Search Results (141)

With ketamine gaining attention as a therapeutic drug, oral administration offers an effective alternative to traditional parenteral routes. However, a significant gap remains in understanding its use via voluntary ingestion. This preliminary study aimed to explore the feasibility of oral ketamine self-administration in mice (Mus musculus), while investigating the effects of low concentrations on the brain, liver, and kidney. Adult mice were divided into three groups and received ketamine in their drinking water for 16 days at 0 (control), 5 (K5), or 10 mg/L (K10). A transient decrease in water consumption was observed in both sexes in the K10 group; however, only females in this group showed differences in ketamine intake between groups on some days. Oxidative stress markers measured in the brain, liver, and kidney only revealed higher catalase activity in the brains of females. No significant alterations were observed in liver and kidney function in either sex, nor in inflammation, apoptosis, or DNA damage in kidney tissues. Overall, these findings support the viability of voluntary oral ketamine administration and accentuate the need to refine the proposed model, not only to prevent water consumption inhibition but also to extend the exposure period, explore potential sex-related differences in ketamine intake, and further confirm the safety of oral ketamine administration. Full article

Lavender essential oil (LEO) was analyzed using gas chromatography coupled with a mass selective detector (GC-MS), detecting linalool and linalyl acetate as its major constituents. The biological activity of the LEO was evaluated in vitro using a normal mouse fibroblast cell line (L929), where it showed no cytotoxic effects. To assess its therapeutic effect in vivo, a broiler chicken model (Ross 308) was employed. Birds were divided into three groups: the control group (C) without any hydrogel supplementation; the H group, supplemented with alginate hydrogel capsules without LEO; and the HE groups, which received hydrogel capsules containing immobilized LEO. Capsules were provided on chick paper for voluntary intake from day 1 to day 10. At the end of the production cycle, the cecum was dissected and preserved for subsequent molecular analyses. Results demonstrated that dietary supplementation with alginate hydrogel containing immobilized LEO (HE group) positively influenced the production parameters and intestinal health in broiler chickens. Dietary supplementation with alginate hydrogel-encapsulated LEO exerts therapeutic effects in broilers. Full article

Background: Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) represent a substantial part of modern diets, with a growing prevalence in food environments worldwide. Their unfavourable nutritional composition and adverse health effects present growing public health concerns. Methods: This study examines the prevalence of UPFs in the Slovenian food supply, their nutritional quality and the use of different food symbols and labelling schemes on food packaging. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using the representative Slovenian branded foods database. A total of 23,173 prepacked foods and beverages were categorised into levels of processing according to the NOVA classification system. The nutritional composition of UPFs was compared to less processed products within 16 narrow subcategories. Additionally, the prevalence in the use of front-of-package nutrition labelling (FOPNL) and subjectively nutrition-related elements (SNREs) (such as EU Organic, Vegan labels etc.) were assessed across different food categories and processing levels. Results: Results show that UPFs represent 54.5% of the available products in the Slovenian food supply, with the highest prevalence in Confectionery (93%), Bread and bakery products (83%), Meat, meat products and alternatives (77%) and Convenience foods (74%). Comparison of nutritional composition indicated that UPFs had significantly poorer nutritional composition compared to less processed counterparts, including higher levels of sugar, salt and saturated fats, and a lower protein content. Breakfast cereals, Snack foods, Meat alternatives and Pre-prepared salads and sandwiches showed the most significant differences between UPFs and less processed counterparts. Analysis of the prevalence of symbols and labelling schemes revealed that 33.8% of products carried at least one FOPNL (15.0%) or SNRE (19.1%), with SNREs being more prevalent on less processed products and FOPNL predominantly used on UPFs (p < 0.05). The most prevalent SNRE was the EU Organic logo (12.7%), followed by the Vegan (4.7%) and Non-GMO (3.1%) logos, whereas the most frequent FOPNL was Reference Intakes (RI), presenting only energy value RI-Energy (12.5%), followed by nutrient-specific RI (1.6%), while other FOPNL were scarce and limited to certain categories. An additional comparison of visual presentation highlighted the potentially selective use of voluntary FOPNL to improve product framing. This raises concerns about their role in guiding consumer choices versus serving as marketing tools, especially when it comes to UPFs. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the need for monitoring UPFs in the food supply together with harmonised, mandatory labelling regulations to ensure transparency and empower consumers to make healthier choices. Full article

The effect of ambient temperature on various physiological parameters were obtained to determine the upper critical temperature (UCT) in Iberian pigs. After an adaptation period at 28 °C, eight barrows (99 kg) were individually moved to two respirometry chambers and fed ad libitum (standard diet). The heat production (HP) and respiratory quotient (RQ) were measured over 24 h and some physiological parameters were measured every two days at 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32 °C. No differences (p > 0.05) were found in the heart rate (HR; 97.7 beats/min) and rectal temperature (RT; 39.7 °C) between ambient temperatures. Breathing rate (BR) and skin temperature (ST) increased (272 and 2.4%, respectively; p < 0.05) along with the temperature; whereas voluntary feed intake (VFI), retained energy (RE) and respiratory quotient (RQ) decreased (40.3, 65.8 and 10.5%, respectively; p < 0.001). Overall, HP slightly decreased (19.2%; p < 0.01) when the temperature increased. The reduction in RE when the temperature increased was related more to the decrease in VFI rather than to the concomitant reduction in HP. The UCT can be established at 28 for BR, 30 for VFI and RE, and 32 °C for ST, HP and RQ. Overall, the UCT was stablished at 28–30 °C, indicating the good adaptation of Iberian pigs to heat. Full article

Background/Objectives: Ovariectomized rodents experience metabolic dysfunction in whole-body and skeletal muscle. A disrupted balance between oxidative stress and antioxidants might exacerbate metabolic dysfunction in ovariectomized rodents. Dietary antioxidants, such as vitamin E intake, before or during exercise would be beneficial by mitigating the exercise-induced increase in oxidative stress in ovariectomized rodents. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the potential effect of vitamin E intake combined with voluntary exercise on whole-body and skeletal muscle metabolism in ovariectomized mice. Methods: This study used C57BL/6J wild-type female mice (n = 40, 8 weeks old), which were randomly assigned into sham (SHM), ovariectomy (OVX), ovariectomy with exercise (OVXVE), ovariectomy with vitamin E (OVXV), ovariectomy with exercise and vitamin E (OVXVE) groups. Body composition, resting metabolic rate, glucose tolerance, skeletal muscle mitochondrial function, and protein contents were assessed using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, indirect calorimetry, glucose tolerance test, O₂K OROBOROS, and Western blot, respectively. Results: The combined treatment of vitamin E and voluntary wheel running did not show a beneficial effect on whole-body metabolism such as fat mass, energy expenditure, and glucose tolerance. However, independent of exercise intervention, vitamin E intake enhanced mitochondrial function, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha (PGC1-a), and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) levels and also reduced oxidative stress in the skeletal muscles of ovariectomized mice. Specifically, in the soleus muscle, vitamin E intake enhanced mitochondrial function and PGC1-a content (p < 0.05). In the gastrocnemius muscle, vitamin E intake enhanced PGC1-a and AMPK levels and reduced a marker of oxidative stress (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Vitamin E, as a potent antioxidant, may play a crucial role in maintaining skeletal muscle health in ovariectomized mice. More studies are necessary to investigate whether this finding is applicable to women. Full article

Avocado seeds (which are discarded during fruit processing) generate residue that could be utilized in pig feeding. The objective of this study was to test the effects of dietary inclusion of dried-milled avocado seeds (DAS) on pig performance, nutrient and energy digestibility, plasma biochemical parameters, and carcass and meat traits. Twenty-four Landrace × Large White barrows (24 kg body weight, BW) were randomly allocated to three experimental treatments: control diet (CO; 18% CP, 1.12% Lys, and 14 MJ ME/kg), and two diets in which 100 or 200 g DAS/kg partially replaced a CO diet (S10 and S20, respectively). Pigs were individually housed (22 ± 1 °C), and feed and water were provided ad libitum. Animals were weighed weekly and individual intake was monitored daily. The total tract apparent digestibility (TTAD) and nitrogen balance were determined. The experiment ended at 40 kg BW, when the animals were slaughtered for blood and tissue sampling. Voluntary feed intake was not affected by the addition of up to 200 g DAS/kg to the diet. However, growth, nutrient TTAD, and nitrogen retention were depressed at the highest DAS inclusion level. The nutritional characteristics of longissimus lumborum muscle were not affected by DAS ingestion. The inclusion of up to 100 g DAS/kg in the diets of growing pigs could be used to add value to this waste product. Full article

Background/Objectives: Artificial sweeteners are commonly used food additives that provide sweetness without calories. Once considered harmless due to their lack of metabolism, recent studies suggest that they may have unintended effects, potentially stimulating appetite and increasing food intake, leading to weight gain. This study aimed to assess consumer perceptions of artificial sweeteners in food, examine consumption frequencies of products containing them, and explore their potential influence on body mass index. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using two voluntary and anonymous surveys administered via Google Forms. Results: The study included 649 participants: 324 parents of preschool and school-aged children and 325 university and secondary school students. A substantial proportion of parents (59.3%) recognized artificial sweeteners as common sugar substitutes in beverages like juices, soft drinks, and protein drinks. Awareness was notably higher among students (88.9%). While most participants held a negative attitude toward artificial sweeteners, their awareness and engagement with food label reading were low. Multivariate linear regression identified significant associations: Male gender (β = 1.17, p < 0.001) and older age (β = 0.42, p < 0.001) were associated with higher BMI. Additionally, participants who rarely or never consumed carbonated soft drinks had a lower BMI (β = −1.48, p = 0.039), while those who occasionally consumed snacks had a higher BMI (β = 0.51, p = 0.039). Conclusions: This research underscores the urgent need for public health initiatives addressing misconceptions, raising food label reading practices, while encouraging healthier consumption habits through educational campaigns. Additionally, the study’s insights will help assess the potential cumulative health impacts of artificial sweetener intake. Full article

Background: Nowadays, exotoxic substance intake is among the most frequently employed methods of suicide. Self-poisoning is quite common among psychiatric patients treated in hospitals. Psychotropic drugs used for suicide include phenothiazines. Promazine hydrochloride (Talofen©) is an alpha-lytic phenothiazine neuroleptic with a high affinity for histaminergic H1 receptors and a low affinity for dopaminergic D2, serotoninergic 5-HT, alpha1-adrenergic, and muscarinic receptors, which may explain its potent sedative effect. The most common adverse effects include extrapyramidal syndromes, weight gain, orthostatic hypotension, QTc prolongation, convulsions, delirium, and psychosis. Rare adverse events include the potential occurrence of autoimmune syndromes and vasculitis. Methods: We report herein the delayed death of a 59-year-old woman due to cardiocirculatory arrest on an arrhythmic basis in the context of vasculitis of the small pulmonary vessels and prolongation of the QTc interval secondary to voluntary acute intoxication with promazine hydrochloride. Results: The incident occurred in a psychiatric patient with a history of prior self-harming acts. Histological investigations revealed wavy fibers in the heart, a lymphocytic granulocyte infiltrate in the walls of small- and medium-caliber vessels, and spotty perivascular deposition of histiocyte-macrophage cells in the lungs. Immunophenotypic investigations showed the prevalence of CD15+ and T-CD3+ elements, thus identifying a small vessel vasculitis. These findings were consistent with the literature regarding adverse events following the intake of promazine hydrochloride, although vasculitis is rare. Conclusions: Thus, while QTc lengthening and arrhythmic incidents are widely reported events associated with promazine hydrochloride use, the development of a rare condition such as pulmonary vasculitis undoubtedly played a synergistic and decisive stressogenic role in the genesis of the cardiac event, leading to irreversible functional arrest. Full article

Unlike the mandatory information that must be provided on a food supplement label, health claims are voluntary. This study assesses the regulatory compliance of omega-3 fatty acid (ω-3-FA) supplement label claims. Of the 97 supplements, 76 (78.4%) carried verbal claims referring to active substance, of which 68 (89.5%) were claims specific to ω-3-FA. According to the European Union Health Claims Registry, 107 claims listed on 59 supplements were authorized, as opposed to nine unauthorized claims on nine supplements. The degree to which claims aligned with regulatory standards, expressed in terms of scores scaled from 0 to 1, was the highest for supplements intended for pregnant women (1), while, in the case of adults, the mean score was 0.76 ± 0.35, and, in case of children, was 0.85 ± 0.27. Statistical analysis revealed a minor tendency for higher health claim scores to be associated with lower product prices. Furthermore, differences in compliance levels across groups of supplements formed according to the country of origin/sources of ω-3-FA/target populations were explored. The main differences were associated with products from Sweden and Italy/fish oil/supplements for pregnant women. A comparison of the daily intake of ω-3-FA provided by the supplement (based on labeled information) with the intake requirements for supplements with claims referring to ω-3-FA, supported 91 claims, five were unsubstantiated, and 11 were missing required data. Supplements also contained mineral- (19 approved) and vitamin-related claims (73, of which 9 were unauthorized). This study’s findings reveal the extent of misuse of labelled information in markets that require pre-market supplement registration. Importantly, the non-compliance of health claims can significantly undermine consumer trust. Full article

Background: Nutrition knowledge may be translated into adequate dietary intake and proper eating habits, so adolescent education programs focusing on improving eating habits and nutrition knowledge are needed. The aim of the cross-sectional study with pair-matched controls was to assess the Consumer Nutrition Knowledge Scale (CoNKS) results and its determinants after one year of intervention in a national extracurricular athletics program within a pair-matched sample of Polish adolescents. Methods: The #goathletics Study evaluated a Polish national extracurricular athletics program, ‘Athletics for all’, being a voluntary and free-of-charge physical activity program organized by the Polish Athletics Association. The study allowed comparing the intervention group of adolescents aged 10–14 years, participating in the program for at least 9 months (a school year) and a pair-matched group not participating in it, while the matching was based on city, gender, and age (each group: n = 506 adolescents, n = 281 females and n = 225 males). The nutrition knowledge was assessed using a Consumer Nutrition Knowledge Scale (CoNKS), and during the analysis, the following factors were taken into account: body weight, height, Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference, and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). Results: The ‘Athletics for all’ program participation influenced not only the total CoNKS score (p < 0.0001) but also the scores in all studied areas—within procedural nutrition knowledge (p = 0.0002), declarative nutrition knowledge on nutrients (p = 0.0001), and declarative nutrition knowledge on calories (p < 0.0001), and program participants revealed a stronger understanding of all the studied areas compared to non-participating individuals. Gender, BMI, and central obesity tendency were not associated with the total CoNKS score (p > 0.05), or any of the studied areas (p > 0.05). The statistically significant differences in the number of correct answers were observed for four items within procedural nutrition knowledge, for four items within declarative nutrition knowledge on nutrients, and for four items within declarative nutrition knowledge on calories (p < 0.05), while for all of them, ‘Athletics for all’ program participants revealed a stronger understanding. Conclusions: One year of intervention in a national extracurricular athletics program significantly influenced the nutrition knowledge of the studied group of adolescents aged 10–14 years. While compared with the pair-matched control group of Polish adolescents, they were characterized by a stronger understanding of all areas of nutrition knowledge. Full article

Background/Objectives: Ethnocultural differences between Jewish and Arab communities in Northern Israel may contribute to disparities in type 2 diabetes prevalence. Widespread screening strategies, including hospital-based initiatives, are crucial for early detection of hyperglycemia. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of postprandial hyperglycemia and identify its associated factors in a diverse population of non-diabetic adults visiting the Galilee Medical Center, a tertiary care hospital in Northern Israel. Methods: Participants were recruited between November 2017 and July 2023 through a voluntary screening program for non-diabetic adult visitors to the hospital. Capillary blood glucose measurements were obtained 1–4 h after a meal using a standardized glucometer. Postprandial hyperglycemia was defined as a blood glucose level ≥147 mg/dL, while postprandial normoglycemia was defined as ≤133 mg/dL. Individuals with glucose levels between 134–146 mg/dL were excluded from the analysis. Additional exclusion criteria included known diabetes, acute illness, corticosteroid use, and pregnancy. Demographic data, lifestyle factors, and health status were recorded. Propensity score matching was employed to ensure comparability between religious groups based on age, gender, and body mass index. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify independent predictors of postprandial hyperglycemia. Results: 3457 adult visitors underwent postprandial glucose testing and met eligibility criteria. Following propensity score matching, 1845 participants (615 each from Druze, Jewish, and Muslim religious groups) were included in the final analysis. The prevalence of postprandial hyperglycemia was 9.4% in Druze, 6.0% in Jews, and 8.0% in Muslims (p = 0.08). Age >50 years was significantly associated with postprandial hyperglycemia in all groups. Obesity was associated with postprandial hyperglycemia in Muslims, with a similar non-significant trend in the Jewish cohort. Self-reported poor health was also associated with postprandial hyperglycemia in Muslims. In the Druze cohort, a low daily intake of daily fresh vegetable consumption was significantly associated with postprandial hyperglycemia. Conclusions: This study highlights the feasibility of hospital-based screening for postprandial hyperglycemia among adult visitors and reveals ethnic variations in prevalence and associated risk factors. Full article

Background/Objectives: Dry eye disease (DED) significantly impairs quality of life, affecting physical, social, and psychological well-being, as well as reducing workplace productivity. While lutein and zeaxanthin supplements have been shown to improve ocular health, existing research often overlooks the efficacy of lower dosages and shorter durations of supplementation. This study investigated the effects of combined supplementation with lutein, zeaxanthin, and elderberries in 110 voluntary participants through a randomized controlled trial. Methods: Participants took 6 mg of lutein and 1 mg of zeaxanthin, along with 100 mg elderberry extract once daily for a duration of 20 days. Ocular health was assessed using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), while immune status was evaluated with the Immune Status Questionnaire (ISQ). Results: Results showed that combined supplementation significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the OSDI scores in the intervention group from 38.15 ± 11.14 to 18.26 ± 5.57, reflecting a 52.2% reduction. A similar trend was observed with the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), indicating significant (p < 0.05) improvement from 5.31 ± 1.62 to 6.73 ± 1.74, equivalent to a 26.7% improvement. Although the intervention group showed a 15.9% improvement in ISQ scores by the study’s end, this was not significantly different from the placebo group, suggesting that higher dosages or longer durations may be needed to observe a meaningful effect. Additionally, findings from the Food Frequency Questionnaire revealed that the average dietary intake of lutein and zeaxanthin among participants was only 663.49 µg, equating to just 5.5% of the suggested optimal daily intake. This low consumption is concerning, as it is inversely correlated with the risk of ocular diseases. Conclusions: Collectively, these findings support the use of combined supplementation as an adjuvant approach to improving ocular health. Full article

Background: Over the last decade, while studies on the detrimental effects of ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption have increased, methodological limitations on the quality of available evidence have emerged. Starting from a critical reassessment of the NOVA classification, this project will aim to develop and validate a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), which is based on the processing of consumed foods and specifically designed to estimate the UPF consumption and total dietary intake of macro- and micronutrients in the Italian adult population. Methods: This study will take place in selected workplaces and include healthy males and females aged ≥18 years, residing in Italy and with Italian citizenship. The FFQ will be online, voluntary, self-administered, semi-quantitative, and designed to assess food intake over the past year and distinguish between industrial, artisanal, and home-made products. This project will consist of two phases. First, a pilot study will be conducted to obtain the final version of the FFQ. The current food consumption of the target population will be investigated, through a 24 h dietary recall, and the face validity of the new tool will be tested. The second phase will involve at least 436 participants. To assess reproducibility, the FFQ will be administered twice (at an interval of 3–10 months), and the test–retest method will be used. A 7-day weighed dietary record (WDR) will also be completed after each FFQ administration. To evaluate criterion validity, data from the two WDRs will be compared against those from the first FFQ administration. Conclusions: The results will provide a new valid tool focused on food processing, potentially useful for future studies. Full article

Reducing salt intake is a vital public health measure for combating noncommunicable diseases and mitigating rising social security expenditures in Japan. We developed a system dynamics model to analyze the potential health and cost effects of salt reduction interventions among the Japanese population aged 40 years and above from 2012 to 2040. The simulation findings derived from the model indicate that, in the base run, the disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are projected to be approximately 55 and 9.5 per 100,000 people, respectively, contributing approximately 40 trillion yen in social security expenditures by 2040. The model predicts that implementing mandatory reformulation could decrease DALYs for CVD and CKD by 5.7% and 6.2%, respectively, resulting in an approximately 6.7% reduction in social security expenditure. Additionally, voluntary reformulation is estimated to reduce the DALYs for CVD and CKD by 4.7% and 5.2%, leading to a 5.6% decrease in social security expenditure. Finally, accelerating the adoption of a low-salt diet is expected to lower the DALYs for CVD by 2.8% and CKD by 3.2%, thereby reducing social security expenditures by 3.4%. Thus, product reformulation initiatives have a greater impact on health and economic outcomes. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the impact of alcohol (A), secondhand cigarette smoking (ShS), and their combined effect on liver antioxidant activity and hepatic damage in rats with induced apical periodontitis (AP). Thirty-five female Wistar rats were randomly allocated into five groups (n = 7): (1) control (rats without ShS, alcoholic diet, or AP), (2) control-AP (induced AP only), (3) ShS-AP (ShS exposure and induced AP), (4) A-AP (alcoholic diet and induced AP), and (5) A+ShS-AP (alcoholic diet, ShS exposure, and induced AP). Alcohol was administered through semi-voluntary intake, while ShS exposure involved the daily inhalation of cigarette smoke. The experimental period lasted 8 weeks, with AP induction occurring in the 4th week following molar pulp exposure. Liver samples were collected post-euthanasia for histomorphometric and antioxidant marker analyses. All AP-induced groups exhibited increased liver sinusoidal dilation compared to the control group (p < 0.05). AP significantly reduced total antioxidant capacity (FRAP) across all groups (p < 0.05). In AP-induced groups, FRAP levels were further decreased in ShS-AP and A+ShS-AP compared to control-AP (p < 0.05). AP also led to a decrease in the glutathione defense system (p < 0.05). Rats with alcohol exposure (A-AP and A+ShS-AP) showed reduced glutathione peroxidase activity (p < 0.05). Glutathione reductase activity was comparable in the control and control-AP groups (p > 0.05), but significantly decreased in the alcohol and ShS-exposed groups (p < 0.05). Apical periodontitis can relate to morphological changes in the liver’s sinusoidal spaces and impairment of liver’s antioxidant capacity of rats, particularly when combined with chronic alcohol consumption and exposure to cigarette smoke. Full article