Overweight and vitamin D deficiency are common in patients with irritable bowel syndrome - a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disease with unknown etiology. Poor dietary intake with nutritional deficiency and overweight have been described to increase the risk of IBS. The aim of the present study was to compare weight and circulating levels of micronutrients in IBS compared with healthy controls. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with IBS and healthy volunteers were recruited. Participants had to complete a dietary diary book and the questionnaires Rome IV, IBS-severity scoring system (IBS-SSS), and visual analog scale for IBS (VAS-IBS). Weight and height were measured, and blood samples were drawn. C-reactive protein (CRP), cobalamin, folate, iron, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), and 25-hydroxy (25-OH) vitamin D were analyzed. Differences were calculated between groups and generalized linear model for regressions was adjusted for false discovery rate (FDR). RESULTS: IBS patients (n = 260) were elder than controls (n = 50) (44.00 (33.25-56.00) vs. 37.85 (30.18-45.48) years; p = 0.012). After adjustment for age, both weight (ß: 5.880; 95% CI: 1.433-10.327; p = 0.010, FDR = 0.020) and body mass index (BMI) (ß: 2.02; 95% CI: 0.68-3.36; p = 0.003, FDR = 0.012) were higher in patients. Among IBS participants, 48.1% were overweight/obese compared with 26.0% in controls (p = 0.007). Diarrhea-predominated IBS had highest weight (p < 0.001) and BMI (p = 0.077). CRP and cobalamin were higher in patients than controls (p = 0.010 vs. p = 0.007), whereas folate was highest in controls (p = 0.001). IBS patients had lower intake of vegetables (p = 0.026), dairy products (p = 0.004), and cereals (p = 0.010) compared with controls. Despite 21.5% of IBS patients were taking vitamin D supplements, 23.65% of them had vitamin D levels below 50 nmol/L, compared with 26.0% observed in the control group (p = 0.720). Vitamin D levels were lower in overweight than in normal weight IBS patients (60 (48-73) nmol/L vs. 65 (53-78) nmol/L, p = 0.022). Vitamin D correlated with cobalamin and folate but correlated inversely with TIBC and BMI. IBS patients had a high degree of gastrointestinal and extraintestinal symptoms, which were inversely associated with iron levels. Extraintestinal symptoms were associated with increased BMI. CONCLUSION: IBS patients were often overweight or obese, with low vitamin D levels. High burden of extraintestinal symptoms were associated with overweight and lower iron levels. REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05192603 (Date of registration 11/29/2021) and NCT03306381 (Date of registration 09/18/2017), respectively.

Naturally Occurring Food Chemical Components and Extraintestinal and Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Adults: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review aims to synthesise existing literature to examine the relationship between natural food chemical components and reported symptoms. DESIGN: A systematic literature review was completed. Databases CINAHL (Ebscohost), Medline (Ovid), Scopus, Informit Health and Google Scholar were searched to identify relevant articles. The population included human studies of adults (≥17 years) and excluded those with IgE-mediate food allergies. Studies examining food chemical components or 'food chemical elimination diets' and symptoms were included. Data was synthesised based on clinical conditions and specific food chemical components examined. The risk of bias was assessed using the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 'Quality Criteria Checklist: Primary Research'. RESULTS: Of the 1659 articles retrieved, 21 met inclusion criteria. This included eight randomised controlled trials, four non-randomised controlled trials, four cohort studies with placebo-controlled challenge, one prospective cohort study, three cross sectional cohort studies, one case-controlled study. Available studies support the role of a low-histamine diet for symptoms in chronic urticaria and low-salicylate diet for reducing sino-nasal symptoms in aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease and chronic rhinosinusitis and/or asthma. While further evidence is needed to verify the role of glutamate in respiratory, pain, asthma and gastrointestinal symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Food chemical elimination diets may improve condition-specific symptoms across the adult cohorts outlined within this review, with the strongest evidence to support the role of a low-histamine diet for management of symptoms in chronic urticaria and a low-salicylate diet in aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease and/or asthma. Further well-designed trials are needed to elucidate the effect of specific natural food chemical components on symptoms. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Systematic review number: CRD42022322511.

Pomegranate seed oil mitigates liver and kidney damage in an experimental colitis model: Modulation of NF-κB activation and apoptosis.

Pomegranate seed oil, extracted from pomegranate seeds, is a slightly fragrant yellow oil with a mild odor. Pomegranate seed oil is the main source of punicic acid (conjugated linolenic acid). Punicic acid is a long-chain omega-5 polyunsaturated fatty acid and a conjugated α-linolenic acid molecule. This acid is thought to provide many health benefits. This study evaluated the potential of pomegranate seed oil to attenuate damage to liver and kidney tissues in an acetic acid-induced colitis model. 32 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups: control, colitis, 0.4 ml/kg, and 0.8 ml/kg pomegranate seed oil treatment after colitis. At the end of the experiment, histopathological and immunohistochemistry analyses of liver and kidney tissues were performed. Pomegranate seed oil treatment reduced damage in liver and kidney tissues, suppressed NF-κB activation, and regulated apoptosis. These findings support the potential effects of pomegranate seed oil against extraintestinal symptoms of colitis through its anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties.

Gliadin-reactive vitamin D-sensitive proinflammatory ILCPs are enriched in celiac patients.

Celiac disease (CD) is a multisystem disease in which different organs may be affected. We investigate whether circulating innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) contribute to the CD peripheral inflammatory status. We find that the CD cytokine profile is characterized by high concentrations of IL-12p40, IL-18, and IFN-γ, paralleled by an expansion of ILC precursors (ILCPs). In the presence of the gliadin peptides p31-43 and pα-9, ILCPs from CD patients increase transglutaminase 2 (TG2) expression, produce IL-18 and IFN-γ, and stimulate CD4+ T lymphocytes. IFN-γ is also produced upon stimulation with IL-12p40 and IL-18 and is inhibited by the addition of vitamin D. Low levels of blood vitamin D correlate with high IFN-γ and ILCP presence and mark the CD population mostly affected by extraintestinal symptoms. Dietary vitamin D supplementation appears to be an interesting therapeutic approach to dampen ILCP-mediated IFN-γ production.

Poor intake of vitamins and minerals is associated with symptoms among patients with irritable bowel syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Poor food habits with insufficient intake of micronutrients have been described in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which could be of importance for development of gastrointestinal and extraintestinal symptoms. The study aims were to examine intake and plasma/serum levels of micronutrients in IBS and whether these factors were associated with symptoms and restrictions and to study the effects of a starch- and sucrose-reduced diet (SSRD). METHODS: One hundred five patients with IBS or functional gastrointestinal disorder (FGID) according to Rome IV criteria were included to SSRD/controls for 4 weeks. Patients completed a study questionnaire about lifestyle habits, medical health, IBS-symptom severity score (IBS-SSS), visual analog scale for IBS (VAS-IBS), and diary books before and after study start. Plasma/serum levels of micronutrients were analyzed at baseline. RESULTS: Intake of micronutrients at baseline was lower than recommended according to national guidelines. Gastrointestinal symptoms were inversely associated with intake and plasma levels of iron. Extraintestinal symptoms and fatigue inversely associated with intake of vitamin B6, phosphorus, magnesium, and iodine, as was plasma levels of iron, and positively associated with plasma iron-binding capacity. Fatigue was also inversely associated with calcium, iron, and zinc intakes. Plasma ferritin was lower in participants on restrictions. SSRD increased the intake of several vitamins, selenium, and fat, whereas sodium intake was decreased, with markedly reduced symptoms. CONCLUSION: Irritable bowel syndrome patients had low intake of micronutrients at baseline, which associated inversely with total IBS-SSS, extraintestinal IBS-SSS, and fatigue. SSRD increased the intake of several micronutrients, which correlated weakly with symptom improvement.

Are They Side Effects? Extraintestinal Symptoms Reported During Clinical Trials of Irritable Bowel Syndrome May Be More Severe at Baseline.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Many of the reported adverse events in clinical trials of irritable bowel syndrome are extraintestinal symptoms, which typically are assessed by open-ended questions during the trial and not at baseline. This may lead to misattribution of some pre-existing symptoms as side effects to the treatment. METHODS: The current study analyzed data from a 6-week clinical trial of irritable bowel syndrome. Participants were randomized to receive double-blind peppermint oil, double-blind placebo, or treatment as usual. Extraintestinal symptoms were assessed at baseline and at the end of the study. RESULTS: This analysis included 173 participants (30 received double-blind peppermint oil, 72 received treatment as usual, and 71 received double-blind placebo). At baseline, each group reported approximately 5 extraintestinal symptoms per participant. The number of symptoms per participant decreased to an average of 3 by the end-of-study visit, and this change was statistically significant in all groups (P < .001 for each group). When evaluating individual extraintestinal symptoms, the majority of participants did not report new/worse symptoms. In fact, between the baseline assessment and the final assessment, the average symptom severity decreased significantly in all 3 groups (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that participants with irritable bowel syndrome often experience extraintestinal symptoms at baseline and that these symptoms generally improve in severity over the course of a clinical trial, regardless of the treatment arm. Systematic assessment of extraintestinal symptoms at the beginning of a clinical trial is necessary to determine more definitively whether these symptoms may be considered an adverse event attributable to a study medication.

Do celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity have the same effects on reproductive disorders?

OBJECTIVES: The wide spectrum of clinical symptoms of celiac disease (CD) is partly due to the malnourished state caused by the malabsorption of micro- and macronutrients. It has been suggested that fertility problems and obstetric complications may be a consequence of the endocrine disorders caused by selective nutrient deficiencies. The same selective nutrient deficiencies as in CD could be a reason for fertility problems in non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of nutrient deficiencies in CD and NCGS on fertility problems. METHOD: A literature review of fertility problems in men and women and nutrient deficiencies associated with CD and NCGS, was performed up to May 2017. RESULTS: The same selective nutrient deficiencies (folate, iron, vitamin B12, and vitamin D) in CD and NCGS could be a reason for fertility problems. CONCLUSIONS: CD is postulated to be considered in the preconceptional screening of patients with reproductive disorders, but for non-celiac gluten sensitivity, the effect on fertility is not yet proven.

Gastro-Esophageal Reflux in Children.

Gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) is common in infants and children and has a varied clinical presentation: from infants with innocent regurgitation to infants and children with severe esophageal and extra-esophageal complications that define pathological gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). Although the pathophysiology is similar to that of adults, symptoms of GERD in infants and children are often distinct from classic ones such as heartburn. The passage of gastric contents into the esophagus is a normal phenomenon occurring many times a day both in adults and children, but, in infants, several factors contribute to exacerbate this phenomenon, including a liquid milk-based diet, recumbent position and both structural and functional immaturity of the gastro-esophageal junction. This article focuses on the presentation, diagnosis and treatment of GERD that occurs in infants and children, based on available and current guidelines.