Antibody responses to Hepatitis A vaccine in healthy adults

Hepatitis A vaccination has been used in a number of settings to control community outbreaks of the disease. Yet United Kingdom guidance for post-exposure prophylaxis continues to promote the administration of human normal immunoglobulin, despite concerns about the administration of human derived blood products. Little is known about the time frame of the antibody response to hepatitis A vaccine which, if rapid, could permit the exclusive use of vaccine for post-exposure prophylaxis. We report the findings of a pilot study in healthy adult volunteers given a single dose of Havrix monodose.     

Zinc status of healthy elderly adults: response to supplementation

The zinc status of 53 healthy elderly subjects was evaluated. The dietary Zn intake estimated by 24-h recall was 9.2 mg/d and 65% of subjects had intakes less than two-thirds of the RDA. Mean serum Zn concentration (13.0 mumol/L) and urinary Zn excretion (7.0 mumol/d) were normal. The Zn content of platelets, mononuclear cells, and polymorphonuclear cells was 5.8, 147, and 135 nmol/10(9) cells, respectively. Seventeen subjects were supplemented for 28 d with 30 mg Zn/d. The mean concentration of Zn in serum and urine increased 24% and 2.5-fold, respectively. Zn content of platelets and leukocytes did not change with Zn supplementation. The concentration of visceral proteins (ie, albumin, prealbumin, transferrin, and retinol-binding protein) and immunoglobulins (ie, IgG, IgA, and IgM) did not change with Zn supplementation. The data indicate that aging per se does not necessarily imply poor Zn status.     

Glycemic and insulinemic responses to six cereal products in healthy adults

Glycemic index (GI) and insulin index (II) scores of six cereal-based foods (biscuits and shortbreads) were determined and the relationship between the glycemic and insulin responses of the foods was examined. The study was conducted using recommended by FAO/WHO methodology using glucose as a standard food. We obtained a range of GI scores from 49 to 68% and II scores from 51 to 75%. The test foods' blood insulin responses were in parallel to their glycemic responses although in every case the level of II was higher than the level of GI. The foods' II scores were closely related to their GI scores (r=0.80).     

Reduction of DNA damage in older healthy adults by Tri E Tocotrienol supplementation

OBJECTIVE: The free radical theory of aging (FRTA) suggests that free radicals are the leading cause of deteriorating physiologic function during senescence. Free radicals attack cellular structures or molecules such as DNA resulting in various modifications to the DNA structures. Accumulation of unrepaired DNA contributes to a variety of disorders associated with the aging process. METHODS: A randomized, double-blinded placebo-controlled study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of Tri E Tocotrienol on DNA damage. Sixty four subjects 37-78 y old completed the study. A daily dose of 160 mg of Tri E Tocotrienol was given for 6 months. Blood samples were analyzed for DNA damage using comet assay, frequency of sister chromatid exchange (SCE), and chromosome 4 aberrations. RESULTS: Results showed a significant reduction in DNA damage as measured by comet assay after 3 mo (P < 0.01) and remained low at 6 mo (P < 0.01). The frequency of SCE was also reduced after 6 mo of supplementation (P < 0.05), albeit more markedly in the >50 y-old group (P < 0.01) whereas urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels were significantly reduced (P < 0.05). A strong positive correlation was observed between SCE with age, whereas weak positive correlations were observed in DNA damage and 8-OHdG, which were reduced with supplementation. However, no translocation or a stable insertion was observed in chromosome 4. CONCLUSION: Tri E Tocotrienol supplementation may be beneficial by reducing DNA damage as indicated by a reduction in DNA damage, SCE frequency, and urinary 8-OHdG.     

北京地区成人雌马酚代谢表型与血清性激素关系研究

目的确定北京地区成人雌马酚代谢表型与血清性激素的关系。方法应用现况调查方法,调查北京市区180名20～72岁志愿者生活方式及膳食营养素摄入量;采用高效液相色谱法(HPLC)分析负荷大豆异黄酮(Iso)前后尿中雌马酚等大豆异黄酮24h排泄量,分析雌马酚代谢表型与血清性激素的关系。结果男性血清总睾酮浓度,女性血清雌二醇和孕酮浓度,在产雌马酚者与非产生者间差异无显著性(P>0.05)。在男性产雌马酚者中,日常膳食情况下的尿液总大豆异黄酮、大豆素、雌马酚、邻脱甲基安哥拉柴檀素、黄豆黄素和双氢黄豆黄素24h排泄量与血清总睾酮浓度呈负相关(r=-0.29～-0.36,P<0.05);而女性日常膳食情况下的尿液大豆异黄酮代谢产物24h排泄量与血清雌二醇和孕激素相关性无统计学意义(P>0.05),且与雌马酚代谢表型无关。结论日常膳食Iso暴露与男性血清总睾酮水平有关。     

Humoral responses to independent vaccinations are correlated in healthy boosted adults

Background

Roughly half of U.S. adults do not receive recommended booster vaccinations, but protective antibody levels are rarely measured in adults. Demographic factors, vaccination history, and responses to other vaccinations could help identify at-risk individuals. We sought to characterize rates of seroconversion and determine associations of humoral responses to multiple vaccinations in healthy adults.

Methods

Humoral responses toward measles, mumps, tetanus toxoid, pertussis, hepatitis B surface antigen, and anthrax protective antigen were measured by ELISA in post-immunization samples from 1465 healthy U.S. military members. We examined the effects of demographic and clinical factors on immunization responses, as well as assessed correlations between vaccination responses.

Results

Subsets of boosted adults did not have seroprotective levels of antibodies toward measles (10.4%), mumps (9.4%), pertussis (4.7%), hepatitis B (8.6%) or protective antigen (14.4%) detected. Half-lives of antibody responses were generally long (>30 years). Measles and mumps antibody levels were correlated (r = 0.31, p < 0.001), but not associated with select demographic features or vaccination history. Measles and mumps antibody levels also correlated with tetanus antibody response (r = 0.11, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Vaccination responses are predominantly robust and vaccine specific. However, a small but significant portion of the vaccinated adult population may not have quantitative seroprotective antibody to common vaccine-preventable infections.     

The safety of high-dose vitamin E supplementation in healthy Japanese male adults

We administered high-dose vitamin E to healthy adult male volunteers and assessed the safety of such supplementation. Fourteen volunteers received daily 1,200 IU of vitamin E (800 mg of D-alpha-tocopherol) for 28 d and eight controls were also enrolled. The volunteers treated with vitamin E showed no abnormalities during the study period. The alpha-tocopherol concentrations of plasma and platelets were markedly elevated by vitamin E treatment, but there were no significant differences in platelet aggregation, coagulation, and the clinical parameters between the two groups. In conclusion, a high dose of vitamin E for 28 d had no adverse effects in healthy men.     

Dietary zinc intake and sex differences in taste acuity in healthy young adults

BACKGROUND: Previous research suggests that adequate dietary zinc intake may be important in determining the sensory experience of food, appetite and consequently, dietary quality. The aim of this pilot study was to explore relationships between taste sensitivity and dietary zinc intake in healthy young adults (age 20-40 years: 24 male, mean age +/- SD = 27 +/- 4.86 years; 26 female, mean age +/- SD = 23 +/- 2.10). METHOD: A signal detection method was used to assess taste acuity for the four basic tastes: sweet (glucose), sour (citric acid), salt (sodium chloride) and bitter (quinine). A 4-day food diary was used to determine dietary intakes of zinc (mg day(-1)) and salt. RESULTS: Males reported a higher zinc intake than females (P=0.001). Higher dietary zinc intake was associated with better taste acuity for salt in females (P=0.017) but not in males. Acuity for bitter taste appeared to be related to zinc intake in males (P=0.007) but not females. Among those whose average daily zinc intake was below the RNI, males were less sensitive than females to sour (P=0.02) and bitter (P=0.014) taste. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that zinc is more important for taste acuity in males than females and indicate the importance of taking sex differences into account when studying taste acuity.     

Dietary supplementation by older adults in Japan

This study documented the prevalence and pattern of dietary supplements usage among older adults in Japan. Persons aged 55-75 years residing in middle and southern Japan were recruited and interviewed face-to-face on their use of dietary supplements. Among the 572 (355 male and 217 female) participants from 10 prefectures, 45.8% took supplements on a weekly or daily basis, the prevalence was higher for women (52.5%) than men (41.7%). Many types of miscellaneous supplements were consumed. The most popular supplement was vinegar for both men (11.0%) and women (15.2%), followed by energy drink (8.5%) for men, and multivitamin (8.5%) for men and vitamin C (8.3%) for women. The findings suggested an increasing trend of dietary supplementation by Japanese older adults when compared to previous studies.     

Pneumococcal serotype-specific cut-offs based on antibody responses to pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccination in healthy adults

Antibody responses to pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccination are frequently used as a diagnostic tool for humoral immunodeficiencies, part of the larger collection of inborn errors of immunity. Currently, arbitrary criteria, such as a serotype specific titer of >/= 1.3 µg/mL is most often used as a cut-off for interpretation of pneumococcal antibody responses. The magnitude of the antibody response to each of the 23 serotypes in Pneumovax®, and serotype-specific cut-offs in healthy pneumococcal vaccine-naïve adults has not been previously characterized. IgG antibody concentrations were measured prospectively for 23 pneumococcal serotypes pre and 4–6 weeks post-Pneumovax® vaccination in 100 healthy adults, using a multiplex bead-based assay. Antibodies to 19 of 23 serotypes were informative for distinguishing subjects who responded to vaccination, and the serotype threshold was determined to be 9 of 19 serotypes, which characterized an antibody response to pneumococcal vaccination. While this study may facilitate classification of IgG serotype-specific antibody responses post-pneumococcal vaccination in adult patients undergoing diagnostic immunological evaluation for antibody immunodeficiencies or other relevant contexts, additional studies in healthy children and S. pneumoniae protein-conjugate-vaccinated healthy adults will need to be undertaken in the future.     

补充维生素A对健康成人铁营养状况的影响

目的观察健康成人补充维生素A(VA)后铁营养状况的变化。方法选择115名健康成人志愿者,按血清视黄醇浓度用区组设计方法将男女志愿者随机分入4组(男、女各半),在日常膳食的基础上,分别补充不同剂量的VA,干预剂量(以视黄醇计)分别为600μg/d(A组)、400μg/d(B组)、200μg/d(C组)和0μg/d(D组),干预期4个月。补充剂为微胶囊化的视黄酰乙酸酯,将5日剂量装入1粒胶囊,每5日口服1粒。胶囊外包装只标注剂量类型,现场实验人员和受试者均不知道每一种胶囊的补充类型。干预期内,受试者接受常规膳食,每月进行1次24h回顾性膳食调查。干预试验前后,采集空腹上臂静脉血,取血清测定血液血红蛋白(Hb)浓度,血清视黄醇、血清铁(SI)、铁蛋白(SF)和转铁蛋白受体(TfR)浓度。结果共有108名受试者完成干预试验,A、B、C和D组各为27、28、27和26名。干预期内,4组受试者膳食能量营养素、视黄醇当量(RE)和铁摄入量无显著性差异(P>0.05)。干预结束后,A组受试者血清视黄醇浓度从干预前的(1.63±0.55)μmol/L升高到了(1.93±0.52)μmol/L(P<0.05);B和C组血清视黄醇浓度分别平均升高了0.29μmol/L和0.14μmol/L(均为P<0.05);而对照组D组变化不显著(P>0.05)。干预试验前后各组Hb差异没有显著性(P>0.05);高剂量VA组受试者干预后SI浓度比干预前显著升高,而SF和TfR浓度则显著降低(均为P<0.05);中剂量组和低剂量组在干预前后SF和TfR未见显著性变化。结论铁营养状况正常的成人,在没有专门给予膳食铁干预的情况下,通过较大剂量VA补充干预,铁营养状况仍然得到进一步提高。     

Cognitive and mood improvements following acute supplementation with purple grape juice in healthy young adults

Purpose

Berry-derived phenolic compounds found in grapes have been associated with a number of health benefits, including the augmentation of human brain function and cognition. Previous intervention studies of Concord grape juice have demonstrated improvement to memory and driving ability following 3- to 4-month supplementation in middle-aged and older adults. However, no studies to date have demonstrated acute cognitive benefits of grape juice, and investigation of these effects in young adults is lacking.

Methods

This randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, counterbalanced-crossover study, assessed the effects of 230 ml purple grape juice or sugar-matched control in 20 healthy young adults. Computerised measures of episodic memory, working memory, attention and mood were completed at baseline and following a 20-min absorption period.

Results

Purple grape juice significantly improved reaction time on a composite attention measure (p = 0.047) and increased calm ratings (p = 0.046) when compared to placebo. Order effects also indicated an enduring positive effect on pre-dose memory reaction time (p = 0.018) and post-dose calm ratings (p = 0.019) when purple grape was consumed first.

Conclusions

These findings in a small sample of healthy young adults suggest that purple grape juice can acutely enhance aspects of cognition and mood. No significant effects of juice were observed on memory measures, suggesting that these may be less susceptible to manipulation following acute supplementation in healthy young adults. Potential mechanisms underlying these effects include modulation of cerebral blood flow, glucoregulation and inhibition of monoamine oxidase activity, all of which require further exploration.

     

Vitamin K supplementation reduces serum concentrations of under-gamma-carboxylated osteocalcin in healthy young and elderly adults

BACKGROUND: Subclinical vitamin K insufficiency, manifested by under-gamma-carboxylation of the bone matrix protein osteocalcin, may be common. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to delineate the prevalence of submaximal gamma-carboxylation as assessed by response to phylloquinone supplementation and to evaluate the effect of this intervention on skeletal turnover in healthy North American adults. DESIGN: Healthy subjects (n = 219), approximately equally distributed by sex and age (18-30 y and >/=65 y), received daily phylloquinone (1000 microg) or placebo for 2 wk. Serum undercarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) and total osteocalcin, N:-telopeptides of type I collagen (NTx), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP), and phylloquinone concentrations were measured at baseline and after weeks 1 and 2. RESULTS: At baseline, the mean serum phylloquinone concentration was lower in the young than in the old group; there was no effect of sex. Concomitantly, baseline %ucOC was highest in the young and lowest in the old men (P: < 0.0001) but did not differ significantly by age in women. After supplementation, serum phylloquinone concentration increased approximately 10-fold (P: < 0.0001) at week 1 (from 0.93 +/- 0.08 to 8.86 +/- 0.70 nmol/L, x+/- SEM); this was sustained through week 2. Among all supplemented groups, mean %ucOC decreased from 7.6% to 3. 4% without significant differences by age or sex; 102 of 112 subjects had a >1% decrease. Phylloquinone supplementation reduced serum osteocalcin but did not alter NTx or BSAP concentration. CONCLUSIONS: Usual dietary practices in this population did not provide adequate vitamin K for maximal osteocalcin carboxylation. Phylloquinone supplementation reduced serum osteocalcin concentration but did not alter other markers of serum bone turnover.     

Watercress supplementation in diet reduces lymphocyte DNA damage and alters blood antioxidant status in healthy adults

BACKGROUND: Cruciferous vegetable (CV) consumption is associated with a reduced risk of several cancers in epidemiologic studies. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of watercress (a CV) supplementation on biomarkers related to cancer risk in healthy adults. DESIGN: A single-blind, randomized, crossover study was conducted in 30 men and 30 women (30 smokers and 30 nonsmokers) with a mean age of 33 y (range: 19-55 y). The subjects were fed 85 g raw watercress daily for 8 wk in addition to their habitual diet. The effect of supplementation was measured on a range of endpoints, including DNA damage in lymphocytes (with the comet assay), activity of detoxifying enzymes (glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase) in erythrocytes, plasma antioxidants (retinol, ascorbic acid, alpha-tocopherol, lutein, and beta-carotene), plasma total antioxidant status with the use of the ferric reducing ability of plasma assay, and plasma lipid profile. RESULTS: Watercress supplementation (active compared with control phase) was associated with reductions in basal DNA damage (by 17%; P = 0.03), in basal plus oxidative purine DNA damage (by 23.9%; P = 0.002), and in basal DNA damage in response to ex vivo hydrogen peroxide challenge (by 9.4%; P = 0.07). Beneficial changes seen after watercress intervention were greater and more significant in smokers than in nonsmokers. Plasma lutein and beta-carotene increased significantly by 100% and 33% (P < 0.001), respectively, after watercress supplementation. CONCLUSION: The results support the theory that consumption of watercress can be linked to a reduced risk of cancer via decreased damage to DNA and possible modulation of antioxidant status by increasing carotenoid concentrations.     

No effect of copper supplementation on biochemical markers of bone metabolism in healthy adults

The influence of Cu supplementation of the usual diet for 6 weeks on biochemical markers of bone turnover and on putative indices of Cu status was investigated in healthy adults (twelve male and twelve female) aged 22-46 years, who participated in a double-blind placebo-controlled repeated crossover study. The study consisted of three 6-week supplementation regimens of 3 mg CuSO4, 3 mg Cu-glycine chelate (CuGC), and 6 mg CuGC, each separated by placebo periods of equal length. During baseline and on the last day of each dietary period, fasting morning first-void urine and fasting blood serum, plasma and erythrocytes were collected. The habitual dietary Cu intakes in males and females were approximately 1.4 and 1.1 mg/d respectively. Females had significantly higher (50%) plasma caeruloplasmin (Cp) protein concentrations than males at baseline. Cu supplementation had no effect on erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1) activity or plasma Cp protein (putative indices of Cu status) in the total group. Similarly, serum osteocalcin (a marker of bone formation), urinary creatinine (Cr) concentration, urinary pyridinoline: Cr or deoxypyridinoline: Cr excretion (markers of bone resorption) were unaffected in either the total group or in males and females separately, by any Cu supplementation regimen. It is concluded that Cu supplementation of the usual diet in healthy adult males and females had no effect on biochemical markers of bone formation or bone resorption over 6-week periods.     

Differential mortality by sex in Catalonia]

The purpose of the study is to analyse the evolution of sex differentials in mortality rates in Catalonia (Spain), to assess which causes of death have the higher differentials and to compare the results with other countries. Standardized mortality rates (direct method), sex mortality ratios and differences were obtained. Mortality data refers to 1985 to allow for comparison. Men had higher mortality than women, for cancer, accidents and diseases of the digestive tract. Women had higher mortality rates for endocrine diseases, mental disorders, cardiovascular, skin and muscle-skeleton diseases and ill-defined causes. The evolution in recent years shows a relative stabilization after an increasing trend observed from 1960 to 1979. In general, men had a 60% higher than women age-adjusted mortality rates in the four countries to which Catalonia is compared. Suicide and accidents showed the highest sex mortality ratios. Diabetes showed a different ratio in Catalonia and Spain (higher female mortality rate) compared to other countries. The causes of death with higher male mortality were accidents, as well as causes associated with smoking (lung cancer and ischemic heart disease).     

营养素补充对健康人群机体营养状况及抗氧化能力影响的研究

目的采用3日24h食物回顾法调查研究人群营养素摄入情况,观察补充复合营养素对研究对象抗氧化能力的影响。方法选择广州市20～50岁的健康人群151名,随机双盲分为对照组和干预组,采用24h膳食回忆法进行3日膳食调查,干预组服用复合营养素片(成分包括VA、VC、VE、胡萝卜素、钙、镁、锌、铁、铜等各种维生素与矿物质),对照组服用颜色、形状、大小与复合营养素片完全相同的糊精片,每天随餐服用2次,为期8周。补充前后收集血样,分析血浆各种抗氧化营养素水平及机体抗氧化能力。结果膳食调查结果显示,研究对象存在营养素摄入不足;干预组血浆中的VC、α-生育酚(α-tocopherol)、β-胡萝卜素(β-carotene)、锌(Zn)、铁(Fe)、硒(Se)的浓度与对照组相比分别提高46%、28%、116%、7%、30%和28%(P<0.05),而血浆γ-生育酚(γ-tocopherol)含量干预后较干预前低25%(P<0.05);干预组血浆谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPX)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)活性较干预前及对照组增高(P<0.05),血浆过氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性及血浆8-异前列腺素(8-isoprostanes)含量未见明显改变。结论补充复合营养素能有效改善血浆抗氧化营养素水平,提高血浆GPX、CAT、T-AOC活性,增强机体抗氧化能力。     

Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation appears to attenuate particulate air pollution-induced cardiac effects and lipid changes in healthy middle-aged adults

Background: Air pollution exposure has been associated with adverse cardiovascular health effects. Findings of a recent epidemiological study suggested that omega-3 fatty acid (fish oil) supplementation blunted cardiac responses to air pollution exposure.Objectives: We conducted a randomized, controlled exposure study to evaluate the efficacy of fish oil supplements in attenuating adverse cardiac effects of exposure to concentrated ambient fine and ultrafine particulate matter (CAP).Methods: Twenty-nine healthy middle-aged participants (mean, 58 ± 1 years of age) were supplemented in a randomized, double-blinded manner with 3 g/day of either fish oil or olive oil for 4 weeks before sequential chamber exposure to filtered air and CAP (mean mass concentration 278 ± 19 µg/m³) for 2 hr. Cardiac responses were assessed by comparing time and frequency domain changes in heart rate variability (HRV) and electrocardiographic repolarization changes measured before, immediately after, and 20 hr after exposure. Changes in plasma lipids were also evaluated at these time points.Results: Fish oil supplementation appeared to attenuate CAP-induced reductions in high-frequency/low-frequency ratio, as well as elevations in normalized low-frequency HRV and prolongation of the QT interval corrected for heart rate (QTc). Very low-density lipoprotein and triglyceride concentrations increased significantly immediately after exposure to CAP in participants supplemented with olive oil, but not in those supplemented with fish oil.Conclusions: Exposure of healthy middle-aged adults to CAP for 2 hr induced acute cardiac and lipid changes after supplementation with olive oil, but not fish oil. Our findings suggest that omega-3 fatty acid supplements offer protection against the adverse cardiac and lipid effects associated with air pollution exposure.     

Acute blood pressure responses in healthy adults during controlled air pollution exposures

Exposure to air pollution has been shown to cause arterial vasoconstriction and alter autonomic balance. Because these biologic responses may influence systemic hemodynamics, we investigated the effect of air pollution on blood pressure (BP). Responses during 2-hr exposures to concentrated ambient fine particles (particulate matter < 2.5 microm in aerodynamic diameter; PM2.5) plus ozone (CAP+O3) were compared with those of particle-free air (PFA) in 23 normotensive, nonsmoking healthy adults. Mean concentrations of PM2.5 were 147 +/- 27 versus 2 +/- 2 microg/m3, respectively, and those of O3 were 121 +/- 3 versus 8 +/- 5 ppb, respectively (p < 0.0001 for both). A significant increase in diastolic BP (DBP) was observed at 2 hr of CAP+O3 [median change, 6 mm Hg (9.3%); binomial 95% confidence interval (CI), 0 to 11; p = 0.013, Wilcoxon signed rank test] above the 0-hr value. This increase was significantly different (p = 0.017, unadjusted for basal BP) from the small 2-hr change during PFA (median change, 1 mm Hg; 95% CI, -2 to 4; p = 0.24). This prompted further investigation of the CAP+O3 response, which showed a strong association between the 2-hr change in DBP (and mean arterial pressure) and the concentration of the organic carbon fraction of PM2.5 (r = 0.53, p < 0.01; r = 0.56, p < 0.01, respectively) but not with total PM2.5 mass (r < or = 0.25, p > or = 0.27). These findings suggest that exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of PM2.5 and O3 rapidly increases DBP. The magnitude of BP change is associated with the PM2.5 carbon content. Exposure to vehicular traffic may provide a common link between our observations and previous studies in which traffic exposure was identified as a potential risk factor for cardiovascular disease.