Combination of Exercise and Vegetarian Diet: Relationship with High Density-Lipoprotein Cholesterol in Taiwanese Adults Based on MTHFR rs1801133 Polymorphism

Effect of High-Intensity Strength and Endurance Training in the Form of Small Circuits on Changes in Lipid Levels in Men Aged 35–40 Years

Background: Blood lipid profiles consist of total cholesterol (TC) and its fractions, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL), and triglycerides (TG). For several decades, studies have examined the effects of various factors on lipid status and its association with the risk of developing arteriosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. The beneficial effects of increased physical activity on cardiovascular health have been demonstrated by appropriate modulation of lipid profiles. For individuals with low physical activity, the literature recommends engaging in various forms of training that can improve physical fitness and resting lipid status. The aim of the study was to examine whether a specific original training program improves lipid profiles to the levels recommended for the male population. Methods: The study involved two equal (n = 15) groups of men (experimental and control groups, aged 35–40 years). The experimental group performed 60-min training sessions for 8 weeks (3 times a week) including a set of strength and endurance exercises. Before and after the training program, blood was drawn from both groups for serum determination of TC, HDL, LDL non-HDL, and TG, and a battery of four field physical performance tests was administered. Results: Statistically significant decreases (TC by 19.3%, TG by 23.7%, LDL by 15%), a non-significant decrease (10% for non-HDL), and no change for HDL were found in the experimental group. Control group showed a statistically significant decrease, by 7.4% for TC. The results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed training in improving health indices. Conclusions: The 8-week training program met the health-related fitness paradigm recommended for physical activity in men aged 35–40 years. After the completion of the program, all the participants expressed their satisfaction from participating in a health-promoting experiment.

Risk of gout among Taiwanese adults with ALDH-2 rs671 polymorphism according to BMI and alcohol intake

BACKGROUND

Gout stems from both modifiable and genetic sources. We evaluated the risk of gout among Taiwanese adults with aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH2) rs671 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) according to body mass index (BMI) and alcohol drinking.

METHODS

We obtained information of 9253 individuals having no personal history of cancer from the Taiwan Biobank (2008-2016) and estimated the association between gout and independent variables (e.g., rs671, BMI, and alcohol drinking) using multiple logistic regression.

RESULTS

Alcohol drinking and abnormal BMI were associated with a higher risk of gout whereas the rs671 GA+AA genotype was associated with a lower risk. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were 1.297 and 1.098-1.532 for alcohol drinking, 1.550 and 1.368-1.755 for abnormal BMI, and 0.887 and 0.800-0.984 for GA+AA. The interaction between BMI and alcohol on gout was significant for GG (p-value = 0.0102) and GA+AA (p-value = 0.0175). When we stratified genotypes by BMI, alcohol drinking was significantly associated with gout only among individuals with a normal BMI (OR; 95% CI = 1.533; 1.036-2.269 for GG and 2.109; 1.202-3.699 for GA+AA). Concerning the combination of BMI and alcohol drinking among participants stratified by genotypes (reference, GG genotype, normal BMI, and no alcohol drinking), the risk of gout was significantly higher in the following categories: GG, normal BMI, and alcohol drinking (OR, 95% CI = 1.929, 1.385-2.688); GG, abnormal BMI, and no alcohol drinking (OR, 95% CI, = 1.721, 1.442-2.052); GG, abnormal BMI, and alcohol drinking (OR, 95% CI = 1.941, 1.501-2.511); GA+AA, normal BMI, and alcohol drinking (OR, 95% CI = 1.971, 1.167-3.327); GA+AA, abnormal BMI, and no alcohol drinking (OR, 95% CI = 1.498, 1.256-1.586); and GA+AA, abnormal BMI, and alcohol drinking (OR, 95% CI = 1.545, 1.088-2.194).

CONCLUSIONS

Alcohol and abnormal BMI were associated with a higher risk of gout, whereas the rs671 GA+AA genotype was associated with a lower risk. Noteworthy, BMI and alcohol had a significant interaction on gout risk. Stratified analyses revealed that alcohol drinking especially among normal-weight individuals might elevate the risk of gout irrespective of the genotype.

Current innovations in nutraceuticals and functional foods for intervention of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

As innovations in global agricultural production and food trading systems lead to major dietary shifts, high morbidity rates from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), accompanied by elevated risk of lipid metabolism-related complications, has emerged as a growing problem worldwide. Treatment and prevention of NAFLD and chronic liver disease depends on the availability of safe, effective, and diverse therapeutic agents, the development of which is urgently needed. Supported by a growing body of evidence, considerable attention is now focused on interventional approaches that combines nutraceuticals and functional foods. In this review, we summarize the pathological progression of NAFLD and discuss the beneficial effects of nutraceuticals and the active ingredients in functional foods. We also describe the underlying mechanisms of these compounds in the intervention of NAFLD, including their effects on regulation of lipid homeostasis, activation of signaling pathways, and their role in gut microbial community dynamics and the gut-liver axis. In order to identify novel targets for treatment of lipid metabolism-related diseases, this work broadly explores the molecular mechanism linking nutraceuticals and functional foods, host physiology, and gut microbiota. Additionally, the limitations in existing knowledge and promising research areas for development of active interventions and treatments against NAFLD are discussed.