Supplementation of Vitamin D and Fructooligosaccharides Downregulates Intestinal Defensins and Reduces the Species Abundance of in C57BL/6J Mice.

The activation of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) in the ileum has been shown to regulate Paneth cell-specific defensins, a large family of antimicrobial peptides; hence, this may serve as a potential mechanism to maintain intestinal homeostasis. Previously, we have demonstrated that a combination of vitamin D (VD) and fructooligosaccharides (FOSs) upregulates colonic in mice. Here, we aim to examine the effect of VD, alone or in combination with FOSs, on intestinal barrier integrity and the secretion of antimicrobial peptides, as well as the gut microbial community.

Discovery of a Novel Bioactive Compound in Orange Peel Polar Fraction on the Inhibition of Trimethylamine and Trimethylamine -Oxide through Metabolomics Approaches and and Assays: Feruloylputrescine Inhibits Trimethylamine via Suppressing cntA/B Enzyme.

This study compares the inhibitory effects of orange peel polar fraction (OPP) and orange peel nonpolar fraction (OPNP) on trimethylamine (TMA) and trimethylamine -oxide (TMAO) production in response to l-carnitine treatment and . Metabolomics is used to identify bioactive compounds. The research demonstrates that the OPP effectively regulates atherosclerosis-related markers, TMA and TMAO in plasma and urine, compared to the OPNP.

Combination of vitamin D and fructooligosaccharides upregulates colonic vitamin D receptor in C57BL/6J mice and affects anxiety-related behavior in a sex-specific manner.

Depression and anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health disorders that affect US adults today, frequently related to vitamin D (VD) insufficiency. Along with VD, growing evidence suggests gut microbiota likely play a role in neuropsychiatric disorders. Here, we investigated if modulation of gut microbiota would disrupt host VD status and promote behaviors related to depression and anxiety in adult mice.

Comparison of maternal versus postweaning ingestion of a high fat, high sucrose diet on depression-related behavior, novelty reactivity, and corticosterone levels in young, adult rat offspring.

Consumption of a Western-type diet, high in fat and sugar, by mothers as well as maternal weight gain and obesity during gestation and lactation may impact offspring risk for mood and cognitive disorders. The objective of this study was to determine if ingestion of a high fat, high sucrose (HFS) diet by rat dams during gestation and lactation or by their pups after weaning impacted these behaviors and stress responsivity in young, adult offspring. To accomplish this, dams consumed either a 45% fat/high sucrose (HFS) diet or the AIN93G control diet during gestation and lactation.

The role of vitamin D in depression and anxiety disorders: a review of the literature.

Background: Prevalence of mental health disorders continue to increase worldwide. Over the past decades, suboptimal vitamin D (VD) levels and gut dysbiosis have been associated with neurological dysfunction and psychiatric disorders.

Methods: In this review, we examined the available literature on VD and mental health disorders, particularly depression and anxiety, in both clinical and pre-clinical studies.

Supplementation of Methyl-Donor Nutrients to a High-Fat, High-Sucrose Diet during Pregnancy and Lactation Normalizes Circulating 25-Dihydroxycholecalciferol Levels and Alleviates Inflammation in Offspring.

A Western-style diet that is high in fat and sucrose has been shown to alter DNA methylation and epigenetically modify genes related to health risk in offspring. Here, we investigated the effect of a methyl-donor nutrient (MS) supplemented to a high-fat, high-sucrose (HFS) diet during pregnancy and lactation on vitamin D (VD) status and inflammatory response in offspring. After mating, 10-week-old female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats ( = 10/group) were randomly assigned to one of the four dietary groups during pregnancy and lactation: (1) control diet (CON), (2) CON with MS (CON-MS), (3) HFS, and (4) HFS with MS (HFS-MS).

Possible role of type 1 and type 2 taste receptors on obesity-induced inflammation.

Obesity is characterized by chronic low-grade inflammation that could lead to other health complications, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and various forms of cancer. Emerging evidence has shown that taste perception is altered during the development of obesity. Moreover, suppression of taste receptor or taste signaling molecules potentiate the inflammatory response, and the progression of inflammation attenuates the expression of taste receptors in vivo.

Combined Supplementation with Vitamin B-6 and Curcumin is Superior to Either Agent Alone in Suppressing Obesity-Promoted Colorectal Tumorigenesis in Mice.

Background: Obesity increases the colorectal cancer risk, in part by elevating colonic proinflammatory cytokines. Curcumin (CUR) and supplemental vitamin B-6 each suppress colonic inflammation.

Objectives: We examined whether the combination of CUR and vitamin B-6 amplifies each supplement's effects and thereby suppress obesity-promoted tumorigenesis.

Parabacteroides distasonis attenuates tumorigenesis, modulates inflammatory markers and promotes intestinal barrier integrity in azoxymethane-treated A/J mice.

Imbalance of the gut microbial community promotes inflammation and colorectal cancer (CRC). Previously, we demonstrated that freeze-dried Parabacteroides distasonis (Pd) suppressed obesity-driven colorectal tumorigenesis in mice. Here, we investigated if Pd could suppress the development of colon tumors in mice independent of obesity.

The Combination of Curcumin and Salsalate is Superior to Either Agent Alone in Suppressing Pro-Cancerous Molecular Pathways and Colorectal Tumorigenesis in Obese Mice.

Scope: High-fat diets (HFDs) and adiposity increase colorectal cancer risk, in part by elevating pro-inflammatory cytokines that activate pro-cancerous signaling pathways. Curcumin (CUR), a dietary polyphenol and salsalate (SAL), an non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) lacking the gastrotoxicity of aspirin, each suppress inflammatory signaling, but via different cellular pathways.

Methods And Results: A/J mice (n = 110) are fed a low-fat diet (LFD, 10% kcal), a HFD (60% kcal), a HFD containing 0.

Interleukin-1 Signaling Mediates Obesity-Promoted Elevations in Inflammatory Cytokines, Wnt Activation, and Epithelial Proliferation in the Mouse Colon.

Obesity is a prominent risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC). One mechanism by which obesity promotes the development of CRC is by generating a chronic, low-grade state of colonic inflammation. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), a proinflammatory cytokine often elevated in obesity, is known to activate several procarcinogenic signaling pathways that are implicated in colonic carcinogenesis.

Parabacteroides distasonis attenuates toll-like receptor 4 signaling and Akt activation and blocks colon tumor formation in high-fat diet-fed azoxymethane-treated mice.

Gut dysbiosis may play an etiological role in colorectal tumorigenesis. We previously observed that the abundance of Parabacteroides distasonis (Pd) in stool was inversely associated with intestinal tumor burden and IL-1β concentrations in mice. Here, we assessed the anti-inflammatory capacity of Pd membrane fraction (PdMb) in colon cancer cell lines.

Curcumin and Salsalate Suppresses Colonic Inflammation and Procarcinogenic Signaling in High-Fat-Fed, Azoxymethane-Treated Mice.

High-fat diets (HFDs) and excess adiposity increase proinflammatory cytokines in the colon, altering gene expression in a manner that promotes the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). Thus, compounds that reduce this biochemical inflammation are potential chemopreventive agents. Curcumin (CUR), a dietary polyphenol, and salsalate (SAL), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, are both anti-inflammatories.

Resistant starch as a novel dietary strategy to maintain kidney health in diabetes mellitus.

The worldwide prevalence of diabetes mellitus is expected to reach 439 million by 2030. Diabetes increases the risk for developing secondary complications such as nephropathy and cardiovascular disease, critical factors that dictate the survival rate of diabetes patients. Compelling evidence has indicated that the positive impact of fermentable carbohydrates in obesity-related diabetes is mediated by the production of short-chain fatty acids and the modulation of colonic microbiota.

Consumption of Dietary Resistant Starch Partially Corrected the Growth Pattern Despite Hyperglycemia and Compromised Kidney Function in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats.

We previously demonstrated that feeding of dietary resistant starch (RS) prior to the induction of diabetes delayed the progression of diabetic nephropathy and maintained vitamin D balance in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetic (T1D) rats. Here, we examined the impact of RS on kidney function and vitamin D homeostasis following STZ injection. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were administered STZ and fed a standard diet containing cornstarch or 20, 10, or 5% RS for 4 weeks.

Correction: Paternal B Vitamin Intake Is a Determinant of Growth, Hepatic Lipid Metabolism and Intestinal Tumor Volume in Female Apc1638N Mouse Offspring.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Circulating adiponectin concentrations are increased by dietary resistant starch and correlate with serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol concentrations and kidney function in Zucker diabetic fatty rats.

We previously reported that dietary resistant starch (RS) type 2 prevented proteinuria and promoted vitamin D balance in type 2 diabetic (T2D) rats. Here, our primary objective was to identify potential mechanisms that could explain our earlier observations. We hypothesized that RS could promote adiponectin secretion and regulate the renin-angiotensin system activity in the kidney.

Paternal B Vitamin Intake Is a Determinant of Growth, Hepatic Lipid Metabolism and Intestinal Tumor Volume in Female Apc1638N Mouse Offspring.

Background: The importance of maternal nutrition to offspring health and risk of disease is well established. Emerging evidence suggests paternal diet may affect offspring health as well.

Objective: In the current study we sought to determine whether modulating pre-conception paternal B vitamin intake alters intestinal tumor formation in offspring.

Whole Egg Consumption Prevents Diminished Serum 25-Hydroxycholecalciferol Concentrations in Type 2 Diabetic Rats.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is characterized by vitamin D deficiency owing to increased urinary loss of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25D). Whole eggs are a rich source of vitamin D, particularly 25D, the circulating form that reflects status. Zucker diabetic (type 2) fatty (ZDF) rats and their lean counterparts were fed casein- or whole egg-based diets for 8 weeks.

Cytotoxic and antiangiogenic paclitaxel solubilized and permeation-enhanced by natural product nanoparticles.

Paclitaxel (PTX) is one of the most potent intravenous chemotherapeutic agents to date, yet an oral formulation has been problematic because of its low solubility and permeability. Using the recently discovered solubilizing properties of rubusoside (RUB), we investigated the unique PTX-RUB formulation. PTX was solubilized by RUB in water to levels of 1.

Dietary resistant starch prevents urinary excretion of vitamin D metabolites and maintains circulating 25-hydroxycholecalciferol concentrations in Zucker diabetic fatty rats.

Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is the leading cause of nephropathy in the United States. Renal complications of T2D include proteinuria and suboptimal serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25D) concentrations. 25D is the major circulating form of vitamin D and renal reabsorption of the 25D-vitamin D-binding protein (DBP) complex via megalin-mediated endocytosis is believed to determine whether 25D can be activated to 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25D) or returned to circulation.

Reformulation of etoposide with solubility-enhancing rubusoside.

Etoposide (ETO), a widely used anti-cancer drug, is constrained by its low aqueous solubility and by side effects from both the drug and its solubilizing excipients. In this study, a recently discovered natural solubilizer rubusoside (RUB) was used to achieve the solubilization of ETO. Dynamic light scattering and freeze-fracture transmission electron microscopy studies showed that ETO and RUB formed ETO-RUB nanoparticles (∼6 nm in diameter).

Paclitaxel-induced apoptosis is blocked by camptothecin in human breast and pancreatic cancer cells.

The combination of paclitaxel (PTX) and topoisomerase I inhibitors such as camptothecin (CPT) constitutes a therapeutic strategy based on anticipated synergism. However, previous in vitro studies have generated contradictory findings for this strategy. The interaction between these drugs can be synergistic or antagonistic, depending on the cell type examined.

A novel solubility-enhanced curcumin formulation showing stability and maintenance of anticancer activity.

Curcumin (CUR) is an active food compound, but its insolubility and instability in water contributes to low bioavailability. In this study, the solubility of CUR was enhanced by utilizing the solubilizing properties of rubusoside (RUB). The solubility of CUR in water increased linearly from 61 μg/mL to 2.

Improvement of obesity phenotype by Chinese sweet leaf tea (Rubus suavissimus) components in high-fat diet-induced obese rats.

Drinking an herbal tea to lose weight is a well-liked concept. This study was designed to examine the possible improvement of obesity phenotype by a new tea represented by its purified components, gallic acid, ellagic acid, and rubusoside (GER). Male obese-prone SD rats were given low-fat diet, high-fat diet, or high-fat diet plus GER at the dose of 0.