Nutrigenomic approach to study the potential role of walnut polyphenols and their human metabolites in cancer prevention and treatment.
This doctoral thesis explores the health benefits of walnut consumption, focusing on their rich polyphenol content. Using advanced mass spectrometry, the study identified 120 phenolic compounds in walnuts, with ellagitannins and ellagic acid being prominent. These compounds are metabolized into urolithins by gut microflora, which have shown potential in slowing cancer progression. In addition, we observed that urolithins A and B down-regulate the expression of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and androgen receptor (AR) in prostate cancer cells. This down-regulation interrupts the interaction between PSA and AR, which is crucial in prostate cancer development. Further genomic analysis revealed that urolithin A significantly up-regulates the gene CDKN1A (p21), which is involved in cell cycle regulation and apoptosis. The study observed an increase in cells in the G1 phase and an induction of apoptosis, suggesting that urolithins may help in modulating the cell cycle and promoting cancer cell death. Overall, the findings indicate that walnuts could serve as a chemo-preventive or chemo-therapeutic agent for prostate cancer.
2015
Diet and sleep in children and adolescents with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
This PhD thesis aims to explore the impact of the Mediterranean diet on the incidence and symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). It will analyse how dietary intake and nutrient deficiencies affect behavioural symptoms, cognitive abilities and sleep quality in children and adolescents with ADHD.
2017
Diet and sleep in children and adolescents with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
The main objective of this Thesis was to evaluate the impact of the alteration of circadian rhythms, nutrition and genetic variability on the symptoms and comorbidities of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The results showed alterations in the circadian rhythms of motor activity and the relationship with ADHD symptoms and subtypes. We also evaluated how light and diet variability affect sleep problems in these patients. In addition, we analyzed a serotonin promoter region polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) and its relationship with internalizing and externalizing symptoms, as well as emotional dysregulation. Finally, the importance of iron status in ADHD symptomatology was highlighted. These findings highlight the need for a multidisciplinary approach to better understand the internal and external factors related to ADHD.
2018
Living against the biological clock: The role of sleep, meal timing and circadian patterns in adiposity and dietary intake in young adults
This thesis studies the influence of sleep and meal timing on body weight and adherence to healthy dietary patterns in young adults. In addition, we studied the impact of the alterations of the circadian pattern of temperature and energy intake in nutritional status in young adults. The results suggest that discrepancy in sleep and meal timing between weekends and weekdays, misalignment between sleep and meal timing, poor sleep quality, and alterations in the circadian pattern of temperature and energy intake are determining factors in obesity and unhealthy dietary intake among young adults. Maintaining regular sleep and meal times during the week could have a beneficial impact on weight and adiposity, especially for young people with a late chronotype. These results could also be useful for other groups such as adolescents and adults with a tendency to obesity.
2020
Sueño y ritmos circadianos en la pérdida de peso en pacientes con obesidad grave sometidos a cirugía bariátrica
This Thesis studies the impact of sleep, especially timing and duration, on weight loss in severely obese patients after bariatric surgery. The effect of weight loss on circadian rhythms of temperature and activity is also investigated. The results show that going to bed late and increasing energy intake at night interfere with weight loss twelve months after bariatric surgery. In addition, we observed that weight loss after nine months of surgery has a positive impact on the circadian rhythms of peripheral temperature and motor activity. Taken together, this study provides new strategies, such as getting to bed early and better distributing energy intake throughout the day, that may contribute to the success of bariatric intervention and, above all, to patients’ quality of life.
2021
Nuevas perspectivas sobre el impacto del sueño, el comportamiento alimentario y el estilo de vida contemporáneo en el sobrepeso y la obesidad de los niños y jóvenes españoles
This thesis analyses the impact of the “new normal” on sleep, eating behaviors and lifestyle habits in young adults, as well as its impact on body mass index (BMI) and well-being. It also studies the associations between eating behaviors and contemporary lifestyle as determinants of BMI in young adults, and the interactions between sleep, diet quality and eating behavior in children and young adults. The results suggest that the ‘new normal’ had a positive impact on the eating and sleep routines of university students, with less restrictive eating behavior without compromising diet quality. As for children, we have observed that those who go to bed late, sleep less and have poor quality sleep have more obesogenic eating habits. The results show that healthy eating, physical activity, sleep and regularity of schedules are crucial in the prevention of obesity in children and young people. An approach that considers these areas can favor the prevention of obesity in children and young people and can also be useful for the general population.
2022
Determinants de pèrdua de pes en persones amb obesitat intervingudes amb tècniques bariàtriques endoscòpiques. Desenvolupament i validació d’un nou qüestionari curt d’hàbits saludables d’alimentació i d’activitat física
This thesis includes aimed to develop and validate a short questionnaire to assess adherence to healthy habits in people undergoing endoscopic bariatric techniques (EBT) for weight loss, and to investigate the determinants of weight loss in these patients. The first study developed the EMOVE questionnaire, validated by 463 patients. EMOVE showed adequate internal consistency, a very good test-retest and moderate construct validity. In addition, we observed that those participants who scored more than ≥30 points in the EMOVE lost more weight at 3, 6 and 12 months. The second study followed 361 participants for one year after EBT. Anthropometric parameters, adherence to healthy habits, emotional eating and psychological traits were assessed. The results showed that participants with good habits were more likely to lose weight. Eating 4-5 times a day and performing strength exercise 2 times a week were determinants of weight loss. Adherence to healthy habits was a significant determinant of weight loss, but not emotional eating or psychological traits. The thesis concludes that EMOVE is a useful tool to assess adherence to healthy habits, and that these habits are major determinants of weight loss in patients with BED.
2022
