Nutrients最新文献

Background/objectives: Choline and essential fatty acids (EFA) are vital for fetal brain development, supporting pregnancy, and maintaining hormonal balance. They also promote overall health. The childbearing years present a window of opportunity to increase the intake of these key nutrients and develop healthy dietary habits. The aims of this study were to evaluate the intake of choline and EFA in women of childbearing age (15-49 years old), identify their food sources and determine if supplements containing choline and EFA were available across the Estudio Latinoamericano de Nutrición y Salud (ELANS) countries.

Methods: Survey data were collected for the ELANS, including participants from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela (n = 9218; 15-65 years old). Women of childbearing age were extracted from the largest database (n = 3704).

Results: In general, choline intake was inadequate in all countries, while EFA intake was normal or above requirements. Chile had the lowest intake of choline, and Colombia had the highest. The results showed that some countries had more inadequate choline intake than others. Consuming a larger quantity of eggs helped reduce choline inadequacy, as did including eggs and fish in the diet. The intake of EFA, including ALA, EPA, and DHA, showed variability. The contributions of EPA and DHA were lower than that of ALA, and the results differed by age group.

Conclusions: choline intake is inadequate, and EFA intake is variable among women of childbearing age in the ELANS study. More awareness and education are needed to achieve better intake of these nutrients.

Background: Folic acid (FA), which in its chemical form is pteroylglutamic acid, is the fully oxidised, water-soluble, monoglutamic form of vitamin B9. This compound is part of the folate group but with higher bioavailability, and it is found in vitamin supplements and fortified foods and drugs. Folate metabolism is complex and associated with various metabolic pathways, all of which confer protection on the cell and allow its survival. Methods: We conducted a non-systematic search of articles published in English and Spanish including controlled trials, cohort studies, systematic re-views, and meta-analyses were included, as well as key studies in animal models related to pharmacokinetic studies. Search terms encompassed: "folic acid", "folates", "5-metyltetrahydrofolate", "5-MTHF", "neural tube defects", "supplementation", "fortification", AND "homocysteine" Results: A crucial role demonstrated for FA is to help prevent neural tube defects (NTDs). However, more studies are definitely still needed to establish 5-MTHF as a safe and effective therapeutic approach comparable with FA. Moreover, there is a lack of clinical studies that evaluate the efficacy of 5-MTHF supplementation in the prevention of NTDs. The present evidence-based narrative review discusses differences between FA and 5-MTHF in terms of structure, metabolism, bioavailability, clinical efficacy, and safety. Conclusions: Despite the potential value of 5-MTHF as an alternative to FA, clinical studies would be urgently needed to support the efficacy, dosage, timing, and/or safety of its use as a supplement.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVDs) remain leading causes of mortality and disability in Western countries [...].

Background/objectives: Excess adiposity is associated with a higher risk of breast cancer metastasis and mortality. Evidence suggests that dietary vitamin D inhibits breast cancer metastasis. However, the mechanistic link between vitamin D's regulation of adipocyte metabolism and metastasis has not been previously investigated. Therefore, the purpose of these experiments was to examine the effect of the active form of vitamin D, 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)₂D), on adipocyte release of bioactive compounds and whether the impact on adipocytes leads to inhibition of breast cancer cell migration, an important step of metastasis.

Methods: Differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated with 1,25(OH)₂D for two days, followed by either harvesting the adipocytes or collecting adipocyte-conditioned media without 1,25(OH)₂D. A transwell migration assay was conducted with vehicle- or 1,25(OH)₂D-conditioned media. In order to explore the mechanism underlying effects on breast cancer metastatic capability, the mRNA expression of leptin, adiponectin, insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) was measured in adipocytes following either vehicle or 1,25(OH)₂D treatment.

Results: Conditioned media from 1,25(OH)₂D-treated adipocytes inhibited the migration of metastatic MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells compared to conditioned media from vehicle-treated adipocytes. Treatment of adipocytes with 1,25(OH)₂D decreased mRNA expression of leptin, adiponectin, IGF-1, IL-6, and MCP-1. Consistent with mRNA expression, concentrations of leptin, adiponectin, IGF-1, and IL-6 in adipocyte-conditioned media were decreased with 1,25(OH)₂D treatment, although MCP-1 remained unchanged.

Conclusions: In summary, these results suggest that 1,25(OH)₂D alters adipocyte secretions to prevent breast cancer metastasis.

Individuals with dementia and neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) often suffer from cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Neuroinflammation driven by conditions involved in CVDs is linked to disruptions in the central nervous system triggering immune reactions, perpetuating an "inflammatory-like" environment. The Mediterranean diet (MedDiet), known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, has been proposed as a key factor to attenuate these risks. Blood nuclear cell samples were collected from 134 participants of the PREDIMED trial, which randomized participants to three diets: one supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil (MedDiet-EVOO), another with nuts (MedDiet-Nuts), and a low-fat control diet. These samples were analyzed at baseline and 12-month follow-up to assess the impact of these dietary interventions on gene expression markers. We first selected target genes by analyzing intersections between NDD and CVD associations. Significant gene expression changes from baseline to 12 months were observed in the participants allocated to the MedDiet-EVOO, particularly in CDKN2A, IFNG, NLRP3, PIK3CB, and TGFB2. Additionally, TGFB2 expression changed over time in the MedDiet-Nuts group. Comparative analyses showed significant differences in TGFB2 between MedDiet-EVOO and control, and in NAMPT between MedDiet-Nuts and control. Longitudinal models adjusted for different covariates also revealed significant effects for TGFB2 and NAMPT. In conclusion, our results suggest that one year of traditional MedDiet, especially MedDiet-EVOO, modulates gene expression associated with CVD risk and NDDs in older adults at high CV risk.

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of caffeinated chewing gum on the physical performance of elite ice hockey players after a jet lag intervention. Fourteen national-level (age: 25.2 ± 5.4; height: 176.5 ± 5.3; weight: 78.1 ± 13.4) ice hockey players were tested late at night after a full day awake schedule with jet lag. A randomised, double-blind experimental design was employed in which participants either chewed caffeinated gum (CAF) containing 3 mg/kg caffeine or a caffeine-free placebo gum (PLA) for 10 min prior to undertaking a series of on-ice and off-ice tests. The off-ice tests included grip force, the counter-movement jump (CMJ), and the squat jump (SJ). The on-ice tests included a 35 m sprint, the S-Shape agility test, and the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test (Yo-Yo IR1 test). The CMJ height (CAF: 47.2 ± 4.4; PL: 45.9 ± 3.5; p = 0.035; Cohen's d = 0.32) and SJ height (CAF: 46.7 ± 4.1; PL: 44.9 ± 3.8; p = 0.047; Cohen's d = 0.44) were found to be significantly higher in the CAF than in the PL trial. However, there were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in grip force, as well as in the 35 m sprint, the S-Shape agility test, and the Yo-Yo IR1 test. The present study found that, following a jet lag intervention, although the consumption of caffeinated gum resulted in an increase in vertical jump height, it had no impact on performance in the ice tests. The results of this study may help coaches and athletes consider the need for caffeine supplementation when experiencing jet lag.

Background and objectives: As one of the most popular beverages in the world, coffee has long been known to affect bowel functions such as motility, secretion, and absorption. Recent evidence obtained in human and animal studies suggests that coffee has modulating impacts on gut microbiota. We aim to present an overview of the specific effects of coffee on gut microbiota composition, diversity, and growth. We will also critically review the impacts of coffee on bowel functions in health and diseases and discuss whether gut microbiota play a role in the coffee-associated functional changes in the gastrointestinal tract. Methods: We searched the literature up to June 2024 through PubMed, Web of Science, and other sources using search terms such as coffee, caffeine, microbiota, gastrointestinal infection, motility, secretion, gut-brain axis, absorption, and medication interaction. Clinical research in patients and preclinical studies in rodent animals were included. Results: A majority of the studies found that moderate consumption of coffee (<4 cups a day) increased the relative abundance of beneficial bacterial phyla such as Firmicutes and Actinobacteria and decreased Bacteroidetes. Moderate coffee consumption also increased Bifidobacterium spp. and decreased the abundance of Enterobacteria. Coffee consumption is reported to increase gut microbiota diversity. Although the effects of coffee on bowel functions have been known for a long time, it is not until recently that we have recognized that some of the effects of coffee may be partly due to its impacts on microbiota. Conclusions: The current literature suggests that moderate coffee consumption has beneficial effects on oral and gut microbiota and motility function. However, excessive coffee intake (>5 cups a day) is implicated in reflux disorders, periodontal diseases, and progression of Crohn's disease. Further research in the field is needed, as there are many conflicting results regarding the impacts of coffee in the gastrointestinal tract.

Background: Euglena gracilis (E. gracilis), a species of unicellular algae, can accumulate large amounts of β-1,3-glucan paramylon, a polysaccharide, in its cytoplasm and has recently attracted interest as a bioproduct due to its various health benefits. In this study, the immune-enhancing effect of E. gracilis powder (EP) was investigated in vitro and in vivo.

Methods: In vitro, the production of NO and cytokines and the mechanism of the signaling pathway of β-1,3-glucan were identified in RAW264.7 cells. In vivo, cyclophosphamide-induced (CP-induced) immunosuppressed C57BL/6 female mice were orally administered with three different concentrations (100, 300, and 600 mg/kg) of EP daily. After 14 days, the organs and whole blood were collected from each animal for further study.

Results: The weight loss of CP-treated mice was reversed by treatment with EP to levels comparable to those of control mice. In addition, the frequencies of NK1.1⁺, CD3⁺, CD4⁺, CD8⁺, and B220⁺ in immune cells isolated from the spleen were increased by EP treatment compared with water or RG. The secretion of TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-12 from splenocytes was also increased by EP treatment, as was the level of IgM in the serum of the mice. Finally, EP treatment specifically upregulated the expression of dectin-1 in the liver of CP-treated mice.

Conclusions: E. gracilis could be a good candidate for a natural immune stimulator in the innate and adaptive response by secreting TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-12 through stimulating dectin-1 expression on the surface of immune cells.

Background/Objectives: S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) is a natural compound used to improve mood-related symptoms. Our aim was to determine the efficacy, safety, and optimal dose of SAMe in Central Nervous System (CNS) signs (e.g., mood, behavior). Methods: We conducted a PRISMA-based systematic review by searching PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science using MeSH search terms. Articles were independently reviewed by two researchers (with a third resolving conflicts) during title/abstract screening and full-text review. Data were extracted in the same approach, with a quality assessment of included articles. Results: Out of 1881 non-duplicated studies, 36 were included in the review focusing on CNS signs (mood, behavior, sleep). Most studies (n = 32) achieved a 4 or 5 out of 5 points, indicating high study quality. Overall, SAMe was effective in 24 of 36 studies, with adverse events mostly consisting of mild, transient gastrointestinal disturbances. Conclusions: Many patients in these studies did experience improvements in CNS signs from using SAMe alone or in combination with existing therapy. However, future studies are needed to further understand the long-term effects of SAMe in the CNS.

The treatment for Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD) consists of a hypoproteic diet with integration therapy to limit leucine intake, ensuring adequate energy, macronutrients, and micronutrients to prevent catabolism and promote anabolism. We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study at the Metabolic Rare Disease Unit, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy. Patients with MSUD who were over 3 years old, not treated with liver transplantation, and who provided written consent, were included. The study aimed to describe the dietary treatment of patients with MSUD, evaluate growth data, and analyze the effect of a low-protein and semi-synthetic diet on body composition. Data on height, weight, BMI, waist circumference, food intake, physical activity, and DEXA scans were collected. Thirteen subjects (11 classic MSUD, 2 intermediate MSUD) were included, of which 5 < 18 years old. Results indicated that patients with MSUD follow a balanced diet and have body compositions like healthy subjects in terms of fat and lean mass. A high incidence of osteopenia was observed from a young age, with a positive correlation between protein intake and lean mass and a negative correlation between BCAA-free mixture consumption and bone mineral density z-score. The study highlights the positive effects and potential consequences of the semi-synthetic diet on the body composition of patients with MSUD. A similar study involving all Italian metabolic centers treating MSUD is recommended.