Relationships of Dietary Histidine and Obesity in Northern Chinese Adults, an Internet-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Differences in mature human milk metabolic profiles based on delivery mode and parity

Human milk (HM) is regarded as the gold standard for infant nutrition. The metabolite profiles of mature human milk (MHM) have been reported to be affected by maternal physiological conditions, lactation stage, and maternal diets. We collected MHM (3-6 months postpartum) from 32 healthy mothers with different parities and delivery modes. Then, GC-MS and LC-MS were used to perform an untargeted metabolomics study. A clear distinction can be observed in terms of MHM metabolites of mothers with different delivery modes and parities with a 95% confidence interval. A total of 119 differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) were identified in MHM of women with different delivery modes. Metabolic pathway analyses indicated that these DEMs are mainly associated with fatty acid biosynthesis. The higher abundances of these DEMs in MHM of cesarean women may be due to the differing levels of cortisol and oxytocin between mothers with different delivery modes. Meanwhile, 284 DEMs were identified in MHM of women with different parities. These DEMs are primarily related to ABC transporters, center carbon metabolism in cancer, and D-amino acid metabolism. These findings highlighted the impact of delivery modes and parity on HM metabolite composition. Further research is needed to explore the long-term health implications of these metabolic differences and optimize infant nutrition strategies.

Histidine metabolism drives liver cancer progression via immune microenvironment modulation through metabolic reprogramming

BACKGROUND

Histidine metabolism is crucial in role in tumor biology, contributing to tumor progression, immune regulation, and metabolic reprogramming. In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), dysregulated histidine metabolism may promote tumor growth and immune evasion, although the specific mechanisms remain poorly understood.

METHODS

Using single-cell RNA sequencing, the expression patterns of histidine metabolism-related genes were evaluated across different cell types in HCC samples. In vivo and in vitro experiments were conducted to validate how histidine treatment affects macrophage and T-cell function. Furthermore, the TCGA database was utilized to construct a prognostic model to identify the key gene BUD23 and to examine its correlation with metabolism and immune infiltration.

RESULTS

The proportion of parenchymal cells exhibiting high histidine metabolism was significantly increased, accompanied by a general reduction in immune and stromal cell infiltration. Notably, macrophages and T cells demonstrated impaired antitumor functions. In the high histidine metabolism group, multiple critical cell communication pathways (e.g., MIF, CLEC, MHC II) were downregulated, macrophages shifted toward immunosuppressive subpopulations, T cells exhibited an exhaustion phenotype, and CD8 + T-cell activation was diminished. Further in vivo and in vitro co-culture experiments confirmed that elevated histidine concentrations promoted M2 polarization in macrophages and weakened T-cell cytotoxicity, accelerating tumor proliferation. According to TCGA analyses, BUD23 was upregulated in the high histidine metabolism group and significantly negatively correlated with patient survival and immune cell infiltration. Silencing BUD23 boosted immune cell activation and cytotoxic effects, effectively reversing the immunosuppressive microenvironment. A multivariable Cox regression-based prognostic model indicated unfavorable outcomes in patients with high histidine metabolism.

CONCLUSION

Histidine metabolism drives tumor cell metabolic reprogramming and reshapes the tumor immune microenvironment through intercellular communication, thereby promoting tumor progression. BUD23 shows promise as a biomarker for prognosis and immune response prediction in liver cancer. This study provides new therapeutic targets and theoretical support for liver cancer treatment by targeting histidine metabolism.

Rapid exometabolome footprinting combined with multivariate statistics: A powerful tool for bioprocess optimization

Corynebacterium glutamicum is used as an industrial platform organism for amino acid production. Previously, the organism was utilized to produce l-histidine with research focusing on metabolic engineering approaches to increase titer and yield. Only a few studies have been published that provide information on bioprocess development, with media optimization and fed-batch cultivation procedure being particularly promising areas. In this work, we show how experimental setups such as miniature cultivation technology, dynamic and time-optimized LC-MS/MS metabolic footprinting tools, and automated workflows for the detection of local and global metabolic patterns can significantly accelerate bioprocess development. Potential media bottlenecks in form of phosphate and magnesium availability were identified by sensitivity analysis in parallelized microscale cultivation assisted by lab automation. A rapid dilute-and-shoot flow-injection-analysis tandem mass spectrometry approach was used to cope with the resulting cultivation throughput and allowed to quantify amino acids with 1 min per sample. We were able to increase the l-histidine titer of a C. glutamicum random mutagenesis mutant by a factor of 5.8 through process optimization while also identifying both known and previously unknown targets for additional strain improvements. The presented methodology can be seen as a supplement to traditional approaches in the field of bioprocess development.

Therapeutic Effects of Taurine and Histidine Supplementation in Retinal Diseases

Amino acids are basic building blocks of structural proteins and enzymes. They also act as signaling molecules and as fuel. They are characterized as essential if sufficient quantities must be supplied exogenously or as non-essential if they can be endogenously synthesized. Appropriate intake of amino acids not only prevents the development of metabolic diseases but also can reduce the progression of some disease states. Amino acids are strongly associated with retinal metabolism in physiology and pathology. Nonetheless, there is a lack of robust clinical studies supporting the benefits of amino acid supplementation in retinopathy. In this review, we summarize preclinical evidence concerning the potential of supplementing the amino acids taurine and histidine to provide protection against diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration. We suggest further directions for studying amino acid-based therapeutic interventions for eye diseases.

A cocktail of histidine, carnosine, cysteine and serine reduces adiposity and improves metabolic health and adipose tissue immunometabolic function in ovariectomized rats

Many women have sought alternative therapies to address menopause. Recently, a multi-ingredient supplement (MIS) containing L-histidine, L-carnosine, L-serine, and L-cysteine has been shown to be effective at ameliorating hepatic steatosis (HS) in ovariectomized (OVX) rats, a postmenopausal oestrogen deficiency model. Considering that HS frequently accompanies obesity, which often occurs during menopause, we aimed to investigate the effects of this MIS for 8 weeks in OVX rats. Twenty OVX rats were orally supplemented with either MIS (OVX-MIS) or vehicle (OVX). Ten OVX rats received vehicle orally along with subcutaneous injections of 17β-oestradiol (OVX-E2), whereas 10 rats underwent a sham operation and received oral and injected vehicles (control group). MIS consumption partly counteracted the fat mass accretion observed in OVX animals, leading to decreased total fat mass, adiposity index and retroperitoneal white adipose tissue (RWAT) adipocyte hypertrophy. OVX-MIS rats also displayed increased lean mass and lean/fat ratio, suggesting a healthier body composition, similar to the results reported for OVX-E2 animals. MIS consumption decreased the circulating levels of the proinflammatory marker CRP, the total cholesterol-to-HDL-cholesterol ratio and the leptin-to-adiponectin ratio, a biomarker of diabetes risk and metabolic syndrome. RWAT transcriptomics indicated that MIS favourably regulated genes involved in adipocyte structure and morphology, cell fate determination and differentiation, glucose/insulin homeostasis, inflammation, response to stress and oxidative phosphorylation, which may be mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects described for OVX-MIS rats. Our results pave the way for using this MIS formulation to improve the body composition and immunometabolic health of menopausal women.

The inverse associations of glycine and histidine in diet with hyperlipidemia and hypertension

BACKGROUND

Amino acids are crucial for nutrition and metabolism, regulating metabolic pathways and activities vital to organismal health and stability. Glycine and histidine act as potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents; however, limited knowledge exists regarding the associations between these amino acids and hyperlipidemia and hypertension. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between dietary glycine and histidine, and hyperlipidemia and hypertension.

METHODS

This population-based cross-sectional study evaluated the influence of dietary glycine and histidine, as well as their combined effect, on hyperlipidemia and hypertension in Chinese adults participating in the Nutrition Health Atlas Project (NHAP). General characteristics were acquired using a verified Internet-based Dietary Questionnaire for the Chinese. Binary logistic regression, along with gender, age groups, and median energy intake subgroup analyses, was employed to investigate the associations between dietary glycine and histidine and hyperlipidemia and hypertension. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the impact of excluding individuals who smoke and consume alcohol on the results.

RESULTS

Based on the study's findings, 418 out of 1091 cases had hyperlipidemia, whereas 673 had hypertension. A significant inverse relationship was found between dietary glycine, histidine, and glycine + histidine and hyperlipidemia and hypertension. Compared with the 1st and 2nd tertiles, the multivariable-adjusted odd ratios (ORs) (95% confidence intervals) (CIs) of the 3rd tertile of dietary glycine for hyperlipidemia and hypertension were 0.64 (0.49-0.84) (p < 0.01) and 0.70 (0.56-0.88) (p < 0.001); histidine was 0.63 (0.49-0.82) (p < 0.01) and 0.80 (0.64-0.99) (p < 0.01); and glycine + histidine was 0.64 (0.49-0.83) (p < 0.01) and 0.74 (0.59-0.92) (p < 0.001), respectively. High glycine and high histidine (HGHH) intake were negatively associated with hyperlipidemia and hypertension OR (95% CIs) were: 0.71 (0.58-0.88) (p < 0.01) and 0.73 (0.61-0.87) (p < 0.01), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Dietary glycine and histidine, as well as their HGHH group, revealed an inverse relationship with hyperlipidemia and hypertension. Further investigations are needed to validate these findings.

Proteomics and metabolomics analyses of urine for investigation of gallstone disease in a high-altitude area

BACKGROUND

The incidence of gallstones is high in Qinghai Province. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of gallstones remain unclear.

METHODS

In this study, we collected urine samples from 30 patients with gallstones and 30 healthy controls. The urine samples were analysed using multi-omics platforms. Proteomics analysis was conducted using data-independent acquisition, whereas metabolomics analysis was performed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS).

RESULTS

Among the patients with gallstones, we identified 49 down-regulated and 185 up-regulated differentially expressed proteins as well as 195 up-regulated and 189 down-regulated differentially expressed metabolites. Six pathways were significantly enriched: glycosaminoglycan degradation, arginine and proline metabolism, histidine metabolism, pantothenate and coenzyme A biosynthesis, drug metabolism-other enzymes, and the pentose phosphate pathway. Notably, 10 differentially expressed proteins and metabolites showed excellent predictive performance and were selected as potential biomarkers.

CONCLUSION

The findings of our metabolomics and proteomics analyses provide new insights into novel biomarkers for patients with cholelithiasis in high-altitude areas.

Light-responsive adipose-hypothalamus axis controls metabolic regulation

Light is fundamental for biological life, with most mammals possessing light-sensing photoreceptors in various organs. Opsin3 is highly expressed in adipose tissue which has extensive communication with other organs, particularly with the brain through the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). Our study reveals a new light-triggered crosstalk between adipose tissue and the hypothalamus. Direct blue-light exposure to subcutaneous white fat improves high-fat diet-induced metabolic abnormalities in an Opsin3-dependent manner. Metabolomic analysis shows that blue light increases circulating levels of histidine, which activates histaminergic neurons in the hypothalamus and stimulates brown adipose tissue (BAT) via SNS. Blocking central actions of histidine and denervating peripheral BAT blunts the effects of blue light. Human white adipocytes respond to direct blue light stimulation in a cell-autonomous manner, highlighting the translational relevance of this pathway. Together, these data demonstrate a light-responsive metabolic circuit involving adipose-hypothalamus communication, offering a potential strategy to alleviate obesity-induced metabolic abnormalities.

The association between different types of amino acid intake and physical growth among children

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Restricted linear growth and abnormal weight status are commonly observed among children in low-income countries, possibly due to inadequate protein intake. Considering the role of protein intake and amino acid (AA) synthesis in growth and development, it has been suggested that there may be an association between AA intake and physical growth. We aimed to investigate the association between different types of AA intake and physical growth among children.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study including 780 six-year-old children referred to 10 health care centers for vaccination between October 2017 and March 2018 was conducted. Anthropometric data was collected using standard methods, and dietary intake was assessed using a validated food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ)‏ in an interview by a trained technician.

RESULTS

Children in the highest tertile (3rd) of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) intake had a higher weight-for-age z-score (WAZ) (P = 0.02) and body mass index-for-age z-score (BAZ) (P = 0.001) compared to those in the lowest tertile (1st). Interestingly, BAZ was significantly associated with the highest tertile of acidic AA intake (P = 0.04), while an inverse association was observed between the highest tertile of aromatic AA (phenylalanine and tyrosine) intake and BAZ (P = 0.01) . No significant associations were observed between the highest tertile of sulfuric, aliphatic, or neutral AA and BAZ, height-for-age z-score (HAZ) or WAZ. Further, underweight was associated with the 3rd tertile of aromatic, alcoholic, aliphatic or neutral AA and BCAA intake. Aliphatic and neutral AA intake was also increased the risk of overweight. Finally, stunted growth patterns were associated with the highest tertile of acidic, alcoholic.

CONCLUSION

Findings presented in this study showed that higher BAZ and WAZ are associated with 3rd tertiles of BCAA intake, but lower BAZ were associated with 3rd tertiles of aromatic AA (phenylalanine and tyrosine) intake. Future research in other populations are needed to confirm these findings.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory peptide IVGFPAYGH protects against liver injury in mice fed a high‑sodium diet by inhibiting the RAS and remodeling gut microbial communities

Consuming a high‑sodium diet carries serious health risks and significantly influences the activation state of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). This study evaluates the protective effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptide IVGFPAYGH on a high‑sodium diet-induced liver injury. IVGFPAYGH supplementation increased the activities of liver antioxidase and decreased the levels of liver inflammatory factor in mice fed a high‑sodium diet (8 % NaCl). IVGFPAYGH supplementation also reduced liver fatty acid synthesis and promoted fatty acid oxidation, increased the expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor, and improved liver dyslipidemia. Furthermore, IVGFPAYGH supplementation inhibited the activation of the liver RAS via inhibiting ACE activity and reducing angiotensin II levels in mice fed a high‑sodium diet. Moreover, IVGFPAYGH supplementation could alter the gut microbiota composition toward a normal gut microbiota composition and increase the abundance of the Lactobacillus genus. IVGFPAYGH supplementation also increased the expression levels of small intestinal tight junction protein and cecum short-chain fatty acids. Thus, IVGFPAYGH supplementation may maintain intestinal homeostasis and improve high‑sodium diet-induced liver injury by altering the gut microbiota composition and inhibiting the RAS. IVGFPAYGH is a promising functional ingredient for protecting liver damage caused by a high‑sodium diet.

Oral histidine affects gut microbiota and MAIT cells improving glycemic control in type 2 diabetes patients

Amino acids, metabolized by host cells as well as commensal gut bacteria, have signaling effects on host metabolism. Oral supplementation of the essential amino acid histidine has been shown to exert metabolic benefits. To investigate whether dietary histidine aids glycemic control, we performed a case-controlled parallel clinical intervention study in participants with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and healthy controls. Participants received oral histidine for seven weeks. After 2 weeks of histidine supplementation, the microbiome was depleted by antibiotics to determine the microbial contribution to histidine metabolism. We assessed glycemic control, immunophenotyping of peripheral blood mononucelar cells (PBMC), DNA methylation of PBMCs and fecal gut microbiota composition. Histidine improves several markers of glycemic control, including postprandial glucose levels with a concordant increase in the proportion of MAIT cells after two weeks of histidine supplementation. The increase in MAIT cells was associated with changes in gut microbial pathways such as riboflavin biosynthesis and epigenetic changes in the amino acid transporter SLC7A5. Associations between the microbiome and MAIT cells were replicated in the MetaCardis cohort. We propose a conceptual framework for how oral histidine may affect MAIT cells via altered gut microbiota composition and SLC7A5 expression in MAIT cells directly and thereby influencing glycemic control. Future studies should focus on the role of flavin biosynthesis intermediates and SLC7A5 modulation in MAIT cells to modulate glycemic control.

Untargeted metabolomic analysis investigating links between unprocessed red meat intake and markers of inflammation

BACKGROUND

Whether red meat consumption is associated with higher inflammation or confounded by increased adiposity remains unclear. Plasma metabolites capture the effects of diet after food is processed, digested, and absorbed, and correlate with markers of inflammation, so they can help clarify diet-health relationships.

OBJECTIVE

To identify whether any metabolites associated with red meat intake are also associated with inflammation.

METHODS

A cross-sectional analysis of observational data from older adults (52.84% women, mean age 63 ± 0.3 y) participating in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). Dietary intake was assessed by food-frequency questionnaire, alongside C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-2, interleukin-6, fibrinogen, homocysteine, and tumor necrosis factor alpha, and untargeted proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) metabolomic features. Associations between these variables were examined using linear regression models, adjusted for demographic factors, lifestyle behaviors, and body mass index (BMI).

RESULTS

In analyses that adjust for BMI, neither processed nor unprocessed forms of red meat were associated with any markers of inflammation (all P > 0.01). However, when adjusting for BMI, unprocessed red meat was inversely associated with spectral features representing the metabolite glutamine (sentinel hit: β = -0.09 ± 0.02, P = 2.0 × 10-5), an amino acid which was also inversely associated with CRP level (β = -0.11 ± 0.01, P = 3.3 × 10-10).

CONCLUSIONS

Our analyses were unable to support a relationship between either processed or unprocessed red meat and inflammation, over and above any confounding by BMI. Glutamine, a plasma correlate of lower unprocessed red meat intake, was associated with lower CRP levels. The differences in diet-inflammation associations, compared with diet metabolite-inflammation associations, warrant further investigation to understand the extent that these arise from the following: 1) a reduction in measurement error with metabolite measures; 2) the extent that which factors other than unprocessed red meat intake contribute to glutamine levels; and 3) the ability of plasma metabolites to capture individual differences in how food intake is metabolized.

Association between Health Literacy and Prevalence of Obesity, Arterial Hypertension, and Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Health literacy (HL) is linked to many health outcomes, including self-management of chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the association of health literacy with the prevalence of obesity, arterial hypertension (AH), and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: This cross-sectional, single-center study included 500 patients (42.2% male and 57.8% females; median age, 63 years (interquartile range, 42−73)) hospitalized at General County Hospital in Požega, Croatia, between July and October 2020. The Short Assessment of Health Literacy for Croatian Adults (SAHLCA-50) questionnaire was used. Descriptive statistics (median with interquartile range (IQR), frequency, and percentages) and binary logistic regression were utilized. Results: Patients with AH had an inadequate level of health literacy as compared to those without AH (32 vs. 40 points; Mann−Whitney U test, p < 0.001). Patients with T2DM scored 31 points versus 39 points in patients without T2DM (Mann−Whitney U test, p < 0.001). Patients suffering from both AH and T2DM scored 31 points versus 33 points in those with either AH or T2DM and 41 points in patients without AH and T2DM (Kruskal−Wallis test, p < 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in SAHLCA-50 scores according to the patient body mass index. Conclusions: An inadequate level of health literacy is significantly associated with AH and T2DM but not with obesity. Male gender, low level of education, rural place of residence, retirement, and older age are significant predictors of inadequate health literacy.

Early-life exposure to famine and the risk of general and abdominal obesity in adulthood: a 22-year cohort study

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate how early-life exposure to famine affected the development of overweight, general obesity and abdominal obesity in Chinese adults.

STUDY DESIGN

This study was a 22-year cohort study.

METHODS

Data were derived from the China Health and Nutrition Survey, which is a national prospective cohort study. All participants born between 1949 and 1966 were potentially eligible. Height, weight and waist circumference (WC) were measured by trained healthcare workers. Height and weight were used to calculate body mass index, which was used to define general obesity and WC was used to define abdominal obesity. Exposure to famine was defined using the birth date as follows: no exposure (participants born between 1962 and 1966); fetal exposure (participants born between 1959 and 1961); early childhood exposure (participants born between 1956 and 1958); mid-childhood exposure (participants born between 1953 and 1955); and late childhood exposure (participants born between 1949 and 1952).

RESULTS

In total, 6957 participants were included in this study. Results indicate that exposure to famine was linked to a lower risk of being overweight. Exposure to famine in mid-childhood decreased the risk of general obesity in both males (hazard ratio [HR] 0.485, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.292-0.807 [P = 0.005]) and females (HR 0.426, 95% CI 0.256-0.709 [P = 0.001]). Exposure to famine during any period of childhood decreased the risk of abdominal obesity (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Exposure to famine in early childhood decreased the risk of overweight and abdominal obesity in adulthood; however, exposure to famine only had a weak role in the development of general obesity.

Histidine ameliorates elastase- and lipopolysaccharide-induced lung inflammation by inhibiting the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome

Histidine treatment has anti-inflammatory effects on several diseases such as colitis and obesity. We revealed that histidine levels were decreased in the serum of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in our previous study. However, whether histidine confers protection against COPD is unclear. In the present study, we evaluated the protective effects of histidine in a porcine pancreatic elastase- and lipopolysaccharide-induced COPD mouse model. We found that the serum histidine concentration was decreased in COPD mice. Histidine supplementation improved the COPD mouse lung function and reduced the inflammatory cell counts and production of cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. In addition, histidine treatment ameliorated lung inflammation by inhibiting the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor (NLR) family pyrin domain-containing 3 inflammasome activation both in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, we found that the potential anti-inflammatory mechanism involved the upregulation of silent information regulator factor 2-related enzyme 1. These results suggest that histidine may be a valuable therapeutic target for COPD.

Refined grains intake in high fat, high protein, low carbohydrate and low energy levels subgroups and higher likelihood of abdominal obesity in Chinese population

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between refined grains intake and obesity in China. Refined grain intake was considered in relation to energy intake and at varied levels of macronutrient distribution. A cross-sectional study of 6913 participants was conducted using internet-based dietary questionnaire for Chinese (IDQC). The associations and dose-response relationships between refined grains intake and obesity were investigated using multivariable logistic regression analyses and restricted cubic spline (RCS) models. There was a positive association between refined grains intake and abdominal obesity for all participants (forth quartile OR, 1.313; 95% CI, 1.103-1.760; p < .05) and this association persisted in low energy, low carbohydrate, high fat and high protein level subgroups. A range of favourable refined grains intake was 88-116 g/d (3-4 servings/d), which might decrease the likelihood of obesity for Chinese residents. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Tolerance to graded dosages of histidine supplementation in healthy human adults

BACKGROUND

Histidine is an essential amino acid with health benefits that may warrant histidine supplementation; however, the clinical safety of histidine intake above the average dietary intake (1.52-5.20 g/d) needs to be vetted.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to determine the tolerance to graded dosages of histidine in a healthy adult population.

METHODS

Healthy adults aged 21-50 y completed graded dosages of histidine supplement (4, 8, and 12 g/d, Study 1) (n = 20 men and n = 20 women) and/or a 16-g/d dosage of histidine (Study 2, n = 21 men and n = 19 women); 27 participants (n = 12 men and n = 15 women) completed both studies. After study enrollment and baseline measures, participants consumed encapsulated histidine for 4 wk followed by a 3-wk recovery period. Primary outcomes included vitals, select biochemical analytes, anthropometry, serum zinc, and body composition (via DXA).

RESULTS

No changes in vitals or body composition occurred with histidine supplementation in either study. Plasma histidine (measured in subjects who completed all dosages for Studies 1 and 2) was elevated at the 12- and 16-g/d dosages (compared with 0-8 g/d, P < 0.05) and blood urea nitrogen increased with dosage (P = 0.013) and time (P < 0.001) in Study 1 and with time in Study 2 (P < 0.001). In Study 1, mean ferritin concentrations were lower in 12 g/d (46.0 ng/mL; 95% CI: 34.8, 60.9 ng/mL) than in 4 g/d (51.6 ng/mL; 95% CI: 39.0, 68.4 ng/mL; P = 0.038). In Study 2, 16 g/d increased mean aspartate aminotransferase from baseline (19 U/L; 95% CI: 17, 22 U/L) to week 4 (24 U/L; 95% CI: 21, 27 U/L; P < 0.001) and mean serum zinc decreased from baseline (0.75 μg/dL; 95% CI: 0.71, 0.80 μg/dL) to week 4 (0.70 μg/dL; 95% CI: 0.66, 0.74 μg/dL; P = 0.011).

CONCLUSIONS

Although values remained within the normal reference ranges for all analytes measured, in all dosages tested, the human no-observed adverse effect level was determined to be 8 g/d owing to changes in blood parameters at the 12-g/d dosage.This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT04142294.

Discovery of Gut Bacteria Specific to Alzheimer's Associated Diseases is a Clue to Understanding Disease Etiology: Meta-Analysis of Population-Based Data on Human Gut Metagenomics and Metabolomics

Alzheimer's disease (AD)-associated sequence (ADAS) of cultured fecal bacteria was discovered in human gut targeted screening. This study provides important information to expand our current understanding of the structure/activity relationship of ADAS and putative inhibitors/activators that are potentially involved in ADAS appearance/disappearance. The NCBI database analysis revealed that ADAS presents at a large proportion in American Indian Oklahoman (C&A) with a high prevalence of obesity/diabetes and in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients from the US and China. An Oklahoman non-native group (NNI) showed no ADAS. Comparison of two large US populations reveals that ADAS is more frequent in individuals aged ≥66 and in females. Prevalence and levels of fecal metabolites are altered in the C&A and CRC groups versus controls. Biogenic amines (histamine, tryptamine, tyramine, phenylethylamine, cadaverine, putrescine, agmatine, spermidine) that present in food and are produced by gut microbiota are significantly higher in C&A (e.g., histamine/histidine 95-fold) versus NNI (histamine/histidine 16-fold). The majority of these bio-amines are cytotoxic at concentrations found in food. Inositol phosphate signaling implicated in AD is altered in C&A and CRC. Tryptamine stimulated accumulation of inositol phosphate. The seizure-eliciting tryptamine induced cytoplasmic vacuolization and vesiculation with cell fragmentation. Present additions of ADAS-carriers at different ages including infants led to an ADAS-comprising human sample size of 2,830 from 27 studies from four continents (North America, Australia, Asia, Europe). Levels of food-derived monoamine oxidase inhibitors and anti-bacterial compounds, the potential modulators of ADAS-bacteria growth and biogenic amine production, were altered in C&A versus NNI. ADAS is attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors of AD associated diseases.

Benefits and Adverse Effects of Histidine Supplementation

Histidine is a nutritionally essential amino acid with many recognized benefits to human health, while circulating concentrations of histidine decline in pathologic conditions [e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD)]. The purpose of this review is to examine the existing literature regarding the benefits of histidine intake, the adverse effects of excess histidine, and the upper tolerance level for histidine. Supplementation with doses of 4.0-4.5 g histidine/d and increased dietary histidine intake are associated with decreased BMI, adiposity, markers of glucose homeostasis (e.g., HOMA-IR, fasting blood glucose, 2-h postprandial blood glucose), proinflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress. It is unclear from the limited number of studies in humans whether the improvements in glucoregulatory markers, inflammation, and oxidative stress are due to reduced BMI and adiposity, increased carnosine (a metabolic product of histidine with antioxidant effects), or both. Histidine intake also improves cognitive function (e.g., reduces appetite, anxiety, and stress responses and improves sleep) potentially through the metabolism of histidine to histamine; however, this relation is ambiguous in humans. At high intakes of histidine (>24 g/d), studies report adverse effects of histidine such as decreased serum zinc and cognitive impairment. There is limited research on the effects of histidine intake at doses between 4.5 and 24 g/d, and thus, a tolerable upper level has not been established. Determining tolerance to histidine supplementation has been limited by small sample sizes and, more important, a lack of a clear biomarker for histidine supplementation. The U-shaped curve of circulating zinc concentrations with histidine supplementation could be exploited as a relevant biomarker for supplemental histidine tolerance. Histidine is an important amino acid and may be necessary as a supplement in some populations; however, gaps in knowledge, which this review highlights, need to be addressed scientifically.

Highly Efficient Production of l-Histidine from Glucose by Metabolically Engineered Escherichia coli

l-Histidine is a functional amino acid with numerous therapeutic and ergogenic properties. It is one of the few amino acids that is not produced on a large scale by microbial fermentation due to the lack of an efficient microbial cell factory. In this study, we demonstrated the engineering of wild-type Escherichia coli to overproduce histidine from glucose. First, removal of transcription attenuation and histidine-mediated feedback inhibition resulted in 0.8 g/L histidine accumulation. Second, chromosome-based optimization of the expression levels of histidine biosynthesis genes led to a 4.75-fold increase in histidine titer. Third, strengthening phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate supply and rerouting the purine nucleotide biosynthetic pathway improved the histidine production to 8.2 g/L. Fourth, introduction of the NADH-dependent glutamate dehydrogenase from Bacillus subtilis and the lysine exporter from Corynebacterium glutamicum enabled the final strain HW6-3 to produce 11.8 g/L histidine. Finally, 66.5 g/L histidine was produced under fed-batch fermentation, with a yield of 0.23 g/g glucose and a productivity of 1.5 g/L/h. This is the highest titer and productivity of histidine ever reported from an engineered strain. Additionally, the metabolic strategies utilized here can be applied to engineering other microorganisms for the industrial production of histidine and related bioproducts.

Histidine: A Systematic Review on Metabolism and Physiological Effects in Human and Different Animal Species

Histidine is an essential amino acid (EAA) in mammals, fish, and poultry. We aim to give an overview of the metabolism and physiological effects of histidine in humans and different animal species through a systematic review following the guidelines of PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses). In humans, dietary histidine may be associated with factors that improve metabolic syndrome and has an effect on ion absorption. In rats, histidine supplementation increases food intake. It also provides neuroprotection at an early stage and could protect against epileptic seizures. In chickens, histidine is particularly important as a limiting factor for carnosine synthesis, which has strong anti-oxidant effects. In fish, dietary histidine may be one of the most important factors in preventing cataracts. In ruminants, histidine is a limiting factor for milk protein synthesis and could be the first limiting AA for growth. In excess, histidine supplementation can be responsible for eating and memory disorders in humans and can induce growth retardation and metabolic dysfunction in most species. To conclude, the requirements for histidine, like for other EAA, have been derived from growth and AA composition in tissues and also have specific metabolic roles depending on species and dietary levels.

Inflammation and Cognitive Function in Overweight and Obese Chinese Individuals

BACKGROUND

The role(s) of inflammation in obesity-associated cognitive decline in overweight or obese populations is not completely understood.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the profile of plasma inflammatory cytokines in overweight and obese Chinese individuals and to assess the relationship between inflammation and cognitive function.

METHODS

We evaluated the cognitive domains of 282 Chinese adults, aged 35 to 64 years, using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). The participants were classified into three groups according to their body mass index. Inflammatory cytokines were determined by immune turbidimetric analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data were analyzed using covariance and partial correlation analyses after adjusting for gender, age, education level, hypertension, and hyperlipemia.

RESULTS

The total MoCA scores of the overweight and obese groups were significantly lower than that of the control group. The obese group displayed a significantly higher level of tumor necrosis factor-α than the overweight and control groups and a significantly higher level of transforming growth factor-β than the control group. The overweight group displayed a significantly higher interleukin-4 level than the control and obese groups. After adjusting for confounding factors, however, we found no significant correlation between the level of plasma inflammatory cytokines and MMSE or MoCA total score.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to normal-weight Chinese participants, overweight and obese Chinese participants revealed significant differences in their inflammatory cytokines profile; however, the inflammatory cytokine levels did not correlate with the significantly lower cognitive scores observed in the overweight and obese groups.

Histidine in Health and Disease: Metabolism, Physiological Importance, and Use as a Supplement

L-histidine (HIS) is an essential amino acid with unique roles in proton buffering, metal ion chelation, scavenging of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, erythropoiesis, and the histaminergic system. Several HIS-rich proteins (e.g., haemoproteins, HIS-rich glycoproteins, histatins, HIS-rich calcium-binding protein, and filaggrin), HIS-containing dipeptides (particularly carnosine), and methyl- and sulphur-containing derivatives of HIS (3-methylhistidine, 1-methylhistidine, and ergothioneine) have specific functions. The unique chemical properties and physiological functions are the basis of the theoretical rationale to suggest HIS supplementation in a wide range of conditions. Several decades of experience have confirmed the effectiveness of HIS as a component of solutions used for organ preservation and myocardial protection in cardiac surgery. Further studies are needed to elucidate the effects of HIS supplementation on neurological disorders, atopic dermatitis, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, uraemic anaemia, ulcers, inflammatory bowel diseases, malignancies, and muscle performance during strenuous exercise. Signs of toxicity, mutagenic activity, and allergic reactions or peptic ulcers have not been reported, although HIS is a histamine precursor. Of concern should be findings of hepatic enlargement and increases in ammonia and glutamine and of decrease in branched-chain amino acids (valine, leucine, and isoleucine) in blood plasma indicating that HIS supplementation is inappropriate in patients with liver disease.

Foodomics Revealed the Effects of Extract Methods on the Composition and Nutrition of Peanut Oil

Processing technology has a significant effect on the functional quality of vegetable oil, but the exact mechanism is not yet very well known so far. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of extract methods on the composition and nutrition of peanut oil. Peanut oil was prepared by cold pressing, hot pressing, and enzyme-assisted aqueous extraction, and their trace components were determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Serum and liver samples from Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats fed with different extract oils were profiled by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and LC-MS. The component analysis showed that different process technologies cause differentiation of trace active ingredients. Metabolomics analysis revealed that a high-fat diet causes serum and hepatic metabolic disorders, which can be ameliorated by hot-pressed and hydroenzymatic peanut oil, including downregulation of partial amino acids, fatty acids, phospholipids, and carbohydrates in cold-pressed peanut oil as well as the upregulation of palmitic acid, uric acid, and pyrimidine in enzyme-assisted aqueous oils. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) uncovered strong associations between specific metabolic alterations and peanut oil trace components. The data obtained in this study offers a new insight on the roles of oil processing.

Attenuation of Weight Gain and Prevention of Associated Pathologies by Inhibiting SSAO

Obesity is a worldwide prevalent metabolic disorder that is associated with diabetes, among many other diseases. Bearing this in mind, prevention and treatment ways need to be improved. Notably, activity of the enzyme semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) is found to be elevated in overweight subjects. Moreover, SSAO inhibition has resulted in an increase of histamine activity in adipose tissue and the limitation of body fat. The current review aims to overview the risks of obesity, rationalize the molecular ways of SSAO activity, and outline the strategies of inhibiting upregulated enzyme levels. It describes the differences between SSAO inhibitors and advances the prospective agents. Based on evidence, caffeine is proposed as an effective, safe, and reliable choice to inhibit SSAO activity. Furthermore, the histamine in adipocytes has been associated with SSAO activity. Therefore, it is suggested as one of the key compounds to be studied for obesity management. To conclude, inhibiting SSAO may attenuate weight gain and prevent related diseases.

The prevalence and increasing trends of overweight, general obesity, and abdominal obesity among Chinese adults: a repeated cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of general and abdominal obesity has increased rapidly in China. The aims of this study were to estimate the dynamic prevalence of overweight, general obesity, and abdominal obesity and the distribution of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) among Chinese adults.

METHODS

Data were obtained from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS). According to the suggestions of the WHO for Chinese populations, overweight was defined as a 23 kg/m2 ≤ BMI < 27.5 kg/m2 and general obesity as a BMI ≥ 27.5 kg/m2. Abdominal obesity was defined as a WC ≥ 90 cm for males and ≥ 80 cm for females. Grade 1, grade 2, and grade 3 obesity were defined as 27.5 kg/m2 ≤ BMI < 32.5 kg/m2, 32.5 kg/m2 ≤ BMI < 37.5 kg/m2, and BMI ≥ 37.5 kg/m2, respectively. Generalized estimation equations were used to estimate the prevalence and trends of overweight, general and abdominal obesity.

RESULTS

This study included 12,543 participant. From 1989 to 2011, the median BMI of males and females increased by 2.65 kg/m2 and 1.90 kg/m2, respectively; and WC increased by 8.50 cm and 7.00 cm, respectively. In 2011, the age-adjusted prevalence of overweight, general obesity, and abdominal obesity were 38.80% (95% CI: 37.95-39.65%), 13.99% (95% CI: 13.38-14.59%), and 43.15% (95% CI: 42.28-44.01%), respectively, and significantly increased across all cycles of the survey among all subgroups (all P < 0.0001). The age-adjusted prevalence of grade 1-3 obesity significantly increased in total sample and sex subgroups (all P < 0.0001). For all indicators, there were significant increases in annual ORs among all subgroups (all P < 0.0001), with the exception of grade 2 obesity. Significant differences were observed in ORs across the three age groups in males. And ORs significantly decreased with age.

CONCLUSIONS

The age-adjusted prevalence of overweight, general obesity, and abdominal obesity significantly increased among Chinese adults from 1989 to 2011. The obesity population is trending toward an increased proportion of males and younger individuals in China.

Abdominal Fat in Individuals with Overweight Reduced by Consumption of a 1975 Japanese Diet: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate whether the intake of the 1975 Japanese diet (JD) could reduce the amount of abdominal fat in people with overweight.

METHODS

Using a single-blind randomized controlled trial, the modern diet (MD) was compared with the 1975-type JD, which is based on the MD but includes five characteristics of the 1975 JD in an enhanced form. Overweight people were randomly assigned to an MD group (n = 30) and a JD group (n = 30). The participants consumed test diets that were provided three times a day for 28 days. Body composition measurements and blood biochemical examinations were performed before and after the test diet intake, and the proportions of change were compared.

RESULTS

Those in the JD group had significantly decreased BMI, fat mass, and levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, glycated hemoglobin, and C-reactive protein (P = 0.002, 0.015, 0.014, 0.012, and 0.039, respectively) and significantly increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels compared with those in the MD group (P = 0.020).

CONCLUSIONS

The intake of a diet with the characteristics of the 1975 JD may have beneficial effects on lipid metabolism in people with overweight and reduce the onset risk of metabolism-related disorders, such as obesity and diabetes.

Association between dietary intake and inflammatory markers: results from the CoLaus study

OBJECTIVE

To assess the associations between single foods, nutrients, dietary patterns and dietary scores, and inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein (CRP), IL-6, TNF-α and leucocyte count).

DESIGN

Cross-sectional, population-based study.

SETTING

City of Lausanne, Switzerland, years 2009-2012.

SUBJECTS

Adults (n 4027; 46·5 % men), mean age 57·2 (sd 10·2) years. Dietary intake was collected using a semi-quantitative FFQ. Single foods and nutrients, three dietary patterns ('Meat & fries'; 'Fruits & vegetables'; 'Fatty & sugary') and three dietary scores (two Mediterranean; Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI)) were used. Associations were assessed using correlation and multivariable linear regression.

RESULTS

After adjusting for total energy intake, gender and other sociodemographic factors, no individual macro- or micronutrient was associated with inflammatory markers. Among single foods, only fruit intake was negatively associated with CRP levels (standardized regression score=-0·043, P<0·01). The 'Fruits & vegetables' pattern, the Mediterranean and the AHEI scores were negatively associated with CRP levels (standardized regression score=-0·079, -0·043 and -0·067, respectively, all P<0·01). When entered simultaneously with fruit intake, the 'Fruits & vegetables' pattern, the Mediterranean and the AHEI scores tended to remain significantly and negatively associated with CRP levels, while the association with fruit intake was no longer significant. No association between all dietary markers and IL-6, TNF-α or leucocyte count was found.

CONCLUSIONS

Dietary scores, but not individual foods, are associated with inflammatory markers in the general population.

Higher intakes of energy-adjusted dietary amino acids are inversely associated with obesity risk

We assessed the relationship between energy-adjusted amino acids (EAA) intakes and obesity risk using data on nutrient intakes derived from the Chinese food composition tables to determine dietary intakes (DI) among 1109 obese and 3009 normal weight subjects. Dietary patterns (DP) were identified using principal component analysis, multivariable-adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of obesity risk by quartiles of EAA intakes was estimated using logistic regression with two-sided P < 0.05. Multivariable-adjusted OR and 95% CI for obesity risk were 1.00, 0.801 (0.573, 1.119), 0.718 (0.504, 1.024) and 0.532 (0.353, 0.803) P-trend = 0.003 across energy-adjusted quartiles of total AA intakes. Similarly, higher DI of 13 AA; isoleucine, leucine, valine, lysine, cysteine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, threonine, histidine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, proline, and serine were associated with lower risk of obesity. Furthermore, six DP; 'Wheaten food and Rice', 'Fruit, Vegetables and Milk', 'Snack, Beverage and Ice cream', 'Potatoes, Soybean & Egg', 'Livestock & Poultry meat' and 'Fish' were identified. Multivariable-adjusted OR and 95% CI across quartiles of DP adherence for obesity risk were 1.00, 0.737 (0.535, 1.017), 0.563 (0.406, 0.779), 0.724 (0.518, 1.011) P-trend = 0.018 for 'Fruit, Vegetables and Milk', 1.00, 0.734 (0.531, 1.013), 0.841(0.609, 1.161), 0.657 (0.478, 0.904) P-trend = 0.027 for 'Potatoes, Soybean & Egg' and 1.00, 1.106 (0.791, 1.548), 1.367(0.975, 1.917), 1.953 (1.399, 2.726) P-trend = 0.000 for 'Fish'. Additionally, lower adherence to 'Snack, Beverage and Ice cream' and 'Fish' patterns is associated with a protective higher AA intake-obesity risk relationship. Energy-adjusted AA intakes were inversely associated with obesity risk, but the associations appear modifiable by DP adherence of respondents.

An Evidence-Based Review of Dietary Supplements on Inflammatory Biomarkers in Obesity

Obesity is a multifactorial chronic disease characterized by the hypertrophy and hyperplasia ofthe adipose tissue accompanied by low-grade chronic inflammation, which is in turn related to cardiometabolic diseases. The main treatment for obesity involves lifestyle changes, however, there are several factors that can prevent or impact successful weight loss in obese subjects. Recently, dietary supplements have been considered for their potential anti-inflammatory effect in obesity.Relevant literature sought in PubMed database focuses on human randomized placebo controlled trials to analyze the effect of dietary supplements on inflammatory biomarkers in obesity. However, there is a lack of existing evidence that the supplements are safe to use, and thus unfit for recommendation. Therefore, the objective of this evidence-based review is to analyze the current body of literature for evidence of the anti-inflammatory effects of dietary supplements, especially in regards to treating obesity.

Associations of dietary phytosterols with blood lipid profiles and prevalence of obesity in Chinese adults, a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

It has been established in RCTs that high dose of phytosterols can significantly reduce blood cholesterol. However, it was uncertain whether low dose of phytosterols from daily diets was effective. In this study, we evaluated the associations between dietary phytosterols and body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), blood glucose, serum lipid profiles and prevalence of overweight/obesity and abdominal obesity in healthy subjects.

METHODS

Four hundred nine men and 503 women aged 18-60 years were included in this study. Dietary intakes of phytosterols were estimated using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Height, body weight, WC and blood pressure were measured, an oral glucose tolerance test was performed. Moreover, fasting serum triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) were further determined.

RESULTS

When comparing extreme quartiles of dietary phytosterols, significant differences of BMI, WC, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), serum TC and LDLc were found. Dietary phytosterols presented a negative association with BMI, WC, SBP, DBP, serum TC and LDLc (with and without adjustment for energy). After adjustment for confounders, we found higher dietary phytosterols were linked with lower prevalence of overweight/obesity (OR highest vs. lowest quartile = 0.487; 95% CI 0.234, 0.918 for men; OR highest vs. lowest quartile = 0.277; 95% CI 0.124, 0.619 for women) and abdominal obesity (OR highest vs. lowest quartile = 0.344; 95% CI 0.144, 0.819 for men; OR highest vs. lowest quartile = 0.321; 95% CI 0.140, 0.571 for women).

CONCLUSIONS

Higher dietary phytosterols were associated with lower BMI, WC, blood pressure, serum TC and LDLc and lower prevalence of overweight/obesity and abdominal obesity in Chinese adults.

Family history and obesity in youth, their effect on acylcarnitine/aminoacids metabolomics and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Structural equation modeling approach

BACKGROUND

Structural equation modeling (SEM) can help understanding complex functional relationships among obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), family history of obesity, targeted metabolomics and pro-inflammatory markers. We tested two hypotheses: 1) If obesity precedes an excess of free fatty acids that increase oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, there would be an increase of serum acylcarnitines, amino acids and cytokines in obese subjects. Acylcarnitines would be related to non-alcoholic fatty disease that will induce insulin resistance. 2) If a positive family history of obesity and type 2 diabetes are the major determinants of the metabolomic profile, there would be higher concentration of amino acids and acylcarnitines in patients with this background that will induce obesity and NAFLD which in turn will induce insulin resistance.

METHODS/RESULTS

137 normoglycemic subjects, mean age (SD) of 30.61 (8.6) years divided in three groups: BMI<25 with absence of NAFLD (G1), n = 82; BMI>30 with absence of NAFLD (G2), n = 24; and BMI>30 with NAFLD (G3), n = 31. Family history of obesity (any) was present in 53%. Both models were adjusted in SEM. Family history of obesity predicted obesity but could not predict acylcarnitines and amino acid concentrations (effect size <0.2), but did predict obesity phenotype.

CONCLUSION

Family history of obesity is the major predictor of obesity, and the metabolic abnormalities on amino acids, acylcarnitines, inflammation, insulin resistance, and NAFLD.

Dietary Components and Metabolic Dysfunction: Translating Preclinical Studies into Clinical Practice

The importance of diet in the pathophysiology of metabolic syndrome is well acknowledged [1-3] and may be crucial in the determination of cardiovascular risk and the development of cardiovascular complications [4-7].[...].

Associations between Dietary Nutrient Intakes and Hepatic Lipid Contents in NAFLD Patients Quantified by ¹H-MRS and Dual-Echo MRI

Dietary habits are crucial in the progression of hepatic lipid accumulation and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, there are limited studies using ¹H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H-MRS) and dual-echo in-phase and out-phase magnetic resonance spectroscopy imaging (dual-echo MRI) to assess the effects of dietary nutrient intakes on hepatic lipid contents. In the present study, we recruited 36 female adults (NAFLD:control = 19:17) to receive questionnaires and medical examinations, including dietary intakes, anthropometric and biochemical measurements, and ¹H-MRS and dual-echo MRI examinations. NAFLD patients were found to consume diets higher in energy, protein, fat, saturated fatty acid (SFA), and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA). Total energy intake was positively associated with hepatic fat fraction (HFF) and intrahepatic lipid (IHL) after adjustment for age and body-mass index (BMI) (HFF: β = 0.24, p = 0.02; IHL: β = 0.38, p = 0.02). Total fat intake was positively associated with HFF and IHL after adjustment for age, BMI and total energy intake (HFF: β = 0.36, p = 0.03; IHL: β = 0.42, p = 0.01). SFA intake was positively associated with HFF and IHL after adjustments (HFF: β = 0.45, p = 0.003; IHL: β = 1.16, p = 0.03). In conclusion, hepatic fat content was associated with high energy, high fat and high SFA intakes, quantified by ¹H-MRS and dual-echo MRI in our population. Our findings are useful to provide dietary targets to prevent the hepatic lipid accumulation and NAFLD.