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Plant Food Bioactives, Vascular Protection and Underlying Molecular Mechanisms of Action

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A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutrition and Public Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 June 2021) | Viewed by 29016

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Dragan Milenkovic

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Guest Editor

Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis. 1 Shields Ave, Davis, CA 95616, USA
Interests: nutrigenomics; polyphenols; vascular; cardiometabolic; bioinfromatics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nutrients is preparing a Special Issue on bioactives, vascular health and molecular mechanisms. Vascular endothelium and its functions play a key role in the maintenance of human health and for healthy ageing. Vascular dysfunction can be activated by insulin resistance, proinflammatory state, obesity or oxidative stress (such as smoking). Endothelial dysfunction leads to vasoconstriction, vascular inflammation and damages, which originate in the atherosclerotic disease process and its clinical complications (stroke, CHD), as well as of functional disorders in other organs, such as brain and induce disorders like cognitive dysfunctions, dementia and neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's). Bioactives present in plant food have been suggested to be able to prevent or delay vascular dysfunction and consequently onsets of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases; these play an important role in healthy aging.

This Special Issue aims to exhibit the latest research on the role of bioactives in maintaining vascular function, preventing its dysfunction and the development of associated chronic diseases, and research in understanding molecular and cellular mechanisms of actions which underlie their health properties.

Dr. Dragan Milenkovic
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nutrients is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

bioactive
vascular function
molecular mechanisms
chronic diseases
healthy aging

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 927 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Machine Learning and In Vitro Chemical Screening of Potential α-Amylase and α-Glucosidase Inhibitors from Thai Indigenous Plants

by Tarapong Srisongkram, Sasisom Waithong, Thaweesak Thitimetharoch and Natthida Weerapreeyakul

Nutrients 2022, 14(2), 267; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu14020267 - 09 Jan 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3086

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a major predisposing factor for cardiovascular disease and mortality. α-Amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes are the rate-limiting steps for carbohydrate digestion. The inhibition of these two enzymes is clinically used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Here, in vitro study and machine learning models were employed for the chemical screening of inhibiting the activity of 31 plant samples on α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes. The results showed that the ethanolic twig extract of Pinus kesiya had the highest inhibitory activity against the α-amylase enzyme. The respective ethanolic extract of Croton oblongifolius stem, Parinari anamense twig, and Polyalthia evecta leaf showed high inhibitory activity against the α-glucosidase enzyme. The classification analysis revealed that the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of Thai indigenous plants was more predictive based on phytochemical constituents, compared with the α-amylase inhibitory activity (1.00 versus 0.97 accuracy score). The correlation loading plot revealed that flavonoids and alkaloids contributed to the α-amylase inhibitory activity, while flavonoids, tannins, and reducing sugars contributed to the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. In conclusion, the ethanolic extracts of P. kesiya, C. oblongifolius, P. anamense, and P. evecta have the potential for further chemical characterization and the development of anti-diabetic recipes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Food Bioactives, Vascular Protection and Underlying Molecular Mechanisms of Action)

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28 pages, 42798 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Systematic Bioinformatic Analyses of Nutrigenomic Modifications by Polyphenols Associated with Cardiometabolic Health in Humans—Evidence from Targeted Nutrigenomic Studies

by Tatjana Ruskovska, Irena Budić-Leto, Karla Fabiola Corral-Jara, Vladimir Ajdžanović, Anna Arola-Arnal, Francisca Isabel Bravo, Georgia-Eirini Deligiannidou, Jaroslav Havlik, Milkica Janeva, Elena Kistanova, Christos Kontogiorgis, Irena Krga, Marika Massaro, Marko Miler, Verica Milosevic, Christine Morand, Egeria Scoditti, Manuel Suárez, David Vauzour and Dragan Milenkovic

Nutrients 2021, 13(7), 2326; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu13072326 - 06 Jul 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 7734

Abstract

Cardiometabolic disorders are among the leading causes of mortality in the human population. Dietary polyphenols exert beneficial effects on cardiometabolic health in humans. Molecular mechanisms, however, are not completely understood. Aiming to conduct in-depth integrative bioinformatic analyses to elucidate molecular mechanisms underlying the protective effects of polyphenols on cardiometabolic health, we first conducted a systematic literature search to identify human intervention studies with polyphenols that demonstrate improvement of cardiometabolic risk factors in parallel with significant nutrigenomic effects. Applying the predefined inclusion criteria, we identified 58 differentially expressed genes at mRNA level and 5 miRNAs, analyzed in peripheral blood cells with RT-PCR methods. Subsequent integrative bioinformatic analyses demonstrated that polyphenols modulate genes that are mainly involved in the processes such as inflammation, lipid metabolism, and endothelial function. We also identified 37 transcription factors that are involved in the regulation of polyphenol modulated genes, including RELA/NFKB1, STAT1, JUN, or SIRT1. Integrative bioinformatic analysis of mRNA and miRNA-target pathways demonstrated several common enriched pathways that include MAPK signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, focal adhesion, or PPAR signaling pathway. These bioinformatic analyses represent a valuable source of information for the identification of molecular mechanisms underlying the beneficial health effects of polyphenols and potential target genes for future nutrigenetic studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Food Bioactives, Vascular Protection and Underlying Molecular Mechanisms of Action)

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14 pages, 2582 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ferulic Acid Derivatives and Avenanthramides Modulate Endothelial Function through Maintenance of Nitric Oxide Balance in HUVEC Cells

by Gabriele Serreli, Melanie Le Sayec, Estelle Thou, Camille Lacour, Camilla Diotallevi, Misbah Arshad Dhunna, Monica Deiana, Jeremy P. E. Spencer and Giulia Corona

Nutrients 2021, 13(6), 2026; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu13062026 - 12 Jun 2021

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4063

Abstract

Wholegrain oats contain a variety of phenolic compounds thought to help maintain healthy vascular function, through the maintenance of local levels of the vasodilator nitric oxide (NO). Thus, the full molecular mechanisms involved are not yet clear. With this work we aim to understand the possible cellular mechanisms by which avenanthramides and ferulic acid derivatives, present in oats, may help maintain a healthy vascular function through the modulation of the NO pathway. Primary Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVEC) were exposed to ferulic acid, isoferulic acid, hydroferulic acid, ferulic acid 4-O-glucuronide, isoferulic acid 3-O-sulfate, dihydroferulic acid 4-O-glucuronide, avenanthramide A, avenanthramide B and avenanthramide C (1 μM) or vehicle (methanol) for 24 h. Apocynin and Nω-Nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) were additionally included as controls. NO and cyclic GMP (cGMP) levels, superoxide production and the activation of the Akt1/eNOS pathway were assessed. The statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA followed by a Tukey post-hoc t-test. Apocynin and all phenolic compounds increased NO levels in HUVEC cells (increased DAF2-DA fluorescence and cGMP), and significantly reduced superoxide levels. Protein expression results highlighted an increase in the Akt1 activation state, and increased eNOS expression. Overall, our results indicated that the glucuronide metabolites do not enhance NO production through the Akt1/eNOS pathway, thus all compounds tested are able to reduce NO degradation through reduced superoxide formation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Food Bioactives, Vascular Protection and Underlying Molecular Mechanisms of Action)

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13 pages, 2456 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cocoa Flavanols Adjuvant to an Oral Nutritional Supplement Acutely Enhances Nutritive Flow in Skeletal Muscle without Altering Leg Glucose Uptake Kinetics in Older Adults

by Tanvir S. Sian, Ushnah S. U. Din, Colleen S. Deane, Ken Smith, Amanda Gates, Jonathan N. Lund, John P. Williams, Ricardo Rueda, Suzette L. Pereira, Bethan E. Phillips and Philip J. Atherton

Nutrients 2021, 13(5), 1646; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu13051646 - 13 May 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2724

Abstract

Ageing is associated with postprandial muscle vascular and metabolic dysfunction, suggesting vascular modifying interventions may be of benefit. Reflecting this, we investigated the impact of acute cocoa flavanol (450–500 mg) intake (versus placebo control) on vascular (via ultrasound) and glucose/insulin metabolic responses (via arterialised/venous blood samples and ELISA) to an oral nutritional supplement (ONS) in twelve healthy older adults (50% male, 72 ± 4 years), in a crossover design study. The cocoa condition displayed significant increases in m. vastus lateralis microvascular blood volume (MBV) in response to feeding at 180 and 240-min after ONS consumption (baseline: 1.00 vs. 180 min: 1.09 ± 0.03, p = 0.05; 240 min: 1.13 ± 0.04, p = 0.002), with MBV at these timepoints significantly higher than in the control condition (p < 0.05). In addition, there was a trend (p = 0.058) for MBV in m. tibialis anterior to increase in response to ONS in the cocoa condition only. Leg blood flow and vascular conductance increased, and vascular resistance decreased in response to ONS (p < 0.05), but these responses were not different between conditions (p > 0.05). Similarly, glucose uptake and insulin increased in response to ONS (p < 0.05) comparably between conditions (p > 0.05). Thus, acute cocoa flavanol supplementation can potentiate oral feeding-induced increases in MBV in older adults, but this improvement does not relay to muscle glucose uptake. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Food Bioactives, Vascular Protection and Underlying Molecular Mechanisms of Action)

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Review

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23 pages, 1590 KiB

Open AccessReview

Possible Biochemical Processes Underlying the Positive Health Effects of Plant-Based Diets—A Narrative Review

by Zoltan Szabo, Viktor Koczka, Tamas Marosvolgyi, Eva Szabo, Eszter Frank, Eva Polyak, Kata Fekete, Attila Erdelyi, Zsofia Verzar and Maria Figler

Nutrients 2021, 13(8), 2593; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu13082593 - 28 Jul 2021

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 10547

Abstract

Plant-based diets are becoming more popular for many reasons, and epidemiological as well as clinical data also suggest that a well-balanced vegan diet can be adopted for the prevention, and in some cases, in the treatment of many diseases. In this narrative review, we provide an overview of the relationships between these diets and various conditions and their potential biochemical background. As whole plant foods are very rich in food-derived antioxidants and other phytochemicals, they have many positive physiological effects on different aspects of health. In the background of the beneficial health effects, several biochemical processes could stand, including the reduced formation of trimethylamine oxide (TMAO) or decreased serum insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels and altered signaling pathways such as mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR). In addition, the composition of plant-based diets may play a role in preventing lipotoxicity, avoiding N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc), and reducing foodborne endotoxin intake. In this article, we attempt to draw attention to the growing knowledge about these diets and provide starting points for further research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Food Bioactives, Vascular Protection and Underlying Molecular Mechanisms of Action)

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