Postoperative cognitive dysfunction and short-term neuroprotection from blueberries: a pilot study

Regulatory mechanism of icariin in cardiovascular and neurological diseases

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and neurological diseases are widespread diseases with substantial rates of morbidity and mortality around the world. For the past few years, the preventive effects of Chinese herbal medicine on CVDs and neurological diseases have attracted a great deal of attention. Icariin (ICA), the main constituent of Epimedii Herba, is a flavonoid. It has been shown to provide neuroprotection, anti-tumor, anti-osteoporosis, and cardiovascular protection. The endothelial protection, anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemic, antioxidative stress, and anti-apoptosis properties of ICA can help stop the progression of CVDs and neurological diseases. Therefore, our review summarized the known mechanisms and related studies of ICA in the prevention and treatment of cardio-cerebrovascular diseases (CCVDs), to better understand its therapeutic potential.

Identification of individuals at risk for postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD)

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is common, occurring in around 10-54% of individuals within first few weeks after surgery. Although the majority of POCD is less commonly persistent later than 3 months following surgery, the condition increases length of stay (LOS), mortality and long-term cognitive decline, raising the need for a broad screening to identify individuals at risk for POCD during the perioperative period. In this narrative review, we summarize preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative risk factors for POCD reported in last 5 years and discuss neuropsychological tools and potential biomarkers and time points for assessment that might be suitable for clinical use. We aim to provide crucial information for developing a strategy of routine screening for POCD, which may assist with better identification of at-risk individuals for early interventions. Very importantly, the utilization of a standardized strategy may also allow higher consistency and comparability across different studies.

Plant-derived nootropics and human cognition: A systematic review

Substances with modulatory capabilities on certain aspects of human cognition have been revered as nootropics from the dawn of time. The plant kingdom provides most of the currently available nootropics of natural origin. Here, in this systematic review, we aim to provide state-of-the-art information regarding proven and unproven effects of plant-derived nootropics (PDNs) on human cognition in conditions of health and disease. Six independent searches, one for each neurocognitive domain (NCD), were performed in parallel using three independent scientific library databases: PubMed, Cochrane and Scopus. Only scientific studies and systematic reviews with humans published between January 2000 and November 2021 were reviewed, and 256 papers were included. Ginkgo biloba was the most relevant nootropic regarding perceptual and motor functions. Bacopa monnieri improves language, learning and memory. Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) modulates anxiety and social-related cognitions. Caffeine enhances attention and executive functions. Together, the results from the compiled studies highlight the nootropic effects and the inconsistencies regarding PDNs that require further research.Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2021.2021137.

Effects of Berry Anthocyanins on Cognitive Performance, Vascular Function and Cardiometabolic Risk Markers: A Systematic Review of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Intervention Studies in Humans

Supplementation with anthocyanins, which are a type of flavonoids mainly found in various berries, is hypothesized to be a promising approach to lower the risk of developing cognitive decline. The aim of this systematic review was to provide a comprehensive overview of dietary intervention trials describing effects of berry anthocyanins on cognitive performance in humans, while also addressing potential underlying mechanisms. A total of 1197 articles were identified through a systematic search, and 49 studies reporting effects on cognitive performance (n = 18), vascular function (n = 22), or cardiometabolic risk markers (n = 32) were included. Significant improvements were observed on memory, while some of the studies also reported effects on attention and psychomotor speed or executive function. Vascular function markers such as brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilation were also affected and consistent evidence was provided for the beneficial effects of berry anthocyanins on endothelial function. Finally, studies reported improvements in blood pressure, but effects on metabolic risk markers (e.g. carbohydrate and lipid metabolism) were less consistent. In conclusion, this review provides evidence for the beneficial effects of berry anthocyanins on cognitive performance as memory improved. Whether observed anthocyanin-induced improvements in vascular function and blood pressure underlie beneficial effects on cognitive performance warrants further study.

Perioperative Heart-Brain Axis Protection in Obese Surgical Patients: The Nutrigenomic Approach

The number of obese patients undergoing cardiac and noncardiac surgery is rapidly increasing because they are more prone to concomitant diseases, such as diabetes, thrombosis, sleep-disordered breathing, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disorders. Even if guidelines are already available to manage anesthesia and surgery of obese patients, the assessment of the perioperative morbidity and mortality from heart and brain disorders in morbidly obese surgical patients will be challenging in the next years. The present review will recapitulate the new mechanisms underlying the Heart-brain Axis (HBA) vulnerability during the perioperative period in healthy and morbidly obese patients. Finally, we will describe the nutrigenomics approach, an emerging noninvasive dietary tool, to maintain a healthy body weight and to minimize the HBA propensity to injury in obese individuals undergoing all types of surgery by personalized intake of plant compounds that may regulate the switch from health to disease in an epigenetic manner. Our review provides current insights into the mechanisms underlying HBA response in obese surgical patients and how they are modulated by epigenetically active food constituents.

Fruits

Fruits come in a wide variety of colors, shapes, and flavors. This chapter will cover selected fruits that are known to be healthy and highly nutritious. These fruits were chosen due to their common usage and availability. Since it is not possible to cover all health benefits or essential nutrients and important phytochemicals of the fruit composition, this chapter will focus on the key valuable constituents and their potential health effects.