Average Food Intake Research Articles

Impact of Dietary Variations on Kuruma Shrimp (Penaeus japonicus) Assessed through Individual-Based Rearing and Insights into Individual Differences.

This study developed an individual-rearing method to compare the effects of live feed (sandworms Perinereis aibuhitensis), formulated pellet diets, and a mixture of live feed and formula feed on the Kuruma shrimp Penaeus japonicus, aiming to minimize the influence of non-dietary factors on the growth of P. japonicus, like cannibalism. Results indicated that live feed, with its higher protein, essential amino acids, and fatty acid content, led to significantly better growth and feeding performance in P. japonicus (p < 0.05) compared to pellet diets. A mixed diet resulted in a lower average daily protein intake yet maintained a growth and feeding performance comparable to live feed. The intestinal microbiota of shrimp, dominated by Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria, showed significant shifts with diet changes. Specifically, formulated feed increased the relative abundance of Vibrio and Photobacterium while decreasing Shimia and Rhodobacterales (p < 0.05), and feeding live food resulted in a more complex and stable bacterial network. Notably, individual variances in growth and feeding were observed among shrimps, with some on formulated diets showing growth comparable to those on live feed. Each shrimp's final weight, specific growth rate, protein efficiency rate, and average daily food intake positively correlated with its initial body weight (p < 0.05), and daily intake varied cyclically with the molting cycle. These findings suggest that individual-rearing is an effective approach for detailed feed evaluation and monitoring in P. japonicus, contributing to improved feed selection, development, and feeding strategies.

Environmental burden of excessive food intake: Exploring new opportunities to enhance food and environmental sustainability in China

China faces increasing challenges in producing sufficient food sustainably while confronting a worsening overweight and obesity crisis caused partly by overeating. Building on the China Health and Nutrition Survey data, this study estimated the agricultural and environmental implications of overeating based on human metabolic theory and life cycle assessment. The results show that the average excess food intake per person is twice the amount of household edible food waste (53.85 vs. 26.88 g/capita/day). The total excessive food intake is equivalent to 18.7 Mt of annual cereal production, approximately 4.3 times China's recent annual cereal production growth (4.4 Mt). Excessive food intake also embodies substantial carbon, water, energy, and ecological footprints, amounting to 39.15 Mt CO2e, 31.40 Gm3, 11.18 Mtce, 544.69 × 108 gm2, respectively, significantly exceeding the corresponding domestic food waste footprints. Cereals and meats have a dominant role in excessive food intake and related environmental impacts, with significant differences linked to demographic characteristics and urbanization levels. China has implemented various national policies, including an anti-food-waste law, to address agri-food sustainability challenges. This study suggests that addressing overeating can significantly enhance China's ability to tackle these challenges and improve public health outcomes.

Comparison study of food, energy and nutrient intake by 24-hour dietary recall method on two consecutive days versus three consecutive days

To compare the differences in estimated food, energy, and nutrient intakes between the consecutive 3 days 24-hour dietary recall(24HR)(referred to as the 3-day method) and consecutive 2 days 24HR(referred to as the 2-day method) to provide a basis for the use of consecutive 2 days 24HR in China nutrition surveillance. Using objective sampling to select participants in northern and southern provinces, dietary data were obtained through consecutive 3 days 24HR, and the average intakes of food, energy and nutrients were calculated for three days from Thursday to Saturday and two days on Friday and Saturday, respectively. The 3-day method was considered as the reference standard method to evaluate the performance of the 2-day method for estimating food, energy and nutrient intakes. Among 778 participants aged 18-60 years in urban and rural areas of two provinces, the errors of the mean and median of 2-day method for estimating the intake of four major food categories less than 6% compared with the 3-day method, and there were significant equivalencies(P&lt;0.025) and no significant differences in four major food categories group(P&gt;0.05). Of the 24 food groups estimated by the 2-day method, 17 had mean errors within 5%, the largest error was in animal offal(13.45%) and the smallest in fruit(0.15%), and there were significant equivalencies(P&lt;0.025) and no significant differences in seven food groups(P&gt;0.05). For energy and nutrients, the mean and median errors of energy were less than 0.5% and there were significant equivalencies(P&lt;0.025) and no significant differences for energy(P&gt;0.05). Among the 25 nutrients, except sodium, iodine and vitamin E, the mean and median errors of the other 22 nutrients were less than 5%, and there were significant equivalencies(P&lt;0.025) and no significant differences in 16 nutrients(P&gt;0.05). There was little difference between the two survey method in assessing the intake of high consumption frequency foods, energy and most nutrients at group level, the 2-day method can be used as an alternative to the 3-day method to collect dietary intake data with high consumption rates in the population.

Genome-wide association analysis identify candidate genes for feed efficiency and growth traits in Wenchang chickens

BackgroundWenchang chickens are one of the most popular local chicken breeds in the Chinese chicken industry. However, the low feed efficiency is the main shortcoming of this breed. Therefore, there is a need to find a more precise breeding method to improve the feed efficiency of Wenchang chickens. In this study, we explored important candidate genes and variants for feed efficiency and growth traits through genome-wide association study (GWAS) analysis.ResultsEstimates of genomic heritability for growth and feed efficiency traits, including residual feed intake (RFI) of 0.05, average daily food intake (ADFI) of 0.21, average daily weight gain (ADG) of 0.24, body weight (BW) at 87, 95, 104, 113 days of age (BW87, BW95, BW104 and BW113) ranged from 0.30 to 0.44. Important candidate genes related to feed efficiency and growth traits were identified, such as PLCE1, LAP3, MED28, QDPR, LDB2 and SEL1L3 genes.ConclusionThe results identified important candidate genes for feed efficiency and growth traits in Wenchang chickens and provide a theoretical basis for the development of new molecular breeding technology.

Bone mineral density parameters and related nutritional factors in vegans, lacto-ovo-vegetarians, and omnivores: a cross-sectional study.

The growing prevalence of vegetarianism determines the need for comprehensive study of the impact of these diets on health and particularly on bone metabolism. We hypothesized that significant dietary differences between vegans, lacto-ovo-vegetarians, and omnivores also cause significant differences in their nutrient status, which may affect bone health. The study assessed dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry parameters in lumbar spine and femoral neck, average nutrient intake, serum nutrient concentrations, serum PTH levels, and urinary pH among 46 vegans, 38 lacto-ovo-vegetarians, and 44 omnivores. There were no differences in bone mineral density (BMD) between the groups. However, the parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were still higher in vegans compared to omnivores, despite the same prevalence of hyperparathyroidism in all groups. These findings may probably be explained by the fact that each group had its own "strengths and weaknesses." Thus, vegans and, to a lesser extent, lacto-ovo-vegetarians consumed much more potassium, magnesium, copper, manganese, and vitamins B6, B9, and C. At the same time, the diet of omnivores contained more protein and vitamins D and B12. All the subjects consumed less vitamin D than recommended. More than half of vegans and omnivores had insufficiency or even deficiency of vitamin D in the blood. Low serum concentrations of manganese with its quite adequate intake are also noteworthy: its deficiency was observed in 57% of vegans, 79% of lacto-ovo-vegetarians, and 63% of omnivores. Currently, it is no longer possible to conclude that lacto-ovo-vegetarians have lower BMD than omnivores, as our research supported. Vegans in our study also did not demonstrate lower BMD values, only higher PTH blood concentrations, compared to omnivores, however, a large number of studies, including recent, show the opposite view. In this regard, further large-scale research is required. Vegans and lacto-ovo-vegetarians now have a variety of foods fortified with vitamins D and B12, as well as calcium. There is also a great diversity of ethically sourced dietary supplements. The found low concentrations of manganese require further investigation.

Optimized Nutritional Intakes of Fishers’ Children in Coastal Communities in Mabini, Davao de Oro, Philippines

In the Philippines, the fishers’ children are one of the groups with the highest prevalence of malnutrition. Mabini in Davao De Oro is among the municipalities affected by the high incidence of nutrition inadequacies. The study assessed the dietary intakes of fishers’ school-aged children during three seasons: Northeast Monsoon (NEM), summer, and Southwest Monsoon (SWM). A stratified random sampling was used to obtain the 112 fishing household data, and the three-day diet recall approach was utilized in gathering nutrition information of 178 fishers’ children during the 2017–2018 period. From the Kruskal Wallis test followed by Dunn’s post-hoc test, results showed that the total catch per week, income per week, and the average selling price of fish during the three seasons were significantly different with catch and income levels higher during the NEM followed by SWM and summer. Moreover, the results from the linear programming show that the average nutrient intakes of the children were found to be inadequate compared to the recommended energy and nutrient intakes. This result is more noticeable during the summer season when there are low catch and income levels. The results from the optimal diet plan suggest that the recommended nutrient intakes can be attained by increasing the consumption of locally available fish resources and decreasing the consumption of processed foods. Finally, local interventions such as food fortification, school-based feeding programs, and diet supplementation can increase the nutrient adequacy of children in coastal communities.

Intermittent Fasting Alters O2 Consumption and Body Composition in Young Rats: Comparative Analysis between Females and Males

Objectives: Intermittent Fasting (IF), time-restrictive food intake, has been shown to improve cognitive functions and reduce age-related behavioral impairments in rodent models. Our prior studies have found that IF intervention has significantly reduced body weights and food intake in male Fsher-344 rats; however, females did not display IF-induced declines in body weights and food intake. The exact mechanism for the sex differences in body weight and food intake during IF is not fully understood. Factors such as shifts in body composition and metabolic demand may contribute to variations in body weight shifts and food consumption. We hypothesized that changes in body composition and metabolic shifts may contribute to sex differences in body weight and food consumption in response to IF. Methods: Thirty-six, two-month-old male and female Fisher-344 rats were randomly assigned to four groups: ad libitum (AL) male, IF males, AL females, IF females. The AL group had 24/7 access to food and water while the IF group had 24/7 access to water and full access to food on an every-other-day basis for four weeks. After four weeks of IF intervention, rats were introduced to a metabolic rate (respiratory gas analyzer) and a grip strength test. In addition, body scans were performed using a Lunar Piximus rodent densitometer, (GE Lunar corporation). Group differences were analyzed with two-way ANOVA per Prism Graph Pad software. Following body scans, animals were euthanized, and tissues were sectioned, weighted, and stored for future analysis (brain, skeletal muscles, and adipose tissues). Results: IF intervention resulted in reduced body mass in males (vs. AL males, p&lt;0.0001) but not in females. Average daily food intake tended to be lowered in IF groups compared to their AL counterparts. Densitometry results revealed that the IF males had a decreased lean mass (vs. AL males, p&lt;0.0001) and fat mass (vs. AL males, p&lt;0.0001). Neither lean mass nor fat mass were changed in females as a result of IF. After two weeks of IF, O2 consumption was lowered in IF females compared to AL (P=0.0215 fed-state, P=0.0030 fast-state); however, no significant effect was seen in males. Grip strength was not significant among groups. Conclusions: In the present study, IF males significantly reduced body weights, as well as both fat and lean mass while females did not exhibit IF-induced changes. Interestingly, IF females displayed declines in oxygen consumption while males did not change. The decrease in oxygen consumption (slower metabolism) in IF females can be seen as a compensatory mechanism by the body to conserve energy and maintain body weights and composition shifts. The sexual dimorphic effect of body composition shifts is intriguing and the metabolic adaptations in skeletal muscle/fat tissues will be the focus of follow-up investigations. Funding source: P20GM113109 Cognitive and Neurobiological Approaches to Plasticity (CNAP) center. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Assessment of Ameliorative Effect of Myrica esculenta in a DSS-Induced Murine Model against Ulcerative Colitis

Background. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) delineated by inflammation or ulcers in the colon that may cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, blood in the stool, tenesmus, etc. Objective. To determine therapeutic effectiveness and explore the mechanism of MeEt extract against DSS (3%)-induced UC in Swiss albino mice. Methods. Six mice were allocated into five groups at random: group1: vehicle control; group 2: DSS control; group 3: DSS+mesalazine (MSZ, 100 mg/kg BW); group 4: DSS+MeEt (200 mg/kg BW); and group 5: DSS+MeEt (400 mg/kg BW). Except for group 1, DSS (3%) in drinking water was given to all other groups to induce UC. %BW, average food intake, and mean stool consistency were determined for obtaining DAI scores. Mice were euthanized on the 8th day, and colonic tissues were taken to measure the colon length. Serum and tissue levels of the cytokines were also determined using ELISA kits, followed by histopathological analysis of colon tissue. In addition, hematological and serum biochemical parameters were also determined to assess the treatment effectiveness. Result. During the induction, DAI scores, colon length, and cytokines levels were significantly increased. MSZ at 100 mg/kg BW and MeEt at 400 mg/kg BW doses via oral route significantly reversed the DAI scores and colon length. Further, MeEt 400 also downregulated the expression of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-1 and upregulated the production of IL-1β and IL-10. Also, improvements in hematological and serum biochemical parameters were reported. Histopathological analysis revealed a decrease in inflammation and damage to colon tissue with the administration of MeEt extract. Conclusion. MeEt at a 400 mg/kg BW dose may be used as an alternate treatment for the management of UC, which is comparable with that of MSZ.

Huanglian-banxia promotes gastric motility of diabetic rats by modulating brain-gut neurotransmitters through MAPK signaling pathway.

Gastric motility disorder is an increasingly common problem among people with diabetes. Neurotransmitters have been recognized as critical regulators in the process of gastric motility. Previous study has shown that herb pair huanglian-banxia (HL-BX) can improve gastric motility, but the underlying mechanism is still unclear. The aim of this study was to further investigate the role of HL-BX in modulating brain-gut neurotransmission to promote gastric motility in diabetic rats, and to explore its possible mechanism. The diabetic rats were divided into five groups. Gastric emptying rate, intestinal propulsion rate, body weight, and average food intake were determined. Substance P (SP), 5- hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and glucagon-like peptide -1 (GLP-1) in the serum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) in the brain were analyzed by high-pressure liquid chromatography with a fluorescence detector. Protein expression of the tissues in the stomach and brain was determined by Western blot. HL-BX reduced average food intake significantly, increased body weight, and improved gastric emptying rate and intestinal propulsion rate. HL-BX administration caused a significant increase in SP, GLP-1, and 5-HT, but a significant decrease in DA and NE. Interestingly, HL-BX regulated simultaneously the different expressions of MAPK and its downstream p70S6K/S6 signaling pathway in the stomach and brain. Moreover, berberine exhibited a similar effect to HL-BX. These results indicated that HL-BX promoted gastric motility by regulating brain-gut neurotransmitters through the MAPK signaling pathway. HL-BX and MAPK provide a potential therapeutic option for the treatment of gastroparesis.

Antiobesity and antidiabetes effects of Cyperus rotundus rhizomes presenting protein tyrosine phosphatase, dipeptidyl peptidase 4, metabolic enzymes, stress oxidant and inflammation inhibitory potential

Diabetes is a significant global health concern that increases the vulnerability to various chronic illnesses. In view of this issue, the current research aimed to examine the effects of administering an extract derived from the tubers of Cyperus rotundus L (CrE) on obesity, type 1 diabetes, and liver-kidney toxicity. Through the utilization of HPLC-DAD analysis, it was discovered that the extract contained several components, including quercetin (47.8%), luteolin glucoside (17%), luteolin (7.56%), apigenin-7-glucoside (6.29%), naringinin (4.52%), and seven others. In vitro experiments they have demonstrated that CrE effectively inhibited key digestive enzymes associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes, such as DPP-4, PTP1B, lipase, and α-amylase, as evidenced by their respective IC50 values are about 23, 51,83, and 67 μg/ml respectively. Furthermore, when diabetic rats were administered CrE, the activity of pancreatic enzymes linked to inflammation, namely 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO), hyaluronidase (HAase), and myeloperoxidase (MPO), was significantly suppressed by 48, 41, 75, and 47%, respectively. Moreover, CrE exhibited protective effects on pancreatic β-cells by inhibiting the formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) by 65% and the induction of superoxide Dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities by 62, 108, and 112% respectively as compared to diabetic untreated rat. Additionally, CrE significantly inhibited the activities of intestinal, pancreatic, and serum lipase and α-amylase activities. In diabetic rats, CrE administration suppressed glycogen phosphorylase (GP) stimulated glycogen synthase (GS) activities by 45 and 30%; and this increased liver glycogen content by 45%. Furthermore, CrE modulated key hepatic enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism, including hexokinase (HK), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), glucose-6-phosphatase (G6P), and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBP). Notably, the average food and water intake (AFI and AWI) of diabetic rats treated with CrE was reduced by 15 and 16% respectively as compared to those without any treatment. Therefore, this study demonstrated the effectiveness of Cyperus rotundus tubers in preventing and treating obesity and diabetes.

Validity of food and nutrient intakes assessed by a food frequency questionnaire among Chinese adults

BackgroundStudies regarding the validity of the food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and the food composition table (FCT) are limited in Asian countries. We aimed to evaluate the validity of a 64-item FFQ and different methods of constructing the FFQ FCTs for assessing dietary intakes of foods and nutrients among adults in eastern China.MethodsA total of 2325 participants (aged 56.2 ± 14.9 years, 51.6% female) from nine cities in Zhejiang province who completed a 64-item FFQ and 3-day 24-hour dietary recalls (24HRs) in 2015 were included. Eight FFQ FCTs were generated covering food items and specific weights estimated using professional knowledge, representative 24HRs data, or the Chinese FCT (CFCT). Energy-adjusted intakes of foods and nutrients were estimated by residual and energy density methods. Spearman correlation coefficients (SCCs) of intakes of 14 food groups and 17 nutrients between FFQ and 24HRs were calculated to evaluate the overall validity of FFQ.ResultsThe average intakes of most food groups and nutrients assessed with FFQ were higher than those assessed using the 24HRs. For the food groups, the averaged energy-adjusted (residual method) SCC between FFQ and 24HRs was 0.27, ranging from 0.14 (starch-rich beans) to 0.49 (aquatic products). For nutrient assessment, the weighted FCT (WFCT) performs the best, and the averaged energy-adjusted (residual method) SCC was 0.26, ranging from 0.16 (iron) to 0.37 (potassium). Similar correlations with 24HRs were observed when using other FFQ FCT in the calculation of nutrient intakes.ConclusionThe 64-item Chinese FFQ and the WFCT were reasonably valid to assess the dietary intakes of certain foods and nutrients among adults in eastern China.

Inverse Association between the Global Diet Quality Score and New-Onset Hypertension in Adults: A Nationwide Cohort Study

BackgroundThe Global Diet Quality Score (GDQS) is a simple and practical dietary metric associated with a number of chronic diseases. The GDQS included various foods related to blood pressure, especially diverse plant-based foods that have shown to lower blood pressure. However, studies on the role of the GDQS in reducing the risk of new-onset hypertension and whether its performance differs from that of other dietary metrics are lacking. ObjectiveWe aimed to examine the association between the GDQS and new-onset hypertension and to compare its performance with that of other dietary patterns, including the Plant-based Diet Index (PDI), alternate Mediterranean diet (aMED) score, Alternative Healthy Eating Index-2010, and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) score in Chinese adults. MethodsWe included a total of 12,002 participants (5644 males and 6358 females) aged >18 y from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (1997–2015). Dietary intake was estimated using average food intakes from 3 consecutive 24-h dietary recalls. Multivariable relative risks (RRs) were computed for hypertension using modified Poisson regression models. ResultsWith ≤18 y of follow-up (mean 8.7± 5.4 y), we ascertained 4232 incident cases of hypertension. Compared with participants with a low GDQS score (<15), the multivariable-adjusted RR of hypertension was 0.72 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.62, 0.83] among participants with a high score (≥23). A 25% increment in the GDQS was associated with a 30% (RR, 0.70; 95% CI: 0.64, 0.76) lower risk of new-onset hypertension, which was comparable with the RRs of new-onset hypertension associated with every 25% increment in the PDI (RR, 0.84; 95% CI: 0.76, 0.93), DASH score (RR, 0.84; 95% CI: 0.78, 0.91), and aMED score (RR, 0.89; 95% CI: 0.84, 0.93). ConclusionA higher GDQS was associated with a lower risk of new-onset hypertension, with comparable associations of new-onset hypertension with PDI, DASH, and aMED scores in Chinese adults.

Nanoliposome-loaded phenolics from Salvia leriifolia Benth and its anticancer effects against induced colorectal cancer in mice.

Colon cancer is one of the leading causes of death among various types of cancer. Despite the significant progress made in cancer treatment, chemotherapy resistance and various side effects are still prevalent. The objective of this study is to assess the therapeutic potential of phenolic-rich fraction encapsulated nanoliposome (PRF-NLs) of Salvia leriifolia Benth in the treatment of colon cancer in mice. Initially, the phenolic-rich fraction (PRF) was extracted and then encapsulated into nanoliposomes. The physicochemical properties of the nanoliposomes were evaluated using dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, and field emission scanning electron microscopy. Subsequently, 24 mice with HT-29 colon cancer cells were divided into three groups, and the anticancer effects of PRF-NLs were measured. The results showed that the ethyl acetate fraction of S. leriifolia was the highest PRF containing 14.27 ± 2.39mg (gallic acid) GA/g DW (dry weight), and the PRF successfully loaded into the nanoliposome structure resulted in the synthesis of nanoliposomes with a nanometer size and spherical shape and homogenous dispersion. Some of the abundant bioactive phenolic compounds in the nanoliposome-loaded PRF are salicylic acid and naringin. The average daily weight gain and food intake, and changes in the expression of caspase 3, Bax (Bcl-2 associated X-protein), and Bcl2 (B-cell lymphoma 2), inducible nitric oxide synthase genes, were observed in the mice group induced colorectal cancer cells. At a dose of 100mg TPC (total phenolic content)/kg BW/day, the nonencapsulated PRF dietary addition improved these parameters; however, the potential shown by nanoliposome-encapsulated PRF than the nonencapsulated PRF in enhancing health parameters in mice was higher. The developed intestinal absorption and bioavailability of nanoliposome-encapsulated PRF contribute to its increased health-promoting activity. Thereby, the synthesized nanoliposome may be a potential natural anticancer drug to prevent colorectal cancer.

Nutritional intake, environmental factors, and their impact on myopia prevalence in Korean children aged 5–12 years

BackgroundMyopia is a complex condition influenced by numerous factors, including genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices. Although evidence indicates that certain dietary factors may influence the development of myopia, this relationship is still not completely understood and is a topic of ongoing research.MethodsThis study analyzed the relationship between dietary habits, environmental factors, and the prevalence of myopia in a sample of 24,345 children aged 5–12 years from the seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VII). The average daily intake of dietary nutrients associated with the refractive error status of the participants was analyzed using analysis of variance (GLM) and the Scheffe method for post-hoc comparison. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted between the participant’s refractive error status and daily dietary nutrient intake, while taking into consideration the age, sex, BMI, parental myopia, and near-work hours.ResultsThe risk of myopia increased with age, especially notable between ages 11 and 12, and was higher in children with both parents having myopia. Dietary factors played a crucial role; children with myopia had significantly lower intake of fat, omega-3 fatty acids, and retinol but higher intake of other nutrients compared to emmetropic and hyperopic counterparts. High consumption of carbohydrates, protein, phosphorus, iron, potassium, and sodium was associated with increased myopia risk. High sodium intake was particularly associated with a 2.05-fold increased myopia risk.ConclusionsThis study highlights the significant role of diet and lifestyle choices in the development of myopia in children. Our findings suggest the importance of considering these specific factors in the management and prevention strategies for myopia, underscoring the need for targeted interventions in children's health and vision care.

Effects of Heat Stress on Breast Muscle Metabolomics and Lipid Metabolism Related Genes in Growing Broilers

With global warming and worsening climatic conditions, heat stress (HS) has become a significant challenge affecting the development of poultry production. In this study, we aimed to determine the effects of HS on breast muscle metabolomics and lipid metabolism-related genes in growing broilers. One hundred twenty 29-day-old Arbor Acres broilers were randomly divided into normal temperature (NT; 21 ± 1 °C) and heat stress (HS; 31 ± 1 °C) groups, with six replicates (ten birds in each replicate) in each group, raised for 14 days in two environment chambers at 60 ± 7% relative humidity. Compared with the broilers in the NT group, the average daily food intake, average daily gain and breast muscle yield in the HS group were significantly lower (p &lt; 0.05). The feed conversion ratio was significantly higher in the HS group (p &lt; 0.05). The concentrations of serum corticosterone, free fatty acids and cholesterol and the percentage of abdominal fat of broilers in the HS group were significantly higher (p &lt; 0.05) than the values of the broilers in the NT group. Untargeted breast muscle metabolome analysis revealed 14 upregulated differential metabolites, including glycerophosphocholine, and 27 downregulated differential metabolites, including taurine, in the HS group compared to the NT group; the HS group also displayed significant effects on six metabolic pathways compared to the NT group (p &lt; 0.05). The mRNA expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1-alpha, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) and ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 in the liver and breast muscles were significantly decreased in the HS group compared with the NT group (p &lt; 0.05). The collective findings reveal that HS can cause disorders in breast muscle lipid metabolism in broilers. The PPARα gene might be the key gene in the mechanism of the lipid metabolism that is induced by HS in breast muscle of broilers. These findings provide novel insights into the effects of HS on chicken growth.

Cloning, distribution, and effects of growth regulation of MC3R and MC4R in red crucian carp (Carassius auratus red var.).

Melanocortin-3 and -4 receptors (MC3R and MC4R), G protein-coupled receptors, play vital roles in the regulation of energy homeostasis. To understand the functions of mc3r and mc4r in the energy homeostasis of red crucian carp (Carassius auratus red var., RCC), we cloned mc3r and mc4r, analyzed the tissue expression and localization of the genes, and investigated the effects of knockout of mc3r (mc3r +/-) and mc4r (mc4r +/-) in RCC. The full-length cDNAs of RCC mc3r and mc4r were 1459 base pairs (bp) and 1894 bp, respectively. qRT-PCR indicated that mc3r and mc4r were profusely expressed in the brain, but lower expressed in the periphery tissues. ISH revealed that mc3r and mc4r were located in NPP, NPO, NAPv, NSC, NAT, NRL, NLTl, and NLTp of the brain, suggesting that mc3r and mc4r might regulate many physiological and behavioral aspects in RCC. To further verify the roles of mc3r and mc4r in energy homeostasis, the mc3r+/- and mc4r+/- fish were obtained by the CRISPR/Cas9 system. The average body weights, total lengths, body depths, and food intake of mc4r+/- fish were significantly higher than those of mc3r+/- and the normal wild-type (WT) fish, but there was no difference between the mc3r+/- and WT fish, indicating that the RCC phenotype and food intake were mainly influenced by mc4r but not mc3r. Interestingly, mc4r+/- fish displayed more visceral fat mass than mc3r+/- and WT fish, and mc3r+/- fish also exhibited slightly more visceral fat mass compared to WT. RNA-seq of the liver and muscle revealed that a large number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) differed in WT vs. mc3r+/-, WT vs. mc4r+/-, and mc3r+/- vs. mc4r+/-, mainly related to lipid, glucose, and energy metabolism. The KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that DEGs were mainly enriched in pathways such as steroid biosynthesis, fatty acid metabolism, fatty acid biosynthesis, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, wnt signaling pathway, PPAR signaling pathway, and MAPK signaling pathway, thereby affecting lipid accumulation and growth. In conclusion, these results will assist in the further investigation of the molecular mechanisms in which MC3R and MC4R were involved in the regulation of energy homeostasis in fish.

Ultra-processed foods consumption among a USA representative sample of middle-older adults: a cross-sectional analysis.

The study evaluated the association between ultra-processed foods (UPF) and nutrient intake and identified the socio-demographic characteristics associated with UPF consumption among a nationally representative sample of middle-older adults. Dietary assessment was collected in 2013 using a validated FFQ. The Nova system was used to classify food and drinks into UPF. The percentage of dietary energy from UPF was calculated and used throughout the analyses, and average nutrient intake across quintiles of UPF was evaluated. The determinants associated with the dietary caloric contribution of UPF intake were investigated using linear regression models. A cross-sectional analysis of a nationally representative study of Americans over the age of 50, the Health and Retirement Study, was conducted. The analysis included 6220 participants. The mean age was 65 (se 0·28) years, with 55 % being female. UPF intake accounted for 51 % (se 0·25) of total intake. An increase in the percentage of (%UPF) consumption was correlated with an increase in calories, carbohydrates, saturated fat and sugar, and a decrease in fibre, vitamins and minerals. %UPF intake was inversely associated with being Hispanic, higher income, physical activity, vegetarian diet and Mediterranean diet but positively associated with very low food insecurity. UPF represented half of the calories consumed. A higher %UPF intake was associated with a lower nutrient profile, suggesting decreasing %UPF intake as a strategy to improve the nutritional quality of middle-older adults. A few socio-demographic factors were associated with %UPF, which would help in planning strategies to reduce UPF consumption.

Análise exploratória da associação entre estatura, obesidade e insegurança alimentar em adultos no Inquérito Nacional de Alimentação 2017-2018

ABSTRACT Objective Evaluate short stature as a possible explanation for obesity, and identify if consumption of energy, protein, carbohydrate, and lipids were associated to higher risk for obesity in Brazilian adults (20-59 y) living in household food insecurity. Methods Cross-sectional study from 2017/2018 Household Budget Survey (N=28,112). Food insecurity was measured with the Brazilian Household Food Insecurity Measurement Scale. Short stature was used as an indicator of malnutrition at the beginning of life, which characterizes metabolic alterations resulting from the presence of food insecurity (cuts off women ≤149cm; men ≤160cm). Body mass index (kg/m2) was estimated from self-reported weight and body height. The average food intake was estimated from a 24-hr recall. The weighted means and standard error of the food security/insecurity categories were assessed according to height, mean energy intake and protein(g), carbohydrate(g) and lipids(g) intake, stratified by gender and nutritional status. Results Both men and women with obesity and food insecurity had significantly lower average height in comparison with those in food security status (p-value &lt;0.01). The prevalence of obesity 1 (BMI 30-34.9kg/m2) increased significantly with the food insecurity among women. There was a trend towards short stature among obese women from families with food insecurity, as well as lower intake of energy. Among both men and women, the lowest intakes of protein and the highest intake of carbohydrates were observed in the underweight group (BMI &lt;18.5kg/m2). Conclusion In women, the risk of obesity may depend on the metabolic background, since who presents food insecurity and develop obesity have low stature and lower energy intake.

Protein-Based Soy Flour Supplementation to Support the Effects of Weight Training on Muscle Hyper-trophy Suplemento de harina de soja a base de proteínas para respaldar

Replacement supplements are required for optimal muscular hypertrophy in athletes. However, not all athletes can afford high-protein supplements due to their high expenses. The aim of this paper is to investigate and demonstrate the efficacy of protein-based supplements in enhancing the effects of resistance training on muscle growth. This method of study is a pseudo-experimental pre-test-posttest design. Using the entire sampling technique, 14 PPLP West Sumatra Indonesian Pencak silat athletes were used as study samples. The research procedure includes the measurement of thigh muscle circumference and thigh fat thickness of athletes (pretest), treatment of lunges 1-8 times, measurement of thigh muscle circumference and thigh fat thickness of athletes after eight treatments (midtest), and the size of thigh muscle circumference and thigh fat thickness after 9-16 lunges training sessions (posttest). Soy flour was administered depending on the athlete's average food intake, administered 30 minutes after the lunges exercise. The lunge training consisted of 16 sessions, moderate intensity (30% - 50% of maximum capacity), six repetitions, five sets, and 3 - 6 minute intervals. A tape meter was used to measure thigh muscle circumference and skinfold thickness to calculate thigh fat thickness using the formula MTMC = MTC - skinfold thickness (3.14 x TSF). The test utilized was the Kruskal-Wallis test. The examination of the data yielded a p-value of 0.03 &lt; 0.05 and a percentage increase of 10.68%. In lunges training, high-protein soy flour can be administered as an alternative or replacement for supplements for muscular hypertrophy. Keywords: Muscular Hypertrophy, Soy Flour, Lunges

2-Ethylhexyl Diphenyl Phosphate Causes Obesity in Zebrafish by Stimulating Overeating via Inhibition of Dopamine Receptor D2.

Obesity is a popular public health problem worldwide and is mainly caused by overeating, but little is known about the impacts of synthetic chemicals on obesity. Herein, we evaluated the obesogenic effect caused by 2-ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate (EHDPHP) on zebrafish. Adult zebrafish were exposed to 5, 35, and 245 μg/L of EHDPHP for 21 days. Results showed that EHDPHP exposure significantly promoted the feeding behavior of zebrafish, as evidenced by shorter reaction time, increased average food intake, feeding rate, and intake frequency (p < 0.05). Transcriptomic, real-time quantitative PCR, and neurotransmitter analyses revealed that the dopamine (DA) receptor D2 (DRD2) was inhibited, which interfered with the DA neural reward regulation system, thus stimulating food addiction to zebrafish. This was further verified by the restored DRD2 after 7 days of Halo (a DRD2 agonist) treatment. A strong interaction between EHDPHP and DRD2 was identified via molecular docking. As a consequence of the abnormal feeding behavior, the exposed fish exhibited significant obesity evidenced by increased body weight, body mass index, plasma total cholesterol, triglyceride, and body fat content. Additionally, the pathways linked to Parkinson's disease, alcoholism, and cocaine addiction were also disrupted, implying that EHDPHP might cause other neurological disorders via the disrupted DA system.