RESUMEN
Soldiers of the Mexican Army with obesity were subjected to an intense 60-day weight-loss course consisting of a controlled diet, daily physical training, and psychological sessions. The nutritional treatment followed the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) recommendations, incorporating elements of the traditional milpa diet in the nutritional intervention. The total energy intake was reduced by 200 kcal every 20 days, starting with 1,800 kcal and ending with 1,400 kcal daily. On average, the participants reduced their body weight by 18 kg. We employed an innovative approach to monitor the progress of the twelve soldiers who completed the entire program. We compared the untargeted metabolomics profiles of their urine samples, taken before and after the course. The data obtained through liquid chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-MS) provided insightful results. Classification models perfectly separated the profiles pre and post-course, indicating a significant reprogramming of the participants' metabolism. The changes were observed in the C1-, vitamin, amino acid, and energy metabolism pathways, primarily affecting the liver, biliary system, and mitochondria. This study not only demonstrates the potential of rapid weight loss and metabolic pathway modification but also introduces a non-invasive method for monitoring the metabolic state of individuals through urine mass spectrometry data.
Asunto(s)
Personal Militar , Obesidad , Pérdida de Peso , Humanos , Masculino , Obesidad/metabolismo , Obesidad/dietoterapia , Obesidad/terapia , Pérdida de Peso/fisiología , Adulto , Metabolómica , Adulto Joven , Metabolismo Energético/fisiología , Espectrometría de Masas , Dieta Reductora , Programas de Reducción de Peso/métodos , Reprogramación MetabólicaRESUMEN
IMPORTANCE: In addition to being considered a biocontrol agent, the fungus Trichoderma atroviride is a relevant model for studying mechanisms of response to injury conserved in plants and animals that opens a new landscape in relation to regeneration and cell differentiation mechanisms. Here, we reveal the co-functionality of a lipoxygenase and a patatin-like phospholipase co-expressed in response to wounding in fungi. This pair of enzymes produces oxidized lipids that can function as signaling molecules or oxidative stress signals that, in ascomycetes, induce asexual development. Furthermore, we determined that both genes participate in the regulation of the synthesis of 13-HODE and the establishment of the physiological responses necessary for the formation of reproductive aerial mycelium ultimately leading to asexual development. Our results suggest an injury-induced pathway to produce oxylipins and uncovered physiological mechanisms regulated by LOX1 and PLP1 to induce conidiation, opening new hypotheses for the novo regeneration mechanisms of filamentous fungi.
Asunto(s)
Trichoderma , Animales , Trichoderma/genética , Transducción de Señal , Micelio , Reproducción , Estrés Oxidativo , Regulación Fúngica de la Expresión Génica , Esporas Fúngicas/metabolismoRESUMEN
Soldiers in active military service need optimal physical fitness for successfully carrying out their operations. Therefore, their health status is regularly checked by army doctors. These inspections include physical parameters such as the body-mass index (BMI), functional tests, and biochemical studies. If a medical exam reveals an individual's excess weight, further examinations are made, and corrective actions for weight lowering are initiated. The collection of urine is non-invasive and therefore attractive for frequent metabolic screening. We compared the chemical profiles of urinary samples of 146 normal weight, excess weight, and obese soldiers of the Mexican Army, using untargeted metabolomics with liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-MS). In combination with data mining, statistical and metabolic pathway analyses suggest increased S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) levels and changes of amino acid metabolites as important variables for overfeeding. We will use these potential biomarkers for the ongoing metabolic monitoring of soldiers in active service. In addition, after validation of our results, we will develop biochemical screening tests that are also suitable for civil applications.
Asunto(s)
Personal Militar , Sobrepeso , Humanos , Sobrepeso/diagnóstico , Obesidad/diagnóstico , Metabolómica/métodos , Índice de Masa Corporal , Aumento de PesoRESUMEN
Diverse molecules with cytotoxic activity against cancer cells have been isolated from the polar extracts of different parts of various hawthorn species that grow around the world. In Mexico, hawthorn (Crataegus gracilior) is popularly consumed, but its content of anticancer substances has never been evaluated. Because antitumor substances have been identified in polar and nonpolar extracts of many plants, we evaluated the cytotoxic activity against breast cancer cells of petroleum ether, ethanol, and water extracts of the leaves and stems of C. gracilior. In contrast to other hawthorn species that contain anti-tumor substances in polar extracts, the petroleum ether extract (but not the ethanol or water extracts) of C. gracilior had cytotoxic properties (IC50 < 50 µg/mL) inducing cell death by apoptosis. Two compounds reportedly having cytotoxic activity were identified by mass spectrometry in the petroleum extract of C. gracilior: ß-sitosterol and tocopherol. Results suggest that he cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic effects of the petroleum ether extract of C. gracilior could be exerted by the joint activity of ß-sitosterol and tocopherol, possibly in combination with of other minor compounds. Because hawthorn is widely consumed in Mexico and Latin America its potential use as a functional food warrants further investigation.