Changes In Metabolite Profiles Research Articles

Lack of acute or chronic effects of epicatechin-rich and procyanidin-rich apple extracts on blood pressure and cardiometabolic biomarkers in adults with moderately elevated blood pressure: a randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trial

The reported effects of flavanol-rich foods such as cocoa, dark chocolate, and apples on blood pressure and endothelial function may be due to the monomeric flavanols [mainly (-)-epicatechin (EC)], the oligomeric flavanols [procyanidins (PCs)], or other components. Reports of well-controlled intervention studies that test the effects of isolated oligomeric flavanols on biomarkers of cardiovascular health are lacking. We studied the acute and chronic effects of an EC-rich apple flavanol extract and isolated apple PCs on systolic blood pressure (BP) and other cardiometabolic biomarkers. Forty-two healthy men and women with moderately elevated BP completed this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 4-arm crossover trial. Participants ingested a single dose of an apple flavanol extract (70 mg monomeric flavanols, 65 mg PCs), a double dose of this extract (140 mg monomeric flavanols, 130 mg PCs), an apple PC extract (130 mg PCs, 6.5 mg monomeric flavanols), or placebo capsules once daily for 4 wk, in random order. Biomarkers of cardiovascular disease risk and vascular function were measured before and 2 h after ingestion of the first dose and after the 4-wk intervention. Compared with placebo, none of the isolated flavanol treatments significantly (P<0.05) changed systolic or diastolic BP (peripheral and aortic), plasma nitric oxide (NO) reaction products, or measures of arterial stiffness (carotid femoral pulse-wave velocity, brachial-ankle pulse-wave velocity, or Augmentation Index) after 2 h or 4 wk of the intervention. There were no changes in plasma endogenous metabolite profiles or circulating NO; endothelin 1; total, HDL, or LDL cholesterol; triglycerides; fasting glucose; fructosamine; or insulin after 4 wk of the intervention. Our data suggest that, in isolation, neither monomeric flavanols nor PCs affect BP, blood lipid profiles, endothelial function, or glucose control in individuals with moderately elevated BP. The reported benefits of consuming flavanol-rich cocoa, chocolate, and apple products appear to be dependent on other components, which may work in combination with monomeric flavanols and PCs. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02013856.

OR-051 Exploration of Potential Integrated Biomarkers for Sports Monitoring Based on Metabolic Profiling

Objective Metabolomic analysis is extensively applied to identify sensitive and specific biomarkers capable of reflecting pathological processes and physical responses or adaptations. Exercise training leads to profound metabolic changes, manifested as detectable alterations of metabolite levels and significant perturbations of metabolic pathways in sera, urine, and rarely, in saliva. Several metabolites have been exploited as biomarkers for generally evaluating physical states in almost all sports. However, alterations of metabolic profile caused by specific sports would be heterogeneous. Thus, developments of new techniques are eagerly required to identify characteristic metabolites as unique biomarkers for specifically accessing training stimulus and sports performances. In the present work, we conducted both metabolic profiling and a binary logistic regression model (BRM) of biological fluids derived from rowing ergometer test with the following aims: 1) to examine changes of metabolite profiles and identify characteristic metabolites in the samples of sera, urine, and saliva; 2) to screen out potential integrated biomarkers for sports-specific monitoring.&#x0D; Methods A total of 11 rowers (6 male, 5 female; aged 15±1 years; 4±2 years rowing training) underwent an indoor 6000m rowing ergometer test. Samples of sera, urine and saliva were collected before and immediately after the test. 1D 1H NMR spectra were recorded with a Bruker Avance III 650 MHz NMR spectrometer. NMR spectra were processed and aligned, resonances of metabolites were assigned and confirmed, and metabolite levels were calculated based on NMR integrals. Multivariate statistical analysis was carried out using partial least-squares discrimination analysis (PLS-DA) to distinguish metabolic profiles between the groups. The validated PLS-DA model gave the variable importance in the projection (VIP) for a given metabolite. Moreover, inter-group comparisons of metabolite levels were quantitatively conducted using the paired-sample t-test. Then, we identified characteristic metabolites with VIP&gt;1 in PLS-DA and p&lt;0.05 in t-test. Furthermore, we screened out potential biomarkers based on the characteristic metabolites identified from the three types of biological fluids using the BRM (stepwise).&#x0D; Results The rowing training induced profound changes of metabolic profiles in serum and saliva samples rather than in urine samples. Totally, 44 metabolites were assigned in which 19, 20, and 19 metabolites were identified from serum, urine and saliva samples, respectively. Seven metabolites were shared by the three types of samples. Moreover, five characteristic metabolites (pyruvate, lactate, succinate, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, and acetone) were identified from the serum samples. The elevated levels of pyruvate, lactate and succinate suggested that, the rowing training evidently promoted both oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis pathways. Furthermore, three characteristic metabolites (tyrosine, formate, and methanol) were identified from the saliva samples. Given that tyrosine is the precursor of dopamine, the increased level of salivary tyrosine in all rowers experiencing the test, suggesting that salivary tyrosine could be explored as a potential indicator closely related to nervous fatigue in the test. On the other hand, PLS-DA did not show observable distinction of metabolic profiles between the urine samples before and immediately after the test. Moreover, 20 urinary metabolites did not display detectable altered levels. We then established the BRM with the identified characteristic metabolites, from which we selected one optimal regression model based on serum pyruvate and salivary tyrosine (adjusted R square was 0.935, P&lt;0.001), indicating that the two selected metabolites would efficiently reflect the metabolic alterations in the test.&#x0D; Conclusions As far as the 6000m rowing ergometer test is concerned, serum samples could be a preferred resource for assessing the changes of energy metabolism in the test, while urine samples might have a relatively lower sensitivity to exercise-induced metabolic responses. Even though metabolite levels in saliva samples are generally lower than those in serum and urine samples, some salivary metabolites potentially have higher sensitivities to exercise-induced metabolic responses. Thus, the integration of multiple biomarkers identified from different type of species could potentially provide more sensitive and specific manners to monitor physical states in sports and exercise. This work may be of benefit to the exploration of integrated biomarkers for sports-specific monitoring.

Clinical metabolomics analysis of therapeutic mechanism of Tongmai Yangxin Pill on stable angina

Tongmai Yangxin Pill (TMYX) is a traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of angina and arrhythmia. Although its clinical application is extensive, and the curative effect is significant, little information is available on the molecular biological basis and therapeutic mechanism of TMYX for the treatment of stable angina. In this study, we analyzed serum samples of clinical patients collected from seven different clinical units in China after oral administration of TMYX using ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/Q-TOF-MS). Multiple statistical analysis including principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least square discrimination analysis (PLS-DA), were used to examine metabolite profile changes in serum samples. After TMYX treatment, 10 biomarkers were reversed to the normal conditions. The above biomarkers were mainly involved in energy metabolism, amino acid metabolism, oxidative stress and inflammation. These results suggested that TMYX exerted therapeutic effects by improving myocardial energy supply disorder and amino acid dysfunction, and attenuating oxidative stress and inflammation. The present study, as the first multicenter clinical study which reveals the molecular biological basis and therapeutic mechanism of TMYX on stable angina, can provide objective indicators for efficacy evaluation of TMYX on stable angina. And it also lays a foundation for the use of TMYX clinically.

Plasma metabonomics investigation reveals involvement of fatty acid oxidation in hematotoxicity in Chinese benzene-exposed workers with low white blood cell count.

Benzene is an environmental and occupational contaminant. Health hazards associated with occupational benzene exposure is a major public health problem in China. In this study, we analyzed metabolite profiles among plasma samples collected from benzene-exposed workers with low white blood cell count (BLWs) and healthy controls using high-performance liquid chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry. To screen potential benzene hematotoxicity biomarkers and metabolic pathways, principal component analysis was used to examine metabolite profile changes in plasma samples. The alterations in fatty acid oxidation (FAO) pathway were consistent with our previous findings in a mouse model; hence, two key genes were selected and verified in WBC samples. A total of nine identified metabolites were significantly changed in BLWs, which were involved in glutathione metabolism, porphyrin metabolism, lipid metabolism pathway, and FAO metabolism. Furthermore, compared with healthy controls, the mRNA expressions of carnitine acyltransferase (CRAT) and ACADVL were significantly increased in BLWs. Particularly, WBC counts was negatively correlated with the expression of AVADVL in BLWs. These aberrant metabolites could act as potential biomarkers for benzene hematotoxicity. In addition, fatty acid oxidation pathway may play a critical role in the development of hematotoxicity caused by benzene.

Changes in the Elemental and Metabolite Profile of Wheat Phloem Sap during Grain Filling Indicate a Dynamic between Plant Maturity and Time of Day.

The long distance transport of Fe and Zn in the phloem sap of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the key route for seed supply, due to wheat having a xylem discontinuity. To date, our knowledge is limited on Fe and Zn homeostasis in the phloem sap during the reproductive and grain filling stages. With the use of aphid stylectomy to collect samples of phloem sap, we explored maturity and morning versus afternoon (within-day) changes in nutrient and metabolite profiles. Phloem exudate was collected from a wheat breeding line, SAMNYT16, at three times during the grain filling period and at both midday and mid-afternoon. There were significant changes in the concentration of Mg, K, Fe and Zn during the course of grain loading and there were also significant within-day differences for Fe and K concentrations in the phloem exudate during the early phases of grain development. We found that, for K and Fe, there was an increase of 1.1- and 1.4-fold, respectively, for samples taken prior to midday to those from mid-afternoon. There was also a significant decrease in K, Fe and Zn phloem sap concentration of 1.5-, 1.4- and 1.1-fold, respectively, from the start of peak grain loading to the end of grain loading. Of the 79 metabolites detected within samples of phloem exudate, 43 had significant maturity differences and 38 had significant within-day variability. Glutamine was found to increase by 3.3–5.9-fold from midday to mid-afternoon and citric acid was found to decrease by 1.6-fold from the start of grain loading to the end of grain loading. These two metabolites are of interest as they can complex metal ions and may play a role in long distance transport of metal ions. The work presented here gives further insight into the complex composition of the phloem sap and variability that can occur during the day and also with increasing maturity.

Assessing the impact of wastewater treatment plant effluent on downstream drinking water-source quality using a zebrafish (Danio Rerio) liver cell-based metabolomics approach

Cell-based metabolomics was used in a proof-of-concept fashion to investigate the biological effects of contaminants as they traveled from a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) discharge to a drinking water treatment plant (DWTP) intake in a surface-water usage cycle. Zebrafish liver (ZFL) cells were exposed to water samples collected along a surface-water flowpath, where a WWTP was located ∼14.5 km upstream of a DWTP. The sampling sites included: 1) upstream of the WWTP, 2) the WWTP effluent discharging point, 3) a proximal location downstream of the WWTP outfall, 4) a distal location downstream of the WWTP outfall, 5) the drinking water intake, and 6) the treated drinking water collected prior to discharge to the distribution system. After a 48-h laboratory exposure, the hydrophilic and lipophilic metabolites in ZFL cell extracts were analyzed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), respectively. Multivariate statistical analysis revealed distinct changes in metabolite profiles in response to WWTP effluent exposure. These effects on the hydrophilic metabolome gradually diminished downstream of the WWTP, becoming non-significant at the drinking water intake (comparable to upstream of the WWTP, p = 0.98). However, effects on the lipophilic metabolome increased significantly as the river flowed from the distal location downstream of the WWTP to the drinking water intake (p < 0.001), suggesting a source of bioactive compounds in this watershed other than the WWTP. ZFL cells exposed to treated drinking water did not exhibit significant changes in either the hydrophilic (p = 0.15) or lipophilic metabolome (p = 0.83) compared to the upstream site, suggesting that constituents in the WWTP effluent were efficiently removed by the drinking water treatment process. Impacts on ZFL cells from the WWTP effluent included disrupted energy metabolism, a global decrease in amino acids, and altered lipid metabolism pathways. Overall, this study demonstrated the utility of cell-based metabolomics as an effective tool for assessing the biological effects of complex pollutant mixtures, particularly when used as a complement to conventional chemical monitoring.

Prolonged Water Deficit Stress and Methyl Jasmonate-Mediated Changes in Metabolite Profile, Flavonoid Concentrations and Antioxidant Activity in Peppermint (Mentha × piperita L.)

Peppermint (Mentha × piperita L.) infusion is one of the main important sources of antioxidants. This antioxidant property can be enhanced by using elicitors and inducing abiotic stress. This study was conducted to evaluate the foliar application of Methyl Jasmonate (50 µM) and water deficit stress (no stress, mild stress and moderate stress as 100, 75 and 50% of field capacity, respectively) and their interactions on cultivated peppermint on plant growth, secondary metabolite and antioxidant capacity of infusions made under different treatment. Water deficit stress treatments increased flavonoid contents and total phenolic as well as antioxidant capacity significantly. Some phenolic compound such as luteolin, naringenin, coumaric acid, and quercetin were detected only in some drought and Methyl Jasmonate treatments. Also, fewer amino acids such as L-serine, Threonine, 4-aminobutiric acid, 5-oxo-L-proline and unsaturated fatty acids were identified. Also, foliar application of 50 µM Methyl Jasmonate treatment improved plant growth parameters and metabolite profile such as carbohydrates and amino acids in non-stress and stress conditions. Therefore, inducing water stress and applying MeJA is recommended to enhance the biologic properties of peppermint and improve bioactive compounds and the antioxidant capacity of peppermint infusions.

Study on Variation of Polar Metabolites in Control and Water Stressed Gossypium hirsutum L. Using NMR Spectroscopy

In the present study, the variation in polar metabolites in Gossypium hirsutum L. during water stress was observed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) techniques. Discriminating metabolites were elucidated by 1H NMR measurements and 2D-NMR (COSY and HSQC) techniques. Total 46 polar metabolites were detected in control and water stressed G. hirsutum leaf and stem. Nine metabolites in the leaf while thirteen metabolites in the stem were quantified. Highly significant quantitative variations were noticed, among the metabolites, i.e., glucose, glycinebetaine (GB), alanine in leaf and glycinebetaine (GB), scyloinositol in stem. This change in metabolite profile during water stress in G. hirsutum represents the change in metabolomic flux in different pathways.

Red-rot infection in sugarcane attenuates the attractiveness of sugarcane borer-induced plant volatiles to parasitoid

Fungal phytopathogens are known to induce changes in plant metabolite profile and defense levels that consequently affect insect herbivores. Although it is expected that fungal plant infection may also affect herbivore natural enemies that are guided by plant chemical cues, few studies have addressed this interaction. Here, we examined the effect of infection in sugarcane by the red-rot fungus, which is usually associated with the injury of the sugarcane-borer Diatraea saccharalis, on plant defenses by assessing borer weight gain and the attractiveness of herbivore-induced plant volatiles to the parasitoid Cotesia flavipes. Olfactometer assays and GC–MS analysis showed that although red-rot-infected plants released a different volatile blend from mock-inoculated, the wasps showed no preference for either of the two treatments. Red-rot disease also caused qualitative and quantitative changes in the volatile blend emitted by herbivore-damaged plants relative to healthy and damaged plants, such as the addition of the fungal-derived 1-octen-3-ol and either a reduction or an increase of volatiles. These differences were detected by C. flavipes, which preferred volatiles released by herbivore-damaged healthy over herbivore-damaged infected plants. When given a choice between mock-inoculated and herbivore-damaged infected plants, the wasps preferred infected ones. Sugarcane-borer larvae were larger when fed on healthy plants relative to red-rot infected sugarcane plants, indicating that parasitoid wasps likely benefit from being attracted to volatiles of healthy over infected damaged sugarcane. Although the infection did not seem to disrupt the parasitoid host-location, red-rot disease attenuates the attractiveness of herbivore-induced sugarcane volatiles to C. flavipes.

Toxicity and metabolomics study of isocarbophos in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Although isocarbophos is a widely used insecticide, its toxicity to aquatic organisms has not been well characterized. In this study, zebrafish were exposed to isocarbophos at concentrations of 50 µg L−1 and 200 µg L−1 to assess its bioaccumulation, metabolic disruption, and oxidative stress. Metabolomics analysis based on 1H NMR spectroscopy showed that 50 µg L−1 and 200 µg L−1 isocarbophos exposure induced increases in leucine, isoleucine, valine, and alanine compared to levels in the control. Lactate, creatine, and taurine were reduced in the 50 µg L−1 isocarbophos exposure group, and only lactate decreased in response to 200 µg L−1 isocarbophos. After zebrafish were exposed to 50 and 200 µg L−1 isocarbophos for 28 days, the activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and GPx) and GSH contents decreased significantly in the liver. This result indicates that there was significant oxidative stress in the liver. Furthermore, changes in metabolite profiles significantly covaried with changes in several oxidative stress endpoints based on partial least squares regression. These results will contribute to the environmental risk assessment of isocarbophos and clarify the mechanism underlying its toxicity in zebrafish.

Changes in Metabolite Profiles of Dough and Regulation of Metabolite Concentrations by Baker’s Yeast

Changes in Metabolite Profiles of Dough and Regulation of Metabolite Concentrations by Baker’s Yeast

PO-210 Synergy between the KEAP1/NRF2 and PI3K pathways drives non-small cell lung cancer with an altered metabolism

IntroductionThe lung is a highly oxidative environment, tolerated through the engagement of tightly controlled stress response pathways. A critical stress response mediator is the transcription factor Nuclear Factor Erythroid-2-Related Factor 2 (NFE2L2/NRF2), which is negatively regulated by Kelch-like ECH-Associated Protein 1 (KEAP1). Alterations in the KEAP1/NRF2 pathway have been identified in 23% of lung adenocarcinomas, suggesting that deregulation of the pathway is a major driver in lung cancer.Material and methodsWe conditionally deleted Keap1 (Keap1f/f) in the lung, utilising inhalation of Adenovirus-driven Cre. The effects on lung cancer development were investigated using histopathology, metabolomics and flow cytometry.Results and discussionsWe found that, while loss of Keap1 alone displayed no abnormalities in the lung, loss of Keap1 combined with loss of the tumour suppressor Pten, promoted malignant transformation. We further monitored tumour progression and immune infiltration in the lung, and metabolite profile changes in the serum of the Keap1f/f/Ptenf/f mouse model. Notably, a tumour-specific metabolite signature was identified in the plasma of Keap1f/f/Ptenf/f tumour-bearing mice, which indicated that tumourigenesis is associated with metabolic reprogramming. Furthermore, the immune milieu was dramatically changed by Keap1 and Pten deletion, and tumour regression was achieved utilising immune checkpoint inhibition.ConclusionOur study highlights the ability to exploit both metabolic and immune characteristics in the detection and treatment of lung adenocarcinomas harbouring KEAP1/NRF2 pathway alterations.

Exploration of the Relationship between Intestinal Colostrum or Milk, and Serum Metabolites in Neonatal Calves by Metabolomics Analysis.

In contrast to colostral immunoglobulins, changes in metabolite composition of ingested colostrum in the gut have received little attention. Here, we characterized the metabolite profiles of colostrum and milk, ingested colostrum and milk, and serum of neonatal calves by liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry metabolomics approaches. Colostrum and milk underwent similar changes in metabolite profiles in the gut after being ingested. These changes were characterized by increases in methionine, glutamate, thymine, and phosphorylcholine. After ingestion, colostrum concentrations of several metabolites, such as γ-aminobutyric acid, glutamate, cinnamic acid, and thymine increased, whereas concentrations ofd-ribose, and arginine decreased. These increases and decreases occurred in a time-dependent manner and were associated with alanine, aspartate, glutamate, and pyrimidine metabolism, and valine, leucine, and isoleucine biosynthesis, respectively. Meanwhile, similar changes in serum metabolites were also observed in neonatal calves fed colostrum, which implies that colostrum metabolites are transported across the small intestine and into the bloodstream. In addition, several metabolites of ingested milk were detected in the gut, and were also transferred to the bloodstream. These metabolites were related to phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan, valine, leucine, and isoleucine biosynthesis, the citrate cycle, and histidine metabolism. These findings reveal that the serum metabolome of neonatal calves' changes as a result of ingesting colostrum, which can provide health-related benefits in early life.

Friend or foe? The role of leaf-inhabiting fungal pathogens and endophytes in tree-insect interactions

Abstract Trees are large organisms that structure forest ecosystems by providing an environment for an enormous diversity of animal, microbial and plant species. As these species use trees as their common hosts, many are likely to interact with each other directly or indirectly. From studies on herbaceous plant species we know that microbes can affect the interaction of plants with herbivorous insects, for example via changes in plant metabolite profiles. The consequences of fungal colonization for tree-insect interactions are, however, barely known, despite the importance of these ecological communities. In this review we explore the interaction of leaf-inhabiting pathogenic and endophytic fungi with trees and the consequences for tree-living insect herbivores. We discuss molecular, physiological, chemical, biochemical and ecological aspects of tree-fungus interactions and summarize the current knowledge on the direct and indirect effects of tree-inhabiting fungi on insect herbivores. Our mechanistic understanding of the tripartite interaction of trees with leaf-inhabiting fungi and insect herbivores is still in its infancy. We are currently facing substantial drawbacks in experimental methodology that prevent us from revealing the effect of one single fungal species on a particular insect herbivore species and vice versa. Future studies applying a versatile toolbox of modern molecular, chemical analytical and ecological techniques in combined laboratory and field experiments will unequivocally lead to a better understanding of fungus-tree-insect interactions.

Changes in the serum metabolite profile correlate with decreased brain gray matter volume in moderate-to-heavy drinking young adults

Our aim was to analyze metabolite profile changes in serum associated with moderate-to-heavy consumption of alcohol in young adults and to evaluate whether these changes are connected to reduced brain gray matter volumes. These study population consisted of young adults with a 10-year history of moderate-to-heavy alcohol consumption (n=35) and light-drinking controls (n=27). We used the targeted liquid chromatography mass spectrometry method to measure concentrations of metabolites in serum, and 3.0T magnetic resonance imaging to assess brain gray matter volumes. Alterations in amino acid and energy metabolism were observed in the moderate-to-heavy drinking young adults when compared to the controls. After correction for multiple testing, the group of moderate-to-heavy drinking young adults had increased serum concentrations of 1-methylhistamine (p=0.001, d=0.82) when compared to the controls. Furthermore, concentrations of 1-methylhistamine (r=-0.48, p=0.004) and creatine (r=-0.52, p=0.001) were negatively correlated with the brain gray matter volumes in the females. Overall, our results show association between moderate-to-heavy use of alcohol and altered metabolite profile in young adults as well as suggesting that some of these changes could be associated with the reduced brain gray matter volume.

Extrathymically Generated Regulatory T Cells Establish a Niche for Intestinal Border-Dwelling Bacteria and Affect Physiologic Metabolite Balance

The mammalian gut microbiota provides essential metabolites to the host and promotes the differentiation and accumulation of extrathymically generated regulatory T (pTreg) cells. To explore the impact of these cells on intestinal microbial communities, we assessed the composition of the microbiota in pTreg cell-deficient and -sufficient mice. pTreg cell deficiency led to heightened type 2 immune responses triggered by microbial exposure, which disrupted the niche of border-dwelling bacteria early during colonization. Moreover, impaired pTreg cell generation led to pervasive changes in metabolite profiles, altered features of the intestinal epithelium, and reduced body weight in the presence of commensal microbes. Absence of a single species of bacteria depleted in pTreg cell-deficient animals, Mucispirillum schaedleri, partially accounted for the sequelae of pTreg cell deficiency. These observations suggest that pTreg cells modulate the metabolic function of the intestinal microbiota by restraining immune defense mechanisms that may disrupt a particular bacterial niche.

Essential oil profiling of Ajowan (Trachyspermum ammi) industrial medicinal plant

Ajowan (Trachyspermum ammi L.) is a highly valued medicinally important seed spice from Apiaceae family, which contains essential oil, exhibiting a chemical composition that can be strongly altered with developmental stages of the inflorescence. In order to investigate the changes of metabolite profile of Ajowan, the inflorescence harvested in ten developmental stages. The oil of each inflorescence stage collected by hydrodistillation and analysed by GC/MS. The essential oil concentrations were in a range of 3.71% (stage 1)–5.08% (stage 8). In this study, fourteen components were identified, which thymol, γ-terpinene, and ρ-cymene comprised between 94% and 96% of the essential oil. The results showed that during the anthesis stages, the thymol percentage in the essential oil of Ajowan was decreased, but the γ-terpinene percentage was increased. Hence, during the fruit ripening stages, the thymol and ρ-cymene percentages were increased but the γ-terpinene percentage was decreased. There was a negative correlation of γ-terpinene, ρ-cymene, and thymol. The results suggested that different harvest stages of Ajowan inflorescence have a significant effect on the essential oil concentration and composition. Furthermore, the anthesis stage was an important turning point of the main component percentage of the volatile oil composition of Ajowan inflorescence.

Long-term water deficit modulates antioxidant capacity of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.)

Abstract Study of metabolite profile changes in peppermint is crucial due to its food and medicinal properties. In the current study, the effect of water deficit (normal irrigation as control, 0.75 field capacity (FC), 0.5 and 0.25 FC) investigated on the growth parameters, physiological response, phenolic compounds and content of l -ascorbic acid in peppermint plant. The morphological properties of peppermint reduced due to water deficit. The maximum essential oil percentage observed in 0.25 FC treatment (1.1%). Water deficit leads to a significant increment in the concentration of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA). In the other word, the highest concentration of H2O2 and MDA measured in plants which exposed to the 0.25 FC treatment. Moreover, polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) show the highest activity in the 0.5 FC and 0.25 FC, respectively. However, drought stress had a negative impact on the total phenol content (TPC) and flavonoid content which cause a reduction from 72.5 to 68.1 in control and 0.25 FC treatments. The elevated content of flavone observed in the 0.5 FC treatment. The radical scavenging activity of peppermint extracts against stable DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl hydrate) decreased under long-term water stress. While the content of l -ascorbic acid in water deficit treated plants was more than control plants. These results suggest that moderate water deficit (0.5–0.75 FC) in peppermint will be appropriate to enhance its biological properties.

Untargeted Metabolomic Screen Reveals Changes in Human Plasma Metabolite Profiles Following Consumption of Fresh Broccoli Sprouts.

Several lines of evidence suggest that the consumption of cruciferous vegetables is beneficial to human health. Yet, underlying mechanisms and key molecular targets that are involved with achieving these benefits in humans are still not fully understood. To accelerate this research, we conduct a human study to identify potential molecular targets of crucifers for further study. This study aims to characterize plasma metabolite profiles in humans before and after consuming fresh broccoli sprouts (a rich dietary source of bioactive sulforaphane). Ten healthy adults consume fresh broccoli sprouts (containing 200 μmol sulforaphane equivalents) at time 0 and provide blood samples at 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h. An untargeted metabolomics screen reveals that levels of several plasma metabolites are significantly different before and after sprout intake, including fatty acids (14:0, 14:1, 16:0, 16:1, 18:0, and 18:1), glutathione, glutamine, cysteine, dehydroepiandrosterone, and deoxyuridine monophosphate. Evaluation of all time points is conducted using paired t-test (R software) and repeated measures analysis of variance for a within-subject design (Progenesis QI). This investigation identifies several potential molecular targets of crucifers that may aid in studying established and emerging health benefits of consuming cruciferous vegetables and related bioactive compounds.

Urea nitrogen induces changes in rumen microbial and host metabolic profiles in dairy cows

Urea has been used in diets of cattle as a non-protein nitrogen source. It is hydrolyzed to ammonia, which can be used for microbial protein synthesis. Use of metabolomics methodologies to study the rumen microbial and host blood metabolic profiles induced by urea nitrogen has not been previously characterized. The objective of this study was to identify changes in rumen microbial and plasma metabolite profiles in dairy cows after urea supplementation using a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based untargeted quantitative metabolomic approach. Six dairy cows with rumen fistulas were randomly assigned to two groups used in a two period cross-over trial and each experimental period lasted 21 days. All the cows were fed the same total mixed rations, but were intraruminally supplemented with 180 g urea per cow daily or not during the experimental period. Rumen fluid and blood samples were collected and analyzed using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and multivariate analysis of variance. Differences in rumen and plasma metabolite concentrations in cows from the two groups were assessed using orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis and identified by searching against related databases. Concentrations of valine, aspartate, glutamate, and uracil in the rumen, and urea and pyroglutamate in the plasma, were higher (P < 0.05) in the urea-supplemented group than in the control group. Metabolic pathway analysis of the affected metabolites revealed that pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis, beta-alanine metabolism, valine, leucine, and isoleucine metabolism in the rumen, and urea and glutathione metabolism in the plasma were significantly increased by urea nitrogen. The levels of aspartate and glutamate in the rumen correlated strongly (P < 0.01) with the level of urea in plasma. These findings provided novel information to aid understanding of the metabolic pathways affected by urea nitrogen in dairy cows, and could potentially help to guide efforts directed at improving the efficiency of urea utilization in the rumen.