Acrolein-triggered atherosclerosis via AMPK/SIRT1-CLOCK/BMAL1 pathway and a protection from intermittent fasting.

Circadian clock plays a vital role in the pathological progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Our previous studies showed that acrolein, an environmental pollutant, promoted atherosclerosis by reducing CLOCK/BMAL1 and disturbing circadian rhythm. Whereas, intermittent fasting (IF), a diet pattern, was able to ameliorate acrolein-induced atherosclerosis. In vivo, mice were fed acrolein 3 mg/kg/day via drinking water and IF for 18h (0:00-18:00). We observed that IF decreased acrolein-accelerated the formation of aortic lesion in ApoE -/- mice. Up-regulation of NF-κB, IL-1ß and TNF-α levels were found in liver and heart tissue upon acrolein exposure, while was down-regulated by IF. Interestingly, IF treatment exhibited higher AMPK, p-AMPK and SIRT1and lower MAPK expression which was caused by acrolein. Besides, circadian genes Clock/ Bmal1 expression were suppressed and disturbed treated with acrolein, while were reversed by IF. Furthermore, consistent with that in vivo, short-term starvation as a fasting cell model in vitro could improve the disorders of CLOCK/BMAL1 and raised SIRT1 via regulating AMPK, as well as ROS-MAPK induced by acrolein. In conclusion, we demonstrated that IF repressed ROS-MAPK while activated AMPK to elevate the expression of circadian clock genes to ameliorate acrolein-induced atherogenesis, which shed a novel light to prevent cardiovascular diseases.

Unhealthy diets increase the likelihood of being overweight or obese among African migrant students in China, but not among African non-migrant students: a cross-sectional study.

Background: The impact of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is disproportionately felt by immigrants from low- to medium-income countries (LMICs), partly due to their dietary habits. To thrive in their new environment, migrants either omit or consume certain food items, which could lead to nutritional deficits. As a result, most migrants experience more NCDs than their compatriots in their native countries. Therefore, we evaluated the difference in dietary habits, quality, and the influencing factors of overweight or obesity among African migrant students in Nanjing (China) and non-migrant students in Africa using cross-sectional data. Methods: The researchers used the food frequency questionnaire and the global diet quality score metrics to assess food intake and quality, respectively. Then, cross-tabulation was employed to explore the differences between the groups in meal skipping, eating habits, and diet quality. Finally, the factors associated with overweight or obesity were assessed with binary logistic regression stratified by African students in Nanjing and students in their native countries. Results: Approximately 678 responses were received, mainly between 18-25 years (46.7%) and 26-36 years (45.4 %). The majority of them (52.3%) were international students. The non-migrant African students' diets lacked citrus fruits (22.2%), deep orange fruits (15.4%), deep orange vegetables (18%), cruciferous vegetables (24.6%), and dark leafy vegetables (26.5%). While the African migrant students consumed more high-fat dairy (50.7%), processed meats (23.9%), sweets and ice creams (51.3%), sugar-sweetened beverages (40.5%), and juice (61.5%), p < 0.001. Furthermore, consuming late-night meals constantly [Exp (B) = 39.607, p = 0.049], eating twice a day [Exp (B) = 6.527, p = 0.036], consuming red meat [Exp (B) = 29.287, p = 0.001], processed meats [Exp (B) = 719.979, p = 0.0011], refined grains and baked foods [Exp (B) = 15.752, p = 0.013], and sweets and ice cream [Exp (B) = 193.633, p = 0.006] were factors inducing overweight or obesity among only African migrant students. Conclusion: Controlling the what (Western diet and nature of late-night meals) and the when of eating can drastically reduce their influence on obesogenic condition formation in African migrant students in China and elsewhere.

Healthy eating habits and a prudent dietary pattern improve Nanjing international students' health-related quality of life.

Purpose: Low-quality dietary practices, such as fast food consumption and skipping meals, deteriorate the quality of life. However, the available studies on diet and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) used matrices not specific to nutrition. Moreover, how diet affects the HRQoL of international students in China is unknown. Therefore, using a cross-sectional study, the effect of dietary patterns and habits on the HRQoL of international students in Nanjing, China, was examined. Methods: The researchers collected dietary data using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) from February to March 2022. Then, the Food Benefit Assessment (FBA) was used to access HRQoL. Finally, the effect of eating habits and dietary patterns on HRQoL was explored using multilinear regression. Results: Approximately 454 responses were obtained, with the responses mostly from male subjects (56.4%) and those aged 26 years and above (75.6%). The quality of life according to the food consumed was about average for all the constructs except for aesthetics and disease prevention, as 65.8% skipped meals, particularly breakfast (47.8%). Furthermore, three dietary patterns were identified: prudent, Western, and animal protein patterns. Consequently, by skipping breakfast, vitality (ß = -2.362, p = 0.04), wellbeing (ß = -3.592, p = 0.007), digestive comfort (ß = -4.734, p = 0.008), and disease prevention (ß = -5.071, p = 0.031) were all reduced. However, consuming at least three meals daily enhanced vitality (ß = 2.254, p = 0.003) and disease prevention (ß = 4.441, p = 0.019). Furthermore, aesthetics (ß = 4.456, p = 0.05), physical appearance (ß = 5.927, p = 0.003), and vitality (ß = 3.323, p = 0.009) were also significantly increased by healthy dietary patterns. However, a more Westernized diet led to frequent snacking (ß = -4.631, p = 0.032), a decline in wellbeing (ß = -5.370, p < 0.001), and discomfort with digestion (ß = -5.101, p = 0.01). Finally, increased frequency of snacking (ß = -6.036, p = 0.012), a decrease in wellbeing (ß = -4.494, p = 0.004), digestive comfort (ß = -9.940, p < 0.001), physical appearance (ß = -4.926, p = 0.027), and disease prevention (ß = -5.835, p = 0.043) were all associated with an increase in animal protein patterns. Conclusion: This research indicates that healthy eating habits and patterns positively impact international students' HRQoL. Therefore, the appropriate authorities should advise students to consume healthy foods regularly to improve their HRQoL.

The impact of crisis and COVID-19 on Syrian children growth, health awareness and nutritional practices. a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Despite the great steadfastness that Syria has achieved in the face of more than a decade of stifling crisis followed by the global COVID-19 pandemic, the heavy impacts of these long rough years are certain and crucial on the health and nutrition levels, specially on vulnerable groups like women and children. Moreover, the lack of research and data on health and nutritional status of children within Syria makes it very difficult to draw conclusions and act effectively. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate growth development and give an insight about the public health awareness and nutritional practices among Syrian primary schools children. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among private and public primary schools' students aged 6 to 9 years old in Homs governorate in January to April 2021, anthropometric measures were taken and data assessment of socioeconomic background, nutritional practices, and health awareness was achieved by conducting two surveys answered by parents and students. RESULTS: We defined the total prevalence of obesity (11.8%), underweight (5.6%) and stunting (13.8%), with a significant increased in underweight and stunting prevalence ,(9%, 21.6%) respectively, among public schools' students compared to private schools' students. Differences in nutritional practices and health awareness were recorded between public and private schools' students under socioeconomic impact. CONCLUSIONS: This study contributes to evaluate the burden of crisis and COVID-19 pandemic on Syrian children growth and health practices in Syria. Improving health awareness and nutritional support among Syrian families to help children meet their growth needs is recommended. Moreover, additional research should be conducted to evaluate micro-nutrients deficiencies and provide appropriate medical support effectively.

Prevalence and factors associated with undernutrition among 6-59 months children in Tehsil Battagram, Pakistan.

Objective: To find out the prevalence and associated factors of undernutrition in a semi-rural setting. METHODS: The community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Tehsil Battagram of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan, in January and February 2020 after approval from the ethics review committee of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu, China, and comprised children aged 6-59 months who had no physical or mental disability. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Anthropometric data was analysed using the World Health Organisation Anthro software. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to find out the association between dependent variables, like wasting, underweight and stunting, and independent variables, like socioeconomic, child, maternal and environmental characteristics. Data was analysed using SPSS 21. RESULTS: Of the 504 children, 257(51%) were girls and 247(49%) were boys. The largest group was aged 36-47 months 127(25.2%), while the smallest group was aged 6-11 months 56(11.1%). Overall, 94(18.7%) children were wasted, 167(33.1%) were underweight and 248(49.2%) were stunted. Children whose family income was high had low odds for being wasted (odds ratio: 0.59, 95% confidence interval: 0.25-0.71), underweight (odds ratio: 0.30, 95% confidence interval: 0.08-0.72) and stunted (odds ratio: 0.54, 95% confidence interval: 0.30-0.80). Similarly, those children who were exclusively breastfed had low odds of being wasted were (odds ratio: 0.45, 95% confidence interval: 0.32-0.53), underweight (odds ratio: 0.56, 95% confidence interval: 0.42-0.78) and stunted (odds ratio: 0.62, 95% confidence interval: 0.51-0.97). Children who were not immunised had higher odds of wasting (odds ratio: 4.16, 95% confidence interval: 2.18-7.93), underweight (odds ratio: 4.45, 95% confidence interval: 2.77-7.14) and stunted (odds ratio: 4.36, 95% confidence interval: 2.32-8.71). Children of mothers who did not have antenatal care visits had higher odds of being wasted (odds ratio: 1.91, 95% confidence interval: 1.13-3.22), underweight (odds ratio: 1.32, 95% confidence interval: 1.22-2.13) and stunted (odds ratio: 1.48, 95% confidence interval: 1.32-2.62). Children who did not have a latrine facility had higher odds of being wasted (odds ratio: 1.63, 95% confidence interval: 1.29-1.58), underweight (odds ratio: 1.76, 95% confidence interval: 1.36-3.84) and stunted (odds ratio: 1.45, 95% confidence interval: 1.22-2.12). Conclusion: Undernutrition among children aged 6-59 months was widespread. Nutrition awareness, interventions and multi-sectoral approaches were found to be needed to cope with the problem in the study area.

Thymoquinone ameliorates obesity-induced metabolic dysfunction, improves reproductive efficiency exhibiting a dose-organ relationship.

Women with obesity are more likely to have a complicated reproductive life. Insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction are associated with obesity. Thymoquinone (TQ) is a well-known antioxidant, considered to be an AMPK-activator. The goal of this work was to investigate the ability of TQ to improve fertility and lactation and clarify the possible mechanism. Female C57BL/6 mice were subjected to High Fat Diet (HFD) supplemented with TQ (10% pmm) and TQ (20% pmm). Histopathological examination was conducted on mammary and ovarian samples. Metabolic and oxidant status was evaluated, and qRT-PCR analysis was performed to verify AMPK/PGC1α/SIRT1 metabolic pathway activity. The present study reports positive effects of TQ on ovarian metabolic function in a dose-dependent manner. TQ showed its positive effects on mammary gland metabolic function at lower dose. This is the first study that indicates these dose related impacts of TQ. Abbreviations: AKT1: serine-threonine protein kinase 1; AMPK: 5' AMP-activated protein kinase; CAT: catalase; CON: control; FBS: fasting blood sugar; GLUT1: glucose transporter 1; GSH: reduced glutathione; GSSG: Glutathione disulfide; HE: hematoxylin and eosin stains; HDL: high-density lipoprotein; HFD: high fat diet; IL-6: interleukin-6; K18: keratin 18; LD: lactation day; LDL: low-density lipoprotein; LKB1: serine-threonine liver kinase B1; MDA: malondialdehyde; mTOR: the mammalian target of rapamycin; NAD: nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide; NADH: nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate; NS: nigella sativa; PBS: phosphate-buffered saline; PGC1α: peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha; SIRT1: sirtuin 1; SOD: superoxide dismutase; T-AOC: total antioxidants; TFAM: transcription factor A mitochondrial; TG: triglycerides; TNF-α: tumor necrosis factor-α; TQ: thymoquinone; TQ10: high fat diet + thymoquinone 10% ppm; TQ20: high fat diet + thymoquinone 20% ppm; UCP2: uncoupling Protein 2.