Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with endothelial dysfunction as a key precursor.

Ageing is associated with a decline in both Nrf2 activity and DNA repair efficiency, leading to the accumulation of DNA damage and an increased risk of cancer. Understanding the mechanisms behind the increased level of damaged DNA during ageing is crucial for developing interventions to mitigate age-related cancer risk and improve overall health in older individuals. (Poly)phenols are plant-derived bioactive compounds that undergo metabolism into simpler phenolic catabolites following ingestion. While these compounds have been associated with various health benefits, further analysis of their bioavailable catabolites is necessary. To this end, four phenolic catabolites derived from colonic microbiota were investigated for their ability to reduce DNA damage in response to oxidative challenge and modulate the Nrf2-Antixoidant Response Element pathway. Normal and adenocarcinoma colonocyte cell lines (CCD 841 CoN, & HT29 respectively) were exposed to sub cytotoxic concentrations (>10 µM,) of hydroxylated (4-hydroxybenzoic acid, 3-(3’-hydroxyphenyl) propionic acid) and non-hydroxylated (benzoic acid or 3-phenylpropionic acid) phenolic acids. Using the COMET assay, each catabolite demonstrated significant (p<0.001) geno-protective activity, albeit with varying potency. They also significantly modulated expression of key genes in the Nrf2-ARE pathway, including Nrf2, Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and NAD(P)H dehydrogenase quinone 1 (NQO1). Hydroxylation of the phenolic acids appeared to have a limited effect with respect to bioactivity. Overall, the colon derived phenolic metabolites, when assessed at physiologically relevant concentrations, reduced DNA damage in both normal and adenocarcinoma colonic cells in response to oxidative challenge, mediated – at least in part via upregulation of the Nrf2-ARE pathway.

Individuals with an ileostomy (ileostomists) face unique physiological and dietary challenges that may impact on the bioavailability of phytochemicals, including carotenoids and (poly)phenols. In this study, we aimed to investigate habitual intake of phytochemical-rich foods and circulating concentrations of lutein, zeaxanthin, and phenolic compounds in ileostomists. In a cohort of 57 adults with an ileostomy (mean age 52.1 ± 15.0 years), habitual intake of phytochemical-rich foods and circulating concentrations of key carotenoids and phenolic compounds were markedly low. Mean intakes of fruit and vegetables (181.8 g day⁻¹), lutein (0.3 mg day⁻¹) and total (poly)phenols (524.4 mg day⁻¹) were substantially below population averages, which was reflected in low plasma concentrations of lutein (0.14 ± 0.11 µM), zeaxanthin (0.04 ± 0.04 µM) and phenolic metabolites (0.34 ± 0.15 µM). Associations between dietary intake and circulating biomarkers were generally weak, although lutein intake was moderately correlated with plasma lutein (r = 0.52, P < 0.001). Circulating phytochemicals remained consistently low irrespective of time since surgery, highlighting the combined effects of dietary restriction and loss of colonic metabolism. These findings underscore the need to explore dietary reintroduction strategies and targeted supplementation to support long-term health in ileostomists.

Exploring best approaches for presenting dietary advice on food portion sizes for 1–5 year old children in Ireland. By M. F. Adams¹, 2, B.O. Murphy¹,2, C. M. Donovan¹, C. B. O’Donovan¹, O. C. Lyons¹,2 and M.A.T. Flynn¹,2 1Food Safety Authority of Ireland, Dublin 1, Republic of Ireland and 2Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health, Ulster University, Coleraine, BT52 1SA,