1,721,088 research outputs found
Metabolic indices of polyunsaturated fatty acids: current evidence, research controversies, and clinical utility
No full textThe n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are among the most studied nutrients in human metabolism. In the past few decades, prospective studies and controlled trials have supported the view that the effects of these essential fatty acids are clinically relevant. PUFA profiles in different blood compartments are reflections of both diet and metabolism, and their levels may be related to disease risk. Despite widespread interest, there is no consensus regarding which biomarkers best reflect PUFA status in the body. The measurement of PUFA levels is not straight-forward, and a wide variety of indices have been used in clinical studies, producing conflicting results. A major source of heterogeneity among studies is associated with research design, sampling, and laboratory analyses. To date, the n-3 index, n-6/n-3 ratio, and arachidonic acid (AA)/eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) ratio are the most promising biomarkers associated with PUFA metabolism. Although hotly debated, these indices may be considered at least markers, if not risk factors, for several diseases, especially cardiovascular events and brain disorders. Here, we summarize the most updated evidence of n-3 and n-6 PUFA effects on human health, reviewing current controversies on the aforementioned indices and whether they can be considered valuable predictors of clinical outcomes
Effects of Flavonoid Supplementation on Common Eye Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials
No full textBackground: Emerging studies show that certain plant compounds may reduce the severity of most prevalent ocular abnormalities. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the effect of dietary flavonoids on major eye disorders. Methods: Eligible studies were identified by searching PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases for all articles published up to April 2021. The literature search yielded 1,134 articles, and a total of 16 studies were included in the systematic review. A meta-analysis of 11 intervention trials involving a total of 724 participants was performed. Results: Using a random-effects model, the pooled results revealed an overall significant effect of flavonoids on common ophthalmic disorders (standard mean difference = −0.39; 95% CI: −0.56, −0.21, p < 0.01). Of the subclasses of flavonoids, flavan-3-ols (standard mean difference = −0.62; 95% CI: −1.03, −0.22, p < 0.01), and anthocyanins (standard mean difference = −0.42; 95% CI: −0.63, −0.21, p < 0.01) were the only effective intervention for improving the outcomes of ocular conditions. For several of the other flavonoid subclasses, evidence on efficacy was insufficient. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that flavonoids may improve the clinical manifestations associated with ocular disorders. However, further well-constructed clinical trials are required to confirm these results and examine the effect of flavonoids on eye disorders other than those identified in this review. Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO, identifier CRD42021247332
Polyphenols as Caloric Restriction Mimetics Regulating Mitochondrial Biogenesis and Mitophagy
Full text linkThe tight coordination between mitochondrial biogenesis and mitophagy can be dysregulated during aging, critically influencing whole-body metabolism, health, and lifespan. To date, caloric restriction (CR) appears to be the most effective intervention strategy to improve mitochondrial turnover in aging organisms. The development of pharmacological mimetics of CR has gained attention as an attractive and potentially feasible approach to mimic the CR phenotype. Polyphenols, ubiquitously present in fruits and vegetables, have emerged as well-tolerated CR mimetics that target mitochondrial turnover. Here, we discuss the molecular mechanisms that orchestrate mitochondrial biogenesis and mitophagy, and we summarize the current knowledge of how CR promotes mitochondrial maintenance and to what extent different polyphenols may mimic CR and coordinate mitochondrial biogenesis and clearance
Impact of anti-oestrogen therapy on lipoprotein(a) in postmenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis of double-blind placebo-controlled clinical studies.
No full textPurpose: The potential mechanisms of endocrine therapy for thrombosis remain currently unclear, and more studies are warranted for further investigation and elucidation. However, high plasma concentration of lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is a recognized prothrombotic factor. The aim of our study was to systematically evaluate the effect of different anti-oestrogen therapy on plasma Lp(a) level in postmenopausal women.
Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in multiple electronic databases to identify the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical studies on this topic. Effect size for changes in Lp(a) was expressed as mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).
Results: Data were pooled from 10 clinical trials comprising 24 treatment arms, which included 2049 women (1128 women in the active-treated arms and 921 women in the control arms). Meta-analysis of data suggested that anti-oestrogen therapy in women significantly reduced Lp(a) [MD = -5.92% (95%CI: -9.05%,-2.8%)].
Conclusions: This observation is of both clinical and pathophysiological relevance, also in view that the identification of molecular determinants and cellular pathways implicated in Lp(a) synthesis and metabolism is still of concern as a critical issue in lipidology and CV prevention
Exploring the impact of flavonoids on symptoms of depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Full text linkRecent evidence suggests that diet modifies key biological factors associated with the development of depression. It has been suggested that this could be due to the high flavonoid content commonly found in many plant foods, beverages and dietary supplements. Our aim was to conduct a systematic review to evaluate the effects of dietary flavonoids on the symptoms of depression. A total of 46 studies met the eligibility criteria. Of these, 36 were intervention trials and 10 were observational studies. A meta-analysis of 36 clinical trials involving a total of 2788 participants was per-formed. The results showed a statistically significant effect of flavonoids on depressive symptoms (mean difference = −1.65; 95% C.I., −2.54, −0.77; p < 0.01). Five of the 10 observational studies included in the systematic review reported significant results, suggesting that a higher flavonoid intake may improve symptoms of depression. Further studies are urgently required to elucidate whether causal and mechanistic links exist, along with substantiation of functional brain changes associated with flavonoid consumption
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Equol and Resveratrol Improve Bone Turnover Biomarkers in Postmenopausal Women: A Clinical Trial
Full text linkEstrogen deficiency is a major cause of loss of postmenopausal bone mineral density (BMD). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of equol and resveratrol on bone turnover biomarkers in postmenopausal women. Sixty healthy postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to receive 200 mg fermented soy containing 10 mg equol and 25 mg resveratrol or a placebo for 12 months. Whole-body BMD and bone turnover biomarkers, such as deoxypyridinoline (DPD), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP-5b), osteocalcin, and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP), were measured at baseline and after 12 months of treatment. At the end of treatment, DPD, osteocalcin, and BAP significantly improved in the active group (p < 0.0001 for all) compared to the placebo group. Conversely, TRACP-5b levels were unaffected by supplementation (p = 0.051). Statistically significant changes in the concentrations of DPD (p < 0.0001), osteocalcin (p = 0.0001), and BAP (p < 0.0001) compared to baseline were also identified. Overall, the intervention significantly increased BMD measured in the whole body (p = 0.0220) compared with the placebo. These data indicate that the combination of equol and resveratrol may positively modulate bone turnover biomarkers and BMD, representing a potential approach to prevent age-related bone loss in postmenopausal women
Effects of Weekly Running Volume on Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Metabolism: An Observational Study in Non-elite Marathon Runners (P08-100-19)
No full textCarotenoid Interactions with PCSK9: Exploring Novel Cholesterol-Lowering Strategies
No full textBackground/Objectives: This study investigated the potential of green algae-derived carotenoids as natural inhibitors of the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), a key regulator of cholesterol metabolism. PCSK9 promotes the degradation of low-density lipoprotein receptors (LDLR), thereby increasing blood cholesterol levels and elevating the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Methods/Results: We screened the pharmacophore fit score of 27 carotenoids with PCSK9 and identified 14 that were analyzed for binding affinity and molecular interactions. Astaxanthin, siphonaxanthin, and prasinoxanthin were identified as the top candidates, demonstrating strong binding affinity (−10.5, −10.3, and −9.4 Kcal/mol, respectively) and stable interactions with several known key residues within the active site of PCSK9, including Pro-331, Arg-357, Cys-358, Val-359, Asp-360, Ile-416, Leu-436, Thr-437, Pro-438, Leu-440, Arg-458, Val-460, Trp-461, Arg-476, Cys-477, Ala-478, Ala-649, Val-650, and Asp-651. Density functional theory analysis confirmed the stability of astaxanthin and its favorable electronic properties, suggesting its potential as an effective inhibitor. Molecular dynamics simulations of the PCSK9–astaxanthin complex revealed sustained structural stability and key interactions critical for maintaining the functional integrity of the protein. Conclusions: These findings provide evidence that specific carotenoids, particularly astaxanthin, may offer a cost-effective alternative to existing PCSK9 inhibitors, providing a potential approach for managing cholesterol levels and reducing cardiovascular risk. Pre-clinical and clinical validations are required to confirm the therapeutic potential of these compounds
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