Taurine content of raw and processed fish fillets/portions

Associations between serum taurine concentrations in mothers and neonates and the children's anthropometrics and early neurodevelopment: Results from the Seychelles Child Development Study, Nutrition Cohort 2

BACKGROUND

High concentrations of taurine are present in the developing human brain and maternal breast milk. Taurine is thought to influence fetal growth and brain development based on experimental rodent studies. As fish is an important dietary source of taurine, we investigated associations between taurine concentrations and child outcomes in a high fish consuming population.

OBJECTIVE

To examine associations between maternal and cord serum taurine concentrations and birth anthropometric measures and cognitive development in children at 20 months of age.

METHODS

Pregnant women were recruited between 2008 and 2011 as part of Nutrition Cohort 2 (NC2) of the Seychelles Child Development Study (SCDS). Maternal taurine serum concentrations were measured at 28 week's gestation and in cord serum. Child weight, length and head circumference were measured at birth and neurodevelopment was assessed using Bayley Scales of Infant Development II (BSID-II) at 20 months of age. Associations between taurine status, birth measures and neurodevelopmental outcomes were examined (n = 300) using regression models and adjusted for relevant covariates.

RESULTS

Mean (SD) maternal and cord taurine concentrations were 124.9 (39.2) µmol/L (range 28.2-253.9 µmol/L) and 187.6 (60.0) µmol/L (range 55.0-417.4 µmol/L) respectively. We found no associations between maternal taurine concentrations and child anthropometric and neurodevelopmental measures (weight β = -0.001, SE=0.001; length β = -0.006, SE=0.006; head circumference β = -0.002, SE=0.002; MDI β = -0.005, SE=0.015; PDI β = -0.004, SE=0.016; all P > 0.05), or between cord taurine concentrations and outcomes (weight β = -0.001, SE<0.000; length β = -0.001, SE=0.004; head circumference β < 0.000, SE=0.002; MDI β = 0.004, SE=0.010; PDI β = -0.015, SE=0.012; all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The Seychellois population have high maternal and cord taurine concentrations owing to their high fish intake and may be considered taurine replete compared to individuals who consume a Westernised diet. This high taurine status may explain why there were no significant associations between maternal and cord taurine concentrations and outcomes after adjusting for covariates.

Marine Capture Fisheries from Western Indian Ocean: An Excellent Source of Proteins and Essential Amino Acids

The Republic of Seychelles is located in Western-Central Indian Ocean, and marine capture fisheries play a key role in the country's economic and social life in terms of food security, employment, and cultural identity. The Seychellois are among the highest per capita fish-consuming people in the world, with a high reliance on fish for protein. However, the diet is in transition, moving towards a Western-style diet lower in fish and higher in animal meat and easily available, highly processed foods. The aim of this study was to examine and evaluate the protein content and quality of a wide range of marine species exploited by the Seychelles industrial and artisanal fisheries, as well as to further to assess the contribution of these species to the daily intake recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). A total of 230 individuals from 33 marine species, including 3 crustaceans, 1 shark, and 29 teleost fish, were collected from the Seychelles waters during 2014-2016. All analyzed species had a high content of high-quality protein, with all indispensable amino acids above the reference value pattern for adults and children. As seafood comprises almost 50% of the consumed animal protein in the Seychelles, it is of particular importance as a source of essential amino acids and associated nutrients, and as such every effort to sustain the consumption of regional seafood should be encouraged.

Dietary Consumption on Glycemic Control Among Prediabetes: A Review of the Literature

Introduction

Prediabetes is a condition that, if left unaddressed, can lead to various complications, such as neuropathy, retinopathy, and nephropathy. Among the critical factors contributing to the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus, dietary choices stand out as particularly significant.

Objective

Consequently, our objective is to examine the latest research findings concerning dietary consumption and its impact on glycemic control in individuals with prediabetes.

Methods

A literature review of randomized controlled trials was performed using databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect with searches conducted from January 2019 to 2023. The primary reviewer assessed the quality of the selected studies for bias risk using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal method for randomized controlled trials. Initially, 975 articles were identified through the search, but after applying the inclusion criteria, only 9 articles were ultimately selected.

Results

The review found that a carrageenan-free diet, yogurt with Lactobacillus plantarum OLL2712, Allium hookeri extract (AHE), and delta-tocotrienol improve HbA1C levels. However, salmon, zinc supplement, and balanced deep-sea water were not effective on HbA1C. In addition, studies on the effectiveness of vitamin D in controlling blood glucose levels are inconsistent.

Conclusion

Nurses can enhance patient outcomes through collaborative efforts to create individualized dietary strategies. These strategies may encompass the adoption of a carrageenan-free diet, the inclusion of L plantarum OLL2712-enriched yogurt, the utilization of AHE, and the integration of delta-tocotrienol into the dietary plan. This approach is particularly applicable to ambulatory care nurses, health supervisors, and primary care providers.

Nutrients and Bioactive Compounds in Seafood: Quantitative Literature Research Analysis

This perspective presents current and updated advances in research on nutrients and bioactive compounds in seafood. It is based on a literature quantitative research analysis approach. The main features of seafood components are introduced. This perspective aims at providing a current framework that relates nutrients, bioactive compounds, and seafood in a novel integrated and multidisciplinary manner, highlighting the current knowledge, the main research lines, and emerging strategies. The literature search was carried out by means of the Scopus database, and 22,542 documents were retrieved in the period from 1932 to 2024. Particularly, from the perspective of nutrition and health outputs, the main terms correlated with research on the relationship between seafood and nutritional and bioactive components, and the main existing research lines focused on this topic, were identified. The top recurring keywords were human/s, female, diet, nutrition, fish, male, adult, food intake.

Fish Consumption: A Review of Its Effects on Metabolic and Hormonal Health

Dietary habits are a major determinant of the risk of chronic disease, particularly metabolic and endocrine disorders. Fish as a food group are a unique source of nutrients with metabolic and hormonal importance including omega-3 fatty acids, iodine, selenium, vitamin D, taurine and carnitine. Fish are also a source of high quality protein and have in general low caloric density. The impact of these nutrients on cardiovascular risk has been extensively reviewed, but the impact of fish on the broader field of endocrine and metabolic health is sometimes not sufficiently appreciated. This article aimed to summarize the impact the effect of regular fish consumption on conditions like the metabolic syndrome, obesity, diabetes, hypothyroidism, polycystic ovary syndrome and the menopausal transition, which are in and of themselves significant causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The review revealed that scientific evidence from food science, translational research, epidemiologic studies and interventional trials shows that regular fish consumption has a positive impact on thyroid homeostasis, facilitates maintenance of a healthy body weight, reduces the magnitude of age-associated increases in blood pressure, improves glucose homeostasis helping prevent diabetes and the metabolic syndrome, and has a positive impact on muscle mass preservation among the elderly. These effects are mediated by multiple mechanisms, only some of which have been identified. For most of these effects it holds true that the potential benefits are more substantial when baseline fish consumption is low.

Free Amino Acids and Biogenic Amines in Canned European Eels: Influence of Processing Step, Filling Medium and Storage Time

This study evaluated the effects of the canning process and different filling media on the free amino acid and biogenic amine contents of eels. The main free amino acids were histidine, taurine and arginine, which constituted 72% of the free amino acids in raw eels. All steps in the canning process significantly altered the free amino acid content of eels, relative to raw samples. The changes were influenced by the step, the composition of the frying or filling medium and the storage time. The biogenic amine contents were very low in all samples. Histamine was not detected in either raw eels or canned eels. The highest values were obtained for 2-phenylethylamine. The step of the canning process, the composition of the frying or filling medium and storage time also determined the changes in the biogenic amine contents. The biogenic amines indices were low, indicating the good quality of canned eels.

Higher fish consumption and lower risk of central nervous system demyelination

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

The evidence for diet as a risk factor for multiple sclerosis (MS) is inconclusive. We examined the associations between fish consumption and risk of a first clinical diagnosis of central nervous system demyelination (FCD), a common precursor to MS.

METHODS

The 2003-2006 Ausimmune Study was a case-control study examining environmental risk factors for FCD, with participants recruited from four regions of Australia and matched on age, sex, and study region. Dietary intake data were collected using a food frequency questionnaire. We used conditional logistic regression models to test associations between fish consumption (total, tinned, grilled, and fried) and risk of FCD (249 cases and 438 controls), adjusting for history of infectious mononucleosis, smoking, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations, socio-economic status, omega-3 supplement use, dietary under-reporting, and total energy intake.

RESULTS

Higher total fish consumption (per 30 g/day, equivalent to two serves/week) was associated with an 18% reduced risk of FCD (AOR 0.82; 95% CI 0.70, 0.97). While we found no statistically significant associations between grilled and fried fish consumption and risk of FCD, higher tinned fish consumption (per 30 g/day) was associated with a 41% reduced risk of FCD (AOR 0.59; 95% CI 0.39, 0.89).

CONCLUSIONS

Tinned fish is predominantly oily, whereas grilled and fried fish are likely to be a combination of oily and white types. Oily fish is high in vitamin D and very long chain polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids, both of which may be beneficial in relation to MS.

The effect of different sources of fish and camelina sativa oil on immune cell and adipose tissue mRNA expression in subjects with abnormal fasting glucose metabolism: a randomized controlled trial

Background/Objectives

Molecular mechanisms linking fish and vegetable oil intakes to their healthy metabolic effects may involve attenuation of inflammation. Our primary aim was to examine in a randomized controlled setting whether diets enriched in fatty fish (FF), lean fish (LF) or ALA-rich camelina sativa oil (CSO) differ in their effects on the mRNA expression response of selected inflammation-related genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) in subjects with impaired fasting glucose.

Subjects/Methods

Samples from 72 participants randomized to one of the following 12-week intervention groups, FF (n = 19), LF (n = 19), CSO (n = 17) or a control group (n = 17), were available for the PBMC study. For SAT, 39 samples (n = 8, n = 10, n = 9, n = 12, respectively) were available. The mRNA expression was measured at baseline and 12 weeks by TaqMan® Low Density Array.

Results

In PBMCs, LF decreased ICAM1 mRNA expression (P < 0.05), which was different (P = 0.06, Bonferroni correction) from the observed increase in the FF group (P < 0.05). Also, compared to the control group, LF decreased ICAM1 mRNA expression (P < 0.05). Moreover, the change in ICAM1 mRNA expression correlated positively with the intake of FF (P < 0.05) and negatively with the intake of LF (P < 0.05), independently of study group. A diet enriched in CSO, a rich source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), decreased PBMC IFNG mRNA expression (P < 0.01). The intake of CSO in the CSO group, but not the increase in plasma ALA proportions, correlated inversely with the IFNG mRNA expression in PBMCs (P = 0.08). In SAT, when compared with the control group, the effect of FF on decreasing IL1RN mRNA expression was significant (P < 0.03).

Conclusion

We propose that CSO intake may partly exert its benefits through immuno-inflammatory molecular regulation in PBMCs, while modulation of ICAM1 expression, an endothelial/vascular-related gene, may be more dependent on the type of fish consumed.

Nutritional characteristics of marine fish Sardinella zunasi Bleeker and immunostimulatory activities of its glycoprotein

Sardinella zunasi Bleeker, an edible and medicinal marine fish, is largely distributed in tropical oceans. However, the chemical composition and nutritional properties of this species have not yet been investigated. In the present study, proximate composition, fatty acids, amino acids, taurine, and minerals of S. zunasi Bleeker were characterized, and the immunostimulatory properties of its glycoprotein were evaluated. The results indicated the presence of crude protein (19.66%), crude lipid (6.29%) and carbohydrate (0.74%) in S. zunasi Bleeker; monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids in the fatty acid composition of S. zunasi Bleeker were 25.00% and 31.01%, respectively; S. zunasi Bleeker was rich in taurine (219 mg/100 g) and essential amino acids (5.57 g/100 g). In addition, the glycoprotein of S. zunasi consisted of protein and sugars, with a total content of 34.25% and 16.27%, respectively. The glycoprotein showed significant effects on promoting NO, TNF-α and IL-6 in a dose-dependent manner in RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Thus, these findings provide a scientific basis for the further utilization of glycoprotein from S. zunasi Bleeker.

Glycoprotein from the dible and medicinal marine fish Sardinella zunasi Bleeker possessed significant immunostimulatory activities in RAW264.7 macrophage cells.

Nutrients in Fish and Possible Associations with Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Metabolic Syndrome

Non-communicable diseases (NSDs) are responsible for two-thirds of all deaths globally, whereas cardiovascular disease (CVD) alone counts for nearly half of them. To reduce the impact of CVD, targeting modifiable risk factors comprised in metabolic syndrome (e.g., waist circumference, lipid profile, blood pressure, and blood glucose) is of great importance. Beneficial effects of fish consumption on CVD has been revealed over the past decades, and some studies suggest that fish consumption may have a protective role in preventing metabolic syndrome. Fish contains a variety of nutrients that may contribute to health benefits. This review examines current recommendations for fish intake as a source of various nutrients (proteins, n-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, iodine, selenium, and taurine), and their effects on metabolic syndrome and the CVD risk factors. Fatty fish is recommended due to its high levels of n-3 fatty acids, however lean fish also contains nutrients that may be beneficial in the prevention of CVD.

Lean Fish Consumption Is Associated with Beneficial Changes in the Metabolic Syndrome Components: A 13-Year Follow-Up Study from the Norwegian Tromsø Study

BACKGROUND

Fish consumption may have beneficial effects on metabolic syndrome (MetS); however, limited information of such associations exists. This study investigated possible associations between fish consumption and changes in MetS components during a 13-year follow-up period.

METHODS

The sample included participants (26-69 years) from the Tromsø Study 4 (1994-1995, n = 23,907) and Tromsø Study 6 (2007-2008, n = 12,981). Data were collected using questionnaires including food frequency questions, non-fasting blood samples, and physical examinations. MetS was defined using the Joint Interim Societies (JIS) definition, in which one point was given for each MetS criteria fulfilled (metabolic score). Longitudinal analyses were performed using Linear mixed models.

RESULTS

For both genders, lean fish consumption once a week or more was significantly associated with decreased future metabolic score, decreased triglycerides, and increased high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, whereas decreased waist circumference and blood pressure was identified only for men (age adjusted models). Fatty fish consumption was significantly associated with increased waist circumference for both genders and increased HDL-cholesterol levels in men. Conclusion: The results suggest that fatty and lean fish consumption may influence MetS differently and that lean fish consumption in particular seems to be associated with beneficial changes in the MetS components.

Consumption of lean fish reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a prospective population based cohort study of Norwegian women

Background

The effects of fish consumption and n-3 fatty acids on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have recently been debated.

Objective

We explored the risk of T2DM in relation to consumption of lean fish, fatty fish, fish products and total fish as well as cod liver oil supplements in a representative sample of Norwegian women.

Design

This was a prospective population based cohort study in 33740 women free of T2DM, stroke, angina or heart attack and with detailed information on important co-variates and dietary intake at baseline. Risk ratios and corresponding 95% CI were estimated using Poisson regression with log-person time as offset.

Results

Lean fish consumption was inversely associated with T2DM compared to zero intake. Risk ratios and 95% CI for intake of 75 and 100 g lean fish per day were 0.71 (0.51, 0.98) and 0.67 (0.46, 0.98), respectively. There was no effect of intake of fatty fish, fish products, total fish or use of cod liver oil supplements on the risk of T2DM.

Conclusion

Lean fish consumption of 75–100 g/d had a beneficial effect on T2DM. It remains unclear whether lean fish in itself has a protective effect on T2DM or that lean fish consumers have a protective life-style that we were not able to take into account in this study. Unfavorable effects of fatty fish consumption or use of cod liver oil supplements on T2DM were not observed.

Influence of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on soluble cellular adhesion molecules as biomarkers of cardiovascular risk in young healthy subjects

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Serum levels of soluble cellular adhesion molecules (CAMs) and blood lipid parameters have been used as markers of inflammatory processes associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. The present study evaluated the effects of the intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in fish and fish oil within energy-restricted diets, on soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and soluble vascular adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Two hundred and seventy-five healthy European subjects aged between 20 and 40 years, were randomized to one of four hypocaloric dietary groups: control (sunflower oil capsules, no seafood), lean fish (3 x 150 g portions of cod/week), fatty fish (3 x 150 g portions of salmon/week), fish oil ((docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)+eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) capsules, no seafood)). Diets rich in lean fish significantly decreased ICAM-1 levels, around 5% from baseline to endpoint (p<0.05), and had no effect on VCAM-1 levels. No significant differences were observed in sICAM-1 levels after the intervention with fatty fish or fish oils. On the other hand, these two seafood based diets were responsible for a significant increase of VCAM-1 levels [fatty fish; 16.1% and fish oil; 21.9%] respectively (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

CAMs as inflammatory biomarkers in young and healthy subjects are not conclusive for the evaluation of CVD risk. Hypocaloric fish diets had a different effect on CAMs, being lean fish responsible for the highest decrease in ICAM-1. On the other hand, VCAM-1 results allow speculation that a low dose of n-3 PUFA may be anti-inflammatory contrarily to a high dose which can have a pro-inflammatory effect. CAMs mechanism is complex and affected by multiple factors such as lifestyle, gender, and n-3 dose and source.