Preventive Nutrition and Food Science最新文献

Osteoporosis is a prevalent metabolic bone disorder that is characterized by reduced bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration, especially in women who are postmenopausal. Brown algae such as Sargassum fulvellum contain bioactive compounds with potential bone health benefits. This study examined the effects of S. fulvellum-derived exosome-like nanovesicles (SfNVs) on osteoblast differentiation and mineralization. SfNVs were isolated via differential ultracentrifugation, characterized by nanoparticle tracking analysis, bicinchoninic acid protein assay, and NanoImaging, and subsequently applied to MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts. The SfNVs (∼208 nm) were efficiently internalized without exhibiting cytotoxicity and significantly enhanced alkaline phosphatase activity, mineralized nodule formation, and the expression of osteogenic markers, such as Runx2, ALP, OPN, and ProCOL I. In addition, the SfNVs upregulated the expression of BMP-2/4 and activated the MAPK (p38, JNK, and ERK) and Smad1/5/8 signaling pathways. Collectively, these findings indicate that SfNVs promote osteoblast differentiation and mineralization via the BMP-2/4-MAPK-Smad1/5/8 axis, thereby suggesting their potential as functional marine-derived biomaterials for the nutritional prevention of bone metabolic diseases.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder that is characterized by pruritus, erythema, and eczematous lesions, and pruritus is often regarded as the most burdensome symptom that affects quality of life. Current therapies, including corticosteroids and immunosuppressants, are limited by their adverse effects, thus highlighting the need for safer alternatives. Corchorus olitorius extract (CE), a polyphenol- and flavonoid-rich leafy vegetable, has been reported to possess anti-inflammatory properties. However, its potential as an anti-hypersensitivity agent has not been systematically evaluated. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammation and anti-hypersensitivity properties of CE using RAW 264.7 macrophages, HaCaT keratinocytes, and human mast cell-1, as well as NC/Nga mice with 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene-induced AD-like lesions. CE exhibited no cytotoxicity and significantly suppressed nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and thymus and activation-regulated chemokine production. Furthermore, CE inhibited the degranulation of mast cells by reducing histamine and β-hexosaminidase release, thereby demonstrating anti-hypersensitivity activity. The oral administration of CE attenuated the scratching behavior and improved skin severity scores in NC/Nga mice, with effects at the highest dose comparable to that of dexamethasone. Collectively, these findings provide the first comprehensive evidence that CE alleviates AD-like symptoms by regulating inflammatory mediators and hypersensitivity responses, thus supporting its potential as a safe oral therapeutic or functional food candidate for AD.

Acorn bee pollen is a highly nutritious natural food, but information regarding its quality properties is currently lacking. Therefore, in this study, acorn bee pollens were collected from five regions of South Korea, and then acorn bee pollen extracts (ABPe) were prepared, and their quality properties, as well as their components, were analyzed. For the analysis related to the ABPe's antioxidant activity, the 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical, and nitrite scavenging activities of JNe (sample from Jeonnam) were at 72.7%, 66.8%, and 60.0%, respectively, which were significantly higher than their respective averages of 69.7%, 56.7%, and 55.3% for the other four samples. Moreover, the inhibition activities of JNe on tyrosinase, α-glucosidase, and α-amylase were 72.5%, 92.6%, and 72.4%, respectively, which were significantly higher than their respective averages of 62.7%, 70.9%, and 61.5% for the other four samples. When considering the ABPe components, the total flavonoid content of JNe was 8.4 mg QE/g, which is higher than the average of 4.6 mg QE/g for the other four samples, and exhibited the highest correlation with the quality properties of acorn bee pollen. Furthermore, among the quercetin glycosides in JNe, rutin revealed a higher correlation with the quality properties than the other flavonoids. Therefore, total flavonoid and rutin content are closely associated with the antioxidant activity and enzyme inhibition of the ABPe. In conclusion, these results are expected to be used for evaluating the quality properties of acorn bee pollen as a healthy functional food ingredient or a natural food additive.

Hydrangea tea is known for its unique sweet taste and contains bioactive compounds, including phyllodulcin and hydrangenol. This study aimed to investigate the factors (e.g., water type, pH, etc.) that affect the hydrangenol content in hydrangea tea and to propose methods to increase its yield. The tea extracts prepared under various conditions were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and their hydrangenol contents were compared. Distilled water with a weakly acidic pH produced the highest hydrangenol concentration (14.36 µg/mL), which was 10.9 times higher than that obtained with mineral water at neutral pH. Further experiments using pH-adjusted water (pH 4.0－7.0) showed that the hydrangenol content increased as the pH decreased. Ascorbic acid and dried fruits were effective blending materials for decreasing the extraction pH. Among them, calamansi yielded the highest hydrangenol content (21.38 µg/mL). HPLC analysis showed that authentic hydrangenol was rapidly converted to hydrangeic acid under neutral and alkaline conditions. These results indicate that the extraction pH is an important factor for hydrangenol yield in hydrangea tea and that the yield can be improved by adding blending materials that decrease the pH into the acidic range.

As life expectancy increases, age-related diseases pose significant challenges in modern medicine. The molecular mechanisms of aging have been widely explored in mice, nematodes, human cells, and yeast. The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has become the most widely employed eukaryotic model due to its short lifespan and well-characterized genetic and molecular profiles. However, research into the metabolite perturbations associated with lifespan extension has tended to focus on mutant or engineered yeast cells, and information regarding these processes in normal yeast cells remains scant. In this study, therefore, we investigated how aging affects the intracellular metabolites of S. cerevisiae during its growth and how these changes relate to lifespan extension induced by calorie restriction (CR) and quercetin treatment using a ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolomic approach. The results revealed clear relationships between intracellular metabolites and aging, CR, and quercetin treatment in yeast cells. The intracellular trehalose levels were found to increase with aging, CR, and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) treatment, indicating that yeast cells activate protective responses against cellular stress. Meanwhile, quercetin treatment was able to clear the metabolic stress caused by DMSO treatment. The treatment of both CR and quercetin significantly increased the intracellular proline levels, which are known to regulate mitochondrial function and decline with age. The findings of this study suggest that CR and quercetin promote the longevity of S. cerevisiae through a shared metabolic pathway and highlight intracellular trehalose and proline as potentially valuable biomarkers of cellular stress and longevity in yeast cells.

Constipation is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders, with an increasing prevalence. Lactic acid bacteria are known to improve the colon microenvironment; however, the ameliorative effect of Levilactobacillus brevis KU15159 on constipation has not been examined. This study aimed to investigate the effects of L. brevis KU15159 administration on improving intestinal function and defecation activity in an animal model of loperamide-induced constipation. Six-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the normal control, constipation induction (loperamide 4 mg/kg), control drug (loperamide+sodium picosulfate 5 mg/kg), and L. brevis KU15159 (loperamide+L. brevis KU15159 1×10¹⁰ CFU/g) groups with corresponding oral treatment for 2 weeks. Compared with the constipation induction group, the L-KU15159 group exhibited significantly improved fecal indices and intestinal transit time (P<0.05) and reduced DNA damage in colon cells and fecal water (P<0.05). Analysis of the plasma oxygen radical absorbance capacity and lipid peroxides (conjugated dienes) showed that the L-KU15159 group significantly reduced levels of oxidative stress and lipid peroxides in the blood (P<0.05). The activities of intestinal harmful enzymes (β-glucosidase, nitroreductase, and β-glucuronidase) were also significantly inhibited in the L-KU15159 group (P<0.05). Therefore, L. brevis KU15159 can be considered a functional food that can improve intestinal function, defecation activity, and constipation through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

LN19183 is a proprietary blend containing Citrus aurantifolia fruit rind and Theobroma cacao seed extracts in a 2:1 ratio. Recently, LN19183 was found to improve serum glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) levels after 16 weeks of intake in overweight adults. However, its specific mechanisms remain unknown. Therefore, the present study evaluated whether LN19183 acts through the bitter taste receptor-phospholipase C (PLC)-calcium signaling pathway in the human enteroendocrine L-cell line NCI-H716. The results showed that LN19183 dose-dependently increased relative GLP-1 secretion and reached statistical significance at 50 µg/mL (P<0.05). At the same dose, LN19183 selectively amplified the mRNA expression of bitter taste receptors (hTAS2R3, hTAS2R45, and most strongly, hTAS2R46) and concurrently increased the mRNA expression of α-gustducin. In addition, LN19183 upregulated the mRNA expression of proglucagon and prohormone convertase 1/3. To determine its mechanisms, cells were treated with U73122 (a PLC inhibitor) and 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (an inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor inhibitor). These treatments inhibited the mRNA expression of proglucagon and secretion of GLP-1. Collectively, these findings indicate that LN19183 activates hTAS2R46-α-gustducin-PLC signaling to stimulate the biosynthesis and secretion of GLP-1. These data provide a molecular rationale for the increase in GLP-1 observed in previous animal and human studies of LN19183, thereby positioning this botanical as a promising adjunct for the prevention or comanagement of obesity and related metabolic diseases.

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites that are mainly produced by molds. The presence of mycotoxins in raw materials used to produce infant flours presents a health risk to infants and young children. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the mycotoxin prevalence in raw materials and infant flours from Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Thirty-nine samples of raw materials and 26 samples of infant flour collected from artisanal and semi-industrial production units were analyzed. Liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry was used to determine the contents of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁), aflatoxin B₂, aflatoxin G₁, aflatoxin G₂, fumonisin B₁ (FB₁), and ochratoxin A (OTA). The results indicated a variability in the contents of total aflatoxins (AFs), FB₁, and OTA within the samples of raw materials. In addition, 79.49% of the raw materials contaminated by total AFs had AF contents above the maximum limit (4 µg/kg). Moreover, 61.54% had AFB₁ levels above the recommended limit (2 µg/kg). The highest AF levels were found in peanuts and maize. Meanwhile, the highest OTA level was found in soybean samples. The presence of mycotoxins was highly variable in infant flours. The comparison of averages indicates a significant difference for AF, FB₁, and OTA contents (P<0.0001). Therefore, these mycotoxins need to be controlled to considerably reduce their contamination and exposure in infants and young children and to preserve their health.

Phosphorus in the form of phytic acid or myo-inositol hexakisphosphate is not absorbable by animals, leading to decreased bioavailability of essential minerals such as iron, zinc, and calcium. This study aimed to develop and validate a simple and efficient method for measuring inositol phosphates in soybeans. The four types of inositol phosphates analyzed were D-myo-inositol-1,5,6-triphosphate, D-myo-inositol-1,4,5,6-tetraphosphate, D-myo-inositol-1,3,4,5,6-pentaphosphate, and D-myo-inositol-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexakisphosphate using high pressure ion chromatography. For method validation, we assessed specificity, linearity, limit of detection, limit of quantification, precision, and accuracy for the four inositol phosphate types. Calibration curves for each inositol phosphate indicated high linearity (r ²≥0.9999). The intra and interday precision of the assays ranged from 0.22% to 2.80% and 1.02% to 8.57%, respectively. Recoveries measured using the standard addition method in soybeans varied from 97.04% to 99.05%. Accordingly, the analytical method was validated for detecting inositol phosphates in soybeans. Our results provide data on the phytic acid content of wild type and gene-edited soybeans by measuring individual inositol phosphates, which is expected to aid in breeding soybeans with reduced phytic acid levels.

The consumption of white rice－an important component of diets in many regions, especially in Asia－has been linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The high glycemic index (GI) of white rice results in a rapid increase in postprandial glucose levels. However, the particular variety and cooking method used considerably impact the glycemic impact of white rice. Particularly, short-grain and glutinous rice varieties, characterized by higher amylopectin-to-amylose ratios, tend to have higher GIs than long-grain varieties. This investigation explored the impact of different cooking techniques on the nutritional composition, GI, and sensory characteristics of rice. A thorough evaluation was conducted through a systematic review of the existing literature, employing databases such as Science Direct, PubMed, Google Scholar, Garuda, IPB Repository, and Brawijaya University Repository, with peer-reviewed articles, conference papers, and other reliable sources being analyzed. The findings reveal complex interactions among rice varieties, cooking methods, and their effects on the GI, nutritional profile, and sensory evaluation of rice. Parboiling and postcooking cooling proved effective for reducing the glycemic response in healthy subjects. However, a critical limitation of the present work is the complete absence of studies involving diabetic patients, despite our focus on T2DM risk reduction. Although our findings provide mechanistic evidence for the formulation of clinical recommendations, randomized controlled trials in diabetic populations must be conducted before clinical recommendations can be established.