Search Results (209)

Transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR) is a disease caused by the deposition of transthyretin-derived fibrils in the body. Despite extensive research conducted over the years, there are currently only four drugs available in clinical use to treat this condition, two of which are repurposed drugs used off-label. However, these treatments present several limitations; therefore, there is an urgent need for new therapeutic options. In this context, dietary supplements containing natural compounds capable of stabilizing the transthyretin (TTR) protein could represent a promising approach to contrast the disease progression, potentially supporting the therapeutic effects of the aforementioned drugs. In light of this, the present review highlights and analyzes the natural compounds that have most recently been reported in the literature as TTR stabilizers. In particular, the studies elucidating the potential of these compounds in the treatment of ATTR, along with the available crystallographic data explaining their binding mode to TTR, are reported. Overall, although the use of natural compounds as supplements shows promise in managing ATTR, further research is still needed to explore its feasibility and confirm its effectiveness. Hopefully, this work will help shed light on these issues and serve as a useful starting point for the development of new strategies to treat this disease. Full article

In the Chan Buddhism koan (gong’an 公案) tradition, the act of “slaying the snake” functions as a signature gesture imbued with complex, historically layered cultural meanings. Rather than merely examining its motivations, this paper emphasizes tracing the semantic transformations that this motif has undergone across different historical contexts. It argues that “snake-slaying” operated variously as an imperial narrative strategy reinforcing ruling class ideology; as a form of popular resistance by commoners against flood-related disasters; as a dietary practice among aristocrats and literati seeking danyao (elixirs) 丹藥 for reclusion and transcendence; and ultimately, within the Chan tradition, as a method of spiritual cultivation whereby masters sever desires rooted in attachment to both selfhood and the Dharma. More specifically, first, as an imperial narrative logic, snake-slaying embodied exemplary power: both Liu Bang 劉邦 and Guizong 歸宗 enacted this discursive strategy, with Guizong’s legitimacy in slaying the snake deriving from the precedent set by Liu Bang. Second, as a folk strategy of demystification, snake-slaying acquired a moral aura—since the snake was perceived as malevolent force, their slaying appeared righteous and heroic. Finally, as a mode of self-cultivation among the aristocracy, snake-slaying laid the groundwork for its later internalization. In Daoism, slaying the snake was a means of cultivating the body; in Chan Buddhism, the act is elevated to a higher plane—becoming a way of cultivating the mind. This transformation unfolded naturally, as if predestined. In all cases, the internalization of the snake-slaying motif was not an overnight development: the cultural genes that preceded its appearance in the Chan tradition provided the fertile ground for its karmic maturation and discursive proliferation. Full article

Background: Intermittent fasting (IF) can improve inflammatory status, but its effects may be dependent on the mode of fasting. Objectives: We performed a systematic review with pairwise and network meta-analyses to investigate the effects of different modes of IF on inflammatory markers in adults. Methods: Three database searches were conducted, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, from inception to June 2024. The searches used two keyword groups: “intermittent fasting” and “inflammatory markers”. Randomized and non-randomized trials investigating any IF mode on inflammatory markers, including interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α, C-reactive protein (CRP), leptin, and adiponectin, were included. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) were calculated using random effects models for both analyses. Results: A total of 21 studies (839 participants) were included. Compared with controls, IF reduced TNF-α [SMD: −0.31, p = 0.009], CRP [SMD: −0.19, p = 0.04], and leptin [SMD: −0.57, p = 0.005] but did not significantly affect IL-6 or adiponectin. Among the IF modes, time-restricted feeding (TRF) showed the largest reduction in TNF-α [−0.39, p = 0.001]. TRF had the highest probability ranking for changes in IL-6, TNF-α, leptin, and adiponectin; however, the effects on IL-6 and adiponectin were not statistically significant. The 5:2 diet ranked highest for CRP. Conclusions: IF may be an effective dietary therapy for improving some inflammatory markers, with effects potentially influenced by the mode of IF. TRF had the highest rankings across multiple markers, though the findings were not uniformly significant. Additional longer-term trials are needed to fully elucidate the anti-inflammatory potential of IF. Full article

Background/Objectives: There is evidence concerning herbal medicines and plant-based compounds, including Lamiaceae species, as putative senolytic agents; however, there are only a few reports on Ocimum americanum properties using rat models. The aim of this study was to investigate the neuroprotective effects and potential modes of action of Ocimum americanum L. using ex vivo and in vivo assays to assess the effects of OAEE on hippocampal tissue from young adult and late middle-aged Wistar rats, with a focus on oxidative stress, cholinesterase activity, and neuroinflammatory markers. Methods: Ocimum americanum ethanol extract (OAEE) was incubated with hippocampal slices of young adult and late middle-aged male Wistar rats exposed to H₂O₂; an acute treatment with OAEE was evaluated in aversive memory performance and neurochemical parameters, such as hippocampal cellular oxidative state, and anticholinesterase activity, and a diet supplementation of OAEE were evaluated on several hippocampal biochemical parameters, such as oxidative state, anticholinesterase activity, and neuroinflammatory parameters in young adult and late middle-aged male rats. Results: OAEE reversed the H₂O₂-induced impaired cellular viability in hippocampal slices from young adult rats, as well as protected hippocampal slices against H₂O₂-induced damage in both young adult and late middle-aged Wistar rats, indicating its neuroprotective action. Chronic dietary OAEE supplementation reduced aging-induced increases in reactive species and lipid peroxidation levels in the hippocampus. Indeed, this supplementation reduced the TNF-α content in hippocampus from both ages, and IL-1β levels in young adult rats. Conclusions: The antioxidant actions of OAEE here observed, preventing the lipoperoxidation, as well as its anti-neuroinflammatory effect, might be related to neuroprotective effect. Our findings add evidence to support the idea of the potential use of Ocimum americanum as a nutraceutical or functional food in the aging process. Full article

Dietary protein levels greatly influence gut microbial ecosystems; however, their effects on gut archaea and associated functions in ruminants require further elucidation. This study evaluated the impact of varying dietary protein levels on gut archaeal composition, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes, virulence factors, and functional capacities in sheep. Eighteen ewes (Yunnan semi-fine wool breed, uniparous, 2 years old, and averaging 50 ± 2 kg body weight) were randomly assigned to diets containing an 8.5 (low; H_1), 10.3 (medium; H_m), or 13.9% (high; H_h) crude protein level from the 35th day of pregnancy to the 90th day postpartum. The total duration of the experiment was approximately 202 days. A total of nine fecal samples (three from each group) were analyzed via 16S rRNA and metagenomics sequencing. Higher archaeal alpha diversity and richness were observed in the H_m and H_h groups compared to the H_l group (p < 0.05). A Beta diversity analysis revealed the archaeal community’s distinct clustering mode based on protein levels. The methanogenic genera Methanobrevibacter and Methanocorpusculum were dominant across the three groups, and their abundance was influenced by protein intake. A functional prediction analysis indicated moderate changes in amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism, which are particularly associated with methane production, an important source of greenhouse gases. AMR genes (e.g., tetA (60), patA, vat, and Erm methyltransferase) and virulence factors (Bacillibactin, LPS) were significantly enriched when animals were fed high-protein diets. Our results demonstrated that dietary protein levels significantly influence gut archaeal composition, AMR gene enrichment, and related functional pathways. Medium-protein diets promoted greater archaeal diversity, whereas high-protein diets favored resistance gene proliferation and enhanced methanogenic activity. Optimizing dietary protein intake may enhance gut health, mitigate antimicrobial resistance risk, and reduce methane emissions, thereby supporting livestock sustainability and environmental protection. Full article

Human milk (HM) is a complex biological fluid that plays a significant role in infant health, influenced by maternal dietary habits and body composition. This study aimed to explore how maternal diet and nutritional status affect the microbial composition of HM. In this pilot study, 15 mothers were recruited from a maternity ward and assessed for dietary habits through a semi-structured food frequency questionnaire and a 3-day dietary record. Maternal body composition was evaluated using bioelectrical impedance analysis. HM samples were collected for microbiota analysis, focusing on the diversity and composition of bacterial communities via 16S rRNA sequencing. The study identified that maternal nutrient intake significantly correlated with the composition of HM microbiota. Specifically, Firmicutes abundance showed positive correlations with animal protein (τ = 0.39; p = 0.043), total carbohydrates (τ = 0.39; p = 0.043), and vitamin A (τ = 0.429; p = 0.026). Bacteroidota was positively correlated with retinol (τ = 0.39; p = 0.043). Higher consumption of dietary fiber (>24 g/day) did not yield significant differences in bacterial composition compared to lower intake (<24 g/day) (p = 0.8977). Additionally, no significant differences were found in overall bacterial abundance across different maternal characteristics such as age, mode of delivery, or breastfeeding type. This study underscores the importance of maternal diet in shaping the HM microbiota, which may have implications for infant health. Dietary modifications during lactation could be a strategic approach to promote beneficial microbial colonization in HM. Further research is warranted to confirm these findings and explore the underlying mechanisms. Full article

Given the escalating global temperatures and the consequent exacerbation of heat stress, dietary interventions have emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy. The gastrointestinal tract, being exquisitely sensitive to thermal challenges, revealing the underlying mechanisms of intestinal cell injury under high temperature, is essential for developing strategies to prevent heat stress. Here, we integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses to investigate the metabolic and genetic changes in murine intestinal cells in response to different levels of heat stress. The results identified the PI3k-Akt-FoxO pathway as the major heat stress regulatory pathway Kin MODE-K cells. The possible regulatory mechanism is to reduce the expression of the FoxO gene through the downstream phosphorylation of PI3K under the stimulation of growth factors such as INS, IGF1 and TGF-β. Then, through acetylation modification, it regulates the expression of the Gadd45 gene, promotes the expression of p19 and BNIP3 genes, and inhibits the expression of the ATG8 gene, thus inducing apoptosis to remove cells that cannot be repaired. It also promotes cyclinB, PLK, and Bcl-6 gene expression in cells surrounding apoptotic cells to inhibit apoptosis. It promotes the expression of RAG1/2 to enhance cellular immunity and regulates the G6pc gene to maintain the homeostasis of glycogen metabolism and glucose under heat stress. Our findings provide a basis for the regulation of intestinal cell damage due to heat stress through dietary interventions. Full article

Thus far, various aquaculture modes have been developed to facilitate the rapid growth of the aquaculture industry and thus meet the heavy demand for aquatic products for human consumption. However, the effects of different culture modes on fish muscular nutritional content and volatile flavor are rarely reported. In the present study, we evaluated the differences in muscular nutrition content and dietary flavor between Chinese longsnout catfish (Leiocassis longirostris) groups cultured in two different modes, i.e., flow-through water tanks (CWWL) and traditional ponds (CWWC). Our statistical results showed that a significantly higher crude protein content and lower crude fat levels were observed in the CWWL group than in the CWWC group (p < 0.05). Similarly, the contents of total aromatic amino acids (Total ∑TAA) and total dicarboxylic amino acids (Total ∑DAA) were also significantly higher in the CWWL group. Among the fatty acids, long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs), including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and arachidonic acid (ARA), were recorded at 1.44%, 2.5%, and 9.09%, respectively, in the CWWL group, which were dramatically higher than in the CWWC group. Conversely, the contents of volatile compounds, including 2-tridecanone, dimethyl trisulfide, and isophorone, in the CWWC group were also significant higher, which, however, may contribute to an unpleasant sensory experience. Conversely, other compounds like 2-methylbutanal and 2,3-butanedione were prevalent in the CWWL group, which can induce rich nutty and buttery flavors and thus enhance the freshness of flavor profiles. In conclusion, Chinese longsnout catfish cultured in flow-through tanks show higher nutritional value and better sensory flavor in comparison with those raised in ponds. These findings not only provide novel insights into the potential effects of aquaculture modes on muscular nutrition content and dietary flavor for Chinese longsnout catfish but also lay a solid foundation for optimizing practical culture modes to improve the global aquaculture industry. Full article

Consumers tend to favor natural dietary supplements to improve their health. However, vendors rarely cite scientific evidence to justify these claims. In the case of poppy oil, it is often mentioned as having a positive effect on Ca metabolism-related disorders, but no proof has been provided. Therefore, the aim of our trial was to test the possible effect of poppy oil on calcium metabolism using Japanese quail layers as a model animal. A total of 120 four-week-old quail were divided into three dietary treatments (four cages per treatment, with ten birds in each cage): a control group (using sunflower oil as the energy source in the diet), 0.5%, and 1% poppy oil supplementation (replacing sunflower oil). Egg production, eggshell thickness, eggshell strength, and egg yolk color were investigated. Ca retention was determined using the acid-insoluble ash method. At the end of the experiment, two birds per cage were sacrificed, and uterus and jejunum samples were collected for gene expression analyses. Poppy oil supplementation improved egg production in terms of intensity, egg weight, and eggmass production. The thickness and eggshell strength decreased when 1% poppy oil was fed to the animals, while Ca retention improved. Poppy oil supplementation increased the expression of Ca transporter genes (CALB1, SLC8A1, and SLC26A9) in the uterus and ITPR1 in the jejunum. Our results indicate a possible effect of poppy oil on Ca metabolism. Further studies are needed to identify the active compound and to understand the mode of action. Full article

In this study, liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was employed to conduct untargeted metabolomics analysis on black rice (BR), milled black rice (MBR), wet germinated black rice (WBR), and high-temperature and high-pressure-treated WBR (HTP-WBR). A total of 6988 positive ions and 7099 negative ions (multiple difference ≥1.2 or ≤0.8333, p < 0.05, and variable importance in projection ≥1) were isolated, and 98 and 100 differential metabolic pathways were identified between the different samples in the positive and negative ion modes, respectively. Distinctive variations in the metabolic compositions of BR, MBR, WBR, and HTP-WBR were observed. Flavonoids, fatty acids, lipids, phenylpropanoids, polyketides, benzenoids, and organooxygen were the dominant differential metabolites. Milling removed the majority of bran-associated bioactive components such as phenolic acids, anthocyanins, micronutrients, fatty acids, antioxidants, and dietary fiber. The germination process significantly reduced the number of flavonoids, polyketides, and lipid-related metabolites, while enzymatic activation notably increased the number of organic acids and amino acids. HTP treatment synergistically enhanced the content of heat-stable flavonoids and polyketides, while simultaneously promoting fatty acid β-oxidation. These findings establish novel theoretical foundations for optimizing processing methodologies and advancing functional characterization in black rice product development. Full article

Background/Objectives: The Canadian goldenrod (Solidago canadensis L.) is one of the most widespread species of the genus Solidago from the Asteraceae family. It has a rich composition of biologically active compounds and is traditionally used to address kidney, urinary tract, and liver diseases. Previously, it was proven that the S. canadensis extract obtained with a 40% ethanol solution had the most promising anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activity. Therefore, this extract was selected for the further formulation of amino acid preparations and 3D-printed dosage forms. The aims of the present study were to investigate the chemical composition, toxicity, and antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective activity of S. canadensis dry extract, its amino acid preparations, and 3D-printed dosage forms. Results: A total of 18 phenolic compounds and 14 amino acids were determined in the extracts. The S. canadensis herb extracts were verified to be practically non-toxic preparations (toxicity class V, LD₅₀ > 5000 mg/kg). They also showed moderate antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, and β-hemolytic Streptococcus pyogenes. The most pronounced hepatoprotective activity was observed with S. canadensis herb extract and its amino acid preparations with phenylalanine, alanine, and lysine at a dose of 25 mg/kg body weight. The most pronounced anti-inflammatory activity was found with S. canadensis herb extract and its preparation with arginine. According to the calculated docking score array and the analysis of binding modes in the active sites of COX-1 and COX-2, the flavonoid fraction and caffeic acid in the S. canadensis extracts presented moderate inhibitory activity. Conclusions: The development of innovative 3D-printed oral dosage forms represents a promising strategy to formulate dietary supplements or pharmaceutical preparations for these herbal extracts. Full article

Dietary and environmental exposure to aflatoxins via contaminated food items can pose major health challenges to both humans and animals. Studies have reported the coexistence of aflatoxins and other environmental toxins. This emphasizes the urgent need for efficient and effective mitigation strategies for aflatoxins. Previous reports from our laboratory have demonstrated the potency of the green-engineered clays (GECs) on ochratoxin and other toxic chemicals. Therefore, this study sought to investigate the binding and detoxification potential of chlorophyll (CMCH and SMCH) and chlorophyllin (CMCHin and SMCHin)-amended montmorillonite clays for aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). In addition to analyzing binding metrics including affinity, capacity, free energy, and enthalpy, the sorption mechanisms of AFB1 onto the surfaces of engineered clays were also investigated. Computational and experimental studies were performed to validate the efficacy and safety of the clays. CMCH showed the highest binding capacity (Qmax) of 0.43 mol/kg compared to the parent clays CM (0.34 mol/kg) and SM (0.32 mol/kg). Interestingly, there were no significant changes in the binding capacity of the clays at pH2 and pH6, suggesting that the clays can bind to AFB1 throughout the gastrointestinal track. In silico investigations employing molecular dynamics simulations also demonstrated that CMCH enhanced AFB1 binding as compared to parent clay and predicted hydrophobic interactions as the main mode of interaction between the AFB1 and CMCH. This was corroborated by the kinetic results which indicated that the interaction was best defined by chemosorption with favorable thermodynamics and Gibbs free energy (∆G) being negative. In vitro experiments in Hep G2 cells showed that clay treatment mitigated AFB1-induced cytotoxicity, with the exception of 0.5% (w/v) SMCH. Finally, the in vivo results validated the protection of all the clays against AFB1-induced toxicities in Hydra vulgaris. This study showed that these clays significantly detoxified AFB1 (86% to 100%) and provided complete protection at levels as low as 0.1%, suggesting that they may be used as AFB1 binders in feed and food. Full article

Two different diets able to induce dietary hyperammonaemia (a methionine–choline-deficient (MCD) diet and a methionine-deficient diet enriched with ammonium acetate (MAD + 20% ammonium acetate)) were tested in a rat model. The diets were shown to have different modes of action, inducing significant hyperammonaemia (HA) and growth retardation in the rats, with different metabolic consequences. The MCD diet resulted in the development of endogenous HA, with a decrease in bilirubin levels and an increase in hepatic fat content. In contrast, the MAD + 20% ammonium acetate diet increased circulating ALP and haptoglobin levels and decreased liver mass. The above results suggest that the MCD diet deteriorated the liver function of the rats, resulting in the development of endogenous HA, while the MAD diet caused moderate changes in liver metabolism, resulting in the development of exogenous HA. Interestingly, the commonly used oral treatments Lactulose and Rifaximin did not ameliorate hyperammonaemia during or after the treatment period. In conclusion, even though the diets used in the current study caused somewhat similar hyperammonaemia, they seemed to provoke different metabolic consequences. The latter can have an impact on the severity of the resulting hyperammonaemia and thus on the hyperammonaemia-induced encephalopathy, resulting in the development of distinguishing cognitive and metabolic (liver) effects compared to other forms of encephalopathy. We hypothesized that these rat models, with significantly increased serum ammonia levels, along with different liver injuries, could serve as a suitable double animal model for the testing of new, oral enzyme therapies for hepatic encephalopathy in future studies. Full article

Microbial foods include microbial biomass, naturally fermented foods, and heterologously synthesized food ingredients derived from microbial fermentation. Terpenoids, using isoprene as the basic structure, possess various skeletons and functional groups. They exhibit diverse physicochemical properties and physiological activities, such as unique flavor, anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, and hypolipemic, making them extensively used in the food industry, such as flavor, fragrance, preservatives, dietary supplements, and medicinal health food. Compared to traditional strategies like direct extraction from natural species and chemical synthesis, microbial cell factories for edible terpenoids have higher titers and yields. They can utilize low-cost raw materials and are easily scaling-up, representing a novel green and sustainable production mode. In this review, we briefly introduce the synthetic pathway of terpenoids and the applications of microbial cell factories producing edible terpenoids. Secondly, we highlight several typical and non-typical microbial chassis in edible terpenoid-producing cell factories. In addition, we reviewed the recent advances of representative terpenoid microbial cell factories with a gram-scale titer in food flavor, food preservation, nutritional enhancers, and medicinal health foods. Finally, we predict the future directions of microbial cell factories for edible terpenoids and their commercialization process. Full article

Background/Objectives: For low- and middle- income country (LMIC) settings, a global nutrition transition is rapidly emerging as diets shift, resulting in a dual burden of malnutrition. High quality dietary intake data for these populations is essential to understand dietary patterns contributing to these nutrition issues. New technology is emerging to address dietary assessment challenges; however, it is unknown how researchers conducting studies with LMIC populations or under-served groups in high-income countries adopt technology-assisted methods. This study aimed to describe the features of the dietary assessment methods used in these settings. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of members of an online international nutrition network was conducted. Participants completed an online questionnaire collecting data on dietary assessment method use, populations studied, and factors influencing method selection. Results: Of 45 participants (ranging from 27 to 60 years) who completed the questionnaire, 67% conducted dietary assessments in children aged 1–5 years, 60% in pregnant women and 60% in female adults. Dietary assessment was conducted predominantly in countries classified as LMIC (n = 50), compared to the assessment of vulnerable groups in high-income countries (n = 3). All participants reported using 24-h recalls, 80% used food frequency questionnaires, while 22% used image-based and 22% used image-assisted methods. Predominant modes were interviewer-administered, paper questionnaires and manual analysis; however, digital survey platforms were used by nearly half of participants. Conclusions: Although traditional dietary assessment methods continue to dominate in LMICs, evidence of technological-assisted method use is emerging. Technology-assisted methods, tailored to address challenges in collecting quality dietary intake data in LMICs, are becoming more accessible. Full article