See companion article, "SWEET13 transport of sucrose, but not gibberellin, restores male fertility in Arabidopsis sweet13;14," 10.1073/pnas.2207558119.
•Hot air and UV-C both significantly stimulated biosynthesis of anthocyanin in peaches.•Enhancement of anthocyanin in flesh response to hot air or UV-C depended on cultivars.•Hot air and UV-C ...up-regulated activities and gene expressions of related enzymes.•Hot air and UV-C enhanced anthocyanin by regulating sucrose, citric and malic acids.
In our present study, we aimed to explore the effects of hot air and UV-C on anthocyanins and the interaction among anthocyanin, sucrose and organic acids in peaches during postharvest storage. Peaches were treated with hot air or UV-C and stored at 1 °C for 35 days. The results showed that both treatments significantly enhanced the accumulation of anthocyanins and suppressed the degradation of sucrose, citric and malic acids. An in vitro test verified that sucrose, citric and malic acid penetrated the tissue and then induced the biosynthesis of anthocyanins by up regulating anthocyanin-related enzymes. In addition, hot air and UV-C directly enhanced the activities and gene expression of related enzymes to promote the accumulation of anthocyanins. PAL, ANS and UFGT played crucial roles in the biosynthesis of anthocyanins in peach fruit after harvest, and these three enzymes can be stimulated by HA, UV-C, sucrose, citric and malic acid.
Few studies have examined the association between dietary sugar intake and obesity in Asian children and adolescents. We evaluated the association of dietary sugar intake and its food source with ...obesity in Korean children and adolescents. In this cross-sectional analysis, data were obtained from five studies conducted between 2002 and 2011. The study included 2599 children and adolescents who had completed more than three days of dietary records and had anthropometric data. Total sugar intake was higher in girls than in boys (54.3 g for girls and 46.6 g for boys, p < 0.0001). Sugar intake from milk and fruits was inversely associated with overweight or obesity in girls only (OR for overweight, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.32-0.84; p for trend = 0.0246 and OR for obesity, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.23-0.79; p for trend = 0.0113). Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption was not associated with obesity in girls, while boys had lower odds ratios for obesity (OR for obesity, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.26-1.05; p for trend = 0.0310). These results suggest that total sugars and SSB intake in Asian children and adolescents remains relatively low and sugar intake from milk and fruits is associated with a decreased risk of overweight or obesity, especially in girls.
Sugar intake has been associated with increased prevalence of childhood overweight/obesity; however, results remain controversial. The aim of this study was to examine the probability of ...overweight/obesity with higher sugar intakes, accounting for other dietary intakes. Data from 1165 children and adolescents aged ≥2–18 years (66.8% males) enrolled in the Hellenic National Nutrition and Health Survey (HNNHS) were used; specifically, 781 children aged 2–11 years and 384 adolescents 12–18 years. Total and added sugar intake were assessed using two 24 h recalls (24 hR). Foods were categorized into specific food groups to evaluate the main foods contributing to intakes. A significant proportion of children (18.7%) and adolescents (24.5%) exceeded the recommended cut-off of 10% of total energy intake from added sugars. Sweets (29.8%) and processed/refined grains and cereals (19.1%) were the main sources of added sugars in both age groups, while in adolescents, the third main contributor was sugar-sweetened beverages (20.6%). Being overweight or obese was 2.57 (p = 0.002) and 1.77 (p = 0.047) times more likely for intakes ≥10% of total energy from added sugars compared to less <10%, when accounting for food groups and macronutrient intakes, respectively. The predicted probability of becoming obese was also significant with higher total and added-sugar consumption. We conclude that high consumption of added sugars increased the probability for overweight/obesity among youth, irrespectively of other dietary or macronutrient intakes.
Prohexadione-Calcium (Pro-Ca) plays key roles in improving fruit quality and yield by regulating various aspects of plant growth. However, the effects of how Pro-Ca regulates the regulation of sugar ...and acid balance and its impact on the production of volatile aroma substances during fruit growth and development are poorly understood. In this study, the Pro-Ca solutions developed at concentrations of 200, 400, 600 and 800 mg·L
were sprayed on the entire "Chardonnay" grape tree 22, 42, 62 and 82 days after initial flowering. The values of endogenous hormones, sugar and acid content, enzyme activities and flavor content were then measured in grapes 45, 65, 85 and 105 days (ripeness stage) after the initial flowering. The results showed that Pro-Ca had significant effects on fruits during development, including reducing ABA content, increasing ZT, GA
and IAA levels, promoting fruit ripening and enhancing enzymes, which are involved in sugar and acid synthesis. Consequently, these effects led to an increase in sugar and acid content in the berries. Particularly during the ripening phase, the application of 600 mg L
Pro-Ca resulted in an increase in soluble sugar content of 11.28% and a significant increase in citric acid and malic acid content of 97.80% and 68.86%, respectively. Additionally, Pro-Ca treatment enhanced both the variety and quantity of aroma compounds present in the berries, with the 600 mg·L
Pro-Ca treatment showcasing the most favorable impact on volatile aroma compounds in 'Chardonnay' grapes. The levels of aldehydes, esters, alcohols, phenols, acids, ketones, and terpenes were significantly higher under the 600 mg·L
Pro-Ca treatment compared to those of control with 51.46 - 423.85% increase. In conclusion, Pro-Ca can regulate the content of endogenous hormones and the activities of enzymes related to sugar and acid metabolism in fruit, thereby increasing the content of soluble sugar and organic acid in fruit and the diversity and concentration of fruit aroma substances. Among them, foliar spraying 600 mg · L
Pro-Ca has the best effect. In the future, we need to further understand the molecular mechanism of Pro-Ca in grape fruit to lay a solid foundation for quality improvement breeding.
Accurately measuring dietary sugars intake in large-scale epidemiological studies is necessary to understand dietary sugars' true impact on health. Researchers have developed a biomarker that can be ...used to assess total sugars intake. Our objective is to test this biomarker in diverse populations using an ad libitum intake protocol. Healthy adult participants (
= 63; 58% Indigenous Americans/Alaska Natives; 60% male; BMI (mean ± SD) = 30.6 ± 7.6 kg.m
) were admitted for a 10-day inpatient stay. On day 2, body composition was measured by DXA, and over the last 3 days, ad libitum dietary intake was measured using a validated vending machine paradigm. Over the same days, participants collected daily 24 h urine used to measure sucrose and fructose. The 24 h urinary sucrose and fructose biomarker (24hruSF) (mg/d) represents the sum of 24 h urinary sucrose and fructose excretion levels. The association between the 3-day mean total sugars intake and log 24uSF level was assessed using the Pearson correlation. A linear mixed model regressing log-biomarker on total sugars intake was used to investigate further the association between biomarker, diet, and other covariates. Mean (S.D.) total sugars intake for the group was 197.7 g/d (78.9). Log 24uSF biomarker was moderately correlated with total sugars intake (
= 0.33,
= 0.01). In stratified analyses, the correlation was strongest in females (
= 0.45,
= 0.028), the 18-30 age group (
= 0.44,
= 0.079), Indigenous Americans (
= 0.51,
= 0.0023), and the normal BMI category (
= 0.66,
= 0.027). The model adjusted for sex, age, body fat percent, and race/ethnicity demonstrated a statistically significant association between 24uSF and total sugars intake (β = 0.0027,
< 0.0001) and explained 31% of 24uSF variance (marginal R
= 0.31). Our results demonstrated a significant relationship between total sugars intake and the 24uSF biomarker in this diverse population. However, the results were not as strong as those of controlled feeding studies that investigated this biomarker.
The diversity of life on Earth is a result of continual innovations in molecular networks influencing morphology and physiology. Plant specialized metabolism produces hundreds of thousands of ...compounds, offering striking examples of these innovations. To understand how this novelty is generated, we investigated the evolution of the Solanaceae family-specific, trichome-localized acylsugar biosynthetic pathway using a combination of mass spectrometry, RNA-seq, enzyme assays, RNAi and phylogenomics in different non-model species. Our results reveal hundreds of acylsugars produced across the Solanaceae family and even within a single plant, built on simple sugar cores. The relatively short biosynthetic pathway experienced repeated cycles of innovation over the last 100 million years that include gene duplication and divergence, gene loss, evolution of substrate preference and promiscuity. This study provides mechanistic insights into the emergence of plant chemical novelty, and offers a template for investigating the ~300,000 non-model plant species that remain underexplored.
Ribose-5-phosphate isomerase (Rpi, EC 5.3.1.6) is widespread in microorganisms, animals, and plants. It has a pivotal role in the pentose phosphate pathway and responsible for catalyzing the ...isomerization between
d
-ribulose 5-phosphate and
d
-ribose 5-phosphate. In recent years, Rpi has received considerable attention as a multipurpose biocatalyst for production of rare sugars, including
d
-allose,
l
-rhamnulose,
l
-lyxose, and
l
-tagatose. Besides, it has been thought of as a potential drug target in the treatment of trypanosomatid-caused diseases such as Chagas’ disease, leishmaniasis, and human African trypanosomiasis. Despite increased research activities, up to now, no systematic review of Rpi has been published. To fill this gap, this paper provides detailed information about the enzymatic properties of various Rpis. Furthermore, structural features, catalytic mechanism, and molecular modifications of Rpis are summarized based on extensive crystal structure research. Additionally, the applications of Rpi in rare sugar production and the role of Rpi in trypanocidal drug design are reviewed.
Key points
• Fundamental properties of various ribose-5-phosphate isomerases (Rpis).
• Differences in crystal structure and catalytic mechanism between RpiA and RpiB.
• Application of Rpi as a rare sugar producer and a potential drug target.
Efficacious strategies to reduce sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption among youth are needed. This pilot study assessed the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a community-based youth ...empowerment intervention to reduce SSB consumption and obesity risk among a low-income, ethnically diverse sample of youth.
The H
GO! intervention was pilot-tested in an afterschool setting (Boys and Girls Clubs (BGC)) in Massachusetts, USA. One site was randomized to receive the intervention; the other site received standard programming. Youth ages 9-12 years and their parents/caregivers were eligible to participate. A total of N = 110 parent-child pairs (N = 55 parent-child pairs per site) were recruited. The 6-week intervention consisted of group-based weekly sessions delivered by trained BGC staff and youth-led activities that engaged parents. Child outcomes included self-reported SSB and water intake and measured body mass index z scores (zBMI). Parent outcomes included self-reported SSB and water intake, SSB purchasing, and availability of SSBs at home. Outcomes were measured at baseline, 2 months, and 6 months. Generalized linear and logistic regression models were used to estimate intervention effects over time.
The final analytic study sample consisted of 100 child participants (38% Black, 20% Hispanic, 13% White, 12% Multiracial, 11% Asian) and 87 parent participants (78.2% female; 78.2% reporting eligibility for the free-or-reduced price lunch program). 6-month retention rates were ≥ 82%. Intervention attendance rates among intervention child participants (N = 51) averaged 78.1% (SD = 10.3). Over half (56.0%) of child participants were overweight or obese at baseline. Relative to the comparison site, intervention site child participants had decreased SSB intake (β = - 1.64; 95% CI: 2.52, - 0.76), increased water intake (β = 1.31; 95% CI: 0.38, 2.23), and decreased zBMI (- 0.23 units; 95% CI: - 0.31, - 0.14) over 6 months (p < 0.001). Intervention parent participants also reported decreased SSB intake (β = - 1.76; 95% CI: - 2.56, - 0.96) and increased water intake (β = 1.75; 95% CI: 1.11, 2.40) than comparison parent participants at 6 months (p < 0.001).
Findings demonstrate the potential of a youth empowerment intervention on reducing SSB intake and zBMI among a diverse sample. Findings will guide a larger cluster-randomized controlled trial to test intervention efficacy on preventing childhood obesity, as well as inform future interventions that aim to target additional diet and physical activity behaviors through youth empowerment.
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02890056 . Registered 31 August 2016.
Background and Objectives: Although excess white sugar intake imposes various health burdens, brown sugar is high in minerals, polyphenols, and polycosanol. However, few epidemiological studies have ...assessed brown sugar intake for health benefit. People in the Amami islands region, with a relatively high proportion of individuals with longevity, consume brown sugar as a type of refreshment. This cohort study was conducted in Amami to clarify the association of brown sugar intake with mortality risk and cancer incidence.
Methods and Study Design: Participants were recruited from the general population of Amami as part of the Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort Study. The number of eligible participants was 5004 (2057 men and 2947 women). During the median follow-up period of 13.4 years, 274 deaths and 338 cases of cancer were observed. HRs and 95% CIs were estimated using the Cox proportional hazard model, after adjusting for sugar-related and other variables.
Results: After adjusting for their related confounding factors, brown sugar intake was associated with decreased HRs and a decreasing trend for all-site and stomach cancer incidence (p equivalent 0.001 and 0.017, respectively) in women and men, and for breast cancer incidence (p equivalent 0.034) in women. Additionally, a decreasing trend in the HRs for lung cancer incidence was observed among never and ex-smokers (p equivalent 0.039). Decreased HRs for overall death, cancer, and cardiovascular disease were not apparent.
Conclusions: Brown sugar intake was associated with decreased risk of all-site, stomach, and breast cancer incidences in the Amami population.
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