Chiara Taglioni

Meal intake similarly reduces circulating concentrations of octanoyl and total ghrelin in humans

Several data show that meal intake and nutritional status regulate circulating ghrelin concentrations in humans. Ghrelin mainly circulates in two different forms: octanoyl and des-octanoyl ghrelin. Most circulating ghrelin is des-octanoyl ghrelin which is considered inactive because it lacks endocrine activity. However, recent evidence suggests that des-octanoyl ghrelin exerts biological activity such as stimulation of adipogenesis, cardiovascular effects and control of cell growth. In healthy humans, although the total ghrelin concentration is known to peak before meals and to be reduced by food intake, no data are available about the octanoyl ghrelin response in the absorptive state. Therefore, after an overnight fast, we compared the effects of a mixed meal ingestion (meal study) or of additional 240 min fasting (control study) on plasma concentrations of octanoyl and total ghrelin in 6 healthy subjects (body mass index: 23±0.7). At baseline, octanoyl-ghrelin accounted for 3.15±0.2% of total circulating ghrelin without differences between the two sessions. A similar ratio was maintained in the absorptive state with no differences between the studies and basal values. Compared with control, meal intake significantly suppressed (nadir at 90 min) octanoyl and total ghrelin by 38±3 and 40±3% of basal values, respectively. In the meal study, multivariate analysis of variance showed that serum insulin best predicted plasma octanoyl-ghrelin concentrations accounting for 97% of its variation (r2=−0.97, p=0.0016). In conclusion: in healthy humans, octanoyl-ghrelin represents about 3–4% of total circula-ting ghrelin and this ratio is closely maintained in post-absorptive and absorptive states.

Consumatori e canali alternativi per il biologico: il caso del Gruppo Organizzato di Domanda e Offerta di aiab-Umbria

The present paper shows the results of a research carried out on a particular alternative food channel - the Organised Demand and Supply Groups (godo) of Umbria (Italy) managed by the Italian Association for Organic Agriculture (aiab). It is very interesting in terms of management, size (number of firms and consumers members involved) and relative growth rates. The analysis was carried out by systematising data and quantitative information available at godo and by administering questionnaires to consumers members in order to collect information about socio-economic characteristics and consumer behaviour. Then, the consumer profiles have been identified by the application of the Cluster Analysis. At last, the consumer profiles analysis has allowed us to formulate some suggestions in order to improve godo’s organization.

Alternative Food Networks and sustainable local development: the experience of Organised Demand and Supply Groups

In this work, with the aim to contribute to the scientific debate on the role of Alternative Food Networks for sustainable local development, a particular organizational model - Organised Demand and Supply Groups (GODO) managed by the Italian Association for Organic Agriculture (AIAB) - has been studied. The GODO chosen as a case study - in a region of Central Italy (Umbria) - is very interesting in terms of organisation and size. AIAB coordinates channels and cultural groups. GODO is significant in terms of number of enterprises and family groups involved and relative growth rates. Analysis was carried out by systematising data and quantitative information available at GODO and administering questionnaires to collect information about effects on the local system of supply and demand for organic products and environmental impact in terms of food miles and CO2 emissions due to food transport.