Green Tea Consumption and Depressive Symptoms among Japanese Workers: The Furukawa Nutrition and Health Study

Although several cross-sectional studies have described an inverse association between green tea consumption and depressive symptoms, only one study has prospectively investigated this association. We investigated the cross-sectional and prospective associations between green tea consumption and depressive symptoms in a working population in Japan. Participants were 1987 workers who participated in the baseline survey for a cross-sectional association, and 916 participants who did not have depressive symptoms at baseline who responded to both the baseline and follow-up surveys for a prospective association. Green tea consumption was evaluated with a validated self-administered diet history questionnaire. Depression symptoms were evaluated with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale. Multiple logistic regression was conducted to estimate the odds ratio of depressive symptoms based on green tea consumption. In the cross-sectional analysis, green tea consumption was not associated with the prevalence of depression symptoms. Moreover, consumption at baseline was not associated with depression symptoms after 3 years; the multivariable-adjusted odds ratio of depressive symptoms for ≥2 cups/day of green tea was 1.12 (95% confidence interval 0.65–1.91) compared with <4 cups/week after adjustment for covariates including dietary factors (trend p = 0.67). Our results suggest that there is no association of consumption of green tea with symptoms of depression in Japanese.     

滇黄精炮制前后化学成分变化研究

目的 探究滇黄精Polygonatum kingianum传统炮制过程化学成分变化规律。方法 按照九蒸九晒法进行滇黄精炮制,应用分光光度法和HPLC测定炮制过程中总多糖、总皂苷、总多酚、总黄酮和游离氨基酸的含量。应用UPLC-MS/MS的广泛靶向代谢组学技术检测原料和炮制后的代谢产物。结果 随着炮制次数的增加,颜色逐渐加深,第3次蒸制后为深褐色,第4次至炮制结束缓慢转变为黑色。滇黄精原料具有麻味,第4蒸之后麻味消失,变为酸甜味。炮制过程中多糖和16种游离氨基酸含量降低,总皂苷、总黄酮和总多酚含量增加。广泛靶向代谢组学共检测到419个代谢物,氨基酸及其衍生物66个,脂质65个,酚酸类52个,黄酮类51个,有机酸42个,生物碱41个,核苷酸及其衍生物32个,甾体9个,木脂素和香豆素7个,异黄酮1个,萜类3个,其他类物质50个。结论 系统阐述了滇黄精九蒸九晒炮制过程中化学成分的变化,九蒸九晒对滇黄精中的化学成分影响较大,随着炮制时间的增加,氨基酸及其衍生物和生物碱类化合物的相对丰度降低,有机酸和酚酸类相对丰度增加等。该研究可为炮制滇黄精有效成分的筛选与质量评价提供参考,同时差异性成分的发现为研究滇黄精生熟饮片中差异性物质的分析提供新思路,对滇黄精的扩大开发利用有重要意义。     

Different associations of specific non-alcoholic beverages with elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in Korean adults: results from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2015–2016)

This study examined the associations between specific non-alcoholic beverages and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and their interactions with obesity. The study participants were 4,999 adults aged 19–64 years from the 2015–2016 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were obtained using multivariable logistic regression analyses. In women, there was an inverse linear trend between coffee and hs-CRP status (p_trend = 0.0137), and a positive linear trend for soda was also found (≥1/week vs never or almost never, OR = 1.79, 95% CI 1.23–2.61, p_trend = 0.0127). In the stratification analyses, the associa­tions were only observed in obese women. The associations were inverse for coffee and tea but linearly positive for soda in obese women (p_trend<0.05). In men, an inverted J-shaped association between commercial fruit juice/drink and hs-CRP status was found; but after stratification by obesity, the association was linear only in obese men (p_trend<0.05, OR = 2.44, 95% CI 1.44–4.16 in ≥1/week vs never or almost never). Coffee and tea in women may be beneficially associated with hs-CRP status, but soda in women and commercial fruit juice/drink in men may be adversely, particularly for obese adults.     

Daily Exposure to a Cranberry Polyphenol Oral Rinse Alters the Oral Microbiome but Not Taste Perception in PROP Taster Status Classified Individuals

Diet and salivary proteins influence the composition of the oral microbiome, and recent data suggest that TAS2R38 bitter taste genetics may also play a role. We investigated the effects of daily exposure to a cranberry polyphenol oral rinse on taste perception, salivary proteins, and oral microbiota. 6-n-Propylthiouracil (PROP) super-tasters (ST, n = 10) and non-tasters (NT, n = 10) rinsed with 30 mL of 0.75 g/L cranberry polyphenol extract (CPE) in spring water, twice daily for 11 days while consuming their habitual diets. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that the NT oral microbiome composition was different than that of STs at baseline (p = 0.012) but not after the intervention (p = 0.525). Principal coordinates analysis using unweighted UniFrac distance showed that CPE modified microbiome composition in NTs (p = 0.023) but not in STs (p = 0.096). The intervention also altered specific salivary protein levels (α-amylase, MUC-5B, and selected S-type Cystatins) with no changes in sensory perception. Correlation networks between oral microbiota, salivary proteins, and sensory ratings showed that the ST microbiome had a more complex relationship with salivary proteins, particularly proline-rich proteins, than that in NTs. These findings show that CPE modulated the oral microbiome of NTs to be similar to that of STs, which could have implications for oral health.     

Platelet Activation Favours NOX2-Mediated Muscle Damage in Elite Athletes: The Role of Cocoa-Derived Polyphenols

Mechanisms of exercise-induced muscle injury with etiopathogenesis and its consequences have been described; however, the impact of different intensities of exercise on the mechanisms of muscular injury development is not well understood. The aim of this study was to exploit the relationship between platelet activation, oxidative stress and muscular injuries induced by physical exercise in elite football players compared to amateur athletes. Oxidant/antioxidant status, platelet activation and markers of muscle damage were evaluated in 23 elite football players and 23 amateur athletes. Compared to amateurs, elite football players showed lower antioxidant capacity and higher oxidative stress paralleled by increased platelet activation and muscle damage markers. Simple linear regression analysis showed that sNOX2-dp and H₂O₂, sCD40L and PDGF-bb were associated with a significant increase in muscle damage biomarkers. In vitro studies also showed that plasma obtained from elite athletes increased oxidative stress and muscle damage in human skeletal muscle myoblasts cell line compared to amateurs’ plasma, an effect blunted by the NOX2 inhibitor or by the cell treatment with cocoa-derived polyphenols. These results indicate that platelet activation increased muscular injuries induced by oxidative stress. Moreover, NOX2 inhibition and polyphenol extracts treatment positively modulates redox status and reduce exercise-induced muscular injury.     

Effect of Aqueous Cinnamon Extract on the Postprandial Glycemia Levels in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Cinnamon is a spice used in traditional cuisine that has been investigated due to hypoglycemic properties. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of aqueous cinnamon extract on postprandial glycemia levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) adults. This clinical trial enrolled 36 adults with DM2, randomly allocated in two groups: the control group (n = 18) took only an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and the intervention group (n = 18) took OGTT immediately followed by aqueous cinnamon extract (6 g/100 mL) ingestion. Blood glucose levels were measured on fasting and after 30, 60, 90 and 120 min in both groups. The chemical analysis of the aqueous cinnamon extract included total phenols content determination and antioxidant activity assessment through FRAP and DPPH methods. The data reveal that aqueous cinnamon extract ingestion did not show a significant difference in the incremental area under the curve (p = 0.834), maximum glucose concentration (p = 0.527) and glucose concentration variation (p = 0.873) compared with the control group. Cinnamon extract possess a total phenol content of 1554.9 mg/L gallic acid equivalent and a strong antioxidant capacity, revealed by the DPPH (5125.0 µmol Trolox/L) and FRAP (3658.8 µmol Trolox/L) tests. Aqueous cinnamon extract did not significantly influence postprandial glucose response in diabetic patients during an OGTT.     

Black Tea Reduces Diet-Induced Obesity in Mice via Modulation of Gut Microbiota and Gene Expression in Host Tissues

Black tea was reported to alter the microbiome populations and metabolites in diet-induced obese mice and displays properties that prevent obesity, but the underlying mechanism of the preventative effect of black tea on high-fat diet (HFD) induced obesity has not been elucidated. Epigenetic studies are a useful tool for determining the relationship between obesity and environment. Here, we show that the water extract of black tea (Lapsang souchong, LS) reverses HFD-induced gut dysbiosis, alters the tissue gene expression, changes the level of a major epigenetic modification (DNA methylation), and prevents obesity in HFD feeding mice. The anti-obesity properties of black tea are due to alkaloids, which are the principal active components. Our data indicate that the anti-obesity benefits of black tea are transmitted via fecal transplantation, and the change of tissue gene expression and the preventative effects on HFD-induced obesity in mice of black tea are dependent on the gut microbiota. We further show that black tea could regulate the DNA methylation of imprinted genes in the spermatozoa of high-fat diet mice. Our results show a mechanistic link between black tea, changes in the gut microbiota, epigenetic processes, and tissue gene expression in the modulation of diet-induced metabolic dysfunction.     

Dietary Natural Compounds and Vitamins as Potential Cofactors in Uterine Fibroids Growth and Development

An analysis of the literature generated within the past 20 year-span concerning risks of uterine fibroids (UFs) occurrence and dietary factors was carried out. A link between Vitamin D deficiency and UFs formation is strongly indicated, making it a potent compound in leiomyoma therapy. Analogs of the 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, not susceptible to degradation by tissue 24-hydroxylase, appear to be especially promising and tend to show better therapeutic results. Although research on the role of Vitamin A in the formation of fibroids is contradictory, Vitamin A-enriched diet, as well as synthetic retinoid analogues, may be preventative or limit the growth of fibroids. Unambiguous conclusions cannot be drawn regarding Vitamin E and C supplementation, except for alpha-tocopherol. Alpha-tocopherol as a phytoestrogen taking part in the modulation of estrogen receptors (ERs) involved in UF etiology, should be particularly avoided in therapy. A diet enriched in fruits and vegetables, as sources of carotenoids, polyphenols, quercetin, and indole-3-carbinol, constitutes an easily modifiable lifestyle element with beneficial results in patients with UFs. Other natural substances, such as curcumin, can reduce the oxidative stress and protect against inflammation in leiomyoma. Although the exact effect of probiotics on uterine fibroids has not yet been thoroughly evaluated at this point, the protective role of dairy products, i.e., yogurt consumption, has been indicated. Trace elements such as selenium can also contribute to antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of a recommended diet. In contrast, heavy metals, endocrine disrupting chemicals, cigarette smoking, and a diet low in antioxidants and fiber were, alongside genetic predispositions, associated with UFs formation.     

Cranberry Polyphenols in Esophageal Cancer Inhibition: New Insights

Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is a cancer characterized by rapidly rising incidence and poor survival, resulting in the need for new prevention and treatment options. We utilized two cranberry polyphenol extracts, one proanthocyanidin enriched (C-PAC) and a combination of anthocyanins, flavonoids, and glycosides (AFG) to assess inhibitory mechanisms utilizing premalignant Barrett’s esophagus (BE) and EAC derived cell lines. We employed reverse phase protein arrays (RPPA) and Western blots to examine cancer-associated pathways and specific signaling cascades modulated by C-PAC or AFG. Viability results show that C-PAC is more potent than AFG at inducing cell death in BE and EAC cell lines. Based on the RPPA results, C-PAC significantly modulated 37 and 69 proteins in JH-EsoAd1 (JHAD1) and OE19 EAC cells, respectively. AFG treatment significantly altered 49 proteins in both JHAD1 and OE19 cells. Bioinformatic analysis of RPPA results revealed many previously unidentified pathways as modulated by cranberry polyphenols including NOTCH signaling, immune response, and epithelial to mesenchymal transition. Collectively, these results provide new insight regarding mechanisms by which cranberry polyphenols exert cancer inhibitory effects targeting EAC, with implications for potential use of cranberry constituents as cancer preventive agents.