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Nutrients Sep 2022Pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments for stroke are essential but can be costly or harmful, whereas probiotics are a promising alternative. This scoping review... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments for stroke are essential but can be costly or harmful, whereas probiotics are a promising alternative. This scoping review aimed to synthesize the and evidence of probiotics on stroke-related neurological, biochemical, and histochemical outcomes.
METHODS
A systematic review was conducted in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Clinical Trials (CENTRAL) up to 7 May 2021. Titles and abstracts were screened and assessed by two independent reviewers. The initial screening criteria aimed to include studies using probiotics, prebiotics, and symbiotics both and for the prevention and/or treatment of stroke.
RESULTS
Of 6293 articles, 4990 passed the initial screen after excluding duplication articles, of which 36 theme-related full texts were assessed and 13 were included in this review. No studies passed the criteria to be included in this review. Probiotics can ameliorate neurological deficits and show their anti-inflammation and anti-oxidative properties. Decreased loss of cerebral volume and inhibition of neuronal apoptosis were revealed in histopathological evidence.
CONCLUSIONS
There are potential cognitive benefits of probiotic supplementation, especially among animal models, on decreasing cerebral volume, increasing neurological score, and decreasing the inflammatory response. However, further investigation is needed to validate these conclusions in various populations.
Topics: Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Humans; Prebiotics; Probiotics; Stroke
PubMed: 36079918
DOI: 10.3390/nu14173661 -
Nutrients Sep 2022Pectin is a dietary fiber, and its health effects have been described extensively. Although there are limited clinical studies, there is a growing body of evidence from... (Review)
Review
Pectin is a dietary fiber, and its health effects have been described extensively. Although there are limited clinical studies, there is a growing body of evidence from in vitro studies investigating the effect of pectin on human gut microbiota. This comprehensive review summarizes the findings of gut microbiota modulation in vitro as assessed by 16S rRNA gene-based technologies and elucidates the potential structure-activity relationships. Generally, pectic substrates are slowly but completely fermented, with a greater production of acetate compared with other fibers. Their fermentation, either directly or by cross-feeding interactions, results in the increased abundances of gut bacterial communities such as the family of , the and genera, and species such as and , where the specific stimulation of and is unique to pectic substrates. Furthermore, the degree of methyl esterification, the homogalacturonan-to-rhamnogalacturonan ratio, and the molecular weight are the most influential structural factors on the gut microbiota. The latter particularly influences the growth of spp. The prebiotic potential of pectin targeting specific gut bacteria beneficial for human health and well-being still needs to be confirmed in humans, including the relationship between its structural features and activity.
Topics: Bacteria; Clostridiales; Feces; Fermentation; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Humans; Pectins; Prebiotics; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
PubMed: 36079886
DOI: 10.3390/nu14173629 -
Frontiers in Genetics 2022Legume crops provide significant nutrition to humans as a source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids as well as specific macro and micronutrients. Additionally, legumes...
Legume crops provide significant nutrition to humans as a source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids as well as specific macro and micronutrients. Additionally, legumes improve the cropping environment by replenishing the soil nitrogen content. Chickpeas are the second most significant staple legume food crop worldwide behind dry bean which contains 17%-24% protein, 41%-51% carbohydrate, and other important essential minerals, vitamins, dietary fiber, folate, β-carotene, anti-oxidants, micronutrients (phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc) as well as linoleic and oleic unsaturated fatty acids. Despite these advantages, legumes are far behind cereals in terms of genetic improvement mainly due to far less effort, the bottlenecks of the narrow genetic base, and several biotic and abiotic factors in the scenario of changing climatic conditions. Measures are now called for beyond conventional breeding practices to strategically broadening of narrow genetic base utilizing chickpea wild relatives and improvement of cultivars through advanced breeding approaches with a focus on high yield productivity, biotic and abiotic stresses including climate resilience, and enhanced nutritional values. Desirable donors having such multiple traits have been identified using core and mini core collections from the cultivated gene pool and wild relatives of Chickpea. Several methods have been developed to address cross-species fertilization obstacles and to aid in inter-specific hybridization and introgression of the target gene sequences from wild species. Additionally, recent advances in "Omics" sciences along with high-throughput and precise phenotyping tools have made it easier to identify genes that regulate traits of interest. Next-generation sequencing technologies, whole-genome sequencing, transcriptomics, and differential genes expression profiling along with a plethora of novel techniques like single nucleotide polymorphism exploiting high-density genotyping by sequencing assays, simple sequence repeat markers, diversity array technology platform, and whole-genome re-sequencing technique led to the identification and development of QTLs and high-density trait mapping of the global chickpea germplasm. These altogether have helped in broadening the narrow genetic base of chickpeas.
PubMed: 36035111
DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.905771 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2022Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver disease with a high prevalence worldwide, seriously harming human health, and its pathogenesis remains... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver disease with a high prevalence worldwide, seriously harming human health, and its pathogenesis remains unclear. In recent years, increasing evidence has indicated that intestinal microbiota plays an important role in the occurrence and development of NAFLD. The regulation method of probiotics/prebiotics/synbiotics can alter the intestinal microbiota and has been suggested as an option in the treatment of NAFLD.
METHODS
Five databases of PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, clinicaltrails.gov, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure were searched initially, and then the eligible studies were screened. Finally, the data of included studieswere extracted, combined and analyzed.
RESULTS
A total of 29 randomized controlled trials involving 2,110 patients were included in this study. The results showed that using probiotics/prebiotics/synbiotics in the intervention group could reduce the levels of glucose (SMD = -0.23, 95% CI [-0.45, -0.01], = 0.04), HOMA-IR (SMD = -0.47, 95% CI [-0.63, -0.31], < 0.00001) and insulin (SMD = -0.46, 95% CI [-0.76, -0.16], = 0.002) in sugar metabolism; in terms of lipid metabolism, the levels of TC (SMD = -0.62, 95%CI [-0.87, -0.36], < 0.00001), and LDL-C (SMD = -0.57, 95%CI [-0.85, -0.28], < 0.00001) were decreased; and the level of ALB was decreased in protein metabolism (SMD = -0.34, 95%CI [-0.61, -0.06], = 0.02).
CONCLUSIONS
Based on the current evidence, probiotics/prebiotics/synbiotics may improve energy metabolism biomarkers in the NAFLD population, but these effects still need to be confirmed by further research.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/#aboutpage.
Topics: Biomarkers; Energy Metabolism; Humans; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Prebiotics; Probiotics; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Synbiotics
PubMed: 35958869
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.862266 -
International Journal of Molecular... Aug 2022Modifications in the microbiota caused by environmental and genetic reasons can unbalance the intestinal homeostasis, deregulating the host's metabolism and immune... (Review)
Review
Modifications in the microbiota caused by environmental and genetic reasons can unbalance the intestinal homeostasis, deregulating the host's metabolism and immune system, intensifying the risk factors for the development and aggravation of non-alcoholic fat liver disease (NAFLD). The use of probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics have been considered a potential and promising strategy to regulate the gut microbiota and produce beneficial effects in patients with liver conditions. For this reason, this review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of probiotics, prebiotics, and symbiotics in patients with NAFLD and NASH. Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were consulted, and PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) guidelines were followed. The clinical trials used in this study demonstrated that gut microbiota interventions could improve a wide range of markers of inflammation, glycemia, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, obesity, liver injury (decrease of hepatic enzymes and steatosis and fibrosis). Although microbiota modulators do not play a healing role, they can work as an important adjunct therapy in pathological processes involving NAFLD and its spectrums, either by improving the intestinal barrier or by preventing the formation of toxic metabolites for the liver or by acting on the immune system.
Topics: Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Humans; Liver; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Prebiotics; Probiotics; Synbiotics
PubMed: 35955942
DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158805 -
Advances in Nutrition (Bethesda, Md.) Dec 2022The impact of gut microbiota-targeted interventions on the incidence, duration, and severity of respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in nonelderly adults, and factors... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
The impact of gut microbiota-targeted interventions on the incidence, duration, and severity of respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in nonelderly adults, and factors moderating any such effects, are unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the effects of orally ingested probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics compared with placebo on RTI incidence, duration, and severity in nonelderly adults, and to identify potential sources of heterogeneity. Studies were identified by searching CENTRAL, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science up to December 2021. English-language, peer-reviewed publications of randomized, placebo-controlled studies that tested an orally ingested probiotic, prebiotic, or synbiotic intervention of any dose for ≥1 wk in adults aged 18-65 y were included. Results were synthesized using intention-to-treat and per-protocol random-effects meta-analysis. Heterogeneity was explored by subgroup meta-analysis and meta-regression. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias assessment tool for randomized trials version 2 (RoB2). Forty-two manuscripts reporting effects of probiotics (n = 38), prebiotics (n = 2), synbiotics (n = 1) or multiple -biotic types (n = 1) were identified (n = 9179 subjects). Probiotics reduced the risk of experiencing ≥1 RTI (relative risk = 0.91; 95% CI: 0.84, 0.98; P = 0.01), and total days (rate ratio = 0.77; 95% CI: 0.71, 0.83; P < 0.001), duration (Hedges' g = -0.23; 95% CI: -0.39, -0.08; P = 0.004), and severity (Hedges' g = -0.16; 95% CI: -0.29, -0.03; P = 0.02) of RTIs. Effects were relatively consistent across different strain combinations, doses, and durations, although reductions in RTI duration were larger with fermented dairy as the delivery matrix, and beneficial effects of probiotics were not observed in physically active populations. Overall risk of bias was rated as "some concerns" for most studies. In conclusion, orally ingested probiotics, relative to placebo, modestly reduce the incidence, duration, and severity of RTIs in nonelderly adults. Physical activity and delivery matrix may moderate some of these effects. Whether prebiotic and synbiotic interventions confer similar protection remains unclear due to few relevant studies. This trial was registered at https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/ as CRD42020220213.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Prebiotics; Synbiotics; Probiotics; Respiratory Tract Infections; PubMed
PubMed: 35948276
DOI: 10.1093/advances/nmac086 -
Journal of the American Association of... Sep 2022Chronic constipation is a common gastrointestinal condition, and most individuals self-treat with multiple over-the-counter (OTC) laxatives prior to consulting a health...
Chronic constipation is a common gastrointestinal condition, and most individuals self-treat with multiple over-the-counter (OTC) laxatives prior to consulting a health care provider. This brief report is a synopsis of an updated systematic review the authors conducted of published data on the efficacy and safety of OTC treatments to provide evidence-based recommendations. After applying the selection criteria, 41 randomized controlled clinical trials of ≥ 4-week duration were identified and analyzed. Standardized definitions of constipation were applied across these studies; however, definitions for stool frequency and consistency varied. Overall, the short- and long-term efficacy of polyethylene glycol-based preparations and senna were supported by good (grade A) evidence suggesting their use as first-line laxatives. Modest evidence (grade B) supported the use of other agents including the stimulants bisacodyl and sodium picosulfate, fiber, fruit-based laxatives, and magnesium oxide. Additional evidence from rigorously designed studies is needed to support the use of other options for chronic constipation. The OTC products studied were generally well tolerated with common adverse effects being abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, diarrhea, and nausea.
Topics: Constipation; Dietary Fiber; Humans; Laxatives; Nonprescription Drugs; Polyethylene Glycols; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 35943487
DOI: 10.1097/JXX.0000000000000760 -
Journal of Diabetes Research 2022Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a main health problem associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, morbidity, and mortality. Recent studies shown that the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a main health problem associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, morbidity, and mortality. Recent studies shown that the progression of CKD may be related to the change of intestinal flora. Resistant starch (RS) is a type of dietary fiber that can act as a substrate for microbial fermentation. Some studies have found that the supplementation of RS can improve the intestinal flora disorder in CKD patients. However, the specific effect of RS on CKD patients remains controversial.
OBJECTIVE
We designed this meta-analysis to identify and assess the effects of RS on patients with CKD.
METHODS
A comprehensive search of MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane systematic review databases was conducted in January 2020, and all new trials were updated in August 2021. Randomized trials were collected to assess the effects of RS on patients with CKD. The weighted average effect size of the net change was calculated by using the random-effects model.
RESULTS
The meta-analysis included 8 studies involving 301 participants. RS intake significantly reduced serum indolephenol sulfate (IS), blood phosphorus, IL-6, and uric acid levels in dialysis patients. The mean difference (MD) of serum IS ( = 0.0002) in the dialysis subgroup was -12.57 mol/L (95% CI: -19.28, -5.86 mol/L). The MD of blood phosphorus ( = 0.03) was -0.39 mg/dl (95% CI: -0.78, -0.01 mg/dl). The MD of serum uric acid ( = 0.004) between the dialysis subgroup and the nondialysis subgroup was -31.58 mmol/L (95% CI: -52.99, -10.17 mmol/L). The mean difference (MD) of IL-6 ( = 0.02) in the dialysis subgroup was -1.16 mol/L (95% CI: -2.16, -0.16 mol/L). However, there was no significant change of RS on hs-CRP, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), blood paracresol sulfate, and blood lipid.
CONCLUSIONS
The intake of RS reduced the serum IS, serum phosphorus, IL-6, and uric acid levels significantly in dialysis patients, while hs-CRP, serum creatinine, BUN, serum paracresol sulfate, and blood lipid showed no significant changes.
Topics: C-Reactive Protein; Creatinine; Humans; Interleukin-6; Phosphorus; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic; Resistant Starch; Sulfates; Uric Acid
PubMed: 35899018
DOI: 10.1155/2022/1861009 -
Frontiers in Plant Science 2022Vegetables are a distinct collection of plant-based foods that vary in nutritional diversity and form an important part of the healthy diet of the human being. Besides...
Vegetables are a distinct collection of plant-based foods that vary in nutritional diversity and form an important part of the healthy diet of the human being. Besides providing basic nutrition, they have great potential for boosting human health. The balanced consumption of vegetables is highly recommended for supplementing the human body with better nutrition density, dietary fiber, minerals, vitamins, and bioactive compounds. However, the production and quality of fresh vegetables are influenced directly or indirectly by exposure to high temperatures or heat stress (HS). A decline in quality traits and harvestable yield are the most common effects of HS among vegetable crops. Heat-induced morphological damage, such as poor vegetative growth, leaf tip burning, and rib discoloration in leafy vegetables and sunburn, decreased fruit size, fruit/pod abortion, and unfilled fruit/pods in beans, are common, often rendering vegetable cultivation unprofitable. Further studies to trace down the possible physiological and biochemical effects associated with crop failure reveal that the key factors include membrane damage, photosynthetic inhibition, oxidative stress, and damage to reproductive tissues, which may be the key factors governing heat-induced crop failure. The reproductive stage of plants has extensively been studied for HS-induced abnormalities. Plant reproduction is more sensitive to HS than the vegetative stages, and affects various reproductive processes like pollen germination, pollen load, pollen tube growth, stigma receptivity, ovule fertility and, seed filling, resulting in poorer yields. Hence, sound and robust adaptation and mitigation strategies are needed to overcome the adverse impacts of HS at the morphological, physiological, and biochemical levels to ensure the productivity and quality of vegetable crops. Physiological traits such as the stay-green trait, canopy temperature depression, cell membrane thermostability, chlorophyll fluorescence, relative water content, increased reproductive fertility, fruit numbers, and fruit size are important for developing better yielding heat-tolerant varieties/cultivars. Moreover, various molecular approaches such as omics, molecular breeding, and transgenics, have been proved to be useful in enhancing/incorporating tolerance and can be potential tools for developing heat-tolerant varieties/cultivars. Further, these approaches will provide insights into the physiological and molecular mechanisms that govern thermotolerance and pave the way for engineering "designer" vegetable crops for better health and nutritional security. Besides these approaches, agronomic methods are also important for adaptation, escape and mitigation of HS protect and improve yields.
PubMed: 35837452
DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.878498 -
The American Journal of Clinical... Oct 2022Chronic constipation is a prevalent disorder that remains challenging to treat. Studies suggest increasing fiber intake may improve symptoms, although recommendations on... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Chronic constipation is a prevalent disorder that remains challenging to treat. Studies suggest increasing fiber intake may improve symptoms, although recommendations on the fiber type, dose, and treatment duration are unclear.
OBJECTIVES
We investigated the effects of fiber supplementation on stool output, gut transit time, symptoms, and quality of life in adults with chronic constipation via a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
METHODS
Studies were identified using electronic databases, backward citation, and hand searches of abstracts. RCTs reporting administration of fiber supplementation in adults with chronic constipation were included. Risks of bias (RoB) was assessed with the Cochrane RoB 2.0 tool. Results were synthesized using risk ratios (RRs), mean differences, or standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% CIs using a random-effects model.
RESULTS
Sixteen RCTs with 1251 participants were included. Overall, 311 of 473 (66%) participants responded to fiber treatment and 134 of 329 (41%) responded to control treatment [RR: 1.48 (95% CI: 1.17, 1.88; P = 0.001); I2 = 57% (P = 0.007)], with psyllium and pectin having significant effects. A higher response to treatment was apparent in fiber groups compared to control groups irrespective of the treatment duration, but only with higher fiber doses (>10 g/d). Fiber increased stool frequency [SMD: 0.72 (95% CI: 0.36, 1.08; P = 0.0001); I2 = 86% (P < 0.00001)]; psyllium and pectin had significant effects, and improvement was apparent only with higher fiber doses and greater treatment durations (≥4 weeks). Fiber improved stool consistency (SMD: 0.32; 95% CI: 0.18, 0.46; P < 0.0001), particularly with higher fiber doses. Flatulence was higher in fiber groups compared to control groups(SMD: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.47, 1.13; P < 0.00001).
CONCLUSIONS
Fiber supplementation is effective at improving constipation. Particularly, psyllium, doses >10 g/d and treatment durations of at least 4 weeks appear optimal, though caution is needed when interpreting the results due to considerable heterogeneity. These findings provide promising evidence on the optimal type and regime of fiber supplementation, which could be used to standardize recommendations to patients. The protocol for this review is registered at PROSPERO as CRD42020191404.
Topics: Adult; Constipation; Dietary Fiber; Dietary Supplements; Humans; Pectins; Psyllium; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 35816465
DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/nqac184