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Clinical Nutrition ESPEN Aug 2024In December 2019, Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first identified and designated as a pandemic in March 2020 due to rapid spread of the virus globally. At the... (Review)
Review
In December 2019, Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first identified and designated as a pandemic in March 2020 due to rapid spread of the virus globally. At the beginning of the pandemic, only a few treatment options, mainly focused on supportive care and repurposing medications, were available. Due to its effects on immune system, vitamin D was a topic of interest during the pandemic, and researchers investigated its potential impact on COVID-19 outcomes. However, the results of studies about the impact of vitamin D on the disease are inconclusive. In the present narrative review, different roles of vitamin D regarding the COVID-19 have been discussed to show that vitamin D supplementation should be recommended carefully.
Topics: Humans; Vitamin D; Dietary Supplements; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Vitamin D Deficiency; Vitamins; Pandemics; Calcium, Dietary; COVID-19 Drug Treatment; Calcium
PubMed: 38901939
DOI: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2024.05.015 -
Clinical Nutrition ESPEN Aug 2024Vitamin D is amongst the most important biomolecules to regularize and help in sustainable health, however, based on the studies, deficiency of this multifunctional... (Review)
Review
Vitamin D is amongst the most important biomolecules to regularize and help in sustainable health, however, based on the studies, deficiency of this multifunctional vitamin is common. Vitamin D, besides playing a role in the form of vitamins, also acts as a multifunctional hormone (steroid). Vitamin D is synthesized inside the body through various steps starting from ultraviolet radiation exposure and comes from limited food sources, however, vitamin D-fortified food products are still among the major sources of vitamin D. Current review, focused on how vitamin D acts as a multifunctional molecule by effecting different functions in the body in normal or specific conditions and how it is important in fortification and how it can be managed from the available literature till date. During the Covid pandemic, people were aware of vitamin D and took supplementation, fortified foods, and sat under sunlight. As COVID prevalence decreases, people start forgetting about vitamin D. Vitamin D is very crucial for overall well-being as it has protective effects against a broad range of diseases as it can reduce inflammation, cancer cell growth and helps in controlling infection, increase metabolism, muscle, and bone strength, neurotransmitter expression, etc. Therefore, the present review is to provoke the population, and fulfillment of the vitamin D recommended dietary allowance daily must be confirmed.
Topics: Humans; Vitamin D; COVID-19; Vitamin D Deficiency; SARS-CoV-2; Dietary Supplements; Food, Fortified; Vitamins; Recommended Dietary Allowances; Pandemics
PubMed: 38901929
DOI: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2024.04.016 -
Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of... Jun 2024Cichorium is a genus of potential medicinal herbs that finds widespread cultivation in regions spanning Asia and Europe. Belonging to the Asteraceae family, these plants... (Review)
Review
Cichorium is a genus of potential medicinal herbs that finds widespread cultivation in regions spanning Asia and Europe. Belonging to the Asteraceae family, these plants are typically biennial or perennial in nature. Among the various explored varieties of chicory plants, the most commonly studied ones include Cichorium intybus, Cichorium endivia, and Cichorium pumilum. In Ayurveda, chicory has long been used as a remedy for many health problems. This versatile plant is renowned for its efficacy in managing conditions such as gallstones, gastroenteritis, sinus ailments, and the treatment of skin abrasions and wounds. Numerous bioactives, including polysaccharides, caffeic acid, flavonoids, coumarins, steroids, alkaloids, organic acids, triterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, and essential oils, are present, according to a thorough phytochemical examination. The phytochemicals isolated from chicory have displayed significant therapeutic activities, including antidiabetic effects, hepatoprotective benefits, anti-obesity properties, and anti-cancer potential, as extensively documented by numerous researchers. The incorporation of these bioactive compounds into one's diet as part of a healthy lifestyle has demonstrated considerable advantages for human well-being. Green synthesis is a recent technology in which plant extracts or phytochemicals are used for synthesizing nanoparticles since plant extracts are generally less toxic and contain capping and reducing agents. This review summarizes current developments in green synthesis employing phytoconstituents from Cichorium species and extracts from various plant parts and their application to scientific problems. In order to preserve lifestyles and cure human diseases, the investigation emphasizes the therapeutic effects of the chemical components and nanoparticles obtained from the extract of Cichorium species.
PubMed: 38900250
DOI: 10.1007/s00210-024-03221-5 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024Exposures to social and environmental stressors arise individual behavioural response and thus indirectly affect cardiometabolic health. The aim of this study was to...
Exposures to social and environmental stressors arise individual behavioural response and thus indirectly affect cardiometabolic health. The aim of this study was to investigate several social and environmental stressors and the paths of their influence on cardiometabolic health. The data of 2154 participants (aged 25-64 years) from the cross-sectional population-based study were analysed. The composite score of metabolic disorders (MS score) was calculated based on 5 biomarkers: waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides. The effects of social stressors (education level, income), environmental stressors (NO, noise) and behavioural factors (unhealthy diet, smoking, alcohol consumption, sedentary behaviours) on MS score were assessed using a structural model. We observed a direct effect of education on MS score, as well as an indirect effect mediated via an unhealthy diet, smoking, and sedentary behaviours. We also observed a significant indirect effect of income via sedentary behaviours. The only environmental stressor predicting MS was noise, which also mediated the effect of education. In summary, the effect of social stressors on the development of cardiometabolic risk had a higher magnitude than the effect of the assessed environmental factors. Social stressors lead to an individual's unhealthy behaviour and might predispose individuals to higher levels of environmental stressors exposures.
Topics: Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Adult; Female; Cross-Sectional Studies; Sedentary Behavior; Stress, Psychological; Blood Pressure; Triglycerides; Waist Circumference; Blood Glucose; Metabolic Diseases; Smoking; Environmental Exposure; Cardiovascular Diseases; Cholesterol, HDL; Biomarkers; Risk Factors
PubMed: 38898083
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64847-2 -
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Jun 2024Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients exhibit significantly lower levels of serum selenium (Se) compared to healthy controls. This study integrates a prospective...
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients exhibit significantly lower levels of serum selenium (Se) compared to healthy controls. This study integrates a prospective cohort analysis and animal experiments to investigate Se deficiency as a potential risk factor for IBS. Using data from the UK Biobank, a longitudinal analysis was conducted to explore the associations between dietary Se intake and the risk of incident IBS. In animal study, C57BL/6 mice were fed diets with normal (0.2 ppm) or low (0.02 ppm) Se levels to assess the impacts of Se deficiency on IBS symptoms. Furthermore, we performed 16 S rRNA sequencing, untargeted colonic fecal metabolomics analysis, and colon transcriptome profiling to uncover the regulatory mechanisms underlying Se deficiency-induced IBS. The analysis of UK Biobank data revealed a significant correlation between low dietary Se levels and an increased incidence of IBS. In the experimental study, a low Se diet induced IBS symptoms, evidenced by elevated abdominal withdrawal reflex scores, colon inflammation, and severe pathological damage to the colon. Additionally, the low Se diet caused disturbances in gut microbiota, characterized by an increase in Faecalibaculum and Helicobacter, and a decrease in Bifidobacterium and Akkermansia. Combined colonic fecal metabolomics and colon transcriptome analysis indicated that Se deficiency might trigger IBS through disruptions in pathways related to "bile excretion", "steroid hormone biosynthesis", "arachidonic acid metabolism", and "drug metabolism-cytochrome P450". These findings underscore the significant adverse effects of Se deficiency on IBS and suggest that Se supplementation should be considered for IBS patients.
PubMed: 38896900
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116604 -
BioRxiv : the Preprint Server For... Jun 2024larval growth requires efficient conversion of dietary nutrients into biomass. Lactate Dehydrogenase (Ldh) and Glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (Gpdh1) support larval...
larval growth requires efficient conversion of dietary nutrients into biomass. Lactate Dehydrogenase (Ldh) and Glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (Gpdh1) support larval biosynthetic metabolism by maintaining NAD/NADH redox balance and promoting glycolytic flux. Consistent with the cooperative functions of Ldh and Gpdh1, the loss of both enzymes, but neither single enzyme, induces a developmental arrest. However, Ldh and Gpdh1 exhibit complex and often mutually exclusive expression patterns, suggesting that the double mutant lethal phenotype could be mediated nonautonomously. Here we find that the developmental arrest displayed by the double mutants extends beyond simple metabolic disruption and instead stems, in part, from changes in systemic growth factor signaling. Specifically, we demonstrate that this synthetic lethality is linked to the upregulation of Upd3, a cytokine involved in the Jak/Stat signaling pathway. Moreover, we demonstrate that either loss of the Upd3 or dietary administration of the steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) rescue the synthetic lethal phenotype of double mutants. Together, these findings demonstrate that metabolic disruptions within a single tissue can nonautonomously modulate interorgan signaling to ensure synchronous developmental growth.
PubMed: 38895259
DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.06.597835 -
Drug Design, Development and Therapy 2024This study compared the pharmacokinetics, safety and bioequivalence (BE) of generic and original apremilast tablets in healthy Chinese subjects under fasting and... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
OBJECTIVE
This study compared the pharmacokinetics, safety and bioequivalence (BE) of generic and original apremilast tablets in healthy Chinese subjects under fasting and postprandial conditions, providing sufficient evidence for abbreviated new drug application.
METHODS
A randomized, open-label, two-formulation, single-dose, two-period crossover pharmacokinetic study was performed. Thirty-two eligible healthy Chinese subjects were enrolled in fasting and postprandial studies, respectively. In each trial, subjects received a single 30-mg dose of the test or reference apremilast tablet, followed by a 7-day washout interval between periods. Serial blood samples were obtained for up to 48 h post-intake in each period, and the plasma concentrations of apremilast were determined by a validated method. The primary pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters, including the maximum plasma concentration (C), the areas under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC, AUC), were calculated using the non-compartmental method. The geometric mean ratios of the two formulations and the corresponding 90% confidence intervals (CIs) were acquired for bioequivalence analysis. The safety of both formulations was also evaluated.
RESULTS
Under fasting and postprandial states, the PK parameters of the test drug were similar to those of the reference drug. The 90% CIs of the geometric mean ratios of the test to reference formulations were 94.09-103.44% for C, 94.05-103.51% for AUC, and 94.56-103.86% for AUC under fasting conditions, and 99.18-112.48% for C, 98.79-106.02% for AUC, and 98.95-105.89% for AUC under postprandial conditions, all of which were within the bioequivalence range of 80.00-125.00%. Both formulations were well tolerated, and no serious adverse events occurred during the study.
CONCLUSION
The trial confirmed that the PK parameters of the generic and original apremilast tablets were bioequivalent in healthy Chinese subjects under fasting and postprandial states, which met the predetermined regulatory standards. Both formulations were safe and well tolerated.
CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION
chinaDrugtrials.org.cn, identifier CTR20191056 (July 30, 2019); chictr.org.cn, identifier ChiCTR2300076806 (October 19, 2023).
Topics: Humans; Therapeutic Equivalency; Thalidomide; Fasting; Postprandial Period; Adult; Male; Cross-Over Studies; Healthy Volunteers; Tablets; Young Adult; Female; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Asian People; Area Under Curve; Administration, Oral
PubMed: 38895175
DOI: 10.2147/DDDT.S461771 -
Nutrients Jun 2024Despite substantial evidence supporting the efficacy of prebiotics for promoting host health and stress resilience, few experiments present evidence documenting the...
Despite substantial evidence supporting the efficacy of prebiotics for promoting host health and stress resilience, few experiments present evidence documenting the dynamic changes in microbial ecology and fecal microbially modified metabolites over time. Furthermore, the literature reports a lack of reproducible effects of prebiotics on specific bacteria and bacterial-modified metabolites. The current experiments examined whether consumption of diets enriched in prebiotics (galactooligosaccharides (GOS) and polydextrose (PDX)), compared to a control diet, would consistently impact the gut microbiome and microbially modified bile acids over time and between two research sites. Male Sprague Dawley rats were fed control or prebiotic diets for several weeks, and their gut microbiomes and metabolomes were examined using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and untargeted LC-MS/MS analysis. Dietary prebiotics altered the beta diversity, relative abundance of bacterial genera, and microbially modified bile acids over time. PICRUSt2 analyses identified four inferred functional metabolic pathways modified by the prebiotic diet. Correlational network analyses between inferred metabolic pathways and microbially modified bile acids revealed deoxycholic acid as a potential network hub. All these reported effects were consistent between the two research sites, supporting the conclusion that dietary prebiotics robustly changed the gut microbial ecosystem. Consistent with our previous work demonstrating that GOS/PDX reduces the negative impacts of stressor exposure, we propose that ingesting a diet enriched in prebiotics facilitates the development of a health-promoting gut microbial ecosystem.
Topics: Animals; Prebiotics; Male; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Oligosaccharides; Glucans; Rats; Bile Acids and Salts; Feces; Bacteria; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Diet
PubMed: 38892722
DOI: 10.3390/nu16111790 -
Nutrients Jun 2024Hip fractures are a major health issue considerably impacting patients' quality of life and well-being. This is particularly evident in elderly subjects, in which the... (Review)
Review
Hip fractures are a major health issue considerably impacting patients' quality of life and well-being. This is particularly evident in elderly subjects, in which the decline in bone and muscle mass coexists and predisposes individuals to fall and fracture. Among interventions to be implemented in hip fractured patients, the assessment and management of nutritional status is pivotal, particularly in subjects older than 65. Nutrition plays a central role in both primary and secondary preventions of fracture. An adequate protein intake improves muscle mass and strength and the intestinal absorption of calcium. Other nutrients with recognized beneficial effects on bone health are calcium, vitamins D, K, and C, potassium, magnesium, folate, and carotenoids. With reference to calcium, results from longitudinal studies showed that the consumption of dairy foods has a protective role against fractures. Moreover, the most recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses and one umbrella review demonstrated that the combination of calcium and vitamin D supplementation significantly reduces hip fracture risk, with presumed higher efficacy in older and institutionalized subjects. Owing to these reasons, the adequate intake of calcium, vitamin D, protein, and other macro and micronutrients has been successfully implemented in the Fracture Liaison Services (FLSs) that represent the most reliable model of management for hip fracture patients. In this narrative review, papers (randomized controlled trials, prospective and intervention studies, and systematic reviews) retrieved by records from three different databases (PubMed, Embase, and Medline) have been analyzed, and the available information on the screening, assessment, and management of nutritional and vitamin D status and calcium intake in patients with hip fractures is presented along with specific prevention and treatment measures.
Topics: Humans; Hip Fractures; Vitamin D; Nutritional Status; Aged; Dietary Supplements; Calcium, Dietary; Female; Aged, 80 and over; Male; Musculoskeletal System; Calcium
PubMed: 38892706
DOI: 10.3390/nu16111773 -
Nutrients Jun 2024Autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD) are among the most frequent autoimmune disorders, with a multifactorial etiology in which both genetic and environmental determinants... (Review)
Review
Autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD) are among the most frequent autoimmune disorders, with a multifactorial etiology in which both genetic and environmental determinants are probably involved. Celiac disease (CeD) also represents a public concern, given its increasing prevalence due to the recent improvement of screening programs, leading to the detection of silent subtypes. The two conditions may be closely associated due to common risk factors, including genetic setting, changes in the composition and diversity of the gut microbiota, and deficiency of nutrients like vitamin D. This comprehensive review discussed the current evidence on the pivotal role of vitamin D in modulating both gut microbiota dysbiosis and immune system dysfunction, shedding light on the possible relevance of an adequate intake of this nutrient in the primary prevention of AITD and CeD. While future technology-based strategies for proper vitamin D supplementation could be attractive in the context of personalized medicine, several issues remain to be defined, including standardized assays for vitamin D determination, timely recommendations on vitamin D intake for immune system functioning, and longitudinal studies and randomized controlled trials to definitely establish a causal relationship between serum vitamin D levels and the onset of AITD and CeD.
Topics: Celiac Disease; Humans; Vitamin D; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Vitamin D Deficiency; Thyroiditis, Autoimmune; Dysbiosis; Dietary Supplements; Autoimmune Diseases; Thyroid Diseases
PubMed: 38892695
DOI: 10.3390/nu16111762