An integrated approach for studying the metabolic profiling of herbal medicine in mice using high-resolution mass spectrometry and metabolomics data processing tools.

Analysis of exposure to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in vivo based on mass spectrometry is helpful for the screening of effective ingredients of TCM and the development of new drugs. The method of screening biomarkers through metabolomics technology is a nontargeted research method to explore the differential components between two sets of biological samples. By taking this advantage, this study aims to takes Forsythia suspensa, which is a TCM also known as Lian Qiao (LQ), as the research object and to study its in vivo exposure by using metabolomics technology. By comparing the significant differences between biological samples before and after administration, it could be focused on the components that were significantly upregulated, where a complete set of analysis strategies for nontargeted TCM in vivo exposure mass spectrometry was established. Furthermore, the threshold parameters for peak extraction, parameter selection during statistical data analysis, and sample concentration multiples in this method have also been optimized. More interestingly, by using the established analysis strategy, we found 393 LQ-related chemical components in mice after administration, including 102 prototypes and 291 LQ-related metabolites, and plotted their metabolic profiles in vivo. In short, this study has obtained a complete mass spectrum of LQ exposure in mice in vivo for the first time, which provides a reference for research on the active ingredients of LQ in vivo. More importantly, compared with other methods, the analysis strategy of nontargeted exposure of TCM in vivo-based mass spectrometry, constructed by using this research method, has good universality and does not require self-developed postprocessing software. It is worth mentioning that, for the identification and characterization of trace amounts of metabolites in vivo, this analysis strategy has no discrimination and has a detection capability similar to that of highly exposed components.

Effects of three medical nutrition therapies on nutritional metabolism and intestinal flora in overweight/obese with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Observational studies have shown that energy restriction could be beneficial for controlling bodyweight in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). We aim to compare the effects of a high-protein diet (HPD), a high-protein and high-dietary fiber diet (HPHFD), and a calorie-restricted diet (CRD) on metabolic health and gut microbiota in overweight/obese PCOS patients. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: We will enroll a total of 90 overweight/obese PCOS patients into this eight-week open-label randomised controlled trial. Participants will be randomly assigned to three groups: CRD group (energy coefficient 20 kcal/kg.day, water ≥1500 mL, 0.8-1.2 g/kg protein, carbohydrate energize 55-60%, and fat energize 25-30%), HDP group (energy coefficient 20 kcal/kg.day, water ≥1500 mL, and 1.5-2.0 g/kg protein) and HPHFD group (based on the high protein diet with 15 g more dietary fiber supplement). The primary outcome is body weight, body fat percentage, and lean body mass. The secondary outcomes will include changes in blood lipids, inflammation, glucose tolerance, blood pressure, and gut microbiota compositions. Between-group differences in adiposity measurements at baseline will be compared using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) or Kruskal-Wallis test when appropriate. Within-group difference after 8-week intervention will be compared using paired t-test or Wilcoxon signed rank test. Between-group differences in adiposity measurements after 8-week diet intervention will be compared using linear mixed model and ANCOVA. The gut microbiota will be analyzed using 16S amplicon sequencing and the sequencing data will be analyzed using the standardized QIIME2 piperline.

Personalized nutrition: A review of genotype-based nutritional supplementation.

Nutritional disorders have become a major public health issue, requiring increased targeted approaches. Personalized nutrition adapted to individual needs has garnered dramatic attention as an effective way to improve nutritional balance and maintain health. With the rapidly evolving fields of genomics and nutrigenetics, accumulation of genetic variants has been indicated to alter the effects of nutritional supplementation, suggesting its indispensable role in the genotype-based personalized nutrition. Additionally, the metabolism of nutrients, such as lipids, especially omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, glucose, vitamin A, folic acid, vitamin D, iron, and calcium could be effectively improved with related genetic variants. This review focuses on existing literatures linking critical genetic variants to the nutrient and the ways in which these variants influence the outcomes of certain nutritional supplementations. Although further studies are required in this direction, such evidence provides valuable insights for the guidance of appropriate interventions using genetic information, thus paving the way for the smooth transition of conventional generic approach to genotype-based personalized nutrition.

Proteomic Analysis of Human Milk Reveals Nutritional and Immune Benefits in the Colostrum from Mothers with COVID-19.

Despite the well-known benefits of breastfeeding and the World Health Organization's breastfeeding recommendations for COVID-19 infected mothers, whether these mothers should be encouraged to breastfeed is under debate due to concern about the risk of virus transmission and lack of evidence of breastmilk's protective effects against the virus. Here, we provide a molecular basis for the breastfeeding recommendation through mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics and glycosylation analysis of immune-related proteins in both colostrum and mature breastmilk collected from COVID-19 patients and healthy donors. The total protein amounts in the COVID-19 colostrum group were significantly higher than in the control group. While casein proteins in COVID-19 colostrum exhibited significantly lower abundances, immune-related proteins, especially whey proteins with antiviral properties against SARS-CoV-2, were upregulated. These proteins were detected with unique site-specific glycan structures and improved glycosylation diversity that are beneficial for recognizing epitopes and blocking viral entry. Such adaptive differences in milk from COVID-19 mothers tended to fade in mature milk from the same mothers one month postpartum. These results suggest that feeding infants colostrum from COVID-19 mothers confers both nutritional and immune benefits, and provide molecular-level insights that aid breastmilk feeding decisions in cases of active infection.

Serum Metabolomics Reveals Underlying Mechanisms of Cholesterol-Lowering Effects of Oat Consumption: A Randomized Controlled Trial in a Mildly Hypercholesterolemic Population.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of oat supplementation on serum lipid in a population of adults with mild hypercholesterolemia and reveal the underlying mechanisms with serum untargeted metabolomics. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this placebo-controlled trial, 62 participants from Nanjing, China, with mild elevations in cholesterol are randomly assigned to receive 80 g oats (containing 3 g beta-glucan) or rice daily for 45 days. Fasting blood samples are collected at the beginning, middle, and end of the trial. Compared with the rice group, oat consumption significantly decreases serum total cholesterol (TC) (-8.41%, p = 0.005), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) (-13.93%, p = 0.001), and non high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-c) (-10.93%, p = 0.017) levels. There are no significant between-group differences in serum triglyceride (TG), apolipoprotein B (Apo B), glycated albumin, or fasting blood glucose levels. An orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) suggests a clear separation in metabolic profiles between the groups after the intervention. Twenty-one metabolites in the oat group are significantly different from those in the rice group, among which 14 metabolites show a decreased trend. In comparison, seven metabolites show an increased trend. Correlations analysis from both groups indicate that most metabolites [e.g., sphinganine and phosphatidylcholine (PC)(20:5(5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z,17Z)/20:1(11Z))] have positive correlations with serum cholesterol levels. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genomes pathway analysis suggests that oat consumption regulated glycerophospholipid, alanine, aspartate and glutamate, sphingolipid, and retinol metabolism. CONCLUSION: Oat consumption has beneficial effects on serum lipids profiles. The underlying mechanisms involve glycerophospholipid, alanine, aspartate and glutamate, sphingolipid, and retinol metabolism in adults.

Total and Sn-2 Fatty Acid Profile in Human Colostrum and Mature Breast Milk of Women Living in Inland and Coastal Areas of China.

INTRODUCTION: Although lipid is the major energy source and exerts beneficial effects on infant growth, research on the composition of fatty acid (FA) at the sn-2 position of human milk (HM) in China and abroad is limited. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the FA positional distribution in colostrum and mature HM of women living in the inland and coastal areas of China and explore the potential influences of geographical region and lactation stage on the FA profile of Chinese women. METHODS: Colostrum milk (n = 61) and mature milk (n = 56) samples were obtained longitudinally from healthy lactating women in Guangzhou and Chengdu, China. Gas chromatography was used to determine the total and sn-2 FA composition. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed in the FA profile of HM between different regions and lactation stages, with differences in polyunsaturated FA levels being the most pronounced. Nearly 70% of sn-2 FAs were saturated FAs, of which C16:0 accounted for approximately 75%. C8:0, C10:0, C18:0, C20:0, C22:0, and all of the unsaturated FAs were mainly located at the sn-1 and sn-3 positions, while C14:0, C15:0, and C16:0 were mainly at the sn-2 position. The proportion of C12:0 and C17:0 at sn-2 was approximately equivalent to that at the sn-1, 3 positions. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate the variability in the FA profile of HM between regions and lactation stages. The contents of polyunsaturated FAs and sn-2 FAs, especially palmitic acid, should be paid more attention when optimizing infant formula.

Effects of fish oil supplementation on glucose control and lipid levels among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have yielded inconsistent findings on the role of fish oil in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We systematically summarized the available evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCT) and aimed to investigate the effects of fish oil supplementation on glucose control and lipid levels among patients with T2DM. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was performed in electronic databases (PubMed, ProQuest, Cochrane Library, CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang) to identify all relevant RCTs which were published up to May 31st, 2019. We used Modified Jadad Score system to evaluate the quality of each included RCT. The pooled effects were estimated using random-effects model and presented as standardized mean differences with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: A total of 12 RCTs were included in this meta-analysis. There was no significant difference in glucose control outcomes comparing fish oil supplementation to placebo. The effect size of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) was 0.13 (95% CI: - 0.03 to 0.28, p > 0.05). No marked change was observed in fasting insulin (FINS), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and HOMA of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) levels. Fish oil supplementation was associated with a decrease of triglyceride (TG) level by - 0.40 (95%CI: - 0.53 to - 0.28, p < 0.05), and an increase of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level by 0.21 (95%CI: 0.05 to 0.37, p < 0.05). In subgroup analysis, HDL cholesterol level was higher among Asian and low-dose(< 2 g/d n-3 PUFA) subgroups compared to their counterparts (p < 0.05). TG level was lower in mid and long duration groups, along with an inconspicuous difference in short duration group. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis shows that among patients with T2DM, fish oil supplementation leads to a favorable blood lipids profile but does not improve glucose control.

Effect of palm oil consumption on plasma lipid concentrations related to cardiovascular disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The precise association between palm oil consumption and lipid-related cardiovascular disease risk remains unclear. A systematic review was thus performed to assess whether palm oil consumption has a negative effect on plasma lipid-related cardiovascular disease marker levels. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: In June 2018, the electronic bibliographic databases PubMed, EMBASE (Ovid), the Cochrane Library (Ovid) and the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure were searched and a total of 11 eligible dietary intervention articles involving 961 volunteers were selected. Both random and fixed effect models were used to calculate pooled weighted mean differences (WMD). RESULTS: A total of 11 articles involving 547 participants met the inclusion criteria. The pooled analysis revealed that palm oil increased the concentration of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (WMD: 0.15 mmol/L; p<0.00001). Palm oil consumption had no significant effects on blood total cholesterol (WMD: -0.01 mmol/L; p=0.82) and LDL-c (WMD: -0.05mmol/L; p=0.10) and triglyceride concentrations (WMD: 0.00 mmol/L; p=0.96), relative to the effects of unsaturated fatty acid consumption. Subgroup analyses revealed that palm oil has a beneficial effect on High-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels when more than 30% of total dietary energy was constituted by fat. CONCLUSIONS: This review revealed that palm oil does not induce increases in cardiovascular disease risk risk-related biomarkers relative to unsaturated fatty acids. Furthermore, larger-scale samples of human dietary intervention trials are required to increase the accuracy of meta-analyses.

Composition requirements of follow-up formula for 6-12-month-old infants: recommendations of a Chinese expert group.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The Chinese national standard of formula for 6-12-month-old infants (GB 10767- 2010) requires review and revision because it does not correspond to current scientific knowledge and data. The aim of this paper was to summarize the formula composition recommended for 6-12-month-old infants by a Chinese expert group. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: Formula composition recommendations for 6-12-month-old infants were devised by a Chinese expert group based on a detailed systematic review, which included nutrient intake, nutrient content of Chinese women's breast milk, and the latest adequate intake and tolerable upper intake levels, also referencing the Codex Alimentarius recommendations and those of other countries and considering the practice in products on the market. RESULTS: Compared with current standards, it was recommended that most compositional requirements be modified, including decreasing the maximum energy density from 85 to 75 kcal/100 mL, decreasing the protein content in milk-based formula from 2.9-5.0 g/100 kcal to 1.8-3.5 g/100 kcal, increasing the minimum content of lipids from 2.9 g/100 kcal to 3.5 g/100 kcal, providing the maximum amount of vitamins and minerals (including vitamin E, vitamin K, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12, niacin, folic acid, pantothenic acid, vitamin C, biotin, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, and iodine), and changing the content of optional components such as taurine, docosahexaenoic acid, and arachidonic acid. CONCLUSIONS: These nutrient standard modifications based on recent evidence are expected to enhance feeding practices and further guarantee the health of 6-12-month-old infants in China.

A comparative study of the effects of palm olein, cocoa butter and extra virgin olive oil on lipid profile, including low-density lipoprotein subfractions in young healthy Chinese people.

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of palm olein (POL), cocoa butter (CB) and extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) on the lipid profile and low-density lipoprotein subfractions in a young, healthy Chinese population. After screening, 72 subjects were randomly assigned to three groups, and an 18-week randomized crossover trial was conducted. The first phase was a 2-week run-in period, followed by three phases of the 4-week experimental periods with a 2-week washout period between experimental periods. Three groups of subjects alternately consumed a Chinese diet enriched with the different test oils. The various indices of subjects were collected before and after each experimental period. Sixty-seven subjects completed the study, and there were no significant differences in conventional indices amongst the three groups at the beginning of the three experimental periods (p > .05). Each test oil accounted for approximately 40% of total fat intake and approximately 11.3% of the total energy supply. After controlling for dietary interventions, only the serum triglyceride level of the POL-Diet was significantly lower than that of the EVOO-Diet (p = .034), and most indices did not significantly differ amongst the three test oil diets (p > .05). POL, CB and EVOO have almost identical effects on serum lipids.

Investigation and Comparison of Nutritional Supplement Use, Knowledge, and Attitudes in Medical and Non-Medical Students in China.

The objective of this study is to investigate and compare the prevalence, knowledge, and attitudes of Chinese university students with respect to nutritional supplements. We conducted a cross-sectional study in several universities around China from January to December 2017, and enrolled a total of 8752 students. Of these, 4252 were medical students and 4500 were non-medical students. The use of nutritional supplements was reported by 58.9% in universities students, with a higher rate for medical students as compared to non-medical students. It was found 24.2% of participants had taken supplements in the past year. Medical students had a higher level of knowledge on nutritional supplements than non-medical students (p < 0.001). The most commonly used nutritional supplements were vitamin C, calcium, and vitamin B. Gender (p < 0.001), household income (p < 0.001), and health status (p < 0.001) were related to the nutritional supplement use after adjustment for related factors. In conclusion, in China, nutritional supplement use was found to be more common in medical students than those studying other disciplines, and was associated with sex, income, and health status. The attitude towards nutritional supplements by medical students was positive. Students' knowledge levels about nutritional supplements need to be improved.

Milk Powder Co-Supplemented with Inulin and Resistant Dextrin Improves Glycemic Control and Insulin Resistance in Elderly Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A 12-Week Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

SCOPE: The objective of the present study is to evaluate the effects of milk powder co-supplemented with inulin and resistant dextrin (MPCIR) on elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS AND RESULTS: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial is carried out among elderly T2DM patients. The subjects recruited from the community are randomly assigned to either the MPCIR group or placebo group for 12 weeks intervention. Each group receives 45 g milk powder with or without inulin and resistant dextrin. Anthropometric and metabolic variables are measured. For the MPCIR group, systolic blood pressure (BP) and diastolic BP are reduced significantly by 5.45 and 4.56 mm Hg (p < 0.001, vs placebo group), respectively. Compared with the placebo group, the fasting and 2-h postprandial plasma glucose levels, glycosylated serum protein, and insulin resistance index of the MPCIR group are significantly decreased by 0.96 mmol L-1 , 1.47 mmol L-1 , 16.33 µmol L-1 , and 0.65 respectively (p < 0.001). The MPCIR group shows an increase by 7.09 µIU mL-1 and 20.43 in 2-h postprandial insulin (p = 0.016) and ß-cell function index (p < 0.001), respectively. CONCLUSION: MPCIR supplementation helps to improve glycemic control, insulin resistance, and blood pressure.

Effects of palm olein and olive oil on serum lipids in a Chinese population: a randomized, double-blind, cross-over trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: As the most widely produced edible vegetable oil, palm oil is known as to contain a high level of saturated fatty acid, which was thought to adversely affect serum lipid profiles. However, recent studies have shown no influence or benefits of palm oil on serum lipids. The potential nutritional value of palm oil is attributed to the high mono-unsaturation at the crucial sn2-position of the oil's triacylglycerols, as with the so-called 'healthy' olive oil (OO). The aim of this study was to further test this hypothesis and evaluate the effects of consuming palm olein versus olive oil on serum lipid profiles in a Chinese population. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: In total, 120 participants were recruited from a spinnery in Yixing city and randomly divided into two groups (palm olein or olive oil) to conduct a 2×2 crossover trial for 2 months' intervention with 2-week washout periods. Each participant was provided 48 g of test oil per day. At the end of each period, anthropometry, and blood lipid indices were measured to determine the effects of palm olein and olive oil. RESULTS: Palm olein and olive oil consumption had no significantly different effect on BMI, on serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triacylglycerol (TG), Apo B, fasting glucose, or insulin concentrations (all p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In a dietary crossover trial, palm olein and olive oil had no recognisably different effects on body fatness or blood lipids in a healthy Chinese population.

Exploring the benefits and challenges of establishing a DRI-like process for bioactives.

Bioactives can be defined as: "Constituents in foods or dietary supplements, other than those needed to meet basic human nutritional needs, which are responsible for changes in health status" (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office of Public Health and Science, Department of Health and Human Services in Fed Reg 69:55821-55822, 2004). Although traditional nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, protein, essential fatty acids and essential amino acids, have dietary reference intake (DRI) values, there is no such evaluative process for bioactives. For certain classes of bioactives, substantial scientific evidence exists to validate a relationship between their intake and enhanced health conditions or reduced risk of disease. In addition, the study of bioactives and their relationship to disease risk is a growing area of research supported by government, academic institutions, and food and supplement manufacturers. Importantly, consumers are purchasing foods containing bioactives, yet there is no evaluative process in place to let the public know how strong the science is behind the benefits or the quantitative amounts needed to achieve these beneficial health effects. This conference, Bioactives: Qualitative Nutrient Reference Values for Life-stage Groups?, explored why it is important to have a DRI-like process for bioactives and challenges for establishing such a process.

[Effect on the quality of corn oil in different cooking temperature and time].

OBJECTIVE: To research the effect on fatty acid and oxidation products of corn oil under different temperature and time. METHODS: Corn oil was heated in 140 degrees C, 200 degrees C, 240 degrees C, after 60 s-300 s, then detected the fatty acid, POV and AV. RESULTS: Corn oil was heated in 240 degrees C, after 138 s, the corn oil started to fire, the contains of SFA rised from 14.18 g/100 g to 20.29 g/100 g, the contains of MUFA rised from 28. 30 g/100 g to 33. 33 g/100 g, the contains of PUFA reduced from 53. 13 g/100 g to 28.98 g/100 g, and tFA, POV, AV, TOV arrived to the highest value, they were 11.29 g/100 g, 108.9, 17.12 mmol/kg, 177.37 mmol/kg respectively. CONCLUSION: As the cooking time and the cooking temperature increased, the MUFA, tFA and the TV of the corn oil increased, on the contrary the PUFA reduced.

[Composition of fatty acid in commercially available bottled vegetable oil].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the fatty acid composition of commercially available bottled vegetable oil, and to explore its characteristic composition and content and the proportion of specific fatty acids. METHODS: A total of eight varieties of bottled vegetable oil which are popular in use or famous with local brand from eight districts of Beijing, Yunnan, Zhejiang, Hunan, Henan, Harbin, Jiangsu and Gansu were collected, and selected two different batches for each variety. After being saponified and methyl esterified, the fatty acids of vegetable oil samples were analyzed by Shimadzu GC2014 gas chromatography. RESULTS: The commercially available bottled vegetable oils were mainly consisted of palmitic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid. The average content of trans fatty acids was 1.05g/100g. The ratio of saturated fatty acids: monounsaturated fatty acids: polyunsaturated fatty acid (S: M: P) of vegetable oil samples was in the range of 1:1. 6-9. 4: 0.9-7.4; the ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acid n-6 : n-3 was in the range of 0.37-289.5 : 1. CONCLUSION: The content of trans fatty acid in commercially available bottled vegetable oil was low, however, most of the proportion of fatty acid did not meet the standards suggested by the Chinese Nutrition Society, and most of vegetable oils are lack of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.

[The feature and distribution of functional ingredients among health food in China during 1996 to 2007--nutrients and representing substance].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate systematically the application of functional ingredients among healthy food products during 1996 to 2007, which existed from the 10 years periods by government approved, to assess the character or condition of ingredients, and analyze the reasons of it's centralization and contribution. METHODS: Data of functional/bioactive ingredients in functional/healthy food approved by government during 1996 to 2007 were recorded, and selected qualified products to built nutritional and functional ingredients database. Then, The profile map and contribution of each classified of the data was analyzed by statistics method and computer software. RESULTS: Total 9021 products were approved by gov. during 1996 to 2007, according the condition of samples, qualified 8645 products was as studied samples. The research had showed that Chinese herbs was the main port in ingredients, total 223-378 herbs were used. Nutritional and functional ingredients were second main ingredients, it was high numbers (280 more) among 8645 products. Flavonoids, Saponins and Polysaccharide are applied most widely, which is often to apply as the representing or symbolic substance when the product used a herb material as ingredient. CONCLUSION: Functional ingredients have a variegated appearance along with existent 27 function claims within regulation system. A representing substance was used as a feature that was a universality labeled to declare the characteristics or qualities of herb products. This should be individually reviewed in further and increase the technique on herb and claim.

[Systematic review of the effects of inulin-type fructans on blood lipid profiles: a meta-analysis].

To conduct a systematic review on the efficacy of inulin-type fructans on lowering blood lipids, randomized controlled intervention trials on the analysis of plasma total cholesterol and triacylglycerol resulted from the treatment of dietary inulin-type fructans were selected from international journal databases and reference lists of relevant publications. The data of trials were extracted and identified by two independent reviewers. Only the qualified ones were included and evaluated. The results of 9 studies included in the systematic review indicated that the total cholesterol and triacylglycerol of subjects with hyperlipidemia could be significantly decreased by dietary inulin-type fructans, whereas the effects were absent in normal subjects. Blood lipids of subjects with hyperlipidemia could be decreased significantly by foods enriched with 17 g of inulin-type fructans per day.

[Comparison of the dietary phytosterols intake and serum lipids content in elderly women from three cities of China].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the dietary phytosterol intake of elderly women in three different cities of China, and to compare the main dietary sources, so that to discuss the relationship of dietary phytosterol intake and serum lipids. METHODS: Based on the dietary pattern, women more than 50 years old from Beijing, Hefei and Urumchi were chosen as testers, 80 - 100 people for each city respectively. The dietary survey was done by continues 24 hours review of two days, the plant food were collected and the phytosterol content (include beta-sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol, sitostanol) were analyzed by GC methods, the total phytosterols content were calculated. The dietary phytosterol intake were calculated and serum lipids were also analyzed in all the testers. RESULTS: Testers from Beijing, Hefei and Urumchi were 100, 101 and 84 respectively. The average dietary phytosterol intake of people in Beijing and Hefei were 340.3 mg/d and 313.5 mg/d, the main sources were plant oil and cereals, while the average dietary phytosterol intake of people in Urumchi were 550.4 mg/d, higher than the other two cities (t values were 9.369, 10.420, respectively, both P values < 0.01), the main source in Urumchi was cereal (provide 53.1% of the total phytosterol intake). The laboratory results showed, testers in Urumchi had significantly lower serum TC content ((4.04 +/- 0.78) mmol/L) than that in Beijing ((4.89 +/- 0.91) mmol/L) and Hefei ((4.71 +/- 0.83) mmol/L) (t value were 6.766 and 5.401 respectively, both P values < 0.01); serum TG content in Urumchi((1.01 +/- 0.48) mmol/L) was also lower than that in Beijing ((1.31 +/- 0.53) mmol/L) and Hefei ((1.66 +/- 0.75) mmol/L) (t values were 3.343 and 7.293 respectively, both P values < 0.01); the serum glucose is also lower in testers in Urumchi ((5.02 +/- 2.18) mmol/L) compared with testers in Beijing ((5.69 +/- 1.53) mmol/L, t = 2.561, P < 0.05) and Hefei ((5.78 +/- 1.53) mmol/L, t = 2.934, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Different dietary pattern result in significantly different dietary phytosterol intake in elder women in three cities, higher, phytosterol intake seemed to contribute to lower serum lipids.

Scientific substantiation of functional food health claims in China.

This article provides an overview of the procedures involved in scientific substantiation of functional food health claims in China. The definition of a functional food is discussed, in addition to the factors that led to its modification in 2005. The framework of administration includes the regulation of functional foods, steps involved in submission of dossiers, the safety control system for raw materials and products, and technical procedures for testing and evaluation. Scientific evidence required for a claim includes evidence from product tests in addition to evidence resulting from complete scientific literature searches relative to the food material or component in question. Currently, the 4 main rules for functional food assessment in China include 1) functional assessment procedures; 2) standard toxicological assessment; 3) regulations on nutrient supplements; and 4) standard analytical methods for functional components. The current situation for functional foods in China is analyzed, including a discussion of the distribution of the 27 currently allowed functional food health claims. The effectiveness of functional foods and health claims for improving health relies largely on the motivation and education of the public to be able to make good choices.