Chronic consumption of a bergamot-based beverage does not affect glucose, lipid and inflammatory biomarkers of cardiometabolic risk in healthy subjects: a randomised controlled intervention study.

: Pure bergamot juice exerts lipid lowering effects in dyslipidemic subjects. It is unknown whether bergamot-based beverages exert similar effects in healthy subjects. : To assess the effects, if any, of a bergamot-based beverage (BBB, bergamot juice ≤25%) on lipid, metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers.

Activation of G protein-coupled receptors by ketone bodies: Clinical implication of the ketogenic diet in metabolic disorders.

Ketogenesis takes place in hepatocyte mitochondria where acetyl-CoA derived from fatty acid catabolism is converted to ketone bodies (KB), namely β-hydroxybutyrate (β-OHB), acetoacetate and acetone. KB represent important alternative energy sources under metabolic stress conditions. Ketogenic diets (KDs) are low-carbohydrate, fat-rich eating strategies which have been widely proposed as valid nutritional interventions in several metabolic disorders due to its substantial efficacy in weight loss achievement.

Empagliflozin does not reverse lipotoxicity-induced impairment in human myeloid angiogenic cell bioenergetics.

Background: Empagliflozin can curb inflammation and oxidative stress, through sodium-proton exchanger (NHE) inhibition, in a model of lipotoxicity in human myeloid angiogenic cells (MAC), which mediate endothelial repairing processes. Aim of this study is to assess in human MAC whether: (1) Stearic acid (SA) induced inflammation and increase in oxidant stress is accompanied by bioenergetic alterations; (2) empagliflozin anti-lipotoxic action is concomitant with coherent changes in bioenergetic metabolism, possibly via NHE blockade.

Methods: MAC were isolated from peripheral blood of healthy volunteers and incubated in the presence/absence of SA (100 μM for 3 h) with/without empagliflozin (EMPA 100 μM) or amiloride (Ami 100 μM) for 1 h.

SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein is not pro-inflammatory in human primary macrophages: endotoxin contamination and lack of protein glycosylation as possible confounders.

Introduction: The inflammatory potential of SARS-CoV-2 Spike S1 (Spike) has never been tested in human primary macrophages (MΦ). Different recombinant Spikes might display different effects in vitro, according to protein length and glycosylation, and endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) contamination.

Objectives: To assess (1) the effects of different Spikes on human primary MΦ inflammation; (2) whether LPS contamination of recombinant Spike is (con)cause in vitro of increased MΦ inflammation.

Effect of coffee and cocoa-based confectionery containing coffee on markers of cardiometabolic health: results from the pocket-4-life project.

Purpose: Coffee is an important source of bioactive compounds, including caffeine, trigonelline, and phenolic compounds. Several studies have highlighted the preventive effects of coffee consumption on major cardiometabolic (CM) diseases, but the impact of different coffee dosages on markers of CM risk in a real-life setting has not been fully understood. This study aimed to investigate the effect of coffee and cocoa-based confectionery containing coffee consumption on several CM risk factors in healthy subjects.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors antagonize lipotoxicity in human myeloid angiogenic cells and ADP-dependent activation in human platelets: potential relevance to prevention of cardiovascular events.

Background: The clear evidence of cardiovascular benefits in cardiovascular outcome trials of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) in type 2 diabetes might suggest an effect on atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability and/or thrombosis, in which myeloid angiogenic cells (MAC) and platelets (PLT) are implicated. We tested the effects of SGLT2i on inflammation and oxidant stress in a model of stearic acid (SA)-induced lipotoxicity in MAC and on PLT activation. The possible involvement of the Na/H exchanger (NHE) was also explored.

Correction: Identification of an early transcriptomic signature of insulin resistance and related diseases in lymphomonocytes of healthy subjects.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Bioavailability of Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) Flavanones and Biological Activity of Their Circulating Metabolites in Human Pro-Angiogenic Cells.

Myeloid angiogenic cells (MACs) play a key role in endothelial repairing processes and functionality but their activity may be impaired by the lipotoxic effects of some molecules like stearic acid (SA). Among the dietary components potentially able to modulate endothelial function in vivo, (poly)phenolic compounds represent serious candidates. Here, we apply a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach to shed light on the prospects of Bergamot (), a citrus fruit rich in flavanones and other phenolic compounds, in the framework of lipotoxicity-induced MACs impairment.

Stearic acid at physiologic concentrations induces in vitro lipotoxicity in circulating angiogenic cells.

Background And Aims: Saturated free fatty acids (SFAs) can induce lipotoxicity in different cells. No studies have investigated the effects of SFA in circulating angiogenic cells (CACs), which play a key role in endothelial repair processes. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of SFAs, specifically stearic acid (SA), on viability and function of CACs and to investigate potential underlying molecular mechanisms.

Performance and antrhropometric characteristics of Elite Rugby Players.

Background And Aim Of The Study: Physical performance is the result of a complex combination of several factors such as genetic and anthropometric aspects, nutrition and hormonal status. In the past few years many studies have considered the impact of vitamin D on muscular strength and athletic performance.The aim of the present study was to assess the anthropometric measures impacting on physical performance in a group of professional rugby athletes.

Identification of an early transcriptomic signature of insulin resistance and related diseases in lymphomonocytes of healthy subjects.

Insulin resistance is considered to be a pathogenetic mechanism in several and diverse diseases (e.g. type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis) often antedating them in apparently healthy subjects.

Effects of a New Nutraceutical Formulation (Berberine, Red Yeast Rice and Chitosan) on Non-HDL Cholesterol Levels in Individuals with Dyslipidemia: Results from a Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.

Increased non high-density lipoprotein (HDL)/low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels are independent risk factors for cardiovascular (CV) mortality with no documented threshold. A new combination of nutraceuticals (berberine 200 mg, monacolin K 3 mg, chitosan 10 mg and coenzyme Q 10 mg) with additive lipid-lowering properties has become available. The aim of the study is to test the efficacy of the nutraceutical formulation (one daily) in lowering non-HDL cholesterol vs.

Vildagliptin, but not glibenclamide, increases circulating endothelial progenitor cell number: a 12-month randomized controlled trial in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Background: Fewer circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and increased plasma (C-term) stromal cell-derived factor 1α (SDF-1α), a substrate of DPP-4, are biomarkers, and perhaps mediators, of cardiovascular risk and mortality. Short-term/acute treatment with DPP-4 inhibitors improve EPC bioavailability; however, long-term effects of DPP-4i on EPCs bioavailability/plasma (C-term) SDF-1α are unknown.

Methods: Randomized (2:1) open-label trial to compare the effects of vildagliptin (V) (100 mg/day) vs glibenclamide (G) (2.

Effects on Nitric Oxide Production of Urolithins, Gut-Derived Ellagitannin Metabolites, in Human Aortic Endothelial Cells.

The consumption of foodstuffs yielding circulating compounds able to maintain endothelial function by improving nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability can be considered as an effective strategy for cardiovascular disease prevention. This work assessed the in vitro effects of urolithin A, urolithin B, and urolithin B-glucuronide, ellagitannin-derived metabolites of colonic origin, on NO release and endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) activation in primary human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs). Urolithins were tested both individually at 15 μM and as a mixture of 5 μM each, at different time points.

Telomere length is independently associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in subjects with type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional study.

Aims: Individuals with type 2 diabetes show shorter leukocyte telomere length (LTL) compared to people without diabetes. Reduced LTL is associated with increased carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in healthy subjects. The aim of the study is to assess whether LTL also correlates with IMT in patients with diabetes.

Effects of TiO₂ and Co₃O₄ nanoparticles on circulating angiogenic cells.

Background And Aim: Sparse evidence suggests a possible link between exposure to airborne nanoparticles (NPs) and cardiovascular (CV) risk, perhaps through mechanisms involving oxidative stress and inflammation. We assessed the effects of TiO2 and Co3O4 NPs in human circulating angiogenic cells (CACs), which take part in vascular endothelium repair/replacement.

Methods: CACs were isolated from healthy donors' buffy coats after culturing lymphomonocytes on fibronectin-coated dishes in endothelial medium for 7 days.

Transcriptomic analysis of human polarized macrophages: more than one role of alternative activation?

Background: Macrophages are a heterogeneous cell population which in response to the cytokine milieu polarize in either classically activated macrophages (M1) or alternatively activated macrophages (M2). This plasticity makes macrophages essential in regulating inflammation, immune response and tissue remodeling and a novel therapeutic target in inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis. The aim of the study was to describe the transcriptomic profiles of differently polarized human macrophages to generate new hypotheses on the biological function of the different macrophage subtypes.

N-3 PUFA increase bioavailability and function of endothelial progenitor cells.

Background And Aims: Recent data suggest that n-3 PUFA exert beneficial effects on endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) biology. We sought to investigate whether these effects might be mediated by enhanced EPC in vitro function and/or in vivo bioavailability.

Methods And Results: CACs and late-outgrowth EPCs were isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from 12 donor buffy-coats.

Pioglitazone improves in vitro viability and function of endothelial progenitor cells from individuals with impaired glucose tolerance.

Background: Evidence suggests that the PPARγ-agonist insulin sensitizer pioglitazone, may provide potential beneficial cardiovascular (CV) effects beyond its anti-hyperglycaemic function. A reduced endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) number is associated with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or diabetes, conditions characterised by increased CV risk.

Aim: To evaluate whether pioglitazone can provide benefit in vitro in EPCs obtained from IGT subjects.

[Insulin-resistance and cardiovascular risk].

Insulin resistance is associated with a cluster of metabolic and hemodynamic abnormalities that lead to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. In this review the main pathophysiological mechanisms and metabolic consequences of insulin resistance are summarized. The correlation between insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease and the practical utility of the concept of metabolic syndrome as a diagnostic tool are also discussed.