Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and antioxidants are important mediators in the central nervo... more Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and antioxidants are important mediators in the central nervous system (CNS). Lipid derivatives may be used to generate endocannabinoids or prostanoids derived from arachidonic acid, which attenuates excitotoxicity in quadripartite synapses with a focus in astrocytes and microglia; on the other hand, antioxidants, such as glutathione (GSH) and ascorbate, have been shown to signal through transmitter receptors and protect against acute and chronic oxidative stress, modulating the activity of different signaling pathways. Several authors have investigated the role of these nutrients in young and senescent brain, as well as in degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson's diseases. Through literature review, we aimed to highlight recent data on the role of fatty acids, antioxidants and physical activity in physiology and in molecular mechanisms of brain senescence. Data indicate the complexity and essentiality of endogenous/dietary antioxidants for maintenance of the redox status and control of neuroglial signaling under stress. Recent studies also indicate that omega-3 and -6 fatty acids act in a competitive manner to generate mediators for energy metabolism, feeding behavior, plasticity and memory mechanisms throughout aging. Finding pharmacological or dietary resources that mitigate or prevent neurodegenerative affections continues to be a great challenge and require additional efforts from researchers, clinicians and nutritionists in the field.
Objective: We have recently shown that maternal flaxseed supplementation during lactation induces... more Objective: We have recently shown that maternal flaxseed supplementation during lactation induces insulin resistance in adult offspring. Here, we studied the effects of maternal dietary flaxseed during lactation on adipocyte morphology and leptin signaling in the hypothalamicpituitary-thyroid axis as well as on behavioral traits in the adult progeny. Methods: Lactating rats were fed a control (C) diet or a diet with 25% flaxseed (F). After weaning, pups received a standard diet until postnatal day (PN) 180. Male offspring were killed at PN21 and 180. Data were considered significant at P < 0.05. Results: Weaned F rats presented a lower total and subcutaneous fat mass and higher subcutaneous adipocyte area (þ48%), but at adulthood they presented higher subcutaneous and visceral adipocyte areas (þ40% and 1.9-fold increase, respectively), with no change in body fat mass. At PN21, F pups had hyperleptinemia (þ69%), lower T 3 (À33%), higher TSH (2.1-fold increase), higher pituitary leptin receptor (Ob-R, þ11%), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3, þ21%), and phosphorylated-STAT3 (p-STAT3, þ77%) protein content. Adult F offspring only showed lower T 4 (À28%) and higher thyroid Ob-R (þ52%) expression. Maternal flaxseed intake during lactation did not result in behavioral changes in the adult offspring. Conclusions: Maternal flaxseed supplementation decreases offspring adiposity and increases pituitary leptin signaling at weaning, but it induces hypertrophic adipocytes and higher thyroid leptin receptor in adulthood. The present data suggest that extensive use of flaxseed during lactation is undesirable.
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and antioxidants are important mediators in the central nervo... more Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and antioxidants are important mediators in the central nervous system (CNS). Lipid derivatives may be used to generate endocannabinoids or prostanoids derived from arachidonic acid, which attenuates excitotoxicity in quadripartite synapses with a focus in astrocytes and microglia; on the other hand, antioxidants, such as glutathione (GSH) and ascorbate, have been shown to signal through transmitter receptors and protect against acute and chronic oxidative stress, modulating the activity of different signaling pathways. Several authors have investigated the role of these nutrients in young and senescent brain, as well as in degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson's diseases. Through literature review, we aimed to highlight recent data on the role of fatty acids, antioxidants and physical activity in physiology and in molecular mechanisms of brain senescence. Data indicate the complexity and essentiality of endogenous/dietary antioxidants for maintenance of the redox status and control of neuroglial signaling under stress. Recent studies also indicate that omega-3 and -6 fatty acids act in a competitive manner to generate mediators for energy metabolism, feeding behavior, plasticity and memory mechanisms throughout aging. Finding pharmacological or dietary resources that mitigate or prevent neurodegenerative affections continues to be a great challenge and require additional efforts from researchers, clinicians and nutritionists in the field.
Objective: We have recently shown that maternal flaxseed supplementation during lactation induces... more Objective: We have recently shown that maternal flaxseed supplementation during lactation induces insulin resistance in adult offspring. Here, we studied the effects of maternal dietary flaxseed during lactation on adipocyte morphology and leptin signaling in the hypothalamicpituitary-thyroid axis as well as on behavioral traits in the adult progeny. Methods: Lactating rats were fed a control (C) diet or a diet with 25% flaxseed (F). After weaning, pups received a standard diet until postnatal day (PN) 180. Male offspring were killed at PN21 and 180. Data were considered significant at P < 0.05. Results: Weaned F rats presented a lower total and subcutaneous fat mass and higher subcutaneous adipocyte area (þ48%), but at adulthood they presented higher subcutaneous and visceral adipocyte areas (þ40% and 1.9-fold increase, respectively), with no change in body fat mass. At PN21, F pups had hyperleptinemia (þ69%), lower T 3 (À33%), higher TSH (2.1-fold increase), higher pituitary leptin receptor (Ob-R, þ11%), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3, þ21%), and phosphorylated-STAT3 (p-STAT3, þ77%) protein content. Adult F offspring only showed lower T 4 (À28%) and higher thyroid Ob-R (þ52%) expression. Maternal flaxseed intake during lactation did not result in behavioral changes in the adult offspring. Conclusions: Maternal flaxseed supplementation decreases offspring adiposity and increases pituitary leptin signaling at weaning, but it induces hypertrophic adipocytes and higher thyroid leptin receptor in adulthood. The present data suggest that extensive use of flaxseed during lactation is undesirable.
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Papers by I. Trevenzoli