Nutrition and Healthy Aging - Volume 4, issue 1

Authors: Fontana, Luigi | Spencer, Jeremy P. E. | Burton-Freeman, Britt

Article Type: Editorial

DOI: 10.3233/NHA-160001

Citation: Nutrition and Healthy Aging, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 1-2, 2016

Authors: Kumar, Manish | Babaei, Parizad | Ji, Boyang | Nielsen, Jens

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: The human gut microbiota alters with the aging process. In the first 2-3 years of life, the gut microbiota varies extensively in composition and metabolic functions. After this period, the gut microbiota demonstrates adult-like more stable and diverse microbial species. However, at old age, deterioration of physiological functions of the human body enforces the decrement in count of beneficial species (e.g. Bifidobacteria ) in the gut microbiota, which promotes various gut-related diseases (e.g. inflammatory bowel disease). Use of plant-based diets and probiotics/prebiotics may elevate the abundance of beneficial species and prevent gut-related diseases. Still, the connections between diet, microbes, and …host are only partially known. To this end, genome-scale metabolic modeling can help to explore these connections as well as to expand the understanding of the metabolic capability of each species in the gut microbiota. This systems biology approach can also predict metabolic variations in the gut microbiota during ageing, and hereby help to design more effective probiotics/prebiotics. Show more

Keywords: Human gut microbiota, aging, diets, probiotics/prebiotics, genome-scale metabolic modeling

DOI: 10.3233/NHA-150002

Citation: Nutrition and Healthy Aging, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 3-16, 2016

Authors: Walsh, Michael E. | Van Remmen, Holly

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Skeletal muscle atrophy during aging, a process known as sarcopenia, is associated with muscle weakness, frailty, and the loss of independence in older adults. The mechanisms contributing to sarcopenia are not totally understood, but muscle fiber loss due to apoptosis, reduced stimulation of anabolic pathways, activation of catabolic pathways, denervation, and altered metabolism have been observed in muscle from old rodents and humans. OBJECTIVE: Recently, histone deacetylases (HDACs) have been implicated in muscle atrophy and dysfunction due to denervation, muscular dystrophy, and disuse, and HDACs play key roles in regulating metabolism in skeletal muscle. In this …review, we will discuss the role of HDACs in muscle atrophy and the potential of HDAC inhibitors for the treatment of sarcopenia. CONCLUSIONS: Several HDAC isoforms are potential targets for intervention in sarcopenia. Inhibition of HDAC1 prevents muscle atrophy due to nutrient deprivation. HDAC3 regulates metabolism in skeletal muscle and may inhibit oxidative metabolism during aging. HDAC4 and HDAC5 have been implicated in muscle atrophy due to denervation, a process implicated in sarcopenia. HDAC inhibitors are already in use in the clinic, and there is promise in targeting HDACs for the treatment of sarcopenia. Show more

Keywords: Aging, sarcopenia, histone deacetylases, epigenetics

DOI: 10.3233/NHA-160005

Citation: Nutrition and Healthy Aging, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 17-30, 2016

Authors: Brewer, Rachel A. | Gibbs, Victoria K. | Smith Jr., Daniel L.

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: Advancing age is the greatest single risk factor for numerous chronic diseases. Thus, the ability to target the aging process can facilitate improved healthspan and potentially lifespan. Lack of adequate glucoregulatory control remains a recurrent theme accompanying aging and chronic disease, while numerous longevity interventions result in maintenance of glucoregulatory control. In this review, we propose targeting glucose metabolism to enhance regulatory control as a means to ameliorate the aging process. We highlight that calorie restriction improves glucoregulatory control and extends both lifespan and healthspan in model organisms, but we also indicate more practical interventions (i.e., calorie restriction mimetics) are …desirable for clinical application in humans. Of the calorie restriction mimetics being investigated, we focus on the type 2 diabetes drug acarbose, an α -glucosidase inhibitor that when taken with a meal, results in reduced enzymatic degradation and absorption of glucose from complex carbohydrates. We discuss alternatives to acarbose that yield similar physiologic effects and describe dietary sources (e.g., sweet potatoes, legumes, and berries) of bioactive compounds with α -glucosidase inhibitory activity. We indicate future research should include exploration of how non-caloric compounds like α -glucosidase inhibitors modify macronutrient metabolism prior to disease onset, which may guide nutritional/lifestyle interventions to support health and reduce age-related disease risk. Show more

Keywords: Glucose, aging, diabetes, disease, glucosidase inhibitor, insulin, calorie restriction

DOI: 10.3233/NHA-160007

Citation: Nutrition and Healthy Aging, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 31-46, 2016

Authors: Roussou, Ilianna G. | Savakis, Charalambos | Tavernarakis, Nektarios | Metaxakis, Athanasios

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND : Statistical analyses in human populations have associated limited food availability during development with increased longevity of next generations. In support, recent findings in Caenorhabditis elegans revealed nutritional effects on transgenerational longevity. OBJECTIVES : In this study we tested the effect of nutrition on longevity of future generations in Drosophila and whether this is sex-specific. METHODS: We reared male larvae and adults of Drosophila under different food conditions and performed lifespan analyses in F2 generation. RESULTS : Grandsons of males which experienced starvation through larval stages were long-lived and grandsons of well …fed larvae were short lived, in two Drosophila strains. In one strain, the nutritional effect on transgenerational longevity was transmitted through male line. Interestingly, we find that dietary restriction in adult males is the main nutritional condition affecting lifespan of grandsons. CONCLUSIONS : Our findings suggest that nutritional regulation of transgenerational longevity is evolutionarily conserved and developmental stage – dependent in Drosophila . Show more

Keywords: Aging, dietary restriction, drosophila, epigenetic regulation, lifespan, longevity, starvation, transgenerational inheritance

DOI: 10.3233/NHA-160012

Citation: Nutrition and Healthy Aging, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 47-54, 2016

Authors: Bowman, Elizabeth | Tatar, Marc

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The ratio of protein to carbohydrate (P:C) consumed influences reproduction and lifespan, outcomes that are often maximized by different P:C intake. OBJECTIVE: Determine if reproduction in female Drosophila drives elevated P:C intake. Distinguish whether such a preference is driven by egg production or from male-derived sex peptides in seminal fluid. METHODS: Intake of protein and carbohydrate was measured in a diet-choice assay. Macronutrient intake was calculated for mated and unmated fertile females, mated and unmated sterile females, and both types of female when mated to wildtype males and to males lacking sex peptide. RESULTS: Mated …females have high P:C intake relative to unmated females and mated, sterile females. Fertile females mated to wildtype males and to males lacking sex peptide have high P:C intake, but sterile females have similar, low P:C intake when unmated and when mated to males lacking sex peptide. CONCLUSIONS: The metabolic demands of egg production and sex peptides are individually sufficient to drive elevated P:C intake in adult female Drosophila. Reproductive state can thus modulate how animals consume macronutrients, which in turn can impact their health and aging. Show more

Keywords: Nutrients, reproduction, sex peptide, Drosophila, aging

DOI: 10.3233/NHA-1613

Citation: Nutrition and Healthy Aging, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 55-61, 2016

Authors: Hoddy, Kristin K. | Bhutani, Surabhi | Phillips, Shane A. | Varady, Krista A.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Obesity can have deleterious effects on insulin sensitivity leading to endothelial dysfunction. Whether alternate day fasting (ADF) can ameliorate insulin sensitivity in a way that improves endothelial function remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: This study examined the impact of ADF on endothelium dependent flow mediated dilation (FMD) in obese subjects with different degrees of insulin resistance. METHODS: Obese non-diabetic adults (n  = 54) participated in an 8-week ADF protocol (25% energy intake “fast day”, alternated with ad libitum intake “feast day”). Subjects were divided into tertiles according to degree of insulin resistance based on HOMA-IR (Homeostatic model assessment-Insulin …resistance): tertile 1 (0.8–2.4), tertile 2 (2.5–3.6), tertile 3 (3.7–12.4). RESULTS: Body weight decreased (P  < 0.001) by 4% in each tertile. Fat mass, lean mass, and visceral fat mass also decreased (P  < 0.001) similarly in each tertile. After 8 weeks of ADF, FMD and adiponectin differed (P  < 0.05) between tertile 1 (3±0%; 26±23%) versus tertile 3 (–3±0%; –13±10%). Changes in leptin did not differ between tertiles (tertile 1: –23±7%; tertile 2: –20±7%; tertile 3: –9±7%). Fasting glucose did not change in any tertile. Fasting insulin and HOMA-IR differed (P  < 0.05) between tertile 1 (10±11%; 11±11%) versus tertile 3 (–27±8%; –30±9%). Plasma lipids, blood pressure and heart rate did not change in any tertile. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that ADF may be effective for decreasing insulin resistance in insulin resistant subjects, but these changes have no effect on endothelial function. Show more

Keywords: Alternate day fasting, insulin resistance, endothelial function, adipokines, weight loss, coronary heart disease

DOI: 10.3233/NHA-1611

Citation: Nutrition and Healthy Aging, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 63-71, 2016

Authors: Notarnicola, Maria | Tutino, Valeria | Tafaro, Angela | Bianco, Giusy | Guglielmi, Emilia | Caruso, Maria Gabriella

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Cannabinoid- 2 (CB2) receptor is known for its anti-obesity effects silencing the activated immune cells that are key drivers of metabolic syndrome and inflammation. Nutritional interventions in experimental models of carcinogenesis have been demonstrated to modulate tissue inflammation state and proliferation. OBJECTIVE: Aim of this study was to test, in ApcMin/+ mice, whether a diet enriched with olive oil, omega- 3 and omega-6- PUFAs affects the adipose tissue inflammation status. METHODS: Four groups of animal were studied: ST group, receiving a standard diet; OO group, receiving the standard diet in which soybean oil …(source of fats) was replaced with olive oil; OM-3 group, receiving the standard diet in which soybean oil was replaced with salmon oil; OM-6 group, receiving the standard diet in which soybean oil was replaced with oenothera oil. Gene and protein expression, in adipose tissue, were evaluated by RT-PCR and Western Blotting, respectively. Enzymatic activities were assayed by fluorescent and radiometric method, where appropriated. RESULTS: The diet enriched with olive oil significantly induced CB2 receptor expression and it was able to control inflammatory and proliferative activity of mice adipose tissue. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings open opportunities for developing novel nutritional strategies considering olive oil a key ingredient of a healthy dietary pattern. Show more

Keywords: Olive oil, cannabinoid receptor, adipose tissue, polyunsatured fatty acids, inflammation

DOI: 10.3233/NHA-160008

Citation: Nutrition and Healthy Aging, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 73-80, 2016

Authors: Neshatdoust, Sara | Saunders, Caroline | Castle, Sophie M. | Vauzour, David | Williams, Claire | Butler, Laurie | Lovegrove, Julie A. | Spencer, Jeremy P. E.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Recent clinical studies have indicated the beneficial impact of dietary flavonoid intake on human cognitive performance. Although the mechanisms that mediate such improvements are currently unclear, animal and human trial data suggest that changes in neurotrophin expression, and related signalling apparatus, may be involved. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the link between changes in serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and changes in human cognitive performance following flavonoid intake. METHODS: The relationship between serum levels of BDNF and age, gender, BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure and cognition at baseline, and following flavonoid intake, was investigated in two …distinct randomised, controlled clinical trials. Trial 1 was conducted in men and women (aged 26–70 y; consuming an average of 3 portions of fruit and vegetables per day) and delivered high-flavonoid (>15 mg/100 g) or low-flavonoid (<5 mg/100 g) fruit and vegetables and increased intake by 2 portions every 6 weeks. The control arm was habitual diet over the same time frame. Trial 2 was conducted in an older males and female cohort (aged 62–75 y) intervening with a high-flavanol cocoa drink (494 mg total flavanols) and a low-flavanol cocoa drink (23 mg total flavanols) for 12 weeks. RESULTS: Serum BDNF levels increased linearly to the age of 65, after which BDNF levels were found to decrease markedly. All other physiological and anthropometric measurements proved to not be significantly associated with serum BDNF levels (p  > 0.05), although higher levels in males compared to females almost achieved significance (p  = 0.056). At baseline, higher serum BDNF levels were associated with significantly better global cognition scores, relative to individuals with lower serum levels. In addition, following intervention for 18 weeks, high-flavonoid, but not low-flavonoid, fruit and vegetable intake induced significant improvements in cognitive performance and increases in serum BDNF levels (p  = <0.001). Flavanol intervention for 12 weeks also resulted in significant increases in serum BDNF (p  = <0.001), and such increases were correlated with improvements in global cognitive performance. CONCLUSION: Increases in global cognition induced by high flavonoid fruit and vegetables, and cocoa flavanols were paralleled by concurrent changes in serum BDNF levels, suggesting a role for BDNF in flavonoid-induced cognitive improvements. Furthermore, we provide further data suggesting that serum BDNF levels may represent a biomarker of cognitive function. Show more

Keywords: Cocoa flavanols, intra-individual variability, inter-individual variability, absorption, metabolism

DOI: 10.3233/NHA-1615

Citation: Nutrition and Healthy Aging, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 81-93, 2016

Authors: List, Edward O. | Jensen, Elizabeth | Kowalski, Jesse | Buchman, Mathew | Berryman, Darlene E. | Kopchick, John J.

Article Type: Short Communication

Abstract: Previously, our laboratory reported that weight-cycled mice outlive their obese counterparts. To gain a better mechanistic understanding of these results, we evaluated cellular senescence in white adipose tissue (WAT) of lean, obese, and weight cycled mice. Our results show that at the end of a 28 day weight loss cycle cellular senescence is significantly reduced in multiple WAT depots compared to obese mice, which also corresponds to a reduction in circulating activin A (a marker of senescence). These findings suggest that a previously undescribed benefit to weight loss may be a reduction of cellular senescence in WAT.

Keywords: White adipose tissue, cellular senescence, obesity, weight loss, weight cycling, yo-yo diet, activin A

DOI: 10.3233/NHA-1614

Citation: Nutrition and Healthy Aging, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 95-99, 2016