Hechun Liu

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of fish oil-derived omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 PUFAs) on gut microbiota and serum lipid metabolites in T2DM. Methods: In a three-month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 110 T2DM patients received either fish oil (n = 55) or corn oil (n = 55) capsules daily. Serum lipids, glycemic parameters, gut microbiota diversity, and lipidomics were assessed. Results: This study found that fish oil-derived omega-3 PUFAs intervention did not significantly lower the fasting plasma glucose levels when compared with the baseline level (p > 0.05). However, serum fasting blood glucose (p = 0.039), glycosylated hemoglobin levels (p = 0.048), HOMA-IR (p = 0.022), total cholesterol (p < 0.001), triglyceride (p = 0.034), LDL cholesterol (p = 0.048), and non-HDL levels (p = 0.046) were significantly lower in the fish oil group compared with the corn oil group after three months of intervention. Also, it altered glycerophospholipid metabolism and gut microbiota. After three months, the fish oil group showed a significantly lower abundance of Desulfobacterota compared with the corn oil control group (p = 0.003), with reduced levels of Colidextribacter (p = 0.002), Ralstonia (p = 0.021), and Klebsiella (p = 0.013). Conversely, the abundance of Limosilactobacillus (p = 0.017), Lactobacillus (p = 0.011), and Haemophilus (p = 0.018) increased significantly. In addition, relevant glycolipid metabolism indicators showed significant correlations with the altered profiles of serum lipid metabolites, intestinal bacteria, and fungi. Conclusions: This study highlights the impact of fish oil-derived omega-3 PUFAs on intestinal microbiota structure and function in patients with type 2 diabetes. The observed decrease in pathogenic bacterial species and the enhancement of beneficial species may have significant implications for gut health and systemic inflammation, both of which are pivotal in managing diabetes. Further research is warranted to comprehensively elucidate the long-term benefits and underlying mechanisms of these microbiota alterations.

Proximity extension assay (PEA) is a powerful immunoassay for detection of protein molecules via DNA ligation and amplification, offering high specificity and sensitivity. Taking the advantages of PEA, we have analyzed the alteration of 92 proteins in relation with cancers with plasma samples from the volunteer subjects before and after dietary intervention with Xiangsha Taro (Colocasia esculenta Schott), an annual herbaceous perennial plant, in order to evaluate its anticancer effects. In the current study, forty-two healthy individuals were recruited and dietary intervention with 200g Xiangsha Taro daily was conducted for one month. 92 proteins related to cancer in plasma samples of all subjects before and after dietary intervention were comparatively analyzed by using Proximity Extension Assay (Oncology II). Physiological and biochemistry parameters were also examined. The altered proteins related with cancers were analyzed with GEPIA. Results indicated that CYR61, ANXA1, VIM and GZMH were found to be most significantly down-regulated after Xiangsha Taro consumption. These four proteins were found to be mainly associated with pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD). Furthermore, several metabolic parameters, including the levels of globulin, albumin, creatinine, fasting blood glucose, were found to be significantly decreased after Taro dietary intervention. The current study, thereby, provides the first evidence suggesting that Xiangsha Taro may have the chemoprevention effects mainly in PAAD. Further study of the major chemical components of Xiangsha Taro and their physic chemistry functional properties in relation with anti-cancer effects has been taken into our consideration.

The objective of this study is to investigate and compare the prevalence, knowledge, and attitudes of Chinese university students with respect to nutritional supplements. We conducted a cross-sectional study in several universities around China from January to December 2017, and enrolled a total of 8752 students. Of these, 4252 were medical students and 4500 were non-medical students. The use of nutritional supplements was reported by 58.9% in universities students, with a higher rate for medical students as compared to non-medical students. It was found 24.2% of participants had taken supplements in the past year. Medical students had a higher level of knowledge on nutritional supplements than non-medical students (p < 0.001). The most commonly used nutritional supplements were vitamin C, calcium, and vitamin B. Gender (p < 0.001), household income (p < 0.001), and health status (p < 0.001) were related to the nutritional supplement use after adjustment for related factors. In conclusion, in China, nutritional supplement use was found to be more common in medical students than those studying other disciplines, and was associated with sex, income, and health status. The attitude towards nutritional supplements by medical students was positive. Students’ knowledge levels about nutritional supplements need to be improved