The ginger rhizome is widely used for the treatment of diseases and conditions, such as inflammatory and respiratory ailments, which are prevalent in smokers. This study is the first study of the effects of an aqueous ginger extract on the immune system cells and antibodies, thyroid hormones, and hematology in smokers compared to non-smokers. An aqueous ginger extract was administered to 68 male Saudi healthcare workers (33 smokers and 35 non-smokers) daily for 21 days. Blood samples were collected before and after the experimental period to determine the complete and differential blood counts; and concentrations of C-reactive protein, IgG, IgM, and thyroid hormones. Results showed that before consumption of the extract, smokers had a significantly lower mean neutrophil count and higher mean red blood cell (RBC) count compared to non-smokers. At the end of the experimental period, compared to non-smokers, smokers had a significantly higher mean lymphocyte and RBC counts, and hemoglobin concentration; and a significantly lower mean neutrophil count, and IgM and thyroid stimulating hormone concentrations. In conclusion, the extract had different effects on cells and antibodies of the immune system in smokers and non-smokers, although both benefited from enhancement of the thyroid gland. Smokers experienced increases in mean RBC counts and hemoglobin levels, thus ginger may be beneficial for smokers with anemia. Non-smokers had increased mean IgM levels, which may lead to a stronger antibody response, or humoral immunity, against infections. Therefore, the aqueous ginger extract had benefits for both smokers and non-smokers.
•No associations between vitamin E levels, obesity measures, and bone mass in Singaporean adults.•α-tocopherol was associated with glucose metabolism and lipid disorders.•γ-tocopherol was positively associated with triglyceride.
Cyclophosphamide is an alkylating anticancer agent with strong efficacy; however, its clinical use is constrained because of its off-target multiple organ toxicity, and one of them is testicular injury. We assayed to explore whether garlic oil (GO) could prevent cyclophosphamide (CYP)-induced testicular oxidative stress and hormonal deficit in male rats. Rats were pretreated with GO for 21 days before a single injection of CP (50 mg/kg, ip). The total phenol and flavonoids of GO were estimated as well as its antioxidant capacity using DPPH and FRAP assays. CYP induced prominent depression in testicular activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and reduced glutathione (GSH) level, whereas levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) markedly increased and confirmed by histopathological alterations. Serum levels of testosterone, FSH and LH were considerably reduced. Interestingly, the GO supplementation attenuated the biochemical changes in the testis, enhanced the hormone levels and alleviated the histological injury. The IC50 of GO in DPPH assay was comparable to that of standard. GO is capable of protecting the testis from CYP toxicity via its antioxidant property. The findings suggest GO beneficial effects in male cancer patients undergoing CYP chemotherapy.
Incidence rates of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are increasing worldwide. This correlates with increased consumption of red meats, alcohol, refined sugars, oils and animal fats, typical of a "Western" diet. Poor dietary habits are the most ubiquitous environmental factor implicated in IBD, along with gastrointestinal dysbiosis. Taste genetics and oral receptor expression levels determine dietary preferences and therefore, nutritional intake. Taste receptors (TRs) are also expressed throughout the gastrointestinal tract, where they are involved in modulating metabolic processes and gastrointestinal function. Importantly, these receptors are known to be involved in the modulation of inflammatory processes in the respiratory tract. In this system, TRs detect and respond to bacteria and bacterial signalling molecules and initiate protective responses. We propose that TRs play a similar role in the gastrointestinal tract, thereby modulating risk for IBD. TRs may indirectly affect risk for IBD by altering dietary intake, and therefore microbial composition and function. Alternatively, TRs may directly detect and respond to gastrointestinal bacterial components. Overall, there is evidence to suggest an emerging role for TRs in the aetiology of IBD. Furthermore, targeting these receptors via dietary modulation may have therapeutic potential.
Vitamin A, E, and C are powerful non enzymatic antioxidants responsible for capturing free radicals, and thus, they prevent oxidative chain reactions. Persistent oxidative stress may cause resistance to apoptosis, which promotes cell proliferation and leads to the tumor and its angiogenesis. Serum level of Vitamin A, E, and C were estimated in carcinoma cervix patients at different phases of treatment and compared it with healthy controls. Ninety-seven histopathologically diagnosed Cervical Carcinoma patients, and thirty age-matched healthy controls were included in this study. Blood samples were taken once from the controls. From each patient undergoing Radiotherapy, four samples were collected i.e., before, during, immediately after and at three months follow-up of treatment. The serum was separated and stored at −20 °C until examination. Statistical analysis was done with the commercial SPSS 21.0 package for Windows (SPSS, IBM Bangalore). P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Vitamin A, E, and C levels were lower in carcinoma cervix patients of all FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) stages compared to controls. Patient serum levels of vitamins decreased again during Concurrent Chemo-Radiotherapy and immediately after the therapy. There is an elevation shown by these vitamins after three months of follow up. The results indicate that the lower serum vitamin A, E, and C levels before treatment could be a cause or an effect of cancer. Further decrease in vitamin levels during and immediately after therapy shows the high oxidative stress during the treatment period, which is beneficial for the patient. These altered vitamin levels were normalized during the time of follow-up.
Asthma is a highly prevalent inflammatory disease of the airways. Bacterial metabolites of soluble fibre fermentation, such as short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), have been shown to exert anti-inflammatory effects via free fatty acid receptor activation and epigenetic regulation through inhibition of histone deacetylases (HDACs). The aim of the present review was to summarise the available evidence for soluble fibre in the treatment and prevention asthma. There is substantial preclinical evidence suggesting soluble fibre may be beneficial in the airways. The clinical evidence in this area is limited, however available studies to date have reported promising evidence for the future of soluble fibre interventions as an adjunct treatment in asthma management.
Oral disorders are a significant public health concern. Oral inflammatory diseases are periodontal infections, oral mucosal lesions, pulpal and periapical lesions. The aetiology is multi-factorial and usually associated with a microbial origin, often driven by the overconsumption of free sugars. However, the role of micronutrients in these processes is now becoming apparent. Most of these studies have emphasised on systemic inflammation, but now the trends have shifted towards the role of micronutrients in oral inflammation. The progression of periodontal disease and healing of the periodontal tissues can be modulated by nutritional status. There are numerous degenerative changes in oral mucosa which have been observed during specific micronutrient deficiencies. Recent studies have advocated the use of dietary supplementation of particular micronutrients to treat the oral inflammatory lesions along with their standard treatment procedures. The micronutrient supplementation can be orally administered or locally delivered. Previously reviewed articles usually lacked compiled information regarding all oral inflammatory diseases. The current review provides an insight into the role of nutrition in oral inflammatory diseases, including periodontal disorders, oral mucosal lesions, pulpal and periapical lesions.
The purpose of this investigation was to identify if raising serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) through vitamin D supplementation modulates circulating cytokine concentrations in subjects with knee osteoarthritis (OA). This study consisted of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study design. Twenty-nine subjects with knee OA were randomly assigned to one of two oral-supplement groups: 1) placebo (PL; n = 15) or 2) vitamin D (VD; n = 14; 4000 IU/d, cholecalciferol). Supplements were taken daily for 84-d. Serum 25(OH)D and cytokine concentrations were measured in fasting blood samples obtained prior to (i.e., at Baseline (Bsl)), during, and following supplementation. At Bsl, circulating interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-12 concentrations were significantly (all p < 0.05) higher in subjects above (i.e., ≥26.3 ng/mL, n = 14) compared to below (i.e., <26.3 ng/mL, n = 15) the median serum 25(OH)D concentration prior to supplementation. Following supplementation, serum 25(OH)D concentrations were significantly (p < 0.05) increased (~45%) in the VD group and circulating cytokine concentrations were not significantly different between groups (i.e., PL vs VD). Based on these findings, we conclude that higher serum 25(OH)D concentrations at baseline associate with higher serum IL-10 and IL-12 concentrations in subjects with knee OA. However, raising serum 25(OH)D concentrations with vitamin D supplementation did not perturb serum cytokine concentrations. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04121533.
Folate serves as a cofactor for one-carbon (1C) transfer reactions. These reactions are involved in the synthesis of DNA nucleotides, the amino acid methionine, and in the regulation of homocysteine (Hcy) levels. Emerging evidence suggests that these reactions have roles in the development and maintenance of inflammatory responses, with optimal folate availability having key importance in preventing endothelial dysfunction and DNA instability. Low folate levels are commonly observed in chronic inflammatory diseases, indicating that inadequate folate may be involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory conditions or that chronic inflammation increases folate requirements. These findings highlight folate interventions as a potential treatment in inflammatory disorders. However, current understanding of folate and its influence on inflammatory phenotypes is limited. Evidence indicates that the relationship between folate and inflammation is dependent on several factors, including the timing of intervention, dosage, and interaction with environment and genes. These factors require further investigation before recommendations for folate intake can be made for the prevention and treatment of inflammation. This review outlines the emerging role of folate in inflammation and key factors that may influence this relationship.
In this 12 weeks randomized parallel controlled trial, we investigated whether the daily intake of orange juice (OJ) associated with a balanced diet attenuates risk factors in individuals with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and reverses this condition. Patients were divided into two groups: control (n = 36) and OJ (n = 36), which adopted a balanced diet according to the MetS guidelines. In addition, the OJ group consumed 500 mL/d OJ, maintaining the recommended dietary energy intake but adding more vitamin C (133%) and folic acid (43%) than controls. After the intervention, both groups showed a mean reduction of glucose (−3%), cholesterol (−7.5%), HDLC (−8%), BMI (−2%), waist circumference (−5.5%), and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (−8% and −9.5%, respectively). However, only the OJ group decreased insulin (−9%), insulin resistance (- 8%), LDL-C (−4%), CRP (−28%) and higher hsCRP levels (−61%), while the control group reduced exclusively triglycerides (−8.4%). Both groups showed a slight increase in antioxidant capacity (1%). The reversion of MetS to normality was similar in both groups: 12 out of 36 controls (33%) and 13 out of 36 subjects supplemented with OJ (36%). MetS reversal was due to a decrease in the risk factors, such as systolic pressure in the controls, and high glucose, insulin resistance, systemic inflammation and LDL-C, without altering HDL-C, in the OJ group. In conclusion, both treatments reduced risk factors and together reversed more than 30% MetS to normal, but the addition of OJ mitigated more risk factors than the balanced diet alone. (NCT 03301675).
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive disease of the airways, underpinned by inflammation and worsening lung function. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3PUFA) can modulate inflammatory mechanisms and may therefore impact lung function in people with COPD. This observational, cross-sectional study of 577 adults in the Whyalla Intergenerational Study of Health (WISH), conducted during 2008–09 in regional South Australia, explored associations between fish and PUFA intakes (from food frequency questionnaires) and lung function (spirometry). It also included a nested case-control study which compared fish and PUFA intakes and plasma phospholipid PUFA levels between 40 people with COPD and 80 age-sex matched controls. In the whole population, linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, smoking status and education demonstrated a weak negative association between lung function (FEV1% predicted) and consumption of fried fish (OR -0.12, 95% CI -0.22, −0.01, P = 0.026) but not fish prepared by other cooking methods or estimated intakes of PUFA. There was no association between fish or PUFA intakes and COPD risk. Compared to age and sex matched controls, cases had poorer lung function and a higher rate of smoking prevalence but did not differ in their intakes of fish or PUFA or their PUFA levels in plasma phospholipids. In this sub-population, we found a marginally significant association between COPD risk and total long chain n-3PUFA levels in plasma phospholipids (OR 1.22 95% CI 1.00–1.49, P = 0.046). Given the relatively small number of cases in this analysis, this finding should be interpreted with caution, especially given the lack of association with other markers of n-3PUFA intake or status. Taken together, our data suggest that n-3PUFA intake and status are not determinants of improved lung function in this regional Australian population.
Muscle mass is controlled by the balance between muscle synthesis and degradation. Although nutrition is important for the maintenance of muscle mass and growth, the effects of feeding time have remained unclear. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of day- or night-time-restricted feeding on the muscle volume using muscle atrophy and hypertrophy mouse models. The day- and night-time-restricted feeding was conducted from zeitgeber time 2 (ZT2) to ZT10 and ZT14 to ZT22, respectively. In the unilateral immobilization-induced atrophy model, the decrease in immobilized muscle weight did not significantly change with the feeding time. However, the contralateral non-immobilized muscle weight was lower in the mice fed at day time (inactive phase) than in those fed at night time (active phase). In the overloading-induced hypertrophy model, muscle hypertrophy and protein synthesis were attenuated by day-time feeding. These results suggest that day-time feeding attenuated muscle growth via the inhibition of muscle synthesis. Feeding at an irregular time such as a late-night meal could be detrimental for muscle growth.
Complex epigenetic mechanisms are involved in aging and longevity. Nutrition has a strong impact upon epigenetic processes and, therefore, holds promising roles in regulation of longevity and aging. In this review, we combine recently published information regarding nutrition and its impact on epigenetically mediated mechanisms involved in metabolic responses that lead to aging in a narrative way with questions and future directions at the end of each section. The paper strictly focuses on modulation of DNA methylation (DNAm) by nutrients, and its role in regulation of aging process. Understanding the mechanisms by which nutrition influences epigenome is crucial for the development of preventive and interventional strategies to increase well-being and health for a sustainable longevity.
Recent interest has focused on the use of high-fibre foods as potential ingredients for lowering the glycaemic index of most carbohydrate-based meals. The objective of this study was to examine glycaemic responses to two defined breakfasts. The reference breakfast and the test breakfast differed only in the type of bread (white vs. wholemeal), and were administered three times to volunteers (2 men, 8 women). Capillary blood glucose was monitored in the fasting state 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105 and 120 min after breakfast consumption. The incremental areas under the glucose response curves were calculated for each type of breakfast and compared with those of glucose to determine the glycaemic indices. The glycaemic index of the reference breakfast was 26.6 (±6.2), with that of the test breakfast significantly lower at 18.1 (±6.0). The mixed-food test breakfast with wholemeal bread was rich in soluble fibre (β-glucans) for a lower glycaemic load than the white bread, and provided a lower glycaemic response in the volunteers. The inter-volunteer variability in glycaemic index was large, with some showing lower responses to the test breakfast (glycaemic index, 12.4–21.1) and some showing high responses to the test breakfast (glycaemic index, 25.9–27.4).
Cancer is one of the most important causes of mortality in the world. General methods for cancer treatment have many side effects, while biological treatments such as probiotics consumption not only have no undesirable effects, but also are more acceptable method to treat the disease. Although probiotics have been recommended to therapy some diseases such inflammatory, infectious and neoplastic disorders, but their action mechanism is unknown. In this work, to investigate the inhibition effects of probiotics on Hepatocellular carcinoma and colorectal cancer progression, the genes involved in cancerous process were investigated in 38 Bulb/c mice. they divided into four groups including (I) Control (Healthy, without probiotic consumption) (II) Azoxymethane induced mice (III) AOM induced mice fed with Lactobacillus acidophilus, and (IV) AOM induced mice fed with Bifidobactrum bifidioum and the expression of four selected microRNAs and their target genes were analysed. The results showed that Azoxymethane, a potent colon carcinogen, treatment induced the expression of miR-221, miR-155 (in blood), Bcl-w and KRAS expression and decreased miR-122, PTEN and PU.1 expression in blood, but it has no effect on miR-18a in the liver tissue. The probiotic consumption enhanced miR-122 and PU.1 (in blood) as significant overexpression and down-regulated miR-221, miR-155 (in blood), Bcl-w and KRAS. Thus, the probiotics can help to control of cancer progression through postponing of metastasis process, reducing of inflammation and down and up-regulation of oncogenes/oncomirs and tumor suppressor genes/microRNAs, respectively.
•Phosphatidylcholine supplementation during pregnancy increases maternal choline levels.•Phosphatidylcholine supplementation during pregnancy positively influences fetal and child development and behavior.•Consumption of a large quantity of phosphatidylcholine is required during pregnancy to improve outcomes for the child.•Unfortunately, betaine did not increase choline levels in women of childbearing age.
PURPOSE:Inflammatory contributions from diet and adiposity may interact with respect to the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We investigated the degree to which adiposity modified the association between dietary inflammatory potential and incident T2DM. METHODS:Data from 6,016 US men in the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study who completed a 3-day diet record were used. The inflammatory potential of diet was characterized by the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII®), and adiposity was assessed with body mass index, waist circumference, body fat percentage (BF) and waist-to-height ratio. Inverse probability weights were used in modified Poisson regression models to examine whether adiposity modifies the relationship between the DII and T2DM, while accounting for selection bias from participants who were lost to follow-up. RESULTS:There were 336 incident cases of T2DM after a mean follow-up of 6.5 years. DII scores were not significantly associated with T2DM incidence in multivariable models, but point estimates were consistently elevated across increasing DII quartiles compared to the most anti-inflammatory DII quartile. In the model that evaluated BF, the term for overall effect modification was significant (p = 0.02), but there was no evidence of effect modification on the multiplicative and additive scales when examined further. Effect modification was not present for any other adiposity measures. CONCLUSIONS:We did not observe evidence that a pro-inflammatory diet, as measured by the DII, is associated with incidence of T2DM, nor evidence that adiposity modifies a potential relationship. Further investigation is needed in larger cohorts with longer follow-up.
•74% of participants were VitD deficient possibly due to reduced outdoor activity or VitD sequestration in their fat tissue.•MetS patients have increased atherogenic sdLDL-C levels and elevated Lp-PLA2 activity, associated with increased CVD risk.•MetS subjects also have increased leptin and decreased adiponectin serum levels, related to a chronic low-grade inflammatory state.•Data indicate a relationship between 25(OH)VitD and these emerging CVD risk factors. However interventional studies show contradictory results.•In this study VitD supplementation was not associated with significant changes in emerging CVD risk factors.
