TFH cell markers, especially PD-1, were expressed in a subset of PTCLs not classified as AITL, although most of them shared some morphologic features with AITL. This suggests that the spectrum of AITL may be wider than previously thought, possibly including cases of lymphoepithelioid (Lennert's) lymphoma. Additionally, the results suggest that a subgroup of PTCLs-U, distinct from AITL and including some cases denominated as ALCL, may also be derived from TFH cells, although they develop along a distinct pathogenic pathway.

Insulin resistance (IR) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) are the first manifestations of diet-induced metabolic alterations leading to Type 2 diabetes, while hypertension is the deadliest risk factor of cardiovascular disease. The roles of dietary fat and fructose in the development of IR, IGT, and hypertension are controversial. We tested the long-term effects of an excess of fat or sucrose (fructose/glucose) on healthy male Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. Fat affects IR and IGT earlier than fructose through low-grade systemic inflammation evidenced by liver inflammatory infiltration, increased levels of plasma IL-6, PGE, and reduced levels of protective short-chain fatty acids without triggering hypertension. Increased populations of gut Enterobacteriales and Escherichia coli may contribute to systemic inflammation through the generation of lipopolysaccharides. Unlike fat, fructose induces increased levels of diacylglycerols (lipid mediators of IR) in the liver, urine F-isoprostanes (markers of systemic oxidative stress), and uric acid, and triggers hypertension. Elevated populations of Enterobacteriales and E. coli were only detected in rats given an excess of fructose at the end of the study. Dietary fat and fructose trigger IR and IGT in clearly differentiated ways in WKY rats: early low-grade inflammation and late direct lipid toxicity, respectively; gut microbiota plays a role mainly in fat-induced IR, and hypertension is independent of inflammation-mediated IR. The results provide evidence that suggests that the combination of fat and sugar is potentially more harmful than fat or sugar alone when taken in excess.

Food contains bioactive compounds that may prevent changes in gut microbiota associated with Westernized diets. The aim of this study is to explore the possible additive effects of d-fagomine and ω-3 PUFAs (EPA/DHA 1:1) on gut microbiota and related risk factors during early stages in the development of fat-induced pre-diabetes. Male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were fed a standard diet, or a high-fat (HF) diet supplemented with d-fagomine, EPA/DHA 1:1, a combination of both, or neither, for 24 weeks. The variables measured were fasting glucose and glucose tolerance, plasma insulin, liver inflammation, fecal/cecal gut bacterial subgroups and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). The animals supplemented with d-fagomine alone and in combination with ω-3 PUFAs accumulated less fat than those in the non-supplemented HF group and those given only ω-3 PUFAs. The combined supplements attenuated the high-fat-induced incipient insulin resistance (IR), and liver inflammation, while increasing the cecal content, the Bacteroidetes:Firmicutes ratio and the populations of Bifidobacteriales. The functional effects of the combination of d-fagomine and EPA/DHA 1:1 against gut dysbiosis and the very early metabolic alterations induced by a high-fat diet are mainly those of d-fagomine complemented by the anti-inflammatory action of ω-3 PUFAs.

d-Fagomine delays the development of a fat-induced prediabetic state in rats by reducing low-grade inflammation. We suggest that the anti-inflammatory effect of d-fagomine may be linked to a reduction in fat-induced overpopulation of minor gut bacteria.

D-Fagomine (1,2 dideoxynojirimycin) is an iminosugar, a carbohydrate analogue that includes an endocyclic nitrogen instead of oxygen, that is naturally present in buckwheat and buckwheat-based foodstuffs. This study examines the long-term functional effect of d-fagomine on sucrose-induced factors of metabolic syndrome and explores possible molecular mechanisms behind its action. We evaluated Wistar Kyoto rats fed a standard diet were given a 35% sucrose (glucose/fructose) solution with dfagomine (or not, for comparison) or mineral water (controls) for 24 weeks. The variables measured were body weight and energy intake; glucose tolerance (oral glucose tolerance test); plasma leptin concentration; plasma lipid profile; the populations of Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, bacteroidales, clostridiales, enterobacteriales, and Escherichia coli in feces; blood pressure; urine uric acid and F 2t isoprostanes (F 2 -IsoPs); perigonadal fat deposition and hepatic histology and diacylglycerols (DAGs) in liver and adipose tissue. We found that d-Fagomine reduced sucrose induced hypertension, urine uric acid, F 2 -IsoPs as markers of oxidative stress (OS), steatosis and liver DAGs (32:1, 32:2, 34:1 and 36:2) without affecting perigonadal (visceral) fat deposition or DAG levels in visceral adipose tissue. It showed a slight tendency to reduce sugar induced impaired glucose tolerance. d-Fagomine also promoted excretion of enterobacteriales generated by the dietary intervention. We postulate that fructose increases visceral fat deposition independently of liver de novo liposynthesis and that d-fagomine attenuates steatosis and blood pressure mainly by reducing liver fructose levels. The reduction of blood pressure may be associated with an effect on uric acid synthesis while the reduced levels of selected active liver DAGs may explain the weak effect on sucrose-induced impaired glucose tolerance, which may be primarily induced by visceral fat deposition. In conclusion, the increased populations of excreted enterobacteriales may be connected to the levels of excreted uric acid. d-Fagomine counteracts sucrose-induced steatosis and hypertension presumably by reducing the postprandial levels of fructose in the liver as a consequence of intestinal sucrase inhibition.