Molecular, Genetic, and Biochemical Nutrition Commons^™

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 …

Role Of Scavenger Receptor Class B Type I In Thymopoiesis, Zhong Zheng

Theses and Dissertations--Nutritional Sciences

T cells, which constitute an essential arm in the adaptive immunity, complete their development in the thymus through a process called thymopoiesis. However, thymic involution can be induced by a couple of factors, which impairs T cell functions and is slow to recover. Therefore, understanding how thymopoiesis is regulated may lead effort to accelerate thymic recovery and improve immune functions in thymocyte-depleted patients. In this project, we identified scavenger receptor BI (SR-BI), a high density lipoprotein (HDL) receptor, as a novel modulator in thymopoiesis. In mice, absence of SR-BI causes a significant reduction in thymus size after puberty and a …

The Role Of Exercise In Polychlorinated Biphenyl Induced Cardiovascular Disease, Margaret O'Bryan Murphy

Theses and Dissertations--Nutritional Sciences

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in Western societies. Endothelial dysfunction is one of the initiating steps in the development of atherosclerosis. While there is a strong correlation with a person’s genetics, lifestyle factors including smoking, physical activity, and diet can significantly increase a person’s susceptibility to the development of atherosclerosis. In addition to these lifestyle factors, there is a strong body of evidence linking exposure to environmental pollutants including persistent organic pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls to increased cardiovascular disease and mortality. It has been well-established that exercise protects against cardiovascular disease, but whether exercise can modulate …

The Benefits Of Breastfeeding, Avery Kordus

Senior Honors Theses

Breastfeeding research is plentiful, and the majority of the literature shows that breast milk is the superior form of infant nutrition except in the rare circumstances of infant metabolic disorders, maternal drug use, or positive HIV status. In comparison to formula, breast milk provides improved cognition, development, behavior, bonding, nutrition, digestion, immunity, and long-term health with fewer diseases and conditions in infants. Mothers are benefited by breastfeeding through bonding, faster weight loss, and reduction in certain cancers and conditions. Breast milk contains the proper amount of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals, and is also specialized for each infant 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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Do Flame Retardants Promote Vitamin D Deficiency?, Audrey Petteruti

Honors Theses and Capstones

Vitamin D deficiency in the Unites States has become more prevalent in recent years. Research has shown that environmental chemicals such as flame-retardants induce hepatic enzymes in the cytochrome P450 family such as CYP24 and CYP3A that are important in vitamin D metabolism. To determine if exposure to one class of flame-retardants known as polybrominated diethyl ethers (PBDEs) promotes vitamin D deficiency, 15 rats consumed a diet marginally deficient in Vitamin D - 85 IU Vitamin D/kg diet - for 56 days. On day 28 of the experiment, 7 rats were gavaged daily with 7 mg/kg BW PBDEs and 8 …

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 …

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, …

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” …

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 …

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 …

Addressing Public Health Risks Of Persistent Pollutants Through Nutritional Modulation And Biomimetic Nanocomposite Remediation Platforms, Bradley J. Newsome

Theses and Dissertations--Chemistry

Due to their relative chemical stability and ubiquity in the environment, chlorinated organic contaminants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) pose significant health risks and enduring remediation challenges. Engineered nanoparticles (NPs) provide a novel platform for sensing/remediation of these toxicants, in addition to the growing use of NPs in many industrial and biomedical applications, but there remains concern for their potential long-term health effects. Research highlighted herein also represents a transdisciplinary approach to address human health challenges associated with exposure to PCBs and NPs. The objectives of this dissertation research are two-fold, 1) to develop effective methods for capture/sensing and remediation …

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 …

Effect Of Functional Starch In Brown Rice And Grain Sorghum On Plasma Glucose And Insulin Responses In Humans, Nicole Marie Poquette

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Diabetes and obesity are chronic illnesses increasing at dramatic rates in the U.S. and around the world. Research has looked to prevent or control diabetes and obesity through functional ingredients such as healthy-dietary carbohydrates to control blood glucose levels. Starch is a principle carbohydrate, which influences blood glucose levels, and measuring starch digestibility fractions can help predict the glucose response in the body. The objectives of this study were to investigate the functional starch content of parboiled brown rice flour and grain sorghum flour, and measure the effects on postprandial plasma glucose and insulin levels of 14 and 10 healthy …

In Vitro Analysis Of Short Chain Fatty Acids And Human Fecal Microbiota Stimulated By Pectin Sources, Byungjick Min

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

As interest increases for colonic health, various studies have been conducted to investigate functional ingredients for host health and prevention of chronic disease in humans such as colon cancer and Type 2 diabetes. In particular dietary fiber has been reported to have beneficial effects on colonic health. More recently, dietary fiber has been categorized based on its characteristics and numerous studies have been conducted to determine correlations with chronic diseases. Pectin is a naturally occurring biopolymer that has been used in various applications for purposes of pharmaceutical and biotechnology. Pectin is a soluble dietary fiber and can be entirely fermented …