Supplementation of quinoa regulates glycolipid metabolism and endoplasmic reticulum stress in the high-fat diet-induced female obese mice

Quinoa: An Underutilized Pseudocereal with Promising Health and Industrial Benefits

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.), an annual dicotyledonous herbaceous crop of the Amaranthaceae family, has received significant attention for its ability to thrive under harsh environmental conditions. Its rich nutritional profile and diverse bioactive compounds have led to a global increase in its cultivation and consumption. These phytocompounds provide beneficial effects against a plethora of health conditions. This review aims to provide updated information on quinoa, emphasizing its health benefits, nutritional composition, phytochemistry, industrial applications, and potential to address food insecurity. Numerous studies have highlighted the potential health benefits of quinoa against diabetes, oxidative stress, obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, inflammation, and cancer. Besides its health benefits, recent evidence about the potential of quinoa in tackling food insecurity and novel approaches for improving the taste profile of quinoa have been discussed. Furthermore, industrial applications of quinoa, particularly as a functional ingredient in different industries, animal feed, and packaging material, have been explored. Nonetheless, its clinical efficiency and other applications remain controversial, underscoring the need for further in-depth studies.

Quinoa is more effective than other whole grains in the management of impaired glucose tolerance: a randomized controlled trial

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of quinoa versus multigrain supplementation on glycemia and lipid metabolism among individuals with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). In total, 207 participants diagnosed with IGT were randomly assigned to the quinoa group (QG; 100 g day-1, replacing about half of the total daily staple food), multiple whole grain group (WGG; 100 g day-1), or control group (CG) and followed for one year. Biomarkers were measured before and after the intervention. At the efficacy endpoint, the quinoa group (QG) demonstrated significantly longer time in range (TIR) and normal glucose tolerance (NGT) conversion rate, along with lower rates of 2-hour postprandial glucose (2hPG), fasting insulin (FINS), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), 14-day mean blood glucose (14dMBG), and diabetes mellitus development compared to those of the multigrain and control groups (P < 0.05). Significant improvements in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were also found in both the quinoa and multigrain groups compared to the control group (P < 0.05). No significant difference in glycemic variability (CV) was observed between the quinoa and control groups, while a significant difference was observed between the quinoa and multigrain groups (P < 0.05). These results suggest that quinoa consumption is significantly more effective than a multiple whole-grain diet in controlling IGT by reducing postprandial glucose and HbA1c levels, improving insulin resistance, and enhancing lipid profiles, making it a superior dietary choice for managing IGT.

Compatibility of Whole Wheat-Based Composite Flour in the Development of Functional Foods

Over the last decades, eating habits have shifted towards convenient foods with shorter preparation times due to people's busy lifestyles and higher living standards. Rapid changes in dietary patterns and lifestyles with the industrialization and globalisation have led to the escalating incidence of chronic diseases, which has paved the way to greater interest in dietary changes regarding nutritional status and health benefits. Composite flour is a combination of wheat and non-wheat flours or exclusively non-wheat flour with improved nutritional value, therapeutic properties and functional characteristics. The application of composite flours in the food industry is an important milestone that maximises the use of indigenous crops while optimising the product quality, nutritional value, organoleptic properties and consumer acceptance. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the suitability and compatibility of alternative composite flours in the food industry with regard to the existing formulations. Furthermore, the suitability of composite flours in food products in terms of nutritive and therapeutic value is emphasised. It was found that food products with higher nutritional and therapeutic value and acceptable sensory properties can be formulated by blending different non-wheat flour sources with wheat flour at different ratios. Composite flours have the potential to reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases, particularly type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. It can be concluded that the use of composite flours in the food industry is a trending approach due to their numerous benefits.

Plant-Based Diets and Phytochemicals in the Management of Diabetes Mellitus and Prevention of Its Complications: A Review

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is currently regarded as a global public health crisis for which lifelong treatment with conventional drugs presents limitations in terms of side effects, accessibility, and cost. Type 2 diabetes (T2DM), usually associated with obesity, is characterized by elevated blood glucose levels, hyperlipidemia, chronic inflammation, impaired β-cell function, and insulin resistance. If left untreated or when poorly controlled, DM increases the risk of vascular complications such as hypertension, nephropathy, neuropathy, and retinopathy, which can be severely debilitating or life-threatening. Plant-based foods represent a promising natural approach for the management of T2DM due to the vast array of phytochemicals they contain. Numerous epidemiological studies have highlighted the importance of a diet rich in plant-based foods (vegetables, fruits, spices, and condiments) in the prevention and management of DM. Unlike conventional medications, such natural products are widely accessible, affordable, and generally free from adverse effects. Integrating plant-derived foods into the daily diet not only helps control the hyperglycemia observed in DM but also supports weight management in obese individuals and has broad health benefits. In this review, we provide an overview of the pathogenesis and current therapeutic management of DM, with a particular focus on the promising potential of plant-based foods.

Quinoa ameliorates polycystic ovary syndrome via regulating gut microbiota through PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and autophagy

BACKGROUND

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a unity of endocrine and metabolic disorders, associated with PI3K/AKT/mTOR, autophagy, and gut microbiota. Quinoa is a valuable food source, which contains rich minerals, unsaturated fatty acids, and has a positive modulating effect on metabolic diseases. However, its effects and potential mechanisms on PCOS have not been reported yet. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of quinoa on PCOS rats by regulating PI3K/AKT/mTOR, autophagy, and gut microbiota.

METHODS

Ten-week-old female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats have received letrozole for 24 days for induction of PCOS and subsequently were treated with a quinoa diet for 8 weeks. Vaginal smears were used to analyze the estrous cycle of rats. Hormone and biochemical indexes were analyzed by kit assays and glucometer. The pathological changes of ovary, pancreas, duodenum and colon were observed by HE staining. PI3K, AKT, mTOR and autophagy-related proteins in the ovary and colon were measured by western blot and immunohistochemistry staining. Tight junction proteins in colon were measured by immunohistochemistry staining. 16 s rDNA sequencing was used to detect the changes of intestinal microbiota in rats. Network pharmacology and molecular docking were used to study the possible targets and mechanisms of quinoa on PCOS. Spearman correlation analysis was used to study the relationship between intestinal microbial abundance and hormone levels of PCOS rats at the phylum and genus level.

RESULTS

Quinoa significantly improved estrous cycle and biochemical parameters of PCOS-like rats, and the pathological state of ovary, pancreas, duodenum and colon tissues. Especially, quinoa significantly regulated the expression of PI3K, AKT, mTOR and autophagy-related proteins in the ovary. Quinoa may repair the intestinal barrier by upregulating the expression of tight junction proteins in the colon, and regulate autophagy-related factors in colon. Additionally, quinoa increased the abundance of Lactobacillu, Bacteroides and Oscillospira, and decreased the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and the Blautia, and Prevotella, reversing the dysregulation of the gut microbiota. Correlation analysis showed that there is a strong correlation between gut microbiota with significant changes in abundance and hormone related to PCOS.

CONCLUSION

Our result indicated that effect of quinoa on PCOS maybe associated with activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, inhibition of autophagy, and regulation of intestinal flora.

Raw and heat-treated quinoa protein protects against glucose metabolism disorders in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced mice by reshaping gut microbiota and fecal metabolic profiles

Plant-based proteins have received considerable global attention due to their nutritional value and potential health effects. As a high-quality plant protein, the hypoglycemic effect of quinoa protein and its potential mechanism have not been fully elucidated. In the present study, we compared the hypoglycemic effects of raw quinoa protein (RP-quinoa) and heat-treated quinoa protein (HP-quinoa) and further explored their potential mechanisms using multi-omics analysis based on gut microbiota and fecal metabolic profiles in HFD-fed mice. Our results showed that both RP-quinoa and HP-quinoa effectively improved glucose metabolism and protected against alterations in gut microbiota induced by a chronic HFD. In addition, quinoa protein increased the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria such as the g__Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, g__Eubacterium_xylanophilum_group, and g__Negativibacillus, followed by an increase in short-chain fatty acids and potentially beneficial metabolites such as L-phenylalanine and L-cysteine. Together, these findings provided the basis for linking gut microbiota and their metabolites to the hypoglycemic effect of quinoa protein.

Harnessing the Potential of Quinoa: Nutritional Profiling, Bioactive Components, and Implications for Health Promotion

Quinoa, a globally cultivated "golden grain" belonging to Chenopodium in the Amaranthaceae family, is recognized for being gluten-free, with a balanced amino acid profile and multiple bioactive components, including peptides, polysaccharides, polyphenols, and saponins. The bioactive compounds extracted from quinoa offer multifaceted health benefits, including antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, cardiovascular disease (CVD) improvement, gut microbiota regulation, and anti-cancer effects. This review aims to intricately outline quinoa's nutritional value, functional components, and physiological benefits. Importantly, we comprehensively provide conclusions on the effects and mechanisms of these quinoa-derived bioactive components on multiple cancer types, revealing the potential of quinoa seeds as promising and effective anti-cancer agents. Furthermore, the health-promoting role of quinoa in modulating gut microbiota, maintaining gut homeostasis, and protecting intestinal integrity was specifically emphasized. Finally, we provided a forward-looking description of the opportunities and challenges for the future exploration of quinoa. However, in-depth studies of molecular targets and clinical trials are warranted to fully understand the bioavailability and therapeutic application of quinoa-derived compounds, especially in cancer treatment and gut microbiota regulation. This review sheds light on the prospect of developing dietary quinoa into functional foods or drugs to prevent and manage human diseases.

Natural compounds proposed for the management of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Although non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) presents as an intricate condition characterized by a growing prevalence, the often-recommended lifestyle interventions mostly lack high-level evidence of efficacy and there are currently no effective drugs proposed for this indication. The present review delves into NAFLD pathology, its diverse underlying physiopathological mechanisms and the available in vitro, in vivo, and clinical evidence regarding the use of natural compounds for its management, through three pivotal targets (oxidative stress, cellular inflammation, and insulin resistance). The promising perspectives that natural compounds offer for NAFLD management underscore the need for additional clinical and lifestyle intervention trials. Encouraging further research will contribute to establishing more robust evidence and practical recommendations tailored to patients with varying NAFLD grades.

Saponins from Chenopodium quinoa Willd. husks alleviated high-fat-diet-induced hyperlipidemia via modulating the gut microbiota and multiple metabolic pathways

BACKGROUND

Hyperlipidemia is characterized by abnormally elevated blood lipids. Quinoa saponins (QS) have multiple pharmacological activities, including antitumor, bactericidal and immune-enhancing effects. However, the lipid-lowering effect and mechanisms of QS in vivo have been scarcely reported.

METHODS

The effect of QS against hyperlipidemia induced by high-fat diet in rats was explored based on gut microbiota and serum non-targeted metabolomics.

RESULTS

The study demonstrated that the supplementation of QS could reduce serum lipids, body weight, liver injury and inflammation. 16S rRNA sequencing demonstrated that QS mildly increased alpha-diversity, altered the overall structure of intestinal flora, decreased the relative richness of Firmicutes, the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (P < 0.05) and increased the relative richness of Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Bifidobacterium, Roseburia and Coprococcus (P < 0.05). Simultaneously, metabolomics analysis showed that QS altered serum functional metabolites with respect to bile acid biosynthesis, arachidonic acid metabolism and taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, which were closely related to bile acid metabolism and fatty acid β-oxidation. Furthermore, QS increased protein levels of farnesoid X receptor, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1, which were related to the screened metabolic pathways. Spearman correlation analysis showed that there was a correlation between gut microbiota and differential metabolites.

CONCLUSION

QS could prevent lipid metabolism disorders in hyperlipidemic rats, which may be closely associated with the regulation of the gut microbiota and multiple metabolic pathways. This study may provide new evidence for QS as natural active substances for the prevention of hyperlipidemia. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Progress in research on the effects of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) bioactive compounds and products on intestinal flora

Quinoa is a highly nutritious whole-grain crop with unique values as both a food and medicinal supplement. At present, the roles played by the intestinal microflora in human health are gaining considerable attention from the research community, and studies to date have shown that the occurrence of a range of diseases may be associated with an imbalance of the intestinal flora. The bioactive compounds of quinoa affect the production of SCFAs and the adjustment of intestinal pH. In this article, we review the mechanisms underlying the effects of different quinoa constituents on the intestinal flora, the effects of these constituents on the intestinal flora of different hosts, and progress in research on the therapeutic properties of quinoa constituents, to provide a better understanding of quinoa in terms its dual medicinal and nutritional properties. We hope this review will provide a useful reference for approaches that seek to enhance the composition and activities of the intestinal flora.

Response surface methodology based development of an optimized polyherbal formulation and evaluation of its anti-diabetic and anti-obesity potential in high-fat diet-induced obese mice

Background and aim

The seeds of Nelumbo nucifera, Chenopodium quinoa and Salvia hispanica are known as super foods due to their various therapeutic properties. The present study aimed to develop an optimized polyherbal formulation from edible seeds aqueous extract and to evaluate its anti-diabetic and lipase inhibitory effect on diet-induced obese diabetic mice.

Experimental procedure

Response surface methodology based various formulations were evaluated for their potent anti-diabetic, lipase-inhibitory and antioxidant activities. Acute toxicity of the best optimized formulation was conducted. The mice were fed a high fat diet for 10 weeks resulting in hyperglycemia and obesity. Oral tolerance tests (sucrose, starch and lipid) of the formulation were performed. The mice were supplemented with different doses (125, 250 and 500 mg/kg) of the formulation for 6 weeks. The body weight and blood glucose level were monitored on a weekly basis. Finally, histological alterations and lipid profiles were analysed.

Results and conclusion

The formulation containing equal concentration (1.5 mg/ml) of each seed extract showed maximum bioactivities. The formulation was found to be safe during toxicity assay. The tolerance tests supported the anti-diabetic and anti-obesity effect. Higher dose (500 mg/kg) of the formulation significantly (p < 0.01) lowered elevated fasting blood glucose, lipid indices and ameliorated the histological alterations in liver, kidney and pancreas caused by high fat diet. We demonstrated for the first time that the developed aqueous extract optimized formulation possess anti-diabetic and anti-obesity potential and thus could be used as adjuvant therapy for holistic management of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Glucolipid metabolism improvement in impaired glucose tolerance subjects consuming a Quinoa-based diet: a randomized parallel clinical trial

Purpose: To investigate the effects of quinoa on glucose and lipid metabolism, and the prognosis in people with impaired glucose tolerance. Methods: One hundred and thirty-eight patients diagnosed with impaired glucose tolerance following a glucose tolerance test in Guangzhou Cadre Health Management Center were selected and randomly divided into quinoa intervention and control groups, according to the digital table method. After 1 year of follow-up, the differences in blood glucose, blood lipid, glycosylated hemoglobin and other indicators were compared. The disease prognosis between the two groups was also compared. Results: The 2 h postprandial blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, insulin resistance index, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, body mass index, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure after intervention in the quinoa group were significantly lower than before intervention. In contrast, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was higher than before intervention and is statistically significant (p < 0.05). After 1 year of follow-up, the control group's glycosylated hemoglobin and body mass index are higher than before intervention, and are statistically significant (p < 0.05). The 2 h postprandial blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, insulin resistance index, body mass index, and mean diastolic blood pressure in the quinoa group are statistically significantly lower than in the control group, while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol is higher (p < 0.05). The rate of conversion to diabetes for participants in the quinoa group (7.8%) is statistically significantly lower than in the control group (20.3%) (χ2 = 12.760, p = 0.002). Logistic regression analysis showed that quinoa consumption is a protective factor against delaying the progression of diabetes (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Adding quinoa to staple food intake can reduce postprandial blood glucose, and improve lipid metabolism and insulin resistance, delaying the progression of diabetes in people with impaired glucose tolerance.

Evaluation of [18F]F-TZ3108 for PET Imaging of Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease

PURPOSE

Sigma-1 receptor (Sig-1R), a chaperone that resides at the mitochondrion-associated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane, is an ER stress biomarker. It is thought that ER stress plays a critical role in the progression of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). The aim of this study was to evaluate a positron emission tomography (PET) tracer [¹⁸F]F-TZ3108 targeting Sig-1R for MAFLD.

PROCEDURES

The mouse model of MAFLD was established by feeding high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks. Dynamic (0-60 min) PET/CT scans were performed after intravenous injection of 2-deoxy-2[¹⁸F]fluoro-D-glucose ([¹⁸F]-FDG) and [¹⁸F]F-TZ3108. Tracer kinetic modeling was performed for quantification of the PET/CT imaging of the liver. Post-PET biodistribution, the liver tissue western blotting (WB), and immunofluorescence (IF) were performed to compare the expression of Sig-1R levels in the organs harvested from both MAFLD and age-matched control mice.

RESULTS

The micro PET/CT imaging revealed a significantly decreased uptake of [¹⁸F]F-TZ3108 in the livers of the MAFLD group compared to the healthy controls, while the uptake of [¹⁸F]-FDG in the livers was not significantly different between the two groups. Based on the tracer kinetic modeling, the binding disassociate rate (k₄) for [¹⁸F]F-TZ3108 was significantly increased in MAFLD group compared to healthy controls. The volume distribution (V_T), and the non-displacement binding potential (BP_ND) revealed significantly decrease in MAFLD compared to healthy controls respectively. The post-PET biodistribution (%ID/g) of [¹⁸F]F-TZ3108 in the livers of MAFLD mice was significantly reduced nearly twofold than that in the livers of control mice. WB and IF experiments further confirmed the reduction of Sig-1R expression in the MAFLD group.

CONCLUSIONS

The expression of Sig-1R in the liver, measured by the PET tracer, [¹⁸F]F-TZ3108, was significantly decreased in mouse model of MAFLD. The [¹⁸F]F-TZ3108 PET/CT imaging may provide a novel means of visualization for ER stress in MAFLD or other diseases in vivo.

Antioxidative, cytoprotective and whitening activities of fragrant pear fruits at different growth stages

Pear is one of the most popular fruits in the world. With the fruit ripening, a series of physiological changes have taken place in fragrant pear, but up to now, the research on the metabolism and biological activity of phenolic compounds in different growth stages of fragrant pear is still lacking. In this study, four kinds of Xinjiang pears were selected as research objects, and the changes of phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, cell protection and whitening activity during fruit development were analyzed. The results showed that the phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of four pear varieties presented a decreasing trend throughout the developmental stages. The phenolic content and antioxidant activity of the four pears in the young fruit stage were the highest, and the active ingredients of the Nanguo pear were higher than the other three pear fruits. Pear extract could protect cells by eliminating excessive ROS in cells, especially in young fruit stage. The western blot results showed that the extract of fragrant pear in the young fruit stage could inhibit the expression of TYR, TYR1 and MITF in B16 cells, and it was speculated that the extract of fragrant pear in the young fruit stage might have good whitening activity. Therefore, the findings suggest that young pear display a good antioxidant potential and could have a good application prospect in food preservation and health product industry.

Quinoa Reduces High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity in Mice via Potential Microbiota-Gut-Brain-Liver Interaction Mechanisms

The gut microbiota is important in the occurrence and development of obesity. It can not only via its metabolites, but also through microbiota-gut-brain-liver interactions, directly or indirectly, influence obesity. Quinoa, known as one kind of pseudocereals and weight loss food supplements, has been high-profile for its high nutritional value and broad applications. In this context, we produced high-fat diet-induced (HFD) obese mouse models and assessed the efficacy of quinoa with saponin and quinoa without saponin on obesity. We explored the potential therapeutic mechanisms of quinoa using methods such as 16S rRNA, Western blotting, Immunohistochemical (IHC). Our results indicated that quinoa can improve the obese symptoms significantly on HFD mice, as well as aberrant glucose and lipid metabolism. Further analyses suggest that quinoa can regulate microbiota in the colon and have predominantly regulation on Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria and Desulfovibrio, meanwhile can decrease the F/B ratio and the abundance of Blautia. Contemporaneously, quinoa can upregulate the expression of TGR5 in the colon and brain, as well as GLP-1 in the colon, liver and brain. while downregulate the expression of TLR4 in the colon and liver, as well as markers of ER stress and oxidative stress in livers and serums. Beyond this, tight junctional proteins in colons and brains are also increased in response to quinoa. Therefore, quinoa can effectively reduce obesity and may possibly exert through microbiota-gut-brain-liver interaction mechanisms. IMPORTANCE Gut microbiota has been investigated extensively, as a driver of obesity as well as a therapeutic target. Studies of its mechanisms are predominantly microbiota-gut-brain axis or microbiota-gut-liver axis. Recent studies have shown that there is an important correlation between the gut-brain-liver axis and the energy balance of the body. Our research focus on microbiota-gut-brain-liver axis, as well as influences of quinoa in intestinal microbiota. We extend this study to the interaction between microbiota and brains, and the result shows obvious differences in the composition of the microbiome between the HFD group and others. These observations infer that besides the neurotransmitter and related receptors, microbiota itself may be a mediator for regulating bidirectional communication, along the gut-brain-liver axis. Taken together, these results also provide strong evidence for widening the domain of applicability of quinoa.

Quinoa Soluble Fiber and Quercetin Alter the Composition of the Gut Microbiome and Improve Brush Border Membrane Morphology In Vivo (Gallus gallus)

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.), a gluten-free pseudo-cereal, has gained popularity over the last decade due to its high nutritional value. Quinoa is a rich source of proteins, carbohydrates, fibers, tocopherols (Vitamin E), unsaturated fatty acids and a wide range of polyphenols. The study used Gallus gallus intra-amniotic feeding, a clinically validated method, to assess the effects of quinoa soluble fiber (QSF) and quercetin 3-glucoside (Q3G) versus control. Quercetin is a pharmacologically active polyphenol found in quinoa. Six groups (no injection, 18 Ω H2O, 5% inulin, 1% Q3G, 5% QSF, 1% Q3G + 5% QSF) were assessed for their effect on the brush border membrane (BBM) functionality, intestinal morphology and cecal bacterial populations. Our results showed a significant (p < 0.05) improvement in BBM morphology, particularly goblet and Paneth cell numbers, in the group administered with quinoa and quercetin. However, there were no significant changes seen in the expression of the genes assessed both in the duodenum and liver between any of the treatment groups. Furthermore, fibrous quinoa increased the concentration of probiotic L. plantarum populations compared to the control (H2O). In conclusion, quercetin and quinoa fiber consumption has the potential to improve intestinal morphology and modulate the microbiome.