Vitamin E and conflicting understandings in noncommunicable diseases: Is it worth supplementing?

Vitamin E is a lipid-soluble nutrient found mainly in vegetable oils and oilseeds. It is divided into eight homologous compounds; however, only α-tocopherol exhibits vitamin activity. Many advantages are related to these compounds, including cellular protection through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, and improving lipid metabolism. Physiopathology of many diseases incepts with reduced antioxidant defense, characterized by an increased reactive oxygen species production and activation of transcription factors involved in inflammation, such as nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), that can be linked to oxidative stress. Moreover, disorders of lipid metabolism can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases. In addition, intestinal dysbiosis plays a vital role in developing chronic non-communicable diseases. In this regard, vitamin E can be considered to mitigate those disorders, but data still needs to be more conclusive. This narrative review aims to elucidate the mechanisms of action of vitamin E and if supplementation can be beneficial in a disease scenario regarding non-communicable diseases.

Evaluation of Bach1 mRNA expression in patients with chronic kidney disease: A preliminary study.

INTRODUCTION: BTB and CNC homology 1 (Bach1) is a protein that antagonizes some actions of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2 (Nrf2), the master regulator of cytoprotective responses. Bach1 binds to genomic DNA and inhibits the synthesis of antioxidant enzymes, thereby increasing inflammation. Bach1 may be a therapeutic target for mitigating inflammation in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. However, no clinical study has been reported on Bach1 in this population. This study aimed to evaluate Bach1 mRNA expression with different treatments for CKD, including conservative treatment (nondialysis), hemodialysis (HD), and peritoneal dialysis (PD). METHODS: Twenty patients undergoing HD (56.5 [19] years), 15 on PD (54 [24] years) and 13 nondialysis patients (63 [10] years, with an estimated glomerular filtration rate of 41 [14] mL/min/1.73 m2 ) were enrolled in the study. The mRNA expression of Nrf2, NF-kB, heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), and Bach1 was evaluated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Malondialdehyde (MDA) was evaluated as a lipid peroxidation marker. Routine biochemical parameters were also evaluated. FINDINGS: As expected, patients on dialysis were more inflamed. Bach1 mRNA expression was significantly higher in patients undergoing HD than in PD and nondialysis patients (p < 0.007). The mRNA expression of HO-1, NF-kB, and Nrf2 was not different in the groups. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, CKD patients on HD exhibited an upregulation of Bach1 mRNA expression compared to patients on PD treatment and nondialysis CKD patients. The association between Nrf2 and Bach1 expression in these patients warrants further investigation.

Cinnamon: an aromatic condiment applicable to chronic kidney disease.

Cinnamon, a member of the Lauraceae family, has been widely used as a spice and traditional herbal medicine for centuries and has shown beneficial effects in cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes. However, its effectiveness as a therapeutic intervention for chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains unproven. The bioactive compounds within cinnamon, such as cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid, and cinnamate, can mitigate oxidative stress, inflammation, hyperglycemia, gut dysbiosis, and dyslipidemia, which are common complications in patients with CKD. In this narrative review, we assess the mechanisms by which cinnamon may alleviate complications observed in CKD and the possible role of this spice as an additional nutritional strategy for this patient group.

The influence of a diet based on flaxseed, an omega-3 source, during different developmental periods, on the blood pressure of rats submitted to stress.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate a flaxseed diet during different developmental periods, and its effect on the blood pressure of rats submitted to stress. METHODS: Fifty-six male rats (F1), born from 14 rats (F0), were divided into seven groups (n = 8): flaxseed group (FG); flaxseed group gestation and lactation (FG-GL); flaxseed group weaning (FG-W); flaxseed group weaning and stress (FG-WS); flaxseed group stress (FG-S); flaxseed group gestation lactation and weaning (FG-GLW), and control Group (CG). Stress protocol was undertaken for 1 month. Blood pressure was analysed before and after the stress protocol. The left adrenal glands and serum corticosterone levels were analysed. RESULTS: Systolic blood pressure before stress was lower in all groups with flaxseed diet compared with the CG (p = .00001). After stress, CG showed higher blood pressure compared with FG, FG-GL, and FG-GLW (p = .004). The levels of corticosterone were lower in the FG between all groups (p < .000001) and the CG showed higher compared with FG-W, FG-WS, FG-GL, and FG-GLW (p < .0001). The adrenal gland did not show differences. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest a possible factor from a flaxseed diet against the effects of stress on a blood pressure in all periods of life but especially in the gestation and lactation periods.