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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Boston, Massachusetts » Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging » Research » Research Project #426588
Research Project: Plant Components and Aging

Location: Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging

2018 Annual Report


Objectives
LAB NAME: Antioxidants Research Objective 1. Determine the bioavailability, pharmacokinetics, metabolism, and mechanisms of phytochemicals (e.g., carotenoids, phenolic acids, polyphenols) from fruit, nuts, and whole grains using in vitro, animal model, and human studies. Objective 2. Determine the effect of phytochemicals (e.g., alkylresorcinols, flavonoids) from fruit, nuts, and whole grains on intermediary biomarkers of age-related conditions (e.g., cytokines, isoprostanes), metabolomics parameters (e.g., fatty acids, organic acids), physiological profiles (e.g., endothelial responses, glucose homeostasis), and functional outcomes relevant to cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Objective 3. Determine the effect of phytochemicals (e.g., anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins) from fruit, nuts, and whole grains on intermediary biomarkers of age-related conditions (e.g., oxidatively modified DNA) and physiological profiles (e.g., innate immunity) relevant to cancer, particularly colorectal and liver cancers.


Approach
LAB NAME: Antioxidants Research Using in vitro, animal model, and human studies, we will characterize the bioavailability, pharmacokinetics, metabolism, and mechanisms of phytochemicals (e.g., carotenoids, phenolic acids, polyphenols) from fruit, nuts, and whole grains, particularly as relevant to the aging process and older adults. Building upon this information, we will determine the effect of phytochemicals (e.g., alkylresorcinols, flavonoids) from fruit, nuts, and whole grains on intermediary biomarkers of age-related conditions (e.g., cytokines, isoprostanes), metabolomic parameters (e.g., fatty acids, organic acids), physiological profiles (e.g., endothelial responses, glucose homeostasis), and functional outcomes relevant to cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. In addition, we will investigate the effect of phytochemicals (e.g., anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins) from fruit, nuts, and whole grains on intermediary biomarkers of age-related conditions (e.g., oxidatively modified DNA) and physiological profiles (e.g., innate immunity) relevant to cancer, particularly colorectal and liver cancers.


Progress Report
Our research in non-human primates found preferential uptake of the dietary carotenoid lutein into brain cellular membranes, levels of which were significantly related to less inflammation and oxidative stress in the brain. Research in brain tissue of older adults found variable but statistically significant relationships among a variety of carotenoids, tocopherols, and long chain fatty acids with pre-mortem measures of cognition, but certain combinations of these food components had stronger relationships. We also conducted clinical trials to determine the effect of consumption of selected foods, i.e., almonds, avocados, and eggs, rich in phytonutrients on cognitive function in older adults. We found that daily consumption of one avocado improved cognitive function. We have also conducted a series of systematic reviews and meta-analyses to evaluate the relationships between intake of phytonutrient-rich foods, i.e., almonds, apples, and avocados, with risk factors for age-related diseases. These studies found beneficial effects from the consumption of these foods on biomarkers of disease risk, including body weight, oxidative stress, and inflammation. In summary, our work has employed a variety of research approaches to investigate the role of plant foods in healthy and active aging. We also completed a randomized clinical trial testing the impact of a daily multivitamin/multi-mineral supplement on the nutritional status of older Americans prescribed polypharmacy regimens common to this population.


Accomplishments


Review Publications
Blumberg, J.B., Bolling, B.W., Chen, C., Xiao, H. 2014. Review and perspective on the composition and safety of green tea extracts. European Journal of Nutrition & Food Safety. 5(1):1-31. https://doi.org/10.9734/EJNFS/201.
 Wallace, T.C., Blumberg, J.B., Johnson, E.J., Shao, A. 2015. Dietary bioactives: establishing a scientific framework for recommended intakes. Advances in Nutrition. 6:1-4. https://doi.org/10.3945/an.114.007294.
 Wu, J., Li, X., Wan, W., Yang, Q., Ma, W., Chen, D., Hu, J., Chen, C., Wei, X. 2017. Gigantol from Dendrobium chrysotoxum Lindl. binds and inhibits aldose reductase gene to exert its anti-cataract activity: an in vitro mechanistic study. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 198:255-261. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2017.01.026.
 Scott, T., Rasmussen, H., Chen, C.E., Johnson, E.J. 2017. Avocado consumption increases macular pigment density in older adults: a randomized, controlled trial. Nutrients. 9(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9090919.
 Chen, C., Kamil, A., Blumberg, J.B. 2015. Phytochemical composition and antioxidant capacity of whole wheat products. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition. 66(1):63-70. https://doi.org/10.3109/09637486.2014.971228.
 Chen, C., Holbrook, M., Deuss, M., Dohadwala, M.M., Jamburg, N.M., Asztalos, B.F., Milbury, P.E., Blumberg, J.B., Vita, J.A. 2015. Effect of almond consumption on vascular function in patients with coronary artery disease: a randomized, controlled, cross-over trial. Nutrition Journal. 14(61):1-11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12937-015-0049-5.
 Martins, I.M., Macedo, G.A., Macedo, J.A., Roberto, B., Chen, Q., Blumberg, J.B., Chen, C. 2016. Tannase enhances the anti-inflammatory effect of grape pomace in Caco-2 cells treated with IL-1beta. Journal of Functional Foods. 29:69-76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2016.12.011.
 Tanpresertsuk, J., Li, B., Bernstein, P.S., Vishwanathan, R., Johnson, M., Poon, L., Johnson, E.J. 2016. Relationship between concentrations of lutein and StARD3 among pediatric and geriatric human brain tissue. PLoS One. 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0159877.
 Johnson, E.J. 2014. Role of lutein and zeaxanthin in visual and cognitive function throughout the lifespan. Nutrition Reviews. https://doi.org/10.1111/nure.12133.
 Johnson, E.J., Vishwanathan, R., Rasmussen, H., Lang, J.C. 2014. Bioavailbility of AREDS1 micronutrients from softgels and tablets: a pilot study. Molecular Vision. 20:1228-1242.
 McKeown, N.M., Marklund, M., Ma, J., Ross, A.B., Lichtenstein, A.H., Livingston, K.A., Jacques, P.F., Rasmussen, H.B., Blumberg, J.B., Chen, C. 2015. Comparison of plasma alkylresorcinols (AR) and urinary AR metabolites as biomarkers of compliance in a short-term, whole-grain intervention study. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 55(3):1235-1244. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-015-0936-8.