Antifungal Potential of Capsaicinoids and Capsinoids from the Capsicum Genus for the Safeguarding of Agrifood Production: Advantages and Limitations for Environmental Health.

Opportunistic pathogenic fungi arise in agricultural crops as well as in surrounding human daily life. The recent increase in antifungal-resistant strains has created the need for new effective antifungals, particularly those based on plant secondary metabolites, such as capsaicinoids and capsinoids produced by Capsicum species. The use of such natural compounds is well-aligned with the One Health approach, which tries to find an equilibrium among people, animals, and the environment. Considering this, the main objective of the present work is to review the antifungal potential of capsaicinoids and capsinoids, and to evaluate the environmental and health impacts of biofungicides based on these compounds. Overall, capsaicinoids and their analogues can be used to control pathogenic fungi growth in plant crops, as eco-friendly alternatives to pest management, and assist in the conservation and long-term storage of agrifood products. Their application in different stages of the agricultural and food production chains improves food safety, nutritional value, and overcomes antimicrobial resistance, with a lower associated risk to humans, animals, and the environment than that of synthetic fungicides and pesticides. Nevertheless, research on the effect of these compounds on bee-like beneficial insects and the development of new preservatives and packaging materials is still necessary.

White adipose tissue-infiltrated CD11b+ myeloid cells are a source of S100A4, a new potential marker of hepatic damage.

CONTEXT: The endocrine and immunological properties of subcutaneous vs visceral adipose tissue (sWAT and vWAT, respectively) have turned a milestone in the study of metabolic diseases. The cytokine S100A4 is increased in obesity and has a role in adipose tissue dysfunction. However, the cellular source and its potential role in hepatic damage in obesity has not been elucidated. OBJECTIVE: We aim to study the regulation of S100A4 in immune cells present in sWAT and vWAT, as well as its potential role as a circulating marker of hepatic inflammation and steatosis. DESIGN: A cohort of 60 patients with obesity and distinct metabolic status was analyzed. CD11b+ myeloid cells and T cells were isolated from sWAT and vWAT by magnetic-activating cell sorting, and RNA was obtained. S100A4 gene expression was measured, and correlation analysis with clinical data was performed. Liver biopsies were obtained from 20 patients, and S100A4 circulating levels were measured to check the link with hepatic inflammation and steatosis. RESULTS: S100A4 gene expression was strongly upregulated in sWAT- vs vWAT-infiltrated CD11b+ cells, but this modulation was not observed in T cells. S100A4 mRNA levels from sWAT (and not from vWAT) CD11b+ cells positively correlated with glycemia, triglycerides, TNF-α gene expression and proliferation markers. Finally, circulating S100A4 directly correlated with liver steatosis and hepatic inflammatory markers. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that sWAT-infiltrated CD11b+ cells could be a major source of S100A4 in obesity. Moreover, our correlations identify circulating S100A4 as a potential novel biomarker of hepatic damage and steatosis.

The chemokine CXCL14 is negatively associated with obesity and concomitant type-2 diabetes in humans.

Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand-14 (CXCL14) levels are downregulated in experimental rodent models of obesity. Moreover, CXCL14 reportedly favors insulin sensitization in obese mice. Here we examined, for the first time, the role of CXCL14 in human obesity. We found that circulating levels of CXCL14 were decreased in patients with obesity and, especially, those with concomitant type-2 diabetes. CXCL14 levels were negatively associated with BMI and with indices of impaired glucose/insulin homeostasis. CXCL14 expression was decreased in subcutaneous adipose tissue from patients with obesity and type-2 diabetes. In adipose tissue, CXCL14 expression was negatively correlated with the expression of genes encoding pro-inflammatory molecules, and positively correlated with GLUT4 and adiponectin expression. In conclusion, obesity, and especially, concomitant type-2 diabetes are associated with abnormally decreased levels of CXCL14 in blood and impaired CXCL14 expression in adipose tissue. CXCL14 downregulation may be a novel biomarker of altered metabolism in obesity. CXCL14 also deserves further research as a therapeutic candidate.

A Role for Oncostatin M in the Impairment of Glucose Homeostasis in Obesity.

CONTEXT: Oncostatin M (OSM) plays a key role in inflammation, but its regulation and function during obesity is not fully understood. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of OSM with the inflammatory state that leads to impaired glucose homeostasis in obesity. We also assessed whether OSM immunoneutralization could revert metabolic disturbances caused by a high-fat diet (HFD) in mice. DESIGN: 28 patients with severe obesity were included and stratified into two groups: (1) glucose levels <100 mg/dL and (2) glucose levels >100 mg/dL. White adipose tissue was obtained to examine OSM gene expression. Human adipocytes were used to evaluate the effect of OSM in the inflammatory response, and HFD-fed C57BL/6J mice were injected with anti-OSM antibody to evaluate its effects. RESULTS: OSM expression was elevated in subcutaneous and visceral fat from patients with obesity and hyperglycemia, and correlated with Glut4 mRNA levels, serum insulin, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, and inflammatory markers. OSM inhibited adipogenesis and induced inflammation in human adipocytes. Finally, OSM receptor knockout mice had increased Glut4 mRNA levels in adipose tissue, and OSM immunoneutralization resulted in a reduction of glucose levels and Ccl2 expression in adipose tissue from HFD-fed mice. CONCLUSIONS: OSM contributes to the inflammatory state during obesity and may be involved in the development of insulin resistance.

Síndrome metabólico en escolares y adolescentes de la ciudad de Mérida-Venezuela: comparación de resultados utilizando valores de referencia locales e internacionales (estudio CREDEFAR) / Metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents from Mérida city, Venezuela: Comparison of results using local and international reference values (CREDEFAR study)

OBJETIVO: Obtener valores de referencia local de lípidos sanguíneos y presión arterial (PA), y determinar la prevalencia de síndrome metabólico (SM) en escolares y adolescentes de la ciudad de Mérida, Venezuela, y comparar resultados usando puntos de corte propios e internacionales. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Participaron 916 estudiantes de 9 a 18 años de edad, de ambos sexos, provenientes de instituciones educativas. Se obtuvieron datos demográficos, antropométricos y de PA. Se cuantificaron glucemia en ayunas y perfil lipídico. Los valores de los lípidos y la PA se distribuyeron por percentiles (pc), según grupos de edad y sexo. Para el diagnóstico de SM se consideraron 2 clasificaciones, la del NCEP-ATP III-modificada por Cook et al. y la de la Federación Internacional de Diabetes, usando los pc de Mérida y de EE. UU. como puntos de corte. La concordancia entre ambas clasificaciones se estimó con el índice kappa (Κ). RESULTADOS: La prevalencia de SM fue del 2,2% por Cook-pc Mérida, frente al 1,8% por Cook-pc EE. UU., concordancia moderada (Κ =0,54). La concordancia entre Cook et al. e IDF, usando pc Mérida, fue débil (Κ =0,28). Usando los pc Mérida hubo mayor frecuencia de obesidad abdominal, hipertrigliceridemia y PA elevada, y menos de cHDL bajo. El riesgo (odds ratio) de presentar SM es mayor si la obesidad abdominal está presente (OR: 98,63; IC: 22,45-433,35; p = 0,0001). El SM fue significativamente más frecuente en los obesos (18,3%; p = 0,0001). CONCLUSIONES: La prevalencia de SM en esta muestra de niños y adolescentes fue del 2,2%. Los valores de lípidos y de PA fueron más bajos que los norteamericanos, europeos y asiáticos, y similares a los latinoamericanos. Se justifica la obtención de valores propios de referencia para diagnóstico certero de SM, así como un consenso mundial sobre sus criterios diagnósticos

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the prevalence of obesity and overweight recording in primary care (PC) clinical records. DESIGN: A descriptive, cross-sectional study. SETTING: The study was conducted in three urban, primary care centers in Gipuzkoa. PARTICIPANTS: 620 computerized clinical records randomly selected from a population of 63,820. Patient age older than 14 years was the only inclusion criterion. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Recording of the clinical episode referring to obesity and/or overweight. Other variables included age, sex, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, comorbidity (diabetes, hypertension, heart failure, among others), and variability of the record made by healthcare professionals at each center. Statistical analysis included a Chi-square test or a Fisher's test for low frequencies. A value of P<.05 was considered significant. Analysis was performed using SPSS® V.21 software. RESULTS: Prevalence of recorded obesity was 6%, and 78.4% of those with recorded obesity were women. Overweight was recorded in 3% of subjects, of which 33.2% were women. BMI was recorded in 170 cases (27%). At least one comorbidity was found in 241 subjects (39%). Association of BMI with presence of comorbidity was statistically significant (P=.0001). Recording of obesity was associated to presence of comorbidity (P =.0002). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed that prevalence of obesity is underestimated, mainly because it is inadequately recorded in clinical histories; that prevalence increases in the presence of other risk factors; and that there is a significant variability in data collection between healthcare professionals

Metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents from Mérida city, Venezuela: Comparison of results using local and international reference values (CREDEFAR study).

OBJECTIVE: To obtain local reference values for blood lipids and blood pressure (BP), and to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in children and adolescents from Mérida, Venezuela, and to compare results using local and international cut-off values. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study enrolled 916 participants of both sexes aged 9-18 years of age from educational institutions. Demographic, anthropometric, and BP data were collected. Fasting blood glucose and lipid profile were measured. Percentile distribution of lipid and BP values was done by age group and sex. Prevalence of MS was estimated based on the NCEP-ATPIII classification (as modified by Cook et al.) and the classification of the International Diabetes Federation, using percentiles of Mérida and the USA as cut-off points. Agreement between both classifications was estimated using the kappa test (κ). RESULTS: Prevalence of MS was 2.2% by Cook-Merida percentiles, as compared to 1.8% by Cook-USA percentiles, a moderate agreement (κ=0.54). Agreement between Cook et al. and IDF using Merida percentiles was weak (κ=0.28). There was a higher frequency of abdominal obesity, hypertriglyceridemia and hypertension, and a lower frequency of low HDL-C using Mérida percentiles. The risk (odds ratio) of having MS is greater if abdominal obesity exists (OR: 98.63, CI: 22.45-433.35, p=0.0001). MS was significantly more common in obese subjects (18.3%, p=0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of MS in this sample of children and adolescents was 2.2%. Lipid and BP values were lower in Venezuelan as compared to US, European, and Asian children and adolescents, and similar to those in Latin-American references. Own reference values are required for accurate diagnosis of MS, as well as a worldwide consensus on its diagnostic criteria.

Manejo farmacológico en intoxicaciones por plantas medicinales en pacientes menores de 15 años ingresados al Hospital Fernando Vélez Paiz enero - diciembre 2010 / Pharmacological management in poisoning by medicinal plants in patients under 15 years admitted to the Hospital Fernando Vélez Paiz January - December 2010

El presente estudio de investigación trata de conocer el manejo farmacológico en pacientes menores de 15 años intoxicados con plantas medicinales ingresados al Hospital Fernando Vélez Paiz de la ciudad de Managua Enero-Diciembre 2010, además de señalar las características demográficas de los pacientes en estudio, identificar las plantas medicinales ingeridas por los pacientes, determinar el tipo de intoxicación más frecuente y describir el tratamiento farmacológico administrado en las intoxicaciones por plantas medicinales.