MUFA in metabolic syndrome and associated risk factors: is MUFA the opposite side of the PUFA coin?

Identification of nutrition factors in the metabolic syndrome and its progression over time in older adults: analysis of the TUDA cohort

BACKGROUND

Nutrition is recognized as playing an important role in the metabolic syndrome (MetS), but the dietary components involved are unclear. We aimed to investigate nutrition factors in relation to MetS and its progression in older adults over a follow-up period of 5.4 years.

METHODS

Community-dwelling adults (≥ 60y) from the Trinity-Ulster-Department-of-Agriculture study, sampled at baseline (2008-12) and follow-up (2014-18; n 953), were classified as 'with MetS' by having three or more of: waist circumference (≥ 102 cm, males; ≥ 88 cm, females); HDL-cholesterol (< 1.0 mmol/L, males; < 1.3 mmol/L, females); triglycerides (≥ 1.7 mmol/L); blood pressure (systolic ≥ 130 and/or diastolic ≥ 85 mmHg); and hemoglobin A1c (≥ 39 mmol/mol).

RESULTS

MetS was identified in 67% of participants, increasing to 74% at follow-up. Predictors at baseline for the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS) at follow-up were higher waist circumference (odds ratio [95%CI]; 1.06 [1.01-1.11]), but not BMI, and increased triglyceride concentrations (2.01 [1.29-3.16]). In dietary analysis (at follow-up), higher protein (g/kg bodyweight/day) and monounsaturated fatty acid (g/day) intakes were each associated with lower risk of MetS (0.06 [0.02-0.20] and 0.88 [0.78-1.00], respectively), whilst higher protein was also associated with lower abdominal obesity (0.10 [0.02-0.51]) and hypertension (0.22 [0.00-0.80]). Furthermore, participants with, compared to without, MetS consumed less high-quality protein foods (P = 0.006) and more low-quality protein foods (P < 0.001), as defined by the protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score.

CONCLUSIONS

Dietary interventions targeting protein quantity and quality may have specific benefits in preventing or delaying the progression of MetS in at-risk older people, but this requires investigation in the form of randomized trials.

Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry-based metabolite profiling of chia and quinoa seeds in comparison with wheat and oat

INTRODUCTION

With an increasing interest in healthy and affordable cereal intake, efforts are made toward exploiting underutilized cereals with high nutritional values.

OBJECTIVES

The current study aims to explore the metabolome diversity in 14 cultivars of chia and quinoa collected from Germany, Austria, and Egypt, compared with wheat and oat as major cereals.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The samples were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Multivariate data analysis (MVA) was employed for sample classification and markers characterization.

RESULTS

A total of 114 metabolites were quantified (sugars, alcohols, organic and amino acids/nitrogenous compounds, fatty acids/esters), but the inorganic and phenolic acids were only identified. Fatty acids were the major class followed by amino acids in quinoa and chia. Chia and oats were richer in sucrose. Quinoa encompassed higher amino acids. Quinoa and chia were rich in essential amino acids. Higher levels of unsaturated fatty acids especially omega 6 and omega 9 were detected in quinoa versus omega 3 in chia compared with oat and wheat, whereas ω6/ω3 fatty acid ratio of chia was the lowest. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive metabolite profiling of these pseudo cereals.

CONCLUSION

Quinoa and chia, especially red chia, are more nutritionally valuable compared with oat and wheat because of their compositional profile of free amino acids, organic acids, and essential fatty acids, besides their low ω6/ω3 fatty acid ratio. Such results pose them as inexpensive alternative to animal proteins and encourage their inclusion in infant formulas.

Joint modeling of association networks and longitudinal biomarkers: An application to childhood obesity

The prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases such as obesity has noticeably increased in the last decade. The study of these diseases in early life is of paramount importance in determining their course in adult life and in supporting clinical interventions. Recently, attention has been drawn to approaches that study the alteration of metabolic pathways in obese children. In this work, we propose a novel joint modeling approach for the analysis of growth biomarkers and metabolite associations, to unveil metabolic pathways related to childhood obesity. Within a Bayesian framework, we flexibly model the temporal evolution of growth trajectories and metabolic associations through the specification of a joint nonparametric random effect distribution, with the main goal of clustering subjects, thus identifying risk sub-groups. Growth profiles as well as patterns of metabolic associations determine the clustering structure. Inclusion of risk factors is straightforward through the specification of a regression term. We demonstrate the proposed approach on data from the Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes cohort study, based in Singapore. Posterior inference is obtained via a tailored MCMC algorithm, involving a nonparametric prior with mixed support. Our analysis has identified potential key pathways in obese children that allow for the exploration of possible molecular mechanisms associated with childhood obesity.

CD36 polymorphism, sugary drinks, and sedentarism are associated with hypertriglyceridemic waist phenotype

Background: The hypertriglyceridemic waist (HTGW) phenotype is characterized by concomitant increases in waist circumference (WC) and blood triglyceride levels (TG), which have been identified as a predictor of metabolic disorders. This study aimed to analyze associations between food consumption, exercise, and the CD36 gene rs1761667 G>A polymorphism with the HTGW phenotype in adult Mexicans. Methods: This cross-sectional study included a total of 255 participants (both genders, between 18-64 years of age). The HTGW phenotype was defined as WC >88 cm in women, WC >102 cm in men, and TG >150 mg/dL. Body composition was analyzed by electrical bioimpedance. Dietary intakes (macro and micronutrients) were evaluated through a validated 64-item food frequency questionnaire and a 24-h recall. Physical exercise was subjectively recorded asking the participants if they regularly performed some systematic exercise or sport of moderate intensity at least 150-300 minutes a week. Biochemical tests were determined by an automated system. A Taqman real-time assay was used to detect the rs1761667 (G>A) polymorphism of the CD36 gene. A multivariate logistic regression model was performed to analyze the variables potentially associated with the HTGW phenotype (adjusted for age, energy intake, and total fat mass). Results: Overall, 21.6% of the population presented the HTGW phenotype; compared to the HTGW-, also, they were older, had more body fat, higher glucose, cholesterol and insulin levels, and high blood pressure. Female sex (OR=2.92, 95% CI: 1.12-7.60, p=0.028), body mass index (OR=1.19, 95% CI: 1.07-1.32, p=0.001), total cholesterol (OR=1.01, 95% CI:1.00-1.02, p=0.039), daily consumption of sugary drinks (OR=6.94, 95% CI: 1.80-26.8, p=0.005), and the CD36 AG genotype (OR=3.81, 95% CI: 1.08-13.4, p=0.037) were positively associated with the HTGW phenotype, while performing exercise played a protective role (OR=0.23, 95% CI: 0.08-0.62, p=0.004). Overall, the model predicted the HTGW phenotype in 47% (R2=0.47, p≤0.001). Conclusion: The CD36 AG genotype, daily consumption of sugary drinks and sedentarism are risk factors for the HTGW phenotype in Mexicans.

The effects of unsaturated fatty acids on psoriasis: A two-sample Mendelian randomization study

Unsaturated fatty acids have been reported to be associated with the risk of psoriasis. However, the causal relationship between them remains unclear This study aimed to explore the causal relationship between unsaturated FAs and psoriasis. Firstly, we obtained genome-wide association study (GWAS) data for psoriasis from the FINNGEN database (number of cases = 4510, number of controls = 212,242) and different FA levels (number of samples = 114,999) from the IEU OpenGWAS Project. Secondly, the genetic correlation coefficient was calculated using linkage disequilibrium fractional regression. Thirdly, a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was performed using independent instrumental variables (p < 5 × 10-8) to determine the direction of randomization. Finally, expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL)-related analyses of common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were carried out to explore the potential molecular mechanisms of unsaturated FAs affecting psoriasis. We found that an increase in the ratio of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) to total fatty acids could increase the risk of psoriasis (inverse-variance weighted [IVW], adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.175; adjusted 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.045-1.321; adjusted p = .007). However, an increase in the ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAa) to total fatty acids could decrease the risk of psoriasis (IVW, adjusted OR = 0.754; adjusted 95% CI = 0.631-0.901; adjusted p = .002). Moreover, an increase in the ratio of PUFAs to MUFAs could decrease the risk of psoriasis (IVW, adjusted OR = 0.823; adjusted 95% CI = 0.715-0.948; adjusted p = .007). The heterogeneity of data was eliminated, and pleiotropy was not detected. There was no statistical difference in the MR analysis of other fatty acids indices with psoriasis. Further, no statistically significant evidence was found to verify a causal relationship between psoriasis and fatty acid levels in reverse MR. Functional enrichment analysis showed that these eQTL related to common SNPs were mainly involved in organic ion transport, choline metabolism, and the expression of key metabolic factors mediated by PKA, ChREBP, and PP2A. Our study indicated that the ratio of MUFAs to total fatty acids had a positive causal effect on psoriasis, while the ratio of PUFAs to total fatty acids and the ratio of PUFAs to MUFAs had a negative causal effect on psoriasis. Moreover, PKA-, PP2A-, and ChREBP-mediated activation of metabolic factors may play an important role in this process.

Supplementation with antioxidants and phenolic compounds in ruminant feeding and its effect on dairy products: a systematic review

Milk and dairy products have great importance in human nutrition related to the presence of different nutrients, including protein, fatty acid profile and bioactive compounds. Dietary supplementation with foods containing these types of compounds may influence the chemical composition of milk and dairy products and hence, potentially, the consumer. Our objective was to summarize the evidence of the effect of supplementation with antioxidants and phenolic compounds in the diets of dairy animals and their effects on milk and dairy products. We conducted a systematic search in the MEDLINE/PubMed database for studies published up until July 2022 that reported on supplementation with antioxidants and phenolic compounds in diets that included plants, herbs, seeds, grains and isolated bioactive compounds of dairy animals such as cows, sheep and goats and their effects on milk and dairy products. Of the 94 studies identified in the search, only 15 met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. The review revealed that supplementation with false flax cake, sweet grass, Acacia farnesiana, mushroom myceliated grains and sweet grass promoted an effect on the milk lipid profile, whereas supplementation with dried grape pomace and tannin extract promoted an effect on the milk and cheese lipid profiles. In six studies, the addition of Acacia farnesiana, hesperidin or naringin, durum wheat bran, mushroom myceliated grains, dried grape pomace and olive leaves increased the antioxidant activity of milk. In conclusion, supplementation with bioactive compounds had a positive impact which ranged from an increase in antioxidant capacity to a decrease in oxidative biomarkers such as malondialdehyde.

Updated Organic Composition and Potential Therapeutic Properties of Different Varieties of Olive Leaves from Olea europaea

Olea europaea L. folium merits further exploration of the potential of its substrates for therapeutic supplements. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were conducted on samples of Madural, Verdeal, and Cobrançosa elementary leaves and leaf sprouts (mamões) collected in the region of Valpaços, Portugal. Organic analysis assessed the moisture content, total carbohydrates, ash, protein, and fat contents, total phenolic content (TPC), vitamin E, and fatty acid (FA) profiles. Moisture content was determined through infrared hygrometry and TPC was determined by a spectrophotometric method. Concerning organic analysis, all leaf samples showed similar moisture content, though Cobrançosa's leaf sprouts and Verdeal's elementary leaves had slightly lower contents. Meanwhile, these cultivars also showed a higher TPC, α-tocopherol isomer, and fatty acid composition (FAC). FAC in all samples exhibited higher contents of PUFA and SFA than MUFA, with a predominance of linolenic and palmitic acids. Organic analyses of Cobrançosa's leaf sprouts and Verdeal's elementary leaf extracts allow for the prediction of adequate physiological properties regarding neuroinflammatory, neurobehavioral, metabolic, cardiovascular, osteo-degenerative, anti-ageing, pulmonary, and immunological defense disorders. These physiological changes observed in our preliminary in silico studies suggest an excellent nutraceutical, which should be borne in mind during severe pandemic situations.

Relationship between dietary intake and erythrocyte PUFA in adolescents from a Western Australian cohort

BACKGROUND

Population-based studies show that the intake of omega-3 (n-3) and omega-6 (n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are associated with a range of health conditions. Therefore, the reliability of food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) as rapid and easily accessible screening tools for PUFA intake deserve investigation.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to assess the relationship between erythrocyte fatty acids and fatty acid intake collected using the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) food frequency questionnaire in an adolescent cohort.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study using data from 1155 young adolescents participating in the 14-year follow-up of the Raine Study. Bland-Altman plots were used to determine the agreement between dietary intake and erythrocyte levels of each fatty acid.

RESULTS

The main dietary source of n-3 long-chain (LC) PUFA was 'fresh fish' (53% of total n-3 LC-PUFA). Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) showed the strongest correlation between erythrocyte and diet assessment (r = 0.274; p < 0.001), whilst linoleic acid (LA) (r = 0.103; p < 0.001) and arachidonic acid (AA) (r = -0.06; p = 0.042) showed weaker correlations, with limits of agreement relatively narrow. Bland-Altman plots showed a dose-dependent bias between the FFQ fatty acid data and corresponding erythrocyte data.

CONCLUSIONS

For the major n-3 and n-6 PUFA, dietary intakes derived from the FFQ showed weaker correlations and poorer agreement with erythrocyte levels, and the deviation between the two increased with higher intake levels.

Transcriptomics and Lipid Metabolomics Analysis of Subcutaneous, Visceral, and Abdominal Adipose Tissues of Beef Cattle

Fat deposition traits are influenced by genetics and environment, which affect meat quality, growth rate, and energy metabolism of domestic animals. However, at present, the molecular mechanism of fat deposition is not entirely understood in beef cattle. Therefore, the current study conducted transcriptomics and lipid metabolomics analysis of subcutaneous, visceral, and abdominal adipose tissue (SAT, VAT, and AAT) of Huaxi cattle to investigate the differences among these adipose tissues and systematically explore how candidate genes interact with metabolites to affect fat deposition. These results demonstrated that compared with SAT, the gene expression patterns and metabolite contents of VAT and AAT were more consistent. Particularly, SCD expression, monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) and triglyceride (TG) content were higher in SAT, whereas PCK1 expression and the contents of saturated fatty acid (SFA), diacylglycerol (DG), and lysoglycerophosphocholine (LPC) were higher in VAT. Notably, in contrast to PCK1, 10 candidates including SCD, ELOVL6, ACACA, and FABP7 were identified to affect fat deposition through positively regulating MUFA and TG, and negatively regulating SFA, DG, and LPC. These findings uncovered novel gene resources and offered a theoretical basis for future investigation of fat deposition in beef cattle.

The effect of trimethylamine N-oxide on the metabolism of visceral white adipose tissue in spontaneously hypertensive rat

Strong links have been reported among trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), visceral white adipose tissue (vWAT), and cardiometabolic diseases. However, the effects of TMAO on vWAT in hypertension remained incompletely explored. The impact of a chronic 22-week-long treatment with 1 g/L TMAO on vWAT, and its transcriptional and metabolic changes in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were evaluated by serum cytokine measurements, histological analysis, fatty acid determinations, and co-expression network analyses. TMAO increased the serum interleukin-6 levels and insulin secretion in SHRs. The adipocyte size was diminished in the SHR 1 g/L TMAO group. In addition, one kind of monounsaturated fatty acids (cis-15-tetracosenoate) and four kinds of polyunsaturated fatty acids (cis-11,14,17-eicosatrienoic acid, docosatetraenoate, docosapentaenoate n-3, and docosapentaenoate n-6) were elevated by TMAO treatment. Three co-expression modules significantly related to TMAO treatment were identified and pathway enrichment analyses indicated that phagosome, lysosome, fatty acid metabolism, valine, leucine, and isoleucine degradation and metabolic pathways were the most significantly altered biological pathways. This study shed new light on the metabolic roles of TMAO on the vWAT of SHRs. TMAO regulated the metabolic status of vWAT, including reduced lipogenesis and an improved specific fatty acid composition. The mechanisms underlying these effects likely involve phagosome and lysosome pathways. 

Genistein Alleviates High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity by Inhibiting the Process of Gluconeogenesis in Mice

Genistein is an isoflavone phytoestrogen that has been shown to improve obesity; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms involved therein have not been clearly elucidated. In this study, we administered genistein to high-fat diet-induced obese mice to investigate its effect on hepatic gluconeogenesis. The results showed that genistein treatment significantly inhibited body weight gain, hyperglycemia, and adipose and hepatic lipid deposition in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. Glucose tolerance test (GTT), insulin tolerance test (ITT) and pyruvate tolerance test (PTT) showed that genistein treatment significantly inhibited gluconeogenesis and improved insulin resistance in obese mice. In addition, this study also found that genistein could promote the expression of miR-451 in vitro and in vivo, and the dual-luciferase reporter system showed that G6pc (glucose-6-phosphatase) may be a target gene of miR-451. Both genistein treatment and in vivo injection of miR-451 agomir significantly inhibited gluconeogenesis and inhibited the expression of G6pc and Gk (glycerol kinase, a known target gene of miR-451). In conclusion, genistein may inhibit gluconeogenesis in obese mice by regulating the expression of Gk and G6pc through miR-451. These results may provide insights into the functions of miR-451 and food-derived phytoestrogens in ameliorating and preventing gluconeogenesis-related diseases.