Nutrients

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14 pages, 881 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Strategies for Effective Communication in Hypertension Management: Validation of Messages from a Mobile Application to Assist Hypertensive Older Adults in Adherence to Treatment, Nutrition and Physical Activity

by Alayne Pereira, Raiza Trombini, Yuri Barbalho, Marina Stival, Luciano Lima, Renata Zandonadi, Verônica Ginani, Rafaella Dusi and Silvana Schwerz Funghetto

Nutrients 2024, 16(24), 4284; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16244284 - 12 Dec 2024

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Abstract

Background: Poor adherence to antihypertensive treatment is a common problem among elderly hypertensive patients and one of the leading causes of inadequate blood pressure control. In this sense, it is essential to improve strategies for effective communication in managing hypertension treatment for this [...] Read more.

Background: Poor adherence to antihypertensive treatment is a common problem among elderly hypertensive patients and one of the leading causes of inadequate blood pressure control. In this sense, it is essential to improve strategies for effective communication in managing hypertension treatment for this group. Objective: This study aimed to validate the text messages of a mobile application to aid adherence to antihypertensive treatment, nutrition, and physical activity among older adults with hypertension treated in Brazilian public primary health care. Methods: This descriptive, methodological development study with a quantitative approach was carried out between March and August 2024. Results: A total of 27 messages were constructed and validated by 13 experts, and this stage was divided into two rounds. The Content Validity index and percentage of agreement were used in the validation process. The messages were developed using theory, national guidelines, validation, and expert review. Conclusions: Text messages for adherence to antihypertensive treatment involving medication, nutrition, and physical activity have enormous potential with the target audience studied. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Diet to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease)

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13 pages, 1093 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Dietary Patterns on Vascular Aging Using the Brachial–Ankle Index

by Inés Llamas-Ramos, Rocío Llamas-Ramos, María Cortés-Rodríguez, Emiliano Rodríguez-Sánchez, Luis García-Ortiz, Manuel A. Gómez-Marcos, Marta Gómez-Sánchez and Leticia Gómez-Sánchez

Nutrients 2024, 16(23), 4229; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16234229 - 6 Dec 2024

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Abstract

The Mediterranean diet (MD) plays an important role in delaying vascular aging. The main objective of this study was to analyze the association between adherence to the MD and vascular aging estimated with brachial–ankle pulse wave velocity (ba-PWV) in a Spanish population sample [...] Read more.

The Mediterranean diet (MD) plays an important role in delaying vascular aging. The main objective of this study was to analyze the association between adherence to the MD and vascular aging estimated with brachial–ankle pulse wave velocity (ba-PWV) in a Spanish population sample and the differences by sex. Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study. A total of 3437 subjects from the EVA, MARK and EVIDENT studies participated. The ba-PWV was assessed with the Vasera VS-1500^® device. Vascular aging was classified as healthy vascular aging (HVA), normal vascular aging (NVA) and early vascular aging (EVA) and adherence to the MD was assessed with the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener questionnaire. Results: The mean age was 60.15 ± 9.55 (60.09 ± 9.71 in women; 60.20 ± 9.43 in men). Overall, MD adherence was observed in 48.0% of subjects (40% in women; 54% in men). The mean value of ba-PWV was 14.38 ± 2.71 (women 14.24 ± 2.89; men 14.49 ± 2.56). In multinomial logistic regression a positive association was found overall between HVA and NVA (OR = 1.751, 95% CI: 1.411–2.174, p < 0.001) and between HVA and EVA (OR = 1.501, 95% CI:1.295–1.740, p < 0.001); in women between HVA and NVA (OR = 2. 055, 95% CI:1.456–2.901, p < 0.001) and between HVA and EVA (OR = 1.413, 95% CI:1.124–1.776; p = 0.003); and in men between HVA and NVA (OR = 1.551, 95% CI: 1.175–2.047, p = 0.002) and between HVA and EVA (OR = 1.549, 95% CI: 1.275–1.882; p < 0.001). Conclusions: The results of this work indicate that greater adherence to the MD is associated with healthier vascular aging. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Diet to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease)

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14 pages, 1234 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Causal Effects of Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour, and Diet on Atrial Fibrillation and Heart Failure: A Multivariable Mendelian Randomisation Analysis

by Yunong Zhang, Ye Tao, Hyunsoo Choi and Haonan Qian

Nutrients 2024, 16(23), 4055; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16234055 - 26 Nov 2024

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Abstract

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the causal effects of physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and diet on atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) using multivariate Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis and genetic variants as instrumental variables. Methods: The study employed multivariate MR analysis [...] Read more.

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the causal effects of physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and diet on atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) using multivariate Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis and genetic variants as instrumental variables. Methods: The study employed multivariate MR analysis with physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and diet as exposures and AF and HF as outcomes. Data were obtained from the UK Biobank (over 500,000 participants) and the FinnGen project (218,792 participants of European ancestry). Genetic variants associated with physical activity, diet, and sedentary behaviour were used as instrumental variables. The main analysis methods included the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method, MR-Egger, and weighted median methods. Heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran’s Q test. Results: The analyses generally did not demonstrate significant causal relationships between physical activity or sedentary behaviour and AF. Diet showed a potential protective effect on AF in some analyses but was not consistently significant across methods. For HF, physical activity and sedentary behaviour did not show significant causal relationships. Diet showed a significant protective effect against HF in the IVW method but was not consistent across all methods. Conclusions: This study suggests that while there may be some protective effects of these lifestyle factors on cardiovascular disease, most analyses did not show significant causality, and results were inconsistent. Further research is needed to validate these findings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Diet to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease)

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20 pages, 12941 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Kiwifruit Consumption on Cholesterol Metabolism in Rat Liver: A Gene Expression Analysis in Induced Hypercholesterolemia

by Abdolvahab Ebrahimpour Gorji, Anna Ciecierska, Hanna Leontowicz, Zahra Roudbari and Tomasz Sadkowski

Nutrients 2024, 16(23), 3999; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16233999 - 22 Nov 2024

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Abstract

Background/Objectives: Cholesterol is vital in various bodily functions, such as maintaining cell membranes, producing hormones, etc. However, imbalances, like hypercholesterolemia, can lead to diseases such as cancer, kidney disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and cardiovascular conditions. This study explores the impact of kiwifruit [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Cholesterol is vital in various bodily functions, such as maintaining cell membranes, producing hormones, etc. However, imbalances, like hypercholesterolemia, can lead to diseases such as cancer, kidney disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and cardiovascular conditions. This study explores the impact of kiwifruit consumption, specifically Actinidia arguta cultivar Geneva and Actinidia deliciosa cultivar Hayward, on cholesterol and lipid metabolism in rat liver. Methods: Rats were divided into groups: a 1% cholesterol control group (Ch), a 5% Geneva kiwifruit-supplemented group (ChGENE), and a 5% Hayward kiwifruit-supplemented group (ChHAYW). Gene expression was analyzed using Gene Spring v.14. Gene ontology, pathway analysis, miRNA, and transcription factor prediction were performed using DAVID, Reactome, and miRNet. In addition, we used Agilent Literature Search software to gain further insights. Results: Statistical analysis identified 72 genes in ChGENE-Ch and 2 genes in ChHAYW-Ch comparison. Key genes involved in cholesterol metabolism pathways, including PCSK9, SCD1, SLC27A5, HMGCR, and DHCR24, showed lower expression in the kiwifruit-supplemented groups. The genes mentioned above showed lower expression in the kiwifruit-supplemented group, probably contributing to the liver lipid level reduction. Further analysis identified miRNA-26a, miRNA-29a/b/c, miRNA-33a/b, and miRNA-155 targeting hub genes. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that dietary supplementation with kiwifruit, particularly the Geneva cultivar, reduces fat accumulation in the liver of rats with hypercholesterolemia, likely through downregulation of critical genes involved in cholesterol metabolism. These studies highlight the potential of kiwifruit as a part of a dietary strategy to manage cholesterol levels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Diet to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease)

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17 pages, 2139 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Houttuynia cordata Thunb. Extracts Alleviate Atherosclerosis and Modulate Gut Microbiota in Male Hypercholesterolemic Hamsters

by Yuhong Lin, Chufeng He, Jianhui Liu, Hau-Yin Chung, Zhen-Yu Chen and Wing-Tak Wong

Nutrients 2024, 16(19), 3290; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16193290 - 28 Sep 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1262

Abstract

Background and Aims: Hypercholesterolemia leads to cardiovascular diseases and atherosclerosis. Previous studies have highlighted the crucial role of gut microbiota in alleviating atherosclerosis progression and reducing plasma cholesterol. However, the protective effects of Houttuynia cordata Thunb (HCT), a well-known fishy Chinese herb, against [...] Read more.

Background and Aims: Hypercholesterolemia leads to cardiovascular diseases and atherosclerosis. Previous studies have highlighted the crucial role of gut microbiota in alleviating atherosclerosis progression and reducing plasma cholesterol. However, the protective effects of Houttuynia cordata Thunb (HCT), a well-known fishy Chinese herb, against hypercholesterolemia and vasculopathy remain largely unknown. This study aims to explore the effects of HCT extracts on vascular health and gut microbiota in golden Syrian hamsters with hypercholesterolemia. Methods: The hypercholesterolemia hamster model was established by feeding with a high-cholesterol diet. Aqueous or ethanolic HCT extracts were mixed with diet and concurrently given to hamsters for Six weeks. Plasma lipid profiles were evaluated. Aortas were collected to detect fatty streak areas. Feces were collected to analyze the abundance of microorganisms in the gut microbiota. Results: HCT ethanolic extract treatment remarkedly decreased plasma levels of total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic hamsters. Notably, both aqueous and ethanolic extracts of HCT reduced atherosclerotic plaques in hamsters fed with a high-cholesterol diet. Strikingly, the effects of HCT ethanolic extract in reducing atherosclerotic plaques are greater than aqueous extract. Furthermore, at the phylum level, the relative abundance of Firmicutes was decreased in hamsters treated with aqueous and ethanolic extracts of HCT. By contrast, the abundance of Bacteroidetes was increased by HCT treatment. At the family level, HCT extract favourably modulated the relative abundance of Porphyromonadaceae and Bacteroidales_S24-7_group. These findings indicate that HCT extracts may facilitate the growth of short-chain fatty acids-producing bacteria to alter gut microbiota composition, contributing to the reduction of plasma lipid levels. Conclusions: This study offers evidence demonstrating the effects of HCT extracts on alleviating atherosclerosis and lowering plasma cholesterol levels in the male hypercholesterolemic hamster model, offering novel insights into the pharmacological effects and promoting the application of HCT. This study highlights the potential of HCT as a dietary supplement to alleviate atherosclerosis, lower plasma cholesterol, and modulate the abundance of microorganisms in gut microbiota. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Diet to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease)

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13 pages, 4434 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Licorice Extract Isoliquiritigenin Protects Endothelial Function in Type 2 Diabetic Mice

by Lin Wang, Ruiwen Zhu, Chufeng He, Huixian Li, Qile Zhang, Yiu Ming Cheung, Fung Ping Leung and Wing Tak Wong

Nutrients 2024, 16(18), 3160; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16183160 - 19 Sep 2024

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Abstract

Endothelial dysfunction occurs prior to atherosclerosis, which is an independent predictor of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Diabetes mellitus impairs endothelial function by triggering oxidative stress and inflammation in vascular tissues. Isoliquiritigenin (ISL), one of the major bioactive ingredients extracted from licorice, has been reported [...] Read more.

Endothelial dysfunction occurs prior to atherosclerosis, which is an independent predictor of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Diabetes mellitus impairs endothelial function by triggering oxidative stress and inflammation in vascular tissues. Isoliquiritigenin (ISL), one of the major bioactive ingredients extracted from licorice, has been reported to inhibit inflammation and oxidative stress. However, the therapeutic effects of ISL on ameliorating type 2 diabetes (T2D)-associated endothelial dysfunction remain unknown. In our animal study, db/db male mice were utilized as a model for T2D-associated endothelial dysfunction, while their counterpart, heterozygote db/m⁺ male mice, served as the control. Mouse brain microvascular endothelial cells (mBMECs) were used for in vitro experiments. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) was used to induce endothelial cell dysfunction. ISL significantly reversed the impairment of endothelium-dependent relaxations (EDRs) in db/db mouse aortas. ISL treatment decreased ROS (reactive oxygen species) levels in db/db mice aortic sections and IL-1β-treated endothelial cells. Encouragingly, ISL attenuated the overexpression of pro-inflammatory factors MCP-1, TNF-α, and IL-6 in db/db mouse aortas and IL-1β-impaired endothelial cells. The NOX2 (NADPH oxidase 2) overexpression was inhibited by ISL treatment. Notably, ISL treatment restored the expression levels of IL-10, SOD1, Nrf2, and HO-1 in db/db mouse aortas and IL-1β-impaired endothelial cells. This study illustrates, for the first time, that ISL attenuates endothelial dysfunction in T2D mice, offering new insights into the pharmacological effects of ISL. Our findings demonstrate the potential of ISL as a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of vascular diseases, paving the way for the further exploration of novel vascular therapies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Diet to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease)

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21 pages, 1199 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Nigerian Dietary Screening Tool: A Step toward Improved Patient-Clinician Communication in Nigerian Hospitals: A Pilot Implementation Study

by Nimisoere P. Batubo, Carolyn I. Auma, J. Bernadette Moore and Michael A. Zulyniak

Nutrients 2024, 16(14), 2286; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16142286 - 16 Jul 2024

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Abstract

Implementing dietary screening tools into clinical practice has been challenging, including in Nigeria. This study evaluated the impact of the Nigerian dietary screening tool (NiDST) on patient–clinician communication and barriers to and facilitators of implementation. A mixed methods approach was used to collect [...] Read more.

Implementing dietary screening tools into clinical practice has been challenging, including in Nigeria. This study evaluated the impact of the Nigerian dietary screening tool (NiDST) on patient–clinician communication and barriers to and facilitators of implementation. A mixed methods approach was used to collect data from patients (n = 151) and clinicians (n = 20) from outpatient clinics in Nigeria. Patients completed the validated 25-item NiDST prior to outpatient consultations. Both patients and clinicians completed the Measurement Instrument for Determinants of Innovations (MIDI) questionnaire to assess implementation determinants post-consultation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted for in-depth feedback. The fidelity of implementation was 92% for NiDST-reported dietary discussion, with a mean completion time of <6 min and an accepted marginal increase in consultation time (<10 min). For clinicians, 25% reported time constraints and their additional nutritional knowledge as barriers, while facilitators of NiDST implementation were the clarity and completeness of the NiDST, clinical relevance and improved patient–clinician communication, as reported by all the clinicians. Over 96% of patients reported the NiDST as quick to complete, with 90.7% reporting self-reflection on dietary intake. This study demonstrated the NiDST’s potential to enhance patient–clinician communication and highlighted major facilitators of implementation in clinical practice to improve dietary discussion in Nigeria. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Diet to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease)

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Review

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22 pages, 2058 KiB

Open AccessReview

Research Progress of Food-Derived Antihypertensive Peptides in Regulating the Key Factors of the Renin–Angiotensin System

by Xinyu Yao, Xinyi Cao, Liang Chen and Wang Liao

Nutrients 2025, 17(1), 97; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17010097 - 29 Dec 2024

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Abstract

Food protein-derived antihypertensive peptides have attracted substantial attention as a safer alternative for drugs. The regulation of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) is an essential aspect underlying the mechanisms of antihypertensive peptides. Most of the identified antihypertensive peptides exhibit the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory [...] Read more.

Food protein-derived antihypertensive peptides have attracted substantial attention as a safer alternative for drugs. The regulation of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) is an essential aspect underlying the mechanisms of antihypertensive peptides. Most of the identified antihypertensive peptides exhibit the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory effect. In addition, artificial intelligence has improved the efficiency of ACE inhibitory peptide identifications. Moreover, the inhibition of renin and blockade or down-regulation of angiotensin type I receptor (AT1R) have also been demonstrated to be effective intervention strategies. With the identification of the ACE2/Ang (1–7)/MasR axis, activation or up-regulation of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) has also emerged as a new intervention pathway. This review summarizes the research progress of antihypertensive peptides in intervening with hypertension from the perspective of their properties, sources, and key factors. The objective of this review is to provide theoretical references for the development of antihypertensive peptides and the explorations of the molecular mechanisms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Diet to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease)

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