Adaptive changes in gene expression are thought to contribute to dependence, addiction and other behavioral responses to chronic ethanol abuse. DNA array studies provide a nonbiased detection of networks of gene expression changes, allowing insight into functional consequences and mechanisms of such molecular responses. We used oligonucleotide arrays to study nearly 6000 genes in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells exposed to chronic ethanol. A set of 42 genes had consistently increased or decreased mRNA abundance after 3 days of ethanol treatment. Groups of genes related to norepinephrine production, glutathione metabolism, and protection against apoptosis were identified. Genes involved in catecholamine metabolism are of special interest because of the role of this pathway in mediating ethanol withdrawal symptoms (physical dependence). Ethanol treatment elevated dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH, EC 1.14.17.1) mRNA and protein levels and increased releasable norepinephrine in SH-SY5Y cultures. Acute ethanol also increased DBH mRNA levels in mouse adrenal gland, suggesting in vivo functional consequences for ethanol regulation of DBH. In SH-SY5Y cells, ethanol also decreased mRNA and secreted protein levels for monocyte chemotactic protein 1, an effect that could contribute to the protective role of moderate ethanol consumption in atherosclerotic vascular disease. Finally, we identified a subset of genes similarly regulated by both ethanol and dibutyryl-cAMP treatment in SH-SY5Y cells. This suggests that ethanol and cAMP signaling share mechanistic features in regulating a subset of ethanol-responsive genes. Our findings offer new insights regarding possible molecular mechanisms underlying behavioral responses or medical consequences of ethanol consumption and alcoholism.

Purpose Research has demonstrated cognitive benefits following acute polyphenol-rich berry consumption in children and young adults. Berry intake also has been associated with metabolic benefits. No study has yet examined cognitive performance in middle-aged adults. We investigated the relationships among cognitive and metabolic outcomes in middle-aged adults following wild blueberry (WBB) consumption. Methods Thirty-five individuals aged 40–65 years participated in a randomized, double blind, cross-over study. Participants consumed a breakfast meal and 1-cup equivalent WBB drink or matched placebo beverage on two occasions. Participants completed cognitive tasks and had blood drawn before and at regular intervals for 8 h after each meal/treatment. Changes in episodic memory and executive function (EF) were assessed alongside plasma levels of glucose, insulin, and triglyceride. Results Analysis of the memory-related Auditory Verbal Learning Task (AVLT) word recognition measure revealed a decrease in performance over the test day after placebo intake, whereas performance after WBB was maintained. For the AVLT word rejection measure, participants identified more foils following WBB in comparison to placebo. Benefits were also observed for EF on the Go/No-Go task with fewer errors following WBB intake on cognitively demanding invalid No-Go trials in comparison to placebo. Furthermore, in comparison to placebo, response times were faster for the Go/No-Go task, specifically at 4 h and 8 h following WBB treatment. We also observed reduced post-meal glucose and insulin, but not triglyceride, concentrations in comparison to placebo over the first 2 h following ingestion. Though the addition of Age, BMI, glucose and insulin as covariates to the analysis reduced the significant effect of beverage for AVLT word rejection, metabolic outcomes did not interact with treatment to predict cognitive performance with the exception of one isolated trend. Conclusions This study indicated acute cognitive benefits of WBB intake in cognitively healthy middle-aged individuals, particularly in the context of demanding tasks and cognitive fatigue. WBB improved glucose and insulin responses to a meal. Further research is required to elucidate the underlying mechanism by which WBB improves cognitive function.

BACKGROUND: Fibers’ properties impact different mechanisms involved in satiety and energy intake regulation and metabolic outcomes.OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the effect of fiber types and menopausal status on satiety and metabolic responses in overweight women.METHODS: In a randomized within-subjects design, 19 overweight/obese women [9 premenopausal and 10 postmenopausal] consumed 3 preloads that varied by fiber content and source: 1) 3:1 ratio of soluble:insoluble fiber (SF), 2) 1:3 ratio of soluble:insoluble fiber (IF), 3) no fiber control (NFC). Subjective satiety, cholecystokinin (CCK), glucose, insulin, and triglyceride (TG) were measured for 3 h post-preload followed by in-lab ad libitum test meal and 32 hour food intake monitoring.RESULTS: Significant preload, time and preload by menopausal status interaction was apparent for hunger and fullness (p < 0.05 for both) with SF preload predominantly more satiating in postmenopausal women. CCK and insulin were significantly lower after SF preload (p < 0.0001 for both). Post-preload glucose responses differed by menopausal status: postmenopausal women distinguished between fiber types unlike premenopausal women (p = 0.02). TG was significantly elevated after the IF preload compared to NFC and SF (p = 0.007 and p = 0.008, respectively).CONCLUSIONS: Customized/personalized dietary recommendations for women during their premenopausal and postmenopausal years can help maximize metabolic and appetite control.

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Background and Objective:The increased risk for coronary artery disease observed in postmenopausal (PoW) women is partly explained by a more atherogenic lipoprotein profile. Moreover, natural menopause has been associated with an altered postprandial lipid profile. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that young premenopausal (PrW) and PoW may be independently associated with postprandial lipemia and indirectly associated with atherosclerosis.Patients and Methods:A total of 46 healthy PrW and 44 healthy PoW participated in a 5-h intervention study. Blood samples were taken at the baseline and at 1, 2, 3, and 4 h after eating. Total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, fasting, and postprandial triglycerides (PPTG) were determined sequentially in blood samples.Results:PPTG presented significant higher values in PoW compared to PrW (P < 0.05), but other lipids did not significantly differ between groups. PPTG concentrations in PoW were significantly higher than in PrW (P < 0.05). There was a significant time influence (P < 0.05) in TG in PrW and PoW, while time to peak and peak concentration were significantly higher in PoW than PrW. Other lipids were also decreased more in PrW than PoW, but not significantly so. Cholesterol concentrations showed a significant reduction after 2 h, to reach values similar to the baseline after 4 h in PrW but not in PoW. HDL-cholesterol concentration was decreased more in PoW compared to PrW but it was not significant.Conclusions:Lipid postprandial response indicates a higher cardiovascular risk pattern in PoW compared to PrW.

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Background and Objective: In this review, we have mainly examined the effect of age, smoking and hypertension on post prandial triglycerides, since an exaggerated postprandial accumulation of triglyceride promotes the development of atherosclerosis. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that smoking and hypertension are independently associated with postprandial hypertriglyceridemia and indirectly associated with atherosclerosis.Materials and methods: Lipid profiles were studied in 52 hypertensives, 48 smokers and 52 age, sex and body mass index matched healthy controls. Four age groups were made between 31-70 years. Fasting and postprandial triglyceridemia were determined sequentially at fasting and at 1 hr, 2 hr, 3 hr, 4 hr, 5 hr and 6 hr post load in the blood sample.Results: The repeated-measures analysis of triglyceride levels showed a distinct behavior of the age groups throughout the 6 hours in both controls and cases. The differences in behavior were significant (p<0.05). Total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and fasting triglycerides did not differ much significantly over time between the groups. However, the postprandial plasma triglyceride concentration (mg/dL) increased significantly in hypertensives (226.5±82.9) and smokers (210.6±71.8) compared to control group (152±56.9), p<0.05. Increase in postprandial triglycerides was found with age and a positive correlation was found between increase in fasting triglycerides and post prandial triglycerides.Conclusion: Aging, hypertension and smoking has a significant effect on postprandial lipemia in healthy, young individuals revealing a close link between aging, hypertension, smoking, post prandial triglycerides and atherosclerosis.

The objective of this study was to gain a better understanding of how consumers’ interpret the term “natural” by assessing food choice based on labels describing attributes of a product associated with the term “natural”; to assess food intake of chosen food, and; to determine factors that influence food choice and intake. A randomized, single‐visit pilot study was conducted where participants (n = 105) were presented with seven identical bowls of granola each bearing a different descriptive label. Participants were asked to choose and eat the granola (ad libitum) that coincided with what was closest to their view of “natural.” Food choice, intake amount, demographics, self‐health perception, label use, dietary restraint, and mindfulness were measured. “Organic” (31%), “Made with real grains” (17%), and “No preservatives” (15%) were the top three chosen labels. These choices related to concerns about environment and processing, personal health, and additives and preservatives, respectively (P = 0.049). Income level and age were significantly associated with choice (P = 0.003). Defining the term “natural” for use on food labels will require follow‐up researchacrosseconomically diverse populations and age groups to understand expectations of food products bearing the term “natural.”