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Nutrition Journal Dec 2023To investigate the relationship between dietary carotenoid intake and sleep duration.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between dietary carotenoid intake and sleep duration.
METHODS
Adults enrolled in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2018 without missing information on dietary carotenoid intake (α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, and lutein + zeaxanthin), sleep duration, and covariates were included. Participants' carotenoid consumption was divided into three groups by quartiles and sleep duration was grouped as short (< 7 h/night), optimal (7-8 h/night), and long (> 8 h/night). Multinominal logistic regression was constructed to examine the association between dietary carotenoid intake and sleep duration. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression was further utilized to explore their dose-response relationship. The weighted quantile sum (WQS) model was adopted to calculate the mixed and individual effect of 5 carotenoid sub-types on sleep duration.
RESULTS
Multinominal logistic regression presented that people with higher intakes of α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, and lutein + zeaxanthin were less likely to sleep too short or too long. Consistent with the findings from multinominal logistic regression, the RCS models suggested a reverse U-shaped relationship between sleep duration and carotenoid intakes. The mixed effects were also significant, where β-cryptoxanthin and lutein + zeaxanthin were the top 2 contributors associated with the decreased risks of short sleep duration, while β-carotene, α-carotene, and β-cryptoxanthin were the main factors related to the lower risk of long sleep duration.
CONCLUSION
Our study revealed that the American adults with optimal sleep duration were associated with more dietary carotenoid intake, in comparison to short or long sleepers.
Topics: Adult; Humans; United States; Lycopene; beta Carotene; Nutrition Surveys; Lutein; Zeaxanthins; Beta-Cryptoxanthin; Sleep Duration; Carotenoids; Diet
PubMed: 38062512
DOI: 10.1186/s12937-023-00898-x -
Chemical Communications (Cambridge,... Jul 2023A novel and effective Rh- and Pd-controlled switchable C-H alkenylation of 2-pyridylthiophenes with alkenes is realized. The alkenylation reactions proceeded smoothly in...
A novel and effective Rh- and Pd-controlled switchable C-H alkenylation of 2-pyridylthiophenes with alkenes is realized. The alkenylation reactions proceeded smoothly in a highly regio- and stereo-selective manner to afford a broad range of C3- and C5-alkenylated products. Depending on the catalyst employed, the reactions involve two typical approaches: C3-alkenylation chelation-assisted rhodation and C5-alkenylation electrophilic palladation. This regiodivergent synthetic protocol was successfully applied for the straightforward building of π-conjugated difunctionalized 2-pyridylthiophenes, which may show great potential in organic electronic materials.
Topics: Catalysis; Alkenes; Chelating Agents
PubMed: 37366584
DOI: 10.1039/d3cc02411c -
Lipids in Health and Disease Nov 2023Visceral adiposity index (VAI) and lipid accumulation product (LAP) are comprehensive indicators to evaluate visceral fat and determine the metabolic health of...
BACKGROUND
Visceral adiposity index (VAI) and lipid accumulation product (LAP) are comprehensive indicators to evaluate visceral fat and determine the metabolic health of individuals. Carotenoids are a group of naturally occurring antioxidants associated with several diseases. The purpose of this investigation was to explore the association between serum carotenoid concentration and VAI or LAP.
METHODS
The data were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2001 and 2006. The levels of serum carotenoids were evaluated using high-performance liquid chromatography. Multivariate linear regression models were employed to investigate the relationship between levels of serum carotenoids and VAI or LAP. The potential non-linear relationship was determined using threshold effect analysis and fitted smoothing curves. Stratification analysis was performed to investigate the potential modifying factors.
RESULTS
In total, 5,084 participants were included in this population-based investigation. In the multivariate linear regressions, compared to the lowest quartiles of serum carotenoids, the highest quartiles were significantly associated with VAI, and the effect size (β) and 95% CI was - 0.98 (- 1.34, - 0.62) for α-carotene, - 1.39 (- 1.77, - 1.00) for β-carotene, - 0.79 (- 1.18, - 0.41) for β-cryptoxanthin, - 0.68 (- 0.96, - 0.39) for lutein/zeaxanthin, and - 0.88 (- 1.50, - 0.27) for trans-lycopene. Using piece-wise linear regression models, non-linear relationships were found between β-carotene and trans-lycopene and VAI with an inflection point of 2.44 (log2-transformed, ug/dL) and 3.80 (log2-transformed, ug/dL), respectively. The results indicated that α-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, and lutein/zeaxanthin were linearly associated with VAI. An inverse association was also found between serum carotenoids and LAP after complete adjustments.
CONCLUSION
This study revealed that several serum carotenoids were associated with VAI or LAP among the general American population. Further large prospective investigations are warranted to support this finding.
Topics: Humans; Lycopene; beta Carotene; Nutrition Surveys; Cross-Sectional Studies; Lutein; Zeaxanthins; Beta-Cryptoxanthin; Lipid Accumulation Product; Adiposity; Prospective Studies; Carotenoids
PubMed: 38037060
DOI: 10.1186/s12944-023-01945-6 -
Nature Reviews. Drug Discovery Jan 2024
Topics: Humans; Antifungal Agents; Polyenes
PubMed: 38040792
DOI: 10.1038/d41573-023-00196-5 -
Nutritional Neuroscience Aug 2023The mortality-morbidity paradox refers to the inconsistency in survival and disease between males and females: females live longer but tend to suffer greater... (Review)
Review
The mortality-morbidity paradox refers to the inconsistency in survival and disease between males and females: females live longer but tend to suffer greater age-related disease and disability. Many aspects of the latter can be targeted by lifestyle interventions, such as changes in dietary behavior. The relevant literature is reviewed. Dietary intake of the pigmented carotenoids appears to be particularly important for issues such as visual and cognitive loss. This may be due to the highly selective presence of a fraction of carotenoids, namely lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z), in specific tissues of the eye and brain. At those sites, L and Z have been shown to directly improve function and prevent central nervous system degeneration. On the palliative side, retinal LZ reduce glare disability, discomfort and photostress, improve chromatic contrast and visual range (e.g., the ability to see through blue atmospheric haze). These effects on input reflect changes in neural output such as improved visual processing speed, problem solving, memory and executive function (presumably due, also, to local effects in areas such as the hippocampus and frontal cortex). These effects on function throughout the central nervous system are mirrored by effects on disease progression. As potent antioxidants/anti-inflammatory agents, and "blue-blockers" within the retina, the pigments prevent loss that precedes neurodegenerative diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and some forms of dementia.
Topics: Female; Humans; Antioxidants; Brain; Carotenoids; Dietary Supplements; Lutein; Retina; Zeaxanthins
PubMed: 35694839
DOI: 10.1080/1028415X.2022.2084125 -
The Journal of Nutrition Aug 2023Adding carotenoids, particularly lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z), to prenatal micronutrient formulations has been promoted to enhance infant visual and neural development... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Adding carotenoids, particularly lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z), to prenatal micronutrient formulations has been promoted to enhance infant visual and neural development and to maintain maternal health. Although these claims are biologically plausible, they are not yet supported by a compelling prospective trial.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated the effect of prenatal carotenoid supplementation on biomarkers of maternal and infant systemic carotenoid status.
METHODS
We randomly assigned 47 first trimester pregnant subjects by 1:1 allocation to receive standard-of-care prenatal vitamins plus a 10 mg L and 2 mg Z softgel (the Carotenoid group) or standard-of-care prenatal vitamins with a placebo softgel (the Control group) for 6-8 mo. Maternal carotenoid concentrations in the serum and skin at the end of each trimester and postpartum were measured with HPLC and resonance Raman spectroscopy, respectively. Infants' systemic carotenoid status was assessed using similar techniques but optimized for infants. Repeated measures and paired t-tests were determined, and a P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
RESULTS
After supplementation, there was a statistically significant increase in maternal serum L + Z concentrations, serum total carotenoid concentrations, and skin carotenoid status (P < 0.001 for all) in the Carotenoid group relative to the Control group at all study time points. Similarly, infants whose mothers were in the Carotenoid group had a significant 5-fold increase in cord blood L + Z concentrations, over a 3-fold increase in cord blood total carotenoids, and a 38% increase in skin carotenoids compared with the Control group (P < 0.0001 for all). In addition, there was a strong positive, statistically significant correlation between postpartum maternal and infant systemic carotenoid status (P < 0.0001).
CONCLUSION
Prenatal carotenoid supplementation significantly increased maternal and infant systemic (skin and serum) carotenoid status, which may benefit pregnant women and their infants' health. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03750968.
Topics: Female; Humans; Infant; Pregnancy; Carotenoids; Dietary Supplements; Lutein; Mothers; Prospective Studies; Vitamins; Zeaxanthins
PubMed: 37247819
DOI: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2023.05.024 -
Plant Signaling & Behavior Dec 2023The cleavage of plant carotenoids leads to apocarotenoids, a group of metabolites including precursors of the hormones strigolactones (SLs) and abscisic acid, regulatory...
The cleavage of plant carotenoids leads to apocarotenoids, a group of metabolites including precursors of the hormones strigolactones (SLs) and abscisic acid, regulatory and signaling molecules. Zaxinone is a recently discovered apocarotenoid growth regulator that improves growth and suppress SL biosynthesis in rice (). To test if zaxinone also counteracts the growth regulatory effects of SLs in rice, we co-supplied zaxinone and the synthetic SL analog -GR24 to the rice SL-deficient ( mutant. Results showed that co-application of GR24 and zaxinone still rescued phenotype, indicating that zaxinone and GR24 act independently in regulating root and shoot growth and development in rice.
Topics: Oryza; Abscisic Acid; Carotenoids; Lactones
PubMed: 36855265
DOI: 10.1080/15592324.2023.2184127 -
The Journal of Nutrition Oct 2023Carotenoids are plant pigments with light filtering and antioxidant properties that deposit in human tissues, including retina and skin. Descriptive characteristics and...
BACKGROUND
Carotenoids are plant pigments with light filtering and antioxidant properties that deposit in human tissues, including retina and skin. Descriptive characteristics and covariates of carotenoid status in macula and skin have been examined in adults; however, similar studies in children are limited. Thus, this study aimed to delineate how factors of age, sex, race, weight status, and dietary carotenoid intake relate to macular and skin carotenoids in children.
METHODS
Children (7-13 y, N = 375) completed heterochromatic flicker photometry to assess macular pigment optical density (MPOD). Participants underwent anthropometrics to measure weight status (BMI percentile [BMI%]), and parent/guardian provided demographic information. Subsample data were available for skin carotenoids (N = 181), assessed using reflection spectroscopy, and dietary carotenoids (N = 101) using the Block Food Frequency Questionnaire. Relationships between skin and macular carotenoids were assessed using partial Pearson's correlations controlling for age, sex, race, and BMI%. Relationships between dietary carotenoids and macular and skin carotenoids were assessed using stepwise linear regression including age, sex, race, and BMI% in the model.
RESULTS
Mean MPOD was 0.56 ± 0.22 and skin carotenoid score was 282 ± 94.6. There was no significant correlation between MPOD and skin carotenoids (r = 0.02, P = 0.76). BMI% was negatively associated with skin (stdβ = -0.42, P < 0.001), but not macular carotenoids (stdβ = -0.04, P = 0.70). Neither MPOD nor skin carotenoids were associated with age, sex, or race (all P > 0.10). MPOD was positively associated with energy-adjusted reported lutein + zeaxanthin intake (stdβ = 0.27, P = 0.01). Skin carotenoids were positively associated with energy-adjusted reported carotenoid intake (stdβ = 0.26, P = 0.01).
CONCLUSIONS
The mean MPOD values in children were higher than what has been reported in adult populations. Previous studies in adult samples report an average MPOD of 0.21. Although macular and skin carotenoids were not related, they were associated with dietary carotenoids relevant to the respective tissues; however, skin carotenoids may be more susceptible negative influence from higher weight status.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Child; Macular Pigment; Lutein; Zeaxanthins; Macula Lutea; Retina
PubMed: 37315793
DOI: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2023.06.006 -
Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex... Oct 2023In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2, there is an urgent need to identify and investigate the various pathways of transmission. In... (Review)
Review
In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2, there is an urgent need to identify and investigate the various pathways of transmission. In addition to contact and aerosol transmission of the virus, this review investigated the possibility of its transmission via microplastics found in sewage. Wastewater-based epidemiological studies on the virus have confirmed its presence and persistence in both influent sewage as well as treated ones. The hypothesis behind the study is that the huge amount of microplastics, especially Polyvinyl Chloride and Polyethylene particles released into the open waters from sewage can become a good substrate and vector for microbes, especially Polyvinyl Chloride and Polyethylene particles, imparting stability to microbes and aiding the "plastisphere" formation. A bibliometric analysis highlights the negligence of research toward plastispheres and their presence in sewage. The ubiquity of microplastics and their release along with the virus into the open waters increases the risk of viral plastispheres. These plastispheres may be ingested by aquatic organisms facilitating reverse zoonosis and the commercial organisms already reported with accumulating microplastics through the food chain poses a risk to human populations as well. Reliance of high population density areas on open waters served by untreated sewage in economically less developed countries might bring back viral transmission.
Topics: Humans; SARS-CoV-2; Sewage; COVID-19; Microplastics; Wastewater; Plastics; Pandemics; Polyvinyl Chloride; Polyethylene
PubMed: 37437759
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122171 -
World Journal of Microbiology &... Apr 2024β-Carotene is an orange fat-soluble compound, which has been widely used in fields such as food, medicine and cosmetics owing to its anticancer, antioxidant and... (Review)
Review
β-Carotene is an orange fat-soluble compound, which has been widely used in fields such as food, medicine and cosmetics owing to its anticancer, antioxidant and cardiovascular disease prevention properties. Currently, natural β-carotene is mainly extracted from plants and algae, which cannot meet the growing market demand, while chemical synthesis of β-carotene cannot satisfy the pursuit for natural products of consumers. The β-carotene production through microbial fermentation has become a promising alternative owing to its high efficiency and environmental friendliness. With the rapid development of synthetic biology and in-depth study on the synthesis pathway of β-carotene, microbial fermentation has shown promising applications in the β-carotene synthesis. Accordingly, this review aims to summarize the research progress and strategies of natural carotenoid producing strain and metabolic engineering strategies in the heterologous synthesis of β-carotene by engineered microorganisms. Moreover, it also summarizes the adoption of inexpensive carbon sources to synthesize β-carotene as well as proposes new strategies that can further improve the β-carotene production.
Topics: Fermentation; beta Carotene; Carotenoids; Antioxidants; Biological Products
PubMed: 38607448
DOI: 10.1007/s11274-024-03955-7