Nutrition Commons^™

Pharmacological Targeting Of The Mammalian Clock Regulates Sleep Architecture And Emotional Behaviour, Subhashis Banerjee, Yongjun Wang, Laura A. Solt, Kristine Griffett, Melissa Kazantzis, Ariadna Amador, Bahaa M. El-Gendy, Salvador Huitron-Resendiz, Amanda J. Roberts, Youseung Shin, Theodore M. Kamenecka, Thomas P. Burris

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Synthetic drug-like molecules that directly modulate the activity of key clock proteins offer the potential to directly modulate the endogenous circadian rhythm and treat diseases associated with clock dysfunction. Here we demonstrate that synthetic ligands targeting a key component of the mammalian clock, the nuclear receptors REV-ERBα and β, regulate sleep architecture and emotional behaviour in mice. REV-ERB agonists induce wakefulness and reduce REM and slow-wave sleep. Interestingly, REV-ERB agonists also reduce anxiety-like behaviour. These data are consistent with increased anxiety-like behaviour of REV-ERBβ-null mice, in which REV-ERB agonists have no effect. These results indicate that pharmacological targeting of REV-ERB …

Off Target Effects Of Sulforaphane Include The De-Repression Of Long-Terminal Repeats Through Histone Acetylation Events, Scott Baier, Richard Zbasnik, Vicki Schlegel, Janos Zempleni

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Sulforaphane is a naturally occurring isothiocyanate in cruciferous vegetables. Sulforaphane inhibits histone deacetylases, leading to the transcriptional activation of genes including tumor suppressor genes. The compound has attracted considerable attention in the chemoprevention of prostate cancer. Here we tested the hypothesis that sulforaphane is not specific for tumor suppressor genes but also activates loci such as long terminal repeats (LTRs), which might impair genome stability. Studies were conducted using chemically pure sulforaphane in primary human IMR-90 fibroblasts and in broccoli sprout feeding studies in healthy adults. Sulforaphane (2.0 μM) caused an increase in LTR transcriptional activity in cultured cells. Consumption …

Misunderstanding The Female Athlete Triad: Refuting The Ioc Consensus Statement On Relative Energy Deficiency In Sport (Red-S), Mary Jane De Souza, Nancy I. Williams, Aurelia Nattiv, Elizabeth Joy, Madhusmita Misra, Anne B. Loucks, Gordon Matheson, Marion P. Olmsted, Michelle Barrack, Rebecca J. Mallinson, Jenna C. Gibbs, Marci Goolsby, Jeanne F. Nichols, Barbara Drinkwater, Charlotte (Barney) Sanborn, Rosemary Agostini, Carol L. Otis, Mimi D. Johnson, Anne Zeni Hoch, Julia M. K. Alleyne, L. Tyler Wadsworth, Karsten Koehler, Jaci Vanheest, Paula Harvey, Amanda K. Weiss Kelly, Michael Fredericson, George A. Brooks, Emma O'Donnell, Lisa R. Callahan, Margot Putukian, Lauren Costello, Suzanne Hecht, Mitchell J. Rauh, Jacalyn Mccomb

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

We are concerned that readers of the IOC paper will be confused and misled by the poorly referenced statements and frank (and sometimes dangerous) errors in the paper. The IOC authors should publish a correction of these and other errors noted. Broadening research of low energy availability in other groups, such as the male athlete, athletes of diverse ethnicities and the disabled athlete may help to advance science and may one day warrant introduction of a specific term for whatever serious clinical sequelae of energy deficiency may be discovered in future research on men.

Research on the “Female Athlete Triad” …

Position Of The Academy Of Nutrition And Dietetics: Dietary Fatty Acids For Healthy Adults, Gretchen Vannice, Heather Rasmussen

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

It is the position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (the Academy) that dietary fat for the healthy adult population should provide 20% to 35% of energy, with an increased consumption of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and limited intake of saturated and trans fats. The Academy recommends a food-based approach through a diet that includes regular consumption of fatty fish, nuts and seeds, lean meats and poultry, low-fat dairy products, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes. These recommendations are made within the context of rapidly evolving science delineating the influence of dietary fat and specific fatty acids on human …

Gene-Environment Interaction Of Body Mass Index And Apolipoprotein E Ε4 Allele On Cognitive Decline, Kumar B. Rajan, Kimberly A. Skarupski, Heather E. Rasmussen, Denis A. Evans

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Genetic variation alone may not account for common chronic disease susceptibility. Rather, an interaction between genetic and environmental factors may clarify the underlying disease mechanism. Hence, we tested whether BMI modified the genetic association of the Apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 allele with cognitive decline. The data came from a longitudinal population-based sample of 4,055 participants interviewed at 3-year intervals from 1993 to 2012. Cognitive function was assessed using a standardized global cognitive score and BMI was assessed at baseline and classified as normal, overweight, and obese. There were 1,374 (34%) participants with the ε4 allele. In normal BMI participants, cognitive …

Utilizing Short- And Long-Term Evaluation To Measure The Impact Of A Long-Standing, Multi-State Educational Venue, Lisa Franzen-Castle, Karla Jenkins, Aaron Berger

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

The purpose of this program evaluation was to utilize short- and long-term surveys to measure the impact of a multi-state Range Beef Cow Symposium on knowledge change and changes in beef cattle production practices. Symposium participants completed end-of-session surveys and ranked their degree of knowledge change, with a 36% return rate. Follow-up surveys were mailed to past symposium participants who noted changes made to their production practices, with a 23% return rate. For symposium survey respondents, 70% were male, a majority were white, over 60% were under 50 years, and they represented 16 states. The estimated annual increase in profitability …

Effectiveness Of Tailored Lifestyle Interventions, Using Web-Based And Print-Mail, For Reducing Blood Pressure Among Rural Women With Prehypertension: Main Results Of The Wellness For Women: Dashing Towards Health Clinical Trial, Patricia A. Hageman, Carol H. Pullen, Melody Hertzog, Linda S. Boeckner

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Background: Lifestyle modification is recommended for management of prehypertension, yet finding effective interventions to reach rural women is a public health challenge. This community-based clinical trial compared the effectiveness of standard advice to two multi-component theory-based tailored interventions, using web-based or print-mailed delivery, in reducing blood pressure among rural women, ages 40–69, with prehypertension.

Methods: 289 women with prehypertension enrolled in the Wellness for Women: DASHing towards Health trial, a 12-month intervention with 12-month follow-up. Women were randomly assigned to groups using a 1:2:2 ratio, comparing standard advice (30-minute counseling session) to two interventions (two 2-hour counseling sessions, …

Sweetened Food Purchases And Indulgent Feeding Are Associated With Increased Toddler Anthropometry, Virginia Chaidez, Scott Mcniven, Stephen A. Vosti, Lucia L. Kaiser

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Objective: To explore the role of feeding practices and food purchases in toddler dietary intake and anthropometry. Methods: A convenience sample of Latino mother and toddler pairs were interviewed at baseline and at 6-month follow-up. Data on feeding practices, toddler dietary intake, anthropometry, and food purchases were collected using the Toddler-Feeding Questionnaire; 24-hour recalls; measurements of weight, height, and/or length; and food purchase receipts. Results: Indulgent feeding scores and high intake of sweetened beverage were associated with a 0.52 increase (P = .03) and 0.46 increase in toddler weight-for-height z-score (P = .05), respectively. Households with 10 …

Processing Of Oats And The Impact Of Processing Operations On Nutrition And Health Benefits, Eric A. Decker, Devin J. Rose, Derek A. Stewart

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Oats are a uniquely nutritious food as they contain an excellent lipid profile and high amounts of soluble fiber. However, an oat kernel is largely non-digestible and thus must be utilised in milled form to reap its nutritional benefits. Milling is made up of numerous steps, the most important being dehulling to expose the digestible groat, heat processing to inactivate enzymes that cause rancidity, and cutting, rolling or grinding to convert the groat into a product that can be used directly in oatmeal or can be used as a food ingredient in products such as bread, ready-to-eat breakfast cereals and …

The Effects Of Polyethylene Glycosylated Creatine Supplementation On Anaerobic Performance Measures And Body Composition, Clayton L. Camic, Terry J. Housh, Jorge M Zuniga, Daniel A. Traylor, Haley Bergstrom, Richard J. Schmidt, Glen O. Johnson, Dona J. Housh

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of 28 days of polyethylene glycosylated creatine (PEG-creatine) supplementation (1.25 and 2.50 g · d^-1) on anaerobic performance measures (vertical and broad jumps, 40-yard dash, 20-yard shuttle run, and 3-cone drill), upper- and lower-body muscular strength and endurance (bench press and leg extension), and body composition. This study used a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled parallel design. Seventy-seven adult men (mean age ± SD, 22.1 6 2.5 years; body mass, 81.7 ± 10.8 kg) volunteered to participate and were randomly assigned to a placebo (n = 23), 1.25 g …

Serum Coenzyme Q10, Α-Tocopherol, Γ-Tocopherol, And C-Reactive Protein Levels And Body Mass Index In Adolescent And Premenopausal Females, Weiwen Chai, Rachel Novotny, Gertraud Maskarinec, Loic Le Marchand, Adrian A. Franke, Robert V. Cooney

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Objective

Lipid-soluble antioxidants are associated with a lower incidence for many chronic diseases of aging, possibly by preventing damage from chronic inflammation. In the current study, we compared serum levels of coenzyme Q₁₀ (CoQ₁₀), α-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, and C-reactive protein (CRP) between adolescent girls and premenopausal women to assess changes from childhood to midlife.

Methods

Baseline serum CoQ₁₀, α-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, and CRP levels were measured in 207 girls (13-19 years) and 183 premenopausal women (34-47 years) using standard methods and the two age groups were compared by t-test. The influence of age, body mass index (BMI) …

Egg Intake During Carbohydrate Restriction Alters Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell Inflammation And Cholesterol Homeostasis In Metabolic Syndrome, Catherine J. Andersen, Ji-Young Lee, Christopher N. Blesso, Timothy P. Carr, Maria Luz Fernandez

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Egg yolk contains bioactive components that improve plasma inflammatory markers and HDL profiles in metabolic syndrome (MetS) under carbohydrate restriction. We further sought to determine whether egg yolk intake affects peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) inflammation and cholesterol homeostasis in MetS, as HDL and its associated lipid transporter ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) reduce the inflammatory potential of leukocytes through modulation of cellular cholesterol content and distribution. Thirty-seven men and women classified with MetS consumed a moderate carbohydrate-restricted diet (25%–30% of energy) for 12 weeks, in addition to consuming either three whole eggs per day (EGG) or the equivalent amount …

Studies On The Regulation Of Fgf21 Gene Expression By (R)-Α-Lipoic Acid: Mechanistic Insight Into The Lipid Lowering Properties Of A Dithiol Dietary Molecule, Xiaohua Yi

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Controlling blood lipids is a major public health challenge of our time. The pleiotropic hormone-like polypeptide fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) was recently recognized as a potent modulator of lipid and glucose metabolism and a promising treatment strategy for obesity related metabolic disorders, including dyslipidemia. A cost effective and practical alternative to the administration of recombinant FGF21 is to stimulate endogenous FGF21 production through diet. Our research identified (R)-a-lipoic acid (LA), a naturally occurring enzyme cofactor and dietary molecule found in green leafy vegetable and red meat, as an inducer of FGF21 expression. LA stimulated FGF21 production, demonstrated by a …

Biotinylation Of The C-Myc Promoter Binding Protein Mbp-1 Decreases C-Myc And Cox-2 Expression In Mammary Carcinoma Mcf-7 Cells, Jie Zhou

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Biotin feeding in a Balb/c mouse model of breast cancer suggest that the tumor load is ~100% greater in biotin-deficient mice compared with biotin-sufficient controls, and that the increase is associated with metastasis rather than new tumors. The oncogenes c-Myc and COX-2 are implicated in cancer metastasis, and their expressions are repressed by binding of MBP-1 to the promoter. Mass spectrometry studies, designed to discover novel biotin-containing proteins, suggest that lysine residues K10 and K12 in the c-Myc promoter binding protein (MBP-1) contains covalently bound biotin (MBP-1bio). We hypothesized that biotinylation of MBP-1 increases the binding of MBP-1 to the …

Development Of Food Safety Education And Pilot Study Specifically For Native Americans Audiences, Kristine M. Foley

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The purpose of this study was to develop and implement a culturally appropriate food safety educational program using the conceptual change teaching method while preparing a meal. The food safety educational program was based on the FightBac!™ concepts (CLEAN, SEPARATE, COOK AND CHILL). Quantitative and qualitative date were collected, compared, and analyzed. Two pilot studies were conducted with Native American participants on non-reservation sites in Omaha and Lincoln. A total of 27 participants completed a pre and post knowledge survey and were video recorded preparing a meal. The majority of the participants were female (78%), had at least a high …

Lifestyle, Dietary Factors, And Antibody Levels To Oral Bacteria In Cancer-Free Participants Of A European Cohort Study, Dominique S. Michaud, Jacques Izard, Zachary Rubin, Ingegerd Johansson, Elisabete Weiderpass, Anne Tjønneland, Anja Olsen, Kim Overvad, Marie Christine Boutron-Ruault, Françoise Clavel-Chapelon, Laure Dossus, Rudolf Kaaks, Verena A. Katzke, Heiner Boeing, Jana Foerster, Antonia Trichopoulou, Androniki Naska, Giana Ziara, Paolo Vineis, Sara Grioni, Domenico Palli, Rosario Tumino, Amalia Mattiello, Petra Hm Peeters, Peter D. Siersema, Aurelio Barricarte, José-María Huerta, Esther Molina-Montes, Miren Dorronsoro, J. Ramón Quirós, Eric J. Duell, Bodil Ohlsson, Bengt Jeppsson, Anders Johansson, Pernilla Lif, Kay-Tee Khaw, Nick Wareham, Ruth C. Travis, Tim J. Key, Heinz Freisling, Talita Duarte-Salles, Magdalena Stepien, Elio Riboli, H. Bas Bueno-De- Mesquita

Department of Food Science and Technology: Faculty Publications

Background: Increasing evidence suggests that oral microbiota play a pivotal role in chronic diseases, in addition to the well-established role in periodontal disease. Moreover, recent studies suggest that oral bacteria may also be involved in carcinogenesis; periodontal disease has been linked several cancers. In this study, we examined whether lifestyle factors have an impact on antibody levels to oral bacteria.

Methods: Data on demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and medical conditions were obtained at the time of blood sample collection. For the current analysis, we measured antibody levels to 25 oral bacteria in 395 cancer-free individuals using an immunoblot …

Metabolic Characterization Of A Sirt5 Deficient Mouse Model, Jiujiu Yu, Sushabhan Sadhukhan, Lilia G. Noriega, Norman Moullan, Bin He, Robert S. Weiss, Hening Lin, Kristina Schoonjans, Johan Auwerx

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Sirt5, localized in the mitochondria, is a member of sirtuin family of NAD1-dependent deacetylases. Sirt5 was shown to deacetylate and activate carbamoyl phosphate synthase 1. Most recently, Sirt5 was reported to be the predominant protein desuccinylase and demalonylase in the mitochondria because the ablation of Sirt5 enhanced the global succinylation and malonylation of mitochondrial proteins, including many metabolic enzymes. In order to determine the physiological role of Sirt5 in metabolic homeostasis, we generated a germline Sirt5 deficient (Sirt52/2) mouse model and performed a thorough metabolic characterization of this mouse line. Although a global protein hypersuccinylation and elevated serum ammonia during …

Holocarboxylase Synthetase Represses Long Terminal Repeats Through Epigenetic Synergies Between Biotin And Methyl Donors, And Activates Immune Response By Catalyzing Biotinylation Of Heat Shock Protein 72, Jing Xue

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Holocarboxylase synthetase (HLCS) is the sole human protein biotin ligase in the human proteome. Other than its role as a coenzyme to the five carboxylases in intermediary metabolism, HLCS and biotin are involved in epigenetic gene regulation and immune response. Previously, it was shown that (1) HLCS physically interacts with histone methyl transferase EHMT-1 which creates histone H3 lysine 9 methylation (H3K9me) marks and biotinylates lysine (K) 161 in EHMT-1, thereby strenghtening the HLCS/EHMT-1 interaction; (2) biotin depletion and HLCS knockdown cause a loss of H3K9me marks leading to de-repression of long terminal repeats (LTRs) and chromosomal abnormalities; and (3) …

Assessing The Effectiveness Of Nutrition And Physical Activity Self-Assessment For Child Care (Nap Sacc) For Changes In Physical Activity Behavior, Policy, And Environment In Nebraska Family Child Care Homes, Katie K. Bolte

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Nebraska is the first state to utilize NAP SACC and to modify the evidence-based program for family child care homes (FCCHs). The purpose of this study was to conduct a secondary data analysis to assess the effectiveness of a modified version of the NAP SACC approach in achieving changes in physical activity behavior, policy, and environment in Nebraska FCCHs caring for children ages 2-5 years. Results from this study will be used to improve the NAP SACC physical activity components for FCCHs and will help to inform trainers and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Nutrition and Activity …

Effect Of Medical Nutrition Therapy On Outcomes Of Patients With Pre-Diabetes In A Rural Nebraska Primary Care Clinic: A Pilot Study, Charlene Dorcey

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Objective: Describe the impact of Medical Nutrition Therapy on health parameters of newly diagnosed patients with pre-diabetes in a rural Nebraska primary care clinic.

Background: Lifestyle interventions, including weight loss, exercise and diet, have a significant impact on diabetes prevention. Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) provided by a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) is an essential part of any intervention approach. Several visits with an RDN have shown effective results. However, multiple visits become prohibitive, especially in rural areas, due to inaccessibility and cost when not covered by insurance.

Methods: This 2010 retrospective study of electronic health records examined newly diagnosed pre-diabetes …

Comparison Of Recycling Outcomes In Three Types Of Recycling Collection Units, Ashley Andrews, Mary Gregoire, Heather Rasmussen, Gretchen Witowich

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Commercial institutions have many factors to consider when implementing an effective recycling program. This study examined the effectiveness of three different types of recycling bins on recycling accuracy by determining the percent weight of recyclable material placed in the recycling bins, comparing the percent weight of recyclable material by type of container used, and examining whether a change in signage increased recycling accuracy. Data were collected over 6 weeks totaling 30 days from 3 different recycling bin types at a Midwest university medical center. Five bin locations for each bin type were used. Bags from these bins were collected, sorted …

Accounting For Product Substitution In The Analysis Of Food Taxes Targeting Obesity, Zhen Miao, John C. Beghin, Helen H. Jensen

Department of Agricultural Economics: Faculty Publications

We extend the existing literature on food taxes targeting obesity. We systematically incorporate the implicit substitution between added sugars and solid fats into a comprehensive food demand system and evaluate the effect of taxes on sugars and fats. The approach conditions how food and obesity taxes affect total calorie intake. The proposed methodology accounts for the ability of consumers to substitute leaner low-fat and low-sugar items for rich food items within the same food group. This substitution is integrated into a calibrated demand system in addition to the substitution among food groups, using recent food intake data and existing demand …

Effects Of Forage Species Or Concentrate Finishing On Animal Performance, Carcass And Meat Quality, S. K. Duckett, J. P.S. Neel, Ronald M. Lewis, J. P. Fontenot, W M. Clapham

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Angus-cross steers (n = 128; initial BW = 270 ± 3.8 kg) were used in a 3-yr study to assess effects of forage species grazed before slaughter versus concentrate finishing on carcass and meat quality. At the completion of the stockering phase, steers were randomly allotted to mixed pasture (MP; n = 36/yr) or corn-silage concentrate (CON; n = 12/yr) finishing treatments. At 40 d before harvest, MP steers were randomly divided into 3 forage species treatments: alfalfa (AL), pearl millet (PM), or mixed pasture (MP). Average daily BW gain was greater (P = 0.001) for CON than …

The Effects Of Anatabine On Non-Invasive Indicators Of Muscle Damage: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study, Nathaniel Dm Jenkins, Terry J. Housh, Glen O. Johnson, Daniel A. Traylor, Haley Bergstrom, Kristen C. Cochrane, Robert W. Lewis Jr, Richard J. Schmidt, Joel T. Cramer

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Background: Anatabine (ANA), a minor tobacco alkaloid found in the Solanaceae family of plants, may exhibit anti-inflammatory activity, which may be useful to aid in recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to examine the effects of ANA supplementation on the recovery of isometric strength and selected non-invasive indicators of muscle damage.

Methods: A double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover design was used to study eighteen men (mean ± SD age = 22.2 ± 3.1 yrs; body mass = 80.3 ± 15.7 kg) who participated in two randomly-ordered conditions separated by a washout period. The ANA condition consisted …

Effects Of Dynamic Stretching On Strength, Muscle Imbalance, And Muscle Activation, Pablo B. Costa, Trent J. Herda, Ashley A. Herda, Joel T. Cramer

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the acute effects of dynamic stretching on concentric leg extensor and flexor peak torque, eccentric leg flexor peak torque, and the conventional and functional hamstring–quadriceps (H:Q) ratios.

Methods: Twenty-one women (mean ± SD age = 20.6 ± 2.0 yr, body mass = 64.5 ± >.3 kg, height = 164.7 ± 6.5 cm) performed maximal voluntary isokinetic leg extension, flexion, and eccentric hamstring muscle actions at the angular velocities of 60°· s^-1 and 180° · s^-1 before and after a bout of dynamic hamstring and quadriceps stretching as well as a …

Vitamin B12 Deficiency In Relation To Functional Disabilities, Breanna S. Oberlin, Christy C. Tangney, Kristin A. R. Gustashaw, Heather E. Rasmussen

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

This study was designed to assess whether symptoms, functional measures, and reported disabilities were associated with vitamin B12 (B12) deficiency when defined in three ways. Participants, aged 60 or more years of age, in 1999–2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) were categorized in relation to three previously used definitions of B12 deficiency: (1) serum B12 < 148 pmol/L; (2) serum B12 < 200 pmol/L and serum homocysteine > 20 μmol/L; and (3) serum B12 < 258 pmol/L or serum methylmalonic acid > 0.21 μmol/L. Functional measures of peripheral neuropathy, balance, cognitive function, gait speed, along with self-reported disability (including activities of daily living) were examined with standardized instruments by trained NHANES interviewers and technicians. Individuals identified as B12 deficient …

Relationship Between Serum And Brain Carotenoids, 𝛼-Tocopherol, And Retinol Concentrations And Cognitive Performance In The Oldest Old From The Georgia Centenarian Study, Elizabeth J. Johnson, Rohini Vishwanathan, Mary Ann Johnson, Dorothy B. Hausman, Adam Davey, Tammy M. Scott, Robert C. Green, L. Stephen Miller, Marla Gearing, John Woodard, Peter T. Nelson, Hae-Yun Chung, Wolfgang Schalch, Jonas Wittwer, Leonard W. Poon

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Oxidative stress is involved in age-related cognitive decline. The dietary antioxidants, carotenoids, tocopherols, and vitamin A may play a role in the prevention or delay in cognitive decline. In this study, sera were obtained from 78 octogenarians and 220 centenarians from the Georgia Centenarian Study. Brain tissues were obtained from 47 centenarian decedents. Samples were analyzed for carotenoids, 𝛼-tocopherol, and retinol using HPLC. Analyte concentrations were compared with cognitive tests designed to evaluate global cognition, dementia, depression and cognitive domains (memory, processing speed, attention, and executive functioning). Serum lutein, zeaxanthin, and 𝛽-carotene concentrations were most consistently related to better cognition …

Identification And Assessment Of Markers Of Biotin Status In Healthy Adults, Wei Kay Eng, David Giraud, Vicki L. Schlegel, Dong Wang, Bo Hyun Lee, Janos Zempleni

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Human biotin requirements are unknown and the identification of reliable markers of biotin status is necessary to fill this knowledge gap. Here, we used an outpatient feeding protocol to create states of biotin deficiency, sufficiency and supplementation in sixteen healthy men and women. A total of twenty possible markers of biotin status were assessed, including the abundance of biotinylated carboxylases in lymphocytes, the expression of genes from biotin metabolism and the urinary excretion of biotin and organic acids. Only the abundance of biotinylated 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase (holo-MCC) and propionyl-CoA carboxylase (holo-PCC) allowed for distinguishing biotin-deficient and biotin-sufficient individuals. The urinary excretion …

Identification And Assessment Of Markers Of Biotin Status In Healthy Adults, Wei Kay Eng, David Giraud, Vicki L. Schlegel, Dong Wang, Bo Hyun Lee, Janos Zempleni

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Human biotin requirements are unknown and the identification of reliable markers of biotin status is necessary to fill this knowledge gap. Here, we used an outpatient feeding protocol to create states of biotin deficiency, sufficiency and supplementation in sixteen healthy men and women. A total of twenty possible markers of biotin status were assessed, including the abundance of biotinylated carboxylases in lymphocytes, the expression of genes from biotin metabolism and the urinary excretion of biotin and organic acids. Only the abundance of biotinylated 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase (holo-MCC) and propionyl-CoA carboxylase (holo-PCC) allowed for distinguishing biotin-deficient and biotin-sufficient individuals. The urinary excretion …

Polyphenols, Inflammation, And Cardiovascular Disease, Christy Tangney, Heather E. Rasmussen

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Polyphenols are compounds found in foods such as tea, coffee, cocoa, olive oil, and red wine and have been studied to determine if their intake may modify cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Historically, biologic actions of polyphenols have been attributed to antioxidant activities, but recent evidence suggests that immunomodulatory and vasodilatory properties of polyphenols may also contribute to CVD risk reduction. These properties will be discussed, and recent epidemiological evidence and intervention trials will be reviewed. Further identification of polyphenols in foods and accurate assessment of exposures through measurement of biomarkers (i.e., polyphenol metabolites) could provide the needed impetus to examine …