Publication

Gut-heart axis opportunity revealed in natural product rich in polyphenols

A water-soluble tomato extract lowers TMAO & modulates gut microbiota

Publication Highlights

Main authors

Ateequr Rehman, Susan M. Tyree, Sophie Fehlbaum, Gillian DunnGalvin, Charalampos G. Panagos, Bertrand Guy, Shriram Patel, Timothy G. Dinan, Asim K. Duttaroy, Ruedi Duss, Robert E. Steinert

Study population

Participants

Journal

The Journal of Nutrition

Publication date

2022

December

Publication Overview

There is a huge opportunity for further research in the gut-heart axis. Gut microbiome strategies have emerged for the prevention of cardiovascular disease due to TMAO being dependent on metabolism by the intestinal microbiota. Here we show how natural products rich in polyphenols lower plasma trimethylamine n-oxide (TMAO) known for its proatherogenic effects by modulating the intestinal microbiota. In this study, Fruitflow®, a water soluble tomato concentrate, rich in secondary metabolites, including nucleosides, phenolic conjugates and polyphenols was to be investigated to see how this substrate could be utilized by the host microorganism. A randomized double blind, placebo controlled crossover study comprising of 37 overweight participants was undertaken.

Publication results

Fruitflow® significantly decreased fasting blood and urine TMAO when compared to baseline as well as plasma LPS, a marker of intestinal permeability and low-grade inflammation. Moreover, when compared to the placebo group, this was also significantly different for urine TMAO. A clear distinction was observed also between plasma samples when applying untargeted metabolomics, with TMAO being the top-ranking feature driving the differences found across the Fruitflow® product group compared to the control group. Significant changes in microbial beta diversity were also highlighted. In addition, the microbiome composition changed significantly in the Fruitflow® product group. Lower levels of Bacteroides, Ruminococccus and Hungatella were found, which are known for the involvement in TMA/TMAO metabolism. The findings of this study are in line with the studies showing a reduction in plasma TMAO suggesting reproducible effects with polyphenol rich extracts. As a conclusion of this trial we could assert that polyphenol-rich extracts can modulate the gut microbiota conferring a host health benefit.

Publication

Read the full publication

Download Publication

Sponsors & participants Testimonials

Don't take our word for it, take theirs!

“Extremely impressed on delivery of project... ”

“Updates were relevant and timely, I never felt that I wasnt informed properly. Extremely impressed on delivery of project during the COVID-19 pandemic. Clearly a lot of effort and work has been put in to making sure operations have been running as close to perfect as possible.”

- Nutrition Scientist at the largest producer of dairy products in Scandinavia

“very flexible and responsive, very transparent..."

"High quality work, expertise in nutritional intervention studies, very flexible and responsive, very transparent. Atlantia has a personal touch which makes working with you a lot of fun. It was assuring and great to see that the leadership are very knowledgeable and still very much involved in details of the work".

- Nutrition Manager at a global leader in collagen-based solutions

“Adaptability with trial design and inputs is great!"

"Adaptability with trial design and inputs is great! I expect them to be able to answer the questions I have and they always do."

- Head of Clinical and Regulatory Affairs at revolutionary company tackling diabetes, heart disease, and obesity

“I trust Atlantia in their capabilities...”

"I was satisfied of the service provided and I trust Atlantia in their capabilities to conduct successfully clinical trials. We have good previous experience together and I know Atlantia is always improving".

- Nutrition Research Manager at multinational functional ingredients company tackling bone health

“...expertise, way of working and customer friendliness... ”

"We expected (and got) solution-orientated answers in a suitable time frame, we appreciated the overall service of Atlantia (including the expertise, way of working and customer friendliness)"

- Nutrition Scientist at multinational functional ingredients company tackling body composition

“This disease would of taken another few years to diagnose...”

"Really great people to deal with!!! I have done a few trials and have found them exceptional at what they do. I completed a pill camera trial about 2 years ago. From doing so it was found I had Crohn's disease. This disease would of taken another few years to diagnose had I not done this trial."

- Volunteer who help us and took part in our Video Camera Endoscopy trial

“...very professional and friendly..."

"All the staff I have met have been very professional and friendly and the trials have been interesting, educational and ultimately beneficial to my health".

-Participant member of our volunteer database for trials

“...everything was explained perfectly”

"Very friendly staff and everything was explained perfectly, also they had to take bloods and I'm the biggest baby when it comes to needles, but I didn't even realise they were finished, they were that good."

-Volunteer who took part in our food bioavailability studies

“... treated me with respect ...”

"I thought that that the staff at Atlantia always treated me with the utmost respect and my health was always at the forefront."

-Member of our participant database who took part in multiple studies





Get in touch!

Our team can guide you. Schedule a meeting with our research experts to discuss your clinical research program today.

Schedule a Meeting Call Us: +353(0)21 430 7442