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Objectives This study was designed to investigate the effects of daily mango supplementation with probiotics for 8 weeks on inflammation and cognitive function in lean and obese individuals. It was hypothesized that mango supplementation with probiotic consumption has a synergistic benefit by enhancing the bioavailability of their metabolites and their beneficial activities. Methods This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study was conducted in 50 healthy lean (BMI 18–23 kg/m2) and 44 obese (BMI 27–35 kg/m2) participants aged 18–55. Participants consumed 400 g of mango pulp with one placebo/probiotics capsule over 8 weeks. On days 1 and 54, participants underwent cognitive function tests and blood-collections. In addition, participants took 10 sessions of visual cognitive function testing on days 43–54.< Results Mango intake with probiotics for 8 weeks reduced plasma levels of TNF-a and IL-10 (p = 0.037 and 0.049, respectively) compared to mango placebo group in obese participants but had no significant effect in lean participants. Visual cognitive performance was greater in lean participants (p = 0.050) but training responses were similar to obese. Probiotic resulted in lower visual cognitive performance (p = 0.018) but similar training responses as compared to placebo. In the trail making test (Attention) and digit span test (Memory), mango intake significantly improved overall cognitive performance in the lean participants, but only on the digit span backward test in obese participants. Simultaneous intake of mango and probiotics was not significantly different compared to mango with placebo in the trail making test but showed a synergistic effect in the digit span test. The amount of plasma metabolites was directly correlated with BMI (p = 0.0176, r = −0.1753, Spearman correlation) and IFN-g (p = 0.0336, r = 0.1572, Spearman correlation). Conclusions Mango consumption improved cognitive performance in lean individuals, whereas simultaneous intake of mango and probiotics had a synergistic effect in attenuating inflammation and improving cognitive functioning in obese individuals, at least in part due to increased bioavailability of mango polyphenols. Funding Sources USDA-AMS-National Mango Board.

Objectives Obesity has been positively correlated with alterations in adipose tissue such as increased production of pro-inflammatory molecules and high content of adipose tissue macrophages. In previous in vitro studies, we have shown that microbial metabolites of gallotannins (GT), including gallic acid (GA) and pyrogallol (PG), possess anti-inflammatory activities in cancer cells, as well as anti-lipogenic activities in adipocytes. In this study, we explored the molecular mechanisms of microbial metabolites of GT by investigating the effect of GA and PG on the inflammatory cytokines expression, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and NF-kb signaling pathways in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Methods RAW 264.7 macrophages were pre-treated with GA or PG (2.5 and 5 mg/L). Afterwards, inflammation was induced by 1 mg/mL lipopolysaccharide (LPS) along with the previous treatment. In a separate experiment, RAW 264.7 cells were pre-treated with or without 10 mM Compound C, an AMPK activity inhibitor, along with GA or PG (5 mg/L) and incubated with 1 mg/mL LPS. Analyses of gene and protein expression of inflammatory cytokines, AMPK and NF-kb were performed using qPCR and Western blot. Results mRNA and protein expressions of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) were significantly decreased in LPS-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages by GA and PG. Additionally, GA and PG inhibited LPS-induced inflammation through the up-regulation of AMPK and sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) activities, and the down-regulation of NF-kb activity. AMPK inhibition by Compound C in RAW 264.7 macrophages partially blocked LPS-induced inflammatory signaling. As a result, the inhibitory effects of GA and PG on LPS-induced inflammation were weakened. Conclusions GA and PG attenuate inflammation in RAW 264.7 macrophages at least in part through the activation of the AMPK pathway and the suppression of NF-kb activity. Overall, microbial metabolites of GT might possess therapeutic potential in the prevention of obesity-related adipose tissue inflammation. Funding Sources COALS's Nutrition Obesity Strategic Fellowship at Texas A&M University.

Objectives Obesity is considered a growing public health concern worldwide. This complex chronic disease has been linked with alterations in adipose tissue and increased pro-inflammatory molecules. Previous studies have associated cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) polyphenols with antimicrobial effects anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, we evaluate the impact of daily cranberry juice consumption for six weeks on the gut microbiome and inflammatory cytokines of overweight individuals. Methods A total of 45 overweight or obese (BMI 28–35 kg/m2) individuals aged 18–65 years, with a body fat percentage greater than 18% for males and 25% for females consumed 8 oz of placebo or cranberry juice twice a day for six weeks. Blood, fecal samples, intestinal health questionnaires, and food records were collected at baseline and after six weeks. Inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, interferon γ (IFN-γ), were analyzed in serum. DNA was extracted from fecal samples to perform a 16S rRNA metagenomics analysis. Results Serum levels of TNFα were significantly decreased in the male group (p-value < 0.0317), and IL-8 levels were significantly increased in the female group (p-value < 0.0121) after six weeks of cranberry consumption. In contrast, cranberry consumption significantly improved constipation status after six weeks, based on the AGACHAN questionnaire. At the end of the study, significant differences were found among groups on the class Coriobacteriia, attributed to an increment in the relative abundance of unidentified Coriobacteriaceae sp. after cranberry consumption. Moreover, significant differences among groups on the Bilophila genus were detected after six weeks. This difference was accompanied by an increase in the relative abundance of unidentified Bilophila sp. on the placebo group. Conclusions A short-term supplementation of a low dose of cranberry juice showed a slight impact on the inflammatory markers and increased the abundance of some beneficial bacterial species. Results are contributing to understanding the bioactive properties of cranberry polyphenols. Funding Sources Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc.