Browsing by Author "Berkowitz Fiebich, Loni"

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    Asociación entre bienestar psicológico y adherencia a dieta mediterránea en pacientes chilenos con síndrome metabólico
    (2023) Mateo Hernández, Camila; Berkowitz Fiebich, Loni; Rigotti Rivera, Attilio; Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Escuela de Medicina
    Un estilo de vida mediterráneo abarca aspectos físicos, psicológicos y sociales. La dieta mediterránea ha demostrado evidencia sustancial sobre sus beneficios cardiometabólicos, pero cuenta con pocos estudios de calidad que integren al bienestar psicológico en su evaluación y análisis. Por otra parte, existe evidencia que relaciona la promoción de estados psicológicos positivos a una mayor adherencia a comportamientos de estilo de vida saludables. En base a esto, la hipótesis de este proyecto postula que aquellos individuos con mayor bienestar psicológico tendrán mayor adherencia a dieta mediterránea, y viceversa. Esta propuesta se enmarca en el proyecto ChileMed, investigación que estudia la relación sinérgica entre una intervención nutricional basada en dieta mediterránea y una intervención psicológica centrada en el bienestar, sobre la prevención de enfermedades crónicas en pacientes chilenos con síndrome metabólico. Como objetivo principal, se buscó determinar si existe una asociación basal entre los niveles de bienestar psicológico y adherencia a dieta mediterránea en pacientes chilenos con síndrome metabólico; y como objetivo secundario, determinar si posterior a la intervención en bienestar psicológico se logra aumentar la adherencia a dieta mediterránea a mediano plazo (6 meses) en estos individuos. Se utilizaron datos de aquellos participantes reclutados desde agosto de 2021 hasta septiembre de 2022 al inicio del estudio y secundariamente a un subgrupo con seguimiento a 6 meses de las intervenciones. Para medir el bienestar psicológico, se utilizaron las escalas de Ryff y para medir adherencia a dieta mediterránea se aplicó el índice chileno de dieta mediterránea. Para el análisis estadístico, se realizaron regresiones lineales y comparaciones mediante ANOVA de dos vías con medidas repetidas. Como resultado, se obtuvo una asociación positiva leve entre bienestar psicológico y adherencia a dieta mediterránea a nivel basal, perdió significancia estadística después de corregir por la edad. Tras el período de seguimiento a 6 meses del inicio de la intervención, se observó una tendencia a mayor adherencia al patrón de alimentación mediterráneo en el grupo manejado con dieta mediterránea más bienestar versus la intervención nutricional aislada, pero se requiere un mayor tamaño muestral para alcanzar la significancia estadística. En conclusión, es relevante continuar investigando el rol del bienestar sobre los cambios de estilo de vida como potencial punto de apoyo en la prevención de enfermedades crónicas.
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    Early Onset Intrauterine Growth Restriction in a Mouse Model of Gestational Hypercholesterolemia and Atherosclerosis
    (2014) Busso, Dolores; Mascareno, L.; Salas, F.; Berkowitz Fiebich, Loni; Santander, N.; Quiroz Vallverdu, Alonso Ingmar; Amigo Boker, Ludwig Peter; Valdés Stromilli, Gloria; Rigotti Rivera, Attilio
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    Efecto de la exposición a cigarrillo sobre la funcionalidad de las células de Paneth y su importancia en el desarrollo y progresión de la enfermedad de Crohn
    (2018) Berkowitz Fiebich, Loni; Álvarez Lobos, Manuel; Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Facultad de Medicina
    Las células de Paneth son células epiteliales especializadas del intestino delgado. Poseen múltiples gránulos secretorios, ricos en péptidos bactericidas, que son fundamentales para controlar el crecimiento de microorganismos y mantener la homeostasis intestinal. Alteraciones en su funcionamiento se han asociado a desbalances en la microbiota y a procesos inflamatorios intestinales, como la Enfermedad de Crohn (EC). La EC es un desorden inflamatorio crónico del intestino, cuya etiología no está clara, pero se ha postulado que individuos genéticamente susceptibles desarrollarían una respuesta inmune inadecuada contra su microbiota intestinal. Diversos estudios han demostrado que el consumo de cigarrillo, el principal factor de riesgo ambiental para la EC, puede afectar la barrera mucosa del intestino delgado, pero aún no se conoce su impacto a nivel de células de Paneth. En esta tesis nos propusimos evaluar el impacto de la exposición a cigarrillo en la integridad y funcionalidad de las células de Paneth en ratones, y explorar la posible asociación de este efecto en la presentación de la EC en pacientes. Para esto, se implementó un modelo murino de exposición a cigarrillo que genera inflamación intestinal, por medio de la administración intragástrica de Condensado de Humo de Cigarrillo (CHC). Los resultados de esta tesis muestran que el tratamiento con CHC no altera la cantidad ni la distribución de los gránulos de las células de Paneth, ni tampoco el número de estas células por cripta. Sin embargo, la exposición a CHC generó un aumento significativo en el número de gránulos inmaduros, junto a un aumento en el número de células secretoras intermedias presentes en las criptas, sugiriendo la existencia de un proceso regenerativo. Por otro lado, el tratamiento con CHC produjo una reducción significativa en la expresión génica de criptidina-1, criptidina-4 y regIIIγ, tres de los principales péptidos bactericidas expresados por las células de Paneth. Por inmunofluorescencia pudimos observar que las principales diferencias en la expresión de RegIIIγ, recaen a nivel de las vellosidades y no a nivel de criptas, sugiriendo que el CHC pudiera estar dañando diversas células del epitelio intestinal. Además, observamos que los ratones expuestos a CHC son más susceptibles a responder de forma patológica frente a la inoculación con una cepa de S. Typhimurium no virulenta, y presentan cambios significativos en la composición de su microbiota intestinal. Esto permite concluir que una peor capacidad bactericida intestinal, como resultado de alteraciones en las células de Paneth y del resto del epitelio tras la exposición a CHC, puede contribuir al desarrollo de disbiosis y de inflamación intestinal. Para evaluar si estas alteraciones pudieran contribuir en el desarrollo de la EC, se evaluó el impacto de la exposición a CHC en ratones IL-10-/- susceptibles a desarrollar una enterocolitis crónica. Los resultados demuestran que la alteración en la homeostasis intestinal causada por el CHC en ratones genéticamente susceptibles, puede resultar en una enterocolitis sintomática con una inflamación exacerbada, similar a los que ocurre en pacientes con EC. Sin embargo, el impacto no pudo ser atribuido a alteraciones en las células de Paneth, ya que los ratones IL-10-/- presentaron basalmente alteraciones en estas células, independientemente del tratamiento. Por último, se exploró el impacto del consumo de cigarrillo en la integridad de las células de Paneth en humanos, y su asociación con la gravedad de la EC. De acuerdo a los resultados, no fue posible asociar el consumo de cigarrillo a alteraciones en estas células, ni tampoco a una mayor gravedad de la enfermedad. La gran variabilidad observada en los parámetros analizados demuestra la necesidad de modificar los criterios de clasificación, y de aumentar significativamente el número de sujetos reclutados. En conjunto, los resultados obtenidos en esta tesis avalan la participación del cigarrillo en la pérdida de la homeostasis intestinal y en la reducción de su capacidad bactericida, reforzando la relevancia de la interacción microbiota-hospedero en el origen de patologías inflamatorias, como la EC.
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    Etiologic and clinical characterization of community acquired gastroenteritis in adult patients in a Chilean emergency room by the FilmArray GI panel
    (2018) Valenzuela Abarca, Eduardo; Legarraga Raddatz, Paulette; Peña Riveros, Arturo Nicolás; Arenas, Alex; Berkowitz Fiebich, Loni; Ramírez, Gigliola; Wozniak Banchero, Aniela; García Cañete, Patricia; Álvarez Lobos, Manuel
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    Healthy Eating as Potential Mediator of Inverse Association between Purpose in Life and Waist Circumference: Emerging Evidence from US and Chilean Cohorts
    (2023) Berkowitz Fiebich, Loni; Mateo Hernández, Camila; Salazar Vilches, Cristian Javier; Samith Catalán, Bárbara Patricia; Sara Zaror, Daniela Alejandra; Pinto Manzo, Victoria Sabina; Martínez, Ximena; Calzada, Mariana Andrea; Von Schultzendorff Hoyl, Beatriz Andrea; Pedrals, Nuria; Bitrán Carreño, Marcela; Echeverría Errázuriz, Guadalupe; Ruini, Chiara; Ryff, Carol; Rigotti Rivera, Attilio
    High sense of purpose in life, a fundamental domain of eudaimonic well-being, has been consistently associated with lower risk for various obesity-related chronic diseases. Although this psychological feature correlates with some health behaviors as potential mediators, its association with healthy eating remains less explored. In addition, studies of these psycho-behavioral and health relationships in the South American population are lacking. This research sought to assess: (1) the cross-sectional association between self-reported purpose in life and overall healthy eating patterns, and (2) healthy food intake as a potential mediator of the inverse relationship between purpose in life and waist circumference. Data collected of 2060 US adults from the MIDUS study (5 ± 12 years, 55% women, mostly white people, and 42.5% obese) and 223 Chilean adults from the CHILEMED study (46.6 ± 9 years, 58.3% women, and 71.3% obese) were used. Anthropometric and sociodemographic variables were collected. Sense of purpose was assessed using the purpose in life subscale of the Ryff’s psychological well-being questionnaire. Diet quality was evaluated using healthy eating or low-fat diet indexes, according to extant food intake data in each cohort. The relationship between these variables was estimated by bivariate and multivariate linear regressions with appropriate adjustments. To establish whether a better diet quality could mediate a link of purpose in life and improved nutritional status (assessed by waist circumference), the association between these three variables was tested by bootstrapping-based mediation analysis. Our results show significant associations of sense of purpose with healthy eating and low-fat dietary patterns in both US and Chilean cohorts, respectively, even after adjusting for sociodemographic variables. According to the mediation analysis, the relationship between sense of purpose and waist circumference, as an indicator of abdominal obesity, appears to be partially mediated by healthier food intake in both samples. In conclusion, our findings suggest a plausible mechanism underlying the favorable impact of this well-being dimension on physical health. Given its protective effects, interventions aimed at increasing purpose in life may facilitate adherence to better dietary patterns, which, in turn, will reduce the risk for obesity-related chronic diseases.
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    Heme oxygenase-1 as a modulator of intestinal inflammation development and progression
    (2018) Sebastián Quijada, Valentina Pilar; Salazar, Geraldyne; Coronado Arrázola, Irenice; Schultz, Bárbara; Vallejos, Omar; Berkowitz Fiebich, Loni; Álvarez Lobos, Manuel; Riedel, Claudia; Kalergis Parra, Alexis Mikes; Bueno Ramírez, Susan
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    Impact of cigarette smoking on the gastrointestinal tract inflammation: Opposing effects in Crohn\'s disease and ulcerative colitis
    (2018) Berkowitz Fiebich, Loni; Schultz Lombardic, Bárbara M.; Salazar Tapia, Geraldyne Alessandra; Pardo Roa, Catalina; Sebastián Quijada, Valentina Pilar; Álvarez Lobos, Manuel; Bueno Ramírez, Susan
    Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for gastrointestinal disorders, such as peptic ulcer, Crohn's disease (CD), and several cancers. The mechanisms proposed to explain the role of smoking in these disorders include mucosal damage, changes in gut irrigation, and impaired mucosal immune response. Paradoxically, cigarette smoking is a protective factor for the development and progression of ulcerative colitis (UC). UC and CD represent the two most important conditions of inflammatory bowel diseases, and share several clinical features. The opposite effects of smoking on these two conditions have been a topic of great interest in the last 30 years, and has not yet been clarified. In this review, we summarize the most important and well-understood effects of smoking in the gastrointestinal tract; and particularly, in intestinal inflammation, discussing available studies that have addressed the causes that would explain the opposite effects of smoking in CD and UC.
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    Limitaciones y oportunidades para la adopción de la dieta mediterránea en adultos chilenos con elementos diagnósticos del síndrome metabólico
    (2024) Calderón, Maribel; Plaza Paz, Gianella; Gómez, Marisol; Samith Catalán, Bárbara Patricia; Pinto Manzo, Victoria Sabina; Martínez Cifuentes, Ximena; Sara Zaror, Daniela Alejandra; Echeverría Errázuriz, Guadalupe; Calzada, Mariana; Berkowitz Fiebich, Loni; Von Schultzendorff Hoyl, Beatriz Andrea; Pedrals, Nuria; Bitrán Carreño, Marcela; Rigotti Rivera, Attilio
    Background: a healthy food intake pattern, specifically the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet), is a factor associated with reduced risk, lower prevalence, and better management of chronic diseases. However, there is limited information regarding how patients integrate proposals for adherence to this food pattern in their daily lives. Objective: to identify factors and conditions that influence adherence to the MedDiet in Chile. Methods: an exploratory qualitative study was applied in 35 to 65-year-old patients of both sexes who presented at least one diagnostic criterion of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Through in-depth interviews and focal groups, knowledge, assessment, attitudes, and practices associated with changes and maintenance of healthy eating habits, with emphasis on the MedDiet, were investigated. Information analysis was carried out under the grounded theory approach using the ATLAS.ti software. Results: participants recognized the value of healthy eating, including the MedDiet, but declared low knowledge (identification of single foods items) together with facilitators (variety of ingredients) and limiting factors (taste, availability/cost of some items, family dynamics) for its routine adoption. In addition, change in eating habits generates a high initial cognitive and emotional load that requires not only individual but also relational effort as it implies modifications of family and collective practices. Conclusions: information obtained on barriers and opportunities to adhere to healthy eating such as the MedDiet is key to design and implement nutritional interventions based on this food pattern and that can be sustainable in time for chronic disease management in Chile.
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    Maternal Hypertriglyceridemia : A Link Between Maternal Overweight-Obesity and Macrosomia in Gestational Diabetes
    (2014) Olmos Coelho, Pablo Roberto; Rigotti Rivera, Attilio; Busso, Dolores; Berkowitz Fiebich, Loni; Santos Martín, José Luis; Borzone, Gisella; Poblete L., José A.; Vera Pérez-Gacitúa, Claudio Mauricio; Belmar Jones, Cristián Gastón; Samith Catalán, Bárbara Patricia; Goldenberg, Denisse; Acosta, Ana M.; Escalona, Manuel; Niklitschek, Ian; Mandiola, Jorge R.; Mertens, Nicolás
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    Mediterranean diet and psychological well-being intervention to reverse metabolic syndrome in Chile (CHILEMED trial)
    (2023) Echeverría Errázuriz, Guadalupe; Samith Catalán, Bárbara Patricia; Von Schultzendorff Hoyl, Beatriz Andrea; Pinto Manzo, Victoria Sabina; Martínez Cifuentes, Ximena; Sara Zaror, Daniela Alejandra; Calzada, Mariana; Pacheco Gutiérrez, Josefina; Plaza Paz, Gianella; Scott Escorza, Francesca Angelina; Romero Romero, Javiera Constanza; Mateo Hernández, Camila; Julio Gonzalez, Maria Verónica; Utreras Mendoza, Yildy; Binder Correa, María Victoria; Gutiérrez Medina, Florencia Antonia; Riquelme Stagnaro, María Emilia; Cuevas Guzmán, Margarita María; Willatt, Rosario; Sánchez González, Omayra Margarita De Jesús; Keilendt Astete, Aracelli Tiare; Butron, Patricia; Jarufe Calabrese, Alessandra Antonia; Huete Rubio, Isidora Sofia; Tobar Bavestrello, Josefina Isidora; Martin. Sofía; Alfaro, Valentina; Olivos Celedón, Matilde; Pedrals, Nuria; Bitrán Carreño, Marcela; Ávalos, Ivette; Ruini, Chiara; Ryff, Carol; Pérez Pons, Druso Diego; Berkowitz Fiebich, Loni; Rigotti Rivera, Attilio
    Psychosocial status and lifestyle are key risk factors of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which, in turn, are main drivers of healthcare costs and morbimortality worldwide, including Chile. Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) is one of the healthiest dietary patterns under study. However, its impact on high-risk conditions, such as metabolic syndrome (MetS), and NCDs outside the Mediterranean Basin remains mostly unexplored. Even though Central Chile has an environment, food production, and culinary traditions comparable to those present in Mediterranean countries, few studies -some with significant methodological limitations- have evaluated the effect of MedDiet on health and/or disease in Chilean subjects. Importantly, a Mediterranean lifestyle is a modus vivendi that integrates physical health with mental and social well-being. Psychological well-being (PWB) is associated with healthy behaviors, positive health outcomes, and longevity, thereby emerging as a novel healthcare goal. We report here an ongoing randomized controlled clinical trial in Chilean patients with MetS seeking to test whether (1) a PWB theory-based intervention facilitates induction to and increases long-term adherence to a locally adapted MedDiet, and (2) a MedDiet intervention -implemented alone or combined with well-being promotion- is more effective at reversing MetS compared to individuals following a low-fat diet without psychological support. The CHILEan MEDiterranean (CHILEMED) diet intervention study is a 1-year trial including patients with MetS living in Chile. Participants will be assigned randomly by a computer-generated random number sequence to one of the three intervention arms: a) low-fat diet as control group, b) MedDiet alone, and c) MedDiet plus well-being support. Patients will be followed-up by individual and/or group online nutritional sessions or phone cal as well as 6- and 12-month in-person re-assessment of medical history, medication use, food intake, PWB, anthropometrics/physical exam, and blood collection for laboratory analysis. The primary outcome of the trial will be the effect of the MedDiet -with or without PWB intervention- on overall reversal of MetS compared to low-fat diet alone. Based on a statistical superiority trial, expected impact, and patient loss, the estimated study sample is 339 subjects (113 individuals per arm in 3 equal-sized groups). Currently, we have enrolled 179 patients, predominantly women, evenly distributed by age (group means ranging from 45.7 to 48,9 years-old), 3/4 are obese with almost all of them showing abdominal obesity, 70% are hypertensive, whereas <10% exhibit diabetes. If findings turn out as expected (e.g., MedDiet -with or without PWB intervention- is better than the low-fat diet for reversion of MetS at 1-year follow-up), CHILEMED will provide further beneficial evidence of the MedDiet on NCD risk conditions beyond the Mediterranean region.
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    Mediterranean Lifestyle to Promote Physical, Mental, and Environmental Health: The Case of Chile
    (2020) Echeverría Errázuriz, Guadalupe; Tiboni Oschilewski, Ornella; Berkowitz Fiebich, Loni; Pinto Manzo, Victoria Sabina; Samith Catalán, Bárbara Patricia; Von Schultzendorff Hoyl, Beatriz Andrea; Pedrals, Nuria; Bitrán Carreño, Marcela; Ruini, Chiara; Ryff, Carol D.; Del Rio, Daniele; Rigotti Rivera, Attilio
    Chile is currently experiencing a progressive epidemiological transition towards chronic diseases. In this country, >50% of annual deaths are attributed to cardiovascular disease and cancer. Moreover, health surveys have shown high prevalence of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and elevated cardiovascular disease risk. In addition, mental health issues are also frequent among Chilean adults. On the other hand, the agri-food system contributes to 21-37% of greenhouse gases emissions worldwide. Overall, current health and food chain situation calls out for design and implementation of evidence-based feasible and effective nutritional interventions needed to promote physical and mental health along with addressing food sustainability in Chile. Nowadays, the Mediterranean diet is recognized as one of the healthiest dietary patterns based on observational and interventional studies linked to a wide variety of health outcomes. However, a Mediterranean lifestyle goes well beyond food intake: it includes promotion of psychosocial resources, community life as well as cultural traditions. Indeed, Mediterranean lifestyle is a true modus vivendi that integrally promotes physical, mental, and social well-being. In addition, the Mediterranean diet stands out for its environmental sustainability because it is characterized mainly as a plant-based dietary pattern with low carbon and water footprints. Remarkably, Central Chile has a Mediterranean-like setting with plant and animal food production and availability patterns comparable to those present in countries located around the Mediterranean Sea. Therefore, this article reviews how promotion of Mediterranean lifestyle adherence in Chile offers great potential for management of the ongoing epidemiological transition to chronic diseases as well to promote psychological well-being within a unique food system and dietary sustainability vision for this Latin American country.
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    Mucosal Exposure to Cigarette Components Induces Intestinal Inflammation and Alters Antimicrobial Response in Mice
    (2019) Berkowitz Fiebich, Loni; Pardo Roa, Catalina; Salazar, Geraldine A.; Salazar Echegarai, Francisco Javier; Miranda Marín, José Patricio; Ramirez, Gigliola; Chávez, José L.; Kalergis Parra, Alexis Mikes; Bueno Ramírez, Susan; Alvarez Lobos, M.
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    Preventive Letter : Doubling the Return Rate After Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
    (2015) Olmos Coelho, Pablo Roberto; Borzone, Gisella; Berkowitz Fiebich, Loni; Mertens, N.; Busso, Dolores; Santos Martín, José Luis; Poblete L., José A.; Vera Pérez-Gacitúa, Claudio Mauricio; Belmar Jones, Cristián Gastón; Goldenberg, D.; Samith, B.; Acosta, A.; Escalona, M.
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    Race and sex differences in HDL peroxide content among American adults with and without type 2 diabetes
    (2022) Flaherty, Shelby M.; Wood, Elizabeth K.; Ryff, Carol D.; Love, Gayle D.; Kelesidis, Theodoros; Berkowitz Fiebich, Loni; Echeverría Errázuriz, Guadalupe; Rivera Vega, Katherine Solange; Rigotti Rivera, Attilio; Coe, Christopher L.
    Background: High-density lipoprotein (HDL) plays a critical role in protection against atherosclerosic and cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). In addition to contributing to clearing excess vascular cholesterol, HDL particles exhibit antioxidative functions, helping to attenuate adverse effects of oxidized low-density lipoproteins. However, these beneficial properties can be undermined by oxidative stress, inflammation, and unhealthy lifestyles and diet, as well as influenced by race and sex. Thus, when assessing cardiovascular risk, it is important to consider multifactorial aspects of HDL, including antioxidant activity rather than just total amount and type of HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) particles. Because prior research showed HDL peroxide content (HDLperox) can be inversely associated with normal anti-oxidant HDL activity, elevated HDLperox may serve as a bioindicator of HDL dysfunction. Methods: In this study, data from a large national cohort of Americans was utilized to determine the impact of sex, race, and diabetes status on HDLperox in middle-aged and older adults. A previously developed cell-free fluorometric method was utilized to quantify HDLperox in serum depleted of apo-B containing lipoproteins. Results: In keeping with predictions, white men and diabetics exhibited HDLperox in the atypical upper range, suggestive of less functional HDL. White men had higher HDLperox levels than African American males (13.46 ± 6.10 vs. 10.88 ± 5.81, p < .001). There was also a significant main effect of type 2 diabetes (F(1,1901) = 14.9, p < .0001). Overall, African Americans evinced lower HDLperox levels, despite more obesity (10.3 ± 4.7 vs.11.81 ± 5.66 for Whites) suggesting that other aspects of lipid metabolism and psychosocial factors account for the higher prevalence of ASCVD in African Americans. Conclusion: This research helps to provide a more comprehensive understanding of HDL function in a racially and metabolically diverse adult population. HDLperox content was significantly different in adults with type 2 diabetes, and distinctive in nondiabetic White males, and suggests other processes account for the higher prevalence of ASCVD among African Americans.
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    Sphingolipid Profiling: A Promising Tool for Stratifying the Metabolic Syndrome-Associated Risk
    (Frontiers Media SA, 2022) Berkowitz Fiebich, Loni; Cabrera Reyes, Fernanda Estefania; Salazar Vilches, Cristian Javier; Ryff, Carol D.; Coe, Christopher; Rigotti Rivera, Attilio Gianpietro
    Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a multicomponent risk condition that reflects the clustering of individual cardiometabolic risk factors related to abdominal obesity and insulin resistance. MetS increases the risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, there still is not total clinical consensus about the definition of MetS, and its pathophysiology seems to be heterogeneous. Moreover, it remains unclear whether MetS is a single syndrome or a set of diverse clinical conditions conferring different metabolic and cardiovascular risks. Indeed, traditional biomarkers alone do not explain well such heterogeneity or the risk of associated diseases. There is thus a need to identify additional biomarkers that may contribute to a better understanding of MetS, along with more accurate prognosis of its various chronic disease risks. To fulfill this need, omics technologies may offer new insights into associations between sphingolipids and cardiometabolic diseases. Particularly, ceramides -the most widely studied sphingolipid class- have been shown to play a causative role in both T2DM and CVD. However, the involvement of simple glycosphingolipids remains controversial. This review focuses on the current understanding of MetS heterogeneity and discuss recent findings to address how sphingolipid profiling can be applied to better characterize MetS-associated risks.
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    The absence of interleukin 10 affects the morphology, differentiation, granule content and the production of cryptidin-4 in Paneth cells in mice.
    (2019) Berkowitz Fiebich, Loni; Pardo Roa, Catalina; Ramírez Rojas, Gigliola; Vallejos Galvez, Omar Patricio; Sebastián Quijada, Valentina Pilar; Riedel, Claudia A.; Álvarez Lobos, Manuel; Bueno Ramírez, Susan
    Paneth cells (PCs) are specialized epithelial cells of the small bowel that contain multiple secretory granules filled with antimicrobial peptides and trophic factors, which are essential for the control of the microorganisms growth and maintaining intestinal integrity. Alterations in their function are associated with an imbalance of the normal microbiota, gastrointestinal infections and inflammatory processes, such as Crohn's disease (CD). One of the most common murine models for studying CD is IL-10-/- mouse. IL-10-/- mice when housed in conventional conditions and take contact with commensal microorganisms develop an acute enterocolitis mediated by a Th1 immune response. Even though, alterations in PCs function are related to CD, they had not been characterized yet in this mouse model. Here we show that in specific pathogen free conditions IL-10-/- mice have aberrant granules and a large number of immature PCs at the bottom of the crypt in the ileum of IL-10-/- mice before developing intestinal inflammation, along with a reduced expression of Indian Hedgehog. In addition, IL-10-/- Paneth cells presented a reduced expression of cryptidin-4, and a heterogeneous distribution of lysozyme+ granules. The alterations in the maturation of the PCs at the bottom of the crypt were not modified after the colonization by the conventional microbiota. On the other hand, depletion of microbiota altered the phenotype, but did not normalize PCs. Our results suggest that IL-10 could be necessary for the integrity of PCs. Moreover, our results help to explain why IL-10-/- mice develop enterocolitis in response to microorganisms.