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Hyperuricemia and its complications are severe risks to human health. Dietary intervention is considered an essential part of the management of hyperuricemia. Studies have reported that the intake of antioxidants has a positive effect on hyperuricemia. Here, we collected data from 8761 participants of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for this analysis. Daily intakes of vitamins A, C, and E; manganese; selenium; and zinc were calculated as the composite dietary antioxidant index (CDAI). The participants were divided into four groups (Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4) according to the CDAI. Univariate analysis was used to assess the association of covariates with hyperuricemia. The association between the CDAI and hyperuricemia was evaluated using multinomial logistic regression, and its stability was determined by stratified analysis. Our results revealed that the CDAI has a significant negative association with hyperuricemia (Q2: 0.81 (0.69, 0.95); Q3: 0.75 (0.62, 0.90); Q4: 0.65 (0.51, 0.82); P < 0.01). The results of stratified analysis emphasize that this association between CDAI and hyperuricemia is stable. In conclusion, this study suggested a negative association between the CDAI and hyperuricemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most often utilized nanoparticles (NPs) in several technologies is zinc oxide (ZnO) NPs. However, these NPs are said to have harmful effects on the reproductive system. Thus, we designed this study to specify the potential preventive activity of vitamins (Vits) A, C, and E, as antioxidants, against toxicity of ZnO NPs in the testes of rats. A total of 54 Wistar rats were arranged in 9 groups of 6 and then orally received water (control 1), olive oil (control 2), Vit A (1000 IU/kg), Vit C (200 mg/kg), Vit E (100 IU/kg), ZnO (200 mg/kg), ZnO+Vit A, ZnO+Vit C, and ZnO+Vit E. To determine the amount of testicular injury, sperm analysis and histological evaluation were performed. In addition, oxidative stress status was examined using colorimetric and qRT-PCR methods. Our findings suggest that ZnO NPs cause adverse effects on sperm parameters and testicular histology. Furthermore, oxidative biomarkers (malondialdehyde and total oxidant capacity) were enhanced in the ZnO group. By contrast, the gene expression and activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GPx, and CAT) noted a remarkable decrease in the ZnO group regarding control (p < 0.05). However, oxidative markers were remarkably mitigated after combined treatment of ZnO NPs and Vits A, C, or E compared to the rats given ZnO NPs (p < 0.05). Additionally, compared to the ZnO NP group, the rats receiving Vits+ZnO NPs exhibit increased antioxidant enzyme activity and mRNA expression (p < 0.05). The findings demonstrate the abovementioned Vits' ameliorative effects on toxicity incurred by ZnO NPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melon breeding is directed at improving the quality of the fruit needed to meet consumers' demands. The assessment of hybrid melon candidates on important characteristics (vitamin A, vitamin C, and TSS) at five maturity stages is needed to get hybrid melon varieties with good fruit quality and determine the right harvest time. This study aimed to evaluate the genetic parameters of vitamin A, vitamin C, and TSS contents of D-612 × PK-669 and PK-361 × PK-165 crossings at five stages of maturity. The study used a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with eight genotypes as treatment and three replications, so there were 24 experimental units. The eight melon genotypes were G1 = D-612 × PK-669, G2 = PK-669 × D-612, G3 = D-612, G4 = PK-669, G5 = PK-361 × PK-165, G6 = PK-165 × PK-361, G7 = PK-361, and G8 = PK-165. The content of vitamin A, vitamin C, and TSS was observed at five maturity stages, namely, at 55 DAP, 60 DAP, 65 DAP, 70 DAP, and 75 DAP. The right harvest time for the eight genotypes tested was maturity stage 4 (70 DAP) because it had the highest vitamin A, vitamin C, and TSS contents compared to other maturity stages. The inheritance of vitamin A and C content was not affected by the maternal effect, while TSS was influenced by the maternal effect. The vitamin A, vitamin C, and TSS content characteristics had higher phenotypic diversity coefficients than genetic diversity coefficients, while heritability values in the broad sense for the three melon genotypic characteristics ranged from 0.613 to 0.968. Crosses of PK-165 × PK-361 can be used to assemble hybrid melon varieties that have high vitamin A, vitamin C, and TSS contents because they have positive values for heterosis and heterobeltiosis for the three characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the infection and treatment of the SARS-CoV-2 viral infection, age and comorbidities play a major role in the successful management of COVID-19. The nutritional status changes which occur in the body vary with the age and underlying conditions and has a vital role in the functioning of the immune system and cellular membrane integrity, thus minimizing the vulnerability to the infection. Considering the data already published by eminent researchers, a few micronutrients have shown outstanding results as supportive therapies in the treatment of viral infections. Micronutrient like zinc improves the membrane barrier integrity, has anti-inflammatory activity, and is involved in antibody production. Vitamin A supports the phagocytic activity of macrophages, while vitamin C reduces the worsening of respiratory tract infections by restoring the dysfunctional epithelial barrier of the lungs. Vitamin D, vitamin E, selenium, and omega-3 fatty acid metabolites play a major role in immunomodulation and in the inhibition of proinflammatory cytokine production. Magnesium is involved in the synthesis of antibodies, while copper, vitamin B12, and folate have significant effects on immune cells. A few researchers suggest that iron supplementation has reduced the risk of acquiring respiratory tract infections in children. As the age of the patient increases, the need for micronutrients increases, thus leading to an imbalanced nutritional status which in turn increases the risk and fatality of the infections. The use of micronutrients in modulating the inflammatory, immune responses, and the epithelial barrier integrity is explored during the treatment of viral infections for faster recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hippophae tibetana is valuable wild edible berry, which is utilized as a supplement of food, traditional‐folk medicine system by rural populace of the Johar valley, Pithoragarh district India. The study focused on quantitating the nutrient composition, polyphenols, and free radical scavenging activities of the specie (in different solvent extracts). Results represented a various concentration range of polyphenolics and antioxidants among studied solvents, and fresh berries exhibited good sources of polyphenols (phenolics 1.64; tannins 5.87; proanthcyanidins 1.47; flavonoids 5.74; flavonols 0.62 mg/g), antioxidants, and free radical scavenging activities (FRAP 9.55; DPPH 1.35; NO·1.14; ABTS 4.10; OH· 0.69 mM AAE/100 g), nutrients (carbohydrates 2.05; proteins 0.67; methionine 0.73; proline 1.03; sodium 0.37; potassium 3.0.25 mg/g) and vitamins (vitamin C 1.03; vitamin E 0.87; Vitamin A 0.59 mg/g), respectively, followed by dry berries and pomace. Outcomes of the study revealed that acetone and methanol are good for extraction for harnessing maximum potential from the species. Practical applications: H. tibetana has emerged as a potential source of nutritional and bioactive constituents, and moderate polarity solvents (acetone and methanol) are best for extraction and acetone should be prioritized for commercial utilization.In the present scenario, several communities worldwide are focused to consume natural antioxidant compounds for improving their health, immunity, and reducing the deficiency of malnutrition. The fresh berries of H. tibetana and their processed foodstuffs can be considered an option for fulfilling the basic requirements of nutrients in the future and will be helpful for reducing deficiency of malnutrition in the Himalayan populace.Present study highlighted that berries of H. tibetana are rich sources of various nutrients, polyphenols, and antioxidant contents and for harnessing maximum potential from the species their mass scale cultivation is required. Therefore, sensitization workshops and capacity‐building programs (for skill development) should be organized in the higher Himalayas for the promotion of cultivation practices/large‐scale plantation of H. tibetana in their suitable habitat (cold desert) through participatory approaches, also required to strengthen the sub help groups (SHG). This approach will fulfill the major issues of biodiversity conservation, wasteland reclamation, and generate employment opportunities for the local communities of Himalayas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mangoes are rich in vitamins, carotenes, organic acids (OA), and minerals. Sun, convective, microwave, and freeze‐drying have been adopted for mango leather processing. Raw mango pulp (RMP) was found superior in vitamin A (1.52 ± 0.06 mg/100 g) and ascorbic acid (41.58 ± 1.36 mg/100 g) content. Vitamin D was not detected in the raw or dried product. Citric acid is found highest in the RMP (633.70 ± 2.05 mg/100 g). Drying significantly affects the vitamin (decrement of 20.32%–92.69% for vitamin A, 16.58%–61.31% for tocopherols, 29.94%–143% for vitamin C), and carotene content (3.17%–87.99% decrease). An increase of 5.62% and 15.16% in propionic acid content was observed for microwave and sun‐dried products respectively, while a decrease of 6.48% to 9.98‐fold was there for other OA. Crystal formation was observed in all samples except microwave dried. Microwave drying was found the best method in terms of nutrient retention may be due to the requirement of a relatively shorter drying time. Novelty impact statement: Mango leather is a traditional snack product with high nutritional value. The in‐depth vitamins and mineral composition is studied in different processing methods along with its microstructural changes that may take place in different drying processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Antioxidants attracted long-standing attention as promising preventive agents worldwide. Previous observational studies have reported that circulating antioxidants are associated with reduced mortality; however, randomized clinical trials indicate neutral or harmful impacts. The association of long-term circulating antioxidant exposure with longevity is still unclear. Objectives. We aim to determine whether long-term circulating antioxidant exposure is causally associated with longevity in the general population using the two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) design. Methods. Genetic instruments for circulating antioxidants (ascorbate, lycopene, selenium, beta-carotene, and retinol) and antioxidant metabolites (ascorbate, alpha-tocopherol, gamma-tocopherol, and retinol) were identified from the largest up-to-date genome-wide association studies (GWASs). Summary statistics of these instruments with individual survival to the 90th vs. 60th percentile age (11,262 cases and 25,483 controls) and parental lifespan (N = 1,012,240 individuals) were extracted. The causal effect was estimated using the inverse-variance weighted method in the main analysis and complemented by multiple sensitivity analyses to test the robustness of results. Results. We found that genetically determined higher concentration of circulating retinol (vitamin A) metabolite was casually associated with a higher odds of longevity (OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.02–1.13; P < 0.01) and increased parental lifespan (lifespan years per 10-fold increase: 0.17; 95% CI, 0.07–0.27; P < 0.01). Present evidence did not support a causal impact of circulating ascorbate (vitamin C), tocopherol (vitamin E), lycopene, selenium or beta-carotene on life expectancy. No evidence was identified to show the pleiotropic effects had biased the results. Conclusions. Long-term higher exposure to retinol metabolite is causally associated with longevity in the general population. Future MR analyses could assess the current findings further by utilizing additional genetic variants and greater samples from large-scale GWASs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the content of vitamins and of toxic and beneficial (macro- and micro-) minerals in milk from yaks raised at different altitudes (3,215, 4,340, and 5,410 m) was investigated. For comparison, the components in cow's milk were also measured. At higher altitudes, a significant (P < 0:05) increase in vitamin A and vitamin E was observed in the yak's milk, whereas the opposite was observed for vitamin B1 and vitamin B2. No significant statistical difference in vitamin C, Ca, P, Na, K, and Mg concentrations was observed in milk from yaks raised at different altitudes. The concentrations of Zn in milk from yaks raised at different altitudes showed no statistical difference, whereas the Mn and Fe concentrations in milk from yaks raised at 3,215m were lower than those raised at higher altitudes. The concentrations of Pb and Cd in yak's milk did not exceed the maximum permissible concentrations (Codex Alimentarius Commission), whereas their concentrations were higher in milk from yaks raised at 3,215m than at higher altitudes. These findings indicated that the contents of vitamins and minerals in yak milk varied in different altitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitamin C or ascorbic acid (ASA) is an essential micronutrient for normal growth, antioxidant capacity and immunity of fish. However, appropriate requirements of ASA for Ctenopharyngodon idella, grass carp juveniles (8.46 ± 0.19), remain unknown. For this purpose, a feeding trial of 60 days was conducted in triplicates. Six isolipidic and isoproteic diets containing 0, 25, 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of ASA were prepared. Results showed a linear increase in growth as ASA supplementation was increased from 0 to 100 mg/kg. However, a further increase in dietary ASA supplementation from 200 to 400 mg/kg resulted in a slight decrease in growth parameters. A similar trend was also recorded for the whole body, proximate composition, antioxidant enzymes and organ indices against ASA supplementation. On the contrary, fish fed with basal diet had higher thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) content in the liver and muscles than those fed with ASA supplemented diets. ASA concentration in muscles increased in a dose‐dependent manner, while ASA value was the highest in the fish fed with 100 mg/kg ASA concentration. The weight gain (WG%) data were subjected to broken‐line regression analysis, and the optimal ASA requirement of grass carp juveniles was estimated to be 67.1667 mg/kg. Taken together, the inclusion of 67.1667 mg/kg of ASA is recommended in the feed of grass carp juveniles for optimum growth performance. We also recommend analysing the effect of ASA in combination with vitamin A and E. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selecting a group of ten food products that are part of the Bogotá population diet, we evaluated whether the concentration of vitamin C and provitamin A carotenoids was affected by the horticultural food and the type of sample (bought local fresh, LF, or in main food markets, MFM), and if culinary procedures affected those contents. Such contents were evaluated by RP-(U)-HPLC. Strawberry (60.4/56.6, LF/MFM), orange (56.7/55.5, LF/MFM), and mango (46.1/66.1, LF/MFM) were the main sources of vitamin C (all as mg/100 g FW). Carrot, either raw (4,780/2,755) or cooked (4,740/2,420), and mango (448.4/1,697) had the greatest provitamin A carotenoid contents (all as µg retinol equivalents/100 g FW). While cooking of carrots depleted the content of carotenoids, peeling of boiled potato tubers did not affect the vitamin C content. The horticultural food and the type of sample defined the nutrient contents. Our results might contribute to good food consumption practices. Novelty impact statement: This research shows that the contents of vitamin C and provitamin A carotenoids are influenced not only by the horticultural food product but also by where such food products are purchased, which in this research we have denoted as local fresh and main food market. This fact must be further investigated and shows that commercialization affects (positively or negatively) the nutritional quality of horticultural food products. Our findings should also be considered in governmental programs dedicated to ameliorate the nutritional state of a population, especially when the access to food products is limited and therefore what reaches the consumer must be of the greatest nutritional quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]