beyond muciniphila - emergence of new species sp. nov.

The human gut commensal is the most studied bacterial species within the Verrucomicrobiota phylum. It has been proposed as a beneficial next-generation probiotic for cardiometabolic and immune health. Efforts from various research groups have resulted in the recent discovery of new species and/or phylotypes of the genus .

A 21-day safety evaluation of biotechnologically produced 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL) in neonatal farm piglets to support use in infant formulas.

3-Fucosyllactose (3-FL) is one of the most abundant fucosylated oligosaccharides in human breast milk and is an approved infant formula ingredient world-wide. 3-FL functions as a prebiotic to promote early microbial colonization of the gut, increase pathogen resistance and modulate immune responses. To investigate safety and potential gut microbiota effects, 3-FL was fed for 21-days to farm piglets beginning on Postnatal Day (PND) 2.

Identification and Characterization of a Novel Species of Genus with Metabolic Health Effects in a Diet-Induced Obesity Mouse Model.

is a well-known bacterium with the ability to degrade mucin. This metabolic capability is believed to play an important role in the colonization of this bacterium in the gut. In this study, we report the identification and characterization of a novel sp.

Considerations for the design and conduct of human gut microbiota intervention studies relating to foods.

With the growing appreciation for the influence of the intestinal microbiota on human health, there is increasing motivation to design and refine interventions to promote favorable shifts in the microbiota and their interactions with the host. Technological advances have improved our understanding and ability to measure this indigenous population and the impact of such interventions. However, the rapid growth and evolution of the field, as well as the diversity of methods used, parameters measured and populations studied, make it difficult to interpret the significance of the findings and translate their outcomes to the wider population.

Safety assessment of the biotechnologically produced human-identical milk oligosaccharide 3-Fucosyllactose (3-FL).

3-Fucosyllactose (3-FL), a highly abundant complex carbohydrate in human breast milk, functions as a prebiotic promoting early microbial colonization of the gut, increasing pathogen resistance and modulating immune responses. To investigate potential health benefits, 3-FL was produced by fermentation using a genetically modified E. coli K12 strain.

The effect of an apple polyphenol extract rich in epicatechin and flavan-3-ol oligomers on brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilatory function in volunteers with elevated blood pressure.

Background: The primary aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that an orally ingested apple polyphenol extract rich in epicatechin and flavan-3-ol oligomers improves endothelium-dependent brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilatation (FMD) in volunteers with borderline hypertension. The secondary aim of the study was to test whether the investigational product would improve endothelium-independent nitrate-mediated vasodilatation (NMD).

Methods: This was a single centre, repeated-dose, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study in 60 otherwise healthy subjects (26 men, 34 women; aged 40-65 years) with borderline hypertension (blood pressure 130-139/85-89 mmHg) or unmedicated mild hypertension (blood pressure 140-165/90-95 mmHg).

Development of dietary soluble fibres by enzymatic synthesis and assessment of their digestibility in in vitro, animal and randomised clinical trial models.

The aim was to develop novel fibres by enzymatic synthesis, to determine their total dietary fibre by AOAC method 2009.01 and to estimate their potential digestibility and assess their digestibility in vivo using glycaemic and insulinaemic responses as markers in mice and randomised clinical trial models. We found that fibre candidates to which α-(1,2) branching was added were resistant to digestion in the mouse model, depending on the amount of branching.

Bioavailability of epicatechin and effects on nitric oxide metabolites of an apple flavanol-rich extract supplemented beverage compared to a whole apple puree: a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial.

Scope: Flavanol-rich foods are known to exert beneficial effects on cardiovascular health. The biological effects depend on bioavailability of flavanols which may be influenced by food matrix and dose ingested. We compared the bioavailability and dose-response of epicatechin from whole apple and an epicatechin-rich extract, and the effects on plasma and urinary nitric oxide (NO) metabolites.

Safety evaluation of Evesse EPC, an apple polyphenol extract rich in flavan-3-ols.

The safety of the apple polyphenol extract EvesseEPC, which is rich in flavan-3-ols, particularly epicatechin, was evaluated. Both in a bacterial reverse mutation test and a mouse lymphoma assay, EvesseEPC showed a positive response in vitro. In vivo studies (UDS test in hepatocytes, bone marrow micronucleus test and comet assay in intestinal cells) were all negative and hence Evesse EPC is considered not to have genotoxic properties in vivo.

Guidelines for the design, conduct and reporting of human intervention studies to evaluate the health benefits of foods.

There is substantial evidence to link what we eat to the reduction of the risk of major chronic diseases and/or the improvement of functions. Thus, it is important for public health agencies and the food industry to facilitate the consumption of foods with particular health benefits by providing consumer products and messages based on scientific evidence. Although fragmentary advice is available from a range of sources, there is a lack of comprehensive scientific guidelines for the design, conduct and reporting of human intervention studies to evaluate the health benefits of foods.

28-Day oral toxicity study in rats with high purity barley beta-glucan (Glucagel).

Beta-glucans are glucose polymers present in cereal grains, particularly barley and oat. Consumption of these grains or concentrated beta-glucan preparations has been shown to lower blood cholesterol. The present study was conducted to assess the safety of a high purity (>75%) barley beta-glucan (Glucagel).

Panose, a new prebiotic candidate.

Aims: To investigate the prebiotic potential of two novel candidates, sophorose and panose, with in vitro methods.

Methods And Results: The growth of single microbial strains was first assessed for both substrates in pure cultures, and panose was further analysed in the simulated colon model with mixed human faecal culture. Quantitative PCR and flow cytometry were used to determine the microbial group and strain densities after the simulated colonic fermentation of panose, and chromatographic methods were utilized to analyse metabolite concentrations.

Metabolic interactions of AGE inhibitor pyridoxamine and antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid following 22 weeks of treatment in obese Zucker rats.

Aims: The advanced glycation end product inhibitor pyridoxamine (PYR) and the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid (LA) interact to ameliorate insulin resistance in obese Zucker rats following short-term (6-week) treatment. This study was designed to ascertain whether these unique interactive effects of PYR and LA remain manifest following longer-term (22-week) treatment.

Main Methods: Female obese Zucker rats received vehicle (OV), PYR (OP, 60 mg/kg body wt), racemic LA (rac-LA; OM, 92 mg/kg), the R-(+)-enantiomer of LA (R-LA; OR, 92 mg/kg), or combined treatments with PYR and rac-LA (OPM) or PYR and R-LA (OPR), daily for 22 weeks.

Interactions of the advanced glycation end product inhibitor pyridoxamine and the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid on insulin resistance in the obese Zucker rat.

Oxidative stress and protein glycation can contribute to the development of insulin resistance and complications associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) reduces oxidative stress and the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and improves insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscle and liver. The AGE inhibitor pyridoxamine (PM) prevents irreversible protein glycation, thereby reducing various diabetic complications.

Effect of lycopene supplementation on insulin-like growth factor-1 and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Objective: Studies have suggested a link between lycopene and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). The aim of this study was to test the effect of lycopene supplementation on IGF-1 and binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) status in healthy male volunteers. DESIGN, SETTING, SUBJECTS AND INTERVENTION: This was a 4 week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of lycopene supplementation (15 mg/day) in healthy male volunteers (n=20).

Comparison of the relative bioavailability of different coenzyme Q10 formulations with a novel solubilizate (Solu Q10).

The relative bioavailability of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is markedly influenced by its delivery systems. The aim of this study was to compare four standard CoQ10 supplements available on the market with a novel solubilizate formulation of CoQ10 (Solu Q10). Pharmacokinetic parameters were assessed in 54 healthy volunteers after single and multiple intakes of 60 mg CoQ10 over a time period of 14 days.

Effects of specific conjugated linoleic acid isomers on growth characteristics in obese Zucker rats.

Growing female obese Zucker (fa/fa) rats were treated (via intragastric gavage) for 21 d with either a (i) vehicle [corn oil; 0.9 g/kg body weight (BW)], (ii) CLA mixture [50:50; trans-10, cis-12 and cis-9, trans-11 CLA], (iii) cis-9,trans-11 CLA, or (iv) trans- 10, cis-12 CLA (CLA treatments at 1.5 g CLA/kg BW).

Effect of conjugated FA on feed intake, body composition, and liver FA in mice.

CLA is a generic term describing different isomers of linoleic acid with two conjugated double bonds. Various metabolic effects have been demonstrated following administration of CLA, including a change in body composition in animals. However, the effects of pure CLA isomers are not fully understood.

Interactions of conjugated linoleic acid and lipoic acid on insulin action in the obese Zucker rat.

The fatty acid conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and the antioxidant R-(+)-alpha-lipoic acid (R-ALA) individually enhance glucose tolerance and insulin action on skeletal muscle glucose transport in the insulin-resistant obese Zucker rat. To date, no study has assessed the potential interactions between these 2 interventions in treating insulin resistance. The present study was designed to determine whether chronic treatment with CLA and R-ALA in combination would enhance skeletal muscle glucose transport to a greater extent than either intervention individually.

Isomer-specific actions of conjugated linoleic acid on muscle glucose transport in the obese Zucker rat.

The fatty acid-conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) enhances glucose tolerance and insulin action on skeletal muscle glucose transport in rodent models of insulin resistance. However, no study has directly compared the metabolic effects of the two primary CLA isomers, cis-9,trans-11-CLA (c9,t11-CLA) and trans-10,cis-12-CLA (t10,c12-CLA). Therefore, we assessed the effects of a 50:50 mixture of these two CLA isomers (M-CLA) and of preparations enriched in either c9,t11-CLA (76% enriched) or t10,c12-CLA (90% enriched) on glucose tolerance and insulin-stimulated glucose transport in skeletal muscle of the insulin-resistant obese Zucker (fa/fa) rat.

Paraoxonase polymorphisms are not associated with cardiovascular risk in renal transplant recipients.

Background: Paraoxonase (PON1) gene variants have been identified as risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). There are two common PON1 polymorphisms at position 55 (Leu-Met change) and 192 (Gln-Arg change) of the amino acid chain. Leucine at position 55 and arginine at position 192 have been associated with increased cardiovascular risk.

HDL composition and HDL antioxidant capacity in patients on regular haemodialysis.

Recent evidence suggests that HDL can directly inhibit LDL oxidation, a key early stage in atherogenesis. Patients with chronic renal failure are at increased cardiovascular risk, have reduced HDL levels and altered HDL composition. We have therefore investigated whether compositional changes in HDL lead to decreased HDL antioxidant capacity in these patients.

Oxidative stress in chronic renal failure.

Cardiovascular disease is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in chronic renal failure. The aim of this review is to summarise current evidence suggesting that there is increased free radical production, antioxidant depletion and changes in lipoprotein composition in renal failure which will lead to oxidation of LDL and hence to accelerated development of atherosclerosis.