Urinary alkylresorcinol metabolites, biomarkers of whole grain wheat and rye intake, are beneficially associated with liver fat and other fat measures.

Aims: Epidemiological studies that use dietary biomarkers to investigate the association between whole grain intake and the risk of obesity are sparse. We assessed the association between urinary alkylresorcinol metabolites including 3-(3,5-dihydroxyphenyl)-1-propanoic acid (DHPPA) and 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHBA), biomarkers of whole grain wheat and rye intake, and body fat measures. Methods: We measured urinary excretion of DHPPA and DHBA, body weight, height, and circumferences of the waist and hip at the baseline and again after 1-year in a representative sample of 306 community-dwelling adults in Huoshan, China. We also measured liver fat accumulation [indicated by the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP)] and other body composition after 1 year. Multivariate-adjusted linear models and linear mixed-effects models were used to analyze single measurement and repeated measurements, respectively. Results: Each 1 µg g-1 creatinine increase in urinary DHPPA levels was associated with 0.21%, 0.23%, 3.64%, and 4.80% decrease in body weight, body mass index (BMI), body fat mass (BFM) and visceral fat level (VFL), respectively (all P < 0.05). Higher DHBA levels were inversely associated with CAP (percentage difference per 1 µg g-1 creatinine increment: -1.98%, P < 0.05). Higher total urinary alkylresorcinol metabolite (DHPPA + DHBA) levels were associated with lower body weight, BMI, BFM, VFL, and CAP, with the percentage differences per 1 µg g-1 creatinine increment of -0.27%, -0.27%, -3.79%, -5.12%, and -2.24%, respectively (all P < 0.05). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the intake of whole grain wheat and rye, reflected by urinary DHPPA and DHBA, is favorably associated with liver fat and other fat measures.

Urinary oxidized, but not enzymatic vitamin E metabolites are inversely associated with measures of glucose homeostasis in middle-aged healthy individuals.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Damage induced by lipid peroxidation has been associated with impaired glucose homeostasis. Vitamin E (α-tocopherol, α-TOH) competitively reacts with lipid peroxyl radicals to mitigate oxidative damage, and forms oxidized vitamin E metabolites. Accordingly, we aimed to investigate the associations between α-TOH metabolites (oxidized and enzymatic) in both circulation and urine and measures of glucose homeostasis in the general middle-aged population. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was embedded in the population-based Netherlands Epidemiology of Obesity (NEO) Study. α-TOH metabolites in blood (α-TOH and α-CEHC-SO3) and urine [sulfate (SO3) and glucuronide (GLU) of both α-TLHQ (oxidized) and α-CEHC (enzymatic)] were quantified by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS). Measures of glucose homeostasis (HOMA-B, HOMA-IR, Insulinogenic index and Matsuda index) were obtained from fasting and postprandial blood samples. Multivariable linear regression analyses were performed to assess the associations of α-TOH metabolites and measures of glucose homeostasis. RESULTS: We included 498 participants (45% men) with mean (SD) age of 55.8 (6.1) years who did not use glucose-lowering medication. While blood α-TOH was not associated with measures of glucose homeostasis, urinary oxidized metabolites (α-TLHQ-SO3/GLU) were associated with HOMA-IR and Matsuda index. For example, a one-SD higher α-TLHQ-SO3 was associated with 0.92 (95% CI: 0.87, 0.97) fold lower HOMA-IR and 1.06 (1.01, 1.11) fold higher Matsuda index, respectively. Similar results were obtained for the urinary α-TLHQ to α-CEHC ratio as a measure of oxidized-over-enzymatic conversion of α-TOH. CONCLUSION: Higher urinary levels of oxidized α-TOH metabolites as well as higher oxidized-to-enzymatic α-TOH metabolite ratio, but not circulating α-TOH or enzymatic metabolites, were associated with lower insulin resistance. Rather than circulating α-TOH, estimates of the conversion of α-TOH might be informative in relation to health and disease.

Metabolomics of the diabetic nephropathy: behind the fingerprint of development and progression indicators. / Metabolómica de la nefropatía diabética: tras la huella de indicadores de desarrollo y progresión.

Current diagnostic methods are not very sensitive to detect the initial stages diabetic nephropathy of type 2. In this work, a review of metabolomic approximation studies for the identification of biomarkers of this disease with potential to differentiate between early stages, evaluate and direct treatment and help slow kidney damage. Using public (Pubmed and Google Scholar) and private (Scopus and Web of Knowledge) databases, a systematic search of the information published related to metabolomics of diabetic nephropathy in different biospecimens (urine, serum, plasma and blood) was made. Later, the MetaboAnalyst 4.0 software was used to identify the metabolic pathways associated with these metabolites. Groups of potential metabolites were identified for monitoring diabetic nephropathy with the available literature data. In the urine, oxide-3-hydroxyisovalerate, TMAO, aconite and citrate and hydroxypropionate derivatives are highlighted; meanwhile, in the serum: citrate, creatinine, arginine and its derivatives; and in the plasma: amino acids such as histidine, methionine and arginine has a potential contribution. Using MetaboAnalyst 4.0 the metabolic pathways related to these metabolites were related. The search for biomarkers to measure the progression of diabetic nephropathy, together with analytical strategies for their detection and quantification, are the starting point for designing new methods of clinical chemistry analysis. The association between the metabolic pathway dysfunction could be useful for the overall assessment of the treatment and clinical follow-up of this disease.

Infant Rhesus Macaque Brain α-Tocopherol Stereoisomer Profile Is Differentially Impacted by the Source of α-Tocopherol in Infant Formula.

BACKGROUND: α-Tocopherol (αT) in its natural form [2'R, 4'R, 8'R αT (RRR-αT)] is more bioactive than synthetic α-tocopherol (all rac-αT). All rac-αT is widely used in infant formulas, but its accretion in formula-fed infant brain is unknown. OBJECTIVE: We sought to compare αT and stereoisomer status in infant rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) fed infant formula (RRR-αT or all rac-αT) with a reference group fed a mixed diet of breast milk and maternal diet. METHODS: From 1 d after birth until 6 mo of age, infants (n = 23) were either nursery reared and exclusively fed 1 of 2 formulas by staff personnel or were community housed with their mothers and consumed a mixed reference diet of breast milk (69 mL/d at 6 mo) transitioning to monkey diet at ∼2 mo (MF; n = 8). Formulas contained either 21 µmol RRR-αT/L (NAT-F; n = 8) or 30 µmol all rac-αT/L (SYN-F; n = 7). Total αT and αT stereoisomers were analyzed in breast milk at 2, 4, and 6 mo and in monkey plasma and liver and 6 brain regions at 6 mo of age. α-Tocopherol transfer protein (α-TTP), lipoprotein αT, and urinary α-carboxyethyl-hydroxychroman (α-CEHC) were measured. One-way ANOVA with Tukey's post-hoc test was used for analysis. RESULTS: At study termination, plasma, liver, lipoprotein, and brain total αT did not differ between groups. However, the NAT-F-fed group had higher RRR-αT than the SYN-F-fed group (P < 0.01) and the MF group (P < 0.0001) in plasma (1.7- and 2.7-fold) and brain (1.5- and 2.5-fold). Synthetic αT 2R stereoisomers (SYNTH-2R) were generally 3- and 7-fold lower in brain regions of the NAT-F group compared with those of the SYN-F and MF groups (P < 0.05). SYNTH-2R stereoisomers were 2-fold higher in MF than SYN-F (P < 0.0001). The plasma percentage of SYNTH-2R was negatively correlated with the brain percentage of RRR-αT (r = -0.99, P < 0.0001). Brain αT profiles were not explained by α-TTP mRNA or protein expression. Urine α-CEHC was 3 times higher in the NAT-F than in the MF group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of infant formulas with natural (NAT-F) compared with synthetic (SYN-F) αT differentially impacted brain αT stereoisomer profiles in infant rhesus macaques. Future studies should assess the functional implications of αT stereoisomer profiles on brain health.

[Determination of deltamethrin and its toxicity biomarkers in rabbit urine by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry].

A method was developed for the determination of biomarkers related to toxicity of deltamethrin in rabbit urine by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). The target analytes in this method are as follows:deltamethrin and its two metabolites (1R-cis)-3-(2,2-dibromoethenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane carboxylic acid (dibromochrysanthemic acid) and 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA), and five toxic biomarkers, viz. serotonin hydrochloride (5-HT), 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (5-HIAA), 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NPA), 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and 6-methoxyguanine. Urine samples were cleaned by matrix solid-phase dispersion extraction (MSPD) with diatomite; and protein was precipitated with trichloroacetic acid; and then the sample solutions were purified with hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) solid-phase extraction cartridges. The biomarkers were analyzed with electrospray ionization (ESI) in a positive and negative switching scan mode, in which the positive scan mode was used for deltamethrin, 5-HT, 5-HIAA, 8-OHdG, and 6-methoxyguanine, and the negative scan mode was used for (1R-cis)-3-(2,2-dibromoethenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane, 3-PBA, and 3-NPA. The target compounds were quantified with the external standard using matrix calibration curves. The linear regression curves of the eight target compounds were linear with correlation coefficients no less than 0.9914. The LOD and LOQ of 5-HIAA were 20 µg/L and 50 µg/L, respectively, and the LODs and LOQs of the other analytes were 0.2-5.0 µg/L and 0.5-10 µg/L, respectively. The average recoveries of the analytes spiked in rabbit urine ranged from 74.2% to 98.7% at three levels, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) no more than 12%. The method was simple, fast, accurate, sensitive, and suitable for the detection for the exposure evaluation of deltamethrin.

A male case with CDKL5-associated encephalopathy manifesting transient methylmalonic acidemia.

Mutations in the X-linked gene CDKL5 cause early-onset epileptic encephalopathy and severe developmental delay. Because this disorder predominantly affects females, the full clinical spectrum of male patients remains elusive. We herein report a 16-year-old boy, who suffered from intractable seizures 20 days after birth. Serial electroencephalograms detected recurrent focal epileptiform discharges from age 4 months, which evolved to hypsarrhythmia later in infancy. Mass-spectrometric analyses revealed increase in urinary excretion of methylmalonic acid without perturbed concentrations of propionic acid, homocystein and methionine. Whole-exome sequencing identified a de novo, truncating mutation in CDKL5 (NM_003159.2:c.419dupA, p.Asn140Lysfs*8). Targeted sequencing excluded concomitant mutations in methylmalonic academia-associated genes. No methylmalonic acidemia has been reported in children with CDKL5 disorder. Extensive analyses on organic acid metabolism for males with CDKL5 mutations will gain more insight into their biochemical profiles in infancy.

Simultaneous determination of 4-hydroxyphenyl lactic acid, 4-hydroxyphenyl acetic acid, and 3,4-hydroxyphenyl propionic acid in human urine by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection.

A simple and reliable method was established for simultaneous determination of 4-hydroxyphenyl acetic acid, 4-hydroxyphenyl lactic acid, and 3,4-hydroxyphenyl propionic acid in human urine by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Solid-phase extraction was used to eliminate the interferences in urine. The separation of three analytes was achieved using a C18 column and a mobile phase formed by a 95:5 v/v mixture of 50 mmol/L ammonium acetate buffer at pH 6.8 that contained 5 mmol/L tetrabutyl ammonium bromide and acetonitrile. Under the optimized conditions, the detection limits of 4-hydroxyphenyl acetic acid, 4-hydroxyphenyl lactic acid, and 3,4-hydroxyphenyl propionic acid were 4.8 × 10-3 , 8.80 × 10-3 , and 9.00 × 10-3 mg/L, respectively, and the recoveries were in the range of 85.0-120.0% with relative standard deviations of 1.5-3.1%. This method was used to analyze urine samples from breast cancer patients, healthy people and post-surgery breast cancer patients. Significant differences in urinary levels of 4-hydroxyphenyl acetic acid and 4-hydroxyphenyl lactic acid could be found between the breast cancer patients group and other two groups. No effect of age and sex was observed on the urinary levels of 4-hydroxyphenyl acetic acid and 4-hydroxyphenyl lactic acid. This method might be helpful for cancer biomarkers discovery in urine.

Flavanol-Enriched Cocoa Powder Alters the Intestinal Microbiota, Tissue and Fluid Metabolite Profiles, and Intestinal Gene Expression in Pigs.

BACKGROUND: Consumption of cocoa-derived polyphenols has been associated with several health benefits; however, their effects on the intestinal microbiome and related features of host intestinal health are not adequately understood. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of eating flavanol-enriched cocoa powder on the composition of the gut microbiota, tissue metabolite profiles, and intestinal immune status. METHODS: Male pigs (5 mo old, 28 kg mean body weight) were supplemented with 0, 2.5, 10, or 20 g flavanol-enriched cocoa powder/d for 27 d. Metabolites in serum, urine, the proximal colon contents, liver, and adipose tissue; bacterial abundance in the intestinal contents and feces; and intestinal tissue gene expression of inflammatory markers and Toll-like receptors (TLRs) were then determined. RESULTS: O-methyl-epicatechin-glucuronide conjugates dose-dependently increased (P< 0.01) in the urine (35- to 204-fold), serum (6- to 186-fold), and adipose tissue (34- to 1144-fold) of pigs fed cocoa powder. The concentration of 3-hydroxyphenylpropionic acid isomers in urine decreased as the dose of cocoa powder fed to pigs increased (75-85%,P< 0.05). Compared with the unsupplemented pigs, the abundance ofLactobacillusspecies was greater in the feces (7-fold,P= 0.005) and that ofBifidobacteriumspecies was greater in the proximal colon contents (9-fold,P= 0.01) in pigs fed only 20 or 10 g cocoa powder/d, respectively. Moreover, consumption of cocoa powder reducedTLR9gene expression in ileal Peyer's patches (67-80%,P< 0.05) and mesenteric lymph nodes (43-71%,P< 0.05) of pigs fed 2.5-20 g cocoa powder/d compared with pigs not supplemented with cocoa powder. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that consumption of cocoa powder by pigs can contribute to gut health by enhancing the abundance ofLactobacillusandBifidobacteriumspecies and modulating markers of localized intestinal immunity.

Absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and kinetics of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-(heptafluoropropoxy)propanoic acid ammonium salt following a single dose in rat, mouse, and cynomolgus monkey.

Ammonium, 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-(heptafluoropropoxy)-propanoate has been developed as a processing aid used in the manufacture of fluoropolymers. The absorption, distribution, elimination, and distribution (ADME) and kinetic behavior of this substance has been evaluated in rats, mice, and cynomolgus monkeys by oral and intravenous routes of exposure and studied in both plasma and urine. The test substance is rapidly and completely absorbed in both rats and mice and both in vivo and in vitro experiments indicate that it is not metabolized. The test substance is rapidly eliminated exclusively in the urine in both rats and mice, with rats eliminating it more quickly than mice (approximately 5h elimination half-life in rats, 20 h half-life in mice). Pharmacokinetic analysis in monkeys, rats, and mice indicate rapid, biphasic elimination characterized by a very fast alpha phase and a slower beta phase. The beta phase does not contribute to potential accumulation after multiple dosing in rats or monkeys. Comparative pharmacokinetics in rats, mice, and monkeys indicates that the rat is more similar to the monkey and is therefore a more appropriate rodent model for pharmacokinetics in primates.

Divergent Urinary Metabolic Phenotypes between Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder Identified by a Combined GC-MS and NMR Spectroscopic Metabonomic Approach.

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a complex debilitating mental disorder that is often misdiagnosed as major depressive disorder (MDD). Therefore, a large percentage of BD subjects are incorrectly treated with antidepressants in clinical practice. To address this challenge, objective laboratory-based tests are needed to discriminate BD from MDD patients. Here, a combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)-based and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic-based metabonomic approach was performed to profile urine samples from 76 MDD and 43 BD subjects (training set) to identify the differential metabolites. Samples from 126 healthy controls were included as metabolic controls. A candidate biomarker panel was identified by further analyzing these differential metabolites. A testing set of, 50 MDD and 28 BD subjects was then used to independently validate the diagnostic efficacy of the identified panel using an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). A total of 20 differential metabolites responsible for the discrimination between MDD and BD subjects were identified. A panel consisting of six candidate urinary metabolite biomarkers (propionate, formate, (R*,S*)2,3-dihydroxybutanoic acid, 2,4-dihydroxypyrimidine, phenylalanine, and ß-alanine) was identified. This panel could distinguish BD from MDD subjects with an AUC of 0.913 and 0.896 in the training and testing sets, respectively. These results reveal divergent urinary metabolic phenotypes between MDD and BD. The identified urinary biomarkers can aid in the future development of an objective laboratory-based diagnostic test for distinguishing BD from MDD patients.

Detection of efaproxiral (RSR13) and its metabolites in equine by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

Efaproxiral (RSR 13) is an experimental synthetic allosteric modifier of haemoglobin (Hb) that acts by increasing the release of oxygen from Hb to the surrounding tissues. It has been shown to increase maximum oxygen uptake (VO(2max)) in a canine skeletal muscle model. The ability to increase maximal muscle oxygen uptake makes efaproxiral a potential performance-enhancing agent and is therefore prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency. In this study, a method for the detection and elimination of efaproxiral in equine plasma and urine after a 2.5 g intravenous administration of efaproxiral is described. Post administration plasma and urine samples were collected up to 120 h. Efaproxiral was detected up to 120 h in urine and up to 78 h in plasma. In plasma, the peak concentration was 42 µg/ml and detected at 5 min post administration. In urine, the peak concentration was 2.8 mg/ml and detected at 0-1 h post administration. A validated liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method was used for the quantitation of efaproxiral in equine plasma and urine. The limit of detection of the method is 0.05 ng/ml in plasma and 0.1 ng/ml in urine. The method is highly sensitive and specific with good precision, accuracy and recovery. The manuscript also describes the systematic identification of efaproxiral metabolites detected in post administration equine urine samples. The metabolites were identified by use of enhanced mass spectra and enhanced product ion scans. Both positive and negative mode ionizations were utilized for metabolite identification and plausible fragmentation pathways were proposed for the phase 1 metabolite identified. In addition to free efaproxiral, one phase 1 metabolite and two phase 2 metabolites were identified in post administration urine.

Biotransformation and toxicokinetics of the insect repellent IR3535® in male and female human subjects after dermal exposure.

The absorption and excretion of the insect repellent IR3535(®) was studied in human subjects (five males and five females) after dermal application of approx. 3g of a formulation containing 20% IR3535(®), i.e. the amounts of IR3535(®) applied were between 1.94 and 3.4 mmol/person (418-731 mg/person). Blood and urinary concentrations of IR3535(®) and its only metabolite, IR3535(®)-free acid, were determined over time. In plasma, concentrations of the parent compound IR3535(®) were at or below the limit of quantification (0.037 µmol/L). IR3535(®)-free acid peaked in plasma samples 2-6h after dermal application. Cmax mean values were 5.7 µmol/L in males, 3.0 µmol/L in females and 4.2 µmol/L in all volunteers. Mean AUC values were 41.6, 24.5 and 33.9 µmolL(-1)h in males, females and all subjects, respectively. In urine samples from all human subjects, both IR3535(®) and IR3535(®)-free acid were detectable, however, only very small amounts of IR3535(®) were found. Concentrations of IR3535(®)-free acid were several thousand-fold higher than the parent compound and peaked at the first two sampling points (4h and 8h after dermal application). Overall, IR3535(®) and IR3535(®)-free acid excreted with urine over 48 h representing 13.3 ± 3.05% of the dose applied. Since IR3535(®) is rapidly and extensively metabolized, and IR3535(®)-free acid has a low molecular weight and high water solubility, it is expected that urinary excretion of IR3535(®)-free acid and IR3535(®) represents the total extent of absorption of IR3535(®) in humans. Based on the results of this study, the skin penetration rate of IR3535(®) is 13.3% in humans after dermal application.

Alkylresorcinol metabolites in urine correlate with the intake of whole grains and cereal fibre in free-living Swedish adults.

Alkylresorcinols (AR) have been established as short/medium-term biomarkers for whole grain (WG) wheat and rye intake; and AR metabolites, 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid and 3-(3,5-dihydroxyphenyl)-propanoic acid, have been suggested as complementary biomarkers to AR. The present study examined the medium-term reproducibility and relative validity of urinary AR metabolites as biomarkers for WG and cereal fibre intake. A total of sixty-six free-living Swedes completed 3 d weighed food records and provided single 24 h urine collections and morning urine spot samples on two occasions, 2-3 months apart. The medium-term reproducibility of urinary AR metabolites was moderate when assessed in 24 h collections and lower in creatinine (CR)-adjusted morning urine. Mean AR metabolite 24 h excretions correlated well with total WG (r(s) 0·31-0·52, P < 0·05) and cereal fibre (r(s) 0·46-0·58, P < 0·001) intake on both occasions. As expected, correlations with WG (r(s) 0·28-0·38, P < 0·05) and cereal fibre (r(s) 0·35-0·42, P < 0·01) were weaker for mean CR-adjusted AR metabolite concentrations in spot samples of morning urine, although the adjusted concentrations correlated well with 24 h urinary excretion (r(s) 0·69-0·73, P < 0·001). Adjustment for intra-individual variations substantially improved the correlations between intake and excretion. These findings suggest that urinary AR metabolites can successfully reflect the medium-term intake of WG and cereal fibre when adjusted for intra-individual variation in this population, where rye was the major contributor to high WG intake. The performance of urinary AR metabolites as medium-term biomarkers appears to be comparable to that of fasting plasma AR concentration in this population.

Vitamin E decreases extra-hepatic menaquinone-4 concentrations in rats fed menadione or phylloquinone.

SCOPE: The mechanism for increased bleeding and decreased vitamin K status accompanying vitamin E supplementation is unknown. We hypothesized that elevated hepatic α-tocopherol (α-T) concentrations may stimulate vitamin K metabolism and excretion. Furthermore, α-T may interfere with the side chain removal of phylloquinone (PK) to form menadione (MN) as an intermediate for synthesis of tissue-specific menaquinone-4 (MK-4). METHODS AND RESULTS: In order to investigate these hypotheses, rats were fed phylloquinone (PK) or menadione (MN) containing diets (2 µmol/kg) for 2.5 weeks. From day 10, rats were given daily subcutaneous injections of either α-T (100 mg/kg) or vehicle and were sacrificed 24 h after the seventh injection. Irrespective of diet, α-T injections decreased MK-4 concentrations in brain, lung, kidney, and heart; and PK in lung. These decreases were not accompanied by increased excretion of urinary 5C- or 7C-aglycone vitamin K metabolites, however, the urinary α-T metabolite (α-CEHC) increased ≥ 100-fold. Moreover, α-T increases were accompanied by downregulation of hepatic cytochrome P450 expression and modified expression of tissue ATP-binding cassette transporters. CONCLUSION: Thus, in rats, high tissue α-T depleted tissue MK-4 without significantly increasing urinary vitamin K metabolite excretion. Changes in tissue MK-4 and PK levels may be a result of altered regulation of transporters.

Impact of short-term intake of red wine and grape polyphenol extract on the human metabolome.

Red wine and grape polyphenols are considered to promote cardiovascular health and are involved in multiple biological functions. Their overall impact on the human metabolome is not known. Therefore, exogenous and endogenous metabolic effects were determined in fasting plasma and 24 h urine from healthy male adults consuming a mix of red wine and grape juice extracts (WGM) for 4 days in a placebo-controlled, crossover study. Syringic acid, 3-hydroxyhippuric acid, pyrogallol, 3-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, and 3-hydroxyphenylpropionic acid were confirmed as the strongest urinary markers of WGM intake. Overall, WGM had a mild impact on the endogenous metabolism. Most noticeable were changes in several amino acids deriving from tyrosine and tryptophan. Reductions in the microbial metabolites p-cresol sulfate and 3-indoxylsulfuric acid and increases in indole-3-lactic acid and nicotinic acid were observed in urine. In plasma, tyrosine was reduced. The results suggest that short-term intake of WGM altered microbial protein fermentation and/or amino acid metabolism.

Oxidative stress parameters in urine from patients with disorders of propionate metabolism: a beneficial effect of L:-carnitine supplementation.

Propionic (PA) and methylmalonic (MMA) acidurias are inherited disorders caused by deficiency of propionyl-CoA carboxylase and methylmalonyl-CoA mutase, respectively. Affected patients present acute metabolic crises in the neonatal period and long-term neurological deficits. Treatments of these diseases include a protein restricted diet and L: -carnitine supplementation. L: -Carnitine is widely used in the therapy of these diseases to prevent secondary L: -carnitine deficiency and promote detoxification, and several recent in vitro and in vivo studies have reported antioxidant and antiperoxidative effects of this compound. In this study, we evaluated the oxidative stress parameters, isoprostane and di-tyrosine levels, and the antioxidant capacity, in urine from patients with PA and MMA at the diagnosis, and during treatment with L: -carnitine and protein-restricted diet. We verified a significant increase of isoprostanes and di-tyrosine, as well as a significant reduction of the antioxidant capacity in urine from these patients at diagnosis, as compared to controls. Furthermore, treated patients presented a marked reduction of isoprostanes and di-tyrosine levels in relation to untreated patients. In addition, patients with higher levels of protein and lipid oxidative damage, determined by di-tyrosine and isoprostanes levels, also presented lower urinary concentrations of total and free L: -carnitine. In conclusion, the present results indicate that treatment with low protein diet and L: -carnitine significantly reduces urinary biomarkers of protein and lipid oxidative damage in patients with disorders of propionate metabolism and that L: -carnitine supplementation may be specially involved in this protection.

Association between 24 hour urinary α-tocopherol catabolite, 2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-2(2'-carboxyethyl)-6-hydroxychroman (α-CEHC) and α-tocopherol intake in intervention and cross-sectional studies.

The objective is to determine the association between the 24 hour urinary α-tocopherol catabolite, 2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-2(2'-carboxyethyl)-6-hydroxychroman (α-CEHC) and α-tocopherol intake in an intervention and a cross-sectional studies. In the 4-weeks intervention study, Japanese men (n = 10) consumed the test diet in week 1, and the test diet plus varying amounts of α-tocopherol in the three subsequent weeks: 21 µmol/d α-tocopherol in week 2, 63 µmol/d in week 3, and 125 µmol/d in week 4. A significant association between α-tocopherol intake and urinary α-CEHC was observed in this strictly controlled experiment (r = 0.99, p<0.001). In the cross-sectional study, all foods consumed over 4 consecutive days were recorded in 76 free-living young subjects (18-33 years). The association was weak, but a significant relationship was observed (r = 0.29, p<0.05) even in the cross-sectional study. In the cross-sectional study adults, mean estimated α-tocopherol intake calculated by urinary α-CEHC and the excretory ratio was 91% of their mean intake over the 4 days. The results show that urinary α-CEHC level reflected recent α-tocopherol intake in free-living young Japanese adults, and could be used as a measure of intake during the previous few days, both for group means and for individual rankings within a group.

Effects of clofibric acid on the biliary excretion of benoxaprofen glucuronide and taurine conjugate in rats.

Benoxaprofen (BOP) is a 2-methyl propionic acid derivative with anti-inflammatory activity. BOP has an asymmetric carbon, and receives chiral inversion from R to S in vivo. BOP is metabolized to glucuronide (BOP-G) and taurine conjugate (BOP-T). The configuration of BOP-G is mainly S, and that of BOP-T is R. Chiral inversion of R to S of the propionic acid moiety and amino acid conjugation of carboxyl compounds proceed via an acyl CoA intermediate. It is known that fibrates, used in hyperlipidemia, induce acyl CoA synthetase and increase CoA concentration. We administered racemic BOP (10 mg/kg body weight) to rats (CFA+) pre-administered clofibric acid (CFA, 280 mg/kg/day), and studied BOP, BOP-G, and BOP-T enantiomer concentrations in plasma and bile up to 12 h after administration. The findings were compared with those in rats (CFA-) that had not received CFA. Furthermore, we studied the amounts of BOP-G enantiomer produced by glucuronidation in vitro using microsomes pretreated with CFA. The amounts of (S)-BOP-G in CFA+ rats were 2.7-fold larger than that in CFA- rats. Although (R)-BOP-T was excreted in CFA- rats, BOP-T could not be detected in CFA+ rats. Plasma clearance values of racemic BOP and (S)-BOP in CFA+ rats were 5-fold and 6-fold larger than those in CFA- rats, respectively. (S)-BOP-G formation activities were higher than (R)-BOP-G formation activities in both CFA+and CFA- microsomes. These findings suggest that CFA increases biliary excretion of (S)-BOP-G and facilitates plasma elimination of BOP, and further suggests that CFA predominantly induces chiral inversion to S rather than metabolic reaction to (R)-BOP-T, resulting in an increase of (S)-BOP-G.

Pharmacokinetics of alkylresorcinol metabolites in human urine.

Wholegrain cereals are reported to promote beneficial health effects. Wholegrain wheat and rye are almost exclusive sources of alkylresorcinols, and intact alkylresorcinols together with their plasma and urinary metabolites, 3-(3,5-dihydroxyphenyl)-1-propanoic acid (DHPPA) and 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHBA), have been proposed as biomarkers of the intake of these foods in humans. The pharmacokinetics of alkylresorcinols and their metabolites in plasma have been determined but not that of the urinary metabolites. We aimed to characterise the urinary pharmacokinetics of alkylresorcinol metabolites in humans to evaluate their potential as biomarkers of wholegrain wheat and rye. A group of fifteen volunteers followed a low-alkylresorcinol diet for 2 d before ingesting a single dose of rye bread, containing 100 mg alkylresorcinols. Urine was collected between baseline (0 h) and 25 h after administration. Thereafter alkylresorcinol metabolites were quantified by HPLC with coulometric electrode array detection. Maximum excretion rates were observed at 5-6 h for both metabolites, DHPPA being predominant over DHBA and also possessing a greater area under the curve0-25 h. Total urinary recovery between 0 and 25 h yielded 43 % of ingested alkylresorcinols, and at 25 h significant amounts of metabolites were still retained in the body, suggesting that even a spot urine sample may be sufficient to indicate whether or not wholegrain wheat or rye is a daily dietary component. These results support the use of urinary DHPPA and DHBA as biomarkers of wholegrain wheat and rye and enable new potential for studying the association between wholegrain intake and diseases, even in the absence of dietary data.

Comparison of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography with coulometric electrode array detection for determination of alkylresorcinol metabolites in human urine.

Alkylresorcinols (AR) are amphiphilic compounds present at high concentrations in the outer parts of wheat and rye kernels. Due to their specificity to whole grain and bran products of these cereals, AR and their metabolites have been proposed as biomarkers for intake of such foods. Two alkylresorcinol metabolites, 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHBA) and 3-(3,5-dihydroxyphenyl)-1-propanoic acid (DHPPA), have previously been quantified in human urine using two different methodologies: high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a coulometric electrode array detector (HPLC-CEAD) and gas chromatography in combination with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In this study, these two methodologies were compared by analysing 114 urine samples from free-living Swedish subjects consuming their habitual diet. Data were evaluated by graphical investigation of difference-plots and statistical inference of agreement was assessed by weighted Deming regression analysis. The median DHBA concentrations were 11 µM (GC-MS) and 13 µM (HPLC-CEAD), respectively. Both difference-plot and regression analysis showed a small but statistically significant additive bias, with HPLC-CEAD resulting in a slightly higher DHBA concentration than GC-MS. The median concentration of DHPPA was 18 µM for both methods. Examination of the difference-plot of DHPPA did not indicate any systematic difference between the methods, but regression analysis showed small but statistically significant constant and proportional biases. The conclusion was that the two methodologies are equally suitable for analysis of alkylresorcinol metabolites in human urine and that any small systematic differences observed are most likely of limited practical importance.