Fish-derived collagen has recently emerged as an alternative collagen source with bioactive properties, including the enhancement of hair and skin health. It is also cost-effective and has high bioavailability, in addition to having fewer side-effects compared to collagen from porcine skin or bovine skin. Collagen peptides (CPs) extracted from the scales of Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) reportedly promote hair and skin health. This study sought to evaluate the effects of CPs on hair growth using in vitro and in vivo models. CP significantly enhanced hair regrowth and the proliferation of human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs) in vitro. CP was orally administered to C57BL/6 mice for 6 weeks to confirm the hair-growth-promoting effects. The mice were divided into four groups: negative control (distilled water), positive control (1 mg/kg of finasteride), CP500 (500 mg/kg of CP), and CP1000 (1000 mg/kg of CP). CP treatment significantly enhanced the proliferation of hDPCs compared to 0.2 μM finasteride, in addition to enhancing hair regrowth. Particularly, CP1000 treatment achieved a hair-growth index similar to that of the PC. In H&E staining, the CP groups exhibited a high A/T ratio. Furthermore, CP increased the expression of hair growth factors (IGF-1, VEGF, krt27, Gprc5d, and Ki67) and decreased the growth inhibitory factor (TGF-β1). Furthermore, CP significantly upregulated the Wnt/β-catenin pathways and downregulated the BMP pathways. Therefore, these results indicate that CP could be used as food supplements and nutraceuticals for hair loss prevention as well as hair regrowth during alopecia.

This study investigated the hypothesis that Portulaca oleracea L. exerts antiobesity and antidiabetic effects by evaluating blood lipid profiles, blood glucose control factors, protein expression of lipid metabolism, and insulin sensitivity improvement. Three groups of high-fat diet (HFD) induced obese C57BL/6 mice (n=8) received treatment with low (5; HFD+PO5) or high (10; HFD+PO10) concentrations of P. oleracea powder for 12 weeks or no treatment (HFD) and were compared with each other and a fourth control group. Weight gain was reduced by 34 in the HFD+PO10 group compared to the HFD group. Moreover, the perirenal and epididymal fat contents in the HFD+PO10 group were 6.3-fold and 1.5-fold, respectively, lower than those in the HFD group. The atherogenic index (AI) and cardiac risk factor (CRF) results in the P. oleracea-treated groups were significantly lower than those in the HFD group. The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) levels was lower in the HFD+PO10 group than in the HFD group. The protein expression levels of the proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-α, glucose transporter (GLUT) 4 and PPAR-γ were upregulated in the HFD+PO10 group compared to the HFD group. However, the protein expression levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were lower in the P. oleracea-treated groups than in the HFD group. Our results demonstrate that P. oleracea powder could be effectively used to treat and prevent obesity and diabetes-associated diseases through suppression of weight gain and reduction in body fat and blood glucose levels.

It is well known that reducing consumption of sugar is a global public health priority. Beverages were the primary source of total sugar intake from processed foods. However, there are few studies investigating the trend of beverage consumption among children and adolescents in Korea. We examined the overall trend in beverage consumption among 11,996 participants aged 10–18 years who were enrolled in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) (1998–2018). Further, we examined the effect of beverage types on beverage consumption-related demographic factors and obesity among 6121 participants using the recent 24 h dietary recall data (2010–2018) that captured the consumption of fruit and vegetable juices, soft drinks, milk and milk-based products and alcoholic beverages. Demographic characteristics, including sex, age, body mass index, household income level and residential area, were considered. Consumers’ overall beverage intake and the percentage of energy derived from fruit and vegetable juices and soft drinks steadily increased from 1998 to 2016–2018 (p-trend < 0.0001); in contrast, dairy product consumption declined since 2010–2012. The main sources of beverage-based calories were fruit and vegetable juices (107.5 kcal/day), soft drinks (145.2 kcal/day), dairy products (181.8 kcal/day) and alcoholic beverages (103.5 kcal/day). Also, Korean adolescents aged 16–18 years consumed more soft drinks, fewer dairy products and higher alcoholic drinks than other age groups; particularly, boys consumed more energy from beverages (p < 0.0001). The odds ratios of obesity prevalence tended to be higher for soft drink consumption than for other beverages but this was not significant. The consumption of fruit and vegetable juices and milk and milk products showed a marginal association with a reduced risk of obesity prevalence. Since beverage consumption has increased steadily among Korean children and adolescents, appropriate interventions are needed. In the future, data from a larger sample of Korean children and adolescents are necessary to identify significant differences and longitudinal studies are necessary to examine the causalities.

Sakir NA, et al. Nutr Res Pract. 2024 Feb;18(1):132-148. https://doi.org/10.4162/nrp.2024.18.1.132

This study investigated the hair regeneration promotion and hair loss prevention properties of Nelumbinis Semen (NS) extract in vitro and in vivo. The effect of NS on the proliferation and migration of human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs) was measured in vitro via CCK-8 and scratch migration assays, after which the antioxidant activity of NS was also quantified. NS extracts were then applied to the back of 7-week-old C57BL/6 mice for 3 weeks to monitor hair growth patterns and hair follicle (HF) histology. The mice were divided into three groups: negative control group (NC; DMSO), positive control group (PC; 3% minoxidil), and experimental group (NS extract 1,000 ppm). Moreover, to study the molecular mechanisms by which NS extract regenerates hair growth, real-time PCR was used to analyze factors related to the hair growth cycle. The NS extracts were found to possess high antioxidant properties due to their high flavonoid contents and electron-donating ability. Moreover, NS extracts enhanced hDPC proliferation and migration in a concentration-dependent manner (15.63–125 ppm). The hair growth index and growth area of the NS group (2.81 score, 81%) on day 14 were higher than those of the PC group (2.65 score, 68%) ( ). Additionally, the HFs of the NS group were located deep in the subcutis, similar to the PC group with developed hair roots. Moreover, the mRNA expression of VEGF and IGF-1 was higher in the NS group compared to the PC group, whereas TGF-β1 expression was lower ( ). Our findings indicate that NS modulates hair growth by increasing IGF-1 and VEGF expression while inhibiting that of TGF-β1. Therefore, our findings suggest that NS extract is a promising new hair loss treatment derived from a natural substance that helps promote hair growth and prevent hair loss.

Fish-derived collagen hydrolysate (CH) has shown promise in improving hair and skin health. Therefore, this study sought to comprehensively assess the effects of CH extracted from Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) scales on hair and skin using in vitro and in vivo models. Human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs) were used for antioxidant and gene expression analyses, while C57BL/6 mice were orally administered CH for six weeks to assess hair growth patterns. The mice were divided into four groups: negative control (NC; distilled water), positive control (PC; 1 mg/kg finasteride), CH500 (500 mg/kg BW CH), and CH1000 (1000 mg/kg BW CH). CH mitigated catalase activity reduction in hDPCs, increased IGF-1 and VEGF levels, and decreased TGF-β1, TNF-α, and IL-1β expression. In vivo, CH treatment improved hair growth index, length, diameter, weight, and density. Scanning electron microscopy revealed reduced hair damage. Moreover, CH up-regulated IGF-1, VEGF, Elastin, and HAS2 mRNA expression while down-regulating TNF-α and IL-1β. CH enhanced hair shine, growth, and skin health while alleviating inflammation. These findings demonstrate the potential of CH in alleviating oxidative stress, promoting hair growth, and enhancing skin health, both in vitro and in vivo. Fish-derived CH offers a cost-effective and bioavailable option for improving hair and skin health.