Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease posing a significant burden on health-care resources and patients' quality of life. It is a complex disease with a wide spectrum of clinical presentations and combinations of symptoms. AD affects up to 20% of children and up to 3% of adults; recent data show that its prevalence is still increasing, especially in low-income countries. First manifestations of AD usually appear early in life and often precede other allergic diseases such as asthma or allergic rhinitis. Individuals affected by AD usually have genetically determined risk factors affecting the skin barrier function or the immune system. However, genetic mutations alone might not be enough to cause clinical manifestations of AD, and it is merely the interaction of a dysfunctional epidermal barrier in genetically predisposed individuals with harmful effects of environmental agents which leads to the development of the disease. AD has been described as an allergic skin disease, but today, the contribution of allergic reactions to the initiation of AD is challenged, and it is proposed that allergy is rather a consequence of AD in subjects with a concomitant underlying atopic constitution. Treatment at best achieves symptom control rather than cure; there is thus a strong need to identify alternatives for disease prevention.

The prevalence of obesity is increasing at an alarming rate in many parts of the world. About 2 billion people are overweight and one third of them obese. The plight of the most affected populations, like those in high-income countries in North America, Australasia and Europe, has been well publicized. However, the more recent increases in population obesity in low- and middle-income countries that are now increasingly being observed have been less recognized. Based on the existing prevalence and trend data and the epidemiological evidence linking obesity with a range of physical and psychosocial health conditions, it is reasonable to describe obesity as a public health crisis that severely impairs the health and quality of life of people and adds considerably to national health-care budgets. Intersectoral action to manage and prevent obesity is urgently required to reverse current trends.

Thông tin nền: Chúng tôi chưa biết đến nghiên cứu nào chỉ ra tác động của việc tiêu thụ hàng ngày các thực phẩm bổ sung probiotics đa loài đối với các chỉ số chuyển hóa, protein phản ứng C nhạy cảm cao (hs-CRP) và stress oxy hóa ở bệnh nhân tiểu đường. Mục tiêu: Nghiên cứu này nhằm xác định tác động của các thực phẩm bổ sung probiotics đa loài đến các chỉ số chuyển hóa, hs-CRP và stress oxy hóa ở bệnh nhân tiểu đường. Phương pháp: Nghiên cứu thử nghiệm lâm sàng ngẫu nhiên, mù đôi, có kiểm soát giả dược này được thực hiện trên 54 bệnh nhân tiểu đường từ 35 đến 70 tuổi. Các đối tượng được phân bổ ngẫu nhiên để sử dụng hoặc một thực phẩm bổ sung probiotics đa loài (n = 27) hoặc giả dược (n = 27) trong 8 tuần. Thực phẩm bổ sung probiotics đa loài gồm 7 chủng vi khuẩn còn sống và đã được sấy khô: Lactobacillus acidophilus (2 × 109 CFU), L. casei (7 × 109 CFU), L. rhamnosus (1.5 × 109 CFU), L. bulgaricus (2 × 108 CFU), Bifidobacterium breve (2 × 1010 CFU), B. longum (7 × 109 CFU), Streptococcus thermophilus (1.5 × 109 CFU), và 100 mg fructo-oligosaccharide. Mẫu máu lúc nhịn ăn được lấy tại thời điểm cơ bản và sau can thiệp để đo các chỉ số chuyển hóa, hs-CRP và các chỉ số sinh học về stress oxy hóa bao gồm khả năng chống oxy hóa tổng thể trong huyết tương và tổng glutathione (GSH). Kết quả: So sánh giữa các nhóm về glucose huyết tương lúc nhịn ăn (FPG) cho thấy việc tiêu thụ các thực phẩm bổ sung probiotics ngăn ngừa sự gia tăng FPG (+28.8 ± 8.5 đối với giả dược so với +1.6 ± 6 mg/dl đối với nhóm probiotics, p = 0.01). Mặc dù sự gia tăng đáng kể trong insulin huyết thanh và nồng độ cholesterol lipoprotein mật độ thấp được tìm thấy ở cả nhóm probiotics và nhóm giả dược, nhưng những thay đổi này tương tự nhau giữa hai nhóm. Chúng tôi ghi nhận sự gia tăng đáng kể trong HOMA-IR (mô hình đánh giá nhà ở - kháng insulin) ở cả nhóm probiotics (p = 0.02) và nhóm giả dược (p = 0.001); tuy nhiên, sự gia tăng ở nhóm giả dược cao hơn đáng kể so với nhóm probiotics (+2.38 so với +0.78, p = 0.03). Những thay đổi trung bình trong hs-CRP huyết thanh có sự khác biệt đáng kể giữa hai nhóm (-777.57 đối với nhóm probiotics so với +878.72 ng/ml đối với nhóm giả dược, p = 0.02). Việc bổ sung probiotics dẫn đến sự gia tăng đáng kể nồng độ GSH trong huyết tương so với giả dược (240.63 so với -33.46 µmol/l, p = 0.03). Kết luận: Tóm lại, việc bổ sung probiotics đa loài, so với giả dược, trong 8 tuần ở bệnh nhân tiểu đường đã ngăn ngừa sự gia tăng FPG và dẫn đến giảm hs-CRP huyết thanh và tăng GSH tổng thể trong huyết tương.

<i>Background:</i> This study investigated the antiobesity effects of TEAVIGO^TM, a product providing the most abundant green tea catechin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), in a pure form. Two models of diet-induced obesity and an in vitro adipocyte differentiation assay were employed. <i>Methods: </i>Prevention and regression of diet-induced obesity by dietary supplementation with EGCG was studied in C57BL/6J mice and Sprague-Dawley rats, respectively. Expression of genes regulating lipid metabolism was assessed in adipose tissue. The effects of EGCG on adipocyte differentiation were investigated in vitro. <i>Results:</i> In C57BL/6J mice, EGCG supplementation prevented diet-induced increases in body weight and in fed state plasma levels of glucose, triglycerides, and leptin. EGCG decreased subcutaneous and epididymal adipose tissue weights. Supplementation of EGCG reversed the established obesity in Sprague-Dawley rats. Fatty acid synthase and acetyl-CoA carboxylase-1 mRNA levels were markedly decreased in adipose tissue of EGCG-supplemented mice. EGCG dose dependently inhibited adipocyte differentiation in vitro. <i>Conclusion:</i> This study shows for the first time that supplementation with the most abundant green tea polyphenol, EGCG, abolishes diet-induced obesity. This effect is at least partly mediated via a direct influence on adipose tissue. Thus, dietary supplementation with EGCG should be considered as a valuable natural treatment option for obesity.

During the month of Ramadan, Moslems abstain from drinking and eating daily between sunrise and sunset. This change of meals schedule is accompanied with changes in sleep habit, which may affect diurnal alertness. This study examined the effect of Ramadan intermittent fasting on the diurnal alertness and oral temperature in 10 healthy young subjects. The cognitive task battery including movement reaction time (MRT), critical flicker fusion (CFF) and visual analogue scale, was administered at 6 different times of the day: 09.00, 11.00, 13.00, 16.00, 20.00 and 23.00 h on the 6th, 15th, and 28th days of Ramadan. The baseline day was scheduled one week before Ramadan, and the recovery day 18 days after this month. Oral temperature was measured prior to each test session and at 00.00 h. During Ramadan oral temperature decreased at 09.00, 11.00, 13.00, 16.00 and 20.00 h and increased at 23.00 and 00.00 h. Subjective alertness decreased at 09.00 and 16.00 h and increased at 23.00 h. Mood decreased at 16.00 h. MRT was increased at the beginning of Ramadan (R6) and CFF was not changed. These results showed that daytime oral temperature, subjective alertness and mood were decreased during Ramadan intermittent fasting.

The paradigm of disease burden in the developed world has changed drastically in the last few decades from predominately infections to immune-mediated diseases (autoimmunity and allergy) because of alterations in the Western lifestyle (improved sanitation, immunizations, antibiotic usage and altered dietary intake). A diverse balanced microbiota is necessary for the development of an appropriate innate and adaptive immune response. There is strong evidence that disruption of the normal colonization process can lead to alterations in the important symbiotic relationship that is necessary for immune homeostasis. For example, infants born by cesarean section or receiving excessive perinatal antibiotics have inadequate initial colonization and aberrant mucosal immune function. As a result, later in childhood, they express an increased incidence in asthma and autoimmune diseases (e.g. celiac disease). An important component of initial colonization is the infant's diet. Breast milk contains a variety of nondigestible oligosaccharides which function as prebiotics preferentially stimulating proliferation of <i>Bifidobacteria</i> and <i>Lactobacilli</i>, important health-promoting bacteria, and cause fermentation of the oligosaccharides into short-chain fatty acids. In the absence of breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life, formula containing pre- and probiotics may overcome an initial inadequate colonization process and help establish a normal mucosal immune system.

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Earlier reviews indicated that in many countries adults, children and adolescents consume on an average less polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) than recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organisation/World Health Organisation. <b><i>Summary:</i></b> The intake of total and individual n-3 and n-6 PUFAs in European infants, children, adolescents, elderly and pregnant/lactating women was evaluated systematically. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The evaluations were done against recommendations of the European Food Safety Authority. <b><i>Key Messages:</i></b> Fifty-three studies from 17 different European countries reported an intake of total n-3 and n-6 PUFAs and/or individual n-3 or n-6 PUFAs in at least one of the specific population groups: 10 in pregnant women, 4 in lactating women, 3 in infants 6-12 months, 6 in children 1-3 years, 11 in children 4-9 years, 8 in adolescents 10-18 years and 11 in elderly >65 years. Mean linoleic acid intake was within the recommendation (4 energy percentage [E%]) in 52% of the countries, with inadequate intakes more likely in lactating women, adolescents and elderly. Mean α-linolenic acid intake was within the recommendation (0.5 E%) in 77% of the countries. In 26% of the countries, mean eicosapentaenoic acid and/or docosahexaenoic acid intake was as recommended. These results indicate that intake of n-3 and n-6 PUFAs may be suboptimal in specific population groups in Europe.

The German, Austrian, and Swiss nutrition societies are the editors of the ‘reference values for nutrient intake'. They have revised the reference values for the intake of vitamin C and published them in February 2015. The average vitamin C requirement in healthy adults is considered to be the vitamin C amount that compensates for the metabolic losses of vitamin C, and ensures a fasting ascorbate plasma level of 50 µmol/l. Based on the present data from studies with non-smoking men, metabolic losses of 50 mg/day are assumed, as well as an absorption rate of 80% and an urinary excretion of 25% of the vitamin C intake. Taking this into account, the calculated average requirement in men is 91 mg/day. Considering a coefficient of variation of 10%, a reference value (recommended intake) of 110 mg/day for men is derived. The vitamin C requirement in women as well as in children and adolescents is extrapolated from the requirement in men and in relation to their body weight. This results in a recommended intake of about 95 mg/day for adult women. Because the requirement in pregnant and lactating women is increased, higher recommended intakes are derived for them, 105 mg/day for pregnant women from the fourth month on and 125 mg/day for lactating women, respectively. For boys and girls at the age of 1 to under 15 years, there are increasing recommended intake values from 20 to 85 mg/day. For male and female adolescents, at the age of 15 to under 19 years, the recommended intake is 105 and 90 mg, respectively. As smokers have higher metabolic losses and lower plasma levels of vitamin C than non-smokers (turnover is 40% higher), the reference value for vitamin C intake is set to 135 mg/day for female smokers and 155 mg/day for male smokers. For infants in their first year of life, the reference value (estimated value) is set to 20 mg vitamin C/ day, based upon the lowest observed vitamin C intake for infants in the United Kingdom and the United States, that obviously meets the requirement in infants and that is 3 times higher than the amount necessary to prevent scurvy (7 mg/day).