Effects of Supplementation with Microalgae Extract from Phaeodactylum tricornutum (Mi136) to Support Benefits from a Weight Management Intervention in Overweight Women

BACKGROUND

Microalgae like Phaeodactylum tricornutum (PT) contain the carotenoid, fucoxanthin, which has been purported to promote fat loss, lower blood lipids, and improve glucose management. This study examined whether dietary supplementation with microalgae extracts from PT containing 4.4 mg/d of fucoxanthin affects changes in body composition or health markers in overweight women during an exercise and diet intervention.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 37 females (28.6 ± 7.9 years, 80.2 ± 14.9 kg, 29.6 ± 3.8 kg/m², 41.4 ± 4.2% fat) fasted for 12 h, donated a fasting blood sample, completed health and mood state inventories, and undertook body composition, health, and exercise assessments. In a counterbalanced, randomized, and double-blind manner, participants ingested a placebo (PL), or microalgae extract of Phaeodactylum tricornutum standardized to 4.4 mg of fucoxanthin (FX) for 12 weeks while participating in a supervised exercise program that included resistance-training and walking (3 days/week) with encouragement to accumulate 10,000 steps/day on remaining days of the week. The diet intervention involved reducing energy intake by about -300 kcal/d (i.e., ≈1400-1600 kcals/d, 55% carbohydrate, 30% fat, 15% protein) to promote a -500 kcal/d energy deficit with exercise. Follow-up testing was performed at 6 and 12 weeks. A general linear model (GLM) with repeated measures statistical analysis was used to analyze group responses and changes from baseline with 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

Dietary supplementation with microalgae extract from PT containing fucoxanthin for 12 weeks did not promote additional weight loss or fat loss in overweight but otherwise healthy females initiating an exercise and diet intervention designed to promote modest weight loss. However, fucoxanthin supplementation preserved bone mass, increased bone density, and saw greater improvements in walking steps/day, resting heart rate, aerobic capacity, blood lipid profiles, adherence to diet goals, functional activity tolerance, and measures of quality of life. Consequently, there appears to be some benefit to supplementing microalgae extract from PT containing fucoxanthin during a diet and exercise program. Registered clinical trial #NCT04761406.

Pharmacokinetic Analyses of Liposomal and Non-Liposomal Multivitamin/Mineral Formulations

Recent research supports previous contentions that encapsulating vitamins and minerals with liposomes help improve overall bioavailability. This study examined whether ingesting a liposomal multivitamin and mineral supplement (MVM) differentially affects the appearance and/or clearance of vitamins and minerals in the blood compared to a non-liposomal MVM supplement. In a double-blind, randomized, and counterbalanced manner, 34 healthy men and women fasted for 12 h. Then, they ingested a non-liposomal (NL) or liposomal (L) MVM supplement and a standardized snack. Venous blood samples were obtained at 0, 2, 4, and 6 h after MVM ingestion and analyzed for a panel of vitamins and minerals. Plasma levels of vitamins and minerals and mean changes from baseline with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were analyzed using general linear model statistics with repeated measures. The observed values were also entered into pharmacokinetic analysis software and analyzed through univariate analysis of variance with repeated measure contrasts. The results revealed an overall treatment x time interaction effect among the vitamins and minerals evaluated (p = 0.051, ηp2 = 0.054, moderate effect). Differences between treatments were also observed in volume distribution area (vitamin E, iron), median residence time (vitamin E, iron), volume distribution area (iron), volume of distribution steady state (vitamin A, E, iron), clearance rates (vitamin A, E), elimination phase half-life (vitamin E, iron), distribution/absorption phase intercept (vitamin A), and distribution/absorption phase slope and rate (vitamin C, calcium). Vitamin volume distribution was lower with liposomal MVM ingestion than non-liposomal MVM sources, suggesting greater clearance and absorption since similar amounts of vitamins and minerals were ingested. These findings indicate that coating a MVM with liposomes affects individual nutrient pharmacokinetic profiles. Additional research should evaluate how long-term supplementation of liposomal MVM supplements may affect vitamin and mineral status, nutrient function, and/or health outcomes.

Effects of Dietary Supplementation of a Microalgae Extract Containing Fucoxanthin Combined with Guarana on Cognitive Function and Gaming Performance

BACKGROUND

Esports competitive gaming requires selective visual attention, memory, quick judgment, and an ability to sustain psychomotor performance over time. Fucoxanthin is a carotenoid, found in specific microalgae varieties such as Phaeodactylum tricornutum (PT), that has been purported to possess nootropic and neuroprotective effects through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This study evaluated whether acute and 30-day supplementation of an extract of PT from microalgae combined with guarana (a natural source of caffeine) affects cognitive function in gamers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled manner, 61 experienced gamers (21.7 ± 4.1 years, 73 ± 13 kg) were randomly assigned to ingest a placebo (PL), a low-dose (LD) supplement containing 440 mg of PT extract including 1% fucoxanthin +500 mg of guarana containing 40-44 mg caffeine (MicroPhyt™, Microphyt, Baillargues, FR), or a high-dose (HD) supplement containing 880 mg of PT extract +500 mg of guarana for 30 days. At baseline, cognitive function tests were administered before supplementation, 15 min post-supplementation, and after 60 min of competitive gameplay with participants' most played video game. Participants continued supplementation for 30 days and then repeated pre-supplementation and post-gaming cognitive function tests. General linear model univariate analyses with repeated measures and changes from baseline with 95% confidence intervals were used to analyze data.

RESULTS

There was some evidence that acute and 30-day ingestion of the PT extract from microalgae with guarana improved reaction times, reasoning, learning, executive control, attention shifting (cognitive flexibility), and impulsiveness. While some effects were seen after acute ingestion, the greatest impact appeared after 30 days of supplementation, with some benefits seen in the LD and HD groups. Moreover, there was evidence that both doses of the PT extract from microalgae with guarana may support mood state after acute and 30-day supplementation. Registered clinical trial #NCT04851899.

A case study of familial anti-phospholipid syndrome

Anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS) may have a familial association. In particular, association has been demonstrated between APS and HLA-DR 4, HLA-DR 7 and HLA-DRB1 14 alleles. Here we have described a family sharing the common haplotype of HLA-DR 7 where definite or probable anti-phospholipid syndrome has been identified in six of the seven family members. Apart from the index case, the other family members have demonstrated partial association in spite of sharing the incriminated haplotype. This could be ascribed either to variable penetrance of the involved genes or to the role of an unaccounted for environmental factor. Alternatively, it is possible that the coexistence of the HLA haplotype and the anti-phospholipid antibodies is coincidental.

Can we measure the effectiveness of our organizations?

Based on an action learning programme involving clinical directors and their business managers, explores the options open to analysing the effectiveness of a directorate including its place in an organizational structure.

Pregnancy after treatment with hydroxyurea in a patient with primary thrombocythaemia and a history of recurrent abortion

A 28 year old patient with primary thrombocythaemia, who had had two stillbirths in the third trimester, is reported. She was successfully treated with hydroxyurea and delivered a healthy 6lb boy by elective caesarean section. The ease with which this treatment can be given, its high level of tolerance among patients, and its low cost are likely to increase its use as a safe and effective treatment in pregnant patients with primary thrombocythaemia.

Late onset bone marrow failure associated with proximal fusion of radius and ulna: a new syndrome

Members of two unrelated families, one from England and the other from Portugal, presented with aplastic anaemia. Both families had clinical and laboratory features in common. The proposita presented with progressive bone marrow failure in adult life involving all three haemopoietic cell lines. In both families individuals with bone marrow failure also had proximal fusion of the radius and ulna bilaterally which segregates as an autosomal dominant trait. No cytogenetic defect was identified in myeloid or lymphoid cells, sampled from the marrow and peripheral blood. Proximal fusion of the radius and ulna is uncommon and its co-existance with late onset bone marrow failure may indicate an association. Growth failure, non-skeletal congenital malformations and cytogenetic abnormalities were absent suggesting that this syndrome is distinct from Fanconi's anaemia. The onset in adult life of generalized bone marrow failure involving all three haemopoietic cell lines associated with proximal fusion of the radius and ulna also makes this syndrome distinct from the thrombocytopenia with absent radii (TAR) syndrome.

Recognition and regulation of progenitor marrow elements by NK cells in the mouse

The cytotoxicity of radiolabelled YAC-1 target cells by natural killer (NK) cells from the spleens of immunocompetent CBA mice is inhibited by unlabelled YAC-1 competitor cells, but not by resting bone marrow from syngeneic or allogeneic adult mice. Rapidly proliferating haemopoietic cells recovered from the spleens of lethally irradiated, bone marrow-reconstituted CBA mice, however, compete strongly in the NK assay. The competitive ability of early regenerating marrow correlates with the presence of an increased percentage of morphologically immature cells of mixed lineages. Competition declines in reconstituted spleens recovered more than 10 days after engraftment, as the proportion of immature elements falls towards that of resting marrow. Although the numbers of unlabelled YAC-1 cells required to produce equivalent competition of unstimulated and interferon-activated NK killing are similar, 10 times fewer regenerating marrow competitors compete cytotoxicity by unstimulated NK effectors to the same degree as interferon activated cells. The numbers of granulocyte-macrophage colonies formed in soft agar by regenerating marrow is also influenced by prior incubation of the marrow cells with NK effector populations. Spleen cells from homozygous athymic mice produce the same effect as cells from their heterozygous littermates. These data suggest that NK cells recognize and regulate the differentiation of progenitor elements within the marrow.

Autoimmune thrombocytopenia acquired from an allogeneic bone-marrow graft

Severe thrombocytopenia developed after an allogeneic bone-marrow graft in a 40-year-old woman in first remission from acute myeloblastic leukaemia. The thrombocytopenia had an autoimmune basis and was acquired from the bone-marrow donor who had an identical platelet autoantibody. The patient responded to high-dose intravenous IgG, and she has a normal platelet count 10 months after the graft. This study suggests that the immune defect in autoimmune thrombocytopenia can be transferred in cells capable of proliferating in a bone-marrow graft.

Response of graft versus host disease to high doses of methyl prednisolone

High dose methyl prednisolone (HDMP) was used to treat 25 episodes of graft versus host disease (GVHD) in 13 patients after bone marrow transplantation for aplastic anaemia or acute leukemia. All patients showed rapid improvement of GVHD following HDMP with resolutions of gut and skin manifestations over several days, but liver GVHD was less responsive to treatment. The major complication of treatment was infection and four patients died from infection following HDMP. The mode of action of HDMP may be a nonspecific anti-inflammatory effect but it appears to be rapidly effective in controlling GVH reactions.