Search

Age-associated decline of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activity and DNA repair efficiency leads to the accumulation of DNA damage and increased risk of cancer. Understanding the mechanisms behind increased levels of damaged DNA is crucial for developing interventions to mitigate age-related cancer risk. Associated with various health benefits, (poly)phenols and their microbially mediated phenolic catabolites represent a potential means to reduce DNA damage. Four colonic-microbiota-derived phenolic catabolites were investigated for their ability to reduce H2O2-induced oxidative DNA damage and modulate the Nrf2-Antixoidant Response Element (ARE) pathway, in normal (CCD 841 CoN) and adenocarcinoma (HT29) colonocyte cell lines. Each catabolite demonstrated significant (p <.001) genoprotective activity and modulation of key genes in the Nrf2-ARE pathway. Overall, the colon-derived phenolic metabolites, when assessed at physiologically relevant concentrations, reduced DNA damage in both normal and adenocarcinoma colonic cells in response to oxidative challenge, mediated in part via upregulation of the Nrf2-ARE pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in feces are inextricably linked to intestinal homeostasis and can be used as potential markers for metabolic diseases. In this study, an efficient and simple method was developed for the purification of SCFAs without the need for derivatization of the samples. The SCFAs (acetic, propionic, isobutyric, butyric, isovaleric, valeric, and hexanoic acid) were extracted from a small amount (50 mg) of fecal and intestinal samples using acetone combined with solid phase extraction column (Bond Elut Plexa) enrichment. Quantitative analysis was performed using gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector. The developed method has shown very good limits of detection (LOD, 0.11–0.36 μM) and limits of quantification (LOQ, 0.38–1.21 μM) with excellent linearity (R2 ≥ 0.9998), good recovery (98.34–137.83%), and high reproducibility (RSD ≤ 1.30). The applicability of this method was also demonstrated by testing the fecal and cecum contents of different species from mammals (mice, pigs) to insects (honeybees). The technique is highly suitable for analyzing complex, small amounts of intestinal and fecal SCFAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Heart rate variability (HRV), an index of the functional status of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), provides an opportunity for early detection of ANS dysfunction. Lower resting, vagally related HRV parameters are associated with increased risk of physical and mental illness. External factors influencing the ANS, such as the testing environment, may impact the interpretation of HRV. This study's main aim was to determine the reliability of HRV resting and reactivity tests performed at home with children aged 4–9 years. Methods: Fourteen healthy children (female n = 8) aged 6.8 ± 1.5 years participated. Two HRV tests were performed at home via online supervision 7 days apart using a Polar H10 heart rate monitor. The absolute and relative reliability of the pre-exercise resting (5 min) and sub-maximal exercise step test recovery (4 × 30 s segments) HRV time and frequency domains were calculated. Results: The Pearson correlation coefficients for day 1 versus day 7 for the vagal activity HRV domains (RMSSD log) at rest and in the first 30 s and 30–60 s of recovery indicated good-to-excellent relative reliability (r > 0.8, p < 0.01). Absolute reliability was moderate for the resting RMSSD log, with a coefficient of variation (CV) of 5.2% (90% CI: 3.9, 7.8%), high for the first 30 s of standing recovery, with a CV of 10.7% (90% CI: 8.2, 15.7%), and moderate for 30–60 s of recovery, with a CV of 8.7% (90% CI: 6.6, 12.9%). Conclusions: The findings of this pilot study indicate that the resting and exercise recovery HRV measures of vagal activity can be measured reliably at home in children. This represents a novel "at-home" protocol for monitoring ANS health and development in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Social isolation is recognised as a risk factor in the inflammatory process. This study explored the association between social isolation and the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) in community-dwelling older persons. Methods: This cross-sectional pilot study recruited 107 community-dwelling people aged over 55 years living in the Australian Capital Territory. Participants completed an extensive food frequency questionnaire and provided anthropometric and sociodemographic data. Social isolation was evaluated using the Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS). Diet quality was assessed using DII. Results: Average age was 70.1 (±8.61) years and 62.8% were female. The average DII score was −1.10 (±1.21), indicating an anti-inflammatory diet. Higher LSNS was associated with lower DII (b (95% CI) = −0.041 (−0.066, −0.17); p < 0.01) and was positively influenced by the number of people in household (b (95% CI) = 5.731 (2.336, 9.127); p = 0.001). Conclusion: Increased risk of social isolation was associated with an increased tendency towards a more inflammatory diet. Reducing social isolation may decrease the inflammatory component of dietary intake for older persons living independently in the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tisane is a fruit or herbal infusion, commonly referred to as herbal tea. These products are consumed as part of a balanced diet, which is closely related to the trend of a healthier lifestyle. In this work, tisanes prepared from rosehip (R), and herbal mixtures containing rosehip/hibiscus flowers (R/H) and rosehip/hibiscus flowers/saffron (R/H/S) were studied. Rosehip was dried by the convective drying method at 40, 50 and 60 °C. Total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), total flavonol content (TFlC), total anthocyanin content (TAC), antioxidant properties (DPPH∙ and ABTS∙+ assays) and in vitro inhibitory potential toward α-amylase of tisanes were examined. The highest TPC (based on dry weight (dw)) was measured in tisane obtained from rosehip dried at 60 °C (37.84 mg GAE/g dw). Tisanes prepared from a R/H/S mixture had the highest values of TFC (4.66–6.13 mg QUE/g dw), TFlC (2.67–3.98 mg QUE/g dw) and TAC (1.35–2.27 mg Cy 3-glc/g dw). The highest DPPH∙ scavenging activity (53.42 mg TE/g dw) was measured in rosehip (dried at 60 °C) tisane, whereas tisane prepared from a rosehip (dried at 60 °C)/hibiscus mixture expressed the best ABTS∙+ scavenging activity (107.44 mg TE/g dw). All tisane samples expressed high inhibitory potential toward α-amylase, with the highest activity of 85.03% and 89.90%, measured for tisanes prepared from rosehip/hibiscus flowers mixture (rosehip dried at 50 and 60 °C, respectively). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key points Increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and microvascular endothelial disruptions occur with natural ageing, but often transpire before the detection of cardiometabolic conditions including hypertension. Age‐related increases in blood pressure are driven by complex systemic changes with poorly understood integrated mechanisms. The deconditioning experienced by ageing skeletal muscle from mid‐life is associated with reduced microvascular blood flow and increased peripheral resistance, suggesting that vasodilatory decrements in the muscle may precede the age‐related increases in blood pressure. Structural and functional changes within the vascular and skeletal muscle systems with advancing age can influence redox homeostasis, and vice versa, further compounding microvascular endothelial dysfunction. Therefore, comparisons between the microvascular environments of healthy and hypertensive cohorts can provide insights into the changes that occur during significant periods of functional decline. This comprehensive study protocol describes a microdialysis technique to assess the interactions of microvascular health and functional changes in the muscle, which currently cannot be otherwise addressed. Here, we detail an experimental protocol to simultaneously detect skeletal muscle ROS (H2O2 and indirect O2−), determine nutritive blood flow and assess microvascular endothelial function in response to acetylcholine stimulation. We expect that healthy middle‐aged individuals should not have increased ROS generation in the muscle at rest, compared to their hypertensive or older counterparts, but may exhibit perturbed microvascular function. The described technique allows for intricate exploration of microvascular physiology that will provide a critically novel insight into benchmarking potential age‐related mechanisms involved in the development of age‐related hypertension, and aid in early identification and prevention. Increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and microvascular endothelial dysfunction precede the onset of age‐related cardiometabolic and vascular conditions such as hypertension. The profound structural and functional changes that occur within the vasculature and in skeletal muscle from middle age prompt a need to mechanistically explore the microvascular environment in healthy and hypertensive individuals. Using a novel microdialysis technique, we detail an experimental protocol to simultaneously detect skeletal muscle ROS (H2O2 and indirect O2−), determine nutritive blood flow and assess microvascular endothelial function in response to acetylcholine stimulation. With this technique and study protocol, we can reveal functional insights into potential perturbations in ROS generation at rest and the microvascular endothelium, which play important roles in the development of age‐related hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mediterranean dietary pattern (MDP) and Japanese dietary pattern (JDP) have received increasing attention from the scientific community and media, predominantly due to their association with increased longevity and health. Although similarities between the two dietary patterns are evident, a detailed comparison between them is still relatively unexplored. This narrative review aimed to explore the similarities and differences between the MDP and JDP in terms of longevity while also reflecting on the adoption of these diets by other populations outside their regions of origin. Both dietary patterns are plant-based, minimally processed, and sustainable for their respective regions and have been shown to significantly prolong life expectancy in different populations. Nevertheless, these dietary patterns also differ in terms of macronutrient ratios, food preparation and consumption and individual cultural characteristics of each population. Additionally, both dietary patterns are part of broader lifestyle patterns, which include other behaviors, such as abstaining from smoking, engaging in regular physical activity, having low stress levels and a sense of community, spirituality/religiousness and purpose. The promotion of these two dietary patterns should be implemented in other regions after considering cultural and socio-economical characteristics., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)