Profile of the intestinal microbiota of patients with cystic fibrosis: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a multisystem disease that can compromise several human body organs. The autosomal recessive genetic disorder is caused by different mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, responsible for chloride ion transport across apical membranes of epithelial cells in tissues and bicarbonate secretion. In this study, we provide a systematic review of the profile of the intestinal microbiota of cystic fibrosis individuals. METHODS: The review was conducted according to Preferred Items of Reports for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. PubMed/MEDLINE and Scopus databases were searched for relevant articles until Jully 2022. RESULTS: Eighteen studies (1304 participants) met the inclusion criteria. The quality and bias was assessed using the Methodological index for non-randomized studies (MINORS) tool, with the majority of the studies indicating medium to high quality. Results showed significant changes in the composition of the intestinal microbiota of the individuals with CF compared with healthy controls, with increased of Enterococcus, Veillonella, and Streptococcus, and decreased of Bifidobacterium, Roseburia, and Alistipes genus. The intestinal bacterial community of CF patients was marked by a reduction in its richness and diversity. CONCLUSION: The systematic review suggests a change in the intestinal microbiota of CF individuals, characterized by a reduction in microbial diversity and abundance of some bacterial markers.

Therapeutic Efficacy of Flavonoids in Allergies: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Objective: To assess the clinical efficacy of flavonoid supplements on allergic diseases. Design: Systematic review. Data Sources. MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase databases were searched from inception to September 2021. Eligibility Criteria for Selecting Studies. Eligible study designs were randomized controlled trials that investigated the effect of flavonoids applied to allergic diseases. Results: This review included 15 randomized controlled trials, including allergic rhinitis/cedar pollinosis (n = 10), asthma (n = 3), and atopic dermatitis (n = 2). A total of 990 participants aged 6 to 69 years were included in these studies. Globally, 12 studies (80%) revealed some benefits of flavonoids (isolate or combined with other compounds) in allergic patients, while three studies (20%) reported no statistically significant impact on symptom scores and/or lung function. No severe adverse events related to treatment were reported. According to the GRADE system, the outcomes evaluated were of low to moderate quality of evidence. Conclusions: Overall, this review suggests that the administration of flavonoids may provide a viable strategy for mitigating allergic symptoms. Future trials with high methodological quality are needed to establish definitive conclusions. This trial is registered with PROSPERO registration no. CRD42021237403.

The key role of zinc in elderly immunity: A possible approach in the COVID-19 crisis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The COVID-19 infection can lead to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), mainly affecting patients aged 60 and older. Preliminary data suggest that the nutritional status can change the course of the infection, and on the matter, zinc is crucial for growth, development, and the maintenance of immune function. In the absence of treatment for this virus, there is an urgent need to find alternative methods that can contribute to control of disease. The aim of this paper is to establish the relation between zinc and COVID-19. METHODS AND RESULTS: From the prior scientific knowledge, we have performed a review of the literature and examine the role of zinc in immune function in the infection by COVID-19. Our findings are that the zinc as an anti-inflammatory agent may help to optimize immune function and reduce the risk of infection. CONCLUSIONS: Zinc supplementation can be a useful strategy to reduce the global burden of infection in the elderly, there is a need the increased reporting to improve our understanding of COVID-19 and the care of affected patients.

Maternal soy protein isolate diet during lactation programmes to higher metabolic risk in adult male offspring.

Soy consumption and its components, including its protein, are related to the beneficial effects of the lipid profile, decreased insulin resistance and glycaemia. However, the safety of the consumption of products containing phytoestrogens in critical stages of development has been questioned, since they may be associated with endocrine-metabolic dysfunctions in adult life. The purpose is to evaluate the effects of maternal dietary soy protein isolate (SPI) during lactation on the breast milk composition, body composition, lipid and glycaemic profiles, and thyroid hormones of dams and offspring at weaning (21 days) and in adulthood (150 days). Lactating rats were divided into casein control (C) and SPI diet groups. At 150 days, the SPI offspring presented lower body protein mass and total mineral content, higher serum FT4, insulin, TC and TG. Maternal consumption of SPI during lactation programmes the progeny to higher metabolic risk profile.

Maternal soybean diet during lactation alters breast milk composition and programs the lipid profile in adult male rat offspring.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of maternal dietary soybean during lactation on the milk composition, body composition, lipid profile and glucose homeostasis of dams and offspring at weaning (21 days) and adulthood (150 days). METHODS: Lactating rats were divided into: casein control (C): casein diet; soy (S): soybean diet; soy oil control (SOC): casein diet, but with fat content similar to the S group. RESULTS: At 21 days, S mothers showed lower estradiol, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides (TG) in serum; and lower TC and TG in milk. The S offspring had lower body weight, body fat mass, TC, LDL, hyperleptinemia and hypertriglyceridemia. At 150 days, S offspring presented higher total mineral content and lower TC (v. SOC) and LDL (v. C and SOC), and hyperinsulinemia with lower glycemia v. SOC group, which had lower insulinemia with higher glycemia, TC and LDL. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal intake of soybeans in lactation changes the lipid content of breast milk and programmed offspring for phenotype of the lower metabolic risk, with lower serum TC and LDL, and seems to protect the progeny of alterations in glucose metabolism despite the higher lipid content. The difference in fat content of breast milk and the higher isoflavones content of soy diet are possible imprinting factors that could program the offspring.