Dietary habits affect fatty acid composition of visceral adipose tissue in subjects with colorectal cancer or obesity.

Purpose: Aim of this study was to identify a possible relationship among dietary fatty acids (FA) intake, FA adipose tissue (AT) profile and cancer condition in lean vs obese subjects affected or not by colorectal cancer (CRC). Actually, inadequate dietary habits together with physical inactivity are primary determinants of obesity and cancer risk. Changes in lipid metabolism play a crucial role in different types of cancer and key enzymes involved in lipid-metabolic pathways, such as stearoyl-coA-desaturase 1 (SCD-1), are differentially expressed in normal and cancer tissues.

Phytosterols in supplements containing : an example of variability of active principles in commercial plant based products.

Phytosterols are one of the bioactive components responsible for the beneficial effects of in Benign Prostate Hyperplasia. The aim of this study was to verify the actual variability of the phytosterols content in supplements containing serenoa, in order to provide useful elements to check the effectiveness of these preparations. The amount of campesterol, stigmasterol and β-sitosterol were determined by gas-chromatography in commercial raw materials and supplements containing serenoa in association or not with other botanicals.

Visceral fat adipocytes from obese and colorectal cancer subjects exhibit distinct secretory and ω6 polyunsaturated fatty acid profiles and deliver immunosuppressive signals to innate immunity cells.

Obesity is a low-grade chronic inflammatory state representing an important risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC). Adipocytes strongly contribute to inflammation by producing inflammatory mediators. In this study we investigated the role of human visceral fat adipocytes in regulating the functions of innate immunity cells.

ω3-PUFAs exert anti-inflammatory activity in visceral adipocytes from colorectal cancer patients.

Objective: The aim of this study was to correlate specific fatty acid profiles of visceral white adipose tissue (WAT) with inflammatory signatures potentially associated with colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods: Human adipocytes were isolated from biopsies of visceral WAT from 24 subjects subdivided in four groups: normal-weight (BMI 22.0-24.

Use of food supplements and determinants of usage in a sample Italian adult population.

Objective: The aims were to collect data on consumption of different food supplements in a sample of the adult Italian population and to characterize users by demographic, physical and health-related characteristics, lifestyle and behaviour.

Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Setting: The study was conducted in 2008 in ten towns of Italy (two towns from each of the five macro-areas: Northwest, Northeast, Centre, South and Islands).