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A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutrition and Metabolism".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 March 2024) | Viewed by 4532

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Rosalyn A. Jurjus

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Guest Editor

U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
Interests: diet; health; disease; microbiome; probiotics; nutrition; gastric; intestinal; inflammation; hepatic disorders

Prof. Dr. Abdo Jurjus

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Co-Guest Editor

Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
Interests: inflammatory bowel disease; cardiovascular diseases; inflammation; colorectal cancer

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is well established that the adoption of healthy dietary habits and novel dietary strategies could prevent diseases and maintain health. However, the adoption of other modern dietary habits has become a widening health concern, as it is strongly associated with multiple gastrointestinal diseases, the promotion of inflammation, and both structural and behavioural changes in the gut microbiome, with the majority residing in the colon. Diet has a significant influence on the composition of the human gut microbiome. Moreover, there is a growing interest in targeting the gut microbiota by employing probiotics, diet, and nutritional approaches, either to promote gastrointestinal health or as an adjunct therapy for treating gastrointestinal diseases and related disorders.

Dr. Rosalyn A. Jurjus
Prof. Dr. Abdo Jurjus
Guest Editors

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Keywords

diet
health
disease
microbiome
probiotics
nutrition
gastric
intestinal

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 730 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Gastroprotective Activity of the Methanolic Extract of Justicia pectoralis Jacq. (Acanthaceae)

by Ismael Aureliano Rosa Júnior, Dionys de Souza Almeida, Hamilton Barbosa Napolitano, Josana de Castro Peixoto, Lucimar Pinheiro Rosseto, Emerith Mayra Hungria Pinto, Lucas Danilo Dias, James Oluwagbamigbe Fajemiroye, Elson Alves Costa, Rodolfo P. Vieira and José Luis Rodrigues Martins

Nutrients 2024, 16(10), 1430; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16101430 - 9 May 2024

Viewed by 365

Abstract

Introduction: Justicia pectoralis Jacq. is traditionally applied in folk medicine in Brazil and in several Latin American countries. The leaves are used in tea form, especially in the treatment of respiratory disorders, acting as an expectorant. It also has activity in gastrointestinal disorders, and it is anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, sedative, and estrogenic, among others. Aims: To investigate the gastroprotective activity of the methanol extract of the leaves of Justicia pectoralis Jacq. (MEJP) in different experimental models of gastric ulcers. Materials and methods: The adult leaves of Justicia pectoralis Jacq. were collected and cultivated in beds, with an approximate spacing of 40 × 40 cm, organic fertilization, irrigation with potable water and without shelter from light. The MEJP was prepared from the dried and pulverized leaves and concentrated under reduced pressure in a rotary evaporator. For the experimental model of gastric ulcer, Swiss male albino mice were used. The inputs used in the experiment were MEJP at three different concentrations (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg p.o.), cimetidine (50 mg/kg p.o.), indomethacin (50 mg/kg s.c.) and vehicle (10 mL/kg p.o.). Results: MEJP (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg p.o.) demonstrated gastroprotective activity, with levels of protection of 45.65%, 44.80% and 40.22%, respectively, compared to the control (vehicle). Compared with cimetidine (48.29%), MEJP showed similar gastroprotective activity. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the gastroprotective activity of MEJP and contributes to validate the traditional use the species for gastric disorders and provides a pharmacological basis for its clinical potential. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Nutrition on Gastrointestinal Health)

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13 pages, 1227 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Trends in Faecal Zonulin Concentrations in Paediatric Patients with Celiac Disease at Baseline and on a Gluten-Free Diet: Exploring Correlations with Other Faecal Biomarkers

by Miguel Ángel Martínez Gallego, María Gema Crespo Sánchez, María Gemma Serrano Olmedo, Antonio Buño Soto, Sonia Álvarez Casasempere, Pilar Nozal, Eva Martínez-Ojinaga, Manuel Molina Arias, Itsaso Losantos-García and Marta Molero-Luis

Nutrients 2024, 16(5), 684; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16050684 - 28 Feb 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 823

Abstract

Celiac disease (CeD) is an autoimmune condition triggered by gluten in genetically predisposed individuals, affecting all ages. Intestinal permeability (IP) is crucial in the pathogenesis of CeD and it is primarily governed by tight junctions (TJs) that uphold the intestinal barrier’s integrity. The protein zonulin plays a critical role in modulating the permeability of TJs having emerged as a potential non-invasive biomarker to study IP. The importance of this study lies in providing evidence for the usefulness of a non-invasive tool in the study of IP both at baseline and in the follow-up of paediatric patients with CeD. In this single-centre prospective observational study, we explored the correlation between faecal zonulin levels and others faecal and serum biomarkers for monitoring IP in CeD within the paediatric population. We also aimed to establish reference values for faecal zonulin in the paediatric population. We found that faecal zonulin and calprotectin values are higher at the onset of CeD compared with the control population. Specifically, the zonulin levels were 347.5 ng/mL as opposed to 177.7 ng/mL in the control population (p = 0.001), while calprotectin levels were 29.8 μg/g stool compared to 13.9 μg/g stool (p = 0.029). As the duration without gluten consumption increased, a significant reduction in faecal zonulin levels was observed in patients with CeD (348.5 ng/mL vs. 157.1 ng/mL; p = 0.002), along with a decrease in the prevalence of patients with vitamin D insufficiency (88.9% vs. 77.8%). We conclude that faecal zonulin concentrations were higher in the patients with active CeD compared with healthy individuals or those following a gluten-free diet (GFD). The significant decrease in their values over the duration of the GFD suggests the potential use of zonulin as an additional tool in monitoring adherence to a GFD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Nutrition on Gastrointestinal Health)

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19 pages, 3628 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ingestion of Bean Leaves Reduces Metabolic Complications and Restores Intestinal Integrity in C57BL/6 Mice with Obesity Induced by a High-Fat and High-Fructose Diet

by Perla Viridiana Ocampo-Anguiano, Laura Lizeth Victoria-Ruiz, Rosalía Reynoso-Camacho, Andrea Margarita Olvera-Ramírez, Nuria Elizabeth Rocha-Guzmán, Minerva Ramos-Gómez and Santiaga Marisela Ahumada-Solórzano

Nutrients 2024, 16(3), 367; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16030367 - 26 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 864

Abstract

Consumption of foods with fiber and compounds can promote gastrointestinal health and reduce obesity complications. Therefore, treatment with common bean leaves (BL) against obesity was evaluated in mice with a high-fat and high-fructose diet (HFFD) for 14 weeks. The bromatological and phytochemical characterization of BL were determined. Afterwards, the animals were supplemented with BL (10%) or a standard diet (SD) as a strategy to encourage a healthy diet for 12 additional weeks. Changes in body composition, lipid profile, and intestinal integrity were analyzed. The characterization of BL stood out for its content of 27.2% dietary fiber, total phenolics (475.04 mg/100 g), and saponins (2.2 mg/100 g). The visceral adipose tissue (VAT) decreased in the BL group by 52% compared to the HFFD group. Additionally, triglyceride levels were 23% lower in the BL consumption group compared to the HFFD group. The improvement in lipid profile was attributed to the 1.77-fold higher fecal lipid excretion in the BL consumption group compared to the HFFD group and the inhibition of pancreatic lipase by 29%. Furthermore, BL supplementation reduced the serum levels of IL-6 (4.4-fold) and FITC–dextran by 50% compared with those in the HFFD group. Metabolic endotoxemia was inhibited after BL supplementation (−33%) compared to the HFFD group. BL consumption as a treatment in obese mice reduces adipose tissue accumulation and improves the lipid profile. Furthermore, we report for the first time that BL consumption improves intestinal integrity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Nutrition on Gastrointestinal Health)

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16 pages, 2768 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ketogenic Diet High in Saturated Fat Promotes Colonic Claudin Expression without Changes in Intestinal Permeability to Iohexol in Healthy Mice

by Lotta Luiskari, Hanna Launonen, Jere Lindén, Markku Lehto, Heikki Vapaatalo, Hanne Salmenkari and Riitta Korpela

Nutrients 2024, 16(1), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16010018 - 20 Dec 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1046

Abstract

Ketogenic diets (KDs) have been studied in preclinical models of intestinal diseases. However, little is known of how the fat source of these diets influences the intestinal barrier. Herein, we studied the impact of four-week feeding with KD high either in saturated fatty acids (SFA-KD) or polyunsaturated linoleic acid (LA-KD) on paracellular permeability of the intestine to iohexol in healthy male C57BL/6J mice. We investigated jejunal and colonic tight junction protein expression, histological changes, and inflammatory markers (Il1b, Il6, Tnf, and Lcn2), as well as the activity and expression of intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) in feces and jejunal tissue, respectively, and plasma lipopolysaccharide. KDs did not change intestinal permeability to iohexol after two or twenty-six days of feeding regardless of fat quality. SFA-KD, but not LA-KD, upregulated the colonic expression of tight junction proteins claudin-1 and -4, as well as the activity of IAP. Both KDs resulted in increased epithelial vacuolation in jejunum, and this was pronounced in SFA-KD. Jejunal Il1β expression was lower and colonic Il6 expression higher in LA-KD compared to SFA-KD. In colon, Tnf mRNA was increased in LA-KD when compared to controls. Overall, the results suggest that KDs do not influence intestinal permeability to iohexol but elicit changes in colonic tight junction proteins and inflammatory markers in both jejunum and colon. Future research will show whether these changes become of importance upon proinflammatory insults. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Nutrition on Gastrointestinal Health)

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Review

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22 pages, 1411 KiB

Open AccessReview

Mechanism of Action of Melatonin as a Potential Adjuvant Therapy in Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Colorectal Cancer

by Abdo Jurjus, Jad El Masri, Maya Ghazi, Lemir Majed El Ayoubi, Lara Soueid, Alice Gerges Geagea and Rosalyn Jurjus

Nutrients 2024, 16(8), 1236; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16081236 - 21 Apr 2024

Viewed by 987

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a continuum of chronic inflammatory diseases, is tightly associated with immune system dysregulation and dysbiosis, leading to inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and multiple extraintestinal manifestations. The pathogenesis of IBD is not completely elucidated. However, it is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC), which is one of the most common gastrointestinal malignancies. In both IBD and CRC, a complex interplay occurs between the immune system and gut microbiota (GM), leading to the alteration in GM composition. Melatonin, a neuroendocrine hormone, was found to be involved with this interplay, especially since it is present in high amounts in the gut, leading to some protective effects. Actually, melatonin enhances the integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier, regulates the immune response, alleviates inflammation, and attenuates oxidative stress. Thereby, the authors summarize the multifactorial interaction of melatonin with IBD and with CRC, focusing on new findings related to the mechanisms of action of this hormone, in addition to its documented positive outcomes on the treatment of these two pathologies and possible future perspectives to use melatonin as an adjuvant therapy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Nutrition on Gastrointestinal Health)

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