Low-fat diet with omega-3 fatty acids increases plasma insulin-like growth factor concentration in healthy postmenopausal women

Effects of maternal supplementation of fish oil during late gestation and lactation on growth performance, fecal microbiota structure and post-weaning diarrhoea of offspring piglets

Homeostasis of gut microbiota is a critical contributor to growth and health in weaned piglets. Fish oil is widely reported to benefit health of mammals including preventing intestinal dysfunction, yet its protective effect during suckling-to-weaning transition in piglets remains undetermined. Low (30 g/d) and high (60 g/d) doses of n-3-rich fish oil were supplemented in sows from late gestation to lactation. Serum indicators and gut microbiota were determined to evaluate the effects of maternal fish oil on growth performance, immunity and diarrhea of piglets. DHA and EPA in the colostrum as well as serum of suckling and 1-week post-wean piglets were significantly and linearly increased by maternal supplementation of fish oil (P < 0.05). IGF1 and T3 in nursing and weaned piglets were significantly elevated by maternal fish oil (P < 0.05), and the increase of IGF1 was concerning the dosage of fish oil. Colostrum IgG, plasma IgG, IgM in suckling piglets, IgG, IgM and IgA in weaned piglets were significantly increase as maternal replenishment of fish oil increased (P < 0.05). Additionally, cortisol was significantly reduced in weaned pigs (P < 0.05), regardless of dosage. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that α-diversity of fecal microbiota in nursery piglets, and fecal Lactobacillus genus, positively correlated with post-weaning IgA, was significantly increased by high dosage. Collectively, maternal fish oil during late pregnancy and lactation significantly promoted growth, enhanced immunity, and reduced post-weaning diarrhea in piglets, therefore facilitated suckling-to-weaning transition in piglets, which may be partially due to the altered gut microbial community.

New Perspectives on the Associations between Blood Fatty Acids, Growth Parameters, and Cognitive Development in Global Child Populations

Malnutrition is prevalent in low-middle-income countries (LMICs), but it is usually clinically diagnosed through abnormal anthropometric parameters characteristic of protein energy malnutrition (PEM). In doing so, other contributors or byproducts of malnutrition, notably essential fatty acid deficiency (EFAD), are overlooked. Previous research performed mainly in high-income countries (HICs) shows that deficiencies in essential fatty acids (EFAs) and their n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) byproducts (also known as highly unsaturated fatty acids or HUFAs) lead to both abnormal linear growth and impaired cognitive development. These adverse developmental outcomes remain an important public health issue in LMICs. To identify EFAD before severe malnutrition develops, clinicians should perform blood fatty acid panels to measure levels of fatty acids associated with EFAD, notably Mead acid and HUFAs. This review demonstrates the importance of measuring endogenous fatty acid levels for measuring fatty acid intake in various child populations in LMICs. Featured topics include a comparison of fatty acid levels between global child populations, the relationships between growth and cognition and PUFAs and the possible mechanisms driving these relationships, and the potential importance of EFAD and HUFA scores as biomarkers of overall health and normal development.

Er-Xian decoction attenuates ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis by modulating fatty acid metabolism and IGF1/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Er-Xian decoction (EXD) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula used to treat osteoporosis (OP). However, the anti-OP mechanism of EXD has not yet been fully elucidated.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The study aimed to verify the anti-OP effect of EXD and to explore its underlying mechanism.

METHODS

The anti-OP targets and mechanisms of EXD were predicted by network pharmacological analysis. Then, an ovariectomized (OVX) rat model was established to validate the key anti-OP mechanism of EXD. Firstly, the therapeutic effect of EXD on OP was confirmed using micro-CT bone analysis, pathological observation, and ELISA detection. Secondly, serum metabolites related to key biological processes were detected using an automatic biochemical analyzer and GC-MS. Finally, ELISA, qRT-PCR, and western blot were utilized to further explore the potential key anti-OP pathway of EXD.

RESULTS

A total of 159 anti-OP targets of EXD were identified. Functional annotation revealed that OP treatment using EXD was associated with lipid metabolism, fatty acid (FA) metabolism, and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Experimental studies confirmed that EXD ameliorated ovariectomy-induced bone loss and bone microstructure deterioration. EXD treatment also upregulated the level of serum estrogen and downregulated the level of OC, PⅠNP, CTX-1, TC, and LDL-C. Besides, principal component analysis (PCA) and heat map of serum FAs distinguished OVX rats from the SHAM and EXD groups. Serum concentrations of important n-3 FAs, including C20:3N3, C20:5N3, and C22:5N3, were significantly increased in the EXD group. The increased stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) index 1 and index 2 in the OVX group were reversed by EXD administration. Additionally, EXD reversed the decreased serum IGF1 level and tibia IGF1R, PI3K, and AKT expression in OVX rats.

CONCLUSION

EXD ameliorated ovariectomy-induced bone loss by modulating lipid metabolism, FA metabolism, and IGF1/PI3K/AKT pathway.

Whole-diet interventions and cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women: A systematic review of controlled clinical trials

OBJECTIVES

Menopause is accompanied by many metabolic changes, increasing the risk of cardiometabolic diseases. The impact of diet, as a modifiable lifestyle factor, on cardiovascular health in general populations has been well established. The purpose of this systematic review is to summarize the evidence on the effects of whole diet on lipid profile, glycemic indices, and blood pressure in postmenopausal women.

METHODS

Embase, Medline, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Google Scholar were searched from inception to February 2021. We included controlled clinical trials in postmenopausal women that assessed the effect of a whole-diet intervention on lipid profile, glycemic indices, and/or blood pressure. The risk of bias in individual studies was assessed using RoB 2 and ROBINS-I tools.

SUMMARY OF EVIDENCE

Among 2,134 references, 21 trials met all eligibility criteria. Overall, results were heterogenuous and inconsistent. Compared to control diets, some studies showed that participants experienced improvements in total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), systolic blood pressure (SBP), fasting blood sugar (FBS), and apolipoprotein A (Apo-A) after following fat-modified diets, but some adverse effects on triglycerides (TG), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL), lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) concentrations were also observed. A limited number of trials found some effects of the Paleolithic, weight-loss, plant-based, or energy-restricted diets, or of following American Heart Association recommendations on TG, TC, HDL, insulin, FBS, or insulin resistance.

CONCLUSION

Current evidence suggests that diet may affect levels of some lipid profile markers, glycemic indices, and blood pressure among postmenopausal women. However, due to the large heterogeneity in intervention diets, comparison groups, intervention durations, and population characteristics, findings are inconclusive. Further well-designed clinical trials are needed on dietary interventions to reduce cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal women.

The Impacts of Fish Oil and/or Probiotic Intervention on Low-Grade Inflammation, IGFBP-1 and MMP-8 in Pregnancy: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Clinical Trial

Background: We investigated the impact of fish oil and/or probiotics on serum and vaginal inflammatory and metabolic proteins and their relation to the onset of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods: Overweight/obese pregnant women received fish oil + placebo, probiotics + placebo, fish oil + probiotics or placebo + placebo from early pregnancy until six months postpartum (fish oil: 1.9 g docosahexaenoic acid and 0.22 g eicosapentaenoic acid; probiotics: Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 and Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis 420, 10¹⁰ colony-forming units each). Serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and serum/vaginal (s/v) phosphorylated insulin-like growth factor binding-protein-1 (phIGFBP-1), IGFBP-1 and matrix metalloproteinase 8 (MMP-8) were analyzed. GDM was diagnosed according to 2 h 75 g OGTT. Results: The intervention had no impact on the change in proteins during pregnancy. Nevertheless, s-MMP-8 decreased and s-IGFBP-1 increased more in obese than in overweight women in the fish oil + probiotics group, while a decrease in s-MMP-8 was seen in obese women and an increase was seen in overweight women in the probiotics + placebo group. The late pregnancy s-phIGFBP-1 was higher in women who developed GDM in fish oil + probiotics-group compared to fish oil + placebo-group. The concentrations of s-phIGFBP-1 (635.9 ± 315.3 ng/mL vs. 753.2 ± 335.1 ng/mL, p = 0.005) and s-IGFBP-1 (3.78 ± 0.72 ng/mL vs. 3.96 ± 0.69 ng/mL, p = 0.042) were lower in early pregnancy in women who developed GDM than in women remaining healthy. Conclusions: The intervention per se had no impact on the proteins, but obesity and GDM may modify the effect. IGFBPs may affect the development of GDM.

The Relationship Between Omega-3, Omega-6 and Total Polyunsaturated Fat and Musculoskeletal Health and Functional Status in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of RCTs

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effects of increasing dietary omega-3, omega-6 and mixed polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on musculoskeletal health, functional status, sarcopenia and risk of fractures. We searched Medline, Embase, The Cochrane library, ClinicalTrials.gov and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) databases for Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) of adults evaluating the effects of higher versus lower oral omega-3, omega-6 or mixed PUFA for ≥ 6 months on musculoskeletal and functional outcomes. We included 28 RCTs (7288 participants, 31 comparisons), 23 reported effects of omega-3, one of omega-6 and four of mixed total PUFA. Participants and doses were heterogeneous. Six omega-3 trials were judged at low summary risk of bias. We found low-quality evidence that increasing omega-3 increased lumbar spine BMD by 2.6% (0.03 g/cm², 95% CI - 0.02 to 0.07, 463 participants). There was also the suggestion of an increase in femoral neck BMD (of 4.1%), but the evidence was of very low quality. There may be little or no effect of omega-3 on functional outcomes and bone mass; effects on other outcomes were unclear. Only one study reported on effects of omega-6 with very limited data. Increasing total PUFA had little or no effect on BMD or indices of fat-free (skeletal) muscle mass (low-quality evidence); no data were available on fractures, BMD or functional status and data on bone turnover markers were limited. Trials assessing effects of increasing omega-3, omega-6 and total PUFA on functional status, bone and skeletal muscle strength are limited with data lacking or of low quality. Whilst there is an indication that omega-3 may improve BMD, high-quality RCTs are needed to confirm this and effects on other musculoskeletal outcomes.

Comparative Effects of Coenzyme Q10 or n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation on Retinal Angiogenesis in a Rat Model of Oxygen-Induced Retinopathy

Neonatal intermittent hypoxia (IH) or apnea afflicts 70% to 90% of all preterm infants <28 weeks gestation, and is associated with severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). We tested the hypotheses that coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) or omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) supplementation during neonatal IH reduces the severity of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR). Newborn rats were exposed to two IH paradigms: (1) 50% O₂ with brief hypoxia (12% O₂); or (2) 21% O₂ with brief hypoxia, until postnatal day 14 (P14), during which they received daily oral CoQ10 in olive oil, n-3 PUFAs in fish oil, or olive oil only and compared to room air (RA) treated groups. Pups were examined at P14, or placed in RA until P21. Retinal angiogenesis, histopathology, and morphometry were determined. Both IH paradigms produced severe OIR, but these were worsened with 50/12% O₂ IH. CoQ10 and n-3 PUFAs reduced the severity of OIR, as well as ocular growth factors in both IH paradigms, but CoQ10 was more effective in 50/12% O₂ IH. Supplementation with either CoQ10 or n-3 PUFAs targeting IH-induced retinal injury is individually effective for ameliorating specific characteristics consistent with ROP. Given the complexity of ROP, further studies are needed to determine whether combined CoQ10 and n-3 PUFAs supplementation would optimize their efficacy and result in a better outcome.

A Ketogenic Diet Reduces Central Obesity and Serum Insulin in Women with Ovarian or Endometrial Cancer

Background

The glycolytic nature of cancer cells presents a potential treatment target that may be addressed by a ketogenic diet (KD).

Objective

We hypothesized that a KD would improve body composition and lower serum insulin and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) in women with ovarian or endometrial cancer.

Methods

In this randomized controlled trial, women with ovarian or endometrial cancer [age: ≥19 y; body mass index (kg/m2): ≥18.5] were randomly assigned to a KD (70:25:5 energy from fat, protein, and carbohydrate) or the American Cancer Society diet (ACS; high-fiber, low-fat). Body composition (DXA) and fasting serum insulin, IGF-I, and β-hydroxybutyrate were obtained at baseline and at 12 wk; urinary ketones were also measured throughout the intervention. We assessed differences between the diets with ANCOVA and independent t tests. We used correlation analyses to estimate associations between changes in serum analytes and body composition.

Results

After 12 wk, the KD (compared with ACS) group had lower adjusted total (35.3 compared with 38.0 kg, P < 0.05) and android (3.0 compared with 3.3 kg, P < 0.05) fat mass. Percentage of change in visceral fat was greater in the KD group (compared with the ACS group; -21.2% compared with -4.6%, P < 0.05). Adjusted total lean mass did not differ between the groups. The KD (compared with ACS) group had lower adjusted fasting serum insulin (7.6 compared with 11.2 µU/mL, P < 0.01). There was a significant inverse association between the changes in serum β-hydroxybutyrate and IGF-I concentrations (r = -0.57; P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

In women with ovarian or endometrial cancer, a KD results in selective loss of fat mass and retention of lean mass. Visceral fat mass and fasting serum insulin also are reduced by the KD, perhaps owing to enhanced insulin sensitivity. Elevated serum β-hydroxybutyrate may reflect a metabolic environment inhospitable to cancer proliferation. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03171506.

Co-Enzyme Q10 and n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation Reverse Intermittent Hypoxia-Induced Growth Restriction and Improved Antioxidant Profiles in Neonatal Rats

Neonatal intermittent hypoxia (IH) increases the risk for many morbidities in extremely low birth weight/gestational age (ELBW/ELGA) neonates with compromised antioxidant systems and poor growth. We hypothesized that supplementation with coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10, ubiquinol) or n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) during neonatal IH improves antioxidant profiles and somatic growth in neonatal rats. Newborn rats were exposed to two IH paradigms at birth (P0): (1) 50% O₂ with brief hypoxic episodes (12% O₂); or (2) room air (RA) with brief hypoxia, until P14 during which they received daily oral CoQ10 in olive oil, n-3 PUFAs in fish oil, or olive oil only from P0 to P14. Pups were studied at P14 or placed in RA until P21 for recovery from IH (IHR). Body weight and length; organ weights; and serum antioxidants and growth factors were determined at P14 and P21. Neonatal IH resulted in sustained reductions in somatic growth, an effect that was reversed with n-3 PUFAs. Improved growth was associated with higher serum growth factors. CoQ10 decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione, but increased catalase, suggesting reduced oxidative stress. Further studies are needed to determine the synergistic effects of CoQ10 and n-3 PUFA co-administration for the prevention of IH-induced oxidative stress and postnatal growth deficits.

Metabolic responses to a traditional Mexican diet compared with a commonly consumed US diet in women of Mexican descent: a randomized crossover feeding trial

BACKGROUND

Mexican immigrants are disproportionally affected by diet-related risk of metabolic dysfunction. Whether adhering to a traditional Mexican diet or adopting a US diet contributes to metabolic changes associated with future risk of type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases has not been investigated.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to test in a randomized crossover feeding trial the metabolic responses to a Mexican diet compared with a commonly consumed US diet.

DESIGN

First- and second-generation healthy women of Mexican descent (n = 53) were randomly assigned in a crossover design to consume a Mexican or US diet for 24 d each, separated by a 28-d washout period. Diets were eucaloric and similar in macronutrient composition. The metabolic responses to diets were assessed by measuring fasting serum concentrations of glucose, insulin, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3), adiponectin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin 6 (IL-6), as well as the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) at the beginning and end of each period. Linear mixed models tested the intervention effect on the biomarkers, while adjusting for diet sequence, feeding period, baseline and washout biomarker concentrations, age, acculturation, and BMI.

RESULTS

Compared with the US diet, the Mexican diet reduced insulin by 14% [geometric means (95% CIs): 9.3 (8.3, 10.3) compared with 8.0 (7.2, 8.9) μU/mL; P = 0.02], HOMA-IR by 15% [2.0 (1.8, 2.3) compared with 1.7 (1.6, 2.0); P = 0.02], and IGFBP-3 by 6% (mean ± SEM: 2420 ± 29 compared with 2299 ± 29 ng/mL; P < 0.01) and tended to reduce circulating concentrations of IGF-1 by 4% (149 ± 2.6 compared with 144 ± 2.5 ng/mL; P = 0.06). There was no significant intervention effect on serum concentrations of glucose, adiponectin, CRP, or IL-6 in the US compared with the Mexican diet.

CONCLUSION

Compared with the commonly consumed US diet, the traditional Mexican diet modestly improved insulin sensitivity under conditions of weight stability in healthy women of Mexican descent, while having no impact on biomarkers of inflammation. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01369173.

Early Diet and Later Cancer Risk: Prospective Associations of Dietary Patterns During Critical Periods of Childhood with the GH-IGF Axis, Insulin Resistance and Body Fatness in Younger Adulthood

Early life, adiposity rebound, and puberty represent critical growth periods when food choices could have long-term relevance for cancer risk. We aimed to relate dietary patterns during these periods to the growth hormone-insulin-like-growth-factor (GH-IGF) axis, insulin resistance, and body fatness in adulthood. Data from the Dortmund Nutritional and Anthropometric Longitudinally Designed (DONALD) Study participants with outcome data at 18-37 years, and ≥2 dietary records during early life (1-2 yr; n = 128), adiposity rebound (4-6 years, n = 179), or puberty (girls 9-14, boys 10-15 yr; n = 213) were used. Dietary patterns at these ages were derived by 1) reduced rank regression (RRR) to explain variation in adult IGF-I, IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), homoeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and fat-mass index; 2) principal component analysis (PCA). Regarding RRR, the patterns "cake/canned fruit/cheese & eggs" (early life), "sweets & dairy" (adiposity rebound) and "high-fat foods" (pubertal boys) were independently associated with higher adult HOMA-IR. Furthermore, the patterns "favorable carbohydrate sources" (early life), "snack & convenience foods" (adiposity rebound), and "traditional & convenience carbohydrates" (pubertal boys) were related to adult IGFBP-3 (P trend < 0.01). PCA identified "healthy" patterns for all periods, but none was associated with the outcomes (P trend > 0.1). In conclusion, dietary patterns during sensitive growth periods may be of long-term relevance for adult insulin resistance and IGFBP-3.

ω-3 fatty acid differentially modulated serum levels of IGF1 and IGFBP3 in men with CVD: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study

OBJECTIVE

Studies have reported elevated serum insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 levels followed by ω-3 supplementation in various groups. Considering decreased level of IGF1 in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and protective effects of IGF1 against CVD progression and myocardial infarctions mortality, this study was performed with the aim of determining effects of ω-3 supplementation on serum levels and gene expression of IGF1 and IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP3) in men with CVD.

METHODS

Sixty-two middle-aged (55.9 ± 6.5 y) non-obese men with CVD followed the study protocol in two groups of ω-3 (n = 31) or placebo (n = 31) supplementation. Participants took ω-3 supplement or placebo (edible paraffin) for 8 wk and were asked not to change their diet or physical activity plan. Anthropometric and lipid profile characteristics, serum IGF1, serum IGFBP3 and also IGF1 and IGFBP3 gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were measured in all participants before and after the intervention. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between the two study groups in age and body mass index at baseline. The groups also had no difference in baseline serum low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, very low-density lipoprotein, triacylglycerols, and IGF1. Compared with placebo, ω-3 supplementation increased serum IGF1 levels (P = 0.01), and decreased serum level of IGFBP3 (P = 0.02). There was a trending toward an increase in IGF1 expression and nonsignificant decrease in IGFBP3 expression.

CONCLUSIONS

ω-3 supplementation in patients with CVD increases serum IGF1 levels and decreases serum IGFBP3. Further research is warranted to investigate the underlying mechanisms.

A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study on acceptability, safety and efficacy of oral administration of sacha inchi oil (Plukenetia volubilis L.) in adult human subjects

The study was designed to assess acceptability and side-effects of consumption of sacha inchi oil, rich in α-linolenic acid and sunflower oil, rich in linoleic acid, in adult human subjects. Thirty subjects received 10 or 15ml daily of sacha inchi or sunflower oil for 4months. Acceptability was assessed with daily self-report and with a Likert test at the end of the study. Safety was assessed with self- recording of side-effects and with hepatic and renal markers. Primary efficacy variables were the change in lipid profile. Subjects reported low acceptability of sacha inchi oil at week-1 (37.5%). However, since week-6, acceptability was significantly increased to 81.25-93.75%. No differences were observed in acceptability with respect to sex or oil volume (P>0.05). Most frequent adverse effects during first weeks of consuming sacha inchi oil or sunflower oil were nauseas. The side-effects were reduced with time. Biochemical markers of hepatic and kidney function were maintained unchanged. Serum total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels and arterial blood pressure were lowered with both oils (P<0.05). Higher HDL-cholesterol was observed with sacha inchi oil at month-4. In conclusion, sacha inchi oil consumed has good acceptability after week-1 of consumption and it is safety.