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The Impact of the Modern Western Human Diet on Inflammatory Diseases: Emerging Strategies for Prevention and Treatment

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Special Issue Information
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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 (15 February 2021) | Viewed by 26532

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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Floyd (Ski) H. Chilton

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Guest Editor

Department of Nutritional Sciences, The BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
Interests: inflammation; polyunsaturated fatty acids; eicosanoids; racial/ethnic heath disparities; gene-diet interactions; precision nutrition; metabolomics/lipidomics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Over the past century, dramatic changes in food production and distribution have resulted in a modern Western diet (MWD) that is dramatically different from the diets of our ancestors. The rapid nature of these transitions has resulted in maladaptations, notably, inflammation and related diseases (cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance/diabetes, cancer, asthma/allergies, chronic joint disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and skin and digestive disorders). The aim of this Special Issue is to bring together recent research on this topic including original research papers, narrative and systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. Of particular interest are manuscripts that focus on defining the factors associated with MWD that may explain the increasing prevalence of inflammatory diseases. These factors may include calorie intake and obesity, processed foods, dietary patterns, gene–diet interactions, alterations in the gut microbiota, dietary-related metabolites, immune cell/pathway activation, glucose and lipid homeostasis, and the relationship of these factors to inflammation and inflammatory diseases. Additionally, there will be an emphasis on the particularly negative impact of MWD on certain ethnicities, as well as on emerging strategies for the prevention and treatment of inflammatory diseases (such as precision nutrition, low-carbohydrate and ketogenic diets, fasting approaches, and microbiota restoration).

Prof. Dr. Floyd (Ski) H. Chilton
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. 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

Modern Western Diet
Inflammation and Inflammatory Diseases
Evolutionary Maladaptations to Diet
Gene–Diet Interactions
Microbiota and Inflammation
Racial/Ethnic Inflammatory Disease Disparities

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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10 pages, 1581 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

A Milk-Fat Based Diet Increases Metastasis in the MMTV-PyMT Mouse Model of Breast Cancer

by Fabiola N. Velazquez, Valentina Viscardi, Julia Montemage, Leiqing Zhang, Carolena Trocchia, Megan M. Delamont, Rasheed Ahmad, Yusuf A. Hannun, Lina M. Obeid and Ashley J. Snider

Nutrients 2021, 13(7), 2431; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13072431 - 15 Jul 2021

Viewed by 3115

Abstract

A high-fat diet (HFD) and obesity are risk factors for many diseases including breast cancer. This is particularly important with close to 40% of the current adult population being overweight or obese. Previous studies have implicated that Mediterranean diets (MDs) partially protect against breast cancer. However, to date, the links between diet and breast cancer progression are not well defined. Therefore, to begin to define and assess this, we used an isocaloric control diet (CD) and two HFDs enriched with either olive oil (OOBD, high in oleate, and unsaturated fatty acid in MDs) or a milk fat-based diet (MFBD, high in palmitate and myristate, saturated fatty acids in Western diets) in a mammary polyomavirus middle T antigen mouse model (MMTV-PyMT) of breast cancer. Our data demonstrate that neither MFBD or OOBD altered the growth of primary tumors in the MMTV-PyMT mice. The examination of lung metastases revealed that OOBD mice exhibited fewer surface nodules and smaller metastases when compared to MFBD and CD mice. These data suggest that different fatty acids found in different sources of HFDs may alter breast cancer metastasis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of the Modern Western Human Diet on Inflammatory Diseases: Emerging Strategies for Prevention and Treatment)

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14 pages, 1604 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Obesity Prevents S-Adenosylmethionine-Mediated Improvements in Age-Related Peripheral and Hippocampal Outcomes

by Jacob W. Vander Velden and Danielle M. Osborne

Nutrients 2021, 13(4), 1201; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13041201 - 06 Apr 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2871

Abstract

Background: Age predisposes individuals to a myriad of disorders involving inflammation; this includes stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety, and neurodegenerative diseases. Obesity can further exacerbate these effects in the brain. We investigated whether an inexpensive dietary supplement, s-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), could improve age- and/or obesity-related inflammatory and affective measures in the hippocampus. Methods: Mice were placed on their diets at six weeks of age and then aged to 14 months, receiving SAMe (0.1 g/kg of food) for the final six weeks of the experiment. Prior to tissue collection, mice were tested for anxiety-like behaviors in the open field test and for metabolic outcomes related to type 2 diabetes. Results: SAMe treatment significantly improved outcomes in aged control mice, where fasting glucose decreased, liver glutathione levels increased, and hippocampal microglia morphology improved. SAMe increased transforming growth factor β-1 mRNA in both control mice, potentially accounting for improved microglial outcomes. Obese mice demonstrated increased anxiety-like behavior, where SAMe improved some, but not all, open field measures. Conclusions: In summary, SAMe boosted antioxidant levels, improved diabetic measures, and hippocampal inflammatory and behavioral outcomes in aged mice. The effects of SAMe in obese mice were more subdued, but it could still provide some positive outcomes for obese individuals dealing with anxiety and having difficulty changing their behaviors to improve health outcomes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of the Modern Western Human Diet on Inflammatory Diseases: Emerging Strategies for Prevention and Treatment)

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Graphical abstract

20 pages, 2309 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Is There a FADS2-Modulated Link between Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Plasma Phospholipids and Polyphenol Intake in Adult Subjects Who Are Overweight?

by Manja M. Zec, Irena Krga, Ljiljana Stojković, Maja Živković, Biljana Pokimica, Aleksandra Stanković and Maria Glibetic

Nutrients 2021, 13(2), 296; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13020296 - 21 Jan 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2463

Abstract

Dietary polyphenols promote cardiometabolic health and are linked with long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in plasma phospholipids (LC-PUFA). The FADS2 polymorphisms are associated with LC-PUFA metabolism and overweight/obesity. This 4-week study examined the link between polyphenol intake, FADS2 variants (rs174593, rs174616, rs174576) and obesity in 62 overweight adults (BMI ≥ 25), allocated to consume 100 mL daily of either: Aronia juice, a rich source of polyphenols, with 1177.11 mg polyphenols (expressed as gallic acid equivalents)/100 mL (AJ, n = 22), Aronia juice with 294.28 mg polyphenols/100 mL (MJ, n = 20), or nutritionally matched polyphenol-lacking placebo as a control (PLB, n = 20). We analyzed LC-PUFA (% of total pool) by gas chromatography and FADS2 variants by real-time PCR. Four-week changes in LC-PUFA, BMI, and body weight were included in statistical models, controlling for gender and PUFA intake. Only upon AJ and MJ, the presence of FADS2 variant alleles affected changes in linoleic, arachidonic, and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Upon MJ treatment, changes in EPA were inversely linked with changes in BMI (β= −0.73, p = 0.029) and weight gain (β= −2.17, p = 0.024). Only in subjects drinking AJ, the link between changes in EPA and anthropometric indices was modified by the rs174576 variant allele. Our results indicate the interaction between FADS2, fatty acid metabolism, and polyphenol intake in overweight subjects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of the Modern Western Human Diet on Inflammatory Diseases: Emerging Strategies for Prevention and Treatment)

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20 pages, 2934 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Emulsifiers Impact Colonic Length in Mice and Emulsifier Restriction is Feasible in People with Crohn’s Disease

by Alicia M. Sandall, Selina R. Cox, James O. Lindsay, Andrew T. Gewirtz, Benoit Chassaing, Megan Rossi and Kevin Whelan

Nutrients 2020, 12(9), 2827; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12092827 - 15 Sep 2020

Cited by 31 | Viewed by 8863

Abstract

There is an association between food additive emulsifiers and the prevalence of Crohn’s disease. This study aimed to investigate: (i) the effect of different classes of emulsifiers on markers of intestinal inflammation in mice and (ii) the feasibility, nutritional adequacy and symptom impact of restricting all emulsifier classes in Crohn’s disease. Mice were exposed to different classes of emulsifiers (carboxymethycellose, polysorbate-80, soy lecithin, gum arabic) in drinking water for 12-weeks, after which markers of inflammation and metabolism were measured. A low emulsifier diet was developed to restrict all classes of emulsifiers and its feasibility measured over 14-days in 20 participants with stable Crohn’s disease. Crohn’s disease-related symptoms, disease control, body weight and composition, nutrient intake and food-related quality of life (QoL) were measured. All emulsifiers resulted in lower murine colonic length compared with control (mean 9.5 cm (SEM 0.20)), but this only reached significance for polysorbate-80 (8.2 cm (0.34), p = 0.024) and carboxymethylcellulose (8.0 cm (0.35), p = 0.013). All 20 participants completed the feasibility study. The frequency of consuming emulsifier-containing foods decreased by 94.6% (SD 10.3%). Food-related QoL improved between habitual (median 81.5 (IQR 25.0)) and low emulsifier diet (90.0 (24.0), p = 0.028). Crohn’s disease-related symptoms reduced (median 3.0 (IQR 5.3) vs. 1.4 (3.9), p = 0.006), and disease control scores improved (13.5 (IQR 6.0) vs. 15.5 (IQR 3.0), p = 0.026). A range of emulsifiers may influence intestinal inflammation in mice, and dietary restriction of emulsifiers is feasible. Trials investigating the efficacy of a low emulsifier diet in Crohn’s disease are warranted. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of the Modern Western Human Diet on Inflammatory Diseases: Emerging Strategies for Prevention and Treatment)

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Review

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13 pages, 726 KiB

Open AccessReview

Omega-3 Supplementation and Heart Disease: A Population-Based Diet by Gene Analysis of Clinical Trial Outcomes

by Maria Luz Fernandez, Sarah A. Blomquist, Brian Hallmark and Floyd H. Chilton

Nutrients 2021, 13(7), 2154; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13072154 - 23 Jun 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3960

Abstract

Omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and their metabolites have long been recognized to protect against inflammation-related diseases including heart disease. Recent reports present conflicting evidence on the effects of n-3 PUFAs on major cardiovascular events including death. While some studies document that n-3 PUFA supplementation reduces the risk for heart disease, others report no beneficial effects on heart disease composite primary outcomes. Much of this heterogeneity may be related to the genetic variation in different individuals/populations that alters their capacity to synthesize biologically active n-3 and omega 6 (n-6) PUFAs and metabolites from their 18 carbon dietary precursors, linoleic acid (LA, 18:2 n-6) and alpha-linolenic (ALA, 18:3, n-3). Here, we discuss the role of a FADS gene-by-dietary PUFA interaction model that takes into consideration dietary exposure, including the intake of LA and ALA, n-3 PUFAs, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in determining the efficacy of n-3 PUFA supplementation. We also review recent clinical trials with n-3 PUFA supplementation and coronary heart disease in the context of what is known about fatty acid desaturase (FADS) gene-by-dietary PUFA interactions. Given the dramatic differences in the frequencies of FADS variants that impact the efficiency of n-3 and n-6 PUFA biosynthesis, and their downstream signaling products among global and admixture populations, we conclude that large clinical trials utilizing “one size fits all” n-3 PUFA supplementation approaches are unlikely to show effectiveness. However, evidence discussed in this review suggests that n-3 PUFA supplementation may represent an important opportunity where precision interventions can be focused on those populations that will benefit the most from n-3 PUFA supplementation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of the Modern Western Human Diet on Inflammatory Diseases: Emerging Strategies for Prevention and Treatment)

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12 pages, 1069 KiB

Open AccessReview

Do Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Docosahexaenoic Acid Have the Potential to Compete against Each Other?

by Anandita Pal, Adam H. Metherel, Lauren Fiabane, Nicole Buddenbaum, Richard P. Bazinet and Saame Raza Shaikh

Nutrients 2020, 12(12), 3718; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12123718 - 02 Dec 2020

Cited by 30 | Viewed by 4493

Abstract

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) consumed in low abundance in the Western diet. Increased consumption of n-3 PUFAs may have beneficial effects for a wide range of physiological outcomes including chronic inflammation. However, considerable mechanistic gaps in knowledge exist about EPA versus DHA, which are often studied as a mixture. We suggest the novel hypothesis that EPA and DHA may compete against each other through overlapping mechanisms. First, EPA and DHA may compete for residency in membrane phospholipids and thereby differentially displace n-6 PUFAs, which are highly prevalent in the Western diet. This would influence biosynthesis of downstream metabolites of inflammation initiation and resolution. Second, EPA and DHA exert different effects on plasma membrane biophysical structure, creating an additional layer of competition between the fatty acids in controlling signaling. Third, DHA regulates membrane EPA levels by lowering its rate of conversion to EPA’s elongation product n-3 docosapentaenoic acid. Collectively, we propose the critical need to investigate molecular competition between EPA and DHA in health and disease, which would ultimately impact dietary recommendations and precision nutrition trials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of the Modern Western Human Diet on Inflammatory Diseases: Emerging Strategies for Prevention and Treatment)

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