Changes in Plasma Acylcarnitine and Lysophosphatidylcholine Levels Following a High-Fructose Diet: A Targeted Metabolomics Study in Healthy Women.

Anita Gonzalez-Granda,Antje Damms-Machado,Maryam Basrai,Stephan Bischoff

doi:10.3390/nu10091254

Abstract

Background: The consumption of high amounts of fructose is associated with metabolic diseases. However, the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. Objective: To determine the effects of high fructose intake on plasma metabolomics. Study design: We enrolled 12 healthy volunteers (six lean and six obese women, age 24–35 years) in a crossover intervention study. All participants carried out three diets: (1) low fructose (<10 g/day); (2) high fructose (100 g/day) from natural food sources (fruit); and (3) high fructose (100 g/day) from high fructose syrup (HFS). Outcome measures: The primary outcome was changes in plasma metabolites measured by targeted metabolomics. Results: High compared to low fructose diets caused a marked metabolite class separation, especially because of changes in acylcarnitine and lysophosphatidylcholine levels. Both high fructose diets resulted in a decrease in mean acylcarnitine levels in all subjects, and an increase in mean lysophosphatidylcholine and diacyl-phosphatidylcholine levels in obese individuals. Medium chain acylcarnitines were negatively correlated with serum levels of liver enzymes and with the fatty liver index. Discussion: The metabolic shifts induced by high fructose consumption suggest an inhibition of mitochondrial β-oxidation and an increase in lipid peroxidation. The effects tended to be more pronounced following the HFS than the fruit diet.

Highlights

Recent data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) andFood and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) reported an increased consumption of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) in the European Union and predicted a dramatic rise of 225% by the year 2025 [1]
The corresponding loading plot (Figure 2B) suggests that acylcarnitines were mainly responsible for the clustering of the low fructose diet and were altered in the low fructose phases
Acylcarnitine C16:1 seems to be mostly responsible for the clustering of the low fructose diet while lysoPC a C14:0 for the high fructose diet samples

Summary

Introduction

Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) reported an increased consumption of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) in the European Union and predicted a dramatic rise of 225% by the year 2025 [1]. In the United States, the consumption of HFCS, which is often used to sweeten soft drinks, has increased enormously [2]. HFCS, consisting of a minimum of 55% fructose, the remaining part being glucose, is made from corn starch. It is often called corn syrup or fructose-glucose syrup. Objective: To determine the effects of high fructose intake on plasma metabolomics. Results: High compared to low fructose diets caused a marked metabolite class separation, especially because of changes in acylcarnitine and lysophosphatidylcholine levels

Objectives

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Results

Conclusion