Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient for human health. Se deficiency affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide, particularly in developing countries, and there is increasing awareness ...that suboptimal supply of Se can also negatively affect human health. Selenium enters the diet primarily through the ingestion of plant and animal products. Although, plants are not dependent on Se they take it up from the soil through the sulphur (S) uptake and assimilation pathways. Therefore, geographic differences in the availability of soil Se and agricultural practices have a profound influence on the Se content of many foods, and there are increasing efforts to biofortify crop plants with Se. Plants from the Brassicales are of particular interest as they accumulate and synthesize Se into forms with additional health benefits, such as methylselenocysteine (MeSeCys). The Brassicaceae are also well-known to produce the glucosinolates; S-containing compounds with demonstrated human health value. Furthermore, the recent discovery of the selenoglucosinolates in the Brassicaceae raises questions regarding their potential bioefficacy. In this review we focus on Se uptake and metabolism in the Brassicaceae in the context of human health, particularly cancer prevention and immunity. We investigate the close relationship between Se and S metabolism in this plant family, with particular emphasis on the selenoglucosinolates, and consider the methodologies available for identifying and quantifying further novel Se-containing compounds in plants. Finally, we summarize the research of multiple groups investigating biofortification of the Brassicaceae and discuss which approaches might be most successful for supplying Se deficient populations in the future.
The effects of kiwifruit on large bowel health were investigated in healthy rats. Four‐week old Sprague‐Dawley rats were given diets containing 10% homogenized green kiwifruit, gold kiwifruit or 10% ...glucose solution (control) over 4 or 6 wk. Green kiwifruit increased the fecal output compared to control. Growth of certain bacterial species in cecum was influenced by both green and gold kiwifruit. A significant increase in cecal Lachnospiraceae in rats fed the green kiwifruit diet was observed at week 4. At week 6, green and gold kiwifruit diets assisted in improving colonic barrier function by upregulating the expression of mucin (MUC)‐2, MUC3, Toll‐like receptor (TLR)‐4 or trefoil factor‐3 genes. Gold kiwifruit consumption increased the colonic goblet cells per crypt at week 6. Significant negative correlations between E. coli and β‐defensin 1 and TLR4 expression were observed. Consuming green and gold kiwifruit for 6 wk significantly altered the biomarkers of large bowel health; indicating that regularly consuming kiwifruit helps attain optimal digestive health.
SCOPE: Selenium (Se) is a micronutrient essential for human health, including immune function. Previous research indicates that Se supplementation may cause a shift from T helper (Th)1‐ to Th2‐type ...immune responses. We aim to test the potential health promoting effects of Se‐enriched broccoli. METHODS AND RESULTS: In a human trial, 18 participants consumed control broccoli daily for 3 days. After a 3‐day wash‐out period, the participants were provided with Se‐enriched broccoli containing 200 μg of Se per serving for 3 days. Plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples were collected at the start and end of each broccoli feeding period for analysis of total Se and measurement of cytokine production from PBMC stimulated with antigens ex vivo. Plasma Se content remained consistent throughout the control broccoli feeding period and the baseline of the Se‐enriched broccoli period (1.22 μmol/L) and then significantly increased following 3 days of Se‐enriched broccoli feeding. Interleukin (IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐13, and IL‐22) production from PBMC significantly increased after 3 days of Se‐enriched broccoli feeding compared with baseline. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that consumption of Se‐enriched broccoli may increase immune responses toward a range of immune challenges.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder that results in constipation (IBS-C) or diarrhoea with abdominal pain, flatulence, nausea and bloating. Kiwifruit (
spp.) are ...nutrient-dense fruit with a number of reported health benefits that include lowering glycaemic response, improving cardiovascular and inflammatory biomarkers, and enhancing gut comfort and laxation. This study investigated the effect of consuming three whole Zespri
SunGold kiwifruit (
var.
'Zesy002') with or without skin on cytokine production and immune and gut health in healthy people and those with IBS-C symptoms. This study enrolled thirty-eight participants in a 16 week randomized cross-over study (19 healthy and 19 participants with IBS-C). Participants were randomized to consume either three kiwifruit without eating the skin or three kiwifruit including the skin for 4 weeks each, with a 4 week washout in between each intervention. There was a significant decrease in the pro-inflammatory cytokine, TNF-α, for both the healthy and the IBS-C participants when they consumed whole kiwifruit and skin, and also for the healthy participants when they ate whole kiwifruit without the skin (
< 0.001). The kiwifruit interventions increased bowel frequency and significantly reduced the gastrointestinal symptom rating scale constipation and Birmingham IBS pain scores for both participant groups. We have demonstrated that consuming the skin of SunGold kiwifruit might have beneficial effects on gastrointestinal health that are not produced by consuming the flesh alone.
Human breastmilk components, the microbiota and immune modulatory proteins have vital roles in infant gut and immune development. In a population of breastfeeding women (
= 78) of different ...ethnicities (Asian, Māori and Pacific Island, New Zealand European) and their infants living in the Manawatu-Wanganui region of New Zealand, we examined the microbiota and immune modulatory proteins in the breast milk, and the fecal microbiota of mothers and infants. Breast milk and fecal samples were collected over a one-week period during the six to eight weeks postpartum. Breast milk microbiota differed between the ethnic groups. However, these differences had no influence on the infant's gut microbiota composition. Based on the body mass index (BMI) classifications, the mother's breast milk and fecal microbiota compositions were similar between normal, overweight and obese individuals, and their infant's fecal microbiota composition also did not differ. The relative abundance of bacteria belonging to the
phylum was higher in feces of infants born through vaginal delivery. However, the bacterial abundance of this phylum in the mother's breast milk or feces was similar between women who delivered vaginally or by cesarean section. Several immune modulatory proteins including cytokines, growth factors, and immunoglobulin differed between the BMI and ethnicity groups. Transforming growth factor beta 1 and 2 (TGFβ1, TGFβ2) were present in higher concentrations in the milk from overweight mothers compared to those of normal weight. The TGFβ1 and soluble cluster of differentiation 14 (sCD14) concentrations were significantly higher in the breast milk from Māori and Pacific Island women compared with women from Asian and NZ European ethnicities. This study explores the relationship between ethnicity, body mass index, mode of baby delivery and the microbiota of infants and their mothers and their potential impact on infant health.
Lactobacilli and long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids are commonly consumed as functional foods. However, there is very little research into their interactions. The aim of the present study was to ...investigate the interaction between fatty acids (FA) and lactobacilli by exploring lactobacilli survival following exposure to different FA and their adhesion to epithelial cells pre‐treated with different FA. Three strains of lactobacilli were cultured with 20 µM eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, n‐3), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, n‐3), arachidonic acid (AA, n‐6) or oleic acid (OA, n‐9) to assess survival. Additionally, adhesion of radioactively labelled bacteria to confluent layers of three colorectal cell lines was measured following pre‐treatment of the epithelial cells with 50 µM EPA, DHA, AA. or OA. Results show that exposure to FA slowed log‐phase growth of two human derived strains of lactobacilli, but reduced survival of a chicken derived strain to 20%. Survival was associated with the formation of the FA cyc19:0 in the human derived strains. The chicken derived strain showed greatest adherence to epithelial cells and adhesion was increased following epithelial cell exposure to DHA. In conclusion, the survival and adhesion of lactobacilli in the intestinal tract is likely to be affected by FA content of the diet.
Practical applications: The fatty acid composition of the diet has the potential to modulate the behaviour of probiotic bacteria in the gut and in probiotic foods. We showed that combining high polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) with certain probiotics may lead to reduced numbers of probiotic bacteria. Despite this, we showed that PUFA could enhance adhesion of some lactobacilli strains and that increasing the PUFA content of epithelial cells via the diet may aid the adherence of some potentially beneficial lactobacilli. We also highlight a potential concern for the chicken industry whereby PUFA inhibited the growth of the lactobacilli isolated from chicken. With the increasing use of PUFA in chicken feed this could lead to a dysbiosis in normal chicken microflora and requires further investigation.
Overview of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) potential effects on bacteria adhesion. (1) Unabsorbed PUFA directly effects bacteria in the colon. (2) Systemic delivery of PUFA following absorption can (a) Bind peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptors (PPAR), that can lead to production of transforming growth factor‐β resulting in tolerance towards bacteria. (b) Be precursors for series 3 prostaglandins (PG) that lead to lower inflammatory responses. (c) Be precursors to series 2 PG and enhance inflammatory products, however, precursors can bind PPAR and result in inhibition of inflammatory responses. (d) Unsaturated PUFAs lead to a more fluidic membrane composition, potentially altering bacterial adhesion sites.
Overview of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) potential effects on bacteria adhesion. (1) Unabsorbed PUFA directly effects bacteria in the colon. (2) Systemic delivery of PUFA following absorption can (a) Bind peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptors (PPAR), that can lead to production of transforming growth factor‐β resulting in tolerance towards bacteria. (b) Be precursors for series 3 prostaglandins (PG) that lead to lower inflammatory responses. (c) Be precursors to series 2 PG and enhance inflammatory products, however, precursors can bind PPAR and result in inhibition of inflammatory responses. (d) Unsaturated PUFAs lead to a more fluidic membrane composition, potentially altering bacterial adhesion sites.
Influence of Dietary Avocado on Gut Health in Rats Paturi, Gunaranjan; Butts, Christine A.; Bentley-Hewitt, Kerry L.
Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht),
09/2017, Letnik:
72, Številka:
3
Journal Article
Recenzirano
This study investigated the impact of diets containing various levels of avocado (5, 10 and 15%) on gut health in rats fed for six weeks. Avocado-fed rats had significantly higher food intakes while ...their body weights remained similar to the control diet-fed rats. No significant changes in intestinal bacterial populations (ileum, cecum and colon) were found in rats fed avocado diets compared to the control diet. Ileum and colon tissues of rats fed avocado diets showed significantly higher expression of genes (β-defensin 1, mucin 3 or mucin 4) and a greater number of mucin-producing goblet cells in the colon. The percentage of avocado in the diet had varying effects in altering the biomarkers, whereby diet containing 15% avocado was the more effective diet. This study delivers new knowledge on the role of avocado on gut health in rats.
Kiwifruit (KF) contains bioactive compounds with potential anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of KF on gastric and duodenal damage induced by soluble ...aspirin in healthy rats. Sixty-four male Sprague Dawley rats were allocated to eight experimental treatments (n = 8) and the experimental diets were fed for 14 days ad libitum. The experimental diets were 20% fresh pureed KF (green-fleshed and gold-fleshed) or 10% glucose solution (control diet). A positive anti-inflammatory control treatment (ranitidine) was included. At the end of the 14-day feeding period, the rats were fasted overnight, and the following morning soluble aspirin (400 mg/kg aspirin) or water (control) was administered by oral gavage. Four hours after aspirin administration, the rats were euthanized and samples taken for analysis. We observed no significant ulcer formation or increase in infiltration of the gastric mucosal inflammatory cells in the rats with the aspirin treatment. Despite this, there were significant changes in gene expression, such as in the duodenum of aspirin-treated rats fed green KF where there was increased expression of inflammation-related genes NOS2 and TNF-alpha. We also observed that gold and green KF diets had a number of contrasting effects on genes related to inflammation and gastro-protective effects.
Whole kiwifruit (‘Hayward’ and ‘Zesy002’) were examined for their bioaminergic potential after being subjected to in vitro gastrointestinal digestion and colonic fermentation. Controls included the ...prebiotic inulin and water, a carbohydrate-free vehicle. The dopamine precursor l-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) and the serotonin precursor 5-hydroxytryptophan were increased in the kiwifruit gastrointestinal digesta (‘Hayward’ > ‘Zesy002’) in comparison to the water digesta. Fermentation of the digesta with human fecal bacteria for 18 h modulated the concentrations of bioamine metabolites. The most notable were the significant increases in L-DOPA (‘Zesy002’ > ‘Hayward’) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) (‘Hayward’ > ‘Zesy002’). Kiwifruit increased Bifidobacterium spp. and Veillonellaceae (correlating with L-DOPA increase), and Lachnospira spp. (correlating with GABA). The digesta and fermenta were incubated with Caco-2 cells for 3 h followed by gene expression analysis. Effects were seen on genes related to serotonin synthesis/re-uptake/conversion to melatonin, gut tight junction, inflammation and circadian rhythm with different digesta and fermenta from the four treatments. These indicate potential effects of the substrates and the microbially generated organic acid and bioamine metabolites on intestinal functions that have physiological relevance. Further studies are required to confirm the potential bioaminergic effects of gut microbiota–kiwifruit interactions.
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