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Sensory Nutrition and Health Impact on Metabolic and Brain Disorders

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 5 June 2025 | Viewed by 6217

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
Interests: oxidative stress; nutritional antioxidants; hormesis; neuroprotection; inflammation; Nrf2 pathway; mitochondrial dysfunction; neuronal organoids; neurodegeneration; personalized nutritional therapy
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The interplay between sensory nutrients has gained considerable attention for enhancing stress resilience in health and disease. Sensory nutrition, including food extracts, polyphenols and bioavailabile polyphenol-combined nanoparticles, as well as vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids, have shown to improve blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability, intestinal epithelial barrier (IEB) and blood renal barrier (BRB) homeostasis and ultimately brain function, thus inhibiting oxidative stress, inflammation and neurotoxicity linked to the pathogenesis of metabolic and nervous system disorders. Interestingly, polyphenols display biphasic dose–response effects by activating, at the minimum dose, the Nrf2 pathway and the downstream antioxidant proteins, heme oxygenase-1 upregulated by curcumin and sirtuin-1 activated by resveratrol to block reactive oxygen species (ROS). The impaired of tight junctions due to environmental pollutants and the deregulation of Nrf2 signaling may exacerbate selective susceptibility under neuroinflammatory conditions to the onset of diabetes and the progression of its neurological consequences such as anxiety, depression and autism, as well as neurodegeneration due to the vulnerability of sensory neurons to apoptosis and oxidative stress. This Special Issue aims to collect original research and review articles focused on sensory nutrition targeting several cellular and molecular pathways to regulate impaired tight junctions and epigenetic alterations, and explore the underlying mechanisms using innovative in vitro and in vivo technologies for the development of promising protective strategies and precision and personalized nutritional therapies in order to prevent or attenuate oxidative stress, apoptosis and inflammation, and subsequently promote human health.

Dr. Maria Concetta Scuto
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • sensory nutrition
  • oxidative stress
  • inflammation
  • apoptosis
  • blood–brain barrier dysfunction
  • Nrf2 pathway
  • neurodegenerative disorders
  • neurodevelopment disorders
  • personalized nutritional therapy

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 731 KiB  
Article
Impact of Polyphenol-Rich Nutraceuticals on Cognitive Function and Neuroprotective Biomarkers: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial
by Juan Ángel Carrillo, Raúl Arcusa, Raquel Xandri-Martínez, Begoña Cerdá, Pilar Zafrilla and Javier Marhuenda
Nutrients 2025, 17(4), 601; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17040601 - 7 Feb 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3470
Abstract
Background: Recent studies have highlighted the neuroprotective effects of polyphenols, particularly their role in enhancing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) activity. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between BDNF and CREB levels and cognitive performance in individuals [...] Read more.
Background: Recent studies have highlighted the neuroprotective effects of polyphenols, particularly their role in enhancing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) activity. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between BDNF and CREB levels and cognitive performance in individuals undergoing a polyphenol-rich dietary intervention. Methods: A randomized, crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted with 92 participants. The intervention involved the daily intake of an encapsulated concentrate of fruit, vegetable, and berry juice powders (Juice Plus+ Premium®) over two 16-week periods, separated by a 4-week washout phase. Cognitive function was assessed using the Stroop Test, Trail Making Test, and Reynolds Intellectual Screening Test (RIST). The plasma levels of CREB and BDNF were measured using ELISA. Results: The polyphenol-rich product significantly improved cognitive performance, as evidenced by higher scores in the Stroop Test and RIST, compared to the placebo. Additionally, the plasma levels of CREB and BDNF were notably elevated in the product condition, indicating enhanced neuroprotective activity. Conclusions: The findings suggest that polyphenol-rich nutraceuticals can modulate neurobiological mechanisms underlying cognitive improvements, primarily through the reduction of oxidative stress and the regulation of signaling pathways associated with synaptic plasticity. These results support the potential of dietary polyphenols in promoting cognitive health and preventing neurodegenerative diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sensory Nutrition and Health Impact on Metabolic and Brain Disorders)
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21 pages, 4182 KiB  
Article
Impact of Omega-3 on Endocannabinoid System Expression and Function, Enhancing Cognition and Behavior in Male Mice
by Maitane Serrano, Miquel Saumell-Esnaola, Garazi Ocerin, Gontzal García del Caño, Nagore Puente, Joan Sallés, Fernando Rodríguez de Fonseca, Marta Rodríguez-Arias, Inmaculada Gerrikagoitia and Pedro Grandes
Nutrients 2024, 16(24), 4344; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16244344 - 17 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2063
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) support brain cell membrane integrity and help mitigate synaptic plasticity deficits. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is integral to synaptic plasticity and regulates various brain functions. While PUFAs influence the ECS, the effects of omega-3 on [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) support brain cell membrane integrity and help mitigate synaptic plasticity deficits. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is integral to synaptic plasticity and regulates various brain functions. While PUFAs influence the ECS, the effects of omega-3 on the ECS, cognition, and behavior in a healthy brain remain unclear. Methods and Results: Here, we demonstrate that hippocampal synaptosomes from male mice fed an omega-3-rich diet exhibit increased levels of cannabinoid CB1 receptors (~30%), phospholipase C β1 (PLCβ1, ~30%), monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL, ~30%), and cannabinoid receptor-interacting protein 1a (Crip1a, ~60%). Conversely, these synaptosomes show decreased levels of diacylglycerol lipase α (DAGLα, ~40%), synaptosomal-associated protein 25kDa (SNAP-25, ~30%), and postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95, ~40%). Omega-3 intake also reduces Gαo and Gαi3 levels, though receptor-stimulated [35S]GTPγS binding remains unaffected. Stimulation of the medial perforant path (MPP) induced long-term potentiation (LTP) in omega-3-fed mice. This LTP was dependent on group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR), 2 arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), CB1 receptors, N-type Ca2+ channels, and actin filaments. Behaviorally, omega-3-fed mice displayed reduced exploratory behavior and significantly improved object discrimination in the novel object recognition test (NORT). They also spent more time in open arms and exhibited reduced freezing time in the elevated plus maze (EPM), indicative of reduced anxiety-like behavior. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that omega-3 leverages the ECS to enhance brain function under normal conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sensory Nutrition and Health Impact on Metabolic and Brain Disorders)
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