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Shennon I, Wilson BC, Behling AH, Portlock T, Haque R, Forrester T, Nelson CA, O'Sullivan JM. The infant gut microbiome and cognitive development in malnutrition. Clin Nutr 2024; 43:1181-1189. [PMID: 38608404 DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2024.03.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Malnutrition affects 195 million children under the age of five worldwide with long term effects that include impaired cognitive development. Brain development occurs rapidly over the first 36 months of life. Whilst seemingly independent, changes to the brain and gut microbiome are linked by metabolites, hormones, and neurotransmitters as part of the gut-brain axis. In the context of severe malnutrition, the composition of the gut microbiome and the repertoire of biochemicals exchanged via the gut-brain axis vary when compared to healthy individuals. These effects are primarily due to the recognized interacting determinants, macro- and micronutrient deficiencies, infection, infestations and toxins related to poor sanitation, and a dearth of psycho-social stimulation. The standard of care for the treatment of severe acute malnutrition is focused on nutritional repletion and weight restoration through the provision of macro- and micronutrients, the latter usually in excess of recommended dietary allowances (RDA). However, existing formulations and supplements have not been designed to specifically address key recovery requirements for brain and gut microbiome development. Animal model studies indicate that treatments targeting the gut microbiome could improve brain development. Despite this, research on humans targeting the gut microbiome with the aim of restoring brain functionality are scarce. We conclude that there is a need for assessment of cognition and the use of various tools that permit visualization of the brain anatomy and function (e.g., Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), electroencephalogram (EEG)) to understand how interventions targeting the gut microbiome impact brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inoli Shennon
- The Liggins Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Brooke C Wilson
- The Liggins Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Anna H Behling
- The Liggins Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Theo Portlock
- The Liggins Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Rashidul Haque
- Infectious Disease Division, International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh
| | - Terrence Forrester
- UWI Solutions for Developing Countries, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston 7, Jamaica
| | - Charles A Nelson
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Developmental Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Graduate School of Education, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Justin M O'Sullivan
- The Liggins Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand; The Maurice Wilkins Centre, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand; MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, University Road, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK; Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science Technology and Research, Singapore.
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Zheng Y, Ye C, He M, Ko WKW, Chan YW, Wong AOL. Goldfish adiponectin: (I) molecular cloning, tissue distribution, recombinant protein expression, and novel function as a satiety factor in fish model. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1283298. [PMID: 38027109 PMCID: PMC10643153 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1283298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Adiponectin (AdipoQ) is an adipokine involved in glucose homeostasis and lipid metabolism. In mammals, its role in appetite control is highly controversial. To shed light on the comparative aspects of AdipoQ in lower vertebrates, goldfish was used as a model to study feeding regulation by AdipoQ in fish species. As a first step, goldfish AdipoQ was cloned and found to be ubiquitously expressed at the tissue level. Using sequence alignment, protein modeling, phylogenetic analysis and comparative synteny, goldfish AdipoQ was shown to be evolutionarily related to its fish counterparts and structurally comparable with AdipoQ in higher vertebrates. In our study, recombinant goldfish AdipoQ was expressed in E. coli, purified by IMAC, and confirmed to be bioactive via activation of AdipoQ receptors expressed in HepG2 cells. Feeding in goldfish revealed that plasma levels of AdipoQ and its transcript expression in the liver and brain areas involved in appetite control including the telencephalon, optic tectum, and hypothalamus could be elevated by food intake. In parallel studies, IP and ICV injection of recombinant goldfish AdipoQ in goldfish was effective in reducing foraging behaviors and food consumption. Meanwhile, transcript expression of orexigenic factors (NPY, AgRP, orexin, and apelin) was suppressed with parallel rises in anorexigenic factors (POMC, CART, CCK, and MCH) in the telencephalon, optic tectum and/or hypothalamus. In these brain areas, transcript signals for leptin receptor were upregulated with concurrent drops in the NPY receptor and ghrelin receptors. In the experiment with IP injection of AdipoQ, transcript expression of leptin was also elevated with a parallel drop in ghrelin mRNA in the liver. These findings suggest that AdipoQ can act as a novel satiety factor in goldfish. In this case, AdipoQ signals (both central and peripheral) can be induced by feeding and act within the brain to inhibit feeding behaviors and food intake via differential regulation of orexigenic/anorexigenic factors and their receptors. The feeding inhibition observed may also involve the hepatic action of AdipoQ by modulation of feeding regulators expressed in the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Anderson O. L. Wong
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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López-Méndez I, Maldonado-Rojas ADC, Uribe M, Juárez-Hernández E. Hunger & satiety signals: another key mechanism involved in the NAFLD pathway. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1213372. [PMID: 37753211 PMCID: PMC10518611 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1213372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a highly prevalent metabolic disease, although prevalence could change according to region, nowadays is considered a public health problem whose real impact on the health system is unknown. NAFLD has a multifactorial and complex pathophysiology, due to this, developing a unique and effective pharmacological treatment has not been successful in reverting or avoiding the progression of this liver disease. Even though NAFLD pathophysiology is known, all actual treatments are focused on modifying or regulating the metabolic pathways, some of which interplay with obesity. It has been known that impairments in hunger and satiety signals are associated with obesity, however, abnormalities in these signals in patients with NAFLD and obesity are not fully elucidated. To describe these mechanisms opens an additional option as a therapeutic target sharing metabolic pathways with NAFLD, therefore, this review aims to describe the hormones and peptides implicated in both hunger-satiety in NAFLD. It has been established that NAFLD pharmacological treatment cannot be focused on a single purpose; hence, identifying interplays that lead to adding or modifying current treatment options could also have an impact on another related outcome such as hunger or satiety signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iván López-Méndez
- Hepatology and Transplants Unit, Medica Sur Clinic & Foundation, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Misael Uribe
- Gastroenterology and Obesity Unit, Medica Sur Clinic & Foundation, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Eva Juárez-Hernández
- Translational Research Unit, Medica Sur Clinic & Foundation, Mexico City, Mexico
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Witek K, Wydra K, Filip M. A High-Sugar Diet Consumption, Metabolism and Health Impacts with a Focus on the Development of Substance Use Disorder: A Narrative Review. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14142940. [PMID: 35889898 PMCID: PMC9323357 DOI: 10.3390/nu14142940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Carbohydrates are important macronutrients in human and rodent diet patterns that play a key role in crucial metabolic pathways and provide the necessary energy for proper body functioning. Sugar homeostasis and intake require complex hormonal and nervous control to proper body energy balance. Added sugar in processed food results in metabolic, cardiovascular, and nervous disorders. Epidemiological reports have shown enhanced consumption of sweet products in children and adults, especially in reproductive age and in pregnant women, which can lead to the susceptibility of offspring’s health to diseases in early life or in adulthood and proneness to mental disorders. In this review, we discuss the impacts of high-sugar diet (HSD) or sugar intake during the perinatal and/or postnatal periods on neural and behavioural disturbances as well as on the development of substance use disorder (SUD). Since several emotional behavioural disturbances are recognized as predictors of SUD, we also present how HSD enhances impulsive behaviour, stress, anxiety and depression. Apart from the influence of HSD on these mood disturbances, added sugar can render food addiction. Both food and addictive substances change the sensitivity of the brain rewarding neurotransmission signalling. The results of the collected studies could be important in assessing sugar intake, especially via maternal dietary patterns, from the clinical perspective of SUD prevention or pre-existing emotional disorders. Methodology: This narrative review focuses on the roles of a high-sugar diet (HSD) and added sugar in foods and on the impacts of glucose and fructose on the development of substance use disorder (SUD) and on the behavioural predictors of drugs abuse. The literature was reviewed by two authors independently according to the topic of the review. We searched the PubMed and Scopus databases and Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute open access scientific journals using the following keyword search strategy depending on the theme of the chapter: “high-sugar diet” OR “high-carbohydrate diet” OR “sugar” OR “glucose” OR “fructose” OR “added sugar” AND keywords. We excluded inaccessible or pay-walled articles, abstracts, conference papers, editorials, letters, commentary, and short notes. Reviews, experimental studies, and epidemiological data, published since 1990s, were searched and collected depending on the chapter structure. After the search, all duplicates are thrown out and full texts were read, and findings were rescreened. After the selection process, appropriate papers were included to present in this review.
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Benefits of Exercise in Multidisciplinary Treatment of Binge Eating Disorder in Adolescents with Obesity. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19148300. [PMID: 35886152 PMCID: PMC9315465 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19148300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Obesity in childhood and adolescence represents a serious health problem worldwide. Similarly, eating disorders (EDs) are complex diseases that affect adolescents with an increasing prevalence and are an alarming health concern to both physical and mental health. Traditionally, obesity and EDs, particularly binge eating disorder (BED), have been considered separate conditions, but there is emerging evidence such as etiology, comorbidities, risk factors, psychosocial impairment, and prevention approaches, highlighting important overlaps among these conditions. In youth, the two conditions share risk factors and consequences at both the physical and psychological levels, requiring special care. Exercise, useful as strategy to prevent and treat overweight conditions, may have beneficial effects on BED symptoms, suggesting that it may be considered as one of the key factors in the treatment of individuals affected by obesity with BED. The purpose of this narrative review is to examine the bidirectional impact of obesity and BED in adolescents, in terms of risk factors, etiology and comorbid conditions. Specifically, we focused on the benefits of physical activity (PA) in the multidisciplinary treatment of subjects affected by obesity with BED. Even though additional research is needed to reach conclusions about the role of exercise in the treatment of obesity and comorbid BED, especially in adolescents, promising results have already suggested that closely monitored exercise is safe and, paired with cognitive behavioral therapy, may provide multiple benefits on both the physical and psychological levels. Tailored and integrated treatments for weight management and eating disorders are important to promptly and effectively treat obese subjects that have BED.
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GIST and Ghrelin: To Be or Not to Be? Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:diagnostics11081361. [PMID: 34441296 PMCID: PMC8393501 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11081361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Ghrelin is the orexigenic hormone secreted mainly by the stomach. Its involvement in neoplastic development has been studied in gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas. Our paper aims to evaluate the influence of the ghrelin axis in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). Materials and Methods: The study design included two groups of patients, 46 with gastric GISTs and 30 with obesity. Archived tissue samples were evaluated for the presence of gastritis and H. pylori. Immunohistochemical expression of ghrelin and its receptor (GHS-R) was assessed. Results: All GISTs showed absent immunohistochemical expression for ghrelin, while GHS-R displayed a particular pattern, with notable differences in intensity (p = 0.0256) and percentage of stained cells (p < 0.00001) in the periphery vs. core of tumors. Positive ghrelin expression was lower in the gastric mucosa of the first group compared to the second group (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The ghrelin axis can influence GISTs carcinogenesis through activation of GHS-R. A previously described direct autocrine/paracrine mechanism is not supported by our findings.
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Giorgi FS, Galgani A, Puglisi-Allegra S, Busceti CL, Fornai F. The connections of Locus Coeruleus with hypothalamus: potential involvement in Alzheimer's disease. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2021; 128:589-613. [PMID: 33942174 PMCID: PMC8105225 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-021-02338-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The hypothalamus and Locus Coeruleus (LC) share a variety of functions, as both of them take part in the regulation of the sleep/wake cycle and in the modulation of autonomic and homeostatic activities. Such a functional interplay takes place due to the dense and complex anatomical connections linking the two brain structures. In Alzheimer's disease (AD), the occurrence of endocrine, autonomic and sleep disturbances have been associated with the disruption of the hypothalamic network; at the same time, in this disease, the occurrence of LC degeneration is receiving growing attention for the potential roles it may have both from a pathophysiological and pathogenetic point of view. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the anatomical and functional connections between the LC and hypothalamus, to better understand whether the impairment of the former may be responsible for the pathological involvement of the latter, and whether the disruption of their interplay may concur to the pathophysiology of AD. Although only a few papers specifically explored this topic, intriguingly, some pre-clinical and post-mortem human studies showed that aberrant protein spreading and neuroinflammation may cause hypothalamus degeneration and that these pathological features may be linked to LC impairment. Moreover, experimental studies in rodents showed that LC plays a relevant role in modulating the hypothalamic sleep/wake cycle regulation or neuroendocrine and systemic hormones; in line with this, the degeneration of LC itself may partly explain the occurrence of hypothalamic-related symptoms in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Sean Giorgi
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Francesco Fornai
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
- I.R.C.C.S. Neuromed, Via Atinense 18, 86077, Pozzilli, IS, Italy.
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