Immune privilege in the gut: the establishment and maintenance of non-responsiveness to dietary antigens and commensal flora

Summary:  Immune privilege in the gut is the result of a complex interplay between the gut microbiome, gut luminal antigens, and the intestinal epithelial barrier. Composed of both physical and immunochemical components, the intestinal barrier secretes immunoregulatory mediators that promote the generation of tolerogenic antigen-presenting cells, phagocytic innate immune cells characterized by 'inflammatory anergy', and regulatory cells of the adaptive immune system. Innate immune cells mediate controlled transepithelial transport of luminal antigens as far as the mesenteric lymph nodes, where the intestinal and peripheral immune systems intersect. This promotes the generation of adaptive regulatory lymphocytes that actively suppress effector cell responses against gut luminal antigens and flora. The net result is the generation of tolerance to dietary antigens and the maintenance of gut homeostasis. Dysregulation of this complex immunoregulatory network leads to diseases such as food allergy and inflammatory bowel disease. Future therapies for these diseases will likely involve the functional restoration of the barrier and regulatory cell functions at the epithelial/luminal interface.     

Influence of food on the intravenous and oral dose kinetics of propranolol in the dog

The intravenous and oral dose kinetics of propranolol were studied in the dog both in a fasted state and immediately after a meal consisting of 100 g of cooked beef liver. Fifty Ci of³H-propranolol was administered intravenously simultaneously with a 40-mg oral dose of unlabeled propranolol. Plasma³H-propranolol was measured by specific extraction and liquid scintillation spectrometry, and unlabeled plasma propranolol was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Feeding significantly reduced (25%) the elimination half-life and increased (52%) the systemic clearance of intravenous propranolol. The increase in the systemic clearance of propranolol after feeding was mostly due to an increase (60%) in apparent hepatic blood flow, which appeared to remain elevated for 5–7 hr. The meal had no influence on the apparent volume of distribution or plasma binding. Feeding did not affect the area under the concentration-time curve of oral propranolol, but significantly delayed the rate of oral propranolol absorption, shifting the time to reach peak plasma levels from 60 to 158 min. The results of this study suggest that feeding alters the disposition of propranolol in the dog by producing a sustained increase in hepatic blood flow.This work was supported by National Institute of Health grants GM 07534, GM 20387, and HL 29566.     

2010—2020年云南省学校食源性疾病暴发事件流行病学分析

目的 了解云南省学校食源性疾病暴发事件流行病学特征和趋势。 方法 收集2010—2020年云南省各地报告的学校食源性疾病暴发资料,并进行描述性流行病学分析。 结果 2010—2020年共发生学校食源性疾病暴发260起,发病6 600人,死亡2人,总体呈下降趋势。学校食源性疾病暴发高峰期为第二、四季度,占总起数的66.54%(173/260);暴发场所多发生在小学,占总起数的58.08%(151/260)。报告明确或可疑致病因子的185起事件中由微生物或可疑微生物引起的占40.00%(74/185),毒素引起的占46.49%(86/185);明确致病因子的118起暴发事件中,60.17%(71/118)是由4种致病因子引起的,其中蓖麻毒素导致的最多,达22起(18.64%),发病人数428人,其次是蜡样芽孢杆菌20起(16.95%),原因食品被归因为一类食品植物类,主要是大米、三明治、面包。导致暴发污染环节最多的是生产加工环节(50.77%,132/260)。 结论 关注学校食源性疾病暴发事件流行特征,在学生开学季时,加强对小学食堂植物类食品的生产加工环节管理和监督。微生物、毒素感染是学校食源性疾病主要的致病因素,且原因查明率低,进一步强化医疗机构食源性疾病微生物、毒素检测能力,提高原因查明率,最大限度地降低学校食源性疾病的发病率。     

Are We Ready for a New Approach to Comparing Coverage and Reimbursement Policies for Medical Nutrition in Key Markets: An ISPOR Special Interest Group Report

ObjectivesHealthcare policy makers should ensure optimal patient access to medical nutrition (MN) as part of the management of nutrition-related disorders and conditions. Questions remain whether current healthcare policies reflect the clinical and economic benefits of MN. The objective of this article is to characterize coverage and reimbursement of MN, defined as food for special medical purposes/medical food for a diverse set of countries, including Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, The Netherlands, Singapore, Spain, United Kingdom, and United States.MethodsData sources included published literature and online sources. ISPOR’s Nutrition Economics Special Interest Group developed a data collection form to guide data extraction that included reimbursement coverage, years that reimbursement policies were established, and presence of a formal health technology assessment (HTA) for MN technologies.ResultsReimbursement coverage of MN technologies varied across the countries that were reviewed. All but 3 countries limited coverage to specific formulations of products, regardless of demonstrated clinical benefit. The year that reimbursement policies were established varied across countries (ranging from 1984 to 2017), and only 4 countries regularly update policies. France and Brazil are the only countries with a formal HTA process for MN technologies.ConclusionsMost countries have limited MN reimbursement, have not updated reimbursement policies, and lack HTA for MN technologies. These limitations may lead to suboptimal access to MN technologies where they are indicated to manage nutrition-related disorders and conditions, with the potential of negatively affecting patient and healthcare system outcomes.     

中药类保健食品中地黄生熟异用的配方规律分析

目的:分析地黄在中药类保健食品中生熟异用下的配方规律。方法:收集国家市场监督管理总局(SAMR)特殊食品信息查询平台公布的生、熟地黄保健食品数据,对其保健功能及中药组方等进行统计,运用Apriori算法和Kulc、不平衡比参数对地黄生熟异用的保健食品配方规律进行分析。结果:保健食品中,生地黄主要用于辅助降血糖,熟地黄主要用于增强免疫力、缓解体力疲劳、改善营养性贫血。在辅助降血糖类生地黄保健食品中,生地黄主要与补气药、补阴药、解表药、解热药配伍,代表性组合为生地黄-黄芪-苦瓜;在增强免疫力类熟地黄保健食品中,熟地黄主要与补气药、补血药、补阴药配伍,代表性组合为熟地黄-党参-阿胶;在缓解体力疲劳类熟地黄保健食品中,熟地黄主要与补气药、补阳药、补阴药配伍,代表性组合为熟地黄-人参-淫羊藿、熟地黄-人参-枸杞子;在改善营养性贫血类熟地黄保健食品中,熟地黄主要与补气药、补血药配伍,代表性组合为熟地黄-黄芪-阿胶、熟地黄-黄芪-当归。结论:地黄在保健食品中的使用遵循生熟异用的规律,在不同保健功能中,组方配伍基本符合中医理论和现代医学理论,可为生、熟地黄保健食品研发提供借鉴和依据。     

Assessing Diet Quality of Indigenous Food Systems in Three Geographically Distinct Solomon Islands Sites (Melanesia,Pacific Islands)

Indigenous Solomon Islanders, like many living in Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS), are currently experiencing the global syndemic—the combined threat of obesity, undernutrition, and climate change. This mixed-method study aimed to assess nutrition transitions and diet quality by comparing three geographically unique rural and urban indigenous Solomon Islands populations. Participants in rural areas sourced more energy from wild and cultivated foods; consumed a wider diversity of foods; were more likely to meet WHO recommendations of >400 g of non-starchy fruits and vegetables daily; were more physically active; and had significantly lower body fat, waist circumference, and body mass index (BMI) when compared to urban populations. Urban populations were found to have a reduced ability to self-cultivate agri-food products or collect wild foods, and therefore consumed more ultra-processed foods (classified as NOVA 4) and takeout foods, and overall had less diverse diets compared to rural populations. Clear opportunities to leverage traditional knowledge and improve the cultivation and consumption of underutilized species can assist in building more sustainable and resilient food systems while ensuring that indigenous knowledge and cultural preferences are respected.     

Gestation Food Restriction and Refeeding Compensate Maternal Energy Status and Alleviate Metabolic Consequences in Juvenile Offspring in a Rabbit Model

Nutritional status during gestation can influence mother and offspring metabolism. Undernutrition in pregnancy affects women in both western and developing countries, and it is associated with a high prevalence of chronic diseases in later life. The present work was conducted in the rabbit model, as a longitudinal study, to examine the effect of food restriction during early and mid-gestation, and re-feeding ad libitum until the end of pregnancy on metabolic status and body reserves of mother and, its association with development and metabolism of fetuses and female offspring to the juvenile stage. Little changes in live body weight (LBW), compensatory feed intake, similar body reserves, and metabolism were observed in dams. Placenta biometry and efficiency were slightly affected, but fetal BW and phenotype were not modified. However, hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, and hypertriglyceridemia were demonstrated in pre-term fetuses. In the juvenile period, these changes were not evidenced, and a similar pattern of growth and serum metabolic parameters in offspring of food-restricted mothers were found, except in serum aminotransferases levels, which increased. These were associated with higher liver fibrosis. Maternal food restriction in the early and mid-pregnancy followed by re-feeding in our rabbit model established a compensatory energy status in dams and alleviated potential long-term consequences in growth and metabolism in the offspring, even if fetal metabolism was altered.     

Component-Resolved Diagnosis of Hazelnut Allergy in Children

Hazelnuts commonly elicit allergic reactions starting from childhood and adolescence, with a rare resolution over time. The definite diagnosis of a hazelnut allergy relies on an oral food challenge. The role of component resolved diagnostics in reducing the need for oral food challenges in the diagnosis of hazelnut allergies is still debated. Therefore, three electronic databases were systematically searched for studies on the diagnostic accuracy of specific-IgE (sIgE) on hazelnut proteins for identifying children with a hazelnut allergy. Studies regarding IgE testing on at least one hazelnut allergen component in children whose final diagnosis was determined by oral food challenges or a suggestive history of serious symptoms due to a hazelnut allergy were included. Study quality was assessed by the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool. Eight studies enrolling 757 children, were identified. Overall, sensitivity, specificity, area under the curve and diagnostic odd ratio of Cor a 1 sIgE were lower than those of Cor a 9 and Cor a 14 sIge. When the test results were positive, the post-test probability of a hazelnut allergy was 34% for Cor a 1 sIgE, 60% for Cor a9 sIgE and 73% for Cor a 14 sIgE. When the test results were negative, the post-test probability of a hazelnut allergy was 55% for Cor a 1 sIgE, 16% for Cor a9 sIgE and 14% for Cor a 14 sIgE. Measurement of IgE levels to Cor a 9 and Cor a 14 might have the potential to improve specificity in detecting clinically tolerant children among hazelnut-sensitized ones, reducing the need to perform oral food challenges.