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| Satoru Kakizaki, Hitoshi Takagi, Toshio Fukusato,
Mitsuo Toyoda, Norio Horiguchi, Ken Sato, Hisashi Takayama, Takeaki
Nagamine and Masatomo Mori Effect of a-Tocopherol on Hepatocarcinogenesis in Transforming Growth Factor-a (TGF-a) Transgenic Mice Treated with Diethylnitrosamine |
Zusammenfassung Summary |
| Sonja Y. Hess, Michael B. Zimmermann, Silvia
Brogli and Richard F. Hurrell A National Survey of Iron and Folate Status in Pregnant Women in Switzerland |
Zusammenfassung Summary |
| Jacques Barnouin, Tomás Verdura Barrios,
Michelle Chassagne, Rafael Pérez Cristiá, Josiane
Arnaud, Pedro Fleites Mestre, María Esther Montoya and
Alain Favier Nutritional and Food Protection against Epidemic Emerging Neuropathy. Epidemiological Findings in the Unique Disease-free Urban Area of Cuba |
Zusammenfassung Summary |
| Y. Min, K. Ghebremeskel, M. A. Crawford, J.
H. Nam, A. Kim, I. S. Lee and H. Suzuki Maternal-Fetal N-6 and N-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Gradient in Plasma and Red Cell Phospholipids |
Zusammenfassung Summary |
| Gregory A. Brown, Matthew D. Vukovich, Emily
R. Martini, Marian L. Kohut, Warren D. Franke, David A. Jackson
and Douglas S. King Effects of Androstenedione-Herbal Supplementation on Serum Sex Hormone Concentrations in 30- to 59-Year-old Men |
Zusammenfassung Summary |
| Kazutoshi Nakamura, Mitsue Nashimoto, Yasuo
Tsuchiya, Atsuko Obata, Kunio Miyanishi and Masaharu Yamamoto Vitamin D Insufficiency in Japanese Female College Students: a Preliminary Report |
Zusammenfassung Summary |
| N. C. Morcos and Kim Camilo Acute and Chronic Toxicity Study of Fish Oil and Garlic Combination |
Zusammenfassung Summary |
| Yi-Chia Huang, Yeong-Yu Yan, Yueching Wong,
Chien-Hsiang Cheng Vitamin B6 Intakes and Status Assessment of Elderly Men and Women in Taiwan |
Zusammenfassung Summary |
Zusammenfassungen / Summaries
Summary
To examine the potentially chemopreventive effects of a-tocopherol on hepatocarcinogenesis, we fed the transgenic mice line MT42, which overexpresses transforming growth factor-a (TGF-a) and which has been established as having a high incidence of liver tumor, with different concentrations of a-tocopherol and examined the hepatic tumorigenesis of these mice. At 3 weeks of age, MT42 male mice received a single intraperitoneal injection of diethylnitrosamine (DEN), 5 mg/kg body weight, to initiate the formation of liver tumors. The mice were divided into three groups: group A, control diet (20 mg/kg of a-tocopherylacetate); group B, deficient diet (less than 1 mg/kg); group C, supplemented diet (500 mg/kg). Neoplastic change was determined at 40 weeks of age. The incidence of adenomas (p < 0.05), the maximum tumor size (p < 0.01), the mean relative liver weight (p < 0.01), and the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) labeling indices of the non-tumor sites (p < 0.01) of group B were significantly higher than those of group C. No toxic effects of a-tocopherol were found. Alpha-tocopherol-deficient diet accelerated the hepatocarcinogenesis of TGF-a transgenic mice treated with DEN. At best, these data demonstrate that a-tocopherol-deficiency is not beneficial for prevention of hepatocarcinogenesis in this model. Alpha-tocopherol may be useful for the chemoprevention for liver cancer.
Key words
a-tocopherol, vitamin E, transforming growth factor-a (TGF-a), chemoprevention, hepatocarcinogenesis, PCNA
International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research,
Band 71, 2001, Heft 5, © Verlag Hans Huber AG, Bern
Summary
Women often do not meet the increased iron and folate needs
of pregnancy. Maternal iron-deficiency anemia is associated with
poor maternal and infant outcomes, including preterm delivery
and low birth weight. Poor folate status increases risk for maternal
anemia, spontaneous abortion, and congenital defects. Because
of this, supplemental iron and folate are often recommended during
pregnancy. There are few data on iron and folate status in pregnant
women in Switzerland. We measured iron and folate status in a
national sample of Swiss pregnant women, estimated the prevalence
of anemia, and determined if supplement use is associated with
iron and/or folate status in this group.
A 3-stage probability to size cluster sampling method was used
to obtain a representative national sample of pregnant women (n
= 381) in the second and third trimester. We measured hemoglobin,
hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, and serum folate and ferritin
concentrations. Serum transferrin receptor concentration was determined
in anemic subjects. The use of iron and folate supplements was
evaluated by questionnaire.
Mean hemoglobin (± SD) in the sample was 123 g/L (±
1.0). The prevalence of anemia was 6%. Of the 21 anemic women,
11 were iron-deficient, giving an iron-deficiency anemia prevalence
of 3%. Nineteen percent of women had low serum ferritin concentrations
(< 12 mg/L) and 4% had low serum folate concentrations (<
2.5 mg/L). Supplements containing iron were taken by 65% of women,
and 63% were taking folate-containing supplements. Women in the
second and third trimester taking folate-containing supplements
had significantly higher serum folate concentrations compared
to those not taking a folate supplement (p < 0.001). In the
third trimester, women taking iron-containing supplements had
significantly higher serum ferritin concentrations compared to
those not taking an iron-containing supplement (p < 0.01).
Our findings indicate that iron and folate status appears to be
adequate in the majority of pregnant women in Switzerland, and
that use of iron and folate supplements may have a positive impact
on status.
Key words
Anemia, Folate, Iron, Pregnancy, Switzerland
International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research,
Band 71, 2001, Heft 5, © Verlag Hans Huber AG, Bern
Summary
A survey was conducted through the SECUBA (SEguridad alimentaria en CUba y Buena Alimentación) research program in Cuban healthy smokers living in Guantánamo and in Havana. The aim of the survey was to investigate biological and nutritional factors connected with the occurrence of zero epidemic neuropathy (EN) observed in Guantánamo urban area since the disease emerged in Cuba. Blood riboflavin status and carotenoid and selenium concentrations were higher in Guantánamo than in Havana smokers. Food dietary quantities of plantain banana, pepper (Capsicum spp.), bovine meat and milk products were higher in Guantánamo. Inversely, foods rich in cholesterol, especially eggs, were more consumed in Havana. Through riboflavin, carotenoid and selenium contents and specific antioxidants substances (indoleamines, capsaicin), the foods more consumed in Guantánamo could be considered as EN protective factors. Disease protective effects could be exerted via enhancement of defence mechanisms against free radical damage and related mechanisms focused on redox recycling of glutathione and local protection from carotenoids. Finally, the results of the present study should help Cuba, through a better EN control, to improve long-term food safety and define healthier dietary habits.
Key words
Neuropathy, Cuba, oxidative stress, carotenoid, riboflavin, selenium, banana, capsicum, milk, meat, cholesterol
International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research,
Band 71, 2001, Heft 5, © Verlag Hans Huber AG, Bern
Summary
Fatty acid distribution was investigated in ethnically and economically homogenous Korean mothers (n = 40) and neonates. Venous blood, maternal before delivery and cord, was obtained. Choline (CPG) and ethanolamine (EPG) phosphoglycerides and sphingomyelin (SM) were assayed. Mean arachidonic acid (AA) level was higher in plasma CPG and SM (p < 0.0001), and red cell CPG (p < 0.0001), EPG (p < 0.0001) and SM (p = 0.005) of the neonates. Similarly, the neonates had higher proportions of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in plasma CPG (p < 0.0001) and red cell CPG (p = 0.001) and EPG (p = 0.036). In contrast, linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids were significantly higher in maternal blood. Mead acid was elevated in plasma CPG (p < 0.0001) and red cell CPG and EPG (p < 0.0001) of the neonates. Consistent with data from high-fat-intake populations, our subjects, whose traditional diet is low in fat, exhibited maternal-fetal gradient in AA and DHA in plasma and red cell phospholipids. This may be due to an imbalance between supply and maternal and fetal requirements, and/or a physiological response to pregnancy. Prenatal nutritional constraint is associated with impaired development and a risk of chronic diseases in adults. AA and DHA are vital nutrients. Hence, there is a need to investigate whether the discrepancy between maternal and neonatal AA and DHA is a manifestation of nutritional insufficiency.
Key words
Mothers, neonates, plasma, red cell, arachidonic acid, docosahexaenoic
acid, choline phosphoglycerides, ethanolamine phosphoglycerides,
sphingomyelin
International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research,
Band 71, 2001, Heft 5, © Verlag Hans Huber AG, Bern
Summary
The effectiveness of a nutritional supplement designed to enhance
serum testosterone concentrations and prevent the formation of
dihydrotestosterone and estrogens from the ingested androgens
was investigated in healthy 30- to 59-year old men. Subjects were
randomly assigned to consume DION (300 mg androstenedione, 150
mg dehydroepiandrosterone, 540 mg saw palmetto, 300 mg indole-3-carbinol,
625 mg chrysin, and 750 mg Tribulus terrestris per day; n = 28)
or placebo (n = 27) for 28 days. Serum free testosterone, total
testosterone, androstenedione, dihydrotestosterone, estradiol,
prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and lipid concentrations were
measured before and throughout the 4-week supplementation period.
Serum concentrations of total testosterone and PSA were unchanged
by supplementation. DION increased (p < 0.05) serum androstenedione
(342%), free testosterone (38%), dihydrotestosterone (71%), and
estradiol (103%) concentrations. Serum HDL-C concentrations were
reduced by 5.0 mg/dL in DION (p < 0.05). Increases in serum
free testosterone (r2 = 0.01), androstenedione (r2 = 0.01), dihydrotestosterone
(r2 = 0.03), or estradiol (r2 = 0.07) concentrations in DION were
not related to age. While the ingestion of androstenedione combined
with herbal products increased serum free testosterone concentrations
in older men, these herbal products did not prevent the conversion
of ingested androstenedione to estradiol and dihydrotestosterone.
Key words
Androstenedione, DHEA, testosterone, estrogens, dihydrotestosterone,
saw palmetto, indole-3-carbinol, chrysin, Tribulus terrestris
International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research,
Band 71, 2001, Heft 5, © Verlag Hans Huber AG, Bern
Summary
Vitamin D insufficiency, a risk factor for osteoporosis, has been well investigated in elderly women worldwide, but little information has been available for younger women. This study aimed to determine serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels in Japanese female college students, and to test whether there is an association between 25(OH)D and bone strength. Subjects were 77 Japanese female junior college students aged 1924 years. Serum 25(OH)D was measured with high performance liquid chromatography. Bone strength of the calcaneus was evaluated using the osteo sono-assessment index (OSI), a combined index reflecting the bone mass, bone architecture, and elasticity, as measured by quantitative ultrasound densitometry (AOS-100, Aloka). The mean 25(OH)D concentration was 34.2 nmol/L (SD ± 12.1). The proportion of subjects with 25(OH)D less than 30 nmol/L, a cut-off value for vitamin D insufficiency, was 31/77 (40.3%). Simple linear regression analysis showed that there was a significant linear relationship between 25(OH)D and OSI (R2 = 0.098, p = 0.0069). The association held even after adjusting for weight (partial R2 = 0.098, p = 0.0023). Body weight was also a significant predictor of OSI (partial R2 = 0.105, p = 0.0034). These results suggest that vitamin D insufficiency may be prevalent in healthy young women. Moreover, low levels of 25(OH)D in young women may adversely affect bone strength. An additional, newly designed epidemiological study with a sufficient sample size is needed to confirm the present findings.
Key words
Bone strength, college students, females, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, quantitative ultrasound (QUS), vitamin D insufficiency
International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research,
Band 71, 2001, Heft 5, © Verlag Hans Huber AG, Bern
Summary
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the acute and chronic toxicology of oral intake of fish oil (omega-3 fatty acid) and garlic combination food supplements. These supplements were proven to have beneficial effects on the lipid profile. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the potential long-term effects of fish oil and garlic combination supplements on the biochemistry of organ structure and function. The hypothesis to be tested was that acute and chronic high-dose supplements of fish oil and garlic may not adversely affect organ histology but may influence certain metabolic activities. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study was carried out using 28 Sprague Dawley rats separated into a placebo group (16 rats) and a supplement group (12 rats). The supplement group received the ingredients in chow inserts at a dosage that was equivalent to three times the maximum safe daily dosage for fish oil and the usual daily dosage for garlic (the maximum safe daily dosage recommended by the United States Food And Drug Administration for a 70-kg human is a total of 3 g/day intake of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids from conventional and dietary sources. The usual daily garlic usage is garlic powder = 1200 mg). The study was conducted over a period of 12 months with evaluations performed at baseline, 2 months, 6 months, and 12 months. Results confirm the expected acute triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL suppression at these higher dosages in the supplement group. Acutely and chronically, there were no differences in external appearance, level of activity, daily food consumption, blood cell count, kidney function, thyroid function, prothrombin time (PT), and activated partial prothrombin time (PTT), which remained within normal ranges in the supplement group. Organ histology remained unchanged. Although during the chronic toxicity period the triglyceride and LDL suppression persisted, it was noted that total cholesterol and HDL levels increased. The increase in cholesterol and HDL in the supplement group during chronic toxicity periods is simultaneous with loss of suppression of plasma levels of other liver function marker enzymes, ALT and AST, which are not involved in cholesterol synthesis. This possibly suggests that other liver enzymes involved in cholesterol synthesis, such as HMG-co A reductase, follow a similar escape from suppression.
Key words
Fish oil, garlic, omega-3 fatty acids, toxicity, EPA, DHA
International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research,
Band 71, 2001, Heft 5, © Verlag Hans Huber AG, Bern
Summary
Studies have indicated that vitamin B6 status decreases with age. However, little is known about vitamin B6 status of elderly people in Taiwan. The purpose of this study was to assess vitamin B6 status of elderly Taiwanese and to examine the effect of protein on various indices of vitamin B6 status in the elderly. Thirty-nine men (mean age = 69.9 ± 4.2 years) and 55 women (mean age = 69.5 ± 3.9 years) completed a 24-h diet recall. The mean total vitamin B6 intake (men: 1.7 ± 0.9 g/day; women: 1.6 ± 1.2 g/day) was higher than the 1998 US Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) and the current Taiwan Recommended Daily Nutrient Allowance (RDNA). Dietary energy and protein intakes were not related to any vitamin B6 status parameters in any sex groups and the pooled group. Vitamin B6 intake correlated only with erythrocyte aspartate transaminase activity coefficient (EAST-AC) in the pooled (r = 0.214, p < 0.05) group. There were no significant differences in plasma pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP), erythrocyte alanine transaminase activity coefficient (EALT-AC), and EAST-AC between sex groups. Although elderly subjects had adequate mean plasma PLP concentrations, 59% of men and 55% of women had plasma PLP concentrations lower than a cutoff of 20 nmol/L. The mean EALT-AC was < 1.25 in two groups with adequate vitamin B6 status. However, 23% of men and 18% of women had EALT-AC values > 1.25. The mean EAST-AC value of subjects was higher than the suggested value (< 1.8) for inadequate vitamin B6 status. The incidence of biochemical vitamin B6 deficiency in our elderly is probably more relevant from other causes than from dietary intake of protein and vitamin B6.
Key words
Elderly Taiwanese, vitamin B6, plasma PLP, plasma PL, transaminase
International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research,
Band 71, 2001, Heft 5, © Verlag Hans Huber AG, Bern