Jorge Moreno-Fernandez

Curcumin and Health

Nowadays, there are some molecules that have shown over the years a high capacity to act against relevant pathologies such as cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disorders or cancer. This article provides a brief review about the origin, bioavailability and new research on curcumin and synthetized derivatives. It examines the beneficial effects on health, delving into aspects such as cancer, cardiovascular effects, metabolic syndrome, antioxidant capacity, anti-inflammatory properties, and neurological, liver and respiratory disorders. Thanks to all these activities, curcumin is positioned as an interesting nutraceutical. This is the reason why it has been subjected to several modifications in its structure and administration form that have permitted an increase in bioavailability and effectiveness against different diseases, decreasing the mortality and morbidity associated to these pathologies.

Gender specific differences in oxidative stress and inflammatory signaling in healthy term neonates and their mothers

Background:Gender is a crucial determinant of life span, but little is known about gender differences in free radical homeostasis and inflammatory signaling. The aim of the study was to determine gender-related differences concerning oxidative stress and inflammatory signaling of healthy neonates and mothers.Methods:Fifty-six mothers with normal gestational course and spontaneous delivery were selected. Blood samples were collected from the mother (at the beginning of delivery and start of expulsive period) and from neonate (from umbilical cord vein and artery).Results:The mothers of girls featured a higher total antioxidant status and lower plasma hydroperoxides than the mother of boys. Regarding the neonates, the girls featured a higher total antioxidant status and lower plasma membrane hydroperoxides in umbilical cord artery together with higher catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase activities. Lower levels of interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and prostaglandin E2 were observed in the mothers of girls and higher level of soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor II. In the neonates, lower levels of interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha were observed in umbilical artery and higher soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor II in umbilical cord vein and artery of girls.Conclusion:An association between gender, oxidative stress, and inflammation signaling exists, leading to a renewed interest in the neonate’s sex as a potential risk factor to several alterations.

Hydroxytyrosol: Bioavailability, toxicity, and clinical applications

Many beneficial properties have been attributed to the Mediterranean diet. Over the years, researchers have attempted to learn which foods and which food components are responsible for good health. One of these components is hydroxytyrosol, an important phenolic compound present in olive oil. Hydroxytyrosol is a molecule of high interest to the pharmaceutical industry due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial qualities its role against cardiovascular diseases and metabolic syndrome and for its neuroprotection, antitumour, and chemo modulation effects. The interest in this molecule has led to wide research on its biological activities, its beneficial effects in humans and how to synthetize new molecules from hydroxytyrosol. This review describes the vast range of information about hydroxytyrosol, focusing on its involvement in biological mechanisms and modulation effects on different pathologies. This review also serves to highlight the role of hydroxytyrosol as a nutraceutical and as a potential therapeutic agent.

Production and chemical composition of two dehydrated fermented dairy products based on cow or goat milk.

The aim of this study was to identify the differences between the main macro and micronutrients including proteins, fat, minerals and vitamins in cow and goat dehydrated fermented milks. Fermented goat milk had higher protein and lower ash content. All amino acids (except for Ala), were higher in fermented goat milk than in fermented cow milk. Except for the values of C11:0, C13:0, C16:0, C18:0, C20:5, C22:5 and the total quantity of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, all the other fatty acid studied were significantly different in both fermented milks. Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe, Cu and Se were higher in fermented goat milk. Fermented goat milk had lower amounts of folic acid, vitamin E and C, and higher values of vitamin A, D3, B6 and B12. The current study demonstrates the better nutritional characteristics of fermented goat milk, suggesting a potential role of this dairy product as a high nutritional value food.

Short‐term ubiquinol supplementation reduces oxidative stress associated with strenuous exercise in healthy adults: A randomized trial

Studies about Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10 ) supplementation on strenuous exercise are scarce, especially those related with oxidative stress associated with physical activity and virtually nonexistent with the reduced form, Ubiquinol. The objective of this study was to determine, for the first time, whether a short-term supplementation with Ubiquinol can prevent oxidative stress associated to strenuous exercise. The participants (n = 100 healthy and well trained, but not on an elite level) were classified in two groups: Ubiquinol (experimental group), and placebo group (control). The protocol consisted of conducting two identical strenuous exercise tests with a rest period between tests of 24 h. Blood and urine samples were collected from the participants before supplementation (basal value) (T1), after supplementation (2 weeks) (T2), after first physical exercise test (T3), after 24 h of rest (T4), and after second physical exercise test (T5).The increase observed in the lactate, isoprostanes, DNA damage, and hydroperoxide levels reveals the severity of the oxidative damage induced by the exercise. There was a reduction in the isoprostanes, 8-OHdG, oxidized LDL, and hydroperoxydes in the supplemented Ubiquinol group, an increase in total antioxidant status, fat soluble antioxidant (both plasma and membrane), and CAT activity. Also, NO in the Ubiquinol-supplemented group was maintained within a narrow range. Oxidative stress induced by strenuous exercise is accumulative and increases transiently in subsequent sessions of physical activity. A short-term supplementation (2 weeks) with Ubiquinol (200 mg/day) before strenuous exercise, decreases oxidative stress and increases plasma NO, fact that could improve endothelial function, energetic substrate supply, and muscle recovery after strenuous exercise.

Influence of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Bone Turnover

Bone is a metabolically active tissue that undergoes continuous remodeling to cope with the body’s Ca and P requirements and to repair microscopic damage in a dynamic process where osteoblasts are responsible for bone formation and osteoclasts for its resorption. Dietary fat has a clear influence on bone health. Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs), especially the omega-3 (ω-3) fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are beneficial for bone metabolism. Several studies have reported that LC-PUFAs can increase bone formation, affecting peak bone mass in adolescents and reducing bone loss, because LC-PUFAs reduce inflammatory cytokines, increases calcium absorption, and enhances skeletal calcium levels. This chapter summarizes the role of LC-PUFA, especially the ω-3 fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid, on bone health and turnover.

Fermented Goat’s Milk Consumption Improves Duodenal Expression of Iron Homeostasis Genes during Anemia Recovery

Despite the crucial roles of duodenal cytochrome b (Dcytb), divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1), ferritin light chain (Ftl1), ferroportin 1 (FPN1), transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1), and hepcidin antimicrobial peptide (Hamp) in Fe metabolism, no studies have investigated the modulations of these genes during Fe repletion with fermented milks. Analysis included Fe status markers and gene and protein expression in enterocytes of control and anemic animals fed fermented milks. Fermented goats milk up-regulated enterocyte Dcytb, DMT1, FPN1, and Ftl1 and down-regulated TfR1 and Hamp gene expression in control and anemic animals. Anemia decreased Dcytb, DMT1, and Ftl1 in animals fed fermented cows milk and up-regulated TfR1 and Hamp expression. Fe overload down-regulated Dcytb and TfR1 in animals fed fermented cows milk and up-regulated DMT1 and FPN1 gene expression. Fermented goats milk increased expression of duodenal Dcytb, DMT1, and FPN1 and decreased Hamp and TfR1, improving Fe metabolism during anemia recovery.

Changes in Adiposity and Body Composition during Anemia Recovery with Goat or Cow Fermented Milks

To date, no studies are available about adipose tissue modifications during anemia recovery; therefore, the aim of this study is to provide detailed information about adipose tissue homeostasis during anemia recovery with fermented milks. Forty male Wistar rats were placed on a pre-experimental period of 40 days, divided in two groups (normal-Fe diet and Fe-deficient diet). Then rats were fed fermented goat or cow milk-based diets with normal-Fe content during 30 days. Ghrelin and adiponectin decreased in both groups of animals fed fermented goat milk, whereas leptin and NEFA increased. UCP-1 decreased in anemic rats fed either fermented milk, and irisin greatly increased in both groups of animals fed fermented goat milk. Fermented goat milk reduces adiposity, inducing leptin elevation and ghrelin reduction. Conversely, plasma adiponectin concentrations decreased in animals fed fermented goat milk, showing an inverse correlation with NEFA, an important marker of lipid mobilization, indicating increased lipolysis. Irisin up-regulation in animals fed fermented goat milk contributes to a favorable metabolic profile and the browning of adipose tissue during anemia recovery.

Influence of a Concurrent Exercise Training Program During Pregnancy on Colostrum and Mature Human Milk Inflammatory Markers: Findings From the GESTAFIT Project

Background: Although exercise reduces systemic inflammation, information regarding its influence on human milk is scarce or inexistent. Research Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of an exercise intervention during pregnancy on colostrum and mature human milk inflammatory markers. Methods: The authors conducted a pseudorandomized controlled trial. The exercise group followed a concurrent aerobic and strength training, three 60-minutes sessions per week, from the 17th gestational week until delivery. For the specific aims of this study, only women able to produce enough milk were included for data analyses, resulting in 24 exercise and 23 control women. Colostrum and mature human milk proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines (fractalkine, interleukin [IL]–1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, interferon [IFN]–γ, and tumor necrosis factor [TNF]–α) were measured using Luminex xMAP technology. Results: The mothers who followed the exercise program had 36% lower IL-8 and 27% lower TNF-α concentrations in their colostrum than those in the control group (p < .05 and p < .01, respectively). The colostrum from mothers who followed the exercise program also presented borderline significant 22% lower IL-6 (p < .100). The mature milk from mothers who followed the exercise program had 30% greater fractalkine (p = .05) and borderline significant 20% higher IL-10 (p = .100). The exercise intervention did not affect IFN-γ concentrations. Conclusions: This concurrent exercise program promoted a less proinflammatory profile in human milk, especially in colostrum. Moreover, it might increase mature human milk fractalkine, which could induce a greater neurodevelopment and neuroprotection in the newborn. This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02582567) on October 20, 2015.

Influence of Goat Milk on Bone and Mineral Metabolism During Iron Deficiency Recovery

There is a growing body of evidence from animal research, epidemiologic, and clinical studies indicating an association between osteopenia and anemia. Iron (Fe) intake is directly correlated with mineral bone density, and iron deficiency diminishes the mineral bone content, the bone mass, and mechanical resistance. There is also an association of hemoglobin levels with the cortical bone mineralization and density. Several diseases characterized by low-hemoglobin levels or iron-deficiency anemia have been associated with an increased risk of bone loss or osteoporosis. In fact, pernicious anemia is directly correlated with increased risk of osteoporotic fractures. Iron deficiency diminishes bone matrix formation, reducing the amount of procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide released to the serum under these conditions. Bone resorption process increases in iron deficiency as shown by the increase of serum parathyroid hormone, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, and levels of degradation products from C-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen. In addition, mineralization process is also affected by iron deficiency, because calcium and phosphorus content in femur decreases markedly, due to the increase in parathyroid hormone and cortisol induced by iron deficiency. Osteoblast function and bone formation are strongly oxygen dependent. Hypoxic condition (a consequence from decreased oxygen delivery in iron-deficiency anemia) diminishes bone formation. The inhibitory effects of hypoxia are due to decreased osteoblast proliferation and differentiation. In addition, hypoxia stimulates osteoclast activity in favor of pathological resorption. In conclusion, iron-deficiency anemia has a significant impact upon bone, affecting bone mineralization, decreasing the matrix formation, and increasing bone resorption, therefore it is of great interest to assess bone status when there is iron-deficiency anemia. On the other hand, habitual goat milk consumption improves mineral metabolism and increases levels of the biomarker of bone formation N-terminal propeptides of type I procollagen and diminishes parathyroid hormone, which positively affects bone mineralization and turnover.