Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) acts as a strong radiation protecting agent in Escherichia coli bacteria (AB1157) in aerated media. This ability is reinforced by the addition of vitamin C. Under the influence of gamma-radiation, vitamin B2 completely suppresses the cytostatic activity of mitomycin C (MMC). In the presence of both vitamins, B2 and C, MMC is converted from an efficient cytostatic to a rather strong radiation protecting agent. This effect opens a new pathway for specific protection of normal mammalian cells (with a high O2-content) under treatment with ionizing radiation.

The aim of this experiment was to clarify whether an amino acid supplement could enhance the therapeutic effect of vitamin B2 (riboflavin 5'-sodium phosphate; purity > 97%) in mice with lipopolysaccharide-induced shock. Six hours after injection of a lethal dose of lipopolysaccharide, treatment (6-h i.v. infusion) was commenced. All mice died in the groups treated with saline or aminolevane (an amino acids mixture used to treat hepatopathy); however, the survival rates in the vitamin B2 (10 mg/kg/6 h) and vitamin B2 plus aminolevane groups were 45% (P < 0.05) and 80% (P < 0.05), respectively. Valine (200 mg/kg/6 h) alone had little effect on the survival rate (10%), but the combination of vitamin B2 (10 mg/k/g/6 h) and valine was highly effective (80%, P < 0.05). Clinical trials of vitamin B2 plus amino acids for the treatment of patients with sepsis would appear to be warranted. Copyright 2004 Elsevier B.V.

Adult female Wistar rats (Han:Wist) were injected with 2 mg of Tl2SO4 per 100 g body weight. Parameters of nephrotoxicity were urinary volume and protein excretion as well as blood urea nitrogen concentration. Thallium concentrations were determined in renal cortex and medulla. There was no effect of different schedules of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) treatment on thallium nephrotoxicity. Glutathione (GSH) concentration was not decreased by thallium in renal cortex or in medulla. The increase of GSH concentration in renal tissue by N-acetylcysteine pretreatment did not influence thallium nephrotoxicity. Buthionine sulphoximine diminished thallium nephrotoxicity by a significant decrease of thallium concentration in renal medulla, which was caused by enhanced urinary excretion of thallium. From our investigations we conclude that there is no relation between thallium-induced nephrotoxicity and riboflavin and/or GSH.

The effect of vitamin B2, which is capable of reducing chromium(VI) to chromium(V), on chromosomal aberrations and mutation caused by Na2CrO4 was investigated in Chinese hamster V79 cells. Pretreatment with 200 microM vitamin B2 (riboflavin) for 24 h prior to exposure to Na2CrO4 (2.5-5 microM) resulted in an increase of metal-induced chromosomal aberrations and mutation at the HGPRT locus. These and other previous studies suggest that vitamin B2 enhances the clastogenic and mutagenic action of chromate compounds, through its ability to directly reduce chromium(VI) in cells.

PURPOSE: The aim of the MultiVeg study, a double-blind, randomised controlled trial (RCT), was to investigate the nutritional status of healthy vegans following 4 months of multinutrient supplementation. METHODS: A double-blind, RCT was conducted with 72 vegan adults (19-57 years) in Germany. Data on anthropometric parameters, dietary nutrient intake, and nutritional status were collected. The nutritional status of the participants was assessed at baseline and after 4 months. The results were compared between groups using ANCOVA. The results for vitamins and choline are presented here. RESULTS: After adjustment for baseline values, age, sex, and multiple testing, no significant between-group differences in biomarker concentration changes from baseline to 4 months were observed for vitamin A, retinol-binding protein, transthyretin, beta-carotene, methylmalonic acid, homocysteine, choline, total osteocalcin, carboxylated and undercarboxylated osteocalcin, and folate. In contrast, significant between-group differences in changes were observed for flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), serum vitamin B12, holotranscobalamin, and the combined vitamin B12 status indicator (cB12) after adjustment. CONCLUSION: A multinutrient supplement containing 82 µg of vitamin B12 per day significantly positively affected vitamin B12 blood biomarkers in healthy vegans. REGISTRATION: This study was registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00028151). © 2025. The Author(s).

Update of doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD015464. RATIONALE: Higher blood pressure is strongly related to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. There has been interest in riboflavin (vitamin B2) as a potential intervention to lower blood pressure, particularly for those with a common genetic polymorphism in the methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase enzyme (MTHFR). OBJECTIVES: To assess the benefits and harms of riboflavin supplements compared to placebo or no additional treatment for lowering systolic and diastolic blood pressure. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Hypertension Specialised Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, Clarivate Web of Science, Clarivate Food Science & Technology Abstracts and two clinical trials registries. There were no restrictions on language, publication year, or publication status. The latest search date was 24 October 2024. We also handsearched the reference lists of included studies. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) conducted in adults that evaluated oral riboflavin supplements compared with an inactive control (e.g. placebo or no additional treatment) and measured at least one of the critical outcomes. We did not include trials that evaluated multivitamins containing riboflavin. Participants in both the intervention and control groups were able to receive standard medical therapy for hypertension prior to and during the trial. OUTCOMES: The critical outcomes were systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. The important outcomes were antihypertensive medication, adverse events and biomarkers of riboflavin status. RISK OF BIAS: We used the Cochrane RoB 2 tool to assess the risk of bias in included studies for the following outcomes: systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, antihypertensive medication and adverse events. SYNTHESIS METHODS: We used standard Cochrane methods. For the critical outcomes, which were continuous, we calculated mean differences (MD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We used a fixed-effect meta-analysis to pool data for each outcome where possible. We conducted subgroup analyses, inc

IMPORTANCE: Treatments for men seeking fertility care are limited. Antioxidant supplements have been widely studied as a new treatment option, but these studies have had conflicting results. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether treatment of men seeking fertility care with an antioxidant supplement can improve semen quality and pregnancy rates compared with a placebo. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: The SUMMER trial was a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial conducted in 21 hospitals and private fertility clinics in the Netherlands. Male patients in these centers were enrolled between May 2018 and February 2024, and follow-up of the primary outcome was completed in December 2024. Eligible participants were men aged 18 to 50 years with female partners aged 18 to 43 years, who sought fertility care and were advised to undergo expectant management, treatment with intrauterine insemination, in vitro fertilization (IVF), or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Couples treated with ovulation induction only or IVF for bilateral tubal pathology were excluded. The men were randomly assigned to receive an antioxidant supplement or a placebo. Intention-to-treat analysis was performed for all outcomes. INTERVENTIONS: The antioxidant supplement (Impryl) was a tablet to be taken daily for 6 months. It contained betaine (200 mg), L-cystine (200 mg), niacin (16 mg), zinc (10 mg), vitamin B6 (1.4 mg), vitamin B2 (1.4 mg), folic acid (400 µg), and vitamin B12 (2.5 µg). The placebo tablet and its packaging were identical to those of the antioxidant supplement. All participating couples received standard infertility care. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcome was ongoing pregnancy conceived within 6 months after randomization. Secondary outcomes included semen parameters, sperm DNA fragmentation, fertilization and embryo utilization rates after IVF or ICSI, biochemical and clinical pregnancy rates, first-trimester pregnancy loss, ectopic pregnancy rate, cumulative number of pregnancies, time to pregnancy, and adverse events. RESULTS: A total of 1171 men (median [IQR] age, 34 [31-38] years; female partners' median [IQR] age, 32 [30-35] year

Background: Anxiety, stress, and sleep disturbances significantly affect overall health. Research suggests that vitamins B1 and B2 may play a role in mood regulation and neuroprotection. This study aimed to investigate the effects of vitamin B1 and B2 supplementation in alleviating anxiety and stress and improving sleep quality. Methods: This study was a parallel randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Participants (n = 43) were randomized to receive one of the following two interventions: 100 mg of vitamin B1 and 100 mg of vitamin B2 or placebo. Intervention outcomes were assessed at baseline and week four, including SAS (Self-Rating Anxiety Scale), PSS (Perceived Stress Scale), PSQI (Sleep Quality Index), ESS (Sleepiness Scale), and measurement of urinary vitamin B1 and B2 levels. Results: After four weeks, urinary vitamin B1 levels increased from 158 ± 108.9 ng to 1333.1 ± 1204.5 ng (p < 0.01), and urinary vitamin B2 levels increased from 308.0 ± 198.3 ng to 6123.2 ± 4847.2 ng in the supplement group (p < 0.01). The PSS scores decreased significantly in the supplement group from 21.5 ± 4.1 to 15.5 ± 4.5 (p < 0.05), while the placebo group showed a change from 20.3 ± 4.3 to 19.8 ± 5.5. Vitamins B1 and B2 did not have a significant effect on anxiety improvement (p > 0.05). The PSQI scores decreased in the supplement group from 8.0 ± 3.12 to 6.3 ± 2.0 (p < 0.05), while the placebo group worsened from 5.7 ± 2.7 to 7.4 ± 2.9. Meanwhile, the ESS scores in the supplement group decreased from 13.0 ± 3.4 to 9.1 ± 3.9 (p < 0.05), demonstrating a significant improvement compared to the placebo group. Conclusions: The clinical trial findings demonstrated that while vitamin B1 and B2 supplements helped reduce stress, enhance sleep, and reduce sleepiness, they had no discernible impact on reducing anxiety. Future studies should focus on the long-term effects of vitamin B1 and B2 supplements, exploring the combined effects of combined vitamin B1 and B2 medications for the treatment of stress and sleep disorders.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Recently Diabetes Mellitus (DM) has been associated with heightened susceptibility to malnutrition, suggesting that augmenting nutritional intake stands out as a potent therapeutic strategy for addressing malnutrition in individuals with DM. The aim of this clinical investigation was to evaluate the effect of DiabetEaze powder, a polyherbal nutritional formulation developed by us for nutritional management and glycaemic control, on patients with diabetic and prediabetic conditions. METHODS: A total of 143 type II diabetic (T2D) patients who were managing their diabetic condition through modern medicine, AYUSH medicine, lifestyle modification and 68 pre-diabetic patients, aged between 40 and 65 years, were randomly assigned into six groups: control, modern, AYUSH, lifestyle, prediabetic control and prediabetic trial. The treatment groups were administered 5 g of DiabetEaze powder two times a day after food for 6 months. Microminerals, vitamins, glycaemic parameters, Quality of Life (QoL), hematology, lipid profiles, Renal Function Test (RFT) and Liver Function Test (LFL) parameters, and electrolytes were evaluated at Day 0, Day 90, and Day 180. RESULTS: Out of 211 enrolled patients, 189 individuals successfully completed the entire 180-day duration of the study, indicating a retention rate of approximately 89.6 %. In our study, we observed a statistically significant elevation in the levels of vitamin D, B2, and B6 across all treatment groups. Besides, the treatment groups displayed a notable increase in zinc and manganese levels compared to the other minerals tested. Notably, the treatment groups demonstrated distinct mineral and vitamin profiles. In terms of metabolic markers, significant reductions in Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS)/Post Prandial Blood Sugar (PPBS) were observed across the modern, AYUSH, and lifestyle groups, while the modern group also showed a marked decrease in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. Furthermore, overall QoL among the tested groups was also statistically significant. The consistent maintenance of normal LFT and RFT parameters and electrolyte levels across trial groups throughout the study duration indicates that

BACKGROUND: There is growing interest in the role of gut microbiota in the pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), including Crohn's disease (CD). Probiotics have been proposed as a potential adjunct therapy for these conditions by altering the intestinal environment, although studies on their effectiveness have yielded mixed results. AIM: This study aims to evaluate the short-term (2 months) effects of a dietary supplement containing Lactobacilli, Bifidobacteria, and Lactococcus bacillus on disease progression, remission, quality of life, and nutritional intake in Lebanese patients with CD. METHOD: A multicenter, randomized, single-blind controlled trial was conducted in 2 medical centers in Beirut from 1 April 2024 to 1 August 2024. Recruitment, prescreening, screening, enrollment, and protocol implementation were carried out at both centers. Data were collected from 21 patients with CD, who were randomly assigned to the control group (n = 10) and the intervention group (n = 11). At baseline and after two months, participants underwent clinical assessments, WHOQOL-BREF evaluation, and 24 h dietary recalls. Follow-up visits included surveys on disease progression, quality of life, adherence, and adverse events, along with repeat body composition and anthropometric measurements. RESULTS: Probiotic supplementation over two months did not significantly alter symptoms, flares, or hospitalizations outcomes between the control and intervention groups. However, the intervention group experienced notable increases in body weight (p = 0.01), BMI (p = 0.01), body fat mass (p = 0.04), and arm muscle circumference (p = 0.01). Nutrient intake patterns differed, with the intervention group showing increased consumption of calcium, riboflavin, and folate compared to controls (p = 0.01, p = 0.04, p = 0.013, respectively). Probiotic supplementation led to significant within-group increases in dietary fiber (p = 0.01), total sugar (p = 0.02), and caffeine (p = 0.01) among the intervention participants. Adverse effects in the intervention group were mild, including nausea (18.2%) and abdominal discomfort (9.1%). QOL improved significantly in the intervention group,

BACKGROUND: The existing evidence on the effect of dietary supplements for preventing migraines has generated conflicting results. METHODS: We assessed alterations in migraine clinical features corresponding to the intake of dietary supplements. Our main outcomes included the frequency (number of attacks), duration (in hours), the severity (intensity) and the monthly migraine days. Using a dose-response meta-analysis, we estimated the dose-dependent impact. The certainty of evidence was evaluated using the GRADE tool. RESULTS: Finally, twenty-two trials were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. Magnesium supplementation reduced migraine attacks (mean difference (MD) = -2.51), severity (MD = -0.88), and the monthly migraine days (MD = -1.66) compared with the control group. CoQ10 decreased the frequency (MD = -1.73), severity (MD = -1.35), and duration of migraine (MD = -1.72). Riboflavin decreased attack frequency (MD = -1.34). Alpha-lipoic acid decreased attack frequency (MD = -1.24) and severity (MD = -0.38). Probiotics decreased the frequency (MD = -1.16), severity (MD = -1.07) and the monthly migraine days (MD = -3.02). Vitamin D reduced migraine frequency (MD = -1.69) and the monthly migraine days (MD = -2.41). In adults, compared with placebo, these supplements did not significantly affect other outcomes, and omega-3 supplementation did not yield a statistically significant reduction in any of these outcomes. CONCLUSION: The use of certain dietary supplements has resulted in a significant decrease in migraine prophylaxis. Further clinical trials of high quality appear to be beneficial. © 2024. Fondazione Società Italiana di Neurologia. Efficacy and safety of omega-3 fatty acids supplementation for anxiety symptoms: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Bafkar N(1), Zeraattalab-Motlagh S(2), Jayedi A(3), Shab-Bidar S(4)(5). Author information: (1)Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Science and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. (2)Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA. (3)Social Determinants of He

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Gut dysbiosis that resulted from the alteration between host-microbe interaction might worsen obesity-induced systemic inflammation. Gut microbiota manipulation by supplementation of prebiotic inulin may reverse metabolic abnormalities and improve obesity. This study aimed to determine whether inulin supplementation improved intestinal microbiota and microbial functional pathways in children with obesity. METHODS: Children with obesity whose BMI above median + 2SDs were recruited to a randomized, double-blinded placebo-controlled study. The participants aged 7-15 years were assigned to inulin supplement extracted from Thai Jerusalem artichoke (intervention), maltodextrin (placebo), and dietary fiber advice groups. All participants received similar monthly conventional advice and follow-up for 6 months. Fecal samples were collected for gut microbiome analysis using 16S rRNA sequencing. Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States was performed to infer microbial functional pathways. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-three children with available taxonomic and functional pathway abundance profiles were evaluated. A significant increase in alpha-diversity was observed in the inulin group. Inulin supplementation substantially enhanced Bifidobacterium, Blautia, Megasphaera, and several butyrate-producing bacteria, including Agathobacter, Eubacterium coprostanoligenes, and Subdoligranulum, compared to the other groups. The inulin group showed a significant difference in functional pathways of proteasome and riboflavin metabolism. These changes correlated with clinical and metabolic outcomes exclusively in the inulin group. CONCLUSIONS: Inulin supplementation significantly promoted gut bacterial diversity and improved gut microbiota dysbiosis in children with obesity. The modulation of functional pathways by inulin suggests its potential to establish beneficial interactions between the gut microbiota and host physiology. Inulin supplementation could be a strategic treatment to restore the balance of intestinal microbiota and regulate their functions in childhood obesity. © 2024. The Author(s).

BACKGROUND: Hydrolysed collagen supplements are reported to fight the signs of aging and improve skin appearance, but more authoritative clinical evidence is needed to support efficacy. AIM: This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated the efficacy of a supplement containing hydrolysed collagen and vitamin C (Absolute Collagen, AC) on biophysical parameters and visible signs of aging for skin, scalp, and hair, when taken daily or every 48 hours. METHODS: We measured dermal collagen using confocal microscopy and high-resolution ultrasound. Hydration, elasticity, wrinkles, and clinical trichoscopy were measured in parallel to expert visual grading. Efficacy measures were recorded at baseline, week 6, and week 12. RESULTS: Following 12 weeks daily use of the AC supplement, using confocal microscopy, we observed a significant 44.6% decrease in fragmentation vs. placebo (p < 0.01). We also measured a change in the ultrasound LEP (low echogenic pixel) ratio comparing upper and lower dermis (-9.24 vs. -7.83, respectively, p=0.05), suggesting collagen improvements occurred more in the upper dermal compartment. After 12 weeks vs. placebo, skin hydration was increased by 13.8% (p < 0.01), R2 elasticity index was increased by 22.7% (p<0.01), and Rz profilometry index was decreased by 19.6% (p < 0.01). Trichoscopy showed an average 11.0% improvement in scalp scaling and a 27.6% increase in the total number of hairs counted vs. placebo (p=n.s.). This was associated with a 31.9% increase in clinical grading score for hair healthy appearance (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The AC supplement has shown clinical benefits for skin, scalp, and hair, when used either daily or every 48 hours, over a 12-week period.

We previously reported that a combined myo-inositol, probiotics, and enriched micronutrient supplement (intervention) taken preconception and in pregnancy reduced postpartum blood loss (PBL) and major postpartum hemorrhage compared with a standard micronutrient supplement (control), as secondary outcomes of the NiPPeR trial. This study aimed to identify the intervention components that may contribute to this effect. Associations of plasma concentrations of myo-inositol and vitamins B2, B6, B12, and D at preconception (before and after supplementation), early (~7-weeks), and late pregnancy (~28-weeks) with PBL were assessed by multiple linear regression, adjusting for site, ethnicity, preconception BMI, parity, and previous cesarean section. Amongst 583 women, a higher concentration of myo-inositol in early pregnancy was associated with a PBL reduction [βadj -1.26 (95%CI -2.23, -0.29) mL per µmol/L myo-inositol increase, p = 0.011]. Applying this co-efficient to the increase in mean 7-week-myo-inositol concentration of 23.4 µmol/L with the intervention equated to a PBL reduction of 29.5 mL (~8.4% of mean PBL of 350 mL among controls), accounting for 84.3% of the previously reported intervention effect of 35 mL. None of the examined vitamins were associated with PBL. Therefore, myo-inositol may be a key intervention component mediating the PBL reduction. Further work is required to determine the mechanisms involved.

OBJECTIVES: Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are usually treated with occlusal appliances and supportive treatments such as physical therapy and drugs. Supplements can be included among potential supportive therapies, with the aim of reducing the use of drugs. To evaluate the efficacy of nutraceuticals' short-term treatment in subjects with temporomandibular disorders. METHODS: The study started in January 2021 and ended in January 2022. Subjects with temporomandibular disorders and a verbal numeric scale >40 were recruited and randomly assigned to one of the following groups. If waiting to start a therapy, to the nutraceutical group or to the no treatment group, while if already undergoing splint therapy, to nutraceautical+splint group or to splint therapy group. Nutraceutical used was composed by Boswellia Serrata Casperome, Magnesium, Tryptophan and vitamins B2 and D with a posology of one tablet/day before sleep for 40 days. Presence of temporomandibular pain, headache, neck pain and sleep/emotional disorders were assessed at T0 and at T1, after 40 days. ANOVA was performed to compare treatments with nutraceuticals and their respective controls, as for the variables related to painful symptomatology. Chi-squared was conducted to assess differences in sleep/emotional disorders between groups. The statistical significance was p<0.05. RESULTS: The groups using nutraceuticals showed statistically significant improvements over controls for most of the variables analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: The use of nutraceutical seems to be a valuable support for TMD therapy in the short term either alone or combined with occlusal splint therapy. © 2024 the author(s), published by De Gruyter, Berlin/Boston.

Cucurbita moschata (Butternut squash) seeds are a rich source of nutrition containing nutrients including iron, zinc, copper, calcium, potassium, and phosphorus. The aim of this study was to determine if Cucurbita Moschata squash seed paste improves zinc and iron status, anthropometric status, and dietary intake in preschool children. A pretest-posttest control group trial using cluster randomisation was conducted over 6 months. Four preschools were randomly assigned to receive 100 g of intervention or 100 g of a placebo as the control to enhance iron and zinc status. A total of 276 preschool children were recruited from eight government registered Early Childhood Development centres in Limpopo province, South Africa. The control group consumed Cucurbita moschata flesh twice-weekly, while the intervention group consumed Cucurbita moschata seed paste twice-weekly during a six-month period. Iron (serum iron, transferrin, transferrin saturation, ferritin) and zinc (serum zinc) status and anthropometric indices such as weight, height and mid upper arm circumference for children were evaluated at baseline and the endpoint. Iron and zinc-rich food consumption was measured using a 24-hour dietary recall and food record during the study, and dietary intake was estimated using a food frequency questionnaire which was conducted at the beginning and endpoint. The intervention group significantly improved in the mean serum iron 0.23 μg/dL (95% CI: 0.11;0.33); ferritin 0.21μg/dL (95% CI: 0.13;0.39), transferrin saturation 0.33% (0.23;0.74) and zinc 0.16 μmol/dl (95% CI: 0.13;0.25) at the end of the study. In addition, the intervention group exhibited greater mean weight for age of 0.13 z-score (95% CI: 0.28; 0.34) and weight for height of 0.04 z-score (95% CI: 0.12,0.05), as well as the consumption of iron (p < 0,001), zinc (p < 0,001), and vitamin C (p < 0.001). At the end of the trial, fiber (p < 0.001), riboflavin (p = 0.001), vitamin B6 (p < 0.001), and vitamin B12 (p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the control group. Thus, the inclusion of intervention in the diet of children in an impoverished area of South Africa improved the iron and zinc status of these childr

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Optimal maternal vitamin status during pregnancy and lactation is essential to support maternal and infant health. For instance, vitamin D3 is involved in infant bone development, and B-vitamins are involved in various metabolic processes, including energy production. Through a double-blind randomised controlled trial, we investigated the effects of maternal supplementation from preconception throughout pregnancy until birth on human milk (HM) concentrations of vitamin D3 and B-vitamins. In addition, we aimed to characterise longitudinal changes in milk concentrations of these vitamins. METHODS: Both control and intervention supplements contained calcium, iodine, iron, β-carotene, and folic acid, while the intervention also contained zinc, vitamins B2, B6, B12, and D3, probiotics, and myo-inositol. HM samples were collected across 4 time points from 1 week to 3 months post-delivery from 158 mothers in Singapore, and 7 time points from 1 week to 12 months from 180 mothers in New Zealand. HM vitamin D was quantified using supercritical fluid chromatography and B-vitamins with mass spectrometry. Potential intervention effects on HM vitamins D3, B2, B6, and B9, as well as other B-vitamin (B1 and B3) concentrations were assessed using linear mixed models with a repeated measures design. RESULTS: Over the first 3 months of lactation, HM 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 concentrations were 20% (95% CI 8%, 33%, P = 0.001) higher in the intervention group, with more marked effects in New Zealand. There were no observed intervention effects on HM concentrations of vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, and B9. In New Zealand mothers, longitudinally, vitamin D3 concentrations gradually increased from early lactation up to 12 months, while vitamins B1 and B2 peaked at 6 weeks, B3 at 3 weeks, and B6 and B9 at 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal supplementation during preconception and pregnancy increased HM vitamin D, but not B-vitamin concentrations in lactation. Further studies are required to examine the discrete benefits of vitamin D supplementation starting preconception vs during pregnancy, and to further characterise the effects of supplementation on later offspring health outco

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Stroke represents a significant public health challenge, necessitating the exploration of preventive measures. This network meta-analysis aimed to assess the efficacy of different vitamin treatments compared to a placebo in preventing stroke. METHODS: A systematic electronic search in databases including PubMed, EmBASE, Web of Science, clinicaltrials.gov, and Google Scholar until 31 May 2023 was conducted, to identify published studies investigating the association between vitamin intake and the risk of stroke. Pooled risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was calculated using a frequentist network meta-analysis. Furthermore, we ranked vitamins based on p-scores, facilitating a comparative assessment of their effectiveness in preventing stroke. RESULTS: A total of 56 studies, including 17 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 39 cohort studies were analyzed. Direct estimates obtained from network meta-analysis, we found that vitamin A (RR: .81 [.72-.91]), vitamin B-complex (RR: .85 [.74-.97]), vitamin B6 (RR: 79 [.68-.92]), folate (RR: .86 [.75-.97]), vitamin C (RR: .77 [.70-.85]) and vitamin D (RR: .73 [.64-.83]) were significantly associated with a decreased stroke risk. However, no significant association was observed for vitamin B2, vitamin B12, and vitamin E. Subsequent to network meta-analysis, vitamins were ranked in decreasing order of their efficacy in stroke prevention based on p-score, with vitamin D (p-score = .91), vitamin C (p-score = .79), vitamin B6 (p-score = .70), vitamin A (p-score = .65), vitamin B-complex (p-score = .53), folate (p-score = .49), vitamin B2 (p-score = .39), vitamin E (p-score = .28), vitamin B12 (.13) and placebo (.10). CONCLUSION: Our study has established noteworthy connections between vitamin A, vitamin B-complex, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin C, and vitamin D in the realm of stroke prevention. These findings add substantial weight to the accumulating evidence supporting the potential advantages of vitamin interventions in mitigating the risk of stroke. However, to solidify and validate these observations, additional research is imperative. Well-designed clinical trials or cohort studies ar

BACKGROUND: Although combining a low-protein diet (LPD) with oral nutritional supplements increases treatment adherence and nutritional status in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), the effect of this combination approach in older adults remains unclear. This study examined the impact of a 6% low-protein formula (6% LPF) with diet counseling in older adults with stage 3-5 CKD. METHODS: In this three-month randomized controlled study, 66 patients (eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, non-dialysis, over 65 years of age) were randomly assigned to an intervention group (LPD plus a 6% LPF) or control group (LPD alone). The 6% LPF comprised 400 kcal, 6 g of protein, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and various micronutrients. All data were collected at baseline and after three months, including physical performance based on hand grip strength (HGS) and gait speed, nutritional status using Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF) scores, body composition through bioelectrical impedance analysis, and dietary intake from 24-h dietary records. RESULTS: This study incorporated 47 participants (median age, 73; median eGFR, 36 ml/min/1.73 m2; intervention group: 24; control group: 23). The intervention group exhibited significant differences in HGS and gait speed, and micronutrient analysis revealed significantly higher monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), EPA, DHA, calcium, iron, zinc, copper, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, B6, B12, and folic acid intake than the control group. MNA-SF scores, macronutrient intake, and body composition did not differ significantly between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to LPD counseling alone, an LPD prescription with 6% LPF in older adults with CKD stages 3-5 helped relieve physical deterioration and increased micronutrient intake after three months. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05318014 (retrospectively registered on 08/04/2022). © 2023. The Author(s).

Bovine milk-derived exosomes are biocompatible nanovesicles with significant potential for drug delivery, yet reliable methods for their label-free identification remain limited. This study employs fluorescence spectroscopy to characterize the intrinsic optical fingerprint of BMEs. Initially, the Excitation-Emission Matrix served as an exploratory tool to map the spectral landscape. Second-derivative analysis was then applied to resolve intrinsic fluorophore hotspots obscured by background interference, followed by spectral deconvolution to separate overlapping components. This analysis revealed a distinct multi-component fluorescence signature arising from Tryptophan, NAD(P)H, AGE-related MRPs, Porphyrins, Flavins (Riboflavin/FAD), Vitamin A, and Schiff-base-type fluorophores. Moreover, all these autofluorescence spectra were recorded at pH 3, 7, and 10, revealing characteristic pH-dependent spectral changes for each component, most notably the emergence of a well-resolved 515 nm peak at pH 3 confirming riboflavin's neutral-to-anionic speciation, as well as a red-shift in porphyrin emission wavelength at pH 3 and 7. Collectively, these intrinsic optical signatures validate BMEs as self-reporting nanocarriers, providing a robust, non-invasive biosensing baseline for quality control and tracking without the structural compromise associated with external tagging.

BackgroundNew daily persistent headache (NDPH) is a primary headache disorder that often presents in adolescence. Presently, there is no effective treatment for NDPH and a paucity of clinical trials exploring therapeutic options. In this study, we explored the relative benefit of currently used treatments to help inform future trials and clinical decision-making.MethodsIn this retrospective chart review study, patients aged 5-17 years with abrupt onset continuous headache and headache duration of at least one month (constituting NDPH or probable NDPH) were identified based on responses to a Headache Questionnaire in child neurology clinic and confirmed with chart review. We included all treatments (transitional therapy, preventive supplement, preventive medication and preventive non-medication therapy) started during continuous headache until both break in continuous headache and sustained improvement in headache were achieved. For treatments tried by at least 10 patients and for the first treatment tried in each category, we calculated proportions of any documented benefit, including "Significant" (≥30% improvement lasting ≥4 weeks) and "Some improvement" (all other improvement) and proportions of negative outcome (those with worsened headaches or side effects warranting discontinuation), as well as median time to treatment. We used multivariable regression modeling to examine for factors associated with headache outcomes. Treatments may have overlapped.ResultsOf the 165 patients, the largest proportion of patients experienced benefit with the first transitional therapy (62/108; 57%), which was usually intravenous medications ± oral corticosteroids. The first supplement tried, usually riboflavin ± magnesium, offered benefit in (36/118; 31%), with few negative outcomes (3/118; 3%). The first prescription preventive tried, usually amitriptyline or topiramate, offered similar benefit (37/106; 35%) as the first supplement, but with more negative outcomes (25/106; 24%). Despite being tried after oral preventives, onabotulinumtoxinA injections offered benefit to the largest proportion of patients (14/20; 70%) without negative outcomes (0%). Overall, the time to first

INTRODUCTION: As a core nutrient regulating ruminant metabolic networks, immune homeostasis, and rumen microbial community structure, the source and supply of protein influence the adaptive capacity of breeding cows to metabolic stress during physiological transitions in the peripartum period. METHODS: Sixty healthy, periparturient cows with similar body weights (573.14 ± 76.67 kg) and gestation lengths (228.77 ± 37.86 d) were selected and randomly divided into four groups (n = 15), each group received an isocaloric, isonitrogenous diet supplemented with soybean meal (Control Group, CG), rapeseed meal (Test Group 1, TG1), linseed cake (Test Group 2, TG2), or sunflower cake (Test Group 3, TG3) as the primary protein source. Rumen fermentation parameters, microbial composition and community structure, serum indicators, apparent nutrient digestibility, nitrogen utilization, and differential metabolites in feces and urine were measured to investigate the effects of different protein sources on rumen fermentation-microbial characteristics, nutrient utilization, and fecal/urinary metabolites in periparturient breeding cows. RESULTS: (1) pH levels in the TG2 increased significantly at 30 days postpartum (PP30 d), peptidyltransferase (PLT) counts in the TG2 and TG3 were significantly higher than those in the CG and TG1 at calving day (0 d); Proteolytic enzymes (Pro), urease (URE), and PLT levels in the TG3 increased significantly at PP30 d; beneficial bacteria such as Fibrobacter and Akkermansia were significantly enriched in the TG2 and TG3 (p < 0.05). (2) In the TG3, Urea and triglycerides (TG) levels were significantly elevated at PP30 d, while blood ammonia levels were reduced; in the TG2, energy metabolism was active at 0 d and stabilized at PP30 d, exhibiting the strongest humoral immune response and significantly elevated Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) levels. The TG3 played a prominent role in the phasic regulation of insulin (INS) and growth hormone (GH). (3) Compared with the CG, 498, 285, and 225 differentially expressed metabolites were identified in the feces of the experimental groups, respectively; the TG1 was enriched in steroids, riboflavin, and

Riboflavin (RF) mediated photocrosslinking provides a green and controllable approach for soy protein nanofibril (SPF) hydrogel, but the pH-dependent reaction efficiency and structural stability remain key challenges to achieve reliable and sustainable applications. In this study, RF was used as a photosensitizer to induce the crosslinking of SPF under 365 nm UV irradiation, and the gelation mechanism of the photocrosslinked hydrogels was systematically investigated under different pH conditions (2, 4, 6, 8, and 10). The results demonstrated that pH not only altered the dispersibility and conformation of SPF but also modulated the photochemical behavior of RF. At pH 2, SPF formed hydrogels mainly through hydrogen bonding and amino acid oxidation, storage modulus increased from 20.20 to 186.98 Pa, but the photosensitivity of RF was limited. At pH 4-6, severe fibril aggregation hindered the exposure of reactive sites, preventing the formation of a continuous crosslinked network. At pH 8, SPF regained a well-dispersed conformation, while the enhanced photochemical properties of RF, possibly associated with a prolonged excited-state lifetime, facilitated amino acid oxidation and disulfide bond formation, resulting in the highest crosslinking efficiency and mechanical strength, with the storage modulus increasing from 5.19 Pa to 331.68 Pa. In contrast, at pH 10, fibril degradation and the limited light absorption efficiency of RF impeded gelation. Overall, pH governed the hydrogel structure and performance by synergistically regulating SPF conformation and RF photochemistry properties. These findings provide theoretical insights for the design of pH-responsive SPF-based photocrosslinked hydrogels.

Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous across environments including the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Most existing MPs studies focus on aquatic animals and rodents, while MPs influences on yaks (Bos grunniens) remain poorly understood. Using yaks as animal models, we combined metagenomics and metabolomics to explore short-term polystyrene-MPs (PS-MPs) impacts on ruminal microbiota, metabolism, antioxidant capacity and inflammation. Seven-day PS-MPs exposure reshaped rumen microbiota and elevated β-diversity. Four KEGG pathways (peptidoglycan synthesis, vitamin B6/riboflavin metabolism, terpenoid backbone biosynthesis) were enriched alongside altered extracellular polysaccharides composition. Serum metabolomics revealed elevated L-glutamine and indole-3-propionic acid, coupled with reduced 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 2,4-cyclodiphosphate and indole-3-lactic acid post-exposure. Urinary metabolomics revealed decreased D-erythrose 4-phosphate, dimethyl allyl pyrophosphate, and 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 2,4-cyclodiphosphate, collectively indicating inhibited terpenoid backbone biosynthesis in yaks. Additionally, PS-MPs triggered inflammatory responses, evidenced by elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interferon-γ, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, interleukin-17, interleukin-22, tumor necrosis factor-α, transforming growth factor-α), yet antioxidant function indexes (total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase and malondialdehyde) showed no significant changes. Multi-omics suggested Prevotella ruminicola may help resist PS-MPs invasion. In summary, rumen microbes may alleviate PS-MPs adverse effects, explaining yaks' mild responses to short-term PS-MPs exposure. Long-term MPs effects, tissue deposition and related molecular mechanisms warrant further study.

Current pharyngitis treatment relies heavily on antibiotics and glucocorticoids, leading to increasing bacterial resistance and significant adverse drug reactions, while the traditional efficacy of Fructus Chebulae is to reduce swelling and relieve sore throat, yet its key components and mechanism against pharyngitis need systematic research. Therefore, this study aimed to integrate MALDI-MSI spatial metabolomics and network pharmacology to systematically analyze Fructus Chebulae's therapeutic mechanism against acute pharyngitis, identifying ellagic acid as the core component, along with key targets and spatial metabolic pathways. Using a 'disease-component-metabolic pathways' strategy, network pharmacology was combined with in vivo validation in an acute pharyngitis animal model induced by 5% ammonia oropharyngeal spray, followed by spatial metabolomics analysis. The results showed that network pharmacology identified ellagic acid and SRC protein as the core ingredient and key target. Ellagic acid spraying dose-dependently repaired pharyngeal damage, significantly reduced TNF-α and oxidative stress, and inhibited SRC protein expression. Furthermore, MALDI-MSI visualized metabolites, screening 376 differentially expressed metabolites and pinpointing 49 biomarkers. Specifically, ellagic acid inhibited inflammation, scavenged radicals, and promoted regeneration by regulating amino acid biosynthesis, riboflavin, and lipid metabolism. In conclusion, this study multidimensionally analyzed Fructus Chebulae's traditional efficacy using network pharmacology, confirming the anti-pharyngitis efficacy of ellagic acid, and for the first time via MALDI-MSI illustrated its core spatial metabolic pathways regulating inflammation, oxidative stress, and tissue repair.

The replacement of animal-derived components from cell culture protocols is essential for the development of human-compatible and clinically translatable systems. Fetal bovine serum (FBS) is still widely used for cell expansion, although its xenogeneic origin and batch variability limit regulatory compliance. In this study, human platelet lysate (hPL) and human serum (HS) were assessed as low-serum (2%) alternatives to FBS during the subculture phase of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSC) prior to keratocyte differentiation for corneal tissue engineering. BM-MSC were gradually adapted over four days to 2% FBS, hPL, or HS, maintained for seven days, and then transferred to serum-free keratocyte differentiation medium for 14 days in either two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) cultures in 30 wt% riboflavin-arginine-triggered gelatin methacryloyl (RA-GelMA) hydrogels crosslinked under visible blue light. To demonstrate the applicability of this approach in corneal tissue engineering, differentiation was evaluated by immunofluorescence and quantitative PCR in 2D cultures, and by immunofluorescence in 3D cultures. Both hPL and HS maintained metabolic activity, supported keratocyte-associated marker expression, and suppressed α-SMA, performing comparably to FBS, thereby supporting their use as clinically compliant, human-derived alternatives for xeno-reduced corneal biomanufacturing. © 2026. The Author(s).

The agri-food industry generates large quantities of by-products, e.g., fruit pomace from juice and wine production, which represent underutilized sources of valuable compounds. The popularity of plant-based foods is steadily increasing due to growing concerns about human health, animal welfare, and environmental sustainability, highlighting the need for vitamin B12 fortification - plants cannot synthesize this essential micronutrient. This challenge is particularly relevant given the growing prevalence of B12 deficiency and its associated health risks. The aim of this study was to enrich pomace from blue honeysuckle berries, strawberries, and grapes with B12 via co-fermentation using Propionibacterium freudenreichii DSM 20271 and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ATCC 10241 (selected based on screening tests, including the co-existence test of P. freudenreichii-different LAB species), and to optimize the pomace matrix for cobalamin biosynthesis in co-culture conditions. The pomace matrices were characterized with respect to carbon and nitrogen sources, as well as cobalamin biosynthesis precursors, including cobalt, riboflavin, and niacin. Nearly complete utilization of available carbon sources was observed in all matrices. B12 (13.91-39.71 μg/kg) and propionic acid (0.73-4.31 g/kg) were produced in all pomace-based media. Optimization experiments indicated that strawberry and grape pomace were the most suitable substrates for B12 synthesis, whereas propionic acid production was primarily associated with strawberry pomace. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of using co-cultures of propionic acid and lactic acid bacteria to enrich fruit pomace with B12. This approach offers a promising strategy for developing B12-fortified plant foods from fermented and edible fruit pomace, thereby supporting sustainable development and zero-waste principles.

Ticks (Ixodida) are the second most important vectors of infectious diseases in vertebrates, after mosquitoes. Beyond vector roles, they maintain mutualistic associations with bacteria, including endosymbionts that provide essential B vitamins lacking in their blood-based diet. The most extensively studied endosymbionts belong to the genera Coxiella, Midichloria, and Francisella. The genus Francisella encompasses endosymbionts (FE), pathogens (FP), opportunistic pathogens (FO) and free-living environmental strains (FL), making it a powerful system for evolutionary and comparative genomic analyses. In this study, total DNA from six adult female ticks of the genera Hyalomma and Amblyomma was sequenced to generate new FE genomes. Seven deeply sequenced public metagenomes were also assembled, yielding 69 Francisella, and as outgroup, three Allofrancisella, a Parafrancisella, and a Pseudofrancisella strains. This dataset supported phylogenomic reconstruction and comparison of genomic features, including vitamin biosynthesis and virulence pathways, with a focus on transitions to tick endosymbiosis. A densely sampled multi-locus sequence typing phylogeny was constructed to explore biogeographic patterns. Our results show that, except for FE, no ecological trait is monophyletic, supporting an origin of Francisella diversity from free-living ancestors. Biogeography suggests Palearctic and Afrotropical FE strains are derived and may involve horizontal transfers. Francisella comparative genomics reveals two contrasting profiles: environmental generalists and host-restricted specialists. These findings reinforce the role of tick FEs as nutritional mutualists, retaining key pathways such as riboflavin, shikimate, and biotin biosynthesis. In contrast, virulence is not ancestrally conserved but an innovation in pathogenic lineages, largely degraded in tick FEs. These results advance understanding of endosymbiont evolution and provide genomic insights with potential for disease control. © The Author(s) 2026. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution.

This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the associations between total intake of 3 B vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, niacin) and hypertension and increased pulse pressure in U.S. adults, and to explore potential nonlinear relationships.Data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2023 were analyzed. A total of 17,484 participants aged ≥ 20 years were included. Total vitamin intake (diet plus supplements) was categorized into quartiles. Hypertension was defined as SBP ≥ 140 mm Hg or DBP ≥ 90 mm Hg; increased pulse pressure as PP ≥ 60 mm Hg. Multivariable logistic regression and restricted cubic spline (RCS) models were used, adjusting for demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical factors.In fully adjusted models, the highest quartile of total thiamin (OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.04-1.31), riboflavin (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.10-1.39), and niacin (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.03-1.30) intake was positively associated with hypertension (P-trend < 0.05 for all). Conversely, only riboflavin was inversely associated with increased pulse pressure (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.75-0.94). RCS analysis revealed a J-shaped nonlinear association between niacin intake and hypertension (P-nonlinear = 0.041), with the lowest risk observed at 30-40 mg/day. A suggestive inflection point was identified at 46.163 mg/day (P = .087). No clear thresholds were found for thiamin or riboflavin. Subgroup analyses showed largely consistent associations.This study suggests that high total intake of B vitamins may be associated with higher odds of hypertension, while riboflavin may be inversely associated with pulse pressure. The findings highlight the importance of considering total nutrient intake and caution against excessive supplementation. However, as a cross-sectional analysis, causality cannot be inferred, and residual confounding cannot be ruled out.

Microbial artificial photosynthesis offers a promising strategy for light-driven biomanufacturing, yet its efficiency remains limited by the non-selective conversion of photogenerated electrons into metabolically usable reducing power, causing energy dissipation and weak coupling between light capture and metabolic reactions. Here, we report a rational strategy using riboflavin (RF), a membrane-permeable and biocompatible flavin photosensitizer, to selectively channel photonic energy into intracellular NADPH regeneration. Quantum chemical calculations and spectroscopic analyses reveal that light-excited RF exhibits a specific binding affinity and favorable electron transfer trend toward NADP+. In vivo, RF activation markedly elevated intracellular NADPH levels and enhanced the synthesis of NADPH-dependent metabolites through NADPH reductase-associated pathways. Transcriptomic and inhibition analyses linked RF-mediated NADPH regeneration to NADP+/NADPH redox enzymes rather than glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase-mediated flux, while NADH-related redox genes remained largely unaffected, demonstrating the selectivity of this reductive route. Cross-species and multi-product validations consistently reproduced these results, underscoring the generality of this mechanism across distinct NADPH-dependent microbial chassis. This work establishes a mechanistically defined and broadly applicable framework for directing photogenerated electrons into specific cellular reducing equivalents, paving the way for efficient artificial photosynthetic and bioelectrochemical platforms. © 2026 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.

Despite effective antiretroviral therapy, HIV persists in the central nervous system (CNS) and may contribute to neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment. How viral persistence, immune responses, and regional CNS T-cell architecture relate to cognitive functioning remains unclear. We performed a cross-sectional, multi-compartmental immune-genomic study in 12 people with HIV on long-term viral suppression enrolled in the Last Gift rapid autopsy program. Quantitative HIV reservoir measures (total-episomal DNA, unspliced-multiply spliced RNA) and paired αβ T-cell receptor repertoire (TCRR) sequencing were performed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and five CNS regions: hippocampus, frontal motor cortex, basal ganglia, occipital cortex, and spinal cord. Cognitive performance was assessed within one year of death. Tissue-resolved associations between cognition and HIV reservoir, TCRR architecture (richness, diversity, clonality), and pathogen-specific T-cell clonotypes (HIV, CMV, EBV, and riboflavin derivatives) were evaluated using participant-clustered multivariable models. False discovery rate was applied. HIV DNA and RNA were detectable across all tissues but were not associated with cognitive performance or TCRR metrics. Peripheral TCRR architecture was unrelated to cognition, whereas higher TCRR richness and diversity in the hippocampus and spinal cord were associated with worse verbal, motor, and attention/working memory scores. Higher TCRR richness in the spinal cord was also associated with better recall. T-cell receptor clonotype frequency distributions differed across CNS regions, consistent with regional immune compartmentalization. Epitope-inference analyses revealed pathogen-dependent associations: higher number of HIV-specific T-cell clonotypes in the basal ganglia was associated with better global and attention/working memory scores, whereas riboflavin derivative-specific clonotypes in frontal motor cortex were associated with better motor performance. CMV-specific clonotypes showed nominal associations with worse learning and memory. CNS-localized T-cell receptor architecture and antigenic imprinting related more closely to neurocognitive vari

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of theranostic-guided corneal UV therapy in progressive keratoconus and the association between theranostic imaging biomarkers and 1-year outcomes. METHODS: Seventy-three consecutive patients (73 eyes; mean age 22 ± 6 years) with progressive keratoconus underwent epithelial removal followed by theranostic-guided corneal UV therapy using 0.22% riboflavin ophthalmic solution. Eyes received either 10- or 15-minute preset riboflavin application protocol, followed by UV irradiation at 10 mW/cm2 for 9 minutes. The device generated 2 intraoperative imaging biomarkers: the riboflavin score, estimating stromal riboflavin concentration, and the theranostic score, quantifying UV-A mediated photoactivation. These scores enabled real-time monitoring to guide effective completion of treatment. A multivariate linear regression model evaluated the relationship between theranostic imaging biomarkers, baseline patient characteristics, and 1-year Kmax change. RESULTS: Theranostic-guided treatment was effective and showed 94% concordance with the 1-year Kmax flattening. Eight eyes (11%) required an additional 15% UV energy (1.3 extra minute at 10 mW/cm2) to surpass the theranostic score threshold of 0.60. Mean Kmax decreased by -1.6 ± 1.6 D (P < 0.001), whereas uncorrected distance visual acuity and corrected distance visual acuity improved significantly (P < 0.001). The regression model explained a limited proportion of outcome variance (R2 = 0.239; P = 0.01) and indicated that the riboflavin score had a greater association with Kmax flattening compared with the other variables included in the model. CONCLUSIONS: Real-time monitoring of stromal riboflavin permeation and photoactivation enables precise, individualized treatment, enhancing the ability to halt keratoconus progression by tailoring therapeutic effect to each cornea's molecular response.

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) poses a significant global health challenge, necessitating novel therapeutic interventions. Virgin coconut oil (CO), rich in medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), has emerging metabolic benefits, but its renoprotective potential and mechanistic basis remain unexplored. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of CO on DKD and elucidate its underlying molecular mechanisms through a multimodal approach. Network pharmacology and molecular docking were employed to predict CO's bioactive targets and pathways. Experimental validation was performed in a high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic mouse model, with CO administered for 12 weeks. Systemic metabolic parameters (glucose, BUN, Scr, lipid profiles) and renal function were evaluated. Renal histopathology (H&E, Masson staining), inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-6), oxidative stress indicators (GSH-Px, SOD, MDA), and fibrosis markers (TGF-β, Collagen IV) were quantified. Gut microbiota composition (16S rRNA sequencing) and serum metabolomic profiling (LC-MS) were analyzed to identify systemic mechanisms. Computational analysis identified octanoic acid and decanoic acid of MCFAs as principal bioactive components targeting PPARα/γ and IL-1β, modulating PPAR signaling and oxidative phosphorylation. In vivo, CO significantly ameliorated hyperglycemia, reduced uremic toxins, and improved lipid metabolism. Renal benefits included attenuated inflammation, restored redox balance, and suppressed fibrosis. Gut microbiota restructuring revealed decreased pro-inflammatory Enterococcus and enriched probiotic Lactobacillus. Metabolomics identified CO-mediated regulation of arachidonic acid metabolism and riboflavin pathways. Our findings demonstrate that CO exerts comprehensive renoprotection through a novel "gut microbiota-metabolism-inflammation" axis, suggesting its potential as a dietary intervention for DKD. These mechanistic insights warrant further clinical investigation of CO's therapeutic applications in diabetic complications. © 2026 The Author(s). Food Science & Nutrition published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Betalains are nitrogen-containing pigments with important biological, ecological, and biotechnological roles, yet their biosynthesis has been described almost exclusively in plants of the order Caryophyllales and in a few fungal and bacterial lineages. The early-diverging ascomycete Neolecta irregularis, considered a morphological and genomic "living fossil", offers a unique opportunity to explore the evolutionary origins of this pathway. Here, we combine pigment analysis, gene expression profiling, and biochemical characterization to investigate the betalain-forming potential of this species. Although no betalains were detected in fruiting bodies-whose yellow coloration was instead attributed to riboflavin-RNA-seq data revealed expression of a putative 4,5-DOPA-extradiol-dioxygenase (DODA), the key enzyme in the formation of betalamic acid. We cloned, expressed, and purified the N. irregularis dioxygenase (NiDODA) in Escherichia coli, demonstrating that it is a monomeric, iron-dependent enzyme capable of producing betalamic acid, muscaflavin, and dopaxanthin from L-DOPA. NiDODA displayed the highest affinity for L-DOPA reported for any DODA to date, and exhibited both 4,5- and 2,3-extradiol-dioxygenase activities. Phylogenetic analysis positioned NiDODA within a distinct fungal branch, expanding the diversity of known betalain-producing enzymes. Pedro Martínez-Rodríguez, M. Alejandra Guerrero-Rubio, Paula Henarejos-Escudero, Samanta Hernández-García, Fernando Gandía-Herrero.

Monitoring bentazone (BEN) residues in agricultural products and quantifying vitamin B2 (VB2) in fortified foods are essential for ensuring food safety and regulatory compliance. Herein, an AIE-active zinc-based metal-organic framework, {[ZnNa(HTCPP)]·3H2O·DMF}n (ZnTCPP, where H4TCPP = 2,3,5,6-(4-carboxyl-tetraphenyl)pyrazine) was synthesized and explored as a dual-mode fluorescence sensor for turn-on BEN determination and ratiometric/colorimetric VB2 quantification. Sensing mechanisms involve the collaborative contribution of competitive absorption, photoinduced electron transfer (PET), and host-guest interactions for BEN, and Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) for VB2. ZnTCPP exhibited remarkable fluorescence enhancement toward BEN with a constant of 5.14 × 104 M-1 and a detection limit of 11.7 nM, and an outstanding ratiometric response to VB2 with a constant of 8.77 × 104 M-1 and a detection limit of 6.1 nM. Rapid fluorescence responses were observed within 1 min upon the addition of BEN or VB2. Practical applicability was validated in fruit, milk, and vitamin tablet samples with recoveries of 95.3-103.4% for BEN and 95.6-104.5% for VB2. Furthermore, paper-based and hydrogel-based platforms enabled on-site BEN and VB2 analysis, respectively, while a smartphone-assisted RGB analysis allowed rapid quantification. These results highlight ZnTCPP as a convenient, sensitive sensing platform for food safety and environmental monitoring. © 2026 American Chemical Society.

Rice, a global staple, often lacks essential nutrients due to milling, leading to micronutrient deficiencies or "hidden hunger." This study aimed to optimize the fortification of rice analogues with essential vitamins, focusing on nutrient retention during cooking. Using cold extrusion technology, rice analogues were produced from a mixture of rice flour, sodium alginate (1%), water (30%), and a nutrient ready mix (NRM) in varying proportions: low-dose (100%), intermediate-dose (125%), and High-dose (150%) of recommended levels. The fortification level was statistically optimized using Design Expert software, with high-dose fortification (150% NRM) yielding the highest cooking retention, achieving a desirability value of 0.961. Post-cooking, the fortified rice analogues retained significant levels of key vitamins, including vitamin A (4713.76 ± 64.65 µg RE/kg), thiamine (6.67 ± 0.01 mg/kg), riboflavin (84.03 ± 0.54 mg/kg), niacin (447.18 ± 0.01 mg/kg), pyridoxine (33.21 ± 1.12 mg/kg), and folic acid (4.52 ± 0.04 mg/kg). Retention rates varied across vitamins, with thiamine showing lowest retention (6.7-7.1% after extrusion and cooking), while riboflavin exhibited the highest stability (64.3-74.7% retention after extrusion and cooking) demonstrating its relative heat stability. Other vitamins showed intermediate retention rates: vitamin A (10.1-12.4%), niacin (28.6-36.7%), pyridoxine (15.5-22.1%) and folic acid (44.2-60.4%). By blending these fortified analogues with raw rice at a 1:50 ratio produced vitamin-fortified rice that meets nutritional standards. This optimized fortification process offers a viable solution to combat hidden hunger by enhancing the nutritional value of rice without altering traditional dietary habits. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13197-025-06337-5. © Association of Food Scientists & Technologists (India) 2025. Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely

As diets shift toward sustainable options, plant-based products are gaining popularity, though dairy remains a key source of essential micronutrients. Nutritional value depends not only on content but also on bioaccessibility. This study evaluated the bioaccessibility of riboflavin, vitamin K, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, and iodine in dairy products, their plant-ba

Coenzyme A (CoA) biosynthesis is a conserved, dynamically regulated pathway essential for mitochondrial energy production, fatty acid oxidation, lipid biosynthesis and protein acylation. Biallelic variants in PANK2, PPCS, PPCDC, and COASY cause rare inborn errors of CoA biosynthesis, associated with markedly different clinical phenotypes: PANK2 and COASY defects predominantly cause neurological disorders within or adjacent to the neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (NBIA) spectrum, whereas PPCS and PPCDC deficiencies present mainly as severe early-onset dilated cardiomyopathy. However, COASY variants can also cause pontocerebellar hypoplasia and riboflavin-responsive lipid storage myopathy. This review examines

This study investigates the effects of grape-derived exosomes on prediabetic mice and elucidates their underlying mechanisms through an integrated metabolomics approach. A prediabetic mouse model was established, with 18 mice randomly assigned to three groups: model control group, grape exosome treatment group, and antioxidant nutrient supplementation group. Therapeutic efficacy was assessed using fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and homeostasis model assessment of β-cell function (HOMA-β). Intestinal content metabolites were profiled via both untargeted ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with orbitrap electrospray mass spectrometry (UHPLC-OE-MS) and targeted metabolomics analyses. Grape exosomes effectively mitigated prediabetes progression. Untargeted metabolomics revealed 1222 downregulated and 425 upregulated metabolites in the grape exosome group relative to the model control group, among which riboflavin (upregulated) was potentially associated with amino acid metabolism. Targeted metabolomics identified 23 upregulated and 41 downregulated metab

Background: Adolescents in low- and middle-income countries face a disproportionate burden of dietary inadequacy, yet evidence on the determinants of overall diet quality remains scarce. This study assessed the prevalence of macro- and micronutrient inadequate intake and identified factors associated with dietary adequacy among adolescents in rural Pakistan. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among adolescents using multistage cluster sampling. Dietary intake was assessed through a single 24-h dietary recall; nutrient adequacy was determined using age-and sex-specif

The simultaneous efficient degradation and defluorination of perfluoroalkyl substances in aqueous environments remains challenging due to their exceptional chemical stability. This work addresses this challenge via an underexplored electrochemical reduction strategy, employing a system comprising cobalt-biochar (CoBC) as the cathode and riboflavin (RF) as the electrolyte. Under optimized operating conditions, the CoBC/RF system achieved complete perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) conversion within 20 min (kobs = 0.194 min-1), along with 75.8% total organic carbon removal and 59.8% defluorination efficiency. Mechanistic investigations identified the active hydrogen (H*) as the key reaction species. RF mediates a proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) process that lowers the activation energy for H* generation and enables its accumulation on the electrode surface, forming a reactive 'H* cloud' that markedly enhances both degradation and defluorination performance. The PFOS decomposition pathway is proposed based on detected intermediates under sustained H* action, in which degradation initiates with desulfonation, proceeds via iterative loss of CF2 units, and ultimately yields inorganic end products. The system further demonstrates robust stability across multiple operation cycles and diverse water matrices. More broadly, this PCET-mediated electrochemical reduction system is extendable to other refractory organic pollutants beyond PFOS, outperforming previously reported results and establishing a generalizable framework that advances the remediation of persistent pollutants.

BACKGROUND: As the only approved oral medication for premature ejaculation (PE), dapoxetine faces a high discontinuation rate, primarily due to lower than expected efficacy. The impact of serum metabolites on PE treatment remains undetermined; therefore, we aimed to identify metabolites associated with dapoxetine efficacy. METHODS: Clinical data and blood samples were collected from 116 patients with lifelong PE before 8 weeks of dapoxetine treatment. Serum was analyzed by untargeted metabolomics profiling. Efficacy was assessed with

Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists are promising for in situ tumor vaccination but suffer from poor tumor selectivity and systemic toxicity. Here, we establish a sonochemical activation strategy using a vitamin B2-derived sonosensitizer for spatiotemporally controlled immunotherapy. Riboflavin tetrabutyrate (TBR) was identified as an efficient sonosensitizer for thioketal (TK) cleavage under low-intensity ultrasound (US) and coformulated with a TK-masked TLR7/8 agonist (R848) to construct sonosensitive nanoparticles (R848/TBR NPs). Upon US irradiation, TBR generated singlet oxygen to induce immunogenic cell death and trigger R848 release through a

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic life-threatening and relapsing-remitting multisystem autoimmune disease. However, the genetic susceptibility of SLE has not been fully elucidated. This study will explore the genetic risk loci of SLE. We performed the larger multi-ancestry meta-analysis of genome-wide association study (GWAS) including 22,494 cases with SLE and 1,568,102 healthy controls. Multi-ancestry meta-analysis identified 101 risk loci including 12 novel loci. Across 101 loci, 2,209 likely causal genes are indicated and 265 genes are prioritized, based on eight biological prioritization criteria. The most significantly locus were located on 6p21.32, whereas the highest-ranked candidate causal gene was BLK. Heritability analyses demonstrated a liability scale of the heritability is 25.49%, whereas an estimated 1.25 million effective sample sizes would be necessary to explain 90% of phenotypic variance. Gene enrichment, gene-set analyses, and the genetic correlation revealed that SLE-related genes were enriched in whole blood and spleen, promoted MHCII-related pathways, JAK-STAT signaling, abnormal activation of T and B cells, autoantibodies such as anti-nuclear antibody and anti-neutrophil antibody production, and had a positive genetic correlation with autoimmune diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis), mental and neurological disorders (e.g., schizophrenia), and cardiovascular diseases (e.g., hypertension). Finally, druggable, gene-drug interaction, drug target, and drug repurposing analysis suggested some potential targets (e.g., BLK) and drug (e.g., riboflavin) repurposing for SLE. In conclusion, we identified 101 risk loci including 12 novel loci for SLE. Based on 101 loci, we provided new biological insights, some potential targets, and drug repurposing for SLE. © 2026. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

A violet laser of wavelength 405 nm is used to excite steady-state fluorescence in the juice of a lemon. Prominent wavelength peaks appear at 520 and 670 nm due to emissions from riboflavin (vitamin B2) and protochlorophyllide (pchlide), the precursor of chlorophyll [Formula: see text], respectively. Using a polariser for excitation with vertically polarised light, and another one in parallel as well as in perpendicular positions to this one in the emission-path, counts at the two peaks in the high-resolution spectrometer are noted. Fluorescence anisotropies calculated from the obtained intensities at the two positions of the analyser reveal that the value at 520 nm peak is approximately twice that of the 670 nm one. This indicates that rotational mobility of riboflavin is much less than protochlorophyllide, even though the latter is much larger and more complex, in the low pH (high acidity) medium. © 2026. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Me

The precise identification of intersegmental planes is critical in lung segmentectomy. Indocyanine green (ICG) is commonly used, but it requires specialized equipment and it also has a short fluorescence duration. This study explored the use of intravenous vitamin B2 (riboflavin) with a blacklight (ultraviolet A, UV-A) as a simpler, cost-effective alternative. In a porcine model (n = 4), both ICG and vitamin B2 accurately delineated the same intersegmental plane. However, vitamin B2 fluorescence lasted over 30 min -significantly longer than ICG's 7.3 min -and it was visible to the naked eye without specialized imaging systems. The method was safe and practical, utilizing readily available UV light. This approach may be particularly useful for visualizing lung segments during surgery without the need for expensive fluorescence cameras. Although the results in healthy animals are promising, fu

PURPOSE: To report the first case of stromal lenticule addition keratoplasty performed for the management of severe progressive corneal flattening following corneal cross-linking (CXL). METHODS: A 63-year-old woman with keratoconus, previously treated with combined topography-guided photorefractive keratectomy and CXL (Athens protocol), presented with progressive corneal flattening and a hyperopic shift in the left eye. Corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) was 20/50 with manifest refraction of +5.00 -1.50 × 123° and the mean keratometry was 36.20 diopters (D). Stromal lenticule addition keratoplasty was performed using a stromal lenticule obtained from a myopic small incision lenticule extraction treatment. A femtosecond laser was used to create an intrastromal pocket, and the lenticule was inserted and centered within the stromal interface. RESULTS: Postoperatively, mean keratometry increased to 41.20 D and refraction improved to +0.50 -2.00 × 110°, with 20/40 CDVA. Corneal curvature remained stable at 12 months postoper

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether a non-invasive approach to treat keratoconus with corneal cross-linking (CXL) using oral riboflavin and natural sunlight could represent a cost-effective alternative. METHODS: In a prospective, controlled study, 16 male New Zealand White rabbits (32 eyes) underwent a two-step protocol. Step 1 quantified stromal riboflavin in 4 rabbits (8 eyes) after 14 days of oral riboflavin (6 mg/kg/day). Step 2 randomized the remaining 12 rabbits (24 eyes) 1:1 to oral riboflavin plus natural sunlight or sunlight alone. After a 2,700 klux·h cumulative sunlight dose, corneal biomechanics were assessed by optical coherence tomography elastography and uniaxial stress-strain extensometry. RESULTS: The mean stromal riboflavin concentration after oral administration was 0.000081% ± 0.000011%. Stress-strain testing showed no significant differences in stress at 0.1 strain (152 ± 11.5 kPa in controls vs 146 ± 7.0 kPa in treated eyes; P = .57) or mean elastic modulus between 0.1 and 0.2 strain (4.1 vs 4.0 MPa; P = .870). OCT elastography demonstrated significantly higher posterior corneal strain in treated eyes (0.551‰ vs 0.398‰; P = .039), consistent with reduced apparent stiffness. CONCLUSIONS: Oral riboflavin combined with ambient sunlight did not induce corneal stiffening under the tested conditions. Stromal riboflavin levels were nearly 500-fold lower than those achieved with standard CXL, indicating the tested approach is unlikely to serve as an effective standalone cross-linking strategy. The observed posterior corneal stiffness reduction may reflect ultraviolet-A-induced stromal degradation or subthreshold photochemical effects rather than true cross-linking.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disorder driven by gut dysbiosis and immune dysfunction. This study evaluated the protective effects of mare milk (MM) and its extracellular vesicles (MM-EVs) in DSS-induced UC. Both interventions alleviated clinical symptoms, restored colonic architecture, and rebalanced mucosal and systemic T-cell immunity. MM preferentially promoted colonic Th17 responses, whereas MM-EVs selectively suppressed Th

Organoids provide physiologically relevant platforms for disease modeling and drug screening, but their performance depends critically on the extracellular matrix (ECM). Matrigel, the current standard, suffers from undefined composition, batch-to-batch variability and limited tunability. We engineered a photo-crosslinkable hyaluronic acid-collagen (HA-collagen) composite hydrogel using riboflavin-mediated blue-light activation and examined how the collagen-to-HA ratio modulates physicochemical and biological properties. Storage modulus scaled with HA content (Col4HA1: 156 Pa; Col3HA1: 216 Pa; Col2HA1: 824 Pa vs. 6 Pa for Matrigel), and organoid formation efficiency was inversely correlated with stiffness: Col2HA1 yielded significantly fewer organoids than Matrigel, whereas Col4HA1 fell within a mechanically permissive range and supported organoid f

Porphyrin-derived high-value chemicals are important for food, medicine, and fine chemicals manufacturing, yet the physiological complexity of tetrapyrrole metabolism constrains efficient bioproduction. Here, we systematically engineered the cytochrome-rich bacterium Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 for porphyrin production. A modular coproporphyrin III biosynthetic p

The genus Iberis L. is mainly distributed in the Mediterranean basin, with Europe representing the primary center of diversity, while a limited number of species occur in Northwest Africa and Southwest to Central Asia. The genus is represented by ten taxa in Türkiye, including four endemic taxa: Iberis carica (Bornm.) Prain, Iberis halophila Vural & H. Duman, Iberis gypsicola Yıld. and Iberis saxatilis subsp. Magnesiana Oskay. Previous studies emphasized morphology and phylogeny, whereas comprehensive metabolomic and phytochemical analyses of the genus remain limited. In this study, plant materials from prior morphological and molecular analyses underwent LC-MS-based untargeted metabolomic profiling to provide complementary chemotaxonomic evidence and evaluate how closely metabolomic patterns align with other taxonomic datasets. A total of 149 LC-MS features were putatively annotated. Primary metabolites showed h

This work aimed to investigate the feasibility and delivery capacity of Pickering emulsions stabilized by chitosan-modified self-assembled ferritin-riboflavin nanoparticles (BRC-NPs). Results showed that after the modification of nanoparticles with chitosan, the size of BRC-NPs was 56.99 nm. The structure, thermal and functional properties of the BRC-NPs were significantly improved through the electrostatic interaction between chitosan and ferritin. Rheological properties, emulsifying properties and stability of the Pickering emulsion were modulated by BRC-NPs concentration. When the BRC-NPs concentration was 0.4%, the Pickering emulsion had better viscosity, viscoelasticity and creep properties. Moreover, 0.4% BRC-NPs can increase the storage and light stability of the emulsion and delay its lipid oxidation. In vitro digestion results showed that ferritin digestion and lipid oxidation in the emulsion were delayed

RATIONALE: Brown-Vialetto-Van Laere syndrome, currently recognized within the spectrum of riboflavin transporter deficiency type 3 (RTD3), is a rare inherited neurometabolic disorder associated with pathogenic variants in SLC52A3. It typically presents with progressive sensorineural hearing loss, pontobulbar dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy, and respiratory involvement. Diagnosis may be delayed because routine metabolic and neuromuscular investigations can be unrevealing despite a characteristic clinical phenotype. PATIENT CONCERNS: A young Asian man presented with several years of progressive bilateral hearing loss followed by worsening dysphagia to solids and liquids, symmetrical limb weakness, muscle wasting, and acute-on-chronic dyspnea. Two siblings had previously died at a young age after developing a similar sequence of hearing impairment, dysphagia, limb weakness, and unexplained respiratory failure. DIAGNOSES: Ne

Flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) synthetase (FADS) from Staphylococcus aureus is a bifunctional enzyme comprising an N-terminal FMN adenylyltransferase (FMNAT) domain that catalyzes FAD synthesis and a C-terminal riboflavin kinase (RFK) domain responsible for riboflavin phosphorylation. While eukaryotic FMNAT and RFK homologs function as independently, the mechanistic basis for their fusion and

Diflavin-linked disulfide oxidoreductase (DDOR) from the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 is an NADPH-thioredoxin reductase (NTR) superfamily enzyme that forms a homodimer containing two FAD molecules (FAD1 and FAD2) per monomer. FAD1 is conserved in the NTR superfamily, while FAD2 is characteristic of DDOR. Under aerobic conditions, thiol reduction of DDOR produces an apparently air-stable neutral blue semiquinone, but the respective roles of FAD1 and FAD2 in the reduction process remain unclear. To address this, spectroscopic, structural and mutational analyses were performed to investigate the contributions of the two FAD molecules. Recombinant apo- and holo-DDOR synthesised in Escherichia coli cells were separated and purified. Fluorescence titration of the apo-DDOR with FAD revealed rapid binding of two FADs. Stopped-flow analysis indicated biphasic binding of FAD to apo-DDOR. X-ray crystal structures of apo- and holo-DDORs exhibited pronounced confo

With therapeutic oligonucleotides progressing from the treatment of rare genetic diseases to the medication of common disorders, the synthesis of modified oligonucleotides is gaining considerable significance. To improve pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, chemical modifications to the nucleotide backbone are thereby especially advantageous. In particular, the incorporation of phosphorothioate moieties has proven to be an effective strategy, since this linkage often provides increased metabolic stability and beneficial activity compared to phosphates. Herein, we describe that visible-light photocatalysis allows the generation of phosphorothioates by an exceptionally mild and general sulfurization with conventional thiosulfate as a benign sulfur source. The method was applied to efficiently prepare DNA and RNA phosphorothioates, phosphoramidothioate, phosphine sulfides and phosphoramidodithioate. Furthermore, the protocol was translated to the synthesis of phosphoroselenoates using selenosulfate and was integrated into standard solid-phase phosphoramidite oligonucleotide synthesis to form phosphorothioates with riboflavin

Accurate dietary assessment is essential in nutritional research and epidemiology. Food Frequency Questionnaires (FFQs) are widely used to estimate habitual intake; however, their performance may vary according to questionnaire design, administration procedures, and the dietary components being assessed. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the relative validity of FFQs designed to assess overall dietary intake in adults and explored methodological characteristics associated with their performance. A meta-analysis was conducted on studies validating FFQs against reference methods, including 24-h recalls and food records. A compreh

10. bioRxiv [Preprint]. 2026 Sep 26:2026.09.25.754416. doi: 10.64898/2026.09.25.754416. Mycobacterium tuberculosis requires riboflavin biosynthesis for survival in the host. Block AM, Namugenyi SB, Tischler AD. Mycobacterium tuberculosis has a flavin-intensive metabolism, with more than 180 proteins that require flavin or deazaflavin cofactors. M. tuberculosis requires riboflavin biosynthesis for growth in standard culture conditions in vitro , which can be overcome by providing exogenous riboflavin. It is unknown whether M. tuberculosis also requires riboflavin synthesis to grow or persist in infected host cells or tissues. Here we used a M. tuberculosis strain that conditionally expresses ribA2 , which encodes a bifunctional enzyme that catalyzes the first steps in both branches of riboflavin biosynthesis, to determine whether M. tuberculosis requires riboflavin biosynthesis during infection. Transcriptional repression of ribA2 caused death of M. tuberculosis in vitro without riboflavin supplementation. RNAseq revealed that riboflavin starved M. tuberculosis induce a transcriptional program indicating decreased electron transport chain function and broad changes to central metabolism. Transcriptional repression of ribA2 prevented M. tuberculosis growth in cultured macrophages and caused clearance of M. tuberculosis from infected tissues at all stages of infection in both C57BL/6 mice that form cellular lung lesions and C3HeB/FeJ mice that develop necrot

Hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion (HOPE) is a simple ex-situ treatment for liver grafts. However, it lacks viability assessment capabilities. Flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and D-dimer may be useful biomarkers of graft quality during HOPE. This exploratory study aimed to determine whether effluent FMN and D-dimer concentrations were associated with outcomes in liver transplants treated with HOPE. This is a retrospective, single-center study of all grafts treated with HOPE in New Zealand from 2022-2025. Fifty-four grafts were treated wit

OBJECTIVES: Maternal immune activation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure is a critical factor in the pathogenesis of cerebral palsy (CP). This early inflammatory response predisposes the postnatal brain to hypoxic injury and metabolic dysregulation. Although hypoxic injury and metabolic dysregulation are well characterized individually, their interplay in CP and the potential role of metabolic modulators remain poorly understood. METHODS: We investigated the metabolic state of male Wistar rats in a CP model induced by gestational LPS (200 μg/kg) and postnatal anoxia at P0, and the effects of neonatal high-dose riboflavin (100 mg/kg, P1-P21). RESULTS: CP increased body weight (p < 0.05 to p < 0.01) and food intake (p < 0.05), whereas riboflavin reduced both parameters (p < 0.05 to p < 0.01). Moreover, CP also reduced kinetic energy (p < 0.05) and mean velocity (p < 0.05 to p < 0.01), whereas riboflavin partially restored motor performance by increasing mean velocity (p < 0.05). Riboflavin attenuated CP-associated abdominal adiposity and glucose resistance (p < 0.05), while CP caused reduced serum lipid (p < 0.01 to p < 0.001) and hypothalamic Pomc/Npy dysfunction (p < 0.05 to p < 0.01). Riboflavin upregulated Slc2a4 (GLUT-4), dysregulated in CP (p < 0.05), and Ppargc1a (PGC-1α) in white and brown adipose tissues (p < 0.01 to p < 0.001), without affecting the hypothalamus, soleus muscle, or liver. DISCUSSION: Collectively, these findings suggest that CP associated with maternal-fetal inflammation and postnatal anoxia leads to persistent systemic metabolic disturbances affecting abdominal adiposity and binge-eating behavior, which may be modulated by neonatal high-dose riboflavin through tissue-specific effects on adipose tissue. (p-value ranges reflect different pairwise comparisons among groups).

Vitiligo is an autoimmune depigmenting disorder driven by genetic susceptibility, oxidative stress, immune dysregulation, and progressive melanocyte loss. Emerging microbiome-metabolome evidence suggests that gut and skin dysbiosis may contribute to disease progression through the gut-skin axis. This review integrates current evidence linking microbial imbalance with immune activation and melanocyte dysfunction in vitiligo. Studies in patients and experimental vitiligo models show altered gut and skin microbial diversity, enrichment of inflammation-associated taxa, depletion of commensal bacteria, impaired short-chain fatty acid biosynthesis, and disruption of tryptophan-indole, kynurenine, bile acid, taurine, riboflavin, and oxidative stress-related metabolic pathways. These alterations may weaken epithelial barrier integrity, impair immune tolerance, promote systemic low-grade inflammation, and increase melanocyte vulnerability to mito

BACKGROUND: Reprogramming of cellular metabolism in cancer leads to changes in the activity of metabolic coenzymes NAD(P)H and FAD which can be used as markers of tumorigenesis and metastasis. NAD(P)H and FAD form coupled redox pair and regulator of mitochondrial energy metabolism. Since NAD(P)H and FAD are endogenous and auto fluorescent, the coupled redox pair can hence be exploited as a reporter for metabolic activity in tumor microenvironment. METHODS: We have developed a 2P-FLIRR assay (2-photon Fluorescence Lifetime based Redox Ratio), a sensitive metabolic optical biomarker for tumor diagnosis in prostate cancer (PCa) patients' tissue sections. We have imaged and used our novel 2P-FLIRR metric which is the ratio of the enzyme-bound fractions of NAD(P)H and FAD to evaluate PCa patients' su

Gut microbiota has been implicated in chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression. Probiotics such as Lactobacillus may alleviate renal injury through metabolic modulation, whereas tryptophan metabolism may have divergent effects in CKD. However, whether Lactobacillus and tryptophan supplementation are associated with distinct or overlapping metabolic profiles in CKD remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Lactobacillus and tryptophan supplementation and characterize the associated serum and fecal metabolomic alterations in an adenine-induced CKD mouse model. Six-week-old male mice were fed adenine for 3 weeks to induce CKD, followed by 8 weeks of treatment: saline for control (NC, CKD), Lactobacillus (2 × 107 CFU; CKD + Lac), or Tryptophan (4 mmol/kg; CKD + Try). Renal func