Browsing by Author "Keirns, Bryant"

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    Pulse Supplementation Improves Gut Health and Lowers Total Cholesterol in Postmenopausal Women
    (Elsevier, 2022) Orphan, Jessica; Alake, Sanmi; Keirns, Bryant; Ice, John; Smith, Brenda; Emerson, Sam; Lucas, Edralin; Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine
    Objectives: Menopause is associated with many physiological changes as well as increased risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and gut-related diseases (i.e. irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, colon cancer). Data regarding the use of pulse crops in alleviating health risks associated with menopause are limited. This study investigated the effects of pulse supplementation on markers of gut health and metabolic outcomes in postmenopausal women. Methods: Thirty-five postmenopausal (≥1 year without menstruation) women, ages 45–70 years old, who were not on hormone replacement therapy, probiotics, antibiotics, multiple supplements, or medications that affect lipids or glucose, were recruited for this clinical study. Study participants were asked to consume 100 g of pulses (alternate between chickpeas, kidney beans, pinto beans, black-eyed peas, and lentils) daily for 12 wks, and to maintain their normal diet and lifestyle. Anthropometric measures including body composition by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, plasma lipids and glucose, fecal short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and stool characteristics (Bristol Stool Chart and the Cleveland Clinic Constipation Scoring System) were assessed before and at the end of 12-wk supplementation. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: There were no differences in anthropometric measures and plasma glucose at the end of the 12-wk supplementation compared to baseline. However, a reduction in plasma total cholesterol (p = 0.039) and LDL-C (p = 0.026), but an increase in both VLDL-C (p = 0.031) and triglycerides (p = 0.033) were observed with pulse supplementation. Constipation score significantly improved (p = 0.003) but no change in stool quality were observed with pulse supplementation. Fecal acetic acid (p< 0.001), n-butyric (p = 0.038), n-caproic (p = 0.004) and total SCFAs (p = 0.001) were also significantly increased with pulse supplementation. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that 12 wks of pulse supplementation improved markers of gut health and lowers total- and LDL-cholesterol in postmenopausal women. This population who are at an increased risk for cardiovascular and gut-related diseases can benefit from regularly consuming pulses.
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    Supplemental wheat germ modulates phosphorylation of STAT3 in the gut and NF-κBp65 in the adipose tissue of mice fed a Western diet
    (Elsevier, 2022-12-23) Ojo, Babajide A.; Alake, Sanmi E.; Kaur, Amritpal; Wong, Siau Yen; Keirns, Bryant; Ritchey, Jerry W.; Chowanadisai, Winyoo; Lin, Dingbo; Clarke, Stephen; Smith, Brenda J.; Lucas, Edralin A.; Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine
    Background: Commensal gut bacteria, including Lactobacillus, can produce metabolites that stimulate the release of gut antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) via the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3 pathway and prevent obesity-associated leaky gut and chronic inflammation. We have previously reported that wheat germ (WG) selectively increased cecal Lactobacillus in obese mice. Objectives: This study investigated the effects of WG on gut STAT3 activation and AMPs (Reg3γ and Reg3β) as well as the potential of WG to inhibit nuclear Nf-κB-activation and immune cell infiltration in the visceral adipose tissue (VAT) of mice fed a Western diet (i.e., high-fat and sucrose diet [HFS]). Methods: Six-wk-old male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to 4 groups (n = 12/group): control (C, 10% fat and sucrose kcal) or HFS (45% fat and 26% sucrose kcal) diet with or without 10% WG (wt/wt) for 12 wk. Assessments include serum metabolic parameters jejunal AMPs genes, inflammatory markers, and phosphorylation of STAT3 as well as VAT NF-κBp65. Independent and interaction effects of HFS and WG were analyzed with a 2-factor ANOVA. Results: WG significantly improved markers of insulin resistance and upregulated jejunal Il10 and Il22 genes. The HFS + WG group had a 15-fold increase in jejunal pSTAT3 compared with the HFS group. Consequently, WG significantly upregulated jejunal mRNA expression of Reg3γ and Reg3β. The HFS group had a significantly higher VAT NF-κBp65 phosphorylation than the C group, while the HFS + WG group suppressed this to the level of C. Moreover, VAT Il6 and Lbp genes were downregulated in the HFS + WG group compared with HFS. Genes related to macrophage infiltration in the VAT were repressed in the WG-fed mice. Conclusion: These findings show the potential of WG to influence vital regulatory pathways in the gut and adipose tissue which may reduce the chronic inflammatory burden on these tissues that are important targets in obesity and insulin resistance.