Open Access
Revisión de los métodos de evaluación de la actividad antioxidante in vitro del vino y valoración de sus efectos in vivo
(Sociedad Latinoamericana de Nutrición, 2006) Fernández-Pachón, María Soledad; Villaño Valencia, Débora; Troncoso, Ana M.; García-Parrilla, María Carmen; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD
El objetivo de esta revisión es el estudio de la actividad antioxidante del vino, analizando los distintos métodos que se han empleado en su evaluación. Esta actividad se relacionará, tanto desde el punto de vista cualitativo como cuantitativo, con el perfil de compuestos polifenólicos presentes en el vino. Los vinos tintos presentan actividades superiores a los blancos y la magnitud de dichos valores varía en función del método de análisis empleado. No existe un único compuesto polifenólico responsable mayoritariamente de la actividad antioxidante del vino, sino que ésta se explica por el conjunto de todos ellos. Para evaluar la influencia del consumo de vino tinto en el organismo humano se ha utilizado como biomarcador más frecuente la capacidad antioxidante del plasma, que incrementa su valor tras la ingesta del vino. Se expone que la evaluación de la actividad antioxidante in vitro del vino requiere el uso de diversos métodos que proporcionen una información diferente y complementaria. Los métodos in vivo tienen la ventaja de valorar las transformaciones metabólicas que sufren los fenoles en el organismo y que modifican su actividad. De los estudios realizados hasta la fecha se concluye que el vino interviene en la capacidad antioxidante del plasma de forma directa a través de sus compuestos polifenólicos e indirecta al aumentar la concentración plasmática de ácido úrico.
Open Access
Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacity of a fruit and vegetable-based nutraceutical measured by urinary oxylipin concentration in a healthy population: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial
(MDPI, 2022) Arcusa, Raúl; Carrillo, Juan Ángel; Cerdá, Begoña; Durand, Thierry; Gil-Izquierdo, Ángel; Medina, Sonia; Galano, Jean-Marie; Villaño Valencia, Débora; Marhuenda, Javier; Zafrilla, Pilar; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura
Oxylipins, lipid biomarkers of inflammation are considered the gold standard method to evaluate the inflammatory and antioxidant status. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the administration of a polyphenolic extract shot in the form of a nutraceutical was able to reduce inflammation, measured in urine markers. Ninety-two participants (45 males, 47 females, age 34 ± 11 years, weight 73.10 ± 14.29 kg, height 1.72 ± 9 cm, BMI 24.40 ± 3.43 kg/m2 ) completed the study after an intervention of two 16-week periods consuming extract or placebo separated by a 4-week washout period. The results showed significant differences in terms of reduction of different pro-inflammatory oxylipins (15-keto-PGF2α (from 0.90 ± 0.25 ng/mL to 0.74 ± 0.19 ng/mL p < 0.05), ent-PGF2α (from 1.59 ± 0.37 ng/mL to 1.44 ± 0.32 ng/mL p < 0.05), 2,3-dinor-15-F2t-Isop) (from 1.17 ± 0.35 ng/mL to 1.02 ± 0.27 ng/mL p < 0.05), in total oxylipins count (from 8.03 ± 1.86 ng/mL to 7.25 ± 1.23 ng/mL p < 0.05), and increase in PGE2 (from 1.02 ± 0.38 ng/mL to 1.26 ± 0.38 ng/mL p < 0.05) which has an anti-inflammatory character, after extract consumption compared to placebo. The available data seem to indicate that long-term consumption of a nutraceutical with high polyphenol content improves inflammation and oxidation parameters measured in urine, through UHPLCQqQ-ESI-MS/MS.
Open Access
Overlap of orthorexia, eating attitude and psychological distress in some Italian and Spanish university students
(Baishideng Publishing Group, 2022) Aiello, Paola; Toti, Elisabetta; Villaño Valencia, Débora; Raguzzini, Anna; Peluso, Ilaria; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura
Background Orthorexia nervosa (ON) is the persistent concern of maintaining the self-imposed diet to improve one's health. Many factors have been associated to ON in university students. AIM To assess the prevalence of ON in Italian and Spanish university students in relation to eating attitude and psychological distress, and the possible overlaps between ON (evaluated with different scored questionnaires from the originally proposed ORTO-15), distress and risk of eating disorders. Methods This study was carried out on 160 students recruited at La Sapienza University of Rome and at the Catholic University of Murcia. Questionnaires were administered to evaluate ON (ORTO-15 and sub-scores), body concerns (Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire, MBSRQ, and Body Uneasiness test, BUT), psychological distress (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, K10), physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire, IPAQ), eating attitude (Eating Attitudes Test, EAT-26) and malnutrition (Starvation Symptom Inventory, SSI). Sex differences, within the same country, and differences between Italian and Spanish students, within the same sex, were evaluated. RESULTS The ORTO-15 positive subjects, assessed with the originally proposed cut-off, were above 70% in both Italian and Spanish students, with a higher prevalence in the Spanish sample (Italian females 76.3%, Italian males 70.7%; Spanish females 97.0%, Spanish males 96.3%). According to ORTO-7, about 30% of Italian and 48% of Spanish students were positive to ON with no significant sex differences. When excluding students underweight (UW), overweight (OW) or obese (OB), as well as those potentially at risk of eating disorders or presenting mild, moderate and severe distress, in the resultant normal weight (NW)-K10neg-EAT26neg subgroup, we did not find many correlations observed in the whole sample, including those between ORTO scores and BUT, SSI, Total MBSRQ and some of its components. Moreover, ORTO7 resulted in the only ON score unrelated with Body Mass Index, MBSRQ components and IPAQassessed intense activity, in the NW-K10neg-EAT-26neg subgroup. After this sort of “exclusion diagnosis”, the prevalence of ON of these students on the overall sample resulted in 16.9%, 12.2%, 15.2% and 25.9% for Italian females, Italian males, Spanish females and Spanish males, respectively. Conclusion In some university students ON could be a symptom of other conditions related to body image concerns and distress, as well as to high physical activity and appearance, fitness, health or illness orientation (from MBSRQ). However, ORTO-7 became independent from these confounding variables, after the exclusion of UW, OW, OB and students positive to EAT-26 and K10, suggesting the possibility of identifying orthorexic subjects with this specific questionnaire.
Open Access
Relationship between the ingestion of a polyphenol-rich drink, hepcidin hormone, and long-term training
(MDPI, 2016) Villaño Valencia, Débora; Vilaplana, Cristina; Medina, Sonia; Algaba-Chueca, Francisco; Cejuela-Anta, Roberto; Martínez-Sanz, José Miguel; Ferreres, Federico; Gil-Izquierdo, Ángel; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD
The effects of polyphenol-rich foods on the iron status of athletes, as well as the effect of physical training on the hormone hepcidin, implicated in iron metabolism, are not clear. We investigated the influence on iron metabolism of a long-term training intervention of 120 days, measuring the hepcidin concentration in the plasma of 16 elite triathletes, and the effect of the ingestion of 200 mL of either aronia-citrus juice or a placebo drink for 45 days, in a crossover design. The highest plasma hepcidin concentrations were observed at the beginning of the study (116 ± 63 nM) and levels steadily decreased until the end of the intervention (final value 10 ± 7.5 nM). Long-term training might reduce inflammation and, hence, could be responsible for the decrease in hepcidin in triathletes. Polyphenols from aronia-citrus juice did not interfere in iron absorption, as we did not observe significant differences between the intake of the placebo drink or juice with regard to hepcidin levels. Further studies are required to ascertain the time and conditions necessary to restore hepcidin levels, which reflect the iron status of triathletes.
Open Access
Non-provitamin A and provitamin A carotenoids as immunomodulators: recommended dietary allowance, therapeutic index, or personalized nutrition?
(Hindawi, 2018) Toti, Elisabetta; Chen, Oliver; Palmery, Maura; Villaño Valencia, Débora; Peluso, Ilaria; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD
Vegetables and fruits contain non-provitamin A (lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin) and provitamin A (β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, and α-carotene) carotenoids. Within these compounds, β-carotene has been extensively studied for its health benefits, but its supplementation at doses higher than recommended intakes induces adverse effects. β-Carotene is converted to retinoic acid (RA), a well-known immunomodulatory molecule. Human interventions suggest that β-carotene and lycopene at pharmacological doses affect immune functions after a depletion period of low carotenoid diet. However, these effects appear unrelated to carotenoids and retinol levels in plasma. Local production of RA in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue, as well as the dependency of RA-induced effects on local inflammation, suggests that personalized nutrition/supplementation should be considered in the future. On the other hand, the differential effect of RA and lycopene on transforming growth factor-beta suggests that lycopene supplementation could improve immune functions without increasing risk for cancers. However, such preclinical evidence must be confirmed in human interventions before any recommendations can be made.
Open Access
Effects of long-term consumption of broccoli sprouts on inflammatory markers in overweight subjects
(Elsevier, 2018-03-13) López-Chillón, María Teresa; Carazo-Díaz, Carmen; Prieto-Merino, David; Zafrilla, Pilar; Moreno, Diego A.; Villaño Valencia, Débora; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura
Background & aims. Broccoli sprouts represent an interesting choice of healthy food product as they are rich in glucosinolates and their cognate bioactive metabolites, isothiocyanates able to counteract the negative effects of diverse pathologies. As obesity is linked to an inflammatory component, the aim of the study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory action of broccoli sprouts in overweight adult subjects. Methods. An in vivo controlled study was performed in 40 healthy overweight subjects (ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT 03390855). Treatment phase consisted on the consumption of broccoli sprouts (30 g/day) during 10 weeks and the follow-up phase of 10 weeks of normal diet without consumption of these broccoli sprouts. Anthropometric parameters as body fat mass, body weight, and BMI were determined. Inflammation status was assessed by measuring levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β and C-reactive protein. Results. IL-6 levels significantly decreased (mean values from 4.76 pg/mL to 2.11 pg/mL with 70 days of broccoli consumption, p < 0.001) and during control phase the inflammatory levels were maintained at low grade (mean values from 1.20 pg/mL to 2.66 pg/mL, p < 0.001). C-reactive protein significantly decreased as well. Conclusions. This study represents an advance in intervention studies as the broccoli sprouts were included in a daily dietary pattern in quantities that reflect a real consumption. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the role of this healthy rich and nutritious food product, but these promising results support the current evidence on the healthy properties of Brassica varieties.
Open Access
Potential role of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) in the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases
(Frontiers Media, 2022) Arcusa, Raúl; Villaño Valencia, Débora; Marhuenda, Javier; Cano, Miguel; Cerdá, Begoña; Zafrilla, Pilar; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura
Ginger is composed of multiple bioactive compounds, including 6-gingerol, 6-shogaol, 10-gingerol, gingerdiones, gingerdiols, paradols, 6-dehydrogingerols, 5-acetoxy-6-gingerol, 3,5-diacetoxy-6-gingerdiol, and 12-gingerol, that contribute to its recognized biological activities. Among them, the major active compounds are 6-shogaol and 6-gingerol. Scientific evidence supports the beneficial properties of ginger, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities and in contrast, a specific and less studied bioactivity is the possible neuroprotective effect. The increase in life expectancy has raised the incidence of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), which present common neuropathological features as increased oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and protein misfolding. The structure-activity relationships of ginger phytochemicals show that ginger can be a candidate to treat NDs by targeting different ligand sites. Its bioactive compounds may improve neurological symptoms and pathological conditions by modulating cell death or cell survival signaling molecules. The cognitive enhancing effects of ginger might be partly explained via alteration of both the monoamine and the cholinergic systems in various brain areas. Moreover, ginger decreases the production of inflammatory related factors. The aim of the present review is to summarize the effects of ginger in the prevention of major neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis.
Open Access
Phenolic profile and biological activities of the pepino (solanum muricatum) fruit and itswild relative S. caripense
(MDPI, 2016) Herraiz, Francisco J.; Villaño Valencia, Débora; Plazas, Mariola; Vilanova, Santiago; Ferreres, Federico; Prohens, Jaime; Moreno Fernández, Diego Ángel; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD
The pepino (Solanum muricatum) is an edible and juicy fruit native to the Andean region which is becoming increasingly important. However, little information is available on its phenolic composition and bioactive properties. Four pepino varieties (37-A, El Camino, Puzol, and Valencia) and one accession (E-7) of its close wild relative S. caripense were characterized by HPLC-DAD-MSn/ESI. Twenty-four hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives were detected (5 to 16 compounds per variety or accession), with differences of more than two-fold for their total content among the materials studied. The major phenolics in the pepino varieties were chlorogenic acids and derivatives, while in S. caripense a caffeoyl-synapoyl-quinic acid was the major compound. The in vitro antioxidant capacity (DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl hydrate), ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity), and TRC (total reducing capacity) tests) was higher in S. caripense. Pepino and S. caripense extracts were not toxic for RAW 264.7 macrophage cells, and the raw extracts inhibitedNOproduction of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages by 36% (El Camino) to 67% (37-A). No single variety ranked high simultaneously for hydroxycinnamic acids content, antioxidant activity and biological activity. We suggest the screening of large collections of germplasm or the use of complementary crosses between Puzol (high for hydroxycinnamic acids and biological activity) and S. caripense E-7 (high for antioxidant activity) to select and breed pepino varieties with enhanced properties.
Open Access
Body composition and metabolic status of Italian and Spanish university students: relationship with fruit and vegetable consumption
(MDPI, 2022) Aiello, Paola; Peluso, Ilaria; Di Giacomo, Silvia; Di Sotto, Antonella; Villaño Valencia, Débora; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura
Most university students do not follow recommendations for fruit and vegetable intake, with a consequent increase in the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. The aim of this study was to compare obesity prevalence and biomarkers of metabolic status between Italian and Spanish university students, in relation with the consumption of fruits and vegetables. Food consumption, adherence to a Mediterranean diet (MD), level of physical activity (PA), blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides and ketones, blood pressure, and body composition were evaluated. Among CVD risk factors, only glucose was significantly higher in Spaniards (SP), and only 3.1% of SP presented ketosis. SP had a higher percentage of energy from fat. Although adherence to MD and fruit and vegetable consumption did not differ between Italians and SP, students who consumed at least four servings of fruit and vegetables (FV group) showed better values for pressure and metabolic parameters than the no FV group. We observed an association between consumption of fruit and PA. Students who consumed more vegetables than fruit reported a better body composition profile and lower glucose concentrations. As previously suggested, in addition to PA, two servings of fruit and three servings of vegetables per day should be recommended.
Open Access
Effects of a fruit and vegetable-based nutraceutical on biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative status in the plasma of a healthy population: a placebo-controlled, double-blind, and randomized clinical trial
(MDPI, 2021) Arcusa, Raúl; Carrillo, Juan Ángel; Xandri-Martínez, Raquel; Cerdá, Begoña; Villaño Valencia, Débora; Marhuenda, Javier; Zafrilla, Pilar; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD
There is scientific evidence of the positive effect of polyphenols from plant foods on inflammation and oxidative status. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether treatment with a high-polyphenolic nutraceutical reduces the plasmatic concentration of certain oxidative and inflammatory biomarkers in a healthy population. One hundred and eight subjects were selected and stratified by sex in the intervention group (n = 53) and the placebo group (n = 55). Ninety-two subjects completed the study after two 16-week treatment periods separated by a four-week washout period. The results revealed statistically significant differences in subjects treated with the polyphenolic extract compared to the placebo: A decrease in homocysteine, oxidized low-density lipoprotein (OxLDL), TNF-α, sTNFR1, and C-reactive protein (CRP). The most significant decrease was observed for OxLDL (from 78.98 ± 24.48 to 69.52 ± 15.64; p < 0.05) and CRP (from 1.50 ± 0.33 to 1.39 ± 0.37; p < 0.05), both showing significant differences compared to the placebo (p < 0.001). Moreover, catecholamines increased after the administration of the product under investigation, especially in the case of dopamine (from 15.43 ± 2.66 to 19.61 ± 5.73; p < 0.05). Therefore, the consumption of a nutraceutical based on fruit and vegetables with a high polyphenol content seems to improve the parameters related to health benefits (oxidative and inflammatory biomarkers), including remarkable changes in the expression of catecholamines.