Consumption of an acid protease derived from Aspergillus oryzae causes bifidogenic effect in rats
A marked elevation in the abundance of Bifidobacterium was found in the cecum of rats that were fed a high-fat diet supplemented with an Amano protease preparation (derived from Aspergillus oryzae). The protease preparation contains several digestive enzymes, including acid protease (AcP), alkaline protease, and amylase. We hypothesized that the elevation in the abundance of Bifidobacterium by Amano protease preparation is associated with the digestive enzymes involved in the protease preparation. (Source: Nutrition Research)
Source: Nutrition Research - June 29, 2017 Category: Nutrition Authors: Yongshou Yang, Akane Iwamoto, Thanutchaporn Kumrungsee, Yukako Okazaki, Manabu Kuroda, Shotaro Yamaguchi, Norihisa Kato Source Type: research

Reduced neural responses to food cues might contribute to the anorexigenic effect of acute exercise observed in obese but not lean adolescents
Acute exercise has been found to reduce subsequent energy intake in obese adolescents. Although it has been suggested that some neural pathways are involved in this post-exercise energy intake regulation, it remains unknown whether the post-exercise attentional response to food cues differs as a function of weight status. We hypothesize that there will be a reduction in the neural response to food cues as a result of exercise in obese adolescents, but not in their lean counterparts. Fourteen obese and 14 lean adolescent boys (12 –15years) were randomized (within-subjects design) to remain seated (CON) or to exercise 45mi...
Source: Nutrition Research - June 29, 2017 Category: Nutrition Authors: S.N. Fearnbach, L. Silvert, B. Pereira, Y. Boirie, M. Duclos, K.L. Keller, D. Thivel Source Type: research

Obesity and fatty liver are prevented by inhibition of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor in both female and male mice
Inhibition of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) prevents Western diet-induced obesity and fatty liver in C57Bl/6 J (B6) male mice. The AHR is a ligand-activated nuclear receptor that regulates genes involved in xenobiotic metabolism and T cell differentiation. Here, we tested the hypothesis that AHR antagonism would also prevent obesity and fatty liver in female mice and that B6 mice (higher-affinity AHR) and congenic B6.D2 mice (lower-affinity AHR) would differentially respond to AHR inhibition. (Source: Nutrition Research)
Source: Nutrition Research - June 28, 2017 Category: Nutrition Authors: Benjamin J. Moyer, Itzel Y. Rojas, Joanna S. Kerley-Hamilton, Krishnamurthy V. Nemani, Heidi W. Trask, Carol S. Ringelberg, Barjor Gimi, Eugene Demidenko, Craig R. Tomlinson Source Type: research

Higher dietary acid load is weakly associated with higher adiposity measures and blood pressure in Japanese adults: the National Health and Nutrition Survey
Epidemiologic evidence on the associations between dietary acid load and metabolic risk factors are limited and inconsistent. We investigated the hypothesis that dietary acid load is associated with adverse profiles of metabolic risk factors in Japanese adults. This cross-sectional study included 15618 Japanese adults aged ≥20 y from the 2012 National Health and Nutrition Survey, Japan. Dietary acid load was characterized as potential renal acid load (PRAL) and net endogenous acid production (NEAP) based on information on nutrient intake, which was derived from a 1-d semi-weighed dietary record. (Source: Nutrition Research)
Source: Nutrition Research - June 28, 2017 Category: Nutrition Authors: Kentaro Murakami, M Barbara E Livingstone, Hitomi Okubo, Satoshi Sasaki Source Type: research

Growth patterns in early childhood: better trajectories in afro-ecuadorians independent of sex and socioeconomic factors
The first years of life are the most dynamic period for childhood growth. There are limited data available on growth patterns of infants and children living in rural Latin America. The aim of this study was to describe the growth patterns from birth to 5years in children living in a rural District of tropical coastal Ecuador using data from a birth cohort of 2404 neonates. We hypothesize that there would be growth differences according to ethnicity and sex. Evaluations were conducted at birth or until 2weeks of age and at 7, 13, 24, 36 and 60months during clinic and home visits. (Source: Nutrition Research)
Source: Nutrition Research - June 27, 2017 Category: Nutrition Authors: Sheila Maria Alvim Matos, Leila D Amorim, Ana Clara P Campos, Mauricio L Barreto, Laura C Rodrigues, Yadira A Morej ón, Martha E Chico, Philip J Cooper Source Type: research

Nutrition ResearchDavid Kritchevsky Graduate Student Award
(Source: Nutrition Research)
Source: Nutrition Research - June 21, 2017 Category: Nutrition Authors: Bruce A. Watkins Source Type: research

Starch-entrapped microsphere fibers improve bowel habit but do not exhibit prebiotic capacity in those with unsatisfactory bowel habits: a Phase I, randomized, double-blind, controlled human trial
Approximately one-third of individuals in the United States experience unsatisfactory bowel habits, and dietary intake, especially one low in fiber, could be partly responsible. We hypothesized that intake of a fermentable fiber (starch-entrapped microspheres, SM) that has a delayed, slow fermentation profile in vitro would improve bowel habit while exhibiting prebiotic capacity in those with self-described unsatisfactory bowel habits, all with minimal side effects. A total of 43 healthy volunteers completed a 3-month, double-blind, parallel-arm randomized clinical trial to assess the ability of a daily dose (9g or 12g) of...
Source: Nutrition Research - June 2, 2017 Category: Nutrition Authors: Heather E. Rasmussen, Bruce Hamaker, Kumar B. Rajan, Ece Mutlu, Stefan J. Green, Michael Brown, Amandeep Kaur, Ali Keshavarzian Source Type: research

Hexacosanol Reduces Plasma and Hepatic Cholesterol by Activation of AMP-Activated Protein Kinase and Suppression of Sterol Regulatory Element-Binding Protein-2 in HepG2 and C57BL/6 J Mice
Policosanols have hypocholesterolemic activity; however, the molecular mechanism of the policosanol effects is currently poorly characterized. We hypothesized that hexacosanol, a policosanol compound derived from barley sprout may decrease cellular and plasma cholesterol levels; thus investigated hypocholesterolemic activity and mechanism of hexacosanol on both hepatocytes and high-fat-induced obese C57BL/6J mice. The reduction of total, free cholesterol and cholesteryl ester concentrations were confirmed in hexacosanol-stimulated hepatocytes ( −38, −33, and −53%, respectively). (Source: Nutrition Research)
Source: Nutrition Research - May 26, 2017 Category: Nutrition Authors: Ji Hae Lee, Yaoyao Jia, Trung Thanh Thach, Yuri Han, Bobae Kim, Chunyan Wu, Yeonji Kim, Woo Duck Seo, Sung-Joon Lee Source Type: research

Weight Loss Maintenance: a Losing Battle?
Jennifer C. Kerns, is Assistant Professor of Medicine, George Washington University and Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Co-Director, Bariatric Surgery, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and a Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. (Source: Nutrition Research)
Source: Nutrition Research - May 26, 2017 Category: Nutrition Authors: Jennifer C. Kerns Tags: Editorial Source Type: research

Dietary fatty acids were not independently associated with lipoprotein subclasses in elderly women
In this study, we hypothesized that there is an association between dietary fatty acids and lipoprotein subclasses and investigated the cross-sectional association of dietary fat intake with subclasses of lipoproteins in elderly women. Altogether, 547 women (aged ≥ 65 years), who were part of OSTPRE cohort, participated. (Source: Nutrition Research)
Source: Nutrition Research - May 24, 2017 Category: Nutrition Authors: Fatemeh Ramezan Alaghehband, Maria Lankinen, Miika V ärri, Joonas Sirola, Heikki Krӧger, Arja T. Erkkilä Source Type: research

Glucomannan consumption elevates colonic alkaline phosphatase activity by up-regulating the expression of IAP-1, which is associated with increased production of protective factors for gut epithelial homeostasis in high-fat diet-fed rats
We previously reported that consumption of glucomannan-containing food (lily bulb) modulates gut microbiota and increases gut immunoglobulin A (IgA, index of intestinal immune function), mucins (index of intestinal barrier function), and colonic alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in rats fed a high-fat (HF) diet. Small intestinal ALP has an established protective effect in inflammatory diseases, whereas little is known about the function of colonic ALP activity. We hypothesized that dietary glucomannan would increase colonic ALP activity and the gene expression in rats fed a HF diet. (Source: Nutrition Research)
Source: Nutrition Research - May 19, 2017 Category: Nutrition Authors: Yukako Okazaki, Tetsuyuki Katayama Source Type: research

Intraventricular administration of Tenebrio molitor larvae extract regulates food intake and body weight in mice with high fat diet-induced obesity
We recently reported the in vitro and in vivo anti-obesity effects of Tenebrio molitor larvae, a traditional food in many countries, but it remains unknown how the larvae affect appetite regulation in mice with diet-induced obesity. We hypothesized that the extract of T. molitor larvae mediate appetite by regulating neuropeptide expression. We investigated T. molitor larvae extract's (TME's) effects on anorexigenesis and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-induced orexigenic neuropeptide expression in the hypothalami of obese mice. (Source: Nutrition Research)
Source: Nutrition Research - May 18, 2017 Category: Nutrition Authors: Minchul Seo, Jongwan Kim, Seong-Su Moon, Jae-Sam Hwang, Mi-Ae Kim Source Type: research

A 51-item calcium-focused food frequency questionnaire is a reliable tool to assess dietary calcium intake in postmenopausal women
This study tested the hypothesis that a calcium-focused food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) may be used to estimate dCai of women ≥50years residing in a multicultural environment (Montreal, Canada). One hundred and eight women (age 63.1±7.7years, 98% postmenopausal) completed the FFQ twice and four nonconsecutive 24-hour recalls (24HRs) over one month. (Source: Nutrition Research)
Source: Nutrition Research - May 18, 2017 Category: Nutrition Authors: Angel M. Ong, Hope A. Weiler, Michelle Wall, David Goltzman, Susan J. Whiting, Stella S. Daskalopoulou, Suzanne N. Morin Source Type: research

Supplementation with Vitis vinifera L. skin extract improves insulin resistance and prevents hepatic lipid accumulation and steatosis in high-fat diet-fed mice
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is one of the most common complications of obesity. The Vitis vinifera L. grape skin extract (ACH09) is an important source of polyphenols, which are related to its antioxidant and antihyperglycemic activities. We hypothesized that ACH09 could also exert beneficial effects on metabolic disorders associated with obesity and evaluated ACH09 ’s influence on high-fat (HF) diet-induced hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance in C57BL/6 mice. The animals were fed a standard diet (10% fat, Control) or an HF diet (60% fat, HF) with or without ACH09 (200mg/kg-1d-1) for 12weeks. (Source: Nutrition Research)
Source: Nutrition Research - May 17, 2017 Category: Nutrition Authors: Izabelle Barcellos Santos, Graziele Freitas de Bem, Viviane Silva Cristino Cordeiro, Cristiane Aguiar da Costa, Lenize Costa Reis Marins de Carvalho, Ana Paula Machado da Rocha, Gisele Fran ça da Costa, Dayane Teixeira Ognibene, Roberto Soares de Moura, Source Type: research

Polyporus and Bupleuri radix effectively alter peripheral circadian clock phase acutely in male mice
In mammals, daily physiological events are precisely regulated by an internal circadian clock system. An important function of this system is to re-adjust the phase of the clock daily. In Japan, traditional herb medicines so-called crude drugs (Shoyaku) are widely used for many disease and some are reported to affect circadian clock impairment, suggesting some of them might have an ability to modify clock gene expression rhythms. Therefore, from selected 40 crude drugs, finding candidates that control the circadian clock phases was the first purpose of this study. (Source: Nutrition Research)
Source: Nutrition Research - May 17, 2017 Category: Nutrition Authors: Hiroaki Motohashi, Haruna Sukigara, Yu Tahara, Keisuke Saito, Mayu Yamazaki, Takuya Shiraishi, Yosuke Kikuchi, Atsushi Haraguchi, Shigenobu Shibata Source Type: research