Effect of Propolis Intake on Serum C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) Levels in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials

BackgroundPropolis is a natural Product and the antioxidant properties of Propolis appear to be principally responsible for its therapeutic effects. However, several studies have shown the positive effect of Propolis on the reduction the levels of inflammatory markers; some others have revealed non-significant impacts on them. Hence, the present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effects of Propolis intake on C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α).MethodsThe systematic search was undertaken in scientific databases that included: PubMed, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science to find studies assessing the effects of Propolis on CRP and TNF-α up to December 2019. Standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) were pooled using a random-effects model. Potential publication bias was tested using Egger’s test.ResultsSix studies comprising 406 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Compared to controls, Propolis intake significantly reduced serum TNF-α (SMD = −0.48, 95 % CI = [−0.69, −0.26], P < 0.0001, I² = 66.9 %) and CRP (SMD = −0.38, 95 % CI = [−0.68, −0.07], P = 0.01, I² = 44.4 %) levels. No evidence of publication bias was found in the meta-analyses.ConclusionThe present study concluded in the statistically and clinically reduction of serum CRP and TNF-α levels following Propolis intake.     

Occurrence of toxic Planktothrix rubescens blooms in lake Nantua, France.

Cyanobacteria including genus Oscillatoria are known to release toxins into waterbodies. To study the occurrence of toxic blooms in Lake Nantua, the Planktothrix rubescens species (Oscillatoria rubescens) was considered. At the same time, some physicochemical parameters were analysed to estimate their impact on toxin production. The investigations were conducted during summertime and the highest toxin concentration analysed by HPLC was detected in August (10.8 microg/l of lake water). The results of this work suggested that the toxin production increased when the light intensity, temperature, alkaline pH and phosphorus contents were at low levels. Moreover, the toxin production was positively related with NT/PT ratio. TLC analysis of the purified fractions revealed the occurrence of 4-7 polypeptide or protein bands. Two of them were shown to be toxic using Artemia bioassays and the most toxic one was identified as MCYST-RR.     

One-week exposure to a free-choice high-fat high-sugar diet does not disrupt blood–brain barrier permeability in fed or overnight fasted rats

Objectives: The hypothalamus lies adjacent to the third ventricle and is in close proximity with the median eminence (ME), a circumventricular organ with an incomplete blood–brain barrier (BBB) which controls direct entry of nutrients into the brain. The blood–CSF barrier of the hypothalamus shows dynamic changes upon neuroendocrine events and adjusts permeability with the tight junction (TJ) complex. It has been shown that chronic exposure to a high-fat diet (HFD) affects BBB permeability. HFD also induces leptin resistance and alters neuropeptide expression in the arcuate nucleus (Arc) of the hypothalamus starting early during overnutrition. We hypothesized altered integrity of the BBB to occur after exposing rats to a free-choice high-fat high-sugar (fcHFHS) diet for 1 week.

Methods: We measured diffusion of Evans blue dye over the ME and assessed expression of the TJ proteins ZO-1, claudin-5, and occludin in the tanycytic wall of the third ventricle. Furthermore, we assessed protein expression of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT-1), which is highly expressed in the Arc-ME complex and facilitates glucose transport over the BBB.

Results: fcHFHS-fed rats increased caloric intake compared to control, however, there was no effect of the fcHFHS diet on permeability of the BBB, nor changes in protein expression of tight TJ proteins or GLUT-1. Fasting acutely affects the BBB and we hypothesized that exposure to the fcHFHS diet affects the BBB differently compared to chow after fasting. We did not, however, find any differences in Evans blue diffusion nor protein expression between chow- and fcHFHS-fed rats when fasted overnight.

Conclusions: We conclude that short-term consumption of a fcHFHS diet does not change permeability or diffusion in the hypothalamus barrier in ad libitum fed or fasted rats.     

运脾消积法治疗厌食症幼龄大鼠的代谢组学

目的 基于脾主运化理论探讨运脾消积法治疗厌食症幼龄大鼠的代谢组学.方法 基于病因模拟法建造小儿厌食症模型,通过记录摄食量和体质量的变化评价模型.60只大鼠随机分为正常组,模型组,阳性对照组(0.45 g/kg消食片),小儿开胃增食合剂高、低剂量组(11.4、5.7g/kg).灌胃给药42 d后收集24 h尿液,LC-M...     

营养造血汤剂对再生障碍性贫血小鼠骨髓造血功能的影响

目的探讨营养造血汤剂对小鼠再生障碍性贫血造血功能的影响。方法 BALB/c小鼠90只,随机分为正常组、模型组及治疗组。苯、X射线、环磷酰胺联合应用的方法建立再生障碍性贫血小鼠模型,试验第8天开始,治疗组小鼠每天灌胃,给予19.76g(/kg·d)营养造血汤药液,直至第60天,观察试验小鼠的血象、骨髓象、造血干细胞集落形成;TUNEL及免疫组化法检测小鼠造血细胞凋亡以及相关调控蛋白Fas与Caspase-3的表达。结果治疗组的外周血象、骨髓有核细胞数、造血干细胞集落的形成明显高于模型组(P<0.05)。结论营养造血汤剂对再障小鼠疗效显著,能改善骨髓增殖。     

膳食因素与乳腺癌患病风险的病例对照研究

目的探讨青岛地区膳食因素与乳腺癌患病风险的关系,为乳腺癌的病因研究及一级预防提供科学的理论依据。方法采用病例对照研究设计,通过半定量食物频率表法,对200例乳腺癌患者和200例对照进行问卷调查,调查内容包括基本情况和膳食情况两大部分。结果经单因素和多因素非条件logistic回归分析,结果显示,食物种类中,与低水平蔬菜摄入量相比,较高水平的蔬菜摄入量可能降低乳腺癌的患病风险（OR=0．429,95％CI：0．223～0．827,P=0．012）;与低水平红肉摄入量相比,较高水平的红肉摄入量可能增加乳腺癌的患病风险（OR=2．185,95％CI：1．077～4．431,P=0．030）。膳食营养素中,与低水平脂肪摄入量相比,中、高及较高水平的脂肪摄入量均可能增加乳腺癌的患病风险,且随着脂肪摄入量增多,其OR值也递增,且差异均有统计学意义（OR值分别为2．478、2．533、2．799,95％CI分别为1．245～4．933、1．130～5．675、1．449～5．470,P〈0．05,P〈0．01）;与低水平蛋白质摄入量相比,中、高及较高水平的蛋白质摄入量均可能增加乳腺癌的患病风险（OR值分别为3．484、3．860、3．467,95％CI分别为1．872～6．848、1．972～7．554、1．778～6．762,P〈0．01）;而与低水平铁摄入量相比,中、高及较高水平的铁则可能降低乳腺癌的患病风险（OR值分别为0．528、0．479、0．340,95％CI分别为0．297～0．939、0．241～0．953、0．153～0．758,P〈0．05,P〈0．01）;与低水平视黄醇当量相比,中、高及较高水平视黄醇当量则可能降低乳腺癌的患病风险（OR值分别为0．428、0．409、0．175,95％CI分别为0．227～0．806、0．217～0．769、0．080。0．385,P〈0．01）。结论建议调整饮食结构,增加蔬菜类摄入量,减少肉类摄入量。     

膳食营养素与高尿酸血症关系的研究进展

目的 综述各类膳食营养素与高尿酸血症（HUA）关系的研究进展。方法 以“膳食”、“营养素”和“高尿酸血症”作为CNKI数据库和万方数据库的检索词,以“diet”、“nutrients”和“hyperuricemia”作为PubMed数据库的检索词,参考文献33篇。结果 高嘌呤食物、维生素、蛋白质、脂肪、碳水化合物、矿物质、酒精等膳食营养素的摄入与HUA密切相关。结论 应根据各危险因素合理调整各营养素的摄入,以提高HUA患者的生存质量,加强健康膳食模式的推广和普及。     

膳食营养和生活方式与抑郁症关系的研究进展

抑郁症严重威胁人类健康,给社会和家庭带来了沉重的负担,但其发病机制尚未明确。研究发现膳食与抑郁症存在一定关联,而且不同的生活方式对抑郁症的影响不尽相同。本文通过对既往文献进行综述,探讨营养素、膳食模式和生活方式等与抑郁症的关系,为抑郁症的防治提供一定的依据。