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Session: Spotlight on Phytochemicals for Health (Poster Theater Flash Session 11)

(PTFS11-06-23) Postprandial Effects of Apple Polyphenols on Carbonyl Stress in Humans

Tuesday, July 25, 2023
8:21 AM – 8:25 AM ET
Location:  Fairfax

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Shengmin Sang, PhD

    Distinguished Professor of Functional Foods and Human Health
    North Carolina A&T State University
    Kannapolis, North Carolina, United States

    Disclosure(s): No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

    • Co-Author(s)

  • JY

    Junhe Yu

    North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

  • WW

    Weixin Wang

    North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

  • YZ

    Yingdong Zhu, Ph.D.

    North Carolina A&T State University
    Kannapolis, North Carolina, United States

Disclosure(s):
Shengmin Sang, PhD: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.
Objectives: Carbonyl stress, the accumulation of reactive carbonyl species (RCS), has been linked to the development of many chronic diseases. The goal of this project is to determine the direct trapping of RCS by apple polyphenols in humans and its contribution to the postprandial changes of RCS.

Methods: We conducted a randomized crossover acute pharmacokinetic study to determine whether apple flavonoids can trap RCS in humans. Twelve healthy volunteers were selected (6 men and 6 women, aged 30-45 years with BMI between 17-28 kg/m2) and asked to avoid the consumption of any apple products starting one week before the intervention and continuing throughout the entire study. Apple blends (600 g) in a single dose at breakfast were provided to the apple group. Urine samples were collected at baseline, 0-2, 2-4, 4-6, 6-9, 9-12, and 12-24 h, and blood samples were drawn atbaseline, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 6.0, 8.0, and 24.0 h after apple ingestion. The concentrations of RCS and RCS conjugates of apple polyphenols and their metabolites were analyzed by LC/MS.

Results: The metabolic profile of apple polyphenols and their metabolites were established. More than 60 metabolites were identified, which include 18 RCS conjugates of apple flavonoids. Using the authentic standards purchased from commercial sources or synthesized in house, we measured the kinetic changes of the major apple polyphenols, their phase I and microbial metabolites, and their corresponding RCS conjugates. Our results demonstrate good compliance by participants and RCS conjugates were quantifiable even after 10h of apple intake. Furthermore, we observed that plasma RCS levels significantly reduced in male participants after apple consumption.

Conclusions: Our data demonstrate that apple polyphenols and their metabolites could trap RCS to generate the corresponding RCS conjugates, suggesting daily intake of whole apples has the potential to keep the levels of the toxic RCS low and eventually combat and prevent the development of chronic diseases in humans.

Funding Sources: This work was supported by funding from The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) grant 2021-67017-34205.