Chickpea Extract Ameliorates Metabolic Syndrome Symptoms via Restoring Intestinal Ecology and Metabolic Profile in Type 2 Diabetic Rats

Identification and Function Analysis of Novel Hypoglycemic and Antioxidant Peptides from Chickpea

Chickpea is rich in protein and has been demonstrated to possess hypoglycaemic effects. However, the specific bioactive ingredients and mechanisms underlying their hypoglycaemic effects remain unclear. In this study, enzymatic hydrolysis and gel permeation chromatography were used to extract chickpea bioactive peptide (CBP) from chickpea protein. One of the products, CBP-75-3, was found to inhibit α-glucosidase (GAA) activity and significantly increase the viability of insulin resistant (IR) cells. Moreover, CBP-75-3 significantly increased the rate of glucose consumption and glycogen synthesis in IR-HepG2 cells. Moreover, CBP-75-3 decreased the levels of malondialdehyde and increased the levels of superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and glutathione peroxidase. Subsequently, 29 novel bioactive peptides in CBP-75-3 were identified by LC‒MS/MS, and the potential hypoglycaemic targets of these novel bioactive peptides were investigated using molecular docking. Based on the results, the residues of the novel bioactive peptides interact with GAA through hydrogen bonding (especially LLR, FH, RQLPR, KGF and NFQ by binding to the substrate binding pocket or the active centre of GAA), thereby inhibiting GAA activity and laying a foundation for its hypoglycaemic activity. In short, the novel bioactive peptides isolated and identified from chickpea can effectively exert hypoglycaemic effects and increase the antioxidant capacity of IR-HepG2 cells. This study reveals that CBP-75-3, a natural hypoglycaemic ingredient, has potential for applications in functional foods and provides a theoretical basis for the development and application of CBP in the future.

Investigation of the therapeutic effect of Hedan tablets on high-fat diet-induced obesity in rats by GC-MS technology and 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing

Obesity is a persistent metabolic condition resulting from the excessive accumulation or abnormal distribution of body fat. This study aimed to establish an experimental rat model of obesity. The efficacy of treating obesity with Hedan tablets (HDT) was assessed by monitoring changes in weight, blood lipid levels, analyzing inflammatory factors, evaluating organ indices, and observing liver tissue pathology. Furthermore, we utilized 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing technology to explore changes in intestinal flora. In addition, GC-MS was used to measure fecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) content. The onset of obesity led to a significant decrease in the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria. Conversely, the administration of HDT demonstrated a substantial ability to increase the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria. Obesity resulted in a noteworthy reduction in total SCFAs, a trend significantly reversed in the HDT group. Through correlation analysis, it was determined that HDT mitigated the inflammatory response and improved blood lipid levels by augmenting the abundance of Lactobacillus, Limosilactobacillus, Ruminococcus, and Enterococcus. These particular intestinal flora were identified as regulators of SCFA metabolism, thereby ameliorating metabolic abnormalities associated with obesity. Moreover, HDT intervention elevated the overall fecal concentration of SCFAs, thereby improving metabolic disorders induced by obesity. The anti-obesity effects of HDT are likely attributable to their capacity to influence the composition of intestinal flora and boost SCFA levels in the intestine.

Processing to improve the sustainability of chickpea as a functional food ingredient

Chickpea is a field crop that is playing an emerging role in the provision of healthy and sustainable plant-based value-added ingredients for the food and nutraceutical industries. This article reviews the characteristics of chickpea (composition, health properties, and techno-functionality) and chickpea grain that influence their use as whole foods or ingredients in formulated food. It covers the exploitation of traditional and emerging processes for the conversion of chickpea into value-added differentiated food ingredients. The influence of processing on the composition, health-promoting properties, and techno-functionality of chickpea is discussed. Opportunities to tailor chickpea ingredients to facilitate their incorporation in traditional food applications and in the expanding plant-based meat alternative and dairy alternative markets are highlighted. The review includes an assessment of the possible uses of by-products of chickpea processing. Recommendations are provided for future research to build a sustainable industry using chickpea as a value-added ingredient. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Emerging role of the crosstalk between gut microbiota and liver metabolome of subterranean herbivores in response to toxic plants

Plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) are a defense mechanism against herbivores, which in turn use detoxification metabolism to process ingested and absorbed PSMs. The feeding environment can cause changes in liver metabolism patterns and the gut microbiota. Here, we compared gut microbiota and liver metabolome to investigate the response mechanism of plateau zokors (Eospalax baileyi) to toxic plant Stellera chamaejasme (SC) in non-SC and SC grassland (-SCG and +SCG). Our results indicated that exposure to SC in the -SCG population increased liver inflammatory markers including prostaglandin (PG) in the Arachidonic acid pathway, while exposure to SC in the +SCG population exhibited a significant downregulation of PGs. Secondary bile acids were significantly downregulated in +SCG plateau zokors after SC treatment. Of note, the microbial taxa Veillonella in the -SCG group was significantly correlated with liver inflammation markers, while Clostridium innocum in the +SCG group had a significant positive correlation with secondary bile acids. The increase in bile acids and PGs can lead to liver inflammatory reactions, suggesting that +SCG plateau zokors may mitigate the toxicity of SC plants by reducing liver inflammatory markers including PGs and secondary bile acids, thereby avoiding liver damage. This provides new insight into mechanisms of toxicity by PSMs and counter-mechanisms for toxin tolerance by herbivores.

UPLC-Q-TOF/MS-based metabonomics reveals mechanisms for Holothuria leucospilota polysaccharides (HLP)-regulated serum metabolic changes in diabetic rats

This study aimed to use metabolomic methods to explore how Holothuria leucospilota polysaccharides (HLP) improved metabolism disorders in the liver of Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats with spontaneous type 2 diabetes. The results showed that HLP effectively improved the metabolic disorder. Based on KEGG functional analysis, five key biomarkers associated with bile acid metabolism were detected and screened (P < 0.05). The results of serum total bile acid levels and liver damage in diabetic rats further showed the regulatory effects of HLP on bile acid metabolism. The results of bile acid-related gene expression in the liver showed that HLP inhibited liver farnesoid X Receptor - small heterodimer partner (FXR-SHP) signalling and increased the expression of bile acid synthesis genes (P < 0.05). Our results explored the underlying mechanisms by which HLP accelerated cholesterol consumption to anti-hypercholesterolemia and anti-diabetic by inhibiting liver FXR-SHP signaling. HLP's effect on bile acid regulation provides insights into treating T2DM.

From-Toilet-to-Freezer: A Review on Requirements for an Automatic Protocol to Collect and Store Human Fecal Samples for Research Purposes

The composition, viability and metabolic functionality of intestinal microbiota play an important role in human health and disease. Studies on intestinal microbiota are often based on fecal samples, because these can be sampled in a non-invasive way, although procedures for sampling, processing and storage vary. This review presents factors to consider when developing an automated protocol for sampling, processing and storing fecal samples: donor inclusion criteria, urine-feces separation in smart toilets, homogenization, aliquoting, usage or type of buffer to dissolve and store fecal material, temperature and time for processing and storage and quality control. The lack of standardization and low-throughput of state-of-the-art fecal collection procedures promote a more automated protocol. Based on this review, an automated protocol is proposed. Fecal samples should be collected and immediately processed under anaerobic conditions at either room temperature (RT) for a maximum of 4 h or at 4 °C for no more than 24 h. Upon homogenization, preferably in the absence of added solvent to allow addition of a buffer of choice at a later stage, aliquots obtained should be stored at either -20 °C for up to a few months or -80 °C for a longer period-up to 2 years. Protocols for quality control should characterize microbial composition and viability as well as metabolic functionality.

"Golden" Tomato Consumption Ameliorates Metabolic Syndrome: A Focus on the Redox Balance in the High-Fat-Diet-Fed Rat

Tomato fruits defined as "golden" refer to a food product harvested at an incomplete ripening stage with respect to red tomatoes at full maturation. The aim of this study is to explore the putative influence of "golden tomato" (GT) on Metabolic Syndrome (MetS), especially focusing on the effects on redox homeostasis. Firstly, the differential chemical properties of the GT food matrix were characterized in terms of phytonutrient composition and antioxidant capacities with respect to red tomato (RT). Later, we assessed the biochemical, nutraceutical and eventually disease-modifying potential of GT in vivo in the high-fat-diet rat model of MetS. Our data revealed that GT oral supplementation is able to counterbalance MetS-induced biometric and metabolic modifications. Noteworthy is that this nutritional supplementation proved to reduce plasma oxidant status and improve the endogenous antioxidant barriers, assessed by strong systemic biomarkers. Furthermore, consistently with the reduction of hepatic reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) levels, treatment with GT markedly reduced the HFD-induced increase in hepatic lipid peroxidation and hepatic steatosis. This research elucidates the importance of food supplementation with GT in the prevention and management of MetS.

NMR foodomics in the assessment of diet and effects beyond nutrients

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review provides an overview of most recent research studies employing nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolomics in the assessment of effects of diet and food ingestion.

RECENT FINDINGS

NMR metabolomics is a useful tool in the elucidation of specific diets, for example, the Mediterranean diet, the New Nordic diet types, and also for comparing vegan, vegetarian and omnivore diets where specific diet-linked metabolite perturbations have been identified. Another core area where NMR metabolomics is employed involves research focused on examining specific food components or ingredients, including dietary fibers and other functional components. In several cases, NMR metabolomics has aided to document how specific food components exert effects on the metabolic activity of the gut microbiota. Research has also demonstrated the potential use of NMR metabolomics in assessing diet quality and interactions between specific food components such as meat and diet quality. The implications of these findings are important as they address that background diet can be decisive for if food items turn out to exert either harmful or health-promoting effects.

SUMMARY

NMR metabolomics can provide important mechanistic insight and aid to biomarker discovery with implications for compliance and food registration purposes.

Postprandial Glucose and Gastrointestinal Hormone Responses of Healthy Subjects to Wheat Biscuits Enriched with L-Arginine or Branched-Chain Amino Acids of Plant Origin

The study investigates the effects of wheat biscuits supplemented with plant flours originating from legumes/seeds enriched either in L-arginine (L-arg) or branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) on postprandial glucose response of healthy subjects. Gastrointestinal hormone and amino acid responses as well as subjective appetite sensations are also evaluated. Subjects consumed wheat-based biscuits, enriched either in L-arg (ArgB) or BCAAs (BCAAsB) or a conventional wheat biscuit (CB) or a glucose solution (GS) in an acute randomized crossover design. Responses of glucose, insulin, ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), peptide YY (PYY) and glicentin, as well as those of L-arginine, L-leucine, L-isoleucine and L-valine, were evaluated over 180 min. Consumption of ArgB and BCAAsB elicited lower glucose iAUC compared to GS (p < 0.05). A lower iAUC for insulin was observed after consumption of BCAAsB (p < 0.05 compared to CB and ArgB), while ArgB elicited higher iAUC for GLP-1 accompanied by higher glicentin response (p < 0.05 compared to CB). BCAAsB and ArgB increased postprandial amino acid concentrations and caused stronger satiety effects compared to CB. Increasing protein content of wheat biscuits with supplementation of plant flours originating from legumes/seeds decreases postprandial glycemia and provides with healthier snack alternatives which can easily be incorporated into diet.

Current Understanding on the Genetic Basis of Key Metabolic Disorders: A Review

Simple Summary

Metabolic disorders (MD) are a challenge to healthcare systems; the emergence of the modern socio-economic system has led to a profound change in lifestyles in terms of dietary habits, exercise regimens, and behavior, all of which complement the genetic factors associated with MD. Diabetes Mellitus and Familial hypercholesterolemia are two of the 14 most widely researched MD, as they pose the greatest challenge to the public healthcare system and have an impact on productivity and the economy. Research findings have led to the development of new therapeutic molecules for the mitigation of MD as well as the invention of experimental strategies, which target the genes themselves via gene editing and RNA interference. Although these approaches may herald the emergence of a new toolbox to treat MD, the current therapeutic approaches still heavily depend on substrate reduction, dietary restrictions based on genetic factors, exercise, and the maintenance of good mental health. The development of orphan drugs for the less common MD such as Krabbe, Farber, Fabry, and Gaucher diseases, remains in its infancy, owing to the lack of investment in research and development, and this has driven the development of personalized therapeutics based on gene silencing and related technologies.

Abstract

Advances in data acquisition via high resolution genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic platforms have driven the discovery of the underlying factors associated with metabolic disorders (MD) and led to interventions that target the underlying genetic causes as well as lifestyle changes and dietary regulation. The review focuses on fourteen of the most widely studied inherited MD, which are familial hypercholesterolemia, Gaucher disease, Hunter syndrome, Krabbe disease, Maple syrup urine disease, Metachromatic leukodystrophy, Mitochondrial encephalopathy lactic acidosis stroke-like episodes (MELAS), Niemann-Pick disease, Phenylketonuria (PKU), Porphyria, Tay-Sachs disease, Wilson’s disease, Familial hypertriglyceridemia (F-HTG) and Galactosemia based on genome wide association studies, epigenetic factors, transcript regulation, post-translational genetic modifications and biomarker discovery through metabolomic studies. We will delve into the current approaches being undertaken to analyze metadata using bioinformatic approaches and the emerging interventions using genome editing platforms as applied to animal models.

Potential Therapeutic Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine on Diabetes in Rodents: A Review from an NMR-Based Metabolomics Perspective

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used to treat diabetes for a long time, but its application has not been widely accepted due to unstandardized product quality and complex pharmacological mechanisms. The modernization of TCM is crucial for its further development, and in recent years the metabolomics technique has largely driven its modernization. This review focuses on the application of NMR-based metabolomics in diabetic therapy using TCM. We identified a series of metabolic pathways that altered significantly after TCM treatment, providing a better understanding of the metabolic mechanisms of TCM for diabetes care.

Elucidation of the interaction effect between dietary fiber and bound polyphenol components on the anti-hyperglycemic activity of tea residue dietary fiber

Dietary fiber intake is beneficial for the prevention of some chronic metabolic diseases. Considering the characteristic that dietary fiber from tea residues (TRDF) is rich in bound polyphenols, the study aimed to elucidate the interaction effect between dietary fiber components (TRDF-DF) and bound polyphenol components (TRDF-BP) on the anti-hyperglycemic activity of TRDF. A type 2 diabetes (T2D) rat model induced by high-fat diet and streptozotocin injection was applied in this study. The results showed that bound polyphenol components rather than dietary fiber components were essential for the anti-hyperglycemic activity of TRDF, as evidenced by remarkable differences in fasting blood glucose (FBG), the insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) and the levels of serum oxidative stress between the TRDF and TRDF-DF groups, as well as the up-regulation of the expression of insulin signaling pathway-related proteins in the liver after TRDF and TRDF-BP administration. In addition, the synergistic effect between TRDF-BP and TRDF-DF components modulated gut microbiota dysbiosis and increased the content of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) via enriching beneficial bacteria and inhibiting harmful bacteria. The role of TRDF-BP and TRDF-DF as well as their interaction effect on the anti-hyperglycemic activity of TRDF are elucidated, which can provide theoretical basis for TRDF as a dietary supplement to manage T2D.

Nutritional constituent and health benefits of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.): A review

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), an annual plant of the Fabaceae family, is mainly grown in temperate and semiarid regions. Its biological activity and beneficial contribution to human health have been scientifically confirmed as an essential source of nutritional components. The objective of this review was to summarize and update latest available scientific data and information, on bioactive components in chickpea, bio-activities, and molecular mechanisms, which has mainly focused on the detection of relevant biochemical indicators, the regulation of signaling pathways, essential genes and proteins. The studies have shown that chickpea have significant multifunctional activities, which are closely related to the functionally active small molecule peptides and phytochemicals of chickpea. Significantly, numerous studies have only addressed the functional activity and mechanisms of single active components of chickpea, however, overlooking the synergy and antagonism between chickpea components, changes of functional active components in different processing methods, as well as the active form of the substances after human digestion and metabolism. Additionally, due to limitations in research methods and techniques, the structure of most functional active substances have not been determined, which makes it difficult to conduct interaction mechanism studies. Consequently, the significant bio-activity of the functional components of chickpea, synergistic and antagonistic effects and activity differences between bioactive components should be further studied.