The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of probiotic VSL#3 isolated or associated with a yacon-based product (synbiotic) on oxidative stress modulation and intestinal permeability in an experimental model of colorectal carcinogenesis. Forty-five C57BL/6J mice were divided into three groups: control (standard diet AIN-93 M); probiotic (standard diet AIN-93 M and multispecies probiotic VSL#3, 2.25 × 10 9 CFU), and synbiotic (standard diet AIN-93 M with yacon-based product, 6% fructooligosaccharides and inulin, and probiotic VSL#3, 2.25 × 10 9 CFU). The experimental diets were provided for 13 weeks. The probiotic and the yacon-based product showed antioxidant activity, with the percentage of DPPH radical scavenging equal to 69.7 ± 0.4% and 74.3 ± 0.1%, respectively. These findings contributed to reduce hepatic oxidative stress: the control group showed higher concentration of malondialdehyde (1.8fold, p = 0.007 and 1.5-fold, p = 0.035) and carbonylated protein (2-fold, p = 0.008 and 5.6-fold, p = 0.000) compared to the probiotic and synbiotic groups, respectively. Catalase enzyme activity increased 1.43-fold (p = 0.014) in synbiotic group.The crypt depth increased 1.2-fold and 1.4-fold with the use of probiotic and synbiotic, respectively, compared to the control diet (p = 0.000). These findings corroborate the reduction in intestinal permeability in the probiotic and synbiotic groups, as measured by the percentage of urinary lactulose excretion (CON: 0.93 ± 0.62% × PRO: 0.44 ± 0.05%, p = 0.048; and CON: 0.93 ± 0.62% × SYN: 0.41 ± 0.12%, p = 0.043). In conclusion, the probiotic and synbiotic showed antioxidant activity, which contributed to the reduction of oxidative stress markers. In addition, they protected the mucosa from damage caused by chemical carcinogen and reduced intestinal permeability. Practical Application:The relationship between intestinal health and the occurrence of various organic disorders has been demonstrated in many

Exhaustive and acute unusual physical exercise leads to muscle damage. Curcumin has been widely studied due to the variety of its biological activities, attributed to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Furthermore, it has shown positive effects on physical exercise practitioners. However, there is no literature consensus on the beneficial effects of curcumin in acute physical activities performed by sedentary individuals. Therefore, we systematically reviewed evidence from clinical trials on the main effects of curcumin supplementation on inflammatory markers, sports performance, and muscle damage during acute physical exercises in these individuals. We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase databases, and only original studies were analyzed according to the PRISMA guidelines. The included studies were limited to supplementation of curcumin during acute exercise. A total of 5 studies were selected. Methodological quality assessments were examined using the SYRCLE’s risk-of-bias tool. Most studies have shown positive effects of curcumin supplementation in sedentary individuals undergoing acute physical exercise. Overall, participants supplemented with curcumin showed less muscle damage, reduced inflammation, and better muscle performance. The studies showed heterogeneous data and exhibited methodological limitations; therefore, further research is necessary to ensure curcumin supplementation benefits during acute and high-intensity physical exercises. Additionally, mechanistic and highly controlled studies are required to improve the quality of the evidence and to elucidate other possible mechanisms. This study is registered with Prospero number CRD42021262718.

(1) Background: Exhaustive exercise can induce muscle damage. The consumption of nutritional compounds with the ability to positively influence the oxidative balance and an exacerbated inflammatory process has been previously studied. However, little is known about the nutritional value of curcumin (CCM) when mixed with whey protein concentrate (WPC). This study was developed to evaluate the effect of CCM-added WPC on inflammatory and oxidative process control and histopathological consequences in muscle tissue submitted to an exhaustive swimming test (ET). (2) Methods: 48 animals were randomly allocated to six groups (n = 8). An ET was performed 4 weeks after the start of the diet and animals were euthanized 24 h post ET. (3) Results: WPC + CCM and CCM groups reduced IL-6 and increased IL-10 expression in muscle tissue. CCM reduced carbonyl protein after ET compared to standard AIN-93M ET and WPC + CCM ET diets. Higher nitric oxide concentrations were observed in animals that consumed WPC + CCM and CCM. Consumption of WPC + CCM or isolated CCM reduced areas of inflammatory infiltrate and fibrotic tissue in the muscle. (4) Conclusions: WPC + CCM and isolated CCM contribute to the reduction in inflammation and oxidative damage caused by the exhaustive swimming test.

This work aimed to evaluate the effects of whey protein concentrate admixtured of curcumin on metabolic control, inflammation and oxidative stress in Wistar rats submitted to exhaustive exercise. A total of 48 male rats were divided into 6 experimental groups (n = 8): standard diet group (AIN-93M); standard diet submitted to exhaustion test group (AIN-93M ET); whey protein concentrate admixtured of curcumin group (WPC + CCM); WPC + CCM submitted to exhaustion test group (WPC + CCM ET); CCM group, and CCM subjected to exhaustion test group (CCM ET). The swimming exhaustion test was performed after 4 weeks of experiment. The consumption of WPC + CCM as well as isolated CCM did not alter the biometric measurements, the animals’ food consumption and the hepatic and kidney function, as well as the protein balance of the animals (p>0.05), but reduced the glycemia and the gene expression of TNF- α and IL-6, and increased the expression of IL-10 (p<0.05). The animals that were submitted to the exhaustion test (AIN-93M ET) showed higher AST values when compared to the animals that did not perform the exercise (AIN-93 M) (p<0.05). WPC + CCM reduced the concentration of nitric oxide, carbonylated protein and increased the concentration of catalase (p<0.05). Both (WPC + CCM and CCM) were able to increase the concentrations of superoxide dismutase (p<0.05). We concluded that the WPC admixtured of CCM represents a strategy capable of decreasing blood glucose and oxidative and inflammatory damage caused by exhaustive physical exercise in swimming.

Emerging evidence indicates the association between an unhealthy gut and chronic diseases. A healthy gut comprises an intact gut epithelium and balanced gut microbes. Diet is one of the critical factors that modulate gut health by positively or negatively affecting the intestinal barrier and gut microbes. Blueberries are an excellent source of health‐promoting bioactive components, and this systematic review is conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary blueberries on gut health. A literature search is conducted on PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase databases to review relevant studies published between 2011 and 2022 according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The Systematic Review Center for Laboratory Animal Experimentation Risk of Bias (SYRCLE‐RoB) tool is used for methodological quality assessments. Sixteen studies included from four countries are reviewed and the results are synthesized narratively. This data analysis indicates that blueberry supplementation improves gut health by improving intestinal morphology, reducing gut permeability, suppressing oxidative stress, ameliorating gut inflammation, and modulating the composition and function of gut microbes. However, there are significant knowledge gaps in this field. These findings indicate that further studies are needed to establish the beneficial effects of blueberries on gut health.

Edible insects are being considered as a potential sustainable food source to address global food security concerns and feed the world’s growing population. However, the quality and biological protein value of insects remain uncertain. This review analysed in vivo studies that evaluated edible insect consumption to clarify their potential as a high-quality protein source. Ten studies that evaluated protein quality in rats or mice were included, and most studies found weight gain similar to or greater than the control group. Food intake, net protein ratio, and biological value were also similar to those in the control group. However, true digestibility and protein efficiency ratio were generally lower in animals fed with insects, and higher nitrogen excretion was observed. The results of this systematic review were highly heterogeneous, and it cannot be concluded that insects have high protein quality, although positive results regarding weight gain and biological value were found.

Exercícios físicos extenuantes podem levar ao desequilíbrio fisiológico, causando alterações musculares como danos oxidativos e inflamação. Nesse sentido, compostos bioativos têm sido estudados, devido aos seus efeitos antioxidante e anti-inflamatório, importantes para o controle metabólico. Assim, destaca-se a curcumina (CCM), adicionada a uma proteína de alto valor biológico, como o concentrado proteico de soro de leite (whey protein - WP), que pode promover benefícios adicionais à saúde. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito da adição de CCM ao concentrado proteico de soro de leite (WPC) no balanço oxidativo, inflamação e na histopatologia muscular de ratos Wistar submetidos a um protocolo agudo de exercício físico exaustivo. Os animais foram alocados em 6 grupos experimentais (n=8): G1: dieta padrão (AIN-93M); G2: AIN-93M submetido a teste de exaustão (AIN-93M TE); G3: whey protein concentrado adicionado de curcumina (WPC+CCM); G4: WPC + CCM submetido a teste de exaustão (WPC+CCM TE); G5: curcumina (CCM); e G6: CCM submetido a teste de exaustão (CCM TE). O teste de exaustão (TE) em natação foi realizado após 4 semanas de experimento e, 24 horas após, os animais foram eutanasiados. O tecido muscular foi coletado para avaliação do estresse oxidativo, inflamação e histopatologia. Além disso, foram analisados as concentrações de lactato sanguíneo. O consumo do WPC+CCM, nos animais submetidos ao TE, aumentou as concentrações da enzima catalase (CAT) em comparação ao mesmo grupo não submetido ao TE (WPC+CCM). O mesmo foi observado no grupo CCM TE vs. CCM. As concentrações da enzima glutationa (GST) também foram maiores no grupo CCM TE vs. CCM. Além disso, o consumo de WPC+CCM foi capaz de reduzir os níveis de peroxidação lipídica em período de exaustão (WPC+CCM TE vs. WPC+CCM). As concentrações de proteína carbonilada foram menores no grupo CCM TE quando comparadas às concentrações apresentadas pelo grupo AIN-93M TE e WPC+CCM TE. O consumo de WPC+CCM e CCM aumentaram a concentração de óxido nítrico nos animais. A expressão gênica de interleucina – 6 (IL-6) foi menor e a expressão de interleucina -10 (IL-10) foi maior nos grupos WPC+CCM e CCM, bem como nos grupos WPC+CCM TE e CCM TE. A ingestão do WPC+CCM e/ou da CCM mostrou, ainda, redução na inflamação, aumento da área de fibra muscular e do diâmetro das fibras musculares e menores áreas de tecido conjuntivo. As concentrações de lactato após o teste exaustivo em natação foram menores no grupo WPC+CCM. Assim, pode-se concluir que a associação do WPC+CCM age de forma positiva reduzindo a inflamação, melhorando o balanço oxidativo e as variáveis histopatológicas, além de diminuir a fadiga decorrente do exercício exaustivo em natação. Palavras-chave: Exercício físico. Exercício aeróbico. Natação. Cúrcuma. Antioxidantes. Citocinas inflamatórias.

Mol. Nutr. Food Res. 2023, 67, 202300096 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.202300096 Dietary blueberries enhance gut health by improving intestinal morphology, reducing gut permeability, suppressing oxidative stress, ameliorating gut inflammation, and modulating the composition and function of gut microbes. However, there are significant knowledge gaps in this field, and further studies are needed to establish the beneficial effects of blueberries on gut health. This is reported by Pon Velayutham Anandh Babu and co‐workers in article number 2300096.