scholarly journals The Effect of A 4-Week Vegan Diet on Adipokine Levels in Healthy Male and Female Participants: A Randomized-Controlled Trial

Author(s):  
Ann-Kathrin Lederer ◽  
Manuel Hettich ◽  
Roman Huber ◽  
Luciana Hannibal ◽  
Elena Neumann

Abstract Background Vegan diet (VD) is reported to show beneficial health effects including cardiovascular and anti-inflammatory protection, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We hypothesized that adipokines, a special type of cytokine produced by the white adipose tissue with known effects on metabolism and the immune system, may contribute to the observed anti-inflammatory effects of VD. Methods A parallel group interventional trial was designed to evaluate the effect of VD compared to meat-rich diet (MD) on serum levels of two central adipokines, leptin and adiponectin. Fifty-three healthy, omnivore participants (62% female, average age 31 years and BMI 23.1 kg/m2) were randomly assigned to VD or MD for 4 weeks. Results End value comparison between VD group and MD group showed a significantly lower level of adiponectin in the MD group (11.6 vs. 15.5 µg/mL, p = 0.025) indicating a moderate effect size (Cohen’s d = 0.524). Participants’ sex affected adipokine levels requiring a separate analysis of male and female participants. Leptin was increased by MD only in male participants (p = 0.019) whereas adiponectin remained stable. Female participants in VD group showed higher adiponectin levels at the end of trial (compared to VD-baseline, p = 0.023, as well as compared to MD group, p = 0.015). The end concentration of adiponectin depended on diet in female participants (p = 0.010). Conclusion The results of our trial suggest that plasma concentration of leptin and adiponectin do not explain the immunomodulatory potential of VD in healthy participants, but it appears that diet modifies adipokine levels in a sex-specific manner.Trial registration: German Clinical Trial register (DRKS00011963), registered 30 March 2017, https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00011963.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jung-Kyu Lee ◽  
Bumjo Oh ◽  
Seo-Young Yoon ◽  
Tae Yun Park ◽  
Eun Young Heo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background HX110-A and HX110-B are compound extracts based on radix adenophorae and rhizoma dioscoreae, respectively, which have anti-inflammatory activity. There are limited data on whether they may help improve respiratory conditions including lung function. Therefore, in this trial, we will evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the use of HX110-A and HX110-B for the treatment of respiratory health in adults with mild respiratory symptoms. Methods/design This will be an 8-week, randomized, double-blind, parallel group, placebo-controlled trial with three arms. Adults more than 40 years old with persistent respiratory symptoms will be enrolled. Patients with definite respiratory disease or with a history of recent intake of antioxidants or anti-inflammatory agents will be excluded. Study subjects will be assigned at a 1:1:1 ratio into the following three arms: controls, experimental group 1 (HX110-A), and experimental group 2 (HX110-B). Control or experimental foods will be administered for 8 weeks, and follow-up will be up to 12 weeks. The primary outcome will be total antioxidant capacity. Secondary outcomes will be inflammatory indexes, respiratory symptoms, lung function, quality of life, and fatigue level. Safety outcomes will be assessed by monitoring adverse events and vital signs, and through clinical pathology tests. Conclusion We hope that this trial will reveal the effectiveness and safety of HX110-A and/or HX110-B for medical purposes in adults with respiratory symptoms. The results should clarify if active intake of specific foods with these functional compounds may promote respiratory health in adults without definite respiratory disease.


Reproduction ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 158 (4) ◽  
pp. 323-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebekka Einenkel ◽  
Katrin Regina Helene Packhäuser ◽  
Jens Ehrhardt ◽  
Anne Tüngler ◽  
Marek Zygmunt ◽  
...  

Alterations in the immunologic balance during pregnancy have been associated with poor pregnancy outcomes. The underlying mechanisms are complex and mouse models delivered valuable information on inflammatory imbalance in disturbed pregnancies and served as model to test potential anti-inflammatory therapies. CD83 is a transmembrane protein (mCD83) with a soluble form (sCD83) which possesses strong anti-inflammatory properties. During murine pregnancy, upregulated mCD83 expression induces sCD83 release after in vitro stimulation with LPS, phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and ionomycin. The release mechanism of sCD83 and its control are yet to be elucidated. In this study, the expression of mCD83 and sCD83 has been extensively studied in the CBA/J × DBA/2J mouse model of pro-inflammatory-mediated pregnancy disturbances. mCD83 was higher expressed on splenic B cells, uterus-draining lymph nodes T cells and dendritic cells from mice with poor pregnancy outcome (PPOM) compared to mice with good pregnancy outcome (GPOM). PPOM, however, was accompanied by lower sCD83 serum levels. In vitro treatment of splenic B cells with progesterone led to a reduction of TIMP1 expression, mCD83 expression and sCD83 release, while TIMP1 treatment had a positive effect on sCD83 availability. These results suggest that tissue and matrix components are involved in the regulation of CD83 in murine pro-inflammatory pregnancies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhitao Gong ◽  
Daqiang Zhan ◽  
Meng Nie ◽  
Xiaochun Li ◽  
Chuang Gao ◽  
...  

Abstract Background We have recently showed that atorvastatin (ATO) combined with low dose of dexamethasone (DEX) was more efficacious in treating patients with chronic subdural haematoma (CSDH) than ATO monotherapy. This study was designed to investigate the underlying mechanisms of the improved efficacy of this combined therapy. Methods Mass spectrometry was performed to quantitatively detect drugs in haematoma fluids and serum samples from CSDH patients and also in cultured macrophages after treatment with either ATO alone or in combination with DEX. The differentiation and apoptosis of macrophages were evaluated using flow cytometry. The expression of cytokines, chemokines and angiogenesis-related proteins was evaluated using proteome profile arrays, immunoblots and ELISA, respectively. Results ATO was detected in haematoma fluids and serum samples, whose levels were increased significantly in samples collected from patients treated with both ATO and DEX. ATO was also increased in cultured macrophages treated with ATO and DEX. The numbers of M1-polarized macrophages were higher than the M2 phenotype in the haematoma fluids of patients. Cultured macrophages treated with ATO and DEX had reduced numbers of M1-polarized macrophages, increased numbers of M2-polarized macrophages as compared to monotherapies, and decreased rate of apoptosis induced by high-dose DEX. DEX enhanced the anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic activity of ATO by suppressing VEGFA and other inflammatory angiogenic factors. Consistent with the finding, patients responded well to the drug treatments had lower serum levels of VEGFA. Conclusions We have shown for the first time that ATO given orally was detected in CSDH haematoma fluids. DEX enhances the anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic effects of ATO, primarily by increasing the presence of ATO in haematoma and macrophages and by regulating the functions of macrophages.


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 837-854 ◽  
Author(s):  
Effimia Zacharia ◽  
Nikolaos Papageorgiou ◽  
Adam Ioannou ◽  
Gerasimos Siasos ◽  
Spyridon Papaioannou ◽  
...  

During the last few years, a significant number of studies have attempted to clarify the underlying mechanisms that lead to the presentation of atrial fibrillation (AF). Inflammation is a key component of the pathophysiological processes that lead to the development of AF; the amplification of inflammatory pathways triggers AF, and, in tandem, AF increases the inflammatory state. Indeed, the plasma levels of several inflammatory biomarkers are elevated in patients with AF. In addition, the levels of specific inflammatory biomarkers may provide information regarding to the AF duration. Several small studies have assessed the role of anti-inflammatory treatment in atrial fibrillation but the results have been contradictory. Large-scale studies are needed to evaluate the role of inflammation in AF and whether anti-inflammatory medications should be routinely administered to patients with AF.


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