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The stable nitrogen ([sup.15]N) and carbon ([sup.13]C) isotopic composition of tissues reflects the isotopic pattern of food sources. We investigated whether the isotopic composition of human hair can be used as a biomarker to predict the dietary intake of animal-derived food. Hair samples were collected from subjects during a 1987-1988 German nutrition survey (VERA) in which dietary information was collected using a 7-d dietary record. Samples of 50 men and 50 women were randomly selected, in addition to 27 samples of subjects with a reported low meat intake. Isotope ratio MS was used to analyze hair bulk and amino acid-specific isotopic composition. Its relation with and feasibility for predicting animal protein intake were tested using regression analysis and cross-tabulation of observed and predicted dietary data and comparison of the individual values for the binary categories of high and low intake. [sup.15]N and [sup.13]C abundances strongly predicted relative animal protein and meat intake ([R.sup.2] = 0.31, P < 0.01 and [R.sup.2] = 0.20, P < 0.01, respectively). Distinct patterns of individual hair amino acid [sup.15]N and [sup.13]C abundances were observed. In contrast to bulk values, the isotopic abundances in individual amino acids did not show discriminating ability across sex and isotope-specific categories. We conclude that hair [sup.13]C values are as predictive for animal protein consumption as hair [sup.15]N values. Bulk isotopic abundance of hair can be used as a biomarker for animal protein intake to validate dietary assessment methods provided that the correlation between isotopic abundances and dietary protein intake is verified in dietary intervention studies. KEY WORDS: * animal or plant food protein * amino acids * stable isotopes * hair * biomarker

Soy proteins have been shown to result in lower postprandial nitrogen retention than milk proteins, but the mechanisms underlying these differences have not been elucidated. To investigate this question, we measured the postprandial kinetics of the appearance of individual [sup.15]N-amino acids in the serum of healthy adults after the ingestion of either [sup.15]N-soy (n = 8) or [sup.15]N-milk proteins (n = 8) in a mixed single meal (46 kJ/kg). The kinetics of total and dietary amino acids (AA) in the peripheral circulation were characterized by an earlier and higher peak after soy protein ingestion. Dietary AA levels peaked at 2.5 h in the soy group vs. 3.9 h in the milk group (P < 0.02). This time interval difference between groups was associated with a faster transfer of dietary N into urea in the soy group (peak at 3 vs. 4.75 h in the milk group, P < 0.005) and a higher level of incorporation into the serum protein pool from 3 to 8 h after the soy meal. The dietary AA pattern in the peripheral blood closely reflected the dietary protein AA pattern. Postprandial glucose, insulin, and glucagon levels and profiles did not differ between groups. Soy AA were digested more rapidly and were directed toward both deamination pathways and liver protein synthesis more than milk AA. We conclude that differences in the metabolic postprandial fates of soy and milk proteins are due mainly to differences in digestion kinetics; however, the AA composition of dietary proteins may also play a role. KEY WORDS: * dietary protein * amino acids * postprandial metabolism * GC-C-IRMS * humans

As the search for alternative sources of food to alleviate hunger continues, this study was undertaken to determine the biological value in growing rats (BV) of proteins of some lesser known tropical seeds gathered in Nigeria. Antinutritional factors (trypsin inhibitors, phytic acid, oxalate, tannin, alkaloids) and amino acid compositions were also determined, and protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS) was calculated using the amino acid requirement pattern of the preschool child and individual seed-specific correction factors for crude protein. A rat growth and balance study was conducted to determine digestibility, nitrogen-, and energy balance by feeding as the only unsupplemented protein source milled and heat-treated seeds of Adansonia digitata (Bombacaceae) and Prosopis africana, Lonchocarpus sericeus, Enterolobium cyclocarpium, Sesbania pachycarpa and Pterocarpus osun (Leguminosae) in comparison to casein fortified with methionine (control). Diets containing P. africana and L. sericeus seeds caused poor feed intake and weight loss in rats and were excluded from the nitrogen-balance test. Among the seed samples, S. pachycarpa followed by A. digitata showed the most advantageous nutritional quality [amino acid composition, digestibility, BV and net protein utilization (NPU)]. True digestibility was 82.9 and 74.5 vs. 98.5, BV was 64.6 and 70.0 vs. 90.4, and NPU was 53.5 and 52.1 vs. 89.0 for S. pachycarpa and A. digitata vs. casein (control), respectively. In terms of PDCAAS, lysine was the first limiting amino acid for S. pachycarpa (88%) and for A. digitata (58%). The PDCAAS of all essential amino acids was below 100% for E. cyclocarpium (e.g., cysteine + methionine: 37%) and for P. africana (e.g., threonine: 46%, except valine and a very high content of cycteine and methionine). In conclusion, all seeds tested in the rat balance trial were of inferior quality compared to casein. Before these tropical seeds could be used as food components or feed supplements, safety studies and proper processing to remove antinutritional factors and possible toxic constituents were required. KEY WORDS: * rats * tropical crop seeds * protein quality * nitrogen balance * antinutritional factors * amino acid score

Abstract Background Macronutrient composition of diets can influence energy balance in humans. We tested the hypothesis whether low protein content in single meals may induce lower values of energy expenditure (EE) and fat oxidation (FO) as compared to adequate protein content. Methods Indirect calorimetry was combined with a breath test using naturally 13C-enriched corn oil to differentiate between postprandial exogenous and endogenous FO. Young women ingested single meals containing either 3.9% (low protein, LP) or 11.4% (adequate protein, AP) of total energy (~3100 kJ) as protein. Results Postprandial EE was 160 kJ/6 h lower (p < 0.01) after LP meals and diet induced thermogenesis (DIT) increased less (p < 0.001) as compared to AP meals. Total postprandial FO was not significantly different between meals (~17 g/6 h). However, exogenous postprandial FO was significantly (p < 0.01) higher (4.28 ± 1.57 g/6 h) after exposure to LP meals as compared to AP meals (1.87 ± 1.00 g/6 h). Less than 10% of ingested fat (50 g) was oxidized in the postprandial phase. The overall postprandial fat balance was approximately + 33 g. Conclusion Breath tests using naturally 13C-labeled corn oil mirror exogenous FO. Low protein meals resulted in reduced postprandial EE and increased exogenous FO as compared to adequate protein meals without differences in total FO.

Metges, Cornelia C., Antoine E. El-Khoury, Lidewij Henneman, Klaus J. Petzke, Ian Grant, Shahinaze Bedri, Paulo P. Pereira, Alfred M. Ajami, Malcolm F. Fuller, and Vernon R. Young. Availability of intestinal microbial lysine for whole body lysine homeostasis in human subjects. Am. J. Physiol. 277 (Endocrinol. Metab. 40): E597-E607, 1999.--We have investigated whether there is a net contribution of lysine synthesized de novo by the gastrointestinal microflora to lysine homeostasis in six adults. On two separate occasions an adequate diet was given for a total of 11 days, and a 24-h (12-h fast, 12-h fed) tracer protocol was performed on the last day, in which lysine turnover, oxidation, and splanchnic uptake were measured on the basis of intravenous and oral administration of L-[1-[sup.13]C]lysine and L-[6,6-[sup.2][H.sub.2]lysine, respectively. [[sup.15][N.sub.2]]urea or [sup.15][NH.sub.4]Cl was ingested daily over the last 6 days to label microbial protein. In addition, seven ileostomates were studied with [sup.15][NH.sub.4]Cl. [[sup.15]N]lysine enrichment in fecal and ileal microbial protein, as precursor for microbial lysine absorption, and in plasma free lysine was measured by gas chromatography-combustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Differences in plasma [[sup.13]C]-and [[sup.2][H.sub.2]] lysine enrichments during the 12-h fed period were observed between the two [sup.15N] tracer studies, although the reason is unclear, and possibly unrelated to the tracer form per se. In the normal adults, after [sup.15][NH.sub.4]Cl and [[sup.15][N.sub.2]]urea intake, respectively, lysine derived from fecal microbial protein accounted for 5 and 9% of the appearance rate of plasma lysine. With ileal microbial lysine enrichment, the contribution of microbial lysine to plasma lysine appearance was 44%. This amounts to a gross microbial lysine contribution to whole body plasma lysine turnover of between 11 and 130 mg [multiplied by] [kg.sup.-1] [multiplied by] [day.sup.-1], depending on the [[sup.15]N]lysine precursor used. However, insofar as microbial amino acid synthesis is accompanied by microbial breakdown of endogenous amino acids or their oxidation by intestinal tissues, this may not reflect a net increase in lysine absorption. Thus we cannot reliably estimate the quantitative contribution of microbial lysine to host lysine homeostasis with the present paradigm. However, the results confirm the significant presence of lysine of microbial origin in the plasma free lysine pool. lysine kinetics; amino acid requirement; tracer balance; lysine-15-nitrogen; gas chromatography-combustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometry

Rationale Nitrogen stable isotope ratios (δ15N values) are used to reconstruct dietary patterns, but the biochemical mechanism(s) responsible for the diet to tissue trophic level effect and its variability are not fully understood. Here δ15N amino acid (AA) values and physiological measurements (nitrogen intake, plasma albumin concentrations, liver-reduced glutathione concentrations and leucine oxidation rates) are used to investigate increased dietary protein consumption and oxidative stress (vitamin E deficiency) in rat total plasma protein. Methods Using gas chromatography/combustion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry, the δ15N values from N-pivaloyl- i-propyl esters of 15 AAs are reported for rats ( n = 40) fed casein-based diets with: adequate protein (AP, 13.8%; n = 10), medium protein (MP, 25.7%; n = 10), high protein (HP, 51.3%; n = 10) or HP without vitamin E (HP-E; n = 10) for 18 weeks. Results Between the HP and AP groups, the δ15NAA values of threonine (-4.0‰), serine (+1.4‰) and glycine (+1.2‰) display the largest differences and show significant correlations with: nitrogen intake, plasma albumin concentrations, liver-reduced glutathione concentrations and leucine oxidation rates. This indicates increased AA catabolism by the dietary induction of shared common metabolic pathways involving the enzymes threonine ammonia-lyase (EC 4.3.1.19), serine hydroxymethyltransferase (EC 2.1.2.1) and the glycine cleavage system (EC 2.1.2.10). The δ15NAA values of the HP-E and HP groups were not found to be significantly different. Conclusions The 15N-depleted results of threonine are linked to increased activity of threonine ammonia-lyase, and show potential as a possible biomarker for protein intake and/or gluconeogenesis. We hypothesize that the inverse nitrogen equilibrium isotope effects of Schiff base formation, between AAs and pyridoxal-5'-phosphate cofactor enzymes, play a key role in the bioaccumulation and depletion of 15N in the biomolecules of living organisms and contributes to the variability in the nitrogen trophic level effect. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]