Objective To explore the differences in dietary fatty acid intake among patients with obesity, hypertension and hyperlipidemia and to evaluate their dose-response relationships. Methods This case-control study enrolled 6,358 adult participants during 2014~2024 from the Nutrition Health Atlas Project (NHAP). The basic information, physical indicators, health and dietary information of the subjects were collected by the Internet-based Dietary and Lifestyle Questionnaire for Chinese Residents (IDQC). Independent sample t test and Chi-square test were used to compare the differences in dietary fatty acid intake between different disease groups. Multivariate binary logistic regression was used to analyze the associations between the intakes of different types of fatty acids and the prevalences of obesity, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) was used to explore the dose-response relationship. Results Compared with participants in the lowest quintile, both butyric acid and α-linolenic acid were associated with a reduced risk of obesity among participants in the highest quintile, whereas pentadecanoic acid (C15:0) was suggestively linked to an elevated risk of obesity (OR_{butyric acid}=0.602, 95% CI: 0.471~0.767; OR_{α-linolenic acid}=0.777, 95% CI: 0.607~0.993; OR_C15:0=1.767, 95% CI: 1.320~2.367). Arachidonic acid intake was associated with a reduced risk of hypertension (OR =0.481, 95% CI: 0.330~0.697). The results of RCS analysis showed that there was a significant nonlinear relationship between butyrate and obesity (P nonlinear=0.027). There was a significant nonlinear relationship between arachidonic acid and hypertension (P nonlinear=0.042). Conclusion Higher dietary intake of butyric acid and α-linolenic acid are protective for obesity, while higher dietary intake of arachidonic acid is protective for hypertension in a dose-response pattern. Additionally, pentadecanoic acid may increase the risk of obesity.

Objective To investigate the effects of magnesium metabolism-related gene polymorphisms on plasma magnesium status and their interaction with dietary magnesium intake in Chinese adults aged 45 years and above. Methods This study utilized data from the 2015 China Nutrition and Health Surveillance. A total of 2,431 participants aged ≥45 years were selected using stratified random sampling. Genotyping for TRPM6 rs2274924, CNNM2 rs3740393, CLDN9 rs719676, and FXYD2 rs948100 was performed using the SNPscan technique. Plasma magnesium concentration was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Multiple linear regression and logistic regression models were employed to assess the associations between genotypes and plasma magnesium levels as well as the risk of magnesium deficiency, respectively. The interaction between genotypes and dietary magnesium intake status (adequate/inadequate) was tested. All models were adjusted for sex, age, body mass index (BMI), ethnicity, education level, residence (urban/rural), region (east/central/west), and dietary magnesium intake status. Results The median plasma magnesium concentration of the study population was 0.87 mmol/L. The CC genotype of CNNM2 rs3740393 was associated with higher plasma magnesium levels (β=0.019, 95% CI: 0.002-0.036, P=0.028). The CG genotype of FXYD2 rs948100 was associated with a lower risk of magnesium deficiency (OR=0.386, 95% CI: 0.161-0.925, P=0.033). Interaction analysis revealed a significant interaction between TRPM6 rs2274924 and adequate dietary magnesium intake (TT×adequate: β=0.052, 95%CI: 0.024-0.081, P-FDR=0.003; CT × adequate: β=0.039, 95% CI: 0.010-0.069, P-FDR=0.034). Plasma magnesium levels were significantly higher in carriers of the TT and CT genotypes. Conclusion This study confirms in a middle-aged and elderly Chinese population that CNNM2 and FXYD2 gene variants are independent influencing factors for plasma magnesium status, while the TRPM6 gene variant exhibits an interaction with dietary intake.

Objective Based on the Chinese Diet Balance Index (DBI_22), this study comprehensively evaluated the dietary quality of adult residents in Guangdong Province from 2002 to 2022, aiming to identify long-term trends and existing deficiencies, and provide data support and theoretical guidance for implementing targeted nutritional interventions. Methods Data from four rounds of the Guangdong Provincial Nutrition and Health Monitoring Survey (2002-2022) were utilized, focusing on permanent adult residents aged 18 years and older. A multistage stratified cluster sampling approach was employed. Dietary data were collected using a 3-day 24-hour dietary recall method combined with weighing techniques. The DBI_22 was applied to calculate scores for various indicators, including positive-end score (HBS), negative-end score (LBS), and dietary quality distance (DQD). Data were weighted and analyzed using χ², Kruskal-Wallis H, or Jonckheere-Terpstra trend tests, with stratified comparisons by gender and urban/rural residence. Results During the study period, the overall dietary quality of adult residents in Guangdong Province remained persistently in a state of “moderate imbalance” (median DQD scores ranging from 36 to 41 points), characterized by concurrent “moderate deficiencies of intake” and “mild excesses of intake.” Severe deficiencies existed in vegetable/fruit, dairy, and soy product intakes (deficiency rates ranging from 77.23% to 89.46% and 95.61% to 99.07%), with limited improvement over two decades. While grain overconsumption decreased from 43.63% to 28.18%, deficiency rates rose to 17.40%. Animal food consumption patterns underwent significant shifts by transitioning from predominant deficiency (26.07% deficiency rate in 2002) to emerging excess (16.40% excess rate in 2022). Persistent issues include excessive intakes of pure energy foods and condiments and insufficient dietary diversity. Stratified analysis revealed significant urban-rural, gender, and socioeconomic differences in dietary quality. Dietary imbalances were more pronounced among rural residents, males, low-educated individuals, and low-income groups. Imbalances among urban residents, males, and high-income individuals were primarily driven by “excess”, while those among rural residents, females, and low-income individuals stemmed mainly from “insufficiency”. Conclusion Although dietary quality among Guangdong adults has improved over the past two decades, it remains at a moderate level of dietary imbalance. Future efforts should establish a comprehensive intervention system tailored to urban and rural contexts through precise policy measures.

Objective To explore the association between dietary patterns and sarcopenia among community-dwelling elderly in Shanghai and the potential mediating role of inflammation in this association, thereby providing a theoretical basis for the dietary prevention and control of sarcopenia. Methods Using convenience sampling, participants were adults aged 65 years and older who voluntarily participated in sarcopenia screening during the 2023-2024 elderly health examination program in Kangqiao Community Health Center, Shanghai. Demographic information was collected by questionnaires. Dietary intake over the past year was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire covering 19 food groups. Principal component analysis was applied to identify dietary patterns. Factor scores of dietary patterns were divided into quartiles (Q1~Q4). Sarcopenia was diagnosed according to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 (AWGS2019) criteria, including handgrip strength, five-time chair stand test and appendicular skeletal muscle (ASM) mass. Fasting blood samples were collected to measure biochemical and hematological parameters. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the association between dietary patterns and sarcopenia. Mediation analysis was conducted to examine the role of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in the relationship between dietary patterns and sarcopenia risk. Results A total of 5,930 participants were included, with a sarcopenia prevalence of 5.1%, including 2,734 males (46.1%) and 3,196 females (53.9%). The median age was 71 (68, 74) years. Five dietary patterns were identified, including aquatic-processed meat-plant pattern, egg-dairy-fruit pattern, vegetable pattern, meat pattern and refined carbohydrate pattern. The results of binary logistic regression analysis showed that compared with the lowest quartile (Q1) of the egg-dairy-fruit pattern, the highest quartile (Q4) was associated with a reduced risk of sarcopenia (OR=0.54, 95% CI=0.38-0.78). No significant associations were found between the other four dietary patterns and sarcopenia (P>0.05). Mediation analysis indicated that NLR played a significant mediating role in the association between the egg-dairy-fruit pattern and sarcopenia (mediation proportion=5.3%, P<0.001). Conclusion The egg-dairy-fruit pattern is negatively associated with the risk of sarcopenia among community-dwelling older adults. Inflammation may play a partial mediating role in this association.

Objective To investigate the association between daily dietary intake of resveratrol (RES) and sarcopenia in elderly adults. Methods Data were collected from Tianjin Chronic Low-grade Systemic Inflammation and Health (TCLSIH) Cohort study. The diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia were primarily based on the consensus recommended by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia Syndrome (AWGS). RES intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between RES intake and sarcopenia. Results This study included a total of 3643 participants aged 60 and above, including 1640 males and 2003 females. The prevalence of sarcopenia in the general population was 15.0%, including 19.0% in male and 11.8% in female. After adjusting for confounding variables, the OR and 95% CI of prevalence rate of sarcopenia by RES intake groups were 1.00 (reference), 0.81 (0.60, 1.10), 0.79 (0.59, 1.07), and 0.55 (0.40, 0.77) (P for trend <0.001). When stratified by sex, the OR and 95% CI in male were 1.00 (reference), 0.81 (0.53, 1.25), 0.61 (0.40, 0.93), and 0.47 (0.29, 0.76) (P for trend <0.001). The OR and 95% CI in female were 1.00 (reference), 0.88 (0.57, 1.38), 1.15 (0.74, 1.80), and 0.74 (0.46, 1.20) (P for trend = 0.47). Conclusion In the elderly population, dietary intake of RES is negatively associated with sarcopenia. The association is significant in male, but not in female.

Objective To investigate whether eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) improve lipid metabolism in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, by activating the AMPK and STAT3 signaling pathways via myogenic interleukin-6 (IL-6), respectively. Methods 1. C2C12 myotubes were treated with 50, 100, 200, or 400 μmol/L EPA or DHA for 24 h. After intervention, myotubes were co-cultured with mature adipocytes for 24 h. RT-PCR was used to detect mRNA expression of IL-6, ADAM10, ADAM17, and SOCS3 in myotubes. ELISA was performed to measure IL-6 content in the co-culture medium. 2. Myotubes were transfected with IL-6 siRNA, then treated with 200 μmol/L EPA or DHA. Meanwhile, adipocytes were pretreated for 4 h with the AMPK inhibitor dorsomorphin (compound C) or the STAT3 inhibitor FLLL32. The treated myotubes and adipocytes were then co-cultured for 24 h. RT-PCR was used to detect mRNA expression of ATGL, HSL, PGC-1α, and SREBP-1c in adipocytes. Western blot was performed to analyze protein expression of IL-6, AMPK, p-AMPK, STAT3, and p-STAT3 in adipocytes. Results EPA (100, 200, 400 μmol/L) and DHA (200, 400 μmol/L) significantly upregulated IL-6, ADAM10, and ADAM17 expression in myotubes (P<0.01). Only DHA increased SOCS3 mRNA expression (P<0.05). IL-6 secretion was significantly increased by all concentrations except 50 μmol/L DHA (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Myotubes treated with 200 μmol/L EPA or DHA specifically increased the p-STAT3/STAT3 ratio (P<0.05) and p-AMPK/AMPK ratio (P<0.01) in co-cultured adipocytes, respectively. This effect was abolished by IL-6 silencing (P>0.05). EPA-treated myotubes significantly upregulated ATGL, PGC-1α, and SREBP-1c expression in adipocytes (P<0.05 or P<0.01). IL-6 silencing inhibited ATGL upregulation (P<0.01) but did not affect the expression of PGC-1α and SREBP-1c. Inhibition with FLLL32 (alone or combined with IL-6 siRNA) significantly reduced the expression of ATGL, PGC-1α, and SREBP-1c compared to the EPA intervention group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). DHA-treated myotubes significantly upregulated ATGL, HSL, and PGC-1α (P<0.05 or P<0.01) while downregulating SREBP-1c (P<0.01) in adipocytes. Inhibition with compound C (alone or combined with IL-6 siRNA) significantly reduced ATGL, HSL, and PGC-1α expression (P<0.01) but increased SREBP-1c expression compared to the DHA intervention group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion EPA and DHA at appropriate concentrations promote myogenic IL-6 secretion. EPA improves lipid metabolism primarily by activating the STAT3 pathway in adipocytes via IL-6, while DHA exerts its effects on lipid metabolism mainly through the IL-6-mediated AMPK pathway.

Objective To investigate the effects of high-fat diets containing different types of fatty acids on cognitive function in mice via gut microbiota. Methods 3-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned into 9 groups. Except for the control-0 (CON-0) group, all mice underwent 4-week aseptic treatment. Thereafter, the CON-0 and CON-1 groups were intragastrically administered normal saline, while the remaining groups received fecal microbiota from donor mice fed different experimental diets for 10 consecutive weeks. The fecal microbiota transplantation groups included +CON group, +long-chain saturated fatty acid (+LCSFA) (lard-enriched) group, +medium-chain saturated fatty acid (+MCSFA) (coconut oil-enriched) group, +n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (+n-3 PUFA) (linseed oil-enriched) group, +n-6 PUFA group, and +trans fatty acid-enriched (+TFA) soybean oil-enriched group. The learning and memory ability of 21-week-old mice was evaluated by Morris water maze test. Mice aged 23-week were anesthetized and blood samples, distal colon, brain tissue, and visceral fat were collected. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), D-lactate (D-LA), diamine oxidase (DAO), and intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP) were detected by ELISA. HE staining was used for colon tissues. The expression of IL-1β and TGF-β1 in colon tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry. Additionally, fully automated Western blotting was employed to detect the expressions of inflammatory factors including toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4), myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 in brain tissues. Results The adiposity index (AI) of the +MUFA and +TFA groups were higher than that of the CON-0、CON-1 and +LCSFA groups. Compared with the +MCSFA, +n-3 PUFA, and +MUFA groups, escape latency was significantly prolonged in the +LCSFA group on the fourth day of water maze test. Plasma levels of DAO, I-FABP and LPS were elevated in the +LCSFA, +MCSFA, +MUFA and +TFA groups. In the +LCSFA, +MCSFA, +MUFA and +n-6 PUFA groups, colonic crypt structures were altered to varying degrees, accompanied by a reduction in goblet cells, inflammatory cells, as well as epithelial cell necrosis and shedding. In the colon, IL-1β was significantly elevated in the +MCSFA and +n-6 PUFA groups, while it was significantly reduced in the +n-3 PUFA and +TFA groups. TGF-β1 was significantly elevated in the +n-3 PUFA group, while it was significantly reduced in the +LCSFA and +MCSFA groups. In the brain, TLR-4 and p65 expressions were elevated in the +MCSFA, +n-6 PUFA and +MUFA groups, and the p65 expression was elevated in the +TFA group. All of these differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion Gut microbiota modulated by high-fat diets enriched in LCSFA, MCSFA, MUFA, n-6 PUFA and TFA might increase the intestinal barrier permeability, which in turn promotes inflammatory states in the brain, leading to altered cognitive function in mice. Conversely, n-3 PUFAs may exert inhibitory effects on these processes.

Objective To investigate the dynamic changes and significance of thyroid hormones [triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), reverse triiodothyronine (rT3)] in the liver, kidney, and hippocampus of iodine-deficient rats. Methods Thirty-six SD rats were randomly assigned to three intervention time points (4, 8, and 16 weeks). At each time point, two groups (n=6 per group) were established: the adequate iodine (NI) group and the iodine-deficient (ID) group. All rats were fed an iodine-deficient diet (iodine content <50 μg/kg), and iodine intervention was achieved by adjusting the concentration of potassium iodide (KI) in the drinking water. At the end of the intervention, rat liver, kidney, and hippocampal tissues were collected using cryovials. Serum was collected from abdominal aorta blood. Thyroid function was assessed by chemiluminescence immunoassay. Thyroid hormone levels in the liver, kidney, and hippocampus tissues were measured by ELISA, the expression of deiodinase (Dio) expression was analyzed by Western blot. Results Compared with the NI group, the ID group exhibited a compensatory increase in serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) during the middle and late stages (P<0.01), along with a persistent decrease in free thyroxine (FT4) after week 4 feeding (P<0.05). Free triiodothyronine (FT3) levels showed a significant increase at week 8 (P<0.01) followed by a significant decrease at week 16 (P<0.01). Compared with the NI group, the ID group exhibited significantly decreased T3 levels in the liver during the early stage and decreased T4 levels during the late stage. Hepatic Dio1 expression was significantly upregulated after week 8 feeding, while Dio3 expression was continuously inhibited during the early and middle stages (all P < 0.01). In the kidney, T3, T4, and rT3 levels were significantly reduced at week 16 in the ID group (P<0.01). Renal Dio1 expression was elevated at week 8, whereas Dio3 expression was persistently inhibited after week 8 feeding (all P < 0.01). In the hippocampus, T3 and T4 levels were significantly decreased at multiple time points in the ID group (P<0.05). Hippocampal Dio2 expression initially decreased in the early stage and then increased by week 8, while Dio3 expression increased from the early stage to the late stage (all P<0.01). Conclusion Under chronic iodine deficiency, the liver and kidney response by modulating Dio1 and Dio3 expression to promote peripheral T3 secretion for systemic metabolic needs. Conversely, the hippocampus maintains cerebral T3 stability via bidirectional regulation of Dio2 and Dio3 expression, thereby preserving normal neural function.

Objective To investigate the protective effects and mechanism of selenocsteine (Sec) and resveratrol (Res) on ulcerative colitis (UC) in mice. Methods Male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into control group (CON), UC model group (M), Sec intervention group, and Res intervention group, with 8 mice in each group. A 14-day intervention experiment was conducted. The CON group drank distilled water normally, and distilled water was changed every two days. The M group, Sec group and Res group were treated with 2.5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS）for 7 days after normal feeding for 3 days, followed by drinking distilled water for 4 days. At the same time, the Sec group and the Res group were given by gavage with Sec (0.9mg/kg) and Res (100mg/kg) for 14 days from the first day of the experiment, and the other groups were given saline. Finally, the mice were euthanized. The protective effect of Sec and Res on UC was evaluated by analyzing body weight, food intake, colon length, DAI score and histopathological changes. The expression level of p-RET in colon tissue was detected by Western blot, and Pearson correlation analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between the changes of UC parameters and RET phosphorylation after Sec and Res intervention. Results Compared with the CON group, the body weight and colon length of the M group were significantly reduced (P<0.05), the DAI score was significantly increased (P<0.05), and remarkable histopathological damages such as crypt deletion and inflammatory infiltrates were observed, and the level of p-RET protein was significantly reduced (P<0.05). Compared with the M group, the Res group significantly improved the colon length, DAI, and the pathological damage of colon tissue. The histopathological score was reduced and the expression of p-RET protein in the colon tissue was increased (P<0.05). The Sec group had a certain protective effect, but there was no significant difference in some parameters. The results of Pearson correlation analysis showed that colon length was positively correlated with p-RET protein expression, while DAI and histopathology score were negatively correlated with p-RET protein expression. Conclusion Both Res and Sec can improve UC, and Res has a better effect. Its mechanism is related to the upregulation of the phosphorylation level of RET.

Objective To investigate the protective effects of Rhizoma polygonati (RP) on dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC)and the underlying mechanisms. Methods Thirty-six male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divides into six groups (n=6 per group): control group (CON), model group (DSS), 5-aminosalicylic acid group(5-ASA, 400 mg/(kg·d)), low-dose RP group (RP-L, 2 g/(kg·d)), medium-dose RP group (RP-M, 4 g/(kg·d)], and high-dose RP group (RP-H, 8 g/(kg·d)]. Except for the CON, which received normal drinking water, all other groups were given 3.0 % DSS solution ad libitum for 7 days to induce UC. Starting from day 3 of modeling, the 5-ASA and RP groups were administed with 5-ASA or RP for 7 consecutive days. Body weight was recorded daily, and stool consistency and fecal bleeding were assessed to calculate the disease activity index (DAI) score. At the end of the experiment, mice were euthanized, and colon length was measured. Levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL) -6, IL-1β, IL-10, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in colon tissue were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Colon tissue injury was evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Results Compared with the CON group, RP-H treatment significantly reduced the DAI score (P<0.05), alleviated colon shortening (P<0.05), downregulated the expression of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α, upregulated IL-10 expression (P<0.05), and suppressed MPO activity. Histopathological examination revealed that RP-H intervention attenuated inflammatory cell infiltration and promoted goblet cell regeneration in colon tissue. Conclusion RP can effectively reduce colonic tissue injury in DSS-induced UC mice, party through the suppression of inflammatory responses.

Objective To explore the effects of time-restricted feeding (TRF) on glycolipid metabolism in brown adipose tissue (BAT) of mice under continuous light exposure. Methods A total of 132 mice were randomly divided into three groups: a normal light (LD) group, a continuous light (LL) group, and a continuous light plus time-restricted feeding (LL+TRF) group. Each group was further divided into 4 subgroups according to sampling time points (n=11). After 2 weeks of intervention, serum and BAT samples were collected every 6 h starting at 8:00 a.m. on the following day. qPCR was used to detect the mRNA levels of clock genes in BAT within 24 h. Cosine fitting analysis was performed to evaluate the disruption of circadian rhythms in BAT by continuous light and the intervention effect of TRF. Meanwhile, the 24 h expression changes of glycolipid metabolism-related genes in BAT, as well as serum glucose and triglyceride levels, were measured. The protein expression levels of GLUT1 and GLUT4 in BAT were detected by Western blot. Results Compared with the LD group, mice in the LL group showed disrupted feeding rhythms and decreased food intake. The circadian rhythms of multiple core clock genes in BAT were abolished, the expression of glycolipid metabolism-related genes was inhibited, and serum glucose and lipid levels were dysregulated. Compared with the LL group, mice in the LL+TRF group showed downregulated Glut1 expression in BAT and elevated blood glucose levels during the light phase, as well as downregulated Lpl expression in BAT and elevated blood lipid levels during the dark phase. Meanwhile, the expression of key genes involved in de novo lipogenesis in BAT was significantly upregulated in this group. Conclusion Under continuous light exposure, TRF can affect serum glucose and lipid levels by regulating the expression of glycolipid metabolism-related genes in BAT.

The nutritional value of dietary proteins varies significantly due to their differences in amino acid compositions and the digestion and absorption rates. Adequate methods for evaluating protein nutritional quality are crucial for guiding public dietary practices and developing protein resources. This article reviews the historical evolution of the assessment methodologies for protein quality is outlined and the future perspectives are also discussed, aiming to provide a theoretical foundation for the precise evaluation of protein nutritional value and the development of high-quality protein food resources.