Furio Brighenti - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Furio Brighenti

Research paper thumbnail of The application of good clinical practice in nutrition research

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Dec 1, 2012

Research paper thumbnail of Post-prandial metabolic responses to cereal products based on a high beta-glucan barley flour

Research paper thumbnail of Glucose and insulin responses in healthy men to barley bread with different levels of (1→3;1→4)-β-glucans; predictions using fluidity measurements of in vitro enzyme digests

Journal of Cereal Science, 2006

Bread products with three different levels (35, 50 and 75%) of the (1→3;1→4)-β-glucan rich barley... more Bread products with three different levels (35, 50 and 75%) of the (1→3;1→4)-β-glucan rich barley genotype Prowashonupana (PW), 50% common barley (CB) or 100% white wheat, were given as a breakfast meal to 10 men and their postprandial blood glucose and insulin responses were measured. In addition, the viscosity of (1→3;1→4)-β-glucans isolated from the pw flours was measured, and the fluidity characteristics of the (1→3;1→4)-β-glucans in the bread products estimated in in vitro enzymatic digests prepared under conditions simulating those prevailing in the gastrointestinal tract. Bread containing 50 and 75% PW flour lowered the glycaemic index (GI) (40 and 48%, respectively) and insulinaemic index (II) (37 and 34%) compared with a white wheat reference bread (GI=100; II=100). A high correlation (r=0.9782; P=0.0007) was found between the fluidity index (FI) of the enzymatic digests and GI of all bread products (GI=50.8+0.441FI). The overall conclusions were that incorporation of (1→3;1→4)-β-glucan rich barley in bread may lower its glycaemic and insulinaemic properties and that the metabolic response could be predicted by measuring the in vitro fluidity of bread digests.

Research paper thumbnail of Identification of microbial metabolites derived from in vitro fecal fermentation of different polyphenolic food sources

Research paper thumbnail of Phenolic composition, caffeine content and antioxidant capacity of coffee silverskin

Food Research International, Jul 1, 2014

Abstract Coffea arabica silverskin (CSS), the inner fruit layer surrounding coffee beans, was ana... more Abstract Coffea arabica silverskin (CSS), the inner fruit layer surrounding coffee beans, was analyzed for its (poly)phenolic and caffeine content by means of liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and evaluated for its antioxidant properties by means of the Folin–Ciocalteu and FRAP methods. The most abundant quantified phenolics were caffeoylquinic acids, with the 5- and 3-isomers being the most relevant (199 mg/100 g and 148 mg/100 g, respectively). The three caffeoylquinic acid isomers reached a total concentration of 432 mg/100 g, corresponding to 74% of the total chlorogenic acids detected in CSS. The level of the three feruloylquinic acids detected was 143 mg/100 g, corresponding to 23%, and the two identified coumaroylquinic acids plus the two caffeoylquinic acid lactones were only marginally contributing to the final figure (only 3% of total hydroxycinnamates). No unconjugated phenolic acid was detected. Caffeine content in CSS was equal to 10 mg/g of product, 3.5 times lower than most coffee brews. The total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of CSS was 139 mmol Fe2 +/kg, a value similar to those of valuable sources of food antioxidants like dark chocolate, herbs and spices. Besides its potential as a food supplement, CSS may represent an innovative functional ingredient exploitable to increase the TAC of a wide range of food products.

Research paper thumbnail of 全粒コムギとアリューロンに富む小麦パンからのフェノール化合物のバイオアベイラビリティと代謝【Powered by NICT】

Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, 2016

Research paper thumbnail of Metabotypes of flavan-3-ol colonic metabolites after cranberry intake: elucidation and statistical approaches

European journal of nutrition, Nov 9, 2021

Research paper thumbnail of Glycaemic index, glycaemic load and risk of cutaneous melanoma in a population-based, case–control study

British Journal of Nutrition, Feb 14, 2017

Research paper thumbnail of Phenyl-γ-valerolactones and phenylvaleric acids, the main colonic metabolites of flavan-3-ols: synthesis, analysis, bioavailability, and bioactivity

Natural Product Reports, 2019

Research paper thumbnail of Green Tea Flavan-3-ol Bioavailability

Understanding the real bioavailability of flavan-3-ols is a research topic which is gaining scien... more Understanding the real bioavailability of flavan-3-ols is a research topic which is gaining scientific attention in the light of the putative beneficial health effects demonstrated by many dietary sources of this class of polyphenols, green tea included. In general, after ingestion of dietary flavonoids, absorption of some but not all components into the circulatory system occurs in the upper intestinal tract, where phase II metabolism generates sulfate, glucuronide and/or methylated conjugates. Aglycones and metabolites may then reach the liver through portal circulation and undergo additional phase II metabolism, with further conjugations. The relevant fraction of flavan-3-ols not absorbed in the small intestine reach the large intestine where they are subjected to the action of colonic microbiota. Microbial metabolism of flavan-3-ols involves ring-fission enzymatic reactions leading to the production of valerolactones and phenolic acids. In humans, the urinary excretion of the sum of all native molecules and derived compounds may reach substantial amounts, in the order of 70% of the ingested dose.

Research paper thumbnail of Dietary selenium and zinc intake and the medium-term Se and Zn status in obese persons on low-calorie diets

PubMed, 1987

The Se and Zn content of several foodstuffs collected in Northern Italy was evaluated by Atomic A... more The Se and Zn content of several foodstuffs collected in Northern Italy was evaluated by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry, these foodstuffs, employed in markedly hypocaloric diets with high fiber content, were utilized in the medium-term treatment of obesity. The plasma and erythrocyte selenium and zinc contents were evaluated in sixteen non-hospitalized obese patients over a 6-week period. Dietary regimens of 700 Kcal/day for 21 days followed by 1050 Kcal/day for 42 days were imposed. In spite of the drastic reduction in calorie intake, significant elevations in plasma (p less than 0.05) and erythrocytes (p less than 0.005) Se were observed after 9 weeks of treatment; plasma Zn, on the contrary, shows a slight but significant reduction (p less than 0.05) at the end of the experimental period. Findings suggest that, from the point of view of the microelement status, the balanced low-calorie diet with high fiber content is a mild, but quite adequate method for the treatment of subjects in good health even for long periods.

Research paper thumbnail of Digestibility of carbohydrates from rice-, oat- and wheat-based ready-to-eat breakfast cereals in children

PubMed, Sep 1, 1994

Objective: To study the effect of the presence and quality of dietary fibre in ready-to-eat (RTE)... more Objective: To study the effect of the presence and quality of dietary fibre in ready-to-eat (RTE) breakfast cereals on completeness of carbohydrate digestion in children and on starch susceptibility to alpha-amylase in vitro. Design: A controlled intervention study. Subjects: Eight 3-8-year-old healthy children. Interventions: Completeness of digestion was evaluated by assessing the amount of carbohydrates apparently fermented into the colon using the breath-H2 technique after consumption in random order, of five breakfast tests containing boiled rice (either alone or supplemented with 3 g of lactulose) as reference food, or RTE cereals based on rice (low-fibre), wheat (high insoluble fibre) and oats (high-soluble fibre). The potential glycaemic impact of the products was estimated in vitro by assessing starch susceptibility to alpha-amylolysis using an enzymatic-dialysis method. Results: Compared to boiled rice and to rice-based RTE cereal, wheat- and oat-based RTE cereals both significantly (P < 0.05) increased the amount of apparently fermented carbohydrates (+1.1 +/- 1.7% of total breakfast carbohydrate fermented for rice, +5.6 +/- 0.9% for wheat and +9.4 +/- 3.7% for oats; mean +/- SEM), calculated using the excess H2 in breath after lactulose as standard. All products showed similar in vitro digestibility, resulting in estimated glycaemic indexes of 117.5 (24.0) for rice, and 105.7 (14.1) for oats-based, 128.4 (17.6) for wheat-based, and 129.8 (16.6) [mean 95% CI)] for rice-based RTE cereals. Conclusions: Results suggest that the presence of fibre in RTE breakfast cereals, in particular soluble fibre, increases colonic fermentation in children whereas it seems not to affect glucose availability.

Research paper thumbnail of The β-cell burden index of food: A proposal

Nutrition Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases, Oct 1, 2016

The quantity and quality of dietary fat and/or carbohydrate may alter one or more of the basic co... more The quantity and quality of dietary fat and/or carbohydrate may alter one or more of the basic components of the insulin-glucose system, which in turn affect the pathways leading to alterations in glucose homeostasis and, possibly, to cardiovascular disease. This viewpoint article, reviewing some of the currently available tools aiming at quantifying the impact of dietary carbohydrates on the glucose-insulin homeostatic loop, highlights the unmet need of a more thorough assessment of the complex interaction between dietary factors and the glucose-insulin system. A novel index, the &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot;β-cell burden index&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot;, may turn out to be a valuable tool to quantify the role played by the diet in shaping the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other metabolic and degenerative disorders, ideally orienting their prevention with strategies based on dietary modifications.

Research paper thumbnail of In vitro studies to predict physiological effects of dietary fibre

PubMed, Oct 1, 1995

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION

Research paper thumbnail of Giocampus school: a “learning through playing” approach to deliver nutritional education to children

International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, Feb 17, 2016

Research paper thumbnail of Catechin and Procyanidin B2 Modulate the Expression of Tight Junction Proteins but Do Not Protect from Inflammation-Induced Changes in Permeability in Human Intestinal Cell Monolayers

Research paper thumbnail of Absorption Profile of (Poly)Phenolic Compounds after Consumption of Three Food Supplements Containing 36 Different Fruits, Vegetables, and Berries

Research paper thumbnail of Effect of Processing on Rice Starch Digestibility Evaluated by in Vivo and in Vitro Methods

Journal of Cereal Science, Mar 1, 1993

The purpose of this work was to compare in vitro and in vivo starch digestibility of a typical It... more The purpose of this work was to compare in vitro and in vivo starch digestibility of a typical Italian variety of rice (Fino Ribe) industrially processed in three different ways (polished, parboiled or quick-cooking parboiled). Portions of the three samples were digested in vitro with pepsin and pancreatic α-amylase. Percentages of starch digested were significantly (P < 0·05) lower in parboiled and quick-cooking parboiled rices than in polished rice. Completeness of starch digestion in vivo and glycemic response were evaluated using the breath-H2 and the glycemic index techniques in nine healthy volunteers. Both the processed rices had a lower (P < 0·05) glycemic index than polished rice but no evidence of higher malabsorbed starch.

Research paper thumbnail of Synthetic and analytical strategies for the quantification of phenyl-γ-valerolactone conjugated metabolites in human urine

Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, Jun 9, 2017

Research paper thumbnail of Antiatherogenic effects of ellagic acid and urolithins in vitro

Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Jun 1, 2016

Atherosclerosis, one of the leading causes of death worldwide, is characterized by impaired endot... more Atherosclerosis, one of the leading causes of death worldwide, is characterized by impaired endothelial function and lipid metabolism, among other factors. Ellagitannins are a class of phenolic compounds that may play a role in cardiovascular health. This work aimed to study the potential atheroprotective effects of urolithins, ellagitannin-derived gut microbiota metabolites, on different key factors in atherosclerosis development: the ability of monocytes to adhere to endothelial cells and the uptake and efflux of cholesterol by macrophages. The biotransformations urolithins undergo in peripheral cells were also evaluated. Results indicated that some urolithins and ellagic acid were able to reduce the adhesion of THP-1 monocytes to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and the secretion of a cellular adhesion molecule (sVCAM-1) and pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-6). Urolithin C, a combination of urolithins A and B, and ellagic acid also decreased the accumulation of cholesterol in THP-1-derived macrophages, but they were not able to promote cholesterol efflux. The analysis of cell media by UHPLC-ESI-MS(n) indicated urolithins and ellagic underwent extensive metabolism, with sulfate and methyl conjugation. This evidence indicates that atherosclerotic processes may be attenuated by urolithins, but future human intervention trials are required to establish if is translated in vivo.

Research paper thumbnail of The application of good clinical practice in nutrition research

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Dec 1, 2012

Research paper thumbnail of Post-prandial metabolic responses to cereal products based on a high beta-glucan barley flour

Research paper thumbnail of Glucose and insulin responses in healthy men to barley bread with different levels of (1→3;1→4)-β-glucans; predictions using fluidity measurements of in vitro enzyme digests

Journal of Cereal Science, 2006

Bread products with three different levels (35, 50 and 75%) of the (1→3;1→4)-β-glucan rich barley... more Bread products with three different levels (35, 50 and 75%) of the (1→3;1→4)-β-glucan rich barley genotype Prowashonupana (PW), 50% common barley (CB) or 100% white wheat, were given as a breakfast meal to 10 men and their postprandial blood glucose and insulin responses were measured. In addition, the viscosity of (1→3;1→4)-β-glucans isolated from the pw flours was measured, and the fluidity characteristics of the (1→3;1→4)-β-glucans in the bread products estimated in in vitro enzymatic digests prepared under conditions simulating those prevailing in the gastrointestinal tract. Bread containing 50 and 75% PW flour lowered the glycaemic index (GI) (40 and 48%, respectively) and insulinaemic index (II) (37 and 34%) compared with a white wheat reference bread (GI=100; II=100). A high correlation (r=0.9782; P=0.0007) was found between the fluidity index (FI) of the enzymatic digests and GI of all bread products (GI=50.8+0.441FI). The overall conclusions were that incorporation of (1→3;1→4)-β-glucan rich barley in bread may lower its glycaemic and insulinaemic properties and that the metabolic response could be predicted by measuring the in vitro fluidity of bread digests.

Research paper thumbnail of Identification of microbial metabolites derived from in vitro fecal fermentation of different polyphenolic food sources

Research paper thumbnail of Phenolic composition, caffeine content and antioxidant capacity of coffee silverskin

Food Research International, Jul 1, 2014

Abstract Coffea arabica silverskin (CSS), the inner fruit layer surrounding coffee beans, was ana... more Abstract Coffea arabica silverskin (CSS), the inner fruit layer surrounding coffee beans, was analyzed for its (poly)phenolic and caffeine content by means of liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and evaluated for its antioxidant properties by means of the Folin–Ciocalteu and FRAP methods. The most abundant quantified phenolics were caffeoylquinic acids, with the 5- and 3-isomers being the most relevant (199 mg/100 g and 148 mg/100 g, respectively). The three caffeoylquinic acid isomers reached a total concentration of 432 mg/100 g, corresponding to 74% of the total chlorogenic acids detected in CSS. The level of the three feruloylquinic acids detected was 143 mg/100 g, corresponding to 23%, and the two identified coumaroylquinic acids plus the two caffeoylquinic acid lactones were only marginally contributing to the final figure (only 3% of total hydroxycinnamates). No unconjugated phenolic acid was detected. Caffeine content in CSS was equal to 10 mg/g of product, 3.5 times lower than most coffee brews. The total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of CSS was 139 mmol Fe2 +/kg, a value similar to those of valuable sources of food antioxidants like dark chocolate, herbs and spices. Besides its potential as a food supplement, CSS may represent an innovative functional ingredient exploitable to increase the TAC of a wide range of food products.

Research paper thumbnail of 全粒コムギとアリューロンに富む小麦パンからのフェノール化合物のバイオアベイラビリティと代謝【Powered by NICT】

Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, 2016

Research paper thumbnail of Metabotypes of flavan-3-ol colonic metabolites after cranberry intake: elucidation and statistical approaches

European journal of nutrition, Nov 9, 2021

Research paper thumbnail of Glycaemic index, glycaemic load and risk of cutaneous melanoma in a population-based, case–control study

British Journal of Nutrition, Feb 14, 2017

Research paper thumbnail of Phenyl-γ-valerolactones and phenylvaleric acids, the main colonic metabolites of flavan-3-ols: synthesis, analysis, bioavailability, and bioactivity

Natural Product Reports, 2019

Research paper thumbnail of Green Tea Flavan-3-ol Bioavailability

Understanding the real bioavailability of flavan-3-ols is a research topic which is gaining scien... more Understanding the real bioavailability of flavan-3-ols is a research topic which is gaining scientific attention in the light of the putative beneficial health effects demonstrated by many dietary sources of this class of polyphenols, green tea included. In general, after ingestion of dietary flavonoids, absorption of some but not all components into the circulatory system occurs in the upper intestinal tract, where phase II metabolism generates sulfate, glucuronide and/or methylated conjugates. Aglycones and metabolites may then reach the liver through portal circulation and undergo additional phase II metabolism, with further conjugations. The relevant fraction of flavan-3-ols not absorbed in the small intestine reach the large intestine where they are subjected to the action of colonic microbiota. Microbial metabolism of flavan-3-ols involves ring-fission enzymatic reactions leading to the production of valerolactones and phenolic acids. In humans, the urinary excretion of the sum of all native molecules and derived compounds may reach substantial amounts, in the order of 70% of the ingested dose.

Research paper thumbnail of Dietary selenium and zinc intake and the medium-term Se and Zn status in obese persons on low-calorie diets

PubMed, 1987

The Se and Zn content of several foodstuffs collected in Northern Italy was evaluated by Atomic A... more The Se and Zn content of several foodstuffs collected in Northern Italy was evaluated by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry, these foodstuffs, employed in markedly hypocaloric diets with high fiber content, were utilized in the medium-term treatment of obesity. The plasma and erythrocyte selenium and zinc contents were evaluated in sixteen non-hospitalized obese patients over a 6-week period. Dietary regimens of 700 Kcal/day for 21 days followed by 1050 Kcal/day for 42 days were imposed. In spite of the drastic reduction in calorie intake, significant elevations in plasma (p less than 0.05) and erythrocytes (p less than 0.005) Se were observed after 9 weeks of treatment; plasma Zn, on the contrary, shows a slight but significant reduction (p less than 0.05) at the end of the experimental period. Findings suggest that, from the point of view of the microelement status, the balanced low-calorie diet with high fiber content is a mild, but quite adequate method for the treatment of subjects in good health even for long periods.

Research paper thumbnail of Digestibility of carbohydrates from rice-, oat- and wheat-based ready-to-eat breakfast cereals in children

PubMed, Sep 1, 1994

Objective: To study the effect of the presence and quality of dietary fibre in ready-to-eat (RTE)... more Objective: To study the effect of the presence and quality of dietary fibre in ready-to-eat (RTE) breakfast cereals on completeness of carbohydrate digestion in children and on starch susceptibility to alpha-amylase in vitro. Design: A controlled intervention study. Subjects: Eight 3-8-year-old healthy children. Interventions: Completeness of digestion was evaluated by assessing the amount of carbohydrates apparently fermented into the colon using the breath-H2 technique after consumption in random order, of five breakfast tests containing boiled rice (either alone or supplemented with 3 g of lactulose) as reference food, or RTE cereals based on rice (low-fibre), wheat (high insoluble fibre) and oats (high-soluble fibre). The potential glycaemic impact of the products was estimated in vitro by assessing starch susceptibility to alpha-amylolysis using an enzymatic-dialysis method. Results: Compared to boiled rice and to rice-based RTE cereal, wheat- and oat-based RTE cereals both significantly (P < 0.05) increased the amount of apparently fermented carbohydrates (+1.1 +/- 1.7% of total breakfast carbohydrate fermented for rice, +5.6 +/- 0.9% for wheat and +9.4 +/- 3.7% for oats; mean +/- SEM), calculated using the excess H2 in breath after lactulose as standard. All products showed similar in vitro digestibility, resulting in estimated glycaemic indexes of 117.5 (24.0) for rice, and 105.7 (14.1) for oats-based, 128.4 (17.6) for wheat-based, and 129.8 (16.6) [mean 95% CI)] for rice-based RTE cereals. Conclusions: Results suggest that the presence of fibre in RTE breakfast cereals, in particular soluble fibre, increases colonic fermentation in children whereas it seems not to affect glucose availability.

Research paper thumbnail of The β-cell burden index of food: A proposal

Nutrition Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases, Oct 1, 2016

The quantity and quality of dietary fat and/or carbohydrate may alter one or more of the basic co... more The quantity and quality of dietary fat and/or carbohydrate may alter one or more of the basic components of the insulin-glucose system, which in turn affect the pathways leading to alterations in glucose homeostasis and, possibly, to cardiovascular disease. This viewpoint article, reviewing some of the currently available tools aiming at quantifying the impact of dietary carbohydrates on the glucose-insulin homeostatic loop, highlights the unmet need of a more thorough assessment of the complex interaction between dietary factors and the glucose-insulin system. A novel index, the &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot;β-cell burden index&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot;, may turn out to be a valuable tool to quantify the role played by the diet in shaping the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other metabolic and degenerative disorders, ideally orienting their prevention with strategies based on dietary modifications.

Research paper thumbnail of In vitro studies to predict physiological effects of dietary fibre

PubMed, Oct 1, 1995

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION

Research paper thumbnail of Giocampus school: a “learning through playing” approach to deliver nutritional education to children

International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, Feb 17, 2016

Research paper thumbnail of Catechin and Procyanidin B2 Modulate the Expression of Tight Junction Proteins but Do Not Protect from Inflammation-Induced Changes in Permeability in Human Intestinal Cell Monolayers

Research paper thumbnail of Absorption Profile of (Poly)Phenolic Compounds after Consumption of Three Food Supplements Containing 36 Different Fruits, Vegetables, and Berries

Research paper thumbnail of Effect of Processing on Rice Starch Digestibility Evaluated by in Vivo and in Vitro Methods

Journal of Cereal Science, Mar 1, 1993

The purpose of this work was to compare in vitro and in vivo starch digestibility of a typical It... more The purpose of this work was to compare in vitro and in vivo starch digestibility of a typical Italian variety of rice (Fino Ribe) industrially processed in three different ways (polished, parboiled or quick-cooking parboiled). Portions of the three samples were digested in vitro with pepsin and pancreatic α-amylase. Percentages of starch digested were significantly (P < 0·05) lower in parboiled and quick-cooking parboiled rices than in polished rice. Completeness of starch digestion in vivo and glycemic response were evaluated using the breath-H2 and the glycemic index techniques in nine healthy volunteers. Both the processed rices had a lower (P < 0·05) glycemic index than polished rice but no evidence of higher malabsorbed starch.

Research paper thumbnail of Synthetic and analytical strategies for the quantification of phenyl-γ-valerolactone conjugated metabolites in human urine

Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, Jun 9, 2017

Research paper thumbnail of Antiatherogenic effects of ellagic acid and urolithins in vitro

Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Jun 1, 2016

Atherosclerosis, one of the leading causes of death worldwide, is characterized by impaired endot... more Atherosclerosis, one of the leading causes of death worldwide, is characterized by impaired endothelial function and lipid metabolism, among other factors. Ellagitannins are a class of phenolic compounds that may play a role in cardiovascular health. This work aimed to study the potential atheroprotective effects of urolithins, ellagitannin-derived gut microbiota metabolites, on different key factors in atherosclerosis development: the ability of monocytes to adhere to endothelial cells and the uptake and efflux of cholesterol by macrophages. The biotransformations urolithins undergo in peripheral cells were also evaluated. Results indicated that some urolithins and ellagic acid were able to reduce the adhesion of THP-1 monocytes to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and the secretion of a cellular adhesion molecule (sVCAM-1) and pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-6). Urolithin C, a combination of urolithins A and B, and ellagic acid also decreased the accumulation of cholesterol in THP-1-derived macrophages, but they were not able to promote cholesterol efflux. The analysis of cell media by UHPLC-ESI-MS(n) indicated urolithins and ellagic underwent extensive metabolism, with sulfate and methyl conjugation. This evidence indicates that atherosclerotic processes may be attenuated by urolithins, but future human intervention trials are required to establish if is translated in vivo.