Association of telomere length with IL-6 levels during an obesity treatment in adolescents: interaction with the-174G/C polymorphism in the IL-6gene

BACKGROUND

Shorter telomeres have been associated with elevated risk for age-related diseases. However, little is known about the biomarker role of telomere length (TL) for predicting inflammation and glucose alterations.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this research is to evaluate the association between TL, inflammatory markers and glucose levels after a 2-month weight-loss programme in obese adolescents.

METHODS

Telomere length was measured using a quantitative polymerase chain reaction in 66 obese adolescents aged 12-17 years (51% men) from the EVASYON programme. The adolescents were genotyped for the polymorphism -174G/C (rs1800795) in the IL-6gene, and anthropometric and biochemical markers as well as inflammatory cytokines were analysed.

RESULTS

Multiple-adjusted models showed that longer telomeres at baseline were associated with a higher reduction in glucose (B = -4.08, 95% confidence interval: -6.66 to -1.50) and IL-6 (B = -1.03, 95% confidence interval: -2.01 to -0.05) serum levels after 2 months of the weight-loss treatment. The -174G/C polymorphism modulated the association between basal TL and changes in IL-6 (P interaction = 0.029). Thus, subjects with the GG + GC genotype and with longer telomeres showed a higher decrease in IL-6 levels than CC homozygotes.

CONCLUSION

Longer telomeres are associated with an improvement in glucose tolerance and inflammation after a weight-loss programme in obese adolescents. Moreover, the -174G/C polymorphism may influence the relationship between TL and IL-6 changes.

Polyphenol-SiO2 hybrid biosorbent for heavy metal removal. Yerba mate waste (Ilex paraguariensis) as polyphenol source: kinetics and isotherm studies

A low-cost biosorbent hybrid material ready for application was obtained in this work. Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) milling residual dust was used as a polyphenol source by ethanolic extraction. Polyphenols were immobilized within a SiO(2) matrix to form an interpenetrated polymer after glutaraldehyde cross-linking. Pb(II), Cr(III) and Cr(VI) were chosen as model metals for adsorption. The hybrid materials were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS) and Nitrogen Adsorption Isotherms. Adsorption experimental data were analysed using Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin-Radushkevich, Temkin, Redlich-Peterson, Sips and Toth isotherm models along with the evaluation of adsorption energy and standard free energy (ΔG°). The adsorption was observed to be pH dependent. The main mechanism of metal adsorption was found to be a spontaneous charge associated interaction. Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) spectroscopy confirmed that Cr(VI) adsorption was an adsorption-coupled reaction and the adsorbed specie was Cr(V). The hybrid matrix probed its adsorption capacity of Cr(III) in a non-treated tannery wastewater.

Iron and vitamin status biomarkers and its association with physical fitness in adolescents: the HELENA study

There is a lack of studies that analyze the association between micronutrient-related biomarker status and physical fitness in adolescents. In the present study, biochemical parameters for iron and vitamin status were studied, along with objective measures of physical fitness in healthy male and female European adolescents. One thousand eighty-nine adolescents (580 girls, 12.5-17.5 yr) from the Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence (HELENA) cross-sectional study were included. Hierarchical linear models were performed to determine the associations between micronutrient biomarkers and physical fitness. Age, seasonality, latitude, body mass index, menarche (in girls), and physical activity were used as covariates. For cardiorespiratory fitness, concentrations of hemoglobin, retinol, and vitamin C in male adolescents and β-carotene and 25(OH)D in female adolescents were associated with maximal oxygen consumption. For muscular fitness, concentrations of hemoglobin, β-carotene, retinol, and α-tocopherol in male adolescents and β-carotene and 25(OH)D in female adolescents were associated with better performance of the standing long jump test. In summary, concentrations of hemoglobin and most antioxidant vitamins in male adolescents and β-carotene and 25(OH)D in female adolescents were positively associated with cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness, after controlling for relevant confounders. The associations between physical fitness and iron or vitamin status observed in this cross-sectional study in adolescents should be followed up by a study specifically designed to evaluate causal relationships.

The effect of ponderal index at birth on the relationships between common LEP and LEPR polymorphisms and adiposity in adolescents

This study examined the effect of ponderal index (PI) at birth on the relationships between eight common polymorphisms of the leptin (LEP) and leptin receptor (LEPR) genes and adiposity in adolescents. A total of 823 European adolescents (45.4% girls) aged 14.8 ± 1.4 years were genotyped for the LEP (rs2167270, rs12706832, rs10244329, rs2071045, and rs3828942) and LEPR (rs1137100, rs1137101, and rs8179183) polymorphisms. The PI was calculated from parental reports of birth weight and length. Fat mass index (FMI) was calculated. Analyses were adjusted for relevant confounders. An "adiposity-risk-allele score" based on genotypes at the three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with adolescents' FMI in adolescents within the lower tertile of PI was calculated. The LEP rs10244329 and rs3828942 polymorphisms were associated with higher FMI only in adolescents within the lower PI tertile (+0.55 kg/m(2) per minor T allele, P = 0.040, and +0.58 kg/m(2) per major G allele, P = 0.028, respectively). The LEPR rs8179183 polymorphism was significantly associated with higher FMI in adolescents within the lower PI tertile (+0.87 kg/m(2) per minor C allele, P = 0.006). After correction for multiple comparisons, only the association between the LEPR rs8179183 and FMI persisted. However, each additional risk allele conferred 0.53 kg/m(2) greater FMI in adolescents within the lower tertile of PI (P = 0.008). In conclusion, our results suggest that those adolescents born with lower PI could be more vulnerable to the influence of the LEP rs10244329 and rs3828942 polymorphisms and LEPR rs8179183 polymorphism on total adiposity content. Due to the relatively small sample size, these findings should be replicated in further larger population samples.

Daily consumption of milk enriched with fish oil, oleic acid, minerals and vitamins reduces cell adhesion molecules in healthy children

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Several studies have suggested that polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins and minerals have beneficial effects on lipid profile and systemic inflammation in adults.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We examined the effects of a daily intake of milk enriched with longchain polyunsaturated fatty acids, oleic acid, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and low in saturated fatty acids (SFAs) for 5 months, on several cardiovascular (CVD) risk biomarkers in healthy children aged 8-14 years. In a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial, a total of 107 children of both genders were assigned to two study groups: 1) a supplemented group (SG, n=53) who consumed 0.6 L/day of an enriched dairy product, and 2) a control group (CG, n=54) who consumed 0.6 L/day of standard whole milk. Both groups consumed the dairy drinks for 5 months, in addition to their usual diet. Serum levels of adhesion molecules as indices of vascular endothelial cell activation were assessed in both groups at 0 and 5 months as well as white blood cell counts, lipid profile, serum proteins, total serum calcium, 25-OH vitamin D, glucose, insulin and adiponectin. In the enriched dairy drink supplemented group, adhesion molecules E-selectin and ICAM-1 as well as lymphocyte levels decreased while plasma docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and serum calcium concentrations increased. In the control group, serum total protein, transferrin, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and adiponectin concentrations decreased.

CONCLUSION

The consumption of a milk enriched with fish oil, oleic acid, minerals and vitamins reduced indices of endothelial cell activation in the studied group of healthy children.

IGF-II regulates metastatic properties of choriocarcinoma cells through the activation of the insulin receptor

Choriocarcinoma is a highly malignant tumor that can arise from trophoblasts of any type of gestational event but most often from complete hydatidiform mole. IGF-II plays a fundamental role in placental development and may play a role in gestational trophoblastic diseases. Several studies have shown that IGF-II is expressed at high levels in hydatidiform moles and choriocarcinoma tissues; however, conflicting data exist on how IGF-II regulates the behaviour of choriocarcinoma cells. The purpose of this study was to determine the contribution of the receptors for IGF-I and insulin to the actions of IGF-II on the regulation of choriocarcinoma cells metastasis. An Immuno Radio Metric Assay was used to analyse the circulating and tissue levels of IGF-I and IGF-II in 24 cases of hydatidiform mole, two cases of choriocarcinoma and eight cases of spontaneous abortion at the same gestational age. The JEG-3 choriocarcinoma cell line was used to investigate the role of IGF-II in the regulation of cell invasion. We found that mole and choriocarcinoma tissue express high levels of IGF-II compared to first trimester placenta. Both IGF-I and IGF-II regulate choriocarcinoma cell invasion in a dose dependent manner but through a different mechanism. IGF-II effects involve the activation of the InsR while IGF-I uses the IGF-IR. The positive effects of IGF-II on invasion are the result of enhanced cell adhesion and chemotaxis (specifically towards collagen IV). The actions of IGF-II but not those of IGF-I were sensitive to inhibition by the insulin receptor inhibitor HNMPA(AM)3. Our results demonstrate that the insulin receptor regulates choriocarcinoma cell invasion.

Validation of a capillary electrophoresis method for the analysis of ibandronate related impurities

A capillary zone electrophoretic (CZE) method has been developed for the determination of impurities (phosphyte and phosphate) in technical-grade ibandronate, which is a potent nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate. Successful separation of the drug from the impurities was achieved using 1mM tetradecyl-trimethyl-ammonium bromide (TTAB) and 5mM potassium chromate (pH 10.0) as background electrolyte with an indirect detection at 254 nm. The optimised method was validated for specificity, precision, linearity and accuracy. The limit of detection (LOD) was 2 microg/mL and the limit of quantification (LOQ) was 7 microg/mL for both phosphyte and phosphate. The developed CZE method used to determine phosphyte and phosphate as bisphosphonates impurities can be used to evaluate the quality of regular production samples of ibandronate.

Antimicrobial activity on glass materials subject to disinfectant xerogel coating

The antimicrobial compound dodecyl-di(aminoethyl)-glycine was immobilized in a silicon oxide xerogel matrix and used for glass surface coating. Coated glasses were tested for surface antimicrobial activity. The utilization of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) as a silicon oxide polymer precursor, using the dip-coating process, allowed for the generation of transparent thin films over glass surfaces. Different concentrations of the antimicrobial compound were used to generate the coatings. The presence of dodecyl-di(aminoethyl)-glycine on coated and uncoated slides was analyzed by FT-IR spectra. Coated glass slides were exposed to suspensions of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus for 24 h. Surface contamination was evaluated by the microbial plate count technique. When antimicrobial-coated glasses were compared with antimicrobial-free coated glasses, the former showed greater than 99% reduction of colony-forming units (cfu) for E. coli and P. aeruginosa, when 1% of antimicrobial was present in the coating solution. The same percentage of reduction for S. aureus was achieved when 1.5% of the antimicrobial was present in the coating solution. In a direct inhibition test on agar plates, no inhibitory zone was observed, indicating that the antimicrobial did not diffuse into the media.

Naturally occurring benzodiazepines in human milk

The presence of benzodiazepine-like molecules was detected radioimmunologically in the plasma and milk of 12 women and in the plasma of 9 men. All subjects were non-users of benzodiazepines. The concentration of these biological materials expressed as diazepam equivalents per mL amounted to 2.54 +/- 0.74 ng in male plasma; to 2.20 +/- 0.35 ng in female plasma and to 1.91 +/- 0.54 ng in milk. Further investigation of the active compounds in milk permitted the unequivocal identification of diazepam, both free and bound to a presumably protein carrier and, at least, three more benzodiazepine-like molecules. Their origin either from dietary sources or as a result of endogenous biosynthesis is still unclear.

Chrysin (5,7-di-OH-flavone), a naturally-occurring ligand for benzodiazepine receptors, with anticonvulsant properties

Chrysin (5,7-di-OH-flavone) was identified in Passiflora coerulea L., a plant used as a sedative in folkloric medicine. Chrysin was found to be a ligand for the benzodiazepine receptors, both central (Ki = 3 microM, competitive mechanism) and peripheral (Ki = 13 microM, mixed-type mechanism). Administered to mice by the intracerebroventricular route, chrysin was able to prevent the expression of tonic-clonic seizures induced by pentylenetertrazol. Ro 15-1788, a central benzodiazepine receptor antagonist, abolished this effect. In addition, all of the treated mice lose the normal righting reflex which suggests a myorelaxant action of the flavonoid. The presence in P. coerulea of benzodiazepine-like compounds was also confirmed.