Effects of Spices (Saffron, Rosemary, Cinnamon, Turmeric and Ginger) in Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent dementia in the elderly, causing disability, physical, psychological, social, and economic damage to the individual, their families, and caregivers. Studies have shown some spices, such as saffron, rosemary, cinnamon, turmeric, and ginger, have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that act in inhibiting the aggregation of acetylcholinesterase and amyloid in AD. For this reason, spices have been studied as beneficial sources against neurodegenerative diseases, including AD.

Association of Val16Ala Polymorphism of Manganese Superoxide Dismutase (MnSOD) with Food Intake and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in the Elderly in Primary Care in Porto Alegre.

Background: The aging process causes physiological changes on its own. The combination of an unhealthy lifestyle with the presence of genetic polymorphisms, such as the Val16Ala of the antioxidant enzyme manganese-dependent superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) may contribute to a greater occurrence of cardiometabolic risk factors.

Objective: This study aimed to verify the association of Val16Ala-MnSOD polymorphism with food intake, caloric expenditure, and cardiometabolic risk factors in the elderly.

Interaction between cognitive status, fear of falling, and balance in elderly persons.

Objective: Evaluate the cognitive function and its relationship with balance, history of falls, and fear of falling in the elderly.

Methods: We evaluated 250 elderly persons aged at least 60 years, who answered a sociodemographic questionnaire about the occurrence of falls in the last year. The cognitive function, balance, and fear of falling were assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and Falls Efficacy Scale (FES-I) scores, respectively.

Crosstalk between Gut Microbiota and Central Nervous System: A Focus on Alzheimer's Disease.

The role of diet and gut microbiota in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's, has recently come under intense investigation. Studies suggest that human gut microbiota may contribute to the modulation of several neurochemical and neurometabolic pathways, through complex systems that interact and interconnect with the central nervous system. The brain and intestine form a bidirectional communication axis, or vice versa, they form an axis through bi-directional communication between endocrine and complex immune systems, involving neurotransmitters and hormones.

Inflammation, Oxidation, Caloric Expenditure and Cognitive Impairment in Brazilian Elderly Assisted at Primary Care.

Cognitive impairment (CI) has a multifactorial etiology. Some studies have suggested that inflammatory, oxidative and antioxidant status and physical activity are associated with CI. However, the evidence on this subject is still controversial.

The inverted CD4:CD8 ratio is associated with gender-related changes in oxidative stress during aging.

Aging has been associated with increased generation of free radicals as well as immunosenescence. Previous studies have identified older individuals with inverted T CD4:CD8 cell ratio and increased immunity to cytomegalovirus (CMV). Here, we investigated markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant defences in older individuals with inverted CD4:CD8 T-cell ratio.

Lack of association of body composition and functionality variables with metabolic syndrome in the elderly.

Background: The aging process causes alterations in body composition (decrease in lean mass and increase in fat mass), diminution of functionality (strength, mobility, and physical performance), and an increased prevalence of chronic diseases such as metabolic syndrome and obesity. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of body composition and functionality with metabolic syndrome in the elderly.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Outpatient Clinic of the Geriatric Service of Hospital São Lucas of Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS) involving 74 patients (14 males and 60 females).

Antibodies against oxLDL and acute coronary syndrome.

Background: The oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) induces the formation of immunogenic epitopes in molecules. The presence of autoantibodies against oxLDL has been demonstrated in the serum of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the role of these autoantibodies in the pathophysiology of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and their clinical significance remain undefined.

Association between the Gln223Arg polymorphism of the leptin receptor and metabolic syndrome in free-living community elderly.

Background: Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors. Aging and gene-environmental interactions are involved in the pathophysiology of metabolic syndrome. The LEPR gene Gln223Arg polymorphism has been associated with energy metabolism and body weight.

Association between manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) gene polymorphism and elderly obesity.

Evidence suggests an association between obesity and oxidative stress caused by superoxide production. Since the dismutation of superoxide is catalyzed by superoxide dismutase enzymes, we tested the association between obesity and Ala16Val manganese-dependent superoxide dismutase gene (MnSOD) polymorphism. We analyzed 815 free-living community subjects (> or =60 years old) grouped into subjects who were either obese (BMI > or = 30 kg/m(2)) or non-obese (BMI < 25 kg/m(2)).

Association between 894G>T endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphisms and metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity and type II diabetes. Here, we performed a case-control study analyzing the association between 894G>T endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphism (NOS3) and MS in 616 subjects. Genotype frequencies were TT= 9.

Association among oxidized LDL levels, MnSOD, apolipoprotein E polymorphisms, and cardiovascular risk factors in a south Brazilian region population.

Oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) is involved in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. Many factors can affect the LDL oxidation such as oxidative stress. The present study tested whether ox-LDL levels would be associated with apolipoprotein E (APOE), manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) Ala16Val polymorphisms, and classic cardiovascular risk factors.