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Nutrients
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Nutritional Aspects of Immunometabolism in Health and Disease
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Nutritional Aspects of Immunometabolism in Health and Disease

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (18 December 2021) | Viewed by 41944

Special Issue Editors

Ms. Lindy M. Castell

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Green Templeton College, University of Oxford, Oxford OX2 6HG, UK
Interests: exercise-induced immunodepression; amino acids; fatigue; cognitive function; immunometabolism
Dr. David Senchina

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Arts & Sciences, Drake University, Des Moines, IA, USA
Interests: exercise physiology; nutritional supplements; infectious diseases; immunology
Dr. Samantha Stear

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Founding Director Performance Influencers, London, UK
Interests: nutritional supplements; sports; dietary intervention; ergogenic aids

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Research into immunonutrition has been undertaken since the 1980s in relation to exercise. Around this time, it became important to address the effects of exercise on athletes in terms of the immune system and inflammation, particularly in athletes undertaking prolonged, exhaustive exercise. Since then, many studies have investigated various aspects of immunonutrition, and also nutritional supplements, specifically in relation to exercise-induced immunodepression. In recent years, immunometabolism has become increasingly interesting and more widely researched, not least in innate immunity. In terms of the way in which immune function responds to various challenges, current research is investigating whether this response can be modified to be more effective by manipulating the metabolism of cells such as T-lymphocytes, neutrophils and macrophages. This series aims to investigate similarly the role that some nutrients may have, in both health and disease, on immunometabolism.

Ms. Lindy M. Castell
Dr. David Senchina
Dr. Samantha Stear
Guest Editors

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. Nutrients 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

  • immunonutrition
  • immunometabolism
  • immune cells
  • T-lymphocytes
  • innate immunity
  • exercise and sports
  • inflammation

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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30 pages, 2222 KiB  
Article
The Prebiotic Effect of Australian Seaweeds on Commensal Bacteria and Short Chain Fatty Acid Production in a Simulated Gut Model
by Emer Shannon, Michael Conlon and Maria Hayes
Nutrients 2022, 14(10), 2163; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14102163 - 23 May 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3947
Abstract
Diet is known to affect the composition and metabolite production of the human gut microbial community, which in turn is linked with the health and immune status of the host. Whole seaweeds (WH) and their extracts contain prebiotic components such as polysaccharides (PS) [...] Read more.
Diet is known to affect the composition and metabolite production of the human gut microbial community, which in turn is linked with the health and immune status of the host. Whole seaweeds (WH) and their extracts contain prebiotic components such as polysaccharides (PS) and polyphenols (PP). In this study, the Australian seaweeds, Phyllospora comosa, Ecklonia radiata, Ulva ohnoi, and their PS and PP extracts were assessed for potential prebiotic activities using an in vitro gut model that included fresh human faecal inoculum. 16S rRNA sequencing post gut simulation treatment revealed that the abundance of several taxa of commensal bacteria within the phylum Firmicutes linked with short chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, and gut and immune function, including the lactic acid producing order Lactobacillales and the chief butyrate-producing genera Faecalibacteria, Roseburia, Blautia, and Butyricicoccus were significantly enhanced by the inclusion of WH, PS and PP extracts. After 24 h fermentation, the abundance of total Firmicutes ranged from 57.35–81.55% in the WH, PS and PP samples, which was significantly greater (p ≤ 0.01) than the inulin (INU) polysaccharide control (32.50%) and the epigallocatechingallate (EGCG) polyphenol control (67.13%); with the exception of P. comosa PP (57.35%), which was significantly greater than INU only. However, all WH, PS and PP samples also increased the abundance of the phylum Proteobacteria; while the abundance of the phylum Actinobacteria was decreased by WH and PS samples. After 24 h incubation, the total and individual SCFAs present, including butyric, acetic and propionic acids produced by bacteria fermented with E. radiata and U. ohnoi, were significantly greater than the SCFAs identified in the INU and EGCG controls. Most notably, total SCFAs in the E. radiata PS and U. ohnoi WH samples were 227.53 and 208.68 µmol/mL, respectively, compared to only 71.05 µmol/mL in INU and 7.76 µmol/mL in the EGCG samples. This study demonstrates that whole seaweeds and their extracts have potential as functional food ingredients to support normal gut and immune function. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Aspects of Immunometabolism in Health and Disease)
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Review

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27 pages, 2998 KiB  
Review
Emerging Evidence for the Widespread Role of Glutamatergic Dysfunction in Neuropsychiatric Diseases
by Thomas McGrath, Richard Baskerville, Marcelo Rogero and Linda Castell
Nutrients 2022, 14(5), 917; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14050917 - 22 Feb 2022
Cited by 25 | Viewed by 4236
Abstract
The monoamine model of depression has long formed the basis of drug development but fails to explain treatment resistance or associations with stress or inflammation. Recent animal research, clinical trials of ketamine (a glutamate receptor antagonist), neuroimaging research, and microbiome studies provide increasing [...] Read more.
The monoamine model of depression has long formed the basis of drug development but fails to explain treatment resistance or associations with stress or inflammation. Recent animal research, clinical trials of ketamine (a glutamate receptor antagonist), neuroimaging research, and microbiome studies provide increasing evidence of glutamatergic dysfunction in depression and other disorders. Glutamatergic involvement across diverse neuropathologies including psychoses, neurodevelopmental, neurodegenerative conditions, and brain injury forms the rationale for this review. Glutamate is the brain’s principal excitatory neurotransmitter (NT), a metabolic and synthesis substrate, and an immune mediator. These overlapping roles and multiple glutamate NT receptor types complicate research into glutamate neurotransmission. The glutamate microcircuit comprises excitatory glutamatergic neurons, astrocytes controlling synaptic space levels, through glutamate reuptake, and inhibitory GABA interneurons. Astroglia generate and respond to inflammatory mediators. Glutamatergic microcircuits also act at the brain/body interface via the microbiome, kynurenine pathway, and hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis. Disruption of excitatory/inhibitory homeostasis causing neuro-excitotoxicity, with neuronal impairment, causes depression and cognition symptoms via limbic and prefrontal regions, respectively. Persistent dysfunction reduces neuronal plasticity and growth causing neuronal death and tissue atrophy in neurodegenerative diseases. A conceptual overview of brain glutamatergic activity and peripheral interfacing is presented, including the common mechanisms that diverse diseases share when glutamate homeostasis is disrupted. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Aspects of Immunometabolism in Health and Disease)
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15 pages, 316 KiB  
Review
The Role of Minerals in the Optimal Functioning of the Immune System
by Christopher Weyh, Karsten Krüger, Peter Peeling and Lindy Castell
Nutrients 2022, 14(3), 644; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14030644 - 2 Feb 2022
Cited by 82 | Viewed by 12786
Abstract
Minerals fulfil a wide variety of functions in the optimal functioning of the immune system. This review reports on the minerals that are essential for the immune system’s function and inflammation regulation. We also discuss nutritional aspects of optimized mineral supply. The supply [...] Read more.
Minerals fulfil a wide variety of functions in the optimal functioning of the immune system. This review reports on the minerals that are essential for the immune system’s function and inflammation regulation. We also discuss nutritional aspects of optimized mineral supply. The supply of minerals is important for the optimal function of the innate immune system as well as for components of adaptive immune defense; this involves defense mechanisms against pathogens in addition to the long-term balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory regulation. Generally, a balanced diet is sufficient to supply the required balance of minerals to help support the immune system. Although a mineral deficiency is rare, there are nevertheless at-risk groups who should pay attention to ensure they are receiving a sufficient supply of minerals such as magnesium, zinc, copper, iron, and selenium. A deficiency in any of these minerals could temporarily reduce immune competence, or even disrupt systemic inflammation regulation in the long term. Therefore, knowledge of the mechanisms and supply of these minerals is important. In exceptional cases, a deficiency should be compensated by supplementation; however, supplement over-consumption may be negative to the immune system, and should be avoided. Accordingly, any supplementation should be medically clarified and should only be administered in prescribed concentrations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Aspects of Immunometabolism in Health and Disease)
17 pages, 380 KiB  
Review
The Influence of Obesity and Weight Loss on the Bioregulation of Innate/Inflammatory Responses: Macrophages and Immunometabolism
by Isabel Gálvez, María Carmen Navarro, Leticia Martín-Cordero, Eduardo Otero, María Dolores Hinchado and Eduardo Ortega
Nutrients 2022, 14(3), 612; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14030612 - 30 Jan 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3400
Abstract
Obesity is characterized by low-grade inflammation and more susceptibility to infection, particularly viral infections, as clearly demonstrated in COVID-19. In this context, immunometabolism and metabolic flexibility of macrophages play an important role. Since inflammation is an inherent part of the innate response, strategies [...] Read more.
Obesity is characterized by low-grade inflammation and more susceptibility to infection, particularly viral infections, as clearly demonstrated in COVID-19. In this context, immunometabolism and metabolic flexibility of macrophages play an important role. Since inflammation is an inherent part of the innate response, strategies for decreasing the inflammatory response must avoid immunocompromise the innate defenses against pathogen challenges. The concept “bioregulation of inflammatory/innate responses” was coined in the context of the effects of exercise on these responses, implying a reduction in excessive inflammatory response, together with the preservation or stimulation of the innate response, with good transitions between pro- and anti-inflammatory macrophages adapted to each individual’s inflammatory set-point in inflammatory diseases, particularly in obesity. The question now is whether these responses can be obtained in the context of weight loss by dietary interventions (low-fat diet or abandonment of the high-fat diet) in the absence of exercise, which can be especially relevant for obese individuals with difficulties exercising such as those suffering from persistent COVID-19. Results from recent studies are controversial and do not point to a clear anti-inflammatory effect of these dietary interventions, particularly in the adipose tissue. Further research focusing on the innate response is also necessary. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Aspects of Immunometabolism in Health and Disease)
11 pages, 811 KiB  
Review
Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Catabolic Effects of Creatine Supplementation: A Brief Review
by Dean M. Cordingley, Stephen M. Cornish and Darren G. Candow
Nutrients 2022, 14(3), 544; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14030544 - 27 Jan 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 10556
Abstract
It is well established that creatine supplementation, primarily when combined with resistance training, significantly increases measures of muscle mass and performance (primarily strength). Emerging research also indicates that creatine supplementation may have favorable effects on measures of bone biology. These anabolic adaptations may [...] Read more.
It is well established that creatine supplementation, primarily when combined with resistance training, significantly increases measures of muscle mass and performance (primarily strength). Emerging research also indicates that creatine supplementation may have favorable effects on measures of bone biology. These anabolic adaptations may be related to creatine influencing cellular hydration status, high-energy phosphate metabolism, growth factors, muscle protein kinetics, and the bone remodeling process. Accumulating research also suggests that creatine supplementation has anti-inflammatory and anti-catabolic properties, which may help create a favorable environment for muscle and bone accretion and recovery from exercise. Creatine supplementation has the ability to decrease markers of inflammation and possibly attenuate cancerous tumor growth progression. From a musculoskeletal perspective, there is some evidence to show that creatine supplementation reduces measures of muscle protein catabolism (primarily in males) and bone resorption when combined with resistance training. The purpose of this brief review is to summarize the current body of literature examining the potential anti-inflammatory and anti-catabolic effects of creatine supplementation across various research populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Aspects of Immunometabolism in Health and Disease)
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Other

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14 pages, 1618 KiB  
Perspective
Recent Progress in Applicability of Exercise Immunology and Inflammation Research to Sports Nutrition
by Katsuhiko Suzuki
Nutrients 2021, 13(12), 4299; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13124299 - 28 Nov 2021
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 5812
Abstract
This article focuses on how nutrition may help prevent and/or assist with recovery from the harmful effects of strenuous acute exercise and physical training (decreased immunity, organ injury, inflammation, oxidative stress, and fatigue), with a focus on nutritional supplements. First, the effects of [...] Read more.
This article focuses on how nutrition may help prevent and/or assist with recovery from the harmful effects of strenuous acute exercise and physical training (decreased immunity, organ injury, inflammation, oxidative stress, and fatigue), with a focus on nutritional supplements. First, the effects of ketogenic diets on metabolism and inflammation are considered. Second, the effects of various supplements on immune function are discussed, including antioxidant defense modulators (vitamin C, sulforaphane, taheebo), and inflammation reducers (colostrum and hyperimmunized milk). Third, how 3-hydroxy-3-methyl butyrate monohydrate (HMB) may offset muscle damage is reviewed. Fourth and finally, the relationship between exercise, nutrition and COVID-19 infection is briefly mentioned. While additional verification of the safety and efficacy of these supplements is still necessary, current evidence suggests that these supplements have potential applications for health promotion and disease prevention among athletes and more diverse populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Aspects of Immunometabolism in Health and Disease)
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