Vitamin E: Regulatory Redox Interactions

Microencapsulation of vitamins: A review and meta-analysis of coating materials, release and food fortification

Vitamins are responsible for providing biological properties to the human body; however, their instability under certain environmental conditions limits their utilization in the food industry. The objective was to conduct a systematic review on the use of biopolymers and lipid bases in microencapsulation processes, assessing their impact on the stability, controlled release, and viability of fortified foods with microencapsulated vitamins. The literature search was conducted between the years 2013-2023, gathering information from databases such as Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science and publishers including Taylor & Francis, Elsevier, Springer and MDPI; a total of 49 articles were compiled The results were classified according to the microencapsulation method, considering the following information: core, coating material, solvent, formulation, process conditions, particle size, efficiency, yield, bioavailability, bioaccessibility, in vitro release, correlation coefficient and references. It has been evidenced that gums are the most frequently employed coatings in the protection of vitamins (14.04%), followed by alginate (10.53%), modified chitosan (9.65%), whey protein (8.77%), lipid bases (8.77%), chitosan (7.89%), modified starch (7.89%), starch (7.02%), gelatin (6.14%), maltodextrin (5.26%), zein (3.51%), pectin (2.63%) and other materials (7.89%). The factors influencing the release of vitamins include pH, modification of the coating material and crosslinking agents; additionally, it was determined that the most fitting mathematical model for release values is Weibull, followed by Zero Order, Higuchi and Korsmeyer-Peppas; finally, foods commonly fortified with microencapsulated vitamins were described, with yogurt, bakery products and gummy candies being notable examples.

Ovary metabolome and cecal microbiota changes in aged laying hens supplemented with vitamin E

This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of vitamin E (VE) on laying performance, VE deposition, antioxidant capacity, immunity, follicle development, estrogen secretion, ovary metabolome, and cecal microbiota of laying hens. One hundred and twenty XinYang Black-Feathered laying hens (70 wk old) were randomly assigned to 2 groups (6 replicates of 20 birds), and fed a basal diet (containing 20 mg/kg VE, control (CON) group) and a basal diet supplemented with 20 mg/kg VE (VE group). The experiment lasted for 10 wk. Results showed that VE supplementation increased laying performance, antioxidant capacity, and immunity, as evidenced by increased (P < 0.05) performance (laying rate), antioxidant (glutathione peroxidase, total superoxide dismutase, total antioxidant capacity, and catalase) and immune (immunoglobulins) parameters, and decreased (P < 0.05) feed/egg ratio and malondialdehyde. Meanwhile, VE group had higher (P < 0.05) pregrade follicles, ovary index and serum estrogen levels than CON group. 16S rRNA sequencing showed that VE supplementation altered the cecal microbiota composition by increasing Bacteroides, Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group, Prevotellaceae_UCG-001 and Megamonas abundances and reducing Christensenellaceae_R-7_group abundance (at genus level), which are mainly associated with the production of short-chain fatty acids. Metabolomic profiling of the ovary revealed that the major metabolites altered by VE supplementation were mainly related to follicle development, estrogen secretion, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, phototransduction, bile acid synthesis, and nutrient transport. Furthermore, changes in cecal microbiota (at genus level) and ovary metabolites were highly correlated with laying performance, antioxidant, and immune parameters. In summary, VE contributed to the laying performance of aged laying hens by enhancing antioxidant, immune, and ovarian functions, promoting follicle development and estrogen secretion, and regulating gut microbiota and ovary metabolites. These findings will provide a new perspective on the mechanisms of egg production in aged poultry ovaries.

ToF-SIMS imaging shows specific lipophilic vitamin alterations in chronic reprotoxicity caused by the emerging contaminant Pravastatin in Gammarus fossarum

Blood lipid-lowering agents, such as Pravastatin, are among the most frequently used pharmaceuticals released into the aquatic environment. Although their effects on humans are very well understood, their consequences on freshwater organisms are not well known, especially in chronic exposure conditions. Gammarus fossarum is commonly used as sentinel species in ecotoxicology because of its sensitivity to a wide range of environmental contaminants and the availability of standardized bioassays. Moreover, there is an increased interest in linking molecular changes in sentinel species, such as gammarids, to observed toxic effects. Here, we performed a reproductive toxicity assay on females exposed to different concentrations of pravastatin (30; 300; 3,000 and 30,000 ng L-1) during two successive reproductive cycles and we applied ToF-SIMS imaging to evaluate the effect of pravastatin on lipid homeostasis in gammarids. Reproductive bioassay showed that pravastatin could affect oocyte development in Gammarus fossarum inducing embryotoxicity in the second reproductive cycle. Mass spectrometry imaging highlighted the disruption in vitamin E production in the oocytes of exposed female gammarids at the second reproductive cycle, while limited alterations were observed in other lipid classes, regarding both production and tissue distribution. The results demonstrated the interest of applying spatially resolved lipidomics by mass spectrometry imaging to assess the molecular effects induced by long-term exposure to environmental pharmaceutical residues in sentinel species.

Do effervescent vitamin tablets affect the surface roughness, microhardness, and color of human enamel and contemporary composite resins?

PURPOSE

To compare the impact of four effervescent vitamin tablets on the surface roughness, microhardness, and color of human enamel and contemporary composite resins.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Sixty enamel and a total of 240 anterior (Gradia Direct Anterior), posterior (Gradia Direct Posterior), and universal composite resin (Filtek Ultimate) specimens (n = 60 per group) were fabricated. Each group was subdivided into five subgroups (n = 12, per subgroup). The specimens were subsequently immersed in YOUPLUS, Redoxon, Sunlife Immuvit, and Sambucol effervescent vitamin solutions for 2 min per day over 30 days. Distilled water was used as control. Subsequently, surface roughness (Ra) was detected using a profilometer, and microhardness (VHN) was measured using a microhardness tester. A spectrophotometer device was used to record the L,a,b color coordinates of the specimens after 24 h, 7 days, and 30 days, and the color changes (ΔE00) of the groups were calculated. The data were analyzed by ANOVA, two-way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, Levene's, and Fisher's least significant difference (LSD) tests (p < 0.05). SEM analysis was conducted on one randomly selected specimen per group (×1000).

RESULTS

In terms of surface roughness, material X vitamin interactions were found significant (p < 0.05). The increase in Ra from 24 h to 30 days was found significant (p < 0.05) except for Gradia Direct Anterior X Redoxon, Sunlife Immuvit and Sambucol, Filtek Ultimate X Sunlife Immuvit and Sambucol, and all control groups. Ra changes were also concluded by SEM. Regarding VHNs, material X vitamin interactions were significant (p < 0.005), except for all Filtek Ultimate subgroups. The changes in VHNs of the groups from 24 h to 30 days were significant for all enamel and Gradia Direct Anterior X YOUPLUS, Gradia Posterior X YOUPLUS, Sunlife Immuvit, and Sambucol groups (p < 0.05). In terms of ΔE00, significant differences were observed between the 7 days and 30 days in the enamel (p = 0.047), Gradia Direct Anterior (p = 0.019), and Gradia Direct Posterior groups (p = 0.038).

CONCLUSIONS

Daily consumption of effervescent vitamin tablets can increase surface roughness, decrease microhardness, and influence the color of human enamel and contemporary anterior, posterior, and universal composite resins after a 30-day period.

Association between circulating antioxidants and sleep disorders: comprehensive results from NHANES 2017-2018

Background: Oxidative stress plays an important role in the occurrence and pathological process of numerous human diseases. A bidirectional relationship was found between sleep disorders and oxidative stress. However, the association between circulating antioxidant levels and the risk of sleep disorders at the population-scale has yet to be determined. Methods: We used the dataset from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017-2018 data release cycle and included 3062 adult participants aged 25-75 years. The circulating antioxidants levels in serum were measured, and the sleep status was assessed by self-reported sleep disorder questionnaire tests. We investigated the association and exposure-response relationship between the 12 main circulating antioxidants and sleep disorders using a generalized additive model (GAM), multiple linear, binary logistic, and restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression models. Multiple sensitivity analyses were conducted to validate the results of our study. Results: Significantly lower serum concentrations of ten antioxidants were observed in the group which had trouble sleeping symptoms compared to the control group. After adjusting for all the covariates, the binary logistic regression models indicated that six of the circulating antioxidants including alpha-carotene, alpha-cryptoxanthin, trans-beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin, and vitamin C, showed a significant association with the risk of overall trouble sleeping symptoms, with odds ratios corresponding to 0.88 (95% CI: 0.80-0.96), 0.74 (95% CI: 0.62-0.87), 0.87 (95% CI: 0.79-0.97), 0.85 (95% CI: 0.75-0.95), 0.72 (95% CI: 0.61-0.84), and 0.83 (95% CI: 0.74-0.93), respectively. The GAM and multiple linear regression revealed similar associations whereas the RCS regression models further confirmed their significant negative exposure-response relationship. Conclusions: The circulating carotenoids and vitamin C levels were negatively correlated with the risk of sleep disorders. Higher circulating antioxidant levels were significantly associated with a lower risk of sleep disorders. The potential health risk of low circulating antioxidants levels was higher in the female population than in the male population.

Several lines of antioxidant defense against oxidative stress: antioxidant enzymes, nanomaterials with multiple enzyme-mimicking activities, and low-molecular-weight antioxidants

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are well recognized for playing a dual role, since they can be either deleterious or beneficial to biological systems. An imbalance between ROS production and elimination is termed oxidative stress, a critical factor and common denominator of many chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic diseases, neurological disorders (Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases), and other disorders. To counteract the harmful effects of ROS, organisms have evolved a complex, three-line antioxidant defense system. The first-line defense mechanism is the most efficient and involves antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). This line of defense plays an irreplaceable role in the dismutation of superoxide radicals (O2•-) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The removal of superoxide radicals by SOD prevents the formation of the much more damaging peroxynitrite ONOO- (O2•-  + NO• → ONOO-) and maintains the physiologically relevant level of nitric oxide (NO•), an important molecule in neurotransmission, inflammation, and vasodilation. The second-line antioxidant defense pathway involves exogenous diet-derived small-molecule antioxidants. The third-line antioxidant defense is ensured by the repair or removal of oxidized proteins and other biomolecules by a variety of enzyme systems. This review briefly discusses the endogenous (mitochondria, NADPH, xanthine oxidase (XO), Fenton reaction) and exogenous (e.g., smoking, radiation, drugs, pollution) sources of ROS (superoxide radical, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical, peroxyl radical, hypochlorous acid, peroxynitrite). Attention has been given to the first-line antioxidant defense system provided by SOD, CAT, and GPx. The chemical and molecular mechanisms of antioxidant enzymes, enzyme-related diseases (cancer, cardiovascular, lung, metabolic, and neurological diseases), and the role of enzymes (e.g., GPx4) in cellular processes such as ferroptosis are discussed. Potential therapeutic applications of enzyme mimics and recent progress in metal-based (copper, iron, cobalt, molybdenum, cerium) and nonmetal (carbon)-based nanomaterials with enzyme-like activities (nanozymes) are also discussed. Moreover, attention has been given to the mechanisms of action of low-molecular-weight antioxidants (vitamin C (ascorbate), vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol), carotenoids (e.g., β-carotene, lycopene, lutein), flavonoids (e.g., quercetin, anthocyanins, epicatechin), and glutathione (GSH)), the activation of transcription factors such as Nrf2, and the protection against chronic diseases. Given that there is a discrepancy between preclinical and clinical studies, approaches that may result in greater pharmacological and clinical success of low-molecular-weight antioxidant therapies are also subject to discussion.

Mechanistic insights into cardiovascular effects of ultrafine particle exposure: A longitudinal panel study

BACKGROUND

Ultrafine particle (UFP) has been linked with higher risks of cardiovascular diseases; however, the biological mechanisms remain to be fully elucidated.

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to investigate the cardiovascular responses to short-term UFP exposure and the biological pathways involved.

METHODS

A longitudinal panel study was conducted among 32 healthy, non-smoking young adults in Shanghai, China, who were engaged in five rounds of follow-ups between December 2020 and November 2021. Individual exposures were calculated based on the indoor and outdoor real-time measurements. Blood pressure, arterial stiffness, targeted biomarkers, and untargeted proteomics and metabolomics were examined during each follow-up. Linear mixed-effect models were applied to analyze the exposure and health data. The differential proteins and metabolites were used for pathway enrichment analyses.

RESULTS

Short-term UFP exposure was associated with significant increases in blood pressure and arterial stiffness. For example, systolic blood pressure increased by 2.10 % (95 % confidence interval: 0.63 %, 3.59 %) corresponding to each interquartile increase in UFP concentrations at lag 0-3 h, while pulse wave velocity increased by 2.26 % (95 % confidence interval: 0.52 %, 4.04 %) at lag 7-12 h. In addition, dozens of molecular biomarkers altered significantly. These effects were generally present within 24 h after UFP exposure, and were robust to the adjustment of co-pollutants. Molecular changes detected in proteomics and metabolomics analyses were mainly involved in systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, coagulation, and disturbance in lipid transport and metabolism.

DISCUSSION

This study provides novel and compelling evidence on the detrimental subclinical cardiovascular effects in response to short-term UFP exposure. The multi-omics profiling further offers holistic insights into the underlying biological pathways.

Lipid-Restricted Culture Media Reveal Unexpected Cancer Cell Sensitivities

Cancer cell culture models frequently rely on fetal bovine serum as a source of protein and lipid factors that support cell survival and proliferation; however, serum-containing media imperfectly mimic the in vivo cancer environment. Recent studies suggest that typical serum-containing cell culture conditions can mask cancer dependencies, for example, on cholesterol biosynthesis enzymes, that exist in vivo and emerge when cells are cultured in media that provide more realistic levels of lipids. Here, we describe a high-throughput screen that identified fenretinide and ivermectin as small molecules whose cytotoxicity is greatly enhanced in lipid-restricted media formulations. The mechanism of action studies indicates that ivermectin-induced cell death involves oxidative stress, while fenretinide likely targets delta 4-desaturase, sphingolipid 1, a lipid desaturase necessary for ceramide synthesis, to induce cell death. Notably, both fenretinide and ivermectin have previously demonstrated in vivo anticancer efficacy despite their low cytotoxicity under typical cell culture conditions. These studies suggest ceramide synthesis as a targetable vulnerability of cancer cells cultured under lipid-restricted conditions and reveal a general screening strategy for identifying additional cancer dependencies masked by the superabundance of medium lipids.

Associations between single and multiple dietary vitamins and the risk of periodontitis: results from NHANES 2009-2014

Background

Periodontitis is a prevalent inflammatory periodontal disease that has an impact on the overall quality of life. Although several studies have indicated an association between individual vitamin intake and periodontitis risk, the associations of the multivitamins with periodontitis risk remain unclear.

Aim

This study aimed to explore the joint effect of multivitamins (including vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K) on periodontitis.

Methods

For this cross-sectional study, data were collected from participants aged ≥ 30 years in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 2009-2014 (n = 9,820). We employed weighted multivariate logistic regression models to evaluate the single association between individual vitamin intakes and periodontitis, and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR), weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression, and quantile g-computation (qgcomp) models to assess the joint effect of nine vitamins on periodontitis.

Results

The overall prevalence of periodontitis was approximately 35.97%. After adjustment of covariates, vitamin B6 [odds ratio (OR) = 0.82, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.72-0.94] and vitamin E (OR = 0.79, 95%CI: 0.69-0.92) were negatively related to the likelihood of developing periodontitis, respectively. The result of three models indicated that, mixture of vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K had a significant negative combined effect on the risk of periodontitis. In the BKMR model, when all remaining vitamins were at their median levels, the periodontitis risk decreased with increased concentration levels of vitamin E and vitamin B2. WQS analysis indicated the highest weighted chemical was vitamin E, followed by vitamin B12 and vitamin D. In the qgcomp model, vitamin E received the highest negative weights for the periodontitis risk, followed by vitamin B2 and vitamin D, respectively.

Conclusion

Both dietary vitamin B6 and vitamin E were associated with decreased odds of periodontitis. Additionally, the mixture-exposed analyses consistently showed the negative correlations between nine dietary vitamins mixtures and periodontitis.

Ferroptosis, from the virus point of view: opportunities and challenges

Ferroptosis is a new type of cell death, which is mainly dependent on the formation and accumulation of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxides mediated by iron. It is distinct from other forms of regulation of cell death in morphology, immunology, biochemistry, and molecular biology. Various cell death mechanisms have been observed in many viral infections, and virus-induced cell death has long been considered as a double-edged sword that can inhibit or aggravate viral infections. However, understanding of the role of ferroptosis in various viral infections is limited. Special attention will be paid to the mechanisms of ferroptosis in mediating viral infection and antiviral treatment associated with ferroptosis. In this paper, we outlined the mechanism of ferroptosis. Additionally, this paper also review research on ferroptosis from the perspective of the virus, discussed the research status of ferroptosis in virus infection and classified and summarized research on the interaction between viral infections and ferroptosis.

Radioprotective effectiveness of a novel delta-tocotrienol prodrug on mouse hematopoietic system against 60Co gamma-ray irradiation through inducing granulocyte-colony stimulating factor production

Considering the increasing risk of nuclear attacks worldwide, the development of develop potent and safe radioprotective agents for nuclear emergencies is urgently needed. γ-tocotrienol (GT3) and δ-tocotrienol (DT3) have demonstrated a potent radioprotective effect by inducing the production of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) in vivo. However, their application is limited because of their low bioavailability. The utilization of ester prodrugs can be an effective strategy for modifying the pharmacokinetic properties of drug molecules. In this study, we initially confirmed that DT3 exhibited the most significant potential for inducing G-CSF effects among eight natural vitamin E homologs. Consequently, we designed and synthesized a series of DT3 ester and ether derivatives, leading to improved radioprotective effects. The metabolic study conducted in vitro and in vivo has identified DT3 succinate 5b as a prodrug of DT3 with an approximately seven-fold higher bioavailability compared to DT3 alone. And DT3 ether derivative 8a were relatively stable and approximately 4 times more bioavailable than DT3 prototype. Furthermore, 5b exhibited superior ability to mitigate radiation-induced pancytopenia, enhance the recovery of bone marrow hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, and promote splenic extramedullary hematopoiesis in sublethal irradiated mice. Similarly, 8a shown potential radiation protection, but its radiation protection is less than DT3. Based on these findings, we identified 5b as a DT3 prodrug, and providing an attractive candidate for further drug development.

P. Oliveira MB, Prieto MA. Health benefits of bluefin tuna consumption: (Thunnus thynnus) as a case study

Consumers are increasingly interested in food products with high nutritional value and health benefits. For instance, fish consumption is linked with diverse positive health benefits and the prevention of certain widespread disorders, such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, or cardiovascular diseases. These benefits have been attributed to its excellent nutritional value (large amounts of high-quality fatty acids, proteins, vitamins, and minerals) and bioactive compounds, while being relatively low-caloric. Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus tynnus) is one of the most consumed species worldwide, motivated by its good nutritional and organoleptic characteristics. Recently, some organizations have proposed limitations on its consumption due to the presence of contaminants, mainly heavy metals such as mercury. However, several studies have reported that most specimens hold lower levels of contaminants than the established limits and that their richness in selenium effectively limits the contaminants' bioaccessibility in the human body. Considering this situation, this study aims to provide baseline data about the nutritional composition and the latest evidence regarding the beneficial effects of Atlantic bluefin tuna consumption. A review of the risk-benefit ratio was also conducted to evaluate the safety of its consumption, considering the current suggested limitations to this species' consumption.

A Dietary Supplement Jinghuosu Ameliorates Reproductive Damage Induced by Tripterygium Glycosides

OBJECTIVE

To determine the possible protective effects of Jinghuosu, a dietary supplement (DS), on tripterygium glycosides (TG)-induced reproductive system injury in rats and its underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

A reproductive damage model was established in rats by feeding of TGs. Twenty-eight male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups using a random number table (n=7 in each): control (C) group, model (M) group, DS group and L-carnitine (LC) group. Rats in M, DS and LC groups received 40 mg/kg TGs orally. Starting from the 5th week, after administration of TGs for 4 h every day, rats in DS and LC groups were administered with 2.7 g/kg DS and 0.21 g/kg LC, respectively, for protective treatment over the next 4 weeks. Rats in Group C continued to receive the control treatment. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used for histopathological analysis of rat testicular tissues. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to measure alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase, alcohol dehydrogenase, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations. Chemiluminescence assay was used to determine the serum testosterone content. Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting were conducted to analyze the expression of genes and proteins related to the testosterone synthesis pathway and the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase 1 antioxidant pathway.

RESULTS

Oral administration of TGs induced significant increases in the testicular levels of zinc transporter 1 and MDA (P<0.05). On the other hand, sperm concentration, sperm motility, and serum testosterone, serum zinc, testicular zinc, Zrt-, Irt-like protein 1, ALP, luteinizing hormone (LH) receptor, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, Cytochrome P450 family 11 subfamily A member 1, 3 β -hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 T-AOC, GSH-Px, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, heme oxygenase-1 and NAD (P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 levels decreased following TGs exposure (P<0.05). All of these phenotypes were evidently reversed by DS (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

DS Jinghuosu protects against TG-induced reproductive system injury in rats, probably by improving zinc homeostasis, enhancing the testosterone synthesis and attenuating oxidative stress.

Vitamin E: An assistant for black soldier fly to reduce cadmium accumulation and toxicity

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal associated with osteoporosis, liver, and kidney disease. The black soldier fly (BSF) Hermetia illucens may be exposed to Cd during the transformation of livestock manure. The BSF has a high tolerance to Cd. In the previous work of the laboratory, we found that vitamin E (VE) may play a role in the tolerance of BSF to Cd exposure. The main findings are as follows: The BSF larvae pretreated with exogenous VE had heavier body weight, lower content and toxicity of Cd under similar Cd exposure. Even in high Cd exposure at the concentrations of 300 and 700 mg/kg, the BSF larvae pretreated with exogenous VE at a concentration of 100 mg/kg still reduced the Cd toxicity to 85.33 % and 84.43 %, respectively. The best-fitting models showed that metallothionein (MT) content, oxidative damage (8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine content, malondialdehyde content), antioxidant power (total antioxidant power, peroxidase activity) had a great influence on content and toxicity of Cd bioaccumulated in the larvae. The degree of oxidative damage was reduced in the larvae with exogenous VE pretreatments. This variation can be explained by their changed MT content and increased antioxidant power because of exogenous VE. These results reveal the roles of VE in insects defense against Cd exposure and provide a new option for the prevention and therapy of damage caused by Cd exposure.

Vitamin Supplement Use in Patients With CKD: Worth the Pill Burden?

All vitamins play essential roles in various aspects of body function and systems. Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), including those receiving dialysis, may be at increased risk of developing vitamin deficiencies due to anorexia, poor dietary intake, protein energy wasting, restricted diet, dialysis loss, or inadequate sun exposure for vitamin D. However, clinical manifestations of most vitamin deficiencies are usually subtle or undetected in this population. Testing for circulating levels is not undertaken for most vitamins except folate, B12, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D because assays may not be available or may be costly to perform and do not always correlate with body stores. The last systematic review through 2016 was performed for the Kidney Disease Outcome Quality Initiative (KDOQI) 2020 Nutrition Guideline update, so this article summarizes the more recent evidence. We review the use of vitamins supplementation in the CKD population. To date there have been no randomized trials to support the benefits of any vitamin supplementation for kidney, cardiovascular, or patient-centered outcomes. The decision to supplement water-soluble vitamins should be individualized, taking account the patient's dietary intake, nutritional status, risk of vitamins deficiency/insufficiency, CKD stage, comorbid status, and dialysis loss. Nutritional vitamin D deficiency should be corrected, but the supplementation dose and formulation need to be personalized, taking into consideration the degree of 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency, parathyroid hormone levels, CKD stage, and local formulation. Routine supplementation of vitamins A and E is not supported due to potential toxicity. Although more trial data are required to elucidate the roles of vitamin supplementation, all patients with CKD should undergo periodic assessment of dietary intake and aim to receive various vitamins through natural food sources and a healthy eating pattern that includes vitamin-dense foods.

Menopause Hot Flashes and Molecular Mechanisms Modulated by Food-Derived Nutrients

The causes of vasomotor symptoms, including hot flashes, are not fully understood, may be related to molecular factors, and have a polygenic architecture. Nutrients and bioactive molecules supplied to the body with food are metabolized using various enzymatic pathways. They can induce molecular cell signaling pathways and, consequently, activate effector proteins that modulate processes related to hot flashes in menopausal women. In this review, we analyzed the literature data from the last 5 years, especially regarding genome-wide association study (GWAS) analysis, and selected molecular factors and cell signaling pathways that may potentially be related to hot flashes in women. These are the kisspeptin-GnRH pathway, adipocyte-derived hormones, aryl hydrocarbon receptor signaling, catechol estrogens and estrogen sulfotransferase, inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers, and glucose availability. Then, single compounds or groups of food ingredients were selected that, according to experimental data, influence the course of the discussed molecular pathways and thus can be considered as potential natural therapeutic agents to effectively reduce the troublesome symptoms of menopause in women.

Targeting oxidative stress with natural products: A novel strategy for esophageal cancer therapy

Esophageal cancer (ESC) is a malignant tumor that originates from the mucosal epithelium of the esophagus and is part of the digestive tract. Although the exact pathogenesis of ESC has not been fully elucidated, excessive oxidative stress is an important characteristic that leads to the development of many cancers. Abnormal expression of several proteins and transcription factors contributes to oxidative stress in ESCs, which alters the growth and proliferation of ESCs and promotes their metastasis. Natural compounds, including alkaloids, terpenes, polyphenols, and xanthine compounds, can inhibit reactive oxygen species production in ESCs. These compounds reduce oxidative stress levels and subsequently inhibit the occurrence and progression of ESC through the regulation of targets and pathways such as the cytokine interleukins 6 and 10, superoxide dismutase, the NF-+ACY-kappa+ADs-B/MAPK pathway, and the mammalian Nrf2/ARE target pathway. Thus, targeting tumor oxidative stress has become a key focus in anti-ESC therapy. This review discusses the potential of Natural products (NPs) for treating ESCs and summarizes the application prospects of oxidative stress as a new target for ESC treatment. The findings of this review provide a reference for drug development targeting ESCs. Nonetheless, further high-quality studies will be necessary to determine the clinical efficacy of these various NPs.

Harnessing γ-TMT Genetic Variations and Haplotypes for Vitamin E Diversity in the Korean Rice Collection

Gamma-tocopherol methyltransferase (γ-TMT), a key gene in the vitamin E biosynthesis pathway, significantly influences the accumulation of tocochromanols, thereby determining rice nutritional quality. In our study, we analyzed the γ-TMT gene in 475 Korean rice accessions, uncovering 177 genetic variants, including 138 SNPs and 39 InDels. Notably, two functional SNPs, tmt-E2-28,895,665-G/A and tmt-E4-28,896,689-A/G, were identified, causing substitutions from valine to isoleucine and arginine to glycine, respectively, across 93 accessions. A positive Tajima's D value in the indica group suggests a signature of balancing selection. Haplotype analysis revealed 27 haplotypes, with two shared between cultivated and wild accessions, seven specific to cultivated accessions, and 18 unique to wild types. Further, profiling of vitamin E isomers in 240 accessions and their association with haplotypes revealed that Hap_2, distinguished by an SNP in the 3' UTR (tmt-3UTR-28,897,360-T/A) exhibited significantly lower α-tocopherol (AT), α-tocotrienol (AT3), total tocopherol, and total tocotrienol, but higher γ-tocopherol (GT) in the japonica group. Additionally, in the indica group, Hap_2 showed significantly higher AT, AT3, and total tocopherol, along with lower GT and γ-tocotrienol, compared to Hap_19, Hap_20, and Hap_21. Overall, this study highlights the genetic landscape of γ-TMT and provides a valuable genetic resource for haplotype-based breeding programs aimed at enhancing nutritional profiles.

Vitamin E and conflicting understandings in noncommunicable diseases: Is it worth supplementing?

Vitamin E is a lipid-soluble nutrient found mainly in vegetable oils and oilseeds. It is divided into eight homologous compounds; however, only α-tocopherol exhibits vitamin activity. Many advantages are related to these compounds, including cellular protection through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, and improving lipid metabolism. Physiopathology of many diseases incepts with reduced antioxidant defense, characterized by an increased reactive oxygen species production and activation of transcription factors involved in inflammation, such as nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), that can be linked to oxidative stress. Moreover, disorders of lipid metabolism can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases. In addition, intestinal dysbiosis plays a vital role in developing chronic non-communicable diseases. In this regard, vitamin E can be considered to mitigate those disorders, but data still needs to be more conclusive. This narrative review aims to elucidate the mechanisms of action of vitamin E and if supplementation can be beneficial in a disease scenario regarding non-communicable diseases.

How Can Selected Dietary Ingredients Influence the Development and Progression of Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a chronic, hormone-dependent disease characterized by the presence of endometrial tissue in ectopic locations. Since the treatment options for this disease are still limited, and the cure rate is unsatisfactory, the search for ways to treat symptoms and modify the course of the disease is of key importance in improving the quality of life of patients with endometriosis. So far, the literature has shown that nutrition can influence endometriosis through hormonal modification and altering the inflammatory or oxidative response. Since the importance of nutrition in this disease is still a subject of scientific research, we aimed to summarize the current knowledge on the role of dietary modifications in endometriosis. Our review showed that nutrients with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, including most vitamins and several trace elements, may influence the pathogenesis of endometriosis and can be considered as the nutrients preventing the development of endometriosis. However, despite the many discoveries described in this review, further interdisciplinary research on this topic seems to be extremely important, as in the future, it may result in the development of personalized therapies supporting the treatment of endometriosis.

The protective impact of curcumin, vitamin D and E along with manganese oxide and Iron (III) oxide nanoparticles in rats with scrotal hyperthermia: Role of apoptotic genes, miRNA and circRNA

BACKGROUND

Infertility is one of the major factors affecting most people around the world. Short-term exposure to high temperatures can cause hyperthermia, which is one of the causes of male infertility. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of curcumin, vitamins D and E along with Iron (III) oxide nanoparticles (Fe2O3-NPs) and manganese oxide nanoparticles (MnO2-NPs) on semen parameters and its effect on miRNA21 and circRNA0001518 expression.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In this study, the lower part of the rat was exposed to 43 °C for 5 weeks every other day for 5 weeks. Then the animals were killed. Tissue samples were collected for sperm parameters analysis, and tissue samples were taken for evaluation of apoptosis levels in germ cells, and RNA extraction in order to examine the expression of Bax, Bcl-2, miRNA, and CircRNA genes.

RESULTS

The results of this study showed that administration of curcumin, vitamin D, and vitamin E with Fe2O3-NPs and MnO2-NPs can improve the parameters of semen, Bax gene expression, Bcl-2 as well as miRNA and CircRNA in rats with testicular hyperthermia. In addition, curcumin by reducing the toxicity of Fe2O3 nanoparticles was able to reduce its negative effects and also reduce apoptosis in germ cells. This decrease in apoptosis was attributed to decreased Bcl-2 gene expression and increased expression of Bax, miRNA-21, and circRNA0001518.

CONCLUSION

All the results of this study confirmed that Fe2O3-NPs and Mno2-NPs containing antioxidants or vitamins are useful in improving fertility in rats due to scrotal hyperthermia. Although Fe2O3-NPs and Mno2-NPs containing both antioxidants and vitamins had a greater effect on improving fertility and reducing the toxic effects of nanoparticles.

Vitamin E protects dopaminergic neurons against manganese-induced neurotoxicity through stimulation of CHRM1 and KCNJ4

BACKGROUND

Manganese (Mn) overexposure can induce neurotoxicity and lead to manganism. Vitamin E (Vit E) has neuroprotective effects by acting as an ROS scavenger, preventing mitochondrial dysfunction and neuronal apoptosis. However, the effects of Vit E on Mn-induced nigrostriatal system lesions remains unknown.

OBJECTIVES

We aim to investigate whether Vit E has protective effects on Mn-induced nigrostriatal system lesions and mRNA expression profiles in the SN of mice.

METHODS

Sixty 8-week-old C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into the Control, MnCl2, MnCl2 +Vit E, and Vit E group. Twenty-four hours after the last injection, the behaviour test was performed. The numbers of dopaminergic neurons in Substantia nigra (SN), the contents of dopamine and its metabolite levels in striatium, and the morphology of mitochondria and nuclei in the dopaminergic neurons in SN were detected by immunofluorescence staining, high-performance liquid chromatography, and transmission electron microscopy. Transcriptome analysis was used to analyze the signaling pathways and RT-PCR was used to verify the mRNA levels.

RESULTS

Vit E ameliorates behavioral disorders and attenuates the loss of nigral dopaminergic neurons in the Mn-induced mouse model. In addition, Vit E antagonized Mn-induced toxicity by restoring mitochondrial function. The results of transcriptome sequencing and RTPCR show that the protective effect of Vit E was related to the upregulation of CHRM1 and KCNJ4 mRNA in the SN.

CONCLUSIONS

Vit E has neuroprotective effects on Mn-induced neurodegeneration in the nigrostriatal system. This effect may be related to the upregulation of CHRM1 and KCNJ4 mRNA stimulated by Vit E in the SN.

Vitamin E reduces oxidative stress in brains of male albino male rats undergoing immobilization

Stress can lead to various health problems. Exposure to stress is linked to several diseases including cancer, hypertension, diabetes, mental disorders, and heart attacks. Stress stimulates several pathways that produce free radicals, which increases oxidative stress. This results in functional and structural damage to organs, such as the brain, which is highly sensitive to oxidative stress Vitamin E is a naturally occurring potent antioxidant used for various purposes. The main purpose of the current study was to evaluate how vitamin E protects the brain and to what extent it affects antioxidant levels in rats subjected to two hours per day of immobilization stress, the form of stress with the strongest effect. The rats were immobilized by folding their limbs in and wrapping them in netting to prevent movement, while allowing their tails to be extended. The rats were then hung upside down. The effect of vitamin E was tested by intraperitoneally injecting rats with 40 mg/kg of vitamin E daily. Oxidative stress parameters were determined at the completion of the experiment. A dramatic decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and an increase in catalase (CAT), including glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), has been shown by vitamin E in the brain. The effects of vitamin E were significantly higher in the acute and chronic stress groups than in the control group. Vitamin E can decrease oxidative stress in stressed rats, indicating that it exerts therapeutic and protective effects owing to its antioxidant properties.

Dual functional roles of nutritional additives in nutritional fortification and safety of thermally processed food: Potential, limitations, and perspectives

The Maillard reaction (MR) has been established to be a paramount contributor to the characteristic sensory property of thermally processed food products. Meanwhile, MR also gives rise to myriads of harmful byproducts (HMPs) (e.g., advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and acrylamide). Nutritional additives have attracted increasing attention in recent years owing to their potential to simultaneously improve nutritional quality and attenuate HMP formation. In this manuscript, a brief overview of various nutritional additives (vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, amino acids, dietary fibers, and miscellaneous micronutrients) in heat-processed food is provided, followed by a summary of the formation mechanisms of AGEs and acrylamide highlighting the potential crosstalk between them. The main body of the manuscript is on the capability of nutritional additives to modulate AGE and acrylamide formation besides their traditional roles as nutritional enhancers. Finally, limitations/concerns associated with their use to attenuate dietary exposure to HMPs and future perspectives are discussed. Literature data support that through careful control of the addition levels, certain nutritional additives possess promising potential for simultaneous improvement of nutritional value and reduction of AGE and acrylamide content via multiple action mechanisms. Nonetheless, there are some major concerns that may limit their wide applications for achieving such dual functions, including influence on sensory properties of food products, potential overestimation of nutrition enhancement, and introduction of hazardous alternative reaction products or derivatives. These could be overcome through comprehensive assay of dose-response relationships and systematic evaluation of the diverse combinations from the same and/or different categories of nutritional additives to establish synergistic mixtures.

Rice Byproduct Compounds: From Green Extraction to Antioxidant Properties

Currently, rice (Oryza sativa L.) production and consumption is increasing worldwide, and many efforts to decrease the substantial impact of its byproducts are needed. In recent years, the interest in utilizing rice kernels, husk, bran, and germ for the recovery of different molecules, from catalysts (to produce biodiesel) to bioactive compounds, has grown. In fact, rice byproducts are rich in secondary metabolites (phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and tocopherols) with different types of bioactivity, mainly antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory, which make them useful as functional ingredients. In this review, we focus our attention on the recovery of antioxidant compounds from rice byproducts by using innovative green techniques that can overcome the limitations of traditional extraction processes, such as their environmental and economic impact. In addition, traditional assays and more innovative methodologies to evaluate the antioxidant activity are discussed. Finally, the possible molecular mechanisms of action of the rice byproduct antioxidant compounds (phenolic acids, flavonoids, γ-oryzanol, and vitamin E) are discussed as well. In the future, it is expected that rice byproduct antioxidants will be important food ingredients that reduce the risk of the development of several human disorders involving oxidative stress, such as metabolic diseases, inflammatory disorders, and cancer.

Crosstalk of ferroptosis and oxidative stress in infectious diseases

Ferroptosis is a type of programmed cell death that pathogens can leverage to enhance their replication, transmission, and pathogenicity. Hosts typically combat pathogenic infections by utilizing oxidative stress as a defense mechanism. Nonetheless, some pathogens can trigger considerable oxidative stress while infecting, inducing an intense inflammatory response in the host's immune system and activating cell death. The process of ferroptosis is closely linked to oxidative stress, with their interaction exerting a substantial impact on the outcome of infectious diseases. This article presents an overview of the interrelated mechanisms of both Ferroptosis and oxidative stress in infectious diseases, identifying potential targets for treating such diseases in the context of their interaction.

Antidepressant pharmacological mechanisms: focusing on the regulation of autophagy

The core symptoms of depression are anhedonia and persistent hopelessness. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and their related medications are commonly used for clinical treatment, despite their significant adverse effects. Traditional Chinese medicine with its multiple targets, channels, and compounds, exhibit immense potential in treating depression. Autophagy, a vital process in depression pathology, has emerged as a promising target for intervention. This review summarized the pharmacological mechanisms of antidepressants by regulating autophagy. We presented insights from recent studies, discussed current research limitations, and proposed new strategies for basic research and their clinical application in depression.

Biochemical Changes in Cardiopulmonary Bypass in Cardiac Surgery: New Insights

Patients undergoing coronary revascularization with extracorporeal circulation or cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) may develop several biochemical changes in the microcirculation that lead to a systemic inflammatory response. Surgical incision, post-CPB reperfusion injury and blood contact with non-endothelial membranes can activate inflammatory signaling pathways that lead to the production and activation of inflammatory cells, with cytokine production and oxidative stress. This inflammatory storm can cause damage to vital organs, especially the heart, and thus lead to complications in the postoperative period. In addition to the organic pathophysiology during and after the period of exposure to extracorporeal circulation, this review addresses new perspectives for intraoperative treatment and management that may lead to a reduction in this inflammatory storm and thereby improve the prognosis and possibly reduce the mortality of these patients.

DNA damage resulting from human endocrine disrupting chemical exposure: Genotoxicity, detection and dietary phytochemical intervention

In recent years, exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) has posed an increasing threat to human health. EDCs are major risk factors in the occurrence and development of many diseases. Continuous DNA damage triggers severe pathogenic consequences, such as cancer. Beyond their effects on the endocrine system, EDCs genotoxicity is also worthy of attention, owing to the high accessibility and bioavailability of EDCs. This review investigates and summarizes nearly a decade of DNA damage studies on EDC exposure, including DNA damage mechanisms, detection methods, population marker analysis, and the application of dietary phytochemicals. The aims of this review are (1) to systematically summarize the genotoxic effects of environmental EDCs (2) to comprehensively summarize cutting-edge measurement methods, thus providing analytical solutions for studies on EDC exposure; and (3) to highlight critical data on the detoxification and repair effects of dietary phytochemicals. Dietary phytochemicals decrease genotoxicity by playing a major role in the detoxification system, and show potential therapeutic effects on human diseases caused by EDC exposure. This review may support research on environmental toxicology and alternative chemo-prevention for human EDC exposure.

Do the oxidative stress biomarkers predict COVID-19 outcome? An in-hospital cohort study

In SARSCoV-2 infections, excessive activation of the immune system dramatically elevates reactive oxygen species levels, harms cell structures, and directly increases disease severity and mortality. We aimed to evaluate whether plasma oxidative stress biomarker levels could predict mortality in adults admitted with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), considering potential confounders. We conducted a cohort study of 115 adults (62.1 ± 17.6 years, 65 males) admitted to a Brazilian public hospital for severely symptomatic COVID-19. Serum levels of α-tocopherol, glutathione, superoxide dismutase, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, malondialdehyde, and advanced oxidation protein products were quantified at COVID-19 diagnosis using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Serum levels of α-tocopherol, glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and advanced oxidation protein products differed significantly between survivors and non-survivors. Serum glutathione levels below 327.2 μmol/mL were associated with a significant risk of death in COVID-19 patients, even after accounting for other factors (adjusted hazard ratio = 3.12 [95% CI: 1.83-5.33]).

Nano-engineered vitamins as a potential epigenetic modifier against environmental air pollutants

Air pollution has emerged as a serious threat to human health due to close association with spectrum of chronic ailments including cardiovascular disorders, respiratory diseases, nervous system dysfunctions, diabetes and cancer. Exposure to air-borne pollutants along with poor eating behaviours and inferior dietary quality irreversibly impacts epigenomic landscape, leading to aberrant transcriptional control of gene expression which is central to patho-physiology of non-communicable diseases. It is assumed that nutriepigenomic interventions such as vitamins can control such adverse effects through their immediate action on mitochondrial epigenomic-axis. Importantly, the exhaustive clinical utility of vitamins-interceded epigenetic synchronization is not well characterized. Therefore, improving the current limitations linked to stability and bioavailability issues in vitamin formulations is highly warranted. The present review not only sums up the available data on the role of vitamins as potential epigenetic modifiers but also discusses the importance of nano-engineered vitamins as potential epidrugs for dietary and pharmacological intervention to mitigate the long-term effects of air pollution toxicity.

Potential Role of Natural Antioxidants in Countering Reperfusion Injury in Acute Myocardial Infarction and Ischemic Stroke

Stroke and acute myocardial infarction are leading causes of mortality worldwide. The latter accounts for approximately 9 million deaths annually. In turn, ischemic stroke is a significant contributor to adult physical disability globally. While reperfusion is crucial for tissue recovery, it can paradoxically exacerbate damage through oxidative stress (OS), inflammation, and cell death. Therefore, it is imperative to explore diverse approaches aimed at minimizing ischemia/reperfusion injury to enhance clinical outcomes. OS primarily arises from an excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and/or decreased endogenous antioxidant potential. Natural antioxidant compounds can counteract the injury mechanisms linked to ROS. While promising preclinical results, based on monotherapies, account for protective effects against tissue injury by ROS, translating these models into human applications has yielded controversial evidence. However, since the wide spectrum of antioxidants having diverse chemical characteristics offers varied biological actions on cell signaling pathways, multitherapy has emerged as a valuable therapeutic resource. Moreover, the combination of antioxidants in multitherapy holds significant potential for synergistic effects. This study was designed with the aim of providing an updated overview of natural antioxidants suitable for preventing myocardial and cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injuries.

A new method based on dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction for fat-soluble vitamin determination in serum by LC-MS/MS

A green and inexpensive pretreatment known as dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) was developed in this assay coupled with the LC-MS/MS method for routine analysis of fat soluble vitamins (FSVs). The technique was performed with methanol as the dispersive solvent and dichloromethane as the extraction solvent. The extraction phase containing FSVs was evaporated to dryness and reconstituted in a mixture of acetonitrile and water. The influence variables concerning the DLLME procedure were optimized. After that, the method was investigated for its applicability in LC-MS/MS analysis. As a result, the parameters were settled for the optimal conditions during the DLLME process. A cheap and lipid-free substance was found as an alternative to serum to eliminate the matrix effect while preparing the calibrators. The method validation indicated that it was suitable for determining FSVs in serum. Moreover, this method was applied successfully to determine serum samples, which was consistent with the literature. In summary, the DLLME method developed in this report was reliable and more cost-effective than the traditional LC-MS/MS method, and could be applied in the future.

Relationship between food-derived antioxidant vitamin intake and breast cancer risk: a mendelian randomized study

BACKGROUND

In previous observational studies, food-derived antioxidant vitamins have been suggested to be associated with breast cancer. However, the findings were inconsistent and the causal relationship could not be clearly elucidated. To confirm the potential causal relationship between food-derived antioxidants (retinol, carotene, vitamin C and vitamin E) and the risk of breast cancer, we conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study.

METHODS

The instrumental variables (IVs) as proxies of genetic liability to food-derived antioxidant vitamins were obtained from the UK Biobank Database. We extracted breast cancer data (122,977 cases and 105,974 controls) from the Breast Cancer Consortium (BCAC). In addition, we studied estrogen expression status categorically, including estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer (69,501 cases and 105,974 controls) and versus estrogen receptor (ER-) negative breast cancer (21,468 cases and 105,974 controls). We performed two-sample Mendelian randomization study, and inverse variance-weighted (IVW) test was regarded as main analysis. Sensitivity analyses were further conducted to assess heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy.

RESULTS

The results of IVW showed that among the four food-derived antioxidants, only vitamin E had protective effect on the risk of overall breast cancer (OR = 0.837, 95% CI 0.757-0.926, P = 0.001) and ER+ breast cancer (OR = 0.823, 95% CI 0.693-0.977, P = 0.026). However, we found no association between food-derived vitamin E and ER- breast cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggested food-derived vitamin E can decrease the risk of breast cancer overall and ER+ breast cancer, and the robustness of our results was confirmed by sensitivity analyses.

Aerobic exercise and vitamin E improve high-fat diet-induced NAFLD in rats by regulating the AMPK pathway and oxidative stress

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged as a major chronic liver disease. We explored simple and effective ways to improve NAFLD and investigate the mechanism of action.

METHODS

NAFLD was induced in 40 rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Magnetic resonance imaging was used to evaluate the progression and improvement of NAFLD. The treatment-related interventions included aerobic exercise (E) and vitamin E (VE) supplementation. Expression levels of proteins related to fat metabolism were also assessed. The activities of antioxidant enzymes in the liver and serum lipid metabolism were analyzed using biochemical methods.

RESULTS

Aerobic exercise and vitamin E effectively improved NAFLD in rats, resulting in decreased hepatic fat accumulation, reduced hepatocyte ballooning, and decreased triglyceride levels. Combination therapy achieved the best effect. Both aerobic exercise and vitamin E activate the AMPK pathway to phosphorylate acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and reduce fatty acid synthesis. The expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 (SREBP-1) was decreased significantly in the treated groups, particularly in the E + VE + HFD group. The expression of carnitine palmitoyl-transferase 1C (CPT1C) significantly increased in the treated groups, particularly in the E + VE + HFD group. Compared with the control group, reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the E + HFD group were slightly decreased, while that in the VE + HFD group were significantly decreased, with the even greater reduction observed in the E + VE + HFD group.

CONCLUSION

Aerobic exercise and vitamin E supplementation can improve HFD-induced NAFLD in rats by regulating the AMPK pathway and reducing oxidative stress.

Spirulina (Arthrospira maxima) mitigates the toxicity induced by a mixture of metal and NSAID in Xenopus laevis

Cadmium (Cd) is often detected in the environment due to its wide use in industry; also, NSAIDs are one of the most consumed pharmaceuticals, particularly diclofenac (DCF). Several studies have reported the presence of both contaminants in water bodies at concentrations ranging from ng L-1 to μg L-1; in addition, they have shown that they can induce oxidative stress in aquatic species and disturb signal transduction, cell proliferation, and intercellular communication, which could lead to teratogenesis. Spirulina has been consumed as a dietary supplement; its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and nutritional properties are well documented. This work aimed to evaluate if Spirulina reduces the damage induced by Cd and DCF mixture in Xenopus laevis at early life stages. FETAX assay was carried out: 20 fertilized oocytes were exposed to seven different treatments on triplicate, control, Cd (24.5 μg L-1), DCF (149 μg L-1), Cd + DCF, Cd+DCF+Spirulina (2 mg L-1), Cd+DCF+Spirulina (4 mg L-1), Cd+DCF+Spirulina (10 mg L-1), malformations, mortality, and growth were evaluated after 96 h, also lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase and catalase activity were determined after 192 h. Cd increased DCF mortality, Cd and DCF mixture increased the incidence of malformations as well as oxidative damage; on the other hand, the results obtained show that Spirulina can be used to reduce the damage caused by the mixture of Cd and DCF since it promotes growth, reduce mortality, malformations, and oxidative stress in X. laevis.

Dietary Vitamin E Isoforms Intake: Development of a New Tool to Assess Tocopherols and Tocotrienols Intake in Adults

Due to the documented health benefits of tocopherols and tocotrienols as bioactive compounds, it seems important to assess their intake. The aim of this study was to develop a new tool and its application for assessment of tocopherol and tocotrienol intake in adults. Dietary data were collected by semiquantitative FFQ (VitE-FFQ) and by a 1-day dietary record in a group of 447 subjects. The database of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) was used to calculate the individual isoforms of vitamin E and develop the tool-VIT_E.CAL. The assessment of measuring agreement between the two methods was conducted by analysis of the correlations and Bland-Altman plots. The average α-tocopherol intake was 11.3 mg/day for the data obtained using the FFQ method and 12.8 mg/day for the results obtained using the 1-day dietary record. Depending on the adopted recommendation, only 40-57% of the subjects had adequate vitamin E intake. The intake of α-tocopherol did not exceed the UL value in any of the respondents. The dominant forms of vitamin E in the diet of the studied group were α- and γ- forms (55% and 38% of the total sum) among tocopherols and β- and γ- forms (49% and 24% of the total sum) among tocotrienols. VIT_E.CAL allows us to calculate not only the total amount of vitamin E but also its eight isoforms. It can be a useful tool to assess individual and group intake of various forms of vitamin E in the diet. The use of VIT_E.CAL enables the proper assessment of vitamin E (as α-tocopherol and not α-tocopherol equivalent) in the diet of Poles, and most likely also in the European diet. The obtained results indicate the need to take into account the content of individual forms of vitamin E in food/diet, which will allow for a reliable assessment of its consumption. It also seems necessary to standardize the nomenclature regarding the name of vitamin E and its use for correct nutritional assessment.

Effect of Antioxidant Supplementation on NET Formation Induced by LPS In Vitro; the Roles of Vitamins E and C, Glutathione, and N-acetyl Cysteine

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) require reactive oxygen species (ROS) to eliminate pathogens by inducing oxidative stress. However, this process can also cause tissue damage to the host. Neutrophils contain high concentrations of vitamin C (1.5 mM) compared to the bloodstream (0.1 mM), and this antioxidant can interact with vitamin E and glutathione (GSH) inside the cell to maintain the redox balance. Previous studies have investigated the effect of vitamins E or C and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) on NET formation, but the interactions of these molecules in neutrophils remain unknown. In this study, we investigated the effect of antioxidants alone and two combinations on NET formation and oxidative stress. Neutrophils were pre-loaded with GSH + NAC or vitamin E + vitamin C + GSH + NAC (termed ALL), and LPS-induced NET formation was assessed using fluorometry and immunofluorescence. Antioxidant effects were evaluated by measuring the total antioxidant capacity (TAC), GSH/GSSG ratio, ROS production, nitrite + nitrate levels, and lipid peroxidation. Our results showed that even low doses of antioxidants are capable of decreasing NETs. Furthermore, the combinations augmented TAC and GSH/GSSG ratio and decreased ROS, nitrites + nitrates, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in supplemented neutrophils in vitro.

Novel Multi-Ingredient Supplement Facilitates Weight Loss and Improves Body Composition in Overweight and Obese Individuals: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND

Despite the growing recognition of the obesity crisis, its rates continue to rise. The current first-line therapies, such as dietary changes, energy restriction, and physical activity, are typically met with poor adherence. Novel nutritional interventions can address the root causes of obesity, including mitochondrial dysfunction, and facilitate weight loss.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a multi-ingredient nutritional supplement designed to facilitate mitochondrial function and metabolic health outcomes over a 12 wk period.

METHODS

Fifty-five overweight and/or obese participants (age (mean ± SEM): 26 ± 1; body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2): 30.5 ± 0.6) completed this double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Participants were randomized to 12 wks of daily consumption of multi-ingredient supplement (MIS; n = 28; containing 50 mg forskolin, 500 mg green coffee bean extract, 500 mg green tea extract, 500 mg beet root extract, 400 mg α-lipoic acid, 200 IU vitamin E, and 200 mg CoQ10) or control placebo (PLA, n = 27; containing microcrystalline cellulose) matched in appearance. The co-primary outcomes were bodyweight and fat mass (kg) changes. The secondary outcomes included other body composition measures, plasma markers of obesity, fatty liver disease biomarkers, resting energy metabolism, blood pressure, physical performance, and quality of life. The post-intervention differences between MIS and PLA were examined via ANCOVA which was adjusted for the respective pre-intervention variables.

RESULTS

After adjustment for pre-intervention data, there was a significant difference in weight (p < 0.001) and fat mass (p < 0.001) post-intervention between the PLA and MIS treatment arms. Post-intervention weight and fat mass were significantly lower in MIS. Significant post-intervention differences corrected for baseline were found in markers of clinical biochemistry (AST, p = 0.017; ALT, p = 0.008), molecular metabolism (GDF15, p = 0.028), and extracellular vesicle-associated miRNA species miR-122 and miR-34a in MIS (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Following the 12 wks of MIS supplementation, weight and body composition significantly improved, concomitant with improvements in molecular markers of liver health and metabolism.

Research Progress of Protein-Based Bioactive Substance Nanoparticles

Bioactive substances exhibit various physiological activities-such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer activities-and have great potential for application in food, pharmaceuticals, and nutraceuticals. However, the low solubility, chemical instability, and low bioavailability of bioactive substances limit their application in the food industry. Using nanotechnology to prepare protein nanoparticles to encapsulate and deliver active substances is a promising approach due to the abundance, biocompatibility, and biodegradability of proteins. Common protein-based nanocarriers include nano-emulsions, nano-gels, nanoparticles, and nano complexes. In this review, we give an overview of protein-based nanoparticle fabrication methods, highlighting their pros and cons. Additionally, we discuss the applications and current issues regarding the utilization of protein-based nanoparticles in the food industry. Finally, we provide perspectives on future development directions, with a focus on classifying bioactive substances and their functional properties.

Vitamin E Ameliorates Impaired Ovarian Development, Oxidative Stress, and Disrupted Lipid Metabolism in Oreochromis niloticus Fed with a Diet Containing Olive Oil Instead of Fish Oil

Aquaculture feed containing olive oil (OO) instead of fish oil (FO) can cause oxidative stress and impair gonad development in fish. We determined the effect of dietary OO-induced oxidative stress on ovarian development, and explored whether vitamin E (VE) could mitigate negative effects. Female Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were fed for 10 weeks with four diets: 5% OO + 70 mg/kg VE, 5% OO + 200 mg/kg VE, 5% FO + 70 mg/kg VE, or 5% FO + 200 mg/kg VE. Dietary OO reduced the specific growth rate and gonadosomatic index, inhibited superoxide dismutase and catalase, delayed ovarian development, decreased serum sex hormone levels, and reduced ovarian triglyceride and n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acid contents. The transcript levels of genes encoding sex hormone receptors (erα, fshr, lhr) and components of the lipid metabolism pathway (pparα, pparγ, hsl, accα, elovl6), the nrf2 signaling pathway (nrf2, keap1), and the nf-κb signaling pathway (nf-κb, tnfα, infγ, il1β) differed between the 70VE/OO and 70VE/FO groups. Supplementation with 200 mg/kg VE mitigated the adverse effects of OO by improving antioxidant capacity and alleviating inflammation and abnormal lipid metabolism. This may be because VE is an antioxidant and it can regulate the nrf2-nf-κb signaling pathway.

Quinones as Neuroprotective Agents

Quinones can in principle be viewed as a double-edged sword in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, since they are often cytoprotective but can also be cytotoxic due to covalent and redox modification of biomolecules. Nevertheless, low doses of moderately electrophilic quinones are generally cytoprotective, mainly due to their ability to activate the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway and thus induce the expression of detoxifying enzymes. Some natural quinones have relevant roles in important physiological processes. One of them is coenzyme Q₁₀, which takes part in the oxidative phosphorylation processes involved in cell energy production, as a proton and electron carrier in the mitochondrial respiratory chain, and shows neuroprotective effects relevant to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Additional neuroprotective quinones that can be regarded as coenzyme Q₁₀ analogues are idobenone, mitoquinone and plastoquinone. Other endogenous quinones with neuroprotective activities include tocopherol-derived quinones, most notably vatiquinone, and vitamin K. A final group of non-endogenous quinones with neuroprotective activity is discussed, comprising embelin, APX-3330, cannabinoid-derived quinones, asterriquinones and other indolylquinones, pyrroloquinolinequinone and its analogues, geldanamycin and its analogues, rifampicin quinone, memoquin and a number of hybrid structures combining quinones with amino acids, cholinesterase inhibitors and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Current Insights Regarding Intestinal Failure-Associated Liver Disease (IFALD): A Narrative Review

Intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IFALD) is a spectrum of liver disease including cholestasis, biliary cirrhosis, steatohepatitis, and gallbladder disease in patients with intestinal failure (IF). The prevalence of IFALD varies considerably, with ranges of 40-60% in the pediatric population, up to 85% in neonates, and between 15-40% in the adult population. IFALD has a complex and multifactorial etiology; the risk factors can be parenteral nutrition-related or patient-related. Because of this, the approach to managing IFALD is multidisciplinary and tailored to each patient based on the etiology. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the etiology and pathophysiology of IFALD and examines the latest evidence regarding preventative measures, diagnostic approaches, and treatment strategies for IFALD and its associated complications.

Regulation of gut microbiota by vitamin C, vitamin E and β-carotene

Vitamin C (VC), vitamin E (VE) and β-carotene (βC) are representative dietary antioxidants, which exist in daily diet and can increase the antioxidant capacity of body fluids, cells and tissues. The health benefits of vitamins like VC, VE and βC are widely demonstrated. Given that the strong associations between the gut microbiota and host health or a range of diseases has been extensively reported, it is important to explore the modulatory effects of known vitamins on the gut microbiota. Herein, this article reviews the effects of VC, VE and βC on the gut microbiota. Totally, 19 studies were included, of which eight were related to VC, nine to VE, and six to βC. Overall, VC, VE and βC can provide health benefits to the host by modulating the composition and metabolic activity of the gut microbiota, improving intestinal barrier function and maintaining the normal function of the immune system. Two perspectives are proposed for future studies: i) roles of known antioxidant activity of vitamins in regulating the gut microbiota and its molecular mechanism need to be further studied; ii) causal relationships between the regulatory effects of vitamins on gut microbiota and host health still remains to be further verified.

Association of the Oxidative Balance Score and Cognitive Function and the Mediating Role of Oxidative Stress: Evidence from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2014

BACKGROUND

Oxidative stress is possibly related to cognitive function decline. The oxidative balance score (OBS) that combines pro- and antioxidant components from diet and lifestyle has been reported to be associated with age-related diseases.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to investigate the association between OBS and cognitive function in older adults and explore whether oxidative stress mediated this relationship.

METHODS

A total of 1745 adults aged ≥60 y were included in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2014. Cognitive function was measured using 4 tests: the immediate recall test, delayed recall test, animal fluency test (AFT), and digital symbol substitution test (DSST). Weighted multivariate linear regression and restricted cubic splines (RCS) analyses were used to evaluate the association between OBS and cognitive function, and mediation analysis was used to test the indirect effect of oxidative stress indicators on the association.

RESULTS

The OBS was positively associated with AFT, DSST, and global cognitive function in older adults, and the beta estimates (95% CI) were 0.015 (0.008, 0.034), 0.009 (0.002, 0.025), and 0.030 (0.024, 0.074), moreover, RCS results suggested an approximately linear dose-response relationship between the OBS and these 3 tests. The highest quartiles of these 3 tests were also significantly correlated with OBS. Albumin, uric acid, and serum 25(OH)D concentrations were significant mediators of the relationship between OBS and cognitive function, and the overall mediation effect proportion was 36% when included in 1 model.

CONCLUSIONS

OBS was positively correlated with cognitive function in older adults, and albumin, uric acid, and serum 25(OH)D concentrations could be the driving mediators of the association. The findings emphasize the importance of a healthy, antioxidant diet and lifestyle that contribute to cognitive function. J Nutr 20xx;x:xx.

Cellular Red-Ox system in health and disease: The latest update

Cells are continually exposed to reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated during cellular metabolism. Apoptosis, necrosis, and autophagy are biological processes involving a feedback cycle that causes ROS molecules to induce oxidative stress. To adapt to ROS exposure, living cells develop various defense mechanisms to neutralize and use ROS as a signaling molecule. The cellular redox networks combine signaling pathways that regulate cell metabolism, energy, cell survival, and cell death. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) are essential antioxidant enzymes that are required for scavenging ROS in various cell compartments and response to stressful situations. Among the non-enzymatic defenses, vitamin C, glutathione (GSH), polyphenols, carotenoids, vitamin E, etc., are also essential. This review article describes how ROS are produced as byproducts of oxidation/reduction (redox) processes and how the antioxidants defense system is directly or indirectly engaged in scavenging ROS. In addition, we used computational methods to determine the comparative profile of binding energies of several antioxidants with antioxidant enzymes. The computational analysis demonstrates that antioxidants with a high affinity for antioxidant enzymes regulate their structures.

Herbal medicine for the treatment of obesity-associated asthma: a comprehensive review

Obesity is fast growing as a global pandemic and is associated with numerous comorbidities like cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, gastroesophageal reflux disease, sleep disorders, nephropathy, neuropathy, as well as asthma. Studies stated that obese asthmatic subjects suffer from an increased risk of asthma, and encounter severe symptoms due to a number of pathophysiology. It is very vital to understand the copious relationship between obesity and asthma, however, a clear and pinpoint pathogenesis underlying the association between obesity and asthma is scarce. There is a plethora of obesity-asthma etiologies reported viz., increased circulating pro-inflammatory adipokines like leptin, resistin, and decreased anti-inflammatory adipokines like adiponectin, depletion of ROS controller Nrf2/HO-1 axis, nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich-containing family, pyrin domain-containing-3 (NLRP3) associated macrophage polarization, hypertrophy of WAT, activation of Notch signaling pathway, and dysregulated melanocortin pathway reported, however, there is a very limited number of reports that interrelates these pathophysiologies. Due to the underlying complex pathophysiologies exaggerated by obese conditions, obese asthmatics respond poorly to anti-asthmatic drugs. The poor response towards anti-asthmatic drugs may be due to the anti-asthmatics approach only that ignores the anti-obesity target. So, aiming only at the conventional anti-asthmatic targets in obese-asthmatics may prove to be futile until and unless treatment is directed towards ameliorating obesity pathogenesis for a holistic approach towards amelioration of obesity-associated asthma. Herbal medicines for obesity as well as obesity-associated comorbidities are fast becoming safer and more effective alternatives to conventional drugs due to their multitargeted approach with fewer adverse effects. Although, herbal medicines are widely used for obesity-associated comorbidities, however, a limited number of herbal medicines have been scientifically validated and reported against obesity-associated asthma. Notable among them are quercetin, curcumin, geraniol, resveratrol, β-Caryophyllene, celastrol, tomatidine to name a few. In view of this, there is a dire need for a comprehensive review that may summarize the role of bioactive phytoconstituents from different sources like plants, marine as well as essential oils in terms of their therapeutic mechanisms. So, this review aims to critically discuss the therapeutic role of herbal medicine in the form of bioactive phytoconstituents against obesity-associated asthma available in the scientific literature to date.

Brain Trauma and the Secondary Cascade in Humans: Review of the Potential Role of Vitamins in Reparative Processes and Functional Outcome

An estimated sixty-nine million people sustain a traumatic brain injury each year. Trauma to the brain causes the primary insult and initiates a secondary biochemical cascade as part of the immune and reparative response to injury. The secondary cascade, although a normal physiological response, may also contribute to ongoing neuroinflammation, oxidative stress and axonal injury, continuing in some cases years after the initial insult. In this review, we explain some of the biochemical mechanisms of the secondary cascade and their potential deleterious effects on healthy neurons including secondary cell death. The second part of the review focuses on the role of micronutrients to neural mechanisms and their potential reparative effects with regards to the secondary cascade after brain injury. The biochemical response to injury, hypermetabolism and excessive renal clearance of nutrients after injury increases the demand for most vitamins. Currently, most research in the area has shown positive outcomes of vitamin supplementation after brain injury, although predominantly in animal (murine) models. There is a pressing need for more research in this area with human participants because vitamin supplementation post-trauma is a potential cost-effective adjunct to other clinical and therapeutic treatments. Importantly, traumatic brain injury should be considered a lifelong process and better evaluated across the lifespan of individuals who experience brain injury.

Antioxidant properties of lipid concomitants in edible oils: A review

Edible oils are indispensable for human life, providing energy and necessary fatty acids. Nevertheless, they are vulnerable to oxidation via a number of different mechanisms. Essential nutrients deteriorate as well as toxic substances are produced when edible oils are oxidized; thus, they should be retarded wherever possible. Lipid concomitants have a strong antioxidant capacity and are a large class of biologically active chemical substances in edible oils. They have shown remarkable antioxidant properties and were documented to improve the quality of edible oils in varied ways. An overview of the antioxidant properties of the polar, non-polar, and amphiphilic lipid concomitants present in edible oils is provided in this review. Interactions among various lipid concomitants and the probable mechanisms are also elucidated. This review may provide a theoretical basis and practical reference for food industry practitioners and researchers to understand the underlying cause of variations in the quality of edible oils.