Publications by authors named "Maria Efthymia Katsa"

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by postprandial dysmetabolism, which has been linked to post-meal redox disturbances. Oleocanthal (OO), one of the most potent bioactive phenols of extra virgin olive oil, has shown redox modulating properties in vitro. However, its acute, in vivo antioxidant properties have never been studied before.

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Background: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is characterized by immune and metabolic dysregulation. Apo1/Fas is implicated in maintaining homeostasis of the immune system. Cytokeratin-18 (cCK-18) is a predictive marker of liver disorders in T2DM.

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Postprandial dysmetabolism is a common entity of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and may act as a daily stressor of the already dysfunctional diabetic platelets. This study aims to investigate whether oleocanthal-rich olive oils (OO), incorporated into a carbohydrate-rich meal, can affect postprandial dysmetabolism and platelet aggregation. Oleocanthal is a cyclooxygenase inhibitor with putative antiplatelet properties.

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Oxidative stress and apoptosis are involved in the pathogenesis of obesity-related diseases. This observational study investigates the antioxidant and apoptotic markers response to an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in a population of overweight children and adolescents, with normal (NGT) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Glucose, insulin, and C-peptide concentrations, as well as oxidative stress (SOD, GPx3) and apoptotic markers (Apo1fas, cck18), were determined at T = 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 180 min after glucose intake during OGTT.

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Chronically activated, dysfunctional platelets mediate the progression of the majority of non-communicable diseases in a pleiotropic fashion. Antiplatelet therapy remains an attractive therapeutic means which however hasn't reached the expected targets according to the promising preclinical studies. It is therefore obvious that the consumption of foods demonstrating antiplatelet activity may be a less drastic but on the other hand a more sustainable way of achieving daily antiplatelet therapy, either alone or in combination with antiplatelet drugs.

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Hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis, even in early childhood. A mutation in genes that code homocysteine metabolism enzymes or deficiency of specific vitamin cofactors may cause hyperhomocysteinemia. Vitamin B complex has been correlated with serum homocysteine levels.

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Aim: Oleocanthal and oleacein (OC/OL) have important and antitumor properties; however, there is no data about their anticancer activity in humans. The aim of this pilot study was to test if patients at early stage of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) could adhere to and tolerate an intervention with high OC/OL extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and if this intervention could lead to any changes in markers related to the disease.

Methods: A pilot dietary intervention (DI) was made in patients with CLL in Rai stages 0-II who did not follow any treatment (NCT04215367).

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Background: Apoptosis antigen 1/FAS receptor (APO1/Fas) signaling in endothelial cells plays a significant role in angiogenesis while increased mean platelet volume (MPV) is an important marker for platelet activation. We investigated the possible correlation between APO1/Fas and both metabolic parameters and platelet activity (indicated by the MPV) in a healthy pediatric population.

Methods: One hundred and eighty-five children, aged 5-17 years old, were enrolled in the study.

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Purpose: To estimate the roles of triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL) ratio and uric acid in predisposition for metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components in healthy children.

Methods: Anthropometric and biochemical analyses were performed on 110 children, aged 5 to 12 years, from the Greek county of Laconia. The children were studied as a whole population and in separate groups according to age and predisposition to MetS after taking into consideration International Diabetes Federation criteria, body mass index, and lipid profile.

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Purpose: To investigate the effect of lifestyle habits in childhood Metabolic Syndrome (MTS).

Design And Methods: Descriptive correlation study with 480 participants (5-12 years old) using a specially designed questionnaire was conducted. Anthropometric and biochemical analyses were performed.

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Background: Anxiety combined with nervousness and apprehension consist a focal response to different life conditions. Lifestyle habits, anxiety and biochemical markers are in a constant interaction.

Aim: To investigate the prevalence of anxiety in healthy adults and its possible association with biochemical factors-lipid profile, liver markers, thyroid hormones-and lifestyle habits.

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