Phenolic Metabolite Profiling in Children's Plasma and Urine Following Short-Term Supplementation with Wild Blueberry Powder

Authors: FELGUS-LAVEFVE, LAURA - University Of Arkansas; ADAMS, SEAN - University Of California, Davis; BALLARD, MARGARET - Arkansas Children'S Nutrition Research Center (ACNC); KEENE, MATTHEW - Arkansas Children'S Nutrition Research Center (ACNC); HOWARD, LUKE - University Of Arkansas; DIAZ, EVA - University Arkansas For Medical Sciences (UAMS)

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/25/2024
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: BACKGROUND: Native blueberry derived polyphenols are not highly bioavailable in the blood circulation due to extensive conversion through phase II and microbial biotransformation. The purpose of this study was to characterize the metabolite profile of wild blueberry (WBB) derived polyphenols in children’s plasma and urine following supplementation. METHODS: Children 11 to 12 years old were randomized to consume placebo (PL, n = 12 ) or WBB (n = 12, 15 g) containing products, twice a day, for 5 days. On the 6th day, baseline fasting blood (EDTA) and urine samples were collected before participants consumed a single dose of the WBB (15 g) or placebo product. Hourly blood and urine samples were collected for 5 hours. Native and conjugated phenolic-derived metabolites (n = 35) were measured from acidified samples using ultraperformance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry multiple reaction monitoring (UPLC-MS/MS MRM). Urine osmolality was adjusted to 120 mOsm/kg H2O. RESULTS: In Plasma, 20 of 35 targeted metabolites, including derivatives of benzoic, phenylacetic, phenylpropanoic, cinnamic, and hippuric acids, along with phloroglucinaldehyde and epicatechin were identified. Hippuric acid was the predominant metabolite in the WBB group followed by benzoic acid in its conjugated form. AUC0-5h analysis showed higher concentrations of 13 compounds in the WBB group compared to PL, including free and conjugated forms of phloroglucinaldehyde, ferulic acid, and sinapic acid. In urine, 29 of 35 targeted compounds were found. Alongside catechin, epicatechin, and phloroglucinaldehyde, there were 8 benzoic acid derivatives, 6 phenylacetic acid derivatives, 2 phenylpropanoic derivatives, 7 cinnamic acid derivatives, and 3 hippuric acid derivatives detected. All urine compounds were significantly higher in the WBB vs PL group. CONCLUSIONS: WBB supplementation yielded higher plasma and urine concentrations of targeted metabolites. The bioactivity of these metabolites needs further assessment.