Association between Homocysteine-Related Dietary Patterns and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Study Using the Reduced Rank Regression Method

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the association between homocysteine-related dietary patterns and gestational diabetes mellitus. Methods: A total of 488 pregnant women at 24-28 weeks of gestation between January 2019 and December 2020 were included. Demographic characteristics, dietary intake, and multivitamin supplement intake information were collected using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ); fasting venous blood samples were collected for serum index detection. Serum homocysteine (Hcy), folic acid, and B12 were selected as response variables, and hyperhomocysteinemia (hHcy)- related dietary patterns were extracted using the descending rank regression method. The relationship between the score of hHcy-related dietary patterns and GDM was analyzed using a multivariate logistic regression model. Results: Three hHcy-related dietary patterns were extracted: (mode 1) more meat, cattle meat intake, green leafy vegetables, dark vegetables and soy, and less consumption of shrimp. (mode 2) livestock meat, eggs and more grains, green leafy vegetables, bacteria, algae, dairy, and less nuts intake; and (model 3) livestock meat intake, and less soy intake. Because the explanatory variation of mode 3 was relatively small, it was not retained. Only mode 2 had a positive and significant relationship with the risk of developing GDM. After adjusting for confounding factors, the risk of GDM was significantly increased in the highest quartile array (OR=2.96, 95% Confidence Interval: 0.939-9.356, P=0.004). There was no significant correlation between dietary pattern 1 and GDM risk (P >0.05).

Black Carrot (Daucus carota ssp. sativus var. Atrorubens Alef.) Extract Protects against Ethanol-induced Liver Injury via the Suppression of Phosphodiesterase 4 mRNA Expression

We examined the protective effects of Black Carrot Extract (BCE) on Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD) using in vivo and in vitro models. In an in vivo ethanol-Carbon Tetrachloride (CCl4)-treated rat model, BCE treatment suppressed serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activity. BCE also suppressed ethanol- and CCl4-induced alcoholic liver disease. Furthermore, we observed that the BCE or butanol-extracted fraction of BCE (BCE-BuOH) recovered the cell viability of in vitro ethanol-treated hepatocytes. BCE-BuOH also suppressed the production of reactive oxygen species induced by ethanol to the control level. Moreover, BCE-BuOH regulated the activities of three alcoholic metabolism-related enzymes: cytochrome P450 2E1 activity was suppressed at the posttranslational level, alcohol dehydrogenase activity was increased at the posttranslational level, and aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 activity was increased at the transcriptional level. Novel findings in this study include an increase in intracellular Cyclic Adenosine 3’,5’-Monophosphate (cAMP) levels in hepatocytes with the simultaneous addition of ethanol and BCE-BuOH and the suppression of changes in the activities of three enzymes upon treatment with an inhibitor of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Our study also found that BCE-BuOH suppressed the expression of phosphodiesterase 4b mRNA, which increased intracellular cAMP levels. These results suggest that BCE is useful for the treatment of ALD.

Food Label Use and Associated Factors: A Cross Sectional Study from Occupied Palestinian Territories

Background: Use of food labels can help consumers to make informed choices on foods they purchase which could have beneficial role in protection from obesity and diet related chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate food label use in the Palestinian society along with related factors. Methods: Electronic survey was distributed on social media platforms to Palestinian society in West Bank, Gaza, and other places of Palestinian communities’ presence. The survey collected data on demographic variable, obesity, chronic disease history and nutritional deficiencies. In addition to food label use information. Data was analyzed using IBM SPSS 21 software. Results: We included 271 participants in our study, mean age of our study group was 25.6±10 y, mainly females. Obesity was present in 24.4% of the study group, whereas 42.8% reported they were not satisfied with their current weight and 49.4% reported they attempted to lose weight. The prevalence of label use in our study group was 61.6%. Majority of label users obtained information on amount of calories, serving size, fat, sugar, vitamins and minerals content. Very few obtained information on sodium, saturated fat and transfat in food product. Food label use was significantly related to age (p<0.05) and healthy dietary patterns (p<0.05), but was not related to obesity and chronic disease. Conclusion: Our study indicate high rate of label use among Palestinians with some gaps in nutrition information obtained.

Investigation of Fixed Oil of Gallus gallus domesticus for Various Pharmacological Activities

Medicinal oils, including fixed and essential oils, are one of the most ancient forms of medicines. Animals and plants are the major source of fixed oils which have been reported to treat various ailments, such as urinary, nervous, respiratory, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal disorders, bacterial, fungal and protozoal infections etc. Medicinal oils, especially of animal origin are; however, ignored and rarely investigated in contemporary modern medical research. This study was aimed to investigate the various pharmacological activities of fixed oil of Gallus gallus domesticus (Egg oil, Fo.Gg). Fo.Gg was investigated for its wound healing potential by using excisional wound model, anti-arthritic activity by following turpentine oil-induced acute arthritis model, antipyretic activity by yeast-induced pyrexia, anxiolytic activity by adopting hole board, light/dark exploration and elevated plus maze models, antidepressant activity by forced swim test and tail suspension model and antiamnesic activity by Y-maze model. Fo.Gg showed significant healing potential as evident from increase in percent wound contraction and decrease in period of epithelialization and also the significant decrease in paw and ankle joint diameter in anti-arthritic activity. It showed dose-dependent (i.e. 10, 30 and 50%) decrease in rectal temperature when compared to the control group, also showed significant anxiolytic, antidepressant and anti-amnesic activities. These pharmacological activities may be attributed to the antioxidant as well as radical scavenging potential of oil components especially polyphenols, oleic acid and linoleic acid. Thus, the results of the study conclude that egg oil possesses wound healing, anti-arthritic, antipyretic, anxiolytic, antidepressant and anti-amnesic potential. The study provides scientific ground for the folkloric use of the oil in traditional system of medicine; however, further studies are required to explore the possible mechanism(s) of action.

Proximate Composition and Amino Acid Profile of the Edible Muscle of European Crayfish Astacus astacus L. Inhabiting the Orchomenos Region in Central Greece

The aim of this study was to determine the proximate composition and amino acid profile of the edible muscle of European crayfish Astacus astacus L. Animals were collected from Orchomenos region in Central Greece and muscle tissue samples were collected for chemical analysis. Total crude protein and crude lipid content of muscle tissues were determined using the Kjeldahl method and Folch’s procedure, respectively. Amino acids profile was performed by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatographic (UPLC) determination of the acid hydrolysed muscle extract after derivatization with AccQ-Tag reagent (Waters, USA). The results showed that protein and lipid content of crayfish muscle tissue were 16.55 ± 0.4 g 100 g-1 and 0.52 ± 0.20 g 100 g-1, respectively. Also, the moisture and ash content were 80.93 ± 0.36 g 100 g-1 and 1.25 ± 0.14 g 100 g-1, respectively. Amino acids analysis of muscle tissue revealed that the highest values were those of glutamic acid (2.98 g 100 g-1) and arginine (2.19 g 100g-1) as well as those for aspartic acid (1.88 g 100 g-1), lysine (1.47 g 100 g-1) and leucine (1.33 g 100 g-1). The lowest values were found for histidine (0.35 ± 0.03 g 100 g-1) and methionine (0.47 ± 0.01 g 100 g-1). The results of this study showed that the crayfish of Orchomenos region can be considered as an important source of essential nutrients in the human diet due to its protein and essential amino acids content, which are relatively comparable to those of farmed sea bream (Sparus aurata L.), as well as to farmed and wild sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). However, the lipid content of Orchomenos crayfish was found to be insignificant and negligible. Overall, the protein quality of European crayfish can be considered as a main factor in selecting this species as a candidate species for European aquaculture diversification.

Metabolic Disorder Perturb Renal Homeostasis

Obesity related nephropathy disorders have increased ten-folds in recent years. One of the consequences of obesity is an increased Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) that leads to an enlargement of the renal glomerulus, i.e., glomerulomegaly. This heightened hyper-filtration in the setting of type 2 diabetes irreparably damages the kidney and leads to the progression of an End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). Patients suffering from type 2 diabetes have progressive proteinuria, and eventually one third of them develop Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and ESRD. For ameliorating the progression of CKD inhibitors of Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System (RAAS) seemed to be effective, but for short-term basis only. Long term and stable treatment strategies like weight loss via restricted or hypo-caloric diet or bariatric surgery have yielded more promising results in terms of proteinuria and maintenance of GFR. Body Mass Index (BMI) is considered as a traditional marker for obesity onset, but apparently, it is not a reliable indicator, and thus there is a need for more precise evaluation of regional fat distribution and amount of muscle mass. With respect to the pathogenesis, recent investigations have suggested perturbation in fatty acid and cholesterol metabolism as the critical mediators in ectopic renal lipid accumulation, inflammation, increased generation of ROS, RAAS activation and consequential tubulo-interstitial fibrosis. This review summarizes the renewed approaches for obesity assessment and evaluation of the pathogenesis of CKD, altered renal hemodynamics and potential therapeutic targets.

Sustainable Diets, A Way to Improve and Maintain Eating Behaviors and Health in Times of COVID-19 in First-Year University Students

Sustainable dietary pattern has reported multiple benefits for environmental and human health through sustainable food culture. The Covid-19 pandemic has led the population to adapt to a new virtual reality in all activities and to become more aware of their health. This study explores how evaluate the impact of nutritional education interventions on adherence to MD in first-year university adolescents, before and after the nutritional educational intervention. A total of 165 students participated in the experiment (85 intervention group and 80 control group). A 14-point questionnaire was applied for the adherence to the MD. The study consists of four presential sessions and four virtual sessions using social media to complete the training. The t-tests show that the group with interventions did not change its adherence during the two periods of data collection (p=0.187), contrary to the control group which significantly decreased (p=0.001) from 7.41 to 6.62. It has been concluded that it is necessary to work on institutional policies that promote the benefits of this dietary pattern as a lifestyle that would be beneficial to better cope with the pandemic, since many of the products of the MD are used in Latin-American countries for several years.

Dramatic Increase of Body Weight during Covid-19 Breakdown: Data from the Austrian Prevention Project Eddy Kids 2018/19 and Eddy Kids 2019/20

Introduction: Overweight and obesity among adults and children has increased dramatically worldwide in the last few decades. Overweight children usually remain overweight in adulthood and develop lots of comorbidities. It is therefore important to take preventive measures as early as possible to counteract this trend. Objective: To find out what effect the temporary school closure in Austria due to COVID-19 had on the school children in terms of body weight. Methods: Anthropometric parameters (bodyweight, body fat percentage and height) were measured twice in all students (before and after a 6-month intervention period). The intervention group received a one-hour nutrition lesson and two one-hour sports lessons per week. The control group was only tested and received no intervention. Subjects: The study group consisted of a control and an intervention group with a total of 115 school children. Results: The intervention and the control group gained about +4.5 kg in 2019/20, whereas the average increase in body weight was +2.85 kg (intervention group) and +2.61 kg (control group) the year before (2018/19). Conclusion: The lockdown in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic has a big impact on body weight. Special online trainings should be implemented for school children, which should also involve the families.

Oral Kefir Grains Supplementation Improves Metabolism and Liver Antioxidant Enzymes Expression in Malnourished Mice

Scope: This study has a novel approach to investigate the effects of oral supplementation of kefir grains on metabolic improvement and the expression of the antioxidant enzymes Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx) and Catalase (CAT) of the liver in malnourished mice. Method and Results: Swiss mice were divided into four groups and subjected to two treatment phases: the food restriction phase of 20% in relation to the control group was maintained until animals reached a weight deficit of about 20% in relation to their original weight and the renutrition phase, the animals received diets every day for 30 days. Diets (chow powder plus kefir grains) were administered orally. Thereafter, during throughout the experiment measurements of body weight and energy consumption were obtained. After the end of treatment, fasting glucose tolerance tests were performed at night and insulin sensitivity with fed mice. Soon in then, the mice were euthanized by beheading in guillotine and the blood and liver were collected for evaluation of biochemical parameters, Histopathological assessments and Reverse transcriptase (RT-PCR). Conclusion: The present study demonstrated the kefir grains ability to modulate inflammation and hepatic oxidative-stress under malnourished-state. Keywords: Food Restriction; Malnutrition; Hepatic; Oxidative Stress; Nutrition