Nutrition
-
The intestinal microbiota plays an important role in the nutritional status and energy metabolism of the host. Liver cirrhosis is accompanied by muscle wasting or sarcopenia. The aim of this study was to to explore the changes in intestinal microbiota in patients with liver cirrhosis and muscle wasting by using metagenomics. ⋯ There were compositional alterations in intestinal microbiota in patients with liver cirrhosis and muscle wasting. L3 SMI is closely related to E. coli, P. stomatis, and B. uniformis in liver cirrhosis. Further interventional studies are needed to confirm whether improving intestinal microbiota can improve the nutritional status of patients with liver cirrhosis.
-
The aim of this case-control study was to investigate the relationships between carbohydrate consumption, glycemic load (GL), glycemic index (GI), and the risk of Helicobacter pylori infection among adults admitted to an Iranian hospital. ⋯ Our data suggest that a high dietary GL, high GI, and high consumption of dietary carbohydrates significantly elevate the risk of H. pylori infection. Also, the amount of bread and refined-grain products consumed had a significant positive relationship with H. pylori infection.
-
The outbreak of the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 that has created huge trepidation worldwide, has a mortality rate of 0.5% to 1% and is growing incessantly. There are currently no therapies and/or vaccines that may help abate this viral disease, but the use of masks and social distancing can limit the spread. Boosting immunity has been a simple way to resist viral infection and limit fatalities. ⋯ The presence of these molecules indicates its potential role in resisting infection and COVID-19 disease progression. This review focuses on the potential role of algal nutraceuticals as immune boosters to combat the human coronavirus and other viral diseases. The potential use of Spirulina-based nutraceuticals for combating COVID-19, its mechanism, and future directions have also been discussed.
-
Substance abuse is a chronic relapsing disorder that results in serious health and socioeconomic issues worldwide. Addictive drugs induce long-lasting morphologic and functional changes in brain circuits and account for the formation of compulsive drug-seeking and drug-taking behaviors. Yet, there remains a lack of reliable therapy. ⋯ Findings from both our and other laboratories suggest that ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are effective in treating neuroinflammation-related mental diseases, and indicate that they could exert positive effects in treating drug addiction. Thus, in the present review, we summarized and evaluated recently published articles reporting the neuroinflammation mechanism in drug addiction and the immune regulatory ability of ω-3 PUFAs. We also sought to identify some of the challenges ahead in the translation of ω-3 PUFAs into addiction treatment.
-
Propolis is a polyphenolic plant resin collected by bees to protect hives against pathogens and temperature drop. It exhibits antibacterial, antioxidant, and antiinflammatory properties. ⋯ It has an excellent clinical safety profile, with no known toxic effects described so far. In this review, we discuss the salutogenic effects of propolis, with particular reference to modulating notable features of chronic kidney disease, notably those involving cardiovascular risks.