Metabolic Syndrome Programming and Reprogramming: Mechanistic Aspects of Oxidative Stress

Exploring Nutritional Status and Metabolic Imbalances in Children with FASD: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Malnutrition is a significant concern in paediatric populations, particularly among children with neurodevelopmental disorders such as foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). This study aimed to examine macronutrient and micronutrient imbalances and assess the nutritional status of a group of patients with FASD.

METHODS

This study involved an analysis of the serum levels of key nutrients in a group of children diagnosed with FASD. Macronutrients and micronutrients were measured to identify any imbalances, including vitamin D, B12, E, A, albumin, and serum protein, among others.

RESULTS

The study found a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among the patients. Additionally, elevated serum concentrations of micronutrients such as vitamin B12, E, and A were observed in 8%, 7%, and 19% of patients, respectively. Macronutrient imbalances were noted, including high levels of albumin and serum protein, indicating a possible metabolic disturbance. Unexpectedly, high rates of hypercholesterolemia were observed, raising concerns about an increased risk of metabolic syndrome in this population.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that the principal issue among patients with FASD is an altered metabolism rather than nutritional deficiencies. Potential causes of these abnormalities could include oxidative stress and changes in body composition. The results underline the need for further research to better understand the unique nutritional challenges in children with FASD and to guide the development of targeted therapeutic strategies.

The Effects of Antioxidant Supplementation on the Pathologic Mechanisms of Metabolic Syndrome and Cardiovascular Disease Development

In people with obesity, diabetes, and hypertension, lipid and glucose metabolism and oxidative stress generation interact. This condition, known as a "metabolic syndrome" (MetS), presents a global challenge and appears to be the underlying mechanism for the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). This review is designed based on evidence indicating the pathogenic mechanisms of MetS. In detail, we will look at the mechanisms of oxidative stress induction in MetS, the effects of elevated oxidative stress levels on the condition's pathophysiology, and matters related to endothelial function. According to different components of the MetS pathophysiological network, the effects of antioxidants and endothelial dysfunction are reviewed. After considering the strategic role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of MetS and its associated CVDs, oxidative stress management by antioxidant supplementation seems an appropriate therapeutic approach.

The Impact of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor on Antenatal Chemical Exposure-Induced Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Programming

Early life exposure lays the groundwork for the risk of developing cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome in adulthood. Various environmental chemicals to which pregnant mothers are commonly exposed can disrupt fetal programming, leading to a wide range of CKM phenotypes. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) has a key role as a ligand-activated transcription factor in sensing these environmental chemicals. Activating AHR through exposure to environmental chemicals has been documented for its adverse impacts on cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, kidney disease, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, as evidenced by both epidemiological and animal studies. In this review, we compile current human evidence and findings from animal models that support the connection between antenatal chemical exposures and CKM programming, focusing particularly on AHR signaling. Additionally, we explore potential AHR modulators aimed at preventing CKM syndrome. As the pioneering review to present evidence advocating for the avoidance of toxic chemical exposure during pregnancy and deepening our understanding of AHR signaling, this has the potential to mitigate the global burden of CKM syndrome in the future.

A bibliometrics study on the status quo and hot topics of pathogenesis of psoriasis based on Web of Science

BACKGROUND

Psoriasis is an immune-mediated chronic inflammatory skin disease. Great progress has been made in the pathogenesis of psoriasis in recent years, but there is no bibliometric study on the pathogenesis of psoriasis. The purpose of this study was to use bibliometrics method to analyze the research overview and hot spots of pathogenesis of psoriasis in recent 10 years, so as to further understand the development trend and frontier of this field.

METHODS

The core literatures on the pathogenesis of psoriasis were searched in the Web of Science database, and analyzed by VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and Bibliometrix in terms of the annual publication volume, country, institution, author, journal, keywords, and so on.

RESULTS

A total of 3570 literatures were included. China and the United States were the main research countries in this field, and Rockefeller University was the main research institution. Krueger JG, the author, had the highest number of publications and the greatest influence, and Boehncke (2015) was the most cited local literature. J INVEST DERMATOL takes the top spot in terms of the number of Dermatol articles and citation frequency. The main research hotspots in the pathogenesis of psoriasis are as follows: (1) The interaction between innate and adaptive immunity and the related inflammatory loop dominated by Th17 cells and IL-23/IL-17 axis are still the key mechanisms of psoriasis; (2) molecular genetic studies represented by Long Non-Coding RNA (LncRNA); (3) integrated research of multi-omics techniques represented by gut microbiota; and (4) Exploring the comorbidity mechanism of psoriasis represented by Metabolic Syndrome (MetS).

CONCLUSION

This study is a summary of the current research status and hot trend of the pathogenesis of psoriasis, which will provide some reference for the scholars studying the pathogenesis of psoriasis.

Research progress on the effects of adverse exposure during pregnancy on skeletal muscle function in the offspring

Skeletal muscle plays a crucial role in maintaining metabolism, energy homeostasis, movement, as well as endocrine function. The gestation period is a critical stage for myogenesis and development of the skeletal muscle. Adverse environmental exposures during pregnancy may impose various effects on the skeletal muscle health of the offspring. Maternal obesity during pregnancy can mediate lipid deposition in the skeletal muscle of the offspring by affecting fetal skeletal muscle metabolism and inflammation-related pathways. Poor dietary habits during pregnancy, such as high sugar and high fat intake, can affect autophagy of skeletal muscle mitochondria and reduce the quality of the offspring skeletal muscle. Nutritional deficiencies during pregnancy can affect the development of the offspring skeletal muscle through epigenetic modifications. Gestational diabetes may affect the function of the offspring skeletal muscle by upregulating the levels of miR-15a and miR-15b in the offspring. Exposure to environmental endocrine disruptors during pregnancy may impair skeletal muscle function by interfering with insulin receptor-related signaling pathways. This article reviews the research progress on effects and possible mechanisms of adverse maternal exposures during pregnancy on the offspring skeletal muscle function based on clinical and animal studies, aiming to provide scientific evidence for the prevention and treatment strategies of birth defects in the skeletal muscle.

Effects of ginseng consumption on the biomarkers of oxidative stress: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Oxidative stress (OS) is a key factor involved in the initiation and development of chronic diseases. Despite its widespread acceptance as an antioxidant, the effects of ginseng on OS in human clinical trials have not been comprehensively analyzed. Therefore, this study aimed to synthesize the results of previous randomized clinical trials (RCTs) examining the impact of ginseng consumption on OS indicators. PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane databases were searched for articles on the effects of ginseng consumption on oxidative stress markers up to March 20, 2023. Standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess effect sizes. Twelve RCTs with 15 effect sizes revealed that the effects of ginseng lowered serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (SMD = 0.45, 95% CI: -0.87, -0.08; p = 0.03) and significantly increased the serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (SMD = 0.23, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.45; p = 0.04), oxidative dismutase (SOD) (SMD = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.21, 0.57; p < 0.0001), glutathione (GSH) (SMD = 0.36; 95% CI: 0.11, 0.61; p = 0.005), and glutathione reductase (GR) (SMD = 0.56; 95% CI: 0.31, 0.81; p < 0.0001) levels compared to the effects of placebo. However, the effects on serum glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT) were not significant. Moreover, subgroup analysis based on intervention duration showed that ginseng consumption increased GPx (SMD = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.05, 1.78; p = 0.039) and CAT (SMD = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.27, 1.21; p = 0.002) levels after more than 4 weeks of intervention. According to the results of this meta-analysis, ginseng supplementation dramatically reduced MDA levels and increased TAC, SOD, GSH, and GR levels. Our results open up a new line of defense against oxidative stress-induced diseases.

Metabolic Syndrome as a Factor of Impairment of Antioxidant Defense System in Youth with T1DM

Research indicates that adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) may develop both metabolic syndrome (MetS) and oxidative stress. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that MetS could potentially affect antioxidant defense parameters. The study recruited adolescents aged 10-17 who had been diagnosed with T1DM, and divided them into two groups: "MetS+" (n = 22), who had been diagnosed with MetS, and "MetS-" (n = 81), who did not have metabolic syndrome. A control group consisting of 60 healthy peers without T1DM was included for comparison. The study examined cardiovascular parameters, such as complete lipid profile and estimated glucose disposal rate (eGDR), as well as markers of antioxidant defense. The results revealed a statistically significant difference between the MetS+ and the MetS- group in terms of total antioxidant status (TAS) (1.186 mmol/L vs. 1.330 mmol/L), and oxidative stress index (OSI) levels (0.666 vs. 0.533). Furthermore, multivariate correspondence analysis identified individuals with HbA1c < 8%; eGDR > 8 mg/kg/min, using either flash or continuous glucose monitoring systems, as MetS- patients. The study also found that eGDR (AUC 0.85, p < 0.001), OSI and HbA1c (AUC 0.71, p < 0.001) markers may be useful for diagnosing the onset of MetS in adolescents with T1DM.

Potential use of seaweed polysaccharides as prebiotics for management of metabolic syndrome: a review

Seaweed polysaccharides (SPs) obtained from seaweeds are a class of functional prebiotics. SPs can regulate glucose and lipid anomalies, affect appetite, reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, and therefore have great potential for managing metabolic syndrome (MetS). SPs are poorly digested by the human gastrointestinal tract but are available to the gut microbiota to produce metabolites and exert a series of positive effects, which may be the mechanism by which SPs render their anti-MetS effects. This article reviews the potential of SPs as prebiotics in the management of MetS-related metabolic disturbances. The structure of SPs and studies related to the process of their degradation by gut bacteria and their therapeutic effects on MetS are highlighted. In summary, this review provides new perspectives on SPs as prebiotics to prevent and treat MetS.

Testing the Feasibility and Dietary Impact of Macaroni Fortified with Green Tea and Turmeric Curcumin Extract in Diabetic Rats

Macaroni is a commercially available Italian food product that is popular among consumers around the world. The supplementation of green tea extract (GTE) and turmeric curcumin extract (TCE) in macaroni may serve as promising and beneficial bioactive ingredients. We aimed to produce functional macaroni, assess the degree of consumer satisfaction and study the antidiabetic activity in diabetic rats. In this study, macaroni was fortified with GTE, TCE and a mixture of GTE and TCE ratio of 1:1, w/w (GTE/TCE). The resulting products were then analyzed in terms of their chemical compositions, while the degree of consumer satisfaction was monitored and the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects in streptozotocin (STZ)-rats were investigated. GTE/TCE-M exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity (p < 0.05), while phenolics were most abundant in GTE-M. The overall preference for GTE-M, TCE-M and GTE/TCE-M were within ranges of 4.7-5.1, 5.9-6.7 and 6.2-8.2, respectively, in the nine-point hedonic scale. Consumption of these three preparations of macaroni (30 and 300 mg/kg each) neither decreased nor exacerbated increasing blood glucose levels in diabetic rats, while GTE-M (30 mg/kg) tended to lower increased serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels. In conclusion, GTE/TCE-M containing high amounts of bioactive EGCG and curcumin exerted the strongest degree of antioxidant activity and received the highest level of acceptance. Importantly, consumption of GTE-M tentatively ameliorated serum lipid abnormalities in diabetic STZ-induced rats by inhibiting lipase digestion and lipid absorption. Herein, we are proposing that GTE-fortified macaroni is a functional food that can mitigate certain metabolic syndromes.