Scientific Reports

K. Gołąbek, B. Regulska-Ilow

Over the past 30 years, a significant increase in the prevalence of insulin resistance (IR) has been observed. It is associated with more frequent occurrence of impaired glucose tolerance, diabetes, excessive weight, cardiovascular diseases, and endocrine disorders. The results of current studies do not indicate a necessity to exclude dairy products from the diet of insulin-resistant individuals. In addition, it has been found that moderate amounts of alcohol as part of a balanced, low-energy diet do not have a negative effect on insulin sensitivity. The authors of recent studies emphasize the importance of reducing the intake of simple sugars, especially from sweet drinks, sweets and excessive fruit juice consuption. Many studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of consuming complex, low-glycemic-index carbohydrates that are rich in dietary fiber. An insulin-resistant patient's diet should be rich in whole grains and high amounts of non-starchy vegetables and raw fruit. The beneficial effect of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH diet) and the Mediterranean diet has been confirmed. The positive correlation between low-carbohydrate and very-low-carbohydrate diets requires confirmation in long-term studies with the participation of insulin-resistant patients. Research shows the benefits of increased calorific intake during the first half of the day, especially from a high-energy and low-glycemic-index breakfast. Furthermore, many researchers indicate that slow and mindful eating is a significant component of an appropriate diet for insulin-resistant individuals.

R. Yokel

Abstract Publications addressing aluminum (Al)-induced reproductive toxicity were reviewed. Key details were compiled in summary tables. Approximate systemic Al exposure, a measure of bioavailability, was calculated for each exposure, based on the Al percentage in the dosed Al species, Al bioavailability, and absorption time course reports for the exposure route. This was limited to laboratory animal studies because no controlled-exposure human studies were found. Intended Al exposure was compared to unintended dietary Al exposure. The considerable and variable Al content of laboratory animal diets creates uncertainty about reproductive function in the absence of Al. Aluminum-induced reproductive toxicity in female mice and rats was evident after exposure to ≥25-fold the amount of Al consumed in the diet. Generally, the additional daily Al systemic exposure of studies that reported statistically significant results was greater than 100-fold above the typical human daily Al dietary consumption equivalent. Male reproductive endpoints were significantly affected after exposure to lower levels of Al than females. Increased Al intake increased fetus, placenta, and testes Al concentrations, to a greater extent in the placenta than fetus, and, in some cases, more in the testes than placenta. An adverse outcome pathway (AOP) was constructed for males based on the results of the reviewed studies. The proposed AOP includes oxidative stress as the molecular initiating event and increased malondialdehyde, DNA and spermatozoal damage, and decreased blood testosterone and sperm count as subsequent key events. Recommendations for the design of future studies of reproductive outcomes following exposure to Al are provided.

Agnieszka Dombrowska-Pali, Natalia Wiktorczyk-Kapischke, Agnieszka Chrustek, D. Olszewska-Słonina, E. Gospodarek-Komkowska, M. Socha

One of the most important bioactive components of breast milk are free breast milk oligosaccharides, which are a source of energy for commensal intestinal microorganisms, stimulating the growth of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Bacteroides in a child’s digestive tract. There is some evidence that maternal, perinatal, and environmental-cultural factors influence the modulation of the breast milk microbiome. This review summarizes research that has examined the composition of the breast milk microbiome and the factors that may influence it. The manuscript highlights the potential importance of the breast milk microbiome for the future development and health of children. The origin of bacteria in breast milk is thought to include the mother’s digestive tract (entero-mammary tract), bacterial exposure to the breast during breastfeeding, and the retrograde flow of breast milk from the infant’s mouth to the woman’s milk ducts. Unfortunately, despite increasingly more precise methods for assessing microorganisms in human milk, the topic of the human milk microbiome is still quite limited and requires scientific research that takes into account various conditions.

Xiyan Zhao, Liangqing Guo, Yiqun Lin, Han Wang, C. Gu, Linhua Zhao, X. Tong