Quantification of Lignans in Food Using Isotope Dilution Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

The optimization and validation of a protocol for the quantification of six dietary lignans, i.e., secoisolariciresinol, matairesinol, lariciresinol, pinoresinol, medioresinol, and syringaresinol, in food are presented. The method incorporates isotope dilution to ensure correct accuracy and precision, introducing the utilization of individual stable 13C3-labeled lignans. To demonstrate the potential of this new method, preliminary results of the levels of dietary lignans in selected foods are presented. It is concluded that the method fulfils the reliability criteria and can be applied to the analysis of the most common lignans in human food, being an essential asset to establish the intake of lignans in a determined population and their relation with disease prevention.

Dietary fiber intake and risk of postmenopausal breast cancer defined by estrogen and progesterone receptor status—A prospective cohort study among Swedish women

“…An inhibitory effect of dietary fiber on mammary tumorgenesis could partly be explained by hormone-dependent mechanisms through interference with the enterohepatic circulation of estrogens, [6][7][8][9][10] but it might differ according to the type of fiber. 7,8,56,62 Approximately 50% of the conjugated estrogens in the liver are excreted into the bile and reabsorbed in the intestine. 63 It was postulated that insoluble fiber from cereal might increase fecal excretion of estrogens by either binding unconjugated estrogen in the colon 7,62,64 or increasing fecal bulk.…”

Determinants of dietary lignan intake in a representative sample of young Spaniards: association with lower obesity prevalence among boys but not girls

“…[4][5][6] Six different lignans, that is, pinoresinol, lariciresinol, syringaresinol, medioresinol, matairesinol and secoisolariciresinol can be found at relevant concentrations in the human diet. 7 These dietary lignans are absorbed, and to a certain extent (17%) excreted, 8 although the major fraction undergoes an extensive metabolism by the gut microflora that results in the formation of the so-called enterolignans, 9 attending to their colonic origin. These metabolites have been inversely associated with lower weight in women, 10 and further with improved cardiovascular risk factors, and lower risks of acute cardiovascular events.…”

Variation in fasting and non-fasting serum enterolactone concentrations in women of the Malmö Diet and Cancer cohort

“…Lignans, found in seeds, legumes, berries and cereals (Milder et al, 2005;Penalvo et al, 2005a), may have health benefits and possibly protect, or indicate protection against chronic diseases such as breast and prostate cancer and cardiovascular disease (Vanharanta et al, 1999(Vanharanta et al, , 2003Adlercreutz, 2002). The mammalian intestinal micro flora converts plant lignans into enterolignans, mainly enterolactone (ENL) (Heinonen et al, 2001).…”