Addition of soluble fiber to standard purified diets is important for gut morphology in mice.

Purified diets (PD) increase standardization and repeatability in rodent studies but lead to differences in the phenotype of animals compared to grain-based "chow" diets. PD contain less fiber and are often devoid of soluble fiber, which can impact gut health. Thus, the aim of the present study was to modify the PD AIN93G by addition of soluble fiber, to promote more natural gut development as seen with chow diets.

Specific Wheat Fractions Influence Hepatic Fat Metabolism in Diet-Induced Obese Mice.

Low whole grain consumption is a risk factor for the development of non-communicable diseases such as type 2 diabetes. Dietary fiber and phytochemicals are bioactive grain compounds, which could be involved in mediating these beneficial effects. These compounds are not equally distributed in the wheat grain, but are enriched in the bran and aleurone fractions.

Cooked Red Lentils Dose-Dependently Modulate the Colonic Microenvironment in Healthy C57Bl/6 Male Mice.

Dietary pulses, including lentils, are protein-rich plant foods that are enriched in intestinal health-promoting bioactives, such as non-digestible carbohydrates and phenolic compounds. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of diets supplemented with cooked red lentils on the colonic microenvironment (microbiota composition and activity and epithelial barrier integrity and function). C57Bl/6 male mice were fed one of five diets: a control basal diet (BD), a BD-supplemented diet with 5, 10 or 20% cooked red lentils (by weight), or a BD-supplemented diet with 0.

Navy bean supplemented high-fat diet improves intestinal health, epithelial barrier integrity and critical aspects of the obese inflammatory phenotype.

Obesity is associated with impaired intestinal epithelial barrier function and an altered microbiota community structure, which contribute to host systemic inflammation and metabolic dysfunction. Fiber-rich common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) promote intestinal health (microbiota and host epithelial barrier integrity) in lean mice. The objective was to assess the intestinal health promoting effects of navy bean supplementation during high-fat (HF)diet-induced obesity.

Efficient Extraction from Mice Feces for NMR Metabolomics Measurements with Special Emphasis on SCFAs.

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is one of the most promising methods for use in metabolomics studies as it is able to perform non targeted measurement of metabolites in a quantitative and non-destructive way. Sample preparation of liquid samples like urine or blood serum is comparatively easy in NMR metabolomics, because mainly buffer and chemical shift reference substance are added. For solid samples like feces suitable extraction protocols need to be defined as initial step, where the exact protocol depends on sample type and features.

Human SPG11 cerebral organoids reveal cortical neurogenesis impairment.

Spastic paraplegia gene 11(SPG11)-linked hereditary spastic paraplegia is a complex monogenic neurodegenerative disease that in addition to spastic paraplegia is characterized by childhood onset cognitive impairment, thin corpus callosum and enlarged ventricles. We have previously shown impaired proliferation of SPG11 neural progenitor cells (NPCs). For the delineation of potential defect in SPG11 brain development we employ 2D culture systems and 3D human brain organoids derived from SPG11 patients' iPSC and controls.

Chickpea supplementation prior to colitis onset reduces inflammation in dextran sodium sulfate-treated C57Bl/6 male mice.

The potential for a chickpea-supplemented diet (rich in fermentable nondigestible carbohydrates and phenolic compounds) to modify the colonic microenvironment and attenuate the severity of acute colonic inflammation was investigated. C57Bl/6 male mice were fed a control basal diet or basal diet supplemented with 20% cooked chickpea flour for 3 weeks prior to acute colitis onset induced by 7-day exposure to dextran sodium sulfate (DSS; 2% w/v in drinking water) and colon and serum levels of inflammatory mediators were assessed. Despite an equal degree of DSS-induced epithelial barrier histological damage and clinical symptoms between dietary groups, biomarkers of the ensuing inflammatory response were attenuated by chickpea pre-feeding, including reduced colon tissue activation of nuclear factor kappa B and inflammatory cytokine production (tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin (IL)-18).

Isoflavone supplementation in postmenopausal women does not affect leukocyte LDL receptor and scavenger receptor CD36 expression: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Scope: Isoflavones are discussed to improve serum lipoproteins and body composition and to reduce cardiovascular disease risk in postmenopausal women (PMW). LDL receptors (LDLR) and scavenger receptor CD36 (CD36) play a pivotal role in the regulation of plasma LDL-cholesterol concentrations (LDL-chol). We investigated the impact of isoflavones on the receptor expression of both receptors in leukocytes of PMW.

Contribution of diet to the composition of the human gut microbiota.

In the human gut, millions of bacteria contribute to the microbiota, whose composition is specific for every individual. Although we are just at the very beginning of understanding the microbiota concept, we already know that the composition of the microbiota has a profound impact on human health. A key factor in determining gut microbiota composition is diet.

Interferon-α abrogates the suppressive effect of apoptotic cells on dendritic cells in an in vitro model of systemic lupus erythematosus pathogenesis.

Objective: An increased incidence of apoptotic cells and an increased activation of dendritic cells (DC) may be involved in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We investigated the characteristics of apoptotic neutrophils and monocyte-derived DC of patients with SLE, their interaction, and the influence of autoantibodies and inflammatory cytokines on this interaction.

Methods: Kinetics of neutrophil apoptosis and DC activation were studied by flow cytometry.

Anthocyanin-Rich Juice Lowers Serum Cholesterol, Leptin, and Resistin and Improves Plasma Fatty Acid Composition in Fischer Rats.

Obesity and obesity-associated diseases e.g. cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes are spread worldwide.

Anthocyanin-rich juice does not affect gut-associated immunity in Fischer rats.

Scope: Most studies on immunomodulatory effects of anthocyanins are concentrated on their anti-inflammatory potential. In vitro studies suggest that anthocyanins possess anti-inflammatory potential, but results from in vivo studies are rare and inconclusive. Sparse information is available about the immune tissues that are affected by anthocyanins.

Dietary fat quality in regular fat diets has minor effects on biomarkers of inflammation in obese Zucker rats.

Purpose: Adipose tissue-associated chronic inflammation is involved in the pathogenesis of obesity-related diseases. Dietary fatty acids are known to influence inflammatory processes. The aim of this study was to investigate, whether diets with regular fat contents but variable fat qualities affect adipose tissue-associated inflammation through the fatty acid composition of mesenteric adipose tissue (MAT).

A practical approach for bridging anticoagulation after mechanical heart valve replacement.

Background And Aim Of The Study: Following mechanical heart valve replacement, patients may require a form of 'bridging' anticoagulation to prevent valve-associated thromboembolism until oral vitamin K antagonists take effect. In 2000, the present authors changed their bridging protocol to a fixed dose of 40 mg enoxaparin twice daily (b.i.