Soluble dietary fibres decrease α-glucosidase inhibition of epigallocatechin gallate through affecting polyphenol-enzyme binding interactions.

The effects of soluble dietary fibres (SDFs) on α-glucosidase inhibition of EGCG were studied. Three arabinoxylans and polygalacturonic acid (PGA) significantly decreased inhibitory activity of EGCG against α-glucosidase, while two ß-glucans hardly affected the inhibition. Although arabinoxylans and PGA weakened the competitive inhibition character of EGCG, they maintained the fluorescence quenching effect of EGCG. Then, arabinoxylans and PGA significantly decreased the particle size and turbidity of EGCG-enzyme complex. These results suggest that there formed SDFs-EGCG-enzyme ternary complexes. The stronger decreasing-effects of arabinoxylans and PGA on α-glucosidase inhibition of EGCG than ß-glucans resulted from the stronger non-covalent interactions of arabinoxylans and PGA with EGCG. This is considered to arise from the short-branches of arabinoxylans that provided more opportunity for capturing EGCG, and from the strong polarity of PGA carboxyl that promoted hydrogen bondings with EGCG. Conclusively, SDFs should be considered as an impact factor when evaluating α-glucosidase inhibition of dietary polyphenols.

Changes in Human Milk Fat Globule Composition Throughout Lactation: A Review.

There has been a growing interest in understanding how the relative levels of human milk fat globule (MFG) components change over the course of lactation, how they differ between populations, and implications of these changes for the health of the infant. In this article, we describe studies published over the last 30 years which have investigated components of the MFG in term milk, focusing on changes over the course of lactation and highlighting infant and maternal factors that may influence these changes. We then consider how the potential health benefits of some of the milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) components and derived ingredients relate to compositional and functional aspects and how these change throughout lactation. The results show that the concentrations of phospholipids, gangliosides, cholesterol, fatty acids and proteins vary throughout lactation, and such changes are likely to reflect the changing requirements of the growing infant. There is a lack of consistent trends for changes in phospholipids and gangliosides across lactation which may reflect different methodological approaches. Other factors such as maternal diet and geographical location have been shown to influence human MFGM composition. The majority of research on the health benefits of MFGM have been conducted using MFGM ingredients derived from bovine milk, and using animal models which have clearly demonstrated the role of the MFGM in supporting cognitive and immune health of infants at different stages of growth and development.

Correction to: Cheese consumption and risk of cardiovascular disease: a meta­analysis of prospective studies.

In the original publication, the funding and conflict of interest statements were not correct.

Cheese consumption and risk of cardiovascular disease: a meta-analysis of prospective studies.

PURPOSE: Cheese contains a high content of saturated fatty acids but also lists of potentially beneficial nutrients. How long-term cheese consumption affects the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is unclear. A meta-analysis of prospective observational studies was conducted to evaluate the risks of total CVD, coronary heart disease (CHD), and stroke associated with cheese consumption. METHODS: Potentially eligible studies were identified by searching PubMed and EMBASE databases and by carefully reviewing the bibliographies of retrieved publications and related reviews. The summary relative risks (RRs) with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using the random-effects model. RESULTS: The final analyses included 15 prospective studies. Most of the studies excluded prevalent CVD at baseline (14/15) and had a duration >10 years (13/15). The summary RR for high vs. low cheese consumption was 0.90 (95 % CI 0.82-0.99) for total CVD (7 studies, 8076 events), 0.86 (95 % CI 0.77-0.96) for CHD (8 studies, 7631 events), and 0.90 (95 % CI 0.84-0.97) for stroke (7 studies, 10,449 events), respectively. The restricted cubic model indicated evidence of nonlinear relationships between cheese consumption and risks of total CVD (P nonlinearity < 0.001) and stroke (P nonlinearity = 0.015), with the largest risk reductions observed at the consumption of approximately 40 g/d. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis of prospective studies suggests a nonlinear inverse association between cheese consumption and risk of CVD.

Maternal and postweaning folic acid supplementation interact to influence body weight, insulin resistance, and food intake regulatory gene expression in rat offspring in a sex-specific manner.

Maternal intake of multivitamins or folic acid above the basal dietary requirement alters the growth and metabolic trajectory of rat offspring. We hypothesized that a modest increase in the folic acid content of maternal diets would alter the offspring's metabolic phenotype, and that these effects could be corrected by matching the folic acid content of the offspring's diet with that of the maternal diet. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were placed on a control or a 2.5× folic acid-supplemented diet prior to mating and during pregnancy and lactation. At weaning, pups from each maternal diet group were randomized to the control or to the 2.5× folic acid-supplemented diet for 25 weeks. Male pups from dams fed the folic acid-supplemented diet were 3.7% heavier than those from control-fed dams and had lower mRNA expression for leptin receptor Obrb isoform (Lepr) (11%) and Agouti-related protein (Agrp) (14%). In contrast, female pups from folic acid-supplemented dams were 5% lighter than those from control-fed dams and had lower proopiomelanocortin (Pomc) (42%), Lepr (32%), and Agrp (13%), but higher neuropeptide Y (Npy) (18%) mRNA expression. Folic acid supplementation ameliorated the alterations induced by maternal folic acid supplementation in male pups and led to the lowest insulin resistance, but the effects were smaller in female pups and led to the highest insulin resistance. In conclusion, maternal folic acid supplementation at 2.5× the control level was associated with alterations in body weight and hypothalamic gene expression in rat offspring in a sex-specific manner, and some of these effects were attenuated by postweaning folic acid supplementation.

Dairy products consumption and metabolic syndrome in adults: systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

The association of dairy products consumption with risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been inconsistently reported in observational studies. A systematic review and meta-analysis of published observational studies was conducted to quantitatively evaluate this association. Relevant studies were identified by searching PubMed and EMBASE databases and by carefully checking the bibliographies of retrieved full reports and related reviews. Eligible studies were observational studies that investigated the association between dairy products consumption and risk of MetS in adults, with risk estimates available. Random-effects model was assigned to calculate the summary risk estimates. The final analysis included 15 cross-sectional studies, one case-control study and seven prospective cohort studies. Higher dairy consumption significantly reduced MetS by 17% in the cross-sectional/case-control studies (odds ratio = 0.83, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.73-0.94), and by 14% (relative risk [RR] = 0.86, 95% CI, 0.79-0.92) in cohort studies. The inverse dairy-MetS association was consistent in subgroup and sensitivity analyses. The dose-response analysis of the cohort studies conferred a significant 6% (RR = 0.94, 95% CI, 0.90-0.98) reduction in the risk of MetS for each increment in dairy consumption of one serving/d. No significant publication bias was observed. Our findings suggest an inverse dose-response relationship between dairy consumption and risk of MetS.

Growth and development in Chinese pre-schoolers with picky eating behaviour: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the associations between picky eating behaviour and pre-schoolers' growth and development. Corresponding potential mechanisms, such as nutrient and food subgroup intake, as well as micronutrients in the blood, will be considered. METHODS: Picky eating behaviour was present if it was reported by parents. From various areas of China, 937 healthy children of 3-7 years old were recruited using a multi-stage stratified cluster sampling method. Children and their mothers' socio-demographic information and children's anthropometry, intelligence, blood samples, one 24-hour dietary intake record and food frequency questionnaire were collected. Z-scores and intelligence tests were used to evaluate growth and development (cognitive development). Multilevel models were employed to verify the associations between picky eating behaviour and growth and development. RESULTS: The prevalence of picky eating as reported by parents was 54% in pre-schoolers. Compared with the non-picky eaters, weight for age in picky eaters was 0.14 z-score (95% CI: -0.25, -0.02; p = 0.017) lower while no significant difference was found in intelligence (p > 0.05). Picky eating behaviour lasting over two years was associated with lower weight for age, as was nit-picking meat (the prevalence from parents' perception was 23% in picky eaters) (p < 0.05). Picky eaters consumed fewer cereals, vegetables, and fish (p < 0.05), and had a lower dietary intake of protein, dietary fibre, iron, and zinc (p < 0.05). There were no differences in the concentrations of essential minerals in whole blood (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Picky eating behaviour is reported by parents in half of the Chinese pre-schoolers, which is negatively associated with growth (weight for age). Lower protein and dietary fibre as well as lower iron and zinc intakes were associated with picky eating as were lower intakes of vegetables, fish and cereals.

Pre-pregnancy BMI, gestational weight gain and postpartum weight retention: a meta-analysis of observational studies.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association of gestational weight gain (GWG) or pre-pregnancy BMI with postpartum weight retention (PPWR). DESIGN: Meta-analysis. SETTING: PubMed, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, EMBASE, Science Citation Index Expanded, Current Contents Connects and Biosis Previews were used to search articles. SUBJECTS: Publications that described the influence of pre-pregnancy BMI or GWG on PPWR. RESULTS: Seventeen studies that satisfied the eligibility criteria were included in the analyses. Women with inadequate and excessive GWG had significantly lower mean PPWR of -2·14 kg (95 % CI -2·43, -1·85 kg) and higher PPWR of 3·21 kg (95 % CI 2·79, 3·62 kg), respectively, than women with adequate GWG. When postpartum time spans were stratified into 1-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-12 months, 12-36 months and ≥15 years, the association between inadequate GWG and PPWR faded over time and became insignificant (-1·42 kg; 95 % CI -3·08, 0·24 kg) after ≥15 years. However, PPWR in women with excess GWG exhibited a U-shaped trend; that is, a decline during the early postpartum time span (year 1) and then an increase in the following period. Meta-analysis of qualitative studies showed a significant relationship between excessive GWG and higher PPWR risk (OR=2·08; 95 % CI 1·60, 2·70). Moreover, meta-analysis of pre-pregnancy BMI on PPWR indicated that mean PPWR decreased with increasing BMI group. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that GWG, rather than pre-pregnancy BMI, determines the shorter- or longer-term PPWR.

Association between gestational weight gain according to prepregnancy body mass index and short postpartum weight retention in postpartum women.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: This study aims to assess the relationship among prepregnancy body mass index, gestational weight gain, and postpartum weight retention, and to clarify the predictors of the amount of weight retained by Chinese women after pregnancy. METHODS: The multistage stratified random sampling was used in the cross-sectional study. RESULTS: The subjects included 1643 women. Mean gestational weight gain was 15.9 kg and mean postpartum weight retention was 5.1 kg. 43.2% of women gained excessive gestational weight gain and 53.3% of women gained 5 kg or more postpartum weight retention. In addition, the proportions of underweight women with inadequate weight gain and overweight women with excessive weight gain were 24.2% and 52.3%, respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed that the adjusted OR of excessive gestational weight gain was 1.74 (95% CI: 1.09-2.79) in overweight women compared with normal weight women. The postpartum weight retention and the proportion of women with postpartum weight retention of 5 kg or more were significantly higher in the excessive gestational weight gain women than in the adequate gestational weight gain women in all three body mass index groups. The adjusted OR of a weight increase of 5 kg or more was at least 1.90 for underweight, normal weight, and overweight women with a gestational weight gain above the recommended amount compared with those with a gestational weight gain within the recommended amount. CONCLUSIONS: Gestational weight gain above the recommended amount increases the risk of postpartum weight retention in all body mass index groups.

Effect of probiotic fermented milk on blood pressure: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Previous studies have suggested that probiotic fermented milk may possess blood pressure (BP)-lowering properties. In the present study, we aimed to systematically examine the effect of probiotic fermented milk on BP by conducting a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. PubMed, Cochrane library and the ClinicalTrials.gov databases were searched up to March 2012 to identify eligible studies.The reference lists of the obtained articles were also reviewed. Either a fixed-effects or a random-effects model was used to calculate the combined treatment effect. Meta-analysis of fourteen randomised placebo-controlled trials involving 702 participants showed that probiotic fermented milk, compared with placebo, produced a significant reduction of 3·10 mmHg (95% CI 24·64, 21·56) in systolic BP and 1·09 mmHg (95% CI 22·11, 20·06) in diastolic BP. Subgroup analyses suggested a slightly greater effect on systolic BP in hypertensive participants than in normotensive ones (23·98 v. 22·09 mmHg). Analysis of trials conducted in Japan showed a greater reduction than those conducted in European countries for both systolic BP (26·12 v. 22·08 mmHg) and diastolic BP (23·45 v. 20·52 mmHg). Some evidence of publication bias was present, but sensitivity analysis excluding small trials that reported extreme results only affected the pooled effect size minimally. In summary, the present meta-analysis suggested that probiotic fermented milk has BP-lowering effects in pre-hypertensive and hypertensive subjects.

High multivitamin intakes during pregnancy and postweaning obesogenic diets interact to affect the relationship between expression of PPAR genes and glucose regulation in the offspring.

High multivitamin intake (HV) during pregnancy increases body fat and weight and alters glucose and fatty acid metabolism in Wistar rat offspring. This study investigated the expression of peroxisome-proliferator activated receptors (PPARs) genes involved in regulation of glucose and fatty acid metabolism in their tissues. Dams received the AIN-93G diet with either the regular (RV) or 10-fold multivitamins (HV) during pregnancy. Male offspring were weaned to either the RV diet (RV-RV and HV-RV) or an obesogenic diet (RV-Ob and HV-Ob). Gene expression of PPARs in tissues was analyzed by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Gestational diet (GD) did not affect PPARs gene expression in offspring at either birth or weaning. In liver, at 14 weeks postweaning, PPAR-γ was 30% lower in the HV-RV and 30% higher in HV-Ob than in the RV-RV group [GD P=.76, postweaning diet (PD) P=.19, interaction P=.02, by two-way analysis of variance]. In muscle, PPAR-α expression was affected by GD and PD (GD P=.05, PD P<.01, interaction P=.07). In adipose tissue, PPAR-α expression was higher in all groups compared to RV-RV (GD P=.25, PD P=.85, interaction P=.03). PPAR-γ mRNA levels correlated with abdominal fat (r=0.45, P<.05) and insulin resistance index (r=0.39, P<.05). In liver, PPAR-γ expression correlated with insulin resistance index in offspring from RV (r=-0.62, P<.05), but not in those from HV dams (r=0.13, P>.05). In conclusion, the HV diet during pregnancy interacts with postweaning diets in determining the expression of PPARs genes in a tissue- and age-dependent manner and uncouples the relationship between these genes and glucose regulation and fat mass in the rat offspring.

Soya protein- and casein-based nutritionally complete diets fed during gestation and lactation differ in effects on characteristics of the metabolic syndrome in male offspring of Wistar rats.

The AIN-93G diets based on soya protein or casein were fed to pregnant Wistar rats from day 3 of gestation and compared for their effects on characteristics of the metabolic syndrome in male offspring. Pregnant rats were randomised to either a casein (C) or soya protein (S) diet (n 12) during gestation only (Expt 1) or during gestation and lactation (Expt 2). Male offspring were weaned to either a C or S diet for 9 weeks (Expt 1) or 15 weeks (Expt 2). In Expt 1, pups born to S-fed dams had higher fasting blood glucose (BG), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) at week 4, higher blood glucose (BG) response to a glucose administration (P < 0·001) and higher body weight (BW) at week 8 (P < 0·05). In Expt 2, consumption of the S diet throughout gestation and lactation resulted in higher BW (P < 0·05), DBP (P < 0·005) and SBP (P < 0·005) in the offspring. They also had higher homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR; P < 0·05) and plasma homocysteine (P < 0·05) at weaning, higher fasting BG and glucose response to glucose administration (P < 0·005) at week 12 and higher HOMA-IR (P < 0·01) at week 15. Although composition of the weaning diets interacted with the diet of the dams, the latter was the dominant factor in determining metabolic outcomes in the offspring. In conclusion, the S diet, compared with the C diet, when consumed during gestation or throughout gestation and lactation increased the presence of characteristics of the metabolic syndrome in the offspring.

High vitamin intake by Wistar rats during pregnancy alters tissue fatty acid concentration in the offspring fed an obesogenic diet.

Diet during pregnancy affects the long-term health of the offspring. Vitamins are known to modulate lipid metabolism, which may be reflected in tissue fatty acid (FA) concentrations. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of high vitamin intake during pregnancy on tissue FA concentration of the offspring. Wistar rats were fed an AIN-93G diet with either the recommended vitamin or 10-fold higher amounts (HV) during pregnancy. Afterward, offspring were weaned onto an obesogenic diet. Liver, quadriceps, adipose, and brain were collected over 48 weeks. Fatty acid concentration of tissue total lipids was analyzed by gas chromatography. At birth, the liver from HV offspring was higher in monounsaturated, stearic, and arachidonic acids. At weaning, the liver from HV offspring was higher in stearic and oleic acids; and in adipose tissue, n-6 and n-3 FAs were lower only in the male HV offspring (P < .05). At 12 weeks, HV offspring had higher concentrations of total fat, saturates, monounsaturates, and n-6 FA in muscle (P < .05), but not in other tissues. At 48 weeks, gestational diet did not affect tissue total lipid FA concentrations; but differences remained in specific tissue phospholipids species. Liver phospholipids from HV offspring were lower in monounsaturates and n-6 FA. Brain phosphatidylethanolamine was higher in oleic, n-6 FA, and docosahexaenoic acid in the HV offspring. Phosphatidylinositol was lower in saturates, monounsaturates, arachidonic, and docosahexaenoic acids only in HV female offspring. These observations demonstrate that high vitamin intake during pregnancy has short- and long-term effects on tissue FA concentration in the offspring.

High multivitamin intake by Wistar rats during pregnancy results in increased food intake and components of the metabolic syndrome in male offspring.

The effect of high multivitamin intake during pregnancy on the metabolic phenotype of rat offspring was investigated. Pregnant Wistar rats (n=10 per group) were fed the AIN-93G diet with the recommended vitamin (RV) content or a 10-fold increase [high vitamin (HV) content]. In experiment 1, male and female offspring were followed for 12 wk after weaning; in experiment 2, only males were followed for 28 wk. Body weight (BW) was measured weekly. Every 4 wk, after an overnight fast, food intake over 1 h was measured 30 min after a gavage of glucose or water. An oral glucose tolerance test was performed every 3-5 wk. Postweaning fasting glucose, insulin, ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide-1, and systolic blood pressure were measured. No difference in BW at birth or litter size was observed. Food intake was greater in males born to HV dams (P<0.05), and at 28 wk after weaning, BW was 8% higher (P<0.05) and fat pad mass was 27% higher (P<0.05). Food intake reduction after the glucose preload was nearly twofold less in males born to HV dams at 12 wk after weaning (P<0.05). Fasting glucose, insulin, and ghrelin were 11%, 62%, and 41% higher in males from HV dams at 14 wk after weaning (P<0.05). Blood glucose response was 46% higher at 23 wk after weaning (P<0.01), and systolic blood pressure was 16% higher at 28 wk after weaning (P<0.05). In conclusion, high multivitamin intake during pregnancy programmed the male offspring for the development of the components of metabolic syndrome in adulthood, possibly by its effects on central mechanisms of food intake control.