A Rat Model of Central Fatigue Using a Modified Multiple Platform Method

In this article, we introduced a rat model of central fatigue using the modified multiple platform method (MMPM). The Multiple Platform box was designed ...

Beijing University of Chinese Medicine

This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the associations of characteristics of hypertension, including hypertension status, duration, blood pressure (BP), and pulse pressure (PP), with two cognitive functions-episodic memory and executive function, in people aged over 45 years. Using 2013 survey of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) and weighted multiple linear regression, data from 6,732 participants were utilized. After fully adjusted in full sample, a significantly (P < 0.05) negative association was found between treated but uncontrolled hypertension and cognition. In people aged 45-59 years, there was no significant association between hypertension and cognition. However, in people aged ≥60 years, the systolic blood pressure (SBP) and PP showed significantly adverse correlations to cognition. The negative association of untreated, treated but uncontrolled hypertension, and elevated PP with cognition increased with aging. In conclusion, this study shows the correlation between hypertension and cognition was age-dependent with greater correlation in older people; uncontrolled hypertension and PP may be used as predictors of the cognitive decline in people ≥75 years.

Association between hypertension and cognitive function: A cross-sectional study in people over 45 years old in China.

Cardiometabolic risk factors increase the likelihood of cardiovascular disease development by 2-fold. Lycopene, a potent lipophilic antioxidant, may be able to mediate oxidative stress, a mechanism underpinning metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its risk factors. This is, to our knowledge, the first systematic review of the literature with the purpose of investigating the relation between circulating lycopene or dietary intake of lycopene and MetS as well as its risk factors. The review was conducted using PubMed and EBSCOhost databases with the search terms "lycopene" and "metabolic syndrome."  Inclusion criteria included human studies published in English in a scholarly, peer-reviewed journal and evaluation of lycopene in relation to ≥3 of the 5 MetS risk factors as defined by the National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) report. The process identified 11 studies, including 8 cross-sectional and 3 intervention studies. Cross-sectional studies were grouped into 3 categories, with several studies falling into >1 category, based on results reporting associations of lycopene with the prevalence and outcomes of MetS (5 studies), presence of ATP III risk factors (4 studies), and variables mediating lycopene's influence on MetS risk (3 studies). All studies in each category reported significant protective associations. Of the 3 intervention studies, all reported significant protective effects from a lycopene-rich beverage, despite varying doses and durations of intake. Although a protective relation between lycopene and MetS was generally supported, different MetS components appeared to be influenced by lycopene rather than demonstrating consistent improvement in a single component. Thus, additional research is needed to elucidate the mechanistic effects of lycopene on MetS, as well as to determine evidence-based recommendations concerning dose-durational effects of lycopene and MetS risk reduction. In conclusion, the evidence of lycopene's benefit exists such that lycopene status or lycopene consumption may be associated with favorable alterations to the components of MetS.

Lycopene and Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Phenolic acids perform biological effects which are largely influenced by their binding to serum albumin. Therefore, investigating structure-affinity relationship of binding between phenolic acids and serum albumin is important. In this study, 114 phenolic acids and their derivatives, sharing the benzoic acid core with different substituents groups, were selected to investigate structure-affinity relationships with bovine serum albumin. The binding constants were obtained through fluorescence quenching, and a comprehensive mathematical model with inner-filter effect correction was applied. The results showed that the hydroxy group at the 2-position led to stronger binding affinity, while it had a negative influence at the 4-position. Substituting hydroxy groups with methoxy groups at 4-position and with methyl groups at 3-position both strengthened the binding affinity, respectively. Hydrogen bonding was one of the key binding forces for this binding interaction. Our findings provide a fundamental insight on the binding mechanism of phenolic acids to bovine serum albumin.

Structure-affinity relationship of the binding of phenolic acids and their derivatives to bovine serum albumin.

Starch/amylose-guest inclusion complexes, a class of supramolecular host-guest assemblies, are of critical importance in the processing, preservation, digestion, nutrients/energy uptake, and health outcomes of starch-containing foods. Particularly, the formation of inclusion complex has been suggested to lower the rate and extent of enzymatic digestion of starch and starch-containing foods. Compared with rapidly digestible starch, starch inclusion complex may fall into the category of slowly digestible starch, providing sustained glucose release and maintaining glucose homeostasis. Therefore, the ability of starch-guest inclusion complex to alter the digestive behavior of energy-dense starchy foods has been of interest to many researchers and has the potential to be developed and formulated into functional foods. In this article, we provide a comprehensive and critical review on the current knowledge of the  and  enzymatic digestion of starch-guest inclusion complexes, by emphasizing the structure-digestibility relationship. We examine the preparation methods employed, crystalline structures obtained, and physicochemical properties characterized in previous reports, which all have implications on the digestive behavior reported on the starch-guest inclusion complexes. In addition, we give suggestions on future research to elucidate the digestive properties of starch-guest inclusion complexes and to develop functional structures based on these complexes for use in foods and nutrition.

Starch-guest inclusion complexes: Formation, structure, and enzymatic digestion.

As a global public health issue with an increasing prevalence, obesity is related to several metabolic disorders, but is largely preventable. Resistant starch (RS), the indigestible portion of starch, has been studied for its potential effects on reducing obesity. This systematic review aimed to investigate the effect of dietary intake of RS on obesity development and related metabolic profiles in human, including body weight and composition, energy intake and satiety, lipid profiles, blood glucose and insulin, and other blood biomarkers. Eleven peer-reviewed articles published in English between 2000 and 2019 were identified after screening using CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and CINAHL Plus. Based on the results, RS intake had no direct effect on body weight and body composition. Evidence for its effect on reducing energy intake and increasing satiety, as well as improving lipid profiles was inconsistent. Beneficial effects of RS intake on several blood biomarkers were supported, indicating its regulatory roles in blood glucose homeostasis, insulin sensitivity, and gut hormone concentrations. Specifically, five out of the eight articles measuring blood glucose reported a decrease in either fasting or postprandial glucose levels; two out of the three articles measuring insulin sensitivity indicated a significant improvement after RS supplementation; studies measuring gut hormone concentrations including glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), and peptide YY (PYY) also showed significant improvements after RS interventions. In conclusion, the effect of dietary intake of RS on obesity and its related metabolic complications was not conclusive. Further research with larger sample sizes and longer duration is warranted.

Impact of dietary intake of resistant starch on obesity and associated metabolic profiles in human: a systematic review of the literature.

The circulating level of vitamin A (VA; retinol) was reported to be lower in obese adults. It is unknown if maternal obesity influences the VA status of offspring. The objective of the study was to determine the VA status and deposition of neonatal and weanling rats reared by mothers consuming a normal or high-fat diet (NFD or HFD) with or without supplemented VA. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to an NFD or HFD with 2.6 mg/kg VA. Upon delivery, half of the rat mothers in the NFD or HFD cohort were switched to an NFD or HFD with supplemented VA at 129 mg/kg (NFD+VA and HFD+VA group). The other half remained on their original diet (NFD and HFD group). At postnatal day 14 (P14), P25, and P35, pups (n = 4 or 3/group/time) were euthanized. The total retinol concentration in the serum, liver, visceral white adipose tissue (WAT), and brown adipose tissue (BAT) was measured. At P14, the HFD+VA group showed a significantly lower serum VA than the NFD+VA group. At P25, both the VA concentration and total mass in the liver, WAT, and BAT were significantly higher in the HFD+VA than the NFD+VA group. At P35, the HFD group exhibited a significantly higher VA concentration and mass in the liver and BAT compared with the NFD group. In conclusion, maternal HFD consumption resulted in more VA accumulation in storage organs in neonatal and/or weanling rats, which potentially compromised the availability of VA in circulation, especially under the VA-supplemented condition.

Vitamin A Status and Deposition in Neonatal and Weanling Rats Reared by Mothers Consuming Normal and High-Fat Diets with Adequate or Supplemented Vitamin A.

Libo Tan

School of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Beijing University of Chinese Medicine

A Rat Model of Central Fatigue Using a Modified Multiple Platform Method

Libo Tan

.css-o250i3{font-size:18px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;line-height:21.6px;}School of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Beijing University of Chinese Medicine

A Rat Model of Central Fatigue Using a Modified Multiple Platform Method

School of Traditional Chinese Medicine