Vitamin A and the epigenome

Influence of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms on CRS Outcomes: A Preliminary Observational Study

OBJECTIVE(S)

To conduct a preliminary investigation into the relationship between specific SNP variants, type II inflammation, and the effectiveness of dupilumab therapy and surgery in patients with CRS.

METHODS

In this prospective study, 48 subjects were enrolled, comprising 32 CRS patients and 16 healthy controls. The CRS patients were subjected to either dupilumab therapy or endoscopic surgery according to EPOS guidelines. SNP variants were identified using the TaqMan SNP genotyping technique. The identified SNP profiles were compared between the control group and CRS patients, and their potential influence on treatment outcomes was evaluated. Treatment responses were assessed based on symptom scores, such as SS-I, SNOT-22, disease progression using the NPS findings, and SNP profiles at a 6-month follow-up. The primary measures included the Nasal Polyp Score, Smell Identification Test (SIT) score, and SNOT-22 outcomes.

RESULTS

Dupilumab therapy and surgery significantly decreased NPS, with the last showing superior results. However, dupilumab therapy resulted in a significantly improved SIT score. Significant differences were observed in SNP profiles, particularly with rs1800629 (TNFA), rs2856838 (IL1a), rs17561 (IL1a), and rs1805011 (IL4R). In particular, the expression of rs2856838 and rs1805011 variants in the dupilumab group was associated with significantly better SIT and SNOT-22 outcomes than non-expressors. Also, the surgery group patients expressing the rs2856838 variant reported significant improvements in SNOT-22 scores.

CONCLUSION

These preliminary findings suggest that SNP genotypes may guide personalized treatment strategies for CRS. Further larger prospective studies are required to confirm these initial observations.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

2 Laryngoscope, 135:570-578, 2025.

Vitamin A family suppresses periodontitis by restoring mitochondrial metabolic reprogramming in macrophages through JAK-STAT pathway

Objective

Mitochondrial metabolic reprogramming in macrophages is crucial in the development and progression of inflammation. Given vitamin A's antioxidant properties and its therapeutic effects on inflammation, this study aims to elucidate how vitamin A influences mitochondrial metabolic reprogramming in inflammatory states, specifically in periodontitis, through genetic bioinformatics and experimental methods.

Method

The study utilized the GSE16134 dataset from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, focusing on human periodontitis. Vitamin A-targeted genes (ATGs) were identified and analyzed using CIBERSORT to explore their role in inflammation. Cluster analysis revealed two phenotypes associated with ATGs, showing differential expression of genes like COX1, IL-1β, and STAT3, and immune activation patterns. Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) identified 145 markers correlated with ATG-guided phenotypes and inflammation. Machine learning models, combined with Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA), identified five key genes (RGS1, ACAT2, KDR, TUBB2A, TDO2) linked to periodontitis. Cell Type-Specific Enrichment Analysis (CSEA) highlighted macrophages as critical in metabolic reprogramming, validated by external datasets with an AUC of 0.856 in GSE10334 and 0.750 in GSE1730678. Experimental validation showed vitamin A's role in suppressing endoplasmic reticulum stress and altering mitochondrial dynamics, as well as metabolic reprogramming influencing inflammation via the STAT3 pathway in RAW 264.7 cells.

Results

The study identified 13 differentially expressed ATGs in periodontitis, showing strong correlations with inflammation, particularly in plasma cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils, and mast cells. Two ATG-guided phenotypes were identified, differing in gene expression and immune activation. WGCNA and machine learning models identified 145 markers and five key genes associated with periodontitis. GSVA and CSEA analyses highlighted the JAK-STAT pathway and macrophage involvement in metabolic reprogramming. Experimental data confirmed vitamin A's effects on mitochondrial dynamics and metabolic reprogramming through the STAT3 pathway.

Conclusion

The study demonstrates that vitamin A's therapeutic effect on periodontitis is mediated through JAK-STAT pathway-guided mitochondrial metabolic reprogramming in macrophages. It identifies two genetic and immune-related phenotypes and five genetic identifiers associated with periodontitis risk.

Causal effects of retinol and vitamin D on tongue cancer risk: a mendelian randomization study

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have indicated that retinol and vitamin D may be associated with the oncogenesis of tongue cancer. Therefore, we aimed to assess the causal relationships of retinol and vitamin D with the risk of tongue cancer using the two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) method.

METHODS

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to retinol, vitamin D and tongue cancer were obtained from the up-to-date genome-wide association study (GWAS) catalogue, which was screened for instrumental variables (IVs). We performed two-sample MR analyses and used inverse-variance weighted (IVW) as the primary method. Additionally, we used the MR-pleiotropy residual sum and outlier (MR-PRESSO) method, MR-Egger intercept analysis, Cochran's Q test and leave-one-out analysis to evaluate the sensitivity of MR.

RESULTS

The IVW method revealed that retinol was not significantly correlated with the risk of tongue cancer (OR = 0.8602; 95% CI = 0.4453-1.6617; P = 0.654). However, the causal relationship between vitamin D and the risk of tongue cancer was significant according to IVW (OR = 0.4003; 95% CI = 0.1868-0.8577; P = 0.019). The sensitivity analysis did not detect any significant horizontal pleiotropy or heterogeneity.

CONCLUSIONS

Given the limitations of this study, our MR study suggests that retinol is unlikely to influence the risk of tongue cancer, but vitamin D may decrease the risk of tongue cancer.

Retinol intake and PCOS management: a plasma metabolite and protein analysis via Mendelian randomization and NHANES 2011-2016

Background

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) represents a complex endocrine disorder characterized by a significant interplay with metabolic dysfunction and obesity. This research endeavors to elucidate the causal dynamics among plasma metabolites, proteins, and PCOS, alongside Body Mass Index (BMI), to pinpoint prospective therapeutic interventions.

Methods

This investigation employed Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses combined with data derived from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to explore the relationships between 1,400 plasma metabolites and PCOS, factoring in BMI adjustments. Additionally, the study examined the influence of plasma proteins and performed a retrospective cross-sectional analysis focusing on retinol consumption and testosterone levels.

Results

MR analyses showed metabolite Glycosyl-N-(2-hydroxynervonoyl)-sphingosine (GNS) and protein Keratin 19 (KRT19) were identified as significant markers in the context of PCOS and BMI adjustments. A Phenome-Wide Association Study (PheWAS) underscored the linkage between KRT19 and BMI, while gene-drug interaction findings demonstrated a connection between KRT19 and retinol. Analysis for NHANES data disclosed a negative correlation between retinol intake and testosterone levels, particularly within normal weight and obese cohorts, suggesting the feasibility of dietary interventions for PCOS management.

Conclusion

The study sheds light on the intricate interactions between plasma metabolites, proteins, and PCOS, considering BMI variations, and highlights KRT19 protein as a promising therapeutic target. The outcomes support the integration of retinol consumption into dietary strategies to regulate testosterone levels and potentially alleviate PCOS symptoms, underscoring the necessity for personalized nutritional and therapeutic approaches in the effective management of PCOS.

Micronutrient Deficiencies in Older Adults in Latin America: A Narrative Review

BACKGROUND

The population in Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) has experienced a major demographic transition with increased numbers of older adults (OA). This change brings opportunities in the public health sector to implement health prevention interventions and delay the onset of geriatric syndromes. Micronutrients play an important role in the maintenance of biological function which contributes to longevity. Micronutrient deficiencies (MD) in OA increase the risk for onset of chronic comorbidities and geriatric syndromes.

AIM

To review and summarize the existing data on micronutrient status in OA in the LAC region and discuss the gaps and challenges in public health approaches to address deficiencies.

METHODS

Literature review in Medline for records describing nutritional biomarkers in older adults (≥ 60y) from community dwelling and population-based studies in LAC.

RESULTS

Few countries (including Chile, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Brazil, and Mexico) have documented one or more nutritional deficiencies for OA in national health surveys, however across the entire region, evidence of micronutrient levels is scarce. Some surveys have documented a high prevalence and large heterogeneity in the prevalence of vitamin D followed by B12 deficiency, being the 2 MDs most studied due their effects on cognition, frailty, and bone mineral density in the OA population. Other MD including C, E, A, copper, zinc, iron, and selenium have also been reported.

CONCLUSION

Information on the micronutrient status in OA from LAC is poorly documented. Research and capacity building initiatives in the region are crucial to develop tailored strategies that address the specific nutritional needs and challenges faced by the ageing population in Latin America.

Exploring the Geroprotective Potential of Nutraceuticals

Aging is the result of the accumulation of a wide variety of molecular and cellular damages over time, meaning that "the more damage we accumulate, the higher the possibility to develop age-related diseases". Therefore, to reduce the incidence of such diseases and improve human health, it becomes important to find ways to combat such damage. In this sense, geroprotectors have been suggested as molecules that could slow down or prevent age-related diseases. On the other hand, nutraceuticals are another set of compounds that align with the need to prevent diseases and promote health since they are biologically active molecules (occurring naturally in food) that, apart from having a nutritional role, have preventive properties, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antitumoral, just to mention a few. Therefore, in the present review using the specialized databases Scopus and PubMed we collected information from articles published from 2010 to 2023 in order to describe the role of nutraceuticals during the aging process and, given their role in targeting the hallmarks of aging, we suggest that they are potential geroprotectors that could be consumed as part of our regular diet or administered additionally as nutritional supplements.

Vitamin A supplementation status and associated factors among children aged 6-59 months in Tanzania: a multi-level analysis

Background

Vitamin A supplementation every 4-6 months is an economical, rapid, and effective strategy to enhance vitamin A status and minimize child morbidity and mortality due to vitamin A deficiency in the long run. Therefore, this study was aimed at investigating the level as well as the factors influencing VAS status among children aged 6-59 months in Tanzania.

Methods

This analysis relied on data from the 2022 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS). The study used a weighted sample of 9,382 children aged 6-59 months. Given the effect of clustering and the binary character of the outcome variable, we employed a multilevel binary logistic regression model. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to determine statistical significance, considering the model with the lowest deviation that best fits the data.

Results

In this study, vitamin A supplementation among children aged 6-59 months was found to be 53.18% [95% CI: 52.17, 54.19]. Mother's/caregiver's working status; Working [AOR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.34, 1.89], ANC follow-up [AOR = 1.71, 95%CI: 1.34, 2.2], and health facility delivery [AOR = 1.55, 95%CI: 1.25, 1.91] were individual-level factors associated with vitamin A supplementation. Whereas administrative zones of Western [AOR = 2.02, 95% CI: 1.16, 3.52], Southern highlands [AOR = 3.83, 95% CI: 2.02, 7.24], Southern administrative zone [AOR = 2.69, 95% CI: 1.37, 5.3], and South West highlands [AOR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.33, 0.95] were community-level factors associated with vitamin A supplementation.

Conclusion

The proportion of VAS among children in Tanzania is low compared to UNICEF's target of 80. Mother's/caregiver's working status, antenatal care, place of delivery, community-level media exposure, and administrative zones were significantly associated factors with vitamin A supplementation. Therefore, interventions should be designed to improve the uptake of VAS. Provision and promotion of ANC and institutional delivery and strengthening of routine supplementation are recommended to increase coverage of childhood vitamin A supplementation. Moreover, special focus should be given to regions in the south-western highlands.

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.

Dunaliella β-Carotene Productivity Comparison Under In Vitro Conditions

Some species of Dunaliella produce high levels of β-carotene, which is the largest natural Vitamin A source. β-carotene production in Dunaliella is expensive due to low yields obtained under culture conditions used. Since three decades ago synthetic β-carotene has dominated 98% of world market, even when synthetic is less bioactive than Dunaliella β-carotene molecule. In vitro experiments have been performed to increase β-carotene productivity in Dunaliella and some useful results have been obtained. In this review, culture conditions used in those experiments were compared to identify parameters that improved β-carotene productivity in Dunaliella. Comparison results show that β-carotene in vitro production can be increased regulating some specific culture conditions.

RESOLUTION OF CALVARIAL HYPEROSTOSIS IN AFRICAN LION CUBS (PANTHERA LEO LEO) AFTER VITAMIN A SUPPLEMENTATION

Two female (FL 1, FL 2) and one male (ML) 11-wk-old, intact, captive African lion cubs (Panthera leo leo) were presented with a history of mild vestibular signs. Initial serum vitamin A concentrations were low (140 nmol/L) for ML. Calvarial hyperostosis was confirmed using computed tomography (CT) of the head and cervical vertebrae in each cub. CT measurements were adapted in relation to the skull width. ML showed the most pronounced thickening of the tentorium cerebelli and occipital bone, represented by a tentorium cerebelli to skull width ratio (TCR) of 0.08 (FL 1: 0.06, FL 2: 0.05) and a basisphenoid to skull width ratio (BBR) of 0.07 (FL 1: 0.06, FL 2: 0.04). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed cerebellar herniation and cervical intramedullary T2-weighted hyperintensity from C1, extending caudally for at least two cervical vertebrae in all cubs. Treatment was initiated with subcutaneous vitamin A supplementation and feeding of whole carcasses. Improvement in ataxia was noticed 3 wk later. Follow-up CT and MRI examinations were performed in ML after 3 and 8 mon. The affected bones appeared slightly less thickened and TCR and BBR had decreased to 0.05 after 3 mon. The cerebellum remained mildly herniated, accompanied by amelioration of cervical T2w hyperintensities. After 8 mon, evaluation and diagnostic imaging revealed further improvement regarding the neurologic status and measurements (TCR 0.05, BBR 0.04) despite persistence of a subtle cerebellar herniation. In conclusion, bone remodeling and improvement in clinical signs may be achievable in young lion cubs presented with calvarial hyperostosis and may be attributable to high-dose vitamin A supplementation.

Role of vitamins A, C, D, E in cancer prevention and therapy: therapeutic potentials and mechanisms of action

Cancer, a leading global cause of mortality, arises from intricate interactions between genetic and environmental factors, fueling uncontrolled cell growth. Amidst existing treatment limitations, vitamins have emerged as promising candidates for cancer prevention and treatment. This review focuses on Vitamins A, C, E, and D because of their protective activity against various types of cancer. They are essential as human metabolic coenzymes. Through a critical exploration of preclinical and clinical studies via PubMed and Google Scholar, the impact of these vitamins on cancer therapy was analyzed, unraveling their complicated mechanisms of action. Interestingly, vitamins impact immune function, antioxidant defense, inflammation, and epigenetic regulation, potentially enhancing outcomes by influencing cell behavior and countering stress and DNA damage. Encouraging clinical trial results have been observed; however, further well-controlled studies are imperative to validate their effectiveness, determine optimal dosages, and formulate comprehensive cancer prevention and treatment strategies. Personalized supplementation strategies, informed by medical expertise, are pivotal for optimal outcomes in both clinical and preclinical contexts. Nevertheless, conclusive evidence regarding the efficacy of vitamins in cancer prevention and treatment is still pending, urging further research and exploration in this compelling area of study.

Association between serum carotenoids and bacterial vaginosis infection among American women

BACKGROUND

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a widely occurring vaginal inflammation in women of childbearing age caused by dysbiosis of the vaginal flora. Few studies have investigated the effect of serum carotenoids on the development and pathogenesis of BV. This study thus aimed to explore the correlation between serum carotenoids and BV in American women.

METHOD

The analysis included 1252 participants with BV from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2001 and 2004. Multiple logistic regression was conducted to explore the correlation between BV and serum carotenoids, while smooth curve fitting was utilized to examine potential nonlinear correlations. Furthermore, stratified subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses were conducted. ORs reflected the correlation between BV and serum carotenoids.

RESULT

Results of multiple logistic regression indicated that total serum carotenoids and BV had an inverse correlation. In the fully adjusted model II, the quartile with the highest levels of α-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin had a substantially lower incidence of BV. Smooth curve fitting revealed a significant negative linear correlation between serum carotenoids and the incidence of BV. The negative correlation between serum carotenoids and BV was relatively stable in stratified analyses. Moreover, in sensitivity analyses, the association between serum carotenoids and BV persisted, and β-carotene became significantly negatively correlated with BV.

CONCLUSION

This study found an inverse correlation between serum carotenoids and the prevalence of BV.

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.

Diet as an epigenetic factor in inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has as a main characteristic the exacerbation of the immune system against enterocytes, compromising the individual's intestinal microbiota. This inflammatory cascade causes several nutritional deficiencies, which further compromise immunological functioning and, as a result, worsen the prognosis. This vicious cycle can be interrupted as the patient's dietary pattern meets their needs according to their clinical condition, acting directly on the inflammatory process of IBD through the interaction of food, intestinal microbiota, and epigenome. Specific nutritional intervention for IBD has a crucial role in preventing and managing disease activity. This review addresses epigenetic modifications through dietary compounds as a mechanism for modulating the intestinal microbiota of patients with IBD.

The altered metabolic pathways of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma not otherwise specified

Altered metabolic fingerprints of Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (DLBCL NOS) may offer novel opportunities to identify new biomarkers and improve the understanding of its pathogenesis. This study aimed to investigate the modified metabolic pathways in extranodal, germinal center B-cell (GCB) and non-GCB DLBCL NOS from the head and neck. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues from eleven DLBCL NOS classified according to Hans' algorithm using immunohistochemistry, and five normal lymphoid tissues (LT) were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based untargeted metabolomics. Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis showed that GCB and non-GCB DLBCL NOS have a distinct metabolomics profile, being the former more similar to normal lymphoid tissues. Metabolite pathway enrichment analysis indicated the following altered pathways: arachidonic acid, tyrosine, xenobiotics, vitamin E metabolism, and vitamin A. Our findings support that GCB and non-GCB DLBCL NOS has a distinct metabolomic profile, in which GCB possibly shares more metabolic similarities with LT than non-GCB DLBCL NOS.

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.

Nutrition in Alzheimer's disease: a review of an underappreciated pathophysiological mechanism

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia in older individuals and is an escalating challenge to global public health. Pharmacy therapy of AD is one of the well-funded areas; however, little progress has been made due to the complex pathogenesis. Recent evidence has demonstrated that modifying risk factors and lifestyle may prevent or delay the incidence of AD by 40%, which suggests that the management should pivot from single pharmacotherapy toward a multipronged approach because AD is a complex and multifaceted disease. Recently, the gut-microbiota-brain axis has gained tremendous traction in the pathogenesis of AD through bidirectional communication with multiple neural, immune, and metabolic pathways, providing new insights into novel therapeutic strategies. Dietary nutrition is an important and profound environmental factor that influences the composition and function of the microbiota. The Nutrition for Dementia Prevention Working Group recently found that dietary nutrition can affect cognition in AD-related dementia directly or indirectly through complex interactions of behavioral, genetic, systemic, and brain factors. Thus, considering the multiple etiologies of AD, nutrition represents a multidimensional factor that has a profound effect on AD onset and development. However, mechanistically, the effect of nutrition on AD is uncertain; therefore, optimal strategies or the timing of nutritional intervention to prevent or treat AD has not been established.Thus, this review summarizes the current state of knowledge concerning nutritional disorders, AD patient and caregiver burden, and the roles of nutrition in the pathophysiology of AD. We aim to emphasize knowledge gaps to provide direction for future research and to establish optimal nutrition-based intervention strategies for AD.

Factors Influencing the Maturation and Developmental Competence of Yak (Bos grunniens) Oocytes In Vitro

The yak (Bos grunniens) is a unique breed living on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and its surrounding areas, providing locals with a variety of vital means of living and production. However, the yak has poor sexual maturity and low fertility. High-quality mature oocytes are the basis of animal breeding technology. Recently, in vitro culturing of oocytes and embryo engineering technology have been applied to yak breeding. However, compared to those observed in vivo, the maturation rate and developmental capacity of in vitro oocytes are still low, which severely limits the application of in vitro fertilization and embryo production in yaks. This review summarizes the endogenous and exogenous factors affecting the in vitro maturation (IVM) and developmental ability of yak oocytes reported in recent years and provides a theoretical basis for obtaining high-quality oocytes for in vitro fertilization and embryo production in yaks.

Retinol intake is associated with the risk of chronic kidney disease in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus: results from NHANES

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential association between retinol intake and the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The study included individuals diagnosed with T2DM between 2009 and 2018 from the NHANES database. Demographic and laboratory test data were collected for these individuals, as well as information on CKD diagnosis. Logistic regression models were utilized to estimate the relationship between different retinol intakes and the risk of CKD in patients with T2DM. A total of 3988 patients were included in the study. The mean prevalence of CKD in the T2DM population in the United States from 2009 to 2018 was 36.98 (0.02)%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed a 26% decrease in the incidence of CKD in individuals with higher retinol intake compared to those with lower retinol intake in T2DM (OR = 0.74; 95% CI 0.56-0.98). Furthermore, an increase in retinol intake per 1-standard deviation (SD) was associated with a 16% decreased risk of the incidence of CKD (OR = 0.84; 95% CI 0.72-0.97). Lower retinol intake is an independent risk factor for the onset of CKD in patients with T2DM, and augmenting moderate quantities of retinol confers potential nephroprotective advantages.

Metabolo-epigenetic interplay provides targeted nutritional interventions in chronic diseases and ageing

Epigenetic modifications are chemical modifications that affect gene expression without altering DNA sequences. In particular, epigenetic chemical modifications can occur on histone proteins -mainly acetylation, methylation-, and on DNA and RNA molecules -mainly methylation-. Additional mechanisms, such as RNA-mediated regulation of gene expression and determinants of the genomic architecture can also affect gene expression. Importantly, depending on the cellular context and environment, epigenetic processes can drive developmental programs as well as functional plasticity. However, misbalanced epigenetic regulation can result in disease, particularly in the context of metabolic diseases, cancer, and ageing. Non-communicable chronic diseases (NCCD) and ageing share common features including altered metabolism, systemic meta-inflammation, dysfunctional immune system responses, and oxidative stress, among others. In this scenario, unbalanced diets, such as high sugar and high saturated fatty acids consumption, together with sedentary habits, are risk factors implicated in the development of NCCD and premature ageing. The nutritional and metabolic status of individuals interact with epigenetics at different levels. Thus, it is crucial to understand how we can modulate epigenetic marks through both lifestyle habits and targeted clinical interventions -including fasting mimicking diets, nutraceuticals, and bioactive compounds- which will contribute to restore the metabolic homeostasis in NCCD. Here, we first describe key metabolites from cellular metabolic pathways used as substrates to "write" the epigenetic marks; and cofactors that modulate the activity of the epigenetic enzymes; then, we briefly show how metabolic and epigenetic imbalances may result in disease; and, finally, we show several examples of nutritional interventions - diet based interventions, bioactive compounds, and nutraceuticals- and exercise to counteract epigenetic alterations.

Plasma Retinol Concentrations and Dietary Intakes of Mother-Infant Sets in Singleton versus Twin Pregnancy

Vitamin A (retinol) is essential for normal fetal development, but the recommendation for maternal dietary intake (Retinol Activity Equivalent, RAE) does not differ for singleton vs. twin pregnancy, despite the limited evaluation of retinol status. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate plasma retinol concentrations and deficiency status in mother-infant sets from singleton vs. twin pregnancies as well as maternal RAE intake. A total of 21 mother-infant sets were included (14 singleton, 7 twin). The HPLC and LC-MS/HS evaluated the plasma retinol concentration, and data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test. Plasma retinol was significantly lower in twin vs. singleton pregnancies in both maternal (192.2 vs. 312.1 vs. mcg/L, p = 0.002) and umbilical cord (UC) samples (102.5 vs. 154.4 vs. mcg/L, p = 0.002). The prevalence of serum-defined vitamin A deficiency (VAD) <200.6 mcg/L was higher in twins vs. singletons for both maternal (57% vs. 7%, p = 0.031) and UC samples (100% vs. 0%, p < 0.001), despite a similar RAE intake (2178 vs. 1862 mcg/day, p = 0.603). Twin pregnancies demonstrated a higher likelihood of vitamin A deficiency in mothers, with an odds ratio of 17.3 (95% CI: 1.4 to 216.6). This study suggests twin pregnancy may be associated with VAD deficiency. Further research is needed to determine optimal maternal dietary recommendations during twin gestation.

Vitamin A: too good to be bad?

Vitamin A is a micronutrient important for vision, cell growth, reproduction and immunity. Both deficiency and excess consuming of vitamin A cause severe health consequences. Although discovered as the first lipophilic vitamin already more than a century ago and the definition of precise biological roles of vitamin A in the setting of health and disease, there are still many unresolved issues related to that vitamin. Prototypically, the liver that plays a key role in the storage, metabolism and homeostasis of vitamin A critically responds to the vitamin A status. Acute and chronic excess vitamin A is associated with liver damage and fibrosis, while also hypovitaminosis A is associated with alterations in liver morphology and function. Hepatic stellate cells are the main storage site of vitamin A. These cells have multiple physiological roles from balancing retinol content of the body to mediating inflammatory responses in the liver. Strikingly, different animal disease models also respond to vitamin A statuses differently or even opposing. In this review, we discuss some of these controversial issues in understanding vitamin A biology. More studies of the interactions of vitamin A with animal genomes and epigenetic settings are anticipated in the future.

Association of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and liver fibrosis detected by transient elastography with serum retinol in American adults

Background and objective

Retinol is a precursor of vitamin A, which is metabolized and maintained in the liver and is involved in the pathogenesis of the nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and liver fibrosis. The relationship between NAFLD and liver fibrosis with serum retinol levels remains insufficient and inconclusive. Our study aimed to investigate the correlation between NAFLD, fibrosis, and serum retinol levels in American adults.

Methods

A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using information from the 2017-2018 cycle of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The exposure factors were NAFLD and liver fibrosis status detected using transient elastography (TE), and the outcome was serum retinol levels. Weighted multivariate regressions were established to assess the correlation between NAFLD and liver fibrosis and serum retinol levels. Subgroup analyses were also performed.

Results

This study included 3,537 participants. Compared to the group without NAFLD, NAFLD was positively correlated with serum retinol levels (β = 1.28, 95% CI: 0.19, 2.37). In the subgroup analysis, a positive correlation between NAFLD and serum retinol levels was found in people aged < 60 years, Mexican Americans, and those with a body mass index (BMI) < 25. On the contrary, compared to the group without liver fibrosis, there was a significant negative association between liver fibrosis and serum retinol (β = -3.46, 95% CI: -5.16, -1.75), especially in people aged < 60 years, non-Hispanic white/black individuals, and people with a BMI ≥ 25.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that NAFLD status may be positively associated with serum retinol levels in adult patients, and liver fibrosis may be negatively associated with serum retinol levels. Further studies are required to examine the associations found in our study.

An overview of vitamins as epidrugs for colorectal cancer prevention

Gene expression altering epigenomic modifications such as DNA methylation, histone modification, and chromosome remodeling is crucial to regulating many biological processes. Several lifestyle factors, such as diet and natural, bioactive food compounds, such as vitamins, modify epigenetic patterns. However, epigenetic dysregulation can increase the risk of many diseases, including cancer. Various studies have provided supporting and contrasting evidence on the relationship between vitamins and cancer risk. Though there is a gap in knowledge about whether dietary vitamins can induce epigenetic modifications in the context of colorectal cancer (CRC), the possibility of using them as epidrugs for CRC treatment is being explored. This is promising because such studies might be informative about the most effective way to use vitamins in combination with DNA methyltransferase inhibitors and other approved therapies to prevent and treat CRC. This review summarizes the available epidemiological and observational studies involving dietary, circulating levels, and supplementation of vitamins and their relationship with CRC risk. Additionally, using available in vitro, in vivo, and human observational studies, the role of vitamins as potential epigenetic modifiers in CRC is discussed. This review is focused on the action of vitamins as modifiers of DNA methylation because aberrant DNA methylation, together with genetic alterations, can induce the initiation and progression of CRC. Although this review presents some studies with promising results, studies with better study designs are necessary. A thorough understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms of vitamin-mediated epigenetic regulation of CRC genes can help identify effective therapeutic targets for CRC prevention and treatment.

Association between retinol intake and periodontal health in US adults

BACKGROUND

Inflammation and oxidative stress are two hallmarks of periodontitis. Retinol is an antioxidant and suppresses expression of pro-inflammatory factors. However, the evidence for an association between retinol intake and periodontitis is limited. Thus, the aim of this study is to assess the association between retinol intake and periodontal health.

METHODS

Data used in this cross-sectional study from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2009-2014 (n = 9081). Dietary intake of retinol was measured based on two 24-h dietary recall interviews. The category of periodontitis was defined by the CDC/AAP according to clinical periodontal parameters. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were applied to investigate the relationship between retinol intake and the risk of periodontitis.

RESULTS

Compared with the lowest tertile, individuals in the highest tertile of retinol intake were less likely to be periodontitis (OR_tertile3vs1 = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.65-0.96). The association was still significant in populations who were less than 60 years old (OR_tertile3vs1 = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.65-0.97), non-Hispanic black (OR_tertile3vs1 = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.42-0.94), PI ≤ 1.3 (OR_tertile3vs1 = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.55-0.93), 1.3 < PI ≤ 3.5 (OR_tertile3vs1 = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.55-0.89), non-smoker (OR_tertile3vs1 = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.48-0.81), obesity (OR_tertile3vs1 = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.49-0.94) and who had not diabetes mellitus (OR_tertile3vs1 = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.65-0.95) or had hypertension (OR_tertile3vs1 = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.47-0.84).

CONCLUSION

Retinol intake is inversely associated with poor periodontal health in US adults.

Features of the Free Radical Oxidation Process and Antioxidant System in Newborns Born to HIV-Infected of Mothers Who Received Antiretroviral Therapies to Prevent HIV Transmission

The LPO processes and the state of the antioxidant system in perinatally HIV-exposed newborns were studied. Perinatally HIV-exposed (n=62) and healthy newborns (n=80; control) were examined retrospectively (Apgar score 8 in both groups). Blood plasma and erythrocyte hemolysate were used as the material for biochemical tests. Using spectrophotometric, fluorometric, and statistical methods, we found enhanced LPO processes insufficiently compensated by the antioxidant system with excessive accumulation of damaging metabolites in the blood of perinatally HIV-exposed newborns. These changes can be a consequence of oxidative stress during the perinatal period.

Vitamin A-regulated ciliated cells promote airway epithelium repair in an asthma mouse model

BACKGROUND

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease that causes damage to and exfoliation of the airway epithelium. The continuous damage to the airway epithelium in asthma cannot be repaired quickly and generates irreversible damage, repeated attacks, and aggravation. Vitamin A (VA) has multifarious biological functions that include maintaining membrane stability and integrity of the structure and function of epithelial cells. Our research explored the role of VA in repairing the airway epithelium and provided a novel treatment strategy for asthma.

METHODS

A mouse asthma model was established by house dust mite (HDM) and treated with VA by gavage. Human bronchial epithelial (16HBE) cells were treated with HDM and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) in vitro. We analyzed the mRNA and protein expression of characteristic markers, such as acetyl-α-tubulin (Ac-TUB) and FOXJ1 in ciliated cells and MUC5AC in secretory cells, mucus secretion, airway inflammation, the morphology of cilia, and the integrity of the airway epithelium.

RESULTS

Findings showed destruction of airway epithelial integrity, damaged cilia, high mucus secretion, increased MUC5AC expression, and decreased Ac-TUB and FOXJ1 expression in asthmatic mice. The VA intervention reversed the effect on Ac-TUB and FOXJ1 and promoted ciliated cells to repair the damage and maintain airway epithelial integrity. In 16HBE cells, we could confirm that ATRA promoted the expression of Ac-TUB and FOXJ1.

CONCLUSION

These results demonstrated that VA-regulated ciliated cells to repair the damaged airway epithelium caused by asthma and maintain airway epithelial integrity. VA intervention is a potential adjunct to conventional treatment for asthma.

Factors and Molecular Mechanisms of Vitamin A and Childhood Obesity Relationship: A Review

Childhood obesity has become a public health concern. As the importance of vitamin A (VA) in the body has become increasingly acknowledged, there is limited clinical trial evidence to substantiate the association between VA and childhood obesity. Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) increases the risk of childhood obesity, a finding consistently reported in pregnant women. VA could regulate the adipogenic process, inflammation, oxidative stress and metabolism-related gene expression in mature adipocytes. VAD disrupts the balance of obesity-related metabolism, thus affecting lipid metabolism and insulin regulation. Conversely, VA supplementation has a major impact on efficacy in obesity, and obese individuals typically have a lower VA status than normal-weight individuals. Several studies have attempted to identify the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying the association between VA and obesity. In this review, we summarize and discuss recent new developments focusing on retinol, retinoic acid, and RBP4 and elucidate and provide an overview of the complex interrelationships between these critical components of VA and childhood obesity. However, the causal relationship between VA status and childhood obesity remains unclear. It is also unknown whether VA supplementation improves the overall obesogenic metabolic profile.

Omics as a Tool to Help Determine the Effectiveness of Supplements

There has been considerable interest in dietary supplements in the last two decades. Companies are releasing new specifics at an alarming pace, while dietary supplements are one of the less-studied substances released for public consumption. However, access to state-of-the-art and high-throughput techniques, such as the ones used in omics, make it possible to check the impact of a substance on human transcriptome or proteome and provide answers to whether its use is reasonable and beneficial. In this review, the main domains of omics are briefly introduced. The review focuses on the three most widely used omics techniques: NGS, LC-MS, NMR, and their usefulness in studying dietary supplements. Examples of studies are described for some of the most commonly supplemented substances, such as vitamins: D, E, A, and plant extracts: resveratrol, green tea, ginseng, and curcumin extract. Techniques used in omics have proven to be useful in studying dietary supplements. NGS techniques are helpful in identifying pathways that change upon supplementation and determining polymorphisms or conditions that qualify for the necessity of a given supplementation. LC-MS techniques are used to establish the serum content of supplemented a compound and its effects on metabolites. Both LC-MS and NMR help establish the actual composition of a compound, its primary and secondary metabolites, and its potential toxicity. Moreover, NMR techniques determine what conditions affect the effectiveness of supplementation.

Impacts of vitamin A deficiency on biological rhythms: Insights from the literature

Vitamin A is essential for brain function, in addition to its important roles in vision, immunity, and reproduction. Previous studies have shown that retinoic acid (RA), the bioactive form of vitamin A, is involved in the regulation of various intracellular responses related to biological rhythms. RA is reported to affect the circadian rhythm by binding to RA receptors, such as receptors in the circadian feedback loops in the mammalian suprachiasmatic nucleus. However, evidence of the impacts of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) on biological rhythms is limited, and most of the related studies were conducted on animals. In this review, we described the physiological functions of biological rhythms and physiological pathways/molecular mechanisms regulating the biological rhythms. We then discussed the current understanding of the associations of VAD with biological rhythm disorders/diseases (sleep disorders, impairments in learning/memory, emotional disorders, and other immune or metabolism diseases) and summarized the currently proposed mechanisms (mainly by retinoid nuclear receptors and related proteins) for the associations. This review may help recognize the role of VAD in biological rhythm disorders and stimulate clinical or epidemiological studies to confirm the findings of related animal studies.

Fat-soluble vitamins: updated review of their role and orchestration in human nutrition throughout life cycle with sex differences

Age and Gender are vital determinants for the micronutrient demands of normal indviduals. Among these micronutrients are vitamins that are required in small amounts for optimum metabolism, homeostasis, and a healthy lifestyle, acting as coenzymes in several biochemical reactions. The majority of previous studies have examined such issues that relates to a specific vitamin or life stage, with the majority merely reporting the effect of either excess or deficiency. Vitamins are classified into water-soluble and fat-soluble components. The fat-soluble vitamins include vitamins (A, D, E, and K). Fat-soluble vitamins were found to have an indisputable role in an array of physiological processes such as immune regulation, vision, bone and mental health. Nonetheless, the fat-soluble vitamins are now considered a prophylactic measurement for a multitude of diseases such as autism, rickets disease, gestational diabetes, and asthma. Herein, in this review, a deep insight into the orchestration of the four different fat-soluble vitamins requirements is presented for the first time across the human life cycle beginning from fertility, pregnancy, adulthood, and senility with an extensive assessment ofthe interactions among them and their underlying mechanistic actions. The influence of sex for each vitamin is also presented at each life stage to highlight the different daily requirements and effects.

CD34+CD10+CD19− Cells in Patients with Unhealthy Alcohol Use Stimulate the M2b Monocyte Polarization

M2b monocytes commonly isolated from patients with unhealthy alcohol use (Alc) have been described as cells that make the host susceptible to opportunistic infections. CD34⁺CD10⁺CD19⁻ cells are multilineage progenitors of CD19⁺ cells, and we show that the effect of these cells from the peripheral blood on M2b monocyte polarization differed between healthy donors and Alc in this study. In healthy donors, these cells consistently differentiated into high-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1)-nonproducing cells (CD19⁺ cells) in response to retinoic acid (RA). However, owing to the lack of expression of RA receptor (RAR), these cells from Alc failed to differentiate into CD19⁺ cells under the same RA stimulation. Conditioned medium (CM) of these cells from Alc induced the polarization of M2b monocytes, which increases the susceptibility of hosts to opportunistic infections in Alc. When the alcoholic individuals were subjected to 2 weeks of abstinence from alcohol, these cells from Alc recovered their RAR expression and differentiated into CD19⁺ cells. Moreover, the CM of these cells from Alc after abstinence lost its ability to induce M2b monocyte polarization. These results indicate that these cells from Alc have different properties from those of healthy donors. In Alc, these cells without RAR stimulate M2b monocyte polarization through the production of HMGB1.

Role of Diet in Stem and Cancer Stem Cells

Diet and lifestyle factors greatly affect health and susceptibility to diseases, including cancer. Stem cells’ functions, including their ability to divide asymmetrically, set the rules for tissue homeostasis, contribute to health maintenance, and represent the entry point of cancer occurrence. Stem cell properties result from the complex integration of intrinsic, extrinsic, and systemic factors. In this context, diet-induced metabolic changes can have a profound impact on stem cell fate determination, lineage specification and differentiation. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive description of the multiple “non-metabolic” effects of diet on stem cell functions, including little-known effects such as those on liquid-liquid phase separation and on non-random chromosome segregation (asymmetric division). A deep understanding of the specific dietetic requirements of normal and cancer stem cells may pave the way for the development of nutrition-based targeted therapeutic approaches to improve regenerative and anticancer therapies.

The Role of Antioxidants in the Interplay between Oxidative Stress and Senescence

Cellular senescence is an irreversible state of cell cycle arrest occurring in response to stressful stimuli, such as telomere attrition, DNA damage, reactive oxygen species, and oncogenic proteins. Although beneficial and protective in several physiological processes, an excessive senescent cell burden has been involved in various pathological conditions including aging, tissue dysfunction and chronic diseases. Oxidative stress (OS) can drive senescence due to a loss of balance between pro-oxidant stimuli and antioxidant defences. Therefore, the identification and characterization of antioxidant compounds capable of preventing or counteracting the senescent phenotype is of major interest. However, despite the considerable number of studies, a comprehensive overview of the main antioxidant molecules capable of counteracting OS-induced senescence is still lacking. Here, besides a brief description of the molecular mechanisms implicated in OS-mediated aging, we review and discuss the role of enzymes, mitochondria-targeting compounds, vitamins, carotenoids, organosulfur compounds, nitrogen non-protein molecules, minerals, flavonoids, and non-flavonoids as antioxidant compounds with an anti-aging potential, therefore offering insights into innovative lifespan-extending approaches.

Epigenetic Effects of Healthy Foods and Lifestyle Habits from the Southern European Atlantic Diet Pattern: A Narrative Review

Recent scientific evidence has shown the importance of diet and lifestyle habits for the proper functioning of the human body. A balanced and healthy diet, physical activity, and psychological well-being have a direct beneficial effect on health and can have a crucial role in the development and prognosis of certain diseases. The Southern European Atlantic diet, also named the Atlantic diet, is a unique dietary pattern that occurs in regions that present higher life expectancy, suggesting that this specific dietary pattern is associated with positive health effects. In fact, it is enriched with nutrients of high biological value, which, together with its cooking methods, physical activity promotion, reduction in carbon footprint, and promoting of family meals, promote these positive effects on health. The latest scientific advances in the field of nutri-epigenetics have revealed that epigenetic markers associated with food or nutrients and environmental factors modulate gene expression and, therefore, are involved with both health and disease. Thus, in this review, we evaluated the main aspects that define the Southern European Atlantic diet and the potential epigenetic changes associated with them based on recent studies regarding the main components of these dietary patterns. In conclusion, based on the information existing in the literature, we postulate that the Southern European Atlantic diet could promote healthy aging by means of epigenetic mechanisms. This review highlights the necessity of performing longitudinal studies to demonstrate this proposal.

IL-17 Producing Lymphocytes Cause Dry Eye and Corneal Disease With Aging in RXRα Mutant Mouse

Purpose

To investigate IL-17 related mechanisms for developing dry eye disease in the Pinkie mouse strain with a loss of function RXRα mutation.

Methods

Measures of dry eye disease were assessed in the cornea and conjunctiva. Expression profiling was performed by single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to compare gene expression in conjunctival immune cells. Conjunctival immune cells were immunophenotyped by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. The activity of RXRα ligand 9-cis retinoic acid (RA) was evaluated in cultured monocytes and γδ T cells.

Results

Compared to wild type (WT) C57BL/6, Pinkie has increased signs of dry eye disease, including decreased tear volume, corneal barrier disruption, corneal/conjunctival cornification and goblet cell loss, and corneal vascularization, opacification, and ulceration with aging. ScRNA-seq of conjunctival immune cells identified γδ T cells as the predominant IL-17 expressing population in both strains and there is a 4-fold increased percentage of γδ T cells in Pinkie. Compared to WT, IL-17a, and IL-17f significantly increased in Pinkie with conventional T cells and γδ T cells as the major producers. Flow cytometry revealed an increased number of IL-17⁺ γδ T cells in Pinkie. Tear concentration of the IL-17 inducer IL-23 is significantly higher in Pinkie. 9-cis RA treatment suppresses stimulated IL-17 production by γδ T and stimulatory activity of monocyte supernatant on γδ T cell IL-17 production. Compared to WT bone marrow chimeras, Pinkie chimeras have increased IL-17⁺ γδ T cells in the conjunctiva after desiccating stress and anti-IL-17 treatment suppresses dry eye induced corneal MMP-9 production/activity and conjunctival goblet cell loss.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that RXRα suppresses generation of dry eye disease-inducing IL-17 producing lymphocytes s in the conjunctiva and identifies RXRα as a potential therapeutic target in dry eye.

Naturally Occurring Antioxidant Therapy in Alzheimer's Disease

It is estimated that the prevalence rate of Alzheimer's disease (AD) will double by the year 2040. Although currently available treatments help with symptom management, they do not prevent, delay the progression of, or cure the disease. Interestingly, a shared characteristic of AD and other neurodegenerative diseases and disorders is oxidative stress. Despite profound evidence supporting the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis and progression of AD, none of the currently available treatment options address oxidative stress. Recently, attention has been placed on the use of antioxidants to mitigate the effects of oxidative stress in the central nervous system. In preclinical studies utilizing cellular and animal models, natural antioxidants showed therapeutic promise when administered alone or in combination with other compounds. More recently, the concept of combination antioxidant therapy has been explored as a novel approach to preventing and treating neurodegenerative conditions that present with oxidative stress as a contributing factor. In this review, the relationship between oxidative stress and AD pathology and the neuroprotective role of natural antioxidants from natural sources are discussed. Additionally, the therapeutic potential of natural antioxidants as preventatives and/or treatment for AD is examined, with special attention paid to natural antioxidant combinations and conjugates that are currently being investigated in human clinical trials.

Accelerated Epigenetic Aging Mediates the Association between Vitamin D Levels and Knee Pain in Community-Dwelling Individuals

OBJECTIVES

To examine the relationship between Vitamin D status and pain intensity and disability in individuals with and without knee pain, and to examine the role of epigenetics in this relationship.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional analysis of data from the UPLOAD-2 study (Understanding Pain and Limitations in OsteoArthritic Disease-2).

PARTICIPANTS

189 individuals aged 45-65 years and older.

MEASUREMENTS

Serum Vitamin D levels, pain related interference and characteristic pain intensity measures, and the epigenetic clock GrimAge derived from blood analyses.

RESULTS

Lower Vitamin D was associated with advanced epigenetic aging (AgeAccelGrim), greater pain and disability and that (AgeAccelGrim) mediated the relationship between Vitamin D status and self-reported pain (ab = -0.0799; CI [-0.1492, -0.0237]) and disability (ab = -0.0669; CI [-0.1365, -0.0149]) outcomes.

CONCLUSION

These data support the notion that lifestyle factors such as nutrition status play a key role in aging process, as well as the development and maintenance of age-related diseases such as pain. Modifying nutrition status could help promote healthy aging and reduce pain.

The Effect and Potential Mechanism of Maternal Micronutrient Intake on Offspring Glucose Metabolism: An Emerging Field

Diabetes has become the most common metabolic disease around the world. In addition to genetic and environmental factors in adulthood, the early life environment is critical to the progression of diabetes in adults, especially the environment during the fetal period; this concept is called “fetal programming.” Substantial evidence has illustrated the key role of early life macronutrient in programming metabolic diseases. Recently, the effect of maternal micronutrient intake on offspring glucose metabolism during later life has become an emerging field. This review focuses on updated human and animal evidence about the effect of maternal micronutrient status on offspring glucose metabolism and the underlying mechanism.

Vitamin A supplementation ameliorates ulcerative colitis in gut microbiota-dependent manner

Ulcerative colitis (UC), is a chronic relapsing inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal track. The purpose of this study is to explore whether Vitamin A (VA) can treat UC and its mechanisms. A mouse model of UC was established using 3.0% (w/v) dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). VA was used to treat UC by intragastric administration of 5000 international unit (IU) retinyl acetate. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) was also used to treat the UC model mice to verify the effect of influenced gut microbiota. The content of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in cecal contents was quantitatively detected by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. VA supplementation significantly ameliorated UC. 16S rRNA sequencing indicated that VA-treated mice exhibited much more abundant gut microbial diversity and flora composition. Targeted metabolomics analysis manifested the increased production of SCFAs in VA-treated mice. Gut microbiota depletion and FMT results confirmed the gut microbiota-dependent mechanism as that VA relieved UC via regulating gut microbiota: increase in SCFA-producing genera and decrease in UC-related genera. The restore of intestinal barrier and the inhibition of inflammation were also found to contribute to the amelioration of UC by VA. It was concluded that a VA supplement was enough to cause a significant change in gut microbiota and amelioration of UC.

Clinical characterization and therapeutic targets of vitamin A in patients with hepatocholangiocarcinoma and coronavirus disease

Recent reports indicate that patients with hepatocholangiocarcinoma (CHOL) have a higher morbidity and mortality rate for coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Anti-CHOL/COVID-19 medicines are inexistent. Vitamin A (VA) refers to a potent nutrient with anti-cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory actions. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the potential functions and molecular mechanisms of VA as a potential treatment for patients with both CHOL and COVID-19 (CHOL/COVID-19). The transcriptome data of CHOL patients were obtained from the Cancer Genome Analysis database. Furthermore, the network pharmacology approach and bioinformatics analysis were used to identify and reveal the molecular functions, therapeutic biotargets, and signaling of VA against CHOL/COVID-19. First, clinical findings identified the medical characteristics of CHOL patients with COVID-19, such as susceptibility gene, prognosis, recurrence, and survival rate. Anti-viral and anti-inflammatory pathways, and immunopotentiation were found as potential targets of VA against CHOL/COVID-19. These findings illustrated that VA may contribute to the clinical management of CHOL/COVID-19 achieved by induction of cell repair, suppression of oxidative stress and inflammatory reaction, and amelioration of immunity. Nine vital therapeutic targets (BRD2, NOS2, GPT, MAPK1, CXCR3, ICAM1, CDK4, CAT, and TMPRSS13) of VA against CHOL/COVID-19 were identified. For the first time, the potential pharmacological biotargets, function, and mechanism of action of VA in CHOL/COVID-19 were elucidated.

Effect of Vitamin A Supplementation on Growth Performance, Serum Biochemical Parameters, Intestinal Immunity Response and Gut Microbiota in American Mink (Neovison vison)

Simple Summary

Vitamin A is critical throughout life, but utilization of vitamin A often results in local and systemic toxicity. This study investigated the effect of vitamin A supplementation on mink growth and health. The results show that vitamin A deficiency decreased the ADG, villus height, villus height/crypt depth ratio and mRNA expression levels of IL-22, Occludin and ZO-1. Vitamin A supplementation increased the diversity of jejunum bacteria, decreased the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes and increased the relative abundance of Akkermansia and Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group.

Abstract

This experiment investigated the effect of vitamin A supplementation on growth, serum biochemical parameters, jejunum morphology and the microbial community in male growing-furring mink. Thirty healthy male mink were randomly assigned to three treatment groups, with 10 mink per group. Each mink was housed in an individual cage. The mink in the three groups were fed diets supplemented with vitamin A acetate at dosages of 0 (CON), 20,000 (LVitA) and 1,280,000 IU/kg (HVitA) of basal diet. A 7-day pretest period preceded a formal test period of 45 days. The results show that 20,000 IU/kg vitamin A increased the ADG, serum T-AOC and GSH-Px activities, villus height and villus height/crypt depth ratio (p < 0.05). The mRNA expression levels of IL-22, Occludin and ZO-1 in the jejunum of mink were significantly higher in the LVitA group than those in the CON and HVitA groups (p < 0.05). Vitamin A supplementation increased the diversity of jejunum bacteria, decreased the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes and increased the relative abundance of Akkermansia, uncultured bacterium f Muribaculaceae, Allobaculum, Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group, Rummeliibacillus and Parasutterella. The comparison of potential functions also showed enrichment of glycan biosynthesis and metabolism, transport and catabolism pathways in the vitamin A supplementation groups compared with the CON group. In conclusion, these results indicate that dietary vitamin A supplementation could mediate host growth by improving intestinal development, immunity and the relative abundance of the intestinal microbiota.

Role of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) in overall retinoid metabolism: Response comparisons to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) exposure between wild-type and AHR knockout mice

Young adult wild-type and aryl hydrocarbon receptor knockout (AHRKO) mice of both sexes and the C57BL/6J background were exposed to 10 weekly oral doses of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD; total dose of 200 μg/kg bw) to further characterize the observed impacts of AHR as well as TCDD on the retinoid system. Unexposed AHRKO mice harboured heavier kidneys, lighter livers and lower serum all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and retinol (REOH) concentrations than wild-type mice. Results from the present study also point to a role for the murine AHR in the control of circulating REOH and ATRA concentrations. In wild-type mice, TCDD elevated liver weight and reduced thymus weight, and drastically reduced the hepatic concentrations of 9-cis-4-oxo-13,14-dihydro-retinoic acid (CORA) and retinyl palmitate (REPA). In female wild-type mice, TCDD increased the hepatic concentration of ATRA as well as the renal and circulating REOH concentrations. Renal CORA concentrations were substantially diminished in wild-type male mice exclusively following TCDD-exposure, with a similar tendency in serum. In contrast, TCDD did not affect any of these toxicity or retinoid system parameters in AHRKO mice. Finally, a distinct sex difference occurred in kidney concentrations of all the analysed retinoid forms. Together, these results strengthen the evidence of a mandatory role of AHR in TCDD-induced retinoid disruption, and suggest that the previously reported accumulation of several retinoid forms in the liver of AHRKO mice is a line-specific phenomenon. Our data further support participation of AHR in the control of liver and kidney development in mice.

Establishing reference intervals for vitamins A and E in Chinese elderly people using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

BACKGROUND

Vitamins A and E play important roles in sustaining life activities and maintaining a good physical condition. However, most people, particularly the elderly, experience micronutrient deficiencies. This study aimed to establish reference intervals (RIs) for vitamins A and E in Chinese elderly people using a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method.

METHODS

A total of 356 apparently healthy individuals aged ≥64 years who underwent health checkups were randomly selected for the study. Vitamin A and E levels were measured using LC-MS/MS. The effect of sex on vitamin A and E levels was evaluated, and RIs were established using a parametric method.

RESULTS

Females showed significantly higher levels of vitamin E than males (p < 0.05). However, no significant sex-specific difference was observed with vitamin A levels. The RI for vitamin A in the elderly was 0.283-0.730 mg/L. For vitamin E, the RIs were 4.39-15.63, 4.51-16.14, and 4.41-14.67 mg/L for the total, female, and male participants, respectively. In multiple linear regression, alanine aminotransferase, glutamyl transpeptidase, urea, glucose, and uric acid levels increased with increasing vitamin A levels (p < 0.05), and total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels increased with increasing vitamin E levels (p < 0.05). Direct bilirubin levels decreased with increasing vitamin E levels (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This study established RIs for vitamins A and E in Chinese elderly individuals using an LC-MS/MS method. We also found that females had significantly higher vitamin E levels than males. The findings could provide a scientific basis for interpreting vitamin status in the elderly.

In vitro and in vivo biological activities of azulene derivatives with potential applications in medicine

Azulene is an aromatic hydrocarbon that possesses a unique chemical structure and interesting biological properties. Azulene derivatives, including guaiazulene or chamazulene, occur in nature as components of many plants and mushrooms, such as Matricaria chamomilla, Artemisia absinthium, Achillea millefolium, and Lactarius indigo. Due to physicochemical properties, azulene and its derivatives have found many potential applications in technology, especially in optoelectronic devices. In medicine, the ingredients of these plants have been widely used for hundreds of years in antiallergic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory therapies. Herein, the applications of azulene, its derivatives and their conjugates with biologically active compounds are presented. The potential use of these compounds concerns various areas of medicine, including anti-inflammatory with peptic ulcers, antineoplastic with leukemia, antidiabetes, antiretroviral with HIV-1, antimicrobial, including antimicrobial photodynamic therapy, and antifungal.

Changes in retinoid metabolism and signaling associated with metabolic remodeling during fasting and in type I diabetes

Liver is the central metabolic hub that coordinates carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. The bioactive derivative of vitamin A, retinoic acid (RA), was shown to regulate major metabolic genes including phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, fatty acid synthase, carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1, and glucokinase among others. Expression levels of these genes undergo profound changes during adaptation to fasting or in metabolic diseases such as type 1 diabetes (T1D). However, it is unknown whether the levels of hepatic RA change during metabolic remodeling. This study investigated the dynamics of hepatic retinoid metabolism and signaling in the fed state, in fasting, and in T1D. Our results show that fed-to-fasted transition is associated with significant decrease in hepatic retinol dehydrogenase (RDH) activity, the rate-limiting step in RA biosynthesis, and downregulation of RA signaling. The decrease in RDH activity correlates with the decreased abundance and altered subcellular distribution of RDH10 while Rdh10 transcript levels remain unchanged. In contrast to fasting, untreated T1D is associated with upregulation of RA signaling and an increase in hepatic RDH activity, which correlates with the increased abundance of RDH10 in microsomal membranes. The dynamic changes in RDH10 protein levels in the absence of changes in its transcript levels imply the existence of posttranscriptional regulation of RDH10 protein. Together, these data suggest that the downregulation of hepatic RA biosynthesis, in part via the decrease in RDH10, is an integral component of adaptation to fasting. In contrast, the upregulation of hepatic RA biosynthesis and signaling in T1D might contribute to metabolic inflexibility associated with this disease.

A Study on the Effect of Vitamins A and C to Modulate the Expression of NKG2D Ligands in Hepatic and Colon Cancer Cells

Recently, vitamins have been shown to act as epigenetic modifier. Cancer cells exhibit transcriptional downregulation of NK group 2D ligands (NKG2DLs) through repressive methylation and are largely resistant to NK cell-mediated eradication. We herein investigated the potential of recently reported epigenome modifying vitamins A, C, and E in inducing the expression of epigenetically silenced NKG2DLs in cancer cells. Based on the cell viability assay three concentrations, i.e., 25, 50, and 100 µg/ml of all vitamins were selected for treatment. Results showed that treatment of both vitamin A and C significantly upregulates expression of two major NKG2DLs namely MICA and MICB. Simultaneously, both, vitamin A and C significantly reduces the methylation process by downregulating DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) expression level. Vitamin C, but not vitamin A, significantly upregulates TETs (DNA demethylases) expression. Further, we assessed the impact of both vitamins A and C on S-adenosylmethionine/S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAM/SAH) ratio levels and found no significant changes in SAM/SAH ratio. Overall, we clearly found that both vitamin A and C induces NKG2DLs mostly through repressing the expression of DNMTs, suggesting their potential role in improving the targeting of tumor cells by promoting the engagement and clearance of tumor cells with NK cells.

Intestinal Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Terpenes in Experimental Models (2010-2020): A Review

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) refer to a group of disorders characterized by inflammation in the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract, which mainly comprises Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). IBDs are characterized by inflammation of the intestinal mucosa, are highly debilitating, and are without a definitive cure. Their pathogenesis has not yet been fully elucidated; however, it is assumed that genetic, immunological, and environmental factors are involved. People affected by IBDs have relapses, and therapeutic regimens are not always able to keep symptoms in remission over the long term. Natural products emerge as an alternative for the development of new drugs; bioactive compounds are promising in the treatment of several disorders, among them those that affect the gastrointestinal tract, due to their wide structural diversity and biological activities. This review compiles 12 terpenes with intestinal anti-inflammatory activity evaluated in animal models and in vitro studies. The therapeutic approach to IBDs using terpenes acts basically to prevent oxidative stress, combat dysbiosis, restore intestinal permeability, and improve the inflammation process in different signaling pathways.

Glycogen storage disease type 1a is associated with disturbed vitamin A metabolism and elevated serum retinol levels

Glycogen storage disease type 1a (GSD Ia) is an inborn error of metabolism caused by mutations in the G6PC gene, encoding the catalytic subunit of glucose-6-phosphatase. Early symptoms include severe fasting intolerance, failure to thrive and hepatomegaly, biochemically associated with nonketotic hypoglycemia, fasting hyperlactidemia, hyperuricemia and hyperlipidemia. Dietary management is the cornerstone of treatment aiming at maintaining euglycemia, prevention of secondary metabolic perturbations and long-term complications, including liver (hepatocellular adenomas and carcinomas), kidney and bone disease (hypovitaminosis D and osteoporosis). As impaired vitamin A homeostasis also associates with similar symptoms and is coordinated by the liver, we here analysed whether vitamin A metabolism is affected in GSD Ia patients and liver-specific G6pc^−/− knock-out mice. Serum levels of retinol and retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4) were significantly increased in both GSD Ia patients and L-G6pc^−/− mice. In contrast, hepatic retinol levels were significantly reduced in L-G6pc^−/− mice, while hepatic retinyl palmitate (vitamin A storage form) and RBP4 levels were not altered. Transcript and protein analyses indicate an enhanced production of retinol and reduced conversion the retinoic acids (unchanged LRAT, Pnpla2/ATGL and Pnpla3 up, Cyp26a1 down) in L-G6pc^−/− mice. Aberrant expression of genes involved in vitamin A metabolism was associated with reduced basal messenger RNA levels of markers of inflammation (Cd68, Tnfα, Nos2, Il-6) and fibrosis (Col1a1, Acta2, Tgfβ, Timp1) in livers of L-G6pc^−/− mice. In conclusion, GSD Ia is associated with elevated serum retinol and RBP4 levels, which may contribute to disease symptoms, including osteoporosis and hepatic steatosis.