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Foods
Special Issues
The Link Between Nutrition, Developmental Plasticity and Human Health
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The Link Between Nutrition, Developmental Plasticity and Human Health

A special issue of Foods (ISSN 2304-8158). This special issue belongs to the section "Food Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 August 2025) | Viewed by 2090

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Ana Elisa Toscano

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Studies in Nutrition and Phenotypic Plasticity Unit, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife 50670-901, PE, Brazil
Interests: nutrition; phenotypic plasticity; skeletal muscle; locomotor behavior; cerebral palsy; neuropharmacology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nutrition is one of the factors that can influence the plasticity of organisms. Developmental plasticity is one of the branches of phenotypic plasticity, which specifically works on the trajectory of growth and development of individuals from the pre-gestational period to adulthood. Environmental stimuli such as malnutrition models due to a low-protein diet or obesity due to a high-fat diet can promote permanent or non-permanent morphological, physiological, or behavioral changes throughout an individual's life, which are explained by the change in phenotype through adaptations provided by plasticity. Nutritional interventions, such as vitamins, polyphenols, and functional foods, among others, can be used as strategies to improve human health. These interventions can promote cognitive (central nervous system), behavioral, muscular, cardiovascular, and intestinal (microbiota) changes or reduce inflammatory conditions related to diet throughout life.

This Special Issue aims to bring together leading scientific researchers to provide highly qualified manuscripts on nutrition and malnutrition (undernutrition or obesity) in light of developmental plasticity and associations with human health in situations of early brain injury or not. We aim to understand this association of nutrition with human health, whether through immediate or permanent adaptive responses throughout life.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Nutrients.

Dr. Ana Elisa Toscano
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Foods is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • malnutrition
  • cerebral palsy
  • phenotypic plasticity
  • polyphenols
  • early brain injury
  • vitamins
  • cognition
  • skeletal muscle
  • brain
  • inflammation

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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13 pages, 3252 KB  
Article
Protective Effects of Food-Derived Kaempferol on Pancreatic β-Cells in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
by Chenmeng Song, Wei Zheng, Chengyi Song, Houfeng Zhou and Jengyuan Yao
Foods 2024, 13(23), 3797; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13233797 - 26 Nov 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1342
Abstract
Background: Kaempferol (KPF), a flavonoid abundant in edible plants, possesses potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties beneficial with notable health benefits. Objective: To evaluate the protective effects of KPF on metabolic disturbances and pancreatic damage in a Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) mouse model. [...] Read more.
Background: Kaempferol (KPF), a flavonoid abundant in edible plants, possesses potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties beneficial with notable health benefits. Objective: To evaluate the protective effects of KPF on metabolic disturbances and pancreatic damage in a Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) mouse model. Methods: Male C57BL/6 mice were divided into normal, T1DM, T1DM + KPF 25 mg/kg, and T1DM + KPF 50 mg/kg groups. T1DM was induced by streptozotocin (STZ). KPF was administered via intraperitoneal injection for 2 weeks. After 4 weeks from the start, metabolic parameters, pancreatic histology, and plasma metabolites were analyzed. Network pharmacology and molecular docking identified key targets and pathways. In vitro, INS-1 cells were used to assess reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and apoptosis. Results: KPF significantly reduced blood glucose (GLU) and triglyceride (TG) levels, increased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, and preserved pancreatic β-cell structure. Metabolomics revealed changes in energy metabolism and oxidative stress-related metabolites. Network analysis highlighted the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, with strong binding affinities to targets such as AKT1. In vitro, KPF decreased ROS production in INS-1 cells; this effect was reversed by a PI3K/AKT inhibitor. KPF also reduced apoptosis in INS-1 cells. Conclusions: KPF ameliorates metabolic disturbances and pancreatic damage in T1DM mice, suggesting potential as a functional food ingredient for diabetes management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Link Between Nutrition, Developmental Plasticity and Human Health)
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13 pages, 859 KB  
Systematic Review
The Role of Olive Oil Polyphenols in Osteosarcopenic Obesity-Related Biological Domains: A Systematic Review of Current Evidence
by Roberta Zupo, Fabio Castellana, Maria Lisa Clodoveo, Giuseppe Lisco, Giuseppe Mazzola, Mariangela Rondanelli, Alice Cantù, Patrizia Riso and Simone Perna
Foods 2025, 14(16), 2766; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14162766 - 8 Aug 2025
Viewed by 291
Abstract
Background: Osteosarcopenic obesity (OSO) is an emerging syndrome characterized by the coexistence of obesity, sarcopenia, and osteoporosis, primarily affecting aging populations. Nutrition, especially polyphenol-rich foods like extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), may play a preventive or therapeutic role in OSO. This review aims [...] Read more.
Background: Osteosarcopenic obesity (OSO) is an emerging syndrome characterized by the coexistence of obesity, sarcopenia, and osteoporosis, primarily affecting aging populations. Nutrition, especially polyphenol-rich foods like extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), may play a preventive or therapeutic role in OSO. This review aims to critically examine evidence from in vitro, in vivo, and human studies on the effects of olive oil polyphenols on OSO-related biological domains. Methods: This systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines. Studies were identified from PubMed and Google Scholar using MeSH terms related to olive oil, polyphenols, and OSO-associated conditions. In vitro and in vivo studies (both in animal and human models) published in the last ten years were included. The study protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD420251077836). Results: Fifteen studies were included: eight in vitro, four in vivo on animal models, and three human trials. Phenolic compounds such as hydroxytyrosol, oleuropein, oleocanthal, and oleacein demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-adipogenic, and osteo-/myo-protective effects. These compounds modulated key metabolic pathways and gene expression related to adipogenesis, bone metabolism, and muscle integrity. Conclusions: Olive oil polyphenols exhibit promising biological effects on the tissues involved in OSO. Although evidence is mostly preclinical, selected compounds (notably hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein) may serve as adjuncts in nutritional strategies for OSO prevention. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Link Between Nutrition, Developmental Plasticity and Human Health)
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