Molecular Nutrition & Food Research最新文献

The present study sought to elucidate the potentiality of oil extracted from Opisthopterus tardoore (OT, marine fish available in Bay of Bengal region) on diet induced obesity and explored into the primary molecular process that underlies these effects. Male Swiss albino mice were fed a high-fat diet for 12 weeks to develop obesity, and different doses of OT (200, 400, and 600 mg/kg/day) oil was administered orally for 4 weeks. Following treatment, body weight, biochemical, histological, and genomic parameters were assessed from liver and adipose tissues (ATs). Significant reductions were observed in body weight, lipid profiles, blood glucose, liver, and visceral AT weight, correlated with decreased adipocyte size by supplementation with OT oil. The fish oil significantly upregulates mRNA levels of lipolytic factors such as adiponectin, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α, carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1, lipoprotein lipase, and antiinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), IL-10, than those of high-fat diet group. Concomitantly, adipogenesis and fatty acid synthesis were arrested by reduction of lipogenic genes, including leptin, fatty acid synthase, sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c, and proinflammatory markers (tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-6, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and IL-1β) in adipocytes. The results therefore concluded that OT oil exhibited lipid-lowering along with antiinflammatory properties.

Soy has been a fundamental component of human diets for thousands of years. This umbrella review aims to evaluate the existing evidence for associations between soy food consumption and multiple health outcomes. By summarizing the effects of different types of soy foods, this study seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of the potential benefits and risks associated with increased dietary soy consumption. We identified 23 meta-analyses of observational research with 39 unique health outcomes and one meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials with four unique outcomes by searching six databases in English (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews), and three databases in Chinese (China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang database, and Sinomed) from January 1, 2014 to April 22, 2024 for meta-analyses that investigated the association between soy food consumption and any health outcome. Generally, dietary soy food consumption is more beneficial than harmful, especially in cancer and cardiometabolic diseases. However, it is important to note that the benefits of fermented soy products were inconclusive, and even some studies indicated their possible adverse effects. In the future, more studies that explore the effects of dietary soy food consumption on biological indicators are needed.

Traditional probiotics such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium have long supported gut health, but recent advances in microbiome research have introduced next-generation probiotics (NGPs) such as Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. These strains are associated with more specific functions, including mucin degradation, butyrate production, enhanced gut barrier integrity, immune regulation, and modulation of host metabolism and inflammation. Unlike conventional probiotics, which mainly promote general digestive balance, NGPs demonstrate targeted mechanisms that link them to metabolic, inflammatory, and even neurological conditions. This review provides a critical comparison of traditional and NGPs, highlighting mechanistic distinctions and functional advancements. It also explores recent innovations in synthetic biology, including programmable gene circuits, and examines how artificial intelligence and microbiome profiling are paving the way toward personalized probiotic therapies, though widespread clinical application remains in its early stages. Key safety, regulatory, and translational challenges are also addressed, outlining barriers to clinical adoption. By integrating omics technologies and precision medicine, NGPs represent a promising frontier with the potential to advance personalized nutrition and therapeutic strategies.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a complex metabolic disorder with a major global impact, strongly influenced by dietary patterns. High-fat diet (HFD) and excessive sucrose intake individually contribute to metabolic disturbances; however, their combined effects in obesity-related T2DM remain less explored. This narrative review aims to elucidate how HFD and sucrose interact independently and synergistically to exacerbate T2DM progression. The underlying mechanisms will be discussed within the context of insulin resistance, β-cell dysfunction, systemic low-grade chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, dyslipidemia, adipose tissue dysfunction, gut microbiota dysbiosis, epigenetic modifications, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Evidence indicates that the co-consumption of HFD and sucrose results in more severe metabolic impairments such as increased adiposity, disrupted lipid and glucose homeostasis, heightened inflammation, and worsened glucose intolerance compared to either factor alone, thereby accelerating T2DM onset. The review will also propose preventive and therapeutic strategies emphasizing whole-food dietary patterns, reduced intake of processed and added sugars, and incorporation of physical activity. These approaches aim to mitigate inflammation, restore mitochondrial function, and rebalance gut microbiota. Ultimately, this review seeks to highlight the synergistic dietary effects contributing to T2DM pathology and promote comprehensive lifestyle interventions for its prevention and management.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by impaired glucose and lipid metabolism and gut microbiota dysbiosis. This study investigated the therapeutic potential and mechanisms of pumpkin polysaccharide fraction 3 (PPS3), a pumpkin polysaccharide, in a T2DM mouse model. Results demonstrated that PPS3 administration significantly increased body weight, reduced fasting blood glucose, attenuated hyperphagia and polydipsia, and enhanced glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Hepatic analyses showed that PPS3 promoted glycogen synthesis and upregulated key glycolytic enzymes, hexokinase, and pyruvate kinase, contributing to restored glucose homeostasis. Mechanistically, PPS3 inhibited p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) signaling and activated PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1)-Parkin (PRKN)-mediated mitophagy, enhancing mitochondrial quality control. Gut microbiota analysis showed that PPS3 reduced the Firmicutes/Bacteroidota ratio and pathogenic genera while enriching beneficial bacteria including Akkermansia and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) producers. Fecal metabolomics revealed partial restoration of metabolic disturbances, notably increased levels of propionyl-l-carnitine, indole-3-lactic acid, and β-lapachone. PPS3 exerted multifaceted metabolic benefits via inhibition of p38 MAPK, activation of PINK1-PRKN mitophagy, and gut microbiota modulation, positioning it as a promising candidate for T2DM intervention.

This study investigated the effects of pentacyclic triterpene saponins from Chenopodium quinoa Willd. on insulin resistance (IR). Six saponin monomers (C1–C6) were isolated using semi-preparative liquid chromatography. In the T2DM zebrafish model, these compounds reduced the level of glucose, TC, TG, LDL-C, ALT, and AST, while increasing the level of HDL-C. They exerted antioxidant effects by enhancing GSH and SOD activities and reducing MDA levels. Histological analysis revealed restored liver morphology and reduced liver injury. Among the six compounds, C1, C4, and C5 demonstrated particularly strong efficacy in ameliorating IR by activating the insulin signaling pathway and suppression of ERS-related proteins (ATF6, IRE1, PERK, GRP78, and CHOP), while also inhibiting inflammation and apoptosis. Using a transgenic Tg(ins: GFP) zebrafish model, we showed that C1, C4, and C5 protected pancreatic β-cells by reducing ERS-mediated apoptosis and restoring cellular function. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of quinoa saponins for managing T2DM and its complications.

The utilization of pre-treatment has been a widely adopted method for enhancing the drying characteristics and overall quality of dried products. In this study, ultra-high-pressure pre-treatment technology was applied to examine the impact of varying ultra-high-pressure durations (10, 20, 30 min) and ultra-high-pressure powers (150, 250, 350 MPa) on the drying attributes, impregnation efficiency, quality, and microstructure of sliced Cistanche during radio frequency vacuum drying. The finding indicated that the ultra-high-pressure pre-treatment was conducive to shortening the drying time; increasing the drying rate of Cistanche; and effectively retained the content of echinacoside (3.09 ± 0.21 mg/g), Jinshi sericin (0.68 ± 0.05 mg/g), and verbascoside (5.56 ± 0.09 mg/g). The impregnation plots after treatment showed that the cell permeability of the Cistanche pre-treated with ultra-high-pressure was enhanced, and the value of the impregnation rate was increased (1.38–2.04). Compared with the untreated samples, the tissue of the treated Cistanche showed a loose and irregular structure due to the cellular rupture and loss of expansion pressure. These findings not only offer valuable theoretical insights for optimizing processing technology but also hold potential for facilitating the industrialization of sliced Cistanche in future studies.

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a prevalent urinary dysfunction with a substantial burden. Diet, gut microbiota, and psychological factors such as depression are increasingly implicated in disease pathways, yet evidence from large-scale studies remains limited. This study investigates the association between the dietary index of gut microbiota (DI-GM) and OAB using weighted regression and examines whether depressive symptoms serve as a potential mediator through mediation analysis. Data from 30 014 adults in the 2007–2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were analyzed. DI-GM scores were derived from dietary recalls; OAB was defined by standardized symptom criteria; depressive symptoms were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Logistic regression, sensitivity, and mediation effect analysis were conducted. Among participants, 6320 had OAB (weighted prevalence 21.0%). Higher DI-GM scores were associated with lower odds of OAB (fully adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.956, p < 0.001), mainly driven by beneficial dietary components. Depressive symptoms mediated 25.8% of the association, rising to 35.4% for beneficial components. A gut microbiota-supportive dietary pattern is inversely associated with OAB prevalence, underscoring the importance of diet quality in bladder health. Depressive symptoms potentially mediated this link, suggesting dietary interventions may be complemented by psychological support.