Cluster analysis of polyphenol intake in a French middle-aged population (aged 35-64 years)

Association of Dietary Intake of Polyphenols with an Adequate Nutritional Profile in Postpartum Women from Argentina

HJ-Biplot analysis is a multivariate graphic representation that collects data covariation structure between variables and individuals to represent them in a low-dimensional space with the highest quality in the same reference system. Consequently, it is a promising technique for evaluating dietary exposure to polyphenols and accurately characterizing female nutrition. Herein, we hypothesized that polyphenol intake defines specific clusters with dietary impacts, which can be assessed using HJ-Biplot, based on a cross-sectional study in Argentina. The study included 275 healthy postpartum women who provided information about their food frequency intake and other conditions, which were then used to evaluate polyphenolic intake using the Phenol-Explorer database. Outcomes were established using HJ-Biplot for clustering and ANOVA to compare their impact on diet quality indicators. Two HJ-Biplot models were run (for intakes >20 mg/d and 5∼20 mg/d, respectively) to identify three clusters per model with excellent statistical fitness to explain the data. Thus, specific polyphenolic clusters with potentially bioactive and safe compounds were defined despite significant interindividual variability. In fact, women with the lowest polyphenolic intake exhibited worse dietary quality, body fat, and physical activity. As a result, HJ-Biplot proved to be an effective technique for clustering women based on their dietary intake of these compounds. Furthermore, cluster membership improved the intake of antioxidants, water, fiber, and healthy fats. Additionally, women with formal jobs and a higher educational level showed a better diet. Dietary polyphenols are critical during postpartum because they exert beneficial effects on women and breastfed infants.

Cherry Polyphenol Extract Ameliorated Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Mice by Suppressing Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic and nonspecific inflammatory disease of the colon and rectum, and its etiology remains obscure. Cherry polyphenols showed potential health-promoting effects. However, both the protective effect and mechanism of cherry polyphenols on UC are still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the potential role of the free polyphenol extract of cherry in alleviating UC and its possible mechanism of action. Our study revealed that the free polyphenol extract of cherry management significantly alleviated UC symptoms, such as weight loss, colon shortening, the thickening of colonic mucous layer, etc. The free polyphenol extract of cherry treatment also introduced a significant reduction in levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and nitric oxide (NO), while causing a significant elevation in levels of catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), as well as the downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This indicated that such positive effects were performed through reducing oxidative damage or in a cytokine-specific manner. The immunofluorescence analysis of ZO-1 and occludin proteins declared that the free polyphenol extract of cherry had the potential to prompt intestinal barrier function. The reduced expression levels of β-catenin, c-myc, cyclin D1 and GSK-3β suggested that the cherry extract performed its positive effect on UC by suppressing the Wnt/β-ctenin pathway. This finding may pave the way into further understanding the mechanism of cherry polyphenols ameliorating ulcerative colitis.

A GDSL lipase-like from Ipomoea batatas catalyzes efficient production of 3,5-diCQA when expressed in Pichia pastoris

The synthesis of 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (3,5-DiCQA) has attracted the interest of many researchers for more than 30 years. Recently, enzymes belonging to the BAHD acyltransferase family were shown to mediate its synthesis, albeit with notably low efficiency. In this study, a new enzyme belonging to the GDSL lipase-like family was identified and proven to be able to transform chlorogenic acid (5-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 5-CQA, CGA) in 3,5-DiCQA with a conversion rate of more than 60%. The enzyme has been produced in different expression systems but has only been shown to be active when transiently synthesized in Nicotiana benthamiana or stably expressed in Pichia pastoris. The synthesis of the molecule could be performed in vitro but also by a bioconversion approach beginning from pure 5-CQA or from green coffee bean extract, thereby paving the road for producing it on an industrial scale.

Miguel et al. identify a new enzyme belonging to the GDSL lipase-like family that is involved in the final stage of transformation of 5-CQA into 3,5-diCQA. This enzyme is able to realize an efficient transformation by over 60%, making the transformation process a valuable technological tool that can be easily transferred on an industrial scale.

Vanillic acid activates thermogenesis in brown and white adipose tissue

Anthocyanins have a positive effect on resistant obesity; however they cannot usually be absorbed directly but, instead, are metabolized by gut microbiota.

Effects of Polyphenol Intake on Metabolic Syndrome: Current Evidences from Human Trials

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors which severely increases the risk of type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Several epidemiological studies have observed a negative association between polyphenol intake and MetS rates. Nevertheless, there are relatively small numbers of interventional studies evidencing this association. This review is focused on human interventional trials with polyphenols as polyphenol-rich foods and dietary patterns rich in polyphenols in patients with MetS. Current evidence suggests that polyphenol intake has the potential to alleviate MetS components by decreasing body weight, blood pressure, and blood glucose and by improving lipid metabolism. Therefore, high intake of polyphenol-rich foods such as nuts, fruits, vegetables, seasoning with aromatic plants, spices, and virgin olive oil may be the cornerstone of a healthy diet preventing the development and progression of MetS, although there is no polyphenol or polyphenol-rich food able to influence all MetS features. However, inconsistent results have been found in different trials, and more long-term randomized trials are warranted to develop public health strategies to decrease MetS rates.