British Journal of Nutrition最新文献

A high serum total cholesterol (TC) concentration is a major risk factor for CVD, and lifestyle modifications including a healthy diet is among the first-line strategies for lowering cholesterol concentration and reducing CVD risk. Several studies in rodents have demonstrated a lower circulating TC concentration after intake of cetoleic acid (CA, C22:1n-11). The primary aim was to investigate the effect of consuming herring oil containing CA or a CA concentrate on the circulating TC concentration in obese hypercholesterolemic rats. Secondary aims included investigating effects of CA on a selection of hepatic enzymes and receptors involved in cholesterol metabolism, lipogenesis and VLDL assembly. Thirty male obese Zucker fa/fa rats were fed a diet containing either herring oil (HERO) or a CA concentrate (CECO), containing 0.70 or 1.40 wt% CA, respectively, or a control diet with soyabean oil for 5 weeks. Data were analysed using one-way ANOVA. The serum TC concentration was lower in the HERO and CECO groups compared to the Control group (17 and 20 percent, respectively). Both the HERO and the CECO diets downregulated de novo lipogenesis, cholesterol esterification and lipidation of VLDL in the liver compared to the Control diet, but did not affect the hepatic cholesterol synthesis, the LDL receptor or the faecal excretion of cholesterol and bile acids. To conclude, rats fed the HERO or CECO diets had a lower serum concentration of TC, probably as a result of downregulated VLDL-secretion in response to lower lipogenesis. This may have relevance for lowering TC in hypercholesteraemic humans.

Dietary patterns are increasingly recognised as crucial factors influencing the progression of metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). This study aimed to explore the association between dietary patterns and MASLD risk among adults, using latent class analysis (LCA), to our knowledge, for the first time in this context. This cross-sectional study included 8549 adults from the general population. Dietary intake data were collected using a validated FFQ and analysed with Nutritionist IV software. A 3-step LCA was applied to determine distinct dietary patterns among participants using micro- and macronutrients. Liver fibrosis severity was evaluated using a validated non-invasive marker, FIB-4 Score. Our analysis identified three distinct dietary patterns, each significantly associated with the severity of liver fibrosis. Class 1 (high-volume, high-fibre/mineral-rich pattern) was associated with the lowest risk of liver fibrosis. Compared with Class 1, participants in Class 2 (moderate volume, low-fibre/high-Na/mineral-poor pattern) (OR = 1·24; P = 0·002) and Class 3 (restricted volume, nutrient-depleted pattern) (OR = 1·13; P = 0·027) had significantly higher odds of moderate-to-high liver fibrosis risk. Class-specific regression analysis showed that age and smoking were the most consistent predictors of fibrosis risk across all patterns. Dietary patterns rich in antioxidants, fibre and essential micronutrients appear effective in reducing the risk of liver fibrosis. Further longitudinal studies are required to confirm these findings and determine practical clinical applications.

Dysregulation of fatty acids metabolism has been associated with the risk of osteoarthritis (OA), yet current evidence from epidemiological or genetic studies remains inconclusive. We aimed to investigate the phenotypic association and genetic architecture between total fatty acids (TotFA), saturated fatty acids (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and OA. Leveraging individual-level data from the UK Biobank, combined with the hitherto largest genome-wide association studies of fatty acids (N = 136 016) and OA (N = 826 690) in European individuals, we implemented a comprehensive analytical framework. This included observational and genetic analyses, incorporating phenotypic associations, genetic correlations, cross-trait meta-analysis, enrichment analysis and Mendelian randomization (MR). Observational analysis identified SFA as a risk factor, while MUFA and PUFA as protective factors for OA. Despite a lack of genome-wide genetic correlation, statistically significant local signals were detected within three specific genomic regions. Cross-trait meta-analysis identified 68 pleiotropic loci shared between fatty acids and OA, of which nine were novel. Enrichment analysis revealed the shared genes were enriched in lipoprotein metabolism, immune response, and inflammation regulation pathways. Two-sample MR provided evidence for a causal relationship of MUFA and PUFA on OA that survived false discovery rate correction. This study supports associations between circulating fatty acids and OA, with MUFA and PUFA exerting a protective role. Our findings provide new perspectives into OA prevention especially regarding the potential dietary interventions.

The limbic system is a brain structure involved in emotional regulation. Since nutritional interventions in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants may be associated with measurable differences in brain structure and function, we designed this prospective study to evaluate the impact of early nutritional support in VLBW infants on the volume of the regions that comprise the limbic system, as well as on the emotional and neuropsychological development of these infants. This is a prospective observational study of a historical cohort of children with a history of prematurity. Seventy-four preterm infants, with a mean age of 11·1 (sd 2·9) years, underwent neuropsychological assessment using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children and functional MRI (fMRI). We recorded the nutritional intake during the first week of the neonatal period, as well as data related to neonatal morbidity. The association between the results of the brain structural analysis, psychometrics variables and nutritional intake was determined using simple and multivariate linear regression adjusted for child age and BMI in the structural analysis of fMRI. Lipids intake was also associated with the volume of the left thalamus (b = 50·7; P = 0·014), the right thalamus (b = 47·4; P = 0·018) and the left nucleus accumbens (b = 5·02; P = 0·031). We conclude that lipids intake in the first week of life in VLBW newborns is associated with the volume of various structures of the limbic system, namely the thalamus and the nucleus accumbens.

This population-based cross-sectional study investigated the complex interplay of factors influencing high ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption among Brazilian adolescents using a hierarchical socio-ecological model. Data from 100 028 adolescents (13-17 years) enrolled in public and private schools nationwide were collected via self-administered questionnaires from the 2019 National School Health Survey. High UPF consumption was defined as ≥ 7 subgroups consumed on the previous day based on the NOVA classification. Poisson regression adjusted for complex sampling and hierarchical structure identified prevalence ratios (PR) for associated factors. High UPF consumption was significantly associated with younger age (PR = 1·22; 95 % CI 1·11, 1·34), regular breakfast consumption (PR = 1·32; 95 % CI 1·23, 1·42), regular screen time during meals (PR = 1·36; 95 % CI 1·27, 1·45), frequent UPF purchases at and around school (PR for canteen: 1·57; 95 % CI 1·43, 1·72; street vendors: 1·71; 95 % CI 1·55, 1·89), higher maternal education (PR 1·23, 95 % CI 1·12, 1·36) and lower parental supervision (PR 1·34, 95 % CI 1·11, 1·62). Living in the South (PR 1·50, 95 % CI 1·34, 1·69), Southeast (PR 1·30, 95 % CI 1·17, 1·44) and Midwest regions (PR 1·21, 95 % CI 1·09, 1·34) also correlated with higher consumption. Conversely, high body satisfaction and attending private school showed an inverse association. These findings underscore the intricate, multilevel influences on UPF consumption among Brazilian adolescents. Integrated interventions, spanning schools, family environments and public policies are crucial for promoting healthier eating habits and preventing obesity in this vulnerable population.

There is a lack of knowledge available on how cats adjust their macronutrient partitioning due to the consumption of single-macronutrient meals. The objective of this study was to evaluate consumption of a single meal of ingredients that contained foods of strictly carbohydrates (CHO), fat (FAT) or protein (PRO), on energy expenditure (EE) and macronutrient metabolism in cats. Ten domestic shorthair adult cats (1·9 years; 4·12 kg) were fed 22-24 g of chicken fat (FAT), 56-62 g of whey protein solution (PRO) or 54-56 g of cornstarch solution (CHO) for a single day in a randomised complete block design. Indirect calorimetry was conducted for 24 h post-feeding. Mean average EE over 24 h was highest in cats fed PRO (44 kcal/kg BW) and FAT (43 kcal/kg BW) compared with that in cats fed CHO (42 kcal/kg BW; P < 0·01). During 0 to 4 h, cats fed FAT had greater EE (49 kcal/kg BW), suggesting that cats respond to oxidising more dietary fat over protein in the early postprandial stage. Mean 24 h respiratory quotient (RQ) was greatest for cats fed CHO (0·76) followed by PRO (0·75) and FAT (0·74; P < 0·05). During 4 to 8 h, the RQ of cats fed PRO was the greatest (0·77), suggesting that cats initially increase gluconeogenesis from amino acids for subsequent glucose oxidation. In comparison to omnivores and herbivores, obligate carnivores have unique responses to single macronutrient intake, where they apparently generate energy from carbohydrate metabolism and rely more on gluconeogenic precursors.

The threshold values of visceral fat area (VFA) proposed by existing studies for predicting metabolic syndrome (MetS) are contentious, necessitating further empirical evidence. We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess VFA using bioelectrical impedance analysis technology among middle-aged and elderly individuals in the Sichuan area of China. First, we compared the predictive ability of VFA, waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI) among participants with MetS (excluding WC). In males, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0·680 for VFA, 0·670 for WC and 0·665 for BMI, with corresponding optimal cut-off values of 77·45 cm², 83·50 cm and 24·19 kg/m². In females, the AUC values and optimal cut-offs were 0·628 (103·55 cm²) for VFA, 0·671 (77·50 cm) for WC and 0·643 (24·32 kg/m²) for BMI. Additionally, for MetS defined with WC included, the AUC of VFA for prediction was higher in males (0·785) than in females (0·717), with optimal cut-offs of 85·15 cm² (males) and 109·55 cm² (females). Further age-stratified analysis revealed sex-specific VFA cut-offs: in males, 80·95 cm² (45–59 years), 85·15 cm² (60–74 years) and 77·50 cm² (≥ 75 years); in females, 109·65 cm² (45–59 years), 112·15 cm² (60–74 years) and 103·05 cm² (≥ 75 years). In conclusion, VFA is an effective predictor of MetS, with its optimal cut-off value varying by age and being higher in females than in males.

We aimed to investigate the association of chrono-nutrition components with anthropometric measures and body composition in adults living in Tehran. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 450 healthy adults. The exposures of the study were meal frequency, meal timing, meal irregularity, breakfast skipping, night fasting duration, time of the first and last eating occasion and the time interval from the last meal to bed. The outcomes were BMI, waist circumference, neck circumference (NC), waist:hip ratio, waist:height ratio (WHtR), body adiposity index (BAI), body roundness index (BRI), a body shape index, percentage of body fat (PBF), fat mass (FM), fat-free mass and muscle mass. Bonferroni correction was applied, and the significance level was less than 0·004. Using ANCOVA, after adjusting for confounders, late lunch eating was associated with a lower PBF. There was a positive trend across the tertiles of dinner time with greater WHtR (mean difference = 0·019; P_trend = 0·025) and BRI (mean difference = 0·24; P_trend = 0·022). Moreover, increased irregularity at dinner time was associated with higher levels of PBF (P_trend = 0·026) and FM (P_trend = 0·025). Also, longer overnight fasting was associated with lower NC (P_trend = 0·049) and a greater BRI (P_trend = 0·050). We found differences across the time interval from the last meal to bed with greater means of BAI (P_trend = 0·026), PBF (P_trend = 0·014) and FM (P_trend = 0·020). However, after applying the Bonferroni correction, we found no significant association between chrono-nutrition components and anthropometric measures and body composition in adults living in Tehran. Further studies are necessary to confirm the results.