Obesity has been linked to lower concentrations of fat-soluble micronutrients and higher concentrations of oxidative stress markers as well as an altered metabolism of branched chain amino acids and phospholipids. In the context of morbid obesity, the aim of this study was to investigate whether and to which extent plasma status of micronutrients, amino acids, phospholipids and oxidative stress differs between morbidly obese (n = 23) and non-obese patients (n = 13). In addition to plasma, malondialdehyde, retinol, cholesterol and triglycerides were assessed in visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue in both groups. Plasma γ-tocopherol was significantly lower (p < 0.011) in the obese group while other fat-soluble micronutrients showed no statistically significant differences between both groups. Branched-chain amino acids (all p < 0.008) and lysine (p < 0.006) were significantly higher in morbidly obese patients compared to the control group. Malondialdehyde concentrations in both visceral (p < 0.016) and subcutaneous (p < 0.002) adipose tissue were significantly higher in the morbidly obese group while plasma markers of oxidative stress showed no significant differences between both groups. Significantly lower plasma concentrations of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, lyso-phosphatidylethanolamine (all p < 0.05) and their corresponding ether-linked analogs were observed, which were all reduced in obese participants compared to the control group. Pre-operative assessment of micronutrients in patients undergoing bariatric surgery is recommended for early identification of patients who might be at higher risk to develop a severe micronutrient deficiency post-surgery. Assessment of plasma BCAAs and phospholipids in obese patients might help to differentiate between metabolic healthy patients and those with metabolic disorders.

The influence of nutritional factors on frailty syndrome is still poorly understood. Thus, we aimed to confirm cross-sectional associations of diet-related blood biomarker patterns with frailty and pre-frailty statuses in 1271 older adults from four European cohorts. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed based on plasma levels of α-carotene, β-carotene, lycopene, lutein + zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, α-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol and retinol. Cross-sectional associations between biomarker patterns and frailty status, according to Fried’s frailty criteria, were assessed by using general linear models and multinomial logistic regression models as appropriate with adjustments for the main potential confounders. Robust subjects had higher concentrations of total carotenoids, β-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin than frail and pre-frail subjects and had higher lutein + zeaxanthin concentrations than frail subjects. No associations between 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 and frailty status were observed. Two distinct biomarker patterns were identified in the PCA results. The principal component 1 (PC1) pattern was characterized by overall higher plasma levels of carotenoids, tocopherols and retinol, and the PC2 pattern was characterized by higher loadings for tocopherols, retinol and lycopene together and lower loadings for other carotenoids. Analyses revealed inverse associations between PC1 and prevalent frailty. Compared to participants in the lowest quartile of PC1, those in the highest quartile were less likely to be frail (odds ratio: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.25–0.80, p = 0.006). In addition, those in the highest quartile of PC2 showed higher odds for prevalent frailty (2.48, 1.28–4.80, p = 0.007) than those in the lowest quartile. Our findings strengthen the results from the first phase of the FRAILOMIC project, indicating carotenoids are suitable components for future biomarker-based frailty indices.

The assessment of dietary carotenoids via blood measurements has been widely used as a marker for fruit and vegetable consumption. In the present study, modern, non-invasive approaches to assess dietary carotenoids, such as skin measurements and an app-based short dietary record (ASDR), were compared with conventional methods such as plasma status and handwritten 3-day dietary records. In an 8-week observational study, 21 healthy participants aged 50–65 years recorded their daily consumption of carotenoid-rich fruits and vegetables via a specially developed ASDR. Anthropometry, blood samplings and assessment of skin carotenoids via Raman and reflection spectroscopy were performed at baseline, after four weeks and at the end of the study. App-based intake data showed good correlations with plasma α-carotene (r = 0.74, p < 0.0001), β-carotene (r = 0.71, p < 0.0001), and total plasma carotenoids (r = 0.65, p < 0.0001); weak correlations with plasma lutein/zeaxanthin and β-cryptoxanthin (both r = 0.34, p < 0.05); and no correlation with plasma lycopene. Skin measurements via reflection and Raman spectroscopy correlated well with total plasma carotenoids (r = 0.81 and 0.72, respectively; both p < 0.0001), α-carotene (r = 0.75–0.62, p < 0.0001), and β-carotene (r = 0.79–0.71, p < 0.0001); moderately with plasma lutein/zeaxanthin (both r = 0.51, p < 0.0001); weakly with plasma β-cryptoxanthin (r = 0.40–0.31, p < 0.05); and showed no correlation with plasma lycopene. Skin measurements could provide a more convenient and noninvasive approach of estimating a person’s fruit and vegetable consumption compared to traditional methods, especially in studies that do not intend blood sampling. ASDR records might function as a suitable, convenient tool for dietary assessment in nutritional intervention studies.

This study explores age- and time-dependent variations in postprandial micronutrient absorption after a micronutrient-rich intervention meal within the Biomiel (bioavailability of micronutrients in elderly) study. Comprising 43 healthy participants, the study compares young (n = 21; mean age 26.90 years) and old (n = 22; mean age 66.77 years) men and women, analyzing baseline concentrations and six-hour postprandial dynamics of iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), iodine (I), free zinc (fZn), vitamin C, retinol, lycopene, β-carotene, α-tocopherol, and γ-tocopherol, along with 25(OH) vitamin D (quantified only at baseline). Methodologically, quantifications in serum or plasma were performed at baseline and also at 90, 180, 270, and 360 min postprandially. Results reveal higher baseline serum Zn and plasma lycopene concentrations in the young group, whereas Cu, Se, Cu/Zn ratio, 25(OH) vitamin D, α-tocopherol, and γ-tocopherol were higher in old participants. Postprandial variability of Zn, vitamin C, and lycopene showed a strong time-dependency. Age-related differences in postprandial metabolism were observed for Se, Cu, and I. Nevertheless, most of the variance was explained by individuality. Despite some limitations, this study provides insights into postprandial micronutrient metabolism (in serum/plasma), emphasizing the need for further research for a comprehensive understanding of this complex field. Our discoveries offer valuable insights for designing targeted interventions to address and mitigate micronutrient deficiencies in older adults, fostering optimal health and well-being across the lifespan.

Fatty acid esters of 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) are heat-induced contaminants formed from fats and sodium chloride. The mode of action for the 3-MCPD mediated induction of renal tubule neoplasms in rats is still unclear, which is in part due to lacking metabolism data. In the current study, urinary metabolites were identified by one- and two-dimensional ¹³ C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectrometry following oral administration of 3-MCPD or [ ¹³ C ₃ ]3-MCPD in rats. In addition to 3-MCPD itself, nine metabolites were identified. Four of those, N -acetyl-S-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)cysteine (DHPMA), 3-MCPD sulfate, β-chlorolactic acid (β-ClLA) and oxalic acid have been reported before. Five novel metabolites in rat urine were thiodiglycolic acid (TDGA), thionyldiglycolic acid (TNDGA), 3-MCPD glucuronide (at least three isomers), 3-carboxy-2-hydroxypropyl mercapturic acid (CHPMA), and 3-(S-carboxymethyl)mercaptolactic acid (CMMLA). Only three metabolites were excreted at mean dose ratios > 1% (after treatment with 50 mg 3-MCPD/kg body weight in male and female rats), i.e. 3-MCPD (7.3%, 9.7%), DHPMA (3.5%, 1.7%) and TDGA (1.1%, 4.0%). The overall mean dose excretion in urine samples (males: 12.2%, females: 16.3%) supported hypotheses on formation of conjugates/adducts of reactive metabolites and the possibility that dechlorination leads to suitable building blocks for amino acid and fatty acid synthesis. The identification of TDGA indicated the interim formation 2-chloroacetaldehyde, previously identified to mediate specific nephrotoxic effects of the cytostatic ifosfamide in rats.

Fatty acid esters of 2-monochlorpropane-1,2-diol (2-MCPD) are process contaminants formed during the heat treatment of foodstuffs containing fat and salt. The limited information on 2-MCPD metabolism hinders investigating the mechanisms of toxic effects observed in skeletal and heart muscle as well as kidneys of rats treated with 2-MCPD dissolved in water by gavage over 28 days. The aim of the present work was to expand the scheme of 2-MCPD metabolism in rats. After oral administration of [ ¹³ C ₃ ]2-MCPD (30 mg/kg bodyweight; bw) or 2-MCPD (3 or 30 mg/kg bw) by gavage, urine samples were collected between 0 and 8 h, 8–24 h and 24–48 h. Novel metabolites were identified by ¹³ C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), and the most abundant metabolites were quantified by isotope-dilution GC-MS and UPLC-MS/MS. The main compounds were 2-MCPD itself and the oxidation product 2-chlorohydracrylic acid (2-ClHA). Eight metabolites were detected for the first time. Products of conjugation reactions were 2-MCPD sulfate and 2-MCPD glucuronide. Six metabolites formed after degradation of glutathione conjugates were thiodiglycolic acid (TDGA), thionyldiglycolic acid (TNDGA), 3-(S-carboxymethyl)mercaptolactic acid (CMMLA), S-(carboxymethyl)-CysGly (CMCG), N-acetyl-S-(1-carboxy-2-hydroxyethyl)-Cys (CHEMA), and 2-[(2-carboxy-2-oxoethyl)sulfanyl]hydracrylic acid (2-COSHA). The mean excretion ratios of four main compounds quantified in male (m) and female (f) urine collected over 48 h following the low dose administration of 3 mg/kg bw were: 2-MCPD itself (m: 12.5%, f: 11.6%), 2-ClHA (m: 30.4%, f: 26.0%), TDGA (m: 8.5%, f: 8.1%) and 2-MCPD sulfate (m: 0.19%, f: 0.23%). In summary, the metabolites covered at least 51.6% (m) or 45.9% (f) of the dose, which allowed proposing a comprehensive scheme of metabolic pathways. Given that 2-MCPD and each of its metabolites may exert a toxic effect, two pairs of metabolites stand out due to their reactivity with glutathione: 2-chloroacetaldehyde/2-chloroacetic acid as well as 2-chlorolactaldehyde/2-ClHA.