Disentangling the Effects of Monounsaturated Fat From Other Components of a Mediterranean Diet on Serum Metabolite Profiles: A Randomized Fully Controlled Dietary Intervention in Healthy Subjects at Risk of The Metabolic Syndrome

Scope The Mediterranean (MED) diet is considered to be beneficial, however the contribution of the MUFA component in these beneficial effects is unclear. Therefore, we wanted to disentangle the effects of MUFA from the other components in a MED diet. Methods and Results We performed a randomized fully controlled parallel trial to examine the effects of the consumption of a saturated fatty acid (SFA)‐rich diet, a MUFA‐rich diet, or a MED diet for eight weeks on serum metabolome, in 47 subjects at risk of the metabolic syndrome. We assessed 162 serum metabolites before and after the intervention, by using a targeted NMR platform. 52 metabolites were changed during the intervention (FDR p<0.05). Both MUFA and MED diet decreased exactly the same fractions of LDL, including particle number, lipid, phospholipid and free cholesterol fraction (FDR p <0.05). The MED diet additionally decreased the larger subclasses of VLDL, several related VLDL fractions, VLDL‐triglycerides, and serum‐triglycerides (FDR p<0.05). Conclusion Our findings clearly demonstrate that the MUFA component is responsible for reducing several LDL subclasses and fractions, and therefore causes a more anti‐atherogenic lipid profile. Interestingly, consumption of the other components in the MED diet show additional health effects. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00405197

Attenuated strength gains during prolonged resistance exercise training in older adults with high inflammatory status

Objectives: Chronic systemic low grade inflammation is associated with the age-related loss of muscle mass. Resistance exercise has been suggested to reduce or lower chronic systemic low grade inflammation. However, systemic chronic low-grade inflammation may adversely affect the adaptive response to exercise training. We investigated the effect of resistance exercise training on systemic chronic low-grade inflammation in older adults. In addition, we studied the association between systemic chronic low-grade inflammation and the adaptive response to exercise training. Design/setting/participants: Frail and pre-frail older adults (61 subjects) performed 24 weeks of progressive resistance exercise training. Frailty was assessed using the Fried frailty criteria. Measurements: Lean body mass (DXA), strength (1RM), circulating levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α were measured prior to exercise training, after 12 weeks of training, and after 24 weeks of training. Results: Prolonged progressive resistance exercise training did not affect circulating levels of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α. However, exercise training led to a small but significant increase of 0.052 pg/mL in IL-1β. Higher circulating levels of TNF-α, IL-8 and IL-6 during the training period were negatively associated with strength gains for the leg press. A doubling of plasma TNF-α, IL-8 or IL-6 resulted in reduced strength gains for leg press with coefficients of −3.52, −3.42 and −1.54 respectively. High levels of circulating TNF-α were also associated with decreased strength gains for the leg extension (coefficient −1.50). Inflammatory cytokines did not appear to have an effect on gains in lean mass. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that increased levels of plasma cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8) are associated with lower strength gains during resistance exercise training

No effect of calcifediol supplementation on skeletal muscle transcriptome in vitamin D deficient frail older adults

Vitamin D deficiency is common among older adults and has been linked to muscle weakness. Vitamin D supplementation has been proposed as a strategy to improve muscle function in older adults. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of calcifediol (25-hydroxycholecalciferol) on whole genome gene expression in skeletal muscle of vitamin D deficient frail older adults. A double-blind placebo controlled trial was conducted in vitamin D deficient frail older adults (aged above 65), characterized by blood 25-hydroxycholecalciferol concentrations between 20 and 50 nmol/L. Subjects were randomized across the placebo group (n=12) and the calcifediol group (n=10, 10 µg per day). Muscle biopsies were obtained before and after six months of calcifediol or placebo supplementation and subjected to whole genome gene expression profiling using Affymetrix HuGene 2.1ST arrays. Expression of the vitamin D receptor gene was virtually undetectable in human skeletal muscle biopsies. Calcifediol supplementation led to a significant increase in blood 25-hydroxycholecalciferol levels compared to the placebo group. No difference between treatment groups was observed on strength outcomes. The whole transcriptome effects of calcifediol and placebo were very weak. Correcting for multiple testing using false discovery rate did not yield any differentially expressed genes using any sensible cut-offs. P-values were uniformly distributed across all genes, suggesting that low p-values are likely to be false positives. Partial least squares-discriminant analysis and principle component analysis was unable to separate treatment groups. Calcifediol supplementation did not affect the skeletal muscle transcriptome in frail older adults. Our findings indicate that vitamin D supplementation has no effects on skeletal muscle gene expression, suggesting that skeletal muscle may not be a direct target of vitamin D in older adults

Comparative Analysis of the Effects of Fish Oil and Fenofibrate on Plasma Metabolomic Profiles in Overweight and Obese Individuals

Scope: The drug fenofibrate and dietary fish oils can effectively lower circulating triglyceride (TG) concentrations. However, a detailed comparative analysis of the effects on the plasma metabolome is missing.Methods and Results: Twenty overweight and obese subjects participate in a double-blind, cross-over intervention trial and receive in a random order 3.7 g day(-1) n-3 fatty acids, 200 mg fenofibrate, or placebo treatment for 6 weeks. Four hundred twenty plasma metabolites are measured via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Among the treatments, 237 metabolites are significantly different, of which 22 metabolites change in the same direction by fish oil and fenofibrate, including a decrease in several saturated TG-species. Fenofibrate additionally changes 33 metabolites, including a decrease in total cholesterol, and total lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), whereas 54 metabolites are changed by fish oil, including an increase in unsaturated TG-, LPC-, phosphatidylcholine-, and cholesterol ester-species. All q < 0.05.Conclusion: Fenofibrate and fish oil reduce several saturated TG-species markedly. These reductions have been associated with a decreased risk for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). Interestingly, fish oil consumption increases several unsaturated lipid species, which have also been associated with a reduced CVD risk. Altogether, this points towards the power of fish oil to change the plasma lipid metabolome in a potentially beneficial way

Comparative Analysis of the Effects of Fish Oil and Fenofibrate on Plasma Metabolomic Profiles in Overweight and Obese Individuals

Scope: The drug fenofibrate and dietary fish oils can effectively lower circulating triglyceride (TG) concentrations. However, a detailed comparative analysis of the effects on the plasma metabolome is missing.Methods and Results: Twenty overweight and obese subjects participate in a double-blind, cross-over intervention trial and receive in a random order 3.7 g day(-1) n-3 fatty acids, 200 mg fenofibrate, or placebo treatment for 6 weeks. Four hundred twenty plasma metabolites are measured via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Among the treatments, 237 metabolites are significantly different, of which 22 metabolites change in the same direction by fish oil and fenofibrate, including a decrease in several saturated TG-species. Fenofibrate additionally changes 33 metabolites, including a decrease in total cholesterol, and total lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), whereas 54 metabolites are changed by fish oil, including an increase in unsaturated TG-, LPC-, phosphatidylcholine-, and cholesterol ester-species. All q < 0.05.Conclusion: Fenofibrate and fish oil reduce several saturated TG-species markedly. These reductions have been associated with a decreased risk for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). Interestingly, fish oil consumption increases several unsaturated lipid species, which have also been associated with a reduced CVD risk. Altogether, this points towards the power of fish oil to change the plasma lipid metabolome in a potentially beneficial way

Expression of protocadherin gamma in skeletal muscle tissue is associated with age and muscle weakness

The skeletal muscle system plays an important role in the independence of older adults. In this study we examine differences in the skeletal muscle transcriptome between healthy young and older subjects and (pre‐)frail older adults. Additionally, we examine the effect of resistance‐type exercise training on the muscle transcriptome in healthy older subjects and (pre‐)frail older adults. Baseline transcriptome profiles were measured in muscle biopsies collected from 53 young, 73 healthy older subjects, and 61 frail older subjects. Follow‐up samples from these frail older subjects (31 samples) and healthy older subjects (41 samples) were collected after 6 months of progressive resistance‐type exercise training. Frail older subjects trained twice per week and the healthy older subjects trained three times per week. At baseline genes related to mitochondrial function and energy metabolism were differentially expressed between older and young subjects, as well as between healthy and frail older subjects. Three hundred seven genes were differentially expressed after training in both groups. Training affected expression levels of genes related to extracellular matrix, glucose metabolism, and vascularization. Expression of genes that were modulated by exercise training was indicative of muscle strength at baseline. Genes that strongly correlated with strength belonged to the protocadherin gamma gene cluster (r = −0.73). Our data suggest significant remaining plasticity of ageing skeletal muscle to adapt to resistance‐type exercise training. Some age‐related changes in skeletal muscle gene expression appear to be partially reversed by prolonged resistance‐type exercise training. The protocadherin gamma gene cluster may be related to muscle denervation and re‐innervation in ageing muscle

Expression of protocadherin gamma in skeletal muscle tissue is associated with age and muscle weakness

The skeletal muscle system plays an important role in the independence of older adults. In this study we examine differences in the skeletal muscle transcriptome between healthy young and older subjects and (pre‐)frail older adults. Additionally, we examine the effect of resistance‐type exercise training on the muscle transcriptome in healthy older subjects and (pre‐)frail older adults. Baseline transcriptome profiles were measured in muscle biopsies collected from 53 young, 73 healthy older subjects, and 61 frail older subjects. Follow‐up samples from these frail older subjects (31 samples) and healthy older subjects (41 samples) were collected after 6 months of progressive resistance‐type exercise training. Frail older subjects trained twice per week and the healthy older subjects trained three times per week. At baseline genes related to mitochondrial function and energy metabolism were differentially expressed between older and young subjects, as well as between healthy and frail older subjects. Three hundred seven genes were differentially expressed after training in both groups. Training affected expression levels of genes related to extracellular matrix, glucose metabolism, and vascularization. Expression of genes that were modulated by exercise training was indicative of muscle strength at baseline. Genes that strongly correlated with strength belonged to the protocadherin gamma gene cluster (r = −0.73). Our data suggest significant remaining plasticity of ageing skeletal muscle to adapt to resistance‐type exercise training. Some age‐related changes in skeletal muscle gene expression appear to be partially reversed by prolonged resistance‐type exercise training. The protocadherin gamma gene cluster may be related to muscle denervation and re‐innervation in ageing muscle

Nutritional Supplement Use by Dutch Elite and Sub-Elite Athletes: Does Receiving Dietary Counselling Make a Difference?

The use of nutritional supplements is highly prevalent among athletes. In this cross-sectional study we assessed the prevalence of nutritional supplement use by a large group of Dutch competitive athletes in relation to dietary counselling. A total of 778 athletes (407 males and 371 females) completed a web-based questionnaire about the use of nutritional supplements. Log-binomial regression models were applied to estimate crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) for the use of individual nutritional supplements in athletes receiving dietary counselling as compared to athletes not receiving dietary counselling. Of the athletes 97.2% had used nutritional supplements at some time during their sports career, whereas 84.7% indicated having used supplements during the last 4 weeks. The top ranked supplements used over the last 4 weeks from dietary supplements, sport nutrition products and ergogenic supplements were multivitamin and mineral preparations (42.9%), isotonic sports drinks (44.1%) and caffeine (13.0%). After adjustment for elite status, age, and weekly exercise duration, dietary counselling was associated with a higher prevalence of the use of vitamin D, recovery drinks, energy bars, isotonic drinks with protein, dextrose, beta-alanine, and sodium bicarbonate. In contrast, dietary counselling was inversely associated with the use of combivitamins, calcium, vitamin E, vitamin B2, retinol, energy drinks and BCAA and other amino acids. In conclusion, almost all athletes had used nutritional supplements at some time during their athletic career. Receiving dietary counselling seemed to result in better informed choices with respect to the use of nutritional supplements related to performance, recovery, and health

PLIS: A metabolomic response monitor to a lifestyle intervention study in older adults

The response to lifestyle intervention studies is often heterogeneous, especially in older adults. Subtle responses that may represent a health gain for individuals are not always detected by classical health variables, stressing the need for novel biomarkers that detect intermediate changes in metabolic, inflammatory, and immunity-related health. Here, our aim was to develop and validate a molecular multivariate biomarker maximally sensitive to the individual effect of a lifestyle intervention; the Personalized Lifestyle Intervention Status (PLIS). We used H-1-NMR fasting blood metabolite measurements from before and after the 13-week combined physical and nutritional Growing Old TOgether (GOTO) lifestyle intervention study in combination with a fivefold cross-validation and a bootstrapping method to train a separate PLIS score for men and women. The PLIS scores consisted of 14 and four metabolites for females and males, respectively. Performance of the PLIS score in tracking health gain was illustrated by association of the sex-specific PLIS scores with several classical metabolic health markers, such as BMI, trunk fat%, fasting HDL cholesterol, and fasting insulin, the primary outcome of the GOTO study. We also showed that the baseline PLIS score indicated which participants respond positively to the intervention. Finally, we explored PLIS in an independent physical activity lifestyle intervention study, showing similar, albeit remarkably weaker, associations of PLIS with classical metabolic health markers. To conclude, we found that the sex-specific PLIS score was able to track the individual short-term metabolic health gain of the GOTO lifestyle intervention study. The methodology used to train the PLIS score potentially provides a useful instrument to track personal responses and predict the participant's health benefit in lifestyle interventions similar to the GOTO study.Pathophysiology, epidemiology and therapy of agein

Expression of protocadherin gamma in skeletal muscle tissue is associated with age and muscle weakness

The skeletal muscle system plays an important role in the independence of older adults. In this study we examine differences in the skeletal muscle transcriptome between healthy young and older subjects and (pre‐)frail older adults. Additionally, we examine the effect of resistance‐type exercise training on the muscle transcriptome in healthy older subjects and (pre‐)frail older adults. Baseline transcriptome profiles were measured in muscle biopsies collected from 53 young, 73 healthy older subjects, and 61 frail older subjects. Follow‐up samples from these frail older subjects (31 samples) and healthy older subjects (41 samples) were collected after 6 months of progressive resistance‐type exercise training. Frail older subjects trained twice per week and the healthy older subjects trained three times per week. At baseline genes related to mitochondrial function and energy metabolism were differentially expressed between older and young subjects, as well as between healthy and frail older subjects. Three hundred seven genes were differentially expressed after training in both groups. Training affected expression levels of genes related to extracellular matrix, glucose metabolism, and vascularization. Expression of genes that were modulated by exercise training was indicative of muscle strength at baseline. Genes that strongly correlated with strength belonged to the protocadherin gamma gene cluster (r = −0.73). Our data suggest significant remaining plasticity of ageing skeletal muscle to adapt to resistance‐type exercise training. Some age‐related changes in skeletal muscle gene expression appear to be partially reversed by prolonged resistance‐type exercise training. The protocadherin gamma gene cluster may be related to muscle denervation and re‐innervation in ageing muscle