ALBERT

Description: Purpose Maintenance of cognitive abilities is important for elderly to stay independent. With the aging of the population, the call for modifiable factors is emerging. Dietary protein might improve cognitive performance; however, this has hardly been studied. Therefore, we studied the impact of 24-week dietary protein supplementation on cognitive performance in pre-frail and frail elderly people. Methods Pre-frail and frail elderly subjects, according to the Fried criteria, randomly received a protein drink containing 15 g protein or a placebo drink twice a day. Cognitive performance was measured at baseline and after 24 weeks by means of a sensitive neuropsychological test battery. In addition, reaction time was assessed after both 12 and 24 weeks of intervention. Domain scores were calculated for the domains episodic memory, attention and working memory, information processing speed, and executive functioning. Analyses of covariance were used to determine differences between groups. Linear mixed models were used to determine differences in reaction time over time and per treatment. Results In total, 65 subjects (79 ± 8 years) with a median Mini-Mental State Examination score of 28 (interquartile range 26–30) were included. Reaction time improved more in the protein group (68 ms) than in the placebo group (18 ms, P  = 0.03). Dietary protein had no significant effect on any of the cognitive domain scores. Conclusions Protein supplementation might improve reaction time performance in pre-frail and frail elderly, but did not improve other cognitive functions.

Description: Purpose Up-to-date knowledge about vitamin D supply and serum concentration in Germany is not sufficient. Our purpose was to compare a novel holistic bottom-up modeling of 25(OH)D concentrations with vitamin D sources such as sunlight, food and supplements for all federal states taking seasonal and geographical variations into account. The second purpose was to update and detail vitamin D supply through food in Germany. Methods To confirm the model of 25(OH)D concentrations, we used the population (1,763 men and 2,267 women, 18–79 years) participated in the representative German National Health Interview and Examination Survey 1998 and the integrated German Nutrition Survey. Results The maximum model value is 67.5 nmol/L in July and minimum model value is 29.3 nmol/L in January, while the average model value is 45.0 nmol/L. Men have a mean daily intake of 137 IU (3.42 μg) and women of 112 IU (2.79 μg). Correlation between model and actual data is 0.77 ( p  = 0.003). Conclusions A comparison of the model data with population-based values showed good agreement. None of the vitamin D sources can provide the German population with enough vitamin D.

Description: Purpose Some researchers found decreased levels of plasma taurine in obese subjects and animals, and reduced expression of an important enzyme of taurine synthesis. These evidences, coupled with the metabolic imbalance of obesity and the possible anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of taurine, highlighted the use of taurine as a supplement in obesity treatment. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether taurine supplementation, associated with nutritional counseling, modulates oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and glucose homeostasis in obese women. Methods A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study was conducted with 16 women with obesity diagnosis and 8 women in the normal weight range. The obese volunteers were matched by age and body mass index and randomly assigned to either the placebo (3 g/day starch flour) or taurine (3 g/day taurine) group. The study lasted 8 weeks, and the experimental protocol included nutritional assessment and determination of plasma sulfur amino acids, insulin, and adiponectin, serum glycemia, and markers of inflammatory response and oxidative stress. Results Plasma taurine levels were significantly decreased (41 %) in the obese volunteers. Both the placebo and taurine groups showed significant reduction in weight (3 %), with no differences between groups. Different from placebo, taurine-supplemented group showed significant increase in plasma taurine (97 %) and adiponectin (12 %) and significant reduction in the inflammatory marker hs-C-reactive protein (29 %) and in the lipid peroxidation marker thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) (20 %). Conclusions Eight weeks of taurine supplementation associated with nutritional counseling is able to increase adiponectin levels and to decrease markers of inflammation (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) and lipid peroxidation (TBARS) in obese women.

Description: Purpose Even mild iodine deficiency may negatively affect cognitive performance, especially at a young age. Our aim was to investigate iodine status in very young children and to assess the importance of iodized salt in processed foods of which the use has decreased during the last years in Germany. Methods Twenty-four hours urinary iodine excretion (UIE) as a marker of iodine intake was measured in 378 24 h urine samples collected 2003–2010 by 221 3 to 〈6 years old participants of the DONALD Study. Parallel 3-d weighed dietary records and measurements of urinary sodium excretion provided data on the daily consumption of the most important iodine sources in the children’s diet (iodized salt, milk, fish, meat and eggs). Time trends of UIE (2003–2010) and contributions of the different food groups were analyzed by using linear mixed-effects regression models. Results Median UIE of 71 μg/d in boys and 65 μg/d in girls ( P  = 0.03), corresponding to an iodine intake of 82 and 75 μg/d, respectively (assumption: 15 % non-renal iodine losses), was below the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of 90 μg/d. Milk, salt and egg intake were significant predictors of UIE; milk and salt together accounted for 〉80 % of iodine supply. Between 2003 and 2010, UIE decreased significantly by approximately 1 μg/d per year. The contribution of salt intake to UIE decreased from 2003–2006 to 2007–2010. Conclusion In countries where salt is a major iodine source, already modest decreases in the iodized proportion of salt used in processed foods may relevantly impair iodine status even in preschool children.

Description: Purpose Urolithins, gut microbiota metabolites derived from ellagic acid and ellagitannins, reach micromolar concentrations in the colon lumen where can have anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. The antiproliferative activity of urolithins (Uro-A, Uro-B, Uro-C and Uro-D) and their most relevant in vivo glucuronides were evaluated in three human colon cancer cell lines (Caco-2, SW480 and HT-29). Methods Cell proliferation was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide and Trypan blue exclusion assays. Cell cycle was evaluated by flow cytometry and urolithins metabolism by HPLC–MS/MS. Results Urolithins inhibited cell proliferation and cell cycle progression in a time- and dose-dependent manner and arrested the cells at S and G2/M phases, depending on the urolithin. Uro-A exerted the highest antiproliferative activity, followed by Uro-C, Uro-D and Uro-B. Unlike Caco-2 and SW480 cells, HT-29 cells partially overcame the effects after 48 h, which was related to the complete glucuronidation of urolithins. Uro-A or Uro-B glucuronides did not affect cell cycle and showed lower antiproliferative activity than their aglycone counterparts. Uro-A or Uro-B plus inhibitors of drug efflux ABC transporters partially prevented the glucuronidation of urolithins in HT-29 cells which became more sensitive. Conclusions Uro-A, Uro-B, Uro-C and Uro-D exerted different antiproliferative effects depending on the colon cancer cell line. We also report here, for the first time, the role of ABC transporters and Phase-II metabolism in HT-29 cells as a mechanism of cancer resistance against urolithins due to their conversion to glucuronide conjugates that exerted lower antiproliferative activity.

Description: Purpose The primary objective of this study is to investigate the content of biologically active compounds producing an antioxidant effect in Plantago maxima and their influence on main mechanisms of dietary obesity development. Methods Biologically active compounds in P. maxima were tested using paper chromatography. In in vivo experiment, high-fat-fed Wistar rats obtained P. maxima water extract for 3 months. Morphometric parameters, weight gain, serum adipokines, and cytokines, as well as oxidative stress biomarkers in rats’ tissues were evaluated. Gut microflora was also examined. Results Plantago maxima leaves used in the experiment contained significant amount of flavonoids, iridoids, phenol carboxylic acids, and tannins and ascorbic acid. Our in vivo experiment data demonstrate that P. maxima water extract prevents excessive adiposity in a diet-induced model. P. maxima consumption reduced serum leptin (twofold), macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 (sevenfold), tumor-necrosis factor-α (25 %), and interleukine-6 (26 %) levels. P. maxima water extract decreased adipose tissue oxidative stress biomarkers in rats fed a high-fat diet. In addition, increased bacterial growth in the diet-induced obesity model was reversed by the P. maxima extract treatment. Conclusion Plantago maxima water extract possessed antiadipogenic, antidiabetic, antiinflammatory, antioxidant activity, and normalized gut microflora in a rat model of diet-induced excessive adiposity due to a high content of biologically active compounds.

Description: Purpose d , l -Sulforaphane (SFN) is a promising chemopreventive agent with in vivo efficacy against prostate cancer in experimental rodents. This study was undertaken to determine the role of vimentin and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) in anticancer effects of SFN. Methods Effect of SFN on levels of different proteins was determined by Western blotting or immunofluorescence microscopy. RNA interference of vimentin and PAI-1 was achieved by transient transfection. Apoptosis was quantified by flow cytometry. Transwell chambers were used to determine cell migration. Results Exposure of PC-3 and DU145 human prostate cancer cells to SFN resulted in induction of vimentin protein, which was accompanied by down-regulation of E-cadherin protein expression. The SFN-mediated induction of vimentin was also observed in a normal human prostate epithelial cell line. RNA interference of vimentin did not have any appreciable effect on early or late apoptosis resulting from SFN exposure. On the other hand, SFN-mediated inhibition of PC-3 and DU145 cell migration was significantly augmented by knockdown of the vimentin protein. Knockdown of vimentin itself was inhibitory against cell migration. The SFN-treated cells also exhibited induction of PAI-1, which is an endogenous inhibitor of urokinase-type plasminogen activator system. Similar to vimentin, PAI-1 knockdown resulted in a modest augmentation of PC-3 cell migration inhibition by SFN. Tumors from SFN-treated transgenic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate mice showed a 1.7-fold increase in vimentin protein level compared with control tumors. Conclusion The present study indicates that vimentin and PAI-1 inductions confer modest protection against SFN-mediated inhibition of prostate cancer cell migration.

Description: Purpose Since obesity is associated with poorer iron status, the effects of diet-induced obesity on iron status and iron-regulatory pathways were examined. Methods Weanling male diet-induced obese sensitive ( n  = 12/diet group) and resistant ( n  = 12/diet group) rats were fed one of four high-fat, high-energy diets supplemented with 5 (5Fe, low), 15 (15Fe, marginal), 35 (35Fe, normal) or 70 (70Fe, high) mg iron/kg diet for 12 weeks. At the end of the study, rats in each diet group were categorised as obese (〉19 %) or lean (〈17 %) based on percentage body fat. Results Obese rats gained more weight, had larger total lean mass, consumed more food and showed greater feed efficiency compared with lean rats. Obese rats fed the 5Fe and 15Fe diets had poorer iron status than lean rats fed the same diet. Obese 5Fe rats had lower serum iron and more severe iron-deficiency anaemia. Obese 15Fe rats had lower mean corpuscular haemoglobin and liver iron concentrations. Hepcidin mRNA expression in liver and adipose tissue was similar for obese and lean rats. Iron concentration and content of the iron transporters divalent metal transporter 1 and ferroportin 1 in duodenal mucosa were also similar. Conclusions Obese rats that were larger, regardless of adiposity, had higher iron requirements compared with lean rats that appeared independent of hepcidin, inflammation and intestinal iron absorption. Higher iron requirements may have resulted from larger accretion of body mass and blood volume. Greater food consumption did not compensate for the higher iron needs, indicating increased susceptibility to iron deficiency.

Description: Introduction Neutrophils provide the first line of defense of the innate immune system by phagocytosing, killing and digesting bacteria and fungi. During this process, neutrophils produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), which in excess, can damage the cells themselves and surrounding tissues. The carotenoid fucoxanthin (Fc) has been studied concerning its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions. Vitamin c (Vc) also demonstrates potent antioxidant action. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Fc (2 μM) in association with Vc (100 μM) on functional parameters of human neutrophils in vitro. Materials and methods We evaluated the migration and phagocytic capacity, intracellular calcium mobilization, ROS production (O 2 ·− , H 2 O 2 , HOCl), myeloperoxidase activity, profile of antioxidant enzymes, phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and p65 NFκB subunit, GSH/GSSG ratio and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) in neutrophils under different stimuli. Results We verified an increase in phagocytic capacity for all treatments, together with an increase in intracellular calcium only in cells treated with Fc and Fc + Vc. ROS production was reduced by all treatments, although Vc was a better antioxidant than Fc. Phosphorylation of the p-65 subunit of NFκB was reduced in cells treated with Fc + Vc and release of TNF-α and IL-6 was reduced by all treatments. These findings indicate that the regulation of inflammatory cytokines by neutrophils is not exclusively under the control of the NFκB pathway. Fc reduced the activity of some antioxidant enzymes, whereas Vc increased GR activity and the GSH/GSSG ratio. Conclusion In conclusion, the results presented in this study clearly show an immunomodulatory effect of the carotenoid fc alone or in combination with Vc on the function of human neutrophils.

Description: Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between proxy-reported energy intake, daily food intake and energy density of foods and body mass index (BMI) z -score in 2–9-year-old European children. Methods From 16,225 children who participated in the identification and prevention of dietary- and lifestyle-induced health effects in children and infants (IDEFICS) baseline examination, 9,782 children with 24-h proxy dietary information and complete covariate information were included in the analysis. Participating children were classified according to adapted Goldberg cutoffs: underreports, plausible energy reports and overreports. Energy intake, daily food intake and energy density of foods excluding noncaloric beverages were calculated for all eating occasions. Effect of energy intake, daily food intake and energy density of foods on BMI z -score was investigated using multilevel regression models in the full sample and subsample of plausible energy reports. Exposure variables were included separately; daily food intake and energy intake were addressed in a combined model to check for interactions. Results In the group of plausible energy reports ( N  = 8,544), energy intake and daily food intake were significantly positively associated with BMI z -score. Energy density of foods was not associated with BMI z -score. In the model including energy intake, food intake and an interaction term, only energy intake showed a significantly positive effect on BMI z -score. In the full sample ( N  = 9,782), only energy intake was significantly but negatively associated with BMI z -score. Conclusion Proxy-reporters are subject to misreporting, especially for children in the higher BMI levels. Energy intake is a more important predictor of unhealthy weight development in children than daily food intake.

Description: Purpose A low calcium intake (LCaI) may predispose to obesity, and excessive fat mass may be detrimental to bone. The impact of Ca inadequacy would be greater in subjects predisposed to obesity. LCaI effect on obesity development during the rapid growth period was compared in two strains of rats: spontaneously obese IIMb/β (O) and Wistar (W). Pregnant rats were fed 0.5 % (N) or 0.2 % (L) of Ca (OLCa, ONCa, WLCa and WNCa). Male pups were fed the maternal diet until day 60. Methods Body composition, lipid profile, glucose homeostasis, 25 hydroxyvitamin D, Ca-phosphorus, and bone metabolism were evaluated. Results BW and body fat were higher, whereas body protein was lower in OLCa versus ONCa ( p  〈 0.05). OLCa presented the highest body fat, glucose, non-HDL and total cholesterol, TGL, insulin levels, and HOMA-IR, liver weight, and adipose perigonadal plus retroperitoneal pads ( p  〈 0.05). WLCa did not exhibit an increase BW and only showed a slight change in body composition with minor biochemical alterations compared to WNCa ( p  〈 0.05). Osteocalcin, CTX, and proximal tibia and lumbar spine BMDs were lower in O than in W rats fed the same Ca diet ( p  〈 0.05). Body ash and Ca content, and total skeleton BMC/BW were lower in OLCa and WLCa versus their corresponding NCa groups ( p  〈 0.05). Conclusion The negative effect of a low Ca diet on fat mass accumulation and lipid profile may be more evident in rats predisposed to obesity. Nevertheless, low CaI interferes with the normal glucose homeostasis leading to an increase in insulin resistance. Low CaI during early growth may be an obesogenic factor that may persist into adult life and may account for the development of obesity and some of its co-morbidities.

Description: Purpose The soluble fiber β-glucan, a natural component of barley, has been shown to lower the postprandial glucose response and is thought to improve insulin resistance. Methods This study examined the effect of chronic consumption of the high β-glucan barley flour on glucose control, liver lipids and markers of muscle fatty acid oxidation in the Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rat. Two groups of ZDF rats were fed diets containing either 6 % β-glucan in the form of barley flour or cellulose as a control for 6 weeks. A group of Zucker lean rats served as a negative control. Results The barley flour group had an increased small intestinal contents viscosity compared to the obese control group. After 6 weeks, the barley flour group had reduced glycated hemoglobin, lower relative kidney weights and a reduced area under the curve during a glucose tolerance test, indicating improved glucose control. Fasting plasma adiponectin levels increased in the barley flour group and were not different than the lean control group. ZDF rats on the barley flour diet had lower relative epididymal fat pad weights than the obese control and a greater food efficiency ratio. The barley flour group also had reduced liver weights and a decreased concentration of liver lipids. The barley flour group had significantly higher concentrations of muscle acylcarnitines, a metabolite generated during fatty acid oxidation. Conclusion These results show that chronic consumption of β-glucans can improve glucose control and decrease fatty liver in a model of diabetes with obesity.

Description: Purpose Rats given sugar-sweetened drinks can develop glucose intolerance, insulin resistance and dyslipidaemia. The aim of this study was to investigate whether such metabolic disruptions and also possible weight gain induced by chronic sucrose consumption could be attenuated by low-volume exercise. Methods Using a 2 × 2 factorial design, rats were given free access for 57 days to either a 10 % sucrose solution ( Suc and SucEx ) or water only ( Con and ConEx ), while exercise rats ( SucEx and ConEx ) received 20-min treadmill training every 3 days. Caloric intake and body weight were measured throughout this dietary intervention. Oral glucose tolerance tests were performed on days 29 and 54. Plasma insulin, triglycerides and leptin were also measured, together with post-mortem measures of retroperitoneal fat pads and liver triglycerides. Results In groups given sucrose, exercise reduced calorie consumption, reduced weight gain and decreased leptin relative to non-exercised controls. Exercise was found to improve glucose tolerance and insulin action at day 29, but not day 54. Conclusions Low-volume exercise can be effective in preventing weight gain in sucrose-fed rats, probably via reduction of subcutaneous fat, but prevention of the glucose intolerance and dyslipidaemia produced by sucrose consumption may be transient.

Description: Purpose Laboratory studies have suggested that vitamin D inadequacy may be implicated in development of hypertension. Evidence from epidemiologic studies remains limited. We aim to examine the prospective associations of circulating vitamin D metabolites, vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms, and their interaction with risk of hypertension. Methods We conducted prospective analyses among 1,211 US men that were free of baseline hypertension and had baseline plasma 25hydroxy-vitamin D (25(OH)D) or 1,25dihydroxy-vitamin D (1,25(OH) 2 D) measured and VDR Bsm I or Fok I polymorphisms genotyped. Results During 15.3-year follow-up, 695 men developed incident hypertension. After multivariable adjustment, the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95 % CIs for hypertension across increasing quartiles of plasma vitamin D metabolites were 1.00 (ref), 0.94 (0.69–1.27), 0.69 (0.50–0.96), and 0.82 (0.60–1.13) for 25(OH)D ( p , trend: 0.43), and 1.00, 0.92 (0.66–1.27), 1.12 (0.82–1.54), and 1.19 (0.86–1.63) for 1,25(OH) 2 D ( p , trend: 0.16). Compared with carriers of VDR Bsm I bb, carriers of bB or BB had a HR of 1.25 (1.04–1.51) for hypertension. For VDR Fok I polymorphism, compared with carriers of FF and Ff combined, carriers of ff had a HR of 1.32 (1.03–1.70). The relation between plasma 25(OH)D and risk of hypertension did not differ by VDR Bsm I and Fok I polymorphisms. Conclusions In a prospective cohort of men, we found suggestive evidence for an inverse association between plasma 25(OH)D and risk of hypertension. We also found associations between VDR Bsm I and Fok I polymorphisms with hypertension risk. More research is needed to further determine the role of vitamin D in hypertension prevention.

Description: Purpose The dietary sesamol is one of the important constituent of sesame seed that has been mainly claimed to combat cardiovascular disease and diabetes, which are the major secondary complications of arthritis. Thus, the present study was designed to evaluate the anti-arthritic, anti-inflammatory and anti-stress potentials of sesamol. Methods Arthritis was induced using Freund’s complete adjuvant to hind paw of experimental rats. The physical and biochemical alterations and its recovery by sesamol were assessed by measuring enzymatic and non-enzymatic mediators. Arthritis-induced inflammation, oxidative stress and their protective by sesamol were measured by determining the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress markers. Results In the present study, sesamol was demonstrated to alleviate arthritis-induced cartilage degeneration by mitigating augmented serum levels of hyaluronidase and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-13, MMP-3 and MMP-9). It also protected bone resorption by reducing the elevated levels of bone joint exoglycosidases, cathepsin D and tartarate-resistant acid phosphatases. Sesamol also abrogated the non-enzymatic inflammatory markers (TNF, IL-1β, IL-6, COX-2, PGE 2 , ROS, and H 2 O 2 ,) effectively. In addition, sesamol neutralizes arthritis-induced oxidative stress by restoring the levels of reactive oxygen species, lipid and hydro peroxides and sustained antioxidant homeostasis by re-establishing altered activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione-s-transferase. Conclusion Taken together, the study demonstrated the anti-arthritic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative stress and chondro-protective potentials of sesamol in vivo. Thus, sesamol could be a single bullet that can fight arthritis as well as the secondary complications of arthritis such as cardio vascular disorders and diabetes.

Description: Purpose We previously reported that two substrains of C57BL/6 mice respond differently to oats with respect to reduction in plasma cholesterol. Analysis of this difference might offer clues to mechanisms behind the cholesterol-lowering effect of oats. Here, we address the possible roles of hepatic steroid metabolism and the intestinal microbiota in this respect. Methods Female C57BL/6 mice were fed an atherogenic diet with oat bran (27 %) or control fibres for 4 weeks. Results C57BL/6 NCrl mice responded to oat bran with 19 ± 1 % ( P  〈 0.001) lower plasma cholesterol, 40 ± 5 % ( P  〈 0.01) higher excretion of bile acids and increased expression of the bile acid-producing hepatic enzymes CYP7A1 and CYP8B1, but none of these effects were found in C57BL/6JBomTac mice. However, on control diet, C57BL/6JBomTac had tenfold higher expression of CYP7A1 and levels of hepatic cholesterol esters than C57BL/6NCrl mice. Plasma levels of fructosamine indicated improved glycemic control by oat bran in C57BL/6NCrl but not in C57BL/6JBomTac. C57BL/6JBomTac had higher intestinal microbiota diversity, but lower numbers of Enterobacteriaceae , Akkermansia and Bacteroides Fragilis than C57BL/6NCrl mice. Oat bran increased bacterial numbers in both substrains. Microbiota diversity was reduced by oats in C57BL/6JBomTac, but unaffected in C57BL/6NCrl. Conclusions Our data do not support a connection between altered microbiota diversity and reduced plasma cholesterol, but the bacterial composition in the intestine may influence the effects of added fibres. The cholesterol-lowering properties of oats involve increased production of bile acids via the classical pathway with up-regulation of CYP7A1 and CYP8B1. Altered cholesterol or bile acid metabolism may interfere with the potential of oats to reduce plasma cholesterol.

Description: Background/objectives Individuals with type 1 diabetes have a high risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, and it has been reported that they consume a high atherogenic diet. We examined how nutrient intake and adherence to current European nutritional recommendations evolved in a large cohort of European individuals with type 1 diabetes over a period of 7 years. Subjects/methods We analysed data from the EURODIAB Prospective Complications Study, a European multicentre prospective cohort study. Standardized 3-day dietary records were employed in individuals with type 1 diabetes. One thousand one hundred and two patients (553 men, 549 women, baseline age 33 ± 10 years, duration 15 ± 9 years) had complete nutritional data available at baseline and after 7 years. We calculated mean differences in reported nutrients over time and adjusted these for age, gender, HbA 1c and BMI with ANOVA models. Results Compared to baseline, there were minor changes in nutrients. Reported protein (−0.35 % energy (en), fat (−1.07 % en), saturated fat (−0.25 % en) and cholesterol (−7.42 mg/1000 kcal) intakes were lower, whereas carbohydrate (+1.23 % en) and fibre (+0.46 g/1000 kcal) intakes were higher at the 7-year follow-up. European recommendations for adequate nutrient intakes were followed in individuals with type 1 diabetes for protein (76 % at baseline and 78 % at follow-up), moderately for fat (34, 40 %), carbohydrate (34, 41 %) and cholesterol (39, 47 %), but poorly for fibre (1.4, 2.4 %) and saturated fat (11, 13 %). Conclusion European individuals with type 1 diabetes consume a high atherogenic diet as few patients met recommendations for dietary fibre and saturated fat. This study showed minor changes in dietary nutrients and energy intakes over a period of 7 years. Nutrition education needs particular focus on strategies to increase dietary fibre and reduce saturated fat to exploit their potential benefit.

Description: Purpose Tocotrienol possess beneficial effects not exhibited by tocopherol. In vitro studies using animal models have suggested that these effects are caused via modulation of gene and protein expression. However, human supplementation studies using tocotrienol-rich isomers are limited. This study aims to identify plasma proteins that changed in expression following tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) supplementation within two different age groups. Methods Subjects were divided into two age groups—32 ± 2 (young) and 52 ± 2 (old) years old. Four subjects from each group were assigned with TRF (78 % tocotrienol and 22 % tocopherol, 150 mg/day) or placebo capsules for 6 months. Fasting plasma were obtained at 0, 3, and 6 months. Plasma tocopherol and tocotrienol levels were determined. Plasma proteome was resolved by 2DE, and differentially expressed proteins identified by MS. The expressions of three proteins were validated by Western blotting. Results Six months of TRF supplementation significantly increased plasma levels of tocopherols and tocotrienols. Proteins identified as being differentially expressed were related to cholesterol homeostasis, acute-phase response, protease inhibitor, and immune response. The expressions of Apolipoprotein A-I precursor, Apolipoprotein E precursor, and C-reactive protein precursor were validated. The old groups showed more proteins changing in expression. Conclusions TRF appears to not only affect plasma levels of tocopherols and tocotrienols, but also the levels of plasma proteins. The identity of these proteins may provide insights into how TRF exerts its beneficial effects. They may also be potentially developed into biomarkers for the study of the effects and effectiveness of TRF supplementation.

Description: Purpose Preterm infants are at risk for suboptimal bone mineralization. Postnatal bone formation requires optimal nutritional composition. This study evaluated the effect of isocaloric, protein-, and mineral-enriched postdischarge formula (PDF), standard term formula (TF), and human milk (HM) on gain in bone mineral content (BMC) of preterm infants between term age (40 weeks postmenstrual age) and 6 months corrected age (CA). Methods Between term age and 6 months CA, 93 preterm infants were randomized to be fed PDF ( n  = 52) or TF ( n  = 41) and 46 preterm infants were fed HM. Weight (g) and length (cm) were measured at birth, term age, and 6 months CA. BMC (g) was measured by whole-body dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry at term age and 6 months CA. Results Gain in BMC (expressed as median with interquartile range) between term age and 6 months CA was higher in PDF-fed infants (102.3 (32.4) g) compared to TF- and HM-fed infants (91.6 (24.5) and 84.5 (33.3) g, respectively), adjusted for gender, gestational age, birthweight, and gain in weight and length. Conclusion Between term age and 6 months CA, isocaloric PDF enhances gain in BMC of preterm infants, independent of gain in weight and length. We speculate that higher gain in BMC during infancy may improve adult bone mass in preterm infants.

Description: Purpose To further inform the debate on the possible cognitive benefits of antioxidant nutrients in the elderly, we systematically reviewed available prospective studies while paying a special attention to their methodological quality. Methods This is a systematic review of studies involving major antioxidant nutrients and change in cognitive performance. Abstracts were independently reviewed; studies were selected based on prespecified criteria. Methodological quality of primary studies was assessed using a methodological checklist for cohort studies. Findings were presented using a narrative synthesis and tabulation of results. Results Eight-hundred and fifty potentially eligible studies were identified; 10 met the inclusion criteria and were retained for data extraction and appraisal. The main supportive evidence came from two studies, both judged to be of high quality: The first observed an accelerated decline in global cognition, attention, and psychomotor speed over 9 years, concomitant to a decrease in plasma selenium levels over the same period; the second study reported a slower rate of global cognitive decline over 3 years in persons in the highest quartile of intake of vitamins C, E, and carotenes. All associations persisted after adjustment for confounding factors. Evidence in favor of beneficial associations of higher dietary intake of vitamin E and flavonoids, as well as higher serum beta carotene levels, came from further studies of only adequate quality. Conclusions There is a possibility for protective effects of antioxidant nutrients against decline in cognition in older people although the supportive evidence is still limited in number. This association deserves further examination in additional quality investigations.

Description: Background and aim Breast cancer remains a leading cause of mortality among women. In metastasis, cascade migration of cancer cells and invasion of extracellular matrix (ECM) represent critical steps. Urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), as well as metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9, strongly contribute to ECM remodelling, thus becoming associated with tumour migration and invasion. In addition, the high expression of cytoskeletal (CSK) proteins, as fascin, has been correlated with clinically aggressive metastatic tumours, and CSK proteins are thought to affect the migration of cancer cells. Consumption of fruits and vegetables, characterized by high procyanidin content, has been associated to a reduced mortality for breast cancer. Therefore, we investigated the biological effect of grape seed extract (GSE) on the highly metastatic MDA-MB231 breast cancer cell line, focusing on studying GSE ability in inhibiting two main metastatic processes, i.e., cell migration and invasion. Methods After MDA-MB231 breast cancer cells stimulated with GSE migration and invasion were evaluated by means of trans-well assays and uPA as well as MMPs activity was detected by gelatin zymography. Fascin, β-catenin and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) expression were determined using western blot technique. β-Catenin localization was observed by confocal microscopy. Results We observed that high concentrations of GSE inhibited cell proliferation and apoptosis. Conversely, low GSE concentration decreased cell migration and invasion, likely by hampering β-catenin expression and localization, fascin and NF-κB expression, as well as by decreasing the activity of uPA, MMP-2 and MMP-9. Conclusions These results make GSE a powerful candidate for developing preventive agents against cancer metastasis.

Description: Purpose Adipose tissue-associated chronic inflammation is involved in the pathogenesis of obesity-related diseases. Dietary fatty acids are known to influence inflammatory processes. The aim of this study was to investigate, whether diets with regular fat contents but variable fat qualities affect adipose tissue-associated inflammation through the fatty acid composition of mesenteric adipose tissue (MAT). Methods Obese Zucker rats were fed diets containing 7 % wt:wt rapeseed oil, corn oil, or lard for 10 weeks. Fatty acid composition and endocrine function regarding adipokines and cytokines of MAT, number of total CD3 + T cells, and cytokine secretion of mesenteric lymph node (MLN)-derived lymphocytes were determined. Local effects in MAT and MLN were compared to systemic effects assessed in serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Results Fatty acid composition of MAT reflected dietary fatty acid intake, without affecting endocrine function. Feeding the lard diet for 10 weeks increased the serum adiponectin and TNF-α secretion of blood lymphocytes, whereas CD3 + T cells in blood were decreased. No effects were seen for the secretion of adipokines and cytokines from MAT, the amount of T cells in MLN, and cytokine secretion of MLN lymphocytes. Conclusions In conclusion, feeding obese rats a diet with regular fat content but variable fat sources for 10 weeks, changed the fatty acid composition of MAT but not its secretory properties or MLN functions. Although the local immune system was not influenced, lard-feeding induced minor changes in systemic immune function.

Description: Purpose Dietary food composition influences postprandial glucose homeostasis. Thus, the objective was to investigate the effects of an acute intake of three different types of strawberry jam, differing in carbohydrate and antioxidants content, on postprandial glucose metabolism, lipid profile, antioxidant status, and satiety. Methods Sixteen healthy adults participated in a randomized, crossover, double-blind study with three arms, receiving 60 g of three different strawberry jams. Blood samples were collected at fasting and at 30, 60, 90, and 120 min after its intake. Blood analyses were performed with validated procedures and satiety was estimated with visual analogue scale (VAS). Results Blood glucose concentrations were maintained at normal values and without peaks within the 2 h after consumption of low-sugar jams. However, blood glucose and insulin were significantly higher at 30 and 60 min after high-sugar (HS) jam intake versus both low-sugar jams. Furthermore, HS jam produced more satisfaction at short time, but decreased as soon as blood glucose concentration began to decrease. Moreover, HS ingestion produced lower free fatty acid levels ( p  〈 0.05) throughout the trial with respect both the low-sugar jams. However, no additional benefits on oxidative status (malondialdehyde, glutathione peroxidase, total antioxidant capacity, and uric acid), glucose, lipid, and satiety variables were observed due to the inclusion of an antioxidant to low-sugar jam. Conclusions This study reinforces the idea that products without added sugars are appropriate for the management of glycemic alterations and provides further insight into the effect of natural antioxidants as a functional ingredient on oxidative status and related metabolic disturbances. Registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01684332.

Description: Purpose Soy isoflavones may inhibit tumor cell invasion and metastasis via their effects on matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs). The current study investigates the effects of daidzein, R- and S-equol on the invasion of MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells and the effects of these compounds on MMP/TIMP expression at the mRNA level. Methods The anti-invasive effects of daidzein, R- and S-equol (0, 2.5, 10, 50 μM) on MDA-MB-231 cells were determined using the Matrigel invasion assay following 48-h exposure. Effects on MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 expression were assessed using real-time PCR. Chiral HPLC analysis was used to determine intracellular concentrations of R- and S-equol. Results The invasive capacity of MDA-MB-231 cells was significantly reduced (by approximately 50–60 %) following treatment with 50 μM daidzein, R- or S-equol. Anti-invasive effects were also observed with R-equol at 2.5 and 10 μM though overall equipotent effects were induced by all compounds. Inhibition of invasion induced by all three compounds at 50 μM was associated with the down-regulation of MMP-2, while none of the compounds tested significantly affected the expression levels of MMP-9, TIMP-1 or TIMP-2 at this concentration. Following exposure to media containing 50 μM R- or S-equol for 48-h intracellular concentrations of R- and S-equol were 4.38 ± 1.17 and 3.22 ± 0.47 nM, respectively. Conclusion Daidzein, R- and S-equol inhibit the invasion of MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells in part via the down-regulation of MMP-2 expression, with equipotent effects observed for the parent isoflavone daidzein and the equol enantiomers.

Description: Purpose Polydextrose is a low-calorie highly branched-chain glucose polymer that is poorly digested in the upper gastrointestinal tract and therefore demonstrates fibre-like properties. Fibre has been shown to increase satiety and possibly reduce food intake. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to examine the effects of polydextrose on short-term satiety and energy intake. Methods In a repeated-measures randomized blind cross-over design, 26 healthy males consumed a 400-g fruit smoothie containing 12 g (3 %) of polydextrose, and a buffet lunch 60 min after the smoothie. Motivational ratings for satiety and palatability and lunch energy intake were measured. The effects of the polydextrose-containing smoothie were compared against a polydextrose-free control smoothie. Results Polydextrose did not significantly alter the taste and palatability of the fruit smoothie. Consuming the polydextrose-containing smoothie resulted in a significantly lower energy intake at lunch (102 kcal less) compared to the control. Conclusion Polydextrose may be a good fortificant for reducing short-term food intake.

Description: Purpose Consumption of phytosterols is a nutritional strategy to reduce cholesterol absorption, but the efficacy of various phytosterol intake modalities remains uncertain. The main objective was to investigate the effects of phytosterol esters (PE) provided either as a spread (dispersed in fat) during a mixed meal or as a minidrink (micro-dispersed in liquid form) after a meal. Methods In a randomized, single-blinded crossover design, 12 healthy intubated volunteers tested three different liquid meal sequences with and without PE. The liquid meal (500 mL, Fortisip) contained an oral dose (80 mg) of deuterium-enriched cholesterol (D7C). The intubation was stopped at 240 min, and the fate of sterols was determined in the different phases of duodenal content samples as function of time. A second solid fat-containing meal without sterols was consumed at 270 min. D7C was quantified in chylomicrons and plasma for 8 h. The conditions tested were as follows: (1) no PE added (control), (2) PE in a spread added into a liquid meal (PE-spread meal) and (3) PE given 30 min after a liquid meal as 100-g yoghurt drink (PE-minidrink meal). Results Addition of PE decreased the incorporation of cholesterol into the duodenum aqueous phase including micelles. PE added as a spread or as a minidrink significantly and comparably lowered meal cholesterol occurrence in chylomicrons (−40 % for PE-spread and −54 % for PE-minidrink, p  〈 0.0001) compared with the control meal. Conclusions PE either dispersed in fat during a meal or micro-dispersed in a liquid form after a meal resulted in a markedly reduced occurrence of meal-derived cholesterol in the circulation at a comparable extent.

Description: Background Procyanidins are extensively metabolized via phase-II and microbial enzymes. However, their distribution in the body is not well characterized. Aim This study investigates the distribution of procyanidins (monomers and dimers) and their phase-II metabolites in plasma and tissues (thymus, heart, liver, testicle, lung, kidney, spleen and brain). Methods Wistar rats were fed with 1 g of cocoa cream (CC), 50 mg of procyanidin hazelnut skin extract (PE) and 50 mg PE in 1 g CC (PECC). The rats were killed at 0, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4 and 18 h after gavage, and the plasma and tissues were analyzed by UPLC–MS/MS. Results Epicatechin–glucuronide was the main metabolite in the plasma after the CC intake, with C max at 423 nM and t max at 2 h, and methyl catechin–glucuronide (301 nM, 2 h) was the main metabolite in the plasma after the PE intake. As a result of the PECC enrichment, epicatechin–glucuronide (452 nM, 1.5 h) and catechin–glucuronide (297 nM, 2 h) were the main metabolites in the plasma. Methyl catechin–glucuronide was found in the liver after PE (8 nmol/g tissue, 4 h) and PECC (8 nmol/g, 1.5 h). The kidney was found to contain a high concentration of phase-II metabolites of procyanidins and is therefore thought to be the main site of metabolism of the compounds. Methyl catechin–sulfate (6.4 nmol/g, 4 h) was only quantified in the brain and after PE intake. Catechin metabolites were not found in the spleen or heart. Phenolic acids were detected in all tissues. Conclusions The formulation of a product enriched or fortified with procyanidins is a way to increase their bioavailability, with clear effects on the plasmatic pharmacokinetics, and a greater accumulation of phenolic metabolites in such tissues as the liver, kidney, lung and brain.

Description: Objective There is increasing evidence that anorexia of aging can cause physical and mental impairment. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between anorexia and sarcopenia in elderly persons aged 80 years or older. Methods Data are from the baseline evaluation of 354 subjects enrolled in the ilSIRENTE study. The ilSIRENTE study is a prospective cohort study performed in the mountain community living in the Sirente geographic area (L’Aquila, Abruzzo) in Central Italy. We defined anorexia as the presence of loss of appetite and/or lower food intake. According to the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) criteria, diagnosis of sarcopenia required the documentation of low muscle mass plus the documentation of either low muscle strength or low physical performance. The relationship between anorexia and sarcopenia was estimated by deriving odds ratios from the multiple logistic regression models considering sarcopenia as the dependent variable. Results Nearly 21 % of the study sample showed symptoms of anorexia. Using the EWGSOP-suggested algorithm, 103 subjects (29.1 %) with sarcopenia were identified. Thirty-four (46.6 %) participants were affected by sarcopenia among subjects with anorexia compared to 69 subjects [24.6 %] without anorexia ( p  〈 0.001). After adjusting for potential confounders including age, gender, functional and cognitive impairment, physical activity, urinary incontinence, comorbidity, congestive heart failure, COPD, depression, anti-cholinergic drugs, and TNF-α plasmatic levels, participants with anorexia had a higher risk of sarcopenia compared with non-anorexic subjects (HR 1.88, 95 % CI 1.01–3.51). Conclusions Anorexia is common among community-dwelling older subjects in Italy. Our results suggest that among old–old subjects, anorexia is independently associated with sarcopenia.

Description: Purpose Postprandial metabolic stress as a consequence of ingestion of high-energy meals is recognized as an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The objective of this study was to evaluate the inflammatory and antioxidant response of the body to the acute ingestion of a high-fat meal (HFM). Methods Fifteen healthy overweight subjects were recruited for the study. After HFM consumption, plasma glucose, insulin, uric acid (UA), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), thiols (SH), inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) and dietary antioxidants were measured at 0, 0, 5, 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 h points from ingestion. Results The ingestion of HFM induced significant increases in both TG and TC, with peaks at 4 h ( p  〈 0.001) and 8 h ( p  〈 0.01), respectively. IL-6 and TNF-α significantly increased postprandially, reaching maximum concentrations 8 h after meal consumption ( p  〈 0.001). Whereas plasma concentrations of vitamins and carotenoids were not changed by HFM, SH and UA increased, peaking 2–4 h postingestion ( p  〈 0.001 and 0.01, respectively). Increments of SH and UA were positively correlated with AUC for TG (Pearson coefficient 0.888, p  〈 0.001 and 0.923, p  〈 0.001, respectively). Conclusions Present results indicate that as a consequence of an excess of dietary fat, the body responds through an inflammatory reaction, which is accompanied by an increment of endogenous antioxidant defenses, mediated by UA and SH, but not by vitamins C and E and carotenoids. Although further studies are needed, results of the current investigation represent novel findings on endogenous strategies of redox defense from fat overloads.

Description: Purpose Despite the detailed knowledge of the absorption and incorporation of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) into plasma lipids and red blood cells (RBC) in humans, very little is known about docosapentaenoic acid (DPA, 22:5 n-3). The aim of this study was to investigate the uptake and incorporation of pure DPA and EPA into human plasma and RBC lipids. Methods Ten female participants received 8 g of pure DPA or pure EPA in randomized crossover double-blinded manner over a 7-day period. The placebo treatment was olive oil. Blood samples were collected at days zero, four and seven, following which the plasma and RBC were separated and used for the analysis of fatty acids. Results Supplementation with DPA significantly increased the proportions of DPA in the plasma phospholipids (PL) (by twofold) and triacylglycerol (TAG) fractions (by 2.3-fold, day 4). DPA supplementation also significantly increased the proportions of EPA in TAG (by 3.1-fold, day 4) and cholesterol ester (CE) fractions (by 2.0-fold, day 7) and of DHA in TAG fraction (by 3.1-fold, day 4). DPA proportions in RBC PL did not change following supplementation. Supplementation with EPA significantly increased the proportion of EPA in the plasma CE and PL fractions, (both by 2.7-fold, day 4 and day 7) and in the RBC PL (by 1.9-fold, day 4 and day 7). EPA supplementation did not alter the proportions of DPA or DHA in any lipid fraction. These results showed that within day 4 of supplementation, DPA and EPA demonstrated different and specific incorporation patterns. Conclusion The results of this short-term study suggest that DPA may act as a reservoir of the major long-chain n-3 fatty acids (LC n-3 PUFA) in humans.

Description: Purpose Glutamine (Gln) is a nutrient with immunomodulatory effects in metabolic stressed conditions. This study investigated the effects of Gln on colonic-inflammatory-mediator expression and mucosal repair in mice with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Methods C57BL/6 mice received distilled water containing 3 % DSS for 5 d to induce colitis. One of the DSS-treated groups was intraperitoneally injected with an alanyl (Ala)-Gln solution 3 days before (G-DSS) while the other group was administered Ala-Gln 3 days after colitis (DSS-G) was induced. The Ala-Gln solution provided 0.5 g Gln/kg/d. The saline-DSS group (S-DSS) received an identical amount of saline before and after colitis was induced to serve as a positive control. Results The S-DSS group had a shorter colon length, higher plasma haptoglobin level, and more-severe colon inflammation. Also, the toll-like receptor (TLR)4 level, nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation, and inflammatory cytokine gene expression in the colon were higher than those of the normal control group. Gln administration either before or after colitis suppressed TLR4 protein levels, decreased plasma haptoglobin, and reduced colon inflammation. Histological inflammatory scores were also lowered. Compared to the post-colitis Gln group, preventive use of Gln had higher colon length, expressions of mucin 2, trefoil factor 3, and heat shock protein 72 genes were also upregulated in the colon. Conclusions These results suggest that Gln administered either before or after the colitis mitigated inflammation of colitis that was not observed in group without Gln injection. Prophylactic treatment with Gln had more-beneficial effects on reducing inflammatory markers and enhancing the recovery of mucosa in DSS-induced colitis.

Description: Background/Objectives Folate has been strongly implicated in the aetiology of colorectal cancer. However, the relationship between dietary folate intake, rectal mucosal folate status and colorectal cancer risk is uncertain. The study aimed to estimate nutrient intakes and measure systemic folate status and rectal mucosal folate concentration in people at differential risk of developing colorectal cancer. Methods Two hundred and twenty-eight individuals were recruited from gastroenterology clinics and subdivided into three patient groups: untreated colorectal cancer ( n  = 43), adenomatous polyps ( n  = 90) or normal bowel ( n  = 95). Biopsies from macroscopically normal rectal mucosa and blood were collected and used for the measurement of rectal mucosal 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MeTHF) and systemic markers of folate status, respectively. Nutrient intake was estimated using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Results Dietary intake variables, plasma 5-MeTHF and red cell folate and plasma homocysteine concentrations were similar in all three subject groups and 95 % CI fell within normal range for each variable. Rectal mucosal 5-MeTHF concentration was higher in the normal mucosa of adenomatous polyp patients than in normal subjects ( P  = 0.055). Rectal mucosal 5-MeTHF was associated significantly with plasma folate ( P  〈 0.001, r  = 0.294), red cell folate ( P  = 0.014, r  = 0.305), plasma homocysteine ( P  = 0.017, r  = −0.163) and dietary folate intake ( P  = 0.036, r  = 0.152). Conclusions This study demonstrates adequate folate status of patients attending gastroenterology clinics for the investigation of bowel symptoms, with no significant difference in dietary intakes or systemic folate status indices according to diagnosis. Rectal mucosal 5-MeTHF concentrations were elevated in adenomatous polyp patients, but failed to reach significance. Further studies are required to determine the biological significance of this observation.

Description: Purpose Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria might be an inflammation trigger in adipose tissue. It has recently been proposed that there is a link between adipose tissue distribution and blood LPS. However, the number of studies on this topic is scarce, and further investigation in humans is required. In this study, we explored the association between plasma LPS concentrations and body fat distribution, as well as the biochemical parameters that may indicate the presence of metabolic disorders. Methods Sixty-seven young adult men with body mass index of 26–35 kg/m 2 were evaluated. Anthropometry, body composition and body fat distribution, blood pressure, energy expenditure, physical activity level, dietary intake, and biochemical parameters were assessed. Results Men with median plasma LPS ≥ 0.9 EU/mL presented higher sagittal abdominal diameter, trunk fat percentage, and android fat percentage, and mass, insulin and alanine aminotransferase concentrations, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and beta cell dysfunction (HOMA-B) than those with lower plasma LPS. LPS correlated positively with the trunk fat percentage, and android fat percentage, and mass, insulin, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase concentrations, as well as HOMA-IR and HOMA-B. Conclusion Our results suggest that a higher plasma LPS concentration is associated with a less favorable phenotype as characterized by higher central adiposity, higher values of HOMA-IR, and beta cell function impairment in overweight/obese men.

Description: Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the musculoskeletal effects induced by ovariectomy-related fat mass deposition against the musculoskeletal effects caused by a high-fat diet. Methods A group of adult female rats was ovariectomized and fed a control diet. Two additional groups were sham-operated and fed a control or a high-fat diet for 19 weeks. Distal femur and serum bone parameters were measured to assess bone metabolism. Muscle protein metabolism, mitochondrial markers and triglyceride content were evaluated in tibialis anterior . Triglyceride content was evaluated in liver. Circulating inflammatory and metabolic markers were determined. Results The high-fat diet and ovariectomy led to similar increases in fat mass (+36.6–56.7 %; p  〈 0.05) but had different impacts on bone and muscle tissues and inflammatory markers. Consumption of the high-fat diet led to decreased bone formation (−38.4 %; p  〈 0.05), impaired muscle mitochondrial metabolism, muscle lipotoxicity and a 20.9 % increase in tibialis anterior protein synthesis rate ( p  〈 0.05). Ovariectomy was associated with higher bone turnover as bone formation increased +72.7 % ( p  〈 0.05) and bone resorption increased +76.4 % ( p  〈 0.05), leading to bone loss, a 17.9 % decrease in muscle protein synthesis rate ( p  〈 0.05) and liver lipotoxicity. Conclusions In female rats, high-fat diet and ovariectomy triggered similar gains in fat mass but had different impacts on bone and muscle metabolism. The ovariectomy-induced mechanisms affecting the musculoskeletal system are mainly caused by estrogen depletion, which surpasses the potential-independent effect of adiposity.

Description: In his offered opinion piece, (Dietary glycaemic load and cognitive performance in elderly subjects) Dr. Kawada comments upon the statistical analysis and suggests that the conclusions of the study should be interpreted with caution. Having closely examined these comments, we believe that they are over-stated and we draw different conclusions. At first viewing, the statistical arguments put forward by Dr. Kawada look complicated, but one may summarize that he believes the analysis lacked statistical power. This argument is directed towards two sets of regression analyses, a Poisson analysis on which one of the messages of the paper hinges, and a second logistic analysis that was acknowledged as statistically underpowered in our publication. No statistical argument is provided as to why the Poisson regression model is underpowered; the critique contains no new scientific content but relies on a technical re-iteration of the limitations of the study (that were highlighted in the original manuscript) combined with quasi philosophical arguments on data set size and the need for biochemical markers in observational dietary studies.

Description: Purpose Selenium is an essential trace mineral and a component of selenoproteins that are involved in the production of thyroid hormones and in regulating the immune response. We aimed to explore the effect of low-dose selenium supplementation on thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO-Ab) concentration and thyroid function in pregnant women from a mild-to-moderate iodine-deficient population. Methods Samples and data were from a secondary analysis of Selenium in PRegnancy INTervention (SPRINT), a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study that recruited 230 women with singleton pregnancies from a UK antenatal clinic at 12 weeks of gestation. Women were randomized to receive 60 µg/day selenium or placebo until delivery. Serum thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO-Ab), thyrotropin (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4) were measured at 12, 20 and 35 weeks and thyroglobulin antibodies (Tg-Ab) at 12 weeks. Results 93.5 % of participants completed the study. Se supplementation had no more effect than placebo in decreasing TPO-Ab concentration or the prevalence of TPO-Ab positivity during the course of pregnancy. In women who were either TPO-Ab or Tg-Ab negative at baseline (Thy-Ab −ve ), TSH increased and FT4 decreased significantly throughout gestation ( P  〈 0.001), with no difference between treatment groups. In women who were Thy-Ab +ve at baseline, TSH tended to decrease and was lower than placebo at 35 weeks ( P  = 0.050). FT4 fell more on Se than placebo supplementation and was significantly lower at 35 weeks ( P  = 0.029). Conclusions Low-dose selenium supplementation in pregnant women with mild-to-moderate deficiency had no effect on TPO-Ab concentration, but tended to change thyroid function in Thy-Ab +ve women.

Description: Purpose Currently, obesity has become a worldwide health problem. Adipocyte differentiation is closely associated with the onset of obesity. Our previous studies suggested that persimmon tannin might be a potent anti-adipogenic dietary bioactive compound. However, the mechanism of persimmon tannin on adipocyte differentiation is still unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of persimmon tannin on adipogenic differentiation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and the underlying mechanisms. Methods Adipogenic differentiation was induced by cocktail in the presence or absence of persimmon tannin. Intracellular lipid accumulation was determined by Oil red O staining and enzymatic colorimetric methods. Gene expression and protein levels were measured by real time RT-PCR and Western blot. Results Persimmon tannin inhibited intracellular lipid accumulation markedly, and the inhibitory effect was largely limited to the early stage of adipocyte differentiation. Persimmon tannin suppressed the expression of C/EBPα and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ), significantly. Furthermore, genes related to lipogenesis, such as sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1, were down-regulated by persimmon tannin. In addition, adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (aP2), which is a target gene of PPARγ, was suppressed by persimmon tannin notably. Correspondingly, the expression of miR-27a and miR-27b were up-regulated by persimmon tannin from Day 2 to Day 8 significantly. Conclusion Persimmon tannin inhibited adipocyte differentiation through regulation of PPARγ, C/EBPα and miR-27 in early stage of adipogenesis.

Description: Purpose Evidence suggests that dietary patterns compatible with the traditional Mediterranean diet (MD) may protect against cognitive decline. We prospectively assessed whether adherence to MD in the Mediterranean country of Greece is inversely associated with cognitive decline in the elderly and whether any particular MD component may play a key role. Methods Elderly men and women ( N  = 401) residing in the greater Athens area had dietary variables ascertained in 1994–1999. Adherence to MD was represented by the MD score [MDS, 0–3 (low), 4–5 (intermediate), 6–9 (high)]. The mini-mental state examination (MMSE) was administered by trained professionals to individuals aged 65 years or older in 2004–2006 (first assessment) and re-administered in 2011–2012 (second assessment). MMSE change (cMMSE) was categorized as: improved/unchanged (cMMSE ≥ 0), mildly lower (cMMSE −1 to −4) or substantially lower (cMMSE ≤ −5). Associations were evaluated through multinomial logistic regression. Results Decline in MMSE performance was inversely associated with adherence to MD. For mild versus no decline, odds ratio (OR) comparing high to low MD adherence was 0.46 [95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.25–0.87, p  = 0.012]. For substantial versus no decline, OR comparing high to low MD adherence was 0.34 (95 % CI 0.13–0.89, p  = 0.025). Among the nine MDS components, only vegetable consumption exhibited a significant inverse association with cognitive decline. Conclusions Closer adherence to the traditional MD is highly likely to protect against cognitive decline in this elderly Mediterranean population. Higher vegetable consumption appears to play a key role, possibly in synergy with additional components of the diet.

Description: Objective   To evaluate the effects of 5 % weight loss, through diet only or diet plus exercise, on lipid profile, inflammation and endothelial function in obese individuals. Methods   In this randomized clinical trial, 48 obese individuals were randomized to either a diet only group (DI) or a diet and exercise group (DI + EXE). Treatment was maintained until 5 % of the initial body weight was lost. At baseline and upon completion, the following parameters were analyzed: total cholesterol and fractions, triglycerides, fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and endothelial function (brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilation—FMD). Results   Thirteen individuals dropped out before completing the weight loss intervention. The median time required for reduction of 5 % of initial body weight was 79.7 days for the DI group and 65.9 days for the DI + EXE group ( P  = 0.16). In both DI ( n  = 18) and DI + EXE ( n  = 17), total cholesterol (−15.8 ± 4.8 and −10.5 ± 4.9 mg/dL, respectively), triglycerides (−33.8 ± 10.0 and −39.4 ± 10.3 mg/dL, respectively) and hs-CRP (−1.35 ± 0.41 and −0.45 ± 0.43 mg/L, respectively) decreased significantly, and in a similar response (repeated measures ANOVA). Weight loss did not change significantly the fibrinogen and FMD in both groups. Conclusion   A 5 % weight loss improves lipid profile and reduces inflammation in obese individuals. Endothelial function did not change significantly. Weight loss has a significant impact on these cardiovascular risk factors, and this is independent of physical training. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0450-1 Authors Ana Paula Trussardi Fayh, Endocrine Unit, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil André Luiz Lopes, Exercise Research Laboratory, School of Physical Education, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil Antônio Marcos Vargas da Silva, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil Álvaro Reischak-Oliveira, Exercise Research Laboratory, School of Physical Education, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil Rogério Friedman, Endocrine Unit, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Aim   To investigate the effects of a neonatal low-protein diet on the number of macrophages in culture and the expression/production of proteins that regulate macrophage fusion in young and adult rats. Methods   Male Wistar rats ( n  = 18) were suckled by mothers fed diets containing 17 % protein (controls, C) or 8 % protein (undernourished, UN). All rats were fed a normal protein diet after weaning. Bronchoalveolar lavage was collected from 42-, 60- and 90-day-old rats. Alveolar macrophages were cultured for 4 days to assess the number of cells and the expression of cadherins, key proteins involved in macrophage fusion, by western blotting. IL-4 and IFN-γ levels in culture supernatants were measured by ELISA. Results   Offspring from mothers fed a low-protein diet showed a lower body weight gain. The number of cells in cultured macrophages from UN was reduced at 42 and 60 days and increased at 90 days. IL-4 production was increased in the supernatants from UN group at 60 days but did not affect the expression of cadherins. IFN-γ production was increased in the supernatants from UN group at 42 and 60 days and reduced at 90 days. Conclusions   This study thus demonstrated that dietary restriction during lactation altered the number of alveolar macrophages in culture and the production of fusion proteins of offspring aged 42, 60 or 90 days but did not modify the expression of adhesion molecules important for the fusion of these cells. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0453-y Authors Juliana Félix de Melo, Department of Tropical Medicine, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil Thacianna Barreto da Costa, Department of Tropical Medicine, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil Tamara D. da Costa Lima, Aggeu Magalhães Research Center, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Campus UFPE, Recife, Brazil Maria E. C. Chaves, Keizo Asami Laboratory of Immunopathology, Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235, Cidade Universitária, Recife, Pernambuco 50670-901, Brazil Muriel Vayssade, UMR CNRS 6600, Université de Technologie de Compiègne, Compiègne, France Marie-Danielle Nagel, UMR CNRS 6600, Université de Technologie de Compiègne, Compiègne, France Célia M. M. B. de Castro, Department of Tropical Medicine, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   To examine the association of red meat and whole-grain bread consumption with plasma levels of biomarkers related to glucose metabolism, oxidative stress, inflammation and obesity. Methods   Our cross-sectional study was based on 2,198 men and women who were selected as a sub-cohort for an investigation of biological predictors of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition-Potsdam study. Circulating levels of glycated hemoglobin, adiponectin, hs-CRP, gamma-glutamyltransferase, alanine-aminotransferase, fetuin-A, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides were measured from random blood samples. Diet and lifestyle data were assessed by questionnaires, and anthropometric data were measured. Results   After multivariable adjustment, higher consumption of whole-grain bread was significantly ( P trend 〈0.05) associated with lower levels of GGT, ALT and hs-CRP, whereas higher consumption of red meat was significantly associated with higher levels of GGT and hs-CRP when adjusted for potential confounding factors related to lifestyle and diet. Further adjustment for body mass index and waist circumference attenuated the association between red meat and hs-CRP ( P  = 0.19). Conclusions   The results of this study suggest that high consumption of whole-grain bread is related to lower levels of GGT, ALT and hs-CRP, whereas high consumption of red meat is associated with higher circulating levels of GGT and hs-CRP. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0340-6 Authors Jukka Montonen, Department of Epidemiology, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke, Arthur-Scheunert-Allee 114-116, 14558 Nuthetal, Germany Heiner Boeing, Department of Epidemiology, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke, Arthur-Scheunert-Allee 114-116, 14558 Nuthetal, Germany Andreas Fritsche, Department of Internal Medicine IV, University of Tuebingen, Tübingen, Germany Erwin Schleicher, Department of Internal Medicine IV, University of Tuebingen, Tübingen, Germany Hans-Georg Joost, Department of Pharmacology, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke, Nuthetal, Germany Matthias B. Schulze, Department of Molecular Epidemiology, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke, Nuthetal, Germany Annika Steffen, Department of Epidemiology, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke, Arthur-Scheunert-Allee 114-116, 14558 Nuthetal, Germany Tobias Pischon, Department of Epidemiology, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke, Arthur-Scheunert-Allee 114-116, 14558 Nuthetal, Germany Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   We explored the pathophysiologic mechanisms of long-term fructose-induced lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in rats. Methods   Male Wistar rats were fed with fructose for 3 or 6 months. Biochemical and transcystometric parameters were compared between fructose-fed and age-matched normal-diet rats. Pelvic nerve and external urethral sphincter-electromyogram activity recordings were performed to investigate fructose effects on neural control of bladders. Mitochondrial structure, ATP and acetylcholine content and purinergic and muscarinic cholinergic receptors were examined. Cytosolic cytochrome C staining by Western blot and immunocytochemistry for mitochondrial injury and PGP 9.5 stain for nerve density were also determined. Results   The fructose-fed rats with higher plasma triglyceride, LDL and fasting glucose levels displayed LUTS with increased frequency and suppressed voiding contractile amplitude in phase 1 and phase 2 duration versus normal-diet control. Fructose feeding altered the firing types in pelvic afferent and efferent nerves and external urethral sphincter-electromyogram activity. Increased mast cell number, disrupted and swollen mitochondria, increased cytosolic cytochrome C stain and expression and decreased nerve density in bladder smooth muscle layers appeared in the fructose-fed rats. Fructose feeding also significantly reduced ATP and acetylcholine content and enhanced protein expression of postsynaptic P 2 X 1 , P 2 X 2 and P 2 X 3 purinergic receptors and M 2 and M 3 muscarinic cholinergic receptors expression in the smooth muscles of urinary bladder. Conclusion   Long-term fructose feeding induced neuropathy and myopathy in the urinary bladders. Impaired mitochondrial integrity, reduced nerve density, ATP and acetylcholine content and upregulation of purinergic and muscarinic cholinergic receptors expression may contribute to the bladder dysfunction of fructose-fed animals. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-13 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0342-4 Authors Shiu-Dong Chung, Department of Urology, Far-Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan Chiang-Ting Chien, Graduate Institution of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan Hong-Jeng Yu, Graduate Institution of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description:    Isoflavones, a group of phytoestrogens, are selective oestrogen receptor (ER) modulators. They may positively impact endocrine-related conditions but the current evidence is sparse. Equol, a non-steroidal oestrogen, is produced by the metabolism of the isoflavone daidzein by intestinal bacteria. In Western countries, 30–50% of individuals metabolize daidzein into equol and are known as equol producers. Equol production may be the source of benefit from isoflavones in endocrine disease. Content Type Journal Article Category Review Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0331-7 Authors Dana Shor, Hull York Medical School, Hull, UK Thozhukat Sathyapalan, Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Hull York Medical School, Hull, UK Stephen L. Atkin, Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Hull York Medical School, Hull, UK Natalie J. Thatcher, Food Standards Agency, London, UK Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Introduction   Obese β rats may be a suitable model to evaluate the association between calcium intake (CaI) and obesity during growth. Objective   The present study comparatively evaluated Ca absorption and retention, and changes in body composition in spontaneously genetically obese (β) male rats fed three different dietary Ca levels: high 0.9% (HCa); normal: 0.5% (NCa); low: 0.2% (LCa). Methods   Pregnant rats were fed isocaloric diets which varied in Ca content only. Male pups continued feeding the same maternal diet until postnatal day 60. The percentage of Apparent Ca absorption (CaA %), Ca balance (CaB), body composition, glucose, triglycerides (TGL), and insulin levels were evaluated. Results   Food consumption and body weight (BW) were higher in Group LCa than in Groups NCa and HCa ( p  〈 0.01); no differences were observed between the latter two groups. Group LCa presented the highest body fat, liver weight, perigonadal and retroperitoneal fat ( p  〈 0.05); conversely, body ashes and total skeleton bone mineral content were significantly lower compared with animals in both the NCa ( p  〈 0.01) and HCa groups ( p  〈 0.01). CaB (mg/day) reached a plateau at the highest CaI (mg/day) value ( r  = 0.985, p  〈 0.001). CaA%, serum glucose, insulin, and TGL levels rose as CaI decreased ( p  〈 0.01). Conclusions   Although further studies are required, low Ca consumption in this strain of rats could modulate BW inducing changes in several lipid metabolism parameters, which in turn lead to an increase in body fat. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0336-2 Authors Clarisa Marotte, National Council for Scientific and Technologic Research, (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina Adriana Weisstaub, Food Science and Nutrition Department, School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Buenos Aires University, Buenos Aires, Argentina Gabriel Bryk, Medical Osteopathies Section, Clinical Hospital, Buenos Aires University, Buenos Aires, Argentina Maria C. Olguin, Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Rosario National University (UNR), Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina Marta Posadas, Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Rosario National University (UNR), Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina Diego Lucero, Lipid and Lipoprotein Laboratory, School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Buenos Aires University, Buenos Aires, Argentina Laura Schreier, Lipid and Lipoprotein Laboratory, School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Buenos Aires University, Buenos Aires, Argentina Maria Luz Pita Martín de Portela, Food Science and Nutrition Department, School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Buenos Aires University, Buenos Aires, Argentina Susana N. Zeni, National Council for Scientific and Technologic Research, (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   Capsaicinoids are the active compounds in chili pepper. The present study investigated the effect of capsaicinoids on plasma lipids, functionality of aorta including atherosclerotic plaque development, cholesterol absorption biomarker, fecal sterol excretion, and gene expression of major receptors, enzymes, and transporters involved in cholesterol metabolism. Methods   Hamsters were divided into five groups and fed a high-cholesterol diet containing 0 % (CON), 0.010 % (LD), 0.015 % (MD), 0.020 % (HD), and 0.030 % (VD) capsaicinoids, respectively, for 6 weeks. Plasma lipids were measured using the enzymatic kits, and the gene expression of transporters, enzymes, and receptors involved in cholesterol absorption and metabolism was quantified using the quantitative PCR. Endothelial function was assessed by measuring the acetylcholine-induced endothelium-dependent relaxations in aorta. Results   Capsaicinoids reduced plasma total cholesterol, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triacylglycerols with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol being unaffected. All four experimental groups had a decrease in the atherosclerotic plaque compared with CON. Dietary capsaicinoids increased the fecal excretion of total acidic sterols possibly mediated by up-regulation of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase and down-regulation of liver X receptor alpha. Plasma sterol analysis demonstrated that capsaicinoids decreased the ratio of plasma campesterol/cholesterol, suggesting they decreased cholesterol absorption. Capsaicinoids could improve the endothelium-dependent relaxations and reduce the endothelium-dependent contractions by inhibiting the gene expression of COX-2. However, no dose-dependent effect of capsaicinoids on these parameters was seen. Conclusion   Capsaicinoids were beneficial in improving lipoprotein profile and aortic function in hamsters fed a high-cholesterol diet. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0344-2 Authors Yin Tong Liang, Food and Nutritional Sciences Programme, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China Xiao-Yu Tian, Institute of Vascular Medicine, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China Jing Nan Chen, Kwong Living Trust Food Safety and Analysis Laboratory, Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China Cheng Peng, Food and Nutritional Sciences Programme, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China Ka Ying Ma, Food and Nutritional Sciences Programme, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China Yuanyuan Zuo, Food and Nutritional Sciences Programme, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China Rui Jiao, Food and Nutritional Sciences Programme, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China Ye Lu, Institute of Vascular Medicine, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China Yu Huang, Institute of Vascular Medicine, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China Zhen-Yu Chen, Food and Nutritional Sciences Programme, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   The goals of this study were to monitor the effect of drinking of herbal tea from Sideritis clandestina subsp. clandestina for 6 weeks on behavioral and oxidant/antioxidant parameters of adult male mice and also to evaluate its phytochemical composition. Methods   The phytochemical profile of the Sideritis tea was determined by liquid chromatography-UV diode array coupled to ion-trap mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization interface. The effects of two doses of the herbal infusion (2 and 4% w/v, daily) intake on anxiety-like state in mice were studied by the assessment of their thigmotactic behavior. The oxidant/antioxidant status of brain (-Ce), liver and heart of adult male Balb-c mice following the consumption of Sideritis tea was also evaluated via the measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels using fluorometric assays. Our study was further extended to determine the antioxidant effects of the herbal tea on specific brain regions (cerebral cortex, cerebellum and midbrain). Results   The identified compounds were classified into several natural product classes: quinic acid derivatives, iridoids, phenylethanol glycosides and flavonoids. Our results showed that only the 4% Sideritis tea exhibited anxiolytic-like properties as evidenced by statistically significant ( p  〈 0.05) decrease in the thigmotaxis time and increase in the number of entries to the central zone in comparison with the control group. Consumption of both tea doses (2 and 4% w/v) elevated GSH (12 and 28%, respectively, p  〈 0.05) and decreased MDA (16 and 29%, p  〈 0.05) levels in brain (-Ce), while liver and heart remained unaffected. In regard to the effect of herbal tea drinking (2 and 4% w/v) on specific brain regions, it caused a significant increase in GSH of cerebellum (13 and 36%, respectively, p  〈 0.05) and midbrain (17 and 36%, p  〈 0.05). Similarly, MDA levels were decreased in cerebellum (45 and 79%, respectively, p  〈 0.05) and midbrain (50 and 63%, respectively, p  〈 0.05), whereas cerebral cortex remained unaffected. Conclusions   Mountain tea drinking prevents anxiety-related behaviors and confers antioxidant protection to rodent’s tissues in a region-specific, dose-dependent manner, and its phytochemical constituents are shown for the first time. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00394-011-0292-2 Authors Catherine G. Vasilopoulou, Laboratory of Human and Animal Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Patras, 26504 Rio, Greece Vassiliki G. Kontogianni, Department of Chemistry, Section of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece Zacharoula I. Linardaki, Laboratory of Human and Animal Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Patras, 26504 Rio, Greece Gregoris Iatrou, Department of Biology, University of Patras, 26504 Rio, Greece Fotini N. Lamari, Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras, 26504 Rio, Greece Alexandra A. Nerantzaki, Department of Chemistry, Section of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece Ioannis P. Gerothanassis, Department of Chemistry, Section of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece Andreas G. Tzakos, Human Cancer Biobank Center, Department of Chemistry, Section of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece Marigoula Margarity, Laboratory of Human and Animal Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Patras, 26504 Rio, Greece Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Background   Nutritional factors is one of the most important regulators in the progression of cancer. Some dietary elements promote the growth of cancer but others, such as plant-derived compounds, may reverse this process. Purpose   We tried to investigate yet another approach of cancer prevention through cancer cell differentiation, using a common non-mutagenic flavonoid apigenin 7-glucoside. Methods   HL-60 cells were treated with or without apigenin 7-glucoside. Cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay, and the cell cycle distribution was estimated by propidium iodide staining of DNA. To determine cellular differentiation, cell surface differentiation markers CD11b and CD14 were used. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis was then performed to identify proteins that may be important in HL-60 cell differentiation following apigenin 7-glucoside treatment. Results   Apigenin 7-glucoside inhibited HL-60 cell growth, dose- and time-dependently, but did not cause apoptosis. The distribution of cells at different stages in the cell cycle indicated an accumulation of treated cells in G 2 /M phase. Moreover, apigenin 7-glucoside induced granulocytic differentiation of HL-60 cells. Ten proteins that might play essential role in granulocytic differentiation were identified by proteomics. Conclusions   A complete understanding of the preventive effects of plant-based diet on cancer depends on the mechanisms of action of different plant components on processes. We hope these findings may contribute to the understandings of the different approaches for chemoprevention of cancer. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s00394-011-0282-4 Authors Eri Nakazaki, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan Soninkhishig Tsolmon, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan Junkyu Han, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan Hiroko Isoda, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   Cranberry juice (CJ) contains a remarkably high concentration of polyphenols, considered to be beneficial for cardiovascular and bone health. The current double-blind, randomized study was designed to test whether daily consumption of double-strength Ocean Spray light CJ (2 × 230 ml) over 4 months has beneficial effects on vascular function and on endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) carrying the osteoblastic marker osteocalcin in particular. Methods   A total of 84 participants (49.5 ± 16.2 years) with peripheral endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular risk factors were enrolled in this double-blind, randomized, controlled trial (69 completed the 4-month protocol—32 in the CJ group and 37 in the placebo group, respectively). Vascular responses to reactive hyperemia were measured non-invasively by peripheral arterial tonometry (EndoPAT). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stained for EPC markers, as well as osteocalcin, and counted by flow cytometry. Results   Baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. The effect of CJ on peripheral endothelial function and on circulating EPC counts (CD34 + /CD133 + /KDR + ) did not change during the study. A high percentage of EPCs expressed osteocalcin (59.4 ± 35.7%). CJ, as compared to placebo, induced a decrease in the fraction of EPCs expressing osteocalcin (−8.64 ± 48.98 and 19.13 ± 46.11%, respectively, p  = 0.019). Systemic levels of the adhesion marker ICAM correlated significantly with the number of EPCs expressing osteocalcin. Conclusions   The study demonstrated that long-term supplementation of polyphenol-rich CJ did not improve peripheral endothelial function. However, the decrease in the fraction of osteocalcin+ EPCs suggests a potential beneficial effect of polyphenol-rich CJ. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0334-4 Authors Andreas J. Flammer, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic and College of Medicine, 200 1st Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA Elizabeth A. Martin, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic and College of Medicine, 200 1st Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA Mario Gössl, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic and College of Medicine, 200 1st Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA R. Jay Widmer, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic and College of Medicine, 200 1st Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA Ryan J. Lennon, Biomedical Statistics, Mayo Clinic and College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA Jasmine A. Sexton, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic and College of Medicine, 200 1st Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA Darrell Loeffler, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic and College of Medicine, 200 1st Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA Sundeep Khosla, Endocrine Research Unit, Mayo Clinic and College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA Lilach O. Lerman, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic and College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA Amir Lerman, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic and College of Medicine, 200 1st Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   Meat and fish consumption are associated with changes in the risk of chronic diseases. Intake is mainly assessed using self-reporting, as no true quantitative nutritional biomarker is available. The measurement of plasma fatty acids, often used as an alternative, is expensive and time-consuming. As meat and fish differ in their stable isotope ratios, δ 13 C and δ 15 N have been proposed as biomarkers. However, they have never been investigated in controlled human dietary intervention studies. Objective   In a short-term feeding study, we investigated the suitability of δ 13 C and δ 15 N in blood, urine and faeces as biomarkers of meat and fish intake. Methods   The dietary intervention study ( n  = 14) followed a randomised cross-over design with three eight-day dietary periods (meat, fish and half-meat–half-fish). In addition, 4 participants completed a vegetarian control period. At the end of each period, 24-h urine, fasting venous blood and faeces were collected and their δ 13 C and δ 15 N analysed. Results   There was a significant difference between diets in isotope ratios in faeces and urine samples, but not in blood samples (Kruskal–Wallis test, p  〈 0.0001). In pairwise comparisons, δ 13 C and δ 15 N were significantly higher in urine and faecal samples following a fish diet when compared with all other diets, and significantly lower following a vegetarian diet. There was no significant difference in isotope ratio between meat and half-meat–half-fish diets for blood, urine or faecal samples. Conclusions   The results of this study show that urinary and faecal δ 13 C and δ 15 N are suitable candidate biomarkers for short-term meat and fish intake. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0328-2 Authors Gunter G. C. Kuhnle, Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Reading, Whiteknights, PO Box 226, Reading, RG6 6AP UK Annemiek M. C. P. Joosen, MRC Dunn Human Nutrition Unit, Wellcome Trust/MRC Building, Cambridge, UK Catherine J. Kneale, McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK Tamsin C. O’Connell, Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   Evaluate the hypothesis that relation of breast cancer associated with dietary fiber intakes varies by type of fiber, menopausal, and the tumor’s hormone receptor status. Methods   A case–control study of female breast cancer was conducted in Connecticut. A total of 557 incident breast cancer cases and 536 age frequency-matched controls were included in the analysis. Information on dietary intakes was collected through in-person interviews with a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and was converted into nutrient intakes. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated by unconditional logistic regression. Results   Among pre-menopausal women, higher intake of soluble fiber (highest versus lowest quartile of intake) was associated with a significantly reduced risk of breast cancer (OR = 0.38, 95% CI, 0.15–0.97, P trend  = 0.08). When further restricted to pre-menopausal women with ER − tumors, the adjusted OR for the highest quartile of intake was 0.15 (95% CI, 0.03–0.69, P trend  = 0.02) for soluble fiber intake. Among post-menopausal women, no reduced risk of breast cancer was observed for either soluble or insoluble fiber intakes or among ER + or ER − tumor groups. Conclusions   The results from this study show that dietary soluble fiber intake is associated with a significantly reduced risk of ER − breast cancer among pre-menopausal women. Additional studies with larger sample size are needed to confirm these results. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0305-9 Authors Qian Li, National Office of Cancer Prevention and Control, Cancer Institute and Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 17 Panjiayuannanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021 China Theodore R. Holford, Division of Biostatistics, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA Yawei Zhang, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA Peter Boyle, International Prevention Research Institute (IPRI), Lyon, France Susan T. Mayne, Division of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA Min Dai, National Office of Cancer Prevention and Control, Cancer Institute and Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 17 Panjiayuannanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021 China Tongzhang Zheng, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   This study aimed firstly to investigate the contribution of maternal 25(OH) vitamin D to the association of maternal education and small-for-gestational-age birth weight (SGA) and secondly to examine whether the contribution of 25(OH) vitamin D differs by overweight, season, and maternal smoking. Methods   Logistic regression analysis was carried out in this study, using data of 2,274 pregnant women of Dutch ethnicity from the ABCD study, a population-based cohort study in the Netherlands. Maternal 25(OH) vitamin D was measured in early pregnancy. Stratified analyses were conducted for overweight, season of blood sampling, and smoking. Results   Low-educated women had lower 25(OH) vitamin D levels compared to high-educated women, and women in the lowest 25(OH) vitamin D quartile had a higher risk of SGA offspring. In addition, low-educated women had a higher risk of SGA offspring (OR 1.95 [95% CI: 1.20–3.14]). This association decreased with 7% after adjustment for 25(OH) vitamin D (OR 1.88 [95% CI 1.16–3.04]). In stratified analyses, adjustment for 25(OH) vitamin D resulted in a decrease in OR of about 17% in overweight women and about 15% in women who conceived in wintertime. Conclusions   25(OH) vitamin D appears to be a modifiable contributor to the association between low maternal education and SGA offspring, particularly in overweight women and women who conceived in the winter period. In those women, increasing the intake of vitamin D, either through dietary adaptation or through supplementation in order to achieve the recommendation, could be beneficial. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0327-3 Authors Gerrit van den Berg, Department of Pediatrics, EMGO Institute, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, 9D11 Secretariaat kindergeneeskunde, P.O. Box 7057, Amsterdam, 1007 MB The Netherlands Manon van Eijsden, Department of Epidemiology, Documentation and Health Promotion, Public Health Service Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Tanja G. M. Vrijkotte, Department of Public Health, Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Reinoud J. B. J. Gemke, Department of Pediatrics, EMGO Institute, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, 9D11 Secretariaat kindergeneeskunde, P.O. Box 7057, Amsterdam, 1007 MB The Netherlands Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   We performed a single-day cross-sectional study to assess the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency as well as folate status in healthy young female volunteers well educated with respect to health information. Methods   We assessed dietary intake of vitamin D and calcium, serum concentrations of 25-OH-vitamin D 3 , folate, red blood cell folate and other dietary, laboratory, and lifestyle parameters in 215 young healthy women (age 18–30 years) on a single day at the end of the winter months. Primary aim was to investigate the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D. Folic acid status was a secondary study aim. Results   Mean daily ingestion of vitamin D was 2.25 μg/day with a daily calcium intake of 749 mg/day. 6.9% had hypovitaminosis D (25-OH-vitamin D 3 〈30 nmol/L) and 89.3% were vitamin D insufficient (〈75 nmol/L). Preplanned subpopulation comparison (lower vs. upper quartile) revealed a significant negative correlation ( P  = 0.048) between plasma PTH and 25-OH-vitamin D 3 levels. Fifteen individuals (6.9%) were folic acid deficient (〈140 ng/mL RBC folate). Only 9.3% reached RBC folate concentrations regarded as optimal for the prevention of fetal neural tube defects (〉400 ng/mL). Conclusions   The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in healthy young women trained in health care professions is low but 89.3% can be classified as vitamin D insufficient in spring. Folate status can also be considered not sufficient. Considering the emerging role of higher vitamin D plasma levels for many health conditions, a timely correction of vitamin D status in the general Austrian population appears appropriate. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s00394-011-0281-5 Authors Stefan T. Kaehler, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Peter-Mayrstr. 1, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria Holger Baumgartner, Ethics Committee, Innsbruck Medical University, (non-voting member), Innrain 43, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria Martina Jeske, Pharmacy Department, University Hospital Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria Markus Anliker, Central Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, University Hospital Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria Harald Schennach, Central Institute of Blood Transfusion and Immunology, Anichstr. 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria Peter Marschang, Department of Internal Medicine, Innsbruck Medical University, Anichstr. 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria Anna Ratt, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Peter-Mayrstr. 1, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria Anna C. Colvin, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Peter-Mayrstr. 1, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria Jennifer Falk, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Peter-Mayrstr. 1, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria Astrid Gasser, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Peter-Mayrstr. 1, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria Julia Kirchebner, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Peter-Mayrstr. 1, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria Christine Scherer, Fhg-Zentrum für Gesundheitsberufe Tirol GmbH, Innrain 98, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria Anna E. Purtscher, Fhg-Zentrum für Gesundheitsberufe Tirol GmbH, Innrain 98, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria Andrea Griesmacher, Central Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, University Hospital Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria Jörg Striessnig, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Peter-Mayrstr. 1, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   Hypoxia and reoxygenation (H/R) occur in a wide variety of important clinical conditions such as myocardial infarction. H/R injury is a complex phenomenon involving not only intracellular damage processes but also an injurious inflammatory response. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, has long been proved to be protective against several types of cardiovascular disease. However, its beneficial effect during H/R is inconclusive. In this study, we employed an in vitro model to examine whether DHA is protective against H/R-induced cell damage in human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (HCASMCs). Methods   HCASMCs in the absence or presence of DHA (1, 3, 10, and 30 μM) were subjected to control or H/R treatment using a modular incubator chamber to create hypoxic condition. Cell viability was evaluated by MTT assay. Spectrophotometric and spectrofluorometric assays were used to measure the generation of nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), respectively. Inflammatory cytokines were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Intracellular calcium mobilization was estimated microfluorimetrically using calcium indicator dye, fura 2-acetomethyl ester. Results   Hypoxia/reoxygenation caused significant injury in cultured HCASMCs. DHA at low concentrations (1, 3, and 10 μM) did not afford protection, whereas at 30 μM, it caused deleterious effects, presumably by enhancing the production of NO, ROS, IL-1β, and IL-6 and altering the intracellular calcium dynamics. Conclusions   Our results do not support the protective function of DHA in H/R-injured coronary arterial smooth muscle cells. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00394-011-0278-0 Authors Guan-Ming Feng, Department of Plastic Surgery, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC Jia-Huei Chen, Institute of Physiology, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC Cheng-I Lin, Institute of Physiology, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC Jung-Mou Yang, Department of Emergency Medicine, Cardinal Tien Hospital, Sindian, New Taipei, Taiwan, ROC Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   Plant sterols (PS) are well known for their low-density lipoprotein cholesterol-lowering effect. Until recently, they were believed to have little or no impact on blood triglycerides (TG). However, studies taken individually were possibly lacking statistical power to detect modest TG decreases. This study was performed to quantify the TG-lowering effect of PS by pooling individual subject data from 12 randomised controlled trials that investigated the effects of PS on blood lipids. Methods   The main outcome variable was the control-adjusted PS effect on relative (%) and absolute (mmol/L) changes in TG. The relative and absolute changes in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were also assessed. Differences in changes of serum lipid concentrations between PS and control treatments were estimated by an ANCOVA using a random effect model which included PS intake (active or control), study and predefined subject characteristics. Results   The twelve randomised controlled trials included in total 935 hypercholesterolaemic subjects not preselected based on their baseline TG concentrations. In most studies, the PS dose ranged between 1.6 and 2.5 g/day. PS intake significantly lowered serum TG by 6.0% (95% CI: −10.7, −1.2) or 0.12 mmol/L (95% CI: −0.20, −0.04). No significant interaction was observed between PS intake and baseline TG concentrations on relative changes, but, on absolute changes, interaction was significant with larger TG decreases observed with higher TG concentrations at baseline. No effects were observed on HDL-C concentrations. Conclusions   These results show that PS exert a modest TG-lowering effect which is dependent on baseline concentrations. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00394-011-0297-x Authors Isabelle Demonty, Unilever R&D Vlaardingen, P.O. Box 114, 3130 AC Vlaardingen, The Netherlands Rouyanne T. Ras, Unilever R&D Vlaardingen, P.O. Box 114, 3130 AC Vlaardingen, The Netherlands Henk C. M. van der Knaap, Unilever R&D Vlaardingen, P.O. Box 114, 3130 AC Vlaardingen, The Netherlands Linsie Meijer, Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands Peter L. Zock, Unilever R&D Vlaardingen, P.O. Box 114, 3130 AC Vlaardingen, The Netherlands Johanna M. Geleijnse, Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands Elke A. Trautwein, Unilever R&D Vlaardingen, P.O. Box 114, 3130 AC Vlaardingen, The Netherlands Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   We investigated whether group-level bias of a 24-h recall estimate of protein and potassium intake, as compared to biomarkers, varied across European centers and whether this was influenced by characteristics of individuals or centers. Methods   The combined data from EFCOVAL and EPIC studies included 14 centers from 9 countries ( n  = 1,841). Dietary data were collected using a computerized 24-h recall (EPIC-Soft). Nitrogen and potassium in 24-h urine collections were used as reference method. Multilevel linear regression analysis was performed, including individual-level (e.g., BMI) and center-level (e.g., food pattern index) variables. Results   For protein intake, no between-center variation in bias was observed in men while it was 5.7% in women. For potassium intake, the between-center variation in bias was 8.9% in men and null in women. BMI was an important factor influencing the biases across centers ( p  〈 0.01 in all analyses). In addition, mode of administration ( p  = 0.06 in women) and day of the week ( p  = 0.03 in men and p  = 0.06 in women) may have influenced the bias in protein intake across centers. After inclusion of these individual variables, between-center variation in bias in protein intake disappeared for women, whereas for potassium, it increased slightly in men (to 9.5%). Center-level variables did not influence the results. Conclusion   The results suggest that group-level bias in protein and potassium (for women) collected with 24-h recalls does not vary across centers and to a certain extent varies for potassium in men. BMI and study design aspects, rather than center-level characteristics, affected the biases across centers. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-14 DOI 10.1007/s00394-011-0279-z Authors Sandra P. Crispim, Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands Anouk Geelen, Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands Jeanne H. M. de Vries, Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands Heinz Freisling, Dietary Exposure Assessment Group, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), 150, cours Albert Thomas, 69372 Lyon Cedex 08, France Olga W. Souverein, Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands Paul J. M. Hulshof, Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands Marga C. Ocke, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands Hendriek Boshuizen, Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands Lene F. Andersen, Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway Jiri Ruprich, Department for Food Safety and Nutrition, National Institute of Public Health, Brno, Czech Republic Willem De Keizer, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, University College Ghent, Ghent, Belgium Inge Huybrechts, Dietary Exposure Assessment Group, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), 150, cours Albert Thomas, 69372 Lyon Cedex 08, France Lionel Lafay, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (ANSES), Paris, France Maria S. de Magistris, Department of Public Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Federico II, Naples, Italy Fulvio Ricceri, Human Genetics Foundation (HUGEF), Turin, Italy Rosario Tumino, Cancer Registry and Histopathology Unit, “Civile M.P.Arezzo” Hospital, Ragusa, Italy Vittorio Krogh, Nutritional Epidemiology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy H. Bas Bueno-de-Mesquita, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands Joline W. J. Beulens, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands Marie-Christine Boutron-Ruault, Inserm, Centre for Research in Epidemiology and Population Health, Villejuif, France Androniki Naska, Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, WHO Collaborating Center for Food and Nutrition Policies, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece Francesca L. Crowe, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, Cancer Epidemiology Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK Heiner Boeing, Department of Epidemiology, German Institute of Human Nutrition, Potsdam, Rehbrücke, Germany Alison McTaggart, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK Rudolf Kaaks, Division of Cancer Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany Pieter van’t Veer, Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands Nadia Slimani, Dietary Exposure Assessment Group, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), 150, cours Albert Thomas, 69372 Lyon Cedex 08, France Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   The objective was to confirm the anti-obesity activity of a silk peptide (SP) and a silkworm pupa peptide (SPP) in rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD) and to elucidate their action mechanism(s) in a preadipocyte culture system. Methods   In an in vitro mechanistic study, the differentiation and maturation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were stimulated with insulin (5 μg/mL), and effects of SP and SPP on the adipogenesis of mature adipocytes were assessed. In an in vivo anti-obesity study, male C57BL/6 mice were fed an HFD containing SP or SPP (0.3, 1.0, or 3.0%) for 8 weeks, and blood and tissue parameters of obesity were analyzed. Results   Hormonal stimulation of preadipocytes led to a 50–70% increase in adipogenesis. Polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses revealed increases in adipogenesis-specific genes (leptin and Acrp30) and proteins (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ and Acrp30). The hormone-induced adipogenesis and activated gene expression was substantially inhibited by treatment with SP and SPP (1–50 μg/mL). The HFD markedly increased body weight gain by increasing the weight of epididymal and mesenteric fat. Body and fat weights were significantly reduced by SP and SPP, in which decreases in the area of abdominal adipose tissue and the size of epididymal adipocytes were confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging and microscopic examination, respectively. Long-term HFD caused hepatic lipid accumulation and increased blood triglycerides and cholesterol, in addition to their regulatory factors Acrp30 and leptin. However, SP and SPP recovered the concentrations of Acrp30 and leptin, and attenuated steatosis. Conclusions   SP and SPP inhibit the differentiation of preadipocytes and adipogenesis by modulating signal transduction pathways and improve HFD-induced obesity by reducing lipid accumulation and the size of adipocytes. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00394-011-0280-6 Authors Sun Hee Lee, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, 52 Naesudongro (Gaesin-dong), Cheongju, Chungbuk 361-763, Korea Dongsun Park, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, 52 Naesudongro (Gaesin-dong), Cheongju, Chungbuk 361-763, Korea Goeun Yang, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, 52 Naesudongro (Gaesin-dong), Cheongju, Chungbuk 361-763, Korea Dae-Kwon Bae, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, 52 Naesudongro (Gaesin-dong), Cheongju, Chungbuk 361-763, Korea Yun-Hui Yang, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, 52 Naesudongro (Gaesin-dong), Cheongju, Chungbuk 361-763, Korea Tae Kyun Kim, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, 52 Naesudongro (Gaesin-dong), Cheongju, Chungbuk 361-763, Korea Dajeong Kim, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, 52 Naesudongro (Gaesin-dong), Cheongju, Chungbuk 361-763, Korea Jangbeen Kyung, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, 52 Naesudongro (Gaesin-dong), Cheongju, Chungbuk 361-763, Korea Sungho Yeon, Department of Food Science and Technology, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea Kyo Chul Koo, Worldway Co., Ltd., Jeoneui, Korea Jeong-Yong Lee, Worldway Co., Ltd., Jeoneui, Korea Seock-Yeon Hwang, Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Daejeon University, Daejeon, Korea Seong Soo Joo, Division of Marine Molecular Biotechnology, Gangneung-Wonju National University, 7 Jukheongil, Gangneung, Gangwon 210-702, Korea Yun-Bae Kim, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, 52 Naesudongro (Gaesin-dong), Cheongju, Chungbuk 361-763, Korea Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   We examined whether high doses of folic acid and iron supplementation in early-to-mid pregnancy affect the risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and small for gestational age neonates, in the mother–child cohort in Crete, Greece (Rhea study). Methods   We included 1,279 women with singleton pregnancies with complete data on supplements use in early-to-mid pregnancy and birth outcomes. Anthropometric measurements at birth were obtained from medical records. Red blood cell folate concentrations in cord blood were measured in a subsample of the study population ( n  = 58). Results   Sixty-six percent of the study participants reported high doses of supplemental folic acid use (5 mg/day), while 21 % reported excessive doses of folic acid use (〉5 mg/day) in early-to-mid pregnancy. Daily intake of 5-mg supplemental folic acid was associated with a 31 % decrease in the risk of preterm birth (RR, 0.69; 95 % CI, 0.44, 0.99), 60 % decrease in the risk of delivering a low birth weight neonate (RR, 0.40; 95 % CI, 0.21, 0.76), and 66 % decrease in the risk of delivering a small for gestational age (SGA) neonate (RR, 0.34; 95 % CI, 0.16, 0.73). Daily doses of iron supplementation more than 100 mg were associated with a twofold increased risk for SGA neonates (RR, 2.14; 95 % CI, 0.99, 5.97). Conclusion   These findings suggest that high daily doses of supplementary folic acid in early-to-mid pregnancy may be protective for preterm birth, low birth weight, and small for gestational age neonates, while high daily doses of supplementary iron may be harmful for fetal growth. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0339-z Authors Eleni Papadopoulou, Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology, Barcelona, Spain Nikolaos Stratakis, Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Medical School, University of Crete, PO Box 2208, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece Theano Roumeliotaki, Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Medical School, University of Crete, PO Box 2208, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece Katerina Sarri, Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Medical School, University of Crete, PO Box 2208, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece Domenic F. Merlo, National Cancer Research Institute, Genoa, Italy Manolis Kogevinas, Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology, Barcelona, Spain Leda Chatzi, Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Medical School, University of Crete, PO Box 2208, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Background   The use of rosemary ( Rosmarinus officinalis ) leaves and their constituents as a source of dietary antioxidants and flavoring agents is continuously growing. Carnosol and carnosic acid, two major components of rosemary extracts, have shown activity for cancer prevention and therapy. Aim of the study   In this study, we investigate the cytotoxic and anti-angiogenic activities of carnosol and carnosic acid, in order to get further insight into their mechanism of action. Results   Our results demonstrate that the mentioned diterpenes inhibit certain functions of endothelial cells, namely, differentiation, proliferation, migration and proteolytic capability. Our data indicate that their growth inhibitory effect, exerted on proliferative endothelial and tumor cells, could be due to, at least in part, an induction of apoptosis. Inhibition of the mentioned essential steps of in vitro angiogenesis agrees with the observed inhibition of the in vivo angiogenesis, substantiated by using the chick chorioallantoic membrane assay. Conclusions   The anti-angiogenic activity of carnosol and carnosic acid could contribute to the chemopreventive, antitumoral and antimetastatic activities of rosemary extracts and suggests their potential in the treatment of other angiogenesis-related malignancies. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s00394-011-0289-x Authors Auxiliadora López-Jiménez, Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain Melissa García-Caballero, Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain Miguel Ángel Medina, Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain Ana R. Quesada, Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   We aimed to investigate the association of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) with cardiometabolic risk. Methods   In this cross-sectional study, 21,038 men and 15,604 women who participated in a health check-up were included. Results   In both men and women, the area under the curve (AUC) of WHtR was significantly greater than that of BMI or WC in the prediction of diabetes, hypertension, high total cholesterol, high triglycerides, and low HDL-cholesterol ( P  〈 0.05 for all). The AUC for WHtR in the prediction of metabolic syndrome (MS) was also highest in the women ( P  〈 0.05). After adjustment for potential confounders, the odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for MS for each standard deviation increase in BMI, WHtR, and WC were 1.47 (1.46–1.49), 1.32 (1.31–1.33), and 1.19 (1.18–1.19), respectively. Finally, patients of either sex with a normal BMI or WC level, but with an elevated WHtR, had higher levels of various cardiometabolic risk factors in comparison with their normal BMI or WC, but low WHtR, counterparts ( P  〈 0.05 for all). Conclusion   Among Taiwanese adults, a WHtR greater than 0.5 is a simple, yet effective indicator of centralized obesity and associated cardiometabolic risk, even among individuals deemed ‘healthy’ according to BMI and WC. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00394-011-0286-0 Authors Wen-Cheng Li, Department of Occupation Medicine, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung Branch, No. 222, Maijin Rd., Keelung, 200 Taiwan I-Chuan Chen, Department of Emergency Medicine, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi Branch, No. 6, West Sec. Chia-Pu Rd, Put-Zu, Chiayi, 600 Taiwan Yu-Che Chang, Department of Emergency Medicine, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch, No. 5, Fu-Hsing Street, Guei-Shan, Taoyuan, 333 Taiwan Song-Seng Loke, Department of Family Medicine, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung Branch, No. 123, Dapi Rd., Niaosong Township, Kaohsiung County, 833 Taiwan Shih-Hao Wang, Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Science, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, 112 Taiwan Kuang-Yu Hsiao, Department of Emergency Medicine, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi Branch, No. 6, West Sec. Chia-Pu Rd, Put-Zu, Chiayi, 600 Taiwan Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Erratum to: Soy intake and risk of type 2 diabetes in Chinese Singaporeans Content Type Journal Article Category Erratum Pages 1-1 DOI 10.1007/s00394-011-0290-4 Authors Noel T. Mueller, Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, 1300 South 2nd St., Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA Andrew O. Odegaard, Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, 1300 South 2nd St., Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA Myron D. Gross, Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, 1300 South 2nd St., Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA Woon-Puay Koh, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore Mimi C. Yu, The Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA Jian-Min Yuan, Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, 1300 South 2nd St., Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA Mark A. Pereira, Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, 1300 South 2nd St., Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is highly prevalent in Western older populations. MetS is an intriguing entity, because it includes potentially reversible risk factors. Some studies have suggested an inverse correlation between MetS and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), but data regarding older subjects are scanty and conflicting. The aim of this study was to assess the association between HRQoL and MetS in older, unselected community-dwelling subjects. Methods   We analyzed data of 356 subjects aged 75+ living in Tuscania (Italy). HRQoL was assessed using the Health Utilities Index, Mark 3. Diagnosis of MetS was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program’s ATP-III criteria. Results   MetS was reported by 137 (38%) participants. According to linear regression analysis, MetS was associated with significantly better HRQoL in men ( B  = 0.19 95% CI = 0.06–0.32; p  = 0.006), but not in women. Also, when the regression model was analyzed in men, MetS was associated with better HRQoL ( B  = 0.17, 95% CI = 0.01–0.32; p  = 0.035) only among participants aged 80+. No significant associations were found in men between HRQoL and any of the single components of MetS. Conclusions   MetS is not associated with worse HRQoL among community-dwelling elderly; it is associated with significantly better HRQoL among the oldest men. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0337-1 Authors Alice Laudisio, Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Catholic University of Medicine, L.go F. Vito, 1, 00168 Rome, Italy Emanuele Marzetti, Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Catholic University of Medicine, L.go F. Vito, 1, 00168 Rome, Italy Livia Antonica, Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Catholic University of Medicine, L.go F. Vito, 1, 00168 Rome, Italy Francesco Pagano, Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Catholic University of Medicine, L.go F. Vito, 1, 00168 Rome, Italy Davide L. Vetrano, Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Catholic University of Medicine, L.go F. Vito, 1, 00168 Rome, Italy Roberto Bernabei, Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Catholic University of Medicine, L.go F. Vito, 1, 00168 Rome, Italy Giuseppe Zuccalà, Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Catholic University of Medicine, L.go F. Vito, 1, 00168 Rome, Italy Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Erratum to: Cardioprotective and hepatoprotective effects of ellagitannins from European oak bark ( Quercus petraea L.) extract in rats Content Type Journal Article Category Erratum Pages 1-1 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0335-3 Authors Sunil K. Panchal, Department of Biological and Physical Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia Lindsay Brown, Department of Biological and Physical Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   To compare the effects of two low-fat, hypoenergetic diets differing in carbohydrate-to-protein ratio, on strength and aerobic capacity measures in overweight and obese men. Methods   In a parallel design, 56 men (age, 45.5 ± 8.7 years; BMI, 33.6 ± 3.9 kg/m 2 ) were randomly assigned to a low-fat, energy-restricted diet (7,000 kJ/day) with either high protein (HP: protein/carbohydrate/fat % energy, 35:40:25) or standard protein (SP, 17:58:25). Body weight, body composition, muscle strength and aerobic capacity were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks. Results   Forty-two participants completed the study (HP, n  = 21; SP, n  = 21). Both groups experienced similar reductions in body weight (HP, −10.7 ± 5.3 kg [−9.8%]; SP, −8.7 ± 3.5 kg [−8.4%]) and fat-free mass (HP, −2.8 ± 3.6 kg; SP, −3.2 ± 2.7 kg; P  〈 0.001 time; P  〉 0.14 time × group interaction). There was a trend for a greater reduction in fat mass in the HP diet group, (−7.7 ± 4.3 kg [−21.2%] vs. −5.4 ± 3.3 kg [−15.1%]; P  〈 0.001 time; P  = 0.06 time × group interaction). Absolute peak oxygen uptake did not change in either group ( P  = 0.39 time; P  = 0.50 time × group interaction). Overall, in both groups, relative peak oxygen uptake increased (2.9 ± 2.8 ml kg −1  min −1 [8.9%]), peak isometric knee extensor strength increased (14.1 ± 35.7 Nm [7.1%]) and peak handgrip strength decreased (−1.6 ± 4.1 kg [−3%]) ( P  ≤ 0.02 time for all), with no diet effect ( P  ≤ 0.23 time × group interaction). Conclusion   In overweight and obese men, both a HP and SP diet reduced body weight and improved body composition with similar effects on strength and aerobic capacity. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0338-0 Authors Thomas P. Wycherley, Division of Health Sciences, Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia Jonathan D. Buckley, Division of Health Sciences, Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia Manny Noakes, Preventative Health Flagship, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Food and Nutritional Sciences, PO Box 10041 BC, Adelaide, 5000 Australia Peter M. Clifton, Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Adelaide, Australia Grant D. Brinkworth, Preventative Health Flagship, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Food and Nutritional Sciences, PO Box 10041 BC, Adelaide, 5000 Australia Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Background   Codex documents may be used as educational and consensus materials for member governments. Also, the WTO SPS Agreement recognizes Codex as the presumptive international authority on food issues. Nutrient bioavailability is a critical factor in determining the ability of nutrients to provide beneficial effects. Bioavailability also influences the quantitative dietary requirements that are the basis of nutrient intake recommendations and NRVs. Health claims   Codex, EFSA and some national regulatory authorities have established guidelines or regulations that will permit several types of health claims. The scientific basis for claims has been established by the US FDA and EFSA, but not yet by Codex. Evidence-based nutrition differs from evidence-based medicine, but the differences are only recently gaining recognition. Health claims on foods may provide useful information to consumers, but many will interpret the information to mean that they can rely upon the food or nutrient to eliminate a disease risk. Nutrient reference values   NRVs are designed to provide a quantitative basis for comparing the nutritive values of foods, helping to illustrate how specific foods fit into the overall diet. The INL-98 and the mean of adult male and female values provide NRVs that are sufficient when used as targets for individual intakes by most adults. World Trade Organization agreements   WTO recognizes Codex as the primary international authority on food issues. Current regulatory schemes based on recommended dietary allowances are trade restrictive. A substantial number of decisions by the EFSA could lead to violation of WTO agreements. Content Type Journal Article Category Supplement Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0306-8 Authors Peter J. Aggett, University of Lancaster, Lancaster, Lancashire, UK John Hathcock, Council for Responsible Nutrition, Washington, DC, USA David Jukes, University of Reading, Reading, UK David P. Richardson, University of Reading, Reading, UK Philip C. Calder, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK Heike Bischoff-Ferrari, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland Theresa Nicklas, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA Stefan Mühlebach, Vifor Pharma, Ltd, Glattbrugg, Switzerland Oran Kwon, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea Janine Lewis, Food Standards Australia New Zealand, Canberra, Australia Maurits J. F. Lugard, Sidley Austin LLP, Brussels, Belgium Peter Prock, European Nutraceutical Association, Basel, Switzerland Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   To investigate the influence of dietary proteins (casein, soy protein) and skimmed milk on the plasma kinetics of green tea (GT) catechins. Methods   In a randomized cross-over design with one-week intervals, 24 healthy normal-weight women consumed a test drink containing 1.75 g GT extract with or without the addition of different proteins. Treatments were GT (control), GT with skimmed milk (GT + M), GT with caseinate (GT + CS), or GT with soy protein (GT + S). Venous blood samples were taken before and several times during a period of 4.5 h after consumption of the test drink. Plasma concentrations of catechins were analyzed by HPLC with electrochemical detection. Results   Compared to control, consumption of GT with milk, caseinate, or soy protein significantly reduced the bioavailability (mean area under the plasma concentration–time curve) of total catechins (means ± SEM; GT + M, 87 ± 5%; GT + CS, 79 ± 5%; GT + S, 88 ± 4%), epigallocatechin gallate (GT + M, 68 ± 4%; GT + CS, 63 ± 5%; GT + S, 76 ± 5%), and epicatechin gallate (GT + M, 68 ± 5%; GT + CS, 66 ± 6%; GT + S, 77 ± 6%), while the bioavailability of non-galloylated catechins such as epigallocatechin (GT + M, 134 ± 9%; GT + CS, 118 ± 9 %; GT + S, 123 ± 8%) and epicatechin (GT + M, 125 ± 10%; GT + CS, 114 ± 11%; GT + S, 110 ± 8%) significantly increased. No significant differences in bioavailability of GT catechins were observed between the treatments GT + M, GT + CS, or GT + S. Conclusion   Simultaneous ingestion of dietary proteins reduces the bioavailability of galloylated catechins from GT in humans. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0330-8 Authors Sarah Egert, Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Nutritional Physiology, University of Bonn, Endenicher Allee 11-13, 53115 Bonn, Germany Jane Tereszczuk, Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany Silvia Wein, Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany Manfred James Müller, Department of Human Nutrition, Institute of Human Nutrition and Food Science, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany Jan Frank, Institute of Biological Chemistry and Nutrition, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany Gerald Rimbach, Department of Food Science, Institute of Human Nutrition and Food Science, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany Siegfried Wolffram, Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   At relatively low concentrations, flavanols induce inconsistent effects on isolated arterial tone, sometimes explained as being due to a structure–activity relationship. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of two flavanols at different doses on arterial functional state. Methods   The effects of two catechins, (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and (−)-epicatechin (EP), on rat-isolated aorta tone were investigated on resting tension and on precontracted preparations, both in the presence and in the absence of endothelium. Results   At resting tension, endothelium-intact preparations, EGCG and EP (0.01–10 μM), induced a slight concentration-dependent, non-significant contraction. On endothelium-denuded preparations, both EGCG and EP induced a concentration-dependent contraction (significance at 0.1 and 1 μM concentrations of the two compounds, respectively). In phenylephrine (PE) (1 μM) precontracted, endothelium-intact preparations, EGCG and EP (0.01–10 μM), induced a concentration-dependent vasorelaxation, reaching significance at 1 μM concentration of both agonists. On endothelium-denuded preparations, EGCG and EP did not significantly affect PE (0.3 μM)-induced tone. In endothelium-intact precontracted preparations, Nω nitro- l -arginine (L-NNA), a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity inhibitor, abolished the vasorelaxant effect of EGCG and EP (0.01–10 μM). At high concentrations, EGCG and EP (100 μM) elicited a marked relaxation. This was significantly larger in the presence than in the absence of endothelium or in the presence of L-NNA. Conclusions   Our findings highlight the important role played by an endothelium/NO-mechanism in the regulation of basal tone and in both mediating vasorelaxation and counteracting vasoconstriction induced by low concentrations of flavanols in rat thoracic aorta. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0320-x Authors Annalisa Aggio, Department of Internal Medicine and Public Health, University of L’Aquila, Viale S. Salvatore, Delta 6 Medicina, 67100 Coppito, AQ, Italy Davide Grassi, Department of Internal Medicine and Public Health, University of L’Aquila, Viale S. Salvatore, Delta 6 Medicina, 67100 Coppito, AQ, Italy Eugenia Onori, Department of Internal Medicine and Public Health, University of L’Aquila, Viale S. Salvatore, Delta 6 Medicina, 67100 Coppito, AQ, Italy Antonio D’Alessandro, Department of Internal Medicine and Public Health, University of L’Aquila, Viale S. Salvatore, Delta 6 Medicina, 67100 Coppito, AQ, Italy Francesco Masedu, Department of Internal Medicine and Public Health, University of L’Aquila, Viale S. Salvatore, Delta 6 Medicina, 67100 Coppito, AQ, Italy Marco Valenti, Department of Internal Medicine and Public Health, University of L’Aquila, Viale S. Salvatore, Delta 6 Medicina, 67100 Coppito, AQ, Italy Claudio Ferri, Department of Internal Medicine and Public Health, University of L’Aquila, Viale S. Salvatore, Delta 6 Medicina, 67100 Coppito, AQ, Italy Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   Taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid), a molecule obtained from diet, is involved in bile acid conjugation, blood pressure regulation, anti-oxidation and anti-inflammation. We performed the first prospective study of taurine and CHD risk. Methods   We conducted a case–control study nested in the New York University Women’s Health Study to evaluate the association between circulating taurine levels and risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Taurine was measured in two yearly pre-diagnostic serum samples of 223 CHD cases and 223 matched controls and averaged for a more reliable measurement of long-term taurine levels. Results   Mean serum taurine was positively related to age and dietary intake of poultry, niacin, vitamin B1, fiber and iron, and negatively related to dietary intake of saturated fat (all p values ≤0.05). There was no statistically significant association between serum taurine levels and the risk of CHD in the overall study population. The adjusted ORs for CHD in increasing taurine tertiles were 1.0 (reference), 0.85 (95% CI, 0.51–1.40) and 0.66 (0.39–1.13; p for trend = 0.14). There was a significant inverse association between serum taurine and CHD risk among women with high total serum cholesterol (〉250 mg/dL) (adjusted OR = 0.39 (0.19–0.83) for the third versus first tertile; p for trend = 0.02) but not among those with low total serum cholesterol ( p for interaction = 0.01). The data suggest a possible inverse association of serum taurine with diabetes and hypertension risk. Conclusions   The findings suggest that high levels of taurine may be protective against CHD among individuals with high serum cholesterol levels. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00394-011-0300-6 Authors Oktawia P. Wójcik, Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, 650 First Avenue, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10016-3240, USA Karen L. Koenig, Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, 650 First Avenue, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10016-3240, USA Anne Zeleniuch-Jacquotte, Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, 650 First Avenue, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10016-3240, USA Camille Pearte, Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA Max Costa, Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, 650 First Avenue, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10016-3240, USA Yu Chen, New York University Cancer Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   To investigate the hepato-protective properties and underlying mechanisms of SAMC in a non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) rat model. Methods   Female rats were fed with a diet comprising highly unsaturated fat diet (30% fish oil) for 8 weeks to develop NAFLD with or without an intraperitoneal injection of 200 mg/kg SAMC three times per week. After euthanasia, blood and liver samples of rats were collected for histological and biochemical analyses. Results   Co-treatment of SAMC attenuated NAFLD-induced liver injury, fat accumulation, collagen formation and free fatty acids (FFAs). At the molecular level, SAMC decreased the lipogenesis marker and restored the lipolysis marker. SAMC also reduced the expression levels of pro-fibrogenic factors and diminished liver oxidative stress partly through the inhibition in the activity of cytochrome P450 2E1-dependent pathway. NAFLD-induced inflammation was also partially mitigated by SAMC treatment via reduction in the pro-inflammatory mediators, chemokines and suppressor of cytokine signaling. The protective effect of SAMC is also shown partly through the restoration of altered phosphorylation status of FFAs-dependent MAP kinase pathways and diminished in the nuclear transcription factors (NF-κB and AP-1) activity during NAFLD development. Conclusions   SAMC is a novel hepato-protective agent against NAFLD caused by abnormal liver functions. Garlic or garlic derivatives could be considered as a potent food supplement in the prevention of fatty liver disease. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-13 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0301-0 Authors Jia Xiao, Department of Anatomy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, L1-41, Laboratory Block, 21 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, SAR Yick Pang Ching, Department of Anatomy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, L1-41, Laboratory Block, 21 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, SAR Emily C. Liong, Department of Anatomy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, L1-41, Laboratory Block, 21 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, SAR Amin A. Nanji, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada Man Lung Fung, Department of Physiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong George L. Tipoe, Department of Anatomy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, L1-41, Laboratory Block, 21 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, SAR Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   Serum level of under-carboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) is considered a sensitive measure of vitamin K status, and ucOC levels are associated with bone mineral density (BMD) and fracture risk in elderly persons. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between ucOC and BMD in early menopausal women. Methods   The data reported here come from the enrolment in a double-blinded placebo-controlled randomized trial comprising 334 healthy Norwegian women between 50 and 60 years, 1–5 years after menopause, not using warfarin or medication known to affect bone metabolism. Total hip, femoral neck, lumbar spine, and total body BMD and serum level of ucOC and total osteocalcin were measured, and information of lifestyle was collected through questionnaires. The association between ucOC and BMD at all measurement sites was assessed by multiple regression analyses adjusting for possible confounding variables. Results   The absolute serum level of ucOC was significantly and negatively associated with BMD at all measurements sites, both in univariate analyses ( p  〈 0.01) and in multivariate analyses adjusting for years since menopause, smoking status and weight ( p  〈 0.01). However, serum ucOC, expressed as percentage of the total osteocalcin level, was not associated with BMD at any site. Conclusions   Achievement of adequate vitamin K nutritional intake is important, but ucOC expressed as percentage of total osteocalcin levels as reflection of vitamin K status does not seem to play a central role in determining BMD levels in early menopausal women. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00394-011-0285-1 Authors Nina Emaus, Department of Health and Care Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Tromsø, 9037 Tromsø, Norway Nguyen D. Nguyen, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Osteoporosis and Bone Biology Research Program, Sydney, Australia Bjørg Almaas, Haukeland University Hospital, 5000 Bergen, Norway Gro K. Berntsen, The National Research Center in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NAFKAM), University of Tromsø, 9037 Tromsø, Norway Jacqueline R. Center, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Osteoporosis and Bone Biology Research Program, St. Vincent’s Hospital and University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia Monika Christensen, Haukeland University Hospital, 5000 Bergen, Norway Clara G. Gjesdal, Haukeland University Hospital, 5000 Bergen, Norway Anne S. Grimsgaard, The National Research Center in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NAFKAM), University of Tromsø, 9037 Tromsø, Norway Tuan V. Nguyen, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Osteoporosis and Bone Biology Research Program and School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia Laila Salomonsen, The National Research Center in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NAFKAM), University of Tromsø, 9037 Tromsø, Norway John A. Eisman, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Osteoporosis and Bone Biology Research Program, St. Vincent’s Hospital and University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia Vinjar M. Fønnebø, The National Research Center in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NAFKAM), University of Tromsø, 9037 Tromsø, Norway Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   Diabetic glomerulosclerosis is the hardening of the renal glomeruli that can lead to kidney failure. In the early stage of glomerulosclerosis occur renal mesangial expansion and renal filtration dysfunction. Purple corn has been classified as a functional food and is rich in anthocyanins exerting potential disease-preventive activities. The in vitro study using human renal mesangial cells examined that anthocyanin-rich purple corn butanol fraction (PCB) can attenuate high glucose (HG)-promoted mesangial cell proliferation and matrix accumulation. Methods   Cells were cultured for 3 days in media containing 33 mM glucose in the presence of 1–20 μg/mL PCB. In the in vivo animal study, db/db mice were treated with 10 mg/kg anthocyanin-rich polyphenolic extracts of purple corn (PCE) for 8 weeks. Results   HG enhanced mesangial production of the fibrosis biomarkers of collagen IV and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), which was markedly attenuated by adding PCB. Such mesangial fibrosis entailed interleukin-8 activation via eliciting Tyk2-STAT signaling pathway. PCB dampened HG-promoted mesangial hyperplasia that appeared to be attributed to increased expression of platelet-derived growth factor. The 8-week administration of PCE lowered plasma glucose level of db/db mice and ameliorated severe albuminuria. Moreover, PCE lessened collagen fiber accumulation in kidney glomeruli and CTGF expression via retarding TGF-β signaling. Protein expressions of nephrin and podocin, key proteins for filtration barrier function of the glomerular capillary wall, were repressed by treating mice with PCE. Conclusion   Purple corn may be a potent therapeutic agent for the treatment for diabetes-associated glomerulosclerosis accompanying proteinuria and kidney filtration dysfunction. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-13 DOI 10.1007/s00394-011-0274-4 Authors Jing Li, Department of Food and Nutrition, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Kangwon-do, 200-702 South Korea Min-Kyung Kang, Department of Food and Nutrition, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Kangwon-do, 200-702 South Korea Jin-Kyu Kim, Institute of Natural Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, 200-702 Korea Jung-Lye Kim, Department of Food and Nutrition, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Kangwon-do, 200-702 South Korea Sang-Wook Kang, Department of Food and Nutrition, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Kangwon-do, 200-702 South Korea Soon Sung Lim, Department of Food and Nutrition, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Kangwon-do, 200-702 South Korea Young-Hee Kang, Department of Food and Nutrition, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Kangwon-do, 200-702 South Korea Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   The main objective of this study was to evaluate the association between dietary patterns and the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its metabolic abnormalities among Lebanese adults, using data from a national nutrition survey. Methods   A cross-sectional analysis involving adults aged ≥18 years ( n  = 323) with no prior history of chronic diseases was conducted. Participants completed a brief sociodemographic and 61-item food frequency questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements and fasting blood samples were also obtained. The International Diabetes Federation criteria were used to classify study participants with the metabolic syndrome. Dietary patterns were identified by factor analysis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the associations of extracted patterns with MetS and its metabolic abnormalities. Results   Out of 323 participants, 112 (34.6%) were classified as having MetS. Three dietary patterns were identified: “Fast Food/Dessert,” “Traditional Lebanese,” and “High Protein.” Compared with participants in the lowest quintile of the Fast Food/Dessert pattern, those in the highest quintile had significantly higher odds for MetS (OR, 3.13; 95% CI: 1.36–7.22) and hyperglycemia (OR, 3.81; 95% CI: 159–9.14). Subjects with the highest intake of the High Protein pattern had an increased risk for hypertension (OR, 2.98; 95% CI: 1.26–7.02). The Traditional Lebanese pattern showed no association with MetS or its components. Conclusions   The findings of this study demonstrate a positive association of the Fast Food/Dessert pattern with MetS and hyperglycemia among Lebanese adults. These results may guide the development of improved preventive nutrition interventions in this adult population. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00394-011-0291-3 Authors F. Naja, Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, Riad El-Solh, P.O.Box 11-0236, Beirut, 1107-2020 Lebanon L. Nasreddine, Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, Riad El-Solh, P.O.Box 11-0236, Beirut, 1107-2020 Lebanon L. Itani, Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, Riad El-Solh, P.O.Box 11-0236, Beirut, 1107-2020 Lebanon N. Adra, Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, Riad El-Solh, P.O.Box 11-0236, Beirut, 1107-2020 Lebanon A. M. Sibai, Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, American University of Beirut, Riad El-Solh, P.O.Box 11-0236, Beirut, 1107-2020 Lebanon N. Hwalla, Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, Riad El-Solh, P.O.Box 11-0236, Beirut, 1107-2020 Lebanon Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   Plant sterol (PS)-enriched food products are known to reduce plasma cholesterol concentrations by inhibiting the absorption of dietary and biliary cholesterol. The physiological responses induced by food intake in the gastrointestinal tract are all important factors in determining the overall effect of PS. The aim of this study was therefore to assess the effect of timing of consumption of a plant sterol (PS)–containing yoghurt drink relative to meal ingestion on gastric emptying (GE) of the drink and gallbladder (GB) volume. Methods   This is a randomized, single-centre, controlled study with crossover design in 12 healthy male volunteers. Three treatments were tested; a 100 mL PS yoghurt drink (labeled with 1,000 mg acetaminophen) was consumed 45 min prior to, during and 45 min after a solid meal. Plasma samples were taken, and gallbladder volumes were measured at baseline and at regular intervals during a 6-h study period. Results   When consumed before the consumption of a meal, the yoghurt drink exhibited fast GE. The solid meal intake caused a significant contraction of the gallbladder. Consumption of the PS drink before the meal had no significant effect on GB volume as compared to baseline and compared to during and after meal consumption. Conclusions   The PS-containing drink, which empties fast from the stomach, does not sufficiently trigger gallbladder contraction without co-ingestion of a solid meal and in consequence does not induce the necessary physiological changes needed to allow PS to exhibit their effect on inhibiting cholesterol absorption. Content Type Journal Article Category Short Communication Pages 1-4 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0440-3 Authors D. Keszthelyi, Division of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands D. Knol, Unilever R&D Vlaardingen, Olivier van Noortlaan 120, 3133 AT Vlaardingen, The Netherlands F. J. Troost, Division of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands M. van Avesaat, Division of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands M. Foltz, Unilever R&D Vlaardingen, Olivier van Noortlaan 120, 3133 AT Vlaardingen, The Netherlands A. A. M. Masclee, Division of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   Biological effects of marine oils, fish oil (FO) and krill oil (KO), are mostly attributed to the high content of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs), predominantly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The study was aimed to investigate the influence of FO and KO on lipid homeostasis and inflammation in an animal model of persistent low-grade exposure to human tumor necrosis factor α (hTNF-α) and to evaluate whether these effects depend on the structural forms of EPA and DHA [triacylglycerols (TAG) vs. phospholipids]. Methods   Male C57BL/6 hTNF-α mice were fed for 6 weeks a high-fat control diet (24.50 % total fats, w/w) or high-fat diets containing either FO or KO at similar doses of n-3 PUFAs (EPA: 5.23 vs. 5.39 wt%, DHA: 2.82 vs. 2.36 wt% of total fatty acids). Results   We found that KO, containing bioactive n-3 PUFAs in the form of phospholipids, was capable of modulating lipid metabolism by lowering plasma levels of TAG and cholesterol and stimulating the mitochondrial and peroxisomal fatty acid β-oxidation, as well as improving the overall carnitine turnover. Though the administration of FO was not as effective as KO in the lowering of plasma TAG, FO significantly improved the levels of all cholesterol classes in plasma. Except from the increase in the levels of IL-17 in FO-fed mice and a trend to decrease in MCP-1 levels in KO-fed animals, the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were not substantially different between treatment groups. Conclusion   Our findings demonstrate that FO and KO are comparable dietary sources of n-3 PUFAs. However, when quantitatively similar doses of n-3 PUFAs are administered, KO seems to have a greater potential to promote lipid catabolism. The effect of dietary oils on the levels of inflammatory markers in hTNF-α transgenic mice fed a high-fat diet needs further investigations. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0441-2 Authors Natalya Filipchuk Vigerust, Institute of Medicine, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway Bodil Bjørndal, Institute of Medicine, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway Pavol Bohov, Institute of Medicine, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway Trond Brattelid, National Institute of Fisheries, NIFES, 5804 Bergen, Norway Asbjørn Svardal, Institute of Medicine, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway Rolf Kristian Berge, Institute of Medicine, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   It is relatively unknown how different dietary components, in partnership, regulate gene expression linked to colon pathology. It has been suggested that the combination of various bioactive components present in a plant-based diet is crucial for their potential anticancer activities. This study employed a combinatorial chemopreventive strategy to investigate the impact of selenium and/or isothiocyanates on DNA methylation processes in colorectal carcinoma cell lines. Methods   To gain insights into the epigenetic-mediated changes in gene expression in response to these dietary constituents cultured Caco-2 and HCT116 cells were exposed for up to 12 days to different concentrations of selenium methylselenocysteine and selenite (ranging from 0.2 to 5 μM) either alone or in combination with sulforaphane and iberin (ranging from 6 to 8 μM), and changes to gene-specific ( p16 INK4A and ESR1 ), global (LINE-1) methylation and DNMT expression were quantified using real-time PCR-based assays. Results   No effects on the methylation of CpG islands in ESR1 , p16 INK4A or of LINE-1, a marker of global genomic methylation, were observed after exposure of Caco-2 and HCT116 cells to selenium or isothiocyanates. Only transient changes in DNMT mRNA expression, which occurred mostly in the treatment groups containing isothiocyanates, were observed, and these occurred only for specific DNMT transcripts and did not lead to the modification of the aberrant methylation status present in these cells. Conclusion   These data suggest that treatment for colon cancer cells with selenium and/or isothiocyanates, either individually or in combination does not impact abnormal methylation patterns of key genes involved in the complex multistep process of colon carcinogenesis in vitro. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-15 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0442-1 Authors Lawrence N. Barrera, Department of Nutrition, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ UK Ian T. Johnson, Institute of Food Research, Colney Lane, Norwich, NR4 7UA UK Yongping Bao, Department of Nutrition, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ UK Aedin Cassidy, Department of Nutrition, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ UK Nigel J. Belshaw, Institute of Food Research, Colney Lane, Norwich, NR4 7UA UK Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Background and aims   Protein malnutrition affects resistance to infection by impairing the inflammatory response, modifying the function of effector cells, such as macrophages. Recent studies have revealed that glutamine—a non-essential amino acid, which could become conditionally essential in some situations like trauma, infection, post-surgery and sepsis—is able to modulate the synthesis of cytokines. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of glutamine on the expression of proteins involved in the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signalling pathway of peritoneal macrophages from malnourished mice. Methods   Two-month-old male Balb/c mice were submitted to protein-energy malnutrition ( n  = 10) with a low-protein diet containing 2 % protein, whereas control mice ( n  = 10) were fed a 12 % protein-containing diet. The haemogram and analysis of plasma glutamine and corticosterone were evaluated. Peritoneal macrophages were pre-treated in vitro with glutamine (0, 0.6, 2 and 10 mmol/L) for 24 h and then stimulated with 1.25 μg LPS for 30 min, and the synthesis of TNF-α and IL-1α and the expression of proteins related to the NF-κB pathway were evaluated. Results   Malnourished animals had anaemia, leucopoenia, lower plasma glutamine and increased corticosterone levels. TNF-α production of macrophages stimulated with LPS was significantly lower in cells from malnourished animals when cultivated in supraphysiological (2 and 10 mmol/L) concentrations of glutamine. Further, glutamine has a dose-dependent effect on the activation of macrophages, in both groups, when stimulated with LPS, inducing a decrease in TNF-α and IL-1α production and negatively modulating the NF-κB signalling pathway. Conclusions   These data lead us to infer that the protein malnutrition state interferes with the activation of macrophages and that higher glutamine concentrations, in vitro, have the capacity to act negatively in the NF-κB signalling pathway. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0443-0 Authors Fabiana da Silva Lima, Experimental Hematology Laboratory, Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Avenida Lineu Prestes, 580 Bloco 17, Sao Paulo, SP 05508-900, Brazil Marcelo Macedo Rogero, Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil Mayara Caldas Ramos, Experimental Hematology Laboratory, Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Avenida Lineu Prestes, 580 Bloco 17, Sao Paulo, SP 05508-900, Brazil Primavera Borelli, Experimental Hematology Laboratory, Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Avenida Lineu Prestes, 580 Bloco 17, Sao Paulo, SP 05508-900, Brazil Ricardo Ambrósio Fock, Experimental Hematology Laboratory, Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Avenida Lineu Prestes, 580 Bloco 17, Sao Paulo, SP 05508-900, Brazil Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   Animal and laboratory studies suggest that long-chain omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids, a type of polyunsaturated fat found in fatty fish, may protect against carcinogenesis, but human studies on dietary intake of polyunsaturated fats and fish with endometrial cancer risk show mixed results. Methods   We evaluated the associations between endometrial cancer risk and intake of fatty acids and fish in a population-based sample of 556 incident cancer cases and 533 age-matched controls using multivariate unconditional logistic regression methods. Results   Although total n-3 fatty acid intake was not associated with endometrial cancer risk, higher intakes of eicosapentaenoic (EPA 20:5) and docosahexaenoic (DHA 22:6) fatty acids were significantly associated with lower risks (OR = 0.57, 95 % CI: 0.39–0.84; OR = 0.64, 95 % CI: 0.44–0.94; respectively) comparing extreme quartiles. The ratio of n-3:n-6 fatty acids was inversely associated with risk only on a continuous scale (OR = 0.84, 95 % CI: 0.71–0.99), while total fish intake was not associated with risk. Fish oil supplement use was significantly associated with reduced risk of endometrial cancer: OR = 0.63 (95 % CI: 0.45–0.88). Conclusions   Our results suggest that dietary intake of the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids EPA and DHA in foods and supplements may have protective associations against the development of endometrial cancer. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0436-z Authors Hannah Arem, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College Street, P.O. Box 208034, New Haven, CT 06520, USA Marian L. Neuhouser, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA Melinda L. Irwin, Yale School of Public Health, School of Medicine, 60 College Street, P.O. Box 208034, New Haven, CT 06520, USA Brenda Cartmel, Yale School of Public Health, School of Medicine, 60 College Street, P.O. Box 208034, New Haven, CT 06520, USA Lingeng Lu, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College Street, P.O. Box 208034, New Haven, CT 06520, USA Harvey Risch, Yale School of Public Health, School of Medicine, 60 College Street, P.O. Box 208034, New Haven, CT 06520, USA Susan T. Mayne, Yale School of Public Health, School of Medicine, 60 College Street, P.O. Box 208034, New Haven, CT 06520, USA Herbert Yu, Yale School of Public Health, School of Medicine, 60 College Street, P.O. Box 208034, New Haven, CT 06520, USA Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   Active hexose-correlated compound (AHCC) is a commercial extract obtained from Basidiomycetes under controlled conditions, yielding a 74 % content in oligosaccharides, especially α-glucans. AHCC has a number of therapeutic effects, including intestinal anti-inflammatory activity. Bifidobacterium longum BB536 is a probiotic with potential health-promoting effect at the gut level. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the possibility of synergism between AHCC, which is believed to act as a prebiotic, and B. longum BB536. Methods   We used the trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid model (TNBS) of colitis in rats. AHCC (100 or 500 mg kg −1 ) and B. longum BB536 (5 × 10 6  CFU rat −1  day −1 ) were administered together or separately for 7 days prior to colitis induction and then for another 7 days and compared with control (noncolitic) and TNBS rats. Results   The results show that both treatments had intestinal anti-inflammatory activity separately, which was enhanced when used in combination, as shown by changes in body weight gain, colonic weight to length ratio, myeloperoxydase activity and iNOS expression. Interestingly, the association of AHCC 100 mg kg −1  +  B. longum BB536 showed the highest anti-inflammatory activity. Conclusions   Our data provide a preclinical experimental basis for the synergistic effect of AHCC and B. longum BB536 on inflammatory bowel disease. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0347-z Authors Borja Ocón, Department of Pharmacology, CIBERehd, School of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Granada, Spain Andrea Anzola, Department of Pharmacology, CIBERehd, School of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Granada, Spain Mercedes Ortega-González, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, CIBERehd, School of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Granada, Spain Antonio Zarzuelo, Department of Pharmacology, CIBERehd, School of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Granada, Spain María D. Suárez, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, CIBERehd, School of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Granada, Spain Fermín Sánchez de Medina, Department of Pharmacology, CIBERehd, School of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Granada, Spain Olga Martínez-Augustin, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, CIBERehd, School of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Granada, Spain Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Objective   There is increasing evidence that anorexia of aging can cause physical and mental impairment. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between anorexia and sarcopenia in elderly persons aged 80 years or older. Methods   Data are from the baseline evaluation of 354 subjects enrolled in the ilSIRENTE study. The ilSIRENTE study is a prospective cohort study performed in the mountain community living in the Sirente geographic area (L’Aquila, Abruzzo) in Central Italy. We defined anorexia as the presence of loss of appetite and/or lower food intake. According to the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) criteria, diagnosis of sarcopenia required the documentation of low muscle mass plus the documentation of either low muscle strength or low physical performance. The relationship between anorexia and sarcopenia was estimated by deriving odds ratios from the multiple logistic regression models considering sarcopenia as the dependent variable. Results   Nearly 21 % of the study sample showed symptoms of anorexia. Using the EWGSOP-suggested algorithm, 103 subjects (29.1 %) with sarcopenia were identified. Thirty-four (46.6 %) participants were affected by sarcopenia among subjects with anorexia compared to 69 subjects [24.6 %] without anorexia ( p  〈 0.001). After adjusting for potential confounders including age, gender, functional and cognitive impairment, physical activity, urinary incontinence, comorbidity, congestive heart failure, COPD, depression, anti-cholinergic drugs, and TNF-α plasmatic levels, participants with anorexia had a higher risk of sarcopenia compared with non-anorexic subjects (HR 1.88, 95 % CI 1.01–3.51). Conclusions   Anorexia is common among community-dwelling older subjects in Italy. Our results suggest that among old–old subjects, anorexia is independently associated with sarcopenia. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0437-y Authors Francesco Landi, Department of Gerontology, Geriatrics and Physiatry, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy Rosa Liperoti, Department of Gerontology, Geriatrics and Physiatry, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy Andrea Russo, Department of Gerontology, Geriatrics and Physiatry, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy Silvia Giovannini, Department of Gerontology, Geriatrics and Physiatry, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy Matteo Tosato, Department of Gerontology, Geriatrics and Physiatry, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy Christian Barillaro, Department of Gerontology, Geriatrics and Physiatry, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy Ettore Capoluongo, Institute of Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy Roberto Bernabei, Department of Gerontology, Geriatrics and Physiatry, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy Graziano Onder, Department of Gerontology, Geriatrics and Physiatry, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   Peptide YY (PYY) is a gastrointestinal hormone with physiological actions regulating appetite and energy homoeostasis. The cellular mechanisms by which nutrients stimulate PYY secretion from intestinal enteroendocrine cells are still being elucidated. Methods   This study comprehensively evaluated the suitability of intestinal STC-1 cells as an in vitro model of PYY secretion. PYY concentrations (both intracellular and in culture media) with other intestinal peptides (CCK, GLP-1 and GIP) demonstrated that PYY is a prominent product of STC-1 cells. Furthermore, acute and chronic PYY responses to 15 short (SCFAs)- and long-chain (LCFAs) dietary fatty acids were measured alongside parameters for DNA synthesis, cell viability and cytotoxicity. Results   We found STC-1 cells to be reliable secretors of PYY constitutively releasing PYY into cell culture media (but not into non-stimulatory buffer). We demonstrate for the first time that STC-1 cells produce PYY mRNA transcripts; that STC-1 cells produce specific time- and concentration-dependent PYY secretory responses to valeric acid; that linoleic acid and conjugated linoleic acid 9,11 (CLA 9,11) are potent PYY secretagogues; and that chronic exposure of SCFAs and LCFAs can be detrimental to STC-1 cells. Conclusions   Our studies demonstrate the potential usefulness of STC-1 cells as an in vitro model for investigating nutrient-stimulated PYY secretion in an acute setting. Furthermore, our discovery that CLA directly stimulates L-cells to secrete PYY indicates another possible mechanism contributing to the observed effects of dietary CLA on weight loss. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0439-9 Authors Katharine V. Hand, Institute of Agri-Food and Land Use, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, David Keir Building, Stranmillis Road, Belfast, BT9 5AG UK Christine M. Bruen, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, County Cork, Ireland Fiona O’Halloran, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, County Cork, Ireland Harsh Panwar, Institute of Agri-Food and Land Use, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, David Keir Building, Stranmillis Road, Belfast, BT9 5AG UK Danielle Calderwood, Institute of Agri-Food and Land Use, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, David Keir Building, Stranmillis Road, Belfast, BT9 5AG UK Linda Giblin, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, County Cork, Ireland Brian D. Green, Institute of Agri-Food and Land Use, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, David Keir Building, Stranmillis Road, Belfast, BT9 5AG UK Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Background   Procyanidins are extensively metabolized via phase-II and microbial enzymes. However, their distribution in the body is not well characterized. Aim   This study investigates the distribution of procyanidins (monomers and dimers) and their phase-II metabolites in plasma and tissues (thymus, heart, liver, testicle, lung, kidney, spleen and brain). Methods   Wistar rats were fed with 1 g of cocoa cream (CC), 50 mg of procyanidin hazelnut skin extract (PE) and 50 mg PE in 1 g CC (PECC). The rats were killed at 0, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4 and 18 h after gavage, and the plasma and tissues were analyzed by UPLC–MS/MS. Results   Epicatechin–glucuronide was the main metabolite in the plasma after the CC intake, with C max at 423 nM and t max at 2 h, and methyl catechin–glucuronide (301 nM, 2 h) was the main metabolite in the plasma after the PE intake. As a result of the PECC enrichment, epicatechin–glucuronide (452 nM, 1.5 h) and catechin–glucuronide (297 nM, 2 h) were the main metabolites in the plasma. Methyl catechin–glucuronide was found in the liver after PE (8 nmol/g tissue, 4 h) and PECC (8 nmol/g, 1.5 h). The kidney was found to contain a high concentration of phase-II metabolites of procyanidins and is therefore thought to be the main site of metabolism of the compounds. Methyl catechin–sulfate (6.4 nmol/g, 4 h) was only quantified in the brain and after PE intake. Catechin metabolites were not found in the spleen or heart. Phenolic acids were detected in all tissues. Conclusions   The formulation of a product enriched or fortified with procyanidins is a way to increase their bioavailability, with clear effects on the plasmatic pharmacokinetics, and a greater accumulation of phenolic metabolites in such tissues as the liver, kidney, lung and brain. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0409-2 Authors Aida Serra, Department of Food Technology, XaRTA-UTPV, Escola Tècnica Superior d’Enginyeria Agrària, Universitat de Lleida, Avda/Alcalde Rovira Roure 191, 25198 Lleida, Spain Alba Macià, Department of Food Technology, XaRTA-UTPV, Escola Tècnica Superior d’Enginyeria Agrària, Universitat de Lleida, Avda/Alcalde Rovira Roure 191, 25198 Lleida, Spain Laura Rubió, Department of Food Technology, XaRTA-UTPV, Escola Tècnica Superior d’Enginyeria Agrària, Universitat de Lleida, Avda/Alcalde Rovira Roure 191, 25198 Lleida, Spain Neus Anglès, R+D+i Department, La Morella Nuts, S.A.U., Camí Ample s/n, 43392 Castellvell del Camp, Spain Nàdia Ortega, R+D+i Department, La Morella Nuts, S.A.U., Camí Ample s/n, 43392 Castellvell del Camp, Spain José Ramón Morelló, R+D+i Department, La Morella Nuts, S.A.U., Camí Ample s/n, 43392 Castellvell del Camp, Spain Maria-Paz Romero, Department of Food Technology, XaRTA-UTPV, Escola Tècnica Superior d’Enginyeria Agrària, Universitat de Lleida, Avda/Alcalde Rovira Roure 191, 25198 Lleida, Spain Maria-José Motilva, Department of Food Technology, XaRTA-UTPV, Escola Tècnica Superior d’Enginyeria Agrària, Universitat de Lleida, Avda/Alcalde Rovira Roure 191, 25198 Lleida, Spain Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Background   Depression is a very common disorder in elderly, especially in those institutionalized. Nutrition could play an important role in the onset and/or progression of depression, since the intake of carbohydrates with a high glycaemic index (GI) or diets with a high glycaemic load (GL) may increase the insulin-induced brain serotonin secretion. Objective   The aim of our study was to analyse the association between dietary GI and GL and the odds of suffering depression in institutionalized elderly people without antidepressant treatment. Methods   This cross-sectional study included 140 institutionalized elderly people from the Madrid region (Spain) (65–90 years of age) whose diets were recorded using a precise weighing method over seven consecutive days. Energy and nutrient intakes were recorded and the GI and GL calculated. The participants’ affective capacity was assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Subjects were grouped into non-depressed (GDS ≤ 5) and depressed (GDS 〉 5). Since GDS scores and gender were statistically associated ( p  〈 0.01), the data were grouped considering this association. Results   Dietary GI (51.09 ± 3.80) and GL (97.54 ± 13.46) were considered as medium. The dietary GL was significantly higher in the non-depressed (100.00 ± 12.13) compared with the depressed group (93.97 ± 14.04, p  〈 0.01). However, a similar GI was observed between non-depressed (51.50 ± 3.29) and depressed groups (50.52 ± 4.46). Additionally, participants with a dietary GL placed in the second and third tertiles had a 67.4 % and 65.3 %, respectively, less odds of suffering depression than those in the first tertile. GDS scores and dietary GL were inversely related; therefore, an increase in one unit in the dietary GL scale decreased the GDS score by 0.058 units. Conclusions   Glyaemic load is associated with a lower odd of depression. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0412-7 Authors A. Aparicio, Departamento de Nutrición, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain F. Robles, Servicio de Geriatría, Hospital de Cantoblanco-Gregorio Marañón, Crta de Colmenar Km 14.5, Madrid, Spain A. M. López-Sobaler, Departamento de Nutrición, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain R. M. Ortega, Departamento de Nutrición, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Background   Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are synthesized and secreted by immune and epithelial cells that are constantly exposed to environmental microbes. AMPs are essential for barrier defense, and deficiencies lead to increased susceptibility to infection. In addition to their ability to disrupt the integrity of bacterial, viral and fungal membranes, AMPs bind lipopolysaccharides, act as chemoattractants for immune cells and bind to cellular receptors and modulate the expression of cytokines and chemokines. These additional biological activities may explain the role of AMPs in inflammatory diseases and cancer. Modulating the endogenous expression of AMPs offers potential therapeutic treatments for infection and disease. Methods   The present review examines the published data from both in vitro and in vivo studies reporting the effects of nutrients and by-products of microbial metabolism on the expression of antimicrobial peptide genes in order to highlight an emerging appreciation for the role of dietary compounds in modulating the innate immune response. Results   Vitamins A and D, dietary histone deacetylases and by-products of intestinal microbial metabolism (butyrate and secondary bile acids) have been found to regulate the expression of AMPs in humans. Vitamin D deficiency correlates with increased susceptibility to infection, and supplementation studies indicate an improvement in defense against infection. Animal and human clinical studies with butyrate indicate that increasing expression of AMPs in the colon protects against infection. Conclusion   These findings suggest that diet and/or consumption of nutritional supplements may be used to improve and/or modulate immune function. In addition, by-products of gut microbe metabolism could be important for communicating with intestinal epithelial and immune cells, thus affecting the expression of AMPs. This interaction may help establish a mucosal barrier to prevent invasion of the intestinal epithelium by either mutualistic or pathogenic microorganisms. Content Type Journal Article Category Review Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0415-4 Authors Yan Campbell, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, 307 Linus Pauling Science Center, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA Mary L. Fantacone, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, 307 Linus Pauling Science Center, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA Adrian F. Gombart, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, 307 Linus Pauling Science Center, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   Postprandial metabolic stress as a consequence of ingestion of high-energy meals is recognized as an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The objective of this study was to evaluate the inflammatory and antioxidant response of the body to the acute ingestion of a high-fat meal (HFM). Methods   Fifteen healthy overweight subjects were recruited for the study. After HFM consumption, plasma glucose, insulin, uric acid (UA), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), thiols (SH), inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) and dietary antioxidants were measured at 0, 0, 5, 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 h points from ingestion. Results   The ingestion of HFM induced significant increases in both TG and TC, with peaks at 4 h ( p  〈 0.001) and 8 h ( p  〈 0.01), respectively. IL-6 and TNF-α significantly increased postprandially, reaching maximum concentrations 8 h after meal consumption ( p  〈 0.001). Whereas plasma concentrations of vitamins and carotenoids were not changed by HFM, SH and UA increased, peaking 2–4 h postingestion ( p  〈 0.001 and 0.01, respectively). Increments of SH and UA were positively correlated with AUC for TG (Pearson coefficient 0.888, p  〈 0.001 and 0.923, p  〈 0.001, respectively). Conclusions   Present results indicate that as a consequence of an excess of dietary fat, the body responds through an inflammatory reaction, which is accompanied by an increment of endogenous antioxidant defenses, mediated by UA and SH, but not by vitamins C and E and carotenoids. Although further studies are needed, results of the current investigation represent novel findings on endogenous strategies of redox defense from fat overloads. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0420-7 Authors Cristiana Miglio, Functional Food and Metabolic Stress Prevention Program, National Institute for Food and Nutrition Research (INRAN), Via Ardeatina 546, 00178 Rome, Italy Ilaria Peluso, Functional Food and Metabolic Stress Prevention Program, National Institute for Food and Nutrition Research (INRAN), Via Ardeatina 546, 00178 Rome, Italy Anna Raguzzini, Functional Food and Metabolic Stress Prevention Program, National Institute for Food and Nutrition Research (INRAN), Via Ardeatina 546, 00178 Rome, Italy Deborah V. Villaño, Food and Nutrition Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Rome, Italy Eleonora Cesqui, Functional Food and Metabolic Stress Prevention Program, National Institute for Food and Nutrition Research (INRAN), Via Ardeatina 546, 00178 Rome, Italy Giovina Catasta, Functional Food and Metabolic Stress Prevention Program, National Institute for Food and Nutrition Research (INRAN), Via Ardeatina 546, 00178 Rome, Italy Elisabetta Toti, Functional Food and Metabolic Stress Prevention Program, National Institute for Food and Nutrition Research (INRAN), Via Ardeatina 546, 00178 Rome, Italy Mauro Serafini, Functional Food and Metabolic Stress Prevention Program, National Institute for Food and Nutrition Research (INRAN), Via Ardeatina 546, 00178 Rome, Italy Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   To identify the key parameters involved in cereal starch digestion and associated glycaemic response by the utilisation of a dynamic gastro-duodenal digestion model. Methods   Potential plasma glucose loading curves for each meal were calculated and fitted to an exponential function. The area under the curve (AUC) from 0 to 120 min and total digestible starch was used to calculate an in vitro glycaemic index (GI) value normalised against white bread. Microscopy was additionally used to examine cereal samples collected in vitro at different stages of gastric and duodenal digestion. Results   Where in vivo GI data were available (4 out of 6 cereal meals) no significant difference was observed between these values and the corresponding calculated in vitro GI value. Conclusion   It is possible to simulate an in vivo glycaemic response for cereals when the gastric emptying rate (duodenal loading) and kinetics of digestible starch hydrolysis in the duodenum are known. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-14 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0386-5 Authors Simon Ballance, Nofima AS, Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research, Ås, Norway Stefan Sahlstrøm, Nofima AS, Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research, Ås, Norway Per Lea, Nofima AS, Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research, Ås, Norway Nina E. Nagy, Norwegian Forest and Landscape Institute, Ås, Norway Petter V. Andersen, Nofima AS, Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research, Ås, Norway Tzvetelin Dessev, Nofima AS, Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research, Ås, Norway Sarah Hull, Leatherhead Food Research, Leatherhead, UK Maria Vardakou, Institute of Food Research, Norwich, UK Richard Faulks, Institute of Food Research, Norwich, UK Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   This study investigated the absorption mechanism of the phytochemicals indicaxanthin and betanin and the influence of their food matrix (cactus pear and red beet) on the intestinal transport. Methods   Trans-epithelial transport of dietary-consistent amounts of indicaxanthin and betanin in Caco-2 cell monolayers seeded on Transwell R inserts was measured in apical to basolateral (AP-BL) and basolateral to apical (BL-AP) direction, under an inwardly directed pH gradient (pH 6.0/7.4, AP/BL) mimicking luminal and serosal sides of human intestinal epithelium. The effect of inhibitors of membrane transporters on the absorption was also evaluated. Contribution of the paracellular route was investigated after EDTA treatment of the cell monolayer. In vitro digestion of betalainic food was performed to provide a post-intestinal fraction containing bioaccessible pigments. Results   Apparent permeability coefficients ( P app ) in the absorptive direction were (4.4 ± 0.4) × 10 −6 and (3.2 ± 0.3) × 10 −6  cm s −1 for indicaxanthin and betanin, respectively. Transport of indicaxanthin was non-polarized, linear as a function of time and concentration, and unaffected by inhibitors of membrane transporters. Betanin exhibited significantly different bidirectional P app values and non-linear efflux kinetics. The concentration-dependent betanin efflux was described by a kinetic model including one non-saturable ( K d  = 0.042 μL cm −2  min −1 ) and one saturable component identified as the apical multidrug resistance–associated protein 2 (MRP2; K m  = 275 μM; J max  = 42 pmol min −1 cm −2 ). Permeation of both betalains increased remarkably after EDTA treatment of the cell monolayer. Neither indicaxanthin nor betanin underwent metabolic transformation. Food matrix did not affect trans-epithelial transfer of indicaxanthin, but reduced the absorption rate of betanin, red beet more than cactus pear. Conclusions   Dietary indicaxanthin and betanin can substantially be absorbed through paracellular junctions of intestinal epithelial cells. Additional trans-membrane permeation can be considered for betanin, whose absorption is limited by a MRP2-mediated efflux and negatively affected by its food matrix. Present findings are consistent with the quite higher bioavailability of indicaxanthin over betanin established in humans. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0414-5 Authors L. Tesoriere, Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Molecolari e Biomolecolari (STEMBIO), Università di Palermo, Via Michele Cipolla 74, 90123 Palermo, Italy C. Gentile, Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Molecolari e Biomolecolari (STEMBIO), Università di Palermo, Via Michele Cipolla 74, 90123 Palermo, Italy F. Angileri, Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Molecolari e Biomolecolari (STEMBIO), Università di Palermo, Via Michele Cipolla 74, 90123 Palermo, Italy A. Attanzio, Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Molecolari e Biomolecolari (STEMBIO), Università di Palermo, Via Michele Cipolla 74, 90123 Palermo, Italy M. Tutone, Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Molecolari e Biomolecolari (STEMBIO), Università di Palermo, Via Michele Cipolla 74, 90123 Palermo, Italy M. Allegra, Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Molecolari e Biomolecolari (STEMBIO), Università di Palermo, Via Michele Cipolla 74, 90123 Palermo, Italy M. A. Livrea, Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Molecolari e Biomolecolari (STEMBIO), Università di Palermo, Via Michele Cipolla 74, 90123 Palermo, Italy Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   The objective was to investigate the metabolic fate of phytosteryl/-stanyl fatty acid and ferulic acid esters upon consumption by healthy humans. Methods   A capillary gas chromatographic methodology was employed to follow a randomized, single-blind three group crossover clinical trial and to quantify simultaneously individual intact esters, liberated phytosterols/-stanols and their metabolites in feces. Skimmed milk drinking yogurts enriched with complex mixtures of phytosteryl/-stanyl fatty acid esters and ferulates, respectively, were employed as food carriers. Results   On average, 73 % of total plant stanyl fatty acid esters and 80 % of total plant steryl fatty acid esters were hydrolyzed. Among the individuals, the hydrolysis rates ranged from 40 to 96 %. In addition, there were subject-dependent discrepancies between the amounts of phytosterols/-stanols actually determined in the feces and the calculated hydrolysis rates. On average, 69 % of the amounts of sterols/stanols expected from the amounts of remaining intact esters were found. Conclusions   The study revealed large interindividual variability regarding the recoveries of dietary phytosteryl/-stanyl esters upon gastrointestinal passage in healthy humans. Nevertheless, there was a significant impact of the acid moiety (oleate = linoleate = linolenate 〉 eicosanoate 〉 palmitate 〉 ferulate) on the hydrolysis rates; the influence of the phytosterol/-stanol moiety was less pronounced. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-17 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0407-4 Authors Tim Lubinus, Chair of General Food Technology, Technische Universität München, Maximus-von-Imhof-Forum 2, 85350 Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany Andreas Barnsteiner, Chair of General Food Technology, Technische Universität München, Maximus-von-Imhof-Forum 2, 85350 Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany Thomas Skurk, Center for Diet and Disease (ZIEL), Nutritional Medicine, Technische Universität München, Gregor-Mendel-Str. 2, 85350 Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany Hans Hauner, Center for Diet and Disease (ZIEL), Nutritional Medicine, Technische Universität München, Gregor-Mendel-Str. 2, 85350 Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany Karl-Heinz Engel, Chair of General Food Technology, Technische Universität München, Maximus-von-Imhof-Forum 2, 85350 Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   Tea ( Camellia sinensis ) is a widely consumed beverage, and laboratory and some intervention studies have indicated the potential health benefits of hot tea. The present study examines the association between tea consumption (evaluating hot and iced tea independently) and markers for metabolic syndrome adults in a sample of 6,472 who participated in the 2003–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination surveys. Methods   Tea consumption was evaluated using food frequency questionnaires and 24-h dietary recalls. Seventy percent of the sample reported any consumption of iced tea and 16 % were daily consumers, whereas approximately 56 % of this sample reported hot tea consumption and 9 % were daily consumers. Results   Hot tea consumption was inversely associated with obesity: tea consumers had lower mean waist circumference and lower BMI (25 vs. 28 kg/m 2 in men; 26 vs. 29 kg/m 2 in women; both P  〈 0.01) than non-consumers after controlling for age, physical activity, total energy intake, and other confounders. For iced tea consumption, the association was reversed: increased iced tea consumption was associated with higher BMI, greater waist circumference, and greater subcutaneous skinfold thickness after controlling for age, physical activity, energy intake, sugar intake, and other confounders. Hot tea consumption was associated with beneficial biomarkers of cardiovascular disease risk and inflammation (increased high-density lipoprotein-associated cholesterol and decreased C-reactive protein in both sexes, and reduced triglycerides in women), whereas the association with iced tea consumption was again reversed. Conclusions   These cross-sectional results support growing laboratory data, which demonstrate the negative association of hot tea intake with markers of MetS. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0410-9 Authors Jacqueline A. Vernarelli, Department of Nutritional Sciences, 110 Chandlee Laboratory, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA Joshua D. Lambert, Department of Food Science, The Pennsylvania State University, 332 Food Science Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   To investigate the role of octreotide, a somatostatin (SST) analog with anti-inflammatory effects, on the digestive and absorptive functions of jejunum in rats fed a high-fat diet, as well as its therapeutic prospects for diet-induced obesity. Methods   Rats were divided into three groups with different diet and treatment for the 176-day experiment: (1) control, 18 rats fed with standard chow, (2) high-fat control, 19 rats fed with high-fat chow, and (3) high-fat octreotide, 21 rats fed with high-fat chow and treated with octreotide for the last 8 days of the experiment. Plasma tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was measured by ELISA and SST by radioimmunoassay. Disaccharidase activity in the jejunal homogenate was determined. SST and Na + -dependent glucose transporter 1 (SGLT-1) in the jejunal mucosa were visualized by immunohistochemistry. SGLT-1 was quantified by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot assays. Results   After 176 days, the fat/body weight ratio, villus height, maltase, SGLT-1, and plasma TNF-α in the high-fat control rats were much higher than those in the control rats ( p  〈 0.01 or p  〈 0.05) and were significantly lower in the high-fat + octreotide rats ( p  〈 0.01 or p  〈 0.05). SST levels were dramatically different in the intestinal mucosa of the two high-fat groups (231.12 ± 98.18 pg/mg in the high-fat controls and 480.01 ± 286.65 pg/mg in the octreotide group). Conclusions   The low-grade inflammation induced by high-fat diet apparently reduced the secretion of intestinal SST, which increased intestinal absorption of energy and nutrients and formation of adipose tissues. Octreotide effectively reversed this process, a finding that has far-reaching significance for the regulation of energy balance. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0413-6 Authors R. Liu, Division of Peptides Related with Human Disease, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 People’s Republic of China N. Wei, Division of Peptides Related with Human Disease, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 People’s Republic of China W. Guo, Division of Peptides Related with Human Disease, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 People’s Republic of China O. Qiang, Division of Peptides Related with Human Disease, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 People’s Republic of China X. Li, Division of Peptides Related with Human Disease, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 People’s Republic of China Y. Ou, Division of Peptides Related with Human Disease, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 People’s Republic of China W. Huang, Division of Peptides Related with Human Disease, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 People’s Republic of China C. W. Tang, Division of Peptides Related with Human Disease, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 People’s Republic of China Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   To comprehensively review the data on the relationship between the consumption of dairy fat and high-fat dairy foods, obesity, and cardiometabolic disease. Methods   We have conducted a systematic literature review of observational studies on the relationship between dairy fat and high-fat dairy foods, obesity, and cardiometabolic disease. We have integrated these findings with data from controlled studies showing effects of several minor dairy fatty acids on adiposity and cardiometabolic risk factors, and data on how bovine feeding practices influence the composition of dairy fat. Results   In 11 of 16 studies, high-fat dairy intake was inversely associated with measures of adiposity. Studies examining the relationship between high-fat dairy consumption and metabolic health reported either an inverse or no association. Studies investigating the connection between high-fat dairy intake and diabetes or cardiovascular disease incidence were inconsistent. We discuss factors that may have contributed to the variability between studies, including differences in (1) the potential for residual confounding; (2) the types of high-fat dairy foods consumed; and (3) bovine feeding practices (pasture- vs. grain-based) known to influence the composition of dairy fat. Conclusions   The observational evidence does not support the hypothesis that dairy fat or high-fat dairy foods contribute to obesity or cardiometabolic risk, and suggests that high-fat dairy consumption within typical dietary patterns is inversely associated with obesity risk. Although not conclusive, these findings may provide a rationale for future research into the bioactive properties of dairy fat and the impact of bovine feeding practices on the health effects of dairy fat. Content Type Journal Article Category Review Pages 1-24 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0418-1 Authors Mario Kratz, Division of Public Health Sciences, Cancer Prevention Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Avenue N, Mail Stop M4-B402, Seattle, WA 98109, USA Ton Baars, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture, Ackerstrasse, Postfach, 5070 Frick, Switzerland Stephan Guyenet, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, 815 Mercer Street, Mail Box 358055, Seattle, WA 98109, USA Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Objective   The mechanism action of the polyphenol-rich extracts from berries of Aronia melanocarpa (black chokeberry) and from grape seeds in the defence against homocysteine (Hcy) and its derivatives action in blood platelets is still unknown. In this study, the influence of the aronia extract and grape seeds extract (GSE) on the platelet adhesion to collagen and fibrinogen and the platelet aggregation during a model of hyperhomocysteinemia was investigated. The aim of our study in vitro was also to investigate superoxide anion radicals (O 2 −• ) production after incubation of platelets with Hcy, HTL and the aronia extract and GSE during a model of hyperhomocysteinemia (induced by reduced form of homocysteine at final dose of 100 μM) and the most reactive form of Hcy—its cyclic thioester, homocysteine thiolactone (HTL, 1 μM). Moreover, the additional aim of our study was also to establish and compare the influence of the aronia extract, GSE and resveratrol (3,4′,5-trihydroxystilben), a phenolic compound, which has been supposed to be beneficial for the prevention of cardiovascular events, on selected steps of platelet activation. Methods   The effects of tested extracts on adhesion of blood platelets to collagen and fibrinogen were determined according to Tuszynski and Murphy. The platelet aggregation was determined by turbidimetry method using a Chrono-log Lumi-aggregometer. Results   We have observed that HTL, like its precursor—Hcy stimulated the generation of O 2 −• (measured by the superoxide dismutase—inhibitable reduction of cytochrome c) in platelets and caused an augmentation of the platelet adhesion and aggregation induced by the strong physiological agonist—thrombin. Our present results in vitro also demonstrated that the aronia extract and grape seeds extract reduced the toxicity action of Hcy and HTL on blood platelet adhesion to collagen and fibrinogen, the platelet aggregation and superoxide anion radicals production in platelets, suggesting its potential protective effects on hemostasis during hyperhomocysteinemia. Conclusion   In the comparative studies, the aronia extract was found to be more effective antiplatelet factors, than GSE or resveratrol during a model of hyperhomocysteinemia. It gives hopes for development of diet supplements, which may be important during hyperhomocysteinemia. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0411-8 Authors Joanna Malinowska, Department of General Biochemistry, University of Lodz, Pomorska 141/143, 90-236 Lodz, Poland Wieslaw Oleszek, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation, State Research Institute, Czartoryskich 8, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland Anna Stochmal, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation, State Research Institute, Czartoryskich 8, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland Beata Olas, Department of General Biochemistry, University of Lodz, Pomorska 141/143, 90-236 Lodz, Poland Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   Although overweight is an important determinant of diabetes risk, it remains unclear whether food choices can still influence the risk for type 2 diabetes in overweight persons. In this paper, we aim to clarify the role of dietary patterns in the development of type 2 diabetes in overweight and obese individuals. Methods   We studied 20,835 overweight and obese participants in the Dutch part of the European Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC-NL) study. Dietary intake was measured using a validated food frequency questionnaire, and dietary patterns were generated using factor analysis. Incident type 2 diabetes was verified against medical records. Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the association between the dietary patterns (factor scores categorized in quartiles) and incident type 2 diabetes. Results   Scoring on Pattern 1, characterized by fish, wine, chicken, raw vegetables and fruit juices, was not associated with type 2 diabetes risk after confounder adjustment. A high score on Pattern 2, characterized by soft drinks, fries and snacks, was associated with higher risk of type 2 diabetes (HR Q4 vs. Q1 (95 % CI): 1.70 (1.31; 2.20), p trend  ≤ 0.0001), particularly among less active individuals [less active: HR Q4 vs. Q1 (95 % CI): 2.14 (1.48; 3.09), p trend  = 0.00004, more active: HR Q4 vs. Q1 (95 % CI): 1.35 (0.93; 1.97), p trend  = 0.01; p interaction  = 0.02]. Conclusions   A high score on a pattern high in soft drinks, fries and snacks and low in fruit and vegetables was associated with higher risk of type 2 diabetes in overweight and obese subjects especially among physically less active individuals. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0423-4 Authors Florianne Bauer, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Mailbox: Str. 6.131, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands Joline W. J. Beulens, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Mailbox: Str. 6.131, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands Daphne L. van der A, Center for Nutrition and Health, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands Cisca Wijmenga, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Genetics, Groningen, The Netherlands Diederick E. Grobbee, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Mailbox: Str. 6.131, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands Annemieke M. W. Spijkerman, Center for Prevention and Health Services Research, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands Yvonne T. van der Schouw, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Mailbox: Str. 6.131, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands N. Charlotte Onland-Moret, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Mailbox: Str. 6.131, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   To determine the relative impact of three iso-caloric breakfast meals, of variable composition, on satiety, hunger and subsequent intake of energy. Methods   In a three-way, crossover design, 30 healthy men (age of 21.7 ± 1.2 years; BMI, 23.1 ± 2.7 kg/m 2 ) were randomised to one of three test breakfasts, on three separate occasions, separated by 1 week. The breakfasts consisted of eggs on toast, cereal (cornflakes) with milk and toast, or a croissant and orange juice. Subjective ratings of satiety, hunger, fullness and desire to eat were recorded at 30-min intervals by electronic visual analogue scales (VAS). Energy intake was assessed by weighed food intake at an ad libitum lunch and evening meal. Results   Participants showed increased satiety, less hunger and a lower desire to eat after the breakfast containing eggs relative to the cereal ( p  〈 0.02), and croissant-based meals ( p  〈 0.0001). The egg breakfast was also accompanied by a significantly lower intake of energy relative to the croissant- and cereal-based breakfasts at the buffet lunch and evening meal, respectively, 1,284 ± 464 (egg) versus 1,442 ± 426 kcal (croissant), p  = 0.03, 1,407 ± 379 (cereal) at lunch and 1,899 ± 729 (egg) versus 2,214 ± 620 kcal (cereal), p  = 0.02, 2,047 ± 712 (croissant) at evening meal. The breakfast meal with the greatest effect on satiety and subsequent intake of energy was distinct in having the highest protein and lowest carbohydrate content relative to the other two breakfasts. Conclusion   These findings provide evidence to support the importance of food choice at breakfast as a means of increasing satiety in the morning and reducing energy intake at lunch. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0444-z Authors Rosalind Fallaize, Department of Nutrition and Metabolism, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH UK Louise Wilson, Department of Nutrition and Metabolism, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH UK Juliet Gray, Department of Nutrition and Metabolism, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH UK Linda M. Morgan, Department of Nutrition and Metabolism, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH UK Bruce A. Griffin, Department of Nutrition and Metabolism, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH UK Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Background   Choline forms the head group of phosphatidylcholines, comprising 40–50 % of cellular membranes and 70–95 % of phospholipids in surfactant, bile, and lipoproteins. Moreover, choline serves as the precursor of acetylcholine and is important for brain differentiation and function. While accepted as essential for fetal and neonatal development, its role in preterm infant nutrition has not yet gained much attention. Methods   The adequate intake of choline of preterm infants was estimated from international recommendations for infants, children, and adults. Choline intake relative to other nutrients was determined retrospectively in all inborn infants below 1,000 g (extremely low birth weight) or below 28 weeks gestational age, admitted to our department in 2006 and 2007 ( N  = 93). Results   Estimation of adequate intake showed that children with 290 g body weight need more choline than those with 1,200 g (31.4 and 25.2 mg/kg/day, respectively). Day-by-day variability was high for all nutrient intakes including choline. In contrast to the continuous intrauterine choline delivery, median supply reached a plateau at d11 (21.7 mg/kg/day; 25th/75th percentile: 19.6; 23.9). Individual choline supply at d0–d1 and d2–d3 was 〈10 mg/kg/day in 100 and 69 % of infants, respectively. Furthermore, intakes 〈10 mg/kg/day were frequently observed beyond day 11. Median adequate intakes (27.4 mg/kg/day at 735 g body weight) were achieved in 〈2 %. Conclusions   Nutritional intake of choline in this cohort of preterm infants was frequently less than the estimated adequate intake, with particular shortage until postnatal d10. Because choline is important for brain development, future studies are needed to investigate the effects of adequate nutritional choline intake on long-term neurodevelopment in VLBW infants. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0438-x Authors Wolfgang Bernhard, Department of Neonatology, Faculty of Medicine, Eberhard-Karls-University, Calwer Straße 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany Anna Full, Department of Neonatology, Faculty of Medicine, Eberhard-Karls-University, Calwer Straße 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany Jörg Arand, Department of Neonatology, Faculty of Medicine, Eberhard-Karls-University, Calwer Straße 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany Christoph Maas, Department of Neonatology, Faculty of Medicine, Eberhard-Karls-University, Calwer Straße 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany Christian F. Poets, Department of Neonatology, Faculty of Medicine, Eberhard-Karls-University, Calwer Straße 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany Axel R. Franz, Department of Neonatology, Faculty of Medicine, Eberhard-Karls-University, Calwer Straße 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   The main purpose of this study was to establish bioavailability data in humans for the new (Fe) fortification compound ferrous ammonium phosphate (FAP), which was specially developed for fortification of difficult-to-fortify foods where soluble Fe compounds cannot be used due to their negative impact on product stability. Methods   A double-blind, randomized clinical trial with cross-over design was conducted to obtain bioavailability data for FAP in humans. In this trial, Fe absorption from FAP-fortified full-cream milk powder was compared to that from ferric pyrophosphate (FPP) and ferrous sulfate. Fe absorption was determined in 38 young women using the erythrocyte incorporation dual stable isotope technique ( 57 Fe, 58 Fe). Results   Geometric mean Fe absorption from ferrous sulfate, FAP and FPP was 10.4, 7.4 and 3.3 %, respectively. Fe from FAP was significantly better absorbed from milk than Fe from FPP ( p  〈 0.0001). Fe absorption from FAP was significantly lower than Fe absorption from ferrous sulfate, which was used as water-soluble reference compound ( p  = 0.0002). Absorption ratios of FAP and FPP relative to ferrous sulfate as a measure of relative bioavailability were 0.71 and 0.32, respectively. Conclusions   The results of the present studies show that replacing FPP with FAP in full-cream milk could significantly improve iron bioavailability. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0445-y Authors Thomas Walczyk, Department of Chemistry (Science), National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore, Singapore Peter Kastenmayer, Nestle Research Center, PO Box 44, 1000 Lausanne 26, Switzerland Stefan Storcksdieck genannt Bonsmann, Laboratory for Human Nutrition, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland Christophe Zeder, Laboratory for Human Nutrition, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland Dominik Grathwohl, Nestle Research Center, PO Box 44, 1000 Lausanne 26, Switzerland Richard F. Hurrell, Laboratory for Human Nutrition, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207

Description: Purpose   Hyperhomocysteinemia is well recognized as an independent risk factor for the development of premature atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis, however, may be prevented by polyphenols, potent antioxidant compounds with anti-atherogenic properties. Previously, we used cystathionine beta synthase-deficient mice [Cbs (±)] fed a high-methionine diet—a murine model of hyperhomocysteinemia—to show that daily intake of a red wine polyphenolic extract, mainly comprised of catechin and epicatechin, has a beneficial effect on aortic expression of endothelial dysfunction biomarkers and pro-inflammatory cytokines. The aim of the present study was to understand whether catechin and epicatechin, in purified forms, have anti-atherogenic effects in hyperhomocysteinemia. Methods   Cbs (±) mice received 50 μg of catechin and/or epicatechin daily in drinking water for 1 month. Plasma homocysteine (Hcy) level and aortic expression of several endothelial dysfunction biomarkers (Vcam-1, Icam-1, E-selectin, and Lox-1) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (Tnf-α, Il-6) were assessed. Results   We found that both catechin and epicatechin had a beneficial effect on plasma homocysteine levels and endothelial dysfunction biomarker expression; however, only catechin had a beneficial effect on pro-inflammatory cytokine expression. Further, when both polyphenols were given, a beneficial effect was observed only on pro-inflammatory cytokine expression. Conclusions   Catechin seems to be a more potent anti-atherogenic compound than epicatechin in hyperhomocysteinemia and should be considered as a novel therapeutic approach against endothelial dysfunction induced by this condition. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Contribution Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0435-0 Authors Christophe Noll, Laboratoire BFA, Unit of Functional and Adaptive Biology (BFA), Université Paris Diderot-CNRS EAC 4413, Paris 7, Case 7104, 3 rue Marie-Andrée Lagroua Weill Hallé, 75205 Paris cedex 13, France Julie Lameth, Laboratoire BFA, Unit of Functional and Adaptive Biology (BFA), Université Paris Diderot-CNRS EAC 4413, Paris 7, Case 7104, 3 rue Marie-Andrée Lagroua Weill Hallé, 75205 Paris cedex 13, France Jean-Louis Paul, Service de Biochimie, AP-HP, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Paris, France Nathalie Janel, Laboratoire BFA, Unit of Functional and Adaptive Biology (BFA), Université Paris Diderot-CNRS EAC 4413, Paris 7, Case 7104, 3 rue Marie-Andrée Lagroua Weill Hallé, 75205 Paris cedex 13, France Journal European Journal of Nutrition Online ISSN 1436-6215 Print ISSN 1436-6207