A Combination of Acetate, Propionate, and Butyrate Increases Glucose Uptake in C2C12 Myotubes.

BACKGROUND: Dietary fibers are subjected to saccharolytic fermentation by the gut microbiota, leading to the production of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs). SCFAs act as signaling molecules to different cells in the human body including skeletal muscle cells. The ability of SCFAs to induce multiple signaling pathways, involving nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), may contribute to the redox balance, and thereby may be involved in glucose homeostasis. The aim of this study is to investigate whether SCFAs increase glucose uptake by upregulating the endogenous antioxidant glutathione (GSH) in C2C12 myotubes. METHODS: C2C12 myotubes were exposed to 1, 5, or 20 mM of single (acetate, propionate, or butyrate) or mixtures of SCFAs for 24 h. Cytotoxicity, glucose uptake, and intracellular GSH levels were measured. RESULTS: 20 mM of mixture but not separate SCFAs induced cytotoxicity. Exposure to a mixture of SCFAs at 5 mM increased glucose uptake in myotubes, while 20 mM of propionate, butyrate, and mixtures decreased glucose uptake. Exposure to single SCFAs increased GSH levels in myotubes; however, SCFAs did not prevent the menadione-induced decrease in glucose uptake in myotubes. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of SCFAs on modulating glucose uptake in myotubes is not associated with the effect on endogenous GSH levels.

Comprehensive analytical and clinical evaluation of a RNA extraction-free saliva-based molecular assay for SARS-CoV-2.

Standard SARS-CoV-2 testing protocols using nasopharyngeal/throat (NP/T) swabs are invasive and require trained medical staff for reliable sampling. In addition, it has been shown that PCR is more sensitive as compared to antigen-based tests. Here we describe the analytical and clinical evaluation of our in-house RNA extraction-free saliva-based molecular assay for the detection of SARS-CoV-2. Analytical sensitivity of the test was equal to the sensitivity obtained in other Dutch diagnostic laboratories that process NP/T swabs. In this study, 955 individuals participated and provided NP/T swabs for routine molecular analysis (with RNA extraction) and saliva for comparison. Our RT-qPCR resulted in a sensitivity of 82,86% and a specificity of 98,94% compared to the gold standard. A false-negative ratio of 1,9% was found. The SARS-CoV-2 detection workflow described here enables easy, economical, and reliable saliva processing, useful for repeated testing of individuals.

[Variations in the prevalence and patient profile of white-coat syndrome, according to its definition using self-measurement of blood pressure at home]. / Variaciones de la prevalencia y el perfil del paciente con fenómeno de bata blanca, según su definición con automedida de presión arterial domiciliaria (AMPA).

OBJECTIVE: To calculate the prevalence of white-coat syndrome (WCS) in patients with hypertension, comparing the two most common definitions and their effect on the profile of the patient with WCS. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, descriptive study.Setting. Urban health centre.Patients. Hypertense patients selected by simple randomised sampling from among those included in the hypertension programme. MEASUREMENTS: Clinical blood pressure (CBP) from the previous year was collected. Home blood pressure (HBP) was measured by the patient with an electronic sphygmomanometer. Age, sex, further tests (analysis and electrocardiogram) and other clinical features were also recorded. WCS was defined as when CBP was above/equal to 140/90 mmHg and HBP was under 135/85 mmHg or when the difference between CBP and HBP was more than/equal to 20 mmHg systolic and/or 10 mmHg diastolic pressure. RESULTS: In 154 hypertense patients (60.4% women) between 38 and 92 years old, mean CBP (141.1/85.3) was higher than mean HBP (136.8/79.8). WCS prevalence varied (p = 0.001), depending on the definition used (20.1% and 36.4%). The systolic and diastolic mean CBP of the last year were higher in those patients with WCS (p < 0.001 for diastolic pressure). The profile of hypertense patients with WCS varied according to the definition used. CONCLUSIONS: WCS is common in hypertense patients treated in Primary Care and may condition an inadequate assessment of the degree of blood pressure monitoring. As the way of defining WCS conditions its prevalence, its profile and clinical decision-taking, it is essential to agree a uniform definition for practical use.

Variaciones de la prevalencia y el perfil del paciente con fenómeno de bata blanca, según su definición con automedida de presión arterial domiciliaria (ampa) / Variations in the prevalence and patient profile of white-coat syndrome, according to its definition using self-measurement of blood pressure at home

Objetivo. Estimar la prevalencia del fenómeno de bata blanca (FBB) en hipertensos tratados, comparando las dos definiciones más empleadas y su influencia en el perfil del paciente con FBB. Diseño. Estudio descriptivo, transversal. Emplazamiento. Centro de salud urbano. Pacientes. Hipertensos seleccionados mediante muestreo aleatorio simple entre los incluidos en el programa de hipertensión arterial. Mediciones. Se recogieron las tensiones arteriales en la clínica (TAC) del último año y se midieron por el paciente las tensiones arteriales domiciliarias (TADo) con esfigmomanómetro electrónico, además de edad, sexo, pruebas complementarias (analítica y electrocardiograma) y otras características clínicas. Se definió FBB cuando la TAC era 140/90 mmHg y la TADo < 135/85 mmHg o cuando la diferencia entre TAC y TADo era 20 mmHg de sistólica y/o 10 mmHg de diastólica. Resultados. En 154 pacientes hipertensos (60,4 por ciento mujeres) de 38-92 años, la TAC media (141,1/85,3) fue superior a la TADo media (136,8/79,8). La prevalencia de FBB fue diferente (p = 0,001) según la definición empleada (20,1 por ciento y 36,4 por ciento). Las TAC sistólicas y diastólicas medias del último año fueron superiores en los pacientes que presentaban FBB (p < 0,001 para la diastólica). El perfil del hipertenso con FBB variaba según la definición empleada. Conclusiones. El FBB es frecuente en hipertensos tratados en atención primaria y puede condicionar una inadecuada valoración del grado de control de la TA. La manera de definirlo condiciona su prevalencia, perfil y toma de decisiones clínicas, por lo que consensuar una definición uniforme parece imprescindible para su aplicación práctica (AU)