1H NMR-based metabolic fingerprinting of urine metabolites after consumption of lingonberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) with a high-fat meal

Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) Fruit as a Source of Bioactive Compounds with Health-Promoting Effects-A Review

Berries, especially members of the Ericaceae family, are among the best dietary sources of bioactive compounds with beneficial health effects. The most popular berries are in the genus Vaccinium, such as bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon, V. oxycoccos), and blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum). Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) is less prevalent in the daily human diet because they are collected from the wild, and plant breeding of lingonberry is still on a small scale. Lingonberries are classed as “superfruits” with the highest content of antioxidants among berries and a broad range of health-promoting effects. Many studies showed various beneficial effects of lingonberries, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer activities. Lingonberries have been shown to prevent low-grade inflammation and diet-induced obesity in diabetic animals. Moreover, lingonberry intake has been associated with a beneficial effect on preventing and treating brain aging and neurodegenerative disorders. The consumption of berries and their health-promoting activity is a subject receiving a great deal of attention. Many studies investigated the natural compounds found in berries to combat diseases and promote healthy aging. This article’s scope is to indicate the potential beneficial effect of lingonberry consumption on health, to promote well-being and longevity.

Select Polyphenol-Rich Berry Consumption to Defer or Deter Diabetes and Diabetes-Related Complications

Berries are considered "promising functional fruits" due to their distinct and ubiquitous therapeutic contents of anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, phenolic acids, flavonoids, flavanols, alkaloids, polysaccharides, hydroxycinnamic, ellagic acid derivatives, and organic acids. These polyphenols are part of berries and the human diet, and evidence suggests that their intake is associated with a reduced risk or the reversal of metabolic pathophysiologies related to diabetes, obesity, oxidative stress, inflammation, and hypertension. This work reviewed and summarized both clinical and non-clinical findings that the consumption of berries, berry extracts, purified compounds, juices, jams, jellies, and other berry byproducts aided in the prevention and or otherwise management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and related complications. The integration of berries and berries-derived byproducts into high-carbohydrate (HCD) and high-fat (HFD) diets, also reversed/reduced the HCD/HFD-induced alterations in glucose metabolism-related pathways, and markers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and lipid oxidation in healthy/obese/diabetic subjects. The berry polyphenols also modulate the intestinal microflora ecology by opposing the diabetic and obesity rendered symbolic reduction of Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratio, intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction-restoring bacteria, short-chain fatty acids, and organic acid producing microflora. All studies proposed a number of potential mechanisms of action of respective berry bioactive compounds, although further mechanistic and molecular studies are warranted. The metabolic profiling of each berry is also included to provide up-to-date information regarding the potential anti-oxidative/antidiabetic constituents of each berry.

Hemisynthesis of Anthocyanin Phase II Metabolites by Porcine Liver Enzymes

The aim of this work was to obtain phase II metabolites of cyanidin-3- O-glucoside and its aglycone using porcine liver enzymes. For this purpose, anthocyanins extracted from blackberry concentrate and containing mostly cyanidin-3- O-glucoside were incubated with the S9, microsomal, and cytosolic fractions of porcine liver. The reactions were targeted to the direction of the respective phase II transformation by the addition of activated cofactors. LC-MS ⁿ and LC-IMS-QTOF-MS analyses showed that one methylated, three glucuronidated and three sulfated metabolites of cyanidin-3- O-glucoside were generated. The aglycone, cyanidin, was sulfated and glucuronidated by the liver enzymes. In addition, both were glucuronidated and methylated simultaneously. The detected compounds and the generated data like exact masses, mass spectra, and CCS values may serve as a basis in the search for metabolites formed in vivo. As their effects are largely unexplored, the described synthesis may contribute to a better understanding of the metabolism of anthocyanins.

NMR metabolome of Borrelia burgdorferi in vitro and in vivo in mice

Lyme borreliosis (LB), caused by bacteria of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Borrelia) species, is the most common tick-borne infection in the northern hemisphere. LB diagnostics is based on clinical evaluation of the patient and on laboratory testing, where the main method is the detection of Borrelia specific antibodies in patient samples. There are, however, shortcomings in the current serology based LB diagnostics, especially its inability to differentiate ongoing infection from a previously treated one. Identification of specific biomarkers of diseases is a growing application of metabolomics. One of the main methods of metabolomics is nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. In the present study, our aim was to analyze whether Borrelia growth in vitro and infection in vivo in mice causes specific metabolite differences, and whether NMR can be used to detect them. For this purpose, we performed NMR analyses of in vitro culture medium samples, and of serum and urine samples of Borrelia infected and control mice. The results show, that there were significant differences in the concentrations of several amino acids, energy metabolites and aromatic compounds between Borrelia culture and control media, and between infected and control mouse serum and urine samples. For example, the concentration of L-phenylalanine increases in the Borrelia growth medium and in serum of infected mice, whereas the concentrations of allantoin and trigonelline decrease in the urine of infected mice. Therefore, we conclude that Borrelia infection causes measurable metabolome differences in vitro and in Borrelia infected mouse serum and urine samples, and that these can be detected with NMR.

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy in Food Science: A Comprehensive Review

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a robust method, which can rapidly analyze mixtures at the molecular level without requiring separation and/or purification steps, making it ideal for applications in food science. Despite its increasing popularity among food scientists, NMR is still an underutilized methodology in this area, mainly due to its high cost, relatively low sensitivity, and the lack of NMR expertise by many food scientists. The aim of this review is to help bridge the knowledge gap that may exist when attempting to apply NMR methodologies to the field of food science. We begin by covering the basic principles required to apply NMR to the study of foods and nutrients. A description of the discipline of chemometrics is provided, as the combination of NMR with multivariate statistical analysis is a powerful approach for addressing modern challenges in food science. Furthermore, a comprehensive overview of recent and key applications in the areas of compositional analysis, food authentication, quality control, and human nutrition is provided. In addition to standard NMR techniques, more sophisticated NMR applications are also presented, although limitations, gaps, and potentials are discussed. We hope this review will help scientists gain some of the knowledge required to apply the powerful methodology of NMR to the rich and diverse field of food science.

Glucuronidated Flavonoids in Neurological Protection: Structural Analysis and Approaches for Chemical and Biological Synthesis

Both plant and mammalian cells express glucuronosyltransferases that catalyze glucuronidation of polyphenols such as flavonoids and other small molecules. Oral administration of select polyphenolic compounds leads to the accumulation of the corresponding glucuronidated metabolites at μM and sub-μM concentrations in the brain, associated with amelioration of a range of neurological symptoms. Determining the mechanisms whereby botanical extracts impact cognitive wellbeing and psychological resiliency will require investigation of the modes of action of the brain-targeted metabolites. Unfortunately, many of these compounds are not commercially available. This article describes the latest approaches for the analysis and synthesis of glucuronidated flavonoids. Synthetic schemes include both standard organic synthesis, semisynthesis, enzymatic synthesis and use of synthetic biology utilizing heterologous enzymes in microbial platform organisms.

Metabolic profiles from two different breakfast meals characterized by 1H NMR-based metabolomics

It is challenging to measure dietary exposure with techniques that are both accurate and applicable to free-living individuals. We performed a cross-over intervention, with 24 healthy individuals, to capture the acute metabolic response of a cereal breakfast (CB) and an egg and ham breakfast (EHB). Fasting and postprandial urine samples were analyzed using ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and multivariate data analysis. Metabolic profiles were distinguished in relation to ingestion of either CB or EHB. Phosphocreatine/creatine and citrate were identified at higher concentrations after consumption of EHB. Beverage consumption (i.e., tea or coffee) could clearly be seen in the data. 2-furoylglycine and 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furoic acid - potential biomarkers for coffee consumption were identified at higher concentrations in coffee drinkers. Thus ¹H NMR urine metabolomics is applicable in the characterization of acute metabolic fingerprints from meal consumption and in the identification of metabolites that may serve as potential biomarkers.

Recent applications of NMR in food and dietary studies

Over the last decade, a wide variety of new foods have been introduced into the global marketplace, many with health benefits that exceed those of traditional foods. Simultaneously, a wide range of analytical technologies has evolved that allow greater capability for the determination of food composition. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), traditionally a research tool used for structural elucidation, is now being used frequently for metabolomics and chemical fingerprinting. Its stability and inherent ease of quantification have been exploited extensively to identify and quantify bioactive components in foods and dietary supplements. In addition, NMR fingerprints have been used to differentiate cultivars, evaluate sensory properties of food and investigate the influence of growing conditions on food crops. Here we review the latest applications of NMR in food analysis. Published 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

Nutrimetabolomics: An Update on Analytical Approaches to Investigate the Role of Plant-Based Foods and Their Bioactive Compounds in Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases

Metabolomics is the study of low-weight molecules present in biological samples such as biofluids, tissue/cellular extracts, and culture media. Metabolomics research is increasing, and at the moment, it has several applications in the food science and nutrition fields. In the present review, we provide an update about the most frequently used methodologies and metabolomic platforms in these areas. Also, we discuss different metabolomic strategies regarding the discovery of new bioactive compounds (BACs) in plant-based foods. Furthermore, we review the existing literature related to the use of metabolomics to investigate the potential protective role of BACs in the prevention and treatment of non-communicable chronic diseases, namely cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer.

In situ quantitative 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy discriminates between raw and steam cooked potato strips based on their metabolites

A direct quantitative proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy method was developed for the measurement of saccharides, organic acids and amino acids in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tuber filaments, a complex gel-like food matrix. The method requires minimal sample preparation. It is thus a faster alternative compared to liquid sample matrices, as well as an extension to methods analyzing only selected metabolites in the sample. The samples in this study were either raw or steamed potato strips that were either measured as D₂O extracts or directly without extraction or derivatization steps (in situ technique). A total of 22 compounds were identified in extracts and 18 in potato strips. Of these, 20 compounds were quantifiable in potato extracts and 13 compounds in potato strips. The effect of thermal processing was reflected in the profile of analyzed compounds. One example was fumaric acid, which was completely lost in steamed samples in both measurement techniques. Additionally, the content of γ-aminobutyric acid in steamed potato strips was lower. In potato extracts, the contents of additional 7 compounds were statistically different. The raw and steamed samples separated into two groups with multivariate models both in extracts and potato strips, and these groups were linked to changes in aforementioned compounds. These results demonstrated that the in situ quantitative ¹H NMR technique is a useful tool to analyze potato metabolites. This technique could be further applied to any gel-like complex matrix, meaning that lengthy sample pretreatment could be skipped.

Metabolomics as a tool in the identification of dietary biomarkers

Current dietary assessment methods including FFQ, 24-h recalls and weighed food diaries are associated with many measurement errors. In an attempt to overcome some of these errors, dietary biomarkers have emerged as a complementary approach to these traditional methods. Metabolomics has developed as a key technology for the identification of new dietary biomarkers and to date, metabolomic-based approaches have led to the identification of a number of putative biomarkers. The three approaches generally employed when using metabolomics in dietary biomarker discovery are: (i) acute interventions where participants consume specific amounts of a test food, (ii) cohort studies where metabolic profiles are compared between consumers and non-consumers of a specific food and (iii) the analysis of dietary patterns and metabolic profiles to identify nutritypes and biomarkers. The present review critiques the current literature in terms of the approaches used for dietary biomarker discovery and gives a detailed overview of the currently proposed biomarkers, highlighting steps needed for their full validation. Furthermore, the present review also evaluates areas such as current databases and software tools, which are needed to advance the interpretation of results and therefore enhance the utility of dietary biomarkers in nutrition research.

Chemopreventive and Therapeutic Effects of Edible Berries: A Focus on Colon Cancer Prevention and Treatment

Colon cancer is one of the most prevalent diseases across the world. Numerous epidemiological studies indicate that diets rich in fruit, such as berries, provide significant health benefits against several types of cancer, including colon cancer. The anticancer activities of berries are attributed to their high content of phytochemicals and to their relevant antioxidant properties. In vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that berries and their bioactive components exert therapeutic and preventive effects against colon cancer by the suppression of inflammation, oxidative stress, proliferation and angiogenesis, through the modulation of multiple signaling pathways such as NF-κB, Wnt/β-catenin, PI3K/AKT/PKB/mTOR, and ERK/MAPK. Based on the exciting outcomes of preclinical studies, a few berries have advanced to the clinical phase. A limited number of human studies have shown that consumption of berries can prevent colorectal cancer, especially in patients at high risk (familial adenopolyposis or aberrant crypt foci, and inflammatory bowel diseases). In this review, we aim to highlight the findings of berries and their bioactive compounds in colon cancer from in vitro and in vivo studies, both on animals and humans. Thus, this review could be a useful step towards the next phase of berry research in colon cancer.

1H-NMR based metabolomics study for the detection of the human urine metabolic profile effects of Origanum dictamnus tea ingestion

NMR based metabolomics clarify theOriganum dictamnustea effect upon the human urine metabolome.

Relative validation of 24-h urinary hippuric acid excretion as a biomarker for dietary flavonoid intake from fruit and vegetables in healthy adolescents

PURPOSE

A biomarker for dietary flavonoid intake from fruit and vegetables (FlavFV) is needed to elucidate the relevance of flavonoids from these sources for the prevention of chronic diseases. Urinary hippuric acid (HA)-a major metabolite of flavonoids-is promising in this respect as it was shown to satisfyingly indicate fruit and vegetable consumption in different age groups. Therefore, we validated urinary HA as a biomarker for intake of FlavFV.

METHODS

Analyses included data from 287 healthy adolescents of the DONALD Study (aged 9-16 years) for whom a minimum of two pairs of HA measurements from 24-h urine samples (test method) and FlavFV intake estimated from 3-day weighed dietary records (reference method) existed. Agreement between both methods was assessed by Spearman correlation and cross-classification analyses. Possible confounders of the association were identified by linear regression models. Analyses were performed using a split-sample approach allowing for consecutive exploration (n = 192) and confirmation (n = 95) of results.

RESULTS

Agreement between urinary HA excretion and FlavFV intake was moderate according to correlation analysis in the exploratory sample (r _unadjusted = 0.47, P < 0.0001). Yet, 79 % of the subjects were classified into same/adjacent quartiles, and only 5 % were misclassified into opposite quartiles. These findings were corroborated by analyses in the confirmatory sample (r _unadjusted = 0.64; 88 % in same/adjacent vs. 4 % in opposite quartiles). Body surface area (BSA) was the only relevant covariate in the exploratory sample, and its adjustment improved cross-classification estimates in both subsamples.

CONCLUSIONS

BSA-adjusted 24-h urinary HA excretion represents a suitable biomarker of habitual FlavFV intake in healthy adolescents.

A high fat, high cholesterol diet leads to changes in metabolite patterns in pigs--a metabolomic study

Non-targeted metabolite profiling can identify biological markers of dietary exposure that lead to a better understanding of interactions between diet and health. In this study, pigs were used as an animal model to discover changes in metabolic profiles between regular basal and high fat/high cholesterol diets. Extracts of plasma, fecal and urine samples from pigs fed high fat or basal regular diets for 11 weeks were analysed using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) and chemometric analysis. Cloud plots from XCMS online were used for class separation of the most discriminatory metabolites. The major metabolites contributing to the discrimination were identified as bile acids (BAs), lipid metabolites, fatty acids, amino acids and phosphatidic acid (PAs), phosphatidylglycerol (PGs), glycerophospholipids (PI), phosphatidylcholines (PCs) and tripeptides. These results suggest the developed approach can be used to identify biomarkers associated with specific feeding diets and possible metabolic disorders related to diet.

Urinary tartaric acid as a potential biomarker for the dietary assessment of moderate wine consumption: a randomised controlled trial

The availability of biomarkers that allow the estimation of the intake of specific foods and dietary components, as an alternative or addition to self-reported dietary questionnaires, could greatly enhance the effectiveness of nutritional research. The aim of the present study was to assess tartaric acid, one of the major components of red and white wines, as a potential biomarker of wine consumption. A total of twenty-one healthy men participated in a randomised cross-over feeding trial. They consumed a single dose of 100, 200 or 300 ml wine at dinner. Before each intervention, the participants followed a 7 d washout period during which they avoided consuming wine or grape-based products. Morning urine was collected and analysed by liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionisation tandem MS. A strong significant correlation was found between wine intake and urinary tartaric acid (r(s) = 0·9220; P <0·001). Using a cut-off value of 8·84 μg/mg creatinine, tartaric acid allowed wine consumers to be differentiated from non-wine consumers. The results suggest that urinary tartaric acid may be a sensitive and specific dietary biomarker of wine consumption.