José Moisés Laparra

Interactions of gut microbiota with functional food components and nutraceuticals

The human gut is populated by an array of bacterial species, which develop important metabolic and immune functions, with a marked effect on the nutritional and health status of the host. Dietary component also play beneficial roles beyond basic nutrition, leading to the development of the functional food concept and nutraceuticals. Prebiotics, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and phytochemicals are the most well characterized dietary bioactive compounds. The beneficial effects of prebiotics mainly relay on their influence on the gut microbiota composition and their ability to generate fermentation products (short-chain fatty acids) with diverse biological roles. PUFAs include the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, whose balance may influence diverse aspects of immunity and metabolism. Moreover, interactions between PUFAs and components of the gut microbiota may also influence their biological roles. Phytochemicals are bioactive non-nutrient plant compounds, which have raised interest because of their potential effects as antioxidants, antiestrogenics, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and anticarcinogenics. However, the bioavailability and effects of polyphenols greatly depend on their transformation by components of the gut microbiota. Phytochemicals and their metabolic products may also inhibit pathogenic bacteria while stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria, exerting prebiotic-like effects. Therefore, the intestinal microbiota is both a target for nutritional intervention and a factor influencing the biological activity of other food compounds acquired orally. This review focuses on the reciprocal interactions between the gut microbiota and functional food components, and the consequences of these interactions on human health.

Comparison of in vitro models to study bacterial adhesion to the intestinal epithelium

Aims:  To evaluate the adhesion ability of intestinal bacteria to different in vitro models of intestinal epithelia, and to estimate the suitability of these models and the type of interactions involved.

Bifidobacteria inhibit the inflammatory response induced by gliadins in intestinal epithelial cells via modifications of toxic peptide generation during digestion

Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic enteropathy triggered by intake of gliadin, the toxic component of gluten. This study aims at evaluating the capacity of different Bifidobacterium strains to counteract the inflammatory effects of gliadin‐derived peptides in intestinal epithelial (Caco‐2) cells. A commercial extract of several gliadin (Gld) types (α, β, γ, ϖ) was subjected to in vitro gastrointestinal digestion (pepsin at pH 3, pancreatin‐bile at pH 6), inoculated or not with cell suspensions (108 colony forming units/ml) of either B. animalis IATA‐A2, B. longum IATA‐ES1, or B. bifidum IATA‐ES2, in a bicameral system. The generated gliadin‐derived peptides were identified by reverse phase‐HPLC–ESI‐MS/MS. Caco‐2 cell cultures were exposed to the different gliadin peptide digestions (0.25 mg protein/ml), and the mRNA expression of nuclear factor kappa‐B (NF‐κB), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α), and chemokine CXCR3 receptor were analyzed by semi‐quantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) in stimulated cells. The production of the pro‐inflammatory markers NF‐κB p50, TNF‐α, and IL‐1β (interleukine 1β) by Caco‐2 cells was also determined by ELISA. The peptides from gliadin digestions inoculated with bifidobacteria did not exhibit the toxic amino acid sequences identified in those noninoculated (α/β‐Gld [158–164] and α/β‐Gld [122‐141]). The RT‐PCR analysis evidenced a down‐regulation in mRNA expression of pro‐inflammatory biomarkers. Consistent with these results the production of NF‐κB, TNF‐α, and IL‐1β was reduced (18.2–22.4%, 28.0–64.8%, and abolished, respectively) in cell cultures exposed to gliadin digestions inoculated with bifidobacteria. Therefore, bifidobacteria change the gliadin‐derived peptide pattern and, thereby, attenuate their pro‐inflammatory effects on Caco‐2 cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 109: 801–807, 2010.

Bioaccessibility of Phenols in Common Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and Iron (Fe) Availability to Caco-2 Cells

Samples of common and biofortified beans ( Phaseolus vulgaris ), both raw and cooked (autoclaved at 120 degrees C for 20 min) were analyzed for their polyphenol composition. Polyphenols were identified via HPLC-UV/diode array detection. Cooking favored the extraction of polyphenols without the need of a hydrolysis step, a fact that is of interest because this is the usual form in which beans are consumed. The main differences between white and colored beans were the presence of free kaempferol (13.5-29.9 microg g(-1)) and derivatives (kaempferol-3-O-glucoside) (12.5-167.5 microg g(-1)), only in red and black beans. An in vitro digestion (pepsin, pH2; pancreatin-bile extract, pH 7) was applied to beans to estimate bioaccessibility of individual polyphenols. Kaempferol from seed coats exhibited high bioaccessibility (45.4-62.1%) and a potent inhibitor effect on Fe uptake at concentrations ranging from 0.37 to 1.30 microM. Caco-2 cell ferritin formation was used to evaluate Fe uptake. Cell Fe uptake was significant only from white beans.

Bread Supplemented with Amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus): Effect of Phytates on In Vitro Iron Absorption

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the bread supplemented with whole amaranth flour (0, 20 and 40%) on iron bioavailability using Caco-2 cells model. The phytate and lower myo-inositol phosphates content in in vitro bread digests were measured by high pressure liquid chromatography. The breads made with amaranth showed significant increase of soluble phytates levels (up to 1.20 μmol/g in dry matter for the 40% of substitution) in comparison with controls, which have not detectable values. A negative correlation among phytate and Fe availability was found when increased levels of amaranth. Ferritin concentration was found 2.7- and 2.0-fold higher (P < 0.05) in cultures exposed to 20% and 40% of amaranth formulated bread samples, respectively, compared to control bread. The soluble phytate/Fe molar ratio explained the whole amaranth flour-mediated inhibitory effect associated to the limitation of available Fe; however, the use up to 20% of amaranth in bread formulation appears as a promising strategy to improve the nutritional value of bread, as indicated by the ferritin concentrations quantified in cell cultures. Higher proportion of amaranth flour increased Fe concentration although there was not detected any increase in Fe uptake.

Assessment of iron bioavailability in whole wheat bread by addition of phytase-producing bifidobacteria.

In this study, the influence of phytase-producing Bifidobacterium strains during the breadmaking process (direct or indirect) on final bread Fe dialyzability and ferritin formation in Caco-2 cell as a measure of cell Fe uptake was assessed. The addition of bifidobacteria significantly reduced the InsP(6) + InsP(5) concentrations compared to control samples. Fe-dialyzable contents for samples with bifidobacteria were increased 2.3-5.6-fold, and dialyzability was improved by 2.6-8.6% compared to controls. However, this was not reflected in an increase of Fe uptake by Caco-2 cells as was predicted by the phytate/Fe molar ratios. The results demonstrated the usefulness of phytase-producing bifidobacteria to reduce phytate during the breadmaking process and to increase Fe accessibility, although the effects appeared to be still insufficient to improve Fe bioavailability in Caco-2 cells. Further refinement of the use of phytase-producing bifidobacterial strains and/or breadmaking technological processes is deserved for improving Fe uptake.

Inulin affects iron dialyzability from FeSO4 and FeEDTA solutions but does not alter Fe uptake by Caco-2 cells.

The in vitro effects of inulin on the fluxes of Fe (F(Fe)) and uptake by Caco-2 cells from FeSO4 and FeEDTA were evaluated. Cell ferritin formation was used as a measure of Fe uptake. Mitochondrial (MTT test) and lysosomal activities were monitored as biomarkers of the changes of cellular metabolism. Changes in mRNA expression of Fe transporters, DMT1 and Dcytb, were evaluated. Inulin decreased dialyzability and F(Fe) from FeSO4 solution, suggesting a mineral binding effect, but increased those from FeEDTA. Cultures exposed to FeEDTA solutions exhibited higher ferritin values and MTT conversion percentages. Regardless of Fe source, cell Fe uptake and mRNA expression of Fe transporters were similar with or without inulin, suggesting that inulin did not impair Fe uptake. These observations might indicate a faster cellular Fe internalization from FeEDTA solutions. From a physiological perspective, the decreased F(Fe) from FeSO4 might be reflected in a decreased Fe uptake.

Purified Glycosaminoglycans from Cooked Haddock May Enhance Fe Uptake Via Endocytosis in a Caco-2 Cell Culture Model

This study aims to understand the enhancing effect of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), such as chondroitin/dermatan structures, on Fe uptake to Caco-2 cells. High-sulfated GAGs were selectively purified from cooked haddock. An in vitro digestion/Caco-2 cell culture model was used to evaluate Fe uptake (cell ferritin formation) from a Fe(+3)-containing solution, and Fe(+3)/ascorbic acid (AA) and Fe(+3)/GAGs mixtures. Mitochondria (MTT test) and endosomal/lysosomal activities (neutral red uptake, NR), intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species, and GSH concentration were monitored as biomarkers of the changes of cellular metabolism. Changes in mRNA expression of Fe transporters, divalent metal transporter-1 (DMT1), and duodenal cytochrome-b (DcytB) were also evaluated. The Fe uptake from Fe(+3)/GAGs mixture was up to 1.8-fold higher than from Fe(+3) alone. Both Fe(+3) alone and Fe(+3)/AA mixture produced highest increase in MTT conversion. In contrast, cell cultures exposed to the Fe(+3)/GAGs mixture exhibited highest NR uptake values. All Fe-containing solutions tested caused a sharp intramitochondrial accumulation of reactive oxygen species. Cell cultures exposed to the Fe(+3)/GAGs mixture exhibited a more preserved (by 8%) intracellular GSH concentration compared to cultures exposed to Fe(+3) or Fe(+3)/AA mixture. In addition to cell responses, the mRNA expression of Fe transporters may suggest that Fe could also be internalized into cells by endocytosis in addition to via DMT1 in Fe(+3)/GAGs mixtures. These aspects need to be confirmed in in vivo experiments to better establish nutritional interventional strategies.

Assessing Potential Effects of Inulin and Probiotic Bacteria on Fe Availability from Common Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to Caco‐2 Cells

Inulin, a prebiotic, may enhance intestinal Fe absorption. Our objective was to assess the effects of supplemental inulin and 2 probiotic bacteria (B. infantis and L. acidophillus) on Fe availability to Caco-2 cells from common white and red beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Cooked beans were mixed or not with supplemental inulin (4%, w/w), and then subjected to simulated gastrointestinal digestion (pepsin, pH 2; pancreatin, pH 7.2). Subsequently, the digests were incubated overnight with and without B. infantis or L. acidophilus. Ferritin formation in Caco-2 cells was used to evaluate Fe uptake. Total soluble phenols (Folin-Ciocalteau) and phytate (HPLC-electrochemical detection) were quantified, and the flavonoids profile (HPLC-PDA/UV detection) was monitored in the digests. Supplemental inulin did not affect Fe uptake from white nor red beans. Incubation with B. infantis increased total soluble phenols (TSP) in the digests and decreased Fe uptake. Incubation with L. acidophilus decreased TSP in the digest and increased Fe uptake. Variations in Fe uptake were not associated with soluble phytate concentrations in the digests. The largest change in flavonoids profile were found in the digests incubated with L. acidophilus, which decreased the soluble concentration of astragalin (kaempferol-3-O-glucoside). These results suggest that certain probiotics could increase Fe uptake from common beans.

Isolated Glycosaminoglycans from Cooked Haddock Enhance Nonheme Iron Uptake by Caco-2 Cells

This study continues previous research to confirm that glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) exert a positive effect on promoting iron uptake by Caco-2 cells. Cooked haddock was digested with papain, and GAGs were further purified on the basis of their sulfur content. Reverse phase chromatography (RP-HPLC) and digestion with chondroitinase ABC (Chase) (50 mU/mg) were used to approach the identification of the GAGs. FeCl 3 was mixed with the purified GAGs, and Fe uptake was measured by ferritin formation using an in vitro digestion/Caco-2 cell model. The identificative analyses suggest that chondroitin/dermatan sulfate-related structures promote Fe uptake by Caco-2 cells; however, this effect was lower (40%) than that observed with whole fish muscle. Chase eliminated the positive effect on Fe uptake. These results indicate that specific GAGs may contribute to the enhancing effect of meat on Fe absorption. Further in vivo studies addressing these aspects of the meat factor are needed.