Papers by Dr. Christina N Katsagoni
Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Jan 13, 2024
Clinical Nutrition, Jan 31, 2024
Angiology, Oct 8, 2009
Brain natriuretic peptides are widely used as biomarkers of cardiovascular diseases and mainly he... more Brain natriuretic peptides are widely used as biomarkers of cardiovascular diseases and mainly heart failure. However, these markers are often found to be high even in apparently healthy participants, and little is known about which factors contribute to physiological change in plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and amino-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP) concentration in general populations. In this study, a random subsample of the ATTICA study was used (486 individuals) and serum NT-proBNP was measured. Approximately 20% of the participants had no detectable NT-proBNP values. Women had higher values of NT-proBNP than men (median [25th-75th percentiles]: 30.2 [15.8-54.3] vs 14.9 [4.0-28.1] pg/mL, P < .001]. Amino-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide values were positively correlated with age (ρ = .140, P = .006) and inversely with body mass index (BMI; ρ = —.142, P = .005), creatinine (Cr) clearance (ρ = —.349, P < .001), and hemoglobin (ρ = —.249, P < .001) values. Linear regression analysis revealed that gender is the main contributor of NT-proBNP levels, followed by age, BMI, and Cr values.
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
Kompass, Dec 14, 2020
The viral epidemic caused by the new Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for the new Coronaviru... more The viral epidemic caused by the new Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for the new Coronavirus disease-2019 (Covid-19). Fifteen percent of the Covid-19 patients will require hospital stay, and 10% of them will need urgent respiratory and hemodynamic support in the intensive care unit (ICU). Covid-19 is an infectious disease characterized by inflammatory syndrome, itself leading to reduced food intake and increased muscle catabolism. Therefore Covid-19 patients are at high risk of being malnourished, making the prevention of malnutrition and the nutritional management key aspects of care. Urgent, brutal and massive arrivals of patients needing urgent respiratory care and artificial ventilation lead to the necessity to reorganize hospital care, wards and staff. In that context, nutritional screening and care may not be considered a
Nutrition Research, 2020
This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the ad... more This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.
Nutrients, Sep 19, 2020
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects 5.5-10.3% of children worldwide, while in obese... more Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects 5.5-10.3% of children worldwide, while in obese individuals, it increases to almost 34%. Pediatric NAFLD is consistently associated with metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance. As no pharmacological agents exist for the treatment of NAFLD, lifestyle modifications remain the only therapy. However, as not all overweight/obese children have NAFLD, high-quality data, focused exclusively on NAFLD population are needed. Therefore, the present systematic review assessed the efficacy of lifestyle (diet or exercise) based on randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) on liver, anthropometric, glucose, and lipid parameters in children, with imaging or biopsy-proven NAFLD. In general, the results were inconclusive and therefore no specific recommendations could be drawn. In most studies, differences were derived from within group comparisons, which are known to be highly misleading. However, both low-carbohydrate and low-fat diets could benefit liver outcomes, as long as weight loss is achieved, but not necessary glucose and lipid parameters. No RCTs were found on exercise alone, as compared to no intervention on pediatric NAFLD. Concerning diet plus exercise interventions, all studies led to improvements in liver outcomes accompanied with weight loss. Resolution of NAFLD was found in considerably high percentages, while improvements were also seen in glucose but were modest in lipid parameters.
Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine, May 1, 2014
Background Although butyrylcholinesterase is widely distributed in different tissues of the human... more Background Although butyrylcholinesterase is widely distributed in different tissues of the human body, its physiological role has not yet been defined. This study aimed to explore the relationship between butyrylcholinesterase and lipids levels, among apparently healthy adults. Methods During 2009, 490 volunteers (46 W 16 years, 40% men) who visited the outpatients' office of our hospital for routine examinations were consecutively enrolled in the study (participation rate 85%). Biochemical analyses were performed through established procedures, after 12 h fasting, and haematological as well as biochemical parameters were measured. Anthropometric, lifestyle and dietary characteristics were also recorded to account for potential confounding. Results Butyrylcholinesterase activity was positively correlated with glucose, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid, haptoglobin and platelet count, after age-sex adjustments (all Ps < 0.05). Further adjustment for a series of anthropometric, lifestyle and clinical characteristics revealed that only BMI, LDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglycerides were positively associated with serum butyrylcholinesterase activity. Conclusions This study demonstrated the positive association of serum butyrylcholinesterase activity with BMI, LDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglycerides, a fact that could state a hypothesis for a novel marker of atherosclerotic disease that could-together with other biomarkers-improve our potential to assess cardiovascular disease risk.
Acta Paediatrica, Sep 16, 2020
British Journal of Nutrition, Jun 27, 2018
Lifestyle interventions remain the cornerstone therapy for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAF... more Lifestyle interventions remain the cornerstone therapy for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This randomised controlled single-blind clinical trial investigated the effect of Mediterranean diet (MD) or Mediterranean lifestyle, along with weight loss, in NAFLD patients. In all, sixty-three overweight/obese patients (50 (SD 11) years, BMI = 31•8 (SD 4•5) kg/m 2 , 68 % men) with ultrasonography-proven NAFLD (and elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and/or γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) levels) were randomised to the following groups: (A) control group (CG), (B) Mediterranean diet group (MDG) or (C) Mediterranean lifestyle group (MLG). Participants of MDG and MLG attended seven 60-min group sessions for 6 months, aiming at weight loss and increasing adherence to MD. In the MLG, additional guidance for increasing physical activity and improving sleep habits were given. Patients in CG received only written information for a healthy lifestyle. At the end of 6 months, 88•8 % of participants completed the study. On the basis of intention-to-treat analysis, both MDG and MLG showed greater weight reduction and higher adherence to MD compared with the CG (all P < 0•05) at the end of intervention. In addition, MLG increased vigorous exercise compared with the other two study groups (P < 0•001) and midday rest/naps compared with CG (P = 0•04). MLG showed significant improvements in ALT levels (i.e. ALT < 40 U/l (P = 0•03) and 50 % reduction of ALT levels (P = 0•009)) and liver stiffness (P = 0•004) compared with CG after adjusting for % weight loss and baseline values. MDG improved only liver stiffness compared with CG (P < 0•001) after adjusting for the aforementioned variables. Small changes towards the Mediterranean lifestyle, along with weight loss, can be a treatment option for patients with NAFLD.
Metabolism-clinical and Experimental, Mar 1, 2017
Background/Objectives. Although lifestyle modifications remain the cornerstone therapy for non-al... more Background/Objectives. Although lifestyle modifications remain the cornerstone therapy for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the optimal lifestyle intervention is still controversial. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect of exercise and/or dietary interventions, type or intensity of exercise and type of diet, on liver function outcomes (liver enzymes, intrahepatic fat and liver histology), as well as on anthropometric and glucose metabolism parameters in NAFLD patients. Subjects/Methods. Literature search was performed in Scopus and US National Library of Medicine databases to identify all randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) in adult patients with NAFLD, diagnosed through imaging techniques or liver biopsy, published in English between January 2005 and August 2016. Studies' quality was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Heterogeneity was tested using the Cochran's Q test and measured inconsistency by I 2. Effect size was calculated as the standardized mean difference (SMD). The meta-analysis was performed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Results. Twenty RCTs with 1073 NAFLD patients were included. Compared to standard care, exercise improved serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (all P < 0.05). Ιntrahepatic fat also improved, irrespectively of weight change (SMD = − 0.98, 95% CI: −1.30 to − 0.66). Regarding the type of exercise, aerobic compared to resistance exercise did not yield any superior improvements on liver parameters, whereas moderate-to-high volume moderate-intensity continuous training was more beneficial compared to continuous low-to-moderate-volume moderate-intensity training or high intensity interval training. Interventions combining exercise and diet showed decreases in ALT (P < 0.01) and improvement in NAFLD activity score (SMD = − 0.61, 95% CI: − 1.
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, Aug 1, 2021
Journal of Cystic Fibrosis, Jun 1, 2020
Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders, Mar 1, 2017
Background: Dietary and physical activity (PA) habits have been suggested as important factors fo... more Background: Dietary and physical activity (PA) habits have been suggested as important factors for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Published data are mainly focused on the effect of either diet or exercise, whereas data on other aspects like sleep remain sparse. The aim of this study was to explore potential associations between dietary intake, PA, and sleeping habits, and the presence of NAFLD. Methods: One hundred patients with ultrasound-proven NAFLD and 55 healthy controls matched for age, sex, and body mass index were included. Dietary habits were assessed through a semiquantitative validated food frequency questionnaire. PA level was assessed with a validated questionnaire. Total night sleep hours and duration of midday rest were also recorded. Optimal sleep duration was defined as sleep hours ‡7 and £9 hr/day. Results: Patients compared to controls consumed less vegetables and nuts, more sweets, drank less coffee and alcohol (all P < 0.05), and exhibited a lower level of PA (P = 0.006). PA level [odds ratio (OR) per 100 metabolic equivalent of task-min/day = 0.74, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.61-0.89, P = 0.002] was associated with lower probability of having NAFLD, whereas sweets consumption (OR = 2.13, 95% CI 1.22-3.71, P = 0.008) was associated with increased probability, after adjusting for several confounders, including body weight status. Optimal sleep duration was marginally and inversely associated with NAFLD presence (OR = 0.38, 95% CI 0.14-1.01, P = 0.05). Conclusion: Higher PA level and optimal sleep duration are associated with lower likelihood, whereas sweets consumption is associated with higher likelihood of having NAFLD. These associations are independent of body weight status and energy intake.
Public Health and Toxicology, May 27, 2022
is a double-blind peer-reviewed open access journal. Its primary focus is to assess the interacti... more is a double-blind peer-reviewed open access journal. Its primary focus is to assess the interaction between public health and toxicology, including how population data on disease incidence can suggest possible etiologies and how genetic and epigenetic factors can influence risk for adverse health effects. The journal also focuses on the application of how these concepts provide evidence relevant to the understanding and prevention of morbidity and mortality resulting from environmental exposures to toxic substances.
Kompass, Apr 7, 2022
As an editor, I am delighted to welcome you to this new issue of Kompass Nutrition and Dietetics ... more As an editor, I am delighted to welcome you to this new issue of Kompass Nutrition and Dietetics which focusses on the influence of diet on the gut microbiome and gut microbiota. Firstly, it is important to understand that these two terms are quite different although sometimes used interchangeably. 'Microbiome' describes the genome of all microorganisms in the environment, while 'microbiota' refers to the microorganisms found within a specific environment, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi [1]. The human gastrointestinal (GI) tract is inhabited by a community of almost 200 such microorganisms providing unique metabolic functions to the host that are important in health and disease. Alterations to the community of gut microorganisms can be both beneficial and detrimental. Dysbiosis (abnormal changes in intestinal microbiota composition) causes dysregulation of host homeostasis which has been linked to the pathogenesis of several diseases and intestinal disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), functional GI disorders, cancer, and metabolic syndromes such as diabetes, obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypertension [2]. Amongst the various factors that could modify and shape gut microbiota composition (i.e., host genetics, immune system,
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Papers by Dr. Christina N Katsagoni