Montero Bravo, Ana María

The systemic response to exercise is dose-dependent and involves a complex gene expression regulation and cross-talk between tissues. This context ARISES the need for analyzing the influence of exercise dose on the profile of circulating microRNAs (c-miRNAs), as emerging posttranscriptional regulators and intercellular communicators. Thus, we hypothesized that different exercise doses will determine specific c-miRNA signatures that will highlight its potential as exercise dose biomarker. Nine active middle-aged males completed a 10-km race (10K), a half-marathon (HM), and a marathon (M). Blood samples were collected immediately before and after races. Plasma RNA was extracted, and a global screening of 752 microRNAs was analyzed using RT-qPCR. Three different c-miRNA profiles were defined according to the three doses. In 10K, 14 c-miRNAs were found to be differentially expressed between pre- and post-exercise, 13 upregulated and 1 downregulated. Regarding HM, 13 c-miRNAs were found to be differentially modulated, in all the cases upregulated. A total of 28 c-miRNAs were found to be differentially expressed in M, 21 overexpressed and 7 repressed after this race. We had also found 3 common c-miRNAs between 10K and M and 2 common c-miRNAs between 10K and HM. In silico analysis supported a close association between exercise dose c-miRNA profiles and cellular pathways linked to energy metabolism and cell cycle. In conclusion, we have observed that different exercise doses induced specific c-miRNA profiles. So, our results point to c-miRNAs as emerging exercise dose biomarkers and as one of regulatory mechanisms modulating the response to endurance exercise.

Overweight and obesity amongst childhood are currently global health issues. However, this is the best stage of life to prevent diseases and to promote healthy habits. In our study, we evaluate the effectiveness of the THAO Salud Infantil, a community-based intervention program, by means of a cross-sectional study carried out from 2009 to 2019 surveying children aged 3 to 12 years old (n = 27,686). During the study timeframe, overweight and obesity prevalence, according to both the International Obesity Task Force and Orbegozo Foundation criteria, showed a downward trend. Differences in the anthropometric variables were observed from the beginning to the end of the study, mainly in girls. Analysis of the influence of the socioeconomic status revealed that children from families with lower incomes are in greater risk of suffering from overweight and obesity and showed lower effectiveness of the actions proposed by the program. The overall results of the study confirmed the effectiveness of community-based interventions in terms of childhood overweight/obesity prevention.

An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has been developed for the identification of albacore (Thunnus alalunga) and its differentiation from other lessvalued scombrid species such as yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), bullet tuna (Auxis rochei), atlantic bonito (Sarda sarda), bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus), little tunny (Euthynnus alleteratus) and skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis). The assay uses polyclonal antibodies raised in rabbits against soluble muscle protein extract from fresh albacore. These polyclonal antibodies were rendered species-specific by blocking them with the heterologous soluble muscle proteins, allowing discrimination between fresh albacore and the rest of the scombrid species, except for yellowfin tuna. A total of 40 commercial albacore fresh and frozen fillets were analysed, revealing an incorrect labelling in 32.5% of the albacore samples. However, positive samples (67.5%) could be albacore or yellowfin tuna and should require a DNA assay as discriminatory technique.

To determine the influence of different doses of maximal acute exercise on the kinetics of plasma homocysteine (tHcy) and its relationship with oxidative status and vascular function, nine recreational runners completed a 10 km race (10K) and a marathon (M). Blood samples were collected before (Basal), immediately post-exercise (Post0), and after 24 h (Post24). Nutritional intake was controlled at each sample point. A significant increase in tHcy was observed after both races, higher after M. Basal levels were recovered at Post24 after 10K, but remained elevated at Post 24 for M. A significant decrease in GSH/GSSG ratio was observed in Post0, especially marked after M. Furthermore, this increase in pro-oxidant status remained at Post24 only after M. Other oxidative status markers failed to confirm this exercise-induced pro-oxidant status except glutathione peroxidase activity that was lower in Post24 compared to Basal in 10K and in Post0 and Post24 in M. No statistical correlation was found between oxidative markers and tHcy. No significant changes were observed in the concentration of endothelial cell adhesion molecules (VCAM-1 and E-Selectin) and VEGF. In conclusion, tHcy increases in an exercise–dose–response fashion but is not related to endothelial dysfunction mediated by oxidative stress mechanisms.

An adequate hydration status is critical to ensure efficiency during mental and physical activities. Our goal was to assess the hydration status of a Spanish group of aeronautical military men and to determine the association of hydration status with body composition and anxiety.

Adequate nutrition during breastfeeding is crucial for ensuring the good health of mothers and babies. Despite the high energy and nutrient demands of breastfeeding, lactating women are often vulnerable from a nutritional perspective. The nutritional focus during breastfeeding tends to be on the newborn, often neglecting the mother’s diet. Therefore, in the present narrative review, nutrient intakes were compared with the dietary reference values (DRVs) proposed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) as well as by the World Health Organization/Food and Agriculture Organization (WHO/FAO). In the diets of lactating mothers, dietary inadequacies were observed in the intake of some vitamins, such as folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin A, and vitamin D, and in the intake of certain minerals like calcium, iron, and iodine; polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acid deficiencies, primarily in eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, were also observed. On the other hand, the debate on the necessity of supplementation during lactation continues; the need for nutritional supplementation during lactation depends on many factors, such us mothers’ eating habits. There seems to be a positive association between nutritional supplementation of the lactating mother and the concentration of certain nutrients in human milk. The present narrative review provides an update on the nutritional status (fatty acids and micronutrients) of breastfeeding mothers and the impact of diet and dietary supplementation on human milk composition.

Noise-induced hearing loss is the most frequent and preventable occupational disease. Aviation pilots are a vulnerable population, as they spend many hours exposed to noise pollution in their working environment. Different studies suggest that certain dietary compounds may play a key role in the etiology and prevention of this pathology. We aimed to study the relationship linking auditory function, dietary intake, and some serum biomarkers in pilots, exposed to noise in the work environment. A total of 235 pilots, who undergo a periodic medical examination at the Centro de Instrucción de Medicina Aeroespacial (Madrid, SPAIN), were evaluated. Auditory function was assessed by tonal audiometry. Energy and nutrient intakes were estimated by 24 h recall (DIALTM program). Serum homocysteine (Hcy) was determined in a Cobas 6000TM multi-analyzer while folate, vitamin B12, and D were analyzed in a Cobas 411TM. The prevalence of hearing loss (HL) was 64.3%. HL was significantly related to age (r = 0.588, p 0.001) and flight hours (r = 0.283, p 0.001). A multiple linear regression model was used to assess the relationship among HL, flight hours, serum folate, and Hcy serum levels. HL was significantly (p < 0.050) associated with flight hours ( = 0.246), serum folate ( = 􀀀0.143), and serum Hcy ( = 0.227). Nutritional interventions would be of great interest to monitor and slow down the HL progression in populations exposed to noise pollution in their workplace.

Background: Folic acid (FA), which in its chemical form is pteroylglutamic acid, is the fully oxidised, water-soluble, monoglutamic form of vitamin B9. This compound is part of the folate group but with higher bioavailability, and it is found in vitamin supplements and fortified foods and drugs. Folate metabolism is complex and associated with various metabolic pathways, all of which confer protection on the cell and allow its survival. Methods: We conducted a non-systematic search of articles published in English and Spanish including controlled trials, cohort studies, systematic re-views, and meta-analyses were included, as well as key studies in animal models related to pharmacokinetic studies. Search terms encompassed: “folic acid”, “folates”, “5-metyltetrahydrofolate”, “5-MTHF”, “neural tube defects”, “supplementation”, “fortification”, AND “homocysteine” Results: A crucial role demonstrated for FA is to help prevent neural tube defects (NTDs). However, more studies are definitely still needed to establish 5-MTHF as a safe and effective therapeutic approach comparable with FA. Moreover, there is a lack of clinical studies that evaluate the efficacy of 5-MTHF supplementation in the prevention of NTDs. The present evidence-based narrative review discusses differences between FA and 5-MTHF in terms of structure, metabolism, bioavailability, clinical efficacy, and safety. Conclusions: Despite the potential value of 5-MTHF as an alternative to FA, clinical studies would be urgently needed to support the efficacy, dosage, timing, and/or safety of its use as a supplement.