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Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy =... Jun 2021Lycopene, the main pigment of tomatoes, possess the strongest antioxidant activity among carotenoids. Lycopene has unique structure and chemical properties. We searched...
Lycopene, the main pigment of tomatoes, possess the strongest antioxidant activity among carotenoids. Lycopene has unique structure and chemical properties. We searched the literature, via PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Google database so on to screen citations from inception to Oct 2020 for inclusion in this study. We found that as a common phytochemical, it did not attract much attention in the past few years. However, recent studies have indicated that, in addition to antioxidant activity and the second stage of detoxification, the anticancer of lycopene is also considered to be an important determinant of tumor development including the inhibition of cell proliferation, inhibition of cell cycle progression, induction of apoptosis, inhibition of cell invasion, angiogenesis and metastasis. The effect mechanisms of lycopene are related to the regulation of several signal transduction pathways, such as PI3K/Akt pathway, modulation of insulin-like growth factors system, the suppression of activity of sex steroid hormones, the modification of relevant gene expression, and the alteration of mitochondrial function. These novel findings have suggested that lycopene acts as a promising functional natural pigment, and may be associated with a decreased risk of different types of cancer. This review presents the latest knowledge with respect to its molecular mechanisms and its molecular targets of the inhibitory effects on carcinogenesis.
Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Cell Cycle Checkpoints; Cell Proliferation; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Humans; Lycopene; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Neoplasms; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 34311540
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111546 -
Scientific Reports Dec 2022Vitamin A is an anti-oxidant which has been presumed to act as an anti-infective vitamin in many studies. This study aimed to evaluate the association between vitamin A... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Vitamin A is an anti-oxidant which has been presumed to act as an anti-infective vitamin in many studies. This study aimed to evaluate the association between vitamin A supplementation and c-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels in randomized control trials (RCTs) studies on adults. A systematic search was performed on databases including PUBMED, SCOPUS, and the Cochrane library. The studies included were considered for data extraction and subsequently assessed for effect. Weighted mean differences (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were evaluated. Among 13,219 articles 13 studies were included for analysis of CRP and TNF-α, as well as 9 studies included for IL-6 in quality and quantity. The pooled WMD analysis of CRP demonstrated that vitamin A supplementation significantly increased CRP concentration with (WMD: 0.84 mg/L; 95% CI 0.29-1.39, I = 0.96.2% and p value < 0.003). However, there was no significant correlation between vitamin A supplementation and lower plasma TNF-α (p < 0.45)). Subgroup analysis by dosage demonstrate significant association between vitamin A supplementation and IL-6 in dosage with 50,000 with (WMD: - 1.53 mg/L; 95% CI - 2.36 to - 0.71, p value < 0.00001) as well as a negative significant association was seen at 44 weeks of supplementation with 50,000 IU/day retinyl palmitate and TNF-a in chronic hepatitis B conditions with (- 0.94 (- 1.19, - 0.69) p < 0.0001). The result of this study demonstrates that supplementation of vitamin A at low and high dosages for short and long durations increases the CRP plasma concentrations on adults and vitamin A supplementation decreases the TNF-α concentrations in chronic hepatitis B on adults. Therefore, there is an inverse association between vitamin A supplementation and plasma and fecal IL-6 concentrations in many infection conditions.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Interleukin-6; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Vitamin A; Dietary Supplements; Hepatitis B, Chronic; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Biomarkers; C-Reactive Protein; Inflammation
PubMed: 36496428
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23919-x -
Nutrients Mar 2023Assessing children's skin carotenoid score (SCS) using reflection spectroscopy (RS) is a non-invasive, widely used method to approximate fruit and vegetable consumption... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Assessing children's skin carotenoid score (SCS) using reflection spectroscopy (RS) is a non-invasive, widely used method to approximate fruit and vegetable consumption (FVC). The aims for the current review were to (1) identify distributions of SCS across demographic groups, (2) identify potential non-dietary correlates for RS-based SCS, (3) summarize the validity and reliability of RS-based SCS assessment, and (4) conduct meta-analyses of studies examining the correlation between RS-based SCS with FVC. A literature search in eight databases in June 2021 resulted in 4880 citations and peer-reviewed publications written in English that investigated children's (2-10 years old) SCS using RS. We included 11 studies (intervention = 3, observational = 8). Potential covariates included weight status, ethnicity, seasonal variation, age, sex, and income. Studies reported criterion validity with children's FVC but not with plasma carotenoid. Additionally, no studies reported the reliability of RS-based SCS in children. Among the 726 children included in the meta-analysis, the correlation between RS-based SCS and FVC was = 0.2 ( < 0.0001). RS-based SCS is a valid method to quantify skin carotenoids for children's FVC estimation with the potential for evaluating nutrition policies and interventions. However, future research should use standardized protocol for using RS and establish how RS-based SCS can translate to the amount of daily FVC in children.
Topics: Child; Child, Preschool; Humans; Carotenoids; Fruit; Reproducibility of Results; Skin; Spectrum Analysis; Vegetables
PubMed: 36986046
DOI: 10.3390/nu15061315 -
Journal of Nutritional Science and... 2023The role of vitamin A in the pathophysiological context of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) represents a current challenge, given the major impact of COVID-19 on...
The role of vitamin A in the pathophysiological context of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) represents a current challenge, given the major impact of COVID-19 on morbidity and mortality and the importance of retinol in pulmonary and immunomodulatory functions. The aim of this review is to assess the relationship between vitamin A nutritional status and clinical outcomes in people with COVID-19. The PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and ScienceDirect databases were used to search for observational studies that assessed retinol levels in hospitalized individuals with COVID-19, following the PRISMA recommendations. A total of 1,912 articles were identified and seven met the inclusion criteria. Four studies showed borderline or deficient retinol blood levels (retinol <0.20 mg/L or <0.70 mol/L) in people with COVID-19, associated with worsened clinical outcomes. In the other three studies lower mean values of this vitamin were identified in COVID-19 symptomatic groups compared to asymptomatic or convalescent groups that showed worse clinical outcomes. The results suggest a possible association between retinol and COVID-19 outcomes. However, there is a clear need to develop clinical trials to elucidate the role of vitamin A in the pathophysiological process of COVID-19.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Vitamin A; SARS-CoV-2; Nutritional Status; Vitamins
PubMed: 38171811
DOI: 10.3177/jnsv.69.395 -
Journal of Advanced Research Apr 2023Lycopene is a natural red compound with potent antioxidant activity that can be utilized both as pigment and as a raw material in functional food, and so possesses good... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Lycopene is a natural red compound with potent antioxidant activity that can be utilized both as pigment and as a raw material in functional food, and so possesses good commercial prospects. The biosynthetic pathway has already been documented, which provides the foundation for lycopene production using biotechnology.
AIM OF REVIEW
Although lycopene production has begun to take shape, there is still an urgent need to alleviate the yield of lycopene. Progress in this area can provide useful reference for metabolic engineering of lycopene production utilizing multiple approaches.
KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW
Using conventional microbial fermentation approaches, biotechnologists have enhanced the yield of lycopene by selecting suitable host strains, utilizing various additives, and optimizing culture conditions. With the development of modern biotechnology, genetic engineering, protein engineering, and metabolic engineering have been applied for lycopene production. Extraction from natural plants is the main way for lycopene production at present. Based on the molecular mechanism of lycopene accumulation, the production of lycopene by plant bioreactor through genetic engineering has a good prospect. Here we summarized common strategies for optimizing lycopene production engineering from a biotechnology perspective, which are mainly carried out by microbial cultivation. We reviewed the challenges and limitations of this approach, summarized the critical aspects, and provided suggestions with the aim of potential future breakthroughs for lycopene production in plants.
Topics: Lycopene; Biotechnology; Biosynthetic Pathways; Metabolic Engineering; Bioreactors
PubMed: 35753652
DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2022.06.010 -
Medicine Feb 2020Influenza is a severe disease burden among all age groups. This study aimed to review the efficacy of inactivated influenza vaccines with MF59 adjuvant and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Influenza is a severe disease burden among all age groups. This study aimed to review the efficacy of inactivated influenza vaccines with MF59 adjuvant and non-adjuvanted inactivated influenza vaccines among all age groups against specific influenza vaccine strains.
METHODS
Literature search of PubMed, Embase, Medline, OVID, and Cochrane Library Trials (CENTRAL) was implemented up to March 1, 2019. Homogeneity qualified studies were included forData were extracted such as study country location, demographic characteristics, and measure outcomes, and were analyzed by a random effect model and sensitivity analyses to identify heterogeneity. Risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool.
RESULTS
We retrieved 1,021 publications and selected 31 studies for full review, including 17 trials for meta-analysis and 6 trials for qualitative synthesis. MF59-adjuvanted influenza vaccines demonstrated better immunogenicity against specific vaccine virus strains compared to non-adjuvanted influenza vaccine both in healthy adult group (RR = 2.10; 95% CI: 1.28-3.44) and the healthy aged (RR = 1.26; 95% CI: 1.10-1.44).
CONCLUSION
The quality of evidence is moderate to high for seroconversion and seroprotection rates of influenza vaccine. MF59-adjuvanted influenza vaccines are superior to non-adjuvanted influenza vaccines to enhance immune responses of vaccination in healthy adults and older adults, and could be considered for routine use especially the monovalent prepandemic influenza vaccines.
Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Child; Female; Humans; Immunogenicity, Vaccine; Influenza Vaccines; Influenza, Human; Male; Middle Aged; Polysorbates; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Seroconversion; Squalene; Vaccines, Inactivated; Young Adult
PubMed: 32049815
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000019095 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Jul 2020Cystic fibrosis is a multi-system disease characterised by the production of thick secretions causing recurrent pulmonary infection, often with unusual bacteria. This... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Cystic fibrosis is a multi-system disease characterised by the production of thick secretions causing recurrent pulmonary infection, often with unusual bacteria. This leads to lung destruction and eventually death through respiratory failure. There are no antibiotics in development that exert a new mode of action and many of the current antibiotics are ineffective in eradicating the bacteria once chronic infection is established. Antibiotic adjuvants - therapies that act by rendering the organism more susceptible to attack by antibiotics or the host immune system, by rendering it less virulent or killing it by other means, would be a significant therapeutic advance. This is an update of a previously published review.
OBJECTIVES
To determine if antibiotic adjuvants improve clinical and microbiological outcome of pulmonary infection in people with cystic fibrosis.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cystic Fibrosis Trials Register which is compiled from database searches, hand searches of appropriate journals and conference proceedings. Date of most recent search: 16 January 2020. We also searched MEDLINE (all years) on 14 February 2019 and ongoing trials registers on 06 April 2020.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised controlled trials and quasi-randomised controlled trials of a therapy exerting an antibiotic adjuvant mechanism of action compared to placebo or no therapy for people with cystic fibrosis.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two of the authors independently assessed and extracted data from identified trials.
MAIN RESULTS
We identified 42 trials of which eight (350 participants) that examined antibiotic adjuvant therapies are included. Two further trials are ongoing and five are awaiting classification. The included trials assessed β-carotene (one trial, 24 participants), garlic (one trial, 34 participants), KB001-A (a monoclonal antibody) (two trials, 196 participants), nitric oxide (two trials, 30 participants) and zinc supplementation (two trials, 66 participants). The zinc trials recruited children only, whereas the remaining trials recruited both adults and children. Three trials were located in Europe, one in Asia and four in the USA. Three of the interventions measured our primary outcome of pulmonary exacerbations (β-carotene, mean difference (MD) -8.00 (95% confidence interval (CI) -18.78 to 2.78); KB001-A, risk ratio (RR) 0.25 (95% CI 0.03 to 2.40); zinc supplementation, RR 1.85 (95% CI 0.65 to 5.26). β-carotene and KB001-A may make little or no difference to the number of exacerbations experienced (low-quality evidence); whereas, given the moderate-quality evidence we found that zinc probably makes no difference to this outcome. Respiratory function was measured in all of the included trials. β-carotene and nitric oxide may make little or no difference to forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV) (low-quality evidence), whilst garlic probably makes little or no difference to FEV (moderate-quality evidence). It is uncertain whether zinc or KB001-A improve FEV as the certainty of this evidence is very low. Few adverse events were seen across all of the different interventions and the adverse events that were reported were mild or not treatment-related (quality of the evidence ranged from very low to moderate). One of the trials (169 participants) comparing KB001-A and placebo, reported on the time to the next course of antibiotics; results showed there is probably no difference between groups, HR 1.00 (95% CI 0.69 to 1.45) (moderate-quality evidence). Quality of life was only reported in the two KB001-A trials, which demonstrated that there may be little or no difference between KB001-A and placebo (low-quality evidence). Sputum microbiology was measured and reported for the trials of KB001-A and nitric oxide (four trials). There was very low-quality evidence of a numerical reduction in Pseudomonas aeruginosa density with KB001-A, but it was not significant. The two trials looking at the effects of nitric oxide reported significant reductions in Staphylococcus aureus and near-significant reductions in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, but the quality of this evidence is again very low.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
We could not identify an antibiotic adjuvant therapy that we could recommend for treating of lung infection in people with cystic fibrosis. The emergence of increasingly resistant bacteria makes the reliance on antibiotics alone challenging for cystic fibrosis teams. There is a need to explore alternative strategies, such as the use of adjuvant therapies. Further research is required to provide future therapeutic options.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Bacterial Infections; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; Child; Cystic Fibrosis; Disease Progression; Garlic; Humans; Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments; Lung Diseases; Nitric Oxide; Pseudomonas Infections; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Vitamins; Young Adult; Zinc; beta Carotene
PubMed: 32671834
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD008037.pub4 -
Clinical Breast Cancer Dec 2021Antioxidant vitamin supplements (AVSs) are widely used among breast cancer survivors. Whether post-diagnosis use of AVSs would impair cancer survival is unclear. To... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Antioxidant vitamin supplements (AVSs) are widely used among breast cancer survivors. Whether post-diagnosis use of AVSs would impair cancer survival is unclear. To assess the association between breast cancer survival and post-diagnosis AVSs use. We performed a literature search using PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase from their inception to October 1, 2020. Studies that investigated the association between breast cancer survival and post-diagnosis AVS use included. The AVSs included 1 or more of the following: vitamin A, C, or E. The meta-analysis included 8 studies with 17,062 patients. There was no significant difference between AVS use or not after diagnosis (HR 0.92, 95% CI 0•82-1•03) or during chemotherapy (HR 1.15, 95% CI 0.78-1.68) in overall survival (OS). Whenever during chemotherapy or after diagnosis, AVS users had a worse prognosis in the later studies. There was no significant inverse association between post-diagnosis vitamin A or E supplements use and OS. Vitamin C intake after breast cancer diagnosis was significantly associated with better OS (HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.76-0.93). Our findings suggest that post-diagnosis AVSs use would not worsen breast cancer survival, while vitamin C use after diagnosis might benefit OS. The discrepancy of survivals associated with post-diagnosis AVS use between earlier and later studies may cast doubt on the recommendation on guidelines. RCTs with large sample sizes are needed.
Topics: Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Breast Neoplasms; Cancer Survivors; Dietary Supplements; Female; Health Status; Humans; Primary Prevention; Vitamin A; Vitamin E
PubMed: 34635464
DOI: 10.1016/j.clbc.2021.09.001 -
The American Journal of Clinical... Dec 2021A previous systematic review showed that intramuscular vitamin A supplementation reduced the risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW)... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
A previous systematic review showed that intramuscular vitamin A supplementation reduced the risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants. However, more recent studies have questioned this finding.
OBJECTIVES
Our objective was to synthesize current evidence on vitamin A supplementation in very-preterm (<32 wk gestational age) or VLBW infants and investigate the factors that may modify its efficacy.
METHODS
A systematic review was conducted using the Cochrane systematic review methodology. We included randomized controlled trials investigating vitamin A supplementation for reducing morbidity and mortality in very-preterm or VLBW infants. Certainty of evidence was assessed using Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) recommendations. Prespecified subgroup analyses assessed factors that may modify the effects of vitamin A supplementation.
RESULTS
We included 17 studies (n = 2471) in the qualitative and 15 studies (n = 2248) in the quantitative synthesis. Moderate-certainty evidence suggested a beneficial effect of vitamin A for decreasing the risk of BPD at 36 wk postmenstrual age (RR: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.74, 0.93; numbers needed to treat for an additional beneficial outcome: 16; 95% CI: 9, 53; 9 studies, n = 1752; P = 0.002). Subgroup analysis suggested that the beneficial effect was limited to infants with baseline vitamin A intake <1500 IU · kg-1 · d-1. Both enteral and parenteral routes were effective. Vitamin A supplementation did not have adverse effects and did not alter mortality before discharge (12 studies, n = 1917) or neurodevelopmental outcomes at 18-22 mo (1 study, n = 538).
CONCLUSIONS
The benefit of vitamin A supplementation for reducing BPD is likely to be limited to infants with baseline vitamin A intake <1500 IU · kg-1 · d-1 and is not affected by the route of administration.
Topics: Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia; Dietary Supplements; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; Morbidity; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Vitamin A
PubMed: 34582542
DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/nqab294 -
PloS One 2022Vitamin A Supplementation (VAS) is a cost-effective intervention to decrease mortality associated with measles and diarrheal diseases among children aged 6-59 months in...
Cost-effectiveness of Vitamin A supplementation among children in three sub-Saharan African countries: An individual-based simulation model using estimates from Global Burden of Disease 2019.
BACKGROUND
Vitamin A Supplementation (VAS) is a cost-effective intervention to decrease mortality associated with measles and diarrheal diseases among children aged 6-59 months in low-income countries. Recently, experts have suggested that other interventions like large-scale food fortification and increasing the coverage of measles vaccination might provide greater impact than VAS. In this study, we conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis of a VAS scale-up in three sub-Saharan African countries.
METHODS
We developed an individual-based microsimulation using the Vivarium simulation framework to estimate the cost and effect of scaling up VAS from 2019 to 2023 in Nigeria, Kenya, and Burkina Faso, three countries with different levels of baseline coverage. We calibrated the model with disease and risk factor estimates from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 (GBD 2019). We obtained baseline coverage, intervention effects, and costs from a systematic review. After the model was validated against GBD inputs, we modeled an alternative scenario where we scaled-up VAS coverage from 2019 to a level that halved the exposure to lack of VAS in 2023. Based on the simulation outputs for DALYs averted and intervention cost, we determined estimates for the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) in USD/DALY.
FINDINGS
Our estimates for ICER are as follows: $860/DALY [95% UI; 320, 3530] in Nigeria, $550/DALY [240, 2230] in Kenya, and $220/DALY [80, 2470] in Burkina Faso. Examining the data for DALYs averted for the three countries over the time span, we found that the scale-up led to 21 [5, 56] DALYs averted per 100,000 person-years in Nigeria, 21 [5, 47] DALYs averted per 100,000 person-years in Kenya, and 14 [0, 37] DALYs averted per 100,000 person-years in Burkina Faso.
CONCLUSIONS
VAS may no longer be as cost-effective in low-income regions as it has been previously. Updated estimates in GBD 2019 for the effect of Vitamin A Deficiency on causes of death are an additional driver of this lower estimate of cost-effectiveness.
Topics: Child; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Dietary Supplements; Global Burden of Disease; Humans; Kenya; Measles; Vitamin A
PubMed: 35390077
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0266495