Are Foods with Protein Claims Healthy? A Study of the Spanish Market.

Background: Foods with protein claims (PCs) targeted at the general population are increasingly sought after by consumers because they think they are healthy. However, they may contain other nutrients that pose a health risk.

Objectives: Therefore, the aim of this work was to carry out a comprehensive evaluation of foods with PC and compare them with those without these claims.

Nutritional Description of Processed Foods with Fibre-Related Nutrition Claims in Spain: The BADALI Project.

Fibre is one of the most beneficial nutrients for health and is very frequently used in nutrition claims (NCs) to promote foods. These claims may lead consumers to believe that products bearing them are healthy and/or healthier than those without them. The main objective of this work is to address this belief.

Nutritional Description of Organic and Conventional Food Products in Spain: The BADALI Project.

Organic food and drink is undoubtedly a growing market. Consumers perceive organic food as healthy, and nutrition claims (NCs) and fortification may add to this perception. Whether this is true is still a matter of controversy, particularly for organic food products.

Nutritional Description of Foods with Low- and No-Calorie Sweeteners in Spain: The BADALI Project.

The use of low- and no-calorie sweeteners (LNCS) in foods has increased in recent years in response to the negative effects of free sugar on health. However, the health impact of LNCS is still unclear. Studies of the prevalence of LNCS in foods have been published previously, including in Spain.

Sodium Content of Foods Sold in the Spanish Market. Results from the BADALI Project.

High sodium/salt intake is a risk factor for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Excess sodium intake has been associated with high coronary heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure. The sodium daily intake is above the recommendations in the world as well as in Spain.

CDK11 Promotes Cytokine-Induced Apoptosis in Pancreatic Beta Cells Independently of Glucose Concentration and Is Regulated by Inflammation in the NOD Mouse Model.

Background: Pancreatic islets are exposed to strong pro-apoptotic stimuli: inflammation and hyperglycemia, during the progression of the autoimmune diabetes (T1D). We found that the downregulated by inflammation in the T1D prone NOD (non-obese diabetic) mouse model. The aim of this study is to determine the role of CDK11 in the pathogenesis of T1D and to assess the hierarchical relationship between CDK11 and Cyclin D3 in beta cell viability, since Cyclin D3, a natural ligand for CDK11, promotes beta cell viability and fitness in front of glucose.

Nutrient Composition of Foods Marketed to Children or Adolescents Sold in the Spanish Market: Are They Any Better?

Healthy eating is essential for the growth and development of children and adolescents. Eating habits established in childhood continue into adulthood. In Spain, the frequent promotion of foods with low nutritional value is already considered a threat to the health of the population, particularly to children and adolescents.

Nutrition Claims Frequency and Compliance in a Food Sample of the Spanish Market: The BADALI Study.

Nutrition claims (NCs) have been shown to affect customers' perceptions and behaviour. In Europe, they are regulated by Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. The aim of this work was to analyse the prevalence and compliance of NCs according to this regulation in Spain.

Cyclin D3 promotes pancreatic β-cell fitness and viability in a cell cycle-independent manner and is targeted in autoimmune diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition caused by the lymphocyte-mediated destruction of the insulin-producing β cells in pancreatic islets. We aimed to identify final molecular entities targeted by the autoimmune assault on pancreatic β cells that are causally related to β cell viability. Here, we show that cyclin D3 is targeted by the autoimmune attack on pancreatic β cells in vivo.

Negative neuronal differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cell clones.

Aims: Adipose mesenchymal stem cells are a heterogeneous population. Therefore, the question posed in this study is whether the heterogenic differentiation potential exhibited by the different clones toward mesodermic lineages can be extended to nonmesodermic lineages, such as the neuroectoderm.

Materials & Methods: Different single cell clones of human adipose mesenchymal stem cells from the same donor were isolated.

Antidiabetic actions of an estrogen receptor β selective agonist.

The estrogen receptor β (ERβ) is emerging as an important player in the physiology of the endocrine pancreas. We evaluated the role and antidiabetic actions of the ERβ selective agonist WAY200070 as an insulinotropic molecule. We demonstrate that WAY200070 enhances glucose-stimulated insulin secretion both in mouse and human islets.

Insulinotropic effect of the non-steroidal compound STX in pancreatic β-cells.

The non-steroidal compound STX modulates the hypothalamic control of core body temperature and energy homeostasis. The aim of this work was to study the potential effects of STX on pancreatic β-cell function. 1-10 nM STX produced an increase in glucose-induced insulin secretion in isolated islets from male mice, whereas it had no effect in islets from female mice.

Role of ERβ and GPR30 in the endocrine pancreas: A matter of estrogen dose.

The endocrine pancreas has emerged as a target for estrogens. The functions of pancreatic α-, β- and δ-cells are modulated by the endogenous hormone, 17β-estradiol (E2). Low physiological concentrations (100pM-1nM) of E2 rapidly decrease the activity of the ATP-sensitive potassium channel (K(ATP)) and enhance glucose-induced insulin release in β-cells in an estrogen receptor β (ERβ)-dependent manner.

Bisphenol-A acts as a potent estrogen via non-classical estrogen triggered pathways.

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is an estrogenic monomer commonly used in the manufacture of numerous consumer products such as food and beverage containers. Widespread human exposure to significant doses of this compound has been reported. Traditionally, BPA has been considered a weak estrogen, based on its lower binding affinity to the nuclear estrogen receptors (ERs) compared to 17-β estradiol (E2) as well as its low transcriptional activity after ERs activation.

A water-soluble perylene dye functionalised with a 17β-estradiol: a new fluorescent tool for steroid hormones.

We have successfully been able to synthesise a specific estrogen receptor-directed biolabel based on a fluorescent water-soluble perylenebisimide, thus offering great potential for determining the presence of estrogen receptors in any kind of cell. Moreover, this synthetic strategy allows the preparation of other conjugates involved in the study of any kind of receptor, simply by selecting the appropriate agonist or antagonist.

Regulation of K(ATP) channel by 17β-estradiol in pancreatic β-cells.

ATP-sensitive potassium channels (K(ATP)) regulate electrical activity and insulin secretion in pancreatic β-cells. When glucose concentration increases, the [ATP]/[ADP] ratio rises closing K(ATP) channels, and the membrane potential depolarizes, triggering insulin secretion. This pivotal role of K(ATP) channels is used not only by glucose but also by neurotransmitters, hormones and other physiological agents to modulate electrical and secretory β-cell response.

Role of estrogen receptors alpha, beta and GPER1/GPR30 in pancreatic beta-cells.

Estrogen receptors (ER) are emerging as important molecules involved in the adaptation of beta-cells to insulin resistance. The onset of type 2 diabetes is marked by insulin secretory dysfunction and decreased beta-cell mass. During pregnancy, puberty and obesity there is increased metabolic demand and insulin resistance is developed.

Bisphenol-A: a new diabetogenic factor?

The aim of this review was to analyze the potential effects of environmental chemicals on homeostatic control related to glycemia and energy balance. Many of the environmental chemicals can mimic or interfere with the action of hormones and are generally referred to as "endocrine disruptors". Among these compounds, polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxins, phthalates and bisphenol-A have been correlated with alterations in blood glucose homeostasis in humans.

The atrial natriuretic peptide and guanylyl cyclase-A system modulates pancreatic beta-cell function.

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and its guanylyl cyclase-A (GC-A) receptor are being involved in metabolism, although their role in the endocrine pancreas is still greatly unknown. The aim of this work is to study a possible role for the ANP/GC-A system in modulating pancreatic beta-cell function. The results presented here show a direct effect of the GC-A receptor in regulating glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) and beta-cell mass.

Rapid regulation of K(ATP) channel activity by 17{beta}-estradiol in pancreatic {beta}-cells involves the estrogen receptor {beta} and the atrial natriuretic peptide receptor.

The ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channel is a key molecule involved in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. The activity of this channel regulates beta-cell membrane potential, glucose- induced [Ca(2+)](i) signals, and insulin release. In this study, the rapid effect of physiological concentrations of 17beta-estradiol (E2) on K(ATP) channel activity was studied in intact beta-cells by use of the patch-clamp technique.

The role of oestrogens in the adaptation of islets to insulin resistance.

Pregnancy is characterized by peripheral insulin resistance, which is developed in parallel with a plasma increase of maternal hormones; these include prolactin, placental lactogens, progesterone and oestradiol among others. Maternal insulin resistance is counteracted by the adaptation of the islets of Langerhans to the higher insulin demand. If this adjustment is not produced, gestational diabetes may be developed.

The pancreatic beta-cell as a target of estrogens and xenoestrogens: Implications for blood glucose homeostasis and diabetes.

The estrogen receptor ERalpha is emerging as a key molecule involved in glucose and lipid metabolism. The main functions of pancreatic beta-cells are the biosynthesis and release of insulin, the only hormone that can directly decrease blood glucose levels. Estrogen receptors ERalpha and ERbeta exist in beta-cells.

Inhibitory effects of leptin on pancreatic alpha-cell function.

Objective: Leptin released from adipocytes plays a key role in the control of food intake, energy balance, and glucose homeostasis. In addition to its central action, leptin directly affects pancreatic beta-cells, inhibiting insulin secretion, and, thus, modulating glucose homeostasis. However, despite the importance of glucagon secretion in glucose homeostasis, the role of leptin in alpha-cell function has not been studied in detail.

Rapid non-genomic regulation of Ca2+ signals and insulin secretion by PPAR alpha ligands in mouse pancreatic islets of Langerhans.

PPAR alpha is a ligand-activated transcription factor belonging to the nuclear receptor superfamily. PPAR alpha is involved in the regulation of in vivo triglyceride levels, presumably through its effects on fatty acid and lipoprotein metabolism. Some nuclear receptors have been involved in rapid effects mediated by non-genomic mechanisms.

Rapid regulation of pancreatic alpha- and beta- cell signalling systems by estrogens.

Rapid estrogen actions are triggered after estrogens are bound to a variety of proteins in organelles other than the nucleus. Those include classic estrogen receptors ERalpha and ERbeta, novel membrane proteins that behave as estrogen receptors such as GPR30, ion channels, and other ligand receptors. In pancreatic alpha and beta-cells, estrogens binding to a non-classical membrane estrogen receptors at physiological concentrations regulate ion channels and [Ca(2+)](i) signals, provoking important physiological responses.