Intake of Table Sugar and Their Corresponding Food Sources in Adults from the 2017-2018 Brazilian National Dietary Survey

Excessive intake of free sugars is associated with adverse health outcomes. Table sugar is one of the main dietary sources of free sugars; however, the amount added by Brazilian consumers in their culinary preparations is unknown. The aims were to estimate the daily intake of table sugar (g/day), its contribution to total energy intake (E%) and the main food groups that contribute to the intake of this sugar in a nationwide multi-ethnic sample of Brazilian adults (2017-2018 Brazilian National Dietary Survey). Based on two 24-h recalls adjusted for the within-person variation, the overall median table sugar intake was 14.3 g/day, corresponding to 3.2 E%. Males, individuals living in rural areas, with low income, low education and experiencing food insecurity had a higher intake of table sugar. The main food sources of table sugar were coffee (55.8%), juice (33.9%), milk-based preparations and smoothies (3.1%), powdered and processed juice (2.7%), whole milk (1.9%), and tea (1.6%). There are no recommendations regarding the limit of table sugar intake, but considering that the WHO limits the intake of free sugars to <10 E%, it is concluded that table sugar intake by Brazilians corresponds to about 30% of the upper recommended daily intake of free sugars.

Genetic and acquired sucrase-isomaltase deficiency: A clinical review

Genetic sucrase-isomaltase deficiency (GSID) is an inherited deficiency in the ability to digest sucrose and potentially starch due to mutations in the sucrase-isomaltase (SI) gene. Congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency is historically considered to be a rare condition affecting infants with chronic diarrhea as exposure to dietary sucrose begins. Growing evidence suggests that individuals with SI variants may present later in life, with symptoms overlapping with those of irritable bowel syndrome. The presence of SI genetic variants may, either alone or in combination, affect enzyme activity and lead to symptoms of different severity. As such, a more appropriate term for this inherited condition is GSID, with a recognition of a spectrum of severity and onset of presentation. Currently, disaccharidase assay on duodenal mucosal tissue homogenates is the gold standard in diagnosing SI deficiency. A deficiency in the SI enzyme can be present at birth (genetic) or acquired later, often in association with damage to the enteric brush-border membrane. Other noninvasive diagnostic alternatives such as sucrose breath tests may be useful but require further validation. Management of GSID is based on sucrose and potentially starch restriction tailored to the individual patients' tolerance and symptoms. As this approach may be challenging, additional treatment with commercially available sacrosidase is available. However, some patients may require continued starch restriction. Further research is needed to clarify the true prevalence of SI deficiency, the pathobiology of single SI heterozygous mutations, and to define optimal diagnostic and treatment algorithms in the pediatric population.

Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Consumption and Breast Cancer in Premenopausal and Postmenopausal Women

BACKGROUND

The consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB), of which Mexico is a large consumer, has been associated with the risk of breast cancer. We assessed the association between SSBs consumption and breast cancer risk in pre- and postmenopausal women.

METHODS

We performed a multicenter population-based case-control study in Mexico City, Monterrey, and Veracruz. We recruited 1,000 cases and 1,074 controls; all participants were pre- or postmenopausal women between 35 and 69 years of age. Diet before symptoms onset was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. We conducted a multivariable-adjusted conditional logistic regression analysis stratified by menopausal status.

RESULTS

For premenopausal women, after adjusting for matching characteristics, total energy intake and all potential confounders, the odds of having breast cancer in women who drank one or more SSBs servings per day showed 1.78 times the odds of those who drank one or fewer SSBs servings per month [OR = 1.78; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.06-3.01]. For postmenopausal women, the corresponding model was not statistically significant (OR = 1.38, 95% CI, 0.84-2.25). We also observed higher consumption of SSBs among pre- than in postmenopausal women (23.3% and 17.4%, respectively among controls in the highest consumption category (≥1 per day).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that SSBs consumption increases the risk of developing breast cancer, particularly in premenopausal women.

IMPACT

Given the consumption of SSBs, of which Mexico is a large consumer, these results can support public policies to discourage the consumption of SSBs.

Precise prediction of metabolites patterns using machine learning approaches in distinguishing honey and sugar diets fed to mice

As a natural sweetener produced by honey bees, honey was recognized as being healthier for consumption than table sugar. Our previous study also indicated thatmetaboliteprofiles in mice fed honey and mixedsugardiets aredifferent. However, it is still noteworthy about the batch-to-batch consistency of the metabolic differences between two diet types. Here, the machine learning (ML) algorithms were applied to complement and calibrate HPLC-QTOF/MS-based untargeted metabolomics data. Data were generated from three batches of mice that had the same treatment, which can further mine the metabolite biomarkers. Random Forest and Extra-Trees models could better discriminate between honey and mixed sugar dietary patterns under five-fold cross-validation. Finally, SHapley Additive exPlanations tool identified phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine as reliable metabolic biomarkers to discriminate the honey diet from the mixed sugar diet. This study provides us new ideas for metabolomic analysis of larger data sets.

Sweets and Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Patients Favor Artificial Sweeteners and Diet Foods/Drinks Over Table Sugar and Consume Less Fruits/Vegetables

BACKGROUND

While artificial sweeteners are deemed safe, preclinical studies indicate that artificial sweeteners contribute to gastrointestinal inflammation. Little is known about patients' perceptions and consumption of artificial sweeteners in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We surveyed the consumption frequency and beliefs of IBD patients and control participants regarding artificial sweeteners.

METHODS

We surveyed 130 individuals (IBD patients, n = 93; control/non-IBD participants, n = 37) among our tertiary hospital population to determine consumption frequency and beliefs regarding artificial sweeteners (Splenda/sucralose, Stevia/stevia, NutraSweet/Equal/aspartame). A 14-question questionnaire surveyed the frequency of 9 dietary habits, preferences, and beliefs on health benefits of commercial artificial sweeteners, using the following as positive and negative control questions: table sugar, water, fruits/vegetables, and coconut-oil, among others.

RESULTS

Despite the similarity in yes/no consumption data, artificial sweeteners (Q4 t test P = .023) and diet (low calorie) foods/drinks (Q4 t test P = .023) were consumed more frequently by patients with IBD than by control participants, while no difference in preference for water instead of juices/sodas was observed between IBD patients and control participants. Conversely, patients with IBD consumed table sugar less frequently than control participants (Q1 t test-P = .09), in agreement with their reporting of sugary foods as cause of symptoms (P < .01). A positive correlation was observed between artificial sweeteners and fresh fruits/vegetables among the first 31 IBD patients (Spearman P = .017) and confirmed with 62 new IBD patients (r = 0.232; 95% CI, 0.02-0.43; P = .031), indicating that artificial sweeteners are deemed a healthy habit in IBD. Excluding fresh fruits/vegetables, multivariate analyses to develop surrogate principal component analysis indexes of healthy habits confirmed that artificial sweeteners consumption follows healthy preferences among our IBD patients (adjusted P < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Consumption of artificial sweeteners correlated with healthy habits, suggesting that our IBD population deemed artificial sweeteners as healthy and/or had preferences for naturally or artificially sweetened flavors and products.

Are teenagers 'drowning' in sports and energy drinks? The need for upstream and downstream interventions

Sports and energy drinks are consumed regularly by adults, children and young people (CYP). The dental and wider health implications of their frequent consumption pose a challenge to dental and other health professionals alike, in particular the increasing consumption in CYP, with up to one-third drinking caffeinated energy drinks regularly. The recent popularity of products such as Prime has highlighted the role of social media and marketing on the purchasing and consumption of these drinks, particularly for CYP. This paper describes current consumption of sports and energy drinks nationally and the potential impact on general and dental health. It discusses their popularity in CYP, including purchasing habits and motivations for this age group, and the role of social media in promoting consumption. It then highlights the importance of introducing public health measures to address these factors. Finally, a key role for dental teams is proposed, with an emphasis on the importance of further research to determine the effectiveness of dietary interventions delivered by dental professionals.

Assessing sugar intake rapidly - a short form of the Marburg Sugar Index (MSI)

BACKGROUND

Sugar intake is a major nutritional factor in the development of dental caries. To further clarify its contribution to oral health-related diseases, population-based investigations are recommended. To facilitate economic and reliable assessment of sugar intake, a short form of the approved Marburg Sugar Index (MSI) was developed.

METHODS

According to the principles of item reduction based on original data, a six-item-short form was constructed. A total of 468 participants (aged 15-81) answered the short form together with the long form in a counterbalanced cross-over design, and with two questionnaires concerning self-efficacy and decisional balance in oral health to verify construct validity.

RESULTS

Comparable item characteristics to the original MSI and a high correlation with the long form prove the usefulness of the short form, which was processed by the participants in less than one minute. Low correlations to the other two constructs show discriminant validity.

CONCLUSION

The new short form of the MSI (MSI-S) can replace the long form, especially in population-based studies with no restrictions on assessment quality but with sufficient time saved to add other variables necessary to explore oral health-related issues.

Longitudinal Patterns of Beverage Intake in Treatment-Seeking Children with Obesity in Eastern NC Using the Validated BEVQ-15

Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption remains a major target for interventions to treat severe obesity in children. Understanding how total energy consumption is divided among different types of beverages remains unclear. This study retrospectively examined how the consumption of beverage calories (kcal) from 100% fruit juice and SSBs, and body mass index, assessed as a percent of the 95th sex- and age-specific percentile (%of 95BMI), changed during the treatment of children with obesity aged 2-18 years. Treatment was provided by an integrative multi-disciplinary team, comprising a physician, a dietician/ nutritionist and a behavioralist employing motivational interviewing and a small change approach to promote improved sustainable health habits and induce a net negative energy balance. The sample included 155 patients, with 341 visits. The median age was 11 years, 60% were girls, and there was a median follow-up of 3.1 months. At baseline, the median %of 95BMI was 135 and the median kcal/day intake was 436 from juice and 263 from SSB. For each additional 100 kcal consumed/day from SSB and juice, the %of 95BMI increased by 1.4 percentage points. In the follow-up, each additional month was associated with 7 fewer kcal/day from SSB and juice combined, with a 0.5 percentage point increase in %of 95BMI. Children in this treatment program consumed fewer calories from SSB over time, although the %of 95BMI did not decrease. SSBs other than soda accounted for the majority of beverage kcal intake, therefore potentially providing a targeted direction for interventions.

The mediating role of obesity on the prospective association between urinary sucrose and diabetes incidence in a sub-cohort of the EPIC-Norfolk

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Findings from epidemiological studies showed controversial findings between dietary sugar intake and the development of diabetes. Most of these studies assessed dietary sugar intake by self-reports which might be prone to bias. Urinary sucrose, an objective biomarker of sucrose intake, might provide better insights into this association. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the associations between sucrose intake, measured via self-reports and urinary sucrose, with incident diabetes and to detect the impact of obesity on this association.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

Data of a sub-group (n = 2996) from the prospective EPIC-Norfolk cohort were investigated. Sucrose intake was assessed by self-reports (validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and 7-day diet diaries (7DD)) and as an objective urinary sucrose biomarker. Cox proportional hazard models were conducted to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the associations between urinary and dietary sucrose intake and incident diabetes. Mediation analysis was performed to investigate the mediated percentage of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) on this association.

RESULTS

The mean age of the participants was 60.6 ± 9.5 years and 53% were women. After a mean follow-up of 11.2 ± 2.9 years, 97 participants developed diabetes. Findings suggested inverse associations regarding incident diabetes for self-reported sucrose intake per 50 g/d via 7DD [HR: 0.63 (95% CI: 0.43, 0.91)], and a tendency via FFQ [HR: 0.81 (95% CI: 0.46, 1.42)]. Urinary sucrose indicated a positive association with incident diabetes for each increase of 100 µM [HR: 1.14 (95% CI: 0.95, 1.36)]. The proportion mediated of BMI and WC for this association was 16 and 22%.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that sucrose measured as objective urinary biomarker points to a positive association with incident diabetes. BMI might partly mediate this association. However, to obtain more precise results, more studies are warranted that consider this objective biomarker.

High Added Sugars Intake among US Adults: Characteristics, Eating Occasions, and Top Sources, 2015-2018

The 2020−2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) recommends less than 10% of total daily calories come from added sugars. However, many adults overconsume added sugars putting them at risk for poor health outcomes. We examined characteristics of high added sugars consumers among US adults (≥20 years) and described their top 10 sources of added sugars intake using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015−2018 data (n = 9647). We defined high consumers as consuming >15% of daily calories from added sugars (1.5 times higher than the DGA). We used the National Cancer Institute method to estimate usual intake of energy and percent of calories from added sugars. Top 10 sources were identified based on their percentage contribution to total added sugars intake on a given day. T-tests were used to examine differences by age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, income, marital status, and weight status. Overall, mean usual total energy intake and added sugars intake was 2068 kcal/day and 264 kcal/day, respectively, and 30% of adults were classified as high consumers. The prevalence of high added sugars consumers was significantly higher among 20−30-year-olds (29%), 31−50-year-olds (33%), and 51−70-year-olds (29%) than those aged ≥70 years (22%); non-Hispanic Black (39%) and non-Hispanic White (31%) adults than Hispanics (26%); adults with <high school (37%), high school/GED (38%), or some college (34%) than adults with college or higher (15%); adults living in lower-income households (39% for federal poverty income ratio < 130% and 35% for 130%−<350%) than high-income households (21%). The prevalence of high consumers did not differ by sex or weight status. Top sources of added sugars were sweetened beverages (42%), tea (12%), sweet bakery products (11%), and jams/syrups/sugars (7%). Our findings can inform intervention efforts to decrease added sugars intake to support health.

Sucrose solution, but not liquid sucrose diet, leads to leptin resistance irrespective of the time of day that sucrose is available

Rats offered free access to sucrose solution in addition to a sucrose-free composite diet develop leptin resistance whereas those consuming a similar amount of sucrose from a dry diet remain leptin responsive. Here we tested whether rats consuming a complete high sucrose diet in liquid form also became leptin resistant. Female Sprague Dawley rats were offered a sucrose free diet (NS), a dry high sucrose diet (HS), NS diet plus 30% sucrose solution (LiqS), NS diet in liquid form (NSLiq) or HS diet in Liquid form (HSLiq). After 30 days LiqS rats were leptin resistant, but all other groups were leptin responsive even though HSLiq rats consumed as much sucrose as LiqS rats and NSLiq rats had the greatest amount of body fat. Therefore, development of leptin resistance is dependent upon the consumption of sucrose independent of any other nutrients. Because LiqS rats consume sucrose throughout the day and night we tested whether limiting sucrose solution access to either the light or dark period prevented development of leptin resistance. Leptin resistant LiqS rats were either given free access to sucrose, had access to sucrose only at night or had access only during the day. The intake of rats with limited access was supplemented to the level of those with free access by tube-feeding. The results of this study show that leptin resistance of LiqS rats is independent of when the sucrose is consumed and is unrelated to total energy intake, body fat mass or serum leptin concentration.

Dietary Sugar Intake Associated with a Higher Risk of Dementia in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

BACKGROUND

We have limited evidence for the relationship of high sugar intake with dementia risk.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether high sugar intake is associated with an increased risk of dementia in community-dwelling older adultsMethods:This study included 789 participants of the Rush Memory and Aging Project (community-based longitudinal cohort study of older adults free of known dementia at enrollment), with annual clinical assessments and complete nutrient data (obtained by validated food frequency questionnaire). Clinical diagnosis of dementia is based on the criteria of the joint working group of the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke and the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association. We used Cox proportional hazard models.

RESULTS

118 participants developed dementia during 7.3±3.8 years of follow-up. Those in the highest quintile of total sugar intake were twice as likely to develop dementia than those in the lowest quintile (Q5 versus Q1:HR=2.10 (95% CI: 1.05, 4.19) when adjusted for age, sex, education, APOEɛ4 allele, calories from sources other than sugar, physical activity, and diet score. Higher percent calories from sugar were positively associated with dementia risk (β=0.042, p = 0.0009). In exploratory analyses, the highest versus lowest quintile of fructose and sucrose in the diet had higher dementia risk by 2.8 (95% CI: 1.38, 5.67) and 1.93 (95% CI: 1.05, 3.54) times, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

A higher intake of total sugar or total calories from sugar is associated with increased dementia risk in older adults. Among simple sugars, fructose (e.g., sweetened beverages, snacks, packaged desserts) and sucrose (table sugar in juices, desserts, candies, and commercial cereals) are associated with higher dementia risk.

High-sucrose diet exposure is associated with selective and reversible alterations in the rat peripheral taste system

Elevated sugar consumption is associated with an increased risk for metabolic diseases. Whereas evidence from humans, rodents, and insects suggests that dietary sucrose modifies sweet taste sensation, understanding of peripheral nerve or taste bud alterations is sparse. To address this, male rats were given access to 30% liquid sucrose for 4 weeks (sucrose rats). Neurophysiological responses of the chorda tympani (CT) nerve to lingual stimulation with sugars, other taste qualities, touch, and cold were then compared with controls (access to water only). Morphological and immunohistochemical analyses of fungiform papillae and taste buds were also conducted. Sucrose rats had substantially decreased CT responses to 0.15-2.0 M sucrose compared with controls. In contrast, effects were not observed for glucose, fructose, maltose, Na saccharin, NaCl, organic acid, or umami, touch, or cold stimuli. Whereas taste bud number, size, and innervation volume were unaffected, the number of PLCβ2+ taste bud cells in the fungiform papilla was reduced in sucrose rats. Notably, the replacement of sucrose with water resulted in a complete recovery of all phenotypes over 4 weeks. The work reveals the selective and modality-specific effects of sucrose consumption on peripheral taste nerve responses and taste bud cells, with implications for nutrition and metabolic disease risk. VIDEO ABSTRACT.

Sugary Beverage Advertising to Black and Hispanic Youth in the United States: A Call for Action

The obesity epidemic remains a major public health issue worldwide, and it is pronounced in the United States. As rates of obesity continue to increase, children now experience obesity at younger ages, which predisposes them to early-onset obesity-related diseases. Of note, Black and Hispanic children experience obesity at higher rates compared with their White counterparts. Although there are many factors that contribute to higher rates of obesity, the increased consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is one such contributor. Despite the dire state of obesity in these populations, sugar-sweetened beverage companies continue to increase their advertisements to Black and Hispanic children, which can negatively influence the childhood obesity epidemic. This article discusses the effect that sugar-sweetened beverages and their advertisements have on children in underrepresented communities. [Pediatr Ann. 2022;51(9):e370-e372.].

Integrating the effects of sucrose intake on the brain and white adipose tissue: Could autophagy be a possible link?

Excess dietary sucrose is associated with obesity and metabolic diseases. This relationship is driven by the malfunction of several cell types and tissues critical for the regulation of energy balance, including hypothalamic neurons and white adipose tissue (WAT). However, the mechanisms behind these effects of dietary sucrose are still unclear and might be independent of increased adiposity. Accumulating evidence has indicated that dysregulation of autophagy, a fundamental process for maintenance of cellular homeostasis, alters energy metabolism in hypothalamic neurons and WAT, but whether autophagy could mediate the detrimental effects of dietary sucrose on hypothalamic neurons and WAT that contribute to weight gain is a matter of debate. In this review, we examine the hypothesis that dysregulated autophagy in hypothalamic neurons and WAT is an adiposity-independent effect of sucrose that contributes to increased body weight gain. We propose that excess dietary sucrose leads to autophagy unbalance in hypothalamic neurons and WAT, which increases caloric intake and body weight, favoring the emergence of obesity and metabolic diseases.

Kithul (Caryota urens) treacle: A healthy natural sweetener?

Introduction

Incidence of non communicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), several forms of cancer, hypertension, obesity etc is increasing in our country. It is suggested that these diseases can be moderated, in part, by consuming foods that produce a low blood sugar response. It is presumed that kithul treacle is comparable to simple sugars for sweetness, although currently the beneficial effects are not widely known.

Objectives

To assess the chemical composition and glycaemic indices (GI) of kithul treacle and confectionary (aluwa) made using table sugar and kithul treacle.

Methods

Chemical composition was analysed with standard AOAC methods. FAO/WHO guidelines were used to determine the glycaemic responses with glucose as the standard.

Results

The moisture, crude protein, crude fat, total carbohydrate, starch & glucose and total dietary fibre contents of treacle were 28%, 0.3%, 7.9%, 81%, 28% and 2.20% (DM) with negligible ash content. Similarly both aluwa had negligible ash contents. Total carbohydrate (88-89%), fat (2.9%), protein (3.7-4.2%) and total dietary fibre (7.78-8.32%) contents of both aluwa were not significantly different. However, the digestible carbohydrate contents of treacle (67%) and sugar aluwa (59%) were significantly different (p<0.05). The GI of kithul treacle, aluwa made with treacle and sugar were 35, 55 and 63 respectively.

Conclusion

Kithul treacle was categorized as a low GI food whereas both aluwa were categorized as medium GI foods. In comparison to aluwa made with table sugar, the glycaemic response of aluwa made with treacle was lower proving that replacing sugar with treacle leads to lower glycaemic response.

Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and Symptom Complaints among School-Aged Children: A National Longitudinal Study

The association between sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and symptom complaints among school-aged children remains unclear. Children aged 6−17 years (n = 29,028) were recruited on the basis of a national school-based study. Data collection included two waves: the exposure was the amount and frequency of SSB consumption, collected in the 2013 autumn semester, and outcomes were defined as having clinical symptom complaints after two weeks of observation, collected in the 2014 spring semester. Symptom complaints were defined as fever, cough, headache, loose bowels, vomiting, sore throat, rash, conjunctival congestion, and stomachache. The associations between the amount/frequency of SSBs and symptoms complaints were explored by a general linear model, with adjustments made for socio-demographic and other lifestyle information. Among the 12,454 children (10.32 ± 3.15 years, 48.7% male) in the final analysis, the odds ratio for having symptom complaints (1.46, 95% CI: 1.10−1.95) among children whose SSB consumption was >75 mL/day was significantly higher than that among children who had no SSB consumption. Among children with a daily SSB intake of more than 75 mL, there was a higher risk for symptom complaints. We recommend more support for decreasing SSB consumption among children to minimize negative health outcomes.

Inadequacy of self-Implemented preventive measures to control caries increment due to poor dietary habits in 6 and 12 years old children in Riga, Latvia

AIM

This study investigated whether the self-implemented preventive measures practiced among the 6 and 12 years olds in Riga, Latvia can control the caries increment due to poor dietary habits among this age groups.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Caries examination was performed on Thirty-eight 6 and thirty-nine 12 years olds by visual and bitewing radiographic examination at baseline and after 3 years. All participants and/or their parents completed dietary habits questionnaires. The data was analyzed using t-test, chi-square test, ANOVA and frequency tables, Wilcoxon and Fisher's tests (α=0.05).

RESULTS

The mean (SD) values of caries experience at baseline/3-year period in 6- vs.12-year olds were as follows. DMFS: 0.72 (1.02)/3.13 (3.13) (p=0.0000) vs. 6.79 (5.14)/14.79 (9.86) (p=0.0000); dmfs: 11.26(8.71)/7.74 (4.86) (p=0.078) vs. 3.57 (2.03)/1.5 (0.71) (p=0.317). The statistical significance was reported only for the consumption of soft drinks (p=0.032) and sugared tea (p=0.018) for the 6 years olds, and for sugared tea (p=0.017) and number of teaspoons of sugar added to tea (p=0.0095) for the 12-years olds. There was positive caries increment in all the 6 and 12 years olds that reported significant increase in consumption of soft drinks and sugared tea, and increase daily number of teaspoons of sugar used in tea.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study demonstrated high cariogenic diet among the children in Riga, which is associated with increased caries experience that the currently practiced self-implemented oral hygiene measures was not capable of controlling.

Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) Leaves Extract and Its Modified Arginine Preparation for the Management of Metabolic Syndrome-Chemical Analysis and Bioactivity in Rat Model

Growing blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L., Highbush blueberry) as a berry crop is developing dynamically, especially in warm temperate, subtropical, and tropical regions of the world. When blueberry is cultivated on plantations, the bushes are pruned annually, and tons of leaves become waste. Thus, the aim of the present study was to create a preparation from blueberry leaves, study their chemical composition and determine their potential as a dietary supplement for the prophylactic and correction of the metabolic syndrome. Several schemes for obtaining extracts from blueberry leaves have been developed, including one with addition of arginine. A total of 18 phenolic substances were identified and quantified in the extracts by TLC and HPLC methods. Chlorogenic acid, hyperoside, and rutin were shown to be dominating constituents. Quantitative determination of hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, flavonoids and other phenolics in the extracts was performed by spectrophotometric method. The extracts administration led to a significant decrease in the level of glucose, insulin and triacylglycerols in blood serum of adult mature inbred rats with insulin resistance induced by the fructose-enriched diet. The most promising one was the extract modified with arginine. The determined hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity of chemically standardized extracts from highbush blueberry leaves indicate the potential of this crop residue in utilization as a dietary supplement recommended in prevention of ailments associated with metabolic syndrome.

Palmitoyl-CoA effect on cytochrome c release, a key process of apoptosis, from liver mitochondria of rat with sucrose diet-induced obesity

Cytochrome c (cyt-c) release from the mitochondria to the cytosol is a key process in the initiation of hepatocyte apoptosis involved in the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatocyte apoptosis may be related to lipotoxicity due to the accumulation of palmitic acid and palmitoyl-CoA (Pal-CoA). Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine whether Pal-CoA induces cyt-c release from liver mitochondria of sucrose-fed rat (SF). Pal-CoA-induced cyt-c release was sensitive to cyclosporine A indicating the involvement of the mitochondrial membrane permeability transition (mMPT). In addition, cyt-c release from SF mitochondria remains significantly lower than C mitochondria despite the increased rate of H2O2 generation in SF mitochondria. The decreased cyt-c release from SF may be also related to the increased proportion of the palmitic acid-enriched cardiolipin, due to the high availibilty of palmitic acid in SF liver. The enrichment of cardiolipin molecular species with palmitic acid makes cardiolipin more resistant to peroxidation, a mechanism involved in the dissociation of cyt-c from mitochondrial inner membrane. These results suggest that Pal-CoA may participate in the progression of NAFLD to more severe disease through mechanisms involving cyt-c release and mMPT, a key process of apoptosis.

Vascular effects of disrupting endothelial mTORC1 signaling in obesity

The mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling complex is emerging as a critical regulator of cardiovascular function with alterations in this pathway implicated in cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we used animal models and human tissues to examine the role of vascular mTORC1 signaling in the endothelial dysfunction associated with obesity. In mice, obesity induced by high-fat/high-sucrose diet feeding for ∼2 mo resulted in aortic endothelial dysfunction without appreciable changes in vascular mTORC1 signaling. On the other hand, chronic high-fat diet feeding (45% or 60% kcal: ∼9 mo) in mice resulted in endothelial dysfunction associated with elevated vascular mTORC1 signaling. Endothelial cells and visceral adipose vessels isolated from obese humans display a trend toward elevated mTORC1 signaling. Surprisingly, genetic disruption of endothelial mTORC1 signaling through constitutive or tamoxifen inducible deletion of endothelial Raptor (critical subunit of mTORC1) did not prevent or rescue the endothelial dysfunction associated with high-fat diet feeding in mice. Endothelial mTORC1 deficiency also failed to reverse the endothelial dysfunction evoked by a high-fat/high-sucrose diet in mice. Taken together, these data show increased vascular mTORC1 signaling in obesity, but this vascular mTORC1 activation appears not to be required for the development of endothelial impairment in obesity.

Effects of Sodium-Glucose Linked Transporter 2 Inhibition With Ertugliflozin on Mitochondrial Function, Energetics, and Metabolic Gene Expression in the Presence and Absence of Diabetes Mellitus in Mice

Background Inhibitors of the sodium-glucose linked transporter 2 improve cardiovascular outcomes in patients with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus, but the effects on cardiac energetics and mitochondrial function are unknown. We assessed the effects of sodium-glucose linked transporter 2 inhibition on mitochondrial function, high-energy phosphates, and genes encoding mitochondrial proteins in hearts of mice with and without diet-induced diabetic cardiomyopathy. Methods and Results Mice fed a control diet or a high-fat, high-sucrose diet received ertugliflozin mixed with the diet (0.5 mg/g of diet) for 4 months. Isolated mitochondria were assessed for functional capacity. High-energy phosphates were assessed by 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy concurrently with contractile performance in isolated beating hearts. The high-fat, high-sucrose diet caused myocardial hypertrophy, diastolic dysfunction, mitochondrial dysfunction, and impaired energetic response, all of which were prevented by ertugliflozin. With both diets, ertugliflozin caused supernormalization of contractile reserve, as measured by rate×pressure product at high work demand. Likewise, the myocardial gene sets most enriched by ertugliflozin were for oxidative phosphorylation and fatty acid metabolism, both of which were enriched independent of diet. Conclusions Ertugliflozin not only prevented high-fat, high-sucrose-induced pathological cardiac remodeling, but improved contractile reserve and induced the expression of oxidative phosphorylation and fatty acid metabolism gene sets independent of diabetic status. These effects of sodium-glucose linked transporter 2 inhibition on cardiac energetics and metabolism may contribute to improved structure and function in cardiac diseases associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, such as heart failure.

An Exploration of the Role of Sugar-Sweetened Beverage in Promoting Obesity and Health Disparities

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The mechanistic role of sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) in the etiology of obesity is undetermined. We address whether, compared to other foods, does consumption of SSB (1) automatically lead to failure to compensate for the energy it contains? (2) fail to elicit homeostatic hormone responses? (3) promote hedonic eating through activation of the brain's reward pathways? We followed the evidence to address: (4) Would restriction of targeted marketing of SSB and other unhealthy foods to vulnerable populations decrease their prevalence of obesity?

RECENT FINDINGS

The data are lacking to demonstrate that SSB consumption promotes body weight gain compared with isocaloric consumption of other beverages or foods and that this is linked to its failure to elicit adequate homeostatic hormone responses. However, more recent data have linked body weight gain to reward activation in the brain to palatable food cues and suggest that sweet tastes and SSB consumption heightens the reward response to food cues. Studies investigating the specificity of these responses have not been conducted. Nevertheless, the current data provide a biological basis to the body of evidence demonstrating that the targeted marketing (real life palatable food cues) of SSB and other unhealthy foods to vulnerable populations, including children and people of color and low socioeconomic status, is increasing their risk for obesity. While the mechanisms for the association between SSB consumption and body weight gain cannot be identified, current scientific evidence strongly suggests that proactive environmental measures to reduce exposure to palatable food cues in the form of targeting marketing will decrease the risk of obesity in vulnerable populations.

Increased Hepatic Lipogenesis Elevates Liver Cholesterol Content

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the most common cause of death in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and dyslipidemia is considered at least partially responsible for the increased CVD risk in NAFLD patients. The aim of the present study is to understand how hepatic de novo lipogenesis influences hepatic cholesterol content as well as its effects on the plasma lipid levels. Hepatic lipogenesis was induced in mice by feeding a fat-free/high-sucrose (FF/HS) diet and the metabolic pathways associated with cholesterol were then analyzed. Both liver triglyceride and cholesterol contents were significantly increased in mice fed an FF/HS diet. Activation of fatty acid synthesis driven by the activation of sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP)-1c resulted in the increased liver triglycerides. The augmented cholesterol content in the liver could not be explained by an increased cholesterol synthesis, which was decreased by the FF/HS diet. HMGCoA reductase protein level was decreased in mice fed an FF/HS diet. We found that the liver retained more cholesterol through a reduced excretion of bile acids, a reduced fecal cholesterol excretion, and an increased cholesterol uptake from plasma lipoproteins. Very low-density lipoproteintriglyceride and -cholesterol secretion were increased in mice fed an FF/HS diet, which led to hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia in Ldlr-/- mice, a model that exhibits a more human like lipoprotein profile. These findings suggest that dietary cholesterol intake and cholesterol synthesis rates cannot only explain the hypercholesterolemia associated with NAFLD, and that the control of fatty acid synthesis should be considered for the management of dyslipidemia.

Early Childhood Junk Food Consumption, Severe Dental Caries, and Undernutrition: A Mixed-Methods Study from Mumbai, India

In India, globalization has caused a nutrition transition from home-cooked foods to processed sugary snacks and drinks, contributing to increased early childhood caries (ECC). This mixed-methods study describes risk factors for ECC and associations with undernutrition in low-income communities in Mumbai. Interviews with mothers of 959 children, ages six-months through six-years, addressed maternal-child nutrition and oral health, and children received dental exams and anthropometric assessments. Focus groups with community health workers and mothers explored experiences and perceptions of oral health, nutrition, and ECC. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses of quantitative data, and content analysis of qualitative data were performed. Eighty percent of children lived 5 min from a junk-food store, over 50% consumed junk-food and sugary tea daily, 50% experienced ECC, 19% had severe deep tooth decay, 27% experienced mouth pain, and 56% experienced chronic and/or acute malnutrition. In children ages 3–6, each additional tooth with deep decay was associated with increased odds of undernutrition (Odds Ratio [OR] 1.10, Confidence Interval [CI] 1.02–1.21). Focus groups identified the junk-food environment, busy family life, and limited dental care as contributors to ECC. Policy interventions include limits on junk-food marketing and incorporating oral health services and counseling on junk-food/sugary drinks into maternal–child health programs.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate ameliorates glucolipid metabolism and oxidative stress in type 2 diabetic rats

AIMS

The objective of this study was to explore the effects of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

MAIN METHODS

Male Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated into six groups. The control group received a conventional diet. The diabetic group received a high-sucrose high-fat (HSHF) diet for 4 weeks and then was fasted and injected with streptozotocin (STZ); subsequently, the rats received a HSHF diet for another 4 weeks to develop diabetes. The four treatment groups were diabetic rats that received intragastric metformin (500 mg/kg/day) or EGCG (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg/day) for 10 weeks. All groups except the control group received a HSHF diet throughout the experiment. Several biochemical parameters such as fasting blood glucose (FBG), postprandial blood glucose (PBG), liver glycogen, muscle glycogen, fasting serum insulin (FSI), homeostasis model of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), free fatty acids (FFA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured to assess the effects of EGCG on glycemic control, insulin resistance, lipid profile, and oxidative stress. Furthermore, oxidative stress in pancreatic islet β cells was detected by dihydroethidium staining.

KEY FINDINGS

A HSHF diet and STZ injection induced T2DM, as indicated by changed blood glucose and body weight, which was accompanied by insulin resistance, an altered lipid profile, and oxidative stress. Interestingly, EGCG treatment dose-dependently recovered these indexes.

SIGNIFICANCE

EGCG successfully ameliorated glycemic control and insulin sensitivity while reducing the lipid profile and oxidative stress in a T2DM rat model.

Nitroxide-enhanced MRI of cardiovascular oxidative stress

BACKGROUND

In vivo imaging of oxidative stress can facilitate the understanding and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. We evaluated nitroxide-enhanced MRI with 3-carbamoyl-proxyl (3CP) for the detection of myocardial oxidative stress.

METHODS

Three mouse models of cardiac oxidative stress were imaged, namely angiotensin II (Ang II) infusion, myocardial infarction (MI), and high-fat high-sucrose (HFHS) diet-induced obesity (DIO). For the Ang II model, mice underwent MRI at baseline and after 7 days of Ang II (n = 8) or saline infusion (n = 8). For the MI model, mice underwent MRI at baseline (n = 10) and at 1 (n = 8), 4 (n = 9), and 21 (n = 8) days after MI. For the HFHS-DIO model, mice underwent MRI at baseline (n = 20) and 18 weeks (n = 13) after diet initiation. The 3CP reduction rate, K_red , computed using a tracer kinetic model, was used as a metric of oxidative stress. Dihydroethidium (DHE) staining of tissue sections was performed on Day 1 after MI.

RESULTS

For the Ang II model, K_red was higher after 7 days of Ang II versus other groups (p < 0.05). For the MI model, K_red , in the infarct region was significantly elevated on Days 1 and 4 after MI (p < 0.05), whereas K_red in the noninfarcted region did not change after MI. DHE confirmed elevated oxidative stress in the infarct zone on Day 1 after MI. After 18 weeks of HFHS diet, K_red was higher in mice after diet versus baseline (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Nitroxide-enhanced MRI noninvasively quantifies tissue oxidative stress as one component of a multiparametric preclinical MRI examination. These methods may facilitate investigations of oxidative stress in cardiovascular disease and related therapies.

Who drinks soda pop? Economic status and adult consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages

We use two cohorts from the National Longitudinal Surveys (NLSY79 and NLSY97), which are large, nationally representative samples of U.S. adults, to investigate consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) by SES, using nine surveys fielded between 2008 and 2016. Previous studies used income and education to measure SES, the NLS enables us to include wealth as well. Previous studies also used cross-sectional data, whereas the NLS allows us to examine whether changes in income and wealth correlate with changes in SSB intake. The results indicate an inverse gradient in SSB consumption with respect to both income and wealth, controlling for education. However, we do not find evidence that changes in income and wealth correlate with changes in SSB intake. This finding suggests that SES influences the development of SSB consumption patterns, but changes in income and wealth generally do not alter them in adulthood.

Fecal microbiota transplantation from high caloric-fed donors alters glucose metabolism in recipient mice, independently of adiposity or exercise status

Studies suggest the gut microbiota contributes to the development of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Exercise alters microbiota composition and diversity and is protective of these maladies. We tested whether the protective metabolic effects of exercise are mediated through fecal components through assessment of body composition and metabolism in recipients of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from exercise-trained (ET) mice fed normal or high-energy diets. Donor C57BL/6J mice were fed a chow or high-fat, high-sucrose diet (HFHS) for 4 wk to induce obesity and glucose intolerance. Mice were divided into sedentary (Sed) or ET groups (6 wk treadmill-based ET) while maintaining their diets, resulting in four donor groups: chow sedentary (NC-Sed) or ET (NC-ET) and HFHS sedentary (HFHS-Sed) or ET (HFHS-ET). Chow-fed recipient mice were gavaged with feces from the respective donor groups weekly, creating four groups (NC-Sed-R, NC-ET-R, HFHS-Sed-R, HFHS-ET-R), and body composition and metabolism were assessed. The HFHS diet led to glucose intolerance and obesity in the donors, whereas exercise training (ET) restrained adiposity and improved glucose tolerance. No donor group FMT altered recipient body composition. Despite unaltered adiposity, glucose levels were disrupted when challenged in mice receiving feces from HFHS-fed donors, irrespective of donor-ET status, with a decrease in insulin-stimulated glucose clearance into white adipose tissue and large intestine and specific changes in the recipient's microbiota composition observed. FMT can transmit HFHS-induced disrupted glucose metabolism to recipient mice independently of any change in adiposity. However, the protective metabolic effect of ET on glucose metabolism is not mediated through fecal factors.

Blueberry proanthocyanidins and anthocyanins improve metabolic health through a gut microbiota-dependent mechanism in diet-induced obese mice

Blueberry consumption can prevent obesity-linked metabolic diseases, and it has been proposed that the polyphenol content of blueberries may contribute to these effects. Polyphenols have been shown to favorably impact metabolic health, but the role of specific polyphenol classes and whether the gut microbiota is linked to these effects remain unclear. We aimed to evaluate the impact of whole blueberry powder and blueberry polyphenols on the development of obesity and insulin resistance and to determine the potential role of gut microbes in these effects by using fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). Sixty-eight C57BL/6 male mice were assigned to one of the following diets for 12 wk: balanced diet (Chow); high-fat, high-sucrose diet (HFHS); or HFHS supplemented with whole blueberry powder (BB), anthocyanidin (ANT)-rich extract, or proanthocyanidin (PAC)-rich extract. After 8 wk, mice were housed in metabolic cages, and an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed. Sixty germ-free mice fed HFHS diet received FMT from one of the above groups biweekly for 8 wk, followed by an OGTT. PAC-treated mice were leaner than HFHS controls although they had the same energy intake and were more physically active. This observation was reproduced in germ-free mice receiving FMT from PAC-treated mice. PAC- and ANT-treated mice showed improved insulin responses during OGTT, and this finding was also reproduced in germ-free mice following FMT. These results show that blueberry PAC and ANT polyphenols can reduce diet-induced body weight and improve insulin sensitivity and that at least part of these beneficial effects are explained by modulation of the gut microbiota.

Dietary carbohydrates modulate metabolic and β-cell adaptation to high-fat diet-induced obesity

Obesity is associated with several chronic comorbidities, one of which is type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The pathogenesis of obesity and T2DM is influenced by alterations in diet macronutrient composition, which regulate energy expenditure, metabolic function, glucose homeostasis, and pancreatic islet cell biology. Recent studies suggest that increased intake of dietary carbohydrates plays a previously underappreciated role in the promotion of obesity and consequent metabolic dysfunction. Thus, in this study, we utilized mouse models to test the hypothesis that dietary carbohydrates modulate energetic, metabolic, and islet adaptions to high-fat diets. To address this, we exposed C57BL/6J mice to 12 wk of 3 eucaloric high-fat diets (>60% calories from fat) with varying total carbohydrate (1-20%) and sucrose (0-20%) content. Our results show that severe restriction of dietary carbohydrates characteristic of ketogenic diets reduces body fat accumulation, enhances energy expenditure, and reduces prevailing glycemia and insulin resistance compared with carbohydrate-rich, high-fat diets. Moreover, severe restriction of dietary carbohydrates also results in functional, morphological, and molecular changes in pancreatic islets highlighted by restricted capacity for β-cell mass expansion and alterations in insulin secretory response. These studies support the hypothesis that low-carbohydrate/high-fat diets provide antiobesogenic benefits and suggest further evaluation of the effects of these diets on β-cell biology in humans.

Insulin induces expression of the hepatic vaspin gene

Visceral adipose tissue-derived serine protease inhibitor (vaspin), initially identified in the visceral adipose tissue, is an adipokine that improves endoplasmic reticulum stress in obesity or insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance. However, the transcriptional regulation of the hepatic vaspin gene remains elusive. We have previously shown that CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein α, a transcription factor of the basic leucine zipper class, positively regulates the vaspin gene. The present study aimed to investigate the nutritional or hormonal regulators of vaspin expression in the liver. For the fasting and refeeding study, mice in the fasting group were subjected to fasting for 24 h and then sacrificed. Mice in the refeeding group were subjected to fasting for 24 h and then refed with a 50% (w/w) sucrose/MF diet for further 24 h and then sacrificed. For the streptozotocin (STZ) study, STZ (50 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected into C57BL/6JJc1 mice for 5 d. Hepatic vaspin was repressed due to fasting for 24 h and was induced upon refeeding with a high-sucrose diet. In studies on liver-specific C/EBPα-deficient mice, C/EBPα was not involved in the induction of hepatic vaspin upon refeeding. In addition, the depletion of insulin by streptozotocin treatment markedly decreased hepatic vaspin expression. Finally, fasting-repressed vaspin expression in the liver was significantly increased by direct injection of insulin into fasting mice. In conclusion, our results suggest that insulin is a positive regulator of hepatic vaspin expression.

Ultra-processed foods and excessive free sugar intake in the UK: a nationally representative cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

To describe dietary sources of free sugars in different age groups of the UK population considering food groups classified according to the NOVA system and to estimate the proportion of excessive free sugars that could potentially be avoided by reducing consumption of their main sources.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Cross-sectional data from the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (2008-2014) were analysed. Food items collected using a 4-day food diary were classified according to the NOVA system.

PARTICIPANTS

9364 individuals aged 1.5 years and above.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Average dietary content of free sugars and proportion of individuals consuming more than 10% of total energy from free sugars.

DATA ANALYSIS

Poisson regression was used to estimate the associations between each of the NOVA food group and intake of free sugars. We estimated the per cent reduction in prevalence of excessive free sugar intake from eliminating ultra-processed foods and table sugar. Analyses were stratified by age group and adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, survey year, region and equivalised household income (sterling pounds).

RESULTS

Ultra-processed foods account for 56.8% of total energy intake and 64.7% of total free sugars in the UK diet. Free sugars represent 12.4% of total energy intake, and 61.3% of the sample exceeded the recommended limit of 10% energy from free sugars. This percentage was higher among children (74.9%) and adolescents (82.9%). Prevalence of excessive free sugar intake increased linearly across quintiles of ultra-processed food consumption for all age groups, except among the elderly. Eliminating ultra-processed foods could potentially reduce the prevalence of excessive free sugar intake by 47%.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that actions to reduce the ultra-processed food consumption generally rich in free sugars could lead to substantial public health benefits.

Intra-Abdominal Fat Adipocyte Hypertrophy through a Progressive Alteration of Lipolysis and Lipogenesis in Metabolic Syndrome Rats

This study evaluates the progressive participation of enzymes involved in lipolysis and lipogenesis, leading to adipocyte hypertrophy in a metabolic syndrome (MS) rat model caused by chronic consumption of 30% sucrose in drinking water. A total of 70 male Wistar rats were divided into two groups: C and MS. Each of these groups were then subdivided into five groups which were sacrificed as paired groups every month from the beginning of the treatment until 5 months. The intra-abdominal fat was dissected, and the adipocytes were extracted. Lipoprotein lipase (LPL), hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), protein kinases A (PKA), and perilipin A expressions were determined. The LPL and HSL activities were evaluated by spectrophotometry. Histological staining was performed in adipose tissue. Significant increases were observed in blood pressure, HOMA-IR, leptin, triglycerides, insulin, intra-abdominal fat, and number of fat cells per field (p = 0.001) and in advanced glycosylation products, adipocyte area, LPL, HSL activities and/or expression (p ≤ 0.01) in the MS groups progressively from the third month onward. Lipogenesis and lipolysis were increased by LPL activity and HSL activity and/or expression. This was associated with hyperinsulinemia and release of non-esterified fatty acids causing a positive feedback loop that contributes to the development of adipocyte hypertrophy.

Liraglutide pharmacotherapy reduces body weight and improves glycaemic control in juvenile obese/hyperglycaemic male and female rats

AIMS

To examine whether the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist liraglutide could be used in juvenile male and female rats as an anti-obesity/diabetic pharmaceutical to prevent not only adolescent obesity/hyperglycaemia, but also early-adult onset obesity.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Pregnant dams were fed either standard chow or a high-fat, high-sucrose diet (HFSD) from gestational day 2, throughout pregnancy and lactation. Offspring were weaned onto the respective maternal diet. Juveniles received daily subcutaneous injection of liraglutide (50 μg/kg, from postnatal day [PND]30 to PND40 and 200 μg/kg from PND40 to PND60) or vehicle. Food intake, body weight and glycaemic levels were evaluated across the experimental period.

RESULTS

Chronic liraglutide administration in juveniles prevented body weight gain in males and retained a normoglycaemic profile in both male and female rats.

CONCLUSION

These preclinical data suggest that maternal and early-life consumption of an HFSD increases caloric intake, body weight gain and hyperglycaemia, a collective set of unwanted metabolic effects that appear to be treatable in juveniles with liraglutide pharmacotherapy intervention.

Transgenerational impact of maternal obesogenic diet on offspring bile acid homeostasis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Studies show maternal obesity is a risk factor for metabolic syndrome and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in offspring. Here we evaluated potential mechanisms underlying these phenotypes. Female C57Bl6 mice were fed chow or an obesogenic high-fat/high-sucrose (HF/HS) diet with subsequent mating of F1 and F2 female offspring to lean males to develop F2 and F3 generations, respectively. Offspring were fed chow or fibrogenic (high transfat, cholesterol, fructose) diets, and histopathological, metabolic changes, and bile acid (BA) homeostasis was evaluated. Chow-fed F1 offspring from maternal HF/HS lineages (HF/HS) developed periportal fibrosis and inflammation with aging, without differences in hepatic steatosis but increased BA pool size and shifts in BA composition. F1, but not F2 or F3, offspring from HF/HS showed increased steatosis on a fibrogenic diet, yet inflammation and fibrosis were paradoxically decreased in F1 offspring, a trend continued in F2 and F3 offspring. HF/HS feeding leads to increased periportal fibrosis and inflammation in chow-fed offspring without increased hepatic steatosis. By contrast, fibrogenic diet-fed F1 offspring from HF/HS dams exhibited worse hepatic steatosis but decreased inflammation and fibrosis. These findings highlight complex adaptations in NAFLD phenotypes with maternal diet.

Parents' Preferences and Perceptions of Their Children's Consumption of Sugar and Non-nutritive Sugar Substitutes

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate opinions and preferences of parents from various sociodemographics regarding sugar and both natural and artificial non-nutritive sugar substitutes (NNS). Methods: Oral interview surveys were conducted in dental practice settings. Parents were asked about demographics, their consumption of and feelings about sugar and NNS for themselves and their children, and their concerns regarding NNS. Parents were asked about natural and artificial labels and were asked to select snacks/beverages they would purchase for their children. Results: Parents (N equals 100) preferred sugar-sweetened drinks for their children (76 percent), and 78 percent expressed concern about the potential health effects of NNS, especially cancer. Parents felt sugar was safer than NNS and were more positive about natural NNS than artificial ones. More highly educated parents (P = 0.02) were more likely to avoid NNS for their children, and parents of the lowest income level were likely to express ambivalence regarding naturally labeled NNS. Conclusions: Parents are concerned about giving their children NNS and cite cancer as the primary reason. Parents from higher sociodemographic backgrounds are more likely to limit their children's consumption of NNS and have negative feelings about them. Most parents, especially those of higher sociodemographics, are more accepting of natural NNS.

EP4 receptor-associated protein regulates gluconeogenesis in the liver and is associated with hyperglycemia in diabetic mice

Prostaglandin E₂ receptor 4-associated protein (EPRAP) is a key molecule in suppressing inflammatory responses in macrophages. EPRAP is expressed not only in macrophages but also in hepatocytes; however, the role of EPRAP in hepatocytes has not yet been defined. To examine the physiological role of hepatic EPRAP in mice, we performed the glucose tolerance test and the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp in high-fat sucrose diet (HFSD)-fed wild-type (WT) and Eprap null mice. We evaluated the contribution of EPRAP to gluconeogenesis by pyruvate tolerance test and primary hepatocyte experiments. Furthermore, lentivirus-expressing Eprap-specific small-hairpin RNA was injected in db/ db mice. HFSD-fed Eprap null mice had significantly lower blood glucose levels than HFSD-fed WT mice. Eprap null mice also had low glucose levels after fasting or pyruvic acid injection. Moreover, primary hepatocytes from Eprap-deficient mice showed decreased glucose production and lower expression of the Phosphoenol pyruvate carboxykinase and Glucose 6-phosphatase genes. Lentivirus-mediated hepatic Eprap suppression decreased glucose levels and the expression of gluconeogenic genes in db/ db mice. We conclude that EPRAP regulates gluconeogenesis in hepatocytes and is associated with hyperglycemia in diabetic mice. Our data suggest that suppression of EPRAP could be a novel strategy for the treatment of diabetes.

Impact of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase D on hepatic diacylglycerol accumulation, steatosis, and insulin resistance in diet-induced obesity

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase D (GPI-PLD) is an enzyme that specifically cleaves GPI anchors. Previous human studies suggested the relationship of GPI-PLD to insulin resistance, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the biological roles of GPI-PLD have not been elucidated. Here, we hypothesized that GPI-PLD impacted on lipid and glucose metabolism, especially in the liver. GPI-PLD mRNA was most highly expressed in the liver, and the hepatic mRNA level and circulating concentration of GPI-PLD were significantly augmented in diabetic mice. To investigate in vivo functions of GPI-PLD, we generated GPI-PLD knockout (GP-KO) mice. Mice lacking GPI-PLD exhibited the amelioration of glucose intolerance and hepatic steatosis under high-fat and high-sucrose diet. Furthermore, diacylglycerol (DAG) content was significantly decreased, and PKCε activity was suppressed in the livers of GP-KO mice. In vitro knockdown and overexpression experiments of GPI-PLD using rat primary hepatocytes showed the GPI-PLD-dependent regulation of intracellular DAG content. Finally, serum GPI-PLD levels were strongly and independently associated with serum alanine transaminase (R = 0.37, P = 0.0006) and triglyceride (R = 0.34, P = 0.001) levels in male subjects with metabolic syndrome. In conclusion, upregulation of hepatic GPI-PLD in diabetic conditions leads to DAG accumulation in the liver by shedding GPI anchors intracellularly, which may play a causal role in impaired hepatic insulin signaling and the progression of NAFLD.

Postmeal Optogenetic Inhibition of Dorsal or Ventral Hippocampal Pyramidal Neurons Increases Future Intake

Memory of a recently eaten meal can serve as a powerful mechanism for controlling future eating behavior because it provides a record of intake that likely outlasts most physiological signals generated by the meal. In support, impairing the encoding of a meal in humans increases the amount ingested at the next eating episode. However, the brain regions that mediate the inhibitory effects of memory on future intake are unknown. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that dorsal hippocampal (dHC) and ventral hippocampal (vHC) glutamatergic pyramidal neurons play a critical role in the inhibition of energy intake during the postprandial period by optogenetically inhibiting these neurons at specific times relative to a meal. Male Sprague Dawley rats were given viral vectors containing CaMKIIα-eArchT3.0-eYFP or CaMKIIα-GFP and fiber optic probes into dHC of one hemisphere and vHC of the other. Compared to intake on a day in which illumination was not given, inhibition of dHC or vHC glutamatergic neurons after the end of a chow, sucrose, or saccharin meal accelerated the onset of the next meal and increased the amount consumed during that next meal when the neurons were no longer inhibited. Inhibition given during a meal did not affect the amount consumed during that meal or the next one but did hasten meal initiation. These data show that dHC and vHC glutamatergic neuronal activity during the postprandial period is critical for limiting subsequent ingestion and suggest that these neurons inhibit future intake by consolidating the memory of the preceding meal.

The palatability of sugar-sweetened beverage taxation: A content analysis of newspaper coverage of the UK sugar debate

BACKGROUND

Excess sugar consumption, including sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), contributes to a variety of negative health outcomes, particularly for young people. The mass media play a powerful role in influencing public and policy-makers' perceptions of public health issues and their solutions. We analysed how sugar and SSB policy debates were presented in UK newspapers at a time of heightened awareness and following the announcement of the UK Government's soft drinks industry levy (SDIL), to inform future public health advocacy.

METHODS & FINDINGS

We carried out quantitative content analysis of articles discussing the issues of sugar and SSB consumption published in 11 national newspapers from April 2015 to November 2016. 684 newspaper articles were analysed using a structured coding frame. Coverage peaked in line with evidence publication, campaigner activities and policy events. Articles predominantly supportive of SSB taxation (23.5%) outnumbered those that were predominantly oppositional (14.2%). However, oppositional articles outnumbered supportive ones in the month of the announcement of the SDIL. Sugar and SSB consumption were presented as health risks, particularly affecting young people, with the actions of industry often identified as the cause of the public health problem. Responsibility for addressing sugar overconsumption was primarily assigned to government intervention.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that the policy landscape favouring fiscal solutions to curb sugar and SSB consumption has benefited from media coverage characterising the issue as an industry-driven problem. Media coverage may drive greater public acceptance of the SDIL and any future taxation of products containing sugar. However, future advocacy efforts should note the surge in opposition coinciding with the announcement of the SDIL, which echoes similar patterns of opposition observed in tobacco control debates.

Sex differences in hedonic and homeostatic aspects of palatable food motivation

Feeding behaviors can be modified via homeostatic and hedonic mechanisms. Homeostasis, while primarily concerned with maintaining energy balance via food consumption and energy expenditure, can alter food reward and motivation in response to food deprivation. Alternatively, reward and motivation of food is also driven by its palatability or hedonic nature, and this process can be augmented by opioid receptor activation. The present study examined sex differences in the motivational properties of sucrose pellets through manipulation of homeostatic and hedonic processes via acute food deprivation and acute systemic administration of morphine, respectively. The results showed that regardless of sex, systemic injections of morphine did not alter the motivation to obtain a sucrose pellet on a progressive ratio schedule of reinforcement but does significantly increase consumption of sucrose pellets when freely available. Male and female rats demonstrated similar increased consumption of sucrose pellets under free feeding conditions following acute (24-hours) food deprivation, compared to the non-deprived conditions. Overall, the findings from these experiments indicate that female rats work harder in order to obtain a sucrose pellet (under a Progressive Ratio (PR) schedule of reinforcement) and consume more sucrose pellets than males. However, while acute morphine administration causes similar increases on feeding in males and females, it does not alter motivation as measured by breakpoint on a PR schedule of reinforcement.

The role of the gustatory cortex in incidental experience-evoked enhancement of later taste learning

The strength of learned associations between pairs of stimuli is affected by multiple factors, the most extensively studied of which is prior experience with the stimuli themselves. In contrast, little data is available regarding how experience with "incidental" stimuli (independent of any conditioning situation) impacts later learning. This lack of research is striking given the importance of incidental experience to survival. We have recently begun to fill this void using conditioned taste aversion (CTA), wherein an animal learns to avoid a taste that has been associated with malaise. We previously demonstrated that incidental exposure to salty and sour tastes (taste preexposure-TPE) enhances aversions learned later to sucrose. Here, we investigate the neurobiology underlying this phenomenon. First, we use immediate early gene (c-Fos) expression to identify gustatory cortex (GC) as a site at which TPE specifically increases the neural activation caused by taste-malaise pairing (i.e., TPE did not change c-Fos induced by either stimulus in isolation). Next, we use site-specific infection with the optical silencer Archaerhodopsin-T to show that GC inactivation during TPE inhibits the expected enhancements of both learning and CTA-related c-Fos expression, a full day later. Thus, we conclude that GC is almost certainly a vital part of the circuit that integrates incidental experience into later associative learning.

Social defeat stress before pregnancy induces depressive-like behaviours and cognitive deficits in adult male offspring: correlation with neurobiological changes

BACKGROUND

Epidemiological surveys and studies with animal models have established a relationship between maternal stress and affective disorders in their offspring. However, whether maternal depression before pregnancy influences behaviour and related neurobiological mechanisms in the offspring has not been studied.

RESULTS

A social defeat stress (SDS) maternal rat model was established using the resident-intruder paradigm with female specific pathogen-free Wistar rats and evaluated with behavioural tests. SDS maternal rats showed a significant reduction in sucrose preference and locomotor and exploratory activities after 4 weeks of stress. In the third week of the experiment, a reduction in body weight gain was observed in SDS animals. Sucrose preference, open field, the elevated-plus maze, light-dark box, object recognition, the Morris water maze, and forced swimming tests were performed using the 2-month-old male offspring of the female SDS rats. Offspring subjected to pre-gestational SDS displayed enhanced anxiety-like behaviours, reduced exploratory behaviours, reduced sucrose preference, and atypical despair behaviours. With regard to cognition, the offspring showed significant impairments in the retention phase of the object recognition test, but no effect was observed in the acquisition phase. These animals also showed impairments in recognition memory, as the discrimination index in the Morris water maze test in this group was significantly lower for both 1 h and 24 h memory retention compared to controls. Corticosterone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and monoamine neurotransmitters levels were determined using enzyme immunoassays or radioimmunoassays in plasma, hypothalamus, left hippocampus, and left prefrontal cortex samples from the offspring of the SDS rats. These markers of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis responsiveness and the monoaminergic system were significantly altered in pre-gestationally stressed offspring. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein (CREB), phosphorylated CREB (pCREB), and serotonin transporter (SERT) protein levels were evaluated using western blotting with right hippocampus and right prefrontal cortex samples. Expression levels of BDNF, pCREB, and SERT in the offspring were also altered in the hippocampus and in the prefrontal cortex; however, there was no effect on CREB.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that SDS before pregnancy might induce depressive-like behaviours, cognitive deficits, and neurobiological alterations in the offspring.

Fecal transplant from resveratrol-fed donors improves glycaemia and cardiovascular features of the metabolic syndrome in mice

Oral administration of resveratrol attenuates several symptoms associated with the metabolic syndrome, such as impaired glucose homeostasis and hypertension. Recent work has shown that resveratrol can improve glucose homeostasis in obesity via changes in the gut microbiota. Studies involving fecal microbiome transplants (FMTs) suggest that either live gut microbiota or bacterial-derived metabolites from resveratrol ingestion are responsible for producing the observed benefits in recipients. Herein, we show that obese mice receiving FMTs from healthy resveratrol-fed mice have improved glucose homeostasis within 11 days of the first transplant, and that resveratrol-FMTs is more efficacious than oral supplementation of resveratrol for the same duration. The effects of FMTs from resveratrol-fed mice are also associated with decreased inflammation in the colon of obese recipient mice. Furthermore, we show that sterile fecal filtrates from resveratrol-fed mice are sufficient to improve glucose homeostasis in obese mice, demonstrating that nonliving bacterial, metabolites, or other components within the feces of resveratrol-fed mice are sufficient to reduce intestinal inflammation. These postbiotics may be an integral mechanism by which resveratrol improves hyperglycemia in obesity. Resveratrol-FMTs also reduced the systolic blood pressure of hypertensive mice within 2 wk of the first transplant, indicating that the beneficial effects of resveratrol-FMTs may also assist with improving cardiovascular conditions associated with the metabolic syndrome.

How Root Caries Differs between Middle-aged People and the Elderly: Findings from the 4th National Oral Health Survey of China

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the differences in distribution of root caries and related factors between middle-aged and elderly people in China.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, a multistage, cluster strategy was used to recruit 4,410 participants (2,197 males and 2,213 females) aged 35 to 44 years and 4,431 participants (2,222 males and 2,209 females) aged 65 to 74 years from all 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities of the mainland of China. The survey was conducted according to the basic methods proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO). Sociodemographic information, oral health behaviour, attitude and knowledge, history of dental prophylaxis and general health condition were collected with a closed questionnaire.

RESULTS

A great increase in the occurrence of root caries in Chinese adults from 35 to 44-year-old to 65 to 74-year-olds, with the prevalence (DFR ≥ 1) from 25.4% to 61.9% and with the mean DFR score from 0.54 ± 1.34 to 2.63 ± 3.75. Filling rates were also very low, only 1.8% and 3.0%, respectively. Females and residents of rural areas were more likely to suffer from root caries. In both the middle-aged group and the elderly group, root caries related to gender, education level, sweet food/drinks consumption, oral health knowledge and status of root surface explosion. In 35 to 44 year olds, toothbrushing is a significant protection factor (OR = 0.88, 95%CI 0.81 ~ 0.96), while using toothpicks is a risk factor (OR = 1.06, 95%CI 1.02 ~ 1.10). In 65 to 74 year olds, not having dental had scaling in the past 12 months is a risk factor (OR = 1.66, 95%CI 1.09 ~ 2.53).

CONCLUSION

Root caries among middle-aged people and elderly people in China have different risk factors and need more attention in future research to develop proper prevention.