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Nutrition Intervention on Digestive Diseases

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2022) | Viewed by 29269

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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Hassan Ashktorab

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Guest Editor

Department of Pathology and Cancer Center, College of Medicine, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC 20059, USA
Interests: colon carcinogenesis; herbal medicine; molecular nutrition; saffron (Crocus sativus); IBD; ulcerative colitis; omics; adjuvant therapy

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nutrition and digestive function are closely interrelated. During digestion, the digestive tract breaks down food into nutrients and absorbs these nutrients for energy, growth, and cell repair. Therefore, digestive diseases (DDs) commonly result in malnutrition and increase morbidity, and even mortality. On the other hand, chronic malnutrition impairs digestive and absorption function to induce disease.

Bad eating habits or specific nutrients can trigger DDs, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), celiac disease, and Crohn’s disease. Meanwhile, some nutrients or dietary supplements such as dietary fiber, short-chain fatty acids, fish oil, micronutrients, prebiotics, or probiotics may prevent DDs and benefit gut health.

This Special Issue aims to collect high-quality research concerning the influence of diet and nutrition on digestive diseases and disorders. Submissions focused on underrepresented populations are welcome: reports of original research (longitudinal studies, health promotion intervention studies, qualitative research, epidemiology, omics including genomics) or reviews (systematic reviews, meta-analyses).

Prof. Dr. Hassan Ashktorab
Guest Editor

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Keywords

nutrition
digestive diseases
dietary fiber
short-chain fatty acids
prebiotic
probiotics
gut health
irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
inflamamtory bowel disease (IBD)
celiac disease
corhn’s disease

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Editorial

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3 pages, 193 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Editorial to the Special Issue ‘Nutritional Intervention in Digestive Diseases in the Era of Nutraceuticals, Nutrigenomics and Microbiomics’

by Hassan Ashktorab and Hassan Brim

Nutrients 2023, 15(13), 2964; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15132964 - 29 Jun 2023

Viewed by 829

Abstract

Environmental exposures, particularly diet, play an important role in the prevention or exacerbation of illnesses, including gastrointestinal (GI) diseases [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition Intervention on Digestive Diseases)

Research

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15 pages, 2771 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Preparation of Corn Peptides with Anti-Adhesive Activity and Its Functionality to Alleviate Gastric Injury Induced by Helicobacter pylori Infection In Vivo

by Guanlong Li, Xiaolan Liu, Zhengfei Miao, Nan Hu and Xiqun Zheng

Nutrients 2023, 15(15), 3467; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15153467 - 5 Aug 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1243

Abstract

More than 50% of the world population is infected with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), which is classified as group I carcinogen by the WHO. H. pylori surface adhesins specifically recognize gastric mucosal epithelial cells’ (GES-1 cells) receptor to complete the adhesion. Blocking the adhesion with an anti-adhesion compound is an effective way to prevent H. pylori infection. The present study found that corn protein hydrolysate, hydrolyzed by Neutral, effectively alleviated gastric injury induced by H. pylori infection through anti-adhesive and anti-inflammatory effects in vitro and in vivo. The hydrolysate inhibited H. pylori adhesion to GES-1 cells significantly, and its anti-adhesive activity was 50.44 ± 0.27% at 4 mg/mL, which indicated that the hydrolysate possessed a similar structure to the GES-1 cells’ receptor, and exhibited anti-adhesive activity in binding to H. pylori. In vivo, compared with the H. pylori infection model group, the medium and high dose of the hydrolysate (400–600 mg/kg·bw) significantly decreased (p < 0.05) the amount of H. pylori colonization, pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α and MPO), chemokines (KC and MCP-1) as well as key metabolites of NF-κB signaling pathway levels (TLR4, MyD88 and NF-κB), and it increased antioxidant enzyme contents (SOD and GSH-Px) and the mitigation of H. pylori-induced pathological changes in the gastric mucosa. Taken together, these results indicated that the hydrolysate intervention can prevent H. pylori-induced gastric injury by anti-adhesive activity and inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway’s induction of inflammation. Hence, the corn protein hydrolysate might act as a potential anti-adhesive agent to prevent H. pylori infection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition Intervention on Digestive Diseases)

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11 pages, 1826 KiB

Open AccessArticle

MACC1-Dependent Antitumor Effect of Curcumin in Colorectal Cancer

by Nazli Güllü, Janice Smith, Pia Herrmann and Ulrike Stein

Nutrients 2022, 14(22), 4792; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14224792 - 12 Nov 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1791

Abstract

Metastasis is the main reason for the high mortality rate of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Despite the whole improvement in the field of cancer medicine, the treatment options for the patient in the late stages are very restricted. Our previous studies have elucidated metastasis-associated in colon cancer 1 (MACC1) as a direct link to metastasis formation. Therefore, we have aimed to inhibit its expression by using natural products, which are recently the center of most studies due to their low side effects and good tolerability. In this study, we have investigated the effect of one of the promising natural products, curcumin, on MACC1 expression and MACC1-induced tumor-promoting pathways. Curcumin reduced the MACC1 expression, restricted the MACC1-induced proliferation, and was able to reduce the MACC1-induced cell motility as one of the crucial steps for the distant dissemination of the tumor. We further showed the MACC1-dependent effect of curcumin on clonogenicity and wound healing. This study is, to our knowledge, the first identification of the effect of curcumin on the restriction of cancer motility, proliferation, and colony-forming ability by using MACC1 as a target. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition Intervention on Digestive Diseases)

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15 pages, 940 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dietary Therapy to Improve Nutrition and Gut Health in Paediatric Crohn’s Disease; A Feasibility Study

by Stephen J. Allen, Salma Belnour, Elizabeth Renji, Bernie Carter, Lucy Bray, Angela Allen, Emma Jones, Britta Urban, Sarah Moule, Duolao Wang and Raymond J. Playford

Nutrients 2022, 14(21), 4598; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14214598 - 1 Nov 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2089

Abstract

Bovine colostrum (BC) has anti-inflammatory, anti-infective, growth and intestinal repair factors that may be beneficial in Crohn’s disease (CD). We assessed whether daily BC for up to 3 months was acceptable to children and young people (CYP) with CD in remission or of mild/moderate severity. CYP were randomised to receive either BC or matching placebo milk daily for 6 weeks (blinded phase); all received BC for the following 6 weeks (open phase). In 23 CYP, median (inter-quartile range) age was 15.2 (13.9–16.1) years and 9 (39.1%) were girls. A similar proportion of CYP in the BC and placebo arms completed the blinded phase (8/12, 75.0% and 9/11, 81.8% respectively). Twelve (70.6%) CYP completed the open phase with 7 (58.3%) tolerating BC for 3 months. Diaries in weeks 2, 6 and 12 revealed that most CYP took BC every day (5/7, 71.4%; 5/8, 62.5% and 6/11, 54.5% respectively). In interviews, opinions were divided as to preference of BC over the placebo milk and some preferred BC over other nutritional supplements. Symptoms, clinical and laboratory variables and quality of life were similar in the two arms. BC may be an acceptable nutritional supplement for daily, longer-term use in CYP with CD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition Intervention on Digestive Diseases)

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19 pages, 323 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Nutritional and Educational Intervention to Recover a Healthy Eating Pattern Reducing Clinical Ileostomy-Related Complications

by Antonio Fernández-Gálvez, Sebastián Rivera, María del Carmen Durán Ventura and Rubén Morilla Romero de la Osa

Nutrients 2022, 14(16), 3431; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14163431 - 20 Aug 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2359

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate a diet intervention implemented by our hospital in order to determinate its capacity to improve the eating pattern of patients with an ileostomy, facilitating the implementation new eating-related behaviors, reducing doubt and dissatisfaction and other complications. The study was conducted with a quasi-experimental design in a tertiary level hospital. The elaboration and implementation of a nutritional intervention consisting of a Mediterranean-diet-based set of menus duly modified that was reinforced by specific counseling at the reintroduction of oral diet, hospital discharge and first follow-up appointment. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed. The protocol was approved by the competent Ethics Committee. The patients of the intervention group considered that the diet facilitated eating five or more meals a day and diminished doubt and concerns related to eating pattern. Most patients (86%) had a favorable experience regarding weight recovery and a significant reduction of all-cause readmissions and readmission with dehydration (p = 0.015 and p < 0.001, respectively). The intervention helped an effective self-management of eating pattern by patients who had a physical improvement related to hydration status, which, together with an improvement in weight regain, decreased the probability of readmissions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition Intervention on Digestive Diseases)

18 pages, 3587 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Anti-Inflammatory Diet Prevents Subclinical Colonic Inflammation and Alters Metabolomic Profile of Ulcerative Colitis Patients in Clinical Remission

by Ammar Hassanzadeh Keshteli, Rosica Valcheva, Cheryl Nickurak, Heekuk Park, Rupasri Mandal, Kendall van Diepen, Karen I. Kroeker, Sander Veldhuyzen van Zanten, Brendan Halloran, David S. Wishart, Karen L. Madsen and Levinus A. Dieleman

Nutrients 2022, 14(16), 3294; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14163294 - 11 Aug 2022

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 5405

Abstract

A relationship between ulcerative colitis (UC) and diet has been shown in epidemiological and experimental studies. In a 6-month, open-label, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, adult UC patients in clinical remission were randomized to either an “Anti-inflammatory Diet (AID)” or “Canada’s Food Guide (CFG)”. Menu plans in the AID were designed to increase the dietary intake of dietary fiber, probiotics, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids and to decrease the intake of red meat, processed meat, and added sugar. Stool was collected for fecal calprotectin (FCP) and microbial analysis. Metabolomic analysis was performed on urine, serum, and stool samples at the baseline and study endpoint. In this study, 53 patients were randomized. Five (19.2%) patients in the AID and 8 (29.6%) patients in the CFG experienced a clinical relapse. The subclinical response to the intervention (defined as FCP < 150 µg/g at the endpoint) was significantly higher in the AID group (69.2 vs. 37.0%, p = 0.02). The patients in the AID group had an increased intake of zinc, phosphorus, selenium, yogurt, and seafood versus the control group. Adherence to the AID was associated with significant changes in the metabolome, with decreased fecal acetone and xanthine levels along with increased fecal taurine and urinary carnosine and p-hydroxybenzoic acid levels. The AID subjects also had increases in fecal Bifidobacteriaceae, Lachnospiraceae, and Ruminococcaceae. In this study, we found thatdietary modifications involving the increased intake of anti-inflammatory foods combined with a decreased intake of pro-inflammatory foods were associated with metabolic and microbial changes in UC patients in clinical remission and were effective in preventing subclinical inflammation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition Intervention on Digestive Diseases)

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Review

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19 pages, 5230 KiB

Open AccessReview

Heart Rate Variability—An Index of the Efficacy of Complementary Therapies in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review

by Magdalena Mróz, Marcin Czub and Anna Brytek-Matera

Nutrients 2022, 14(16), 3447; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14163447 - 22 Aug 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2969

Abstract

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), as a functional and psychosomatic disease, reduces the quality of life and increases the risk of developing mental disorders. Deregulation of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) is one of the main causes of the disease. The objective of the present study was to identify the studies in which measurements of heart rate variability (HRV) were performed before and after therapeutic intervention, and to evaluate the effectiveness of IBS therapy in terms of a reduction of IBS symptoms and changes in autonomic tone. A systematic review of the literature was carried out in accordance with PRISMA standards. Six databases were searched for articles published before 2022: PubMed^®, MEDLINE^®, EBSCO, Cochrane, Scopus, and Web of Science. Inclusion criteria were experimental design, diagnosis of IBS (medical and/or diagnosis in accordance with the Rome Criteria), non-pharmacological intervention, and HRV measurement before and after the intervention. The quality of the studies was assessed by JBI Critical appraisal. In total, 455 studies were identified, of which, sixwere included in the review. Expected changes in HRV (increase in parasympathetic activity) were observed in four of the six studies (interventions studied: ear acupressure, transcutaneous auricular vagusnerve stimulation, cognitive behavioral therapy with relaxation elements, yoga). In the same studies, therapeutic interventions significantly reduced the symptoms of IBS. The present review indicated that interventions under investigation improve the efficiency of the ANS and reduce the symptoms of IBS. It is advisable to include HRV measurements as a measure of the effectiveness of interventions in IBS therapy, and to assess autonomic changes as a moderator of the effectiveness of IBS therapy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition Intervention on Digestive Diseases)

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12 pages, 1676 KiB

Open AccessReview

Saffron, Its Active Components, and Their Association with DNA and Histone Modification: A Narrative Review of Current Knowledge

by Mudasir Rashid, Hassan Brim and Hassan Ashktorab

Nutrients 2022, 14(16), 3317; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14163317 - 12 Aug 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2589

Abstract

Intensive screening for better and safer medications to treat diseases such as cancer and inflammatory diseases continue, and some phytochemicals have been discovered to have anti-cancer and many therapeutical activities. Among the traditionally used spices, Crocus sativus (saffron) and its principal bioactive constituents have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and chemopreventive properties against multiple malignancies. Early reports have shown that the epigenetic profiles of healthy and tumor cells vary significantly in the context of different epigenetic factors. Multiple components, such as carotenoids as bioactive dietary phytochemicals, can directly or indirectly regulate epigenetic factors and alter gene expression profiles. Previous reports have shown the interaction between active saffron compounds with linker histone H1. Other reports have shown that high concentrations of saffron bind to the minor groove of calf thymus DNA, resulting in specific structural changes from B- to C-form of DNA. Moreover, the interaction of crocin G-quadruplex was reported. A recent in silico study has shown that residues of SIRT1 interact with saffron bio-active compounds and might enhance SIRT1 activation. Other reports have shown that the treatment of Saffron bio-active compounds increases γH2AX, decreases HDAC1 and phosphorylated histone H3 (p-H3). However, the question that still remains to be addressed how saffron triggers various epigenetic changes? Therefore, this review discusses the literature published till 2022 regarding saffron as dietary components and its impact on epigenetic mechanisms. Novel bioactive compounds such as saffron components that lead to epigenetic alterations might be a valuable strategy as an adjuvant therapeutic drug. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition Intervention on Digestive Diseases)

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15 pages, 3386 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Low-FODMAP Diet Provides Benefits for Functional Gastrointestinal Symptoms but Not for Improving Stool Consistency and Mucosal Inflammation in IBD: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

by Ziheng Peng, Jun Yi and Xiaowei Liu

Nutrients 2022, 14(10), 2072; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14102072 - 15 May 2022

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 4843

Abstract

Background: A low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols diet (LFD) is claimed to improve functional gastrointestinal symptoms (FGSs). However, the role of LFD in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients with FGSs remains unclear. Objective: To systematically assess the efficacy of LFD in IBD patients with FGSs. Methods: Six databases were searched from inception to 1 January 2022. Data were synthesized as the relative risk of symptoms improvement and normal stool consistency, mean difference of Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS), Short IBD Questionnaire (SIBDQ), IBS Quality of Life (IBS-QoL), Harvey-Bradshaw index (HBi), Mayo score, and fecal calprotectin (FC). Risk of bias was assessed based on study types. A funnel plot and Egger’s test were used to analyze publication bias. Results: This review screened and included nine eligible studies, including four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and five before–after studies, involving a total of 446 participants (351 patients with LFD vs. 95 controls). LFD alleviated overall FGSs (RR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.33–0.66, p = 0.0000) and obtained higher SIBDQ scores (MD = 11.24, 95% CI 6.61 to 15.87, p = 0.0000) and lower HBi score of Crohn’s disease (MD = −1.09, 95% CI −1.77 to −0.42, p = 0.002). However, there were no statistically significant differences in normal stool consistency, BSFS, IBS-QoL, Mayo score of ulcerative colitis, and FC. No publication bias was found. Conclusions: LFD provides a benefit in FGSs and QoL but not for improving stool consistency and mucosal inflammation in IBD patients. Further well-designed RCTs are needed to develop the optimal LFD strategy for IBD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition Intervention on Digestive Diseases)

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Other

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11 pages, 463 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Exclusion Diets in Functional Dyspepsia

by Stefan Lucian Popa, Dinu Iuliu Dumitrascu, Cristina Pop, Teodora Surdea-Blaga, Abdulrahman Ismaiel, Giuseppe Chiarioni, Dan Lucian Dumitrascu, Vlad Dumitru Brata and Simona Grad

Nutrients 2022, 14(10), 2057; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14102057 - 14 May 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3850

Abstract

Functional dyspepsia represents one of the most common and prevalent disorders of the brain–gut interaction, with a large number of widespread risk factors being identified. With an intricate pathogenesis and symptomatology, it heavily impacts the quality of life and, due to the limited efficacy of traditional pharmacological agents, patients are likely to seek other medical and non-medical solutions to their problem. Over the last few years, significant research in this domain has emphasized the importance of various psychological therapies and nutritional recommendations. Nevertheless, a correlation has been established between functional dyspepsia and food intolerances, with more and more patients adopting different kinds of exclusion diets, leading to weight loss, restrictive eating behaviour and an imbalanced nutritional state, further negatively impacting their quality of life. Thus, in this systematic review, we aimed at analysing the impact and efficiency of certain exclusion diets undertook by patients, more precisely, the gluten-free diet and the low-FODMAP diet. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition Intervention on Digestive Diseases)

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