Ketogenic Diet and Mediterranean Diet: what are they and how well do we know them? A model of intestine reproduced in vitro: pure science fiction? - Spoke 5 tries to explain it during the European Researchers' Night 2023 in Turin
On September 29, 2023, the European Researchers' Night took place in Turin within the elegant Royal Gardens.
The event, which is an important occasion for meeting, exchange, and scientific dissemination between researchers and citizens, has involved several groups from the NODES project for this edition, promoting Spoke 5 ''Health Industry and Silver Economy'' and the projects INNDIANA and TINCARE.
The research group of the University del Piemonte Orientale led by Professor Flavia Prodram, enthusiastically partecipated in the initiative by presenting their research topics in the nutritionals and metabolic field in a simple and engaging way through videoclips, images and questionnaires that have aroused the curiosity of passersby, from adults to children.
Through the use of the questionnaire of adherence to the Mediterranean Diet, ''Predimed'', passersby were playfully challenged to discover how well-informed they were about the benefits of this diet and how much they adhered to it. In the case of poor knowledge, the researchers provided some ''knowkledge pills'' through a friendly exchange in information.
One of the flagship projects of the group that has captured the interest of citizens, especially the youngest, is the development of an ex-vivo model of intestine (GEVS), shown through videoclips and suggestive images. Through this experimental model, it is possible to directly test the effect of various substances on the gastrointestinal tract. The current studies are focused on the identification of probiotic formulations capable of counteracting the harmful effects on the intestine caused by the ingestion of heavy metals in the diet. Furthermore, the GEVS is used as an experimental model for the study of various gastrointestinal diseases, such as Celiac disease, Chron's disease and Ulcerative Colitis.
The event was also an important opportunity to add some information abouyt one of the most debated diets of the moment: the ketogenic diet. A diet that provides a reduction of carbohydrates in favor of an increased lipid intake and suitable amount of protein.
The group has been studying for several months the effect of the VLKD (very low ketogenic diet) on metabolism particularly on skeletal muscle.
The study is ongoing and employs both in vitro and ex-vivo models to assess as accurately as possible the role of the diet on muscle cells. In vitro, a system has been developed with cells capable of mimicking skeletal muscle, the C2C12 cells, and two acids: palmitate, mimicking the effects of a Western diet, and butyrate, mimicking the effects of a ketogenic diet.
Simultaneously, in ex-vivo animal models, researchers are investigating whether the homeostasis of skeletal muscle and its function are disturbed as a results of a low carbohydrate diet. Morphology and metabolism of the fibers are being studies through immunohistichemical and fluorescent staining of various experimental models.