1.
Study of amino acids absorption and gut microbiome on consumption of pea protein blended with enzymes-probiotics supplement.
Rathi, A, Gaonkar, T, Dhar, D, Kallapura, G, Jadhav, S
Frontiers in nutrition. 2024;:1307734
Abstract
The current randomized, double-blind, crossover clinical trial was conducted to evaluate changes in the amino acid absorption and gut microbiota on consumption of pea protein supplemented with an enzymes-probiotics blend (Pepzyme Pro). A total of 15 healthy subjects were instructed to take test (pea protein + Pepzyme Pro) or placebo (pea protein + maltodextrin) for 15 days with a 30-day washout period. Blood samples were analyzed for plasma-free amino acids, insulin, and C-reactive protein (CRP). Additionally, nitrogen levels in urine and feces, along with the composition of gut microbiota, were evaluated. On day 15, the test arm showed a tendency to increase the rate of absorption and total absorption (AUC) of amino acids compared with the placebo arm, though the increase was statistically insignificant. In addition, 15-day test supplementation showed a tendency to reduce Tmax of all the amino acids (statistically insignificant except alanine, p = 0.021 and glycine, p = 0.023) in comparison with the placebo supplementation. There were no changes in urine and fecal nitrogen levels as well as serum CRP levels in the test and placebo arm. The increase in serum insulin level after 4 h was statistically significant in both arms, whereas the insulin level of the placebo and test arm at 4 h was not statistically different. Supplementation showed changes with respect to Archaea and few uncharacterized species but did not show statistically significant variations in microbiome profile at the higher taxonomic levels. A study with large sample size and detailed gut microbiome analysis is warranted to confirm the results statistically as well as to characterize altered species. However, the current study could provide an inkling of a positive alteration in protein digestibility, amino acid absorption, and gut microbiome with regular consumption of protein and enzymes-probiotics blend. Clinical Trial Registration:clinicaltrials.gov/; identifier [CTRI/2021/10/037072].
2.
Vitamin D and child health in the 21st century.
Rathi, N, Rathi, A
Indian pediatrics. 2011;(8):619-25
Abstract
CONTEXT Vitamin D has emerged as a topic of great interest among researchers. Recent evidence indicates that today the world is facing vitamin D deficiency pandemic. Sensitizing pediatricians to widespread vitamin D deficiency in children and benefits accrued from its correction would go a long way as far as clinical practice and public health is concerned. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION We performed a literature search using PubMed/medline, EMBASE and ScienceDirect databases indexed under the Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) terms; Vitamin D OR Vitamin D deficiency combined with the terms children OR pediatric OR child health. The literature search was limited to articles in last 35 years and written in the English language. All articles having direct relevance to to the present review were searched. Reference lists of all articles were also reviewed. Emphasis was placed on pediatric literature, although sentinel adult studies relevant to this article have been included. Latest editions of standard texts were also searched. RESULTS Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent throughout the world including India. Though some evidence suggests a role of hypovitaminosis D in pathophysiology of many clinical situations other than rickets and osteomalacia like autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular diseases, infections, cancers, fetal health, and exercise performance, some authorities feel there is a lack of unequivocal evidence in favour of nonskeletal health benefits of vitamin D. CONCLUSIONS Widespread subclinical and pre-rachitic vitamin D deficiency in children should be diagnosed by serum 25(OH)D levels and these levels should be maintained above 20 ng/mL to obtain optimal health benefits. There is a need for large randomized clinical trials to investigate the nonskeletal benefits of vitamin D deficiency.