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A study by an international team of researchers has visually determined how T-cells of the immune system interact with gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley that causes celiac disease. A chronic inflammatory disorder that affects the digestive process of the small intestine, the disease affects approximately 1 in 133 people. The researchers said this is the first time the intricacies of the interaction between gluten and two proteins that initiate immune responses have been visualized at a sub-molecular level. The finding will help the company ImmusanT develop a blood test and a therapeutic vaccine, Nexvax2, that could restore immune tolerance to gluten and allow patients to again include gluten in their diet.
"Biased T Cell Receptor Usage Directed against Human Leukocyte Antigen DQ8-Restricted Gliadin Peptides Is Associated with Celiac Disease", Immunity, October 11, 2012
A Chinese and American research team has found in an animal study that large doses of vitamin C can protect against the onset of osteoporosis. The study in female mice whose ovaries had been removed – the procedure reduces bone density – showed that vitamin C actively stimulates bone formation by inducing premature bone cells (osteoblasts) to differentiate into mature specialty cells. The scientists suggested that further research could determine whether vitamin C supplements can prevent osteoporosis in humans, especially elderly women and men.
"Vitamin C Prevents Hypogonadal Bone Loss", PLoS ONE, October 09, 2012
Scientists at Columbia University working in mice have found that a diet high in saturated fat increases the levels of an enzyme that has been linked to inflammation and hardening of the arteries. The enzyme, endothelial lipase (EL), plays a role in the metabolism of blood lipoproteins. For the study, mouse models of atherosclerosis were fed a diet enriched with either the saturated fat palmitic acid or a polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acid found in fish oil and other foods. After three weeks, the aortas of the mice fed saturated fat showed a significant increase in EL, as well as inflammation. Mice fed omega-3 fatty acids showed less EL and more beneficial changes in inflammation.
" Fatty Acids Regulate Endothelial Lipase and Inflammatory Markers in Macrophages and in Mouse Aorta", Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, October 08, 2012
U.S. scientists have found in a study of older animals that increasing the levels of zinc in the diet can reduce the risk of health problems such as cancer, heart disease, autoimmune disease and diabetes. Zinc deficiency develops with age and can lead to a decline in the immune system and an increase in inflammation. Older animals in the study – whose “zinc transporters were significantly dysregulated” – were given about ten times the dietary requirement for zinc. The biomarkers of inflammation were restored to the levels of young animals, the researchers said.
"Increased inflammatory response in aged mice is associated with age-related zinc deficiency and zinc transporter dysregulation", The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, October 01, 2012
In an animal study, U.S. scientists found that the high-calorie, high-sugar, high-sodium diet known as the “cafeteria diet” induced symptoms of metabolic syndrome after only two months. The researchers gave sedentary rats – whose age was equivalent to humans 16 to 22 years – unlimited access to food pellets and a daily selection of common junk food items like cookies, sausage and cupcakes. Within two months the rats showed significant evidence of increased cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure and obesity, all symptoms of metabolic syndrome.
"Cafeteria Diet Hastens Stroke Risk: High-Sugar, High-Salt Intake Creates 'a Ticking Time Bomb of Health Problems'", News release, presentation at the Canadian Stroke Congress, October 01, 2012
The symptoms of aging could be significantly decelerated if people were able to change the ratio of fatty acid consumption in a way – such as consuming more omega-3 fatty acids – that preserved the tiny segments of white blood cell DNA known as telomeres. The segments are known to constrict over time in many types of cells as a consequence of aging. But consuming enough omega-3 fatty acid supplements seems to lengthen telomeres in immune system cells, while also reducing oxidative stress. According to the researchers, the findings suggest that “a nutritional supplement might actually make a difference in aging.”
"Omega-3 supplementation lowers inflammation in healthy middle-aged and older adults: A randomized controlled trial", Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, October 01, 2012
A clinical study involving healthy, nonsmoking middle-aged adults who seldom ate apples or took polyphenol supplements found that those who ate an apple a day for four weeks had lower levels of so-called bad cholesterol (LDL) in their blood. High LDL content has been linked to hardening of the arteries by inducing inflammation and tissue damage. According to the researchers, cholesterol was also lowered by consuming capsules of apple polyphenol extract, “though not as much as with whole apples”.
"Intakes of apples or apple polyphenols decease plasma values for oxidized low-density lipoprotein/beta2-glycoprotein I complex", Journal of Functional Foods, September 29, 2012
With 8.3 million people in the U.S. suffering from the painful condition known as gout, the discovery of a simple, natural and effective remedy comes as very good news. U.S. researchers have known for some time that cherry products lower uric acid levels and inflammation. In a new study they found that gout patients who consumed cherries for two days reduced their risk of gout attacks by 35 percent. Participants consumed up to three servings (1/2 cup per serving) over two days. When cherry intake was combined with the uric acid reducing drug allopurinol, the risk of gout flare-ups was 75 percent lower.
"Cherry Consumption and the Risk of Recurrent Gout Attacks", Arthritis & Rheumatism, September 28, 2012
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