Anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic effects of brown seaweeds in high-fat diet-induced obese mice

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVESSeaweeds have been reported to have various health beneficial effects. In this study, we investigated the potential anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory effects of four types of domestic brown seaweeds in a high-fat diet-induced obese mouse model and bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM).MATERIALS/METHODSMale C57BL/6N mice were fed low-fat diet (LFD), high-fat diet (HFD) or HFD containing Undaria Pinnatifida, HFD containing Laminaria Japonica (LJ), HFD containing Sargassum Fulvellum, or HFD containing Hizikia Fusiforme (HF) for 16 weeks.RESULTSBrown seaweed supplementation did not affect long-term HFD-associated changes in body weight or adiposity, although mice fed HFD + LJ or HFD + HF gained slightly less body weight compared with those fed HFD at the beginning of feeding. Despite being obese, mice fed HFD + LJ appeared to show improved insulin sensitivity compared to mice fed HFD. Consistently, we observed significantly reduced blood glucose concentrations in mice fed HFD + LJ compared with those of mice fed HFD. Although no significant differences in adipocyte size were detected among the HFD-fed groups, consumption of seaweeds decreased formation of HFD-induced crown-like structures in gonadal adipose tissue as well as plasma inflammatory cytokines. BMDM from mice fed HFDs with seaweeds showed differential regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-6 compared with BMDM from mice fed HFD by LPS stimulation.CONCLUSIONAlthough seaweed consumption did not prevent long-term HFD-induced obesity in C57BL/6N mice, it reduced insulin resistance (IR) and circulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Therefore, seaweeds may ameliorate systemic inflammation and IR in obesity partially due to inhibition of inflammatory signaling in adipose tissue cells as well as bone marrow-derived immune cells.     

The Western Dietary Pattern Combined with Vancomycin-Mediated Changes to the Gut Microbiome Exacerbates Colitis Severity and Colon Tumorigenesis

Previous work by our group using a mouse model of inflammation-associated colorectal cancer (CAC) showed that the total Western diet (TWD) promoted colon tumor development. Others have also shown that vancomycin-mediated changes to the gut microbiome increased colorectal cancer (CRC). Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the impact of vancomycin on colon tumorigenesis in the context of a standard mouse diet or the TWD. A 2 × 2 factorial design was used, in which C57Bl/6J mice were fed either the standard AIN93G diet or TWD and with vancomycin in the drinking water or not. While both the TWD and vancomycin treatments independently increased parameters associated with gut inflammation and tumorigenesis compared to AIN93G and plain water controls, mice fed the TWD and treated with vancomycin had significantly increased tumor multiplicity and burden relative to all other treatments. Vancomycin treatment significantly decreased alpha diversity and changed the abundance of several taxa at the phylum, family, and genus levels. Conversely, basal diet had relatively minor effects on the gut microbiome composition. These results support our previous research that the TWD promotes colon tumorigenesis and suggest that vancomycin-induced changes to the gut microbiome are associated with higher tumor rates.     

生命早期使用头孢曲松对生命后期高脂饲料负荷小鼠糖脂代谢的影响

目的探究生命早期使用抗生素对生命后期高脂饲料负荷下的小鼠血糖、血脂等糖脂代谢指标的影响。方法将48只2周龄雌性BALB/c小鼠随机分为空白对照组、抗生素组、高脂组和联合作用组,每组12只,抗生素组和联合作用组以100 mg/kg头孢曲松灌胃,其余2组灌胃等量生理盐水,持续至4周龄后停止灌胃,接着高脂组和联合作用组以高脂饲料、其余2组以普通饲料喂养12周。最后1周测定空腹血糖并进行口服糖耐量实验,实验结束后测定血脂、肝脏脂质、胰岛素和瘦素水平,并计算胰岛素抵抗指数。结果与普通饲料相比,高脂饲料引起小鼠糖耐量受损,内脏脂肪、血糖、胰岛素抵抗指数、血脂、肝脏脂质和瘦素增加(P<0.05);与空白对照组相比,抗生素组小鼠糖耐量受损,内脏脂肪、血糖和肝脏甘油三酯水平增加(P<0.05);与高脂组相比,联合作用组小鼠的糖耐量受损、血糖、胰岛素抵抗指数和肝脏总胆固醇水平增加(P<0.05)。结论生命早期使用头孢曲松增加了机体内脏脂肪、血糖、胰岛素抵抗和肝脏脂质,且加剧了高脂饲料诱导的糖脂代谢紊乱,表明生命早期使用抗生素可能会提高机体对高脂饲料诱导糖脂代谢异常的易感性。     

Impact of Dietary Arachidonic Acid on Gut Microbiota Composition and Gut–Brain Axis in Male BALB/C Mice

Although arachidonic acid (ARA) is the precursor of the majority of eicosanoids, its influence as a food component on health is not well known. Therefore, we investigated its impact on the gut microbiota and gut–brain axis. Groups of male BALB/c mice were fed either a standard diet containing 5% lipids (Std-ARA) or 15%-lipid diets without ARA (HL-ARA) or with 1% ARA (HL + ARA) for 9 weeks. Fatty acid profiles of all three diets were the same. The HL-ARA diet favored the growth of Bifidobacterium pseudolongum contrary to the HL + ARA diet that favored the pro-inflammatory Escherichia–Shigella genus in fecal microbiota. Dietary ARA intake induced 4- and 15-fold colic overexpression of the pro-inflammatory markers IL-1β and CD40, respectively, without affecting those of TNFα and adiponectin. In the brain, dietary ARA intake led to moderate overexpression of GFAP in the hippocampus and cortex. Both the hyperlipidic diets reduced IL-6 and IL-12 in the brain. For the first time, it was shown that dietary ARA altered the gut microbiota, led to low-grade colic inflammation, and induced astrogliosis in the brain. Further work is necessary to determine the involved mechanisms.     

Dual effects of a mixture of grape pomace (Campbell Early) and Omija fruit ethanol extracts on lipid metabolism and the antioxidant defense system in diet-induced obese mice

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

We investigated the effects of a combination of grape pomace (Vitis labrusca, Campbell Early) and Omija fruit (Schizandra chinensis, Baillon) ethanol extracts on lipid metabolism and antioxidant defense system in diet-induced obese mice.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Forty male C57BL/6J mice were divided into four groups and fed high-fat diet (control group, CON) or high-fat diet added 0.5% grape pomace extract (GPE), 0.05% Omija fruit extract (OFE) or 0.5% GPE plus 0.05% OFE (GPE+OFE) for 12 weeks.

RESULTS

In contrast to the GPE- or OFE-supplemented groups, the GPE+OFE group showed significantly lower body weight and white adipose tissue weights than the CON group. Moreover, GPE+OFE supplementation significantly decreased plasma total cholesterol and increased the plasma HDL-cholesterol/total-cholesterol ratio (HTR) compared to the control diet. The hepatic triglyceride level was significantly lower in the GPE+OFE and GPE groups by increasing β-oxidation and decreasing lipogenic enzyme compared to the CON group. Furthermore, GPE+OFE supplementation significantly increased antioxidant enzyme activities with a simultaneous decrease in liver H₂O₂ content compared to the control diet.

CONCLUSIONS

Together our results suggest that supplementation with the GPE+OFE mixture may be more effective in improving adiposity, lipid metabolism and oxidative stress in high-fat diet-fed mice than those with GPE and OFE alone.     

Ingestion of dried-bonito broth (dashi) facilitates PV-parvalbumin-immunoreactive neurons in the brain,and affects emotional behaviors in mice

Objectives: Emerging evidence suggests that traditional diets and nutrition have a significant impact on brain development, and could contribute to the promotion of mental health and prevention of psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents. Moreover, deficits in parvalbumin (PV)-immunoreactive and/or GABAergic neurons are closely associated with various psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents. To investigate the possible neural mechanisms of diet involvement in mental health, we analyzed the effects of dried-bonito dashi (Japanese fish broth) (DBD) on PV-immunoreactive neurons and emotional behaviors in young mice.

Methods: Male mice after weaning were fed DBD for 60 days, and tested with a resident-intruder test for aggressiveness and a forced swimming test for depression-like symptoms. After the behavioral testing, PV-immunoreactive neurons in the brain were immunohistochemically analyzed.

Results: The results indicated that DBD intake decreased aggressiveness and depression-like symptoms, and increased the densities of PV-immunoreactive neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), amygdala, hippocampus, and superior colliculus. These behavioral changes were correlated with the densities of PV-immunoreactive neurons in the mPFC, amygdala, and hippocampus. However, subdiaphragmatic vagotomy did not affect the effects of DBD on emotional behaviors, although it nonspecifically decreased the densities of PV-immunoreactive neurons.

Discussion: The results suggest that DBD might modulate emotional behaviors by promoting PV-immunoreactive and/or GABAergic neuronal activity through parallel routes. The present results highlight a new mechanism for diet involvement in brain functions, and suggest that DBD might have therapeutic potential for the promotion of mental health.     

Low bone mineral density and bone mineral content are associated with low cobalamin status in adolescents

Summary Background Cobalamin deficiency is prevalent in vegetarians and has been associated with increased risk of osteoporosis. Aim of the study To examine the association between cobalamin status and bone mineral density in adolescents formerly fed a macrobiotic diet and in their counterparts. Methods In this cross–sectional study bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) were determined by DEXA in 73 adolescents (9–15 y) who were fed a macrobiotic diet up to the age of 6 years followed by a lacto–(–ovo–) vegetarian or omnivorous diet. Data from 94 adolescents having consumed an omnivorous diet throughout their lives were used as controls. Serum concentrations of cobalamin, methylmalonic acid (MMA) and homocysteine were measured and calcium intake was assessed by questionnaire. Analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was performed to calculate adjusted means for vitamin B₁₂ and MMA for low and normal BMC and BMD groups. Results Serum cobalamin concentrations were significantly lower (geometric mean (GM) 246 pmol/L vs. 469 pmol/L) and MMA concentrations were significantly higher (GM 0.27 µmol/L vs. 0.16 µmol/L) in the formerly macrobiotic–fed adolescents compared to their counterparts. In the total study population, after adjusting for height, weight, bone area, percent lean body mass, age, puberty and calcium intake, serum MMA was significantly higher in subjects with a low BMD (p = 0.0003) than in subjects with a normal BMD. Vitamin B₁₂ was significantly lower in the group with low BMD (p = 0.0035) or BMC (p = 0.0038) than in the group with normal BMD or BMC. When analyses were restricted to the group of formerly macrobiotic–fed adolescents, MMA concentration remained higher in the low BMD group compared to the normal BMD group. Conclusion In adolescents, signs of an impaired cobalamin status, as judged by elevated concentrations of methylmalonic acid, were associated with low BMD. This was especially true in adolescents fed a macrobiotic diet during the first years of life, where cobalamin deficiency was more prominent.     

Medicinal Plants and Their Impact on the Gut Microbiome in Mental Health: A Systematic Review

Background: Various neurocognitive and mental health-related conditions have been associated with the gut microbiome, implicating a microbiome–gut–brain axis (MGBA). The aim of this systematic review was to identify, categorize, and review clinical evidence supporting medicinal plants for the treatment of mental disorders and studies on their interactions with the gut microbiota. Methods: This review included medicinal plants for which clinical studies on depression, sleeping disorders, anxiety, or cognitive dysfunction as well as scientific evidence of interaction with the gut microbiome were available. The studies were reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Results: Eighty-five studies met the inclusion criteria and covered thirty mental health-related medicinal plants with data on interaction with the gut microbiome. Conclusion: Only a few studies have been specifically designed to assess how herbal preparations affect MGBA-related targets or pathways. However, many studies provide hints of a possible interaction with the MGBA, such as an increased abundance of health-beneficial microorganisms, anti-inflammatory effects, or MGBA-related pathway effects by gut microbial metabolites. Data for Panax ginseng, Schisandra chinensis, and Salvia rosmarinus indicate that the interaction of their constituents with the gut microbiota could mediate mental health benefits. Studies specifically assessing the effects on MGBA-related pathways are still required for most medicinal plants.     

Snack patterns are associated with biomarkers of glucose metabolism in US men

Abstract

Few studies have made distinctions between dietary intake from meals and snacks in relating them to biomarkers. We aimed to examine if snack patterns are associated with biomarkers of glucose metabolism, specifically hemoglobin A1c and HOMA-IR in US adults. Using 24-h dietary recall data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in 2007–2008, we derived snack patterns using factor analyses. Multivariate logistic regressions were performed to estimate adjusted odds ratios (AOR) for biomarkers of glucose metabolism by quintiles of snack pattern scores. Men in the highest quintile of dairy and sugary snack pattern had higher risk of having hemoglobin A1c?≥?6.5% (AOR: 2.06; 95% CI: 1.20–3.51) and HOMA-IR?>?3.0 (AOR: 1.73; 95% CI: 1.01–2.95) than did those in the lowest quintile. No significant association was found in women between snack patterns and biomarkers of glucose metabolism. Dairy and sugary snack patterns of US men had the greatest association with poor control of glucose metabolism.     

Antiatherogenic effects of dietary plant sterols are associated with inhibition of proinflammatory cytokine production in Apo E-KO mice

Dietary phytosterols significantly reduce atherosclerosis in apo E-deficient mice. Because atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease, we investigated whether the antiatherogenic effects of phytosterols are associated with reductions in proinflammatory cytokine production as well as the effect of this diet on global immunocompetence. Apolipoprotein (apo) E-deficient mice were fed a cholesterol-supplemented diet in the presence or absence of 2% dietary phytosterols for 14 wk and then immunized with ovalbumin. The relations between plasma lipid concentrations, atherosclerotic lesions, and cytokine production and proinflammatory stimuli or foreign antigens were characterized. Phytosterol-enriched diets were strongly associated with reduced plasma cholesterol concentrations and atherosclerosis in conjunction with higher anti-inflammatory [interleukin (IL)-10] and lower proinflammatory cytokine [IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha] production. In contrast, development of cytokine and chemokine responses to ovalbumin was as strong as or even improved in the phytosterol-treated mice relative to controls. The antiatherogenic effects of dietary phytosterols in apo E-knockout mice were associated with beneficial alterations in both lipoprotein metabolism and inflammatory pathways. Decreased capacity to mount proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine responses to inflammatory stimuli did not interfere with the global immunocompetence of such mice. Thus, the desirable suppression of proinflammatory cytokine production that was associated with inhibition of atherogenesis did not impair the capacity to mount responses to foreign antigens.     

Glycemic index and glycemic load are not associated with brain lesions in the elderly

Objective  The goal of this study was to determine if brain lesion volume was correlated with dietary glycemic index and glycemic load in elderly individuals. Design and Setting  This cross-sectional study was performed at an academic medical center as part of a clinical study of late-life depression. Participants  Subjects (n=137) were age 60 or over, and were participating as non-depressed comparison subjects. Measurements  Food intake was assessed using the Block 1998 food frequency questionnaire. Glycemic index and glycemic load measures were derived from reported food intake. Brain lesion volumes were calculated from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Results  No significant associations were found between glycemic index or glycemic load, and brain lesion volume. Conclusion  Dietary glycemic measures may be unrelated to brain lesions or may be related to brain lesions only in individuals with impaired glycemic control or other vascular risk factors. Further studies are needed to confirm this finding and to determine if glycemic control moderates this association. (work was completed as part of the Master of Science in Clinical Research program)     

白藜芦醇对高脂模型小鼠脂代谢影响

目的探讨白藜芦醇对高脂模型小鼠脂代谢影响。方法 50只雄性小鼠随机分为基础对照组,高脂组,白藜芦醇低、中、高剂量组;除基础对照组外,其他组均喂饲高脂饲料,4周后白藜芦醇低、中、高剂量组分别给予白藜芦醇5,22,45 mg/kg灌胃,共干预6周,检测血清总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、低密度脂蛋白-胆固醇(LDL-C)和高密度脂蛋白-胆固醇(HDL-C)。结果不同剂量白藜芦醇干预6周即显现出降低高脂模型小鼠血脂水平的趋势或作用,以中剂量组作用最明显,TC、TG和LDL-C分别为(3.174±0.687)、(0.884±0.408)和(1.762±0.877)mmol/L,与高脂组比较,血清TG和LDL-C明显下降(P<0.05);白藜芦醇还具有减轻高脂模型小鼠肝脏脂肪变性的作用。结论白藜芦醇干预对高脂模型小鼠可产生降脂作用。     

Antiatherogenic effects of zinc are associated with copper in iron-overloaded hypercholesterolemic rabbits

Fifty-four juvenile male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly allocated to 9 groups including chow-fed rabbits without mineral supplementation, HC diet fed rabbits without mineral supplementation, HC + Cu, HC + Zn, HC + FeO, HC + Cu + Zn, HC + FeO + Cu, HC + FeO + Zn, and HC + FeO + Cu + Zn. Feeding HC diet resulted in a significant (P < .001) increase in the serum cholesterol, TG, LDL, and very LDL except HDL when compared with chow-fed rabbits. The highest serum lipid profiles were observed in the FeO rabbits without copper or zinc supplementation. A modest decrease in serum thiobarbituric acid reactant substances in rabbits given the HC + Zn was accompanied by a significant (P < .05) increase in antioxidant enzymes activities excluding superoxide dismutase that was markedly lower than those given the HC + Cu (12.83 ± 2.13 vs 16.00 ± 2.23 U/mL serum). Supplementation with copper alone in both the FeO and the non-FeO rabbits significantly (P < .001) enhanced serum ceruloplasmin activity in comparison with other groups, but co-supplementation of copper plus zinc in the non-FeO rabbits did not significantly (P > .05) affect ceruloplasmin activity in comparison with those treated with unsupplemented regimens. A significant decrease was found in sudanophilia area of rabbits supplemented with zinc (62.36% ± 3.55%) compared to those given the HC + FeO, the HC+FeO+Cu, and HC without mineral supplementation; however, no significant (P > .05) difference in animals given the HC + Cu, the HC + Cu + Zn, and the HC + FeO + Zn was observed. Based on these findings, it may be suggested that the antiatherogenic effects of zinc in presence of copper, on which there is overloading of iron, is reduced under hypercholesterolemia.     

Prevalence and risk factors associated with Helicobacter pylori infection in native populations from Brazilian Western Amazon

We evaluated the prevalence of, and factors associated with, Helicobacter pylori infection in 222 subjects from 3 distinct communities of native populations (Uru-Eu-Wau-Wau Indians and 2 riverine communities living on the banks of the Machado river and in Portuchuelo) living in isolation in the rainforest of Brazilian Western Amazon. The overall prevalence was 78.8% (95% CI 72.7-83.9). The prevalence was higher in the Machado river community compared with Portuchuelo (chi2 = 3.84, P = 0.05), but no significant difference was observed between the Machado river community and the Uru-Eu-Wau-Wau Indians. Logistic regression showed that residential crowding and age were factors associated with the presence of H. pylori infection. Acquisition of the bacterium started early in life and by the age of 2 years 50% of children were infected. The prevalence increased with age, reaching near universal levels during adulthood (97.9%). Residential crowding was high with a global index of 3.3 persons/room (SD = 1.8), varying significantly between the 3 communities (P = 0.001). These data provide further evidence supporting direct person-to-person spread of the bacterium.     

The Potential Role of Gut Microbiota in Alzheimer’s Disease: From Diagnosis to Treatment

Gut microbiota is emerging as a key regulator of many disease conditions and its dysregulation is implicated in the pathogenesis of several gastrointestinal and extraintestinal disorders. More recently, gut microbiome alterations have been linked to neurodegeneration through the increasingly defined gut microbiota brain axis, opening the possibility for new microbiota-based therapeutic options. Although several studies have been conducted to unravel the possible relationship between Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) pathogenesis and progression, the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of approaches aiming at restoring gut microbiota eubiosis remain to be fully addressed. In this narrative review, we briefly summarize the role of gut microbiota homeostasis in brain health and disease, and we present evidence for its dysregulation in AD patients. Based on these observations, we then discuss how dysbiosis might be exploited as a new diagnostic tool in early and advanced disease stages, and we examine the potential of prebiotics, probiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, and diets as complementary therapeutic interventions on disease pathogenesis and progression, thus offering new insights into the diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and progressive disease.     

Dyslipidemic high-fat diet affects adversely bone metabolism in mice associated with impaired antioxidant capacity

Objective

The present study examined impacts of dyslipidemic high-fat diet on the bone antioxidant system and bone metabolism in growing mice. Furthermore, the relationship was studied between them.

Methods

Male C57BL/6 mice (4 wk old) were fed with normal diet, high-fat diet (HFD), or HFD supplemented with 0.1% antioxidant lipoic acid (LA). After 13-wk feeding, the markers of plasma lipids status, bone metabolism in plasma and in urine, and femora oxidative stress were measured. To provide molecular evidence for abnormal bone metabolism affected by HFD, bone cell-specific mRNA levels were tested by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Moreover, insulin-like growth factor I and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in plasma and their mRNA levels in femur were measured.

Results

The feeding dyslipidemic HFD induced both inhibitory bone formation reactions and enhancement of bone resorption reactions, accompanied by impaired bone antioxidant system, low levels of insulin-like growth factor I in plasma and in bone, and high levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in plasma but not in bone. In contrast, these alternatives were prevented completely or partially in mice fed LA supplement. Further, plasma propeptide of ? collagen C-propeptide as a marker of bone formation was positively correlated with both total antioxidant capacity (r = 0.683, P < 0.001) and reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione ratio (r = 0.565, P < 0.003) of bone. Cross-linked N-telopeptides of bone type ? collagen as a marker of bone resorption was negatively correlated with both total antioxidant capacity (r = −0.753, P < 0.001) and glutathione/oxidized glutathione ratio (r = −0.786, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Dyslipidemia induces impaired bone antioxidant system. Oxidative stress could be an important mediator of hyperlipidemia-induced bone loss.