Milk polar lipids reduce lipid cardiovascular risk factors in overweight postmenopausal women: towards a gut sphingomyelin-cholesterol interplay

Regular-fat and low-fat dairy foods and cardiovascular diseases: perspectives for future dietary recommendations

Most current dietary guidelines for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) recommend the consumption of low-fat dairy in place of regular-fat dairy foods, one of the main sources of dietary saturated fatty acids (SFAs). Here, we summarize the data presented and discussions held-relating to the validity of such recommendations-between a panel of international nutrition research experts at a high-level closed workshop on "Saturated Fat in Dairy and Cardiovascular Diseases," which took place in Amsterdam on 15-16 April, 2024. The most recent evidence indicates that overall, consumption of milk, yogurt and cheese, irrespective of fat content, is neutrally associated with CVD risk. There is also no evidence yet from randomized controlled trials that consumption of regular-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese has different effects on a broad array of cardiometabolic risk factors when compared with consumption of low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese. Thus, the body of evidence does not support differentiation between regular-fat and low-fat dairy foods in dietary guidelines for both adults and children. Strategies focusing primarily on reduction of energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods, the main source of SFAs in Western diets, rather than on the fat content of dairy foods, are more likely to benefit the population's cardiovascular health. Future research is needed to understand better the place of regular-fat and low-fat dairy foods within healthy eating patterns.

Application of a novel lytic phage to control enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in dairy food matrices

A novel Escherichia coli phage designated as EC BD was isolated from cattle dung samples. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated that the morphology of phage EC BD belongs to the family Myoviridae. The efficiency of plating (EOP) and scanning electron microscopy revealed the strong lytic activity of phage EC BD with a large burst size and a short latent period. Whole genome data analysis suggested that phage EC BD was inclined towards being completely lytic and revealed the absence of toxins, virulence and antibiotic resistance genes. Phylogenomic analysis of phage EC BD receptor binding proteins (RBPs) showed 74-100 % similarity with sixteen Enterobacter phages, representing their broad host range. The phage genome contains 262 ORFs, of which 107 displayed a unique pattern and additionally, the presence of a tRNA gene directed their fast replication and high stability. Comparative genome analysis suggested phage EC BD as a novel member of the genus Duplodnaviria and family Myoviridae. The efficiency of phage EC BD was determined in dairy food matrices (milk, cheese and paneer) artificially contaminated with enterotoxigenic E. coli strains ETEC H10407, ETEC K 12S and ETEC PB 176 with a significant reduction of 4.8, 6.0 and 5.3 log CFU/mL in milk and a substantial 4.9, 5.8 and 4.6 log CFU/mL reduction in cheese samples after 6 days at low storage temperature (4 °C); furthermore, within the similar conditions, paneer samples showed 4, 5.1 and 3.5 log CFU/mL reduction. EC BD phage treatment represents the complete eradication of three ETEC strains in liquid and semisolid dairy food matrices. This study suggested that phage EC BD might have potential as a biocontrol approach against ETEC foodborne infections.

The Gut-Heart Axis: Effects of Intestinal Microbiome Modulation on Cardiovascular Disease-Ready for Therapeutic Interventions?

Recent reports demonstrate an association between distinct bacteria or bacteria-derived metabolites originating from the gut microbiome and the onset or progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This raises the opportunity to modulate the gut microbiome to prevent or treat CVD. To investigate whether intestinal microbiome modulation can prevent or treat CVD, this systematic literature review includes all randomized clinical trials on microbiome modulation and its effects on CVD risk published between August 2018 and August 2023. Within this review, we report the modulation of the gut microbiome by a variety of interventions and their effects on CVD, focusing on cardiovascular risk factors and risk markers of CVD. Beneficial effects were observed upon lifestyle intervention and probiotics use. The most promising diets for reducing risk factors of CVD were the Mediterranean diet, high-fiber diets, polyphenol-rich diets, and diets containing polyunsaturated fatty acids. Among drug interventions, only empagliflozin showed beneficial effects on CVD risk factors. Many dietary interventions were less conclusive because of the heterogeneity of study populations, small sample sizes, and short intervention windows or follow-up. Diet, lifestyle, probiotics, or drug interventions can modulate the gut microbiome and decrease risk markers or risk factors related to CVD. Yet, their effects on clinical endpoints remain to be determined.

Chemical Composition and Crystallization Behavior of Oil and Fat Blends for Spreadable Fat Applications

To meet the expectations of European consumers, who prioritize agro-environmental factors and local resources, the substitution of fats (palm, coconut, shea) and achieving a balanced fatty acid profile in spreadable fats are gaining more attention. The crystallization at 4 °C of a lipid blend composed of rapeseed oil, anhydrous dairy fats, and emulsifiers was studied using a multi-scale approach (DSC and X-ray diffraction techniques) to understand the emergence of polymorphic structures. Although the addition of PUFA from rapeseed oil reduces the atherogenicity and thrombogenicity indices in the blend, controlling the cooling kinetics influences the shapes (needles and spherulites) and sizes of the crystalline structures (small crystals form at a cooling rate of 1 °C min-1, while larger crystals form at higher rates of 5 and 10 °C min-1). The crystallization behavior revealed differences in polymorphic forms at 4 °C in the blend, with a transition to different forms occurring more rapidly compared to dairy fat (stop-and-return method). The study shows crystalline coexistence (α, β', and β) in a 2L lamellar structure, with the β' form being predominant. This structure is ideal for formulating a spreadable product, offering good spreadability (SFC < 32% at 10 °C), mouthfeel, and nutritional benefits compared to butter.

Characterization of phospholipidome in milk, yogurt and cream, and phospholipid differences related to various dairy processing methods

Milk phospholipids have multiple health benefits, but the deficiency of detailed phospholipid profiles in dairy products brings obstacles to intake calculation and function evaluation of dairy phospholipids. In present study, 306 phospholipid molecular species were identified and quantified among 207 milk, yogurt and cream products using a HILIC-ESI-Q-TOF MS and a HILIC-ESI-QQQ MS. The phospholipid profiles of five mammals' milk show that camel milk contains the most abundant phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine and sphingomyelin; cow, yak and goat milk have similar phospholipidomes, while buffalo milk contains abundant phosphatidylinositol. Fewer plasmalogens but more lyso-glycerolphospholipids were found in ultra-high-temperature (UHT) sterilized milk than in pasteurized milk, and higher proportions of lyso-glycerolphospholipid/total phospholipid were observed in both cream and skimmed/semi-skimmed milk than whole milk, indicating that UHT and skimming processes improve glycerolphospholipid degradation and phospholipid nutrition loss. Meanwhile, more diacyl-glycerolphospholipids and less of their degradation products make yogurt a better phospholipid resource than whole milk.

Regulation of cellular and systemic sphingolipid homeostasis

One hundred and fifty years ago, Johann Thudichum described sphingolipids as unusual "Sphinx-like" lipids from the brain. Today, we know that thousands of sphingolipid molecules mediate many essential functions in embryonic development and normal physiology. In addition, sphingolipid metabolism and signalling pathways are dysregulated in a wide range of pathologies, and therapeutic agents that target sphingolipids are now used to treat several human diseases. However, our understanding of sphingolipid regulation at cellular and organismal levels and their functions in developmental, physiological and pathological settings is rudimentary. In this Review, we discuss recent advances in sphingolipid pathways in different organelles, how secreted sphingolipid mediators modulate physiology and disease, progress in sphingolipid-targeted therapeutic and diagnostic research, and the trans-cellular sphingolipid metabolic networks between microbiota and mammals. Advances in sphingolipid biology have led to a deeper understanding of mammalian physiology and may lead to progress in the management of many diseases.

Consumption of dairy foods to achieve recommended levels for older adults has no deleterious effects on serum lipids

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Correction of calcium and protein undernutrition using milk, yoghurt, and cheese in older adults in aged care homes is associated with reduced fractures and falls. However, these foods contain potentially atherogenic fats. We aimed to determine whether this intervention that increased dairy consumption to recommended levels adversely affects serum lipid profiles.

METHOD AND RESULTS

This was a sub-group analysis of a 2-year cluster-randomised trial involving 60 aged care homes in Australia. Thirty intervention homes provided additional milk, yoghurt, and cheese on menus while 30 control homes continued with their usual menus. A sample of 159 intervention and 86 controls residents (69% female, median age 87.8 years) had dietary intakes recorded using plate waste analysis and fasting serum lipids measured at baseline and 12 months. Diagnosis of cardiovascular disease and use of relevant medications were determined from medical records. Outcome measures were serum total, HDL and LDL cholesterol and ApoA-1 & B. Intervention increased daily dairy servings from 1.9 ± 1.0 to 3.5 ± 1.4 (p < 0.001) while controls continued daily intakes of ≤2 servings daily (1.7 ± 1.0 to 2.0 ± 1.0 (p = 0.028). No group differences were observed for serum total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein-C (TC/HDL-C) ratio, Apoprotein B/Apoprotein A-1 (ApoB/ApoA-1) ratio, low-density lipoprotein-C (LDL-C), non-HDL-C, or triglycerides (TGs) at 12 months.

CONCLUSION

Among older adults in aged care homes, correcting insufficiency in intakes of calcium and protein using milk, yoghurt and cheese does not alter serum lipid levels, suggesting that this is a suitable intervention for reducing the risk of falls and fractures.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12613000228785) 2012; https://www.anzctr.org.au.

Emerging Roles for Sphingolipids in Cardiometabolic Disease: A Rational Therapeutic Target?

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. New research elucidates increasingly complex relationships between cardiac and metabolic health, giving rise to new possible therapeutic targets. Sphingolipids are a heterogeneous class of bioactive lipids with critical roles in normal human physiology. They have also been shown to play both protective and deleterious roles in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. Ceramides are implicated in dysregulating insulin signalling, vascular endothelial function, inflammation, oxidative stress, and lipoprotein aggregation, thereby promoting atherosclerosis and vascular disease. Ceramides also advance myocardial disease by enhancing pathological cardiac remodelling and cardiomyocyte death. Glucosylceramides similarly contribute to insulin resistance and vascular inflammation, thus playing a role in atherogenesis and cardiometabolic dysfunction. Sphingosing-1-phosphate, on the other hand, may ameliorate some of the pathological functions of ceramide by protecting endothelial barrier integrity and promoting cell survival. Sphingosine-1-phosphate is, however, implicated in the development of cardiac fibrosis. This review will explore the roles of sphingolipids in vascular, cardiac, and metabolic pathologies and will evaluate the therapeutic potential in targeting sphingolipids with the aim of prevention and reversal of cardiovascular disease in order to improve long-term cardiovascular outcomes.

Cow's Milk Bioactive Molecules in the Regulation of Glucose Homeostasis in Human and Animal Studies

Obesity disrupts glucose metabolism, leading to insulin resistance (IR) and cardiometabolic diseases. Consumption of cow's milk and other dairy products may influence glucose metabolism. Within the complex matrix of cow's milk, various carbohydrates, lipids, and peptides act as bioactive molecules to alter human metabolism. Here, we summarize data from human studies and rodent experiments illustrating how these bioactive molecules regulate insulin and glucose homeostasis, supplemented with in vitro studies of the mechanisms behind their effects. Bioactive carbohydrates, including lactose, galactose, and oligosaccharides, generally reduce hyperglycemia, possibly by preventing gut microbiota dysbiosis. Milk-derived lipids of the milk fat globular membrane improve activation of insulin signaling pathways in animal trials but seem to have little impact on glycemia in human studies. However, other lipids produced by ruminants, including polar lipids, odd-chain, trans-, and branched-chain fatty acids, produce neutral or contradictory effects on glucose metabolism. Bioactive peptides derived from whey and casein may exert their effects both directly through their insulinotropic effects or renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibition and indirectly by the regulation of incretin hormones. Overall, the results bolster many observational studies in humans and suggest that cow's milk intake reduces the risk of, and can perhaps be used in treating, metabolic disorders. However, the mechanisms of action for most bioactive compounds in milk are still largely undiscovered.

Association between dairy-rich dietary pattern and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: Findings from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study

BACKGROUNDS

Dietary components and the development of metabolic dysfunction-associated liver disease (MASLD) are closely linked, but large-scale studies on dietary patterns and MASLD are scarce, most previous studies having focused on individual nutrients or foods rather than overall dietary patterns. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association between dietary patterns and MASLD in Koreans.

METHODS

A total of 6,052 participants from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated Korean semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire comprising 106 food items. Principal component analysis was used to determine the major dietary patterns. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was performed to assess the association between the incidence of MASLD and dietary patterns.

RESULTS

Four major dietary patterns, namely carnivore, plant-based, dairy-rich, and starch-rich diet patterns, were identified. The carnivore, plant-based, and starch-rich diet patterns showed no significant association with incident MASLD, while the dairy-rich diet pattern was associated with a lower risk of MASLD, also showing significantly lower cumulative incidence of MASLD in the higher adherence to dairy-rich diet pattern.

CONCLUSION

The dairy-rich diet pattern was significantly associated with a lower risk of MASLD in Koreans. Appropriate dietary guidance based on dietary patterns is crucial for preventing MASLD.

Milk Fat Globule Membrane Is Associated with Lower Blood Lipid Levels in Adults: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of mortality worldwide, with dyslipidemia being a significant risk factor. This meta-analysis provides a comprehensive evaluation of the impact of bovine dairy-derived milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) supplementation on blood lipid profiles in adults. A systematic search was conducted across various databases up until March 2024, resulting in the inclusion of 6 trials with a total of 464 participants. The findings indicated that MFGM phospholipid supplementation may significantly reduce total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. A combined analysis of the effects on TC, LDL, and triglycerides (TG) revealed a significant overall reduction in these markers. However, no significant increase or reduction was observed on high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and TG levels. Overall, MFGM phospholipid intake may significantly decrease the level of TC and LDL, while no significant changes in TG and HDL were observed. These results suggest that MFGM supplementation could be a promising dietary intervention for improving lipid profiles in adults. Nonetheless, further research is warranted to confirm these results and to better understand the potential variability in the impact of MFGM on blood lipid levels.

The Role of Food Matrices Supplemented with Milk Fat Globule Membrane in the Bioaccessibility of Lipid Components and Adaptation of Cellular Lipid Metabolism of Caco-2 Cells

This study aimed to evaluate the digestive efficiency of food matrices supplemented with milk fat globule membrane isolated from buttermilk (BM-MFGM), using the INFOGEST in vitro digestion protocol hyphenated with the assessment of the digested material on the lipid profile of the Caco-2 cell culture model. First, we examined lipid profiles in food matrices supplemented with BM-MFGM and their subsequent digestion. The results showed distinct lipid profiles in different food matrices and micellar fractions. The presence of BM-MFGM lipids changed the cellular lipid profiles in Caco-2 cell cultures, with diverging contents in cholesteryl esters, triacylglycerides, and neutral lipids depending on the micellar food matrix factor. Hierarchical clustering analysis revealed patterns in cellular lipid responses to micellar stimuli, while volcano plots highlighted significant changes in cellular lipid profiles post-treatment. Thus, this study underscores the importance of in vitro digestion protocols in guiding food matrix selection for bioactive ingredient supplementation, elucidating intestinal epithelium responses to digested food stimuli.

Dietary intake of a MFGM/EV-rich concentrate promotes accretion of very long odd-chain sphingolipids and increases lipid metabolic turnover at the whole-body level

Lipids from cow milk fat globule membranes (MFGMs) and extracellular vesicles (EVs) are considered beneficial for neurodevelopment, cognitive maintenance and human health in general. Nevertheless, it is largely unknown whether intake of infant formulas and medical nutrition products rich in these particles promote accretion of specific lipids and whether this affects metabolic homeostasis. To address this, we carried out a 16-week dietary intervention study where mice were supplemented with a MFGM/EV-rich concentrate, a control diet supplemented with a whey protein concentrate and devoid of milk lipids, or regular chow. Assessment of commonly used markers of metabolic health, including body weight, glucose intolerance and liver microanatomy, demonstrated no differences across the dietary regimes. In contrast, in-depth lipidomic analysis revealed accretion of milk-derived very long odd-chain sphingomyelins and ceramides in blood plasma and multiple tissues of mice fed the MFGM/EV diet. Furthermore, lipidomic flux analysis uncovered that mice fed the MFGM/EV diet have increased lipid metabolic turnover at the whole-body level. These findings help fill a long-lasting knowledge gap between the intake of MFGM/EV-containing foods and the health-promoting effects of their lipid constituents. In addition, the findings suggest that dietary sphingomyelins or ceramide-breakdown products with very long-chains can be used as structural components of cellular membranes, lipoprotein particles and signaling molecules that modulate metabolic homeostasis and health.

Life cycle assessment of hepatotoxicity induced by cyhalofop-butyl in environmental concentrations on zebrafish in light of gut-liver axis

Cyhalofop-butyl (CB) poses a significant threat to aquatic organisms, but there is a discrepancy in evidence about hepatotoxicity after prolonged exposure to environmental levels. The aim of this study was to investigate long-term hepatotoxicity and its effects on the gut-liver axis through the exposure of zebrafish to environmental concentrations of CB (0.1,1,10 μg/L) throughout their life cycle. Zebrafish experienced abnormal obesity symptoms and organ index after a prolonged exposure of 120 days. The gut-liver axis was found to be damaged both morphologically and functionally through an analysis of histology, electron microscopy subcellular structure, and liver function. The disruption of the gut-liver axis inflammatory process by CB is suggested by the rise in inflammatory factors and the alteration of inflammatory genes. Furthermore, there was a noticeable alteration in the blood and gut-liver axis biochemical parameters as well as gene expression linked to lipid metabolism, which may led to an imbalance in the gut flora. In conclusion, the connection between the gut-liver axis, intestinal microbiota, and liver leads to the metabolic dysfunction of zebrafish exposed to long-term ambient concentrations of CB, and damaged immune system and liver lipid metabolism. This study gives another knowledge into the hepatotoxicity component of long haul openness to ecological centralization of CB, and might be useful to assess the potential natural and wellbeing dangers of aryloxyphenoxypropionate herbicides.

Whole milk dairy foods and cardiometabolic health: dairy fat and beyond

Bovine dairy milk is a nutrient-rich matrix, but consumption of full-fat dairy food varieties has been claimed historically to be associated with poorer cardiometabolic health, a notion often attributed to the saturated fat content. However, continued investigation that includes observational studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) provide evidence that favorably supports full-fat dairy foods and their bioactive components on cardiometabolic health. This review addresses this controversy by examining the evidence surrounding full-fat dairy foods and their implications for human health. Dairy foods are heterogeneous, not just in their fat content but also in other compositional aspects within and between fermented (e.g., yogurt, cheese) and nonfermented products (e.g., milk) that could differentially influence cardiometabolic health. Drawing from complementary lines of evidence from epidemiological studies and RCTs, this review describes the health effects of dairy foods regarding their fat content, as well as their polar lipids that are concentrated in the milk fat globule fraction. Observational studies have limitedly supported the consumption of full-fat dairy to protect against cardiometabolic disorders. However, this framework has been disputed by RCTs indicating that dairy foods, regardless of their fat content or fermentation, are not detrimental to cardiometabolic health and may instead alleviate certain cardiometabolic risk factors. As dietary recommendations evolve, which currently indicate to avoid full-fat dairy foods, it is essential to consider the totality of evidence, especially from RCTs, while also recognizing that investigation is needed to evaluate the complexity of dairy foods within diverse dietary patterns and their impacts on cardiometabolic health.

Intestinal absorption of sphingosine: new insights on generated ceramide species using stable isotope tracing in vitro

Dietary sphingomyelin (SM) has been reported to favorably modulate postprandial lipemia. Mechanisms underlying these beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk markers are not fully elucidated. Rodent studies showed that tritiated SM was hydrolyzed in the intestinal lumen into ceramides (Cer) and further to sphingosine (SPH) and fatty acids (FA) that were absorbed by the intestine. Our objective was to investigate the uptake and metabolism of SPH and/or tricosanoic acid (C23:0), the main FA of milk SM, as well as lipid secretion in Caco-2/TC7 cells cultured on semipermeable inserts. Mixed micelles (MM) consisting of different digested lipids and taurocholate were prepared without or with SPH, SPH and C23:0 (SPH+C23:0), or C23:0. Triglycerides (TG) were quantified in the basolateral medium, and sphingolipids were analyzed by tandem mass spectrometry. TG secretion increased 11-fold in all MM-incubated cells compared with lipid-free medium. Apical supply of SPH-enriched MM led to increased concentrations of total Cer in cells, and coaddition of C23:0 in SPH-enriched MM led to a preferential increase of C23:0 Cer and C23:0 SM. Complementary experiments using deuterated SPH demonstrated that SPH-d9 was partly converted to sphingosine-1-phosphate-d9, Cer-d9, and SM-d9 within cells incubated with SPH-enriched MM. A few Cer-d9 (2% of added SPH-d9) was recovered in the basolateral medium of (MM+SPH)-incubated cells, especially C23:0 Cer-d9 in (MM+SPH+C23:0)-enriched cells. In conclusion, present results indicate that MM enriched with (SPH+C23:0), such as found in postprandial micelles formed after milk SM ingestion, directly impacts sphingolipid endogenous metabolism in enterocytes, resulting in the secretion of TG-rich particles enriched with C23:0 Cer.

The Gut Microbiome Affects Atherosclerosis by Regulating Reverse Cholesterol Transport

The human system's secret organ, the gut microbiome, has received considerable attention. Emerging research has yielded substantial scientific evidence indicating that changes in gut microbial composition and microbial metabolites may contribute to the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The burden of cardiovascular disease on healthcare systems is exacerbated by atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, which continues to be the leading cause of mortality globally. Reverse cholesterol transport is a powerful protective mechanism that effectively prevents excessive accumulation of cholesterol for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. It has been revealed how the gut microbiota modulates reverse cholesterol transport in patients with atherosclerotic risk. In this review, we highlight the complex interactions between microbes, their metabolites, and their potential impacts in reverse cholesterol transport. We also explore the feasibility of modulating gut microbes and metabolites to facilitate reverse cholesterol transport as a novel therapy for atherosclerosis.

The impacts of dietary sphingomyelin supplementation on metabolic parameters of healthy adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Studies have shown that sphingomyelin (SM) and its metabolites play signaling roles in the regulation of human health. Endogenous SM is involved in metabolic syndrome (MetS), while dietary SM supplementation may maintain lipid metabolism and prevent or alleviate MetS. Therefore, we hypothesized that dietary SM supplementation is beneficial for human health.

AIMS

In order to examine the impacts of dietary SM on metabolic indexes in adults without MetS, we performed a meta-analysis to test our hypothesis.

METHODS

A comprehensive search was performed to retrieve randomized controlled trials that were conducted between 2003 and 2023 to examine the effects of dietary SM supplementation on metabolic parameters in the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases. RevMan 5.4 and Stata 14.0 software were used for meta-analysis, a sensitivity analysis, the risk of bias, and the overall quality of the resulted evidence.

RESULTS

Eventually, 10 articles were included in this meta-analysis. Dietary SM supplementation did not affect the endline blood SM level. When compared to the control, SM supplementation reduced the blood total cholesterol level [MD: -12.97, 95% CI: (-14.57, -11.38), p < 0.00001], low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level [MD: -6.62, 95% CI: (-10.74, -2.49), p = 0.002], and diastolic blood pressure [MD: -3.31; 95% CI (-4.03, -2.58), p < 0.00001] in adults without MetS. The supplementation also increased high-density lipoprotein level [MD:1.41, 95% CI: (0.94, 1.88), p < 0.00001] and muscle fiber conduction velocity [MD: 95% 1.21 CI (0.53, 1.88), p = 0.0005]. The intake of SM had no effect on the blood phospholipids and lyso-phosphatidylcholine, but slightly decreased phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylinositol concentrations. Dietary SM supplementation reduced insulin level [MD: -0.63; 95% CI (-0.96, -0.31), p = 0.0001] and HOMA-IR [MD: -0.23; 95% CI (-0.31, -0.16), p < 0.00001] without affecting blood levels of glucose and inflammatory cytokines.

CONCLUSION

Overall, dietary SM supplementation had a protective effect on blood lipid profiles and insulin level, but had limited impacts on other metabolic parameters in adults without MetS. More clinical trials and basic research are required.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO, identifier CRD42023438460.

Gut-brain communication mediates the impact of dietary lipids on cognitive capacity

Cognitive impairment, as a prevalent symptom of nervous system disorders, poses one of the most challenging aspects in the management of brain diseases. Lipids present in the cell membranes of all neurons within the brain and dietary lipids can regulate the cognition and memory function. In recent years, the advancements in gut microbiome research have enabled the exploration of dietary lipids targeting the gut-brain axis as a strategy for regulating cognition. This present review provides an in-depth overview of how lipids modulate cognition via the gut-brain axis depending on metabolic, immune, neural and endocrine pathways. It also comprehensively analyzes the effects of diverse lipids on the gut microbiota and intestinal barrier function, thereby affecting the central nervous system and cognitive capacity. Moreover, comparative analysis of the positive and negative effects is presented between beneficial and detrimental lipids. The former encompass monounsaturated fatty acids, short-chain fatty acids, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, phospholipids, phytosterols, fungal sterols and bioactive lipid-soluble vitamins, as well as lipid-derived gut metabolites, whereas the latter (detrimental lipids) include medium- or long-chain fatty acids, excessive proportions of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, industrial trans fatty acids, and zoosterols. To sum up, the focus of this review is on how gut-brain communication mediates the impact of dietary lipids on cognitive capacity, providing a novel theoretical foundation for promoting brain cognitive health and scientific lipid consumption patterns.

Interactions between dietary cholesterol and intestinal flora and their effects on host health

The interactions between dietary cholesterol and intestinal microbiota strongly affect host health. In recent years, relevant studies have greatly advanced this field and need to be summarized to deepen the understanding of dietary cholesterol-intestinal microbiota interactions and their effects on host health. This review covers the most recent frontiers on the effects of dietary cholesterol on the intestinal microbiota and its metabolites, the metabolism of cholesterol by the intestinal microbiota, and the effects of the interactions on host health. Several animal-feeding studies reported that dietary cholesterol altered different intestinal microbiota in the body, while mainly causing alterations in intestinal microbial metabolites such as bile acids, short-chain fatty acids, and tryptophan derivatives. Alterations in these metabolites may be a novel mechanism mediating cholesterol-related diseases. The cholesterol microbial metabolite, coprostanol, has a low absorption rate and is excreted in the feces. Thus, microbial conversion of cholesterol-to-coprostanol may be an important way of cholesterol-lowering by the organism. Cholesterol-3-sulfate is a recently discovered microbial metabolite of cholesterol, mainly metabolized by Bacteroides containing the Bt_0416 gene. Its effects on host health have been preliminarily characterized and are mainly related to immune modulation and repair of the intestinal epithelium.

Whole-Milk Dairy Foods: Biological Mechanisms Underlying Beneficial Effects on Risk Markers for Cardiometabolic Health

Lifestyle modifications that include adherence to healthy dietary patterns that are low in saturated fat have been associated with reduced risk for cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death globally. Whole-milk dairy foods, including milk, cheese, and yogurt, are leading sources of saturated fat in the diet. Dietary guidelines around the world recommend the consumption of low-fat and fat-free dairy foods to obtain overall healthy dietary patterns that help meet nutrient recommendations while keeping within recommended calorie and saturated fat limitations. A body of observational and clinical evidence indicates, however, that whole-milk dairy food consumption, despite saturated fat content, does not increase the risk for cardiovascular disease. This review describes the proposed biological mechanisms underlying inverse associations between whole-milk dairy food consumption and risk markers for cardiometabolic health, such as altered lipid digestion, absorption, and metabolism; influence on the gut microflora; and regulation of oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. The dairy food matrix, a term used to describe how the macronutrients and micronutrients and other bioactive components of dairy foods are differentially packaged and compartmentalized among fluid milk, cheese, and yogurt, may dictate how each affects cardiovascular risk. Current evidence indicates consideration of dairy foods as complex food matrices, rather than delivery systems for isolated nutrients, such as saturated fatty acids, is warranted.

Cardiovascular Diseases and Marine Oils: A Focus on Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Polar Lipids

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) remain the leading cause of death across the globe, hence, establishing strategies to counteract CVD are imperative to reduce mortality and the burden on health systems. Dietary modification is an effective primary prevention strategy against CVD. Research regarding dietary supplementation has become increasingly popular. This review focuses on the current in vivo, in vitro, and epidemiological studies associated with that of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) and polar lipids (PLs) and how they play a role against CVD. Furthermore, this review focuses on the results of several major clinical trials examining n-3 PUFAs regarding both primary and secondary prevention of CVD. Notably, we place a lens on the REDUCE-IT and STRENGTH trials. Finally, supplementation of PLs has recently been suggested as a potential alternative avenue for the reduction of CVD incidence versus neutral forms of n-3 PUFAs. However, the clinical evidence for this argument is currently rather limited. Therefore, we draw on the current literature to suggest future clinical trials for PL supplementation. We conclude that despite conflicting evidence, future human trials must be completed to confirm whether PL supplementation may be more effective than n-3 PUFA supplementation to reduce cardiovascular risk.

Bioactive Functions of Lipids in the Milk Fat Globule Membrane: A Comprehensive Review

The milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) is a complex tri-layer membrane that wraps droplets of lipids in milk. In recent years, it has attracted widespread attention due to its excellent bioactive functions and nutritional value. MFGM contains a diverse array of bioactive lipids, including cholesterol, phospholipids, and sphingolipids, which play pivotal roles in mediating the bioactivity of the MFGM. We sequentially summarize the main lipid types in the MFGM in this comprehensive review and outline the characterization methods used to employ them. In this comprehensive review, we sequentially describe the types of major lipids found in the MFGM and outline the characterization methods employed to study them. Additionally, we compare the structural disparities among glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, and gangliosides, while introducing the formation of lipid rafts facilitated by cholesterol. The focus of this review revolves around an extensive evaluation of the current research on lipid isolates from the MFGM, as well as products containing MFGM lipids, with respect to their impact on human health. Notably, we emphasize the clinical trials encompassing a large number of participants. The summarized bioactive functions of MFGM lipids encompass the regulation of human growth and development, influence on intestinal health, inhibition of cholesterol absorption, enhancement of exercise capacity, and anticancer effects. By offering a comprehensive overview, the aim of this review is to provide valuable insights into the diverse biologically active functions exhibited by lipids in the MFGM.

The association between dietary quality scores with C-reactive protein and novel biomarkers of inflammation platelet-activating factor and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2: a cross-sectional study

Healthy dietary patterns are associated with lower inflammation and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and adherence can be measured using diet quality scores. Inflammation is traditionally measured with C-reactive protein (hsCRP), however there is interest in novel pro-inflammatory markers platelet-activating factor (PAF) and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) that are specifically involved in endothelial dysfunction and inflammation. This cross-sectional study investigated the association between PAF, Lp-PLA2, hsCRP, and six diet scores. One hundred adults (49 ± 13 years, 31% male) with variable CVD risk were recruited. Fasting PAF, Lp-PLA2 and hsCRP and usual dietary intake were measured. Adherence to Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), Dairy-adjusted DASH, Vegetarian Lifestyle Index, Healthy Eating Index for Australians (HEIFA), Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) and PREDIMED-Plus (erMedDiet) scores were calculated. Correlations and multiple regressions were performed. hsCRP, but not PAF, independently correlated with several diet scores. Lp-PLA2 independently correlated with Vegetarian Lifestyle Index only in unadjusted models. A one-point increase in adherence to the DASH Index, the Dairy-adjusted DASH Index and the Vegetarian Lifestyle Index was associated with a 30%, 30%, and 33% reduction in hsCRP levels, respectively. Smaller effects were seen with the other diet scores with a one-point increase in adherence resulting in a 19%, 22% and 16% reduction in hsCRP with HEIFA, MEDAS, erMedDiet scores, respectively. The lack of stronger associations between the novel markers of inflammation and diet scores may be due to confounding by COVID-19 infection and vaccination programs, which prevents any firm conclusion on the relationship between PAF, Lp-PLA2 and healthy dietary patterns. Future research should aim to examine the relationship with these novel markers and healthy dietary patterns in a non-pandemic setting.

The Role of Lipids in the Regulation of Immune Responses

Lipid metabolism plays a major role in the regulation of the immune system. Exogenous (dietary and microbial-derived) and endogenous (non-microbial-derived) lipids play a direct role in regulating immune cell activation, differentiation and expansion, and inflammatory phenotypes. Understanding the complexities of lipid-immune interactions may have important implications for human health, as certain lipids or immune pathways may be beneficial in circumstances of acute infection yet detrimental in chronic inflammatory diseases. Further, there are key differences in the lipid effects between specific immune cell types and location (e.g., gut mucosal vs. systemic immune cells), suggesting that the immunomodulatory properties of lipids may be tissue-compartment-specific, although the direct effect of dietary lipids on the mucosal immune system warrants further investigation. Importantly, there is recent evidence to suggest that lipid-immune interactions are dependent on sex, metabolic status, and the gut microbiome in preclinical models. While the lipid-immune relationship has not been adequately established in/translated to humans, research is warranted to evaluate the differences in lipid-immune interactions across individuals and whether the optimization of lipid-immune interactions requires precision nutrition approaches to mitigate or manage disease. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms by which lipids regulate immune responses and the influence of dietary lipids on these processes, highlighting compelling areas for future research.

Milk fat globule membrane: composition, production and its potential as encapsulant for bioactives and probiotics

Milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) is a complex trilayer structure present in mammalian milk and is mainly composed of phospholipids and proteins (>90%). Many studies revealed MFGM has positive effects on the immune system, brain development, and cognitive function of infants. Probiotics are live microorganisms that have been found to improve mental health and insulin sensitivity, regulate immunity, and prevent allergies. Probiotics are unstable and prone to degradation by environmental, processing, and storage conditions. In this review, the processes used for encapsulation of probiotics particularly the potential of MFGM and its constituents as encapsulating materials for probiotics are described. This study analyzes the importance of MFGM in encapsulating bioactive substances and emphasizes the interaction with probiotics and the gut as well as its resistance to adverse environmental factors in the digestive system when used as a probiotic embedding material. MFGM can enhance the gastric acid resistance and bile resistance of probiotics, mainly manifested in the survival rate of probiotics. Due to the role of digestion, MFGM-coated probiotics can be released in the intestine, and due to the biocompatibility of the membrane, it can promote the binding of probiotics to intestinal epithelial cells, and promote the colonization of some probiotics in the intestine.

Changes in Choline Metabolites and Ceramides in Response to a DASH-Style Diet in Older Adults

This feeding trial evaluated the impact of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet on changes in plasma choline, choline metabolites, and ceramides in obese older adults; 28 adults consumed 3oz (n = 15) or 6oz (n = 13) of beef within a standardized DASH diet for 12 weeks. Plasma choline, betaine, methionine, dimethylglycine (DMG), phosphatidylcholine (PC), lysophosphotidylcholine (LPC), sphingomyelin, trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), L-carnitine, ceramide, and triglycerides were measured in fasted blood samples. Plasma LPC, sphingomyelin, and ceramide species were also quantified. In response to the study diet, with beef intake groups combined, plasma choline decreased by 9.6% (p = 0.012); DMG decreased by 10% (p = 0.042); PC decreased by 51% (p < 0.001); total LPC increased by 281% (p < 0.001); TMAO increased by 26.5% (p < 0.001); total ceramide decreased by 22.1% (p < 0.001); and triglycerides decreased by 18% (p = 0.021). All 20 LPC species measured increased (p < 0.01) with LPC 16:0 having the greatest response. Sphingomyelin 16:0, 18:0, and 18:1 increased (all p < 0.001) by 10.4%, 22.5%, and 24%, respectively. In contrast, we observed that sphingomyelin 24:0 significantly decreased by 10%. Ceramide 22:0 and 24:0 decreased by 27.6% and 10.9% (p < 0.001), respectively, and ceramide 24:1 increased by 36.8% (p = 0.013). Changes in choline and choline metabolites were in association with anthropometric and cardiometabolic outcomes. These findings show the impact of the DASH diet on choline metabolism in older adults and demonstrate the influence of diet to modify circulating LPC, sphingomyelin, and ceramide species.

Milk-Fat-Globule-Membrane-Enriched Dairy Milk Compared with a Soy-Lecithin-Enriched Beverage Did Not Adversely Affect Endotoxemia or Biomarkers of Gut Barrier Function and Cardiometabolic Risk in Adults with Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial

Full-fat dairy milk may protect against cardiometabolic disorders, due to the milk fat globule membrane (MFGM), through anti-inflammatory and gut-health-promoting activities. We hypothesized that a MFGM-enriched milk beverage (MEB) would alleviate metabolic endotoxemia in metabolic syndrome (MetS) persons by improving gut barrier function and glucose tolerance. In a randomized crossover trial, MetS persons consumed for two-week period a controlled diet with MEB (2.3 g/d milk phospholipids) or a comparator beverage (COMP) formulated with soy phospholipid and palm/coconut oil. They then provided fasting blood and completed a high-fat/high-carbohydrate test meal challenge for evaluating postprandial metabolism and intestinal permeability. Participants had no adverse effects and achieved high compliance, and there were no between-trial differences in dietary intakes. Compared with COMP, fasting endotoxin, glucose, incretins, and triglyceride were unaffected by MEB. The meal challenge increased postprandial endotoxin, triglyceride, and incretins, but were unaffected by MEB. Insulin sensitivity; fecal calprotectin, myeloperoxidase, and short-chain fatty acids; and small intestinal and colonic permeability were also unaffected by MEB. This short-term study demonstrates that controlled administration of MEB in MetS persons does not affect gut barrier function, glucose tolerance, and other cardiometabolic health biomarkers, which contradicts observational evidence that full-fat milk heightens cardiometabolic risk. Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03860584).

Soy Lecithin in High-Fat Diets Exerts Dual Effects on Adipose Tissue Versus Ileum

SCOPE

Lipopolysaccharides and their transporters, LBP and sCD14, are involved in systemic inflammation following a high-fat diet. Natural emulsifiers such as soy lecithin, rich in soybean polar lipids (SPL), are often used by the food industry but little is known about effects of associating SPL with different oils.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Thus, this study investigates the effects of 4 weeks feeding of palm (P) or rapeseed (R) oil-enriched diets with or without SPL in mice, on white adipose tissue (WAT) inflammation, on ileum permeability, and on microbiota composition. When SPL are associated with rapeseed oil, a greater gene expression of leptin and inflammation in WAT is observed compared to P-SPL. In ileum, R-SPL group results in a lower expression of TLR4, IAP that detoxify bacterial LPS and tight junction proteins than R group. In turn, the gene expression of Reg3β and Reg3γ, which have antimicrobial activity, is higher in ileum of R-SPL group than in R group. SPL in rapeseed oil increases specific bacterial species belonging to Lachnospiraceae, Alistipes, and Bacteroidales.

CONCLUSION

The incorporation of SPL in a diet with rapeseed oil exerts differential effect on WAT and ileum, with respectively an inflammation of WAT and an antimicrobial activity in ileum, associated with specific microbiota changes.

Role of circulating sphingolipids in lipid metabolism: Why dietary lipids matter

Sphingolipids are structural components of cell membranes and lipoproteins but also act as signaling molecules in many pathophysiological processes. Although sphingolipids comprise a small part of the plasma lipidome, some plasma sphingolipids are recognized as implicated in the development of metabolic diseases and cardiovascular diseases. Plasma sphingolipids are mostly carried out into lipoproteins and may modulate their functional properties. Lipids ingested from the diet contribute to the plasma lipid pool besides lipids produced by the liver and released from the adipose tissue. Depending on their source, quality and quantity, dietary lipids may modulate sphingolipids both in plasma and lipoproteins. A few human dietary intervention studies investigated the impact of dietary lipids on circulating sphingolipids and lipid-related cardiovascular risk markers. On the one hand, dietary saturated fatty acids, mainly palmitic acid, may increase ceramide concentrations in plasma, triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and HDL. On the other hand, milk polar lipids may decrease some molecular species of sphingomyelins and ceramides in plasma and intestine-derived chylomicrons. Altogether, different dietary fatty acids and lipid species can modulate circulating sphingolipids vehicled by postprandial lipoproteins, which should be part of future nutritional strategies for prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

The gut microbiota-artery axis: A bridge between dietary lipids and atherosclerosis?

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is one of the major leading global causes of death. Growing evidence has demonstrated that gut microbiota (GM) and its metabolites play a pivotal role in the onset and progression of atherosclerosis (AS), now known as GM-artery axis. There are interactions between dietary lipids and GM, which ultimately affect GM and its metabolites. Given these two aspects, the GM-artery axis may play a mediating role between dietary lipids and AS. Diets rich in saturated fatty acids (SFAs), omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-6 PUFAs), industrial trans fatty acids (TFAs), and cholesterol can increase the levels of atherogenic microbes and metabolites, whereas monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), ruminant TFAs, and phytosterols (PS) can increase the levels of antiatherogenic microbes and metabolites. Actually, dietary phosphatidylcholine (PC), sphingomyelin (SM), and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) have been demonstrated to affect AS via the GM-artery axis. Therefore, that GM-artery axis acts as a communication bridge between dietary lipids and AS. Herein, we will describe the molecular mechanism of GM-artery axis in AS and discuss the complex interactions between dietary lipids and GM. In particular, we will highlight the evidence and potential mechanisms of dietary lipids affecting AS via GM-artery axis.

Bisphenol F induces liver-gut alteration in zebrafish

The unease of consumers with bisphenol A has led to the increased industrial usage of bisphenol F (BPF), which is a new hazard to environmental health. Here, zebrafish were exposed to three BPF concentrations (0.5, 5, and 50 μg/L) from the embryonic stage for 180 days. Results showed that zebrafish body length and weight decreased and hepatosomatic index values increased, even at environmentally relevant concentration. Histological analysis identified the occurrence of hepatic fibrosis and steatosis in 5 and 50 μg/L groups, which indicated the liver injury caused by BPF. Based on the untargeted metabolomics results, a dose-dependent variation in the effects of BPF on liver metabolism was found, and amino acids, purines and one carbon metabolism were the main affected processes in the 0.5, 5, and 50 μg/L treatments, respectively. At the same time, BPF induced a shift in intestinal microbiome composition, including decreased abundance of Erysipelotrichaceae, Rhodobacteraceae and Gemmobacter. In addition, the correlation analysis suggested an association between gut microbiome changes and affected hepatic metabolites after BPF exposure. These findings indicate that a liver-gut alteration is induced by long-term BPF exposure.

Quantifying Sphingomyelin in Dairy through Infusion-Based Shotgun Mass Spectrometry with Lithium-Ion-Induced Fragmentation

Quantifying sphingomyelin (SM) species by infusion-based mass spectrometry (MS) is complicated by the presence of isobaric phosphatidylcholine (PC) species, which generate a common m/z 184 product ion in the presence of ammonium ions as a result of the phosphocholine headgroup. Lithium ion adducts of SM undergo a selective dehydration [Li + H₂O + (CH₃)₃NC₂H₄PO₄] with a corresponding neutral loss of -207 Da. This neutral loss was employed to create a SM-selective method for identifying target species, which were quantitated using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). SM-selective fragments in MS³ were used to characterize the sphingosine base and acyl chain. These methods were used to identify 50 individual SM species in bovine milk ranging from SM 28:1 to SM 44:2, with d16:1, d17:1, d18:1, d19:1, and d20:1 bases, and acyl fatty acids ranging from 10 to 25 carbons and 0-1 desaturations. Spiked SM standards into milk had a recovery of 99.7%, and endogenous milk SM had <10% coefficient of variation for both intra- and interday variability, with limits of detection of 1.4-5.55 nM and limits of quantitation of 11.8-178.1 nM. This MS-MRM method was employed to accurately and precisely quantify SM species in dairy products, including bovine-derived whole milk, half and half, whipping cream, and goat milk.

The nutritional functions of dietary sphingomyelin and its applications in food

Sphingolipids are common structural components of cell membranes and are crucial for cell functions in physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Sphingomyelin and its metabolites, such as sphingoid bases, ceramide, ceramide-1-phosphate, and sphingosine-1-phosphate, play signaling roles in the regulation of human health. The diverse structures of sphingolipids elicit various functions in cellular membranes and signal transduction, which may affect cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis, and maintain biological activities. As nutrients, dietary sphingomyelin and its metabolites have wide applications in the food and pharmaceutical industry. In this review, we summarized the distribution, classifications, structures, digestion, absorption and metabolic pathways of sphingolipids, and discussed the nutritional functioning of sphingomyelin in chronic metabolic diseases. The possible implications of dietary sphingomyelin in the modern food preparations including dairy products and infant formula, skin improvement, delivery system and oil organogels are also evaluated. The production of endogenous sphingomyelin is linked to pathological changes in obesity, diabetes, and atherosclerosis. However, dietary supplementations of sphingomyelin and its metabolites have been shown to maintain cholesterol homeostasis and lipid metabolism, and to prevent or treat these diseases. This seemly paradoxical phenomenon shows that dietary sphingomyelin and its metabolites are candidates for food additives and functional food development for the prevention and treatment of chronic metabolic diseases in humans.

Dietary patterns are associated with arterial stiffness and carotid atherosclerosis in postmenopausal women

PURPOSE

The increase in cardiovascular risk after the menopausal transition remains partly explained until today. Further research is needed to identify risk factors potentially modifiable by primary prevention practices. This cross-sectional study, part of a larger prospective project, aims to investigate possible associations between dietary patterns and indices of vascular structure and function among healthy postmenopausal women.

METHODS

Postmenopausal women (n = 310) without clinically overt cardiovascular disease were recruited consecutively from a University Menopause Clinic over three years. Dietary intake was assessed by a validated food frequency questionnaire and the MedDietScore. In addition, we assessed anthropometric/biochemical parameters, including the Triglyceride-glucose index (TyG-Index), body fat distribution [triceps skinfold (TSF), mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC)] and physical activity. The vascular assessment included carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), carotid and femoral-artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and atheromatous plaques presence.

RESULTS

Consumption of non-refined cereals was associated with carotid-bulb IMT (R² = 5.5% b-coefficient = -0.142; p = 0.011), adjusting for age, physical activity, lipids, systolic blood pressure, smoking, body mass index, insulin resistance, and daily energy intake. PWV was associated with the intake of total dairy products (R² = 27.3%, b-coefficient = -0.117; p = 0.017). Higher red meat consumption was related to a greater TyG-index (Model 1, R² = 14.3%, b-coefficient=0.121; p = 0.048), an association mediated by total daily energy intake. Higher consumption of alcohol, as well as the MedDietScore, were inversely associated with TSF measurements, significant after Bonferroni correction.

CONCLUSION

Dietary patterns are associated with metabolic indices and subclinical atherosclerosis in postmenopausal women independently of traditional cardiovascular risk factors, total energy intake or physical activity.

Milk polar lipids composition and functionality: a systematic review

Polar lipids including glycerophospholipids and sphingophospholipids are important nutrients and milk is a major source, particularly for infants. This systematic review describes the human and bovine milk polar lipid composition, structural organization, sources for formulation, and physiological functionality. A total of 2840 records were retrieved through Scopus, 378 were included. Bovine milk is a good source of polar lipids, where yield and composition are highly dependent on the choice of dairy streams and processing. In milk, polar lipids are organized in the milk fat globule membrane as a tri-layer encapsulating triglyceride. The overall polar lipid concentration in human milk is dependent on many factors including lactational stage and maternal diet. Here, reasonable ranges were determined where possible. Similar for bovine milk, where differences in milk lipid concentration proved the largest factor determining variation. The role of milk polar lipids in human health has been demonstrated in several areas and critical review indicated that brain, immune and effects on lipid metabolism are best substantiated areas. Moreover, insights related to the milk fat globule membrane structure-function relation as well as superior activity of milk derived polar lipid compared to plant-derived sources are emerging areas of interest regarding future research and food innovations.

Application of a novel lytic phage vB_EcoM_SQ17 for the biocontrol of Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Enterotoxigenic E. coli in food matrices

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 and Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) are important foodborne pathogens, causing serious food poisoning outbreaks worldwide. Bacteriophages, as novel antibacterial agents, have been increasingly exploited to control foodborne pathogens. In this study, a novel broad-host range lytic phage vB_EcoM_SQ17 (SQ17), was isolated, characterized, and evaluated for its potential to control bacterial counts in vitro and in three different food matrices (milk, raw beef, and fresh lettuce). Phage SQ17 was capable of infecting EHEC O157:H7, ETEC, and other E. coli strains. Morphology, one-step growth, and stability assay showed that phage SQ17 belongs to the Caudovirales order, Myoviridae family, and Mosigvirus genus. It has a short latent period of 10 min, a burst size of 71 PFU/infected cell, high stability between pH 4 to 12 as well as thermostability between 30°C and 60°C for 60 min. Genome sequencing analysis revealed that the genome of SQ17 does not contain any genes associated with antibiotic resistance, toxins, lysogeny, or virulence factors, indicating the potential safe application of phage SQ17 in the food industry. In Luria-Bertani (LB) medium, phage SQ17 significantly decreased the viable counts of EHEC O157:H7 by more than 2.40 log CFU/ml (p < 0.05) after 6 h of incubation at 37°C. Phage SQ17 showed great potential to be applied for biocontrol of EHEC O157:H7 in milk and raw beef. In fresh lettuce, treatment with SQ17 also resulted in significant reduction of viable cell counts of EHEC O157:H7 and ETEC at both 4°C and 25°C. Our results demonstrate that SQ17 is a good candidate for application as an EHEC O157:H7 and ETEC biocontrol agent in the processing stages of food production and food preservation.

A meal rich in palm oil or butter modifies the sphingolipid profile of postprandial triglyceride-rich lipoproteins from type 2 diabetic women

Elevated concentrations of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TGRL) in the fasting and postprandial states are risk factors for cardiovascular events, especially in type 2 diabetes (T2D). T2D modifies the lipid composition of plasma and lipoproteins and some sphingolipids (SP) have been validated as potent predictive biomarkers of cardiovascular disease occurrence. The main objectives of the present study were to characterize the plasma SP profile in fasting T2D patients and to determine whether SP are modified in postprandial TGRL from these patients compared to fasting TGRL. In a randomized parallel-group study, 30 T2D women ingested a breakfast including 20g lipids from either hazelnut cocoa palm oil-rich spread (Palm Nut) or Butter. Plasma was collected and TGRL were isolated by ultracentrifugation at fasting and 4h after the meal. Fasting samples of 6 control subjects from another cohort were analyzed for comparison. SP were analyzed by tandem mass spectrometry. Plasma from fasting T2D patients had higher ceramide (Cer) and ganglioside GM3 concentrations, and lower concentrations of sphingosylphosphorylcholine vs healthy subjects. In postprandial TGRL from T2D patients compared to those in the fasting state, Cer concentrations and especially C16:0, C24:1 and C24:0 molecular species, increased after the Palm Nut or Butter breakfast. A positive correlation was observed in the Palm Nut group between changes (Δ4h-fasting) of summed C16:0+C22:0+C24:1+C24:0 Cer concentrations in TGRL, and changes in plasma TG, TGRL-TG and TGRL-C16:0 concentrations. Altogether in T2D, the altered profile of plasma SP and the increased Cer concentrations in postprandial TGRL could contribute to the increased atherogenicity of TGRL.

Bisphenol analogues induced metabolic effects through eliciting intestinal cell heterogeneous response

The metabolic effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals, such as bisphenol analogues, have drawn increasing attention. Bisphenol A (BPA) usage is associated with the occurrence of many metabolic diseases. With the restricted use of BPA, alternatives like bisphenol F (BPF) and bisphenol AF (BPAF) have been greatly introduced for industrial manufacture, and brings new hazard to public health. To understand how bisphenol analogues induced metabolic effects, zebrafish are continuous exposed to environmental level (0.5 μg/L) of BPA, BPF and BPAF since embryonic stage, and identified hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance at 60-day post fertilization. Hepatic transcriptional profile indicated that pancreatic disease pathways were activated by BPA, but were inhibited by BPF. At the same time, increased lipid secretion and gluconeogenesis pathways in zebrafish liver was found post BPAF exposure. Significant inflammatory response, histological injury and increased mucus secretion was detected in zebrafish intestine post exposure of three bisphenol analogues. Single-cell RNA sequencing of zebrafish intestinal cells revealed activation of lipid uptake and absorption pathways in enterocyte lineages, which well explained the hepatic steatosis induced by BPA and BPF. Besides, genes related to carbohydrate metabolism, diabetes and insulin resistance were activated in intestinal immune cell types by three bisphenol analogues. These findings indicated that BPA and its alternatives could lead to abnormal lipid and carbohydrate metabolism of zebrafish through inducing cell heterogeneous changes in gut, and revealed both molecular and cellular mechanism in mediating this effect.

Glycoproteomic and Lipidomic Characterization of Industrially Produced Whey Protein Phospholipid Concentrate with Emphasis on Antimicrobial Xanthine Oxidase, Oxylipins and Small Milk Fat Globules

This work investigates the composition of whey protein phospholipid concentrate (WPPC), an underutilized dairy stream, and reveals that it is a source of many bioactive compounds that can benefit the immune system and gut health. Our glycoproteomics approach uncovered that proteins derived from the milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) represent 23% of the total protein relative abundance and identified 85 N-glycans. Released sialic acid, an additional marker of glycosylation, ranged from 1.2 to 2% of the total weight. Xanthine oxidase, a glycosylated marker of MFG bioactivity, was found in high abundance and displayed higher antimicrobial activity than bovine milk, despite its similar fat and solids content. An average MFG diameter of 2.64 ± 0.01 µm was found in liquid WPPC, compared to 4.78 ± 0.13 µm in bovine milk, which likely explains the unusually high presence of glycosylated membrane-bound proteins and phospholipids, whose total fatty acids accounted for 20% of the WPPC total fatty acid pool. Free and bound oxylipins (mainly derived from linoleic acid) were also identified, together with other less abundant anti-inflammatory lipid mediators derived from eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. Our study demonstrates that WPPC represents a promising starting material for bioactive compound extraction and a functional vehicle for the delivery of small MFGs.

From Dietary Cholesterol to Blood Cholesterol, Physiological Lipid Fluxes, and Cholesterol Homeostasis

Dietary cholesterol (C) is a major contributor to the endogenous C pool, and it affects the serum concentration of total C, particularly the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). A high serum concentration of LDL-C is associated with an increased risk for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. This concentration is dependent on hepatic C metabolism creating a balance between C input (absorption and synthesis) and C elimination (conversion to bile acids and fecal excretion). The daily C absorption rate is determined by dietary C intake, biliary C secretion, direct trans-intestinal C excretion (TICE), and the fractional C absorption rate. Hepatic C metabolism coordinates C fluxes entering the liver via chylomicron remnants (CMR), LDL, high-density lipoproteins (HDL), hepatic C synthesis, and those leaving the liver via very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), biliary secretion, and bile acid synthesis. The knowns and the unknowns of this C homeostasis are discussed.

Gut microbiota mediates the alleviative effect of polar lipids-enriched milk fat globule membrane on obesity-induced glucose metabolism disorders in peripheral tissues in rat dams

BACKGROUND

Obesity during pregnancy and lactation not only increases the incidence of metabolic disorders and gestational diabetes in mothers, but also programs adiposity and related metabolic diseases in offspring. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of milk polar lipids on gut microbiota and glucose metabolism in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed rat dams.

METHODS

Sprague Dawley (SD) female rats were fed a HFD for 8 weeks to induce obesity, followed by HFD with or without oral administration of polar lipids-enriched milk fat globule membrane (MFGM-PL) at 400 mg/kg BW during pregnancy and lactation. At the end of lactation, fresh fecal samples of dams were collected, the gut microbiota was assessed, and the insulin-signaling protein expression in peripheral tissues (adipose tissue, liver and skeletal muscle) were measured.

RESULTS

MFGM-PL supplementation attenuated body weight gain, ameliorated serum lipid profiles and improved insulin sensitivity in obese dams at the end of lactation. 16 S rDNA sequencing revealed that MFGM-PL increased the community richness and diversity of gut microbiota. The composition of gut microbiota was also changed after MFGM-PL supplementation as shown by an increase in the ratio of Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes and the relative abundance of Akkermansia, as well as a decrease in the relative abundance of Ruminococcaceae. The functional prediction of microbial communities by PICRUSt analysis showed that there were 7 KEGG pathways related to carbohydrate metabolism changed after MFGM-PL supplementation to HFD dams, including glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and insulin signaling pathway. Furthermore, MFGM-PL improved insulin signaling in the peripheral tissues including liver, adipose tissue and skeletal muscle.

CONCLUSIONS

MFGM-PL supplementation during pregnancy and lactation improves the glucose metabolism disorders in HFD-induced obese dams, which may be linked to the regulation of gut microbiota induced by MFGM-PL.

Influence of Galactooligosaccharides on the Positive Effect of Plant Sterol-Enriched Beverages on Cardiovascular Risk and Sterol Colon Metabolism

In the present study, the impact of galactooligosaccharide (GOS) addition to a plant sterol (PS)-enriched beverage on the hypocholesterolemic effect and on the bioavailability and colonic metabolization of sterols was evaluated. A crossover trial was undertaken in postmenopausal women who intook a PS-enriched (2 g PS/day) or PS-GOS-enriched beverage (2 g PS/day and 4.3 g GOS/day) for 6 weeks. The presence of GOS did not modify the hypocholesterolemic effect of the PS-enriched beverage (total- and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol reductions) or sterol bioavailability (increments of serum markers of dietary PS intake and of cholesterol synthesis). The consumption of both beverages led to an increase of sterol and metabolite excretion (with the exception of coprostanol, which decreased) and to slight changes in women's capacities for sterol conversion, regardless of the GOS presence. This study demonstrates the suitability of simultaneous enrichment with PS and GOS in milk-based fruit beverages, considering their hypocholesterolemic effect.

Milk and Egg Are Risk Factors for Adverse Effects of Capecitabine-Based Chemotherapy in Chinese Colorectal Cancer Patients

Background:

Chemotherapy-induced adverse effects (CIAEs) remain a challenging problem due to their high incidences and negative impacts on treatment in Chinese colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. We aimed to identify risk factors and predictive markers for CIAEs using food/nutrition data in CRC patients receiving post-operative capecitabine-based chemotherapy.

Methods:

Food/nutrition data from 130 Chinese CRC patients were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify CIAE-related food/nutrition factors. Prediction models were constructed based on the combination of these factors. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was used to evaluate the discrimination ability of models.

Results:

A total of 20 food/nutrition factors associated with CIAEs were identified in the univariate analysis after adjustments for total energy and potential confounding factors. Based on multivariate analysis, we found that, among these factors, dessert, eggs, poultry, and milk were associated with several CIAEs. Most importantly, poultry was an overall protective factor; milk and egg were risk factors for hand-foot syndrome (HFS) and bone marrow suppression (BMS), respectively. Developed multivariate models in predicting grade 1 to 3 CIAEs and grade 2/3 CIAEs both had good discrimination (AUROC values from 0.671 to 0.778, 0.750 to 0.946 respectively), which had potential clinical application value in the early prediction of CIAEs, especially for more severe CIAEs.

Conclusions:

Our findings suggest that patients with high milk and egg intakes should be clinically instructed to control their corresponding dietary intake to reduce the likelihood of developing HFS and BMS during capecitabine-based chemotherapy, respectively.

Trial registration:

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03030508.

Cardiometabolic health benefits of dairy-milk polar lipids

Low-quality dietary patterns impair cardiometabolic health by increasing the risk of obesity-related disorders. Cardiometabolic risk relative to dairy-food consumption continues to be a controversial topic, due to recommendations that endorse low-fat and nonfat dairy foods over full-fat varieties despite accumulated evidence that does not strongly support these recommendations. Controlled human studies and mechanistic preclinical investigations support that full-fat dairy foods decrease cardiometabolic risk by promoting gut health, reducing inflammation, and managing dyslipidemia. These gut- and systemic-level cardiometabolic benefits are attributed, at least in part, to milk polar lipids (MPLs) derived from the phospholipid- and sphingolipid-rich milk fat globule membrane that is of higher abundance in full-fat dairy milk. The controversy surrounding full-fat dairy food consumption is discussed in this review relative to cardiometabolic health and MPL bioactivities that alleviate dyslipidemia, shift gut microbiota composition, and reduce inflammation. This summary, therefore, is expected to advance the understanding of full-fat dairy foods through their MPLs and the need for translational research to establish evidence-based dietary recommendations.

Digestibility and oxidative stability of plant lipid assemblies: An underexplored source of potentially bioactive surfactants?

Most lipids in our diet come under the form of triacylglycerols that are often redispersed and stabilized by surfactants in processed foods. In plant however, lipid assemblies constitute interesting sources of natural bioactive and functional ingredients. In most photosynthetic sources, polar lipids rich in ω3 fatty acids are concentrated. The objective of this review is to summarize all the knowledge about the physico-chemical composition, digestive behavior and oxidative stability of plant polar lipid assemblies to emphasize their potential as functional ingredients in human diet and their potentialities to substitute artificial surfactants/antioxidants. The specific composition of plant membrane assemblies is detailed, including plasma membranes, oil bodies, and chloroplast; emphasizing its concentration in phospholipids, galactolipids, peculiar proteins, and phenolic compounds. These molecular species are hydrolyzed by specific digestive enzymes in the human gastrointestinal tract and reduced the hydrolysis of triacylglycerols and their subsequent absorption. Galactolipids specifically can activate ileal break and intrinsically present an antioxidant (AO) activity and metal chelating activity. In addition, their natural association with phenolic compounds and their physical state (Lα state of digalactosyldiacylglycerols) in membrane assemblies can enhance their stability to oxidation. All these elements make plant membrane molecules and assemblies very promising components with a wide range of potential applications to vectorize ω3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and equilibrate human diet.

Dietary Phospholipids Prepared From Scallop Internal Organs Attenuate the Serum and Liver Cholesterol Contents by Enhancing the Expression of Cholesterol Hydroxylase in the Liver of Mice

In this study, we successfully prepared scallop oil (SCO), which contains high levels of phospholipids (PL) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), from the internal organs of the Japanese giant scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis), one of the most important underutilized fishery resources in Japan. The intake of SCO lowers the serum and liver cholesterol contents in mice; however, whether the fatty acids (FA) composition or PL of SCO exhibits any cholesterol-lowering effect remains unknown. To elucidate whether the cholesterol-lowering function is due to FA composition or PL of SCO, and investigate the cholesterol-lowering mechanism by SCO, in the present study, mice were fed SCO's PL fraction (SCO-PL), triglyceride (TG)-type oil with almost the same FA composition as SCO-PL, called SCO's TG fraction (SCO-TG), soybean oil (SOY-TG), and soybean's PL fraction (SOY-PL). Male C57BL/6J mice (5-week-old) were fed high-fat and cholesterol diets containing 3% (w/w) experimental oils (SOY-TG, SOY-PL, SCO-TG, and SCO-PL) for 28 days. The SCO-PL diet significantly decreased the serum and liver cholesterol contents compared with the SOY-TG diet, but the intake of SOY-PL and SCO-TG did not show this effect. This result indicated that the serum and liver cholesterol-lowering effect observed in the SCO intake group was due to the effect of SCO-PL. The cholesterol-lowering effect of SCO-PL was in part related to the promotion of liver cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) expression, which is the rate-limiting enzyme for bile acid synthesis. In contrast, the expression levels of the ileum farnesoid X receptor (Fxr) and fibroblast growth factor 15 (Fgf15), which inhibit the expression of liver CYP7A1, were significantly reduced in the SCO-PL group than the SOY-TG group. From these results, the increase in the liver CYP7A1 expression by dietary SCO-PL was in part through the reduction of the ileum Fxr/Fgf15 regulatory pathway. Therefore, this study showed that SCO-PL may be a health-promoting component as it lowers the serum and liver cholesterol contents by increasing the liver CYP7A1 expression, which is not seen in SOY-PL and SCO-TG.