Microbial Phenolic Metabolites Are Associated with Improved Cognitive Health.

SCOPE: Diets rich in polyphenols has been associated with better cognitive performance. The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between microbial phenolic metabolites (MPM) in urine and cognition in the context of an older population at high cardiovascular risk. METHODS AND RESULTS: A cross-sectional analysis is conducted in 400 individuals of the PREDIMED-Plus study. Liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry is used to identify urinary MPM. Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) adherence is estimated with a 17-item questionnaire and cognitive function is evaluated with a battery of neuropsychological tests. Multivariable-adjusted linear regression models are fitted to assess the relationship of urinary MPM with the MedDiet and cognitive tests. Protocatechuic acid and enterolactone glucuronide are associated with higher adherence to the MedDiet. Regarding cognitive function, protocatechuic acid, vanillic acid glucuronide, 3-hydroxybenzoic acid, enterodiol glucuronide, and enterolactone glucuronide are directly associated with a global composite score of all the cognitive tests. Furthermore, protocatechuic acid and enterolactone glucuronide are associated with higher scores in the Mini-Mental State Examination, whereas enterodiol glucuronide is associated with improved Clock Drawing Test scores. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the MedDiet is linked to MPM associated with better cognitive performance in an older population.

Fluid and total water intake in a senior mediterranean population at high cardiovascular risk: demographic and lifestyle determinants in the PREDIMED-Plus study.

PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate associations between compliance with recommendations for total water intake (TWI) and total water intake from fluids (TWIF), and some socio-demographic and lifestyle factors of a senior Mediterranean population at high cardiovascular risk. METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis with data of 1902 participants from the PREDIMED-Plus study. A validated 32-item Spanish fluid-intake questionnaire was used to assess beverage consumption and water intake. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the odds ratio (OR) and the 95% confidence interval (CI) for complying with European Food Safety Agency recommendations for TWI and TWIF according to various socio-demographic and lifestyle factors, and for the joint associations of Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) adherence and moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). RESULTS: The mean total volume of fluid intake in the population studied was 1934 ± 617 mL/day. Water was the most frequently consumed beverage. Significant differences between sex were only observed in alcoholic and hot beverage consumption. Compliance with TWIF was associated with being women (OR 3.02; 2.40, 3.80), high adherence to MedDiet (OR 1.07; 1.02, 1.12), and participants who were more engaged in physical activity (PA) (OR 1.07; 1.02, 1.13). Age was inversely associated (OR 0.96; 0.94, 0.98). Similar results for TWI recommendations compliance were observed in relation to being women (OR 5.34; 3.85, 7.42), adherence to MedDiet (OR 1.16; 1.02, 1.31) and PA (OR 1.07; 1.00, 1.15). The joint association of PA and MedDiet, showed that participants with higher adherence to MedDiet and meeting WHO recommendations for MVPA complied better with the TWI recommendations (OR 1.66; 1.19, 2.32). CONCLUSIONS: High compliance with recommendations for TWI was associated with being a woman, and a healthy lifestyle characterized by high adherence to the MedDiet and PA.

SERPINE1, PAI-1 protein coding gene, methylation levels and epigenetic relationships with adiposity changes in obese subjects with metabolic syndrome features under dietary restriction.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) has been associated with metabolic disorders, through different mechanisms, which could involve changes in DNA methylation. This work aimed to assess the potential relationships of the cytosine methylation levels within SERPINE1 gene transcriptional regulatory region, which codes for PAI-1, in peripheral white blood cells with anthropometrical, metabolic and inflammatory features. Forty-six obese subjects with metabolic syndrome features followed Control or Metabolic Syndrome Reduction in Navarra (RESMENA) energy-restricted (-30%E) diets for 8 weeks. SERPINE1 transcriptional regulatory region methylation at baseline was analyzed by a microarray technical. Both dietary strategies reduced anthropometric and biochemical parameters. The Control group significantly reduced plasma PAI-1 concentrations but not the RESMENA group. Participants from both nutritional interventions with higher SERPINE1 methylation levels at baseline showed significantly major reductions in body weight, total fat mass, android fat mass, total cholesterol and triglycerides, as compared with those with lower initial SERPINE1 methylation levels. In conclusion, the DNA methylation levels of SERPINE1 transcriptional regulatory region were associated with some metabolic and anthropometric changes in obese subjects with metabolic syndrome under energy restriction, suggesting a complex epigenetic network in the regulation of this recognized pro-inflammatory marker. (www.clinicaltrials.gov; NCT01087086).