Amino acid requirements in humans: with a special emphasis on the metabolic availability of amino acids

Causal associations of histidine and 12 site-specific cancers: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study

An increasing number of studies indicate that cancer patients' histidine (HIS) circulating levels have changed. However, the causality between HIS and cancer is still not well established. Thus, to ascertain the causal link between HIS and cancers, we performed a bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. Summary-level data are derived from publicly available genome-wide association studies (GWAS). The causal effects were mainly estimated using the inverse-variance weighted method (IVW). The weighted-median (WM) method and MR-Egger regression were conducted as sensitivity analyses. In the forward-MR, we found malignant neoplasm of respiratory system and intrathoracic organs (OR: 1.020; 95% CI: 1.006-1.035; pIVW = 0.007) genetically associated with circulating HIS. And there was no significant genetic correlation between HIS and another 11 site-specific cancers using IVW method. In the reversed-MR, we did not observe the causal relationship between HIS and 12 site-specific cancers. Our findings help clarify that HIS, as a biomarker for malignant neoplasms of respiratory system and intrathoracic organs, is causal rather than a secondary biomarker of the cancerous progression. The mechanism between histidine and cancer progression deserves further investigation.

The effects of branched-chain amino acids on muscle protein synthesis, muscle protein breakdown and associated molecular signalling responses in humans: an update

Branched-chain amino acids (BCAA: leucine, isoleucine and valine) are three of the nine indispensable amino acids, and are frequently consumed as a dietary supplement by athletes and recreationally active individuals alike. The popularity of BCAA supplements is largely predicated on the notion that they can stimulate rates of muscle protein synthesis (MPS) and suppress rates of muscle protein breakdown (MPB), the combination of which promotes a net anabolic response in skeletal muscle. To date, several studies have shown that BCAA (particularly leucine) increase the phosphorylation status of key proteins within the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signalling pathway involved in the regulation of translation initiation in human muscle. Early research in humans demonstrated that BCAA provision reduced indices of whole-body protein breakdown and MPB; however, there was no stimulatory effect of BCAA on MPS. In contrast, recent work has demonstrated that BCAA intake can stimulate postprandial MPS rates at rest and can further increase MPS rates during recovery after a bout of resistance exercise. The purpose of this evidence-based narrative review is to critically appraise the available research pertaining to studies examining the effects of BCAA on MPS, MPB and associated molecular signalling responses in humans. Overall, BCAA can activate molecular pathways that regulate translation initiation, reduce indices of whole-body and MPB, and transiently stimulate MPS rates. However, the stimulatory effect of BCAA on MPS rates is less than the response observed following ingestion of a complete protein source providing the full complement of indispensable amino acids.

Tolerable Upper Intake Level for Individual Amino Acids in Humans: A Narrative Review of Recent Clinical Studies

Individual amino acids are widely popular as supplements because of various perceived and real health benefits. However, currently, there are no recommendations set by national health agencies for tolerable upper intake levels (UL) for amino acids because of a lack of well-conducted human dose-response trials. In the past decade, under the initiative of the International Council on Amino Acid Science, a nonprofit organization, a series of UL human clinical studies were conducted. The goal of this narrative review is to summarize the studies on 6 essential amino acids (leucine, tryptophan, methionine, lysine, histidine, and phenylalanine), 2 nonessential amino acids (arginine and serine), and 2 nonproteinogenic amino acids (ornithine and citrulline) and provide the first set of ULs. A brief background of the concept of the DRI framework of UL, the concept of UL for amino acids, and a perspective of the results are also provided. The data suggest that in relatively healthy adult individuals, the tested amino acids are well tolerated, and ULs, or the no-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL), lowest-observed-adverse-effect-level (LOAEL), can be determined. The ULs were for leucine-young (35 g/d), tryptophan (4.5 g/d), and leucine-elderly (30 g/d); NOAEL and LOAEL for methionine at 3.2 and 6.4 g/d, respectively; NOAEL for arginine (30 g/d); NOAEL and LOAEL for lysine at 6 and 7.5 g/d, respectively; NOAEL and LOAEL for histidine at 8 and 12 g/d, respectively; and NOAEL for phenylalanine (12 g/d), serine (12 g/d), ornithine (12 g/d) and citrulline (24 g/d). This first set of human UL data are hoped to help national and international agencies set safety standards for supplemental amino acids.

Enhancement of Rabbit Meat Functionality by Replacing Traditional Feed Raw Materials with Alternative and More Sustainable Freshwater Cladophora glomerata Macroalgal Biomass in Their Diets

Today's challenges in the animal husbandry sector, with customers' demand for more beneficial products, encourage the development of strategies that not only provide more sustainable production from the field to the table but also ensure final product functionality. Thus, the current research was aimed at replacing some traditional feed raw materials in rabbit diets with C. glomerata biomass to improve the functionality of meat. For this purpose, thirty weaned (52-d-old) Californian rabbits were assigned to 3 dietary treatments: standard compound diet (SCD), SCD + 4% C. glomerata (CG4), and SCD + 8% C. glomerata (CG8). At the end of the feeding trial, 122-d-old rabbits were slaughtered, longissimus dorsi (LD) and hind leg (HL) muscles were dissected post-mortem, and moisture, protein, and lipid profiles were determined. Results revealed that CG4 treatment can increase protein (22.17 g/kg), total (192.16 g/kg) and essential (threonine, valine, methionine, lysine, and isoleucine) amino acid levels in rabbit muscles. Both inclusions gradually reduced fat accumulation in muscles (CG8 < CG4 < SCD) but improved the lipid profile's nutritional value by decreasing saturated fatty acids (SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and increasing polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). As the dose of C. glomerata increased, the level of lipid oxidation decreased. Biomass supplementation enhanced PUFA/SFA and h/H levels while decreasing thrombogenicity index (TI) and atherogenic index (AI) levels in rabbit muscles, potentially contributing to the prevention of heart disease. Overall, dietary supplementation with C. glomerata biomass may be a more beneficial and sustainable nutritional approach to functionally enhancing rabbit meat.

The development of a semisynthetic diet deficient in methionine for adult cats for controlled feline nutrition studies: effects on acceptability, preference, and behavior responses

Chemically defined diets are commonly used in amino acid (AA) requirement studies to allow for tight control of AA delivery. However, those diets are not representative of commercial diets in the market and are unpalatable. Methionine (Met) is usually the first limiting AA in cat diets, but little is known about its requirement for adult cats. Thus, the objectives of this study were: 1) to develop a semisynthetic diet limiting in Met and evaluate its effect on acceptance and feeding behavior in cats; and 2) to evaluate the effect of different sources and inclusions of Met on preference in cats fed the semisynthetic diet. A semisynthetic diet deficient in Met and total sulfur AA (TSAA) was developed. Healthy adult male cats (n = 9) were fed (0800 and 1600 h) the semisynthetic diet top dressed with DL-Met solution (T-DLM), to meet 120% of the TSAA requirement, for 8 d. Feed intake was measured and a 30-min video recording was taken at the 0800 h feeding to evaluate feeding behavior of the cats. Following the acceptability trial, two bowl tests were performed where first choice was recorded and intake ratio was calculated as consumed food (A/A + B). Three combinations were tested: semisynthetic diet deficient in Met (T-BASAL) vs. T-DLM; T-BASAL vs. diet sufficient in Met provided 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)-butanoic acid (T-MHA); and T-DLM vs. T-MHA. Average feed intake remained high throughout the acceptability period (94.5% intake of total offered), but some cats decreased intake, resulting in a decrease in BW (≤2.5% of initial BW) over time (P < 0.05). Behaviors were similar among days (P > 0.05) with the exception of grooming the chest and body (P < 0.05). No preferences were observed towards a specific treatment (Met source and level) during the two-bowl tests (P > 0.05) and agreed with the cats expressing similar feeding behaviors during the preference tests (P > 0.05). In conclusion, a semisynthetic diet deficient in Met was successfully developed and can be used in studies to evaluate the effects of low protein and AA supplemented diets. Cats seem to show no preference for Met source and/or inclusion level in a semisynthetic diet application, which is of benefit for future studies aiming to determine the Met requirement in this species.

Integrated marine microalgae biorefineries for improved bioactive compounds: A review

Marine microalgae offer a promising feedstock for biofuels and other valuable compounds for biorefining and carry immense potential to contribute to a clean energy and environment future. However, it is currently not economically feasible to use marine algae to produce biofuels, and the potential bioactive chemicals account for only a small market share. The production of algal biomass with multiple valuable chemicals is closely related to the algal species, cultivation conditions, culture systems, and production modes. Thus, higher requirements for screening of dominant algal strains, developing integrated technologies with the optimum culture conditions, efficient cultivation systems, and production modes to exploit algal biomass for biorefinery applications, are all needed. This review summarizes the screening of dominant microalgae, discusses the environmental conditions that may affect the growth, as well as the culture systems and production modes, and further emphasizes the valorization options of the algal biomass, which should help to offer a sustainable approach to run a profitable marine algae production system.

Amino acid-mediated negatively charged surface improve antifouling and tribological characteristics for medical applications

To prevent infections associated with biomedical catheters, various antimicrobial coatings have been investigated. However, those materials do not provide consistent antibacterial effects or biocompatibility, generally, due to degradation of the coating materials, in vivo. Additionally, biomedical catheters must have low surface friction to reduce tribological damage. In this study, we developed an antifouling surface composed of biocompatible amino acids (leucine, taurine, and aspartic acid) on polyimide, via modification using a series of facile immersion steps with waterborne reactions. The naturally derived amino acid could be formed highly biostable amide bonds on the polyimide surface like peptides. The amino acid-modified surface formed a water layer with antifouling performance through the hydrophilic properties of amino acids. Amino acid-mediated modification reduced adhesion up to 84.45% and 94.81% against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis, respectively, and exhibited an excellent prevention to adhesion against the proteins, albumin and fibrinogen. Evaluation of the surface friction of the catheter revealed a dramatic reduction in the tribological force after amino acid modification on polyimide that of 0.81 N to aspartic acid of 0.44 N. These results clearly demonstrate a reduced occurrence of infections, thrombi and tribological damage following the relatively facile surface modification of catheters. The proposed modification method can be used in a continuous manufacturing process via using the same time of modification steps for the easy producing the product. Moreover, the method uses biocompatible naturally derived materials and can be applied to medical equipment that requires biocompatibility and biofunctionality with polyimide surfaces.

Glycomacropeptide in PKU-Does It Live Up to Its Potential?

The use of casein glycomacropeptide (CGMP) as a protein substitute in phenylketonuria (PKU) has grown in popularity. CGMP is derived from κ casein and is a sialic-rich glycophosphopeptide, formed by the action of chymosin during the production of cheese. It comprises 20–25% of total protein in whey products and has key biomodulatory properties. In PKU, the amino acid sequence of CGMP has been adapted by adding the amino acids histidine, leucine, methionine, tyrosine and tryptophan naturally low in CGMP. The use of CGMP compared to mono amino acids (L-AAs) as a protein substitute in the treatment of PKU promises several potential clinical benefits, although any advantage is supported only by evidence from non-PKU conditions or PKU animal models. This review examines if there is sufficient evidence to support the bioactive properties of CGMP leading to physiological benefits when compared to L-AAs in PKU, with a focus on blood phenylalanine control and stability, body composition, growth, bone density, breath odour and palatability.

Effect on health from consumption of meat and meat products

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary sodium nitrite and meat on human health. Sodium nitrite in processed meat is known to be one of the main precursors of carcinogens, such as N-nitroso compounds. However, we previously found that processed meat is not the primary source of sodium nitrite; nitrate or the conversion of nitrate in vegetables are contribute to generate more than 70% Sodium nitrite or nitrate containing compounds in body. Although the heavy consumption of meat is likely to cause various diseases, meat intake is not the only cause of colorectal cancer. Our review indicates that sodium nitrite derived from foods and endogenous nitric oxide may exhibit positive effects on human health, such as preventing cardiovascular disease or improving reproductive function. Therefore, further epidemiological studies considering various factors, such as cigarette consumption, alcohol consumption, stress index, salt intake, and genetic factors, are required to reliably elucidate the effects of dietary sodium nitrite and meat on the incidence of diseases, such as colorectal cancer.

Protein quality of a probiotic beverage enriched with pea and rice protein

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the fermentation of a probiotic beverage enriched with pea and rice proteins (PRF) on its protein quality. The protein quality was determined as the protein efficiency ratio (PER), net protein ratio (NPR), and the apparent (AD) and the true digestibility (TD) evaluated in vivo. The probiotic beverage was incorporated to a rat diet at a final concentration of 10% protein, for the evaluation of the PER, the NPR, the AD, and the TD. The protein digestibility amino acid score was also calculated. Results showed that the fermentation of beverage enriched with PRF had no effect on the TD but significantly increased the PER and the NPR (P ≤ 0.05) from 1.88 to 2.32 and from 1.66 to 2.30, respectively. Thus, the fermentation increased the protein quality of the PRF probiotic beverage. In addition, to determine if the beverage constitute in a good carrier matrix for the probiotics, the level of alive probiotics in the feces was evaluated and showed a concentration of 7.4 log CFU/g. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Plant proteins are often of lower quality compared to animal proteins. Lactic acid fermentation of pea and rice protein has allowed to reach the same protein quality as casein. A plant-based fermented beverage with high protein quality and enriched with probiotics was developed.

Effective Cryopreservation of a Bioluminescent Auxotrophic Escherichia coli-Based Amino Acid Array to Enable Long-Term Ready-to-Use Applications

Amino acid arrays comprising bioluminescent amino acid auxotrophic Escherichia coli are effective systems to quantitatively determine multiple amino acids. However, there is a need to develop a method for convenient long-term preservation of the array to enable its practical applications. Here, we reported a potential strategy to efficiently maintain cell viability within the portable array. The method involves immobilization of cells within agarose gel supplemented with an appropriate cryoprotectant in individual wells of a 96-well plate, followed by storage under freezing conditions. Six cryoprotectants, namely dimethyl sulfoxide, glycerol, ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, sucrose, and trehalose, were tested in the methionine (Met) auxotroph-based array. Carbohydrate-type cryoprotectants (glycerol, sucrose, and trehalose) efficiently preserved the linearity of determination of Met concentration. In particular, the array with 5% trehalose exhibited the best performance. The Met array with 5% trehalose could determine Met concentration with high linearity (R² value = approximately 0.99) even after storage at −20 °C for up to 3 months. The clinical utilities of the Met and Leu array, preserved at −20 °C for 3 months, were also verified by successfully quantifying Met and Leu in spiked blood serum samples for the diagnosis of the corresponding metabolic diseases. This long-term preservation protocol enables the development of a ready-to-use bioluminescent E. coli-based amino acid array to quantify multiple amino acids and can replace the currently used laborious analytical methods.

Gastrointestinal Interaction between Dietary Amino Acids and Gut Microbiota: With Special Emphasis on Host Nutrition

The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of humans and animals is host to a complex community of different microorganisms whose activities significantly influence host nutrition and health through enhanced metabolic capabilities, protection against pathogens, and regulation of the gastrointestinal development and immune system. New molecular technologies and concepts have revealed distinct interactions between the gut microbiota and dietary amino acids (AAs) especially in relation to AA metabolism and utilization in resident bacteria in the digestive tract, and these interactions may play significant roles in host nutrition and health as well as the efficiency of dietary AA supplementation. After the protein is digested and AAs and peptides are absorbed in the small intestine, significant levels of endogenous and exogenous nitrogenous compounds enter the large intestine through the ileocaecal junction. Once they move in the colonic lumen, these compounds are not markedly absorbed by the large intestinal mucosa, but undergo intense proteolysis by colonic microbiota leading to the release of peptides and AAs and result in the production of numerous bacterial metabolites such as ammonia, amines, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), branched-chain fatty acids (BCFAs), hydrogen sulfide, organic acids, and phenols. These metabolites influence various signaling pathways in epithelial cells, regulate the mucosal immune system in the host, and modulate gene expression of bacteria which results in the synthesis of enzymes associated with AA metabolism. This review aims to summarize the current literature relating to how the interactions between dietary amino acids and gut microbiota may promote host nutrition and health.

Final Selection of Quality Protein Popcorn Hybrids

Quality Protein Popcorn (QPP) BC2F5 inbred lines were produced through an interpopulation breeding system between Quality Protein Maize dent (QPM) and elite popcorn germplasm. In 2019, five QPP F1 hybrids were selected for further evaluation due to superior agronomics, endosperm protein quality, and popping quality traits. Though these BC2F5 QPP hybrids were phenotypically similar to their popcorn parents, the QPP cultivars conveyed slightly inferior popping characteristics when compared to the original popcorn germplasm. The objective of this study was twofold. First, BC2F5 inbred lines were crossed to their popcorn parents and BC3F4 inbred lines were produced for hybridization to test the agronomic, protein, and popping trait effects from an additional QPP by popcorn backcross. Second, BC2- and BC3-hybrids were simultaneously evaluated alongside ConAgra Brands® elite cultivars and ranked for potential commercialization in the spring of 2020. These 10 QPP hybrids were grown alongside five ConAgra Brands® elite popcorn cultivars in three locations and agronomic, protein quality, and popping quality traits were evaluated. Significant improvements in popcorn quality traits were observed in the QPP BC3 cultivars compared to their BC2 counterparts, and yield averages were significantly lower in BC3-derived QPP hybrids compared to the BC2 population. Protein quality traits were not significantly different between QPP backcrossing populations and significantly superior to ConAgra elite popcorn varieties. Utilizing a previously published ranking system, six QPP hybrids, three from the BC2F5 population and three from the BC3F4 population, were evaluated as candidates for final selection. The successful evaluation and ranking system methodology employed is transferable to other hybrid production and testing programs. Incorporating this analysis with concurrent sensory studies, two QPP hybrids were chosen as premier cultivars for potential commercialization.

Protein Substitutes in PKU; Their Historical Evolution

Protein substitutes developed for phenylketonuria (PKU) are a synthetic source of protein commonly based on L-amino acids. They are essential in the treatment of phenylketonuria (PKU) and other amino acid disorders, allowing the antagonistic amino acid to be removed but with the safe provision of all other amino acids necessary for maintaining normal physiological function. They were first formulated by a chemist and used experimentally on a 2-year-old girl with PKU and their nutritional formulations and design have improved over time. Since 2008, a bioactive macropeptide has been used as a base for protein substitutes in PKU, with potential benefits of improved bone and gut health, nitrogen retention, and blood phenylalanine control. In 2018, animal studies showed that physiomimic technology coating the amino acids with a polymer allows a slow release of amino acids with an improved physiological profile. History has shown that in PKU, the protein substitute's efficacy is determined by its nutritional profile, amino acid composition, dose, timing, distribution, and an adequate energy intake. Protein substitutes are often given little importance, yet their pharmacological actions and clinical benefit are pivotal when managing PKU.

Use of encapsulated L-lysine-HCl and DL-methionine improves postprandial amino acid balance in laying hens

The supplementation of dietary limiting amino acids (AA) with crystalline AA makes the use of low-protein diets an option in poultry production. The differing absorption rates of crystalline and protein-bound AA may lead to temporally imbalanced AA in the postabsorptive period. In this study, two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of encapsulated L-lysine-HCl (L-Lys-HCl) and DL-methionine (DL-Met) on the laying performance of hens. In exp. 1, a total of 135 forty-seven-wk-old Hy-Line Brown hens were subjected to three dietary treatments for 8 wk: basal diet supplemented with 0.14% L-Lys-HCl and 0.17% DL-Met to satisfy the NRC (1994) total Lys and Met recommendation (control) and basal diet supplemented with encapsulated L-Lys-HCl and DL-Met at the levels of 60% (60CLM, 0.084% L-Lys-HCl and 0.102% DL-Met) or 80% of control (80CLM, 0.112% L-Lys-HCl and 0.136% DL-Met), respectively. In exp. 2, 24 fifty-five-wk-old Hy-Line Brown hens were individually reared in cages and subjected to the same treatments as in exp. 1. The plasma concentrations of free AA and nitrogen metabolites were measured 2, 4, and 6 h after fed. The results showed that dietary AA treatment had no significant influence on body weight (BW), feed intake, laying rate, egg weight, egg mass, or feed efficiency. The expression levels of AA transporters CAT-1, y+LAT1, b0,+AT, B0AT, rBAT, EAAT3, and PepT1 in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were not influenced (P > 0.05) by dietary treatment. There was an interaction of dietary AA treatment and time (P < 0.05) and the 80CLM hens exhibited higher concentrations of Lys (P < 0.05) than the controls at 2-h time point. In contrast, plasma Met concentration was not influenced (P > 0.05), while Cys was reduced in the 60CLM hens at every time point. The 80CLM hens had higher taurine concentrations than those receiving the control diet at every postprandial time point. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that by using encapsulated form, the supplemental levels of synthetic L-Lys-HCl and DL-Met can be effectively reduced by approximately 20% with no negative effect on laying performance. The result suggests that encapsulated Lys and Met may ameliorate the postabsorptive AA balance and contribute to the reduced dietary AA supplemental levels.

Microbe-Driven Genotoxicity in Gastrointestinal Carcinogenesis

The intestinal epithelium serves as a barrier to discriminate the outside from the inside and is in constant exchange with the luminal contents, including nutrients and the microbiota. Pathogens have evolved mechanisms to overcome the multiple ways of defense in the mucosa, while several members of the microbiota can exhibit pathogenic features once the healthy barrier integrity of the epithelium is disrupted. This not only leads to symptoms accompanying the acute infection but may also contribute to long-term injuries such as genomic instability, which is linked to mutations and cancer. While for Helicobacter pylori a link between infection and cancer is well established, many other bacteria and their virulence factors have only recently been linked to gastrointestinal malignancies through epidemiological as well as mechanistic studies. This review will focus on those pathogens and members of the microbiota that have been linked to genotoxicity in the context of gastric or colorectal cancer. We will address the mechanisms by which such bacteria establish contact with the gastrointestinal epithelium-either via an existing breach in the barrier or via their own virulence factors as well as the mechanisms by which they interfere with host genomic integrity.

Methionine Nutrition and Metabolism: Insights from Animal Studies to Inform Human Nutrition

Methionine is a nutritionally indispensable amino acid, and is unique among indispensable amino acids due to its sulfur atom. Methionine is involved in cysteine synthesis via the transsulfuration pathway, which is rate limiting for the key antioxidant molecule, glutathione. Methionine is also the primary methyl donor in the body through S-adenosylmethionine via the transmethylation pathway, which is involved in the synthesis of several key metabolites including creatine and phosphatidylcholine. Methionine can also be remethylated from homocysteine, in the presence of betaine via choline and/or folate. Thus methionine demands from a dietary perspective are regulated not only by the presence of cysteine in the body, but also by the demands in vivo for the various metabolites formed from it, and also by the presence of these compounds in foods. Indeed, methionine, cysteine, and the various methyl donors/acceptors vary in human foods, and thus regulate methionine availability, especially under conditions of growth and development. Much of our understanding of methionine nutrition and metabolism arises from experiments in animal models. This is because most animal feed formulations are plant-based and plant sources are relatively low in methionine and cysteine amounts. Thus, this brief review will touch on some broad aspects of human methionine nutrition, including requirements in different life stages, disease, and bioavailability, with some examples from the insights/lessons learned from experiments initially conducted in animals.

Histidine Metabolism and Function

Histidine is a dietary essential amino acid because it cannot be synthesized in humans. The WHO/FAO requirement for adults for histidine is 10 mg · kg body weight-1 · d-1. Histidine is required for synthesis of proteins. It plays particularly important roles in the active site of enzymes, such as serine proteases (e.g., trypsin) where it is a member of the catalytic triad. Excess histidine may be converted to trans-urocanate by histidine ammonia lyase (histidase) in liver and skin. UV light in skin converts the trans form to cis-urocanate which plays an important protective role in skin. Liver is capable of complete catabolism of histidine by a pathway which requires folic acid for the last step, in which glutamate formiminotransferase converts the intermediate N-formiminoglutamate to glutamate, 5,10 methenyl-tetrahydrofolate, and ammonia. Inborn errors have been recognized in all of the catabolic enzymes of histidine. Histidine is required as a precursor of carnosine in human muscle and parts of the brain where carnosine appears to play an important role as a buffer and antioxidant. It is synthesized in the tissue by carnosine synthase from histidine and β-alanine, at the expense of ATP hydrolysis. Histidine can be decarboxylated to histamine by histidine decarboxylase. This reaction occurs in the enterochromaffin-like cells of the stomach, in the mast cells of the immune system, and in various regions of the brain where histamine may serve as a neurotransmitter.

Dispensable Amino Acids, except Glutamine and Proline, Are Ideal Nitrogen Sources for Protein Synthesis in the Presence of Adequate Indispensable Amino Acids in Adult Men

BACKGROUND

Nutritionally, there is a dietary requirement for indispensable amino acids (IAAs) but also a requirement for nitrogen (N) intake for the de novo synthesis of the dispensable amino acids (DAAs). It has been suggested that there might be a dietary requirement for specific DAAs.

OBJECTIVES

Experiment 1 tested whether 9 of the DAAs (Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Gln, Glu, Gly, Pro, Ser) are ideal N sources using the indicator amino acid oxidation (IAAO) technique. Experiment 2 examined whether there is a dietary requirement for Glu in adult men.

METHODS

Seven healthy men (aged 20-24 y) participated in 11 or 2 test diet intakes, in experiment 1 and 2, respectively, in a repeated measures design. In experiment 1, a base diet consisting of the IAA provided at the RDA was compared with test intakes with the base diet plus addition of individual DAAs to meet a 50:50 ratio of IAA:DAA on an N basis. In experiment 2, the diets corresponded to the amino acid pattern present in egg protein, in which all Glu and Gln was present as Glu, or removed, with Ser used to make the diets isonitrogenous. On each study day the IAAO protocol with l-[1-13C]phenylalanine was used to measure whole-body protein synthesis.

RESULTS

In experiment 1, repeated measures ANOVA with post hoc multiple comparisons showed that 7 of the 9 DAAs (Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Glu, Gly, Ser) decreased IAAO significantly (P < 0.05) compared with base IAA diet, the exceptions being Gln and Pro. In experiment 2, a paired t test did not find significant (P > 0.05) differences in the IAAO in response to removal and replacement of Glu intake.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that in healthy men most DAAs are ideal N sources for protein synthesis, in the presence of adequate IAAs, and that endogenous synthesis of Glu is sufficient.Registered clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02009917.

Production and Selection of Quality Protein Popcorn Hybrids Using a Novel Ranking System and Combining Ability Estimates

Popcorn varieties are agronomically sub-optimal and genetically limited compared to other maize subspecies. To increase genetic diversity and improve popcorn agronomics, dent germplasm has been introduced to popcorn with limited success and generally, major loss of popping. Between 2013 and 2018, 12 Quality Protein Popcorn (QPP) inbreds containing Quality Protein Maize (QPM) and popcorn germplasm were produced that maintained popping while carrying the opaque-2 allele conferring elevated kernel lysine. This is an opportune trait in the growing market for healthier snacks and a model for mining QPM traits into popcorn. We crossed QPP inbreds to explore the effects of heterosis on popcorn protein, popping quality, and plant agronomics and selected hybrids for further production. To rank and intermediately prescreen hybrids, we utilized a novel hybrid-ranking model adapted from a rank summation index while examining the inbred general combining ability and hybrid specific combining ability estimates for all traits. We observed a biological manifestation of heterosis by categorizing hybrids by pedigree that resulted in a stepwise progression of trait improvement. These results corroborated our hybrid selection and offered insight in basic heterosis research. Estimates for popcorn quality and agronomic trait covariances also suggest the synergistic introgression of highly vitreous dent maize (QPM) into popcorn, providing a likely explanation for the successfully maintained vitreous endosperm, protein quality and popping traits in line with a remodeled proteome. QPP hybrids maintained improved amino acid profiles although different popping methods variably affected popcorn's protein bound and free amino acid levels. This preliminary screening of QPP hybrids is enabling further quantitative selection for large-scale, complex trait comparison to currently marketed elite popcorn varieties.

Protein intake adequacy among Nigerian infants, children, adolescents and women and protein quality of commonly consumed foods

Protein is important for growth, maintenance and protection of the body. Both adequacy of protein quantity and protein quality in the diet are important to guarantee obtaining all the essential amino acids. Protein–energy malnutrition is widely present in developing countries such as Nigeria and might result in stunting and wasting. Needs for protein differ depending on age and physiological status and are higher during growth, pregnancy and lactation. The present review assessed protein quantity and quality in diets of Nigerian infants, children, adolescents, and pregnant and lactating women. Literature reviews and calculations were performed to assess adequacy of Nigerian protein intake and to examine the Nigerian diet. The digestible indispensable amino acid score was used to calculate protein quality of nine Nigerian staple foods and of a mixture of foods. The Nigerian population had mostly adequate protein intake when compared with the most recent protein recommendations by the FAO (2013) and WHO/FAO/UNU (2007). An important exception was the protein intake of adolescent girls and pregnant and lactating women. Most of the assessed Nigerian plant-based staple foods were of low protein quality and predominantly lacked the amino acid lysine. The addition of animal-source foods can bridge the protein quality gap created by predominance of plant-based foods in the Nigerian diet. The methodology of this review can be applied to other low- and middle-income countries where diets are often plant-based and lack variety, which might influence protein intake adequacy.

Gluten exacerbates atherosclerotic plaque formation in ApoE-/- mice with diet-induced obesity

OBJECTIVES

Atherosclerosis is an underlying cause of cardiovascular disease, and obesity is one of the risk factors for atherogenesis. Although a gluten-free diet (GFD) has gained popularity as a strategy for weight loss, little is known about the effects of gluten on obesity. We have previously shown a negative effect of gluten on obesity in mice. However, its effects on atherogenesis are still unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effects of gluten on atherosclerosis progression during obesity.

METHODS

Atherosclerosis-susceptible ApoE knockout mice were subjected to an obesogenic GFD or a diet with 4.5% gluten (GD) for 10 wk.

RESULTS

Results from the study found that food intake and lipid profile were similar between the groups. However, GD promoted an increase in weight gain, adiposity, and plasma glucose. Pro-inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-6, chemokine ligand-2, and matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 also were increased in the adipose tissue of gluten-fed mice. This inflammatory profile was associated with reduced phosphorylation of Akt, and consequently with the intensification of insulin resistance. The GD-enhanced vascular inflammation contributed to the worsening of atherosclerosis in the aorta and aortic root. Inflammatory cells, such as monocyte/macrophage and natural killer cells, and oxidative stress markers, such as superoxide and nitrotyrosine, were increased in atherosclerotic lesions of the GD group. Furthermore, the lesions presented higher necrotic core and lower collagen content, characterizing the less stable plaques.

CONCLUSION

The gluten-containing high-fat diet was associated with a more severe proatherogenic profile than the gluten-free high-fat diet owing to increased inflammatory and oxidative status at atherosclerotic lesions in obese mice.

A review on nutritional profile of the food from enset

Purpose

This paper is a systemic review on enset plant’s role in Ethiopian people’s life as the source of food. This paper aims to summarize the traditional processing and preparation methods of enset-based foods and their nutritional composition.

Design/methodology/approach

Available scientific articles were collected and reviewed for enset plant evaluation, description, enset plant’s role in Ethiopian people’s food security, post harvesting and traditional processing of enset plants, microbiology of the fermented enset foods, different foods reported from enset, nutritional profile of the three food from enset base (kocho, bulla and amicho) and other non-food applications of enset plant.

Findings

Enset plant has a predominant role in people living in the southern part of Ethiopia. This plant is drought-tolerant and provides many non-food applications. Harvesting of the enset plant, preparing for fermentation and food preparations follow the traditional route by using the indigenous knowledge and practices. Limited studies have been reported on the microbiology of the enset fermentation, but various types of microbes have been reported. In case of nutritional composition, foods from enset are reported to contain high carbohydrate and minerals content, such as calcium, potassium and zinc, but limited protein content; they are also the best source of the essential amino acids such as lysine and leucine. Limited data are available on vitamins, anti-oxidant and fatty acids profiles of enset-based foods. The existing data indicate variations, and the reasons for variability are discussed in this paper.

Originality/value

Scientific reviews on enset food nutrition profile and related issues are scarce; this paper will compile information about enset plant-based foods for researchers for their future research.

Limiting diffusion coefficients of [Formula: see text],[Formula: see text]-amino acids in water and in sodium chloride aqueous solutions at 298.15 K

Transport properties of model compounds in aqueous solutions such as amino acids can provide valuable information in order to understand the complex interactions in aqueous solutions as well as the protein stability in water and the relevant factors involved. Informations about the diffusion of amino acids in water and in aqueous solutions of sodium chloride are very scarce, especially for the 5-aminopentanoic acid and 6-aminohexanoic acid. In this study, limiting binary mutual diffusion coefficients at 298.15 K of 5-aminopentanoic and 6-aminohexanoic acids in aqueous solutions of NaCl 0.15 mol kg^-1, using the Taylor dispersion technique, were determined and the results compared with the limiting binary mutual diffusion coefficients for 2-aminopentanoic acid, and 2-aminohexanoic acid, obtained in the same experimental conditions. The discussion of the properties of the selected amino acids is centered on the positions of the ionic groups in the hydrocarbon chain and, in addition, we have discussed the effects of NaCl on their structures and properties. The data on diffusion properties are supported by ¹H, ¹³C and ²³Na NMR experiments, which we have obtained for 5-aminopentanoic and 6-aminohexanoic acids, in aqueous solution, also in the presence of NaCl.

A new oxidative stress indicator: Effect of 5-hydroxytryptophan on thiol-disulfide homeostasis in exercise

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between exercise and both 5-hydroxytryptophan and oxidative stress using thiol-disulfide homeostasis via what is likely a novel biomarker.

METHODS

Male albino Wistar rats (n = 32) were randomly divided into four groups as follows: control, exercise group, 5-hydroxytryptophan group (5H), and 5-HTP + exercise group (5Hex). Exercise and 5-HTP administration (25mg/kg per d) were performed 5d/wk for 10 wk. After completion of the experimental protocol, to determine oxidative stress parameters, serum total thiol and native thiol concentrations were measured. Dynamic disulfide status, reduced thiol, oxidized thiol (OT), and thiol oxidation reduction percentage ratios were compared between the groups. The methods used in the present study to measure dynamic thiol-disulfide homeostasis as calorimetric and duplex quantities were developed in 2014. These new methods are simple, reliable, and sensitive, with both high linearity and repeatability.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, serum dynamic disulfide levels were significantly lower in the 5H group and highest in the control group. The lowest OT and the highest reduced thiol rates were determined to be in the 5H group. The highest OT value was found in the 5Hex group. Thiol oxidation reduction values were found to be highest in the 5H group and lowest in the 5Hex group.

CONCLUSIONS

Both 5-HTP and moderate exercise seem to be significantly effective in inhibiting oxidative damage. In addition, the new oxidative stress measurement method used in this study is a promising practical and useful method to evaluate and improve the performance of athletes.

Purified Dietary Red and White Meat Proteins Show Beneficial Effects on Growth and Metabolism of Young Rats Compared to Casein and Soy Protein

This study compared the effects of casein, soy protein (SP), red (RMP), and white meat (WMP) proteins on growth and metabolism of young rats. Compared to casein, the ratio of daily feed intake to daily body weight gain of rats was not changed by meat protein but reduced by SP by 93.3% ( P < 0.05). Feeding RMP and WMP reduced the liver total cholesterol (TC) contents by 24.3% and 17.8%, respectively ( P < 0.05). Only RMP increased plasma HDL-cholesterol concentrations (by 12.7%, P < 0.05), whereas SP increased plasma triacylglycerol, TC, and LDL-cholesterol concentrations by 23.7%, 19.5%, and 61.5%, respectively ( P < 0.05). Plasma essential and total amino acid concentrations were increased by WMP (by 18.8% and 12.4%, P < 0.05) but reduced by SP (by 28.3% and 37.7%, P < 0.05). Twenty-five liver proteins were differentially expressed in response to different protein sources. Therefore, meat proteins were beneficial for growth and metabolism of young rats compared to casein and SP.

Enantioselective micellar electrokinetic chromatography of dl-amino acids using (+)-1-(9-fluorenyl)-ethyl chloroformate derivatization and UV-induced fluorescence detection

Chiral analysis of dl-amino acids was achieved by micellar electrokinetic chromatography coupled with UV-excited fluorescence detection. The fluorescent reagent (+)-1-(9-fluorenyl)ethyl chloroformate was employed as chiral amino acid derivatizing agent and sodium dodecyl sulfate served as pseudo-stationary phase for separating the formed amino acid diastereomers. Sensitive analysis of (+)-1-(9-fluorenyl)ethyl chloroformate-amino acids was achieved applying a xenon-mercury lamp for ultraviolet excitation, and a spectrograph and charge-coupled device for wavelength-resolved emission detection. Applying signal integration over a 30 nm emission wavelength interval, signal-to-noise ratios for derivatized amino acids were up to 23 times higher as obtained using a standard photomultiplier for detection. The background electrolyte composition (electrolyte, pH, sodium dodecyl sulfate concentration, and organic solvent) was studied in order to attain optimal chemo- and enantioseparation. Enantioseparation of 12 proteinogenic dl-amino acids was achieved with chiral resolutions between 1.2 and 7.9, and detection limits for most derivatized amino acids in the 13-60 nM range (injected concentration). Linearity (coefficients of determination > 0.985) and peak-area and migration-time repeatabilities (relative standard deviations lower than 2.6 and 1.9%, respectively) were satisfactory. The employed fluorescence detection system provided up to 100-times better signal-to-noise ratios for (+)-1-(9-fluorenyl)ethyl chloroformate-amino acids than ultraviolet absorbance detection, showing good potential for d-amino acid analysis.

Chiral capillary electrophoresis with UV-excited fluorescence detection for the enantioselective analysis of 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl-derivatized amino acids

The potential of capillary electrophoresis (CE) with ultraviolet (UV)-excited fluorescence detection for sensitive chiral analysis of amino acids (AAs) was investigated. DL-AAs were derivatized with 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl chloride (FMOC)-Cl to allow their fluorescence detection and enhance enantioseparation. Fluorescence detection was achieved employing optical fibers, leading UV excitation light (< 300 nm) from a Xe-Hg lamp to the capillary window, and fluorescence emission to a spectrograph equipped with a charge-coupled device (CCD). Signal averaging over time and emission wavelength intervals was carried out to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the FMOC-AAs. A background electrolyte (BGE) of 40 mM sodium tetraborate (pH 9.5), containing 15% isopropanol (v/v), 30 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and 30 mM β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), was found optimal for AA chemo- and enantioseparation. Enantioresolutions of 1.0 or higher were achieved for 16 proteinogenic DL-AAs. Limits of detection (LODs) were in the 10-100-nM range (injected concentration) for the D-AA enantiomers, except for FMOC-D-tryptophan (536 nM) which showed intramolecular fluorescence quenching. Linearity (R² > 0.997) and repeatability for peak height (relative standard deviations (RSDs) < 7.0%; n = 5) and electrophoretic mobility (RSDs < 0.6%; n = 5) of individual AA enantiomers were established for chiral analysis of DL-AA mixtures. The applicability of the method was investigated by the analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Next to L-AAs, endogenous levels of D-glutamine and D-aspartic acid could be measured in CSF revealing enantiomeric ratios of 0.35 and 19.6%, respectively. This indicates the method's potential for the analysis of low concentrations of D-AAs in presence of abundant L-AAs.

The Effects of Local and Systemic Administration of Proline on Wound Healing in Rats

Purpose: Wound healing consists of a sequence of complex molecular and cellular events. Collagen is composed mainly of proline and hydroxyproline. Proline and hydroxyproline constitute 1/3 of the amino acids in collagen, which makes up approximately 30% of the proteins within the body. The hydroxylation of proline found in collagen determines the stability of the triple helical structure of collagen. In this study, we examined the effects of local and systemic administration of proline on wound healing. Materials and Methods: 24 female Sprague-Dawley rats were used in the study and divided into three groups. Group 1: The defect created in the backs of the subjects was left to secondary healing. Group 2: 200 µl proline per day was administered topically for 30 days on the defect in the backs of the subjects. Group 3: 200 µl per day was administered intraperitoneally for 30 days on the defect in the backs of the subjects. Results: On day 21, there was a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of the mean re-epithelialization score. On days 7 and 14, there was a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of the mean granulation score. On days 7, 14, and 21, there was a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of the mean collagen accumulation score. On day 30, there was a statistically significant difference between Groups 1 and 3 in terms of the mean E-mode score on mechanical tensile test. Conclusion: Our study confirmed that proline has positive effects on wound healing. However, it revealed that systemic administration of proline is more effective than local administration of proline.

Red meat, diseases, and healthy alternatives: A critical review

Meat is an important food for human nutrition, by especially providing high-quality protein and also some essential micronutrients, in front iron, zinc, and vitamin B₁₂. However, a high intake of red and processed meat is associated with an increased risk for diseases, especially type 2 diabetes and colorectal cancer, as several epidemiological studies and meta-analyses have shown. This review summarizes meta-analyses of publications studying the association between red and processed meat intake and type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, colorectal and other cancers, and all-cause mortality. Various potential mechanisms involved in the increased disease risk are discussed. Furthermore, the beneficial effects of healthy alternatives for meat, like fish, nuts, vegetables and fruits, pulses and legumes, whole grains, and dairy products are reviewed by including selected papers and recent meta-analyses.

Preliminary fMRI findings concerning the influence of 5-HTP on food selection

OBJECTIVE

This functional magnetic resonance imaging study was designed to observe how physiological brain states can alter food preferences. A primary goal was to observe food-sensitive regions and moreover examine whether 5-HTP intake would activate areas which have been associated with appetite suppression, anorexia, satiety, and weight loss.

METHODS AND PROCEDURE

Fourteen healthy male and female participants took part in the study, of which half of them received the supplement 5-HTP and the rest vitamin C (control) on an empty stomach. During the scanning session, they passively observed food (high calories, proteins, carbohydrates) and nonfood movie stimuli.

RESULTS

Within the 5-HTP group, a comparison of food and nonfood stimuli showed significant responses that included the limbic system, the basal ganglia, and the prefrontal, temporal, and parietal cortices. For the vitamin C group, activity was mainly located in temporal and occipital regions. Compared to the vitamin C group, the 5-HTP group in response to food showed increased activation on the VMPFC, the DLPFC, limbic, and temporal regions. For the 5-HTP group, activity in response to food high in protein content compared to food high in calories and carbohydrates was located in the limbic system and the right caudomedial OFC, whereas for the vitamin C group, activity was mainly located at the inferior parietal lobes, the anterior cingulate gyri, and the left ventrolateral OFC. Greater responses to carbohydrates and high calorie stimuli in the vitamin C group were located at the right temporal gyrus, the occipital gyrus, the right VLPFC, whereas for the 5-HTP group, activity was observed at the left VMPFC, the parahippocampal gyrus bilaterally, the occipital lobe, and middle temporal gyri.

DISCUSSION

In line with the hypotheses, 5-HTP triggered cortical responses associated with healthy body weight as well as cerebral preferences for protein-rich stimuli. The brain's activity is altered by macronutrients rich or deprived in the body. By reading the organisms physiological states and combining them with memory experiences, it constructs behavioral strategies steering an individual toward or in opposition to a particular food.

Guanidine-catalyzed asymmetric Strecker reaction: modes of activation and origin of stereoselectivity

Density functional theory calculations were employed to study the catalytic mechanism, modes of activation, and origin of enantioselectivity of guanidine-catalyzed asymmetric Strecker reaction of N-benzhydryl imine with hydrogen cyanide. Two types of bifunctional activation mode were identified, namely conventional bifunctional Brønsted acid activation and unconventional bifunctional Brønsted–Lewis acid activation. The lowest-energy transition states correspond to the conventional bifunctional mode of activation. The calculated enantiomeric excess, based on eight lowest-energy C–C bond forming transition states, is in good accord with observed enantioselectivity. NCI (noncovalent interaction) analysis of the key transition states reveals extensive noncovalent interactions, including aromatic interactions and hydrogen bonds, between the guanidinium catalyst and substrates. Multiple aryl–aryl interactions between the phenyl groups of guanidine catalyst and the phenyl rings of N-benzhydryl imine are the key stabilizations in the most stable (R)-inducing transition state. Differential attractive aryl–aryl stabilization is the major factor for stereoinduction.

Enantioselective analysis of proteinogenic amino acids in cerebrospinal fluid by capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry

d-Amino acids (AAs) are increasingly being recognized as essential molecules in biological systems. Enantioselective analysis of proteinogenic AAs in biological samples was accomplished by CE-MS employing β-CD as chiral selector and ESI via sheath-liquid (SL) interfacing. Prior to analysis, AAs were fully derivatized with FMOC, improving AA-enantiomer separation and ESI efficiency. In order to optimize the separation and MS detection of FMOC-AAs, the effects of type and concentration of CD in the BGE, the composition of the SL, and MS-interfacing parameters were evaluated. Using a BGE of 10 mM β-CD in 50 mM ammonium bicarbonate (pH 8) containing 15% v/v isopropanol, a SL of isopropanol-water-1 M ammonium bicarbonate (50:50:1, v/v/v) at a flow rate of 3 μL/min, and a nebulizer gas pressure of 2 psi, 15 proteinogenic AAs could be detected with enantioresolutions up to 3.5 and detection limits down to 0.9 μM (equivalent to less than 3 pg AA injected). The selectivity of the method was demonstrated by the analysis of spiked cerebrospinal fluid, allowing specific detection of d-AAs. Repeatability and linearity obtained for cerebrospinal fluid were similar to standard solutions, with peak area and migration-time RSDs (n = 5) below 16.2 and 1.6%, respectively, and a linear response (R(2) ≥ 0.977) in the 3-90 μM range.

Protein Intake and Muscle Health in Old Age: From Biological Plausibility to Clinical Evidence

The provision of sufficient amounts of dietary proteins is central to muscle health as it ensures the supply of essential amino acids and stimulates protein synthesis. Older persons, in particular, are at high risk of insufficient protein ingestion. Furthermore, the current recommended dietary allowance for protein (0.8 g/kg/day) might be inadequate for maintaining muscle health in older adults, probably as a consequence of "anabolic resistance" in aged muscle. Older individuals therefore need to ingest a greater quantity of protein to maintain muscle function. The quality of protein ingested is also essential to promoting muscle health. Given the role of leucine as the master dietary regulator of muscle protein turnover, the ingestion of protein sources enriched with this essential amino acid, or its metabolite β-hydroxy β-methylbutyrate, is thought to offer the greatest benefit in terms of preservation of muscle mass and function in old age.

Research Approaches and Methods for Evaluating the Protein Quality of Human Foods Proposed by an FAO Expert Working Group in 2014

The Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS) has been adopted for assessing protein quality in human foods since 1991, and the shortcomings of using the PDCAAS have been recognized since its adoption. The 2011 FAO Expert Consultation recognized that the Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score (DIAAS) was superior to the PDCAAS for determining protein quality. However, there were insufficient human data on amino acid digestibility before adopting the DIAAS. More human data were needed before DIAAS could be implemented. In 2014, FAO convened an expert working group to propose and agree on research protocols using both human-based assays and animal models to study ileal amino acid digestibility (metabolic availability) of human foods. The working group identified 5 research protocols for further research and development. A robust database of protein digestibility of foods commonly consumed worldwide, including those consumed in low-income countries, is needed for an informed decision on adopting the DIAAS. A review on the impacts of using the DIAAS on public health policies is necessary. It would be advantageous to have a global coordinating effort to advance research and data collection. Collaboration with international and national agriculture institutes is desirable. Opportunities should be provided for young researchers, particularly those from developing countries, to engage in protein-quality research for sustainable implementation of DIAAS. To conclude, the DIAAS is a conceptually preferable method compared with the PDCAAS for protein and amino acid quality evaluation. However, the complete value of the DIAAS and its impact on public health nutrition cannot be realized until there are sufficient accumulated ileal amino acid digestibility data on human foods that are consumed in different nutritional and environmental conditions, measured by competent authorities. A future meeting may be needed to evaluate the size and quality of the data set and to determine the timeline for full adoption and implementation of the DIAAS.

The Regulation of Essential Amino Acid Synthesis and Accumulation in Plants

Although amino acids are critical for all forms of life, only proteogenic amino acids that humans and animals cannot synthesize de novo and therefore must acquire in their diets are classified as essential. Nine amino acids-lysine, methionine, threonine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, valine, isoleucine, leucine, and histidine-fit this definition. Despite their nutritional importance, several of these amino acids are present in limiting quantities in many of the world's major crops. In recent years, a combination of reverse genetic and biochemical approaches has been used to define the genes encoding the enzymes responsible for synthesizing, degrading, and regulating these amino acids. In this review, we describe recent advances in our understanding of the metabolism of the essential amino acids, discuss approaches for enhancing their levels in plants, and appraise efforts toward their biofortification in crop plants.

Protein: A nutrient in focus

Protein is an essential component of a healthy diet and is a focus of research programs seeking to optimize health at all stages of life. The focus on protein as a nutrient often centers on its thermogenic and satiating effect, and when included as part of a healthy diet, its potential to preserve lean body mass. A growing body of literature, including stable isotope based studies and longer term dietary interventions, suggests that current dietary protein recommendations may not be sufficient to promote optimal muscle health in all populations. A protein intake moderately higher than current recommendations has been widely endorsed by many experts and working groups and may provide health benefits for aging populations. Further, consuming moderate amounts of high-quality protein at each meal may optimally stimulate 24-h muscle protein synthesis and may provide a dietary platform that favors the maintenance of muscle mass and function while promoting successful weight management in overweight and obese individuals. Dietary protein has the potential to serve as a key nutrient for many health outcomes and benefits might be increased when combined with adequate physical activity. Future studies should focus on confirming these health benefits from dietary protein with long-term randomized controlled studies.

Cell-based method utilizing fluorescent Escherichia coli auxotrophs for quantification of multiple amino acids

A cell-based assay system for simultaneous quantification of the three amino acids, phenylalanine (Phe), methionine (Met), and leucine (Leu) in a single biological sample, was developed and applied in the multiplex diagnosis of three key metabolic diseases of newborn babies. The assay utilizes three Escherichia coli auxotrophs, which grow only in the presence of the corresponding target amino acids and which contain three different fluorescent reporter plasmids that produce distinguishable fluorescence signals (red, green, and cyan) in concert with cell growth. To mixtures of the three auxotrophs, immobilized on agarose gels arrayed on a well plate, is added a test sample. Following incubation, the concentrations of the three amino acids in the sample are simultaneously determined by measuring the intensities of three fluorescence signals that correspond to the reporter plasmids. The clinical utility of this assay system was demonstrated by employing it to identify metabolic diseases of newborn babies through the quantification of Phe, Met, and Leu in clinically derived dried blood spot specimens. The general strategy developed in this effort should be applicable to the design of new assay systems for the quantification of multiple amino acids derived from complex biological samples and, as such, to expand the utilization of cell-based analytical systems that replace conventional, yet laborious methods currently in use.

Invited review: the preterm pig as a model in pediatric gastroenterology

At birth, the newborn mammal undergoes a transition from a sterile uterine environment with a constant nutrient supply, to a microbe-rich environment with intermittent oral intake of complex milk nutrients via the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). These functional challenges partly explain the relatively high morbidity and mortality of neonates. Preterm birth interrupts prenatal organ maturation, including that of the GIT, and increases disease risk. Exemplary is necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), which is associated closely with GIT immaturity, enteral feeding, and bacterial colonization. Infants with NEC may require resection of the necrotic parts of the intestine, leading to short bowel syndrome (SBS), characterized by reduced digestive capacity, fluid loss, and dependency on parenteral nutrition. This review presents the preterm pig as a translational model in pediatric gastroenterology that has provided new insights into important pediatric diseases such as NEC and SBS. We describe protocols for delivery, care, and handling of preterm pigs, and show how the immature GIT responds to delivery method and different nutritional and therapeutic interventions. The preterm pig may also provide a sensitive model for postnatal adaptation of weak term piglets showing high mortality. Attributes of the preterm pig model include close similarities with preterm infants in body size, organ development, and many clinical features, thereby providing a translational advantage relative to rodent models of GIT immaturity. On the other hand, the need for a sow surgical facility, a piglet intensive care unit, and clinically trained personnel may limit widespread use of preterm pigs. Studies on organ adaptation in preterm pigs help to identify the physiological basis of neonatal survival for hypersensitive newborns and aid in defining the optimal diet and rearing conditions during the critical neonatal period.