Dietary Components Research Articles

Decoding food reactions: a detailed exploration of food allergies vs. intolerances and sensitivities.

The food matrix is a complex system encompassing all constituent elements in food production. It influences the digestibility of these elements through direct interactions and affects the digestive environment. Furthermore, the gastrointestinal system possesses precise mechanisms that efficiently process dietary components into essential nutrients, effectively preventing the onset of abnormal immune responses or dysfunctional host reactions in most instances. However, the incidence of adverse food reactions is constantly increasing, and evidence indicates that this process is environmental. Adverse reactions can be categorized as toxic or nontoxic. Toxic reactions are dose-dependent and can result from natural compounds, processing-induced substances, or contaminants. Nontoxic reactions like food intolerance and hypersensitivity depend on individual susceptibility and evoke specific pathological and physiological responses. This review aims to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the occurrence of immune- (food allergies and sensitivities) and non-immune-mediated (food intolerance) reactions, emphasizing the fundamental distinctions between these two categories. Enhanced comprehension and distinction of these mechanisms will significantly contribute to advancing preventive and therapeutic approaches and establishing guidelines for food labeling concerning immune-mediated reactions.

Assessing the impact of obesity interventions in the early years: a systematic review of UK-based studies

ObjectivesChildhood obesity rates in the UK are high. The early years of childhood are critical for establishing healthy behaviours and offer interventional opportunities. We aimed to identify studies evaluating the...

Seasonal covariations of diet-gut microbiota in the adaptation of the newly reintroduced Père David's deer (Elaphurus davidianus) to the northern habitat

Milu (Père David's deer, Elaphurus davidianus), once extinct in the wild, was one of the few indigenous large herbivores of the wetland ecosystem in China. The reintroduction of milu in northern China has just started and is expected to restore not only that species, but also the ecosystem. To acquire insights into the adaptive process of the milu population first rewilded in the northern habitat and provide knowledge for the on-going and future reintroduction attempts, we used DNA metabarcoding to analyze the diets and gut microbiota of those milu in the first year after releasing. The results showed strong seasonality in both diet and gut microbiota. Significant higher dietary diversity was detected in in autumn than summer and winter. Woody dietary components increased continuously from summer to winter. A significant correspondence was found between the dietary and microbial diversities. Enrichment of metabolic pathways involved in lipid and amino acid metabolism was identified in summer, and of those involved in carbohydrate and glycan metabolism was identified in winter. Pathways related to metabolism of certain amino acid were differently abundant in the breeding season. The study indicated the contribution of foraging and gut microbial seasonality to the overwintering, reproduction and environmental adaption of the reintroduced milu. The enrichment of opportunistic pathogen Treponema and lower microbial diversity indicated higher health risk in winter, and thus disease prevention measures were suggested. Pre- and post-release food evaluation and monitoring was recommended to ensure food sufficiency in the reintroductions.

Novel Functional Food Properties of Forest Onion (Eleutherine bulbosa Merr.) Phytochemicals for Treating Metabolic Syndrome: New Insights from a Combined Computational and In Vitro Approach

Metabolic syndrome is a global health problem. The use of functional foods as dietary components has been increasing. One food of interest is forest onion extract (FOE). This study aimed to investigate the effect of FOE on lipid and glucose metabolism in silico and in vitro using the 3T3-L1 mouse cell line. This was a comprehensive study that used a multi-modal computational network pharmacology analysis and molecular docking in silico and 3T3-L1 mouse cells in vitro. The phytochemical components of FOE were analyzed using untargeted ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS). Next, an in silico analysis was performed to determine FOE’s bioactive compounds, and a toxicity analysis, protein target identification, network pharmacology, and molecular docking were carried out. FOE’s effect on pancreatic lipase, α-glucosidase, and α-amylase inhibition was determined. Finally, we determined its effect on lipid accumulation and MAPK8, PPARG, HMGCR, CPT-1, and GLP1 expression in the preadipocyte 3T3-L1 mouse cell line. We showed that the potential metabolites targeted glucose and lipid metabolism in silico and that FOE inhibited pancreatic lipase levels, α-glucosidase, and α-amylase in vitro. Furthermore, FOE significantly (p < 0.05) inhibits targeted protein expressions of MAPK8, PPARG, HMGCR, CPT-1, and GLP-1 in vitro in 3T3-L1 mouse cells in a dose-dependent manner. FOE contains several metabolites that reduce pancreatic lipase levels, α-glucosidase, α-amylase, and targeted proteins associated with lipid and glucose metabolism in vitro.

The Puzzle of Aspirin and Iron Deficiency: The Vital Missing Link of the Iron-Chelating Metabolites

Acetylsalicylic acid or aspirin is the most commonly used drug in the world and is taken daily by millions of people. There is increasing evidence that chronic administration of low-dose aspirin of about 75–100 mg/day can cause iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) in the absence of major gastric bleeding; this is found in a large number of about 20% otherwise healthy elderly (>65 years) individuals. The mechanisms of the cause of IDA in this category of individuals are still largely unknown. Evidence is presented suggesting that a likely cause of IDA in this category of aspirin users is the chelation activity and increased excretion of iron caused by aspirin chelating metabolites (ACMs). It is estimated that 90% of oral aspirin is metabolized into about 70% of the ACMs salicyluric acid, salicylic acid, 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, and 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid. All ACMs have a high affinity for binding iron and ability to mobilize iron from different iron pools, causing an overall net increase in iron excretion and altering iron balance. Interestingly, 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid has been previously tested in iron-loaded thalassaemia patients, leading to substantial increases in iron excretion. The daily administration of low-dose aspirin for long-term periods is likely to enhance the overall iron excretion in small increments each time due to the combined iron mobilization effect of the ACM. In particular, IDA is likely to occur mainly in populations such as elderly vegetarian adults with meals low in iron content. Furthermore, IDA may be exacerbated by the combinations of ACM with other dietary components, which can prevent iron absorption and enhance iron excretion. Overall, aspirin is acting as a chelating pro-drug similar to dexrazoxane, and the ACM as combination chelation therapy. Iron balance, pharmacological, and other studies on the interaction of iron and aspirin, as well as ACM, are likely to shed more light on the mechanism of IDA. Similar mechanisms of iron chelation through ACM may also be implicated in patient improvements observed in cancer, neurodegenerative, and other disease categories when treated long-term with daily aspirin. In particular, the role of aspirin and ACM in iron metabolism and free radical pathology includes ferroptosis, and may identify other missing links in the therapeutic effects of aspirin in many more diseases. It is suggested that aspirin is the first non-chelating drug described to cause IDA through its ACM metabolites. The therapeutic, pharmacological, toxicological and other implications of aspirin are incomplete without taking into consideration the iron binding and other effects of the ACM.

Diet influences community dynamics following vaginal group B streptococcus colonization.

The vaginal microbiota plays a pivotal role in reproductive, sexual, and perinatal health and disease. Unlike the well-established connections between diet, metabolism, and the intestinal microbiota, parallel mechanisms influencing the vaginal microbiota and pathogen colonization remain overlooked. In this study, we combine a mouse model of Streptococcus agalactiae strain COH1 [group B Streptococcus (GBS)] vaginal colonization with a mouse model of pubertal-onset obesity to assess diet as a determinant of vaginal microbiota composition and its role in colonization resistance. We leveraged culture-dependent assessment of GBS clearance and culture-independent, sequencing-based reconstruction of the vaginal microbiota in relation to diet, obesity, glucose tolerance, and microbial dynamics across time scales. Our findings demonstrate that excessive body weight gain and glucose intolerance are not associated with vaginal GBS density or timing of clearance. Diets high in fat and low in soluble fiber are associated with vaginal GBS persistence, and changes in vaginal microbiota structure and composition due to diet contribute to GBS clearance patterns in nonpregnant mice. These findings underscore a critical need for studies on diet as a key determinant of vaginal microbiota composition and its relevance to reproductive and perinatal outcomes.IMPORTANCEThis work sheds light on diet as a key determinant influencing the composition of vaginal microbiota and its involvement in group B Streptococcus (GBS) colonization in a mouse model. This study shows that mice fed diets with different nutritional composition display differences in GBS density and timing of clearance in the female reproductive tract. These findings are particularly significant given clear links between GBS and adverse reproductive and neonatal outcomes, advancing our understanding by identifying critical connections between dietary components, factors originating from the intestinal tract, vaginal microbiota, and reproductive outcomes.

FEMaLe: The use of machine learning for early diagnosis of endometriosis based on patient self-reported data—Study protocol of a multicenter trial

Introduction Endometriosis is a chronic disease that affects up to 190 million women and those assigned female at birth and remains unresolved mainly in terms of etiology and optimal therapy. It is defined by the presence of endometrium-like tissue outside the uterine cavity and is commonly associated with chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and decreased quality of life. Despite the availability of various screening methods (e.g., biomarkers, genomic analysis, imaging techniques) intended to replace the need for invasive surgery, the time to diagnosis remains in the range of 4 to 11 years. Aims This study aims to create a large prospective data bank using the Lucy mobile health application (Lucy app) and analyze patient profiles and structured clinical data. In addition, we will investigate the association of removed or restricted dietary components with quality of life, pain, and central pain sensitization. Methods A baseline and a longitudinal questionnaire in the Lucy app collects real-world, self-reported information on symptoms of endometriosis, socio-demographics, mental and physical health, economic factors, nutritional, and other lifestyle factors. 5,000 women with confirmed endometriosis and 5,000 women without diagnosed endometriosis in a control group will be enrolled and followed up for one year. With this information, any connections between recorded symptoms and endometriosis will be analyzed using machine learning. Conclusions We aim to develop a phenotypic description of women with endometriosis by linking the collected data with existing registry-based information on endometriosis diagnosis, healthcare utilization, and big data approach. This may help to achieve earlier detection of endometriosis with pelvic pain and significantly reduce the current diagnostic delay. Additionally, we may identify dietary components that worsen the quality of life and pain in women with endometriosis, upon which we can create real-world data-based nutritional recommendations.

Models to predict nitrogen excretion from beef cattle fed a wide range of diets compiled from South America.

The objective of this meta-analysis was to develop and evaluate models for predicting nitrogen (N) excretion in feces, urine, and manure in beef cattle in South America. The study incorporated a total of 1,116 individual observations of N excretion in feces and 939 individual observations of N excretion in feces and in urine (g/d), representing a diverse range of diets, animal genotypes, and management conditions in South America. The datasetalso included data on dry matter intake (DMI; kg/d) and nitrogen intake (NI; g/d), concentrations of dietary components, as well as average daily gain (ADG; g/d) and average body weight (BW; kg). Models were derived using linear mixed-effects regression with a random intercept for the study. Fecal N excretion was positively associated with DMI, NI, nonfibrous carbohydrates, average BW, and ADG and negatively associated with EE and CP concentration in the diet. The univariate model predicting fecal N excretion based on DMI (model 1) performed slightly better than the univariate model, which used NI as a predictor variable (model 2) with a root mean square error (RMSE) of 38.0 vs. 39.2%, the RMSE-observations SD ratio (RSR) of 0.81 vs. 0.84, and concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) of 0.53 vs. 0.50, respectively. Models predicting urinary N excretion were less accurate than those derived to predict fecal N excretion, with an average RMSE of 43.7% vs. 37.0%, respectively. Urinary and manure N excretion were positively associated with DMI, NI, CP, average BW, and ADG and negatively associated with neutral detergent fiber concentration in the diet. As opposed to fecal N excretion, the univariate model predicting urinary N excretion using NI (model 10) performed slightly better than the univariate model using DMI (model 9) as predictor variable with an RMSE of 36.0% vs. 39.7%, RSR 0.85 vs. 0.93, and CCC of 0.43 vs. 0.29, respectively. The models developed in this study are applicable for predicting N excretion in beef cattle across a broad spectrum of dietary compositions and animal genotypes in South America. The univariate model using DMI as a predictor is recommended for fecal N prediction, while the univariate model using NI is recommended for predicting urinary and manure N excretion because the use of more complex models resulted in little to no benefits. However, it may be more useful to consider more complex models that incorporate nutrient intakes and diet composition for decision-making when N excretion is a factor to be considered. Three extant equations evaluated in this study have the potential to be used in tropical conditions typical of South America to predict fecal N excretion with good precision and accuracy. However, none of the extant equations are recommended for predicting urine or manure N excretion because of their high RMSE, and low precision and accuracy.

Using winter diet composition and forage plant availability to determine browse selection and importance for moose (Alces alces) in a landscape modified by industrial forestry

Abstract Between 2000 and 2015, moose (Alces alces L.) populations within some areas of north-central British Columbia, Canada declined by 70%. Such declines are occurring in other regions within the range of moose. One cause for mortalities of cow and calf moose in British Columbia was apparent starvation, implying a potential connection to food supply. To investigate possible connections between moose declines and industrial forestry, we examined moose winter diets relative to browse availability in six Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification subzones within north-central British Columbia. In the spring of 2017, we collected moose winter pellets. To assess diet, pellets were analyzed using microhistology, a common technique for quantifying the diets of ungulates. In the summer of 2018, we used a modified point-intercept method to survey browse plant availability at pellet collection sites. We related diet composition to plant availability through indices of selection (use of a forage species relative to availability) and values of importance (the proportion of a species in the diet as a function of its occurrence in the environment) of various browse items to moose. Twenty-eight species of potential browse plants were identified in our browse availability surveys. Only 12 of these plants were found in moose pellets, with four plants [subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa Hooker), willow (Salix spp. Linnaeus), paper birch (Betula papyrifera Marshall), and trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michaux)] comprising the majority (93.3%) of the diet. We used mixed-model analyses to examine differences between these top four winter diet items, in relation to: (i) diet composition; (ii) plant availability; (iii) selection by moose; and (iv) importance to moose. Subalpine fir (mean: 45.7%) was a significantly larger diet component in pellets than aspen (5.7%) and willow (19.5%), but there was no significant difference in the proportions of subalpine fir and birch (22.4%). Birch and willow were found in significantly higher proportions than aspen, but proportions of birch and willow in pellets did not differ. The availability of the top four diet items was not significantly different between species. Subalpine fir, aspen, birch, and willow were the most selected diet items, but selection was not significantly different between them. The importance values of subalpine fir, birch, and willow were not significantly different from one another, but all three were significantly greater than the importance value for aspen. Diet composition, availability, selection, and importance did not vary between subzones surveyed. The high selection for and importance of subalpine fir, birch, willow, and aspen by moose in winter demonstrate the need to ensure these browse species are maintained on moose ranges, especially where moose populations are declining. Where industrial forestry impacts the abundance and species composition of winter browses for moose, we encourage forest planners and managers to examine browse availability in relation to moose diet, so that the browse plants important to and selected for by moose can be integrated into forest management objectives.

112 Nutritional, feed safety, and environmental benefits and limitations of using soybean co-products in swine diets

Abstract Various types of soybean co-products are used in swine diets which have benefits and limitations related to protein quality, environmental impact, and feed safety. To address these concerns for sustainable pork production, methodologies have evolved. Soybean processing and storage methods affecting protein oxidation have been studied less than lipid oxidation. Protein carbonyl concentrations were measured and compared among diverse samples of soybeans and soybean meal from different regions of the US and processed by mechanical or solvent extraction. Mechanically extracted soybean meal had greater concentrations of protein carbonyls than solvent extracted soybean meal which were associated with a greater concentration of residual oil. Soybeans and their co-products also contain antioxidants that may protect against more extensive lipid and protein oxidation. Understanding the interactions between natural antioxidants and oxidation of lipid and proteins in soy co-products is important for optimizing nutritional efficiency and health in sustainable pork production systems. Because soybean meal is a major component of swine diets, its origin and environmental footprint affects the environmental impact of feed, manure, and pork production. Using a spatially explicit lifecycle assessment of feed ingredients and regional manure management programs, we compared the effect of using four feeding programs on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, land use, and embedded water consumption in 3 major U.S. pork production regions assuming they would provide equal growth performance and carcass composition. Although environmental impacts varied among regions, the corn-soybean meal feeding program resulted in the greatest land and water use of all grower-finisher feeding programs, and more GHG emissions than feeding low protein amino acid supplemented (LP) diets and diets containing 8% supermarket food waste, but less overall GHG emissions than the distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) feeding program. Results from a subsequent study showed that feeding corn-soybean meal diets optimized growth performance and carcass composition while simultaneously reducing impacts on climate change, marine and freshwater eutrophication, and fossil resource use compared with feeding DDGS and LP diets. Lastly, the extended survival of infectious agents such as African swine fever virus in feed ingredients has important implications for biosecurity and prevention of transboundary transmission of swine diseases. We developed a risk-free in situ surrogate non-animal assay (RISNA) to estimate survival of ASFV in various feed ingredients and conditions, and results indicate greater thermal stability than previously observed, and comparable extended survival among corn- and soybean-based ingredients. These new insights will be useful in revising feed biosecurity protocols to prevent introduction and transmission of ASFV in feed supply chains. In conclusion, holistic assessments of feed ingredients, like our evaluation of soybean co-products, are needed to achieve a more sustainable, One Health approach to pork production.

Gas Chromatography Based Analysis of Fatty Acid Profiles in Poultry Byproduct-Based Pet Foods: Implications for Nutritional Quality and Health Optimization

The nutritional quality of pet foods plays a crucial role in maintaining the health and well-being of companion animals. In this study, we investigated the fatty acid compositions of various pet foods, including chicken powder, poultry byproducts incorporated vegetables, byproducts incorporated with ragi, and boiled mash Potato, to assess their scientific significance and potential implications for pet nutrition. Our analysis revealed diverse fatty acid profiles across the different pet foods, with each food exhibiting unique compositions and proportions of fatty acids. Notable findings include the identification of common fatty acids shared among multiple pet foods, as well as variations in the abundance of specific fatty acids across different formulations. Additionally, certain pet foods are characterized by the presence of rare or unusual fatty acids, highlighting the importance of exploring their sources and potential health benefits. By correlating the fatty acid compositions of pet foods with metabolic pathways and health implications, we elucidated the nutritional significance of these dietary components for pets. Furthermore, we identified areas for further research, including the impact of processing methods on fatty acid profiles and the development of novel formulations optimized for pet nutrition and well-being. Overall, this study contributes valuable insights into the scientific understanding of pet nutrition and underscores the importance of considering fatty acid compositions in formulating balanced and nutritious diets for companion animals.

Resource Use Efficiency and Economics of Summer Greengram as Influenced by Land Configuration and Irrigation Regimes in North-western Part of India

Background: Pulses form a crucial protein component of the human diet and among the pulses, greengram is third most important pulse crop in India. Water is a critical input for sustained crop production and is becoming limited day by day. Hence, the need of the hour is to evaluate effective resource conservation practices, such as land configurations and scientific scheduling of irrigation to achieve higher productivity, profitability and resource use efficiency. The aim of the study was to identify most resource efficient and economical land configuration, irrigation regimes for summer greengram under sandy loam soils of northwestern India. Methods: The experiment was conducted during the summer of 2022 on Student’s farm, School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab to investigate the performance of summer greengram as influenced by land configuration and irrigation regimes. The experiment was carried out in a strip plot design consisting of 12 treatment combinations and three replications. The treatment included three land configurations viz, (L1: Flatbed, L2: Ridge and furrow and L3: Broad bed furrow) and four different irrigation regimes [Irrigating at critical growth stages (I1), 0.60 IW/CPE (I2), 0.75 IW/CPE (I3) and 0.90 IW/CPE (I4)]. Result: Among three land configurations tried, L3 recorded significantly higher water productivity, NUE and net return. Similarly, I1 recorded significantly higher water productivity whereas I4 recorded significantly higher NUE and net return. Among the treatment combinations, I1L3 recorded significantly higher water productivity (0.262 kg m-3) whereas I3L3 recorded significantly higher NUE (25.16 kg seed kg nutrient-1) and net income (₹ 72,848 ha-1) as compared to other treatment combinations. Hence, I1L3 and I4L3 can be recommended to farmers for growing summer greengram under sandy loam soil conditions in water scare regions and assured irrigation situation, respectively.

Dietary supplementation and health behavior in a sample of young adults in Austria

Abstract Aim The market for dietary supplements (DS) is booming since DS can be a simple and targeted dietary component if a wholesome nutrition is not available. DS consumption might be linked to other health behaviors that help people to maintain health and reduce potential health risks. The aim of this study was to identify and compare selected health behaviors among young Austrian DS consumers. Subjects and methods An online questionnaire (including dietary habits, consumption of DS, physical activity, general state of health, DEGS FFQ) was handed out via a pannel distribution to young Austrian adults aged 18 to 30 years. Results The questionnaire was answered by 400 participants, of which 33% consumed DS regularly. There were no significant differences between the sexes with regard to the consumption of DS. Most participants (66%) consumed DS without medical prescription. Only the consumption of healthy food as well as weekly time spent on sports as part of health behavior was able to predict DS consumption. Conclusion Although DS consumers show significantly higher levels of health behavior in some facets, they do not differ from non-DS consumers in a large number of health-relevant aspects. Our results indicate that DS consumers exhibit a broader spectrum of health-relevant behaviors than non-DS consumers and thus contribute to maintaining their health. Further studies with larger national samples and alternative assessment methods are necessary to consolidate the existing results and hypotheses.

Egg consumption and bone mass density among the elderly: A scoping review.

Eggs offer a range of essential nutrients that could support skeletal health as individuals age. Maintaining bone density is crucial for reducing the risk of fractures and improving overall mobility and quality of life in later years. Understanding the potential benefits of habitual egg consumption on bone mass density among older people is essential, given that the natural decline in bone mass density occurs with age. This area of research has not garnered sufficient attention basically because of the mixed reactions and conflicting reports about the safety of egg consumption especially among the older adults. This scoping review aims to systematically examine the existing literature to map the evidence regarding the association between habitual egg consumption and bone mass density in older adults' individuals. The scoping review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines to ensure methodological rigor and transparency. Five electronic databases were searched for published pieces of literature. While high egg intake has been linked to increased mortality and dyslipidemia, eggs contain compounds like Ovo transferrin and carotenoids that may benefit bone health. As aging increases vulnerability to bone fragility and fractures, it's crucial to provide comprehensive dietary recommendations. The complex relationship between egg consumption, cholesterol, and health highlights the need for nuanced assessment. Overall, eggs present a potentially valuable dietary component for promoting bone health in aging populations. Limited research on the link between egg consumption and bone mass density in older adults highlights the need for further investigation. Concerns about cholesterol have overshadowed potential benefits. Given aging populations and bone health challenges, exploring eggs' role in preventing falls and fractures is essential for a proactive approach to older adults' well-being.

Palm oil as part of a high-fat diet: advances and challenges, or possible risks of pathology?

Nutritional status disorders have the most significant impact on the development of cardiovascular and oncologic diseases; therefore, the interest in the study of palm oil as among the leading components of nutrition has been increasing. The data examined in this review were sourced from the Scopus, SCIE (Web of Science), PubMed and PubMed Central, MEDLINE, CAPlus/SciFinder, and Embase databases; experts in the field; bibliographies; and abstracts from review analyses from the past 15 years. This review summarizes recent research data focusing on the quantitative and qualitative composition of nutrition of modern humans; concepts of the relationship between high-fat diets and disorders of insulin functioning and transport and metabolism of fatty acids; analyses of data regarding the palmitic acid (16:0) to oleic acid (18:1) ratio; and the effect of diet based on palm oil consumption on cardiovascular risk factors and lipid and lipoprotein levels. Several studies suggest a potential vector contributing to the transmission of maternal, high-fat-diet-induced, addictive-like behaviors and obesogenic phenotypes across generations. The relationship between cholesterol accumulation in lysosomes that may lead to lysosome dysfunction and inhibition of the autophagy process is analyzed, as is the progression of inflammatory diseases, atherosclerosis, nonalcoholic liver inflammation, and obesity with associated complications. Data are discussed from analyses of differences between rodent models and human population studies in the investigated different effects of palm oil consumption as a high-fat diet component. A conclusion is reached that the results cannot be generalized in human population studies because no similar effects were observed. Although there are numerous published reports, more studies are necessary to elucidate the complex regulatory mechanisms in digestive and nutrition processes, because there are great differences in lipoprotein profiles between rodents and humans, which makes it difficult to reproduce the pathology of many diseases caused by different types of the high-fat diet.

Elaidic acid-induced intestinal barrier damage led to gut-liver axis derangement and triggered NLRP3 inflammasome in the liver of SD rats

Previous studies have shown that trans fatty acids (TFA) are associated with several chronic diseases, the gut microbiota is directly influenced by dietary components and linked to chronic diseases. Our research investigated the effects of elaidic acid (EA), a typical TFA, on the gut microbiota to understand the underlying mechanisms of TFA-related chronic diseases. 16S rDNA gene sequencing on faecal samples from Sprague-Dawley rats were performed to explore the composition change of the gut microbiota by EA gavage for 4 weeks. The results showed that the intake of EA increased the abundance of well-documented harmful bacteria, such as Proteobacteria, Anaerotruncus, Oscillibacter and Desulfovibrionaceae. Plus, EA induced translocation of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and the above pathogenic bacteria, disrupted the intestinal barrier, led to gut-liver axis derangement and TLR4 pathway activation in the liver. Overall, EA induced intestinal barrier damage and regulated TLR4-MyD88-NF-κB/MAPK pathways in the liver of SD rats, leading to the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and inflammatory liver damage.

Effects of Bioactive Dietary Components on Changes in Lipid and Liver Parameters in Women after Bariatric Surgery and Procedures.

Excess adipose tissue, as well as its distribution, correlates strongly with disorders of lipid and liver parameters and chronic inflammation. The pathophysiology of metabolic diseases caused by obesity is associated with the dysfunction of visceral adipose tissue. Effective and alternative interventions such as the Bioenteric Intragastric Balloon and bariatric surgeries such as the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of modifying the recommended standard weight loss diet after bariatric surgery and procedures on reducing chronic inflammation in overweight patients. In the study, bioactive anti-inflammatory dietary components were used supportively. Changes in the concentrations of lipid parameters, liver parameters, antioxidant enzymes, cytokines, and chemokines were demonstrated. The enrichment of the diet, after bariatric surgery, with the addition of n-3 EFAs(Essential Fatty Acids), bioflavonoids, vitamins, and synbiotics resulted in higher weight losses in the patients in the study with a simultaneous reduction in parameters indicating liver dysfunction.

Perchlorate and chlorate in aquatic products from Shenzhen, China, and their implications for human exposure

Perchlorate and chlorate are chemically stable species with high solubility and are widely distributed in various foods. Dietary intake is considered to be the main route of human exposure to these chemicals. Aquatic products are an important component of residents' daily diets. However, there is still a lack of a complete research report on perchlorate and chlorate contamination in aquatic products. Thus, this study investigated the concentration of perchlorate and chlorate in shellfish, freshwater fish, freshwater shrimp, sea fish, and sea shrimp from Shenzhen and assessed human exposure risks. The detection frequency of chlorate was low, and the incidence of perchlorate was significantly lower than previous studies, demonstrating a substantial reduction in perchlorate contamination in Shenzhen waters. However, certain samples exhibited relatively elevated concentrations. The highest concentration of chlorate (43.1µgkg−1) and perchlorate (14865µgkg−1) were both found in sea shrimp. Notably, the 95th percentile estimated daily intake (EDI) value of perchlorate derived from sea shrimp and shellfish surpassed the reference dose (RfD), while the EDI values of chlorate were all below the RfD. Therefore, Shenzhen residents are advised to consume sea shrimp and shellfish with caution to minimize the possible health risks linked to perchlorate and chlorate exposure.

A comprehensive integration of factors affecting vitamin B12 concentration in milk of Holstein cows: genetic variability, milk productivity, animal characteristics, and feeding management

Daily vitamin B12 (VB12) requirements of humans can naturally be fulfilled by animal product consumption, especially products from ruminants because of bacteria dwelling in their rumen. Indeed, only bacteria can synthesize this vitamin. Milk is hence an excellent source of VB12. This cross-sectional study was undertaken to unravel factors, such as genetic variation, diet and cow characteristics, and milk production, explaining the large variation in milk B12 concentration among cows by using an integrative approach. Milk samples from 2 consecutive milkings were collected from 3,533 Canadian Holstein cows (1,239 first, 932 s, and 1,362 third and more lactations) located in 99 herds with various feeding management. For genetic variation analysis purpose, pedigrees were traced back for 3 complete generations for each sire and dam. A total of 10,021 identities were used in the subsequent genetic analyses. Milk VB12 averaged 4.2 ng/mL with a range between 0.7 and 9.0 ng/mL. Dietary fiber (NDF from forage, dietary NDF, ADF, and lignin) increased and dietary components related to energy (non-fiber carbohydrate, starch, net energy of lactation, and percentage of concentrate) decreased VB12 in milk. Milk VB12 varied with days in milk, with a similar pattern as milk fat and protein concentration lactation curves. Milk VB12 increased as age at calving increased. When disregarding the herd variance, heritability value was 0.37, meaning that milk VB12 can be modified by genetic selection. The final model including factors related to the diet, animal characteristics and milk productivity, and genetic variation explained 79% (pseudo-R2) of the milk VB12 variation. When excluding the random effect of the cow, i.e., excluding the animal and genetic relationships, the pseudo-R2 dropped to 43%, reinforcing the importance of genetic variation in explaining milk VB12 variation. To our knowledge, the present study is the most comprehensive evaluation of factors affecting milk VB12 variation including the greatest number of cows from various lactation stages.

Holistic Perilous Index-Based Environmental Appraisal of Metal(oid)s in the Sole Coral-Bearing Island of Northeastern Bay of Bengal

This study aimed to evaluate the concentration, distribution, along with the environmental and human health impact of eight heavy metals—Pb, Cr, Cu, Cd, Zn, Mn, Ni, and As—on St. Martin's Island in the northeastern Bay of Bengal, and in doing so to help implement new legislations to protect the island. Focusing on the island's significance as a tourist destination, with seafood being a prominent dietary component, three sample types (sediment, seawater, and crustaceans) were selected for a comprehensive assessment, considering seasonal variations. Concentration of metals was observed to be lower than the established standards in sediment samples, but in seawater samples, Pb, Cr, Cd and Zn were higher than US-EPA values for natural marine water. The metals displayed a decreasing trend of Zn > Ni >Pb> Cu >Mn> As > Cd > Cr in crustacean samples for both seasons. Crustacean samples displayed higher metal concentrations in winter than in monsoon. Pb exceeded the maximum allowable limit for crustaceans with a concentration of about 3 and 4 mg kg-1 in monsoon and winter respectively; being more than 6-8 times the standard for Bangladesh which is only about 0.5 mg kg-1. Health indices displayed that although adults may suffer less from carcinogenic/non-carcinogenic health effects, the risks are far greater for children. For both age groups, As and Ni displayed possibilities of developing cancer. Principal Component Analysis (PCA)shed light on the sources of metals and showed that most of them were from anthropogenic sources. Overall, this study found that the quality of the environment of the island was better in comparison to previous studies made before the pandemic, and so, if the trend continues, it may lead to a better environment for the organisms around the island and help to keep the negative physiological impacts from the consumption of these organisms to a minimal.