J Romeo

Spanish National Research Council, Madrid, Madrid, Spain

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Publications (12)25.71 Total impact

  • Article: Associations of physical activity and fitness with adipocytokines in adolescents: the AFINOS Study.
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    ABSTRACT: Adipocytokines may have a key role in the development of atherosclerosis and type 2 diabetes. The purpose of this study was to examine the independent and joint associations of physical activity (PA), cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and muscular fitness (MF) with adiponectin and leptin in adolescents. A sample of 198 adolescents (96 girls), aged 13-17-year, was selected. Participants completed anthropometric measurements (height, weight, and waist circumference) and percentage of body fat (%BF) was estimated by bioelectrical impedance. PA was measured by accelerometer for 7-day. The 20-m shuttle-run test was used to assess CRF and two MF tests (handgrip strength and standing broad jump) were used to create an MF score. A cluster score of health status (0-3 risks) was created. Serum adiponectin and plasma leptin were also determined. Regression analyses controlling for age, sex, pubertal status and waist circumference showed that PA was not significantly associated with adiponectin and vigorous PA showed a significant inverse association with leptin. Both CRF and MF were significantly and inversely associated with adiponectin and leptin. Further analyses revealed that the 'healthy' group (0 risks) had significantly lower adiponectin and leptin than 'medium-healthy' (1 risk) and 'unhealthy' (2-3 risks) status groups. PA, CRF and MF are inversely and jointly associated with adiponectin and leptin concentrations in adolescents.
    Nutrition, metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases: NMCD 01/2011; 22(3):252-9. · 3.52 Impact Factor
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    Article: Physical activity, immunity and infection.
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    ABSTRACT: During the last few decades, scientific evidence has confirmed a wide range of health benefits related to regular physical activity. How physical activity affects the immune function and infection risk is, however, still under debate. Commonly, intensive exercise suppresses the activity and levels of several immune cells, while other immune functions may be stimulated by moderate physical activity. With this knowledge, the understanding of the relationship between different levels of physical activity on the immune function has been raised as a potential tool to protect health not only in athletes but also in the general population; the mechanisms that translate a physically active lifestyle into good health continue to be investigated. Reviewing the literature, although several outcomes (i.e. the mechanisms by which different levels and duration of physical activity programmes affect numerous cell types and responses) remain unclear, given that the additional benefits encompass healthy habits including exercise, the use of physical activity programmes may result in improved health of elderly populations. Moderate physical activity or moderate-regulated training may enhance the immune function mainly in less fit subjects or sedentary population and the pre-event fitness status also seems to be an important individual factor regarding this relationship. Although adequate nutrition and regular physical activity habits may synergistically improve health, clinical trials in athletes using nutritional supplements to counteract the immune suppression have been inconclusive so far.Further research is necessary to find out to what extent physical activity training can exert an effect on the immune function.
    Proceedings of The Nutrition Society 08/2010; 69(3):390-9. · 2.77 Impact Factor
  • Article: Daily consumption of milk enriched with fish oil, oleic acid, minerals and vitamins reduces cell adhesion molecules in healthy children.
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    ABSTRACT: Several studies have suggested that polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins and minerals have beneficial effects on lipid profile and systemic inflammation in adults. We examined the effects of a daily intake of milk enriched with longchain polyunsaturated fatty acids, oleic acid, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and low in saturated fatty acids (SFAs) for 5 months, on several cardiovascular (CVD) risk biomarkers in healthy children aged 8-14 years. In a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial, a total of 107 children of both genders were assigned to two study groups: 1) a supplemented group (SG, n=53) who consumed 0.6 L/day of an enriched dairy product, and 2) a control group (CG, n=54) who consumed 0.6 L/day of standard whole milk. Both groups consumed the dairy drinks for 5 months, in addition to their usual diet. Serum levels of adhesion molecules as indices of vascular endothelial cell activation were assessed in both groups at 0 and 5 months as well as white blood cell counts, lipid profile, serum proteins, total serum calcium, 25-OH vitamin D, glucose, insulin and adiponectin. In the enriched dairy drink supplemented group, adhesion molecules E-selectin and ICAM-1 as well as lymphocyte levels decreased while plasma docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and serum calcium concentrations increased. In the control group, serum total protein, transferrin, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and adiponectin concentrations decreased. The consumption of a milk enriched with fish oil, oleic acid, minerals and vitamins reduced indices of endothelial cell activation in the studied group of healthy children.
    Nutrition, metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases: NMCD 11/2009; 21(2):113-20. · 3.52 Impact Factor
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    Article: Immunological changes after a single bout of moderate-intensity exercise in a hot environment.
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    ABSTRACT: This study was aimed to evaluate the possible changes caused by a single bout of moderate-intensity exercise in a hot environmental temperature on the immune function and on inflammatory markers. A total of 22 young male adults (VO2(max), 55.4 +/- 3.6 ml x kg(-1) x min(-1)) volunteered to participate in an exercise session of 60 minutes on a treadmill ergometer at moderate speed (60% of the maximum aerobic speed) in hot environmental conditions (35 degrees C and humidity 60%). Total leukocyte numbers, lymphocyte subsets (CD8+, CD4+, CD3+, NK and CD19+), cytokine production capacity by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) (IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha) as well as the concentration of several inflammation related proteins (ceruloplasmin, C-reactive protein (CRP), complement factors C3 and C4) were evaluated before and after exercise. The results show that leukocyte and neutrophil absolute values increased (P < 0.001) after the exercise period. In contrast, eosinophil values decreased (P < 0.05) after the exercise. In addition, ceruloplasmin, C3 and C4 values (P < 0.05) increased after exercise. No changes in T lymphocyte subsets, cytokine production, or CRP were observed. These data confirm previous studies suggesting that a 60 min exercise in a hot environment is enough to cause a physiologic adaptation to these special conditions leading to an increase of non-specific immune cells and promoting inflammatory processes. On the other hand, PCR values, lymphocyte subsets and the capacity of cytokine production by PBMC were not changed in a relatively short bout of exercise under these conditions in contrast with previous studies.
    Journal of physiology and biochemistry 10/2008; 64(3):197-204. · 1.71 Impact Factor
  • Article: Immunological changes after dehydration resulting from physical effort in a hot environment.
    Proceedings of The Nutrition Society 06/2008; 67(OCE):E67. · 2.77 Impact Factor
  • Article: Immunomodulation and antioxidant capacity of hydroxytyrosol present at oleic acid-rich sunflower oil.
    Proceedings of The Nutrition Society 06/2008; 67(OCE):E2. · 2.77 Impact Factor
  • Article: Effects of moderate beer consumption on first-line immunity of healthy adults.
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    ABSTRACT: Moderate alcohol consumption has shown to induce benefits on host specific (cell-mediated and humoral) immune system, but there is scarce literature regarding first-line immune responses. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in non-specific immunity after alcohol abstention and moderate beer consumption in healthy adults. After a 30 day-alcohol abstemious period, 57 healthy volunteers were submitted to a daily moderate consumption of beer (330 mL for women and 660 mL for men, respectively) during the following 30 days. White blood cell counts and phagocytic and oxidative burst activity were evaluated at three points: a) basal, b) abstemious, c) after moderate consumption of beer. Absolute values of leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes and basophiles (x10(9)/L) increased significantly in women from point b to point c (6.34 +/- 1.26 vs. 7.27 +/- 1.97, 3.43 +/- 0.88 vs. 4.13 +/- 1.53, 2.14 +/- 0.50 vs. 2.38 +/- 0.63, and 0.05 +/- 0.02 vs. 0.06 +/- 0.03, respectively; p < 0.05) as well as basophils in men (0.05 +/- 0.03 vs. 0.06 +/- 0.03). A significant increase of oxidative burst capacity was also observed after the moderate consumption of beer in both women (33.90 +/- 19.00 vs. 48.86 +/- 21.83) and men (27.39 +/- 18.13 vs. 39.25 +/- 24.53). In healthy adults, after 30 days of moderate beer consumption the parameter describing the non-specific immunity improved when compared to the basal situation. For several of these parameters, the response is more enhanced in women.
    Journal of physiology and biochemistry 06/2007; 63(2):153-9. · 1.71 Impact Factor
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    Article: Influence of alcohol consumption on immunological status: a review.
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    ABSTRACT: The aim of this review is to present and discuss the effect of different levels of alcohol consumption on the immune system. Not only the amount consumed but also the type of alcoholic beverage have to be taken into account in order to determine the consequences on activity, number, distribution, balance, interaction and response of immunocompetent cells. The association between alcohol exposure and the risk of developing an alcohol-related disease is multifactorial. In fact, age, gender, smoking habits, dietary intake and exercise are involved among other factors. The evaluation of the host cellular and humoral immune responses has shown that alcohol may induce some benefits when consumption is moderate. Moreover, those alcoholic beverages that contain antioxidants, such as red wine, could be protectors against immune cell damage. According to the literature consulted, the daily consumption of 10-12 g and 20-24 g of alcohol for women and men, respectively, is considered to be a moderate intake; the type of beverage has been established not to be important when defining moderation. Particular attention is often focused on the U- or J-shaped curve which also suggests that light to moderate drinking produces a protective effect. Such an inverse relationship indicates a reduction of risk for both light and moderate consumers and a higher risk not only for hard drinkers, but also for non-consumers.
    European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 09/2002; 56 Suppl 3:S50-3. · 2.46 Impact Factor
  • Article: [Contribution to the intake of macro and micro nutrients exerted by moderate beer consumption].
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    ABSTRACT: Moderate beer consumption can be part of a healthy diet, like the Mediterranean diet. The aim of the present study was to analyse the contribution a moderate beer consumption makes to energy and nutrient intake in Spanish healthy adults. As part of a larger intervention study, dietary intake was measured by means of a 7-day food dietary record in 24 men and 22 women (age 34.18 +/- 5.80 years) twice: during the last week of the 30 days of complete alcohol abstinence and during the last week of 30 days of moderate beer consumption. Energy and nutrient content of food was analysed by means of the GEA program, based on the Spanish food composition tables. In women, moderate beer consumption increased significantly (p < 0.05) mean vitamin B6 (1.24 +/- 0.32 to 1.47 +/- 0.34 mg), B12 (3.87 +/- 1.46 to 5.58 +/- 2.76 microg), A (614.45 +/- 224.75 to 788.3 +/- 486.1 microg), and folate (139.5 +/- 39.88 to 168.25 +/- 56.32 microg) intake, whereas there was a decrease in mean iodine intake (327.1 +/- 148.4 to 281.2 +/- 135.02 microg). In men, mean vitamin B2 (1.64 +/- 0.62 to 1.91 +/- 0.46 mg), B6 (1.54 +/- 0.63 to 1.80 +/- 0.37 mg), niacin (30.01 +/- 8.13 to 34.78 +/- 6.26 mg) and folate (153.23 +/- 68.70 to 192.32 +/- 46.73 mg) intake also increased significantly. Energy, macronutrient and mineral intake had non-significant oscillations. Moderate beer consumption can improve diet quality in regard to B vitamins in healthy adults.
    Nutricion hospitalaria: organo oficial de la Sociedad Espanola de Nutricion Parenteral y Enteral 21(1):84-91. · 1.12 Impact Factor
  • Article: [Does beer have an impact on weight gain? Effects of moderate beer consumption on body composition].
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    ABSTRACT: The effects of alcohol consumption on body weight have been evaluated in a large number of studies suggesting to be inversely as well as positively related to body weight and body fat. This study examined the relationships between moderate beer consumption and anthropometrical parameters in Spanish healthy adults. After a 30 day alcohol abstemious period, 58 healthy volunteers were submitted to a daily moderate consumption of beer during the following 30 days. Weight, height, skinfolds and circumferences were measured at three points: (a) basal; (b) abstemious and (c) after moderate consumption of beer. Biceps skinfold (mm) increased (p < 0.05) in men after moderate beer consumption in regard to abstinence period (5.74 +/- 1.70 vs. 6.23 +/- 1.74). No significant differences were observed in the rest of anthropometrical parameters studied in both women and men along the study intervention. Moderate beer consumption during one month did not mostly change weight and weight-related parameters in healthy adults.
    Nutricion hospitalaria: organo oficial de la Sociedad Espanola de Nutricion Parenteral y Enteral 22(2):223-8. · 1.12 Impact Factor
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    Article: Immunomodulatory effect of fibres, probiotics and synbiotics in different life-stages.
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    ABSTRACT: Chronic diseases associated to modern lifestyle habits are usually related to immune system malfunction. In this context, since diet is very well-known to modulate host resistance to infectious and inflammatory processes, the consumption of fibre and probiotics seems to be a promising nutritional tool for immune system modulation in different populations. Health effects of dietary fibres and probiotics have been extensively documented in numerous epidemiological and intervention studies, especially their beneficial effect on intestinal microbiota with important clinical implications in the prevention and/or treatment of infectious and inflammatory diseases. Mechanisms may include modulation of the functional properties of the microbiota, epithelial cells, dendritic cells and immune cell types. Prebiotics have been extensively reported to affect the composition of the gut microbiota, stimulating directly or indirectly putative beneficial gut commensals other than lactic acid bacteria, opening promising areas of research for the discovery of new probiotic strains and synbiotic combinations. Age-related changes in gut physiology, microbiota and mucosal immune response are well established. Moreover, exposure to different challenges during life such as early encounter of environmental insults in the newborn, infant formula feeding, antibiotic treatment, gastrointestinal diseases and stress, also interferes with the normal development and balance of the healthy gut microbiota. Therefore, the current short review gives an overview of today's main aspects of the effect of fibres, probiotics and synbiotics on the immune system in different life-stages.
    Nutricion hospitalaria: organo oficial de la Sociedad Espanola de Nutricion Parenteral y Enteral 25(3):341-9. · 1.12 Impact Factor
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    Article: Is soft drink consumption associated with body composition? A cross-sectional study in Spanish adolescents.
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    ABSTRACT: Published data about the association between the consumption of sweetened soft-drinks (SSD) and obesity in childhood are controversial and still inconsistent. In addition, data are lacking in the Spanish population. The purpose of this study was therefore, to explore the cross-sectional association between body composition-related parameters and SSD consumption in Spanish adolescents. A representative sample of 1,523 adolescents (768 boys and 755 girls), with complete dietary data as well as anthropometric measurements, were included in this study. Weight, height, waist circumferences, and 6 skinfolds were measured, and BMI and percentage body fat were calculated. From a 24h dietary recall the subjects were grouped in 3 groups according to their SSD consumption: 1) Non-consumers (0 g of SSD consumption); 2) Moderate consumption (< 336 g/day of SSD, equivalent to the average SSD portion size); and 3) High consumption (> 336 g/day of SSD). 67% males and 75% females did not consume any SSD the day before the dietary recall interview. Males consumed more SSD than females. Regarding the association between SSD consumption and measures of obesity, no difference was observed between the three groups of SSD consumption in any of the anthropometric measurement, BMI or body fat. As no association was present between SSD consumption and obesity in our cross-sectional study we suggest that dietary patterns and habits as well as lifestyle factors such as physical activity should be present when examining cross-sectional or longitudinal relationships with obesity. Multidisciplinary intervention studies are crucial when trying to develop solutions against the increasing obesity epidemic.
    Nutricion hospitalaria: organo oficial de la Sociedad Espanola de Nutricion Parenteral y Enteral 24(1):97-102. · 1.12 Impact Factor