Effect of Dietary Protein Level and Origin on the Redox Status in the Digestive Tract of Mice

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of high protein (soybean protein or casein) on the balance between production of free radicals and antioxidant level in digestive organs of mice. For this purpose, male (C57BL/6J) mice were adapted to experimental diets containing soybean protein or casein with 20% (normal protein diets, NPDs) or 60% (high protein diets, HPDs), and HPDs supplemented with 0.06g/kg cysteamine. After two weeks of feeding, oxidative and antioxidative parameters in duodenum, liver and pancreas were measured. The results show that ingestion of high protein markedly increased contents of superoxide anion and malondialdehyde (MDA), decreased activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT) and Na+ K+-ATPase, and content of reduced glutathione (GSH) in digestive organs of mice (P<0.05). Levels of oxidative parameters were lower and antioxidant capacity of both enzyme and non-enzyme was higher in mice fed with soybean protein than those fed with casein. In groups fed HPDs supplemented with cysteamine, oxidative stress was mitigated. However, oxidative parameter levels were still higher than those of NPD-fed groups. The present study indicates that ingestion of high protein diets could result in an imbalance between oxidant and antioxidant, and thus induce oxidative stress in digestive organs of mice. The oxidative damage was smaller in mice fed with high level of soy protein in comparison with casein

Association of hyperuricemia with metabolic syndrome among university workers: sex and occupational differences

Background: The relationship between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and hyperuricemia is not fully understood.Objective: To examine the association of hyperuricemia with MetS and the component of MetS that is mostly influenced by hyperuricemia among university workers.Methods: Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, glucose, lipid profiles, renal function tests were measured in 1198 male and 1075 female (22-60 years old) workers on annual medical examination. Results: Hyperuricemia was 3-fold higher in males (odds ratio, OR, 2.938, 95% confidence interval, CI, 1.909-4.522, P&lt;0.01) than females after adjustment for age, body mass index (BMI) and renal function. Overall, individuals with hyperuricemia were 3.9-fold likely to have MetS OR, 3.903; CI (2.439-6.245), P&lt;0.01, and dyslipidemia, 2.5 times (OR, 2.501; 95% CI, 1.776-3.521, P&lt;0.01) after adjustment for age, BMI, sex and renal function. However, no associations were found in individuals with hypertension (OR, 1.427; 95% CI, 0.996-2.205, P=0.052) and hyperglycemia (OR, 1.476; 95% CI, 0.989-2.202, P=0.057). Administrative work positively associated (OR, 1.895; 95% CI, 1.202-2.925, P&lt;0.05) with hyperuricemia in males and not females.Conclusion: Male workers with hyperuricemia, especially those working in administration were at risk of metabolic syndrome. It is important to screen, prevent and treat metabolic syndrome in individuals diagnosed with hyperuricemia at the workplace.Keywords: Hyperuricemia, metabolic syndrome, uric acid, workers

Salvianolic acid B Relieves Oxidative Stress in Glucose Absorption and Utilization of Mice Fed High-Sugar Diet

Purpose: To evaluate the influence of Salvianolic acid B (Sal B) on  oxidative stress in mice administrated with glucose, sucrose and high-sugar diet.Methods: 40 Kunming mice were divided into four groups of 10. After a fast of 12 h, mice were treated by oral infusion respectively with physiological saline, 20 % glucose, 20 % sucrose, and 20 % glucose + 0.002 % Sal B. Blood glucose and levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were  determined at 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 h after administration. Another 3 groups of 10 Kunming mice each were fed with normal diet, high-sugar diet (20 % sucrose, HSD) and HSD + 0.002 % Sal B. Four weeks later, the levels of ROS as well as antioxidant enzyme activity were determined.Results: Blood ROS showed the first peak at 0.5 h and a higher peak at 1.5 h after high glucose administration. ROS were mainly produced in liver and pancreas with the utilization of glucose. Sal B administration prevented increase in blood glucose and significantly (p &lt; 0.05) reduced ROS produced in the process of glucose absorption and utilization, especially the latter. Sal B decrease oxidative stress induced by HSD through scavenging ROS associated with increased activity of antioxidant enzymes.Conclusion: This study demonstrates that Sal B can decrease oxidative stress in glucose absorption and utilization in HSD mice. Thus, the findings provide a basis for a potential interventional strategy for protecting against oxidative damage induced by HSD.Keywords: Salvianolic acid B, Blood glucose, Reactive oxygen species, Oxidative stress, Sugar di

Association of hyperuricemia with metabolic syndrome among university workers: sex and occupational differences

Background: The relationship between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and hyperuricemia is not fully understood. Objective: To examine the association of hyperuricemia with MetS and the component of MetS that is mostly influenced by hyperuricemia among university workers. Methods: Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, glucose, lipid profiles, renal function tests were measured in 1198 male and 1075 female (22-60 years old) workers on annual medical examination. Results: Hyperuricemia was 3-fold higher in males (odds ratio, OR, 2.938, 95% confidence interval, CI, 1.909-4.522, P&lt;0.01) than females after adjustment for age, body mass index (BMI) and renal function. Overall, individuals with hyperuricemia were 3.9-fold likely to have MetS OR, 3.903; CI (2.439-6.245), P&lt;0.01, and dyslipidemia, 2.5 times (OR, 2.501; 95% CI, 1.776-3.521, P&lt;0.01) after adjustment for age, BMI, sex and renal function. However, no associations were found in individuals with hypertension (OR, 1.427; 95% CI, 0.996-2.205, P=0.052) and hyperglycemia (OR, 1.476; 95% CI, 0.989-2.202, P=0.057). Administrative work positively associated (OR, 1.895; 95% CI, 1.202-2.925, P&lt;0.05) with hyperuricemia in males and not females. Conclusion: Male workers with hyperuricemia, especially those working in administration were at risk of metabolic syndrome. It is important to screen, prevent and treat metabolic syndrome in individuals diagnosed with hyperuricemia at the workplace

IgA-Targeted Lactobacillus jensenii Modulated Gut Barrier and Microbiota in High-Fat Diet-Fed Mice

IgA-coated Lactobacillus live in the mucous layer of the human or mammalian intestine in close proximity to epithelial cells. They act as potential probiotics for functional food development, but their physiological regulation has not yet been studied. We isolated IgA-targeted (Lactobacillus jensenii IgA21) and lumen lactic acid bacterial strains (Pediococcus acidilactici FS1) from the fecal microbiota of a healthy woman. C57BL/6 mice were fed a normal (CON) or high fat diet (HFD) for 6 weeks and then treated with IgA21 or FS1 for 4 weeks. HFD caused dyslipidemia, mucosal barrier damage, and intestinal microbiota abnormalities. Only IgA21 significantly inhibited dyslipidemia and gut barrier damage. This was related to significant up-regulation of mucin-2, PIgR mRNA expression, and colonic butyrate production (P &lt; 0.05 vs. HFD). Unlike IgA21, FS1 caused a more pronounced gut dybiosis than did HFD, and, in particular, it induced a significant decrease in the Bacteroidales S24-7 group and an increase in Desulfovibrionaceae (P &lt; 0.05 vs. CON). In conclusion, IgA-coated and non-coated lactic acid bacteria of gut have been demonstrated to differentially affect the intestinal barrier and serum lipids. This indicates that IgA-bound bacteria possess the potential to more easily interact with the host gut to regulate homeostasis

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Dietary Habits and Metabolic Health

Dietary habits refer to the long-term dietary patterns and habits that an individual forms and maintains in their daily life [...

Evaluation of the relationship between subclinical hypothyroidism and metabolic syndrome components among workers

Objectives: Both hyperthyroidism and overt hypothyroidism are associated with increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components, while data on subclinical hypothyroidism is currently limited especially in working populations. The aim of this study was to examine the association between subclinical hypothyroidism and metabolic syndrome components in workers; and to evaluate whether there are differences by sex and occupation. Material and Methods: A total of 1150 university employees (male - 792, female - 358) aged 30-60 years who came for an annual medical check-up were studied. Anthropometric measurements were taken, and blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), lipid profiles, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxin (FT4) and free triiodothyronine (FT3) levels were measured. Results: After adjustment for age and body mass index (BMI), TSH was positively associated with increased triglyceride (TG) levels (β = 0.108, p = 0.020) and FPG (β = 0.130, p = 0.006) in subclinical hypothyroid male workers. However, TSH was not associated (p > 0.05) with any component of metabolic syndrome (MS) in the euthyroid group. In females, TSH was not correlated with MS components in both euthyroid and subclinical hypothyroid groups. Furthermore, comparison by occupation showed higher TSH in subclinical hypothyroid male workers employed in administration (5.23±0.52 mU/l) than those working as academics (5.12±0.52 mU/l), which resulted in elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure, FPG, total cholesterol, TG and high density lipoprotein cholesterol. In females, BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, TG and FPG were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in subclinical hypothyroid administrators than those in academics. Conclusions: Subclinical hypothyroidism was associated with metabolic syndrome components in male workers and not in females. Administration workers showed increased metabolic risks compared to academics. The findings suggest that the assessment of thyroid function in individuals with metabolic syndrome in the workplace may be favorable especially among men

Protective effects of γ-aminobutyric acid against H2O2-induced oxidative stress in RIN-m5F pancreatic cells

BACKGROUND: γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system and reported to maintain the redox homeostasis and insulin secretion function of pancreatic β cells. This study tested the hypothesis that GABA maintains cellular redox status, and modulates glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β and antioxidant-related nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) nuclear mass ratio in the H2O2-injured RINm5F cells. METHODS: RINm5F cells were treated with/without GABA (50, 100 and 200 μmol/L) for 48 h and then exposed to 100 μmol/L H2O2 for 30 min. Viable cells were harvested, and dichloro-dihydro-fluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) was used to detect reactive oxygen species (ROS) level; cellular redox status and insulin secretion were measured; cell viability was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay; mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was detected by flow cytometry; relative genes levels were analyzed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR); western blotting was used to determine protein expression of GSK-3β and p-GSK-3β (Ser9), and nuclear and cytoplasmic NRF2. RESULTS: H2O2 increased ROS production, and induced adverse affects in relation to antioxidant defense systems and insulin secretion. These changes were restored by treatment with 100 and 200 μmol/L GABA. In addition, 100 or 200 μmol/L GABA induced membrane depolarization and increased cell viability. These effects were mediated by Caspase-3, Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) expression. Western blotting indicated that GABA inhibited GSK-3β by increasing p-GSK-3β (Ser9) level, and directed the transcription factor NRF2 to the nucleus. CONCLUSION: In rat insulin-producing RINm5F cells, GABA exerts its protective effect by regulating GSK-3β and NRF2, which governs redox homeostasis by inhibiting apoptosis and abnormal insulin secretion by exposure to H2O2