Multiple micronutrient deficiencies alter energy metabolism in host and gut microbiome in an early-life murine model

Nutritional status reshapes gut microbiota composition in adolescent Afghan refugees in Peshawar, Pakistan

Although the human gut microbiome, and its role in health and disease, have been extensively studied in different populations, a comprehensive assessment of gut microbiome composition has not been performed in vulnerable refugee populations. In this study, we hypothesized that overall nutritional status, as indicated by serum micronutrients concentrations, is an important driver of variations in gut microbiome composition. Therefore, gut-microbiome diversity and associated demographic, health and nutritional factors were assessed in adolescent Afghan refugees (n=206). Blood and faecal samples were collected and analysed for nutrition status markers and 16S rRNA gene amplicon-based community profiling, respectively. Bioinformatics and statistical analysis were performed using SPSS, QIIME and R. Overall, 56 distinct phyla, 117 families and 252 genera were identified in the faecal samples. Bacterial diversity (alpha and beta diversity) and the Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio were significantly higher in the 15 to 19 year old age group (cf. the 10-14 age group) but were lower in the underweight and vitamin D deficient groups. Furthermore, LEfSe analysis identified significant differences in the relative abundance of bacterial genera based on age, BMI and micronutrient (vitamins and minerals) status. These results were further scrutinised by correlation analysis which confirmed that age, BMI and micronutrient status show significant correlations with F/B ratio and the relative abundance of specific bacterial taxa. Collectively, our study provides the first indication of how the gut-microbiota profile of adolescent Afghan refugees is associated with a range of nutrition-status factors. These findings can thus provide a basis for translational microbiota research aimed at improving the health of such understudied and vulnerable populations.

Effect of Zinc Supplementation on Body Composition of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Patients: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Background

The study hypothesized that zinc supplementation would increase or preserve lean body mass in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the body composition of DMD patients before and after zinc supplementation.

Materials and Methods

The study is a clinical trial comprising 21 boys diagnosed with DMD. Dietary intake parameters were evaluated before zinc supplementation. Serum zinc levels, anthropometry, and body composition were measured in three moments, four months apart. The patients received 5, 10, or 15 mg of zinc bis-glycine supplementation according to age as an oral solution daily for four months. The sample was distributed into two groups according to serum zinc status: zinc deficiency (G1) or adequate zinc (G2).

Results

There was a significant difference in lean body mass between the groups: zinc deficiency (G1) or adequate zinc (G2), at three times (p=0.041, 0.016, and 0.009, respectively). After oral zinc supplementation, serum zinc levels were not different between groups. We did not observe differences when associating the parameters between times and groups.

Conclusion

Zinc supplementation was able to maintain lean body mass and fat mass in patients with DMD with previous deficiencies. Therefore, it is necessary to have a prior screening of serum zinc levels to observe changes after supplementation.

Green strength: The role of micronutrients in plant-based diets for athletic performance enhancement

This review examines the correlation between plant-based diets and athletic performance, with a specific emphasis on the vital aspect of optimizing micronutrients for athletes. In light of the increasing prevalence of plant-based nutrition among athletes due to its perceived advantages in terms of health, ethics, and the environment, this study investigates the ability of these diets to satisfy the demanding nutritional requirements essential for achieving optimal performance and facilitating recovery. The article emphasizes the significance of essential micronutrients such as iron, vitamin B12, calcium, vitamin D, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids and also addressing the challenges with their absorption and bioavailability from plant sources. The review consolidates existing scientific knowledge to propose strategies for improving micronutrient consumption, comparing the effects of supplements against whole foods, and highlighting the significance of enhancing bioavailability. The proposal supports the implementation of personalized meal planning, with the assistance of sports nutritionists or dietitians, and is substantiated by case studies showcasing the success of plant-based athletes. Future research directions examine the long-term effects of plant-based diets on micronutrient status and athletic performance, as well as developing nutritional trends and technology. The review concludes that plant-based diets can meet athletes' nutritional demands and improve peak performance while aligning with personal and ethical values with strategic planning and professional guidance. This study intends to help athletes, coaches, and nutritionists understand plant-based nutrition for enhanced athletic performance.

Dietary micronutrients intake and its effect on haemoglobin levels of pregnant women for clinic visit in the Mount Cameroon health area: a cross-sectional study

Background

Nutritional deficiencies and its consequences such as anaemia are frequent among pregnant women residing in under resource settings. Hence, this study sought to investigate specific dietary micronutrient inadequacy and its effect on maternal haemoglobin levels.

Methods

This institution based cross-sectional survey enrolled 1,014 consenting pregnant women consecutively. Data on socio-demographic, economic and antenatal characteristics were recorded using a structured questionnaire. Minimum dietary diversity for women (MDD-W) was assessed using the 24-h recall method and haemoglobin (Hb) concentration (g/dL) determined using a portable Hb metre. Significant levels between associations was set at p < 0.05.

Results

Among those enrolled, 40.9% were anaemic while 89.6% had inadequate dietary nutrient intake. In addition, uptake of blood supplements, haem iron, plant and animal-based foods rich in vitamin A were 71.5, 86.2, 35.5 and 12.6%, respectively. Moreover, anaemia prevalence was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in women who took iron-folic acid along with food groups rich in haem iron (38.5%) or both plant and animal vitamin A (29.0%). Besides, mean maternal Hb levels was significantly (p < 0.001) higher in women who consumed haem iron (11.08 ± 1.35) and vitamin A food groups (11.34 ± 1.30) when compared with their counterparts who did not consume haem iron (10.54 ± 1.19) and vitamin A food groups (10.74 ± 1.31).

Conclusion

Dietary uptake of foods rich in haem-iron and vitamin A significantly improves Hb levels in Cameroonian pregnant women. Our findings underscore the importance of improving maternal nutritional awareness and counselling during antenatal period to reduce the anaemia burden.

A Murine Model of Maternal Micronutrient Deficiencies and Gut Inflammatory Host-microbe Interactions in the Offspring

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Micronutrient deficiency (MND) (ie, lack of vitamins and minerals) during pregnancy is a major public health concern. Historically, studies have considered micronutrients in isolation; however, MNDs rarely occur alone. The impact of co-occurring MNDs on public health, mainly in shaping mucosal colonization by pathobionts from the Enterobacteriaceae family, remains undetermined due to lack of relevant animal models.

METHODS

To establish a maternal murine model of multiple MND (MMND), we customized a diet deficient in vitamins (A, B12, and B9) and minerals (iron and zinc) that most commonly affect children and women of reproductive age. Thereafter, mucosal adherence by Enterobacteriaceae, the associated inflammatory markers, and proteomic profile of intestines were determined in the offspring of MMND mothers (hereafter, low micronutrient [LM] pups) via bacterial plating, flow cytometry, and mass spectrometry, respectively. For human validation, Enterobacteriaceae abundance, assessed via 16s sequencing of 3-month-old infant fecal samples (n = 100), was correlated with micronutrient metabolites using Spearman's correlation in meconium of children from the CHILD birth cohort.

RESULTS

We developed an MMND model and reported an increase in colonic abundance of Enterobacteriaceae in LM pups at weaning. Findings from CHILD cohort confirmed a negative correlation between Enterobacteriaceae and micronutrient availability. Furthermore, pro-inflammatory cytokines and increased infiltration of lymphocyte antigen 6 complex high monocytes and M1-like macrophages were evident in the colons of LM pups. Mechanistically, mitochondrial dysfunction marked by reduced expression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)H dehydrogenase and increased expression of NAD phosphate oxidase (Nox) 1 contributed to the Enterobacteriaceae bloom.

CONCLUSION

This study establishes an early life MMND link to intestinal pathobiont colonization and mucosal inflammation via damaged mitochondria in the offspring.

Multiple micronutrient deficiencies in early life cause multi-kingdom alterations in the gut microbiome and intrinsic antibiotic resistance genes in mice

Globally, ~340 million children suffer from multiple micronutrient deficiencies, accompanied by high pathogenic burden and death due to multidrug-resistant bacteria. The microbiome is a reservoir of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), but the implications of undernutrition on the resistome is unclear. Here we used a postnatal mouse model that is deficient in multiple micronutrients (that is, zinc, folate, iron, vitamin A and vitamin B12 deficient) and shotgun metagenomic sequencing of faecal samples to characterize gut microbiome structure and functional potential, and the resistome. Enterobacteriaceae were enriched in micronutrient-deficient mice compared with mice fed an isocaloric experimental control diet. The mycobiome and virome were also altered with multiple micronutrient deficiencies including increased fungal pathogens such as Candida dubliniensis and bacteriophages. Despite being antibiotic naïve, micronutrient deficiency was associated with increased enrichment of genes and gene networks encoded by pathogenic bacteria that are directly or indirectly associated with intrinsic antibiotic resistance. Bacterial oxidative stress was associated with intrinsic antibiotic resistance in these mice. This analysis reveals multi-kingdom alterations in the gut microbiome as a result of co-occurring multiple micronutrient deficiencies and the implications for antibiotic resistance.