Cocoa polyphenols and fiber modify colonic gene expression in rats
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NUTRITION
Authors: Massot-Cladera, Malen; Franch, Angels; Castell, Margarida; Perez-Cano, Francisco J.
Abstract
Purpose Cocoa intake has been associated with health benefits, improving cardiovascular function and metabolism, as well as modulating intestinal immune function. The aim of this study was to take an in-depth look into the mechanisms affected by the cocoa intake by evaluating the colonic gene expression after nutritional intervention, and to ascertain the role of the fiber of cocoa in these effects. Methods To achieve this, Wistar rats were fed for 3 weeks with either a reference diet, a diet containing 10 % cocoa (C10), a diet based on cocoa fiber (CF) or a diet containing inulin (I). At the end of the study, colon was excised to obtain the RNA to evaluate the differential gene expression by microarray. Results were validated by RT-PCR. Results The C10 group was the group with most changes in colonic gene expression, most of them down-regulated but a few in common with the CF diet. The C10 diet significantly up-regulated the expression of Scgb1a1 and Scnn1 g and down-regulated Tac4, Mcpt2, Fcer1a and Fabp1 by twofold, most of them related to lipid metabolism and immune function. The CF and I diets down-regulated the expression of Serpina10 and Apoa4 by twofold. Similar patterns of expression were found by PCR. Conclusion Most of the effects attributed to cocoa consumption on genes related to the immune system (B cell and mast cell functionality) and lipid metabolism in the colon tissue were due not only to its fiber content, but also to the possible contribution of polyphenols and other compounds.
Fc epsilon RI alpha gene (FCER1A) promoter polymorphisms and total serum IgE levels in Japanese atopic dermatitis patients
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF IMMUNOGENETICS
Authors: Niwa, Y.; Potaczek, D. P.; Kanada, S.; Takagi, A.; Shimokawa, N.; Ito, T.; Mitsuishi, K.; Okubo, Y.; Tajima, M.; Hobo, A.; Ng, W.; Tsuboi, R.; Ikeda, S.; Ogawa, H.; Okumura, K.; Nishiyama, C.
Abstract
P>Two promoter polymorphisms of the high-affinity IgE receptor alpha-subunit (Fc epsilon RI alpha) gene (FCER1A), -66T > C (rs2251746) and -315C > T (rs2427827), were analysed in Japanese atopic dermatitis subjects. Patients with the -315CT/TT genotype tended to have higher total serum IgE levels, while the proportion of -315CT/TT genotype or the -315T allele was significantly higher in those with highly elevated total serum IgE concentrations.