Nutritional Supplements Research Articles

Beta-alanine promotes angiogenesis in laser-induced choroidal neovascularization mice models.

To investigate the effect of β-alanine (BA) on laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) mice models. Laser-induced CNV mice models were established, and BA was administrated for one week and two weeks in advance, separately. Furthermore, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)-choroid flat mounts were separated, and immunohistochemical staining was performed. The laser-induced CNV lesion areas were measured and compared. In addition, liver and kidney morphologies were observed to identify potential hepatorenal toxicity. Enlarged CNV lesion areas were observed in the BA treated group. No significant differences were observed in the liver and kidney sections between groups. BA treatment increase CNV lesion areas, suggesting the detrimental effects of BA as a nutritional supplement in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) population.

Analysis of the gut microbiota and fecal metabolites in people living with HIV.

The gut microbiome has a pivotal function in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, the associated alterations in the gut microbiome-host interaction are unknown. Herein, we aimed to investigate the gut microbiota and fecal metabolites in people living with HIV (PLWH). We collected stool samples from 70 PLWH and 34 healthy controls (HCs) and carried out 16S rRNA gene sequencing and analyzed the metabolites using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteriota, and Bacteroidota were the most abundant phyla in both groups. Among genera, the level of Escherichia-Shigella was upregulated significantly in the PLWH group, whereas in the HC group, Bacteroides spp. were upregulated. Prediction of microbial function indicated significant reductions in alanine, aspartate, glutamate, and histidine metabolism. Furthermore, a comparison of the fecal metabolites between the HC and PLWH groups identified 38 differentially abundant metabolites in four differentially enriched human metabolic pathways. According to Spearman correlation analysis, there are close relationships between four differentially abundant microbiota members and five differentially abundant fecal metabolites, which might influence particular human metabolic pathways. Our findings provide a basis for further experimental investigation of the contribution of the gut microbiota and its associated metabolites to HIV/AIDS, providing a novel perspective for the further study of HIV/AIDS.IMPORTANCEGrowing evidence demonstrates that the gut microbiota is associated with HIV. This study investigated changes in the gut microbiota and fecal metabolites in PLWH. We identified 38 differentially abundant metabolites in four differentially enriched human metabolic pathways. Moreover, close relationships were noted between the four differentially abundant microbiota members and five differentially abundant fecal metabolites, which might influence particular human metabolic pathways. Thus, to benefit PLWH, potential pathobionts could be reduced (e.g., g_Enterococcus); probiotics could be increased (e.g., g_Faecalibacterium and g_Agathobacter); or certain metabolites (e.g., N-acetyl-L-phenylalanine and trehalose) could be reduced by changes in diet or the use of nutritional supplements. Our results provide insights into the interaction between the gut microbiota and the host, identifying possible targets that might be beneficial for PLWH.

Botanical Bioflavonoid Composition from Scutellaria baicalensis- and Acacia catechu-Protected Mice against D-Galactose-Induced Immunosenescence, and Cyclophosphamide Induced Immune Suppression.

Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation create a perpetual cycle in the elderly, where impaired immune function amplifies susceptibility to oxidative damage, and oxidative stress further weakens the immune response. This cycle is particularly detrimental to the respiratory system of the elderly, which is an easy target for constant exogenous harmful attacks during cold/flu season or under heavy air pollution. Herbal medicines that protect respiratory function are seen as safer alternatives to conventional therapies; however, there is limited availability of scientifically validated, safe, and effective natural supplements for these conditions. In this study, we evaluated a standardized bioflavonoid composition, UP446, that contains bioactives from the roots of Scutellaria baicalensis and the heartwoods of Acacia catechu as a natural and nutritional supplement for its antioxidative and immunoregulatory effects in oxidative stress-accelerated aging and chemically induced immune suppression mouse models. Immunosenescence was induced through the repeated subcutaneous inoculation of D-galactose (D-Gal) at a dose of 500 mg/kg/day in CD-1 mice. UP446 was administered orally at doses of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg starting in the fifth week of immunosenescence induction. This study lasted a total of ten weeks. All mice received a quadrivalent influenza vaccine 2 weeks before termination. Whole blood, serum, spleen homogenate, and thymus tissues were processed for analysis. Cyclophosphamide (Cy)-induced immunosuppression was triggered by three consecutive injections of cyclophosphamide at 80 mg/kg/day, followed by the oral administration of UP446 for 18 days at doses of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg. Blood was collected from each animal at necropsy, and serum was isolated for IgA and IgG ELISA analysis. UP446 was found to improve immune response, as evidenced by the stimulation of innate (NK cells) and adaptive immune responses (T cells and cytotoxic T cells), an increase in antioxidant capacity (glutathione peroxidase), the preservation of vital immune organs (the thymus), and a reduction in NFκB. UP446 also increased serum levels of IgA and IgG. The findings presented in this report demonstrate the antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and immune-regulatory activities of UP446, suggesting its potential use in respiratory conditions involving immune stress due to aging, oxidative stress, and/or pathogenic challenges.

Clustering of Child Stunting Data in Tangerang Regency Using Comparison of K-Means, Hierarchical Clustering and DBSCAN Methods

This study aims to analyze stunting in children in Tangerang Regency using clustering methods such as k-means, Hierarchical Clustering with Agglomerative Nesting, and Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (DBSCAN). Stunting is a significant health issue affecting child growth due to chronic malnutrition and recurrent infections. The research revealed that k-means produced the best clustering results with a Silhouette Score of 0.52, indicating its effectiveness in categorizing children based on age, nutritional status, and stunting risk. The k-means method identified three clusters: Cluster 0 (ages 46-55 months, good nutrition, no stunting), Cluster 1 (ages 9-18 months, varied nutritional status, high stunting risk), and Cluster 2 (ages 27-36 months, good nutrition, no stunting). The study suggests preventive actions such as balanced nutrition education, regular health monitoring, complete immunizations, and physical activity, alongside curative measures like nutritional consultations and supplements. The findings provide a framework for targeted preventive and curative interventions, enabling Tangerang Regency's health department to effectively address and reduce stunting rates.

Effect of Purified Resveratrol Butyrate Ester Monomers against Hypertension after Maternal High-Fructose Intake in Adult Offspring.

Offspring hypertension arising from adverse maternal conditions can be mitigated through dietary nutritional supplementation, including resveratrol. Previously, we identified derivatives of resveratrol butyrate ester (RBE), specifically 3,4'-di-O-butanoylresveratrol (ED2) and 3-O-butanoylresveratrol (ED4), demonstrating their superior antioxidant capabilities compared to RBE itself. This study sought to assess the protective impact of maternal supplementation with ED2 or ED4 on offspring hypertension in a rat model subjected to a high-fructose (HF) diet during pregnancy and lactation. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were distributed into distinct dietary groups throughout pregnancy and lactation: (1) standard chow; (2) HF diet (60%); (3) HF diet supplemented with ED2 (25 mg/L); and (4) HF diet supplemented with ED4 (25 mg/L). Male offspring were euthanized at the age of 12 weeks. The maternal HF diet induced hypertension in the offspring, which was mitigated by perinatal supplementation with either ED2 or ED4. These protective effects were attributed to the antioxidant properties of ED2 and ED4, resulting in an increased availability of nitric oxide (NO). Additionally, supplementation with ED2 was connected to an increased abundance of Bifidobacterium and Clostridium genera, which was accompanied by a decrease in Angelakisella and Christensenella. On the other hand, ED4 supplementation shielded rat offspring from hypertension by elevating concentrations of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and their receptors while reducing trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) levels. These findings highlight the potential of purified RBE monomers, ED2 and ED4, as preventive measures against hypertension resulting from a maternal high-fructose diet. Further research is warranted to explore their clinical applications based on these promising results.

Effectiveness of High-Protein Energy-Dense Oral Supplements on Patients with Malnutrition Using Morphofunctional Assessment with AI-Assisted Muscle Ultrasonography: A Real-World One-Arm Study.

Background: User-friendly tools for assessing nutrition status and interventions in malnourished patients are crucial. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a personalised nutrition intervention using a novel oral nutritional supplement and AI-supported morphofunctional assessment to monitor clinical outcomes in patients with disease-related malnutrition (DRM). Methods: This prospective observational study involved patients receiving concentrated high-protein, high-calorie ONS (cHPHC-ONS), per usual clinical practice. Comprehensive assessments were performed at baseline (B0) and three months (M3) post-intervention. Results: 65 patients participated in the study. Significant decreases were observed in the percentage weight loss from B0 (-6.75 ± 7.5%) to M3 (0.5 ± 3.48%) (p < 0.01), in the prevalence of malnutrition (B0: 93.4%; M3: 78.9%; p < 0.01), severe malnutrition (B0: 60.7%; M3: 40.3%; p < 0.01), and sarcopenia (B0: 19.4%; M3: 15.5%; p < 0.04). Muscle area increased (p = 0.03), and there were changes in the echogenicity of the rectus femoris muscle (p = 0.03) from B0 to M3. In patients aged ≥60, an increase in muscle thickness (p = 0.04), pennation angle (p = 0.02), and handgrip strength (p = 0.04) was observed. There was a significant reduction in the prevalence of malnutrition (B0: 93.4%; M3: 78.9%; p < 0.01) and severe malnutrition (B0: 60.7%; M3: 40.3%; p < 0.01). Conclusions: In patients with DRM, a personalised intervention with cHPHC-ONS significantly reduces the prevalence of malnutrition, severe malnutrition, and sarcopenia and improves muscle mass and function.

Zinc and selenium supplementation on treated HIV-infected individuals induces changes in body composition and on the expression of genes responsible of naïve CD8+ T cells function.

Deficiency of zinc and selenium is common in persons living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWHIV) and has been associated with the development of non-AIDS related comorbidities, impaired immune system function and mortality. Micronutrient supplementation on long-term-treated PLWHIV could bring potential clinical and immunological benefits improving their health status and quality of life. The aim of the present study is to analyze the effect of zinc and selenium supplementation on body composition, bone mineral density, CD4+ T-cell counts, metabolic profile and immune system status on clinical stable PLWHIV on long-term antiretroviral therapy (ART). This is a randomized pilot clinical trial in which we recruited 60 PLWHIV on ART who were assigned to the intervention groups: zinc (30 mg of zinc gluconate), selenium (200 μg of selenium yeast), zinc + selenium (same doses and presentations) or to a control group (without nutritional supplementation) who received supplementation during 6 months. Primary outcome was defined as changes in body composition (weight, muscle and fat mass and bone mineral density) and secondary outcomes as changes in biochemical and immunological parameters (CD4+ T-cell count, cholesterol, glucose, triglycerides and seric zinc and selenium seric concentrations) before and after supplementation. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of one individual of each intervention group were analyzed for single cell transcriptomics before and after supplementation. BMI (p = 0.03), fat mass (p = 0.03), and trunk fat (p = 0.01) decreased after 6 months of selenium supplementation. No changes were observed for cholesterol, glucose or triglycerides after supplementation (p > 0.05 in all cases). CD4+ T cells percentage increased after 6 months of selenium supplementation (p = 0.03). On the transcriptome analysis, zinc and selenium supplementation induced changes on de expression of genes associated with the function of naive and memory CD8+ T-cells (p < 0.05 in all cases). Zinc and selenium supplementation could represent a complementary intervention that may improve the health status and immune response of treated PLWHIV.

Effect of Combined Exercise and Nutrition Interventions During Inpatient Chemotherapy in Acute Leukemia and Malignant Lymphoma Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The aim of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of combined exercise and nutrition interventions on physical function and quality of life (QOL) in patients with acute leukemia or malignant lymphoma (ML) during inpatient chemotherapy. The study was a randomized controlled trial where patients with acute leukemia or ML who were receiving inpatient chemotherapy and exercise therapy were divided into an intervention group (IG) and a control group (CG). Both groups underwent resistance training and aerobic exercise. The patients in the IG were instructed to take nutritional supplements twice a day. Assessment items were muscle strength (handgrip strength and knee extension strength), 6-min walking test, skeletal muscle mass, QOL, nutritional status, and fatigue. Two-way analysis of variance showed a significant interaction for bilateral handgrip strength and knee extension strength. No significant interactions were found for the other items. The results of the present study showed improved muscle strength in the IG compared to the CG, indicating the effectiveness of combined exercise and nutrition interventions during inpatient chemotherapy in patients with acute leukemia or ML.

Alcohol-associated liver disease - a current overview.

Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) remains a major and increasingly pressing concern in hepatology. ALD includes spectrum of conditions, each with unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Excessive alcohol intake is a leading preventable cause of physical harm, including ALD. The pathogenesis of ALD involves oxidative stress, inflammation, and lipid metabolism disruptions, with genetic predispositions playing a major role. ALD progresses from hepatic steatosis to steatohepatitis, and finally liver cirrhosis, which is marked by severe fibrosis and impaired liver function. Advanced ALD stages, particularly alcoholic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis, are characterized by high mortality rates. Management of ALD primarily involves strict abstinence from alcohol, which can reverse early-stage disease or halt progression. Nutritional support, vitamin supplementation, and symptomatic treatment are also essential. Liver transplantation is the only definitive treatment for alcoholic liver cirrhosis, but it is difficult for patients with a history of alcohol abuse to qualify for the procedure. Epidemiological data indicate a growing burden of ALD, especially among younger populations, exacerbated by increased alcohol consumption trends and the COVID-19 pandemic's influence on drinking behaviors. Despite ALD's significant impact, current therapies are limited, highlight- ing the need for innovative treatments and comprehensive patient management strategies. Individualized care, enhanced epidemiological research, and new therapeutic approaches are crucial to improving outcomes for ALD patients.

Isolation and characterisation of zinc‐chelating peptides from tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) protein hydrolysate

SummaryThis study aimed to isolate and characterise zinc‐chelating peptides from tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) protein hydrolysate. The hydrolysate was fractionated using a multi‐ultrafiltration technique, yielding peptide fractions with molecular weights between 0.5 and 5 kDa. These fractions were further purified using immobilised metal ion affinity chromatography (IMAC‐Zn2+) and reverse high‐performance liquid chromatography (RP‐HPLC). Among the fractions obtained, the peptide fraction F211 exhibited a zinc‐binding capacity of 76.26 ± 2.46 mg g−1. Sequence analysis indicated that zinc binding occurred at amino acids on the F21 peptide and at valine or glutamate residues on the F22 peptide fraction. Structural characterisation revealed that amino nitrogen and oxygen atoms from carboxylate groups were the primary binding sites for Zn2+. Additionally, the zinc–peptide complex demonstrated strong thermal stability, which is significant for potential applications in food processing and storage, where maintaining the integrity of nutritional supplements under varying temperature conditions is crucial. These findings provide a feasible approach for the separation and purification of zinc‐binding peptides from tilapia protein hydrolysates and contribute to the understanding of the binding mechanisms between zinc and peptides.

The Importance of Nutrition in Cancer Care: A Narrative Review.

Cancer, a complex disease affecting millions globally, presents considerable challenges for both patients and health care providers. Within the broad spectrum of cancer care, nutrition plays a key role in supporting patients throughout their journey. This narrative review examines the role of nutrition in cancer care, exploring its impact on treatment outcomes, nutritional status, current dietary recommendations, physical activity, palliative care, and finally, as a nutritional encouragement for cancer survivors. Evidence indicates that cancer and anticancer treatments frequently cause malnutrition and loss of muscle mass, which can exacerbate symptoms, impair immune function, and hamper recovery. Therefore, adequate nutritional support is crucial for maintaining strength, controlling symptoms, and optimizing treatment tolerance in patients with cancer. Several factors influence nutritional needs and dietary recommendations, including cancer type, treatment, and individual patient characteristics. Nutritional care aims not only to ensure sufficient energy and protein intake, but also to manage specific symptoms such as dysgeusia, nausea, and dysphagia. Registered dietitians play a crucial role in providing personalized nutritional guidance, monitoring nutritional status, and implementing interventions to address emerging challenges in cancer care. Furthermore, recent research has underscored the benefits of dietary interventions in cancer treatment. From targeted nutritional supplements to more invasive nutritional support, interest in how nutrition can affect cancer risk and treatment outcomes is increasing. Overall, this review highlights the critical role of nutritional care in comprehensive cancer treatment. By recognizing and meeting dietary demands throughout the entire cancer journey, health care professionals can improve patients' well-being, response to treatment, and long-term prognosis.

Milk Culture in Insular Southeast Asia Recognized as a Non-milk Cultural Sphere

The issues of milk processing techniques and milk use in areas considered outside the milk cultural sphere is an extremely significant case study for analyzing the transmission and transition of culture. The purpose of this paper is to (1) identify the areas where milk culture is practiced in Insular Southeast Asia, (2) analyze the characteristics of milk processing techniques and milk uses, and (3) examine the origins and transitions of milk culture based on the results of the authors’ fieldwork and literature surveys. Nakao’s model was used to categorize the milk processing techniques and to analyze those characteristics. The characteristics of milk products in the Philippines and Indonesia are that milk products are produced mainly as a source of cash income from sales and consumed as nutritional supplements and luxury foods, not as essential subsistence foods. When milk culture was transferred to both countries from the milk cultural sphere where milk products are essential for a dairy diet, the abundant availability of plant and marine foods may have caused the lack of most milk processing techniques and the transition of milk products from essential subsistence foods to supplementary luxury foods. The Philippines adopts additive coagulation processes, while Indonesia adopts fermentation, heat condensation, and additive coagulation processes. This localized mosaic of milk processing techniques is a characteristic of milk culture in Insular Southeast Asia. This paper discovered that milk culture has spread to Insular Southeast Asia, but identical milk processing techniques were not widely shared in areas where milk culture was not an essential cultural element in local livelihoods. It is concluded that milk culture in the Philippines started with the influence of Spain and was subsequently modified under the influence of India and China, while milk culture in Indonesia originated under the influence of India.

Impact of Lifestyle Interventions on Multiple Sclerosis: Focus on Adipose Tissue.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by demyelination in the central nervous system (CNS), affecting individuals globally. The pathological mechanisms underlying MS remain unclear, but current evidence suggests that inflammation and immune dysfunction play a critical role in the pathogenesis of MS disease. Adipose tissue (AT) is a dynamic multifunctional organ involved in various immune diseases, including MS, due to its endocrine function and the secretion of adipokines, which can influence inflammation and immune responses. Physical activity represents an efficacious non-pharmacological strategy for the management of a spectrum of conditions that not only improves inflammatory and immune functions but also directly affects the status and function of AT. Additionally, the exploration of nutritional supplementation represents an important field of MS research aimed at enhancing clinical symptoms and is closely tied to the regulation of metabolic responses, including adipokine secretion. This review, therefore, aims to elucidate the intricate relationship between lifestyle and MS by providing an overview of the latest published data about the involvement of AT and the main adipokines, such as adiponectin, leptin, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) in the pathogenesis of MS. Furthermore, we explore whether physical activity and dietary management could serve as useful strategies to improve the quality of life of MS patients.

Practical Guidelines by the Andalusian Group for Nutrition Reflection and Investigation (GARIN) on Nutritional Management of Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Review.

Malnutrition is common in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and is associated with worse lung function and greater severity. This review by the Andalusian Group for Nutrition Reflection and Investigation (GARIN) addresses the nutritional management of adult COPD patients, focusing on Morphofunctional Nutritional Assessment and intervention in clinical practice. A systematic literature search was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology, followed by critical appraisal based on Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) guidelines. Recommendations were graded according to the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) system. The results were discussed among GARIN members, with consensus determined using a Likert scale. A total of 24 recommendations were made: 2(A), 6(B), 2(O), and 14(GPP). Consensus exceeded 90% for 17 recommendations and was 75-90% for 7. The care of COPD patients is approached from a nutritional perspective, emphasizing nutritional screening, morphofunctional assessment, and food intake in early disease stages. Nutritional interventions include dietary advice, recommendations on food group intake, and the impact of specialized nutritional treatment, particularly oral nutritional supplements. Other critical aspects, such as physical activity and quality of life, are also analyzed. These recommendations provide practical guidance for managing COPD patients nutritionally in clinical practice.

Linking the chemical profile with the biological activities of Reaumuria alternifolia from Turkish flora

The chemical composition and in vitro bioactivity of five Reaumuria alternifolia extracts obtained using solvents of different polarities (hexane, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, methanol, and water) were investigated. LC-MSn analysis revealed the presence of phenolic acid derivatives, flavonoids, tannins, and anthocyanins as bioactive molecules in the examined plant material, the majority identified in the methanol extract. Bioactivity was evaluated in vitro through antioxidant, enzyme inhibitor, and cytotoxic assays. Extracts presented a significant biological potential, with the methanol extract being the most effective. The analyzed extracts showed that this readily available raw material is a rich source of phytonutrients, primarily antioxidant compounds. This research raises curiosity about the future perspective of Turkish Reaumuria alternifolia extracts, for the formulation of new products as nutritional supplements or improving the quality of existing products. These potential applications inspire hope for the future of natural product development and its impact on human health.

Moringa Reduces Glucose Levels and Alters Wolbachia Abundance in Drosophila melanogaster

Moringa oleifera Lam. (moringa) is a plant native to India, used as a nutritional and medicinal supplement in many cultures around the world. Moringa has been linked to maintaining metabolic homeostasis and is often marketed as a weight loss supplement and a potential remedy for diseases such as diabetes. Here, we investigate how moringa, a ‘superfood’ with predicted protective effects against chronic diseases such as diabetes, influences the nutritional physiology and microbiome composition of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. We administered moringa as a dietary supplement to Drosophila, and quantified key nutritional indices: glucose, triacylglyceride, and protein levels, and fly weight. We showed that dietary moringa supplementation significantly reduced fly glucose levels by up to ~30% and resulted in substantial restructuring of Drosophila microbiota composition, altering both gut and intracellular bacterial populations. The effect of moringa on fly glucose levels is specific because other nutritional indices, namely, triacylglyceride and protein levels and fly weight, were not significantly affected by dietary moringa supplementation. This study highlights the importance of moringa as a modulator of host glucose metabolism.

Evaluation of Nutrition Supplementation and Nutrition Education Program in Preventing Malnutrition in Toddlers

Malnutrition in children under five is a serious global health problem, especially in developing countries. In Indonesia, the prevalence of stunting in 2020 reached 31.8%, which is second in Southeast Asia after Timor Leste. However, this figure has decreased to 21.6% in 2022, according to data from the Indonesian Ministry of Health. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of nutrition supplementation and nutrition education programs in preventing malnutrition in children under five. This research design is an evaluative design with a cross-sectional approach to obtain an overview at one time of the nutritional status of children under five years of age, program implementation, and results achieved. The input of the number of nutrition workers is lacking, the Puskesmas needs 1 community health worker, the equipment owned is still lacking in the laboratory section and must request procurement from the City or Provincial Health Office and funds for MT distribution are not yet available, the output is not yet on target and the program coverage has not yet reached the set achievement indicators. Suggestions for the Padang City government, especially the Padang City Health to procure facilities and infrastructure that are lacking in puskesmas, while for the Padang Health Center must conduct counseling on the importance of PMT-P so that the MT provided right on target.

208 Assessment of a new oral neonatal supplement for lambs

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate an easy to administer and economical oral nutritional supplement for neonatal lambs. Neonates are at risk of nutrient deficiencies because of maternal deficiencies, minimal body stores at birth and decreased nutritional intake. The pre-ruminant lamb relies solely on milk for adequate immunity and nutrition until they begin ingesting forages. Insufficiencies can lead to increased mortality and morbidity. However, deficiencies in the ewe are common due to variation in management, feeding and health protocols. A total of 10 lambs (5 sets of twins) were enrolled into the study. The lambs were divided into two groups (one twin from each set) received a treatment of an oral vitamin-mineral supplement (VitaFerst-Care) 3 mL and the control lambs a saline solution of 3 mL, all at 3 d of age (d0). Blood samples were collected, prior to, and again following supplementation (d 0, d 21) by jugular venipuncture. Vitamin A, vitamin E, iron (Fe) and selenium (Se) concentrations were determined in blood serum/plasma of the lambs by HPLC. Kidney and liver function markers were analyzed using HESKA DC5X veterinary analyzer to confirm the safety of the supplement. Variables tested included alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (CREA), glucose (GLU), total protein (TP), total bilirubin (T-BILI), albumin (ALB), phosphorus (PHOS), calcium (CA), cholesterol (CHOL), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT). All lambs remained with their mothers. The average difference was calculated between d 21 and d 0 (baseline) for treated versus control animals for vitamin A, vitamin E, Se, and Fe. Significance was calculated using a two-tailed student’s t-test where P &amp;lt; 0.10 between d 21 control and treated animals. Control animals had an average vitamin E plasma concentration of 1.168 + 0.355 ppm on d 21, whereas treated animals had an average of 1.547 + 0.559 ppm. Significance was calculated at P = 0.09. Vitamin A, Fe and Se concentrations did not reach significance. Kidney and liver panel checks for animals in each group were not concerning. Future studies should look at modifying first and second sampling timepoints to be closer together. Based on results in calves with a similar study design, shortening the time between treatment and second sampling would give a clearer picture of how the neonatal supplement influenced the nutritional status of the treatment versus control animals.

Intradialytic oral nutrition effects on malnourished hemodialysis patients: a randomized trial

Oral nutritional supplementation (ONS) is recommended for malnourished hemodialysis patients when their nutritional intake remains inadequate to meet energy and protein requirements. Patients were randomized into two groups: the intradialytic ONS supplements (INTRA-ONS) group (N = 16) and the interdialytic ONS supplements (INTER-ONS) group (N = 16) for a duration of 12 weeks. Malnutrition inflammation score (MIS) and serum albumin levels were assessed. The total MIS decreased significantly in patients from both the INTRA-ONS group (− 6.13, 95% CI − 8.29 to − 3.96) and the INTER-ONS group (− 3.50, 95% CI − 5.56 to − 1.35). A significant difference in the change of MIS was observed between the two groups (− 3.06, 95% CI − 5.94 to − 0.17). No significant differences were observed between the groups concerning serum albumin levels, dietary intake, anthropometric measurements, or body weight. Intradialytic ONS demonstrates similar benefits on nutritional biomarkers but improves the MIS among malnourished ESRD patients compared to interdialytic ONS.Trial registration Thai Clinical Trials Registry (TCTR) identification number is TCTR20220322007: 16/09/2021.

Selenium and Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Background. The deadliest, most dangerous subtype of breast cancer is triple-negative, which lacks treatment targets and accounts for 30% of all breast cancer-related deaths worldwide. TNBC is characterized by the expression of no estrogen, proges- terone, or human epidermal growth factor 2 receptors. This suggests that new treatment modalities with fewer adverse effects are required. Objective. The aim of the present study was to investigate the therapeutic potential of selenium compounds as an adjuvant therapy for Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC), either on their own or in conjunction with nutritional supplements and chemotherapy medications. Methods. Using the keywords “selenium” and “triple negative breast cancer”, a thorough search was conducted in the PubMed database, yielding 23 articles. The following factors were taken into consideration for inclusion: studies using TNBC cell culture lines or in vivo tumors/specimens; full-text articles from the PubMed database; studies published in the English language; experiments with statistically significant results; and selenium used alone or in combination with other antioxidants or chemotherapy. This led to the evaluation of 13 articles in this review. Results. The results show that selenium therapy increased the anti-cancer drug’s effects and produced tumor cytotoxicity, while reducing the cellular features of the cancer (hyperproliferation, growth, and metastasis). Discussion. This study evaluated the various selenium compounds tested, the cell lines and model organisms used, the assays performed, and the cellular pathways affected. Conclusion. Examining the possible benefits of selenium in TNBC treatment highlights the need for more studies to confirm selenium compounds as viable co-therapeutic agents.