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Graphical abstract
Abstract
Pathological conditions characterized by systemic inflammation and oxidative stress can often impair the muscle cells efficiency. The gradual decline of muscle mass and tone drastically reduces the motor skills of the patient affecting the simplest daily activities. Muscle dysfunction, resulting in the deterioration of muscle tissue, can lead to a serious situation of muscle wasting that can evolve into sarcopenia. In addition, muscle dysfunction causing metabolic disorders impairs the quality of life. The function of skeletal muscle is deeply conditioned by environmental, nutritional, physical, and genetic factors. Proper nutrition with balanced protein and vitamins intake and an active lifestyle helps to strengthen tissues and counteract pathological conditions and generalized weakness. Vitamin D performs antioxidant actions, indispensable in skeletal muscle. Epidemiological data indicate that vitamin D deficiency is a widespread status in the world. Vitamin D deficiency induces mitochondrial failure, reduced production of adenosine triphosphate, oxidative injury, and compromised muscle function. Among the different types of antioxidants, vitamin D has been identified as the main compound that can improve the effectiveness of the treatment for muscle weakness and improve conditions related to sarcopenia. The purpose of this review is to analyze molecular processes used by vitamin D against oxidative stress and how it can affect muscle function in order to assess whether its use as a supplement in inflammatory pathologies and oxidative stress can be useful to prevent deterioration and improve/maintain muscle function.
Food4Future (F4F), c/o Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops (IGZ), Grossbeeren, Germany
NutriAct Competence Cluster Nutrition Research Berlin-Potsdam, Nuthetal, Germany
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Food4Future (F4F), c/o Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops (IGZ), Grossbeeren, Germany
NutriAct Competence Cluster Nutrition Research Berlin-Potsdam, Nuthetal, Germany
Institute of Nutritional Science, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
Department of Physiological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive and simple graphical overview on carotenoids. The review describes in four detailed figures the course of carotenoids from food to skin. Differences in chemical structures of the six most prominent carotenoids, namely, α-carotene, β-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene and β-cryptoxanthin, and their seasonal variations in plasma concentrations resulting from different availability of fruits and vegetables are highlighted. Furthermore, factors affecting carotenoid status, sites of storage and how and where they can be assessed (dietary intake and in vivo) are discussed. The route of carotenoid transport after ingestion, transport across the enterocyte and receptors involved in carotenoid uptake in peripheral cells are shown followed by the routes of carotenoid delivery to the skin and reasons for variations in skin carotenoid status are visualized.
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This is a narrative review of the evidence of α-tocopherol importance in human health, especially with regards to its vitamin role. α-Tocopherol is a potent peroxyl radical scavenger, and this role is prominent in its efficacy in maintaining the metabolic health of tissues. Vitamin E deficiency is discussed as a tool to understand the impact of α-tocopherol’s absence promoting increased lipid peroxidation and polyunsaturated fatty acid depletion. Downstream deficiency consequences include impacts on choline and one-carbon metabolism, glucose and energy metabolism, and their interactions with critical thiols, such as glutathione. Importantly, human vitamin E deficiency, caused by genetic defects in the α-tocopherol transfer protein (α-TTP), provides important clues for the necessity of α-tocopherol for the peripheral nervous system. Moreover, α-TTP expression in the liver, brain, eyes, and placenta illustrates that these tissues are especially vulnerable and require this specific α-tocopherol delivery mechanism for their protection. Although clinical trial evidence is limited and equivocal about the health benefits of vitamin E supplements, there is epidemiologic evidence of the long-term benefits of increased α-tocopherol intakes in ’healthy’ diets (high in vegetables and fruits, fish, nuts, and seeds, as well as fiber).
Significance statement
The elaborate regulation of α-tocopherol concentrations by the human body suggests that the consistent consumption of the recommended amounts of dietary α-tocopherol (15 mg) over a lifetime are protective of the at-risk tissues, as well as providing protection from chronic diseases.
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Objective
This study aimed to assess the relationship between dietary palmitic acid (PA) intake and its association with body fat deposition and metabolic flexibility (MF) in middle-aged healthy individuals.
Methods
Fifteen healthy participants (n = 15; 6 males, 9 females) with a mean age of 54 were enlisted. They were subjected to graded exercise tests using a cycle ergometer coupled with a calorimeter. Respiratory gas exchange was evaluated to determine two MF parameters. First, the MF index was derived by multiplying peak fatty acid oxidation (PFO) per kg of fat-free mass (FFM) with the percentage of VO2max at PFO. The second parameter, peak energy substrates’ oxidation (aka PESO), was computed by aggregating the kilocalories from PFO and peak carbohydrate oxidation, normalized per kg FFM. Dietary intake was gauged using a 7-day dietary record. Spearman’s regression was employed to analyze the association between dietary intake of specific fat classes, PA, MF parameters, and body fat percentage.
Results
Preliminary results demonstrate that dietary saturated fatty acids (SFA) within physiological limits correlate with enhanced substrate oxidation capacity. This suggests augmented MF in middle-aged subjects. Among dietary SFA, PA was identified as the primary factor in this favorable correlation.
Conclusions
Our initial observations, even though preliminary, strongly suggest a beneficial association between PA intake, MF, and body fat percentage. This underscores the potential nutritional importance of PA in promoting MF.
Significance Statement
Disparities in data regarding the health effects of dietary fats may arise from the distinct roles various dietary fatty acids play in MF.
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Department of Physiology, University of Valencia, INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain
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Department of Physiology, University of Valencia, INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain
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Department of Physiology, University of Valencia, INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain
CIBERehd, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
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Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a long-term metabolic disease characterized by progressive β-cell functional decline and insulin resistance, which increases the risk of cardiovascular complications as well as associated-morbidity and mortality. Evidence suggests a strong relationship between hyperglycaemia, oxidative stress and the development and progression of T2D. Indeed, a hyperglycaemic state can reduce the activity of antioxidant enzymes and increase lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation products, as well as DNA damage. At present, metformin is the recommended first-line glucose-lowering agent in patients with T2D. Despite the vast clinical experience gained over several decades of use, several mechanisms of action of metformin have yet to be fully elucidated. This review provides an overview of the existing literature concerning the complicated interplay between oxidative stress and T2D and the molecular mechanisms underlying the redox-related mechanisms of action of metformin, which include (but are not limited to) interaction with AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-dependent and AMPK-independent mechanisms, inhibition of gluconeogenesis and action on leukocyte–endothelium interactions.
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During aging loss of skeletal muscle mass and function has a significant effect of an individual’s quality of life and ability to maintain independence. Both loss of muscle fibres and atrophy of the remaining fibres play a role in the muscle decline and this is associated with loss of motor units and a reduction in the number of motor neurons. Increased oxidative damage has long been claimed to be associated with aging and many studies have reported increased amounts of oxidative damage markers are found in tissues from old organisms. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are recognised to play a major role in cell signalling and in muscle ROS generated during contractile play an important role in signalling adaptations to contractile activity. These ’redox-regulated’ pathways are beneficial adaptations which are attenuated during aging. This review will briefly cover what is currently known about the mechanisms underlying these muscle adaptations to exercise, how they are affected by aging and assess the importance of these pathways in age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and function.
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NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
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Unità di Ricerca di Geriatria, Facoltà Dipartimentale di Medicina e Chirurgia. Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma
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NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
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Abstract
The use of phenolic compounds, derived by plants, has recently emerged as a promising approach to prolong the lifespan by modulating metabolic pathways involved in aging. Phenolic compounds possess a broad spectrum of biochemical and pharmacological effects beneficial to human health such as modulating cellular senescence processes by interacting with molecular targets that regulate aging-related pathways. Phenolic compounds represent the major phytochemicals in our diet and possess several biological activities such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects; protection against aging-related diseases (cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases) with potential therapeutic applications and this could suggest that these compounds could be used as anti-aging nutraceutical support. In this review, we have considered the possible effects of some phenolic compounds in different aging pathways, to provide an overview of recent knowledge on their anti-aging mechanism of action.
