Prevalence and determinants of constipation in children in Asia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Constipation is prevalent worldwide, significantly increasing healthcare costs and diminishing the quality of life in children affected. Current studies have yielded mixed results regarding the factors associated with constipation, and mainly focusing on patients outside of Asia. Moreover, most of these studies lack focus on the paediatric population. This study aimed to identify the prevalence and associated factors of constipation among children in Asia. Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we systematically searched PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane for cohort and cross-sectional studies published from database inception up to October 12, 2022, and continued with manual searching until September 2, 2023. Eligible studies were those that included children in Asia aged 0-18 years old suffering from idiopathic constipation, with prevalence value provided in the English abstract. The analysis included clinical and general population. Children with organic constipation, who had undergone gastrointestinal surgery, or with congenital defects were excluded, as these factors affect the incidence of constipation. Data included in the analysis were extracted from published reports only. The extracted data were pooled using random-effects model to analyse the prevalence of constipation in children in Asia. This study is registered with PROSPERO, CRD42022367122. Findings: Out of 4410 systematically searched studies and 36 manually searched ones, a total of 50 studies were included in the final analysis, encompassing data from 311,660 children residing in Asia. The pooled prevalence of constipation was 12.0% (95% CI 9.3-14.6%, I2 = 99.8%). There was no significant difference in constipation prevalence observed by sex and geographical location. Nonetheless, adolescents and children aged 1-9 years exhibited a significantly higher prevalence constipation compared to infants (p < 0.0001) Additionally, significant differences in constipation rates were observed across various diagnostic methods, population sources, and mental health conditions. Interpretation: Despite the high heterogeneity resulting from varying diagnostic tools or definitions used among studies, our review adds to the literature on constipation among children in Asia. It reveals a notably high prevalence of constipation in this demographic. Diagnostic methods, age, and compromised mental health emerged as significant influencers of constipation among children in Asia, highlighting potential strategies to mitigate constipation prevalence in children in Asia. Funding: The National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan.

Effects of xylo-oligosaccharide on gut microbiota, brain protein expression, and lipid profile induced by high-fat diet.

Midlife overweight and obesity are risk factors of cognitive decline and Alzheimer' s disease (AD) in late life. In addition to increasing risk of obesity and cognitive dysfunction, diets rich in fats also contributes to an imbalance of gut microbiota. Xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) are a kind of prebiotic with several biological advantages, and can selectively promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms in the gut. To explore whether XOS can alleviate cognitive decline induced by high-fat diet (HFD) through improving gut microbiota composition, mice were fed with normal control or 60% HFD for 9 weeks to induce obesity. After that, mice were supplemented with XOS (30 g or 60 g/kg-diet) or without, respectively, for 12 weeks. The results showed that XOS inhibited weight gain, decreased epidydimal fat weight, and improved fasting blood sugar and blood lipids in mice. Additionally, XOS elevated spatial learning and memory function, decreased amyloid plaques accumulation, increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels, and improved neuroinflammation status in hippocampus. Changes in glycerolipids metabolism-associated lipid compounds caused by HFD in hippocampus were reversed after XOS intervention. On the other hand, after XOS intervention, increase in immune-mediated bacteria, Faecalibacterium was observed. In conclusion, XOS improved gut dysbiosis and ameliorated spatial learning and memory dysfunction caused by HFD by decreasing cognitive decline-associated biomarkers and changing lipid composition in hippocampus.

Protective Potential of ß-Hydroxybutyrate against Glucose-Deprivation-Induced Neurotoxicity Involving the Modulation of Autophagic Flux and the Monomeric Aß Level in Neuro-2a Cells.

Hypoglycemia has been known as a potential contributory factor to neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease. There may be shared pathogenic mechanisms underlying both conditions, and the ketone body, ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), as an alternative substrate for glucose may exert neuroprotection against hypoglycemia-induced injury. To investigate this, Neuro-2a cells were subjected to a 24 h period of glucose deprivation with or without the presence of BHB. Cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, apoptosis, autophagy, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and beta-amyloid peptide (Aß) levels were evaluated. The results show that Neuro-2a cells deprived of glucose displayed a significant loss of cell survival with a corresponding decrease in ATP levels, suggesting that glucose deprivation was neurotoxic. This effect was likely attributed to the diverse mechanisms including raised ROS, defective autophagic flux and reduced basal Aß levels (particularly monomeric Aß). The presence of BHB could partially protect against the loss of cell survival induced by glucose deprivation. The mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective actions of BHB might be mediated, at least in part, through restoring ATP, and modulating ROS production, autophagy flux efficacy and the monomeric Aß level. Results imply that a possible link between the basal monomeric Aß and glucose deprivation neurotoxicity, and treatments designed for the prevention of energy impairment, such as BHB, may be beneficial for rescuing surviving cells in relation to neurodegeneration.

Quercetin Increases Mitochondrial Biogenesis and Reduces Free Radicals in Neuronal SH-SY5Y Cells.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder that causes dementia and affects millions of people worldwide. The mechanism underlying AD is unclear; however, oxidative stress and mitochondrial biogenesis have been reported to be involved in AD progression. Previous research has also reported the reduction in mitochondrial biogenesis in the brains of patients with AD. Quercetin (QE), a type of polyphenol, has been found to be capable of increasing mitochondrial biogenesis in the body. Accordingly, we explored whether QE could reduce amyloid beta (Aß) accumulation caused by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative stress in SH-SY5Y cells. Our results revealed that QE stimulated the expression of mitochondrial-related proteins such as SIRT1, PGC-1α, and TFAM and subsequently activated mitochondrial biogenesis. Additionally, QE increased ADAM10 expression but reduced H2O2-induced reactive oxygen species production, apoptosis, ß-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 expression, and Aß accumulation in the SH-SY5Y cells. These findings indicate that QE can effectively elevate mitochondrial biogenesis-related proteins and reduce the damage caused by oxidative stress, making it a promising option for protecting neuronal cells.

Is a Ketogenic Diet Superior to a High-Fat, High-Cholesterol Diet Regarding Testicular Function and Spermatogenesis?

The study aimed to determine effects of a ketogenic diet on metabolic dysfunction, testicular antioxidant capacity, apoptosis, inflammation, and spermatogenesis in a high-fat and high-cholesterol diet-induced obese mice model. Forty-two male C57BL/6 mice were fed either a normal diet (NC group) or a high-fat and high-cholesterol (HFC) diet (HFC group) for 16 weeks, and mice from the HFC group were later randomly divided into two groups: the first were maintained on the original HFC diet, and the second were fed a medium-chain triacylglycerol (MCT)-based ketogenic diet for 8 weeks (KD group). A poor semen quality was observed in the HFC group, but this was eliminated by the ketogenic diet. Both the HFC and KD groups exhibited enhanced apoptosis protein expressions in testis tissue, including caspase 3 and cleaved PARP, and higher inflammation protein expressions, including TNF-α and NF-κB. However, the KD group exhibited a statistically-significant reduction in lipid peroxidation and an increased glutathione peroxidase level as compared with the HFC group. The HFC diet induced obesity in mice, which developed body weight gain, abnormal relative organ weights, metabolic dysfunction, and liver injury. Overall, the results showed that a ketogenic diet attenuated oxidative stress and improved the semen quality reduced by the HFC diet.

Effects of ketogenic diet on cognitive functions of mice fed high-fat-high-cholesterol diet.

Long-term dietary intake of elevated levels of refined sugars, fats and cholesterols is among the factors causing cognitive impairment. Ketone bodies can be used as an alternative energy source when glucose is not available. The study investigated the effects of a ketogenic diet (medium chain triglyceride, MCT) on cognitive performance after a long-term consumption of a high-fat-high-cholesterol diet using a mice model. Seventy eight-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were fed an HFHC diet for 16 weeks to establish a model of an HFHC dietary pattern, before receiving intervention diets containing MCT diet or with Metformin for another 8 weeks in the second part of the experiment. Spatial learning, memory performance, and cortical and hippocampal protein expression levels were assessed. After consuming the HFHC diet for 16 weeks and subsequently receiving the MCT diet for 8 weeks, results showed that the mice fed a MCT diet had significantly better spatial learning and memory performance, lower expression of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), amyloid protein precursor (APP) and phosphate tau, and higher expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) than the mice fed the HFHC diet. Long-term consumption of an HFHC diet caused a decline in cognitive functions and increased the risk factors for neurodegeneration, such as BBB permeability, neuropathy and inflammation. An MCT diet can be considered as an option for slowing down the early stage of neurodegeneration in mice.

Physiological testosterone attenuates profibrotic activities of rat cardiac fibroblasts through modulation of nitric oxide and calcium homeostasis.

Testosterone deficiency is associated with poor prognosis among patients with chronic heart failure (HF). Physiological testosterone improves the exercise capacity of patients with HF. In this study, we evaluated whether treatment with physiological testosterone contributes to anti-fibrogenesis by modifying calcium homeostasis in cardiac fibroblasts and we studied the underlying mechanisms. Nitric oxide (NO) analyses, calcium (Ca2+) fluorescence, and Western blotting were performed in primary isolated rat cardiac fibroblasts with or without (control cells) testosterone (10, 100, 1,000 nmol/L) treatment for 48 hours. Physiological testosterone (10 nmol/L) increased NO production and phosphorylation at the inhibitory site of the inositol trisphosphate (IP3) receptor, thereby reducing Ca2+ entry, phosphorylated Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) expression, type I and type III pro-collagen production. Non-physiological testosterone-treated fibroblasts exhibited similar NO and collagen production capabilities as compared to control (testosterone deficient) fibroblasts. These effects were blocked by co-treatment with NO inhibitor (L-NG-nitro arginine methyl ester [L-NAME], 100 µmol/L). In the presence of the IP3 receptor inhibitor (2-aminoethyl diphenylborinate [2-APB], 50 µmol/L), testosterone-deficient and physiological testosterone-treated fibroblasts exhibited similar phosphorylated CaMKII expression. When treated with 2-APB or CaMKII inhibitor (KN93, 10 µmol/L), testosterone-deficient and physiological testosterone-treated fibroblasts exhibited similar type I, and type III collagen production. In conclusion, physiological testosterone activates NO production, and attenuates the IP3 receptor/Ca2+ entry/CaMKII signaling pathway, thereby inhibiting the collagen production capability of cardiac fibroblasts.

Metformin Ameliorates Testicular Function and Spermatogenesis in Male Mice with High-Fat and High-Cholesterol Diet-Induced Obesity.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of metformin supplementation on metabolic dysfunction, testicular antioxidant capacity, apoptosis, inflammation and spermatogenesis in male mice with high-fat and high-cholesterol diet-induced obesity. Forty male C57BL/6 mice were fed a normal diet (NC group, n = 10) or a high-fat and high-cholesterol diet (HFC group, n = 30) for 24 weeks, and mice randomly chosen from the HFC group were later treated with metformin for the final 8 weeks of HFC feeding (HFC + Met group, n = 15). Compared with the HFC group, the obese mice supplemented with metformin exhibited improved blood cholesterol, glucose and insulin resistance. The HFC group diminishes in the sperm motility and normal sperm morphology, while the poorer maturity of testicular spermatogenesis was improved by metformin treatment. The HFC group exhibited a higher estradiol level and a lower 17ß-HSD protein expression. Further analyses showed that metformin treatment increased the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase and reduced lipid peroxidation. Nevertheless, both the HFC and HFC + Met groups exhibited increased expressions of apoptosis and inflammation proteins in the testis. Metformin treatment ameliorated obesity-induced poor testicular spermatogenesis and semen quality through increasing the testosterone level and antioxidant capacity.

1,25(OH)2D3 Alleviates Aß(25-35)-Induced Tau Hyperphosphorylation, Excessive Reactive Oxygen Species, and Apoptosis Through Interplay with Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Signaling in SH-SY5Y Cells.

Amyloid beta (Aß) accumulation in the brain is one of the major pathological features of Alzheimer's disease. The active form of vitamin D (1,25(OH)2D3), which acts via its nuclear hormone receptor, vitamin D receptor (VDR), has been implicated in the treatment of Aß pathology, and is thus considered as a neuroprotective agent. However, its underlying molecular mechanisms of action are not yet fully understood. Here, we aim to investigate whether the molecular mechanisms of 1,25(OH)2D3 in ameliorating Aß toxicity involve an interplay of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF)-signaling in SH-SY5Y cells. Cells were treated with Aß(25-35) as the source of toxicity, followed by the addition of 1,25(OH)2D3 with or without the GDNF inhibitor, heparinase III. The results show that 1,25(OH)2D3 modulated Aß-induced reactive oxygen species, apoptosis, and tau protein hyperphosphorylation in SH-SY5Y cells. Additionally, 1,25(OH)2D3 restored the decreasing GDNF and the inhibited phosphorylation of the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/glycogen synthase kinase-3ß (GSK-3ß) protein expressions. In the presence of heparinase III, these damaging effects evoked by Aß were not abolished by 1,25(OH)2D3. It appears 1,25(OH)2D3 is beneficial for the alleviation of Aß neurotoxicity, and it might elicit its neuroprotection against Aß neurotoxicity through an interplay with GDNF-signaling.

Influence of caramel and molasses addition on acrylamide and 5-hydroxylmethylfurfural formation and sensory characteristics of non-centrifugal cane sugar during manufacturing.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study are to (i) evaluate the effects of color enhancers, caramel (C) and molasses (M), on acrylamide and 5-hydroxylmethylfurfural (HMF) formation in non-centrifugal cane sugar (NCS) and to (ii) perform nine-point hedonic scale and evaluation of sensory attributes, encompassing the appearance, flavor, texture and aftertaste, by 71 consumers on NCS, NCS_C, and NCS products made with a blend of molasses and sugar (NCS_MS) and steam processing (NCS_S). RESULTS: With the addition of molasses and caramel at the maximum allowable level of 5 g kg-1 in sugarcane juice, significantly greater acrylamide or HMF did not accumulate in NCS_C and NCS_M during the thermal manufacturing process, while color values of NCS_C significantly changed (P < 0.05). The increases in acrylamide and HMF contents were influenced by pH because they were produced by the Maillard reaction. Hedonic responses showed that NCS_MS was rated with the highest score for overall acceptance, whereas NCS_S, with the lowest content of acrylamide, exhibited the lowest score for every attribute. In addition, the appearance acceptance score of NCS_C was significantly higher than that of NCS (P < 0.05). Significant differences were also found between NCS and NCS_C in the frequency of 9 of 16 items with which consumers selected to characterize the appearance in a check-all-that-apply questionnaire (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The association between hedonic evaluations and sensory profiles in visual attributes of NCS_C indicated that caramel could be a promising addition in Maillard reaction-mitigated NCS products to improve consumer preferences through color strengthening without safety concerns. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Equol Pretreatment Protection of SH-SY5Y Cells against Aß (25-35)-Induced Cytotoxicity and Cell-Cycle Reentry via Sustaining Estrogen Receptor Alpha Expression.

ß-amyloid formation in the brain is one of the characteristics of Alzheimer's disease. Exposure to this peptide may result in reentry into the cell cycle leading to cell death. The phytoestrogen equol has similar biological effects as estrogen without the side effects. This study investigated the possible mechanism of the neuron cell-protecting effect of equol during treatment with Aß. SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells were treated with either 1 µM S-equol or 10 nM 17ß-estradiol for 24 h prior to 1 µM Aß (25-35) exposure. After 24 h exposure to Aß (25-35), a significant reduction in cell survival and a reentry into the cell cycle process accompanied by increased levels of cyclin D1 were observed. The expressions of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and its coactivator, steroid receptor coactivator-1 (SRC-1), were also significantly downregulated by Aß (25-35) in parallel with activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2. However, pretreatment of cells with S-equol or 17ß-estradiol reversed these effects. Treatment with the ER antagonist, ICI-182,780 (1 µM), completely blocked the effects of S-equol and 17ß-estradiol on cell viability, ERα, and ERK1/2 after Aß (25-35) exposure. These data suggest that S-equol possesses a neuroprotective potential as it effectively antagonizes Aß (25-35)-induced cell cytotoxicity and prevents cell cycle reentry in SH-SY5Y cells. The mechanism underlying S-equol neuroprotection might involve ERα-mediated pathways.

A Moderate Interleukin-6 Reduction, Not a Moderate Weight Reduction, Improves the Serum Iron Status in Diet-Induced Weight Loss with Fish Oil Supplementation.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Whether moderate weight loss or a reduction in IL-6 improves the serum iron status in overweight (OW) and obese adults supplemented with or without fish oil is explored. METHODS AND RESULTS: In total, 93 OW/obese Taiwanese adults with ≥2 metabolic components are randomized to a 12-week calorie-restricted diet with meal replacement alone (CRMR, n = 45) or supplemented with fish oil (CRMRF, n = 48). Mean reductions in the %body weight and serum IL-6 are 7.5% versus 5.9% and 21% versus 35% for the CRMR and CRMRF groups, respectively. In the CRMRF group, a moderate loss of IL-6 (reduced ≥35%) also significantly improves the serum iron and transferrin saturation compared to those with loss of <35% in the mean serum IL-6 or those of the CRMR group who has a moderate loss of IL-6 (reduced ≥21%) (all p < 0.05). In contrast, modest weight loss does not improve the serum iron status. CONCLUSIONS: Fish oil is ineffective as an adjunct for weight or fat loss but has beneficial effects on preserving the lean body mass. A significant improvement in the iron status is only observed in those with moderate loss of serum IL-6 supplemented with fish oil.

Effects of Melatonin on Glucose Homeostasis, Antioxidant Ability, and Adipokine Secretion in ICR Mice with NA/STZ-Induced Hyperglycemia.

Diabetes is often associated with decreased melatonin level. The aim was to investigate the effects of different dosage of melatonin on glucose hemostasis, antioxidant ability and adipokines secretion in diabetic institute for cancer research (ICR) mice. Forty animals were randomly divided into five groups including control (C), diabetic (D), low-dosage (L), medium-dosage (M), and high-dosage (H) groups. Groups L, M, and H, respectively, received oral melatonin at 10, 20, and 50 mg/kg of BW (body weight) daily after inducing hyperglycemia by nicotinamide (NA)/ streptozotocin (STZ). After the six-week intervention, results showed that melatonin administration increased insulin level and performed lower area under the curve (AUC) in H group (p < 0.05). Melatonin could lower hepatic Malondialdehyde (MDA) level in all melatonin-treated groups and increase superoxide dismutase activity in H group (p < 0.05). Melatonin-treated groups revealed significant higher adiponectin in L group, and lower leptin/adiponectin ratio and leptin in M and H groups (p < 0.05). Melatonin could lower cholesterol and triglyceride in liver and decrease plasma cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) in L group, and increase plasma high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) in H group (p < 0.05). Above all, melatonin could decrease oxidative stress, increase the adiponectin level and improve dyslipidemia, especially in H group. These data support melatonin possibly being a helpful aid for treating hyperglycemia-related symptoms.

High Fat Diet with a High Monounsaturated Fatty Acid and Polyunsaturated/Saturated Fatty Acid Ratio Suppresses Body Fat Accumulation and Weight Gain in Obese Hamsters.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a high fat diet with experimental oil consisting of 60% MUFAs (monounsaturated fatty acids) with a P/S ratio of 5 on fat deposition and lipid metabolism in obese hamsters. Hamsters were randomly assigned to a control group and a diet-induced obesity group for nine weeks. Then an additional eight-week experimental period began, during which obese hamsters were randomly divided into three groups and fed different amounts of the experimental oil mixture in their diets as follows: 5%, 15%, and 20% w/w (OB-M5, OB-M15, and OB-M20 groups, respectively). The results showed that the OB-M15 and OB-M20 groups had significantly lower blood cholesterol and higher insulin levels. Compared to the control group, the three obese groups exhibited higher hepatic fatty acid synthase activity; however, the acyl-CoA oxidase activities were also enhanced. Although dietary fat content differed, there were no differences in energy intake, final body weights, and epididymal fat weights among the four groups. These results suggest that regardless of whether the specimens had a high fat intake or not, dietary fat containing high MUFAs with a high P/S ratio had beneficial effects on maintaining blood lipid profiles and may not result in body fat accumulation in obese hamsters, possibly by promoting lipolytic enzyme activities.

Association of eating out with bone density in Taiwan.

OBJECTIVE: The present study analysed data derived from the 2004-2008 Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan, conducted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, to understand the relationship among eating-out behaviour, related non-nutritional factors and osteopenia in the Taiwanese population. Design/Setting/Subjects Data of 1140 adults who had been evaluated with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in June 2007 were included. The data were analysed through descriptive and inferential statistics to determine the association of osteopenia with the frequency of eating out, demographic variables (i.e. age, sex, level of education, marital status and place of birth), BMI, waist circumference and food consumption. RESULTS: Gender, age, education level, personal income and waist circumference were all factors found to be significantly associated with eating-out frequency and the incidence of osteopenia. Eating-out frequency was negatively associated with the incidence of osteopenia. Individuals with BMI>27 kg/m2 had a lower frequency of eating out and a lower incidence of osteopenia. Individuals with a lower monthly income had a significantly greater chance of developing osteopenia. Men living without spouses had significantly higher chances of osteopenia. Ca intake was negatively associated with breakfast eating-out frequency. CONCLUSIONS: Eating-out frequency was not associated with an increasing incidence of osteopenia, but affected the Ca intake in the Taiwanese population. Having a balanced selection of food is crucial to reduce the incidence of osteopenia. Improving nutritional knowledge for those under higher risk of osteopenia is necessary to prevent osteopenia and Ca deficiency.

A High-Fructose-High-Coconut Oil Diet Induces Dysregulating Expressions of Hippocampal Leptin and Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase, and Spatial Memory Deficits in Rats.

We investigated the effects of high-fructose-high-fat diets with different fat compositions on metabolic parameters, hippocampal-dependent cognitive function, and brain leptin (as well as stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD1) mRNA expressions). Thirty-two male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups, a control group (n = 8), a high-fructose soybean oil group (37.5% of fat calories, n = 12), and a high-fructose coconut oil group (37.5% of fat calories, n = 12) for 20 weeks. By the end of the study, the coconut oil group exhibited significantly higher serum fasting glucose, fructosamine, insulin, leptin, and triglyceride levels compared to those of the control and soybean oil groups. However, hippocampal leptin expression and leptin receptor mRNA levels were significantly lower, while SCD1 mRNA was significantly higher in rats fed the high-fructose-high-coconut oil diet than in rats fed the other experimental diets. In addition, the coconut oil group spent significantly less time in the target quadrant on the probe test in the Morris water maze (MWM) task. Rats fed the high-fructose-high-coconut oil diet for 20 weeks were prone to develop hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, hyperleptinemia, and hypertriglyceridemia. These metabolic consequences may contribute to hippocampal-dependent memory impairment, accompanied by a lower central leptin level, and a higher SCD1 gene expression in the brain.

Grape powder consumption affects the expression of neurodegeneration-related brain proteins in rats chronically fed a high-fructose-high-fat diet.

Abnormal glucose metabolism in the brain is recognized to be associated with cognitive decline. Because grapes are rich in polyphenols that produce antioxidative and blood sugar-lowering effects, we investigated how grape consumption affects the expression and/or phosphorylation of neurodegeneration-related brain proteins in aged rats fed a high-fructose-high-fat (HFHF) diet. Wistar rats were maintained on the HFHF diet from the age of 8 weeks to 66 weeks, and then on an HFHF diet containing either 3% or 6% grape powder as an intervention for 12 weeks. Western blotting was performed to measure the expression/phosphorylation levels of several cortical and hippocampal proteins, including amyloid precursor protein (APP), tau, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGEs), erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Inclusion of up to 6% grape powder in the diet markedly reduced RAGE expression and tau hyperphosphorylation, but upregulated the expression of Nrf2 and BDNF, as well as the phosphorylation of PI3K and ERK, in the brain tissues of aged rats fed the HFHF diet. Thus, grape powder consumption produced beneficial effects in HFHF-diet-fed rats, exhibiting the potential to ameliorate changes in neurodegeneration-related proteins in the brain.

Serum lipid profiles are associated with semen quality.

We aimed to explore the associations between different lipid profiles and semen quality in a large-scale general male population. Sperm concentration, total sperm motility, progressive motility, and normal sperm morphology of total 7601 participants were recorded. The association of these semen parameters with the triglyceride, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and very low-density lipoprotein of serum lipid profiles was analyzed. Sperm concentration was statistically positively correlated with triglyceride and very low-density lipoprotein (adjusted P = 0.001 and P = 0.005, respectively). Total sperm motility and progressive motility were statistically increased with increasing low-density lipoprotein and cholesterol levels (both adjusted P = 0.008 and P < 0.001, respectively). The similar J-shaped associations (high-low-low-high) were noted between individual lipid profile and normal sperm morphology, especially low-density lipoprotein and cholesterol with statistical significance (adjusted P = 0.017 and P = 0.021, respectively). The prevalence of abnormal total sperm motility and progressive motility was decreased in participants with high levels of cholesterol (P = 0.008 and P = 0.019, respectively), and the reverse J-shaped associations (low-high-high-low) were noted between high-density lipoprotein, triglyceride, very low-density lipoprotein, and the prevalence of abnormal normal sperm morphology (P = 0.010, P = 0.037, and P = 0.025, respectively). A high cholesterol level was associated with better sperm motility. Similar J-shaped associations were noted between all lipid profiles and normal sperm morphology; meanwhile, the reverse J-shaped trends were identified between them and abnormal normal sperm morphology prevalence.

Prebiotic Effects of Xylooligosaccharides on the Improvement of Microbiota Balance in Human Subjects.

It has been indicated that probiotics can be nourished by consuming prebiotics in order to function more efficiently, allowing the bacteria to stay within a healthy balance. In this study, we investigated the effects of xylooligosaccharides- (XOS-) enriched rice porridge consumption on the ecosystem in the intestinal tract of human subjects. Twenty healthy subjects participated in this 6-week trial, in which 10 subjects received XOS-enriched rice porridge while the others received placebo rice porridge. Fecal samples were collected at the end of weeks 0, 1, 3, 4, 6, and 7 for microorganism examination. The results showed that 6-week daily ingestion of the XOS-enriched rice porridge induced significant increases in fecal bacterial counts of Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp., as well as decreases in Clostridium perfringens without changing the total anaerobic bacterial counts, compared to that of placebo rice porridge. However, fluctuations in the counts of coliforms were observed in both groups during the 6-week intervention. In conclusion, the intestinal microbiota balance was improved after daily consumption of 150 g of rice porridge containing XOS for 6 weeks, demonstrating the prebiotic potential of XOS incorporated into foods. This also indicates the effectiveness of XOS as a functional ingredient in relation to its role as a prebiotic compound.

Thermal cooking changes the profile of phenolic compounds, but does not attenuate the anti-inflammatory activities of black rice.

BACKGROUND: Evidence on biological activities of cooked black rice is limited. This study examined the effects of washing and cooking on the bioactive ingredients and biological activities of black rice. METHODS: Cooked rice was prepared by washing 0-3 times followed by cooking in a rice cooker. The acidic methanol extracts of raw and cooked rice were used for the analyses. RESULTS: Raw black rice, both washed and unwashed, had higher contents of polyphenols, anthocyanins, and cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G), but lower protocatechuic acid (PA), than did cooked samples. Similarly, raw rice extracts were higher in ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) activities than extracts of cooked samples. Nonetheless, extracts of raw and cooked rice showed similar inhibitory potencies on nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6 productions in lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophages, whereas equivalent amounts of C3G and PA did not possess such inhibitory effects. CONCLUSIONS: Thermal cooking decreased total anthocyanin and C3G contents and the FRAP antioxidative capacity, but did not affect anti-inflammatory activities of black rice. Neither C3G nor PA contributed to the anti-inflammatory activity of black rice.