Obesity is associated with reduced gut microbial diversity and a high rate of micronutrient deficiency. Bariatric surgery, the therapy of choice for severe obesity, produces sustained weight loss and improvements in obesity-related comorbidities. Also, it significantly alters the gut microbiota (GM) composition and function, which might have an important impact on the micronutrient status as GM is able to synthesize certain vitamins, such as riboflavin, folate, B₁₂, or vitamin K₂. However, recent data have reported that GM is not fully restored after bariatric surgery; therefore, manipulation of GM through probiotics represents a promising therapeutic approach in bariatric patients. In this review, we discuss the latest evidence concerning the relationship between obesity, GM and micronutrients, the impact of bariatric surgery on GM in relation with micronutrients equilibrium, and the importance of the probiotics’ supplementation in obese patients submitted to surgical treatment.

The purpose of our study was to evaluate the potential of solid-state yeast fermentation (SSYF) in improving the phenolic acid content and composition, and the antioxidant activity of commercial wheat bran (WB) and oat bran (OB). The ultrasound-assisted methanolic extracts were compared for their total phenolic content (TPC), phenolics composition, and in vitro antioxidant activity in order to study the effect of fermentation time on the chemical profile and activity of bioactive compounds. The comparative analysis revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) between days of fermentation (0 through 6). The highest TPCs were obtained on day 3 for WB (0.84 ± 0.05 mg of gallic acid equivalents [GAE]/g dry weight [DW]), and on day 4 for OB (0.45 ± 0.02 mg GAE/g DW). The highest relative percentage increase in the phenolics concentration of WB was also registered on day 3 (ferulic acid +56.6%, vanillic acid +259.3%, dihydroxybenzoic acids +161.2%, apigenin-glucoside +15.3%); for OB, this was observed on day 4 (avenanthramide 2f +48.5%, ferulic acid +21.2%). Enhanced antioxidant activities were significantly correlated with the highest TPCs. Our results suggest that SSYF may be a useful procedure for enrichment of antioxidants in cereal bran, considering the design of different functional foods and nutraceuticals.

Global tomato production is currently around 180 million tons, of which more than a quarter undergoes processing. The removed peels, seeds, and vascular tissues usually end up in landfills, creating environmental pollution. In order to highlight the alternative use of these vegetal wastes, our study investigated 10 tomato varieties in terms of carotenoids content, phenolic composition, and their related antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Tomato peels extracts were screened by high performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC/DAD) for qualitative and quantitative analyses. The extracts were tested against six bacterial strains to determine their antimicrobial effect; the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay was applied to estimate their antioxidant capacity. Total carotenoids content was significantly higher in Ţărănești roz, a local variety (5.31 ± 0.12 mg/100 g DW), while Mirsini, a commercial hybrid, presented significantly higher total phenolic content (155 ± 2 mg/100 g DW) compared to the mean value of all analyzed samples. The methanolic extracts of tomato peels presented acceptable antimicrobial activity against Staphilococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis, and the mean antioxidant activity was 201 ± 44 µmol Trolox/100 g DW tomato peels. Considering that tomato peels have lycopene, β-carotene, lutein, and different phenolic compounds in their composition, tomato industrial by-products could represent a source of natural bioactive molecules with applicability in nutraceuticals and food industry.

Metabolically heathy obesity is characterised by the presence of obesity in the absence of metabolic disturbances. The aim of our study was to analyse pro-inflammatory, nitro-oxidative stress, and insulin-resistance (IR) markers in metabolically healthy morbidly obese (MHMO) with respect to metabolically unhealthy morbidly obese (MUHMO) with metabolic syndrome (MS) and to identify the potential predictors of MS in the MHMO group. Two groups of MHMO and MUHMO with MS were analysed. We evaluated serum high sensitivity C reactive protein (hsCRP), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), chemerin, nitrite and nitrate (NOx), total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant response (TAR), fasting blood glucose, insulin, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR.) MHMO have similar hsCRP and TNF-α values as the MUHMO with MS, while chemerin was significantly lower in MHMO. NOx was higher in MUHMO with MS patients, while no difference regarding TOS and TAR was found between the two groups. HOMA-IR and insulin values were lower in MHMO as compared to the MUHMO with MS group. Insulin, HOMA-IR, and chemerin were identified predictors of MS in MHMO. In conclusion, MHMO and MUHMO display similarities and differences in terms of chronic inflammation, nitro-oxidative stress, and IR. Markers of IR and chemerin are possible predictors of MS in MHMO.

Oxidative stress and inflammation are interlinked processes. The aim of the study was to perform a phytochemical analysis and to evaluate the antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory activities of ethanolic Mahonia aquifolium flower (MF), green fruit (MGF), and ripe fruit (MRF) extracts. Plant extract chemical composition was evaluated by HLPC. A DPPH test was used for the in vitro antioxidant activity. The in vivo antioxidant effects and the anti‐inflammatory potential were tested on a rat turpentine oil‐induced inflammation, by measuring serum nitric oxide (NOx) and TNF‐alpha, total oxidative status (TOS), total antioxidant reactivity (TAR), oxidative stress index (OSI), 3‐nitrothyrosine (3NT), malondialdehyde (MDA), and total thiols (SH). Extracts were administrated orally in three dilutions (100%, 50%, and 25%) for seven days prior to inflammation. The effects were compared to diclofenac. The HPLC polyphenol and alkaloid analysis revealed chlorogenic acid as the most abundant compound. All extracts had a good in vitro antioxidant activity, decreased NOx, TOS, and 3NT, and increased SH. TNF‐alpha was reduced, and TAR increased only by MF and MGF. MDA was not influenced. Our findings suggest that M. aquifolium has anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant effects that support the use in primary prevention of the inflammatory processes.