Postprandial oxidative stress is modulated by dietary fat in adipose tissue from elderly people

Opuntia ficus indica (L.) fruit extract alleviates oxidative stress through activation of dual oxidases and Keap1/Nrf2 signaling cascades in high-fat-diet associated atherosclerosis rats

Atherosclerosis is a metabolic disorder characterized by chronic inflammation associated with progressive thickening and hardening of the large to medium-sized arteries due to plaque formation. The study aims to evaluate the antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and hypolipidemic efficacy of Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI) fruit extract against the high-fat-diet associated atherosclerotic rat model. In-vitro qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening of OFI fruit extract revealed the significant presence of total phenolic content and total flavonoid contents. In-vitro antioxidant activity of fruit extract was determined through 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and FRAP assays that have shown their protective efficacy against the overproduction of reactive oxygen species. Results revealed that the level of total oxidant stress was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced and down expression levels of dual oxidases (Duox, Duoxa-1, and Duox-2) in all the treatment groups (I, II, III) as compared with positive control were observed. The total antioxidant capacity was significantly (P < 0.05) increased in all treatment groups in comparison with the positive control group and higher expression level of the Nrf-2 signaling pathway (Nfe-212, NFR-1, and Keap-1) was observed in all the treatment groups compared with the positive control group. Histopathological examination of the aorta showed that high-fat diet markedly increased endothelial lining and thickness of tunica media and adventitia, with irregular media segments having wavy laminae, and a significant increase in entropy of fibers disposition was observed. Conclusively, OFI fruit extract has shown promising protective, anti-oxidative, and anti-inflammatory efficacy through the restoration of normal parenchyma in high-fat dieting-associated oxidative stress and endothelial inflammation.

The effect of very-low-calorie diet on mitochondrial dysfunction in subcutaneous adipose tissue and peripheral monocytes of obese subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a potentially important player in the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We investigated the changes of mRNA expression of genes encoding main enzymatic complexes of mitochondrial respiratory chain in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SCAT) and peripheral monocytes (PM) of 11 subjects with simple obesity (OB), 16 obese patients with T2DM and 17 healthy lean subjects (C) before and after very low-calorie diet (VLCD) using quantitative real time PCR. At baseline in SCAT, both T2DM and OB group had decreased mRNA expression of all investigated mitochondrial genes with the exception of 2 complex I (NDUFA 12) and complex IV (COX 4/1) enzymes in OB subjects. In contrast, in PM only the expression of complex I enzymes NDUFA 12 and MT-ND5 was reduced in both T2DM and OB subjects along with decreased expression of citrate synthase (CS) in T2DM group. Additionally, T2DM subjects showed reduced activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase and complex IV in peripheral blood elements. VLCD further decreased mRNA expression of CS and complex I (NT-ND5) and II (SDHA) enzymes in SCAT and complex IV (COX4/1) and ATP synthase in PM of T2DM group, while increasing the activity of complex IV in their peripheral blood elements. We conclude that impaired mitochondrial biogenesis and decreased activity of respiratory chain enzymatic complexes was present in SCAT and PM of obese and diabetic patients. VLCD improved metabolic parameters and ameliorated mitochondrial oxidative function in peripheral blood elements of T2DM subjects but had only minor and inconsistent effect on mitochondrial gene mRNA expression in SCAT and PM.

Cardiovascular risk protection from the Mediterranean diet and olive oil. A transcriptomic update in humans

This review highlights the human studies that explore the benefits of the Mediterranean diet and olive oil, based on gene expression analysis. We summarized consistent human transcriptomic studies on cardiovascular risk, based on TMD and olive oil interventions, with real life doses and conditions. A literature review was carried out leading up to February 2016. The results show that the TMD, specially supplemented with virgin olive oil, produces beneficial changes in the transcriptomic response of relevant genes in cardiovascular risk such as CAT, GPX1 and SIRT2. p65 and MCP-1, IL1B, IL6, CXCL1, INF-γ, ARHGAP15 and IL7R, which are involved in inflammation; and ABCA1, SR-B1, PPARBP, PPARα, PPARγ, PPARδ, CD-36 and COX-1, which play an important role in cholesterol efflux. The available data illustrate a transcriptomic effect on atherosclerosis, inflammation and oxidative stress pathways as well as the mentioned genes.

Beyond Diabetes: Does Obesity-Induced Oxidative Stress Drive the Aging Process?

Despite numerous correlative data, a causative role for oxidative stress in mammalian longevity has remained elusive. However, there is strong evidence that increased oxidative stress is associated with exacerbation of many diseases and pathologies that are also strongly related to advanced age. Obesity, or increased fat accumulation, is one of the most common chronic conditions worldwide and is associated with not only metabolic dysfunction but also increased levels of oxidative stress in vivo. Moreover, obesity is also associated with significantly increased risks of cardiovascular disease, neurological decline and cancer among many other diseases as well as a significantly increased risk of mortality. In this review, we investigate the possible interpretation that the increased incidence of these diseases in obesity may be due to chronic oxidative stress mediating segmental acceleration of the aging process. Understanding how obesity can alter cellular physiology beyond that directly related to metabolic function could open new therapeutic areas of approach to extend the period of healthy aging among people of all body composition.

The relationship between peripheral blood mononuclear cells telomere length and diet - unexpected effect of red meat

BACKGROUND

Repeated nucleotide sequences combined with proteins called telomeres cover chromosome ends and dictate cells lifespan. Many factors can modify telomere length, among them are: nutrition and smoking habits, physical activities and socioeconomic status measured by education level. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of above mentioned factors on peripheral blood mononuclear cells telomere length.

METHODS

Study included 28 subjects (seven male and 21 female, age 18-65 years.), smokers and non-smokers without any serious health problems in past and present. Following a basic medical examination, patients completed the food frequency questionnaire with 17 foods and beverages most common groups and gave blood for testing. PBMC telomere length were measured with qualitative real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (rtPCR) method and expressed as a T/S ratio.

RESULTS

Among nine food types (cereal, fruits, vegetables, diary, red meat, poultry, fish, sweets and salty snacks) and eight beverages (juices, coffee, tea, mineral water, alcoholic- and sweetened carbonated beverages) only intake of red meat was related to T/S ratio. Individuals with increased consumption of red meat have had higher T/S ratio and the strongest significant differences were observed between consumer groups: "never" and "1-2 daily" (p = 0.02). Smoking habits, physical activity, LDL and HDL concentrations, and education level were not related to telomere length, directly or as a covariates.

CONCLUSIONS

Unexpected correlation of telomere length with the frequency of consumption of red meat indicates the need for further in-depth research and may undermine some accepted concepts of adverse effects of this diet on the health status and life longevity.