Pretreatment with millet-derived selenylated soluble dietary fiber ameliorates dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice by regulating inflammation and maintaining gut microbiota balance

The Role of the Trace Element Selenium in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

One set of chronic gastrointestinal disorders called inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is defined by persistent, non-specific inflammation. Abdominal pain, hematochezia, diarrhea, and other symptoms are among its clinical signs. Currently, managing and treating IBD remains a significant challenge. Patients with IBD frequently have deficits in trace elements. Selenium (Se) is one of the necessary trace elements for normal organismal function. It has several regulatory effects, including anti-oxidation, anti-inflammatory, and defensive properties, via inducing the synthesis of selenoproteins. Patients with IBD have been shown to have lower Se levels in epidemiologic research studies. Several experimental models of IBD suggest that Se or selenoproteins play a key role in microinflammation. We discuss the relationship between Se and IBD in this review, with an emphasis on a summary of potential mechanisms of action and applications of Se in IBD.

Preparation and characterization of soluble dietary fiber from tiger nut residues, showing enhanced antioxidant activity and metal-ion-binding properties

To improve the utilization of soluble dietary fiber (SDF) from tiger nut residues, the response surface methodology was used to optimize the conditions of superfine grinding to produce SDF with antioxidant and metal-ion-binding properties. The yield was increased (30.56%) and the average particle diameter of SDF was decreased (D50: 32.80 μm) under the optimal conditions (a proportion of grinding medium of 100%, a feeding mass of 0.90 kg, a grinding time of 20 min, and a moisture content of 8.00%). In addition, superfine grinding substantially modified the surface morphology and increased the SDF content and the proportion of monosaccharides by decreasing the molecular weight. Moreover, superfine grinding remarkably enhanced the in vitro antioxidant activities (ABTS+, DPPḤ, and ·OH) of the SDF, which also exhibited favorable metal-ion-binding properties (Ca2+, Zn2+, and Co2+). These results suggest that superfine grinding can be used as a technique to modify dietary fiber to manufacture functional SDF.

Physiological Benefits of Novel Selenium Delivery via Nanoparticles

Dietary selenium (Se) intake within the physiological range is critical to maintain various biological functions, including antioxidant defence, redox homeostasis, growth, reproduction, immunity, and thyroid hormone production. Chemical forms of dietary Se are diverse, including organic Se (selenomethionine, selenocysteine, and selenium-methyl-selenocysteine) and inorganic Se (selenate and selenite). Previous studies have largely investigated and compared the health impacts of dietary Se on agricultural stock and humans, where dietary Se has shown various benefits, including enhanced growth performance, immune functions, and nutritional quality of meats, with reduced oxidative stress and inflammation, and finally enhanced thyroid health and fertility in humans. The emergence of nanoparticles presents a novel and innovative technology. Notably, Se in the form of nanoparticles (SeNPs) has lower toxicity, higher bioavailability, lower excretion in animals, and is linked to more powerful and superior biological activities (at a comparable Se dose) than traditional chemical forms of dietary Se. As a result, the development of tailored SeNPs for their use in intensive agriculture and as candidate for therapeutic drugs for human pathologies is now being actively explored. This review highlights the biological impacts of SeNPs on growth and reproductive performances, their role in modulating heat and oxidative stress and inflammation and the varying modes of synthesis of SeNPs.