Potential neuroprotective benefits of plant-based fermented foods in Alzheimer's disease: an update on preclinical evidence.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) currently lacks effective treatments, making its prevention a critical focus. While accumulating evidence supports that plant-based fermented foods may contribute to AD prevention, the neuroprotective effect of plant-based fermented foods on AD has not been comprehensively reviewed. In this study, we conducted a systematic review of preclinical studies on the efficacy of plant-based fermented foods in AD. The literature search was based on databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus. The PICO approach was employed for report inclusion, and each report was assessed for risk of bias using the SYRCLE's RoB tool. From the analysis of 25 retrieved reports, we extracted essential details, including bibliographic information, animal models and characteristics, sources of plant-based fermented foods, dosages, administration routes, durations, and outcome measures. Our findings indicate that plant-based fermented foods may positively impact acute and long-term cognitive function, as well as beta-amyloid-mediated neurodegeneration. This review sheds light on the potential neuroprotective benefits of plant-based fermented foods for various AD-related aspects, including oxidative stress, synaptotoxicity, neuroinflammation, tau hyperphosphorylation, dysfunctional amyloidogenic pathways, and cognitive deficits, as observed in rodent models of AD. However, the small number of studies obtained from our literature search and the finding that many of them were of moderate methodological quality suggest the need for further investigation to substantiate the beneficial potential of this class of functional food for the management of AD.

Plastic bronchitis associated with respiratory syncytial virus infection: a case report.

BACKGROUND: The etiology of Plastic bronchitis (PB) is unknown. The incidence of pulmonary infection associated with PB has increased year by year, but respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) as a pathogen causes PB has rarely been reported. CASE PRESENTATION: A 2-year-old immunocompromised girl was admitted to the hospital with cough, fever for 5 days, and aggravated with shortness of breath for 1 day. With mechanical ventilation, her respiratory failure was not relieved, and subcutaneous emphysema and mediastinal pneumatosis appeared. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was administrated, but the tidal volume was low. Therefore, a bronchoscopy was performed, by which plastic secretions were found and removed. Pathology of the plastic secretions confirmed the diagnosis of type I PB. RSV was the only positive pathogen in the alveolar lavage fluid by the next-generation sequencing test. After the bronchoscopic procedure, her dyspnea improved. The patient was discharged with a high-flow nasal cannula, with a pulse oxygen saturation above 95%. Half a year after discharge, she developed sequelae of bronchitis obliterans. CONCLUSION: RSV could be an etiology of PB, especially in an immunocompromised child. In a patient with pulmonary infection, if hypoxemia is presented and unresponded to mechanical ventilation, even ECMO, PB should be considered, and bronchoscopy should be performed as soon as possible to confirm the diagnosis and to treat.

A comprehensive review of the applications of bacteriophage-derived endolysins for foodborne bacterial pathogens and food safety: recent advances, challenges, and future perspective.

Foodborne diseases are caused by food contaminated by pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter, and Clostridium, a critical threat to human health. As a novel antibacterial agent against foodborne pathogens, endolysins are peptidoglycan hydrolases encoded by bacteriophages that lyse bacterial cells by targeting their cell wall, notably in Gram-positive bacteria due to their naturally exposed peptidoglycan layer. These lytic enzymes have gained scientists' interest in recent years due to their selectivity, mode of action, engineering potential, and lack of resistance mechanisms. The use of endolysins for food safety has undergone significant improvements, which are summarized and discussed in this review. Endolysins can remove bacterial biofilms of foodborne pathogens and their cell wall-binding domain can be employed as a tool for quick detection of foodborne pathogens. We explained the applications of endolysin for eliminating pathogenic bacteria in livestock and various food matrices, as well as the limitations and challenges in use as a dietary supplement. We also highlight the novel techniques of the development of engineering endolysin for targeting Gram-negative bacterial pathogens. In conclusion, endolysin is safe and effective against foodborne pathogens and has no adverse effect on human cells and beneficial microbiota. As a result, endolysin could be employed as a functional bio-preservative agent to improve food stability and safety and maintain the natural taste of food quality.

Potential Benefits of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (N3PUFAs) on Cardiovascular Health Associated with COVID-19: An Update for 2023.

The accumulating literature demonstrates that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, N3PUFA) can be incorporated into the phospholipid bilayer of cell membranes in the human body to positively affect the cardiovascular system, including improving epithelial function, decreasing coagulopathy, and attenuating uncontrolled inflammatory responses and oxidative stress. Moreover, it has been proven that the N3PUFAs, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are precursors of some potent endogenous bioactive lipid mediators that mediate some favorable effects attributed to their parent substances. A dose-response relationship between increased EPA and DHA intake and reduced thrombotic outcomes has been reported. The excellent safety profile of dietary N3PUFAs makes them a prospective adjuvant treatment for people exposed to a higher risk of cardiovascular problems associated with COVID-19. This review presented the potential mechanisms that might contribute to the beneficial effects of N3PUFA and the optimal form and dose applied.

Quantification of hetero-cyclic amines from different categories of braised beef by optimized UPLC-TQ-XS/ESI method.

This research work has developed and optimized a sensitive analytical method for separation and quantification of heterocyclic amines (HCAs) mainly including PhIP, Harman, Norharman, IQ, MeIQ, AαC, MeAαC and Trp-P-2 by optimizing UPLC-TQ-XS using electrospray ionization source (ESI+) on ACQUITY UPLC® BEH C18 column in <7 min, from braised beef sample matrix. Meanwhile, modified HCAs extraction by modifying QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, efficient, rugged and safe) technique and revisited with solid phase extraction (SPE) for HCAs purification, instead using traditional QuEChERS salts. Moreover, optimized pH conditions of HCA extracts before purification, for better extraction recoveries. Furthermore, this method was validated in terms of method validation parameters. Lastly, simulation of real braised beef model provided the minimum formation of HCAs by optimizing cooking parameters and precursors in a cooking system. Therefore, this method could be applied simultaneously on braised beef matrix either marketed or home cooked for HCAs analysis.

Review on Furan as a Food Processing Contaminant: Identifying Research Progress and Technical Challenges for Future Research.

A wide range of food processing contaminants (FPCs) are usually formed while thermal processing of food products. Furan is a highly volatile compound among FPCs and could be formed in a variety of thermally processed foods. Therefore, identification of possible reasons of furan occurrence in different thermally processed foods, identification of the most consequential sources of furan exposure, factors impacting its formation, and its detection by specific analytical approaches are necessary to indicate gaps and challenges for future research findings. Furthermore, controlling furan formation in processed foods on a factory scale is also challenging, and research advancements are still ongoing in this context. Meanwhile, understanding adverse effects of furan on human health on a molecular level is necessary to gain insights into human risk assessment.

Missing puzzle pieces of time-restricted-eating (TRE) as a long-term weight-loss strategy in overweight and obese people? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

The efficacy of using time restricted eating (TRE) for weight management and to mitigate metabolic disorders in overweight and obese people remains debatable. This meta-analysis quantified the impact of TRE on weight loss and metabolic health in overweight and obese people. The pooled results were subjected to a random-effects modeling using Hartung-Knapp-Sidik-Jonkman (HKSJ) method. Additionally, subgroup analysis was conducted based on study types, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) vs. non-randomized studies of interventions (NRSIs). Pooled results showed that subjects on TRE regimen (> 4 weeks) achieved a significant weight loss in comparison with unrestricted time regimen (weighted mean difference: -2.32%; 95% CI: -3.50, -1.14%; p < 0.01); however, weight loss was mainly attributed to the loss of lean mass rather than fat mass. The magnitude of weight loss was inversely correlated with daily fasting duration in RCTs. TRE significantly decreased the diastolic blood pressure and fasting insulin. An increase of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was observed in the TRE group. Favorable effect of TRE was observed on glucose metabolism but not on lipid profiles independent of weight loss. Hence TRE shall be administered with caution to overweight and obese people who have comorbidities such as dyslipidemia and sarcopenia.Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2021.1974335.

Natural Carotenoids as Neuroprotective Agents for Alzheimer's Disease: An Evidence-Based Comprehensive Review.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder of an ever-increasing aging population with various pathological features such as ß-amyloid (Aß) aggregation, oxidative stress, an impaired cholinergic system, and neuroinflammation. Several therapeutic drugs have been introduced to slow the progression of AD by targeting the above-mentioned pathways. In addition, emerging evidence suggests that naturally occurring compounds have the potential to serve as adjuvant therapies to alleviate AD symptoms. Carotenoids, a group of natural pigments with antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, are proposed to be implicated in neuroprotection. To obtain a comprehensive picture of the effect of carotenoids on AD prevention and development, we critically reviewed and discussed recent evidence from in silico, in vitro, in vivo, and human studies in databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Cochrane (CENTRAL). After analyzing the existing evidence, we found that high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are lacking to explore the neuroprotective role of carotenoids in AD pathogenesis and symptoms, especially carotenoids with solid preclinical evidence such as astaxanthin, fucoxanthin, macular carotenoids, and crocin, in order to develop effective preventive dietary supplements for AD patients to ameliorate the symptoms. This review points out directions for future studies to advance the knowledge in this field.

The landscape of potential health benefits of carotenoids as natural supportive therapeutics in protecting against Coronavirus infection.

The Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic urges researching possibilities for prevention and management of the effects of the virus. Carotenoids are natural phytochemicals of anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties and may exert potential in aiding in combatting the pandemic. This review presents the direct and indirect evidence of the health benefits of carotenoids and derivatives based on in vitro and in vivo studies, human clinical trials and epidemiological studies and proposes possible mechanisms of action via which carotenoids may have the capacity to protect against COVID-19 effects. The current evidence provides a rationale for considering carotenoids as natural supportive nutrients via antioxidant activities, including scavenging lipid-soluble radicals, reducing hypoxia-associated superoxide by activating antioxidant enzymes, or suppressing enzymes that produce reactive oxygen species (ROS). Carotenoids may regulate COVID-19 induced over-production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, pro-inflammatory enzymes and adhesion molecules by nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAS) and interleukins-6- Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (IL-6-JAK/STAT) pathways and suppress the polarization of pro-inflammatory M1 macrophage. Moreover, carotenoids may modulate the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors γ by acting as agonists to alleviate COVID-19 symptoms. They also may potentially block the cellular receptor of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). These activities may reduce the severity of COVID-19 and flu-like diseases. Thus, carotenoid supplementation may aid in combatting the pandemic, as well as seasonal flu. However, further in vitro, in vivo and in particular long-term clinical trials in COVID-19 patients are needed to evaluate this hypothesis.

Seaweeds as Ingredients to Lower Glycemic Potency of Cereal Foods Synergistically-A Perspective.

Seaweeds are traditional food ingredients mainly in seaside regions. Modern food science and nutrition researchers have identified seaweed as a source of functional nutrients, such as dietary soluble and insoluble fibers, proteins, omega-3 fatty acids, prebiotic polysaccharides, polyphenols, and carotenoids. Owing to the rich nutrients, seaweeds and seaweed extract can be used as functional ingredients by modifying the nutrients composition to reduce the proportion of available carbohydrates, delaying the gastric emptying time and the absorption rate of glucose by increasing the digesta viscosity, and attenuating the digesting rate by blocking the activity of digestive enzymes. This review presents the concept of using seaweed as unconventional ingredients that can function synergistically to reduce the glycemic potency of cereal products.

Prebiotic Oligosaccharides Enhance Iron Absorption Via Modulation of Protein Expression and Gut Microbiota in a Dose-Response Manner in Iron-Deficient Growing Rats.

SCOPE: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in children is one of the most common nutrition-related health conditions worldwide. Prebiotic oligosaccharides, fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), have shown to affect iron absorption in anemic subjects, but the results in previous studies are inconsistent, thus the underlying mechanism and the effective dose of GOS in mitigating anemia remain unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: The present study aims to investigate the mechanism of how GOS/FOS affect iron absorption in an iron-deficient growing rat model from the perspectives of protein expression and gut microbiota, and determine the optimum dose of GOS. Iron-deficient models are established by providing young rats diet without iron addition for 14 days. Later, iron-deficient rats are provided with standard rat chows supplemented with 0%, 3%, 5%, 10% GOS, and 10% FOS for 21 days. The results show that ≥5% GOS supplementation in diet improves iron status and significantly impacts iron-binding/transport protein expression. Furthermore, a dose-dependent modulating effect of GOS on gut microbiota is determined. CONCLUSION: For the first time, the present study provides evidence that GOS supplementation induces a dose-response effect on iron absorption and gut microbiota in the established model, suggesting a positive role of GOS in ameliorating IDA in children.

A fully validated high-throughput liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for automatic extraction and quantitative determination of endogenous nutritional biomarkers in dried blood spot samples.

Dried blood spot (DBS) sampling demonstrates multiple advantages over traditional venous blood collection in terms of quantifying biomarkers for clinical applications. The process is more convenient, less invasive and requires smaller sample size. More importantly, it lowers risk of infection and allows easier sample transportation and storage. In this study, an automated high-throughput DBS-LC-MS/MS method was developed for quantifying endogenous biomarkers in DBS (or 20 µL whole blood) and later applied in riboflavin (i.e. vitamin B2) quantification. The method consists of four steps, including internal standard spraying, high pressure sample extraction, LC-MS/MS sample analysis and automatic extraction module cleaning. The last two steps overlap, thus reducing sample preparation time and shorten the sample analysis cycle to five minutes per sample. The method was validated to be selective and sensitive (LLOQ=2 ng/mL) over a range of 2-120 ng/mL. Matrix effect was compensated by the application of internal standard, while within-run precision, between-run precision, accuracy, stability and ruggedness of the developed method were all assessed to be satisfactory. Quantitative analysis of riboflavin in 133 whole blood samples using the developed method demonstrated strong correlation compared with those quantified using traditional manual sample preparation followed by LC-MS/MS analysis (R = 0.9774). In conclusion, an automated high-throughput DBS-LC-MS/MS method was developed and validated to be sensitive, accurate and robust, suggesting great potential in the quantification of endogenous biomarkers in blood or other biofluids.

Low skeletal muscle mass is associated with arterial stiffness in community-dwelling Chinese aged 45 years and older.

BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that body composition has impact on arterial stiffness. However, evidence in Chinese are limited, and results remain controversial. The aim of our study is to investigate whether skeletal muscle mass is associated with arterial stiffness in Chinese community-dwelling men and women aged 45 years and older. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 20,477 participants (age range: 45-80 years, 68.8% women) were included in the analysis. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), an indicator of arterial stiffness was measured using a waveform device. Total muscle mass and muscle mass of arm, leg and trunk were measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Height and weight were measured and appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI) was calculated as appendicular skeletal muscle mass (sum of arm and leg muscle mass) divided by height square. RESULTS: After adjustment for age, body fat percentage, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure, ASMI was negatively associated with baPWV [ß (SE) for men: - 0.208 (0.016), p < 0.0001; for women: - 0.245 (0.012), p < 0.0001]. High ASMI was a protective factor for the presence of arterial stiffness (defined as baPWV) [OR (95%CI) for men: 0.730 (0.682, 0.782), p < 0.0001; women: 0.634 (0.593, 0.677), p < 0.0001]. Similar associations were found between quantity of muscle mass (total and appendicular muscle mass, muscle mass of arm, leg and trunk) and arterial stiffness in men and women after further adjustment for height (all p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Low skeletal muscle mass is associated with increased risk of arterial stiffness in Chinese community-dwelling adults aged 45 years and older.

A combination of Pueraria lobata and Silybum marianum protects against alcoholic liver disease in mice.

BACKGROUND: Excess alcohol exposure leads to alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Pueraria lobata (PUE) and Silybum marianum (SIL) are two well-known hepatoprotective herbal remedies with various activities. The possible effect of combination of PUE and SIL on ALD has not been elucidated yet. PURPOSE: We aimed to demonstrate that the combination of PUE and SIL prevents against alcoholic liver injury in mice using a model of chronic-plus-single-binge ethanol feeding. STUDY DESIGN: Male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into five groups (n = 8-10), namely the control group (CON), ethanol-induced liver injury group (ETH), 150 mg/kg PUE treated group (PUE), 60 mg/kg SIL treated group (SIL), 210 mg/kg PUE+SIL treatment group (PUE+SIL). Except control group, all animals were fed a modified Lieber-DeCarli ethanol liquid diet for 10 days. While, control group received Lieber-DeCarli control diet containing isocaloric maltose dextrin substituted for ethanol. On day 11, the mice orally received a single dose of 31.5% (v/v) ethanol (5 g/kg BW) or an isocaloric maltose solution. RESULTS: Ethanol exposure caused liver injury, as demonstrated by remarkably increased plasma parameters, histopathological changes, the increased lipid accumulation, oxidative stress and inflammation in liver. These alterations were ameliorated by the treatments of PUE, SIL and PUE+SIL. While, the PUE+SIL treatment showed the most effective protection, which was associated with reducing alcohol-induced hepatic steatosis via upregulating LKB1/AMPK/ACC signaling, and inhibiting hepatic inflammation via LPS-triggered TLR4-mediated NF-κB signaling pathway. Our results also indicated that the hepatoprotective effects of SIL+PUE might mainly attribute to the protection of SIL and PUE alone in alcohol-induced hepatic steatosis and hepatic inflammation, respectively. CONCLUSION: These findings also suggest that the combination of PUE and SIL has a potential to be developed as a functional food for the management of ALD.

Role of advanced glycation end products in mobility and considerations in possible dietary and nutritional intervention strategies.

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs), a group of compounds that are formed by non-enzymatic reactions between carbonyl groups of reducing sugars and free amino groups of proteins, lipids or nucleic acids, can be obtained exogenously from diet or formed endogenously within the body. AGEs accumulate intracellularly and extracellularly in all tissues and body fluids and can cross-link with other proteins and thus affect their normal functions. Furthermore, AGEs can interact with specific cell surface receptors and hence alter cell intracellular signaling, gene expression, the production of reactive oxygen species and the activation of several inflammatory pathways. High levels of AGEs in diet as well as in tissues and the circulation are pathogenic to a wide range of diseases. With respect to mobility, AGEs accumulate in bones, joints and skeletal muscles, playing important roles in the development of osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and sarcopenia with aging. This report covered the related pathological mechanisms and the potential pharmaceutical and dietary intervention strategies in reducing systemic AGEs. More prospective studies are needed to determine whether elevated serum AGEs and/or skin autofluorescence predict a decline in measures of mobility. In addition, human intervention studies are required to investigate the beneficial effects of exogenous AGEs inhibitors on mobility outcomes.

Effect of nanoparticle hydroxyapatite on the immobilization of Cu and Zn in polluted soil.

Phosphate compounds and related materials are effective amendments for immobilization of heavy metals in contaminated soils. A greenhouse pot experiment with ryegrass (Lolium perenne) as the test plant was conducted to explore the impact of nanoparticle hydroxyapatite (HAP) on the immobilization and bioavailability of Cu and Zn in a heavy metal-polluted soil. The addition of nanoparticle HAP significantly decreased the uptake of Cu and Zn by ryegrass. As a result, the biomass of ryegrass increased as the rate of nanoparticle HAP increased. The toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) and physiologically based extraction test (PBET) results of the treatments showed that the leachable and bioaccessible concentrations of Cu and Zn were significantly reduced after the soil stabilized with nanoparticle HAP. The XRD pattern of nanoparticle HAP was not changed by the presence of Cu and Zn, which suggests that Cu and Zn were immobilized by the formation of solid amorphous phosphate. Nanoparticle HAP was an effective material to immobilize heavy metals in contaminated soils.

Contamination of Chinese salted fish with volatile N-nitrosamines as determined by QuEChERS and gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

The QuEChERS sample preparation method and gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry were employed to determine nine volatile N-nitrosamines (VNAs) in Chinese salted fish. This method was validated by considering calibration plot linearity, selectivity, matrix effects, trueness, precision, limits of quantification and specificity. Fifty-four samples of Chinese salted fish obtained from five provinces were analyzed. The results indicated that the concentrations of one VNA, N-nitrosodimethylamine in 57.4% of the samples exceeded the acceptable limit (the China national standard value of 4µgkg-1), and total VNA contents in 68.5% of the samples exceeded the acceptable United States Department of Agriculture limit of 10µgkg-1 for cured meats. In addition, total VNAs in marine salted fish that exceeded the acceptable limit were statistically higher than those in freshwater salted fish. The present study suggests that VNA contamination in Chinese salted fish continues to be serious, and deserves stricter management by the authorities.

The Effect of Vegan Protein-Based Diets on Metabolic Parameters, Expressions of Adiponectin and Its Receptors in Wistar Rats.

Vegan protein-based diet has attracted increasing interest in the prevention of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Meanwhile, adiponectin has become a highly potential molecular target in the prevention of MetS. Our study will identify a potential vegan protein diet for the prevention of MetS using rat models. Thirty-six Wistar rats were randomly assigned into three groups and given diets containing one of the following proteins for 12 weeks: casein (CAS, control diet), soy protein (SOY), and gluten-soy mixed protein (GSM). Changes in metabolic parameters as well as the expressions of adiponectin and its receptors were identified. Compared to CAS diet, both SOY and GSM diets led to decreases in blood total cholesterol and triglycerides, but only GSM diet led to an increase in HDL-cholesterol; no marked difference was observed in blood glucose in all three groups; HOMA-IR was found lower only in SOY group. Among groups, the order of serum adiponectin level was found as GSM > SOY > CAS. Similar order pattern was also observed in expression of adiponectin in adipose tissue and AdipoR1 mRNA in skeletal muscle. Our results suggested for the first time that, besides SOY diet, GSM diet could also be a possible substitute of animal protein to prevent MetS.

A Moderate Low-Carbohydrate Low-Calorie Diet Improves Lipid Profile, Insulin Sensitivity and Adiponectin Expression in Rats.

Calorie restriction (CR) via manipulating dietary carbohydrates has attracted increasing interest in the prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome. There is little consensus about the extent of carbohydrate restriction to elicit optimal results in controlling metabolic parameters. Our study will identify a better carbohydrate-restricted diet using rat models. Rats were fed with one of the following diets for 12 weeks: Control diet, 80% energy (34% carbohydrate-reduced) and 60% energy (68% carbohydrate-reduced) of the control diet. Changes in metabolic parameters and expressions of adiponectin and peroxisome proliferator activator receptor γ (PPARγ) were identified. Compared to the control diet, 68% carbohydrate-reduced diet led to a decrease in serum triglyceride and increases inlow density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and total cholesterol; a 34% carbohydrate-reduced diet resulted in a decrease in triglycerides and an increase in HDL-cholesterol, no changes however, were shown in LDL-cholesterol and total cholesterol; reductions in HOMA-IR were observed in both CR groups. Gene expressions of adiponectin and PPARγ in adipose tissues were found proportionally elevated with an increased degree of energy restriction. Our study for the first time ever identified that a moderate-carbohydrate restricted diet is not only effective in raising gene expressions of adiponectin and PPARγ which potentially lead to better metabolic conditions but is better at improving lipid profiles than a low-carbohydrate diet in rats.

Imbalance of iron influx and efflux causes brain iron accumulation over time in the healthy adult rat.

Brain iron accumulation is supposed to play a central role in neurodegeneration by inducing oxidative stress. Currently it is unknown to which extent iron entering brain over lifetime exchanges with body iron or if uptake of iron is unidirectional without significant efflux from brain. To study brain iron dynamics in vivo, up to three stable isotope tracers were fed continuously with a standard rodent diet up to 5 months to healthy adult male Wistar rats (n = 8) in a staggered design. Brain iron uptake was found to be bi-directional but iron influx and efflux were unbalanced leading inevitably to brain iron accumulation over time. Brain iron turnover was found to be very low at a half-life of ca. 9 months for tracer iron entering brain. Observed tracer accumulation in brain iron can be extrapolated to an increase of brain iron by ca. 30% in the healthy rats from early adulthood to the end of their lives. In contrast to current beliefs that brain uptake of dietary iron is negligible during adulthood following short-term radiotracer studies, our long-term feeding experiments point to a possible role of the diet in brain iron accumulation and, subsequently, neurodegeneration.