Genes and Nutrition最新文献

Background: Some studies indicate that psyllium supplementation may change lipid profile levels. This study assessed the impact of psyllium consumption on lipid profile (Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol, Triglyceride, High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol, and cholesterol).

Main text: We started searching articles using Scopus, Institute for Scientific Information Web of Science, and PubMed to identify eligible publications from March 15, 2022 to August 2, 2025. The effect of psyllium on lipid profiles in adults was evaluated through Randomized Controlled Trials. We calculated Weighted Mean Differences with 95% Confidence Intervals using a random effects model. In this study, 41 Randomized Controlled Trials articles and 2049 participants were included. Psyllium showed a significant decrease in Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and total Cholesterol, a nonsignificant reduction in Triglyceride, and an insignificantly increase in High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol; cholesterol: (Weighted Mean Differences: -9.05; 95% Confidence Intervals: -13.71, -4.40; p-value < 0.05), High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol: (Weighted Mean Differences: 0.57; 95% Confidence Intervals: -0.88, 2.04; p-value > 0.05), Triglyceride: (Weighted Mean Differences: -5.29; 95% Confidence Intervals: -12.14, 1.54; p-value > 0.05), and Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol: (Weighted Mean Differences: -8.55; 95% Confidence Intervals: -12.92, -4.19; p < 0.001). Considerable heterogeneity was found for cholesterol: (I-squared index = 89.30%, p-value < 0.001), High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol: ( I-squared index = 77.96%, p-value < 0.001), Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol: (I-squared index = 88.46%, p-value < 0.001); and Triglyceride: (I-squared index = 83.25%, p-value < 0.001) and duration and dosage of psyllium had a nonsignificant linear influence on lipid profiles.

Conclusion: Results showed that psyllium can significantly decrease Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and total cholesterol, can insignificantly decrease triglyceride, and can insignificantly increase High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol following psyllium consumption.

Registration: The study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (IR.MUI.

Research: REC.1402.017, Grant number: 140206). This research was registered in the PROSPERO system (CRD42023402987).

Clinical trial number: Not applicable.

Background: The intestinal epithelial barrier plays an essential role in protecting the body while allowing selective nutrient absorption. Natural bioactive compounds that strengthen this barrier contribute to gut health. However, the effects of pinoresinol, a dietary lignan known for its various bioactivities, on intestinal barrier function and underlying molecular mechanisms remain to be elucidated.

Methods: Caco-2 monolayers were treated with pinoresinol, and barrier function was evaluated using fluorescein permeability and transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) assays. The expression and localization of tight junction (TJ)-related proteins were analyzed by RT-PCR, western blotting, and immunofluorescence. The involvement of the CaMKKβ-AMPKα1 signaling pathway was also investigated.

Results: Pinoresinol improved barrier integrity by decreasing apparent permeability coefficient (P_app) and increasing TEER. It enhanced the expression and junctional localization of TJ-related proteins, including cingulin, occludin, and claudin-1. These effects were associated with activation of the CaMKKβ-AMPKα1 pathway, suggesting a mechanism through which pinoresinol reinforces the epithelial barrier function.

Conclusions: This study identifies pinoresinol as a dietary bioactive compound that strengthens the intestinal barrier via activation of the CaMKKβ-AMPKα1 signaling axis. These findings provide mechanistic insight into its potential use as a functional ingredient for maintaining gut integrity and promoting overall intestinal health.

Obesity is a multifaceted condition involving complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors. Published studies have reported several genetic loci affecting obesity. Diet, physical activity, and their interaction with genetic variants have been assessed for their role in obesity. However, the role of epigenetic modifications with respect to nutrition, mitochondrial function, and energy homeostasis have not been investigated in depth. This narrative review explores scientific literature and assesses the role of nutrition and epigenetics (Nutri-epigenetics) in energy homeostasis and mitochondrial function and their subsequent effects on obesity. It details how mitochondrial dysfunction, driven by epigenetic changes, contributes to energy imbalance and metabolic disturbances and provides a comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanisms driving obesity through the lens of the mitochondria and their functions.

The integration of multi-omics technologies with computational biology has had a profound impact on nutritional science, enabling the development of precision nutrition strategies tailored to individual biochemical profiles. This review synthesizes recent advances in integrating genomic, epigenetic, transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic, and microbiome data for personalized dietary interventions. The present study analyzed machine learning approaches, with a particular focus on transformer and graph neural networks, for the processing of multi-omics data and prediction of metabolic outcomes. Advanced computational models have demonstrated an accuracy rate of over 90% in predicting individual metabolic responses to dietary interventions. Large-scale clinical trials (PREDICT, FOOD4ME, and PRECISION-HEALTH) have demonstrated significant improvements in weight management, glycemic control, and dietary adherence compared with conventional approaches. Digital health technologies, including continuous glucose monitoring and artificial intelligence (AI)-powered applications, facilitate real-time physiological monitoring and enable dynamic nutritional adjustments in patients with diabetes. The paradigm shift from population-based dietary recommendations to individualized interventions is represented by multi-omics-driven precision nutrition. The integration of sophisticated computational methodologies with comprehensive biological profiling provides a unique opportunity to prevent and manage chronic diseases via targeted dietary interventions. However, the successful implementation of such a system necessitates interdisciplinary collaboration among biologists, computational scientists, clinicians, and policymakers to ensure equitable access and ethical deployment of the technology. Future research should focus on developing scalable implementation frameworks, establishing evidence-based clinical practice guidelines to standardize multi-omics applications in precision nutrition, and identifying strategies to address potential disparities in access to these applications.

Background: High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) helps remove excess cholesterol, and low levels are a key metabolic risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Although several studies have investigated the association between kimchi consumption and HDL-C levels, these observational findings are often limited by confounding factors and reverse causality.

Objective: We aimed to assess the causal association between kimchi intake and the reduced HDL-C using Mendelian randomization (MR), with analyses stratified by sex.

Methods: We conducted this study using participants from two cohorts of the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES): the Health Examinees (HEXA) cohort (n = 53,060) and the Ansan/Ansung cohort (n = 4,907). Kimchi intake was assessed via a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, estimating total daily consumption (g/day) of various kimchi types including baechu (cabbage) kimchi, kkakdugi/mu-kimchi, nabak-kimchi/dongchimi, and other varieties. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with kimchi consumption were identified via genome-wide association studies (GWAS), adjusting for covariates and applying a significance threshold of p < 5 × 10⁻⁵ and linkage disequilibrium cutoff (r² < 0.001). A total of 86 SNPs in men and 82 in women were selected as instrumental variables (IVs) for MR analysis. The MR analysis was conducted using inverse-variance weighted (IVW), MR-Egger, weighted median, and MR-PRESSO methods. Sensitivity analyses included heterogeneity testing, leave-one-out analysis, and funnel plot inspection.

Results: In men, a significant causal relationship between higher kimchi consumption and lower odds of reduced HDL-C was identified by both the IVW (OR = 0.997, 95% CI = 0.996-0.999, p < 0.05) and MR-PRESSO (OR = 0.998, 95% CI = 0.996-0.999, p < 0.05) analyses, with no evidence of heterogeneity or horizontal pleiotropy. No significant associations were observed in women.

Conclusion: This study provides evidence for a causal effect of kimchi consumption in preventing decreases in HDL-C levels among middle-aged Korean men. These findings support kimchi as a sex-specific dietary intervention for cardiovascular health.

Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an escalating health concern, with genetic factors playing a substantial role. This study aimed to establish and validate a polygenic risk score for East Asian populations (PRS-EA).

Methods: A meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies on NAFLD in East Asian populations was conducted to develop a PRS-EA model. This model was subsequently validated in the Kailuan cohort by exploring its association with NAFLD development and progression.

Results: A PRS-EA model involving four SNPs (rs2896019, rs3810622, rs58542926, and rs1260326) was constructed. Individuals with PRS-EA scores exceeding 2.33 were associated with a 53% (95% confidence interval, 3%-126%) increased risk of NAFLD development and 50% (95% confidence interval: 3%-120%) of NAFLD progression. A positive joint association was observed between higher PRS and lipid dysfunction in relation to NAFLD occurrence. Hypertension was found to amplify the association between higher PRS and NAFLD progression (hazard ratio: 3.07 vs. 1.22, P for interaction=0.015).

Conclusion: This study developed a PRS model specific to East Asian populations, highlighting the potential utility of PRS-EA in assessing and managing NAFLD risk, particularly in individuals with lipid metabolic dysfunction and hypertension.