Blood orange juice intake changes specific bacteria of gut microbiota associated with cardiometabolic biomarkers.

Blood orange juice is an important source of flavanones and anthocyanins, mainly hesperidin, narirutin, and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside. The benefits of these bioactive compounds have been reported, but the mechanistic details behind their biological effects are not well established. This study investigated the effects of Moro orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) juice (MOJ) on gut microbiota composition and cardiometabolic biomarkers in overweight women. In this study, 12 overweight women (BMI from 25.0 to 29.9 kg/m2), aged 18-37 years, consumed 500 mL of MOJ every day for 4 weeks. We assessed the gut microbiota composition, levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), cardiometabolic biomarkers, and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) at baseline and after 2 weeks and 4 weeks of MOJ intake. The results suggested that MOJ intake affected the abundance of specific operational taxonomic units (OTUs) of the gut microbiota but did not significantly alter the diversity and general composition of the gut microbiota. However, MOJ intake increased the production of SCFAs, especially propionic and isobutyric acids, and significantly improved cardiometabolic biomarkers such as blood pressure and plasma VCAM-1 levels in the overweight women. Additionally, we observed significant associations between gut microbiota OTUs belonging to the Bacteroidetes phyla and Prevotella 9 genera and the cardiometabolic biomarkers. Furthermore, MOJ reduced fasting glucose and insulin levels and HOMA-IR values, thereby enhancing insulin sensitivity in the insulin-resistant overweight women. Finally, we highlighted the importance of orange juice intake duration because some beneficial changes such as blood pressure improvements were evident at the 2-week time interval of the intervention, but other changes became significant only at the 4-week interval of MOJ intake. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that changes in specific OTUs of the gut microbiota in response to MOJ intake were associated with significant improvements in some cardiometabolic biomarkers and SCFA levels in overweight women with insulin resistance.

Nutritional genomics, inflammation and obesity.

The Human Genome Project has significantly broadened our understanding of the molecular aspects regulating the homeostasis and the pathophysiology of different clinical conditions. Consequently, the field of nutrition has been strongly influenced by such improvements in knowledge - especially for determining how nutrients act at the molecular level in different conditions, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. In this manner, characterizing how the genome influences the diet and vice-versa provides insights about the molecular mechanisms involved in chronic inflammation-related diseases. Therefore, the present review aims to discuss the potential application of Nutritional Genomics to modulate obesity-related inflammatory responses. Arch Endocrinol Metab. 2020;64(3):205-22.

The Two-Way Polyphenols-Microbiota Interactions and Their Effects on Obesity and Related Metabolic Diseases.

Metabolic diseases can change the gut microbiota composition and function, and pathogenic bacteria contribute to the development of metabolic disorders. Polyphenols may act in the gut microbiota to favor the increase of beneficial bacteria and hamper the increase of pathogenic bacteria. In addition, the microbiota may act on polyphenols to increase their bioavailability. This two-way interactions between polyphenols and the gut microbiota could affect human metabolism and reduce cardiometabolic risk. Despite the possible benefits of polyphenols for human health through modulating the microbiome, studies are scarce, and present several limitations. This review provides an overview of the polyphenol-microbiota interactions and its effects on metabolic disorders.

Medium light and medium roast paper-filtered coffee increased antioxidant capacity in healthy volunteers: results of a randomized trial.

We compared the effects of medium light roast (MLR) and medium roast (MR) paper-filtered coffee on antioxidant capacity and lipid peroxidation in healthy volunteers. In a randomized crossover study, 20 volunteers consumed 482 ± 61 ml/day of MLR or MR for four weeks. Plasma total antioxidant status (TAS), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), oxidized LDL and 8-epi-prostaglandin F2α, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT) activity were measured at baseline and after the interventions. MLR had higher chlorogenic acids-(CGA; 334 mg/150 mL) and less caffeine (231 mg/150 ml) than MR had (210 and 244 mg/150 ml, respectively). MLR also had fewer Maillard reaction products (MRP) than MR had. Compared with baseline, subjects had an increase of 21 and 26 % in TAS, 13 and 13 % in CAT, 52 and 75 % in SOD, and 62 and 49 % in GPx after MLR and MR consumption (P < 0.001), respectively. ORAC increased after MLR (P = 0.004). No significant alteration in lipid peroxidation biomarkers was observed. Both coffees had antioxidant effects. Although MLR contained more CGA, there were similar antioxidant effects between the treatments. MRP may have contributed as an antioxidant. These effects may be important in protecting biological systems and reducing the risk of diseases related to oxidative stress.

Comparação da capacidade antioxidante de torras de café e seus efeitos sobre fatores de risco cardiovascular em indivíduos saudáveis / Comparison of the antioxidant capacity of coffee roasts and their effects on cardiovascular risk factors in healthy subjects

O café, rico em substâncias bioativas, está entre os maiores contribuintes para a ingestão de antioxidantes em vários países. O tipo de torra dos grãos influencia em sua atividade antioxidante. Estudos indicam que o consumo moderado de café filtrado está envolvido na redução do risco de doenças crônicas não-transmissíveis, geralmente associadas entre si e que se constituem em graves problemas de saúde pública. Entretanto, a literatura não apresenta consenso sobre a ação benéfica do café na redução do risco destas doenças. Objetivos: Comparar a atividade antioxidante de dois graus de torras de café (torra média-clara e média) e seus efeitos sobre biomarcadores de risco cardiovascular em indivíduos saudáveis. Métodos: A caracterização de antioxidantes nas bebidas foi realizada pelas análises de compostos fenólicos totais, perfil de ácidos fenólicos, cafeína, melanoidinas e capacidade antioxidante total - TAC (sequestro do radical DPPH e capacidade de absorbância do radical oxigênio - ORAC). Após 1 semana de washout, vinte voluntários saudáveis (20 a 65 anos) ingeriram café filtrado preparado com torra média-clara ou torra média por 4 semanas e com o outro tipo de torra por mais 4 semanas em um ensaio clínico randomizado do tipo crossover, o qual durou 9 semanas. Lipídeos plasmáticos, lipoproteína (a), homocisteína total, biomarcadores glicêmicos e pressão arterial de 24 horas foram medidos antes do período de intervenção a após a ingestão de cada torra. A atividade Antioxidant Status e ORAC) e da atividade das enzimas antioxidantes (superóxido dismutase - SOD, glutationa peroxidase - GPx e catalase - CAT). A capacidade de inibição da peroxidação lipídica foi avaliada no plasma pelas determinações de lipoproteínas de baixa densidade (LDL) oxidadas e 8-isoprostano. Biomarcadores inflamatórios relacionados à disfunção endotelial foram medidos no plasma por imunoensaios. Resultados: Vinte voluntários saudáveis (49,5 + 8,9 anos) foram avaliados. A torra média-clara...

Eficiência da lavagem e dos desinfetantes sobre coliformes termotolerantes em vegetais frescos / Efficiency of washing and disinfectants on fecal coliform in fresh vegetables

Quatro desinfetantes foram testados contra Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) em hortaliças frescas (alface, agrião, almeirão, salsa e rúcula) após lavagem em água corrente. As hortaliças foram inoculadas com 1,5 x 10 UFC/mL e divididas em seis amostras de 25 gramas cada. Uma das amostras foi analisada sem tratamento prévio. As demais foram lavadas em água corrente, sendo uma delas analisada após esse procedimento e as outras quatro colocadas em soluções de hipoclorito de sódio (200ppm/ 15min), vinagre (10%/5min), permanganato de potássio (25 ppm/7min) e um produto comercial para desinfecção de vegetais (10 gotas / 1L de água / 10 min). A lavagem reduziu até 2 log da carga microbiana das hortaliças. Todos os desinfetantes foram eficientes na redução do NMP de coliformes termotolerantes nas hortaliças frescas, quando comparados à análise sem tratamento prévio. O hipoclorito de sódio foi o desinfetante com maior eficiência.

Four commercially available antibacterial products were tested against Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) on fresh vegetables (lettuce, watercress, wild chicory, parsley and salad rocket) after washing with run- ning tap water. The vegetables were inoculated with a 1,5 x 108 CFU/ mL and divided in six samples of 25 grams each one. One sample was analysed without previous treatment. The other one were washed with tap water and four of them put in sodium hypochlorite (200ppm/ 15min), vinegar (lO%/5min), potassium permanganate (25 ppm/7min) and a commercial product (10 drops/lL of water/ lOmin) solutions. The wash reduced until 2 logs of the vegetables microbial load. The overall results suggest the antimicrobial products are effective in thermotolerant coliforms MNP reduction in fresh vegetables, when compared with analysis without previous treatment. Sodium hypochlorite was the most efficient disinfectant.

Eficiência da lavagem e dos desinfetantes sobre coliformes termotolerantes em vegetais frescos / Efficiency of washing and disinfectants on fecal coliform in fresh vegetables

Quatro desinfetantes foram testados contra Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) em hortaliças frescas (alface, agrião, almeirão, salsa e rúcula) após lavagem em água corrente. As hortaliças foram inoculadas com 1,5 x 10 UFC/mL e divididas em seis amostras de 25 gramas cada. Uma das amostras foi analisada sem tratamento prévio. As demais foram lavadas em água corrente, sendo uma delas analisada após esse procedimento e as outras quatro colocadas em soluções de hipoclorito de sódio (200ppm/ 15min), vinagre (10%/5min), permanganato de potássio (25 ppm/7min) e um produto comercial para desinfecção de vegetais (10 gotas / 1L de água / 10 min). A lavagem reduziu até 2 log da carga microbiana das hortaliças. Todos os desinfetantes foram eficientes na redução do NMP de coliformes termotolerantes nas hortaliças frescas, quando comparados à análise sem tratamento prévio. O hipoclorito de sódio foi o desinfetante com maior eficiência.

Increase in digestive organs of rats due to the ingestion of dietary fiber with similar solubility to that of common bean.

The aim of the present work is to study the effect of dietary dietary fiber of similar solubility to that of the cooked common bean in the increase of the small intestine, liver, and pancreas of rats. Recently weaned male Wistar rats were fed ad libitum balanced diets containing cooked common bean (12.9% of dietary fiber plus resistant starch) or casein with 5.0% (control group), 10.0%, 12.5% or 15.0% of dietary fiber plus resistant starch added, with the same proportions of insoluble and soluble fibers and resistant starch found in bean (8:3:1) for 14 days. Weight gain and diet intake were smaller in the group fed the cooked bean diet. However, this group showed the highest increase in the studied organs. Rats that ingested the diet containing casein with 15.0% of dietary fiber added showed a growth of 21.4% in the pancreas. Rats fed other casein diets did not show significant differences (p > 0.05). The diet containing the cooked common bean led to weight gain of all studied organs (50.0% in the pancreas, 25.0% in the liver and 33.4% in the small intestine) and an increase of 47.1% in the small intestine length. Therefore, dietary fiber plus resistant starch had a trophic effect on digestive organs, although they were not the only stimulation factor, because the cooked bean has other chemical components, like phytates and tannins, that probably contribute to that effect.

Increase in digestive organs of rats due to the ingestion of dietary fiber with similar solubility to that of common bean / Incremento en órganos digestivos de ratas debido a la ingestión de fibra dietética de solubilidad similar al del frijol común

The aim of the present work is to study the effect of dietary dietary fiber of similar solubility to that of the cooked common bean in the increase of the small intestine, liver, and pancreas of rats. Recently weaned male Wistar rats were fed ad libitum balanced diets containing cooked common bean (12.9 percent of dietary fiber plus resistant starch) or casein with 5.0 percent (control group), 10.0 percent, 12.5 percent or 15.0 percent of dietary fiber plus resistant starch added, with the same proportions of insoluble and soluble fibers and resistant starch found in bean (8:3:1) for 14 days. Weight gain and diet intake were smaller in the group fed the cooked bean diet. However, this group showed the highest increase in the studied organs. Rats that ingested the diet containing casein with 15.0 percent of dietary fiber added showed a growth of 21.4 percent in the pancreas. Rats fed other casein diets did not show significant differences (p>0.05). The diet containing the cooked common bean led to weight gain of all studied organs (50.0 percent in the pancreas, 25.0 percent in the liver and 33.4 percent in the small intestine) and an increase of 47.1 percent in the small intestine length. Therefore, dietary fiber plus resistant starch had a trophic effect on digestive organs, although they were not the only stimulation factor, because the cooked bean has other chemical components, like phytates and tannins, that probably contribute to that effect.

Ratas Wistar machos recién destetados fueron alimentados ad libitum con dietas balanceadas, conteniendo frijol común cocinado (12,9 por ciento de fibras dietéticas + almidón resistente) o caseína agregado de 5,0 por ciento (grupo control), 10,0 por ciento, 12,5 por ciento o 15,0 por ciento de fibras dietéticas + almidón resistente, con las mismas proporciones de fibras insolubles y solubles y almidón resistente, encontradas en el frijol (8:3:1) por 14 días. El aumento de peso y la ingesta de dieta fueron más pequeños en el grupo alimentado con la dieta del frijol cocinado. Sin embargo, este grupo mostró el aumento más alto en los órganos estudiados. Las ratas que ingirieron la dieta conteniendo caseína con agregado de 15,0 por ciento de fibra dietética mostraron un crecimiento de 21,4 por ciento en el páncreas. Las ratas alimentadas con las otras dietas de caseína no mostraron diferencias significativas (p>0,05). El consumo de dieta conteniendo frijol común cocinado provocó un aumento de peso en todos los órganos estudiados (50,0 por ciento en el páncreas, 25,0 por ciento en el hígado y 33,4 por ciento en el intestino delgado) y un incremento del 47,1 por ciento en el tamaño del intestino delgado. La fibra dietética más almidón resistente ejerce un efecto trófico en los órganos digestivos, aunque no fue ese el único factor estimulante. El frijol cocinado puede tener otros componentes químicos, además de los inhibidores de proteasas, lectinas, fitatos y taninos, que probablemente contribuyen a ese efecto.