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Biomedical subjects

Christian Rémésy

Publications and source records attributed to Christian Rémésy.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Organic potassium salts or fibers effects on mineral balance and digestive fermentations in rats adapted to an acidogenic diet.

BACKGROUND: Fibers and potassium (K) organic salts in plant foods are liable to affect Ca and Mg balance at digestive and renal levels, respectively. K organic salts could counteract the acidifying effects of western diets and consequences of excess NaCl. AIM OF THE STUDY: To study this question, male rats were adapted to a basal acidifying low-K (LK) diet, or to diets supplemented with a fiber mix (LK/F), or K citrate (HK) or both (HK/F). RESULTS: HK and HK/F diets displayed a marked alkalinizing effect in urine and promoted citraturia, but this effect was not modulated by fibers. The effect of fibers on Ca digestive absorption was more potent than K citrate effect on Ca renal excretion. In contrast, K citrate effect on kidney Mg excretion was more effective than that of fibers on Mg digestive absorption, a maximal effect on Mg balance was observed in rats fed the HK/F diet. Digestive fermentations in rats fed the LK/F diet were characterized by high-propionic acid fermentations and succinate accumulation. In rats adapted to the HK/F diet, K citrate supplementation depressed succinate and increased butyrate concentrations. CONCLUSION: Organic anions arising from digestive fermentations seem to be not directly involved in the alkalinizing effects of plant foods. Fibers and organic K salts exert distinct effects on Ca and Mg metabolism, but with interesting interactions as to Mg balance, digestive fermentations and urine pH.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗

Mice chronically fed a westernized experimental diet as a model of obesity, metabolic syndrome and osteoporosis.

BACKGROUND: Most studies in animals use diets with several features (for example low-fat, rich in micronutriments), likely to be strongly protective against chronic diseases. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study, performed in wild type outbred mice, was designed to evaluate the validity of a model of 'westernized' (W) diet reproducing, as closely as possible, the overall composition of an average human regime in western countries RESULTS: In contrast to the standard (S) diet, the W diet triggered a marked increase in adiposity with some characteristics of metabolic syndrome (hypercholesterolemia, hyperinsulinemia...). There was an heterogeneity in the propensity to become obese upon exposure to the W diet in female mice. Overweight mice also presented some disturbances of renal function, such as hyperalbuminuria and hypocitraturia. Mice adapted to the W diet showed a reduction of bone mineral density, especially the non-obese ones. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that a model of westernized diet could be appropriate for exploring the effects of mutations, drugs, or specific nutritional factors in animals and could be more relevant for human situations.

Animals↗

Entire potato consumption improves lipid metabolism and antioxidant status in cholesterol-fed rat.

BACKGROUND: Vegetables and fruits are rich sources of a variety of nutrients, including vitamins (E and C), trace minerals, and dietary fibers, and many other classes of biologically active compounds such as carotenoids and polyphenols, which are often assumed to protect against degenerative pathologies such as cardiovascular diseases. Although potato is considered as a starchy food, it is also included in the category of vegetables by its micronutrient content. AIM OF THE STUDY: In the present study, we investigated in the rat the effect of a potato-enriched diet on lipid metabolism and antioxidant protection. RESULTS: Feeding rats a potato-enriched diet for 3 weeks led to a significant decrease in cholesterol and triglyceride levels in plasma (respectively, -30%, P<0.0001 and -36%, P<0.05) and cholesterol level in liver (-42%, P<0.0001). Antioxidant status was also improved by potato consumption. TBARS levels in heart were decreased and vitamin E/triglycerides ratio in plasma was improved. CONCLUSIONS: Our present results suggest that consumption of cooked potatoes (consumed with skin) may enhance antioxidant defense and improve the lipid metabolism. These effects could be interesting for prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Animals↗

Excess casein in the diet is not the unique cause of low-grade metabolic acidosis: role of a deficit in potassium citrate in a rat model.

This study examined the effects of a dietary model of protein excess and K anion salt deficit on the occurrence of metabolic acidosis in rat. Rats were adapted to diets containing either 13 or 26% casein, together with mineral imbalance, through lowering K/increasing sodium/omitting alkalinizing anions. For each protein level, a group of rats was supplemented with K citrate. Dietary K citrate resulted in neutral urinary pH, whatever the protein level. Urea excretion was higher in rats adapted to 26% casein than 13% casein diets, but K citrate enhanced this excretion and suppressed ammonium elimination. No citraturia could be observed in acidotic rats, whereas K citrate greatly stimulated citraturia and 2-ketoglutarate excretion. In conclusion, low-grade metabolic acidosis can occur with a moderate protein level in the diet. K citrate was apparently less effective in rats adapted to the 26% casein level than in those adapted to the 13% casein level with regard to magnesium, citrate and 2-ketoglutarate concentrations in urine.

Acidosis↗

Fermentable carbohydrate supplementation alters nitrogen excretion in chronic renal failure.

BACKGROUND: Considerable attention has been given to the impact of nutrition on kidney disease. Most dietary attempts to treat chronic renal failure (CRF) and to decrease uremia use a protein restriction. An alternative dietetic approach based on fermentable carbohydrate (FC) supplementation of the diet could lead to the same urea-lowering effect by increasing urea nitrogen (N) excretion in stool, with a concomitant decrease of the total N quantity excreted in urine. METHODS: In the present prospective study, the impact of FC (40 g/d) on uremia and on N excretion routes was investigated during 5 weeks in nine CRF patients in the presence of a moderated restrictive protein diet (0.8 g/kg/d). Patients were their own controls and were treated by the cross-over method after randomization (5 weeks with FC versus 5 weeks without FC). RESULTS: Feeding FC significantly increased the quantity of N excreted in stool from 2.1 +/- 0.8 to 3.2 +/- 1.1 g/d (+51%) (P < .01) and decreased, in parallel, the urinary N excretion from 9.4 +/- 1.7 to 8.3 +/- 1.4 g/d (-12%) (P < .01). The total N quantities excreted by the two routes were unchanged by the FC, which shows that the FC was efficient to shift N excretion from the urinary route toward the digestive route. As a result of the increase of urea transfer into the colon, the plasma urea concentration was significantly decreased from 26.1 +/- 8.7 to 20.2 +/- 8.2 mmol/L (-23%) (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: These results show the same beneficial effects in CRF as those obtained with a restrictive protein diet without its nutritional drawbacks. This should be confirmed by other prospective works over a longer duration and a larger number of patients to study the effects of FC on CRF progression and on CRF terminal stage tolerance.

Adult↗

Absorption and metabolism of red orange juice anthocyanins in rats.

Anthocyanins are natural pigments that could be involved in various health effects. Red oranges are an important dietary source of anthocyanins, including cyanidin 3-glucoside (Cy 3-glc) and an acylated derivative, cyanidin 3-(6''-malonyl)-glucoside (Cy 3-malglc). The aim of this study was to evaluate the absorption and metabolism of red orange anthocyanins in rats fed an anthocyanin-enriched diet for 12 d (approximately 2.8 micromol anthocyanins/d). Furthermore, the absorption of these anthocyanins was studied in both the stomach and intestine using in situ models in rats. Anthocyanin metabolites were identified and quantified by HPLC-electrospray ionization tandem MS and HPLC-diode array detection, respectively. The red orange anthocyanins, Cy 3-glc and Cy 3-malglc, as well as their respective methylated derivatives, were recovered in urine after red orange juice intake. The 24 h urinary excretion of total anthocyanins was low (0.081 (SEM 0.009) % of the ingested amount). However, a high proportion (about 20 %) of red orange anthocyanins was absorbed from the stomach. More Cy 3-malglc than Cy 3-glc was absorbed in the intestine. This study thus indicated that red orange juice anthocyanins were rapidly absorbed from both stomach and small intestine, and then excreted in the urine as intact and methylated forms. Moreover, the absorption and metabolism of acylated anthocyanins and non-acylated anthocyanins were similar.

Acylation↗

Effect of potato on acid-base and mineral homeostasis in rats fed a high-sodium chloride diet.

Excessive dietary NaCl in association with a paucity of plant foods, major sources of K alkaline salts, is a common feature in Western eating habits which may lead to acid-base disorders and to Ca and Mg wasting. In this context, to evaluate the effects of potato, rich in potassium citrate, on acid-base homeostasis and mineral retention, Wistar rats were fed wheat starch (WS) or cooked potato (CP) diets with a low (0.5 %) or a high (2 %) NaCl content during 3 weeks. The replacement of WS by CP in the diets resulted in a significant urinary alkalinisation (pH from 5.5 to 7.3) parallel to a rise in citrate and K excretion. Urinary Ca and Mg elimination represented respectively 17 and 62 % of the daily absorbed mineral in rats fed the high-salt WS diet compared with 5 and 28 % in rats fed the high-salt CP diet. The total SCFA concentration in the caecum was 3-fold higher in rats fed the CP diets compared with rats fed the WS diets, and it led to a significant rise in Ca and Mg intestinal absorption (Ca from 39 to 56 %; Mg from 37 to 60 %). The present model of low-grade metabolic acidosis indicates that CP may be effective in alkalinising urine, enhancing citrate excretion and ameliorating Ca and Mg balance.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗

Anthocyanin metabolism in rats and their distribution to digestive area, kidney, and brain.

Anthocyanins are present in human diet due to their wide occurrence in fruits and beverages. They possess antioxidant activities and could be involved in several health effects. The aim of this study was to investigate anthocyanin metabolism and distribution in the digestive area organs (stomach, jejunum and liver) and kidney, as well as a target tissue (brain) in rats fed with a blackberry (Rubus fruticosus L.) anthocyanin-enriched diet for 15 days. Identification and quantification of anthocyanin metabolites was carried out by HPLC-ESI-MS-MS and HPLC-DAD, respectively. The stomach exhibited only native blackberry anthocyanins (cyanidin 3-O-glucoside and cyanidin 3-O-pentose), while in other organs (jejunum, liver, and kidney) native and methylated anthocyanins as well as conjugated anthocyanidins (cyanidin and peonidin monoglucuronides) were identified. Proportions of anthocyanin derivatives differed according to the organ considered, with the liver presenting the highest proportion of methylated forms. Jejunum and plasma also contained aglycone forms. In the brain, total anthocyanin content (blackberry anthocyanins and peonidin 3-O-glucoside) reached 0.25 +/- 0.05 nmol/g of tissue (n = 6). The urinary excretion of total anthocyanins was low (0.19 +/- 0.02% of the ingested amount). Thus, organs of the digestive area indicated a metabolic pathway of anthocyanins with enzymatic conversions (methylation and/or glucurono-conjugation). Moreover, following consumption of an anthocyanin-rich diet, anthocyanins enter the brain.

Animals↗

Moderate decrease of pH by sourdough fermentation is sufficient to reduce phytate content of whole wheat flour through endogenous phytase activity.

Whole wheat bread is an important source of minerals but also contains considerable amounts of phytic acid, which is known to impair their absorption. An in vitro trial was performed to assess the effect of a moderate drop of the dough pH (around 5.5) by way of sourdough fermentation or by exogenous organic acid addition on phytate hydrolysis. It was shown that a slight acidification of the dough (pH 5.5) with either sourdough or lactic acid addition allowed a significant phytate breakdown (70% of the initial flour content compared to 40% without any leavening agent or acidification). This result highlights the predominance of wheat phytase activity over sourdough microflora phytase activity during moderate sourdough fermentation and shows that a slight drop of the pH (pH value around 5.5) is sufficient to reduce significantly the phytate content of a wholemeal flour. Mg "bioaccessibility"of whole wheat dough was improved by direct solubilization of the cation and by phytate hydrolysis.

6-Phytase↗

Caffeic acid inhibits oxidative Stress and reduces hypercholesterolemia induced by iron overload in rats.

The effects of caffeic acid, a major phenolic compound of the diet, on oxidative stress and cholesterolemia are studied in rats submitted to oxidative stress by iron overload. Male Wistar rats were fed semi-synthetic diets containing regular (50 mg/kg diet) or high (2000 mg/kg) doses of iron with and without caffeic acid (6460 mg/kg) for 4 weeks. The high doses of iron induced an increase of lipid oxidation in the liver, as measured by thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), and an increase of cholesterolemia. Caffeic acid fully prevented the pro-oxidant effects of high iron doses (p < 0.001). It also reduced lipid peroxidation in rats fed the low iron dose (p < 0.05). Caffeic acid also increased vitamin E levels in plasma (2.74 micromol/L to 4.09 micromol/L for normal diet; p < 0.001; 2.78 micromol/L to 4.94 micromol/L for iron supplemented diet p < 0.001). Iron-induced hypercholesterolemia was inhibited by caffeic acid (1.07 g/L to 0.82 g/L; p < 0.001). These results demonstrate the antioxidative capacity of caffeic acid, a highly bioavailable polyphenol, in an in vivo model of oxidative stress.

Animals↗

Effect of potassium salts in rats adapted to an acidogenic high-sulfur amino acid diet.

Low-grade metabolic acidosis, consecutive to excessive catabolism of sulfur amino acids and a high dietary Na:K ratio, is a common feature of Western food habits. This metabolic alteration may exert various adverse physiological effects, especially on bone, muscle and kidneys. To assess the actual effects of various K salts, a model of the Westernised diet has been developed in rats: slight protein excess (20 % casein); cations provided as non-alkalinising salts; high Na:K ratio. This diet resulted in acidic urine (pH 5.5) together with a high rate of divalent cation excretion in urine, especially Mg. Compared with controls, K supplementation as KCl accentuated Ca excretion, whereas potassium bicarbonate or malate reduced Mg and Ca excretion and alkalinised urine pH (up to 8). In parallel, citraturia was strongly increased, together with 2-ketoglutarate excretion, by potassium bicarbonate or malate in the diet. Basal sulfate excretion, in the range of 1 mmol/d, was slightly enhanced in rats fed the potassium malate diet. The present model of low-grade metabolic acidosis indicates that potassium malate may be as effective as KHCO3 to counteract urine acidification, to limit divalent cation excretion and to ensure high citrate concentration in urine.

Acidosis↗

Polyphenol levels in human urine after intake of six different polyphenol-rich beverages.

Dietary polyphenols are suggested to participate in the prevention of CVD and cancer. It is essential for epidemiological studies to be able to compare intake of the main dietary polyphenols in populations. The present paper describes a fast method suitable for the analysis of polyphenols in urine, selected as potential biomarkers of intake. This method is applied to the estimation of polyphenol recovery after ingestion of six different polyphenol-rich beverages. Fifteen polyphenols including mammalian lignans (enterodiol and enterolactone), several phenolic acids (chlorogenic, caffeic, m-coumaric, gallic, and 4-O-methylgallic acids), phloretin and various flavonoids (catechin, epicatechin, quercetin, isorhamnetin, kaempferol, hesperetin, and naringenin) were simultaneously quantified in human urine by HPLC coupled with electrospray ionisation mass-MS (HPLC-electrospray-tandem mass spectrometry) with a run time of 6 min per sample. The method has been validated with regard to linearity, precision, and accuracy in intra- and inter-day assays. It was applied to urine samples collected from nine volunteers in the 24 h following consumption of either green tea, a grape-skin extract, cocoa beverage, coffee, grapefruit juice or orange juice. Levels of urinary excretion suggest that chlorogenic acid, gallic acid, epicatechin, naringenin or hesperetin could be used as specific biomarkers to evaluate the consumption of coffee, wine, tea or cocoa, and citrus juices respectively.

Adult↗

Dietary polyphenols and the prevention of diseases.

Polyphenols are the most abundant antioxidants in the diet and are widespread constituents of fruits, vegetables, cereals, dry legumes, chocolate, and beverages, such as tea, coffee, or wine. Experimental studies on animals or cultured human cell lines support a role of polyphenols in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, cancers, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, or osteoporosis. However, it is very difficult to predict from these results the effects of polyphenol intake on disease prevention in humans. One of the reasons is that these studies have often been conducted at doses or concentrations far beyond those documented in humans. The few clinical studies on biomarkers of oxidative stress, cardiovascular disease risk factors, and tumor or bone resorption biomarkers have often led to contradictory results. Epidemiological studies have repeatedly shown an inverse association between the risk of myocardial infarction and the consumption of tea and wine or the intake level of some particular flavonoids, but no clear associations have been found between cancer risk and polyphenol consumption. More human studies are needed to provide clear evidence of their health protective effects and to better evaluate the risks possibly resulting from too high a polyphenol consumption.

Animals↗

Bioavailability and bioefficacy of polyphenols in humans. I. Review of 97 bioavailability studies.

Polyphenols are abundant micronutrients in our diet, and evidence for their role in the prevention of degenerative diseases is emerging. Bioavailability differs greatly from one polyphenol to another, so that the most abundant polyphenols in our diet are not necessarily those leading to the highest concentrations of active metabolites in target tissues. Mean values for the maximal plasma concentration, the time to reach the maximal plasma concentration, the area under the plasma concentration-time curve, the elimination half-life, and the relative urinary excretion were calculated for 18 major polyphenols. We used data from 97 studies that investigated the kinetics and extent of polyphenol absorption among adults, after ingestion of a single dose of polyphenol provided as pure compound, plant extract, or whole food/beverage. The metabolites present in blood, resulting from digestive and hepatic activity, usually differ from the native compounds. The nature of the known metabolites is described when data are available. The plasma concentrations of total metabolites ranged from 0 to 4 mumol/L with an intake of 50 mg aglycone equivalents, and the relative urinary excretion ranged from 0.3% to 43% of the ingested dose, depending on the polyphenol. Gallic acid and isoflavones are the most well-absorbed polyphenols, followed by catechins, flavanones, and quercetin glucosides, but with different kinetics. The least well-absorbed polyphenols are the proanthocyanidins, the galloylated tea catechins, and the anthocyanins. Data are still too limited for assessment of hydroxycinnamic acids and other polyphenols. These data may be useful for the design and interpretation of intervention studies investigating the health effects of polyphenols.

Adult↗

Lyophilized carrot ingestion lowers lipemia and beneficially affects cholesterol metabolism in cholesterol-fed C57BL/6J mice.

BACKGROUND: Several lines of evidence indicate that diet rich in fruit and vegetable can protect against cardiovascular diseases by acting on cholesterol metabolism and on oxidative stress. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to assess whether daily carrot consumption (provided as lyophilized powder) could differentially influence the consequences of cholesterol supplementation on lipid metabolism and oxidative stress in C57BL/6J mice. METHODS: Fourteen mice were randomized in four groups. Mice were fed either control diets (without or with 0.25% cholesterol added) or lyophilized carrot enriched diets (20% wt/wt without or with 0.25 % cholesterol added) for 4 weeks. Cholesterol and triglycerides in plasma and in liver were measured at the end of the experimental period. Fecal excretion of sterols was evaluated. Vitamin E and carotenoid concentrations were also determined. Several biomarkers relative to oxidative stress such as FRAP (Ferric Reducing Ability of Plasma) and isoprostanes were investigated. RESULTS: Feeding the carrot diet resulted in a decrease of cholesterol (-41%) and triglycerides (-49 %) in plasma and in the liver (-41% and -39%, respectively) in animals fed cholesterol-supplemented diets. Carrot diet induced an increase of total neutral sterols fecal excretion, which inhibits digestive cholesterol absorption. Carrot diet increased antioxidant status in cholesterol-fed mice as related by the 16% higher FRAP values. Although vitamin E was not affected by carrot diet, vitamin E/TG ratio was significantly higher in animals fed carrot diets. The carrot diet induced an increase of vitamin E in the heart in both cholesterol-free and cholesterol-supplemented mice suggesting a higher protection of this tissue. CONCLUSION: This study shows that carrot ingestion decreases lipemia and improves antioxidant status in mice. Such results suggest that carrot intake may exert a protective impact against CVD linked to atherosclerosis. It is likely that these effects could be due to the synergistic effect of fiber and associated antioxidants.

Animals↗

High-throughput profiling of dietary polyphenols and their metabolites by HPLC-ESI-MS-MS in human urine.

Polyphenols in biological fluids are generally estimated by HPLC with UV, electrochemical or fluorimetric detection. We describe herein a method specially developed to estimate biomarkers of polyphenol consumption in human urine. We simultaneously quantified 15 polyphenols and their related compounds in human urine using an HPLC coupled with electrospray ionization mass-mass (HPLC-ESI-MS-MS) method with an analytical run time of 6 min. The method has been validated with respect to linearity, precision, and accuracy in intra- and inter-day assays. It has been applied to human urine samples collected from volunteers after consumption of different polyphenol-rich beverages in controlled conditions.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Health effect of vegetable-based diet: lettuce consumption improves cholesterol metabolism and antioxidant status in the rat.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: It is often assumed that fruits and vegetables contribute to protect against degenerative pathologies such as cardiovascular diseases. Besides epidemiological observations, scientific evidences for their mechanism of action are scarce. In the present study, we investigated the mean term and post-prandial effects of lettuce ingestion on lipid metabolism and antioxidant protection in the rat. RESULTS: Feeding rats a 20% lettuce diet for 3 weeks resulted in a decrease cholesterol LDL/HDL ratio and a marked decrease of liver cholesterol levels (-41%). Concurrently, fecal total steroid excretion increased (+44%) and apparent absorption of dietary cholesterol was significantly depressed (-37%) by the lettuce diet. Lettuce diet also displayed an improvement of vitamin E/TG ratio in plasma and limited lipid peroxidation in heart as evidenced by TBARS. In post-prandial experiment, lettuce intake significantly increased both ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol plasma levels which contribute to improve plasma antioxidant capacity within 2 h of consumption. Other lipid-soluble antioxidants (lutein and vitamin E) may also improve the plasma antioxidant capacity. CONCLUSION: Lettuce consumption increases the total cholesterol end-products excretion and improves antioxidant status due to the richness in antioxidants (vitamins C, E and carotenoids). In our model, lettuce clearly shows a beneficial effect on lipid metabolism and on tissue oxidation. Therefore regular consumption of lettuce should contribute to improve protection against cardiovascular diseases.

Animals↗

Polyphenols: food sources and bioavailability.

Polyphenols are abundant micronutrients in our diet, and evidence for their role in the prevention of degenerative diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases is emerging. The health effects of polyphenols depend on the amount consumed and on their bioavailability. In this article, the nature and contents of the various polyphenols present in food sources and the influence of agricultural practices and industrial processes are reviewed. Estimates of dietary intakes are given for each class of polyphenols. The bioavailability of polyphenols is also reviewed, with particular focus on intestinal absorption and the influence of chemical structure (eg, glycosylation, esterification, and polymerization), food matrix, and excretion back into the intestinal lumen. Information on the role of microflora in the catabolism of polyphenols and the production of some active metabolites is presented. Mechanisms of intestinal and hepatic conjugation (methylation, glucuronidation, sulfation), plasma transport, and elimination in bile and urine are also described. Pharmacokinetic data for the various polyphenols are compared. Studies on the identification of circulating metabolites, cellular uptake, intracellular metabolism with possible deconjugation, biological properties of the conjugated metabolites, and specific accumulation in some target tissues are discussed. Finally, bioavailability appears to differ greatly between the various polyphenols, and the most abundant polyphenols in our diet are not necessarily those that have the best bioavailability profile. A thorough knowledge of the bioavailability of the hundreds of dietary polyphenols will help us to identify those that are most likely to exert protective health effects.

Biological Availability↗