Changes in Plasma Acylcarnitine and Lysophosphatidylcholine Levels Following a High-Fructose Diet: A Targeted Metabolomics Study in Healthy Women

Introduction:

The consumption of high amounts of fructose is associated with metabolic diseases. However, the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. Here, the effects of high fructose intake on plasma metabolomics were studied.

Method:

We enrolled 12 healthy volunteers (six lean and six obese women, age 24 – 35 years) in a crossover intervention study. All participants carried out three diets: (1) low fructose (< 10 g/day); (2) high fructose (100 g/day) from natural food sources (fruit); and (3) high fructose (100 g/day) from high fructose syrup (HFS). The primary outcome was changes in plasma metabolites measured by targeted metabolomics.

Results:

High compared to low fructose diets caused a marked metabolite class separation, especially because of changes in acylcarnitine and lysophosphatidylcholine levels. Both high fructose diets resulted in a decrease in mean acylcarnitine levels in all subjects (FDR adjusted p < 0.05), and an increase in mean lysophosphatidylcholine (after HFS) and diacyl-phosphatidylcholine levels (after fruit) in obese individuals (FDR adjusted p < 0.05). Medium chain acylcarnitines were negatively correlated with serum levels of liver enzymes and with the fatty liver index (p < 0.05).

Discussion:

The metabolic shifts induced by high fructose consumption suggest an inhibition of mitochondrial β-oxidation and an increase in lipid peroxidation. The effects tended to be more pronounced following the HFS than the fruit diet.

Published:

Changes in Plasma Acylcarnitine and Lysophosphatidylcholine Levels Following a High-Fructose Diet: A Targeted Metabolomics Study in Healthy Women. Gonzalez-Granda A, Damms-Machado A, Basrai M, Bischoff SC. Nutrients. 2018 Sep 6;10(9) doi: 10.3390/nu10091254.