The present study investigated whether dietary n-3 very-long-chain PUFA (n-3 VLC-PUFA) could increase skin and bone mineralisation in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in vivo and examined their potential effects on human osteoblast proliferation and differentiation in vitro. Atlantic salmon were fed different dietary levels of n-3 VLC-PUFA, and changes in tissue n-3 VLC-PUFA composition, skeletal morphology, skin and bone mineral content, bone mineral density (BMD) and gene expression patterns were examined. Additionally, in vitro experiments using human foetal osteoblast cells were conducted to investigate the potential influence of n-3 VLC-PUFA supplementation on cell proliferation, osteogenic differentiation and cytokine expression. The results demonstrated that increasing the dietary levels of n-3 VLC-PUFA increased the mineral content of vertebrae and BMD in salmon, with subtle yet significant impacts on the expression of genes involved in bone-related processes. Furthermore, in vitro experiments showed a potential contextual influence of n-3 VLC-PUFA supplementation on gene expression of osteogenic markers and cytokine expression. Our findings indicate for the first time that n-3 VLC-PUFA may influence processes related to bone mineralisation.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as important regulators of lipid metabolism. Recent studies have suggested synbiotics may modulate miRNA expression and lipid metabolism. This study aimed to investigate the effects of synbiotic supplementation on circulating miR-27a, miR-33a and lipid parameters in patients with dyslipidaemia. Fifty-six eligible participants were randomly allocated to receive either synbiotic or placebo sachets twice a day for 12 weeks. Each synbiotic sachet contained 3 × 1010 colony forming unit six species of probiotic microorganisms and 5 g of inulin and fructooligosaccharide as prebiotics. Serum miR-27a and miR-33a expression levels, serum lipids and apolipoproteins, the fecal concentration of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes phyla were assessed before and after the study. Real-time PCR was used to determine the relative expression levels of miRNAs. The results showed synbiotic supplementation significantly downregulated the expression levels of miR-27a and miR-33a compared with the placebo group (P = 0·008 and P = 0·001, respectively). Furthermore, the intervention group exhibited significant improvements in serum HDL-cholesterol, small dense LDL (sdLDL-cholesterol), apoA-I and apoB-100 (P = 0·008, P = 0·006, P = 0·003, P = 0·001, respectively). The results showed a significant negative correlation between miR-33a expression levels with HDL-cholesterol, butyrate, propionate and a significant positive correlation with total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and sdLDL-cholesterol in the intervention group. Fecal bacteria and SCFA were significantly increased in the intervention group. This study provides evidence that synbiotic supplementation can modulate miR-27a and miR-33a expression and improve lipid metabolism in patients with dyslipidaemia.

Childhood and puberty can affect metabolism, leading to tissue injury and malfunction later in life. The consumption of high-processed foods rich in salt and sugar is increasing in middle- and high-income countries, especially among young people. It is necessary to evaluate the effects of high salt and sugar levels in the youth on most injured organs during metabolic challenges. We aimed to investigate whether high-salt/sucrose intake affects whole-body development and leads to end-organ injury. Weaned male Wistar rats were divided into two groups: a control group fed a standard diet and tap water, and an experimental group (SS) fed a standard diet and a beverage containing 1·8 % NaCl and 20 % sucrose instead of tap water. The animals were treated for 60 d, starting after weaning at 21 d of age, after which the animals were subjected to glucose and insulin tolerance tests, urine collection and heart rate monitoring and euthanised for sample collection at 81 d of age. SS showed reduced body weight gain and increased food intake of sodium/sucrose solution. Interestingly, high-salt/sucrose intake led to increased body adiposity, liver lipid inclusion, heart rate and renal dysfunction. SS exhibits increased levels of PPAR alpha to counterbalance the hypertrophy of brown adipose tissue. Our findings reveal that the SS rat model exhibits non-obvious obesity with end-organ damage and preserved brown adipose tissue function. This model closely parallels human conditions with normal BMI but elevated visceral adiposity, providing a relevant tool for studying atypical metabolic disorders.

We investigated the hypotheses that broilers and pigs have distinct starch digestion capacities and that different cereals could trigger diet–species interactions. Ten replicates of two broilers (14 d old) or one pig (50 d old) each were distributed into a 3 × 2 randomised factorial design with three pelleted diets (maize, barley or oat-based) and the two species. Nutritional composition was equal for both species. Diets were fed for 10 d, and then the pancreas and organs from the stomach region and small intestine were collected with contents. It was observed that both species were similarly efficient at digesting starch but differed in some digestive aspects. Broilers had higher ileal digestibility coefficients (P < 0·001) of DM (0·69) and crude protein (0·75) than pigs (0·66 and 0·67), presented a higher volume of particles < 0·1 mm in duodenal digesta (P < 0·001) and had a lower gizzard pH (3·68) than pig stomach (4·48; P < 0·05). Conversely, pigs had lower ileal viscosity (1·44 v. 2·77 cP; P < 0·05) and higher pancreatic lipase activity (27 v. 5·9 U/g of pancreas; P < 0·05) compared with broilers. In the jejunum, oat led to higher starch digestibility (0·96; P < 0·05) than maize and barley regardless of species. In the ileum, starch digestibility was higher for broilers fed oats (0·99) than broilers fed barley (0·94; P < 0·05), establishing that oats provided, in general, a superior starch availability. The results imply that starch utilisation capacity is more related to its dietary source than to the species to which it is fed.

The extent of de-novo biosynthesis of non-essential fatty acids (FA) and the endogenous biosynthesis of long chain PUFA in human fetuses remain largely unknown. We used natural variations in the 13C:12C (δ 13C) of plasma phospholipids of the woman at delivery and of cord blood to infer fetal biosynthesis of FA. We studied thirty-nine mother–fetus pairs with uncomplicated pregnancies and term delivery. Eighteen women were supplemented with DHA, from pregnancy week 20 until delivery, sourced from an algae (n 13) or fish oil (n 5), each with slightly different 13C content. Twenty-one women did not receive DHA supplementation. We measured the δ 13C value of selected phospholipid FA (C16:0, C18:0, C18:1n-9, C18:2n-6, C20:4n-6 and C22:6n-3) in maternal and cord plasma samples at delivery using isotope ratio MS. We found significant linear correlations for δ 13C values of FA between mothers and their fetuses (C16:0, r = 0·8535; C18:0, r = 0·9099; C18:1n-9, r = 0·8079; C18:2n-6, r = 0·9466; C20:4n-6, r = 0·9257 and C22:6n-3, r = 0·9706). Women supplemented with algal DHA had significantly lower DHA δ 13C values in their plasma phospholipids than those supplemented with fish DHA or those who did not receive DHA supplementation (P < 0·001). There was no significant difference in δ 13C values of FA between women at delivery and their fetuses. These findings strongly suggest that the human fetus is highly dependent on the placental transport of maternal plasma FA, particularly DHA. The limited fetal biosynthesis of major FA emphasises the crucial role of maternal nutrition and placental well-being in fetal development.

Although the energy stored in the lean tissue (LT) and adipose tissue (AT) is well known, the energy required to synthesise these tissues is obscure. Theoretically, the energy at the point at which ΔLT/Δ body weight (BW) reaches 100 % on a regression line, which indicates the relationship between ΔLT/ΔBW and the energy required for BW gain, is considered to be the energy expended to synthesise LT. Therefore, we investigated this relationship in rats. Rats were fed diets with different ratios of protein, fat and carbohydrates because their ΔLT/ΔBW values were expected to be different. Six-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats had ad libitum access to normal (N, n 6), high-fat (HF, n 7) or high-protein (HP, n 8) diets for 4 weeks. The ΔLT/ΔBW was 0·77 in the N, 0·70 in the HF and 0·87 in the HP groups, respectively. The average energy required to gain BW was 8·8 kJ/g in the N group, 7·0 kJ/g in the HF group and 11·3 kJ/g in the HP group. We observed a positive correlation between ΔLT/ΔBW and energy required for BW gain. The regression line demonstrated that the energy expended to synthesise LT was 13·9 kJ/g and AT was −7·9 kJ/g. Therefore, combined with the energy stored in LT, the energy required to accumulate LT is approximately 19 kJ/g, whereas the energy to accumulate AT could not be elucidated.

The effect of diminished ovarian reserves after undergoing hysterectomies with bilateral salpingectomies is one of the health concerns among reproductive-age women with benign gynecological diseases. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), an antioxidant, is crucial in mitochondrial energy production, improving oocyte quality and quantity. This study compares the benefit of a 14-d preoperative (CoQ10) v. placebo on ovarian reserve by measuring anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) in women undergoing hysterectomy with bilateral salpingectomy. A double-blinded, randomised, placebo-controlled trial was conducted. Forty-four women with benign gynecological diseases were randomised to receive either oral CoQ10 300 mg per d or placebo for 14 d before undergoing hysterectomy with bilateral salpingectomy. Serum AMH levels were collected for analysis before taking CoQ10 and 6 weeks postoperatively in each group. The baseline demographic, clinical characteristics and baseline AMH levels were comparable between the groups (1·47 (0·45, 2·49) v. 1·29 (0·47, 2·11), P = 0·763). The serum AMH levels after the surgery were significantly decreased from preoperative levels (median 0·99 (0·37, 1·63) v. 1·34 (0·57, 2·30)), P = 0·001. However, there was no significant difference in the AMH change between the CoQ10 group and the placebo group (AMH per cent change −28·2 % (64·09, −4·81) v. −20·07 % (–61·51, −2·92)), P = 0·99, respectively. Age, gynecological disease, operative time and blood loss were not significantly associated with the AMH change. There were no significant side effects or adverse operative outcomes among CoQ10 users. In conclusion, hysterectomy with bilateral salpingectomy led to a significantly decreased AMH level. However, pretreatment with CoQ10 for 2 weeks was ineffective in protecting an ovarian reserve.

Prior observational studies have reported the potential protective effect of n-3 fatty acids on the prognosis of acute pancreatitis (AP). However, the causal impact of n-3 fatty acids on AP is unclear. We aimed to investigate further the association of n-3 fatty acids with AP. We performed a meta-analysis and Mendelian randomisation (MR) to explore the association between n-3 fatty acids and the prognosis of AP from clinical observation and genetics perspectives, respectively. Nine randomised controlled trials were included in this study. The result meta-analysis showed that complementary therapy of n-3 fatty acids significantly decreased mortality (Relative Risk (RR): 0·30; 95 % CI 0·14, 0·65, P < 0·05) and infectious complications in AP (RR: 0·45; 95 % CI 0·27, 0·77, P < 0·05). Compared with the control groups, the hospital stays (MD: −1·02; 95 % CI −1·85, −0·20, P < 0·05) in AP patients with n-3 fatty acids treatment were statistically reduced. However, the ICU stay (MD: −0·49; 95 % CI −1·29, −0·31, P > 0·05) between control groups and AP patients with n-3 fatty acids treatment was insignificant. Utilising genetic susceptibility analysis in the MR approach, the MR showed n-3 fatty acids have a significant causal effect on the AP risk (OR, 0·887; 95 % CI 0·797, 0·986, P = 0·027, fixed-effect; OR, 0·887; 95 % CI 0·792, 0·993, P = 0·037, random-effect). n-3 fatty acids complementary therapy may improve the prognosis of AP. Furthermore, genetically predicted serum levels of n-3 fatty acids can significantly lower AP risk.

The aim of this study was to analyse the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the renal inpatient nutrition screening tool (Renal iNUT) for haemodialysis patients. The Renal iNUT and the malnutrition universal screening tool (MUST) were used in adult haemodialysis patients at two different centres to identify malnutrition. The subjective global assessment (SGA), regarded as the gold standard for nutritional status assessment, was utilised for comparison. Structural validity was assessed using biochemical values and anthropometric measurements, while reliability was assessed using repeated the Renal iNUT assessment. Of the 260 patients admitted, 42·3 % were malnourished (SGA score was B or C). According to the Renal iNUT, 59·6 % of the patients were at increased risk for malnutrition (score ≥ 1) and 3·8 % required referral to a dietitian (score ≥ 2). According to the MUST, 13·1 % of the patients were at increased risk for malnutrition and 8·5 % required referral to a dietitian. The Renal iNUT was found to be more sensitive in detecting increased risk of malnutrition in haemodialysis patients compared with the MUST (59·6 % v. 13·1 %). According to the SGA, the sensitivity of the Renal iNUT is higher compared to the MUST (89 % and 45 %, respectively). Kappa-assessed reliability of the Renal iNUT was 0·48 (95 % CI, 0·58, 0·9) and a moderate concordance was observed. The Renal iNUT is a valid and reliable nutritional screening tool for evaluating haemodialysis patients to determine their nutritional status. The use of the Renal iNUT by dietitians will contribute to the identification of malnutrition and its treatment.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterised by chronic inflammation in joints. Obesity, stress, being women and dietary pattern are important in pathogenesis. The joint damage in RA is accelerated by oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to examine the serum total antioxidant level, nutritional status and Mediterranean diet adherence of adult women with RA. Thirty-five adult women RA patients and thirty-five healthy control participated in this study (45·4 ± 11·61 and 42·5 ± 8·50 years, respectively). Nutritional status, physical activity levels and adherence to the Mediterranean diet were questioned. Physicians assessed the disease activity score of patients with RA. Serum total antioxidant and oxidant status were analysed. The serum total antioxidant status of the control group was higher, whereas the oxidative stress index and total oxidant status were lower than that of the RA group. Dietary protein, fibre, EPA, retinol, Fe, Zn and total antioxidant intake in the RA group were lower than in the control group (P < 0·05). Individuals with higher fibre intake showed a significantly lower risk for RA after adjusting for potential confounding factors (OR = 0·845, 95 % CI = 0·773–0·923, P < 0·001). The mean physical activity level of the control group was higher than that of the RA group (1·59 ± 0·10 and 1·53 ± 0·13, respectively) (P = 0·01). In conclusion, serum antioxidant parameters and dietary antioxidant intake are decreased in patients with RA. Therefore, medical treatment for these patients should be supplemented with medical nutrition therapy to achieve optimal nutritional status.

An assessment of systemic inflammation and nutritional status may form the basis of a framework to examine the prognostic value of cachexia in patients with advanced cancer. The objective of the study was to examine the prognostic value of the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition criteria, including BMI, weight loss (WL) and systemic inflammation (as measured by the modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS)), in advanced cancer patients. Three criteria were examined in a combined cohort of patients with advanced cancer, and their relationship with survival was examined using Cox regression methods. Data were available on 1303 patients. Considering BMI and the mGPS, the 3-month survival rate varied from 74 % (BMI > 28 kg/m2) to 61 % (BMI < 20 kg/m2) and from 84 % (mGPS 0) to 60 % (mGPS 2). Considering WL and the mGPS, the 3-month survival rate varied from 81 % (WL ± 2·4 %) to 47 % (WL ≥ 15 %) and from 93 % (mGPS 0) to 60 % (mGPS 2). Considering BMI/WL grade and mGPS, the 3-month survival rate varied from 86 % (BMI/WL grade 0) to 59 % (BMI/WL grade 4) and from 93 % (mGPS 0) to 63 % (mGPS 2). When these criteria were combined, they better predicted survival. On multivariate survival analysis, the most highly predictive factors were BMI/WL grade 3 (HR 1·454, P = 0·004), BMI/WL grade 4 (HR 2·285, P < 0·001) and mGPS 1 and 2 (HR 1·889, HR 2·545, all P < 0·001). In summary, a high BMI/WL grade and a high mGPS as outlined in the BMI/WL grade/mGPS framework were consistently associated with poorer survival of patients with advanced cancer. It can be readily incorporated into the routine assessment of patients.

Dietitians working at evacuation shelters conduct weighed food records (WFR) for multiple days for dietary assessment. Because the menus in evacuation shelters do not change much from day to day, this study examined whether 1- and 2-d WFR are sufficient for dietary assessment at shelters and identified dietary components that can influence the number of assessment days. Overall, twenty-six WFR were collected from ten shelters in Kumamoto Prefecture, and the amounts of energy; protein; vitamins B1, B2 and C and salt were calculated. Correlation analysis and paired sample tests were conducted to examine significant differences between ‘one- and two-consecutive- or non-consecutive-day WFR’ and ‘three-consecutive-day WFR’, which were set as the standard in this study. Additionally, the (CV for the categories by meal and dish were calculated to examine the variables that affected the large variations. As a result, 1-d WFR had significant positive correlations with the standard; thus, it could be used for the triage of shelters requiring nutrition assistance as a substitute for 3-d WFR. Two-consecutive-day and non-consecutive-day WFR showed a stronger correlation with the standard compared with the 1-d WFR. For energy and nutrients and dish categories, ready-to-eat foods had larger CV than boxed meals or foods from hot meal services. Whenever the meals included ready-to-eat foods, a two-non-consecutive-day WFR is recommended considering large between-day variations. Salty soup or beverages affected the variation of some nutrients. Our result would help municipalities to consider the number of WFR during emergency.

We investigated associations between ‘healthy dietary pattern’ scores, at ages 36, 43, 53 and 60–64 years, and body composition at age 60–64 years among participants from the MRC National Survey of Health and Development (NSHD). Principal component analyses of dietary data (food diaries) at age 60–64 years were used to calculate diet scores (healthy dietary pattern scores) at each age. Higher scores indicated healthier diets (higher consumption of fruit, vegetables and wholegrain bread). Linear regression was used to investigate associations between diet scores at each age and height-adjusted dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry-measured fat and lean mass measures at age 60–64 years. Analyses, adjusting for sex and other potential confounders (age, smoking history, physical activity and occupational class), were implemented among 692 men and women. At age 43, 53 and 60–64 years, higher diet scores were associated with lower fat mass index (FMI) and android:gynoid fat mass ratio; for example, in fully adjusted analyses, a standard deviation (sd) increase in diet score at age 60–64 years was associated with an SD difference in mean FMI of −0·18 (95 % CI: −0·25, −0·10). In conditional analyses, higher diet scores at ages 43, 53 and 60–64 years (than expected from diet scores at younger ages) were associated with lower FMI and android:gynoid fat mass ratio in fully adjusted analyses. Diet scores at age 36 years had weaker associations with the outcomes considered. No associations regarding appendicular lean mass index were robust after full adjustment. This suggests that improvements in diet through adulthood are linked to beneficial effects on adiposity in older age.

Reduced exposure to sweet taste has been proposed to reduce sweet food preferences and intakes, but the evidence to support these associations is limited. This randomised controlled trial investigated the effects of a whole-diet sweet taste intervention for 6 d, on subsequent pleasantness, desire for and sweet food intakes. Participants (n 104) were randomised to increase (n 40), decrease (n 43) or make no change to (n 21) their consumption of sweet-tasting foods and beverages for 6 consecutive days. Pleasantness, desire to eat, sweet taste intensity and sweet food and beverage intakes were assessed on days 0 and 7. One hundred and two (98 %) participants completed the study, and self-reported adherence with the dietary interventions was moderate to good (M = 66–72/100 mm), with instructions to decrease sweet food consumption reported as more difficult than the other diets (smallest (t(81) = 2·45, P = 0·02, Mdiff = 14/100 mm, se = 2 mm). In intention-to-treat analyses, participants in the decreased sweet food consumption group reported higher sweet taste intensity perceptions at day 7 compared with day 0 (F(2101) = 4·10, P = 0·02, Mdiff = 6/100 mm, se = 2 mm). No effects were found for pleasantness (F(2101) = 2·04, P = 0·14), desire to eat (F(2101) = 1·49, P = 0·23) or any of the measures of sweet food intake (largest F(2101) = 2·53, P = 0·09). These results were confirmed in regression analyses that took self-reported adherence to the diets into account. Our findings suggest that exposure to sweet taste does not affect pleasantness, desire for or intakes of sweet-tasting foods and beverages. Public health recommendations to limit the consumption of sweet-tasting foods and beverages to reduce sweet food preferences may require revision.