no steatosis was observed in the liver of these animals. Our data show that multiple administrations of high doses of T2 to rats fed diets rich in lipid inhibit TSH secretion and prevent the onset of liver steatosis in these animals.