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Fatty acids are closely involved in lipid synthesis and metabolism in cancer. Their amount and composition are dependent on dietary supply and tumor microenviroment. Research in this subject highlighted the crucial event of membrane formation, which is regulated by the fatty acids’ molecular properties. The growing understanding of the pathways that create the fatty acid pool needed for cell replication is the result of lipidomics studies, also envisaging novel fatty acid biosynthesis and fatty acid-mediated signaling. Fatty acid-driven mechanisms and biological effects in cancer onset, growth and metastasis have been elucidated, recognizing the importance of polyunsaturated molecules and the balance between omega-6 and omega-3 families. Saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids are biomarkers in several types of cancer, and their characterization in cell membranes and exosomes is under development for diagnostic purposes. Desaturase enzymatic activity with unprecedented de novo polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) synthesis is considered the recent breakthrough in this scenario. Together with the link between obesity and cancer, fatty acids open interesting perspectives for biomarker discovery and nutritional strategies to control cancer, also in combination with therapies. All these subjects are described using an integrated approach taking into account biochemical, biological and analytical aspects, delineating innovations in cancer prevention, diagnostics and treatments.

Background The popularization of mobile health (mHealth) apps for public health or medical care purposes has transformed human life substantially, improving lifestyle behaviors and chronic condition management. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of gamification features in a mHealth app that includes the most common categories of behavior change techniques for the self-report of lifestyle data. The data reported by the user can be manual (i.e., diet, activity, and weight) and automatic (Fitbit wearable devices). As a secondary objective, this work aims to explore the differences in the adherence when considering a longer study duration and make a comparative analysis of the gamification effect. Methods In this study, the effectiveness of various behavior change techniques strategies is evaluated through the analysis of two user groups. With a first group of users, we perform a comparative analysis in terms of adherence and system usability scale of two versions of the app, both including the most common categories of behavior change techniques but the second version having added gamification features. Then, with a second group of participants and the best mHealth app version, a longer study is carried out and user adherence, the system usability scale and user feedback are analyzed. Results In the first stage study, results have shown that the app version with gamification features has achieved a higher adherence, as the percentage of days active was higher for most of the users and the system usability scale score is 80.67, which is categorized as rank A. The app also exceeded the expectations of the users by about 70% for the app version with gamification functionalities. In the second stage of the study, an adherence of 76.25% is reported after 8 weeks and 58% at the end of the pilot for the mHealth app. Similarly, for the wearable device, an adherence of 74.32% is achieved after 8 weeks and 81.08% is obtained at the end of the pilot. We hypothesize that these specific wearable devices have contributed to a decreased system usability scale score, reaching 62.89 which is ranked as C. Conclusion This study evidences the effectiveness of the gamification category of behavior change techniques in increasing the overall user adherence, expectations, and perceived usability. In addition, the results provide quantitative results on the effect of the most common categories of behavior change techniques for the self-report of lifestyle data. Therefore, a higher duration in the study has shown several limitations when capturing lifestyle data, especially when including wearable devices such as Fitbit.

Background Several studies have employed dried blood spot (DBS) analysis to measure omega-3 levels in whole blood and investigate their associations with cardiovascular risk. Our study evaluated the effectiveness of using DBS as a marker for dietary intake, specifically focusing on omega-3 fatty acids, over both short- and long-term periods. As a novel approach, this study aims to determine whether the fatty acid (FA) profile of DBS can be useful to accurately reflect nutritional habits and monitor changes in fish intake over different consumption periods. Methods A within-subject nutritional intervention study was conducted with 18 healthy volunteers (both males and females aged 18–65 years). Their FA profiles were determined by GC-FID in DBS before the intervention began, and changes in their blood FA profiles were monitored at five different time-points across different periods of oily fish consumption. Dietary information was recorded daily through questionnaires. For statistical analysis, hierarchical clustering and principal component analysis were performed to detect patterns of FA profiles in DBS. Differences among groups were tested by Student´s t test or by Wilcoxon test, and changes across visits were analysed via linear mixed models. Results The results revealed three main patterns of the DBS profile, which could be explained by the participants’ dietary habits. Furthermore, the changes during the intervention indicated that eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3) levels were highly affected by the diet of the previous day, whereas docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3) required at least one or two weeks to show changes, with little difference depending on the FA levels of the participants before they started the intervention. Conclusion The use of DBS to examine blood FA composition is a promising, reliable and convenient way to assess dietary habits and monitor responses to food intake, which could help advance personalised nutritional strategies. Trial registration The study was registered at the ISRCTN (registration number ISRCTN47135203) the 22nd October 2024.

This research was financially supported by the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI) of the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation under the grant agreement: TECNOMIFOOD project (CER-20191010); and by the ELINUT project (2021-2022 Food Industry Framework, Basque Government). This is contribution n degrees 1131 of AZTI.

BackgroundAn optimal and correctly balanced metabolic status is essential to improve sports performance in athletes. Recent advances in omic tools, such as the lipid profile of the mature erythrocyte membranes (LPMEM), allow to have a comprehensive vision of the nutritional and metabolic status of these individuals to provide personalized recommendations for nutrients, specifically, the essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, individuating deficiencies/unbalances that can arise from both habitual diet and sportive activity. This work aimed to study the LPMEM in professional female football players during the football season for the first time and compare it with those defined as optimal values for the general population and a control group.MethodsAn observational study was carried out on female football players from the Athletic Club (Bilbao) playing in the first division of the Spanish league. Blood samples were collected at three points: at the beginning, mid-season, and end of the season for three consecutive seasons (2019–2020, 2020–2021, and 2021–2022), providing a total of 160 samples from 40 women. The LPMEM analysis was obtained by GC-FID by published method and correlated to other individual data, such as blood biochemical parameters, body composition, and age.ResultsWe observed a significant increase in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (p 0.048) and total polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) (p 0.021) in the first season. In the second season, we observed a buildup in the membrane arachidonic acid (AA) (p < .001) and PUFA (p < .001) contents when high training accumulated. In comparison with the benchmark of average population values, 69% of the football players showed lower levels of omega-6 dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA), whereas 88%, 44%, and 81% of the participants showed increased values of AA, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and the ratio of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids (SFA/MUFA), respectively. Regarding relationships between blood biochemical parameters, body composition, and age with LPMEM, we observed some mild negative correlations, such as AA and SFA/MUFA ratio with vitamin D levels (coefficient = -0.34 p = .0019 and coefficient = -.25 p = .042); DGLA with urea and cortisol (coefficient = -0.27 p < .006 and coefficient = .28 p < .0028) and AA with age (coefficient = -0.33 p < .001).ConclusionIn conclusion, relevant variations in several fatty acids of the membrane fatty acid profile of elite female football players were observed during the competitive season and, in comparison with the general population, increased PUFA contents were confirmed, as reported in other sportive activities, together with the new aspect of DGLA diminution, an omega-6 involved in immune and anti-inflammatory responses. Our results highlight membrane lipidomics as a tool to ascertain the molecular profile of elite female football players with a potential application for future personalized nutritional strategies (diet and supplementation) to address unbalances created during the competitive season.

Background: Adipokines, as well as the fatty acid profile of red blood cell (RBC) membranes, are known to play important roles in the development and progression of metabolic complications induced by obesity. Thus, the objective of this study is to compare the serum adipokine profile and the RBC membrane fatty acid profile of normal-weight and obese adults, and to analyze their relationship with serum biochemical parameters. Methods: An observational case–control study was performed in 75 normal-weight and obese adult subjects. Biochemical serum parameters, eight serum adipokines and the RBC membrane fatty acid profiles were measured. Associations between parameters were established using regression analysis. Results: Subjects with obesity showed increased levels of leptin, fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) and overexpressed nephroblastoma (NOV/CCN3), decreased adiponectin, and similar levels of vaspin and chemerin compared to normal-weight subjects. Significant positive and negative correlations were found with triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c), respectively. An increase in the total ω-6 fatty acids in the RBC membrane fatty acid profiles in subjects with obesity was observed, because of higher levels of both dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) and arachidonic acid (AA), and decreased total ω-3 fatty acids, mainly due to lower levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The ω-6/ω-3 ratio in the RBCs was significantly higher, suggesting an inflammatory status, as was also suggested by a reduced adiponectin level. A negative association between DGLA and adiponectin, and a positive association between DHA and serum triglycerides, was observed. Conclusions: Important alterations in serum adipokine and RBC fatty acid profiles are found in subjects with obesity.

Red blood cell (RBC) membrane can reflect fatty acid (FA) contribution from diet and biosynthesis. In cancer, membrane FAs are involved in tumorigenesis and invasiveness, and are indicated as biomarkers to monitor the disease evolution as well as potential targets for therapies and nutritional strategies. The present study provides RBC membrane FA profiles in recently diagnosed breast cancer patients before starting chemotherapy treatment. Patients and controls were recruited, and their dietary habits were collected. FA lipidomic analysis of mature erythrocyte membrane phospholipids in blood samples was performed. Data were adjusted to correct for the effects of diet, body mass index (BMI), and age, revealing that patients showed lower levels of saturated fatty acids (SFA) and higher levels of monounsaturated fatty acid, cis-vaccenic (25%) than controls, with consequent differences in desaturase enzymatic index (∆9 desaturase, –13.1%). In the case of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), patients had higher values of ω-6 FA (C18:2 (+11.1%); C20:4 (+7.4%)). RBC membrane lipidomic analysis in breast cancer revealed that ω-6 pathways are favored. These results suggest new potential targets for treatments and better nutritional guidelines.

As the obesity epidemic continues to grow inexorably worldwide, the need to develop effective strategies to prevent and control obesity seems crucial. The use of molecular tools can be useful to characterize different obesity phenotypes to provide more precise nutritional recommendations. This study aimed to determine the fatty acid (FA) profile of red blood cell (RBC) membranes, together with the evaluation of their dietary intake and biochemical parameters, of children and adults with obesity. An observational study was carried out on 196 children (113 with normal weight and 83 with obesity) and 91 adults (30 with normal weight and 61 with obesity). Mature RBC membrane phospholipids were analyzed for FA composition by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Dietary habits were evaluated using validated food frequency questionnaires (FFQ). Children with obesity presented higher levels of ω-6 polyunsaturated FAs (mainly linoleic acid, p = 0.01) and lower values of ω-3 FAs (mainly DHA, p < 0.001) compared with adults. Regarding blood biochemical parameters, children with obesity presented lower levels of glucose, LDL cholesterol, and alanine aminotransferase compared with adults with obesity. These lipidomic differences could be considered to provide specific nutritional recommendations for different age groups, based on an adequate fat intake.

Fatty acids have an important place in both biological and nutritional contexts and, from a clinical point of view, they have known consequences for diseases’ onset and development, including cancer. The use of fatty acid-based food and nutraceuticals to support cancer therapy is a multidisciplinary subject, involving molecular and clinical research. Knowledge regarding polyunsaturated fatty acids essentiality/oxidizability and the role of lipogenesis-desaturase pathways for cell growth, as well as oxidative reactivity in cancer cells, are discussed, since they can drive the choice of fatty acids using their multiple roles to support antitumoral drug activity. The central role of membrane fatty acid composition is highlighted for the application of membrane lipid therapy. As fatty acids are also known as biomarkers of cancer onset and progression, the personalization of the fatty acid-based therapy is also possible, taking into account other important factors such as formulation, bioavailability and the distribution of the supplementation. A holistic approach emerges combining nutra- and pharma-strategies in an appropriate manner, to develop further knowledge and applications in cancer therapy.

Purpose Many cancer patients have problems eating which are usually connected to taste and smell alterations due to side effects of cancer treatment. These problems have consequences both in terms of malnutrition and reduced quality of life. In order to explore social and psychological consequences of eating problems in cancer patients, qualitative interviews were conducted with cancer patients, their caregivers and healthcare professionals. Methods The study was conducted in three European countries (Poland, Spain and the UK) that differed in culture, oncology care approaches and availability of nutritional products targeted to cancer patients in the market. Results Differences in the social role of eating between the three European countries were observed which subsequently influenced the impact of eating problems for cancer patients in these countries. Furthermore, the study found that problems with food affect not only the quality of life of cancer patients, but can also distress their caregivers, who are often unable to cope with such food-related problems. In addition, the study showed that commercially available nutritional products for cancer patients focus on nutritional value but tend to neglect an important aspect of eating, which is the enjoyment of food, both individually and socially.