The interconnection between dietary fibre, gut microbiome and psychological well-being.

This review highlights the importance of dietary fibres (DF) intake and its interconnection with the gut microbiome and psychological well-being, while also exploring the effects of existing DF interventions on these aspects in adults. The gut microbiota is a complex and diverse ecosystem in which microbial species interact, influencing the human host. DF are heterogeneous, requiring different microbial species to degrade the complex DF structures.

Effects of defatted rice bran-fortified bread on gut microbiome, cardiovascular risk, gut discomfort, wellbeing and gut physiology in healthy adults with low dietary fibre intake.

Background & Aims: Inadequate dietary fibre (DF) intake is associated with suboptimal gut function and increased risk of several human diseases. Bread is commonly consumed and is ideal to incorporate cereal bran to increase DF content. No human studies have investigated the effects of defatted rice bran (DRB) in bread, which has triple the DF of white bread, purported hypo-allergenicity and a unique nutrient profile, as a dietary intervention in healthy adults.

Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial Investigating the Effects of the Daily Consumption of Ruminant Milk on Digestive Comfort and Nutrition in Older Women: The YUMMI Study.

Background: Age-related changes can lead to dietary insufficiency in older adults. The inclusion of high-quality, nutrient-dense foods such as ruminant milks can significantly improve health outcomes. However, many older adults worldwide do not meet daily milk intake recommendations because of digestive discomfort and health concerns.

Advancing microbiome research in Māori populations: insights from recent literature exploring the gut microbiomes of underrepresented and Indigenous peoples.

The gut microbiome plays vital roles in human health, including mediating metabolism, immunity, and the gut-brain axis. Many ethnicities remain underrepresented in gut microbiome research, with significant variation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples due to dietary, socioeconomic, health, and urbanization differences. Although research regarding the microbiomes of Indigenous peoples is increasing, Māori microbiome literature is lacking despite widespread inequities that Māori populations face.

Effects of Defatted Rice Bran-Fortified Bread on the Gut Microbiota Composition of Healthy Adults With Low Dietary Fiber Intake: Protocol for a Crossover Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Inadequate dietary fiber (DF) intake is associated with several human diseases. Bread is commonly consumed, and its DF content can be increased by incorporating defatted rice bran (DRB).

Objective: This first human study on DRB-fortified bread primarily aims to assess the effect of DRB-fortified bread on the relative abundance of a composite of key microbial genera and species in fecal samples.

Two Gold Kiwifruit Daily for Effective Treatment of Constipation in Adults-A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Chronic constipation is highly prevalent worldwide and may be managed with two green or three gold kiwifruit daily. It is unknown whether a smaller standard serve of gold kiwifruit (two daily) is as effective in constipation management. The study aimed to improve chronic constipation with two gold kiwifruit and psyllium in lieu of a placebo daily over four weeks.

Habitual Green Kiwifruit Consumption Is Associated with a Reduction in Upper Gastrointestinal Symptoms: A Systematic Scoping Review.

Kiwifruit have known positive effects on digestion. During clinical intervention trials using kiwifruit to improve constipation, upper gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms such as abdominal discomfort and pain, indigestion, and reflux were also alleviated. We aimed to evaluate the evidence for upper GI symptom relief by kiwifruit in clinical trials on participants with functional constipation (FC), irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C), and healthy participants, and to elucidate which symptoms may be relieved and whether a difference exists between the effects of gold and green kiwifruit.

Vitamin C Administration by Intravenous Infusion Increases Tumor Ascorbate Content in Patients With Colon Cancer: A Clinical Intervention Study.

Unlabelled: The use of high dose ascorbate infusions in cancer patients is widespread, but without evidence of efficacy. Several mechanisms whereby ascorbate could affect tumor progression have been proposed, including: (i) the localized generation of cytotoxic quantities of HO; (ii) ascorbate-dependent activation of the 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases that control the hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) and that are responsible for the demethylation of DNA and histones; (iii) increased oxidative stress induced by dehydroascorbic acid. We hypothesize that the dysfunctional vasculature of solid tumors results in compromised delivery of ascorbate to poorly perfused regions of the tumor and that this ascorbate deficit acts as an additional driver of the hypoxic response via upregulation of HIFs.

Putative mechanisms of kiwifruit on maintenance of normal gastrointestinal function.

Kiwifruits are recognized as providing relief from constipation and symptoms of constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C). However, the underlying mechanisms, specifically in regards to gastrointestinal transit time and motility, are still not completely understood. This review provides an overview on the physiological and pathophysiological processes underlying constipation and IBS-C, the composition of kiwifruit, and recent advances in the research of kiwifruit and abdominal comfort.

Interactions between peroxiredoxin 2, hemichrome and the erythrocyte membrane.

Peroxiredoxin 2 (Prx2) is an abundant antioxidant protein in erythrocytes that protects against hemolytic anemia resulting from hemoglobin oxidation and Heinz body formation. A small fraction of Prx2 is bound to the cell membrane, but the mechanism and relevance of binding are not clear. We have investigated Prx2 interactions with the erythrocyte membrane and oxidized hemoglobin and whether these interactions are dependent on Prx2 redox state.

Accumulation of oxidized peroxiredoxin 2 in red blood cells and its prevention.

Background: The thiol protein peroxiredoxin 2 (Prx2) is a major red blood cell (RBC) antioxidant that breaks down hydroperoxides and in the process is converted to an oxidized disulfide. Our objective was to determine whether Prx2 becomes oxidized during storage of RBCs, to understand the underlying mechanism, and to find ways of preventing the accumulation of the oxidized form.

Study Design And Methods: RBCs were stored for up to 6 weeks under simulated blood banking conditions and Prx2 oxidation was monitored by nonreducing gel electrophoresis.

Neutrophil-mediated oxidation of erythrocyte peroxiredoxin 2 as a potential marker of oxidative stress in inflammation.

Peroxiredoxin 2 (Prx2) is an abundant thiol protein in erythrocytes. It is oxidized readily on exposure to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and provides antioxidant protection by cycling between its reduced and disulfide-bonded forms. To test whether Prx2 oxidation could occur in pathological situations where neutrophils are activated, we exposed human erythrocytes to stimulated neutrophils and measured Prx2 oxidation by immunoblotting of nonreducing gels.