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The effects of Aronia berry (poly)phenol supplementation on arterial function and the gut microbiome in middle aged men and women: Results from a randomized controlled trial.
Le Sayec, M, Xu, Y, Laiola, M, Gallego, FA, Katsikioti, D, Durbidge, C, Kivisild, U, Armes, S, Lecomte, M, Fança-Berthon, P, et al
Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland). 2022;41(11):2549-2561
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Over the last decades, Aronia melanocarpa, or black chokeberry, has gained increased attention for its high content of (poly)phenols, and potential protection against chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 12-week aronia berry (poly)phenol consumption on cardiometabolic health and gut microbiome composition in prehypertensive middle-aged adults. This study was a 2-arm, double-blind, parallel randomised controlled trial. Participants (n = 102; 47 men and 55 women) were assigned randomly to Aronia or control groups. Results showed that there were no significant effects in blood pressure (primary outcome), endothelial function or blood lipids. However, there was a significant improvement in 24-hour ambulatory arterial indices and significant changes in gut microbiome richness, functions and composition between Aronia and control groups. Authors conclude that future studies should be conducted to investigate whether aronia supplementation may be effective in other at-risk populations such as hypertensives or people with cardiovascular disease risk.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Berry (poly)phenol consumption has been associated with cardioprotective benefits, however little is known on the role the gut microbiome may play on such health benefits. Our objective was to investigate the effects of aronia berry (poly)phenol consumption on cardiometabolic health and gut microbiome richness and composition in prehypertensive middle-aged men and women. METHODS A total of 102 prehypertensive participants were included in a parallel 12-week randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Volunteers were randomly allocated to daily consume an encapsulated (poly)phenol-rich aronia berry extract (Aronia, n = 51) or a matched maltodextrin placebo (Control, n = 51). Blood pressure (BP) and arterial function (office and 24 h), endothelial function (measured as flow-mediated dilation), serum biochemistry (including blood lipids), plasma and urine (poly)phenol metabolites as well as gut microbiome composition through shotgun metagenomic sequencing were monitored over the study period. Relationships between vascular outcomes, (poly)phenol metabolites and gut microbiome were investigated using an integrated multi-levels approach. RESULTS A significant improvement in arterial indices measured as augmentation index (AIx) and pulse wave velocity (PWV) was found in the Aronia compared to Control group (awake Δ PWV = -0.24 m/s; 95% CI: -0.79, -0.01 m/s, P < 0.05; 24 h peripheral Δ AIx = -6.8; -11.2, -2.3, %, P = 0.003; 24 h central Δ AIx = -3.3; -5.5, -1.0, %, P = 0.006). No changes in BP, endothelial function or blood lipids were found following the intervention. Consumption of aronia (poly)phenols led to a significant increase in gut microbiome gene richness and in the abundance of butyrate-producing species such as Lawsonibacter asaccharolyticus and Intestinimonas butyriciproducens species, compared to Control group. Results from an approach including metabolomic, metagenomic and clinical outcomes highlighted associations between aronia-derived phenolic metabolites, arterial stiffness, and gut microbiome. CONCLUSIONS Aronia berry (poly)phenol consumption improved arterial function in prehypertensive middle-aged individuals, possibly via modulation of gut microbiome richness and composition based on the associations observed between these parameters. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY The National Institutes of Health (NIH)-randomized trial records held on the NIH ClinicalTrials.gov website (NCT03434574). Aronia Berry Consumption on Blood Pressure.
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Effects of Lactobacillus gasseri CP2305 on Mild Menopausal Symptoms in Middle-Aged Women.
Sawada, D, Sugawara, T, Hirota, T, Nakamura, Y
Nutrients. 2022;14(9)
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The gastrointestinal tract represents the largest interface and interaction between the host and microorganisms. This collection of microorganisms is called the enteric or gut microbiota, and co-evolved with their hosts in an intricate, mutually beneficial relationship. One of the most important interactions is the brain–gut interaction, which maintains both intestinal homeostasis and brain function. The aim of this study was to analyse the influence of Lactobacillus gasseri CP2305 (CP2305) intake on the hypothalamic– pituitary–gonadal axis and its effects on mild symptoms associated with menopause. This study was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial. The enrolled subjects were randomly assigned to either the CP2305 group or placebo group. Results showed that consumption of CP2305 improves mild psychological symptoms that are unique to menopausal women, and improves the most common vasomotor symptoms, such as hot flashes. Authors concluded that the consumption of CP2305 may be used as an alternative treatment to alleviate menopausal symptoms.
Abstract
Lactobacillus gasseri CP2305 (CP2305) is a paraprobiotic that exhibits beneficial effects on the intestinal function and microbiota, and increases resistance to psychological stress. The stress response mechanism mainly involves the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which is influenced by the gut-brain axis. Furthermore, the gut-brain axis also communicates bidirectionally with the intestinal microbiota. Additionally, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axes share a common route that affects both mental and health aspects in women. This double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial aimed to analyze the influence of the intake of CP2305 on mild symptoms associated with menopause. Eighty women aged 40-60 years ingested CP2305 or placebo tablets for six consecutive menstrual cycles. Assessment was based on the observation of climacteric symptoms with two validated questionnaires-the Simplified Menopausal Index (SMI) and the Greene Climacteric Scale (GCS). The results showed that CP2305 provided significant relief in the SMI total score, SMI vasomotor score, SMI psychological score, GCS total score, GCS somatic score, and GCS vasomotor score compared to the placebo. The percentage of women with symptom relief for the SMI total score was 75.0%, with 30 of 40 women in the CP2305 group, and 55.0%, with 22 of 40 women in the placebo group (p = 0.0594). These findings provide new insights into the function of paraprobiotic CP2305 in relieving mild climacteric symptoms in women.
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Mediterranean diet intervention in overweight and obese subjects lowers plasma cholesterol and causes changes in the gut microbiome and metabolome independently of energy intake.
Meslier, V, Laiola, M, Roager, HM, De Filippis, F, Roume, H, Quinquis, B, Giacco, R, Mennella, I, Ferracane, R, Pons, N, et al
Gut. 2020;69(7):1258-1268
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Evidence suggests that the Mediterranean diet (MD) may help prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, this could be influenced by an individual’s gut microbiome, highlighting a need for personalised nutrition practices. This randomised crossover control trial aimed to evaluate an 8-week personalised MD intervention in 82 overweight and obese subjects, who were at high risk of cardiovascular disease. The results showed that a personalised MD lowered cholesterol, regardless of the amount of energy consumed and the amount of exercise performed and relied upon adherence to the MD. Gut microbiome composition was altered by a MD and although markers for diabetes were not improved overall, there was an improvement in prediabetes in individuals with higher levels of Bacteroides species and lower levels of Prevotella species. It was concluded that a MD may reduce cholesterol and alter the gut microbiome to benefit cardiovascular health. Health professionals could use this study to switch patients to a MD whilst maintaining their energy intake to reduce cardiovascular risk. In order to see maximum benefit, it would be recommended to take a personalised approach and analyse an individual’s gut microbiome in order to tailor recommendations.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aimed to explore the effects of an isocaloric Mediterranean diet (MD) intervention on metabolic health, gut microbiome and systemic metabolome in subjects with lifestyle risk factors for metabolic disease. DESIGN Eighty-two healthy overweight and obese subjects with a habitually low intake of fruit and vegetables and a sedentary lifestyle participated in a parallel 8-week randomised controlled trial. Forty-three participants consumed an MD tailored to their habitual energy intakes (MedD), and 39 maintained their regular diets (ConD). Dietary adherence, metabolic parameters, gut microbiome and systemic metabolome were monitored over the study period. RESULTS Increased MD adherence in the MedD group successfully reprogrammed subjects' intake of fibre and animal proteins. Compliance was confirmed by lowered levels of carnitine in plasma and urine. Significant reductions in plasma cholesterol (primary outcome) and faecal bile acids occurred in the MedD compared with the ConD group. Shotgun metagenomics showed gut microbiome changes that reflected individual MD adherence and increase in gene richness in participants who reduced systemic inflammation over the intervention. The MD intervention led to increased levels of the fibre-degrading Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and of genes for microbial carbohydrate degradation linked to butyrate metabolism. The dietary changes in the MedD group led to increased urinary urolithins, faecal bile acid degradation and insulin sensitivity that co-varied with specific microbial taxa. CONCLUSION Switching subjects to an MD while maintaining their energy intake reduced their blood cholesterol and caused multiple changes in their microbiome and metabolome that are relevant in future strategies for the improvement of metabolic health.
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Mixed Spices at Culinary Doses Have Prebiotic Effects in Healthy Adults: A Pilot Study.
Lu, QY, Rasmussen, AM, Yang, J, Lee, RP, Huang, J, Shao, P, Carpenter, CL, Gilbuena, I, Thames, G, Henning, SM, et al
Nutrients. 2019;11(6)
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An increasing body of evidence suggests that the gut microbiota has a profound impact on human health. While the microbiome of a healthy individual is relatively stable, gut microbial dynamics can be influenced by host lifestyle and dietary choices. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of mixed spices (cinnamon, oregano, ginger, black pepper, and cayenne pepper) at culinary doses consumed over 2 weeks in a standardized 5g capsule on the production of gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acids The study is a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind pilot study carried out with a total of 31 healthy women and men aged between 18 and 65. The subjects were randomly allocated to one of the two intervention groups. Results indicate that daily intake of 5g of mixed spices for 2 weeks in healthy subjects resulted in a significant reduction in the relative abundance of the phylum Firmicutes (bacteria), and a trend of increasing in phylum Bacteroidetes (bacteria) as compared with a matched control group. Authors conclude that a mixture of spices at culinary doses affects the composition of gut microbiota.
Abstract
Spices were used as food preservatives prior to the advent of refrigeration, suggesting the possibility of effects on microbiota. Previous studies have shown prebiotic activities in animals and in vitro, but there has not been a demonstration of prebiotic or postbiotic effects at culinary doses in humans. In this randomized placebo-controlled study, we determined in twenty-nine healthy adults the effects on the gut microbiota of the consumption daily of capsules containing 5 g of mixed spices at culinary doses by comparison to a matched control group consuming a maltodextrin placebo capsule. The 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing data were used for microbial characterization. Spice consumption resulted in a significant reduction in Firmicutes abundance (p < 0.033) and a trend of enrichment in Bacteroidetes (p < 0.097) compared to placebo group. Twenty-six operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were different between the spice and placebo groups after intervention. Furthermore, there was a significant negative correlation between fecal short-chain fatty acid propionate concentration and Firmicutes abundance in spice intervention group (p < 0.04). The production of individual fecal short-chain fatty acid was not significantly changed by spice consumption in this study. Mixed spices consumption significantly modified gut microbiota, suggesting a prebiotic effect of spice consumption at culinary doses.
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The microbiome of professional athletes differs from that of more sedentary subjects in composition and particularly at the functional metabolic level.
Barton, W, Penney, NC, Cronin, O, Garcia-Perez, I, Molloy, MG, Holmes, E, Shanahan, F, Cotter, PD, O'Sullivan, O
Gut. 2018;67(4):625-633
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The human gut microbiome is known to actively influence metabolism, immunity and development. It has been shown that increased physical activity and healthy diet is associated with positive changes in faecal microbial diversity and composition compared with sedentary individuals. The aim of this study was to assess the metabolic activity of the microbiota between extremely active and sedentary individuals. Metabolic and genetic factors of the gut microbiome were analysed in 40 professional rugby players and 46 sedentary controls. This study found significant differences in faecal microbiota between athletes and sedentary controls at the functional metabolic level, providing deeper insight into the link between sustained physical activity and metabolic health. Based on these results, the authors conclude exercise may be an effective way to manipulate the gut microbiome and suggest further controlled trials be done to better understand the relationship between diet, exercise and the gut microbiome.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE It is evident that the gut microbiota and factors that influence its composition and activity effect human metabolic, immunological and developmental processes. We previously reported that extreme physical activity with associated dietary adaptations, such as that pursued by professional athletes, is associated with changes in faecal microbial diversity and composition relative to that of individuals with a more sedentary lifestyle. Here we address the impact of these factors on the functionality/metabolic activity of the microbiota which reveals even greater separation between exercise and a more sedentary state. DESIGN Metabolic phenotyping and functional metagenomic analysis of the gut microbiome of professional international rugby union players (n=40) and controls (n=46) was carried out and results were correlated with lifestyle parameters and clinical measurements (eg, dietary habit and serum creatine kinase, respectively). RESULTS Athletes had relative increases in pathways (eg, amino acid and antibiotic biosynthesis and carbohydrate metabolism) and faecal metabolites (eg, microbial produced short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) acetate, propionate and butyrate) associated with enhanced muscle turnover (fitness) and overall health when compared with control groups. CONCLUSIONS Differences in faecal microbiota between athletes and sedentary controls show even greater separation at the metagenomic and metabolomic than at compositional levels and provide added insight into the diet-exercise-gut microbiota paradigm.
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Effect of a Protein Supplement on the Gut Microbiota of Endurance Athletes: A Randomized, Controlled, Double-Blind Pilot Study.
Moreno-Pérez, D, Bressa, C, Bailén, M, Hamed-Bousdar, S, Naclerio, F, Carmona, M, Pérez, M, González-Soltero, R, Montalvo-Lominchar, MG, Carabaña, C, et al
Nutrients. 2018;10(3)
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Protein supplements are popular among athletes to improve performance and increase muscle mass. However, their effect on other aspects of health is less well known. Dietary changes can affect gut microbiota balance, with beneficial or harmful consequences for the host. This small pilot study was performed on cross-country runners whose diets were complemented with a protein supplement (whey isolate and beef hydrolysate) or maltodextrin (control) for 10 weeks. Microbiota, water content, pH, ammonia, and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were analysed in faecal samples, and oxidative stress markers were measured in blood plasma and urine. Faecal pH, water content, ammonia, and SCFA concentrations did not change, indicating that protein supplementation did not increase the presence of these metabolites of fermentation. Similarly, it had no impact on plasma or urine malondialdehyde levels. Protein supplementation did however increase the abundance of the Bacteroidetes phylum and decrease the presence of health-related taxa including Roseburia, Blautia, and Bifidobacterium longum. The authors concluded that long-term protein supplementation may have a negative impact on gut microbiota. Further research is needed to establish the impact of protein supplements on gut microbiota.
Expert Review
Conflicts of interest:
None
Take Home Message:
- Long-term protein supplementation may have a negative impact on gut microbiota.
- Further research is needed to establish the impact of protein supplements on gut microbiota and whether there is a differential impact between protein from animal and plant sources.
Evidence Category:
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A: Meta-analyses, position-stands, randomized-controlled trials (RCTs)
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B: Systematic reviews including RCTs of limited number
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C: Non-randomized trials, observational studies, narrative reviews
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D: Case-reports, evidence-based clinical findings
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E: Opinion piece, other
Summary Review:
This is a very interesting study that is relevant to athletic populations.
Clinical practice applications:
Potentially there is a role for probiotics / prebiotics when increasing protein intake (particularly of animal origin) to maintain microbiota diversity and prevent ensuing health complications.
Considerations for future research:
Further, larger scale, research is needed to understand whether the same effect of protein supplementation would be seen with plant-based proteins or whether this is unique to animal based protein supplementation. For example, is the hydrolysation of the proteins to account for the largest effect or could a whole food protein, i.e. not hydrolysed, elicit the same effects?
Also, is this effect seen in other sports, e.g. non-endurance. What about the effect under different conditions e.g. energy deficit vs. energy excess?
Abstract
Nutritional supplements are popular among athletes to improve performance and physical recovery. Protein supplements fulfill this function by improving performance and increasing muscle mass; however, their effect on other organs or systems is less well known. Diet alterations can induce gut microbiota imbalance, with beneficial or deleterious consequences for the host. To test this, we performed a randomized pilot study in cross-country runners whose diets were complemented with a protein supplement (whey isolate and beef hydrolysate) (n = 12) or maltodextrin (control) (n = 12) for 10 weeks. Microbiota, water content, pH, ammonia, and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were analyzed in fecal samples, whereas malondialdehyde levels (oxidative stress marker) were determined in plasma and urine. Fecal pH, water content, ammonia, and SCFA concentrations did not change, indicating that protein supplementation did not increase the presence of these fermentation-derived metabolites. Similarly, it had no impact on plasma or urine malondialdehyde levels; however, it increased the abundance of the Bacteroidetes phylum and decreased the presence of health-related taxa including Roseburia, Blautia, and Bifidobacterium longum. Thus, long-term protein supplementation may have a negative impact on gut microbiota. Further research is needed to establish the impact of protein supplements on gut microbiota.