Medical Bulletin 18/ June/ 2024

In a study presented at the American Headache Society's 66th annual scientific meeting scientists have found a link between increased headaches and hot temperatures for individuals with migraines, saying that as temperatures rise, so do chances for migraine attacks.

Weather change is one of the most common trigger factors for migraine. Hot temperatures can trigger headaches in people with migraines by causing dehydration, which reduces blood flow to the brain and triggers pain. Additionally, heat can increase physical stress and discomfort, leading to heightened sensitivity in those prone to migraines. The body's response to high temperatures, such as dilated blood vessels and changes in pressure, can also contribute to the onset of migraine headaches.

The study looked at the use of Fremanezumab drug and whether it could prevent headaches caused by high temperatures.

Fremanezumab, a monoclonal antibody, can help people with weather-triggered headaches by targeting and inhibiting the activity of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a protein involved in the transmission of migraine pain. By blocking CGRP, it reduces the frequency and severity of migraine attacks, providing relief for those whose headaches are triggered by changes in weather. This preventive treatment can help stabilize the neurological response to environmental factors, such as hot temperatures, and offer significant improvement in the quality of life for migraine sufferers.

Researchers analysed 71,030 daily diary records of 660 migraine patients with regional weather data and found that for every temperature increase of 0.12 degrees Celsius, there was a 6 per cent increase in the occurrence of any headache. However, during the periods of Fremanezumab treatment, the association completely disappeared.

If the results are confirmed by future studies, the drug therapy has the potential to help many people with weather-triggered migraine.

"This study is the first to suggest that migraine specific therapies that block Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) may treat weather associated headaches," said Fred Cohen, study’s co-author.

Reference: American Headache Society 66th Annual Scientific Meeting June 13–16, 2024 San Diego, California https://doi.org/10.1111/head.14716

New research has shed light on the effects of protein-rich diets on the gut microbiome and overall health. Despite the increasing protein intake, especially among athletes and individuals with obesity, the fate of undigested protein and its impact on human health remains largely unknown.

A new study, presented at ASM Microbe, explored how excess undigested protein in the colon can be fermented to produce beneficial metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), or lead to the production of harmful metabolites like ammonia and sulfides, which are linked to gastrointestinal disorders and other health issues.

The research team conducted experiments on mice, finding that switching to a protein-rich diet led to significant weight loss, reduced body fat, and immediate changes in the gut microbiome.

The study compared different protein diets, revealing that mice consuming aromatic amino acid-rich proteins experienced the greatest weight and fat mass loss. In a 4-week experiment with 16 mice, the team fed them a standard diet for 2 weeks, followed by protein-rich diets enriched with either branched-chain or aromatic amino acids for 2 weeks.

Daily faecal samples and weekly body composition measurements were collected, and DNA sequencing of the faeces was performed to analyse microbial changes.

The results showed that protein enrichment in diets led to significantly different microbial taxa abundance and composition across four protein groups.

Different gut bacteria genera responded distinctly to dietary shifts from carbohydrates to proteins, with the most substantial changes in the group fed branched-chain amino acids. While it is premature to definitively attribute all body composition and gut bacteria changes to protein diets, the consistent patterns suggest a strong connection between the two.

"These findings provide a crucial foundation for understanding how protein diets influence the gut microbiome and open doors for further investigations into the role of diet in promoting a healthy gut and overall health," said Samson Adejumo, Doctoral Candidate in Biology, University of Illinois Chicago.

Reference: Protein-rich diets may influence gut microbiome and body composition; AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MICROBIOLOGY; https://asm.org/Press-Releases/2024/June/High-Protein-Diet-Impact-Gut-Microbes-Body-Comp

A recent study published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia, explored urolithin A, a natural compound produced by gut bacteria when they process certain polyphenolic compounds found in pomegranates, in improving memory and alleviating Alzheimer's symptoms.

Alzheimer’s disease, a degenerative brain disorder predominantly affecting individuals over the age of 65, is the leading cause of dementia in older adults.

Research suggests that the Mediterranean and MIND diets may offer protection against Alzheimer’s. These diets are characterized by lower intake of inflammatory saturated fats and sugars and higher consumption of vitamins, minerals, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants.

Given that Alzheimer’s is linked to elevated oxidative stress, increasing antioxidant intake could be particularly beneficial. Antioxidants help counteract free radical damage, potentially reducing the impact of the disease.

Urolithin A has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, along with other potential benefits for brain health.

In the study conducted by researchers from the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, the benefits of long-term urolithin A treatment in Alzheimer's disease were investigated. Utilising three mouse models of Alzheimer's, the researchers combined urolithin A treatment with behavioural, electrophysiological, biochemical, and bioinformatic experiments.

After five months of treatment, the researchers observed significant improvements in memory, reduction of protein build-up, enhanced cell waste processing, and decreased DNA damage in the brains of the Alzheimer's mice. Additionally, key markers of brain inflammation were reduced, making the treated mice more comparable to healthy ones.

The results showed that urolithin A treatment lowered the excessive activity of microglia, a type of immune cell in the brain. The researchers also suggested that urolithin A:

1. Reduces cathepsin Z, which is elevated in Alzheimer’s and could be a target for treatment

2. Decreases amyloid beta protein levels and inflammation associated with Alzheimer’s development

3. Promotes mitophagy, the cleaning out of damaged mitochondria, which is reduced in Alzheimer’s disease

4. The mitophagy effects of urolithin A may be similar to those seen with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) supplements in Alzheimer's disease.

The findings suggested that specifically, Urolithin A may help protect against cognitive decline by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress and promoting the clearance of harmful proteins and damaged mitochondria from the brain.

Reference: Yujun Hou, Xixia Chu, Jae-Hyeon Park, Qing Zhu, Mansoor Hussain, Zhiquan Li, Helena Borland Madsen, Beimeng Yang, Yong Wei, Yue Wang; Urolithin A improves Alzheimer's disease cognition and restores mitophagy and lysosomal functions; Alzheimer’s & Dementia; https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.13847