Search Results (789)

This narrative review examines the effects of caffeine on brain health in older adults, with particular attention to its potential for dependence—an often-overlooked issue in geriatric care. Caffeine acts on central adenosine, dopamine, and glutamate systems, producing both stimulating and rewarding effects that can foster tolerance and habitual use. Age-related pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes prolong caffeine’s half-life and increase physiological sensitivity in the elderly. While moderate consumption may enhance alertness, attention, and possibly offer neuroprotective effects—especially in Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia—excessive or prolonged use may lead to anxiety, sleep disturbances, and cognitive or motor impairment. Chronic exposure induces neuroadaptive changes, such as adenosine receptor down-regulation, resulting in tolerance and withdrawal symptoms, including headache, irritability, and fatigue. These symptoms, often mistaken for typical aging complaints, may reflect a substance use disorder yet remain under-recognized due to caffeine’s cultural acceptance. The review explores caffeine’s mixed role in neurological disorders, being beneficial in some and potentially harmful in others, such as restless legs syndrome and frontotemporal dementia. Given the variability in individual responses and the underestimated risk of dependence, personalized caffeine intake guidelines are warranted. Future research should focus on the long-term cognitive effects and the clinical significance of caffeine use disorder in older populations. Full article

Traditionally studied in isolation, the oral and gut microbiota are now being recognized as interconnected through anatomical and physiological pathways forming a dynamic “oral–gut microbiota axis”. Both oral and gut microbiota undergo changes with aging, characterized by a decline in microbial diversity and a shift toward potentially harmful species. The aim of this review is, therefore, to provide an overview of oral–gut communications in mediating frailty and sarcopenia. PubMed, EMBASE and Scopus databases were searched for relevant articles. We limited our search to manuscripts published in the English language. Interactions between oral and gut microbiota occur mainly through three pathways namely the enteral, the bloodstream and the fecal-oral routes. Alterations in the oral–gut microbiota axis contribute to chronic low-grade inflammation (i.e., “inflamm-ageing”) and mitochondrial dysfunction, key mechanisms underlying frailty and sarcopenia. Microbial metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids and modified bile acids, appear to play an emerging role in influencing microbial homeostasis and muscle metabolism. Furthermore, poor oral health associated with microbial dysbiosis may contribute to altered eating patterns that negatively impact gut microbiota eubiosis, further exacerbating muscle decline and the degree of frailty. Strategies aimed at modulating the microbiota, such as healthy dietary patterns with reduced consumption of ultra-processed foods, refined carbohydrates and alcohol, ensuring an adequate protein intake combined with physical exercise, as well as supplementation with prebiotics, probiotics, and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, are increasingly recognized as promising interventions to improve both oral and gut microbiota health, with beneficial effects on frailty and sarcopenia. A better understanding of the oral–gut microbiota axis offers promising insights into nutritional interventions and therapeutic strategies for the age-related muscle decline, frailty and systemic health maintenance. Full article

The role of pre-hoop expansion deformation on high-temperature mechanical properties of zirconium at 400 °C was investigated. The results showed that with the increase in the pre-strain, the yield strength and ultimate strength increased while the elongation decreased, all in a linear way. The creep life had a significant decrease as the creep stress exceeded 276 MPa. The fatigue–creep results indicated that as the stress ratio was less than 0.7, the deformation process was dominated by fatigue (the fatigue–creep life first increased and then decreased), while as the stress ratio was higher than 0.7, the deformation process was dominated by creep (the fatigue–creep life decreased monotonically). The dwell time had a negative effect on the fatigue–creep life. The stress field simulation results indicated that there existed a compressive stress zone, a stress transition zone, and a tensile stress zone around the pre-hoop expansion deformation zone. The compressive stress was beneficial while the tensile stress was harmful for the high-temperature mechanical properties of the zirconium plate. Full article

Propionate is a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) produced by gut microbiota through the fermentation of dietary fibers. Among the SCFAs, butyrate stands out and has been extensively studied for its beneficial effects; however, propionate has received less attention despite its relevant roles in immune modulation, metabolism, and mucosal homeostasis. This narrative review focuses on propionate’s effects on metabolism, inflammation, microbiota, and gastrointestinal diseases. Propionate acts as a signalling molecule through FFAR2/FFAR3 receptors and modulates immunity, energy metabolism, and gut–brain communication. It has beneficial effects in metabolic disorders, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and alcohol-related liver disease (ALD). However, excessive accumulation is linked to neurotoxicity, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and mitochondrial dysfunction. Its effects are dose-dependent and tissue-specific, with both protective and harmful potentials depending on the context. Propionate use requires a personalized approach, considering the pathological context, host microbiota composition, and appropriate dosage to avoid adverse effects. Full article

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is among the most frequent gastroenterology emergencies, with hospital admission rates on the rise in recent decades. However, a specific treatment for this condition is still lacking. Mitochondrial damage induced by oxidative stress is regarded as the key event in the pathophysiology and initiation of cellular damage in AP. In the early stages of AP, the oxidant–antioxidant balance changes rapidly, and there are significant data regarding the reduced serum levels of antioxidants, with this event being correlated with the clinical severity of pancreatitis. Therefore, addressing oxidative stress could represent a potential therapeutic target in AP. In this comprehensive review, we aimed to provide an update on current evidence regarding clinical and experimental data on antioxidant use in AP, focusing on human studies investigating the effects of single and combined antioxidant supplementation. Although a multitude of animal studies demonstrated that antioxidant therapy has beneficial effects in experimental AP by reducing oxidative injury, inflammatory markers, and ameliorating histological outcomes, human trials showed predominantly conflicting results, with some studies suggesting benefit while others showed no effect, or even potential harm, when antioxidants were administered in high doses or in combination. Moreover, some antioxidants with beneficial results in experimental settings did not show the same efficacy when translated to human studies, which may be a consequence of either inappropriate dosage, route of administration and duration of therapy, or altered pharmacodynamics in vivo. In conclusion, oxidative stress plays a key role in the pathophysiology of AP by enhancing acinar cell injury, inflammation, and systemic complications. Future studies should be centered on optimized dosing strategies, early administration protocols, targeted patient selection, and delivery methods of proper pharmaceutical forms. Full article

This study was performed to investigate the effects of dietary yeast culture (YC) supplementation on growth performance, digestive function, intestinal inflammatory response, and microbiota composition of largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides (LMB). Six diets were formulated with graded levels of YC (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 g/kg), referred to as CON, YC5, YC10, YC15, YC20, and YC30, respectively. Each diet was assigned to four replicate tanks of LMB juveniles (initial body weight 8.11 ± 0.05 g) with twenty fish per tank. After an 8-week feeding trial, final body weight and specific growth rate showed an increasing trend with 5~20 g/kg YC and reached a maximum at 15 g/kg YC. Feeding ratio decreased, but feed efficiency ratio (FER) improved in response to dietary YC inclusion, and FER was higher in the YC10 fish than in the YC5, YC20, and YC30 fish. Proximate composition (moisture, protein, and lipid) of the whole fish was not affected by dietary YC levels. The activities of intestinal lipase and trypsin were higher in the YC10 fish, while the relative expression of interleukin-8 (il-8) and il-1β was downregulated in the hindgut of the YC15 fish compared with the CON fish. Histological examination showed that the villus height of the midgut, together with goblet cell density of the foregut and midgut, was higher in the YC10 and YC30 fish than in the CON fish. 16S rRNA sequencing showed that Proteobacteria, Fusobacteria, and Firmicutes dominated the intestinal microbiota in LMB. The decrease in harmful Mycoplasma accounted for the dramatic change in Firmicutes abundance, while the increase in Cetobacterium (specifically C. somerae) accounted for the change in Fusobacteria abundance in the gut of the YC10 and YC30 fish compared with the CON fish. The increase in the beneficial Endozoicomonas was the main reason for the change in Proteobacteria abundance in the intestine of the YC30 fish as compared with the CON fish. Taken together, the alteration of intestinal microbiota composition contributed to the improved digestive function and feed utilization in LMB fed YC-supplemented diets. Based on growth performance, the optimal YC level in the diet for LMB was 15 g/kg. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of Yupingfeng polysaccharides (YPF-P) on production performance, immune response, and intestinal health in goslings. A total of 240 one-day-old healthy male goslings were randomly assigned to four groups, each with six replicates of ten goslings. The Control group (Control) was fed a basal diet, while the experimental groups received the basal diet supplemented with 200 mg/kg (YPFPI), 400 mg/kg (YPFPII), and 600 mg/kg (YPFPIII) of YPF-P. The results demonstrated that supplementation with 400 mg/kg of YPF-P significantly decreased the final body weight at 21 days and the feed conversion ratio (FCR) from days 1 to 14 (p < 0.05). Plasma activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were significantly elevated, while malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were reduced in the 400 and 600 mg/kg groups (p < 0.05). Both dosages significantly increased thymus and bursa of Fabricius indices, as well as plasma IL-1β concentration (p < 0.05), with IL-6 levels further elevated in the 600 mg/kg group (p < 0.05). Duodenal and ileal villus height and the villus height to crypt depth ratio were significantly improved in the 400 and 600 mg/kg groups (p < 0.05). In the cecum, acetate and isobutyrate concentrations were increased in the 400 and 600 mg/kg groups, while propionate concentration was significantly higher in the 600 mg/kg group (p < 0.05). The 600 mg/kg group also exhibited a significant increase in the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Akkermansia and Alistipes, alongside a marked reduction in harmful pathogens, including Rickettsia (p < 0.05). In summary, dietary supplementation with YPF-P enhanced antioxidant capacity, immune response, and gut microbiota composition in goslings, with the most pronounced effects observed at 600 mg/kg. Full article

Background: Herbal medicine represents a rich yet complex source of bioactive compounds, offering both therapeutic potential and toxicological risks. Methods: In this study, we systematically evaluated the biological effects of three traditional herbal extracts—Mentha longifolia, Scrophularia orientalis, and Echium biebersteinii—using Caenorhabditis elegans as an in vivo model. Results: All three extracts significantly reduced worm survival, induced larval arrest, and triggered a high incidence of males (HIM) phenotypes, indicative of mitotic failure and meiotic chromosome missegregation. Detailed analysis of germline architecture revealed extract-specific abnormalities, including nuclear disorganization, ectopic crescent-shaped nuclei, altered meiotic progression, and reduced bivalent formation. These defects were accompanied by activation of the DNA damage response, as evidenced by upregulation of checkpoint genes (atm-1, atl-1), increased pCHK-1 foci, and elevated germline apoptosis. LC-MS profiling identified 21 major compounds across the extracts, with four compounds—thymol, carvyl acetate, luteolin-7-O-rutinoside, and menthyl acetate—shared by all three herbs. Among them, thymol and carvyl acetate significantly upregulated DNA damage checkpoint genes and promoted apoptosis, whereas thymol and luteolin-7-O-rutinoside contributed to antioxidant activity. Notably, S. orientalis and E. biebersteinii shared 11 of 14 major constituents (79%), correlating with their similar phenotypic outcomes, while M. longifolia exhibited a more distinct chemical profile, possessing seven unique compounds. Conclusions: These findings highlight the complex biological effects of traditional herbal extracts, demonstrating that both beneficial and harmful outcomes can arise from specific phytochemicals within a mixture. By deconstructing these extracts into their active components, such as thymol, carvyl acetate, and luteolin-7-O-rutinoside, we gain critical insight into the mechanisms driving reproductive toxicity and antioxidant activity. This approach underscores the importance of component-level analysis for accurately assessing the therapeutic value and safety profile of medicinal plants, particularly those used in foods and dietary supplements. Full article

The increasing global discovery of plant species presents both opportunities and challenges, particularly in distinguishing between beneficial and poisonous varieties. While computer vision techniques show promise for classifying plant species and predicting toxicity, the lack of comprehensive datasets including images, scientific names, descriptions, local names, and poisonous status complicates these predictions. In this paper, we propose an Explainable Deep Inherent Learning approach that leverages advanced computer vision techniques for effective plant species classification and poisonous status prediction. The proposed Deep Inherent Learning method was validated using different explanation techniques, and Explainable AI (XAI) was employed to clarify decision-making processes at both the local and global levels. Additionally, we provide visual information to enhance trust in the proposed method. To validate the efficacy of our approach, we present a case study involving 2500 images of 50 different plant species from the Arabian Peninsula, enriched with essential metadata. This research aims to reduce the incidence of poisoning from harmful plants, thereby benefiting individuals and society. Our experimental results demonstrate strong performance, with the XAI model achieving accuracy, Precision, Recall, and F1-Score of 0.94, 0.96, 0.96 and 0.97, respectively. By enhancing interpretability, our study fosters greater trust in AI-driven plant classification systems. Full article

Background/Objectives: Lactobacillus johnsonii CRL1231 (Lj CRL1231) is a strain with feruloyl esterase (FE) activity that enhances ferulic acid (FA) release from wheat bran (WB) and has potential as a probiotic for metabolic syndrome (MS). Given the potential health benefits of FA and its microbial metabolites, this study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of Lj CRL1231 co-administered with WB in a mouse model of metabolic syndrome (MS) induced by a high-fat diet (HFD). Methods: Mice were divided into three groups and fed for 14 weeks as follows: the Control group (standard diet), the MS group (HFD+WB), and the MS+Lj group (HFD+WB and Lj CRL1231-dose 10⁸ cells/day). Specifically, we analyzed the changes in the intestinal microbiota (IM), colonic FE activity, generation of FA-derived and fermentation metabolites, and metabolic and inflammatory parameters. Results: Improvements in the MS+Lj group compared to the MS group included the following: a—a 38% increase in colonic FE activity, leading to elevated levels of FA-derived metabolites (e.g., dihydroferulic, dihydroxyphenylpropionic, and hydroxyphenylpropionic acids); b—a significant shift in the IM composition, with a 3.4-fold decrease in Firmicutes and a 2.9-fold increase in Bacteroidetes; c—a decrease in harmful bacteria (Desulfovibrio) by 93%, and beneficial bacteria like Bifidobacterium increased significantly (6.58 log cells/g); d—a 33% increase in total SCFAs; e—a 26% reduction in the adiposity index; f—a 12% increase in HDL cholesterol and a 19% reduction in triglycerides; g—normalized glucose and insulin resulting in a 2-fold lower HOMA-IR index; h—an improved inflammatory profile by decreasing TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-6 (3-, 5-, and 2-fold, respectively) and increasing IL-10 by 2-fold; i—alleviation of liver damage by normalizing of transaminases AST (19.70 ± 2.97 U/L) and ALT (13.12 ± 0.88 U/L); j—evidence of reduced oxidative damage. Conclusions: The co-administration of L. johnsonii CRL1231 and WB exerts a synergistic effect in mitigating the features of MS in HFD-fed mice. This effect is mediated by modulation of the gut microbiota, increased release of bioactive FA-derived compounds, and restoration of metabolic and inflammatory homeostasis. This strategy represents a promising dietary approach for MS management through targeted microbiota–metabolite interactions. Full article

Plant polyphenols have emerged as potent bioactive molecules that can modulate key cellular pathways associated with aging and chronic disorders. The Mediterranean diet and the traditional Japanese style of life are rich in polyphenol-containing foods and beverages, and epidemiological evidence links these dietary patterns to increased longevity and reduced morbidity. This narrative review examines the chemical description of plant polyphenols, their mechanisms of action, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hormetic effects, and how supplementation or a diet rich in these compounds may provide further life extension. We discuss the major classes of polyphenols present in the Mediterranean dietary pattern (e.g., resveratrol and hydroxytyrosol) and in the Japanese diet (e.g., epigallocatechin gallate and soy isoflavones), comparing their biological behaviors and cooperative effects on metabolic, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative conditions. We also examine a few preclinical and clinical studies that explain the beneficial impact of these chemicals on aging-associated biomarkers. Furthermore, both dietary habits are characterized by low consumption of processed foods and sugary carbonated drinks and reduced utilization of deep-frying with linoleic acid-rich oils, a practice that reduces the formation of harmful lipid peroxidation products, notably 4-hydroxynonenal, known to be implicated in accelerating the aging process. The Mediterranean dietary pattern is also characterized by a low/moderate daily consumption of wine, mainly red wine. This work debates emerging evidence addressing issues of bioavailability, dosage optimization, and formulation technologies for polyphenol supplementation, also comparing differences and similarities with the vegan and vegetarian diets. We also explore how these chemicals could modulate epigenetic modifications that affect gene expression patterns pertinent to health and aging. In conclusion, we aim to show a consolidated framework for the comprehension of how plant polyphenols could be utilized in nutritional strategies for potentiating life expectancy while stimulating further research on nutraceutical development. Full article

Background: Exploring new strategies to improve type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the frontier hotspots in the field of healthy food. Flavonoid–metal complexes have become one of the research hotspots in the field of health foods due to their unique structural and functional properties. Methods: In this study, the effect of hesperetin–copper(II) complex [Hsp–Cu(II)] on the gut microbiota of mice with T2DM was investigated by the 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing. Results: The analyses of α and β diversity indicated that the richness and diversity of gut microbiota in the T2DM mice decreased and the community structure was significantly different from the normal mice. Hsp–Cu(II) increased the abundances of the beneficial bacteria (Lactobacillus, Ligilactobacillus, Romboutsia, Faecalibaculum, and Dubosiella), and decreased the amounts of the harmful bacteria (Desulfobacterota, Corynebacterium, and Desulfovibrio) and the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (from 44.5 to 5.8) in the T2DM mice, which was beneficial for regulating the composition of intestinal microbiota. The linear discriminant analysis effect size analysis showed that the intervention of Hsp–Cu(II) made the short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) producers (o_Lachnospirales, f_Lachnospiraceae, g_Faecalibaculum, g_Romboutsia, and g_Turicibacter) and the lactic acid bacteria producers (f_Lactobacillaceae and o_Lactobacillales) highly enriched, and the production of its metabolite SCFAs (acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, and valeric acid) were increased in a dose-dependent manner, promoting the SCFA metabolism. Conclusions: Hsp–Cu(II) may improve glucose metabolic disorders and alleviate T2DM by modulating gut microbiota composition, promoting probiotics proliferation and SCFAs production, restoring intestinal barrier integrity, and suppressing local inflammation. These research findings may provide a theoretical basis for developing Hsp–Cu(II) as a new hypoglycemic nutritional supplement, and offer new ideas for the dietary food nutritional regulation to alleviate T2DM. Full article

Background: Obesity-associated metabolic disorders represent a critical global health challenge, which necessitates innovative strategies targeting lipid metabolism. Peanut skin procyanidins (PSPs), abundant bioactive compounds derived from agricultural by-products, show potential in lipid regulation, but molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Methods: This study integrated hepatic metabolomics, network pharmacology, and gut microbiota analysis to systematically decipher the mechanisms for PSP to ameliorate high-fat diet (HFD)-induced lipid metabolism disorders. Results: PSP intervention significantly attenuated HFD-induced increases in LDL-C, TG, and TC levels and effectively mitigated hepatic lipid accumulation. Metabolomics revealed that PSP reshaped hepatic lipid dynamics by modulating glycerophospholipid, linoleic acid, arachidonic acid, tryptophan, and nitrogen metabolism. Subsequent network pharmacology identified PLA2G10, PLA2G5, PLA2G2A, and CYP1B1 as the core targets, and PSP could markedly suppress their HFD-induced overexpression. Furthermore, PSP selectively reshaped the gut microbiota, enriching beneficial genera such as Akkermansia and Bacteroides while reducing the abundance of harmful bacteria within Firmicutes. PICRUSt-based functional prediction indicated that PSP alters gut microbial glutamine synthetase activity. Conclusions: Mechanistically, PSP regulates lipid metabolism by downregulating PLA2G10, PLA2G5, PLA2G2A, and CYP1B1 expression, remodeling gut microbiota structure, and increasing hepatic glutamine level. These findings provide novel insights into value-added utilization of agricultural byproducts and development of targeted intervention strategies for metabolic diseases. Full article

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a major global health issue, influenced by sedentary behavior and obesity. Emerging evidence implicates the gut microbiota in T2D pathophysiology through effects on glucose metabolism, inflammation, and insulin sensitivity. This systematic review included eleven studies, six observational and five interventional, examining the relationship between physical activity, exercise, and gut microbiota in individuals with or at risk of T2D. Observational studies associated low physical activity and high sedentary time with reduced α-diversity and increased abundance of potentially harmful bacteria. Interventional studies showed that structured exercise, including moderate-intensity and sprint interval training, increased beneficial bacteria such as Faecalibacterium, Veillonella, Lachnospira, and Bifidobacterium, linked to anti-inflammatory effects and improved metabolic profiles. However, overall microbial diversity often remained unchanged unless combined with dietary modifications. Exercise also reduced levels of trimethylamine N-oxide, a metabolite linked to cardiovascular risk. Despite increases in butyrate-producing taxa, most studies did not report significant short-term changes in short-chain fatty acid levels, highlighting the complex interaction between microbiota and host metabolism. These findings support physical activity and exercise as modifiable factors that can influence gut microbiota composition, potentially contributing to improved metabolic regulation and better management of T2D. Full article

Postharvest losses of Solanaceae crops, which include potatoes (Solanum tuberosum), tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum), bell peppers (Capsicum annuum), and others, are one of the major challenges in agriculture throughout the world, impacting food security and economic viability. Agrochemicals have been successfully employed to prevent postharvest losses in agriculture. However, the excessive use of agrochemicals may cause detrimental effects on consumer health, the emergence of pesticide-resistant pathogens, increased restrictions on existing pesticides, environmental harm, and the decline of beneficial microorganisms, such as natural antagonists to pests and pathogens. Hence, there is a need to search for a safer and more environmentally friendly alternative. Microbial antagonists have gained more attention in recent years as substitutes for the management of pests and pathogens because they minimize the excessive applications of toxic substances while providing a sustainable approach to plant health management. However, more research is required to make microbial agents more stable and effective and less toxic before they can be used in commercial settings. Therefore, research is being conducted to develop new biological control agents and obtain knowledge of the mechanisms of action that underlie biological disease control. To accomplish this objective, the review aims to investigate microbial antagonists’ modes of action, potential future applications for biological control agents, and difficulties encountered during the commercialization process. We also highlight earlier publications on the function of microbial biological control agents against postharvest crop diseases. Therefore, we can emphasize that the prospects for biological control are promising and that the use of biological control agents to control crop diseases can benefit the environment. Full article