Targeted metabolic profiling of phenolics in urine and plasma after regular consumption of cocoa by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
The biological properties of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) polyphenols are strictly dependent on their bioavailability. A long-term cocoa feeding trial was performed with subjects at high risk for cardiovascular disease. Subjects (n=42) received two sachets of 20 g of cocoa powder/day with 250 mL of skimmed milk each, or only 500 mL/day of skimmed milk, both for two 4-week periods. The phenolic metabolic profile including phase II conjugated metabolites and phenolic acids derived from the intestinal microbiota was determined by LC-MS/MS in both 24-h urine and fasting plasma. The analysis of 24-h urine revealed significant increases of phase II metabolites, including glucuronides and sulfate conjugates of (-)-epicatechin, O-methyl-epicatechin, 5-(3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)-gamma-valerolactone and 5-(3'-methoxy-4'-hydroxyphenyl)-gamma-valerolactone, after regular cocoa intake. In the case of plasma, only glucuronide conjugates of dihydroxyphenylvalerolactones increased. Regular consumption of cocoa also resulted in a significant increase in the urinary excretion of colonic microbial-derived phenolic metabolites, including vanillic, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic and 3-hydroxyphenylacetic acids, and particularly 5-(3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)-gamma-valerolactone, whereas only the two latter metabolites showed a significant increase in fasting plasma. The results found herein indicate that 5-(3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)-gamma-valerolactone and hydroxyphenylacetic acids could be good biomarkers of the regular consumption of cocoa and therefore, of flavanol-rich foods.
Urpi-Sarda
Mireia
M
Nutrition and Food Science Department, XaRTA, INSA, Pharmacy Faculty, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.
Monagas
María
M
Khan
Nasiruddin
N
Llorach
Rafael
R
Lamuela-Raventós
Rosa Ma
RM
Jáuregui
Olga
O
Estruch
Ramón
R
Izquierdo-Pulido
María
M
Andrés-Lacueva
Cristina
C
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002099:Cacao / Q000378:metabolism*; D002392:Catechin / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D044948:Flavonols / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D054892:Metagenome; D008875:Middle Aged; D010636:Phenols / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry / Q000652:urine; D044945:Proanthocyanidins / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*
D044948:Flavonols; D010636:Phenols; D044945:Proanthocyanidins; D002392:Catechin