A Dose-response Study to Validate the Biomarkers for Whole Grain Dietary Intake

Screening Whole Grain Dietary Intake Biomarkers and Validating the Dose-response Relationship in a Randomized Controlled Study in China.

Dose-response validation of whole grain dietary intake biomarkers remains limited, and it is debatable whether these markers could be utilized as classifiers for different levels of whole grain consumption. Because there are significant disparities in genetic background and dietary patterns between Chinese and Western cultures, it is unclear if whole grain dietary intake biomarkers can characterize whole grain consumption in Chinese populations. To address these issues, the current study was designed to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of potential whole grain markers in a randomized controlled trial, as well as to validate the markers' dose-response relationship, so that they can be used in nutritional epidemiological studies and dietary intake assessments of whole grains.

An acute randomized controlled trial was performed and the total study group is randomly divided into four groups: the amounts of WG wheat flour administered were 0 g, 25g, 50 g and 100 g. Experimental period with a total of 6 days was subdivided into two parts: -5 days to 0 h defined as the run-in period, 0-24 h (after the dose-related test meal), defined as the test day.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy men and women
• age 18-40 years
• BMI 18.5-23.9 kg/m2.

Exclusion Criteria:

• pregnancy or breastfeeding
• vegetarian;
• smokers;
• acute and chronic diseases;
• allergic to wheat;
• frequent nutrients supplement use;
• medication use of antibiotics within 1-month;
• more than 3 kg weight change within 3-month;
• unwillingness to follow dietary restrictions;