Effects of mindfulness-based interventions on biomarkers and low-grade inflammation in patients with psychiatric disorders: A meta-analytic review

Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs) present positive effects on mental health in diverse populations. However, the detailed associations between MBIs and biomarkers in patients with psychiatric disorders remain poorly understood. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of MBIs on biomarkers in psychiatric illness used to summarise the effects of low-grade inflammation. A systematic review of PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Library was conducted. Effect sizes (ESs) were determined by Hedges’ g and the number needed to treat (NNT). Heterogeneity was evaluated. A total of 10 trials with 998 participants were included. MBIs showed significant improvements in the event-related potential amplitudes in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, the methylation of serotonin transporter genes in post-traumatic stress disorder, the salivary levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) in depression, and the blood levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), IL-6, and TNF-a in generalised anxiety disorder. MBIs showed low but significant effects on health status related to biomarkers of low-grade inflammation (g = -0.21; 95% confidence interval (CI) –0.41 to -0.01; NNT = 8.47), with no heterogeneity (I2 = 0; 95% CI 0 to 79). More trials are needed to establish the impact of MBIs on biomarkers in psychiatric illness

The interaction between wheat and pea protein influences the final chemical and sensory characteristics of extruded high moisture meat analogs

Plant-based meat analog products, including those produced by extrusion processing, have become increasingly popular. Complete comprehension of the texturization mechanism and the formation of fibrousness would help improve existing products and extend the variety of plant sources used. Therefore, this study aimed to provide improved insight into the mechanism of texturization during the processing of high-moisture meat analog (HMMA) products. Blends with different wheat and pea protein ratios (100:0, 80:20, 60:40, 40:60, 20:80, and 0:100 wheat:pea) were extruded at a screw speed of 400 rpm, two different moisture contents (50% and 55%), and a feed rate of 90 g/min using a co-rotating twin-screw extruder. Extrudates were analyzed for their texture, free sulfhydryl groups, disulfide bonds, and solubility in different extractants relative to the raw ingredient blends. In addition, a sensory analysis was conducted using the rapid and cost-effective “rate-all-that-apply” (RATA) methodology. The interplay between the two protein types had synergistic effects on the system parameters torque, pressure, and specific mechanical energy, as well as on some textural and sensory parameters. Molecular analyses were not influenced by the interplay between wheat and pea protein as the molecular analyses followed linear trends with the pea inclusion level. Analysis of protein solubility suggests that the texturization mechanism differs slightly depending on the protein type. It is suggested that the texturization of wheat protein depends highly on disulfide bonds, whereas the texturization of pea protein relies on the combination of disulfide bonds and non-covalent interactions. Additionally, RATA was found to be a valuable tool for HMMA products.Instituto Nacional de Alimentos y Agricultura/[2022-67017-3659]/NIFA/Estados UnidosInstituto Nacional de Alimentos y Agricultura/[1016366]/NIFA/Estados UnidosThe Good Food Institute/[]/GFI/Estados UnidosUniversidad Estatal de Washington/[]/WSU/Estados UnidosUCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Agroalimentarias::Centro Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos (CITA

Gut microbiota and majore depressive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Growing attention has been paid to the field of gut microbiota for mental disorders over the last decade. However, to our knowledge, no studies have conducted systematic reviews on the association between gut microbiota and major depressive disorder (MDD) in both interventional and non-interventional studies. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 16 studies (10 observational 701 participants] and six interventional trials 302 participants]) examining gut microbiota in patients with MDD. The primary outcome measures were differences in the profile of microbiota inthe observational studies, and symptom changes for depression between pre- and post-intervention with probiotics in the interventional trials. Results: In the observational studies, significant reductions in several taxa at the family and genus levels were observed in patients with MDD compared to non-depressed controls. In the interventional studies with probiotics, a significant improvement was found in depressive symptomatology compared to controls (SMD = .-1.62, 95% CI = .-2.73 to -0.51, p< 0.01). Limitations: Lack of consideration of the effects of diet and pharmacotherapy was a possible limitation. Conclusions: Our results indicate that several taxa at the family and genus levels, specifically family Prevotellaceae, genus Coprococcus, and Faecalibacterium, were decreased in MDD compared to non-depressed controls in observational studies, and depressive symptoms were improved compared to controls in interventional studies with probiotics. Due to the limited number of studies, further studies considering diet and pharmacotherapy are needed to explore the relationships between gut microbiota and MDD in humans. © 2020 Elsevier B.V