mRNA in the stomach of adult rats compared to AL; (GOAT) mRNA in the
stomach was upregulated 14-fold compared to adult DR rats.
Gut bacteria may influence obesity through metabolites (mainly, SCFA) produced by dietary fiber fermentation. Obese microbiota elevates propionate production compared with that of normal weight from rye grain samples due to the
lowest propionate production and highest butyrate production during fermentation
(Yang et al. 2013). Thus, Al-Lahham et al. (2010) demonstrated that propionic
acid (PA, SCFA) stimulates the anorexigenic hormone leptin expression and
reduces the proinflammatory factor resistin in human adipose tissues. This suggests that PA is involved in the regulation of human energy metabolism and
inflammation, and may thus influence the development of obesity and TD2.
Additionally, continuous Hawthorn Pectin Pentaoligosaccharide (HPP) ingestion may be used as dietary therapy to prevent obesity and CVDs. HPP significantly increased the hepatic fatty acid oxidation-related enzyme activities of acylCoA oxidase, carnitine palmitoyltransferase I, 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase, and 2,4dienoyl-CoA reductase and their corresponding mRNAs (Li et al. 2013).
Other study showed the effects of dietary compounds [resveratrol, green tea
extract, a-tocopherol, vitamin C, n-3 PUFAs, and tomato extract], by using a
nutrigenomic approach by large-scale profiling of genes, proteins, and metabolites
in blood, urine, and fat tissue in overweight men (Bakker et al. 2010). A multitude
of subtle changes were detected by an integrated analysis of the ‘‘omics’’ data,
which indicated that dietary mix modulates inflammation of adipose tissue,
improved endothelial function, affected oxidative stress, and increased liver fatty
acid oxidation in overweight men (Table 10.1).
High-protein diets favor weight loss and its maintenance. In this regard, an
interesting study showed that leucine supplementation modulates fuel substrate
utilization and glucose metabolism in previously obese mice by modulating several genes involved in fatty acid metabolism and mitochondrial activity in the
epididymal white and the brown adipose tissues, but not muscle (Binder et al.
2013). Also, parts of vegetables’ health benefits are mediated by changes in energy
metabolism, inflammatory processes, and oxidative stress, according to Pasman
et al. (2013).
10.5 Coronary Diseases: Gene-Nutrient Connection
CVD is caused by disorders of the heart and blood vessels, and includes coronary
heart disease (heart attacks), cerebrovascular disease (stroke), elevated blood
pressure (hypertension), peripheral arterial disease, rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart disease, and heart failure. The major causes of CVD are consumption
of tobacco, physical inactivity, and an unhealthy diet. An estimated 17.1 million
people died from CVDs in 2004, representing 29 % of all global deaths. By 2030,
almost 23.6 million people will die from CVDs, mainly from heart disease and
stroke (Williams et al. 2004; WHO 2009).
10 Natural Foods as Biosystems to Face Noncommunicable Chronic Diseases
307
stomach was upregulated 14-fold compared to adult DR rats.
Gut bacteria may influence obesity through metabolites (mainly, SCFA) produced by dietary fiber fermentation. Obese microbiota elevates propionate production compared with that of normal weight from rye grain samples due to the
lowest propionate production and highest butyrate production during fermentation
(Yang et al. 2013). Thus, Al-Lahham et al. (2010) demonstrated that propionic
acid (PA, SCFA) stimulates the anorexigenic hormone leptin expression and
reduces the proinflammatory factor resistin in human adipose tissues. This suggests that PA is involved in the regulation of human energy metabolism and
inflammation, and may thus influence the development of obesity and TD2.
Additionally, continuous Hawthorn Pectin Pentaoligosaccharide (HPP) ingestion may be used as dietary therapy to prevent obesity and CVDs. HPP significantly increased the hepatic fatty acid oxidation-related enzyme activities of acylCoA oxidase, carnitine palmitoyltransferase I, 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase, and 2,4dienoyl-CoA reductase and their corresponding mRNAs (Li et al. 2013).
Other study showed the effects of dietary compounds [resveratrol, green tea
extract, a-tocopherol, vitamin C, n-3 PUFAs, and tomato extract], by using a
nutrigenomic approach by large-scale profiling of genes, proteins, and metabolites
in blood, urine, and fat tissue in overweight men (Bakker et al. 2010). A multitude
of subtle changes were detected by an integrated analysis of the ‘‘omics’’ data,
which indicated that dietary mix modulates inflammation of adipose tissue,
improved endothelial function, affected oxidative stress, and increased liver fatty
acid oxidation in overweight men (Table 10.1).
High-protein diets favor weight loss and its maintenance. In this regard, an
interesting study showed that leucine supplementation modulates fuel substrate
utilization and glucose metabolism in previously obese mice by modulating several genes involved in fatty acid metabolism and mitochondrial activity in the
epididymal white and the brown adipose tissues, but not muscle (Binder et al.
2013). Also, parts of vegetables’ health benefits are mediated by changes in energy
metabolism, inflammatory processes, and oxidative stress, according to Pasman
et al. (2013).
10.5 Coronary Diseases: Gene-Nutrient Connection
CVD is caused by disorders of the heart and blood vessels, and includes coronary
heart disease (heart attacks), cerebrovascular disease (stroke), elevated blood
pressure (hypertension), peripheral arterial disease, rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart disease, and heart failure. The major causes of CVD are consumption
of tobacco, physical inactivity, and an unhealthy diet. An estimated 17.1 million
people died from CVDs in 2004, representing 29 % of all global deaths. By 2030,
almost 23.6 million people will die from CVDs, mainly from heart disease and
stroke (Williams et al. 2004; WHO 2009).
10 Natural Foods as Biosystems to Face Noncommunicable Chronic Diseases
307