Understanding Choline Bioavailability and Utilization: First Step Toward Personalizing Choline Nutrition

Characterization of trimethylamine metabolic pathways using pseudo-targeted metabolomics

Trimethylamine (TMA) metabolism comprises choline-containing compounds' metabolization, TMA production and trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) generation. However, the presence of numerous compounds in the carnitine and phosphatidylcholine (PC) pool compositions complicates profiling work significantly. This study is aimed at developing an efficient method for profiling TMA metabolic pathways, including quantifying known compounds and semi-quantifying the differential metabolites in the carnitine and PC pool compositions. Pseudo-targeted metabolomics is applicable for characterization. Firstly, multivariate statistics were performed to identify valuable metabolites (variable importance in the projection ＞1) from quality control biological samples. Given that TMA metabolism involved in host-gut microbiota interaction, co-metabolites were defined as the intersections of valuable metabolites from different biological samples (serum, liver, and intestinal contents) and further screened. Finally, alterations in TMA metabolism were observed in dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis, with semi-quantitative analysis for excavated co-metabolites including 11 PCs, 6 lyso-phosphatidylcholines, and 2 acylcarnitines and quantitative analysis for 10 known metabolites. The findings revealed increased TMA production and accumulation of choline-containing compounds in the gut during ulcerative colitis exacerbation. Correspondingly, the circulating level of TMAO was elevated in the colitis group. A comprehensive understanding of TMA metabolism can contribute to disease differential diagnoses and potential mechanism studies.

Gut microbiota dysbiosis contributes to choline unavailability and NAFLD development

OBJECTIVES

Non-alcoholic fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) poses a growing global health concern, yet its complex aetiology remains incompletely understood. Emerging evidence implicates the gut microbiome and choline metabolism in NAFLD pathogenesis. This study aims to elucidate the association of choline-consuming bacteria in gut microbiome with choline level.

METHODS

A population comprising 85 NAFLD patients and 30 healthy controls was selected. DNA extraction from stool samples was conducted using the FavorPrep™ Stool DNA Isolation Mini Kit, followed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection of choline-consuming bacterial strains and quantitative PCR (qPCR) for Cut C gene expression. Choline content measurement was performed using fluorescence high-performance liquid chromatography (FL-HPLC).

RESULTS

Our findings revealed a significant reduction in choline levels among NAFLD patients compared to healthy controls. ROC curve analysis demonstrated choline levels and Cut C expression as a promising diagnostic tool for NAFLD, with high sensitivity and specificity. The microbial analysis identified specific choline-consuming bacteria enriched in NAFLD patients, notably Anarococcus Hydrogenalis and Clostridium asparagiforme. This was consistent with higher Cut C gene expression in patients compared to healthy individuals, which is responsible for encoding an enzyme to consume choline by these bacteria.

CONCLUSION

The current study gives a possible association between gut microbiota and the development of NAFLD, possibly due to an alteration in choline bioavailability. Further research is required to determine whether gut bacteria alter in the context of NAFLD or a change in their composition might lead to NAFLD progression, possibly via alternation in choline bioavailability.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40200-024-01511-6.

Mining of characteristic microbes and qualities in pickled and salted chili peppers through integrated analysis

Fermentation techniques produce distinct microbes and qualities of various fermented chili peppers. However, comparative studies on chili peppers fermented using different techniques are limited. This study investigated the characteristic microbes and qualities of pickled and salted chili peppers through targeted and non-targeted analysis. The results revealed that Lactiplantibacillus and Weissella were the dominant microbes in pickled and salted chili peppers respectively. Additionally, pickled chilli peppers contained 6 key unique volatiles, with geraniol and β-myrcene showing significant positive correlation with Lactiplantibacillus. In contrast, salted chilli peppers contained 3 key unique volatiles, with no significant correlation with Weissella. Naringenin, trans-ferulic acid, and DL-p-hydroxyphenyllactic acid in pickled chili peppers exhibited significant positive correlation with Lactiplantibacillus. The weak correlation between Weissella and qualities in salted chili peppers may result from the inhibition of high-salt environment. This study provides insights for inoculated fermentation strategies to preserve microbial diversity and distinct flavors in different fermented chili peppers.

Choline in Pregnancy and Lactation: Essential Knowledge for Clinical Practice

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

In 1998 choline was identified as an essential nutrient by the United States Institute of Medicine. Choline is known primarily for its roles in neurotransmitter production, cell membrane formation, and methyl and lipid metabolism. Since this discovery the relevance of choline to maternal, fetal, and infant health has been studied intensively. This narrative review provides a coherent update of the latest evidence for field clinicians and healthcare professionals.

METHODS

A PubMed/ScienceDirect search for human clinical evidence restricted to meta-analysis and systematic/review publications from the last 10 years was undertaken.

RESULTS

Meta-analysis and review publications highlight the importance of choline in supporting maternal health and fetal development during pregnancy by showing promising roles for choline in relation to neurological development, brain and liver function, reduced neural tube defect risk, and adverse pregnancy outcome risk. However, there are clear present-day gaps between habitual choline intakes and intake recommendations with the majority of pregnant and lactating women not meeting adequate intake recommendations for choline. This gap is anticipated to widen given transitions towards plant-based diets which tend to be lower in choline.

CONCLUSIONS

Alongside folic acid recommendations, choline supplementation should be considered in dietary recommendations by clinicians during crucial life stages such as pregnancy and lactation when physiological demands for this critical nutrient substantially increase.

Traditional Mongolian Medicine Qiqirigan-8 alleviates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease via restoring gut microbiota and metabolism

Background

Mongolian Medicine Qiqirigan-8 (MMQ-8) is a traditional Mongolian medicine formula used to treat fatty liver disease. However, the material basis and in vivo metabolic process of the therapeutic effect of MMQ-8 on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remain unclear.

Methods

The chemical composition of MMQ-8 was determined using Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole Exactive Mass spectrometry analysis (UHPLC-QE-MS). C57BL/6J mice were fed a choline-deficient diet for 12 weeks to induce a NAFLD model. Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E)-staining, combined with serum biochemical indexes, was used to observe liver appearance and characterize the pathological changes and functions of the liver. HE staining and Alcian Blue-Phosphoric Acid Schiff (AB-PAS) staining of the colon, along with ZO-1 immunofluorescence expression in the colon were used to reveal the effect of MMQ-8 on the disruption of the intestinal epithelial mucosal barrier in the NAFLD. The expression of intestinal tight junction genes was analyzed by qRT-PCR to observe the protective effect of MMQ-8 against intestinal epithelial mucosal barrier disruption. Fecal metagenomics and serum non-targeted metabolomics were used to reveal the effects of MMQ-8 on the gut microbiota and metabolism in mice with NAFLD. Finally, we emphasize the interaction between gut microbiota and metabolites through Spearman correlation coefficient analysis.

Results

Mongolian Medicine Qiqirigan-8 contains 17 active ingredients, which can reduce hepatic steatosis and lobular inflammation in mice with NAFLD, and have protective effects against liver injury. MMQ-8 reduced the infiltration of inflammatory cells in the colon epithelium of model mice while restoring the number of goblet cells. MMQ-8 significantly enhanced ZO-1 protein expression in the colon, as well as the mRNA expression of both ZO-1 and Occludin. Fecal metagenomics results showed that MMQ-8 reduced the Bacillota/Bacteroidota ratio in NAFLD mice. Increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Porphyromonadaceae, Prevotella, and Bacteroidota. and suppressed the abundance of dysfunctional bacteria, such as Bacillota, Acetatifactor, and Erysipelotrichaceae. Furthermore, metabolomics studies revealed that MMQ-8 intervention significantly regulated the expression of metabolites related to glutathione metabolism, butyric acid metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, and glycerophospholipid metabolism in NAFLD mice compared to the model group. These metabolic pathways play key roles in NAFLD. According to Spearman's correlation coefficient analysis, up-regulation of Porphyromonadaceae, Prevotella, and Bacteroidota after MMQ-8 intervention was negatively correlated with LPC levels in glycerophospholipid metabolic pathways, while positively correlated with PC levels. In contrast, the relationship between Bacillota and Acetatifactor, which were down-regulated after MMQ-8 intervention, was the opposite. In addition, the up-regulation of Porphyromonadaceae, Prevotella, and Bacteroidota after MMQ-8 intervention was positively correlated with fumaric acid, 2-oxoglutaric acid, adenosine, and L-glutathione levels, while those down-regulated after MMQ-8 intervention were positively correlated with the levels of Bacillota, Acetatifactor were negatively correlated with all the above metabolites. Thus, glutathione metabolism, butyric acid metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism and gut microbial ecosystem are tightly intertwined in this process.

Conclusion

In summary, these findings indicate that MMQ-8 has a synergistic anti-NAFLD effect through its multi-component, multi-target, gut microbiota-modulating and multi metabolic pathway characteristics. The host's regulation of specific gut microbiota and involvement in multiple metabolic pathways may be one of the important mechanisms by which MMQ-8 exerts its therapeutic effects on NAFLD. It is worth noting that metabolic pathways such as glutathione metabolism, butyric acid metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, and the gut microbiota ecosystem are closely intertwined in this process.

Unraveling the role of gut microbiota and plasma metabolites in fibromyalgia: Insights from Mendelian randomization and dietary interventions

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a complex disorder characterized by chronic pain, fatigue, and functional impairments, with unclear pathological mechanisms. Gut microbiota and plasma metabolites have been implicated in FM, but their causal relationships remain unexplored. This study aims to assess the causal relationships between gut microbiota, plasma metabolites, and FM using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis and to explore potential mediating mechanisms. Public genome-wide association study data were analyzed using bidirectional MR. Associations between gut microbiota, plasma metabolites, and FM were evaluated, and multivariable MR identified mediating metabolites. Results were validated with inverse variance weighted, MR-Egger, and weighted median methods, with metabolic pathway enrichment analysis for further insights. MR identified protective associations between FM and four taxa (family Enterobacteriaceae, genus Butyricicoccus, genus Coprococcus1, and order Enterobacteriales) and risk associations with genus Eggerthella and genus Ruminococcaceae UCG005. Additionally, 82 plasma metabolites linked to pathways such as caffeine metabolism, α-linolenic acid metabolism, GLP-1, and incretin regulation were associated with FM. Mediation analysis revealed Enterobacteriaceae and Enterobacteriales influenced FM risk through 2,3-dihydroxypyridine and palmitoylcholine. Personalized dietary interventions, such as limiting caffeine intake, increasing omega-3 fatty acid consumption, adopting a low glycemic index diet, and reducing the intake of high-oxalate foods, may effectively alleviate FM-related symptoms by modulating metabolic pathways, reducing inflammation, and mitigating oxidative stress. This study highlights the intricate interactions between the gut microbiota and metabolic pathways, providing critical scientific evidence and actionable targets for clinical interventions, dietary management, and precision medicine approaches in FM treatment.

Choline chloride and N-allylglycine promote plant growth by increasing the efficiency of photosynthesis

We previously reported that choline chloride and N-allylglycine stimulate photosynthesis in wheat protoplasts. Treatment of Arabidopsis thaliana and Brassica rapa plants with both compounds promoted growth and photosynthesis. To clarify the relationship between the enhancement of photosynthesis and increased growth, A. thaliana T87 cells, which show photosynthesis-dependent growth, and YG1 cells, which use sugar in the medium for growth, were treated with choline chloride or N-allylglycine. Only the T87 cells showed increased growth, suggesting that choline chloride and N-allylglycine promote growth by increasing photosynthetic activity. Transcriptome analysis using choline chloride- and N-allylglycine-treated plants showed that the most abundant transcripts corresponded to photosynthetic electron transfer-related genes among the genes upregulated by both compounds. Furthermore, the compounds also upregulate genes encoding transcription factors that may control the expression of these photosynthetic genes. These results suggest that choline chloride and N-allylglycine promote photosynthesis through increased expression of photosynthetic electron transfer-related genes.

Sex differences in the association between dietary choline intake and total bone mineral density among adolescents aged 12-19 in the United States

Background

While prior research has established a correlation between dietary choline intake and bone density in the elderly, the relationship in adolescents remains ambiguous. This study seeks to examine the association between dietary choline intake and bone density in American adolescents.

Methods

Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for 2005 to 2018 were used in this study, encompassing participants aged 12-19 years. The relationship between dietary choline intake and bone density was assessed using multivariate linear regression models and restricted cubic spline (RCS) models. Subgroup analyses were also performed to investigate differences across various subgroups.

Results

3,800 participants with an average age of 15 years were included in this study. After adjusting for relevant confounding factors, a positive correlation was observed between dietary choline intake and total bone density in adolescents (95% CI: 0.03-0.17, p = 0.010). Gender-specific analysis indicated a significant positive correlation between dietary choline intake and total bone density in males (95% CI: 0.07-0.23, p < 0.001), while no significant correlation was found in females (95% CI: -0.19 to 0.09, p = 0.500). The stratified analysis revealed that the positive association was more pronounced in males and non-Hispanic whites (interaction p < 0.05). The restricted cubic spline model demonstrated a linear positive correlation between dietary choline intake and total bone density.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that dietary choline intake levels are positively correlated with bone density in adolescents, with this association being specific to males.

Comparative bioavailability of vitamins in human foods sourced from animals and plants

Vitamins are essential components of enzyme systems involved in normal growth and function. The quantitative estimation of the proportion of dietary vitamins, that is in a form available for utilization by the human body, is limited and fragmentary. This review provides the current state of knowledge on the bioavailability of thirteen vitamins and choline, to evaluate whether there are differences in vitamin bioavailability when human foods are sourced from animals or plants. The bioavailability of naturally occurring choline, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K in food awaits further studies. Animal-sourced foods are the almost exclusive natural sources of dietary vitamin B-12 (65% bioavailable) and preformed vitamin A retinol (74% bioavailable), and contain highly bioavailable biotin (89%), folate (67%), niacin (67%), pantothenic acid (80%), riboflavin (61%), thiamin (82%), and vitamin B-6 (83%). Plant-based foods are the main natural sources of vitamin C (76% bioavailable), provitamin A carotenoid β-carotene (15.6% bioavailable), riboflavin (65% bioavailable), thiamin (81% bioavailable), and vitamin K (16.5% bioavailable). The overview of studies showed that in general, vitamins in foods originating from animals are more bioavailable than vitamins in foods sourced from plants.

Developing and evaluating the construct validity of a dietary pattern predictive of plasma TMAO and choline

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The metabolism of choline (highly present in animal products) can produce trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a metabolite with atherosclerotic effects; however, dietary fiber may suppress this metabolic pathway. This study aimed to develop a dietary pattern predictive of plasma TMAO and choline concentrations using reduced rank regression (RRR) and to evaluate its construct validity.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Diet and plasma concentrations of choline (μmol/L) and TMAO (μmol/L) were assessed in 1724 post-menopausal women who participated in an ancillary study within the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study (1993-1998). The TMAO dietary pattern was developed using RRR in half of the sample (Training Sample) and applied to the other half of the sample (Validation Sample) to evaluate its construct validity. Energy-adjusted food groups were the predictor variables and plasma choline and TMAO, the response variables. ANCOVA and linear regression models were used to assess associations between each biomarker and the dietary pattern score. Discretionary fat, potatoes, red meat, and eggs were positively associated with the dietary pattern, while yogurt, fruits, added sugar, and starchy vegetables were inversely associated. Mean TMAO and choline concentrations significantly increased across increasing quartiles of the dietary pattern in the Training and Validation samples. Positive associations between the biomarkers and the TMAO dietary pattern were also observed in linear regression models (Validation Sample: TMAO, adjusted beta-coefficient = 0.037 (p-value = 0.0088); Choline, adjusted beta-coefficient = 0.011 (p-value = 0.0224).

CONCLUSION

We established the TMAO dietary pattern, a dietary pattern reflecting the potential of the diet to contribute to plasma concentrations of TMAO and choline.

Dietary Choline Intake Is Beneficial for Cognitive Function and Delays Cognitive Decline: A 22-Year Large-Scale Prospective Cohort Study from China Health and Nutrition Survey

Pre-clinical studies have discovered the neuroprotective function and the benefit for cognitive function of choline. However, it remains unclear whether these benefits observed in animal studies also work in humans. The aims of this study are to examine the effects of dietary choline intake on cognitive function and cognitive decline during ageing in middle-aged and elderly Chinese. We included 1887 subjects aged 55~79 years with 6696 observations from the China Health and Nutrition Survey cohort study. The subjects were followed up for 6 to 21 years, with an average of 12.2 years. A dietary survey was conducted over 3 consecutive days with a 24 h recall, using household weight-recording methods. Based on the China Food Composition, data from USDA, and published literature, the dietary choline intake was calculated as the sum of free choline, phosphocholine, phosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin, and glycerophosphocholine. Cognitive function was assessed using a subset of the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status-modified (TICS-m) items. In order to eliminate the different weight of scores in each domain, the scores were converted by dividing by the maximum score in each domain, which ranged from 0 to 3 points. Higher cognitive scores represented better cognition. We used two-level mixed effect models to estimate the effects of dietary choline intake on cognitive score and cognitive decline rate in males and females, respectively. The average dietary choline intake was 161.1 mg/d for the baseline. After adjusting for confounders, the dietary choline intake was significantly associated with higher cognitive score in both males and females. The cognitive score in the highest quartile group of dietary choline was 0.085 for males and 0.077 for females-higher than those in the lowest quartile group (p < 0.01 for males, p < 0.05 for females). For every 10-year increase in age, the cognitive score decreased by 0.266 for males and 0.283 for females. The cognitive score decline rate of the third quartile group of dietary choline was 0.125/10 years lower than that of the lowest quartile group in females (p < 0.05). Dietary choline intake not only improves cognitive function, but also postpones cognitive decline during the aging process. The findings of this study highlight the neuroprotective benefit of choline in the middle-aged and elderly Chinese population, especially among females.

Trimethylamine N-oxide, choline and its metabolites are associated with the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

It is inconclusive whether trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and choline and related metabolites, namely trimethylamine (TMA), l-carnitine, betaine and dimethylglycine (DMG), are associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Our objective was to investigate these potential associations. Additionally, we sought to determine the mediating role of TMAO. In this 1:1 age- and sex-matched case-control study, a total of 150 pairs comprising NAFLD cases and healthy controls were identified. According to the fully adjusted model, after the highest tertile was compared with the lowest tertile, the plasma TMAO concentration (OR = 2·02 (95 % CI 1·04, 3·92); P trend = 0·003), l-carnitine concentration (OR = 1·79 (1·01, 3·17); P trend = 0·020) and DMG concentration (OR = 1·81 (1·00, 3·28); P trend = 0·014) were significantly positively associated with NAFLD incidence. However, a significantly negative association was found for plasma betaine (OR = 0. 50 (0·28, 0·88); P trend = 0·001). The restricted cubic splines model consistently indicated positive dose-response relationships between exposure to TMAO, l-carnitine, and DMG and NAFLD risk, with a negative association being observed for betaine. The corresponding AUC increased significantly from 0·685 (0·626, 0·745) in the traditional risk factor model to 0·769 (0·716, 0·822) when TMAO and its precursors were included (l-carnitine, betaine and choline) (P = 0·032). Mediation analyses revealed that 14·7 and 18·6 % of the excess NAFLD risk associated with l-carnitine and DMG, respectively, was mediated by TMAO (the P values for the mediating effects were 0·021 and 0·036, respectively). These results suggest that a higher concentration of TMAO is associated with increased NAFLD risk among Chinese adults and provide evidence of the possible mediating role of TMAO.

Choline-An Underappreciated Component of a Mother-to-Be's Diet

The nutritional status of the mother-to-be has a key impact on the proper development of the fetus. Although all nutrients are important for the developing baby, recent research indicates the importance of adequate choline intake during the periconceptional period, pregnancy, and lactation. Choline plays a key role in the biosynthesis of cell membranes, supporting liver function, neurotransmission, brain development, and DNA and histone methylation. Choline participates in the formation of a child's nervous system, supports its cognitive development, and reduces the risk of neural tube defects. The human body is incapable of producing sufficient choline to meet its needs; therefore, it must be obtained from the diet. Current data indicate that most women in their reproductive years do not achieve the recommended daily intake of choline. The presented narrative review indicates the importance of educating mothers-to-be and thereby increasing their awareness of the effects of choline on maternal and child health, which can lead to a more aware and healthy pregnancy and proper child development.

Shifts in the functional capacity and metabolite composition of the gut microbiome during recovery from enteric infection

While enteric pathogens have been widely studied for their roles in causing foodborne infection, their impacts on the gut microbial community have yet to be fully characterized. Previous work has identified notable changes in the gut microbiome related to pathogen invasion, both taxonomically and genetically. Characterization of the metabolic landscape during and after enteric infection, however, has not been explored. Consequently, we investigated the metabolome of paired stools recovered from 60 patients (cases) during and after recovery from enteric bacterial infections (follow-ups). Shotgun metagenomics was applied to predict functional microbial pathways combined with untargeted metametabolomics classified by Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry. Notably, cases had a greater overall metabolic capacity with significantly higher pathway richness and evenness relative to the follow-ups (p<0.05). Metabolic pathways related to central carbon metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and lipid and fatty acid biosynthesis were more highly represented in cases and distinct signatures for menaquinone production were detected. By contrast, the follow-up samples had a more diverse metabolic landscape with enhanced richness of polar metabolites (p<0.0001) and significantly greater richness, evenness, and overall diversity of nonpolar metabolites (p<0.0001). Although many metabolites could not be annotated with existing databases, a marked increase in certain clusters of metabolites was observed in the follow-up samples when compared to the case samples and vice versa. These findings suggest the importance of key metabolites in gut health and recovery and enhance understanding of metabolic fluctuations during enteric infections.

p53 suppresses lipid droplet-fueled tumorigenesis through phosphatidylcholine

Choline deficiency causes disorders including hepatic abnormalities and is associated with an increased risk of multiple types of cancer. Here, by choline-free diet-associated RNA-Seq analyses, we found that the tumor suppressor p53 drives the Kennedy pathway via PCYT1B to control the growth of lipid droplets (LDs) and their fueling role in tumorigenesis. Mechanistically, through upregulation of PCYT1B, p53 channeled depleted choline stores to phosphatidylcholine (PC) biosynthesis during choline starvation, thus preventing LD coalescence. Cells lacking p53 failed to complete this response to choline depletion, leading to hepatic steatosis and tumorigenesis, and these effects could be reversed by enforcement of PCYT1B expression or restoration of PC abundance. Furthermore, loss of p53 or defects in the Kennedy pathway increased surface localization of hormone-sensitive lipase on LDs to release specific fatty acids that fueled tumor cells in vivo and in vitro. Thus, p53 loss leads to dysregulation of choline metabolism and LD growth and couples perturbed LD homeostasis to tumorigenesis.

Polyphenols as potential preventers of osteoporosis: A comprehensive review on antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, molecular mechanisms, and signal pathways in bone metabolism

Osteoporosis (OP) is a skeletal disorder characterized by decreased bone density, alterations in bone microstructure, and increased damage to the bones. As the population ages and life expectancy increases, OP has become a global epidemic, drawing attention from scientists and doctors. Because of polyphenols have favorable antioxidant and anti-allergy effects, which are regarded as potential methods to prevent angiocardipathy and OP. Polyphenols offer a promising approach to preventing and treating OP by affecting bone metabolism, reducing bone resolution, maintaining bone density, and lowering the differentiation level of osteoclasts (OC). There are multiple ways in which polyphenols affect bone metabolism. This article provides an overview of how polyphenols inhibit oxidative stress, exert antibacterial effects, and prevent the occurrence of OP. Furthermore, we will explore the regulatory mechanisms and signaling pathways implicated in this process.

The distribution of dietary choline intake and serum choline levels in Australian women during pregnancy and associated early life factors

BACKGROUND

Maternal dietary choline has a central role in foetal brain development and may be associated with later cognitive function. However, many countries are reporting lower than recommended intake of choline during pregnancy.

METHODS

Dietary choline was estimated using food frequency questionnaires in pregnant women participating in population-derived birth cohort, the Barwon Infant Study (BIS). Dietary choline is reported as the sum of all choline-containing moieties. Serum total choline-containing compounds (choline-c), phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin were measured using nuclear magnetic resonance metabolomics in the third trimester. The main form of analysis was multivariable linear regression.

RESULTS

The mean daily dietary choline during pregnancy was 372 (standard deviation (SD) 104) mg/day. A total of 236 women (23%) had adequate choline intake (440 mg/day) based on the Australian and New Zealand guidelines, and 27 women (2.6%) took supplemental choline ([Formula: see text] 50 mg/dose) daily during pregnancy. The mean serum choline-c in pregnant women was 3.27 (SD 0.44) mmol/l. Ingested choline and serum choline-c were not correlated (R2) = - 0.005, p = 0.880. Maternal age, maternal weight gain in pregnancy, and a pregnancy with more than one infant were associated with higher serum choline-c, whereas gestational diabetes and environmental tobacco smoke during preconception and pregnancy were associated with lower serum choline-c. Nutrients or dietary patterns were not associated with variation in serum choline-c.

CONCLUSION

In this cohort, approximately one-quarter of women met daily choline recommendations during pregnancy. Future studies are needed to understand the potential impact of low dietary choline intake during pregnancy on infant cognition and metabolic intermediaries.

Inflammation and the pathological progression of Alzheimer's disease are associated with low circulating choline levels

Deficiency of dietary choline, an essential nutrient, is observed worldwide, with ~ 90% of Americans being deficient. Previous work highlights a relationship between decreased choline intake and an increased risk for cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease (AD). The associations between blood circulating choline and the pathological progression in both mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD remain unknown. Here, we examined these associations in a cohort of patients with MCI with presence of either sparse or high neuritic plaque density and Braak stage and a second cohort with either moderate AD (moderate to frequent neuritic plaques, Braak stage = IV) or severe AD (frequent neuritic plaques, Braak stage = VI), compared to age-matched controls. Metabolomic analysis was performed on serum from the AD cohort. We then assessed the effects of dietary choline deficiency (Ch-) in 3xTg-AD mice and choline supplementation (Ch+) in APP/PS1 mice, two rodent models of AD. The levels of circulating choline were reduced while pro-inflammatory cytokine TNFα was elevated in serum of both MCI sparse and high pathology cases. Reduced choline and elevated TNFα correlated with higher neuritic plaque density and Braak stage. In AD patients, we found reductions in choline, its derivative acetylcholine (ACh), and elevated TNFα. Choline and ACh levels were negatively correlated with neuritic plaque load, Braak stage, and TNFα, but positively correlated with MMSE, and brain weight. Metabolites L-Valine, 4-Hydroxyphenylpyruvic, Methylmalonic, and Ferulic acids were significantly associated with circuiting choline levels. In 3xTg-AD mice, the Ch- diet increased amyloid-β levels and tau phosphorylation in cortical tissue, and TNFα in both blood and cortical tissue, paralleling the severe human-AD profile. Conversely, the Ch+ diet increased choline and ACh while reducing amyloid-β and TNFα levels in brains of APP/PS1 mice. Collectively, low circulating choline is associated with AD-neuropathological progression, illustrating the importance of adequate dietary choline intake to offset disease.

Discover boy specific-biomarkers and reveal gender-related metabolic differences in central precocious puberty

The incidence of central precocious puberty (CPP) in boys is rising, but lack of effective molecular biomarkers often leads to delayed treatment and thus the terrible clinical complications in adulthood. This study aims to identify the specific-biomarkers of CPP boys and understand the gender-related differences in metabolic characteristics of CPP. The specific-biomarkers of CPP boys were identified from serum and their combination was optimized by cross-metabolomics combined with linear discriminant analysis effect size analysis after age correction. The differences in metabolic characteristics between boys and girls with CPP were explored by cross-metabolomics and weighted gene co-expression network analysis. Results show that CPP activated in advance the HPG axis and induced gender-related clinical phenotypes. Seven serum metabolites were identified as specific-biomarkers of CPP boys, including acetoacetate, aspartate, choline, creatinine, myo-inositol, N,N-dimethylglycine and N-Acetyl-glycoprotein. The combination of aspartate, choline, myo-inositol and creatinine achieved an optimized diagnosis, where AUC is 0.949, prediction accuracy for CPP boys is 91.1%, and the average accuracy is 0.865. The metabolic disorders of CPP boys mainly involve in glycerophospholipid metabolism, and synthesis and degradation of ketone bodies. Betaine, glutamine, isoleucine, lactate, leucine, lysine, pyruvate, α-&β-glucose were identified as gender-related biomarkers for CPP, and they are mainly involved in glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, pyruvate metabolism, and alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism. Biomarkers combination provides a promising diagnostic potential for CPP boy with a favorite sensitivity and specificity. In addition, the differences of metabolic characteristics between boys and girls with CPP will contribute to the development of individualized clinical treatments in CPP.

Radiosynthesis, Preclinical, and Clinical Positron Emission Tomography Studies of Carbon-11 Labeled Endogenous and Natural Exogenous Compounds

The presence of positron emission tomography (PET) centers at most major hospitals worldwide, along with the improvement of PET scanner sensitivity and the introduction of total body PET systems, has increased the interest in the PET tracer development using the short-lived radionuclides carbon-11. In the last few decades, methodological improvements and fully automated modules have allowed the development of carbon-11 tracers for clinical use. Radiolabeling natural compounds with carbon-11 by substituting one of the backbone carbons with the radionuclide has provided important information on the biochemistry of the authentic compounds and increased the understanding of their in vivo behavior in healthy and diseased states. The number of endogenous and natural compounds essential for human life is staggering, ranging from simple alcohols to vitamins and peptides. This review collates all the carbon-11 radiolabeled endogenous and natural exogenous compounds synthesised to date, including essential information on their radiochemistry methodologies and preclinical and clinical studies in healthy subjects.

Inadequate Choline Intake in Pregnant Women in Germany

Choline is an essential nutrient that is involved in various developmental processes during pregnancy. While the general adequate choline intake (AI) for adults has been set at 400 mg/day by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), an AI of 480 mg/day has been derived for pregnant women. To date, the choline intake of pregnant women in Germany has not been investigated yet. Therefore, in this survey, the total choline intake from dietary and supplementary sources in pregnant women was estimated using an online questionnaire. A total of 516 pregnant women participated in the survey, of which 283 met the inclusion criteria (13 to 41 weeks of gestational age, 19−45 years). 224 (79%) of the participants followed an omnivorous diet, 59 (21%) were vegetarian or vegan. Median choline intake was 260.4 (±141.4) mg/day, and only 19 women (7%) achieved the adequate choline intake. The median choline intake of omnivores was significantly higher than that of vegetarians/vegans (269.5 ± 141.5 mg/day vs. 205.2 ± 101.2 mg/day; p < 0.0001). 5% (13/283) of pregnant women took choline-containing dietary supplements. In these women, dietary supplements provided 19% of the total choline intake. Due to the importance of choline for the developmental processes during pregnancy, the study results prove the urgent need for an improved choline supply for pregnant women.

Research Progress on the Therapeutic Effect of Polysaccharides on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease through the Regulation of the Gut-Liver Axis

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease affecting global public health at present, which can induce cirrhosis and liver cancer in serious cases. However, NAFLD is a multifactorial disease, and there is still a lack of research on its mechanism and therapeutic strategy. With the development of the gut-liver axis theory, the association between the gut-liver axis and the pathogenesis of NAFLD has been gradually disclosed. Polysaccharides, as a kind of natural product, have the advantages of low toxicity, multi-target and multi-pathway action. It has been reported that polysaccharides can affect the gut-liver axis at multiple interrelated levels, such as maintaining the ecological balance of gut microbiota (GM), regulating the metabolites of GM and improving the intestinal barrier function, which thereby plays a protective role in NAFLD. These studies have great scientific significance in understanding NAFLD based on the gut-liver axis and developing safe and effective medical treatments. Herein, we reviewed the recent progress of polysaccharides in improving nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) through the gut-liver axis.

Moringa oleifera Lam. Peptide Remodels Intestinal Mucosal Barrier by Inhibiting JAK-STAT Activation and Modulating Gut Microbiota in Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but progress in exploring its pathogenesis and finding effective drugs for its prevention and treatment has stalled in recent years. The seeds of Moringa oleifera Lam. are rich in proteins known to have multiple physiological activities. In our earlier work, we had isolated and purified a peptide (MOP) having the sequence KETTTIVR, from M. oleifera seeds; however, its anti-inflammatory activity and mechanism in vivo were unclear. Here we used the dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis model to study the anti-inflammatory activity and mechanism of this MOP. Our results are the first to show that MOP can ameliorate the pathological phenotype, inflammation, and intestinal barrier disruption in mice with colitis. Furthermore, RNA sequencing revealed that MOP inhibits the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) pathway activation. Next, by using 16s rRNA gene sequencing, we found that MOP can ameliorate DSS-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis. In addition, an untargeted metabolomics analysis suggested that MOP is able to modulate the level of lipid and amino acid metabolites in IBD-stricken mice. Altogether, these results indicate that MOP ameliorates colitis by remodeling intestinal mucosal barrier by inhibiting JAK-STAT pathway’s activation and regulating gut microbiota and its metabolites, thus providing a basis for further processing and design of bioactive foods from M. oleifera seeds.

Metalloporphyrin and gold nanoparticles modified hollow zeolite imidazole Framework-8 with excellent peroxidase like activity for quick colorimetric determination of choline in infant formula milk powder

Metalloporphyrin and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were fixed on the surface of hollow zeolite imidazole framework-8 (HZIF-8) by cation exchange and cross-linking reaction. The obtained hybrid nanozyme, Au/HZIF-8@TCPP(Fe), was fully characterized by TEM, HRTEM, EDS element mapping and XPS. Then, its peroxidase-like activity was explored with Km of 1.74 mM and Vmax of 9.60 × 10^-8 M·S^-1 towards H₂O₂, indicating excellent catalytic activity. Based on cascade reaction between choline oxidase and Au/HZIF-8@TCPP(Fe), a quick colorimetric method was established for choline detection in infant formula milk powder. After comprehensive verification, this method presented the merits of simple operation, satisfied detection limit (0.05 mM), wide linear range (0.05-2.0 mM), high accuracy (recovery of 92.2%-105.2%) and nice selectivity. This colorimetric method was applied to the determination of choline in milk powders of five brands. Our study could offer valuable reference for finding highly efficient nanozyme and constructing novel optical biosensors.

Tilapia Head Protein Hydrolysate Attenuates Scopolamine-Induced Cognitive Impairment through the Gut-Brain Axis in Mice

The destruction of the homeostasis in the gut-brain axis can lead to cognitive impairment and memory decline. Dietary intervention with bioactive peptides from aquatic products is an innovative strategy to prevent cognitive deficits. The present study aimed to determine the neuroprotective effect of tilapia head protein hydrolysate (THPH) on scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment in mice, and to further explore its mechanism through the microbiota–gut-brain axis. The results showed that THPH administration significantly improved the cognitive behavior of mice, and normalized the cholinergic system and oxidative stress system of the mice brain. The histopathological observation showed that THPH administration significantly reduced the pathological damage of hippocampal neurons, increased the number of mature neurons marked by NeuN and delayed the activation of astrocytes in the hippocampus of mice. In addition, THPH administration maintained the stability of cholinergic system, alleviated oxidative stress and further improved the cognitive impairment by reshaping the gut microbiota structure of scopolamine-induced mice and alleviating the disorder of lipid metabolism and amino acid metabolism in serum. In conclusion, our research shows that THPH supplementation is a nutritional strategy to alleviate cognitive impairment through the gut-brain axis.

Habitual Choline Intakes across the Childbearing Years: A Review

Choline is an important nutrient during the first 1000 days post conception due to its roles in brain function. An increasing number of studies have measured choline intakes at the population level. We collated the evidence focusing on habitual choline intakes in the preconceptual, pregnancy, and lactation life stages. We conducted a review including studies published from 2004 to 2021. Twenty-six relevant publications were identified. After excluding studies with a high choline intake (>400 mg/day; two studies) or low choline intake (<200 mg/day; one study), average choline intake in the remaining 23 studies ranged from 233 mg/day to 383 mg/day, even with the inclusion of choline from supplements. Intakes were not higher in studies among pregnant and lactating women compared with studies in nonpregnant women. To conclude, during the childbearing years and across the globe, habitual intakes of choline from foods alone and foods and supplements combined appear to be consistently lower than the estimated adequate intakes for this target group. Urgent measures are needed to (1) improve the quality of choline data in global food composition databases, (2) encourage the reporting of choline intakes in dietary surveys, (3) raise awareness about the role(s) of choline in foetal–maternal health, and (4) consider formally advocating the use of choline supplements in women planning a pregnancy, pregnant, or lactating.