Paola Zinno1, Vincenzo Motta2, Barbara Guantario1, Fausta Natella1, Marianna Roselli1, Cristiano Bello1, Raffaella Comitato1, Domenico Carminati3, Flavio Tidona3, Aurora Meucci3, Paola Aiello1, Giuditta Perozzi1, Fabio Virgili1, Paolo Trevisi2, Raffaella Canali4, Chiara Devirgiliis5. 1. Research Centre for Food and Nutrition, CREA (Council for Agricultural Research and Economics), Via Ardeatina 546, 00178, Rome, Italy. 2. Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL), University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 46, 40127, Bologna, Italy. 3. Research Centre for Animal Production and Aquaculture, CREA (Council for Agricultural Research and Economics), Via A. Lombardo 11, 26900, Lodi, Italy. 4. Research Centre for Food and Nutrition, CREA (Council for Agricultural Research and Economics), Via Ardeatina 546, 00178, Rome, Italy. raffaella.canali@crea.gov.it. 5. Research Centre for Food and Nutrition, CREA (Council for Agricultural Research and Economics), Via Ardeatina 546, 00178, Rome, Italy. chiara.devirgiliis@crea.gov.it.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Several studies highlighted a correlation between folic acid deficiency and high plasma homocysteine concentration, considered a risk factor for multifactorial diseases. Natural folates represent an emerging alternative strategy to supplementation with synthetic folic acid, whose effects are controversial. The present work was, therefore, performed in hyperhomocysteinemic mice to study the impact of supplementation with dairy matrices containing natural folates on plasma homocysteine levels and faecal microbiota composition. METHODS: Forty mice were divided into six groups, two of which fed control or folic acid deficient (FD) diets for 10 weeks. The remaining four groups were fed FD diet for the first 5 weeks and then shifted to a standard control diet containing synthetic folic acid (R) or a FD diet supplemented with folate-enriched fermented milk (FFM) produced by selected lactic acid bacteria, fermented milk (FM), or milk (M), for additional 5 weeks. RESULTS: Supplementation with dairy matrices restored homocysteine levels in FD mice, although impacting differently on hepatic S-adenosyl-methionine levels. In particular, FFM restored both homocysteine and S-adenosyl-methionine levels to the control conditions, in comparison with FM and M. Next generation sequencing analysis revealed that faecal microbiota of mice supplemented with FFM, FM and M were characterised by a higher richness of bacterial species in comparison with C, FD and R groups. Analysis of beta diversity highlighted that the three dairy matrices determined specific, significant variations of faecal microbiota composition, while hyperhomocysteinemia was not associated with significant changes. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the results represent a promising starting point for the applicability of food matrices enriched in natural folates to manage hyperhomocysteinemia.
PURPOSE: Several studies highlighted a correlation between folic acid deficiency and high plasma homocysteine concentration, considered a risk factor for multifactorial diseases. Natural folates represent an emerging alternative strategy to supplementation with synthetic folic acid, whose effects are controversial. The present work was, therefore, performed in hyperhomocysteinemic mice to study the impact of supplementation with dairy matrices containing natural folates on plasma homocysteine levels and faecal microbiota composition. METHODS: Forty mice were divided into six groups, two of which fed control or folic acid deficient (FD) diets for 10 weeks. The remaining four groups were fed FD diet for the first 5 weeks and then shifted to a standard control diet containing synthetic folic acid (R) or a FD diet supplemented with folate-enriched fermented milk (FFM) produced by selected lactic acid bacteria, fermented milk (FM), or milk (M), for additional 5 weeks. RESULTS: Supplementation with dairy matrices restored homocysteine levels in FDmice, although impacting differently on hepatic S-adenosyl-methionine levels. In particular, FFM restored both homocysteine and S-adenosyl-methionine levels to the control conditions, in comparison with FM and M. Next generation sequencing analysis revealed that faecal microbiota of mice supplemented with FFM, FM and M were characterised by a higher richness of bacterial species in comparison with C, FD and R groups. Analysis of beta diversity highlighted that the three dairy matrices determined specific, significant variations of faecal microbiota composition, while hyperhomocysteinemia was not associated with significant changes. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the results represent a promising starting point for the applicability of food matrices enriched in natural folates to manage hyperhomocysteinemia.
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