The association between index of nutritional quality and ulcerative colitis: A case-control study

Dietary Magnesium Intake Is Inversely Associated With Ulcerative Colitis: A Case-Control Study

Background

Ulcerative colitis (UC) causes long-lasting inflammation and ulcers in the gut. Limited observational data are available linking dietary magnesium intake and UC. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the association between dietary magnesium intake and UC in adults.

Methods

The current population-based case-control study was performed on 109 UC patients and 218 age (±2 years) and sex-matched controls. The diagnosis of UC was made according to the standard criteria by a gastroenterology specialist. Dietary intakes were assessed using a validated self-administrated 106-item dish-based Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). We also used a pretested questionnaire to collect data on potential confounders.

Results

Individuals in the top tertile of magnesium intake were less likely to have UC compared with those in the bottom tertile. A significant inverse relationship was found between dietary magnesium intake and UC (odds ratio [OR]: 0.32, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.18-0.59) in the crude model. This relationship was also observed when we took several potential confounding into account (OR: 0.30, 95% CI: 0.14-0.68).

Conclusions

Adherence to a magnesium-rich diet may have a role in preventing UC. However, further studies are needed to confirm our findings.

Identification of 6 cuproptosis-related genes for active ulcerative colitis with both diagnostic and therapeutic values

Cuproptosis has been reported to affect a variety of diseases. Therefore, we aimed to examine the role of cuproptosis-related genes in active ulcerative colitis (UC). We acquired 2 datasets of active UC from the Gene Expression Omnibus database and created immune cell infiltrations to research immune cell dysregulation. Based on the cuproptosis gene set and differentially expressed genes (DEGs), we identified the differentially expressed genes of cuproptosis (CuDEGs). We then used 2 machine learning methods to screen hub CuDEGs. Subsequently, we performed validation on additional datasets and investigated the relationship between hub CuDEGs and drug treatments. Thirty-five controls with inactive UC and 90 patients with active UC were obtained from the training sets. A total of 9157 DEGs and 27 CuDEGs were identified, respectively. Immune cell infiltration analysis revealed that patients with active UC exhibited higher levels of activated dendritic cells and neutrophils as well as lower levels of CD8+ T cells, regulatory T cells (Tregs), and macrophage M2. A six-gene cuproptosis signature was identified using machine learning algorithms. We further validated that the 6 hub CuDEGs showed a strong correlation with active UC and acted as cuproptosis-related biomarkers of active UC. Moreover, the expression of ATOX1 was downregulated, and SUMF1, MT1G, ATP7B, FDX1, and LIAS expression was upregulated in the colonic mucosa of active UC patients who responded to golimumab or vedolizumab therapy. With the exception of ATP7B, the expression patterns of hub CuDEGs before and after infliximab treatment of patients with active UC were similar to those of golimumab and vedolizumab. Cuproptosis and active UC have a complex relationship, as illustrated in our study. ATOX1, SUMF1, MT1G, ATP7B, FDX1, and LIAS are cuproptosis-related hub genes of active UC. Our study opens new avenues for investigating UC progression and developing novel therapeutic potential targets for the disease.

Antioxidants as Protection against Reactive Oxidative Stress in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) belongs to a group of chronic diseases characterised by periods of exacerbation and remission. Despite many studies and observations, its aetiopathogenesis is still not fully understood. The interactions of genetic, immunological, microbiological, and environmental factors can induce disease development and progression, but there is still a lack of information on these mechanisms. One of the components that can increase the risk of occurrence of IBD, as well as disease progression, is oxidative stress. Oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants. The endogenous and exogenous components that make up the body's antioxidant defence can significantly affect IBD prophylaxis and reduce the risk of exacerbation by neutralising and removing ROS, as well as influencing the inflammatory state.

THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN COLORECTAL CANCER AND INDEX OF NUTRITIONAL QUALITY (INQ); A CASE-CONTROL STUDY

•Is the Index of Nutritional Quality (INQ) associated with colon cancer? •This study compared the INQ of various dietary components between colorectal cancer patients and healthy controls. A total of 480 participants were enrolled in the study (160 patients with colorectal cancer as a case group and 320 healthy control). The results showed that CRC is significantly associated with INQ for some micronutrients. INQ can be considered as an indicator to assess clinical nutritional problems. Background - The nutritional quality of diet may influence the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). This study compared the Index of Nutritional Quality (INQ) of various dietary components between colorectal cancer patients and healthy controls. Methods - A total of 480 participants were enrolled in the study (160 patients with colorectal cancer as a case group and 320 healthy control). An analysis was conducted on the general characteristics of the participants, their medical histories, anthropometric indicators, physical activity, alcohol consumption, reproductive history, smoking and food intake. A valid food frequency questionnaire was used to assess nutrient intake and INQ was calculated from daily nutrient intake. Results - A Significant inverse association was found between CRC and INQ for vitamins A (OR=0.01, CI: 0.01-0.01), K (OR=0.04, CI: 0.01-0.15), and B12 (OR=0.71, CI: 0.51-0.98), B5 (OR=0.43, CI: 0.00-0.01), zinc (OR=0.35, CI: 0.13-0.95), and phosphorus (OR=0.17, 0.19-0.94). The association between the INQ of vitamin B12 and zinc with colorectal cancer was disappeared after age adjustment. There was a significant negative association between CRC with the INQ of vitamins A, K, B5, phosphorus, and calcium after further adjustments for gender, BMI, menopausal status, and total energy intake. Conclusion -CRC is significantly associated with INQ for some micronutrients. INQ can be considered as an indicator to assess clinical nutritional problems.

The Association between Index of Nutritional Quality (INQ) and Obesity: Baseline Data of Kharameh Cohort

Obesity is an increasing problem that can lead to noncommunicable diseases. The role of dietary factors on one's obesity is confirmed in many studies. One nutritional approach that can be used for assessment of the foods and diets is the Index of Nutritional Quality (INQ). Our study is aimed at exploring the association between INQ and obesity. Our hypothesis is that enriched and high-quality diets reduce the risk of overweight or obesity. This study was carried out on 6248 overweight and obese participants, from whom 4356 (69.7%) and 1892 (30.3%) were overweight and obese, respectively. To assess the dietary intake for the participants, a valid food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) with 130 food items was utilized. The analysis revealed an inverse association between the overweight and the INQ of iron, thiamin, riboflavin, B6, folate, zinc, magnesium, calcium, and vitamin C and E. For the obese group, this inverse association was found for iron, B6, folate, zinc, magnesium, calcium, and vitamin C and E. These results approved our hypothesis that a rich nutrition diet may lead to a lower risk of obesity.

Unveiling of dietary and gut-microbiota derived B vitamins: Metabolism patterns and their synergistic functions in gut-brain homeostasis

Nutrition-gut cross-talk holds a vital position in sustaining intestinal function, and micronutrient metabolism has emerged as the foremost metabolic pathway to preserve gut homeostasis. Among micronutrients, B vitamins have evolved prior to DNA/RNA and are known for their vital roles for major evolutionary transitions in extant organisms. Despite their universal requirement and critical role, not all the three domains of life are endowed with a natural ability for de novo B vitamins synthesis. The human gut microbiome constitutes prototrophs and auxotroph which are entirely dependent on dietary intake and gut microbial production of B vitamins. The syntrophic metabolism involving cross-feeding of B vitamins and community-wide exchange between commensal bacteria elicit important changes in the diversity and composition of the human gut microbiome. Hereto, we discuss the B-vitamins sharing among prototrophic and auxotrophic gut bacteria, their absorption in small intestine and transport in distal gut, functional role in relation to the gut homeostasis and symptoms linked to their deficiency. We also briefly explore their potential involvement as psychobiotics in brain energetic metabolism (kynurenines/tryptophan pathway) for neurological functions and highlight their deficiency related malfunctioning.

Antioxidant potential of diet – Association between dietary antioxidant index and odds of coronary heart disease: A case-control study

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation are among the leading causes of coronary heart disease (CHD). Studies investigated the relationship between dietary antioxidants and the risk/odds of CHD, and contradictory results have been reported. Dietary antioxidant index (DAI) is a novel and reliable nutritional tool that examines the diet’s overall antioxidant capacity. Its validity was examined using serum total antioxidant capacity and malondialdehyde. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between DAI score and odds of CHD. METHODS: In this incidence case-control study, 320 individuals with a definitive diagnosis of CHD and 320 participants without CHD or related risk factors attending the same hospitals/polyclinics were selected as the case and control groups. We estimated the DAI by summing up six standardized intakes of major dietary antioxidants, including manganese, vitamin E, A, C, selenium, and zinc. RESULTS: Modeling DAI categorized according to the median (–0.38), in multi-adjusted model showed a significant protective association with the odd of CHD (OR = 0.72; 95%CI:0.51–0.99, p-value = 0.05). Also, modeling DAI as a continuous variable in multi-adjusted models (OR = 0.94;95%CI:0.90–0.95; p-value = 0.01) showed significant results. CONCLUSION: Using the DAI to investigate the relationship between dietary antioxidants and CHD can show more realistic results than a single study of antioxidants.

Systematic review with meta-analysis: dietary intake in adults with inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND

Poor dietary intake is associated with the development of malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, anaemia and osteoporosis in individuals with inflammatory bowel disease. While trials are underway to manipulate the diet of people with IBD, there has been no comprehensive systematic review of the dietary intake of adults with IBD.

AIMS

To conduct a systematic evaluation and meta-analysis of the dietary intake of adults with IBD, including macronutrients, micronutrients and food group data.

METHODS

CINAHL, Embase, Medline and Scopus were searched from 1 January 2000 to 25 September 2020 for cohort, case-control or cross-sectional studies that reported usual dietary intake in adults. Data were pooled and reported as weighted mean intake for: all adults with IBD; Crohn's disease; ulcerative colitis; active disease; remission; males; females. A random-effects meta-analysis model compared intake with healthy individuals.

RESULTS

Forty studies were identified and 19 were included in the meta-analysis. All subgroups of adults with IBD consumed inadequate energy (mean intake in adults with IBD 1980 ± 130 kcal), fibre (14 ± 4 g), folate (246 ± 33 mg) and calcium (529 ± 114 mg) per day. Intake of breads and cereals, legumes, fruit, vegetables and dairy were inadequate. Compared to healthy individuals, adults with IBD consume significantly less dietary fibre (SMD -0.59; 95% CI: -0.73, -0.46).

CONCLUSIONS

This review provides improved clarity about the dietary intake of adults with IBD. Future attention is required to improve diet quality and increase understanding of factors influencing dietary intake in IBD.

Nutrients in the Prevention of Osteoporosis in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

The chronic character of inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, results in various complications. One of them is osteoporosis, manifested by low bone mineral density, which leads to an increased risk of fractures. The aetiology of low bone mineral density is multifactorial and includes both diet and nutritional status. Calcium and vitamin D are the most often discussed nutrients with regard to bone mineral density. Moreover, vitamins A, K, C, B12; folic acid; calcium; phosphorus; magnesium; sodium; zinc; copper; and selenium are also involved in the formation of bone mass. Patients suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases frequently consume inadequate amounts of the aforementioned minerals and vitamins or their absorption is disturbed, resulting innutritional deficiency and an increased risk of osteoporosis. Thus, nutritional guidelines for inflammatory bowel disease patients should comprise information concerning the prevention of osteoporosis.

Dietary total antioxidant capacity and risk of ulcerative colitis: A case-control study

OBJECTIVE

Data on the association between the antioxidant capacity of a diet and the risk of ulcerative colitis (UC) are scarce. This study aimed to assess whether a relationship exists between dietary total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and the odds of UC in Iranian adults.

METHODS

In this case-control study, patients with UC and age-matched healthy controls were recruited from a hospital clinic. All participants completed a validated 168-item food frequency questionnaire, the results of which were subsequently used to generate dietary TAC. Ferric reducing-antioxidant power values were used to calculate dietary TAC.

RESULTS

Altogether 62 patients with UC and 124 healthy controls were enrolled. UC patients had a higher calorific intake (P < 0.01), and consumed more monounsaturated fatty acids (P < 0.01), vitamin B₉ (P < 0.01) and calcium (P = 0.02) compared with healthy controls, while the control group had a higher vitamin C intake than the participants with UC (P < 0.01). In a fully adjusted model, participants who were in the highest quartile of dietary TAC had a lower risk of UC (odds ratio 0.11, 95% confidence interval 0.01-0.73).

CONCLUSIONS

A higher dietary TAC score was associated with lower odds of UC in this case-control study. Further elucidation of the role of key dietary elements is now warranted.

Healthy Eating Index-2015 as a predictor of ulcerative colitis risk in a case-control cohort

OBJECTIVE

There is compelling clinical evidence implicating certain dietary components in the development and clinical course of progression in ulcerative colitis (UC). This study aimed to assess whether any association exists between ulcerative colitis and scores on a healthy eating index.

METHODS

In this case-control study patients with UC were recruited and assessed together with healthy controls. The participants completed a validated 168-item food frequency questionnaire, the results of which were subsequently used to generate individual healthy eating index (HEI-2015) scores.

RESULTS

Altogether 58 patients with UC and 123 healthy controls were recruited. After controlling for confounding factors, participants who were in the highest quartile of the HEI-2015 had a 66% lower odds ratio (OR) of UC than the lowest quartile (OR = 0.34, 95% confidence interval 0.12-0.96).

CONCLUSION

HEI-2015 was associated with UC in this cohort. Further elucidation of the role of key dietary elements is now warranted.

Biotin Supplementation Ameliorates Murine Colitis by Preventing NF-κB Activation

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin that is indispensable for human health. Biotin deficiency can cause failure-to-thrive, immunodeficiency, alopecia, dermatitis, and conjunctivitis. We previously reported that biotin deficiency also can lead to severe colitis in mice, which is completely reversed with supplementation. Our aim in this study was to determine if high-dose biotin supplementation can provide a therapeutic benefit in a preclinical model for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and to identify the molecular mechanism by which this occurs.

METHODS

Mice were challenged with dextran sodium sulfate to induce colitis and were treated with 1 mmol/L biotin to induce or maintain remission. Clinical response was monitored by the Disease Activity Index and fecal calprotectin levels. The colon tissue was investigated for histology, length, as well as expression of inflammatory cytokines (interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin 1β), intestinal permeability, tight junctions (zonula occludens-1 and claudin-2), and the transcription factor nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB).

RESULTS

Biotin therapy led to delayed onset and severity of colitis as well as accelerated healing. There was improvement in the Disease Activity Index, fecal calprotectin levels, colon length, and histology. In addition, biotin-treated mice had reduced expression of inflammatory cytokines, reduced intestinal permeability, and reduced activation of NF-κB.

CONCLUSIONS

Oral supplementation with biotin provides benefit for maintenance and induction of remission in the dextran sodium sulfate preclinical model for IBD. Biotin does this by reducing the activation of NF-κB, which prevents the production of inflammatory cytokines and helps maintain the integrity of the intestinal barrier. Clinically, the NF-κB pathway is important in the development of IBD and this finding suggests that biotin may have therapeutic potential for patients with IBD.

Analysis of the Nutrients and Food Products Intake of Polish Males with Ulcerative Colitis in Remission

In spite of the lack of evidence of diet therapy efficacy to sustain remission of ulcerative colitis (UC), the dietary counseling may be beneficial, as a number of patients restrict intake of some products with no medical consultation. The aim of the present study was to analyze the nutrients and food products intake of Polish males with UC in remission in comparison with a control group. The UC group of 44 male patients with the confirmed remission, as well as the pair-matched group of 44 male controls, matched by their age and concurrent diseases, was recruited for the study. Their dietary intake was assessed based on three-day dietary records (to analyze the nutrients and food products intake) and information about food products excluded from their diet, and compared between respondents. It was observed that the intake of food products did not differ between the compared groups, except for the intake of potatoes and sugar, which was higher (p = 0.0033, p = 0.0092, respectively) in UC patients (median of 209 g and 11 g, respectively) than the control males (median of 100 g and 1 g, respectively). However, it did not influence differences of energy value and nutrients intake between groups, except for the intake of lactose and vitamin B₂ per 1000 kcal, which was lower (p = 0.0425, p = 0.0444, respectively) in UC patients (median of 1.8 g and 0.7 g/1000 kcal) than the control males (median of 3.6 g and 0.8 g/1000 kcal). It was observed that the differences in food products intake between the UC individuals in remission and healthy controls were only minor and did not contribute to any significant differences in their nutrients intake. It was concluded that UC patients should be educated not only about the potential influence of food products on their well-being but also about healthy diet recommendations.

Association Between Index of Nutritional Quality and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: The Role of Vitamin D and B Group

BACKGROUND

Numerous studies have revealed that diet has been considered as an important pathogenic factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The Index of Nutritional Quality (INQ) is a method of quantitative and qualitative evaluation of single foods and diets, which has special significance in recognizing clinical nutritional problems.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study included 295 patients with NAFLD and 704 controls. The dietary intake was assessed through a valid and reliable food frequency questionnaire. INQ was calculated from the questionnaire data and was compared between the 2 groups.

RESULTS

The controls had higher INQ of vitamin D, vitamin E, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B12; biotin, pantothenic acid, magnesium and zinc compared to the patients with NAFLD. After controlling for several covariates, positive associations were observed between NAFLD risk and INQs of riboflavin (OR_riboflavin = 0.49, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.28-0.78; OR_biotin = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.18-0.76; OR_pantothenic = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.12-0.64; OR_magnesium = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.11-0.75; OR_zinc = 0.15 95% CI: 0.05-0.42).

CONCLUSIONS

Findings of the present study suggest that subjects who follow a more healthy and nutrient-rich diet, especially in terms of vitamins D, B1, B2, B12, B3 and zinc, are at a lower risk of NAFLD compared to those who consume unhealthy and nutrient-poor diet.