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BACKGROUND The partial or complete loss of the sense of smell, which affects about 20% of the population, impairs the quality of life in many ways. Dysosmia and anosmia are mainly caused by aging, trauma, infections, or even neurodegenerative disease. Recently, the olfactory area – a site containing the olfactory receptor cells responsible for odor perception – was shown to harbor a complex microbiome that reflects the state of olfactory function. This initially observed correlation between microbiome composition and olfactory performance needed to be confirmed using a larger study cohort and additional analyses. METHODS A total of 120 participants (middle-aged, no neurodegenerative disease) were enrolled in the study to further analyze the microbial role in human olfactory function. Olfactory performance was assessed using the Sniffin’ Stick battery, and participants were grouped accordingly (normosmia:n = 93, dysosmia:n = 27). The olfactory microbiome was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and supplemented by metatranscriptomics in a subset (Nose 2.0). Propidium monoazide (PMA) treatment was performed to distinguish between intact and non-intact microbiome components. The gastrointestinal microbiome of these participants was also characterized by amplicon sequencing and metabolomics, then correlated with food intake. RESULTS Our results confirm that normosmics and dysosmics indeed possess a distinguishable olfactory microbiome. Alpha diversity (i.e., richness) was significantly increased in dysosmics, reflected by an increase in the number of specific taxa (e.g.,Rickettsia,Spiroplasma, andBrachybacterium). Lower olfactory performance was associated with microbial signatures from the oral cavity and periodontitis (Fusobacterium,Porphyromonas, andSelenomonas). However, PMA treatment revealed a higher accumulation of dead microbial material in dysosmic subjects. The gastrointestinal microbiome partially overlapped with the nasal microbiome but did not show substantial variation with respect to olfactory performance, although the diet of dysosmic individuals was shifted towards a higher meat intake. CONCLUSION Dysosmia is associated with a higher burden of dead microbial material in the olfactory area, indicating an impaired clearance mechanism. As the microbial community of dysosmics appears to be influenced by the oral microbiome, further studies should investigate the microbial oral-nasal interplay in individuals with partial or complete olfactory loss.

A functional reciprocity between the gut microbiome and vagal nerve activity has been suggested, however, human studies addressing this phenomenon are limited.Twenty-four-hour cardiac vagal activity (CVA) was assessed from 73 female participants (aged 24.5 ± 4.3 years). Additionally, stool samples were subjected to 16SrRNA gene analysis (V1-V2). Quantitative Insights Into Microbial Ecology (QIIME) was used to analyse microbiome data. Additionally, inflammatory parameters (such as CRP and IL-6) were derived from serum samples.Daytime CVA correlated significantly with gut microbiota diversity (As an indicator of gut-brain communication, gut microbiome analysis could be extended by measurements of CVA to enhance our understanding of signalling

The gut microbiome is in constant bidirectional communication with the brain through the microbiota-gut-brain-axis. Mood disorders are among the most common psychiatric disorders and include major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. The gut microbiome is altered in individuals with mood disorders and has a role in its inflammatory pathophysiology. In this article, we performed a narrative review of clinical studies, randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses addressing advances in gut microbiome research in mood disorders and included articles that were published between 2021 and 2022.Studies highlight transdiagnostic alterations of microbiota in mood disorders, with reductions of butyrate-producing bacteria. Participants with major depressive disorder showed altered beta-diversity, while participants with bipolar disorder showed reduced alpha-diversity. Both disorders exhibit alterations in the metabolome. Early pilot studies addressed the possibility of using the gut microbiome for the prediction of treatment response and the blood microbiome for the diagnosis of psychiatric disorders. Findings from clinical trials support the use of probiotics as an add-on therapy for major depressive disorder. The second published case report in the literature reported a favourable outcome of a patient with bipolar disorder after faecal microbiota transplantation.Gut microbiome modulations allow new treatment strategies including the use of psychobiotics for the treatment and prevention of mood disorders. Well designed clinical trials aiming for personalized medicine are needed to investigate the efficacy and safety of psychobiotic interventions.

Lactose intolerance (LIT) is one of the major causes of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) spectrum complaints. Differences in inadequate lactose digestion are described as various LIT phenotypes with basically unknown pathophysiology. In LIT patients, we retrospectively assessed the effect of histamine intolerance (HIT) on expiratory hydrogen (H2) during H2 lactose breath tests. In a retrospective evaluation of charts from 402 LIT patients, 200 patients were identified as having only LIT. The other 202 LIT patients were found to additionally have diamine oxidase (DAO) values of 20 parts per million (ppm), but a blood glucose (BG) increase of >20 mg/dL, (2) LIT with an H2 increase of 20 ppm in combination with a BG increase of 20 ppm and BG < 20 mg/dL patients with LIT and HIT (p = 0.007). This diagnostic group also showed a significant higher number of patients (p = 0.012) and a significant higher number of patients with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms during H2 breath tests (p < 0.001). Therefore, low serum DAO values, indicating HIT, influence results of lactose tolerance breath tests.

Background/Aims Food intolerance/malabsorption, particularly histamine intolerance (HIT), may cause nonspecific functional gastrointestinal and extraintestinal symptoms. We evaluated gastrointestinal and extraintestinal symptoms in patients with HIT. Methods In an analysis of outpatients’ charts we identified 133 patients, who presented with recurring nonspecific functional gastrointestinal, extraintestinal symptoms, and a diamine oxidase value

Histamine intolerance (HIT) is thought to be caused by a disproportionate amount of histamine in the body. The enzyme diamine oxidase (DAO) is considered for the gastrointestinal degradation of histamine. For this open-label interventional pilot study, we identified 28 patients with HIT. For 4 weeks, they were instructed to take DAO capsules before meals. Then, throughout a follow-up period, they were instructed not to take the DAO. We used a questionnaire that included 22 symptoms, which were divided into 4 categories, as well as a symptom severity score. All symptoms improved significantly during the oral supplementation of DAO. During the follow-up period, without DAO supplementation, the symptoms sum scores increased again. The symptom intensity score was reduced for all symptoms. We have demonstrated, a significant reduction of every HIT-related symptom and its intensity due to DAO oral supplements. The ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number) is NCT03298568.

Background Methane is an end product of microbial fermentation in the human gastrointestinal tract. This gas is solely produced by an archaeal subpopulation of the human microbiome. Increased methane production has been associated with abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, IBD, CRC or other conditions. Twenty percent of the (healthy) Western populations innately exhale substantially higher amounts (>5 ppm) of this gas. The underlying principle for differential methane emission and its effect on human health was still not sufficiently understood. Results We assessed the breath methane content, gastrointestinal microbiome, metagenome, metabolome, and eating behavior of one-hundred healthy young adults (female: n = 52, male: n = 48; mean age =24.1). On the basis of the amount of methane emitted, participants were grouped into high methane emitters (CH4 breath content 5-75 ppm) and low emitters (CH4 < 5 ppm). The microbiomes of high methane emitters were characterized by a 1000-fold increase in Methanobrevibacter smithii. This archaeon co-occurred with a bacterial community specialized on dietary fibre degradation, which included members of Ruminococcaceae and Christensenellaceae. As confirmed by metagenomics and metabolomics, the biology of high methane producers was further characterized by increased formate and acetate levels in the gut. These metabolites were strongly correlated with dietary habits, such as vitamin, fat and fibre intake, host genetics, and microbiome function, altogether driving archaeal methanogenesis. Conclusions This study enlightens the complex, multi-level interplay of host diet, genetics and microbiome composition/function leading to two fundamentally different gastrointestinal phenotypes and identifies novel points of therapeutic action in methane-associated disorders.

Nutritional interventions have beneficial effects on certain psychiatric disorder symptomatology and common physical health comorbidities. However, studies evaluating nutritional literacy in mental health professionals (MHP) are scarce. This study aimed to assess the across 52 countries. Surveys were distributed via colleagues and professional societies. Data were collected regarding self-reported general nutrition knowledge, nutrition education, learning opportunities, and the tendency to recommend food supplements or prescribe specific diets in clinical practice. In total, 1056 subjects participated in the study: 354 psychiatrists, 511 psychologists, 44 psychotherapists, and 147 MHPs in-training. All participants believed the diet quality of individuals with mental disorders was poorer compared to the general population (p < 0.001). The majority of the psychiatrists (74.2%) and psychologists (66.3%) reported having no training in nutrition. Nevertheless, many of them used nutrition approaches, with 58.6% recommending supplements and 43.8% recommending specific diet strategies to their patients. Only 0.8% of participants rated their education regarding nutrition as ‘very good.’ Almost all (92.9%) stated they would like to expand their knowledge regarding ‘Nutritional Psychiatry.’ There is an urgent need to integrate nutrition education into MHP training, ideally in collaboration with nutrition experts to achieve best practice care., publishedVersion

SummaryArchaea are responsible for methane production in the human gastrointestinal tract. Twenty percent of the Western populations exhale substantial amounts of this gas. The underlying principle determining high or low methane emission and its effect on human health was still not sufficiently understood.In this study, we analysed the gastrointestinal microbiome, archaeome, metagenome, metabolome, and eating behaviour of 100 healthy young adults. We correlated high levels of human methane emission (5-75 ppm) with a 1000-fold increase in Methanobrevibacter smithii. This archaeon co-occurred with a bacterial community specialised on dietary fibre degradation, which included members of the Ruminococcaceae and Christensenellaceae. Methane production was negatively affected by high vitamin B12 and fat intake of the subjects, and was positively associated with increased formate concentrations in the gut. Overall, methane emission is explained by dietary habits, host genetics, local metabolite availability and microbiome/archaeome composition, emphasizing the unique biology of high methane-emitters which has potentially positive impact on human health.Abstract FigureGraphical abstract

Single and/or combined food intolerance/malabsorption may cause nonspecific, functional gastrointestinal (GI) complaints. In lactose-intolerant patients we evaluated the influence of additional food intolerance/malabsorption with hydrogen (H2) breath tests. In a retrospective analysis of charts from 279 lactose-intolerant patients, we found 128 patients with only lactose intolerance (LIT). Then, we identified 106 LIT patients with additional histamine intolerance (HIT). Additionally, 45 LIT and HIT patients also had fructose malabsorption (FM). A hydrogen (H2) breath test was performed to evaluate LIT and FM. A serum diamine oxidase value of &lt, 10 U/mL and a response to a histamine-reduced diet was used to identify HIT. Using pairwise comparison with the Kruskal&ndash, Wallis test to associate the area under the curve (AUC) of LIT patients and, LIT with HIT, to LIT with HIT and FM it was found, that the exhaled hydrogen values were significantly higher in patients with two-fold and triple combined food intolerance/malabsorption (p &lt, 0.004 and p &lt, 0.001, respectively). Within the pool of 170 LIT patients with &gt, 20 ppm increase of expiratory H2 from baseline, there were 74 LIT-only patients, 60 LIT with HIT patients, and 36 LIT patients with additional HIT and FM. With the Kruskal&ndash, Wallis test AUCs demonstrated a significant difference between all three groups (p = 0.024). In patients with LIT, the presence of additional food intolerance/malabsorption, significantly increases expiratory H2 values. We demonstrate evidence, which may suggest HIT to embody an own GI disorder as food intolerance/malabsorption.

The major aim of this controlled, randomised, open-labelled, parallel-grouped, clinical trial was to investigate whether supplementation with different dosages of omega-3 fatty acids (0.5 g/d and 1 g/d) from a plant-based fatty acid supplement affected omega-3-indices (O3I) in well-nourished, healthy people. In addition, the combined ingestion of the plant-based fatty acid supplement, together with an encapsulated fruit, vegetable and berry (FVB) juice powder concentrate, was applied in order to observe the absorption of certain micronutrients and to examine some aspects related to the safe consumption of the products. The data demonstrate that the intake of only 0.5 g/day of omega-3 fatty acids from of a vegan supplement was able to increase the O3I significantly after 8 and 16 weeks. The combined ingestion with the FVB supplement concurrently increased serum concentrations of specific vitamins and carotenoids without effects on hepatic, kidney and thyroid function or changes in blood lipids.

Ultrasound (US) provides the most accurate technique for thickness measurements of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) layers. This US method was recently standardised using eight sites to capture SAT patterning and allows distinguishing between fat and embedded fibrous structures. These eight sites chosen for fat patterning studies do not represent the mean SAT thickness measured all over the body that is necessary for determining subcutaneous fat mass. This was obtained by SAT measurements at 216 sites distributed randomly all over the body. Ten participants with BMI below 28.5kgm−2 and SAT means (from eight sites) ranging from 3 mm to 10 mm were selected. The means from eight sites overestimated the means obtained from 216 sites (i.e. 2160 US measurements in the ten participants); the calibration factor of 0.65 corrects this; standard deviation (SD) was 0.05, i.e. 8%. The SD of the calibration factor transforms linearly when estimating the error range of the whole body’s SAT volume (body surface area times the calibrated mean SAT thickness). The SAT masses ranged from 3.2 to 12.4 kg in this group. The standard deviations resulting from solely the calibration factor uncertainty were ±0.3 and ±1.0 kg, respectively. For these examples, the SAT percentages were 4.9(±0.4)% and 13.3(±1.0)%.

There is ample evidence that polyphenols are important natural substances with pronounced antioxidative properties. This study aimed to develop a fast and reliable method to determine total polyphenol content (TPC) in foodstuffs and human samples. The microtitration format offers the advantage of low sample volumes in the microlitre range, facilitating high-throughput screening with 40 samples simultaneously. We accordingly adjusted the so-called Folin&ndash, Ciocalteu method to a microtitre format (polyphenols microtitre&mdash, PPm) with 90% reduction of reagents. The assay was standardized with gallic acid in the range between 0.1 and 3 mM, using a 20 &micro, L sample volume. The intra-assay coefficient of variation (CV) was less than 5%, and inter-assay CV was in the range of 10%. Wavelength was measured at 766 nm after two hours of incubation. This micromethod correlates significantly with both the classical Folin&ndash, Ciocalteu method and High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) (r2 = 0.9829). We further observed a significant correlation between PPm and total antioxidants (r2 = 0.918). The highest polyphenol concentrations were obtained for red, blue, and black fruits, vegetables, and juices. Extracts of red grapes could be harvested almost sugar free and might serve as a basis for polyphenol supplementation. Beer, flour, and bread contained polyphenol concentrations sufficient to meet the minimal daily requirement. We conclude that PPm is a sensitive and reliable method that detects polyphenols even in samples diluted 10-fold. The literature strongly recommends further investigations on the effects of polyphenol uptake on human and animal health.

Zusammenfassung Einleitung Forschungsergebnisse zeigen Veränderungen des Darmmikrobioms bei Anorexia nervosa (AN). Die Alpha-Diversität (AD) repräsentiert die Anzahl von Bakterienarten im Darm. Eine verminderte AD und erhöhte Darmpermeabilität (Zonulin) kann zu Inflammation und Veränderungen der Nährstoffaufnahme führen. Methoden AD wurde aus Stuhlproben von 18 AN-Patientinnen sowie 20 normalgewichtigen Kontrollen (NK) nach 16S RNA Sequenzierung ermittelt. Zusätzlich wurden Zonulin als Marker der Darmbarriere und inflammatorische Parameter bestimmtErgebnisse AN-Patientinnen wiesen im Vergleich zu NK eine verminderte AD auf (Chao-1-Diversity: p=0.043, number of observed species p=0.042). Zonulin zeigte sich bei AN-Patientinnen im Vergleich zu NK nicht signifikant vermindert. Es gab keine Korrelationen zwischen den Serumparametern und AD. Diskussion AN-Patientinnen weisen unabhängig von der Darmpermeabilität eine erniedrigte AD auf. Die reduzierte AD kann die Kalorienaufnahme bei AN zusätzlich negativ beeinflussen. Diese Ergebnisse tragen zu einem besseren Krankheitsverständnis und der Entwicklung neuer Therapieoptionen bei.

Purpose Increased gut permeability causes the trespass of antigens into the blood stream which leads to inflammation. Gut permeability reflected by serum zonulin and diversity of the gut microbiome were investigated in this cross-sectional study involving female study participants with different activity and BMI levels. Methods 102 women were included (BMI range 13.24–46.89 kg m−2): Anorexia nervosa patients (n = 17), athletes (n = 20), normal weight (n = 25), overweight (n = 21) and obese women (n = 19). DNA was extracted from stool samples and subjected to 16S rRNA gene analysis (V1–V2). Quantitative Insights Into Microbial Ecology (QIIME) was used to analyze data. Zonulin was measured with ELISA. Nutrient intake was assessed by repeated 24-h dietary recalls. We used the median of serum zonulin concentration to divide our participants into a “high-zonulin” (> 53.64 ng/ml) and “low-zonulin” (

Objective Assortative mating for adiposity increases the genetic burden on offspring, but its causes remain unclear. One hypothesis is that people who have high adiposity find other people with obesity more physically attractive than lean people. Methods The attractiveness of sets of images of males and females who varied in adiposity were rated by opposite sex subjects (559 males and 340 females) across 12 countries. Results There was tremendous individual variability in attractiveness ratings. For female attractiveness, most males favored the leanest subjects, but others favored intermediate fatness, some were indifferent to body composition, and others rated the subjects with obesity as most attractive. For male images rated by females, the patterns were more complex. Most females favored subjects with low levels of adiposity (but not the lowest level), whereas others were indifferent to body fatness or rated the images depicting individuals with obesity as the most attractive. These patterns were unrelated to rater BMI. Among Caucasian males who rated the images of the thinnest females as being more attractive, the magnitude of the effect depended on rater BMI, indicating limited "mutual attraction." Conclusions Individual variations in ratings of physical attractiveness were broadly unrelated to rater BMI and suggest that mutual attraction is an unlikely explanation for assortative mating for obesity.

Food intolerance/malabsorption is caused by food ingredients, carbohydrates (mainly lactose and fructose), proteins (gluten), and biogenic amines (histamine) which cause nonspecific gastrointestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms. Here we focus on possible etiologic factors of intolerance/malabsorption especially in people with non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) or the so-called people without celiac disease avoiding gluten (PWCDAG) and histamine intolerance. Recognizing the recently described symptoms of NCGS (PWCDAG) we review correlations and parallels to histamine intolerance (HIT). We show that intestinal and extra-intestinal NCGS (PWCDAG) symptoms are very similar to those which can be found in histamine intolerance. After a detailed diagnostic workup for all possible etiologic factors in every patient, a targeted dietary intervention for single or possibly combined intolerance/malabsorption might be more effective than a short-term diet low in fermentable oligo-, di- and monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP) or the untargeted uncritical use of gluten-free diets.

Objectives Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a heterogeneous eating disorder associated with alterations of body structure and the gut microbiome. We aimed to investigate the gut microbiota composition of a large female cohort including different BMI groups and activity levels along with body composition parameters. Method 106 female participants were included in this cross-sectional study: AN patients (n = 18), athletes (n = 20), normal weight (n = 26), overweight (n = 22), and obese women (n = 20). DNA was extracted from stool samples and subjected to 16S rRNA gene analysis. The software Quantitative Insights Into Microbial Ecology (QIIME) was used to analyze data. Additionally, we performed anthropometric assessments, ultrasound measurements of subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness, bioimpedance analysis, administered depression inventories, and ascertained laboratory parameters and dietary intakes. Results Alpha diversity was particularly lower in AN patients and obese participants compared to other groups, while athletes showed highest alpha diversity. Several categories significantly associated with community structure were identified: body fat parameters, serum lipids, CRP, depression scales and smoking. Comparative analysis revealed Coriobacteriaceae as the only enriched phylotype in AN compared to other entities (LDA score >3.5). Discussion This study provides further evidence of intestinal dysbiosis in AN and sheds light on characteristics of the gut microbiome in different BMI and physical activity groups. These insights point to new modulation possibilities of the gut microbiota which could improve the standard therapy of AN.

Diagnosis of histamine intolerance (HIT) has been based on low serum diamine oxidase (DAO) values, functional gastrointestinal disorders and improvement of symptoms with a histamine-reduced diet (HRD). In a retrospective analysis of outpatients' charts we identified 101 patients with HIT. After a median of 13 months, a questionnaire was distributed to the patients so that they could be classified into four diet-compliance groups. Calculated with all 101 patients we found an increase of serum DAO values due to a HRD. In the 63 patients that completed the questionnaire, we found that 50 patients had improvement of symptoms or no continuing symptoms. A significant increase of serum DAO levels was found in the patients with strict and occasional diet compliance. Therefore, we demonstrate that a HRD is not only improving symptoms in HIT, but is causing an increase in serum DAO values that correlates with the degree of diet compliance.

Abstract. Vitamins and carotenoids are organic compounds that are important for vital functions of the human organism. Since the human body is not able to synthesize most of these micronutrients, they need to be supplied by the intake of food or supplements. The aim of this study was to analyze whether a whole food based, encapsulated fruit, berry, and vegetable juice powder concentrate provides bioavailable carotenoids and vitamins A (all-trans retinol), E and C. Eighteen healthy subjects received 6 capsules a day for 8 weeks, which provided 2.91 mg β-carotene, 490 μg vitamin A, 18.7 mg vitamin E, 159 mg vitamin C, 6.1 mg lutein and 1 mg lycopene. Plasma concentrations of several carotenoids and vitamins before and after supplementation were measured. After 8 weeks of supplementation, the plasma concentration of the following carotenoids increased significantly: α-carotene increased from 59.6 ± 22.4 nmol/L to 85.7 ± 24.2 nmol/L (p = 0.002), β-cryptoxanthin from 106.7 ± 39.8 nmol/L to 151.9 ± 57.9 nmol/L (p = 0.017), and lycopene from 1.2 ± 0.5 μmol/L to 1.7 ± 0.5 μmol/L (p = 0.005). Significant increases were also observed for plasma concentrations of vitamin C from 70 ± 20 μmol/L to 90 ± 10 μmol/L (p

Background: β-thalassemia minor is characterized by reduced β-haemoglobin chain synthesis and sometimes mild anaemia, although carriers of β-thalassemia minorare usually clinically asymptomatic.Nonspecific abdominal complaints may be caused by gastrointestinal carbohydrate malabsorption (lactose and fructose) and/or malabsorption of biogenic amines (histamine), or proteins (gluten). Objectives: We report on two patients with β-thalassemia minor suffering nonspecific abdominal symptoms due to a carbohydrate and histamine malabsorption. Design/methods: The diagnosis of β-thalassemia minorwas done with peripheral blood smear and cellulose acetate electrophoresis. Carbohydrate malabsorption was diagnosed with hydrogen breath tests and, histamine intolerance (HIT) with a serum diamine oxidase value

Objectives: Disturbances in the gut–brain barrier play an essential role in the development of mental disorders. There is considerable evidence showing that the gut microbiome not only affects digestive, metabolic and immune functions of the host but also regulates host sleep and mental states through the microbiota–gut–brain axis. The present review summarizes the role of the gut microbiome in the context of circadian rhythms, nutrition and sleep in psychiatric disorders. Methods: A PubMed search (studies published between April 2015–April 2020) was conducted with the keywords: “sleep, microbiome and psychiatry”; “sleep, microbiome and depression”; “sleep, microbiome and bipolar disorder”, “sleep, microbiome and schizophrenia”, “sleep, microbiome and anorexia nervosa”, “sleep, microbiome and substance use disorder”, “sleep, microbiome and anxiety”; “clock gene expression and microbiome”, “clock gene expression and nutrition”. Only studies investigating the relationship between sleep and microbiome in psychiatric patients were included in the review. Results: Search results yielded two cross-sectional studies analyzing sleep and gut microbiome in 154 individuals with bipolar disorder and one interventional study analyzing the effect of fecal microbiota transplantation in 17 individuals with irritable bowel syndrome on sleep. In patients with bipolar disorder, Faecalibacterium was significantly associated with improved sleep quality scores and a significant correlation between Lactobacillus counts and sleep. Conclusion: Translational research on this important field is limited and further investigation of the bidirectional pathways on sleep and the gut microbiome in mood disorders is warranted.

Recent research has shown changes of the intestinal flora in anorexia nervosa (AN) patients. Alpha diversity (AD) represents the number of different bacterial species in the gut. Reduced AD and a leaky gut (zonulin) lead to inflammation and changes in nutrient absorption.AD was calculated from stool samples of 18 AN patients and 20 normal weight controls (NC) after 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing. Furthermore, Zonulin as an indicator of gut barrier function and inflammation parameters were investigated.AN patients had significantly lower AD compared to NC (number of observed species p=0.042, Chao1 Diversity Index p=0.043). Zonulin was not significantly altered in AN patients compared to NC. There were no significant correlations of serum parameters and AD.Regardless of gut permeability, AN patients showed significantly decreased AD compared to NC. Decreased AD can have an additional negative impact on calorie intake in AN. These results contribute to a better understanding of the illness and the development of new therapeutic options.Forschungsergebnisse zeigen Veränderungen des Darmmikrobioms bei Anorexia nervosa (AN). Die Alpha-Diversität (AD) repräsentiert die Anzahl von Bakterienarten im Darm. Eine verminderte AD und erhöhte Darmpermeabilität (Zonulin) kann zu Inflammation und Veränderungen der Nährstoffaufnahme führen.AD wurde aus Stuhlproben von 18 AN-Patientinnen sowie 20 normalgewichtigen Kontrollen (NK) nach 16S RNA Sequenzierung ermittelt. Zusätzlich wurden Zonulin als Marker der Darmbarriere und inflammatorische Parameter bestimmtERGEBNISSE: AN-Patientinnen wiesen im Vergleich zu NK eine verminderte AD auf (Chao-1-Diversity: p=0.043, number of observed species p=0.042). Zonulin zeigte sich bei AN-Patientinnen im Vergleich zu NK nicht signifikant vermindert. Es gab keine Korrelationen zwischen den Serumparametern und AD.AN-Patientinnen weisen unabhängig von der Darmpermeabilität eine erniedrigte AD auf. Die reduzierte AD kann die Kalorienaufnahme bei AN zusätzlich negativ beeinflussen. Diese Ergebnisse tragen zu einem besseren Krankheitsverständnis und der Entwicklung neuer Therapieoptionen bei.

Introduction: Individuals suffering from psychiatric disorders experience high levels of illness burden and a significantly reduced quality of life. Despite targeted psychopharmacological strategies and complementary psychotherapeutic procedures only moderate effects are obtained, and the risk of relapse is high in many patients. Worldwide, psychiatric diseases such as depression are continuously increasing, challenging the personal life of the affected as well as their families, but also whole societies by increasing disability, early retirement and hospitalization. According to current scientific knowledge psychiatric disorders are caused by a multifactorial pathogenesis, including genetics, inflammation and neurotransmitter imbalance; furthermore, also lifestyle-associated factors gain rising importance. In line with this, there is growing evidence that the gut microbiota and nutrition have an impact on the onset and course of psychiatric disorders. Aim: This narrative review highlights the important role of nutrition in psychiatric care and underlines the significance of nutritional advice in the multifactorial, biopsychosocial treatment of patients. It focuses on current dietary interventions such as the Mediterranean diet, dietary supplements and modifications of the gut microbiota with pre-, pro- and postbiotics. Results: Recent studies support the connection between the quality of diet, gut microbiota and mental health through regulation of metabolic functions, anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic properties and the support of neurogenesis. Dietary coaching to improve mental health seems to be an additional, cost-effective, practical, nonpharmacological intervention for individuals with psychiatric disorders. Conclusion: The use of nutritional interventions in psychiatry equips therapists with a promising tool for both the prevention and treatment of psychiatric disorders. Besides pharmacological therapy, psychotherapy and physical activity, nutritional interventions are an important pillar in the multifactorial, biopsychosocial treatment of psychiatric disease and could be used as a potential therapeutic target.

Summary Background & aims Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe psychosomatic disease that seriously affects nutritional status. Therapeutic approaches primarily aim for rapid weight restoration by high caloric diets and activity restriction. This often promotes abdominal body fat gain, which potentially negatively influences the patient's compliance and increases the risk of relapse. This study focused on the evaluation of body weight and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) in AN patients by novel approaches. Methods The SAT of AN patients (n = 18, body mass index (BMI) 15.3 ± 1.3 kg/m2) was determined by a highly accurate and reliable ultrasound method. The sum of SAT thicknesses of eight sites (DINCL) was calculated. Individual metabolic profiles were analyzed. The mass index (MI), which considers body proportions, was used in addition to BMI. Additional to the standard laboratory diagnostics, dermal carotenoids measured by resonance Raman spectroscopy, leptin, and oxidative stress indicators were determined. Results The mean MI was 15.7 ± 1.4 kg/m2. The DINCL considerably differed between individuals with the same BMI. Half of the patients (Group 1) had low DINCL: 1.3–28.4 mm, and Group 2 showed values up to 58.2 mm (corresponding to approximately 6 kg SAT mass). The two group means differed by more than 300% (P Conclusion Half of the patients had sufficiently high fat mass, despite very low BMI. Consequently, their muscle (and other organ) masses must have been extremely low. Diagnostic criteria and treatment protocols for AN should consider each patient's body composition. In addition to dietary treatments, muscle training at low energy turnover rates may be essential for avoiding unnecessary body fat gain, better treatment results, and long-term recovery.

Assortative mating for adiposity increases the genetic burden on offspring, but its causes remain unclear. One hypothesis is that people who have high adiposity find other people with obesity more physically attractive than lean people.The attractiveness of sets of images of males and females who varied in adiposity were rated by opposite sex subjects (559 males and 340 females) across 12 countries.There was tremendous individual variability in attractiveness ratings. For female attractiveness, most males favored the leanest subjects, but others favored intermediate fatness, some were indifferent to body composition, and others rated the subjects with obesity as most attractive. For male images rated by females, the patterns were more complex. Most females favored subjects with low levels of adiposity (but not the lowest level), whereas others were indifferent to body fatness or rated the images depicting individuals with obesity as the most attractive. These patterns were unrelated to rater BMI. Among Caucasian males who rated the images of the thinnest females as being more attractive, the magnitude of the effect depended on rater BMI, indicating limited "mutual attraction."Individual variations in ratings of physical attractiveness were broadly unrelated to rater BMI and suggest that mutual attraction is an unlikely explanation for assortative mating for obesity.

Benign pancreatic hyperenzymemia (Gullo syndrome) is characterized by a more than threefold increase of the pancreatic enzymes lipase and amylase in the absence of a pancreatic disease over a period of more than 1 year, with elevations and significant undulations of pancreatic enzyme serum concentrations occurring on a day-to-day basis for 5 consecutive days. Nonspecific abdominal complaints may be caused by carbohydrate and/or protein malabsorption. We report a patient with benign pancreatic hyperenzymemia with lactose and histamine malabsorption; the symptoms of gastrointestinal malabsorption were treated successfully with an individually tailored lactose- and histamine-free diet.

Primary Epiploic Appendagitis (PEA) is a rare cause of acute or subacute abdominal complaints and non-migratory pain. Usually the diagnosis of PEA is made when Computed Tomography (CT) reveals characteristic figures. Nonspecific abdominal complaints including diffuse abdominal pain may be caused by carbohydrate and/or protein malabsorption. We report a case of a patient with PEA who recovered without medication or surgical treatment within a few days. Eight months later, he was diagnosed with lactose- and histamine malabsorption and Helicobacter pylori infection. The malabsorption was treated successfully with an individually-tailored diet free of culprit triggers and the Helicobacter pylori infection was eradicated. A localized non-migratory abdominal pain caused by PEA needs to be differentiated from nonspecific abdominal complaints due to malabsorption and Helicobacter pylori infection.

A recently standardized ultrasound technique for measuring subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) was applied to normal-weight, overweight and obese persons. Eight measurement sites were used: upper abdomen, lower abdomen, erector spinae, distal triceps, brachioradialis, lateral thigh, front thigh and medial calf. Fat compression was avoided. Fat patterning in 38 participants (body mass index: 18.6–40.3 kgm−2; SAT thickness sums from eight sites: 12–245 mm) was evaluated using a software specifically designed for semi-automatic multiple thickness measurements in SAT (sound speed: 1450 m/s) that also quantifies embedded fibrous structures. With respect to ultrasound intra-observer results, the correlation coefficient ρ = 0.999 (p

Aspects of the female body may be attractive because they signal evolutionary fitness. Greater body fatness might reflect greater potential to survive famines, but individuals carrying larger fat stores may have poor health and lower fertility in non-famine conditions. A mathematical statistical model using epidemiological data linking fatness to fitness traits, predicted a peaked relationship between fatness and attractiveness (maximum at body mass index (BMI) = 22.8 to 24.8 depending on ethnicity and assumptions). Participants from three Caucasian populations (Austria, Lithuania and the UK), three Asian populations (China, Iran and Mauritius) and four African populations (Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria and Senegal) rated attractiveness of a series of female images varying in fatness (BMI) and waist to hip ratio (WHR). There was an inverse linear relationship between physical attractiveness and body fatness or BMI in all populations. Lower body fat was more attractive, down to at least BMI = 19. There was no peak in the relationship over the range we studied in any population. WHR was a significant independent but less important factor, which was more important (greater r (2)) in African populations. Predictions based on the fitness model were not supported. Raters appeared to use body fat percentage (BF%) and BMI as markers of age. The covariance of BF% and BMI with age indicates that the role of body fatness alone, as a marker of attractiveness, has been overestimated.

IntroductionAnorexia nervosa (AN) is a lethal psychiatric disease with only narrow treatment possibilities. Recent study results point out, that gut microbiota might be a contributing factor in the development and persistence of AN through effects on the gut-brain-axis.MethodsWe used 16SRNA sequencing to characterize the composition and diversity of the gut microbiota of 18 AN patients, 19 normal weight controls and 19 athletes matched by age using stool samples. The QIIME-pipeline was used to assess the sequencing result. All participants completed an activity-questionnaire (IPAQ) and inventories to measure depression (BDI, HAMD).ResultsKruskal-Wallis test identified significant differences in alpha-diversity (Chao-1-estimator [P = 0.013], number of observed species [P = 0.027]) between groups. Spearman-Correlation revealed a significant correlation of number of observed species (r = 0.366, P = 0.006) Chao-1-estimator (r = 0.352, P = 0.008) and BMI (Fig. 1). Furthermore, a higher BMI was related to lower depression scores (r = 0.351, P < 0.001). Although there was a tendency of a negative correlation of BDI-scores and alpha-diversity (r = –0.180, P = 0.059), correlations with depression scores and IPAQ-scores did not reach significance level (Fig. 1).ConclusionsOur preliminary data demonstrate correlations of alpha-diversity and BMI. Further studies are needed to provide further insights in AN gut microbiota and its influence factors.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.