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Schoenthaler SJ, Prescott SL, Logan AC. Homicide or Happiness: Did Folate Fortification and Public Health Campaigns Influence Homicide Rates and the Great American Crime Decline? Nutrients 2024; 16:1075. [PMID: 38613108 PMCID: PMC11013728 DOI: 10.3390/nu16071075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The last several years have witnessed a remarkable growth in research directed at nutrition and behavior, with increased interest in the field of nutritional criminology. It is becoming clear that dietary patterns and specific nutrients play an important role in cognition and behavior, including those related to aggression, violence, and antisocial activity. Included in this expanding knowledge base is the recognition that folate, through multiple pathways, including enzymatic reactions and gut microbiome ecology, plays a critical role in central nervous system functioning. These mechanistic advances allow for a retrospective analysis of a topic that remains unexplained-the sudden and unpredicted drop in homicide and other violent crime rates in the United States and other nations in the 1990s. Here, we revisit this marked reduction in homicide rates through the lens of the coincident public health campaign (and subsequent mandatory fortification) to increase folic acid intake. Based on objectively measured blood folate levels through the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, there is little doubt that tissue folate witnessed a dramatic rise at the national level from 1988 through 2000. Drawing from accumulated and emerging research on the neurobehavioral aspects of folate, it is our contention that this relatively sudden and massive increase in tissue folate levels may have contributed to reductions in violent crime in the United States.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen J. Schoenthaler
- Department of Criminal Justice, College of the Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences, California State University, Turlock, CA 95202, USA;
| | - Susan L. Prescott
- Nova Institute for Health, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
- School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
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Zhu J, Saikia G, Zhang X, Shen X, Kahe K. One-Carbon Metabolism Nutrients, Genetic Variation, and Diabetes Mellitus. Diabetes Metab J 2024; 48:170-183. [PMID: 38468500 PMCID: PMC10995489 DOI: 10.4093/dmj.2023.0272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus (DM) affects about 9.3% of the population globally. Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of DM, owing to its promotion of oxidative stress, β-cell dysfunction, and insulin resistance. HHcy can result from low status of one-carbon metabolism (OCM) nutrients (e.g., folate, choline, betaine, vitamin B6, B12), which work together to degrade homocysteine by methylation. The etiology of HHcy may also involve genetic variation encoding key enzymes in OCM. This review aimed to provide an overview of the existing literature assessing the link between OCM nutrients status, related genetic factors, and incident DM. We also discussed possible mechanisms underlying the role of OCM in DM development and provided recommendations for future research and practice. Even though the available evidence remains inconsistent, some studies support the potential beneficial effects of intakes or blood levels of OCM nutrients on DM development. Moreover, certain variants in OCM-related genes may influence metabolic handling of methyl-donors and presumably incidental DM. Future studies are warranted to establish the causal inference between OCM and DM and examine the interaction of OCM nutrients and genetic factors with DM development, which will inform the personalized recommendations for OCM nutrients intakes on DM prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhu
- Nutrition and Foods Program, School of Family and Consumer Sciences, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, USA
| | - Gunjana Saikia
- Nutrition and Foods Program, School of Family and Consumer Sciences, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, USA
| | - Xiaotao Zhang
- Institute for Translational Epidemiology & Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Xiaoxi Shen
- Department of Mathematics, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, USA
| | - Ka Kahe
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vagelos College of Physician and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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Wu H, Huang Y, Liu M, Zheng X, Zhang Z, Chen X, Gu Q, Li P. The regulation function of intestinal microbiota by folate-producing Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LZ227. JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 2023; 103:7694-7701. [PMID: 37439279 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.12851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Folic acid is a class of B vitamins that have the function of improving intestinal microbiota. RESULT Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LZ227, which is a highly folate-producing strain, was used as the research object, and the folic acid produced by LZ227 was further identified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and the structural diversity, community composition, abundance difference, and short-chain fatty acids content in fermentation broth were studied by the manure slurry fermentation model. The results showed that the folic acid produced by LZ227 was 5-methyltetrahydrofolate. CONCLUSION LZ227 can increase the intestinal microbial diversity in the folate-free state, regulate the intestinal flora, increase the abundance of Firmicutes in the intestinal flora, and inhibit the abundance of Bacteroidetes. LZ227 can inhibit the growth of Alistipes, Parabacteroides, and Bacteroides in the intestine. LZ227 significantly reduced the acetic acid content and significantly increased the butyric acid content in the folate-free case. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongchen Wu
- Key Laboratory for Food Microbial Technology of Zhejiang Province, College of Food Science and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingjie Huang
- Key Laboratory for Food Microbial Technology of Zhejiang Province, College of Food Science and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Manman Liu
- Key Laboratory for Food Microbial Technology of Zhejiang Province, College of Food Science and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaogu Zheng
- Key Laboratory for Food Microbial Technology of Zhejiang Province, College of Food Science and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Zihao Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Food Microbial Technology of Zhejiang Province, College of Food Science and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiangfeng Chen
- Key Laboratory for Food Microbial Technology of Zhejiang Province, College of Food Science and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing Gu
- Key Laboratory for Food Microbial Technology of Zhejiang Province, College of Food Science and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Ping Li
- Key Laboratory for Food Microbial Technology of Zhejiang Province, College of Food Science and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
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Hao X, He H, Tao L, Wang P. Using hyperhomocysteinemia and body composition to predict the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in healthcare workers. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 13:1063860. [PMID: 36686421 PMCID: PMC9852987 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1063860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose This study investigated associations between serum homocysteine levels, body composition, and the probability of having nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in Chinese healthcare workers. Patients and Methods A total of 4028 healthcare workers were enrolled in this study, and all underwent a physical examination. Body composition was measured using multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis. Results There were 1507 NAFLD patients (72.26% male, 27.74% female) and 2521 controls (39.83% male, 60.17% female). Body mass index (BMI), waistline, neck-circumference (NC), abdominal visceral fat area (AVFA), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), glucose (Glu), homocysteinemia (hcy) were higher in the NAFLD group than controls. Additionally, the skeletal-muscle was associated with a lower risk of NAFLD, whereas BMI, waistline, NC, hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) were associated with a higher risk of NAFLD. The best NC cut-off point for NAFLD was 34.45 cm (sensitivity 83.3% and specificity 83.9%) in women with HHcy, and the best skeletal-muscle content cut-off point for NAFLD was 41.335% (sensitivity 74.2% and specificity 65.6%) in men with HHcy. Conclusion Interactions between skeletal-muscle content, NC, and HHcy may affect the incidence of NAFLD in healthcare workers. This may provide a novel approach for diagnosing NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Peng Wang
- Medical examination center, Peking University, Third Hospital, Beijing, China
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Yang Y, Lu M, Xu Y, Qian J, Le G, Xie Y. Dietary Methionine via Dose-Dependent Inhibition of Short-Chain Fatty Acid Production Capacity Contributed to a Potential Risk of Cognitive Dysfunction in Mice. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2022; 70:15225-15243. [PMID: 36413479 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.2c04847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
High-methionine diets induce impaired learning and memory function, dementia-like neurodegeneration, and Alzheimer's disease, while low-methionine diets improve learning and memory function. We speculated that variations in intestinal microbiota may mediate these diametrically opposed effects; thus, this study aimed to verify this hypothesis. The ICR mice were fed either a low-methionine diet (LM, 0.17% methionine), normal methionine diet (NM, 0.86% methionine), or high-methionine diet (HM, 2.58% methionine) for 11 weeks. We found that HM diets damaged nonspatial recognition memory, working memory, and hippocampus-dependent spatial memory and induced anxiety-like behaviors in mice. LM diets improved nonspatial recognition memory and hippocampus-dependent spatial memory and ameliorated anxiety-like behavior, but the differences did not reach a significant level. Moreover, HM diets significantly decreased the abundance of putative short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria (Roseburia, Blautia, Faecalibaculum, and Bifidobacterium) and serotonin-producing bacteria (Turicibacter) and significantly increased the abundance of proinflammatory bacteria Escherichia-Shigella. Of note, LM diets reversed the results. Consequently, the SCFA and serotonin levels were significantly decreased with HM diets and significantly increased with LM diets. Furthermore, HM diets induced hippocampal oxidative stress and inflammation and selectively downregulated the hippocampus-dependent memory-related gene expression, whereas LM diets selectively upregulated the hippocampus-dependent memory-related gene expression. In conclusion, dietary methionine via dose-dependent inhibition of SCFA production capacity contributed to a potential risk of cognitive dysfunction in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhui Yang
- National Engineering Laboratory/Key Laboratory of Henan Province, College of Food Science and Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Manman Lu
- National Engineering Laboratory/Key Laboratory of Henan Province, College of Food Science and Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Yuncong Xu
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Jing Qian
- National Engineering Laboratory/Key Laboratory of Henan Province, College of Food Science and Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Guowei Le
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Yanli Xie
- National Engineering Laboratory/Key Laboratory of Henan Province, College of Food Science and Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China
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Lakshmanan AP, Mingione A, Pivari F, Dogliotti E, Brasacchio C, Murugesan S, Cusi D, Lazzaroni M, Soldati L, Terranegra A. Modulation of gut microbiota: The effects of a fruits and vegetables supplement. Front Nutr 2022; 9:930883. [PMID: 36211488 PMCID: PMC9537686 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.930883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The consumption of an optimal amount of fruits and vegetables is known to improve physical fitness and physiological body functions. Healthy eating habits, including intake of fruits and vegetables, can modify gut microbiota. This study aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of a formulated fruit and vegetable supplement (FVS) in modulating the antioxidant capacity and the gut microbiota composition. We enrolled 30 healthy volunteer subjects, matched for age, gender, BMI, and smoking habits, and randomized them into the FVS and the placebo (PLA) groups. Among the serum vitamins, the folic acid level was significantly higher (p = 0.001) in the FVS group than in the PLA group, whereas the vitamin B2 level was significantly higher in the PLA group than in the FVS group (p = 0.028). The antioxidant capacity, measured by using the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) method, was also slightly higher in the FVS group than in the PLA group but did not reach statistical significance. The dietary intake, assessed by 24-h recalls, did not show any significant changes after the supplementation in both the groups. The gut microbiome composition, measured by 16S rDNA sequencing, showed no difference in both alpha and beta diversities, whereas the LEfse analysis revealed a microbial shift after the treatment, with a decreased abundance of the genus Ruminococcus from the Lachnospiraceae family (p = 0.009), and the unclassified genus from the family Erysipelotrichaceae (UC36, p = 0.003) in the FVS group compared with the PLA group (confirmed by SIAMCAT analysis, AUC = 74.1%). With a minor effect, the genus Faecalibacterium and unclassified genus and family from the order Lactobacillales (UC31) were also increased in the FVS group compared with the PLA group (p = 0.0474, p = 0.0352, respectively). SCFA measurement by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry showed an increased level of 2-methylbutyrate in the FVS group compared with the PLA group (p = 0.0385). Finally, the Spearman correlation analysis showed that in the FVS group, the genus Faecalibacterium positively correlated with 2-methyl butyrate (p = 0.040). In the PLA group, none of the significant bacteria correlated with either SCFA or serum biomarkers. The network analysis confirmed the positive correlation between genus Faecalibacterium and 2-methyl butyrate. We can conclude that the FVS in healthy individuals modified the gut microbiota composition and metabolites, and it can potentially contribute to reduce the pro-inflammatory response along with the antioxidant capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alessandra Mingione
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences L. Sacco, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Pivari
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Selvasankar Murugesan
- Microbiome and Host-Microbes Interactions Lab, Research Department, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Daniele Cusi
- Institute of Biomedical Technologies, Italian National Research Council, Milan, Italy
- Bio4Dreams Scientific Unit, Bio4Dreams-Business Nursery for Life Sciences, Bio4Dreams S.p.A., Milan, Italy
| | - Monica Lazzaroni
- Laboratory of Clinical Pathology, Foundation IRCCS Neurological Institute C. Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Soldati
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Annalisa Terranegra
- Precision Nutrition, Research Department, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
- *Correspondence: Annalisa Terranegra,
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Activation of AMPK/miR-181b Axis Alleviates Endothelial Dysfunction and Vascular Inflammation in Diabetic Mice. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11061137. [PMID: 35740034 PMCID: PMC9220246 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11061137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyperglycemia in diabetes mellitus impairs endothelial function and disrupts microRNA (miRNA) profiles in vasculature, increasing the risk of diabetes-associated complications, including coronary artery disease, diabetic retinopathy, and diabetic nephropathy. miR-181b was previously reported to be an anti-inflammatory mediator in vasculature against atherosclerosis. The current study aimed to investigate whether miR-181b ameliorates diabetes-associated endothelial dysfunction, and to identify potential molecular mechanisms and upstream inducer of miR-181b. We found that miR-181b level was decreased in renal arteries of diabetic patients and in advanced glycation end products (AGEs)-treated renal arteries of non-diabetic patients. Transfection of miR-181b mimics improved endothelium-dependent vasodilation in aortas of high fat diet (HFD)/streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice, accompanied by suppression of superoxide overproduction and vascular inflammation markers. AMPK activator-induced AMPK activation upregulated miR-181b level in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Chronic exercise, potentially through increased blood flow, activated AMPK/miR-181b axis in aortas of diabetic mice. Exposure to laminar shear stress upregulated miR-181b expression in HUVECs. Overall, our findings highlight a critical role of AMPK/miR-181b axis and extend the benefits of chronic exercise in counteracting diabetes-associated endothelial dysfunction.
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