Protein intake adequacy among Nigerian infants, children, adolescents and women and protein quality of commonly consumed foods

Protein is important for growth, maintenance and protection of the body. Both adequacy of protein quantity and protein quality in the diet are important to guarantee obtaining all the essential amino acids. Protein-energy malnutrition is widely present in developing countries such as Nigeria and might result in stunting and wasting. Needs for protein differ depending on age and physiological status and are higher during growth, pregnancy and lactation. The present review assessed protein quantity and quality in diets of Nigerian infants, children, adolescents, and pregnant and lactating women. Literature reviews and calculations were performed to assess adequacy of Nigerian protein intake and to examine the Nigerian diet. The digestible indispensable amino acid score was used to calculate protein quality of nine Nigerian staple foods and of a mixture of foods. The Nigerian population had mostly adequate protein intake when compared with the most recent protein recommendations by the FAO (2013) and WHO/FAO/UNU (2007). An important exception was the protein intake of adolescent girls and pregnant and lactating women. Most of the assessed Nigerian plant-based staple foods were of low protein quality and predominantly lacked the amino acid lysine. The addition of animal-source foods can bridge the protein quality gap created by predominance of plant-based foods in the Nigerian diet. The methodology of this review can be applied to other low- and middle-income countries where diets are often plant-based and lack variety, which might influence protein intake adequacy.</p

Functional characterization of a novel opioid, PZM21, and its influence on behavioural responses to morphine

The concept of opioid ligands biased toward the G protein pathway with minimal recruitment of β-arrestin-2 has become a promising approach for the development of novel, efficient and potentially nonaddictive opioid therapeutics. A recently discovered biased μ-opioid receptor agonist, PZM21, was reported to be analgesic and possess reduced side effects. Here, we aimed to further investigate the behavioural and biochemical properties of PZM21.We evaluated antinociceptive effects of systemic and intrathecal PZM21 administration. Its addiction-like properties were determined using several behavioural approaches: conditioned place preference, locomotor sensitization, precipitated withdrawal and self-administration. Further, we assessed the influence of PZM21 on morphine-induced antinociception, tolerance and reward. Effects of PZM21 on striatal release of monoamines were evaluated using brain microdialysis.PZM21 caused long-lasting dose-dependent antinociception. It did not induce reward- and reinforcement-related behaviour, however, its repeated administration led to antinociceptive tolerance and naloxone-precipitated withdrawal symptoms. Pretreatment with PZM21 enhanced morphine-induced antinociception and attenuated the expression of morphine reward. In comparison to morphine, PZM21 administration led to moderate release of dopamine and robust release of serotonin in the striatum.PZM21 presents antinociceptive efficacy and does not possess rewarding or reinforcing properties. However, its clinical application may be restricted, as it induces tolerance and withdrawal symptoms. Notably, its ability to diminish morphine reward implicates that PZM21 may be useful in opioid use disorder therapy

Strategies and Future Opportunities for the Prevention, Diagnosis, and Management of Cow Milk Allergy

The prevalence of food allergy has increased over the last 20-30 years, including cow milk allergy (CMA) which is one of the most common causes of infant food allergy. International allergy experts met in 2019 to discuss broad topics in allergy prevention and management of CMA including current challenges and future opportunities. The highlights of the meeting combined with recently published developments are presented here. Primary prevention of CMA should start from pre-pregnancy with a focus on a healthy lifestyle and food diversity to ensure adequate transfer of inhibitory IgG- allergen immune complexes across the placenta especially in mothers with a history of allergic diseases and planned c-section delivery. For non-breastfed infants, there is controversy about the preventive role of partially hydrolyzed formulae (pHF) despite some evidence of health economic benefits among those with a family history of allergy. Clinical management of CMA consists of secondary prevention with a focus on the development of early oral tolerance. The use of extensive Hydrolysate Formulae (eHF) is the nutrition of choice for the majority of non-breastfed infants with CMA; potentially with pre-, probiotics and LCPUFA to support early oral tolerance induction. Future opportunities are, among others, pre- and probiotics supplementation for mothers and high-risk infants for the primary prevention of CMA. A controlled prospective study implementing a step-down milk formulae ladder with various degrees of hydrolysate is proposed for food challenges and early development of oral tolerance. This provides a more precise gradation of milk protein exposure than those currently recommended

Six Strategies for Optimizing Linear Growth through Improving Awareness of Breastfeeding, Dietary Diversity in Complementary Feeding, and Growth Monitoring during Early Life

Only one-fourth of the countries under the Sustainable Development Goal are ‘on track’ to reduce the burden of malnutrition as of 2020. A deficit in linear growth during the first 5 years of life is mainly due to growth faltering in the first 1000 days. This deficit has been consistently reported to be linked to suboptimal cognitive neurodevelopment, while its improvement in early childhood has been reported to offer an opportunity for rescuing neurocognitive potential. This paper describes the perspectives of multidisciplinary experts, representing a range of disciplines related to child growth and nutrition, from Nigeria, Indonesia, and Malaysia, who convened virtually to review and discuss measures aimed at preventing a further increase in growth faltering, including stunting, among children aged 0-3 years under the current prevailing circumstances. Based on the latest evidence of practices and knowledge, the expert panel proposed six strategies to support linear growth in early life which consists of 2 new initiatives: 1) increasing peer-to-peer knowledge transfer among HCP via digital engagement; 2) increasing knowledge transfer from HCPs to caregivers via social media; while maintaining the existing strategies: 1) stimulating initiatives to support breastfeeding during the first 6 months of life; 2) improving quality of complementary feeding; 3) strengthening growth monitoring to detect suboptimal growth in early childhood; 4) optimizing public-private engagement. The recommended solutions presented herein are the culmination of the collective insights of the expert panel. These recommendations offer invaluable approaches on addressing the critical public health issue of malnutrition, specifically growth faltering, and can benefit not only the three countries concerned but also other low and middle-income countries facing similar nutritional challenges

Combined protein-rich diet with resistance exercise intervention to counteract sarcopenia: A qualitative study on drivers and barriers of compliance

Interventions combining protein-rich diets with resistance exercises seem a promising avenue in helping to prevent sarcopenia. However, compliance to health interventions is generally low. The aim of the present study was to provide qualitative insights into the drivers and barriers that older adults experience when trying to comply with a combined dietary and physical exercise intervention. Semi-structured interviews with 18 older adults participating in such an intervention were conducted and analyzed using thematic content analysis. Most frequently reported drivers to comply with the diet were a fit with existing habits, knowledge on the health benefits, and product properties (taste, convenience, package). Drivers for physical exercises were existing habits, social contacts, customized support, and experienced physical improvement. It is suggested that customized support is important to successfully implement exercise-protein interventions amongst older adults, especially regarding participants' habits, product preferences, and social environment

Faecal Microbiota in Infants and Young Children with Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: A Systematic Review

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) refer to gastrointestinal tract issues that lack clear structural or biochemical causes. Their pathophysiology is still unclear, but gut microbiota alterations are thought to play an important role. This systematic review aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the faecal microbiota of infants and young children with FGIDs compared to healthy controls. A systematic search and screening of the literature resulted in the inclusion of thirteen full texts. Most papers reported on infantile colic, only one studied functional constipation. Despite methodological limitations, data show alterations in microbial diversity, stability, and colonisation patterns in colicky infants compared to healthy controls. Several studies (eight) reported increases in species of (pathogenic) Proteobacteria, and some studies (six) reported a decrease in (beneficial) bacteria such as Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria. In addition, accumulation of related metabolites, as well as low-grade inflammation, might play a role in the pathophysiology of infantile colic. Infants and toddlers with functional constipation had significantly lower levels of Lactobacilli in their stools compared to controls. Microbial dysbiosis and related changes in metabolites may be inherent to FGIDs. There is a need for more standardised methods within research of faecal microbiota in FGIDs to obtain a more comprehensive picture and understanding of infant and childhood FGIDs

Systematic Literature Review of the Nutrient Status, Intake, and Diet Quality of Chinese Children across Different Age Groups

There is a lack of comprehensive reports on nutrient deficiencies and dietary intake among various age groups of children in China. The objective of this review is to provide an overview of the nutrient status, intake, and diet adequacy of Chinese children (0–18 years old). PubMed and Scopus were searched for literature published between January 2010 and July 2022. A systematic review approach with a quality assessment was performed to analyze 2986 identified articles in English and Chinese. Eighty-three articles were included in the analysis. In younger children, anemia and iron and Vitamin A deficiencies remain severe public health problems, despite high Vitamin A and adequate iron intake. In older children, a high prevalence of selenium; Vitamin A and D deficiencies; and inadequate intakes of Vitamins A, D, B, C, selenium, and calcium were reported. Intakes of dairy, soybeans, fruits, and vegetables were below recommended levels. High intakes of iodine, total and saturated fat, and sodium and low dietary diversity scores were also reported. As nutritional concerns vary with age and region, future nutrition interventions should be tailored accordingly

Postprandial blood amino acid concentrations in older adults after consumption of dairy products : The role of the dairy matrix

This study investigated postprandial aminoacidemia after consumption of different dairy products using a single-blinded cross-over design wherein 10 participants (66.7 ± 4.3 y) received low-fat UHT-treated milk (LF–UHT), low-fat pasteurised milk (LF–PAS), full-fat UHT-treated milk (FF–UHT), full-fat pasteurised milk (FF–PAS), low-fat yoghurt, full-fat cheese, whey protein concentrate (WPC), and micellar casein isolate (MCI). Blood samples were collected postabsorptive and (up to 5 h) postprandial and maximal amino acid concentration (Cmax), timepoint corresponding to Cmax (Tmax) and incremental area under the curve (iAUC) were determined. The highest increase in blood essential amino acid (EAA) levels occurred after WPC and yoghurt consumption, whereas MCI and cheese consumption resulted in extended EAA response curves. Fat delayed the postprandial EAA blood response (FF–UHT versus LF–UHT and FF–PAS versus LF–UHT), whereas no effect of heating milk was found (P > 0.05). The findings highlight that the product matrix could be as important as protein composition in postprandial aminoacidemia.</p

Daytime and nighttime casein supplements similarly increase muscle size and strength in response to resistance training earlier in the day: a preliminary investigation

BACKGROUND: Casein protein consumed before sleep has been suggested to offer an overnight supply of exogenous amino acids for anabolic processes. The purpose of this study was to compare supplemental casein consumed earlier in the day (DayTime, DT) versus shortly before bed (NightTime, NT) on body composition, strength, and muscle hypertrophy in response to supervised resistance training. METHODS: Thirteen males participated in a 10-week exercise and dietary intervention while receiving 35 g casein daily. Isocaloric diets provided 1.8 g protein/kg body weight. RESULTS: Both groups increased (p &lt; 0.05) in lean soft tissue (DT Pre: 58.3 ± 10.3 kg; DT Post: 61.1 ± 11.1 kg; NT Pre: 58.3 ± 8.6 kg; NT Post: 60.3 ± 8.2 kg), cross-sectional area (CSA, DT Pre: 3.4 ± 1.5 cm2; DT Post: 4.1 ± 1.7 cm2; NT Pre: 3.3 ± 1.6 cm2; NT Post: 3.7 ± 1.6 cm2) and strength in the leg press (DT Pre: 341 ± 87.3 kg; DT Post: 421.1 ± 94.0 kg; NT Pre: 450.0 ± 180.3 kg; NT Post: 533.9 ± 155.4 kg) and bench press (DT Pre: 89.0 ± 27.0 kg; DT Post: 101.0 ± 24.0 kg; NT Pre 100.8 ± 32.4 kg; NT Post: 109.1 ± 30.4 kg) with no difference between groups in any variable (p &gt; 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Both NT and DT protein consumption as part of a 24-h nutrition approach are effective for increasing strength and hypertrophy. The results support the strategy of achieving specific daily protein levels versus specific timing of protein ingestion for increasing muscle mass and performance. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03352583

Glucocorticoid receptor signaling in astrocytes is required for aversive memory formation

Abstract Stress elicits the release of glucocorticoids (GCs) that regulate energy metabolism and play a role in emotional memory. Astrocytes express glucocorticoid receptors (GR), but their contribution to cognitive effects of GC’s action in the brain is unknown. To address this question, we studied how astrocyte-specific elimination of GR affects animal behavior known to be regulated by stress. Mice with astrocyte-specific ablation of GR presented impaired aversive memory expression in two different paradigms of Pavlovian learning: contextual fear conditioning and conditioned place aversion. These mice also displayed compromised regulation of genes encoding key elements of the glucose metabolism pathway upon GR stimulation. In particular, we identified that the glial, but not the neuronal isoform of a crucial stress-response molecule, Sgk1, undergoes GR-dependent regulation in vivo and demonstrated the involvement of SGK1 in regulation of glucose uptake in astrocytes. Together, our results reveal astrocytes as a central element in GC-dependent formation of aversive memory and suggest their relevance for stress-induced alteration of brain glucose metabolism. Consequently, astrocytes should be considered as a cellular target of therapies of stress-induced brain diseases