João Felipe Mota

Gut microbiota, probiotics and diabetes

Diabetes is a condition of multifactorial origin, involving several molecular mechanisms related to the intestinal microbiota for its development. In type 2 diabetes, receptor activation and recognition by microorganisms from the intestinal lumen may trigger inflammatory responses, inducing the phosphorylation of serine residues in insulin receptor substrate-1, reducing insulin sensitivity. In type 1 diabetes, the lowered expression of adhesion proteins within the intestinal epithelium favours a greater immune response that may result in destruction of pancreatic β cells by CD8+ T-lymphocytes, and increased expression of interleukin-17, related to autoimmunity. Research in animal models and humans has hypothesized whether the administration of probiotics may improve the prognosis of diabetes through modulation of gut microbiota. We have shown in this review that a large body of evidence suggests probiotics reduce the inflammatory response and oxidative stress, as well as increase the expression of adhesion proteins within the intestinal epithelium, reducing intestinal permeability. Such effects increase insulin sensitivity and reduce autoimmune response. However, further investigations are required to clarify whether the administration of probiotics can be efficiently used for the prevention and management of diabetes.

Nuts and legume seeds for cardiovascular risk reduction: scientific evidence and mechanisms of action

Consumption of tree nuts and legume seeds is associated with a reduction in cardiovascular risk. The reduction in blood lipids and in inflammatory and oxidative processes exhibited by bioactive compounds such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, fibers, phenolic compounds, tocopherols, phospholipids, carotenoids, some minerals, and arginine, has stimulated research on the mechanisms of action of these substances through distinct experimental approaches. It is, therefore, important to know the metabolic effect of each nut and legume seed or the mixture of them to choose the most suitable nutritional interventions in clinical practice. The aim of this narrative bibliographic review was to investigate the effects of tree nuts and legume seeds on biomarkers of cardiovascular risk, as well as their mechanisms of action with regard to lipid profiles, insulin resistance, arterial pressure, oxidative stress, and inflammation. The findings indicate that a mixture of nuts and legume seeds optimizes the protective effect against cardiovascular risk.

Impact of creatine supplementation in combination with resistance training on lean mass in the elderly

Human ageing is a process characterized by loss of muscle mass, strength, and bone mass. We aimed to examine the efficacy of low‐dose creatine supplementation associated with resistance training on lean mass, strength, and bone mass in the elderly.

Nutritional and Hormonal Modulation of Adiponectin and its Receptors adipoR1 and adipoR2

Adiponectin is the most abundant plasma protein synthesized mostly by adipose tissue and is an insulin-sensitive hormone, playing a central role in glucose and lipid metabolism. Adiponectin effects are mediated via two receptors, adipoR1 and adipoR2. Several hormones and diet components that are involved in insulin resistance may impair insulin sensitivity at least in part by decreasing adiponectin and adiponectin receptors. Adiponectin expression and serum levels are associated with the amount and type of fatty acids and carbohydrate consumed. Other food items, such as vitamins, alcohol, sodium, green tea, and coffee, have been reported to modify adiponectin levels. Several hormones, including testosterone, estrogen, prolactin, glucocorticoids, catecholamines, and growth hormone, have been shown to inhibit adiponectin production, but the studies are still controversial. Even so, adiponectin is a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of diabetes mellitus and other diseases associated with hypoadiponectinemia.

The additional effects of a probiotic mix on abdominal adiposity and antioxidant Status: A double-blind, randomized trial

To investigate whether a probiotic mix has additional effects when compared with an isolated dietary intervention on the body composition, lipid profile, endotoxemia, inflammation, and antioxidant profile.

Nuts and Human Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review

There has been increasing interest in nuts and their outcome regarding human health. The consumption of nuts is frequently associated with reduction in risk factors for chronic diseases. Although nuts are high calorie foods, several studies have reported beneficial effects after nut consumption, due to fatty acid profiles, vegetable proteins, fibers, vitamins, minerals, carotenoids, and phytosterols with potential antioxidant action. However, the current findings about the benefits of nut consumption on human health have not yet been clearly discussed. This review highlights the effects of nut consumption on the context of human health.

Métodos de análise da composição corporal em adultos obesos

The analysis of body composition in obese individuals has been intensively discussed due to the methodological limitations of most measurement methods. The aim of this thematic section was to clarify the characteristics, advantages, and limitations of methods of body composition evaluation in obese adults. In addition to the measurement of body fat and fat-free mass, evaluation of specific patterns of body composition change, such as loss of both muscle and bone mass in obese individuals, is also of special scientific interest because they are used for the diagnosis and prognosis of osteosarcopenic obesity. Although the use of multi-compartment models are gold-standard for the assessment of body composition, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry may be used as a method of reference in scientific research and clinical practice. Studies indicate that magnetic resonance and computed tomography are, in some instances, strongly correlated with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Other techniques present with limitations in assessing the body composition of obese individuals, especially when evaluating weight loss changes.

The human gut microbiota: Metabolism and perspective in obesity.

ABSTRACT The gut microbiota has been recognized as an important factor in the development of metabolic diseases such as obesity and is considered an endocrine organ involved in the maintenance of energy homeostasis and host immunity. Dysbiosis can change the functioning of the intestinal barrier and the gut-associated lymphoid tissues (GALT) by allowing the passage of structural components of bacteria, such as lipopolysaccharides (LPS), which activate inflammatory pathways that may contribute to the development of insulin resistance. Furthermore, intestinal dysbiosis can alter the production of gastrointestinal peptides related to satiety, resulting in an increased food intake. In obese people, this dysbiosis seems be related to increases of the phylum Firmicutes, the genus Clostridium, and the species Eubacterium rectale, Clostridium coccoides, Lactobacillus reuteri, Akkermansia muciniphila, Clostridium histolyticum, and Staphylococcus aureus.

The effect of artichoke on lipid profile: A review of possible mechanisms of action

&NA; Cardiovascular disease is a highly prevalent issue worldwide, and one of its main manifestations, dyslipidaemia, needs more attention. Cooked artichoke (Cynara scolymus) hearts or artichoke leaf extract (ALE) are believed to be helpful in the treatment of dyslipidaemia. In this narrative review, we provide a brief overview of the potential impact of artichoke consumption on lipid profile. We appraised the Cochrane, MEDLINE and Web of Science databases, and included articles published between 2000 and June 2018 on intervention in humans only. The main potential of ALE administration observed on lipid profile relates to decreased serum LDL, total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations, although no strong evidence for increasing HDL appears to exist. Evidence suggests that decreases of 8–49 mg/dL for LDL concentration, 12–55 mg/dL for total cholesterol, and 11–51 mg/dL for triglycerides, can be attributed to 2 to 3 g/d of ALE, in which its components luteolin and chlorogenic acid may play a key role. On the other hand, the effects of cooked artichoke hearts can be attributed mainly to its soluble fibres, particularly inulin. Despite the convincing evidence on its health benefits, additional long‐term clinical trials are pivotal to fully elucidate the potential effects of ALE administration on positive cardiovascular outcomes. Graphical abstract Figure. No caption available.

Low vitamin D at ICU admission is associated with cancer, infections, acute respiratory insufficiency and liver failure

OBJECTIVES Vitamin D deficiency may be associated with comorbidities and poor prognosis. However, this association in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) has not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) within the first 48 h after ICU admission are associated with prognostic indicators (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation [APACHE] II, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment [SOFA] score, Charlson comorbidity index [CCI]), clinical complications, serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations, mechanical ventilation duration, and mortality. METHODS Seventy-one patients were admitted to the ICU, and their concentrations of 25(OH)D in the first 48 h were analyzed. To evaluate the prognostic factors in the ICU, APACHE II scores, SOFA scores, CCI questionnaires, mechanical ventilation time, CRP, and mortality were used. RESULTS The mean concentration of 25(OH)D was 17.7 ± 8.27 ng/mL (range 3.5-37.5 ng/mL), with 91.6% presenting with deficiency at admission. Although no associations were found between serum 25(OH)D concentrations with mechanical ventilation time, CRP, mortality, and APACHE II and SOFA severity scores, we found associations with the CCI when adjusted by age (model 1: odds ratio [OR], 1.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14-2.34) and by age, sex and body mass index (model 2: OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.10-2.34). In addition, among the comorbidities present, 25(OH)D concentrations were inversely associated with cancer (crude model OR, 3.42; 95% CI, 1.21-9.64) and liver disease (crude model OR, 9.64; 95% CI, 2.28-40.60). CONCLUSION We found a strong association between 25(OH)D concentrations and the prognostic indicator CCI and clinical complications (acute respiratory insufficiency, acute liver failure, and infections), but no associations with the prognostic indicators APACHE II and SOFA score, CRP, mechanical ventilation duration, or mortality. The main comorbidities associated with low 25(OH)D were cancer and liver disease, suggesting that the determination of 25(OH)vitamin D is relevant during the ICU stay.