Association of dietary inflammatory index and metabolic syndrome in the elderly over 55 years in Northern China

The Relationship of Certain Diseases and Dietary Inflammatory Index in Older Adults: A Narrative Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

One of the important markers affecting aging processes is the increase in inflammatory markers. Many chronic diseases are associated with inflammation and chronic inflammation increases with aging. Inflammation can change with dietary components. Foods, compounds and nutrients that have anti-inflammatory or proinflammatory properties attract attention. According to the Dietary Inflammatory Index, positive scores are obtained if the nutrient has a proinflammatory effect on cytokines, and negative scores are obtained if it has an anti-inflammatory effect.

RECENT FINDINGS

A higher proinflammatory diet is associated with cardiometabolic diseases, neurodegenerative disease, cancers and musculoskeletal health and related mortality. In this study, its relationship with type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, metabolic syndrome, musculoskeletal diseases, dementia, depression and cancer, which are more common in older adults and known to be associated with inflammation, was examined. Although studies involving under 65 years old are more prevalent, research involving older adults and Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) is more limited. It is known that chronic inflammation increases with aging. Diet is one of the factors affecting inflammation. In the light of these investigations, the topics of anti-inflammatory nutrition and DII for the treatment of inflammation-related diseases in older adults are strong and open to development topics of discussion. Despite the significant interest in the potential positive effects of anti-inflammatory nutrition on diseases, contributing to clearer evidence of its protective effects on health necessitates further randomized controlled trials, in vivo, in vitro, cell, animal, human and case-control studies for better risk assessment.

The role of dietary inflammatory index in metabolic diseases: the associations, mechanisms, and treatments

In recent years, the prevalence of metabolic diseases has increased significantly, posing a serious threat to global health. Chronic low-grade inflammation is implicated in the development of most metabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), obesity, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular disease, serving as a link between diet and these conditions. Increasing attention has been directly toward dietary inflammatory patterns that may prevent or ameliorate metabolic diseases. The Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) was developed to assess the inflammatory potential of dietary intake. Consequently, a growing body of research has examined the associations between the DII and the risk of several metabolic diseases. In this review, we explore the current scientific literature on the relationships between the DII, T2DM, obesity, and dyslipidemia. It summarizes recent findings and explore potential underlying mechanisms from two aspects: the interaction between diet and inflammation, and the link between inflammation and metabolic diseases. Furthermore, this review discusses the therapeutic strategies, including dietary modifications, prebiotics, and probiotics, and discusses the application of the DII in metabolic diseases, as well as future research directions.

The association between energy-adjusted dietary inflammatory index and metabolic syndrome and its mediatory role for cardiometabolic diseases: a prospective cohort study

Background

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a collection of medical conditions that elevate the chance of cardiovascular disease. An unhealthy diet is a major risk factors for MetS through different mechanisms, especially systemic chronic inflammation.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the effect of dietary inflammatory potential on MetS incidence and the role of MetS in the association between Energy-adjusted dietary inflammatory index (E-DII) and cardiometabolic diseases.

Methods

In this prospective cohort study, 10,138 participants were recruited. All participants were divided into MetS or non-MetS groups based on the Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. The E-DII was used to assess the inflammatory potential of diet. After excluding the participants with MetS at baseline, 2252 individuals were followed for 5 years (longitudinal phase), and the effect of E-DII on MetS incidence was investigated using logistic regression models (p-value <0.05).

Results

The cohort's mean age (45.1% men) was 48.6 ± 10.0 years. E-DII ranged from -6.5 to 5.6 (mean: -0.278 ± 2.07). Higher E-DII score had a 29% (95%CI: 1.22-1.36) increased risk for incidence of MetS and its components during five-year follow-up. Also, E-DII was significantly associated with the prevalence of MetS (OR = 1.55, 95%CI: 1.51-1.59). Among MetS components, E-DII had the strongest association with waist circumference in the cross-sectional study (OR = 2.17, 95%CI: 2.08-2.25) and triglyceride in the longitudinal study (OR = 1.19, 95%CI: 1.13-1.25). The association between E-DII and MetS was consistent in both obese (OR = 1.13, 95%CI:1.05-1.21) and non-obese (OR = 1.42, 95%CI: 1.27-1.60) individuals and stronger among non-obese participants. Additionally, MetS mediated the association between E-DII and hypertension, diabetes, and myocardial infarction.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a pro-inflammatory diet consumption is associated with a higher risk of MetS and its components. Furthermore, a pro-inflammatory diet increases the risk of cardiometabolic diseases. The higher E-DII had a stronger association with MetS, even among normal-weight individuals.

Dietary inflammatory index and its association with risk of metabolic syndrome and its components: a systematic review and Meta-analysis of Observational studies

BACKGROUND

It is believed that the progression and development of metabolic syndrome (MetS) are associated with low-grade systemic inflammation. Several studies have suggested that the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII), which estimates the inflammatory potential of diets, is associated with MetS. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the relationships between DII and the MetS and its components.

METHODS

Relevant articles published in English from inception to May 2024 were identified by searching electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. We included studies that reported the odds ratio (OR), relative risk (RR), or hazard ratio for the association of DII with the MetS and its components. Effect sizes were pooled using a random effects model.

RESULTS

A total of three prospective studies and 22 cross-sectional studies were included in this meta-analysis. The results showed that pro-inflammatory diets were significantly associated with an increased risk of MetS in cohort studies (RR: 1.33; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.19-1.48) and cross-sectional studies (OR:1.24; 95% CI: 1.11-1.38). Meta-analysis of cross-sectional studies showed that a higher DII score was significantly associated with higher odds of hypertension (OR = 1.19; 95% CI = 1.10-1.28) and hyperglycemia (OR = 1.18; CI = 1.06-1.32). The pooled OR comparing the highest versus lowest category of DII with the odds of abdominal obesity and hypertriglyceridemia was significant only after adjustment for covariates.

CONCLUSIONS

In general, higher DII is associated with a higher risk of MetS and some of its components. Based on the findings, dietary interventions should be considered for preventing MetS from the inflammatory perspective.

Association between Combined Metals and PFAS Exposure with Dietary Patterns: A Preliminary Study

Background

The global burden of chronic diseases has been increasing, with evidence suggesting that diet and exposure to environmental pollutants, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and heavy metals, may contribute to their development. The Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) assesses the inflammatory potential of an individual's diet. However, the complex interplay between PFAS, heavy metals, and DII remains largely unexplored.

Objective

The goal of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the associations between diet operationalized as the DII with individual and combined lead, cadmium, mercury, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) exposures using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017-2018.

Methods

Descriptive statistics, a correlational analysis, and linear regression were initially used to assess the relationship between the variables of interest. We subsequently employed Bayesian kernel Machine regression (BKMR) to analyze the data to assess the non-linear, non-additive, exposure-response relationships and interactions between PFAS and metals with the DII.

Results

The multi-variable linear regression revealed significant associations between the DII and cadmium and mercury. Our BKMR analysis revealed a complex relationship between PFAS, metal exposures, and the DII. In our univariate exposure-response function plot, cadmium and mercury exhibited a positive and negative linear relationship, respectively, which indicated a positive and negative relationship across the spectrum of exposures with the DII. In addition, the bivariate exposure-response function between two exposures in a mixture revealed that cadmium had a robust positive relationship with the DII for different quantiles of lead, mercury, PFOA, and PFOS, indicating that increasing levels of cadmium are associated with the DII. Mercury's bivariate plot demonstrated a negative relationship across all quantiles for all pollutants. Furthermore, the posterior inclusion probability (PIP) results highlighted the consistent importance of cadmium and mercury with the inflammatory potential of an individual's diet, operationalized as the DII in our study, with both showing a PIP of 1.000. This was followed by PFOS with a PIP of 0.8524, PFOA at 0.5924, and lead, which had the lowest impact among the five environmental pollutants, with a PIP of 0.5596.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that exposures to environmental metals and PFAS, particularly mercury and cadmium, are associated with DII. These findings also provide evidence of the intricate relationships between PFAS, heavy metals, and the DII. The findings underscore the importance of considering the cumulative effects of multi-pollutant exposures. Future research should focus on elucidating the mechanistic pathways and dose-response relationships underlying these associations in a study that examines causality, which will enable a deeper understanding of the dietary risks associated with environmental pollutants.

Association between the dietary inflammatory index and all-cause mortality in osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND

To investigate the association between the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) and all-cause mortality in patients with osteoarthritis (OA).

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, data on OA patients were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2018. OA diagnosis was self-reported. The study population was divided into low and high DII groups based on the DII's median. All-cause mortality was the outcome, which was determined via linkage to the National Death Index (NDI) until 31 December 2019. Multivariable Cox regression analyses were employed to investigate the association between the DII and all-cause mortality. The survival of the low and high DII groups was exhibited by Kaplan-Meier curves. Furthermore, subgroup analyses were carried out in terms of age and comorbidity.

RESULTS

A total of 3804 patients with OA were included, with 1902 (50%) in the low DII group and 1902 (50%) in the high DII group. Patients with a high DII had a significantly greater risk of all-cause mortality than those with a low DII (HR = 1.21, 95%CI: 1.02-1.44, P = 0.025). A high DII was associated with a significantly increased risk of all-cause mortality compared with a low DII in patients aged ≥ 65 years [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.28, 95% confidence level (CI): 1.07-1.53, P = 0.006). Hypertensive patients with a high DII had a significantly greater risk of all-cause mortality than those with a low DII (HR = 1.25, 95%CI: 1.03-1.52, P = 0.025). For patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD), a high DII was associated with a significantly higher risk of all-cause mortality than a low DII (HR = 1.43, 95%CI: 1.17-1.75, P < 0.001). A high DII was associated with a significantly greater risk of all-cause mortality, as compared with a low DII in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) (HR = 1.22, 95%CI: 1.02-1.45, P = 0.026).

CONCLUSION

The DII was positively associated with the risk of all-cause mortality in patients with OA. This association differed by age, hypertension, CVD, and CKD. Adherence to diet with a low DII may be beneficial in prognosis improvement.

The dietary inflammatory index and new-onset hypertension in Chinese adults: a nationwide cohort study

Purpose: The development of hypertension is shown to be triggered by chronic low-grade inflammation. The dietary inflammatory index (DII) is a parameter for assessing the potential of a diet to cause inflammation. The prospective association between the DII and new-onset hypertension in Chinese adults remains unclear. Materials and methods: The nationwide cohort study included 10694 participants from 7 rounds of the China Health and Nutrition Survey. Dietary nutrient intake data were collected by 3-day 24 h dietary recalls and used to calculate the DII. The time-dependent Cox regression model was used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for studying the risk of new-onset hypertension, and stratified analyses were used to examine factors that may modify the association. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression was used to examine the non-linear relationship between the DII and new-onset hypertension. The relationship between the DII and physical activity was analyzed with the time-dependent Cox regression model. Results: The highest quartile of the DII had a significantly higher risk of new-onset hypertension compared to the lowest quartile (adjusted HR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.02, 1.24). RCS regression results showed that the risk of new-onset hypertension increased significantly after the DII above 1.09 (P for non-linearity <0.001). The interaction results showed that the DII may play a better role (P < 0.05) in the female, age < 45 years, baseline SBP < 130 mmHg, DBP < 80 mmHg, BMI < 24 kg m-2 and moderate/heavy physical activity level subgroup. Stratified analysis results showed that the baseline SBP, DBP, obesity, and physical activity level modified the association between the DII and hypertension (P for interaction < 0.05). Conclusion: Reducing the inflammatory potential of the diet is an effective strategy to prevent hypertension in Chinese adults.

The Relationship between the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) and Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) in Middle-Aged and Elderly Individuals in the United States

(1) Background: With the aging demographic shift in society, there is a growing number of middle-aged and elderly individuals affected by metabolic syndrome (MetS), a risk factor contributing to all causes of mortality. Inflammation plays a crucial role in the development of MetS. This study aims to examine the correlation between MetS and pro-inflammatory diets in middle-aged and elderly individuals, utilizing the Dietary Inflammation Index (DII) as a measure. (2) Methods: Data were extracted from the 2007-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database for individuals who were 45 years of age or older. The DII was determined for each participant through 24-h dietary recall interviews. The relationship between DII and MetS was assessed using binary logistic regression analysis, and the association between DII and MetS-related indicators was further explored through generalized linear model (GLM) and quantile regression analysis. (3) Results: A total of 3843 middle-aged and elderly individuals were included in the study. After controlling for confounding factors, the highest quartile of DII was associated with a higher risk of MetS (ORQ4:Q1 = 1.339; 95% CI: 1.013, 1.769; p for trend = 0.018). The top DII quartile also increased the risk of reduced HDL-C (ORQ4:Q1 = 1.499; 95% CI: 1.005, 2.234; p for trend = 0.048) and raised FG (ORQ4:Q1 = 1.432; 95% CI: 1.095, 1.873; p for trend = 0.010) compared to the lowest DII quartile. The levels of DII were found to be positively correlated with BMI (β = 0.258, p = 0.001), FPG (β = 0.019, p = 0.049), TG (β = 2.043, p = 0.013), waistline (β = 0.580, p = 0.002), and negatively correlated with HDL-C (β = -0.672, p = 0.003). (4) Conclusions: In middle-aged and elderly individuals in the United States, a high DII score has been linked to the presence of MetS, low HDL-C, and hyperglycemia. Therefore, dietary recommendations for the middle-aged and elderly should focus on reducing the DII by choosing foods rich in antioxidants, dietary fiber, and unsaturated fatty acids.

Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII)® and Metabolic Syndrome in the Selected Population of Polish Adults: Results of the PURE Poland Sub-Study

The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between the inflammatory potential of the diets of residents of Lower Silesia, based on the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII), with the incidence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components. Diets were characterized according to DII terciles. The study group consisted of 1570 individuals enrolled in the Polish arm of the Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiological (PURE) study. Participants’ diets in DII T1 (most anti-inflammatory diet) had the highest intake of vegetables (except for potatoes), fruits, nuts and seeds, low-calorie beverages, tea, and coffee (all p < 0.001). On the other hand, participants’ diets in DII T3 (most pro-inflammatory diet) contained a lot of whole-fat products, refined cereals, fats (except for vegetable oils), fruit juices, red meat, processed meat/meat products, sugar-sweetened beverages, sweets, sugar, and honey (all p < 0.001). Overall, we did not find an increased prevalence of MetS and its individual components in DII tercile 3 (T3) compared to DII tercile 1 (T1), except for an increased prevalence of abnormal TG in DII T3 compared to T1 (OR 1.34; 95% CI = 1.01 to 1.78) in the crude model. In the adjusted model, a lower prevalence of abnormal fasting glucose (FG) was found in DII T2 compared to DII T1 (OR 0.71; 95% CI = 00.54 to 0.94). Results of this study are informative and provide an important basis for further research on the quality of diet and nutrition.

Expression and associated epigenetic mechanisms of the Ca2+-signaling genes in breast cancer subtypes and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition

Breast cancer-associated deaths are related mainly to specific molecular subtypes and the presence of metastasis. The Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) and Ca2+ signaling pathways are involved in breast cancer metastasis, and they are regulated in part by epigenetic mechanisms. Moreover, activation of EMT modulates Ca2+ concentration and in turn, Ca2+ signaling regulates the expression of EMT markers. Also, activation of Ca2+ signaling genes with epigenetic inhibitors reverts the EMT. Thus, Ca2+ signaling might have an important role in breast cancer metastasis and EMT, particularly through the epigenetic regulation of genes involved in its signaling. However, little is known due to that an estimate of 1670 genes participate in the Ca2+ signaling and only a few genes have been studied. Here, we aimed to explore the expression of all genes involved in Ca2+ signaling in all breast cancer subtypes and EMT, and whether modulation of epigenetic mechanisms is related to their expression. Several genes of the Ca2+ signaling are altered in all breast cancer subtypes, being the cadherins and voltage channels the most frequent altered genes. Also, DNA methylation and histone posttranslational modifications showed a good correlation with their altered expression. The expression of the cadherins and voltage channels is also modulated during breast EMT, and ATAC-seq results suggest that chromatin rearrangement at their promoter is involved. In conclusion, the expression of the genes involved in Ca2+ signaling is altered in all breast cancer subtypes and during EMT, and epigenetic mechanisms are an attractive target to regulate their expression.

Dietary Inflammatory Index and Cardiometabolic Risk in Ecuadorian School-Age Children

BACKGROUND

Cardiometabolic diseases and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are becoming increasingly prevalent in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Cardiometabolic diseases and MetS are closely associated with low-grade systemic inflammation, which may be modified by diet. Previous studies have focused on the association of dietary inflammation with MetS and cardiometabolic risk in adult populations, but few studies have examined this issue in children, especially in LMICs.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study to explore the association of dietary inflammation with cardiometabolic risk components and MetS in urban Ecuadorian children aged 6-12 years old (n = 276). A semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to collect data on child dietary intake. Dietary inflammation was evaluated using an energy-adjusted Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII), divided into quartiles. Data were also collected on cardiometabolic risk indicators including blood lipids, blood pressure (BP), blood glucose, body mass index, and waist circumference. Data were analyzed using multivariable linear and logistic regression.

RESULTS

Child DII scores ranged from -4.87 (most anti-inflammatory) to 4.75 (most pro-inflammatory). We transformed the continuous scores into quartiles (Q): Q1 was the most anti-inflammatory (-4.87 to -3.35), Q2 was anti-inflammatory (-3.34 to -1.45), Q3 was pro-inflammatory (-1.44 to 1.08), and Q4 was the most pro-inflammatory (1.09 to 4.75). In the covariate-adjusted model, DII scores were positively associated with total blood cholesterol (p = 0.027), triglycerides (p = 0.034), and diastolic BP (p = 0.013). In addition, for every one-unit increase in DII score, MetS increased by 1.20 in the covariate-adjusted model (95% CI = 1.01,1.43).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that more pro-inflammatory diets may contribute to poorer cardiometabolic health in school-age children. This is important because even small increases in child blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and glucose levels over time can damage health and lead to earlier progression to conditions such as hypertension and atherosclerosis.