Associations between food consumption/dietary habits and the risks of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension: a cross-sectional study in Jakarta, Indonesia.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the current mean daily intake of 10 food groups, analyze the sociodemographic factors associated with food consumption, and determine the associations between food consumption/dietary intake and the prevalence rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2D), and hypertension (HTN) in Jakarta, Indonesia. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A total of 600 participants aged 20-85 yrs were included in this cross-sectional study. Food consumption and dietary habits were assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. To determine the association between food consumption/dietary habits and the abovementioned diseases, logistic regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: The average vegetable and fruit intake was lower, while sugar and salt consumption were higher than that recommended by Indonesia's national dietary guidelines. A high intake of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) was associated with young age, men, "single" status, a high education level, and employment with a high monthly income. Obesity and T2D were positively correlated with high intakes of cereals and tubers, UPFs, sugars, fats, and oils. Conversely, an inverse association was found between legume, vegetable, and fruit consumption and obesity risk. An inverse correlation was also observed between vegetable consumption and T2D risk. Moreover, a high salt intake was inversely correlated with fruit consumption in terms of HTN risk. Non-indulgence in habitual late-night snacking and refrainment from consuming more than one dish at each meal were also negatively related to the prevalence of obesity, T2D, and HTN. Inverse correlations were also observed between the prevalence rates of T2D and HTN and abstaining from adding sugar to beverages. CONCLUSION: Foods high in fat, sugar, and sodium were strongly associated with the risks of obesity, T2D, and HTN. Additionally, poor eating habits were also associated with disease development.

Lactobacillus paracasei-derived extracellular vesicles alleviate neutrophilic asthma by inhibiting the JNK pathway in airway epithelium.

BACKGROUND: Lactobacillus paracasei has been known to reduce airway resistance and inflammation in asthma. However, the therapeutic effect of its extracellular vesicles (EVs) in patients with asthma remains unclear. METHODS: To validate the clinical relevance of L. paracasei-derived EVs (LpEV) in asthma, the composition of gut microbial EVs was verified by metagenomics in LPS-induced C57BL/6 mice. The components of proteins and metabolites in LpEV were identified by peptide mass fingerprinting and metabolomic analysis. The serum levels of specific IgG1 or IgG4 antibodies to LpEV were compared by ELISA between patients with eosinophilic asthma (EA, n = 10) and those with neutrophilic asthma (NA, n = 10) as well as with healthy controls (HCs, n = 10). Finally, therapeutic effects of LpEV and their metabolites in asthma were validated in vivo/in vitro. RESULTS: Significantly lower proportions of EVs derived from Lactobacillus at the genus level were noted in mice with NA than in control mice. Moreover, the serum levels of LpEV-specific IgG4, but not IgG1, were lower in patients with NA than in those with EA or in HCs and positively correlated with FEV1 (%) values. In addition, oral administration of LpEV reduced airway resistance and inflammation in mice with NA. Finally, LpEV and their 3 metabolites (dodecanoic acid, palmitoleic acid, and D-(-)-tagatose) significantly inhibited JNK phosphorylation/IL-8 production in airway epithelium in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that LpEV may have a therapeutic potential targeting NA by suppressing the JNK pathway and proinflammatory cytokine production in airway epithelium.

Collagen Hydrolysate from the Scales of Mozambique Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) Improve Hair and Skin Health by Alleviating Oxidative Stress and Inflammation and Promoting Hair Growth and Extracellular Matrix Factors.

Fish-derived collagen hydrolysate (CH) has shown promise in improving hair and skin health. Therefore, this study sought to comprehensively assess the effects of CH extracted from Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) scales on hair and skin using in vitro and in vivo models. Human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs) were used for antioxidant and gene expression analyses, while C57BL/6 mice were orally administered CH for six weeks to assess hair growth patterns. The mice were divided into four groups: negative control (NC; distilled water), positive control (PC; 1 mg/kg finasteride), CH500 (500 mg/kg BW CH), and CH1000 (1000 mg/kg BW CH). CH mitigated catalase activity reduction in hDPCs, increased IGF-1 and VEGF levels, and decreased TGF-ß1, TNF-α, and IL-1ß expression. In vivo, CH treatment improved hair growth index, length, diameter, weight, and density. Scanning electron microscopy revealed reduced hair damage. Moreover, CH up-regulated IGF-1, VEGF, Elastin, and HAS2 mRNA expression while down-regulating TNF-α and IL-1ß. CH enhanced hair shine, growth, and skin health while alleviating inflammation. These findings demonstrate the potential of CH in alleviating oxidative stress, promoting hair growth, and enhancing skin health, both in vitro and in vivo. Fish-derived CH offers a cost-effective and bioavailable option for improving hair and skin health.

Noni fruit extract ameliorates alcohol-induced hangover symptoms by reducing the concentrations of alcohol and acetaldehyde in a Sprague Dawley rat model and a human intervention study.

Various studies have reported that Noni shows various health effects. This study aimed to assess the ability of Noni fruit extract to serve as a single active functional ingredient for the alleviation of hangover symptoms in Sprague Dawley rats and healthy subjects in a single-dose, randomized, double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled study. The rats were orally administered Noni fruit extract at 50 or 100 mg per kg body weight (B.W.) and HOVENIA. The blood ethanol (EtOH) and acetaldehyde concentrations were significantly lower in the 100 mg per kg B.W. group than in the EtOH group. Alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase activity tended to increase in the 100 mg kg-1 B.W. group. In the human study, 30 subjects received either a placebo or Noni fruit extract (1 g). The Noni fruit extract group showed significantly faster time point at which the maximum concentration (Tmax) of alcohol than in the placebo group. In addition, blood acetaldehyde levels and diarrhea at 40 and 720 min after alcohol intake and the area under the curve between 40 and 60 min of acetaldehyde were significantly decreased in the Noni fruit extract group compared to the placebo group. According to the QUalitative INteraction Trees, subjects who were ≤36 years old who consumed more alcohol (>15 drinks per week) and had a higher total hangover score (>27.5 and 33) presented significantly lower blood acetaldehyde levels and less severe hangover symptoms. These results indicate that Noni fruit extract has the potential to improve hangover symptoms by decreasing alcohol and acetaldehyde levels.

Micrococcus luteus-derived extracellular vesicles attenuate neutrophilic asthma by regulating miRNAs in airway epithelial cells.

Bacterial extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been shown to regulate various pulmonary diseases, but their functions in asthma remain uncertain. To demonstrate the clinical significance of Micrococcus luteus-derived EVs (MlEVs) in asthma, we enrolled 45 asthmatic patients (20 patients with neutrophilic asthma [NA], 25 patients with eosinophilic asthma [EA]) and 40 healthy controls (HCs). When the prevalence of IgG1 and IgG4 specific to MlEVs was evaluated in serum by ELISA, lower levels of MlEV-specific IgG4 (but not IgG1) were noted in asthmatic patients than in HCs. Among asthmatic patients, significantly lower levels of MIEV-specific IgG4 were noted in patients with NA than in those with EA. Moreover, there was a positive correlation between serum MlEV-specific IgG4 levels and FEV1 (%) values. In asthmatic C57BL/6 mice, MlEVs significantly attenuated neutrophilic airway inflammation by reducing the production of IL-1ß and IL-17 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid as well as the number of group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s) in lung tissues. To clarify the functional mechanism of MlEVs in NA, the effect of MlEVs on airway epithelial cells (AECs) and immune cells was investigated ex vivo. According to microarray analysis, MlEVs upregulated hsa-miR-4517 expression in AECs. Moreover, this miRNA could suppress IL-1ß production by monocytes, resulting in the inhibition of ILC3 activation and neutrophil recruitment. These findings suggest that MlEVs could be a novel therapeutic agent for managing unresolved NA by regulating miRNA expression in AECs.

Microinjury-Induced Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Surge Stimulates Hair Regeneration in Mice.

INTRODUCTION: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α released after follicular injury such as that caused by plucking plays a role in the activation of hair regeneration. Microneedle (MN) treatment is applied to the scalp to increase permeability and facilitate the delivery of any number of compounds. Because the MN treatment causes injury to the epidermis, albeit minor, we reasoned that this treatment would lead to a temporary TNF-α surge and thereby promote hair regeneration. METHODS: To investigate the effects of MN-treatment-induced microinjury and TNF-α on hair growth, we used C57BL/6N mice which were divided into six experimental groups: three groups of 1) negative control (NC), 2) plucking positive control (PK), and 3) MN therapy system (MTS) mice; and three groups identical to above were treated with a TNF-α blocker for 3 weeks: 4) NCB, 5) PKB, and 6) MTSB group. RESULTS: After injury, TNF-α surge occurred on day 3 in the PK group and on day 6 in the MTS group. Wnt proteins and VEGF expression were markedly increased in the PK group on day 3 and on day 6 in the MTS group compared to the NC group. Following wound healing, only MTS and PK groups displayed thickened epidermis and longer HF length. Within the 2 weeks following treatment, the rate of hair growth was much slower in the injured mice treated with the TNF-α blocker. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that microinjury stimulates the wound-healing mechanism via TNF-α/Wnt/VEGF surge to induce hair growth, and that blocking TNF-α inhibits this growth process.

Optimal Serum 25(OH)D Level and Vitamin D Intake in Young Korean Women.

Vitamin D status is essential for preventing bone disease. Young Korean women have the highest vitamin D deficiency prevalence compared with other demographic groups. This study aimed to establish the optimal vitamin D intake level for maintaining an adequate serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) level by season in young Korean women (mean age: 23.1 years). Each participant (wintertime, n = 101; summertime, n = 117) completed a lifestyle survey, dietary record, bone mineral density, and biochemical tests. Seasonal factors impacting 25(OH)D were identified, vitamin D intake for sufficient 25(OH)D levels was calculated, and the relationship between 25(OH)D and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) was analyzed. During summertime, 25(OH)D levels were higher than in wintertime (17.9 vs. 15.0 ng/mL). A 1 µg/1000 kcal increase in vitamin D intake increased 25(OH)D levels by 0.170 ng/mL in wintertime and 0.149 ng/mL in summertime. iPTH levels reached a theoretical plateau corresponding to an 18.4 ng/mL 25(OH)D level. The vitamin D intake threshold for maintaining 25(OH)D levels at ≥20 and ≥18.4 ng/mL was ≥10.97 µg/day. For a sufficient level of 25(OH)D in young Korean women, increasing summertime UV irradiation time and increasing vitamin D supplements and vitamin D-containing foods throughout the year is beneficial.

Hair-Growth-Promoting Effects of the Fish Collagen Peptide in Human Dermal Papilla Cells and C57BL/6 Mice Modulating Wnt/ß-Catenin and BMP Signaling Pathways.

Fish-derived collagen has recently emerged as an alternative collagen source with bioactive properties, including the enhancement of hair and skin health. It is also cost-effective and has high bioavailability, in addition to having fewer side-effects compared to collagen from porcine skin or bovine skin. Collagen peptides (CPs) extracted from the scales of Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) reportedly promote hair and skin health. This study sought to evaluate the effects of CPs on hair growth using in vitro and in vivo models. CP significantly enhanced hair regrowth and the proliferation of human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs) in vitro. CP was orally administered to C57BL/6 mice for 6 weeks to confirm the hair-growth-promoting effects. The mice were divided into four groups: negative control (distilled water), positive control (1 mg/kg of finasteride), CP500 (500 mg/kg of CP), and CP1000 (1000 mg/kg of CP). CP treatment significantly enhanced the proliferation of hDPCs compared to 0.2 µM finasteride, in addition to enhancing hair regrowth. Particularly, CP1000 treatment achieved a hair-growth index similar to that of the PC. In H&E staining, the CP groups exhibited a high A/T ratio. Furthermore, CP increased the expression of hair growth factors (IGF-1, VEGF, krt27, Gprc5d, and Ki67) and decreased the growth inhibitory factor (TGF-ß1). Furthermore, CP significantly upregulated the Wnt/ß-catenin pathways and downregulated the BMP pathways. Therefore, these results indicate that CP could be used as food supplements and nutraceuticals for hair loss prevention as well as hair regrowth during alopecia.

Immunoregulatory effects of Lactococcus lactis-derived extracellular vesicles in allergic asthma.

BACKGROUND: Probiotics have been shown to prevent various allergic diseases by producing extracellular vesicles (EVs). However, the role of EVs in allergic asthma has not yet been completely determined. METHODS: Gut microbial composition, mainly genera related to probiotics, was investigated in allergic asthmatic mice. Moreover, EVs were isolated from Lactococcus lactis (L. lactis, a selected bacterium) and EV proteins were identified by peptide mass fingerprinting. EV functions in immune responses were evaluated in vivo or ex vivo. Furthermore, the levels of specific IgG antibodies (an alternative marker for EV quantification) to L. lactis-EVs were measured by ELISA in the sera of 27 asthmatic patients and 26 healthy controls. RESULTS: Allergic asthmatic mice showed a lower proportion of Lactococcus compared to healthy mice. L. lactis was cultured and its EVs abundantly contained pyruvate kinase. When allergic asthmatic mice were intranasally treated with EVs, airway hyperresponsiveness, eosinophil number, cytokine secretion, and mucus production were significantly decreased. Moreover, L. lactis-EV treatment shifted immune responses from Th2 to Th1 by stimulating dendritic cells to produce IL-12. In addition, significantly lower levels of serum specific IgG4 (but not IgG1) to L. lactis-EVs were noted in asthmatic patients than in healthy controls. A positive correlation between the levels of EV-specific IgG4 and FEV1 (%), but a negative correlation between the levels of EV-specific IgG4 and IL-13 were observed. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that L. lactis-EVs may have immune-regulating effects on airway inflammation mediated by dendritic cell activation, providing a potential benefit for allergic asthma.

Antiobesity and Antidiabetic Effects of Portulaca oleracea Powder Intake in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese C57BL/6 Mice.

This study investigated the hypothesis that Portulaca oleracea L. exerts antiobesity and antidiabetic effects by evaluating blood lipid profiles, blood glucose control factors, protein expression of lipid metabolism, and insulin sensitivity improvement. Three groups of high-fat diet (HFD) induced obese C57BL/6 mice (n = 8) received treatment with low (5%; HFD + PO5%) or high (10%; HFD + PO10%) concentrations of P. oleracea powder for 12 weeks or no treatment (HFD) and were compared with each other and a fourth control group. Weight gain was reduced by 34% in the HFD + PO10% group compared to the HFD group. Moreover, the perirenal and epididymal fat contents in the HFD + PO10% group were 6.3-fold and 1.5-fold, respectively, lower than those in the HFD group. The atherogenic index (AI) and cardiac risk factor (CRF) results in the P. oleracea-treated groups were significantly lower than those in the HFD group. The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) levels was lower in the HFD + PO10% group than in the HFD group. The protein expression levels of the proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-α, glucose transporter (GLUT) 4 and PPAR-γ were upregulated in the HFD + PO10% group compared to the HFD group. However, the protein expression levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were lower in the P. oleracea-treated groups than in the HFD group. Our results demonstrate that P. oleracea powder could be effectively used to treat and prevent obesity and diabetes-associated diseases through suppression of weight gain and reduction in body fat and blood glucose levels.