10­Gingerol, a novel ginger compound, exhibits antiadipogenic effects without compromising cell viability in 3T3­L1 cells.

Obesity is defined as excessive fat accumulation that can be detrimental to health and currently affects a large part of the global population. Obesity arises from excessive energy intake along with a sedentary lifestyle and leads to adipocytes with aggravated hypertrophy. Strategies have been designed to prevent and treat obesity. Nutrigenomics may serve a role in prevention of obesity using bioactive compounds present in certain foods with anti-obesogenic effects. Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) contains gingerols, key bioactive compounds that inhibit hypertrophy and hyperplasia of adipocytes. The present study aimed to evaluate the antiadipogenic activity of 10-gingerol (10-G) in the 3T3-L1 cell line. Three study groups were formed: Negative (3T3-L1 preadipocytes) and positive control (mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes) and 10-G (3T3-L1 preadipocytes stimulated with 10-G during adipogenic differentiation). Cell viability and lipid content were evaluated by MTT assay and Oil Red O staining, respectively. mRNA expression of CCAAT enhancer-binding protein α (C/ebpα), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (Pparγ), mechanistic target of rapamycin complex (Mtor), sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 1 (Srebf1), acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase (Acaca), fatty acid binding protein 4 (Fabp4), and 18S rRNA (Rn18s), was quantified by quantitative PCR. The protein expression of C/EPBα was analyzed by western blot. In the 10-G group, lipid content was decreased by 28.83% (P<0.0001) compared with the positive control; notably, cell viability was not affected (P=0.336). The mRNA expression in the 10-G group was higher for C/ebpα (P<0.001) and lower for Acaca (P<0.001), Fabp4 (P<0.001), Mtor (P<0.0001) and Srebf1 (P<0.0001) compared with the positive control group, while gene expression of Pparγ did not present significant changes. The presence of 10-G notably decreased C/EBPα protein levels in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In summary, the antiadipogenic effect of 10-G during the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells into adipocytes may be explained by mRNA downregulation of adipogenic transcriptional factors and lipid metabolism-associated genes.

A mix of ginger phenols exhibits anti­adipogenic and lipolytic effects in mature adipocytes derived from 3T3­L1 cells.

The prevalence of obesity has increased rapidly worldwide. Obesity is characterized by excessive adipose tissue in the body, which is related to hyperplasia and hypertrophy in adipocytes. Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) is a medicinal plant that possesses an anti-obesogenic effect mostly attributed to gingerols, the most abundant bioactive compounds in ginger. The anti-adipogenic and lipolytic effects of these phenols have been shown when investigated individually. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the lipolytic and anti-adipogenic activity of a mix of the main ginger phenols 6-gingerol, 8-gingerol, 10-gingerol, 6-shogaol, 8-shogaol and 10-shogaol on the 3T3-L1 cell line. A total of four study groups were designed: Negative control (3T3-L1 preadipocytes); positive control (mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes); phenols-pre (3T3-L1 cells stimulated with the phenols mix during adipogenic differentiation); and phenols-post (mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes stimulated with the phenols mix). MTT viability cell assay and Oil Red O staining were performed. Glycerol concentration supernatants were determined using the VITROS 350 Chemistry System. Expression of mRNA was measured using qPCR. The treatment with a 2 µg/ml ginger phenol dose reduced the lipid content by 45.52±7.8 and 35.95±0.76% in the phenols-pre and -post group, respectively, compared with that in the positive control group. The phenols-post group presented a higher glycerol concentration in the supernatant compared with that in the positive control and the phenols-pre groups. The mRNA expression levels of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ, fatty acid-binding protein 4 and fatty acid synthase were higher in the phenols-pre and lower in the phenols-post groups, compared with those in the positive control group. To the best of our knowledge, the current study demonstrated for the first time the anti-adipogenic and lipolytic effects of a mix of the main bioactive compounds found in ginger, and it also established the basis to use this mix of phenols in in vivo studies and clinical trials.

Abdominal Obesity, Excessive Adiposity, and the Taq1B CETP Variant Are Positively Associated with Serum Lipid Levels in Mexican Women.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is a prevalent multifactorial disease whose main complication is dyslipidemia. Serum lipid levels also depend on genetic factors including the Taq1B variant of the CETP gene, which is suggested to be influenced by environmental factors and adiposity. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of the Taq1B CETP variant on serum lipid levels associated with anthropometrical variables. METHODS: 165 women from western Mexico were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Weight and body fat were measured by bioimpedance and waist circumference with a measuring tape. Serum lipid levels were determined by dry chemistry. The Taq1B CETP variant was analyzed by allelic discrimination. RESULTS: Women with abdominal obesity and the B1B2/B2B2 genotype had significantly higher total cholesterol levels (195.17 [185.95-204.39] vs. 183 mg/dL [169.83-196.16], p = 0.007) and low density lipoprotein (118.84 [110.65-127.03] vs. 113.84 mg/dL [102.37-125.31], p = 0.037) than carriers of the B1B1 genotype. Likewise, subjects with excessive adiposity and the B1B2/B2B2 genotype showed significantly higher total cholesterol levels (195.05 [186.04-204.06] vs. 182.40 mg/dL [169.03-195.76], p = 0.003) than those with the B1B1 genotype. CONCLUSION: Women with abdominal obesity or excessive adiposity, who are also carriers of the B1B2/B2B2 genotype, have higher serum lipid levels than women with the B1B1 genotype.

Elevated Serum Low-Density Lipoproteins-Cholesterol Levels and B1B2/B2B2 CETP Genotype Are Positively Associated with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Women with Gallstone Disease.

Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is generated by the interaction between environmental and genetic factors, and the presence of metabolic alterations. Since Taq1B cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) polymorphism is associated with abnormal serum lipid values, it could be related to NAFLD. The aim of this study was to determine the role of the Taq1B CETP polymorphism with serum lipids, anthropometric variables, and the extent of steatosis in Mexican-mestizo women with gallstone disease (GD). Methods: Sixty-two women were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Serum lipids were determined by dry chemistry. The Taq1B CETP polymorphism was determined by allelic discrimination. CETP serum levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the extent of steatosis with a biopsy staining with Oil-Red-O. Results: Subjects with the B1B2/B2B2 genotype had higher percentage of degree of steatosis than those with B1B1 (11.95% vs. 2.19%, P = 0.008). The B1B2/B2B2 genotype (odds ratio [OR] 3.90 [confidence interval {CI} 95% 1.891-8.536], P = 0.04) and an elevated low-density lipoproteins (LDL)-cholesterol (OR 3.54 [CI 95% 1.042-2.058, P = 0.039) significantly increase the risk for NAFLD. Conclusions: This study provides evidence that the B1B2/B2B2 genotype of CETP and the elevated LDL-cholesterol serum levels increase the risk of NAFLD in women with GD.

Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Infectious Diseases.

With the appearance of new viruses and infectious diseases (ID) such as COVID-19 in 2019, as well as the lack of specific pharmacological tools for the management of patients with severe complications or comorbidities, it is important to search for adjuvant treatments that help improve the prognosis of infectious disease patients. It is also important that these treatments limit the oxidative and hyperinflammatory damage caused as a response to pathogenic agents, since, in some cases, an inflammatory syndrome may develop that worsens the patient's prognosis. The potential benefits of complementary nutrients and dietary interventions in the treatment of pathological processes in which oxidative stress and inflammation play a fundamental role have been widely evaluated. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a supplement that has been shown to protect cells and be effective in cardiovascular diseases and obesity. Additionally, some studies have proposed it as a possible adjuvant treatment in viral infections. Preclinical and clinical studies have shown that CoQ10 has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, and effects on mitochondrial dysfunction, which have been linked to the inflammatory response.

Association between IL-17A, IL-17F and IL-17RA gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis (Ps) is a chronic dermatosis characterized by erythematous-squamous plaques derived from an inflammatory response. The effect of polymorphisms in the genes that encode the members of the IL-17 family and their receptors has been studied to find an association with the susceptibility to Ps. However, the findings have not been conclusive. OBJECTIVES: To describe the association between IL-17A, IL-17F and IL-17RA gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to Ps. METHOD: A systematic review was conducted using the PubMed and Scopus databases to identify studies that evaluated the association between IL-17A, IL-17F, and IL-17RA gene polymorphisms and Ps susceptibility. This meta-analysis included reports published until June 2021. Heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran's Q-statistic test and I2 statistics. The associations between polymorphisms and Ps susceptibility were determined by pooled OR with a 95% CI. RESULTS: Fifteen studies were included. The frequency of the T allele of the IL-17F rs763780 polymorphism was significantly lower in patients with vulgar Ps (OR = 0.732, p = 0.026). The TT genotype of the IL-17F rs763780 polymorphism was significantly associated with a decreased frequency in individuals with Ps and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) (TT:TC + CC OR = 0.664, p = 0.046). Regarding IL-17RA polymorphisms, the AG genotype of the rs4819554 polymorphism showed a near-significant decrease in psoriasis risk compared to the GG genotype (AG:GG OR = 0.604, p = 0.050). Other polymorphisms in IL-17A, IL-17F and IL-17RA showed no association with Ps. CONCLUSIONS: The T allele and TT genotype of the IL-17F rs763780 polymorphism may be associated with a decreased risk of psoriasis. Therefore, the implications of this variant on psoriasis pathogenesis and treatment require further investigation.

Correction: Human adipose derived stem cells regress fibrosis in a chronic renal fibrotic model induced by adenine.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0187907.].

Human adipose derived stem cells regress fibrosis in a chronic renal fibrotic model induced by adenine.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: ADSCs transplantation had been shown in some experimental models of kidney damage that it improves kidney function and reduces fibrosis. In this study we evaluated the effect of human adipose tissue-derived stem cell (hADSC) therapy in a chronic kidney damage experimental model. METHODS: A chronic kidney injury was induced by daily orogastric administration of adenine (100mg/kg) to male Wistar rats for 28 days. hADSCs were isolated, expanded and characterized before transplantation. hADSC administration was performed in a tail vein at a dose of 2 x106 cells/animal. Animals were sacrificed at 7 days post-treatment. The percentage of fibrotic tissue, serum and urine levels of urea, creatinine, total protein and renal mRNA of COL1A1, TGFB1, CTGF, ACTA2, IL6, IL10, TNF were analyzed. RESULTS: hADSCs treatment significantly reduces kidney fibrosis, improves urea and creatinine serum and urine levels, and diminishes COL1A1, TGFB1, CTGF, ACTA2 mRNA kidney levels. CONCLUSIONS: These results showed that cell therapy using hADSCs improves renal function and reduces fibrosis.