This efficacy trial evaluated the effects of two polyphenolic stilbenes, resveratrol and pterostilbene, mostly found in grapes, on the brush border membrane functionality, morphology and gut microbiome. This study applied the validated Gallus gallus intra-amniotic approach to investigate the effects of stilbene administration versus the controls. Three treatment groups (5% resveratrol; 5% pterostilbene; and synergistic: 4.75% resveratrol and 0.25% pterostilbene) and three controls (18 MΩ H₂O; no injection; 5% inulin) were employed. We observed beneficial morphological changes, specifically an increase in the villus length, diameter, depth of crypts and goblet cell diameter in the pterostilbene and synergistic groups, with concomitant increases in the serum iron and zinc concentrations. Further, the alterations in gene expression of the mineral metabolism proteins and pro-inflammatory cytokines indicate a potential improvement in gut health and mineral bioavailability. The cecal microbiota was analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing. A lower α-diversity was observed in the synergistic group compared with the other treatment groups. However, beneficial compositional and functional alterations in the gut microbiome were detected. Several key microbial metabolic pathways were differentially enriched in the pterostilbene treatment group. These observations demonstrate a significant bacterial–host interaction that contributed to enhancements in intestinal functionality, morphology and physiological status. Our data demonstrate a novel understanding of the nutritional benefits of dietary stilbenes and their effects on intestinal functionality, morphology and gut microbiota in vivo.

Background: Food insecurity (FI) is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes (T2D) that disproportionately affects Latinas. We conducted a microlongitudinal study to examine the relationship of monthly cycling of FI and diabetes risk factors. Objective: This study aimed to determine the quantitative methodology, recruitment and retention strategies, predictors of retention across time, and baseline sample demographics. Methods: Participants were adult Latinas living in Hartford, Connecticut who were recruited through a community agency, invited to participate if they were receiving Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, screened positive for FI using the 2-item Hunger Vital Sign Screener, and had elevated risk factors for T2D using the American Diabetes Association risk factor test. Using a microlongitudinal design, we collected data twice per month for 3 months (week 2, which is a period of food budget adequacy; and week 4, which is a period of food budget inadequacy) to determine if the monthly cycling of FI was associated with near-term diabetes risk (fasting glucose, fructosamine, and glycosylated albumin) and long-term risk (BMI, waist circumference, and glycated hemoglobin) markers. We determined whether household food inventory, psychological distress, and binge eating mediated associations. We examined Health Action Process Approach model constructs. To assess the relationship between monthly cycling of FI with diabetes risk markers, we used repeated measures general linear mixed models. To assess the role of mediators, we performed a causal pathway analysis. Results: Participant enrollment was from April 1, 2021 to February 21, 2023. A total of 87 participants completed 420 assessments or a mean of 4.83 (SD 2.02) assessments. About half (47/87, 54%) of the sample self-identified as Puerto Rican, mean age was 35.1 (SD 5.8) years, with 17.1 (SD 11.6) years in the mainland United States. Just under half (41/87, ) spoke Spanish only, 69% (60/87) had no formal schooling, and 31% (27/87) had less than eighth grade education. Modal household size was 4 including 2 children; 44.8% (39/87) were not living with a partner. About half (47/87, 54%) were unemployed, 63.2% (55/87) reported a monthly income <US $1000, and 63.2% (55/87) used food pantries. In total, 61 participants (70.1%) completed all 6 assessments. On Pearson correlation analysis, having internet at home and having a tablet at home were associated with a higher number of completed assessments. Conclusions: This study demonstrated how FI cycles over the month and whether and to what degree the cycling itself is related to the risk for T2D development, as well as the evidence for some putative mechanisms of this association that can serve as future intervention targets including SNAP disbursement schedules.

BACKGROUND Food insecurity (FI) is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes (T2D) that disproportionately affects Latinas. OBJECTIVE We propose that FI cycles over the course of a month according to disbursement of food assistance benefits and seek to understand whether this cycling is related to diabetes risk. METHODS Participants were adult Latinas living in Hartford CT, a small state capital city in northeastern, USA. They were recruited through a community agency in Hartford, CT and were invited to participate if they were receiving Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, screened positive for FI, and had elevated risk factors for T2D. Using a micro-longitudinal design, we collected data twice per month for 3 months (week two which is a period of food budget adequacy and week four which is a period of food budget inadequacy). We will determine if the monthly cycling of FI is associated with near-term diabetes risk (fasting glucose, fructosamine, glycosylated albumin) and long-term risk (body mass index, waist circumference, and HbA1c). We will determine whether household food inventory, psychological distress, and binge eating mediate associations. To assess the relationship between monthly cycling of FI with diabetes risk markers, we will use repeated measures general linear mixed models (GLMMs). To assess the role of mediators, we will perform a causal pathway analysis. Participant enrollment was from April 1, 2021, to February 21, 2023. Quantitative methods and baseline demographic data for the sample are reported here. RESULTS Of the 845 participants screened, 685 were not eligible. The most common exclusions being because they did not receive SNAP benefits (n=229), were outside of the age range (n=155), had extant diabetes (n=90), or did not have elevated risk for type 2 diabetes (n=83). Of the n=160 that were eligible, n=73 declined with the most common reason for declining was lack of time, lack of transportation, and concerns about COVID; n=87 enrolled in the study. As can be seen in Table 1, just over half (54.0%) of the sampled self-identified as Puerto Rican, mean age was 35.1 ± 5.8 years, with 17.1 ± 11.6 years in the mainland U.S. Just under half (47.1%) spoke Spanish only, 69.0% had no formal schooling and 31.0% had <8th grade education. Modal household size was 4 including 2 children, and 44.5% were not living with a partner. About half (54.0%) were unemployed, 63.2% reported a monthly income <$1,000 and 63.2% used food pantries. CONCLUSIONS This study will demonstrate how FI cycles over the course of the month, as well as whether and to what degree the cycling itself is related to risk for T2D. Further, the study will provide evidence for some putative mechanisms of this association that can serve as future intervention targets. CLINICALTRIAL Pilot study, R21. Not a registered trial.