Soy sauce consists of many metabolites that are produced during fermentation or aging and that have various health benefits. However, their comprehensive assessment has been limited. This paper presents a metabolic characterization of soy sauce, especially that aged up to 12 years using 1H NMR spectroscopy coupled with multivariate pattern recognition techniques.
Elevated amino acids and organic acids and the consumption of carbohydrate were associated with continuous involvement of microflora in aging for 12 years. In particular, continuous increases in the levels of betaine were found during aging for up to 12 years, demonstrating that microbial- or enzyme-related metabolites were also coupled with osmotolerant or halophilic bacteria present during aging.
Ko et al (2009). "Metabolomic Insight into Soy Sauce through (1)H NMR Spectroscopy." J Agric Food Chem. Epub Jul 10
Friday, July 24, 2009
One carbon metabolism and NTD
Folic acid is known to reduce risk of neural tube defects (NTDs). Even so, NTDs continue to occur despite individual supplementation or population fortification with folic acid. This study investigated other nutrients related to one-carbon metabolism that may affect NTD risk.
This prospective study included data from more than 180,000 pregnant women in California from 2003 through 2005. Midpregnancy serum specimens were linked with delivery information regarding the presence of a NTD, another structural malformation, or no malformation in the fetus. They identified 80 NTD-affected pregnancies (cases) and we randomly selected 409 pregnancy controls. Serum specimens were tested for methylmalonic acid, homocysteine, cysteine, methionine, total choline, betaine, cystathionine, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, riboflavin, and creatinine.
Elevated NTD risks associated with lower levels of total choline, and reduced risks with higher levels of choline. There were no differences between cases and controls for any other analytes.
This is the first study to investigate total choline in NTD-affected pregnancies. The findings for choline, for which low levels were a risk factor and higher levels were a protective factor for NTDs, may offer a useful clue toward understanding the complex etiologies of NTDs in an era of folic acid fortification of the food supply.
Shaw et al (2009). "Choline and Risk of Neural Tube Defects in a Folate-Fortified Population." Epidemiology. epub July 10 2009
This prospective study included data from more than 180,000 pregnant women in California from 2003 through 2005. Midpregnancy serum specimens were linked with delivery information regarding the presence of a NTD, another structural malformation, or no malformation in the fetus. They identified 80 NTD-affected pregnancies (cases) and we randomly selected 409 pregnancy controls. Serum specimens were tested for methylmalonic acid, homocysteine, cysteine, methionine, total choline, betaine, cystathionine, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, riboflavin, and creatinine.
Elevated NTD risks associated with lower levels of total choline, and reduced risks with higher levels of choline. There were no differences between cases and controls for any other analytes.
This is the first study to investigate total choline in NTD-affected pregnancies. The findings for choline, for which low levels were a risk factor and higher levels were a protective factor for NTDs, may offer a useful clue toward understanding the complex etiologies of NTDs in an era of folic acid fortification of the food supply.
Shaw et al (2009). "Choline and Risk of Neural Tube Defects in a Folate-Fortified Population." Epidemiology. epub July 10 2009
Plasma betaine increases upon intake of high-fiber rye buns
An NMR-based metabonomic study explored the biochemical effects of a rye based fiber-rich diet in hypercholesterolemic pigs.
The pigs were fed high-fat, high-cholesterol rye- (n = 9) or wheat- (n = 8) based buns with similar levels of dietary fiber for 9-10 wk. Fasting plasma samples were collected 2 days before and after 8 and 12 days on the experimental diets, while postprandial samples taken after 58-67 days, and 1H NMR spectra were acquired on these.
The NMR spectra demonstrated a high intensity for the spectral region at 3.29 ppm in the rye diet. The 3.29 ppm signal is ascribed to N(CH3)3 protons in betaine, which may be an important contributor to the health promoting effects of rye.
Bertram et al (2009). "NMR-based metabonomics reveals that plasma betaine increases upon intake of high-fiber rye buns in hypercholesterolemic pigs." Mol Nutr Food Res. epub 14 July 2009
The pigs were fed high-fat, high-cholesterol rye- (n = 9) or wheat- (n = 8) based buns with similar levels of dietary fiber for 9-10 wk. Fasting plasma samples were collected 2 days before and after 8 and 12 days on the experimental diets, while postprandial samples taken after 58-67 days, and 1H NMR spectra were acquired on these.
The NMR spectra demonstrated a high intensity for the spectral region at 3.29 ppm in the rye diet. The 3.29 ppm signal is ascribed to N(CH3)3 protons in betaine, which may be an important contributor to the health promoting effects of rye.
Bertram et al (2009). "NMR-based metabonomics reveals that plasma betaine increases upon intake of high-fiber rye buns in hypercholesterolemic pigs." Mol Nutr Food Res. epub 14 July 2009
Creatine synthesis and BHMT
This study investigated the:
- rate of creatine accretion by the neonatal piglet
- sources of this creatine
- activities of the enzymes of creatine synthesis
- burden that endogenous creatine synthesis places on the metabolism of the 3 amino acids required for this synthesis: glycine, arginine, and methionine.
They found that:
- piglets acquire 12.5 mmol of total creatine (creatine plus creatine phosphate) between 4 and 11 d of age
- 1/4 of creatine accretion in neonatal piglets may be provided by sow milk and 3/4 by de novo synthesis by piglets
- several enzyme activities related to creatine synthesis increased, including betaine:homocysteine methyltransferase in the liver.
They concluded that creatine synthesis is a quantitatively major metabolic process in piglets.
Brosnan et al (2009). "Creatine synthesis is a major metabolic process in neonatal piglets and has important implications for amino acid metabolism and methyl balance." J Nutr 139(7): 1292-7.
- rate of creatine accretion by the neonatal piglet
- sources of this creatine
- activities of the enzymes of creatine synthesis
- burden that endogenous creatine synthesis places on the metabolism of the 3 amino acids required for this synthesis: glycine, arginine, and methionine.
They found that:
- piglets acquire 12.5 mmol of total creatine (creatine plus creatine phosphate) between 4 and 11 d of age
- 1/4 of creatine accretion in neonatal piglets may be provided by sow milk and 3/4 by de novo synthesis by piglets
- several enzyme activities related to creatine synthesis increased, including betaine:homocysteine methyltransferase in the liver.
They concluded that creatine synthesis is a quantitatively major metabolic process in piglets.
Brosnan et al (2009). "Creatine synthesis is a major metabolic process in neonatal piglets and has important implications for amino acid metabolism and methyl balance." J Nutr 139(7): 1292-7.
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