Daily dietary isoflavone intake in relation to lowered risk of depressive symptoms among men

Isoflavone intake and depressive symptoms among workers

BACKGROUND & AIM

High intake of isoflavones has been reported to be associated with decreased prevalence of depressive symptoms. However, no prospective study has examined this association. We prospectively investigated the association between isoflavone intake and depressive symptoms in a Japanese working population.

METHODS

Participants were 1162 workers (1033 men and 129 women aged 18-68 years) without depressive symptoms at baseline. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated self-administered diet history questionnaire. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale. Cox proportional hazards regression for interval-censored data was used to estimate the hazard ratio of depressive symptoms (CES-D ≥16) according to the tertile of isoflavone intake with adjustment for covariates.

RESULTS

During 5065 person-years of follow-up, 276 (23.8 %) workers were newly identified as having depressive symptoms. Isoflavone intake was not associated with risk of depressive symptoms. After adjustment for lifestyle and dietary factors and baseline CES-D score, the multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (95 % confidence interval) for the lowest through highest tertile of isoflavone intake were 1.00 (reference), 0.93 (0.66-1.31), and 0.93 (0.62-1.38) (P for trend = 0.70).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that higher isoflavone intake is not associated with decreased risk of depressive symptoms among Japanese.

Genistein microparticles prepared by antisolvent recrystallization with low-speed homogenization process

To create genistein particles, a brand-new antisolvent recrystallization technique was employed. The response surface approach was utilized to optimize the single factor test findings, which were acquired via the preliminary tests. The ideal liquid-to-liquid ratio was 9, the solution concentration was 21 mg/mL, the nozzle diameter was 700 μm, the feed rate was 39.65 mL/min, and the homogenization rate was 1500 rpm. The smallest mean particle size measured was 202.782 nm. SEM was used to study the powder's morphology, while thermal analysis and infrared imaging were used to evaluate its characteristics. The homogeneous antisolvent recrystallization method-prepared GMP has a better dissolving rate and stronger antioxidant activity when compared to genistein powder. The antisolvent recrystallization approach used in this study, which uses low-speed homogenizing instead of conventional grinding and homogenizing, can successfully reduce particle size, improve bioavailability, and use less energy. This topic may thus be made popular because it has real-world applications.

Polyphenols as novel interventions for depression: exploring the efficacy, mechanisms of action, and implications for future research

Numerous animal and human studies have assessed the relationship between polyphenols and outcomes related to depression. However, no comprehensive synthesis of the main findings has been conducted. The aim of this manuscript was to systematically review the available evidence from animal and human studies on the association and the effects of dietary polyphenols on depression and provide recommendations for future research. We based our review on 163 preclinical animal, 16 observational and 44 intervention articles assessing the relationship between polyphenols and outcomes related to depression. Most animal studies demonstrated that exposure to polyphenols alleviated behaviours reported to be associated with depression. However, human studies are less clear, with some studies reporting and inverse relationship between the intake of some polyphenols, and polyphenol rich foods and depression risk and symptoms, while others reporting no association or effect. Hence, while there has been extensive research conducted in animals and there is some supporting evidence in humans, further human studies are required, particularly in younger and clinical populations.

Analytic Background in the Neuroscience of the Potential Project "Hippocrates"

This paper reviews the principles identified in analytic neuroscience that could be used in the setup of an international project, "Hippocrates" (H-project), named after the author of the endocrine theory of temperaments. The H-project can aim to summarize the findings in functional neurochemistry of consistent behavioural patterns (CBPs) in health (such as temperament traits) and psychopathology (symptoms of psychiatric disorders); to have systematically structured neurochemical investigations; to have an analysis of CBPs that include all ranges of behavioural histories and to have these modules complemented by regional contrasts related to climate, diets and other bio-environmental factors. The review highlights the benefits of constructivism and illustrates the contrast between constructivism and current approaches in terms of analytic and methodological aspects. (1) "Where" the neurochemical biomarkers should be measured: the review expands the range of needed measurements to out-of-brain systems, including environmental factors, and explores the concept of Specialized Extended Phenotype. (2) "What" should be measured but is missing: the review points to the need for measurement of the "Throw & Catch" neurochemical relays; behavioural and neuronal events contributing to the consistency of the CBPs but not documented in measurements. (3) Structuring the H-project's setup: the paper briefly describes a proposed earlier neurochemical framework, Functional Ensemble of Temperament that that accommodates the neurochemical continuum between temperament and symptoms of psychiatric disorders. This framework is in line with documented "Throw & Catch" neurochemical relays and can also be used to organize data about the personal and professional history of an individual.

3-Phenyl-10-(2,3,4-trimethoxyphenyl)-9,10-dihydro-4H,8H-pyrano [2,3-f]chromene-4,8-dione

An efficient telescoped method for synthesis of 3-phenyl-10-(2,3,4-trimethoxyphenyl)-9,10-dihydro-4H,8H-pyrano[2,3-f]chromene-4,8-dione was elaborated. The presented protocol includes the one-pot multicomponent reaction of 7-hydroxy-3-phenyl-4H-chromen-4-one, 2,3,4-trimethoxybenzaldehyde and Meldrum’s acid. Advantages of this method are the application of readily available starting reagents, atom economy and easy procedure of preparation and purification of the target product. The structure of the synthesized polycyclic compound was proved by 1H, 13C-NMR, IR spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization (ESI-HRMS).

Patterns of polyphenol intake and risk of depressive symptomatology in a population-based cohort of older adults

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Current evidence suggests that some isolated polyphenols (PP) may exert promising effects for the risk of depression in young adults, however studies among older adults remain limited. The aim of the current study was to examine the prospective association between patterns of PP intake and the risk of depressive symptomatology (DS) in older adults.

METHODS

The study sample was based on the Three-City (3C) Bordeaux cohort of adults aged 65 years and over and without DS at the time of recruitment. The intakes of PP, summarised into 21 PP classes, were determined using a 24-h recall combined with the Phenol-Explorer database. In addition, the patterns of PP intake were identified by a Principal Component Analysis (PCA). DS was evaluated using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) over a period of 15 years with a reassessment every 2-3 years. The incident DS was reported for CES-D score ≥16 and/or the use of antidepressant treatment. The association between the patterns of PP intake at baseline and the risk of DS was computed using multivariate random-effect logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Among the 1074 participants (mean age 75.7 y, SD 4.8 y), 423 (39.4%) developed a DS during the follow-up. Distinct patterns of PP intake were identified, explaining up to 50% of the variance. The two first patterns, mainly driven by stilbenes and dihydroflavonols and by hydroxyicnnamic acid and alkylmethoxyphenols respectively, were not associated with the odds of DS. Furthermore, a higher score on the third pattern, mainly driven by monomeric flavanols and theaflavins, was associated with a significant 27% lower risk of DS over time (Odd Ratio = 0.73, 95% Confidence Interval [0.55; 0.97]).

CONCLUSION

This prospective study suggested that a pattern high in monomeric flavanols and theaflavins intakes, mainly provided by tea, was associated with a reduced risk of DS in older adults. These results provide promising evidence on combined PP intakes that would require further confirmation in other samples.

Exploring the Mechanism of Yiqi Qingre Ziyin Method in Regulating Neuropeptide Expression for the Treatment of Atrophic Rhinitis

Atrophic rhinitis (AR) is a chronic disease that causes severe structural changes to the nasal mucosa leading to squamous epithelial metaplasia. However, treatment regarding AR remains a major challenge. We used network pharmacology and molecular docking methods to explore the potential mechanisms of the Yiqi Qingre Ziyin method to modulate neuropeptides in the treatment of AR. The active ingredients of the Yiqi Qingre Ziyin method and their targets of action were obtained from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systematic Pharmacology Database Analysis Platform (TCMSP). Disease targets for AR were obtained from four databases: GeneCards, PharmGKB, DrugBank, and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM). A total of 59 active ingredients, 39 potential targets, and 76 relevant neuropeptides were obtained after deduplication. We constructed target interaction networks with the STRING database. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were performed on the 14 potential target proteins. We used Cytoscape software to construct the “drug-active ingredient-potential target” and “ingredient-target-pathway” networks of the Yiqi Qingre Ziyin method for treating AR. Molecular docking results suggest that dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4), opioid receptor gene d1 (OPRD1), and opioid receptor m1 (OPRM1) are key targets for the Yiqi Qingre Ziyin method. Therefore, this study proposed a potential mechanism for the treatment of AR by affecting the expression of neuropeptide-related genes (including DPP4, OPRD1, and OPRM1), which may potentially improve the immune microenvironment of the nasal mucosa.

Exploring the Impact of Flavonoids on Symptoms of Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Recent evidence suggests that diet modifies key biological factors associated with the development of depression. It has been suggested that this could be due to the high flavonoid content commonly found in many plant foods, beverages and dietary supplements. Our aim was to conduct a systematic review to evaluate the effects of dietary flavonoids on the symptoms of depression. A total of 46 studies met the eligibility criteria. Of these, 36 were intervention trials and 10 were observational studies. A meta-analysis of 36 clinical trials involving a total of 2788 participants was performed. The results showed a statistically significant effect of flavonoids on depressive symptoms (mean difference = −1.65; 95% C.I., −2.54, −0.77; p < 0.01). Five of the 10 observational studies included in the systematic review reported significant results, suggesting that a higher flavonoid intake may improve symptoms of depression. Further studies are urgently required to elucidate whether causal and mechanistic links exist, along with substantiation of functional brain changes associated with flavonoid consumption.

Dietary Assessment Methods to Estimate (Poly)phenol Intake in Epidemiological Studies: A Systematic Review

Nutritional epidemiological studies have frequently reported associations between higher (poly)phenol intake and a decrease in the risk or incidence of noncommunicable diseases. However, the assessment methods that have been used to quantify the intakes of these compounds in large-population samples are highly variable. This systematic review aims to characterize the methods used to assess dietary (poly)phenol intake in observational studies, report the validation status of the methods, and give recommendations on method selection and data reporting. Three databases were searched for publications that have used dietary assessment methods to measure (poly)phenol intake and 549 eligible full texts were identified. Food-frequency questionnaires were found to be the most commonly used tool to assess dietary (poly)phenol intake (73%). Published data from peer-reviewed journals were the major source of (poly)phenol content data (25%). An increasing number of studies used open-access databases such as Phenol-Explorer and USDA databases on flavonoid content since their inception, which accounted for 11% and 23% of the data sources, respectively. Only 16% of the studies reported a method that had been validated for measuring the target (poly)phenols. For future research we recommend: 1) selecting a validated dietary assessment tool according to the target compounds and target period of measurement; 2) applying and combining comprehensive (poly)phenol content databases such as USDA and Phenol-Explorer; 3) detailing the methods used to assess (poly)phenol intake, including dietary assessment method, (poly)phenol content data source; 4) follow the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology-Nutritional Epidemiology (STROBE-nut) framework; and 5) complementing dietary intake assessment based on questionnaires with measurement of (poly)phenols in biofluids using appropriate and validated analytical methods.