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Diet and Lifestyle: Impact on the Molecular and Cellular Mechanism of NCDs

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A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Bioactives and Nutraceuticals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2025) | Viewed by 11642

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Elena Azzini

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Guest Editor

CREA—Research Centre for Food and Nutrition, Rome, Italy
Interests: food and nutrition; functional food; antioxidants; phytochemical; food biochemistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Angela Polito

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Guest Editor

CREA—Research Centre for Food and Nutrition, 00178 Rome, Italy
Interests: nutritional status; energy metabolism; energy requirements; physical activity; body composition; obesity; anorexia nervosa; elderly
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Dr. Valeria Gasperi

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Guest Editor

Department of Experimental Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
Interests: cancer biology; microRNAs; epigenetics; apoptosis and differentiation; platelets; inflammation; cell-to-cell crosstalk; bioactive lipids
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The dramatic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic could represent an opportunity to rethink the social and economic development model between individuals and the community and between humanity and the planet. Regarding the health sector, the pandemic highlighted the "double burden of disease", i.e., the growth of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) alongside acute ones not being sufficient enough to explain epidemiological risks. A tripled or quadrupled disease burden has been witnessed, due to the resurgence of viral diseases—COVID-19 being the current example—and the overlap between infectious diseases and NCDs underlying many deaths from new coronaviruses, not only among the elderly and chronically ill, but also in other age groups and people with polymorbidities. This Special Issue focuses on collecting review and original research articles, communications, and commentaries aimed at evaluating the effects of behavioural risk factors and social–environmental factors on the molecular and cellular mechanism of NCDs. The key to counteracting or reducing NCDs’ impacts is to emphasize correct and adequate dietary patterns and lifestyle modifications, including weight loss, regular exercises, and a good sleep hygiene. Topics include, but are not limited to, biochemical nutritional biomarkers, the impact of physical activity on the musculoskeletal system and bone–muscle crosstalk, as well as specific chronic inflammation-mediated diseases.

Lastly, IJMS is a journal related to molecular sciences; therefore, we would prefer to publish papers focusing on molecular aspects.

Dr. Elena Azzini
Dr. Angela Polito
Dr. Valeria Gasperi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

lifestyle
diet
NCDs
nutrition
molecular and cellular Mechanism
behavioural risk factors
social–environmental factors
biochemical nutritional biomarkers

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 2674 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modulation of Gut Microbiota and Short-Chain Fatty Acid Production by Simulated Gastrointestinal Digests from Microalga Chlorella vulgaris

by Celia Bañares, Samuel Paterson, Dulcenombre Gómez-Garre, Adriana Ortega-Hernández, Silvia Sánchez-González, Carolina Cueva, Miguel Á. de la Fuente, Blanca Hernández-Ledesma and Pilar Gómez-Cortés

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(6), 2754; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26062754 - 19 Mar 2025

Viewed by 803

Abstract

Chlorella vulgaris is a source of potential bioactive compounds that can reach the large intestine and interact with colonic microbiota. However, the effects of consumption of this microalga on gastrointestinal function have scarcely been studied. This paper simulates, for the first time, the passage of C. vulgaris through the gastrointestinal tract, combining the INFOGEST method and in vitro colonic fermentation to evaluate potential effects on the human colonic microbiota composition by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and its metabolic functionality. The results show that the presence of this microalga increased the release of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as acetic, propionic, butyric, and isobutyric fatty acids, after 48 h colonic fermentation, being indicators of gut health. In correlation with the release of SCFAs, a significant reduction in bacterial groups causing intestinal imbalance, such as Enterobacteriaceae, Enterococcus spp., and Staphylococcus spp., was observed. In addition, digests from C. vulgaris favored intestinal health-related taxa, such as Akkermansia and Lactobacillus. C. vulgaris is, therefore, a promising food ingredient for good intestinal health and the maintenance of a balanced colonic microbiota. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diet and Lifestyle: Impact on the Molecular and Cellular Mechanism of NCDs)

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15 pages, 4771 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Long-Term Yo-Yo Dieting Exaggerates Liver Steatosis and Lesions but Preserves Muscle Performance in Male Zebrafish

by Tzu-Chieh Hsu, Chun-Hsien Chiang, I-Hsuan Liu, Chih-Yun Wang and Ching-Yi Chen

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(23), 13225; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252313225 - 9 Dec 2024

Viewed by 1149

Abstract

Weight regain within one year after weight loss is frequently observed and is referred to as yo-yo dieting or weight cycling. In this study, we explore the effects of yo-yo dieting on the liver, adipose tissue, and muscle characteristics of male zebrafish. Four-month-old AB wild-type male zebrafish were randomly assigned to three groups: high-calorie intake (H, seven meals per day), low-calorie intake (L, two meals per day), and yo-yo diet (the low- and high-calorie alternation switched every two weeks) groups. Feeding the fish the H diet for over 8 weeks led to steatosis and damage to the liver. The yo-yo diet reduced liver lipid accumulation at week eight but caused a similar degree of lipid accumulation as the H diet thereafter. It was found that twenty weeks of yo-yo dieting actually exacerbated hepatic damage. Compared to the L diet, feeding the fish on the yo-yo and H diets for a period of 20 weeks significantly increased the size of muscle fibers, resulting in higher speed during burst swimming and a significant increase in the size and number of adipocytes in the abdominal tissue. To summarize, short-term yo-yo dieting was found to attenuate hepatosteatosis and maintain fast-twitch muscle function. Long-term yo-yo dieting preserved fast-twitch muscle function and muscle fiber size; however, it exacerbated the pathological changes in the liver. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diet and Lifestyle: Impact on the Molecular and Cellular Mechanism of NCDs)

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12 pages, 1029 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Total and Plant Protein Consumption: The Role of Inflammation and Risk of Non-Communicable Disease

by Elena Azzini, Ilaria Peluso, Federica Intorre, Lorenzo Barnaba, Eugenia Venneria, Maria Stella Foddai, Donatella Ciarapica, Francesca Maiani, Anna Raguzzini and Angela Polito

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(14), 8008; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23148008 - 20 Jul 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2846

Abstract

Background: Inflammatory cytokine levels are associated with Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and can be influenced by a person’s macronutrient profile. This work aims to evaluate the relationship between the compliance with the age-specific recommended protein intake and the levels of inflammatory markers related to the risk of NCDs. Methods: The study participants included 347 participants (119 men and 228 women), ages 18 to 86 years. Cardio-metabolic risk evaluations, including an assessment of the prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome, were performed. Leptin, IL-15, IL-6, and TNF-α levels were measured. Results: The adequacy of the total protein (TP) intake was lower in old people compared to individuals aged <60 years, and only few volunteers consumed the suggested 50% plant protein (PP) for a healthy and sustainable diet. A lower risk of NCDs with a PP consumption above at least 40% was observed only in old individuals. A differential effect on TNF-α and IL-6 was observed for both TP and PP intake by gender and age class, whereas for leptin and IL-15 only significant interactions among sex and the class of age were found. Conclusion: Although our data suggest that consuming more than 40% of PP can reduce the risk of NCDs, the effect of gender differences on cytokine levels should be considered in larger studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diet and Lifestyle: Impact on the Molecular and Cellular Mechanism of NCDs)

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11 pages, 2335 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Soybean Meal-Dependent Acute Intestinal Inflammation Delays Osteogenesis in Zebrafish Larvae

by Marta Carnovali, Giuseppe Banfi, Giovanni Porta and Massimo Mariotti

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(13), 7480; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23137480 - 5 Jul 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2754

Abstract

Foods are known to be modulators of inflammation and skeletal development. The intestine plays an essential role in the regulation of bone health mainly through the regulation of the absorption of vitamin D and calcium; in fact, inflammatory bowel diseases are often related to bone health issues such as low bone mineral density, high fracture risk, osteoporosis and osteopenia. Considering the complexity of the pathways involved, the use of a simple animal model can be highly useful to better elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms. Soybean flour with a high saponin content has been used in many studies to induce intestinal inflammation in zebrafish larvae. Using a 50% soybean meal (SBM), we analyzed the effects of this soy-induced inflammatory bowel disease on zebrafish larval osteogenesis. Soybean meal induces intestinal functional alterations and an inflammatory state, highlighted by neutral red staining, without altering the general development of the larvae. Our data show that the chondrogenesis as well as endochondral ossification of the head of zebrafish larvae are not affected by an SBM-diet, whereas intramembranous ossification was delayed both in the head, where the length of the ethmoid plate reduced by 17%, and in the trunk with a delayed vertebral mineralization of 47% of SBM larvae. These data highlight that diet-dependent bowel inflammation can differently modulate the different mechanisms of bone development in different zones of the skeleton of zebrafish larvae. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diet and Lifestyle: Impact on the Molecular and Cellular Mechanism of NCDs)

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14 pages, 4912 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bisdemethoxycurcumin Attenuated Renal Injury via Activation of Keap1/Nrf2 Pathway in High-Fat Diet-Fed Mice

by Xiaoqin Ding, Yan Chen, Lina Zhou, Ruoyun Wu, Tunyu Jian, Han Lyu, Yan Liu and Jian Chen

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(13), 7395; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23137395 - 2 Jul 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2761

Abstract

Bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC), a principal and active component of edible turmeric, was previously found to have beneficial effects on metabolic diseases. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) may benefit from its potential therapeutic use. Using a high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mouse model, we examined the effects of BDMC on renal injury and tried to determine how its associated mechanism works. A number of metabolic disorders are significantly improved by BDMC, including obesity, hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, hyperlipidemia and inflammation. Further research on renal histopathology and function showed that BDMC could repair renal pathological changes and enhance renal function. Moreover, decreased serum malondialdehyde (MDA), elevated superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and the inhibition of renal reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction revealed the alleviation of oxidative stress after BDMC administration. In addition, renal Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Keap1/Nrf2) pathway was activated in BDMC-treated mice. In conclusion, these findings demonstrated BDMC as a potential therapy for HFD-induced CKD via the activation of the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diet and Lifestyle: Impact on the Molecular and Cellular Mechanism of NCDs)

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