Effect of Supplementation with Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Metabolic Modulators in Skeletal Muscle of Rats with an Obesogenic High-Fat Diet.

Previous studies provided evidence of the benefits of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFA) on the cardiovascular system and inflammation. However, its possible effect on skeletal muscle is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate whether ω-3 PUFA reverses the dysregulation of metabolic modulators in the skeletal muscle of rats on a high-fat obesogenic diet. For this purpose, an animal model was developed using male Wistar rats with a high-fat diet (HFD) and subsequently supplemented with ω-3 PUFA. Insulin resistance was assessed, and gene and protein expression of metabolism modulators in skeletal muscle was also calculated using PCR-RT and Western blot. Our results confirmed that in HFD rats, zoometric parameters and insulin resistance were increased compared to SD rats. Furthermore, we demonstrate reduced gene and protein expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) and insulin signaling molecules. After ω-3 PUFA supplementation, we observed that glucose (24.34%), triglycerides (35.78%), and HOMA-IR (40.10%) were reduced, and QUICKI (12.16%) increased compared to HFD rats. Furthermore, in skeletal muscle, we detected increased gene and protein expression of PPAR-α, PPAR-γ, insulin receptor (INSR), insulin receptor substrate 1 (ISR-1), phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K), and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT-4). These findings suggest that ω-3 PUFAs decrease insulin resistance of obese skeletal muscle.

Role of vitamins in the metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease.

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease has increased and continues to be the leading cause of mortality worldwide. The etiology of these diseases includes a complex phenotype derived from interactions between genetic, environmental, and nutritional factors. In this regard, it is common to observe vitamin deficiencies in the general population and even more in patients with cardiometabolic diseases due to different factors. Vitamins are essential micronutrients for cellular metabolism and their deficiencies result in diseases. In addition to its role in nutritional functions, increasingly, vitamins are being recognized as modulators of genetics expression and signals transduction, when consumed at pharmacological concentrations. Numerous randomized preclinical and clinical trials have evaluated the use of vitamin supplementation in the prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. However, it is controversy regarding its efficacy in the treatment and prevention of these diseases. In this review, we investigated chemical basics, physiological effect and recommended daily intake, problems with deficiency and overdose, preclinical and clinical studies, and mechanisms of action of vitamin supplementation in the treatment and prevention of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease.

Glycine is a competitive antagonist of the TNF receptor mediating the expression of inflammatory cytokines in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the involvement of TNF-α and glycine receptors in the inhibition of pro-inflammatory adipokines in 3T3-L1 cells. METHODS: RT-PCR evidenced glycine receptors in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. 3T3-L1 cells were transfected with siRNA for the glycine (Glrb) and TNF1a (Tnfrsf1a) receptors and confirmed by confocal microscopy. Transfected cells were treated with glycine (10 mM). The expressions of TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA were measured by qRT-PCR, while concentrations were quantified by ELISA. RESULTS: Glycine decreased the expression and concentration of TNF-α and IL-6; this effect did not occur in the absence of TNF-α receptor due to siRNA. In contrast, glycine produced only slight changes in the expression of TNF-α and IL-6 in the absence of the glycine receptor due to siRNA. A docking analysis confirmed the possibility of binding glycine to the TNF-α1a receptor. CONCLUSION: These findings support the idea that glycine could partially inhibit the binding of TNF-α to its receptor and provide clues about the mechanisms by which glycine inhibits the secretion of pro-inflammatory adipokines in adipocytes through the TNF-α receptor.

Silencing of GPR82 with Interference RNA Improved Metabolic Profiles in Rats with High Fructose Intake.

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a clinical condition, constituted by alterations that lead to the onset of type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease. It has been reported that orphan G-protein-coupled receptor 82 (GPR82) participates in metabolic processes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the function of GPR82 in MS using a small interfering RNA (siRNA) against this receptor. We used Wistar rats of 10-12 weeks of age fed with a high-fructose solution (70%) for 9 weeks to induce MS. Subsequently, the rats were treated with an intrajugular dose of an siRNA against GPR82 and the effects were evaluated on day 3 and 7 after administration. On day 3 the siRNA had a transient effect on decreasing blood pressure and triglycerides and increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, which recovered to the MS control on day 7. Decreased gene expressions of GPR82 mRNA in the aorta and heart were observed on day 3; moreover, decreased gene expression was maintained in the aorta on day 7. Therefore, we conclude that the orphan receptor GPR82 participates in the development of MS induced by fructose and the silencing of this receptor could ameliorate metabolic components.

Association of pandemic Vibrio parahaemolyticus O3:K6 present in the coastal environment of Northwest Mexico with cases of recurrent diarrhea between 2004 and 2010.

In 2004, more than 1,230 cases of gastroenteritis due to pandemic O3:K6 strains of Vibrio parahaemolyticus were reported in southern Sinaloa, a state in Northwestern Mexico. Recurrent sporadic cases arose from 2004 to 2010, spreading from the south to the north. In the present study, Vibrio parahaemolyticus was detected in both environmental samples and clinical cases along the Pacific coast of Sinaloa during 2004 to 2010. An evaluation was made of the serotypes, distribution of virulence genes, and presence of pandemic O3:K6 strains. A total of 144 strains were isolated from environmental samples (from sediment, seawater, and shrimp), and 154 clinical strains were isolated. A total of 10 O serogroups and 30 serovars were identified in the strains. Environmental strains (n = 144) belonged to 10 O serogroups and 28 serovars, while clinical strains (n = 154) belonged to 8 O serogroups and 14 serovars. Ten serovars were shared by both environmental and clinical strains. Among 144 environmental isolates, 4.1% (6/144) belonged to the pandemic clone, with 83.3% containing the orf8 gene and with O3:K6 accounting for 67%. On the other hand, pathogenic strains (tdh and/or trh) accounted for 52% (75/144) of the environmental isolates. Interestingly, among 154 clinical isolates, 80.5% (124/154) were pandemic strains, with O3:K6 (tdh, toxRS(new), and orf8) representing the predominant serovar (99.2%, 123/124). Overall, our results indicate that in spite of a high serodiversity and prevalence of pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus in the environment, the pandemic strain O3:K6 caused >79% of reported cases between 2004 and 2010 in Sinaloa, Mexico.