Combination of Genistin and Fructooligosaccharides Prevents Bone Loss in Ovarian Hormone Deficiency

Shirin Hooshmand,Shanil Juma,Bahram H. Arjmandi 한국식품영양과학회 2010 Journal of medicinal food Vol.13 No.2

We have reported that soy isoflavones are capable of preventing loss of bone mineral density (BMD) in rats due to ovariectomy. The intestinal microflora is important in rendering soy isoflavones bioavailability by facilitating their conversion to equol. Hence, substances that can modulate the intestinal microflora could affect the bioavailability of isoflavones. The purpose of this study was to examine whether combination of genistin and fructooligosaccharides (FOS), a prebiotic, can enhance the effects of soy isoflavones on bone in ovariectomized (OVX) female rats. Forty-eight 90-day-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were either sham-operated (Sham; one group) or Ovx (three groups) and were placed on dietary treatment for 50 days. The Sham and one Ovx group received a control diet, and the remaining Ovx groups received genistin-rich isoflavones diet (Ovx+G) or genistin-rich isoflavones and FOS diet (Ovx+G+FOS). After 50 days, blood and bone specimens were collected for analysis. The genistin-rich isoflavones diet was able to significantly increase the whole-body, right femur, and fourth lumbar BMD by 1.6%, 1.48%, and 1.3%, respectively in comparison with the Ovx control. The combination of genistin-rich isoflavones diet and 5% FOS further increased whole-body, right femur, and fourth lumbar BMD more compared to the genistin-rich isoflavones diet. Our findings suggest that although a genistin-rich isoflavones diet can increase the BMD in rats with Ovx-induced bone loss, combination of genistin-rich isoflavones and FOS had greater effect in preventing bone loss in this rat model.

Effects of Agave Nectar Versus Sucrose on Weight Gain, Adiposity, Blood Glucose, Insulin, and Lipid Responses in Mice

Shirin Hooshmand,Brittany Holloway,Tricia Nemoseck,Sarah Cole,Yumi Petrisko,Mee Young Hong,Mark Kern 한국식품영양과학회 2014 Journal of medicinal food Vol.17 No.9

Agave nectar is a fructose-rich liquid sweetener derived from a plant, and is often promoted as a low glycemic alternative to refined sugar. However, little scientific research has been conducted in animals or humans to determine its metabolic and/or health effects. The aim of this study was to explore the influence of agave nectar versus sucrose on weight gain, adiposity, fasting plasma blood glucose, insulin, and lipid levels. Eighteen (n = 18) male ICR mice (33.8 – 1.6 g) were divided into two groups (n = 6 for agave nectar and n = 12 for sucrose) and provided free access to one of two diets of equal energy densities differing only in a portion of the carbohydrate provided. Diets contained 20% carbohydrate (by weight of total diet) from either raw agave nectar or sucrose. Epididymal fat pads were excised, and blood was collected after 34 days. Weight gain (4.3 – 2.2 vs. 8.4 – 3.4 g), fat pad weights (0.95 – 0.54 vs. 1.75 – 0.66 g), plasma glucose (77.8 – 12.2 vs. 111.0 – 27.9 mg/dL), and insulin (0.61 – 0.29 vs. 1.46 – 0.81 ng/mL) were significantly lower (P £ .05) for agave nectar-fed mice compared to sucrose-fed mice respectively. No statistically significant differences in total cholesterol or triglycerides were detected. These results suggest that in comparison to sucrose, agave nectar may have a positive influence on weight gain and glucose control. However, more research with a larger sample of animals and/or with human subjects is warranted.

Effect of the Recombinant Yeast Producing Human H-ferritin on the Iron Indices at Induced Iron Deficiency Rats

EunHee Hwang,KyungSuk Kim,Shirin Hooshmand 한국식품영양과학회 2011 한국식품영양과학회 학술대회발표집 Vol.2011 No.10

Mixed Nuts May Promote Satiety While Maintaining Stable Blood Glucose and Insulin in Healthy, Obese, and Overweight Adults in a Two-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial

Natasha Godwin, Traci Roberts,Shirin Hooshmand,Mark Kern,홍미영 한국식품영양과학회 2019 Journal of medicinal food Vol.22 No.4

Multiple studies have examined the impacts of various nuts on appetitive and metabolic effects; however, fewer studies have addressed the impacts of mixed nuts. The objective was to examine the acute effects of consumption of an isocaloric (253 kcal) snack of mixed nuts or pretzels on appetite hormones, glucose and insulin responses, and subjective appetite ratings in overweight and obese adults. In a two-arm randomized controlled trial, overweight and obese adults consumed either mixed nuts (n = 27) or pretzels (n = 27) with 16 men and 11 women per group. After an overnight fast, blood glucose, insulin, and appetite hormone were measured at baseline and 60 min post snack consumption. Appetite/satiety questionnaires were completed at baseline and 20, 40, 60, 90, 120 min after snack consumption. Both snacks increased satiety and reduced hunger over time. The pretzels group exhibited higher subjective satiety and lower hunger (P < .001) following consumption than the mixed nuts group. Pretzel consumption increased glucose and insulin (P < .001), while no elevation was detected in the mixed nuts at 60 min post snack consumption. Leptin and ghrelin concentrations were significantly lower for the mixed nuts group at 60 min compared with baseline (P < .05). Mixed nuts promote satiety in overweight and obese adults while maintaining stable blood glucose and insulin levels. These results suggest that mixed nuts snack may be beneficial for those who are overweight or obese. Future mixed nuts studies are warranted to examine long-term effects.s

A Calcium-Collagen Chelate Dietary Supplement Attenuates Bone Loss in Postmenopausal Women with Osteopenia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Marcus L. Elam,Sarah A. Johnson,Shirin Hooshmand,Rafaela G. Feresin,Mark E. Payton,Jennifer Gu,Bahram H. Arjmandi 한국식품영양과학회 2015 Journal of medicinal food Vol.18 No.3

Menopause leads to an increased risk for osteoporosis in women. Although drug therapies exist, increasing numbers of people prefer alternative therapies such as dietary supplements, for example, calcium, vitamin D, and collagen hydrolysates for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. We have previously shown that a 3-month intervention using a calcium-collagen chelate (CC) dietary supplement was efficacious in improving bone mineral density (BMD) and blood biomarkers of bone turnover in osteopenic postmenopausal women. This study reports the long-term efficacy of CC in reducing bone loss in postmenopausal women with osteopenia. Thirty-nine women were randomly assigned to one of two groups: 5 g of CC containing 500 mg of elemental calcium and 200 IU vitamin D (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3) or control (500 mg of calcium and 200 IU vitamin D) daily for 12 months. Total body, lumbar, and hip BMD were evaluated at baseline, 6 and 12 months using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Blood was collected at baseline, 6 and 12 months to assess levels of blood biomarkers of bone turnover. Intent-to-treat (ITT) analysis was performed using repeated measures analysis of variance pairwise comparisons and multivariate analysis to assess time and group interactions. The loss of whole body BMD in women taking CC was substantially lower than that of the control group at 12 months in those who completed the study and the ITT analysis, respectively (CC: - 1.33% and - 0.33% vs. control: - 3.75% and - 2.17%; P = .026, P = .035). The CC group had significantly reduced levels of sclerostin and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase isoform 5b (TRAP5b) (P < .05), and higher bone-specific alkaline phosphatase/TRAP5b ratio (P < .05) than control at 6 months. These results support the use of CC in reducing bone loss in osteopenic postmenopausal women.

Acute Effects of Dried Apple Consumption on Metabolic and Cognitive Responses in Healthy Individuals

Kara Sansone,Mark Kern,홍미영,Changqi Liu,Shirin Hooshmand 한국식품영양과학회 2018 Journal of medicinal food Vol.21 No.11

The objective of this study was to assess the potential of dried apple to regulate acute blood glucose, insulin, satiety, and total plasma antioxidant levels, and to explore the effect of dried apple on cognitive responses. Twenty-one healthy, normal-weight subjects completed the study which used a randomized crossover design with repeated measures. After a fast of 10 h, a standardized serving size of either dried apple or muffins was consumed. Blood glucose, insulin, and antioxidant concentrations were measured at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min postprandial, and satiety was assessed every 15 min for 2 h. Cognitive tests were administered before and 2 h after consumption of the test food. The dried apple had significantly higher phenolic content and antioxidant activities than the muffin (P ≤ .05). Consumption of the dried apples produced significantly lower glucose concentrations at 30- (P ≤ .01; 95% CI [2.93–16.64]), 45- (P ≤ .02; 95% CI [2.41–17.88]), 60- (P ≤ .02; 95% CI [2.10–14.56]), and 120-min (P ≤ .01; 95% CI [8.16–16.80]) time points, and significantly lower (P ≤ .03; 95% CI [0.60–8.70]) insulin concentrations at a 15-min time point than the muffins but offered little consistent differences in antioxidant status, satiety, and cognitive function. These findings suggested that the intake of dried apples could reduce postprandial blood glucose and potentially increase the effectiveness of insulin responses in healthy individuals but offered little consistent differences in antioxidant status, satiety, and cognitive function.

Dried Plum Ingestion Increases the Osteoblastogenic Capacity of Human Serum

Paulina Delgado Cuenca,Lama Almaiman,Simon Schenk,Mark Kern,Shirin Hooshmand 한국식품영양과학회 2017 Journal of medicinal food Vol.20 No.7

In cell culture studies, dried plum (Prunus domestica L.) polyphenols increased osteoblast alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, mineralized nodule formation, and the expression of the bone marker genes runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) and osterix. The purpose of this study was to determine whether human serum collected 1 and 2 h after dried plum ingestion influenced osteoblast cell activity and gene expression. Five healthy women ingested 100 g of dried plum, and serum samples were collected at baseline (before dried plum ingestion) and 1 and 2 h postingestion of dried plum. MC3T3-E1 osteoblast cells were treated (2% of medium) with these serum samples for 3 or 9 days. Intracellular and extracellular ALP activities were significantly increased after 3 or 9 days of treatment with serum both postingestion time points, with no effect seen in baseline samples. Also, serum obtained 1 and 2 h postingestion significantly increased the mRNA expression of bone markers RUNX2 and connexin43 (CX43) after both 3 and 9 days of incubation periods. Finally, serum obtained 1 and 2 h postingestion increased the mRNA expression of β-catenin after 9 days of incubation. We conclude that osteoblast activity and function are increased by dried plum ingestion, which may, in part, explain its beneficial effects on bone health.

Combining Fructooligosaccharide and Dried Plum Has the Greatest Effect on Restoring Bone Mineral Density Among Select Functional Foods and Bioactive Compounds

Bahram H. Arjmandi,Catherine D. Johnson,Sara C. Campbell,Shirin Hooshmand,Sheau C. Chai,Mohammed P. Akhter 한국식품영양과학회 2010 Journal of medicinal food Vol.13 No.2

Functional foods and/or their bioactive compounds playing a role in improving skeletal health have received considerable attention. The objective of the present study was to determine the extent to which certain functional foods as (1) whole, e.g., dried plum (DP), figs, dates, raisin, and blueberry, (2) fractionated, e.g., DP puree, DP juice, and DP pulp/skin, or (3) isolated, e.g., DP polyphenols, fructooligosaccharides (FOS), and β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate, forms reverse bone loss in an ovariectomized (Ovx) rat model of osteoporosis. Additionally, some of these components were tested in reversal of bone loss in combination. For this purpose, 180 3-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 15 groups (n=12) and either Ovx (14 groups) or sham-operated (Sham, one group). Rats were maintained on a semipurified standard diet for 45 days after surgery to establish bone loss. Thereafter, rats were placed on one of the following dietary treatments for 60 days: casein-based diet (Sham and Ovx). The remaining 13 Ovx groups were placed on various treatment diets. Results showed that diets supplemented with 5% FOS+7.5% DP was most effective in reversing both right femur and fourth lumbar bone mineral density and fourth lumbar calcium loss while significantly decreasing trabecular separation. There were no significant effects of treatment on serum or urine measures of bone turnover. Although other treatments were good at altering some bone parameters, none had the success in altering several bone health indicators as the diets supplemented with 5% FOS+7.5% DP. The findings of this study suggest the combination of 5% FOS+7.5% DP is capable of reversing Ovx-induced bone loss.

Effects of Dried Apple Consumption on Body Composition, Serum Lipid Profile, Glucose Regulation, and Inflammatory Markers in Overweight and Obese Children

Ashley Eisner,Pavithra Ramachandran,Conralyn Cabalbag,Dina Metti,Pouneh Shamloufard,Mark Kern,Mee Young Hong,Shirin Hooshmand 한국식품영양과학회 2020 Journal of medicinal food Vol.23 No.3

Consumption of fruits reduces the risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease; however, very few studies have investigated the effect of fruit consumption in overweight and obese children. We examined whether consuming dried apple as a snack is a practical solution for weight loss and improves body composition and metabolic markers. Thirty-eight overweight or obese children aged 10 to 16 years were randomly assigned to one of two groups consuming twice daily 120 kcal serving per day of either dried apple or a control snack (muffin) for 8 weeks. Body weight, height, waist circumference, and body composition were determined during an initial visit and after 8 weeks of intervention. Blood samples were collected to measure serum concentrations of blood lipids, glucose, insulin, proinsulin, total adiponectin, and C-reactive protein, as well as total antioxidant capacity and activity of glutathione peroxidase. Body weight increased in the muffin group (P = .01). BodPod and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry showed that fat-free mass increased (P < .05) only in the muffin group. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration increased (P = .04) after the 8-week treatment within the apple group. Overall, minor differences were detected in growing children who consumed snacks of either dried apples or muffins with similar macronutrient profiles for 8 weeks. Future research should evaluate the effects of consuming fresh apples that include the peel.

Dried Plum Consumption Improves Total Cholesterol and Antioxidant Capacity and Reduces Inflammation in Healthy Postmenopausal Women

Mee Young Hong,Mark Kern,Michelle Nakamichi-Lee,Nazanin Abbaspour,Arshya Ahouraei Far,Shirin Hooshmand 한국식품영양과학회 2021 Journal of medicinal food Vol.24 No.11

Dried plums contain bioactive components that have demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The objective of this study was to determine if dried plum consumption reduces the risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in postmenopausal women, specifically examining lipid profiles, oxidative stress, antioxidant capacity, and inflammation in a dose-dependent manner. We conducted a 6-month, parallel-design controlled clinical trial, where 48 postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to consume 0, 50, or 100 g of dried plum each day. After 6 months of intervention, total cholesterol (TC) in the 100 g/day treatment group (P = .002) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the 50 g/day treatment group (P = .005) improved significantly compared to baseline. Inflammatory biomarkers interleukin-6 (P = .044) and tumor necrosis factor-α (P = .040) were significantly lower after 6 months within the 50 g/day dried plum group compared to baseline. Moreover, total antioxidant capacity increased significantly within the 50 g/day group (P = .046), and superoxide dismutase activity increased significantly within both 50 and 100 g/day groups (P = .044 and P = .027, respectively) after 6 months compared to baseline. In addition, plasma activities of alanine transaminase (P = .046), lactate dehydrogenase (P = .039), and creatine kinase (P = .030) were significantly lower after 6 months in the 50 g/day dried plum group. These findings suggest that daily consumption of 50–100 g dried plum improves CVD risk factors in postmenopausal women as exhibited by lower TC, oxidative stress, and inflammatory markers with no clear dose dependence.