Frontiers in Nutrition最新文献

Introduction: Zhoupigan (Citrus reticulata cv. Manau Gan), also known as Zangju or Shitougan, is a distinctive Chinese citrus resource valued for both traditional medicinal uses and food flavoring, and is notably rich in essential oils (EOs). However, the chemical composition and bioactivity of Zhoupigan peel essential oil (ZJPEO) remain insufficiently understood, limiting its effective utilization.

Methods: In this study, ZJPEO was extracted by steam distillation (SD) and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and analyzed using FTIR, E-nose, HS-GC-IMS and HS-SPME-GC-MS. And its antioxidant and antimicrobial activities were evaluated in vitro.

Results: FTIR and E-nose revealed clear compositional differences between steam-distilled essential oil (SDEO) and supercritical fluid-extracted essential oil (SFEO). HS-GC-IMS detected 63 VOCs and, based on VIP > 1, identified five marker compounds. HS-SPME-GC-MS identified 1,250 VOCs, showing terpenoids and esters as major contributors to aroma and bioactivity. KEGG enrichment highlighted sesquiterpene and triterpene biosynthesis as key pathways. Flavor wheel analysis indicated that SFEO had stronger sweet, green, and woody notes and exhibited potent antioxidant and antimicrobial activities associated with specific VOCs.

Discussion: Overall, this work supports optimizing ZJPEO extraction and promoting its value-added, sustainable utilization.

Background: Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory bowel condition often leading to complications requiring surgery. Optimizing nutrition before surgery contributes to reducing postoperative complications. The Crohn's Disease Exclusion Diet (CDED), combined with Modulen as partial enteral nutrition (PEN), has been shown to help restore the intestinal barrier, promote a balanced immune response, and mitigate the inflammatory process (Modulen: Nestlé Italia S.p.A: Milan, Italy). Thus, this approach may be implemented into a prehabilitation protocol to tailor nutritional interventions for candidates undergoing CD surgery.

Methods: We describe four adult CD patients who underwent preoperative nutritional optimization with CDED+PEN. Interventions lasted 2-12 weeks, providing 30-35 kcal/kg/day, and were tailored based on weight and appetite. Adherence, nutritional markers, medical therapy, and surgical outcomes were monitored.

Results: All patients showed good adherence and tolerance to CDED+PEN, with no flare-ups or treatment discontinuations. CDAI decreased in three of four cases. Nutritional status was maintained in all cases. CRP and albumin remained within normal values. Two patients discontinued biologics before surgery without complications, while two were managed without pharmacological therapy. All patients underwent robotic intestinal resection with no postoperative complications.

Conclusion: CDED+PEN may be incorporated into the prehabilitation protocol to enhance the nutritional and inflammatory status of CD patients undergoing surgery. Clinical trials assessing its efficacy and tolerance are warranted.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD). The lipoprotein combine index (LCI), integrating total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C and HDL-C, may better reflect atherogenic burden than traditional single-lipid measures. We hypothesized that higher baseline LCI would be independently associated with increased risks of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in incident PD patients.

Methods: In this multicenter retrospective cohort, 1,986 incident PD patients from six centers (2005-2021) were analyzed. LCI was divided into quartiles (Q1-Q4). Outcomes were all-cause and CVD mortality. Missing covariates were imputed. Centre-stratified Cox models estimated hazard ratios (HRs), and restricted cubic splines assessed non-linear trends.

Results: Over a median 35-month follow-up, 662 deaths occurred, including 328 CVD deaths. Higher LCI quartiles showed progressively higher mortality. For all-cause death, adjusted HRs (95% CI) were 1.41 (1.10-1.80), 1.59 (1.25-2.02) and 1.70 (1.34-2.15) for Q2-Q4 vs. Q1. For CVD death, HRs were 1.45 (1.03-2.02), 1.29 (0.92-1.82) and 1.68 (1.22-2.33). A non-linear pattern was observed for all-cause mortality, with risk increasing when LCI exceeded ~20. The association with CVD mortality was stronger in younger patients (<60 years) (P interaction = 0.048).

Conclusion: Higher baseline LCI independently predicted all-cause and CVD mortality in PD patients, supporting its usefulness for risk stratification and age-specific lipid management.

Background: The role of selenium intake on the association of fat intake with hypertension remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship among selenium intake, dietary fat and hypertension risk among Chinese adults.

Methods: Data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey were used. Individuals who were free of hypertension at baseline (2004) and participated at least once in the subsequent surveys (2006, 2009, and 2011) were included in this study. Generalized estimating equation models were used to explore the relationship between fat intake and systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and hypertension risk, as well as the modifying effect of selenium intake.

Results: Among a total 5,643 participants, 1,722 adults developed hypertension during the follow-up period. After adjusting for covariates, participants in the highest fat intake group had significantly increased risk of hypertension compared with the lowest group (OR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.01-1.47). The risk of hypertension tended to increase with increasing fat intake in the low selenium intake group, but not in the high selenium intake group. Systolic blood pressure increased by 0.69 mmHg (95% CI: 0.17-1.22) with increasing 50 g/day fat intake in the low selenium intake group (T1), whereas this association was not significant in the selenium intake T2 and T3 groups.

Conclusion: Selenium intake may modify the relationship between fat intake and hypertension, with high selenium intake attenuating the negative effects of fat intake on hypertension risk.

Introduction: Nardostachys jatamansi DC. is a valued herb in traditional Chinese medicine, historically used to regulate qi flow, alleviate pain, and enhance digestive function. This study aimed to characterize the chemical composition of its essential oil (NJEO) and evaluate its antioxidant and antibacterial activities, complemented by computational analyses to elucidate underlying mechanisms.

Methods: NJEO was extracted via hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC-MS. In vitro antioxidant assays (DPPH, ABTS⁺, O₂•^-) and antibacterial tests against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were performed. Molecular docking was used to examine binding interactions of major constituents with target proteins.

Results: The extraction yield was 4.28%. GC-MS identified 30 compounds (99.61% of total oil), with terpenes (68.83%) and aromatic compounds (15.01%) as major fractions. NJEO exhibited significant radical scavenging activity, with superoxide scavenging capacity superior to ascorbic acid. It also showed considerable antibacterial activity against both tested strains. Docking analysis revealed that 2,4,5-Trifluoro-3-methoxybenzamide, N-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-, a key constituent, binds strongly to antioxidant and antibacterial targets.

Conclusion: NJEO demonstrates potential as a natural source of antioxidant and antimicrobial agents, with promising applications in pharmaceutical and functional food development.

Objective: Nutrition literacy is critical for establishing healthy dietary behaviors during childhood, yet research on this topic among primary school students in rapidly urbanizing China remains limited. The aim of this large-scale survey is to assess the current status and identify key influencing factors of nutrition literacy among primary school students in Nanshan District, Shenzhen City.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in October 2024 utilizing a cluster random sampling method. A total of 2,423 students from 21 public primary schools participated. Data were collected using the validated "Nutrition Literacy and Dietary Behavior Questionnaire for School-aged Children", which evaluated four dimensions: nutrition knowledge and concepts, food selection, food preparation, and food intake. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and binary logistic regression.

Results: Participants achieved a mean total nutrition literacy score of 69.93 ± 8.75, with 30.38% meeting the criterion for adequate nutrition literacy (score ≥75). Interdimensional analysis revealed statistically significant positive correlations among all four domains (r = 0.198 ~ 0.363, p < 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression identified grade level-representing individual-level factors (Grade 5 vs. Grade 3 OR = 0.626, 95% CI: 0.500-0.783), high household economic status-family-level factors (OR = 1.389, 95% CI: 1.139-1.649), and participation in school activities including nutrition-related activities (OR = 1.346, 95% CI: 1.125-1.611) and regular weight monitoring (OR = 1.346, 95% CI: 1.125-1.611) as key predictors of adequate nutrition literacy.

Conclusion: Nutrition literacy among primary school students in Nanshan District requires substantial improvement and is influenced by factors at individual, familial, and institutional levels. These findings suggest the necessity of developing a comprehensive, student-centered intervention model that integrates family-school collaboration to effectively enhance nutritional literacy.

Introduction: Lactation is the final pathway for the maternal metabolism to influence the neonate. Studies in women and animals have shown maternal body condition affecting milk composition and/or offspring growth and adiposity. The effect of the body condition of the dam on neonatal puppy growth rate has never been examined, despite a growing population of overweight breeding dogs. This study aimed to compare the milk macronutrient composition and puppy growth rate during the neonatal period between overweight and lean bitches.

Methods: A total of 16 litters from 15 medium- to large-breed client-owned dogs were enrolled after whelping. Dams were classified into lean (LE, body condition score [BCS]: 4-5/9, n = 8) and overweight (OW, BCS: 6-7/9, n = 8) groups. Milk was collected from bitches at 5 timepoints (0.5, 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks of lactation). Growth curves of a total of 106 puppies born alive to LE (n = 58) and OW (n = 48) mothers and exclusively nursing on the dam were analyzed until 21 days of age. Birth weight, daily body weights, average daily weight gain (ADGg), average daily percent gain (ADG%), average daily percent gain from birth (ADGB%), and total percent gain from birth (TGB%), as well as milk dry matter, crude protein, sugar, fat, ash, and calculated gross energy, were analyzed using a mixed-model analysis of variance (ANOVA); the significance level was set at a p-value of <0.05.

Results: Puppy birth weights were unaffected by litter size and the dam BCS. Puppy growth curves and TGB% were significantly different between the two maternal groups. ADGg, ADG%, and ADGB% were significantly higher in OW dam puppies on day 2 and day 4 after birth. Puppies born heavier remained heavier, while ADG% and ADGB% were inversely related to birth weight. Litter size had no effect on these growth parameters. Swimmer puppy syndrome was observed in eight puppies from three OW dam litters. Dam BCS had no significant effect on milk macronutrients in the first 4 weeks of lactation.

Discussion: In conclusion, despite the similar day-to-day neonatal body weights between the maternal groups, puppies from OW dams grew differently, gaining more weight in the first week of life. Factors other than milk macronutrient composition are likely responsible for these differences.

Objective: Frailty is being recognized as a risk factor for adverse outcomes after various surgical procedures. However, its impact on pancreatic surgery outcomes remains uncertain. We hereby reviewed evidence on the difference in the risk of complications and mortality between frail and non-frail patients undergoing pancreatic surgery.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched from 1^st January 1980 to 17^th June 2025, for relevant studies. The endpoints of the study were all complications, Clavien-Dindo grade ≥3 (CD ≥ 3) complications, reoperation, and readmissions. Random-effect meta-analysis was conducted.

Results: A total of 11 studies were included. A pooled analysis revealed that frailty was associated with an increased risk of all complications in patients undergoing pancreatic surgery (OR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.01-2.24, I² = 61%). Meta-analysis showed no significant difference between frail and non-frail patients for CD ≥ 3 complications (OR: 1.34, 95% CI: 0.86, 2.09 I² = 31%), readmission (OR: 1.41, 95% CI: 0.75, 2.62 I² = 0%) and reoperation (OR: 2.32, 95% CI: 0.63, 8.50 I² = 0%). However, frail patients had a significantly higher risk of short-term (OR: 2.54, 95% CI: 1.39, 4.61, I² = 50%) mortality as compared to non-frail patients after pancreatic surgery. Sensitivity and subgroup analysis generated mixed results.

Conclusion: The presence of preoperative frailty may lead to increased risk of short-term mortality and morbidity in patients undergoing pancreatic surgery. Frailty was not associated with major complications, readmission, or reoperations. However, results must be interpreted with caution owing to limited data and high inter-study heterogeneity.

Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, CRD420251049842.

Background: Evidence regarding the renoprotective effect of the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) in patients with nondialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains inconsistent. This may be partly attributed to variability in the phenolic content of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), a key bioactive component.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to quantify the effect of the MedDiet on renal and cardiometabolic outcomes in adults with nondialysis CKD and to explore the role of high-phenolic EVOO as a potential effect modifier. We searched multiple databases for interventional and observational studies comparing a MedDiet to control diets in adults with CKD stages 1-5. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed.

Results: Ten studies involving 1,073 participants were included. The MedDiet was associated with a modest improvement in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (mean difference 2.44 mL/min/1.73 m², 95% CI 0.16 to 4.72), though heterogeneity was high (I² = 90%). This benefit appeared more consistent in mild-to-moderate CKD (eGFR ≥ 45 mL/min/1.73 m²). Notably, a significant reduction in C-reactive protein (CRP) was specifically linked to interventions using high-phenolic EVOO (mean difference -0.79 mg/L, 95% CI -1.37 to -0.21). The diet also improved body composition and reduced blood urea nitrogen, without adversely affecting serum potassium or phosphorus. No significant effects were observed on blood pressure or lipid profiles.

Conclusion: In patients with mild-to-moderate CKD, the MedDiet may slow kidney function decline. The benefits appear to be mediated through complementary pathways: renal protection from the overall dietary pattern and a specific anti-inflammatory effect attributable to high-phenolic EVOO.

Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251124826, identifier PROSPERO (CRD420251124826).

Background: Sarcopenia is a geriatric syndrome characterized by the gradual loss of skeletal muscle mass and function, posing a major public health concern due to its link to various negative health outcomes. While supplementation with arginine or fish oil has shown potential in reducing muscle loss and functional decline, the combined effects of arginine and fish oil supplementation in sarcopenia remain largely unexplored.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the impact of combining arginine and fish oil supplements on muscle strength, physical performance, body composition, and inflammation markers in older adults with sarcopenia.

Methods: A 12-week randomized clinical trial was conducted from December 2023 to October 2024 with 29 older adults diagnosed with sarcopenia. Participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group, which received arginine (14 g/day) and fish oil (6 g/day), or the control group, which received a placebo. The main outcomes measured were handgrip strength, gait speed, 5-time chair stand test, and skeletal muscle index (SMI). Secondary outcomes included inflammatory markers, nutritional status, blood lipid levels, frailty, physical activity, and sleep quality. Statistical analyses involved multiple comparisons to evaluate differences between the groups.

Results: At the end of the 12-week trial, gait speed significantly increased in the Arg + fish oil groups (p < 0.05), whereas no significant change was observed in the placebo group. Furthermore, gait speed and grip strength in the Arg + fish oil group were significantly higher than in the placebo group (p < 0.05). Regarding inflammatory markers, compared with baseline, the placebo group showed a significant increase in TNF-α, while the Arg + fish oil group showed a significant decrease in IL-6 (p < 0.05). Moreover, TNF-α and IL-6 levels in the Arg + fish group were significantly lower than those in the placebo group (p < 0.05). Quality of life assessments revealed that the Arg + fish group demonstrated significantly greater improvement in PASE and frailty compared to the placebo group.

Conclusion: Supplementing with both arginine and fish oil significantly boosted muscle strength, physical performance, and reduced levels of inflammation in older adults with sarcopenia. These initial findings suggest that this approach could be a potential strategy for managing sarcopenia by improving muscle function and lowering systemic inflammation.