(OR18-03-24) Targeted Metabolomics Reveals Changes in Fecal Serotonergic Levels Following Blackcurrant Supplementation in Peri-and Postmenopausal Women

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of blackcurrant (BC) anthocyanins on fecal serotonergic concentrations and their associations with blood biomarkers of inflammation, bone metabolism and fecal short chain fatty acids (SCFAs).

Methods: Fecal and blood samples were collected from a pilot randomized controlled clinical trial in peri- and early postmenopausal women aged 45-60. Thirty-six women were randomized into one of three treatment groups: (1) placebo (Control), (2) 392 mg BC/day (Low BC) or (3) 784 mg BC/day (High BC) for six months. Fecal serotonin (5-HT) concentrations were measured by Sciex ZenoTOF LC-MS/MS while fecal SCFAs were measured using an Agilent GC-MSD. 5-HT identification, quantification and normalization were performed using Progenesis QI software. Blood biomarkers were analyzed using ELISA and flow cytometry.

Results: Six-month percent change of normalized 5-HT abundance was significantly higher in the High BC group than the Low BC and Control groups (p < .05). 5-HT correlations with blood biomarkers revealed significant positive correlations to P1NP (r=0.38, p < .01), TRAP-5b (r=0.38, p < .01), and fecal SCFA’s isobutyric acid (r=0.36, p < .01) and isocaproic acid (r=0.30, p < .05). 5-HT was negatively correlated to IL-2 (r=-0.29, p < .05), IL-4 (r=-0.34, p < .01), IL-6 (r=-0.33, p < .01), IL-10 (r=-0.28, p < .05), IL-17 (r=-0.27, p < .05), TNF-α (r=-0.27, p < .05). When subjects on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) were excluded from analysis (n =5), IL-2 and IL-10 were no longer significantly correlated and IFN-ɣ was negatively correlated with 6-month 5-HT change (r=-0.29, p < .05).

Conclusions: These findings suggest that BC anthocyanins may influence levels of 5-HT. Correlations between fecal 5-HT abundance and biomarkers of inflammation and SCFAs suggests a role of BC in modulating the gut-brain axis, which consists of bidirectional communication. BC may play a role in the interplay of SCFAs and serotonergic crosstalk. Correlations between 5-HT and the bone formation marker, P1NP, suggest the potential influence of BC on gut related metabolites that may influence bone related outcomes.

Funding Sources: This research was funded by the USDA NIFA Seed Grant to Dr. Ock K. Chun. We thank Just The Berries Ltd. for providing the blackcurrant extract.