Plasma metabolomic profiles of plant-based dietary indices reveal potential pathways for metabolic syndrome associations

Year: 2023

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Plant-based dietary patterns have been associated with improved health outcomes. This study aims to describe the metabolomic fingerprints of plant-based diet indices (PDI) and examine their association with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components in a Danish population. METHODS: The MAX study comprised 676 participants (55% women, aged 18-67 y) from Copenhagen. Sociodemographic and dietary data were collected using questionnaires and three 24-h dietary recalls over one year (at baseline, and at 6 and 12 months). Mean dietary intakes were computed, as well as overall PDI, healthful (hPDI) and unhealthful (uPDI) scores, according to food groups for each plant-based index. Clinical variables were also collected at the same time points in a health examination that included complete blood tests. MetS was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation criteria. Plasma metabolites were measured using a targeted metabolomics approach. Metabolites associated with PDI were selected using random forest models and their relationships with PDIs and MetS were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models. RESULTS: The mean prevalence of MetS was 10.8%. High, compared to low, hPDI and uPDI scores were associated with a lower and higher odd of MetS, respectively [odds ratio (95%CI); hPDI: 0.56 (0.43-0.74); uPDI: 1.61 (1.26-2.05)]. Out of 411 quantified plasma metabolites, machine-learning metabolomics fingerprinting revealed 13 metabolites, including food and food-related microbial metabolites, like hypaphorine, indolepropionic acid and lignan-derived enterolactones. These metabolites were associated with all PDIs and were inversely correlated with MetS components (p < 0.05). Furthermore, they had an explainable contribution of 12% and 14% for the association between hPDI or uPDI, respectively, and MetS only among participants with overweight/obesity. CONCLUSIONS: Metabolites associated with PDIs were inversely associated with MetS and its components, and may partially explain the effects of plant-based diets on cardiometabolic risk factors.

Source: Atherosclerosis

DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2023.117285

Authors: Fabian Lanuza, Tomas Meroño, Raul Zamora-Ros, Nicola P. Bondonno, Agnetha Linn Rostgaard-Hansen, Alex Sánchez-Pla, Berta Miro, Francesc Carmona-Pontaque, Gabriele Riccardi, Anne Tjønneland, Rikard Landberg, Jytte Halkjær, Cristina Andres-Lacueva

Institutions: Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable, Universitat de Barcelona, Institut d'Investigació Biomédica de Bellvitge, Institut Català d'Oncologia, Edith Cowan University, Danish Cancer Society, Federico II University Hospital, University of Naples Federico II, Chalmers University of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Nutritional Studies and Diet

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Zero hunger

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,520

Funders: Indian National Science Academy, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable, Agenția Națională pentru Cercetare și Dezvoltare, Svenska Forskningsrådet Formas, Generalitat de Catalunya, Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo, Medical Research Council, Agència de Gestió d'Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, European Regional Development Fund, Agencia Estatal de Investigación, European Social Fund, CHIST-ERA

OpenAlex ID: W4386570352