Chronic dietary intake of quercetin alleviates hepatic fat accumulation associated with consumption of a Western-style diet in C57/BL6J mice

Scope: To determine the effect of consumption of a quercetin‐rich diet on obesity and dysregulated hepatic gene expression. Methods and results: C56BL/6J mice were fed for 20 wk on AIN93G (control) or a Western diet high in fat, cholesterol and sucrose, both with or without 0.05% quercetin. Triglyceride levels in plasma, thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances (oxidative stress marker) and glutathione levels and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor α expression in livers of mice fed with the Western diet were all improved after 8 wk feeding with quercetin. After 20 wk, further reductions of visceral and liver fat accumulation and improved hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, dyslipidemia and plasma adiponectin and TNFα levels in these mice fed with quercetin were observed. The expression of hepatic genes related to steatosis, such as peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ and sterol regulatory element‐binding protein‐1c was also normalized by quercetin. In mice fed with the control diet, quercetin did not affect body weight but reduces the plasma TNFα and hepatic thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substance levels. Conclusion: In mice fed with a Western diet, chronic dietary intake of quercetin reduces liver fat accumulation and improves systemic parameters related to metabolic syndrome, probably mainly through decreasing oxidative stress and reducing PPARα expression, and the subsequent reduced expression in the liver of genes related to steatosis.     

玉米膳食纤维对实验性高脂血症小鼠降脂作用的影响

探讨玉米膳食纤维（CDF）对小鼠诱导型高脂血症降脂作用的影响。选用雄性昆明小鼠70只，经高脂饲料诱导成高脂血症模型，按体重和血清总胆固醇水平均衡分为7组，其中6组分别给予添加一定量的玉米膳食纤维构成的高脂饲料，另1组以高脂饲料作为参照组，观察玉米膳食纤维对小鼠体重，食量的影响及每周测定血浆脂质变化。结果表明：添加量在5％以上时小鼠的血清总胆固醇（TC）、血清甘油三酯（TG）显著降低（P〈0．05）和血清高密度胆固醇（HDL-c）5周后有显著升高（P〈0．05）。当玉米膳食纤维的添加量为5％以上时，玉米膳食纤维具有明显的降脂效果。     

Response of laying hens fed on a restricted isocaloric intake basis to oil supplementation of a low-fat ration

Dept. of Agricultural Chemistry, Queen's University, Belfast and Ministry of Agriculture, N. Ireland Two experiments are described in which varying levels of corn oil or cod liver oil were added to the diet of birds previously maintained from one day old on a low-fat cornflour-based diet containing 0–35% linpleic acid. All diets were fed at three different metabolisable energy (ME) intake levels, the birds being fed a weighed quantity of food daily. Neither ME intake nor dietary corn oil or cod liver oil supplementation had any significant influence on egg size. Increasing levels of dietary ME increased the number of eggs laid, the response being very rapid and occurring within the first 28 days. Any effect of dietary com oil was exerted mainly through the size of eggs laid, although these differences in egg size were not great enough to attain statistical significance. The response to dietary corn oil was not as rapid as the response to dietary ME and no significant effect of corn oil was observed until the second 28-day period. Dietary corn oil increased the efficiency of conversion of dietary ME to egg product but dietary cod liver oil was without effect.     

Dietary quercetin alleviates diabetic symptoms and reduces streptozotocin‐induced disturbance of hepatic gene expression in mice

Quercetin is a food component that may ameliorate the diabetic symptoms. We examined hepatic gene expression of BALB/c mice with streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced diabetes to elucidate the mechanism of the protective effect of dietary quercetin on diabetes‐associated liver injury. We fed normal and STZ‐induced diabetic mice with diets containing quercetin for 2 wk and compared the patterns of hepatic gene expression in these groups of mice using a DNA microarray. Diets containing 0.1 or 0.5% quercetin lowered the STZ‐induced increase in blood glucose levels and improved plasma insulin levels. A cluster analysis of the hepatic gene expressions showed that 0.5% quercetin diet suppressed STZ‐induced alteration of gene expression. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and quantitative RT‐PCR analysis showed that the quercetin diets had greatest suppressive effect on the STZ‐induced elevation of expression of cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor p21(WAF1/Cip1) (Cdkn1a). Quercetin also suppressed STZ‐induced expression of Cdkn1a in the pancreas. Dietary quercetin might improve liver and pancreas functions by enabling the recovery of cell proliferation through the inhibition of Cdkn1a expression. Unexpectedly, in healthy control mice the 0.5 and 1% quercetin diets reduced the expression of ubiquitin C (Ubc), which has heat‐shock element (HSE) in the promoter region, in the liver.     

Excess dietary iodine differentially affects thyroid gene expression in diabetes, thyroiditis-prone versus -resistant BioBreeding (BB) rats

Scope : To identify genes involved in the susceptibility to iodine‐induced autoimmune thyroiditis. Methods and results : Diabetes, thyroiditis‐prone (BBdp) and ‐resistant (BBc) rats were fed either a control or a high‐iodine diet for 9 wk. Excess iodine intake increased the incidence of insulitis and thyroiditis in BBdp rats. BBdp rats fed the high‐iodine diet that did not develop thyroiditis had higher mRNA levels of Fabp4, Cidec, perilipin, Pparγ and Slc36a2 than BBdp rats fed the control diet and BBc rats fed either the control or the high‐iodine diet. BBdp rats fed the high‐iodine diet that did develop thyroiditis had higher mRNA levels of Cidec, Icam1, Ifitm1, and Slpi than BBdp rats fed the control diet and BBc rats fed either the control or the high‐iodine diet. BBdp rats that did develop thyroiditis had lower mRNA levels of Fabp4, perilipin and Slc36a2 but higher mRNA levels of Icam1, Ifitm1 and Slpi than BBdp that did not develop thyroiditis. Excess dietary iodine also increased the protein levels of Fabp4, Cidec and perilipin in BBdp rats. Conclusion : Differential expression of thyroid genes in BBdp versus BBc rats caused by excess dietary iodine may be implicated in autoimmune thyroiditis and insulitis pathogenesis.     

Dietary supplementation with polysaccharides from Semen cassiae enhances immunoglobulin production and interleukin gene expression in early‐weaned piglets

Forty piglets were used to determine the effect of 14‐day dietary supplementation with polysaccharides from Semen cassiae (PSSA) on the immunity and interleukin (IL) gene expression in early‐weaned piglets. Piglets were weaned at 21 days of age and four pigs were euthanized to provide the data at initial point. The remaining 36 pigs were fed the following corn‐ and soybean meal‐based diets: the control diet (non‐PSSA), the low‐level PSSA diet (the control diet supplemented with 0.04% of PSSA), and the high‐level PSSA diet (the control diet supplemented with 0.08% PSSA). Blood samples were collected on days 0 and 14, and lymph nodes on day 14 of the experimental period for the following measurements: IL‐1β gene expression in blood mononuclear cells and jejunal mucosa; IL‐2 gene expression in lymphatic nodes; serum levels of cytokines (IL‐1β, IL‐2, and IL‐6); serum concentrations of immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG and IgM). Weaning stress resulted in decreases in serum antibody levels and cytoimmunity. Compared with the control group, dietary supplementation with a high level of PSSA increased: (1) serum concentrations of IL‐1β, IL‐2 and IL‐6, as well as IgG, IgA and IgM; (2) expression of the IL‐1β and IL‐2 genes in blood mononuclear cells and lymphatic nodes; and (3) expression of the IL‐1β gene in the jejunal mucosa. These novel findings suggest that polysaccharides from Semen cassiae enhance both the cell‐mediated immune response and the humoral immunity in the early‐weaned piglets. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

DIETARY LIPIDS CHANGE THE EXPRESSION OF A PROLIFERATION MARKER IN MURINE 9,10-DIMETHYL-1,2-BENZANTHRACENE-INDUCED SALIVARY TUMORS

Salivary tumors were induced by 9,10-dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene injection into the submandibulary gland of mice fed with different dietary lipids. Tumor tissue from 10 mice fed with diets containing corn oil (CO) or fish oil (FO) were immunohistochemically stained for Cx26, β- and γ-catenin, BAX, Bcl-2 and Ki-67. The percentage of animals showing different levels of biomarker expression in epithelial, mesenchymal and stromal cells was calculated in each group. The number of nuclei positive for Ki-67 per 500 total cells was calculated.
Reduced expression of Cx26 was observed in FO group as compared to CO. The staining was similar for β-catenin, γ-catenin, BAX and Bcl-2 in both groups. The Ki-67 labeling index was significantly different for CO and FO (0.45–0.40, P <  0.0008).
The lower expression of Ki-67 in FO mice could indicate less cellular proliferation.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Dietary fatty acids (FAs) affect tumorigenesis. This study examines the effect of dietary lipids on proliferation, apoptosis, cell adhesion and intercellular communication level change during tumorigenesis. Since dietary lipids may be protective or act as promoters of tumorigenesis, the beneficial and negative effects of different FAs could help inform nutrition recommendations directed to the population.     

Effects of dietary fish oil replacement with flaxseed oil on tissue fatty acid composition and expression of desaturase and elongase genes

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of total or partial substitution of dietary fish oil (FO) by flaxseed oil (FlaxO) in Jade Tiger hybrid abalone on fatty acid composition of muscle, gonad and digestive gland, and the expression of desaturase and elongase genes. Abalone were fed five different experimental diets in which FO (control diet) was serially replaced by 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% FlaxO respectively. RESULTS: Muscle, gonad and digestive gland of abalone fed the control diet and the diets containing 25%, 50% and 75% FlaxO showed significantly higher (P < 0.05) levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) compared to those fed the 100% FlaxO. The results also showed that Δ‐6 desaturase and elongase gene expression in muscle was increased in a graded manner by increasing dietary FlaxO. The expression of both genes was higher in abalone fed the FlaxO‐substituted diets compared to the abalone fed FO. CONCLUSION: The replacement of FO with FlaxO in commercial abalone diets at levels of 25–75% can improve the composition of health‐benefiting n‐3 polyunsturated fatty acids in tissues of cultured hybrid abalone, and achieve similar outcomes to FO supplementation. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of High Fat Diets on Body Mass,Oleylethanolamide Plasma Levels and Oxytocin Expression in Growing Rats

Obesity prevalence in developed countries has promoted the need to identify the mechanisms involved in control of feeding and energy balance. We have tested the hypothesis that different fats present in diet composition may contribute in body weight gain and body indexes by regulation of oxytocin gene (oxt) expression in hypothalamus and Oleylethanolamide (OEA) levels in plasma. Sprague–Dawley rats were fed two high fat diets, based on corn (HCO) and extra virgin olive oil (HOO) and results were compared to a low fat diet (LF). LC‐MS/MS analysis showed an increasing trend of OEA plasma levels in HOO group, although no significant differences were found. However, body weight gain of LF and HOO were similar and significantly lower than HCO. HCO rats also had higher Lee index than HOO. Rats fed HOO diet showed higher levels of hypothalamic oxt mRNA expression, which could indicate that oxytocin may be modulated by dietary lipids.     

The effect of chemically‐modified resistant starch,RS type‐4, on body weight and blood lipid profiles of high fat diet‐induced obese mice

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding chemically‐modified resistant starch type‐4 (RS4) of normal (NCS) and high‐amylose corn starch (HACS) on weight gain and plasma and liver lipid profiles of mice fed a high‐fat diet (HFD). The experimental four groups were, respectively, fed following diets: A 40% HFD with NCS, HACS, NCS‐ and HACS‐RS4. A normal diet (ND) group of mice fed the standard diet was also used as control. In order to produce RS4 by chemical modification, corn starches were treated with STMP/STPP. Total RS (TRS) and total dietary fiber (TDF) levels of chemically‐modified NCS were 26.4 and 44.0%, respectively, while TRS and TDF levels in chemically‐modified HACS were 78.1 and 78.5%, respectively. Onset gelatinization temperatures of both modified corn starches clearly shifted to higher temperatures after STMP/STPP treatment. At the end of the diet trial, the mice on the HACS diet decreased body weight gain compared to the NCS‐fed mice. Adding NCS‐ and HACS‐RS4 to the diet significantly reduced the weight gain relative to NCS and HACS groups. Both RS4 diets were effective in improving the lipid profile compared to their respective controls. They significantly reduced the level of total lipid and total cholesterol.     

裙带菜膳食纤维对小鼠某些免疫功能指标的影响

用裙带菜膳食纤维饲喂BALB/C鼠,测定其耳片肿胀度、半数溶血值、碳粒廓清指数K和吞噬指数α、小鼠T细胞亚群、淋巴细胞增殖功能、NK细胞杀伤活性等指标,发现饲喂裙带菜膳食纤维显著增加了正常小鼠碳粒廓清指数K和吞噬指数α,提高了免疫低下小鼠的碳粒廓清指数K和吞噬指数α、HC50、免疫低下小鼠T细胞亚群、淋巴细胞增殖功能。这些结果表明,裙带菜膳食纤维对于免疫功能低下小鼠的免疫功能具有一定恢复作用。     

Effect of substituting brown rice for corn on lactation and digestion in dairy cows fed diets with a high proportion of grain

The effects of the substitution of brown rice (Oryza sativa L.; BR) for corn (Zea mays L.) in ensiled total mixed ration (TMR) that had a high proportion of grain on feed intake, lactation performance, ruminal fermentation, digestion, and N utilization were evaluated. Nine multiparous Holstein cows (51 ± 9 d in milk) were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design with 3 dietary treatments: a diet containing 0, 20, or 40% steam-flaked BR and 40, 20, or 0% steam-flaked corn (dry matter basis). Cows were fed ad libitum an ensiled TMR consisting of 40.7% alfalfa silage, 11.8% grass silage, 7.1% soybean meal, and 40.0% steam-flaked grain (dry matter basis). The ensiled TMR was prepared by baling fresh TMR, and then sealed by a bale wrapper and stored outdoors at 5 to 30°C for over 6 mo. Dry matter intake and milk yield were lower for cows fed 40% BR than for cows fed 40% corn. The ruminal pH and total volatile fatty acid concentrations were not affected by dietary treatment. The ruminal ammonia-N concentration decreased as the percentage of BR in the diets was elevated. The proportion of acetate decreased, and that of propionate and butyrate increased with the increasing levels of BR. Plasma urea-N concentrations was lower and glucose and insulin concentrations were higher for cows fed 40% BR than for cows fed 40% corn. The whole-tract apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, and starch increased, and the digestibility of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber decreased with the increasing BR level in the diet, with no dietary effect on crude protein digestion. As a proportion of N intake, the urinary N excretion was lower and the retention of N was higher for cows fed 40% BR than for cows fed 40% corn, with no dietary effect observed on N secretion in milk and fecal N excretion. These results show that substituting BR for corn decreases urinary N losses and improves N utilization, but causes adverse effects on milk production when cows are fed high-grain diets at 40% of dietary dry matter.     

玉米油与猪油1∶1调和油对小鼠血脂、肝功能及肝脏抗氧化能力的影响

目的:模拟中国人饮食习惯,以小鼠为实验对象,探讨不同玉米油与猪油1∶1调和油(后称为调和油)摄入量对其血脂含量、肝功能以及肝脏抗氧化能力的影响。方法:将24只8周龄雄性昆明小鼠随机平均分为空白组、推荐摄入量组和实际摄入量组,每组分别在基础日粮中添加0%、3.8%和6.5%(质量分数)的调和油,饲喂8周后称小鼠体质量,解剖,取外周血清检测血脂和肝功能指标,取完整肝脏测量肝指数、进行组织形态观测和组织切片镜检,对肝脏进行组织匀浆检测氧化损伤指标。结果:小鼠的肝指数与饲料中所添加的调和油剂量呈正相关,空白组小鼠肝脏碱性磷酸酶、谷丙转氨酶和谷草转氨酶活性均明显高于摄入油脂组,推荐摄入量组的小鼠肝脏总抗氧化能力显著高于空白组和实际摄入量组,空白组的肝脏氧化损伤程度显著高于推荐摄入量组和实际摄入量组。结论:不食用油脂对小鼠肝功能有一定的影响;推荐摄入量的玉米油与猪油1∶1调和油能提高小鼠肝脏抗氧化能力,降低氧化损伤。     

玉米皮膳食纤维对反式脂肪酸致小鼠胰岛素抵抗的影响

目的：研究玉米皮膳食纤维对反式脂肪酸所致小鼠胰岛素抵抗的影响。方法：采用反式脂肪酸饲料诱导建立小鼠高脂血症模型,分别给予低、中、高3 种剂量3 种玉米皮膳食纤维（水溶性膳食纤维（soluble dietary fiber,SDF）、水不溶性膳食纤维（insoluble dietary fiber,IDF）和m（SDF）：m（IDF）=1∶3）。结果：反式脂肪酸的摄入导致小鼠血糖水平、血清胰岛素水平和胰岛素抵抗指数显著增加（P＜0.01）,胰岛素敏感指数、胰岛β细胞功能和总超氧化物歧化酶显著降低（P＜0.01）。玉米皮膳食纤维干预能够降低小鼠血糖水平和胰岛素抵抗指数,提高胰岛素敏感指数和胰岛β细胞功能,且高剂量m（SDF）∶m（IDF）=1∶3的玉米皮膳食纤维干预组以上指标与反式脂肪酸组对比,差异均非常显著（P＜0.01）,效果最好。结论：反式脂肪酸能够导致小鼠胰岛素抵抗,玉米皮膳食纤维干预能够改善小鼠的胰岛素抵抗状况,且高剂量m（SDF）∶m（IDF）=1∶3效果最好。     

No Influence of Exogenous Hyaluronan on the Behavior of Human Cancer Cells or Endothelial Cell Capillary Formation

Hyaluronan (HA), a type of glycosaminoglycan used to construct the extracellular matrix, is involved in the proliferation and motility of cells, including cancer cells. The aim of this study was to determine whether exogenous HA has an influence on cancer in vitro and in vivo. High‐molecular‐weight HA (900 kDa) and low‐molecular‐weight HA (10 kDa) were added to several types of cancer cell lines in vitro, and proliferation and invasion were assessed. The effect of HA on capillary formation by human umbilical vein endothelial cells was also analyzed. The results showed that both types of HA had no apparent effect on cellular proliferation, invasion, or capillary formation. In an animal study, the 2 types of HA were orally administered to tumor‐bearing mice at a dosage of 200 mg/kg/d for 4 wk. Analysis using an in vivo imaging system revealed that tumor proliferation and metastasis were not greatly altered by HA administration. Furthermore, CD31 immunohistochemical staining revealed no obvious change in tumor microvessels. Taken together, these results demonstrate that exogenously administered HA has little effect on cancer. This study may support the safety of various forms of HA administration, including oral intake.     

8-HYDROXY-2'DEOXYGUANOSINE LEVELS AND ANTIOXIDANT STATUS IN RAT LIVER FED WITH OLIVE AND CORN OIL DIETS: EFFECT OF ASCORBIC ACID SUPPLEMENATION

DNA damage and antioxidants status were determined in liver of rat fed with olive and corn oil diets with and without ascorbic acid supplementation. In order to elucidate the role of fat intake, the study included a control and hyperlipidic diet. Liver antioxidant activities were significantly influenced by dietary fat and intake levels. In general, control groups fed with corn oil diets exhibited reduced liver antioxidant (SOD, catalase, and GSH-PX) and GSH levels compared with rats fed on olive oil diets. These activities were lower in rats consuming hyperlipidic diets relative to the control groups. Ascorbic acid supplementation resulted in a slight decrease of antioxidant activities both in the control and hyperlipidic diets with the exception of GSH that showed high levels in rats fed on an olive oil diet supplemented with ascorbic acid. The results of oxidative DNA damage as measured by the induction of 8-hydroxy deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) clearly confirmed that corn diet (rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids) induced DNA damage in a dose- dependent manner. No induction of 8-OHdG was detected for the diet containing olive oil (monounsaturated diet). Ascorbic acid had no effect on rat fed on an olive oil diet. In contrast, for corn diets the ascorbic acid showed     

Comparison of the Effects of Roasted and Boiled Red Kidney Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) on Glucose/Lipid Metabolism and Intestinal Immunity in a High‐Fat Diet‐Induced Murine Obesity Model

Consumption of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is associated with beneficial effects on lipid and glucose metabolism; however, the influence of the bean processing method on these health benefits is not well understood. To investigate this, we processed red kidney beans (RKBs), a variety of the common bean, by roasting and boiling and compared the physiological effects of the two preparations in male C57BL/6N mice fed a high‐fat diet (HFD). The two RKB preparations differed mainly in their resistant starch content (roasted, 24.5%; boiled, 3.1%). Four groups of mice were fed for 12 weeks on a normal diet or a HFD (45 kcal% fat) supplemented with 10% control chow (HFD control group), 10% roasted RKB, or 10% freeze‐dried boiled RKB. We found that intake of roasted RKBs prevented hypercholesterolemia and increased fecal IgA and mucin content compared with the HFD control group, while intake of boiled RKBs improved glucose tolerance. Both RKB preparations suppressed the HFD‐associated increase in plasma aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels, which are markers of liver injury. Mice fed roasted RKBs showed significantly increased hepatic expression of cholesterol 7‐alpha‐monooxygenase mRNA, suggesting that cholesterol suppression may be due to enhanced bile acid biosynthesis. In contrast, mice fed boiled RKBs showed significantly increased cecal content of n‐butyric acid, which may be related to the improved glucose tolerance in this group. These results indicate that the method by which RKBs are processed can profoundly affect their health benefits.     

Rice protein concentrate partially replaces dried whey in the diet for early‐weaned piglets and improves their growth performance

BACKGROUND: Recently, rice protein concentrate (RPC), a much cheaper source of dietary protein, has become commercially available for use in the feed industry. Importantly, dietary supplementation with RPC can increase feed intake by early‐weaned pigs. The objective of this study was to determine whether RPC can replace milk protein in the diet for early‐weaned pigs. RESULTS: Neither average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), nor the feed/gain ratio differed among the treatment groups in weeks 1 and 2. In week 3, the addition of 5 or 10% RPC to diets increased (P < 0.05) ADFI and ADG of pigs compared to those in the control group fed a 60% dried whey diet. During the entire 21‐day trial, ADFI and ADG were greater (P < 0.05) in pigs fed the 5 and 10% RCP diets than in pigs fed the 60% dried whey and 15% RCP diets. There were no differences in the serum concentrations of growth hormone on days 14 and 21, serum concentrations of insulin growth factor‐I (IGF‐I) on day 14, or IGF‐I gene expression in liver and skeletal muscle on days 14 and 21 among the dietary treatments. Serum concentrations of IGF‐I in pigs fed the 5, 10 and 15% RPC diets were greater than those in pigs fed the 60% dried whey diet. CONCLUSION: Findings indicate that up to 10% RPC can be used to replace dried whey in the diet for 7‐ to 21‐day‐old weaned piglets and can improve their growth performance. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Growth inhibitory efficacy of lycopene and β-carotene against androgen-independent prostate tumor cells xenografted in nude mice

Scope : In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of lycopene against the growth of prostate cancer in vivo. Methods and results : Athymic nude mice were implanted subcutaneously with human androgen‐independent prostate carcinoma PC‐3 cells. They were supplemented with a low or a high dose of lycopene (4 and 16 mg/kg) and a single dose of β‐carotene (16 mg/kg) twice a week for 7 wk. At the end of the experiment, both lycopene and β‐carotene strongly inhibited the tumor growth, as evidenced by the decrease in tumor volume and tumor weight. High‐dosage lycopene and β‐carotene significantly decreased the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen in tumor tissues and increased the levels of insulin‐like growth factor‐binding protein‐3 in plasma. In addition, high‐dosage lycopene supplementation significantly decreased the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in plasma. In contrast, β‐carotene supplementation significantly increased the VEGF levels, as compared with tumor control group. Conclusion : Lycopene and β‐carotene supplementation suppressed the growth of prostate tumor cells, and the effects are likely associated with reduction of proliferation (attenuation of proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression) and with interference of the insulin‐like growth factor 1 signaling (increased plasma insulin‐like growth factor‐binding protein‐3 levels). Furthermore, the inhibition of VEGF by lycopene suggests that the antitumor mechanisms of lycopene also involve anti‐angiogenesis.     

Taking the Bitter with the Sweet: Relationship of Supertasting and Sweet Preference with Metabolic Syndrome and Dietary Intake

Results examining the effects of tasting profile on dietary intake and health outcomes have varied. This study examined the interaction of sweet liker (SL) and supertaster (ST) (bitter taste test through phenylthiocarbamide [PTC]) status with incidence of metabolic syndrome. Participants (n = 196) as part of baseline testing in a behavioral weight loss study completed measures assessing SL and ST status, metabolic syndrome, and dietary intake. SLs were more likely to be African American. More women than men were STs. There was a significant interaction between ST and SL status as associated with metabolic syndrome, after adjustment for demographic characteristics. This interaction was also significantly associated with fiber and caloric beverage intake. Post hoc analyses showed that participants who were only an ST or SL appeared to have a decreased risk of having metabolic syndrome compared with those who have a combination or are neither taster groups (P = 0.047) and that SL + ST consumed less fiber than SL + non‐ST (P = 0.04). Assessing genetic differences in taster preferences may be a useful strategy in the development of more tailored approaches to dietary interventions to prevent and treat metabolic syndrome. Practical Application : Tasting profile, such as sweet liking (SL) or supertaster (ST), may be influenced by genetics, and therefore in turn, may influence dietary intake. The present study found an interaction between ST and SL status with incidence of metabolic syndrome and fiber and caloric beverage intake. Testing people for these tasting profiles may assist with tailoring dietary recommendations, particularly around fiber and caloric beverage intake, and provide a way to modify metabolic syndrome risk.