The effectiveness of tuberculosis treatment in the Russian Federation remains low compared to WHO targets. Along with other factors, nutritional deficiencies play a significant role in adverse tuberculosis outcomes. The study objective was to analyze and summarize data characterizing the role of nutritional deficiencies in the development, course, and outcome of tuberculosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS:Sixty one literature sources were analyzed, using PubMed, Scopus, Elsevier, and eLIBRARY databases, as well as the Google Scholar search engine by keywords: pulmonary tuberculosis, nutritional status, malnutrition, protein-energy malnutrition; search depth 10 years (2015-2025). RESULTS:The analysis of the data examining the impact of malnutrition on the development, course, and outcomes of tuberculosis has shown that nutritional deficiency leads to a weakening of the innate and adaptive immune response and creates a biological environment conducive to the development of tuberculosis. Malnutrition is a risk factor for the transition from latent to active tuberculosis infection. Furthermore, malnutrition is associated with a higher incidence of severe forms of tuberculosis, including bacterial excretion and destructive changes in the lungs. Due to altered absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination of drugs, the risk of adverse reactions and decreased treatment effectiveness increases. Nutritional deficiency also elevates the risk of adverse clinical outcomes, such as death and relapse. Nutritional support aimed at improving nutritional status can enhance the effectiveness of treatment for patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. CONCLUSION:The lack of comprehensive study data of malnutrition markers, including indicators of energy metabolism and bioimpedance analysis, in patients suffering from tuberculosis dictates the need to study various aspects of the body's protein and energy supply and develop individual programs to correct existing disorders.
Active longevity and the prevention of alimentary diseases are priority areas of public policy. The prevalence of childhood obesity is steadily increasing, and this condition is associated with complex micronutrient imbalances. A comprehensive assessment of vitamin and trace element status in obese children living in the Siberian Federal District of the Russian Federation has not been conducted over the past 10 years, making this study particularly relevant. The objective of the study was to assess the vitamin D, iodine, and iron status of primary school-age children with exogenous-constitutional obesity. MATERIAL AND METHODS:A case-control study was conducted at medical institutions in Barnaul from June to December 2025. A total sample of 100 children aged 7-10 years were examined: the main group (n=60) included children with grades I-III obesity, and the control group (n=40) included healthy peers with normal body weight. The level of vitamin D (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and ferritin (chemiluminescent immunoassay) were measured in blood serum, and the iodine level was determined in a single morning urine sample (cerium-arsenite method). DISCUSSION:The groups were comparable by gender (the proportion of boys was 53.3-55.0%) and age (p>0.05). Children with obesity showed a statistically significant decrease in the level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (30.8 [27.1; 34.2] versus 44.2 [39.0; 53.7] ng/ml in the control group, p<0.05). The median values of ferritin level (50.9 [38.9; 64.1] versus 47.2 [41.6; 55.8] ng/ml) and ioduria (427.0 [383.9; 460.5] versus 344.2 [289.0; 406.1] μg/l) did not differ in the compared groups (p>0.05). The incidence of vitamin D deficiency (<30 ng/ml) in the main group was 43.3 versus 22.5% in the control group (p=0.03), and iron deficiency (<30 ng/ml) was determined in 6.7% versus 10.0% (p<0.05). No iodine deficiency (<100 μg/l) was detected in the studied groups. CONCLUSION:In the group of children with exogenous-constitutional obesity, almost every second child was diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency, which was the most common micronutrient deficiency. Ferritin level showed no statistically significant differences in the prevalence of iron deficiency. Urinary iodine levels reflected high iodine excretion in children in both groups.
Vitamin and mineral status disorders are widespread among students and are characterized by pronounced seasonal variability, which can contribute to the development of metabolic disorders. The objective of the research was a comparative assessment of students' vitamin D, B12, C, calcium, and iron status, taking into account seasonal and gender differences. MATERIAL AND METHODS:A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 178 students (51 males and 127 females; age 19.9 [19.7; 20.2] years). The study was conducted in two stages: in spring (n=88) and in autumn (n=90). Blood plasma level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], vitamins B12 and C was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and calcium and iron plasma level was evaluated on an automatic biochemical analyzer. Nonparametric statistical methods, Spearman correlation analysis and two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used. RESULTS:The level of 25(OH)D was 1.9 fold higher in autumn than in spring (19.1 [16.5;22.7] vs 10.1 [8.1;14.6] ng/ml, p<0.001): the proportion of individuals with deficiency was 65.6% and 90.9%, respectively (p<0.001). In contrast, the level of vitamin B12 was 4.5 fold higher in spring (898.7 [590.9;1054.9] vs 200.9 [133.6; 287.4] pg/ml, p<0.001); deficiency was detected only in autumn in 44.4% of individuals (p<0.001). The level of vitamin C and calcium was within the reference values in 91.1-98.9% of the examined individuals, but it was higher in autumn than in spring by 25% (p<0.001) and 4% (р=0.002), respectively. The level of iron did not change seasonally, and it was 1.5 times higher in males than in females (18.5 [11.5; 21.8] vs 12.8 [9.1; 17.7] μmol/L, p<0.001). The proportion of individuals with reduced iron levels was 29.9-43.3% among females and 10.0-19.0% among males. The analysis of variance showed that the season was a significant factor for vitamins D, B12, and C (p<0.001), while gender was significant only for iron (p<0.001). The interaction between gender and season was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION:The season is a leading factor in determining the levels of vitamins D, B12, and C in students; gender is associated primarily with iron levels. The findings support the need to consider seasonal and gender-specific factors in assessing and preventing micronutrient deficiencies.
The enrichment of the food industry's resource base through novel food and raw materials necessitates the improvement of protocols for allergological safety assessment of such products. An important applied task in ensuring reliable results in allergy studies in vivo is the formation of basic diets. The nutrient composition of the diet and its antigen profile can directly or indirectly modulate the immune response of experimental animals, both through direct interaction with immune cells, including dendritic cells and T-lymphocytes, and through the secretion of chemokines and cytokines, thereby leading to distortion or misinterpretation of the data obtained. The widening of the list of sensitive indicators characterizing the protective potential of animals in the context of novel food allergenicity assessment has determined the need to standardize the antigenic profile of diets and minimize their modulating effect on the immune system. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of standard diets differing in ingredients and antigen profile on the immune status of rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS:A 30-day experiment was conducted on male Wistar rats with an initial body weight of 179±2 g. The animals were 45 days old at the beginning of the study. The rats were divided into two groups: Group 1 received a natural grain diet (the «NGD group») throughout the study period, while Group 2 received a semi-synthetic casein diet (the «SSD group»). A comprehensive assessment of the diets with different composition and antigen profile was performed using an extended pool of indicators of the immune status of rats: serum cytokine profile (G-CSF, GM-CSF, GRO/KC, IFN-γ, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-13, IL-17A, IL-18, M-CSF, MCP-1, MIP-1α, MIP-3α, RANTES, TNF-α, VEGF), serum level of immunoglobulins (IgG1 and IgG4), pathomorphological and morphometric characteristics of immunocompetent organs (thymus, spleen, Peyer's patches of the small intestine). RESULTS:A natural grain diet activates proinflammatory and Th2 pathways: significantly increased levels of IL-1β, IL-4, IL-7, and GM-CSF were detected in rats from the NGD group - by 43, 34, 42 and 16%, respectively (p<0.05) compared to those in the SSD group. Elevated level of IL-1β and IL-4 (the key cytokines involved in the type 2 immune response) declare an allergic immune reaction. Morphometric studies of the thymus in animals of the NGD group demonstrated an increase in the trabeculae width by 53% (p<0.05), compared with the SSD group, which indicates a response of the thymus to antigenic stimulation of a sensitized organism. CONCLUSION:The results of assessing the immune status of rats fed standard diets differing in compositions and antigen profiles revealed a number of biologically significant systematic changes in the studied parameters. A natural grain diet, in contrast to a semi-synthetic ca sein diet, is characterized by the presence of ingredients with more pronounced sensitizing properties, therefore, it increases the level of immune stress in animals due to excessive production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and regulators of the humoral immune response. Within the standardization framework of basic diets for laboratory rodents used to assess the allergenic potential of food, including novel food, a semi-synthetic casein diet that does not cause increased antigenic stimulation of the immune system and meets the animals' physiological requirements may be recommended.
Vitamins and minerals are essential micronutrients involved in the regulation of many key physiological processes; however, the current dietary structure often leads to their insufficient intake. Inadequate micronutrient consumption is considered a significant risk factor for a wide range of diet-related diseases, which determines the importance of assessing and correcting micronutrient adequacy in the population. The objective of the research was to assess the actual intake of vitamins (А, β-carotene, С, В1, В2, РР) and minerals (sodium, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium) in the adult population of the Russian Federation and to identify patterns of consumption by sex, age, type of settlement, and residence in the Arctic zone. MATERIAL AND METHODS:Dietary intake was assessed using the 24-hour dietary recall method. The analysis was based on primary data from the 2023 Survey of Dietary Intake conducted by the Federal State Statistics Service of the Russian Federation. RESULTS:Insufficient intake of several vitamins (A, β-carotene, C, B group) and minerals (calcium, magnesium, and iron in women), as well as a violation of the optimal calciumto- phosphorus diet ratio was identified in the adult population of the Russian Federation, including the Arctic zone. Differences by sex, age, and territory (urban/rural) were statistically significant for most indicators; however, in many cases the effect size was small. CONCLUSION:The dietary pattern of the adult population is characterized by a populationlevel imbalance in micronutrient composition. The findings can be used in developing measures aimed at optimizing nutrition in the adult population.
Population-based data on the association between genes regulating non-shivering thermogenesis (UCP) and adipose tissue metabolism are fragmentary and yield inconsistent results. The indigenous populations of high-latitude regions have been the least studied. This study aimed to assess the association of UCP1 (rs1800592), UCP2 (rs660339), and UCP3 (rs1800849) genotypes with body mass index (BMI) and lipid profile markers in the indigenous population of northern Western Siberia. MATERIAL AND METHODS:The study groups consisted of 12 males aged 27-50 and 39 females 18-64 years old belonging to the Ob Ugrians (ethnic Khanty and Mansi). Blood samples and data on BMI, blood plasma levels of total cholesterol (TC), highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglycerides (TG) were collected. Genotyping of genomic DNA isolated from the subjects' blood samples was performed at the polymorphic UCP1 (A/G, rs1800592), UCP2 (C/T, rs660339), and UCP3 (C/T, rs1800849) loci. Data analysis was performed using the Statistica 12.0 software package (StatSoft, USA). For the maximum accuracy of the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium compliance test in a small sample, we used the HWE exact test (Fisher's method) implemented in the Cog-Genomics/PLINK statistical package. An intergroup comparison of indicators in carriers of different genotypes was carried out using the Mann-Whitney test. When comparing biochemical parameters in groups with different genotypes, the Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons was used. RESULTS:In carriers of the AA*UCP1 genotype, BMI values (27.2±5.6 kg/m2; n=30) were higher than in individuals with GG+AG genotypes (23.7±3.94 kg/m2; n=21, p=0.015). No associations were found between BMI and UCP2 and UCP3 polymorphisms. Female subjects with the homozygous TT*UCP2 genotype had increased plasma TG levels (p=0.033) and higher TG/HDL ratios compared with C*UCP2 allele carriers. Homozygotes for the C*UCP3 allele differed from carriers of the T* allele (CT and TT genotypes) in having higher LDL-C levels (p=0.036). CONCLUSION:The study confirmed the association of UCP1 gene variants with BMI and of UCP2 and UCP3 genes with lipid profile parameters in the ethnic Khanty and Mansi studied group. The association of UCP1 with BMI in the subjects of this study does not agree with the conclusions found in the scientific literature about an increased risk of obesity among G* allele carriers in Caucasian samples. The associations between UCP2-3 and lipid metabolism parameters in Ob Ugrians are consistent with those reported in Mongoloid populations. The specificity of the phenotypic manifestations of UCP polymorphism in different racial groups requires further investigation.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a condition that impairs the quality of life and occurs with high frequency in older men. Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignancies in men, characterized by high mortality rates. The aim of the study was to systematize data on the physiological effects and safety profile of the supplement Indigal® containing indole-3-carbinol (I3C) and epigallocatechin-3- gallate (EGCG) to confirm their positive impact on men's health and safety. MATERIAL AND METHODS:A search for studies on the clinical effect of I3C, its metabolite diindolylmethane (DIM), green tea catechins (GTC), including EGCG, and their combinations was conducted in the database PubMed, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials. gov, WHO ICTRP and eLibrary. The final analysis included 31 publications. RESULTS:The review presents current data on the role of I3C and GTC in maintaining men's health. I3C promotes normal hormonal balance, exhibits antiproliferative and antiandrogenic activity, and improves urodynamics and microcirculation in the prostate gland. GTC have demonstrated a chemopreventive effect regarding the risk of prostate cancer, improved regulation of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, enhanced energy metabolism, and a beneficial impact on vascular health and cellular vital processes. The supplement Indigal® helps reduce the severity of BPH symptoms, improves urodynamic parameters, normalizes the hormonal profile, and exhibits antiproliferative activity along with beneficial effects on microcirculation. Thus, the supplement can reduce the severity of prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) and BPH, improves metabolic processes, increases the body's adaptive capacity, and provides protection at the cellular level. CONCLUSION:The administration of the complex can be recommended as a dietary supplement, a source of I3C and EGCG, for the support of men's health.
The main goal of treating obese patients is to reduce body weight. Sibutramine (Sib) - reuptake inhibitor of serotonin (5-HT), norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA), acting at the hypothalamic area, leads to weight loss. The effect of Sib on the production of adipokines and cytokines has not been sufficiently studied. The aim of the research was to investigate the effect of Sib on changes in blood plasma levels of leptin (Lep), ghrelin (Ghr), and cytokines IL-1β, IL-17A, and IL-10 in male Wistar rats with obesity induced by a high-fat diet (HFD). MATERIAL AND METHODS:50 rats with an initial body weight of 112±2 g were divided into 5 groups. For 90 days, the rats of the control group (1) received the AIN93G diet. The rats of the experimental groups (2-5) were fed HFD (24% fat content or 45% of calories). Physical activity (PA) of moderate intensity has been introduced for groups 3 and 5 (treadmill, angle 100, speed 25 cm/s for 20 min). In groups 4 and 5, Sib in daily dose 1.0 mg/kg body weight was added. At the end, the total weight, the weight of adipose tissue, liver and spleen were determined. The heparinized blood was centrifuged and the plasma was stored at -80 °C. Apoptosis of hepatocytes was performed using flow cytometry on DxFLEX cytometer (Beckman Coulter). The levels of IL-1β, IL-10, IL-17A, Lep and Ghr were determined using sets on a Luminex 200. The ratio of levels of Lep to Ghr (Lep/Ghr) and IL-10 to IL17A (IL-10/IL17A) were calculated. RESULTS:Rats on HFD with Sib supplementation (group 4) developed an obesity phenotype comparable to those in group 2. In group 4, compared with group 1, the levels of Lep were significantly increased (2.69 [1.94; 3.15] vs 1.18 [0.90; 1.38] pg/ml; p<0.01) while there was a decrease in the levels of Ghr (0.56 [0.37; 0.71] vs 1.45 [1.21; 2.15] pg/ ml; p<0.001), IL-1β (0.05 [0.04; 0.06] vs 0.08 [0.07; 0.10] pg/ml; p<0.05) and IL-17A (0.004 [0.002; 0.005] vs 0.007 [0.006; 0.009] pg/ml; p<0.01). Compared with the other samples, the highest medians of Lep/Ghr (4.27 [3.06; 6.30] vs 0.69 [0.61; 1.07], p<0.01) and IL-10/IL-17A (5.57 [2.12; 8.73] vs 1.57 [1.34; 2.25], p<0.05) were found in group 4. When Sib was combined with PA in group 5, the levels of adipokines, IL-1β, and Lep/Ghr and IL-10/IL-17A no longer differed from the control. Sib, by suppressing the reuptake of 5-HT, NE and DA, cancels changes in the levels of adipokines and cytokines caused by HFD with the return of Lep/Ghr and IL-10/IL-17A values to the control values only with regular PA. CONCLUSION:The positive effect of Sib on the levels of adipokines and cytokines is manifested in combination with regular PA, even in induced obesity.
Obesity is one of the most current problems of modern public health care, due to its significant contribution to the development of metabolic disorders leading to the manifestation of associated pathologies, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and diabetes mellitus. The main reason for the observed increase in the obesity prevalence among the population of developed countries in recent decades is considered to be changes in lifestyle, including excessive calorie intake along with increased content of saturated fats and simple carbohydrates in the diet. Bioactive compounds of plant origin are presently viewed as promising regulators of metabolic processes. Particular attention of researchers is drawn to anthocyanins - polyphenolic compounds contained in significant amounts in blueberries and blackcurrants. The aim of the research was to study the effects of blueberry and blackcurrant anthocyanins on metabolic disorders in rats with alimentary obesity. MATERIAL AND METHODS:A prospective study was conducted on male Wistar rats (with an initial body weight of 72.0±0.8 g) fed for 13 weeks a semi-synthetic balanced diet (group 1, n=8); a high-calorie choline-deficient diet (HCCDD) (group 2, n=8); and a high-calorie choline-deficient diet supplemented with bilberry and blackcurrant extract at an average daily dose of 11 mg of anthocyanins per 1 kg of body weight (group 3, n=8). Morphometric parameters, glucose tolerance, blood biochemical parameters, antioxidant status, gene expression of enzymes and transcription factors of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in the liver were studied. RESULTS:Consumption of HCCDD by the animals (group 2) led to the development of alimentary obesity and fatty hepatosis, increased blood alanine aminotransferase activity, liver paraoxonase-1 activity and glutathione peroxidase gene expression, decrease in glucose tolerance and blood level of free fatty acids, total cholesterol and uric acid, and blood total antioxidant activity, suppression of gene expression of de novo lipogenesis and glycolysis enzymes, membrane glucose transfer proteins in the liver relative to the rats of group 1. Administration of anthocyanins in the 3rd group mitigated negative metabolic effects of HCCDD, was accompanied by normalization of blood level of free fatty acids and total protein, glutathione peroxidase gene expression in the liver. CONCLUSION:Inclusion of bilberry and blackcurrant anthocyanins in the HCCDD normalises some indicators of antioxidant status, lipid and protein metabolism without significant effect on body weight and composition, as well as glucose tolerance and severity of fatty hepatosis in rats. The obtained data may be in demand for the development of foods for special dietary uses intended as part of the complex prevention and therapy of obesity.
The relevance of this study is due to the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in menopausal women, as vitamin D is a modulator of free-radical oxidation and antioxidant defense processes. However, the mechanisms by which vitamin D regulates free-radical homeostasis remain poorly understood and have not been definitively interpreted. The aim of the study was to evaluate the nature of changes in the parameters of free-radical oxidation of lipids, proteins, and the state of antioxidant protection in women of the menopausal period with different levels of 25-OH vitamin D in blood serum. MATERIAL AND METHODS:98 menopausal women were divided into three groups depending on their 25-OH vitamin D serum levels: control (30-50 ng/mL, n=20), 25-OH vitamin D insufficiency (20-29.9 ng/ml, n=31), and 25-OH vitamin D deficiency (˂20 ng/ ml, n=47). The 25-OH vitamin D deficiency group was additionally stratified into moderate (15-19.9 ng/ml, n=20) and severe (<15 ng/ ml, n=27) deficit. Free radical oxidation parameters were determined in all women by spectophotometry, including level of lipid peroxidation substrates with isolated double bonds, conjugated dienes (CD), ketodienes and conjugated trienes (KD-CT), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), Schiff bases and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP). The assessment of the components of the antioxidant defense system included the determination of the total antioxidant activity (TAA) of blood plasma using spectophotometry, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in erythrocyte lysate using photometry, the level of α-tocopherol and retinol in plasma using fluorometric methods, the level of reduced (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) in erythrocyte lysate using fluorometric method with the calculation of their ratio (GSH/GSSG) and the content of glutathione-Stransferase π in serum (GSTP) using ELISA. RESULTS:In menopausal women with insufficient 25-OH vitamin D levels, SOD activity (p=0.016) and α-tocopherol levels (p=0.018) increased, while GSTP concentration decreased (р=0.023) relative to the control group. In 25-OH vitamin D deficiency α-tocopherol level (p=0.042) increased while TBARS (p=0.013) and Schiff bases (p=0.002) levels decreased relative to the control group and group with micronutrient deficiency (р=0.049 and р=0.025 accordingly). Positive correlations were found between the level of 25-OH vitamin D and the TBARS (ρ=0.20, p=0.05) and Schiff bases (ρ=0.31, p=0.002). Under moderate 25(OH)D deficiency an increase in ТАА (p=0.049), α-tocopherol (p=0.003) and retinol (p=0.026) levels and a decrease in the levels of TBARS (p=0.021), Schiff bases (p=0.024), AOPP (p=0.043), GSH (p=0.043) and GSH/GSSG (p=0.030) were observed compared to the control. In severe 25(OH) D deficit a decrease in the levels of TBARS (p=0.041) and Schiff bases (p=0.002) relative to the control was revealed. Comparison of subgroups with different levels of 25(OH)D deficiency showed an increase in the content of CD (p=0.05), KD-CT (p=0.048) and a decrease in α-tocopherol (p=0.033) and retinol (p=0.05) level with increasing vitamin D deficiency. CONCLUSION:Changes in the parameters of free radical oxidation of lipids, proteins and the state of antioxidant protection in women during menopause are most likely nonlinear, stage-by-stage in nature and are associated with the degree of vitamin D supply. As the deficiency worsens, redox-adaptive reactions give way to depletion of antioxidant potential and the prevalence of maladaptive processes, confirming the regulatory role of vitamin D in maintaining redox homeostasis.
Improving athletic performance and minimizing the risk of injury due to overtraining and/or muscle damage in young tennis players is a key aspect of biomedical monitoring of their training. The purpose of the study was to evaluate biochemical markers of adaptation to physical activity and their correlations with body composition indicators in young tennis players, taking into account their dietary habits. MATERIAL AND METHODS:The study involved 59 tennis players aged 7 to 17 years. Using the AU 680 biochemical analyzer (Beckman Coulter), the level of the following biochemical markers in blood serum was determined: total protein, urea, creatinine, uric acid, glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides, the activity of creatine phosphokinase (CPK), alanine (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST); the muscle damage index (CPK/AST) and the de Ritis coefficient (AST/ALT) were calculated. Somatometric parameters were measured by anthropometry, the body composition was determined by bioimpedancemetry using the ABC-01 Medass analyzer. The analysis of the diet structure was carried out using the 24-hour dietary recall for 3 days of the survey (2 training days and 1 day off). RESULTS:Creatinine levels exceeding the reference norms were revealed in 20 girls and 9 boys, in most cases observed at a younger age, which indicates a greater share of the anaerobic energy supply mechanism compared to the older age group. Serum creatine phosphokinase activity was elevated in 14 of 33 female athletes, while in boys it was within the normal range, which indicates the depletion of adaptation reserves, and therefore requires adjustment of the training schedule with a sufficient recovery period. The strongest relationship was observed for creatinine and uric acid serum level and all studied parameters of body composition (p<0.05), except for the proportion of body fat, which may be due to eating habits and the structure of the diet - optimal protein intake. The relationship was also found between blood level of triglycerides and fat mass (ρ=0.336; p<0.01) and the proportion of body fat (ρ=0.348; p<0.01), which is associated with an excess of fat in the diet. CONCLUSION:An assessment of biochemical markers of adaptation to physical activity allowed us to determine the current state of physical performance in young tennis players. For athletes with biochemical marker deviations from reference values, additional screening tests are recommended, as well as consultation with the coaching staff regarding adjustments to the volume and intensity of physical activity, as well as the recovery period between training sessions.
Obesity is a multifactorial disease. The gut microbiome disturbances play a significant role in the development of obesity, but emerging data point to a blood microbiome and its association with obesity and other pathologies. Bacterial DNA in the blood represents a pathogen-associated molecular pattern capable of activating the immune system and thereby triggering a cascade of inflammatory responses. The question remains open as to where the bacterial DNA originates, which biotopes shape it, and what role the gut microbiome plays in forming the pool of bacterial DNA in blood. The aim of the study was to compare the bacterial DNA profiles of feces and blood in obese children, to establish relationships between bacterial DNA in blood and feces, and with carbohydrate and lipid metabolism parameters. MATERIAL AND METHODS:This single-center, cross-sectional study included children and adolescents aged 10 to 18 years with varying degrees of alimentary-constitutional obesity (n=79) and without obesity (n=84). The taxonomic profile of bacterial DNA in blood and feces was analyzed using metagenomic sequencing. Bacterial DNA was isolated from blood and stool samples, and the v3-v4 variable region of the 16S rRNA gene was sequenced. To identify the relationship between bacterial DNA in blood and feces and lipid and carbohydrate metabolism parameters [glucose, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)], Spearman's correlation coefficients were calculated. RESULTS:When comparing bacterial DNA from blood and feces, obese children more often isolated DNA from the families Lactobacillaceae (p=0.043), Porphyromonadaceae (p=0.022), Ruminococcaceae (p=0.065) and less often from Prevotellaceae (p=0.028) and Coriobacteriaceae (p=0.085) compared to children and adolescents without obesity. In obese children, the contribution of intestinal taxa (Lachnospiraceae, Ruminococcaceae, Bacteroidaceae) to the formation of the bacterial DNA profile of the blood was significantly reduced, but the contribution of extraintestinal biotopes (skin, soil and water) was more diverse. Positive associations were found between bacterial DNA of fecal Ruminococcaceae taxa and the level of total cholesterol (ρ=0.347, p=0.002) and LDL (ρ=0.313, p=0.005) and of fecal Coriobacteriaceae and these lipid metabolism parameters (ρ=0.304, p=0.007 and ρ=0.317, p=0.005) in obese children. No positive associations were found between fecal and blood taxa and glucose level. CONCLUSION:In obese and non-obese children and adolescents, the general profile of bacterial blood DNA is formed by both intestinal and extra-intestinal biotopes. However, in obese children, taxa from extra-intestinal biotopes predominate in the formation of the blood microbiome, which is confirmed by analyzing the proximity of the taxonomic composition of bacterial DNA in blood and feces based on beta diversity indices. The relationship of taxa with blood cholesterol and LDL levels can be considered as a target for microbiota modification and thus reducing the risks of metabolic complications in obesity.
The study of proteolysis of plant proteins is attracting increasing attention. When proteolytic enzymes act on plant proteins, peptides with different biological activities can be released. Proteolytic hydrolysis, being a natural mechanism of protein digestion in the body, has been successfully adapted for use in food technology in order to modify the functional and biological properties of protein ingredients. The purpose of this work was to study the effect of digestive enzymes on soy protein in vitro and analyze the peptide profile of the obtained hydrolysates using in silico instruments. MATERIAL AND METHODS:The proteolysis of soy protein isolate (with a protein content of 89%) was carried out using the enzymes trypsin (at pH 7.8±0.1), pepsin (at pH 2.0±0.1), as well as their sequential action - hydrolysis first with pepsin (for 2 hours), and then with trypsin (2 hours). The degree of hydrolysis was calculated as the ratio of the concentration of amine nitrogen released during proteolysis to the total nitrogen content in the suspension before hydrolysis. The dominant peptides were identified using the nano- LC-MS/MS method. The databases BIOPEP-UWM, AntiBP3, Antifp, AntiCP 2.0, and AntiTbPred were used to predict the biological activity of the dominant peptide sequences in hydrolysates. The toxicity of the peptides was assessed using ToxinPred3.0. AutoDock Vina 1.2.7 software was used for molecular docking. RESULTS:When treated with trypsin (200 U/g) at an enzyme dosage of 4% for 4 hours, the degree of hydrolysis was 5.38%, when treated with pepsin (420 U/g) at the same enzyme dosage for 4 hours, taking into account optimal pH values, the degree of hydrolysis was 7.06%. With sequential proteolysis by these enzymes, a hydrolysis rate of 7.71% was achieved. Based on mass spectrometric data, 37 of the most common peptide sequences present in hydrolysates were analyzed in silico. The dominant properties predicted for the discovered peptide sequences were the ability to inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV), as well as oncostatic properties. The binding energy of some peptides to DPP-IV and ACE enzymes was also estimated using molecular docking. A low binding energy to DPP-IV (-8.154 kcal/mol) was observed in the ATISDQPRGSY peptide, while the LAIPVNKPGRF, TTVPPHSVQVHTTTHRYEAGVPPARF and VSIIDTNSLENQLDQMPRRF peptides had a low binding index to ACE (<-8.5 kcal/mol), indicating a potentially high inhibitory activity of these peptides against DPP-IV and ACE. CONCLUSION:The present study describes a number of new bioactive peptides from soy that can be formed during proteolysis by pepsin and trypsin. The data obtained form the basis for further investigation of the biological activity of the obtained hydrolysates and the identified peptides, which in the future may be useful for the development of technologies for functional products and components from soy protein. Another area of further research (in view of the origin of the enzymes under study) may be the search for identified peptides in conditions close to human digestion, which will expand knowledge about the mechanisms of the physiological effect of soy protein when consumed. It is advisable to direct further research to the chemical synthesis of the peptides found in this research in order to study their properties in vitro and in vivo.
Eating behavior associated with overeating constitutes a key risk factor for obesity. Age- and sex-associated changes in the relationship between eating behavior and obesity are poorly understood. The aim of the present study was to investigate the age and sex effect in the relationship between eating behavior and body mass index (BMI). MATERIAL AND METHODS:Each participant of cross-sectional study (n=2315, age - 30.3±20.7, range - 15-95 years, females - 77.7%) provided personal data (sex, age, height, and weight) and completed two questionnaires: the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire, which assessed restrained (RES), external (EXT), and emotional (EMO) eating behavior, and the Yale Food Addiction Scale, which assessed food addiction (FA). Analysis of covariance and multiple regression analysis were used to assess the association between the indicators. RESULTS:As age increased from 15 to 95 years, the average BMI values (p<0.0001) and the frequency of detection of overweight and obesity increased (from 9.3 to 69.8%, р<0.0001), while the frequency of detection of FA (from 13.1 to 5.1%, р<0.0001), and average values of RES, EMO, and EXT (p<0.0001) decreased. Anthropometric signs of overweight and obesity were more pronounced in males (p<0.0001), while signs characterizing eating behavior, with the exception of EXT, were more pronounced in females (p<0.0001). In the age group 15-29 years the predictors of BMI were RES (β=0.35), EMO (β=0.16), and FA (β=0.21), in the 30-49-year-olds - EMO (β=0.35), and in the 50-69-year-olds - FA (β=0.15), RES (β=0.16) and EXT (β=0.17). There were no associations between eating behavior and BMI in people older than 70 years. In females, the predictors of BMI were RES (β=0.23), EMO (β=0.11), and FA (β=0.13), and in males, RES (β=0.33) and FA (β=0.14). CONCLUSION:From adolescence to old age, there is a steady increase in the risk of overweight and obesity, more pronounced in men, and a decrease in the incidence of eating abnormalities, more pronounced in women. The age and sex of study participants have a significant impact on the relationship between eating behavior and body mass index.
Caffeine is the most widely consumed psychoactive substance in the world. Despite established international guidelines for safe intake, assessing dietary caffeine intake remains relevant due to the expanding range of caffeine-containing products on the market. The objective of the study was to assess the structure of consumption of caffeine-containing foods and beverages and the associated levels of potential caffe ine intake in the adult population of the Russian Federation, taking into account socio-demographic differences. MATERIAL AND METHODS:A retrospective analysis was conducted using data from the 2023 round of the Russian Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat) dietary survey. Dietary intake was assessed using the 24-hour recall method. The sample included 72,710 respondents aged 18 years and older, stratified by sex, age, and type of settlement. Potential caffeine intake from the main sources (tea, coffee, non-alcoholic energy drinks, cola-type beverages, and dark chocolate) was estimated based on the literature data of average caffeine content [all types of tea combined - 25 mg/100 mL; all types of coffee combined - 40 mg/100 mL; energy drinks - 28 mg/100 mL; cola-type beverages - 12 mg/100 mL; dark chocolate - 80 mg/100 g], along with median consumption values calculated among individuals who reported consuming these products on the day preceding the survey. RESULTS:Statistically significant differences in the consumption of major caffeine sources were observed across sex, age, and settlement groups. Men demonstrated higher consumption of tea, coffee, and soft drinks (p<0.001). The highest per capita coffee consumption was observed among individuals aged 30-44 years (198 mL/day). Territorial differences were identified: rural residents consumed more tea (509 vs 452 mL/day in urban population, p<0.001) and less coffee (118 vs 154 mL/day, p<0.001). Total potential caffeine intake reached 372 mg/day in groups consuming multiple sources. The most common consumption pattern was the combination of "tea + coffee," observed in 27,744 respondents, with a median total caffeine intake of 200 mg/day. Gender differences in consumption patterns and amounts were consistent with findings from international studies. A specific feature of the Russian population was identified: unlike European countries, where coffee is the dominant source of caffeine, a significant share of caffeine intake in Russia comes from tea, particularly in rural regions. CONCLUSION:This study revealed substantial differences in the consumption of caffeine source products across socio-demographic groups within the Russian population. Tea and coffee remain the key sources of caffeine for Russians, while the proportion of the population consuming non-alcoholic energy drinks remains negligible.
One of the priority goals of sports medicine is maintaining athletes' health, both throughout their athletic careers and afterward. Identifying athletes with excess body fat under normal body mass index (BMI) is important for sports medicine, as excess body fat predicts the development of metabolic disorders, as well as the development of overweight and obesity after retirement. The aim of this study was to assess nutritional status using a method combining BMI and body fat percentage criteria, to identify the incidence and timing of the manifestation of excess body fat under normal BMI values in female rhythmic gymnasts. MATERIAL AND METHODS:A total of 239 female rhythmic gymnasts aged 6-20 years were examined. Anthropometric measurements were performed using standard methods. Body composition was determined using bioelectrical impedance analysis using an ABC-02 MEDASS analyzer. Nutritional status was assessed using the WHO AnthroPlus program and a method combining BMI and body fat percentage evaluation, which allows for the detection of hidden conditions such as excess body fat with a normal BMI. RESULTS:Using the combined method of assessing BMI and body fat percentage, 14 (5.9%) gymnasts had elevated body fat with a normal BMI. These athletes had lower lean body mass and skeletal muscle mass than gymnasts with normal body fat. Thirty athletes were identified as having a body type characterized by normal lean body mass and BMI values with insufficient fat mass. Eight athletes (3.3% of those examined) were underweight; one of them was diagnosed with insufficient body height. CONCLUSION:Athletes involved in complex athletic disciplines, such as rhythmic gymnastics, are at risk of developing excess body fat despite normal BMI levels, true overweight, and true obesity, both after retirement and during puberty.
Dietary intake assessment involves management of dozen parameters related to energy and nutrient intake. The number of parameters increase significantly when it is necessary to assess dietary intake of foods, food groups and its combinations, cooking methods of complex recipe dishes, other dietary factors. Tools known as Diet Quality Indices (DQI) and a specific subgroup - Indices of healthy diet (IHD) have been proposed for the aggregated assessment of dietary factors diversities. These indices provide a quantitative measure of dietary intake in accordance with established principles and guidelines for healthy eating (the R-IHD developed by us in the original publications was incorrectly translated into English as HEI). The aim of this study was to validate the application of the integrated Russian Index of healthy diet (R-IHD) in the assessment of regional features of diet of the population in the Russian Federation. MATERIAL AND METHODS:Microdata on the actual consumption of nutrients and major food groups by the adult population have been used. These data were obtained from a cross-sectional dietary survey of 45.000 households conducted by Rosstat in all constituent entities of the Russian Federation in 2023 using the 24-hour recall method. The data processing and statistical analysis were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics v.20.0 (USA), which utilized a specially developed algorithm for digital transformations of a set of dietary intake microdata for multi-level analysis of nutrient and food group consumption and to update the design of the R-IHD. RESULTS:A quintile distribution of individual R-IHD scores among respondents in Federal Districts (FDs) of the Russian Federation showed that the highest percentage of R-IHD scores are valid for quintiles 4-5 in the Ural, Southern, and North Caucasus FDs. The same time, in the Northwestern, Siberian, and Far Eastern FDs, the highest shares of R-IHD are accumulated in the lowest 1-2 quintiles of R-IHD scores. Statistical analysis of dietary patterns across R-IHD quintiles of the entire adult sample showed that daily energy intake is significantly lower in the 5th quintile compared to the 1st one. Distribution of the individual food and nutrient intake by quintile have different attributes. The intake of cereals, dairy products, fish and seafood, vegetables, and fruits by adults is significantly higher in the 5th R-IHD quintile when calculated per 1000 kcal, while in absolute values the intake (g/day) of cereals, fish and seafood doesn't change. At the same time, consumption of meat and poultry, sausages, total fat, saturated fatty acids, cholesterol, added sugar and salt is significantly lower in the 5th quintile of the R-IHD regardless the calculation method. The 1st and 10th distribution deciles of the average regional R-IHD values were selected to analyze the regional patterns in the relationship between diet and R-IHD. Each deciles contains eight regions with the lowest or highest average R-IHD scores. The analysis results in these groups for most food items are consistent with the analysis of the distribution of individual R-IHD scores by quintile, though differences were also identified. The dietary content of cereals, meat and poultry, vegetables and fruits is significantly higher in the regions with high R-IHD scores, while the content of all critical nutri ents (% of energy) is significantly lower than in regions with low average R-IHD scores. However, in the regions with high average R-IHD scores, dair y products' content in milk equivalents is lower than in the regions with low R-IHD scores. R-IHD high scores both in the 5th quintile of the individual R-IHD distribution and in the regional distribution are associated with a higher proportion (%) of energy coming from cereals, vegetables, legumes, fruits, first courses, the same time with lower percentage of energy coming from fats, sugar and confectionery, potato dishes, alcoholic beverages. CONCLUSION:Convincing evidence has been identified for the validity of R-IHD in the asses sment of the diet quality working both with the individual R-IHD parameters and the average regions R-IHD values. This suggests the potential for using a validated digital R-IHD score and its components to investigate the relationship between dietary patterns and population health, using statistical regional indicators of morbidity and mortality from chronic non-communicable diseases.
Food choice is a critical factor contributing to the rise of obesity. Sensory perception, combined with environmental influences, plays a pivotal role in shaping dietary preferences, often favoring foods that provide pleasure rather than health benefits. Individuals with overweight or obesity experience alterations in sensory perception, including decreased sensitivity of taste receptors and delayed gustatory cortex activation, which affect food selection and predisposition to weight gain. Food texture, perceived via multiple sensory modalities, regulates chewing behavior, salivation, and masticatory muscle activity, thereby influencing bolus characteristics and sensory experience. Prior studies have identified correlations between masticatory function and body mass index (BMI), underscoring the necessity to investigate texture perception and chewing function in individuals with elevated BMI. The aim of this prospective study was to assess texture perception and masticatory function in healthy adults with normal and overweight BMI. MATERIAL AND METHODS:Thirty-five healthy participants (18-50 years old) were divided into two groups based on BMI ranges: 18.5-25 kg/m2, n=20 (normal weight) and 25-30 kg/m2, n=15 (overweight). A potato puree product modified with κ-carrageenan (0.6%) was used for sensory and masticatory assessments. During each experimental visit, participants underwent three test sessions (4 g of product per session), which were performed in a sensory room. These sessions included sensory evaluation of textural (hardness, homogeneity, moisture, stickiness, and cohesion) and hedonic propert ies (aroma, taste, texture, and overall liking), analysis of chewing parameters and salivation, and characterization of the bolus formed during chewing. Sensory analysis was conducted using a visual analog and 9-point hedonic scales. Surface electromyography of the masticatory muscles (musculus Masseter, musculus Temporalis, musculi Suprahyoid) was recorded to assess chewing duration, the number and duration of chewing cycles, and muscle activity. Salivation intensity was determined gravimetrically, and the degree of food bolus grinding was analyzed using the sieving method. Textural properties of the bolus were assessed using a TA-XT2 texture analyzer. RESULTS:Participants with overweight rated the product as firmer (by 58%, p=0.010) and stickier (by 71%, p=0.021) compared to normal-weight counterparts; however hedonic ratings did not differ significantly between groups. Notably, overweight participants exhibited fewer chewing cycles (by 33%, p=0.02) and reduced activity in temporal and suprahyoid muscles. No significant differences were observed in chewing duration or salivation rates. Textural properties of the bolus prior to swallowing were comparable across groups. CONCLUSION:Alterations in texture perception and chewing behavior among individuals with overweight do not affect overall product acceptability but reflect the complex interplay between sensory perception, mastication, and eating behavior. These findings highlight the need for further research targeting sensory preferences and chewing functionality as potential interventions for obesity management.
Optimizing bone health is a key aspect of injury prevention both in the general population and in youth sports. Furthermore, the specifics of physical activity, along with nutrition, are potentially modifiable factors influencing the skeletal system. Assessing the relationship and further optimizing dietary intake and bone health is an important component of a comprehensive system of medical and biological monitoring of young athletes. The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence of decreased bone mineral density (BMD) and its relationship with dietary intake in young tennis players. MATERIAL AND METHODS:The study involved 60 tennis players aged 7 to 17 years (33 female, 27 male). Dietary intake was assessed using 24-hour dietary recall for 3 survey days (2 training days and 1 day off) and food-frequency methods (for 1 month preceding the survey). BMD of the forearm and lower leg was assessed using ultrasound densitometry. RESULTS:The prevalence of reduced BMD (Z-score <-2.0 SD) in primary school-aged children was 37.5% for the radius and 20.8% for the tibia. Among children aged 11-14 years, low BMD of the radius was observed in 23.5% of those examined, and of the tibia in 11.8%, while in the older age group, only one of the 8 athletes had low BMD of both areas examined. One of the positive factors influencing bone tissue could be the effect of tennis-specific impact loading, which becomes apparent with increasing skill. Dietary imbalance consist of carbohydrate deficiency, which is most pronounced when calculated per kg of body weight in young men aged 15-17 years, girls aged 11-14 and 15-17 years, among whom not a single athlete had carbohydrate consumption reaching the lower limit of the recommended intake range. A surplus of dietary fat was observed regardless of age and gender, with a maximum intake of 3.8 g/kg body weight per day. A specific energy deficit was observed in girls aged 11-14 and 15-17. A positive correlation was noted between daily calories from protein and Z-score in the radius area of boys aged 7-10 years. A negative correlation was found in the group of senior school-age boys between fat intake in absolute and specific units and the BMD of the radius. CONCLUSION:Based on the study of the frequency of low BMD and its correlation with dietary intake, individual recommendations for adjusting the diet of young tennis players have been developed. X-ray osteodensitometry is recommended for athletes at risk. A comprehensive analysis of nutrition and physical development indicators allows for the timely identification of risks and the development of recommendations for optimizing the level of physical activity and diet of young tennis players to improve bone health.
Overweight, obesity, and dyslipidemia significantly contribute to the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Among non-drug treatments, dietary therapy using foods for special dietary uses is the most effective. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the possibilities of dietary correction of body weight and lipid metabolism in patients with overweight and obesity using the "Weight and Cholesterol Reduction" (WCR) nutrition program. MATERIAL AND METHODS:An observational cohort study was conducted involving 20 women aged 25 to 50 years with initially high total serum cholesterol (>6.2 mmol/L) and a body mass index (BMI) over 25.0 kg/m2. The effectiveness of the WCR nutrition program was assessed based on changes in anthropometric parameters, blood lipid profile [total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level], fasting blood glucose level, and changes in liver function (the activity of organ-specific liver enzymes and level of total and direct bilirubin). The organoleptic properties and tolerability of the WCR program products were assessed using a questionnaire. RESULTS:After two weeks of using the WCR nutrition program, the body weight of the subjects decreased to 4.7 kg (from 82.4±5.7 to 77.7±5.4 kg), blood serum level of total cholesterol decreased by 12% (from 7.12±0.43 to 6.26±0.36 mmol/L), triglycerides - by 17% (from 2.18±0.45 to 1.81±0.38 mmol/L), LDL - by 8.7% (from 4.42±0.38 to 4.03±0.35 mmol/L) (p<0.05), which is justified by a decrease in the diet calorie intake and fat consumption, the exclusion of cholesterol-rich foods from the diet, and the inclusion of pectin, chlorogenic acid and β-glucans in the diet, which contribute to lipid profile improvement. Enhancing liver function was noted: the activity of alanine and aspartate aminotransferase decreased (p>0.05) by 14.2% (from 48.2±17.1 to 41.4±14.2 U/L) and 7.7% (from 41.6±12.9 to 38.4±11.5 U/l), respectively, the bilirubin level decreased [total by 16% (from 14.2±3.6 to 11.9±3.1 μmol/L), direct by 17.4% (from 3.9±1.2 to 3.2±1.0 μmol/L)]. Improvement in carbohydrate metabolism was revealed: the blood glucose level decreased by 9.5% (from 5.95±0.42 to 5.38±0.38 U/l) (p<0.05). CONCLUSION:The WCR nutrition program can serve as an effective mean for weight loss and normalization of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in individuals with obesity and hyperlipidemia.
