Interaction of dietary sucrose and fiber on serum lipids in healthy young men fed high carbohydrate diets

High sucrose diets may cause increased serum triglycerides and decreased high density lipoprotein concentration. To determine whether dietary fiber protects against these effects, four groups of six healthy young men were assigned to one of four very high carbohydrate diets providing 0, 18, 36, or 52% of calories as sucrose. Each diet was fed in both low (less than 14 g) and high (greater than 34 g) levels of dietary fiber for 10 days each. Triglycerides increased during the 36 and 52% sucrose diets compared to 0 and 18% sucrose diets, and fiber protected partially against this rise. Serum cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were lower during the 0 and 18% sucrose diets than the 36 or 52% sucrose diets but fiber had no effect. HDL cholesterol decreased during all low fat diets, with a trend toward a greater decrease during the high sucrose diets. The results suggest that fiber protects against carbohydrate-induced lipemia but has no effect on cholesterol during very high carbohydrate diets.     

Lack of effect of dietary fiber on serum lipids, glucose, and insulin in healthy young men fed high starch diets

Eight healthy young men were fed a 72% carbohydrate high starch diet either high or low in dietary fiber for 4 days in a double cross-over design. Both groups showed a slight transient increase in plasma triglyceride level and a decrease in total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. There were few differences in glucose and insulin levels after glucose and meal tolerance tests after each diet. Fasting triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were inversely related at base-line; insulin response to oral glucose was inversely related to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels at the end of the study. We conclude that a high carbohydrate high starch diet, whether high or low in fiber, caused little increase in triglycerides, with little difference between the high and low fiber diets. Dietary fiber did not influence the fall in plasma cholesterol or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations over and above that seen after the low fiber diet.     

Effect of soy protein varying in isoflavone content on serum lipids in healthy young men

BACKGROUND: Previous research supports a role for soy protein in reducing serum lipids; however, few studies involved healthy male subjects or focused on soy isoflavones (or did both). OBJECTIVE: The objective was to ascertain the effects of soy protein varying in isoflavone content on serum lipids in healthy young men. DESIGN: Thirty-five males (x +/- SD age: 27.9 +/- 5.7 y) consumed milk protein isolate (MPI), low-isoflavone soy protein isolate (low-iso SPI; 1.64 +/- 0.19 mg aglycone isoflavones/d), and high-isoflavone SPI (high-iso SPI; 61.7 +/- 7.4 mg aglycone isoflavones/d) for 57 d each, separated by 4-wk washout periods, in a randomized crossover design. Blood samples were collected at the beginning and end of each treatment period, and total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol; triacylglycerols; apolipoprotein (apo) B; apo A-I; and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured in serum. Twenty-four-hour urine samples were collected for 3 consecutive days at the end of each treatment period and analyzed for isoflavones. RESULTS: Urinary isoflavones were significantly greater with consumption of the high-iso SPI than with that of the low-iso SPI or MPI. The differences between the 3 treatments with respect to individual serum lipids were not significant, but the ratios of total to HDL cholesterol, LDL to HDL cholesterol, and apo B to apo A-I were significantly lower with both SPI treatments than with MPI treatment. CONCLUSION: Soy protein, regardless of isoflavone content, modulates serum lipid ratios in a direction beneficial for cardiovascular disease risk in healthy young men.     

A long-term metabolic balance study in young men to assess the nutritional quality of an isolated soy protein and beef proteins

To evaluate the capacity of an isolated soy protein to maintain long-term protein nutritional status in healthy young adult men, an 84-day metabolic balance experiment was conducted in eight subjects. The sole source of protein intake was provided by the isolated soy protein, given at a level of 0.8 g (N X 6.25) per kg per day. In a second and similar study, four young men received 0.8 g protein and three subjects 0.68 g protein per kg per day from beef proteins for 60 to 81 days. Body weight, nitrogen balance, blood chemistries, and body composition (whole body 40K) were monitored throughout each study. Body nitrogen balances were maintained within the range of N equilibrium in both diet groups. Body cell mass, as judged from 40K measurements, did not reveal any deterioration in protein nutritional status. These observations confirm the prediction, derived from previous short-term. N balance studies, that the nutritional quality of isolated soy protein is high and that this plant protein can serve as the sole source of essential amino acids and nitrogen for protein maintenance in adults.     

A comparison of effects of fish and beef protein on satiety in normal weight men

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have indicated that fish protein may have a greater effect on satiety compared to other protein sources of animal origin.OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of fish protein and beef protein meals on hunger and satiety. DESIGN: Twenty-three normal non-smoking, healthy males aged 20-32 years, body mass index 22.5+/-1.8 (s.d.) kg/m(2) participated in a study, with within-subjects design and 1 week between test days. In the morning of the test days, subjects received a standardized breakfast. Four hours after breakfast, subjects were served an iso-energetic protein-rich (40 energy % protein) lunch meal, consisting of either a fish protein dish or a beef protein dish. Four hours after the start of the lunch meals, an ad libitum standardized evening meal was served and the intake of food was measured. Appetite was rated by visual analogue scales (VAS) immediately before and after the meals, as well as every hour between the meals. After the evening meal until bedtime, subjects were asked to record in detail foods and drinks consumed. RESULTS: The repeated VAS-ratings of hunger, satiety and prospective consumption were modelled in a random effects model, taking pre-lunch VAS-ratings into account. After the fish meal, the point estimates were lower for hunger (-2+/-4.8), higher for satiety (8.7+/-6.0) and lower for prospective consumption (-4.9+/-4.7), but they did not reach statistical significance (P satiety=0.88; P hunger=0.15; P prospective=0.30). However, the energy intake at the evening meal displayed significant differences with subjects eating less after the fish protein lunch (2765 vs 3080 KJ, P<0.01) without feeling less satiated. No later energy compensation after the evening meal was found on the test day. CONCLUSION: Although no significant differences in VAS-ratings of satiety or hunger were detected, subjects displayed an 11% reduction in energy intake at the subsequent evening meal.     

Effects of dietary calcium on blood and tissue lipids, tissue phospholipids, calcium and magnesium levels in rabbits fed diets containing beef tallow.

Levels of lipids, calcium and magnesium in blood and tissue were examined in rabbits to determine the effects of 20% beef tallow diets containing three levels of calcium, less than 0.02, 0.8 or 1.6%. In plasma, the calcium-deficient (less than 0.02%) diet contributed to elevated cholesterol and phospholipid, but had no effect on triglyceride levels. Plasma calcium decreased in the calcium-deficient group and plasma magnesium decreased in the high-calcium (1.6%) group of rabbits. Lipid levels of some tissues varied with the level of dietary calcium. Cholesterol, total phospholipid, sphingomyelin and phosphatidylethanolamine were generally elevated in livers of calcium-deficient rabbits, but the individual phospholipids were decreased in skeletal muscle. Lungs of the calcium-deficient group also had lower phospholipid levels than the high-calcium group. Liver, kidneys, brain and adipose tissue triglyceride levels were highest in the high-calcium group. The calcium level of skeletal muscle was lower in the calcium-deficient group than in the high-calcium group. Calcium in brain and adipose tissue were highest in the calcium-deficient group. Except for adipose tissue, magnesium levels of the tissues studied were not affected by dietary calcium.     

Low-fat and high-monounsaturated fatty acid diets decrease plasma cholesterol ester transfer protein concentrations in young, healthy, normolipemic men

BACKGROUND: Cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) mediates the transfer of cholesteryl esters from HDL to apolipoprotein (apo) B-containing lipoproteins. The possible atherogenic role of this protein is controversial. Diet may influence plasma CETP concentrations. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine whether the changes in plasma lipids observed after consumption of 2 lipid-lowering diets are associated with changes in plasma CETP concentrations. DESIGN:: We studied 41 healthy, normolipidemic men over 3 consecutive 4-wk dietary periods: a saturated fatty acid-rich diet (SFA diet: 38% fat, 20% saturated fat), a National Cholesterol Education Program Step I diet (NCEP Step I diet: 28% fat, 10% saturated fat), and a monounsaturated fatty acid-rich diet (MUFA diet: 38% fat, 22% monounsaturated fat). Cholesterol content (27.5 mg/MJ) was kept constant during the 3 periods. Plasma concentrations of total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol; triacylglycerol; apo A-I and B; and CETP were measured at the end of each dietary period. RESULTS: Compared with the SFA diet, both lipid-lowering diets significantly decreased plasma total and LDL cholesterol, apo B, and CETP. Only the NCEP Step I diet lowered plasma HDL cholesterol. Positive, significant correlations were found between plasma CETP and total (r = 0.3868, P < 0.0001) and LDL (r = 0.4454, P < 0.0001) cholesterol and also between changes in CETP concentrations and those of total (r = 0.4543, P < 0.0001) and LDL (r = 0.4554, P < 0.0001) cholesterol. CONCLUSIONS: The isoenergetic substitution of a high-saturated fatty acid diet with an NCEP Step I or a high-monounsaturated fatty acid diet decreases plasma CETP concentrations.     

Comparison of the effect of canola oil and sunflower oil on plasma lipids and lipoproteins and on in vivo thromboxane A2 and prostacyclin production in healthy young men

The effect of dietary fatty acid composition on plasma lipids and eicosanoid production was studied in normolipidemic men. Approximately 75% of the fat in the diet was provided by a mixture of fats (MF) during the 6-d pre and postperiods and either canola oil (CO) or sunflower oil (SO) during the two 18-d experimental periods. Saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids provided 14%, 15%, and 7%; 5%, 20%, and 10%; and 7%, 7%, and 22%, respectively, of total dietary energy in the MF, CO, and SO diets, respectively. The CO and SO diets produced similar decreases in plasma total (20% and 15%, respectively) and low-density lipoprotein (25% and 21%, respectively) cholesterol. Plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were not altered by either fat source. Bleeding time was longer and in vivo 1-keto-PGF1 alpha production was greater (p less than 0.05) when on the CO diet than when on the MF diet. The hypocholesterolemic and antithrombotic effects of the CO diet were equivalent to those of the SO diet.     

The effect of dietary fish oil-supplementation to healthy young men on oxidative burst measured by whole blood chemiluminescence

Dietary long-chain n-3 PUFA (n-3 LCPUFA) are thought to have immune-modulating effects, but the specific effects and mechanisms are not fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to determine whether dietary n-3 LCPUFA could affect ex vivo oxidative burst in healthy young men. The study had a randomised 2 x 2-factorial design in which subjects were randomly assigned to 8-week supplementation with capsules containing fish oil (about 2.9 g n-3 LCPUFA/d) or olive oil (control). Subjects were also randomly assigned to household use of oils and fat spreads with a high or a low 18:2n-6 content. At baseline and at the end of the intervention, the fatty acid composition of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was analysed by GLC and oxidative burst was studied in whole blood stimulated with zymosan using luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence. The PBMC content of n-3 LCPUFA was markedly increased by the fish oil-supplementation (P < 0.001, compared to the olive oil groups). No effect of the intervention was observed on neutrophil count, but one measure of the zymosan-induced oxidative burst was higher in the fish oil groups (P = 0.03) compared to the olive oil groups. The fat intervention did not in itself affect oxidative burst neither did it change the effect of the fish-oil intervention. The measures of oxidative burst at the end of the intervention period were found to be associated with the DHA content of PBMC (r 0.44, P = 0.016), suggesting a dose-response relationship. These results indicate that n-3 LCPUFA may have immuno-stimulating effects.     

Evaluation of the protein quality of diets containing medium- and long-chain triglyceride in healthy rats

In this study, protein efficiency ratio and net protein utilization together with the kinetic estimates of protein turnover were used to compare the effect of different protein and fat sources in healthy rats. Male Sprague-Dawley CD rats were pair-fed different diets for 14 d. All diets were isonitrogenous and isocaloric, containing 10.4% protein, 10.9-11.4% fat, 31.9-32.8% carbohydrate and 43.5-44.5% moisture (wt/wt). After 14 d of feeding, protein efficiency ratio, net protein utilization, weight gain, intake, fat and protein content in the whole-body and fractional synthetic rates in various tissues were determined. Animals given diets containing medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) demonstrated decreased weight gain and fat content compared to the pair-fed controls receiving long-chain triglycerides (LCT). No difference was seen in protein content, net protein utilization and fractional synthetic rates in the liver and whole body of these MCT-fed rats when compared to those given LCT. Protein efficiency ratios in both of the MCT groups fed MCT + casein and MCT + soy protein were lower than those in the groups given LCT + casein. Although this study did not include a group for LCT and soy protein, these results suggest that MCT reduces the fat deposition without affecting the whole-body protein content. This may have implications for the treatment of obesity. Secondly, the protein efficiency ratio may not be a useful indicator of dietary protein quality when the fat source is MCT.     

Plasma lipids and lipoproteins in normo- and in hyperlipidemic rabbits fed plant protein diets

The effect of a diet based on a plant protein mixture, on plasma lipids and lipoproteins was evaluated in normo-and in hyperlipidemic rabbits. The proteins comprising the experimental diet consisted of equal amounts of soy protein, cottonseed protein and wheat gluten, and was supplemented with lysine, methionine and threonine to their respective levels in casein which was the control diet. Each diet was served with (0.25%) and without cholesterol. The normolipidemic rabbits were fed the various diets for 55 days. When rendered hyperlipidemic, animals were pre-fed for 20 days the cholesterol containing casen diet and subsequently given the experimental diets for an additional 35 day period. The plant protein diet had a marked hypocholesterolemic effect, and induced a reduction in the cholesterol and in the protein VLDL + LDL to HDL ratios that were used as atherogenic parameters.     

The cholesterolemic effect of skim milk in young men consuming controlled diets

A 34-day metabolic study was conducted with nine healthy adult men to test the hypocholesterolemic action of skim milk (2 qt/day). Intakes of kilocalories, carbohydrate, protein, fat, cholesterol, calcium and dietary fiber were controlled, as were the ratios of polysaturated to saturated fat and animal protein to total protein in the diet. The study was comprised of three experimental periods: a high calcium control period (2600 mg/day), a low calcium control period (800 mg/day), and a high calcium skim milk period (2600 mg/day). Consumption of skim milk was associated with increases in plasma cholesterol levels, low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol and LDL-total lipid levels, and ratio of plasma cholesterol to high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol; and a decrease in HDL-cholesterol. A high dietary calcium intake was associated with a decrease in the plasma cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol ratio and an increase in triglyceride content of very low density lipoproteins. In this study, no hypocholesterolemic effect of fresh skim milk was observed when it was consumed along with a diet representative of a typical American diet pattern.     

Metabolic balance of manganese in young men consuming diets containing five levels of dietary manganese

Five healthy men, ages 19-20, were fed a diet for 105 d to measure manganese balance during consumption of conventional foods. The study was divided into five periods of 21, 21, 38, 11 and 14 d, in which the daily dietary intakes of manganese (Mn) were 2.89, 2.06, 1.21, 3.79 and 2.65 mg, respectively. During the last 7 d of each dietary period, subjects resided in a metabolic unit and fasting blood samples were drawn on two mornings. Feces and urine were collected during the last 6 d and integumental losses were collected during the last 60 h of each period. The mean Mn balances for periods 1-5 were -0.083, -0.018, -0.088, +0.657 and +0.136 mg/d, respectively. Corresponding apparent retentions were -2.90, -0.88, -7.40, +17.33 and +5.12%. The mean sum of endogenous and exogenous losses when intake was theoretically zero was calculated to be 392 micrograms/d. When these total losses were combined with the mean positive retention, the theoretical mean dietary level of Mn required for positive balance for these male subjects was 3.5 mg/d or 50 micrograms/kg.     

The effect of Oligonol intake on cortisol and related cytokines in healthy young men

This study investigated the effects of Oligonol intake on cortisol, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 concentrations in the serum at rest and after physical exercise loading. Nineteen healthy sedentary male volunteers participated in this study. The physical characteristics of the subjects were: a mean height of 174.2 ± 2.7 cm, a mean weight of 74.8 ± 3.6 kg and a mean age of 22.8 ± 1.3 years. Each subject received 0.5 L water with Oligonol (100 mg/day) (n = 10) or a placebo (n = 9) daily for four weeks. The body composition, the white blood cell (WBC) and differential counts as well as the serum cortisol, IL-1β, and IL-6 concentrations were measured before and after Oligonol intake. The cortisol concentration and serum levels of IL-1β and IL-6 after Oligonol intake were significantly decreased compared to before treatment (P < 0.01, respectively). In addition, the rate of increase of these factors after exercise was decreased compared to the placebo group. There was no change in the WBC and differential cell counts. These results suggest that oral Oligonol intake for four weeks had a significant effect on inhibition of inflammatory markers in healthy young men.     

Effect of low protein diets on free amino acids in plasma of young men: effect of wheat gluten diet.

Studies were made on alterations in plasma amino acids in young men fed a diet containing graded levels of wheat gluten. After one week on a standard diet containing 200 mgN/kg of mixed protein (animal protein content 45%), 38 young men were given a wheat gluten diet containing 170, 100, 60, 30, 15 or zero mgN/kg for 2 weeks. Blood samples measuring plasma free amino acids were taken before breakfast at the end of the periods on a standard diet and an experimental diet. In subjects on diets containing 170 to 30 mgN/kg the plasma concentrations of threonine, valine, methionine, leucine, tyrosine, phenylalanine, serine, histidine and arginine fell significantly with decrease in protein intake, but the concentration of alanine increased significantly. On the other hand, in subjects on diets containing 15 or zero mgN/kg, the plasma concentrations of the essential amino acids did not decrease, but increased to slightly more than in subjects on a diet containing 30 mgN/kg, and the alanine and glycine concentrations increased steadily. Values for plasma lysine varied from 146 +/- 22 to 194 +/- 31 mumoles/liter with gluten intakes of 170 to zero mgN/kg, but were comparable with that of 186 +/- 33 mumules/liter in subjects on a standard diet, showing that the plasma lysine concentration did not clearly reflect the dietary concentration of lysine in young men on a wheat gluten diet.     

Effects of brown rice on apparent digestibility and balance of nutrients in young men on low protein diets

The effect of brown rice with low protein intake was studied in five healthy young men. Feces were weighed, the digestibility of nutrients was determined, and blood tests were made. Each subject followed a diet consisting mainly of polished rice for 14 days and one consisting mainly of brown rice for 8 days. Both diets contained 0.5 g protein per kg of body weight. The brown rice diet had 3 times as much dietary fiber as the polished rice diet. On the brown rice diet, fecal weight increased, and apparent digestibility of energy, protein, and fat decreased, as did the absorption rates of Na, K, and P. The nitrogen balance was negative on both diets, but more negative on the brown rice diet. The phosphorus balance on the brown rice diet was significantly negative, but other minerals were not affected by the diet. The levels of cholesterol and minerals in the plasma were not significantly different on the polished rice diet and the brown rice diet. Comparing these results with data on standard protein intake (Miyoshi, H. et al (1986) J. Nutr. Sci. Vitaminol., 32, 581-589.), we concluded that brown rice reduced protein digestibility and nitrogen balance.     

Impact of diets with corn oil or olive/sunflower oils on DNA damage in healthy young men

BACKGROUND: Plant fats and oils are major sources of mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids as well as vitamin E, the major fat-soluble antioxidants in human nutrition. Dietary antioxidants are expected to reduce cancer risk by minimizing DNA damage. AIM OF THE STUDY: To compare the effects of gamma-tocopherol rich corn oil and the mixture of the alpha-tocopherol rich olive/sunflower oil on plasma concentration of tocopherols and on the frequency of sister chromatid exchange (SCE), an indicator of DNA damage. METHODS: This study had a double-blind, cross-over design and was conducted in 20 normal healthy non-smoking males aged 19-31 years. Design included a 2-week adjustment period and two 2-week test periods in which diets containing 30% energy as fat including either 80 g of corn oil (CO) (20 mg alpha-tocopherol, 100 mg gamma-tocopherol) or 80 g of olive/ sunflower oil (OSO) (24 mg alpha-tocopherol, 2.4 mg gamma-tocopherol), as the main fat-source, were given. Blood samples for analysis of SCE rate and content of tocopherols were collected at the beginning (T0), after adjustment (T1) and after the test period (T2) in intervals of 2 weeks. RESULTS: After two weeks of the corn oil diet, the plasma concentration of gamma-tocopherol increased but alpha-tocopherol decreased significantly compared to the olive/sunflower oil diet. The concentration of alpha-tocopherol increased (CO: 22.99 +/- 1.11 vs. OSO: 24.40 +/- 1.49 micromol/l) and that of gamma-tocopherol decreased (CO: 4.19 +/- 0.29 vs. OSO: 2.99 +/- 0.25 micromol/l) after the olive/sunflower oil diet. Intake of the corn oil diet was associated with reduced SCE rate and intensity, whereas there was no change in SCE after the olive/sunflower oil diet (CO: 7.66 +/- 0.25 vs. OSO: 8.06 +/- 0.47 mean SCE/cell) CONCLUSIONS: The combination of gamma-tocopherol with alpha-tocopherol in corn oil diet despite the lower alpha-tocopherol equivalents/diene acid equivalents ratio achieved better protection against DNA damage than alpha-tocopherol alone in the olive/sunflower oil diet.