Phytochemicals in Legumes: A Qualitative Reviewed Analysis.

Legumes are an excellent source of nutrients and phytochemicals. They have been recognized for their contributions to health, sustainability, and the economy. Although legumes comprise several species and varieties, little is known about the differences in their phytochemical composition and the magnitude of these. Therefore, the aim of this review is to describe and compare the qualitative profile of phytochemicals contained in legumes and identified through LC-MS and GC-MS methods. Among the 478 phytochemicals reported in 52 varieties of legumes, phenolic compounds were by far the most frequently described (n = 405, 85%). Metabolomics data analysis tools were used to visualize the qualitative differences, showing beans to be the most widely analyzed legumes and those with the highest number of discriminant phytochemicals (n = 180, 38%). A Venn diagram showed that lentils, beans, soybeans, and chickpeas shared only 7% of their compounds. This work highlighted the huge chemical diversity among legumes and identified the need for further research in this field and the use of metabolomics as a promising tool to achieve it.

Dietary Squalene Induces Cytochromes Cyp2b10 and Cyp2c55 Independently of Sex, Dose, and Diet in Several Mouse Models.

SCOPE: To investigate the effects of squalene, the main hydrocarbon present in extra virgin olive oil, on liver transcriptome in different animal models and to test the influence of sex on this action and its relationship with hepatic lipids. METHODS AND RESULTS: To this purpose, male C57BL/6J Apoe-deficient mice are fed a purified Western diet with or without squalene during 11 weeks and hepatic squalene content is assessed, so are hepatic lipids and lipid droplets. Hepatic transcriptomic changes are studied and confirmed by RT-qPCR. Dietary characteristics and influence of squalene doses are tested in Apoe-deficient on purified chow diets with or without squalene. These diets are also given to Apoa1 and wild-type mice on C57BL/6J background and to C57BL/6J xOla129 Apoe-deficient mice. Squalene supplementation increases its hepatic content without differences among sexes and hormonal status. The Cyp2b10 and Cyp2c55 gene expressions are significantly up-regulated by the squalene intake in all models, with independence of sex, sexual hormones, dietary fat content, genetic background and dose, and in Apoe-deficient mice consuming extra-virgin olive oil. CONCLUSION: Hepatic squalene increases the expression of these cytochromes and their changes in virgin olive oil diets may be due to their squalene content.

FOBI: an ontology to represent food intake data and associate it with metabolomic data.

Nutrition research can be conducted by using two complementary approaches: (i) traditional self-reporting methods or (ii) via metabolomics techniques to analyze food intake biomarkers in biofluids. However, the complexity and heterogeneity of these two very different types of data often hinder their analysis and integration. To manage this challenge, we have developed a novel ontology that describes food and their associated metabolite entities in a hierarchical way. This ontology uses a formal naming system, category definitions, properties and relations between both types of data. The ontology presented is called FOBI (Food-Biomarker Ontology) and it is composed of two interconnected sub-ontologies. One is a 'Food Ontology' consisting of raw foods and 'multi-component foods' while the second is a 'Biomarker Ontology' containing food intake biomarkers classified by their chemical classes. These two sub-ontologies are conceptually independent but interconnected by different properties. This allows data and information regarding foods and food biomarkers to be visualized in a bidirectional way, going from metabolomics to nutritional data or vice versa. Potential applications of this ontology include the annotation of foods and biomarkers using a well-defined and consistent nomenclature, the standardized reporting of metabolomics workflows (e.g. metabolite identification, experimental design) or the application of different enrichment analysis approaches to analyze nutrimetabolomic data. Availability: FOBI is freely available in both OWL (Web Ontology Language) and OBO (Open Biomedical Ontologies) formats at the project's Github repository (https://github.com/pcastellanoescuder/FoodBiomarkerOntology) and FOBI visualization tool is available in https://polcastellano.shinyapps.io/FOBI_Visualization_Tool/.

Habitual Nut Exposure, Assessed by Dietary and Multiple Urinary Metabolomic Markers, and Cognitive Decline in Older Adults: The InCHIANTI Study.

SCOPE: The association between self-reported dietary intake and urinary metabolomic markers of habitual nut exposure with cognitive decline over a 3-year follow-up in an older Italian population is prospectively evaluated. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 119 older participants are selected, based on self-referred nut intake: the non-nut consumer (n = 72) and the regular consumer (≥2.9 g d-1 , n = 47). Nut exposure is measured at baseline either with the use of a validated food frequency questionnaire or with an HPLC-Q-ToF-MS metabolomic approach. Three years after, 28 from the nonconsumers and 10 from the consumers experienced cognitive decline. Dietary nut exposure is characterized by urinary metabolites of polyphenols and fatty acids pathways. Nut consumption estimated either by the dietary marker or by the urinary marker model is in both cases associated with less cognitive decline (OR: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.61,0.99; p = 0.043 and OR: 0.995, 95% CI: 0.991,0.999; p = 0.016, respectively) with AUCs 73.2 (95% CI: 62.9, 83.6) and 73.1 (62.5, 83.7), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A high intake of nuts may protect older adults from cognitive decline. Metabolomics provides accurate and complementary information of the nut exposure and reinforces the results obtained using dietary information.

Impact of Foods and Dietary Supplements Containing Hydroxycinnamic Acids on Cardiometabolic Biomarkers: A Systematic Review to Explore Inter-Individual Variability.

Plant-based diets rich in bioactive compounds such as polyphenols have been shown to positively modulate the risk of cardiometabolic (CM) diseases. The inter-individual variability in the response to these bioactives may affect the findings. This systematic review aimed to summarize findings from existing randomized clinical trials (RCTs) evaluating the effect of hydroxycinnamic acids (HCAs) on markers of CM health in humans. Literature searches were performed in PubMed and the Web of Science. RCTs on acute and chronic supplementation of HCA-rich foods/extracts on CM biomarkers were included. Forty-four RCTs (21 acute and 23 chronic) met inclusion criteria. Comparisons were made between RCTs, including assessments based on population health status. Of the 44 RCTs, only seven performed analyses on a factor exploring inter-individual response to HCA consumption. Results demonstrated that health status is a potentially important effect modifier as RCTs with higher baseline cholesterol, blood pressure and glycaemia demonstrated greater overall effectiveness, which was also found in studies where specific subgroup analyses were performed. Thus, the effect of HCAs on CM risk factors may be greater in individuals at higher CM risk, although future studies in these populations are needed, including those on other potential determinants of inter-individual variability. PROSPERO, registration number CRD42016050790.

Metabolic Signature of a Functional High-Catechin Tea after Acute and Sustained Consumption in Healthy Volunteers through 1H NMR Based Metabolomics Analysis of Urine.

Functional tea beverages have emerged as a novel approach to achieving health benefits associated with tea. The use of metabolomics may improve the evaluation of their consumption and their effects. The current study aimed at exploring the urinary signature of exposure to a functional high-catechin tea (HCT) using untargeted NMR-based metabolomics. Ten volunteers participated in a crossover intervention study. Individuals consumed an HCT or a control beverage over a period of 28 days. Multilevel partial least-squares discriminant analysis (ML-PLS-DA) was used for paired comparisons. A further crossover model was performed to assess the significant changes. The consumption of the HCT resulted in the excretion of theanine, epicatechin, pyrogallol sulfate, and higher levels of 3-methyl-2-oxovalerate and succinate, as well as unknown compounds. In conclusion, the present work established novel urinary signatures of a functional drink. Such signatures may be potential biomarkers and/or reflect certain benefits of functional tea beverages.

Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Foods and Derived Products Containing Ellagitannins and Anthocyanins on Cardiometabolic Biomarkers: Analysis of Factors Influencing Variability of the Individual Responses.

Understanding interindividual variability in response to dietary polyphenols remains essential to elucidate their effects on cardiometabolic disease development. A meta-analysis of 128 randomized clinical trials was conducted to investigate the effects of berries and red grapes/wine as sources of anthocyanins and of nuts and pomegranate as sources of ellagitannins on a range of cardiometabolic risk biomarkers. The potential influence of various demographic and lifestyle factors on the variability in the response to these products were explored. Both anthocyanin- and ellagitannin-containing products reduced total-cholesterol with nuts and berries yielding more significant effects than pomegranate and grapes. Blood pressure was significantly reduced by the two main sources of anthocyanins, berries and red grapes/wine, whereas waist circumference, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose were most significantly lowered by the ellagitannin-products, particularly nuts. Additionally, we found an indication of a small increase in HDL-cholesterol most significant with nuts and, in flow-mediated dilation by nuts and berries. Most of these effects were detected in obese/overweight people but we found limited or non-evidence in normoweight individuals or of the influence of sex or smoking status. The effects of other factors, i.e., habitual diet, health status or country where the study was conducted, were inconsistent and require further investigation.

The gut microbiota metabolism of pomegranate or walnut ellagitannins yields two urolithin-metabotypes that correlate with cardiometabolic risk biomarkers: Comparison between normoweight, overweight-obesity and metabolic syndrome.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Urolithins are microbial metabolites produced after consumption of ellagitannin-containing foods such as pomegranates and walnuts. Parallel to isoflavone-metabolizing phenotypes, ellagitannin-metabolizing phenotypes (urolithin metabotypes A, B and 0; UM-A, UM-B and UM-0, respectively) can vary among individuals depending on their body mass index (BMI), but correlations between urolithin metabotypes (UMs) and cardiometabolic risk (CMR) factors are unexplored. We investigated the association between UMs and CMR factors in individuals with different BMI and health status. METHODS: UM was identified using UPLC-ESI-qToF-MS in individuals consuming pomegranate or nuts. The associations between basal CMR factors and the urine urolithin metabolomic signature were explored in 20 healthy normoweight individuals consuming walnuts (30 g/d), 49 healthy overweight-obese individuals ingesting pomegranate extract (450 mg/d) and 25 metabolic syndrome (MetS) patients consuming nuts (15 g-walnuts, 7.5 g-hazelnuts and 7.5 g-almonds/d). RESULTS: Correlations between CMR factors and urolithins were found in overweight-obese individuals. Urolithin-A (mostly present in UM-A) was positively correlated with apolipoprotein A-I (P ≤ 0.05) and intermediate-HDL-cholesterol (P ≤ 0.05) while urolithin-B and isourolithin-A (characteristic from UM-B) were positively correlated with total-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol (P ≤ 0.001), apolipoprotein B (P ≤ 0.01), VLDL-cholesterol, IDL-cholesterol, oxidized-LDL and apolipoprotein B:apolipoprotein A-I ratio (P ≤ 0.05). In MetS patients, urolithin-A only correlated inversely with glucose (P ≤ 0.05). Statin-treated MetS patients with UM-A showed a lipid profile similar to that of healthy normoweight individuals while a poor response to lipid-lowering therapy was observed in MB patients. CONCLUSIONS: UMs are potential CMR biomarkers. Overweight-obese individuals with UM-B are at increased risk of cardiometabolic disease, whereas urolithin-A production could protect against CMR factors. Further research is warranted to explore these associations in larger cohorts and whether the effect of lipid-lowering drugs or ellagitannin-consumption on CMR biomarkers depends on individuals' UM. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY NUMBERS AND WEBSITES: NCT01916239 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01916239) and ISRCTN36468613 (http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN36468613).

Impact of Flavonols on Cardiometabolic Biomarkers: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Human Trials to Explore the Role of Inter-Individual Variability.

Several  epidemiological  studies  have  linked  flavonols  with  decreased  risk  of  cardiovascular  disease  (CVD).  However,  some  heterogeneity  in  the  individual  physiological  responses to the consumption of these compounds has been identified. This meta-analysis aimed to  study the effect of flavonol supplementation on biomarkers of CVD risk such as, blood lipids, blood  pressure and plasma glucose, as well as factors affecting their inter-individual variability. Data from  18 human randomized controlled trials were pooled and the effect was estimated using fixed or  random effects meta-analysis model and reported as difference in means (DM). Variability in the  response of blood lipids to supplementation with flavonols was assessed by stratifying various  population subgroups: age, sex, country, and health status. Results showed significant reductions  in total cholesterol (DM = -0.10 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.20, -0.01), LDL cholesterol (DM = -0.14 mmol/L;  Nutrients 2017, 9, 117  2 of 21  95% CI: -0.21, 0.07), and triacylglycerol (DM = -0.10 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.18, 0.03), and a significant  increase in HDL cholesterol (DM = 0.05 mmol/L; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.07). A significant reduction was also  observed in fasting plasma glucose (DM = -0.18 mmol/L; 95%CI: -0.29, -0.08), and in blood pressure  (SBP: DM = -4.84 mmHg; 95% CI: -5.64, -4.04; DBP: DM = -3.32 mmHg; 95% CI: -4.09, -2.55).  Subgroup analysis showed a more pronounced effect of flavonol intake in participants from Asian  countries and in participants with diagnosed disease or dyslipidemia, compared to healthy and  normal baseline values. In conclusion, flavonol consumption improved biomarkers of CVD risk,  however, country of origin and health status may influence the effect of flavonol intake on blood  lipid levels.

Lipids and physical function in older adults.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Healthy aging is a public health priority. The maintenance of adequate physical function is recognized as a key element of healthy aging. In recent years, scientific evidence has increased concerning the ability of lipids, in particular omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs), to positively influence muscle and overall physical function in older patients. The article will critically review observational as well as intervention studies on this topic, and it will elucidate the potential biological mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of n-3 PUFA on physical function. RECENT FINDINGS: Observational studies and clinical trials performed in healthy older patients and in older patients with chronic diseases mostly found positive effects of n-3 PUFA on muscle metabolism, muscle strength and in general physical function. SUMMARY: Although the use of n-3 PUFA might represent an important intervention to preserve physical function in older adults, several key questions still need to be answered. Above all, large randomized controlled trials should be performed to confirm the utility of n-3 PUFA as therapeutic agents to prevent and treat physical function decline in old age.

Metabolic fingerprint after acute and under sustained consumption of a functional beverage based on grape skin extract in healthy human subjects.

Grape-derived polyphenols are considered to be one of the most promising ingredients for functional foods due to their health-promoting activities. We applied a HPLC-MS-based untargeted metabolomic approach in order to evaluate the impact of a functional food based on grape skin polyphenols on the urinary metabolome of healthy subjects. Thirty-one volunteers participated in two dietary crossover randomized intervention studies: with a single-dose intake (187 mL) and with a 15-day sustained consumption (twice per day, 187 mL per day in total) of a functional beverage (FB). Postprandial (4-hour) and 24-hour urine samples collected after acute consumption and on the last day of sustained FB consumption, respectively, were analysed using an untargeted HPLC-qTOF-MS approach. Multivariate modelling with subsequent application of an S-plot revealed differential mass features related to acute and prolonged consumption of FB. More than half of the mass features were shared between the two types of samples, among which several phase II metabolites of grape-derived polyphenols were identified at confidence level II. Prolonged consumption of FB was specifically reflected in urine metabolome by the presence of first-stage microbial metabolites of flavanols: hydroxyvaleric acid and hydroxyvalerolactone derivatives. Overall, several epicatechin and phenolic acid metabolites both of tissular and microbiota origin were the most representative markers of FB consumption. To our knowledge, this is one of the first studies where an untargeted LC-MS metabolomic approach has been applied in nutrition research on a grape-derived FB.

Metabolomic pattern analysis after mediterranean diet intervention in a nondiabetic population: a 1- and 3-year follow-up in the PREDIMED study.

The Mediterranean diet (MD) is considered a dietary pattern with beneficial effects on human health. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of an MD on urinary metabolome by comparing subjects at 1 and 3 years of follow-up, after an MD supplemented with either extra-virgin olive oil (MD + EVOO) or nuts (MD + Nuts), to those on advice to follow a control low-fat diet (LFD). Ninety-eight nondiabetic volunteers were evaluated, using metabolomic approaches, corresponding to MD + EVOO (n = 41), MD + Nuts (n = 27), or LFD (n = 30) groups. The (1)H NMR urinary profiles were examined at baseline and after 1 and 3 years of follow-up. Multivariate data analysis (OSC-PLS-DA and HCA) methods were used to identify the potential biomarker discriminating groups, exhibiting a urinary metabolome separation between MD groups against baseline and LFD. Results revealed that the most prominent hallmarks concerning MD groups were related to the metabolism of carbohydrates (3-hydroxybutyrate, citrate, and cis-aconitate), creatine, creatinine, amino acids (proline, N-acetylglutamine, glycine, branched-chain amino acids, and derived metabolites), lipids (oleic and suberic acids), and microbial cometabolites (phenylacetylglutamine and p-cresol). Otherwise, hippurate, trimethylamine-N-oxide, histidine and derivates (methylhistidines, carnosine, and anserine), and xanthosine were predominant after LFD. The application of NMR-based metabolomics enabled the classification of individuals regarding their dietary pattern and highlights the potential of this approach for evaluating changes in the urinary metabolome at different time points of follow-up in response to specific dietary interventions.

Pharmacokinetics of resveratrol metabolic profile in healthy humans after moderate consumption of red wine and grape extract tablets.

A pharmacokinetic study of the metabolic profile of resveratrol has been performed in healthy men after moderate red wine (RW) consumption. The bioavailability of resveratrol is highly influenced by several factors such as the food matrix and, therefore, this study has been compared with a pilot study in which men ingested grape extract (GE) tablets as a nutraceutical, containing similar total amounts of resveratrol than RW. Blood and urine samples were taken before and at several time points after intervention and then analyzed by SPE and LC-ESI-MS/MS. Up to 17 resveratrol and piceid derivatives were identified, including those formed by the intestinal microbiota. Resveratrol glucosides were found in plasma as intact forms and reached the lowest maximum concentrations 1h after both interventions. Higher plasma concentrations and longer times (t(max)) were observed for resveratrol glucuronides due to phase II metabolism and even higher values for conjugates derived from microbiota, such as dihydroresveratrol-glucuronides. The same trend was observed for total excreted amounts in urine samples. When both treatments were compared, statistically significant differences for some metabolites were obtained, which may be due to the different composition of resveratrol and piceid in both sources. However, GE formulation seems to delay resveratrol absorption, staying longer in the gut where could be metabolized to a greater degree, since 2.1-3.6-fold higher urinary concentrations of microbial metabolites were observed after GE intervention at 12-24h urinary fraction. Therefore, supplement intake could be also a way to bring resveratrol benefits to human health.

The Mediterranean diet pattern and its main components are associated with lower plasma concentrations of tumor necrosis factor receptor 60 in patients at high risk for cardiovascular disease.

Adherence to a Mediterranean diet (MD) is associated with a reduced risk of coronary heart disease. However, the molecular mechanisms involved are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of 2 MD with those of a low-fat-diet (LFD) on circulating inflammatory biomarkers related to atherogenesis. A total of 516 participants included in the Prevention with Mediterranean Diet Study were randomized into 3 intervention groups [MD supplemented with virgin olive oil (MD-VOO); MD supplemented with mixed nuts (MD-Nuts); and LFD]. At baseline and after 1 y, participants completed FFQ and adherence to MD questionnaires, and plasma concentrations of inflammatory markers including intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1), IL-6, and 2 TNF receptors (TNFR60 and TNFR80) were measured by ELISA. At 1 y, the MD groups had lower plasma concentrations of IL-6, TNFR60, and TNFR80 (P < 0.05), whereas ICAM-1, TNFR60, and TNFR80 concentrations increased in the LFD group (P < 0.002). Due to between-group differences, participants in the 2 MD groups had lower plasma concentrations of ICAM-1, IL-6, TNFR60, and TNFR80 compared to those in the LFD group (P ≤ 0.028). When participants were categorized in tertiles of 1-y changes in the consumption of selected foods, those in the highest tertile of virgin olive oil (VOO) and vegetable consumption had a lower plasma TNFR60 concentration compared with those in tertile 1 (P < 0.02). Moreover, the only changes in consumption that were associated with 1-y changes in the geometric mean TNFR60 concentrations were those of VOO and vegetables (P = 0.01). This study suggests that a MD reduces TNFR concentrations in patients at high cardiovascular risk.

Virgin olive oil and nuts as key foods of the Mediterranean diet effects on inflammatory biomakers related to atherosclerosis.

Previous epidemiological and feeding studies have observed that adherence to Mediterranean diet (Med-Diet) is associated with reduced cardiovascular risk. However, the molecular mechanisms involved are not fully understood. Since atherosclerosis is nowadays considered a low-grade inflammatory disease, recent studies have explored the anti-inflammatory effects of a Med-Diet intervention on serum and cellular biomarkers related to atherosclerosis. In two sub-studies of the PREDIMED (PREvencion con DIeta MEDiterranea) trial, we analyzed the effects at 3 months of two Med-Diet interventions supplemented with either virgin olive oil (VOO) or nuts compared with a control low-fat diet (LFD). Both Med-Diets showed an anti-inflammatory effect reducing serum C-reactive protein, interleukin-6 (IL6) and endothelial and monocytary adhesion molecules and chemokines (P<0.05; all), whereas these parameters increased after the LFD intervention (P<0.05; all). In another substudy, we evaluated the long-term (1 year) effects of these interventions on vascular risk factors in 516 high-risk subjects, as well as the effect of different Med-Diet components in the reduction of these biomarkers. At 1 year, the Med-Diet groups had significant decreases in the plasma concentrations of IL6, tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) 60 and TNFR80 (P<0.05), while intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), TNFR60 and TNFR80 concentrations increased in the LFD group (P<0.002). In addition, those allocated in the highest tertile of VOO and vegetables consumption had a significant diminution of plasma TNFR60 concentration compared with those in tertile 1 (P<0.02). In conclusion, Med-Diet exerts an anti-inflammatory effect on cardiovascular system since it down-regulates cellular and circulating inflammatory biomarkers related to atherogenesis in subjects at high cardiovascular risk.

Differential effects of polyphenols and alcohol of red wine on the expression of adhesion molecules and inflammatory cytokines related to atherosclerosis: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Few clinical studies have focused on the alcohol-independent cardiovascular effects of the phenolic compounds of red wine (RW). OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the effects of ethanol and phenolic compounds of RW on the expression of inflammatory biomarkers related to atherosclerosis in subjects at high risk of cardiovascular disease. DESIGN: Sixty-seven high-risk, male volunteers were included in a randomized, crossover consumption trial. After a washout period, all subjects received RW (30 g alcohol/d), the equivalent amount of dealcoholized red wine (DRW), or gin (30 g alcohol/d) for 4 wk. Before and after each intervention period, 7 cellular and 18 serum inflammatory biomarkers were evaluated. RESULTS: Alcohol increased IL-10 and decreased macrophage-derived chemokine concentrations, whereas the phenolic compounds of RW decreased serum concentrations of intercellular adhesion molecule-1, E-selectin, and IL-6 and inhibited the expression of lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 in T lymphocytes and macrophage-1 receptor, Sialil-Lewis X, and C-C chemokine receptor type 2 expression in monocytes. Both ethanol and phenolic compounds of RW downregulated serum concentrations of CD40 antigen, CD40 ligand, IL-16, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the phenolic content of RW may modulate leukocyte adhesion molecules, whereas both ethanol and polyphenols of RW may modulate soluble inflammatory mediators in high-risk patients. The trial was registered in the International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number Register at http://www.isrctn.org/ as ISRCTN88720134.

A fast method coupling ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection for flavonoid quantification in citrus fruit extracts.

Flavonoids are a widely distributed group of polyphenolic compounds present in an extensive range of edible plants, notably Citrus species. This article reports a rapid, optimized, and validated method for the separation and quantification of flavonoids in three Citrus fruit extracts by ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) using a photodiode array detector. This new procedure allowed the simultaneous separation and quantification of 11 selected flavonoids in 5.5 min, 8.2 times faster than that by HPLC analysis. The solvent consumption for each individual analysis was also reduced almost 6.2-fold. The most abundant component in the analyzed samples was naringin (299.06-544.36 mg 100 g⁻¹), followed by rutin (116.60-256.33 mg 100 g⁻¹) and quercetin (7.78-251.49 mg 100 g⁻¹). Isoquercitrin was found in a lower proportion (60.05-81.88 mg 100 g⁻¹). The method was completely validated, providing a sensitive analysis for flavonoid detection and showing satisfactory data for all the parameters tested. This methodology is cheaper, more environmentally friendly, and easier to perform than others previously described.

Databases on food phytochemicals and their health-promoting effects.

Considerable information on the chemistry and biological properties of dietary phytochemicals has accumulated over the past three decades. The scattering of the data in tens of thousands publications and the diversity of experimental approaches and reporting formats all make the exploitation of this information very difficult. Some of the data have been collected and stored in electronic databases so that they can be automatically updated and retrieved. These databases will be particularly important in the evaluation of the effects on health of phytochemicals and in facilitating the exploitation of nutrigenomic data. The content of over 50 databases on chemical structures, spectra, metabolic pathways in plants, occurrence and concentrations in foods, metabolism in humans and animals, biological properties, and effects on health or surrogate markers of health is reviewed. Limits of these databases are emphasized, and needs and recommendations for future developments are underscored. More investments in the construction of databases on phytochemicals and their effects on health are clearly needed. They should greatly contribute to the success of future research in this field.

Dealcoholised beers reduce atherosclerosis and expression of adhesion molecules in apoE-deficient mice.

Polyphenols exert beneficial effects in atherosclerosis. The crucial step in atherosclerosis is the recruitment of monocytes to the subendothelial space, induced by endothelial adhesion molecules through the activation of factors such as NF-κB. We studied the effect of a dealcoholised lager beer (DLB) and a dealcoholised dark beer (DDB) on atherosclerotic lesions, and the underlying mechanisms. Dealcoholised beers were administered in the diet (42 ml/kg body weight per d) to 4-week-old male apoE knockout (apoE - / - ) mice for 20 weeks. The atherosclerotic lesions in the thoracic aorta were reduced by 44 % (P = 0·003) and 51 % (P < 0·001) in DLB- and DDB-treated mice, respectively. Also, the mRNA expressions of the endothelial adhesion molecules in the total aorta were decreased: P-selectin showed a 17 % (P = 0·004) reduction in DDB-treated mice; vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) was decreased by 20 % (P = 0·012) and 32 % (P = 0·001) in DLB- and DDB-treated mice, respectively; intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) showed a 14 % (P = 0·014) reduction in DLB-treated mice. The protein expressions of these molecules and NF-κB were studied in the aortic root. P-selectin was decreased by 37 % (P = 0·012) in DDB-treated mice; VCAM-1 was reduced by 48 % (P = 0·001) and 54 % (P < 0·001) in DLB- and DDB-treated mice, respectively; ICAM-1 was decreased by 25 % (P = 0·028) and 30 % (P = 0·018) in DLB- and DDB-treated mice, respectively; NF-κB was reduced by 46 % (P = 0·042) in DDB-treated mice. In conclusion, dealcoholised beers protected apoE - / -  mice against atherosclerosis, through the modulation of endothelial adhesion molecules, possibly induced by NF-κB.

Targeted analysis of conjugated and microbial-derived phenolic metabolites in human urine after consumption of an almond skin phenolic extract.

A single-blind, placebo-controlled, and randomized trial study was carried out with 16 healthy volunteers (7 men and 5 women). The test group ingested an encapsulated almond skin phenolic extract (884 mg of total polyphenols/dose) containing flavan-3-ols, flavonols, and flavanones, whereas the placebo group ingested microcrystalline cellulose. Our aim in this study was to determine changes in the urinary excretion of conjugated and microbial-derived phenolic metabolites before (-2 to 0 h) and after (0-2, 2-6, 6-10, and 10-24 h) intake of the almond polyphenols compared with the placebo group. For the test group, maximum urinary excretion of (epi)catechin and naringenin conjugates derived from phase II metabolism was attained at 2-6 h after consumption of the almond skin extract and excretions differed from the placebo group during this time period (P ≤ 0.0001). However, excretion of conjugated metabolites of isorhamnetin was highest at 10-24 h and did not differ from the placebo group during this time (P > 0.05). Hydroxyphenylvalerolactones reached maximum urinary levels at 6-10 h after consumption of almond polyphenols, and excretion differed from the placebo group during this time period (P = 0.0004). For the test group, excretions of phenolic acids (hydroxyphenylpropionic, hydroxyphenylacetic, hydroxybenzoic, and hydroxycinnamic acids) did not differ from the placebo group at any time period of urine collection (P > 0.05). The findings presented in this work provide evidence concerning the bioavailability of almond skin polyphenols considering the effects of both phase II and microbial metabolism.