Advances in nutritional research on regulatory T-cells

Association between oral nutrition and inflammation after intestinal transplantation

Intestinal transplantation (Itx) can be a life-saving treatment for certain patient populations, including those patients with intestinal failure (IF) who develop life-threatening complications due to the use of parenteral nutrition (PN). Most patients who have undergone Itx are eventually able to tolerate a full oral diet. However, little guidance or consensus exists regarding optimizing the specific components of an oral diet for Itx patients, including macronutrients, micronutrients and dietary patterns. While oral dietary prescriptions have moved to the forefront of primary and preventive care, this movement has yet to occur across the field of organ transplantation. Evidence to date points to the role of systemic chronic inflammation (SCI) in a wide variety of chronic diseases as well as post-transplant graft dysfunction. This review will discuss current trends in oral nutrition for Itx patients and also offer novel insights into nutritional management techniques that may help to decrease SCI and chronic disease risk as well as optimize graft function.

Seafood, fatty acid biosynthesis genes, and multiple sclerosis susceptibility

BACKGROUND

The role of omega-3 fatty acid in multiple sclerosis (MS) susceptibility is unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether fish/seafood intake or genetic factors that regulate omega-3 fatty acids levels are associated with MS risk.

METHODS

We examined the association of fish and shrimp consumption and 13 tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in FADS1, FADS2, and ELOV2 with risk of MS in 1153 individuals from the MS Sunshine Study, a case-control study of incident MS or clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), recruited from Kaiser Permanente Southern California.

RESULTS

Consuming fish/seafood at least once a week or at least once a month with regular fish oil use was associated with 44% reduced odds of MS/CIS (adjusted OR = 0.56; 95% CI = 0.41-0.76; p = 0.0002) compared with consuming fish/seafood less than once a month and no fish oil supplementation. Two FADS2 SNPs (rs174611 and rs174618) were independently associated with a lower risk of MS (adjusted ORs = 0.74, 0.79, p = 0.0056, 0.0090, respectively). Association of FADS2 SNPs with MS risk was confirmed in an independent dataset.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that omega-3 fatty acid intake may be an important modifiable risk factor for MS. This is consistent with the other known health benefits of fish consumption and complementary genetic studies supporting a key role for omega-3 regulation.

Therapeutic Potential of Regulatory T Cells in Preeclampsia-Opportunities and Challenges

Inflammation is a central feature and is implicated as a causal factor in preeclampsia and other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Inflammatory mediators and leukocytes, which are elevated in peripheral blood and gestational tissues, contribute to the uterine vascular anomalies and compromised placental function that characterize particularly the severe, early onset form of disease. Regulatory T (Treg) cells are central mediators of pregnancy tolerance and direct other immune cells to counteract inflammation and promote robust placentation. Treg cells are commonly perturbed in preeclampsia, and there is evidence Treg cell insufficiency predates onset of symptoms. A causal role is implied by mouse studies showing sufficient numbers of functionally competent Treg cells must be present in the uterus from conception, to support maternal vascular adaptation and prevent later placental inflammatory pathology. Treg cells may therefore provide a tractable target for both preventative strategies and treatment interventions in preeclampsia. Steps to boost Treg cell activity require investigation and could be incorporated into pregnancy planning and preconception care. Pharmacological interventions developed to target Treg cells in autoimmune conditions warrant consideration for evaluation, utilizing rigorous clinical trial methodology, and ensuring safety is paramount. Emerging cell therapy tools involving in vitro Treg cell generation and/or expansion may in time become relevant. The success of preventative and therapeutic approaches will depend on resolving several challenges including developing informative diagnostic tests for Treg cell activity applicable before conception or during early pregnancy, selection of relevant patient subgroups, and identification of appropriate windows of gestation for intervention.

Dietary Fatty Acids and Other Nutrients in Relation to Inflammation and Particularly to Oral Mucosa Inflammation. A Literature Review

Oral mucosa is site of inflammatory process development. When they are chronic, they provide a microenvironment based on cytokines and inflammatory mediators that contribute to cancer initiation, progression, invasion, and metastasis. Certain dietary fatty acids (FAs) have immunomodulatory, inflammatory, and antiinflammatory effects. This review examined the literature on inflammation, mainly referred to the oral mucosa, and its association with dietary FAs and other nutrients. A Pubmed search of studies published in English until June 2018 was carried out. N-3 FAs have shown immunomodulatory and antiinflammatory activity in certain human diseases. These FAs and their mediators may inhibit inflammation, angiogenesis, and cancer via multiple mechanisms. Studies on cellular models of murine and human intestinal mucosa indicate association between dietary n-3 FA intake and the inflammatory state of mucosa membranes. Nevertheless scarce information on the association between dietary FAs and oral inflammation could be found. Based on the evidence, we hypothesize that n-3 FAs reduce the oral mucosa inflammation thus decreasing the risk of developing precancerous lesions and cancer. Molecular and clinical studies referred to this topic should be carried out as a contribution to the oral cancer prevention.

Higher intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids is associated with a decreased risk of a first clinical diagnosis of central nervous system demyelination: Results from the Ausimmune Study

BACKGROUND

There is contradictory evidence for a role of dietary fat in risk of multiple sclerosis (MS).

OBJECTIVES

To examine the association between usual fat intake (total, saturated, monounsaturated (MUFA), polyunsaturated (PUFA), omega-3 and omega-6) and risk of a first clinical diagnosis of CNS demyelination (FCD).

METHODS

Multi-centre incident case-control study in four regions of Australia during 2003-2006. Cases were aged 18-59 years and had a FCD; controls were matched to a case on age, sex and location. Dietary data were collected using a validated food frequency questionnaire.

RESULTS

In 267 cases and 517 controls with dietary data, higher intake (per g/day) of omega-3 PUFA (adjusted odds ratio, AOR=0.61 (95% CI 0.40-0.93)), and particularly that derived from fish (AOR=0.54 (95% CI 0.31-0.93)) rather than from plants (AOR=0.75 (95% CI 0.39-1.43)) was associated with a decreased risk of FCD. Total fat intake and intake of other types of fat were not associated with FCD risk.

CONCLUSIONS

There was a significant decrease in FCD risk with higher intake of omega-3 PUFA, particularly that originating from fish. There was no evidence to indicate that the intake of other types of dietary fat or fat quantity in the previous 12 months was associated with an altered risk of FCD.

Modifiable environmental factors in multiple sclerosis

Potential environmental modifiable factors involved in multiple sclerosis (MS) include low adherence to treatment, smoking, obesity, low levels of liposoluble vitamins A and D, high consumption of salt, and a sedentary lifestyle. Chronic tobacco use, obesity, sedentarism and insufficient levels of these vitamins all contribute to maintenance of a proinflammatory state. It is unlikely that there will be noticeable improvement in the inflammatory condition of MS if stopping smoking, reducing weight, exercising, increasing vitamin levels are done in an isolated and erratic manner. Modification of each and every one of these environmental risk factors is likely to be an important approach in the management of MS. The present review presents the arguments for an association between these hazardous modifiable factors and the chronic inflammatory state observed in MS.

Flavonoids Affect Host-Microbiota Crosstalk through TLR Modulation

Interaction between host cells and microbes is known as crosstalk. Among other mechanisms, this takes place when certain molecules of the micro-organisms are recognized by the toll-like receptors (TLRs) in the body cells, mainly in the intestinal epithelial cells and in the immune cells. TLRs belong to the pattern-recognition receptors and represent the first line of defense against pathogens, playing a pivotal role in both innate and adaptive immunity. Dysregulation in the activity of such receptors can lead to the development of chronic and severe inflammation as well as immunological disorders. Among components present in the diet, flavonoids have been suggested as antioxidant dietary factors able to modulate TLR-mediated signaling pathways. This review focuses on the molecular targets involved in the modulatory action of flavonoids on TLR-mediated signaling pathways, providing an overview of the mechanisms involved in such action. Particular flavonoids have been able to modify the composition of the microbiota, to modulate TLR gene and protein expression, and to regulate the downstream signaling molecules involved in the TLR pathway. These synergistic mechanisms suggest the role of some flavonoids in the preventive effect on certain chronic diseases.