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Nutrients Jun 2024Chronic kidney disease increases uremic toxins concentrations, which have been associated with intestinal dysbiosis. L. Moench has dietary fiber and bioactive... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
A Symbiotic Meal Containing Extruded Sorghum and Probiotic () Ameliorated Intestinal Health Markers in Individuals with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Secondary Analysis of a Subsample from a Previous Randomized and Controlled Clinical Trial.
BACKGROUND
Chronic kidney disease increases uremic toxins concentrations, which have been associated with intestinal dysbiosis. L. Moench has dietary fiber and bioactive compounds, while can promote beneficial health effects.
METHODS
It is a controlled, randomized, and single-blind clinical trial. Thirty-nine subjects were randomly separated into two groups: symbiotic group (SG), which received 100 mL of unfermented probiotic milk with strain and 40 g of extruded sorghum flakes; and the control group (CG), which received 100 mL of pasteurized milk and 40 g of extruded corn flakes for seven weeks.
RESULTS
The uremic toxins decreased, and gastrointestinal symptoms improved intragroup in the SG group. The acetic, propionic, and butyric acid production increased intragroup in the SG group. Regarding α-diversity, the Chao1 index was enhanced in the SG intragroup. The KEGG analysis revealed that symbiotic meal increased the intragroup energy and amino sugar metabolism, in addition to enabling essential amino acid production and metabolism, sucrose degradation, and the biosynthesis of ribonucleotide metabolic pathways.
CONCLUSIONS
The consumption of symbiotic meal reduced BMI, improved short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) synthesis and gastrointestinal symptoms, increased diversity according to the Chao1 index, and reduced uremic toxins in chronic kidney disease patients.
Topics: Humans; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic; Probiotics; Sorghum; Male; Female; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Middle Aged; Single-Blind Method; Bifidobacterium longum; Fatty Acids, Volatile; Biomarkers; Aged; Dysbiosis; Adult; Intestines
PubMed: 38931207
DOI: 10.3390/nu16121852 -
Nutrients Jun 2024There is a growing consensus that fasting-induced ketosis has beneficial effects on human physiology. Despite these compelling benefits, fasting-induced ketosis raises...
BACKGROUND
There is a growing consensus that fasting-induced ketosis has beneficial effects on human physiology. Despite these compelling benefits, fasting-induced ketosis raises concerns in some clinicians because it is often inappropriately compared with the pathologic uncontrolled ketone production in diabetic ketoacidosis. The determinants of the inter-individual differences in the intensity of ketosis during long-term fasting is unknown.
METHODS
We monitored daily variations in fasting ketonemia, as well as ketonuria, which is less invasive, in a large cohort of 1610 subjects, fasting between 4 and 21 days with the Buchinger Wilhelmi program, minimally supplemented with ~75-250 kcal (daily fruit juice, vegetable soup, and honey).
RESULTS
Ketonuria was detected in more than 95% of fasting subjects from day 4 onwards. Subjects consuming only soups, without fruit juice or honey, exhibited reduced caloric intake (72 kcal instead of 236 kcal) and carbohydrate intake (15.6 g instead of 56.5 g), leading to more intense ketonuria. Participants with high ketonuria were, in the majority, males, young, had a higher body weight, and had lower HDL-C and urea values. They had a larger decrease in blood glucose, glycated haemoglobin levels, body weight, and waist circumference. Furthermore, in the high-ketonuria group, a larger increase in blood uric acid concentration was observed.
CONCLUSION
Our study showed that long-term fasting triggered ketosis, never reaching pathological levels, and that ketosis is influenced by age, gender, health, and the level of physical activity. Furthermore, it is modulated but not suppressed by minimal carbohydrate intake. Our study paves the way for better understanding how supplementation can modulate the therapeutic effects and tolerability of long-term fasting.
Topics: Humans; Fasting; Male; Female; Ketosis; Adult; Middle Aged; Blood Glucose; Young Adult; Energy Intake; Honey; Time Factors; Aged; Fruit and Vegetable Juices; Uric Acid
PubMed: 38931204
DOI: 10.3390/nu16121849 -
Nutrients Jun 2024(1) Background: Dysregulated serum amino acids (AA) are known to be associated with obesity and risk of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) in adults, and recent studies support the...
(1) Background: Dysregulated serum amino acids (AA) are known to be associated with obesity and risk of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) in adults, and recent studies support the same notion in the pubertal age. It is, however, unknown whether childhood overweight may already display alterations of circulating AA. (2) Methods: We used liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-targeted metabolomics to determine plasma concentrations of AA and AA-related molecules in 36 children aged 7-12 years with normal weight or overweight. Clinical and anthropometric parameters were measured. (3) Results: Overweight in children is associated with an altered AA profile, with increased branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) and decreased glycine levels, with no clinically manifested metabolic conditions. Moreover, z-BMI was positively and negatively correlated with BCAA and glycine levels, respectively, even after adjustment for age and gender. We also found a correlation between the AA profile and clinical parameters such as lipids profile and glycemia. (4) Conclusions: A pattern of low glycine, and increased BCAA is correlated to z-BMI, total cholesterol, and triglycerides in overweight but otherwise healthy children. Our data suggest that, in childhood overweight, AA disturbances may precede other clinical parameters, thus providing an early indicator for the later development of metabolic disease.
Topics: Humans; Child; Female; Male; Glycine; Amino Acids, Branched-Chain; Amino Acids; Overweight; Pediatric Obesity; Body Mass Index; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Chromatography, Liquid; Metabolomics; Triglycerides
PubMed: 38931197
DOI: 10.3390/nu16121843 -
Nutrients Jun 2024Cancer therapy, from malignant tumor inhibition to cellular eradication treatment, remains a challenge, especially regarding reduced side effects and low energy...
Cancer therapy, from malignant tumor inhibition to cellular eradication treatment, remains a challenge, especially regarding reduced side effects and low energy consumption during treatment. Hence, phytochemicals as cytotoxic sensitizers or photosensitizers deserve special attention. The dark and photo-response of Yemenite 'Etrog' leaf extracts applied to prostate PC3 cancer cells is reported here. An XTT cell viability assay along with light microscope observations revealed pronounced cytotoxic activity of the extract for long exposure times of 72 h upon concentrations of 175 μg/mL and 87.5 μg/mL, while phototoxic effect was obtained even at low concentration of 10.93 μg/mL and a short introduction period of 1.5 h. For the longest time incubation of 72 h and for the highest extract concentration of 175 μg/mL, relative cell survival decreased by up to 60% (below the IC). In combined phyto-photodynamic therapy, a reduction of 63% compared to unirradiated controls was obtained. The concentration of extract in cells versus the accumulation time was inversely related to fluorescence emission intensity readings. Extracellular ROS production was also shown. Based on an ATR-FTIR analysis of the powdered leaves and their liquid ethanolic extract, biochemical fingerprints of both polar and non-polar phyto-constituents were identified, thereby suggesting their implementation as phyto-medicine and phyto-photomedicine.
Topics: Humans; Male; Plant Extracts; Photochemotherapy; Prostatic Neoplasms; Plant Leaves; Cell Survival; Photosensitizing Agents; PC-3 Cells; Reactive Oxygen Species; Yemen; Cell Line, Tumor; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
PubMed: 38931175
DOI: 10.3390/nu16121820 -
Nutrients Jun 2024Taurine, a non-proteogenic amino acid and commonly used nutritional supplement, can protect various tissues from degeneration associated with the action of the...
Taurine, a non-proteogenic amino acid and commonly used nutritional supplement, can protect various tissues from degeneration associated with the action of the DNA-damaging chemotherapeutic agent cisplatin. Whether and how taurine protects human ovarian cancer (OC) cells from DNA damage caused by cisplatin is not well understood. We found that OC ascites-derived cells contained significantly more intracellular taurine than cell culture-modeled OC. In culture, elevation of intracellular taurine concentration to OC ascites-cell-associated levels suppressed proliferation of various OC cell lines and patient-derived organoids, reduced glycolysis, and induced cell protection from cisplatin. Taurine cell protection was associated with decreased DNA damage in response to cisplatin. A combination of RNA sequencing, reverse-phase protein arrays, live-cell microscopy, flow cytometry, and biochemical validation experiments provided evidence for taurine-mediated induction of mutant or wild-type p53 binding to DNA, activation of p53 effectors involved in negative regulation of the cell cycle (p21), and glycolysis (TIGAR). Paradoxically, taurine's suppression of cell proliferation was associated with activation of pro-mitogenic signal transduction including ERK, mTOR, and increased mRNA expression of major DNA damage-sensing molecules such as DNAPK, ATM and ATR. While inhibition of ERK or p53 did not interfere with taurine's ability to protect cells from cisplatin, suppression of mTOR with Torin2, a clinically relevant inhibitor that also targets DNAPK and ATM/ATR, broke taurine's cell protection. Our studies implicate that elevation of intracellular taurine could suppress cell growth and metabolism, and activate cell protective mechanisms involving mTOR and DNA damage-sensing signal transducti.
Topics: Taurine; Humans; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; Female; Ovarian Neoplasms; DNA Damage; Cisplatin; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Signal Transduction; Glycolysis; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; Antineoplastic Agents
PubMed: 38931171
DOI: 10.3390/nu16121816 -
Nutrients Jun 2024Psoriasis is a chronic systemic disease with a multifaceted pathomechanism and immunological basis, with the presence of inflammatory skin lesions and joint ailments....
Psoriasis is a chronic systemic disease with a multifaceted pathomechanism and immunological basis, with the presence of inflammatory skin lesions and joint ailments. Diseases accompanying psoriasis include metabolic and cardiovascular disorders. It has been suggested that inflammation is involved in the development of each of these conditions. The main objective of this study was to analyse the fatty acid profile, including polyunsaturated fatty acids, in the erythrocyte membranes of patients suffering from psoriasis. A total of 58 adult patients of the Department of Skin and Venereal Diseases of the Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, suffering from psoriasis, were qualified for this study. The patients had undergone an interview and physical examination, during which the severity of psoriasis was assessed. All patients had their weight and height measured to assess their body mass index (BMI). After 3 months of treatment, biochemical parameters (ALT, AST, total cholesterol) and inflammatory markers (CRP) in the blood were assessed. In addition, the isolation of fatty acids (PUFAs, SFAs, MUFAs) from erythrocyte membranes and the qualitative and quantitative analysis of their profile using a gas chromatograph were carried out. In patients with severe psoriasis requiring systemic treatment, an altered profile of fatty acids in erythrocyte membranes was found, including a significantly lower concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3), which have an anti-inflammatory effect; a significantly higher concentration of saturated fatty acids; and a decreased concentration of oleic acid (omega-9), compared to the results obtained in patients with less severe psoriasis receiving topical treatment. In patients with psoriasis and BMI ≥ 25, significantly higher concentrations of AST and ALT in the blood and significantly higher concentrations of pro-inflammatory arachidonic acid in erythrocyte membranes were found. Elevated concentrations of saturated (R = 0.31) and monounsaturated fatty acids (R = 0.29) may correlate with a greater severity of psoriasis.
Topics: Humans; Psoriasis; Erythrocyte Membrane; Female; Male; Middle Aged; Fatty Acids; Adult; Body Mass Index; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; Severity of Illness Index; Biomarkers; Aged
PubMed: 38931154
DOI: 10.3390/nu16121799 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024An extremely hazardous heavy metal called cadmium (Cd) is frequently released into the soil, causing a considerable reduction in plant productivity and safety. In an...
An extremely hazardous heavy metal called cadmium (Cd) is frequently released into the soil, causing a considerable reduction in plant productivity and safety. In an effort to reduce the toxicity of Cd, silicon dioxide nanoparticles were chosen because of their capability to react with metallic substances and decrease their adsorption. This study examines the processes that underlie the stress caused by Cd and how SiONPs may be able to lessen it through modifying antioxidant defense, oxidative stress, and photosynthesis. A 100 μM concentration of Cd stress was applied to the hydroponically grown wild rice line, and 50 μM of silicon dioxide nanoparticles (SiONPs) was given. The study depicted that when 50 μM SiONPs was applied, there was a significant decrease in Cd uptake in both roots and shoots by 30.2% and 15.8% under 100 μM Cd stress, respectively. The results illustrated that Cd had a detrimental effect on carotenoid and chlorophyll levels and other growth-related traits. Additionally, it increased the levels of ROS in plants, which reduced the antioxidant capability by 18.8% (SOD), 39.2% (POD), 32.6% (CAT), and 25.01% (GR) in wild rice. Nevertheless, the addition of silicon dioxide nanoparticles reduced oxidative damage and the overall amount of Cd uptake, which lessened the toxicity caused by Cd. Reduced formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), including MDA and HO, and an increased defense system of antioxidants in the plants provided evidence for this. Moreover, SiONPs enhanced the Cd resistance, upregulated the genes related to antioxidants and silicon, and reduced metal transporters' expression levels.
PubMed: 38931146
DOI: 10.3390/plants13121715 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The QuEChERS method was adjusted to determine bifenthrin residues in grapes and grape leaves. Extraction and cleanup procedures were optimized to decrease co-extracted...
The QuEChERS method was adjusted to determine bifenthrin residues in grapes and grape leaves. Extraction and cleanup procedures were optimized to decrease co-extracted materials and enhance the detection of bifenthrin. The method was validated per the European Union (EU) Guidelines criteria. Accuracy ranged from 98.8% to 93.5% for grapes and grape leaves, respectively. Precision values were 5.5 and 6.4 (RSDr) and 7.4 and 6.7 (RSD) for grapes and grape leaves, respectively. LOQs (the lowest spiking level) were 2 and 20 µg/kg for grapes and grape leaves, respectively. Linearity as determination coefficient (R) values were 0.9997 and 0.9964 for grapes and grape leaves, respectively, in a matrix over 1-100 µg/L range of analyte concentration. This was very close to the value in the pure solvent (0.9999), showing the efficiency of the cleanup in removing the co-extracted and co-injected materials; the matrix effect was close to zero in both sample matrices. Dissipation of bifenthrin was studied in a supervised trial conducted in a grapevine field during the summer of 2023 at the recommended dose and double the dose. Dissipation factor k values were 0.1549 and 0.1672 (recommended dose) and 0.235 and 0.208 (double dose) for grapes and grape leaves, respectively. Pre-harvest interval (PHI) was calculated for the Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) values of the EU database. Residues of bifenthrin were removed effectively from grapes using simple washing with tap water in a laboratory study. Residues reached the MRL level of 0.3 mg/kg in both washing treatments, running or soaking in tap water treatments for 5 min. Removal from leaves did not decrease residue levels to the MRL in grape leaves.
PubMed: 38931127
DOI: 10.3390/plants13121695 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Plant growth and productivity are predicted to be affected by rising CO concentrations, drought and temperature stress. The C crop model in a changing climate is...
Plant growth and productivity are predicted to be affected by rising CO concentrations, drought and temperature stress. The C crop model in a changing climate is Willd-a protein-rich pseudohalphyte (Amaranthaceae). Morphophysiological, biochemical and molecular genetic studies were performed on quinoa grown at ambient (400 ppm, aCO) and elevated (800 ppm, eCO) CO concentrations, drought (D) and/or high temperature (eT) treatments. Among the single factors, drought caused the greatest stress response, inducing disturbances in the light and dark photosynthesis reactions (PSII, apparent photosynthesis) and increasing oxidative stress (MDA). Futhermore, compensation mechanisms played an important protective role against eT or eCO. The disruption of the PSII function was accompanied by the activation of the expression of , a gene of PSI cyclic electron transport (CET). Wherein under these conditions, the constant Rubisco content was maintained due to an increase in its biosynthesis, which was confirmed by the activation of gene expression. In addition, the combined stress treatments D+eT and eCO+D+eT caused the greatest negative effect, as measured by increased oxidative stress, decreased water use efficiency, and the functioning of protective mechanisms, such as photorespiration and the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Furthermore, decreased PSII efficiency and increased non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) were not accompanied by the activation of protective mechanisms involving PSI CET. In summary, results show that the greatest stress experienced by plants was caused by drought and the combined stresses D+eT and eCO+D+eT. Thus, drought consistently played a decisive role, leading to increased oxidative stress and a decrease in defense mechanism effectiveness.
PubMed: 38931098
DOI: 10.3390/plants13121666 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Cadmium (Cd) pollution has been rapidly increasing due to the global rise in industries. Cd not only harms the ecological environment but also endangers human health...
Cadmium (Cd) pollution has been rapidly increasing due to the global rise in industries. Cd not only harms the ecological environment but also endangers human health through the food chain and drinking water. Therefore, the remediation of Cd-polluted soil is an imminent issue. In this work, ryegrass and a strain of Cd-tolerant bacterium were used to investigate the impact of inoculated bacteria on the physiology and biochemistry of ryegrass and the Cd enrichment of ryegrass in soil contaminated with different concentrations of Cd (4 and 20 mg/kg). The results showed that chlorophyll content increased by 24.7% and 41.0%, while peroxidase activity decreased by 56.7% and 3.9%. In addition, ascorbic acid content increased by 16.7% and 6.3%, whereas glutathione content decreased by 54.2% and 6.9%. The total Cd concentration in ryegrass increased by 21.5% and 10.3%, and the soil's residual Cd decreased by 86.0% and 44.1%. Thus, the inoculation of Cd-tolerant bacteria can improve the antioxidant stress ability of ryegrass in Cd-contaminated soil and change the soil's Cd form. As a result, the Cd enrichment in under-ground and above-ground parts of ryegrass, as well as the biomass of ryegrass, is increased, and the ability of ryegrass to remediate Cd-contaminated soil is significantly improved.
PubMed: 38931089
DOI: 10.3390/plants13121657