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Impact of wheat aleurone on biomarkers of cardiovascular disease, gut microbiota and metabolites in adults with high body mass index: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial.
Fava, F, Ulaszewska, MM, Scholz, M, Stanstrup, J, Nissen, L, Mattivi, F, Vermeiren, J, Bosscher, D, Pedrolli, C, Tuohy, KM
European journal of nutrition. 2022;61(5):2651-2671
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Plain language summary
Cross-sectional studies have shown that whole grain cereal consumption can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD, as well as reduce systemic inflammation, which is linked to many chronic diet associated diseases. Aleurone is a wheat grain fraction composed of a single cell layer that constitutes the outermost portion of the endosperm and contains many of the beneficial substances. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the effect of aleurone consumption on plasma homocysteine concentrations in overweight/ obese subjects. Secondary aim was to measure the impact of chronic aleurone supplementation on markers of CVD risk and on the human gut microbiota and its metabolic output. This study is a placebo-controlled, randomised, double-blind parallel trial with 2 test foods, wheat aleurone-rich foods or placebo foods (cellulose). Participants (n=74) were randomised to receive the active supplementation (aleurone 27 g per day) or placebo for 4 consecutive weeks. Results show that although average plasma homocysteine levels decreased upon wheat aleurone supplementation treatment, this change was not statistically significant, and homocysteine levels did not differ between groups after intervention. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in bifidobacteria both over time and compared to the placebo. Several significant and useful biomarkers of wheat aleurone intake, all related to wheat polyphenol metabolism by the gut microbiota, were identified. Authors conclude that wheat aleurone supplementation has the potential to modulate the gut microbial metabolic output and increase faecal bifidobacterial abundance, but it does not impact plasma homocysteine or other CVD biomarkers.
Abstract
PURPOSE Aleurone is a cereal bran fraction containing a variety of beneficial nutrients including polyphenols, fibers, minerals and vitamins. Animal and human studies support the beneficial role of aleurone consumption in reducing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Gut microbiota fiber fermentation, polyphenol metabolism and betaine/choline metabolism may in part contribute to the physiological effects of aleurone. As primary objective, this study evaluated whether wheat aleurone supplemented foods could modify plasma homocysteine. Secondary objectives included changes in CVD biomarkers, fecal microbiota composition and plasma/urine metabolite profiles. METHODS A parallel double-blind, placebo-controlled and randomized trial was carried out in two groups of obese/overweight subjects, matched for age, BMI and gender, consuming foods supplemented with either aleurone (27 g/day) (AL, n = 34) or cellulose (placebo treatment, PL, n = 33) for 4 weeks. RESULTS No significant changes in plasma homocysteine or other clinical markers were observed with either treatment. Dietary fiber intake increased after AL and PL, animal protein intake increased after PL treatment. We observed a significant increase in fecal Bifidobacterium spp with AL and Lactobacillus spp with both AL and PL, but overall fecal microbiota community structure changed little according to 16S rRNA metataxonomics. Metabolomics implicated microbial metabolism of aleurone polyphenols and revealed distinctive biomarkers of AL treatment, including alkylresorcinol, cinnamic, benzoic and ferulic acids, folic acid, fatty acids, benzoxazinoid and roasted aroma related metabolites. Correlation analysis highlighted bacterial genera potentially linked to urinary compounds derived from aleurone metabolism and clinical parameters. CONCLUSIONS Aleurone has potential to modulate the gut microbial metabolic output and increase fecal bifidobacterial abundance. However, in this study, aleurone did not impact on plasma homocysteine or other CVD biomarkers. TRIAL REGISTRATION The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02067026) on the 17th February 2014.
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An oleuropein-based dietary supplement may improve joint functional capacity in older people with high knee joint pain: findings from a multicentre-RCT and post hoc analysis.
Horcajada, MN, Beaumont, M, Sauvageot, N, Poquet, L, Saboundjian, M, Costes, B, Verdonk, P, Brands, G, Brasseur, J, Urbin-Choffray, D, et al
Therapeutic advances in musculoskeletal disease. 2022;14:1759720X211070205
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Mobility is an important factor for the quality of life and healthy ageing. Yet, most people as they age will experience some degree of mobility issue, typically linked to problems with joints, bones or muscles. Current medical treatments focus on the management of pain and discomfort with anti-inflammatory drugs and pain relief. However, chronic use of these medications is associated with many side effects. Olive leaf extract (OLE) is a rich source of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds such as oleuropein. Animal studies of OLE showed it had promising effects on inflammation and age-related joint degeneration, and in clinical studies, it was demonstrated to preserve bone mineral density. This 6-month randomized placebo-controlled trial investigated the use of 125mg OLE on knee pain, discomfort and loss of mobility in 124 elderly subjects over 55 who experienced mild to moderate pain during or after physical activity in the absence of diagnosed underlying conditions such as osteoarthritis. The outcome was tracked by scoring questionnaires and blood samples to monitor inflammatory markers, as well as urinary samples to assess compliance. At the end of the trial, there was no significant difference in pain or inflammatory markers, apart from a decline in Prostaglandin E2 in the OLE takers. An adjusted analysis showed that whereby people with mild to moderate pain did not experience any benefits, a significant effect was seen in people who had higher levels of baseline pain to begin with. Due to the good safety profile of OLE, it may be a suitable intervention for those candidates. Larger scale trials may help to enhance these findings.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate a 6-month intervention with an olive leaf extract (OLE) on knee functionality and biomarkers of bone/cartilage metabolism and inflammation. DESIGN This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-centric trial included 124 subjects with knee pain or mobility issues. Subjects received twice a day one capsule of placebo or 125 mg OLE (Bonolive™, an OLE containing 50 mg of oleuropein) for 6 months. The co-primary endpoints were Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and serum Coll2-1NO2. The secondary endpoints were the subscales of the KOOS, knee pain VAS at rest and at walking, OARSI core set of performance-based tests and multiple inflammatory and bone or cartilage remodeling serum biomarkers and concentration of oleuropein's metabolites in urine. RESULTS At 6 months, OLE group was not efficient on global KOOS score, changes of inflammatory and cartilage remodeling biomarkers compared to placebo. Post hoc analyses demonstrated a large and significant treatment effect of OLE in a sub-group of subjects with high walking pain at baseline (p = 0.03). This was observed at 6 months for the global KOOS score, and each different subscale and for pain at walking (p = 0.02). OLE treatment was well tolerated. CONCLUSION OLE was not effective on joint discomfort excepted in a sub-group of subjects with high pain at treatment initiation. As oleuropein is well tolerated, OLE can be used to relieve knee joint pain and enhance mobility in subjects with articular pain.