No abstract

Background Urolithin A (UA) is produced by gut microflora from foods rich in ellagitannins. UA has been shown to improve mitochondrial health preclinically and in humans. Not everyone has a microbiome capable of producing UA, making supplementation with UA an appealing strategy. Objective This is the first detailed investigation of the prevalence of UA producers in a healthy population and the ability of direct UA supplementation to overcome both microbiome and dietary variability. Dietary intake of a glass of pomegranate juice (PJ) was used to assess UA producer status (n = 100 participants) and to characterize differences in gut microbiome between UA producers from non-producers. Methods Subjects were randomized (1:1) to either PJ or a food product containing UA (500 mg). Prevalence of UA producers and non-producers were determined in the PJ group. Diet questionnaires and fecal samples were collected to compare differences between UA producers and non-producers along with plasma samples at different time points to assess levels of UA and its conjugates between the interventions. Results Only 12% of subjects had detectable levels of UA at baseline. Following PJ intake ~40% of the subjects converted significantly the precursor compounds into UA. UA producers were distinguished by a significantly higher gut microbiome diversity and ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroides. Direct supplementation with UA significantly increased plasma levels and provided a >6-fold exposure to UA vs. PJ (p < 0.0001). Conclusions Differences in gut microbiome and diet that dictate natural exposure to UA can be overcome via direct dietary UA supplementation.

Background: Many breastfed babies in Ireland receive formula supplementation within 24 hours of birth. We explored (a) impact of formula supplementation on the likelihood of developing cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) and (b) current practice of formula supplementation (<24 hours) among mothers intending to breastfeed. Method:Fifty-five CMPA-diagnosed children, fed at <24 hours of age (breast only, formula only or breast with formula supplementation), were recruited, and 55 milktolerant age-and sex-matched controls were identified retrospectively in Cork University Maternity Hospital. Two logistic regressions (LoR) examined neonatal feed types on likelihood of developing CMPA while controlling for parental atopy and infant sex. Formula supplementation was then prospectively measured among a separate group of 179 breastfeeding mothers. Linear regression (LiR) analysis was used to examine the subjective and objective reasons for formula supplementation, in addition to examining pre-existing factors.Results: Two LoR examined the infant groups: exclusively breastfed, exclusively formula-fed or breastfed with formula supplementation. The first LoR model which showed only formula supplementation was significant in prediction of development of CMPA (χ 2 (3) = 25.74, P < .05), with 74% diagnostic accuracy when parental atopy and infant sex were controlled for. Breastfed infants given formula supplements were 7.03 (95% CI, 1.82-27.25) times more likely to exhibit CMPA than those who were exclusively breastfed. Formula supplementation was significant (OR 16.62, 95% CI 3.89-71.11), indicating that breastfed infants who were given formula supplements were 16 times more likely to exhibit CMPA than those who were exclusively bottle-fed. Exclusively formula-fed infants (odds ratio 0.42, 95% CI, 0.16-1.07) were not significantly more likely to exhibit CMPA than those who were exclusively breastfed in either model (P > .05). About 45.8% of breastfed infants (<24 hours) received supplemental formula. LiR investigated importance of the subjective and objective reasons, in predicting formula supplementation. This model was significant F(8,170) = 66.95, P < .05) explaining 75% of total variance. The subjective factors 'no latch' and 'mum unwell' were the strongest predictors (β > .45). Objective factors and pre-existing factors had lower ß values with only mode of delivery and infant hypoglycaemia being significant. Conclusion: Breastfed babies are still being put at significantly increased risk of CMPA by receiving supplemental formula in the first 24 hours of life, despite the | 811 KELLY Et aL.

Early-life experiences provide the foundation for later cognitions and behaviors. The expanded FACE developmental model is useful in explaining emotions and coping styles across different age groups and countries. These data will also be used to generate an age-specific bank of items for the development of 3 (age-specific self-report, and parent proxy) questionnaires to assess emotions and coping in food allergy. Findings provide insight into how particular styles of coping develop and vary from patient to patient and may also guide clinician-patient communication and the development of individualized management strategies.

The prebiotic activity of a commercially available oat product and a novel oat ingredient, at similar β-glucan loads, was tested using a validated in vitro gut model (M-SHIME®). The novel oat ingredient was tested further at lower β-glucan loads in vitro, while the commercially available oat product was assessed in a randomised, single-blind, placebo-controlled, and cross-over human study. Both approaches focused on healthy individuals with mild hypercholesterolemia. In vitro analysis revealed that both oat products strongly stimulated Lactobacillaceae and Bifidobacteriaceae in the intestinal lumen and the simulated mucus layer, and corresponded with enhanced levels of acetate and lactate with cross-feeding interactions leading to an associated increase in propionate and butyrate production. The in vitro prebiotic activity of the novel oat ingredient remained at lower β-glucan levels, indicating the prebiotic potential of the novel oat product. Finally, the stimulation of Lactobacillus spp. was confirmed during the in vivo trial, where lactobacilli abundance significantly increased in the overall population at the end of the intervention period with the commercially available oat product relative to the control product, indicating the power of in vitro gut models in predicting in vivo response of the microbial community to dietary modulation.