Quercetin prevents progression of disease in elastase/LPS-exposed mice by negatively regulating MMP expression

Abstract Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by chronic bronchitis, emphysema and irreversible airflow limitation. These changes are thought to be due to oxidative stress and an imbalance of proteases and antiproteases. Quercetin, a plant flavonoid, is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. We hypothesized that quercetin reduces lung inflammation and improves lung function in elastase/lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-exposed mice which show typical features of COPD, including airways inflammation, goblet cell metaplasia, and emphysema. Methods Mice treated with elastase and LPS once a week for 4 weeks were subsequently administered 0.5 mg of quercetin dihydrate or 50% propylene glycol (vehicle) by gavage for 10 days. Lungs were examined for elastance, oxidative stress, inflammation, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity. Effects of quercetin on MMP transcription and activity were examined in LPS-exposed murine macrophages. Results Quercetin-treated, elastase/LPS-exposed mice showed improved elastic recoil and decreased alveolar chord length compared to vehicle-treated controls. Quercetin-treated mice showed decreased levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, a measure of lipid peroxidation caused by oxidative stress. Quercetin also reduced lung inflammation, goblet cell metaplasia, and mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and muc5AC. Quercetin treatment decreased the expression and activity of MMP9 and MMP12 in vivo and in vitro, while increasing expression of the histone deacetylase Sirt-1 and suppressing MMP promoter H4 acetylation. Finally, co-treatment with the Sirt-1 inhibitor sirtinol blocked the effects of quercetin on the lung phenotype. Conclusions Quercetin prevents progression of emphysema in elastase/LPS-treated mice by reducing oxidative stress, lung inflammation and expression of MMP9 and MMP12.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/78260/1/1465-9921-11-131.xmlhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/78260/2/1465-9921-11-131.pdfPeer Reviewe

A systematic review of the role of vitamin insufficiencies and supplementation in COPD

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Pulmonary inflammation, oxidants-antioxidants imbalance, as well as innate and adaptive immunity have been proposed as playing a key role in the development of COPD. The role of vitamins, as assessed either by food frequency questionnaires or measured in serum levels, have been reported to improve pulmonary function, reduce exacerbations and improve symptoms. Vitamin supplements have therefore been proposed to be a potentially useful additive to COPD therapy.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A systematic literature review was performed on the association of vitamins and COPD. The role of vitamin supplements in COPD was then evaluated.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The results of this review showed that various vitamins (vitamin C, D, E, A, beta and alpha carotene) are associated with improvement in features of COPD such as symptoms, exacerbations and pulmonary function. High vitamin intake would probably reduce the annual decline of FEV1. There were no studies that showed benefit from vitamin supplementation in improved symptoms, decreased hospitalization or pulmonary function.</p

Behavioural Risk Factors in Mid-Life Associated with Successful Ageing, Disability, Dementia and Frailty in Later Life: A Rapid Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Smoking, alcohol consumption, poor diet and low levels of physical activity significantly contribute to the burden of illness in developed countries. Whilst the links between specific and multiple risk behaviours and individual chronic conditions are well documented, the impact of these behaviours in mid-life across a range of later life outcomes has yet to be comprehensively assessed. This review aimed to provide an overview of behavioural risk factors in mid-life that are associated with successful ageing and the primary prevention or delay of disability, dementia, frailty and non-communicable chronic conditions. METHODS: A literature search was conducted to identify cohort studies published in English since 2000 up to Dec 2014. Multivariate analyses and a minimum follow-up of five years were required for inclusion. Two reviewers screened titles, abstracts and papers independently. Studies were assessed for quality. Evidence was synthesised by mid-life behavioural risk for a range of late life outcomes. FINDINGS: This search located 10,338 individual references, of which 164 are included in this review. Follow-up data ranged from five years to 36 years. Outcomes include dementia, frailty, disability and cardiovascular disease. There is consistent evidence of beneficial associations between mid-life physical activity, healthy ageing and disease outcomes. Across all populations studied there is consistent evidence that mid-life smoking has a detrimental effect on health. Evidence specific to alcohol consumption was mixed. Limited, but supportive, evidence was available relating specifically to mid-life diet, leisure and social activities or health inequalities. CONCLUSIONS: There is consistent evidence of associations between mid-life behaviours and a range of late life outcomes. The promotion of physical activity, healthy diet and smoking cessation in all mid-life populations should be encouraged for successful ageing and the prevention of disability and chronic disease.This work was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), invitation to tender reference DDER 42013, and supported by the National Institute for Health Research School for Public Health Research. The scope of the work was defined by NICE and the protocol was agreed with NICE prior to the start of work. The funders had no role in data analysis, preparation of the manuscript or decision to publish.This is the final version of the article. It first appeared from PLOS via http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.014440

Environmental health guideline for municipal public health services. Air quality and health

Het RIVM en de GGD'en hebben de GGD-richtlijn 'Gezondheidsaspecten van het Besluit Luchtkwaliteit' uit 2005 geactualiseerd. De vernieuwde richtlijn biedt een overzicht van wetenschappelijke gezondheidsstudies, nieuwe wet- en regelgeving, meten en berekenen en de implicaties van dat alles voor de gezondheid. De nadruk ligt op verkeersgerelateerde luchtverontreiniging. De richtlijn is een hulpmiddel voor de GGD'en om gemeenten te adviseren en burgers te informeren. Het doel hierbij is de lokale luchtkwaliteit te verbeteren en zo veel mogelijk gezondheidswinst te behalen. GGD'en kunnen voorstellen doen om de luchtkwaliteit te verbeteren of over de ruimtelijke inrichting nabij drukke verkeerswegen. Gemeenten kunnen op basis hiervan aanvullend lokaal beleid formuleren om haar bevolking, en kwetsbare groepen in het bijzonder, te beschermen. De GGD kan de gemeente adviseren om aanvullende maatregelen te nemen om de luchtkwaliteit verder te verbeteren of gezondheidsschade te beperken. Dit kan worden bereikt door drukke binnenstedelijke wegen te betrekken bij aanvullend beleid, de locatie van 'gevoelige bestemmingen'zoals scholen in de ruimtelijke ordening te toetsen op basis van de afstand tussen de bebouwing en drukkere wegen of op basis van de verkeersintensiteit. Daarnaast kunnen woningen tot de gevoelige bestemmingen worden gerekend en kan een scoresysteem worden gehanteerd om de gevoeligheid van ruimtelijke objecten te bepalen. De GGD kan er bovendien op wijzen dat goede communicatie tussen gemeenten en de bevolking over dit onderwerp belangrijk is en hierover praktische adviezen geven.The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) and the Municipal Health Services (GGD) have revised the Health Aspects of the Dutch Air Quality Decree dating from 2005. The new guideline is an up-to-date summary of scientific studies on health, new legislation and regulatory requirements, measurements and calculations as well as the implications that all of the above may have on health. The emphasis has been put on air pollution from traffic. The guideline is a tool used by the GGD to advise and inform local authorities and citizens. The aim of this process is to improve local air quality and achieve as many health gains as possible. The GGD departments are in a position to propose changes for the improvement of air quality and for spatial planning near busy roads. This then gives local authorities the chance to forumulate additional policies so that the population, and in particular vulnerable groups, can be protected. The GGD can offer advice to local authorities on which additional measures to take for the further improvement of air quality and/or in order to limit any damage to health. This can be done by involving busy city centre roads in the additional policy measures and evaluating the location of sensitive developments such as schools in spatial planning - based either on the distance between the buildings and busy roads or based on the intensity of traffic. In addition, houses can also be considered as part of the sensitive developments and a scoring system can be maintained in order to determine the sensitivity of spatial objects. Moreover, the GGD can emphasize that good communication between local authorities and the population on this subject is important as well as giving practical advice on this subject.VW

Fruit and vegetable intake and cause-specific mortality in the EPIC study.

Consumption of fruits and vegetables is associated with a lower overall mortality. The aim of this study was to identify causes of death through which this association is established. More than 450,000 participants from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition study were included, of which 25,682 were reported deceased after 13 years of follow-up. Information on lifestyle, diet and vital status was collected through questionnaires and population registries. Hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for death from specific causes were calculated from Cox regression models, adjusted for potential confounders. Participants reporting consumption of more than 569 g/day of fruits and vegetables had lower risks of death from diseases of the circulatory (HR for upper fourth 0.85, 95% CI 0.77-0.93), respiratory (HR for upper fourth 0.73, 95% CI 0.59-0.91) and digestive system (HR for upper fourth 0.60, 95% CI 0.46-0.79) when compared with participants consuming less than 249 g/day. In contrast, a positive association with death from diseases of the nervous system was observed. Inverse associations were generally observed for vegetable, but not for fruit consumption. Associations were more pronounced for raw vegetable consumption, when compared with cooked vegetable consumption. Raw vegetable consumption was additionally inversely associated with death from neoplasms and mental and behavioral disorders. The lower risk of death associated with a higher consumption of fruits and vegetables may be derived from inverse associations with diseases of the circulatory, respiratory and digestive system, and may depend on the preparation of vegetables and lifestyle factors