Search Results (3)

This study was designed to first investigate the effects of zinc phytate (ZnPA) from wheat bran in alleviating high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hepatic inflammation and metabolic disorders and its underlying mechanism. C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to five groups including normal diet (ND), HFD, HFD+low-dose ZnPA (100 mg/kg), HFD+high-dose ZnPA (200 mg/kg), and HFD+wheat bran (100 mg/kg). All interventions were administered orally for 12 weeks. The results indicated that ZnPA significantly mitigated HFD-induced weight gain, dyslipidemia, pathoglycemia, hepatic steatosis and inflammation (p < 0.05). ZnPA effectively corrected HFD-induced microbial dysbiosis, in which the relative abundance of the Ruminococcus torques group decreased from 11.0% to 0.75%, and Coriobacteriaceae_UCG-002 dropped from 2.47% to 0.087% (p < 0.05). Conversely, ZnPA increased the abundance of Ileibacterium from 0.32% to 17.76% and Dubosiella from 1.03% to 4.24% (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, ZnPA could be metabolized by the gut microbiota to release IP6, which was further converted into secondary inositol phosphates (InsP_3–5), resulting in increases of 52.1%, 83.3%, 62.5%, and 96.2% in the colonic contents of InsP₆, InsP₅, InsP₄, and InsP₃ (p < 0.05), respectively. In addition, ZnPA increased levels of secondary bile acids and short-chain fatty acids, especially deoxycholic acid and taurocholic acid, which were elevated by 1.95-fold and 1.88-fold (p < 0.05), respectively. Interestingly, ZnPA enhanced hepatic expressions of histone deacetylase 3, bile acid receptor FXR, and lipid metabolism coactivator PGC-1α (p < 0.05). Collectively, these results indicated that ZnPA might alleviate obesity-related hepatic inflammation and metabolic disorders by reshaping microbial composition and increasing the production of microbial metabolism such as secondary bile acids, thereby triggering FXR–PGC1α axis activation. Full article

Rice bran, which is abundant in dietary fiber and phytochemicals, provides multiple health benefits. Nonetheless, its effects on neuroinflammation and gut microbiota in postmenopausal conditions are still not well understood. This study investigated the effects of rice bran and/or tea seed oil supplementation in d-galactose-injected ovariectomized (OVX) old mice fed a fructose drink. The combination of d-galactose injection, ovariectomy, and fructose drink administration creates a comprehensive model that simulates aging in females under multiple metabolic stressors, including oxidative stress, estrogen deficiency, and high-sugar diets, and allows the study of their combined impact on metabolic disorders and related diseases. Eight-week-old and 6–8-month-old female C57BL/6 mice were used. The mice were divided into six groups: a sham + young mice, a sham + old mice, an OVX + soybean oil, an OVX + soybean oil with rice bran, an OVX + tea seed oil (TO), and an OVX + TO with rice bran diet group. The OVX groups were subcutaneously injected with d-galactose (100 mg/kg/day) and received a 15% (v/v) fructose drink. The rice bran and tea seed oil supplementation formed 10% of the diet (w/w). The results showed that the rice bran with TO diet increased the number of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing Clostridia and reduced the number of endotoxin-producing Tannerellaceae, which mitigated imbalances in the gut–liver–brain axis. Rice bran supplementation reduced the relative weight of the liver, levels of hepatic triglycerides and total cholesterol; aspartate transaminase and alanine aminotransferase activity; brain levels of proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α; and plasma 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine. This study concludes that rice bran inhibits hepatic fat accumulation, which mitigates peripheral metaflammation and oxidative damage and reduces neuroinflammation in the brain. Full article

Migraine, a prevalent neurological condition and the third most common disease globally, places a significant economic burden on society. Despite extensive research efforts, the precise underlying mechanism of the disease remains incompletely comprehended. Nevertheless, it is established that the activation and sensitization of the trigeminal system are crucial during migraine attacks, and specific substances have been recognized for their distinct involvement in the pathomechanism of migraine. Recently, an expanding body of data indicates that migraine attacks can be prevented and treated through dietary means. It is important to highlight that the various diets available pose risks for patients without professional guidance. This comprehensive overview explores the connection between migraine, the gut microbiome, and gastrointestinal disorders. It provides insight into migraine-triggering foods, and discusses potential diets to help reduce the frequency and severity of migraine attacks. Additionally, it delves into the benefits of using pre- and probiotics as adjunctive therapy in migraine treatment. Full article