Assessing Anti-Adipogenic Effects of Mango Leaf Tea and Mangiferin within Cultured Adipocytes.

Obesity is a condition caused by surplus adipose tissue and is a risk factor for several diet-related diseases. Obesity is a global epidemic that has also been challenging to treat effectively. However, one promoted therapy to safely treat obesity is anti-adipogenic therapeutics. Therefore, identifying potent anti-adipogenic bioactive compounds that can safely be used clinically may effectively treat obesity in humans. Mango leaf has potential medicinal properties due to its many bioactive compounds that may enhance human health. Mangiferin (MGF) is a primary constituent in mango plants, with many health-promoting qualities. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of MGF, and tea brewed with mango leaves in cultured adipocytes. The anti-adipogenic efficacy of mango leaf tea (MLT) and MGF in 3T3-L1 cells were assessed, along with cell viability, triglyceride levels, adiponectin secretion, and glucose uptake analyzed. In addition, changes in the mRNA expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism within 3T3-L1 cells were determined using quantitative real-time PCR. Our results showed while both MLT and MGF increased glucose uptake in adipocytes, only MLT appeared to inhibit adipogenesis, as determined by decreased triglyceride accumulation. We also observed increased secretory adiponectin levels, reduced ACC mRNA expression, and increased FOXO1 and ATGL gene expression in 3T3-L1 cells treated with MLT but not MGF. Together, these results suggest that MLT may exhibit anti-adipogenic properties independent of MGF content.

Antidiabetic properties of mango in animal models and humans: A systematic review.

Mango has long been an attractive source of nutrition and pharmacological therapeutics. The mango plant (Mangifera indica L.) contains bioactive compounds that may have antidiabetic properties. This systematic review investigated the evidence for antidiabetic properties of the different parts of the mango plant in managing type 2 diabetes mellitus in animal models and humans. The electronic databases PubMed, FSTA, Web of Science, CINAHL, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library were systematically searched to identify articles with clear objectives and methodologies available in the English language with publication date limits up to December 2020. Twenty-eight of 1001 animal and human studies met the inclusion criteria that investigated antidiabetic properties of mango from leaf (31%), flesh (38%), seed-kernel (7%), peel (14%), stem-bark (7%), and by-product (3%). Results support the glucose-lowering properties of mango in both animals and human. Proposed antidiabetic mechanisms of action include inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase, improved antioxidant status, improved insulin sensitivity, facilitated glucose uptake, and gene regulation of glucose transporter type 4, insulin receptor substrate 1, and phosphoinositide 3-kinase. The animal and randomized control trial findings suggest that mango may be beneficial as an antidiabetic agent. Although these studies hold promise, additional observational studies and randomized control trials are required because human studies are significantly fewer in number, use mango flesh almost exclusively, and had modest blood glucose effects. Additional research gaps include identifying the mechanisms of action for the different components of the mango plant.

Students choosing fat-free chocolate milk during school lunch consume more calories, total sugar, protein, minerals and vitamins at lunch.

OBJECTIVE: To examine how milk consumption varies by milk choice and measure the association of milk choice on the nutritional and energetic content of National School Lunch Program (NSLP) lunches. DESIGN: An observational plate waste study using the Digital Photography of Foods Method. SETTING: Data were collected from two suburban South Carolina schools in one district during February and March 2013. PARTICIPANTS: Totally, 968 NSLP lunches selected by 619 kindergarten to fifth grade students. RESULTS: Most students chose chocolate milk (75 %). A multinomial logit model indicated milk choice varied significantly by sociodemographic characteristics. An ordinary least square regression indicated that consumption rates of low-fat white milk were 8·5 % lower than fat-free chocolate milk (P = 0·039) and milk consumption rates varied statistically by sociodemographic characteristics. Ordinary least square regressions found that the consumption of energies and nutrients from NSLP lunches varied with sociodemographic characteristics and milk choice; students selecting chocolate milk consumed 58 more energies (P < 0·001) and 10 more grams of total sugar (P < 0·001) than students selecting low-fat white milk from their NSLP lunches. Students consumed statistically similar energies and nutrients from the non-milk components of their meals. CONCLUSIONS: Students selecting chocolate milk consumed more energies and nutrients from their NSLP lunches with the increases in consumption attributed to the milk component of the meal. The findings have implications for recent changes to NSLP guidelines that allow schools to offer both low-fat and fat-free flavoured milk, reversing the previous ban on low-fat flavoured milk under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act.

Selection and consumption of lunches by National School Lunch Program participants.

The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 requires schools participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) to offer a variety of healthy food options each day. Using digital photography data collected from two suburban elementary schools in the spring of 2013, we examine NSLP participant's selection and consumption of all five NSLP lunch components ((1) milk, (2) vegetable, (3) fruit, (4) meat/meat alternate (MA), and (5) grain). We use logit regressions to analyze the selection of the various lunch components by race/ethnicity, gender, grade, and household income level. In addition, ordinary least squares regressions are used to analyze the selection and consumption of calories contained in the chosen lunch and by lunch component. Selection and consumption varied by race, ethnicity, gender, and eligibility for free or reduced-price lunch. For example, black students consumed fewer calories than white students, black and Hispanic students consumed fewer calories from milk than white students, and free and reduced-price lunch eligible students consumed more calories from milk and fewer calories from grains. Using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data, we determine that school lunches are an important part of school-day food intake for NSLP participants. These results provide guidance for making changes within a cafeteria's offerings to increase the selection of healthy foods.

Damaging effects of a high-fat diet to the brain and cognition: a review of proposed mechanisms.

The prevalence of obesity is growing and now includes at least one-third of the adult population in the United States. As obesity and dementia rates reach epidemic proportions, an even greater interest in the effects of nutrition on the brain have become evident. This review discusses various mechanisms by which a high fat diet and/or obesity can alter the brain and cognition. It is well known that a poor diet and obesity can lead to certain disorders such as type II diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and heart disease. However, long-term effects of obesity on the brain need to be further examined. The contribution of insulin resistance and oxidative stress is briefly reviewed from studies in the current literature. The role of inflammation and vascular alterations are described in more detail due to our laboratory's experience in evaluating these specific factors. It is very likely that each of these factors plays a role in diet-induced and/or obesity-induced cognitive decline.

Diet-induced effects on neuronal and glial elements in the middle-aged rat hippocampus.

Consumption of a high-fat and/or high-cholesterol diet can have detrimental effects on the brain. In the present study, dietary treatment with saturated fats, trans fats, or cholesterol to middle-aged Fischer 344 rats resulted in alterations to serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels, organ weights, and hippocampal morphology. Previously, we demonstrated that a 10% hydrogenated coconut oil and 2% cholesterol diet resulted in worse performance on the 12-day water radial arm maze, increased cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and decreased dendritic microtubule associated protein 2 (MAP2) staining in the hippocampus. The diets administered herein were used to examine components from the previous diet and further examine their effects on hippocampal morphology. Specifically, neuronal morphology, dendritic integrity, fatty acid metabolism, microgliosis, and blood vessel structure in the hippocampus and/or adjacent structures were explored. Our results indicate alterations to peripheral and neural systems following each of the diets.

Antibacterial effects of grape extracts on Helicobacter pylori.

Anti-Helicobacter pylori activities were determined by agar dilution, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and cell proliferation assays following treatment with various grape extracts. Muscadine grape skin possessed the strongest activity, followed by grape synergy (skin and seed) and seed, suggesting that higher phenolic levels do not necessarily determine overall anti-H. pylori efficacy.

Preventing type 2 diabetes after gestational diabetes.

PURPOSE: The purposes of this article are to examine the epidemiology of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and subsequent type 2 diabetes, identify risk factors for the development of GDM and subsequent type 2 diabetes, discuss protocols for postpartum screening, and recommend evidence-based interventions to delay or prevent type 2 diabetes after GDM. METHODS: A review of the research literature from 1995 to 2005 concerning gestational diabetes was done using MEDLINE, CINAHL, National Institutes of Health, and American Diabetes Association internet resources. The criteria set for selection included the following: the research explored risk factors for and epidemiology of gestational diabetes, the relationship of gestational diabetes and the subsequent development of type 2 diabetes, and/or the prevention of type 2 diabetes after GDM. RESULTS: Women with pregnancies complicated by GDM are at increased risk for subsequent development of type 2 diabetes. Research suggests that modification of lifestyle-based risk factors including obesity, poor nutrition, and lack of exercise can delay or prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes in these women. However, there is evidence that recommended postpartum screening protocols for women with GDM are not being followed; hence, those women at high risk for type 2 diabetes are not identified, and no intervention is undertaken to reduce their risks. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes educators must play an integral role in increasing awareness of the need for postpartum screening and intervention for women with gestational diabetes. Only with early identification and intensive intervention can the devastating toll of diabetes be averted for many of these women.

Antiproliferative activities of parthenolide and golden feverfew extract against three human cancer cell lines.

The medicinal herb feverfew [Tanacetum parthenium (L.) Schultz-Bip.] has long been used as a folk remedy for the treatment of migraine and arthritis. Parthenolide, a sesquiterpene lactone, is considered to be the primary bioactive compound in feverfew having anti-migraine, anti-tumor, and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study we determined, through in vitro bioassays, the inhibitory activity of parthenolide and golden feverfew extract against two human breast cancer cell lines (Hs605T and MCF-7) and one human cervical cancer cell line (SiHa). Feverfew ethanolic extract inhibited the growth of all three types of cancer cells with a half-effective concentration (EC50) of 1.5 mg/mL against Hs605T, 2.1 mg/mL against MCF-7, and 0.6 mg/mL against SiHa. Among the tested constituents of feverfew (i.e., parthenolide, camphor, luteolin, and apigenin), parthenolide showed the highest inhibitory effect with an EC50 against Hs605T, MCF-7, and SiHa of 2.6 microg/mL, 2.8 microg/mL, and 2.7 microg/mL, respectively. Interactions between parthenolide and flavonoids (apigenin and luteolin) in feverfew extract also were investigated to elucidate possible synergistic or antagonistic effects. The results revealed that apigenin and luteolin might have moderate to weak synergistic effects with parthenolide on the inhibition of cancer cell growth of Hs605T, MCF-7, and SiHa.

Insights from older adults with type 2 diabetes: making dietary and exercise changes.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this research was to identify factors that affect the nutrition and exercise behaviors of persons over the age of 55 with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Focus groups were conducted using a validated focus group interview guide to determine primary health concerns and health behaviors, favored learning modalities, barriers to learning, food preferences, and exercise preferences. RESULTS: The following major themes and subthemes were identified: some risk factors for diabetes and heart disease seem more salient than others; perceived susceptibility for serious outcomes of diabetes can occur through vicarious learning; willpower, often obtained through a belief in God, is necessary for successful behavior change; effective modification of behavior and building self-efficacy starts with small steps; and intrinsic reinforcement is necessary for behavior change. CONCLUSIONS: These data were used to identify strategies and messages to enhance adherence to nutrition and activity recommendations for persons with type 2 diabetes and accompanying cardiovascular risk factors.