Nutrition Research and Practice最新文献

Background/objectives: Okra seed is a rich source of various nutritional and bioactive constituents, but its mechanism of action is still unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluated the effects on glucose uptake and serum lipid profiles of unsaponifiable matter (USM) from okra seed in adipocytes and diabetic animal models.

Materials/methods: USM was prepared from okra seed powder by saponification. The contents of phytosterols and vitamin E in USM were measured. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were cultured for 6 days with different concentrations of USM (0-200 μg/mL). The diabetic rats were administered with or without USM for 5 wk.

Results: In the USM, the contents of phytosterols and vitamin E were 394.13 mg/g USM and 31.16 mg/g USM, respectively. USM showed no cytotoxicity and led to an approximately 1.4-fold increase in glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The treatment of USM also increased the expressions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ and glucose transporter-4 in a dose-dependent manner in adipocytes. The body weight change was not significantly different in all diabetic rats. However, blood glucose and the weights of liver and adipose tissues were significantly reduced compared to those in the control diabetic rats. Treatment with USM decreased the levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol compared to the control group. The USM group also showed significantly decreased atherogenic indices and cardiac risk factors.

Conclusion: These results suggest that USM from okra seed improves the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects in diabetic rats, and provides valuable information for improving the functional properties of okra seed.

Background/objectives: Older men who live alone are more vulnerable to poor nutrition. However, little attention has been paid to malnutrition among this population. This study aimed to examine malnutrition and its associated factors among community-dwelling older men living alone.

Subjects/methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study used cohort data of community-dwelling older adults living alone in South Korea. A total of 230 older men aged 65 and over were included in this study. Nutritional status was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form. Multidimensional factors (sociodemographic, health-related, psychosocial, and lifestyle characteristics) were evaluated. Hierarchical logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the malnutrition-related factors.

Results: The prevalence of malnutrition was 32.2% in older men living alone. Low income (odds ratio [OR], 2.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-5.90), polypharmacy (OR, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.16-4.28), suicidal ideation (OR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.02-4.45), meal skipping (OR, 3.26; 95% CI, 1.60-6.64), and smoking (OR, 2.86; 95% CI, 1.43-5.73) were significantly associated with malnutrition.

Conclusion: Malnutrition is a severe health problem in older men living alone. This study highlights the importance of comprehensive and tailored interventions to mitigate malnutrition among older men living alone.

Background/objectives: This study investigated the relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean diet among Korean baby boomers and their levels of psychosocial stress.

Subjects/methods: The study included 1,656 adults (889 men and 797 women) born between 1955 and 1963 who participated in the 2005-2006 survey of the community-based Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES). The Mediterranean-type diet score (MTDS) was calculated from the semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (SQFFQ) data. The psychosocial stress levels were calculated using the psychosocial well-being index-short form (PWI-SF). Logistic regression analyses were performed to analyze the association between the MTDS (tertiles) and the prevalence of high psychosocial stress by gender.

Results: The ranges of the MTDS tertile groups were T1 (20-33 points), T2 (34-37 points), and T3 (38-39 points) for men, T1 (20-33 points), T2 (34-37 points), and T3 (38-48 points) for women. In both men and women, the consumption of whole grains, potatoes, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and fish increased with higher MTDS, while the consumption of red meat and dairy products decreased (P for trend < 0.05). As MTDS score increased the intake of energy, fiber, vitamins, and minerals (P for trend < 0.05). Men in the highest MTDS tertile had a 41% lower odds ratio (OR) of high psychosocial stress compared with those in the lowest tertile (OR, 0.59; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.38-0.91). Similarly, women in the highest tertile of the MTDS had a 39% lower OR of high psychosocial stress compared with those in the lowest tertile (OR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.40-0.95).

Conclusion: Promoting adherence to the Mediterranean diet among baby boomers may have a positive impact on reducing their levels of psychosocial stress.

Background/objectives: Obesity is a major cause of metabolic disorders; to prevent obesity, research is ongoing to develop natural and safe ingredients with few adverse effects. In this study, we determined the anti-obesity effects of Rosa multiflora root extract (KWFD-H01) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats.

Materials/methods: The anti-obesity effects of KWFD-H01in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and SD rats were examined using various assays, including Oil Red O staining, gene expression analyses, protein expression analyses, and blood biochemical analyses.

Results: KWFD-H01 reduced intracellular lipid accumulation and inhibited the mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), cytidine-cytidine-adenosine-adenosine-thymidine (CCAAT)/enhancer binding proteins (C/EBPα), sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor 1 (SREBP-1c), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), and fatty acid synthase (FAS) in 3T3-L1 cells. KWFD-H01 also reduced body weight, weight gain, and the levels of triglycerides, total and LDL-cholesterol, glucose, and leptin, while increasing high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and adiponectin in SD rats. PPARγ, C/EBPα, SREBP-1c, ACC, and FAS protein expression was inhibited in the epididymal fat of SD rats.

Conclusion: Overall, these results confirm the anti-obesity effects of KWFD-H01 in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and SD rats, indicating their potential as baseline data for developing functional health foods or pharmaceuticals to control obesity.

Background/objectives: The prevalence of hypertension is increasing, and noodles have a high sodium content, so noodle consumption might be associated with a higher prevalence of hypertension. This study aimed to analyze the association between total and types of noodle intake and the risk of hypertension among Korean adults. Subjects aged 40-69 years were selected for this study.

Subjects/methods: This study included 56,580 participants (18,246 men and 38,334 women) aged 40-69 years old from the Health Examinees study. Noodle and nutrient intakes were assessed using the food frequency questionnaire. Hypertension was diagnosed as systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg or antihypertensive medication use. Cox proportional hazard models were used to calculate the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for hypertension.

Results: Higher noodle consumption was associated with increased hypertension among men (HR, 1.273; 95% CI, 1.166-1.390) and women (HR, 1.116; 95% CI, 1.038-1.199).

Conclusion: We recommended reducing noodle intake and consuming vegetables and fruits to increase potassium intake, which can prevent vascular diseases.

Background/objectives: The objective of this study was to compare dietary habits and mental health among middle school students in urban and rural areas based on bedtime, and to provide evidence supporting appropriate bedtime for Korean middle school students in relation to their healthy dietary habits and mental well-being.

Subjects/methods: The study population consisted of 25,681 second-year middle school students who participated in the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey in 2020-2022. Participants were asked about their bedtime and wake-up time during the past 7 days and were classified into five categories. The study compared the general characteristics, academic factors, dietary habits, and mental health of urban and rural students based on their bedtime.

Results: Bedtime was found to be later in the following order: urban female students, rural female students, urban male students, and rural male students. As bedtime got later, the rates of smoking and alcohol consumption increased. Students who went to bed before 11 p.m. had lower academic performance, while rural male students who went to bed after 2 a.m. had lower academic performance. Later bedtime was associated with increased smartphone usage, skipping breakfast, consuming fast food, and drinking carbonated beverages. Later bedtime was also associated with higher perceived stress levels, particularly among students who went to bed after 2 a.m., higher rates of suicidal ideation, experiencing sadness and despair, as well as the prevalence of clinically significant anxiety disorders.

Conclusion: These results suggest that middle school students who go to bed too late have higher rates of smoking and alcohol drinking, as well as unhealthy eating habits, stress, suicidal ideation, sadness, and anxiety. Therefore, it is necessary to provide educational and social institutional support to promote adequate sleep for the health of adolescents.

Background/objectives: Chronic renal failure (CRF) is a complex pathological condition that lacks a cure. Certain Chinese medicines, such as melittin, a major component in bee venom, have shown efficacy in treating CRF patients. On the other hand, the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of melittin are unclear.

Materials/methods: A 5/6 nephrectomy model (5/6 Nx) of renal failure was established on rats for in vivo assays, and mouse podocyte clone 5 (MPC5) mouse podocyte cells were treated with angiotensin II (AngII) to establish an in vitro podocyte damage model. The 24-h urine protein, serum creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen levels were evaluated after one, 2, and 4 weeks. Hematoxylin and eosin staining, Masson staining, and periodic acid-Schiff staining were used to examine the pathological changes in kidney tissues. A cell counting kit 8 assay was used to assess the cell viability. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot were used to assess the mRNA and protein levels in the cells, respectively.

Results: In the rat 5/6 Nx, melittin reduced the 24-h urinary protein excretion and the serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels. Furthermore, the renal pathology was improved in the melittin-treated 5/6 Nx rats. Melittin promoted podocin, nephrin, Beclin 1, and the LC3II/LC3I ratio and inhibited phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/mTOR in 5/6 Nx-induced rats and AngII-induced MPC5 mouse podocyte cells. Moreover, inhibiting autophagy with 3-MA weakened the effects of melittin on podocin, nephrin, and the LC3II/LC3I ratio in podocytes.

Conclusion: Melittin may offer protection against kidney injury, probably by regulating podocyte autophagy. These results provide the theoretical basis for applying melittin in CRF therapy.

Background/objectives: The purpose of this study was to establish a fruit-cooking method suitable for older adults with masticatory dysfunction.

Materials/methods: Five types of fruits were selected to make fruit jelly and puree: apple, sweet persimmon, mandarin, Korean melon, and watermelon. Recipes were selected based on the Korean Industrial Standard (KS) for senior-friendly foods (KS H 4897), which classifies foods into 3 levels (L1-L3) based on their hardness and viscosity.

Results: In South Korea, senior-friendly foods are classified into 3 stages based on their hardness. Stage 1 is for foods that are able to eat with teeth (hardness greater than 50,000 N and less than 500,000 N), Stage 2 is for foods that are able to eat with gums (hardness greater than 20,000 N and less than 50,000 N), and Stage 3 is for foods that are able to eat with the tongue (hardness less than 20,000 N). As a result of measuring the hardness by varying the shape of the fruit, it was found that nearly all fruits could be eaten fresh by chewing with the teeth (L1) but did not meet the KS for mastication using the gums (L2) or tongue (L3), so the cooking method was selected as fruit jelly and fruit puree. Only sweet persimmon, which had a hardness of 61,624-496,393 N, was not suitable for consumption in fresh fruit, unprocessed form. Based on their hardness measurements, fruit jellies (27,869 to 36,343 N) and fruit purees (315 to 1,156 N) met the L2 and L3 requirements, respectively. The viscosity results of all fruit purees met the L3 requirement.

Conclusion: These results offer a simple cooking method to prepare texture-modified fruits suitable for safe consumption by older adults living with masticatory difficulties in general households and nursing facilities.

Background/objectives: Dietitians frequently use nutrition education tools to facilitate dietary counselling sessions. Nevertheless, these tools may require adaptation to keep pace with technological advancements. This study had a 2-fold purpose: first, to identify the types of nutrition education tools currently in use, identify their limitations, and explore dietitians' perspectives on the importance of these tools; second, to investigate the features that dietitians prefer in digital nutrition education tools.

Subjects/methods: A semi-structured face-to-face interview was conducted among 15 dietitians from selected public hospitals, primary care clinics, and teaching hospitals in Malaysia. Inductive thematic analysis of the responses was conducted using NVivo version 12 software.

Results: Most dietitians used physical education tools including the healthy plate model, pamphlets, food models, and flip charts. These tools were perceived as important as they facilitate the nutrition assessment process, deliver nutrition intervention, and are time efficient. However, dietitians described the current educational tools as impersonal, outdated, limited in availability due to financial constraints, unhandy, and difficult to visualise. Alternatively, they strongly favoured digital education tools that provided instant feedback, utilised an automated system, included a local food database, were user-friendly, developed by experts in the field, and seamlessly integrated into the healthcare system.

Conclusion: Presently, although dietitians have a preference for digital educational tools, they heavily rely on physical nutrition education tools due to their availability despite the perception that these tools are outdated, impersonal, and inconvenient. Transitioning to digital dietary education tools could potentially address these issues.

Background/objectives: Mushroom consumption, rich in diverse nutrients and bioactive compounds, is suggested as a potential significant contributor to preventing cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs). This systematic review aimed to explore the association between mushrooms and cardiometabolic health outcomes, utilizing data from prospective cohort studies and clinical trials focusing on the general population, with mushrooms themselves as a major exposure.

Subjects/methods: All original articles, published in English until July 2023, were identified through searches on PubMed, Ovid-Embase, and google scholar. Of 1,328 studies, we finally selected 5 prospective cohort studies and 4 clinical trials.

Results: Existing research is limited, typically consisting of 1 to 2 studies for each CMD and cardiometabolic condition. Examination of articles revealed suggestive associations in some cardiometabolic conditions including blood glucose (both fasting and postprandial), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol related indices, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and obesity indices (body weight, body mass index, and waist circumference). However, mushroom consumption showed no association with the mortality and morbidity of cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and type 2 diabetes, although there was a potentially beneficial connection with all cause-mortality, hyperuricemia, and metabolic syndrome.

Conclusion: Due to the scarcity of available studies, drawing definitive conclusions is premature. Further comprehensive investigations are needed to clarify the precise nature and extent of this relationship before making conclusive recommendations for the general population.