Title: Dietary and plasma carotenoids are positively associated with alpha diversity in the fecal microbiota of pregnant women
Abstract
Because microbes use carotenoids as an antioxidant for protection, dietary carotenoids could be associated with gut microbiota composition. We aimed to determine associations among reported carotenoid intake, plasma carotenoid concentrations, and fecal bacterial communities in pregnant women. Pregnant women (n= 27) were enrolled in a two‐arm study designed to assess feasibility of biospecimen collection and delivery of a practical nutrition intervention. Plasma and fecal samples were collected and women were surveyed with a 24‐hr dietary checklist and recalls. Plasma carotenoids were analyzed by HPLC using photodiode array detection. Fecal bacteria were analyzed by 16S rRNA DNA sequencing. Results presented are cross‐sectional from the 36‐week gestational study visit combined across both study arms due to lack of significant differences between intervention and usual care groups (n= 23 women with complete data). Recent intake of carotenoid‐containing foods included carrots, sweet potatoes, mangos, apricots, and/or bell peppers for 48% of women; oranges/orange juice (17%); egg (39%); tomato/tomato‐based sauces (52%); fruits (83%); and vegetables (65%). Average plasma carotenoid concentrations were 6.4 µg/dL α‐carotene (AC), 17.7 µg/dL β‐carotene (BC), 11.4 µg/dL cryptoxanthin, 39.0 µg/dL trans‐lycopene, and 29.8 µg/dL zeaxanthin and lutein. AC and BC concentrations were higher in women who recently consumed foods high in carotenoids. CR concentrations were higher in women who consumed oranges/orange juice. Microbiota α‐diversity positively correlated with AC and BC. Microbiota β‐diversity differed significantly across reported intake of carotenoid containing foods and plasma concentrations of AC. This may reflect an effect of high fiber or improved overall dietary quality, rather than a specific effect of carotenoids.
Practical Application
Little is known about the association between the gut microbiome and specific dietary microconstituents, such as carotenoids, especially during pregnancy. This research demonstrates that a carotenoid‐rich diet during pregnancy supports a diverse microbiota, which could be one mechanism by which carotenoids promote health.
Lee, Y. Q.; Collins, C. E.; Schumacher, T. L.; Weatherall, L. J.; Keogh, L.; Sutherland, K.; Gordon, A.; Rae, K. M.; Pringle, K. G.(
, Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics)
AbstractBackground
Little is known about the adequacy of nutrient intakes and the overall diet quality of Indigenous Australian pregnant women. The aim of this cross‐sectional study was to assess nutrient sufficiency and diet quality, as measured using the Australian Recommended Food Score (ARFS), in pregnant women from theGomeroi gaaynggalcohort (n= 58).
Methods
Maternal dietary intake during pregnancy was assessed using the Australian Eating Survey Food Frequency Questionnaire, which was self‐administered in the third trimester. Diet quality was determined using theARFS. Food group servings and nutrient intakes were compared to the Australian Guide to Health Eating (AGHE) and Australian Nutrient Reference Values (NRVs). The current analysis examined the adequacy of usual intakes from food sources only, excluding supplements.
Results
None of the women met allAGHEdaily food group serving recommendations. The highest alignment rates were for dairy (33%), meat/alternatives (31%) and vegetables (29.3%). Almost 93% of participants exceeded the recommended intake of energy‐dense, nutrient‐poor foods and percentage energy from saturated fat was high (15%). Of the five key nutrients for optimal reproductive health (folate, iron, calcium, zinc and fibre), the nutrients with the highest percentage of pregnant women achieving theNRVs were zinc (77.6%) and folate (68.9%), whereas iron was the lowest. Only one person achieved allNRVs (folate, iron, calcium, zinc and fibre) important in pregnancy. The medianARFSwas 28 points (maximum of 73).
Conclusions
Although the small cohort limits the generalisability of the findings of the present study, the data obtained indicate that the diets of these Indigenous pregnant women are inadequate. Therefore, strategies aiming to optimise nutrient intakes of Indigenous pregnant women are needed urgently.
Baseggio, Matheus; Murray, Matthew; Magallanes‐Lundback, Maria; Kaczmar, Nicholas; Chamness, James; Buckler, Edward S.; Smith, Margaret E.; DellaPenna, Dean; Tracy, William F.; Gore, Michael A.(
, The Plant Genome)
Abstract
Sweet corn (Zea maysL.) is highly consumed in the United States, but does not make major contributions to the daily intake of carotenoids (provitamin A carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin) that would help in the prevention of health complications. A genome‐wide association study of seven kernel carotenoids and twelve derivative traits was conducted in a sweet corn inbred line association panel ranging from light to dark yellow in endosperm color to elucidate the genetic basis of carotenoid levels in fresh kernels. In agreement with earlier studies of maize kernels at maturity, we detected an association of β‐carotene hydroxylase(crtRB1) with β‐carotene concentration andlycopene epsilon cyclase(lcyE) with the ratio of flux between the α‐ and β‐carotene branches in the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway. Additionally, we found that 5% or less of the evaluated inbred lines possessing theshrunken2(sh2) endosperm mutation had the most favorablelycEallele orcrtRB1haplotype for elevating β‐branch carotenoids (β‐carotene and zeaxanthin) or β‐carotene, respectively. Genomic prediction models with genome‐wide markers obtained moderately high predictive abilities for the carotenoid traits, especially lutein, and outperformed models with less markers that targeted candidate genes implicated in the synthesis, retention, and/or genetic control of kernel carotenoids. Taken together, our results constitute an important step toward increasing carotenoids in fresh sweet corn kernels.
Spontaneous mutations in fruit‐specific carotenoid biosynthetic genes of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) have led to improved understanding of ripening‐associated carotenogenesis. Here, we confirm thatZDSis encoded by a single gene in tomato transcriptionally regulated by ripening transcription factors RIN, NOR and ethylene. Manipulation of ZDS was achieved through transgenic repression and heterologous over‐expression in tomato. CaMV 35S‐driven RNAi repression inhibited carotenoid biosynthesis in all aerial tissues examined resulting in elevated levels ofζ‐carotene isomers and upstream carotenoids, while downstreamall trans‐lycopene and subsequent photoprotective carotenes and xanthophylls were diminished. Consequently, immature fruit displayed photo‐bleaching consistent with reduced levels of the photoprotective carotenes and developmental phenotypes related to a reduction in the carotenoid‐derived phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA).ZDS‐repressed ripe fruit was devoid of the characteristic red carotenoid,all trans‐lycopene and displayed brilliant yellow pigmentation due to elevated 9,9′di‐cis‐ζ‐carotene. Over‐expression of theArabidopsis thaliana ZDS(AtZDS) gene bypassed endogenous co‐suppression and revealed ZDS as an additional bottleneck in ripening‐associated carotenogenesis of tomato. Quantitation of carotenoids in addition to multiple ripening parameters in ZDS‐altered lines and ABA‐deficient fruit‐specific carotenoid mutants was used to separate phenotypic consequences of ABA from other effects of ZDS manipulation and reveal a unique and dynamicζ‐carotene isomer profile in ripe fruit.
Greenberg, Julia R.; Montgomery, Tracy M.; Holekamp, Kay E.; Beehner, Jacinta C.; Hopkins, ed., Jack(
, Journal of Mammalogy)
Abstract
As fecal steroid methods increasingly are used by researchers to monitor the physiology of captive and wild populations, we need to expand our validation protocols to test the effects of procedural variation and to identify contamination by exogenous sources of steroid hormones. Mammalian carnivore feces often contain large amounts of hair from the prey they consume, which itself may contain high concentrations of hormones. In this study, we report first a validation of two steroid hormone antibodies, corticosterone and progesterone, to determine fecal concentrations of these hormones in wild spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta). Next, we expand on these standard validation protocols to test two additional metrics: (i) whether hair from consumed prey or (ii) the specific drying method (oven incubation vs. lyophilization) affect steroid hormone concentrations in feces. In the first biological validation for the progesterone antibody in this species, progesterone concentrations met our expectations: (i) concentrations of plasma and fecal progesterone were lowest in immature females, higher in lactating females, and highest in pregnant females; (ii) across pregnant females, fecal progesterone concentrations were highest during late pregnancy; and (iii) among lactating females, fecal progesterone concentrations were highest after parturition. Our additional validation experiments indicated that contamination with prey hair and drying method are hormone-specific. Although prey hair did not release hormones into samples during storage or extraction for either hormone, its presence appeared to “dilute” progesterone (but not corticosterone) measures indirectly by increasing the dry weight of samples. In addition, fecal progesterone, but not corticosterone, values were lower for lyophilized than for incubated samples. Therefore, in addition to the standard analytical and biological validation steps, additional methodological variables need to be tested whenever we measure fecal hormone concentrations, particularly from predatory mammals.
Takahashi, Maressa Q.; Rothman, Jessica M.; Raubenheimer, David; Cords, Marina(
, American Journal of Primatology)
Abstract
Generalist primates eat many food types and shift their diet with changes in food availability. Variation in foods eaten may not, however, match variation in nutrient intake. We examined dietary variation in a generalist‐feeder, the blue monkey (Cercopithecus mitis), to see how dietary food intake related to variation in available food and nutrient intake. We used 371 all‐day focal follows from 24 adult females (three groups) in a wild rainforest population to quantify daily diet over 9 months. We measured food availability using vegetation surveys and phenology monitoring. We analyzed >700 food and fecal samples for macronutrient content. Subjects included 445 food items (species‐specific plant parts and insect morphotypes) in their diet. Variation in fruit consumption (percentage of diet and total kcal) tracked variation in availability, suggesting fruit was a preferred food type. Fruits also constituted the majority of the diet (by calories) and some fruit species were eaten more than expected based on relative availability. In contrast, few species of young leaves were eaten more than expected. Also, subjects ate fewer young leaves (based on calories consumed) when fruit or young leaves were more available, suggesting that young leaves served as fallback foods. Despite the broad range of foods in the diet, group differences in fiber digestibility, and variation that reflected food availability, subjects and groups converged on similar nutrient intakes (grand mean ± SD: 637.1 ± 104.7 kcal overall energy intake, 293.3 ± 46.9 kcal nonstructural carbohydrate, 147.8 ± 72.4 kcal lipid, 107.8 ± 12.9 kcal available protein, and 88.1 ± 17.5 kcal structural carbohydrate;N = 24 subjects). Thus, blue monkeys appear to be food composition generalists and nutrient intake specialists, using flexible feeding strategies to regulate nutrient intake. Findings highlight the importance of simultaneously examining dietary composition at both levels of foods and nutrients to understand primate feeding ecology.
Schmidt, Kristen M., Haddad, Eliot N., Sugino, Kameron Y., Vevang, Karin R., Peterson, Lisa A., Koratkar, Revati, Gross, Myron D., Kerver, Jean M., and Comstock, Sarah S. Dietary and plasma carotenoids are positively associated with alpha diversity in the fecal microbiota of pregnant women. Journal of Food Science 86.2 Web. doi:10.1111/1750-3841.15586.
Schmidt, Kristen M., Haddad, Eliot N., Sugino, Kameron Y., Vevang, Karin R., Peterson, Lisa A., Koratkar, Revati, Gross, Myron D., Kerver, Jean M., & Comstock, Sarah S. Dietary and plasma carotenoids are positively associated with alpha diversity in the fecal microbiota of pregnant women. Journal of Food Science, 86 (2). https://doi.org/10.1111/1750-3841.15586
Schmidt, Kristen M., Haddad, Eliot N., Sugino, Kameron Y., Vevang, Karin R., Peterson, Lisa A., Koratkar, Revati, Gross, Myron D., Kerver, Jean M., and Comstock, Sarah S.
"Dietary and plasma carotenoids are positively associated with alpha diversity in the fecal microbiota of pregnant women". Journal of Food Science 86 (2). Country unknown/Code not available: Wiley-Blackwell. https://doi.org/10.1111/1750-3841.15586.https://par.nsf.gov/biblio/10454438.
@article{osti_10454438,
place = {Country unknown/Code not available},
title = {Dietary and plasma carotenoids are positively associated with alpha diversity in the fecal microbiota of pregnant women},
url = {https://par.nsf.gov/biblio/10454438},
DOI = {10.1111/1750-3841.15586},
abstractNote = {AbstractBecause microbes use carotenoids as an antioxidant for protection, dietary carotenoids could be associated with gut microbiota composition. We aimed to determine associations among reported carotenoid intake, plasma carotenoid concentrations, and fecal bacterial communities in pregnant women. Pregnant women (n= 27) were enrolled in a two‐arm study designed to assess feasibility of biospecimen collection and delivery of a practical nutrition intervention. Plasma and fecal samples were collected and women were surveyed with a 24‐hr dietary checklist and recalls. Plasma carotenoids were analyzed by HPLC using photodiode array detection. Fecal bacteria were analyzed by 16S rRNA DNA sequencing. Results presented are cross‐sectional from the 36‐week gestational study visit combined across both study arms due to lack of significant differences between intervention and usual care groups (n= 23 women with complete data). Recent intake of carotenoid‐containing foods included carrots, sweet potatoes, mangos, apricots, and/or bell peppers for 48% of women; oranges/orange juice (17%); egg (39%); tomato/tomato‐based sauces (52%); fruits (83%); and vegetables (65%). Average plasma carotenoid concentrations were 6.4 µg/dL α‐carotene (AC), 17.7 µg/dL β‐carotene (BC), 11.4 µg/dL cryptoxanthin, 39.0 µg/dL trans‐lycopene, and 29.8 µg/dL zeaxanthin and lutein. AC and BC concentrations were higher in women who recently consumed foods high in carotenoids. CR concentrations were higher in women who consumed oranges/orange juice. Microbiota α‐diversity positively correlated with AC and BC. Microbiota β‐diversity differed significantly across reported intake of carotenoid containing foods and plasma concentrations of AC. This may reflect an effect of high fiber or improved overall dietary quality, rather than a specific effect of carotenoids. Practical ApplicationLittle is known about the association between the gut microbiome and specific dietary microconstituents, such as carotenoids, especially during pregnancy. This research demonstrates that a carotenoid‐rich diet during pregnancy supports a diverse microbiota, which could be one mechanism by which carotenoids promote health.},
journal = {Journal of Food Science},
volume = {86},
number = {2},
publisher = {Wiley-Blackwell},
author = {Schmidt, Kristen M. and Haddad, Eliot N. and Sugino, Kameron Y. and Vevang, Karin R. and Peterson, Lisa A. and Koratkar, Revati and Gross, Myron D. and Kerver, Jean M. and Comstock, Sarah S.},
}
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