Mitochondrial metabolism and neuroinflammation in the cerebral cortex and cortical synapses of rats: effect of milk intake through DNA methylation

Brain plasticity and cognitive functions are tightly influenced by foods or nutrients, which determine a metabolic modulation having a long-term effect on health, involving also epigenetic mechanisms. Breast milk or formula based on cow milk is the first food for human beings, who, throughout their lives, are then exposed to different types of milk. We previously demonstrated that rats fed with milk derived from distinct species, with different compositions and nutritional properties, display selective modulation of systemic metabolic and inflammatory profiles through changes of mitochondrial functions and redox state in liver, skeletal and cardiac muscle. Here, in a rat model, we demonstrated that isoenergetic supplementation of milk from cow (CM), donkey (DM) or human (HM) impacts mitochondrial functions and redox state in the brain cortex and cortical synapses, affecting neuroinflammation and synaptic plasticity. Interestingly, we found that the administration of different milk modulates DNA methylation in rat brain cortex and consequently affects gene expression. Our results emphasize the importance of nutrition in brain and synapse physiology, and highlight the key role played in this context by mitochondria, nutrient-sensitive organelles able to orchestrate metabolic and inflammatory responses.

How dietary advanced glycation end products could facilitate the occurrence of food allergy

BACKGROUND

Food allergy (FA) is one of the most common chronic conditions in children with an increasing prevalence facilitated by the exposure to environmental factors in predisposed individuals. It has been hypothesized that the increased consumption of ultra-processed foods, containing high levels of dietary advanced glycation end products (AGEs), could facilitate the occurrence of FA.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to provide preclinical and clinical evidence on the potential role of AGEs in facilitating the occurrence of FA.

METHODS

Human enterocytes, human small intestine organ culture, and PBMCs from children at risk for allergy were used to investigate the direct effect of AGEs on gut barrier, inflammation, TH2 cytokine response, and mitochondrial function. Intake of the 3 most common glycation products in Western diet foods, Nε-(carboxymethyl) lysine, Nε-(1-carboxyethyl) lysin, and Nδ-(5-hydro-5- methyl-4-imidazolone-2-yl)-ornithine (MG-H1), and the accumulation of AGEs in the skin were comparatively investigated in children with FA and in age-matched healthy controls.

RESULTS

Human enterocytes exposed to AGEs showed alteration in gut barrier, AGE receptor expression, reactive oxygen species production, and autophagy, with increased transepithelial passage of food antigens. Small intestine organ cultures exposed to AGEs showed an increase of CD25+ cells and proliferating crypt enterocytes. PBMCs exposed to AGEs showed alteration in proliferation rate, AGE receptor activation, release of inflammatory and TH2 cytokines, and mitochondrial metabolism. Significant higher dietary AGE intake and skin accumulation were observed children with FA (n = 42) compared with age-matched healthy controls (n = 66).

CONCLUSIONS

These data, supporting a potential role for dietary AGEs in facilitating the occurrence of FA, suggest the importance of limiting exposure to AGEs children as a potential preventive strategy against this common condition.

Mitochondria: the gatekeepers between metabolism and immunity

Metabolism and immunity are crucial monitors of the whole-body homeodynamics. All cells require energy to perform their basic functions. One of the most important metabolic skills of the cell is the ability to optimally adapt metabolism according to demand or availability, known as metabolic flexibility. The immune cells, first line of host defense that circulate in the body and migrate between tissues, need to function also in environments in which nutrients are not always available. The resilience of immune cells consists precisely in their high adaptive capacity, a challenge that arises especially in the framework of sustained immune responses. Pubmed and Scopus databases were consulted to construct the extensive background explored in this review, from the Kennedy and Lehninger studies on mitochondrial biochemistry of the 1950s to the most recent findings on immunometabolism. In detail, we first focus on how metabolic reconfiguration influences the action steps of the immune system and modulates immune cell fate and function. Then, we highlighted the evidence for considering mitochondria, besides conventional cellular energy suppliers, as the powerhouses of immunometabolism. Finally, we explored the main immunometabolic hubs in the organism emphasizing in them the reciprocal impact between metabolic and immune components in both physiological and pathological conditions.

Reducing Dietary Polyunsaturated to Saturated Fatty Acids Ratio Improves Lipid and Glucose Metabolism in Obese Zucker Rats

We investigated the influence of varying dietary polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)/saturated fatty acids (SFA) ratios on insulin resistance (IR), fatty acid metabolism, N-acylethanolamine (NAE) bioactive metabolite levels, and mitochondrial function in lean and obese Zucker rats in a model designed to study obesity and IR from overnutrition. We provided diets with 7% fat (w/w), with either a low PUFA/SFA ratio of 0.48, predominantly comprising palmitic acid (PA), (diet-PA), or the standard AIN-93G diet with a high PUFA/SFA ratio of 3.66 (control, diet-C) over eight weeks. In obese rats on diet-PA versus diet-C, there were reductions in plasma triglycerides, cholesterol, glucose, insulin concentrations and improved muscle mitochondrial function, inflammatory markers and increased muscle N-oleoylethanolamine (OEA), a bioactive lipid that modulates lipid metabolism and metabolic flexibility. Elevated palmitic acid levels were found exclusively in obese rats, regardless of their diet, implying an endogenous production through de novo lipogenesis rather than from a dietary origin. In conclusion, a reduced dietary PUFA/SFA ratio positively influenced glucose and lipid metabolism without affecting long-term PA tissue concentrations. This likely occurs due to an increase in OEA biosynthesis, improving metabolic flexibility in obese rats. Our results hint at a pivotal role for balanced dietary PA in countering the effects of overnutrition-induced obesity.

Hepatocyte Aquaporins AQP8 and AQP9 Are Engaged in the Hepatic Lipid and Glucose Metabolism Modulating the Inflammatory and Redox State in Milk-Supplemented Rats

Milk is an important source of nutrients and energy, but there are still many uncertainties regarding the health effects of milk and dairy products consumption. Milk from different species varies in physicochemical and nutritional properties. We previously showed that dietary supplements with different milks in rats trigger significant differences in metabolic and inflammatory states, modulating mitochondrial functions in metabolically active organs such as the liver and skeletal muscle. Here, we have deepened the effects of isoenergetic supplementation of milk (82 kJ) from cow (CM), donkey (DM) or human (HM) on hepatic metabolism to understand the interlink between mitochondrial metabolic flexibility, lipid storage and redox state and to highlight the possible role of two hepatocyte aquaporins (AQPs) of metabolic relevance, AQP8 and AQP9, in this crosstalk. Compared with rats with no milk supplementation, DM- and HM-fed rats had reduced hepatic lipid content with enhanced mitochondrial function and decreased oxidative stress. A marked reduction in AQP8, a hydrogen peroxide channel, was seen in the liver mitochondria of DM-fed rats compared with HM-fed, CM-fed and control animals. DM-fed or HM-fed rats also showed reduced hepatic inflammatory markers and less collagen and Kupffer cells. CM-fed rats showed higher hepatic fat content and increased AQP9 and glycerol permeability. A role of liver AQP8 and AQP9 is suggested in the different metabolic profiles resulting from milk supplementation.

Increased dietary intake of ultraprocessed foods and mitochondrial metabolism alterations in pediatric obesity

The increased intake of ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) in the pediatric age paralleled with the risen prevalence of childhood obesity. The Ultraprocessed Foods in Obesity (UFO) Project aimed at investigating the potential mechanisms for the effects of UPFs in facilitating pediatric obesity, focusing on the direct role of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) on mitochondrial function, the key regulator of obesity pathophysiology. We comparatively investigated the daily dietary intake of UPFs, energy, nutrients, dietary AGEs [Nε -(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML), Nε -(1-carboxyethyl)lysine (CEL), and Nδ -(5-hydro-5- methyl-4-imidazolon-2-yl)-ornithine (MG-H1)] in 53 obese patients and in 100 healthy controls visiting the Tertiary Center for Pediatric Nutrition of the Department of Translational Medical Science at the University of Naples "Federico II". AGEs skin accumulation and mitochondrial function in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were also assessed. A higher intake of UPFs and AGEs, energy, protein, fat, and saturated fatty acids was observed in obese patients. Obese children presented significantly higher skin AGEs accumulation and alterations in mitochondrial metabolism. PBMCs from healthy controls exposed to AGEs showed the same mitochondrial alterations observed in patients. These findings support the UPFs role in pediatric obesity, and the need for dietary strategies limiting UPFs exposure for obesity prevention and treatment.

A Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis in Adult Subjects: The Relationship between Phase Angle and Body Cell Mass

The correct assessment of body composition is essential for an accurate diagnostic evaluation of nutritional status. The body mass index (BMI) is the most widely adopted indicator for evaluating undernutrition, overweight, and obesity, but it is unsuitable for differentiating changes in body composition. In recent times, bioelectrical impedance analyses (BIA) have been proven as a more accurate procedure for the assessment of body composition. Furthermore, the efficiency of bioelectrical impedance vector analyses, as an indicator of nutritional status and hydration, has been demonstrated. By applying a bioimpedance analysis, it is possible to detect fat mass (FM), fat free mass (FFM), phase angle, and body cell mass (BCM). It is important to point out that phase angle and BCM are strongly associated with health status. The aim of this research was to examine body composition and the association between the phase angle and BCM in 87 subjects (14 males and 73 females), aged between 23 and 54 years, with BMIs ranging from 17.0 to 32.0 kg/m2, according to sex. The BMI results revealed that the majority of the assessed subjects were within the normal range and had a normal percentage of FM. Our data indicate that a direct relation exists between phase angle and cellular health and that these values increase almost linearly. Consequently, a high phase angle may be related to increased BCM values.

From Obesity-Induced Low-Grade Inflammation to Lipotoxicity and Mitochondrial Dysfunction: Altered Multi-Crosstalk between Adipose Tissue and Metabolically Active Organs

Obesity is a major risk factor for several metabolic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, cardiovascular diseases, and brain disorders. Growing evidence suggests the importance of inter-organ metabolic communication for the progression of obesity and the subsequent onset of related disorders. This review provides a broad overview of the pathophysiological processes that from adipose tissue dysfunction leading to altered multi-tissue crosstalk relevant to regulating energy homeostasis and the etiology of obesity. First, a comprehensive description of the role of adipose tissue was reported. Then, attention was turned toward the unhealthy expansion of adipose tissue, low-grade inflammatory state, metabolic inflexibility, and mitochondrial dysfunction as root causes of systemic metabolic alterations. In addition, a short spot was devoted to iron deficiency in obese conditions and the role of the hepcidin-ferroportin relationship in the management of this issue. Finally, different classes of bioactive food components were described with a perspective to enhance their potential preventive and therapeutic use against obesity-related diseases.

Impedance Analysis to Evaluate Nutritional Status in Physiological and Pathological Conditions

A thorough knowledge of body composition assessment techniques is the cornerstone for initiating a customized nutritional program. The second step is to consider the potential of their application in different physiological and pathological conditions and their effectiveness in the management of a monitoring pathway during dietary interventions. To date, bioimpedance analysis is the most effective and reliable method for assessing body composition due to its advantages in terms of speed of execution, non-invasiveness and low cost. Therefore, this review article aims to analyze the main concepts and application areas of bioimpedance measurement techniques, in particular vector frequency-based analysis (BIVA) systems, in order to assess their validity in both physiological and pathological conditions.

Nutrient-Dependent Mitochondrial Fission Enhances Osteoblast Function

BACKGROUND

The bone synthesizing function of osteoblasts (OBs) is a highly demanding energy process that requires nutrients. However, how nutrient availability affects OBs behavior and bone mineralization remain to be fully understood.

METHODS

MC3T3-E1 cell line and primary OBs (OBs) cultures were treated with physiological levels of glucose (G; 5.5 mM) alone or with the addition of palmitic acid (G+PA) at different concentrations. Mitochondria morphology and activity were evaluated by fluorescence microscopy, qPCR, and oxygen consumption rate (OCR) measurement, and OBs function was assessed by mineralization assay.

RESULTS

The addition of non-lipotoxic levels of 25 μM PA to G increased mineralization in OBs. G+25 μM PA exposure reduced mitochondria size in OBs, which was associated with increased activation of dynamin-related protein 1, a mitochondrial fission protein, enhanced mitochondria OCR and ATP production, and increased expression of oxidative phosphorylation genes. Treatment with Mdivi-1, a putative inhibitor of mitochondrial fission, reduced osteogenesis and mitochondrial respiration in OBs.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results revealed that OBs function was enhanced in the presence of glucose and PA at 25 μM. This was associated with increased OBs mitochondrial respiration and dynamics. These results suggest a role for nutrient availability in bone physiology and pathophysiology.

Butyrate Improves Neuroinflammation and Mitochondrial Impairment in Cerebral Cortex and Synaptic Fraction in an Animal Model of Diet-Induced Obesity

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) are characterized by cognitive impairment and behavioural abnormalities. The incidence of NDDs in recent years has increased globally and the pathological mechanism is not fully understood. To date, plentiful evidence has showed that metabolic alterations associated with obesity and related issues such as neuroinflammation, oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction may represent an important risk factor, linking obesity and NDDs. Numerous studies have indicated a correlation between diet and brain activities. In this context, a key role is played by mitochondria located in the synaptic fraction; indeed, it has been shown that high-fat diets cause their dysfunction, affecting synaptic plasticity. In this scenario, the use of natural molecules that improve brain mitochondrial function represents an important therapeutic approach to treat NDDs. Recently, it was demonstrated that butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid is capable of counteracting obesity in an animal model, modulating mitochondrial function. The aim of this study has been to evaluate the effects of butyrate on neuroinflammatory state, oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in the brain cortex and in the synaptic fraction of a mouse model of diet-induced obesity. Our data have shown that butyrate partially reverts neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in the brain cortex and synaptic area, improving mitochondrial function and efficiency.

The Hepatic Mitochondrial Alterations Exacerbate Meta-Inflammation in Autism Spectrum Disorders

The role of the liver in autism spectrum disorders (ASD), developmental disabilities characterized by impairments in social interactions and repetitive behavioral patterns, has been poorly investigated. In ASD, it has been shown a dysregulation of gut-brain crosstalk, a communication system able to influence metabolic homeostasis, as well as brain development, mood and cognitive functions. The liver, with its key role in inflammatory and metabolic states, represents the crucial metabolic organ in this crosstalk. Indeed, through the portal vein, the liver receives not only nutrients but also numerous factors derived from the gut and visceral adipose tissue, which modulate metabolism and hepatic mitochondrial functions. Here, we investigated, in an animal model of ASD (BTBR mice), the involvement of hepatic mitochondria in the regulation of inflammatory state and liver damage. We observed increased inflammation and oxidative stress linked to hepatic mitochondrial dysfunction, steatotic hepatocytes, and marked mitochondrial fission in BTBR mice. Our preliminary study provides a better understanding of the pathophysiology of ASD and could open the way to identifying hepatic mitochondria as targets for innovative therapeutic strategies for the disease.

Social isolation triggers oxidative status and impairs systemic and hepatic insulin sensitivity in normoglycemic rats

Drug-naïve psychotic patients show metabolic and hepatic dysfunctions. The rat social isolation model of psychosis allows to investigate mechanisms leading to these disturbances to which oxidative stress crucially contributes. Here, we investigated isolation-induced central and peripheral dysfunctions in glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity, along with redox dysregulation. Social isolation did not affect basal glycemic levels and the response to glucose and insulin loads in the glucose and insulin tolerance tests. However, HOMA-Index value were increased in isolated (ISO) rats. A hypothalamic reduction of AKT phosphorylation and a trend toward an increase in AMPK phosphorylation were observed following social isolation, accompanied by reduced GLUT-4 levels. Social isolation also induced a reduction of phosphorylation of the insulin receptor, of AKT and GLUT-2, and a decreased phosphorylation of AMPK in the liver. Furthermore, a significant reduction in hepatic CPT1 and PPAR-α levels was detected. ISO rats also showed significant elevations in hepatic ROS amount, lipid peroxidation and NOX4 expression, whereas no differences were detected in NOX2 and NOX1 levels. Expression of SOD2 in the mitochondrial fraction and SOD1 in the cytosolic fraction was not altered following social isolation, whereas SOD activity was increased. Furthermore, a decrease of hepatic CAT and GSH amount was observed in ISO rats compared to GRP animals. Our data suggest that the increased oxidant status and antioxidant capacity modifications may trigger hepatic and systemic insulin resistance, by altering signal hormone pathway and sustaining subsequent alteration of glucose homeostasis and metabolic impairment observed in the social isolation model of psychosis.

Heart Mitochondrial Metabolic Flexibility and Redox Status Are Improved by Donkey and Human Milk Intake

The biological mechanisms linking nutrition and antioxidants content of the diet with cardiovascular protection are subject of intense investigation. It has been demonstrated that dietary supplementation with cow, donkey or human milk, characterized by distinct nutritional properties, triggers significant differences in the metabolic and inflammatory status through the modulation of hepatic and skeletal muscle mitochondrial functions. Cardiac mitochondria play a key role for energy-demanding heart functions, and their disfunctions is leading to pathologies. Indeed, an altered heart mitochondrial function and the consequent increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and inflammatory state, is linked to several cardiac diseases such as hypertension and heart failure. In this work it was investigated the impact of the milk consumption on heart mitochondrial functions, inflammation and oxidative stress. In addition, it was underlined the crosstalk between mitochondrial metabolic flexibility, lipid storage and redox status as control mechanisms for the maintenance of cardiovascular health.

Butyrate as a bioactive human milk protective component against food allergy

BACKGROUND

Food allergy (FA) is a growing health problem worldwide. Effective strategies are advocated to limit the disease burden. Human milk (HM) could be considered as a protective factor against FA, but its mechanisms remain unclear. Butyrate is a gut microbiota-derived metabolite able to exert several immunomodulatory functions. We aimed to define the butyrate concentration in HM, and to see whether the butyrate concentration detected in HM is able to modulate the mechanisms of immune tolerance.

METHODS

HM butyrate concentration from 109 healthy women was assessed by GS-MS. The effect of HM butyrate on tolerogenic mechanisms was assessed in in vivo and in vitro models.

RESULTS

The median butyrate concentration in mature HM was 0.75 mM. This butyrate concentration was responsible for the maximum modulatory effects observed in all experimental models evaluated in this study. Data from mouse model show that in basal condition, butyrate up-regulated the expression of several biomarkers of gut barrier integrity, and of tolerogenic cytokines. Pretreatment with butyrate significantly reduced allergic response in three animal models of FA, with a stimulation of tolerogenic cytokines, inhibition of Th2 cytokines production and a modulation of oxidative stress. Data from human cell models show that butyrate stimulated human beta defensin-3, mucus components and tight junctions expression in human enterocytes, and IL-10, IFN-γ and FoxP3 expression through epigenetic mechanisms in PBMCs from FA children. Furthermore, it promoted the precursors of M2 macrophages, DCs and regulatory T cells.

CONCLUSION

The study's findings suggest the importance of butyrate as a pivotal HM compound able to protect against FA.

Milk Fatty Acid Profiles in Different Animal Species: Focus on the Potential Effect of Selected PUFAs on Metabolism and Brain Functions

Milk contains several important nutrients that are beneficial for human health. This review considers the nutritional qualities of essential fatty acids (FAs), especially omega-3 (ω-3) and omega-6 (ω-6) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) present in milk from ruminant and non-ruminant species. In particular, the impact of milk fatty acids on metabolism is discussed, including its effects on the central nervous system. In addition, we presented data indicating how animal feeding—the main way to modify milk fat composition—may have a potential impact on human health, and how rearing and feeding systems strongly affect milk quality within the same animal species. Finally, we have presented the results of in vivo studies aimed at supporting the beneficial effects of milk FA intake in animal models, and the factors limiting their transferability to humans were discussed.

Dietary Micronutrient Management to Treat Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Diet-Induced Obese Mice

Obesity and associated metabolic disturbances, which have been increasing worldwide in recent years, are the consequences of unhealthy diets and physical inactivity and are the main factors underlying non-communicable diseases (NCD). These diseases are now responsible for about three out of five deaths worldwide, and it has been shown that they depend on mitochondrial dysfunction, systemic inflammation and oxidative stress. It was also demonstrated that several nutritional components modulating these processes are able to influence metabolic homeostasis and, consequently, to prevent or delay the onset of NCD. An interesting combination of nutraceutical substances, named DMG-gold, has been shown to promote metabolic and physical wellness. The aim of this research was to investigate the metabolic, inflammatory and oxidative pathways modulated by DMG-gold in an animal model with diet-induced obesity. Our data indicate that DMG-gold decreases the metabolic efficiency and inflammatory state and acts as an antioxidant and detoxifying agent, modulating mitochondrial functions. Therefore, DMG-gold is a promising candidate in the prevention/treatment of NCD.

Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Effect of High-Fat Diet on Synaptic Plasticity and Mitochondrial Functions

Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) include diverse neuropathologies characterized by abnormal brain development leading to impaired cognition, communication and social skills. A common feature of NDDs is defective synaptic plasticity, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are only partially known. Several studies have indicated that people’s lifestyles such as diet pattern and physical exercise have significant influence on synaptic plasticity of the brain. Indeed, it has been reported that a high-fat diet (HFD, with 30–50% fat content), which leads to systemic low-grade inflammation, has also a detrimental effect on synaptic efficiency. Interestingly, metabolic alterations associated with obesity in pregnant woman may represent a risk factor for NDDs in the offspring. In this review, we have discussed the potential molecular mechanisms linking the HFD-induced metabolic dysfunctions to altered synaptic plasticity underlying NDDs, with a special emphasis on the roles played by synaptic protein synthesis and mitochondrial functions.

Pharmacological inhibition of GRK2 improves cardiac metabolism and function in experimental heart failure

Aims

The effects of GRK2 inhibition on myocardial metabolism in heart failure (HF) are unchartered. In this work, we evaluated the impact of pharmacological inhibition of GRK2 by a cyclic peptide, C7, on metabolic, biochemical, and functional phenotypes in experimental HF.

Methods and results

C7 was initially tested on adult mice ventricular myocyte from wild type and GRK2 myocardial deficient mice (GRK2‐cKO), to assess the selectivity on GRK2 inhibition. Then, chronic infusion of 2 mg/kg/day of C7 was performed in HF mice with cryogenic myocardial infarction. Cardiac function in vivo was assessed by echocardiography and cardiac catheterization. Histological, biochemical, and metabolic studies were performed on heart samples at time points. C7 induces a significant increase of contractility in wild type but not in adult ventricle myocytes from GRK2‐cKO mice, thus confirming C7 selectivity for GRK2. In HF mice, 4 weeks of treatment with C7 improved metabolic features, including mitochondrial organization and function, and restored the biochemical and contractile responses.

Conclusions

GRK2 is a critical molecule in the physiological regulation of cardiac metabolism. Its alterations in the failing heart can be pharmacologically targeted, leading to the correction of metabolic and functional abnormalities observed in HF.

The Important Role of Adiponectin and Orexin-A, Two Key Proteins Improving Healthy Status: Focus on Physical Activity

Exercise represents the most important integrative therapy in metabolic, immunologic and chronic diseases; it represents a valid strategy in the non-pharmacological intervention of lifestyle linked diseases. A large body of evidence indicates physical exercise as an effective measure against chronic non-communicable diseases. The worldwide general evidence for health benefits are both for all ages and skill levels. In a dysregulated lifestyle such as in the obesity, there is an imbalance in the production of different cytokines. In particular, we focused on Adiponectin, an adipokine producted by adipose tissue, and on Orexin-A, a neuropeptide synthesized in the lateral hypothalamus. The production of both Adiponectin and Orexin-A increases following regular and structured physical activity and both these hormones have similar actions. Indeed, they improve energy and glucose metabolism, and also modulate energy expenditure and thermogenesis. In addition, a relevant biological role of Adiponectin and Orexin A has been recently highlighted in the immune system, where they function as immune-suppressor factors. The strong connection between these two cytokines and healthy status is mediated by physical activity and candidates these hormones as potential biomarkers of the beneficial effects induced by physical activity. For these reasons, this review aims to underly the interconnections among Adiponectin, Orexin-A, physical activity and healthy status. Furthermore, it is analyzed the involvement of Adiponectin and Orexin-A in physical activity as physiological factors improving healthy status through physical exercise.

Decreased Metabolic Flexibility in Skeletal Muscle of Rat Fed with a High-Fat Diet Is Recovered by Individual CLA Isomer Supplementation via Converging Protective Mechanisms

Energy balance, mitochondrial dysfunction, obesity, and insulin resistance are disrupted by metabolic inflexibility while therapeutic interventions are associated with improved glucose/lipid metabolism in skeletal muscle. Conjugated linoleic acid mixture (CLA) exhibited anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects; however, the modulatory ability of its isomers (cis₉, trans₁₁, C9; trans₁₀, cis₁₂, C10) on the metabolic flexibility in skeletal muscle remains to be demonstrated. Metabolic inflexibility was induced in rat by four weeks of feeding with a high-fat diet (HFD). At the end of this period, the beneficial effects of C9 or C10 on body lipid content, energy expenditure, pro-inflammatory cytokines, glucose metabolism, and mitochondrial efficiency were examined. Moreover, oxidative stress markers, fatty acids, palmitoyletanolamide (PEA), and oleyletanolamide (OEA) contents along with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors-alpha (PPARα), AKT, and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) expression were evaluated in skeletal muscle to investigate the underlying biochemical mechanisms. The presented results indicate that C9 intake reduced mitochondrial efficiency and oxidative stress and increased PEA and OEA levels more efficiently than C10 while the anti-inflammatory activity of C10, and its regulatory efficacy on glucose homeostasis are associated with modulation of the PPARα/AMPK/pAKT signaling pathway. Our results support the idea that the dissimilar efficacy of C9 and C10 against the HFD-induced metabolic inflexibility may be consequential to their ability to activate different molecular pathways.

Randomised Clinical Trial: Calorie Restriction Regimen with Tomato Juice Supplementation Ameliorates Oxidative Stress and Preserves a Proper Immune Surveillance Modulating Mitochondrial Bioenergetics of T-Lymphocytes in Obese Children Affected by Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

Fatty liver disease is a serious complication of childhood obesity. Calorie-restricted regimen (RCR) is one of the effective therapy for this condition. Aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of lycopene-rich tomato sauce with oregano and basil extracts in obese children with fatty liver on RCR. 61 obese children with fatty liver were enrolled, 52 completed the study. A randomized cross over clinical trial was performed. Participants were assigned to RCR alone or with a supplement of lycopene-rich tomato juice for 60 days; subsequently, the groups were switched to the alternative regimen for the next 60 days. Reduction in BMI, HOMA-IR, cholesterol, triglycerides, liver size, and steatosis was more profound in tomato-supplemented group. Leptin decreased in both groups whereas adiponectin raised only after tomato supplementation. RCR is associated with the impaired engagement of T-cells glycolysis and proliferation, tomato-supplementation resulted in glycolytic metabolic activation of T-cells. Tomato juice ameliorates glucose and lipid metabolism in obese children, improve oxidative and inflammatory state and modulates the mitochondrial metabolism of T-cells contributing to a maintenance of a proper immune surveillance in children, impaired by RCR. The addition of tomato to RCR could be considered a protective and preventive support to obese child.

Effect of a high forage : concentrate ratio on milk yield, blood parameters and oxidative status in lactating cows

A feeding strategy that requires a forage:concentrate ratio equal to 70:30, with at least five different herbs in the forage and the use of silages prohibited, has recently been introduced in Italy. Despite the benefits in terms of human health (lower ω6:ω3 ratio, higher conjugated linoleic acid level) of the obtained milk, little information regarding the possible effects on cows’ health is available. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of such a feeding strategy in dairy cows (90 days in milk at the beginning of the trial) on milk yield and composition, and blood metabolic profile, including the evaluation of oxidative stress. The proposed feeding strategy, compared with a semi-intensive strategy, resulted in an improvement of animal oxidative status (lower levels of reactive oxygen metabolites, higher levels of antioxidant potential and anti-reactive oxygen metabolites) and a significant increase of milk urea only in the first part of the trial. No differences in milk yield and composition were detected throughout the trial.

Deregulated Local Protein Synthesis in the Brain Synaptosomes of a Mouse Model for Alzheimer's Disease

While protein synthesis in neurons is largely attributed to cell body and dendrites, the capability of synaptic regions to synthesize new proteins independently of the cell body has been widely demonstrated as an advantageous mechanism subserving synaptic plasticity. Thus, the contribution that local protein synthesis at synapses makes to physiology and pathology of brain plasticity may be more prevalent than initially thought. In this study, we tested if local protein synthesis at synapses is deregulated in the brains of TgCRND8 mice, an animal model for Alzheimer's disease (AD) overexpressing mutant human amyloid precursor protein (APP). To this end, we used synaptosomes as a model system to study the functionality of the synaptic regions in mouse brains. Our results showed that, while TgCRND8 mice exhibit early signs of brain inflammation and deficits in learning, the electrophoretic profile of newly synthesized proteins in their synaptosomes was subtly different from that of the control mice. Interestingly, APP itself was, in part, locally synthesized in the synaptosomes, underscoring the potential importance of local translation at synapses. More importantly, after the contextual fear conditioning, de novo synthesis of some individual proteins was significantly enhanced in the synaptosomes of control animals, but the TgCRND8 mice failed to display such synaptic modulation by training. Taken together, our results demonstrate that synaptic synthesis of proteins is impaired in the brain of a mouse model for AD, and raise the possibility that this deregulation may contribute to the early progression of the pathology.

Palmitoylethanolamide counteracts hepatic metabolic inflexibility modulating mitochondrial function and efficiency in diet-induced obese mice

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-α activation controls hepatic lipid homeostasis, stimulating fatty acid oxidation, and adapting the metabolic response to lipid overload and storage. Here, we investigate the effect of palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), an endogenous PPAR-α ligand, in counteracting hepatic metabolic inflexibility and mitochondrial dysfunction induced by high-fat diet (HFD) in mice. Long-term PEA administration (30 mg/kg/die per os) in HFD mice limited hepatic lipid accumulation, increased energy expenditure, and markedly reduced insulin resistance. In isolated liver mitochondria, we have demonstrated PEA capability to modulate mitochondrial oxidative capacity and energy efficiency, leading to the reduction of intracellular lipid accumulation and oxidative stress. Moreover, we have evaluated the effect of PEA on mitochondrial bioenergetics of palmitate-challenged HepG2 cells, using Seahorse analyzer. In vitro data showed that PEA recovered mitochondrial dysfunction and reduced lipid accumulation in insulin-resistant HepG2 cells, increasing fatty acid oxidation. Mechanistic studies showed that PEA effect on lipid metabolism was limited by AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) inhibition, providing evidence for a pivotal role of AMPK in PEA-induced adaptive metabolic setting. All these findings identify PEA as a modulator of hepatic lipid and glucose homeostasis, limiting metabolic inflexibility induced by nutrient overload.

High-Fat Diet Induces Neuroinflammation and Mitochondrial Impairment in Mice Cerebral Cortex and Synaptic Fraction

Brain mitochondrial dysfunction is involved in the development of neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. Mitochondria specifically located at synapses play a key role in providing energy to support synaptic functions and plasticity, thus their defects may lead to synaptic failure, which is a common hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases. High-Fat Diet (HFD) consumption increases brain oxidative stress and impairs brain mitochondrial functions, although the underlying mechanisms are not completely understood. The aim of our study is to analyze neuroinflammation and mitochondrial dysfunctions in brain cortex and synaptosomal fraction isolated from a mouse model of diet-induced obesity. Male C57Bl/6 mice were divided into two groups fed a standard diet or HFD for 18 weeks. At the end of the treatment, inflammation (detected by ELISA), antioxidant state (measured by enzymatic activity), mitochondrial functions and efficiency (detected by oxidative capacity and Seahorse analysis), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) pathway (analyzed by western blot) were determined in brain cortex and synaptosomal fraction. In HFD animals, we observed an increase in inflammatory parameters and oxidative stress and a decrease in mitochondrial oxidative capacity both in the brain cortex and synaptosomal fraction. These alterations parallel with modulation of BDNF, a brain key signaling molecule that is linking synaptic plasticity and energy metabolism. Neuroinflammation HFD-dependent negatively affects BDNF pathway and mitochondrial activity in the brain cortex. The effect is even more pronounced in the synaptic region, where the impaired energy supply may have a negative impact on neuronal plasticity.

The novel butyrate derivative phenylalanine-butyramide protects from doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity

AIMS

Butyric acid (BUT), a short chain fatty acid produced daily by the gut microbiota, has proven beneficial in models of cardiovascular diseases. With advancements in cancer survival, an increasing number of patients are at risk of anticancer drug cardiotoxicity. Here we assess whether the novel BUT derivative phenylalanine-butyramide (FBA) protects from doxorubicin (DOXO) cardiotoxicity, by decreasing oxidative stress and improving mitochondrial function.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In C57BL6 mice, DOXO produced left ventricular dilatation assessed by echocardiography. FBA prevented left ventricular dilatation, fibrosis and cardiomyocyte apoptosis when co-administered with DOXO. DOXO increased atrial natriuretic peptide, brain natriuretic peptide, connective tissue growth factor, and matrix metalloproteinase-2 mRNAs, which were not elevated on co-treatment with FBA. DOXO, but not FBA + DOXO mice, also showed higher nitrotyrosine levels, and increased inducible nitric oxide synthase expression. Accordingly, DOXO hearts showed lower levels of intracellular catalase vs. sham, while pre-treatment with FBA prevented this decrease. We then assessed for reactive oxygen species (ROS) emission: DOXO induced increased activity of mitochondrial superoxide dismutase and higher production of H₂ O₂ , which were blunted by FBA pre-treatment. FBA also ameliorated mitochondrial state 3 and state 4 respiration rates that were compromised by DOXO. Furthermore, in DOXO animals, the mitochondrial degree of coupling was significantly increased vs. sham, while FBA was able to prevent such increase, contributing to limit ROS production, Finally, FBA reduced DOXO damage in human cellular models, and increased the tumour-killing action of DOXO.

CONCLUSIONS

Phenylalanine-butyramide protects against experimental doxorubicin cardiotoxicity. Such protection is accompanied by reduction in oxidative stress and amelioration of mitochondrial function.

Milk From Cow Fed With High Forage/Concentrate Ratio Diet: Beneficial Effect on Rat Skeletal Muscle Inflammatory State and Oxidative Stress Through Modulation of Mitochondrial Functions and AMPK Activity

Milk and dairy products are relevant components of daily diet and are part of dietary recommendation in many countries due to their content of key nutrients. However, the relatively high content of saturated fat of the milk and its extensive usage for every age group raises concerns about its potential negative health effects. Therefore, in the last years, several researchers dedicated their attention to milk production and quality. Milk fatty acids profile depend on cow feeding and in particular on the type of forage and concentrate and forage/concentrate ratio. It was demonstrated that feeding dairy cows with a 70/30 forage/concentrate ratio yields milk with a low ω6:ω3 ratio and high CLA levels. In this work, we demonstrated that the supplementation of rats diet with this high forage milk (HFM) results, in the skeletal muscle of these animals, in a reduced lipid content and inflammation levels, and an improved mitochondrial lipid oxidation, and redox status through modulation of AMPK activity.

Hemispheric Asymmetries in Radial Line Bisection: Role of Retinotopic and Spatiotopic Factors

Previous studies showed that healthy individuals bisect radial lines oriented along the midsagittal plane farther than the true center (distal bisection bias). It was proposed that the distal bisection bias depended on the presence of an attention bias directed toward far space (distal attention bias) and that this bias is related to the activity of the occipitotemporal visual processing stream. Other studies have also suggested that a similar distal attention bias is linked to the activity of the right hemisphere. In the present experiment we investigated whether distal bisection bias increased when radial lines were placed in the left hemispace. Furthermore, we also examined whether the bisection bias was enhanced by the use of the left hand, as left hand movements are mainly controlled by the right hemisphere. Right-handed participants were asked to bisect radial lines presented below eye level along the midsagittal plane (central lines), or laterally and parallel to the midsagittal plane, in the left or right hemispace (left and right lines, respectively). Participants used their right or left hand. The results showed that participants consistently bisected left and central radial lines farther than (i) the true center and (ii) the subjective midpoint of right radial lines. Conversely, they bisected accurately right radial lines. The hand did not influence bisection error. The present study suggests that the distal bisection bias found in the bisection of left radial lines might depend on the presence of a distal attention bias related to right hemisphere activity. The relative contribution of retinotopic and spatiotopic factors in producing the distal bisection bias is discussed.

Long Feeding High-Fat Diet Induces Hypothalamic Oxidative Stress and Inflammation, and Prolonged Hypothalamic AMPK Activation in Rat Animal Model

Scope: The hypothalamus is a key brain region involved in the control of feeding and energy expenditure. Hypothalamic inflammation and oxidative stress are landmarks of both obesity and aging processes, although the molecular mechanisms are still unknown. Therefore, with the aim to understand the neurobiological mechanisms of energy homeostasis during aging, we evaluate the effects of long feeding high-fat diet (HFD) in rats, at different age, on modulation of hypothalamic molecular pathway, oxidative stress, and inflammation.

Procedures: Male Wistar rats were divided into two groups: control group, receiving standard diet (CD), and treated group, receiving HFD. Both groups were treated with the appropriate diet for 1, 3, 6, 12, or 18 weeks. We investigated energy balance and body composition, as well as lipid profile, homeostatic model assessment index, and inflammatory state in serum. Furthermore, we also analyzed, at hypothalamic level, inflammation and oxidative stress, and adenosine monophosphate-dependent kinase (AMPK) and pAMPK expression levels.

Results: Our data showed that aging and HFD induce increased energy intake and energy efficiency and decreased energy expenditure associated, at hypothalamic level, with inflammation and oxidative stress and activation of AMPK.

Conclusion: Our results indicate that the age at which HFD feeding starts and the diet duration are critical in obesity development. The prolonged activation of hypothalamic AMPK may be related to the alterations in energy homeostasis.

Assessment of the Health Status of Mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis Along the Campania Coastal Areas: A Multidisciplinary Approach

The bivalve Mytilus galloprovincialis has a broad geographic distribution, represent an important species for the ecology of coastal waters, also constituting a major aquaculture species. In the present work, molecular and tissue biomarkers were examined in mussel populations (M. galloprovincialis) located in four different areas of the coastal water of the Campania Region. During an annual life cycle, we analyzed the expression patterns of several genes commonly used to estimate cellular stress response and damage, namely p53, p63, HSP70, MT-10, and MT-20, related tissue lesions (pathogens, inflammations, digestive tubules damage), oxidative stress indicators (H2O2, SOD specific activity) and associated environmental data. The computed Principal Component Analysis showed that the areas were discernible based on the environmental data and biomarker results. About animal health status, mussels from Gulf of Pozzuoli and Naples's harbor did show a thinnest epithelial cell of digestive tubules compared to mussels sampled from other sampling sites; moreover, high prevalence of cases of intersex in three of the examinated areas were observed. The presence of a potential zoonotic pathogen (Nocardia crassostreae) was identified, appearing as an important possible emerging disease. We also reported the OIE notifiable protozoa Marteilia refringens in three areas out of four. The likely impact of both observed pathogens on the mussel health and shellfish aquaculture needs to be urgently addressed. Results are discussed considering animal histopathological health parameters and biological effects.

Gut microbiota and Crohn’s disease

INTRODUCTION: Crohn’s disease (CD) is characterized by a chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract causing abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss and systemic symptoms. Although the etiology of this disease is unknown, current knowledge suggests a multifactorial genesis involving genetic, environmental and immunological factors. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: We focused our attention on critical analysis of the recent literature on the role of gut microbiota in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), by evaluating the differences of composition, functions and role of intestinal flora. In particular, we focused on evidences about the interaction between gut microbiota and pathogenesis of IBD. In this setting, we conducted a PUBMED search for guidelines, systematic reviews (SR) and primary studies. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Some data suggest that, in a significant percentage of patients, the microbiota plays an important role in the genesis and maintenance of CD. Probiotic supplementation and antibiotic treatment appear to be a valid therapeutic approach, although the clinical data remain controversial. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the exciting and growing research on the role of gut microbiota in IBD, our knowledge remains fairly limited. Further studies are needed to measure the diversity, function and resistance to antibiotics of the intestinal microbiota in CD.

Human Milk and Donkey Milk, Compared to Cow Milk, Reduce Inflammatory Mediators and Modulate Glucose and Lipid Metabolism, Acting on Mitochondrial Function and Oleylethanolamide Levels in Rat Skeletal Muscle

Scope: Milk from various species differs in nutrient composition. In particular, human milk (HM) and donkey milk (DM) are characterized by a relative high level of triacylglycerol enriched in palmitic acid in sn-2 position. These dietary fats seem to exert beneficial nutritional properties through N-acylethanolamine tissue modulation. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of cow milk (CM), DM, and HM on inflammation and glucose and lipid metabolism, focusing on mitochondrial function, efficiency, and dynamics in skeletal muscle, which is the major determinant of resting metabolic rate. Moreover, we also evaluated the levels of endocannabinoids and N-acylethanolamines in liver and skeletal muscle, since tissue fatty acid profiles can be modulated by nutrient intervention.

Procedures: To this aim, rats were fed with CM, DM, or HM for 4 weeks. Then, glucose tolerance and insulin resistance were analyzed. Pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines were evaluated in serum and skeletal muscle. Skeletal muscle was also processed to estimate mitochondrial function, efficiency, and dynamics, oxidative stress, and antioxidant/detoxifying enzyme activities. Fatty acid profiles, endocannabinoids, and N-acylethanolamine congeners were determined in liver and skeletal muscle tissue.

Results: We demonstrated that DM or HM administration reducing inflammation status, improves glucose disposal and insulin resistance and reduces lipid accumulation in skeletal muscle. Moreover, HM or DM administration increases redox status, and mitochondrial uncoupling, affecting mitochondrial dynamics in the skeletal muscle. Interestingly, HM and DM supplementation increase liver and muscle levels of the N-oleoylethanolamine (OEA), a key regulator of lipid metabolism and inflammation.

Conclusions: HM and DM have a healthy nutritional effect, acting on inflammatory factors and glucose and lipid metabolism. This beneficial effect is associated to a modulation of mitochondrial function, efficiency, and dynamics and to an increase of OEA levels in skeletal muscle.

Milk from cows fed a diet with a high forage:concentrate ratio improves inflammatory state, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial function in rats

Excessive energy intake may evoke complex biochemical processes characterized by inflammation, oxidative stress, and impairment of mitochondrial function that represent the main factors underlying noncommunicable diseases. Because cow milk is widely used for human nutrition and in food industry processing, the nutritional quality of milk is of special interest with respect to human health. In our study, we analyzed milk produced by dairy cows fed a diet characterized by a high forage:concentrate ratio (high forage milk, HFM). In view of the low n-6:n-3 ratio and high content of conjugated linoleic acid of HFM, we studied the effects of this milk on lipid metabolism, inflammation, mitochondrial function, and oxidative stress in a rat model. To this end, we supplemented for 4 wk the diet of male Wistar rats with HFM and with an isocaloric amount (82 kJ, 22 mL/d) of milk obtained from cows fed a diet with low forage:concentrate ratio, and analyzed the metabolic parameters of the animals. Our results indicate that HFM may positively affect lipid metabolism, leptin:adiponectin ratio, inflammation, mitochondrial function, and oxidative stress, providing the first evidence of the beneficial effects of HFM on rat metabolism.

Improvement of Bone Physiology and Life Quality Due to Association of Risedronate and Anastrozole

The endocrine therapy is the new frontiers of many breast cancers hormone sensitive. Hormone therapy for treating women with hormone receptor-positive cancer suppresses breast cancer growth either by reducing estrogen synthesis or by interfering with the action of estrogen within tumor cells. In this prospective randomized observational study we investigate the effect of adjuvant anastrozole in monotherapy or associated with risedronate on bone physiology and quality of life in postmenopausal, hormone-sensitive early breast cancer women at mild to moderate risk of fragility fractures.

Methods : 84 women were randomly assigned to receive anastrozole alone (group A) or anastrozole plus oral risedronate (group A+R). At baseline and after 24 months lumbar spine (LS) and femoral neck (FN) BMD were evaluated with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was examined using the short-form healthy survey.

Results : After 24 months, the group A+R has showed a significant increase in T-score for LS (p < 0.05) and for FN (p < 0.05) whereas women of group A had a statistically significant rate of bone loss both in LS T-score (p < 0.05) and in FN (p < 0.05). A significant change in T-score BMD was seen for group A+R compared with group A at the LS (p = 0.04) and at FN (p = 0.04). Finally, group A+R showed an overall significant improvement of health profile (SF-36) in group A (p = 0.03).

Conclusion : Postmenopausal breast cancer women with osteopenia during treatment with anastrozole have considerable risk of developing osteoporosis during the first 2 years; preventive measures such as healthy lifestyle and daily supplements of calcium and vitamin D alone seem to be insufficient in holding their bones healthy. Our findings suggest the usefulness of addition of risedronate in order to prevent aromatase inhibitors-related bone loss, not only in case of high-risk of fractures, but also for women at mild-moderate risk. This determines a significant improvement in bone health and a positive impact on HRQoL.

Gut Microbiota as a Target for Preventive and Therapeutic Intervention against Food Allergy

The gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in immune system development and function. Modification in the gut microbiota composition (dysbiosis) early in life is a critical factor affecting the development of food allergy. Many environmental factors including caesarean delivery, lack of breast milk, drugs, antiseptic agents, and a low-fiber/high-fat diet can induce gut microbiota dysbiosis, and have been associated with the occurrence of food allergy. New technologies and experimental tools have provided information regarding the importance of select bacteria on immune tolerance mechanisms. Short-chain fatty acids are crucial metabolic products of gut microbiota responsible for many protective effects against food allergy. These compounds are involved in epigenetic regulation of the immune system. These evidences provide a foundation for developing innovative strategies to prevent and treat food allergy. Here, we present an overview on the potential role of gut microbiota as the target of intervention against food allergy.

Butyrate Regulates Liver Mitochondrial Function, Efficiency, and Dynamics in Insulin-Resistant Obese Mice

Fatty liver, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction are key pathophysiological features of insulin resistance and obesity. Butyrate, produced by fermentation in the large intestine by gut microbiota, and its synthetic derivative, the N-(1-carbamoyl-2-phenyl-ethyl) butyramide, FBA, have been demonstrated to be protective against insulin resistance and fatty liver. Here, hepatic mitochondria were identified as the main target of the beneficial effect of both butyrate-based compounds in reverting insulin resistance and fat accumulation in diet-induced obese mice. In particular, butyrate and FBA improved respiratory capacity and fatty acid oxidation, activated the AMPK-acetyl-CoA carboxylase pathway, and promoted inefficient metabolism, as shown by the increase in proton leak. Both treatments consistently increased utilization of substrates, especially fatty acids, leading to the reduction of intracellular lipid accumulation and oxidative stress. Finally, the shift of the mitochondrial dynamic toward fusion by butyrate and FBA resulted in the improvement not only of mitochondrial cell energy metabolism but also of glucose homeostasis. In conclusion, butyrate and its more palatable synthetic derivative, FBA, modulating mitochondrial function, efficiency, and dynamics, can be considered a new therapeutic strategy to counteract obesity and insulin resistance.

Polyphenol-rich virgin olive oil reduces insulin resistance and liver inflammation and improves mitochondrial dysfunction in high-fat diet fed rats

SCOPE

Virgin olive oil is an essential component of the Mediterranean diet. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties are mainly linked to phenolic contents. This study aims to evaluate the beneficial effects of a polyphenol-rich virgin olive oil (HPCOO) or olive oil without polyphenols (WPOO) in rats fed high-fat diet (HFD).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups based on the different types of diet: (I) standard diet (STD); (II) HFD; (III) HFD containing WPOO, and (IV) HFD containing HPCOO. HPCOO and WPOO induced a significant improvement of HFD-induced impaired glucose homeostasis (by hyperglycemia, altered oral glucose tolerance, and HOMA-IR) and inflammatory status modulating pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-10) and adipokines. Moreover, HPCOO and less extensively WPOO, limited HFD-induced liver oxidative and nitrosative stress and increased hepatic fatty acid oxidation. To study mitochondrial performance, oxidative capacity and energy efficiency were also evaluated in isolated liver mitochondria. HPCOO, but not WPOO, reduced H₂ O₂ release and aconitase activity by decreasing degree of coupling, which plays a major role in the control of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species emission.

CONCLUSION

HPCOO limits HFD-induced insulin resistance, inflammation, and hepatic oxidative stress, preventing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease progression.

4th Pediatric Allergy and Asthma Meeting (PAAM)

WORKSHOP 4: Challenging clinical scenarios (CS01–CS06)

CS01 Bullous lesions in two children: solitary mastocytoma

S. Tolga Yavuz, Ozan Koc, Ali Gungor, Faysal Gok

CS02 Multi-System Allergy (MSA) of cystic fibrosis: our institutional experience

Jessica Hawley, Christopher O’Brien, Matthew Thomas, Malcolm Brodlie, Louise Michaelis

CS03 Cold urticaria in pediatric age: an invisible cause for severe reactions

Inês Mota, Ângela Gaspar, Susana Piedade, Graça Sampaio, José Geraldo Dias, Miguel Paiva, Mário Morais-Almeida

CS04 Angioedema with C1 inhibitor deficiency in a girl: a challenge diagnosis

Cristina Madureira, Tânia Lopes, Susana Lopes, Filipa Almeida, Alexandra Sequeira, Fernanda Carvalho, José Oliveira

CS05 A child with unusual multiple organ allergy disease: what is the primer?

Fabienne Gay-Crosier

CS06 A case of uncontrolled asthma in a 6-year-old patient

Ioana-Valentina Nenciu, Andreia Florina Nita, Alexandru Ulmeanu, Dumitru Oraseanu, Carmen Zapucioiu

ORAL ABSTRACT SESSION 1: Food allergy (OP01–OP06)

OP01 Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome: oral food challenge outcomes for tolerance evaluation in a Pediatric Hospital

Adrianna Machinena, Olga Domínguez Sánchez, Montserrat Alvaro Lozano, Rosa Jimenez Feijoo, Jaime Lozano Blasco, Mònica Piquer Gibert, Mª Teresa Giner Muñoz, Marcia Dias da Costa, Ana Maria Plaza Martín

OP02 Characteristics of infants with food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome and allergic proctocolitis

Ebru Arik Yilmaz, Özlem Cavkaytar, Betul Buyuktiryaki, Ozge Soyer, Cansin Sackesen

OP03 The clinical and immunological outcomes after consumption of baked egg by 1–5 year old egg allergic children: results of a randomised controlled trial

MerrynNetting, Adaweyah El-Merhibi, Michael Gold, PatrickQuinn, IrmeliPenttila, Maria Makrides

OP04 Oral immunotherapy for treatment of egg allergy using low allergenic, hydrolysed egg

Stavroula Giavi, Antonella Muraro, Roger Lauener, Annick Mercenier, Eugen Bersuch, Isabella M. Montagner, Maria Passioti, Nicolò Celegato, Selina Summermatter, Sophie Nutten, Tristan Bourdeau, Yvonne M. Vissers, Nikolaos G. Papadopoulos

OP05 Chemical modification of a peanut extract results in an increased safety profile while maintaining efficacy

Hanneke van der Kleij, Hans Warmenhoven, Ronald van Ree, Raymond Pieters, Dirk Jan Opstelten, Hans van Schijndel, Joost Smit

OP06 Administration of the yellow fever vaccine in egg allergic children

Roisin Fitzsimons, Victoria Timms, George Du Toit

ORAL ABSTRACT SESSION 2: Asthma (OP07–OP12)

OP07 Previous exacerbation is the most important risk factor for future exacerbations in school-age children with asthma

S. Tolga Yavuz, Guven Kaya, Mustafa Gulec, Mehmet Saldir, Osman Sener, Faysal Gok

OP08 Comparative study of degree of severity and laboratory changes between asthmatic children using different acupuncture modalities

Nagwa Hassan, Hala Shaaban, Hazem El-Hariri, Ahmed Kamel Inas E. Mahfouz

OP09 The concentration of exhaled carbon monoxide in asthmatic children with different controlled stadium

Papp Gabor, Biro Gabor, Kovacs Csaba

OP10 Effect of vitamin D3 supplementation during pregnancy on risk of persistent wheeze in the offspring: a randomised clinical trial

Bo Chawes, Klaus Bønnelykke, Jakob Stokholm, Lene Heickendorff, Susanne Brix, Morten Rasmussen, Hans Bisgaard

OP11 Lung function development in childhood

Henrik Wegener Hallas, Bo Chawes, Lambang Arianto, Hans Bisgaard

OP12 Is the effect of maternal and paternal asthma different in female and male children before puberty?

Maike Pincus, Thomas Keil, Andreas Reich, Ulrich Wahn, Susanne Lau, Linus Grabenhenrich

ORAL ABSTRACT SESSION 3: Epidemiology—genetics (OP13–OP18)

OP13 Lifestyle is associated with incidence and category of allergen sensitisation: the ALADDIN birth cohort

Sara Fagerstedt, Helena Marell Hesla, Emelie Johansson, Helen Rosenlund, Axel Mie, Annika Scheynius, Johan Alm

OP15 Maternal filaggrin mutations increase the risk of atopic dermatitis in children: an effect independent of mutation inheritance

Jorge Esparza-Gordillo, Anja Matanovic, Ingo Marenholz, Anja Bauerfeind, Klaus Rohde, Katja Nemat, Min-Ae Lee-Kirsch, Magnus Nordenskjöld, Marten C. G. Winge, Thomas Keil, Renate Krüger, Susanne Lau, Kirsten Beyer, Birgit Kalb, Bodo Niggemann, Norbert Hübner, Heather J. Cordell, Maria Bradley, Young-Ae Lee

OP16 Allergic multimorbidity of asthma, rhinitis and eczema in the first 2 decades of the German MAS birth cohort

Thomas Keil, Hannah Gough, Linus Grabenhenrich, Dirk Schramm, Andreas Reich, John Beschorner, Antje Schuster, Carl-Peter Bauer, Johannes Forster, Fred Zepp, Young-Ae Lee, Renate Bergmann, Karl Bergmann, Ulrich Wahn, Susanne Lau

OP17 Childhood anaphylaxis: a growing concern

Filipe Benito Garcia, Inês Mota, Susana Piedade, Ângela Gaspar, Natacha Santos, Helena Pité, Mário Morais-Almeida

OP18 Indoor exposure to molds and dampness in infancy and its association to persistent atopic dermatitis in school age. Results from the Greek ISAAC II study

Athina Papadopoulou, Despina Mermiri, Elpida Xatziagorou, Ioannis Tsanakas, Stavroula Lampidi, Kostas Priftis

ORAL ABSTRACT SESSION 4: Pediatric rhinitis—immunotherapy (OP19–OP24)

OP19 Associations between residential greenness and childhood allergic rhinitis and aeroallergen sensitisation in seven birth cohorts

Elaine Fuertes, Iana Markevych, Gayan Bowatte, Olena Gruzieva, Ulrike Gehring, Allan Becker, Dietrich Berdel, Michael Brauer, Chris Carlsten, Barbara Hoffmann, Anita Kozyrskyj, Caroline Lodge, Göran Pershagen, Alet Wijga, Heinrich Joachim

OP20 Full symptom control in pediatric patients with allergic rhinitis and asthma: results of a 2-year sublingual allergen immunotherapy study

Zorica Zivkovic, Ivana Djuric-Filipovic, Jasmina Jocić-Stevanovic, Snežana Zivanovic

OP21 Nasal epithelium of different ages of atopic subjects present increased levels of oxidative stress and increased cell cytotoxicity upon rhinovirus infection

Styliani Taka, Dimitra Kokkinou, Aliki Papakonstantinou, Panagiota Stefanopoulou, Anastasia Georgountzou, Paraskevi Maggina, Sofia Stamataki, Vassiliki Papaevanggelou, Evangelos Andreakos, Nikolaos G. Papadopoulos

OP22 Cluster subcutaneous immunotherapy schedule: tolerability profile in children

Monica Piquer Gibert, Montserrat Alvaro Lozano, Jaime Lozano Blasco, Olga Domínguez Sánchez, Rosa Jiménez Feijoo, Marcia Dias da Costa, Mª Teresa Giner Muñoz, Adriana Machinena Spera, Ana Maria Plaza Martín

OP23 Rhinitis as a risk factor for asthma severity in 11-year old children: population-based cohort study

Matea Deliu, Danielle Belgrave, Angela Simpson, Adnan Custovic

OP24 The Global Lung Function Initiative equations in airway obstruction evaluation of asthmatic children

João Gaspar Marques, Pedro Carreiro-Martins, Joana Belo, Sara Serranho, Isabel Peralta, Nuno Neuparth, Paula Leiria-Pinto

POSTER DISCUSSION SESSION 1: Food allergy (PD01–PD05)

PD01 Allergen-specific humoral and cellular responses in children who fail egg oral immunotherapy due to allergic reactions

Marta Vazquez-Ortiz, Mariona Pascal, Ana Maria Plaza, Manel Juan

PD02 FoxP3 epigenetic features in children with cow milk allergy

Lorella Paparo, Rita Nocerino, Rosita Aitoro, Ilaria Langella, Antonio Amoroso, Alessia Amoroso, Carmen Di Scala, Roberto Berni Canani

PD04 Combined milk and egg allergy in early childhood: let them eat cake?

Santanu Maity, Giuseppina Rotiroti, Minal Gandhi

PD05 Introduction of complementary foods in relation to allergy and gut microbiota in farm and non-farm children

Karin Jonsson, Annika Ljung, Bill Hesselmar, Ingegerd Adlerbert, Hilde Brekke, Susanne Johansen, Agnes Wold, Ann-Sofie Sandberg

POSTER DISCUSSION SESSION 2: Asthma and wheeze (PD06–PD16)

PD06 The association between asthma and exhaled nitric oxide is influenced by genetics and sensitisation

Björn Nordlund, Cecilia Lundholm, Villhelmina Ullemar, Marianne van Hage, Anne Örtqvist, Catarina Almqvist

PD09 Prevalence patterns of infant wheeze across Europe

Anna Selby, Kate Grimshaw, Thomas Keil, Linus Grabenhenrich, Michael Clausen, Ruta Dubakiene, Alessandro Fiocchi, Marek Kowalski, Nikos Papadopoulos, Marta Reche, Sigurveig Sigurdardottir, Aline Sprikkleman, Paraskevi Xepapadaki, Clare Mills, Kirsten Beyer, Graham Roberts

PD10 Epidemiologic changes in recurrent wheezing infants

Herberto Jose Chong Neto, Gustavo Falbo Wandalsen, Ana Carolina Dela Bianca, Carolina Aranda, Nelson Augusto Rosário, Dirceu Solé, Javier Mallol, Luis García Marcos

PD13 A single nucleotide polymorphism in the GLCCI1 gene is associated with response to asthma treatment in children

IvanaBanic, Matija Rijavec, Davor Plavec, Peter Korosec, Mirjana Turkalj

PD14 Pollen induced asthma: Could small molecules in pollen exacerbate the protein-mediated allergic response?

Alen Bozicevic, Maria De Mieri, Matthias Hamburger

PD15 A qualitative study to understand how we can empower teenagers to better self-manage their asthma

Simone Holley, Ruth Morris, Frances Mitchell, Rebecca Knibb, Susan Latter, Christina Liossi, Graham Roberts

PD16 Polymorphism of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene among Egyptian children with bronchial asthma

Mostafa M. M. Hassan

POSTER DISCUSSION SESSION 3: Mechanisms—Epidemiology (PD17–PD21)

PD17 Pregnancy outcomes in relation to development of allergy in a Swedish birth cohort

Malin Barman, Anna Sandin, Agnes Wold, Ann-Sofie Sandberg

PD18 Evolution of the IgE response to house dust mite molecules in childhood

Daniela Posa, Serena Perna, Carl-Peter Bauer, Ute Hoffmann, Johannes Forster, Fred Zepp, Antje Schuster, Ulrich Wahn, Thomas Keil, Susanne Lau, Kuan-Wei Chen, Yvonne Resch, Susanne Vrtala, Rudolf Valenta, Paolo Maria Matricardi

PD19 Antibody recognition of nsLTP-molecules as antigens but not as allergens in the German-MAS birth cohort

Olympia Tsilochristou, Alexander Rohrbach, Antonio Cappella, Stephanie Hofmaier, Laura Hatzler, Carl-Peter Bauer, Ute Hoffmann, Johannes Forster, Fred Zepp, Antje Schuster, RaffaeleD’Amelio, Ulrich Wahn, Thomas Keil, Susanne Lau, Paolo Maria Matricardi

PD20 Early life colonization with Lactobacilli and Staphylococcus aureus oppositely associates with the maturation and activation of FOXP3+ CD4 T-cells

Sophia Björkander, Maria A. Johansson, Gintare Lasaviciute, Eva Sverremark-Ekström

PD21 Genome-wide meta-analysis identifies 7 susceptibility loci involved in the atopic march

Ingo Marenholz, Jorge Esparza-Gordillo, Franz Rüschendorf, Anja Bauerfeind, David P. Strachan, Ben D. Spycher, Hansjörg Baurecht, Patricia Margaritte-Jeannin, Annika Sääf, Marjan Kerkhof, Markus Ege, Svetlana Baltic, Melanie C Matheson, Jin Li, Sven Michel, Wei Q. Ang, Wendy McArdle, Andreas Arnold, Georg Homuth, Florence Demenais, Emmanuelle Bouzigon, Cilla Söderhäll, Göran Pershagen, Johan C. de Jongste, Dirkje S Postma, Charlotte Braun-Fahrländer, Elisabeth Horak, Ludmila M. Ogorodova, Valery P. Puzyrev, Elena Yu Bragina, Thomas J Hudson, Charles Morin, David L Duffy, Guy B Marks, Colin F Robertson, Grant W Montgomery, Bill Musk, Philip J Thompson, Nicholas G. Martin, Alan James, Patrick Sleiman, Elina Toskala, Elke Rodriguez, Regina Fölster-Holst, Andre Franke, Wolfgang Lieb, Christian Gieger, Andrea Heinzmann, Ernst Rietschel, Thomas Keil, Sven Cichon, Markus M Nöthen, Craig E Pennell, Peter D Sly, Carsten O Schmidt, Anja Matanovic, Valentin Schneider, Matthias Heinig, Norbert Hübner, Patrick G. Holt, Susanne Lau, Michael Kabesch, Stefan Weidinger, Hakon Hakonarson, Manuel AR Ferreira, Catherine Laprise, Maxim B. Freidin, Jon Genuneit, Gerard H Koppelman, Erik Melén, Marie-Hélène Dizier, A. John Henderson, Young Ae Lee

POSTER DISCUSSION SESSION 4: Food allergy—Anaphylaxis (PD22–PD26)

PD22 Atopy patch test in food protein induced enterocolitis caused by solid food

Purificacion González-Delgado, Esther Caparrós, Fernando Clemente, Begoña Cueva, Victoria M. Moreno, Jose Luis Carretero, Javier Fernández

PD23 Watermelon allergy: a novel presentation

Kate Swan, George Du Toit

PD24 A pilot study evaluating the usefulness of a guideline template for managing milk allergy in primary care

Mudiyur Gopi, Tim Smith, Edara Ramesh, Arun Sadasivam

PD26 Efficacy and safety of cow’s milk oral immunotherapy protocol

Inês Mota, Filipe Benito Garcia, Susana Piedade, Angela Gaspar, Graça Sampaio, Cristina Arêde, Luís Miguel Borrego, Graça Pires, Cristina Santa-Marta, Mário Morais-Almeida

POSTER DISCUSSION SESSION 5: Prevention and treatment—Allergy (PD27–PD36)

PD27 Allergy-protection by the lactic acid bacterium Lactococcus lactis G121: mode-of-action as revealed in a murine model of experimental allergy

Stephanie Brand, Karina Stein, Holger Heine, Marion Kauth

PD29 The relationship between quality of life and morning salivary cortisol after acute bronchiolitis in infancy

Leif Bjarte Rolfsjord, Egil Bakkeheim, Johan Alm, Håvard Ove Skjerven, Kai-Håkon Carlsen, Jon Olav Hunderi, Teresa Løvold Berents, Petter Mowinckel, Karin C. Lødrup Carlsen

PD30 Randomised trial of the efficacy of MP29-02* compared with fluticasone propionate nasal spray in children aged ≥6 years to <12 years with allergic rhinitis

Ulrich Wahn, Ullrich Munzel, William Berger

PD31 10 mg of oral bilastine in 2 to 11 years old children has similar exposure to the adult therapeutic dose (20 mg)

Ulrich Wahn, Román Valiente, Valvanera Vozmediano, John C. Lukas, Mónica Rodríguez

PD33 Daily symptoms, nocturnal symptoms, activity limitations and reliever therapies during the three steps of IOEASMA programme: a comparison

Sebastiano Guarnaccia, Luigi Vitale, Ada Pluda, Emanuele D’Agata, Denise Colombo, Stefano Felici, Valeria Gretter, Susanna Facchetti, Gaia Pecorelli, Cristina Quecchia

PD34 Sensitisation to an inert aeroallergen in weaning rats and longstanding disease, in a sensitisation-tolerant and easily tolerisable rodent strain

George Guibas, Evangelia Spandou, Spyridon Megremis, Peter West, Nikolaos Papadopoulos

PD35 Bacterial and fungi exposure in school and allergic sensitisation in children

João Cavaleiro Rufo, Joana Madureira, Inês Paciência, Lívia Aguiar, Patrícia Padrão, Mariana Pinto, Luís Delgado, Pedro Moreira, João Paulo Teixeira, Eduardo Oliveira Fernandes, André Moreira

PD36 Comparative study of allergy rhinitis between two populations: children vs. adults

Adriana Izquierdo Dominguez, Antonio Valero, Joaquim Mullol, Alfonso Del Cuvillo, Javier Montoro, Ignacio Jauregui, Joan Bartra, Ignacio Davila, Marta Ferrer, Joaquin Sastre

POSTER VIEWING SESSION 1: Inflammation—Genetics—Immunology—Dermatology (PP01–PP09)

PP01 Immune profile in late pregnancy: immunological markers in atopic asthmaticwomen as risk factors for atopy in the progeny

Catarina Martins, Jorge Lima, Maria José Leandro, Glória Nunes, Jorge Cunha Branco, Hélder Trindade, Luis Miguel Borrego

PP02 The impact of neonatal sepsis on development of allergic diseases

Secil Conkar, Mehtap Kilic, Canan Aygun, Recep Sancak

PP03 Clinical overview of selective IgE deficiency in childhood

Athina Papadopoulou, Eleni Tagalaki, Lambros Banos, Anna Vlachou, Fotini Giannoula, Despina Mermiri

PP04 Inverse relationship between serum 25(ΟΗ) vitamin D3 and total IgE in children and adolescence

Athina Papadopoulou, Stavroula Lampidi, Marina Pavlakou, Maria Kryoni, Kostas Makris

PP05

PP06

PP07 Asthma control questionnaire and specific IgE in children

Snezhina Lazova, Guergana Petrova, Dimitrinka Miteva, Penka Perenovska

PP08 Features of chronic urticaria of adolescents

Aliya Klyucharova, Olesya Skorohodkina

PP09 Cutaneous mastocytosis in children: a clinical analysis of 8 cases in Greece

Dimitra Koumaki, Alkisti Manousaki, Maria Agrapidi, Lida Iatridou, Omima Eruk, Konstantinos Myridakis, Emmanouil Manousakis, Vasiliki Koumaki

POSTER VIEWING SESSION 2: Food allergy—Anaphylaxis (PP10–PP47)

PP10 Prognostic factors in egg allergy

Maria Dimou, Maria Ingemansson, Gunilla Hedlin

PP11 Evaluation of the efficacy of an amino acid-based formula in infants who are intolerant to extensively hydrolysed protein formula

Nitida Pastor, Delphine de Boissieu, Jon Vanderhoof, Nancy Moore, Kaitlin Maditz

PP12 Anaphylaxis and epinephrine auto-injector use: a survey of pediatric trainees

Adeli Mehdi, Shaza Elhassan, Carolin Beck, Ahmed Al-Hammadi

PP13 Anaphylaxis in children: acute management in the Emergency Department

Ioana Maris, Ronan O’Sullivan, Jonathan Hourihane,

PP14 Understanding Cumbrian schools preparedness in managing children at risk of anaphylaxis in order to provide training and support which will create healthy and safe environments for children with allergies

George Raptis, Louise Michaelis

PP15 A new valid and reliable parent and child questionnaire to measure the impact of food protein enterocolitis syndrome on children: the FPIES Quality of Life Questionnaire (FPIESQL), Parent and Child Short Form

Audrey DunnGalvin, Matthew Greenhawt, Carina Venter, Jonathan Hourihane

PP16 An in-depth case study investigation of the experiences of teenagers and young adults in growing up and living with food allergy with emphasis on coping, management and risk, support, and social and self-identity

Evelyn O’Regan, Duncan Cronin, Jonathan Hourihane, Anna O’Reilly, Audrey DunnGalvin

PP17 Cow’s milk protein allergy in Constantine. A retrospective study of 62 cases between 1996 and 2013

Foued Abdelaziz, Dounia Khelifi-Touhami, Nihad Selim, Tahar Khelifi-Touhami

PP18

PP19 Cow’s milk and egg oral immunotherapy in children older than 5 years

Pablo Merida, Ana Mª Plaza, Juan Heber Castellanos, Adrianna Machinena, Montserrat Alvaro Lozano, Jaime Lozano, Olga Dominguez, Monica Piquer, Rosa Jimenez, Mª Teresa Giner

PP20 Professionals’ awareness of management of Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA) in North Wales Hospitals

Konstantinos Kakleas, Manohar Joishy, Wendmu Maskele, Huw R. Jenkins

PP21

PP22 Anaphylaxis: the great unknown for teachers. Presentation of a protocol for schools

Mercedes Escarrer, Agustín Madroñero, Maria Teresa Guerra, Juan Carlos Julia, Juan Carlos Cerda, Javier Contreras, Eulalia Tauler, Maria Jesus Vidorreta, Ana Rojo, Silvia Del Valle

PP23 Challenges facing children with food allergies and their parents in out of school activity sectors

Niamh Flynn

PP24 A review of food challenges at a Regional Irish Centre

Gary Foley, Carol Harmon, John Fitzsimons

PP25 The use of epinephrine in infants with anaphylaxis

Krasimira Baynova, Ávila Maria Del Robledo, Labella Marina

PP26

PP27

PP28 Mother’s psychological state predicts the expression of symptoms in food allergic children

Aaron Cortes, Alicia Sciaraffia, Angela Castillo

PP29 The correlation between sIgE towards tree nuts and birch pollen in a Danish Pediatric Allergy Clinic

Nanna Juel-Berg, Kirsten Skamstrup Hansen, Lars Kærgaard Poulsen

PP30 Food allergy in children: evaluation of parents’ use of online social media

Andreia Florina Nita, Ioana Valentina Nenciu, Adina Lazar, Dumitru Oraseanu

PP31 The impact of food allergy on quality of life: FAQLQ questionnaire

Rita Aguiar, Anabela Lopes, Maria J. Paes, Amélia S. Santos, M. A. Pereira-Barbosa

PP32 An unexpected cause of anaphylaxis: potato

Hatice Eke Gungor, Salih Uytun, Umit Murat Sahiner, Yasemin Altuner Torun

PP33 Is it clinical phenotype of allergic diseases determined by sensitisation to food?

Mirjana Zivanovic, Marina Atanasković-Marković

PP34

PP35 Prescribing adrenaline auto-injectors in children in 2014: the data from regional pediatricians

Tina Vesel, Mihaela Nahtigal, Andreja Obermayer-Temlin, Eva Šoster Križnik, Mirjana Maslar, Ruben Bizjak, Marjeta Tomšič-Matic, Sonja Posega-Devetak, Maja Skerbinjek-Kavalar, Mateja Predalič, Tadej Avčin

PP36 Who should have an adrenaline autoinjector? Adherence to the European and French guidelines among 121 allergists from the Allergy Vigilance Network

Guillaume Pouessel, Etienne Beaudouin, Anne M. Moneret-Vautrin, Antoine Deschildre, Allergy Vigilance Network

PP37 Anaphylaxis by Anacardium Occidentale

Marta Viñas, Bartolomé Borja, Nora Hernández, Mª José Castillo, Adriana Izquierdo, Marcel Ibero

PP38 Anaphylaxis with honey in a child

S. Tolga Yavuz, Ali Gungor, Betul Buyuktiryaki, Ozan Koc, Can Naci Kocabas, Faysal Gok

PP39 Evaluation of courses adopted to children on prevention, recognition and management of anaphylaxis

Tina Vesel, Mihaela Nahtigal

PP40 Symptomatic dust mites and shrimp allergy: three pediatric case reports

Filipa Almeida, Susana Lopes, Cristina Madureira, Tânia Lopes, Fernanda Carvalho

PP41 Poor identification rates of nuts by high risk individuals: a call for improved education and support for families

Camille Heming, Emily Garrett, Adam Blackstock, Santanu Maity, Rahul Chodhari

PP42 DAFALL: database of food allergies in the Czech Republic

Simona Belohlavkova, Eliska Kopelentova, Petr Visek, Ivana Setinova, Ivana Svarcova

PP43 Serological cross-reactivity between grass and wheat is not only caused by profilins and CCDs

Sigrid Sjölander, Nora Nilsson, Malin Berthold, Helena Ekoff, Gunilla Hedlin, Magnus Borres, Caroline Nilsson

PP44 Oil body associated proteins in children with nuts allergy. Allergens to consider in IgE-mediated nuts allergy

Loreto González Domínguez, Cristina Muñoz Archidona, Ana Moreira Jorge, Sergio Quevedo Teruel, Teresa Bracamonte Bermejo, Miriam Castillo Fernández, Fernando Pineda de la Losa, Luis Ángel Echeverría Zudaire

PP45

PP46 Protective effect of helicobacter pylori infection against food allergy in children

Olga Vrani, Antigone Mavroudi, Maria Fotoulaki, Maria Emporiadou, Kleomenis Spiroglou, Ioannis Xinias

PP47 Anaphylaxis pathway: A road tryp-tase to success?

Helyeh A. Sadreddini, Mia Warnes, Donna Traves

POSTER VIEWING SESSION 3: Miscellaneous (PP48–PP58)

PP48 Surveillance study on safety of SLIT in pediatric population

Ivana Djuric-Filipovic, Zorica Zivkovic, Snežana Zivanovic, Gordana Kostić, Đorđe Filipovic

PP49 Efficacy and safety of mixed mite subcutaneous immunotherapy among allergic rhinitis patients in the Northeastern Thailand

Sawapon Sittisomwong, Siripong Sittisomwong

PP50 Effect of inhaled beclomethasone or placebo on brain stem activity in a patient chronically treated with steroids: preliminary report

Zygmunt Podolec, Marcin Hartel, Daria Panek, Magdalena Podolec-Rubiś, Tomasz Banasik

PP51 Sensitisation to aeroallergens in patients with allergic rhinitis, asthma and atopic dermatitis in Shiraz, Southwestern Iran

Elham Abbasi, Mozhgan Moghtaderi

PP52 Referring a child for allergy test: how appropriate are we?

Phani Sanneerappa, Alina Deliu, Moosa Kutty, Nagabathula Ramesh

PP53 EBV lymphoproliferative disease and cardiac lymphoma in a STK4 deficient patient

Roya Sherkat, Mohammad Reza Sabri, Bahar Dehghan, Hamid Bigdelian, Nahid Raeesi, Mino Afshar, Hamid Rahimi, Christoph Klein

PP54 A case study: the effect of massive honeybees attack on various body parameters atopic girl including allergy

Mohemid Al-Jebouri

PP55 The role of TLR9, NLRP3 and proIL-1β in activation of antiviral innate immunity

Oxana A. Svitich, Daria O. Zubacheva, Dmitrii A. Potemkin, Ludmila V. Gankovskaya, Vitalii V. Zverev

PP56 Overnight pulse oximetry, as a screening tool to diagnose obstructive sleep apnoea. How effective is it?

Phani Sanneerappa, Elaine OB Doyle, Paul Gallagher, Nagabathula Ramesh

PP57 The presentation and management of acute urticaria and allergic reactions in children in a multi-ethnic, inner city Emergency Department (ED)

Sherine Dewlett, Kin Man, Minal Gandhi, James Pocock, Anna Gerrardhughes

PP58 Food allergens responsible for delayed-type sensitisation in atopy patch test in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder

Jolanta Wasilewska, Maciej Kaczmarski, Dariusz Lebensztejn

POSTER VIEWING SESSION 4: Asthma—Rhinitis (PP59–PP87)

PP59 Systematic review of incense as a trigger factor for asthma

Chandramani Thuraisingham, Davendralingam Sinniah

PP60 Increased risks of mood and anxiety disorders in children with asthma

Yue Chen, Xiaomei Mei

PP61

PP62 Asthma Control Test (ACT) and Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ) association in children

Sebnem Ozdogan, Pinar Karadeniz, Durdugul Ayyildiz-Emecen, Ummuhan Oncul

PP63 Seasonal and gender variations in vitamin D levels in children with asthma and its association with pulmonary function tests

Sebnem Ozdogan, Gizem Sari, Sabanur Cavdar

PP64 Defining treatment response in childhood asthma: rationale and design of the Pharmacogenomics in the Childhood Asthma (PiCA) consortium

Niloufar Farzan, Susanne J. Vijverberg, Colin J. Palmer, Kelan G. Tantisira, Anke-Hilseon Maitland-van der Zee behalf of the PiCA consortium

PP65 Prevalence of asthma and allergic disease in patients with inflammatory disease compared to celiac disease

Fatma Yavuzyilmaz, Sebnem Ozdogan, Nafiye Urganci, Merve Usta

PP66 A severe case with cystic fibrosis (CF) asthma

Mehmet Hoxha, Maksim Basho

PP67 Severe asthma exacerbation complicated with pneumothorax in a child with uncontrolled asthma due to poor treatment compliance

Ioana Valentina Nenciu, Andreia Florina Nita, Adina Lazar, Alexandru Ulmeanu, Carmen Zapucioiu, Dumitru Oraseanu

PP68 Evaluation of the Pediatric Quality of Life inventory (PedsQL) asthma module among low income asthmatic children and adolescents in Sao Paolo, Brazil

Gustavo F. Wandalsen, Fernanda Monteiro, Dirceu Solé

PP69 Early initiation of specific immunotherapy in asthma patients leads to higher benefits

Blerta Lame, Eris Mesonjesi, Arjeta Sherri

PP70 Treatment resistant asthma and rhinosinusitis with recurrent pulmonary infections. Is it primary ciliary dyskinesia?

Alkerta Ibranji, Laert Gjati, Gjustina Loloci, Ardii Bardhi

PP71 The comparison of sensitisation to animal allergens in children- and adult- onset patients with asthma

Behnam Moghtaderi, Shirin Farjadian, Dorna Eghtedari

PP72 Characterisation of children less than five years with wheezing episodes in Cali, Colombia

Manuela Olaya, Laura Del Mar Vasquez, Luis Fernando Ramirez, Carlos Daniel Serrano

PP73 Evaluation of the patients with recurrent croup

Belgin Usta Guc, Suna Asilsoy, Fulya Ozer

PP74 Obesity in adolescence compromising the asthma control

Guergana Petrova, Sylvia Shopova, Vera Papochieva, Snezhina Lazova, Dimitrinka Miteva, Penka Perenovska

PP75 Sleep behavior in children with persistent allergic rhinitis

Gustavo F. Wandalsen, Jessica Loekmanwidjaja, Márcia Mallozi, Dirceu Solé

PP76 Randomised trial of the safety of MP29-02* compared with fluticasone propionate nasal spray in children aged ≥4 years to <12 years with allergic rhinitis

William Berger, Ulrich Wahn, Paul Ratner, Daniel Soteres

PP77 Safety and tolerability evaluation of bilastine 10 mg in children from 2 to 11 years of age with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis or urticaria

Zoltán Novák, Anahí Yáñez, Kiss Ildikó, Piotr Kuna, Miguel Tortajada, Román Valiente, the Bilastine Pediatric Safety Study Group

PP78 Sensitisation to Alternaria alternata: Is it a risk factor for severe rhinitis?

Susana Lopes, Filipa Almeida, Tânia Lopes, Cristina Madureira, José Oliveira, Fernanda Carvalho

PP79 Validation of the Patient Benefit Index (PBI) for the assessment of patient-related outcomes in allergic rhinitis in children

Julia Feuerhahn, Christine Blome, Meike Hadler, Efstrathios Karagiannis, Anna Langenbruch, Matthias Augustin

PP80 Efficacy of sublingual tablet of house dust mite allergen extracts in adolescents with house dust mite-associated allergic rhinitis

Michel Roux, Shinji Kakudo, Efstrathios Karagiannis, Robert K. Zeldin

PP81 Lung function improvement in a child treated with omalizumab for bronchial asthma

Anna Sokolova, Tiago Milheiro Silva

PP82 How to treat a child suffering from asthma, allergic rhinitis, allergy to peanuts and diabetes at the same time?

Snezana S. Zivanovic, Vesna Cvetkovic, Ivana Nikolic, Sonja J. Zivanovic

PP83 Nitric oxide in exhaled air in the relationship of the degree of sensitisation to aeroallergens

Snezana S. Zivanovic, Ljiljana Saranac, Ivana Nikolic, Sonja J. Zivanovic, Zorica Zivkovic

PP84 Clinical basis of diagnostic errors in pediatric asthma

Zoia Nesterenko

PP85

PP86 Childhood asthma control in Serbia and organised Asthma Educational Intervention (AEI)

Snezana Radic, Branislava Milenkovic, Spomenka Smiljanic, Milka Micic-Stanijevic, Olivera Calovic

PP87 Experience from a group of adolescents with severe allergic asthma treated with Omalizumab

Anne Marie Bro Hofbauer, Lone Agertoft

THEMATIC POSTER SESSION 1: Prevention and Treatment—Epidemiology (TP01–TP18)

TP01 A cost effective primary school asthma education program: pilot study from inner London schools

Lucy Everson, Jessica Kearney, Jonny Coppel, Simon Braithwaite, Rahul Chodhari

TP02 The prevalence of allergic diseases among 14–15 years old adolescents in two Danish birth cohorts 14 years apart

Elisabeth S. Christiansen, Henrik Fomsgaard Kjaer, Esben Eller, Charlotte G. Mørtz, Susanne Halken

TP03 Does pattern of sensitisation to phleum pratense change with age? Is it different in children with allergic rhinitis or asthma?

Cristina Román India, Ana Moreira Jorge, Loreto González Domínguez, Cristina Muñoz Archidona, Sergio Quevedo Teruel, Teresa Bracamonte Bermejo, Juana Jiménez Jiménez, Luis Echeverría Zudaire

TP04 Practicalities of prevention of peanut allergy: modelling a national response to LEAP

Cathal O’Connor, Jonathan Hourihane

TP05 Comparison of the influence of sunflower seed oil and skin care lotion on the skin barrier function of newborns: a randomised controlled trial

Varvara Kanti, Lena Lünnemann, Günther Malise, Laine Ludriksone, Andrea Stroux, Wolfgang Henrich, Michael Abu-Dakn, Ulrike Blume-Peytavi, Natalie Garcia Bartels

TP06 The effect of daily skin care on skin barrier properties in infants with dry skin and risk for atopic dermatitis

Varvara Kanti, Lena Lünnemann, Laine Ludriksone, Marianne Schario, Andrea Stroux, Ulrike Blume-Peytavi, Natalie Garcia Bartels

TP07 Change in sum total aeroallergen skin prick test wheal diameters at 6 months predicts which children will respond to subcutaneous immunotherapy by three years

Thorsten Stanley, Nicolien Brandenbarg

TP08 Are mobile apps regarding adrenaline auto-injectors accessed by adolescents for support and education in the community?

Alia Boardman, Gary McGreevy, Emily Rodger, Katherine Knight, Victoria Timms, Trisha Taylor, Gemma Scanlan, Roisin Fitzsimons

TP09

TP10 Prevention of early atopic dermatitis among low-atopy-risk infants by immunoactive prebiotics is not sustained after the first year of life

Grüber Christoph, Ulrich Wahn, Margriet van Stuivenberg, Fabio Mosca, Guido Moro, Gaetano Chirico, Christian P. Braegger, Joseph Riedler, Yalcin Yavuz, Günther Boehm

TP11

TP12

TP13 Treatment with Omalizumab in a 16-year-old Caucasian girl with refractory solar urticaria

Stefania Arasi, Giuseppe Crisafulli, Lucia Caminiti, Federica Porcaro, Giovanni Battista Pajno

TP14 Ultra-pure soft water ameliorates skin conditions of adult and child patients with atopic dermatitis

Akane Tanaka, Yaei Togawa, Kumiko Oida, Naotomo Kambe, Peter Arkwright, Yosuke Amagai, Naoki Shimojo, Yasunori Sato, Hiroyuki Mochizuki, Hyosun Jang, Saori Ishizaka, Hiroshi Matsuda

TP15 Potential adjuvant effect of immunomodulator to improve specific immunotherapy in asthmatic child

Wisnu Barlianto, Ery Olivianto, H. M. S. Chandra Kusuma

TP16 How can Component Resolved Diagnosis (CRD) influence in Specific Immunotherapy (SIT) prescription, in a Spanish children population

Ana Moreira Jorge, Cristina Román India, Loreto González Domínguez, Cristina Muñoz Archidona, Juana Jiménez Jiménez, Teresa Bracamonte Bermejo, Sergio Quevedo Teruel, Luis Echeverría Zudaire

TP17 Mitochondrial dysfunction in food allergy: effects of L. rhamnosus GG in a mice model of peanut allergy

Rosita Aitoro, Mariapia Mollica, Roberto Berni Canani, Giovanna Trinchese, Elena Alfano, Antonio Amoroso, Lorella Paparo, Francesco Amato, Claudio Pirozzi, Antonio Calignano, Rosaria Meli

TP18 Prediction of atopic diseases in childhood: elevated blood eosinophils in infancy in a high risk birth cohort

Siri Rossberg, Kerstin Gerhold, Kurt Zimmermann, Mohammad Zaino, Thomas Geske, Eckard Hamelmann, Susanne Lau

THEMATIC POSTER SESSION 2: Food allergy—Anaphylaxis (TP19–TP38)

TP19

TP20

TP21 Double-blind provocation tests in non-IgE mediated cow’s milk allergy and the occurrence of placebo reactions

Sarah Bogovic, Jochem van den Berg, Chantal Janssen

TP22 Gradual introduction of baked egg (BE) in egg allergic patients under 2 years old

Angela Claver

TP23 Randomised controlled trial of SOTI with raw hen’s egg in children with persistent egg allergy I: safety and efficacy of daily vs. weekly protocols of induction

Mª Flor Martin-Muñoz, C. Martorell, M. T. Belver, E. Alonso Lebrero, L. Zapatero, V. Fuentes, M. Piqué, A. Plaza, C. Muñoz, A. Martorell, Cristina Blasco, B. Villa, C. Gómez, S. Nevot, J. M. García, L. Echeverria

TP24 Randomised controlled trial of SOTI with raw hen’s egg in children with persistent egg allergy II: a randomised controlled trial to study a safer, more effective and easy to perform maintenance (daily vs. every two days) pattern of egg SOTI

Mª Flor Martin-Muñoz, C. Martorell, M. T. Belver, E. Alonso Lebrero, L. Zapatero, V. Fuentes, M. Piqué, A. Plaza, C. Muñoz, A. Martorell, Cristina Blasco, B. Villa, C. Gómez, S. Nevot, J. M. García, L. Echeverria

TP25 Determining the safety of baked egg home reintroduction for children with mild egg allergy

Brenda DeWitt, Judith Holloway, Donald Hodge

TP26 Demographics, investigations and patterns of sensitisation in children with oral allergy syndrome in a London Teaching Hospital

Sian Ludman, Merhdad Jafari-Mamaghani, Rosemary Ebling, Adam T. Fox, Gideon Lack, George Du Toit

TP27 Airborne peanut challenge in children: allergic reactions are rare

Sofia Lovén Björkman, Caroline Nilsson, Natalia Ballardini

TP28 The nutty question on Pediatric Wards: to be or “nut” to be?

Supriyo Basu, Jenny Hallet, Jyothi Srinivas

TP29

TP30

TP31 Allergy education in nursery schools

Hazel Stringer, Nicola Jay

TP32 Food allergy in the first year of life

Tânia Lopes, Cristina Madureira, Filipa Almeida, Susana Lopes, Paula Fonseca, Clara Vieira, Fernanda Carvalho

TP33 Prevalence and geographic distribution of oral allergy syndrome in Italian children: a multicenter study

Carla Mastrorilli, Carlo Caffarelli, Riccardo Asero, Salvatore Tripodi, Arianna Dondi, Gianpaolo Ricci, Carlotta Povesi Dascola, Elisabetta Calamelli, Francesca Cipriani, Andrea Di Rienzo Businco, Annamaria Bianchi, Paolo Candelotti, Tullio Frediani, Carmen Verga, Paolo Maria Matricardi

TP34 Are common standardised allergen extracts used in skin test enough in the diagnosis of nuts allergy?

Cristina Muñoz Archidona, Loreto González Domínguez, Ana Moreira Jorge, Sergio Quevedo Teruel, Teresa Bracamonte Bermejo, Miriam Castillo Fernández, Fernando Pineda de la Losa, Luis Ángel Echeverría Zudaire

TP35 Evaluation of IgE sensitisation in children with allergic proctocolitis and its relationship to atopic dermatitis

Despina Mermiri, Paraskevi Korovessi, Skevi Tiliakou, Evaggelia Tavoulari, Kalliopi-Maria Moraiti, Fotini Giannoula, Athina Papadopoulou

TP36 Food allergy in children: are we managing them appropriately in the Emergency Department?

Wan Jean Tee, Samir Deiratany, Raymond Seedhoo, Roisin McNamara, Ike Okafor

TP37 Importance of oil body associated allergenic proteins in nuts suspected allergy children

Loreto González Domínguez, Ana Moreira Jorge, Cristina Muñoz Archidona, Teresa Bracamonte Bermejo, Sergio Quevedo Teruel, Fernando Pineda de la Losa, Miriam Castillo Fernández, Luis Ángel Echeverría Zudaire

TP38 Practical application of basophil activation test in children with food allergy

Ekaterina Khaleva, Gennady Novic, Natalia Bychkova

THEMATIC POSTER SESSION 3: Asthma (TP39–TP57)

TP39 Effect of corticosteroid therapy upon serum magnesium level in chronic asthmatic children

Amany Abd Al-Aziz, Amany Fatouh, Ayat Motawie, Eman El Bostany, Amr Ibrahim

TP40 ADAM33 in Bulgarian children with asthma

Guergana Petrova, Dimitrinka Miteva, Snezhina Lazova, Penka Perenovska, Sylvia Andonova, Alexey Savov

TP41

TP42 The impact of vitamin D serum levels in asthma and allergic rhinitis

Maria Zoto, Marialena Kyriakakou, Paraskevi Xepapadaki, Nikolaos G. Papadopoulos

TP43 Life-threatening, first reported, paradoxical bronchospasm after nebulised Salbutamol in a 10 year old child

Paraskevi Korovessi, Mariza Vassilopoulou, Athina Balaska, Lambros Banos, Stavroula Kostaridou, Despina Mermiri

TP44

TP45 Asthma symptoms in children with treatment for allergic rhinoconjunctivitis

Jorien Wartna, Arthur M. Bohnen, Gijs Elshout, David H. J. Pols, Patrick J. E. Bindels

Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

TP46 Atopy increased the risk of developing exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in young athletes

Sven F. Seys; Ellen Dilissen, Sarah Van der Eycken, An-Sofie Schelpe, Gudrun Marijsse, Thierry Troosters, Vincent Vanbelle, Sven Aertgeerts, Jan L. Ceuppens, Lieven J. Dupont, Koen Peers, Dominique M. Bullens

TP47 The effect of higher BMI on risk for asthma and treatment outcome in overweight and obese children

Ivana Banic, Sandra Bulat Lokas, Jelena Zivkovic, Boro Nogalo, Iva Mrkic Kobal, Davor Plavec, Mirjana Turkalj

TP48

TP49

TP50

TP51

TP52 The impact of a multidisciplinary project intended to change the culture of nebulisers towards pressurised metered dose inhalers

Georgeta Oliveira, Katharine Pike, Alda Melo, Tomás Amélia, José Carlos Cidrais Rodrigues, Cristina Serrano, José Manuel Lopes dos Santos, Carla Lopes

TP53

TP54

TP55

TP56 Increased asthma control in patients with severe persistent allergic asthma after 12 month of nightly temperature controlled laminar airflow (TLA)

Eckard Hamelmann, Uwe Schauer, Karl-Christian Bergmann

TP57

THEMATIC POSTER SESSION 4: Drug allergy—Dermatology (TP58–TP77)

TP58 Should we proceed directly to provocation challenges to diagnose drug allergy? Our experience says yes

Luis Moral, Teresa Toral, Nuria Marco, Beléns García Avilés, Mª Jesús Fuentes, Jesús Garde, Cristina Montahud, Javier Perona, Mª José Forniés

TP59 Anaphylaxis to 13-valent pneumococcal vaccine

Esozia Arroabarren, Marta Anda, Maria Luisa Sanz, Maria Teresa Lizaso, Candida Arregui

TP60 Intrapartum antibiotic exposure for treatment of group B streptococcus was not associated with the development of penicillin allergy in children

Sara May, Martha Hartz, Avni Joshi, Miguel A. Park

TP61 Evaluation of suspected drug hypersensitivity reactions in 169 children referred to the General Hospital

Sonja Posega Devetak, Tina Vesel, Anja Koren Jeverica, Tadej Avčin

TP62 Drug provocation testing: experience of a tertiary hospital

Leonor Castro, Carolina Gouveia, Ana Carvalho Marques, Antonio Jorge Cabral

TP63 Perioperative anaphylaxis: a growing concern in pediatric population

Luis Amaral, Fabrícia Carolino, Eunice Castro, Madalena Passos, Josefina R. Cernadas

TP64 Raising awareness of hypersensitivity to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the pediatric age

Fabrícia Carolino, Luís Amaral, Eunice Dias de Castro, Josefina R. Cernadas

TP65 Perioperative anaphylaxis in young children: how to confirm the suspicion

Josefina R. Cernadas, Fabrícia Carolino, Luís Amaral, Fernando Pineda, Armanda Gomes

TP66 A case study of a child suspected to be penicillin allergic-digging deeper

Katherine Knight, Roisin Fitzsimons, Helen Brough

TP67 Prevalence, characteristics and risk factors of hypersensitivity reactions to antibiotics in patients with cystic fibrosis

Jobst Röhmel, Carsten Schwarz, Anne Mehl, Philippe Stock, Doris Staab

TP68 Antibiotic drug hypersensitivity in cystic fibrosis: A pilot study using cellular allergy tests for diagnostics

Jobst Röhmel, Carsten Schwarz, Christine Seib, Doris Staab, Philippe Stock

TP69 Oral antibiotics challenges in children

Anita Critchlow, Alyson Barber, Nicola Jay

TP70 Hypersensitivity reaction to vancomycin: a new successful desensitization protocol

Belen Delavalle, Teresa Garriga, Blanca Vilá, Cristina Blasco

TP71

TP72 Clinical phenotypes according to FLG gene loss of function mutations in children with atopic dermatitis

Francesca Cipriani, Annalisa Astolfi, Costanza Di Chiara, Elisabetta Calamelli, Iria Neri, Annalisa Patrizi, Gianpaolo Ricci

TP73

TP74 Urticaria in children: clinical and epidemiological features

Katerina Neskorodova, Asya Kudryavtseva

TP75

TP76 Acute urticaria at the Pediatrics Emergency Department: is it allergy?

Esozia Arroabarren, Jorge Alvarez, Marta Anda, Miriam Palacios, Marta Martinez-Merino, Ibone Vaquero

TP77

Effects of an High-Fat Diet Enriched in Lard or in Fish Oil on the Hypothalamic Amp-Activated Protein Kinase and Inflammatory Mediators

The high fat diet (HFD) rich in lard induces obesity, inflammation and oxidative stress, and the deregulation of hypothalamic nuclei plays an important role in this mechanism. One important factor involved in the food intake and inflammation is adenosine monophosphate-dependent kinase (AMPK), a serine/threonine kinase activated by phosphorylation. Omega (ω)3-polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are dietary compounds known to attenuate the obesity-related diseases, although the molecular mechanisms underlying their actions in the hypothalamus are not completely understood. We hypothesized that the beneficial effects of PUFA may be mediated by AMPK in the hypothalamus. To this aim, rats were fed a control diet (CD), or isocaloric HFD containing either fish oil (FD; rich in ω3-PUFA) or lard for 6 weeks, and the activation of AMPK, inflammatory state (IKKβ, TNF-α) and oxidative stress were analyzed in the hypothalamus. In addition, we also studied serum lipid profile, homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) index, and pro-inflammatory parameters. Our results showed, at the hypothalamic level of LD-fed rats, an increase of AMPK activation, inflammation and oxidative stress, while no modifications were detected in FD-fed animals compared to CD. In addition body weight gain, serum lipid profile, pro-inflammatory parameters and insulin resistance were reduced in FD animals compared to LD. In conclusion, our data indicate that the substitution of saturated by unsaturated fatty acids in the diet has beneficial effects on modulation of hypothalamic inflammation and function in obesity, underlying, at hypothalamic level, the interaction among insulin and/or leptin resistance, AMPK activation and hyperphagia.

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Attenuate Diet Induced Obesity and Insulin Resistance, Modulating Mitochondrial Respiratory Uncoupling in Rat Skeletal Muscle

Objectives

Omega (ω)-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are dietary compounds able to attenuate insulin resistance. Anyway, the precise actions of ω-3PUFAs in skeletal muscle are overlooked. We hypothesized that PUFAs, modulating mitochondrial function and efficiency, would ameliorate pro-inflammatory and pro-oxidant signs of nutritionally induced obesity.

Study Design

To this aim, rats were fed a control diet (CD) or isocaloric high fat diets containing either ω-3 PUFA (FD) or lard (LD) for 6 weeks.

Results

FD rats showed lower weight, lipid gain and energy efficiency compared to LD-fed animals, showing higher energy expenditure and O₂ consumption/CO₂ production. Serum lipid profile and pro-inflammatory parameters in FD-fed animals were reduced compared to LD. Accordingly, FD rats exhibited a higher glucose tolerance revealed by an improved glucose and insulin tolerance tests compared to LD, accompanied by a restoration of insulin signalling in skeletal muscle. PUFAs increased lipid oxidation and reduced energy efficiency in subsarcolemmal mitochondria, and increase AMPK activation, reducing both endoplasmic reticulum and oxidative stress. Increased mitochondrial respiration was related to an increased mitochondriogenesis in FD skeletal muscle, as shown by the increase in PGC1-α and -β.

Conclusions

our data strengthened the association of high dietary ω3-PUFA intake with reduced mitochondrial energy efficiency in the skeletal muscle.

High Fat Diet and Inflammation - Modulation of Haptoglobin Level in Rat Brain

Obesity and dietary fats are well known risk factors for the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. The analysis of specific markers, whose brain level can be affected by diet, might contribute to unveil the intersection between inflammation/obesity and neurodegeneration. Haptoglobin (Hpt) is an acute phase protein, which acts as antioxidant by binding free haemoglobin (Hb), thus neutralizing its pro-oxidative action. We previously demonstrated that Hpt plays critical functions in brain, modulating cholesterol trafficking in neuroblastoma cell lines, beta-amyloid (Aβ) uptake by astrocyte, and limiting Aβ toxicity on these cells. A major aim of this study was to evaluate whether a long term (12 or 24 weeks) high-fat diet (HFD) influences Hpt and Hb expression in rat hippocampus. We also assessed the development of obesity-induced inflammation by measuring hippocampal level of TNF-alpha, and the extent of protein oxidation by titrating nitro-tyrosine (N-Tyr). Hpt concentration was lower (p < 0.001) in hippocampus of HFD rats than in control animals, both in the 12 and in the 24 weeks fed groups. HFD was also associated in hippocampus with the increase of Hb level (p < 0.01), inflammation and protein oxidative modification, as evidenced by the increase in the concentration of TNF-alpha and nitro-tyrosine. In fact, TNF-alpha concentration was higher in rats receiving HFD for 12 (p < 0.01) or 24 weeks (p < 0.001) compared to those receiving the control diet. N-Tyr concentration was more elevated in hippocampus of HFD than in control rats in both 12 weeks (p = 0.04) and 24 weeks groups (p = 0.01), and a positive correlation between Hb and N-Tyr concentration was found in each group. Finally, we found that the treatment of the human glioblastoma-astrocytoma cell line U-87 MG with cholesterol and fatty acids, such as palmitic and linoleic acid, significantly impairs (p < 0.001) Hpt secretion in the extracellular compartment. We hypothesize that the HFD-dependent decrease of Hpt in hippocampus, as associated with Hb increase, might enhance the oxidative stress induced by free Hb. Altogether our data, identifying Hpt as a molecule modulated in the brain by dietary fats, may represent one of the first steps in the comprehension of the molecular mechanisms underlying the diet-related effects in the nervous system.

Human, donkey and cow milk differently affects energy efficiency and inflammatory state by modulating mitochondrial function and gut microbiota

Different nutritional components are able, by modulating mitochondrial function and gut microbiota composition, to influence body composition, metabolic homeostasis and inflammatory state. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects produced by the supplementation of different milks on energy balance, inflammatory state, oxidative stress and antioxidant/detoxifying enzyme activities and to investigate the role of the mitochondrial efficiency and the gut microbiota in the regulation of metabolic functions in an animal model. We compared the intake of human milk, gold standard for infant nutrition, with equicaloric supplementation of donkey milk, the best substitute for newborns due to its nutritional properties, and cow milk, the primary marketed product. The results showed a hypolipidemic effect produced by donkey and human milk intake in parallel with enhanced mitochondrial activity/proton leakage. Reduced mitochondrial energy efficiency and proinflammatory signals (tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin-1 and lipopolysaccharide levels) were associated with a significant increase of antioxidants (total thiols) and detoxifying enzyme activities (glutathione-S-transferase, NADH quinone oxidoreductase) in donkey- and human milk-treated animals. The beneficial effects were attributable, at least in part, to the activation of the nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor-2 pathway. Moreover, the metabolic benefits induced by human and donkey milk may be related to the modulation of gut microbiota. In fact, milk treatments uniquely affected the proportions of bacterial phyla and genera, and we hypothesized that the increased concentration of fecal butyrate in human and donkey milk-treated rats was related to the improved lipid and glucose metabolism and detoxifying activities.

Haptoglobin increases with age in rat hippocampus and modulates Apolipoprotein E mediated cholesterol trafficking in neuroblastoma cell lines

Alteration in cholesterol metabolism has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative disorders. Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is the major component of brain lipoproteins supporting cholesterol transport. We previously reported that the acute-phase protein Haptoglobin (Hpt) binds ApoE, and influences its function in blood cholesterol homeostasis. Major aim of this study was to investigate whether Hpt influences the mechanisms by which cholesterol is shuttled from astrocytes to neurons. In detail it was studied Hpt effect on ApoE-dependent cholesterol efflux from astrocytes and ApoE-mediated cholesterol incorporation in neurons. We report here that Hpt impairs ApoE-mediated cholesterol uptake in human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y, and limits the toxicity of a massive concentration of cholesterol for these cells, while it does not affect cholesterol efflux from the human glioblastoma-astrocytoma cell line U-87 MG. As aging is the most important non-genetic risk factor for various neurodegenerative disorders, and our results suggest that Hpt modulates ApoE functions, we evaluated the Hpt and ApoE expression profiles in cerebral cortex and hippocampus of adolescent (2 months), adult (5 and 8 months), and middle-aged (16 months) rats. Hpt mRNA level was higher in hippocampus of 8 and 16 month-old than in 2-month old rats (p < 0.05), and Hpt concentration increased with the age from adolescence to middle-age (p < 0.001). ApoE concentration, in hippocampus, was higher (p < 0.001) in 5 month-old rats compared to 2 month but did not further change with aging. No age-related changes of Hpt (protein and mRNA) were found in the cortex. Our results suggest that aging is associated with changes, particularly in the hippocampus, in the Hpt/ApoE ratio. Age-related changes in the concentration of Hpt were also found in human cerebrospinal fluids. The age-related changes might affect neuronal function and survival in brain, and have important implications in brain pathophysiology.

c9,t11-Conjugated linoleic acid ameliorates steatosis by modulating mitochondrial uncoupling and Nrf2 pathway

Oxidative stress, hepatic steatosis, and mitochondrial dysfunction are key pathophysiological features of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. A conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) mixture of cis9,trans11 (9,11-CLA) and trans10,cis12 (10,12-CLA) isomers enhanced the antioxidant/detoxifying mechanism via the activation of nuclear factor E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) and improved mitochondrial function, but less is known about the actions of specific isomers. The differential ability of individual CLA isomers to modulate these pathways was explored in Wistar rats fed for 4 weeks with a lard-based high-fat diet (L) or with control diet (CD), and, within each dietary treatment, two subgroups were daily administered with 9,11-CLA or 10,12-CLA (30 mg/day). The 9,11-CLA, but not 10,12-CLA, supplementation to CD rats improves the GSH/GSSG ratio in the liver, mitochondrial functions, and Nrf2 activity. Histological examination reveals a reduction of steatosis in L-fed rats supplemented with both CLA isomers, but 9,11-CLA downregulated plasma concentrations of proinflammatory markers, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress markers in liver more efficiently than in 10,12-CLA treatment. The present study demonstrates the higher protective effect of 9,11-CLA against diet-induced pro-oxidant and proinflammatory signs and suggests that these effects are determined, at least in part, by its ability to activate the Nrf2 pathway and to improve the mitochondrial functioning and biogenesis.

Diet supplementation with donkey milk upregulates liver mitochondrial uncoupling, reduces energy efficiency and improves antioxidant and antiinflammatory defences in rats

Dietary PUFA, mainly those of the n-3 family, are known to play essential roles in the maintenance of energy balance and in the reduction of body fat deposition through the upregulation of mitochondrial uncoupling that is the main source of reactive oxygen species. We hypothesized that rat supplementation with raw donkey's milk (DM), characterized by low-fat content and higher n3:n6 ratio, may affect energy balance, lipid metabolism, and prooxidant status as compared to animals treated with cow's milk. In the present study, the effects of drinking raw DM (for 4 weeks) on energy balance, lipid metabolism, antiinflammatory, and antioxidant/detoxifying defences was compared to that produced by rat intake of an iso-energetic amount of raw cow's milk. The hypolipidemic effect produced by DM paralleled with the enhanced mitochondrial activity/proton leakage and with the increased activity or expression of mitochondrial markers namely, carnitine palmitoyl transferase and uncoupling protein 2. The association of decreased energy efficiency with reduced proinflammatory signs (TNF-α and LPS levels) with the significant increase antioxidant (total thiols) and detoxifying enzyme activities (glutathione-S-transferase NADH quinone oxidoreductase) in DM-treated animals, indicated that beneficial effects were attributable, at least in part, to the activation of nuclear factor 2 erythroid-related factor 2 pathway.

[Leiomyosarcoma of the small intestine and the colorectum. A case contribution]

Smooth muscle tumors of the alimentary tract are uncommon. A retrospective study was made of 7 patients treated for leiomyosarcoma of the small and large bowel to identify prognostic factors that influence results. The symptoms associated with these tumors varied according to the anatomic sites of the lesions and the position of the growth in relation to the intestinal lumen but the most common presenting clinical signs are bleeding or obstruction. The differential diagnosis between benign and malignant smooth muscle tumors is sometimes quite difficult. Clinical behavior of the myosarcomas of the gastrointestinal tract can be predicted to a large extent by the site of the tumor, the presence or absence of invasion of adjacent vital organs, and the histopathologic grade of malignancy. Although the mitotic activity of a gastrointestinal stromal tumor remains the most critical prognostic factor, tumors have been seen to recur locally and to metastasize even with rare or absent mitotic figures. Further studies are needed to pinpoint the factors that may be correlated to the prognosis.