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Nutrients
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The Relationship between Nutrition and Digestive Diseases
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The Relationship between Nutrition and Digestive Diseases

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 October 2019) | Viewed by 116659

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Michele Cicala

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Unit Digestive Disease, University Campus Bio Medico of Rome
Interests: Gastroenterology; Endoscopy; Hepatology; Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease; Neurophysiology and Neuromics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The gastrointestinal system is crucial for digestion and absorption; food is converted into energy and other substances that are used by cells throughout the entire body. Several gastrointestinal diseases have nutritional effects and, on the other hand, growing evidence shows that specific foods are implicated in disease onset or disease prevention. Nowadays, strong evidence supports the pivotal role of microbiota and its modulation by diet in the pathophysiology of gastrointestinal disease by means of modulation of intestinal permeability and inflammation. Malnutrition has a negative effect on the clinical course of underlying diseases, and is associated with poor clinical outcomes. Indeed, a personalized nutritional approach is crucial, particularly in inflammatory and neoplastic diseases.

Dr. Michele Cicala
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs)
  • Food
  • Gut microbiota
  • Dysbiosis
  • Visceral hypersensitivity
  • Mucosal integrity and permeability
  • Cancer
  • Chronic Inflammation

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 1595 KiB  
Article
Human Breast Milk Promotes the Secretion of Potentially Beneficial Metabolites by Probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938
by Tu T. Mai, Dat Q. Tran, Stefan Roos, J. Marc Rhoads and Yuying Liu
Nutrients 2019, 11(7), 1548; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11071548 - 9 Jul 2019
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 6003
Abstract
Human breast milk (HBM) may have beneficial effects on Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 (LR 17938) -mediated immunomodulation. We aimed to determine the effects of HBM on proliferation of LR 17938 in vitro and its associated proteins and metabolites in culture, in order to [...] Read more.
Human breast milk (HBM) may have beneficial effects on Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 (LR 17938) -mediated immunomodulation. We aimed to determine the effects of HBM on proliferation of LR 17938 in vitro and its associated proteins and metabolites in culture, in order to provide mechanistic insights into the health benefits of LR 17938. LR 17938 was cultured anaerobically in MRS bacterial culture media, HBM (from 6 mothers), and 2 types of cow-milk formula. The colony-forming unit (CFU) was calculated to evaluate LR 17938 growth. Sixteen-hour-fermented supernatants were used for metabolomics, and bacterial lysates were used for proteomics analysis. We found that growth of LR 17938 was 10 times better in HBM than in formula. We detected 261/452 metabolites upregulated when LR 17938 cultured in HBM compared to in formula, mainly participating in the glyoxylate cycle (succinate), urea cycle (citrulline), methionine methylation (N-acetylcysteine), and polyamine synthesis (spermidine). The significantly up-regulated enzymes were also involved in the formation of acetyl-CoA in the glyoxylate cycle and the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine. In conclusion, HBM enhances the growth of LR 17938 compared to formula and promotes LR 17938-associated metabolites that relate to energy and antioxidant status, which may be linked to the physiological effects of L. reuteri. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Relationship between Nutrition and Digestive Diseases)
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Review

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18 pages, 912 KiB  
Review
Intestinal Permeability, Inflammation and the Role of Nutrients
by Ricard Farré, Marcello Fiorani, Saeed Abdu Rahiman and Gianluca Matteoli
Nutrients 2020, 12(4), 1185; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12041185 - 23 Apr 2020
Cited by 159 | Viewed by 25136
Abstract
The interaction between host and external environment mainly occurs in the gastrointestinal tract, where the mucosal barrier has a critical role in many physiologic functions ranging from digestion, absorption, and metabolism. This barrier allows the passage and absorption of nutrients, but at the [...] Read more.
The interaction between host and external environment mainly occurs in the gastrointestinal tract, where the mucosal barrier has a critical role in many physiologic functions ranging from digestion, absorption, and metabolism. This barrier allows the passage and absorption of nutrients, but at the same time, it must regulate the contact between luminal antigens and the immune system, confining undesirable products to the lumen. Diet is an important regulator of the mucosal barrier, and the cross-talk among dietary factors, the immune system, and microbiota is crucial for the modulation of intestinal permeability and for the maintenance of gastrointestinal tract (GI) homeostasis. In the present review, we will discuss the role of a number of dietary nutrients that have been proposed as regulators of inflammation and epithelial barrier function. We will also consider the metabolic function of the microbiota, which is capable of elaborating the diverse nutrients and synthesizing products of great interest. Better knowledge of the influence of dietary nutrients on inflammation and barrier function can be important for the future development of new therapeutic approaches for patients with mucosal barrier dysfunction, a critical factor in the pathogenesis of many GI and non-GI diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Relationship between Nutrition and Digestive Diseases)
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24 pages, 606 KiB  
Review
Mechanisms of Action of Prebiotics and Their Effects on Gastro-Intestinal Disorders in Adults
by Michele Pier Luca Guarino, Annamaria Altomare, Sara Emerenziani, Claudia Di Rosa, Mentore Ribolsi, Paola Balestrieri, Paola Iovino, Giulia Rocchi and Michele Cicala
Nutrients 2020, 12(4), 1037; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12041037 - 9 Apr 2020
Cited by 141 | Viewed by 15888
Abstract
In recent years, research has focused on the use of dietary fibers and prebiotics, since many of these polysaccharides can be metabolized by intestinal microbiota, leading to the production of short-chain fatty acids. The metabolites of prebiotic fermentation also show anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory [...] Read more.
In recent years, research has focused on the use of dietary fibers and prebiotics, since many of these polysaccharides can be metabolized by intestinal microbiota, leading to the production of short-chain fatty acids. The metabolites of prebiotic fermentation also show anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory capabilities, suggesting an interesting role in the treatment of several pathological conditions. Galacto-oligosaccharide and short- and long-chain fructans (Fructo-oligosaccharides and inulin) are the most studied prebiotics, even if other dietary compounds seem to show the same features. There is an increasing interest in dietary strategies to modulate microbiota. The aim of this review is to explore the mechanisms of action of prebiotics and their effects on the principal gastro-intestinal disorders in adults, with a special focus on Galacto-oligosaccharides, Fructo-oligosaccharides, lactulose and new emerging substances which currently have evidence of prebiotics effects, such as xilooligosaccharides, soybean oligosaccharides, isomaltooligosaccharides, lactobionic acid, resistant starch and polyphenols. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Relationship between Nutrition and Digestive Diseases)
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11 pages, 393 KiB  
Review
Nutritional Aspects in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
by Paola Balestrieri, Mentore Ribolsi, Michele Pier Luca Guarino, Sara Emerenziani, Annamaria Altomare and Michele Cicala
Nutrients 2020, 12(2), 372; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12020372 - 31 Jan 2020
Cited by 154 | Viewed by 16705
Abstract
Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are chronic, relapsing, inflammatory disorders of the digestive tract that characteristically develop in adolescence and early adulthood. The reported prevalence of malnutrition in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients ranges between 20% and 85%. Several factors, including [...] Read more.
Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are chronic, relapsing, inflammatory disorders of the digestive tract that characteristically develop in adolescence and early adulthood. The reported prevalence of malnutrition in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients ranges between 20% and 85%. Several factors, including reduced oral food intake, malabsorption, chronic blood and proteins loss, and intestinal bacterial overgrowth, contribute to malnutrition in IBD patients. Poor nutritional status, as well as selective malnutrition or sarcopenia, is associated with poor clinical outcomes, response to therapy and, therefore, quality of life. The nutritional assessment should include a dietetic evaluation with the assessment of daily caloric intake and energy expenditure, radiological assessment, and measurement of functional capacity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Relationship between Nutrition and Digestive Diseases)
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14 pages, 926 KiB  
Review
Role of Overweight and Obesity in Gastrointestinal Disease
by Sara Emerenziani, Michele Pier Luca Guarino, Laura Maria Trillo Asensio, Annamaria Altomare, Mentore Ribolsi, Paola Balestrieri and Michele Cicala
Nutrients 2020, 12(1), 111; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12010111 - 31 Dec 2019
Cited by 72 | Viewed by 10458
Abstract
The prevalence of obesity is increasing worldwide, leading to a severe impairment of overall health. Actually, obesity has been associated with several pathological conditions, causing an excess overall mortality. In particular, overweight and obesity are well known risk factors for a variety of [...] Read more.
The prevalence of obesity is increasing worldwide, leading to a severe impairment of overall health. Actually, obesity has been associated with several pathological conditions, causing an excess overall mortality. In particular, overweight and obesity are well known risk factors for a variety of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders i.e., functional GI disorders as well as, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), pancreatitis, and GI cancer. The aim of the present review is to summarize the potential role of overweight and obesity in GI disease with particular focus on plausible biological mechanisms that could explain the association between obesity and GI disease based on the most recent evidence in the literature. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Relationship between Nutrition and Digestive Diseases)
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17 pages, 1632 KiB  
Review
Eating Disorders and Gastrointestinal Diseases
by Antonella Santonicola, Mario Gagliardi, Michele Pier Luca Guarino, Monica Siniscalchi, Carolina Ciacci and Paola Iovino
Nutrients 2019, 11(12), 3038; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11123038 - 12 Dec 2019
Cited by 66 | Viewed by 17158
Abstract
Eating disorders (ED) are frequently associated with a wide range of psychiatric or somatic comorbidities. The most relevant ED are anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge eating disorders (BED). Patients with ED exhibit both upper and lower gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. Evidence [...] Read more.
Eating disorders (ED) are frequently associated with a wide range of psychiatric or somatic comorbidities. The most relevant ED are anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge eating disorders (BED). Patients with ED exhibit both upper and lower gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. Evidence of alterations throughout the GI tract in ED will be analyzed given the role of the GI tract in food intake and its regulation. It remains a matter of debate whether GI disorders are inherent manifestations of ED or the results of malnutrition occurring from ED. Moreover, recent clinical studies have highlighted the growing role of intestinal microbiota in the pathogenesis of ED, making it possible to hypothesize a modulation of intestinal microbiota as a co-adjuvant to standard therapy. The aim of this review is to analyze the link between ED and GI diseases and to present, where known, the potential key factors underlying these conditions. Conclusions: The presence of GI disorders should be investigated in patients with ED. Screening for ED should also be encouraged in individuals seeking treatment for unexplained GI complaints to better address therapeutic issues that surround these difficult medical conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Relationship between Nutrition and Digestive Diseases)
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21 pages, 1046 KiB  
Review
Autism, Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Modulation of Gut Microbiota by Nutritional Interventions
by Maria Vittoria Ristori, Andrea Quagliariello, Sofia Reddel, Gianluca Ianiro, Stefano Vicari, Antonio Gasbarrini and Lorenza Putignani
Nutrients 2019, 11(11), 2812; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11112812 - 18 Nov 2019
Cited by 110 | Viewed by 23186
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex behavioral syndrome that is characterized by speech and language disorders, intellectual impairment, learning and motor dysfunctions. Several genetic and environmental factors are suspected to affect the ASD phenotype including air pollution, exposure to pesticides, maternal infections, [...] Read more.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex behavioral syndrome that is characterized by speech and language disorders, intellectual impairment, learning and motor dysfunctions. Several genetic and environmental factors are suspected to affect the ASD phenotype including air pollution, exposure to pesticides, maternal infections, inflammatory conditions, dietary factors or consumption of antibiotics during pregnancy. Many children with ASD shows abnormalities in gastrointestinal (GI) physiology, including increased intestinal permeability, overall microbiota alterations, and gut infection. Moreover, they are “picky eaters” and the existence of specific sensory patterns in ASD patients could represent one of the main aspects in hampering feeding. GI disorders are associated with an altered composition of the gut microbiota. Gut microbiome is able to communicate with brain activities through microbiota-derived signaling molecules, immune mediators, gut hormones as well as vagal and spinal afferent neurons. Since the diet induces changes in the intestinal microbiota and in the production of molecules, such as the SCFA, we wanted to investigate the role that nutritional intervention can have on GI microbiota composition and thus on its influence on behavior, GI symptoms and microbiota composition and report which are the beneficial effect on ASD conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Relationship between Nutrition and Digestive Diseases)
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