A comprehensive analysis of how different nutrients affect protein expression in the human duodenum
The duodenum serves as a crucial interface between ingested nutrients and the human body, playing a pivotal role in nutrient sensing, digestion, and absorption. Recent advances in proteomic technologies have enabled detailed characterization of the duodenal proteome and its dynamic responses to nutritional stimuli .
This study investigates how different enteral nutrients modulate the duodenal proteome in healthy human subjects. Understanding these modifications provides insights into the molecular mechanisms of nutrient sensing and may inform nutritional interventions for various gastrointestinal disorders .
Comprehensive analysis of protein expression changes in response to nutrient exposure.
Controlled administration of different nutrient types to assess specific proteomic responses.
Temporal analysis of proteome modifications following nutrient exposure.
24 healthy volunteers (12 male, 12 female) aged 25-45 years with normal BMI (20-25 kg/m²) were recruited .
Fasting blood samples and duodenal biopsies collected after overnight fast .
Randomized, crossover design with one-week washout period between interventions.
Duodenal biopsies collected at 30, 60, and 120 minutes post-nutrient administration.
Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for protein identification and quantification .
Tissue samples homogenized and proteins extracted using optimized protocols.
High-resolution mass spectrometry with data-dependent acquisition.
MaxQuant for protein identification and Perseus for statistical analysis.
Glucose administration resulted in significant upregulation of 42 proteins and downregulation of 18 proteins .
Whey protein intake modulated 67 proteins, with particularly strong effects on peptide transporters and digestive enzymes .
Average increase in nutrient transporter expression
Proteins significantly modified across all nutrient types
Metabolic pathways significantly enriched
This study demonstrates that enteral nutrient intake induces rapid and specific modifications to the duodenal proteome in healthy humans. The proteomic responses were nutrient-specific, with distinct patterns observed for carbohydrates, proteins, and fats .
The upregulation of nutrient transporters following their respective nutrient challenges highlights the adaptive capacity of the duodenum to optimize nutrient absorption. The temporal patterns of protein expression suggest coordinated regulatory mechanisms that may involve both transcriptional and post-translational processes .
The duodenal proteome demonstrates remarkable plasticity in response to nutrient intake, with changes observable within 30 minutes of nutrient exposure.
These findings have implications for understanding the molecular basis of nutrient sensing and may inform nutritional strategies for conditions such as malabsorption syndromes, obesity, and diabetes. The identification of nutrient-responsive proteins could serve as biomarkers for assessing duodenal function or as targets for therapeutic interventions .
While this study provides comprehensive proteomic data, it does not establish causal relationships between protein changes and functional outcomes. Future research should integrate proteomic data with metabolic measurements and employ intervention studies to establish functional significance.