scholarly journals Nutrition and the Immune System: A Complicated Tango

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 818 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carina Venter ◽  
Stefanie Eyerich ◽  
Tara Sarin ◽  
Kevin C. Klatt

Enthusiasm exists for the potential of diet to impact the immune system, prevent disease and its therapeutic potential. Herein, we describe the challenge to nutrition scientists in defining this relationship through case studies of diets and nutrients in the context of allergic and autoimmune diseases. Moderate-quality evidence exists from both human intervention and observational studies to suggest that diet and individual nutrients can influence systemic markers of immune function and inflammation; numerous challenges exist for demonstrating the impact of defined diets and nutrient interventions on clearly influencing immune-mediated-clinical disease endpoints. A growing body of evidence suggests that further consideration of dietary patterns, immune system and gut microbiome composition and function, and subsequent epigenetic modifications are needed to improve our understanding of diet–immune system interactions.

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Vandenplas

This review summarises how the composition of the gastro-intestinal microbiota depends on pre- and postnatal factors, and birth itself. The impact of method of delivery, feeding during infancy and medications, such as antibiotics and anti-acid medication, on the composition of the gastro-intestinal microbiota has clearly been shown. However, the duration of the impact of these factors is not well established. The gastro-intestinal microbiome composition is associated with many auto-immune mediated diseases. Although causality has not been obviously demonstrated, there is a strong tendency in this direction. Nevertheless, results of the manipulation of the gastro-intestinal microbiome composition in these conditions are often disappointing. A better understanding on factors determining the longterm composition of the gastro-intestinal microbiome and its health consequences are a priority research topic. A better understanding of the association between the microbiome and the immune system may have a tremendous impact on general health.


Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Hansen ◽  
Anette Sams

This review provides evidence that not only the content of nutrients but indeed the structural organization of nutrients is a major determinant of human health. The gut microbiota provides nutrients for the host by digesting food structures otherwise indigestible by human enzymes, thereby simultaneously harvesting energy and delivering nutrients and metabolites for the nutritional and biological benefit of the host. Microbiota-derived nutrients, metabolites, and antigens promote the development and function of the host immune system both directly by activating cells of the adaptive and innate immune system and indirectly by sustaining release of monosaccharides, stimulating intestinal receptors and secreting gut hormones. Multiple indirect microbiota-dependent biological responses contribute to glucose homeostasis, which prevents hyperglycemia-induced inflammatory conditions. The composition and function of the gut microbiota vary between individuals and whereas dietary habits influence the gut microbiota, the gut microbiota influences both the nutritional and biological homeostasis of the host. A healthy gut microbiota requires the presence of beneficial microbiotic species as well as vital food structures to ensure appropriate feeding of the microbiota. This review focuses on the impact of plant-based food structures, the “fiber-encapsulated nutrient formulation”, and on the direct and indirect mechanisms by which the gut microbiota participate in host immune function.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 3956
Author(s):  
Camilla Barbero Mazzucca ◽  
Davide Raineri ◽  
Giuseppe Cappellano ◽  
Annalisa Chiocchetti

Nutrition and immunity are closely related, and the immune system is composed of the most highly energy-consuming cells in the body. Much of the immune system is located within the GI tract, since it must deal with the huge antigenic load introduced with food. Moreover, the incidence of immune-mediated diseases is elevated in Westernized countries, where “transition nutrition” prevails, owing to the shift from traditional dietary patterns towards Westernized patterns. This ecological correlation has fostered increasing attempts to find evidence to support nutritional interventions aimed at managing and reducing the risk of immune-mediated diseases. Recent studies have described the impacts of single nutrients on markers of immune function, but the knowledge currently available is not sufficient to demonstrate the impact of specific dietary patterns on immune-mediated clinical disease endpoints. If nutritional scientists are to conduct quality research, one of many challenges facing them, in studying the complex interactions between the immune system and diet, is to develop improved tools for investigating eating habits in the context of immunomediated diseases.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gloria Solano-Aguilar ◽  
Jonathan Shao ◽  
Joseph Urban ◽  
Sukla Lakshman ◽  
Saebyeol Jang ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives To determine the impact of two isocaloric diets containing (38% ,15% and 47% energy from fat, protein and carbohydrate, respectively): Western diet (WD) rich in saturated fat, refined carbohydrate, low in fiber and high in cholesterol, and a heart healthy diet (HHD) rich in unsaturated fat, unrefined carbohydrate, fruits/vegetables, high in fiber and low in cholesterol, on the composition and function of the gut microbiome Methods Thirty-Ossabaw pigs were fed WD or HHD diets with half within each group therapeutically treated with statin (atorvastatin [Lipitor]). The fecal microbiome was analyzed one and six months after dietary intervention by 16S rRNA sequencing and metagenomic function was empirically inferred Results Genus diversity was transiently affected with a reduced Shannon Diversity index one month after feeding the WD or HHD (FDR P < 0.05) with no change between groups at 6 months. Bacterial communities were clustered and separated by diet independent of gender and separated by treatment with statin in the HHD only. Verrucomicrobiaceae (Akkermansia) and Methanobacteriales (Methanobrevibacter) were increased in pigs as early as one month after feeding the HHD, as was Clostridiales and Bifidobacterium (associated with optimal intestinal health). There was an enrichment of Proteobacteria (Succinivibrionaceae, Desulfovibrionaceae) in pigs fed the WD. Additional members of the Firmicutes phylum were detected. Diet-dependent associations (all P < 0.05) were identified between Lachnospiraceae members and early host dyslipidemia, inflammation, and atheromatous lesions in the left anterior descending proximal (LAD) and LAD/Left circumflex (LCX) bifurcation six months post-intervention. Conclusions These data document for the first time a distinctive bacterial profile in Ossabaw pigs with a diet-induced dyslipidemia and early stage atherosclerosis. Taken together these results represent a new model to examine mechanistic pathways of dietary patterns and/or drug interactions and its effect on modulating microbiome in developing atherosclerosis. Funding Sources USDA project 8040-51530-056-00 and Inter Agency USDA Agreement 588-1950-9-001 between BHNRC and Jean Mayer USDA-HNRCA


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 3749
Author(s):  
David L. Suskind ◽  
Dale Lee ◽  
Young-Mo Kim ◽  
Ghassan Wahbeh ◽  
Namita Singh ◽  
...  

Background: Crohn’s disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory intestinal disorder associated with intestinal dysbiosis. Diet modulates the intestinal microbiome and therefore has a therapeutic potential. The aim of this study is to determine the potential efficacy of three versions of the specific carbohydrate diet (SCD) in active Crohn’s Disease. Methods: 18 patients with mild/moderate CD (PCDAI 15–45) aged 7 to 18 years were enrolled. Patients were randomized to either SCD, modified SCD(MSCD) or whole foods (WF) diet. Patients were evaluated at baseline, 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks. PCDAI, inflammatory labs and multi-omics evaluations were assessed. Results: Mean age was 14.3 ± 2.9 years. At week 12, all participants (n = 10) who completed the study achieved clinical remission. The C-reactive protein decreased from 1.3 ± 0.7 at enrollment to 0.9 ± 0.5 at 12 weeks in the SCD group. In the MSCD group, the CRP decreased from 1.6 ± 1.1 at enrollment to 0.7 ± 0.1 at 12 weeks. In the WF group, the CRP decreased from 3.9 ± 4.3 at enrollment to 1.6 ± 1.3 at 12 weeks. In addition, the microbiome composition shifted in all patients across the study period. While the nature of the changes was largely patient specific, the predicted metabolic mode of the organisms increasing and decreasing in activity was consistent across patients. Conclusions: This study emphasizes the impact of diet in CD. Each diet had a positive effect on symptoms and inflammatory burden; the more exclusionary diets were associated with a better resolution of inflammation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (17) ◽  
pp. 9535
Author(s):  
Yuhuai Xie ◽  
Yuanyuan Wei

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) represent crucial transcriptional and post-transcriptional gene regulators during antimicrobial responses in the host innate immune system. Studies have shown that lncRNAs are expressed in a highly tissue- and cell-specific- manner and are involved in the differentiation and function of innate immune cells, as well as inflammatory and antiviral processes, through versatile molecular mechanisms. These lncRNAs function via the interactions with DNA, RNA, or protein in either cis or trans pattern, relying on their specific sequences or their transcriptions and processing. The dysregulation of lncRNA function is associated with various human non-infectious diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes mellitus. Here, we provide an overview of the regulation and mechanisms of lncRNA function in the development and differentiation of innate immune cells, and during the activation or repression of innate immune responses. These elucidations might be beneficial for the development of therapeutic strategies targeting inflammatory and innate immune-mediated diseases.


10.2196/24357 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. e24357
Author(s):  
Claudia Marques ◽  
Adriana Maria Kakehasi ◽  
Ana Paula Monteiro Gomides ◽  
Eduardo Dos Santos Paiva ◽  
Edgard Torres dos Reis Neto ◽  
...  

Background Patients with immune-mediated rheumatic diseases (IMRD) are at increased risk of infections, including significant morbidity and high mortality. Considering the potential for unfavorable outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with IMRD, several questions were raised regarding the impact of COVID-19 at the start of the pandemic. Objective This paper presents the protocol of a study that aims to prospectively evaluate patients with IMRD and a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis (using criteria provided by the Brazilian Ministry of Health). Methods The study comprised a prospective, observational cohort (patients with IMRD and COVID-19) and a comparison group (patients with only IMRD), with a follow-up time of 6 months to evaluate differences in health outcomes. The primary outcomes will be changes in IMRD disease activity after SARS-CoV-2 infection at 4 time points: (1) at baseline, (2) within 4-6 weeks after infection, (3) at 3 months after the second assessment (±15 days), and (4) at 6 months (±15 days). The secondary outcomes will be the progression rate to moderate or severe forms of COVID-19, need for intensive care unit admission and mechanical ventilation, death, and therapeutic changes related to IMRD. Two outcomes—pulmonary and thromboembolic events in patients with both IMRD and SARS-CoV-2 infection—are of particular interest and will be monitored with close attention (clinical, laboratory, and function tests as well as imaging). Results Recruitment opened in May 2020, with 1300 participants recruited from 43 sites as of November 2020. Patient recruitment will conclude by the end of December 2020, with follow-up occurring until April 2021. Data analysis is scheduled to start after all inclusion data have been collected, with an aim to publish a peer-reviewed paper in December 2020. Conclusions We believe this study will provide clinically relevant data on the general impact of COVID-19 on patients with IMRD. Trial Registration Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials RBR-33YTQC; http://www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-33ytqc/ International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/24357


2019 ◽  
Vol 80 (5) ◽  
pp. 281-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aimee L. Hanson ◽  
Craig J. Morton ◽  
Michael W. Parker ◽  
Darrell Bessette ◽  
Tony J. Kenna

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