Nutrition in pregnancy in the Wellington region

The diets of 115 pregnant women in the Wellington region were assessed for nutrient intake using 24 h dietary recall. Assessment was performed in both the second and third trimester. Women came from three ethnic groups, European (61), Maori (29) and Pacific Islanders (25). Comparisons of nutrient intake were made between these groups. The overall energy intake was similar between the groups (range 4.8-19.7 MJ/d) but Maori (p less than 0.05) and Pacific Islanders (p less than 0.02) had a significant decrease in energy intake from second to third trimester. Pacific Islanders consumed significantly more starch (121 g/d, p less than 0.05) whereas Maori women consumed significantly more sucrose (86 g/d, p = 0.0002). The mean intake in Pacific Islanders contained significantly less calcium (882 mg/d, p = 0.0002) and zinc (9.0 mg/d, p = 0.014). Forty-four percent Europeans, 28% Maori and 51% Pacific Islanders had an estimated iron intake below the minimum safe intake for pregnancy. However dietary iron intake did not relate to the presence of anaemia nor whether iron supplements were given.     

Influence of body iron store status and cigarette smoking on cadmium body burden of healthy Thai women and men

The influence of cigarette smoking, body iron store status and gender on cadmium (Cd) body burden was examined in a group of 197 healthy Thais with overall mean age of 30.5 year (19-47 year). The lowest, geometric mean, and the highest urinary Cd excretion rate was 0.04, 0.46 and 3.84 microg/g creatinine, respectively. The prevalence of low iron stores (serum ferritin <20 microg/l) was 16% and 2% in women and men, respectively. All women (n = 99) were non-smokers, but they had the same Cd body burden as did men (n = 47) who on average smoked 8.7 cigarettes per day for 9 years. These women and men had 1.9-fold greater body Cd burden than did non-smoking men (t = 4, P < 0.001). In addition, the women Cd body burden was found to be inversely correlated with serum ferritin (r = -0.39, P < 0.001) and those with low iron stores showed a 3.4-fold greater Cd body burden than did women whose serum ferritin being between 101 and 200 microg/l (F = 6.2, P = 0.003, one-way ANOVA). In contrast, men's Cd body burden did not show a significant correlation with serum ferritin, but it did show a positive correlation with cumulative cigarette smoking index (r = 0.29, P = 0.02). Thus, iron status and cigarette smoking were found to be determinants of Cd body burden in young adult Thai women and men.     

Effect of smoking on cadmium and lead concentrations in human amniotic fluid

The amniotic fluids of 155 pregnant women, non-smokers (n = 128) and smokers (n = 27), were investigated on their cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) concentrations. The mean +/- s range of Cd in the amniotic fluid of non-smokers amounted to 2.58 +/- 1.36 ng/l, that of smokers to 7.29 +/- 2.39 micrograms/l. Moreover, there was a correlation between the extent of daily cigarette consumption and Cd levels. With Pb, higher concentrations were found ranging between 23.98 +/- 9.41 ng/l for non-smokers and 21.53 +/- 7.16 micrograms/l for smokers. No correlations were seen between age, week of pregnancy, blood pressure, disorders of pregnancy and the amniotic Cd or Pb concentrations. Thus, the maternal and fetal risks of the higher Cd levels in the amniotic fluid of smoking women remain unanswered.     

400例孕妇膳食调查和营养分析

目的了解孕妇膳食摄入情况,并分析其营养状况,以正确进行营养指导和干预。方法以广东省某市400例孕妇为调查对象,调查孕妇的膳食摄入情况,并应用“孕期饮食营养分析指导系统”软件进行营养分析。结果各孕期膳食三大产热营养素的热能供给比例基本合理;中早孕阶段钙、铁、锌和维生素B1、维生素B2的摄入量较低,分别为764．51mg、26．94mg、15．71mg、1．12g、1．13g;各孕期优质蛋白占总摄入蛋白的50．O％以上,平均蛋白质RNI％为48．5％。结论孕妇的膳食结构基本合理,但仍要增加钙、铁、锌及B族维生素等摄入,并加强孕妇的营养指导。     

Comprehensive study of the effects of age, iron deficiency, diabetes mellitus, and cadmium burden on dietary cadmium absorption in cadmium-exposed female Japanese farmers

The absorption rate of dietary cadmium (Cd) was investigated among 38 female farmers who had been exposed to Cd at levels close to the current provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI); these levels were much higher than those examined in previous studies. The study group composed of 7 diabetics and their 13 age-matched controls and 6 anemic subjects and their 12 controls. With their informed consent, the study participants were confined in an inn for 7 nights and 8 days to collect all feces and urine and duplicates of all food consumed. The dietary Cd absorption rate was calculated for each subject from her total Cd intake and fecal excretion. The means and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of the diabetic group and the anemic group did not differ significantly from those of their respective controls. By individual analysis using all 38 subjects, however, significant Pearson's correlation coefficients were observed between Cd absorption rate and age, serum ferritin, serum iron, and blood and urine Cd levels. Among these, multiple regression analysis revealed that only age was a significant factor contributing to Cd absorption rate. The actual Cd absorption rate in the youngest age group (20-39 years) was 44.0%, which was highly accelerated compared with the rate in the total subject group of 6.5%, while zero to negative balance was observed in the older subjects. These results demonstrate that age, rather than iron deficiency, diabetes mellitus (DM), or Cd burden, is the only independent factor affecting the Cd absorption rate, suggesting that young women are always at high risk.     

Timing and magnitude of changes in basal energy expenditure during pregnancy in Indian women

Basal energy expenditure (BEE) was determined in 291 pregnant women, age 20-35 years, using Benedict Roth Metabolism Apparatus. A control study was undertaken in 38 non pregnant women during both follicular and luteal phases of menstrual cycle respectively. The mean +/- SD of BEE were found to be 34.04 +/- 3.05, 35.85 +/- 2.60 and 39.69 +/- 2.75 Kcal/m2/hr during first, second and third trimesters of pregnancy respectively. BEE was progressively and significantly increased (P < 0.01). However, increase in BEE during first trimester of pregnancy compared to that of luteal phase of menstrual cycle was insignificant. The results indicate that Indian pregnant women should maintain energy requirements by increasing caloric intake throughout the gestation.     

The influence of maternal smoking on transferrin sialylation and fetal biometric parameters

ObjectivesTransferrin is a glycosylated protein responsible for transporting iron, an essential metal responsible for proper fetal development. Tobacco is a heavily used xenobiotic having a negative impact on the human body and pregnancy outcomes. Aims of this study was to examine the influence of tobacco smoking on transferrin sialic acid residues and their connection with fetal biometric parameters in women with iron-deficiency.MethodsThe study involved 173 samples from pregnant women, smokers and non-smokers, iron deficient and not. Transferrin sialylation was determined by capillary electrophoresis. The cadmium (Cd) level was measured by atomic absorption and the sialic acid concentration by the resorcinol method.ResultsWomen with iron deficiencies who smoked gave birth earlier than non-smoking, non-iron-deficient women. The Cd level, but not the cotinine level, was positively correlated with transferrin sialylation in the blood of iron-deficient women who smoked; 3-, 4-, 5- and 6-sialoTf correlated negatively with fetal biometric parameters in the same group.ConclusionIt has been shown the relationship between Cd from tobacco smoking and fetal biometric parameters observed only in the iron deficient group suggests an additive effect of these two factors, and indicate that mothers with anemia may be more susceptible to Cd toxicity and disturbed fetal development.     

不同剂量盐摄入量对孕妇碘营养和甲状腺功能的影响

目的 探讨不同剂量的盐摄入量对孕妇碘营养和甲状腺功能的影响。方法 选择2019年8月～2020年10月本地区低盐低油饮食90例孕妇(A组)与高盐高油饮食90例孕妇(B组)作为研究对象,调查两组的尿碘与碘摄入量,检测其甲状腺功能并进行相关性分析。结果 两组的年龄、孕前体重指数、孕周、孕次、产次等对比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。B组的尿碘与碘摄入量高于A组(P<0.05)。A组的血清游离三碘甲腺原氨酸(FT₃)、游离甲状腺素(FT₄)水平高于B组(P<0.05),促甲状腺激素(TSH)水平低于B组(P<0.05),两组甲状腺球蛋白(Tg)水平对比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。在180例孕妇中,Pearson分析显示FT₃、FT₄、TSH与尿碘、碘摄入量都存在相关性(P<0.05)。结论 不同剂量的盐摄入量与孕妇的碘营养和甲状腺功能存在相关性,要积极重视孕期的碘营养监测,预防碘过量与缺乏的发生,从而保障母婴健康。     

Deoxynivalenol Exposure Assessment for Pregnant Women in Bangladesh

The trichothecene mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) is a contaminant of crops worldwide and known to cause adverse health effects in exposed animals and humans. A small survey reported the presence of DON in maize samples in Bangladesh, but these data are insufficient to assess human exposure, and also, biomonitoring data are still scarce. The present study applied biomarker analysis to investigate the DON exposure of pregnant women in Bangladesh. Urine samples were collected from pregnant women living in a rural (n = 32) and in a suburban (n = 22) area of the country. Urines were subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis of glucuronic acid conjugates and to immunoaffinity column clean-up prior to LC-MS/MS analysis of DON and its de-epoxy metabolite DOM-1. The limits of detection (LOD) for DON and DOM-1 in urine were 0.16 ng/mL and 0.10 ng/mL, respectively. DOM-1 was not detected in any of the urines, whilst DON was detectable in 52% of the samples at levels ranging from 0.18–7.16 ng/mL and a mean DON concentration of 0.86 ± 1.57 ng/mL or 2.14 ± 4.74 ng/mg creatinine. A significant difference in mean urinary DON levels was found between the rural (0.47 ± 0.73 ng/mL) and suburban (1.44 ± 2.20 ng/mL) cohort, which may be related to different food habits in the two cohorts. Analysis of food consumption data for the participants did not show significant correlations between their intake of typical staple foods and DON levels in urine. The biomarker concentrations found and published urinary excretion rates for DON were used to estimate daily mycotoxin intake in the cohort: the mean DON intake was 0.05 µg/kg b.w., and the maximum intake was 0.46 µg/kg b.w., values lower than the tolerable daily intake of 1 µg/kg b.w. These first results indicate a low dietary exposure of pregnant women in Bangladesh to DON. Nonetheless, further biomonitoring studies in children and in adult cohorts from other parts of the country are of interest to gain more insight into DON exposure in the population of Bangladesh.     

边缘性碘缺乏地区孕妇及新生儿垂体——甲状腺轴功能研究

本研究旨在中国边缘性碘缺乏地区上海市孕妇及新生儿垂体－甲状腺轴功能。结果表明：（１）新生儿促甲状腺激素水平〈５ｍＩｕ／Ｌ者占６１．０％，〈１０ｍＩｕ／Ｌ者占２３．０％。孕妇ＴＳＨ水平〈５ｍＩｕ／Ｌ；者仅占５．５％，但新生儿及孕妇ＴＳＨ水平却呈平行改变。     

Normal levels of cadmium in diet, urine, blood, and tissues of inhabitants of the United States

Cd was measured in the feces, urine, blood, and hair of U.S. inhabitants without known high Cd exposure in Chicago, Illinois, and Dallas, Texas, and in autopsy tissues of accident victims in Dallas. The average intake of Cd in food was estimated to be 13-16 microgram/d and was higher for males than females. The average levels of Cd were 0.59-0.77 microgram/l in urine, 0.09-0.11 microgram per 100 ml in blood, 0.83-1.10 microgram/g in hair, 21 microgram/g in kidney cortex, 1.2 microgram/g in liver, 0.067 microgram/g in muscle, 0.58 microgram/g in pancreas, and 0.040 microgram/g in fat. Hair Cd was higher for males than females. Cd levels increased with age in urine and all tissues and were higher in cigarette smokers than nonsmokers in urine, blood, and all tissues.     

孕晚期营养素摄入对新生儿出生体重的影响

目的探讨孕晚期营养素摄入状况对新生儿出生体重的影响。方法 1263例孕产妇及其新生儿,对其孕晚期营养摄入情况进行调查,分析孕晚期营养素摄入对新生儿出生体重的影响。结果 1263例孕妇年龄23~34岁,平均年龄(27.1±3.2)岁;孕周38~40周,平均孕周(39.3±0.5)周;分娩方式:阴道分娩1076例,剖宫产187例;共娩出1263例新生儿,均为活胎,男637例,女626例;体重2163~4118 g,平均体重(3233.8±357.0)g;未发生产科并发症及新生儿合并症;低出生体重(LBW)65例(5.15%)、正常体重(NW) 1105例(87.49%)、巨大儿(LBG) 93例(7.36%)。LBW新生儿、NW新生儿、LBG碳水化合物、脂肪、蛋白质、纤维、维生素C(VC)、铁、锌摄入量比较差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05);LBW新生儿、NW新生儿、LBG总热量、维生素A(VA)、维生素B1(VB1)、叶酸、钙摄入量比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。Logistic回归分析显示:孕晚期碳水化合物、蛋白质、铁、锌摄入不足是LBW发生的危险因素,孕晚期碳水化合物、脂肪、锌摄入过多是LBG发生的危险因素。结论孕晚期碳水化合物、脂肪、蛋白质、铁、锌的摄入与新生儿体重密切相关,孕晚期应依据胎儿具体发育情况指导孕妇依据自身情况合理膳食,减少LBW及LBG的发生。     

Co-exposure of cadmium and lead on bone health in a southwestern Chinese population aged 40-75 years

Both cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) are associated with bone health, but studies exploring the effects of Cd and Pb co-exposure on bone health are rare. This study aimed to assess the interactive effects of Cd and Pb co-exposure on bone health. In total, 799 participants, living in the targeted areas (located in southwestern China) for more than 15 years, aged 40-75 years, and subsisted on homegrown rice and vegetables were investigated. Cd and Pb levels in urine and blood samples, as well as bone mineral density, T- and Z-score were determined. After being adjusted for covariates, the T-score was negatively correlated with blood Pb in men (P < .05); for women and non-smoking women, the T-score was negatively correlated with urinary Pb (P < .05). Moreover, after being adjusted for covariates, the Z-score was negatively correlated with urinary Pb in non-smoking women (P < .05). No positive association of prevalence of osteoporosis with Cd and Pb exposure was found. However, at an additive scale, positive interactions of urinary Cd and Pb on the prevalence of osteoporosis for women and non-smoking women, and the same interactions to blood Cd and Pb for men were found. There was also a positive interaction of urinary Cd and Pb for women at a multiplicative scale. This study suggests Cd and Pb exposure could exert detrimental effects on bone health, with possible underlying interactions. Nevertheless, more studies are needed to explore the interactive effects of heavy metal co-exposure.     

Intake assessment for benzoates in different subgroups of the Flemish population.

An exposure assessment was performed to estimate the daily intake of benzoates for the Flemish population. Three age groups were considered: preschool children (n=697; age 2-6; 3-day estimated dietary record), adolescents (n=341; age 14-18; 7-day estimated dietary record) and women (n=641; age 18-40; 2-day estimated dietary record). In a first step in the risk evaluation process as proposed by the European Union, the individual food consumption data were multiplied with the maximum permitted use levels for benzoates per food group. The median (interquartile range) estimated daily intake is, respectively, 2.0 (1.0-3.2) mg/kg bw, 1.7 (1.1-2.7) mg/kg bw and 1.92 (1.3-3.0) mg/kg bw for preschool children, adolescents and adult women. In all age groups, the greatest potential contributor to the total estimated benzoate intake was the group of non-alcoholic flavoured drinks. At respectively the 92nd percentile (children), the 97th percentile (adolescents) and the 94th percentile (women), the accepted daily intake (ADI) of 5mg/kg bw/day is exceeded slightly. However, this approach, in which the maximum permitted use levels are used is known to overestimate the intake, since not all food items in which benzoates are allowed, contain (the maximum permitted use level of) benzoates. A more precise estimation, using actual levels, is recommended.     

Iron status in manganese alloy production workers

The aim of this study was to investigate markers of iron status in production workers with current and long-term exposure to manganese (Mn) alloys. A total of 100 Mn-exposed male workers were compared with 100 male controls matched for age in a cross-sectional study. The geometric mean urinary Mn concentration in the exposed workers was 0.9 nmol mmol(-1) creatinine (range = 0.1-126.3), compared with 0.4 nmol mmol(-1) creatinine (range = 0.1-13.1) in the controls. The index group had been exposed to Mn for 20 years on average (range = 2.1-41.0). The geometric mean concentration of soluble transferrin receptor was lower in the exposed subjects than in the controls (2.2 vs 2.6 mg l(-1); P < 0.001) and the concentration was negatively associated with current exposure to "soluble" Mn in the inhalable aerosol fraction and with current smoking habits. An association was found between the concentration of serum soluble transferrin receptor and the concentration of Mn in whole blood (Pearson's r = 0.48; P < 0.001) in the controls. The results suggest that Mn-exposed workers have higher intracellular iron concentration in the erythrocyte precursors than the controls, resulting in a down-regulation of transferrin receptors on the surface of these cells. The concentrations of Mn in the blood of occupationally non-exposed individuals appear to be influenced by iron status, even at physiological iron levels.     

Beverage caffeine intake in US consumers and subpopulations of interest: estimates from the Share of Intake Panel survey

Concerns exist about the potential adverse health effects of high consumption of dietary caffeine, especially in children and pregnant women. Recommended caffeine intakes corresponding to no adverse health effects have been suggested recently for healthy adults (400–450 mg/day), for women contemplating pregnancy (300 mg/day), and for young children age 4–6 years (45 mg/day). To determine whether current caffeine intake approaches these levels, intake from major dietary sources (coffee, tea and carbonated soft drinks) were measured in 10,712 caffeinated beverage consumers in the 1999 US Share of Intake Panel, a targeted beverage survey. Mean caffeine intakes in adult caffeinated beverage consumers ranged from 106 to 170 mg/day (90th percentile intake was 227–382 mg/day). In children 1–5 and 6–9 years, mean caffeine intakes were 14 and 22 mg/day, respectively; corresponding 90th percentile intakes were 37 and 45 mg/day. Pregnant women consumed an average of 58 mg/day (157 mg/day at the 90th percentile), and women of reproductive age ingested 91–109 mg/day (229–247 mg/day at the 90th percentile). These data show that while mean caffeine intakes are within recommended safe levels, heavy consumers of certain subpopulations, including young children and women contemplating pregnancy, might benefit from dietary advice.     

Evaluation of urinary cadmium and lead as markers of background exposure of middle-aged women in Korea: dietary intake as an influential factor.

The study was conducted to examine the validity of urinary cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in comparison with the metals in blood as a biological marker of non-occupational exposure of general populations. Participants in four survey sites in Korea (107 non-smoking Korean women aged 30-49 years) offered peripheral blood, morning spot urine, and 24-h total food duplicate samples. Analysis of Cd and Pb was accomplished by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The analyse levels were evaluated on an individual basis (n = 107) and also on a survey site basis, i.e. in terms of geometric means for the groups in the survey sites (n = 4). Cd in urine (as observed, or after correction for creatinine concentration or a specific gravity) correlated with Cd in blood on an individual as well as survey site basis, and tended to correlate with Cd in food duplicates on the survey site basis. Correlation of Pb in urine with Pb in blood was weaker than that of Cd in urine with Cd in blood both on the individual and survey site basis. Pb in urine correlated with Pb in food duplicates either weakly or even negatively when examined on a survey site basis. It was concluded that Cd in urine can be most probably employed as a biological marker of environmental Cd exposure of general population, whereas less support was obtained for Pb in urine as an exposure marker.     

Atrial Natriuretic Peptide and Cyclic Guanosine-3′5′-monophosphate in Hypertensive Pregnancy and During Nifedipine Treatment

Atrial natriuretic peptide exhibits natriuretic. diuretic and vasodilatory properties. We compared plasma concentrations of atrial natriuretic peptide, cyclic guanosine-3′,5′-monophosphate (cGMP), electrolytes and urinary excretion of cGMP and electrolytes in hypertensive pregnant women to those in normotensive pregnant and normotensive non-pregnant women. Plasma atrial natriuretic peptide concentrations in hypertensive pregnant and normotensive nonpregnant women were equal, whereas in normotensive pregnant women it was lower (P<0.05), than in non-pregnant. Urinary cGMP excretion was higher in both normotensive and hypertensive pregnant than in non-pregnant women (P<0.01). whereas plasma cGMP levels were similar. A five-day nifedipine treatment (10 mg t.i.d.) had no effects on any of the variables. In hypertensive pregnancy, a reduction of systolic blood pressure by nifedipine correlated with the initial plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (P<0.05) and a decrease in diastolic blood pressure with the initial plasma cGMP concentration (P<0.05). The results of this small material suggest that plasma atrial natriuretic peptide concentration predicts the response to nifedipine in hypertensive pregnancy. However, the atrial natriuretic peptide-cGMP system does not seem to mediate the antihypertensive effect of nifedipine, while plasma atrial natriuretic peptide remained unaltered. Increased urinary cGMP excretion in both pregnant groups but lowered plasma atrial natriuretic peptide in normotensive pregnancy suggest other factors than circulating atrial natriuretic peptide to promote renal cGMP excretion during pregnancy.     

Using an integrated approach to link biomarker responses and physiological stress to growth impairment of cadmium-exposed larval topsmelt

In this study, we used an integrated approach to determine whether key biochemical, cellular, and physiological responses were related to growth impairment of cadmium (Cd)-exposed larval topsmelt (Atherinops affinis). Food intake (Artemia franciscana nauplii), oxygen consumption rates, apoptotic DNA fragmentation (TUNEL assay), and metallothionein (MT)-like protein levels, were separately measured in relation to growth of larval topsmelt aqueously exposed to sublethal doses of Cd for 14 days. Cadmium accumulation and concentrations of abundant metals were also evaluated in a subset of fish. Fish in the highest Cd treatments (50 and 100 ppb Cd) were smaller in final mean weight and length, and consumed fewer A. franciscana nauplii than control fish. Food intake was positively correlated with final weight of larval topsmelt in Cd and control treatments; food intake increased as final weight of the fish increased. Oxygen consumption rates were positively correlated with Cd concentration and mean oxygen consumption rates were inversely correlated with final mean weight of topsmelt; the smallest fish were found in the highest Cd treatment and were respiring at higher rates than control fish. Apoptotic DNA fragmentation was concentration-dependent and was associated with diminished growth. Apoptotic DNA fragmentation was elevated in the gill of fish exposed to 50 ppb Cd, and in the gut, gill, and liver of fish exposed to 100 ppb Cd. Metallothionein (MT)-like protein levels in fish from 100 ppb Cd treatments were significantly higher than those in other treatments. Oxygen consumption rates may have increased as a compensatory response to Cd exposure. However, it is likely that the energy produced was allocated to an increased metabolic demand due to apoptosis, MT synthesis, and changes in ion regulation. This diversion of energy expenditures could contribute to growth impairment of Cd-exposed fish.     

Influence of tobacco smoke on zinc,cadmium, iron,iron-binding proteins,and low-weight anti-oxidant status in pregnancy

Abstract

Pregnancy and tobacco smoking (TS) each can cause increases in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production; this, in turn, can lead to disorders in iron management and disruption of the pro- and anti-oxidant balance. The aim of the study was to analyze the influence of TS and Cd on Fe, Zn, and anti-oxidant levels (i.e. glutathione [GSH], metallothionein [MT]) in the blood of pregnant women. The study reported here evaluated 110 blood samples from pregnant women in their 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester. Concentrations of ferritin and transferrin were measured in the serum; Zn, Fe and cotinine in the plasma, that of Cd in whole blood, that for glutathione in red blood cell lysates, and levels of metallothionein both in the plasma and in lysates prepared from isolated erythrocytes. The results indicated there was a decrease in Zn and increase in Cd and metallothionein levels in pregnant women smokers as compared to in nonsmoking counterparts. Differences in intracellular MT concentration were noted both in smoking and nonsmoking women during pregnancy while there were no changes in extracellular MT level. A decline in circulating ferritin and a rise in transferrin during pregnancy was observed in all groups. Based on the results, it was concluded that exposure to TS-associated xenobiotics like Cd could result in higher MT levels in erythrocytes and in pregnant smokers, the major anti-oxidant mechanism that is in place is one being mediated by MT and not by reduced GSH.