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Nutrients Jul 2023Nutritional deficiencies during pregnancy can have serious consequences for the health of the (unborn) child. This systematic review provides an updated overview of the... (Review)
Review
Nutritional deficiencies during pregnancy can have serious consequences for the health of the (unborn) child. This systematic review provides an updated overview of the available food and nutrient intake data for pregnant women in The Netherlands and an evaluation based on the current recommendations. Embase, MEDLINE, and national institute databases were used. Articles were selected if they had been published since 2008 and contained data on food consumption, nutrient intake, or the status of healthy pregnant women. A qualitative comparison was made with the 2021 Dutch Health Council recommendations and reference values. A total of 218 reports were included, representing 54 individual studies. Dietary assessments were primarily performed via food frequency questionnaires. Protein, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B, folate, vitamin B, vitamin C, iron, calcium, and magnesium intakes seemed to be adequate. For folate and vitamin D, supplements were needed to reach the recommended intake. The reasons for concern are the low intakes of fruits, vegetables, and (fatty) fish, and the intakes of alcohol, sugary drinks, and salt. For several foods and nutrients, no or limited intake data were found. High-quality, representative, and recent data are needed to evaluate the nutrient intake of pregnant women in order to make accurate assessments and evaluations, supporting scientific-based advice and national nutritional policies.
Topics: Animals; Female; Pregnancy; Humans; Pregnant Women; Netherlands; Energy Intake; Eating; Vitamins; Folic Acid; Diet
PubMed: 37447397
DOI: 10.3390/nu15133071 -
Brain Sciences Oct 2023β-carotene is a powerful antioxidant and dietary precursor of vitamin A whose role in maintaining mental health and cognitive performance, either alone or in... (Review)
Review
β-carotene is a powerful antioxidant and dietary precursor of vitamin A whose role in maintaining mental health and cognitive performance, either alone or in combination with other dietary compounds, has been a topic of recent research. However, its effectiveness is still unclear. This systematic review, conducted according to the PRISMA guideline and assisted by the MySLR platform, addressed this issue. A total of 16 eligible original research articles were identified. Dietary intake or β-carotene serum levels were associated with improved measures of cognitive function in 7 out of 10 epidemiological studies included. In intervention studies, β-carotene consumption alone did not promote better cognitive function in the short term, but only in a long-term intervention with a mean duration of 18 years. However, all but one intervention study suggested the beneficial effects of β-carotene supplementation at doses ranging from 6 mg to 50 mg per day in combination with a multicomplex such as vitamin E, vitamin C, zinc, or selenium for a period of 16 weeks to 20 years. Despite the current limitations, the available evidence suggests a potential association between β-carotene dietary/supplementary intake and the maintenance of cognitive function. The β-carotene most probably does not act alone but in synergy with other micronutrients.
PubMed: 37891835
DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13101468 -
BMC Cancer Aug 2019Cancer is a genetic and epigenetic disease that involves inactivation of tumor suppressor genes and activation of proto-oncogenes. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is an...
BACKGROUND
Cancer is a genetic and epigenetic disease that involves inactivation of tumor suppressor genes and activation of proto-oncogenes. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is an isomer of retinoic acid involved in the onset of differentiation and apoptosis of a number of normal and cancer cells, functioning as an anti-cancer agent in several neoplasms. Ectopic changes in the expression of certain microRNAs (miRNAs) occur in response to ATRA, leading to phenotypic alterations in neoplastic cell lines. Moreover, the modulation of miRNA patterns upon ATRA-treatment may represent an effective chemopreventive and anti-cancer therapy strategy. The present systematic review was performed to provide an overview of the modulation of ATRA-induced miRNA expression in different types of neoplastic cells and identify the efficacy of intervention factors (i.e., concentration and duration of treatment) and how they influence expression profiles of oncogenesis-targeting miRNAs.
METHODS
A systematic search was conducted according to the PRISMA statement via the US National Library of Medicine MEDLINE/PubMed bibliographic search engine.
RESULTS
The search identified 31 experimental studies involving human cell lines from nine different cancer types (neuroblastoma, acute myeloid leukemia, breast cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, glioma, glioblastoma, embryonal carcinoma, and colorectal cancer) treated with ATRA at concentrations ranging from 10 μmol/L to 10 μmol mol/L for 24 h to 21 days.
CONCLUSION
The concentrations used and the duration of treatment of cancer cells with ATRA varied widely. The presence of ATRA in the culture medium of cancer cells was able to modulate the expression of more than 300 miRNAs, and inhibit invasive behavior and deregulated growth of cancer cells, resulting in total tumor remission in some cases. ATRA may thus be broadly effective for neoplasm treatment and prevention, although these studies may not accurately represent in vivo conditions. Additional studies are required to elucidate ATRA-induced miRNA modulation during neoplasm treatment.
Topics: Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Movement; Cell Proliferation; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Humans; MicroRNAs; Neoplasms; Time Factors; Tretinoin
PubMed: 31470825
DOI: 10.1186/s12885-019-6081-7 -
BMJ Open Jan 2024The objective of the current study is to compare the treatment effects of different vitamins on essential hypertension to provide an initial basis for developing... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVES
The objective of the current study is to compare the treatment effects of different vitamins on essential hypertension to provide an initial basis for developing evidence-based practices.
DESIGN
Systematic review and network meta-analysis.
DATA SOURCES
Five electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and ClinicalTrials.gov) were searched from their inception to 25 September 2023.
OUTCOMES
The primary outcomes were the difference between the intervention group and the control group in changes in office systolic blood pressure (SBP) and office diastolic blood pressure (DBP) from baseline. The secondary outcomes were the difference between the intervention group and the control group in changes in 24-hour mean ambulatory systolic blood pressure (24 hours SBP), 24-hour mean ambulatory diastolic blood pressure (24 hours DBP) and heart rate (HR) from baseline.
RESULTS
A total of 23 studies comparing five vitamins (vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, folic acid) and involving 2218 participants were included. The included trials were all vitamin versus placebo, so the network was star-shaped. Among the five vitamins, only vitamin E was significantly more effective at reducing SBP (mean difference: -14.14 mm Hg, 95% credible intervals: -27.62 to -0.88) than placebo. In addition, no evidence was found that any of the five vitamins influenced DBP, 24 hours SBP, 24 hours DBP, or HR. The dose of vitamins, geographical region and percentage of males (only SBP) might be sources of heterogeneity. Sensitivity and subgroup analysis revealed that the effect of vitamin intervention on blood pressure varies according to different doses of vitamins.
CONCLUSIONS
According to the results, vitamin E might be an effective measure to reduce SBP, but more research is needed to validate this finding.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42022352332.
Topics: Adult; Male; Humans; Vitamin D; Ascorbic Acid; Hypertension; Folic Acid; Riboflavin; Vitamin E; Network Meta-Analysis; Vitamins; Essential Hypertension; Blood Pressure; Vitamin A; Vitamin K
PubMed: 38296289
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-074511 -
Nutrients Jan 2022Vitamin A deficiency is a major health risk for infants and children in low- and middle-income countries. This scoping review identified, quantified, and mapped research... (Review)
Review
Vitamin A deficiency is a major health risk for infants and children in low- and middle-income countries. This scoping review identified, quantified, and mapped research for use in updating nutrient requirements and upper limits for vitamin A in children aged 0 to 48 months, using health-based or modelling-based approaches. Structured searches were run on Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central, from inception to 19 March 2021. Titles and abstracts were assessed independently in duplicate, as were 20% of full texts. Included studies were tabulated by question, methodology and date, with the most relevant data extracted and assessed for risk of bias. We found that the most recent health-based systematic reviews and trials assessed the effects of supplementation, though some addressed the effects of staple food fortification, complementary foods, biofortified maize or cassava, and fortified drinks, on health outcomes. Recent isotopic tracer studies and modelling approaches may help quantify the effects of bio-fortification, fortification, and food-based approaches for increasing vitamin A depots. A systematic review and several trials identified adverse events associated with higher vitamin A intakes, which should be useful for setting upper limits. We have generated and provide a database of relevant research. Full systematic reviews, based on this scoping review, are needed to answer specific questions to set vitamin A requirements and upper limits.
Topics: Child; Child, Preschool; Food, Fortified; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Nutritional Requirements; Nutritional Status; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency
PubMed: 35276767
DOI: 10.3390/nu14030407 -
Oxidative Medicine and Cellular... 2021Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a relatively common chronic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology, which might be caused by oxidative stress and impaired antioxidant... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a relatively common chronic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology, which might be caused by oxidative stress and impaired antioxidant defense.
OBJECTIVE
To systematically investigate the markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant systems in the saliva and blood from OLP patients and healthy controls.
METHODS
The PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase were systematically queried to collect data from studies in which oxidative stress/antioxidant markers from OLP and healthy subjects had been evaluated until March 10, 2021.
RESULTS
A total of 28 studies fulfilled inclusion criteria, and 25 of them, having 849 OLP patients and 1,052 control subjects and analyzing 12 oxidative stress and antioxidant state marker levels, were subjected to meta-analysis. We found a significant decrease in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and uric acid (UA) and a significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels in the saliva and serum/plasma of OLP patients. Moreover, a significant elevation of 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and advanced oxidation protein product (AOOP) level and a decrease in vitamin C were also observed in the saliva of the OLP group. In contrast, salivary vitamin A, zinc, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), vitamin E, and nitrite were not significantly different between the two groups. In single studies, markers of oxidative stresses such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and 8-isoprostanelevels were elevated in OLP, and antioxidant parameters such as glutathione (GSH) and total protein (TP) levels were dysregulated.
CONCLUSION
This meta-analysis helps to clarify the profile of oxidative stress and antioxidant state markers in OLP patients although existing evidence is rather heterogeneous and many studies are affected by several limitations. Larger and more standardized studies are warranted to ascertain whether these markers are potential causes or effects of OLP and whether antioxidant therapy improving oxidative stress will be useful.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Antioxidants; Biomarkers; Case-Control Studies; Female; Glutathione; Glutathione Peroxidase; Humans; Lichen Planus, Oral; Male; Malondialdehyde; Middle Aged; Nitric Oxide; Oxidative Stress; Saliva; Superoxide Dismutase; Uric Acid
PubMed: 34616506
DOI: 10.1155/2021/9914652 -
Journal Francais D'ophtalmologie May 2022There is currently a lack of high-quality research on the best dietary recommendations for patients with early glaucoma or at high risk for glaucoma. This meta-analysis... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
There is currently a lack of high-quality research on the best dietary recommendations for patients with early glaucoma or at high risk for glaucoma. This meta-analysis aims to clarify the relationship between vitamin intake and glaucoma risk. Electronic databases, including PubMed, EMbase, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Database, Clinicaltrials.gov, and Google Scholar, were searched for publications indexed as of September 18, 2021. Data were expressed as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The I index was used to assess heterogeneity. We performed five meta-analyses of existing studies to summarize the evidence on the association between vitamin intake and glaucoma risk. The initial search identified 689 studies, eight of which (262,189 patients) met the eligibility criteria for the meta-analysis. The data showed that high-dose intake of vitamins A (OR=0.63, 95%CI [0.53, 0.76]) and B (OR=0.71, 95%CI [0.64, 0.80]) but not vitamins C (OR=0.69, 95%CI [0.48, 1.01]), D (OR=0.90, 95%CI [0.45, 1.83]), or E (OR=0.91, 95%CI [0.71, 1.16]) was associated with a low prevalence of glaucoma. The results of this study demonstrated that high-dose intake of vitamins A and B, but not vitamins C, D, or E, was associated with a low prevalence of glaucoma.
Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Glaucoma; Humans; Odds Ratio; Vitamin A; Vitamins
PubMed: 35120728
DOI: 10.1016/j.jfo.2021.10.010 -
Allergy Jan 2024Acute respiratory infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children worldwide. Dietary and nutritional interventions, including minerals and vitamin...
Acute respiratory infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children worldwide. Dietary and nutritional interventions, including minerals and vitamin supplementation, have been explored as potential treatments for these infections. However, the evidence on their efficacy is limited and inconclusive. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to provide a comprehensive summary of the available evidence on the effectiveness of dietary and nutritional interventions for treating acute respiratory tract infections in children. A systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines in April 2022 and updated in April 2023. Clinical trials focusing on dietary or nutritional interventions, including supplementations, in children with acute respiratory tract infections were included. The selection of interventions and outcomes was based on biological plausibility. Data were extracted using a standardized form, and the risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Meta-analysis was performed using random-effect models. A total of 50 studies were included in the review. Four trials were conducted in low, 32 in lower-middle, 12 in upper-middle, and only two in high-income countries. The studies evaluated various dietary interventions, including zinc, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin D, and probiotics. The results of individual studies on the efficacy of these interventions were mixed, with some showing positive effects on clinical outcomes such as duration of symptoms, while others showed no significant impact. Meta-analysis was conducted for zinc supplementation in children with pneumonia, and the pooled results suggested a potential limited benefit in terms of reduced hospital length of stay but not time to recovery. Meta-analyses on vitamin D did not show any effect in children with pneumonia. This systematic review fills a critical gap in the literature by synthesizing the available evidence on the efficacy and safety of nutritional or dietary interventions for acute respiratory tract infections in children. The findings indicate no dietary or nutritional intervention can currently be recommended for the routine treatment of respiratory tract infections in children based on single supplement studies. The metanalysis suggests that zinc supplementation might have a beneficial effect on length of hospitalization in children with pneumonia. New studies are needed to establish more conclusive evidence for pediatric acute respiratory diseases especially for children living in a context of high-income countries.
PubMed: 38174413
DOI: 10.1111/all.15997 -
Frontiers in Nutrition 2023Optimizing dietary intake during pregnancy and lactation is crucial to the growth and development of children and their lifelong health. We performed a systematic review...
INTRODUCTION
Optimizing dietary intake during pregnancy and lactation is crucial to the growth and development of children and their lifelong health. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to describe the nutrient intakes of pregnant and lactating women in Indonesia and Malaysia, countries that are experiencing rapid nutrition transition in Southeast Asia.
METHODS
We screened 2,258 studies published between January 1980 and March 2021. The nutrient intakes of pregnant and lactating women were quantitatively analyzed to calculate the percentage of adequacy using national recommended daily allowances or nutrient intakes (RDA/RNI) and estimated average requirements (EAR) for micronutrients. Standardized mean differences (SMD) between dietary intake and RDA/RNI were determined for selected nutrients.
RESULTS
Fifty-three studies were included and showed that energy and macronutrient intakes among pregnant and lactating women in both countries were below the RDA/RNI. In addition, most studies reported that women failed to meet the EAR for vitamin D (<70% EAR), vitamin E (<50% EAR), and water-soluble vitamins (<80% EAR) except for vitamin C and A among Malaysians. Moreover, calcium, potassium, and iron intakes of pregnant women were <60% EAR in Indonesia and <80% EAR in Malaysia. Phosphorus intake among pregnant women in both countries and sodium intake among Malaysian pregnant women exceeded 100% EAR. Indonesian lactating women had <60% EAR for calcium and potassium intakes, while Malaysian women had more than 100% EAR. For 21 studies reporting overall protein intakes, the standard mean difference (SMD) was -2.26 (95% CI; -2.98, -1.54) below the RDA/RNI for pregnant women and -0.67 SMD (95% CI -15.7, -11.5) for lactating women. When the four studies from Malaysia were analyzed separately, protein intakes of pregnant women were above the RNI. Moreover, low intakes of vitamin D, vitamin C, calcium, and iron, but sufficient intakes in vitamin A, zinc, and phosphorus were observed in pregnant women in both countries.
CONCLUSION
Dietary intakes of energy, macronutrients, and micronutrients (vitamin D, vitamin E, water-soluble vitamins, calcium, and iron) of pregnant and lactating women in Indonesia and Malaysia were below the recommendations. Important heterogeneities were observed even between these two countries for specific essential nutrient intakes. Innovative research and targeted programs to address specific deficiencies should be prioritized.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021252204, identifier: CRD42021252204.
PubMed: 37063336
DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1030343 -
Nutrients Oct 2023Cataract, defined as the opacification of the lens that prevents clear vision, is a leading cause of vision loss and impairment worldwide. Elderly people comprise the... (Review)
Review
Cataract, defined as the opacification of the lens that prevents clear vision, is a leading cause of vision loss and impairment worldwide. Elderly people comprise the highest proportion of those suffering from this eye disease. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), the risk of developing aged-related cataract (ARC) increases with every decade of life, starting from the age of 40. Despite progress in surgical treatment methods, life-style modifications may be beneficial in prevention or slowing down the progression of ARC. This systematic review aims to summarize studies on the significance of specific nutritional patterns, dietary products, vitamins, minerals, and carotenoids intake in the onset or progression of ARC. In this context, the presented paper thoroughly analyzes 24 articles, following the PRISMA guidelines. The results indicate significant protective effects of various dietary patterns, including the Korean balanced diet, vegetarian diet, "dairy products and vegetables", "traditional", "antioxidant", and "omega-3" patterns. Additionally, the consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, skimmed yoghurt, fish, coffee, and vitamins has shown positive effects on cataract incidence. Therefore, further research seems to be essential to gain a better understanding of these associations and to create uniform dietary recommendations for both the vulnerable population and ARC patients.
Topics: Aged; Animals; Humans; Vitamins; Diet; Cataract; Antioxidants; Vitamin A; Vegetables; Vitamin K
PubMed: 37960238
DOI: 10.3390/nu15214585