Dietary Changes Research Articles

Adherence to the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet is associated with lower visceral and hepatic lipid content in recent-onset type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.

To investigate the associations of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) score with subcutaneous (SAT) and visceral (VAT) adipose tissue volume and hepatic lipid content (HLC) in people with diabetes and to examine whether changes in the DASH diet were associated with changes in these outcomes. In total, 335 participants with recent-onset type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) from the German Diabetes Study were included in the cross-sectional analysis, and 111 participants in the analysis of changes during the 5-year follow-up. Associations between the DASH score and VAT, SAT and HLC and their changes were investigated using multivariable linear regression models by diabetes type. The proportion mediated by changes in potential mediators was determined using mediation analysis. A higher baseline DASH score was associated with lower HLC, especially in people with T2D (per 5 points: -1.5% [-2.7%; -0.3%]). Over 5 years, a 5-point increase in the DASH score was associated with decreased VAT in people with T2D (-514 [-800; -228] cm3). Similar, but imprecise, associations were observed for VAT changes in people with T1D (-403 [-861; 55] cm3) and for HLC in people with T2D (-1.3% [-2.8%; 0.3%]). Body mass index and waist circumference changes explained 8%-48% of the associations between DASH and VAT changes in both groups. In people with T2D, adipose tissue insulin resistance index (Adipo-IR) changes explained 47% of the association between DASH and HLC changes. A shift to a DASH-like diet was associated with favourable VAT and HLC changes, which were partly explained by changes in anthropometric measures and Adipo-IR.

Province-specific sustainable diets in China considering nutrition, environment, affordability, and acceptability

Sustainable dietary transition is widely identified essential in addressing the nutrition, environment, and health trilemma. This is particularly important for China, the world's most populous country which is undergoing a rapid dietary structure change. Here, we used a nonlinear optimization algorithm to identify a nutritionally adequate, environmentally friendly, economically affordable, and culturally acceptable diet for each of the 31 provinces in mainland China. We found that province-specific dietary shifts could reduce the carbon, water, land, nitrogen, and phosphorus footprints of China's food consumption by 9.5–25.3%, 10.7–19.1%, 22.4–32.9%, 30.8–40.2%, and 21.4–34.5%, respectively, while meeting the daily recommended intake of essential nutrients and not exceeding current food expenditures. The variation in required food intake was highly province-specific; however, in general, there was a need to reduce the intake of meat, grains, and edible oils and increase the intake of vegetables, fruits, legumes, tubers, and dairy products. Our findings highlight the importance of province-specific diet optimization, which can greatly improve acceptance and feasibility of sustainable dietary transition, guide individuals to change their food consumption behavior, and inform policymakers towards regionally tailored food policies.

Hidradenitis Suppurativa in the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: Investigation of Trigger Factors in a Single Center.

Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a debilitating, chronic inflammatory disease associated with multiple triggers. As the world struggles with the global COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to review the trigger factors for chronically ill HS patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. This work investigates the self-described trigger factors of HS patients that emerged during the COVID-19 outbreak. Methods: We anonymously surveyed 110 HS patients during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic using a 25-question questionnaire that included trigger factors for deterioration. Demographic, personal, and HS-specific information was also collected to identify potential trigger factors for HS exacerbation. All HS patients were asked if their HS had worsened compared to the time before the pandemic. Results: Compared to before the pandemic, 20% of HS patients (n = 22) reported a worsening of HS. Patients with an HS exacerbation were significantly more likely to avoid contact with a doctor than those without an exacerbation (45.5% vs. 18.2%; p = 0.007). HS involvement, severity, exercise activity, and BMI had no association with worsening HS (p > 0.05). Interestingly, dietary changes and increased consumption of sweets and treats were associated with worsening HS (p = 0.011 and p = 0.013). Specifically, eating more sweets and treats was associated with a 6-fold increased risk of worsening HS. The results suggest that diet has an important influence on HS relapses. Further investigation is needed to determine whether diet is a triggering factor independent of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. In addition, gluteal HS involvement was associated with a more than 4.3-fold risk of HS exacerbation. Conclusions: In the management of HS patients, it is important to consider that gluteal involvement and the consumption of sweets are more often associated with deterioration.

Agreement Between the National Cancer Institute's diet history questionnaire II and III in a preconception cohort.

Food frequency questionnaires require updating over time, due to population changes in diet, posing analytical challenges in consistently measuring diet in prospective studies. We compared reliability and agreement between nutrients in two versions of the National Cancer Institute's web-based Diet History Questionnaire (DHQ, III vs. II) in an ongoing North American preconception study. We invited 51 consecutively-enrolled U.S. female participants aged 21-45 years to complete both DHQ versions within a 2-week period, in a randomized order. We compared 30 nutrients from both DHQ versions and calculated within-person reliability using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Bland-Altman plots and 95% limits of agreement (LOA) were generated to assess nutrient agreement between DHQ versions. We observed highest reliability in percent energy from carbohydrates and cholesterol (ICCs: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.80-0.93) and lowest for percent energy from protein and vitamin D (ICCs: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.34-0.72). At the group level, all nutrients had most observations within the LOA. Bland-Altman plots showed assessment differences between DHQs for protein, fat, monounsaturated fat, and vitamin D. The remaining nutrients showed good agreement and good-to-moderate reliability. Some nutrients may require adjustment and calibration analysis before using them interchangeably across DHQ versions.

Carp growth, body composition, lipidomics, and flesh quality in response to replacing dietary fish meal with a complex protein source

Alternatives to fish meal (FM) in fish feed are urgently required in aquaculture. We therefore examined the effect of replacing FM with a complex protein source (CPS) comprising soybean meal, peanut meal, corn protein meal, feather meal, and yeast protein, on carp (Cyprinus carpio) growth, body composition, lipidomics, and flesh quality. Lipidomics analysis was conducted to reveal the impact of dietary changes on fish lipid composition and metabolism, which is closely related to flesh quality and nutritional value. Over an eight-week growth trial, fish meal was replaced with CPS at 0 % (FM only), 20 %, 40 %, 60 %, 80 %, or 100 %. Weight gain and other growth parameters did not differ significantly among the treatments. Lipid deposition (LD) was positively correlated, and protein deposition negatively correlated, with CPS levels. LD and fillet ether extract were significantly elevated at 100 % CPS, whereas superoxidase dismutase expression, claudin-1 expression, and lipase activity were significantly reduced. The n-3 PUFA level and n-3/n-6 PUFA ratio were significantly lower following CPS feeding, reducing flesh quality. These findings indicate that CPS successfully replaced 60–80 % of dietary FM in carp diets, while the 100 % replacement group provided insights into the comprehensive effects of total substitution. Future studies will further optimize formulations based on these results to resemble practical production more closely. CPS with nutrient supplementation may therefore present a viable and safe partial replacement for dietary FM.

The effectiveness of personalised food choice advice tailored to an individual's socio-demographic, cognitive characteristics, and sensory preferences

Personalised dietary advice has become increasingly popular, currently however most approaches are based on an individual's genetic and phenotypic profile whilst largely ignoring other determinants such as socio economic and cognitive variables. This paper provides novel insights by testing the effectiveness of personalised healthy eating advice concurrently tailored to an individual's socio-demographic group, cognitive characteristics, and sensory preferences. We first used existing data to build a synthetic dataset based on information from 3654 households (Study 1a), and then developed a cluster model to identify individuals characterised by similar socio-demographic, cognitive, and sensory aspects (Study 1b). Finally, in Study 2 we used the characteristics of 8 clusters to build 8 separate personalised food choice advice and assess their ability to motivate the increased consumption of fruit and vegetables and decreased intakes of saturated fat and sugar. We presented 218 participants with either generic UK Government “EatWell” advice, advice that was tailored to their allocated cluster (matched personalised), or advice tailored to a different cluster (unmatched personalised). Results showed that, when compared to generic advice, participants that received matched personalised advice were significantly more likely to indicate they would change their diet. Participants were similarly motivated to increase vegetable consumption and decrease saturated fat intake when they received unmatched personalised advice, potentially highlighting the power of providing alternative food choices. Overall, this study demonstrated that the power of personalizing food choice advice, based on a combination of individual characteristics, can be more effective than current approaches in motivating dietary change. Our study also emphasizes the viability of addressing population health through automatically delivered web-based personalised advice.

The Effects of Diet on the Elimination and Prevention of Mental Health Illnesses

The study investigates the relationship between diet type and mental health, focusing on the impact of nutrient deficiencies on mental health illnesses and their treatment. We gathered results from 15 participants over ten years using self-administered questionnaires and biochemical assessments. The study discovered significant correlations between diets and mental health diseases, with Western diets increasing the incidence of major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and ADHD. Mediterranean and high-fiber diets showed protective effects, reducing the rates of these disorders by 40% and 30%, respectively. Some participants also showed deficiencies in omega-3 PUFAs and vitamin D. Pharmacological interventions, such as omega-3 supplementation and Mediterranean diets, improve mental health outcomes. The study emphasizes the importance of dietary change in preventing and treating psychiatric disorders and emphasizes the need for clinical and population-level dietary changes.

The Effects of Diet on the Elimination and Prevention of Mental Health Illnesses

The study investigates the relationship between diet type and mental health, focusing on the impact of nutrient deficiencies on mental health illnesses and their treatment. We gathered results from 15 participants over ten years using self-administered questionnaires and biochemical assessments. The study discovered significant correlations between diets and mental health diseases, with Western diets increasing the incidence of major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and ADHD. Mediterranean and high-fiber diets showed protective effects, reducing the rates of these disorders by 40% and 30%, respectively. Some participants also showed deficiencies in omega-3 PUFAs and vitamin D. Pharmacological interventions, such as omega-3 supplementation and Mediterranean diets, improve mental health outcomes. The study emphasizes the importance of dietary change in preventing and treating psychiatric disorders and emphasizes the need for clinical and population-level dietary changes.

Adolescent Lifestyle Behaviour Modification and Mental Health: Longitudinal Changes in Diet, Physical Activity, Sleep, Screen Time, Smoking, and Alcohol Use and Associations with Psychological Distress

AbstractThis study examines longitudinal behaviour change in six key lifestyle behaviours—sleep, physical activity (PA), sedentary recreational screen time, diet, alcohol use, and tobacco use—and associations with mental health in a large study of Australian adolescents. Change between baseline (Mage = 12.7, N = 6,639) and 3-year follow up (Mage = 15.7, N = 4445) was investigated. Generalised linear mixed effects regressions modelled associations between behaviour change and later psychological distress score adjusting for baseline behaviours, baseline psychological distress, social determinants, and school clustering. Changes over time in each of the behaviours were significantly associated with later psychological distress, whereby health-promoting behaviours were associated with reduced psychological distress and vice versa. When all behaviour changes were modelled together, significant effects remained for sleep, PA, vegetable consumption, junk food and SSB consumption, alcohol, and tobacco use. Results highlight the potential benefits of behaviour modification to reduce the progression of psychological distress in adolescence.

Unraveling the gut microbiome's contribution to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: mechanistic insights and therapeutic perspectives.

The gut microbiome plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), influencing oncogenesis, immune responses, and treatment outcomes. Studies have identified microbial species like Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum, that promote PDAC progression through various mechanisms. Additionally, the gut microbiome affects immune cell activation and response to immunotherapy, including immune checkpoint inhibitors and CAR-T therapy. Specific microbes and their metabolites play a significant role in the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Alterations in the gut microbiome can either enhance or diminish responses to PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4 blockade therapy. Additionally, bacterial metabolites like trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) impact antitumor immunity, offering potential targets to augment immunotherapy responses. Modulating the microbiome through fecal microbiota transplantation, probiotics, prebiotics, dietary changes, and antibiotics shows promise in PDAC treatment, although outcomes are highly variable. Dietary modifications, particularly high-fiber diets and specific fat consumption, influence microbiome composition and impact cancer risk. Combining microbiome-based therapies with existing treatments holds potential for improving PDAC therapy outcomes, but further research is needed to optimize their effectiveness.

Trophic positioning among native and non-indigenous species in the eastern Mediterranean Sea

The substantial influx of non-indigenous species (NIS) into the eastern Mediterranean Sea from the Suez Canal has prompted questions about the mechanisms enabling their establishment and the resulting impacts on native species. We focus on the trophic level dynamics of the dominant native red mullet (Mullus barbatus) and the four NIS Pomadasys stridens, Upeneus moluccensis, U. pori, and Parupeneus forsskali. Using various methods, including trophic level estimations, intestine length analysis, and monthly trophic level variations, we assessed their trophic positions and flexibility. The results indicate that compared to M. barbatus, P. stridens occupies a lower trophic level due to its omnivorous nature, potentially facilitating its biomass increase. This lower trophic position is further supported by its lengthy intestine relative to size. Conversely, U. moluccensis, U. pori, and P. forsskali position themselves consistently at higher trophic levels than M. barbatus. Monthly trophic level variations suggest temporal dietary changes, which point to seasonal impacts on NIS success. M. barbatus’s resilience, including its preference for polychaetes, may explain its sustained dominance amid competition. This study sheds light on NIS-native species coexistence, further suggesting that NIS success could stem from exploitation of vacant niches and adaptation to new food sources.

Systematic Review on the Impact of Salt-Reduction Initiatives by Socioeconomic Position to Address Health Inequalities in Adult Populations.

International evidence shows that individuals from low socioeconomic positions (SEPs) consume a greater amount of salt than those from higher SEPs. This health inequality reflects a disproportionate effect of salt-reduction initiatives, and explains a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease among the most vulnerable populations. Assessing this impact can help tailor implementation strategies in the future for the benefit of the whole population. The aim was to systematically review the literature and assess the impact of salt-reduction initiatives on health and behavioral outcomes of adults by SEP. The search strategy was conducted in 6 databases (CINAHL, Scopus, Embase, MEDLINE, PubMed, and Web of Science) using the terms sodium or salt, social class, policy, intervention or campaign. Peer-reviewed articles assessing salt-reduction interventions in adults reporting dietary or behavioral changes on salt consumption measurements by SEP were considered for inclusion. Articles in which salt intake data were not reported by SEP were excluded. Two reviewers collected data independently using a predesigned electronic form. The AXIS and RoB 2 tools were used for critical appraisal. Eight studies containing data from 111 548 adults were interpreted according to study design following a narrative synthesis approach. Salt-reduction initiatives are effective at reducing the intake of salt and sodium in adults. When reporting the impact of these initiatives, research outcomes are generally not evaluated by SEP, representing a question yet to be explored. A small number of articles that focused on the impact of salt-reduction interventions reported salt consumption measurements by SEP, indicating a critical gap in research. The limited evidence suggests potentially greater health benefits to be gained from the implementation of population-wide initiatives in adults of low SEP. PROSPERO registration no. CRD42021238055.

Effects of a multidomain intervention against cognitive decline on dementia risk profiles - Results from the AgeWell.de trial.

Dementia risk scores constitute promising surrogate outcomes for lifestyle interventions targeting cognitive function. We investigated whether dementia risk, assessed using the LIfestyle for BRAin health (LIBRA) index, was reduced by the AgeWell.de intervention. Secondary analyses of the AgeWell trial, testing a multicomponent intervention (including optimization of nutrition, medication, and physical, social, and cognitive activity) in older adults with increased dementia risk. We analyzed data from n=461 participants with complete information on risk/protective factors comprised by LIBRA at the 24-month follow-up. Intervention effects on LIBRA and LIBRA components were assessed using generalized linear models. The intervention reduced LIBRA scores, indicating decreased dementia risk at follow-up (b=-0.63, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.14, -0.12). Intervention effects were particularly due to improvements in diet (odds ratio [OR]: 1.60, 95% CI: 1.16, 2.22) and hypertension (OR: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.19, 2.18). The AgeWell.de intervention reduced dementia risk. However, several risk factors did not improve, possibly requiring more intensive interventions. The AgeWell.de intervention reduced dementia risk according to LIfestyle for BRAin health (LIBRA) scores. Beneficial effects on LIBRA are mainly due to changes in diet and blood pressure. A pragmatic lifestyle intervention is apt to reduce dementia risk in an at-risk population.

The Role of Food and Nutrition education in improving Dietary Habits

To find out whether teens' involvement in a non-profit organization's Food and Nutrition education program resulted in a change in the quantity of food they ate. Fifty-five low-income teenagers participating in an NGO received a six-month nutritional intervention that included six visits with dietitians and strategic communication and relationship initiatives. At baseline and after the intervention, body weight, height, BMI, nutrition and eating behaviors questionnaire, one day recall and diet quality evaluation of the Digital Food Guide's Diet Quality Index were collected. Dietary pattern improvement required a 5-point rise in the Digital Food Guide's Diet Quality Index. Food labels were better understood and daily and weekend eating habits. Fruits, vegetables, dairy goods, legumes, and milk consumption increased (adequate components). However the intake of whole grains and nuts was low while that of items that should be eaten in moderation was high. The effort altered the eating habits of teenagers, making it a practical and affordable way to promote health, avoid illness. The diet quality index in the digital meal guide has also proven useful for analyzing dietary changes and directing future counseling and nutritional intervention efforts.

Following Through: The Impact of Culinary Medicine on Mediterranean Diet Uptake in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

The Mediterranean diet (MD) is recommended for all patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) unless there is a specific contraindication. Culinary medicine has emerged as a method for improving dietary education. Patients and caregivers are often invested in making dietary changes to improve disease control. Here, we examine the dietary preferences of a group of young people with IBD and apply culinary medicine techniques with an in-person MD-focused cooking class. A survey evaluating dietary attitudes was sent to an IBD email listserv at our tertiary care center (n = 779). A validated questionnaire, the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for Children and Adolescents was used to assess MD adherence. IBD dietitians customized 2 in-person MD-focused cooking classes, one for children 6 to 12 years of age (arm 1) and one for adolescents 13 to 17 years of age (arm 2). Baseline, 1-month follow-up, and 3-month follow-up surveys were completed. There were 112 survey responses. Participants were 67.0% male with diagnosis of Crohn's disease (50.0%), ulcerative colitis (42.0%), or IBD unclassified (8.0%). Most were managed on advanced therapies (82.0%). Most reported making decisions about diet (82.0%) in order to help with IBD, had met with a dietitian (69.0%), and were interested in learning more about the MD (55.3%). MD scores were primarily in the average (49.5%) and poor (41.1%) diet categories. Only those eating together as a family 3 or more times per week or those who had met with a dietitian scored in the optimal diet category. The median MD score at baseline was 4.5, increasing to 6.0 at 1 month and 7.0 at 3 months postintervention. Almost all (90%) would recommend cooking classes to others. Common barriers to MD uptake included lack of knowledge about which foods to prepare, concern about taste, and time to prepare food. This study showcases high patient and caregiver interest in dietary management of IBD and demonstrates efficacy of education via application of culinary medicine. Classes were well received by families and MD adherence scores increased postintervention. As patients with IBD and their families are often motivated to incorporate dietary therapy into their care, this work highlights the role of culinary medicine and value of future study.

Dietary Sodium Intake and Outcomes: a Secondary Analysis From Sodium-HF

This post hoc analysis of SODIUM-HF (Study of Dietary Intervention under 100 mmol in Heart Failure) assessed the association between baseline dietary sodium intake and change at 6 months with a composite of cardiovascular (CV) hospitalizations, emergency department visits and all-cause death at 12 and 24 months. Dietary sodium restriction is common advice for patients with heart failure (HF). Randomized clinical trials have not shown a beneficial effect of dietary sodium restriction on clinical outcomes. A multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to assess the association of dietary sodium intake measured at randomization with primary and secondary endpoints. The study included 792 participants. Baseline sodium intake was ≤ 1500 mg/day in 19.9% (n = 158), 1501-3000 mg/day in 56.5% (n = 448) and > 3000 mg/day in 23.4% (n = 186) of participants. The factors associated with higher baseline sodium intake were higher calorie consumption, higher body mass index and recruitment from Canada. Multivariable analyses showed no association between baseline sodium intake nor magnitude of 6-month change or 12- or 24-month outcomes. In a responder analysis, participants achieving a sodium intake < 1500 mg at 6 months showed an association with a decreased risk for the composite outcome (adjusted HR 0.52 [95% CI 0.25, 1.07] P = 0.08) and CV hospitalization (adjusted HR 0.51 [95% CI 0.24, 1.09] P = 0.08) at 12 months. There was no association between dietary sodium intake and clinical outcomes over 24 months in patients with HF. Responder analyses suggest the need for further investigation of the effects of sodium reduction in those who achieve the targeted dietary sodium-reduction level.

Changes in daily intake of nutrients and foods including confectionery after the initiation of empagliflozin in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes: a pilot study

IntroductionIt is unclear how dietary intake changes after sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) treatment is started in patients with type 2 diabetes.MethodsWe performed a non-controlled, open-label study that enrolled 51 patients with type 2 diabetes. The patients were newly administered empagliflozin, and their dietary habits were examined using a self-administered diet history questionnaire at the beginning of the study and after 24 weeks. We investigated the association of changes in HbA1c and body weight with changes in energy, nutrient, and food group intakes.ResultsAt 24 weeks after the start of the study, HbA1c improved significantly and body weight decreased. In the food group, only the intake of confectionery increased, and there were no significant differences in the association between changes in HbA1c and body weight and changes in energy, nutrient, and food group intakes after 24 weeks. However, a significant negative correlation was found between change in HbA1c after 4 weeks and change in energy intake after 24 weeks, and principal component analysis showed an association between change in HbA1c levels after 4 weeks and change in energy intake and some food group intakes including confectionery after 24 weeks.ConclusionIn this study, after 24 weeks of treatment with empagliflozin, only intake of confectionery increased. Early assessment by dietitians after initiation of SGLT2i treatment might be important because our data suggested that the reduction in blood glucose levels after the start of empagliflozin was associated with a subsequent increase in energy intake.Trial registrationUniversity Hospital Medical Information Network-Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR) on September 5, 2016 (registration ID, UMIN000002309|| http://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/).

Intranasal Immunization of Pneumococcal pep27 Mutant Attenuates Allergic and Inflammatory Diseases by Upregulating Skin and Mucosal Tregs.

Conventional immunization methods such as intramuscular injections lack effective mucosal protection against pathogens that enter through the mucosal surfaces. Moreover, conventional therapy often leads to adverse events and compromised immunity, followed by complicated outcomes, leading to the need to switch to other options. Thus, a need to develop safe and effective treatment with long-term beneficial outcomes to reduce the risk of relapse is mandatory. Mucosal vaccines administered across mucosal surfaces, such as the respiratory or intestinal mucosa, to prompt robust localized and systemic immune responses to prevent the public from acquiring pathogenic diseases. Mucosal immunity contains a unique immune cell milieu that selectively identify pathogens and limits the transmission and progression of mucosal diseases, such as allergic dermatitis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It also offers protection from localized infection at the site of entry, enables the clearance of pathogens on mucosal surfaces, and leads to the induction of long-term immunity with the ability to shape regulatory responses. Regulatory T (Treg) cells have been a promising strategy to suppress mucosal diseases. To find advances in mucosal treatment, we investigated the therapeutic effects of intranasal pep27 mutant immunization. Nasal immunization protects mucosal surfaces, but nasal antigen presentation appears to entail the need for an adjuvant to stimulate immunogenicity. Here, a novel method is developed to induce Tregs via intranasal immunization without an adjuvant to potentially overcome allergic diseases and gut and lung inflammation using lung-gut axis communication in animal models. The implementation of the pep27 mutant for these therapies should be preceded by studies on Treg resilience through clinical translational studies on dietary changes.

MICOS Complex Loss Governs Age-Associated Murine Mitochondrial Architecture and Metabolism in the Liver, While Sam50 Dictates Diet Changes.

The liver, the largest internal organ and a metabolic hub, undergoes significant declines due to aging, affecting mitochondrial function and increasing the risk of systemic liver diseases. How the mitochondrial three-dimensional (3D) structure changes in the liver across aging, and the biological mechanisms regulating such changes confers remain unclear. In this study, we employed Serial Block Face-Scanning Electron Microscopy (SBF-SEM) to achieve high-resolution 3D reconstructions of murine liver mitochondria to observe diverse phenotypes and structural alterations that occur with age, marked by a reduction in size and complexity. We also show concomitant metabolomic and lipidomic changes in aged samples. Aged human samples reflected altered disease risk. To find potential regulators of this change, we examined the Mitochondrial Contact Site and Cristae Organizing System (MICOS) complex, which plays a crucial role in maintaining mitochondrial architecture. We observe that the MICOS complex is lost during aging, but not Sam50. Sam50 is a component of the sorting and assembly machinery (SAM) complex that acts in tandem with the MICOS complex to modulate cristae morphology. In murine models subjected to a high-fat diet, there is a marked depletion of the mitochondrial protein SAM50. This reduction in Sam50 expression may heighten the susceptibility to liver disease, as our human biobank studies corroborate that Sam50 plays a genetically regulated role in the predisposition to multiple liver diseases. We further show that changes in mitochondrial calcium dysregulation and oxidative stress accompany the disruption of the MICOS complex. Together, we establish that a decrease in mitochondrial complexity and dysregulated metabolism occur with murine liver aging. While these changes are partially be regulated by age-related loss of the MICOS complex, the confluence of a murine high-fat diet can also cause loss of Sam50, which contributes to liver diseases. In summary, our study reveals potential regulators that affect age-related changes in mitochondrial structure and metabolism, which can be targeted in future therapeutic techniques.

Recent advances in measuring the effects of diet on gastrointestinal physiology: Probing the "leaky gut" and application of real-time ultrasound.

There is a large pool of ideas in both mainstream and non-mainstream medicine on how diet can be manipulated in order to treat or prevent illnesses. Despite this, our understanding of how specific changes in diet influence the structure and function of the gastrointestinal tract is limited. This review aims to describe two areas that might provide key information on the integrity and function of the gastrointestinal tract. First, demystifying the "leaky gut syndrome" requires rational application and interpretation of tests of intestinal barrier function. Multiple ways of measuring barrier function have been described, but the inherent difficulties in translation from animal studies to humans have created misinterpretations and misconceptions. The intrinsic nature of intestinal barrier function is dynamic. This is seldom considered in studies of intestinal barrier assessment. To adequately understand the effects of dietary interventions on intestinal barrier function, background barrier function in different regions of the gut and the dynamic responses to stressors (such as psychological stress) should be assessed as a minimum. Second, intestinal ultrasound, which is now established in the assessment and monitoring of inflammatory bowel disease, has hitherto been poorly evaluated in assessing real-time intestinal function and novel aspects of structure in patients with disorders of gut-brain interaction. In conclusion, a more complete functional and structural profile that these investigations enable should permit a greater understanding of the effects of dietary manipulation on the gastrointestinal tract and provide clinically relevant information that, amongst other advantages, might permit opportunities for personalized health care delivery.