Search

There are studies on the effect of general nutrition education on diet quality and anthropometric measurements, while studies showing the effectiveness of sustainable nutrition education, which also addresses the effect of food on the environment, are quite limited. This study aimed to investigate the effects of sustainable nutrition education on diet quality, anthropometric measurements, and the carbon footprint (CFP) and water footprint (WFP) of diet. A total of 160 university students received 1 h of sustainable nutrition education for 6 weeks. Before, at the end of, and 2 months after the courses, 24 h food consumption records were taken to assess diet quality and CFP and WFP values of diet, and Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) and Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2020 scores were evaluated. The results of the study showed that sustainable nutrition education increased MedDiet score by 1.86 points and HEI-2020 score by 7.38 points. This education program also decreased body weight, body mass index (BMI), fat mass, and neck circumference. Sustainability education has a positive impact on calcium, potassium, and magnesium intakes, a negative impact on vitamin B12 and zinc intakes, and no effect on total protein intake. Education resulted in a 22% reduction in CFP and a 10% reduction in WFP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to establish an in vitro model of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) to investigate the neuroprotective activities of allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) and sulforaphane (SFN). Materials and Methods: Human neuroblastoma cell lines (SKNAS) were used for the in vitro model of AD after amyloid-β25−35 (Aβ25–35) treatment. Cytotoxicity analysis was performed using the (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay. Indirect immunocytochemical methods were used to assess the tau protein, alpha-synuclein (α-synuclein), and β-amyloid distribution in the in vitro model of AD and SKNAS cells. Results: An in vitro AD model was induced by treatment of SKNAS cells with 1 µM of Aβ25–35 for 48 h. AITC and SFN were applied for 48 h, and the optimal concentrations were determined as 50 µM AITC and 15 µM SFN. Reduced tau immunoreactivity was shown after AITC and SFN administration in SKNAS cells and in vitro models, demonstrating that AITC and SFN prevented amyloid plaque production in the in vitro AD model control group by reducing the β-amyloid level, α-synuclein levels were similar in control and in vitro AD model cells. Reduced α-synuclein levels were observed after SFN treatment in the AD model cells and AITC treatment in the control cells. Conclusion: It could be concluded that AITC and SFN are potential components as neuroprotective agents against AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Academic Food Journal / Akademik GIDA is the property of Sidas Medya Ajans Tanitim Danismanlik Ltd. Sti and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Hesperidin and naringin are flavonoids that are found in citrus fruits. Our aim was to create an in vitro model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of hesperidin and naringin in SK-N-AS and AD model cells. Aβ25-35 was used to create an AD model in SK-N-AS cells. The cytotoxicity of hesperidin and naringin was evaluated using MTT. β-amyloid, tau and α-synuclein distributions were analyzed using indirect immunoperoxidase staining to investigate the neuroprotective effects of hesperidin and naringin. The AD model was created by 1 µM of Aβ25-35 for 48 hours after ThT staining. The intensity of β-amyloid was reduced through both hesperidin and naringin treatment in AD model cells. Both flavonoids significantly decreased the intensity of α-synuclein in SK-N-AS and AD model cells. Hesperidin and naringin can be potentially used as neuroprotective agents. Naringin may be more effective than hesperidin in the accumulation of β-amyloid and tau proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to establish an in vitro Parkinson's disease (PD) model and to investigate the cell viability, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and neuroprotective effects of catechin and EGCG in SK-N-AS and in vitro PD model cells. SK-N-AS human neuroblastoma cells were used. To develop an in vitro PD model, SK-N-AS cells were exposed to 6-hydroxydopamine. Model control was performed after ELISA analysis of dopamine and α-synuclein levels in the culture medium. Catechin and EGCG were administered to SK-N-AS and in vitro PD model cells. Cell viability was measured using MTT assay and trypan blue staining. Anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic activities of catechin and EGCG were investigated by indirect immunocytochemistry using anti-TNF-α, anti-IL-1β and anti-caspase-3. After 24 hours of 6-hydroxydopamine administration at 50 μM, higher αlfa-synuclein and lower dopamine levels were found in PD model than SK-N-AS cells. Cell viability was similar between SK-N-AS and in vitro PD model cells. Treatment with both bioactive components increased cell viability of in vitro PD model cells. Caspase-3 immunoreactivity was significantly reduced in SK-N-AS and PD model cells after EGCG administration, while it was decreased only in PD model cells after catechin administration. IL-1β staining intensity weakened after catechin administration in PD model cells, after EGCG administration in SK-N-AS cells. TNF-α staining intensity was similar in both cells. Catechin and EGCG increased cell viability in PD model neuron cells. Both components showed anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects. Catechin may be more effective in preventing damage to neurons PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resveratrol and quercetin are phytochemicals that are found in a variety of plants. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of resveratrol and quercetin on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of CD133+ and CD133− pancreatic cancer cells. Cancer stem cells (CD133+ cells) were obtained from the PANC-1 cells by the MiniMACS system. CD133+ and CD133− PANC-1 cells were treated with different concentrations (5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 µM) of resveratrol and quercetin. Cell growth and cytotoxicity were evaluated by MTT assay. Anticancer and anti-metastatic properties of resveratrol and quercetin were determined by immunocytochemistry using antibodies (ACTA-2, IL-1β, N-cadherin, TNF-α, and vimentin). The immunostaining intensity of CD133+ cells was stronger than CD133− cells. ACTA-2, IL-1β, and N-cadherin immunoreactivities were significantly decreased, whereas TNF-α and vimentin immunoreactivities significantly increased in quercetin-treated CD133+ cells. Moreover, N-cadherin and TNF-α immunoreactivities significantly decreased in resveratrol-treated CD133+ cells. The reduction in N-cadherin and ACTA-2 immunoreactivities was higher than the increase in vimentin immunoreactivity, quercetin could prevent EMT to a greater extent than resveratrol in pancreatic cancer stem cells because of the reduced expression of N-cadherin. Quercetin could be more effective in inhibiting metastasis compared to resveratrol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cynarin (CYN) is the main derivative of caffeoylquinic acid, found in leaves and heads of artichoke. It may have hepatoprotective, antiatherosclerotic, antioxidative, choleretic, and cholesterol-lowering effects. We tested the effects of various doses of CYN on the proliferative potential, survival, morphology, and stress response (SR) markers heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and heat shock protein-70 (HSP70) in normal human skin fibroblasts (FSF-1), telomerase-immortalized mesenchymal stem cells (hTERT-MSC), and cervical cancer cells (HeLa). The effects of CYN on cell proliferation and morphology were dose- and cell type-dependent, with 500 µM CYN as the upper limit for all cell types. While the growth and proliferation of cells decreased after exposure to 75 µM CYN for 3 days, overall survival of FSF-1 and hTERT-MSC was higher than that of HeLa cells. Furthermore, CYN induced the oxidative SR marker HO-1 in both fibroblasts and stem cells in a biphasic manner. A slight induction of HSP70 was observed only in the stem cells. Thus, CYN may be useful for protection against the growth and survival of potentially cancerous cells and may promote longevity of normal cells by inducing SR proteins. Further advanced research related to CYN and artichoke is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences is the property of Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Vitamin C levels of commercially frozen okra, potatoes, green beans, broccoli, spinach and peas, including the impact of processing and storage, were studied. Depending on the vegetable type, prefreezing operations caused a 19.1–51.5% decrease in the initial vitamin C levels. The freezing process alone did not influence the vitamin levels except in the cases of green beans and spinach. Total losses (%) were between 27.6 and 57.9 for the vegetables at the end of commercial frozen storage (6 months). All the data obtained from this study confirmed that, depending on the vegetable type, prefreezing operations have a major impact on the vitamin C contents and this influence persists in the frozen storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The determination of level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) in young adults has been investigated in countries situated near the Mediterranean region generally. The main purpose of this study were to determine differences in body composition by gender and level of adherence to the MD and to determine the relationship between body composition and level of adherence to the MD in Nutrition and Dietetics students at Near East University in Cyprus. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 126 Nutrition and Dietetics students, aged 18 to 32 years. MDS was calculated, and then classified into three groups: good (36–55 points), moderate (21–35 points), and poor (0–20 points). Body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance (BIA). Anthropometrical measurements; height (H), body weight (BW), waist circumference (WC) and hip circumference (HC) were assessed according to standardized procedures and physical activity (PA) was assessed by using International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-short form). The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee at Near East University. Results: According to study results 31.0% of students were found out to low adherence, while 69.0% of students had moderate adherence to the MD. There is no student had high adherence to the MD. There was no significant difference (p = 0.877) between the male and female students in terms of adherence to Mediterranean diet. The findings indicate that the eating habits of the Nutrition and Dietetics students, even those studying nutrition, are in need of improvement. The results show that 78.6% of students were normal and 21.4% of students were overweight and obese. Male students' BW (p = 0.000), WC (p = 0.000) and HC (p = 0.015) were higher than females', while female students' fat mass (FM) (p = 0.000) was higher than males'. However, there is no significant difference between BW (p = 0.724), FM (p = 0.896), BMI (p = 0.691), WC (p = 0.632) and HC (p = 0.982) neither low adherence nor moderate adherence to the MD. Most of students minimal active according to IPAQ scores (41.2%) and there is no significant difference IPAQ score and adherence to the MD (p = 0.923). Discussion: One of the healthiest diets worldwide is the traditional MD. Several studies have shown, that higher adherence to the MD is inversely related with BMI, waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-height ratio (WHR). Little is known of how adherence to the MD is related to body composition, especially in university students. Further large-scale studies are required to clarify the relationship between adherence to the MD and body composition [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The determination of level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) in young adults has been investigated in countries situated near the Mediterranean region generally. The main purpose of this study were to determine differences in body composition by gender and level of adherence to the MD and to determine the relationship between body composition and level of adherence to the MD in Nutrition and Dietetics students at Near East University in Cyprus. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 126 Nutrition and Dietetics students, aged 18 to 32 years. MDS was calculated, and then classified into three groups: good (36–55 points), moderate (21–35 points), and poor (0–20 points). Body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance (BIA). Anthropometrical measurements; height (H), body weight (BW), waist circumference (WC) and hip circumference (HC) were assessed according to standardized procedures and physical activity (PA) was assessed by using International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-short form). The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee at Near East University. Results: According to study results 31.0% of students were found out to low adherence, while 69.0% of students had moderate adherence to the MD. There is no student had high adherence to the MD. There was no significant difference (p = 0.877) between the male and female students in terms of adherence to Mediterranean diet. The findings indicate that the eating habits of the Nutrition and Dietetics students, even those studying nutrition, are in need of improvement. The results show that 78.6% of students were normal and 21.4% of students were overweight and obese. Male students' BW (p = 0.000), WC (p = 0.000) and HC (p = 0.015) were higher than females', while female students' fat mass (FM) (p = 0.000) was higher than males'. However, there is no significant difference between BW (p = 0.724), FM (p = 0.896), BMI (p = 0.691), WC (p = 0.632) and HC (p = 0.982) neither low adherence nor moderate adherence to the MD. Most of students minimal active according to IPAQ scores (41.2%) and there is no significant difference IPAQ score and adherence to the MD (p = 0.923). Discussion: One of the healthiest diets worldwide is the traditional MD. Several studies have shown, that higher adherence to the MD is inversely related with BMI, waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-height ratio (WHR). Little is known of how adherence to the MD is related to body composition, especially in university students. Further large-scale studies are required to clarify the relationship between adherence to the MD and body composition [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]