Food & Nutrition Research最新文献

Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a common microvascular complication of diabetes. Liuwei Dihuang Pills (LW) has significant clinical efficacy in the treatment of DN, but its pharmacological mechanism and material basis remain poorly understood.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the substance basis and mechanism of action of LW in treating DN.

Design: The potential mechanism of LW was investigated through UPLC/LTQ-Orbitrap-MS and network pharmacology. The activity of LW and its constituent herbs was evaluated in human renal glomerular endothelial cells (HRGEC) and HK2 cells. Key pathways and targets were identified by transcriptomics and validated by qRT-PCR. Molecular docking was employed to screen for active ingredients of LW.

Results: The results showed that LW, Cornus Officinalis (CO), Moutan Cortex (MC), Rhizoma Dioscoreae (RD), and Alismatis Rhizoma (AR) mitigated oxidative damage in HRGEC cells. LW primarily targeted VEGFA and EGR1, thereby modulating the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications. LW also reduced fibrosis in HK2 cells by up-regulating BMP4 and modulating the TGF-beta signaling pathway. Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata (RRP), CO, MC, RD, and Poria Cocos (PC) were identified as key contributors to improving renal fibrosis. Additionally, 43 potential active ingredients were identified in LW, 13 of which exhibited favorable ADMET properties. Six key ingredients, including taxifolin, cianidanol, gallic acid, caffeic acid, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, and paeonol were found to be primarily responsible for the effects of LW on microvascular endothelial injury and renal fibrosis.

Conclusion: In summary, these findings reveal the material basis and mechanism of LW against DN, providing a foundation for its clinical application.

Background: The Norwegian Directorate of Health has issued school meal guidelines to advocate for the availability of healthy food options. However, awareness and adherence among school officials and canteen staff are low. Moreover, the broadly formulated guidelines complicate evaluation and selection of appropriate foods. Nutri-Score might be a potential tool for guiding and evaluating food procurements.

Objective: We aimed to 1) examine agreement between the Nutri-Score and the school meal guidelines, 2) investigate the potential of using Nutri-Score to guide food procurements through proposing food-group-specific ranges, and 3) propose realistic goals for food purchases in value (money spent) for recommended and non-recommended foods based on Nutri-Score distribution in a sample of schools.

Design: A list of all foods procured in all high school canteens in Viken County, Norway, from January 2021 to June 2023 was obtained. The Nutri-Score 2023 version was calculated on all products. Based on the school meal guidelines, foods had been classified into three categories by nutrition experts: foods recommended to be offered, foods recommended to be offered in limited amounts, and foods recommended not to be offered. Agreement and disagreement were assessed using boxplots and cross tables. Linear regression presented as scatter plots was used to investigate relevant goals for food purchases.

Results: There was overall good agreement between the Nutri-Score and the Norwegian school meal guidelines. We propose that foods with Nutri-Score A and B can be recommended, but for some food groups, such as bread toppings, Nutri-Score C and D can also be recommended. A goal for food procurements could be minimum 65% of total value spent on products with Nutri-Score A or B and maximum 15% on products with Nutri-Score E (C-E for beverages).

Conclusion: Nutri-Score could be an effective, complementary tool for guiding and evaluating food purchases in alignment with school meal guidelines.

Background: Allium hookeri (AH), a traditional herb in Southeast Asia, has been documented for its significant health benefits in metabolic diseases. This study was to explore the effects of AH root extract (AHRE) on pancreatic β-cell regeneration in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.

Methods: AHRE (100 mg/kg body weight) was administered daily to STZ-induced diabetic rats for 2 weeks. Serum glucose and insulin levels, total-cholesterol, hemoglobin A1c, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and pancreatic peroxynitrite and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were measured. Protein expression associated with pancreatic β-cell apoptosis and regeneration was analyzed through Western blotting.

Results: Diabetic rats exhibited hyperglycemia, insulin deficiency, increased levels of oxidative stress markers, and pancreatic β-cell apoptosis and impairment. AHRE treatment reduced hyperglycemia, insulin insufficiency, and oxidative stress, implying a reduction in pancreatic β-cell apoptosis and restoration of pancreatic β-cell regeneration-associated protein expression.

Conclusions: AHRE can facilitate β-cell regeneration in the impaired pancreatic islets through STZ by reducing oxidative stress markers and apoptosis in pancreatic tissue. Owing to pancreatic β-cells are susceptible to oxidative stress, the protective and enhancing effects of AHRE on the apoptosis and regeneration of these cells may be a significant mechanism for its hypoglycemic effect.

Background: Kimchi exhibits various beneficial effects on human health, which are ascribed to its ingredients, bioactive compounds, lactic acid bacteria, and metabolites.

Objective: To explore the antioxidant and lipid-lowering effects of individual ingredients of freeze-dried kimchi in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Design: The lipid-lowering effects of six kimchi ingredients were investigated using 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Their antioxidant activities, cytotoxicity, and the effect on triglyceride (TG) content, lipid accumulation, and obesity-associated biomarker expressions were examined.

Results: Freeze-dried ginger exhibited the highest antioxidant activity, followed by kimchi cabbage and onion. Freeze-dried garlic and green onion showed cytotoxicity, and the TG content in freeze-dried ginger-treated cells was similar to that of the control. Freeze-dried kimchi cabbage- and onion-treated cells exhibited increased antioxidant activities, low cell toxicity, and remarkable effects on the TG content. Selected freeze-dried kimchi cabbage and onion significantly inhibited lipid accumulation and decreased the expression of obesity-associated messenger RNA (mRNA) and proteins, with freeze-dried kimchi cabbage being more efficient (P < 0.05).

Discussion: The six kimchi ingredients showed differences in anti-obesity effects, and these effects may be related to antioxidant properties.

Conclusion: Freeze-dried kimchi cabbage exhibited the most pronounced antioxidant and lipid-lowering effects among the six kimchi ingredients tested, highlighting the potential applications of kimchi in obesity-associated metabolic pathway research.

Graphical abstract:

Hypercholesterolemia (HCE) is one of the major causal factors of the development of cardiovascular disease. Cheonggukjang (CGJ), a representative Korean fermented soybean paste, has multiple health benefits, including cholesterol-lowering effects; however, the effects of CGJ on detailed mechanisms in cholesterol and bile acid metabolism, and the correlation between gut microbiota alterations and cholesterol and bile acid metabolism remain unclear. In this study, mice were randomly divided into the normal diet (ND, 10% fat of total kcal), high-cholesterol and fat diet (HCFD, 1% cholesterol + 45% fat of total kcal), and HCFD with 30% of two different CGJ (CGJ#1 and CGJ#2). There were no significant differences in α-diversity indices between the two CGJs. However, CGJ#1 was dominated by Bacillales, while CGJ#2 was dominated by Bactobacillales. Compared to HCFD, CGJ significantly reduces body weight gain, lipid accumulation in the liver and adipose tissues, and serum lipid indicators by downregulating mRNA levels involved in lipogenesis. Furthermore, CGJ strongly changes mRNA levels associated with cholesterol and bile acid metabolism in the liver and ileum and increases bile acid excretion compared with HCFD. In addition, CGJ markedly recovers HCE-derived gut microbiota dysbiosis by altering the α-diversity index and decreasing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Most significantly, this recovery of HCE-derived gut microbiota composition is significantly associated with the changes of HCE-associated markers. These observations strongly suggest that CGJ, regardless of its different microbial composition, improves HCE by changing cholesterol and bile acid metabolism via reorganization of gut microbiota imbalance.

Objectives: Prostate cancer is the most common carcinoma among men worldwide. To elaborate the effect of dietary quality on prostate-specific antigen (PSA), we investigated the association between Health Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015) and PSA concentration from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Methods: This cross-sectional analysis of men aged 40 years and older was enrolled from the year 2001-2004. Weighted multivariable logistic and linear regression models were employed to evaluate the association between the HEI-2015 and PSA level.

Results: A total of 1,467 males were enrolled in the study. The results demonstrated that a higher HEI-2015 score was associated with a lower PSA level in the fully-adjusted model (β = -0.388, 95% Confidence interval (CI) = -0.746 to -0.030, P = 0.030). Specifically, the consumption of seafood and plant proteins group was found to have an inverse correlation with PSA levels (β = -0.049, 95% CI = -0.088 to -0.009, P = 0.020).

Conclusion: Our findings indicate that a higher HEI-2015 score is associated with a reduced risk of PSA among adult men aged 40-55 years in the United States. Furthermore, race, body mass index (BMI), and alcohol drinking may be modifiers of the relationship.

Background: (6S)-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate ((6S)-5-MethylTHF) is the physiological folate form in biological fluids. Salts of (6S)-5-MethylTHF may have advantages compared to folic acid and are increasingly used in foods and supplements.

Objective and design: The present study describes the physicochemical properties of the (6S)-5-MethylTHF-2Chol salt as a source of methylfolate with respect to solubility, conductivity, and melting point. The pharmacokinetics of (6S)-5-MethylTHF-2Chol and folic acid were compared in a randomized controlled double-blind cross-over study using a single equimolar oral dose of each of the folate substances.

Results: The solubility of the dicholine salt was very high (650 mg/mL in H₂O and 40 mg/mL in H₂O under acidic conditions). The incremental area under the curve (iAUC_0-8h) was significantly higher after the administration of (6S)-5-MethylTHF-2Chol compared to folic acid ([1.64-fold, P < 0.0001] for total folate and 2.56-fold higher for (6S)-5-MethylTHF [P < 0.0001]).

Discussion and conclusions: The bioavailability of (6S)-5-MethylTHF-2Chol is higher compared to folic acid. The crystalline structure of (6S)-5-MethylTHF-2Chol and its water solubility are advantageous in terms of stability in nutraceutical products and absorption in the gut. (6S)-5-MethylTHF-2Chol is the source of folate that may enable the development of new applications.

Background: Tomatoes have full of nutritional value as well as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. It contains substances such as lycopene and micronutrients that are beneficial to human health. Tomato consumption has been associated with reduced mortality, but the role of seasonal intake is not well understood. To address this gap, we investigated the association between in-season and off-season tomato consumption and all-cause as well as cardio-cerebrovascular mortality.

Methods: This prospective study enrolled 6,260 adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The endpoint events were all-cause and cardio-cerebrovascular mortality within 10 years. Cox proportional hazards analyses and competing risk modeling were employed to evaluate the influences of total and seasonal tomato consumption. Further studies were conducted on the relationship between lycopene intake and all-cause and cardio-cerebrovascular mortality over 10 years.

Results: Fresh tomato consumption was significantly associated with lower all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.63, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.45-0.87, P = 0.005). Moderate in-season consumption (once a week to once a day) was linked to a further reduction in all-cause mortality (HR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.24-0.95, P = 0.034). Conversely, off-season consumption was associated with decreased cardio-cerebrovascular mortality (subhazard ratio [SHE] = 0.43, 95%CI: 0.23-0.79, P = 0.006). Moderate ketchup intake (< 1 time/day) lowered both all-cause and cardio-cerebrovascular mortality, whereas tomato juice conferred no significant survival benefit, and higher daily consumption may negate potential advantages. Elevated total and trans lycopene concentrations were also correlated with reduced mortality risks.

Conclusion: Tomato consumption in different seasons shows different results with mortality: in-season intake corresponds to decreased all-cause mortality, whereas off-season intake is related to a lower risk of cardio-cerebrovascular mortality. These findings underscore the importance of considering seasonal dietary patterns in nutritional recommendations.

Background: Sub-Saharan Africa is facing a dietary transition with both undernutrition and rising rates of non-communicable diseases. Adopting the reference diet proposed by the EAT-Lancet Commission can reduce both the environmental burden and improve health outcomes. However, whether this diet provides micronutrient adequacy in older adults in low-income settings has not been investigated. This study examines adherence to the EAT-Lancet diet and its association with micronutrient intake among older adults in the Gasabo district, Kigali, Rwanda.

Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 334 older adults aged 55-93 years from Kigali, Rwanda. Dietary intake was assessed using two non-consecutive 24-h recalls, and socio-demographic data were collected through interviews. Adherence to the EAT-Lancet diet was evaluated using a 42-point index based on food group consumption and micronutrient intake was analyzed in relation to adherence tertiles. Multivariable regression models, adjusted for age, sex, and energy intake, were used to assess associations between diet adherence and micronutrient intake.

Results: The EAT-Lancet adherence score ranged from 13 to 36, with a mean of 24. Higher adherence was associated with increased consumption of whole grains, vegetables, fish, and nuts, while red meat, dairy, and poultry intake declined. Adherence was positively associated with energy intake and intake of retinol-equivalents, thiamine, niacin, folate, vitamins B12 and D, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, and zinc. When adjusting for energy intake, the association with zinc and potassium became non-significant and the association with riboflavin became negative.

Conclusion: Higher adherence to the EAT-Lancet diet was associated with higher intake of energy and several micronutrients important for healthy aging in this population of predominantly older, poor adults in Kigali. However, the potential for nutrient gaps, particularly in riboflavin, highlights the need for context-specific dietary adaptations to ensure nutritional adequacy in older populations in Rwanda.

Objective: Honey, bee pollen and propolis are natural apicultural products whose chemical composition and biological activities are influenced by the floral characteristics of the regions in which they are produced. In this study, the phenolic profiles and antioxidant properties of honey, pollen and propolis samples collected from two distinct altitudinal zones (Yamadağ and Battalgazi) and derived from two different bee genotypes (Apis mellifera caucasica and Apis mellifera carnica) were systematically compared.

Methods: The phenolic content of the ethanol extracts was quantified in terms of total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC). The phenolic composition was identified using HPLC-PDA (high-performance liquid chromatography - photodiode array detector), calibrated with 26 phenolic standards. The antioxidant activity was assessed using the ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay and diphenylpicrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity.

Results: The findings of this study demonstrate that both regional flora and bee genotype significantly affect the phenolic composition and antioxidant capacities of these bee products. Specifically, A. m. carnica was found to be more influential for pollen production, while A. m. caucasica exhibited greater significance in propolis. Furthermore, the results highlighted that, in terms of phenolic content and antioxidant potential, propolis exhibited approximately 300 times the richness of honey and 20 times the richness of pollen.

Conclusion: Thus, the phenolic composition and antioxidant activity of bee products vary depending on factors such as regional flora, bee genotype and geographical location.