Search Results (3,868)

Gut microbiota has emerged as a modulator of host metabolism and energy balance. However, the precise microbial metabolites mediating thermogenic activation in obesity remain largely undefined. We investigated the effect of antibiotic treatment under a high-fat diet on metabolites and its contribution to lipolysis and thermogenesis. Antibiotic treatment in high-fat diet-fed rats reduced adiposity and enhanced adaptive thermogenesis. Metabolomics revealed elevated taurine levels in the cecum content and plasma of antibiotic-treated animals, correlating with increased expressions of UCP1 and TGR5 in brown adipose tissue. Taurine enhanced lipolysis and oxygen consumption in mouse adipose tissue and human adipocytes. Thereby, taurine modulated lipolysis dependent on TGR5 signaling in adipose tissue. Human data confirmed that taurine promotes browning of white adipocytes and that acute cold exposure leads to a marked drop in circulating taurine, suggesting its rapid recruitment into thermogenic tissues. Besides its synthesis in the liver and dietary uptake, taurine can be a microbiota-derived metabolite that activates adipose thermogenesis and lipolysis through TGR5 and possibly taurine transporter-dependent mechanisms. These findings uncover a gut–adipose axis with therapeutic potential for metabolic disease. Full article

Zanthoxylum bungeanum leaves (ZBL) are a phytogenic feed resource, but their energy value and functional effects in laying hens are not well defined. Two experiments were conducted. In Exp. 1, 96 healthy 38-week-old Roman Pink laying hens were allotted to either a control diet or a diet containing 5% ZBL (eight replicates, six hens per replicate) to determine apparent metabolizable energy (AME) using an indicator method (7 d adaptation, 3 d collection). The AME and nitrogen-corrected AME of ZBL were 5.46 and 5.33 MJ/kg, respectively. In Exp. 2, 832 healthy 41-week-old hens were randomly assigned to diets supplemented with 0, 1%, 2%, or 3% ZBL (8 replicates, 26 hens per replicate) for 8 weeks after 1 week adaptation. Dietary ZBL at 1% to 3% did not affect production performance (p > 0.05), but increased albumen height linearly (p < 0.05) and improved yolk color at 2% and 3% (p < 0.05). ZBL increased serum albumin (p < 0.05) with a linear tendency (p = 0.065), and elevated serum IgA and IgM linearly (p < 0.05). Serum total antioxidant capacity and total superoxide dismutase were increased (p < 0.05) with significant linear and quadratic responses (p < 0.05), while serum malondialdehyde was reduced (p < 0.05). In the liver, 3% ZBL increased total antioxidant capacity (p < 0.05), hepatic catalase activity was decreased in all ZBL groups (p < 0.05), and hepatic malondialdehyde was reduced (p < 0.05). Cecal acetate increased linearly (p < 0.05), and propionate and butyrate increased with both linear and quadratic dose responses (p < 0.05). ZBL improved small intestinal morphology, especially duodenal villus height (p < 0.05). Gut microbiota was remodeled, with a marked reduction in norank_o__WCHB1-41 and increases in Ruminococcus, Pseudoflavonifractor, and several Coriobacteriales and Erysipelatoclostridiaceae taxa. Overall, ZBL provides usable energy and, at 2–3% inclusion, enhances egg quality, antioxidant status, humoral immunity, short-chain-fatty-acid production, and intestinal health without compromising laying performance. Full article

The effects of pelleting a total mixed ration (TMR) for dairy sheep were investigated in an experiment involving 24 lactating Assaf ewes, which were assigned to two groups and fed the same TMR ad libitum, offered either in pelleted (PTMR group, n = 12) or in unpelleted form (CTMR group, n = 12). The experiment lasted 28 days, during which feed intake, eating behavior (including meal frequency and size, meal duration, eating rate, between-meal interval), and milk yield were recorded daily. Body weight (BW) was recorded on days 1 and 28 and milk samples were collected on days 1, 8, 15, 22 and 28 for milk composition analysis. Blood acid-base status was determined at the beginning and at the end of the trial. Ewes fed the CTMR diet exhibited (p < 0.05) a higher meal frequency and longer meal duration, along with a smaller meal size and slower eating rate. However, feed intake in this group was less than that in ewes fed PTMR only during the final two weeks of the experimental period. Total eating time was also longer (p < 0.001) in the CTMR group, whereas the average time between meals was shorter (p < 0.002). No differences (p > 0.05) were observed between dietary treatments in blood acid-base status, milk yield or milk composition. However, a diet x day interaction (p < 0.05) was detected for milk yield, as during the last 2 weeks of the experimental period the ewes fed the PTMR yielded more milk than those fed the CTMR. Feed conversion ratio did not differ between groups (p > 0.05), but body weight loss was greater in ewes fed the CTMR diet (−3.00 vs. −0.58 kg; p < 0.05). A trend toward improved feed efficiency was observed in the PTMR group when calculated based on milk yield corrected for that theoretically derived from the mobilization of body reserves (1.98 vs. 1.41 g DMI/kg milk; p = 0.077), with estimated contributions from body reserves of 485 g/day in the CTMR group and 70 g/day in the PTMR group. In conclusion, the use of pelleted total mixed rations in high-yielding dairy ewes enhances feed intake, feed efficiency, milk yield, and energy balance without adversely affecting milk composition or animal health in the short term. Full article

Pasture-based ruminant systems link nitrogen (N) nutrition with ecosystem N cycling. Grazing ruminants convert fibrous forages into milk and meat but excrete 65 to 80% of ingested N, creating excreta hotspots that drive ammonia volatilization, nitrate leaching, and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions. This review synthesizes ecological and ruminant nutrition evidence on N flows, emphasizing microbial processes, biological N₂ fixation, plant diversity, and urine patch biogeochemistry, and evaluates strategies to improve N use efficiency (NUE). We examine rumen N metabolism in relation to microbial protein synthesis, urea recycling, and dietary factors including crude protein concentration, energy supply, forage composition, and plant secondary compounds that modulate protein degradability and microbial N capture, thereby influencing N partitioning among animal products, urine, and feces, as reflected in milk and blood urea N. We also examine how grazing patterns and excreta distribution, assessed with sensor technologies, modify N flows. Evidence indicates that integrated management combining dietary manipulation, forage diversity, targeted grazing, and decision tools can increase farm-gate NUE from 20–25% to over 30% while sustaining performance. Framing these processes within the global N cycle positions pasture-based ruminant systems as critical leverage points for aligning ruminant production with environmental and climate sustainability goals. Full article

Background: Cigarette smoking disrupts cellular energy metabolism and remains a major global health problem. The Mediterranean diet, characterized by antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, has been implicated in the regulation of metabolic pathways. Objective: This study aimed to examine the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and the expression of energy metabolism-related genes in smokers aged 18–55 years. Methods: Smokers were classified according to their Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) scores into an adhering group (n = 24) and a non-adhering group (n = 24). Participant characteristics were recorded, blood samples were collected, and total RNA was isolated. Gene expression analysis was performed using a custom RT-qPCR array targeting energy metabolism-related genes. Pathway enrichment analysis was conducted using EnrichR Reactome 2024, and gene–metabolite relationships were explored using MetaboAnalyst 6.0 to support pathway-level interpretation. Results: Smoking was associated with coordinated upregulation of genes involved in glycolysis, glucose transport, lipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, the pentose phosphate pathway, and redox regulation, consistent with a metabolically stressed state. In contrast, adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with lower expression of genes related to glycolytic flux, lipid β-oxidation, and amino acid turnover, alongside relatively higher engagement of tricarboxylic acid cycle-related pathways and reduced activation of redox-associated processes. Conclusions: Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with differences in the expression of genes involved in cellular energy metabolism among smokers, suggesting a potential modulatory role of dietary patterns in smoking-related metabolic alterations. Full article

Background: Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) have emerged as a critical component of diet quality, yet data on the associations between UPF and nutrient intakes remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate nutrient consumption in relation to UPF intake and adherence to international dietary guidelines for non-communicable disease (NCD) prevention. Methods: Data from 469 individuals aged 2–18 years enrolled in the Hellenic National Nutrition and Health Survey (HNNHS) were analyzed. Intakes were assessed using two 24 h recalls, and foods were classified according to the NOVA system. Participants were categorized by UPF energy intake tertiles. Nutrient adequacy was assessed using Nordic Nutrition Recommendations, European Society of Cardiology guidelines for macronutrients, and the Institute of Medicine’s Estimated Average Requirements and Adequate Intake values for micronutrients. Results: Children in the highest UPF tertile had significantly higher intakes of energy, carbohydrates, added sugars, saturated fats, polyunsaturated fats, and cholesterol, but lower intakes of protein compared to those in the lowest tertile. Fiber intake remained inadequate across all tertiles, with no significant differences. Regarding adherence to NCD prevention guidelines, children in the 3rd UPF tertile had a 2.3 times higher prevalence ratio for exceeding added sugar recommendations, while their protein intake prevalence ratio was 0.8 times lower. For micronutrients, the highest UPF tertile showed significantly elevated intakes of vitamins E, B₁, folate, calcium, iron, copper, and sodium, but lower potassium intake compared to the lowest tertile. Conclusions: Our results underscore the need for effective public health strategies to improve diet quality in children and adolescents and prevent diet-related NCDs. Full article

Background/Objectives: Poor dietary habits are a major contributor to non-communicable diseases (NCDs), the leading cause of mortality worldwide. To promote healthier eating, governments and stakeholders have implemented various nutrition policies, including front-of-pack nutrition labeling (FOPNL). The Choices International Foundation (Choices), through its criteria, supports these efforts through its standardized nutrient profiling system (NPS). Originally developed to underpin a positive FOPNL logo, in 2021, the criteria were expanded into a globally oriented five-level profiling system covering 23 basic and 10 discretionary food groups, addressing key nutrients such as trans-fatty acids, saturated fat, sodium, sugar, fiber, and energy. To ensure continued scientific relevance, the Choices criteria are periodically reviewed by an independent International Scientific Committee (ISC). Methods: This paper presents the 2025 revision of the Choices criteria, focusing on priority areas identified through stakeholder consultation and recent scientific developments. Results: Key updates include the introduction of nutrient-based equivalence criteria for plant-based alternatives to meat and dairy, based on protein and selected micronutrient thresholds. Non-sugar sweeteners (NSSs) were newly included as a factor that lowers a product’s health classification and makes it ineligible for a positive FOPNL. Additionally, the industrially produced trans-fatty acid (iTFA) criteria were revised and aligned with the latest World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, improving both technical feasibility and policy coherence. While options for incorporating whole-grain and micronutrient criteria were explored, these were not included in the current revision. Conclusions: The 2025 update system enhances the scientific rigor, policy alignment, and global applicability of the Choices system. By providing a harmonized and evidence-based tool, it aims to support national policies that foster healthier food environments and, ultimately, improve public health outcomes worldwide. Full article

This study examined the seasonal and size-related variations in the diet composition and feeding strategies of the robust tonguefish Cynoglossus robustus collected in the Yeosu Coast, Korea, from January to December 2024. Stomach content analysis identified amphipods, polychaetes, and brachyurans as the dominant prey items. Ontogenetic dietary shifts were evident, with individuals < 25 cm TL feeding mainly on amphipods, whereas larger individuals consumed more polychaetes and brachyurans, indicating a shift toward larger and more energy-efficient prey with growth. Amphipods, with Ampelisca sp. being predominant, were predominant in spring and summer, whereas crabs and polychaetes increased in autumn and winter, respectively. Seasonal variation was attributed to environmental factors and post-spawning feeding recovery. The estimated trophic level (3.22) suggests that C. robustus functions as a mesopredator consuming benthic invertebrates and plays an essential role in energy transfer within the coastal benthic ecosystem. These findings provide fundamental ecological insights into the trophic structure of the coastal ecosystem in the southern sea of Korea and serve as a scientific basis for sustainable fisheries resource management. Full article

Objective: This study aims to investigate the dietary assessment and trends of preschoolers aged 3 to 5 years in Korea from 2012 to 2021 and to provide basic data for early childhood dietary education and policy development. Methods: Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) from 2012 to 2021 were analyzed for 2510 children in the 3–5 age group. Dietary intake was assessed using a 24 h recall. Intakes of food groups, dishes, and nutrients were calculated, and trends across years were tested using generalized linear models adjusted for gender, age, household income, energy intake, mother’s age, and mother’s education. Results: Over the tenyear period, intakes of carbohydrates, phosphorus, iron, sodium, potassium, carotene, thiamine, niacin, and vitamin C, as well as the carbohydrate energy ratio, showed significant declines. Meanwhile, protein, fat, retinol, and riboflavin increased, as did the protein and fat energy ratios. Fruit intake decreased by approximately 42 g among food group intakes. Analysis of foods contributing to total food intake revealed that milk, white rice, apples, and eggs consistently accounted for a high proportion of total intake in all survey years. Average calcium intake was approximately 100 mg below the estimated average requirement. Conclusions: The results of this study showed that preschoolers exhibit insufficient intake of certain nutrients, such as calcium, and a decrease in fruit intake. Interventions are needed to establish regular meal patterns, promote plant food intake such as fruit, and improve calcium intake. These results provide valuable evidence for designing dietary education programs and dietary guidelines tailored to early childhood. Full article

Background/Objectives: Intermittent fasting and ketogenic dietary approaches are increasingly investigated for their potential metabolic benefits in obesity. However, their long-term neuroendocrine effects—particularly those involving Orexin-A, a peptide implicated in energy regulation—remain poorly understood. The objective of this study was to compare the long-term metabolic, inflammatory, and orexinergic responses to different dietary strategies in adults with obesity. Methods: In this 12-month randomized, three-arm trial, 30 adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²) were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to a hypocaloric ketogenic diet (KD), a 16:8 time-restricted eating regimen (TRF16:8), or a 5:2 intermittent fasting protocol (ADF5:2). Anthropometric parameters, body composition, fasting glucose, lipid profile, inflammatory cytokines (CRP, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10), and plasma Orexin-A levels were assessed at baseline and every 3 months. Dietary adherence was monitored through structured logs and monthly assessments. Statistical analyses included repeated-measures models with sensitivity analyses adjusted for age and sex. Results: All participants completed the intervention. The ketogenic diet produced the largest sustained reductions in BMI, fat mass, fasting glucose, and total cholesterol over 12 months. TRF16:8 elicited more rapid early metabolic improvements and showed the most consistent longitudinal increase in Orexin-A levels. The ADF5:2 protocol resulted in moderate improvements across outcomes. In all groups, increases in Orexin-A were associated with markers of improved metabolic flexibility and reduced inflammation; however, mediation analyses were exploratory and non-causal. Between-group differences remained significant for fat mass, glucose, and Orexin-A trajectories after correction for multiple comparisons. Conclusions: The ketogenic diet was associated with the most pronounced long-term metabolic improvements, whereas 16:8 time-restricted eating yielded faster early responses and the most stable enhancement in Orexin-A levels. These findings indicate distinct metabolic and neuroendocrine adaptation profiles across dietary strategies. Given the small sample size, results should be interpreted cautiously, and larger trials are warranted to clarify the role of Orexin-A as a potential biomarker of dietary response in obesity. Full article

Background: Durative exercise-induced fatigue influences muscle structure and exercise performance. Dietary supplements combining bioavailable proteins with essential vitamins and minerals may help reduce fatigue. Compared with proteins, whey peptides, as easily absorbed energy sources, are regarded as better promoting the utilization of vitamins and minerals. This study investigated whether the combination of whey peptides and micronutrients could synergistically improve exercise-induced fatigue and exercise performance. Methods: Four-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were forced to exercise using a treadmill for four weeks to evaluate the supplemental effects of whey peptides and/or micronutrients on exercise performance. Results: Compared with mice receiving whey peptides or micronutrients alone, mice receiving a combination of whey peptides and micronutrients displayed increased muscle mass, muscle fiber cross-sectional area, muscle strength, and exercise performance, including running exhausting time and swimming exhausting time. Consistent results were obtained in detecting fatigue-associated serum metabolites and markers reflecting muscle injury. To elucidate the anti-fatigue mechanisms of whey peptides and micronutrients, RNA transcriptome in the muscle tissues were analyzed. Enrichment analysis results suggest that micronutrients and/or whey protein alleviate exercise-induced fatigue, not only via reducing oxidative stress but also repressing excessive immune activation in muscle tissue, thereby decreasing the tissue injury caused by strenuous exercise. Conclusions: Overall, the current study indicates that the combination of whey peptides and micronutrients produces a synergistic effect on promoting exercise performance. Our findings provide scientific evidence for the development of novel and efficient anti-fatigue functional foods using whey peptides and micronutrients. Full article

During gastrointestinal digestion, dietary proteins are hydrolyzed into peptides and free amino acids that modulate enteroendocrine function and satiety-related hormone secretion along the gut–brain axis, thereby contributing to obesity prevention. We investigated whey protein concentrate (WPC) as a source of bioactive peptides and evaluated the effects of its digests on cholecystokinin (CCK) secretion in STC-1 enteroendocrine cells by integrating the standardized INFOGEST in vitro digestion protocol, peptidomics (LC–MS/MS), and in silico bioactivity prediction. In STC-1 cells, the <3 kDa intestinal peptide fraction exhibited the strongest CCK stimulation, positioning these low-molecular-weight peptides as promising bioactive components for satiety modulation and metabolic health applications. Peptidomic analysis of this fraction identified short sequences derived primarily from β-lactoglobulin (β-La) and α-lactalbumin (α-La), enriched in hydrophobic and aromatic residues, including neuropeptide-like sequences containing the Glu–Asn–Ser–Ala–Glu–Pro–Glu (ENSAEPE) motif of β-La f(108–114). In silico bioactivity profiling with MultiPep predicted antihypertensive, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)–inhibitory, antidiabetic, dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV)–inhibitory, antioxidant, antibacterial, and neuropeptide-like activities. Overall, digestion of WPC released low-molecular-weight peptides and amino acids that enhanced CCK secretion in vitro; these findings support their potential use in nutritional strategies to enhance satiety, modulate appetite and energy intake, and improving cardiometabolic health. Full article

Background: Cardiometabolic risk (CMR), including obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and impaired glucose regulation, disproportionately affects Hispanic/Latinx adults in the United States (U.S.). Although plant-forward dietary patterns are established as cardioprotective, less is known about how dietary patterns within Hispanic/Latinx subgroups relate to CMR. Methods: A narrative review was conducted of observational studies among U.S. Hispanic/Latinx adults (≥18 years) examining defined dietary patterns (a priori, a posteriori, or hybrid) in relation to CMR outcomes (e.g., BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, glucose, lipids). Risk of bias was assessed using an adapted version of the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Results: Ten studies met the inclusion criteria, including Seventh-day Adventist Latinx, Puerto Rican adults, Mexican American adults, Hispanic women, and a national Hispanic cohort. Plant-forward dietary patterns were associated with lower BMI and waist circumference, lower triglycerides and fasting glucose, and higher HDL-C. In contrast, energy-dense patterns characterized by refined grains, added sugars, processed meats, fried foods, solid fats, and sugar-sweetened beverages were associated with greater adiposity, poorer lipid profiles, and higher blood pressure. Traditional rice-and-beans–based patterns observed in Puerto Rican and Mexican American groups were associated with central adiposity and higher metabolic syndrome prevalence, despite modestly higher intakes of fruits, vegetables, and fiber. Study quality ranged from good (n = 4) to very good (n = 6). Conclusions: Across Hispanic/Latinx subgroups, plant-forward dietary patterns were associated with favorable cardiometabolic profiles, whereas refined and animal-based patterns aligned with higher CMR. Given the predominance of cross-sectional evidence, these findings should be interpreted as associative rather than causal. Culturally grounded dietary counseling, along with additional longitudinal and intervention studies, is needed to support cardiometabolic health in these populations. Full article

Background: This study systematically investigates the therapeutic effects of naringenin (NAR) and oleuropein (OLE) on prostate cancer through miR-155-5p regulation. Methods: Experimental studies conducted on MAT-LyLu prostate cancer cell lines revealed that the application of NAR (50 μM) and OLE (75 μM) significantly increased miR-155-5p expression by 2.89-fold and 1.74-fold, respectively (p < 0.05). Bioinformatics analyses have indicated that miR-155-5p interacts with critical oncogenic pathways such as KRAS, CDK2, NF-κB, and TGF-β/Smad2. Computational analyses have revealed that miR-155-5p interacts with 16 critical oncogenic targets, including KRAS and CDK2. Molecular docking studies showed that NAR binds to the Switch I/II region of KRAS with a binding energy of −8.2 kcal/mol, while OLE binds to the ATP-binding pocket of CDK2 with an affinity of −9.1 kcal/mol. Pharmacokinetic evaluations revealed that NAR indicated high oral bioavailability (93.763% HIA) and full compliance with Lipinski’s rules, while OLE required advanced formulation strategies due to its high polarity. Network pharmacology analyses have shown that NAR affects lysosomal functions and enzyme regulation, while OLE affects G protein-coupled receptors and oxidoreductase activity. Results: Results indicate that NAR and OLE exhibit antitumor effects through multiple mechanisms by increasing miR-155-5p expression and inhibiting critical oncogenic targets in prostate cancer. Conclusion: Findings suggest that the dietary intake of these natural compounds (citrus and olive products) should be considered in prostate cancer prevention strategies, shedding light on the epigenetic mechanisms of polyphenols in cancer treatment and contributing to the development of new therapeutic strategies. Full article

Background: Vitamins are micronutrients involved in multiple physiological processes critical for athletic performance. Because athletes are often exposed to increased oxidative stress, higher metabolic turnover, and greater nutritional demands, which can potentially lead to deficiencies in vitamins, understanding vitamin supplementation as a function of sport discipline is of fundamental importance. Methods: This narrative review synthesizes research findings from the past decade, supplemented with earlier studies where necessary, focusing on vitamins A, C, D, E, and the B-complex vitamins. Peer-reviewed literature was evaluated for evidence on the prevalence of deficiencies in athletes, physiological mechanisms, supplementation strategies, and their effects on performance, injury prevention, and recovery. Results: Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent among athletes, particularly in indoor sports and during the winter months. Supplementation has been shown to improve musculoskeletal health and potentially reduce injury risk. The antioxidant vitamins C and E can attenuate exercise-induced oxidative stress and muscle damage; however, excessive intake may impair adaptive responses such as mitochondrial biogenesis and protein synthesis. Vitamin A contributes to immune modulation, metabolic regulation, and mitochondrial function, while B-complex vitamins support energy metabolism and red blood cell synthesis. Conclusions: Vitamin supplementation in athletes should be individualized, targeting confirmed deficiencies and tailored to sport-specific demands, age, sex, and training intensity. Dietary optimization should remain the primary strategy, with supplementation serving as an adjunct when intake is insufficient. Further high-quality, sport-specific, and long-term studies are needed to establish clear dosing guidelines and to assess the balance between performance benefits and potential risks associated with over-supplementation. Full article