Highlights • A review of the banned antibiotic chloramphenicol (CAP) in food is presented. • CAP's occurrence, sources, natural background, and risks are discussed. • Shortcomings of the toxicology ...of low-level exposures are reviewed. • A Threshold of Toxicological Concern (TTC) for CAP is proposed. • CAP's TTC is molecularly framed within its natural presence in foods.
Sarcoidosis is a systemic inflammatory disorder characterized by granuloma formation in various organs. It has been associated with nephrolithiasis. The vitamin K epoxide reductase complex subunit 1 ...(
) gene, which plays a crucial role in vitamin K metabolism, has been implicated in the activation of proteins associated with calcification, including in the forming of nephrolithiasis. This study aimed to investigate the
C1173T polymorphism (rs9934438) in a Dutch sarcoidosis cohort, comparing individuals with and without a history of nephrolithiasis. Retrospectively, 424 patients with sarcoidosis were divided into three groups: those with a history of nephrolithiasis (Group I:
= 23), those with hypercalcemia without nephrolithiasis (Group II:
= 38), and those without nephrolithiasis or hypercalcemia (Group III:
= 363). Of the 424 sarcoidosis patients studied, 5.4% had a history of nephrolithiasis (Group I), only two of whom possessed no
polymorphisms (OR = 7.73; 95% CI 1.79-33.4;
= 0.001). The presence of a
C1173T variant allele was found to be a substantial risk factor for the development of nephrolithiasis in sarcoidosis patients. This study provides novel insights into the genetic basis of nephrolithiasis in sarcoidosis patients, identifying
C1173T as a potential contributor. Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms and explore potential therapeutic interventions based on these genetic findings.
Quercetin, a member of the flavonoids family, is one of the most prominent dietary antioxidants. It is ubiquitously present in foods including vegetables, fruit, tea and wine as well as countless ...food supplements and is claimed to exert beneficial health effects. This includes protection against various diseases such as osteoporosis, certain forms of cancer, pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases but also against aging. Especially the ability of quercetin to scavenge highly reactive species such as peroxynitrite and the hydroxyl radical is suggested to be involved in these possible beneficial health effects. Consequently, numerous studies have been performed to gather scientific evidence for these beneficial health claims as well as data regarding the exact mechanism of action and possible toxicological aspects of this flavonoid. The purpose of this review is to evaluate these studies in order to elucidate the possible health-beneficial effects of the antioxidant quercetin. Firstly, the definitions as well as the most important aspects regarding free radicals, antioxidants and oxidative stress will be discussed as background information. Subsequently, the mechanism by which quercetin may operate as an antioxidant (tested in vitro) as well as the potential use of this antioxidant as a nutraceutical (tested both ex vivo and in vivo) will be discussed.
The contemporary pathophysiological model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) comprises multiple parallel pathways with a dynamic cross talk that cumulate in steatosis and inflammation, and ...ultimately fibrosis, cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma. So far, no pharmacological treatment has been approved. A major impediment of drugs, in general, is that they are intended to act on one single target in the pathology of a disease. However, the multitude of pathways involved in the pathogenesis of NAFLD underpins the need for treatments that address these various pathways. Interestingly, flavonoids have been found to have positive effects on lipid metabolism, insulin resistance, inflammation, and oxidative stress, the most important pathophysiological pathways in NAFLD. This puts flavonoids in the spotlight for the treatment of NAFLD and prompted us to review the existing evidence for the use of these food-derived compounds in the treatment of NAFLD.
The importance of a well-functioning and balanced immune system has become more apparent in recent decades. Various elements have however not yet been uncovered as shown, for example, in the ...uncertainty on immune system responses to COVID-19. Fungal beta-glucans are bioactive molecules with immunomodulating properties. Insights into the effects and function of beta-glucans, which have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, advances with the help of modern immunological and biotechnological methods. However, it is still unclear into which area beta-glucans fit best: supplements or medicine? This review has highlighted the potential application of fungal beta-glucans in nutrition and medicine, reviewing their formulation, efficacy, safety profile, and immunomodulating effects. The current status of dietary fungal glucans with respect to the European scientific requirements for health claims related to the immune system and defense against pathogens has been reviewed. Comparing the evidence base of the putative health effects of fungal beta-glucan supplements with the published guidance documents by EFSA on substantiating immune stimulation and pathogen defense by food products shows that fungal beta-glucans could play a role in supporting and maintaining health and, thus, can be seen as a good health-promoting substance from food, which could mean that this effect may also be claimed if approved. In addition to these developments related to food uses of beta-glucan-containing supplements, beta-glucans could also hold a novel position in Western medicine as the concept of trained immunity is relatively new and has not been investigated to a large extent. These innovative concepts, together with the emerging success of modern immunological and biotechnological methods, suggest that fungal glucans may play a promising role in both perspectives, and that there are possibilities for traditional medicine to provide an immunological application in both medicine and nutrition.
The exposure of living organisms to environmental stress triggers defensive responses resulting in the activation of protective processes. Whenever the exposure occurs at low doses, defensive effects ...overwhelm the adverse effects of the exposure; this adaptive situation is referred to as "hormesis". Environmental, physical, and nutritional hormetins lead to the stimulation and strengthening of the maintenance and repair systems in cells and tissues. Exercise, heat, and irradiation are examples of physical hormetins, which activate heat shock-, DNA repair-, and anti-oxidative-stress responses. The health promoting effect of many bio-actives in fruits and vegetables can be seen as the effect of mildly toxic compounds triggering this adaptive stimulus. Numerous studies indicate that living organisms possess the ability to adapt to adverse environmental conditions, as exemplified by the fact that DNA damage and gene expression profiling in populations living in the environment with high levels of air pollution do not correspond to the concentrations of pollutants. The molecular mechanisms of the hormetic response include modulation of (a) transcription factor Nrf2 activating the synthesis of glutathione and the subsequent protection of the cell; (b) DNA methylation; and (c) microRNA. These findings provide evidence that hormesis is a toxicological event, occurring at low exposure doses to environmental stressors, having the benefit for the maintenance of a healthy status.
In recent years, it has become clear that low-grade chronic inflammation is involved in the onset and progression of many non-communicable diseases. Many studies have investigated the association ...between inflammation and lycopene, however, results have been inconsistent. This systematic review aims to determine the impact of circulating lycopene on inflammation and to investigate the effect of consuming tomato products and/or lycopene supplements on markers of inflammation.
Eligible studies, published before March 2020, were identified from PubMed, EBSCOhost and ScienceDirect. Human studies published in English, that evaluated the effect of circulating lycopene in relation to inflammation biomarkers were screened and included. Studies assessing lycopene intake or general intake of carotenoids/antioxidants without measuring circulating lycopene, as well as those not reporting inflammation biomarkers as outcomes, were excluded.
Out of 80 publications identified and screened, 35 met the inclusion criteria. Results from 18 cross-sectional studies suggest that lycopene levels are adversely affected during inflammation and homeostatic imbalance. Most of the 17 included intervention studies reported increased circulating lycopene levels after tomato/lycopene supplementation, but almost no changes in inflammation biomarkers were observed.
There is little evidence that increasing tomato intake or lycopene supplementation diminuates this inflammation. However, depletion of lycopene may be one of the first signs of low-grade inflammation. The available data thereby imply that it is beneficial to consume lycopene-rich foods occasionally to stay healthy and keep circulating lycopene at a basal level.
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•The European Food Safety Authority’s evaluation procedure was not consistent.•The evaluation procedure itself has created uncertainty for food business operators.•The created ...uncertainty is presumed to negatively impact functional food innovation.•Clarifying EFSA’s procedure further can positively affect functional food innovation.
The rejection of many putative health claims in Europe is assumed to have negatively affected functional food innovation. This study analysed the influence of Article 13.1 health claims review procedure on the perception of functional food innovation.
The analysis of all scientific opinions related to antioxidants and a subsequent qualitative review of five scientific dossiers reveals that the evaluation by the European Food Safety Authority was not conducted consistently, as the Authority did not follow their own procedure. Several submitted scientific dossiers however also contain studies unrelated to the proposed health claim.
By not following their own procedure, the European Food Safety Authority has created uncertainty regarding health claim evaluations. This uncertainty presents a risk for food companies and impacts future investments for research and development of new functional food products. Although published guidance documents have partially clarified the evaluation process, further standardisation and clarification will benefit functional food innovation.
Production of considerable amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) eventually leads to oxidative stress. A key role of oxidative stress is evident in the pathologic mechanisms of endothelial ...dysfunction and associated cardiovascular diseases. Vascular enzymes such as NADPH oxidases, xanthine oxidase, and uncoupled endothelial nitric oxide synthase are involved in the production of ROS. The question remains whether pharmacologic approaches can effectively combat the excessive ROS production in the vasculature. Interestingly, existing registered cardiovascular drugs can directly or indirectly act as antioxidants, thereby preventing the damaging effects of ROS. Moreover, new compounds targeting NADPH oxidases have been developed. Finally, food-derived compounds appear to be effective inhibitors of oxidative stress and preserve vascular function.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been detrimental to food security globally. The Netherlands, despite its advanced stage of development, saw a surge in food insecurity among its most vulnerable citizens. ...Dutch food aid is managed by private charities and social organisations that often aim to address the problems of food insecurity and food waste by redistributing surplus food that is safe to consume. This paper investigates how the pandemic impacted surplus food redistribution in the country by employing an Exploratory-Descriptive-Qualitative approach. This is done by analysing data from interviews with relevant stakeholders involved in redistributing surplus food in the Netherlands as well as media reports on the topic. Our findings indicate that the interviewed organisations experienced drastic fluctuations in supply and demand. To cope with these changes, rapid organisational and supply chain innovation was observed. Next to this, there seems to have been disproportionate negative impact on smaller charities in comparison to bigger, better established organisations. Based on our findings, we discuss what the future of surplus food distribution in the Netherlands might look like and why changes made during the pandemic must be well documented and carefully analysed.
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