Apple phlorizin oxidation product 2 inhibits proliferation and differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes Publication date: November 2019 Source: Journal of Functional Foods, Volume 62 Author(s): Xue Wang, Juan Wang, Lina Wei, Ching Yuan Hu, Hong Deng, Yurong Guo, Yong Hong Meng Abstract Phlorizin is a natural polyphenol with many bioactivities, however, its low water solubility limits its application. Phlorizin oxidation product 2 (POP2) has higher water solubility than phlorizin. However, reaction velocity and conversion rate of POP2 are low, and its bioactivity has not been elucidated. Thus, we have established a new method for preparation of POP2 with a purity of 96.8%, and the inhibitory activity of POP2 on 3T3-L1 preadipocytes was investigated. POP2 decreased adipocyte viability and inhibited the accumulation of intracellular triglycerides (TG). Furthermore, POP2 suppressed transcription of fatty acid synthase (FAS) and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT-4), led to reduce lipid accumulation. Also, POP2 down-regulated transcription and expression of PPAR γ, C/EBPα, and FAS, led to inhibition of adipocyte differentiation. An efficient method to produce POP2 was developed, and we demonstrated that POP2 reduced lipid accretion. These results are useful for potential applications of phlorizin in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Graphical abstract

Consumption of a multivitamin/multimineral supplement for 4 weeks improves nutritional status and markers of cardiovascular health Publication date: November 2019 Source: Journal of Functional Foods, Volume 62 Author(s): Mark A. Levy, Toni McKinnon, Howard Goldfine, Addison Enomoto, Erik Schneider, John Cuomo Abstract Background The efficacy of multivitamin/multimineral (MVM) supplementation continues to provoke considerable debate. The purpose of this study was to determine if MVM supplementation affects indices of nutrition status, antioxidant status and cardiovascular health in healthy individuals. Methods 23 subjects (10 female, 13 male) were enrolled in a 4-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Fasting blood samples were collected and analyzed at baseline and at study completion (i.e., final). Results Comparison of baseline and final values indicated that placebo treatment had no significant effect, whereas MVM treatment significantly (p < 0.05) increased (mean% ± SEM) circulating levels of vitamin B6 (518 ± 54%), B12 (71 ± 8%), E (31 ± 7%) and K (414 ± 167%). Vitamin D was significantly increased in the MVM (46 ± 9%) and placebo (13 ± 6%) group. HDL cholesterol and homocysteine were significantly increased and decreased in MVM supplemented individuals. Conclusion MVM supplementation improved several indices of human health that may bestow particular health benefits among MVM users. Graphical abstract

Cultured Cordyceps sinensis polysaccharides attenuate cyclophosphamide-induced intestinal barrier injury in mice Publication date: November 2019 Source: Journal of Functional Foods, Volume 62 Author(s): Mengxi Ying, Qiang Yu, Bing Zheng, Hui Wang, Junqiao Wang, Shuping Chen, Yue Gu, Shaoping Nie, Mingyong Xie Abstract Intestine is not only the largest digestive and absorbing organ, but also an important defensive barrier of the body. Maintaining healthy intestinal barrier is a prerequisite for intestinal function. In this study, polysaccharides from the cultured Cordyceps sinensis(CSP) were orally given to cyclophosphamide (Cy)-treated mice to investigate its protective effect on intestinal barrier injury. Results showed that CSP had positive effects on intestinal morphology, including restoring villus length and crypt depth as well as improving quantity of goblet cells and mucins expression. Furthermore, CSP enhanced intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP), diamine oxidase (DAO), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor (EGFR). In addition, occludin, claudin-1 and zonula occludins (ZO)-1 were upregulated and myosin light chain kinase (MLCK), p-MLC were downregulated by CSP. Moreover, CSP promoted p-ERK and inhibited p-JNK, p-p38. These findings suggested that CSP could attenuate Cy-induced intestinal barrier injury which maybe associated with mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) pathways. Graphical abstract

Proanthocyanidins and probiotics combination supplementation ameliorated intestinal injury in Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli infected diarrhea mice Publication date: November 2019 Source: Journal of Functional Foods, Volume 62 Author(s): Cuie Tang, Bijun Xie, Qi Zong, Zhida Sun Abstract The protective effects of the oligomeric proanthocyanidins from lotus seedpod (LSPC) and probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus LGG and Bifidobacterium Bb-12) were evaluated in Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) infected diarrhea mice. In normal mice, LSPC, LGG and Bb-12 showed no intestinal injury effect. In the prophylactic groups fed with LSPC and probiotics for 10 days, diarrhea signs were significantly reduced. The marker of intestine barrier, inflammatory response and oxidant stress were significantly improved. In addition, LSPC and probiotics regulated the expressions of tight junction proteins and inflammatory mediators via MAPKs pathway. Furthermore, the combination of LSPC and probiotics (LGG and Bb-12) could significantly improve the effect of treating diarrhea alone. These findings suggested that LSPC could act as prebiotics combining with probiotics to improve the composition of intestinal microbes and further reduce ETEC-induced diarrhea consequences. It might provide a novel potential natural therapeutic agent to resist ETEC infected diarrhea disease. Graphical abstract

Grape seed flour intake decreases adiposity gain in high-fat-diet induced obese mice by activating thermogenesis Publication date: November 2019 Source: Journal of Functional Foods, Volume 62 Author(s): Fang Zhou, Manwen Yin, Yiwen Liu, Xue Han, Jielong Guo, Chenglong Ren, Wei Wang, Weidong Huang, Jicheng Zhan, Yilin You Abstract During the last decades, a dramatic global rise in the prevalence of obesity has become evident. Therefore, effective therapeutic approaches are necessary to help combat this condition. Grape seed is known as a rich source of biologically active polyphenols, which can be used as one of the candidates to resolve problems associated with obesity. This paper investigated the anti-obesity effects of grape seed flour (GSF) and showed that GSF ameliorated weight gain, hepatic lipid levels and part of the serum profiles. Moreover, GSF increased energy expenditure (EE) and thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue (BAT) in high-fat diet (HFD) induced obese mice. GSF also affected expressions of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) and other metabolism-related genes in white adipose tissue (WAT). In conclusion, our results showed that GSF prevented diet-induced obesity in C57BL/6J mice, and suggested that the mechanism responsible was related to the promotion of energy metabolism. Graphical abstract

Koumiss consumption induced changes in the fecal metabolomes of chronic atrophic gastritis patients Publication date: November 2019 Source: Journal of Functional Foods, Volume 62 Author(s): Changkun Li, Xiufang Liu, Haoqian Wang, Hui Fan, Zhihui Mi, Lai-yu Kwok, Heping Zhang, Bilige Menghe, Zhihong Sun, Yongfu Chen Abstract Our previous research showed that koumiss intervention could alleviate symptoms of chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) via the modulation of gut microbiota. The present work aimed to further decipher the mechanism of the observed functional effect by analyzing changes in the fecal metabolomes of these patients. Significant modulation was observed in the levels of metabolites relating to several pathways, namely biosynthesis of primary and secondary bile acid, as well as metabolism of unsaturated fatty acid, linoleic acid and arachidonic acid, phenylalanine, and retinol. Koumiss treatment also decreased the level of some fecal proinflammatory markers, as evidenced by significant decrease in the fecal interleukin 38 (P < 0.05) and numerical decrease in tumor necrosis factor-α after 60-days of koumiss consumption. Our data together suggest that koumiss can serve as functional food that improves CAG symptoms via integrative modulation of the host immunity, gut microbiota and metabolome. Graphical abstract

Aqueous extract of Houttuynia cordata ameliorates aortic endothelial injury during hyperlipidemia via FoxO1 and p38 MAPK pathway Publication date: November 2019 Source: Journal of Functional Foods, Volume 62 Author(s): Xuyun Liu, Ke Cao, Weiqiang Lv, Jing Liu, Jing Gao, Yan Wang, Chuan Qin, Jianshu Liu, Weijin Zang, Jiankang Liu Abstract Increasing evidence demonstrates that hyperlipidemia plays a causal role in the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) due to endothelial dysfunction. Houttuynia cordata aqueous extract (HAE), using as both medicine and food, whose effect and mechanism were investigated in endothelial dysfunction. In vivo, it profoundly attenuated hyperlipidemia-induced accumulation of serum metabolites, which in turn contributed to alleviating morphologic and functional damage in vascular endothelium. Moreover, the decrease expression of FoxO1/PGC-1α and mitochondrial complexes in thoracic vessels were ameliorated by HAE administration. Through in vitro cultures, consistently, the results showed that HAE predominantly activated PGC-1α for mitochondrial biogenesis via enhancing FoxO1 expression. Additionally, silencing of FoxO1 remarkably abolished the ability of HAE to augment PGC-1α expression, implying the imperative role of FoxO1 during protection. Besides, the anti-inflammation was mainly mediated via p38 MAPK pathway. Briefly, our study demonstrated that HAE ameliorated hyperlipidemia-induced endothelial injury via upregulating FoxO1/PGC-1α and suppressing p38 MAPK. Graphical abstract

A review of biological functions, health benefits, and possible de novo biosynthetic pathway of palmitoleic acid in macadamia nuts Publication date: November 2019 Source: Journal of Functional Foods, Volume 62 Author(s): Wei Hu, Melissa Fitzgerald, Bruce Topp, Mobasher Alam, Tim J. O'Hare Abstract Palmitoleic acid is an unusual omega-7 monounsaturated fatty acid that occurs naturally in high levels in macadamia plants. Due to its wide public acceptance and being a commonly occurring food, macadamia nuts may serve as an important dietary agent for the delivery of palmitoleic acid to the human body. This review focuses on discussing the biological functions of palmitoleic acid, the association of palmitoleic acid with various diseases, as well as the anticipated biosynthetic pathway of palmitoleic acid in macadamia plants. In addition, given the importance to regulate palmitoleic acid contents in macadamia to achieve improved nutrition and commercial value, this review also proposes GWAS as an effective strategy to identify the candidate genes responsible for the accumulation of palmitoleic acid in macadamia nuts. Graphical abstract

From correlation to causation: The missing point in the study of functional foods and gut microbiota Publication date: October 2019 Source: Journal of Functional Foods, Volume 61 Author(s): Qingsen Shang Abstract Recently, there has been an unprecedented interest in the study of gut microbiota during treatment of diseases by functional foods. However, although great progresses have been made, a significant knowledge gap still exists. The knowledge gap, as argued here, is that in most of the studies we failed to establish a cause–effect relationship between attenuation of the diseases and changes of the gut microbiota. The lack of causation studies deteriorates the foundation for the use of functional foods in disease management that aim to target the gut microbiota. In this sense, we propose here that future studies on the interactions of functional foods and gut microbiota during the treatment of diseases must move beyond correlation to causation, and only after a cause–effect relationship has been established can we fully realize the therapeutic potential of functional foods in the upcoming era of microbiota targeted precision nutrition. Graphical abstract

Curcumin metabolism by human intestinal bacteria in vitro Publication date: October 2019 Source: Journal of Functional Foods, Volume 61 Author(s): Toshio Niwa, Shin-ichiro Yokoyama, Mika Mochizuki, Toshihiko Osawa Abstract We tried to isolate metabolite in curcumin by incubation with human feces in vitro for the better understanding of curcumin activity in vivo. One group containing some bacteria, referred as 1C, produced a metabolite other than tetrahydrocurcumin. Structural analysis revealed that this new metabolite was 3-hydroxy-1,7-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)heptane by comparing it to the reported optically active compound rubranol, which has 3R stereochemistry. In order to determine the absolute stereochemistry of the secondary alcohol of this metabolite, we synthesized its racemic tetramethyl derivative. From HPLC analysis that separate the synthetic sample to two peaks, this metabolite was optically active and was primarily an enantiomer of rubranol. We also compared the activities of curcumin and the metabolite using monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) which is produced in vitro by murine adipocytes. The metabolite exhibited an inhibition effect associated with the production of MCP-1, which was similar to that of curcumin with attenuated cytotoxicity. Graphical abstract