Unlike Glycerophosphocholine or Choline Chloride, Dietary Phosphatidylcholine Does Not Increase Plasma Trimethylamine-N-Oxide Levels in Sprague-Dawley Rats

Choline-An Underappreciated Component of a Mother-to-Be's Diet

The nutritional status of the mother-to-be has a key impact on the proper development of the fetus. Although all nutrients are important for the developing baby, recent research indicates the importance of adequate choline intake during the periconceptional period, pregnancy, and lactation. Choline plays a key role in the biosynthesis of cell membranes, supporting liver function, neurotransmission, brain development, and DNA and histone methylation. Choline participates in the formation of a child's nervous system, supports its cognitive development, and reduces the risk of neural tube defects. The human body is incapable of producing sufficient choline to meet its needs; therefore, it must be obtained from the diet. Current data indicate that most women in their reproductive years do not achieve the recommended daily intake of choline. The presented narrative review indicates the importance of educating mothers-to-be and thereby increasing their awareness of the effects of choline on maternal and child health, which can lead to a more aware and healthy pregnancy and proper child development.

Dietary Cholest-4-en-3-one, a Cholesterol Metabolite of Gut Microbiota, Alleviates Hyperlipidemia, Hepatic Cholesterol Accumulation, and Hyperinsulinemia in Obese, Diabetic db/db Mice

Previous studies have shown that dietary cholest-4-en-3-one (4-cholestenone, 4-STN) exerts anti-obesity and lipid-lowering effects in mice. However, its underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. In the present study, we evaluated whether 4-STN supplementation would protect obese diabetic db/db mice from obesity-related metabolic disorders. After four weeks of feeding of a 0.25% 4-STN-containing diet, dietary 4-STN was found to have significantly alleviated hyperlipidemia, hepatic cholesterol accumulation, and hyperinsulinemia; however, the effect was not sufficient to improve hepatic triglyceride accumulation or obesity. Further analysis demonstrated that dietary 4-STN significantly increased the content of free fatty acids and neutral steroids in the feces of db/db mice, indicating that the alleviation of hyperlipidemia by 4-STN was due to an increase in lipid excretion. In addition, dietary 4-STN significantly reduced the levels of desmosterol, a cholesterol precursor, in the plasma but not in the liver, suggesting that normalization of cholesterol metabolism by 4-STN is partly attributable to the suppression of cholesterol synthesis in extrahepatic tissues. In addition, dietary 4-STN increased the plasma and hepatic levels of 4-STN metabolites cholestanol (5α-cholestan-3β-ol) and coprostanol (5β-cholestan-3β-ol). Our results show that dietary 4-STN alleviates obesity-related metabolic disorders, such as hyperlipidemia, hepatic cholesterol accumulation, and hyperinsulinemia, in db/db mice.

To analyze the relationship between gut microbiota, metabolites and migraine: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study

Background

It has been suggested in several observational studies that migraines are associated with the gut microbiota. It remains unclear, however, how the gut microbiota and migraines are causally related.

Methods

We performed a bidirectional two-sample mendelian randomization study. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics for the gut microbiota were obtained from the MiBioGen consortium (n = 18,340) and the Dutch Microbiota Project (n = 7,738). Pooled GWAS data for plasma metabolites were obtained from four different human metabolomics studies. GWAS summary data for migraine (cases = 48,975; controls = 450,381) were sourced from the International Headache Genetics Consortium. We used inverse-variance weighting as the primary analysis. Multiple sensitivity analyses were performed to ensure the robustness of the estimated results. We also conducted reverse mendelian randomization when a causal relationship between exposure and migraine was found.

Results

LachnospiraceaeUCG001 (OR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.05-1.20) was a risk factor for migraine. Blautia (OR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.88-0.99), Eubacterium (nodatum group; OR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.90-0.98), and Bacteroides fragilis (OR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.94-1.00) may have a suggestive association with a lower migraine risk. Functional pathways of methionine synthesis (OR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.83-0.95) associated with microbiota abundance and plasma hydrocinnamate (OR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.73-1.00), which are downstream metabolites of Blautia and Bacteroides fragilis, respectively, may also be associated with lower migraine risk. No causal association between migraine and the gut microbiota or metabolites was found in reverse mendelian randomization analysis. Both significant horizontal pleiotropy and significant heterogeneity were not clearly identified.

Conclusion

This Mendelian randomization analysis showed that LachnospiraceaeUCG001 was associated with an increased risk of migraine, while some bacteria in the gut microbiota may reduce migraine risk. These findings provide a reference for a deeper comprehension of the role of the gut-brain axis in migraine as well as possible targets for treatment interventions.

Exploring the impact of gut microbiota on abdominal aortic aneurysm risk through a bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis

OBJECTIVE

The abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is associated with alterations in the composition of the gut microbiota; however, the precise causal relationship remains unclear. Elucidating this complex interplay could provide new insights into the pathogenesis of AAA.

METHODS

A bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis was conducted using genome-wide association study summary data on the gut microbiota (n = 18,340) and AAA (n = 353,087). A total of 196 gut microbial taxa across taxonomic levels were examined for their potential causal effects on AAA risk. Conversely, the effect of AAA on these microbial taxa was also analyzed.

RESULTS

Nine microbial taxa were identified as having a causal influence on AAA risk. Specifically, increased risk were associated with genus Bilophila (odds ratio [OR], 1.359; P = .0119), genus Catenibacterium (OR, 1.348; P = .0058), genus family XIII AD3011 group (OR, 1.507; P = .004), genus Oxalobacter (OR, 1.157; P = .0449), and genus Prevotella 7 (OR, 1.194; P = .0306), whereas decreased risks were linked to class Lentisphaeria (OR, 0.829; P = .0361), order Victivallales (OR, 0.829; P = .0361), family Victivallaceae (OR, 0.814; P = .0057), and genus Anaerotruncus (OR, 0.773; P = .0497). Furthermore, AAA was found to influence the abundance of 14 microbial taxa across various taxonomic levels. Notably, bidirectional associations were observed with the class Lentisphaeria and the order Victivallales.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides novel evidence for a reciprocal causal relationship between gut microbiota and AAA risk, thereby offering new insights into the pathogenesis of AAA. These findings also suggest promising avenues for microbiome-based therapeutic interventions.

Choline - a scoping review for Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023

Choline is an essential nutrient with metabolic roles as a methyl donor in one carbon metabolism and as a precursor for membrane phospholipids and the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Choline content is particularly high in liver, eggs, and wheat germ, although it is present in a variety of foods. The main dietary sources of choline in the Nordic and Baltic countries are meat, dairy, eggs, and grain. A diet that is devoid of choline causes liver and muscle dysfunction within 3 weeks. Choline requirements are higher during pregnancy and lactation than in non-pregnant women. Although no randomized controlled trials are available, observational studies in human, supported by coherence from interventional studies with neurodevelopmental outcomes and experimental studies in animals, strongly suggest that sufficient intake of choline during pregnancy is necessary for normal brain development and function in the child. Observational studies suggested that adequate intake of choline could have positive effects on cognitive function in older people. However, prospective data are lacking, and no intervention studies are available in the elderly.

Current insights into the interplay between gut microbiota-derived metabolites and metabolic-associated fatty liver disease

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a prevalent and challenging disease associated with a significant health and economic burden. MAFLD has been subjected to and widely investigated in many studies; however, the underlying pathogenesis and its progression have yet to understand fully. Furthermore, precise biomarkers for diagnosing and specific drugs for treatment are yet to be discovered. Increasing evidence has proven gut microbiota as the neglected endocrine organ that regulates homeostasis and immune response. Targeting gut microbiota is an essential strategy for metabolic diseases, including MAFLD. Gut microbiota in the gut-liver axis is connected through tight bidirectional links through the biliary tract, portal vein, and systemic circulation, producing gut microbiota metabolites. This review focuses on the specific correlation between gut microbiota metabolites and MAFLD. Gut microbiota metabolites are biologically active in the host and, through subsequent changes and biological activities, provide implications for MAFLD. Based on the review studies, gut-liver axis related-metabolites including short-chain fatty acids, bile acids (BAs), lipopolysaccharide, choline and its metabolites, indole and its derivates, branched-chain amino acids, and methionine cycle derivates was associated with MAFLD and could be promising MAFLD diagnosis biomarkers, as well as the targets for MAFLD new drug discovery.

Effects of egg yolk choline intake on cognitive functions and plasma choline levels in healthy middle-aged and older Japanese: a randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled parallel-group study

BACKGROUND

Choline, as a neurotransmitter acetylcholine precursor, is reportedly associated with cognitive function. Although there are several cohort and animal studies on choline-containing foods and cognitive function, only a few interventional studies were reported. Egg yolk is a rich source of different choline-containing chemical forms, such as phosphatidylcholine (PC), lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), and α-glycerophosphocholine (α-GPC). This study aimed to investigate the effect of consuming 300 mg of egg yolk choline per day on cognitive function of Japanese adults.

METHODS

A 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study was conducted in 41 middle-aged and elderly males and females (43.9% female) aged ≥ 60 years and ≤ 80 years without dementia. Participants were randomly assigned to placebo and choline groups. The choline group received a supplement containing egg yolk choline (300 mg/day), and the placebo group received an egg yolk supplement free from choline for 12 weeks. Assessments of Cognitrax, Trail Making Tests (TMT) part A and B, the MOS 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), the Simplified Japanese Version of the WHO-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5), and plasma choline levels were performed before and 6 and 12 weeks after supplement intake. In the present study, 19 subjects (9 in the placebo group and 10 in the choline group) were excluded due to the violation of the discontinuation criteria or participant compliance, and 41 subjects were analyzed.

RESULTS

The change amount of verbal memory scores and verbal memory test-correct hit (delay) was significantly higher in the choline group than in the placebo group at baseline-6 and baseline-12 weeks. The plasma free choline level was significantly higher in the choline group compared with the placebo group at 6 weeks. Conversely, the choline group showed significantly lower Cognitrax processing speed scores, symbol digit coding testing correct responses, and SF-36 physical quality of life summary scores compared to the placebo group at 6 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggested that continued 300 mg/day intake of egg yolk choline improved verbal memory, which is a part of cognitive functions. To confirm the observed effects of egg yolk choline, more well-designed and large-scale studies are warranted.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Study protocols were pre-registered in the Clinical Trials Registration System (UMIN-CTR) (UMIN 000045050).

Increased Circulating ADMA in Young Male Rats Caused Cognitive Deficits and Increased Intestinal and Hippocampal NLRP3 Inflammasome Expression and Microbiota Composition Alterations: Effects of Resveratrol

Endothelial dysfunction is characterized by disturbances in nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability and increased circulating asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) due to the enormous release of free radicals. Increased circulating ADMA may cause endothelial dysfunction and a variety of clinical disorders, such as liver and kidney disease. Young male Sprague-Dawley rats at postnatal day 17 ± 1 received continuous ADMA infusion via an intraperitoneal pump to induce endothelial dysfunction. Four groups of rats (n = 10 per group) were allocated: control, control and resveratrol, ADMA infusion, and ADMA infusion and resveratrol groups. Spatial memory, NLR family pyrin-domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, cytokine expression, tight junction proteins in the ileum and dorsal hippocampus, and microbiota composition were examined. We found cognitive deficits; increased NLRP3 inflammasome in the plasma, ileum, and dorsal hippocampus; decreased ileum and dorsal hippocampal cytokine activation and tight junction proteins; and microbiota composition alterations in the ADMA-infusion young male rats. Resveratrol had beneficial effects in this context. In conclusion, we observed NLRP3 inflammasome activation in peripheral and central dysbiosis in young male rats with increased circulating ADMA, and found that resveratrol had beneficial effects. Our work adds to the mounting evidence that inhibiting systemic inflammation is a promising therapeutic avenue for cognition impairment, probably via the gut-brain axis.

Gut-liver axis in the progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: From the microbial derivatives-centered perspective

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the world's most common chronic liver diseases. However, its pathogenesis remains unclear. With the deepening of research, NAFLD is considered a metabolic syndrome associated with the environment, heredity, and metabolic disorders. Recently, the close relationship between the intestinal microbiome and NAFLD has been discovered, and the theory of the "gut-liver axis" has been proposed. In short, the gut bacteria directly reach the liver via the portal vein through the damaged intestinal wall or indirectly participate in the development of NAFLD through signaling pathways mediated by their components and metabolites. This review focuses on the roles of microbiota-derived lipopolysaccharide, DNA, peptidoglycan, bile acids, short-chain fatty acids, endogenous ethanol, choline and its metabolites, indole and its derivatives, and bilirubin and its metabolites in the progression of NAFLD, which may provide significative insights into the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment for this highly prevalent liver disease.

Oral Administration of Chaetoceros gracilis—A Marine Microalga—Alleviates Hepatic Lipid Accumulation in Rats Fed a High-Sucrose and Cholesterol-Containing Diet

Microalgae are attracting attention as a next-generation alternative source of protein and essential fatty acids that do not consume large amounts of water or land. Chaetoceros gracilis (C. gracilis)—a marine microalga—is rich in proteins, fucoxanthin, and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Growing evidence indicates that dietary fucoxanthin and EPA have beneficial effects in humans. However, none of these studies have shown that dietary C. gracilis has beneficial effects in mammals. In this study, we investigated the effects of dietary C. gracilis on lipid abnormalities in Sprague-Dawley rats fed a high-sucrose cholesterol-containing diet. Dried C. gracilis was added to the control diet at a final dose of 2 or 5% (w/w). After four weeks, the soleus muscle weights were found to be dose-responsive to C. gracilis and showed a tendency to increase. The hepatic triglyceride and total cholesterol levels were significantly reduced by C. gracilis feeding compared to those in the control group. The activities of FAS and G6PDH, which are related to fatty acid de novo synthesis, were found to be dose-responsive to C. gracilis and tended to decrease. The hepatic glycerol content was also significantly decreased by C. gracilis feeding, and the serum HDL cholesterol levels were significantly increased, whereas the serum levels of cholesterol absorption markers (i.e., campesterol and β-sitosterol) and the hepatic mRNA levels of Scarb1 were significantly decreased. Water-soluble metabolite analysis showed that the muscular contents of several amino acids, including leucine, were significantly increased by C. gracilis feeding. The tendency toward an increase in the weight of the soleus muscle as a result of C. gracilis feeding may be due to the enhancement of muscle protein synthesis centered on leucine. Collectively, these results show that the oral administration of C. gracilis alleviates hepatic lipid accumulation in rats fed a high-sucrose and cholesterol-containing diet, indicating the potential use of C. gracilis as a food resource.

Impacts of Subchronic and Mild Social Defeat Stress on Plasma Putrefactive Metabolites and Cardiovascular Structure in Male Mice

Psychosocial stress precipitates mental illnesses, such as depression, and increases the risk of other health problems, including cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we observed the effects of psychosocial stress on the histopathological features of systemic organs and tissues in a mouse psychosocial stress model, namely the subchronic and mild social defeat stress (sCSDS) model. There were several pathological findings in the tissues of both sCSDS and control mice. Mild fibrosis of the heart was observed in sCSDS mice but not in control mice. Extramedullary hematopoiesis in the spleen and hemorrhage in the lungs were observed in both the control and sCSDS mice. Focal necrosis of the liver was seen only in control mice. Furthermore, putrefactive substances in the blood plasma were analyzed because these metabolites originating from intestinal fermentation might be linked to heart fibrosis. Among them, plasma p-cresyl glucuronide and p-cresyl sulfate concentrations significantly increased owing to subchronic social defeat stress, which might influence cardiac fibrosis in sCSDS mice. In conclusion, several pathological features such as increased cardiac fibrosis and elevated plasma putrefactive substances were found in sCSDS mice. Thus, sCSDS mice are a potential model for elucidating the pathophysiology of psychosocial stress and heart failure.

Multiple mediation effects on association between prenatal triclosan exposure and birth outcomes

BACKGROUND

Triclosan is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial, and was thought to affect intrauterine development, but the mechanism remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the association between prenatal triclosan exposure and birth outcomes.

METHODS

Based on 726 mother-child pairs from the Sheyang Mini Birth Cohort Study (SMBCS), we used the available (published) data of triclosan in maternal urines, the hormones including thyroid-related hormones, gonadal hormones in cord blood, and adipokines, trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) and its precursors in cord blood to explore possible health effects of triclosan on birth outcomes through assessing different hormones and parameters, using Bayesian mediation analysis.

RESULTS

Maternal triclosan exposure was associated with ponderal index (β = 0.317) and head circumference (β = -0.172) in generalized linear models. In Bayesian mediation analysis of PI model, estradiol (β = 0.806) and trimethylamine (TMA, β = 0.164) showed positive mediation effects, while total thyroxine (TT4, β = -0.302), leptin (β = -2.023) and TMAO (β = -0.110) showed negative mediation effects. As for model of head circumference, positive mediation effects were observed in free thyroxine (FT4, β = 0.493), TMA (β = 0.178), and TMAO (β = 0.683), negative mediation effects were observed in TT4 (β = -0.231), testosterone (β = -0.331), estradiol (β = -1.153), leptin (β = -2.361), choline (β = -0.169), betaine (β = -0.104), acetyl-L-carnitine (β = -0.773).

CONCLUSION

The results indicated triclosan can affect intrauterine growth by interfering thyroid-related hormones, gonadal hormones, adipokines, TMAO and its precursors.