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The presence of circulating microbiome in blood has been reported in both physiological and pathological conditions, although its origins, identities and function remain to be elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the presence of blood microbiome by quantitative real-time PCRs targeting the 16S rRNA gene. The samples came from several different European countries recruited within the EU Project MARK-AGE in which a series of clinical biochemical parameters were determined. The results obtained reveal an association between microbial DNA copy number and geographic origin. By contrast, no gender and age-related difference emerged, thus demonstrating the role of the environment in influencing the above levels independent of age and gender at least until the age of 75. In addition, a significant positive association was found with Free Fatty Acids (FFA) levels, leukocyte count, insulin, and glucose levels. Since these factors play an essential role in both health and disease conditions, their association with the extent of the blood microbiome leads us to consider the blood microbiome as a potential biomarker of human health.

The plant Santa herba (Eriodictyon californicum) contains high flavonoids, thus potentially exerting beneficial effects in context of obesity, often accompanied by inflammation and metabolic imbalance. The study assessed the impact of Santa herba on oxidative stress, energy metabolism, weight reduction, and eating behaviour, combining in vitro models with clinical data. Santa herba binding of the adenosine receptor A2A (ADORA2A) was assessed using a radioligand binding assay. A Caenorhabditis elegans model was used to determine mobility boosting effects, and Santa herba oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) values were determined in comparison to antioxidative plants. Clinical data, that is, body weight and appetite-related parameters, were obtained from overweight and obese women receiving either Santa herba or placebo for 12 weeks. Results showed that Santa herba extract has energising and antioxidant properties and may aid in weight management of people with obesity.

Ageing leaves characteristic traces in the DNA methylation make-up of the genome. However, the importance of DNA methylation in ageing remains unclear. The study of subtelomeric regions could give promising insights into this issue. Previously reported associations between susceptibility to age-related diseases and epigenetic instability at subtelomeres suggest that the DNA methylation profile of subtelomeres undergoes remodelling during ageing. In the present work, this hypothesis has been tested in the context of the European large-scale project MARK-AGE. In this cross-sectional study, we profiled the DNA methylation of chromosomes 5 and 21 subtelomeres, in more than 2000 age-stratified women and men recruited in eight European countries. Results indicate that the effects of age on subtelomeric DNA methylation are mostly independent of all other variables evaluated.

Background: (6S)-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate ((6S)-5-MethylTHF) is the physiological folate form in biological fluids. Salts of (6S)-5-MethylTHF may have advantages compared to folic acid and are increasingly used in foods and supplements. Objective and design: The present study describes the physicochemical properties of the (6S)-5-MethylTHF-2Chol salt as a source of methylfolate with respect to solubility, conductivity, and melting point. The pharmacokinetics of (6S)-5-MethylTHF-2Chol and folic acid were compared in a randomised controlled double-blind cross-over study using a single equimolar oral dose of each of the folate substances. Results: The solubility of the dicholine salt was very high (650 mg/mL in H2O and 40 mg/mL in H2O under acidic conditions). The incremental area under the curve (iAUC0-8h) was significantly higher after the administration of (6S)-5-MethylTHF-2Chol compared to folic acid ([1.64-fold, P < 0.0001] for total folate and 2.56-fold higher for (6S)-5-MethylTHF [P < 0.0001]). Discussion and conclusions: The bioavailability of (6S)-5-MethylTHF-2Chol is higher compared to folic acid. The crystalline structure of (6S)-5-MethylTHF-2Chol and its water solubility are advantageous in terms of stability in nutraceutical products and absorption in the gut. (6S)-5-MethylTHF-2Chol is the source of folate that may enable the development of new applications.

The assessment of improvement or maintenance of joint health in healthy subjects is a great challenge. The aim of the study was the evaluation of a joint stress test to assess joint discomfort in subjects with activity-related knee joint discomfort (ArJD). Forty-five subjects were recruited to perform the single-leg-step-down (SLSD) test (15 subjects per group). Subjects with ArJD of the knee (age 22-62 years) were compared to healthy subjects (age 24-59 years) with no knee joint discomfort during daily life sporting activity and to subjects with mild-to-moderate osteoarthritis of the knee joint (OA, Kellgren score 2-3, age 42-64 years). The results suggest the SLSD test is a reliable tool for the assessment of knee joint health function in ArJD and OA subjects to study the improvements in their activities. Further, this model can be used as a stress model in intervention studies to study the impact of stress on knee joint health function.

Self-rated health (SRH) is one of the most frequently used indicators in health and social research. We used data from three independent European population samples (N approx. 15,000) to investigate the associations of SRH with 150 biomolecules in blood or urine (biomarkers). Altogether 57 biomarkers representing different organ systems were associated with SRH. We propose three potential pathways through which biomarkers may be incorporated into an individual's subjective health assessment. Finally our findings indicate that SRH has a solid biological basis and it is a valid but non-specific indicator of the biological condition of the human organism.