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Finding of vegetal species suitable for ecologic restoration in arid climates is a primary goal of most of the governmental and private companies for fighting against the desertification and the recovery of contaminated soils. The Prosopis genus, a desert woody leguminous, with a wide distribution around the world, represents a very interesting source of highly tolerant and adaptable trees for revegetation and bioremediation of soils contaminated with metal and metalloids (metal(loid)s). The aim of the present work was to evaluate the South American representative of this genus, P. alba, as a possible solution for restoration of soils contaminated with mercury and arsenic. For this, we assessed possible tolerance mechanisms against both metal (loid) s by means of the evaluation of bioaccumulation behaviors and expression changes in metal (loid) tolerance genes. The results revealed that P. alba was able to tolerate high metal (loid) concentrations, related with the accumulation of high quantities of arsenic and mercury in the roots, with bioaccumulation factors of 2, 8 and 3, 1 respectively. Moreover, changes in the expression levels of the gene codifying for the metal transporter NRAMP2b was also observed after the exposure to the metal (loid) s, decreasing ten times for arsenic and three times for mercury. All of these results revealed the existence of cellular mechanisms that allow P. Alba to tolerate and accumulate high quantities of arsenic and mercury diluted into the substrate, making it a promising prospect for the treatment of contaminated soils.

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Objectives To evaluate the effect of a polyphenol-rich berberis microphylla (Calafate, a Chilean native berry) extract in obese mice. Methods 40 8-week old C57BL6 mice were divided (n = 10 each) in 4 treatments for 4 months: Control diet (C; 11% fat), Control diet/Calafate (CC), High fat diet (HF; 58% fat), and High fat diet/Calafate (HFC). Animals received food and water ad libitum. CC and HFC were treated with a daily dose of 50 mg total polyphenols/kg weight of Calafate extract. IPGTT and indirect calorimetry were performed at month 2 and 3 respectively. At month 4, animals were euthanized and final body weight were recorded, and samples of interscapular brown (BAT), epididymal white (eWAT) and inguinal white (iWAT) adipose tissues were obtained. Gene expression of inflammatory markers (MCP-1, TNF-α, Leptina, ADIPOQ and F4/80) on eWAT and thermogenic markers (UCP-1, PGC1α, SIRT1, PRDM16, PPARα/γ, DIO2) on BAT and iWAT were analyzed. 2x2 ANOVA statistical analysis was applied. Results HF presented higher body weight than HFC mice (p < 0.001), from day 40 of treatment. Also, BAT weight was increased (p < 0.05). Basal glycemia was higher in HF than C (p < 0.05), but not than HFC. Energy expenditure was higher in HFC (p < 0.05). Differential expression of MCP-1, leptin and F4/80 on eWAT was detected. In BAT, UCP-1, PGC1α, PPARα and SIRT1 expression were higher in HFC than HF (p < 0.05). In iWAT, expression of PGC1α, PPARα, PRDM16, SIRT1, y DIO2 were also increased (p < 0.05). Conclusions a polyphenol-rich Calafate extract decrease body weight increase, augment BAT mass, modulate inflammation, and promote energy expenditure, which was related to higher expression of thermogenic genes in obese mice. Funding Sources FONDECYT 1171550 (CONICYT, CHILE).

The context for this review is the rapid increase in the use of non-nutritive sweeteners (NNSs) instead of sugar in foods and beverages, a situation so prevalent in some countries that consumers are finding it increasingly challenging to access foods without NNSs. The benefits of consuming NNSs on obesity and diabetes are now being questioned, and studies have shown that they may exert physiological activities, sometimes independently of sweet taste receptor stimulation. Few studies, limited mainly to North American and European countries, have described the consumption of NNSs by pregnant or lactating women and infants. Most focus on beverages rather than foods, but all agree that consumption levels have increased dramatically. Although some studies report a negative impact of NNSs on the risk of preterm birth, increased birth weight and decreased gestational age, the level of evidence is low. Several studies have also reported increased weight gain in infancy, associated with maternal NNS intake. Interestingly, several NNSs have been detected in amniotic fluid and breast milk, usually (but not always) at concentrations below their established detection limit in humans. Unfortunately, the impact of chronic exposure of the fetus/infant to low levels of multiple NNSs is unknown. In conclusion, there is a stark contrast between the galloping increase in the consumption of NNSs and the small number of studies evaluating their impact in at-risk groups such as pregnant and lactating women and infants. Clearly, more studies are needed, especially in Latin America and Asia, to fill these gaps and update recommendations.