Nutrition Research and Practice最新文献

Background/objectives: Chronic alcohol consumption causes oxidative stress in the body, which may accumulate excessively and cause a decline in memory; problem-solving, learning, and exercise abilities; and permanent damage to brain structure and function. Consequently, chronic alcohol consumption can cause alcohol-related diseases.

Materials/methods: In this study, the protective effects of Phyllostachys edulis (Carrière) J. Houz (PE) against alcohol-induced neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment were evaluated using a mouse model. Alcohol (16%, 5 g/kg/day for 6 weeks) and PE (100, 250, and 500 mg/kg/day for 21 days) were administered intragastrically to mice.

Results: PE showed a protective effect against memory deficits and cognitive dysfunction caused by alcohol consumption, confirmed through behavioral tests such as the T-maze, object recognition, and Morris water maze tests. Additionally, PE attenuated oxidative stress by reducing lipid oxidation, nitric oxide, and reactive oxygen species levels in the mice's brains, livers, and kidneys. Improvement of neurotrophic factors and downregulation of apoptosis-related proteins were confirmed in the brains of mice fed low and medium concentrations of PE. Additionally, expression of antioxidant enzyme-related proteins GPx-1 and SOD-1 was enhanced in the liver of PE-treated mice, related to their inhibitory effect on oxidative stress.

Conclusion: This suggests that PE has both neuroregenerative and antioxidant effects. Collectively, these behavioral and histological results confirmed that PE could improve alcohol-induced cognitive deficits through brain neurotrophic and apoptosis protection and modulation of oxidative stress.

Background/objectives: Urban-rural inequities in health and mortality exist in Korea, a highly centralized developed country. The potential impact of multiple health-related lifestyle behaviors on mortality and difference between urban and rural areas is not fully understood. This study aimed to investigate the effect of high-risk health behaviors on all-cause mortality among residents living in urban and rural in Korea.

Subjects/methods: Cross-sectional analyses were conducted on 8,298 adults aged 40 yrs and older from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013-2015. High-risk behaviors were defined as having poor diet quality, current smoking, high-risk drinking, or insufficient physical activity. Mortality status was linked to the Cause of Death data followed up to December 31, 2019. The associations between all-cause mortality and high-risk behaviors were evaluated using Cox proportional hazard regression models adjusted for age, sex, education, income, and survey year. Population attributable fractions (PAFs) were calculated, and effect modification analysis was conducted. Participants were stratified by residential area (urban or rural).

Results: During the follow-up (median: 5.4 yrs), 313 deaths occurred. A higher proportion of rural residents than urban residents engaged in multiple high-risk behaviors (28.9% vs. 22.6%; P < 0.0001). As individual factors, a greater risk of mortality was associated with poor diet quality, current smoking, and inadequate physical activity, and these tendencies persisted in rural residents, especially for diet quality. Multiple high-risk behaviors were positively associated with a higher risk of mortality in Koreans living in urban and rural areas. PAF (95% confidence interval) was 18.5% (7.35-27.9%) and 29.8% (16.1-40.2%) in urban and rural residents, respectively. No additive or multiplicative effect of the region was observed.

Conclusion: The higher prevalence of multiple high-risk lifestyle behaviors in rural residents may explain the higher mortality in rural areas compared to urban areas. Comprehensive public health policies to improve health-related behaviors in rural populations may be needed.

[This corrects the article on p. 372 in vol. 18, PMID: 38854475.].

Background/objectives: The umami taste receptor (TAS1R1/TAS1R3) is endogenously expressed in skeletal muscle and is involved in myogenesis; however, there is a lack of evidence about whether the expression of the umami taste receptor is involved in muscular diseases. This study aimed to elucidate the effects of the umami taste receptor and its mechanism on muscle wasting in cancer cachexia using in vivo and in vitro models.

Materials/methods: The Lewis lung carcinoma-induced cancer cachexia model was used in vivo and in vitro, and the expressions of umami taste receptor and muscle atrophy-related markers, muscle atrophy F-box protein, and muscle RING-finger protein-1 were analyzed.

Results: Results showed that TAS1R1 was significantly downregulated in vivo and in vitro under the muscle wasting condition. Moreover, overexpression of TAS1R1 in vitro in the human primary cell model protected the cells from muscle atrophy, and knockdown of TAS1R1 using siRNA exacerbated muscle atrophy.

Conclusion: Taken together, the umami taste receptor exerts protective effects on muscle-wasting conditions by restoring dysregulated muscle atrophy in cancer cachexia. In conclusion, this result provided evidence that the umami taste receptor exerts a therapeutic anti-cancer cachexia effect by restoring muscle atrophy.

Background/objectives: There are concerns about the adverse health effects of behavioral changes linked to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We conducted a survey to investigate changes in lifestyle habits, including exercise and eating, during the COVID-19 pandemic and their association with changes in weight.

Subjects/methods: We conducted a survey of 5,000 people in Hakui City, Japan, to assess their lifestyles and diets during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 3,992 complete responses were received. We also obtained pre- and post-pandemic health check-up data for 704 of the respondents. These health data were combined with the results of the questionnaire survey to identify factors associated with weight changes. Data were analyzed for 704 individuals.

Results: The mean body mass index was 22.5 ± 3.1 kg/m² for respondents whose weight did not change and 25.1 ± 2.7 kg/m² for respondents whose weight increased. The pre-pandemic mean values for abdominal circumference in females and for gamma-glutamyl transferase in males tended to be higher in those whose weight increased. Those with decreased weight tended to be older. Respondents who were already overweight were more likely to gain weight because of COVID-19-related changes in their lifestyle. In males, alcohol consumption was directly associated with weight, and in females, abdominal circumference was more important.

Conclusion: The study found pre-pandemic overweight individuals likely gained more weight during it, with alcohol consumption being a significant factor for males. Weight loss was more crucial for those over 70, rather than weight gain.

Background/objectives: Obesity, characterized by abnormal fat accumulation and metabolic disturbances, presents a significant health challenge. Opuntia humifusa Raf., commonly known as Korean Cheonnyuncho, is rich in various beneficial compounds and has demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, its potential impact on glucose and lipid metabolism, particularly in obese rats, remains unexplored. We aimed to investigate whether O. humifusa stems and fruits could beneficially alter glucose metabolism and lipid profiles in a rat model of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity.

Materials/methods: Thirty-two rats were allocated into 4 groups: normal diet (NF), HFD control (HF), HFD treated with 2% O. humifusa stems (HF-OS), and HFD treated with 2% O. humifusa fruits (HF-OF). Experimental diets were administered for 6 weeks. At the end of the treatment, liver and fat tissues were isolated, and serum was collected for biochemical analysis. The major flavonoid from O. humifusa stems and fruits was identified and quantified.

Results: After 6 weeks of treatment, the serum fasting glucose concentration in the HF-OS group was significantly lower than that in the HF group. Serum fasting insulin concentrations in both HF-OS and HF-OF groups tended to be lower than those in the HF group, indicating a significant improvement in insulin sensitivity in the HF-OS group. Additionally, the HF-OS group exhibited a tendency towards the restoration of adiponectin levels to that of the NF group.

Conclusion: The 2% O. humifusa stems contain abundant quercetin and isorhamnetin, which alter fasting blood glucose levels in rats fed a HFD, leading to a favorable improvement in insulin resistance.

Background/objectives: Studies on the impact of dietary fiber intake on kidney stones are few, and their results were controversial. This study aimed to explore the association between dietary fiber intake and kidney stones in the nationally representative population of the USA.

Subjects/methods: This cross-sectional research included 8,588 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2011 to 2018. Information regarding dietary fiber intake was obtained from a 24-h recall survey. Participants were categorized into different dietary fiber intake tertiles according to the average of 2 days of dietary recall data. The outcome was self-reported kidney stones. After adjusting for the traditional risk factors, a multivariate logistic regression model was used to examine the association between dietary fiber intake and kidney stones.

Results: Eight hundred seventy-two participants had kidney stones. The weighted prevalence (SE) of kidney stones in the lowest tertile, medium tertile, and highest tertile of dietary fiber intake was 11.8% (0.8%), 10.3% (0.8%), and 9.1% (0.8%), respectively. After adjusting for age, sex, race and ethnicity, education level, smoking status, alcohol consumption, physical activity, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, daily water intake, chronic kidney disease stage 3-5, and total energy intake, participants with the highest tertile of fiber intake had a significantly lower risk of kidney stones (odds ratio [OR], 0.68; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.48-0.95) compared to those in the lowest tertile. Every 5 g/day increment in dietary fiber intake was associated with a significant decrease in risk of kidney stones (OR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.83-0.98).

Conclusion: An increase in dietary fiber intake was associated with a lower risk of kidney stones, suggesting adults should be encouraged to maintain an adequate dietary fiber intake to prevent the development of kidney stones. Our results provide evidence to formulate nutrition management strategies for the prevention of kidney stones.

Background/objectives: This study aims to explore the potential of convenience stores as platforms for healthy food consumption, including low-sodium options, in response to the increasing trend of meal behaviors at convenience stores and the growing demand for healthy eating.

Subjects/methods: In the study, 627 Korean participants aged 10 to 39 were involved. A self-reported questionnaire survey was used and questions were regarding purchase patterns, consumption behaviors, perceptions and selection attributes of convenience store foods, and consumer perception factors for low-sodium options. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 26.0 (SPSS, Version 26.0 for Windows, SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).

Results: The study uncovered significant disparities in the consumption behavior and perception of convenience store foods, as well as variations in the importance and satisfaction levels with convenience store food attributes, including consumer perception factors for low-sodium options, based on sex and age. Furthermore, it was observed that awareness of the need for low-sodium options significantly influenced purchase intentions.

Conclusion: This study analyzed consumer attitude toward low-sodium convenience store foods to assess the potentiality for promoting healthy eating in convenience stores. These findings indicate the important role that convenience stores can play as platforms for healthy food sales.

Background/objectives: Activating brown adipose tissue (BAT) and browning of white adipose tissue (WAT) can protect against obesity and obesity-related metabolic conditions. Cryptotanshinone (CT) regulates lipid metabolism and significantly ameliorates insulin resistance. Adenosine-5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a receptor for cellular energy metabolism, is believed to regulate brown fat activity in humans.

Materials/methods: The in vivo study included high-fat-fed obese mice administered orally 200/400 mg/kg/d CT. They were evaluated through weight measurement, the intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT), intraperitoneal insulin tolerance test (IPITT), cold stimulation test, serum lipid (total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein) measurement, hematoxylin and eosin staining, and immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, the in vitro study investigated primary adipose mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with incubation of CT and AMPK agonists (acadesine)/inhibitor (Compound C). Cells were evaluated using Oil Red O staining, Alizarin red staining, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence staining to identify and observe the osteogenic versus adipogenic differentiation. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and the Western blot were used to observe related gene expression.

Results: In the diet-induced obesity mouse model mice CT suppressed body weight, food intake, glucose levels in the IPGTT and IPTT, serum lipids, the volume of adipose tissue, and increased thermogenesis, uncoupling protein 1, and the AMPK pathway expression. In the in vitro study, CT prevented the formation of lipid droplets from MSCs while activating brown genes and the AMPK pathway. AMPK activator enhanced CT's effects, while the AMPK inhibitor reversed the effects of CT.

Conclusion: CT promotes adipose tissue browning to increase body thermogenesis and reduce obesity by activating the AMPK pathway. This study provides an experimental foundation for the use of CT in obesity treatment.

Background/objectives: The study examined the association between homocysteine and diabetes mellitus in patients with H-type hypertension and assessed the possible effect modifiers.

Subjects/methods: This cross-sectional study included 1,255 eligible participants in the 'H-type Hypertension Management and Stroke Prevention Strategic International Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Project' among rural Chinese people with H-type hypertension. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to evaluate the relationship between homocysteine and diabetes mellitus.

Results: The mean level of total homocysteine (tHcy) in the diabetes mellitus population was 19.37 μmol/L, which was significantly higher than the non-diabetic patients (18.18 μmol/L). When tHcy was analyzed as a continuous variable, the odds ratio (OR) of diabetes was 1.17 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.35; per interquartile range). When tHcy was stratified according to the quintile, the ORs for diabetes were 2.86 (95% CI, 1.22-6.69) in the highest quintile (tHcy ≥ 20.60 μmol/L) compared to the reference group (tHcy < 12.04 μmol/L). When tHcy was grouped by 15 μmol/L and 20 μmol/L, patients with tHcy ≥ 20 μmol/L had a significantly (P = 0.037) higher risk of diabetes (OR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.04-3.96) than in those with tHcy < 15 μmol/L. Subgroup analysis showed that the tHcy-diabetes association was unaffected by other variables.

Conclusion: In this study of rural Chinese people with H-type hypertension, the tHcy levels showed a positive association with diabetes mellitus. This independent association is unaffected by other potential risk factors.