Sulfated Polysaccharide from Caulerpa racemosa Attenuates the Obesity-Induced Cardiometabolic Syndrome via Regulating the PRMT1-DDAH-ADMA with mTOR-SIRT1-AMPK Pathways and Gut Microbiota Modulation.

Our investigation intended to analyze the effects of sulfated polysaccharides from Caulerpa racemosa (SPCr) in attenuating obesity-induced cardiometabolic syndrome via regulating the protein arginine N-methyltransferase 1-asymmetric dimethylarginine-dimethylarginine dimethylamino-hydrolase (PRMT1-DDAH-ADMA) with the mammalian target of rapamycin-Sirtuin 1-5' AMP-activated protein kinase (mTOR-SIRT1-AMPK) pathways and gut microbiota modulation. This is a follow-up study that used SPs from previous in vitro studies, consisting of 2,3-di-O-methyl-1,4,5-tri-O-acetylarabinitol, 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-methyl-D-mannopyranose, and type B ulvanobiuronicacid 3-sulfate. A total of forty rats were randomly divided into four treatment groups: Group A received a standard diet; Group B was provided with a diet enriched in cholesterol and fat (CFED); and Groups C and D were given the CFED along with ad libitum water, and daily oral supplementation of 65 or 130 mg/kg of body weight (BW) of SPCr, respectively. Group D showed the lowest low-density lipoprotein, triglyceride, total cholesterol, and blood glucose levels, and the highest HDL level compared to the other groups in this study. These results in the group fed high-dose SPCr demonstrated a significant effect compared to the group fed low-dose SPCr (p < 0.0001), as well as in total cholesterol and blood glucose (p < 0.05). Supplementation with SPCr was also observed to have an upregulation effect on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator (PGC)-1alpha, interleukin 10, Sirtuin 1, DDAH-II, superoxide dismutase (SOD) cardio, and AMPK, which was also followed by a downregulation of PRMT-1, TNF-α, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor, and mTOR. Interestingly, gut microbiota modulation was also observed; feeding the rats with a cholesterol-enriched diet shifted the gut microbiota composition toward the Firmicutes level, lowered the Bacteroidetes level, and increased the Firmicutes level. A dose of 130 mg/kg BW of SPCr is the recommended dose, and investigation still needs to be continued in clinical trials with humans to see its efficacy at an advanced level.

Soy-Based Tempeh Rich in Paraprobiotics Properties as Functional Sports Food: More Than a Protein Source.

To date, there has been no recent opinion that explores tempeh as a functional food that can improve sports performance. Hence, this opinion article aims to elaborate on recent findings on the potential effect on sports performance of soy-based tempeh. This opinion paper presents updated evidence based on literature reviews about soy-based tempeh and its relationship with sports performance. The paraprobiotic role of Lactobacillus gasseri for athletes has been found to restore fatigue and reduce anxiety. This is achieved by increasing protein synthesis activity in eukaryotic initiation factor-2 (EIF2) signaling known as an adaptive pathway for integrated stress response. In addition, these paraprobiotics prevent down-regulation associated with the oxidative phosphorylation gene, thereby contributing to the maintenance of mitochondrial function and recovery from fatigue. The authors believe that this opinion article will encourage researchers to continue to evolve soybean-based tempeh food products and increase the performance of athletes by consuming soy-based foods.

Evaluation of Caffeine Ingested Timing on Endurance Performance based on CYP1A2 rs762551 Profiling in Healthy Sedentary Young Adults.

Background: Caffeine is generally suggested to increase VO2max in endurance performance. Nevertheless, the response to caffeine ingestion does not seem to be uniform across individuals. Therefore, caffeine ingested timing on endurance performance based on the type of CYP1A2 single nucleotide polymorphism rs762551, that were classified as fast and slow metabolizers, need to be evaluated. Methods: Thirty participants participated in this study. DNA was obtained from saliva samples and genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Each respondent completed beep tests under three treatments blindly: placebo, 4 mg/kg body mass of caffeine one hour, and two hours before test. Results: Caffeine increased estimated VO2max in fast metabolizers (caffeine=29.39±4.79, placebo=27.33±4.02, p<0.05) and slow metabolizers (caffeine=31.25±6.19, placebo=29.17±5.32, p<0.05) in one hour before test. Caffeine also increased estimated VO2max in fast metabolizers (caffeine=28.91±4.65, placebo=27.33±4.02, p<0.05) and slow metabolizers (caffeine=32.53±6.68, placebo=29.17±5.32, p<0.05) in two hour before test. However, for slow metabolizers, the increasing was greater when caffeine was administered two hours before test (slow=3.37±2.07, fast=1.57±1.62, p<0.05). Conclusion: Genetic variance may affect the optimal caffeine ingestion timing, sedentary individuals who want to enhance their endurance performance may ingest caffeine 1 hour before exercise for fast metabolizers and 2 hours before exercise for slow metabolizers.

Effect of Processed Soybeans (Tofu and Tempeh) Consumption, and Exercise on Upper Respiratory Tract Immunity.

Background: IgA is widely used as Upper Respiratory Tract Infection (URTI) risk marker, as a lower concentration in sIgA indicates a higher incidence of URTI. This study aimed to investigate the effect of different types of exercise; combined with Tempeh consumption in increasing sIgA concentration in saliva sample. Methods: 19 sedentary male subjects aged 20-23 were recruited and assigned into 2 groups based on the exercise type, endurance (n=9), and resistance (n=10). These subjects underwent 2 weeks of Tofu and Tempeh consumption, then were assigned to do exercises based on their groups. Results: This study showed an increased mean value of sIgA concentrations in the endurance group; the baseline value, after food treatment, and after food and exercise treatment were 71.726 ng/mL, 73.266 ng/mL, and 73.921 ng/mL, respectively for Tofu treatment; and 71.726 ng/mL, 73.723 ng/mL, and 75.075 ng/mL, respectively for Tempeh treatment. While in the resistance group, there was also an increase in the mean value of sIgA concentrations; baseline, after food treatment, and after food and exercise treatments were 70.123 ng/mL, 71.801 ng/mL, and 74.430 ng/mL, respectively for Tofu treatment; and 70.123 ng/mL, 72.397 ng/mL, and 77.216 ng/mL, respectively for Tempeh treatment. These results indicated that combining both Tempeh consumption and moderate intensity resistance exercise was more effective to increase sIgA concentration. Conclusion: This study showed that combining moderate intensity resistance exercise with consumption of 200 gr Tempeh for 2 weeks was more effective in increasing sIgA concentration; compared to endurance exercise and Tofu consumption.

SIRT1 as a Potential Biomarker for Obesity.

Asian people generally have thin figures; yet, they often suffer from hidden alarming metabolic conditions due to high visceral fat area (VFA). Therefore, it is crucial to have a biomarker to predict visceral obesity to prevent further complications. SIRT1, a NAD-dependent deacetylase gene, is responsible for upregulating lipolysis genes and is downregulated after acute high-fat meal consumption. However, the chronic exposure effect remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between SIRT1 mRNA expression, fat intake, and visceral obesity in Indonesian population. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 38 healthy subjects (20-30 y old, not suffering any chronic diseases or fever, not taking any medication or treatment, not smoking, not drinking alcohol frequently, not being pregnant, and not breastfeeding). Dietary patterns from 24-h food recall, physical activities fom international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ), medical data from annual medical check-up, and body compositions were measured using InBody720 and compared with SIRT1 expression from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) samples. RESULTS: Subjects with excessive percentage of body fat (PBF) had a significantly higher body mass index (BMI) (normal: 20.28±2.09, excessive: 23.86±3.71, p=0.023) and VFA (normal: 48.00±9.38, excessive: 79.17±16.14, p=5×1025). The SIRT1 mRNA expression was significantly higher in subjects with excessive PBF (normal: 1±0.43, excessive: 3.68±2.62, p=0.018) and positively correlated with PBF (ρ=0.376, p=0.045). CONCLUSION: SIRT1 acted as a potential marker for obesity in the evaluated population.

Association of FTO rs9939609 and CD36 rs1761667 with Visceral Obesity.

In 2016, more than 1.9 billion adults were overweight; of which, over 650 million of adults were obese. Genetics and lifestyle play important roles in the development of obesity. Studies have shown that genetic variants contribute in developing obesity; such as FTO and CD36, which regulate metabolism and food preferences. Many researches have also emphasized the importance of lifestyle in obesity prevention. However, the interactions of both factors were still underexplored. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess the interaction between FTO-CD36 variants and fat consumption on the metabolic status of healthy Indonesians. Twenty-one females and seventeen males were involved in this cross-sectional study. CD36 rs1761667 and FTO rs9939609 genotypes were identified from blood samples using PCR-RFLP. Data were compared with dietary patterns (24-h food recall), physical activities (IPAQ), medical records, and body compositions (InBody720). Results: CD36 rs1761667 AA and AG group showed higher -but not significant- fat consumption, WHR, and VFA compared to GG. The trend persisted after gender and physical activity adjustment. Meanwhile, FTO rs9939609 AT group showed significant higher WC, WHR and VFA in male subjects after gender and energy balance adjustment: WC (TT: 74.40±3.85, AT: 85.50±5.92, p=0.011), WHR (TT: 0.85±0.02, AT: 0.92±0.04, p=0.010), and VFA (TT: 48.65±10.61, AT: 78.48±15.18, p=0.010). CD36 rs1761667 might be correlated with higher fat consumption and visceral obesity; while FTO rs9939609 showed a significant association with male visceral obesity. These results indicates that both genetic variants were potential as visceral obesity markers.