Improvement of Gut Barrier Function by Potato Anthocyanins Is Dependent on Gut Microbiota

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is characterized by chronic colonic inflammation, impaired barrier function and gut bacterial dysbiosis. Anthocyanin-containing potatoes have been shown to maintain the intestinal barrier function in colitic mice. However, the role of gut microbiota in the anti-colitic effects of anthocyanin- containing potatoes is not clear. This study evaluated the gut barrier protective efficacy of purple- and red-fleshed potatoes using a DSS- induced murine model of colitis with the intact and antibiotic-depleted microbiota

Influence of genetic variability on specialty potato functional components and their effect on prostate cancer cell lines

The influence of genotype (selection), location, and year on antioxidant activity (AOA), total phenolics (TP), total carotenoids (TC), phenolic and carotenoid composition was studied using specialty (colored) potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) from the Texas Potato Variety Development Program, grown at two Texas locations (McCook and Dalhart), and in two years (2003 and 2004). Chlorogenic acid, gallic acid, catechin, caffeic acid, and malvidin-3-(p-coumaryl rutinoside)–5-galactoside were the major phenolics, and lutein and violaxanthin were the major carotenoids identified. The AOA, TP, and TC and phenolic composition differed significantly with genotype, location and year. However, genotypic effects were larger than location and year effects. Selection CO112F2-2 was high in all the measured parameters and also stable across locations and years, suggesting that this selection could be used as a parent in breeding varieties with improved health benefits. The AOA, TP and chlorogenic acid content were highly significantly correlated with one another. The effects of whole specialty potato extracts, fractions and individual compounds on LNCaP (androgen-dependent) and PC-3 (androgen-independent) prostate cancer cells were also investigated. Ethanol extract of the selection CO112F2-2 (5 µg chlorogenic acid eq/ml), the anthocyanin fraction (AF; 5 µg chlorogenic acid eq/ml), gallic acid and chaconine showed potent anti-proliferative properties and increased the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27 levels in LNCaP and PC-3 cells. Induction of apoptosis was cell context dependent and associated with JNK (c-Jun NH2-terminal Kinase) and Erk (extracellular signal regulated kinase) activation. Cell death pathways, induced by potato extract and the AF, were associated with Erk and JNK activation, and these kinases activated caspase-independent apoptosis through nuclear translocation of endonuclease G (endo G) and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) in both cell lines. Induction of caspase-dependent apoptosis was also kinase-dependent but was observed only in LNCaP cells. Kinase inhibitors reversed this nuclear translocation of endo G and AIF. This is the first report showing that the cytotoxic activities of potato extract/AF in cancer cells were due to activation of caspase-independent apoptosis

Complexation With Polysaccharides Enhanced Polyphenol Gastrointestinal Stability and Activity

Fruits and vegetables contain dietary polyphenols and polysaccharides. Accumulating evidence suggests that polyphenol- containing whole foods are protective against inflammation-promoted chronic colonic diseases. However, isolated polyphenols are less stable and may not confer the same gastrointestinal health benefits as that of the whole food matrix. Therefore, we hypothesized that the complex- ation of anthocyanins, a class of polypheonols, with polysaccharides would enhance colonic concentration and stability of anthocyanins, and attenuate impaired barrier function

Identification and Characterization of Edible Cricket Peptides on Hypertensive and Glycemic In Vitro Inhibition and Their Anti-Inflammatory Activity on RAW 264.7 Macrophage Cells

Recent studies continue to demonstrate the potential of edible insects as a protein base to obtain bioactive peptides applicable for functional food development. This study aimed at identifying antihypertensive, anti-glycemic, and anti-inflammatory peptides derived from the in vitro gastrointestinal digests of cricket protein hydrolysates. After sequential fractionation, the protein digest subfraction containing the lowest molecular weight (\u3c0.5 kDa), hydrophobic (C18) and cationic peptides (IEX) was found responsible for the most bioactivity. The cationic peptide fraction significantly reduced (p \u3c 0.05) α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity in vitro, and also inhibited the expression of NF-κB in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. A total of 28 peptides were identified with mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) and de novo sequencing from the potent fraction. Three novel peptides YKPRP, PHGAP, and VGPPQ were chosen for the molecular docking studies. PHGAP and VGPPQ exhibited a higher degree of non-covalent interactions with the enzyme active site residues and binding energies comparable to captopril. Results from this study demonstrate the bioactive potential of edible cricket peptides, especially as ACE inhibitors

Resveratrol suppresses IGF-1 induced human colon cancer cell proliferation and elevates apoptosis via suppression of IGF-1R/Wnt and activation of p53 signaling pathways

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Obesity is a global phenomenon and is associated with various types of cancer, including colon cancer. There is a growing interest for safe and effective bioactive compounds that suppress the risk for obesity-promoted colon cancer. Resveratrol (trans-3, 4', 5,-trihydroxystilbene), a stilbenoid found in the skin of red grapes and peanuts suppresses many types of cancers by regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis through a variety of mechanisms, however, resveratrol effects on obesity-promoted colon cancer are not clearly established.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We investigated the anti-proliferative effects of resveratrol on HT-29 and SW480 human colon cancer cells in the presence and absence of insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1; elevated during obesity) and elucidated the mechanisms of action using IGF-1R siRNA in HT-29 cells which represents advanced colon carcinogenesis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Resveratrol (100-150 μM) exhibited anti-proliferative properties in HT-29 cells even after IGF-1 exposure by arresting G₀/G₁-S phase cell cycle progression through p27 stimulation and cyclin D1 suppression. Treatment with resveratrol suppressed IGF-1R protein levels and concurrently attenuated the downstream Akt/Wnt signaling pathways that play a critical role in cell proliferation. Targeted suppression of IGF-1R using IGF-1R siRNA also affected these signaling pathways in a similar manner. Resveratrol treatment induced apoptosis by activating tumor suppressor p53 protein, whereas IGF-1R siRNA treatment did not affect apoptosis. Our data suggests that resveratrol not only suppresses cell proliferation by inhibiting IGF-1R and its downstream signaling pathways similar to that of IGF-1R siRNA but also enhances apoptosis via activation of the p53 pathway.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>For the first time, we report that resveratrol suppresses colon cancer cell proliferation and elevates apoptosis even in the presence of IGF-1 via suppression of IGF-1R/Akt/Wnt signaling pathways and activation of p53, suggesting its potential role as a chemotherapeutic agent.</p

Characterization of Maize Near-Isogenic Lines With Enhanced Flavonoid Expression to Be Used as Tools in Diet-Health Complexity

Increasing incidence of chronic diseases in the 21st century has emphasized the importance of developing crops with enhanced nutritional value. Plant-based diets are associated with reduced incidence of many chronic diseases. The growing population and increased food demand have prioritized the development of high-yielding commercial crop varieties at the expense of natural flavors as well as health-benefiting compounds including polyphenols. Flavonoids are a large subfamily of polyphenols abundant in the plant kingdom with known health-promoting effects, making them a promising trait to be re-introduced into elite lines. Given the vast array of flavonoids and the complexity of plant food metabolome interactions, it is difficult to identify with certainty the specific class(es) of flavonoids in the food matrix that are anti-inflammatory. To address this, we have developed four maize near-isogenic lines (NILs); a line that lacked both anthocyanins and phlobaphenes, a second NIL containing phlobaphenes, a third line had anthocyanins, and a fourth line that contained both anthocyanins and phlobaphenes. The phytochemical profiles and the antioxidant potential of the NILs were characterized. The accumulation of anthocyanins and phlobaphenes contributed significantly to antioxidant capacity compared to maize lines that lacked one or both of the compounds (p \u3c 0.05). Pilot study showed that intake of flavonoid-rich maize diets were able to alleviate experimental colitis in mice. These NILs offer novel materials combining anthocyanins and phlobaphenes and can be used as powerful tools to investigate the disease-preventive effects of specific flavonoid compound in diet/feeding experiments

Characterization of Maize Near-Isogenic Lines With Enhanced Flavonoid Expression to Be Used as Tools in Diet-Health Complexity

Increasing incidence of chronic diseases in the 21st century has emphasized the importance of developing crops with enhanced nutritional value. Plant-based diets are associated with reduced incidence of many chronic diseases. The growing population and increased food demand have prioritized the development of high-yielding commercial crop varieties at the expense of natural flavors as well as health-benefiting compounds including polyphenols. Flavonoids are a large subfamily of polyphenols abundant in the plant kingdom with known health-promoting effects, making them a promising trait to be re-introduced into elite lines. Given the vast array of flavonoids and the complexity of plant food metabolome interactions, it is difficult to identify with certainty the specific class(es) of flavonoids in the food matrix that are anti-inflammatory. To address this, we have developed four maize near-isogenic lines (NILs); a line that lacked both anthocyanins and phlobaphenes, a second NIL containing phlobaphenes, a third line had anthocyanins, and a fourth line that contained both anthocyanins and phlobaphenes. The phytochemical profiles and the antioxidant potential of the NILs were characterized. The accumulation of anthocyanins and phlobaphenes contributed significantly to antioxidant capacity compared to maize lines that lacked one or both of the compounds (p \u3c 0.05). Pilot study showed that intake of flavonoid-rich maize diets were able to alleviate experimental colitis in mice. These NILs offer novel materials combining anthocyanins and phlobaphenes and can be used as powerful tools to investigate the disease-preventive effects of specific flavonoid compound in diet/feeding experiments

Role of Gut Microbiota in Anti-Colitic Effects of Color-Fleshed Potatoes

The prevalence of ulcerative colitis (UC), a chronic inflammatory bowel disease, is on the rise with ∼700,000 patients in the US alone in 2018. Gut bacterial dysbiosis plays an important role in ulcerative colitis. We have recently shown that anthocyanin-containing potatoes exert anti-inflammatory activity in colitic mice. However, no information is available on whether gut bacteria play a role in the anti-colitic activity of color-fleshed potatoes. This study examined the anti-colitic activity of red/purple-fleshed potatoes in mice with intact and antibiotic-ablated microbiome

Resveratrol suppresses human colon cancer cell proliferation and induces apoptosis via targeting the pentose phosphate and the talin-FAK signaling pathways-A proteomic approach

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>We and others have previously reported that resveratrol (RSV) suppresses colon cancer cell proliferation and elevates apoptosis <it>in vitro </it>and/or <it>in vivo</it>, however molecular mechanisms are not fully elucidated. Particularly, little information is available on RSV's effects on metabolic pathways and the cell-extra cellular matrix (ECM) communication that are critical for cancer cell growth. To identify important targets of RSV, we analyzed whole protein fractions from HT-29 advanced human colon cancer cell line treated with solvent control, IGF-1 (10 nM) and RSV (150 μM) using LC/MS/MS-Mud PIT (Multidimensional Protein Identification Technology).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), a vital metabolic pathway for cell cycle progression, was elevated and suppressed by IGF-1 and RSV, respectively in the HT-29 cell line. Enzymatic assays confirmed RSV suppression of glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase (rate limiting) and transketolase, key enzymes of the PPP. RSV (150 μM) suppressed, whereas IGF-1 (10 nM) elevated focal adhesion complex (FAC) proteins, talin and pFAK, critical for the cell-ECM communication. Western blotting analyses confirmed the suppression or elevation of these proteins in HT-29 cancer cells treated with RSV or IGF-1, respectively.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Proteomic analysis enabled us to establish PPP and the talin-pFAK as targets of RSV which suppress cancer cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in the colon cancer cell line HT-29. RSV (150 μM) suppressed these pathways in the presence and absence of IGF-1, suggesting its role as a chemo-preventive agent even in obese condition.</p

Intermittent Antibiotic Treatment Accelerated the Development of Colitis in IL-10 Knockout Mice

Many epidemiological studies suggest an association between antibiotic exposure and the development of inflammatory bowel disease [IBD]. However, the majority of these studies are observational and still the question remains, “Does the specific antibiotic administration regimen play a role in the development of colitis?” This study aimed to compare the possible effects of continuous and intermittent antibiotic exposure on the development of colitis using a colitis-susceptible IL-10 knockout [IL-10–/–] mouse model