Search Results (2,016)

The enteroendocrine system of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is the largest endocrine organ in the human body, playing a central role in the regulation of hunger, satiety, digestion, and energy homeostasis. Numerous factors—including dietary components, physical activity, and the gut microbiota—affect the secretion of GI hormones. This study aims to analyze how these factors modulate enteroendocrine function and influence systemic metabolic regulation. This review synthesizes the current scientific literature on the physiology and distribution of enteroendocrine cells and mechanisms of hormone secretion in response to macronutrients, physical activity, and microbial metabolites. Special attention is given to the interactions between gut-derived signals and central nervous system pathways involved in appetite control. Different GI hormones are secreted in specific regions of the digestive tract in response to meal composition and timing. Macronutrients, particularly during absorption, stimulate hormone release, while physical activity influences hormone concentrations, decreasing ghrelin and increasing GLP-1, PYY, and leptin levels. The gut microbiota, through fermentation and metabolite production (e.g., SCFAs and bile acids), modulates enteroendocrine activity. Species such as Akkermansia muciniphila are associated with improved gut barrier integrity and enhanced GLP-1 secretion. These combined effects contribute to appetite regulation and energy balance. Diet composition, physical activity, and gut microbiota are key modulators of gastrointestinal hormone secretion. Their interplay significantly affects appetite regulation and metabolic health. A better understanding of these relationships may support the development of personalized strategies for managing obesity and related disorders. Full article

Sprouted grains are gaining attention as a natural and sustainable source of bioactive compounds with potential benefits in managing insulin resistance (IR), a hallmark of obesity-related metabolic disorders. This review aims to synthesize current findings on the biochemical changes induced during grain germination and their relevance to metabolic health. We examined recent in vitro, animal, and human studies focusing on how germination enhances the nutritional and functional properties of grains, particularly through the synthesis of compounds such as γ-aminobutyric acid, polyphenols, flavonoids, and antioxidants, while reducing anti-nutritional factors. These bioactive compounds have been shown to modulate metabolic and inflammatory pathways by inhibiting carbohydrate-digesting enzymes, suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines, improving redox balance, and influencing gut microbiota composition. Collectively, these effects contribute to improved insulin sensitivity and glycemic control. The findings suggest that sprouted grains serve not only as functional food ingredients but also as accessible dietary tools for preventing or alleviating IR. Their role in delivering multiple bioactive molecules through a simple, environmentally friendly process highlights their promise in developing future nutrition-based strategies for metabolic disease prevention. Full article

Potentially toxic elements, such as chromium (Cr) and zinc (Zn), play essential roles in humans and animals. However, the harmful effects of excessive exposure to these elements through food remain unknown. In this sense, this study aimed to evaluate the anthropogenic contamination of chromium and zinc in aquatic biota and seafood consumers. Based on the PRISMA protocol, 67 articles were selected for this systematic review. The main results point to a wide distribution of these elements, which have familiar emission sources in the aquatic environment, especially in highly industrialized regions. Significant concentrations of both have been reported in different fish species, which sometimes represent a non-carcinogenic risk to consumer health and a carcinogenic risk related to Cr exposure. New studies should be encouraged to fill gaps, such as the characterization of the toxicity of these essential elements through fish consumption, determination of limit concentrations updated by international regulatory institutions, especially for zinc, studies on the influence of abiotic factors on the toxicity and bioavailability of elements in the environment, and those that evaluate the bioaccessibility of these elements in a simulated digestion system when in high concentrations. Full article

In recent decades, the rapid expansion of the food processing industry has led to significant losses and waste, with the fruit and vegetable sector among the most affected. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), losses in this category can reach up to 60%. Vegetable waste includes edible parts discarded during processing, packaging, distribution, and consumption, often comprising by-products rich in bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, carotenoids, dietary fibers, vitamins, and enzymes. The underutilization of these resources constitutes both an economic drawback and an environmental and ethical concern. Current recovery practices, including their use in animal feed or bioenergy production, contribute to a circular economy but are often limited by high operational costs. In this context, fermentation has emerged as a promising, sustainable approach for converting vegetable by-products into value-added food ingredients. This process improves digestibility, reduces undesirable compounds, and introduces probiotics beneficial to human health. The present review examines how fermentation can improve the nutritional, sensory, and functional properties of plant-based foods. By presenting several case studies, it illustrates how fermentation can effectively valorize vegetable processing by-products, supporting the development of novel, health-promoting food products with improved technological qualities. Full article

Sourdough fermentation, driven by the biochemical activity of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), presents a scientifically promising approach to addressing nutritional limitations in cereal-based staples. This review critically examines both the underlying mechanisms by which LAB enhance the nutritional profile of sourdough and the translational challenges in realizing these benefits. Key improvements explored include enhanced mineral bioavailability (e.g., up to 90% phytate reduction), improved protein digestibility, an attenuated glycemic response (GI ≈ 54 vs. ≈75 for conventional bread), and the generation of bioactive compounds. While in vitro and animal studies extensively demonstrate LAB’s potential to reshape nutrient profiles (e.g., phytate hydrolysis improving iron absorption, proteolysis releasing bioactive peptides), translating these effects into consistent human health outcomes proves complex. Significant challenges hinder this transition from laboratory to diet, including the limited bioavailability of LAB-derived metabolites, high strain variability, and sensitivity to fermentation conditions. Furthermore, interactions with the food matrix and host-specific factors, such as gut microbiota composition, contribute to inconsistent findings. This review highlights methodological gaps, particularly reliance on in vitro or animal models, and the lack of long-term, effective human trials. Although LAB hold significant promise for nutritional improvements in sourdough, translating these findings to validated human benefits necessitates continued efforts in mechanism-driven strain optimization, the standardization of fermentation processes, and rigorous human studies. Full article

Due to their nutritional value and sustainability, edible insect-based foods are gaining popularity in Europe. Their use is regulated by EU legislation, which defines authorised species and sets labelling requirements. Molecular tools are being developed to authenticate such products. In this study, yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) larvae authorised for human consumption were fed wheat flour-based diets containing varying proportions of house cricket (Acheta domesticus) flour for 21 days. This was followed by a 48 h starvation period to assess the persistence of insect DNA in the digestive tract. Two novel, species-specific, single-copy markers were designed: ampd gene for the Acheta domesticus and MyD88 gene for the Tenebrio molitor. These were applied using qPCR and ddPCR. Both methods successfully detected cricket DNA in the guts of starved larvae. Linear regression analysis revealed a strong, statistically significant correlation between the proportion of Acheta domesticus flour in the diet and the normalised relative quantity of DNA. ddPCR proved to be more sensitive than qPCR, particularly in the detection of low DNA levels. These results suggest that the presence of DNA from undeclared insect species in edible insects may be indicative of their diet rather than contamination or adulteration. This highlights the importance of contextual interpretation in food authenticity testing. Full article

Background: Centromeric alpha satellite DNA is organized into higher-order repeats (HORs), whose precise structure is often difficult to resolve in standard genome assemblies. The recent telomere-to-telomere (T2T) assembly of the human genome enables complete analysis of centromeric regions, including the full structure of HOR arrays. Methods: We applied the novel high-precision GRMhor algorithm to the complete T2T-CHM13 assembly of human chromosome 21. GRMhor integrates global repeat map (GRM) and monomer distance (MD) diagrams to accurately identify, classify, and visualize HORs and their subfragments. Results: The analysis revealed a novel Cascading 11mer HOR array, in which each canonical HOR copy comprises 11 monomers belonging to 10 different monomer types. Subfragments with periodicities of 4, 7, 9, and 20 were identified within the array. A second, complex 23/25mer HOR array of mixed Willard’s/Cascading type was also detected. In contrast to the hg38 assembly, where a dominant 8mer and 33mer HOR were previously annotated, these structures were absent in the T2T-CHM13 assembly, highlighting the limitations of hg38. Notably, we discovered a novel 52mer HOR—the longest alpha satellite HOR unit reported in the human genome to date. Several subfragment repeats correspond to alphoid subfamilies previously identified using restriction enzyme digestion, but are here resolved with higher structural precision. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate the power of GRMhor in resolving complex and previously undetected alpha satellite architectures, including the longest canonical HOR unit identified in the human genome. The precise delineation of superHORs, Cascading structures, and HOR subfragments provides unprecedented insight into the fine-scale organization of the centromeric region of chromosome 21. These results highlight both the inadequacy of earlier assemblies, such as hg38, and the critical importance of complete telomere-to-telomere assemblies for accurately characterizing centromeric DNA. Full article

Background: As a well-known environmental hazard, ambient fine particulate matter (PM_2.5, aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 µm) has been positively correlated with an increased risk of digestive system diseases, including appendicitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and gastrointestinal cancer. Additionally, PM_2.5 exposure has been shown to alter microbiota composition and diversity in human and animal models. However, its impact on goblet cells and gut mucus barrier integrity remains unclear. Methods: To address this, 8-week-old male and female interleukin-10 knockout (IL10^−/−) mice, serving as a spontaneous colitis model, were exposed to concentrated ambient PM_2.5 or filtered air (FA) in a whole-body exposure system for 17 weeks. Colon tissues from the PM_2.5-exposed mice and LS174T goblet cells were analyzed using H&E staining, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and transcriptomic profiling. Results: The average PM_2.5 concentration in the exposure chamber was 100.20 ± 13.79 µg/m³. PM_2.5 exposure in the IL10^−/− mice led to pronounced colon shortening, increased inflammatory infiltration, ragged villi brush borders, dense goblet cells with sparse enterocytes, and lipid droplet accumulation in mitochondria. Similar ultrastructure changes were exhibited in the LS174T goblet cells after PM_2.5 exposure. Transcriptomic analysis revealed a predominantly upregulated gene expression spectrum, indicating an overall enhancement rather than suppression of metabolic activity after PM_2.5 exposure. Integrated enrichment analyses, including GO, KEGG, and GSEA, showed enrichment in pathways related to oxidative stress, xenobiotic (exogenous compound) metabolism, and energy metabolism. METAFlux, a metabolic activity analysis, further substantiated that PM_2.5 exposure induces a shift in cellular energy metabolism preference and disrupts redox homeostasis. Conclusions: The findings of exacerbated gut barrier impairment and goblet cell dysfunction following PM_2.5 exposure provide new evidence of environmental factors contributing to colitis, highlighting new perspectives on its role in the pathogenesis of colitis. Full article

The scientific literature currently lacks studies that evaluate the nutritional composition of the tissues of cattle raised in different systems, so that the nutritional effects can be known and used to enhance consumption and use in the diet. The aim was therefore to assess whether the mineral content of muscle tissue (longissimus lumborum) in cattle finished during the rainy season in the Eastern Amazon is influenced by different farming systems. The treatments consisted of four systems (three pasture production systems and one feedlot system). 1. native wetland pasture in Santa Cruz do Arari (Mesoregion of Marajó); 2. native wetland pasture in Monte Alegre (Mesoregion of Baixo Amazonas); 3. cultivated dryland pasture in São Miguel do Guamá (Mesoregion of Nordeste Paraense); and 4. Confinement in Santa Izabel do Pará (Metropolitan Region of Belém). The analyses were carried out on samples of the longissimus lumborum muscle tissue of 48 male, castrated, crossbred Nelore cattle, twelve per breeding system, from commercial farms, destined for meat production, finished during the rainiest period of the year (between January and June). In systems 1 and 2, the animals were slaughtered in licensed slaughterhouses; the animals in systems 3 and 4 were slaughtered in commercial slaughterhouses. Food sampling and chemical analysis, soil sample collection and analysis, longissimus lumborum muscle tissue collection, sample preparation and digestion, and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry were evaluated. The experimental design was completely randomized in a linear model with four rearing systems and one period (rainy). The data was compared using the Statistical Analysis Systems (SAS) program. All analyses were carried out considering a significance level of 0.05. Samples of the diets offered (pasture and concentrate) were also collected. The Amazon systems influenced the macro- and micromineral content in the muscles of cattle (p < 0.05). The interaction between pasture systems vs. confinement showed differences in the minerals calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn) (p < 0.05). However, there was no difference in the values of sodium (Na), potassium (K), and sulfur (S) between the rearing systems (p > 0.05). By contrast, the cultivated pasture system vs. extensive pasture showed differences in all the elements evaluated (p < 0.05). The rearing systems of the Eastern Amazon influenced the mineral content of beef, which continues to be an excellent source of macro- and microminerals and can compose the human diet. Full article

Balantioides coli is the only ciliate currently described as an intestinal parasite of humans, although it can also infect other animals, particularly pigs. Its in vitro cultivation remains challenging, and no axenic culture system is currently available. Cultures are initiated by adding small amounts of feces containing cysts or trophozoites to the culture medium. Implantation success is lower when starting from cysts, and the mechanisms and early events of excystation remain poorly understood. In this study, we describe the sequence of events involved in excystation and identify factors potentially important for culture establishment. Cysts were obtained from orangutan feces and genetically confirmed as B. coli. Only viable cysts, determined by trypan blue or methylene blue exclusion, were used. After artificial digestion with pepsin and trypsin, cysts were incubated at 28 °C for up to 72 h in DMEM supplemented with L-glutamine, yeast extract, fetal bovine serum, and starch granules. Excystation began with a fissure in the cyst wall, allowing for bacterial entry. This appeared to stimulate the trophozoites, the increased motility of which progressively weakened and ruptured the wall, allowing for their emergence. Wall rupture and bacterial entry were critical for activation., whereas starch type had no apparent influence. Excystation occurred within the first hours; otherwise, cysts degenerated. Full article

Gluten-related disorders, including celiac disease (CeD) and non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), are triggered by the immune response to gluten peptides that resist complete digestion by human gastrointestinal enzymes. Microbial peptidases have emerged as promising biocatalysts capable of degrading these immunogenic peptides, offering potential therapeutic and industrial applications. This review explores the role of microbial peptidases in gluten degradation, highlighting key enzyme families, their mechanisms of action, and their effectiveness in reducing gluten immunogenicity. Additionally, we discuss advances in enzymatic therapy, food processing applications, and the challenges associated with optimizing microbial enzymes for safe and efficient gluten detoxification. Understanding the potential of microbial peptidases in mitigating gluten-related disorders paves the way for novel dietary and therapeutic strategies. Full article

Against the backdrop of the green circular economy, the exploration of reliable and sustainable applications of lignocellulosic biomass (LCBM) has emerged as a critical research frontier. The utilization of LCBM as a ruminant roughage source offers a promising strategy to address two pressing issues: the “human-animal competition for food” dilemma and the environmental degradation resulting from improper LCBM disposal. However, the high degree of lignification in LCBM significantly restricts its utilization efficiency in ruminant diets. In recent years, microbial pretreatment has gained considerable attention as a viable approach to reduce lignification prior to LCBM application as ruminant feed. White-rot fungi (WRF) have emerged as particularly noteworthy among various microbial agents due to their environmentally benign characteristics and unique lignin degradation selectivity. WRF demonstrates remarkable efficacy in enzymatically breaking down the rigid lignocellulosic matrix (comprising lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose) within LCBM cell walls, thereby reducing lignin content—a largely indigestible component for ruminants—while simultaneously enhancing the nutritional profile through increased protein availability and improved digestibility. Solid-state fermentation mediated by WRF enhances LCBM utilization rates and optimizes its nutritional value for ruminant consumption, thereby contributing to the advancement of sustainable livestock production, agroforestry systems, and global environmental conservation efforts. This review systematically examines recent technological advancements in WRF-mediated solid-state fermentation of LCBM, evaluates its outcomes of nutritional enhancement and animal utilization efficiency, and critically assesses current limitations and future prospects of this innovative approach within the framework of circular bioeconomy principles. Full article

Cyanide species pose an environmental concern as they inhibit important biological processes in humans and aquatic systems. There is more focus on free-CN and weak acid dissociables cyanide as hazardous species compared to strong acid dissociables due to their higher reactivity and toxicity. However, the strong acid dissociables cyanide also poses health concerns as it liberates free-CN under ultraviolet irradiation or when present in acidic solutions. Detection of strongly acid dissociables cyanide typically requires its digestion in acidic solutions and measurement of the gaseous HCN produced. A simple infrared spectroscopic method is described here to speciate and quantify three strong acid dissociables cyanide: [Fe(CN)₆]³⁻, [Co(CN)₆]³⁻, and [Au(CN)₂]⁻. The strategy involves precipitating the strongly acid dissociables cyanide using cetyltrimethylethylammonium bromide, capturing the precipitate on a polyethylene membrane, and quantifying the individual strongly acid dissociables cyanide from the IR spectrum recorded in transmission mode through the membrane. Controlling the particle diameter to be in the range of 0.2–2 µm is important. Particles less than 0.2 µm pass through the membrane, whereas particles larger than about 2 µm lead to nonlinearity in quantification. The average %recoveries for [Fe(CN)₆]³⁻, [Co(CN)₆]³⁻, and [Au(CN)₂]⁻ were 100% (%RSD = 7), 91% (%RSD = 7), and 101% (%RSD = 8), respectively. The detection limit for [Fe(CN)₆]³⁻ and [Co(CN)₆]³⁻ were both 20 ppb CN⁻, whereas [Au(CN)₂]⁻ was 100 ppb CN⁻. The detection range was 20–750 ppb CN⁻ for [Fe(CN)₆]³⁻ and [Co(CN)₆]³⁻ and 100–750 ppb CN⁻ for [Au(CN)₂]⁻ with a linear regression of R² = 0.999–1.000. Full article

The treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), particularly ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, remains a challenge. As the available therapeutic options have limited efficacy and various side effect, there is a need to identify new inflammatory modulators that can influence IBD. Natural polyphenols and polyphenol-rich extracts have been found to have preventive and therapeutic potential, including various anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, the inhibition of the formation of mediators associated with intestinal inflammation, remodelling, and angiogenesis by the spent hop extract (SHE), a polyphenol-rich extract from Humulus lupulus L., and its flaxseed polysaccharide-based encapsulates was examined using tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)-stimulated human small intestinal epithelial (HIEC-6) and large intestinal epithelial (CCD841CoN) cells. Also, we assessed the activity of the tested agents after in the vitro-simulated gastrointestinal digestion process. SHE strongly inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, mainly IL-1β and TNF-α, as well as the expression and activity of type IV collagenases (MMP-2 and MMP-9); these effects resulted from the suppression of NF-κB, ERK and Akt signalling pathways. We also proved the protective effect of encapsulation process against the reduction in the bioaccessibility of SHE, observed under the influence of digestion process. Our results provide initial evidence on the potential utility of SHE and its encapsulates in IBD. Full article

Background: The New Zealand pine bark has been demonstrated in vitro to inhibit digestive enzymes involved in carbohydrate digestion (alpha-amylase, alpha-glucosidase, and dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 (DPP-4)). Objective: This study aims to investigate the inhibitory effects of the New Zealand pine bark on sucrose uptake and glycaemic responses in humans. Methods: A single-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, crossover trial was carried out involving healthy adults (n = 40 (M: 12, F: 28), 30.1 ± 1.3 years, BMI 23.4 ± 0.5 kg/m², HbA1c 32.5 ± 0.6 mmol/mol, FBG 4.7 ± 0.1 mmol/L). A control (75 g of sucrose powder only), and two doses of the pine bark extract (50 and 400 mg) were provided on separate occasions, with 75 g of sucrose mixed in 250 mL of water. Blood samples were collected at −10, 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min via a finger prick test. A linear mixed model for repeated measures (SPSS v30, IBM) was applied, and data presented as model-adjusted mean ± SEM. Results: Compared to control (247.5 ± 14.0 mmol/L⋅min), the iAUCglucose was significantly reduced with the 400 mg dose (211.8 ± 13.9 mmol/L⋅min, 14.4% reduction, and p = 0.037), but not with 50 mg dose (220.8 ± 14.2 mmol/L⋅min, 10.8% reduction, and p = 0.184). Compared to control (9.1 ± 0.2 mmol/L), glucose peak value was significantly reduced with the 50 mg dose (8.6 ± 0.2 mmol/L, 5.5% reduction, and p = 0.016) but not with the 400 mg dose (8.7 ± 0.2 mmol/L, 4.4% reduction, and p = 0.093). There were no statistically significant changes in postprandial insulin levels with the pine bark extract compared to control. Conclusions: The New Zealand pine bark extract attenuated sucrose uptake with improved glycaemic responses, and may therefore be useful as a hypoglycaemic adjunct to the diet. Full article