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Grapes provide a rich source of polyphenols and fibers. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the daily consumption of 46 g of whole grape powder, providing the equivalent of two servings of California table grapes, on the gut microbiome and cholesterol/bile acid metabolism in healthy adults. This study included a 4-week standardization to a low-polyphenol diet, followed by 4 weeks of 46 g of grape powder consumption while continuing the low-polyphenol diet. Compared to the baseline, 4 weeks of grape powder consumption significantly increased the alpha diversity index of the gut microbiome. There was a trend of increasing Verrucomicrobia (p = 0.052) at the phylum level, and a significant increase in Akkermansia was noted. In addition, there was an increase in Flavonifractor and Lachnospiraceae_UCG-010, but a decrease in Bifidobacterium and Dialister at the genus level. Grape powder consumption significantly decreased the total cholesterol by 6.1% and HDL cholesterol by 7.6%. There was also a trend of decreasing LDL cholesterol by 5.9%, and decreasing total bile acid by 40.9%. Blood triglyceride levels and body composition were not changed by grape powder consumption. In conclusion, grape powder consumption significantly modified the gut microbiome and cholesterol/bile acid metabolism.

Background: Novel male-based contraceptives are needed to broaden family planning choices. A progestin, Nestorone â (Nes) gel, plus a testosterone (T) gel suppresses sperm concentrations to levels associated with effective contraception in normal men. However, administration of two gels on different parts of the body daily is impractical. Objective: Compare the effectiveness of daily application of a single, combined 8.3 mg Nes-62.5 mg T gel (Nes-T) vs. 62.7 mg T gel to suppress serum FSH and LH concentrations to ≤1.0 IU/L (a threshold associated with suppression of sperm concentrations to ≤1 million and effective contraception) and to compare the pharmacokinetics of serum Nes and T concentrations between the gel groups. Design: We conducted a 28-day, double-blind, controlled trial of 44 healthy men randomized to daily Nes-T or T gel with measurement of hormones at baseline, treatment, and recovery and during 24-h pharmacokinetic studies on days 1 and 28 of treatment. Results: Of the subjects who met pre-defined inclusion criteria, 84% of the Nes-T group suppressed serum gonadotropin concentrations to ≤1.0 IU/L at days 21-28 vs. 16.7% in the T group (p < 0.001). On day 1, Nes concentrations rose significantly above baseline by 2 h and continued to rise up to 24 h after Nes-T gel application. Nes concentrations were not detectable in the T group. Serum total T concentrations rose and were significantly higher in the T gel group compared to the Nes-T group at 24 h on day 1 and days 11, 14, and 21 (p < 0.01). There were no serious adverse events in either group. About 80% of the subjects reported satisfaction with both gels. Conclusion: Daily Nes-T gel effectively and safely suppresses serum gonadotropins and is acceptable to most men. It should be studied further in efficacy trials of hormonal male contraception.

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