Effects of Acute Aerobic Exercise on Whole Genome Nucleosome Maps, Transcriptomics and Acylcarnitine Metabolomics in Skeletal Muscle of Lean Vs Overweight/Obese Men

Skeletal muscle mitochondrial dysfunction, evidenced by incomplete beta oxidation and accumulation of fatty acid intermediates in the form of long and medium chain acylcarnitines, may contribute to ectopic lipid deposition and insulin resistance during high fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity. Anterograde and retrograde communication play a role in nucleo-mitochondrial crosstalk that determines skeletal muscle mitochondrial adaptations, specifically alterations in mitochondrial number and function in relation to obesity and insulin resistance. High fat diet (HFD) feeding affects the expression of nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes (NEMGs) nuclear receptor factor 1 (NRF-1), 2 (NRF-2) and peroxisome proliferator receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1α) thereby, playing a role in the onset and progression of insulin resistance during obesity. These HFD-induced alterations in NEMG expression affect skeletal muscle mitochondrial adaptations in relation to beta oxidation of fatty acids. Acylcarnitines or fatty acid intermediates resulting from mitochondrial beta oxidation have a potential to act as retrograde signals in nucleo-mitochondrial crosstalk. In contrast to these effects of HFD, many studies have shown that acute exercise upregulates PGC-1α and other NEMGs in association with improvement in insulin sensitivity and beneficial mitochondrial adaptations

Effects of Acute Aerobic Exercise on Whole Genome Nucleosome Maps, Transcriptomics and Acylcamitine Metabolomics in Skeletal Muscle of Lean vs Overweight/Obese Men

Skeletal muscle mitochondrial dysfunction, evidenced by incomplete beta oxidation and accumulation of fatty acid intermediates in the form of long and medium chain acylcarnitines, may contribute to ectopic lipid deposition and insulin resistance during high fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity. Anterograde and retrograde communication play a role in nucleo-mitochondrial crosstalk that determines skeletal muscle mitochondrial adaptations, specifically alterations in mitochondrial number and function in relation to obesity and insulin resistance. High fat diet (HFD) feeding affects the expression of nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes (NEMGs) nuclear receptor factor 1 (NRF-1), 2 (NRF-2) and peroxisome proliferator receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1α) thereby, playing a role in the onset and progression of insulin resistance during obesity. These HFD-induced alterations in NEMG expression affect skeletal muscle mitochondrial adaptations in relation to beta oxidation of fatty acids. Acylcarnitines or fatty acid intermediates resulting from mitochondrial beta oxidation have a potential to act as retrograde signals in nucleo-mitochondrial crosstalk. In contrast to these effects of HFD, many studies have shown that acute exercise upregulates PGC-1α and other NEMGs in association with improvement in insulin sensitivity and beneficial mitochondrial adaptations

Higher intake of certain nutrients among older adults is associated with better cognitive function: an analysis of NHANES 2011–2014

Abstract Background An increasing number of adults are over the age of 65, and there is concern about the increasing prevalence of age-associated cognitive decline and poor mental health status in older adults in the United States. Several nutrients are known to have important biological roles in brain health and neurological function, but many individuals fall short of recommended intake levels. The objective of this study was to examine the association between nutrient intake and cognitive function. We also explored whether nutrient intake was associated with depression. Methods This cross-sectional study was based on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011–2014 and included participants ≥ 60 years of age who had reliable day 1 dietary recall data and either valid cognitive function data (n = 2713) or valid depression score data (n = 2943). The sample was stratified by gender, and cognitive functioning test (CFT) composite z-scores were analyzed by quartiles. Depression status was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Results Higher intake and adequacy of a number of different nutrients from food were associated with higher cognitive function in both males and females. Nutrients that showed the most consistent associations with cognitive function across intake and adequacy analyses for food in both males and females were vitamin A, vitamin E, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B6, folate, magnesium, potassium, zinc, vitamin K, and lutein and zeaxanthin (p < 0.05 for all). These associations were positive with increasing intake and adequacy being associated with higher CFT composite z-scores. Analysis of nutrient intake and depression yielded results that differed by gender. In females, the nutrients that showed consistent inverse associations with depression scores across both intake and adequacy analyses for food were vitamin A, vitamin C, magnesium, vitamin K, potassium, and dietary fiber (p < 0.05 for all). In males, no significant associations between nutrient intake from food and depression scores were observed. Conclusions Our findings suggest that older adults with sufficient intakes of certain essential nutrients have higher cognitive function. Future studies are needed to confirm whether a well-balanced diet and/or dietary supplements which emphasize these nutrients are effective for prevention of age-related declines in cognitive function and mood

Socioeconomic Inequalities Impact the Ability of Pregnant Women and Women of Childbearing Age to Consume Nutrients Needed for Neurodevelopment : An Analysis of NHANES 2007–2018

Adequate consumption of nutrients that support infant neurodevelopment is critical among pregnant women and women of childbearing age. Understanding the potential effects of socioeconomic inequalities on nutrient gaps in these life stages is thus important for informing strategies to mitigate negative health consequences. Usual intake (foods and dietary supplements) of neurodevelopment-related nutrients was determined from 24 h recalls among women of childbearing age and pregnant women (20–44 years) using data from 2007–2018 NHANES. Usual intake was compared across household food security, poverty-to-income ratio (PIR), and household participation in federal food and nutrition assistance programs. Intake of EPA + DHA was universally low with >95% of all women (pregnant and non-pregnant) below the DGA recommendation from foods alone. Women in households that participated in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program had a significantly lower intake of multiple nutrients relative to those who did not participate. For example, 50% had intakes below the estimated average requirement (EAR) for vitamin A (versus 32%), 42% were below the EAR for calcium (versus 33%) and 65% were below the EAR for magnesium (versus 42%). Similar gradients were observed by PIR and household food security, and among pregnant women whereby gaps were more evident in those experiencing socioeconomic inequalities. The use of dietary supplements attenuated shortfalls for most nutrients. These findings highlight a critical need to support the nutritional requirements for women of childbearing age and pregnant women.Medicine, Faculty ofNon UBCPopulation and Public Health (SPPH), School ofReviewedFacultyResearche

Long-chain omega-3 fatty acid serum concentrations across life stages in the USA: an analysis of NHANES 2011–2012

Objective To determine reference ranges of circulating long-chain (LC) omega-3 fatty acids: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in a nationally representative population of Americans. To provide context, serum concentrations of LC omega-3 were compared with concentrations associated with consuming the recommended amount of EPA and DHA by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) and the Omega-3 Index (EPA+DHA).Design Cross-sectional population-based study.Setting The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011–2012 cycle.Participants Participants with fatty acids measured in serum: 945 children, age 3–19 years, and 1316 adults, age 20 and older.Main measure Serum EPA, DPA, DHA and sum of LC omega-3 fatty acids expressed as per cent of total fatty acids.Results Among children, mean (SE) serum concentrations of EPA, DHA and omega-3s were 0.28% (0.01), 1.07% (0.02) and 1.75% (0.03). Among adults, mean (SE) of EPA, DHA and omega-3s were 0.61% (0.02), 1.38% (0.05) and 2.43% (0.08), all of which were significantly higher than corresponding serum fatty acid concentrations in children (p&lt;0.001). Despite recommendations for higher intake, pregnant and/or breastfeeding women had mean (SE) EPA, DHA and LC omega-3 concentrations of 0.34% (0.07), 1.52% (0.08) and 2.18% (0.15), which were comparable to women of childbearing age; p=0.17, p=0.10 and p=0.73. Over 95% of children and 68% of adults had LC omega-3 concentrations below those associated with the DGA recommendation. Approximately 89% of adults had an Omega-3 Index in the high cardiovascular risk category.Conclusions Contemporary reference ranges for circulating LC omega-3s are critical for setting public health recommendations. Our findings show the need for continued emphasis on regular consumption of LC omega-3s among Americans, particularly considering the importance of LC omega-3s in cardiovascular health, brain health and development throughout life

Quercetin and Quercetin-Rich Red Onion Extract Alter Pgc-1α Promoter Methylation and Splice Variant Expression

Pgc-1α and its various isoforms may play a role in determining skeletal muscle mitochondrial adaptations in response to diet. 8 wks of dietary supplementation with the flavonoid quercetin (Q) or red onion extract (ROE) in a high fat diet (HFD) ameliorates HFD-induced obesity and insulin resistance in C57BL/J mice while upregulating Pgc-1α and increasing skeletal muscle mitochondrial number and function. Here, mice were fed a low fat (LF), high fat (HF), high fat plus quercetin (HF + Q), or high fat plus red onion extract (HF + RO) diet for 9 wks and skeletal muscle Pgc-1α isoform expression and DNA methylation were determined. Quantification of various Pgc-1α isoforms, including isoforms Pgc-1α-a, Pgc-1α-b, Pgc-1α-c, Pgc-1α4, total NT-Pgc-1α, and FL-Pgc-1α, showed that only total NT-Pgc-1α expression was increased in LF, HF + Q, and HF + RO compared to HF. Furthermore, Q supplementation decreased Pgc-1α-a expression compared to LF and HF, and ROE decreased Pgc-1α-a expression compared to LF. FL-Pgc-1α was decreased in HF + Q and HF + RO compared to LF and HF. HF exhibited hypermethylation at the −260 nucleotide (nt) in the Pgc-1α promoter. Q and ROE prevented HFD-induced hypermethylation. −260 nt methylation levels were associated with NT-Pgc-1α expression only. Pgc-1α isoform expression may be epigenetically regulated by Q and ROE through DNA methylation