Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism最新文献

This study aimed to describe the demographics, nutrient and food group intakes, and adherence to dietary guidelines among Japanese adolescents aged 10-14 years. This cross-sectional study involved 5225 elementary and junior high school students who were surveyed for the NICE EVIDENCE project from 2018 to 2023 (mean age: 11.9 ± 1.4 years; 50.3% male). Nutritional intake was assessed using the brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire (BDHQ). Nutrient intake inadequacy was assessed in four groups (males and females in the 10-11- and 12-14-year age groups) based on the Dietary Reference Intakes for Japanese (2025). Demographic data indicated that the prevalence of thinness was higher among females, while the prevalence of overweight and obesity was higher among males. Overall, daily breakfast consumption was high but tended to decrease with age. Nutritional inadequacy rates were generally higher in females, particularly in the 12-14-year age group. Major micronutrient inadequacies included iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, vitamin D, and vitamin B6. Among the nutrients with established dietary goals, salt equivalent intake exceeded 90% inadequacy in all groups, followed by intake inadequacies in dietary fiber, fat energy percentage, and potassium. Confectionery consumption was relatively high in this population (> 50 g/day), indicating a potential area for dietary improvement. Promoting regular breakfast and increasing micronutrients and fiber intakes, while reducing sodium, total fat, and saturated fat intakes, could address nutritional inadequacies in this population.

Maternal undernutrition poses significant risks to maternal, fetal, and child health, leading to long-term and irreversible consequences such as growth failure. This study evaluated the prevalence and predictors of undernutrition among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Bachuma Primary Hospital in Southwest Ethiopia. Using an institution-based cross-sectional design, 346 randomly selected pregnant women were assessed for nutritional status based on mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), with values below 23 cm indicating undernutrition. Data analysis revealed that 31.5% of pregnant women were undernourished (95% CI: 26.6%-36.7%). Predictors of undernutrition included low dietary diversity scores (< 5) (AOR = 1.88; 95% CI (1.06-3.33)), consuming fewer than three meals daily (AOR = 2.87; 95% CI (1.29-6.36)), high parity (gravida six or more) (AOR = 4.98; 95% CI (1.06-23.4)), and intestinal parasitic infections (AOR = 2.86; 95% CI (1.58-5.18)). The study highlights the urgent need for interventions such as enhanced dietary counseling, improved maternal nutrition practices, and the screening and treatment of parasitic infections to mitigate undernutrition in this population.

Background: Clinical treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients nowadays is still focusing on the clearance ratio of HBsAg. However, the quality of the CHB patients' lives and the recovery of their liver organs also need to be considered in the clinic, especially in the nursing field. Here, we evaluated a newly personalized dietary self-management, which emphasized vegetable oil rather than the oneness requirement of a low-oil diet for the patients, accommodating the thinner patient group for their sufficient energy intake. Method: An observational study was conducted with 90 individual CHB patients through the double-arm randomized study method. The newly personalized dietary self-management education was performed among the participants in the refined group, and their physiological detection results after 6 months from enrollment would be compared with those of the control group participants who received traditional dietary self-management education. Result: Compared to the control group with traditional dietary self-management education, we found that the results in the refined group presented a faster reduction speed in ALT, AST, and TBIL. Conclusion: The results of this study showed the benefit of the vegetable oil for CHB patients when it appropriately served as the way of energy intake, during the patients' treatment period. A larger scale of this personalized dietary self-management education should be permitted for further assessment.

The aim of this study was to investigate associations of cardiovascular outcomes with lipid variability across body mass index categories. We identified 6689 participants (57.1% women) enrolled in the Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities (ARICs) study who had ≥ 3 measurements of total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Cox regression models were used to compute hazard ratios (HRs)-associated heart failure (HF), myocardial infarction (MI), and mortality with 1-SD increase in lipid variability captured by SD and variability independent of the mean (VIM). We also assessed whether adding lipid variability would improve the cardiovascular risk prediction beyond the conventional risk factors. Among 2130 (31.8%) obese patients, 1907 (89.5%) had obesity classes I and II and 223 (10.5%) had obesity class III. In multivariable-adjusted analyses, TC and LDL-C variabilities were significantly (p ≤ 0.047) associated with HF in overweight (HRs ranging from 1.10 to 1.17), obesity classes I and II (1.11-1.14), and obesity class III (1.21-1.39). Higher TC and LDL-C variabilities conferred higher risk of MI and mortality in obesity classes I and II (p ≤ 0.007). Adding TC-VIM and LDL-C-VIM rather than the lipid level to a conventional risk model significantly improved risk prediction of HF with net reclassification improvement amounting to 8.95% for TC-VIM (p=0.006) and 8.09% for LDL-C-VIM (p=0.012). Elevated TC and LDL-C variabilities were associated with the increased risk of cardiovascular outcomes, particularly in obesity. Our observations highlight the importance of lipid variability in obesity-associated dyslipidemia.

Objective: The present research investigated the pharmacological effectiveness of three functional foods-wood apple (WA), water spinach (WS), and moringa (MO)-against gentamicin (GM)-induced nephrotoxicity and oxidative stress in rat models. Methodology: The study was conducted on rat model. Twenty-five healthy Long Evan rats of both sexes were equally divided into five groups, which were studied for 7 days. GM at a dose of 80 mg/kg body weight was given daily intraperitoneally to rats of all groups except the normal control (NC). Simply, the NC and negative control (GM) groups received only regular diet. The 3 treatment groups received 20 g/rat/day of mashed WA, fried WS, and roasted MO with regular feed diet at 1:1 ratio. On the last experimental day (8^th day), all the rats were sacrificed to collect blood and kidney samples. Nephrotoxicity was assessed by biochemical estimation of serum creatinine (CK) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and oxidative stress was analyzed by determination of serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels. In addition, histopathology of kidney tissue was also performed for final observation. Results: By lowering uremic toxin (serum CK and urea) levels, all the three functional foods significantly (p < 0.05) improved kidney function and the GM-induced oxidative stress. However, the difference in the blood SOD level was found to be statistically insignificant (p > 0.05), nevertheless. The histopathological results in those groups corroborated the biochemical results of the food intervention groups. Conclusion: The present attempt shows that consuming the foods containing antioxidant phytochemicals may be a possible way to combat nephrotoxicity and oxidative stress. Nonetheless, the dosage response of these functional foods and mechanism of action to nephroprotection need to be investigated.

Background: Excessive iodine intake is associated with an increased risk of thyroid autoimmunity. However, the relationship between prolonged exposure to iodine levels exceeding 100 μg/L in drinking water and the occurrence of autoimmune thyroid disorders (AITDs) remains uncertain. The objective of the present study was to assess whether elevated iodine levels exceeding 100 μg/L in drinking water are a risk factor for AITD. Methods: We conducted a case-control study at a hospital, enrolling 668 adults. We measured serum thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb), thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb), urinary iodine concentration (UIC), water iodine concentration (WIC), and serum cytokine concentrations-including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Results: The study demonstrated that individuals with water iodine levels > 100 μg/L had a significantly higher risk of developing AITD compared with those in the 10-100 μg/L group (OR = 2.076, p < 0.001). Furthermore, a family history of thyroid disorders (OR = 4.035, p < 0.001) and higher education levels (specifically college education compared to primary school; OR = 2.608, p=0.016) were associated with an increased risk of AITD. Conversely, regular consumption of freshwater fish was correlated with a lower risk of developing AITD (at least once per week vs. hardly eat, OR = 0.472, p=0.009; at least once per month vs. hardly eat, OR = 0.693, p=0.042). Additionally, IL-6 levels in the case group were significantly higher than those in the control group. Conclusions: The case-control study demonstrated a significant association between the development of AITD and prolonged exposure to elevated iodine levels (above 100 μg/L) in water. AITD was found to be associated with several other factors. Risk factors for AITD include a family history of thyroid disorders and higher educational attainment. Additionally, the consumption of freshwater fish was identified as a protective factor. Identifying and understanding these significant risk and protective factors for AITD development are critical, and effective strategies should be developed and implemented for prevention and intervention targeting at-risk individuals.

Background: Body image is a multidimensional construct influenced by a myriad of psychosocial and lifestyle factors. The present study has been conducted to explore the prevalence of body image concerns and its associated determinants among female Egyptian and Lebanese university students. Methods: Through a cross-sectional comparative study, a sample of 634 females was recruited from two Egyptian and Lebanese universities. Data were collected using an interview questionnaire to assess the various sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle behaviors, dietary factors, and perceived weight status. The existence of body image concern was evaluated using the validated short form of the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ-16). Results: The present data unveiled a relatively alarming prevalence of body image concerns, 46.7.8% and 48%, among the Egyptian and Lebanese university females, respectively, with a statistically significant difference between the 2 studied groups with regard to the degree of body image concern (p=0 - 009). The results of regression analysis declared that enlarged waist circumference was the strongest significant determinant of body image concerns (t-test p value = 0.000 and 0.001 among Egyptian and Lebanese university females, respectively). Adopting dieting practices (t-test p value = 0.000 and 0.001) and parental obesity (t-test p value = 0.02 & 0.002) were significantly associated with higher body image concerns' scores among Egyptian and Lebanese university females, respectively. Distinctively, perceived body image (t-test p value = 0.000), meal pattern (t-test p value = 0.004), and employment status (t-test p value = 0.002), were significantly associated with higher body image concerns in the Egyptian group only. Conclusions: The study findings call for tailored, culture-specific intervention programs that enable students to improve their self-acceptance and lead a healthy life.

Background: Arak is the most popular traditional alcohol in Ethiopia. Although it is widely consumed across the country, its effects on different organs have not been well studied yet. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the dose-dependent hepatorenal toxicity of traditionally prepared Arak in Swiss albino mice. Methods: The investigation utilized 24 newly bred Swiss albino mice (12 males and 12 females) aged 8-10 weeks, divided into four groups of six individuals each (three males and three females), with Group I receiving 1 mL of distilled water/kg, and Groups II-IV receiving 1 mL/kg of 20%, 40%, and 45% Arak, respectively, orally on daily basis for six weeks; the investigation included blood, urea and nitrogen; creatinine; aspartate transaminase; alanine aminotransferase; and histological examination. Results: The study found that Arak and its metabolite, ethanol, have a dose-dependent negative impact on the liver and kidney's microstructures, and Arak has a significant dose-dependent effect on decreasing body weight, increasing serum levels of aspartate transaminase and alanine aminotransferase, and elevating serum levels of blood, urea, and nitrogen and creatinine in Swiss albino mice. Higher doses of 1 mL of 40% and 1 mL of 45% Arak/kg caused inflammation, edema, obscured Bowman's capsule, foamy appearance, and necrosis, while lower doses of 1 mL of 20% Arak/kg had a lesser impact. Further research is needed to evaluate the effect of Arak on human hepatorenal structures and biomarkers.

Background: Sperm DNA integrity is a key factor in male fertility and the health of future generations. Physical activities such as football can increase oxidative stress, potentially compromising sperm quality. Dietary supplements targeting oxidative balance and the one-carbon metabolic cycle have shown promise in improving sperm parameters. Objective: This randomized, double-blind clinical trial investigated the effect of multiple dietary supplements (Condensyl and Nurilia) on sperm parameters in elite and amateur football players in Isfahan. Method: Eighty male football players (40 elite and 40 amateur), each with more than two years of experience and abnormal semen parameters, were randomly assigned to supplement or placebo groups using a computer-generated list. Subjects were evaluated for sperm parameters and then treated daily for 3 months with two tablets of multiple diet supplements. For 3 months, subjects received two 600 mg tablets daily (Condensyl, Parthenogen SAGL, Lugano, Switzerland, and Nurilia SARL, Lyon, France). The placebo group also received two 500 mg capsules containing starch daily (Nader Isfahan Limited Liability Company and received the registration number 14906). Semen samples were collected in two stages before and after 3 months of drug use with 4 days of sexual abstinence. Half an hour after sample collection and liquefaction, parameter analysis (concentration, motility, and morphology) was performed. Comparison of sperm parameters before and after drug intervention was performed using SPSS software Version 24 and the Shapiro-Wilk test, followed by multivariate analysis of variance. A significance level of 0.05 was considered. Results: Baseline comparisons revealed significant group differences in motility (p=0.024) and morphology (p=0.008). Sperm concentration increased in both elite and amateur players receiving supplements, though the change was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). However, significant improvements were observed in sperm motility (p=0.014 and p=0.02) and morphology (p=0.01) following supplementation. Conclusion: Supplementation with Condensyl and Nurilia, which include key vitamins and antioxidants supporting the one-carbon cycle, significantly improves sperm motility and morphology in male football players. These findings support the use of such supplements as a supportive therapy in the management of male infertility.

Aegle marmelos (L.) Corrêa, commonly known as the bael fruit tree, is a member of the Rutaceae family and holds significance in Ayurvedic herbal medicine due to its myriad therapeutic properties. This paper seeks to delve into the diverse benefits offered by the bael fruit tree, exploring various plant parts, including leaves, fruit, bark, and seeds, all of which contain bioactive compounds with therapeutic potential. The bael fruit, with its diverse phytochemical profile, exhibits potential health benefits ranging from radioprotection and antibacterial properties to antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects. Additionally, this review highlights the limited preclinical studies on AMs' efficacy in treating neurological disorders, emphasizing the need for more clinical trials to validate its potency and safety. Specifically, the effects and mechanisms of AM extract in addressing Alzheimer's disease, anxiety, depression, epilepsy and Parkinson's disease are explored. In conclusion, AM emerges as a plant of considerable nutritional and pharmacological value, with the potential to contribute significantly to the treatment of neurological disorders. Despite its promising attributes, the limited preclinical studies necessitate further clinical trials to confirm its efficacy. This review consolidates relevant studies, offering insights into AMs' ethnobotany, chemical constituents, pharmacological properties and potential application in neurological disorders. The comprehensive examination underscores the need for continued research to unlock the full therapeutic potential of this versatile plant.