Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism最新文献

Phosphate is an important element in energy metabolism and muscle function and is essential for numerous biological processes. This review emphasizes the implications of increased phosphate intake, particularly from processed foods supplemented with phosphate additives. These dietary habits raise substantial concerns regarding their potential health effects, including the exacerbation of metabolic disorders. Elevated phosphate levels disrupt the delicate balance between energy production and utilization, markedly influencing key metabolic processes in skeletal muscle. Excessive phosphate intake may impair mitochondrial function, reduce adenosine triphosphate synthesis, and alter phosphocreatine levels, which are vital for effective muscle contraction and endurance. Additionally, chronic high-phosphate consumption has been linked to increased inflammation and oxidative stress, contributing to cardiovascular complications and muscle atrophy, especially in susceptible populations, such as those with chronic kidney disease. This review summarizes the current understanding of phosphate metabolic functions and the detrimental effects of excessive phosphate intake on energy metabolism and muscular performance. We provide insights into the adverse health effects linked to elevated phosphate levels, particularly focusing on the consequences on muscle strength and overall muscular function. In addition, we highlight the gaps in the literature and propose future studies to understand the effects of high-phosphate diets on energy metabolism, muscle function, and structural integrity through molecular processes.

Introduction: Oxidative stress is an imbalance between endogenous antioxidants and oxidizing molecules, the latter having an unpaired electron in their last valence layer, with those derived from oxygen and nitrogen being the most important. Resveratrol is a natural polyphenol with antioxidant properties that reduce oxidative stress. However, the bioavailability of resveratrol is low due to its rapid excretion and extensive metabolism. Polyphenols improve their bioavailability in the presence of ethanol, a popular substance present in alcoholic beverages, which is used as a vehicle in the pharmaceutical industry. The objective of this work was to determine the optimal concentration of ethanol for the administration of resveratrol at a concentration of 10 mg/kg/day. Fifty-four Wistar male rats were randomly allocated to nine groups: control (water), four vehicle groups (2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, and 10% ethanol v/v), and four resveratrol + vehicle groups (10 mg/kg/day + ethanol concentrations 2.5%-10%) (ResVitále®, Polygonum cuspidatum, USA). Posterior to administration, the hippocampus of Wistar rats was analyzed for oxidative stress and enzyme activity. Nitric oxide levels and lipid peroxidation products were significantly lower with 7.5% ethanol, compared to 10% ethanol. Resveratrol modulated CAT and SOD activity at certain ethanol concentrations, with a limited overall effect. In conclusion, 7.5% ethanol is the most optimal vehicle concentration for enhancing the antioxidant effects of resveratrol.

Although obesity is the most common risk factor for hepatic steatosis, this disease may occur in normal-weight individuals. While gut microbial metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) have been associated with obesity and metabolic disease, the relationship among fecal SCFA concentrations, SCFA-producing bacteria, and hepatic steatosis with and without obesity is not fully understood. This pilot study aimed to compare fecal SCFA concentrations and SCFA-producing gut bacteria in four study groups: 7 individuals with normal-weight and normal alanine aminotransferase levels (Nw-N ALT), 7 individuals with normal-weight and elevated ALT levels (Nw-E ALT), 12 individuals with obesity and normal ALT levels and (Ob-N ALT), and 18 individuals with obesity and elevated ALT levels (Ob-E ALT). Fecal SCFA concentrations were quantified using gas chromatography, and gut microbiota was characterized by sequencing 16S rRNA. Median fecal SCFA concentrations (propionate, butyrate, and valerate) were highest in the Ob-E ALT group and lowest in the Nw-N ALT group (p < 0.05). These SCFA concentrations were also higher in obese than in normal-weight individuals regardless of ALT levels (p < 0.05) and in elevated ALT individuals regardless of obesity status, although the difference lost significance after correction for multiple testing. Notably, the abundance of Roseburia was higher in Ob-N ALT and Ob-E ALT than in the Nw-N ALT group and correlated positively with fecal SCFA concentrations. In conclusion, this pilot study suggests that the presence of both obesity and persistent elevated serum ALT levels is associated with increased fecal SCFA concentrations and SCFA-producing bacteria, particularly Roseburia. However, a larger sample is required to define whether the associations of SCFA fecal levels with obesity and elevated ALT levels are independent.

Background: Dysregulated lipid metabolism has been implicated in breast cancer pathogenesis; however, the causal nature of these associations remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the causal relationships between circulating lipid metabolites and the risk of estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) and ER-negative (ER-) breast cancer using a bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) approach. Methods: We evaluated 386 circulating lipid metabolites as exposures in two-sample MR analyses, with ER+ and ER- breast cancer as outcomes. Genetic instruments were selected based on genome-wide significance (p < 1 × 10^-5) and linkage disequilibrium clumping (R ² < 0.01 within a 1000 kb window). The inverse variance weighted method was used as the primary analytical approach. Sensitivity analyses-including MR-Egger regression, Cochran's Q test, and leave-one-out analyses-were conducted to assess pleiotropy and heterogeneity. Validation analyses were performed using an independent genome-wide association study (GWAS) dataset for ER+ breast cancer. Reverse MR analysis was also conducted to evaluate potential reverse causality. Results: Among the 386 lipid metabolites analyzed, 24 and 23 exhibited nominal associations (p < 0.05) with ER+ and ER- breast cancer, respectively. After applying false discovery rate (FDR) correction (FDR < 0.05), three metabolites-myristoleate (14:1n5), tricosanoyl sphingomyelin (d18:1/23:0), and 5α-androstan-3β, 17β-diol monosulfate (2)-remained significantly associated with an increased risk of ER+ breast cancer. In contrast, none of the associations with ER- breast cancer remained significant after FDR correction. Sensitivity analyses indicated no evidence of horizontal pleiotropy or heterogeneity, and the associations remained robust in leave-one-out analyses. These findings were further validated in an independent GWAS dataset. Moreover, reverse MR analysis found no evidence supporting a causal effect of ER+ breast cancer on the levels of the three identified lipid metabolites. Conclusions: This study provides robust genetic evidence supporting a causal role for specific lipid metabolites in the development of ER+ breast cancer. These metabolites may serve as potential biomarkers for early detection and targets for preventive interventions.

Background: Malnutrition is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) undergoing surgery. The ability to identify patients who are malnourished with an objective measure is currently a barrier to prompt screening and interventions. Recognizing the need for a screening tool, we used the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) to assess the prevalence of malnutrition and the association between postoperative complications and GNRI scores. Methods: A retrospective review of medical records was conducted at a tertiary care academic hospital. A total of 49 HNC patients undergoing surgery with a serum albumin obtained within 6 months of surgery were included in this study. GNRI was calculated as follows: (1.487 × serum albumin [g/L] + (41.7 × current weight/ideal body weight [kg]). Analyses were conducted using univariate statistical methods. Results: 49 patients were included in the study, 32 men (65%) and 17 women (35%), with a mean age of 63 + 12 years. Malnutrition was defined by a GNRI score of < 97.5 and was present in 24% of patients (n = 12). Malnourished patients had significantly higher rates of postoperative complications and discharge to a skilled nursing facility (SNF) compared to controls. Conclusions: A low GNRI score appears to be a predictor of increased complications after head and neck surgery. The GNRI is a simple tool that requires serum albumin, current body weight, and ideal body weight to objectively assess nutrition status. Further studies are needed to assess the utility of using GNRI to assess malnutrition and identify patients who are at high risk for complications during the postoperative course.

This study investigated the prevalence and severity of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) among adult females and its relationship with the dietary inflammatory index (DII), which measures the inflammatory potential of a person's diet. The study employed a cross-sectional design, with participants recruited through convenience sampling. A structured questionnaire, including the Arabic Premenstrual Syndrome Scale, was used to assess the prevalence and severity of PMS. A self-administered food frequency questionnaire was used to assess dietary intakes and depict the DII of the participant's intakes. A total of 305 adult females participated; of these, 93% reported at least one PMS symptom, with a prevalence of 33.7% for PMS, primarily characterized by mild to moderate symptoms. The mean DII score was 2.52 ± 6.28, indicating a generally proinflammatory diet among participants. Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that higher DII scores, particularly in Tertile 3, were significantly associated with increased PMS severity (p=0.001). These findings highlight the importance of dietary modifications that aim to reduce inflammation as a potential strategy for mitigating the severity of PMS. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to establish causality and explore the effectiveness of anti-inflammatory dietary interventions in managing PMS symptoms.

Background: According to the last national survey in 1998, the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) was as high as 61% in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), leading to the implementation of the vitamin A supplementation (VAS) programme. The available data are outdated and require situation analysis and vitamin A status data. While these data are missing, the relevance of the VAS programme is currently at the centre of debate, and it is important to understand how policymakers and programme planners perceive VAS. This study aims to explore the insights of policymakers and programme planners regarding its relevance and justification. Methods: This study used an exploratory qualitative design. Data were collected using key informant interviews with policymakers and programme planners at the national, provincial and health zone levels, including a total of 25 participants. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: The participants recognised the relevance of VAS in reducing morbidity and mortality, especially in children. However, they identified challenges in communication and delivery mechanisms, such as insufficient supplement supply and a lack of provider motivation. The participants' opinions diverged regarding the justification of the VAS programme. Some participants perceived VAS as an essential strategy due to its benefits, while others advocated for alternative, cost-effective approaches, such as improving vitamin A dietary intake through fortification. Conclusion: Although VAS was considered important, our findings highlight the need to investigate alternative approaches, such as promoting affordable vitamin A-rich foods. There is an urgent need for more objective information regarding vitamin A status in the child population, and further research on VAD is necessary to evaluate the impact of the VAS programme.

Objectives: Waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) is an alternative index to evaluate metabolic health and predict the risk of estimating the impact of adiposity on cardiometabolic diseases. Despite the significance, the diagnostic performance of WHtR has not been extensively investigated in large epidemiological studies in Indonesia. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate anthropometric indexes (body mass index [BMI], waist circumference [WC], waist-to-hip ratio [WHR], and WHtR) with the best clinically accurate and diagnostic performance in detecting the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HTN) in the Indonesian population. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional method to analyze big data of 7699 individuals from the Indonesian Family Life Survey. The diagnostic performance of each anthropometric index was analyzed using the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve model in the SPSS and MedCalc applications. Furthermore, the associations of anthropometric indexes with DM and HTN were evaluated using logistic regression adjusted for sociodemographic confounders. Results: WHtR showed the highest area under the curve (AUC) for detecting DM in men (0.731 [0.679-0.784]), as well as HTN in both men (0.650 [0.629-0.671]) and women (0.615 [0.598-0.633]). Although often negligible, the discrepancies had overlapping 95% confidence intervals with other indexes. WHtR also showed the strongest association with both DM (AOR [95% CI]: 3.166 [2.416-4.150]) and HTN (1.938 [1.703-2.206]). Lower cutoffs for BMI (22.72 kg/m²) and WC (83.35 cm) enhanced sensitivity for DM and HTN detection, particularly in men. Discussion: WHtR outperformed BMI, WC, and WHR in detecting DM and HTN in the Indonesian population. Additionally, lower cutoffs for overall (BMI) and abdominal obesity (WC) should be considered to enhance the sensitivity of anthropometric indexes in screening for cardiometabolic diseases in the population.

Zinc (Zn) is an essential dietary nutrient metal that functions as a cofactor for numerous enzymes involved in diverse cellular processes, including energy metabolism. In humans, Zn deficiency afflicts an estimated one-third of the global population and is a prominent risk factor for numerous diseases, including the development of obesity and diabetes. It is known that severe Zn deficiency leads to impaired growth and development in animals, suggesting that this dietary micronutrient is required for the maintenance of organismal energy balance. However, the impact of Zn restriction on energy balance, specifically energy intake versus expenditure, remains incompletely described in existing murine models of Zn deficiency. Here, we characterized the impact of a prolonged Zn-restricted diet on animal growth, energy balance, and glucose metabolism using metabolic cage analysis and oral glucose tolerance tests in adult mice. While we demonstrated dietary Zn-dependent reductions in body weight with concomitant decreases in energy expenditure and energy intake, we found no significant alterations in energy balance. Furthermore, we observed modest sex-dependent impacts on glucose tolerance. Collectively, these data highlight that prolonged, severe Zn restriction in adult mice does not elicit significant changes in metabolic parameters such as overall energy balance and glucose clearance. These findings indicate that other factors lead to the changes in body weight and composition in Zn-deficient mice.

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), pivotal metabolites derived from microbial fermentation of dietary fiber, serve as critical modulators of glucose and lipid metabolism. Dysregulation of SCFA levels, often stemming from inadequate fiber intake or dysbiosis of SCFA-producing microbiota, correlates with heightened susceptibility to diverse pathologies, including autoimmune disorders, metabolic syndromes, and malignancies. Emerging evidence underscores the pleiotropic roles of SCFAs in orchestrating gut and systemic homeostasis, positioning them as novel therapeutic candidates for immune dysregulation, inflammatory conditions, and transplant rejection. This review synthesizes current knowledge on SCFA biosynthesis, absorption dynamics, and their multifaceted regulatory mechanisms, spanning epigenetic modulation, G protein-coupled receptor (GPR) signaling, and immune cell crosstalk. We further elucidate their therapeutic potential in clinical contexts, emphasizing their capacity to recalibrate immune responses, suppress chronic inflammation, and mitigate oncogenesis. By integrating recent advances in microbiome research and translational applications, this work highlights the imperative for precision interventions targeting SCFA pathways to bridge the gap between microbial ecology and clinical innovation.