bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Acute Effects of a Beverage Containing Bitter Melon Extract (CARELA®) on Postprandial Glycaemia among Prediabetic Adults
Authors: Boone Carleigh , Stout Jeffrey , Gordon Joseph , Redd Michael , Church David , Oliveira Leonardo , Fukuda David , Hoffman Jay 
Published: November 2023

Acute ingestion of bitter melon (BM) has been shown to suppress the postprandial glycemic response in diabetics, but its impact on glucose regulation among individuals with impaired glucose tolerance is unclear. Moreover, one's glucose tolerance level may influence the effectiveness of BM. This study aimed to examine the acute effects of a beverage containing BM extract on blood glucose regulation during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) among prediabetics.MethodsTen prediabetic adults completed two OGTTs ‐ glucose only (D2) and glucose + BM (D3). Responders were identified as subjects whose area under the glucose curve (AUCglu) during D3 was lower than D2. To compare the acute effects of the beverage among individuals with varying glucose tolerance levels, subjects were grouped by their glucose response pattern – Fastpeak (peak glucose (Glupeak) at 30 min post‐glucose (30P)) and Slowpeak (Glupeak after 30P).ResultsDuring D3, responders (n = 5) experienced a 13.2% reduction in AUCglu (95% confidence interval (CI): −18.1% to −8.3%), 12.2% reduction in mean glucose (95% CI: −17.3% to −7.0%), and 10.6% reduction in Glupeak (95% CI: −17.5% to −3.7%); plasma glucose was reduced by 9.1% at 30P (95% CI: −15.6% to −2.6%), −24.0% at 60P (95% CI: −36.8% to −11.2%), and −20.0% at 90P (95% CI: −35.8% to −4.2%) during D3. No between‐trial differences were noted for Fastpeak or Slowpeak.ConclusionsAcute ingestion of BM prior to the second OGTT (D3) led to a reduced postprandial glucose response in 50% of the subjects but did not affect the insulin response. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the beverage was seemingly uninfluenced by the subjects' glucose tolerance level. While BM has shown to aid blood glucose management in diabetics, it remains uncertain why only a portion of subjects responded positively to the BM extract in the current study.
Early Life Macular Pigment Optical Density (MPOD) and Dietary Intake of Nutrients Related to Macular Health
Authors: Guerra Genesis G. , Parent Jennifer M. , Trujillo Elisabet , Jackson Donnelle K. , Gaitán Adriana V. , Carabante Kennet M. , Lammi‐Keefe Carol J. 
Published: November 2023

Age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) is a multifactorial progressive disease and is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss in the elderly. Among factors related to development of AMD are gender (females>males), eye color (blue>dark), body mass index (BMI; high>low), and low macular pigment optical density (MPOD), a measure of the density of the macular. The current study aimed to assess dietary intake of nutrients recognized as important in macular health and their relationship to MPOD, with a focus on dietary lutein + zeaxanthin (L+Z) and DHA+EPA (22:6n‐3, 20:5n‐3), dietary nutrients known to impact MPOD. College‐aged students [age range 18–28 years; n=440, 276 females (F) and 164 males (M)] were recruited to participate. Dietary intake was obtained through a 24‐hour dietary recall using NDSR 2016. A health history form was used to collect demographic information and frequency of consumption of specific foods. MPOD of subjects was measured using a macular metrics densitometer. Data were analyzed with SAS 9.4 using ANOVA and linear regression. There was a significantly higher MPOD (p=0.037) for M compared to F. Males had higher dietary intake of DHA+EPA (p=0.008) and L+Z (p=0.033) than F. Fifty‐five percent (n=90) of M and 42% (n=115) of F consumed seafood rich in DHA+EPA, e.g. salmon and trout. The DHA+EPA recommendation by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015–2020 (250 mg/day) was fulfilled by 20% (n= 33) of M and 8% (n=22) of F. Seventy‐six percent (n=25) of Asian subjects consumed seafood rich in DHA+EPA while on average 46% of White, Black and Hispanics did. There were no differences between BMI groups (normal, overweight, obese) regarding MPOD (p=0.064) and dietary consumption of DHA+EPA (p=0.968) and L+Z (p=0.099) in the student population. The relationship of dietary DHA+EPA and MPOD in this population approached significance (p=0.051) and warrants further exploration. This work points to a need for early nutrition education to increase the consumption of foods high in the nutrients that are known to promote macular health.Support or Funding InformationSupported in part by Louisiana State University and Louisiana State University Agricultural Center.
Effects of cyclic fatty acids on rat liver and plasma fatty acid metabolism and inflammation mediators depend on dietary lipids
Authors: Mboma Jean , Leblanc Nadine , Angers Paul , Jacques Helene 
Published: November 2023

ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the interactions between dietary fatty acids and cyclic fatty acid monomers (CFAM) on liver and plasma lipids and inflammationMethodsTwo oils (canola oil and soybean oil) were used in the experiment while 0.5% of CFAM were added to the CFAM diets, thus generating four diet groups: canola oil (CO), soybean oil (SO), canola oil and CFAM (CC), and soybean oil and CFAM (SC). 36 male Wistar rats (n=9) were fed those diets for 28 days, liver and plasma lipids were analyzed by gas‐liquid chromatography and inflammation markers were analyzed enzymatic methods.ResultsAlthough CFAM alone induced an accumulation of TAG, liver fatty acid analysis showed that rats fed the CC diet had less stearic acid (STA), arachidonic acid (ARA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) but more oleic acid (OLA) and total MUFA than those fed the CO, SO and SC diets. However, no difference was observed between rats fed SO and SC diets. Significant interactions between the type of oil and CFAM were also observed in plasma fatty acids for the following fatty acids: palmitic acid (PAM, P = 0.039), linoleic acid (AL, P = 0.023), docosapentaenoic acid (DPAn‐3 P<0.0001), and total PUFAn‐3 (P = 0.028). In particular, it was observed that CC‐fed rats had less AL than the SC (P<0.0001). CFAM induced lower ALT levels (P<0.0001), lower ALT/AST ratio (P = 0.003), and higher plasma total cholesterol levels (P = 0.024) compared with the non‐CFAM diets. There were interactions between oil and CFAM for plasma AST (P = 0.04), AST/ALT ratio (P = 0.02), and IL‐6 (P = 0.02).ConclusionsWhile showing that CFAM effects on lipid metabolism are exacerbated when used with a high‐oleic acid oil, these results suggest that CFAM effects are altered by dietary lipids. These results reinforce the need for a selected use of vegetable oils in domestic and industrial settings. Other associations of CFAM with oils of different ratios MUFA/PUFA, PUFAn‐6/n‐3, PUFA/SFA can be used to further assess the interactions between CFAM and dietary fats.Support or Funding InformationCanadian Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council
Lingonberry Anthocyanins Protect Cardiac Cells from Oxidative Stress‐Induced Apoptosis
Authors: Isaak Cara K. , Petkau Jay C. , Blewett Heather , Karmin O , Siow Yaw L. 
Published: November 2023

Lingonberry grown in Canada contains exceptionally high levels of anthocyanins, the pigments that give the berries their red color, as well as other polyphenols, including resveratrol, quercetin, and proanthocyanidins, which may have antioxidant properties. Anthocyanin‐rich diets have been shown to be associated with decreased cardiovascular disease and overall mortality. Oxidative stress plays an important role in cardiovascular disease by impairing function and triggering apoptosis of cardiomyocytes. In this study, we investigated whether physiologically relevant doses of pure anthocyanins and lingonberry extracts could protect H9c2 cardiomyoblasts from oxidative stress‐induced cell death. Anthocyanins were added at 10 ng mL−1 (20 nmol L−1) to cell culture media prior to induction of oxidative stress with 600 μM hydrogen peroxide. After 2 hours of hydrogen peroxide treatment, apoptosis and necrosis were detected in H9c2 cells via flow cytometry using FLICA 660 caspase 3/7 combined with YO‐PRO‐1 to allow differentiation between viable, early apoptotic, late apoptotic, and necrotic cells. Apoptosis was confirmed using Hoechst 33258 and fluorescence microscopy. Each of the three major anthocyanins found in lingonberry, cyanidin‐3‐galactoside, cyandin‐3‐glucoside, and cyanidin‐3‐arabinoside, was protective against hydrogen peroxide‐induced apoptosis in H9c2 cells at 10 ng mL−1 and preserved the number of viable cells to match the non‐hydrogen peroxide‐treated group. A combination of the three anthocyanins tested at 10 ng mL−1 was also protective. A lingonberry extract tested at three concentrations produced a dose‐dependent protective effect. This study demonstrates that lingonberry anthocyanins could protect cardiac cells from oxidative stress‐induced apoptosis and may have cardioprotective effects.Support or Funding InformationAAFC Project ID J‐001297
Influence of Ingesting a Flavonoid‐Rich Supplement On the Human Metabolome and Concentration of Urine Phenolics
Authors: Nieman David C. , Ramamoorthy Sivapriya , Kay Colin D. , Goodman Courtney L. , Capps Christopher R. , Shue Zachary L , Heyl Nicole , Grace Mary H. , Lila Mary Ann 
Published: November 2023

A variety of polyphenol‐rich supplements (juices, extracts, purified flavonoids) have been tested at low to high doses for varying lengths of time, typically with study participants at high disease risk. Results have been mixed, perhaps because of short dosing periods, low subject numbers, and the lack of focus on whole body metabolic responses. This study evaluated the effect of ingesting a flavonoid‐rich supplement (329 mg/d) on total urine phenolics and shifts in plasma metabolites in overweight/obese female adults using untargeted, global metabolomics procedures. Participants (N=103, 18–65 y, BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) were randomized to flavonoid or placebo groups for 12 weeks, with blood and 24‐h urine samples collected pre‐study, 4‐ and 12‐weeks in a parallel design. Supplements were prepared as chewable tablets, and included vitamin C, wild bilberry fruit extract, green tea leaf extract, quercetin, caffeine, and omega 3 fatty acids. One serving (4 chewable tablets) contained 50 kilocalories, 100 mg vitamin C, 60 mg n3‐PUFA (24 mg docosahexaenoic acid, 36 mg eicosapentaenoic acid), 107 mg caffeine, and 329 mg total flavonoids. Analysis of pre‐ and post‐study 3‐day food records revealed the flavonoid supplement increased dietary intake by 217% (138±23.0 to 437±20.1 mg/day) compared to placebo (interaction effect, p<0.001). At 4‐weeks, urine total phenolics increased 24% in the flavonoid group above placebo, with similar changes at 12‐weeks (interaction effect, P=0.041). Groups did not differ in traditional markers of inflammation (IL‐6, MCP‐1, CRP) or oxidative stress (oxLDL, FRAP). Metabolomics data indicated shifts in 63 plasma metabolites in the flavonoid versus placebo group, with 70% of these from the lipid and xenobiotics super pathways. The largest fold changes were measured for three gut‐derived phenolics including 3‐methoxycatechol sulfate, 3‐(3‐hydroxyphenyl)propanoic acid sulfate, and 1,2,3‐benzenetriol sulfate (interaction effects, p≤0.050). Small group differences in 29 metabolites from the lipid super pathway were more than likely related to the combined influence of green tea extract and caffeine. This randomized clinical trial of overweight/obese women showed that 12‐weeks ingestion of a mixed flavonoid‐nutrient supplement was associated with a corresponding increase in urine total phenolics and gut‐derived phenolic metabolites. The lack of change in traditional measures of inflammation and oxidative stress in this study is consistent with other 10‐ to 12‐week polyphenol supplementation investigations, and supports the strategy of using metabolomics procedures to better define physiological responses in humans.Support or Funding InformationSupported by funding from Reoxcyn Innovation Group LLC, Salt Lake City, UT
Dietary delta‐tocotrienol modifies serum metabolite profiles in diet‐induced obese mice
Authors: Shen ChwanLi , Kaur Gurvinder , Ramalingam Latha , Tomison Michael D , Chung Eunhee , Moustaid‐Moussa Naima , Dufour Jannette , Mo Huanbiao , Watkins Bruce A. 
Published: November 2023

Obesity with related complications is a world‐wide health problem. Dietary tocotrienols (TT) have been shown to improve obesity‐associated metabolic disorders, such as insulin resistance, in preclinical studies. Here, we aimed to characterize the metabolic status of obese mice by LC/MS‐based metabolomics in combination with relevant biochemical parameters of glucose homeostasis. Twenty male C57BL/6J mice (6‐week‐old) fed either a high‐fat diet (HFD, n=10) or HFD supplemented with 800 mg TT/kg (HFD+TT, n=10) for 14 weeks. TT was a mixture of 90% delta‐TT and 10% gamma‐TT. Compared to the HFD group, TT supplementation improved glucose homeostasis as determined by both glucose tolerance test (at 120 min, 369.3±22.6 and 243.6±38.9 mg/dL for HFD and HFD+TT, respectively) and insulin tolerance test (at 12 weeks relative to time zero: 53.1% and 44.4% for HFD and HFD+TT, respectively). For serum metabolites, the HFD+TT group had higher levels of some essential amino acids, B vitamins, and 12 HEPE in serum compared to the HFD group. In addition, the HFD+TT group had reduced thromboxane B2 and 13 HODE, and increased 12HEPE, lysine, and methionine. These results suggest TT supplementation lowered inflammation and improved macronutrient metabolism in obese mice that may explain reduced obesity. This study demonstrates that the beneficial effect of TT on glucose homeostasis is associated with changes in several metabolite profiles in obese male mice with insulin resistance.Support or Funding InformationAmerican River Nutrition, Inc., Hadley, MA.
Antioxidant Capacity and Stability of Phenolic Compounds in Aronia Kefir during in vitro Digestion
Authors: Du Xue , Myracle Angela D 
Published: November 2023

Aronia (Aronia melanocarpa) is an underutilized berry that is rich in bioactive compounds, such as anthocyanins and phenolic acids. Phenolic compounds are strong antioxidants that may provide health benefits for chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes. Kefir is a fermented dairy beverage which contains several species of live micro‐organisms and may help to maintain gut health. The live microbes in kefir create a dynamic environment with an acidic pH which could protect the anthocyanins in aronia from degradation. In this study, aronia juice was incorporated into a fermented kefir product. Aronia kefir was subjected to an in vitro digestion process to evaluate the antioxidant capacity, stability of bioactive components and the potential effects on carbohydrate‐hydrolyzing enzymes. Mouth, stomach, and small intestinal environments were simulated using corresponding digestive juices (containing enzymes) where pH, time and temperature were controlled. An aliquot was removed from each step for analysis. UPLC‐DAD was used to quantify anthocyanins and phenolic acids in each fraction. The antioxidant capacity was measured using 2, 2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay. The inhibitory effects of digested aronia kefir on carbohydrate‐hydrolyzing enzymes were assessed by measuring the IC20 values against α‐amylase and IC50 values against α‐glucosidase. The control sample was processed under the same conditions with the absence of digestive enzymes. The results of this study showed that mouth digestion did not alter the quantity of phenolic compounds or the antioxidant capacity of aronia kefir. After gastric digestion, the amount of phenolic compounds was elevated compared to the mouth digesta, which led to an improvement in the antioxidant capacity. Intestinal digestion resulted in a slight increase in cyanidin‐3‐galactoside and a decrease in neo‐chlorogenic acid. The amount of chlorogenic acid was enhanced significantly compared to gastric digesta. Antioxidant capacity of intestinal digesta was also improved. After digestion, aronia kefir exhibited strong inhibitory activity toward α‐glucosidase and moderate inhibition to α‐amylase. This result indicates that digested aronia kefir has the potential to decrease or slow the absorption of carbohydrates, thus helping to maintain blood glucose levels. This study demonstrates that accessible anthocyanins and phenolic acids in aronia kefir were stable during digestion and exhibited high antioxidant capacity. Hence, incorporating aronia kefir into a healthy diet is potentially beneficial to diabetic patients to help decrease oxidative stress and to better control their blood glucose level.Support or Funding InformationUniversity of Maine start up funds
Activation of Nrf2 Target Genes by Aged Garlic Extract in THP‐1 Macrophages: Regulation by Glutathione Depletion
Authors: Eudy Brandon J , Carter Robert E , Abed Sawsan A , Svoboda Steven A , Percival Susan S 
Published: November 2023

Garlic products, including aged garlic extract (AGE) have been shown to have antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory activities, which arise from activation of the Nrf2‐antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway. Nuclear factor (erythroid‐derived 2)‐like 2 (Nrf2) is typically activated during oxidative stress, but may also be activated by dietary electrophilic molecules, such as those found in AGE, suggesting multiple mechanisms of Nrf2 activation. It is not known whether glutathione (GSH) antioxidant capacity affects the cellular Nrf2 response to AGE. To test this, we investigated whether augmentation or depletion of intracellular GSH would affect the Nrf2‐ARE pathway in THP‐1 macrophages after treatment with AGE. We prepared AGE by dissolving commercially available tablets in deionized water at pH 2.0 overnight. The slurry was centrifuged and the clarified supernatant was used for treatments. Prior to treatment with AGE, intracellular GSH was increased by incubating the THP‐1 cells with exogenous GSH, or decreased by incubation with buthionine sulfoximine (BSO). Macrophages treated with AGE showed increased nuclear accumulation of Nrf2 by western blotting. Nrf2 target gene expression was measured using RT‐qPCR. All THP‐1 macrophages treated with AGE showed increased expression of NADPH quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1). Heme oxygenase 1 (HO‐1) was only upregulated in macrophages pre‐treated with BSO. These data show that macrophages with augmented GSH concentrations still responded to treatment with AGE by upregulating Nrf2 target genes, while GSH depletion further increased expression of HO‐1. These data agree with other studies showing that oxidative stress may not be required for Nrf2 activation and that dietary electrophiles, such as those found in AGE, may be able to activate Nrf2 in the absence of oxidative stress.Support or Funding InformationUF‐IFAS Agricultural Experiment Station
Communication Skills Development through Experiential Learning in Nutritional Sciences
Authors: Nojima Akiko , Ravia Jennifer , Hongu Nobuko 
Published: November 2023

PurposeEffective communication skills are recognized as crucial for the successful future career of college graduates. The purpose of this study was to examine the communication skills in undergraduate nutrition students and explore the ideas how Experiential Learning class (i.e. offers undergraduate students work opportunities outside of classroom in addition to the classroom lectures in Nutritional Sciences), could help improving student's communication skills throughout the semester.MethodsThe 5‐minute surveys were distributed to the students who were taking Experimental Learning class. Most of these students were Junior or Senior in nutrition majors who plan to pursue a career in the field of dietetics. The survey was composed of 21 statements asking about their feeling of public speaking (e.g. enjoy, good at, terrified, tense, etc.) at 3 types of communication events (one‐on‐one, small group, large group – public speaking). In addition, these students were asked to have a 10‐minute face‐to‐face interview conducted by the interviewer (PI) at the end of semester. At the face‐to‐face interview, the students were asked what activities were most effective to improve their communication skills through Experiential Learning class, and what made students gain confidence at public speaking. Data were analyze with descriptive and multiple liner regression.Results45 students answered the survey both at the beginning and the end of the semester and 24 students volunteered to have the face‐to‐face interview. At the beginning of the semester, 22% of students (n=10) reported high degree of anxiety (e.g., terrified of speaking in public), and 42% of students (n=19) reported moderate degree of anxiety (e.g., I avoid speaking in public, if possible) in public speaking. At the end of semester, numbers of students who had moderate degree of anxiety in public speaking decreased significantly (29%, n=13, p<0.05), but the numbers of students who had high degree of anxiety did not change. Also, at the end of semester none of students reported high degree of anxiety in a small group speaking. In the face‐to‐face interviews the students who had high and medium degree of anxiety reported the Experiential Learning course provided opportunities and helped to improve their talking and meeting new people, but they wanted more feedbacks or instructions how to improve their communication skills.ConclusionsThe Experiential Learning course in Nutritional Sciences is an effective way to improve communication skills in dietetic students. The results of this study will further contribute to develop teaching materials for students who have high and medium degrees of anxiety in public speaking.Support or Funding InformationInternational Research Fund ‐ Ritsumeikan University