Terms Of Food Intake Research Articles

The Nutrition Transition and the Double Burden of Malnutrition in Sub-Saharan African Countries: How Do These Countries Compare with the Recommended LANCET COMMISSION Global Diet?

Over the last two decades, many sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries have undergone dietary and nutrition transitions fuelled by rapid urbanisation, economic development, and globalisation. The aim of the current study was to examine outcomes of the nutrition transition and the epidemiologic transition in SSA countries in terms of food intake, health, and socioeconomic and development factors. Food balance sheet data-specifically, per capita energy intake per day and per capita gram intake per day-from the CountrySTAT framework of the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) were analysed for major food commodities. Additionally, selected health and development indicators supplied by UNICEF, the WHO and the World Bank were analysed. Four dietary patterns emerged. The diet of the southern African/island cluster (South Africa, Mauritius, Eswatini, Namibia, Cabo Verde, and the outlier Seychelles) resembles a Westernised diet, with median values high on sugar/sweeteners, alcohol, meat, animal fats, eggs, and dairy. On the other hand, the diet of countries in the other three clusters appears to be more traditional, with countries in the desert/semi-arid cluster consuming more cereals and pulses/tree nuts, countries in the tropical coastal cluster consuming more fish and vegetable oils, and countries in the equatorial cluster consuming more starchy roots and fruit and vegetables. The resulting median values of health indicators also indicate a higher prevalence of non-communicable diseases in the southern African/island cluster, whereas stunting and anaemia are higher in the other three clusters. SSA countries are in different stages of the nutrition transition. By superimposing clusters generated using macronutrient intake values on a map of the climatic regions in Africa, one can clearly see the importance of climate on the availability of food and food intake patterns. Climate change presents a great challenge to healthy eating, as the link between climate regions and diets is illustrated.

In vivo Evaluation of Nanostructured Lipid Carrier System in Rats Bearing Breast Tumor

The aim of this work is to study the anti-proliferative potential of two anticancer drugs loaded in nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs).The maximal inhibition of cell growth by Raloxifene (RLX) & Curcumin (CUM) nanostructured lipid carriers (RLX-CUM-NLCs) was determined by assessing the viability of MDA-MB 231 cells. As far as we know, this is the first research to look at the effects of RLX-CUM-NLCs on DMBA-induced breast carcinogenesis in a rat model. RLX-CUM-NLCs reduced the number of tumors in an in-vivo investigation. After 14 weeks of induction, we discovered a tumor with a 100% incidence rate. The incidence of experimental breast cancer was decreased to 83.33% in the RLX-treated group. In contrast, RLX-CUM-NLCs demonstrated a significant anticancer effect with a 50% incidence in the RLX-CUM-NLCs group. Compared to controls, the RLX-CUM-NLCs therapy did not cause any toxicity in the animals in terms of food intake, body weight, or activity levels until 300 mg/kg BW. The current research shows that the RLX-CUM-NLCs has a chemopreventive impact on DMBA-induced breast cancer in rats by decreasing tumor burden and restoring marker enzymes activity.

Breast Cancer Risk Analysis using Machine Learning

When cells in and around breast are affected and damaged due to cancer, we call it Breast Cancer. It is commonlyfound among women and a very few men. Breast Cancer poses major health hazard and best way to handle itis to identify the symptoms as early as possible. Recently, Machine Learning techniques have been aggressivelyused by many researchers for different types of analysis and predictions in medical domain. In literature, BreastCancer classification and prediction through Machine Learning techniques, based on Breast Cancer WisconsinData Set, has come into picture many times. Typical attributes like radius, perimeter, tumour size (often fetchthrough X-Rays) apart from others, provides comprehensive inputs for the prediction process, often at a laterstage. However, till date, work on evaluation of the Risk of Breast Cancer is quite limited. We have worked onthe problem of risk prediction of breast cancer on the basis of self-assessed parameters, to find if the patient islikely to get the disease, at a very early stage. Risk evaluation / prediction tries to identify if a person is at riskof getting infected with disease. Risk analysis can not only save money but also enable the patient to undertakecourse correction in terms of food intake and medication, before it is too late. In this paper we present our analysisbased on well-defined parameters, discuss our results and then compare those results with one other similar work.

Viral Infection Drives the Regulation of Feeding Behavior Related Genes in Salmo salar.

The feeding behavior in fish is a complex activity that relies on the ability of the brain to integrate multiple signals to produce appropriate responses in terms of food intake, energy expenditure, and metabolic activity. Upon stress cues including viral infection or mediators such as the proinflammatory cytokines, prostaglandins, and cortisol, both Pomc and Npy/Agrp neurons from the hypothalamus are stimulated, thus triggering a response that controls both energy storage and expenditure. However, how appetite modulators or neuro-immune cues link pathogenesis and energy homeostasis in fish remains poorly understood. Here, we provide the first evidence of a molecular linkage between inflammation and food intake in Salmon salar. We show that in vivo viral challenge with infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) impacts food consumption by activating anorexic genes such as mc4r, crf, and pomcb and 5-HT in the brain of S. salar. At the molecular level, viral infection induces an overall reduction in lipid content in the liver, favoring the production of AA and EPA associated with the increment of elovl2 gene. In addition, infection upregulates leptin signaling and inhibits insulin signaling. These changes are accompanied by a robust inflammatory response represented by the increment of Il-1b, Il-6, Tnfa, and Pge2 as well as an increased cortisol level in vivo. Thus, we propose a model in which hypothalamic neurons respond to inflammatory cytokines and stress-related molecules and interact with appetite induction/inhibition. These findings provide evidence of crosstalk between pathogenesis-driven inflammation and hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenocortical axes in stress-induced food intake behavior in fish.

Safety of Dietary Camelina Oil Supplementation in Healthy, Adult Dogs.

Simple SummaryDietary sources of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids are essential in canine diets and provide many health benefits. Camelina (Camelina sativa) is a low-input, high-yield oilseed crop that produces highly unsaturated oil (~90%), has a desirable omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid ratio, and high concentrations of tocopherols. These attributes make camelina oil a potential alternative to other plant-based oil products for canine nutrition. In the current study, we evaluated the safety of dietary camelina oil supplementation in dogs over a 16-week period in dogs by assessing body weight, body condition score, food intake, and hematology and biochemistry analytes. Differences in the results were minimal compared to dogs fed canola and flaxseed oil, which are regarded as safe for use in canine diets. Therefore, camelina oil can be considered safe for use in the nutrition of adult dogs. This study aimed to determine whether camelina oil is safe for use in canine diets, using canola oil and flax oil as controls, as they are similar and generally regarded as safe (GRAS) for canine diets. A total of thirty privately-owned adult dogs of various breeds (17 females; 13 males), with an average age of 7.2 ± 3.1 years (mean ± SD) and a body weight (BW) of 27.4 ± 14.0 kg were used. After a 4-week wash-in period using sunflower oil and kibble, the dogs were blocked by breed, age, and size and were randomly allocated to one of three treatment oils (camelina (CAM), flax (FLX), or canola (OLA)) at a level of 8.2 g oil/100 g total dietary intake. Body condition score (BCS), BW, food intake (FI), and hematological and select biochemical parameters were measured at various timepoints over a 16-week feeding period. All of the data were analyzed with ANOVA using the PROC GLIMMIX of SAS. No biologically significant differences were seen between the treatment groups in terms of BW, BCS, FI, and hematological and biochemical results. Statistically significant differences noted among some serum biochemical results were considered small and were due to normal biological variation. These results support the conclusion that camelina oil is safe for use in canine nutrition.

The Effect of Dietary Supplements of Black Pepper Piper nigrum and Turmeric Curcuma longa Extracts on Dietary Amino Acid Utilization and Growth Performance in Common Carp

AbstractLong‐recognized physiological actions of black pepper Piper nigrum and turmeric Curcuma longa plants or their active ingredients (piperine [Pip] and curcumin [Curc], respectively) have been tested in nutritional and clinical experiments. Available data suggest that both dietary additives influence food acceptance, metabolism, and digestive physiology and increase the bioavailability of several drugs and nutrients. Therefore, the main goal of this study was to test how Common Carp Cyprinus carpio respond to diets supplemented with Pip, Curc, and black pepper extract (BP) in terms of food intake, growth, whole‐body composition, and muscle free amino acid (FAA) levels. We used the following dietary treatments: a reference diet based on casein and gelatin (CG), a diet in which a fraction of CG protein (20%) was replaced with an FAA mixture (Met0.4 [methionine 0.4%]), and three other diets identical to Met0.4 but supplemented with 0.02% Pip, Curc, or BP. We found that addition of spices and their active ingredients impacted fish growth (BP depressed growth by 30%); however, these dietary additives did not show any significant effect on food intake across the treatments. Dietary Pip increased total lipids in the whole body. The total indispensable FAA level was higher in the Curc group compared to the CG group only. The total dispensable FAA level in the BP group was higher than those in the CG and Met0.4 groups but was not different than those in the Pip and Curc groups. We conclude that further study is warranted with different levels of spices in fish diets. A summary of the current state of knowledge on the effect of Pip on nutrient flux and nutrient utilization, as well as possible regulatory mechanism(s) involved in the action of spices in fish, with a focus on Pip, is also provided.

Effects of stress on chewing and food intake in patients with anorexia nervosa.

The present study investigates the impact of psychosocial stress on chewing and eating behavior in patients with anorexia nervosa (PAN ). The eating and chewing behavior of PAN were examined in a standardized setting by means of a chewing sensor. These procedures encompassed n = 19 PAN , age, and gender matched to n = 19 healthy controls (HC). Food intake and chewing frequency were assessed in two experimental conditions: rest versus stress (via Trier Social Stress Test). To verify stress induction, two appraisal scales were employed. In addition, chronic stress, psychological distress and eating disorder symptoms were assessed. In terms of food intake and chewing frequency, the results of the 2x2 ANOVA demonstrated a significant effect of condition and group. During stress, all participants demonstrated a higher chewing frequency and a decreased ingestion. In general, patients ate less at a lower chewing frequency (vs. HC). However, sample specific analyses demonstrated that the eating and chewing behavior of PAN remained unchanged regardless of the condition, except for their drinking. Food choices were comparable between the groups, but appetite values significantly differed. The increase in chewing frequency in all participants during stress suggests that chewing might impact affect regulation, however, not specifically in PAN . Future research should clarify to what extent the normalization of chewing behavior could ameliorate ED-symptoms (incl. food intake) in PAN . The application of a chewing sensor could support this aim and future interventions.

Mucilage Extraction from Basil (Ocimum basilicum) and its Applications in the Diets of Cyprinus carpio Fingerlings

Mucilage extracted from the dried sweet basil Ocimum basilicum and used as a binder in the diets of Cyprinus carpio fingerlings as an alternative to some traditional binders. Three diets were tested, i.e. treatment T1 (control), treatment (T2) and treatment (T3), which contained 0, 1 and 2% from basil mucilage, respectively. Basil mucilage inclusion did not affect the chemical composition of the experimental diets. The results of the current experiment showed that treatment T2 was the best comparing to the remaining treatments in terms of food intake and diet acceptance by fishes. This is evident from physical and chemical tests in terms of buoyancy, stability, fragmentation, density and floating time. In summary, the study has concluded that the process of extracting this gel from basil is simple and cheap, in addition to being a natural polymer.

Circulating LEAP-2 is associated with puberty in girls.

Liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 (LEAP-2) was recently identified as an endogenous non-competitive allosteric antagonist of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a (GHSR1a). LEAP-2 blunts ghrelin-induced feeding and its plasma levels are modulated in response to nutritional status in humans. Despite the relevant role of ghrelin in childhood, puberty, and childhood obesity, the potential implication of LEAP-2 in these aspects remains totally unknown. We aimed to investigate the regulation of circulating plasma LEAP-2 in childhood and adolescent either lean or obese. Plasma levels of LEAP-2 were analyzed in a cross-sectional study with lean and obese children and adolescents (n = 150). Circulating LEAP-2 levels were significantly higher in girls than in boys independently of whether they were obese or lean. In addition, LEAP-2 was significantly increased (p < 0.001) in pubertal than in prepubertal girls, while no changes were found in boys between both developmental stages. Moreover, in girls LEAP-2 was positively correlated with insulin, IGF-1, HOMA-IR and triglycerides and negatively with ghrelin. In boys, LEAP-2 was positively correlated with leptin and negatively with vitamin D levels. This study reveals a sexual dimorphism in LEAP-2 levels in children and adolescents. These changes and the higher levels during puberty imply that LEAP-2 may contribute to some of the biological adaptations occurring during pubertal development in terms of food intake, energy balance, growth rate, and puberty onset. Future studies assessing LEAP-2 levels in longitudinal studies and its implications in growth rate, puberty onset, and reproductive hormones will help to understand the relevance of this hormone in this stage of life.

Self-declared attitudes and beliefs regarding protein sources are a good prediction of the degree of transition to a low-meat diet in France

Meat consumption in Western countries is declining and, while the proportion of strict vegetarians remains low, intermediate diets such as flexitarianism have been developing in recent years. Our objectives were to identify the different levels of transition towards low-meat diets, characterize how these diets differ in terms of food intake, and identify whether attitudes and beliefs can explain these degrees of transition. In a representative survey of the French adult population conducted in 2018 (n = 2055), participants declared whether they followed a particular diet and completed a food frequency questionnaire on 29 food sources of protein and a questionnaire on their attitudes and beliefs regarding protein sources. We identified four dietary types based on these declarative data: vegetarians, flexitarians, pro-flexitarians and omnivores. The theory of planned behavior was used to predict meat intake and intentions to reduce meat intake. The sample contained 2.5% vegetarians, 6.3% flexitarians, 18.2% pro-flexitarians and 72.9% omnivores. The diet groups displayed specific dietary profiles and attitudinal scores. Compared with omnivores, pro-flexitarians consumed less red meat, more vegetables and legumes and were much more in agreement about the environmental impacts of meat. Compared with pro-flexitarians, flexitarians consumed less red meat and processed meat, and agreed much more about the health impacts of meat. Finally, versus flexitarians, vegetarians consumed almost no meat but far more legumes, nuts and seeds, and were much more sensitive to animal welfare issues. Attitudes, social norms and perceived behavioral control (PBC) predicted intentions to reduce meat consumption but attitude was the most important predictor. Intentions and PBC were both predictive of meat consumption. The dietary type related to the level of meat intake could be predicted by self-declared attitudes and beliefs regarding protein sources.

Age-Related 12-Year Changes in Dietary Diversity and Food Intakes among Community-Dwelling Japanese Aged 40 to 79 Years.

This study describes trends in dietary diversity and food intake over 12 years according to age at first participation in the study. Prospective cohort study. The National Institute for Longevity Sciences - Longitudinal Study of Aging, a community-based study. Participants included 922 men and 879 women who participated in the first study-wave (age, 40-79 years) and also participated in at least one study-wave from the second to seventh study-wave. Study-waves were conducted biennially. Dietary intake was calculated from 3-day dietary records with photographs. Dietary diversity was determined using the Quantitative Index for Dietary Diversity based on food intake. A mixed-effects model was used to estimate linear changes in dietary diversity and food intake over 12 years according to age at first study-wave. Mean (standard deviation (SD)) follow-up time and number of study-wave visits were 9.5 (3.7) years and 5.4 (1.8), respectively. Mean (SD, range) dietary diversity score was 0.86 (0.06, 0.52-0.96) in men and 0.88 (0.04, 0.66-0.96) in women, respectively. Fixed effects for interactions of age and time with dietary diversity score were statistically significant (p<0.05). The slope of dietary diversity among men aged 40 to 55 years increased (40-year-old slope = 0.00093/year, p<0.01; 55-year-old slope = 0.00035/year, p=0.04), with a decreasing trend started at 65 years old, although this trend was not significant (65-year-old slope = -0.00003/year, p=0.88; 79-year-old slope = -0.00057/year, p=0.21). The slope of dietary diversity among women aged 40 to 44 years increased (40-year-old slope = 0.00053/year, p=0.02; 44-year-old slope = 0.00038/year, p=0.04), whereas the slope of dietary diversity among women aged 63 to 79 years decreased (63-year-old slope = -0.00033/year, p=0.03; 79-year-old slope = -0.00092/year, p<0.001). Fruit, milk and dairy intake decreased in men around their 60s; milk and dairy intake decreased in women around their 50s; and beans and fruit intake decreased in women from their 70s. Twelve-year longitudinal data showed dietary diversity declined in women in their 60s. In terms of food intake, fruit, milk and dairy intake decreased in both sexes in their 50s and 60s; such declines would lower dietary diversity.

Modeling scan and interscan durations in antipredator vigilance

Many prey species alternate between bouts of foraging and bouts of antipredator vigilance. Models of vigilance typically predict how much total time prey animals should allocate to vigilance but do not specify how that time should be scheduled throughout foraging. Here, we examine how the scheduling of vigilance pays off in terms of food intake and predator detection. Specifically, we study how changes in ecological factors affect the expected duration of scans to look out for predators and the duration of interscan intervals dedicated to foraging. Our framework includes factors like the risk of attack, how difficult it is to locate food and predators, and the distance to protective cover. Our individual-based model makes several predictions about scan and interscan durations, which are discussed in relation to the available empirical evidence in birds and mammals. This model of antipredator vigilance is a first step in incorporating constraints related to food gathering and the detection of predators. Adding such constraints adds a novel dimension to vigilance models and produces a variety of predictions that await empirical scrutiny.

XiangshaLiujunzi decoction alleviates the symptoms of functional dyspepsia by regulating brain-gut axis and production of neuropeptides.

BackgroundChinese medicine xiangshaliujunzi decoction (XSLJZD) plays a key role in treating functional dyspepsia (FD), a common clinical gastrointestinal disorder. However, the mechanism of this disease is unclear. Brain–gut axis regulates food intake behaviour, and this regulatory mechanism is mediated by neuropeptides. Brain–gut axis impairment and neuropeptide alteration may be the pathological mechanisms of FD, and brain–gut axis regulation may influence the action of medicine.MethodsIn our experiment, the effect of XSLJZD on FD was evaluated in terms of food intake, sucrose preference test and electromyogram. Changes in neuropeptides [ghrelin, cholecystokinin (CCK) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)] were detected through immunohistochemistry, real-time PCR and ELISA.ResultsXSLJZD increased food intake and the percentage of sucrose preference (>75 %). However, the response to gastric detention decreased. Furthermore, XSLJZD increased ghrelin, CCK, VIP proteins and genes in the stomach. XSLJZD also increased ghrelin, CCK and VIP proteins in serum. By contrast, XSLJZD decreased the mRNA expression of these neuropeptides in the hypothalamus.ConclusionsXSLJZD alleviated the symptoms of FD by upregulating the production of ghrelin, CCK and VIP and by increasing the levels of these neuropeptides in circulation. This finding can help elucidate the mechanism of FD and can provide further insight into the pharmacokinetics of XSLJZD.

The Appropriate Supplementary Level of Tryptophan in the Diet ofApis mellifera(Hymenoptera: Apidae) Worker Bees

This study was designed to determine the appropriate levels of tryptophan (trp) in the diet of Apis mellifera worker bees. Newly emerged worker bees were enclosed in wooden cages in an incubator at 32°C with 55–60% humidity and fed a diet including 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 mg/g trp for 12 days. When the trp level was 11 mg/g, worker bees demonstrated better performance in terms of food intake, body weight, and total protein accumulation. However, 12 mg/g dietary trp promoted trp deposition in the worker bees, stimulated hypopharyngeal gland development, enhanced the survival rate and expedited the formation of 5-HT (5-hydroxytryptamine). The worker bees fed with 13 and 14 mg/g trp had higher malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, which suggested that a higher level of trp may be disadvantageous in maintaining worker-bee antioxidant ability, because MDA was the end product of lipid peroxidation. We also found that dietary trp regulated the mRNA expression of 5-HTRs and tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) in a dose-dependent manner, which was related to phototaxis, aggression, and other factors. In conclusion, dietary trp exerts regulatory roles in the growth, development and some physiological and biochemical properties of worker bees. Therefore, 11–12 mg/g tryptophan is optimal for A. mellifera adult worker bees.

The aggregation of tuna around floating objects: What could be the underlying social mechanisms?

Several empirical and theoretical studies have shown how the exploitation of food sources, the choice of resting sites or other types of collective decision-making in heterogeneous environments are facilitated and modulated by social interactions between conspecifics. It is well known that many pelagic fishes live in schools and that this form of gregarious behavior provides advantages in terms of food intake and predator avoidance efficiency. However, the influence of social behavior in the formation of aggregations by tuna under floating objects (FOBs) is poorly understood. In this work, we investigated the collective patterns generated by different theoretical models, which either include or exclude social interactions between conspecifics, in the presence of two aggregation sites. The resulting temporal dynamics and distributions of populations were compared to in situ observations of tuna behavior. Our work suggests that social interactions should be incorporated in aggregative behavior to reproduce the temporal patterns observed in the field at both the individual and the group level, challenging the common vision of tuna aggregations around FOBs. Our study argues for additional data to further demonstrate the role of social behavior in the dynamics of these fish aggregations. Understanding the interplay between environmental and social factors in the associative behavior of fish with FOBs is necessary to assess the consequences of the widespread deployment of artificial FOBs by fishermen.

Effect of Hiptage Madablota Gaertn : On High Fat Diet - Induced Obese Rats

The present study is designed to evaluate theanti-obesity activity of the roots of Hiptage madablota Gaertn against high fat diet-induced obese rats. In the ethanolic extract of Hiptage madablota (EEHM) total saponin content is also estimated by gravimetric method. Obesity is induced in albino rats by the administration of high fat diet for 40 days. Therefore, this study is accentuated to explore the efficacy of the ethanol extract of Hiptage madablota root at the dose of 100, 200 and 400mg/kg by oral. The anti-obesity activity is estimated in terms of food intake, body weight, lee index, serum lipids, atherogenic index, coronary risk index and brain serotonin level in rats. Preliminary phytoconstituents analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, phenolic compounds and tannins. Animal received oral EEHM (100, 200 &400mg/kg) for 40 days, exhibited a significant reduction of food intake, body weight, lee index, serum lipids, atherogenic index, coronary risk index and inversely increased the level of brain serotonin in rats. Thus, the present study indicates that Hiptage madablota root extract possessed significant anti-obese efficacy due to its hypophagic and hypolipidemic effects and provoke the brain serotonin level in rats fed on high fat diet.

Depressive Symptoms and Food Intake among Weight-Preoccupied Women: Do Eating Behaviors and Attitudes or BMI Mediate This Association?

Associations between depressive symptoms, dysfunctional eating behaviors and attitudes, higher food intake and body mass index (BMI) have been previously observed. However, few studies have assessed these variables in the same study. The first objective is to compare, in a natural setting environment, the profile of women reporting lower or higher levels of depressive symptoms in terms of food intake, eating behaviors and attitudes, and BMI. The second objective is to test mediational models for which the link between depressive symptoms and food intake would be mediated by eating behaviors and attitudes or BMI. Weight-preoccupied women were recruited (n = 323), and their level of depressive symptoms was assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory. The median score was used to create two groups (lower ≤ 13; higher > 13). A web-based food-frequency questionnaire, the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire, and the Intuitive Eating Scale were completed. BMI was calculated from reported body weight and height. Compared to women with a lower level of depressive symptoms, those with a higher level of depressive symptoms reported a higher energy intake (p = 0.02), and a higher consumption of savoury foods (p = 0.02). These women also had higher scores of disinhibition (p p = 0.0002), ate less intuitively (p p = 0.005). Association between depressive symptoms and energy intake was mediated by disinhibition, susceptibility to hunger and eating for physical rather than emotional reasons, while the role of BMI was less clear. Regarding another component of food intake, association between depressive symptoms and consumption of savoury foods was mediated by disinhibition and eating for physical rather than emotional reasons. In summary, it seems essential to be aware of the presence of depressive symptoms and to pay attention to eating behaviors and attitudes in interventions among weight-preoccupied women.

The influence of the hot water extract from shiitake medicinal mushroom, Lentinus edodes (higher Basidiomycetes) on the food intake, life span, and age-related locomotor activity of Drosophila melanogaster.

Shiitake medicinal mushroom, Lentinus edodes, is among the most widely cultivated edible mushrooms in the world and is a well-studied source of nutrients and biologically active compounds. We have studied the influence of the dietary supplement of the polysaccharides containing a hot water extract of the mushroom L. edodes on the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster in terms of food intake, body weight, life span, and age-related locomotor activity. L. edodes extract, when added to the D. melanogaster feeding substrate at a 0.003-0.030% concentration (calculated for the dry weight of the polysaccharide fraction) did not influence food intake or body weight of the flies. It increased the life span and locomotor activities of male flies but was associated with early mortality and decreased locomotor activity of female flies. We conclude that the observed anti-aging effects of L. edodes extracts in the male D. melanogaster are not the result of dietary restriction. We propose that D. melanogaster is a suitable model organism for researching the molecular basis of the anti-aging effect of the shiitake mushroom extracts and sex linkage of these effects.

The Gastric CB1 Receptor Modulates Ghrelin Production through the mTOR Pathway to Regulate Food Intake

Over the years, the knowledge regarding the relevance of the cannabinoid system to the regulation of metabolism has grown steadily. A central interaction between the cannabinoid system and ghrelin has been suggested to regulate food intake. Although the stomach is the main source of ghrelin and CB1 receptor expression in the stomach has been described, little information is available regarding the possible interaction between the gastric cannabinoid and ghrelin systems in the integrated control of energy homeostasis. The main objective of the present work was to assess the functional interaction between these two systems in terms of food intake using a combination of in vivo and in vitro approaches. The present work demonstrates that the peripheral blockade of the CB1 receptor by rimonabant treatment decreased food intake but only in food-deprived animals. This anorexigenic effect is likely a consequence of decreases in gastric ghrelin secretion induced by the activation of the mTOR/S6K1 intracellular pathway in the stomach following treatment with rimonabant. In support of this supposition, animals in which the mTOR/S6K1 intracellular pathway was blocked by chronic rapamycin treatment, rimonabant had no effect on ghrelin secretion. Vagal communication may also be involved because rimonabant treatment was no longer effective when administered to animals that had undergone surgical vagotomy. In conclusion, to the best of our knowledge, the present work is the first to describe a CB1 receptor-mediated mechanism that influences gastric ghrelin secretion and food intake through the mTOR pathway.

The Role of Lifestyle Change in the Prevention and Treatment of NAFLD

Healthy habits in terms of food intake and physical activity are first-line approach to prevention and treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, but difficulties arise in turning attempts into practice. Independently of the specific role of individual nutrients, not universally proven, overweight, obesity and diabetes are the specific conditions most frequently associated with hepatic fat accumulation. Accordingly, weight loss is mandatory in the majority of patients; this can be achieved by dietary restriction, but is rarely maintained in the long-term. Physical activity programs, both aerobic and resistance exercise may improve cardiorespiratory fitness, reduce the multiple conditions associated with the metabolic syndrome and help weight loss maintenance. However, motivating sedentary individuals to move is difficult and is favored by structured programs carried out along the lines of cognitive-behavior therapy. The role of behavior therapy is now supported by pilot studies, observational studies and finally by a randomized controlled study with histological outcomes. In the future, behavior interventions might be supported by important technological advances, such as smart phone technology and webbased platforms to facilitate interactive engagement amongst patients and with their health care providers. Lifestyle programs must also incorporate methods of overcoming barriers to accessing health service, engaging with workplace health programs and linking with community attempts to improve public health.