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  1. Fulltext Vitamins D and E Stimulate the PI3K-AKT Signalling Pathway in Insulin-Resistant SK-N-SH Neuronal Cells
    Zaulkffali AS, Md Razip NN, Syed Alwi SS, Abd Jalil A, Abd Mutalib MS, Gopalsamy B, et al.
    Nutrients, 2019 Oct 19;11(10).
    PMID: 31635074 DOI: 10.3390/nu11102525
    This study investigated the effects of vitamins D and E on an insulin-resistant model and hypothesized that this treatment would reverse the effects of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and improves insulin signalling. An insulin-resistant model was induced in SK-N-SH neuronal cells with a treatment of 250 nM insulin and re-challenged with 100 nM at two different incubation time (16 h and 24 h). The effects of vitamin D (10 and 20 ng/mL), vitamin E in the form of tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) (200 ng/mL) and the combination of vitamins D and E on insulin signalling markers (IR, PI3K, GLUT3, GLUT4, and p-AKT), glucose uptake and AD markers (GSK3β and TAU) were determined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results demonstrated an improvement of the insulin signalling pathway upon treatment with vitamin D alone, with significant increases in IR, PI3K, GLUT3, GLUT4 expression levels, as well as AKT phosphorylation and glucose uptake, while GSK3β and TAU expression levels was decreased significantly. On the contrary, vitamin E alone, increased p-AKT, reduced the ROS as well as GSK3β and TAU but had no effect on the insulin signalling expression levels. The combination of vitamins D and E only showed significant increase in GLUT4, p-AKT, reduced ROS as well as GSK3β and TAU. Thus, the universal role of vitamin D, E alone and in combinations could be the potential nutritional agents in restoring the sensitivity of neuronal cells towards insulin and delaying the pathophysiological progression of AD.
  2. Fulltext Vitamin Status among Breastfed Infants in Bhaktapur, Nepal
    Ulak M, Chandyo RK, Thorne-Lyman AL, Henjum S, Ueland PM, Midttun Ø, et al.
    Nutrients, 2016 Mar 08;8(3):149.
    PMID: 27005657 DOI: 10.3390/nu8030149
    Vitamin deficiencies are known to be common among infants residing in low- and middle-income countries but relatively few studies have assessed several biochemical parameters simultaneously. The objective of the study was to describe the status of vitamins (A, D, E, B₆, B12 and folate) in breastfed infants. We measured the plasma concentrations of trans retinol, 25 hydroxy vitamin D, α-tocopherol, pyridoxal 5'-phosphate, cobalamin, folate, methylmalonic acid, homocysteine, hemoglobin and C-reactive protein from 467 randomly selected infants. One in five (22%) was deficient in at least one vitamin. Mean (SD) plasma folate concentration was 73 (35) nmol/L, and no infant in the sample was folate deficient. Vitamin B₆ deficiency and vitamin B12 deficiency was found in 22% and 17% of the infants, respectively. Elevated plasma methylmalonic acid or total homocysteine concentration was found in 82% and 62% of infants, respectively. Fifteen percent of infants were vitamin A deficient and 65% were marginally deficient in vitamin A. Fewer than 5% of infants had low plasma vitamin D concentration or vitamin E concentration (α-tocopherol <9.3 µmol/L). Our results illustrate the importance of continued supplementation campaigns and support the expansion of food fortification and dietary diversification programs that target children and women in Nepal.
  3. Fulltext Vitamin E Levels in Ethnic Communities in Malaysia and Its Relation to Glucose Tolerance, Insulin Resistance and Advanced Glycation End Products: A Cross-Sectional Study
    Chua GHI, Phang SCW, Wong YO, Ho LS, Palanisamy UD, Abdul Kadir K
    Nutrients, 2020 Nov 27;12(12).
    PMID: 33261162 DOI: 10.3390/nu12123659
    Malaysian national morbidity surveys on diabetic prevalence have shown ethnical variation among prediabetic and diabetic populations. In our attempt to understand this variation, we studied the α-tocopherol, insulin resistance, β-cell function and receptor of advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) levels, as risk factors of type 2 diabetes, among the different ethnicities. In total, 299 subjects of Malay, Chinese, Indian and aboriginal Orang Asli (OA) heritage were recruited from urban and rural areas of Malaysia by stratified random sampling. Serum α-tocopherol concentrations were measured using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and insulin concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In subjects with pre-diabetes, OAs had the highest α-tocopherol level, followed by Chinese and Malays (0.8938, 0.8564 and 0.6948 respectively; p < 0.05). In diabetic subjects, Malays had significantly higher RAGE levels compared to Chinese and Indians (5579.31, 3473.40 and 3279.52 pg/mL respectively, p = 0.001). Low α-tocopherol level (OR = 3.021, p < 0.05) and high insulin resistance (OR = 2.423, p < 0.05) were linked strongly to the development of pre-diabetes. Low β-cell function (OR = 5.657, p < 0.001) and high RAGE level (OR = 3.244, p < 0.05) were linked strongly to the development of diabetes from pre-diabetes. These factors might be involved in the development of diabetes, along with genetic and environmental factors.
  4. Fulltext Vitamin D status in Malaysian men and its associated factors
    Chin KY, Ima-Nirwana S, Ibrahim S, Mohamed IN, Wan Ngah WZ
    Nutrients, 2014 Nov 26;6(12):5419-33.
    PMID: 25431881 DOI: 10.3390/nu6125419
    Vitamin D insufficiency is a global health problem. The data on vitamin D status in Malaysian men is insufficient. This study aimed to investigate vitamin D status among Chinese and Malay men in Malaysia and its associating factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 383 men aged 20 years and above, residing in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Their age, ethnicity, body anthropometry and calcaneal speed of sound (SOS) were recorded. Their fasting blood was collected for serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), intact parathyroid (PTH), total calcium and inorganic phosphate assays. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as a serum 25(OH)D level <30 nmol/L and insufficiency as a serum 25(OH)D level between 30 and 50 nmol/L. The overall prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 0.5%, and insufficiency was 22.7%. Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were more prevalent in the Malays compared to the Chinese. Being Chinese, older in age, having lower body mass index (BMI) and a high physical activity status were associated significantly with a higher serum 25(OH)D level (p < 0.05). The serum PTH level was inversely associated with the serum 25(OH)D level (p < 0.05). As a conclusion, a significant proportion of Malaysian men have vitamin D insufficiency, although deficiency is uncommon. Steps should be taken to correct the vitamin D status of these men.
  5. Vitamin D and Calcium Intakes, Physical Activity, and Calcaneus BMC among School-Going 13-Year Old Malaysian Adolescents
    Suriawati AA, Majid HA, Al-Sadat N, Mohamed MN, Jalaludin MY
    Nutrients, 2016 Oct 24;8(10).
    PMID: 27783041
    BACKGROUND: Dietary calcium and vitamin D are essential for bone development. Apart from diet, physical activity may potentially improve and sustain bone health.

    OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the dietary intake of calcium and vitamin D, physical activity, and bone mineral content (BMC) in 13-year-old Malaysian adolescents.

    DESIGN: Cross-sectional.

    SETTING: Selected public secondary schools from the central and northern regions of Peninsular Malaysia.

    PARTICIPANTS: The subjects were from the Malaysian Health and Adolescents Longitudinal Research Team Cohort study (MyHeARTs).

    METHODS: The data included seven-day diet histories, anthropometric measurements, and the BMC of calcaneal bone using a portable broadband ultrasound bone densitometer. Nutritionist Pro software was used to calculate the dietary calcium and vitamin D intakes from the diet histories, based on the Nutrient Composition of Malaysian Food Database guidance for the dietary calcium intake and the Singapore Energy and Nutrient Composition of Food Database for vitamin D intake.

    RESULTS: A total of 289 adolescents (65.7% females) were recruited. The average dietary intakes of calcium and vitamin D were 377 ± 12 mg/day and 2.51 ± 0.12 µg/day, respectively, with the majority of subjects failing to meet the Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNI) of Malaysia for dietary calcium and vitamin D. All the subjects had a normal Z-score for the BMC (-2.00 or higher) with a mean of 0.55 ± 0.01. From the statistical analysis of the factors contributing to BMC, it was found that for those subjects with a higher intake of vitamin D, a higher combination of the intake of vitamin D and calcium resulted in significantly higher BMC quartiles. The regression analysis showed that the BMC might have been influenced by the vitamin D intake.

    CONCLUSIONS: A combination of the intake of vitamin D and calcium is positively associated with the BMC.

  6. Fulltext Urine Untargeted Metabolomic Profiling Is Associated with the Dietary Pattern of Successful Aging among Malaysian Elderly
    Nik Mohd Fakhruddin NNI, Shahar S, Ismail IS, Ahmad Azam A, Rajab NF
    Nutrients, 2020 Sep 23;12(10).
    PMID: 32977370 DOI: 10.3390/nu12102900
    Food intake biomarkers (FIBs) can reflect the intake of specific foods or dietary patterns (DP). DP for successful aging (SA) has been widely studied. However, the relationship between SA and DP characterized by FIBs still needs further exploration as the candidate markers are scarce. Thus, 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR)-based urine metabolomics profiling was conducted to identify potential metabolites which can act as specific markers representing DP for SA. Urine sample of nine subjects from each three aging groups, SA, usual aging (UA), and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), were analyzed using the 1H-NMR metabolomic approach. Principal components analysis (PCA) and partial least-squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) were applied. The association between SA urinary metabolites and its DP was assessed using the Pearson's correlation analysis. The urine of SA subjects was characterized by the greater excretion of citrate, taurine, hypotaurine, serotonin, and melatonin as compared to UA and MCI. These urinary metabolites were associated with alteration in "taurine and hypotaurine metabolism" and "tryptophan metabolism" in SA elderly. Urinary serotonin (r = 0.48, p < 0.05) and melatonin (r = 0.47, p < 0.05) were associated with oat intake. These findings demonstrate that a metabolomic approach may be useful for correlating DP with SA urinary metabolites and for further understanding of SA development.
  7. Fulltext Understanding Development of Malnutrition in Hemodialysis Patients: A Narrative Review
    Sahathevan S, Khor BH, Ng HM, Gafor AHA, Mat Daud ZA, Mafra D, et al.
    Nutrients, 2020 Oct 15;12(10).
    PMID: 33076282 DOI: 10.3390/nu12103147
    Hemodialysis (HD) majorly represents the global treatment option for patients with chronic kidney disease stage 5, and, despite advances in dialysis technology, these patients face a high risk of morbidity and mortality from malnutrition. We aimed to provide a novel view that malnutrition susceptibility in the global HD community is either or both of iatrogenic and of non-iatrogenic origins. This categorization of malnutrition origin clearly describes the role of each factor in contributing to malnutrition. Low dialysis adequacy resulting in uremia and metabolic acidosis and dialysis membranes and techniques, which incur greater amino-acid losses, are identified modifiable iatrogenic factors of malnutrition. Dietary inadequacy as per suboptimal energy and protein intakes due to poor appetite status, low diet quality, high diet monotony index, and/or psychosocial and financial barriers are modifiable non-iatrogenic factors implicated in malnutrition in these patients. These factors should be included in a comprehensive nutritional assessment for malnutrition risk. Leveraging the point of origin of malnutrition in dialysis patients is crucial for healthcare practitioners to enable personalized patient care, as well as determine country-specific malnutrition treatment strategies.
  8. Fulltext Trends of Stunting Prevalence and Its Associated Factors among Nigerian Children Aged 0-59 Months Residing in the Northern Nigeria, 2008-2018
    Ezeh OK, Abir T, Zainol NR, Al Mamun A, Milton AH, Haque MR, et al.
    Nutrients, 2021 Nov 29;13(12).
    PMID: 34959864 DOI: 10.3390/nu13124312
    Every year in Nigeria, malnutrition contributes to more than 33% of the deaths of children below 5 years, and these deaths mostly occur in the northern geopolitical zones (NGZs), where nearly 50% of all children below 5 years are stunted. This study examined the trends in the prevalence of stunting and its associated factors among children aged 0-23 months, 24-59 months and 0-59 months in the NGZs. The data of 33,682 recent live births in the NGZs, extracted from the Nigeria Demographic and Health Surveys from 2008 to 2018, were used to investigate the factors associated with stunting using multilevel logistic regression. Children aged 24-59 months reported the highest prevalence of stunting, with 53.3% (95% confidence interval: 52.0-54.6%). Multivariable analyses revealed four common factors that increased the odds of a child's stunting across all age subgroups: poor households, geopolitical zone (northwest or northeast), being a male and maternal height (<145 cm). Interventional strategies focused on poverty mitigation through cash transfer and educating low socioeconomic mothers on the benefits of gender-neutral supplementary feeding and the timely monitoring of the offspring of short mothers would substantially reduce stunting across all age subgroups in the NGZs.
  9. Fulltext Trajectories of Food Choice Motives and Weight Status of Malaysian Youths during the COVID-19 Pandemic
    Tan ST, Tan CX, Tan SS
    Nutrients, 2021 Oct 23;13(11).
    PMID: 34836008 DOI: 10.3390/nu13113752
    Stay-at-home orders have abruptly altered food purchasing behaviour, dietary habits, and food choice motives. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the trajectory of food choice motives and their associations with the weight status of Malaysian youths in the time of COVID-19. Socio-demographic information and anthropometric measurements were self-reported by the respondents, while the food choice motives were assessed using a validated 38-item food choice questionnaire (FCQ). Of the 1013 Malaysian youths, 48.6% gained weight due to the confinement, with an average weight gain of 3.90 ± 2.92 kg. On the other hand, 47.0% to 73.0% of the youths changed their food choice motives in the time of COVID-19. Of the 10 motives, convenience (48.5%) had the largest percentage increase, followed by weight control (47.0%) and health (45.3%). Moreover, the mean scores of health (t = -3.324, p = 0.001), convenience (t = -5.869, p < 0.001), weight control (t = -7.532, p < 0.001), natural content (t = -5.957, p < 0.001), ethical concern (t = -4.419, p < 0.001) and price (t = -3.737, p < 0.001) were significantly higher during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic. Findings from the multinomial regression model revealed that youths highly concerned for weight control were more likely to be in the weight loss category (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.633, Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.230-2.168, p = 0.001). Conversely, those who gained weight due to the pandemic confinement highly valued natural content in foods (AOR = 0.653, CI = 0.481-0.886, p = 0.006) when making their food choices in this unprecedented pandemic. In conclusion, Malaysian youths made healthier food choices to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 infection.
  10. Fulltext Tracking Progress from Policy Development to Implementation: A Case Study on Adoption of Mandatory Regulation for Nutrition Labelling in Malaysia
    Ng S, Kelly B, Yeatman H, Swinburn B, Karupaiah T
    Nutrients, 2021 Jan 29;13(2).
    PMID: 33573100 DOI: 10.3390/nu13020457
    Mandatory nutrition labelling, introduced in Malaysia in 2003, received a "medium implementation" rating from public health experts when previously benchmarked against international best practices by our group. The rating prompted this qualitative case study to explore barriers and facilitators during the policy process. Methods incorporated semi-structured interviews supplemented with cited documents and historical mapping of local and international directions up to 2017. Case participants held senior positions in the Federal government (n = 6), food industry (n = 3) and civil society representations (n = 3). Historical mapping revealed that international directions stimulated policy processes in Malaysia but policy inertia caused implementation gaps. Barriers hindering policy processes included lack of resources, governance complexity, lack of monitoring, technical challenges, policy characteristics linked to costing, lack of sustained efforts in policy advocacy, implementer characteristics and/or industry resistance, including corporate political activities (e.g., lobbying, policy substitution). Facilitators to the policy processes were resource maximization, leadership, stakeholder partnerships or support, policy windows and industry engagement or support. Progressing policy implementation required stronger leadership, resources, inter-ministerial coordination, advocacy partnerships and an accountability monitoring system. This study provides insights for national and global policy entrepreneurs when formulating strategies towards fostering healthy food environments.
  11. Fulltext Tocotrienols Ameliorate Neurodegeneration and Motor Deficits in the 6-OHDA-Induced Rat Model of Parkinsonism: Behavioural and Immunohistochemistry Analysis
    Kumari M, Ramdas P, Radhakrishnan AK, Kutty MK, Haleagrahara N
    Nutrients, 2021 May 10;13(5).
    PMID: 34068460 DOI: 10.3390/nu13051583
    Parkinson's disease (PD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disease, which progresses over time, causing pathological depigmentation of the substantia nigra (SN) in the midbrain due to loss of dopaminergic neurons. Emerging studies revealed the promising effects of some nutrient compounds in reducing the risk of PD. One such nutrient compound that possess neuroprotective effects and prevents neurodegeneration is tocotrienol (T3), a vitamin E family member. In the present study, a single dose intracisternal injection of 250 µg 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) was used to induce parkinsonism in male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. Forty-eight hours post injection, the SD rats were orally supplemented with alpha (α)- and gamma (γ)-T3 for 28 days. The neuroprotective effects of α- and γ-T3 were evaluated using behavioural studies and immunohistochemistry (IHC). The findings from this study revealed that supplementation of α- and γ-T3 was able to ameliorate the motor deficits induced by 6-OHDA and improve the neuronal functions by reducing inflammation, reversing the neuronal degradation, and preventing further reduction of dopaminergic neurons in the SN and striatum (STR) fibre density.
  12. Fulltext Tocotrienol-Rich Vitamin E from Palm Oil (Tocovid) and Its Effects in Diabetes and Diabetic Nephropathy: A Pilot Phase II Clinical Trial
    Tan SMQ, Chiew Y, Ahmad B, Kadir KA
    Nutrients, 2018 Sep 17;10(9).
    PMID: 30227659 DOI: 10.3390/nu10091315
    Tocotrienol-rich vitamin E from palm oil (Tocovid) has been shown to ameliorate diabetes through its superior antioxidant, antihyperglycemic, and anti-inflammatory properties in diabetic rats. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Tocovid on diabetic nephropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes. Baseline parameters of potential subjects such as HbA1c, blood pressure, Advanced Glycation Endproduct (AGE), soluble receptor for AGE (sRAGE), Nε-Carboxymethyllysine (Nε-CML), and Cystatin C were assessed for possible correlation with diabetic nephropathy. Only subjects with diabetic nephropathy or urine microalbuminuria-positive defined as Urine Albumin to Creatinine Ratio (UACR) >10 mg/mmol were recruited into a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. The intervention group (n = 22) received Tocovid 200 mg twice a day while the control group (n = 23) received placebo twice a day for 8 weeks. Changes in Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), blood pressure, serum biomarkers and renal parameters such as UACR, serum creatinine, and estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) were compared between the two groups. It was found that serum Nε-CML significantly correlated to the severity of microalbuminuria. For every 1 ng/mL increase in serum Nε-CML, the odds of diabetic nephropathy increased by 1.476 times. Tocovid, compared to placebo, significantly reduced serum creatinine but not eGFR, UACR, HbA1c, blood pressure, and serum biomarkers. In conclusion, serum Nε-CML is a potential biomarker for diabetic nephropathy. Treatment with Tocovid significantly reduced serum creatinine; therefore Tocovid may be a useful addition to the current treatment for diabetic nephropathy.
  13. Fulltext Tocotrienol-Rich Vitamin E (Tocovid) Improved Nerve Conduction Velocity in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients in a Phase II Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
    Chuar PF, Ng YT, Phang SCW, Koay YY, Ho JI, Ho LS, et al.
    Nutrients, 2021 Oct 25;13(11).
    PMID: 34836025 DOI: 10.3390/nu13113770
    Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is the most common microvascular complication of diabetes that affects approximately half of the diabetic population. Up to 53% of DPN patients experience neuropathic pain, which leads to a reduction in the quality of life and work productivity. Tocotrienols have been shown to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties in preclinical and clinical studies. This study aimed to investigate the effects of tocotrienol-rich vitamin E (Tocovid SuprabioTM) on nerve conduction parameters and serum biomarkers among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A total of 88 patients were randomized to receive 200 mg of Tocovid twice daily, or a matching placebo for 12 months. Fasting blood samples were collected for measurements of HbA1c, renal profile, lipid profile, and biomarkers. A nerve conduction study (NCS) was performed on all patients at baseline and subsequently at 2, 6, 12 months. Patients were reassessed after 6 months of washout. After 12 months of supplementation, patients in the Tocovid group exhibited highly significant improvements in conduction velocity (CV) of both median and sural sensory nerves as compared to those in the placebo group. The between-intervention-group differences (treatment effects) in CV were 1.60 m/s (95% CI: 0.70, 2.40) for the median nerve and 2.10 m/s (95% CI: 1.50, 2.90) for the sural nerve. A significant difference in peak velocity (PV) was also observed in the sural nerve (2.10 m/s; 95% CI: 1.00, 3.20) after 12 months. Significant improvements in CV were only observed up to 6 months in the tibial motor nerve, 1.30 m/s (95% CI: 0.60, 2.20). There were no significant changes in serum biomarkers, transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFβ-1), or vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A). After 6 months of washout, there were no significant differences from baseline between groups in nerve conduction parameters of all three nerves. Tocovid at 400 mg/day significantly improve tibial motor nerve CV up to 6 months, but median and sural sensory nerve CV in up to 12 months of supplementation. All improvements diminished after 6 months of washout.
  14. Fulltext Tocotrienol-Rich Fraction and Levodopa Regulate Proteins Involved in Parkinson's Disease-Associated Pathways in Differentiated Neuroblastoma Cells: Insights from Quantitative Proteomic Analysis
    Magalingam KB, Ramdas P, Somanath SD, Selvaduray KR, Bhuvanendran S, Radhakrishnan AK
    Nutrients, 2022 Nov 03;14(21).
    PMID: 36364894 DOI: 10.3390/nu14214632
    Tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF), a palm oil-derived vitamin E fraction, is reported to possess potent neuroprotective effects. However, the modulation of proteomes in differentiated human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells (diff-neural cells) by TRF has not yet been reported. This study aims to investigate the proteomic changes implicated by TRF in human neural cells using a label-free liquid-chromatography-double mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) approach. Levodopa, a drug used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD), was used as a drug control. The human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells were differentiated for six days and treated with TRF or levodopa for 24 h prior to quantitative proteomic analysis. A total of 81 and 57 proteins were differentially expressed in diff-neural cells following treatment with TRF or levodopa, respectively. Among these proteins, 32 similar proteins were detected in both TRF and levodopa-treated neural cells, with 30 of these proteins showing similar expression pattern. The pathway enrichment analysis revealed that most of the proteins regulated by TRF and levodopa are key players in the ubiquitin-proteasome, calcium signalling, protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondrial pathway and axonal transport system. In conclusion, TRF is an essential functional food that affects differential protein expression in human neuronal cells at the cellular and molecular levels.
  15. Fulltext Time and dose-dependent effects of Labisia pumila on bone oxidative status of postmenopausal osteoporosis rat model
    Effendy NM, Shuid AN
    Nutrients, 2014 Aug;6(8):3288-302.
    PMID: 25195641 DOI: 10.3390/nu6083288
    Postmenopausal osteoporosis can be associated with oxidative stress and deterioration of antioxidant enzymes. It is mainly treated with estrogen replacement therapy (ERT). Although effective, ERT may cause adverse effects such as breast cancer and pulmonary embolism. Labisia pumila var. alata (LP), a herb used traditionally for women's health was found to protect against estrogen-deficient osteoporosis. An extensive study was conducted in a postmenopausal osteoporosis rat model using several LP doses and duration of treatments to determine if anti-oxidative mechanisms were involved in its bone protective effects. Ninety-six female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups; baseline group (BL), sham-operated (Sham), ovariectomised control (OVXC), ovariectomised (OVX) and given 64.5 μg/kg of Premarin (ERT), ovariectomised and given 20 mg/kg of LP (LP20) and ovariectomised and given 100 mg/kg of LP (LP100). The groups were further subdivided to receive their respective treatments via daily oral gavages for three, six or nine weeks of treatment periods. Following euthanization, the femora were dissected out for bone oxidative measurements which include superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels.
  16. Fulltext Thyroid-Modulating Activities of Olive and Its Polyphenols: A Systematic Review
    Pang KL, Lumintang JN, Chin KY
    Nutrients, 2021 Feb 06;13(2).
    PMID: 33561976 DOI: 10.3390/nu13020529
    Olive oil, which is commonly used in the Mediterranean diet, is known for its health benefits related to the reduction of the risks of cancer, coronary heart disease, hypertension, and neurodegenerative disease. These unique properties are attributed to the phytochemicals with potent antioxidant activities in olive oil. Olive leaf also harbours similar bioactive compounds. Several studies have reported the effects of olive phenolics, olive oil, and leaf extract in the modulation of thyroid activities. A systematic review of the literature was conducted to identify relevant studies on the effects of olive derivatives on thyroid function. A comprehensive search was conducted in October 2020 using the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Cellular, animal, and human studies reporting the effects of olive derivatives, including olive phenolics, olive oil, and leaf extracts on thyroid function were considered. The literature search found 445 articles on this topic, but only nine articles were included based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. All included articles were animal studies involving the administration of olive oil, olive leaf extract, or olive pomace residues orally. These olive derivatives were consistently demonstrated to have thyroid-stimulating activities in euthyroid or hypothyroid animals, but their mechanisms of action are unknown. Despite the positive results, validation of the beneficial health effects of olive derivatives in the human population is lacking. In conclusion, olive derivatives, especially olive oil and leaf extract, could stimulate thyroid function. Olive pomace residue is not suitable for pharmaceutical or health supplementation purposes. Therapeutic applications of olive oil and leaf extract, especially in individuals with hypothyroidism, require further validation through human studies.
  17. Fulltext Therapeutic Effects of Vitamin D on Vaginal, Sexual, and Urological Functions in Postmenopausal Women
    Hassanein MM, Huri HZ, Abduelkarem AR, Baig K
    Nutrients, 2023 Aug 30;15(17).
    PMID: 37686835 DOI: 10.3390/nu15173804
    Recent years have witnessed the emergence of growing evidence concerning vitamin D's potential role in women's health, specifically in postmenopausal women. This evidence also includes its connection to various genitourinary disorders and symptoms. Numerous clinical studies have observed improvements in vulvovaginal symptoms linked to the genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) with vitamin D supplementation. These studies have reported positive effects on various aspects, such as vaginal pH, dryness, sexual functioning, reduced libido, and decreased urinary tract infections. Many mechanisms underlying these pharmacological effects have since been proposed. Vitamin D receptors (VDRs) have been identified as a major contributor to its effects. It is now well known that VDRs are expressed in the superficial layers of the urogenital organs. Additionally, vitamin D plays a crucial role in supporting immune function and modulating the body's defense mechanisms. However, the characterization of these effects requires more investigation. Reviewing existing evidence regarding vitamin D's impact on postmenopausal women's vaginal, sexual, and urological health is the purpose of this article. As research in this area continues, there is a potential for vitamin D to support women's urogenital and sexual health during the menopausal transition and postmenopausal periods.
  18. Fulltext Therapeutic Effects of Olive and Its Derivatives on Osteoarthritis: From Bench to Bedside
    Chin KY, Pang KL
    Nutrients, 2017 Sep 26;9(10).
    PMID: 28954409 DOI: 10.3390/nu9101060
    Osteoarthritis is a major cause of morbidity among the elderly worldwide. It is a disease characterized by localized inflammation of the joint and destruction of cartilage, leading to loss of function. Impaired chondrocyte repair mechanisms, due to inflammation, oxidative stress and autophagy, play important roles in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. Olive and its derivatives, which possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and autophagy-enhancing activities, are suitable candidates for therapeutic interventions for osteoarthritis. This review aimed to summarize the current evidence on the effects of olive and its derivatives, on osteoarthritis and chondrocytes. The literature on animal and human studies has demonstrated a beneficial effect of olive and its derivatives on the progression of osteoarthritis. In vitro studies have suggested that the augmentation of autophagy (though sirtuin-1) and suppression of inflammation by olive polyphenols could contribute to the chondroprotective effects of olive polyphenols. More research and well-planned clinical trials are required to justify the use of olive-based treatment in osteoarthritis.
  19. Fulltext The relationship between metabolic syndrome and osteoporosis: a review
    Wong SK, Chin KY, Suhaimi FH, Ahmad F, Ima-Nirwana S
    Nutrients, 2016 Jun 07;8(6).
    PMID: 27338453 DOI: 10.3390/nu8060347
    Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and osteoporosis are two major healthcare problems worldwide. Metabolic syndrome is a constellation of medical conditions consisting of central obesity, hyperglycemia, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, in which each acts on bone tissue in different ways. The growing prevalence of MetS and osteoporosis in the population along with the controversial findings on the relationship between both conditions suggest the importance for further investigation and discussion on this topic. This review aims to assess the available evidence on the effects of each component of MetS on bone metabolism from the conventional to the contemporary. Previous studies suggested that the two conditions shared some common underlying pathways, which include regulation of calcium homeostasis, receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)/receptor activator of the NF-κB (RANK)/osteoprotegerin (OPG) and Wnt-β-catenin signaling pathways. In conclusion, we suggest that MetS may have a potential role in developing osteoporosis and more studies are necessary to further prove this hypothesis.
  20. Fulltext The effects of α-tocopherol on bone: a double-edged sword?
    Chin KY, Ima-Nirwana S
    Nutrients, 2014 Apr;6(4):1424-41.
    PMID: 24727433 DOI: 10.3390/nu6041424
    Recent studies have found conflicting evidence on the role of α-tocopherol (αTF) on bone health. This nonsystematic review aimed to summarize the current evidence on the effects of αTF on bone health from cell culture, animal, and human studies in order to clarify the role of αTF on bone health. Our review found that αTF exerted beneficial, harmful or null effects on bone formation cells. Animal studies generally showed positive effects of αTF supplementation on bone in various models of osteoporosis. However, high-dose αTF was possibly detrimental to bone in normal animals. Human studies mostly demonstrated a positive relationship between αTF, as assessed using high performance liquid chromatography and/or dietary questionnaire, and bone health, as assessed using bone mineral density and/or fracture incidence. Three possible reasons high dosage of αTF can be detrimental to bone include its interference with Vitamin K function on bone, the blocking of the entry of other Vitamin E isomers beneficial to bone, and the role of αTF as a prooxidant. However, these adverse effects have not been shown in human studies. In conclusion, αTF may have a dual role in bone health, whereby in the appropriate doses it is beneficial but in high doses it may be harmful to bone.
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