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Hepatology Communications Jul 2024The recent increase in the incidence of alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH) coincides with the obesity epidemic in the United States. However, current mouse models do not...
BACKGROUND
The recent increase in the incidence of alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH) coincides with the obesity epidemic in the United States. However, current mouse models do not fully replicate the combined insults of obesity, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, and alcohol. The aim of this study was to develop a new mouse model that recapitulates the robust inflammatory and fibrotic phenotype characteristic of human MetALD.
METHODS
Eight- to 10-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were fed chow or high fat-cholesterol-sugar diet (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis diet) and in each group, some received alcohol in drinking water (ad libitum) and weekly alcohol binges (EtOH) for 3 months. The liver was assessed for features of AH.
RESULTS
MetALD mice displayed increased liver damage indicated by highly elevated ALT and bilirubin levels compared to all other groups. Liver steatosis was significantly greater in the MetALD mice compared to all other experimental groups. The inflammatory phenotype of MetALD was also recapitulated, including increased IL-6 and IL-1β protein levels as well as increased CD68+ macrophages and Ly6G+ neutrophils in the liver. Sirius red staining and expression of collagen 1, alpha-smooth muscle actin indicated advanced fibrosis in the livers of MetALD mice. In addition, indicators of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition markers were increased in MetALD mice compared to all other groups. Furthermore, we found increased ductular reaction, dysregulated hedgehog signaling, and decreased liver synthetic functions, consistent with severe AH.
CONCLUSIONS
Alcohol administration in mice combined with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis diet recapitulates key characteristics of human AH including liver damage, steatosis, robust systemic inflammation, and liver immune cell infiltration. This model results in advanced liver fibrosis, ductular reaction, decreased synthetic function, and hepatocyte dedifferentiation, suggesting a robust model of MetALD in mice.
Topics: Animals; Male; Mice; Disease Models, Animal; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Hepatitis, Alcoholic; Diet, High-Fat; Liver; Ethanol
PubMed: 38896082
DOI: 10.1097/HC9.0000000000000450 -
Nutrients May 2024Despite decades of literature on (de)hydration in healthy individuals, many unanswered questions remain. To outline research and policy priorities, it is fundamental to... (Review)
Review
Despite decades of literature on (de)hydration in healthy individuals, many unanswered questions remain. To outline research and policy priorities, it is fundamental to recognize the literature trends on (de)hydration and identify current research gaps, which herein we aimed to pinpoint. From a representative sample of 180 (de)hydration studies with 4350 individuals, we found that research is mainly limited to small-scale laboratory-based sample sizes, with high variability in demographics (sex, age, and level of competition); to non-ecological (highly simulated and controlled) conditions; and with a focus on recreationally active male adults (e.g., Tier 1, non-athletes). The laboratory-simulated environments are limiting factors underpinning the need to better translate scientific research into field studies. Although, consistently, dehydration is defined as the loss of 2% of body weight, the hydration status is estimated using a very heterogeneous range of parameters. Water is the most researched hydration fluid, followed by alcoholic beverages with added carbohydrates (CHO). The current research still overlooks beverages supplemented with proteins, amino acids (AA), and glycerol. Future research should invest more effort in "real-world" studies with larger and more heterogeneous cohorts, exploring the entire available spectrum of fluids while addressing hydration outcomes more harmoniously.
Topics: Humans; Dehydration; Male; Female; Adult; Water-Electrolyte Balance; Drinking
PubMed: 38892642
DOI: 10.3390/nu16111709 -
Nutrients May 2024The main purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) intervention in the context of moderate alcohol consumption on... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
The main purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) intervention in the context of moderate alcohol consumption on cognitive performance in healthy young adults.
METHODS
We conducted a 10-week HIIT program along with four types of beverages with/without alcohol content. A total of 75 healthy adults (18-40 years old; 46% female) were allocated to either a control Non-Training group or an HIIT program group (2 days/week). Using block randomization, participants in the HIIT group were further allocated to an HIIT-Alcohol group (alcohol beer or sparkling water with vodka added, 5.4%) or an HIIT-NonAlcohol group (sparkling water or non-alcohol beer, 0.0%). The control group was instructed to maintain an active lifestyle but did not undergo any regular training. A comprehensive neuropsychological battery was used to evaluate cognitive performance (i.e., memory, working memory, processing speed, inhibitory control, and verbal fluency). Changes from baseline to week 10 were included in the main analyses.
RESULTS
All groups improved in all neuropsychological measures (all ≤ 0.001), independent of sex and alcohol consumption, with no statistical differences between groups (all > 0.05). Furthermore, larger increases in maximal oxygen uptake were associated with greater improvements in processing speed, inhibitory control, and verbal fluency (all < 0.050).
CONCLUSIONS
Although the improvements found in cognitive performance cannot be attributed to the HIIT intervention, no significant impairments in cognitive functions were noted due to moderate alcohol intake. Furthermore, our results confirmed that exercise-induced physical fitness improvements were associated with cognitive performance enhancements in young healthy adults.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; High-Intensity Interval Training; Cognition; Young Adult; Adult; Alcohol Drinking; Adolescent; Neuropsychological Tests; Oxygen Consumption; Alcoholic Beverages
PubMed: 38892613
DOI: 10.3390/nu16111680 -
Nutrients May 2024Both short and long sleep durations are associated with decreased kidney function; however, few studies have examined the relationship between sleep, hydration status,...
OBJECTIVE
Both short and long sleep durations are associated with decreased kidney function; however, few studies have examined the relationship between sleep, hydration status, and plain water intake. This study aimed to assess the relationship between sleep quality, hydration status, and plain water intake in pregnant women.
METHODS
A cross-sectional study method was used to collect data from 380 pregnant women with regular examinations at the hospital between May 2019 and February 2021.
RESULTS
There were statistically significant differences in daily plain water intake ( = 14.118, = 0.001), PSQI score ( = 77.708, < 0.001), sleep duration ( = 67.569, > 0.001), subjective sleep quality ( = 67.441, = 0.001), time to fall asleep ( = 64.782, < 001), sleep disorders ( = 70.853, < 0.001), and daytime dysfunction ( = 38.441, < 0.001) among different hydration status groups. Ordinal logistic regression results indicated that the intake of plain water ≥1500 mL/d ( = 0.40, 95% = 0.24~0.67), good subjective sleep quality ( = 0.15, 95% = 0.07~0.32), short time to fall asleep ( = 0.32, 95% = 0.14~0.70), 8 h of sleep ( = 0.06, 95% = 0.02~0.17), 6-7 h of sleep ( = 0.19, 95% = 0.07~0.54), no sleep disturbance ( 0.31, 95% = 0.11~0.89), and high sleep efficiency ( = 0.46, 95% = 0.03~0.79) were factors that were correlated with optimal hydration status. Sleep duration and daytime dysfunction partially mediated the effect of plain water intake on hydration status. The mediating effect of sleep duration was -0.036, accounting for 14.006% of the overall effect. The mediating effect of daytime dysfunction was -0.024, accounting for 9.459% of the overall effect.
CONCLUSION
The hydration status in pregnant women may be affected by daily plain water intake and sleep quality.
Topics: Humans; Female; Cross-Sectional Studies; Pregnancy; China; Adult; Drinking; Sleep Quality; Organism Hydration Status; Sleep Wake Disorders; Young Adult; Pregnant Women; Sleep
PubMed: 38892559
DOI: 10.3390/nu16111626 -
Nutrients May 2024Adequate hydration is essential for good health, and an individual's hydration status is determined by the quantity and type of ingested fluids. The aim of the present...
Adequate hydration is essential for good health, and an individual's hydration status is determined by the quantity and type of ingested fluids. The aim of the present study was to determine the hydration status of school-age children and evaluate changes in the type and quantity of consumed beverages between 2018 and 2023. The study was conducted in two stages between 2018 and 2023, and a total of 1030 fully completed questionnaires were returned by the children and their parents. A comparison of the parents' responses regarding factors that affect beverage choices revealed that beverage composition was more significant for the parents in 2023 than in 2018, whereas health-promoting properties were significant for only less than 30% of the respondents. Taste preferences were important for both the parents and the children, and they were the main criterion in the choice of beverages in both 2018 and 2023. In turn, advertising was an important factor for children, and the percentage of children who were guided by advertising in their choice of beverages increased from 52.1% in 2018 to 58.5% in 2023 ( < 0.05). Daily fluid intake from beverages in children aged 11-13 years generally does not meet recommended intakes. Low fluid intake can negatively affect children's hydration status and bodily functions. Taste preferences and advertising were correlated with a higher intake of carbonated and non-carbonated sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and dairy beverages. The percentage of children who bought drinks independently and had access to SSBs increased significantly during the analyzed period. Obtain results indicate that nutrition education programs are needed to teach adolescents to make healthy drink choices, limit their consumption of SSBs and EDs, and promote regular intake of natural mineral water and non-sweetened dairy beverages.
Topics: Humans; Child; Poland; Adolescent; Beverages; Female; Male; Choice Behavior; Surveys and Questionnaires; Food Preferences; Drinking; Parents; Organism Hydration Status; Taste
PubMed: 38892558
DOI: 10.3390/nu16111625 -
Nutrients May 2024Evidence on the association between environmental factors and fluid intake behavior remains limited. The current study aims to explore seasonal variations in fluid...
BACKGROUND
Evidence on the association between environmental factors and fluid intake behavior remains limited. The current study aims to explore seasonal variations in fluid intake behaviors among young adults in China.
METHODS
A prospective cohort of 79 healthy young adults (43 males and 36 females) aged 19-21 in Hebei, China, was assessed for fluid intake behaviors for four seasons. For each assessment, the participants' anthropometric measurements were collected. Temperature and humidity on survey days were measured. Participants' total drinking fluid (TDF) was recorded using a self-administrative 7 d, 24 h fluid intake questionnaire. To calculate water from food (WFF), we weighed all foods consumed by participants. Duplicates of consumed food samples were collected to measure the water content via the drying method.
RESULTS
The mean total water intake (TWI) was 2761 ± 881, 2551 ± 845, 2210 ± 551, and 1989 ± 579 for spring, summer, fall, and winter, respectively ((2.37) = 42.29, < 0.001). The volume and proportion of TWI from TDF and WFF varied across the four seasons. The volume of WFF in spring (1361 ± 281, (2.61) = 17.21, < 0.001) and TDF in summer (1218 ± 502, (2.62) = 9.36, < 0.001) was among the highest, while participants' fluid intake behaviors in spring and summer were less distinct than the other pairwise comparisons. A moderate association was found between outdoor temperature and TDF ( = 0.53, < 0.01). Different general estimating equations suggested that gender, seasonality, outdoor temperature, differences in indoor and outdoor temperature, and mean temperature were independent factors of TDF. An interactive effect was found for gender and temperature, showing that the expected TDF of males may increase more as the temperature climbs.
CONCLUSIONS
Gender, seasonality, and air temperature could significantly affect fluid intake behaviors, including the amount and type of fluid intake. However, the independent effect of BMI and humidity remains unclear.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Seasons; Young Adult; China; Prospective Studies; Drinking; Drinking Behavior; Temperature; Surveys and Questionnaires; Humidity
PubMed: 38892476
DOI: 10.3390/nu16111542 -
Nutrients May 2024The association of hydration knowledge and health habits with hydration status and fluid intake is rarely examined. We sought to determine whether knowledge or physical...
The association of hydration knowledge and health habits with hydration status and fluid intake is rarely examined. We sought to determine whether knowledge or physical health behaviors predict physiological hydration status and fluid intake. Ninety-six participants (59 female; 27 ± 10 year) completed the previously validated hydration survey. Participants then recorded total fluids consumed (TFC), collected urine, and tracked void frequency for 24 h. Hydration status was assessed via 24 h urine specific gravity (USG) and osmolality (U). Health behaviors included self-reported physical activity, BMI, smoking, alcoholic drinking, and sleep status. TFC was significantly correlated with 24 h USG (r = -0.390; < 0.001), U (r = -0.486; < 0.001), total urine volume (r = 0.675; < 0.001), and void frequency (r = 0.518; < 0.001). Hydration knowledge was not correlated with 24 h USG (r = 0.085; = 0.420), U (r = 0.087; = 0.419), urine total volume (r = 0.019; = 0.857), void frequency (r = 0.030; = 0.771), or TFC (r = 0.027; = 0.813). Hydration knowledge did not predict 24 h USG (LR = 1.10; LR = 0.90), U (LR = 0.81; LR = 1.35), or TFC (LR = 1.00; LR = 1.00). Health habits did not predict 24 h USG, U, or TFC. In conclusion, self-reported 24 h diet and fluid log recording is comparable to hydration status verification via 24 h urine collection. Hydration knowledge and health habits are not related to, or predictive of, hydration status.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Adult; Drinking; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Behavior; Organism Hydration Status; Young Adult; Specific Gravity; Dehydration; Osmolar Concentration; Surveys and Questionnaires; Exercise; Water-Electrolyte Balance; Self Report
PubMed: 38892475
DOI: 10.3390/nu16111541 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2024Bisphenol-A (BPA), a synthetic compound ubiquitously present in the environment, can act as an endocrine disruptor by binding to both canonical and non-canonical...
Bisphenol-A (BPA), a synthetic compound ubiquitously present in the environment, can act as an endocrine disruptor by binding to both canonical and non-canonical estrogen receptors (ERs). Exposure to BPA has been linked to various cancers, in particular, those arising in hormone-targeted tissues such as the breast. In this study, we evaluated the effect of BPA intake through drinking water on ErbB2/-driven cancerogenesis in BALB-T mice, transgenic for a mutated ErbB2/ receptor gene, which reproducibly develop carcinomas in all mammary glands. In this model, BPA accelerated mammary cancerogenesis with an increase in the number of tumors per mouse and a concurrent decrease in tumor-free and overall survival. As assessed by immunohistochemistry, BALB-T tumors were ER-negative but expressed high levels of the alternative estrogen receptor GPR30, regardless of BPA exposure. On the other hand, BPA exposure resulted in a marked upregulation of progesterone receptors in preinvasive tumors and of Ki67, CD31, and phosphorylated Akt in invasive tumors. Moreover, based on several infiltration markers of immune cells, BPA favored an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Finally, in vitro cell survival studies performed on a cell line established from a BALB-T breast carcinoma confirmed that BPA's impact on cancer progression can be particularly relevant after chronic, low-dose exposure.
Topics: Animals; Benzhydryl Compounds; Phenols; Tumor Microenvironment; Female; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Receptors, Estrogen; Drinking Water; Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental; Mice, Transgenic; Receptor, ErbB-2; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; Receptors, Progesterone; Carcinogenesis; Endocrine Disruptors
PubMed: 38892447
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116259 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2024The composition of skeletal muscle fiber types affects the quality of livestock meat and human athletic performance and health. L-arginine (Arg), a semi-essential amino...
The composition of skeletal muscle fiber types affects the quality of livestock meat and human athletic performance and health. L-arginine (Arg), a semi-essential amino acid, has been observed to promote the formation of slow-twitch muscle fibers in animal models. However, the precise molecular mechanisms are still unclear. This study investigates the role of Arg in skeletal muscle fiber composition and mitochondrial function through the mTOR signaling pathway. In vivo, 4-week C56BL/6J male mice were divided into three treatment groups and fed a basal diet supplemented with different concentrations of Arg in their drinking water. The trial lasted 7 weeks. The results show that Arg supplementation significantly improved endurance exercise performance, along with increased SDH enzyme activity and upregulated expression of the MyHC I, MyHC IIA, PGC-1α, and NRF1 genes in the gastrocnemius (GAS) and quadriceps (QUA) muscles compared to the control group. In addition, Arg activated the mTOR signaling pathway in the skeletal muscle of mice. In vitro experiments using cultured C2C12 myotubes demonstrated that Arg elevated the expression of slow-fiber genes (MyHC I and Tnnt1) as well as mitochondrial genes (PGC-1α, TFAM, MEF2C, and NRF1), whereas the effects of Arg were inhibited by the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin. In conclusion, these findings suggest that Arg modulates skeletal muscle fiber type towards slow-twitch fibers and enhances mitochondrial functions by upregulating gene expression through the mTOR signaling pathway.
Topics: Animals; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; Signal Transduction; Mice; Arginine; Male; Muscle Fibers, Skeletal; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Muscle Fibers, Slow-Twitch; Muscle, Skeletal; Cell Line
PubMed: 38892371
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116184 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2024Both tissue and blood lead levels are elevated in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients. These studies assessed the impact of the subchronic lead challenge on the...
Both tissue and blood lead levels are elevated in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients. These studies assessed the impact of the subchronic lead challenge on the progression of RCC in vitro and in vivo. Lead challenge of Renca cells with 0.5 μM lead acetate for 10 consecutive passages decreased E-cadherin expression and cell aggregation. Proliferation, colony formation, and wound healing were increased. When lead-challenged cells were injected into mice, tumor size at day 21 was increased; interestingly, this increase was seen in male but not female mice. When mice were challenged with 32 ppm lead in drinking water for 20 weeks prior to tumor cell injection, there was an increase in tumor size in male, but not female, mice at day 21. To investigate the mechanism underlying the sex differences, the expression of sex hormone receptors in Renca cells was examined. Control Renca cells expressed estrogen receptor (ER) alpha but not ER beta or androgen receptor (AR), as assessed by qPCR, and the expression of ERα was increased in tumors in both sexes. In tumor samples harvested from lead-challenged cells, both ERα and AR were detected by qPCR, yet there was a significant decrease in AR seen in lead-challenged tumor cells from male mice only. This was paralleled by a plate-based array demonstrating the same sex difference in BMP-7 gene expression, which was also significantly decreased in tumors harvested from male but not female mice; this finding was validated by immunohistochemistry. A similar expression pattern was seen in tumors harvested from the mice challenged with lead in the drinking water. These data suggest that lead promotes RCC progression in a sex-dependent via a mechanism that may involve sex-divergent changes in BMP-7 expression.
Topics: Animals; Female; Carcinoma, Renal Cell; Male; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7; Mice; Kidney Neoplasms; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Lead; Receptors, Androgen; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Humans; Estrogen Receptor alpha; Sex Factors
PubMed: 38892327
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116139