Metabolomic signatures in elite cyclists: differential characterization of a seeming normal endocrine status regarding three serum hormones.

INTRODUCTION: Serum phenotyping of elite cyclists regarding cortisol, IGF1 and testosterone is a way to detect endocrine disruptions possibly explained by exercise overload, non-balanced diet or by doping. This latter disruption-driven approach is supported by fundamental physiology although without any evidence of any metabolic markers. OBJECTIVES: Serum samples were distributed through Low, High or Normal endocrine classes according to hormone concentration. A 1H NMR metabolomic study of 655 serum obtained in the context of the longitudinal medical follow-up of 253 subjects was performed to discriminate the three classes for every endocrine phenotype. METHODS: An original processing algorithm was built which combined a partial-least squares-based orthogonal correction of metabolomic signals and a shrinkage discriminant analysis (SDA) to get satisfying classifications. An extended validation procedure was used to plan in larger size cohorts a minimal size to get a global prediction rate (GPR), i.e. the product of the three class prediction rates, higher than 99.9%. RESULTS: Considering the 200 most SDA-informative variables, a sigmoidal fitting of the GPR gave estimates of a minimal sample size to 929, 2346 and 1408 for cortisol, IGF1 and testosterone, respectively. Analysis of outliers from cortisol and testosterone Normal classes outside the 97.5%-confidence limit of score prediction revealed possibly (i) an inadequate protein intake for outliers or (ii) an intake of dietary ergogenics, glycine or glutamine, which might explain the significant presence of heterogeneous metabolic profiles in a supposedly normal cyclists subgroup. CONCLUSION: In a next validation metabolomics study of a so-sized cohort, anthropological, clinical and dietary metadata should be recorded in priority at the blood collection time to confirm these functional hypotheses.

Bat responses to changes in forest composition and prey abundance depend on landscape matrix and stand structure.

Despite the key importance of the landscape matrix for bats, we still not fully understand how the effect of forest composition interacts at combined stand and landscape scales to shape bat communities. In addition, we lack detailed knowledge on the effects of local habitat structure on bat-prey relationships in forested landscapes. We tested the assumptions that (i) forest composition has interacting effects on bats between stand and landscape scales; and (ii) stand structure mediates prey abundance effects on bat activity. Our results indicated that in conifer-dominated landscapes (> 80% of coniferous forests) bat activity was higher in stands with a higher proportion of deciduous trees while bats were less active in stands with a higher proportion of deciduous trees in mixed forest landscapes (~ 50% of deciduous forests). Moth abundance was selected in the best models for six among nine bat species. The positive effect of moth abundance on Barbastella barbastellus was mediated by vegetation clutter, with dense understory cover likely reducing prey accessibility. Altogether, our findings deepen our understanding of the ecological processes affecting bats in forest landscapes and strengthen the need to consider both landscape context and trophic linkage when assessing the effects of stand-scale compositional and structural attributes on bats.

Relation between crust development and heterocyclic aromatic amine formation when air-roasting a meat cylinder.

The meat crust that develops during cooking is desired by consumers for its organoleptic properties, but it is also where heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAs) are formed. Here we measured HAs formation during the development of a colored crust on the surface of a beef meat piece. HAs formation was lower in the crust than previously measured in meat slices subjected to the same air jet conditions. This difference is explained by a lower average temperature in the colored crust than in the meat slices. Temperature effects can also explain why colored crust failed to reproduce the plateauing and decrease in HAs content observed in meat slices. We observed a decrease in creatine content from the center of the meat piece to the crust area. In terms of the implications for practice, specific heating conditions can be found to maintain a roast beef meat aspect while dramatically reducing HAs content.

Effects of low doses of bisphenol A on the metabolome of perinatally exposed CD-1 mice.

BACKGROUND: Bisphenol A (BPA) is a well-known endocrine disruptor used to manufacture polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Exposure of pregnant rodents to low doses of BPA results in pleiotropic effects in their offspring. OBJECTIVE: We used metabolomics--a method for determining metabolic changes in response to nutritional, pharmacological, or toxic stimuli--to examine metabolic shifts induced in vivo by perinatal exposure to low doses of BPA in CD-1 mice. METHODS: Male offspring born to pregnant CD-1 mice that were exposed to vehicle or to 0.025, 0.25, or 25 µg BPA/kg body weight/day, from gestation day 8 through day 16 of lactation, were examined on postnatal day (PND) 2 or PND21. Aqueous extracts of newborns (PND2, whole animal) and of livers, brains, and serum samples from PND21 pups were submitted to (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Data were analyzed using partial least squares discriminant analysis. RESULTS: Examination of endogenous metabolic fingerprints revealed remarkable discrimination in whole extracts of the four PND2 newborn treatment groups, strongly suggesting changes in the global metabolism. Furthermore, statistical analyses of liver, serum, and brain samples collected on PND21 successfully discriminated among treatment groups. Variations in glucose, pyruvate, some amino acids, and neurotransmitters (γ-aminobutyric acid and glutamate) were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Low doses of BPA disrupt global metabolism, including energy metabolism and brain function, in perinatally exposed CD-1 mouse pups. Metabolomics can be used to highlight the effects of low doses of endocrine disruptors by linking perinatal exposure to changes in global metabolism.

Specific metabolic fingerprint of a dietary exposure to a very low dose of endosulfan.

Like other persistent organochlorine pesticides, endosulfan residues have been detected in foods including fruit, vegetables, and fish. The aim of our study was to assess the impact of a dietary exposure to low doses of endosulfan from foetal development until adult age on metabolic homeostasis in mice and to identify biomarkers of exposure using an (1)H-NMR-based metabonomic approach in various tissues and biofluids. We report in both genders an increase in plasma glucose as well as changes in levels of factors involved in the regulation of liver oxidative stress, confirming the prooxidant activities of this compound. Some metabolic changes were distinct in males and females. For example in plasma, a decrease in lipid LDL and choline content was only observed in female. Lactate levels in males were significantly increased. In conclusion, our results show that metabolic changes in liver could be linked to the onset of pathologies like diabetes and insulin resistance. Moreover from our results it appears that the NMR-based metabonomic approach could be useful for the characterization in plasma of a dietary exposure to low dose of pesticide in human.

Colonization-induced host-gut microbial metabolic interaction.

UNLABELLED: The gut microbiota enhances the host's metabolic capacity for processing nutrients and drugs and modulate the activities of multiple pathways in a variety of organ systems. We have probed the systemic metabolic adaptation to gut colonization for 20 days following exposure of axenic mice (n = 35) to a typical environmental microbial background using high-resolution (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to analyze urine, plasma, liver, kidney, and colon (5 time points) metabolic profiles. Acquisition of the gut microbiota was associated with rapid increase in body weight (4%) over the first 5 days of colonization with parallel changes in multiple pathways in all compartments analyzed. The colonization process stimulated glycogenesis in the liver prior to triggering increases in hepatic triglyceride synthesis. These changes were associated with modifications of hepatic Cyp8b1 expression and the subsequent alteration of bile acid metabolites, including taurocholate and tauromuricholate, which are essential regulators of lipid absorption. Expression and activity of major drug-metabolizing enzymes (Cyp3a11 and Cyp2c29) were also significantly stimulated. Remarkably, statistical modeling of the interactions between hepatic metabolic profiles and microbial composition analyzed by 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing revealed strong associations of the Coriobacteriaceae family with both the hepatic triglyceride, glucose, and glycogen levels and the metabolism of xenobiotics. These data demonstrate the importance of microbial activity in metabolic phenotype development, indicating that microbiota manipulation is a useful tool for beneficially modulating xenobiotic metabolism and pharmacokinetics in personalized health care. IMPORTANCE: Gut bacteria have been associated with various essential biological functions in humans such as energy harvest and regulation of blood pressure. Furthermore, gut microbial colonization occurs after birth in parallel with other critical processes such as immune and cognitive development. Thus, it is essential to understand the bidirectional interaction between the host metabolism and its symbionts. Here, we describe the first evidence of an in vivo association between a family of bacteria and hepatic lipid metabolism. These results provide new insights into the fundamental mechanisms that regulate host-gut microbiota interactions and are thus of wide interest to microbiological, nutrition, metabolic, systems biology, and pharmaceutical research communities. This work will also contribute to developing novel strategies in the alteration of host-gut microbiota relationships which can in turn beneficially modulate the host metabolism.

Immunological and metabolomic impacts of administration of Cry1Ab protein and MON 810 maize in mouse.

We have investigated the immunological and metabolomic impacts of Cry1Ab administration to mice, either as a purified protein or as the Cry1Ab-expressing genetically modified (GM) MON810 maize. Humoral and cellular specific immune responses induced in BALB/cJ mice after intra-gastric (i.g.) or intra-peritoneal (i.p.) administration of purified Cry1Ab were analyzed and compared with those induced by proteins of various immunogenic and allergic potencies. Possible unintended effects of the genetic modification on the pattern of expression of maize natural allergens were studied using IgE-immunoblot and sera from maize-allergic patients. Mice were experimentally sensitized (i.g. or i.p. route) with protein extracts from GM or non-GM maize, and then anti-maize proteins and anti-Cry1Ab-induced immune responses were analyzed. In parallel, longitudinal metabolomic studies were performed on the urine of mice treated via the i.g. route. Weak immune responses were observed after i.g. administration of the different proteins. Using the i.p. route, a clear Th2 response was observed with the known allergenic proteins, whereas a mixed Th1/Th2 immune response was observed with immunogenic protein not known to be allergenic and with Cry1Ab. This then reflects protein immunogenicity in the BALB/c Th2-biased mouse strain rather than allergenicity. No difference in natural maize allergen profiles was evidenced between MON810 and its non-GM comparator. Immune responses against maize proteins were quantitatively equivalent in mice treated with MON810 vs the non-GM counterpart and no anti-Cry1Ab-specific immune response was detected in mice that received MON810. Metabolomic studies showed a slight "cultivar" effect, which represented less than 1% of the initial metabolic information. Our results confirm the immunogenicity of purified Cry1Ab without evidence of allergenic potential. Immunological and metabolomic studies revealed slight differences in mouse metabolic profiles after i.g. administration of MON810 vs its non-GM counterpart, but no significant unintended effect of the genetic modification on immune responses was seen.

Metabolic bioactivation of oestradiol-17beta (E2beta) in mouse colon epithelial cells bearing ApcMin mutation.

Epidemiological studies have revealed a protective role of oestrogens against the promotion of colorectal cancer (CRC). Therefore, the oestrogen metabolism status of colonic cells is studied to explain it. Loss of function of adenomatous polyposis coli (Apc) gene product is an early and frequent event in human colorectal carcinogenesis. Normal (Apc(+/+)) and premalignant (Apc(multiple intestinal neoplasia (Min)/+)) mouse colonic epithelial cells were used to compare their respective metabolic capabilities towards oestradiol-17beta (E(2)beta), with or without an inducer of the CYP1 family, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). In both cell types, the major metabolite was oestradiol-17beta-3-glucuronide. The formation of catechol (CE) metabolites by cytochromes P450 of the CYP1 family and their derivatives was shown. Among these metabolites, several O-methyl-ether derivatives were detected, as unconjugated metabolites in Apc(+/+) cells and as glucuroconjugates in Apc(Min/+) cells, after TCDD treatment. Apc(Min/+) cells are metabolically more competent than Apc(+/+) cells to produce different hydroxylated metabolites as well as glucuroconjugates. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) experiments corroborate these results. Indeed, induction by TCDD has prevailing effects in gene expression of CYP1A1, CYP1A2 and CYP1B1 in Apc(Min/+) cells, compared with Apc(+/+) ones. Apc(Min/+) cells displayed higher rates of oestrogen metabolic biotransformation than Apc(+/+) ones, but exhibited two opposite tendencies. Apc(Min/+) cells were able to detoxify E(2)beta mainly by the formation of glucuronides and displayed at the same time a striking potential to bioactivate E(2)beta by producing only the electrophilic 2-CE derivatives, not the 4-CE ones, even though a significant CYP1B1 mRNA induction was noticed. These specific electrophilic metabolites may form DNA adducts but are not prone to generate new mutations. Interestingly, the ultimate 2-O-methyl-ether metabolite of E(2)beta may be an endogenous protective factor against CRC promotion given its recognised anti-angiogenic and pro-apoptotic properties.

High potency of bioactivation of 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) in mouse colon epithelial cells with Apc(Min) mutation.

2-Amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) is a prominent heterocyclic aromatic amine (HAA) found in meat and fish cooked at moderate to high temperature. It is considered as a potent dietary factor promoting colon carcinogenesis. However, the role of intestinal cells in PhIP bioactivation has not been fully explained, particularly when cells are pre-malignant. Loss of function of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene product is an early and frequent event in human colorectal carcinogenesis. Normal (Apc(+/+)) and pre-malignant (Apc(Min/+), where Min=multiple intestinal neoplasia) colonic epithelial cells of mice can be used to study promotion of carcinogenesis, but these cells have not been characterized for bio-activation of HAA. We investigated the metabolism of (14)C-PhIP in these two murine cell lines. Cells induced by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) metabolized PhIP into 4'-OH-PhIP as the main metabolite in PhiP detoxification. Besides, 5-OH-PhIP was identified, revealing the formation of intermediary reactive metabolites, since it results from a degradation of conjugates of N-acetoxy-PhIP. Apc(Min/+) cells produce significantly higher amounts of these metabolites. Demethylated metabolites are also observed, indicating that the colon contains a significant CYP1 family dependent metabolic activity. A minor hydroxy-glucuronide-PhIP metabolite is observed in Apc(Min/+) cells, the glucuronidation being known as an important step in the detoxification pathway. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction experiments demonstrate that induction by TCDD has prevailing effects in gene expression of CYP1A1, CYP1A2 and CYP1B1 in Apc(Min/+) cells. In these cells, N-acetyltransferase-2 is also expressed at higher levels. So, the more important potency to metabolically bio-activate PhIP, as measured in Apc(Min/+) cells, can be linked to a higher probability to generate new in situ mutations.