The Efficacy of Dietary Intake, Supplementation, and Blood Concentrations of Carotenoids in Cancer Prevention: Insights from an Umbrella Meta-Analysis.

Previous meta-analyses of multiple studies have suggested that dietary intake and blood concentrations of carotenoids, as well as dietary supplement of certain carotenoids, play a role in reducing the risk of cancer. However, the conclusions of these studies have been subject to controversy. We conducted an umbrella review of meta-analyses to comprehensively analyze and evaluate the evidence pertaining the association between carotenoids and cancer outcomes. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases of meta-analyses and systematic reviews up to June 2023. Our selection criteria encompassed meta-analyses of cohort and case-control studies, as well as randomized controlled clinical trials, which investigated the associations between carotenoids and cancer risk. We also determined the levels of evidence for these associations with AMSTAR 2 criteria. We included 51 eligible articles, including 198 meta-analyses for qualitative synthesis in the umbrella review. Despite the presence of moderate to high heterogeneity among the studies, dietary intake, supplementation, and blood concentrations of carotenoids were inversely associated with the risk of total cancer, and certain specific cancers of lung, digestive system, prostate, breast, head and neck, and others. Subgroup analysis also showed that individual carotenoids (α-carotene, ß-carotene, ß-cryptoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, and lycopene) offer certain protection against specific types of cancers. However, high doses of carotenoid supplements, especially ß-carotene, significantly increased the risk of total cancer, lung cancer, and bladder cancer. Our umbrella meta-analysis supported that high intake of dietary carotenoids as a whole food approach could be more beneficial in reducing cancer risk. Concurrently, the findings suggest that the efficacy of single-carotenoid supplementation in cancer prevention remains a subject of controversy.

Effects of germinated brown rice and germinated black rice on people with type 2 diabetes mellitus combined with dyslipidaemia.

Objective: This study aimed to observe the effects of germinated brown rice and germinated black rice on blood lipid levels, blood glucose levels and lipid metabolism-related enzymes in T2DM patients with dyslipidaemia and to study their effects on the gut microbiome and short-chain fatty acids. Methods: According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 68 subjects were randomly divided into a germinated brown rice group, a germinated black rice group and a white rice group. At the end of the intervention, relevant anthropometric indices, blood biochemistry, and levels of adipokines and lipid metabolism-related enzymes were measured. Faecal samples were collected for 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing and for an analysis of short-chain fatty acids. Results: After 3 months of intervention with germinated brown rice, germinated black rice or white rice, 21 people in each group completed the intervention as required. At the end of the intervention, the levels of total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the germinated brown rice group and germinated black rice group were significantly lower than those in the white rice group. The levels of adiponectin (ADPN) and lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) in the germinated brown rice group were significantly higher than those in the white rice group (P < 0.05). At the genus level, interventions with germinated brown rice and germinated black rice significantly increased the relative abundance of Megamonas, Muribaculaceae and Alloprevotella and significantly decreased the relative abundance of Veillonella (P < 0.05). After 3 months of intervention, a significant decrease in waist circumference was observed within the germinated brown rice group compared to that at baseline (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Compared with the consumption of white rice, the consumption of germinated brown rice and germinated black rice can effectively regulate the glucose and lipid metabolism of this population. In addition, interventions involving the use of germinated brown rice and germinated black rice may further improve intestinal diversity and abundance, increase the relative abundance of Megamonas and decrease the relative abundance of Veillonella.

Selenium May Be Involved in Esophageal Squamous Cancer Prevention by Affecting GPx3 and FABP1 Expression: A Case-Control Study Based on Bioinformatic Analysis.

The role of selenium in the developmental process of esophageal cancer (EC) requires further investigation. To explore the relationship between selenium-related factors and EC through bioinformatic analysis, a case-control study was conducted to verify the results. Utilizing the GEPIA and TCGA databases, we delineated the differential expression of glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPx3) in EC and normal tissues, identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and a performed visualization analysis. Additionally, 100 pairs of dietary and plasma samples from esophageal precancerous lesions (EPLs) of esophageal squamous cancer (ESCC) cases and healthy controls from Huai'an district, Jiangsu, were screened. The levels of dietary selenium, plasma selenium, and related enzymes were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) or ELISA kits. The results showed lower GPx3 expression in tumor tissues compared to normal tissues. Further analysis revealed that DEGs were mainly involved in the fat digestion and absorption pathway, and the core protein fatty acid binding protein 1 (FABP1) was significantly upregulated and negatively correlated with GPx3 expression. Our case-control study found that selenium itself was not associated with EPLs risk. However, both the decreased concentration of GPx3 and the increase in FABP1 were positively correlated with the EPLs risk (p for trend = 0.035 and 0.046, respectively). The different expressions of GPx3 and FABP1 reflect the potential of selenium for preventing ESCC at the EPLs stage. GPx3 may affect myocardial infarction through FABP1, which remains to be further studied.

Sex differences and dietary patterns in the association of air pollutants and hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is one of the major public health problems in China. Limited evidence exists regarding sex differences in the association between hypertension and air pollutants, as well as the impact of dietary factors on the relationship between air pollutants and hypertension. The aim of this study was to investigate the sex-specific effects of dietary patterns on the association between fine particulate matter (PM2.5), ozone(O3) and hypertension in adults residing in Jiangsu Province of China. METHODS: A total of 3189 adults from the 2015 China Adult Chronic Disease and Nutrition Surveillance in Jiangsu Province were included in this study. PM2.5 and O3 concentrations were estimated using satellite space-time models and assigned to each participant. Dietary patterns were determined by reduced rank regression (RRR), and multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the associations of the obtained dietary patterns with air pollutants and hypertension risk. RESULTS: After adjusting for confounding variables, we found that males were more sensitive to long-term exposure to PM2.5 (Odds ratio (OR) = 1.42 95%CI:1.08,1.87), and females were more sensitive to long-term exposure to O3 (OR = 1.61 95%CI:1.15,2.23). Traditional southern pattern identified through RRR exhibited a protective effect against hypertension in males (OR = 0.73 95%CI: 0.56,1.00). The results of the interaction between dietary pattern score and PM2.5 revealed that adherence to traditional southern pattern was significantly associated with a decreased risk of hypertension in males (P < 0.05), while no significant association was observed among females. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggested that sex differences existed in the association between dietary patterns, air pollutants and hypertension. Furthermore, we found that adherence to traditional southern pattern may mitigate the risk of long-term PM2.5 exposure-induced hypertension in males.

Optimal probiotic combinations for treating nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Probiotic administration is a promising therapy for improving conditions in NAFLD patients. This network meta-analysis aimed to compare and estimate the relative effects of probiotic interventions and identify the optimal probiotic species for the treatment of NAFLD (Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease) patients. METHODS: The PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched from inception to 29 January 2024 to identify RCTs that were published in English. The GRADE framework was used to assess the quality of evidence contributing to each network estimate. RESULTS: A total of 35 RCTs involving 2212 NAFLD patients were included in the analysis. For primary outcomes, Lactobacillus + Bifidobacterium + Streptococcus exhibited the highest probability of being the finest probiotic combination in terms of enhancing acceptability as well as reducing AST (SMD: -1.95 95% CI: -2.90, -0.99), ALT (SMD = -1.67, 95% CI: -2.48, -0.85), and GGT levels (SMD = -2.17, 95% CI: -3.27, -1.06). In terms of the secondary outcomes, Lactobacillus + Bifidobacterium + Streptococcus was also the best probiotic combination for reducing BMI (SMD = -0.45, 95% CI: -0.86, -0.04), LDL levels (SMD = -0.45, 95% CI: -0.87, -0.02), TC levels (SMD = -1.09, 95% CI: -1.89, -0.29), and TNF-α levels (SMD = -1.73, 95% CI: -2.72, -0.74). CONCLUSION: This network meta-analysis revealed that Lactobacillus + Bifidobacterium + Streptococcus may be the most effective probiotic combination for the treatment of liver enzymes, lipid profiles, and inflammation factors. These findings can be used to guide the development of a probiotics-based treatment guideline for NAFLD since there are few direct comparisons between different therapies.

Assessment of optimal combinations of therapeutic probiotics for depression, anxiety, and stress.

BACKGROUND: Accumulating data show that probiotics may be beneficial for reducing depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms. However, the best combinations and species of probiotics have not been identified. The objective of our study was to assess the most effective combinations and components of different probiotics through network meta-analysis. METHOD: A systematic search of four databases, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Embase, was conducted from inception to 11 January 2024. The GRADE framework was used to assess the quality of evidence contributing to each network estimate. RESULTS: We deemed 45 trials eligible, these included 4053 participants and 10 types of interventions. The quality of evidence was rated as high or moderate. The NMA revealed that Bifidobacterium exhibited a greater probability of being the optimal probiotic species for improving anxiety symptoms (SMD = -0.80; 95% CI -1.49 to -0.11), followed by Lactobacillus (SMD = -0.49; 95% CI -0.85 to -0.12). In addition, for multiple strains, compared with the other interventions, Lactobacillus + Bifidobacterium (SMD = -0.41; 95% CI -0.73 to -0.10) had a positive effect on depression. CONCLUSION: The NMA revealed that Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium had prominent efficacy in the treatment of individuals with anxiety, depression, and combination of Lactobacillus + Bifidobacterium had a similar effect. With few direct comparisons available between probiotic species, this NMA may be instrumental in shaping the guidelines for probiotic treatment of psychological disorders.

The Effects of Cranberry Consumption on Glycemic and Lipid Profiles in Humans: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

This study aims to update the evidence and clarify whether cranberry possesses lipid-lowering and hypoglycemic properties in humans. PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched to identify relevant articles published up to December 2023. In total, 3145 publications were reviewed and 16 of them were included for qualitative synthesis and meta-analysis. Stata 15.0 and Review Manager 5.4 were applied for statistical analyses. The results revealed a significant decrease in the total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (TC/HDL-C) (MD = -0.24; 95% CI: -0.45, -0.04; peffect = 0.02) and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (MD = -0.59; 95% CI: -1.05, -0.14; peffect = 0.01) with cranberry consumption. However, it did not influence total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglyceride (TG), fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and fasting insulin. In subgroup analysis, cranberry consumption in dried form (capsules, powder, and tablets) was found to significantly decrease the fasting insulin level (three studies, one hundred sixty-five participants, MD = -2.16; 95% CI: -4.24, -0.07; peffect = 0.04), while intervention duration, health conditions, and dosage of polyphenols and anthocyanins had no impact on blood lipid and glycemic parameters. In summary, cranberry might have potential benefits in regulating lipid and glucose profiles.

Eating behavior during pregnancy mediates the association between depression and diet quality--a new strategy for intervention in pregnancy.

Background: Depression can result in changes in eating behavior and decrease the quality of eating. It has been shown that maternal depression during pregnancy can result in malnutrition, which can have adverse effects on the pregnancy and the offspring. There is currently no clear association between depression and diet. Methods: Five hundred and forty-nine pregnant women recruited from Danyang Maternal and Child Health Hospital in Jiangsu Province participated in this study and were administered the Intuitive Eating Scale-2 (IES-2), Edinburgh Post-natal Depression Scale (EPDS), Pregnancy Stress Scale (PPS), Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and Dietary Guidelines Adherence Index for Pregnant Women during Pregnancy (CDGCI-PW). The nutritional software collected dietary records for three consecutive days in mid-pregnancy to calculate dietary intake and nutrients that support energy production. The mediation analyses were conducted using SPSS 24.0 macro PROCESS. Results: The relationship between depressive symptoms during pregnancy and diet quality was moderated primarily by two aspects of eating behavior, "Reliance on Hunger and Satiety Cues" (RHS) and "Body-Food Choice Congruence" (BFC). Depressive symptoms (EPDS scores) showed a negative correlation with RHS, BFC, and RHS, and BFC showed a positive correlation with diet quality, yielding a significant specific indirect effect. The multiple mediation model explained 14.7% of the variance in the diet quality. Conclusion: This study highlights the important role of eating behaviors during pregnancy in the relationship between depressive symptoms (EPDS scores) and diet quality, and provides preliminary evidence for feasible ways pregnant women with depressive symptoms can improve diet quality, promote maternal and child health, and reduce depression.

Relationship between metabolic status, physical activity and cardiovascular disease in participants with obesity.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the independent and joint associations between metabolic status, PA (physical activity) and risk of CVD (cardiovascular disease) in participants with obesity. METHODS: We included 109,301 adults with obesity free of baseline CVD enrolled from 2006 to 2010 in the UK Biobank cohort (aged 56 ± 7.9 years). Based on metabolic status, obesity was grouped into metabolically healthy obesity (MHO; free of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and diabetes; n = 26,989; BMI 33 ± 3.3 kg/m2) and metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO; n = 82,312; BMI 34 ± 4.0 kg/m2). PA was categorized into four groups according to moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA): none, low, medium, and high. Multivariable Cox regression models were used for the main analyses adjusting for sociodemographic factors, lifestyles and comorbidities. RESULTS: There were 8,059 CVD events during a median follow-up of 8.1 years. MHO was associated with a 42% reduced risk of CVD compared with MUO (HR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.53-0.63). A significant interaction effect between PA and metabolic status on CVD risk was found. Among MUO participants, individuals with PA had significantly decreased CVD risk when compared with no MVPA (HR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.81-0.94 for low PA; HR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.78-0.93 for medium PA; and HR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.80-0.92 for high PA). The lowest CVD risk was observed in MHO & medium PA group when compared with MUO & no MVPA (HR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.37-0.56). CONCLUSIONS: Both MHO and any MVPA were associated with reduced risk of CVD in adults with obesity, while PA could modify the relationship between metabolic status and CVD risk.

Potential nutritional strategies to prevent and reverse sarcopenia in aging process: Role of fish oil-derived ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, wheat oligopeptide and their combined intervention.

INTRODUCTION: Nutritional support is potentially considered an essential step to prevent muscle loss and enhance physical function in older adults. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the role of potential nutritional strategies, i.e., fish oil-derived ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), wheat oligopeptide and their combined intervention, in preventing and reversing sarcopenia in aging process. METHODS: One hundred 25-month-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 10 groups, and 10 newly purchased 6-month-old rats were included in young control group (n = 10). Fish oil (200, 400 or 800 mg/kg body weight), wheat oligopeptide (100, 200 or 400 mg/kg body weight), fish oil + wheat oligopeptide (800 + 100, 400 + 200 or 200 + 400 mg/kg body weight) or the equal volume of solvent were administered daily by gavage for 10 weeks. The effects of these interventions on natural aging rats were evaluated. RESULTS: All intervention groups had a significant increase in muscle mass and grip strength and reduction in perirenal fat weight when compared to the aged control group (P < 0.05). The results of biochemical parameters, magnetic resonance imaging, proteomics and western blot suggested that the combination of wheat oligopeptide and fish oil-derived ω-3 PUFA, especially group WFM 2 (400 + 200 mg/kg body weight fish oil + wheat oligopeptide), was found to be more effective against aging-associated muscle loss than single intervention. Additionally, the interventions ameliorated fatty infiltration, muscle atrophy, and congestion in the intercellular matrix, and inflammatory cell infiltration in muscle tissue. The interventions also improved oxidative stress, anabolism, hormone levels, and inflammatory levels of skeletal muscle. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of fish oil-derived ω-3 PUFA and wheat oligopeptide was found to be a promising nutritional support to prevent and reverse sarcopenia. The potential mechanism involved the promotion of protein synthesis and muscle regeneration, as well as the enhancement of muscle strength.

Association between socio-demographic factors, lifestyle, eating habits and hypertension risk among middle-aged and older rural Chinese adults.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Hypertension is a global health issue with increasing prevalence. This study aimed to understand the epidemiological characteristics and influencing factors of hypertension in rural Chinese populations and help develop effective prevention and control strategies. METHODS AND RESULTS: This cross-sectional study used database from the Early Diagnosis and Early Treatment Project of Esophageal Cancer conducted in a rural population from September 2012 to December 2017. A total of 10,111 subjects aged 35-75 years residing in Huai'an District, Huai'an City, Jiangsu Province for at least three years were included. Unconditional univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were performed to evaluate the association between socio-demographic information, lifestyle habits, dietary characteristics and the risk of hypertension. The prevalence of hypertension was 34.32 % in this rural population. Men and older individuals are more likely to have hypertension when compared with women and young individuals, respectively. Factors associated with an increased risk of hypertension included: fast eating speed, a high-salt diet (both currently and ten years ago), a high-spicy diet ten years ago, high BMI, poor educational attainment, preference for fatty meats, hot diet, green tea drinking, intake of pickled potherb mustard and corn flour, family smoking and alcohol consumption. Light smoking in males, consumption of fruits, adzuki bean, and pork liver were associated with reduced risk of hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: The study identified some factors, including eat habits and lifestyle, associated with hypertension risk, and highlighted the need for targeted policies and interventions in rural China to address potential risk factors for hypertension.

Effect of skipping breakfast on cardiovascular risk factors: a grade-assessed systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and prospective cohort studies.

Skipping breakfast is one of the most prevalent irregular eating habits. Several pieces of evidence have reported the association between breakfast omission and a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases. Numerous publications have focused on the impact of skipping breakfast on various cardiovascular risk factors. Therefore, the current systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess this impact, especially with regard to anthropometric measurements, serum lipid profiles, blood pressure, and glycemic control indicators. A comprehensive search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials up to 1 April 2023. A total of 11 eligible trials were identified to evaluate the combined effects of skipping breakfast. Final integrated results demonstrated that breakfast omission significantly decreased the body weight (mean difference = -0.66, 95% CI: -1.09 to -0.24, p = 0.002, I2 = 0.0) and increased the level of serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (mean difference = 9.89, 95% CI: 5.14 to 14.63, p = 0.000, I2 = 17.3). Subgroup analysis also revealed potential factors that may affect the outcomes, for example, the physiological condition of participants, duration, gender, and type of breakfast. In conclusion, skipping breakfast may reduce body weight while increasing the level of serum LDL-C at the same time. In view of the limited trials, further studies are needed to expound the role of breakfast omission in cardiovascular diseases.

Effects of Behavioral Interventions for Salt Reduction on Blood Pressure and Urinary Sodium Excretion: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Hypertension is a prevalent cardiovascular condition, with excessive sodium intake being a significant risk factor. Various studies have investigated measures to reduce salt intake, including integrated lifestyle interventions and health education. However, the effectiveness of behavioral interventions focused solely on salt reduction remains unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effects of a behavioral intervention based on salt reduction on blood pressure and urinary sodium excretion. A comprehensive search of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, PubMed, and Web of Science was conducted to identify relevant literature. Study and intervention characteristics were extracted for descriptive synthesis, and the quality of the included studies was assessed. A total of 10 studies, comprising 4,667 participants (3,796 adults and 871 children), were included. The interventions involved the provision of salt-restriction spoons or devices, salt-reduction education, self-monitoring devices for urinary sodium, and salt-reduction cooking classes. Meta-analysis results showed that behavioral interventions focused on salt reduction significantly reduced systolic blood pressure (SBP) (-1.17 mmHg; 95% CI, -1.86 to -0.49), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (-0.58 mmHg; 95% CI, -1.07 to -0.08) and urinary sodium excretion (-21.88 mmol/24 hours; 95% CI, -32.12 to -11.64). These findings suggest that behavioral change interventions centered on salt reduction can effectively lower salt intake levels and decrease blood pressure levels. However, to enhance effectiveness, behavioral interventions for salt reduction should be combined with other salt-reduction strategies.

Pea protein hydrolysate reduces blood glucose in high-fat diet and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.

Introduction: Food proteins have been recognized as an ideal source to release bioactive peptides with the potential to intervene nutrition related chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, obesity and diabetes. Our previous studies showed that pea protein hydrolysate (PPH) could suppress hepatic glucose production in hepatic cells via inhibiting the gluconeogenic signaling. Thus, we hypothesized that PPH could play the hypoglycemic role in vivo. Methods: In the present study, the mice model with type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM) was developed by high-fat diet and low dose of streptozotocin injections. PPH was administered orally with a dosage of 1000 mg/kg body weight for 9 weeks, followed by the downstream biomedical analyses. Results: The results showed that the 9-week treatment of PPH could reduce fasting blood glucose by 29.6% and improve glucose tolerance in the T2DM mice. The associated mechanisms included suppression of the gluconeogenic pathway, activation of the insulin signaling and modulation of the renin angiotensin system in the liver of the diabetic mice. In addition, the levels of pro-inflammatory markers in both liver and serum were reduced by the PPH treatment. Conclusion: The hypoglycemic effect of PPH in T2DM mice was demonstrated in the present study. Findings from this study could provide rationale to incorporate PPH into functional foods or nutraceuticals for glycemic control.

Effects of green tea catechin on the blood pressure and lipids in overweight and obese population-a meta-analysis.

Background: Overweight and obesity as main health problems harm human beings worldwide. The number of people diagnosed with overweight and obese is gradually increasing. Green tea catechin has been reported to effectively help control body weight in overweight and obese population, and is protectively against the blood pressure and lipids in people with type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Methods: We retrieved 4 English databases (PubMed, Web of science, Cochrane, Scoups) from inception to April 20, 2023. Two reviewers independently determined eligibility, assessed the reporting quality of included studies, and extracted the data. Data were extracted from eleven studies. The results were presented with the weighted mean differences (WMDs), and the confidence intervals (CIs) was 95 %. The random-effects or fixed-effects model was applied according to the heterogeneity. The subgroup analysis was used to identify the source of heterogeneity. Publication bias was evaluated using funnel plots, Egger's test, and Begg's test. Results: Eleven randomized controlled trials (RCTs) inclusion studies were screened from 3072 literature articles, involving 613 overweight and obese patients. After combining all studies, it was found that in overweight and obese people green tea catechin could reduce waist circumference (WC) (pooled WMD = -1.37 cm, 95 % CI: -2.52 to -0.22 cm, p = 0.019), and triglyceride (TG) (pooled WMD = -0.18 mmol/L, 95 % CI: -0.35 to -0.02 mmol/L, p = 0.032), and increase high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) (pooled WMD = 0.07 mmol/L, 95 % CI: 0.01-0.14 mmol/L, p = 0.031). Conclusion: Green tea catechin supplement effectively reduced WC and TG levels and improved HDL-c levels. However, it did not show the significant effect on the blood pressure in overweight and obese people. The present meta-analysis showed a moderate benefit of green tea catechin supplementation on lipid profiles in overweight and obese people.

Causal associations between hand grip strength and pulmonary function: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

BACKGROUND: Several observational studies have reported an association between hand grip strength (HGS) and pulmonary function (PF). However, causality is unclear. To investigate whether HGS and PF are causally associated, we performed Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses. METHODS: We identified 110 independent single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for right-hand grip strength (RHGS) and 103 independent SNPs for left-hand grip strength (LHGS) at the genome-wide significant threshold (P < 5 × 10-8) from MRC-IEU Consortium and evaluated these related to PF. MR estimates were calculated using the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method and multiple sensitivity analyses were further performed. RESULTS: Genetical liability to HGS was positively causally associated with forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), but not with FEV1/FVC. In addition, there was positive causal association between RHGS and FVC (OR=1.519; 95% CI, 1.418-1.627; P=8.96E-33), and FEV1 (OR=1.486; 95% CI, 1.390-1.589; P=3.19E-31); and positive causal association between LHGS and FVC (OR=1.464; 95% CI, 1.385-1.548; P=2.83E-41) and FEV1 (OR=1.419; 95% CI, 1.340-1.502; P=3.19E-33). Nevertheless, no associations were observed between RHGS and FEV1/FVC (OR=0.998; 95% CI, 0.902-1.103; P=9.62E-01) and between LHGS and FEV1/FVC (OR=0.966; 95% CI, 0.861-1.083; P=5.52E-01). Similar results were shown in several sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION: Our study provides support at the genetic level that HGS is positively causally associated with FVC and FEV1, but not with FEV1/FVC. Interventions for HGS in PF impairment deserve further exploration as potential indicators of PF assessment.

Effect of Alpha-Linolenic Acid Supplementation on Cardiovascular Disease Risk Profile in Individuals with Obesity or Overweight: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Overweight and obesity are highly prevalent worldwide and are associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, including systematic inflammation, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is a plant-based essential polyunsaturated fatty acid associated with reduced CVD risks. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effects of supplementation with ALA compared with the placebo on CVD risk factors in people with obesity or overweight (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews Registration No. CRD42023429563). This review included studies with adults using oral supplementation or food or combined interventions containing vegetable sources of ALA. All studies were randomly assigned trials with parallel or crossover designs. The Cochrane Collaboration tool was used for assessing the risk of bias (Version 1). PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane library databases were searched from inception to April 2023. Nineteen eligible randomized controlled trials, including 1183 participants, were included in the meta-analysis. Compared with placebo, dietary ALA supplementation significantly reduced C-reactive protein concentration (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -0.38 mg/L; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.72, -0.04), tumor necrosis factor-α concentration (SMD = -0.45 pg/mL; 95% CI: -0.73, -0.17), triglyceride in serum (SMD = -4.41 mg/dL; 95% CI: -5.99, -2.82), and systolic blood pressure (SMD = -0.37 mm Hg; 95% CI: -0.66, -0.08); but led to a significant increase in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations (SMD = 1.32 mg/dL; 95% CI: 0.05, 2.59). ALA supplementation had no significant effect on interleukin-6, diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (all P ≥ 0.05). Subgroup analysis revealed that ALA supplementation at a dose of ≥3 g/d from flaxseed and flaxseed oil had a more prominent effect on improving CVD risk profiles, particularly where the intervention duration was ≥12 wk and where the baseline CVD profile was poor.

Egg white protein hydrolysate decreased blood pressure via the competing endogenous RNA regulatory networks in female spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Despite numerous studies having reported the effects and mechanisms of antihypertensive peptides including peptides derived from egg white proteins, the role of peptides in a female hypertensive animal model is unknown. On the other hand, the role of epigenetic modulation by peptide treatment has rarely been investigated. This study sought to investigate the effect of egg white protein hydrolysate (EWH) in female spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) as well as to explore the underlying mechanisms from the perspectives of the transcriptome and the profiles of non-coding RNAs. Young (12-14-week-old) female SHRs were orally administered 250 mg per kg body weight (low-dose) or 1000 mg per kg body weight (high-dose) EWH daily for 10 weeks. The blood pressure of the rats was monitored weekly. The mRNA and non-coding RNAs (miRNA, lncRNA, and circRNA) in the aorta were profiled by the high-throughput RNA-seq technique. Differentially expressed (DE) RNAs in the aorta were identified for the construction of the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks and key molecules were validated by qRT-PCR. The treatment of the high-dose EWH showed a significant effect on reducing blood pressure in female SHRs. Bioinformatic analyses revealed 813, 90, 347 and 869 DE-mRNAs, DE-miRNAs, DE-lncRNAs and DE-circRNAs, respectively. The CNTN5-LncRNA-XR_001835895.1-miR-384-5p was identified as the central network which was validated in the aorta and circulation of female SHRs. The results from this study demonstrated that the treatment with EWH reduced blood pressure via regulating the ceRNA networks in female SHRs, which provided novel insights into the mechanisms of food protein-derived antihypertensive peptides.

Beneficial Effects of Dietary Flaxseed Oil through Inflammation Pathways and Gut Microbiota in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Mice.

Flaxseed oil (FO) has displayed potential anti-diabetes properties by providing a high content of α-linolenic acid. However, the effects and mechanisms of FO on type 1 diabetes are still unclear. The present study aims to explore the effects of different doses of FO feeding on hepatic inflammation and gut microbiota in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Forty-eight six-week-old C57BL/6J male mice were divided into a control group (CON), a diabetic group (MOD), a diabetes with 7.0% w/w FO feeding group (FO-L), and a diabetes with 10.5% w/w FO feeding group (FO-H) for six weeks. The 7.0% w/w and 10.5% w/w FO feeding groups exhibited potential recovery of the number and size of pancreas tissues. The fasting blood glucose level was significantly decreased only after 4 weeks of feeding with 10.5% w/w FO in diabetic mice. The 10.5% w/w FO feeding group significantly decreased the postprandial blood glucose level of mice in the OGTT test. Hepatic glycogen levels were dramatically upregulated in the mice fed with both 7.0% w/w and 10.5% w/w FO. FO feeding significantly attenuated hepatic LPS, TNF-α, and IL-1ß levels. In addition, we observed that 7.0% w/w and 10.5% w/w FO feedings notably downregulated hepatic gene and protein expressions of TLR4, MyD88, and P65. Furthermore, only 10.5% FO regulated fecal microbiota by increasing the relative abundance of the Bacteroidetes phylum, Lactococcus family, and Muribaculaceae and Streptococcaceae family and genus in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Therefore, we conclude that FO feeding plays a role in anti-inflammation via the regulation of hepatic LPS/TLR4/MyD88 pathways and gut microbiota. In addition, different doses of FO supplementation may exhibit varying mechanisms in streptozotocin-induced mice.

Effect of viscous soluble dietary fiber on glucose and lipid metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis on randomized clinical trials.

Background: The effect of viscous soluble dietary fiber on glucose and lipid metabolism in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains controversial, and the dose-response relationship of its effect on blood glucose and blood lipid level is still unclear. Methods: We conducted comprehensive searches in several databases up to 17 January 2023. We conducted a dose-response analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to investigate the effect of viscous dietary fiber on glucose and lipid metabolism in patients with T2DM. Results: Statistical significance was observed in the decreases of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (mean difference) [MD = -0.47; 95%CI: (-0.66, -0.27)], fasting blood glucose (FBG) [MD = -0.93; 95%CI: (-1.46, -0.41)], total cholesterol (TC) [MD = -0.33; 95%CI: (-0.46, -0.21)], and low-density lipoprotein and cholesterol (LDL-C) [MD = -0.24; 95%CI: (-0.35, -0.13)]. Contrarily, no difference was observed regarding the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) or triglyceride (TG). In addition, the effect on fasting insulin remains unclear. Results from the subgroup analyses showed that an intervention duration longer than 6 weeks had a significant effect on the HbA1c level; a treatment dosage higher than 8.3 g/day had a significant effect on the FBG level. Conclusions: Supplementation of viscous dietary fiber is beneficial to control blood glucose and blood lipid in T2DM.