Safety Of Supplementation Research Articles

Construction of Selenium Nanoparticle-Loaded Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles with Potential Antioxidant and Antitumor Activities as a Selenium Supplement.

Excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) can damage cells and affect normal cell functions, which are related to various diseases. Selenium nanoparticles are a potential selenium supplement for their good biocompatibility and antioxidant activity. However, their poor stability has become an obstacle for further applications. In this study, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) were prepared as a carrier of selenium nanoparticles. Pluronic F68 (PF68) was used for the surface modification of the compounds to prevent the leakage of the selenium nanoparticles. The prepared MSN@Se@PF68 nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, confocal micro-Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The MSN@Se@PF68 nanoparticles showed excellent antioxidant activity in HeLa tumor cells and zebrafish larvae. The cytotoxicity of MSN@Se@PF68 nanoparticles was concentration- and time-dependent in HeLa tumor cells. The MSN@Se@PF68 nanoparticles showed a negligible cytotoxicity of ≤2 μg/mL at 48 h. At a concentration of 50 μg/mL, the cell viability of the HeLa tumor cells decreased to about 50%. The results indicated that the MSN@Se@PF68 nanoparticles could be a potential antitumor agent. The embryonic development of zebrafish cocultured with the MSN@Se@PF68 nanoparticles showed that there was no lethal or obvious teratogenic toxicity. The results implied that the MSN@Se@PF68 nanoparticles could be a safe selenium supplement and have the potential for antioxidant and antitumor activity.

Soluble dietary fiber and cellulose from Saccharina japonica by-product ameliorate Loperamide-induced constipation via modulating enteric neurotransmitters, short-chain fatty acids and gut microbiota

The effects of soluble dietary fiber (SDF) and cellulose (IDF) from Saccharina japonica by-product and their differences in improving constipation were further clarified in the present study. We demonstrated that SDF was mainly made up of d-mannuronic acid and d-mannose while IDF consisted of d-glucose , which is different from other reported dietary fibers of terrestrial plants. In this research, both SDF and IDF improved fecal-related indicators, gastrointestinal transit rate and histological morphology in Lop-induced mice. Moreover, they could increase the level of antioxidant enzymes (SOD and GSH-Px), restore the expression of enteric neurotransmitters, and maintain the function of ZO-1, JAM-1 as well as Occludin. Interestingly, SDF and IDF had a significant up-regulated effect on the proportion of Muribaculacea, Prevotellaceaen and Lachnospiraceae, which are critical to preserving intestinal immune homeostasis. Besides, they promoted the biosynthesis of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). The overall index showed that SDF is more effective for constipation due to its better water retention capacity. Thus, they can be used as a safe dietary supplement for the treatment of chronic or occasional constipation in humans.

Thymoquinone protects the testes of hypothyroid rats by suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress and promoting SIRT1 testicular expression.

Background: Hypothyroidism has been linked to many testicular structural and dysfunctional changes in males. Thymoquinone (TQ) has shown a potent testicular protective effect through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, fertility-enhancing, and endocrine modulatory activities. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of TQ in preserving the testicular structure of a model of experimentally induced hypothyroidism in rats and identify the mechanism behind this effect. Materials and methods: Propylthiouracil (PTU) was used to induce hypothyroidism in adult male Wistar rats, who were then treated with TQ (50mg/kg/body weight) for 4weeks and compared to the untreated rats. Thyroid hormonal profile, oxidants/antioxidants profile, and serum testosterone levels were assessed. Gene expression and immune expression of SIRT1 and pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and NF-κB were also assessed in the testicular tissue. Results: TQ administration successfully improved PTU-induced disturbance in the thyroid hormonal profile (T3, T4, and TSH), serum testosterone level, and pancreatic antioxidants compared to the untreated hypothyroid group. TQ significantly downregulated (p = 0.001, p ˂ 0.001) TNF-α and NF-κB transcription, while it significantly upregulated (p = 0.01) SIRT1 transcription in the testes of hypothyroid rats. TQ markedly relieved the histopathological testicular changes induced by PTU and significantly increased (p = 0.002, p = 0.01) the sectional area of seminiferous tubules and germinal epithelial height, respectively. TUNEL-positive apoptotic germinal cells were significantly decreased (p ˂ 0.001), while PCNA-positive proliferating germinal cells and androgen receptor expression were significantly increased (p ˂ 0.001) in the testes of TQ-treated hypothyroid rats. Conclusion: Thymoquinone could limit the hypothyroidism-induced structural changes in the testis, mostly through the upregulation of SIRT1 expression, which seems to mediate its promising antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects that were evident in this study. Therefore, TQ is recommended as an adjuvant safe supplement in managing hypothyroidism, especially in males.

Effect of niacin on phosphorus, calcium, parathormone and vitamin D levels in hemodialysis patients; a double-blinded randomized clinical trial

Introduction: Electrolyte abnormalities are one of the most common problems in hemodialysis patients. Objectives: The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of niacin on the levels of sodium, phosphorus, calcium, intact parathormone (iPTH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and vitamin D in hemodialysis patients. Patients and Methods: In the present double-blinded randomized clinical trial, hemodialysis patients with phosphorus of more than 4.5 mg/dL were included in the study and were treated with niacin. The dose of niacin was increased from 50 mg to 100 mg/d in two stages on a monthly basis. Tests related to the levels of phosphorus, sodium, vitamin D, and calcium were determined before and after the intervention, and the side effects of the treatment were recorded accordingly. Data were analyzed through SPSS version 16. Results: After the intervention, the serum levels of calcium, vitamin D, and sodium increased significantly (P<0.05), while the serum levels of iPTH and phosphate decreased significantly (P<0.05). However, the serum level of ALP did not change significantly (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the serum levels of calcium, phosphate, vitamin D, sodium, iPTH, and ALP during the intervention in the both men and women (P>0.05). Side effects were not reported in any of the patients. Conclusion: Niacin can increase vitamin D, sodium and calcium and decreased serum levels of phosphate and iPTH in hemodialysis patients. Therefore, it can be administered as an effective and safe supplement in the hemodialysis patients. Trial Registration: This trial protocol was approved by the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (identifier: IRCT20190702044076N2; https://en.irct.ir/trial/66567, ethical code #IR.SKUMS. REC.1400.079).

A novel Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) bone collagen peptide delays osteoarthritis development by inhibiting cartilage matrix degradation and anti-inflammatory

Nowadays, the biological activity of collagen peptides has been revealed, but the effect of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) bone-derived collagen peptide (CPs) on osteoarthritis remains unclear. In this study, CPs was identified as a small molecular weight peptide rich in Gly-X-Y structure. Meanwhile, interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-induced hypertrophic chondrocytes and partial medial meniscectomy (pMMx) surgery model in rats were performed. In IL-1β stimulated chondrocytes, CPs significantly increased the type-II collagen content, reduced the type-X collagen abundance and chondrocytes apoptosis. Meanwhile, CPs reversed the increased expression of matrix metalloproteinase, metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs and RUNX family transcription factor 2 in chondrocytes induced by IL-1β. In vivo, CPs increased pain tolerance of rats and without organ toxicity at 1.6 g/kg.bw. CPs significantly decreased the levels of COMP and Helix-II in serum. Furthermore, a significant decrease of IL-1β in synovial fluid and cartilage tissue were observed by CPs intervention. From Micro-CT, CPs (0.8 g/kg.bw) significantly decreased Tb.sp and SMI value. Meanwhile, the expression of tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-6 were reduced by CPs administration both in vitro and in vivo. Together, CPs showed potential to be a novel and safe dietary supplement for helping anti-inflammatory and cartilage regeneration, ultimately hindering osteoarthritis development. However, the clear mechanism of CPs’s positive effect on osteoarthritis needs to be further explored.

Effects of dietary trans-cinnamaldehyde on growth performance, lipid metabolism, immune response and intestinal microbiota of Litopenaeus vannamei

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary trans-cinnamaldehyde (TC) on growth performance, lipid metabolism, immune response and intestinal microbiota of Litopenaeus vannamei. Shrimp were randomly divided into 4 groups, with 3 replicants in each group and 70 shrimp in each replicant. The contents of TC in the four groups were 0, 0.4, 0.8 and 1.2 g kg−1, respectively. Samples were taken after 56 days, followed by a 7-day vibrio harveyi challenge experiment. The results showed that TC significantly improved the growth performance by enhancing the activity of digestive enzymes in shrimp (P < 0.05). TC also reduced the content of crude fat (P < 0.05). The addition of TC to the diet attenuated lipid deposition, as evidenced by a reduction in the content of crude fat and a decrease in plasma levels of cholesterol and triglycerides (P < 0.05). The expression of key genes for fatty acid and triglycerides synthesis were significantly down-regulated and key genes for fatty acid β-oxidation were significantly up-regulated (P < 0.05). In addition, the immune response and antioxidant capability of shrimp were significantly enhanced by the addition of TC to the diet (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, TC could improve intestinal health by increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria and decreasing the abundance of pathogenic bacteria, but had no significant effect on alpha diversity and beta diversity (P > 0.05). In addition, the results of histopathological sections and plasma transaminase studies showed that TC could improve the health status of hepatopancreas and was a safe nutritional supplement. After the 7-day Vibrio harveyi challenge, the cumulative mortality of shrimp decreased with increasing levels of dietary TC compared with control group (P < 0.05). These results suggested that TC could be used as a nutritional supplement for shrimp to enhance disease resistance and reduce lipid accumulation.

The valuable and safe supplement of macro- and trace elements to the human diet: Capelin (Mallotus villosus)

Capelin (Mallotus villosus) is a marine forage fish rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, and potassium. In this study, the distribution of macronutrients, Ca, K, Mg, Na, and P; trace elements, Al, Cu, Fe, Mn, Se, and Zn; and nonessential metals, As, Cd, Cr, Hg, and Pb in the head, muscle, roe, and viscera of the capelin was studied by applying inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The results exhibited that the head was rich in Ca, P, and Zn, the content of elements in muscle and roe was similar, and the content of nonessential metals in viscera was the highest (p < 0.05). The content of each element in capelin was far below the permissible limit as suggested by the international standard in food. The target hazard quotient and the target cancer risk were observed to be negligible. In conclusion, capelin was safe and could be used as an excellent supplement to the human diet. This study intends to provide limited reports on the risk assessment of elements and provides theoretical and data support for the precise dietary risk of capelin.

The Effect of an Extract and Fractions of Date Pits on Some Plasma Constituents, Reproductive Hormones, and Testicular Histology in Male Mice.

Pits of dates (Phoenix dactylifera L.) have numerous nutritional benefits that could have wide-ranging applications. This study aimed to examine the effects of administering three extracts from powdered date pits on some basic physiological parameters, plasma constituents, reproductive hormones, and testicular histology in CD1 male mice. Three groups received doses of 100 mg/kg/day of lyophilized extract, a nonpolar fraction, and a polar fraction of date pits by oral gavage for 28 consecutive days. For the control, one group was administered a 1 mL/kg concentration of distilled water. The three different extracts significantly increased the plasma testosterone level but showed no significant effect on estradiol or luteinizing hormone levels, except for estradiol reduction in the polar extract group. The measured physiological or biochemical parameters or testicular histology also demonstrated no significant differences between the control mice and those mice treated with the three extracts, except for reductions in plasma urea in all extracts and in total protein in the nonpolar extract. Therefore, date pit extracts may potentially be used as a safe and effective dietary supplement. However, further investigation is needed.

Estimation of Nutraceutical Astaxanthin by RP-HPLC Method: Development and Validation

Background: Nutraceuticals have always been considered natural and safe supplements that may prevent disease, may substitute prescription drugs, compensate for a poor diet or promote health. Several nutraceutical products in the market today play roles as antioxidants and probiotics. One such nutraceutical is Astaxanthin, a red-pigmented keto-carotenoid, which offers a plethora of uses and health benefits. Astaxanthin, like many carotenoids, is a lipid-soluble pigment which faces solubility and bioavailability issues owing to its lipophilicity, due to which its estimation is challenging. And the analysis of a simple solvent extract of Astaxanthin would produce many ester-astaxanthin “peaks” and utilize costly organic solvents. Additionally, the literature review indicates the use of very complex mobile phases and tedious solvent extraction procedures involved in the estimation of Astaxanthin. &#x0D; Objective: The manuscript describes the development and validation of a rapid, sensitive and specific Reverse Phase-High Performance Liquid Chromatographic (RP-HPLC) method involving Ultraviolet (UV) detection for the determination and quantification of nutraceutical Astaxanthin in bulk and capsule dosage forms. &#x0D; Methods: Chromatography was carried out on an Inertsil ODS C18 (250 x 4.6 mm), 5µ, using a filtered and degassed mixture of Water: Acetonitrile (30:70% v/v) as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 1 mL /min with isocratic elution method and effluent was monitored at 478 nm. &#x0D; Results: The method was linear in the range of 5 – 15 μg mL-1 of Astaxanthin. The method was validated with respect to precision, accuracy, specificity and robustness. The run time of the analyte was 8.45 min. &#x0D; Conclusion: The developed method is simple, specific, precise, accurate, and robust and shows no interference with diluents which proves the adaptability of the method for routine analysis of the nutraceutical Astaxanthin in bulk and marketed formulations.

Selenium Nanoparticles-Enriched Lactobacillus casei ATCC 393 Prevents Cognitive Dysfunction in Mice Through Modulating Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis.

PurposeThe bidirectional communication between the gut and the central nervous system mediated by gut microbiota is closely related to the occurrence and development of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Selenium (Se) has been identified as playing a role against AD. Probiotics have beneficial effects on host brain function and behavior by modulating the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Herein, we evaluated the protective effects of Lactobacillus casei ATCC 393 (L. casei ATCC 393) and selenium nanoparticles-enriched L. casei ATCC 393 (L. casei ATCC 393-SeNPs) against D-galactose/aluminum chloride-induced AD model mice.MethodsThe Morris Water Maze (MWM) test was used to assess cognitive function of mice. The morphology and histopathological changes, antioxidant capacity and immune responses in the brain and ileum were evaluated. The alterations in intestinal permeability of the mice were determined using FITC-dextran. Gut microbiota composition was assessed using 16s rRNA sequencing.ResultsThirteen weeks intervention with L. casei ATCC 393 or L. casei ATCC 393-SeNPs significantly improved cognitive dysfunction, and minimized amyloid beta (Aβ) aggregation, hyperphosphorylation of TAU protein, and prevented neuronal death by modulating Akt/cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB)/brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling pathway. Moreover, compared with L. casei ATCC 393, L. casei ATCC 393-SeNPs further effectively mitigated intestinal barrier dysfunction by improving antioxidant capacity, regulating immune response, restoring gut microbiota balance, and increasing the level of short-chain fatty acids and neurotransmitters, thereby inhibiting the activation of microglia and protecting brain neurons from neurotoxicity such as oxidative stress and neuroinflammation.ConclusionThese findings indicated that targeting the microbiota-gut-brain axis with L. casei ATCC 393-SeNPs may have therapeutic potential for the deficits of cognitive function in the AD model mice. Thus, we anticipate that L. casei ATCC 393-SeNPs may be a promising and safe Se nutritional supplement for use as a food additive to prevent the neurodegenerative disease.

The Potential of Moringa oleifera to Ameliorate HAART-Induced Pathophysiological Complications.

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) comprises a combination of two or three antiretroviral (ARV) drugs that are administered together in a single tablet. These drugs target different steps within the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) life cycle, providing either a synergistic or additive antiviral effect; this enhances the efficiency in which viral replication is suppressed. HIV cannot be completely eliminated, making HAART a lifetime treatment. With long-term HAART usage, an increasing number of patients experience a broadening array of complications, and this significantly affects their quality of life, despite cautious use. The mechanism through which ARV drugs induce toxicity is associated with metabolic complications such as mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and inflammation. To address this, it is necessary to improve ARV drug formulation without compromising its efficacy; alternatively, safe supplementary medicine may be a suitable solution. The medicinal plant Moringa oleifera (MO) is considered one of the most important sources of novel nutritionally and pharmacologically active compounds that have been shown to prevent and treat various diseases. MO leaves are rich in polyphenols, vitamins, minerals, and tannins; studies have confirmed the therapeutic properties of MO. MO leaves provide powerful antioxidants, scavenge free radicals, promote carbohydrate metabolism, and repair DNA. MO also induces anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, anti-proliferative, and anti-mutagenic effects. Therefore, MO can be a source of affordable and safe supplement therapy for HAART-induced toxicity. This review highlights the potential of MO leaves to protect against HAART-induced toxicity in HIV patients.

Iron‐chelating activity of large yellow croaker ( Pseudosciaena crocea ) roe hydrolysates

In this study, hydrolysates of large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea) roe were prepared by trypsin (Try-pcRHs) and papain (Pap-pcRHs). The degree of hydrolysis (DH), molecular weight distribution and iron chelating capacity of hydrolysates were investigated. Moreover, the chelation mechanism of iron-hydrolysates complex also was investigated by amino acid composition analysis, fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer, fluorescence spectrophotometer and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. These results showed that Try-pcRHs exhibited higher iron chelating ability with the EC50 value of 0.14 mg/ml than Pap-pcRHs, which may be due to the higher DH and content of peptide <1 KDa. Furthermore, the Asp, Glu, Ser, Pro, Ile, Phe and His in Try-pcRHs might contribute to the chelation reaction, and the groups of -COOH, C=O, N-H and C-O were involved in chealtiong of Try-pcRHs with iron. Therefore, Try-pcRHs have the potential to be used as iron supplements in food industries. Practical Applications Large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea) roes are the main by-products in the large yellow croaker processing. Previous studies have found that protein isolates from P. crocea roes composed of vitellogenin B, vitellogenin C and vitellogenin contain a large number of serine residues. In this study, we prepared hydrolysates from large yellow croaker roes, and the results showed that trypsin-hydrolyzed large yellow croaker roes exhibited great iron-chelating ability and has the potential to be used as a safe and healthy iron supplements in the food industry.

Effects of Canine-Obtained Lactic-Acid Bacteria on the Fecal Microbiota and Inflammatory Markers in Dogs Receiving Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Treatment.

Simple SummaryThe use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) has prolonged the longevity and well-being of dogs with osteoarthritis and other painful conditions. However, this treatment is also associated with diarrhea in dogs, but the pathogenetic mechanisms and possible prevention strategies remain unknown. This study aimed to determine whether canine-obtained lactic acid bacteria affect the frequency of diarrhea, fecal microbiota (dysbiosis index), and gastrointestinal inflammation (assessed by calprotectin and S100A12/Calgranulin C) in dogs receiving NSAIDs. Diarrhea occurred in 4/12 dogs (33%) receiving placebo and 1/10 dogs (10%) receiving canine-obtained lactic acid bacteria (LAB), but this difference was not significant. The fecal dysbiosis index, calprotectin, and S100A12 were not significantly different between dogs receiving NSAIDs and LAB and dogs receiving NSAIDs and placebo. This study suggests that LAB is safe to use in NSAID-treated dogs, but further studies are needed to determine its potential to ameliorate diarrhea and gastrointestinal inflammation in dogs receiving NSAIDs.Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may cause enteropathy in dogs and probiotics may be one option to prevent this. The objective of this study was to determine whether the administration of canine-obtained lactic acid bacteria (LAB) has an effect on the frequency of diarrhea, the composition of the fecal microbiota, and/or markers of gastrointestinal inflammation in dogs receiving NSAIDs when compared to dogs given NSAIDs and a placebo. A total of 22 dogs treated with NSAIDs for various clinical indications were enrolled in a seven-day randomized, double-blinded placebo-controlled interventional study. Dogs were randomized to receive either placebo or LAB, a product containing Limosilactobacillus fermentum, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum. Fecal samples were collected on days one and seven. The fecal microbiota was evaluated using the fecal dysbiosis index (DI) and individual bacterial taxa. Fecal calprotectin (CP) and S100A12/Calgranulin C concentrations were used as markers of gastrointestinal inflammation. There was a difference in frequency of diarrhea between groups, with it affecting 4/12 dogs (33%) in the placebo group and 1/10 dogs (10%) in the LAB group, but this difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.32). There was a correlation between S100A12 and CP (p < 0.001), and Clostridium perfringens correlated with S100A12 (p < 0.015). Neither treatment significantly affected S100A12 (p = 0.37), CP (p = 0.12), or fecal DI (p = 0.65). This study suggests that LAB is a safe supplement to use for short-term treatment in NSAID-treated dogs, but further studies are needed to determine its potential to prevent NSAID-induced enteropathy in dogs.

Quercetin 3 Rutinoside Alleviates Chromosomes Instability Induced by Lethal Dose of Gamma Radiation

Radiation-induced genomic instability always remains a major concern for the medical society, following radiation exposure. Hence, development of a safe and effective radioprotector is of considerable interest in case of radiotherapy and radiation emergencies. Quercetin-3-Rutinoside (Q-3-R), a naturally occurring bioflavonoid, has shown promising potential against radiation injuries. The present study reports anti-genotoxic potential of Q-3-R against lethal (9Gy) dose of ionizing radiation. The mice were injected intramuscularly with Q-3-R (10mg/kg b.wt.), 1hr prior to lethal dose of radiation and dissected at 24hrs post treatment. Different kinds of chromosomal aberrations, micronuclei as well as pulverized metaphase and polyploidy were scored in bone marrow cells. Irradiated mice showed significantly (p&lt;0.001) increased number of double minutes, fragments, dicentrics, rings, gaps and end to end association. Pulverized metaphases and polyploidy were also found to be elevated in irradiated group. Pretreatment of Q-3-R significantly countered these radiation-induced genetic variations in lethally exposed mice. Data from the present study support the anti-genotoxic potential of Q-3-R even at lethal dose of radiation. Q-3-R, possessing various pharmacological activities and being a safe supplement for treatment of other ailments, can be further explored for its radioprotective potential.

Efficacy and safety of dietary polyphenol supplementation in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BackgroundDietary polyphenol treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a novel direction, and the existing clinical studies have little effective evidence for its therapeutic effect, and some studies have inconsistent results. The effectiveness of dietary polyphenols in the treatment of NAFLD is still controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of oral dietary polyphenols in patients with NAFLD.MethodsThe literature (both Chinese and English) published before 30 April 2022 in PubMed, Cochrane, Medline, CNKI, and other databases on the treatment of NAFLD with dietary polyphenols was searched. Manual screening, quality assessment, and data extraction of search results were conducted strictly according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. RevMan 5.3 software was used to perform the meta-analysis.ResultsThe RCTs included in this study involved dietary supplementation with eight polyphenols (curcumin, resveratrol, naringenin, anthocyanin, hesperidin, catechin, silymarin, and genistein) and 2,173 participants. This systematic review and meta-analysis found that 1) curcumin may decrease body mass index (BMI), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Triglycerides (TG) total cholesterol (TC), and Homeostasis Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) compared to placebo; and curcumin does not increase the occurrence of adverse events. 2) Although the meta-analysis results of all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) did not reveal significant positive changes, individual RCTs showed meaningful results. 3) Naringenin significantly decreased the percentage of NAFLD grade, TG, TC, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) but had no significant effect on AST and ALT, and it is a safe supplementation. 4) Only one team presents a protocol about anthocyanin (from Cornus mas L. fruit extract) in the treatment of NAFLD. 5) Hesperidin may decrease BMI, AST, ALT, TG, TC, HOMA-IR, and so on. 6) Catechin may decrease BMI, HOMA-IR, and TG level, and it was well tolerated by the patients. 7) Silymarin was effective in improving ALT and AST and reducing hepatic fat accumulation and liver stiffness in NAFLD patients.ConclusionBased on current evidence, curcumin can reduce BMI, TG, TC, liver enzymes, and insulin resistance; catechin can reduce BMI, insulin resistance, and TG effectively; silymarin can reduce liver enzymes. For resveratrol, naringenin, anthocyanin, hesperidin, and catechin, more RCTs are needed to further evaluate their efficacy and safety.

Circadian cardiac NAD+ metabolism, from transcriptional regulation to healthy aging.

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is a critical redox factor and coenzyme with rhythmic availability, and reduced NAD+ levels are a common factor in many disease states, including risk factors associated with aging. Recent studies have expanded on the role of circadian rhythms and the core clock factors that maintain them in the regulation of NAD+ levels in the heart. This has revealed that NAD+ pools and their use are tightly linked to cardiac function, but also heart failure. The convergence of these fields, namely, clock regulation, heart disease, and NAD+ metabolism present a complex network ripe with potential scientific and clinical discoveries, given the growing number of animal models, recently developed technology, and opportunity for safe and accessible precursor supplementation. This review seeks to briefly present known information on circadian rhythms in the heart, connect that research to our understanding of cardiac NAD+ metabolism, and finally discuss potential future experiments to better understand interventional opportunities in cardiovascular health regarding these subjects.

Dietary Supplements Use among Serbian Undergraduate Students of Different Academic Fields.

The rising popularity of dietary supplements as a part of self-care practice increases interest in monitoring their usage in the general and specific population groups. This study investigated the prevalence and patterns of dietary supplement use among Belgrade University undergraduate students and its variations across different academic study fields. Of the 914 online survey students, 55.7% used dietary supplements during the past year. Female gender, eating behavior, and academic field were significant predictors of dietary supplement use. For all students, the most commonly used dietary supplements were vitamins and minerals, alone or in combination. Magnesium, vitamin C, and B vitamins were the most frequently supplemented micronutrients. The reasons for using, place of purchase, and source of information regarding dietary supplements significantly varied among students of different fields of study. Adverse effects related to dietary supplement use, including gastrointestinal symptoms, skin flushing, dizziness, and heart palpitation, were reported in 4.5% of students. Insufficient knowledge about these products was self-reported by 16.5% of users, more common among non-medical students. Thus, public health interventions are needed to improve students’ knowledge regarding rational and safe dietary supplement use.

Pumpkin Skin Polysaccharide-Zn(II) Complex: Preparation, Characterization, and Suppression of Inflammation in Zebrafish.

In this study, pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) skin polysaccharide–zinc(II) (PSP−Zn) complex was successfully prepared. The structure and physicochemical properties of PSP and PSP−Zn were analyzed. The anti-inflammatory activity of PSP and PSP−Zn was investigated in zebrafish larvae induced by copper sulphate. PSP and PSP−Zn consisted of rhamnose, arabinose, galactose, glucose, and galacturonic acid. The molecular weight (Mw) of PSP and PSP−Zn were 3.034 × 106 and 3.222 × 106 Da, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FT-IR) and circular dichroism (CD) analysis results suggested that the chemical modification of zinc might occur through hydroxyl groups of PSP. The PSP−Zn complex had lamellar texture, smooth surface morphology, and larger particle size. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that both PSP and PSP−Zn were semi-crystalline substances. PSP−Zn solution showed superior stability in a weak acid and alkaline environment, especially at pH = 6.0. Moreover, PSP and PSP−Zn showed a good inhibitory effect on inflammation cells in zebrafish. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) result suggested that the anti-inflammatory mechanism of PSP and PSP−Zn were through downregulation of the expression of nitric oxide synthase 2b (nos2b), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and nuclear factor-kappa B2 (NF-κB2). The present study indicated that PSP−Zn is expected to be a safe and efficient novel zinc supplement with anti-inflammatory activity.

Exopolymer-Functionalized Nanoselenium from Bacillus subtilis SR41: Characterization, Monosaccharide Analysis and Free Radical Scavenging Ability.

To provide a safe and effective supplement of the essential trace element selenium, we focused on the biosynthesis of nanoselenium (SeNPs) via probiotics. A novel kind of exopolymer-functionalized nanoselenium (SeEPS), whose average size was 67.0 ± 0.6 nm, was produced by Bacillus subtilis SR41, whereas the control consisted of exopolymers without selenium (EPS). Chemical composition analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) confirmed that SeEPS and EPS shared similar polysaccharide characteristic groups, such as COO- and C=O, and contained not only 45.2–45.4% of sugars but also 23.5–24.7% of proteins and some lipids. Both SeEPS and EPS were primarily composed of mannose, amino glucose, ribose, glucose and galactose. Furthermore, to identify the biologically active component of SeEPS, three kinds of selenium particles with different stabilizers [Se(0), bovine serum albumin-Se and EPS-Se] were synthesized chemically, and their ability to scavenge free radicals in vitro was compared with that of SeEPS and EPS. The results revealed that EPS itself exhibited weak superoxide and hydroxyl radical scavenging abilities. Nevertheless, SeEPS had superior antioxidant properties compared to all other products, possibly due to the specific structure of SeNPs and exopolymers. Our results suggested that exopolymer-functionalized SeNPs with specific monosaccharide composition and structure could eventually find a potential application as an antioxidant.

Curcumin Inhibits Hyperandrogen-Induced IRE1α-XBP1 Pathway Activation by Activating the PI3K/AKT Signaling in Ovarian Granulosa Cells of PCOS Model Rats.

Background Hyperandrogenism is a common characteristic of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Long-term, continuous exposure to hyperandrogenic environments may cause excessive endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in ovarian granulosa cells (GCs). Curcumin is a polyphenol extracted from turmeric rhizomes which has several pharmacological effects that may benefit patients with PCOS. To explore whether curcumin can inhibit hyperandrogen-induced ER stress in ovarian GCs of PCOS rats and to elucidate the possible underlying mechanisms. Methods We developed PCOS model rats by exposure to hyperandrogenic conditions and divided the rats into control, PCOS, and PCOS+curcumin (200 mg/kg, for 8 weeks) groups. The levels of ER stress-related proteins and PI3K/AKT phosphorylation were measured in the ovarian tissue of all experimental groups by real-time quantitative PCR, western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence. Subsequent in vitro analysis on primary cultured GCs was performed to confirm the influence of curcumin on ER stress inhibition by immunofluorescence and western blotting. Results Curcumin protects GCs from hyperandrogen-induced apoptosis in PCOS model rats by inhibiting the ER stress-related IRE1α-XBP1 pathway and activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Conclusions These observations indicate that curcumin might be a safe and useful supplement for PCOS patients.