Modern Diet Research Articles

Are South African Wild Foods the Answer to Rising Rates of Cardiovascular Disease?

The rising burden of cardiovascular disease in South Africa gives impetus to managerial changes, particularly to the available foods in the market. Since there are many economically disadvantaged groups in urban societies who are at the forefront of the CVD burden, initiatives to make healthier foods available should focus on affordability in conjunction with improved phytochemical diversity to incentivize change. The modern obesogenic diet is deficient in phytochemicals that are protective against the metabolic products of sugar metabolism, i.e., inflammation, reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial fatigue, whereas traditional southern African food species have high phytochemical diversity and are also higher in soluble dietary fibres that modulate the release of sugars from starches, nurture the microbiome and produce digestive artefacts that are prophylactic against cardiovascular disease. The examples of indigenous southern African food species with high horticultural potential that can be harvested sustainably to feed a large market of consumers include: Aloe marlothii, Acanthosicyos horridus, Adansonia digitata, Aloe ferox, Amaranthus hybridus, Annesorhiza nuda, Aponogeton distachyos, Bulbine frutescens, Carpobrotus edulis, Citrullus lanatus, Dioscorea bulbifera, Dovyalis caffra, Eleusine coracana, Lagenaria siceraria, Mentha longifolia, Momordica balsamina, Pelargonium crispum, Pelargonium sidoides, Pennisetum glaucum, Plectranthus esculentus, Schinziophyton rautanenii, Sclerocarya birrea, Solenostemon rotundifolius, Talinum caffrum, Tylosema esculentum, Vigna unguiculata and Vigna subterranea. The current review explains the importance of phytochemical diversity in the human diet, it gives a lucid explanation of phytochemical groups and links the phytochemical profiles of these indigenous southern African foods to their protective effects against cardiovascular disease.

PSUN14 Elucidating Effect of Modulating Aldosterone Synthesis on Cell Fate in Human Adrenal Cells

Abstract Introduction Aldosterone regulates sodium homeostasis thereby affecting blood volume and blood pressure. Physiologically, aldosterone is synthesized in the zona glomerulosa (ZG) by aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) when there is a lack of salt. However, in the adult human adrenal ZG is sparse and confined to discrete islets (1). We hypothesize that the high salt in modern diets change ZG cell function from synthesis to apoptosis/migration mode when aldosterone is not required. This hypothesis is based on: [i] CYP11B2−/− mice, where ZG cells migrate and apoptose (2); [ii] the disappearance from most of human ZG of CYP11B2, which became apparent with selective antisera (3); [iii] apoptosis in monkeys following aldosterone synthase inhibition (4). Herein we aim to test our hypothesis by silencing CYP11B2 in human adrenal cells. Methods The HAC15, a subclone of the H295R human adrenocortical cancer cell line, was transfected with scrambled siRNA (siScrambled) or siRNA targeting CYP11B2 (siCYP11B2) using the Neon™ Transfection System (Thermofisher Scientific, USA). An apoptosis assay 48-h post-transfection was performed using the Pacific Blue™ Annexin V/SYTOX™ AADvanced™ apoptosis kit on the BD FACSVerseTM system (BD Biosciences, USA). The supernatants and cells were harvested for aldosterone and cortisol, and RNA isolation. Experiments were repeated 3 times independently in triplicates. RNA-Sequencing (RNAseq) of siCYP11B2 and siScrambled was performed on a representative sample from each independent experiment (BGI Genomics, China). Results Transfected HAC15 cells with siCYP11B2 showed reduction of aldosterone production by 69.8% (p=0.001) and suppression of CYP11B2 mRNA by 8 folds (p=0.001) compared to control, with no significant change on cortisol production and CYP11B1 mRNA expression. This confirmed that the silencing was specific to CYP11B2 despite the gene being highly homologous to CYP11B1. In all 3 independent experiments, 3 genes were significantly downregulated; CYP11B2, HNRNPA1, and UHMK1 expression in siCYP11B2 cells were 32%, 65% and 67% of matched control siScramble cells. Result of KEGG pathway from each independent experiment showed the most enriched pathways among the differentially expressed genes (DEG) were mitophagy and autophagy. However, analysis of flow cytometric apoptosis assay showed silencing of CYP11B2 did not induce cell apoptosis. Conclusion Our finding showed that silencing of CYP11B2 can affect mitophagy and autophagy but does not affect cell apoptosis in the HAC15 human adrenocortical cancer cell line. Further investigation on cell proliferation and in non-cancerous adrenal cells may be needed to identify the effect of modulating aldosterone synthesis on ZG cell fate. Reference (1) Vinson G., Front Neurosci 2016; 10: 238. (2) Lee G, et al., Endocrinology 2005; 146: 2650–2656. (3) Gomez-Sanchez CE, et al., Mol Cell Endocrinol 2014; 383: 111–117. (4) Bogman K, et al., Hypertension. 2017; 69(1): 189–196. Presentation: Sunday, June 12, 2022 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Excessive dietary linoleic acid promotes plasma accumulation of pronociceptive fatty acyl lipid mediators

Various fatty acyl lipid mediators are derived from dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and modulate nociception. The modern diet is rich in linoleic acid, which is associated with nociceptive hypersensitivities and may present a risk factor for developing pain conditions. Although recommendations about fatty acid intake exist for some diseases (e.g. cardiovascular disease), the role of dietary fatty acids in promoting pain disorders is not completely understood. To determine how dietary linoleic acid content influences the accumulation of pro- and anti-nociceptive fatty acyl lipid mediators, we created novel rodent diets using custom triglyceride blends rich in either linoleic acid or oleic acid. We quantified the fatty acyl lipidome in plasma of male and female rats fed these custom diets from the time of weaning through nine weeks of age. Dietary fatty acid composition determined circulating plasma fatty acyl lipidome content. Exposure to a diet rich in linoleic acid was associated with accumulation of linoleic and arachidonic acid-derived pro-nociceptive lipid mediators and reduction of anti-nociceptive lipid mediators derived from the omega-3 PUFAs. Our findings provide mechanistic insights into exaggerated nociceptive hypersensitivity associated with excessive dietary linoleic acid intake and highlight potential biomarkers for pain risk stratification.

Are the Modern Diets for the Treatment of Obesity Better than the Classical Ones?

Conventional hypocaloric diets, providing continuous energy restriction, are considered to be the cornerstone of dietary management of obesity. Although energy-restricted diets are overall safe, healthy, and modestly effective, their long-term adherence is difficult to accomplish. Intermittent fasting and ketogenic diets have emerged as attractive alternative dietary options for weight loss and improvement in cardiometabolic risk. Intermittent fasting is a unique dietary pattern characterized by periods of eating alternated with periods of fasting. Ketogenic diets are very low in carbohydrate, modest in protein, and high in fat. Several systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have reported beneficial but short-lived effects of intermittent fasting and ketogenic diets on various obesity-related health outcomes. Although for both diets, the current evidence is promising and steadily evolving, whether they are better than traditional calorie-restricted diets, whether they can safely lead to sustained weight loss and overall health benefits, and their effects on body composition, weight loss maintenance, energy intake and expenditure, diet quality, and cardiometabolic risk factors are still not unequivocally proven. The aim of the present review is to summarize the current state of evidence regarding the effects of these two popular modern diets, namely intermittent fasting and ketogenic diets. We describe the rationale and characteristics of different dietary protocols, we analyze the major mechanisms explaining their weight loss and cardiometabolic effects, and we provide a concise update on their effects on body weight and cardiometabolic risk factors, focusing on meta-analyses of RCTs. We also discuss knowledge gaps in the field of these diets, and we indicate directions for future research.

Medieval and early modern diets in the Polack region of Belarus: A stable isotope perspective.

In western and north-western Europe there has been a growing focus on exploring how major economic, political, and social changes during the Medieval period impacted the lived experience of different populations and sectors of society. Stable isotope analysis has proven particularly powerful in this regard, providing direct insights into the long-term diets of individuals and communities. Despite experiencing similarly dramatic social reconfigurations and changes, eastern Europe has, however, received far less attention in this regard. The territory of Belarus has, especially, so far remained a relative blank spot on the bioarchaeological map of Europe, though cities such as Polack emerged rapidly as key nodes within a growing economic and religious network. To gain direct insight into the diets of inhabitants of the Polack region of Belarus in the 11-18th centuries, we applied stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis to bone and dentine collagen from human (n = 143) and animal (n = 105) individuals from the city of Polack and surrounding rural sites. Results indicate a diet based on C3 terrestrial resources, which did not differ between sexes and showed limited variation over time. Contrary to expectations, it appears that animal products were commonly consumed by rural dwellers, but no significant reliance on fish resources or millet consumption is found. In contrast to examples from western Europe, we argue that the diets in the city and the surrounding villages remained broadly similar for the majority of the population, and similar to commoners analysed in Poland and Lithuania, perhaps suggestive of slightly different economic changes operating in this part of the Medieval world.

Negative Effects of Chronic High Intake of Fructose on Lung Diseases.

In the modern diet, excessive fructose intake (>50 g/day) had been driven by the increase, in recent decades, of the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages. This phenomenon has dramatically increased within the Caribbean and Latin American regions. Epidemiological studies show that chronic high intake of fructose related to sugar-sweetened beverages increases the risk of developing several non-communicable diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma, and may also contribute to the exacerbation of lung diseases, such as COVID-19. Evidence supports several mechanisms—such as dysregulation of the renin–angiotensin system, increased uric acid production, induction of aldose reductase activity, production of advanced glycation end-products, and activation of the mTORC1 pathway—that can be implicated in lung damage. This review addresses how these pathophysiologic and molecular mechanisms may explain the lung damage resulting from high intake of fructose.

Early Modern Diets against Cancer: The Case of Poultry

Galenic anti–cancerous dietetics prescribes ‘all types of birds, except those living in marshes’. A general dietary pattern is proposed by Pieter van Foreest and Amatus Lusitanus.

Insights into β-manno-oligosaccharide uptake and metabolism in Bifidobacterium adolescentis DSMZ 20083 from whole-genome microarray analysis

Metabolism of non-digestible dietary glycans directly influences the structure and composition of human gut microbiota and, in turn, the host health. β-Mannans form an integral component of the modern diet as naturally occurring dietary fibre or additives in processed foods. In the present study, in vitro fermentation and TLC studies were used to determine the ability of adult-associated Bifidobacterium adolescentis DSMZ 20083 to utilise β-manno-oligosaccharides from guar gum, locust bean gum, konjac root, and copra meal generated using GH26 endo-β-mannanase (ManB-1601). Further, to gain insights into the underlying molecular mechanism, a whole-genome microarray analysis, RT-qPCR, and molecular docking studies were employed to reconstruct the copra meal β-manno-oligosaccharides (CM-β-MOS) utilisation pathway in B. adolescentis DSMZ 20083. B. adolescentis DSMZ 20083 grew appreciably (O.D600 nm up to 0.8) on all tested β-manno-oligosaccharides but maximally on CM-β-MOS. CM-β-MOS having DP2–3 were found to deplete from the fermentation media. Whole-genome transcriptome analysis, RT-qPCR, and molecular docking studies suggested that in B. adolescentis DSMZ 20083, ABC & MFS transporters are possibly involved in the uptake of DP ≥ 2 and DP ≥ 3 linear CM-β-MOS, respectively, while GH1 β-glucosidase, and GH32 β-fructofuranosidase possibly cleave linear CM-β-MOS into monosaccharides. Sugar absorption and utilisation pathways; Bifid shunt, ABC transport system, pyruvate metabolism, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, pentose, and glucouronate inter-conversions were also found up-regulated following the growth on CM-β-MOS. This is the first study reporting on possible molecular determinants used by B. adolescentis DSMZ 20083 to utilise β-manno-oligosaccharides. Our studies can prove resourceful to food and nutraceutical industries, aiming at precision microbiome modulation using β-manno-oligosaccharides.

Bitter Peptides YFYPEL, VAPFPEVF, and YQEPVLGPVRGPFPIIV, Released during Gastric Digestion of Casein, Stimulate Mechanisms of Gastric Acid Secretion via Bitter Taste Receptors TAS2R16 and TAS2R38.

Eating satiating, protein-rich foods is one of the key aspects of modern diet, although a bitter off-taste often limits the application of some proteins and protein hydrolysates, especially in processed foods. Previous studies of our group demonstrated that bitter-tasting food constituents, such as caffeine, stimulate mechanisms of gastric acid secretion as a signal of gastric satiation and a key process of gastric protein digestion via activation of bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs). Here, we tried to elucidate whether dietary non-bitter-tasting casein is intra-gastrically degraded into bitter peptides that stimulate mechanisms of gastric acid secretion in physiologically achievable concentrations. An in vitro model of gastric digestion was verified by casein-fed pigs, and the peptides resulting from gastric digestion were identified by liquid chromatography–time-of-flight-mass spectrometry. The bitterness of five selected casein-derived peptides was validated by sensory analyses and by an in vitro screening approach based on human gastric parietal cells (HGT-1). For three of these peptides (YFYPEL, VAPFPEVF, and YQEPVLGPVRGPFPIIV), an upregulation of gene expression of TAS2R16 and TAS2R38 was observed. The functional involvement of these TAS2Rs was verified by siRNA knock-down (kd) experiments in HGT-1 cells. This resulted in a reduction of the mean proton secretion promoted by the peptides by up to 86.3 ± 9.9% for TAS2R16kd (p < 0.0001) cells and by up to 62.8 ± 7.0% for TAS2R38kd (p < 0.0001) cells compared with mock-transfected cells.

How advanced are we on the consequences of oral exposure to food contaminants on the occurrence of chronic non communicable diseases?

The development of an individual during fetal life and childhood is characterized by rapid growth as well as gradual maturation of organs and systems. Beyond the nutritional intake in essential nutrients, food contaminants can permanently influence the way organs mature and function. These processes are called "programming" and play an essential role in the occurrence of non-communicable chronic diseases throughout the lifespan. Populations as pregnant women, fetuses and young children are vulnerable and particularly sensitive to food contaminants which can induce epigenetic modifications transmissible to future generations. Among these contaminants, pesticides are found in most food matrices exposing humans to cocktails of molecules through variable concentrations and duration of exposure. The Maillard reaction products (MRPs) represent other food contaminants resulting from heat treatment of food. Modern diet, rich in fats and sugars, is also rich in neoformed pathogenic compounds, Advanced Glycation End products (AGEs), the levels of which depend on the heat treatment of foods and eating habits and whose effects on health are controversial. In this review, we have chosen to present the current knowledge on the impacts of selected pesticides and MRPs, on the risk of developing during life non-communicable chronic diseases such as IBD, metabolic disorders or allergies. A large review of literature was performed via Pubmed, and the most appropriate studies were summarised.

Growing Chinese Medicinal Herbs to Prevent and Treat Chronic Illness

Chronic illnesses, such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes, are on the rise throughout the world due to modern diets and other factors. Western medicine has been ineffective in preventing or treating them. Thus, members of the public have sought alternatives. In the past 50 years, two social movements in the United States have shared an understanding of health in relation to the natural world. Chinese herbal medicine and practitioners of ecological agriculture agree that the nutritional requirements of complex living organisms are interconnected. Empirical findings in these applied sciences are supported by recent discoveries. However, economic constraints inhibit development. Each field is described separately, with notes from the author’s direct experience.

Prevalence of metabolic disorders in the imbalance of selenium in schoolchildren of 13–14 years old

In modern conditions, the need for vital nutrients, in particular, micronutrients, varies depending on age, season, physical activity. The modern diet of ordinary natural products cannot provide a sufficient level of consumption of micronutrients, which play an important role in various metabolic processes of the body. Such an element may be selenium. Seasona l manifestations of selenium deficiency in the body of schoolchildren aged 13–14 in the Leninogorsk district of the Republic of Tatarstan (RT) are associated with insufficient intake of trace elements from the environment, in particular selenium, contribute to metabolic disorders. For this purpose, a seasonal analysis of biomaterials (hair) taken from adolescents (n = 84, 50 % of them boys) aged 13–14 years [median (Me) — 13.5 years] was carried out among schoolchildren for the quantitative content of selenium. Anthropometric studies were carried out, the body composition of the examined schoolchildren was assessed, the frequency of the lack of selenium content among adolescents. The studies revealed concentrations of selenium in the hair of adolescents below the reference values: in boys in 35 % of cases, in girls — in 43 %. This fact correlates with body mass index, fat mass, active cell mass, with musculoskeletal mass, with the basic metabolism. When assessing the actual nutrition among adolescents, a lack of selenium in the diet was revealed in 55 % of boys and 64 % of girls. To correct selenium deficiency in the diet, a seasonal fortification of the school menu is proposed — fortification of food products with selenium and iodine at the same time, since these trace elements are functionally closely interrelated, the creation of accessible laboratory control for the quantitative content of selenium and iodine in local food products.

Feeding Our Microbiota: Stimulation of the Immune/Semiochemical System and the Potential Amelioration of Non-Communicable Diseases.

Non-communicable diseases are those conditions to which causative infectious agents cannot readily be assigned. It is increasingly likely that at least some of these conditions are due to the breakdown of the previously mutualistic intestinal microbiota under the influence of a polluted, biocide-rich, environment. Following the mid-20th century African studies of Denis Burkitt, the environmental cause of conditions such as obesity has been ascribed to the absence of sufficient fibre in the modern diet, however in itself that is insufficient to explain the parallel rise of problems with both the immune system and of mental health. Conversely, Burkitt himself noted that the Maasai, a cattle herding people, remained healthy even with their relatively low intake of dietary fibre. Interestingly, however, Burkitt also emphasised that levels of non-communicable disease within a population rose as faecal weight decreased significantly, to about one third of the levels found in healthy populations. Accordingly, a more cogent explanation for all the available facts is that the fully functioning, adequately diverse microbiome, communicating through what has been termed the microbiota–gut–brain axis, helps to control the passage of food through the digestive tract to provide itself with the nutrition it needs. The method of communication is via the production of semiochemicals, interkingdom signalling molecules, potentially including dopamine. In turn, the microbiome aids the immune system of both adult and, most importantly, the neonate. In this article we consider the role of probiotics and prebiotics, including fermented foods and dietary fibre, in the stimulation of the immune system and of semiochemical production in the gut lumen. Finally, we reprise our suggestion of an ingestible sensor, calibrated to the detection of such semiochemicals, to assess both the effectiveness of individual microbiomes and methods of amelioration of the associated non-communicable diseases.

Low dietary sodium potentially mediates COVID-19 prevention associated with whole-food plant-based diets.

Compared with an omnivorous Western diet, plant-based diets containing mostly fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, with restricted amounts of foods of animal origin, are associated with reduced risk and severity of COVID-19. Additionally, inflammatory immune responses and severe acute respiratory symptoms of COVID-19, including pulmonary oedema, shortness of breath, fever and nasopharyngeal infections, are associated with Na toxicity from excessive dietary Na. High dietary Na is also associated with increased risks of diseases and conditions that are co-morbid with COVID-19, including chronic kidney disease, hypertension, stroke, diabetes and obesity. This article presents evidence that low dietary Na potentially mediates the association of plant-based diets with COVID-19 prevention. Processed meats and poultry injected with sodium chloride contribute considerable amounts of dietary Na in the Western diet, and the avoidance or reduction of these and other processed foods in whole-food plant-based (WFPB) diets could help lower overall dietary Na intake. Moreover, high amounts of K in plant-based diets increase urinary Na excretion, and preagricultural diets high in plant-based foods were estimated to contain much lower ratios of dietary Na to K compared with modern diets. Further research should investigate low Na in WFPB diets for protection against COVID-19 and co-morbid conditions.

Aspergillus welwitschiae inulinase enzyme cocktails obtained on agro-material inducers for the purpose of fructooligosaccharides production

Production of fructooligosaccharides (FOS) is a trending topic due to their prebiotic effect becoming increasingly important for the modern human diet. The most suitable process for FOS production is the one using fungal inulinases. Introduction of new fungal inulinase producers and their implementation in production of inulinase enzymes is therefore gaining interest. This study provides a new approach to FOS synthesis by fungal enzyme complex without prior separation of any specific enzyme. Inulinase enzyme complexes could be used for the synthesis of FOS in two possible ways – hydrolysis of inulin (FOSh) and transfructosylation process of sucrose (FOSs), as demonstrated here. Depending on the fungal growth inducing substrate, a variety of inulinase enzyme complexes was obtained – one of which was most successful in production of FOSh and another one of FOSs. Substrates derived from crops: triticale, wheat bran, Jerusalem artichoke and Aspergillus welwitschiae isolate, previously proven as safe for use in food, were utilized for production of inulinase enzyme cocktails. The highest FOSs production was obtained by enzyme complex rich in β-fructofuranosidase, while the highest FOSh production was obtained by enzyme complex rich in endoinulinase. Both FOSh and FOSs showed antioxidant potential according to ABTS and ORAC, which classifies them as a suitable additive in functional food. Simultaneous zymographic detection of inulinase enzymes, which could contribute to expansion of the knowledge on fungal enzymes, was developed and applied here. It demonstrated the presence of different inulinase isoforms depending on fungal growth substrate. These findings, which rely on the innate ability of fungi to co-produce all inulinases from a cocktail, could be useful as a new, easy approach to FOS production by fungal enzymes without their separation and purification, contributing to cheaper and faster production processes.

Pulses for health and their varied ways of processing and consumption in India - A review

In India, pulses have been cultivated for millennia and served as an essential part of diet owing to its nutritional quality in terms of protein content. Apart from protein, there are several other nutrients that emphasize the utilization of pulses in terms of food. Due to its ready availability and lower cost, pulses are employed for several applications in traditional as well as modern diet. Traditionally, the pulses are utilized for food application which mainly include the processes such as soaking, germination and fermentation which not only improve palatability but also known to reduce anti-nutritional factors and improve digestibility. The modern processing of pulses mainly focused on the conversion of it into a range of products which facilitates their applicability as food as well as a system for management of chronic non-contagious diseases like celiac disease, diabetes, cancer, etc. This study aims to describe the aspects of pulse grains for healthy foods that can further tackle protein energy malnutrition and management of aforementioned diseases.

Increased Wnt/β-catenin signaling contributes to autophagy inhibition resulting from a dietary magnesium deficiency in injury-induced osteoarthritis

BackgroundDietary magnesium deficiency, which is common in modern diet, has been associated with osteoarthritis (OA) susceptibility. Despite this clinical association, no study has addressed if dietary magnesium deficiency accelerates OA development, especially at molecular level. This study aimed to explore aggravating effects of dietary magnesium deficiency on cartilage damage in an injury-induced murine OA model and to determine the underlying mechanism.MethodsTwelve-week-old C57BL/6J mice subject to injury-induced OA modeling were randomized into different diet groups in which the mice were fed a diet with daily recommended magnesium content (500 mg/kg) or diets with low magnesium content (100 or 300 mg/kg). Articular cartilage damage was evaluated using the OARSI score. To determine molecular mechanisms in vitro, mouse chondrocytes were treated with media of low magnesium conditions at 0.1 and 0.4 mM, compared with normal magnesium condition at 0.7 mM as control. Anabolic and catabolic factors, autophagy markers, β-catenin, Wnt ligands, and a magnesium channel transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily member 7 (TRPM7) were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR and immunoblotting. Autolysosomes were detected by DALGreen staining via fluorescence microscopy and autophagosomes were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy. Autophagy markers, β-catenin, and TRPM7 were assessed in vivo in the mouse cartilage, comparing between dietary magnesium deficiency and normal diet, by immunohistochemistry.ResultsDietary magnesium deficiency aggravated injury-induced cartilage damage, indicated by significant higher OARSI scores. Autophagy markers LC3-II and Beclin-1 were decreased both in low magnesium diet-fed mice and low magnesium-treated chondrocytes. The number of autolysosomes and autophagosomes was also reduced under low magnesium conditions. Moreover, magnesium deficiency induced decreased anabolic and increased catabolic effect of chondrocytes which could be restored by autophagy activator rapamycin. In addition, reduced autophagy under low magnesium conditions is mediated by activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling. The expression of TRPM7 also decreased in low magnesium diet-fed mice, indicating that downstream changes could be regulated through this channel.ConclusionsDietary magnesium deficiency contributes to OA development, which is mediated by reduced autophagy through Wnt/β-catenin signaling activation. These findings indicated potential benefits of adequate dietary magnesium for OA patients or those individuals at high risk of OA.

Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) and Chronic Kidney Disease: Does the Modern Diet AGE the Kidney?

Since the 1980s, chronic kidney disease (CKD) affecting all ages has increased by almost 25%. This increase may be partially attributable to lifestyle changes and increased global consumption of a “western” diet, which is typically energy dense, low in fruits and vegetables, and high in animal protein and ultra-processed foods. These modern food trends have led to an increase in the consumption of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in conjunction with increased metabolic dysfunction, obesity and diabetes, which facilitates production of endogenous AGEs within the body. When in excess, AGEs can be pathological via both receptor-mediated and non-receptor-mediated pathways. The kidney, as a major site for AGE clearance, is particularly vulnerable to AGE-mediated damage and increases in circulating AGEs align with risk of CKD and all-cause mortality. Furthermore, individuals with significant loss of renal function show increased AGE burden, particularly with uraemia, and there is some evidence that AGE lowering via diet or pharmacological inhibition may be beneficial for CKD. This review discusses the pathways that drive AGE formation and regulation within the body. This includes AGE receptor interactions and pathways of AGE-mediated pathology with a focus on the contribution of diet on endogenous AGE production and dietary AGE consumption to these processes. We then analyse the contribution of AGEs to kidney disease, the evidence for dietary AGEs and endogenously produced AGEs in driving pathogenesis in diabetic and non-diabetic kidney disease and the potential for AGE targeted therapies in kidney disease.

How Different Are Industrial, Artisanal and Homemade Soft Breads?

Soft bread has a significant relevance in modern diets, and its nutritional impact on human health can be substantial. Within this product category, there is an extensive range of ingredients, formulations, and processing methods, which all contribute to the vast diversity found in the final products. This work compared the impact of three different processing methods (industrial, artisanal, and homemade preparation) on the technological (formulation and processing, as they are interconnected in real-life conditions), nutritional, and physicochemical properties of soft bread. In total, 24 types of soft bread were analyzed: 10 industrial, 6 artisanal, and 8 homemade. Although production diagrams were similar among the three methods, industrial recipes contained on average more ingredients and more additives. Industrial bread was lower in saturated fat compared to the other two groups, but contained more sugar than homemade bread. The physical properties of all loaves were comparable, with the exception of higher crumb elasticity in industrial bread compared to homemade. An analysis of volatile molecules revealed more lipid oxidation markers in industrial bread, more fermentation markers in artisanal bread, and fewer markers of Maillard reactions in homemade bread. Chemical reactions during processing seem to be the principal criterion making possible to discriminate the different processing methods. These results offer a quantitative assessment of the differences within a single product category, reflecting the real-world choices for consumers.

Correlation between Body Mass Index and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disorder globally. The prevalence is 25% worldwide, distributed widely in different populations and regions. The highest rates are reported for the Middle East (32%). Due to modern lifestyles and diet, there has been a persistent increase in the number of NAFLD patients. This increase occurred at the same time where there were also increases in the number of people considered being obese all over the world. By analyzing fatty liver risk factors, studies found that body mass index, one of the most classical epidemiological indexes assessing obesity, was associated with the risk of fatty liver. Objectives: To assess age, sex, and body mass index (BMI) as risk factors in NAFLD. Subjects and Methods: It is a case-control cross-sectional study from September 2020 till June 2021 which included all obese patients consulted the obesity research and therapy unit during the period of the study. Age and sex were recorded, body mass indices were calculated for all patients and categorized into normal with BMI &lt; 25kg/m2, overweight with BMI 25-30 kg/m2, and obese with BMI &gt; 30 kg/m2, ultrasonography was done to them to diagnose fatty liver changes which were categorized into three grades; mild, moderate and severe Results: 192 patients were enrolled in the study with an age range from 18-55 years with a mean of 38.09, males were 48 and females were 144. Sever NAFLD is present in 2.8% of obese females and 5.5% of obese male with 0% in normal and overweight individuals. Conclusion: NAFLD was more prevalent with increasing BMI and age in all sexes.