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Dr. Sara Baldassano
Department of Biological- Chemical- Pharmaceutical Science and Technology (STEBICEF), University of Palermo- Viale delle Scienze, Edificio 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy

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0 Diabetes
0 Hormones
0 Insulin Resistance
0 Obesity
0 Adipose tissue

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Journal article
Published: 23 February 2021 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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The beneficial effects of physical activity on body image perception and bone are debated among artistic gymnasts. Gymnasts seem to be at greater risk of developing body dissatisfaction, eating disorders and osteoporosis due to inadequate nutrition and attention to the appearance of the body. The objective of this work was to investigate the association between the artistic gymnast and a more favorable body image compared to their sedentary peers and if a preworkout high-carbohydrate meal (HCM; 300 kcal, 88% carbohydrates, 9% protein, 3% fat) or high-protein meal (HPM; 300 kcal, 55% carbohydrates, 31% protein, 13% fat) is able to attenuate bone resorption in young rhythmic gymnasts. Twenty-eight preadolescent female gymnasts were examined. Self-esteem tests were used to analyze body image perception. Preworkout eating habits were examined by short food frequency questions (FFQ) validated for children. The biomarker of the bone resorption C-terminal telopeptide region of collagen type 1 (CTX) was measured in the urine (fasting, postmeal and postworkout). Gymnasts reported higher satisfaction with their body appearance compared to sedentary peers. Of the gymnasts, 30% did not have a preworkout meal regularly, and the timing of the consumption was variable. Bone resorption was decreased by the HCM, consumed 90 min before the training, with respect to the HPM. The study suggests that playing artistic gymnastics is associated with a positive body self-perception in a child. The variability in preworkout meal frequency and timing need attention to prevent inadequate eating habits in light of the ability of the HCM to reduce acute bone resorption.

ACS Style

Alessandra Amato; Patrizia Proia; Gaetano Caldara; Angelina Alongi; Vincenzo Ferrantelli; Sara Baldassano. Analysis of Body Perception, Preworkout Meal Habits and Bone Resorption in Child Gymnasts. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2021, 18, 2184 .

AMA Style

Alessandra Amato, Patrizia Proia, Gaetano Caldara, Angelina Alongi, Vincenzo Ferrantelli, Sara Baldassano. Analysis of Body Perception, Preworkout Meal Habits and Bone Resorption in Child Gymnasts. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021; 18 (4):2184.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Alessandra Amato; Patrizia Proia; Gaetano Caldara; Angelina Alongi; Vincenzo Ferrantelli; Sara Baldassano. 2021. "Analysis of Body Perception, Preworkout Meal Habits and Bone Resorption in Child Gymnasts." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 4: 2184.

Journal article
Published: 04 December 2020 in Sustainability
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The purpose of this study was to investigate the intensity of SuperJump® workout as a home-based activity for fulfilling physical activity recommendations during COVID-19 home-confinement. Seventeen (males: n = 10; females: n = 7) college students (age: 25.8 ± 2.7 years; height: 1.7 ± 0.1 m; weight: 66.2 ± 12.1 kg) participated in the study. To assess the intensity of the activity (30-min), heart rate (HR), expressed as percentages of age-predicted maximal HR (%HRmax), and session ratings of perceived exertion (sRPE), collected on a CR10 scale, were used. %HRmax data were categorically separated in five classes of intensity according to the American College of Sport Science’s guidelines. Enjoyment was evaluated using the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES). Repeated measures ANOVA was used to evaluate differences (p < 0.05) in relation to gender and exercise intensity. No gender difference emerged for %HRmax and sRPE. Significantly higher (p < 0.05) %HRmax were found for the moderate intensity (47.1 ± 34.4%) with respect to very light (3.6 ± 6.9%), light (14.5 ± 23.3%) and vigorous (34.6 ± 39.6%) and for the vigorous intensity with respect to very light; no near maximal to maximal values were observed. Subjects perceived SuperJump® as moderate (sRPE = 3.1 ± 1.2) while showing high levels of enjoyability (PACES = 86.6 ± 16.2%). SuperJump® can be classified as moderate-to-vigorous activity, representing an effective alternative and enjoyable home-based activity for preventing the effects of a sedentary lifestyle during home-confinement.

ACS Style

Alice Iannaccone; Andrea Fusco; Salvador Jaime; Sara Baldassano; Jill Cooper; Patrizia Proia; Cristina Cortis. Stay Home, Stay Active with SuperJump®: A Home-Based Activity to Prevent Sedentary Lifestyle during COVID-19 Outbreak. Sustainability 2020, 12, 10135 .

AMA Style

Alice Iannaccone, Andrea Fusco, Salvador Jaime, Sara Baldassano, Jill Cooper, Patrizia Proia, Cristina Cortis. Stay Home, Stay Active with SuperJump®: A Home-Based Activity to Prevent Sedentary Lifestyle during COVID-19 Outbreak. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (23):10135.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Alice Iannaccone; Andrea Fusco; Salvador Jaime; Sara Baldassano; Jill Cooper; Patrizia Proia; Cristina Cortis. 2020. "Stay Home, Stay Active with SuperJump®: A Home-Based Activity to Prevent Sedentary Lifestyle during COVID-19 Outbreak." Sustainability 12, no. 23: 10135.

Journal article
Published: 06 January 2020 in International Journal of Molecular Sciences
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High-fat diet (HFD) induces inflammation and microbial dysbiosis, which are components of the metabolic syndrome. Nutritional strategies can be a valid tool to prevent metabolic and inflammatory diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate if the chronic intake of pistachio prevents obesity-associated inflammation and dysbiosis in HFD-fed mice. Three groups of male mice (four weeks old; n = 8 per group) were fed for 16 weeks with a standard diet (STD), HFD, or HFD supplemented with pistachios (HFD-P; 180 g/kg of HFD). Serum, hepatic and adipose tissue inflammation markers were analyzed in HFD-P animals and compared to HFD and STD groups. Measures of inflammation, obesity, and intestinal integrity were assessed. Fecal samples were collected for gut microbiota analysis. Serum TNF-α and IL-1β levels were significantly reduced in HFD-P compared to HFD. Number and area of adipocytes, crown-like structure density, IL-1β, TNF-α, F4-80, and CCL-2 mRNA expression levels were significantly reduced in HFD-P subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissues, compared to HFD. A significant reduction in the number of inflammatory foci and IL-1β and CCL-2 gene expression was observed in the liver of HFD-P mice compared with HFD. Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio was reduced in HFD-P mice in comparison to the HFD group. A pistachio diet significantly increased abundance of healthy bacteria genera such as Parabacteroides, Dorea, Allobaculum, Turicibacter, Lactobacillus, and Anaeroplasma, and greatly reduced bacteria associated with inflammation, such as Oscillospira, Desulfovibrio, Coprobacillus, and Bilophila. The intestinal conductance was lower in HFD-P mice than in the HFD mice, suggesting an improvement in the gut barrier function. The results of the present study showed that regular pistachio consumption improved inflammation in obese mice. The positive effects could be related to positive modulation of the microbiota composition.

ACS Style

Simona Terzo; Flavia Mulè; Gaetano Felice Caldara; Sara Baldassano; Roberto Puleio; Maria Vitale; Giovanni Cassata; Vincenzo Ferrantelli; Antonella Amato. Pistachio Consumption Alleviates Inflammation and Improves Gut Microbiota Composition in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2020, 21, 365 .

AMA Style

Simona Terzo, Flavia Mulè, Gaetano Felice Caldara, Sara Baldassano, Roberto Puleio, Maria Vitale, Giovanni Cassata, Vincenzo Ferrantelli, Antonella Amato. Pistachio Consumption Alleviates Inflammation and Improves Gut Microbiota Composition in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2020; 21 (1):365.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Simona Terzo; Flavia Mulè; Gaetano Felice Caldara; Sara Baldassano; Roberto Puleio; Maria Vitale; Giovanni Cassata; Vincenzo Ferrantelli; Antonella Amato. 2020. "Pistachio Consumption Alleviates Inflammation and Improves Gut Microbiota Composition in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet." International Journal of Molecular Sciences 21, no. 1: 365.

Journal article
Published: 13 May 2017 in Nutrients
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Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) confers an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. NAFDL is associated with atherogenic dyslipidemia, inflammation and renin-angiotensin system (RAS) imbalance, which in turn lead to atherosclerotic lesions. In the present study, the impact of a natural dietary supplement (NDS) containing Curcuma longa, silymarin, guggul, chlorogenic acid and inulin on NAFLD and atherosclerosis was evaluated, and the mechanism of action was examined. C57BL/6 mice were fed an HFD for 16 weeks; half of the mice were simultaneously treated with a daily oral administration (os) of the NDS. NAFLD and atherogenic lesions in aorta and carotid artery (histological analysis), hepatic expression of genes involved in the NAFLD (PCR array), hepatic angiotensinogen (AGT) and AT1R mRNA expression (real-time PCR) and plasma angiotensin (ANG)-II levels (ELISA) were evaluated. In the NDS group, steatosis, aortic lesions or carotid artery thickening was not observed. PCR array showed upregulation of some genes involved in lipid metabolism and anti-inflammatory activity (Cpt2, Ifng) and downregulation of some genes involved in pro-inflammatory response and in free fatty acid up-take (Fabp5, Socs3). Hepatic AGT, AT1R mRNA and ANG II plasma levels were significantly lower with respect to the untreated-group. Furthermore, NDS inhibited the dyslipidemia observed in the untreated animals. Altogether, these results suggest that NDS prevents NAFLD and atherogenesis by modulating the expression of different genes involved in NAFLD and avoiding RAS imbalance.

ACS Style

Antonella Amato; Gaetano-Felice Caldara; Domenico Nuzzo; Sara Baldassano; Pasquale Picone; Manfredi Rizzo; Flavia Mulè; Marta Di Carlo. NAFLD and Atherosclerosis Are Prevented by a Natural Dietary Supplement Containing Curcumin, Silymarin, Guggul, Chlorogenic Acid and Inulin in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet. Nutrients 2017, 9, 492 .

AMA Style

Antonella Amato, Gaetano-Felice Caldara, Domenico Nuzzo, Sara Baldassano, Pasquale Picone, Manfredi Rizzo, Flavia Mulè, Marta Di Carlo. NAFLD and Atherosclerosis Are Prevented by a Natural Dietary Supplement Containing Curcumin, Silymarin, Guggul, Chlorogenic Acid and Inulin in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet. Nutrients. 2017; 9 (5):492.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Antonella Amato; Gaetano-Felice Caldara; Domenico Nuzzo; Sara Baldassano; Pasquale Picone; Manfredi Rizzo; Flavia Mulè; Marta Di Carlo. 2017. "NAFLD and Atherosclerosis Are Prevented by a Natural Dietary Supplement Containing Curcumin, Silymarin, Guggul, Chlorogenic Acid and Inulin in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet." Nutrients 9, no. 5: 492.

Preprint
Published: 23 December 2016
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Recent interest in intestinal hormones has risen with the idea that they modulate glucose tolerance and food intake through a variety of mechanisms, and such hormones like peptide YY (PYY), ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 and 2, and cholecystokinin (CKK) are therefore excellent therapeutic candidates for the treatment of diabetes and obesity. Furthermore, in the recent years, multiple studies suggest that the microbiota is critically important for normal host functions, while impaired host microbiota interactions contribute to the pathogenesis of numerous common metabolic disorders. In this study, we considered the nutraceutical effects of β-glucans added to pasta at the concentration of 6g\100g. Ten participants have been recruited and hematochemical analyses and intestinal hormones tests have been performed before and after 30 days of pasta intake. Stool specimens have been studied for Lactobacillus Fermentum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus salivarius, Bifidobacterium longum, and Enterococcus faecium presence before and after 30 days of nutritional intervention. After 30 days of regular intake of pasta enriched by β-glucans results have been evaluated. In conclusion, pasta prepared from barley flour enriched with β-glucans at 6% exhibit promising responses on glucose metabolism, on intestinal hormones responses and on microbiota modification.

ACS Style

Sara Baldassano; Silvio Buscemi; Anna Aiello; Giulia Accardi; Calogero Caruso; Sonya Vasto. β-Glucans and Post Prandial Satiety: The Role of Intestinal Hormones in Healthy Volunteers. 2016, 1 .

AMA Style

Sara Baldassano, Silvio Buscemi, Anna Aiello, Giulia Accardi, Calogero Caruso, Sonya Vasto. β-Glucans and Post Prandial Satiety: The Role of Intestinal Hormones in Healthy Volunteers. . 2016; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sara Baldassano; Silvio Buscemi; Anna Aiello; Giulia Accardi; Calogero Caruso; Sonya Vasto. 2016. "β-Glucans and Post Prandial Satiety: The Role of Intestinal Hormones in Healthy Volunteers." , no. : 1.