13^th International Congress on Advances in Natural Medicines, Nutraceuticals & Neurocognition July 27-28, 2017 Rome, Italy

Biography:

François J Roman co-founded Amylgen in 2009. Previously, he served as the VP of R&D at Euroscreen, Belgium from 2004. Prior to this position, he had held various Drug Discovery management positions at Pfizer PGRD France, Parke-Davis France, Jouveinal Laboratoires, and Laboratoires Servier, where he started his career in 1977. He holds a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Paris VI, France and has more than 40 publications and 35 patents

François J Roman co-founded Amylgen in 2009. Previously, he served as the VP of R&D at Euroscreen, Belgium from 2004. Prior to this position, he had held various Drug Discovery management positions at Pfizer PGRD France, Parke-Davis France, Jouveinal Laboratoires, and Laboratoires Servier, where he started his career in 1977. He holds a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Paris VI, France and has more than 40 publications and 35 patents

Abstract:

Acting as a CRO, Amylgen has developed a unique and proprietary know-how on rodent models of Alzheimer’s disease and other CNS pathologies. We are working more and more with companies involved in nutrition field. We have set up new models allowing to reproduce brain ageing process. In particular, senescence accelerated mice (SAM): the P8 sub strain (SAM-P8) has a markedly shortened life span when compared to the R1 sub strain (SAM-R1). Mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and increased somatic DNA mutation rate all appear to be involved in the mechanisms responsible for the accelerated ageing process. Another model of ageing is the D-galactose (DG) induced ageing mouse model. Chronic treatment with DG leads to the acceleration of senescence. Animals show cognitive dysfunction, neurologic impairment associated with the increases of brain oxidative stress, cholinergic degeneration, impairment of synaptic plasticity and neurogenesis, altered expression of amyloid-beta metabolism-associated molecules, reactive gliosis and neuroinflammation. Finally we propose models in young rats or mice allowing to test the effects of products on learning capacity in normal animals or in animals with a learning deficit produced by a prenatal stress. Behavior tests are available for exploring the various aspects of brain health during ageing. A large panel of memory tests allows exploring and analyzing many aspects of memory. Tests for evaluating depression and anxiety are also available. Biochemical, neurochemical and histological analyses are performed to translate health status of ageing brain such as oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, synaptic function, cholinergic system integrity. Neuroinflammation is explored by the study of astrocyte and microglia activation. The neurogenesis potential of the product may also be determined. Amylgen’s platform helps its customers characterizing their products, allowing an attractive communication about their properties and also preparing further clinical studies for obtaining a health claim from FDA or EFSA

Biography:

Hu Liu, Ph.D., School of Pharmacy, Memorial University of Newfoundland, ST. John's, NL, CANADA Following his B.Sc. (Pharmacy) in 1982 from Beijing Medical College and M.Sc. (Pharmaceutical chemistry) degrees from Beijing Medical University (now Peking University) in Beijing, China, Dr. Liu obtained his Ph.D. degree in lipid and lipoprotein biochemistry from the University of Alberta in 1993 in Canada.  He then did his post-doctoral training in pharmacology and medicinal chemistry at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI, USA.  In 1994, Dr. Liu joined School of Pharmacy, Memorial University, and he is a full professor. From 1999 to 2004, Dr. Liu was a recipient of the Career Award in Health Sciences sponsored by Medical Research Council of Canada (MRC) which was renamed as Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Health Sciences Foundation of Canada's Research Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Rx&D-HRF). In 2000, he was awarded with the AstraZeneca New Investigator Research Award by the Association of Faculties of Pharmacy of Canada (AFPC).  He served as an internal grants reviewer for the Pharmaceutical Sciences Committee of CIHR.  In 2002, together with three colleagues Dr. Liu founded the former North Atlantic BioPharma Inc., a biotech company focused on developing marine based pharmaceuticals. Dr. Liu was the President and Chief Scientific Officer of the company.  His research activities were funded by many agencies including MRC/CIHR, Banting Foundation, National Research Council of Canada (NRC), Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and International Science and Technology Partnership Canada (ISTPCanada).  Dr. Liu's research interests include: development of drugs and drug delivery systems in the areas of cancer, cardiovascular disease and inflammation in addition to cold ocean derived pharmaceuticals

Abstract:

As the Inuit people spread across the Arctic and Greenland, they ate a lot of fatty meat from seals, whales and fish. However, the Inuit didn’t have a lot of heart attacks. In the 1970s, Danish scientists studying Inuit diets proposed that ω-3 fatty acids were cardio-protective. In the North Atlantic Ocean between Greenland and Eastern Canada, there are over 10 million Harp seals. Each year about 200,000 seals are harvested to maintain the balance of ecosystem. It is believed that Harp seal oil is the best source of ω-3 lipids and has several superior characteristics over fish oil. It contains all cis-docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6 ω-3), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5 ω-3) and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA, 22:5 ω-3), while fish oil contains only EPA and DHA. It is found that ω-3 fatty acids in seal oil are mostly esterified at the triacylglyceride sn-1,3 (outer) positions, which makes them the preferred substrates for human lipases. Fish are aquatic vertebrates that are typically cold-blooded and are described as non-tetrapod chordates. ω-3 fatty acids in fish oil are distributed mainly at the sn-2 position of triacyglycerides. Such a positional distribution of ω-3 fatty acids in the glycerol backbone makes them poor substrates for human lipases which normally hydrolyze fatty acylglycerol ester bonds at the sn-1 and sn-3 positions of triacylglycerides. In addition seal oil is extracted and processed at low temperatures (20-50°C), resulting in very little oxidation and formation of trans-fatty acids. On the other hand, fish oil is extracted by steam (100°C) which results in significantly elevated levels of both oxidized- and trans-lipids. We hypothesized that seal oil emulsions can be used in the total parenteral nutrition (TPN) regiments for hospitalized patients who require intravenous infusion of nutrients, especially post-surgical patients, patients experiencing early stage of sepsis/systematic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), and patients with autoimmune diseases. A study using an endotoxemia rat model (to mimic septic conditions) demonstrated the potent anti-inflammatory effects of seal oil

Biography:

Zach M Bush is one of the few triple Board Certified Physicians in the country, with specialties in Internal Medicine, Endocrinology and Metabolism, and Hospice/Palliative Care. His achievements include award-winning cell biology, clinical care, and medical education. He is the Founder and Director of Revolution Health Center in Charlottesville, Virginia, and is the CEO of Biomic Sciences - the team that has brought forth the novel science and product line of Restore

Abstract:

Over the last 10 years, there has been an explosion of basic science data that has revealed a link between the intestinal microbiome and systemic disease in the human host. The lack of some species or the presence of other bacterial species has been shown to correlate with the occurrence of metabolic diseases, immune dysfunction, and many cancers. This correlation has radically changed the landscape of anti-aging and cancer research, and broadened the potential adjuvant therapies and interventions to prevent and reverse chronic disease in the future. However, there has been a lack of understanding of the mechanisms by which dysbiosis causes systemic inflammatory and metabolic disarray. This lecture demonstrates how massive changes in our farming and soil ecology practices of the last 30 years have impacted the demographic and geographic distributions of cancer death. Furthermore, we demonstrate how these farming practices contribute to chronic inflammation and metabolic collapse within the American population, offering new molecular insights into the direct and indirect mechanisms by which dysbiosis in our macro and micro-environments may mediate systemic disease. We show here the biologic effects of a recently discovered family of bacterial metabolites that constitute a vast array of carbon-based redox signaling molecules. We show that these molecules can regulate and maintain the macrostructures of the extracellular matrix and the human immune system, and also directly mediate the differential production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species and apoptosis in healthy and cancerous cell types. This breakthrough new science offers a new model for the ecology of human health, pathogenesis of disease, and potential nutritional adjuvant therapies of the future

Biography:

Robert Posner (MD) is a Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine and the Founder of the medically supervised Serotonin-Plus Weight Control Program. He is a former US Navy Physician and interviewed to be President Reagan’s Physician position before opting for private practice. He researched, developed and patented oral serotonin supplementation and this became the marquee feature of the SP Program that has now helped tens of thousands of patients to lose weight safely and effectively across the United States. Over 100 board certified physicians across America have brought the SP Program and products into their practices. He is the author of “The Serotonin Solution to Never “Dieting” Again” and he has lectured at medical meetings across the USA and now Europe. He has developed new, patented serotonin products and the first one, SeroPro, the Serotonin Solution for Mood Enhancement launched in April, 2017. In 2018, he will come out with serotonin-based supplements for menopause, PMS, blood sugar and sexual dysfunction

Abstract:

Serotonin (5-HT) is a naturally occurring amine neurotransmitter made inside the body from the amino acid, tryptophan.  There are 7 different classes of serotonin receptors and different subclasses of each receptor. Serotonin imbalance has been linked to depression, anxiety, migraine headaches, bipolar disorder, diabetes, cancer and carbohydrate cravings.  There are many prescription medications that work indirectly via serotonin mechanisms such as antidepressants and migraine headache treatments.  Concerning weight control there have been prescription medications and dietary supplements that work to reduce appetite and cravings indirectly via serotonin mechanisms. Patented oral serotonin delivery has been used at the medically supervised Serotonin-Plus Weight Loss Centers.  Over 24,000 patients have been treated with an average weight loss of 30 pounds in females and 40 pounds in males in the 12-week protocol.  The co-morbidities associated with obesity, such as diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and others have been impacted significantly by the Serotonin-Plus Program and the patented serotonin supplements. The mechanism of action, studies using the supplement and clinical experience will be discussed.  The science of serotonin and applications for helping people control weight long term by reducing carbohydrate cravings  will be detailed. In conclusion, combining oral serotonin supplementation with a high protein/low carbohydrate dietary approach and supportive visits to instill behavioral modification result in aggressive weight control and the immediate lowering of diabetes risk, need for diabetes medication, lowering of blood pressure and an overall reduction of the need for medications to treat the co-morbidities of obesity

Biography:

Lisa Pawloski is Chair and Professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies. She is an expert in childhood obesity and biocultural aspects of health and nutrition among children, adolescents, and young adults. As a Fulbright Scholar in 1997, she examined the nutritional status of adolescent girls from the Segou Region in Mali, West Africa to explore factors impacting malnutrition in that region. Her current interests involve exploring the biocultural, geographic, and social determinants of obesity in transitional countries. She has most recently worked and conducted research in Nicaragua, Thailand, Chile, Iraq, and Costa Rica

Abstract:

Public health challenges in low-income countries often focus on issues of undernutrition, however, as countries transition, we often see a trend of increasing obesity and chronic diseases. One specific region which has undergone recent significant economic transition is the Autonomous Region of Kurdistan. Few studies have examined adult populations here, and none have explored related geographic components. Thus this paper presents nutritional status and geographic data collected from 1023 adult women aged 18 to 63 years working/studying at two universities in Erbil, Kurdistan. Nutritional status data included height, weight, body mass index, waist/hip circumference and percent body fat. Geographic data were collected by asking participants to locate their residence on large scanned maps which were georeferenced to known GIS layers of Erbil and then digitized. The local Getis-Ord spatial clustering statistic was used to identify spatial clusters of high and low BMI values. Indicators of underweight were found in 3.4% of the sample and 44% were found to be either overweight or obese. Spatial cluster analysis found a persistent cluster of low BMI values in the southwest quadrant of the city over a range of critical distances. Clusters of high BMI values were discernible across the central and eastern areas of the city, but varied with critical distances. These data suggest higher BMI to be associated with wealthier neighborhoods within Erbil. The findings are significant in that they represent one of the first descriptive and geographic analyses of the nutritional situation among women in Erbil, Kurdistan

Biography:

Jean-Claude Lavoie is Associated Professor in departments of Nutrition and Paediatrics of Université de Montréal where he has completed his PhD in 1998. He has published more than 90 papers in reputed scientific journals. His research works are funded primarily by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. His research interest focuses on the impact of parenteral nutrition components on redox homeostasis in preterm infants in relation to chronic lung diseases such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia, energy metabolism and epigenetic modulator of chronic diseases observed in adults

Abstract:

Introduction: Peroxides contaminating parenteral nutrition (PN) are associated with oxidation of redox potential of glutathione in blood of preterm newborns (<30 weeks gestation) and in lungs of animal model of neonatal PN. These oxidized redox and peroxides are associated to bronchopulmonaria dysplasia in preterm newborns and induce loss of alveoli by apoptosis in animals. Glutathione detoxifies peroxides and normalises redox potential. However, glutathione is low in preterm newborns. Glutathione is derived from liver where methionine is transformed in cysteine of which availability limits the glutathione synthesis. Peroxides from PN inhibit the methionine adenosyltransferase, the first enzyme leading to cysteine. Thus, premature infants have a limited capacity to detoxify peroxides.

Hypothesis: Addition of glutathione in PN compensates for the low hepatic capacity to supply glutathione, and consequently preserves the lung integrity.

Method: At 3 days of life, guinea pigs (N=55) received PN enriched with glutathione (0, 75, 200, 270, 440, 600, 650, 1065 nmol GSSG/d/kg). After 4 days, lungs were determined for GSH, GSSG, redox potential and alveoli (number of intercepts between a line (1 mm) and histological structures).

Results: The results of the study were as follows: redox: doses 0-270 = -209±1; doses 440-1065 = -217±2; p<0.01; control (without manipulation): -216±2 mV. GSH: 0-270 = 29±1; 440-1065 = 30±1; control = 36±1 nmol/mg prot. GSSG: 0-270 = 0.82±0.08; 440-1065 = 0.38±0.04; p<0.01; control = 0.49±0.07 nmol/mg prot. Alveoli: 0-200 = 26±1; 270-1065 = 30±1; p<0.01; control = 33±2 count/mm.

Discussion: Addition of glutathione in PN allows detoxification of peroxides (lower GSSG), preventing oxidation of redox and loss of alveoli. A clinical study is expected to start soon

Biography:

Hyunsook Kim is an expert in the development of new functional natural food ingredients as an effective means of managing weight and decreasing risk factors for obesity and related metabolic diseases. She adds value in byproduct waste from fruit and vegetable processing and also potentiates their effectiveness after combined with probiotic lactic acid from fermented foods. Using high-throughput techniques including nutrigenomics, metabolomics, metagenomics, and biochemical analysis, she is trying to determine novel pathways and bioactive components involved in intestinal microbiota, innate immunity, inflammation, intestinal permeability, lipid metabolism, gut-derived hormones, adipose-derived hormones that improve obesity and related metabolic disease

Abstract:

The objective of this study was to determine, if combination of prebiotics (whole wine grape seed flour) and probiotics (kefir-derived lactic acid bacteria, LAB) could induce synergistic synbiotic anti-obesity effects on obese mice. Grape seeds are high in polyphenols, including flavonols, particularly proanthocyanidins. Mice were fed either with a high fat (HF, 47% fat calorie) or chow diet for five weeks. Mice on the HF diet that were greater in weight than mice fed with chow were considered diet induced obese (DIO). The DIO mice were fed with the HF or HF diet supplemented with 5% or 10% Chardonnay grape seed (ChrSd) flour in the combination of kefir-derived lactic acid bacteria for 8 weeks. Continued feeding of the HF diet supplemented with ChrSd and LAB resulted in significant decrease in weight gain, liver weight, adipose weight, and plasma and hepatic lipid levels. ChrSd and LAB significantly improved insulin sensitivity. These changes were more profound by combination of ChrSd and LAB. Possible mechanism may be related to enhanced bioavailability of proanthocyanidins by action of probiotic lactic acid bacteria in the intestine. These results suggest that combined ingredients of ChrSd and LAB are effective to reduce HF-induced obesity and insulin resistance. These synergistic effects could solve a problem that a large amount of prebiotics or probiotics intake requires to exert similar health beneficial effects

Biography:

Jessy El Hayek joined the Department of Nursing & Health Sciences at Notre Dame University in Fall 2012 shortly after completing her PhD and Postdoctoral Fellowship in Human Nutrition, in McGill University, Canada, in March 2011. Currently, she is teaching multiple graduate and undergraduate courses including basic human nutrition, lifecycle nutrition as well as community nutrition. As of September 2014, she was appointed as Chairperson of the Department of Nursing & Health Sciences

Abstract:

This study aims to examine the effect of dietary, socio-demographic and lifestyle factors on body composition among students from Notre Dame University. In this cross-sectional study, socio-demographic, lifestyle, anthropometric variables including body composition (soft lean mass (SLM), percent body fat (PBF), and visceral fat area (VFA)) were collected. Stress was assessed through the perceived stress scale (PSS). Diet was assessed through MEDFICTS. Out of 392 students, 3.1% were underweight, 59% were normal, 40% were overweight and obese. In women, 10.5%, adhered to the Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) compared to men (2.5%), while 52.5% of men needed dietary changes compared to 39.5% of women, (p<0.01). Men who adhered to TLC were in the first tertile of PBF. Participants in the first tertile of PBF/VFA/SLM had the lowest waist circumference (WC), BMI, and highest fitness score. Only men in the first tertile of SLM had the highest waist to height (WHt). Smoking was associated with PBF in men only. Total number of hours of sleep was not associated neither with PBF/SLM in both genders nor with VFA in women, while men in the first VFA tertile slept more (7.5 hours) than those in the third tertile (6.9 hours) (p<0.01). Even though the majority of the sample was of normal weight; most men were overweight or obese. The association between lifestyle and dietary factors and body composition was not similar across genders; accordingly, it is important to provide gender based nutrition interventions in universities

Biography:

Wei Ney Yap (PhD) earned her degree from University of Singapore. She is now the Section Head of Biological section at Davos Life Science Pte Ltd. She has more than 10 years’ research experience in tocotrienols (a palm oil derived natural vitamin E), specifically the benefits and mechanism of actions of this lipid soluble vitamin in human health and nutrition. Her research work has received Educational Fellowship Award from the European Academy of Dermatology Venereology (EADV) in 2014. Moreover, the company she is currently working with has previously received 2010 Asia Pacific Frost & Sullivan Excellence in Research Award in the Natural Vitamin E Market

Abstract:

Tocotrienol (T3) is the other half of the vitamin E family. Like tocopherol (TP), T3 provides antioxidant protection to all living cells. T3 and TP share similar chemical structures in the chromanol ring but differ from their side chains. Each T3 and TP has four homologues: Alpha (α), beta (β), gamma (γ), and delta (δ) depending on the number and location of methyl groups on the chromanol ring. T3 and TP are closely related yet vary widely in their effectiveness inT3 is shown to possess up to 60 times more superior anti-oxidative activity compared to TP. In addition, T3’s distinct chemical structure gives it more fluidity, enabling its cellular uptake in biological systems to be up to 70 times higher than TP. The naturally occurring T3 is scarce in nature. They are found abundantly in crude palm oil extract. Other sources are from rice (bran), annatto and wheat. Toxicology and pharmacology studies showed that supplementation with palm based T3 up to 2500 mg per kg of body weight did not cause any significant adverse effects. A growing awareness of T3’s distinct health benefits has fuelled an increasing number of research studies worldwide, despite TP is regarded as the more common vitamin E in the market nowadays. Cumulative in vitro, animal models and human clinical trials have convincingly shown that T3 possesses biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, balancing cholesterol lipid profiles, neuroprotection, anti-cancers and other biological activities. All these benefits are not seen in TP. Increasing health concerns among the aging population coupled with the health awareness benefits either in acute or chronic diseases is expected to drive T3 demand in dietary supplements. Antioxidation property of T3 is expected to spur product demand in personal care & cosmetic industry. In addition, cholesterol and lipid lowering characteristic is expected to drive T3’s demand in nutraceutical and pharmaceuticals industries

Biography:

Paola Bontempo has completed Medical Education in Medicine and Surgery in 1991 from University of Naples Federico II. She obtained license to practice medicine in 1991. In 1997, she did a specialization in Clinical Pathology at Second University of Naples. In 2003, she completed PhD in Cellular and Molecular Pathology from University of Naples Federico II. In 2004, she joined as Researcher in the Department of General Pathology at Second University of Naples. From 2005 till date, she is working as Aggregate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, Second University of Naples. She currently teaches Clinical Pathology and General Pathology at the Second University of Naples Medical School. She is actively involved in studies concerning the mechanism(s) of proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis induced by steroid hormones, epigenetic modulators and natural compounds in cancer systems

Abstract:

Epidemiological analyses suggest that individuals consuming a diet rich in fruits and vegetables have a reduced risk of developing non-communicable diseases such as cancer. Solanum tuberosum L. var. Vitelotte is a potato variety with deep blue skin and violet flesh widely used for human consumption and well appreciated for its good nutritional characteristics. The pigments responsible for its attractive color belong to the class of anthocyanins. The purpose of this study was to analyze the biomedical activities of anthocyanins extract derived from the Solanum tuberosum. The main objectives were to characterize and measure the concentration of anthocyanins in pigmented potatoes, and to evaluate their antioxidant, antimicrobial activities and their anti-proliferative effects in solid and hematological cancer cell lines. Molecular genotyping was performed to properly identify this outstanding genotype in comparison to other potato varieties and to promote the utilization of this genetic resource by plant breeders. Anthocyanins exert anti-bacterial activity against different bacterial strains and a slight activity against three fungal strains. The Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus and the fungus Rhyzoctonia solani were the most affected microorganisms. Antioxidant activities were evaluated by DPPH and FRAP methods; the extract showed a higher reducing capability than anti-radical activity. In different cancer cell models, the anthocyanins cause inhibition of proliferation and apoptosis in a dose dependent manner. Furthermore, cellular and molecular characterization of the action of anthocyanin extract in cancer cells revealed that modulation of cell cycle regulators occurs upon treatment. As well as inducing apoptotic players such as TRAIL in cancer systems, anthocyanin extract inhibited Akt-mTOR signaling, thereby inducing maturation of acute myeloid leukemia cells. These biological activities are likely due to the high content of malvidin 3-O-p-coumaroyl-rutinoside-5-O-glucoside and petunidin 3-O-p-coumaroyl-rutinoside-5-O-glucoside. These results are of interest in view of the impact on food consumption and as functional food components on potential cancer treatment and prevention

Biography:

L Akhalbedashvili she has completed her higher education from Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Georgia

Abstract:

At valuation security of wines, special role should be given to analytical control of pollutants, such as heavy metals (HM) which potentially have toxic and carcinogenic properties. So, important is the determination of their content in wines and assessment of effect on threshold of their toxicological effects on living organism. Contents of HM in wines depend on type of soil, processing conditions of vineyard, climatic conditions, vinification, anthropogenic factors and so on. In work, first, the migration of heavy metals Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd, Co, Ni, Mn, Fe in a chain: soil→stem→skin→pulp→wines Kindzmarauli and Saperavi from unique vineyards Mukuzani and Sabue of Kakheti region of Georgia were studied. All solid samples were treated by method of dry mineralization. To determine the HM content in samples, atomic absorption spectrophotometry (Perkin-Elmer Analyst 200) was used. With increasing depth of soil from 5 to 50 sm HM contents decreased in Mukuzani vineyard: Cu from 53.65 till 42.6mg kg-1 in and Zn from 78.5 to 67.1mg kg-1, but in cleaner region-Sabue vineyard, content of all elements studied increased a little with increasing depth. In chain, soil →stem→skin→pulp →wines, the quantity of HM decreased, more than an order, but non-uniquely. In leaves, content of Cu and Fe in 5-10 times prevail their content in soil and skin, in juice and wine decreased in hundred times. It is known that the use of copper containing fungicides for the disease control of plants could also lead to increase in the Cu amounts of grapes, as well as of the products obtained from their processing. But in Georgian wines, the content of all HM not prevails 0.2 mg/l.). Most of HM in the grapes precipitates during fermentation into sediments, which is the reason for their significantly lower content in the wine