Fish oil supplementation during pregnancy, anthropometrics, and metabolic health at age ten: A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: We previously reported that children of mothers who received fish oil supplementation during pregnancy had higher body mass index [BMI (in kg/m2)] at 6 y of age as well as a concomitant increase in fat-, muscle, and bone mass, but no difference in fat percentage. OBJECTIVES: Here, we report follow-up at age 10 y including assessment of metabolic health. METHODS: This is a follow-up analysis of a randomized clinical trial conducted among 736 pregnant females and their offspring participating in the Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood mother-child cohort. The intervention was 2.4 g n-3 (ω-3) Long-Chain PolyUnsaturated Fatty Acid (n-3 LCPUFA) or control daily from pregnancy week 24 until 1 wk after birth. Outcomes were anthropometric measurements, body composition from Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis, blood pressure, concentrations of triglycerides, cholesterol, glucose, and C-peptide from fasting blood samples, and a metabolic syndrome score was calculated. Anthropometric measurements and body composition were prespecified secondary endpoints of the n-3 LCPUFA trial, and others were exploratory. RESULTS: Children in the n-3 LCPUFA group had a higher mean BMI at age 10 year compared to the control group: 17.4 (SD: 2.44) compared with 16.9 (2.28); P = 0.020 and a higher odds ratio of having overweight (odds ratio: 1.53; 95% CI: 1.01, 2.33; P = 0.047). This corresponded to differences in body composition in terms of increased lean mass (0.49 kg; 95% CI: -0.20, 1.14; P = 0.17), fat mass (0.49 kg; 95% CI: -0.03, 1.01; P = 0.06), and fat percent (0.74%; 95% CI: -0.01, 1.49; P = 0.053) compared to the control group. Children in the n-3 LCPUFA group had a higher metabolic syndrome score compared to the control (mean difference: 0.19; 95% CI: -0.02, 0.39; P = 0.053). CONCLUSIONS: In this randomized clinical trial, children of mothers receiving n-3 LCPUFA supplementation had increased BMI at age 10 y, increased risk of being overweight, and a tendency of increased fat percentage and higher metabolic syndrome score. These findings suggest potential adverse health effects from n-3 LCPUFA supplementation during pregnancy and need to be replicated in future independent studies. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00798226.

Significance of dietary quinoa husk (Chenopodium quinoa) in gene regulation for stress mitigation in fish.

The persistent challenges posed by pollution and climate change are significant factors disrupting ecosystems, particularly aquatic environments. Numerous contaminants found in aquatic systems, such as ammonia and metal toxicity, play a crucial role in adversely affecting aquaculture production. Against this backdrop, fish feed was developed using quinoa husk (the byproduct of quinoa) as a substitute for fish meal. Six isonitrogenous diets (30%) and isocaloric diets were formulated by replacing fish meal with quinoa husk at varying percentages: 0% quinoa (control), 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35%. An experiment was conducted to explore the potential of quinoa husk in replacing fish meal and assess its ability to mitigate ammonia and arsenic toxicity as well as high-temperature stress in Pangasianodon hypophthalmus. The formulated feed was also examined for gene regulation related to antioxidative status, immunity, stress proteins, growth regulation, and stress markers. The gene regulation of sod, cat, and gpx in the liver was notably upregulated under concurrent exposure to ammonia, arsenic, and high-temperature (NH3 + As + T) stress. However, quinoa husk at 25% downregulated sod, cat, and gpx expression compared to the control group. Furthermore, genes associated with stress proteins HSP70 and DNA damage-inducible protein (DDIP) were significantly upregulated in response to stressors (NH3 + As + T), but quinoa husk at 25% considerably downregulated HSP70 and DDIP to mitigate the impact of stressors. Growth-responsive genes such as myostatin (MYST) and somatostatin (SMT) were remarkably downregulated, whereas growth hormone receptor (GHR1 and GHRß), insulin-like growth factors (IGF1X, IGF2X), and growth hormone gene were significantly upregulated with quinoa husk at 25%. The gene expression of apoptosis (Caspase 3a and Caspase 3b) and nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were also noticeably downregulated with quinoa husk (25%) reared under stressful conditions. Immune-related gene expression, including immunoglobulin (Ig), toll-like receptor (TLR), tumor necrosis factor (TNFα), and interleukin (IL), strengthened fish immunity with quinoa husk feed. The results revealed that replacing 25% of fish meal with quinoa husk could improve the gene regulation of P. hypophthalmus involved in mitigating ammonia, arsenic, and high-temperature stress in fish.

Effect of Fish-Based Diet on Malnourished Children: A Systematic Review.

Background: Malnutrition in children is mainly caused by the lack of protein and fat intake which harms their ability to grow and survive. Accurate data on the benefits of fish-based foods on the nutritional status of children is limited. The present systematic review aimed to provide an overview of published articles on the nutritional value of fish-based foods for children. Methods: A systematic review was performed during 2000-2021 by searching Science Direct, Cochrane Library, PubMed, ProQuest, and Wiley Online Library databases. The full text of selected articles in English was screened based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Included articles were all experimental studies (randomized control trial, quasi-randomized trial) or mixed methods studies involving malnourished children. The study was reported under the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane tool. Results: A total of 330,859 articles were screened, out of which eight articles were included in the systematic review. Interventions included fish-based foods and beverages such as wafer bars, Jemawut-tuna cookies, Amizate in chocolate drink, dried fish powder, flaxseed oil supplemented with fish oil capsules, and porridge fortified with fish powder. Primary or secondary outcomes were the determination of zinc level, height growth, erythrocyte n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid content, safety and acceptability, intestinal integrity, and cognitive development. The results showed that dried fish powder produced the most significant effect on body weight. Conclusion: The consumption of dried fish powder had positive effects on the recovery of malnourished children.

Nervonic Acid Synthesis Substrates as Essential Components in Profiled Lipid Supplementation for More Effective Central Nervous System Regeneration.

Central nervous system (CNS) damage leads to severe neurological dysfunction as a result of neuronal cell death and axonal degeneration. As, in the mature CNS, neurons have little ability to regenerate their axons and reconstruct neural loss, demyelination is one of the hallmarks of neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis (MS). Unfortunately, remyelination, as a regenerative process, is often insufficient to prevent axonal loss and improve neurological deficits after demyelination. Currently, there are still no effective therapeutic tools to restore neurological function, but interestingly, emerging studies prove the beneficial effects of lipid supplementation in a wide variety of pathological processes in the human body. In the future, available lipids with a proven beneficial effect on CNS regeneration could be included in supportive therapy, but this topic still requires further studies. Based on our and others' research, we review the role of exogenous lipids, pointing to substrates that are crucial in the remyelination process but are omitted in available studies, justifying the properly profiled supply of lipids in the human diet as a supportive therapy during CNS regeneration.

Re-evaluation of certain aspects of the EFSA Scientific Opinion of April 2010 on risk assessment of parasites in fishery products, based on new scientific data. Part 1: ToRs1-3.

Surveillance data published since 2010, although limited, showed that there is no evidence of zoonotic parasite infection in market quality Atlantic salmon, marine rainbow trout, gilthead seabream, turbot, meagre, Atlantic halibut, common carp and European catfish. No studies were found for greater amberjack, brown trout, African catfish, European eel and pikeperch. Anisakis pegreffii, A. simplex (s. s.) and Cryptocotyle lingua were found in European seabass, Atlantic bluefin tuna and/or cod, and Pseudamphistomum truncatum and Paracoenogonimus ovatus in tench, produced in open offshore cages or flow-through ponds or tanks. It is almost certain that fish produced in closed recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) or flow-through facilities with filtered water intake and exclusively fed heat-treated feed are free of zoonotic parasites. Since the last EFSA opinion, the UV-press and artificial digestion methods have been developed into ISO standards to detect parasites in fish, while new UV-scanning, optical, molecular and OMICs technologies and methodologies have been developed for the detection, visualisation, isolation and/or identification of zoonotic parasites in fish. Freezing and heating continue to be the most efficient methods to kill parasites in fishery products. High-pressure processing may be suitable for some specific products. Pulsed electric field is a promising technology although further development is needed. Ultrasound treatments were not effective. Traditional dry salting of anchovies successfully inactivated Anisakis. Studies on other traditional processes - air-drying and double salting (brine salting plus dry salting) - suggest that anisakids are successfully inactivated, but more data covering these and other parasites in more fish species and products is required to determine if these processes are always effective. Marinade combinations with anchovies have not effectively inactivated anisakids. Natural products, essential oils and plant extracts, may kill parasites but safety and organoleptic data are lacking. Advanced processing techniques for intelligent gutting and trimming are being developed to remove parasites from fish.

Feasibility of Enzymatic Protein Extraction from a Dehydrated Fish Biomass Obtained from Unsorted Canned Yellowfin Tuna Side Streams: Part II.

The enzymatic extraction of proteins from fish biomasses is being widely investigated. However, little or almost no research has paid attention to the exploitation of unsorted fishery biomasses. This work is part of a larger study, Part I of which has already been published, and focuses on an extensive characterization of two collagenous samples, namely gelatin (G) and hydrolyzed gelatin peptides (HGPs), extracted from a dehydrated fish biomass coming from unsorted canned yellowfin tuna side streams. The results indicate crude protein fractions of 90-93%, pH values between 3 and 5, white-yellow colors, collagen-like FTIR spectra, and 17% in terms of total amino acid content. Viscosity and the study of dynamic viscous-elastic behavior were analyzed. Thermo-gravimetric analysis was performed to assess the residual ashes. Both samples were investigated to determine their molecular weight distribution via size-exclusion chromatography, with a higher total average molecular weight for G compared to HGPs, with values of 17,265.5 Da and 2637.5 Da, respectively. G demonstrated technological properties similar to analogous marine gelatins. HGPs demonstrated antioxidant activity as per FRAP assay. All the results open up new perspectives for the potential use of these substances in biodegradable packaging, dietary supplements, and skin care cosmetics.

Content and Bioaccessibility of Minerals and Proteins in Fish-Bone Containing Side-Streams from Seafood Industries.

With the aim to upcycle fish side-streams, enzymatic hydrolysis is often applied to produce protein hydrolysates with bioactive properties or just as a protein source for food and feed. However, the production of hydrolysates generates a side-stream. For underutilized fish and fish backbone this side-stream will contain fish bones and make it rich in minerals. The aim of this study was to assess the relative bioaccessibility (using the standardized in vitro model INFOGEST 2.0) of minerals in a dietary supplement compared to bone powder generated after enzymatic hydrolysis of three different fish side-streams: undersized whole hake, cod and salmon backbones consisting of insoluble protein and bones. Differences in the bioaccessibility of protein between the powders were also investigated. The enzyme hydrolysis was carried out using different enzymes and hydrolysis conditions for the different fish side-streams. The content and bioaccessibility of protein and the minerals phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg) were measured to evaluate the potential of the powder as an ingredient in, e.g., dietary supplements. The bone powders contained bioaccessible proteins and minerals. Thus, new side-streams generated from enzymatic hydrolysis can have possible applications in the food sector due to bioaccessible proteins and minerals.

Omega-3 Status Evaluation in Australian Female Rugby League Athletes: Ad Libitum Fish Oil Provision Results in a Varied Omega-3 Index.

Optimal omega-3 status, influenced by increased intake of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), is vital for physiological health. This study investigated the impact of ad libitum fish oil supplementation on the omega-3 status of female athletes in a professional rugby league team during a competitive season. Twenty-four (n = 24) athletes participated, and their omega-3 status was assessed using the Omega-3 Index (O3I) and arachidonic acid (AA) to EPA ratio through finger-prick blood samples taken at the start and end of the season. They were given access to a fish oil supplement (PILLAR Performance, Australia) with a recommended daily dose of four capsules per day (2,160 mg EPA and 1,440 mg docosahexaenoic acid). At the beginning of the season, the group mean O3I was 4.77% (95% confidence interval [CI: 4.50, 5.04]) and the AA to EPA ratio was 14.89 (95% CI [13.22, 16.55]). None of the athletes had an O3I exceeding 8%. By the season's end, the O3I was a significantly increased to 7.28% (95% CI [6.64, 7.93], p < .0001) and AA to EPA ratio significantly decreased to a mean of 6.67 (95% CI [5.02, 8.31], p < .0001), driven primarily by the significant increase in EPA of +1.14% (95% CI [0.77, 1.51], p < .0001). However, these changes were varied between the athletes and most likely due to compliance. This study has demonstrated that using the objective O3I feedback scale is possible with elite female rugby athletes, but individual strategies will be required to achieve daily intake targets of EPA + DHA.

A diagnostic algorithm for sinonasal papillary non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma with DEK:: AFF2 fusion and mimickers / Algoritmo diagnóstico para carcinoma sinonasal papilar de células escamosas no queratinizante con fusión e imitadores de DEK:: AFF2

Sinonasal carcinomas represent a rare and diverse group of tumors, presenting diagnostic complexities due to their varied histological and molecular features. To ensure accurate differentiation among these malignancies, a systematic and stepwise approach is paramount. Even with the morphological similarities between poorly differentiated (non) keratinizing sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (SNSCC) and DEK::AFF2 SNSCC, the two lesions are distinguishable using the surrogate immunohistochemical marker AFF2 or molecular testing for DEK::AFF2 mutation. We report a rare case of SMARCB1-retained DEK::AFF2 papillary non-keratinizing SNSCC in a 53-year-old female, who presented with a polypoid mass corresponding to the left middle turbinate. Following the surgical resection of the tumor and locoregional lymph nodes, adjuvant radiotherapy was administered to eradicate any residual cancer cells that may have remained after surgery. (AU)

Los carcinomas sinonasales representan un grupo diverso e infrecuente de tumores que presentan complejidades diagnósticas debidas a la variedad de sus características histológicas y moleculares. Para asegurar una diferenciación precisa entre estas neoplasias es esencial un enfoque sistemático paso a paso. Incluso con similitudes morfológicas entre carcinoma sinonasal escamoso pobremente diferenciado, no queratinizante (CSNE) y DEK::AFF2 se puede distinguir entre las lesiones con el uso del marcador inmunohistoquímico sustitutivo AFF2 o la mutación molecular DEK::AFF2. Comunicamos un raro caso de CSNE no queratinizante SMARCB1-retained DEK::AFF2 en una mujer de 53 años con una masa polipoide en pliegue turbinado medio izquierdo. Tras la resección quirúrgica del tumor y de los ganglios linfáticos, se administró radioterapia adyuvante para eliminar el tumor residual. (AU)

Joint effects of one year of marine omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and participant dietary fish intake upon circulating lipid mediators of inflammation resolution in a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: We assessed the joint effects of omega (n)-3 fatty acid supplementation and dietary fish intake on systemic lipid mediators of inflammation among adults. METHODS: Within VITAL, a double-blind randomized controlled trial, adults were randomized to ω-3 fatty acids (460 mg EPA + 380 mg DHA/d) or placebo. We selected participants who reported low (<1 serving/mo) baseline dietary fish intake and matched them by age, sex, race, and trial arm to participants with self-reported highest fish intake (≥3.9 servings/wk). Baseline and 1-y plasma samples were tested for 9 ω-3 fatty acid-derived lipid mediators. Multivariable linear models assessed lipid mediator changes and joint effects of ω-3 fatty acid supplementation and dietary fish intake. RESULTS: Forty-eight participants with low baseline fish intake were matched to 48 with high fish intake. Mean age was 64.6 (±7.26), 50% were female, and 85% non-Hispanic white. One-year lipid mediator changes in expected directions were observed in those receiving ω-3 fatty acids versus placebo: reductions in proinflammatory mediators, PGD2, 5-HETE, and 12-HETE; increases in proresolving mediators, EPA and DHA. Larger 1-y lipid biomarker changes were seen in those with low baseline fish intake randomized to active ω-3 fatty acids for DHA, EPA, PGD2, Resolvin D1, and Resolvin D4 were observed, although no significant multiplicative interactions were detected. DISCUSSION: Beneficial changes in circulating proresolving and proinflammatory mediators were found with 1-y of ω-3 fatty acid supplementation versus placebo for all participants, with a trend toward larger effects among those with low baseline fish intake, although interactions were not significant.

Dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids alter the number, fatty acid profile and coagulatory activity of circulating and platelet-derived extracellular vesicles: a randomized, controlled crossover trial.

BACKGROUND: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are proposed to play a role in the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and are considered emerging markers of CVDs. n-3 PUFAs are abundant in oily fish and fish oil and are reported to reduce CVD risk, but there has been little research to date examining the effects of n-3 PUFAs on the generation and function of EVs. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the effects of fish oil supplementation on the number, generation, and function of EVs in subjects with moderate risk of CVDs. METHODS: A total of 40 participants with moderate risk of CVDs were supplemented with capsules containing either fish oil (1.9 g/d n-3 PUFAs) or control oil (high-oleic safflower oil) for 12 wk in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover intervention study. The effects of fish oil supplementation on conventional CVD and thrombogenic risk markers were measured, along with the number and fatty acid composition of circulating and platelet-derived EVs (PDEVs). PDEV proteome profiles were evaluated, and their impact on coagulation was assessed using assays including fibrin clot formation, thrombin generation, fibrinolysis, and ex vivo thrombus formation. RESULTS: n-3 PUFAs decreased the numbers of circulating EVs by 27%, doubled their n-3 PUFA content, and reduced their capacity to support thrombin generation by >20% in subjects at moderate risk of CVDs. EVs derived from n-3 PUFA-enriched platelets in vitro also resulted in lower thrombin generation, but did not alter thrombus formation in a whole blood ex vivo assay. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary n-3 PUFAs alter the number, composition, and function of EVs, reducing their coagulatory activity. This study provides clear evidence that EVs support thrombin generation and that this EV-dependent thrombin generation is reduced by n-3 PUFAs, which has implications for prevention and treatment of thrombosis. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY: This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03203512.

Thrombin-targeted screening of anticoagulant active components from Polygonum amplexicaule D. Don var. sinense Forb by affinity ultrafiltration coupled with UPLC-Q-TOF-MS.

INTRODUCTION: Polygonum amplexicaule D. Don var. sinense Forb (PAF), a medicinal plant, has the effect of promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. However, the active compounds and targets of its anticoagulant effect are still unclear. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to establish an effective reversely thrombin-targeted screening method for anticoagulant active components in PAF by affinity ultrafiltration (AUF) coupled with ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectroscopy (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). METHODS: Different polar parts of PAF were screened for potential thrombin ligands by AUF-HPLC and identified by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. After studying the affinity between ligands and thrombin by molecular docking, the antithrombotic activity of ligands was detected in vivo by zebrafish thrombus model, and in vitro by chromogenic substrate method. The mechanism of such ligands on thrombin was further studied by coagulation factor assay. RESULTS: Eleven potential thrombin ligands from PAF were screened by the AUF-UPLC-Q-TOF-MS method, and two compounds (butyl gallate and ß-sitosterol) with significant anticoagulant activity were discovered via in vitro and in vivo activity testing. CONCLUSION: A method system based on AUF-UPLC-Q-TOF-MS, molecular docking and in vivo and in vitro experiments also provided a powerful tool for further exploration of anticoagulant active components in PAF.

Divergence of 10 satellite repeats in Artemisia (Asteraceae: Anthemideae) based on sequential fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis: evidence for species identification and evolution.

Artemisia is a large genus encompassing about 400 diverse species, many of which have considerable medicinal and ecological value. However, complex morphological information and variation in ploidy level and nuclear DNA content have presented challenges for evolution studies of this genus. Consequently, taxonomic inconsistencies within the genus persist, hindering the utilization of such large plant resources. Researchers have utilized satellite DNAs to aid in chromosome identification, species classification, and evolutionary studies due to their significant sequence and copy number variation between species and close relatives. In the present study, the RepeatExplorer2 pipeline was utilized to identify 10 satellite DNAs from three species (Artemisia annua, Artemisia vulgaris, Artemisia viridisquama), and fluorescence in situ hybridization confirmed their distribution on chromosomes in 24 species, including 19 Artemisia species with 5 outgroup species from Ajania and Chrysanthemum. Signals of satellite DNAs exhibited substantial differences between species. We obtained one genus-specific satellite from the sequences. Additionally, molecular cytogenetic maps were constructed for Artemisia vulgaris, Artemisia leucophylla, and Artemisia viridisquama. One species (Artemisia verbenacea) showed a FISH distribution pattern suggestive of an allotriploid origin. Heteromorphic FISH signals between homologous chromosomes in Artemisia plants were observed at a high level. Additionally, the relative relationships between species were discussed by comparing ideograms. The results of the present study provide new insights into the accurate identification and taxonomy of the Artemisia genus using molecular cytological methods.

Underrated aspects of a true Mediterranean diet: understanding traditional features for worldwide application of a "Planeterranean" diet.

Over the last decades, the Mediterranean diet gained enormous scientific, social, and commercial attention due to proven positive effects on health and undeniable taste that facilitated a widespread popularity. Researchers have investigated the role of Mediterranean-type dietary patterns on human health all around the world, reporting consistent findings concerning its benefits. However, what does truly define the Mediterranean diet? The myriad of dietary scores synthesizes the nutritional content of a Mediterranean-type diet, but a variety of aspects are generally unexplored when studying the adherence to this dietary pattern. Among dietary factors, the main characteristics of the Mediterranean diet, such as consumption of fruit and vegetables, olive oil, and cereals should be accompanied by other underrated features, such as the following: (i) specific reference to whole-grain consumption; (ii) considering the consumption of legumes, nuts, seeds, herbs and spices often untested when exploring the adherence to the Mediterranean diet; (iii) consumption of eggs and dairy products as common foods consumed in the Mediterranean region (irrespectively of the modern demonization of dietary fat intake). Another main feature of the Mediterranean diet includes (red) wine consumption, but more general patterns of alcohol intake are generally unmeasured, lacking specificity concerning the drinking occasion and intensity (i.e., alcohol drinking during meals). Among other underrated aspects, cooking methods are rather simple and yet extremely varied. Several underrated aspects are related to the quality of food consumed when the Mediterranean diet was first investigated: foods are locally produced, minimally processed, and preserved with more natural methods (i.e., fermentation), strongly connected with the territory with limited and controlled impact on the environment. Dietary habits are also associated with lifestyle behaviors, such as sleeping patterns, and social and cultural values, favoring commensality and frugality. In conclusion, it is rather reductive to consider the Mediterranean diet as just a pattern of food groups to be consumed decontextualized from the social and geographical background of Mediterranean culture. While the methodologies to study the Mediterranean diet have demonstrated to be useful up to date, a more holistic approach should be considered in future studies by considering the aforementioned underrated features and values to be potentially applied globally through the concept of a "Planeterranean" diet.

Study of the spread of medicinal herbs use among patients suffering from chronic diseases in Iraq.

OBJECTIVE: Aim: To assess the prevalence of medicinal plants, use among Iraqi patients with chronic disease and compare it with another study in same or different countries. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: A randomized Internet and social media questionnaire was used. In this cross-sectional study, peoples with chronic diseases from different age group were recruited. Participants had an internet questionnaire to answer. This questionnaire embraced age, gender, occupation, marital status, education level and some lifestyle details as demographic data, a large proportion of the questionnaire was related to herbs, both prescribed and OTC ones. RESULTS: Results: Gender distribution: about 70% of patients were female and 30% male. Education level: uneducated - 35%, primary school - 30%, secondary school - 25%, academic - 10%. Place of residence: 30% lived in urban and 70% in rural areas. Diseases distribution: 30% hypertension, 20% diabetes, 10% asthma, 10% migraine, 15% hyperlipidemia and 15% rheumatoid arthritis. Medicinal plants: 10% green tea, 5%fish oil, 15% anise 25% castor oil and 15% spirulina. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The study reported a high prevalence of medicinal herbs use among patients with chronic disease in Iraq. Several factors (rural residence, education, age, multiple chronic conditions and low quality of life) associated with medicinal herbs use. This knowledge will help policy makers and health care providers for decision making on the safe use of herbal medicine.

Dietary tryptophan intervention counteracts stress-induced transcriptional changes in a teleost fish HPI axis during inflammation.

Immune nutrition is currently used to enhance fish health by incorporating functional ingredients into aquafeeds. This study aimed to investigate the connections between tryptophan nutrition and the network that regulates the communication pathways between neuroendocrine and immune systems in European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax). When tryptophan was supplemented in the diet of unstressed fish, it induced changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-interrenal axis response to stress. Tryptophan-mediated effects were observed in the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines and glucocorticoid receptors. Tryptophan supplementation decreased pro-opiomelanocortin b-like levels, that are related with adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol secretion. When stressed fish fed a tryptophan-supplemented diet were subjected to an inflammatory stimulus, plasma cortisol levels decreased and the expression of genes involved in the neuroendocrine response was altered. Modulatory effects of tryptophan dietary intervention on molecular patterns seem to be mediated by altered patterns in serotonergic activity.

A ketogenic diet rich in fish oil is superior to other fats in preventing NNK-induced lung cancer in A/J mice.

Given that ketogenic diets (KDs) are extremely high in dietary fat, we compared different fats in KDs to determine which was the best for cancer prevention. Specifically, we compared a Western and a 15% carbohydrate diet to seven different KDs, containing either Western fats or fats enriched in medium chain fatty acids (MCTs), milk fat (MF), palm oil (PO), olive oil (OO), corn oil (CO) or fish oil (FO) for their ability to reduce nicotine-derived nitrosamine ketone (NNK)-induced lung cancer in mice. While all the KDs tested were more effective at reducing lung nodules than the Western or 15% carbohydrate diet, the FO-KD was most effective at reducing lung nodules. Correlating with this, mice on the FO-KD had low blood glucose and the highest ß-hydroxybutyrate level, lowest liver fatty acid synthase/carnitine palmitoyl-1a ratio and a dramatic increase in fecal Akkermansia. We found no liver damage induced by the FO-KD, while the ratio of total cholesterol/HDL was unchanged on the different diets. We conclude that a FO-KD is superior to KDs enriched in other fats in reducing NNK-induced lung cancer, perhaps by being the most effective at skewing whole-body metabolism from a dependence on glucose to fats as an energy source.

Dietary microalgal-fabricated selenium nanoparticles improve Nile tilapia biochemical indices, immune-related gene expression, and intestinal immunity.

BACKGROUND: Feed supplements, including essential trace elements are believed to play an important role in augmenting fish immune response. In this context, selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) in fish diets via a green biosynthesis strategy have attracted considerable interest. In this investigation, selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs, 79.26 nm) synthesized from the green microalga Pediastrum boryanum were incorporated into Nile tilapia diets to explore its beneficial effects on the immune defense and intestinal integrity, in comparison with control basal diets containing inorganic Se source. Nile tilapia (No. 180, 54-57 g) were fed on three formulated diets at concentrations of 0, 0.75, and 1.5 mg/kg of SeNPs for 8 weeks. After the trial completion, tissue bioaccumulation, biochemical indices, antioxidant and pro-inflammatory cytokine-related genes, and intestinal histological examination were analyzed. RESULTS: Our finding revealed that dietary SeNPs significantly decreased (P < 0.05) serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and cholesterol, while increasing (P < 0.05) high-density lipoproteins (HDL). The Se concentration in the muscle tissues showed a dose-dependent increase. SeNPs at a dose of 1.5 mg/kg significantly upregulated intestinal interleukin 8 (IL-8) and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1ß) gene transcription compared with the control diet. Glutathione reductase (GSR) and glutathione synthetase (GSS) genes were significantly upregulated in both SeNPs-supplemented groups compared with the control. No apoptotic changes or cell damages were observed as indicated by proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and caspase-3 gene expression and evidenced histopathologically. SeNPs supplementation positively affects mucin-producing goblet cells (GCs), particularly at dose of 1.5 mg/kg. CONCLUSION: Therefore, these results suggest that Green synthesized SeNPs supplementation has promising effects on enhancing Nile tilapia immunity and maintaining their intestinal health.

Amelioration of obesity induction by a high-fat diet and related inflammation by Phasa fish (Setipinna phasa) oil in BALB/c mice.

We have extracted and characterized Phasa fish (Setipinna phasa) oil for the first time to evaluate the anti-obesity and related anti-inflammatory effects on obese mice. Inbred male albino BALB/c mice were segregated into three categories: control (C), Obese control group (OC), and Phasa fish oil treated group (TX). To establish the potentiality of Setipinna phasa oil for its anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory properties, it was extracted and characterized using GC-MS method. To evaluate the anti-obesity effect, different parameters were considered, such as body weight, lipid composition, obesity, and obesity associated inflammation. The physicochemical characteristics of Phasa fish oil revealed that the oil quality was good because acid value, peroxide value, p-anisidine value, Totox value, refractive index, and saponification value were within the standard value range. The GC-MS study explored the presence of fatty acids beneficial to health such as Hexadec-9-enoic acid; Octadec-11-enoic acid; EPA, DHA, Methyl Linolenate, etc. The application of Setipinna phasa oil on the treated mice group acutely lowered body weight and serum lipid profile compared to the obese group. In connection with this, leptin, FAS, and pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α genes expression were downregulated in the treated group compared to the obese group. The Phasa oil treated group had an elevated expression of PPAR-α, adiponectin, LPL gene, and anti-inflammatory markers IL-10 and IL-1Ra compared to the obese group. This study suggests that Phasa fish oil, enriched with essential fatty acid, might be used as an anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory supplement.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Depression in the Elderly and Patients with Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation interventions in improving depression in patients with dementia. To achieve this objective, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified from primary electronic databases, focusing on the relationship between omega-3 fatty acids and depression in patients with dementia. The primary outcome was the impact of omega-3 fatty acids on post-intervention depression in patients with dementia, with subgroup analyses conducted based on the type of intervention (docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) combination), duration of intervention (3 months, 6 months, 12 months, ≥24 months), cognitive function (ranging from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to severe dementia), and daily dosage (high, medium, low, applicable to both DHA and EPA). The study has been duly registered with PROSPERO (registration ID: CRD42023408744). A meta-analysis of five studies (n = 517) included in nine systematic reviews showed that omega-3 supplementation had a non-significant trend toward affecting depressive symptoms in patients with dementia (standardized mean difference (SMD): 0.147; 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.324 to 0.049; p = 0.141). Subgroup analyses revealed that DHA supplementation significantly reduced depressive symptoms (SMD: -0.247; p = 0.039). There was no significant effect for high (SMD: -0.169; 95% CI: -0.454 to 0.116; p = 0.246) or medium (SMD: -0.061; 95% CI: -0.228 to 0.105; p = 0.470) doses of EPA. However, low doses of EPA were significantly effective (SMD: -0.953; 95% CI: -1.534 to -0.373; p = 0.001), with notable improvements in patients with MCI (SMD: -0.934; p < 0.001). The study concludes that omega-3 fatty acids, particularly through DHA supplementation, may alleviate depressive symptoms in patients with MCI. Given the limited sample size, further long-term RCTs are recommended to better understand the efficacy and optimal management of omega-3 supplementation in this population using different dosages.