Progress 04/01/17 to 03/31/18
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience for this project are scientists and health professionals. Scientist studying polyphenol bioavailability and health benefits of polyphenols will be especially interested in these results. Health professionals with interests in obesity will also be especially interested in these results. We have reached this target audience through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and a NIFA-sponsored webinar. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?A seminar was presented as part of the NIFA IFSN seminar series, and this seminar was offered for continuing education credits. A University of Maryland graduate student learned techniques for analyzing gas exchange data. He also learned principles of study design as the follow-up study of berries/polyphenols and fuel management was planned. The student conducted tissue culture experiments with adipose cells to determine if berry extracts could increase oxygen consumption. During this period, he wrote his PhD dissertation based on the data generated from this project and received his degree. A student from North Carolina State University learned liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry techniques, then applied those new skills to analysis of urine samples for polyphenol metabolites. ? How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?A seminar was presented as part of the NIFA IFSN seminar series. The seminar was entitled "Polyphenol Bioavailability: A Not-So-Simple Story." A poster was presented at the NIFA PD meeting for 2017. In addition, a poster was presented at the Experimental Biology Meeting in 2017. Also, the manuscript submitted in January 2017 entitled "The effect of obesity and repeated exposure on pharmacokinetic response to grape polyphenols in humans" was accepted for publication in Molecular Nutrition and Food Research in May 2017. An additional manuscript was prepared and submitted in 2018; the manuscript is entitled "Blackberry feeding increases fat oxidation and improves insulin sensitivity in males." The effect of obesity and repeated exposure on pharmacokinetic response to grape polyphenols in humans. Novotny JA, Chen TY, Terekhov AI, Gebauer SK, Baer DJ, Ho L, Pasinetti GM, Ferruzzi MG. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2017 Nov;61(11). Blackberry feeding increases fat oxidation and improves insulin sensitivity in males. Patrick M. Solverson, William V. Rumpler, Jayme L. Leger, Benjamin W. Redan, Mario G. Ferruzzi, David J. Baer, Thomas W. Castonguay, and Janet A. Novotny, Submitted to Journal of Nutrition. Poster presentation: Adaptation in polyphenol bioavailability during long term exposure to polyphenol-rich foods in lean and obese individuals. David J. Baer, Janet A. Novotny, Mario G. Ferruzzi, Patrick Solverson, Sarah K. Gebauer. NIFA PD Meeting in Las Vegas Nevada in 2017. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next reporting period, we will complete analysis of gas exchange data collected after subjects consumed different berry-related treatments. We will also analyze glucose and insulin curves from those subjects and perform statistical analysis. We will also complete the statistical analysis of the data collected in the previous year. These data include phenolic acids in urine, characterization of microbiota after different exposures to polyphenols, and inflammatory markers generated by peripheral blood mononuclear cells after exposure to fecal samples from subjects after different exposures to polyphenols.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
As a follow-up to our finding that berry consumption increased fat oxidation and insulin sensitivity, we are currently conducting a follow-up study with mixed berries to determine which component of the berries might be having the beneficial effects on fuel selection. For this ongoing study, men and women are participating in a 4-period randomized crossover during which they are consuming a controlled diet with one of the following additions: whole mixed berries, mixed berry juice, fiber-rich jello, or standard jello. This combination of treatments will reveal whether the anthocyanins (berry pigments) or the fiber may be imparting the beneficial fuel management effects. The intervention is almost complete, and data analysis will begin soon. Also following up on the results demonstrating that berry intake increased fat oxidation, we cultured adipose cells then exposed them to berry extract. We found that berry extract increased oxygen consumption compared to no exposure to berry extract. To further understand the effect of repeated exposure to polyphenols on polyphenol absorption, we expanded our analysis of blood and urine to include phenolic acids, which would be formed from metabolism of the ingested polyphenols. Data analysis of phenolic acid appearance after different exposures to polyphenols is underway. To further understand the impact of polyphenols on gut health, we performed a variety of tests on fecal samples of subjects after they had consumed polyphenols. First, we characterized the microbiota present in the fecal samples before consumption of the polyphenol-rich diet, after 2 weeks of the polyphenol-rich diet, and after 10 weeks of the polyphenol-rich diet. Statistical analysis is underway. In addition, we investigated the inflammatory potential of the fecal material as a surrogate marker for how the gut contents may be impacting gut health with or without a high polyphenol diet. For this outcome measure, we exposed peripheral blood mononuclear cells (white blood cells that can produce inflammation markers) to the fecal material produced by the volunteers before and after consuming the high polyphenol diet, then measured the generation of inflammatory proteins. Statistical analysis is underway.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
The effect of obesity and repeated exposure on pharmacokinetic response to grape polyphenols in humans. Novotny JA, Chen TY, Terekhov AI, Gebauer SK, Baer DJ, Ho L, Pasinetti GM, Ferruzzi MG. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2017 Nov;61(11).
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Blackberry feeding increases fat oxidation and improves insulin sensitivity in males. Patrick M. Solverson, William V. Rumpler, Jayme L. Leger, Benjamin W. Redan, Mario G. Ferruzzi, David J. Baer, Thomas W. Castonguay, and Janet A. Novotny, Submitted
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Adaptation in polyphenol bioavailability during long term exposure to polyphenol-rich foods in lean and obese individuals. David J. Baer, Janet A. Novotny, Mario G. Ferruzzi, Patrick Solverson, Sarah K. Gebauer.
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Progress 04/01/14 to 03/31/18
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience for this project are scientists and health professionals. Scientist studying polyphenol bioavailability and health benefits of polyphenols will be especially interested in these results. Health professionals with interests in obesity will also be especially interested in these results. We have reached this target audience through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and a NIFA-sponsored webinar. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?During the first reporting period, we worked with and trained several young scientist and students. First, two undergraduate culinary students participated in internships at our facility during our human feeding intervention. During this time, the students worked one-on-one with a mentor (a chef and registered dietician) to learn culinary techniques. In addition, the registered dietician worked with several young professionals to teach them menu development for feeding studies. We also involved three graduate students in the research. These students worked with a mentor or more experienced professional to learn about how to conduct a human intervention study, how to collect and store biological samples, and how to conduct a variety of assays to assess nutrient absorption and evaluate an individual's health. During the second reporting period, we continued to mentor young scientists. One University of Maryland graduate student was mentored in techniques of high performance liquid chromatography as we investigated modified methodology for assessing intestinal permability. Also, one Purdue University graduate student was instructed in polyphenol analysis by high performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry, and he analyzed the blood and urine samples from the study. In addition, the Purdue University graduate student was instructed on methodology for assessing gene expression. The student conducted tissue culture experiments with an intestinal cell line esposed to polyphenols. The student visited the USDA Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center to learn methods for isolating and stabilizing RNA from those experiments. The student then returned to Purdue to process the samples from his cell culture experiments. Then the student again visited the USDA Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center to learn techniques for assessing gene expression in the cells from his cell culture experiment. The student learned to check RNA quality and quantity and also to perform gene array experiments. For the third reporting period, the students who were mentored during the previous year made progress toward graduate degress. In the previous year, a Purdue University graduate student analyzed the blood and urine samples from the human feeding intervention, as well as learned to analyze gene expression and applied that new knowledge to tissue culture experiments of polyphenol absorption. Using the resulting data, he was instructed on statistical approaches. He used the resulting data to write his PhD dissertation. He has successfully received his PhD degree based in part on data generated from this project. A University of Maryland graduate student learned the principles and techniques of gas exchange calorimetry to conduct a pilot study of polyphenol intake and fuel management. During the fourth reporting period, there were several paths for providing professional development related to this project. A seminar was presented as part of the NIFA IFSN seminar series, and this seminar was offered for continuing education credits. A University of Maryland graduate student learned techniques for analyzing gas exchange data. He also learned principles of study design as the follow-up study of berries/polyphenols and fuel management was planned. The student conducted tissue culture experiments with adipose cells to determine if berry extracts could increase oxygen consumption. During this period, he wrote his PhD dissertation based on the data generated from this project and received his degree. A student from North Carolina State University learned liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry techniques, then applied those new skills to analysis of urine samples for polyphenol metabolites. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Poster presentations have been made at NIFA PD meetings and at the Experimental Biology and/or IFT meetings in 2015, 2016, and 2017. A manuscript was submitted for publication in January 2017 and has since been published. The manuscript is entitled "The effect of obesity and repeated exposure on pharmacokinetic response to grape polyphenols in human." Citation: The effect of obesity and repeated exposure on pharmacokinetic response to grape polyphenols in humans. Novotny JA, Chen TY, Terekhov AI, Gebauer SK, Baer DJ, Ho L, Pasinetti GM, Ferruzzi MG. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2017 Nov;61(11). A manuscript has been submitted for publication and is currently under review:Blackberry feeding increases fat oxidation and improves insulin sensitivity in males. Patrick M. Solverson, William V. Rumpler, Jayme L. Leger, Benjamin W. Redan, Mario G. Ferruzzi, David J. Baer, Thomas W. Castonguay, and Janet A. Novotny, Submitted to Journal of Nutrition. A webinar was presented through the NIFA IFSN seminar series. The seminar was entitled "Polyphenol Bioavailability: A Not-So-Simple Story." Continuing education credits were offered. Further presentations will be made as the final data analysis is completed, and several more publications are expected in the upcoming year to year and a half. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
During the initial reporting period, we recruited a group of 28 adult volunteers (half lean, half obese) to participate in a feeding intervention. The goal of the intervention was to determine how repeated exposure to polyphenols would affect gastrointestinal absorption and health. During the intervention, we provided the volunteers with a tightly prescribed diet containing apples, blueberries, and tea, three commodities chosen for their popularity, accessibility, and broad spectrum of bioactive components. We created menus and recipes for the polyphenol-rich diet, then we cooked, weighed, and provided all foods to all volunteers for the entire intervention period. We supervised the consumption of meals at our facility during breakfast and dinner, and we packed lunches and weekend foods for carry-out. During the 10 week intervention, we collected samples of blood, urine, and feces at various time points. On three different days, we provided volunteers with an apple-berry-tea smoothie then collected blood and urine throughout the day to determine how well the nutrients were absorbed. In addition, we conducted the commonly used blood endotoxin assay as a marker of gut permeability to find that we were not satisfied with this assay's specificity. As a result, we adapted a lactulose-mannitol test and incorporated it into the ongoing human feeding study. For this test, subjects consumed two different sugars, each of which is absorbed via a different mechanism. The ratio of the sugars in the urine indicate gut leakiness. During the second reporting period, we continued progress on the study started during the previous year. During the previous reporting period, we conducted polyphenol pharmacokinetic challenges (gastrointestinal absorption tests) with adult volunteers by providing them with a fruit-rich smoothie and collecting blood and urine throughout the day. We conducted these tests after no recent exposure to polyphenols, after 2 weeks of daily intake of polyphenols, and after 10 weeks of daily intake of polyphenols. During this reporting period we analyzed the serial plasma and urine samples collected from the pharmacokinetic challenges. We used liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry to analyze polyphenols in their native and conjugated forms. We then performed mathematical analysis of the pharmacokinetic curves in blood and urine, and we performed statistical analysis of the resulting pharmacokinetic parameters (such as area under the concentration time curve). We observed some trends suggesting that absorption of some of the polyphenols was greatest after 2 weeks of repeated consumption compared to no recent prior consumption or 10 weeks of daily consumption. However, the trends were not consistent among polyphenols and most did not reach statistical significance. We then performed a deeper analysis on our pilot data from a study with grape polyphenols, which was a study conducted previously suggesting that repeated exposure to polyphenols may improve absorption for lean but not obese individuals. Our results confirmed that for grape polyphenols, repeated intake was found to result in greater apparent absorption for lean subjects, but not for obese subjects. We observed substantial inter-individual variability among subjects with respect to polyphenol absorption. To evaluate whether gut leakiness was related to the inter-individual variabilty, we had administered a lactulose-mannitol test to all subjects during the feeding intervention. For this test, subjects consumed two different sugars, each of which is absorbed via a different mechanism. The ratio of the sugars in the urine indicate gut leakiness. We analyzed the urine for the two sugars, lactulose and mannitol, by liquid chromatography and correlated the resulting gut leakiness index to polyphenol absorption. During the third reporting period, we continued progress to understand the effect of obesity on polyphenol absorption and health impacts. Our analysis of polyphenol absorption from mixed sources after repeated exposure did not reveal clear trends related to exposure and polyphenol absorption. However, more in depth analysis of our previous grape polyphenol study demonstrated that repeated exposure to grape polyphenols increases plasma response to those polyphenols. We used these results to prepare and submit a manuscript in a peer-reviewed journal. The manuscript was published in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research. Further probing the effects of polyphenols on gut health, we evaluated gastrointestinal inflammation using fecal samples generated by our study subjects. For this assay, we analyzed calprotectin in fecal samples after no recent exposure to polyphenols, after 2 weeks of exposure to polyphenols, and after 10 weeks of exposure to polyphenols. Calprotectin in feces reflects the presence of neutrophils, suggesting bowel inflammation. We did not find a relationship between fecal calprotectin and polyphenol absorption. Leveraging resources, we also generated pilot data on a different aspect of obesity and polyphenols. Rodent studies have demonstrated that polyphenol consumption can reduce adiposity and improve glucose metabolism. In humans, there is some evidence of improved glucose management with polyphenol consumption, but effects on adiposity have not been adequately probed. Using our gas-exchange calorimeters, we investigated the ability of berries to alter fuel utilization, finding that berry consumption significantly increased fat oxidation (fat burning) by adult males. In addition, consumption of berries improved insulin sensitivity. ? As a follow-up to our finding that berry consumption increased fat oxidation and insulin sensitivity, we are currently conducting a follow-up study with mixed berries to determine which component of the berries might be having the beneficial effects on fuel selection. For this ongoing study, men and women are participating in a 4-period randomized crossover during which they are consuming a controlled diet with one of the following additions: whole mixed berries, mixed berry juice, fiber-rich jello, or standard jello. This combination of treatments will reveal whether the anthocyanins (berry pigments) or the fiber may be imparting the beneficial fuel management effects. The intervention is almost complete, and data analysis will begin soon. Also following up on the results demonstrating that berry intake increased fat oxidation, we cultured adipose cells then exposed them to berry extract. We found that berry extract increased oxygen consumption compared to no exposure to berry extract. To further understand the effect of repeated exposure to polyphenols on polyphenol absorption, we expanded our analysis of blood and urine to include phenolic acids, which would be formed from metabolism of the ingested polyphenols. Data analysis of phenolic acid appearance after different exposures to polyphenols is underway. To further understand the impact of polyphenols on gut health, we performed a variety of tests on fecal samples of subjects after they had consumed polyphenols. First, we characterized the microbiota present in the fecal samples before consumption of the polyphenol-rich diet, after 2 weeks of the polyphenol-rich diet, and after 10 weeks of the polyphenol-rich diet. Statistical analysis is underway. In addition, we investigated the inflammatory potential of the fecal material as a surrogate marker for how the gut contents may be impacting gut health with or without a high polyphenol diet. For this outcome measure, we exposed peripheral blood mononuclear cells (white blood cells that can produce inflammation markers) to the fecal material produced by the volunteers before and after consuming the high polyphenol diet, then measured the generation of inflammatory proteins. Statistical analysis is underway.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
The effect of obesity and repeated exposure on pharmacokinetic response to grape polyphenols in humans. Novotny JA, Chen TY, Terekhov AI, Gebauer SK, Baer DJ, Ho L, Pasinetti GM, Ferruzzi MG. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2017 Nov;61(11).
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Blackberry feeding increases fat oxidation and improves insulin sensitivity in males. Patrick M. Solverson, William V. Rumpler, Jayme L. Leger, Benjamin W. Redan, Mario G. Ferruzzi, David J. Baer, Thomas W. Castonguay, and Janet A. Novotny, Submitted
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Adaptation in polyphenol bioavailability during long term exposure to polyphenol-rich foods in lean and obese individuals. David J. Baer, Janet A. Novotny, Mario G. Ferruzzi, Patrick Solverson, Sarah K. Gebauer.
|
Progress 04/01/16 to 03/31/17
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience for this reporting period is primarily scientists, students, and young investigators. The principal investigators worked with a graduate student and a statistician to interpret pharmacokinetic curves. The principal investigators also shared the findings with other scientists to generate hypotheses about molecular targets of polyphenols and to plan further studies to elucidate mechanisms of action. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?During this reporting period, two graduate students received training and professional development. One graduate student from Purdue assisted with the pharmacokinetic analysis, and one graduate student from the University of Maryland was mentored in the development of a new protocol for assessing gut inflammation. Both graduate students have played an important role throughout the entire period of this project. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?A poster has been presented, and results have been shared through communications with other scientists. In the upcoming year we intend to prepare additional posters and presentations, as well as manuscripts for peer-reviewed publication. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In the next reporting period, we will extend our investigations to broaden our understanding of how the GI tract adapts to polyphenol intake and how those adaptations affect bioavailability. We will characterize microbiota in fecal samples from the human feeding trial, analyzing samples from all time points (1 day, 2 weeks, and 10 weeks). We will alsoexpand our mass spectrometric analysis to phenolic metabolites. In addition, we will perform a blood cell stimulation assay to determine the potential for the fecal samples from the study to elicit an inflammatory response in the GI tract.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
During the previous reporting period, we completed analysis of polyphenol levels in blood and urine after volunteers consumed a polyphenol-rich treatment of apples, blueberries, and tea, investigating the pharmacokinetic response after 1 day, after 2 weeks, and after 10 weeks of daily consumption of the polyphenol-rich foods. We performed mathematical analysis of the pharmacokinetic curves in blood and urine, and we performed statistical analysis of the resulting pharmacokinetic parameters (such as area under the concentration-time curve). We found that repeated intake of polyphenol-rich foods affected absorption/metabolism ofthe polyphenols, and being overweight orobese affected the trends. To understand why the changes occurred, we performed a standard method for gut inflammation, but we were not satisfied with the sensitivity, so we adapted a new method for probing gut inflammation to our lab. To probe the changes more deeply, we planned additional analyses. We will be analyzing fecal microbiota and also phenolic metabolites to determine more broadly the effects of consuming polyphenols over increasing periods of time.
Publications
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Progress 04/01/15 to 03/31/16
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience for this reporting period is primarily scientists, students, and young investigators.Two graduate students received guidance and instruction on different techniques during this reporting period. A University of Maryand graduate student was guided through the process of modifying liquid chromatography techniques to improve assessment of intestinal permeability. A Purdue University graduate student visited the Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center for an extended time to learn PCR for assessment of gene expression. Additional activities involved generation of gene expression data and bioavailability/metabolism data that will be used by scientists in the upcoming yearto interpret the interaction between adiposity and polyphenol metabolism. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?During this reporting period, two graduate students have received training and professional development. One University of Maryland graduate student was mentored in techniques of high performance liquid chromatography as we investigated and modified methodology for assessing intestinal permeability. Also, one Purdue University graduate student was instructed on methodology for assessing gene expression. The student conducted tissue culture experiments with an intestinal cell line exposed to polyphenols. The student visited the USDA Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center to learn methods for isolating and stabilizing RNA from those experiments. The student then returned to Purdue to process the samples from his cell culture experiments. Then the student again visited the USDA Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center to learn techniques for assessing gene expression in the cells from his cell culture experiment. The student learned to check RNA quality and quantity and also to perform gene array experiments. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?A poster was presented at the NIFA PD meeting in July 2015. In the upcoming year, manuscripts and presentations will be used to disseminate information. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next reporting period, data analysis and interpretation will take place. Blood and urine data from the pharmacokinetic human study will be analyzed to determine rates of absorption and metabolism of polyphenols. Rates of absorption and metabolism of polyphenols will be considered against data on adiposity and gut leakiness. Gene expression data from cell culture experiments will be considered to identify mechanisms of action of polyphenols and will be considered with data from the human intervention study.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
During the previous reporting period, a human feeding intervention study was conducted in which volunteers consumed blueberries, apples, and tea daily over a 10 week period, and the rates of absorption and metabolism of the dietary polyphenols were assessed at the beginning of the intervention, after 2 weeks of the intervention, and after 10 weeks of the intervention. Blood and urine samples were collected during the previous reporting period were analysed during this reporting period. Anthocyanins and anthocyanin metabolites identified in blood and urine included malvidin glucuronide, two forms of malvidin glucoside, and three forms of cyanidin glucoside. Other flavonoids identified included methyl epigallocatechin glucuronide, epigallocatechin glucuronide, quercetin glucuronide, epicatechin glucuronide, two forms of methyl catechin sulfate, two forms of methyl epicatechin sulfate, and caffeic acid.
Publications
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Progress 04/01/14 to 03/31/15
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience for this reporting period is primarily scientists, students, and young investigators. The efforts during this reporting period involved development of protocols and standard operating procedures, teaching of procedures to students and young professionals, and conducting the human feeding intervention of the study. We developed menus and food treatment items for the study, including guiding two undergraduate students participating in internships in our facility in recipe development. We also had three graduate students participate in sample collection throughout the intervention period. We hosted a student from Purdue to visit, observe, and participate in the oversight of the dining facility and meal/treatment delivery and in sample collection and storage. The same student will be analyzing the samples for polyphenols. In addition, we supervised a student in adaptation of laboratory methods for analyzing gut permeability and inflammation. Changes/Problems:John A. Milner is no longer a co-project director for this project. Sadly, Dr. Milner is now deceased. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?While this research is not specifically focused on training, we have worked with and trained several young scientists and students during the past year. First, two undergraduate culinary students participated in internships at our facility during our human feeding intervention. During this time, the students worked one-on-one with a mentor (a chef and registered dietician) to learn culinary techniques. In addition, the registered dietician worked with several young professionals to teach them menu development for feeding studies. We also involved three graduate students in the research. These students worked with a mentor or more experienced professional to learn about how to conduct a human intervention study, how to collect and store biological samples, and how to conduct a variety of assays to assess nutrient absorption and evaluate an individual's health. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next year, we will be analyzing the biological samples that we collected during our human feeding intervention. Our volunteers participated in three different nutrient absorption challenge tests in which they drank an apple-berry-tea smoothie and provided blood and urine samples throughout the day. We will analyse those blood and urine samples by a highly specialized technique called high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry to determine how well the nutrients were absorbed at the beginning, middle, and end of our intervention period. We will use mathematical techniques to determine the percent of nutrients absorbed, how quickly they were converted to metabolites, and how rapidly they were eliminated. We will also be analyzing blood samples from the study to determine intestinal leakiness (which will tell us about intestinal health) and intestinal inflammation (which will also tell us about intestinal health).
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer worldwide. Evidence is mounting that dietary components called polyphenols, found in plant-based foods, reduce risk of cardiovascular disease, as well as diabetes, and other health disorders facing our population. The goal of this project is to provide information about how to most effectively incorporate agricultural products which are rich in polyphenols into the diet to improve health. Previous studies suggest that regular intake polyphenol-rich fruits and vegetables may have different efficacy from occasional intake. Moreover, research suggests that the effective dietary pattern may differ for lean and obese individuals. Given that 1/3 of our population is overweight and another 1/3 is obese, it is very important to understand how excess body weight influences nutrient needs. Our research is focused on improving understanding of how to create effective dietary patterns of polyphenol-rich agricultural products. During this reporting period, we recruited a group of 28 adult volunteers (half lean, half obese) to participate in a feeding intervention. During the intervention, we provided the volunteers with a tightly prescribed diet containing apples, blueberries, and tea, three commodities chosen for their popularity, accessibility, and broad spectrum of bioactive components. We created menus and recipes for the polyphenol-rich diet, then we cooked, weighed, and provided all foods to all volunteers for the entire intervention period. We supervised the consumption of meals at our facility during breakfast and dinner, and we packed lunches and weekend foods for carry-out. During the 10 week intervention, we collected samples of blood, urine, and feces at various time points to assess factors related to how well the volunteers absorbed and utilized the nutrients. We also collected samples to determine their intestinal health and function. On three different days, we provided the volunteers with an apple-berry-tea smoothie then collected blood and urine all day to determine how well the nutrients were absorbed. In addition, we developed or adapted new laboratory methods to extend our ability to assess intestinal function and health. We are now just beginning the sample analysis phase. In the next year, blood and urine will be assessed for nutrient absorption, and fecal samples will be assessed for intestinal health. The results of these analyses will allow us to reach our goal of understanding dietary patterns to improve health and how body fatness may play a role in the most effective dietary pattern. There is great interest in the nutritional community for developing dietary reference intakes for polyphenols, and the samples we have collected over the past year will allow us to complete laboratory analyses that will provide important information to reach that goal. Health professionals will be able to use that information to advise consumers about healthful dietary patterns, and the public will be able to select foods to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Publications
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