European Journal of Nutrition最新文献

Purpose: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a serious health problem with increasing morbidity and prevalence worldwide. The pathogenesis of UC is complex, currently believed to be influenced by genetic factors, dysregulation of the host immune system, imbalance in the intestinal microbiota, and environmental factors. Currently, UC is typically managed using aminosalicylates, immunosuppressants, and biologics as adjunctive therapies, with the risk of relapse and development of drug resistance upon discontinuation. Therefore, further research into the pathogenesis of UC and exploration of potential treatment strategies are necessary to improve the quality of life for affected patients. According to previous studies, Lactobacillus paracasei Jlus66 (Jlus66) reduced inflammation and may help prevent or treat UC.

Methods: We used dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) to induce a mouse model of UC to assess the effect of Jlus66 on the progression of colitis. During the experiment, we monitored mouse body weight, food and water consumption, as well as rectal bleeding. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed to assess intestinal pathological damage. Protein imprinting and immunohistochemical methods were used to evaluate the protein levels of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and tight junction (TJ) proteins in intestinal tissues. Fecal microbiota was analyzed based on partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing.

Results: Jlus66 supplementation reduced the degree of colon tissue damage, such as colon shortening, fecal occult blood, colon epithelial damage, and weight loss. Supplementation with Jlus66 reduced DSS-induced upregulation of cytokine levels such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 (p < 0.05). The NF-κB pathway and MAPK pathway were inhibited, and the expression of TJ proteins (ZO-1, Occludin, and Claudin-3) was upregulated. 16S rRNA sequencing of mouse cecal contents showed that Jlus66 effectively regulated the structure of the intestinal biota.

Conclusion: In conclusion, these data indicate that Jlus66 can alter the intestinal biota and slow the progression of UC, providing new insights into potential therapeutic strategies for UC.

Purpose: Population-based studies on the associations of plant-based foods, red meat or dairy with gut microbiome are scarce. We examined whether the consumption of plant-based foods (vegetables, potatoes, fruits, cereals), red and processed meat (RPM) or dairy (fermented milk, cheese, other dairy products) are related to gut microbiome in Finnish adults.

Methods: We utilized data from the National FINRISK/FINDIET 2002 Study (n = 1273, aged 25-64 years, 55% women). Diet was assessed with 48-hour dietary recalls. Gut microbiome was analyzed using shallow shotgun sequencing. We applied multivariate analyses with linear models and permutational ANOVAs adjusted for relevant confounders.

Results: Fruit consumption was positively (beta = 0.03, SE = 0.01, P = 0.04), while a dairy subgroup including milk, cream and ice-creams was inversely associated (beta=-0.03, SE 0.01, P = 0.02) with intra-individual gut microbiome diversity (alpha-diversity). Plant-based foods (R² = 0.001, P = 0.03) and dairy (R² = 0.002, P = 0.01) but not RPM (R² = 0.001, P = 0.38) contributed to the compositional differences in gut microbiome (beta-diversity). Plant-based foods were associated with several butyrate producers/cellulolytic species including Roseburia hominis. RPM associations included an inverse association with R. hominis. Dairy was positively associated with several lactic producing/probiotic species including Lactobacillus delbrueckii and potentially opportunistic pathogens including Citrobacter freundii. Dairy, fermented milk, vegetables, and cereals were associated with specific microbial functions.

Conclusion: Our results suggest a potential association between plant-based foods and dairy or their subgroups with microbial diversity measures. Furthermore, our findings indicated that all the food groups were associated with distinct overall microbial community compositions. Plant-based food consumption particularly was associated with a larger number of putative beneficial species.

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the effect of the probiotic Saccharomyces boulardii (S. boulardii) in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA).

Methods: In this study, 70 patients with KOA were recruited via outpatient clinics between 2020 and 2021 and randomly assigned to receive probiotics or placebo supplements for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was a change in pain intensity according to the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain score.

Results: Sixty-three patients completed the trial. A linear mixed analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) model analysis showed that probiotic was better than placebo in decreasing the pain intensity measured by visual analogue scale (VAS) [-2.11 (-2.59, -1.62) in probiotic group and -0.90 (-1.32, -0.48) in placebo group, p = 0.002] and WOMAC pain score [-3.57 (-4.66, -2.49) in probiotic group and -1.43 (-2.33, -0.53) in placebo group, p < 0.001]. The daily intake of acetaminophen for pain management significantly decreased in the probiotic group [-267.18 (-400.47, -133.89) mg, p < 0.001] that was significantly better than placebo (p = 0.006). Probiotic significantly decreased the serum levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) inflammatory index [-2.72 (-3.24, -2.20) µg/ml] and malondialdehyde (MDA) oxidative stress index [-1.61 (-2.11, -1.11) nmol/ml] compared to the placebo (p = 0.002 and p < 0.001, respectively). Probiotic was better than placebo in increasing the scores of role disorder due to physical health (p = 0.023), pain (p = 0.048) and physical health (p = 0.031).

Conclusion: Probiotic S. boulardii supplementation in patients with KOA significantly improved pain intensity, some dimensions of QoL, and inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers with no severe side effects.

Trial registry: Registered on the Iranian clinical trial website ( http://www.irct.ir : IRCT20161022030424N4) on 2019-09-02.

Purpose: To determine the contribution of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) to overall macronutrient intake and their association with anthropometric measurements, and to explore the perceptions regarding UPF consumption among young adults in Puducherry, India.

Methods: This study included 630 participants from three colleges selected using multistage cluster sampling. Following the demonstration of portion estimation, dietary data from previous day were collected using a Google Form-based tool. The participant's anthropometric measures were taken. Food items were classified into NOVA groups and intake analysis was performed using DietSoft software. The participants with low and high consumption were identified and focus group discussions were conducted in each group using criterion sampling.

Results: Of all the participants, 178 (28.3%) were overweight or obese. UPF contributed 9.3% of total energy intake and 2.8% protein, 9.9% fat, and 9.9% carbohydrates. The most consumed UPFs were biscuits, wafers (25%), and potato chips(16.2%). No significant association was found between anthropometric measures and UPF consumption. Qualitative findings revealed four major themes, further explained using the socio-ecological framework.

Conclusion: UPF consumption in the region was lower than that reported in other global and Indian studies. While our study did not find a significant association between UPF consumption and anthropometric measures, there is a concerning shift from traditional diets to increased UPF reliance, driven by convenience and commercial factors. Addressing this is crucial for healthier choices and combating non-communicable diseases during this pivotal life stage.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) enriched diets, including a novel renewable plant source of ω-3 fatty acids (Buglossoides arvensis), on the development and progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: RA was induced in mice consuming experimental diets using the K/BxN model. The experimental diets consisted of either a western control diet (control), diets containing B. arvensis oil or fish oil. The effects of the diets on platelets, platelet microvesicles (PMVs), and inflammatory markers such as clinical index, ankle thickness and cytokine/chemokine release were measured.

Results: While ω-3 PUFA-enriched diets did not prevent the development of arthritis in the K/BxN model, a significant decrease in ankle swelling was observed compared to the control group. Platelets isolated from mice consuming either low content of B. arvensis oil or fish oil diets exhibited significantly decreased PMVs production compared to mice consuming the control diet.

Conclusion: Our study provides insight into the contribution of ω-3 PUFA supplementation in modulating the pro-inflammatory phenotype of platelets in RA pathology. Furthermore, our study suggests that low concentrations of dietary B. arvensis oil may have similar anti-inflammatory potential seen with dietary fish oil supplementation.

Purpose: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is frequently accompanied by the symptoms of clinical anxiety. Since our previous research has found that n-3 PUFA supplementation alleviates anxiety in MDD, this study was aimed to further explore whether n-3 PUFA supplementation improves anxiety symptoms in depression by directly manipulating fatty acid levels.

Methods: A secondary analysis of biomarker data (erythrocyte fatty acid composition) collected as part of the randomized clinical trial which investigated the adjunctive effect of n-3 PUFAs was conducted on 72 venlafaxine-treated outpatients with first-diagnosed, drug-naïve depression. All participants with longitudinal biomarker data were included in the association analysis to determine how n-3 PUFA supplementation influences fatty acid composition and alleviates anxiety symptoms in depression.

Results: Decreases of the C20:3n6 were found in all participants at both follow-up time points (χ² = 96.36, p = 0.000). The n-3 index (χ² = 10.59, p = 0.001), EPA (χ² = 24.31, p = 0.000), and C22:5n3/C20:5n3 ratio (χ² = 10.71, p = 0.001) were increased, while C22:4n6 (χ² = 7.703, p = 0.006) was decreased in n-3 PUFA group compared to the placebo group. The improvement in anxiety symptoms positively correlates with the extent of reduction of C16:0, C18:0, and total fatty acid levels as well as D5 desaturase activity (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: These data suggest that the anxiolytic effect exerted by n-3 PUFAs in first-diagnosed, drug-naïve depression is manipulated by erythrocyte fatty acid levels. Saturated fatty acid levels have an important role in predicting the severity of anxiety symptoms.

Purpose: Vitamin C deficiency is associated with excess mortality in kidney transplant recipients (KTR). We aim to evaluate plasma vitamin C status at different post-transplantation moments and assess the main characteristics associated with vitamin C deficiency in KTR.

Methods: Plasma vitamin C was assessed in 598 KTR at 3-, 6-, 12-, 24-, and 60-months post-transplantation, 374 late KTR with a functioning graft ≥ 1 year, and 395 potential donors. Vitamin C deficiency was defined as plasma vitamin C ≤ 28 µmol/L. Diet was assessed by a 177-item food frequency questionnaire. Data on vitamin C-containing supplements use were extracted from patient records and verified with the patients.

Results: Vitamin C deficiency ranged from 46% (6-months post-transplantation) to 30% (≥ 1 year post-transplantation). At all time points, KTR had lower plasma vitamin C than potential donors (30-41 µmol/L vs 58 µmol/L). In cross-sectional analyses of the 953 KTR at their first visit ≥ 12 months after transplantation (55 ± 14 years, 62% male, eGFR 55 ± 19 mL/min/1.73 m²), the characteristics with the strongest association with vitamin C deficiency were diabetes and smoking (OR 2.67 [95% CI 1.84-3.87] and OR 1.84 [95% CI 1.16-2.91], respectively). Dietary vitamin C intake and vitamin C supplementation were associated with lower odds (OR per 100 mg/day 0.38, 95% CI 0.24-0.61 and OR 0.21, 95% CI 0.09-0.44, respectively).

Conclusion: Vitamin C deficiency is frequent among KTR regardless of the time after transplantation, especially among those with diabetes and active smokers. The prevalence of vitamin C deficiency was lower among KTR with higher vitamin C intake, both dietary and supplemented. Further research is warranted to assess whether correcting this modifiable risk factor could improve survival in KTR.

Purpose: Metabolic health phenotypes exist across the body mass index spectrum. Diet may be an important modifiable risk factor, yet limited research exists on dietary patterns in this context. We investigated associations between dietary patterns, reflecting dietary quality, healthfulness and inflammatory potential, and metabolic health phenotypes in adults living with and without obesity.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 2,040 middle- to older-aged men and women randomly selected from a large primary care centre. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension score, Healthy Eating Index, Dietary Inflammatory Index, overall, healthful and unhealthful plant-based dietary indices and Nutri-Score were derived from validated food frequency questionnaires. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were used to examine diet score relationships with metabolic health phenotypes (Metabolically Healthy/Unhealthy Obese (MHO/MUO) and Non-Obese (MHNO/MUNO)), defined using three separate metabolic health definitions, each capturing different aspects of metabolic health.

Results: In fully adjusted models, higher unhealthful plant-based dietary scores were associated with a lower likelihood of MHO (OR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.93-1.00, p = 0.038) and MHNO (OR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.95-0.99, p = 0.006). Higher Nutri-Score values were associated with an increased likelihood of MHNO (OR = 1.06, 95% CI: 1.01-1.13, p = 0.033).

Conclusion: These findings provide evidence that more unhealthful plant-based diets may be linked with unfavourable metabolic health status, irrespective of BMI.

Purpose: Dietary nitrate intake is inversely related to numerous contributors towards frailty, including cardiovascular disease and poor physical function. Whether these findings extend to frailty remain unknown. We investigated if habitual nitrate intake, derived from plants or animal-based foods, was cross-sectionally associated with frailty in women.

Methods: Community-dwelling older Australian women (n = 1390, mean age 75.1 ± 2.7 years) completed a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Nitrate concentrations in food were obtained from international nitrate databases. We adopted the Rockwood frailty index (FI) of cumulative deficits comprising 33 variables across multiple health domains (scored 0 to 1), which predicts increased hospitalisation and mortality risk. A FI ≥ 0.25 indicated frailty. Cross-sectional associations between nitrate intake (total plant and animal nitrate, separately) and frailty were analysed using multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models (including lifestyle factors), as part of restricted cubic splines.

Results: A non-linear inverse relationship was observed between total plant nitrate intake and frailty. Compared to women with the lowest plant nitrate intake (Quartile [Q]1), women with greater intakes in Q2 (OR 0.69 95%CI 0.56-0.84), Q3 (OR 0.67 95%CI 0.50-0.90) and Q4 (OR 0.66 95%CI 0.45-0.98) had lower odds for frailty. A nadir in the inverse association was observed once intakes reached ~ 64 mg/d (median Q2). No relationship was observed between total animal nitrate and frailty.

Conclusion: Community-dwelling older women consuming low amounts of plant-derived nitrate were more likely to present with frailty. Consuming at least one daily serving (~ 75 g) of nitrate-rich green leafy vegetables may be beneficial in preventing frailty.

Objective: To estimate, in a cohort of young Portuguese adults, the environmental impact (greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, land use, energy used, acidification and potential eutrophication) of diet according to adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MD).

Methods: Data from 1554 participants of the Epidemiologic Health Investigation of Teenagers in Porto (EPITeen) were analysed. Food intake and MD adherence were determined using validated questionnaires. The environmental impact was evaluated with the EAT-Lancet Commission tables, and the link between MD adherence and environmental impact was calculated using adjusted multivariate linear regression models.

Results: Higher adherence (high vs. low) to the MD was associated with lower environmental impact in terms of land use (7.8 vs. 8.5 m², p = 0.002), potential acidification (57.8 vs. 62.4 g SO2-eq, p = 0.001) and eutrophication (21.7 vs. 23.5 g PO4-eq, p < 0.001). Energy use decreased only in the calorie-adjusted model (9689.5 vs. 10,265.9 kJ, p < 0.001), and GHG emissions were reduced only in a complementary model where fish consumption was eliminated (3035.3 vs. 3281.2 g CO2-eq, p < 0.001). Meat products had the greatest environmental impact for all five environmental factors analysed: 35.7% in GHG emissions, 60.9% in energy use, 72.8% in land use, 70% in acidification and 61.8% in eutrophication.

Conclusions: Higher adherence to the MD is associated with lower environmental impact, particularly in terms of acidification, eutrophication, and land use. Reducing meat consumption can contribute to greater environmental sustainability.