2023, Harahap, Iskandar Azmy, Kuligowski, Maciej, Schmidt, Marcin, Kurzawa, Paweł, Suliburska, Joanna

Isoflavones and probiotics are promising nutrients for bone health, and magnesium (Mg) is essential for bone metabolism. This study aimed to determine the effects of daidzein, genistein and Lactobacillus acidophilus on the Mg status of healthy female rats. Forty-eight rats were randomly assigned to six groups, with the control group receiving a standard diet (AIN 93M). The remaining groups were fed the same diet with added ingredients such as tempeh flour; soy flour; pure daidzein and genistein; L. acidophilus or a combination of daidzein, genistein, and L. acidophilus. Tissue samples were collected after the eight-week intervention, and Mg concentrations were analysed using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Myeloid and erythroid cells were determined using the haematoxylin and eosin bone staining method. Statistical analyses were conducted using one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. The threshold for significance was p < 0.05. Compared with the control group, adding tempeh to the diet of rats resulted in significant changes in Mg concentrations in various tissues, with a decrease in the kidneys and an increase in the fur. Although not statistically significant compared to the control group, the tempeh group showed increased Mg concentrations in the femur and spleen. The myeloid-to-erythroid cell ratio did not differ significantly among groups, but all intervention groups showed higher ratios than the control group. A strong negative correlation was observed between Mg concentrations in the kidneys and fur. Conversely, a positive correlation was identified between Mg concentrations in the pancreas and fur. Daily consumption of tempeh may improve Mg status in the organism. Intake of pure daidzein, genistein, or probiotic seems to have no effect on Mg concentrations in healthy rats.

2024, Skrypnik, Katarzyna, Schmidt, Marcin, Olejnik-Schmidt, Agnieszka, Harahap, Iskandar Azmy, Suliburska, Joanna

AbstractBACKGROUNDA high‐fat (HF) diet, diet iron deficiency and iron supplementation may affect inflammatory parameters. Probiotics influence both iron metabolism and inflammation. We compared the inflammatory state in rats on a HF iron‐deficient diet receiving oral iron, Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus curvatus in different combinations.METHODSThis was a two‐stage experiment. In groups C (n = 8) and HF (n = 8), rats ate a control or HF diet, respectively, for 16 weeks. In the group HFDEF (n = 48), rats ate a HF iron‐deficient diet for 8 weeks (first stage) and were subsequently divided into 6 groups (n = 8 each) receiving the following for a further 8 weeks (second stage): HFDEF – a HF iron‐deficient diet; HFDEFFe – a HF iron‐deficient diet with iron; HFDEFLp and HFDEFLc – a HF iron‐deficient diet with L. plantarum or L. curvatus, respectively; and HFDEFFeLp and HFDEFFeLc – a HF iron‐deficient diet with iron and L. plantarum or L. curvatus, respectively. Body composition analysis and blood sampling was performed. Markers of iron status and levels of total antioxidant status (TAS), C‐reactive protein (CRP), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) and interleukin 6 (IL‐6) were measured in the blood.RESULTSTAS was higher in the HFDEF group (756.57 ± 489.53 ng mL−1) versus the HFDEFLc group (187.04 ± 47.84 ng mL−1; P = 0.022). No more differences were found between groups, or in TAS, CRP, TNF‐α and IL‐6 concentrations. Also, no differences were found between groups for alanine and aspartate aminotransferases, glucose, total cholesterol, low‐ and high‐density lipoproteins and triglycerides. TAS level was positively correlated with ferritin concentration, IL‐6 with TAS and TNF‐α with hepcidin level.CONCLUSIONSSupplementation with L. plantarum, L. curvatus and iron in combinations exerts no influence on inflammatory status, lipid profile, hepatic function and serum fasting glucose in rats on a HF iron‐deficient diet. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

2024, Harahap, Iskandar Azmy, Schmidt, Marcin, Pruszyńska-Oszmałek, Ewa, Sassek, Maciej, Suliburska, Joanna

Osteoporosis in menopausal women requires alternatives to current medications, considering their adverse effects. In this context, probiotics and isoflavone products are promising dietary interventions. The objective of our study was to examine the impacts of Lactobacillus acidophilus and its combination with daidzein and tempeh on calcium status, calcium transporters, and bone metabolism biomarkers in a post-menopausal osteoporotic rat model. A total of 48 female Wistar rats were exposed to a two-stage experiment involving calcium deficit induction and subsequent dietary interventions across six groups. Calcium levels, the gene expression of TRPV5 and TRPV6 calcium transporters, bone histopathology, serum bone metabolism markers, and blood biochemistry were evaluated. The results revealed that, while decreasing serum calcium levels, the groups that received the probiotic L. acidophilus and isoflavone combination exhibited increased bone metabolism biomarkers and decreased calcium transporter expressions, akin to the effects of bisphosphonate. Additionally, significant improvements in bone histopathology were observed in these groups. However, the group receiving probiotic L. acidophilus alone did not exhibit significant changes in bone resorption biomarkers, calcium transporter expression, or various blood parameters. Meanwhile, the combination of probiotic L. acidophilus with tempeh positively influenced hematological parameters and reduced cholesterol and triglyceride levels, but it led to elevated blood glucose levels. Correlation analyses highlighted associations between serum calcium levels, calcium transporter expression, and bone metabolism biomarkers. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the daily consumption of probiotic L. acidophilus in combination with isoflavone products may improve bone health in ovariectomized rats, warranting further research to elucidate potential interactions with other nutrients.