Publications by authors named "Chris I R Gill"

A mango pulp purée was ingested by ileostomists, whose colon had been removed surgically, and subjects with a full gastrointestinal (GI) tract, after which ileal fluid, urine and feces were collected over a 24 h period and analysed by UHPLC-HR-MS. The main (poly)phenols in the purée were gallotannins (356 μmol) and two hydroxy-methoxy-cinnamoyl glucose esters (43 μmol) together with the aromatic amino acids phenylalanine (22 μmol) and tyrosine (209 μmol). Analysis of ileal fluid revealed almost all the ingested gallotannins appeared to have broken down in the upper GI tract with the released benzoic acids being rapidly absorbed into the circulatory system prior to urinary excretion mainly as phase-2 metabolites.

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Native plants are adaptable in various environmental conditions in part through the production of unique phytochemicals which may have beneficial effects on human health. Native Australian fruits contain higher phytochemical and antioxidant levels than most Western fruits, suggesting potential for greater health benefits arising from their consumption. These beneficial effects, in turn, may be mediated by the inhibition of inflammatory pathways as well as oxidative stress the regulation of reactive oxygen (ROS) and/or nitrogen (RNS) species levels.

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Age-associated decline of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activity and DNA repair efficiency leads to the accumulation of DNA damage and increased risk of cancer. Understanding the mechanisms behind increased levels of damaged DNA is crucial for developing interventions to mitigate age-related cancer risk. Associated with various health benefits, (poly)phenols and their microbially mediated phenolic catabolites represent a potential means to reduce DNA damage.

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This study investigated the impact of available colon-mango (poly)phenols on stress-induced impairment of intestinal barrier function. Caco-2/HT29-MTX cells were incubated with six extracts of ileal fluid collected pre- and 4-8 h post-mango consumption before being subjected to inflammatory stress. (Poly)phenols in ileal fluids were analysed by UHPLC-HR-MS.

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Following ingestion of fruits, vegetables and derived products, (poly)phenols that are not absorbed in the upper gastrointestinal tract pass to the colon, where they undergo microbiota-mediated ring fission resulting in the production of a diversity of low molecular weight phenolic catabolites, which appear in the circulatory system and are excreted in urine along with their phase II metabolites. There is increasing interest in these catabolites because of their potential bioactivity and their use as biomarkers of (poly)phenol intake. Investigating the fate of dietary (poly)phenolics in the colon has become confounded as a result of the recent realisation that many of the phenolics appearing in biofluids can also be derived from the aromatic amino acids, l-phenylalanine and l-tyrosine, and to a lesser extent catecholamines, in reactions that can be catalysed by both colonic microbiota and endogenous mammalian enzymes.

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Nutrition and diet quality play key roles in preventing and slowing cognitive decline and have been linked to multiple brain disorders. This review compiles available evidence from preclinical studies and clinical trials on the impact of nutrition and interventions regarding major psychiatric conditions and some neurological disorders. We emphasize the potential role of diet-related microbiome alterations in these effects and highlight commonalities between various brain disorders related to the microbiome.

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Unlabelled: The development of a 3D printed sensor for direct incorporation within stoma pouches is described. Laser induced graphene scribed on either side of polyimide film served as the basis of a 2 electrode configuration that could be integrated within a disposable pouch sensor for the periodic monitoring of ileostomy fluid pH. The graphene sensors were characterised using electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, DekTak profilometry with the electrochemical properties investigated using both cyclic and square wave voltammetry.

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Phenolic catabolites excreted by fasting subjects with a functioning colon and ileostomists on a low (poly)phenol diet have been investigated. Urine was collected over a 12 h fasting period after adherence to a low (poly)phenol diet for 36 h. UHPLC-HR-MS quantified 77 phenolics.

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Flavan-3-ols, including the flavan-3-ol monomer (-)-epicatechin, are dietary bioactives known to mediate beneficial cardiovascular effects in humans. Recent studies showed that flavan-3-ols could interact with methylxanthines, evidenced by an increase in flavan-3-ol bioavailability with a concomitant increase in flavan-3-ol intake-mediated vascular effects. This study aimed at elucidating flavan-3-ol-methylxanthine interactions in humans in vivo by evaluating the specific contributions of theobromine and caffeine on flavan-3-ol bioavailability.

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Disruption of microvascular architecture is a common pathogenic mechanism in the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Given the anti-angiogenic activity of berry (poly)phenols, we investigated whether long-term feeding of (raspberries) could ameliorate cerebral microvascular pathology and improve cognition in the APP/PS-1 mouse model of AD. Male C57Bl/6J mice (50 wild type, 50 APP/PS-1) aged 4-months were fed for 24-weeks, with a normal diet enriched with either 100 mg/day glucose (control diet) or supplemented with glucose and freeze-dried anthocyanin-rich (red) or -poor (yellow) raspberries (100 mg/day) and assessed/sampled post intervention.

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The combination of paraffin wax and ,'-bis(2-aminopropyl) polypropylene glycol--polyethylene glycol--polypropylene glycol was used as a phase-change material (PCM) for the controlled delivery of curcumin. The PCM was combined with a graphene-based heater derived from the laser scribing of polyimide film. This assembly provides a new approach to a smart patch through which release can be electronically controlled, allowing repetitive dosing.

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Seaweeds are potentially sustainable crops and are receiving significant interest because of their rich bioactive compound content; including fatty acids, polyphenols, carotenoids, and complex polysaccharides. However, there is little information on the in vivo effects on gut health of the polysaccharides and their low-molecular-weight derivatives. Herein, we describe the first investigation into the prebiotic potential of low-molecular-weight polysaccharides (LMWPs) derived from alginate and agar in order to validate their in vivo efficacy.

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Hypovitaminosis D is prevalent worldwide, with many populations failing to achieve the recommended nutrient intake (RNI) for vitamin D (10-20 μg/day). Owing to low vitamin D intakes, limited exposure to ultraviolet-B (UVB) induced dermal synthesis, lack of mandatory fortification and poor uptake in supplement advice, additional food-based strategies are warranted to enable the UK population to achieve optimal vitamin D intakes, thus reducing musculoskeletal risks or suboptimal immune functioning. The aims of the current study were to (1) determine any changes to vitamin D intake and status over a 9-year period, and (2) apply dietary modeling to predict the impact of vitamin D biofortification of pork and pork products on population intakes.

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Vitamin D deficiency is a global concern, linked to suboptimal musculoskeletal health and immune function, with status inadequacies owing to variations in UV dependent cutaneous synthesis and limited natural dietary sources. Endogenous biofortification, alongside traditional fortification and supplement usage is urgently needed to address this deficit. Evidence reviewed in the current article clearly demonstrates that feed modification and UV radiation, either independently or used in combination, effectively increases vitamin D content of primary produce or ingredients, albeit in the limited range of food vehicles tested to date (beef/pork/chicken/eggs/fish/bread/mushrooms).

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Diets rich in fruit and vegetables are associated with a decreased incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) due, in part, to the bioactive (poly)phenolic components and their microbiota-mediated metabolites. This study investigated how such compounds, derived from ingested raspberries in the gastrointestinal tract, may exert protective effects by reducing DNA damage. Ileal fluids collected pre- and post-consumption of 300 g of raspberries by ileostomists (n = 11) were subjected to 24 h ex vivo fermentation with fecal inoculum to simulate interaction with colonic microbiota.

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Purpose: To determine the small intestinal concentration of endocannabinoids (ECs), N-acylethanolamines (NAEs) and their precursors N-acylphosphatidylethanolamines (NAPEs) in humans. To identify relationships between those concentrations and habitual diet composition as well as individual inflammatory status.

Methods: An observational study was performed involving 35 participants with an ileostomy (18W/17M, aged 18-70 years, BMI 17-40 kg/m).

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Purpose: Studies on broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) indicate beneficial effects against a range of chronic diseases, commonly attributed to their bioactive phytochemicals. Sulforaphane, the bioactive form of glucoraphanin, is formed by the action of the indigenous enzyme myrosinase.

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Broccoli is rich in glucosinolates, which can be converted upon chewing and processing into Aryl hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) ligands. Activation of AhR plays an important role in overall gut homeostasis but the role of broccoli processing on the generation of AhR ligands is still largely unknown. In this study, the effects of temperature, cooking method (steaming versus boiling), gastric pH and further digestion of broccoli on AhR activation were investigated in vitro and in ileostomy subjects.

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Purpose: To investigate the effect of consuming quinoa biscuits on markers of CVD risk over 4 weeks in free-living older adults.

Methods: A randomized-controlled, double-blind crossover trial was conducted in which consenting healthy adults aged 50-75 years (n = 40) consumed 15 g quinoa biscuits (60 g quinoa flour/100 g) or control iso-energetic biscuits (made using wheat flour) daily for 28 consecutive days (4 weeks), in addition to their normal diet. Following a 6-week washout, participants consumed the alternate biscuit for a final 4 weeks.

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The bioactivity of (poly)phenols from a food is an interplay between the cooking methods applied and the interaction of the food with the gastrointestinal tract. The (poly)phenolic profile and biological activity of raw and cooked cactus ( Opuntia ficus-indica Mill.) cladodes following in vitro digestion and colonic fermentation were evaluated.

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Purpose: The recognized biological properties of Ginkgo biloba extracts potentiate their utilization as an ingredient for functional foods. However, the digestive conditions can affect the chemical composition of the extracts and consequently their biological properties, which can lead to food safety problems. Thus, the impact of in vitro-simulated upper gastrointestinal tract digestion on the chemical composition and bioactivity of Ginkgo biloba leaf extract (GBE) was evaluated.

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Covering: 1958 to June 2018 Phenyl-γ-valerolactones (PVLs) and their related phenylvaleric acids (PVAs) are the main metabolites of flavan-3-ols, the major class of flavonoids in the human diet. Despite their presumed importance, these gut microbiota-derived compounds have, to date, in terms of biological activity, been considered subordinate to their parent dietary compounds, the flavan-3-ol monomers and proanthocyanidins. In this review, the role and prospects of PVLs and PVAs as key metabolites in the understanding of the health features of flavan-3-ols have been critically assessed.

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Background: Epidemiologic evidence suggests that a diet rich in (poly)phenols has beneficial effects on many chronic diseases. Brown seaweed is a rich source of (poly)phenols.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the bioavailability and effect of a brown seaweed (Ascophyllum nodosum) (poly)phenol extract on DNA damage, oxidative stress, and inflammation in vivo.

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The beneficial effects of consumption of berry fruits on a range of chronic diseases has been attributed (at least in part) to the presence of unique phytochemicals. Recently, we identified novel ursolic acid-based triterpenoid glycosides (TTPNs) in raspberry fruit and demonstrated their survival in human ileal fluids after feeding which confirmed their colon-availability in vivo. In this paper, in vitro digestion studies demonstrated that certain TTPNs were stable under gastrointestinal conditions and confirmed that these components may have been responsible for bioactivity noted in previous studies.

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