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Author

Francis Feldman

Other affiliations: Laval University
Bio: Francis Feldman is an academic researcher from Université de Montréal. The author has contributed to research in topics: Lipogenesis & Insulin resistance. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 4 publications receiving 35 citations. Previous affiliations of Francis Feldman include Laval University.

Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Whether dietary polyphenols and micro-ecology favorably interact to promote multiple physiological functions on human organism is clearly documents.
Abstract: Lifestyle factors, especially diet and nutrition, are currently regarded as essential avenues to decrease modern-day cardiometabolic disorders (CMD), including obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and atherosclerosis. Many groups around the world attribute these trends, at least partially, to bioactive plant polyphenols given their anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory actions. In fact, polyphenols can prevent or reverse the progression of disease processes through many distinct mechanisms. In particular, the crosstalk between polyphenols and gut microbiota, recently unveiled thanks to DNA-based tools and next generation sequencing, unravelled the central regulatory role of dietary polyphenols and their intestinal micro-ecology metabolites on the host energy metabolism and related illnesses. The objectives of this review are to: (1) provide an understanding of classification, structure, and bioavailability of dietary polyphenols; (2) underline their metabolism by gut microbiota; (3) highlight their prebiotic effects on microflora; (4) discuss the multifaceted roles of their metabolites in CMD while shedding light on the mechanisms of action; and (5) underscore their ability to initiate host epigenetic regulation. In sum, the review clearly documents whether dietary polyphenols and micro-ecology favorably interact to promote multiple physiological functions on human organism.

64 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a review analyzes the role of polyphenols in managing clinical dyslipidemia (DLP) by dissecting their potential in ameliorating lipid/lipoprotein metabolism and alleviating hyperlipidemic, both postprandially and in longterm interventions.
Abstract: Polyphenols (PLPs), phytochemicals found in a wide range of plant-based foods, have gained extensive attention in view of their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and several additional beneficial activities. The health-promoting effects noted in animal models of various non-communicable diseases explain the growing interest in these molecules. In particular, in vitro and animal studies reported an attenuation of lipid disorders in response to PLPs. However, despite promising preclinical investigations, the effectiveness of PLPs in human dyslipidemia (DLP) is less clear and necessitates revision of available literature. Therefore, the present review analyzes the role of PLPs in managing clinical DLP, notably by dissecting their potential in ameliorating lipid/lipoprotein metabolism and alleviating hyperlipidemia, both postprandially and in long-term interventions. To this end, PubMed was used for article search. The search terms included polyphenols, lipids, triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and /or HDL-cholesterol. The critical examination of the trials published to date illustrates certain benefits on blood lipids along with co-morbidities in participant’s health status. However, inconsistent results document significant research gaps, potentially owing to study heterogeneity and lack of rigor in establishing PLP bioavailability during supplementation. This underlines the need for further efforts in order to elucidate and support a potential role of PLPs in fighting DLP.

31 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore whether proanthocyanidins (PACs) exert protective effects against cardiometabolic disorders (CMD) by directly implicating the gastrointestinal tract as a key player.
Abstract: Recent advances have added another dimension to the complexity of cardiometabolic disorders (CMD) by directly implicating the gastrointestinal tract as a key player. In fact, multiple factors could interfere with intestinal homeostasis and elicit extra-intestinal CMD. As oxidative stress (OxS), inflammation, insulin resistance and lipid abnormalities are among the most disruptive events, the aim of the present study is to explore whether proanthocyanidins (PACs) exert protective effects against these disorders. To this end, fully differentiated intestinal Caco-2/15 cells were pre-incubated with PACs with and without the pro-oxidant and pro-inflammatory iron/ascorbate (Fe/Asc). PACs significantly reduce malondialdehyde, a biomarker of lipid peroxidation, and raise antioxidant SOD2 and GPx via the increase of NRF2/Keap1 ratio. Likewise, PACs decrease the inflammatory agents TNFα and COX2 through abrogation of NF-κB. Moreover, according to crucial biomarkers, PACs result in lipid homeostasis improvement as reflected by enhanced fatty acid β-oxidation, diminished lipogenesis, and lowered gluconeogenesis as a result of PPARα, γ and SREBP1c modulation. Since these metabolic routes are mainly regulated by insulin sensitivity, we have examined the insulin signaling pathway and found an upregulation of phosphoPI3K/Akt and downregulation of p38-MAPK expressions, indicating beneficial effects in response to PACs. Taken together, PACs display the potential to counterbalance OxS and inflammation in Fe/Asc-exposed intestinal cells, in association with an improvement of insulin sensitivity, which ameliorates lipid and glucose homeostasis.

12 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the regulatory role of glycomacropeptide (GMP), a powerful milk peptide, in insulin resistance and liver dysmetabolism, two central MetS conditions, was investigated.
Abstract: Background and Aims: The increasing prevalence and absence of effective global treatment for metabolic syndrome (MetS) are alarming given the potential progression to severe non-communicable disorders such as type 2 diabetes and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate the regulatory role of glycomacropeptide (GMP), a powerful milk peptide, in insulin resistance and liver dysmetabolism, two central MetS conditions. Materials and Methods: C57BL/6 male mice were fed a chow (Ctrl), high-fat, high-sucrose (HFHS) diet or HFHS diet along with GMP (200 mg/kg/day) administered by gavage for 12 weeks. Results: GMP lowered plasma insulin levels (in response to oral glucose tolerance test) and HOMA-IR index, indicating a more elevated systemic insulin sensitivity. GMP was also able to decrease oxidative stress and inflammation in the circulation as reflected by the decline of malondialdehyde, F2 isoprostanes and lipopolysaccharide. In the liver, GMP raised the protein expression of the endogenous anti-oxidative enzyme GPx involving the NRF2 signaling pathway. Moreover, the administration of GMP reduced the gene expression of hepatic pro-inflammatory COX-2, TNF-α and IL-6 via inactivation of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. Finally, GMP improved hepatic insulin sensitization given the modulation of AKT, p38 MAPK and SAPK/JNK activities, thereby restoring liver homeostasis as revealed by enhanced fatty acid β-oxidation, reduced lipogenesis and gluconeogenesis. Conclusions: Our study provides evidence that GMP represents a promising dietary nutraceutical in view of its beneficial regulation of systemic insulin resistance and hepatic insulin signaling pathway, likely via its powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

4 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This paper investigated the efficacy of cranberry proanthocyanidins (PACs) in improving metabolic syndrome (MetS) pathological conditions and liver complications; C57BL/6J mice were fed either a standard chow or a high fat/high sucrose (HFHS) diet with and without PACs (200 mg/kg), delivered by daily gavage for 12 weeks.
Abstract: While the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is steadily increasing worldwide, no optimal pharmacotherapy is readily available to address its multifaceted risk factors and halt its complications. This growing challenge mandates the development of other future curative directions. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the efficacy of cranberry proanthocyanidins (PACs) in improving MetS pathological conditions and liver complications; C57BL/6J mice were fed either a standard chow or a high fat/high sucrose (HFHS) diet with and without PACs (200 mg/kg), delivered by daily gavage for 12 weeks. Our results show that PACs lowered HFHS-induced obesity, insulin resistance, and hyperlipidemia. In conjunction, PACs lessened circulatory markers of oxidative stress (OxS) and inflammation. Similarly, the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory capacities of PACs were noted in the liver in association with improved hepatic steatosis. Inhibition of lipogenesis and stimulation of beta-oxidation could account for PACs-mediated decline of fatty liver as evidenced not only by the expression of rate-limiting enzymes but also by the status of AMPKα (the key sensor of cellular energy) and the powerful transcription factors (PPARα, PGC1α, SREBP1c, ChREBP). Likewise, treatment with PACs resulted in the downregulation of critical enzymes of liver gluconeogenesis, a process contributing to increased rates of glucose production in type 2 diabetes. Our findings demonstrate that PACs prevented obesity and improved insulin resistance likely via suppression of OxS and inflammation while diminishing hyperlipidemia and fatty liver disease, as clear evidence for their strength of fighting the cluster of MetS abnormalities.

2 citations


Cited by
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the regulatory role of nutritional components of WD and MD in the gut microbiota and immune system interplay, in order to understand, and create awareness of, the influence of diet over both key components.
Abstract: The most prevalent diseases of our time, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) (including obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and some types of cancer) are rising worldwide. All of them share the condition of an “inflammatory disorder”, with impaired immune functions frequently caused or accompanied by alterations in gut microbiota. These multifactorial maladies also have in common malnutrition related to physiopathology. In this context, diet is the greatest modulator of immune system–microbiota crosstalk, and much interest, and new challenges, are arising in the area of precision nutrition as a way towards treatment and prevention. It is a fact that the westernized diet (WD) is partly responsible for the increased prevalence of NCDs, negatively affecting both gut microbiota and the immune system. Conversely, other nutritional approaches, such as Mediterranean diet (MD), positively influence immune system and gut microbiota, and is proposed not only as a potential tool in the clinical management of different disease conditions, but also for prevention and health promotion globally. Thus, the purpose of this review is to determine the regulatory role of nutritional components of WD and MD in the gut microbiota and immune system interplay, in order to understand, and create awareness of, the influence of diet over both key components.

123 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The bioprotective properties and associated underlying mechanisms of PPs are explored to open up new opportunities for producing unique natural PP-rich dietary and medicinal plans, ultimately affirming their health benefits.
Abstract: Polyphenols (PPs) are a large group of phytochemicals containing phenolic rings with two or more hydroxyl groups. They possess powerful antioxidant properties, multiple therapeutic effects, and possible health benefits in vivo and in vitro, as well as reported clinical studies. Considering their free-radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory properties, these substances can be used to treat different kinds of conditions associated with metabolic disorders. Many symptoms of metabolic syndrome (MtS), including obesity, dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, elevated blood sugar, accelerating aging, liver intoxication, hypertension, as well as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders, are substantially relieved by dietary PPs. The present study explores the bioprotective properties and associated underlying mechanisms of PPs. A detailed understanding of these natural compounds will open up new opportunities for producing unique natural PP-rich dietary and medicinal plans, ultimately affirming their health benefits.

35 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Moderate antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects induced by water extracts of S. virga-aurea, P. boldus, E. niruri, and O. spinosa are shown that could be related, at least partially, to the phenolic composition of the phytocomplex.
Abstract: Prostatitis is an inflammatory condition that is related to multiple infectious agents, including bacteria and fungi. Traditional herbal extracts proved efficacious in controlling clinical symptoms associated with prostatitis. In this context, the aim of the present study was to explore the efficacy of extracts from Solidago virga-aurea, Ononis spinosa, Peumus boldus, Epilobium angustifolium, and Phyllanthus niruri against bacterial (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus) and fungi strains (Candida albicans; C. tropicalis) involved in prostatitis. Additionally, anti-mycotic effects were tested against multiple species of dermatophytes (Trichophyton rubrum, T. tonsurans, T. erinacei, Arthroderma crocatum, A. quadrifidum, A. gypseum, A. currey, and A. insingulare). Antioxidant effects were also evaluated in isolated rat prostates challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and phytochemical analyses were conducted to identify and quantify selected phenolic compounds, in the extracts. Finally, a bioinformatics analysis was conducted to predict putative human and microbial enzymes targeted by extracts' phytocompounds and underlying the observed bio-pharmacological effects. The phytochemical analysis highlighted that rutin levels could be crucial for explaining the highest antibacterial activity of P. boldus extract, especially against E. coli and B. cereus. On the other hand, in the E. angustifolium extract, catechin concentration could partially explain the highest efficacy of this extract in reducing lipid peroxidation, in isolated rat prostates stimulated with LPS. Concluding, the results of the present study showed moderate antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects induced by water extracts of S. virga-aurea, P. boldus, E. angustifolium, P. niruri, and O. spinosa that could be related, at least partially, to the phenolic composition of the phytocomplex.

35 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors performed a systematic review of the human milk components and provided an insight of their extremely complex interactions, which render human milk a unique functional food and explain why this biological fluid still truly remains as a scientific enigma.
Abstract: The gut is a pivotal organ in health and disease. The events that take place in the gut during early life contribute to the programming, shaping and tuning of distant organs, having lifelong consequences. In this context, the maternal gut plays a quintessence in programming the mammary gland to face the nutritional, microbiological, immunological, and neuroendocrine requirements of the growing infant. Subsequently, human colostrum and milk provides the infant with an impressive array of nutrients and bioactive components, including microbes, immune cells, and stem cells. Therefore, the axis linking the maternal gut, the breast, and the infant gut seems crucial for a correct infant growth and development. The aim of this article is not to perform a systematic review of the human milk components but to provide an insight of their extremely complex interactions, which render human milk a unique functional food and explain why this biological fluid still truly remains as a scientific enigma.

34 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a review summarizes the impact of food antioxidants including antioxidant vitamins, dietary polyphenols, carotenoids, and bioactive peptides on the structure as well as function of host gut microbial communities.
Abstract: Dietary components have an important role on the structure and function of host gut microbial communities. Even though, various dietary components, such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, fibers, and vitamins, have been studied in depth for their effect on gut microbiomes, little attention has been paid regarding the impact of several food antioxidants on the gut microbiome. The long-term exposure to reactive oxygen species (ROS) can cause microbial dysbiosis which leads to numerous intestinal diseases such as microbiota dysbiosis, intestinal injury, colorectal cancers, enteric infections, and inflammatory bowel diseases. Recently, it has been shown that the food derived antioxidant compounds might protect the host from intestinal oxidative stress via modulating the composition of beneficial microbial species in the gut. The present review summarizes the impact of food antioxidants including antioxidant vitamins, dietary polyphenols, carotenoids, and bioactive peptides on the structure as well as function of host gut microbial communities. Several in vitro, animal model, and clinical studies indicates that food antioxidants might modify the host gut microbial communities and their health status. However, still further clarification is needed as to whether changes in certain microbial species caused by food additives may lead to changes in metabolism and immune function.

33 citations