Rodrigo Moore-Carrasco

Elevated concentration of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) in individuals with metabolic syndrome

The metabolic syndrome (MS) is a cluster of pathophysiological alterations that includes the presence of hypertension, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and abdominal obesity. MS is associated with increased risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Endothelial dysfunction with impaired nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability has been implicated in insulin resistance and hypertension. NO is synthesized by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) using l-arginine as substrate. Asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA) is a major and potent endogenous NOS inhibitor, associated with cardiovascular and renal diseases. We tested the hypothesis that plasmatic ADMA levels are increased in patients with MS. We studied 85 adult individuals from Talca, Chile, separated in two groups, 48 individuals with MS (according to modified ATP III criteria), and 37 individuals without MS as controls. ADMA levels were significantly increased in the MS group (mean±standard deviation 0.71±0.38 vs. 0.48±0.28μmol/L, p=0.0009). Furthermore, the levels of ADMA were modestly but significantly correlated with waist circumference (p=0.01) but not with the other components of MS (blood pressure, glycemia, triglycerides and high density lipoprotein cholesterol HDL-c). These results suggest a possible link between increased ADMA levels and the MS.

Evaluation of metabolic syndrome in adults of Talca city, Chile

Objective-Insulin resistance (IR) is an important risk factor for type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM2) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Metabolic Syndrome (MS) is a clustering of metabolic alterations associated to IR; however, there is no international consensus for defining its diagnosis. Our objective was to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of MS identified by the ATP III and IDF criteria in adults from Talca city.Research and methods-We studied 1007 individuals, aged 18–74, and residents from Talca. MS subjects were defined according to ATP III (three altered factors) and IDF criteria (patients with waist circumference >80/90 cm (W/M) and two others altered factors).Results-The prevalence of metabolic syndrome according to the IDF and ATP III criteria was 36.4% and 29.5%, respectively after adjustment for age and sex. The agreement for both criteria was 89%. The prevalence in men was higher than in women for both MS definitions, although not significant. MS probability increased with age, and the highest risk was in the 57–68 age group (ATP-MS) and 53–72 age group (IDF-MS). Hypertension, high triglycerides and abdominal obesity are the most frequent alterations in MS.Conclusion-MS prevalence in adults was higher when diagnosed with IDF than with ATP criterion; in both, age is directly related with the MS presence. The MS subjects showed higher levels of blood pressure, waist circumference and plasma triglycerides. Considering our results, it is worrisome that one third of our population has a high risk of developing DM2 and CVD in the future.

Role of PPARs in inflammatory processes associated with metabolic syndrome (Review).

Metabolic syndrome (MS) includes the presence of arterial hypertension, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and abdominal obesity, which is associated with a chronic inflammatory response, characterized by abnormal adipokine production, and the activation of certain pro-inflammatory signaling pathways. Furthermore, the changes presented by the adipose tissue in MS favors the secretion of several molecular mediators capable of activating or suppressing a number of transcription factors, such as the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), whose main functions include storage regulation and fatty acid catabolization. When they are activated by their ligands (synthetic or endogenous), they control several genes involved in intermediate metabolism, which make them, together with the PPAR gamma coactivator-1-α (PGC-1) and the silent information regulator T1 (SIRT1), good targets for treating metabolic diseases and their cardiovascular complications.

Intervention with education and exercise reverses the metabolic syndrome in adults

About 29% of the adult population of Talca, Chile, suffers from the metabolic syndrome (MS), a value higher than the national prevalence. Evidence indicates that exercise and nutritional changes reduce the predominance of this syndrome. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of a structured interventional program of physical activity and nutritional counseling in adults with MS. Fifty-one subjects were studied: 27 were included in the interventional program (I-MS). The control group was formed by 24 individuals who did not participate in the program (NI-MS). We assessed body weight, corporal composition, arterial pressure, glycemia, and lipid profile at baseline and after 18 weeks of treatment. After this period, the I-SM group showed a significant decrease in triglycerides (geometric mean 202.2 to 110.5 mg/dL, P < .001), diastolic blood pressure (mean 85.4 to 79.6 mm Hg, P = .001), waist circumference (mean men 101.5 to 94.1 cm, P < .001; mean women 107.2 to 96.2 cm, P < .001), weight (mean 81.1 to 77.2 kg, P < .001), and body mass index (mean 31.8 to 30.2 kg/m(2), P < .001). In the NI-MS group, the individual parameters did not change significantly. Our results show that a non-pharmacological treatment based on exercise exerts an important beneficial effect in patients with MS, mainly on the waist circumference, blood pressure, and triglycerides.

Antiplatelet, anticoagulant, and fibrinolytic activity in vitro of extracts from selected fruits and vegetables

A diet rich in fruits and vegetables is known to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the information regarding the antithrombotic activity (antiplatelet, anticoagulant, and fibrinolytic) of fruits and vegetables is scarce. The aim of this study was to assess the antithrombotic activity of extracts from fruits and vegetables widely consumed in central Chile. The study included samples of 19 fruits and 26 vegetables, representative of the local diet. The extracts prepared from each sample included an aqueous (juice or pressed solubles) and/or methanol-soluble fraction. The extracts were evaluated for antiplatelet, anticoagulant, and fibrinolytic activity in vitro at a final concentration of 1 mg/ml. The antiplatelet activity was assessed by platelet aggregation inhibition; anticoagulant activity was measured by the prothrombin time (PT), diluted prothrombin time (dPT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), kaolin clotting time (KCT), and thrombin time. The fibrinolytic effect was determined with the euglobin clot lysis time and fibrin plate methods. Extracts of green beans and tomatoes inhibited platelet aggregation induced by ADP and arachidonic acid, in a concentration-dependent manner. The methanolic extracts of grapes prolonged the PT and dPT. Finally, extracts of raspberry prolonged the APTT and also presented fibrinolytic activity. In conclusion, from a screening that included a variety of fruits and vegetables, we found antiplatelet activity in green beans and tomatoes, anticoagulant activities in grapes and raspberries, whereas fibrinolytic activity was observed only in raspberries. Further investigations are necessary to advance in knowledge of the active compounds of these fruits and vegetables and their mechanisms of action.

EFECTO ANTIOXIDANTE DE FRUTAS Y HORTALIZAS DE LA ZONA CENTRAL DE CHILE

Las especies reactivas del oxigeno (ERO) causan dano celular que se puede expresar como patologia, tales como las enfermedades cardiovasculares (ECV) y otras enfermedades cronicas no transmisibles. El organismo humano cuenta con sistemas antioxidantes; algunos provienen de la dieta, especialmente de frutas y hortalizas, otros los genera el mismo organismo de manera endogena. El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer la capacidad antioxidante in vitro de algunas frutas y hortalizas que se consumen en la Region del Maule de Chile. Las once especies de frutas y 16 de hortalizas empleadas en el estudio fueron adquiridas en el Centro Regional de Abastecimiento de Talca, en epoca de cosecha; a partir de ellas se obtuvo extractos acuosos y metanolicos. La actividad antioxidante se determino mediante decoloracion del radical violeta 2,2-difenil-l-picril hidrazilo hidratado (DPPH). En general la actividad antioxidante, en extractos metanolicos, fue mayor en frutas (70,3%; 87,7-54,3% de decoloracion) que en hortalizas (54,7%; 44,3-79,7%) (p< 0.003) y dependiente de la concentracion del extracto evaluado. En los ensayos a 1000 f<g/m, la mayoria de las frutas mostraron un porcentaje de decoloracion superior al 60% y las que presentaron mayor actividad antioxidante fueron frambuesa, frutilla y kiwi. Entre las hortalizas, las que presentaron mayor actividad antioxidante, fueron los tomates seguidos por pepino dulce, betarraga, melon tuna, pimenton y sandia. La actividad antioxidante observada en la mayoria de las frutas y hortalizas evaluadas podria ser un argumento cientifico a dar a conocer en las campanas de promocion del consumo interno y en la exportacion de productos hortofruticolas.

Gene expression of adipose tissue, endothelial cells and platelets in subjects with metabolic syndrome (Review)

Metabolic syndrome is a combination of medical disorders including hypertension, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance and increased waist circumference, and is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. An increase in adipose tissue mass is associated with the augmented secretion of certain adipokines, such as interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α and resistin, which cause endothelial dysfunction (an increase in vasoconstrictor molecules and in the expression of adhesion molecules as well as a decrease of vasodilator molecules, amongst other features) and hemostasis alterations that also favor a prothrombotic state (increased fibrinogen and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 concentrations and platelet activation/aggregation). This interaction between adipose tissue, endothelial cells and platelets is associated with an increase or decrease in the expression of several transcription factors (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, CCAAT-enhancer-binding proteins, carbohydrate responsive element-binding proteins and sterol regulatory element-binding proteins) that play a crucial role in the regulation of distinct metabolic pathways related to the metabolic syndrome. In the present review, we present the primary changes in adipose tissue, endothelial cells and platelets in subjects with metabolic syndrome and their possible target sites at the gene expression level.

Efecto antitrombótico, una característica poco conocida de las frutas y hortalizas

ABSTRACT Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death in the world. Several risk factors for CVD, such as lipid disorders, hypertension and diabetes mellitus, are influenced by food. It is well known that fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants and it adequate consumption reduces cardiovascular risk. However, its antithrombotic effect (antiplatelet agent, anticoagulant and fibrinolytic) is little known. This review briefly describes these effects, both in vivo and in vitro, and the possible mechanisms that could explain this effect. Fruits such as black grape, pineapple, strawberry and kiwi show this effect. Among the vegetables that have antiaggregatory effect are garlic, onions, welsh onions, tomatoes and melons. On the other hand the anticoagulant effect has only been found in fruits like pineapple, and among the vegetables in garlic and onions. The fibrinolytic effect has been described in fruits like kiwi and pineapple, an in vegetables such as garlic, onions and soybeans. Some fruits (pineapple and kiwi) and vegetables (onion and garlic) have more than one antithrombotic effect so their regular consumption certainly protects from CVD. We have begun the study, initially in vitro of the potential antithrombotic effect of fruits and vegetables in the Maule Region. It is necessary to increase our domestic consumption and export of fruits and vegetables, both to improve the health of the population and the economy. The reasons above stated describe the importance of the contribution of knowledge due to the fact that antioxidant effects are less known. Keywords: Fruits, vegetables, antiaggregant, anticoagulant, fibrinolytic.

ACTIVIDAD ANTIOXIDANTE, HIPOLIPEMIANTE Y ANTIPLAQUETARIA DEL TOMATE (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Y EL EFECTO DE SU PROCESAMIENTO Y ALMACENAJE

Resumen es: Las enfermedades cardiovasculares (ECV) son la principal causa de muerte en el mundo. En su prevencion tiene mucha importancia el no fumar, realizar acti...

EL CONSUMO DE MANZANAS CONTRIBUYE A PREVENIR EL DESARROLLO DE ENFERMEDADES CARDIOVASCULARES Y CÁNCER: ANTECEDENTES EPIDEMIOLÓGICOS Y MECANISMOS DE ACCIÓN

Las enfermedades no transmisibles (ENT), especialmente las cardiovasculares (ECV) y el cancer, representan un grave problema de salud publica. Es conocido que el consumo de frutas y hortalizas disminuye el riesgo de sufrir dichas enfermedades. El manzano (Malus domestica Borkh.) se cultiva en Chile en una amplia zona geografica, concentrandose principalmente en las regiones sexta y septima. La actividad antioxidante de la manzana se debe principalmente a su contenido en fenoles y flavonoides. Varios estudios epidemiologicos han mostrado que el consumo de manzanas puede prevenir el desarrollo de ECV (infarto agudo de miocardio y enfermedad cerebro vascular) y ciertos tipos de cancer. Los mecanismos por los cuales se producen dichos efectos, no estan totalmente aclarados, sin embargo la participacion de los antioxidantes es fundamental. Entre los principales hallazgos se han descrito, en relacion a ECV: inhibicion de la oxidacion de low-density lipoprotein (LDL), disminucion de colesterol total y proteccion de endotelio; y en relacion a cancer: disminucion de la proliferacion de celulas neoplasicas y activacion de la apoptosis de las mismas. Debido al incuestionable efecto protector para la salud humana que presenta la ingesta de manzana, se deben impulsar estrategias que apunten a incentivar su consumo diario en el pais. Asimismo, se deben seguir estudiando los principios activos y los mecanismos moleculares.