FUNCFOOD

IMPACT OF AGENTS WITH POTENTIAL USE IN FUNCTIONAL FOODS ON BIOMARKERS FOR INDUCTION OF AGE RELATED DISEASES

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'A number of epidemiological studies have consistently demonstrated the protective effects of fruits and vegetables with respect to several age related diseases. The aim of this project is to investigate the protective action of agents with potential use as functional food constituents with respect to cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In collaboration between EU and Indian research centers the proposal features a multipronged approach, where the protective action of various non-toxic agents are studied in vitro as well as in rodent models with respect to induction of DNA lesions, tumours and biomarkers for the development of diabetes, diabetic retinopathy and atherosclerosis. In addition, reduced availability of carcinogens and inhibition of their metabolic activation are investigated. Testing of the protective efficacy of functional food components in intervention cross-over studies in humans exposed to carcinogens, that are normally present at significant levels in the environment, represents an approach that has rarely been resorted to, and will be implemented under this project in Europe as well as in India using sophisticated molecular, cytogenetic and other analytical methods. Although there has been remarkable progress in our understanding of the processes that lead to neoplasia and diabetes, the mechanisms underlying chemoprevention are, in general, little understood. The results from this project are expected to provide an improved insight with respect to this topic.'

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Cancer, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes are the major causes of morbidity and mortality in the general population. The goal of the EU-funded http://www.funcfood.eu/ (FUNCFOOD) project was the addition of bioactive ingredients to enhance our diets and improve our health.

Age related diseases take decades to develop, thus potentially positive impact of putative protective agents was monitored by molecular and cytogenetic "biomarkers". Initially, studies were conducted in cultured cells and in rodent models. They addressed induction of DNA lesions, tumours, and biomarkers for the development of diabetes, diabetic retinopathy and atherosclerosis. Final testing of the protective efficacy of agents selected in the experimental systems will be carried out in intervention studies in humans.

Researchers carried out experiments with cell systems using various dietary supplements. Out of these, carnosine and coenzyme Q (CoQ) improved the pathological metabolic responses operating in the presence of high glucose and hypoxia. Using diabetic animal model systems, researchers found that carnosinase activity was greatly increased in the kidneys, changing several basic functions. Carnosine treatment largely prevented the pathological modifications.

In diabetes, wound healing is poor but upon treatment with carnosine the wound healing process in the mouse model was significantly improved. Prolonged treatment of mice with CoQ improved neuronal dysfunctions, indicating a real possibility for treatment of this serious complication in diabetic patients.

A large number of parameters were analysed in patients with type1 and type2 diabetes that received CoQ supplement. Analysis of blood detected a normalisation of several markers of the illness. Researchers observed NK-cell activation and a decreased production of cytotoxic cytokines.

It is known that oxidative stress is a major factor during development of diabetes and diabetic complications. After 12-weeks treatment with CoQ, glutaredoxin activity was greatly decreased demonstrating improvement of the antioxidative defence. These results suggest that longer treatment of diabetic patients with CoQ might be necessary for a significant improvement.

Project activities have already resulted in 18 publications. FUNCFOOD outcomes show the promise of bioactive substances in protecting against diabetes and associated cardiovascular diseases in humans.