Metabolomic analysis reveals differences in urinary excretion of kiwifruit-derived metabolites in a mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease

The interleukin‐10‐deficient (IL‐10−/−) mouse, a model of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), develops intestinal inflammation unless raised in germ‐free conditions. The metabolic effects of consuming extracts from the fruits of yellow (Actinidia chinensis) or green‐fleshed (A. deliciosa) kiwifruit that displayed in vitro anti‐inflammatory activity were investigated in IL‐10−/− mice by metabolomic analysis of urine samples. Kiwifruit‐derived metabolites were detected at significantly higher levels in urine of IL‐10−/− mice relative to those of wild‐type mice, indicating that the metabolism of these metabolites was affected by IL‐10−/−‐wild‐type genotypic differences. Urinary metabolites previously associated with inflammation were not altered by the kiwifruit extracts. This study demonstrates the use of metabolomic analysis to study dietary effects and the influence of genotype on food metabolism, which may have implications on the development of functional foods for the treatment of IBD.