Inositols and metabolic disorders: From farm to bedside

Toxicity of the organic UV filter oxybenzone to the brown macroalga Hormosira banksii and the green macroalga Ulva lactuca

Oxybenzone (BP-3), a common sunscreen ingredient, has been detected in marine ecosystems and shown to be toxic to various marine species, raising environmental concerns. However, its effects on macroalgae remain largely unknown. This study investigated the toxicity of BP-3 on two macroalgae species: Hormosira banksii and Ulva lactuca. A chronic germination-inhibition experiment with H. banksii and an acute study with mature U. lactuca were conducted using BP-3 concentrations ranging from 0.03 to 27 mg/L. Results revealed significant inhibition of H. banksii spore germination at 3, 9, and 27 mg/L BP-3 at 72 h, with a 10 % effect concentration of 0.363 mg/L (95 % confidence interval: 0.27-0.45 mg/L). For U. lactuca, relative growth rate decreased by 20-70 % compared to controls in treatments of 0.1, 3, 9, and 27 mg/L BP-3 after 72 h. Exposure to ≥0.3 mg/L BP-3 resulted in lower chlorophyll a and b concentrations and higher lipid peroxidation, with significant differences observed between the control and ≥9 mg/L BP-3 treatments. Exposure to 1 mg/L BP-3 induced significant alterations in several key metabolic pathways associated with stress response mechanisms, energy metabolism, and cellular signalling in U. lactuca. These findings suggest that BP-3 does not pose an acute risk to mature U. lactuca or a chronic risk to H. banksii at concentrations typically observed in the marine environment, as in both cases effect concentrations exceeded BP-3 concentrations typically observed in marine environmental water samples. However, further research is needed to assess potential risks associated with chronic exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations. These toxicity data contribute valuable information for future risk assessments of BP-3 and aid in setting water quality guidelines for this widely used organic UV filter.

The impact of a polyphenol-rich supplement on epigenetic and cellular markers of immune age: a pilot clinical study

Age-related alterations in immune function are believed to increase risk for a host of age-related diseases leading to premature death and disability. Programming of the immune system by diet, lifestyle, and environmental factors occurs across the lifespan and influences both makeup and function of the immune system, including immunometabolism. This programming is believed to act in large part through epigenetic modification. Among dietary components that affect this process, polyphenols may play an outsized role. Polyphenols are a widely distributed group of plant nutrients consumed by humans. Certain foods possess distinctive and relatively higher levels of these compounds. One such food is Tartary buckwheat (fagopyrum tataricum), an ancient seed historically prized for its health benefits. It is suggested that the specific composition of polyphenols found in foods like Tartary buckwheat may lead to a unique impact on immunometabolic physiological pathways that could be interrogated through epigenetic analyses. The objective of this study was to investigate the epigenetic effects on peripheral immune cells in healthy individuals of a standardized polyphenol concentrate based on naturally occurring nutrients in Tartary buckwheat. This pilot clinical trial tested the effects of consuming 90 days of this concentrate in 50 healthy male (40%) and female (60%) participants aged 18-85 years using epigenetic age clocks and deconvolution methods. Analysis revealed significant intervention-related changes in multiple epigenetic age clocks and immune markers as well as population-wide alterations in gene ontology (GO) pathways related to longevity and immunity. This study provides previously unidentified insights into the immune, longevity and epigenetic effects of consumption of polyphenol-rich plants and generates additional support for health interventions built around historically consumed plants like Tartary buckwheat while offering compelling opportunities for additional research.

Clinical trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT05234203.

Myo-Inositol and Its Derivatives: Their Roles in the Challenges of Infertility

Myo-inositol (MYO) and D-chiro-inositol (DCI) are the two most significant isomeric forms of inositol, playing a critical role in intracellular signaling. MYO is the most abundant form of inositol in nature; DCI is produced from MYO through epimerization by an insulin-dependent enzyme. Recently, it has been demonstrated that inositol may influence oocyte maturation and improve intracellular Ca2+ oscillation in the oocytes, and it has been proposed as a potential intervention for restoring spontaneous ovulation. The MYO concentration in human follicular fluid is considered a bioindicator of oocyte quality. In the ovary, DCI modulates the activity of aromatase, thus regulating androgen synthesis. Under physiological conditions, the MYO/DCI ratio is maintained at 40:1 in plasma. In women with PCOS, the MYO/DCI ratio is lowered to 0:2:1, contributing to elevated androgen production. By regulating FSH signaling, MYO administration increases the number of high-quality embryos available for transfer in poor responder patients. Finally, by acting downstream to insulin signaling, inositol administration during pregnancy may represent a novel strategy for counteracting gestational diabetes. These findings show that diet supplementation with inositol may be a promising strategy to address female infertility and sustain a healthy pregnancy.

Obesity-enriched gut microbe degrades myo-inositol and promotes lipid absorption

Numerous studies have reported critical roles for the gut microbiota in obesity. However, the specific microbes that causally contribute to obesity and the underlying mechanisms remain undetermined. Here, we conducted shotgun metagenomic sequencing in a Chinese cohort of 631 obese subjects and 374 normal-weight controls and identified a Megamonas-dominated, enterotype-like cluster enriched in obese subjects. Among this cohort, the presence of Megamonas and polygenic risk exhibited an additive impact on obesity. Megamonas rupellensis possessed genes for myo-inositol degradation, as demonstrated in vitro and in vivo, and the addition of myo-inositol effectively inhibited fatty acid absorption in intestinal organoids. Furthermore, mice colonized with M. rupellensis or E. coli heterologously expressing the myo-inositol-degrading iolG gene exhibited enhanced intestinal lipid absorption, thereby leading to obesity. Altogether, our findings uncover roles for M. rupellensis as a myo-inositol degrader that enhances lipid absorption and obesity, suggesting potential strategies for future obesity management.

Distinctive genes and signaling pathways associated with type 2 diabetes-related periodontitis: Preliminary study

The biological mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes (T2DM)-related periodontitis remain unclear. This cross-sectional study evaluated the distinctive transcriptomic changes between tissues with periodontal health and with periodontitis in patients with T2DM. In this cross-sectional study, whole transcriptome sequencing was performed on gingival biopsies from non-periodontitis and periodontitis tissues from non-diabetic and diabetic patients. A differentially expressed gene (DEG) analysis and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) assessed the genes and signaling pathways associated with T2DM-related periodontitis. Immunohistochemistry was performed to validate selected DEGs possibly involved in T2DM-related periodontitis. Four hundred and twenty and one thousand five hundred and sixty-three DEGs (fold change ≥ 2) were uniquely identified in the diseased tissues of non-diabetic and diabetic patients, respectively. The IPA predicted the activation of Phagosome Formation, Cardiac β-adrenergic, tRNA Splicing, and PI3K/AKT pathways. The IPA also predicted the inhibition of Cholesterol Biosynthesis, Adrenomedullin, and Inositol Phosphate Compounds pathways in T2DM-related periodontitis. Validation of DEGs confirmed changes in protein expression of PTPN2, PTPN13, DHCR24, PIK3R2, CALCRL, IL1RN, IL-6R and ITGA4 in diseased tissues in diabetic subjects. Thus, these preliminary findings indicate that there are specific genes and functional pathways that may be involved in the pathogenesis of T2DM-related periodontitis.

Inositols in treating polycystic ovary syndrome and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus: now and the future

INTRODUCTION

This Expert Opinion covers recent updates in the use of Inositol in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and type II diabetes and gives support to researchers and clinicians.

AREAS COVERED

This article discusses the role of Myo-Inositol (MI) and D-Chiro-Inositol (DCI) in physiological function, the use of MI in PCOS, the risks of using DCI in reproductive conditions, the 40:1 combination of MI/DCI in PCOS. Furthermore, we discuss the issues of insulin resistance and how α-lactalbumin may increase the intestinal bioavailability of MI. The paper then transitions to talk about the use of inositols in diabetes, including type II diabetes, Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM), and double diabetes. Literature searches were performed with the use of PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science between July and October 2023.

EXPERT OPINION

Inositol therapy has grown in the clinical field of PCOS, with it demonstrating an efficacy like that of metformin. The use of α-lactalbumin has further supported the use of MI, as issues with intestinal bioavailability have been largely overcome. In contrast, the effect of inositol treatment on the different PCOS phenotypes remains an outstanding question. The use of inositols in type II diabetes requires further study despite promising analogous data from GDM.

Biological Properties of Cyclitols and Their Derivatives

Cyclitols are polyhydroxy cycloalkanes, each containing at least three hydroxyls attached to a different ring carbon atom. The most important cyclitol derivatives are inositols, quercitols, conduritols and pinitols, which form a group of naturally occurring polyhydric alcohols and are widely found in plants. In addition, synthetic production of cyclitols has gained importance in recent years. Cylitols are molecules synthesized in plants as a precaution against salt or water stress. They have important functions in cell functioning as they exhibit important properties such as membrane biogenesis, ion channel physiology, signal transduction, osmoregulation, phosphate storage, cell wall formation and antioxidant activity. The biological activities of these very important molecules, obtained both synthetically and from the extraction of plants, are described in this review.

Nutraceutical combination ameliorates imiquimod-induced psoriasis in mice

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that affects both localized and systemic regions of the body. This condition is characterized by the hyperproliferation of keratinocytes, resulting in skin thickening, scaling, and erythema. The severity of psoriasis depends on the extent of skin involvement, the location of the infection, and the symptoms that the person exhibits. While no cure exists, conventional therapies such as topical and systemic drugs are generally used to manage the exacerbation of symptoms. However, chronic use and overdose can lead to other severe adverse effects. Therefore, scientists and researchers are exploring potential nutraceuticals that can be considered as an alternative source of management for psoriasis. Current research aims to use different combinations of natural compounds like cannabidiol, myo-inositol, eicosapentaenoic acid, and krill oil to study the effect of these compounds in the prevention and treatment of psoriasis in the imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriatic mice model. The Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) scoring system is used to analyze skin thickness, scales, and erythema. The results indicate that the krill oil combined with the cannabidiol and myo-inositol shows better results than other nutraceutical combinations. In the future, the natural products of krill oil can be combined with cannabidiol and myo-inositol to create an improved alternative to existing steroidal and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for psoriasis treatment.

Stereoselective Voltammetric Biosensor for Myo-Inositol and D-Chiro-Inositol Recognition

This paper describes the development of a simple voltammetric biosensor for the stereoselective discrimination of myo-inositol (myo-Ins) and D-chiro-inositol (D-chiro-Ins) by means of bovine serum albumin (BSA) adsorption onto a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) graphite screen-printed electrode (MWCNT-GSPE), previously functionalized by the electropolymerization of methylene blue (MB). After a morphological characterization, the enantioselective biosensor platform was electrochemically characterized after each modification step by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results show that the binding affinity between myo-Ins and BSA was higher than that between D-chiro-Ins and BSA, confirming the different interactions exhibited by the novel BSA/MB/MWCNT/GSPE platform towards the two diastereoisomers. The biosensor showed a linear response towards both stereoisomers in the range of 2-100 μM, with LODs of 0.5 and 1 μM for myo-Ins and D-chiro-Ins, respectively. Moreover, a stereoselectivity coefficient α of 1.6 was found, with association constants of 0.90 and 0.79, for the two stereoisomers, respectively. Lastly, the proposed biosensor allowed for the determination of the stereoisomeric composition of myo-/D-chiro-Ins mixtures in commercial pharmaceutical preparations, and thus, it is expected to be successfully applied in the chiral analysis of pharmaceuticals and illicit drugs of forensic interest.

Myoinositols Prevent Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Related Complications: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Although gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has several short- and long-term adverse effects on the mother and the offspring, no medicine is generally prescribed to prevent GDM. The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effect of inositol supplementation in preventing GDM and related outcomes. Systematic search was performed in CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and Embase until 13 September 2023. Eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) compared the efficacy of inositols to placebo in pregnant women at high risk for GDM. Our primary outcome was the incidence of GDM, whereas secondary outcomes were oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and maternal and fetal complications. (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42021284939). Eight eligible RCTs were identified, including the data of 1795 patients. The incidence of GDM was halved by inositols compared to placebo (RR = 0.42, CI: 0.26-0.67). Fasting, 1-h, and 2-h OGTT glucose levels were significantly decreased by inositols. The stereoisomer myoinositol also reduced the risk of insulin need (RR = 0.29, CI: 0.13-0.68), preeclampsia or gestational hypertension (RR = 0.38, CI: 0.2-0.71), preterm birth (RR = 0.44, CI: 0.22-0.88), and neonatal hypoglycemia (RR = 0.12, CI: 0.03-0.55). Myoinositol decrease the incidence of GDM in pregnancies high-risk for GDM. Moreover, myoinositol supplementation reduces the risk of insulin need, preeclampsia or gestational hypertension, preterm birth, and neonatal hypoglycemia. Based on the present study 2-4 g myoinositol canbe suggested from the first trimester to prevent GDM and related outcomes.

Social and psychological adversity are associated with distinct mother and infant gut microbiome variations

Health disparities are driven by underlying social disadvantage and psychosocial stressors. However, how social disadvantage and psychosocial stressors lead to adverse health outcomes is unclear, particularly when exposure begins prenatally. Variations in the gut microbiome and circulating proinflammatory cytokines offer potential mechanistic pathways. Here, we interrogate the gut microbiome of mother-child dyads to compare high-versus-low prenatal social disadvantage, psychosocial stressors and maternal circulating cytokine cohorts (prospective case-control study design using gut microbiomes from 121 dyads profiled with 16 S rRNA sequencing and 89 dyads with shotgun metagenomic sequencing). Gut microbiome characteristics significantly predictive of social disadvantage and psychosocial stressors in the mothers and children indicate that different discriminatory taxa and related pathways are involved, including many species of Bifidobacterium and related pathways across several comparisons. The lowest inter-individual gut microbiome similarity was observed among high-social disadvantage/high-psychosocial stressors mothers, suggesting distinct environmental exposures driving a diverging gut microbiome assembly compared to low-social disadvantage/low-psychosocial stressors controls (P = 3.5 × 10-5 for social disadvantage, P = 2.7 × 10-15 for psychosocial stressors). Children's gut metagenome profiles at 4 months also significantly predicted high/low maternal prenatal IL-6 (P = 0.029), with many bacterial species overlapping those identified by social disadvantage and psychosocial stressors. These differences, based on maternal social and psychological status during a critical developmental window early in life, offer potentially modifiable targets to mitigate health inequities.

Nutrigenomics of inward rectifier potassium channels

Inwardly rectifying potassium (Kir) channels play a key role in maintaining the resting membrane potential and supporting potassium homeostasis. There are many variants of Kir channels, which are usually tetramers in which the main subunit has two trans-membrane helices attached to two N- and C-terminal cytoplasmic tails with a pore-forming loop in between that contains the selectivity filter. These channels have domains that are strongly modulated by molecules present in nutrients found in different diets, such as phosphoinositols, polyamines and Mg²⁺. These molecules can impact these channels directly or indirectly, either allosterically by modulation of enzymes or via the regulation of channel expression. A particular type of these channels is coupled to cell metabolism and inhibited by ATP (KATP channels, essential for insulin release and for the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases like diabetes mellitus). Genomic changes in Kir channels have a significant impact on metabolism, such as conditioning the nutrients and electrolytes that an individual can take. Thus, the nutrigenomics of ion channels is an important emerging field in which we are attempting to understand how nutrients and diets can affect the activity and expression of ion channels and how genomic changes in such channels may be the basis for pathological conditions that limit nutrition and electrolyte intake. In this contribution we briefly review Kir channels, discuss their nutrigenomics, characterize how different components in the diet affect their function and expression, and suggest how their genomic changes lead to pathological phenotypes that affect diet and electrolyte intake.

Metabolism responses in the intestine of Oreochromis mossambicus exposed to salinity, alkalinity and salt-alkalinity stress using LC-MS/MS-based metabolomics

Multiple abiotic stresses are imposed on fish as a result of unprecedented changes in temperature and precipitation patterns in recent decades. It is unclear how teleosts respond to severe ambient salinity, alkalinity, and saline-alkalinity in terms of their metabolic and molecular osmoregulation processes. The metabolic reactions in the intestine of Oreochromis mossambicus under salinity (25 g/L, S_C), alkalinity (4 g/L, A_C), and saline-alkalinity (salinity: 25 g/L & alkalinity: 4 g/L, SA_C) stresses were examined in this research utilizing LC-MS/MS-based metabolomics. The findings demonstrated that the three osmotic-stressed groups' metabolic profiles were considerably different from those of the control group. Osmolytes, energy sources, free amino acids, and several intermediate metabolites were all synthetically adjusted as part of the osmoregulation associated with the salinity, alkalinity, and saline-alkalinity stress. Following osmotic stress, osmoregulation-related pathways, including the mTOR signaling pathway, TCA cycle, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, etc., were also discovered in the intestine of O. mossambicus. Overall, our findings can assist in better comprehending the molecular regulatory mechanism in euryhaline fish under various osmotic pressures and can offer a preliminary profile of osmotic regulation.

Neurobiology and Applications of Inositol in Psychiatry: A Narrative Review

Inositol is a natural sugar-like compound, commonly present in many plants and foods. It is involved in several biochemical pathways, most of them controlling vital cellular mechanisms, such as cell development, signaling and nuclear processes, metabolic and endocrine modulation, cell growth, signal transduction, etc. In this narrative review, we focused on the role of inositol in human brain physiology and pathology, with the aim of providing an update on both potential applications and current limits in its use in psychiatric disorders. Overall, imaging and biomolecular studies have shown the role of inositol levels in the pathogenesis of mood disorders. However, when administered as monotherapy or in addition to conventional drugs, inositol did not seem to influence clinical outcomes in both mood and psychotic disorders. Conversely, more encouraging results have emerged for the treatment of panic disorders. We concluded that, despite its multifaceted neurobiological activities and some positive findings, to date, data on the efficacy of inositol in the treatment of psychiatric disorders are still controversial, partly due to the heterogeneity of supporting studies. Therefore, systematic use of inositol in routine clinical practice cannot be recommended yet, although further basic and translational research should be encouraged.

Chronic Antihyperglycemic Effect Exerted by Traditional Extracts of Three Mexican Medicinal Plants

Chronic hyperglycemia, the product of uncontrolled diabetes, leads to the appearance of vascular complications that can result in the premature death of diabetic patients. Consequently, pharmacological intervention with hypoglycemic agents could delay these complications and improve the quality of life of patients in the long term. Traditional Mexican medicine provides a great wealth of medicinal plants that are used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, the most prevalent form of diabetes, accounting for nearly 90-95% of total cases. However, there is still a lack of studies that support their hypoglycemic effects, clarify their mechanisms of action, and report their long-term efficacy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the chronic effects of the traditional extracts of some Mexican medicinal plants used by diabetic patients (Ageratina petiolaris (Moc. & Sessé ex DC.) R.M. King & H. Rob. (Asteraceae), Calea urticifolia (Mill.) DC. (Asteraceae), and Eryngium cymosum F.Delaroche (Apiaceae)) on hyperglycemia and hypertriglyceridemia. To achieve this goal, the aqueous extracts of these plants at their traditional doses were administered daily to streptozotocin-nicotinamide (STZ-NA) hyperglycemic Wistar rats for 42 days to assess their effects on nonfasting blood glucose (NFBG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and blood triglycerides (TG). The results showed that the A. petiolaris extract significantly reduced NFBG by 33% compared to its baseline (p = 0.0281). Besides, it prevented the increase in HbA1c by 2.63% (p = 0.0303) and diminished the AUC of TG (p = 0.0031) compared with the negative control. On the other hand, both C. urticifolia and E. cymosum prevented worsening of hyperglycemia by avoiding the significant increase in glucose levels seen in the negative control and the rise in HbA1c by 2.58% (p = 0.0156). These outcomes provide evidence for the first time of the antihyperglycemic effect of these Mexican medicinal plants, confirming their long-term efficacy in the control of chronic hyperglycemia.

Harnessing the Power of Purple Sweet Potato Color and Myo-Inositol to Treat Classic Galactosemia

Classic Galactosemia (CG) is a devastating inborn error of the metabolism caused by mutations in the GALT gene encoding the enzyme galactose-1 phosphate uridylyltransferase in galactose metabolism. Severe complications of CG include neurological impairments, growth restriction, cognitive delays, and, for most females, primary ovarian insufficiency. The absence of the GALT enzyme leads to an accumulation of aberrant galactose metabolites, which are assumed to be responsible for the sequelae. There is no treatment besides the restriction of dietary galactose, which does not halt the development of the complications; thus, additional treatments are sorely needed. Supplements have been used in other inborn errors of metabolism but are not part of the therapeutic regimen for CG. The goal of this study was to test two generally recognized as safe supplements (purple sweet potato color (PSPC) and myo-inositol (MI)) that may impact cellular pathways contributing to the complications in CG. Our group uses a GalT gene-trapped mouse model to study the pathophysiology in CG, which phenocopy many of the complications. Here we report the ability of PSPC to ameliorate dysregulation in the ovary, brain, and liver of our mutant mice as well as positive results of MI supplementation in the ovary and brain.

d-Pinitol promotes tau dephosphorylation through a cyclin-dependent kinase 5 regulation mechanism: A new potential approach for tauopathies?

Background and Purpose

Recent evidence links brain insulin resistance with neurodegenerative diseases, where hyperphosphorylated tau protein contributes to neuronal cell death. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate if d‐pinitol inositol, which acts as an insulin sensitizer, affects the phosphorylation status of tau protein.

Experimental Approach

We studied the pharmacological effect of d‐pinitol on insulin signalling and tau phosphorylation in the hippocampus of Wistar and Zucker rats. To this end, we evaluated by western blotting the Akt pathway and its downstream proteins as being one of the main insulin‐mediator pathways. Also, we explored the functional status of additional kinases phosphorylating tau, including PKA, ERK1/2, AMPK and CDK5. We utilized the 3xTg mouse model as a control for tauopathy, since it carries tau mutations that promote phosphorylation and aggregation.

Key Results

Surprisingly, we discovered that oral d‐pinitol treatment lowered tau phosphorylation significantly, but not through the expected kinase GSK‐3 regulation. An extensive search for additional kinases phosphorylating tau revealed that this effect was mediated through a mechanism dependent on the reduction of the activity of the CDK5, affecting both its p35 and p25 subunits. This effect disappeared in leptin‐deficient Zucker rats, uncovering that the association of leptin deficiency, obesity, dyslipidaemia and hyperinsulinaemia abrogates d‐pinitol actions on tau phosphorylation. The 3xTg mice confirmed d‐pinitol effectiveness in a genetic AD‐tauopathy.

Conclusion and Implications

The present findings suggest that d‐pinitol, by regulating CDK5 activity through a decrease of CDK5R1, is a potential drug for developing treatments for neurological disorders such as tauopathies.

Inositols, Probiotics, and Gestational Diabetes: Clinical and Epigenetic Aspects

There is growing interest in the potential role of different stereoisomers of inositol or their combination as well as probiotics supplementation in healthy glucose metabolism during pregnancy and in promoting offspring health. The aim of this review is to clarify the effects of several inositol and probiotics-based supplements in the prevention and treatment of gestational diabetes (GDM). Moreover, we will discuss the epigenetic aspects and their short- and long-term effects in response to probiotic intervention as well as the possible implications of these findings in guiding appropriate supplementation regimens in pregnancy.

The Impact of Nutritional Supplementation During Pregnancy on the Incidence of Gestational Diabetes and Glycaemia Control

The nutritional state before and throughout pregnancy has a critical impact on the women's health and the baby's development and growth. The release of placental hormones during pregnancy induces/ increases maternal insulin resistance and promotes nutrition utilization by the fetus. Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is the most common medical complication in pregnancy and is associated with significant maternal and fetal morbidity. Several studies have examined the effect of physical activity, healthy eating, and various food supplements on the risk of developing gestational diabetes (GDM) and related outcomes. Among those, Myo-Inositol supplementation has shown encouraging results in the prevention of GDM. Maternal vitamin D deficiency has been associated with an elevated risk of GDM, and supplementation can improve glucose haemostasis by lowering fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, and serum insulin concentration. Probiotics modulate the gut microbiota leading to an improved glucose and lipid metabolism, which is proposed to reduce the risk of GDM. We aim to review the strength and limitation of the current evidence for using some nutritional supplements either as single agents or in combinations on the risk of developing GDM and on glycaemic control.

Novel Chemical and Biological Insights of Inositol Derivatives in Mediterranean Plants

Inositols (Ins) are natural compounds largely widespread in plants and animals. Bio-sinthetically they derive from sugars, possessing a molecular structure very similar to the simple sugars, and this aspect concurs to define them as primary metabolites, even though it is much more correct to place them at the boundary between primary and secondary metabolites. This dichotomy is well represented by the fact that as primary metabolites they are essential cellular components in the form of phospholipid derivatives, while as secondary metabolites they are involved in a plethora of signaling pathways playing an important role in the surviving of living organisms. myo-Inositol is the most important and widespread compound of this family, it derives directly from d-glucose, and all known inositols, including stereoisomers and derivatives, are the results of metabolic processes on this unique molecule. In this review, we report the new insights of these compounds and their derivatives concerning their occurrence in Nature with a particular emphasis on the plant of the Mediterranean area, as well as the new developments about their biological effectiveness.

Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry-based metabolite profiling of coffee beans obtained from different altitudes and origins with various postharvest processing

INTRODUCTION

Coffee is a popular beverage because of its pleasant aroma and distinctive flavor. The flavor of coffee results from chemical transformations influenced by various intrinsic and extrinsic factors, including altitude, geographical origin, and postharvest processing. Despite is the importance of grading coffee quality, there is no report on the dominant factor that influences the metabolomic profile of green coffee beans and the correlated metabolites for each factor.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the total metabolite profile of coffees from different altitudes and coffees subjected to different postharvest processing.

METHOD

Arabica green coffee beans obtained from different geographical origins and different altitudes (400 and 800 m) and produced by different postharvest processes (dry, honey, and washed process) were used in this study. Coffee samples obtained from altitudes of 400-1600 m above sea level from various origins that were produced by the washed method were used for further study with regard to altitudes. Samples were subjected to gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis and visualized using principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares (OPLS) regression analysis.

RESULTS

The PCA results showed sample separation based on postharvest processing in PC1 and sample separation based on altitude in PC2. A clear separation between samples from different altitudes was observed if the samples were subjected to the same postharvest processing method, and the samples were of the same origin. Based on this result, OPLS analysis was conducted using coffee samples obtained from various altitudes with the same postharvest processing. An OPLS model using altitude as a response variable and 79 metabolites annotated from the GC/MS analysis as an explanatory variable was constructed with good R² and Q² values.

CONCLUSION

Postharvest processing was found to be the dominant factor affecting coffee metabolite composition; this was followed by geographical origin and altitude. The metabolites glutamic acid and galactinol were associated with the washed and honey process, while glycine, lysine, sorbose, fructose, glyceric acid, and glycolic acid were associated with the dry process. Two metabolites with high variable influence on projection scores in the OPLS model for altitude were inositol and serotonin, which showed positive and negative correlations, respectively. This is the first study to report characteristic coffee metabolites obtained from different altitudes.

Inositols Depletion and Resistance: Principal Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies

Inositols are natural molecules involved in several biochemical and metabolic functions in different organs and tissues. The term "inositols" refers to five natural stereoisomers, among which myo-Inositol (myo-Ins) is the most abundant one. Several mechanisms contribute to regulate cellular and tissue homeostasis of myo-Ins levels, including its endogenous synthesis and catabolism, transmembrane transport, intestinal adsorption and renal excretion. Alterations in these mechanisms can lead to a reduction of inositols levels, exposing patient to several pathological conditions, such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), hypothyroidism, hormonal and metabolic imbalances, like weight gain, hyperinsulinemia, dyslipidemia, and metabolic syndrome. Indeed, myo-Ins is involved in different physiological processes as a key player in signal pathways, including reproductive, hormonal, and metabolic modulation. Genetic mutations in genes codifying for proteins of myo-Ins synthesis and transport, competitive processes with structurally similar molecules, and the administration of specific drugs that cause a central depletion of myo-Ins as a therapeutic outcome, can lead to a reduction of inositols levels. A deeper knowledge of the main mechanisms involved in cellular inositols depletion may add new insights for developing tailored therapeutic approaches and shaping the dosages and the route of administration, with the aim to develop efficacious and safe approaches counteracting inositols depletion-induced pathological events.

The Immunopathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease Is Related to the Composition of Gut Microbiota

The microbiota-gut-brain axis plays an important role in the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Commensal and pathogenic enteric bacteria can influence brain and immune system function by the production of lipopolysaccharides and amyloid. Dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiome induces local and consecutively systemic immune-mediated inflammation. Proinflammatory cytokines then trigger neuroinflammation and finally neurodegeneration. Immune-mediated oxidative stress can lead to a deficiency of vitamins and essential micronutrients. Furthermore, the wrong composition of gut microbiota might impair the intake and metabolization of nutrients. In patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) significant alterations of the gut microbiota have been demonstrated. Standard Western diet, infections, decreased physical activity and chronic stress impact the composition and diversity of gut microbiota. A higher abundancy of "pro-inflammatory" gut microbiota goes along with enhanced systemic inflammation and neuroinflammatory processes. Thus, AD beginning in the gut is closely related to the imbalance of gut microbiota. Modulation of gut microbiota by Mediterranean diet, probiotics and curcumin can slow down cognitive decline and alter the gut microbiome significantly. A multi-domain intervention approach addressing underlying causes of AD (inflammation, infections, metabolic alterations like insulin resistance and nutrient deficiency, stress) appears very promising to reduce or even reverse cognitive decline by exerting positive effects on the gut microbiota.

Inositol and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Systematic Review on Deficiencies and Supplementation

Liver lipid accumulation is a hallmark of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), broadly associated with insulin resistance. Inositols (INS) are ubiquitous polyols implied in many physiological functions. They are produced endogenously, are present in many foods and in dietary supplements. Alterations in INS metabolism seems to play a role in diseases involving insulin resistance such as diabetes and polycystic ovary syndrome. Given its role in other metabolic syndromes, the hypothesis of an INS role as a supplement in NAFLD is intriguing. We performed a systematic review of the literature to find preclinical and clinical evidence of INS supplementation efficacy in NAFLD patients. We retrieved 10 studies on animal models assessing Myoinosiol or Pinitol deficiency or supplementation and one human randomized controlled trial (RCT). Overall, INS deficiency was associated with increased fatty liver in animals. Conversely, INS supplementation in animal models of fatty liver reduced hepatic triglycerides and cholesterol accumulation and maintained a normal ultrastructural liver histopathology. In the one included RCT, Pinitol supplementation obtained similar results. Pinitol significantly reduced liver fat, post-prandial triglycerides, AST levels, lipid peroxidation increasing glutathione peroxidase activity. These results, despite being limited, indicate the need for further evaluation of INS in NAFLD in larger clinical trials.