Postprandial Metabolomics Response to Various Cooking Oils in Humans

UPLC-Q-TOF-MS, network analysis, and molecular docking to investigate the effect and active ingredients of tea-seed oil against bacterial pathogens

Object: This research intended to probe the antibacterial effect and pharmacodynamic substances of Tea-Seed Oil (TSO) through the use of ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS) analysis, network analysis, and molecular docking. Methods: The major chemical components in the methanol-extracted fractions of TSO were subjected to UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. Network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques were integrated to investigate the core components, targets, and potential mechanisms of action through which the TSO exert their antibacterial properties. To evaluate the inhibitory effects, the minimum inhibitory concentration and diameter of the bacteriostatic circle were calculated for the potential active ingredients and their equal ratios of combinatorial components (ERCC) against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans. Moreover, the quantification of the active constituents within TSO was achieved through the utilization of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results: The methanol-extracted fractions contained a total of 47 chemical components, predominantly consisting of unsaturated fatty acids and phenolic compounds. The network pharmacology analysis and molecular docking analysis revealed that various components, including gallocatechin, gallic acid, epigallocatechin, theophylline, chlorogenic acid, puerarin, and phlorizin, have the ability to interact with critical core targets such as serine/threonine protein kinase 1 (AKT1), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a monoclonal antibody to mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 (MAPK14), HSP90AA1, and estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1). Furthermore, these components can modulate the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase protein kinase B (PI3K-AKT), estrogen, MAPK and interleukin 17 (IL-17) signaling pathways, hereby exerting antibacterial effects. In vitro validation trials have found that seven components, namely gallocatechin, gallic acid, epigallocatechin, theophylline, chlorogenic acid, puerarin, and phloretin, displayed substantial inhibitory effects on E. coli, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and C. albicans, and are typically present in tea oil, with a total content ranging from 15.87∼24.91 μg·g-1. Conclusion: The outcomes of this investigation possess the possibility to expand our knowledge base concerning the utilization of TSO, furnish a theoretical framework for the exploration of antibacterial drugs and cosmetics derived from inherently occurring TSO, and establish a robust groundwork for the advancement and implementations of TOS products within clinical settings.

Comparison of Plasma Metabolome Response to Diets Enriched in Soybean and Partially-Hydrogenated Soybean Oil in Moderately Hypercholesterolemic Adults-A Pilot Study

Partially-hydrogenated fat/trans fatty acid intake has been associated with adverse effects on cardiometabolic risk factors. Comparatively unexplored is the effect of unmodified oil relative to partially-hydrogenated fat on the plasma metabolite profile and lipid-related pathways. To address this gap, we conducted secondary analyses using a subset of samples randomly selected from a controlled dietary intervention trial involving moderately hypercholesterolemic individuals. Participants (N = 10, 63 ± 8 y, BMI, 26.2 ± 4.2 kg/m2, LDL-C, 3.9 ± 0.5 mmol/L) were provided with diets enriched in soybean oil (SO) and partially-hydrogenated soybean oil (PHSO). Plasma metabolite concentrations were determined using an untargeted approach and pathway analysis using LIPIDMAPS. Data were assessed using a volcano plot, receiver operating characteristics curve, partial least square-discrimination analysis and Pearson correlations. Among the known metabolites higher in plasma after the PHSO diet than the SO diet, the majority were phospholipids (53%) and di- and triglycerides (DG/TG, 34%). Pathway analysis indicated upregulation of phosphatidylcholine synthesis from DG and phosphatidylethanolamine. We identified seven metabolites (TG_56:9, TG_54:8, TG_54:7, TG_54:6, TG_48:5, DG_36:5 and benproperine) as potential biomarkers for PHSO intake. These data indicate that TG-related metabolites were the most affected lipid species, and glycerophospholipid biosynthesis was the most active pathway in response to PHSO compared to SO intake.

Metabolomic-Based Studies of the Intake of Virgin Olive Oil: A Comprehensive Review

Virgin olive oil (VOO) is a high-value product from the Mediterranean diet. Some health and nutritional benefits have been associated with its consumption, not only because of its monounsaturated-rich triacylglycerols but also due to its minor bioactive components. The search for specific metabolites related to VOO consumption may provide valuable information to identify the specific bioactive components and to understand possible molecular and metabolic mechanisms implicated in those health effects. In this regard, metabolomics, considered a key analytical tool in nutritional studies, offers a better understanding of the regulatory functions of food components on human nutrition, well-being, and health. For that reason, the aim of the present review is to summarize the available scientific evidence related to the metabolic effects of VOO or its minor bioactive compounds in human, animal, and in vitro studies using metabolomics approaches.

Identification of Serum Oxylipins Associated with the Development of Coronary Artery Disease: A Nested Case-Control Study

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is among the leading causes of death globally. The American Heart Association recommends that people should consume more PUFA-rich plant foods to replace SFA-rich ones to lower serum cholesterol and prevent CAD. However, PUFA may be susceptible to oxidation and generate oxidized products such as oxylipins. In this study, we investigated whether the blood oxylipin profile is associated with the risk of developing CAD and whether including identified oxylipins may improve the predictability of CAD risk. We designed a nested case-control study with 77 cases and 148 matched controls from a 10-year follow-up of the Nutrition and Health Survey in a Taiwanese cohort of 720 people aged 50 to 70. A panel of 46 oxylipins was measured for baseline serum samples. We discovered four oxylipins associated with CAD risk. 13-oxo-ODE, which has been previously found in formed plagues, was positively associated with CAD (OR = 5.02, 95%CI = 0.85 to 15.6). PGE2/PGD2, previously shown to increase cardiac output, was inversely associated (OR = 0.16, 95%CI = 0.06 to 0.42). 15-deoxy-PGJ2, with anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptosis effects on cardiomyocytes (OR = 0.26, 95%CI = 0.09 to 0.76), and 5-HETE, which was associated with inflammation (OR = 0.28, 95%CI = 0.10 to 0.78), were also negatively associated as protective factors. Adding these four oxylipins to the traditional risk prediction model significantly improved CAD prediction.

Tocotrienol Supplementation Led to Higher Serum Levels of Lysophospholipids but Lower Acylcarnitines in Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized Double-Blinded Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Osteoporosis is a major health problem in postmenopausal women. Herein we evaluated the effects of 12-week tocotrienols (TT) supplementation on serum metabolites in postmenopausal, osteopenic women. Eighty-nine participants (59.7 ± 6.8 yr, BMI 28.7 ± 5.7 kg/m²) were assigned to 3 treatments: placebo (860 mg olive oil/day), 300mg TT (300 mg TT/day), and 600mg TT (600 mg TT/day) for 12 weeks. TT consisted of 90% δ-TT and 10% γ-TT. In this metabolomic study, we evaluated the placebo and 600mgTT at baseline and 12 weeks. As expected, TT and its metabolite levels were higher in the supplemented group after 12 weeks. At baseline, there were no differences in demographic parameters or comprehensive metabolic panels (CMP). Metabolomics analysis of serum samples revealed that 48 biochemicals were higher and 65 were lower in the 600mg TT group at 12 weeks, compared to baseline. The results confirmed higher serum levels of tocotrienols and lysophospholipids, but lower acylcarnitines and catabolites of tryptophan and steroids in subjects given 600mg TT. In summary, 12-week TT supplementation altered many serum metabolite levels in postmenopausal women. The present study supports our previous findings that TT supplementation helps reduce bone loss in postmenopausal osteopenic women by suppressing inflammation and oxidative stress. Furthermore, the body incorporates TT which restructures biomembranes and modifies phospholipid metabolism, a response potentially linked to reduced inflammation and oxidative stress.

Sex-Specific Metabolite Biomarkers of NAFLD in Youth: A Prospective Study in the EPOCH Cohort

CONTEXT

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the leading cause of chronic liver disease in developed nations. There are currently no accurate biomarkers of NAFLD risk in youth.

OBJECTIVE

Identify sex-specific metabolomics biomarkers of NAFLD in a healthy cohort of youth.

DESIGN/SETTING

This prospective study included 395 participants of the EPOCH cohort in Colorado, who were recruited 2006-2009 ("T1 visit") and followed for 5 years ("T2 visit"). We entered 767 metabolites measured at T1 into a reduced rank regression model to identify the strongest determinants of hepatic fat fraction (HFF) at T2, separately for boys and girls. We compared the capacity of metabolites versus conventional risk factors (overweight/obesity, insulin, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase) to predict NAFLD (HFF ≥5%) and high HFF (fourth vs first quartile) using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).

RESULTS

Prevalence of NAFLD was 7.9% (8.5% of boys, 7.1% of girls). Mean ± SD HFF was 2.5 ± 3.1%. We identified 13 metabolites in girls and 10 metabolites in boys. Metabolites were in lipid, amino acid, and carbohydrate metabolism pathways. At T1, the metabolites outperformed conventional risk factors in prediction of high HFF but not NAFLD. At T2, the metabolites were superior to conventional risk factors as predictors of high HFF (AUC for metabolites vs conventional risk factors for boys: 0.9565 vs 0.8851, P = 0.02; for girls: 0.9450 vs 0.8469, P = 0.02) with similar trends for NAFLD, although the differences were not significant.

CONCLUSIONS

The metabolite profiles identified herein are superior predictors of high HFF when assessed 5 years prior and concurrently in a general-risk setting.