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Koenig AB, Tan A, Abdelaal H, Monge F, Younossi ZM, Goodman ZD. Review article: Hepatic steatosis and its associations with acute and chronic liver diseases. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2024; 60:167-200. [PMID: 38845486 DOI: 10.1111/apt.18059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatic steatosis is a common finding in liver histopathology and the hallmark of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), whose global prevalence is rising. AIMS To review the histopathology of hepatic steatosis and its mechanisms of development and to identify common and rare disease associations. METHODS We reviewed literature on the basic science of lipid droplet (LD) biology and clinical research on acute and chronic liver diseases associated with hepatic steatosis using the PubMed database. RESULTS A variety of genetic and environmental factors contribute to the development of chronic hepatic steatosis or steatotic liver disease, which typically appears macrovesicular. Microvesicular steatosis is associated with acute mitochondrial dysfunction and liver failure. Fat metabolic processes in hepatocytes whose dysregulation leads to the development of steatosis include secretion of lipoprotein particles, uptake of remnant lipoprotein particles or free fatty acids from blood, de novo lipogenesis, oxidation of fatty acids, lipolysis and lipophagy. Hepatic insulin resistance is a key feature of MASLD. Seipin is a polyfunctional protein that facilitates LD biogenesis. Assembly of hepatitis C virus takes place on LD surfaces. LDs make important, functional contact with the endoplasmic reticulum and other organelles. CONCLUSIONS Diverse liver pathologies are associated with hepatic steatosis, with MASLD being the most important contributor. The biogenesis and dynamics of LDs in hepatocytes are complex and warrant further investigation. Organellar interfaces permit co-regulation of lipid metabolism to match generation of potentially toxic lipid species with their LD depot storage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron B Koenig
- Beatty Liver and Obesity Research Program, Inova Health System, Falls Church, Virginia, USA
| | - Albert Tan
- Beatty Liver and Obesity Research Program, Inova Health System, Falls Church, Virginia, USA
- Center for Liver Diseases, Inova Fairfax Hospital, Falls Church, Virginia, USA
| | - Hala Abdelaal
- Beatty Liver and Obesity Research Program, Inova Health System, Falls Church, Virginia, USA
- Center for Liver Diseases, Inova Fairfax Hospital, Falls Church, Virginia, USA
| | - Fanny Monge
- Beatty Liver and Obesity Research Program, Inova Health System, Falls Church, Virginia, USA
- Center for Liver Diseases, Inova Fairfax Hospital, Falls Church, Virginia, USA
| | - Zobair M Younossi
- Beatty Liver and Obesity Research Program, Inova Health System, Falls Church, Virginia, USA
- The Global NASH Council, Center for Outcomes Research in Liver Diseases, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Zachary D Goodman
- Beatty Liver and Obesity Research Program, Inova Health System, Falls Church, Virginia, USA
- Center for Liver Diseases, Inova Fairfax Hospital, Falls Church, Virginia, USA
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2
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Bernhard W, Böckmann KA, Minarski M, Wiechers C, Busch A, Bach D, Poets CF, Franz AR. Evidence and Perspectives for Choline Supplementation during Parenteral Nutrition-A Narrative Review. Nutrients 2024; 16:1873. [PMID: 38931230 PMCID: PMC11206924 DOI: 10.3390/nu16121873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Choline is an essential nutrient, with high requirements during fetal and postnatal growth. Tissue concentrations of total choline are tightly regulated, requiring an increase in its pool size proportional to growth. Phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin, containing a choline headgroup, are constitutive membrane phospholipids, accounting for >85% of total choline, indicating that choline requirements are particularly high during growth. Daily phosphatidylcholine secretion via bile for lipid digestion and very low-density lipoproteins for plasma transport of arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acid to other organs exceed 50% of its hepatic pool. Moreover, phosphatidylcholine is required for converting pro-apoptotic ceramides to sphingomyelin, while choline is the source of betaine as a methyl donor for creatine synthesis, DNA methylation/repair and kidney function. Interrupted choline supply, as during current total parenteral nutrition (TPN), causes a rapid drop in plasma choline concentration and accumulating deficit. The American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.) defined choline as critical to all infants requiring TPN, claiming its inclusion in parenteral feeding regimes. We performed a systematic literature search in Pubmed with the terms "choline" and "parenteral nutrition", resulting in 47 relevant publications. Their results, together with cross-references, are discussed. While studies on parenteral choline administration in neonates and older children are lacking, preclinical and observational studies, as well as small randomized controlled trials in adults, suggest choline deficiency as a major contributor to acute and chronic TPN-associated liver disease, and the safety and efficacy of parenteral choline administration for its prevention. Hence, we call for choline formulations suitable to be added to TPN solutions and clinical trials to study their efficacy, particularly in growing children including preterm infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Bernhard
- Department of Neonatology, University Children’s Hospital, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (W.B.); (K.A.B.); (M.M.); (C.W.); (C.F.P.)
| | - Katrin A. Böckmann
- Department of Neonatology, University Children’s Hospital, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (W.B.); (K.A.B.); (M.M.); (C.W.); (C.F.P.)
| | - Michaela Minarski
- Department of Neonatology, University Children’s Hospital, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (W.B.); (K.A.B.); (M.M.); (C.W.); (C.F.P.)
| | - Cornelia Wiechers
- Department of Neonatology, University Children’s Hospital, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (W.B.); (K.A.B.); (M.M.); (C.W.); (C.F.P.)
| | - Annegret Busch
- Pharmaceutical Department, University Hospital, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (A.B.); (D.B.)
| | - Daniela Bach
- Pharmaceutical Department, University Hospital, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (A.B.); (D.B.)
| | - Christian F. Poets
- Department of Neonatology, University Children’s Hospital, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (W.B.); (K.A.B.); (M.M.); (C.W.); (C.F.P.)
| | - Axel R. Franz
- Department of Neonatology, University Children’s Hospital, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (W.B.); (K.A.B.); (M.M.); (C.W.); (C.F.P.)
- Center for Pediatric Clinical Studies, University Children’s Hospital, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
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Myers AJ, Potts C, Makarewicz JA, McGee E, Dumas JA. Choline kinase alpha genotype is related to hippocampal brain volume and cognition in postmenopausal women. Heliyon 2024; 10:e23963. [PMID: 38226229 PMCID: PMC10788445 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
This study examined how single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to choline synthesis and metabolism, processes largely regulated by estrogen, influenced hippocampal volume and neuropsychological function following menopause. We investigated the effect of choline kinase alpha (CHKA) genotype on brain volume and neuropsychological performance in postmenopausal women. The effect alleles of certain CHKA SNPs (rs6591331 T, rs10791957 A) are associated with varied responses to choline deficiency and delegation of choline to physiological pathways. The presence of these alleles was hypothesized to correlate with worse cognitive performance in women after menopause. Results from structural MRI scans revealed larger right hippocampal volumes in subjects with a T/T CHKA rs6591331 genotype compared to A/A subjects. Delayed memory scores from the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) were lower in subjects with T/T genotypes compared to those with the A/T genotype and the A/A genotype. Based on these findings, we proposed a CHKA-dependent mechanism present within the brain to compensate for the decreased estrogen and biosynthesized choline associated with menopause.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail J. Myers
- Department of Psychiatry, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, USA
| | - Callum Potts
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, USA
| | - Jenna A. Makarewicz
- Department of Psychiatry, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, USA
| | - Elizabeth McGee
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, USA
| | - Julie A. Dumas
- Department of Psychiatry, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, USA
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Smiriglia A, Lorito N, Serra M, Perra A, Morandi A, Kowalik MA. Sex difference in liver diseases: How preclinical models help to dissect the sex-related mechanisms sustaining NAFLD and hepatocellular carcinoma. iScience 2023; 26:108363. [PMID: 38034347 PMCID: PMC10682354 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Only a few preclinical findings are confirmed in the clinic, posing a critical issue for clinical development. Therefore, identifying the best preclinical models can help to dissect molecular and mechanistic insights into liver disease pathogenesis while being clinically relevant. In this context, the sex relevance of most preclinical models has been only partially considered. This is particularly significant in NAFLD and HCC, which have a higher prevalence in men when compared to pre-menopause women but not to those in post-menopausal status, suggesting a role for sex hormones in the pathogenesis of the diseases. This review gathers the sex-relevant findings and the available preclinical models focusing on both in vitro and in vivo studies and discusses the potential implications and perspectives of introducing the sex effect in the selection of the best preclinical model. This is a critical aspect that would help to tailor personalized therapies based on sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo Smiriglia
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Nicla Lorito
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Marina Serra
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Andrea Perra
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Andrea Morandi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Marta Anna Kowalik
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
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Weston WC, Hales KH, Hales DB. Flaxseed Reduces Cancer Risk by Altering Bioenergetic Pathways in Liver: Connecting SAM Biosynthesis to Cellular Energy. Metabolites 2023; 13:945. [PMID: 37623888 PMCID: PMC10456508 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13080945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
This article illustrates how dietary flaxseed can be used to reduce cancer risk, specifically by attenuating obesity, type 2 diabetes, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We utilize a targeted metabolomics dataset in combination with a reanalysis of past work to investigate the "metabo-bioenergetic" adaptations that occur in White Leghorn laying hens while consuming dietary flaxseed. Recently, we revealed how the anti-vitamin B6 effects of flaxseed augment one-carbon metabolism in a manner that accelerates S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) biosynthesis. Researchers recently showed that accelerated SAM biosynthesis activates the cell's master energy sensor, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Our paper provides evidence that flaxseed upregulates mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation and glycolysis in liver, concomitant with the attenuation of lipogenesis and polyamine biosynthesis. Defatted flaxseed likely functions as a metformin homologue by upregulating hepatic glucose uptake and pyruvate flux through the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) in laying hens. In contrast, whole flaxseed appears to attenuate liver steatosis and body mass by modifying mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation and lipogenesis. Several acylcarnitine moieties indicate Randle cycle adaptations that protect mitochondria from metabolic overload when hens consume flaxseed. We also discuss a paradoxical finding whereby flaxseed induces the highest glycated hemoglobin percentage (HbA1c%) ever recorded in birds, and we suspect that hyperglycemia is not the cause. In conclusion, flaxseed modifies bioenergetic pathways to attenuate the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and NAFLD, possibly downstream of SAM biosynthesis. These findings, if reproducible in humans, can be used to lower cancer risk within the general population.
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Affiliation(s)
- William C. Weston
- Department of Molecular, Cellular & Systemic Physiology, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA;
| | - Karen H. Hales
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA;
| | - Dale B. Hales
- Department of Molecular, Cellular & Systemic Physiology, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA;
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA;
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DiStefano JK. The Role of Choline, Soy Isoflavones, and Probiotics as Adjuvant Treatments in the Prevention and Management of NAFLD in Postmenopausal Women. Nutrients 2023; 15:2670. [PMID: 37375574 DOI: 10.3390/nu15122670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a prevalent condition among postmenopausal women that can lead to severe liver dysfunction and increased mortality. In recent years, research has focused on identifying potential lifestyle dietary interventions that may prevent or treat NAFLD in this population. Due to the complex and multifactorial nature of NAFLD in postmenopausal women, the disease can present as different subtypes, with varying levels of clinical presentation and variable treatment responses. By recognizing the significant heterogeneity of NAFLD in postmenopausal women, it may be possible to identify specific subsets of individuals who may benefit from targeted nutritional interventions. The purpose of this review was to examine the current evidence supporting the role of three specific nutritional factors-choline, soy isoflavones, and probiotics-as potential nutritional adjuvants in the prevention and treatment of NAFLD in postmenopausal women. There is promising evidence supporting the potential benefits of these nutritional factors for NAFLD prevention and treatment, particularly in postmenopausal women, and further research is warranted to confirm their effectiveness in alleviating hepatic steatosis in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna K DiStefano
- Diabetes and Metabolic Disease Research Unit, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
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Different choline supplement metabolism in adults using deuterium labelling. Eur J Nutr 2023; 62:1795-1807. [PMID: 36840817 DOI: 10.1007/s00394-023-03121-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Choline deficiency leads to pathologies particularly of the liver, brain and lung. Adequate supply is important for preterm infants and patients with cystic fibrosis. We analysed the assimilation of four different enterally administered deuterium-labelled (D9-) choline supplements in adults. METHODS Prospective randomised cross-over study (11/2020-1/2022) in six healthy men, receiving four single doses of 2.7 mg/kg D9-choline equivalent each in the form of D9-choline chloride, D9-phosphorylcholine, D9-alpha-glycerophosphocholine (D9-GPC) or D9-1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-glycero-3-phosphoryl-choline (D9-POPC), in randomised order 6 weeks apart. Plasma was obtained at baseline (t = - 0.1 h) and at 0.5 h to 7d after intake. Concentrations of D9-choline and its D9-labelled metabolites were analysed by tandem mass spectrometry. Results are shown as median and interquartile range. RESULTS Maximum D9-choline and D9-betaine concentrations were reached latest after D9-POPC administration versus other components. D9-POPC and D9-phosphorylcholine resulted in lower D9-trimethylamine (D9-TMAO) formation. The AUCs (0-7d) of plasma D9-PC concentration showed highest values after administration of D9-POPC. D9-POPC appeared in plasma after fatty acid remodelling, predominantly as D9-1-palmitoyl-2-linoleyl-PC (D9-PLPC), confirming cleavage to 1-palmitoyl-lyso-D9-PC and re-acylation with linoleic acid as the most prominent alimentary unsaturated fatty acid. CONCLUSION There was a delayed increase in plasma D9-choline and D9-betaine after D9-POPC administration, with no differences in AUC over time. D9-POPC resulted in a higher AUC of D9-PC and virtually absent D9-TMAO levels. D9-POPC is remodelled according to enterocytic fatty acid availability. D9-POPC seems best suited as choline supplement to increase plasma PC concentrations, with PC as a carrier of choline and targeted fatty acid supply as required by organs. This study was registered at Deutsches Register Klinischer Studien (DRKS) (German Register for Clinical Studies), DRKS00020498, 22.01.2020. STUDY REGISTRATION This study was registered at Deutsches Register Klinischer Studien (DRKS) (German Register for Clinical Studies), DRKS00020498.
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8
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Genetic Variants in One-Carbon Metabolism and Their Effects on DHA Biomarkers in Pregnant Women: A Post-Hoc Analysis. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14183801. [PMID: 36145177 PMCID: PMC9506554 DOI: 10.3390/nu14183801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The delivery of docosahexanoic acid (DHA) to the fetus is dependent on maternal one-carbon metabolism, as the latter supports the hepatic synthesis and export of a DHA-enriched phosphatidylcholine molecule via the phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEMT) pathway. The following is a post-hoc analysis of a choline intervention study that sought to investigate whether common variants in one-carbon metabolizing genes associate with maternal and/or fetal blood biomarkers of DHA status. Pregnant women entering their second trimester were randomized to consume, until delivery, either 25 (n = 15) or 550 (n = 15) mg choline/d, and the effects of genetic variants in the PEMT, BHMT, MTHFD1, and MTHFR genes on DHA status were examined. Variant (vs. non-variant) maternal PEMT rs4646343 genotypes tended to have lower maternal RBC DHA (% total fatty acids) throughout gestation (6.9% vs. 7.4%; main effect, p = 0.08) and lower cord RBC DHA at delivery (7.6% vs. 8.4%; main effect, p = 0.09). Conversely, variant (vs. non-variant) maternal MTHFD1 rs2235226 genotypes exhibited higher cord RBC DHA (8.3% vs. 7.3%; main effect, p = 0.0003) and higher cord plasma DHA (55 vs. 41 μg/mL; main effect, p = 0.05). Genotype tended to interact with maternal choline intake (p < 0.1) to influence newborn DHA status for PEMT rs4646343 and PEMT rs7946. These data support the need to consider variants in one-carbon metabolic genes in studies assessing DHA status and requirements during pregnancy.
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Piras IS, Raju A, Don J, Schork NJ, Gerhard GS, DiStefano JK. Hepatic PEMT Expression Decreases with Increasing NAFLD Severity. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23169296. [PMID: 36012560 PMCID: PMC9409182 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Choline deficiency causes hepatic fat accumulation, and is associated with a higher risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and more advanced NAFLD-related hepatic fibrosis. Reduced expression of hepatic phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEMT), which catalyzes the production of phosphatidylcholine, causes steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis in mice. In humans, common PEMT variants impair phosphatidylcholine synthesis, and are associated with NAFLD risk. We investigated hepatic PEMT expression in a large cohort of patients representing the spectrum of NAFLD, and examined the relationship between PEMT genetic variants and gene expression. Hepatic PEMT expression was reduced in NAFLD patients with inflammation and fibrosis (i.e., nonalcoholic steatohepatitis or NASH) compared to participants with normal liver histology (β = −1.497; p = 0.005). PEMT levels also declined with increasing severity of fibrosis with cirrhosis < incomplete cirrhosis < bridging fibrosis (β = −1.185; p = 0.011). Hepatic PEMT expression was reduced in postmenopausal women with NASH compared to those with normal liver histology (β = −3.698; p = 0.030). We detected a suggestive association between rs7946 and hepatic fibrosis (p = 0.083). Although none of the tested variants were associated with hepatic PEMT expression, computational fine mapping analysis indicated that rs4646385 may impact PEMT levels in the liver. Hepatic PEMT expression decreases with increasing severity of NAFLD in obese individuals and postmenopausal women, and may contribute to disease pathogenesis in a subset of NASH patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignazio S. Piras
- Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
| | - Anish Raju
- Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
| | - Janith Don
- Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
| | | | - Glenn S. Gerhard
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Biochemistry, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
| | - Johanna K. DiStefano
- Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
- Correspondence:
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Mattes RD, Rowe SB, Ohlhorst SD, Brown AW, Hoffman DJ, Liska DJ, Feskens EJM, Dhillon J, Tucker KL, Epstein LH, Neufeld LM, Kelley M, Fukagawa NK, Sunde RA, Zeisel SH, Basile AJ, Borth LE, Jackson E. Valuing the Diversity of Research Methods to Advance Nutrition Science. Adv Nutr 2022; 13:1324-1393. [PMID: 35802522 PMCID: PMC9340992 DOI: 10.1093/advances/nmac043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The ASN Board of Directors appointed the Nutrition Research Task Force to develop a report on scientific methods used in nutrition science to advance discovery, interpretation, and application of knowledge in the field. The genesis of this report was growing concern about the tone of discourse among nutrition professionals and the implications of acrimony on the productive study and translation of nutrition science. Too often, honest differences of opinion are cast as conflicts instead of areas of needed collaboration. Recognition of the value (and limitations) of contributions from well-executed nutrition science derived from the various approaches used in the discipline, as well as appreciation of how their layering will yield the strongest evidence base, will provide a basis for greater productivity and impact. Greater collaborative efforts within the field of nutrition science will require an understanding that each method or approach has a place and function that should be valued and used together to create the nutrition evidence base. Precision nutrition was identified as an important emerging nutrition topic by the preponderance of task force members, and this theme was adopted for the report because it lent itself to integration of many approaches in nutrition science. Although the primary audience for this report is nutrition researchers and other nutrition professionals, a secondary aim is to develop a document useful for the various audiences that translate nutrition research, including journalists, clinicians, and policymakers. The intent is to promote accurate, transparent, verifiable evidence-based communication about nutrition science. This will facilitate reasoned interpretation and application of emerging findings and, thereby, improve understanding and trust in nutrition science and appropriate characterization, development, and adoption of recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Leonard H Epstein
- University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | | | - Michael Kelley
- Michael Kelley Nutrition Science Consulting, Wauwatosa, WI, USA
| | - Naomi K Fukagawa
- USDA Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center, Beltsville, MD, USA
| | | | - Steven H Zeisel
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Klatt KC, McDougall MQ, Malysheva OV, Taesuwan S, Loinard-González A(AP, Nevins JEH, Beckman K, Bhawal R, Anderson E, Zhang S, Bender E, Jackson KH, King DJ, Dyer RA, Devapatla S, Vidavalur R, Brenna JT, Caudill MA. Prenatal choline supplementation improves biomarkers of maternal docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) status among pregnant participants consuming supplemental DHA: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr 2022; 116:820-832. [PMID: 35575618 PMCID: PMC9437984 DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/nqac147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dietary methyl donors (e.g., choline) support the activity of the phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEMT) pathway, which generates phosphatidylcholine (PC) molecules enriched in DHA that are exported from the liver and made available to extrahepatic tissues. OBJECTIVES This study investigated the effect of prenatal choline supplementation on biomarkers of DHA status among pregnant participants consuming supplemental DHA. METHODS Pregnant participants (n = 30) were randomly assigned to receive supplemental choline intakes of 550 mg/d [500 mg/d d0-choline + 50 mg/d deuterium-labeled choline (d9-choline); intervention] or 25 mg/d (25 mg/d d9-choline; control) from gestational week (GW) 12-16 until delivery. All participants received a daily 200-mg DHA supplement and consumed self-selected diets. Fasting blood samples were obtained at baseline, GW 20-24, and GW 28-32; maternal/cord blood was obtained at delivery. Mixed-effects linear models were used to assess the impact of prenatal choline supplementation on maternal and newborn DHA status. RESULTS Choline supplementation (550 vs. 25 mg/d) did not achieve a statistically significant intervention × time interaction for RBC PC-DHA (P = 0.11); a significant interaction was observed for plasma PC-DHA and RBC total DHA, with choline supplementation yielding higher levels (+32-38% and +8-11%, respectively) at GW 28-32 (P < 0.05) and delivery (P < 0.005). A main effect of choline supplementation on plasma total DHA was also observed (P = 0.018); its interaction with time was not significant (P = 0.068). Compared with controls, the intervention group exhibited higher (P = 0.007; main effect) plasma enrichment of d3-PC (d3-PC/total PC). Moreover, the ratio of d3-PC to d9-PC was higher (+50-67%; P < 0.001) in the choline intervention arm (vs. control) at GW 20-24, GW 28-32, and delivery. CONCLUSIONS Prenatal choline supplementation improves hepatic DHA export and biomarkers of DHA status by bolstering methyl group supply for PEMT activity among pregnant participants consuming supplemental DHA. This trial is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03194659.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Olga V Malysheva
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Siraphat Taesuwan
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA,Faculty of Agro-Industry, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | | | - Julie E H Nevins
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Kara Beckman
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Ruchika Bhawal
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Facility, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Elizabeth Anderson
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Facility, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Sheng Zhang
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Facility, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Erica Bender
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | | | - D Janette King
- The Analytical Core for Metabolomics and Nutrition, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Roger A Dyer
- The Analytical Core for Metabolomics and Nutrition, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | | | - J Thomas Brenna
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA
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12
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Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can develop in lean individuals. Despite a better metabolic profile, the risk of disease progression to hepatic inflammation, fibrosis, and decompensated cirrhosis in the lean is similar to that in obesity-related NAFLD and lean individuals may experience more severe hepatic consequences and higher mortality relative to those with a higher body mass index (BMI). In the absence of early symptoms and abnormal laboratory findings, lean individuals are not likely to be screened for NAFLD or related comorbidities; however, given the progressive nature of the disease and the increased risk of morbidity and mortality, a clearer understanding of the natural history of NAFLD in lean individuals, as well as efforts to raise awareness of the potential health risks of NAFLD in lean individuals, are warranted. In this review, we summarize available data on NAFLD prevalence, clinical characteristics, outcomes, and mortality in lean individuals and discuss factors that may contribute to the development of NAFLD in this population, including links between dietary and genetic factors, menopausal status, and ethnicity. We also highlight the need for greater representation of lean individuals in NAFLD-related clinical trials, as well as more studies to better characterize lean NAFLD, develop improved screening algorithms, and determine specific treatment strategies based on underlying etiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna K. DiStefano
- Diabetes and Fibrotic Disease Research Unit, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, USA
| | - Glenn S. Gerhard
- Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19140 USA
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13
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Genetic variants in choline metabolism pathway are associated with the risk of bladder cancer in the Chinese population. Arch Toxicol 2022; 96:1729-1737. [PMID: 35237847 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-022-03258-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Choline metabolism alteration is considered as a metabolic hallmark in cancer, reflecting the complex interactions between carcinogenic signaling pathways and cancer metabolism, but little is known about whether genetic variants in the metabolism pathway contribute to the susceptibility of bladder cancer. Herein, a case-control study comprising 580 patients and 1,101 controls was carried out to analyze the association of bladder cancer with genetic variants on candidate genes involved in the choline metabolism pathway using unconditional logistic regression. Gene expression data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were applied for differential gene expression analysis. Cox regression was also applied to estimate the role of candidate genes on bladder cancer prognosis. Our results demonstrated that C allele of rs6810830 in ENPP6 was a significant protective allele of bladder cancer, compared to the T allele [Odds ratio (OR) = 0.74, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.64-0.86, P = 7.14 × 10-5 in additive model]. Besides, we also found that the expression of ENPP6 remarkably decreased in bladder tumors compared with normal tissues. Moreover, high expression of ENPP6 was associated with worse overall survival (OS) in bladder cancer patients [hazard ratio (HR) with their 95% CI 1.39 (1.02-1.90), P = 0.039]. In conclusion, our results suggested that SNP rs6810830 (T > C) in ENPP6 might be a potential susceptibility loci for bladder cancer, and these findings provided novel insights into the underlying mechanism of choline metabolism in cancers.
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14
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Lower plasma glutathione, choline, and betaine concentrations are associated with fatty liver in postmenopausal women. Nutr Res 2022; 101:23-30. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nutres.2022.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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May T, de la Haye B, Nord G, Klatt K, Stephenson K, Adams S, Bollinger L, Hanchard N, Arning E, Bottiglieri T, Maleta K, Manary M, Jahoor F. One-carbon metabolism in children with marasmus and kwashiorkor. EBioMedicine 2022; 75:103791. [PMID: 35030356 PMCID: PMC8761690 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2021.103791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Kwashiorkor is a childhood syndrome of edematous malnutrition. Its precise nutritional precipitants remain uncertain despite nine decades of study. Remarkably, kwashiorkor's disturbances resemble the effects of experimental diets that are deficient in one-carbon nutrients. This similarity suggests that kwashiorkor may represent a nutritionally mediated syndrome of acute one-carbon metabolism dysfunction. Here we report findings from a cross-sectional exploration of serum one-carbon metabolites in Malawian children. METHODS Blood was collected from children aged 12-60 months before nutritional rehabilitation: kwashiorkor (N = 94), marasmic-kwashiorkor (N = 43) marasmus (N = 118), moderate acute malnutrition (N = 56) and controls (N = 46). Serum concentrations of 16 one-carbon metabolites were quantified using LC/MS techniques, and then compared across participant groups. FINDINGS Twelve of 16 measured one-carbon metabolites differed significantly between participant groups. Measured outputs of one-carbon metabolism, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and cysteine, were lower in marasmic-kwashiorkor (median µmol/L (± SD): 0·549 (± 0·217) P = 0·00045 & 90 (± 40) P < 0·0001, respectively) and kwashiorkor (0·557 (± 0·195) P < 0·0001 & 115 (± 50) P < 0·0001), relative to marasmus (0·698 (± 0·212) & 153 (± 42)). ADMA and cysteine were well correlated with methionine in both kwashiorkor and marasmic-kwashiorkor. INTERPRETATION Kwashiorkor and marasmic-kwashiorkor were distinguished by evidence of one-carbon metabolism dysfunction. Correlative observations suggest that methionine deficiency drives this dysfunction, which is implicated in the syndrome's pathogenesis. The hypothesis that kwashiorkor can be prevented by fortifying low quality diets with methionine, along with nutrients that support efficient methionine use, such as choline, requires further investigation. FUNDING The Hickey Family Foundation, the American College of Gastroenterology, the NICHD, and the USDA/ARS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thaddaeus May
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston TX, USA.
| | | | | | - Kevin Klatt
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston TX, USA,Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine
| | | | | | - Lucy Bollinger
- Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, USA
| | - Neil Hanchard
- National Institutes of Health, USA,National Human Genome Research Institute, Nationl Institutes of Health
| | - Erland Arning
- Center of Metabolomics, Institute of Metabolic Disease, Baylor Scott and White Research Institute
| | - Teodoro Bottiglieri
- Center of Metabolomics, Institute of Metabolic Disease, Baylor Scott and White Research Institute
| | | | - Mark Manary
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston TX, USA,The University of Malawi College of Medicine, Malawi,Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, USA
| | - Farook Jahoor
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston TX, USA
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16
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Bortz J, Klatt KC, Wallace TC. Perspective: Estrogen and the Risk of Cognitive Decline: A Missing Choline(rgic) Link? Adv Nutr 2021; 13:S2161-8313(22)00068-0. [PMID: 34849527 PMCID: PMC8970832 DOI: 10.1093/advances/nmab145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Factors that influence the risk of neurocognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease (AD) may provide insight into therapies for both disease treatment and prevention. While age is the most striking risk factor for AD, it is notable that the prevalence of AD is higher in women, representing two-thirds of cases. To explore potential underlying biological underpinnings of this observation, the intent of this article is to explore the interplay between cognitive aging and sex hormones, the cholinergic system, and novel hypotheses related to the essential nutrient, choline. Mechanistic evidence points toward estrogen's neuroprotective effects being strongly dependent on its interactions with the cholinergic system, a modulator of attentional functioning, learning, and memory. Estrogen has been shown to attenuate anticholinergic-induced impairments in verbal memory and normalize patterns of frontal and occipital cortex activation, resulting in a more "young adult" phenotype. However, similar to estrogen replacement's effect in cardiovascular diseases, its putative protective effects may be restricted to early postmenopausal women only, supportive of the "critical window hypothesis." Estrogen's impact on the cholinergic system may act both locally in the brain but also through peripheral tissues. Estrogen is critical for inducing endogenous choline synthesis via the phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEMT) pathway of phosphatidylcholine (PC) synthesis. PEMT is dramatically induced in response to estrogen, producing not only a PC molecule and source of choline for the brain but also a key source of the long-chain omega-3 fatty acid, DHA. Herein, we highlight novel hypotheses related to hormone replacement therapy and nutrient metabolism aimed at directing future preclinical and clinical investigation.
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17
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Goh YQ, Cheam G, Wang Y. Understanding Choline Bioavailability and Utilization: First Step Toward Personalizing Choline Nutrition. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2021; 69:10774-10789. [PMID: 34392687 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.1c03077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Choline is an essential macronutrient involved in neurotransmitter synthesis, cell-membrane signaling, lipid transport, and methyl-group metabolism. Nevertheless, the vast majority are not meeting the recommended intake requirement. Choline deficiency is linked to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, skeletal muscle atrophy, and neurodegenerative diseases. The conversion of dietary choline to trimethylamine by gut microbiota is known for its association with atherosclerosis and may contribute to choline deficiency. Choline-utilizing bacteria constitutes less than 1% of the gut community and is modulated by lifestyle interventions such as dietary patterns, antibiotics, and probiotics. In addition, choline utilization is also affected by genetic factors, further complicating the impact of choline on health. This review overviews the complex interplay between dietary intakes of choline, gut microbiota and genetic factors, and the subsequent impact on health. Understanding of gut microbiota metabolism of choline substrates and interindividual variability is warranted in the development of personalized choline nutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Qi Goh
- Singapore Phenome Center, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 636921
| | - Guoxiang Cheam
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798
| | - Yulan Wang
- Singapore Phenome Center, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 636921
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18
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Di Minno A, Orsini RC, Chiesa M, Cavalca V, Calcaterra I, Tripaldella M, Anesi A, Fiorelli S, Eligini S, Colombo GI, Tremoli E, Porro B, Di Minno MND. Treatment with PCSK9 Inhibitors in Patients with Familial Hypercholesterolemia Lowers Plasma Levels of Platelet-Activating Factor and Its Precursors: A Combined Metabolomic and Lipidomic Approach. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9081073. [PMID: 34440277 PMCID: PMC8391636 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9081073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is characterized by extremely high levels of circulating low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and is caused by mutations of genes involved in LDL-C metabolism, including LDL receptor (LDLR), apolipoprotein B (APOB), or proprotein convertase subtilisin/Kexin type 9 (PCSK9). Accordingly, PCSK9 inhibitors (PCSK9i) are effective in LDL-C reduction. However, no data are available on the pleiotropic effect of PCSK9i. To this end, we performed an untargeted metabolomics approach to gather a global view on changes in metabolic pathways in patients receiving treatment with PCSK9i. METHODS Twenty-five FH patients starting treatment with PCSK-9i were evaluated by an untargeted metabolomics approach at baseline (before PCSK9i treatment) and after 12 weeks of treatment. RESULTS All the 25 FH subjects enrolled were on maximal tolerated lipid-lowering therapy prior to study entry. After a 12 week treatment with PCSK9i, we observed an expected significant reduction in LDL-cholesterol levels (from 201.0 ± 69.5 mg/dL to 103.0 ± 58.0 mg/dL, p < 0.001). The LDL-C target was achieved in 36% of patients. After peak validation and correction, after 12 weeks of PCSK9i treatment as compared to baseline, we observed increments in creatine (p-value = 0.041), indole (p-value = 0.045), and indoleacrylic acid (p-value= 0.045) concentrations. Conversely, significant decreases in choline (p-value = 0.045) and phosphatidylcholine (p-value < 0.01) together with a reduction in platelet activating factor (p-value = 0.041) were observed. CONCLUSIONS Taking advantage of untargeted metabolomics, we first provided evidence of concomitant reductions in inflammation and platelet activation metabolites in FH patients receiving a 12 week treatment with PCSK9i.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Di Minno
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, 80131 Napoli, Italy
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, Università degli Studi di Napoli, 80131 Napoli, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Roberta Clara Orsini
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (R.C.O.); (I.C.); (M.T.)
| | - Mattia Chiesa
- Bioinformatics and Artificial Intelligence Facility, Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, 38010 Milano, Italy;
- Department of Electronics, Information and Biomedical Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, 38010 Milano, Italy
| | - Viviana Cavalca
- Centro Cardiologico Monzino, IRCCS, 38010 Milano, Italy; (V.C.); (S.F.); (S.E.); (G.I.C.); (E.T.); (B.P.)
| | - Ilenia Calcaterra
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (R.C.O.); (I.C.); (M.T.)
| | - Maria Tripaldella
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (R.C.O.); (I.C.); (M.T.)
| | - Andrea Anesi
- Fondazione Edmund Mach Research and Innovation Centre, Food Quality and Nutrition Department, Via E. Mach, 1, 38010 S. Michele all’ Adige, Italy;
| | - Susanna Fiorelli
- Centro Cardiologico Monzino, IRCCS, 38010 Milano, Italy; (V.C.); (S.F.); (S.E.); (G.I.C.); (E.T.); (B.P.)
| | - Sonia Eligini
- Centro Cardiologico Monzino, IRCCS, 38010 Milano, Italy; (V.C.); (S.F.); (S.E.); (G.I.C.); (E.T.); (B.P.)
| | - Gualtiero I. Colombo
- Centro Cardiologico Monzino, IRCCS, 38010 Milano, Italy; (V.C.); (S.F.); (S.E.); (G.I.C.); (E.T.); (B.P.)
| | - Elena Tremoli
- Centro Cardiologico Monzino, IRCCS, 38010 Milano, Italy; (V.C.); (S.F.); (S.E.); (G.I.C.); (E.T.); (B.P.)
| | - Benedetta Porro
- Centro Cardiologico Monzino, IRCCS, 38010 Milano, Italy; (V.C.); (S.F.); (S.E.); (G.I.C.); (E.T.); (B.P.)
| | - Matteo Nicola Dario Di Minno
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Traslazionali, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, 80131 Napoli, Italy;
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Way H, Williams G, Hausman-Cohen S, Reeder J. Genomics as a Clinical Decision Support Tool: Successful Proof of Concept for Improved ASD Outcomes. J Pers Med 2021; 11:jpm11070596. [PMID: 34202628 PMCID: PMC8305264 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11070596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Considerable evidence is emerging that Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is most often triggered by a range of different genetic variants that interact with environmental factors such as exposures to toxicants and changes to the food supply. Up to 80% of genetic variations that contribute to ASD found to date are neither extremely rare nor classified as pathogenic. Rather, they are less common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), found in 1-15% or more of the population, that by themselves are not disease-causing. These genomic variants contribute to ASD by interacting with each other, along with nutritional and environmental factors. Examples of pathways affected or triggered include those related to brain inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, neuronal connectivity, synapse formation, impaired detoxification, methylation, and neurotransmitter-related effects. This article presents information on four case study patients that are part of a larger ongoing pilot study. A genomic clinical decision support (CDS) tool that specifically focuses on variants and pathways that have been associated with neurodevelopmental disorders was used in this pilot study to help develop a targeted, personalized prevention and intervention strategy for each child. In addition to an individual's genetic makeup, each patient's personal history, diet, and environmental factors were considered. The CDS tool also looked at genomic SNPs associated with secondary comorbid ASD conditions including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety, and pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcal infections/pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANDAS/PANS). The interpreted genomics tool helped the treating clinician identify and develop personalized, genomically targeted treatment plans. Utilization of this treatment approach was associated with significant improvements in socialization and verbal skills, academic milestones and intelligence quotient (IQ), and overall increased ability to function in these children, as measured by autism treatment evaluation checklist (ATEC) scores and parent interviews.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather Way
- The Australian Centre for Genomic Analysis, Brisbane, QLD 4069, Australia;
| | | | - Sharon Hausman-Cohen
- IntellxxDNA™, Austin, TX 78731, USA; (G.W.); (J.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-512-717-3300
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20
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Smith SM, Virdee MS, Eckerle JK, Sandness KE, Georgieff MK, Boys CJ, Zeisel SH, Wozniak JR. Polymorphisms in SLC44A1 are associated with cognitive improvement in children diagnosed with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: an exploratory study of oral choline supplementation. Am J Clin Nutr 2021; 114:617-627. [PMID: 33876196 PMCID: PMC8326038 DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/nqab081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The essential nutrient choline provides one-carbon units for metabolite synthesis and epigenetic regulation in tissues including brain. Dietary choline intake is often inadequate, and higher intakes are associated with improved cognitive function. OBJECTIVE Choline supplements confer cognitive improvement for those diagnosed with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), a common set of neurodevelopmental impairments; however, the effect sizes have been modest. In this retrospective analysis, we report that genetic polymorphisms affecting choline utilization are associated with cognitive improvement following choline intervention. METHODS Fifty-two children from the upper midwestern United States and diagnosed with FASD, ages 2-5 y, were randomly assigned to receive choline (500 mg/d; n = 26) or placebo (n = 26) for 9 mo, and were genotyped for 384 choline-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Memory and cognition were assessed at enrollment, study terminus, and at 4-y follow-up for a subset. RESULTS When stratified by intervention (choline vs. placebo), 14-16 SNPs within the cellular choline transporter gene solute carrier family 44 member 1 (SLC44A1) were significantly associated with performance in an elicited imitation sequential memory task, wherein the effect alleles were associated with the greatest pre-/postintervention improvement. Of these, rs3199966 is a structural variant (S644A) and rs2771040 is a single-nucleotide variant within the 3' untranslated region of the plasma membrane isoform. An additive genetic model best explained the genotype associations. Lesser associations were observed for cognitive outcome and polymorphisms in flavin monooxygenase-3 (FMO3), methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase-1 (MTHFD1), fatty acid desaturase-2 (FADS2), and adiponectin receptor 1 (ADIPOR1). CONCLUSIONS These SLC44A1 variants were previously associated with greater vulnerability to choline deficiency. Our data potentially support the use of choline supplements to improve cognitive function in individuals diagnosed with FASD who carry these effect alleles. Although these findings require replication in both retrospective and prospective confirmatory trials, they emphasize the need to incorporate similar genetic analyses of choline-related polymorphisms in other FASD-choline trials, and to test for similar associations within the general FASD population. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01149538.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Manjot S Virdee
- Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, NC, USA
| | - Judith K Eckerle
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Kristin E Sandness
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Michael K Georgieff
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Christopher J Boys
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Steven H Zeisel
- Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, NC, USA,Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, NC, USA
| | - Jeffrey R Wozniak
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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21
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DiStefano JK. NAFLD and NASH in Postmenopausal Women: Implications for Diagnosis and Treatment. Endocrinology 2020; 161:5890353. [PMID: 32776116 PMCID: PMC7473510 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqaa134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) prevalence in women is increasing worldwide. Women of reproductive age have lower rates of NAFLD compared with men; however, this protection is lost following the menopausal transition when NAFLD prevalence in postmenopausal women becomes similar to or surpasses that in age-matched male counterparts. Ongoing epidemiological, clinical, and experimental studies indicate greater NAFLD risk and higher rates of severe hepatic fibrosis in postmenopausal women relative to premenopausal women, and that older women with NAFLD experience greater mortality than men. Investigations involving ovariectomized animal models demonstrate a causal relationship between estrogen deficiency and heightened susceptibility to the development of fatty liver and steatohepatitis, although dietary factors may exacerbate this complex relationship. The accumulated findings suggest that a better understanding of the interplay among menopausal status, metabolic comorbidities, and sex steroids in NAFLD pathogenesis is needed. Further, the mechanisms underlying the difference in NAFLD risk between postmenopausal and premenopausal women remain incompletely understood. The goals of this review are to summarize studies of NAFLD risk in postmenopausal women, discuss results from animal models of estrogen deficiency, and explore the development of NAFD within the context of altered sex hormone profiles resulting from the menopausal transition. Potential implications for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of NAFLD in this relatively understudied cohort are also addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna K DiStefano
- Diabetes and Fibrotic Disease Research Unit, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, Arizona
- Correspondence: Johanna K. DiStefano, Diabetes and Fibrotic Disease Research Unit, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA. E-mail:
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22
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Bernhard W. Choline in cystic fibrosis: relations to pancreas insufficiency, enterohepatic cycle, PEMT and intestinal microbiota. Eur J Nutr 2020; 60:1737-1759. [PMID: 32797252 DOI: 10.1007/s00394-020-02358-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disorder with life-threatening organ manifestations. 87% of CF patients develop exocrine pancreas insufficiency, frequently starting in utero and requiring lifelong pancreatic enzyme substitution. 99% develop progressive lung disease, and 20-60% CF-related liver disease, from mild steatosis to cirrhosis. Characteristically, pancreas, liver and lung are linked by choline metabolism, a critical nutrient in CF. Choline is a tightly regulated tissue component in the form of phosphatidylcholine (Ptd'Cho) and sphingomyelin (SPH) in all membranes and many secretions, particularly of liver (bile, lipoproteins) and lung (surfactant, lipoproteins). Via its downstream metabolites, betaine, dimethylglycine and sarcosine, choline is the major one-carbon donor for methionine regeneration from homocysteine. Methionine is primarily used for essential methylation processes via S-adenosyl-methionine. CLINICAL IMPACT CF patients with exocrine pancreas insufficiency frequently develop choline deficiency, due to loss of bile Ptd'Cho via feces. ~ 50% (11-12 g) of hepatic Ptd'Cho is daily secreted into the duodenum. Its re-uptake requires cleavage to lyso-Ptd'Cho by pancreatic and small intestinal phospholipases requiring alkaline environment. Impaired CFTR-dependent bicarbonate secretion, however, results in low duodenal pH, impaired phospholipase activity, fecal Ptd'Cho loss and choline deficiency. Low plasma choline causes decreased availability for parenchymal Ptd'Cho metabolism, impacting on organ functions. Choline deficiency results in hepatic choline/Ptd'Cho accretion from lung tissue via high density lipoproteins, explaining the link between choline deficiency and lung function. Hepatic Ptd'Cho synthesis from phosphatidylethanolamine by phosphatidylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (PEMT) partly compensates for choline deficiency, but frequent single nucleotide polymorphisms enhance choline requirement. Additionally, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) frequently causes intraluminal choline degradation in CF patients prior to its absorption. As adequate choline supplementation was clinically effective and adult as well as pediatric CF patients suffer from choline deficiency, choline supplementation in CF patients of all ages should be evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Bernhard
- Department of Neonatology, University Children's Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Eberhard-Karls-University, Calwer Straße 7, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
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23
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Zeisel SH. Precision (Personalized) Nutrition: Understanding Metabolic Heterogeneity. Annu Rev Food Sci Technol 2020; 11:71-92. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-food-032519-051736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
People differ in their requirements for and responses to nutrients and bioactive molecules in the diet. Many inputs contribute to metabolic heterogeneity (including variations in genetics, epigenetics, microbiome, lifestyle, diet intake, and environmental exposure). Precision nutrition is not about developing unique prescriptions for individual people but rather about stratifying people into different subgroups of the population on the basis of biomarkers of the above-listed sources of metabolic variation and then using this stratification to better estimate the different subgroups’ dietary requirements, thereby enabling better dietary recommendations and interventions. The hope is that we will be able to subcategorize people into ever-smaller groups that can be targeted in terms of recommendations, but we will never achieve this at the individual level, thus, the choice of precision nutrition rather than personalized nutrition to designate this new field. This review focuses mainly on genetically related sources of metabolic heterogeneity and identifies challenges that need to be overcome to achieve a full understanding of the complex interactions between the many sources of metabolic heterogeneity that make people differ from one another in their requirements for and responses to foods. It also discusses the commercial applications of precision nutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven H. Zeisel
- Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina, Kannapolis, North Carolina 28081, USA
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Maruvada P, Lampe JW, Wishart DS, Barupal D, Chester DN, Dodd D, Djoumbou-Feunang Y, Dorrestein PC, Dragsted LO, Draper J, Duffy LC, Dwyer JT, Emenaker NJ, Fiehn O, Gerszten RE, B Hu F, Karp RW, Klurfeld DM, Laughlin MR, Little AR, Lynch CJ, Moore SC, Nicastro HL, O'Brien DM, Ordovás JM, Osganian SK, Playdon M, Prentice R, Raftery D, Reisdorph N, Roche HM, Ross SA, Sang S, Scalbert A, Srinivas PR, Zeisel SH. Perspective: Dietary Biomarkers of Intake and Exposure-Exploration with Omics Approaches. Adv Nutr 2020; 11:200-215. [PMID: 31386148 PMCID: PMC7442414 DOI: 10.1093/advances/nmz075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
While conventional nutrition research has yielded biomarkers such as doubly labeled water for energy metabolism and 24-h urinary nitrogen for protein intake, a critical need exists for additional, equally robust biomarkers that allow for objective assessment of specific food intake and dietary exposure. Recent advances in high-throughput MS combined with improved metabolomics techniques and bioinformatic tools provide new opportunities for dietary biomarker development. In September 2018, the NIH organized a 2-d workshop to engage nutrition and omics researchers and explore the potential of multiomics approaches in nutritional biomarker research. The current Perspective summarizes key gaps and challenges identified, as well as the recommendations from the workshop that could serve as a guide for scientists interested in dietary biomarkers research. Topics addressed included study designs for biomarker development, analytical and bioinformatic considerations, and integration of dietary biomarkers with other omics techniques. Several clear needs were identified, including larger controlled feeding studies, testing a variety of foods and dietary patterns across diverse populations, improved reporting standards to support study replication, more chemical standards covering a broader range of food constituents and human metabolites, standardized approaches for biomarker validation, comprehensive and accessible food composition databases, a common ontology for dietary biomarker literature, and methodologic work on statistical procedures for intake biomarker discovery. Multidisciplinary research teams with appropriate expertise are critical to moving forward the field of dietary biomarkers and producing robust, reproducible biomarkers that can be used in public health and clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Padma Maruvada
- National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Johanna W Lampe
- Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - David S Wishart
- Departments of Biological Sciences and Computing Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Dinesh Barupal
- West Coast Metabolomics Center, UC Davis Genome Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Deirdra N Chester
- Division of Nutrition, Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition at the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Dylan Dodd
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Yannick Djoumbou-Feunang
- Departments of Biological Sciences and Computing Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Pieter C Dorrestein
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Lars O Dragsted
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise, and Sports, Section of Preventive and Clinical Nutrition, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - John Draper
- Institute of Biological Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, United Kingdom
| | - Linda C Duffy
- National Institutes of Health, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Johanna T Dwyer
- National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Nancy J Emenaker
- National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Oliver Fiehn
- West Coast Metabolomics Center, UC Davis Genome Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Robert E Gerszten
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Frank B Hu
- Departments of Nutrition; Epidemiology and Statistics, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Channing Division for Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Robert W Karp
- National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - David M Klurfeld
- Department of Nutrition, Food Safety/Quality, USDA—Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - Maren R Laughlin
- National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - A Roger Little
- National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Christopher J Lynch
- National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Steven C Moore
- National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Holly L Nicastro
- National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Diane M O'Brien
- Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, USA
| | - José M Ordovás
- Nutrition and Genomics Laboratory, Jean Mayer–USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Stavroula K Osganian
- National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mary Playdon
- Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology, University of Utah and Division of Cancer Population Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Ross Prentice
- Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Daniel Raftery
- Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Helen M Roche
- Nutrigenomics Research Group, School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, UCD Institute of Food and Health, Diabetes Complications Research Centre, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sharon A Ross
- National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Shengmin Sang
- Laboratory for Functional Foods and Human Health, Center for Excellence in Post-Harvest Technologies, North Carolina A&T State University, North Carolina Research Campus, Nutrition Research Building, Kannapolis, NC, USA
| | - Augustin Scalbert
- International Agency for Research on Cancer, Nutrition and Metabolism Section, Biomarkers Group, Lyon, France
| | - Pothur R Srinivas
- National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Steven H Zeisel
- Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, NC, USA
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25
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Rizzo G, Laganà AS. The Link between Homocysteine and Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid: Critical Appraisal and Future Directions. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10020219. [PMID: 32024302 PMCID: PMC7072208 DOI: 10.3390/biom10020219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2019] [Revised: 01/25/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and B vitamins are linked to metabolic and degenerative disorders, such as cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline. In the last two decades, the interplay between B vitamins and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids gained increasing attention. Expression control on enzymes involved in the pathway of homocysteine by polyunsaturated fatty acids has been proposed. The methylation process seems crucial for the metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids and their distribution within the body. This review summarizes the available data in humans about the link between homocysteine and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, with a special focus on the meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials. Even if the paucity of available information about the topic does not allow for definitive conclusions, a synergic action between polyunsaturated fatty acids and B vitamins may play a key role in regulating several metabolic pathways. This element could explain a stronger action on homocysteine levels when omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and B vitamins are supplemented simultaneously. To date, a robust rationale of intervention to prevent metabolic diseases is lacking and could be beneficial for individual health and healthcare policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Rizzo
- Independent Researcher, Via Venezuela 66, 98121 Messina, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-3208-976-687
| | - Antonio Simone Laganà
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Filippo Del Ponte” Hospital, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy;
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26
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Wallace TC, Blusztajn JK, Caudill MA, Klatt KC, Zeisel SH. Choline: The Neurocognitive Essential Nutrient of Interest to Obstetricians and Gynecologists. J Diet Suppl 2019; 17:733-752. [DOI: 10.1080/19390211.2019.1639875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Taylor C. Wallace
- Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
- Think Healthy Group, Inc, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Jan Krzysztof Blusztajn
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marie A. Caudill
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Kevin C. Klatt
- USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Steven H. Zeisel
- Research Institute, University of North Carolina, Kannapolis, NC, USA
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27
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Trujillo-Gonzalez I, Friday WB, Munson CA, Bachleda A, Weiss ER, Alam NM, Sha W, Zeisel SH, Surzenko N. Low availability of choline in utero disrupts development and function of the retina. FASEB J 2019; 33:9194-9209. [PMID: 31091977 PMCID: PMC6662989 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201900444r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Adequate supply of choline, an essential nutrient, is necessary to support proper brain development. Whether prenatal choline availability plays a role in development of the visual system is currently unknown. In this study, we addressed the role of in utero choline supply for the development and later function of the retina in a mouse model. We lowered choline availability in the maternal diet during pregnancy and assessed proliferative and differentiation properties of retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) in the developing prenatal retina, as well as visual function in adult offspring. We report that low choline availability during retinogenesis leads to persistent retinal cytoarchitectural defects, ranging from focal lesions with displacement of retinal neurons into subretinal space to severe hypocellularity and ultrastructural defects in photoreceptor organization. We further show that low choline availability impairs timely differentiation of retinal neuronal cells, such that the densities of early-born retinal ganglion cells, amacrine and horizontal cells, as well as cone photoreceptor precursors, are reduced in low choline embryonic d 17.5 retinas. Maintenance of higher proportions of RPCs that fail to exit the cell cycle underlies aberrant neuronal differentiation in low choline embryos. Increased RPC cell cycle length, and associated reduction in neurofibromin 2/Merlin protein, an upstream regulator of the Hippo signaling pathway, at least in part, explain aberrant neurogenesis in low choline retinas. Furthermore, we find that animals exposed to low choline diet in utero exhibit a significant degree of intraindividual variation in vision, characterized by marked functional discrepancy between the 2 eyes in individual animals. Together, our findings demonstrate, for the first time, that choline availability plays an essential role in the regulation of temporal progression of retinogenesis and provide evidence for the importance of adequate supply of choline for proper development of the visual system.-Trujillo-Gonzalez, I., Friday, W. B., Munson, C. A., Bachleda, A., Weiss, E. R., Alam, N. M., Sha, W., Zeisel, S. H., Surzenko, N. Low availability of choline in utero disrupts development and function of the retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isis Trujillo-Gonzalez
- Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, North Carolina, USA
| | - Walter B. Friday
- Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, North Carolina, USA
| | - Carolyn A. Munson
- Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, North Carolina, USA
| | - Amelia Bachleda
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Ellen R. Weiss
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Nazia M. Alam
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
- Center for Visual Restoration, Burke Neurological Institute, White Plains, New York, USA
| | - Wei Sha
- Bioinformatics Services Division, University of North Carolina–Charlotte, Kannapolis, North Carolina, USA
| | - Steven H. Zeisel
- Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Natalia Surzenko
- Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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28
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Choline and DHA in Maternal and Infant Nutrition: Synergistic Implications in Brain and Eye Health. Nutrients 2019; 11:nu11051125. [PMID: 31117180 PMCID: PMC6566660 DOI: 10.3390/nu11051125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this review is to highlight current insights into the roles of choline and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in maternal and infant nutrition, with special emphasis on dietary recommendations, gaps in dietary intake, and synergistic implications of both nutrients in infant brain and eye development. Adequate choline and DHA intakes are not being met by the vast majority of US adults, and even more so by women of child-bearing age. Choline and DHA play a significant role in infant brain and eye development, with inadequate intakes leading to visual and neurocognitive deficits. Emerging findings illustrate synergistic interactions between choline and DHA, indicating that insufficient intakes of one or both could have lifelong deleterious impacts on both maternal and infant health.
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29
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Probst Y, Guan V, Neale E. Development of a Choline Database to Estimate Australian Population Intakes. Nutrients 2019; 11:nu11040913. [PMID: 31018620 PMCID: PMC6521034 DOI: 10.3390/nu11040913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Revised: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The AUSNUT 2011-13 food composition database was expanded to include Australian choline values. The development began with a systematic literature review of published studies. Analytical data from the food studies were extracted and aligned with their equivalent AUSNUT food identification code. Global food composition databases containing choline values were matched to the remaining AUSNUT food codes, following the FAO INFOODS food matching guidelines, including adjustments for moisture and protein composition. Composite foods, and not further-specified foods, were developed using the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) recipe files. The completed choline database was then employed to analyse the Australian National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey 2011-12, with population and sampling weightings applied. Survey respondents were classified into categories based on their level of choline intake and compared with the Australian Adequate Intake levels. Food sources of intake were also explored. Multiple linear regression models were developed for food group contributors to choline intake. Mean choline intakes varied from 151.50 mg for pregnant 14-18 years old, to 310.54 mg for 19-64 year old males. Less than 10% of the population by age and gender were achieving the Adequate Intake for choline. Eggs and their contributing food groups were the top ranked food sources of choline for the population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmine Probst
- Smart Foods Centre, School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
| | - Vivienne Guan
- Smart Foods Centre, School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
| | - Elizabeth Neale
- Smart Foods Centre, School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
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30
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Zeisel SH. A Conceptual Framework for Studying and Investing in Precision Nutrition. Front Genet 2019; 10:200. [PMID: 30936893 PMCID: PMC6431609 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.00200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Nutrients and food-derived bioactive molecules must transit complex metabolic pathways, and these pathways vary between people. Metabolic heterogeneity is caused by genetic variation, epigenetic variation, differences in microbiome composition and function, lifestyle differences and by variation in environmental exposures. This review discusses a number of these sources of metabolic heterogeneity and presents some of the research investments that will be needed to make applications of precision nutrition practical.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven H Zeisel
- Nutrition Research Institute, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, NC, United States
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31
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Choline Supplementation in Cystic Fibrosis-The Metabolic and Clinical Impact. Nutrients 2019; 11:nu11030656. [PMID: 30889905 PMCID: PMC6471815 DOI: 10.3390/nu11030656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Revised: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Choline is essential for the synthesis of liver phosphatidylcholine (PC), parenchymal maintenance, bile formation, and lipoprotein assembly to secrete triglycerides. In choline deficiency, the liver accretes choline/PC at the expense of lung tissue, thereby impairing pulmonary PC homoeostasis. In cystic fibrosis (CF), exocrine pancreas insufficiency results in impaired cleavage of bile PC and subsequent fecal choline loss. In these patients, the plasma choline concentration is low and correlates with lung function. We therefore investigated the effect of choline supplementation on plasma choline/PC concentration and metabolism, lung function, and liver fat. Methods: 10 adult male CF patients were recruited (11/2014–1/2016), and orally supplemented with 3 × 1 g choline chloride for 84 (84–91) days. Pre-/post-supplementation, patients were spiked with 3.6 mg/kg [methyl-D9]choline chloride to assess choline/PC metabolism. Mass spectrometry, spirometry, and hepatic nuclear resonance spectrometry served for analysis. Results: Supplementation increased plasma choline from 4.8 (4.1–6.2) µmol/L to 10.5 (8.5–15.5) µmol/L at d84 (p < 0.01). Whereas plasma PC concentration remained unchanged, D9-labeled PC was decreased (12.2 [10.5–18.3] µmol/L vs. 17.7 [15.5–22.4] µmol/L, p < 0.01), indicating D9-tracer dilution due to higher choline pools. Supplementation increased Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second percent of predicted (ppFEV1) from 70.0 (50.9–74.8)% to 78.3 (60.1–83.9)% (p < 0.05), and decreased liver fat from 1.58 (0.37–8.82)% to 0.84 (0.56–1.17)% (p < 0.01). Plasma choline returned to baseline concentration within 60 h. Conclusions: Choline supplementation normalized plasma choline concentration and increased choline-containing PC precursor pools in adult CF patients. Improved lung function and decreased liver fat suggest that in CF correcting choline deficiency is clinically important. Choline supplementation of CF patients should be further investigated in randomized, placebo-controlled trials.
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32
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Guest NS, Horne J, Vanderhout SM, El-Sohemy A. Sport Nutrigenomics: Personalized Nutrition for Athletic Performance. Front Nutr 2019; 6:8. [PMID: 30838211 PMCID: PMC6389634 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2019.00008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
An individual's dietary and supplement strategies can influence markedly their physical performance. Personalized nutrition in athletic populations aims to optimize health, body composition, and exercise performance by targeting dietary recommendations to an individual's genetic profile. Sport dietitians and nutritionists have long been adept at placing additional scrutiny on the one-size-fits-all general population dietary guidelines to accommodate various sporting populations. However, generic "one-size-fits-all" recommendations still remain. Genetic differences are known to impact absorption, metabolism, uptake, utilization and excretion of nutrients and food bioactives, which ultimately affects a number of metabolic pathways. Nutrigenomics and nutrigenetics are experimental approaches that use genomic information and genetic testing technologies to examine the role of individual genetic differences in modifying an athlete's response to nutrients and other food components. Although there have been few randomized, controlled trials examining the effects of genetic variation on performance in response to an ergogenic aid, there is a growing foundation of research linking gene-diet interactions on biomarkers of nutritional status, which impact exercise and sport performance. This foundation forms the basis from which the field of sport nutrigenomics continues to develop. We review the science of genetic modifiers of various dietary factors that impact an athlete's nutritional status, body composition and, ultimately athletic performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanci S Guest
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Nutrigenomix Inc., Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Justine Horne
- Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Shelley M Vanderhout
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Nutrigenomix Inc., Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ahmed El-Sohemy
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Nutrigenomix Inc., Toronto, ON, Canada
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33
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Trujillo-Gonzalez I, Wang Y, Friday WB, Vickers KC, Toth CL, Molina-Torres L, Surzenko N, Zeisel SH. MicroRNA-129-5p is regulated by choline availability and controls EGF receptor synthesis and neurogenesis in the cerebral cortex. FASEB J 2018; 33:3601-3612. [PMID: 30521373 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201801094rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Choline availability modulates neurogenesis and cerebral cortex development through the regulation of neural progenitor cell (NPC) proliferative and differentiation capacity. In this study, we demonstrated that cortical NPC self-renewal is controlled by choline via the expression of a microRNA (miR-129-5p), whose role in the developing brain has not been examined, and which, in turn, inhibits synthesis of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) protein. Specifically, we found that low choline (LC) availability led to the upregulation of miR-129-5p expression in cortical NPCs in vitro and in vivo, causing the downregulation of EGFR and thereby disrupting NPC self-renewal and cortical neurogenesis. Furthermore, in response to LC availability, methylation potential (the S-adenosylmethionine: S-adenosylhomocysteine ratio) in the developing brain was reduced. Restoring methylation potential in LC cortical NPCs led to the re-establishment of normal miR-129-5p expression. We concluded that inhibiting miR-129-5p function and restoring EGFR protein levels in vivo is sufficient to reverse LC-induced defects in cortical NPC self-renewal. For the first time, to our knowledge, we have identified the molecular links that explain how a change in the availability of the diet metabolite choline impacts the essential cellular processes underlying brain development.-Trujillo-Gonzalez, I., Wang, Y., Friday, W. B., Vickers, K. C., Toth, C. L., Molina-Torres, L., Surzenko, N., Zeisel, S. H. MicroRNA-129-5p is regulated by choline availability and controls EGF receptor synthesis and neurogenesis in the cerebral cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isis Trujillo-Gonzalez
- Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, North Carolina, USA
| | - Yanyan Wang
- Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, North Carolina, USA.,Department of Medical Genetics, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Walter B Friday
- Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, North Carolina, USA
| | - Kasey C Vickers
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA; and
| | - Cynthia L Toth
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA; and
| | - Lorian Molina-Torres
- Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, North Carolina, USA
| | - Natalia Surzenko
- Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, North Carolina, USA.,Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Steven H Zeisel
- Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, North Carolina, USA.,Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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34
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Wallace TC, Blusztajn JK, Caudill MA, Klatt KC, Natker E, Zeisel SH, Zelman KM. Choline: The Underconsumed and Underappreciated Essential Nutrient. NUTRITION TODAY 2018; 53:240-253. [PMID: 30853718 PMCID: PMC6259877 DOI: 10.1097/nt.0000000000000302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Choline has been recognized as an essential nutrient by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academies of Medicine since 1998. Its metabolites have structural, metabolic, and regulatory roles within the body. Humans can endogenously produce small amounts of choline via the hepatic phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase pathway. However, the nutrient must be consumed exogenously to prevent signs of deficiency. The Adequate Intake (AI) for choline was calculated at a time when dietary intakes across the population were unknown for the nutrient. Unlike the traditional National Academy of Medicine approach of calculating an AI based on observed or experimentally determined approximations or estimates of intake by a group (or groups) of healthy individuals, calculation of the AI for choline was informed in part by a depletion-repletion study in adult men who, upon becoming deficient, developed signs of liver damage. The AI for other gender and life-stage groups was calculated based on standard reference weights, except for infants 0 to 6 months, whose AI reflects the observed mean intake from consuming human breast milk. Recent analyses indicate that large portions of the population (ie, approximately 90% of Americans), including most pregnant and lactating women, are well below the AI for choline. Moreover, the food patterns recommended by the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans are currently insufficient to meet the AI for choline in most age-sex groups. An individual's requirement for choline is dependent on common genetic variants in genes required for choline, folate, and 1-carbon metabolism, potentially increasing more than one-third of the population's susceptibly to organ dysfunction. The American Medical Association and American Academy of Pediatrics have both recently reaffirmed the importance of choline during pregnancy and lactation. New and emerging evidence suggests that maternal choline intake during pregnancy, and possibly lactation, has lasting beneficial neurocognitive effects on the offspring. Because choline is found predominantly in animal-derived foods, vegetarians and vegans may have a greater risk for inadequacy. With the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommending expansion of dietary information for pregnant women, and the inclusion of recommendations for infants and toddlers 0 to 2 years, better communication of the role that choline plays, particularly in the area of neurocognitive development, is critical. This narrative review summarizes the peer-reviewed literature and discussions from the 2018 Choline Science Summit, held in Washington, DC, in February 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor C Wallace
- is the principal and CEO at the Think Healthy Group, Inc, and is a adjunct professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies at George Mason University
- is a professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Boston University School of Medicine
- is a professor in the Division of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell University
- is a PhD candidate in the Division of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell University
- is the principal at Sage Leaf Communications
- is the director of the University of North Carolina Nutrition Research Institute, the director of the University of North Carolina Obesity Research Center, and aprofessor in the Department of Nutrition at the University of North Carolina
- is the principal of Nonsense Nutrition and has served as the Director of Nutrition for WebMD
| | - Jan Krzysztof Blusztajn
- is the principal and CEO at the Think Healthy Group, Inc, and is a adjunct professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies at George Mason University
- is a professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Boston University School of Medicine
- is a professor in the Division of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell University
- is a PhD candidate in the Division of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell University
- is the principal at Sage Leaf Communications
- is the director of the University of North Carolina Nutrition Research Institute, the director of the University of North Carolina Obesity Research Center, and aprofessor in the Department of Nutrition at the University of North Carolina
- is the principal of Nonsense Nutrition and has served as the Director of Nutrition for WebMD
| | - Marie A Caudill
- is the principal and CEO at the Think Healthy Group, Inc, and is a adjunct professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies at George Mason University
- is a professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Boston University School of Medicine
- is a professor in the Division of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell University
- is a PhD candidate in the Division of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell University
- is the principal at Sage Leaf Communications
- is the director of the University of North Carolina Nutrition Research Institute, the director of the University of North Carolina Obesity Research Center, and aprofessor in the Department of Nutrition at the University of North Carolina
- is the principal of Nonsense Nutrition and has served as the Director of Nutrition for WebMD
| | - Kevin C Klatt
- is the principal and CEO at the Think Healthy Group, Inc, and is a adjunct professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies at George Mason University
- is a professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Boston University School of Medicine
- is a professor in the Division of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell University
- is a PhD candidate in the Division of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell University
- is the principal at Sage Leaf Communications
- is the director of the University of North Carolina Nutrition Research Institute, the director of the University of North Carolina Obesity Research Center, and aprofessor in the Department of Nutrition at the University of North Carolina
- is the principal of Nonsense Nutrition and has served as the Director of Nutrition for WebMD
| | - Elana Natker
- is the principal and CEO at the Think Healthy Group, Inc, and is a adjunct professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies at George Mason University
- is a professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Boston University School of Medicine
- is a professor in the Division of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell University
- is a PhD candidate in the Division of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell University
- is the principal at Sage Leaf Communications
- is the director of the University of North Carolina Nutrition Research Institute, the director of the University of North Carolina Obesity Research Center, and aprofessor in the Department of Nutrition at the University of North Carolina
- is the principal of Nonsense Nutrition and has served as the Director of Nutrition for WebMD
| | - Steven H Zeisel
- is the principal and CEO at the Think Healthy Group, Inc, and is a adjunct professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies at George Mason University
- is a professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Boston University School of Medicine
- is a professor in the Division of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell University
- is a PhD candidate in the Division of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell University
- is the principal at Sage Leaf Communications
- is the director of the University of North Carolina Nutrition Research Institute, the director of the University of North Carolina Obesity Research Center, and aprofessor in the Department of Nutrition at the University of North Carolina
- is the principal of Nonsense Nutrition and has served as the Director of Nutrition for WebMD
| | - Kathleen M Zelman
- is the principal and CEO at the Think Healthy Group, Inc, and is a adjunct professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies at George Mason University
- is a professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Boston University School of Medicine
- is a professor in the Division of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell University
- is a PhD candidate in the Division of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell University
- is the principal at Sage Leaf Communications
- is the director of the University of North Carolina Nutrition Research Institute, the director of the University of North Carolina Obesity Research Center, and aprofessor in the Department of Nutrition at the University of North Carolina
- is the principal of Nonsense Nutrition and has served as the Director of Nutrition for WebMD
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Sadre-Marandi F, Dahdoul T, Reed MC, Nijhout HF. Sex differences in hepatic one-carbon metabolism. BMC SYSTEMS BIOLOGY 2018; 12:89. [PMID: 30355281 PMCID: PMC6201565 DOI: 10.1186/s12918-018-0621-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Background There are large differences between men and women of child-bearing age in the expression level of 5 key enzymes in one-carbon metabolism almost certainly caused by the sex hormones. These male-female differences in one-carbon metabolism are greatly accentuated during pregnancy. Thus, understanding the origin and consequences of sex differences in one-carbon metabolism is important for precision medicine. Results We have created a mathematical model of hepatic one-carbon metabolism based on the underlying physiology and biochemistry. We use the model to investigate the consequences of sex differences in gene expression. We give a mechanistic understanding of observed concentration differences in one-carbon metabolism and explain why women have lower S-andenosylmethionine, lower homocysteine, and higher choline and betaine. We give a new explanation of the well known phenomenon that folate supplementation lowers homocysteine and we show how to use the model to investigate the effects of vitamin deficiencies, gene polymorphisms, and nutrient input changes. Conclusions Our model of hepatic one-carbon metabolism is a useful platform for investigating the mechanistic reasons that underlie known associations between metabolites. In particular, we explain how gene expression differences lead to metabolic differences between males and females. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12918-018-0621-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farrah Sadre-Marandi
- Mathematical Biosciences Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, 43210, OH, USA
| | - Thabat Dahdoul
- Department of Mathematics, Cal-State Fullerton, Fullerton, 92831, CA, USA
| | - Michael C Reed
- Department of Mathematics, Duke University, 120 Science Drive, Box 90320, Durham, 27708, NC, USA.
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Seremak-Mrozikiewicz A, Barlik M, Różycka A, Kurzawińska G, Klejewski A, Wolski H, Drews K. Importance of polymorphic variants of phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEMT) gene in the etiology of intrauterine fetal death in the Polish population. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2018; 231:43-47. [PMID: 30321787 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2018.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2018] [Revised: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Intrauterine fetal death (IUFD) is a multifactorial disorder and one of the most severe obstetrical complications. Our primary aim was to study the possible associations between polymorphic variants of the PEMT gene and IUFD in the Polish population. STUDY DESIGN The case-control study involved 76 mothers with IUFD occurrence and 215 mothers of healthy children. Genetic analysis of the four single nucleotide polymorphisms in the PEMT gene (rs4646406, rs4244593, rs897453 and rs12325817) was performed with the PCR/RFLP method. RESULTS Three oef the analyzed PEMT polymorphisms (rs4646406, rs4244593, and rs8974) were significantly associated with IUFD in the Polish population. Among them, PEMT variant rs4244593 was associated with increased risk of IUFD in three genetic inheritance models. Results were statistically significant even after applying Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons (p < 0.0125). The distribution of all haplotypes except TAGC was not different between cases and controls, however, after applying permutation test, none of the haplotypes showed a relation with IUFD. CONCLUSIONS The present findings indicate that PEMT polymorphisms may be associated with the susceptibility to IUFD in the Polish population.
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Choline and choline-related nutrients in regular and preterm infant growth. Eur J Nutr 2018; 58:931-945. [PMID: 30298207 DOI: 10.1007/s00394-018-1834-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 09/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Choline is an essential nutrient, with increased requirements during development. It forms the headgroup of phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin in all membranes and many secretions. Phosphatidylcholine is linked to cell signaling as a phosphocholine donor to synthesize sphingomyelin from ceramide, a trigger of apoptosis, and is the major carrier of arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acid in plasma. Acetylcholine is important for neurodevelopment and the placental storage form for fetal choline supply. Betaine, a choline metabolite, functions as osmolyte and methyl donor. Their concentrations are all tightly regulated in tissues. CLINCAL IMPACT During the fetal growth spurt at 24-34-week postmenstrual age, plasma choline is higher than beyond 34 weeks, and threefold higher than in pregnant women [45 (36-60) µmol/L vs. 14 (10-17) µmol/L]. The rapid decrease in plasma choline after premature birth suggests an untimely reduction in choline supply, as cellular uptake is proportional to plasma concentration. Supply via breast milk, with phosphocholine and α-glycerophosphocholine as its major choline components, does not prevent such postnatal decrease. Moreover, high amounts of liver PC are secreted via bile, causing rapid hepatic choline turnover via the enterohepatic cycle, and deficiency in case of pancreatic phospholipase A2 deficiency or intestinal resection. Choline deficiency causes hepatic damage and choline accretion at the expense of the lungs and other tissues. CONCLUSION Choline deficiency may contribute to the impaired lean body mass growth and pulmonary and neurocognitive development of preterm infants despite adequate macronutrient supply and weight gain. In this context, a reconsideration of current recommendations for choline supply to preterm infants is required.
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Romano KA, Rey FE. Is maternal microbial metabolism an early-life determinant of health? Lab Anim (NY) 2018; 47:239-243. [PMID: 30143761 DOI: 10.1038/s41684-018-0129-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Mounting evidence suggests that environmental stress experienced in utero (for example, maternal nutritional deficits) establishes a predisposition in the newborn to the development of chronic diseases later in life. This concept is often referred to as the "fetal origins hypothesis" or "developmental origins of health and disease". Since its first proposal, epigenetics has emerged as an underlying mechanism explaining how environmental cues become gestationally "encoded". Many of the enzymes that impart and maintain epigenetic modifications are highly sensitive to nutrient availability, which can be influenced by the metabolic activities of the intestinal microbiota. Therefore, the maternal microbiome has the potential to influence epigenetics in utero and modulate offspring's long-term health trajectories. Here we summarize the current understanding of the interactions that occur between the maternal gut microbiome and the essential nutrient choline, that is not only required for fetal development and epigenetic regulation but is also a growth substrate for some microbes. Bacteria able to metabolize choline benefit from the presence of this nutrient and compete with the host for its access, which under extreme conditions may elicit signatures of choline deficiency. Another consequence of bacterial choline metabolism is the accumulation of the pro-inflammatory, pro-thrombotic metabolite trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO). Finally, we discuss how these different facets of microbial choline metabolism may influence infant development and health trajectories via epigenetic mechanisms and more broadly place a call to action to better understand how maternal microbial metabolism can shape their offspring's propensity to chronic disease development later in life.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Federico E Rey
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
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Zeisel SH, Klatt KC, Caudill MA. Choline. Adv Nutr 2018; 9:58-60. [PMID: 29438456 PMCID: PMC6008955 DOI: 10.1093/advances/nmx004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2017] [Revised: 08/16/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Steven H Zeisel
- UNC Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health and School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, NC
| | - Kevin C Klatt
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
| | - Marie A Caudill
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
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40
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Ganz AB, Klatt KC, Caudill MA. Common Genetic Variants Alter Metabolism and Influence Dietary Choline Requirements. Nutrients 2017; 9:E837. [PMID: 28777294 PMCID: PMC5579630 DOI: 10.3390/nu9080837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Revised: 07/22/2017] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Nutrient needs, including those of the essential nutrient choline, are a population wide distribution. Adequate Intake (AI) recommendations for dietary choline (put forth by the National Academies of Medicine to aid individuals and groups in dietary assessment and planning) are grouped to account for the recognized unique needs associated with age, biological sex, and reproductive status (i.e., pregnancy or lactation). Established and emerging evidence supports the notion that common genetic variants are additional factors that substantially influence nutrient requirements. This review summarizes the genetic factors that influence choline requirements and metabolism in conditions of nutrient deprivation, as well as conditions of nutrient adequacy, across biological sexes and reproductive states. Overall, consistent and strong associative evidence demonstrates that common genetic variants in choline and folate pathway enzymes impact the metabolic handling of choline and the risk of nutrient inadequacy across varied dietary contexts. The studies characterized in this review also highlight the substantial promise of incorporating common genetic variants into choline intake recommendations to more precisely target the unique nutrient needs of these subgroups within the broader population. Additional studies are warranted to facilitate the translation of this evidence to nutrigenetics-based dietary approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel B Ganz
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
| | - Kevin C Klatt
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
| | - Marie A Caudill
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
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Neuroprotective Actions of Dietary Choline. Nutrients 2017; 9:nu9080815. [PMID: 28788094 PMCID: PMC5579609 DOI: 10.3390/nu9080815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Revised: 07/21/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Choline is an essential nutrient for humans. It is a precursor of membrane phospholipids (e.g., phosphatidylcholine (PC)), the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, and via betaine, the methyl group donor S-adenosylmethionine. High choline intake during gestation and early postnatal development in rat and mouse models improves cognitive function in adulthood, prevents age-related memory decline, and protects the brain from the neuropathological changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and neurological damage associated with epilepsy, fetal alcohol syndrome, and inherited conditions such as Down and Rett syndromes. These effects of choline are correlated with modifications in histone and DNA methylation in brain, and with alterations in the expression of genes that encode proteins important for learning and memory processing, suggesting a possible epigenomic mechanism of action. Dietary choline intake in the adult may also influence cognitive function via an effect on PC containing eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids; polyunsaturated species of PC whose levels are reduced in brains from AD patients, and is associated with higher memory performance, and resistance to cognitive decline.
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Zeisel S. Choline, Other Methyl-Donors and Epigenetics. Nutrients 2017; 9:nu9050445. [PMID: 28468239 PMCID: PMC5452175 DOI: 10.3390/nu9050445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Revised: 04/13/2017] [Accepted: 04/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Choline dietary intake varies such that many people do not achieve adequate intakes. Diet intake of choline can modulate methylation because, via betaine homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT), this nutrient (and its metabolite, betaine) regulate the concentrations of S-adenosylhomocysteine and S-adenosylmethionine. Some of the epigenetic mechanisms that modify gene expression without modifying the genetic code depend on the methylation of DNA or of histones; and diet availability of choline and other methyl-group donors influences both of these methylations. Examples of methyl-donor mediated epigenetic effects include the changes in coat color and body weight in offspring when pregnant agouti mice are fed high choline, high methyl diets; the changes in tail kinking in offspring when pregnant Axin(Fu) mice are fed high choline, high methyl diets; the changes in Cdkn3 methylation and altered brain development that occurs in offspring when pregnant rodents are fed low choline diets. When choline metabolism is disrupted by deleting the gene Bhmt, DNA methylation is affected (especially in a region of chromosome 13), expression of specific genes is suppressed, and liver cancers develop. Better understanding of how nutrients such as choline and methyl-donors influence epigenetic programs has importance for our understanding of not only developmental abnormalities but also for understanding the origins of chronic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Zeisel
- UNC Nutrition Research Institute, Departments of Nutrition and Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 500 Laureate Drive, Kannapolis, NC 28081, USA.
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Jacobs RL, Jiang H, Kennelly JP, Orlicky DJ, Allen RH, Stabler SP, Maclean KN. Cystathionine beta-synthase deficiency alters hepatic phospholipid and choline metabolism: Post-translational repression of phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase is a consequence rather than a cause of liver injury in homocystinuria. Mol Genet Metab 2017; 120:325-336. [PMID: 28291718 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2017.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2017] [Accepted: 02/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Classical homocystinuria (HCU) due to inactivating mutation of cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) is a poorly understood life-threatening inborn error of sulfur metabolism. A previously described cbs-/- mouse model exhibits a semi-lethal phenotype due to neonatal liver failure. The transgenic HO mouse model of HCU exhibits only mild liver injury and recapitulates multiple aspects of the disease as it occurs in humans. Disruption of the methionine cycle in HCU has the potential to impact multiple aspect of phospholipid (PL) metabolism by disruption of both the Kennedy pathway and phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEMT) mediated synthesis of phosphatidylcholine (PC). Comparative metabolomic analysis of HO mouse liver revealed decreased levels of choline, and choline phosphate indicating disruption of the Kennedy pathway. Alterations in the relative levels of multiple species of PL included significant increases in PL degradation products consistent with enhanced membrane PL turnover. A significant decrease in PC containing 20:4n6 which primarily formed by the methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine to PC was consistent with decreased flux through PEMT. Hepatic expression of PEMT in both the cbs-/- and HO models is post-translationally repressed with decreased levels of PEMT protein and activity that inversely-correlates with the scale of liver injury. Failure to induce further repression of PEMT in HO mice by increased homocysteine, methionine and S-adenosylhomocysteine or depletion of glutathione combined with examination of multiple homocysteine-independent models of liver injury indicated that repression of PEMT in HCU is a consequence rather than a cause of liver injury. Collectively, our data show significant alteration of a broad range of hepatic PL and choline metabolism in HCU with the potential to contribute to multiple aspects of pathogenesis in this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- René L Jacobs
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G2E1, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G2E1, Canada
| | - Hua Jiang
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - John P Kennelly
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G2E1, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G2E1, Canada
| | - David J Orlicky
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Robert H Allen
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Sally P Stabler
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Kenneth N Maclean
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
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Genetic Variation in Choline-Metabolizing Enzymes Alters Choline Metabolism in Young Women Consuming Choline Intakes Meeting Current Recommendations. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18020252. [PMID: 28134761 PMCID: PMC5343788 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18020252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2016] [Revised: 01/14/2017] [Accepted: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in choline metabolizing genes are associated with disease risk and greater susceptibility to organ dysfunction under conditions of dietary choline restriction. However, the underlying metabolic signatures of these variants are not well characterized and it is unknown whether genotypic differences persist at recommended choline intakes. Thus, we sought to determine if common genetic risk factors alter choline dynamics in pregnant, lactating, and non-pregnant women consuming choline intakes meeting and exceeding current recommendations. Women (n = 75) consumed 480 or 930 mg choline/day (22% as a metabolic tracer, choline-d9) for 10–12 weeks in a controlled feeding study. Genotyping was performed for eight variant SNPs and genetic differences in metabolic flux and partitioning of plasma choline metabolites were evaluated using stable isotope methodology. CHKA rs10791957, CHDH rs9001, CHDH rs12676, PEMT rs4646343, PEMT rs7946, FMO3 rs2266782, SLC44A1 rs7873937, and SLC44A1 rs3199966 altered the use of choline as a methyl donor; CHDH rs9001 and BHMT rs3733890 altered the partitioning of dietary choline between betaine and phosphatidylcholine synthesis via the cytidine diphosphate (CDP)-choline pathway; and CHKA rs10791957, CHDH rs12676, PEMT rs4646343, PEMT rs7946 and SLC44A1 rs7873937 altered the distribution of dietary choline between the CDP-choline and phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEMT) denovo pathway. Such metabolic differences may contribute to disease pathogenesis and prognosis over the long-term.
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45
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Idrus NM, Breit KR, Thomas JD. Dietary choline levels modify the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure in rats. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2017; 59:43-52. [PMID: 27888055 PMCID: PMC5770193 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2016.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2016] [Revised: 11/18/2016] [Accepted: 11/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Prenatal alcohol exposure can cause a range of physical and behavioral alterations; however, the outcome among children exposed to alcohol during pregnancy varies widely. Some of this variation may be due to nutritional factors. Indeed, higher rates of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are observed in countries where malnutrition is prevalent. Epidemiological studies have shown that many pregnant women throughout the world may not be consuming adequate levels of choline, an essential nutrient critical for brain development, and a methyl donor. In this study, we examined the influence of dietary choline deficiency on the severity of fetal alcohol effects. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to receive diets containing 40, 70, or 100% recommended choline levels. A group from each diet condition was exposed to ethanol (6.0g/kg/day) from gestational day 5 to 20 via intubation. Pair-fed and ad lib lab chow control groups were also included. Physical and behavioral development was measured in the offspring. Prenatal alcohol exposure delayed motor development, and 40% choline altered performance on the cliff avoidance task, independent of one another. However, the combination of low choline and prenatal alcohol produced the most severe impairments in development. Subjects exposed to ethanol and fed the 40% choline diet exhibited delayed eye openings, significantly fewer successes in hindlimb coordination, and were significantly overactive compared to all other groups. These data suggest that suboptimal intake of a single nutrient can exacerbate some of ethanol's teratogenic effects, a finding with important implications for the prevention of FASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirelia M Idrus
- Department of Psychology, Center for Behavioral Teratology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92120, USA
| | - Kristen R Breit
- Department of Psychology, Center for Behavioral Teratology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92120, USA
| | - Jennifer D Thomas
- Department of Psychology, Center for Behavioral Teratology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92120, USA.
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Nilsson TK, Hurtig-Wennlöf A, Sjöström M, Herrmann W, Obeid R, Owen JR, Zeisel S. Plasma 1-carbon metabolites and academic achievement in 15-yr-old adolescents. FASEB J 2016; 30:1683-8. [PMID: 26728177 DOI: 10.1096/fj.15-281097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2015] [Accepted: 12/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Academic achievement in adolescents is correlated with 1-carbon metabolism (1-CM), as folate intake is positively related and total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) negatively related to academic success. Because another 1-CM nutrient, choline is essential for fetal neurocognitive development, we hypothesized that choline and betaine could also be positively related to academic achievement in adolescents. In a sample of 15-yr-old children (n= 324), we measured plasma concentrations of homocysteine, choline, and betaine and genotyped them for 2 polymorphisms with effects on 1-CM, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) 677C>T, rs1801133, and phosphatidylethanolamineN-methyltransferase (PEMT), rs12325817 (G>C). The sum of school grades in 17 major subjects was used as an outcome measure for academic achievement. Lifestyle and family socioeconomic status (SES) data were obtained from questionnaires. Plasma choline was significantly and positively associated with academic achievement independent of SES factors (paternal education and income, maternal education and income, smoking, school) and of folate intake (P= 0.009,R(2)= 0.285). With the addition of thePEMTrs12325817 polymorphism, the association value was only marginally changed. Plasma betaine concentration, tHcy, and theMTHFR677C>T polymorphism did not affect academic achievement in any tested model involving choline. Dietary intake of choline is marginal in many adolescents and may be a public health concern.-Nilsson, T. K., Hurtig-Wennlöf, A., Sjöström, M., Herrmann, W., Obeid, R., Owen, J. R., Zeisel, S. Plasma 1-carbon metabolites and academic achievement in 15-yr-old adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torbjörn K Nilsson
- *Department of Medical Biosciences/Clinical Chemistry, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden; Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Health and Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden; Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Saarland University Hospital, Homburg/Saar, Germany; Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, North Carolina, USA; and Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Anita Hurtig-Wennlöf
- *Department of Medical Biosciences/Clinical Chemistry, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden; Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Health and Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden; Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Saarland University Hospital, Homburg/Saar, Germany; Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, North Carolina, USA; and Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Michael Sjöström
- *Department of Medical Biosciences/Clinical Chemistry, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden; Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Health and Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden; Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Saarland University Hospital, Homburg/Saar, Germany; Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, North Carolina, USA; and Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Wolfgang Herrmann
- *Department of Medical Biosciences/Clinical Chemistry, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden; Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Health and Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden; Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Saarland University Hospital, Homburg/Saar, Germany; Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, North Carolina, USA; and Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Rima Obeid
- *Department of Medical Biosciences/Clinical Chemistry, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden; Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Health and Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden; Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Saarland University Hospital, Homburg/Saar, Germany; Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, North Carolina, USA; and Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jennifer R Owen
- *Department of Medical Biosciences/Clinical Chemistry, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden; Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Health and Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden; Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Saarland University Hospital, Homburg/Saar, Germany; Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, North Carolina, USA; and Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Steven Zeisel
- *Department of Medical Biosciences/Clinical Chemistry, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden; Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Health and Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden; Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Saarland University Hospital, Homburg/Saar, Germany; Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, North Carolina, USA; and Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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Sherriff JL, O'Sullivan TA, Properzi C, Oddo JL, Adams LA. Choline, Its Potential Role in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, and the Case for Human and Bacterial Genes. Adv Nutr 2016; 7:5-13. [PMID: 26773011 PMCID: PMC4717871 DOI: 10.3945/an.114.007955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Our understanding of the impact of poor hepatic choline/phosphatidylcholine availability in promoting the steatosis characteristic of human nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has recently advanced and possibly relates to phosphatidylcholine/phosphatidylethanolamine concentrations in various, membranes as well as cholesterol dysregulation. A role for choline/phosphatidylcholine availability in the progression of NAFLD to liver injury and serious hepatic consequences in some individuals requires further elucidation. There are many reasons for poor choline/phosphatidylcholine availability in the liver, including low intake, estrogen status, and genetic polymorphisms affecting, in particular, the pathway for hepatic de novo phosphatidylcholine synthesis. In addition to free choline, phosphatidylcholine has been identified as a substrate for trimethylamine production by certain intestinal bacteria, thereby reducing host choline bioavailability and providing an additional link to the increased risk of cardiovascular disease faced by those with NAFLD. Thus human choline requirements are highly individualized and biomarkers of choline status derived from metabolomics studies are required to predict those at risk of NAFLD induced by choline deficiency and to provide a basis for human intervention trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill L Sherriff
- School of Public Health, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute-Metabolic Health, Curtin University, Bentley, Australia;
| | - Therese A O'Sullivan
- School of Exercise and Health Science, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Australia
| | - Catherine Properzi
- School of Exercise and Health Science, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Australia
| | - Josephine-Lee Oddo
- School of Exercise and Health Science, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Australia
| | - Leon A Adams
- School of Medicine and Pharmacology, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Australia; and Liver Transplant Unit, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, Australia
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Wang Y, Surzenko N, Friday WB, Zeisel SH. Maternal dietary intake of choline in mice regulates development of the cerebral cortex in the offspring. FASEB J 2015; 30:1566-78. [PMID: 26700730 DOI: 10.1096/fj.15-282426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2015] [Accepted: 12/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Maternal diets low in choline, an essential nutrient, increase the risk of neural tube defects and lead to low performance on cognitive tests in children. However, the consequences of maternal dietary choline deficiency for the development and structural organization of the cerebral cortex remain unknown. In this study, we fed mouse dams either control (CT) or low-choline (LC) diets and investigated the effects of choline on cortical development in the offspring. As a result of a low choline supply between embryonic day (E)11 and E17 of gestation, the number of 2 types of cortical neural progenitor cells (NPCs)-radial glial cells and intermediate progenitor cells-was reduced in fetal brains (P< 0.01). Furthermore, the number of upper layer cortical neurons was decreased in the offspring of dams fed an LC diet at both E17 (P< 0.001) and 4 mo of age (P< 0.001). These effects of LC maternal diet were mediated by a decrease in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling in NPCs related to the disruption of EGFR posttranscriptional regulation. Our findings describe a novel mechanism whereby low maternal dietary intake of choline alters brain development.-Wang, Y., Surzenko, N., Friday, W. B., Zeisel, S. H. Maternal dietary intake of choline in mice regulates development of the cerebral cortex in the offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyan Wang
- *Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, North Carolina, USA, Department of Medical Genetics, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China; and Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Natalia Surzenko
- *Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, North Carolina, USA, Department of Medical Genetics, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China; and Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Walter B Friday
- *Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, North Carolina, USA, Department of Medical Genetics, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China; and Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Steven H Zeisel
- *Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, North Carolina, USA, Department of Medical Genetics, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China; and Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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50
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Silver MJ, Corbin KD, Hellenthal G, da Costa KA, Dominguez-Salas P, Moore SE, Owen J, Prentice AM, Hennig BJ, Zeisel SH. Evidence for negative selection of gene variants that increase dependence on dietary choline in a Gambian cohort. FASEB J 2015; 29:3426-35. [PMID: 25921832 PMCID: PMC4511208 DOI: 10.1096/fj.15-271056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2015] [Accepted: 04/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Choline is an essential nutrient, and the amount needed in the diet is modulated by
several factors. Given geographical differences in dietary choline intake and
disparate frequencies of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in choline metabolism
genes between ethnic groups, we tested the hypothesis that 3 SNPs that increase
dependence on dietary choline would be under negative selection pressure in settings
where choline intake is low: choline dehydrogenase (CHDH) rs12676,
methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 1 (MTHFD1) rs2236225, and
phosphatidylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase
(PEMT) rs12325817. Evidence of negative selection was assessed in
2 populations: one in The Gambia, West Africa, where there is historic evidence of a
choline-poor diet, and the other in the United States, with a comparatively
choline-rich diet. We used 2 independent methods, and confirmation of our hypothesis
was sought via a comparison with SNP data from the Maasai, an East
African population with a genetic background similar to that of Gambians but with a
traditional diet that is higher in choline. Our results show that frequencies of SNPs
known to increase dependence on dietary choline are significantly reduced in the
low-choline setting of The Gambia. Our findings suggest that adequate intake levels
of choline may have to be reevaluated in different ethnic groups and highlight a
possible approach for identifying novel functional SNPs under the influence of
dietary selective pressure.—Silver, M. J., Corbin, K. D., Hellenthal, G., da
Costa, K.-A., Dominguez-Salas, P., Moore, S. E., Owen, J., Prentice, A. M., Hennig,
B. J., Zeisel, S. H. Evidence for negative selection of gene variants that increase
dependence on dietary choline in a Gambian cohort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matt J Silver
- *Medical Research Council International Nutrition Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom; Medical Research Council Unit, Banjul, The Gambia; Nutrition Research Institute, North Carolina Research Campus, Kannapolis, North Carolina, USA; Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; University College London Genetics Institute, University College London, United Kingdom; Toxicology Services, Incorporated, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; and Maternal and Child Nutrition Group, Medical Research Council Human Nutrition Research, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Karen D Corbin
- *Medical Research Council International Nutrition Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom; Medical Research Council Unit, Banjul, The Gambia; Nutrition Research Institute, North Carolina Research Campus, Kannapolis, North Carolina, USA; Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; University College London Genetics Institute, University College London, United Kingdom; Toxicology Services, Incorporated, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; and Maternal and Child Nutrition Group, Medical Research Council Human Nutrition Research, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Garrett Hellenthal
- *Medical Research Council International Nutrition Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom; Medical Research Council Unit, Banjul, The Gambia; Nutrition Research Institute, North Carolina Research Campus, Kannapolis, North Carolina, USA; Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; University College London Genetics Institute, University College London, United Kingdom; Toxicology Services, Incorporated, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; and Maternal and Child Nutrition Group, Medical Research Council Human Nutrition Research, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Kerry-Ann da Costa
- *Medical Research Council International Nutrition Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom; Medical Research Council Unit, Banjul, The Gambia; Nutrition Research Institute, North Carolina Research Campus, Kannapolis, North Carolina, USA; Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; University College London Genetics Institute, University College London, United Kingdom; Toxicology Services, Incorporated, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; and Maternal and Child Nutrition Group, Medical Research Council Human Nutrition Research, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Paula Dominguez-Salas
- *Medical Research Council International Nutrition Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom; Medical Research Council Unit, Banjul, The Gambia; Nutrition Research Institute, North Carolina Research Campus, Kannapolis, North Carolina, USA; Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; University College London Genetics Institute, University College London, United Kingdom; Toxicology Services, Incorporated, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; and Maternal and Child Nutrition Group, Medical Research Council Human Nutrition Research, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Sophie E Moore
- *Medical Research Council International Nutrition Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom; Medical Research Council Unit, Banjul, The Gambia; Nutrition Research Institute, North Carolina Research Campus, Kannapolis, North Carolina, USA; Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; University College London Genetics Institute, University College London, United Kingdom; Toxicology Services, Incorporated, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; and Maternal and Child Nutrition Group, Medical Research Council Human Nutrition Research, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer Owen
- *Medical Research Council International Nutrition Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom; Medical Research Council Unit, Banjul, The Gambia; Nutrition Research Institute, North Carolina Research Campus, Kannapolis, North Carolina, USA; Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; University College London Genetics Institute, University College London, United Kingdom; Toxicology Services, Incorporated, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; and Maternal and Child Nutrition Group, Medical Research Council Human Nutrition Research, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew M Prentice
- *Medical Research Council International Nutrition Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom; Medical Research Council Unit, Banjul, The Gambia; Nutrition Research Institute, North Carolina Research Campus, Kannapolis, North Carolina, USA; Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; University College London Genetics Institute, University College London, United Kingdom; Toxicology Services, Incorporated, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; and Maternal and Child Nutrition Group, Medical Research Council Human Nutrition Research, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Branwen J Hennig
- *Medical Research Council International Nutrition Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom; Medical Research Council Unit, Banjul, The Gambia; Nutrition Research Institute, North Carolina Research Campus, Kannapolis, North Carolina, USA; Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; University College London Genetics Institute, University College London, United Kingdom; Toxicology Services, Incorporated, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; and Maternal and Child Nutrition Group, Medical Research Council Human Nutrition Research, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Steven H Zeisel
- *Medical Research Council International Nutrition Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom; Medical Research Council Unit, Banjul, The Gambia; Nutrition Research Institute, North Carolina Research Campus, Kannapolis, North Carolina, USA; Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; University College London Genetics Institute, University College London, United Kingdom; Toxicology Services, Incorporated, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; and Maternal and Child Nutrition Group, Medical Research Council Human Nutrition Research, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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