CHOKO-AGE

Combining vitamin E-functionalized CHOcolate with physical exercise to reduce the risK Of protein-energy malnutrition in pre-dementia AGEd people
Image

Abstract

The CHOKO-AGE project starts from the assumption that nutrition and physical exercise can support each other to prevent protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) and muscle wasting in the elderly at risk of frailty and disability. Age-dependent PEM is associated with specific alterations of endocrine factors, such as cortisol and insulin, and with a reduced competence of tissues, including the muscle, to utilize dietary nutrients to prevent and eventually repair the lesions deriving from the exposure to cellular stressors, such as reactive metabolites of molecular oxygen produced during metabolic processes, mechanical stresses, etc. The control of cortisol levels and the protection of mitochondrial function and membrane integrity in muscle cells, are key targets in PEM.

Our experimental hypothesis is that physical activity and chocolate polyphenols can combine their cortisol lowering effect with the antioxidant and cytoprotection function of vitamin E, to prevent the age-dependent decline of mitochondrial function and nutrient metabolism in skeletal muscle. Positive effects are also expected on immune cells and in the homeostatic control of inflammatory pathways and tissue repair mechanisms.

To test this hypothesis, a vitamin E-functionalized dark chocolate rich in polyphenols will be developed in collaboration with Perugina, Nestlè company, and its effects will be investigated combined with a high-intensity interval physical training in a 6-month randomized case-control trial in elderly dementia patients. This is a well-defined population of subjects at risk of PEM and frailty. Muscle mass will be the primary endpoint in this intervention study, whereas metabolomics and proteomics data on muscle metabolism, together with cortisol levels and clinical and laboratory indices of neurological and immuno-inflammatory functions, will represent secondary end-points. The latter will be important to interpret molecular and mechanistic aspects standing behind the response to nutrition and physical activity treatment.

To summarize, the fundamental aim of this project is to develop a nutritionally-enhanced and palatable food to support physical activity in preventing PEM in the elderly.

The CHOKO-AGE project involves a consortium of 5 university partners located in Italy, Norway, United Kingdom, and Spain, and of two external collaborators: “Perugina, NestlèItaliana, Spa” and “Molecular Horizon Srl”.

Consortium

Partner Organization Partner Country
University of Perugia, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences Italy
University of Verona, Department of Neurological and Movement Sciences Italy
Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging Norway
University of Liverpool Department of Musculoskeletal Biology II, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease United Kingdom
Aging and Physical Exercise Research Group. INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute Spain
Nestlé Italiana SpA Italy
Molecular Horizon Srl Italy

 

Highlights

  • the CHOKO-AGE project will develop a new vitamin E-functionalized dark chocolate food product
  • content and type of the functional agents present in the innovative food product will be verified and their biological activity will be investigated in cell models,
  • a high-intensity interval physical training program tailored to elderly subjects at risk of malnutrition and frailty will be designed,
  • the effects of the innovative food product and physical activity on indices of protein-energy malnutrition will be verified in a randomized clinical trial,
  • molecular and functional data of muscle tissue metabolism and immuno-inflammatory pathways will be gathered and evaluated for interpretation with state-of-the-art bioinformatics tools,
  • study outcomes will be utilized to develop models of personalized nutrition and physical activity in the aged at risk of malnutrition and frailty,
  • results will be available for the scientific community, national and local health systems, and the general public.

Products

Title: Randomised controlled trial combining vitamin E-functionalised chocolate with physical exercise to reduce the risk of protein-energy malnutrition in predementia aged people: study protocol for Choko-Age.
Author: Pedrinolla A, Isanejad M, Antognelli C, Bartolini D, Borras C, Cavedon V, Di Sante G, Migni A, Mas-Bargues C, Milanese C, Baschirotto C, Modena R, Pistilli A, Rende M, Schena F, Stabile AM, Telesa NV, Tortorella S, Hemmings K, Vina J, Wang E, McArdle A, Jackson MJ, Venturelli M, Galli F.
Magazine: BMJ Open
Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38135320/
Title: Lipidomics reveals different therapeutic potential for natural and synthetic vitamin D formulations in hepatocyte lipotoxicity.
Author: Migni A, Bartolini D, Varfaj I, Moscardini IF, Sardella R, Garetto S, Lucci J, Galli F.
Magazine: Biomed Pharmacother.
Title: Lipid peroxidationas measured bychromatographicdetermination ofmalondialdehyde.Human plasmareference valuesin health anddisease
Author: Cristina Mas-Bargues ,Consuelo Escrivá ,Mar Dromant ,Consuelo Borrás, José Viña
Magazine: Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics
Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abb.2021.108941
Title: Adult Neural Stem Cell Migration Is Impaired in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease
Author: Esteve, D., Molina-Navarro, M. M.,Giraldo, E.,Martinez-Varea,N., Blanco-Gandia,M. C., Rodriguez-Arias, M., Garcia-Verdugo, J. M.,Vina, J.*, & Lloret,A.
Magazine: Molecular Neurobiology
Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12035-021-02620-6
Title: Overexpression of glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase preserves mouse pancreatic beta cell function until late in life.
Author: De la Rosa, A.,Gomez-Cabrera,M. C., Vinue, A.,Gonzalez-Navarro,H., Sanchez-Andres, J. V., & Vina, J.
Magazine: Free Radical Biology and Med.
Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2020.12.439
Title: Glucosamine Supplementation Improves Physical Performance in Trained Mice.
Author: De La Rosa, A.,Olaso-Gonzalez,G., Garcia-Dominguez, E.,Mastaloudis, A.,Hester, S. N.,Wood, S. M.,Gomez-Cabrera,M. C., & Vina, J.*
Magazine: Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise
Start- and endpage: 466-474
Link: https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000002821
Title: Implementing Precision Medicine in Human Frailty through Epigenetic Biomarkers.
Author: Garcia-Gimenez,J. L., Mena-Molla,S., Tarazona-Santabalbina, F.J., Vina, J.*,Gomez-Cabrera,M. C., & Pallardo,F. V.
Magazine: Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health
Link: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18041883
Title: Redox-related biomarkers in physical exercise.
Author: M. C., Carretero,A., Millan-Domingo, F.,Garcia-Dominguez, E.,Correas, A. G.,Olaso-Gonzalez,G., & Vina, J.
Magazine: Redox Biology
Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.redox.2021.101956
Title: Functional transcriptomic analysis of centenarians'offspring reveals a specific genetic footprint that may explain that they are less frail than age-matched non-centenarians' offspring
Author: Ingles, M., Belenguer-Varea, A., Serna, E., Mas-Bargues, C.,Tarazona-Santabalbina, F.J., Borras, C., & Vina, J.
Magazine: The Journals of Gerontology: Series A
Start- and endpage: 1931-1938
Link: https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glac119
Title: The radiographic assessment of lung edema score of lung edema severity correlates with inflammatory parameters in patients with coronavirus disease 2019-Potential new admission biomarkers to predict coronavirus disease 2019 worsening
Author: Marques, P.,Fernandez-Presa,L., Carretero, A.,Gomez-Cabrera,M. C., Vina, J., Signes-Costa, J.,& Sanz, M. J.
Link: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2022.871714
Title: Genistein, a tool for geroscience.
Author: Mas-Bargues, C.,Borras, C., &Vina, J.
Magazine: Mechanisms of Ageing and Development
Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mad.2022.111665
Title: The multimodal action of genistein in Alzheimer's and other age-related diseases.
Author: Mas-Bargues, C.,Borras, C.*, &Vina, J. *
Magazine: Free Radical Biol. and Med.
Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2022.03.021
Title: Serum Levels of Clusterin, PKR, and RAGE Correlate with Amyloid Burden in Alzheimer's Disease
Author: Monllor, P.,Giraldo, E., Badia,M. C., de laAsuncion, J. G.,Alonso, M. D.,Lloret, A., & Vina,J. *
Magazine: JAD
Link: https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-201443
Title: Wheat germ oil vitamin E cytoprotective effect and its nutrigenomics signature in human hepatocyte lipotoxicity.
Author: Bartolini D*,Marinelli R, StabileAM*, Frammartino T, Guerrini A, Garetto S, Lucci J,Migni A, Zatini L, Marcantonini G,Rende M*, Galli F.
Magazine: Heliyon
Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844022020369
Title: Exercise and nutritional interventions on sarcopenia and frailty in heart failure: a narrative review of systematic reviews and meta- analyses.
Author: Prokopidis K,Isanejad M*,Akpan A, Stefil M,Tajik B, Giannos P, Venturelli M*,Sankaranarayanan R.
Link: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ehf2.14052
Title: Melatonin Repairs the Lipidome of Human Hepatocytes Exposed to Cd and Free Fatty Acid-Induced Lipotoxicity.
Author: Migni A, Bartolini D, Marcantonini G, Sardella R, Rende M, Tognoloni A, Ceccarini MR, Galli F.
Magazine: J Pineal Res.
Link: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jpi.70047
Title: Vitamin E nomenclature: Summary and response to articles published in the FRBM Vitamin E Discussion Forum.
Author: Azzi A., Atkinson J, Ozer NK, Manor D, Wallert M, Galli F.
Magazine: Free Radic Biol Med.
Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0891584925002059
Title: Bcl-xL overexpression in T cells preserves muscle mitochondrial structure and function and prevents frailty in old mice.
Author: Mas-Bargues C, Román-Domínguez A, Sanz-Ros J, Romero-García N, Huete-Acevedo J, Dromant M, Cuervo AM, Borrás C, Viña J.
Magazine: Sci Adv.
Link: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adr1378
Title: Phenotypic upregulation of hexocylceramides and ether-linked phosphocholines as markers of human extreme longevity.
Author: Fernàndez-Bernal A, Sol J, Galo-Licona JD, Mota-Martorell N, Mas-Bargues C, Belenguer-Varea Á, Obis È, Viña J, Borrás C, Jové M, Pamplona R.
Magazine: Aging Cell.
Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39639682/
Title: Unlocking the biochemical secrets of longevity: balancing healthspan and lifespan.
Author: Viña J, Borrás C
Magazine: FEBS Lett.
Link: https://febs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/1873-3468.14963
Title: Pomegranate Extract Administration Reverses Loss of Motor Coordination and Prevents Oxidative Stress in Cerebellum of Aging Mice.
Author: Verdú D, Valls A, Díaz A, Carretero A, Dromant M, Kuligowski J, Serna E, Viña J.
Magazine: Antioxidants (Basel)
Link: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/12/11/1991
Title: Choko-age project: in vitro bioactivity evaluation of a new Vitamin E-funzionalized chocolate product.
Author: Varfaj I., Migni A., Stabile A.M., Pedrinolla A., Pistilli A., Tognoloni A., Di Sante G., Venturelli M., Galli F., Rende M., Bartolini D.
Magazine: Italian Journal of Anatomy and Embryology
Title: Role of altered cortisol production in the development of sarcopenia.
Author: Anne McArdle, Samuel Pringle, Jekaterina Kumiscia, Kay Hemmings, Desiree Bartolini, Anna Migni, Massimo Venturelli, Jose Vina, Francesco Galli, Malcolm Jackson
Magazine: American Physiological Society
Link: https://journals.physiology.org/doi/abs/10.1152/physiol.2023.38.S1.5735268
Title: The Choko-Age project: development and analytical characterization of a new chocolate product functionalized with vitamin E to combine with physical exercise in preventing malnutrion in pre-dementia eldery subjects.
Author: Anna Migni, Francesco Galli, Cinzia Antognelli, Desirée Bartolini, Consuelo Borrás, Gabriele Cruciani, Gabriele Di Sante, Kay Hemmings, Malcom Jackson, Anne McArdle, Giada Marcantonini, Cristina Mas-Bargues, Anna Pedrinolla, Roberto Modena, Marta Piroddi, Alessandra Pistilli, Mario Rende, Federico Schena, Bartolomeo Sebastiani, Anna Maria Stabile, Vincenzo Nicola Talesa, Sara Tortorella, Massimo Venturelli, José Viña, Eivind Wang, Linda Zatini
Magazine: Free Radical Biology and Medicine
Start- and endpage: 27
Title: The Choko-AGE study: Combining vitamin E-functionalized CHOcolate with physical exercise to reduce the risK Of protein energy malnutrition in predementia AGEd people.
Author: Pedrinolla A., Venturelli M., Schena F., Pistilli A., Galli F., Bartolini D., Rende M., Di Sante G., Stabile A.M.
Magazine: Italian Journal of Anatomy and Embryology
Start- and endpage: 282-283
Link: https://www.proquest.com/openview/826cb4754e5a19298edba2a6e30dae70/1?cbl=756425&pq-origsite=gscholar
Title: The role of hypercortisolism, inflammation and modified redox on the functional loss of muscle with age: protective effects of vitamin E and cocoa polyphenols.
Author: Kay Hemmings, Konstantino Prokopidis, Anna Migni, Antognelli Cinzia, Desirée Bartolini, Consuelo Borrás, Gabriele Cruciani, Gabriele Di Sante, Marcantonini Giada, Cristina Mas Bargues, Roberto Modena, Anna Pedrinolla, Marta Piroddi, Alessandra Pistilli, Mario Rende, Federico Shena, Sebastiani Bartolomeo, Anna Maria Stabile, Nicola Talesa Vincenzo, Sara Tortorella, Massimo Venturelli, Jose Vina, Eivind Wang, Linda Zatini, Francesco Galli, Masoud Isanejad, Malcolm Jackson, Anne McArdle
Magazine: Free Radical Biology and Medicine
Start- and endpage: 26
Title: PROGETTO DI RICERCA CHOKO-AGE
Author: Venturelli M. and Pedrinolla A.
Link: https://www.alzheimerverona.org/2022/progetto-di-ricerca-choko-age/
Title: Neuromuscular perspective of lack of muscle strength in dementia. a failure to communicate!
Author: Pedrinolla A., Modena R., Nave S., Baschirotto C., Montagni S., Barbi C., Venturelli M.
Magazine: Sport Sciences For Health
Start- and endpage: S1-S180
Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-024-01174-z
Title: Effects of high-intensity physical activity combined with nutritional supplementation on metabolic and functional components in subjects with dementia – preliminary data from the choko-age study
Author: Baschirotto C., Pedrinolla A., Modena R., Lucin C., Venturelli M.
Magazine: Sport Sciences For Health (2024)
Start- and endpage: S1-S180
Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-024-01174-z
Title: Effect of High-Intensity Exercise and Chocolate with Vitamin-E Supplementation on Body Composition and Strength in Elderly People with Dementia: Preliminary Data from The Chokoage Study
Author: Modena R., Pedrinolla A., Baschirotto C., Nave S., Montagni S., Cavedon V., Barbi C., Giuriato G., Venturelli M., Wang E.
Magazine: Sport Sciences For Health (2024)
Start- and endpage: S1-S180
Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-024-01174-z
Title: Neuromuscular point of view in Alzheimerʼs disease: the impact of the disease appears heterogenous between upper and lower limbs.
Author: Pedrinolla A., Modena R., Barbi C., Venturelli M.
Magazine: XV SISMES National Congress, Chieti, Italy.
Title: High-intensity training, dark chocolate and vitamin-E against muscle mass and strength loss in elderly people with dementia
Author: Modena R., Pedrinolla A., Barbi C., Baschirotto C., Cavedon V., Giuriato G., Venturelli M.
Magazine: XV SISMES National Congress, Chieti, Italy
Title: Effects of high-intensity exercise training on vascular function in individuals with Alzheimer disease
Author: Baschirotto C., Pedrinolla A., Modena R., Venturelli M.
Magazine: XV SISMES National Congress, Chieti, Italy
Title: Choko-AgE project
Link: https://chokoage.eu/
Title: "ll cioccolato per combattere la malnutrizione e la fragilità negli anziani" - 03.08.22
Author: assimo Venturelli, Anna Pedrinolla, Roberto Modena, Valentina Cavedon, Chiara Milanese, Nicola Smania, Federico Schena, Cristina Fonte e Valentina Varalta.
Link: https://www.univr.it/it/comunicati-stampa/-/asset_publisher/kA9JVb3XLtHs/content/ll-cioccolato-per-combattere-la-malnutrizione-e-la-fragilita-negli-anziani-03-08-22
Title: "Progetto Choko Age, il cioccolato come alleato contro la demenza senile"
Author: Venturelli M.
Magazine: Univrmagazine
Link: https://www.univrmagazine.it/2021/07/05/progetto-choko-age-il-cioccolato-come-alleato-contro-la-demenza-senile/
Title: "Choko-Age, cioccolato e attività fisica contro il declino cognitivo"
Author: Pedrinolla A.
Magazine: Spazio50
Link: https://www.spazio50.org/choko-age-cioccolato-e-attivita-fisica-contro-il-declino-cognitivo/

Related news

PREVNUT

Outcomes of the JPI HDHL PREVNUT Call

Last changed:

In January 2020, the JPI HDHL launched PREVNUT, the 5th...

PREVNUT PREHPOBES

Update on the JPI HDHL 2020 calls PREVNUT and PREPHOBES

Last changed:

In January 2020 the JPI HDHL launched two new calls...

Postponement of calls submission deadlines

Last changed:

The COVID19 pandemic affects all of us. JPI HDHL...

Now open: ERA-HDHL call “PREVNUT”

Last changed:

The JPI HDHL is pleased to announce the launch of...

More news

Features

Project number:
CHOKO-AGE
Duration: 100%
Duration: 100 %
2021
2025
Related funding round:
Project lead and secretary:
Francesco Galli
Responsible organisation:
University of Perugia, Italia