Assessing the antioxidant and metabolic effect of an alpha-lipoic acid and acetyl-L-carnitine nutraceutical

A lipidomic and metabolomic signature of a very low-carbohydrate high-fat diet and high-intensity interval training: an additional analysis of a randomized controlled clinical trial

INTRODUCTION

Regular physical activity and dietary variety are modifiable and influential factors of health outcomes. However, the cumulative effects of these behaviors are not well understood. Metabolomics may have a promising research potential to extend our knowledge and use it in the attempts to find a long-term and sustainable personalized approach in exercise and diet recommendations.

OBJECTIVE

The main aim was to investigate the effect of the 12 week very low carbohydrate high fat (VLCHF) diet and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on lipidomic and metabolomic profiles in individuals with overweight and obesity.

METHODS

The participants (N = 91) were randomly allocated to HIIT (N = 22), VLCHF (N = 25), VLCHF + HIIT (N = 25) or control (N = 19) groups for 12 weeks. Fasting plasma samples were collected before the intervention and after 4, 8 and 12 weeks. The samples were then subjected to untargeted lipidomic and metabolomic analyses using reversed phase ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

The VLCHF diet affected plasma lipids considerably while the effect of HIIT was unremarkable. Already after 4 weeks of intervention substantial changes of plasma lipids were found in both VLCHF diet groups. The changes persisted throughout the entire 12 weeks of the VLCHF diet. Specifically, acyl carnitines, plasmalogens, fatty acyl esters of hydroxy fatty acid, sphingomyelin, ceramides, cholesterol esters, fatty acids and 4-hydroxybutyric were identified as lipid families that increased in the VLCHF diet groups whereas lipid families of triglycerides and glycerophospholipids decreased. Additionally, metabolomic analysis showed a decrease of theobromine.

CONCLUSIONS

This study deciphers the specific responses to a VLCHF diet, HIIT and their combination by analysing untargeted lipidomic and metabolomic profile. VLCHF diet caused divergent changes of plasma lipids and other metabolites when compared to the exercise and control group which may contribute to a better understanding of metabolic changes and the appraisal of VLCHF diet benefits and harms.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY NUMBER

NCT03934476, registered 1st May 2019 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03934476?term=NCT03934476&draw=2&rank=1 .

Anti-Hyperalgesic Efficacy of Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALCAR) Against Visceral Pain Induced by Colitis: Involvement of Glia in the Enteric and Central Nervous System

The management of abdominal pain in patients affected by inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) still represents a problem because of the lack of effective treatments. Acetyl L-carnitine (ALCAR) has proved useful in the treatment of different types of chronic pain with excellent tolerability. The present work aimed at evaluating the anti-hyperalgesic efficacy of ALCAR in a model of persistent visceral pain associated with colitis induced by 2,4-dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (DNBS) injection. Two different protocols were applied. In the preventive protocol, ALCAR was administered daily starting 14 days to 24 h before the delivery of DNBS. In the interventive protocol, ALCAR was daily administered starting the same day of DNBS injection, and the treatment was continued for 14 days. In both cases, ALCAR significantly reduced the establishment of visceral hyperalgesia in DNBS-treated animals, though the interventive protocol showed a greater efficacy than the preventive one. The interventive protocol partially reduced colon damage in rats, counteracting enteric glia and spinal astrocyte activation resulting from colitis, as analyzed by immunofluorescence. On the other hand, the preventive protocol effectively protected enteric neurons from the inflammatory insult. These findings suggest the putative usefulness of ALCAR as a food supplement for patients suffering from IBDs.

The Biochemistry and Effectiveness of Antioxidants in Food, Fruits, and Marine Algae

It is more effective to maintain good health than to regain it after losing it. This work focuses on the biochemical defense mechanisms against free radicals and their role in building and maintaining antioxidant shields, aiming to show how to balance, as much as possible, the situations in which we are exposed to free radicals. To achieve this aim, foods, fruits, and marine algae with a high antioxidant content should constitute the basis of nutritional elements, since natural products are known to have significantly greater assimilation efficiency. This review also gives the perspective in which the use of antioxidants can extend the life of food products, by protecting them from damage caused by oxidation as well as their use as food additives.

Redox Active α-Lipoic Acid Differentially Improves Mitochondrial Dysfunction in a Cellular Model of Alzheimer and Its Control Cells

Introduction: Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is a sulphur-containing organic compound, derived from octanoic acid, and an important cofactor for mitochondrial respiratory enzymes. It has strong antioxidant properties that improve mitochondrial function. We investigated if ALA improves mitochondrial dysfunction in a cellular model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Methods: SH-SY5Y-APP₆₉₅ cells were used as a model for an early stage of AD. Vector-transfected SH-SY5Y-MOCK cells served as controls. Using these cells, we investigated mitochondrial respiration (OXPHOS), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, and citrate synthase activity (CS) in cells treated with ALA. Cells were treated for 24 h with different concentrations of ALA and with or without the complex I inhibitor rotenone. Results: Incubation with ALA showed a significant increase in ATP levels in both SH-SY5Y-APP₆₉₅ and SH-SY5Y-MOCK cells. MMP levels were elevated in SH-SY5Y-MOCK cells, treatment with rotenone showed a reduction in MMP, which could be partly alleviated after incubation with ALA in SH-SY5Y-MOCK cells. ALA treatment showed significant differences in respiration chain complex activities in SH-SY5Y-MOCK cells. Citrate synthase activity was unaffected. ROS levels were significantly lower in both cell lines treated with ALA. Conclusions: ALA increased the activity of the different complexes of the respiratory chain, and consequently enhanced the MMP, leading to increased ATP levels indicating improved mitochondrial function. ALA only marginally protects from additional rotenone-induced mitochondrial stress.

The Stance4Health Project: Evaluating a Smart Personalised Nutrition Service for Gut Microbiota Modulation in Normal- and Overweight Adults and Children with Obesity, Gluten-Related Disorders or Allergy/Intolerance to Cow’s Milk

Unhealthy diets represent a major risk for the pathogenesis of metabolic and chronic inflammatory diseases. Improving the quality of diet is important to prevent chronic diseases, and diet-induced modifications of the gut microbiota (GM) community likely play an important role. The EU-funded Stance4Health project aims at performing a randomized clinical trial based on a nutritional intervention program in the context of normal weight and overweight adults as well as children with obesity and gluten-related disorders or allergy/intolerance to cow’s milk. The trial will evaluate the efficacy of a Smart Personalised Nutrition (SPN) service in modifying GM composition and metabolic function and improving consumer empowerment through technology adoption.