Dietary condition and feeding practices of children aged 6-23 months in Ethiopia: analysis of 2005-2016 demographic and health survey.

BACKGROUND: Childhood malnutrition is well estimated as the major underlying risk factor for morbidity and mortality in children under 5 years. Feeding practices greatly influence the dietary condition of children aged 6-23 months in developing countries. Therefore, this study was performed to determine the association between infant young children feeding (IYCF) practices and the dietary conditions of children aged 6-23 months in Ethiopia. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted based on data on 5638 children aged 6-23 months from three Ethiopia Demographic and Health Surveys (EDHS) (2005, 2011, 2016). Multivariable logistic regression was performed to estimate the odd ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of stunting and anaemia with IYCF practices. RESULT: The prevalence of stunting among children aged 6-23 months in Ethiopia decreased greatly from 49% in 2005 to 32% in 2016. Among the IYCF practices, consumption of iron-rich foods, minimum dietary diversity (MDD), and minimum acceptable diet (MAD) were significant predictors of stunting. In addition, the prevalence of anaemia declined significantly from 26% in 2005 to 16% in 2011, but increased to 29% in 2016. Among the IYCF practices, breastfeeding and minimum meal frequency (MMF) had lower odds of childhood anaemia. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that anaemia and stunting among children aged 6-23 months in Ethiopia is critical public health problems that need urgent attention.

Role of Resveratrol on Indoxyl Sulfate-Induced Endothelial Hyperpermeability via Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AHR)/Src-Dependent Pathway.

Resveratrol (RES), a dietary polyphenol compound, has been shown to possess health benefits due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and antiatherosclerosis properties. Tryptophan metabolite-derived indoxyl sulfate (IS) is identified as one of the uremic toxins and physiological endogenous ligand/activator of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), associated with atherosclerosis in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Studies have shown that a high serum level of IS causes deleterious effects on health primarily by inducing oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction. However, the precise mechanisms are still unclear. Here, we investigated the underlying mechanism of IS effect on endothelial permeability and the role of RES on IS-induced endothelial hyperpermeability via the AHR/Src-dependent pathway. Bovine aorta endothelial cells (BAECs) were cultured and incubated with IS in the presence or absence of RES, and transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) and permeability of cells were measured. Alongside, AHR, Src kinase, and Vascular Endothelial Cadherin (VE-Cadherin) activation were examined. Our data showed that IS reduced TEER of cells resulting in increased permeability. VE-Cadherin, a vital regulator of endothelial permeability, was also significantly activated in response to IS, which appeared to be associated with changes of endothelial permeability and AHR/Src kinase. Interestingly, in this setting, RES reversed the effect of IS and inhibited the increased activation of Src induced by IS-activated AHR and modulated VE-Cadherin and permeability. CH223191, an inhibitor of AHR, significantly inhibits IS-induced endothelial hyperpermeability. Further analysis with treatment of PP2, an inhibitor of Src abolishing Src activation, suggests downstream factors. All our data indicated that IS upregulated the AHR/Src kinase pathway, and increased endothelial permeability and phosphorylation of VE-Cadherin may be represented and provide new strategies for addressing protective properties of RES against Src kinase involved in AHR-mediated endothelial hyperpermeability. The findings may be crucial for managing diseases in which endothelial permeability is compromised, and the dietary polyphenols are involved.