Dietary choline intake in European and non-european populations: current status and future trends-a narrative review.

BACKGROUND: Choline is a nutrient necessary for the proper functioning of the body with a multidimensional impact on human health. However, comprehensive studies evaluating the dietary intake of choline are limited. The aim of this narrative review is to analyze current trends in choline intake in European and non-European populations. The secondary aim was to discuss possible future choline trends. METHODS: The search strategy involved a systematic approach to identifying relevant literature that met specific inclusion criteria. Observational studies and randomized clinical trials were searched for in PubMed and Scopus databases from January 2016 to April 2024. This review includes the characteristics of study groups, sample sizes, methods used to assess choline intake and time period, databases used to determine intake, choline intakes, and the main sources of choline in the diet. The review considered all population groups for which information on choline intake was collected. RESULTS: In most studies performed in Europe after 2015 choline intake did not exceed 80% of the AI standard value. The mean choline intake for adults in different European countries were 310 mg/day, while the highest value was reported for Polish men at 519 mg/day. In non-European countries, mean choline intakes were 293 mg/day and above. The main reported sources of choline in the diet are products of animal origin, mainly eggs and meat. The available data describing the potential intake of these products in the EU in the future predict an increase in egg intake by another 8% compared to 2008-2019 and a decrease in meat intake by about 2 kg per capita from 2018 to 2030. CONCLUSIONS: In the last decade, choline intake among adults has been insufficient, both in Europe and outside it. In each population group, including pregnant women, choline intake has been lower than recommended. Future choline intake may depend on trends in meat and egg consumption, but also on the rapidly growing market of plant-based products. However, the possible changes in the intake of the main sources of choline may lead to either no change or a slight increase in overall choline intake.

Maternal cafeteria diet influences kisspeptin (Kiss1), kisspeptin receptor(Gpr54), and sirtuin (Sirt1) genes, hormonal and metabolic profiles, and reproductive functions in rat offspring in a sex-specific manner†.

Kisspeptin (KP, encoded by Kiss1, binding to the Gpr54 receptor) is a neuropeptide conveying information on the metabolic status to the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. KP acts together with dynorphin A (encoded by Pdyn) and neurokinin B (encoded by Tac2) to regulate reproduction. KP is crucial for the onset of puberty and is under the control of sirtuin (encoded by Sirt1). We hypothesize that the maternal cafeteria (CAF) diet has adverse effects on the offspring's hormonal, metabolic, and reproductive functions due to sex-specific alterations in the expression of Kiss1, Gpr54, Pdyn, Tac2, and Sirt1 in the hypothalamus, and Kiss1, Gpr54, and Sirt1 in the liver. Rats were fed a CAF diet before pregnancy, during pregnancy, and during lactation. The vaginal opening was monitored. Offspring were sacrificed in three age points: PND 30, PND 35, and PND 60 (females) and PND 40, PND 45, and PND 60 (males). Their metabolic and hormonal status was assessed. mRNA for Kiss1, Gpr54, Pdyn, Tac2, and Sirt1 were measured by real-time PCR in the hypothalamus and/or livers. We found that CAF offspring had lower weight and altered body composition; increased cholesterol and triglyceride levels, sex-specific changes in glucose and insulin levels; sex-dependent changes in Sirt1/Kiss1 mRNA ratio in the hypothalamus; sex-specific alterations in Kiss1 and Sirt1 mRNA in the liver with more diversity in males; and a delayed puberty onset in females. We concluded that the mother's CAF diet leads to sex-specific alterations in metabolic and reproductive outcomes via Kiss1/Gpr54 and Sirt1 systems in offspring.

Human gut microbiota composition and its predicted functional properties in people with western and healthy dietary patterns.

PURPOSE: Some dietary habits cluster together, and for this reason it is advised to study the impact of entire dietary patterns on human health, rather than that of individual dietary habits. The main objective of this study was to evaluate differences in gut microbiota composition and their predicted functional properties between people with a healthy (HDP) and western (WDP) dietary pattern. METHODS: A cross-sectional, observational study was carried out on 200 participants enrolled 2017-2018 in Poznan, Poland, equally distributed into HDP and WDP groups. Diet was estimated using 3-day food records and information on stool transit times was collected. Fecal microbiota composition was assessed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and its functional properties were predicted by the PICRUSt2 workflow. RESULTS: The α-diversity did not differ between people with WDP and HDP, but ß-diversity was associated with dietary pattern. People with HDP had higher relative abundances (RA) of Firmicutes and Faecalibacterium and lower RA of Bacteroidota and Escherichia-Shigella than participants with WDP. Only a small proportion of the variance in microbiota composition (1.8%) and its functional properties (2.9%) could be explained by dietary intake (legumes, simple sugars and their sources, like fruit, soft drinks) and stool transit characteristics. CONCLUSION: Gut microbiota composition and predicted metabolic potential is shaped by overall diet quality as well as the frequency of defecation; however, the cumulative effect of these explain only a relatively low proportion of variance.

Associations of plasma betaine, plasma choline, choline intake, and MTHFR polymorphism (rs1801133) with anthropometric parameters of healthy adults are sex-dependent.

BACKGROUND: Choline and its metabolites apppear to have relationships with body mass index (BMI), body fat, and body weight, but the research results have proved inconsistent. We thus investigated the associations of plasma levels of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), choline, and betaine with anthropometric measurements, including modulatory effects of genetics and diet. METHODS: The study was performed on a group of 421 adults, aged 20-40 years, who had been recruited in Poland. Plasma concentrations of choline, betaine, and TMAO were determined using reverse-phase ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry. The following polymorphisms were genotyped using TaqMan probes: rs180113 (MTHFR), rs70991108 (DHFR), rs2236225 (MTHFD1), and rs7946 and rs12325817 (PEMT). We employed multivariate linear regression to examine the associations between anthropometric measurements, one-carbon metabolism metabolites, and genotypes. RESULTS: Higher plasma choline was associated with higher BMI (ß = 0.17; p < 0.01), body weight (ß = 0.11; p < 0.05), body fat mass (FM) (ß = 0.10; p < 0.05), and waist circumference (WC) (ß = 0.14; p < 0.01), whereas higher choline intake was associated with lower body FM (ß = -0.14; p < 0.01) and lower WC (ß = -0.12; p < 0.01). After stratification by sex, plasma betaine was found to be associated with lower BMI (ß = -0.20; p < 0.05) and body weight (ß = -0.16; p < 0.05) in men only, whereas choline intake was associated with lower body FM (ß = -0.19; p < 0.05) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) (ß = -0.19; p < 0.05) and MTHFR CC genotype was associated with WHR (ß = 0.15; p < 0.05) in women only. CONCLUSIONS: Higher plasma betaine and higher dietary choline are associated with lower FM and body weight, whereas higher plasma choline is positively associated with body weight status and adiposity. Moreover, these associations appear to be sex-specific.

Hedonic Hunger Is Associated with Intake of Certain High-Fat Food Types and BMI in 20- to 40-Year-Old Adults.

BACKGROUND: Hedonic hunger occurs in response to a desire to consume food for pleasure. The µ-opioid system regulates the hedonic impact of food and the opioid receptor mu 1 gene (OPRM1) polymorphism has been associated with fat intake. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine whether the intake of high-fat food is associated with hedonic hunger and the OPRM1 polymorphism and whether these variables are related to BMI. METHODS: Participants were 20- to 40-y-old women and men enrolled in Poznan, Poland in 2016-2018. The frequency of consumption of high-fat food was measured using a validated application for mobile devices. Hedonic hunger was assessed with the use of the Power of Food Scale (PFS). PFS1, PFS2, and PFS3 scores were generated for food available, food present, and food tasted, respectively. Genotyping of rs1799971 in the OPRM1 gene was performed using TaqMan probes. The associations were analyzed using linear regression or logistic regression, as appropriate. RESULTS: Hedonic hunger scores were not associated with total high-fat food intake. Total PFS was associated with snack intake (ß: 0.16, P = 0.0066). PFS1 was positively associated with healthy high-fat food intake (ß: 0.27, P = 0.0001) and PFS2 with sweet high-fat food and fast-food intake (ß: 0.27, P = 0.0030). OPRM1 genotype and hedonic hunger interacted on fast-food intake (ß: -0.17; P < 0.0154). Total PFS and PFS2 increased the chance of having a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 (OR: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.03, 2.01; P = 0.0335 and OR: 1.89; 95% CI: 1.37, 2.61; P = 0.0001, respectively), whereas PFS3 decreased it (OR: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.41, 0.87; P = 0.0082). CONCLUSIONS: Hedonic hunger is associated with the intake of selected types of high-fat food, but not with its total intake, in people aged 20-40 y. Associations between hedonic hunger and fast-food intake can be modified by OPRM1 genotype. Hedonic hunger is associated with BMI.

Comparison of Associations between One-Carbon Metabolism, Lipid Metabolism, and Fatty Liver Markers in Normal-Weight and Overweight People Aged 20-40 Years.

The aim of the present study was to compare biomarkers of one-carbon metabolism (OCM), lipid metabolism, and fatty liver in people with normal and increased body weight. The study was performed on 421 participants, aged 20-40 years, enrolled in Poznan, Poland, in 2016-2018. Choline and betaine intakes were assessed. DNA samples were genotyped for polymorphisms of phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEMT; rs7946 and rs12325817), methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR; rs180113), methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase (MTHFD1; rs2236225), and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR; rs70991108). To assess the associations between blood metabolites (choline, betaine, folate, L-carnitine, o-acetyl-L-carnitine, and trimethylamine N-oxide]), circulating lipids, and fatty liver indices, multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. Overweight/obese participants had 5.8% higher choline (p < 0.05) and 10% higher L-carnitine (p < 0.001) levels than normal-weight subjects. Serum folate and betaine levels were associated with lower total cholesterol (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively), triacylglycerols (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001), and triglyceride glucose index (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively), though only in overweight/obese people. The PEMT rs12325817 CC genotype was associated with higher levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (p < 0.01) in overweight/obese people. The associations between OCM markers, fatty liver indices, and blood lipids differ in subjects with normal and excessive body weight.

Greater self-reported preference for fat taste and lower fat restraint are associated with more frequent intake of high-fat food.

The determinants of the intake of high-fat products are not well recognized, but fat preference may be one of them. The aim of this study was thus to determine whether intake of different types of high-fat food is associated with fat preference in people with normal and increased body weight. Participants aged 20-40 years [n = 421] were enrolled in Poznan, Poland in 2016-2018. Fat preference was measured using the Fat Preference Questionnaire. Self-reported preference for fat taste (TASTE) and fat restraint (DIFF) scores were calculated. The frequency of consuming high-fat food was measured with an application for mobile devices using ecological momentary assessment. TASTE was positively associated with calorie intake and total frequency of eating high-fat food in both the normal weight and the overweight/obese groups. Overweight and obese people had lower DIFF (p < 0.001) than normal weight people. DIFF was negatively associated with total calorie intake and total intake of high-fat food, but only in normal weight people (ß = -0.16, p < 0.01 and ß = -0.26, p < 0.001, respectively). DIFF was negatively associated with the frequency of eating sweet (ß = -0.33, p < 0.000) and meat high-fat food (ß = -0.25, p < 0.001) in the normal weight group. The frequency of consumption of high-fat food and calorie intake are positively associated with self-reported preference for fat taste. In normal weight subjects fat restraint is negatively associated with calorie intake and total frequency of high-fat food intake, as well as with intake of different types of fatty food. Fat preference measures are thus associated with high-fat food intake, but these associations differ by body weight status.

Polymorphism of CD36 Determines Fat Discrimination but Not Intake of High-Fat Food in 20- to 40-Year-Old Adults.

BACKGROUND: The determinants of the intake of high-fat products are not well understood. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the relations between fat perception, intake of high-fat food, and body-weight status, taking into account the polymorphism of the genes that encode the proteins involved in oral fat perception. METHODS: A total of 421 participants aged 20-40 y were enrolled in Poznan, Poland, from 2016 to 2018. An ascending forced-choice triangle procedure was applied to determine fat discrimination ability. Salad dressings with varying concentrations of canola oil were used as stimuli. Genotyping of rs1761667 (CD36) rs1573611 [free fatty acid receptor 1 (FFAR1)], rs17108973 [free fatty acid receptor 4 (FFAR4)], and rs2274333 (CA6) was performed using TaqMan probes. The frequency of consumption of high-fat foods was measured using an application for mobile devices that uses the ecological momentary assessment approach. The associations were analyzed using linear regression or logistic regression, as appropriate. RESULTS: Individuals with the GG CD36 genotype were twice as likely to be fat discriminators, compared with the A allele carriers (P < 0.05). The mean total consumption of high-fat food was 45.8 (44.6, 47.0) times/wk and was not associated with fat discrimination or body-weight status. Obese and overweight subjects ate healthy high-fat food less frequently than did participants with normal body weight, at 4.53 (3.83, 5.23) versus 6.68 (5.82, 7.55) times/wk, respectively (P < 0.001). Men ate sweet high-fat food and snacks 15% less frequently than did women (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05) but consumed high-fat meat and fast food almost 40% more often than did women (P < 0.001 for both associations). CONCLUSIONS: In individuals aged 20-40 y, fat discrimination ability is associated with polymorphism of CD36 but not with the choice of high-fat food. The frequency of consumption of different types of high-fat foods varies by sex and body-weight status.

Low folate intake and serum levels are associated with higher body mass index and abdominal fat accumulation: a case control study.

BACKGROUND: The link between folate metabolism and obesity has recently been underlined, suggesting that folate deficiency may lead to body weight gain and adiposity. We thus wished to determine whether the inefficiency in folate metabolism caused by genetic variation in the MTHFR and DHFR genes in folate metabolism, or inadequate folate intake, is associated with obesity. METHODS: A case-control study including 421 healthy participants (aged 20-40) was performed in Poznan, Poland. The cases were 213 subjects with BMI > 25 kg/m2, while the controls were 208 subjects with BMI < 25 kg/m2. Genotyping of rs70991108 (DHFR) and rs1801133 (MTHFR) was performed using TaqMan probes. Serum folate concentrations were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and homocysteine was assessed with high performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Subjects with overweight and obesity had 12% lower folate intake (p < 0.05) and 8.5% lower folate serum concentrations (p < 0.01) than the controls. Serum folate concentrations and folate intake were inversely associated with body fat percentage (p < 0.05) and waist circumference (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively). Serum folate concentration, though not folate intake, was negatively associated with WHR and BMI (p < 0.05, for both associations). CONCLUSIONS: Lower folate intake and serum levels are weakly, but independently, associated with greater body weight and central adiposity in people aged 20-40. MTHFR and DHFR polymorphism seems not to have significant impact on body weight.

Prenatal caloric restriction alters lipid metabolism but not hepatic Fasn gene expression and methylation profiles in rats.

BACKGROUND: Undernutrition is an increasingly common problem. Insufficient calorie intake and nutrient deficiencies during pregnancy may have an impact not only on the mother, but may also alter metabolism in the infant. In this study, we have applied a calorie-restricted diet during gestation and examined its effect on hepatic Fasn mRNA and DNA methylation profiles in rats and their female progeny. The body composition and blood lipid profiles were also evaluated in both generations. RESULTS: The results showed that the investigated diet regimen exerted a greater effect on the dams than on the offspring. We found that, in the calorie-restricted group, the transcript level of the Fasn gene in the liver increased in the mothers, while in the progeny it was only slightly enhanced. The implemented diet altered lipid profile in the dams by decreasing total cholesterol, HDL, and TG levels. An increase in LDL was noted in the offspring. No change in DNA methylation profile was observed in response to the calorie-restricted diet. CONCLUSIONS: Calorie restriction during pregnancy modified the hepatic Fasn mRNA transcript level and altered the blood cholesterol concentrations in dams, but there were no such effects in their four-week-old offspring. The examined dietary regimen had no effect on DNA methylation of the Fasn 5'-flanking region in the rat liver.

Genetics of fat intake in the determination of body mass.

Body mass and fat intake are multifactorial traits that have genetic and environmental components. The gene with the greatest effect on body mass is FTO (fat mass and obesity-associated), but several studies have shown that the effect of FTO (and of other genes) on body mass can be modified by the intake of nutrients. The so-called gene-environment interactions may also be important for the effectiveness of weight-loss strategies. Food choices, and thus fat intake, depend to some extent on individual preferences. The most important biological component of food preference is taste, and the role of fat sensitivity in fat intake has recently been pointed out. Relatively few studies have analysed the genetic components of fat intake or fatty acid sensitivity in terms of their relation to obesity. It has been proposed that decreased oral fatty acid sensitivity leads to increased fat intake and thus increased body mass. One of the genes that affect fatty acid sensitivity is CD36 (cluster of differentiation 36). However, little is known so far about the genetic component of fat sensing. We performed a literature review to identify the state of knowledge regarding the genetics of fat intake and its relation to body-mass determination, and to identify the priorities for further investigations.

TAS2R38 and CA6 genetic polymorphisms, frequency of bitter food intake, and blood biomarkers among elderly woman.

OBJECTIVE: Taste sensitivity is one of the most important biological determinants of food choice. Three SNPs of the TAS2R38 gene (rs713598, rs1726866, and rs10246939) give rise to two common haplotypes: PAV and AVI. These haplotypes, as well as an SNP within the CA6 gene (rs2274333) that encodes carbonic anhydrase VI (CA6), correlate with bitterness perception. The extent of consumption of bitter food may influence some health outcomes. The aim of this study is thus to investigate the impact of the TAS2R38 and CA6 genetic polymorphisms on the choice of bitter food, BMI, blood lipoprotein, and glucose concentrations as well as systemic inflammation in elderly women. METHODS: The associations between the TAS2R38 diplotype, CA6 genotype, and the intake of bitter-tasting foods were studied in a group of 118 Polish women over 60 years of age. The intake of Brassica vegetables, grapefruit, and coffee was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Biochemical parameters were measured using the spectrophotometric method. Genotyping was performed using the high resolution melting method. RESULTS: We found a correlation between lipid profile, glucose and CRP levels, and frequency of bitter food intake. The AVI/AVI subjects drank coffee more frequently than did the PAV/PAV homozygotes, as did the A carriers of CA6 in comparison with the GG homozygotes. We also observed that simultaneous carriers of the PAV haplotype and A allele of TAS2R38 and CA6, respectively, choose white cabbage more frequent and had lower plasma levels of CRP and glucose than did AVI/AVI and GG homozygotes. CONCLUSIONS: In elderly women, the TAS2R38 and CA6 polymorphisms may affect the frequency of consumption of coffee and white cabbage, but not of other bitter-tasting foods.

Dietary, anthropometric, and biochemical factors influencing plasma choline, carnitine, trimethylamine, and trimethylamine-N-oxide concentrations.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the nutritional, anthropometric, and biochemical factors that influence choline, l-carnitine, trimethylamine (TMA), and trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) metabolism in elderly women. The volunteers' diet was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Dietary patterns were estimated using a self-established score method. Body mass index (BMI), serum glucose, total, HDL, LDL cholesterol, triacylglycerol, homocysteine (tHcy), free choline (fchol), L-carnitine, TMA, and TMAO were assessed. Higher concentrations of l-carnitine, fchol, and TMAO were found in those women who had more western-style dietary patterns. Nor choline or betaine intake affected plasma fchol, TMA, or TMAO. BMI was positively correlated with fchol and TMA. tHcy was positively correlated with fchol, TMA, and TMAO, while fchol was also positively correlated with TMA and TMAO. Dietary patterns and plasma tHcy concentration influence fchol, TMA, and TMAO plasma concentration. Plasma TMA and fchol may be associated with BMI.

Rs6586282 of the CBS Gene: Its Lack of Eff ect on Homocysteine Concentrations, and Interaction Eff ects on Body Weight in Elderly Women.

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of the rs6586282 polymorphism of the cystathionine-ß-synthase (CBS) gene, and of the intake of B vitamins on anthropometric parameters, tHcy levels, and lipoprotein levels in women over 60 years of age. 122 volunteers were supplemented with 400 µg/day folic acid for 8 weeks. The intake of B vitamins above the median value was associated with lower levels of blood biomarkers: folate with tHcy post supplementation (6.21 ± 0.24 µM vs 7.11 ± 0.32 µM; p < 0.05), vitamin B6 with baseline triacylglycerol (TAG, 107.3 ± 5.5 mg/dL vs 127.2 ± 6.4 mg/dL; p < 0.05) and glucose (82.3 ± 1.1 mg/dL vs 86.9 ± 1.5 mg/dL; p < 0.05); and vitamin B12 with baseline TAG (106.8 ± 5.5 mg/dL vs 127.7 ± 6.3 mg/dL; p < 0.01). Women with a T allele consuming lower amounts of folate had higher body weight (72.3 ± 2.3 kg vs 64.0 ± 1.7 kg; p < 0.05), body mass index (28.7 ± 0.8 vs 25.2 ± 0.7; p < 0.05), waist (0.90 ± 0.02 m vs 0.82 ± 0.01 m; p < 0.01), and hip circumference (1.08 ± 0.02 vs 1.02 ± 0.01 m; p < 0.01) than the CC homozygotes. Intake of vitamin B6 or B12 may infl uence blood TAG and glucose concentrations in elderly women, but the rs6586282 polymorphism of the CBS gene does not alter either tHcy or the effectiveness of folic acid supplementation. The CBS SNP at rs6586282 may infl uence anthropometric parameters, though only in case of low folate intake.

Effect of rye bread enriched with tomato pomace on fat absorption and lipid metabolism in rats fed a high-fat diet.

BACKGROUND: Tomato pomace (TP), obtained as a residue of tomato processing, was used to enrich rye bread (RB). The sensory profile of this functional bread (RB+TP) was characterised, and its fat absorption and lipid metabolism properties in high-fat-fed rats were studied. RESULTS: Intake of the HF diet containing RB, RB+TP, or TP alone increased faecal energy and fat excretion, but did not affect animal growth or visceral fat weight. Both RB and RB+TP diminished the negative impact of the HF diet, lowering the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) and the total liver lipid contents by 31.6% and 24%, respectively. The experimental diets had no effect on liver S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) concentrations or on the S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) to SAH ratio, though the lowest SAM levels were observed in the HF+TP group. No significant differences were detected in blood homocysteine, triglycerides, glucose or insulin levels. CONCLUSIONS: Although RB+TP incorporated into a HF diet may lead to a decrease in AIP and total liver lipid content, this effect does not depend on the components of TP, but rather on the RB ingredients. However, pure TP, in the doses used in this study, may potentially play a role in the energy balance via faecal loss of lipids.

The effects of exposure to and timing of a choline-deficient diet during pregnancy and early postnatal life on the skeletal muscle transcriptome of the offspring.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is related to muscle loss, but the precise mechanism underlying this association remains unclear. The aim of the present study was thus to determine the influence of maternal fatty liver and dietary choline deficiency during pregnancy and/or lactation periods on the skeletal muscle gene expression profile among 24-day-old male rat offspring. METHODS: Histological examination of skeletal muscle tissue specimens obtained from offspring of dams suffering from fatty liver, provided with proper choline intake during pregnancy and lactation (NN), fed a choline-deficient diet during both periods (DD), deprived of choline only during pregnancy (DN), or only during lactation (ND), was performed. The global transcriptome pattern was assessed using a microarray approach (Affymetrix® Rat Gene 2.1 ST Array Strip). The relative expression of selected genes was validated by real-time PCR (qPCR). RESULTS: Morphological differences in fat accumulation in skeletal muscle related to choline supply were observed. The global gene expression profile was consistent with abnormal morphological changes. Mettl21c gene was overexpressed in all choline-deficient groups compared to the NN group, while two genes, Cdkn1a and S100a4, were downregulated. Processes of protein biosynthesis were upregulated, and processes related to cell proliferation and lipid metabolism were inhibited in DD, DN, and ND groups compared to the NN group. CONCLUSIONS: Prenatal and early postnatal exposure to fatty liver and dietary choline deficiency leads to changes in the transcriptome profile in skeletal muscle of 24-day old male rat offspring and is associated with muscle damage, but the mechanism of it seems to be different at different developmental stages of life. Adequate choline intake during pregnancy and lactation can prevent severe muscle disturbance in the progeny of females suffering from fatty liver.

Betaine supplementation modulates betaine concentration by methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase genotype, but has no effect on amino acid profile in healthy active males: A randomized placebo-controlled cross-over study.

Betaine supplementation is used by athletes, but its mechanism of action is still not fully understood. We hypothesized that betaine supplementation would increase betaine concentration and alter amino acid profiles in relation to MTHFR genotype and dose in physically active males. The study followed a randomized placebo-controlled cross-over design. Blood samples were collected before and after each supplementation period. Serum was analyzed for amino acid profile, homocysteine, betaine, choline, and trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) concentrations. For the washout analysis, only participants starting with betaine were included (n = 20). Statistical analysis revealed no differences in the amino acid profile after betaine supplementation. However, betaine concentration significantly increased after betaine supplementation (from 4.89 ± 1.59 µg/mL to 17.31 ± 9.21 µg/mL, P < .001), with a greater increase observed in MTHFR (C677T, rs180113) T-allele carriers compared to CC (P = .027). Betaine supplementation caused a decrease in homocysteine concentration (from 17.04 ± 4.13 µmol/L to 15.44 ± 3.48 µmol/L, P = .00005) and a non-significant increase in TMAO concentrations (from 0.27 ± 0.20 µg/ml to 0.44 ± 0.70 µg/ml, P = .053), but had no effect on choline concentrations. Serum betaine concentrations were not significantly different after the 21-day washout from the baseline values (baseline: 4.93 ± 1.87 µg/mL and after washout: 4.70 ± 1.70 µg/mL, P = 1.000). In conclusion, betaine supplementation increased betaine and decreased homocysteine concentrations, but did not affect the amino acid profile or choline concentrations in healthy active males. Betaine concentrations may be dependent on MTHFR genotype.

Genetic risk score for gestational weight gain.

Gestational weight gain (GWG) involves health consequences for both mother and offspring. Genetic factors seem to play a role in the GWG trait. For small effect sizes of a single genetic polymorphism (SNP), a genetic risk score (GRS) summarizing risk-associated variation from multiple SNPs can serve as an effective approach to genetic association analysis. The aim of the study was to analyze the association between genetic risk score (GRS) and gestational weight gain (GWG). GWG was calculated for a total of 342 healthy Polish women of Caucasian origin, aged 19 to 45 years. The SNPs rs9939609 (FTO), rs6548238 (TMEM18), rs17782313 (MC4R), rs10938397 (GNPDA2), rs10913469 (SEC16B), rs1137101 (LEPR), rs7799039 (LEP), and rs5443 (GNB3) were genotyped using commercial TaqMan SNP assays. A simple genetic risk score was calculated into two ways: GRS1 based on the sum of risk alleles from each of the SNPs, while GRS2 based on the sum of risk alleles of FTO, LEPR, LEP, and GNB3. Positive association between GRS2 and GWG (ß = 0.12, p = 0.029) was observed. Genetic risk variants of TMEM18 (p = 0.006, OR = 2.6) and GNB3 (p < 0.001, OR = 3.3) are more frequent in women with increased GWG, but a risk variant of GNPDA2 (p < 0.001, OR = 2.7) is more frequent in women with adequate GWG, and a risk variant of LEPR (p = 0.011, OR = 3.1) in women with decreased GWG. GRS2 and genetic variants of TMEM18, GNB3, GNPDA2, and LEPR are associated with weight gain during pregnancy.

The dose-dependent effect of caffeine supplementation on performance, reaction time and postural stability in CrossFit - a randomized placebo-controlled crossover trial.

BACKGROUND: Caffeine (CAF) ingestion improves performance in a broad range of exercise tasks. Nevertheless, the CAF-induced, dose-dependent effect on discipline-specific performance and cognitive functions in CrossFit/High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT) has not been sufficiently investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of acute supplementation of three different doses of CAF and placebo (PLA) on specific performance, reaction time (RTime), postural stability (PStab), heart rate (HR) and perceived exertion (RPE). METHODS: In a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover design, acute pre-exercise supplementation with CAF (3, 6, or 9 mg/kg body mass (BM)) and PLA in 26 moderately trained CrossFit practitioners was examined. The study protocol involved five separate testing sessions using the Fight Gone Bad test (FGB) as the exercise performance evaluation and biochemical analyses, HR and RPE monitoring, as well as the assessment of RTime and PStab, with regard to CYP1A2 (rs762551) and ADORA2A (rs5751876) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). RESULTS: Supplementation of 6 mgCAF/kgBM induced clinically noticeable improvements in FGBTotal results, RTime and pre-exercise motor time. Nevertheless, there were no significant differences between any CAF doses and PLA in FGBTotal, HRmax, HRmean, RPE, pre/post-exercise RTime, PStab variables or pyruvate concentrations. Lactate concentration was higher (p < 0.05) before and after exercise in all CAF doses than in PLA. There was no effect of CYP1A2 or ADORA2A SNPs on performance. CONCLUSIONS: The dose-dependent effect of CAF supplementation appears to be limited to statistically nonsignificant but clinically considered changes on specific performance, RTime, PStab, RPE or HR. However, regarding practical CAF-induced performance implications in CrossFit/HIFT, 6 mgCAF/kgBM may be supposed as the most rational supplementation strategy.

Caffeine Consumption in Polish Adults: Development and Validation of a Polish Questionnaire for Assessing Caffeine Intake.

Objective: Caffeine is one of the oldest natural substances consumed by people. Its consumption in Poland has not been well described. The aim of this study was to design and validate an online food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) on caffeine intake and to use it to estimate caffeine consumption in Polish adults.Method: The FFQ was prepared and validated in a pilot study. The intake assessment was conducted in 2019-2020 on 372 respondents, aged 18 to 60 years. The FFQ included products such as coffee, tea, energy drinks, and carbonated drinks, as well as supplements and chocolate.Results: We showed good repeatability of the FFQ and it was considered a valid tool. The mean total caffeine intake among all participants was 426.7 mg ± 283.4 mg/day of all sources; in women, it was 446.4 mg ± 306.2 mg/day, while in men, it was 394.1 ± 236.4 mg/day. Forty-three percent of the respondents consumed more than 400 mg of caffeine/day. Coffee was the main source of caffeine and contributed to 65% of total caffeine consumption. Women consumed 90% more green tea than men (p < 0.01). Overweight and obese people have 20% greater total caffeine intake (p = 0.01) and consumed 20% more coffee (p = 0.02) and 30% more black tea (p = 0.01) than people of normal weight.Conclusions: Average caffeine consumption among Polish adults slightly exceeds the safe consumption dose established by the European Food Safety Authority. Body weight status can differentiate caffeine intake.