PharmaNutrition最新文献

Background

Repetitive mild traumatic brain injury (rmTBI) has been considered a serious health issue. Crocin, a bioactive carotenoid in Crocus sativus (saffron) is well known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. The aim of this study is to investigate the neuroprotective role of crocin in a repetitive mild traumatic brain injury (rmTBI) mouse model and thus fits the pharmacological scope of pharmanutrition.

Methods

Balb c mice were divided into four groups, sham, crocin sham, TBI and crocin TBI. Injured groups received seven multiple closed brain injuries. Treated groups were injected with crocin (30 mg/kg) 30 min before each hit. Brain cortices were extracted 24 h post the last injury for molecular analysis. Brain cytokine levels of IL-6 and IL-10 were measured using ELISA. Also, using RT-PCR, the expression levels of the following genes, Bcl-2, caspase3, Bax, P53, NF-κB, Nrf2, HO-1 and NQO1 were assessed.

Results

There was a significant increase in the level of the inflammatory cytokine Il-6. Crocin administration induced a decrease in IL-6 accompanied with elevation in the anti-apoptotic cytokine IL-10. Crocin induced a decrease in the gene expression of the apoptotic factors caspase3, Bax and P53 in injured mice and enhanced the mRNA levels of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2. Also, crocin enhanced the gene expression levels of transcription factor Nrf2 and the antioxidant enzymes HO-1 and NQO-1 whereas reduced the expression of NF-κB.

Conclusion

Crocin exerted its neuroprotective effect following rmTBI. Crocin proves to play a prospect role in conferring protection against concussions.

Resistant starch (RS) consists of a glucose plant polymer that is extremely abundant in nature and easily obtained through simple technological processes in the food industry. Its molecular conformation, as well as its specific localization within the plant tissues, makes this molecule sterically inaccessible to the activity of amylolytic enzymes, which can degrade any other type of starch. Such a characteristic allows resistant starch to act as dietary fiber when ingested by humans, and it is used as a substrate by the gut microbiota. By metabolizing the resistant starch, the microbiota can produce organic fatty acids of low molecular weight, mainly butyrate, propionate, and acetate, also known as short-chain fatty acids (SCFA). Besides being a valuable energy source for colonocytes, SCFA promotes a plethora of beneficial and systemic effects on human metabolism. Researchers worldwide have been investigating the broad spectrum of benefits generated by the inclusion of resistant starch in the diet, including its effect on counteracting metabolic diseases. The worldwide abundance, easy access, and variety of industrial applications of resistant starch make it a functional food of great interest to the scientific community and for the development of new dietetic approaches capable of promoting health for the world’s population. This review will cover physiological aspects associated with RS intake and its impact on microbiota and health, especially to counteract chronic non-communicable diseases.

Background

Adult Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) is an inherited disease, associated with the development of liquid-filled cysts in the kidneys and other organs, causing renal failure. Most patients with ADPKD have mutations in either PKD1 or PKD2 genes, which encode for the two components of ion channels located in cilia and endoplasmic reticulum. These mutations cause an increase in intracellular cAMP and activate mTOR, the AMPK pathway and Jak/Stat-dependent gene transcription ultimately leading to enhanced cell proliferation and survival in cyst epithelium and to fluid release in cyst cavities. The aim of the present review is to discuss the main literature evidence suggesting that these pathologically activated transduction pathways can be targeted with an integrated pharmacological and nutritional, pharmanutrition, strategy.

Methods

We interrogated with no limit of publication time, the PubMed and Scopus databases using the following keywords: ADPKD, pharmacological treatment, nutritional intervention, diet, transduction pathways.

Results

In ADPKD, mTOR enhanced activity may be counteracted both with specific drugs, which have intrinsic dose-limiting toxicities, and with time-restricted feeding or ketogenic diets, and these two approaches could, theoretically, synergize. Likewise, cAMP accumulation in the cytoplasm can be counteracted pharmacologically with V2 receptor antagonists or somatostatin analogues and with nutritional interventions such as hypoosmolar diets, with or without high water intake.

Conclusions

Nutritional interventions impinge on the same transduction pathways targeted by drugs currently used or in development for ADPKD. The use of diet intervention in combination with drugs could help lowering drug dose and, consequently, dose-dependent drug toxicity.

Background

Flavonoids, the most abundant polyphenols present in the diet, may help to reduce the risk of cardiometabolic disease. Hence, the aim of this study was to know the potential associations between flavonoid source food intake, markers of low-grade inflammation and cardiometabolic risk status.

Methods

194 adult subjects attending at the Cardiology Division, Hospital Nacional de Clínicas, Córdoba, Argentina participated in the study. A validated food-frequency questionnaire was applied to establish the flavonoid source food intake. Clinical-pathological and anthropometric variables [height, weight, and waist circumference, and serum concentrations of high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and cytokines (INF-γ, TNFα, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-18, IL-23) were measured. A cardiometabolic risk clustering score was constructed and correlation’s coefficients and multiple linear regression models were used to assess the relation between flavonoid source foods consumption of and markers of low-grade inflammation.

Results

40.4% of the subjects were obese and 60.3% showed a very high risk of developing cardiovascular diseases according to the WC classification. 43.3% had a high risk of cardiometabolic dysregulation and the hs-CRP levels indicated a high risk of developing cardiovascular disease in the future both in men and women. The predominant intake of flavonoids was from source food of flavanones, flavones and flavonols. Negative associations between isoflavone source food intake and TNFα, IL-6 and IL-8 concentrations (P ≤ 0.05) were observed.

Conclusions

The results of the present study provide evidence of the inverse association between isoflavone source foods intake and inflammation. Further studies are needed to confirm retrieved association.

Background

Acetogenins are compounds found in Annonaceae, such as soursop (A. muricata) and pine cone (A. squamosa), and present cytotoxic properties, with antiproliferative and antitumor effects. However, they have also been implicated in the neurotoxic effects that are associated with atypical Parkinsonism. This study aimed to perform a systematic review and identify the cytotoxic and selective mechanisms for neoplastic cells and neurotoxic acetogenins.

Methods

This study aimed to perform a systematic review and identify the cytotoxic and selective mechanisms for neoplastic cells and neurotoxic acetogenins.

Results

The antitumor mechanisms of action were through apoptotic actions, negative regulation of the tumor growth factor and genotoxicity. The evidenced neurotoxic mechanisms were via the inhibition of neuronal mitochondrial complex I and dysfunctions of the tau protein. Acetogenins demonstrated punctual and selective anti-cancer action, though its selectivity remains unclear, and effects associated with neurodegeneration.

Conclusion

The evidences of neurotoxicity and cytotoxicity converges in a selectivity relationship associated with cells that require high energy demand and this seems to be a key feature that can help to understand these synergistic effects. Chronic exposure to acetogenins can potentiate neural damage, thus, moderate consumption of infusions, extracts and pulp of Annonaceae fruits is recommended.

Background

Omega-3 fatty acids reportedly improve child learning and behavioral outcomes. However, sociodemographic factors and parental perceptions driving omega-3 supplementation in children are not fully understood.

Methods

In a cross-sectional study design, we examined factors associated with use of a commercial omega-3 supplement for children (1–18 years) among 280 Thai, Chinese and Vietnamese parents.

Results

After adjustment for demographic and lifestyle factors, multivariable logistic regression showed that omega-3 supplement use was higher in children with greater quality of life [OR, 4.81 (95% CI: 1.64, 14.10)] and whose parents had more advanced education [OR, 2.29 (95% CI: 1.02, 5.15)]. Parents who viewed the omega-3 supplement as proven by research [OR, 5.01 (95% CI: 1.83, 13.74)], safe [OR, 7.44 (95% CI: 2.66, 20.80)] and natural [OR, 2.47 (95% CI: 1.09, 5.60)] were more likely to use the product for their child, as were those who reported positive social feedback regarding the product [OR, 2.44 (95% CI: 1.33, 4.48)].

Conclusion

Omega-3 supplement use among children residing in Asia was associated with better socio-demographic and lifestyle characteristics. Parental views concerning the safety and efficacy of the omega-3 product were major predictors of supplementation practices.

Background

Eugenia uniflora L. (EU) is widely distributed geographically and has been used in traditional medicine owing to its range of therapeutic properties associated with antioxidant action. To determine the viability of this species as an herbal with promising pharmaceutical applications, we assessed the evidence from preclinical studies about the antioxidant potential of EU extracts as a natural source for prevention and treatment of diseases associated with oxidative stress.

Methods

The search was conducted in the electronic databases: PubMed, ScienceDirect, and SciELO. In vivo studies related to the antioxidant properties and preclinical assays of this species were included. The risk of bias was assessed in all studies and meta-analysis was carried to summarize effect size of EU extracts.

Results

From 738 reports, 7 studies were included in qualitative synthesis and 4 in meta-analysis. Studies using extracts or fractions, and different pharmacological activities were reported. Meta-analysis showed positive effects of EU versus control on superoxide dismutase levels in hippocampus (MD=6.59; 95% CI=4.56–8.63) and on cortex (MD=7.57; 95% CI=5.92–9.21); and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) on hippocampus (MD = 11.85; 95%CI = 10.42–13.29). However, EU extracts did not show significant effects on GPx levels on cortex (p = 0.56); on acetylcholinesterase on cortex (p = 0.05), and hippocampus (p = 0.66); and glutathione levels on liver (p = 0.38).

Conclusion

In general, the studies have heterogeneity and some concerns about risk of bias, specially about randomization and blind outcome assessment. Current evidence of in vivo studies supports antioxidant action of EU extracts in brain tissue by increase of endogenous antioxidant molecules.

Cardiovascular disease is a chronic multifactorial health complication that is either directly or indirectly associated with pathophysiological mechanisms, including pro-oxidation, pro-inflammation, vascular and endothelial dysfunction, impaired platelet function, thrombosis, and others. The therapeutic options to circumvent cardiovascular complications include several phytomedicines, including green tea polyphenols. However, while many experimental and clinical studies report distinct mechanisms by which the polyphenols of green tea elicit a beneficial role in cardiometabolic health, the translation and applications of green tea polyphenols in clinics have yet to gain their optimal use on the broader population. This review critically appraises the various reported mechanisms of green tea polyphenols in modulating cardio-metabolic health and associated phyto-genomic challenges. Further, our review highlights the probability of gene polymorphic associated therapeutic variations in individuals using green tea for cardio-metabolic effects and the necessity to personalize green tea for clinical use, thereby improvising the risk-benefit ratio.

There is great interest in identifying natural products that can be approved as nutraceuticals. A good option is to induce transcription of vitagenes, which would lead to increased expression of proteins that provide the means to maintain homeostasis. In fact, the induction of vitagenes is considered relevant during aging, especially if aging is accompanied by neurodegenerative diseases. Care must be taken to avoid confusing vitagenes, which are genes, and vitagens, which are vitamin-like low-molecular weight compounds; both concepts are recalled here. Although mitochondria are key factors in several chronic diseases of the nervous system, the amount of vitagenes that is associated with better mitochondrial function (bioenergetics, oxidative stress, biogenesis, dynamics, etc.) is limited. Plant molecules have been used for centuries to improve well-being, and some have a directly or indirectly impact on mitochondrial function. However, there is little knowledge about whether plant-derived products can induce vitagenes related to the enhancement of the multiple actions exerted by mitochondria; studies are needed to detect natural plant compounds that increase the transcription of genes related to the function of this cellular organelle. This study is expected to identify new vitagenes whose induction provides benefits in aging and/or neurodegenerative diseases.