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E Casals

Publications and source records attributed to E Casals.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2026

Enterococcus faecalis GP1764 induces an early differential gene expression in the intestine on key pathways related to cellular immune response and gut barrier function in chickens.

The aim of the present study was to elucidate the mode of action of Enterococcus faecalis GP1764 in improving performance traits during the starter phase by analyzing genome-wide gene expression and its interaction with microbial populations in the intestine of chickens challenged with an NSP-rich diet. At day 7, microbiota populations from ileal and cecal contents and transcriptomics from jejunal and cecal mucosa were analyzed between Control (Ctrl) and Enterococcus faecalis GP1764 (EntF) groups. Results from microbiota analysis demonstrated that EntF shifted β-diversity indices in ileum (neutral (p= 0.006) and phylogenetic (p= 0.006)) and caecum (phylogenetic (p= 0.017)). Transcriptomics revealed 43 differentially expressed genes for EntF vs. Ctrl in the jejunal mucosa. Of these, MHCY-36 (MHC-I-Related), RAG2 and MUC19-like genes were upregulated in EntF vs. Ctrl, protein-coding genes with immunomodulatory capacities as supported by GSEA and Cytoscape-ClueGo pathway analyses. Results suggest an intestinal immunomodulation induced through presentation of B vitamins metabolites, synthetized by EntF, to an undescribed subset of innate-like unconventional T lymphocytes in chickens, similar to MAIT cells in mammals. These cells could contribute to antibacterial responses and repair of damaged barrier tissue after inflammatory processes. The upregulation of the MUC19-like gene expression observed in the jejunal mucosa can protect gut integrity via the promotion of mucus production by goblet cells. Finally, RAG2, involved in V(D)J coding segments recombination in B- and T-cells may provide a greater recognition of foreign invaders, allowing the animals to efficiently fight against pathogenic infections. Collectively, these results suggest an important role of EntF in promoting the capacity of animals to rapidly act against pathogenic challenges, herein, inducing resilience towards dietary ingredients with anti-nutritional activity that impart moderate inflammation in chickens.

Enterococcus faecalis↗
PubMed2004

Comparison of a high-carbohydrate and a high-monounsaturated fat, olive oil-rich diet on the susceptibility of LDL to oxidative modification in subjects with Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

AIMS: To compare the effects of a high-carbohydrate (CHO) diet and a high-monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) diet on LDL oxidative resistance in free-living individuals with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Twenty-two men and women out-patients with Type 2 diabetes, with mean age 61 years and in fair metabolic control (HbA1c<8.0%), were enrolled at a university hospital lipid clinic in a randomized, crossover feeding trial comparing two isocaloric diets for 6 weeks each: CHO (fat, 28% energy) and MUFA (fat, 40% energy) based on virgin olive oil. Outcome measurements were changes in LDL susceptibility to oxidation, body weight, glycaemic control, and lipoprotein profiles. RESULTS: Planned and observed diets were well matched. Participants preferred the MUFA diet over the CHO diet. The lag time of conjugated diene formation during Cu2+-induced LDL oxidation was similar after the CHO and MUFA diets (36.4 +/- 12.2 min and 36.0 +/- 13.7 min, respectively). Body weight, glycaemic control, total triglycerides, and total, LDL- and HDL-cholesterol levels also were similar after the two diets. Compared with the CHO diet, the MUFA diet lowered VLDL-cholesterol by 35% (P=0.023) and VLDL triglyceride by 16% (P=0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Natural food-based high-CHO and high-MUFA diets have similar effects on LDL oxidative resistance and metabolic control in subjects with Type 2 diabetes. A MUFA diet is a good alternative to high-CHO diets for nutrition therapy of diabetes because it also has a beneficial effect on the lipid profile and superior patient acceptance.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Effects of estradiol, cyproterone acetate, tibolone and raloxifene on uterus and aorta atherosclerosis in oophorectomized cholesterol-fed rabbits.

BACKGROUND: Different hormonal replacement regimens are used for treating climacteric complaints; however, not all of them have the same clinical profile. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major health problem and tibolone, raloxifene, estradiol (alone or with cyproterone acetate) have been added to cholesterol-fed rabbits to study atherosclerosis. METHODS: A total of 48 cholesterol-fed New Zealand white rabbits were studied for 4 months. Forty rabbits underwent bilateral ovariectomy and the other eight were sham operated (group S). The ovariectomized rabbits were allocated to five groups of eight animals each receiving tibolone (Group T, 6 mg/day), raloxifene (R, 35 mg/day), estradiol valerate (E, 3 mg/day), estradiol valerate plus cyproterone acetate (EC, 3+0.5 mg/day, respectively), and no treatment for the control group (C). The sham group received no treatment too. RESULTS: After 4 months the percentage of the extent of atherosclerosis in the aorta was 30.4% in C group, 24.5% in S group, 10.2% in T group, 30.3% in R group, 17.9% in E group and 28.1% in EC group (P<0.05 T vs. C, R, EC). The aortic cholesterol content compared with aortic weight was 8.55 microg/mg in C group, 11.97 microg/mg in S group, 1.86 microg/mg in T group, 3.82 microg/mg in R group, 2.86 microg/mg in E group and 5.24 microg/mg in EC group (P<0.05 T vs. EC, C, S; R vs. C, S; E vs. C, S). Uterine weights in grams were: 1.89 (C group), 2.24 (S), 7.38 (T), 1.94 (R), 9.92 (E), and 5.94 (EC); P<0.05 (C, S, R, vs. T, E, EC; T vs. E; EC vs. T, E). CONCLUSION: Our study showed a decrease in the extent of aortic atherosclerosis in oophorectomized cholesterol-fed rabbits treated with tibolone or estradiol, and a decrease in aortic cholesterol content in rabbits treated with tibolone, raloxifene and estradiol. However, rabbits treated with tibolone showed an increased uterine weight, which is contrary to that observed in humans.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Effect of apolipoprotein polymorphisms in renal transplant recipients.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the main cause of mortality among long-term renal transplant recipients (RTR). On the other hand, allograft chronic nephropathy is the primary cause of graft loss among long-term RTR. Hyperlipidemia is a predisposing factor for both conditions. Polymorphisms of the apolipoproteins modulate lipid metabolism. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of apo A-I, apo A-IV and apo C-III genotypes on the long-term results of renal transplantation. Clinical assessment (renal allograft and patient survival) and genotyping for apo A-I (+83C/T), apo C-III (Sst I), and apo A-IV (Thr347Ser and Gln360His) polymorphisms were evaluated in 516 kidney transplant patients and correlated with the clinical evolution over 12 months. The distribution of the apo A-I (+83C/T) polymorphisms was: CC 91.9%, CT 7.9%, and TT 0.2%. The apo C-III genotype showed: S1S1 84.4%, S1S2 15.2%, and S2S2 0.4%. The apo A-IV (Pvu II) polymorphism was: GG 82%, GT 18%, and 0% TT. Finally, the frequency of apo A-IV (Hinf I) polymorphism was: AA 69%, AT 27%, and TT 4%. The frequency of polymorphisms was similar between men and women. In conclusion, there was no significant influence of apolipoprotein polymorphisms on renal and patient survival.

Apolipoprotein A-I↗
PubMed2003

Effects of atorvastatin on glucose homeostasis, postprandial triglyceride response and C-reactive protein in subjects with impaired fasting glucose.

AIMS: To investigate the effects of atorvastatin on glucose homeostasis, the basal and postprandial lipid profiles and the CRP levels (C reactive protein) in subjects with impaired fasting glucose (IFG). METHODS: Thirty-three subjects (22 men and 11 women) were included in our study. All displayed an IFG (fasting plasma glucose between 6.1 and 7.0 mmol/l) on at least two occasions during the last 6 months prior the study. They were randomly assigned to receive either 40 mg atorvastatin/day (n=16) or placebo (n=17) over 16 weeks, in a double-blind design. Before and after the end of the study all participants underwent on three consecutive days: a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test, a frequent sampling intravenous glucose tolerance test with Minimal Model analysis and a meal tolerance test (glucose, insulin and triglycerides). CRP was measured before and after the treatment period. RESULTS: CRP decreased significantly in the atorvastatin-treated group compared with the placebo group (percent change respect initial values; -42.3 %[-21.5 to - 63.1] and -9.6%[15.0 to -34.0], respectively, p<0.01). Atorvastatin treatment did not produce any change in oral glucose tolerance categories or induce any change in glucose and insulin response in OGTT. The statin produced a trend towards a significant improvement in insulin sensitivity as expressed by a change in Si from baseline to the end of treatment. Atorvastatin reduced the postprandial response of triglycerides to the meal test compared with placebo (19-26 % across the meal test, p<0.05) correlating with the amelioration observed in Si (-0.34, p<0.05; percentage changes). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the use of statins in subjects with IFG seems to include other potentially beneficial actions in addition to their cholesterol-lowering effects.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Polymorphism in intron 2 of islet amyloid polypeptide gene is associated with lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in nondiabetic subjects and in type 2 diabetic patients.

The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of mutations in the islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) gene in a Spanish population with type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Using polymerase chain reaction single-stranded conformation polymorphism, we examined the coding region and the 5'-untranslated region (UTR) of the IAPP gene in 177 unrelated type 2 diabetic patients, 110 healthy control subjects, 38 women with GDM, and 38 gestational control subjects. Mutations were confirmed by DNA sequencing. A heterozygous C-to-A nucleotide substitution at +79 bp in intron 2 of the IAPP gene was detected. The frequencies of the +79-bp polymorphism (A allele) were 6.8% in type 2 diabetic patients, 7.7% in nondiabetic control subjects, 11.8% in women with GDM, and 9.2% in gestational control subjects. No AA genotypes were detected. Nondiabetic subjects and patients with type 2 diabetes bearing the CA genotype had lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels than subjects bearing wild genotype. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed an independent association (p < 0.001; odds ratio: 0.33; 95% confidence interval: 0.17-0.63). We did not detect any sequence variant within exons 1 or 2. One diabetic patient was heterozygous for a silent mutation at codon 31 of exon 3 (Asn31 AAC --> AAT). Our findings indicate that the presence of the +79-bp polymorphism of the IAPP gene in nondiabetic subjects and in patients with type 2 diabetes is associated with lower levels of LDL cholesterol. Furthermore, abnormalities of the coding regions or the 5'-UTR of the IAPP gene are not associated with type 2 diabetes or GDM in the Spanish population.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Serum antibodies to oxidized low-density lipoprotein in pregnant women with preeclampsia and chronic hypertension: lack of correlation with lipid peroxides.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the circulating levels of antibodies to oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and their correlation with the lipid peroxide/vitamin E ratio in pregnant women with preeclampsia and chronic hypertension. METHODS: Antibodies to oxidized LDL were measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay, lipid peroxides (malondialdehyde), and vitamin E were measured by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Patients were 25 healthy pregnant women, 20 previously nonhypertensive women diagnosed with preeclampsia, and 20 women with uncomplicated chronic hypertension. RESULTS: Serum levels of antibodies to LDL in preeclamptic patients were similar to controls, whereas women with chronic hypertension showed a trend for increased mean levels. Lipid peroxides in serum were significantly increased and vitamin E levels were significantly decreased in preeclampsia with respect to nonhypertensive pregnancy, but no differences were observed for chronic hypertensive women. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that preeclampsia is not accompanied by increased levels of antibodies to oxidized LDL. By contrast, and according to previous studies in nonpregnant patients, chronic hypertensive patients showed a trend for elevated levels.

Antibodies↗
PubMed2001

Bone mineral density in young, hypothalamic oligoamenorrheic women treated with oral contraceptives.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether decreasing doses of ethinyl estradiol affect bone loss related to hypothalamic amenorrhea. STUDY DESIGN: Sixty-four women with hypothalamic oligoamenorrhea were allocated to two therapy groups: group A (n = 24) received an OC containing 0.030 mg of ethinyl estradiol (EE) and 0.15 mg of desogestrel. Group B (n = 22) received an OC containing 0.020 mg of EE and 0.15 mg of desogestrel. Eighteen women who did not wish to use hormonal therapy constituted the control group (C). Calcium, phosphate and osteocalcin were measured basally and at 6 and 12 months of follow-up. Bone mineral density at the lumbar spine was determined before initiation of the study and at 12 months by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: Serum calcium, phosphate and osteocalcin were significantly reduced by both active treatment regimens, whereas no differences were observed in the control group. Bone mineral density at 12 months showed an increase in both therapy groups (A, 2.4%; B, 2.5%), while group C showed a significant decrease (1.2%, P < .05). CONCLUSION: Both doses of EE were equally effective in preventing bone loss related to hypoestrogenism in hypothalamic oligoamenorrheic subjects.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed2000

Aging is associated with increased lipid peroxidation in human hearts, but not with mitochondrial respiratory chain enzyme defects.

BACKGROUND: Aging is associated with increased oxidative damage at multiple cellular and tissular levels. A decrease in mitochondrial function has repeatedly been advocated as a primary key event, especially on the basis of analysis of skeletal muscle mitochondria. However, some doubts on this issue have arisen when confounding variables (such as physical activity or smoking habit) have been taken into account in the analysis of mitochondrial respiratory chain (MRC) enzyme activities or when additional analytical parameters such as enzyme ratios have been considered. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether oxidative damage and enzyme activities of the MRC are influenced by the aging process in human hearts. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied cardiac muscle obtained from 59 organ donors (age: 56+/-12 years, 75% men). Oxidative membrane damage was evaluated through the assessment of lipid peroxidation. Absolute and relative enzyme activities (AEA and REA, respectively) of complex I, II, III and IV of the MRC were spectrophotometrically measured. Stoichiometric relationships among MRC complexes were also assessed through calculating MRC ratios. Linear regression analyses were employed to disclose any potential correlation between mitochondrial dysfunction and aging. RESULTS: We found a progressive, significant increase of heart membrane lipid peroxidation with aging (P<0.05). Conversely, neither AEA nor REA decreased with age (P=n.s. for all complexes). Similarly to observations in other tissues, we found that stoichiometry of the MRC enzymes is maintained within a narrow range in human hearts. When the effects of aging on MRC ratios were explored, we failed again in demonstrating any subtle disarray. CONCLUSION: MRC enzymes remain preserved in heart with aging, and thus they cannot be considered the main cause of the increased oxidative damage associated with aging.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Substituting walnuts for monounsaturated fat improves the serum lipid profile of hypercholesterolemic men and women. A randomized crossover trial.

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that walnuts reduce serum cholesterol levels in normal young men. OBJECTIVE: To assess the acceptability of walnuts and their effects on serum lipid levels and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidizability in free-living hypercholesterolemic persons. DESIGN: Randomized, crossover feeding trial. SETTING: Lipid clinic at a university hospital. PATIENTS: 55 men and women (mean age, 56 years) with polygenic hypercholesterolemia. INTERVENTION: A cholesterol-lowering Mediterranean diet and a diet of similar energy and fat content in which walnuts replaced approximately 35% of the energy obtained from monounsaturated fat. Patients followed each diet for 6 weeks. MEASUREMENTS: Low-density lipoprotein fatty acids (to assess compliance), serum lipid levels, lipoprotein(a) levels, and LDL resistance to in vitro oxidative stress. RESULTS: 49 persons completed the trial. The walnut diet was well tolerated. Planned and observed diets were closely matched. Compared with the Mediterranean diet, the walnut diet produced mean changes of -4.1% in total cholesterol level, -5.9% in LDL cholesterol level, and -6.2% in lipoprotein(a) level. The mean differences in the changes in serum lipid levels were -0.28 mmol/L (95% CI, -0.43 to -0.12 mmol/L) (-10.8 mg/dL [-16.8 to -4.8 mg/dL]) (P<0.001) for total cholesterol level, -0.29 mmol/L (CI, -0.41 to -0.15 mmol/L) (-11.2 mg/dL [-16.3 to -6.1 mg/dL]) (P<0.001) for LDL cholesterol level, and -0.021 g/L (CI, -0.042 to -0.001 g/L) (P = 0.042) for lipoprotein(a) level. Lipid changes were similar in men and women except for lipoprotein(a) levels, which decreased only in men. Low-density lipoprotein particles were enriched with polyunsaturated fatty acids from walnuts, but their resistance to oxidation was preserved. CONCLUSION: Substituting walnuts for part of the mono-unsaturated fat in a cholesterol-lowering Mediterranean diet further reduced total and LDL cholesterol levels in men and women with hypercholesterolemia.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2000

Comparative effects of estrogens plus androgens and tibolone on bone, lipid pattern and sexuality in postmenopausal women.

BACKGROUND: The main goals of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) are the prevention of osteoporosis and cardioprotection and the improvement of quality of life (QL). Androgens and tibolone therapy may increase bone mineral density (BMD) to a greater extent than ERT and offer an increase in QL. Lipid and cardiovascular effects, however, are still a major concern. AIM: To evaluate whether the addition of a weak androgen to ERT may improve postmenopausal bone loss and sexual activity without adverse effects on lipid pattern and to compare these effects with those observed after tibolone therapy. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This prospective study enrolled 120 surgical postmenopausal women; of these, 96 completed the 1-year follow-up. Patients were allocated to one of four groups. The first group (A; n = 23) received 4 mg of estradiol valerate plus 200 mg of enanthate of dihydroandrosterone im monthly. The second group (E; n = 26) received 50 microg/day of transdermal 17-b-estradiol continuously; the third (T; n = 23) received 2.5 mg of tibolone every day; and finally, the fourth group (C; n = 24) constituted a treatment-free control group. Bone mass (dual X-ray absorptiometry), serum total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, apolipoproteins A1 and B and sexual activity were evaluated before starting therapy and at the end of follow-up. RESULTS: All active treatment groups showed an increase in BMD. This increase was higher in the A treatment group (4.08% P < 0.01). Sexuality improved significantly with therapy; however, tibolone and androgens increased scores to a greater extent than ERT. Androgen therapy was associated with significant increases in total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides. Cholesterol and LDL fall into groups E and T, HDL into groups A and T and triglycerides in group T only. CONCLUSION: The combined regimen of androgens and ERT increased vertebral bone mass and enhance sexual activity in postmenopausal women equal to that of tibolone and to a greater extent than ERT alone; its effects on lipids, however, are clearly adverse.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed2000

High-monounsaturated fat, olive oil-rich diet has effects similar to a high-carbohydrate diet on fasting and postprandial state and metabolic profiles of patients with type 2 diabetes.

Whether metabolic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is best achieved with the traditional high-carbohydrate (CHO), low-fat diet or a low-CHO, high-fat diet is still controversial. In a randomized crossover study, we compared the effects of a low-fat (30% of daily energy) diet and a high-fat (40% of daily energy), high-monounsaturated-fat diet for 6 weeks each on fasting and postprandial glucose, insulin, and lipoprotein concentrations in 12 patients with well-controlled type 2 DM (fasting blood glucose, 176 +/- 54 mg/dL; hemoglobin A1c, 6.4% +/- 0.7%) and no overt dyslipidemia (serum total cholesterol, 235 +/- 43 mg/dL; triglycerides, 180 +/- 63 mg/dL). Home-prepared foods were used and olive oil was the main edible fat, accounting for 8% and 25% of daily energy requirements in the low-fat and high-fat diets, respectively. For postprandial studies, the same mixed meal containing 36% fat was used in both dietary periods. Body weight and fasting and 6-hour postprandial blood glucose, insulin, and lipoprotein levels were similar after the two diets. The mean incremental area under the curve of serum triglycerides 0 to 6 hours after the challenge meal, adjusted for baseline levels, did not change significantly after the high-fat diet compared with the low-fat diet (1,484 +/- 546 v 1,714 +/- 709 mg x 6 h/dL, respectively, P = .099). Mean postprandial triglyceride levels at 6 hours were increased about 2 times over fasting levels and were still greater than 300 mg/dL after either diet. A diet high in total and monounsaturated fat at the expense of olive oil is a good alternative diet to the traditional low-fat diet for patients with type 2 DM. However, ongoing postprandial hypertriglyceridemia with either diet points to the need for other therapies to decrease triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRL) and the inherent atherogenic risk in type 2 diabetics.

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2↗
PubMed2000

Inhibin A serum levels in proteinuric and nonproteinuric pregnancy-induced hypertension: evidence for placental involvement in gestational hypertension?

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the serum levels of inhibin A in pregnant women with different types of hypertension. METHODS: A case-control study, including 60 cases (20 women with preeclampsia, 20 with mild gestational hypertension, and 20 with chronic hypertension), and 60 gestational-age- and parity-matched controls. Inhibin A was measured in duplicate by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in serum samples frozen at -80 degrees C. RESULTS: As compared to controls, inhibin A levels were significantly elevated in women with preeclampsia ¿2.32 standard deviation (SD) 1.4¿ versus 0.50 (0.29) ng/mL, p < 0.001) and gestational hypertension [1.09 (0.73) versus 0.55 (0.29) ng/mL, p < 0.05], but not in the group of chronic hypertension [0.88 (0.69) versus 0.54 (0.39) ng/mL, p = 0.08]. Overlap in inhibin A values between cases and controls was observed in 20% (4/20) of women with preeclampsia and 55% (11/20) with gestational hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: Increased serum inhibin A may indicate that a proportion of mild nonproteinuric hypertension cases are associated with placental involvement.

Adult↗