Rice Bran Extract Reduces the Risk of Atherosclerosis in Post-Menopausal Vietnamese Women

A Review of Healthy Dietary Choices for Cardiovascular Disease: From Individual Nutrients and Foods to Dietary Patterns

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the first cause of mortality globally. Diet plays a fundamental role in cardiovascular health and is closely linked to the development of CVD. Numerous human studies have provided evidence on the relationship between diet and CVD. By discussing the available findings on the dietary components that potentially influence CVD progression and prevention, this review attempted to provide the current state of evidence on healthy dietary choices for CVD. We focus on the effects of individual macronutrients, whole food products, and dietary patterns on the risks of CVD, and the data from population-based trials, observational studies, and meta-analyses are summarized. Unhealthy dietary habits, such as high intake of saturated fatty acids, sugar-sweetened beverages, red meat, and processed meat as well as high salt intake are associated with the increased risk of CVD. Conversely, increased consumption of plant-based components such as dietary fiber, nuts, fruits, and vegetables is shown to be effective in reducing CVD risk factors. The Mediterranean diet appears to be one of the most evidence-based dietary patterns beneficial for CVD prevention. However, there is still great debate regarding whether the supplementation of vitamins and minerals confers cardioprotective benefits. This review provides new insights into the role of dietary factors that are harmful or protective in CVD, which can be adopted for improved cardiovascular health.

Phytosterols in rice bran and their health benefits

With the continuous technological innovation in the high-value utilization of rice bran byproducts, rice bran oil retains a higher concentration of beneficial components such as a well-balanced composition of fatty acids and abundant phytosterols. This makes it a highly nutritious and healthy vegetable oil. This review provides an overview of the advancements made in separating, purifying, and processing phytosterols in rice bran oil. The review also introduces techniques for assessing the stability of rice bran oil. Moreover, the review emphasizes the nutritional value of phytosterols found in rice bran oil, highlighting their various health benefits, including their anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, antibacterial, cholesterol-lowering, skin-protective, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, neuroprotective, gastroprotective, and immune-enhancing effects. Attaining a comprehensive understanding of the research progress made in phytosterols derived from rice bran oil can offer valuable guidance for the efficient utilization of rice bran.

Effects of cereal bran consumption on cardiometabolic risk factors: A systematic review and meta-analysis

AIMS

Cardiovascular disease is a prevalent worldwide disease, and cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRFs) include hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, and adiposity. Healthy diets are the critical factor in controlling these CMRFs risks, especially cereal bran which contains many beneficial substances. However, there are still contradictions in the indicators of improving CMRFs by bran from different grain sources or even the same grain source. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of cereal bran consumption on CMRFs.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Eligible randomized controlled studies were searched in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, the Cochrane Library and Web of Science until February 2023. The random-effects model was used to calculate overall effect sizes of weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Finally, 22 studies were included in the present meta-analysis. Compared to the control, cereal bran consumption had no significant effect on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, waist circumference, and body mass index, but could reduce systolic blood pressure (WMD: -1.59; 95% CI: -2.45 to -0.72), diastolic blood pressure (WMD: -1.96; 95% CI: -3.89 to -0.04), total cholesterol (WMD: -0.19; 95% CI: -0.34 to -0.04), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (WMD: -0.21; 95% CI: -0.38 to -0.04), and fasting blood glucose (WMD: -0.13; 95% CI: -0.24 to -0.01). Additionally, oat bran can lower blood lipids in individuals with lipid diseases and blood pressure in obese or hypertensive patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Cereal bran could significantly reduce blood pressure, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and fasting blood glucose in individuals with CMRFs, and oat bran had the most obvious effect.

The effects of rice bran supplementation for management of blood lipids: A GRADE-assessed systematic review, dose-response meta-analysis, and meta-regression of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to investigate the effects of rice bran supplementation on serum lipid profile levels.

METHODS

We searched PubMed/Medline, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, and Google Scholar using related keywords. Published RCTs exploring the effects of rice bran consumption on lipid profile were searched up to June 2022. Evidence certainty was assessed on the basis of the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. The data were pooled using a random-effects model and reported as weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for each outcome.

RESULTS

Meta-analysis of eight RCTs (with 11 effect sizes) showed no significant effect of rice bran supplementation on serum levels of triglyceride (WMD: -11.38 mg/dl; 95% CI: -27.73, 4.96; P = 0.17), total cholesterol (WMD: -0.68 mg/dl; 95% CI: -7.25, 5.88; P = 0.834), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (WMD: -1.68 mg/dl; 95% CI: -8.46, 5.09; P = 0.627) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (WMD: 0.16 mg/dl; 95% CI: -1.52, 1.85; P = 0.848) compared to control group.

CONCLUSION

Our meta-analysis suggests that rice bran supplementation has no significant effects on serum levels of lipid profile components. However, larger studies with longer durations and improved methodological quality are needed before firm conclusions can be reached.

Anti-Obesity Effect of Rice Bran Extract on High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice

Obesity involving adipose tissue growth and development are associated with angiogenesis and extracellular matrix remodeling. Rice bran has antioxidant and cardioprotective properties, and can act as a food supplement with potential health benefits, such as lowering blood pressure, hepatic steatosis, and inflammation. Therefore, we hypothesized that rice bran extract (RBE) can regulate adipose tissue growth and obesity. Male Institute of Cancer Research mice were fed with a high-fat diet (HFD) for 8 weeks and then supplemented with 220 and 1,100 mg/kg/d RBE while the low-fat diet group (control) were not. In addition to body weight, adipose tissue mass, and vessel density, we evaluated the mRNA expression of angiogenic factors such as matrix metalloproteinases, Mmp-2, Mmp-9, and the vascular endothelial growth factor (Vegf) in visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Administration of RBE to HFD-induced obese mice reduced the body weight and adipose tissue mass compared with untreated mice. It also decreased blood vessel density in the adipose tissue. Furthermore, RBE downregulated Vegf and Mmp-2 mRNA levels in visceral fat tissue. These results demonstrate that RBE, at high concentrations, significantly reduces adipose tissue mass and prevents obesity development in HFD-induced obese mice, which might be partly mediated via an anti-angiogenic mechanism.

A Systematic Review of Physical Activity Intervention Programs in ASEAN Countries: Efficacy and Future Directions

A systematic review was conducted on the efficacy of interventions to improve physical activity. PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science were scanned for eligible studies published from 1978 to August 2021, resulting in a total of 52 relevant studies for review. The Downs and Black checklist was used as a quality assessment ool for a risk of bias assessment. The 52 studies were then broadly categorised into three major approach types: informational, behavioural and/or social, as well as direct. Within each major approach, studies were further sub-categorised into more specific intervention types before being assessed for their efficacy and applicability. Overall, the intervention types that seemed to be the most efficacious in increasing physical activity levels were those that involved home-based information provision, community-wide campaigns, incentivised change, individually adapted health behaviour programs, family-based social support interventions and the provision of self-monitoring tools. However, the results must be interpreted holistically, as many of the successful interventions included more than one approach type and success is likely contingent on effectively addressing several concurrent facets. The systematic review is registered on PROSPERO. Registration number: 282752.

Biological Functions and Activities of Rice Bran as a Functional Ingredient: A Review

Rice bran (RB) is a nutrient-rich by-product of the rice milling process. It consists of pericarp, seed coat, nucellus, and aleurone layer. RB is a rich source of a protein, fat, dietary fibers, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals (mainly oryzanols and tocopherols), and is currently mostly used as animal feed. Various studies have revealed the beneficial health effects of RB, which result from its functional components including dietary fiber, rice bran protein, and gamma-oryzanol. The health effects of RB including antidiabetic, lipid-lowering, hypotensive, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects, while its consumption also improves bowel function. These health benefits have drawn increasing attention to RB in food applications and as a nutraceutical product to mitigate metabolic risk factors in humans. This review therefore focuses on RB and its health benefits.

Dietary fiber and the microbiota: A narrative review by a group of experts from the Asociación Mexicana de Gastroenterología

Dietary fiber intake is one of the most influential and efficacious strategies for modulating the gut microbiota. Said fiber can be digested by the microbiota itself, producing numerous metabolites, which include the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). SCFAs have local and systemic functions that impact the composition and function of the gut microbiota, and consequently, human health. The aim of the present narrative review was to provide a document that serves as a frame of reference for a clear understanding of dietary fiber and its direct and indirect effects on health. The direct benefits of dietary fiber intake can be dependent on or independent of the gut microbiota. The use of dietary fiber by the gut microbiota involves several factors, including the fiber's physiochemical characteristics. Dietary fiber type influences the gut microbiota because not all bacterial species have the same capacity to produce the enzymes needed for its degradation. A low-fiber diet can affect the balance of the SCFAs produced. Dietary fiber indirectly benefits cardiometabolic health, digestive health, certain functional gastrointestinal disorders, and different diseases.

Dietary fiber and the microbiota: A narrative review by a group of experts from the Asociación Mexicana de Gastroenterología

Dietary fiber intake is one of the most influential and efficacious strategies for modulating the gut microbiota. Said fiber can be digested by the microbiota itself, producing numerous metabolites, which include the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). SCFAs have local and systemic functions that impact the composition and function of the gut microbiota, and consequently, human health. The aim of the present narrative review was to provide a document that serves as a frame of reference for a clear understanding of dietary fiber and its direct and indirect effects on health. The direct benefits of dietary fiber intake can be dependent on or independent of the gut microbiota. The use of dietary fiber by the gut microbiota involves several factors, including the fiber's physiochemical characteristics. Dietary fiber type influences the gut microbiota because not all bacterial species have the same capacity to produce the enzymes needed for its degradation. A low-fiber diet can affect the balance of the SCFAs produced. Dietary fiber indirectly benefits cardiometabolic health, digestive health, certain functional gastrointestinal disorders, and different diseases.

The impact of rice bran oil consumption on the serum lipid profile in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Dyslipidemia/hyperlipidemia is recognized among the risk factors for lifestyle related diseases. A healthy diet, rich in vegetable oils such as rice bran oil (RBO), may aid to improve serum lipid levels. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the effects of rice bran oil (RBO) consumption on serum total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) and triglyceride (TG) levels in adults. The following online databases were searched for manuscripts published until October 7^th 2020: PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Clarivate Analytics' Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Google Scholar. The effect sizes were expressed as weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). A total of 8 eligible trials with 14 effect sizes were included in this meta-analysis. Our analysis revealed that the consumption of RBO significantly decreased serum TC (WMD: -7.29 mg/dL, 95% CI: -11.32, -3.25, P = 0.000), LDL-c (WMD: -7.62 mg/dL, 95% CI: -11.10, -4.14, P = 0.000) and TG (WMD: -9.19 mg/dL, 95% CI: -17.99, -0.38, P = 0.041) levels. So, available evidence suggests that RBO consumption can significantly decrease serum TC, LDL-c and TG levels. Hence, it may play a role in reducing dyslipidemia/hyperlipidemia risk.

Analysis of steryl glucosides in rice bran-based fermented food by LC/ESI-MS/MS

Steryl glucosides (SGs) and acylated steryl glucosides (ASGs) are phytochemicals found in plant-based foods and are known as bioactive compounds with potential health benefits. These include anti-inflammatory properties, anti-diabetic effects, and modulation of immunoregulatory functions as well as having cholesterol lowering effects. In this study, three major SGs, i.e., glucosides of β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, and campesterol, were synthesized and used as standards for measurement of their contents in rice bran (RB)-based fermented food (FBRA) utilizing Aspergillus oryzae and raw material (RM). The compounds were quantified using liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry. It was found that β-sitosteryl glucoside was most abundant among the analyzed glucosides in both samples, and the contents of each SG in FBRA decreased about 35% from those of RM. In contrast to SGs, the contents of ASGs in FBRA increased 1.5-fold during the fermentation process as evidenced by an alkaline hydrolysis. The present results suggest that the FBRA might have greater beneficial effects than the RM, since ASGs have shown to have more potent cholesterol lowering effects and stronger anti-diabetic properties than SGs.

Effectiveness of germinated brown rice on metabolic syndrome: A randomized control trial in Vietnam

To treating Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) in the human body by using cooked pre-germinated brown rice (PGBR), a randomized control trial was done in Vietnam. 80 subjects (65.1 ± 3.81 years old) separated into two groups in pairs were assigned a daily intake of 200 g PGBR, and the subjects in the placebo group were kept in normal living ways (consuming white rice). Before baseline and after 3 months of the intervention, anthropometric measurements, blood chemical examinations, a nutrition survey, and physical activity measurements were conducted. The main finding showed that the percentages of patients with MetS in the PGBR group were reduced significantly compared to the placebo group (p < 0.05). Serum HDL cholesterol concentrations were significantly increased from 1.11 (mmol/l) to 1.44 (mmol/l) compared to the placebo group (p < 0.05). The findings suggest that PGBR may affect HDL cholesterol, PGBR might be considered in reducing the risk of MetS in Vietnam.

Rice Bran Derived Bioactive Compounds Modulate Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Disease and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: An Updated Review

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are two chronic diseases that have claimed more lives globally than any other disease. Dietary supplementation of functional foods containing bioactive compounds is recognised to result in improvements in free-radical-mediated oxidative stress. Emerging evidence indicates that bioactive compounds derived from rice bran (RB) have therapeutic potential against cellular oxidative stress. This review aims to describe the mechanistic pathways behind CVD and T2DM development and the therapeutic potential of polyphenols derived from RB against these chronic diseases.

Dietary Fiber, Atherosclerosis, and Cardiovascular Disease

Observational studies have shown that dietary fiber intake is associated with decreased risk of cardiovascular disease. Dietary fiber is a non-digestible form of carbohydrates, due to the lack of the digestive enzyme in humans required to digest fiber. Dietary fibers and lignin are intrinsic to plants and are classified according to their water solubility properties as either soluble or insoluble fibers. Water-soluble fibers include pectin, gums, mucilage, fructans, and some resistant starches. They are present in some fruits, vegetables, oats, and barley. Soluble fibers have been shown to lower blood cholesterol by several mechanisms. On the other hand, water-insoluble fibers mainly include lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose; whole-grain foods, bran, nuts, and seeds are rich in these fibers. Water-insoluble fibers have rapid gastric emptying, and as such may decrease the intestinal transit time and increase fecal bulk, thus promoting digestive regularity. In addition to dietary fiber, isolated and extracted fibers are known as functional fiber and have been shown to induce beneficial health effects when added to food during processing. The recommended daily allowances (RDAs) for total fiber intake for men and women aged 19–50 are 38 gram/day and 25 gram/day, respectively. It is worth noting that the RDA recommendations are for healthy people and do not apply to individuals with some chronic diseases. Studies have shown that most Americans do not consume the recommended intake of fiber. This review will summarize the current knowledge regarding dietary fiber, sources of food containing fiber, atherosclerosis, and heart disease risk reduction.

Ferulic Acid Supplementation Improves Lipid Profiles, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammatory Status in Hyperlipidemic Subjects: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Ferulic acid is the most abundant phenolic compound found in vegetables and cereal grains. In vitro and animal studies have shown ferulic acid has anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-oxidative, and anti-inflammatory effects. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of ferulic acid supplementation on lipid profiles, oxidative stress, and inflammatory status in hyperlipidemia. The study design is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Subjects with hyperlipidemia were randomly divided into two groups. The treatment group (n = 24) was given ferulic acid (1000 mg daily) and the control group (n = 24) was provided with a placebo for six weeks. Lipid profiles, biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation were assessed before and after the intervention. Ferulic acid supplementation demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in total cholesterol (8.1%; p = 0.001), LDL-C (9.3%; p < 0.001), triglyceride (12.1%; p = 0.049), and increased HDL-C (4.3%; p = 0.045) compared with the placebo. Ferulic acid also significantly decreased the oxidative stress biomarker, MDA (24.5%; p < 0.001). Moreover, oxidized LDL-C was significantly decreased in the ferulic acid group (7.1%; p = 0.002) compared with the placebo group. In addition, ferulic acid supplementation demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in the inflammatory markers hs-CRP (32.66%; p < 0.001) and TNF-α (13.06%; p < 0.001). These data indicate ferulic acid supplementation can improve lipid profiles and oxidative stress, oxidized LDL-C, and inflammation in hyperlipidemic subjects. Therefore, ferulic acid has the potential to reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors.