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Nutrients May 2024The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate and compare bioavailability and safety of two Vitamin D formulations (softgels) in healthy adults, at single daily doses of... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate and compare bioavailability and safety of two Vitamin D formulations (softgels) in healthy adults, at single daily doses of 1000 and 2500 IU, over a 60-day period. A total of 69 participants were initially screened for eligibility in a double-blind randomized study with a four-arm parallel design; 35 participants were randomized to treatment groups: (1) standard Vitamin D 1000 IU (STD1000), (2) micellar Vitamin D 1000 IU (LMD1000), (3) standard Vitamin D 2500 IU (STD2500), and (4) micellar Vitamin D 2500 IU (LMD2500). Serum Vitamin D concentrations were determined through calcifediol [25(OH)D] at baseline (=before treatment), at day 5, 10, and 15 (=during treatment), at day 30 (=end of treatment), and at day 45 and 60 (=during follow-up/post treatment). Safety markers and minerals were evaluated at baseline and at day 30 and day 60. The pharmacokinetic parameters with respect to iAUC were found to be significantly different between LMD1000 vs. STD1000: iAUC(5-60): 992 ± 260 vs. 177 ± 140 nmol day/L; < 0.05, suggesting up to 6 times higher Vitamin D absorption of LMD when measured incrementally. During follow-up, participants in the LMD1000 treatment group showed approx. 7 times higher Vitamin D concentrations than the STD1000 group (iAUC(30-60): 680 ± 190 vs. 104 ± 91 nmol day/L; < 0.05). However, no significant differences were found between the pharmacokinetics of the higher dosing groups STD2500 and LMD2500. No significant changes in serum 1,25(OH)D concentrations or other biochemical safety markers were detected at day 60; no excess risks of hypercalcemia (i.e., total serum calcium > 2.63 mmol/L) or other adverse events were identified. LMD, a micellar delivery vehicle for microencapsulating Vitamin D (LipoMicel), proved to be safe and only showed superior bioavailability when compared to standard Vitamin D at the lower dose of 1000 IU. This study has clinical trial registration: NCT05209425.
Topics: Humans; Pilot Projects; Cholecalciferol; Male; Female; Double-Blind Method; Adult; Dietary Supplements; Micelles; Biological Availability; Administration, Oral; Middle Aged; Young Adult; Calcifediol; Vitamin D
PubMed: 38892507
DOI: 10.3390/nu16111573 -
Nutrients May 2024Exploring the link between genetic polymorphisms in folate metabolism genes (MTHFR, MTR, and MTRR) and cardiovascular disease (CVD), this study evaluates the effect of B... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of Methylfolate, Pyridoxal-5'-Phosphate, and Methylcobalamin (Soloways) Supplementation on Homocysteine and Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels in Patients with Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase, Methionine Synthase, and Methionine Synthase Reductase Polymorphisms: A Randomized...
Exploring the link between genetic polymorphisms in folate metabolism genes (MTHFR, MTR, and MTRR) and cardiovascular disease (CVD), this study evaluates the effect of B vitamin supplements (methylfolate, pyridoxal-5'-phosphate, and methylcobalamin) on homocysteine and lipid levels, potentially guiding personalized CVD risk management. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 54 patients aged 40-75 with elevated homocysteine and moderate LDL-C levels were divided based on MTHFR, MTR, and MTRR genetic polymorphisms. Over six months, they received either a combination of methylfolate, P5P, and methylcobalamin, or a placebo. At the 6 months follow-up, the treatment group demonstrated a significant reduction in homocysteine levels by 30.0% (95% CI: -39.7% to -20.3%) and LDL-C by 7.5% (95% CI: -10.3% to -4.7%), compared to the placebo ( < 0.01 for all). In the subgroup analysis, Homozygous Minor Allele Carriers showed a more significant reduction in homocysteine levels (48.3%, 95% CI: -62.3% to -34.3%, < 0.01) compared to mixed allele carriers (18.6%, 95% CI: -25.6% to -11.6%, < 0.01), with a notable intergroup difference (29.7%, 95% CI: -50.7% to -8.7%, < 0.01). LDL-C levels decreased by 11.8% in homozygous carriers (95% CI: -15.8% to -7.8%, < 0.01) and 4.8% in mixed allele carriers (95% CI: -6.8% to -2.8%, < 0.01), with a significant between-group difference (7.0%, 95% CI: -13.0% to -1.0%, < 0.01). Methylfolate, P5P, and methylcobalamin supplementation tailored to genetic profiles effectively reduced homocysteine and LDL-C levels in patients with specific MTHFR, MTR, and MTRR polymorphisms, particularly with homozygous minor allele polymorphisms.
Topics: Humans; Middle Aged; Homocysteine; Female; Male; Dietary Supplements; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2); Double-Blind Method; 5-Methyltetrahydrofolate-Homocysteine S-Methyltransferase; Cholesterol, LDL; Aged; Vitamin B 12; Pyridoxal Phosphate; Adult; Ferredoxin-NADP Reductase; Tetrahydrofolates; Polymorphism, Genetic; Vitamin B Complex
PubMed: 38892484
DOI: 10.3390/nu16111550 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2024The diterpene cafestol represents the most potent cholesterol-elevating compound known in the human diet, being responsible for more than 80% of the effect of coffee on...
The diterpene cafestol represents the most potent cholesterol-elevating compound known in the human diet, being responsible for more than 80% of the effect of coffee on serum lipids, with a mechanism still not fully clarified. In the present study, the interaction of cafestol and 16--methylcafestol with the stabilized ligand-binding domain (LBD) of the Farnesoid X Receptor was evaluated by fluorescence and circular dichroism. Fluorescence quenching was observed with both cafestol and 16--methylcafestol due to an interaction occurring in the close environment of the tryptophan W454 residue of the protein, as confirmed by docking and molecular dynamics. A conformational change of the protein was also observed by circular dichroism, particularly for cafestol. These results provide evidence at the molecular level of the interactions of FXR with the coffee diterpenes, confirming that cafestol can act as an agonist of FXR, causing an enhancement of the cholesterol level in blood serum.
Topics: Diterpenes; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; Cholesterol; Humans; Coffee; Molecular Docking Simulation; Protein Binding; Molecular Dynamics Simulation; Circular Dichroism
PubMed: 38892285
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116096 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2024Anxiety is a common comorbidity of obesity, resulting from prescribing long-term caloric restriction diets (CRDs); patients with a reduced food intake lose weight but...
Anxiety is a common comorbidity of obesity, resulting from prescribing long-term caloric restriction diets (CRDs); patients with a reduced food intake lose weight but present anxious behaviors, poor treatment adherence, and weight regain in the subsequent 5 years. Intermittent fasting (IF) restricts feeding time to 8 h during the activity phase, reducing patients' weight even with no caloric restriction; it is unknown whether an IF regime with ad libitum feeding avoids stress and anxiety development. We compared the corticosterone blood concentration between male Wistar rats fed ad libitum or calorie-restricted with all-day or IF food access after 4 weeks, along with their anxiety parameters when performing the elevated plus maze (EPM). As the amygdalar thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) is believed to have anxiolytic properties, we evaluated its expression changes in association with anxiety levels. The groups formed were the following: a control which was offered food ad libitum (C-adlib) or 30% of C-adlib's energy requirements (C-CRD) all day, and IF groups provided food ad libitum (IF-adlib) or 30% of C-adlib's requirements (IF-CRD) with access from 9:00 to 17:00 h. On day 28, the rats performed the EPM and, after 30 min, were decapitated to analyze their amygdalar TRH mRNA expression by in situ hybridization and corticosterone serum levels. Interestingly, circadian feeding synchronization reduced the body weight, food intake, and animal anxiety levels in both IF groups, with ad libitum (IF-adlib) or restricted (IF-CRD) food access. The anxiety levels of the experimental groups resulted to be negatively associated with TRH expression, which supported its anxiolytic role. Therefore, the low anxiety levels induced by synchronizing feeding with the activity phase would help patients who are dieting to improve their diet therapy adherence.
Topics: Animals; Anxiety; Rats; Male; Amygdala; Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone; Rats, Wistar; Caloric Restriction; Circadian Rhythm; Corticosterone; Down-Regulation; Feeding Behavior; Fasting; Eating; Body Weight
PubMed: 38892044
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115857 -
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth Jun 2024The current study sought to investigate the correlation between vitamin D supplementation in pregnant women with vitamin D deficiency in early pregnancy and the...
BACKGROUND
The current study sought to investigate the correlation between vitamin D supplementation in pregnant women with vitamin D deficiency in early pregnancy and the incidence of prenatal depression prior to delivery.
METHODS
This is a retrospective, single-center study that was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Chengdu, China. We conducted an analysis on pregnant women who were initially diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency at 12-14 weeks of gestation. After starting vitamin D supplementation at a dose of 800 IU daily from 14 weeks onwards, we measured both their vitamin D concentration and depression scores again during median gestational week 39 prior to delivery.
RESULTS
The study cohort comprised 1365 women who had been diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency at 12-14 weeks of gestation between November 1st, 2021 to November 1st, 2022. 537 pairs were matched based on a propensity score to control for other confounding factors. After propensity score matching, the baseline vitamin D levels were made consistent between the groups (P = 0.512). The incidence of depression in patients in vitamin D deficiency group following vitamin D supplementation was significantly higher than insufficiency group and reached statistical significance (P < 0.001). Additionally, we observed that serum 25-(OH) D concentration achieving insufficiency status after supplementation was 59.12%.
CONCLUSION
Our study indicates that daily supplementation of 800IU of vitamin D can improve the depressive symptoms of individuals who are vitamin D deficiency during early pregnancy but achieve vitamin D insufficiency after supplementation during prenatal period.
Topics: Humans; Female; Pregnancy; Vitamin D Deficiency; Retrospective Studies; Vitamin D; Dietary Supplements; Adult; Depression; Pregnancy Complications; China; Incidence; Vitamins; Prenatal Care
PubMed: 38890581
DOI: 10.1186/s12884-024-06631-8 -
Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal... Jun 2024Aquafeed additive quality and quantity remain pivotal factors that constrain the sustainability and progress of aquaculture feed development. This study investigates the...
Effects of dietary supplementation with benthic diatom Amphora coffeaeformis on blood biochemistry, steroid hormone levels and seed production efficiency of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus broodstock.
Aquafeed additive quality and quantity remain pivotal factors that constrain the sustainability and progress of aquaculture feed development. This study investigates the impact of incorporating the benthic diatom Amphora coffeaeformis into the diet of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) broodstock, on the blood biochemistry, steroid hormone (SH) levels and seed production efficiency. Broodstock females displaying mature ovary indications were initially combined with males at a ratio of three females to one male. A total of 384 adult Nile tilapia (288 females and 96 males) were used, with 32 fish (24 females and eight males) assigned to each of 12 concrete tanks (8 m³; 2 m × 4 m × 1 m), with three replicate tanks for each dietary treatment, throughout a 14-day spawning cycle until egg harvest. Fish were fed one of four different dietary treatments: AM (control diet), and AM, AM and AM enriched with the diatom A. coffeaeformis at levels of 20, 40 and 60 g/kg of diet respectively. At the trial's conclusion, total protein, albumin, triglyceride and creatinine), SHs (follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, free testosterone, total testosterone, progesterone and prolactin) and seeds production efficiency of Nile tilapia improved significantly (p < 0.05) in alignment with the increment of A. coffeaeformis supplementation. The findings propose that including A. coffeaeformis at levels ranging from 4% to 6% could be effectively employed as a feed additive during the Nile tilapia broodstock's spawning season.
PubMed: 38879794
DOI: 10.1111/jpn.14004 -
Progress in Neuro-psychopharmacology &... Jun 2024The various pharmacological interventions, ranging from mood stabilizers and antipsychotics to antidepressants, reflect the diff/iculty of treating depressive/manic... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The various pharmacological interventions, ranging from mood stabilizers and antipsychotics to antidepressants, reflect the diff/iculty of treating depressive/manic symptomatology of bipolar disorder (BD). Among a broad range of mechanisms implicated, immune dysregulation may contribute to the increased inflammation that influences the course of BD. Inflammatory, neurotrophic and oxidative stress factors may be identified as promising peripheral biomarkers in brain functioning, perhaps serving as predictors of an effective response to treatment for BD. The present systematic review aimed to examine the evidence supporting the pharmacotherapeutic value of inflammatory and neurotrophic biomarkers in BD.
METHODS
PubMed, PsychINFO, Scopus and Web of Science were searched from inception to May 2024 by two independent reviewers. A total of 40 studies with 3371 patients with diagnosis and intervention of BD were selected.
RESULTS
Inconsistencies in the effects of pharmacological treatments on the connection between the expected anti-inflammatory response and symptomatologic improvement were identified. Mood stabilizers (lithium), antipsychotics (quetiapine), antidepressants (ketamine) or their combination were described to increase both pro-inflammatory (TNFα, IL-6) and anti-inflammatory (IL-4, IL-8) factors. Other medications, such as memantine and dextromethorphan, autoimmune (infliximab) non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (aspirin, celecoxib) drugs, antidiabetics (pioglitazone), and even dietary supplementation (omega-3), or their combination, clearly decrease inflammatory factors (TNFα, IL-6, IL-1β, C-reactive protein) and/or increase the neurotrophic factor BDNF in BD patients.
CONCLUSION
Inflammation in BD requires further investigation to understand the underlying immunologic mechanism, to identify predictors of treatment response, and to make informed decisions about the use and development of more effective pharmacological interventions for BD.
PubMed: 38879067
DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2024.111056 -
International Journal of Hygiene and... Jul 2024Zearalenone (ZEN) is a fungal-derived toxin found in global food supplies including cereal grains and processed foods, impacting populations worldwide through diet....
Zearalenone (ZEN) is a fungal-derived toxin found in global food supplies including cereal grains and processed foods, impacting populations worldwide through diet. Because the chemical structure of ZEN and metabolites closely resembles 17β-estradiol (E2), they interact with estrogen receptors α/β earning their designation as 'mycoestrogens'. In animal models, gestational exposure to mycoestrogens disrupts estrogen activity and impairs fetal growth. Here, our objective was to evaluate relationships between mycoestrogen exposure and sex steroid hormone concentrations in maternal circulation and cord blood for the first time in humans. In each trimester, pregnant participants in the UPSIDE study (n = 297) provided urine for mycoestrogen analysis and serum for hormone analysis. At birth, placental mycoestrogens and cord steroids were measured. We fitted longitudinal models examining log-transformed mycoestrogen concentrations in relation to log-transformed hormones, adjusting for covariates. Secondarily, multivariable linear models examined associations at each time point (1st, 2nd, 3rd trimesters, delivery). We additionally considered effect modification by fetal sex. ZEN and its metabolite, α-zearalenol (α-ZOL), were detected in >93% and >75% of urine samples; >80% of placentas had detectable mycoestrogens. Longitudinal models from the full cohort exhibited few significant associations. In sex-stratified analyses, in pregnancies with male fetuses, estrone (E1) and free testosterone (fT) were inversely associated with ZEN (E1 %Δ: -6.68 95%CI: -12.34, -0.65; fT %Δ: -3.22 95%CI: -5.68, -0.70); while α-ZOL was positively associated with E2 (%Δ: 5.61 95%CI: -1.54, 9.85) in pregnancies with female fetuses. In analysis with cord hormones, urinary mycoestrogens were inversely associated with androstenedione (%Δ: 9.15 95%CI: 14.64, -3.30) in both sexes, and placental mycoestrogens were positively associated with cord fT (%Δ: 37.13, 95%CI: 4.86, 79.34) amongst male offspring. Findings support the hypothesis that mycoestrogens act as endocrine disruptors in humans, as in animal models and livestock. Additional work is needed to understand impacts on maternal and child health.
Topics: Humans; Female; Fetal Blood; Pregnancy; Zearalenone; Adult; Male; Gonadal Steroid Hormones; Maternal Exposure; Cohort Studies; Zeranol; Estradiol; Young Adult; Placenta
PubMed: 38878407
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2024.114405 -
Food and Chemical Toxicology : An... Jun 2024Diclofenac, a traditional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, is commonly used for treating chronic pain and inflammation. Recently, a number of articles have...
Diclofenac, a traditional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, is commonly used for treating chronic pain and inflammation. Recently, a number of articles have highlighted the toxicities associated with diclofenac. The current study explores the molecular mechanism of diclofenac induced cardiac toxicity following oxidative stress. Diclofenac inhibits catalase, disrupts the redox balance in cardiac tissue, accelerates the monoamine oxidase induced hydroperoxide generation and eventually inhibits crucial mitochondrial enzyme, viz., aldehyde dehydrogenase, thereby causing myocardial injury. Melatonin, the pineal indoleamine with high antioxidative efficacy, is well known for its cardio-protective properties and its dietary consumption has profound impact on cardiac health. The present study demonstrates perhaps for the first time, that apart from ameliorating oxidative load in the cardiac tissue, melatonin also attenuates the inhibition of catalase and aldehyde dehydrogenase, and prevents stress mediated stimulation of monoamine oxidase. Moreover, favourable binding of diclofenac with melatonin may protect the myocardium from the deleterious effects of this drug. The results indicate toward a novel mechanism of protection by melatonin, having future therapeutic relevance.
PubMed: 38876380
DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2024.114813 -
Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine :... Jun 2024An understanding of species-specific vitamin D metabolism and its role in calcium homeostasis is essential for correct diet formulation and development of husbandry...
An understanding of species-specific vitamin D metabolism and its role in calcium homeostasis is essential for correct diet formulation and development of husbandry protocols for managed nondomestic species. This study documented serum vitamin D metabolites and other analytes involved in calcium homeostasis in Asian elephants () managed at a latitude similar to their wild natural habitat. Serum values for 33 elephants managed at a low latitude were measured in the peak of summer, revealing low vitamin D (25(OH)D 2.3 ± 0.6 ng/ ml and 24,25(OH)D 2.17 ± 0.52 ng/ml) and nondetectable vitamin D. Serum minerals (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium), ionized calcium, and parathyroid hormone were within normal reported ranges. In comparison with previously reported values in elephants managed at a high latitude, 25(OH)D ( < 0.001), 24,25(OH)D ( = 0.001), and magnesium ( = 0.013) were significantly lower, and parathyroid hormone was significantly higher ( < 0.001). The lack of D production during ample sun exposure at a low latitude suggests that Asian elephants are incapable of cutaneous photobiosynthesis of vitamin D, and that low serum D is normal for this species.
Topics: Animals; Elephants; Calcium; Vitamin D; Biomarkers; Female; Male; Homeostasis; Animals, Zoo
PubMed: 38875199
DOI: 10.1638/2023-0082