Plant-Based Foods as a Source of Lipotropes for Human Nutrition: A Survey of In Vivo Studies

Effect of whole grain and fiber consumption on chronic liver diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: The aim of the present study was to conduct a meta-analysis of observational studies to explore the latest evidence on the influence of whole grain and fiber consumption on total chronic liver diseases. Methods: We searched the PubMed and Web of Science online databases and reference lists of eligible articles up to June, 2024. Results: The odds ratio (OR) between whole grain intake and total chronic liver disease risk was 0.90 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.81 to 0.99, p < 0.001) and indicated an OR of 0.65 (95% CI: 0.57 to 0.74, p < 0.001) between fiber intake and total chronic liver disease risk when comparing the highest and lowest total intake, both indicating a significant negative correlation. Furthermore, subgroup analysis revealed that the protective effect of whole grains on chronic liver diseases was the most significant in cirrhosis (OR = 0.65; 95% CI: 0.57 to 0.74) and mortality (OR = 0.37; 95% CI: 0.29 to 0.47). Conclusion: Whole grain and fiber intake has a protective effect on the risk of chronic liver diseases.

Urinary alkylresorcinol metabolites, biomarkers of whole grain wheat and rye intake, are beneficially associated with liver fat and other fat measures

Aims: Epidemiological studies that use dietary biomarkers to investigate the association between whole grain intake and the risk of obesity are sparse. We assessed the association between urinary alkylresorcinol metabolites including 3-(3,5-dihydroxyphenyl)-1-propanoic acid (DHPPA) and 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHBA), biomarkers of whole grain wheat and rye intake, and body fat measures. Methods: We measured urinary excretion of DHPPA and DHBA, body weight, height, and circumferences of the waist and hip at the baseline and again after 1-year in a representative sample of 306 community-dwelling adults in Huoshan, China. We also measured liver fat accumulation [indicated by the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP)] and other body composition after 1 year. Multivariate-adjusted linear models and linear mixed-effects models were used to analyze single measurement and repeated measurements, respectively. Results: Each 1 μg g-1 creatinine increase in urinary DHPPA levels was associated with 0.21%, 0.23%, 3.64%, and 4.80% decrease in body weight, body mass index (BMI), body fat mass (BFM) and visceral fat level (VFL), respectively (all P < 0.05). Higher DHBA levels were inversely associated with CAP (percentage difference per 1 μg g-1 creatinine increment: -1.98%, P < 0.05). Higher total urinary alkylresorcinol metabolite (DHPPA + DHBA) levels were associated with lower body weight, BMI, BFM, VFL, and CAP, with the percentage differences per 1 μg g-1 creatinine increment of -0.27%, -0.27%, -3.79%, -5.12%, and -2.24%, respectively (all P < 0.05). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the intake of whole grain wheat and rye, reflected by urinary DHPPA and DHBA, is favorably associated with liver fat and other fat measures.

Edible pentacyclic triterpenes: A review of their sources, bioactivities, bioavailability, self-assembly behavior, and emerging applications as functional delivery vehicles

Edible pentacyclic triterpenes (PTs) are a group of nutraceutical ingredients commonly distributed in human diets. Existing evidence has proven that they have various biological functions, including anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and hypoglycemic activities, making them as "functional factor" for a long time. However, their properties of strong hydrophobicity, poor permeability, poor absorption, and rapid metabolism result in low oral bioavailability, which dramatically hinders their efficacy for use. Recently, free PTs have successively been found to self-assemble or co-assemble into self-contained nanostructures with enhanced water dispersibility and oral bioavailability, which seems to be an efficient processing method for increased oral efficacy. Of particular interest, formulating them into nanostructures can also be introduced as functional delivery carriers for bioactive compounds or drugs with various advantages, such as improved stability, controlled release, enhanced oral bioavailability, synergistic bioactivity, and targeted delivery. This review systematically summarized the chemical structures, plant sources, bioactivities, absorption, metabolism, and oral bioavailability of PTs. Notably, we emphasized their self-assembly properties and emerging role as functional delivery carriers for nutrients, suggesting that PT nanostructures are not only efficient oral forms when introduced into foods but also functional delivery materials for nutrients to expand their commercial food applications.

Dietary Betaine Interacts with Very Long Chain n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids to Influence Fat Metabolism and Circulating Single Carbon Status in the Cat

Simple Summary

The domestic cat can metabolize and thrive on a range of intakes of different dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). However, changes in the intake of PUFA have relatively unknown effects on concentrations of other fatty acids and metabolites. Similarly, the effect of increasing dietary betaine (which is a single carbon donor) on circulating concentrations of metabolites and fatty acids is relatively unreported. As might be expected, increasing intake of specific dietary fatty acids resulted in an increased concentration of that fatty acid and moieties containing that fatty acid. Dietary betaine increased concentration of many compounds associated with single carbon metabolism (e.g., dimethyl glycine, sarcosine, methionine) and many PUFA such as the n-6 PUFA linoleic acid (LA) and arachidonic acid (ARA) and the n-3 fatty acids α-linolenic acid (αLA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Dietary betaine interacted with the addition of dietary fish oil to dampen diet-induced increase of ARA while potentiating the increase of circulating DHA occurring with increased DHA dietary intake. Dietary betaine and fish oil also combined to reduce the circulating concentration of the renal toxin 3-indoxyl sulfate, suggesting a positive effect on the gut microbiota. These data suggest a positive effect of a daily betaine intake which exceeds 60 mg per kg body weight. The data also support an added benefit of a combined EPA+DHA daily intake of greater than 26 mg/kg body weight as well as a daily intake of 75 mg/kg body weight of alpha linolenic acid.

Abstract

Six foods were used to evaluate the interaction of dietary betaine and n-3 PUFA in the cat. There was no ingredient added to the control food to specifically increase betaine or n-3 fatty acids. The experimental design was a 3 × 2 factorial (fatty acids were varied from the control food which had no added source of n-3 fatty acids, flax was included as a source of 18 carbon n-3, or menhaden fish oil as a source of EPA and DHA). Foods were then formulated using these three foods as a base with added betaine or without added betaine. Forty eight cats were used in this study. Equal numbers of cats were allotted by age and gender to each of the six dietary treatments. The cats were offered food amounts to maintain weight and consumed the food to which they were assigned for the length of the study (60 days). Metabolomics, selected circulating analytes and fatty acids were analyzed at the beginning and end of the feeding period. There was an increase in single carbon metabolites (betaine, dimethyl glycine, and methionine) with the consumption of dietary betaine. Betaine also increased the concentration of specific PUFA (ARA, αLA, DHA, and the sum of all circulating PUFA). The combination of dietary betaine and fish oil resulted in a reduction of circulating 3-indoxyl sulfate which suggests a renal benefit from their combined dietary presence.

Review: Implication of redox imbalance in animal health and performance at critical periods, insights from different farm species

The process of oxidative stress occurs all over the production chain of animals and food products. This review summarises insights obtained in different farm species (pigs, ruminants, poultry, and fishes) to underpin the most critical periods for the venue of oxidative stress, namely birth/hatching and weaning/start-feeding phase. Common responses between species are also unravelled in periods of high physiological demands when animals are facing dietary deficiencies in specific nutrients, suggesting that nutritional recommendations must consider the modulation of responses to oxidative stress for optimising production performance and quality of food products. These conditions concern challenges such as heat stress, social stress, and inflammation. The magnitude of the responses is partly dependent on the prior experience of the animals before the challenge, reinforcing the importance of nutrition and other management practices during early periods to promote the development of antioxidant reserves in the animal. When these practices also improved the performance and health of the animal, this further confirms the central role played by oxidative stress in physiologically and environmentally induced perturbations. Difficulties in interpreting responses to oxidative stress arise from the fact that the indicators are only partly shared between studies, and their modulations may also be challenge-specific. A consensus about the best indicators to assess pro-oxidative and antioxidant pathways is of huge demand to propose a synthetic index measurable in a non-invasive way and interpretable along the productive life of the animals.

Lipotropic activities of aqueous extract of Vernonia guineensis Benth. in Wistar rats fed high fat diet

Background

Lipotropic molecules are effective therapeutic targets to counteract non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Lipotropic compounds are capable of removing fat from the liver and/or manage the reduction of the synthesis or deposition of lipids in the liver. The objective of this study was to evaluate the lipotropic effects of the aqueous extract of leaves of Vernonia guineensis (AEVG) on rats fed high fat diet.

Methods

Twenty male rats with an average mass of 235 g were allow acclimatize for seven days, following which they were divided into four groups of five animals each. The test group was treated with high fat diet (HFD) and AEVG at 400 mg/kgBW, while positive control group received HFD and Fenofibrate at 100 mg/kgBW. The normal control group received a normal diet; and the negative control group received HFD. After 14 days of treatment, animals were sacrificed, blood and organs (liver, heart and kidneys), as well as the faeces were collected for the preparation of plasma and homogenates respectively. Some markers of lipid profil (total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-c, LDL-c,) and markers of toxicity (AST, ALT, γ-GT, creatinine) were evaluated.

Results

The results obtained showed that a HFD at the hepatic level led to the accumulation of lipids (triglycerides (TG) and total cholesterol (TC)) and had adverse effects on hepatic function by promoting cytolysis. At the plasma level, HFD induced hyperlipidemia. Administration of AEVG at 400 mg/kgBW improved the blood lipid profile and reduced the storage of TG and cholesterol in the liver. AEVG also promoted fecal cholesterol excretion and reduced atherogenic indices which include Total Cholesterol/High-Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (TC/HDL-c) and Low-Density Lipoprotein cholesterol/High-Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c/HDL-c). The extract exhibited hepato-protective activity (anticholestasis) and improved glomerular filtration.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that AEVG possesses lipotropic effects confirming its probable use in the management of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and its cardiometabolic complications. This virtue could be exploited for local pharmaceutical development.

Antibiotic Isoflavonoids, Anthraquinones, and Pterocarpanoids from Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan L.) Seeds against Multidrug-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Cajanus cajan L. (pigeon pea, locally known in the Philippines as kadios) seed is a functional food with health benefits that extend beyond their nutritional value. C. cajan seeds contain highly diverse secondary metabolites with enriched beneficial properties, such as antibacterial, anticancer, and antioxidant activities. However, the antibacterial activities of secondary metabolites from Philippine-grown C. cajan, against multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus have not been thoroughly described. Here, we investigated the in vitro antibacterial properties of C. cajan seed against multidrug-resistant S. aureus ATCC BAA-44 (MDRSA) and three other S. aureus strains (S. aureus ATCC 25923, S. aureus ATCC 6538, and coagulase-negative S. aureus) and, subsequently, identified the antibiotic markers against S. aureus strains using mass spectrometry. Secondary metabolites from C. cajan seeds were extracted using acetone, methanol, or 95% ethanol. Antibacterial screening revealed antibiotic activity for the C. cajan acetone extract. Bioassay-guided purification of the C. cajan acetone extract afforded three semi-pure high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fractions exhibiting 32–64 µg/mL minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against MDRSA. Chemical profiling of these fractions using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LCMS) identified six compounds that are antibacterial against MDRSA. High-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), MS/MS, and dereplication using Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking (GNPS)™, and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Library identified the metabolites as rhein, formononetin, laccaic acid D, crotafuran E, ayamenin A, and biochanin A. These isoflavonoids, anthraquinones, and pterocarpanoids from C. cajan seeds are potential bioactive compounds against S. aureus, including the multidrug-resistant strains.

Overview of the Composition of Whole Grains’ Phenolic Acids and Dietary Fibre and Their Effect on Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases

Chronic non-communicable diseases are the major cause of death globally. Whole grains are recommended in dietary guidelines worldwide due to increasing evidence that their consumption can improve health beyond just providing energy and nutrients. Epidemiological studies have suggested that the incorporation of whole grains, as part of a healthy diet, plays a key role in reducing one’s risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cancer. Phenolic acids and dietary fibre are important components found in whole grains that are largely responsible for these health advantages. Both phenolic acids and dietary fibre, which are predominantly present in the bran layer, are abundant in whole-grain cereals and pseudo-cereals. Several studies indicate that whole grain dietary fibre and phenolic acids are linked to health regulation. The main focus of this study is two-fold. First, we provide an overview of phenolic acids and dietary fibres found in whole grains (wheat, barley, oats, rice and buckwheat). Second, we review existing literature on the linkages between the consumption of whole grains and the development of the following chronic non-communicable diseases: CVDs, obesity, T2D and cancer. Altogether, scientific evidence that the intake of whole grains reduces the risk of certain chronic non-communicable disease is encouraging but not convincing. Based on previous studies, the current review encourages further research to cover the gap between the emerging science of whole grains and human health.

Effects of Dietary Supplementation with Myo-inositol on Hepatic Expression of Glycolytic and Fructolytic Enzyme Genes in Rats Fed a High-sucrose Diet

We examined effects of a major lipotrope, myo-inositol, on the expression of primary glycolytic (glucokinase and phosphofructokinase) and fructolytic enzyme (ketohexokinase [KHK] and aldolase B) genes in the livers of rats fed a control diet, high-sucrose diet, or high-sucrose diet supplemented with 0.5% myo-inositol for 14 d. Supplementation with myo-inositol decreased the hepatic expression of fructolytic enzyme genes, but not that of glycolytic enzyme genes, and the levels of triglycerides, fatty acid synthase, and KHK proteins in high-sucrose diet-induced fatty liver. The study results suggest that myo-inositol represses primary fructlysis, but not glycolysis, in high-sucrose diet-induced fatty liver.

Dietary supplementation with myo-inositol reduces high-fructose diet-induced hepatic ChREBP binding and acetylation of histones H3 and H4 on the Elovl6 gene in rats

ELOVL fatty acid elongase 6 (ELOVL6) is a long-chain fatty acid elongase, and the hepatic expression of the Elovl6 gene and accumulation of triglycerides (TG) are enhanced by long-term high-fructose intake. Fatty acid synthesis genes, including Elovl6, are regulated by lipogenic transcription factors, sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c) and carbohydrate-responsive element-binding protein (ChREBP). In addition, carbohydrate signals induce the expression of fatty acid synthase not only via these transcription factors but also via histone acetylation. Since a major lipotrope, myo-inositol (MI), can repress short-term high-fructose-induced fatty liver and the expression of fatty acid synthesis genes, we hypothesized that MI might influence SREBP-1c, ChREBP, and histone acetylation of Elovl6 in fatty liver induced by even short-term high-fructose intake. This study aimed to investigate whether dietary supplementation with MI affects Elovl6 expression, SREBP-1 and ChREBP binding, and acetylation of histones H3 and H4 at the Elovl6 promoter in short-term high-fructose diet-induced fatty liver in rats. Rats were fed a control diet, high-fructose diet, or high-fructose diet supplemented with 0.5% MI for 10 days. This study showed that MI supplementation reduced short-term high-fructose diet-induced hepatic expression of the Elovl6 gene, ChREBP binding, but not SREBP-1 binding, and acetylation of histones H3 and H4 at the Elovl6 promoter.

Liver Damage Produced by Malnutrition is Improved by Dietary Supplementation in Mice: Assessment of a Supplement Based on Buriti (A Cerrado Fruit) and Dairy By-products

BACKGROUND

Malnutrition induced by dietary restriction produces several metabolic changes that affect body weight, the digestive system, and annex organs, including the liver. Malnutrition generates an inflammatory state and increases oxidative stress. The liver is one of the body vital organs, becoming necessary to analyze the impact of food supplementation on the repair of possible changes that may occur in this organ due to malnutrition.

AIMS

To evaluate the effects of a low-cost supplementation derived from Buriti and dairy byproducts on liver recovery in malnourished mice, focusing on the expression of oxidative stressrelated genes, as well as biochemical and histological parameters.

METHODS

Swiss mice were divided into six groups and submitted to two treatment phases: food restriction, for malnutrition onset; and renutrition, with mice being fed with different diets.

RESULTS

Our results indicate that dietary supplementation was successful in recovering liver damage caused by malnutrition in animal models. The new supplement has been shown to recover liver damage with similar or superior results compared to the commercial reference supplement on the market.

CONCLUSION

Our work presents a new composition of low cost food supplement based on buriti and dairy by-products, proven to be effective in the malnutrition treatment of malnutrition. The improvements were proven through the recovery of body weight, reduction of inflammation and oxidative stress.

Enzyme and Biological Activities of the Water Extracts from the Plants Aesculus hippocastanum, Olea europaea and Hypericum perforatum That Are Used as Folk Remedies in Turkey

Phenolic compounds are secondary metabolites that are found ubiquitously in plants, fruits, and vegetables. Many studies have shown that regular consumption of these compounds could have a positive effect on our health. The aim of this study was to compare the phytochemical contents of the water extracts from three different plants used as folk remedies in Turkey: Aesculus hippocastanum, Olea europaea, and Hypericum perforatum. A liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) analysis was performed to explore the phenolic profiles. The biological activities of these extracts were also evaluated in terms of their antioxidant activities (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl DPPH, 2,2′-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid ABTS, Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power Assay FRAP, cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity CUPRAC, β-carotene, phosphomolybdenum, and metal chelating) and enzyme inhibitory properties (against acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, and tyrosinase). The aqueous extract of H. perforatum showed the highest levels of total phenolic, flavonoid, and saponin contents. Protocatechuic acid, vanillic acid, verbascoside, hesperidin, hyperoside, apigenin 7-hexosides, and quercetin were the most common compounds found in this species. The results confirm that A. hippocastanum, O. europaea, and H. perforatum represent a potential source of natural-derived molecules with positive properties that could be used as valid starting point for new food supplements, and drugs in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries.

A 12-wk whole-grain wheat intervention protects against hepatic fat: the Graandioos study, a randomized trial in overweight subjects

Background

Whole-grain wheat (WGW) is described as nutritionally superior to refined wheat (RW) and thus advocated as the healthy choice, although evidence from intervention studies is often inconsistent. The liver, as the central organ in energy metabolism, might be an important target organ for WGW interventions.

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential benefits of WGW consumption compared with RW consumption on liver health and associated parameters.

Design

We performed a double-blind, parallel trial in which 50 overweight 45- to 70-y-old men and postmenopausal women were randomly allocated to a 12-wk intervention with either WGW (98 g/d) or RW (98 g/d) products. Before and after the intervention we assessed intrahepatic triglycerides (IHTGs) and fat distribution by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy/magnetic resonance imaging, fecal microbiota composition, adipose tissue gene expression, and several fasting plasma parameters, as well as postprandial plasma lipids after a mixed meal.

Results

Fasting plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, nonesterified fatty acids, and insulin were not affected by RW or WGW intervention. We observed a substantial increase of 49.1% in IHTGs in the RW when compared with the WGW group (P = 0.033). Baseline microbiota composition could not predict the increase in IHTGs after RW, but gut microbiota diversity decreased in the RW group when compared with the WGW group (P = 0.010). In the WGW group, we observed increased postprandial triglyceride levels compared with the RW group (P = 0.020). In addition, the WGW intervention resulted in a trend towards lower fasting levels of the liver acute-phase proteins serum amyloid A (P = 0.057) and C-reactive protein (P = 0.064) when compared to the RW intervention.

Conclusions

A 12-wk RW intervention increases liver fat and might contribute to the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, whereas a 12-wk 98-g/d WGW intervention prevents a substantial increase in liver fat. Our results show that incorporating feasible doses of WGW in the diet at the expense of RW maintains liver health. The study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02385149.

Characterization of the Degree of Food Processing in Relation With Its Health Potential and Effects

Up today technological processes are intended to produce safe and palatable food products. Yet, it is also expected that processing produces healthy and sustainable foods. However, due to the dramatic increase of chronic diseases prevalence worldwide, i.e., obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and some cancers, ultraprocessing has been pointed out as producing unhealthy foods, rich in energy and poor in protective micronutrients and fiber, i.e., "empty" calories. Indeed the 1980s saw massive arrivals of ultraprocessed foods in supermarkets, i.e., fractionated-recombined foods with added ingredients and/or additives. Epidemiological studies clearly emphasized that populations adhering the most to ultraprocessed foods, e.g., processed meat, refined grains, ultraprocessed plant-based foods, and/or sweetened beverages, exhibited the higher prevalence of chronic diseases. This prompted researchers to classify foods according to their degree of processing as with the international NOVA classification (i.e., un/minimally processed, processed, and ultraprocessed foods). More and more studies showed that such a classification makes sense for health. Overall one distinguishes three categories of processes: mechanical, thermal, and fermentative treatments, this latter being the more favorable to food health potential. This chapter has therefore several ambitions: (1) to review association between degree of food processing and chronic disease risk prevalence; (2) to explore the impact of technological processes on food health potential considering both matrix and compositional effects; (3) to discuss the need for classifying food according to their degree of processing in future epidemiological studies; and (4) to analyze consequences of adhering to a more holistic paradigm in both food processing and nutrition.

Factors influencing antioxidant compounds in rice

Epidemiological and clinical studies suggest that the additive/synergistic effects of several bioactive compounds are responsible for the health benefits of rice. Among the leading contenders are phenolic acids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, tocotrienols, tocopherols, λ-oryzanol, and phytic acid, which all possess strong antioxidant activities in vitro. In this review, data related to health effects of rice antioxidants using cultured cells, rodents and humans models are first summarized. The evidence is strong that consumption of rice tocotrienols translates into improved health outcomes. Current research, however, does not strongly support the health-promoting effects of rice tocopherols and phenolic acids. The crucial limitations in studies using rice flavonoids, anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, λ-oryzanol and phytic acid appear to be the appropriateness of the substance tested (i.e., purity), and the scarcity of animal and human interventions. In a second part, rice antioxidants are reviewed with an emphasis on their composition and contents. Taking into account the bioavailability of these compounds, it is evident that a number of factors affect the antioxidant composition of rice, making it difficult to estimate dietary intake. Before harvest, factors including soil type, atmospheric CO₂, chemical inputs, temperature, and degree of ripening are important. After harvest, rice is subjected to processing methods that include drying, parboiling, storage, irradiation, milling, stabilization, soaking, germination, fermentation, boiling, steaming, roasting, baking, and extrusion. Quantitative knowledge about the effects of these processes is summarized in this review. Surprisingly, a high level of agreement was found among study results, which could be useful in manipulating the growing and processing techniques of rice grains to facilitate efficient and safe consumption of antioxidant compounds.

Cyanidin-3-O-β-glucoside combined with its metabolite protocatechuic acid attenuated the activation of mice hepatic stellate cells

Cyanidin-3-O-β-glucoside with the aid of its metabolite protocatechuic acid attenuated the activation of mice hepatic stellate cells.

Cyanidin-3-O-β-glucoside Purified from Black Rice Protects Mice against Hepatic Fibrosis Induced by Carbon Tetrachloride via Inhibiting Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation

This study investigated whether cyanidin-3-O-β-glucoside (Cy-3-G), a predominant anthocyanin, could exert a protective role on liver injury and its further mechanisms of the anti-fibrosis actions in mice. The results demonstrated that the treatment of Cy-3-G (800 mg/kg diet) for 8 weeks significantly attenuated hepatotoxicity and fibrosis in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) administered mice. Cy-3-G strongly down-regulated the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), desmin, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs), which showed its suppression effect on the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). In addition, Cy-3-G favorably regulated oxidative stress and apoptosis in liver. Furthermore, Cy-3-G ameliorated the infiltration of inflammatory cells such as neutrophils and leukocytes and meanwhile suppressed the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and growth factors. In conclusion, daily intake of Cy-3-G could prevent liver fibrosis progression in mice induced by CCl4 through inhibiting HSC activation, which provides a basis for clinical practice of liver fibrosis prevention.

Plants Consumption and Liver Health

The liver is a very important organ with a lot of functions for the host to survive. Dietary components are essential for and can be beneficial or detrimental to the healthy or diseased liver. Plants food is an essential part of the human diet and comprises various compounds which are closely related to liver health. Selected food plants can provide nutritional and medicinal support for liver disease. At the present, the knowledge of the effects of plants on the liver is still incomplete. The most urgent task at the present time is to find the best dietary and medicinal plants for liver health in an endless list of candidates. This review article updates the knowledge about the effects of plants consumption on the health of the liver, putting particular emphasis on the potential beneficial and harmful impact of dietary and medicinal plants on liver function.

Distinct difference in absorption pattern in pigs of betaine provided as a supplement or present naturally in cereal dietary fiber

The net absorption of betaine and choline was determined for 4 h after the first meal of the day in three experiments with porto-arterial catheterized pigs in which betaine was added as a supplement to a low-betaine diet (n=4 pigs) and compared to the net absorption of betaine and choline from high-fiber breads differing in amount and source of dietary fiber (two experiments, n=6 pigs each). Plasma betaine peaked after 30 min when betaine was fed as a supplement, whereas it peaked after 120-180 min when high-fiber breads were fed. Plasma betaine showed no diet×time interaction after feeding with high-fiber breads, indicating that the absorption kinetic did not differ between fiber sources. The net absorption of choline was not affected by the experimental diets. In conclusion, betaine in cereal sources has to be liberated from the matrix prior to absorption, causing delayed absorption.

A shift toward a new holistic paradigm will help to preserve and better process grain products’ food structure for improving their health effects

A holistic approach to grain products will help preserve their food structure and nutrient density and thus their health potential.

Associations between food and beverage groups and major diet-related chronic diseases: an exhaustive review of pooled/meta-analyses and systematic reviews

Associations between food and beverage groups and the risk of diet-related chronic disease (DRCD) have been the subject of intensive research in preventive nutrition. Pooled/meta-analyses and systematic reviews (PMASRs) aim to better characterize these associations. To date, however, there has been no attempt to synthesize all PMASRs that have assessed the relationship between food and beverage groups and DRCDs. The objectives of this review were to aggregate PMASRs to obtain an overview of the associations between food and beverage groups (n = 17) and DRCDs (n = 10) and to establish new directions for future research needs. The present review of 304 PMASRs published between 1950 and 2013 confirmed that plant food groups are more protective than animal food groups against DRCDs. Within plant food groups, grain products are more protective than fruits and vegetables. Among animal food groups, dairy/milk products have a neutral effect on the risk of DRCDs, while red/processed meats tend to increase the risk. Among beverages, tea was the most protective and soft drinks the least protective against DRCDs. For two of the DRCDs examined, sarcopenia and kidney disease, no PMASR was found. Overweight/obesity, type 2 diabetes, and various types of cardiovascular disease and cancer accounted for 289 of the PMASRs. There is a crucial need to further study the associations between food and beverage groups and mental health, skeletal health, digestive diseases, liver diseases, kidney diseases, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.

Effect of rye bread enriched with tomato pomace on fat absorption and lipid metabolism in rats fed a high-fat diet

BACKGROUND

Tomato pomace (TP), obtained as a residue of tomato processing, was used to enrich rye bread (RB). The sensory profile of this functional bread (RB+TP) was characterised, and its fat absorption and lipid metabolism properties in high-fat-fed rats were studied.

RESULTS

Intake of the HF diet containing RB, RB+TP, or TP alone increased faecal energy and fat excretion, but did not affect animal growth or visceral fat weight. Both RB and RB+TP diminished the negative impact of the HF diet, lowering the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) and the total liver lipid contents by 31.6% and 24%, respectively. The experimental diets had no effect on liver S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) concentrations or on the S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) to SAH ratio, though the lowest SAM levels were observed in the HF+TP group. No significant differences were detected in blood homocysteine, triglycerides, glucose or insulin levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Although RB+TP incorporated into a HF diet may lead to a decrease in AIP and total liver lipid content, this effect does not depend on the components of TP, but rather on the RB ingredients. However, pure TP, in the doses used in this study, may potentially play a role in the energy balance via faecal loss of lipids.

Toward a new philosophy of preventive nutrition: from a reductionist to a holistic paradigm to improve nutritional recommendations

The reductionist approach has been predominant to date in human nutrition research and has unraveled some of the fundamental mechanisms at the basis of food nutrients (e.g., those that involve deficiency diseases). In Western countries, along with progress in medicine and pharmacology, the reductionist approach helped to increase life expectancy. However, despite 40 y of research in nutrition, epidemics of obesity and diabetes are growing each year worldwide, both in developed and developing countries, leading to a decrease in healthy life years. Yet, interactions between nutrition-health relations cannot be modeled on the basis of a linear cause-effect relation between 1 food compound and 1 physiologic effect but rather from multicausal nonlinear relations. In other words, explaining the whole from the specific by a bottom-up reductionist approach has its limits. A top-down approach becomes necessary to investigate complex issues through a holistic view before addressing any specific question to explain the whole. However, it appears that both approaches are necessary and mutually reinforcing. In this review, Eastern and Western research perspectives are first presented, laying out bases for what could be the consequences of applying a reductionist versus holistic approach to research in nutrition vis-à-vis public health, environmental sustainability, breeding, biodiversity, food science and processing, and physiology for improving nutritional recommendations. Therefore, research that replaces reductionism with a more holistic approach will reveal global and efficient solutions to the problems encountered from the field to the plate. Preventive human nutrition can no longer be considered as "pharmacology" or foods as "drugs."

The search for a new paradigm to study micronutrient and phytochemical bioavailability: from reductionism to holism

The study of micronutrient and phytochemical (MaP, i.e., non-energy nutrients) bioavailability has been mainly studied through a reductionist and pharmacological approach. This has led to associate one health effect to one MaP. However, human interventional studies have given conflicting and disappointing results about MaP supplementation. This is because the health effect is the result of the synergetic action of numerous MaPs supplied by foods and/or diets at nutritional doses. A food is not a drug. Therefore, there is a need for more holistic approach to study MaP bioavailability, then their health effect to achieve general recommendations. This paper aims to hypothesize for such a paradigm shift in this topic and to lay new foundations for research in MaP bioavailability.