NOD1-Targeted Immunonutrition Approaches: On the Way from Disease to Health.

Immunonutrition appears as a field with great potential in modern medicine. Since the immune system can trigger serious pathophysiological disorders, it is essential to study and implement a type of nutrition aimed at improving immune system functioning and reinforcing it individually for each patient. In this sense, the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-1 (NOD1), one of the members of the pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) family of innate immunity, has been related to numerous pathologies, such as cancer, diabetes, or cardiovascular diseases. NOD1, which is activated by bacterial-derived peptidoglycans, is known to be present in immune cells and to contribute to inflammation and other important pathways, such as fibrosis, upon recognition of its ligands. Since immunonutrition is a significant developing research area with much to discover, we propose NOD1 as a possible target to consider in this field. It is relevant to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms that modulate the immune system and involve the activation of NOD1 in the context of immunonutrition and associated pathological conditions. Surgical or pharmacological treatments could clearly benefit from the synergy with specific and personalized nutrition that even considers the health status of each subject.

Beyond classic concepts in thyroid homeostasis: Immune system and microbiota.

It has long been known that thyroid hormones have implications for multiple physiological processes and can lead to serious illness when there is an imbalance in its metabolism. The connections between thyroid hormone metabolism and the immune system have been extensively described, as they can participate in inflammation, autoimmunity, or cancer progression. In addition, changes in the normal intestinal microbiota involve the activation of the immune system while triggering different pathophysiological disorders. Recent studies have linked the microbiota and certain bacterial fragments or metabolites to the regulation of thyroid hormones and the general response in the endocrine system. Even if the biology and function of the thyroid gland has attracted more attention due to its pathophysiological importance, there are essential mechanisms and issues related to it that are related to the interplay between the intestinal microbiota and the immune system and must be further investigated. Here we summarize additional information to uncover these relationships, the knowledge of which would help establish new personalized medical strategies.

Purified glycosaminoglycans from cooked haddock may enhance Fe uptake via endocytosis in a Caco-2 cell culture model.

This study aims to understand the enhancing effect of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), such as chondroitin/dermatan structures, on Fe uptake to Caco-2 cells. High-sulfated GAGs were selectively purified from cooked haddock. An in vitro digestion/Caco-2 cell culture model was used to evaluate Fe uptake (cell ferritin formation) from a Fe(+3)-containing solution, and Fe(+3)/ascorbic acid (AA) and Fe(+3)/GAGs mixtures. Mitochondria (MTT test) and endosomal/lysosomal activities (neutral red uptake, NR), intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species, and GSH concentration were monitored as biomarkers of the changes of cellular metabolism. Changes in mRNA expression of Fe transporters, divalent metal transporter-1 (DMT1), and duodenal cytochrome-b (DcytB) were also evaluated. The Fe uptake from Fe(+3)/GAGs mixture was up to 1.8-fold higher than from Fe(+3) alone. Both Fe(+3) alone and Fe(+3)/AA mixture produced highest increase in MTT conversion. In contrast, cell cultures exposed to the Fe(+3)/GAGs mixture exhibited highest NR uptake values. All Fe-containing solutions tested caused a sharp intramitochondrial accumulation of reactive oxygen species. Cell cultures exposed to the Fe(+3)/GAGs mixture exhibited a more preserved (by 8%) intracellular GSH concentration compared to cultures exposed to Fe(+3) or Fe(+3)/AA mixture. In addition to cell responses, the mRNA expression of Fe transporters may suggest that Fe could also be internalized into cells by endocytosis in addition to via DMT1 in Fe(+3)/GAGs mixtures. These aspects need to be confirmed in in vivo experiments to better establish nutritional interventional strategies.

Iron and zinc bioavailabilities to pigs from red and white beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) are similar.

Common beans contain relatively high concentrations of iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) but are also high in polyphenols and phytates, factors that may inhibit Fe and Zn absorption. In vitro (Caco-2 cells) and in vivo (pigs) models were used to compare Fe and Zn bioavailabilities between red and white beans, which differ in polyphenol content. Bean/maize diets containing 37% of either white or red cooked beans were formulated. Fe uptake by Caco-2 cells was 14-fold higher from the white bean diet compared to the red bean diet. The diets were fed to anemic piglets (n = 10) for 35 days. On experiment days 7 and 21, pigs were given meals containing beans intrinsically labeled with stable isotopes of Fe and Zn ((58)Fe, (70)Zn), followed by intravenous (iv) injections of (54)Fe and (67)Zn, to assess Fe and Zn absorption. Isotope ratios determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in whole blood and plasma samples were used to calculate iron and zinc absorption, respectively. On day 35, animals were killed and duodenal sections were collected for DMT1 gene expression analysis. Fe absorption was 14 and 16% from the first labeled meal and 9 and 10.5% from the second labeled meal for the white and red beans, respectively (P > 0.05). Zn absorption was 28 and 23% from the first meal (P > 0.05) and 31 and 29% from the second meal (P > 0.05) for the white and red beans, respectively. DMT1 gene expression did not differ between treatments. It was concluded that bean color does not affect Fe or Zn bioavailability in vivo and that beans are a good source of bioavailable Fe and Zn.