Whole egg consumption increases gene expression within the glutathione pathway in the liver of Zucker Diabetic Fatty rats

Type 2 diabetes associated with areca nut usage: A systematic review and meta-analysis

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

This study aimed to evaluate the potential association between chewing areca nuts and the occurrence of type 2 diabetes and to investigate whether chewing status (current chewers or ex-chewers) affects this association.

METHODS

We searched The Cochrane Library, PubMed, and EMBASE databases for relevant studies up to May 21, 2023, using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Three population-based studies conducted in Taiwan were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis.

RESULTS

When combined current or ex-chewers were more likely to develop diabetes (Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.45; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.30-1.62) compared to the never chewers. Ex-chewers had a higher risk of diabetes (OR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.45-1.62) compared to never chewers. However, there was no evidence that current chewers were associated with a higher risk of diabetes compared to never chewers. Male current and ex-chewers were associated with higher risk of diabetes compared with never chewers (OR: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.49-1.61). For females there was insufficient evidence.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Existing evidence suggests a link between chewing areca nuts and the development of type 2 diabetes. Therefore, areca chewers should monitor diabetes-related biomarkers.

Indole-3-Acetic Acid Alters Intestinal Microbiota and Alleviates Ankylosing Spondylitis in Mice

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a systemic, chronic, and inflammatory autoimmune disease associated with the disorder of intestinal microbiota. Unfortunately, effective therapies for AS are lacking. Recent evidence has indicated that indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), an important microbial tryptophan metabolite, can modulate intestinal homeostasis and suppress inflammatory responses. However, reports have not examined the in vivo protective effects of IAA against AS. In this study, we investigated the protective effects and underlying mechanisms through which IAA acts against AS. We constructed a proteoglycan (PG)-induced AS mouse model and administered IAA (50 mg/kg body weight) by intraperitoneal injection daily for 4 weeks. The effects of IAA on AS mice were evaluated by examining disease severity, intestinal barrier function, aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) pathway, T-helper 17 (Th17)/T regulatory (Treg) balance, and inflammatory cytokine levels. The intestinal microbiota compositions were profiled through whole-genome sequencing. We observed that IAA decreased the incidence and severity of AS in mice, inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor α [TNF-α], interleukin [IL]-6, IL-17A, and IL-23), promoted the production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, and reduced the ratios of pro-/anti- inflammatory cytokines. IAA ameliorated pathological changes in the ileum and improved intestinal mucosal barrier function. IAA also activated the AhR pathway, upregulated the transcription factor forehead box protein P3 (FoxP3) and increased Treg cells, and downregulated the transcription factors retinoic acid receptor–related orphan receptor gamma t (RORγt) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and decreased Th17 cells. Furthermore, IAA altered the composition of the intestinal microbiota composition by increasing Bacteroides and decreasing Proteobacteria and Firmicutes, in addition to increasing the abundances of Bifidobacterium pseudolongum and Mucispirillum schaedleri. In conclusion, IAA exerted several protective effects against PG-induced AS in mice, which was mediated by the restoration of balance among the intestinal microbial community, activating the AhR pathway, and inhibiting inflammation. IAA might represent a novel therapeutic approach for AS.

RNA Sequencing Reveals Key Metabolic Pathways Are Modified by Short-Term Whole Egg Consumption

Eggs are protein-rich, nutrient-dense, and contain bioactive ingredients that have been shown to modify gene expression and impact health. To understand the effects of egg consumption on tissue-specific mRNA and microRNA expression, we examined the role of whole egg consumption (20% protein, w/w) on differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between rat (n = 12) transcriptomes in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), liver, kidney, and visceral adipose tissue (VAT). Principal component analysis with hierarchical clustering was used to examine transcriptome profiles between dietary treatment groups. We performed Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis as well as genetic network and disease enrichment analysis to examine which metabolic pathways were the most predominantly altered in each tissue. Overall, our data demonstrates that whole egg consumption for 2 weeks modified the expression of 52 genes in the PFC, 22 genes in VAT, and two genes in the liver (adj p < 0.05). Additionally, 16 miRNAs were found to be differentially regulated in the PFC, VAT, and liver, but none survived multiple testing correction. The main pathways influenced by WE consumption were glutathione metabolism in VAT and cholesterol biosynthesis in the PFC. These data highlight key pathways that may be involved in diseases and are impacted by acute consumption of a diet containing whole eggs.