Sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity (SO) represent significant age-related muscular disorders. Their specific biomarkers and pathophysiological mechanisms remain insufficiently elucidated. This study aims to identify differential and shared biomarkers between these conditions to reveal distinct pathophysiological processes, providing a foundation for precision diagnostics and targeted interventions. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies examining biomarkers related to sarcopenia and SO in adults aged 45 and older. Electronic and manual searches were performed in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase up to December 2024. The quality of each study was assessed using the National Institutes of Health Quality Assessment Tool. Meta-analysis was performed when at least three studies investigated the same biomarkers in frailty and sarcopenia, calculating the pooled effect size based on the standard mean difference using a random effects model. In total, 80 studies (64 on sarcopenia and 16 on SO) were included, encompassing 36,680 older adults (aged 45 and above) from 16 countries with varying levels of development. Participants were categorized based on their setting, age, and gender distribution. Sarcopenia is characterized by lower serum triglycerides and stable HDL/LDL ratios, while SO presents with higher triglycerides and disrupted cholesterol correlation, indicating distinct metabolic interactions. Analysis of inflammatory profiles revealed significantly elevated CRP levels in SO, with WBC as a specific marker, while TNF-α was associated with sarcopenia, suggesting a subtype-specific role of chronic inflammation. Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in both conditions and may represent a potential therapeutic target. Subgroup analyses indicated an increased risk of muscle function decline in high-risk communities in developing regions, underscoring the urgent need for early intervention. A set of shared metabolic, hematologic, and inflammatory biomarkers was identified in sarcopenia and SO. These findings address a knowledge gap in biomarker research and highlight the distinct mechanisms involved in the development of both conditions. Developing biomarker-based diagnostic algorithms is essential for optimizing personalized treatment. Subgroup analyses have also identified high-risk populations, underscoring the need for early intervention.

This study aims to update the evidence and clarify whether cranberry possesses lipid-lowering and hypoglycemic properties in humans. PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched to identify relevant articles published up to December 2023. In total, 3145 publications were reviewed and 16 of them were included for qualitative synthesis and meta-analysis. Stata 15.0 and Review Manager 5.4 were applied for statistical analyses. The results revealed a significant decrease in the total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (TC/HDL-C) (MD = −0.24; 95% CI: −0.45, −0.04; p_effect = 0.02) and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (MD = −0.59; 95% CI: −1.05, −0.14; p_effect = 0.01) with cranberry consumption. However, it did not influence total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglyceride (TG), fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and fasting insulin. In subgroup analysis, cranberry consumption in dried form (capsules, powder, and tablets) was found to significantly decrease the fasting insulin level (three studies, one hundred sixty-five participants, MD = −2.16; 95% CI: −4.24, −0.07; p_effect = 0.04), while intervention duration, health conditions, and dosage of polyphenols and anthocyanins had no impact on blood lipid and glycemic parameters. In summary, cranberry might have potential benefits in regulating lipid and glucose profiles.

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of fish oil-derived omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 PUFAs) on gut microbiota and serum lipid metabolites in T2DM. Methods: In a three-month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 110 T2DM patients received either fish oil (n = 55) or corn oil (n = 55) capsules daily. Serum lipids, glycemic parameters, gut microbiota diversity, and lipidomics were assessed. Results: This study found that fish oil-derived omega-3 PUFAs intervention did not significantly lower the fasting plasma glucose levels when compared with the baseline level (p > 0.05). However, serum fasting blood glucose (p = 0.039), glycosylated hemoglobin levels (p = 0.048), HOMA-IR (p = 0.022), total cholesterol (p < 0.001), triglyceride (p = 0.034), LDL cholesterol (p = 0.048), and non-HDL levels (p = 0.046) were significantly lower in the fish oil group compared with the corn oil group after three months of intervention. Also, it altered glycerophospholipid metabolism and gut microbiota. After three months, the fish oil group showed a significantly lower abundance of Desulfobacterota compared with the corn oil control group (p = 0.003), with reduced levels of Colidextribacter (p = 0.002), Ralstonia (p = 0.021), and Klebsiella (p = 0.013). Conversely, the abundance of Limosilactobacillus (p = 0.017), Lactobacillus (p = 0.011), and Haemophilus (p = 0.018) increased significantly. In addition, relevant glycolipid metabolism indicators showed significant correlations with the altered profiles of serum lipid metabolites, intestinal bacteria, and fungi. Conclusions: This study highlights the impact of fish oil-derived omega-3 PUFAs on intestinal microbiota structure and function in patients with type 2 diabetes. The observed decrease in pathogenic bacterial species and the enhancement of beneficial species may have significant implications for gut health and systemic inflammation, both of which are pivotal in managing diabetes. Further research is warranted to comprehensively elucidate the long-term benefits and underlying mechanisms of these microbiota alterations.

Objective: To investigate the effects of licorice functional ingredient intake on blood pressure, explore its potential mechanisms of action, and provide safety information for personalized nutritional interventions in special populations and for the application of licorice-derived functional foods. Methods: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Medline, Embase, EBSCO, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science databases were searched from inception to 31 August 2024. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the intake of licorice or its functional components were included. The range of continuous variables was assessed using the weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals. Genes associated with hypertension were screened using an online database. Machine learning, receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve analysis, molecular docking, and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were employed to explore the potential mechanisms underlying licorice-induced blood pressure fluctuations. Results: Eight RCTs (541 participants) were included in the meta-analysis, which indicated interventions containing glycyrrhizic acid (GA) as the main component increased systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (SBP: WMD [95% CI] = 3.48 [2.74, 4.21], p < 0.001; DBP: WMD [95% CI] = 1.27 [0.76, 1.78], p < 0.001). However, interventions dominated by licorice flavonoids(LF) had no significant effect on SBP or DBP (SBP: WMD [95% CI] = 0.58 [−1.15, 2.31], p = 0.511; DBP: WMD [95% CI] = 0.17 [−1.53, 1.88], p = 0.843). Three machine learning algorithms identified five biomarkers associated with hypertension: calmodulin 3 (CALM3), cluster of differentiation 9 (CD9), growth factor independence 1B transcriptional repressor (GFI1B), myosin light chain kinase (MYLK), and Ras suppressor-1 (RSU1). After removing biomarkers with lower validity and reliability, GFI1B, MYLK, and RSU1 were selected for subsequent analysis. The network toxicology results suggested that GA and its metabolite glycyrrhetinic acid may act on GFI1B, MYLK, and RSU1, influencing blood pressure fluctuations by modulating nitrogen metabolism signaling pathways. Conclusions: There were distinct differences in the effects of licorice functional components on blood pressure. Functional constituents dominated by GA were shown to increase both SBP and DBP, whereas those dominated by LF did not exhibit significant effects on blood pressure. The hypertensive mechanism of GA may involve the modulation of GFI1B, MYLK, and RSU1 to regulate nitrogen metabolic pathways.

Although pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is considered a rare disease, the incidence thereof has increased steadily in recent years, while a safe and effective cure remains beyond reach. In this study, the potential of tocotrienol-rich fractions (TRF) and carotene to alleviate PF was explored. PF was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats via a single intratracheal bleomycin (BLM) (5 mg/kg) instillation. These rats were subsequently treated with TRF, carotene, pirfenidone (Pir) and nintedanib (Nin) for 28 days via gavage administration, whereafter histopathological performance, biochemical functions and molecular alterations were studied in the lung tissues. Our results showed that TRF, carotene, Nin and Pir all ameliorated PF by reducing inflammation and resisting oxidative stress to varying degrees. The related mechanisms involved the TGF-β1/Smad, PI3K/Akt and NF-κB signaling pathways. Ultimately, our findings revealed that, when combined with TRF, the therapeutic effects of Nin and Pir on PF were enhanced, indicating that TRF may, indeed, provide promising potential for use in combination therapy in the treatment of PF.

In search of natural and safe compounds with immunomodulatory effects, this study identified a glucan with a molecular weight (Mw) of 1.2 × 10⁷ Da, named MSP-1-1, which was extracted and purified from Morchella sextelata via water extraction, alcohol precipitation, and column chromatography. Based on comprehensive characterization using HPAEC, SEC-MALLS-RI, FT-IR, GC-MS, NMR, and SEM, a structural model for MSP-1-1 is proposed. The model depicts a glucan with a backbone predominantly composed of →4)-α-D-Glcp-(1→ linkages, featuring occasional →4,6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→ residues that serve as branch points. The branches are identified as single α-D-Glcp-(1→ units attached at the O-6 position of these branching residues. In vivo experiments revealed that MSP-1-1 restored cyclophosphamide-induced abnormalities in immune organ indices, histology, and peripheral blood parameters. Additionally, MSP-1-1 significantly enhanced macrophage phagocytosis, splenic lymphocyte proliferation, and the proportions of CD3⁺CD4⁺ and CD3⁺CD8⁺T cells, while increasing the CD3⁺CD4⁺/CD3⁺CD8⁺ ratio. It also elevated concentrations of IgA and IgM in both serum and thymus, indicating immunomodulatory activity. In summary, this research elucidated the structural characteristics and immunomodulatory activity of MSP-1-1, providing insights into the bioactivity of M. sextelata glucan and a basis for further exploring its potential functional applications.