Goat milk supplemented with folic acid protects cell biomolecules from oxidative stress-mediated damage after anaemia recovery in comparison with cow milk

Background

Fe overload is a common consequence of the anaemia treatment, increasing the oxidative stress and promoting the accumulation of damaged biomolecules, with the subsequently impairment of cell functions. Oxidative stress and the role of folic acid preventing free radical damage have been extensively studied; nevertheless, no studies are available about the influence of folic acid-supplemented goat milk consumption on the oxidative stress-mediated damage.

Aim

The objective of the present study was to assess the influence of folic acid supplementation of goat milk- or cow milk-based diets, after Fe-overload treatment to palliate anaemia, on oxidative stress-mediated biomolecular damage in the liver, brain, erythrocytes, duodenal mucosa and plasma.

Methods

Control and anaemic rats were fed goat milk- or cow milk-based diets, either with normal Fe or Fe overload (450 mg/kg), and normal folic acid (2 mg/kg) or folic acid supplemented (40 mg/kg) for 30 days.

Results

During chronic Fe repletion, background DNA damage was significantly lower in anaemic rats fed folic acid-supplemented goat milk-based diet, as revealed by tail DNA (%), and folic acid-supplemented goat milk also had a beneficial effect, reducing the extent of lipid peroxidation in liver, plasma, erythrocytes and especially in brain and duodenal mucosa. Furthermore, protein oxidative damage was lower in anaemic rat duodenal mucosa for all goat milk-based diets.

Conclusions

Folic acid supplement in goat milk avoids the undesirable effects of Fe overload during anaemia recovery in all the tissues studied, especially in the liver and duodenal mucosa, which are the tissues with higher exposition to dietary Fe.     

The effect of high doses of folic acid and iron supplementation in early-to-mid pregnancy on prematurity and fetal growth retardation: the mother–child cohort study in Crete, Greece (Rhea study)

Purpose

We examined whether high doses of folic acid and iron supplementation in early-to-mid pregnancy affect the risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and small for gestational age neonates, in the mother–child cohort in Crete, Greece (Rhea study).

Methods

We included 1,279 women with singleton pregnancies with complete data on supplements use in early-to-mid pregnancy and birth outcomes. Anthropometric measurements at birth were obtained from medical records. Red blood cell folate concentrations in cord blood were measured in a subsample of the study population (n = 58).

Results

Sixty-six percent of the study participants reported high doses of supplemental folic acid use (5 mg/day), while 21 % reported excessive doses of folic acid use (>5 mg/day) in early-to-mid pregnancy. Daily intake of 5-mg supplemental folic acid was associated with a 31 % decrease in the risk of preterm birth (RR, 0.69; 95 % CI, 0.44, 0.99), 60 % decrease in the risk of delivering a low birth weight neonate (RR, 0.40; 95 % CI, 0.21, 0.76), and 66 % decrease in the risk of delivering a small for gestational age (SGA) neonate (RR, 0.34; 95 % CI, 0.16, 0.73). Daily doses of iron supplementation more than 100 mg were associated with a twofold increased risk for SGA neonates (RR, 2.14; 95 % CI, 0.99, 5.97).

Conclusion

These findings suggest that high daily doses of supplementary folic acid in early-to-mid pregnancy may be protective for preterm birth, low birth weight, and small for gestational age neonates, while high daily doses of supplementary iron may be harmful for fetal growth.     

Three-month B vitamin supplementation in pre-school children affects folate status and homocysteine,but not cognitive performance

Background

Suboptimal vitamin B status might affect cognitive performance in early childhood. We tested the hypothesis that short-term supplementation with folic acid and selected B vitamins improves cognitive function in healthy children in a population with relatively low folate status.

Methods

We screened 1,002 kindergarten children for suboptimal folate status by assessing the total urinary para-aminobenzoylglutamate excretion. Two hundred and fifty low ranking subjects were recruited into a double blind, randomized, controlled trial to receive daily a sachet containing 220 μg folic acid, 1.1 mg vitamin B₂, 0.73 mg B₆, 1.2 μg B₁₂ and 130 mg calcium, or calcium only for 3 months. Primary outcomes were changes in verbal IQ, short-term memory and processing speed between baseline and study end. Secondary outcomes were urinary markers of folate and vitamin B₁₂ status, acetyl-para-aminobenzoylglutamate and methylmalonic acid, respectively, and, in a subgroup of 120 participants, blood folate and plasma homocysteine.

Results

Pre- and post-intervention cognitive measurements were completed by 115 children in the intervention and 122 in the control group. Compared to control, median blood folate increased by about 50 % (P for difference, P < 0.0001). Homocysteine decreased by 1.1 μmol/L compared to baseline, no change was seen in the control group (P for difference P < 0.0001) and acetyl-para-aminobenzoylglutamate was 4 nmol/mmol higher compared to control at the end of the intervention (P < 0.0001). We found no relevant differences between the groups for the cognitive measures.

Conclusion

Short-term improvement of folate and homocysteine status in healthy children does not appear to affect cognitive performance.     

Betaine is as effective as folate at re-synthesizing methionine for protein synthesis during moderate methionine deficiency in piglets

Purpose

Both folate and betaine (synthesized from choline) are nutrients used to methylate homocysteine to reform the amino acid methionine following donation of its methyl group; however, it is unclear whether both remethylation pathways are of equal importance during the neonatal period when remethylation rates are high. Methionine is an indispensable amino acid that is in high demand in neonates not only for protein synthesis, but is also particularly important for transmethylation reactions, such as creatine and phosphatidylcholine synthesis. The objective of this study was to determine whether supplementation with folate, betaine, or a combination of both can equally re-synthesize methionine for protein synthesis when dietary methionine is limiting.

Methods

Piglets were fed a low methionine diet devoid of folate, choline, and betaine, and on day 6, piglets were supplemented with either folate, betaine, or folate + betaine (n = 6 per treatment) until day 10. [1-¹³C]-phenylalanine oxidation was measured as an indicator of methionine availability for protein synthesis both before and after 2 days of supplementation.

Results

Prior to supplementation, piglets had lower concentrations of plasma folate, betaine, and choline compared to baseline with no change in homocysteine. Post-supplementation, phenylalanine oxidation levels were 20–46 % lower with any methyl donor supplementation (P = 0.006) with no difference among different supplementation groups. Furthermore, both methyl donors led to similarly lower concentrations of homocysteine following supplementation (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

These data demonstrate an equal capacity for betaine and folate to remethylate methionine for protein synthesis, as indicated by lower phenylalanine oxidation.

     

Short-term creatine supplementation does not reduce increased homocysteine concentration induced by acute exercise in humans

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effects of creatine supplementation on homocysteine (Hcy) plasma levels after acute exercise in humans.

Methods

Twenty-three young (under-20) soccer players were divided into 2 groups: creatine (Cr)- and placebo (Pla)-supplemented groups. The supplementation was performed in double-blind controlled manner using creatine or placebo tablets with 0.3 g/kg during 7 days. Before and after 7 days of supplementation, the athletes performed an acute high-intensity sprint exercise (two consecutive running-based anaerobic sprint test protocol consisted in 6 × 35 m sprint with 10 s between them). Blood samples were collected before and after 7 days of supplementation as well as 0 and 1 h after exercise protocol.

Results

Homocysteine concentration significant increased (P < 0.05) 1 h after acute exercise (18 %). Acute exercise also decreased red blood cell S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) 30 % with no changes in SAM/SAH ratio. Seven days of creatine supplementation were able to increase (P < 0.05) plasma creatine concentration (Pla 130.1 ± 21.7 vs Cr 1,557.2 ± 220.3 μmol/L) as well as decrease (P < 0.05) plasma guanidinoacetic acid (33 %). Controversially, creatine supplementation did not change Hcy plasma level after 7-day supplementation (Pla 6.9 ± 0.2 vs Cr 7.2 ± 0.2 μmol/L) or after acute exercise (Pla 8.2 ± 0.3 vs Cr 8.4 ± 0.3 μmol/L). No changes in plasma vitamin B12 and folate as well as cysteine and methionine were found.

Conclusions

Seven days of creatine supplementation does not avoid increased plasma Hcy induced by acute sprint exercise in humans.     

Pubertal supplementation of lipotropes in female rats reduces mammary cancer risk by suppressing histone deacetylase 1

Purpose

The time from puberty to the first pregnancy is known to be important for a woman’s life-time breast cancer risk. Recent studies suggest that epigenetic mechanisms may involve pubertal maturation processes, which can affect the risk of breast cancer in later life. Epigenetic alterations are related to lipotropes (methionine, choline, folate, and vitamin B₁₂), which are methyl donors and cofactors. However, the effects of pubertal supplementation of lipotropes in breast cancer remain largely unknown.

Methods

Twenty female Sprague–Dawley rats, aged 6 weeks, were divided into two groups and fed a normal control diet or a lipotrope-fortified diet formulated to provide five times basal levels of lipotropes during puberty. All rats were injected intraperitoneally with N-nitroso-N-methylurea at 50 days of age to induce mammary tumors.

Results

Tumor multiplicity and tumor volume decreased significantly as a result of lipotrope supplementation. Interestingly, quantitative RT-PCR revealed significantly decreased expression of histone deacetylase 1 (Hdac1) and DNA methyltransferase 1 (Dnmt1) genes in tumor tissues of the rats supplemented with lipotrope-fortified diet, suggesting that reduced risk of breast cancer can be attributed, at least in part, to decreased expression of these two genes.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that supplementation of lipotrope-fortified diet during puberty suppresses tumor growth, potentially through down-regulating Hdac1 and Dnmt1 gene expression. Our findings suggest that pubertal methyl diet plays an important role in the etiology of breast cancer, and further studies are warranted to develop preventative strategies against breast cancer.     

The effect of fatty or lean fish intake on inflammatory gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with coronary heart disease

Background

Little is known about the effect of fish consumption on gene expression of inflammation-related genes in immune cells in coronary heart disease (CHD).

Aim of the study

We sought to evaluate the effect of a fatty fish (FF) or a lean fish (LF) diet on the modulation of inflammatory and endothelial function-related genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of subjects with CHD, and its association with serum fatty acid (FA) profile and lipid metabolic compounds.

Methods

Data from 27 patients randomized into an 8-week FF (n = 10; mean ± SD: 4.3 ± 0.4 portions of fish per week), LF (n = 11; 4.7 ± 1.1 portions of fish per week), or control diet (n = 6; 0.6 ± 0.4 portions of fish per week) were analyzed. The mRNA expression was measured using real-time PCR.

Results

The effect of the intervention on the mRNA expression of the genes studied did not differ among groups. In the FF group, however, the decrease in arachidonic acid to eicosapentaenoic acid (AA:EPA) ratio in cholesterol ester and phospholipid fractions strongly correlated with the change in IL1B mRNA levels (r _s = 0.60, P = 0.06 and r _s = 0.86, P = 0.002, respectively). In the LF group, the decrease in palmitic acid and total saturated FAs in cholesterol esters correlated with the change in intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM1) expression (r _s = 0.64, P = 0.04 for both). Circulating levels of soluble ICAM-1 decreased only in the LF group (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The intake of FF or LF diet did not alter the expression of inflammatory and endothelial function-related genes in PBMCs of patients with CHD. However, the decrease in AA:EPA ratio in serum lipids in the FF group may induce an anti-inflammatory response at mRNA levels in PBMCs. A LF diet might benefit endothelial function, possibly mediated by the changes in serum FA composition.     

Effects of dietary <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-methionine supplementation on intestinal integrity and oxidative status in intrauterine growth-retarded weanling piglets

Purpose

The present study investigated whether dietary methionine supplementation might protect against intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR)-induced damage in the intestine of piglets.

Methods

Thirty normal birth weight (NBW) female piglets and sixty same-sex IUGR piglets were weaned at 21 days of postnatal age and fed the control diet (4.0 g methionine per kg of feed, NBW-CON, and IUGR-CON groups) or the methionine-supplemented diet (5.2 g methionine per kg of feed, IUGR-MET group) for 28 days (n = 6).

Results

Piglets in the IUGR-CON group showed decreased average daily feed intake and average daily gain and an increased feed conversion ratio than those in the NBW-CON group. Compared with NBW-CON piglets, IUGR-CON piglets had decreased villus height (VH) and villus height-to-crypt depth ratio in both the jejunum and ileum. In addition, in comparison with the NBW-CON piglets, IUGR increased the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the index of apoptosis, while it decreased the concentrations of methionine and reduced glutathione (GSH), the ratio of reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG), and the protein expression of occludin (OCLN) in both the jejunum and ileum. Dietary methionine supplementation decreased the MDA and protein carbonyl concentrations and the apoptotic index, while it increased the VH level, methionine and GSH concentrations, GSH/GSSG ratio, and the OCLN protein expression in the jejunum of IUGR-MET piglets.

Conclusions

Methionine may have beneficial effects in improving intestinal integrity and oxidative status in IUGR weanling piglets.

     

Changes in mineral status are associated with improvements in insulin sensitivity in obese patients following l-arginine supplementation

Purpose

The aim of this study is to evaluate the long-term influence of l-arginine intake on mineral concentration in patients with obesity and to assess the changes in lipid serum levels, fat content, and insulin resistance that result.

Methods

A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study was conducted. 88 obese patients were randomly assigned to receive either 9 g of l-arginine or placebo daily, for 6 months. At baseline and after 6 months, selected anthropometrical measurements and blood biochemical analyses were performed and mineral levels were assessed. To assess insulin sensitivity, the gold-standard euglycemic clamp methodology was used.

Results

We found that 6 months of l-arginine supplementation resulted in significant increases in insulin sensitivity (Δ1.1 mg/kg/min, P < 0.01) and zinc levels (Δ1.5 μmol/L, P < 0.001). Moreover, a positive correlation between the change in zinc concentration in serum and the change in insulin sensitivity was observed (R = 0.80, P < 0.01). In the group of patients treated with l-arginine, a negative correlation between the change in zinc concentration in serum and the change in body fat content was noted (R = ?0.38, P < 0.05).

Conclusions

l-Arginine supplementation affects zinc status in obese patients. One beneficial influence is related to the improvements in insulin sensitivity.     

Breast milk fatty acid composition differs between overweight and normal weight women: the STEPS Study

Objective

We studied differences in breast milk fatty acid (FA) composition between overweight and normal weight women and the effect of FA composition on children’s cholesterol concentrations at 13 months and growth from birth to 13 months.

Methods

Samples were collected from lactating women (n = 100) participating in STEPS study at infant’s age of 3 months, and FA composition was analyzed with gas chromatography. Diet of mother was studied with Index of Diet Quality at third trimester of pregnancy and with food frequency questionnaire on sampling day. The children’s weights and heights were collected from hospital records at birth and during study visits at 13 months.

Results

Overweight women’s breast milk compared to normal weight women’s breast milk contained higher amount of saturated FAs (46.3 vs. 43.6 %, P = 0.012), lower amount of n-3FAs (2.2 vs. 2.7 %, P = 0.010), lower ratio of unsaturated to saturated FAs (1.1 vs. 1.3, P = 0.008), and higher ratio of n-6 to n-3 FAs (5.7 vs. 4.9, P = 0.031) than those of normal weight women even after adjusting for maternal diet (P < 0.05 for all). Normal weight women adhered more to dietary recommendations during pregnancy, whereas no differences were found in diet at sampling 3 months postpartum. The children’s weight gains correlated with saturated FAs (R = 0.22, P = 0.04) and the ratio of unsaturated to saturated FAs (R = ?0.23, P = 0.038) in milk; however, effects diminished after adjusting for total duration of breastfeeding. Milk FA composition was not associated with children’s cholesterol concentrations at 13 months.

Conclusions

Breast milk FA composition differed between overweight and normal weight women.     

Anti-anaemia efficacy of β-lactoglobulin hydrolysate-iron complex on iron-deficient anaemic rats

Purpose

The effects of orally administered β-lactoglobulin hydrolysate-iron complex (β-LGH-Fe) on haematological and biochemical parameters in anaemic rats were evaluated. Female weaning Sprague–Dawley rats were fed with iron-deficient diet to induce iron deficiency anaemia. After 6 weeks, the obtained anaemic rats were divided into five groups: iron deficiency control group (iron-deficient diet without β-LGH-Fe complex supplementation, IDC); three groups supplemented with different dosages of β-LGH-Fe complex (0.5 mg Fe/kg BW, iron-deficient diet with low β-LGH-Fe, IDLFe; 2.0 mg Fe/kg BW, iron-deficient diet with medium β-LGH-Fe, IDMF; 4.0 mg Fe/kg BW, iron-deficient diet with high β-LGH-Fe, IDHFe); and ferrous sulphate-supplemented group at a dosage of 2.0 mg Fe/kg BW.

Results

β-LGH-Fe complex could significantly improve hematocrit and haemoglobin decrease, and normalise the serum iron level, total iron-binding capacity and transferrin saturation of anaemic rats in a dose-dependent manner. Serum ferritin content and hepatic nonheme iron level were also increased. In addition, the antioxidant enzyme activities of superoxidase dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase in both plasma and liver homogenate were improved. The production of malondialdehyde and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) decreased.

Conclusions

It suggests that β-LGH-Fe complex can ameliorate iron deficiency anaemia, which might make it a potential ingredient with anti-anaemia activity.     

Dietary cocoa ameliorates obesity-related inflammation in high fat-fed mice

Purpose

To investigate the effect of cocoa powder supplementation on obesity-related inflammation in high fat (HF)-fed obese mice.

Methods

Male C57BL/6J (n = 126) were fed with either low-fat (LF, 10 % kcal from fat) or HF (60 % kcal from fat) diet for 18 weeks. After 8 weeks, mice from HF group were randomized to HF diet or HF diet supplemented with 8 % cocoa powder (HF–HFC group) for 10 weeks. Blood and tissue samples were collected for biochemical analyses.

Results

Cocoa powder supplementation significantly reduced the rate of body weight gain (15.8 %) and increased fecal lipid content (55.2 %) compared to HF-fed control mice. Further, cocoa supplementation attenuated insulin resistance, as indicated by improved HOMA-IR, and reduced the severity of obesity-related fatty liver disease (decreased plasma alanine aminotransferase and liver triglyceride) compared to HF group. Cocoa supplementation also significantly decreased plasma levels of the pro-inflammatory mediators interleukin-6 (IL-6, 30.4 %), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1, 25.2 %), and increased adiponectin (33.7 %) compared to HF-fed mice. Expression of pro-inflammatory genes (Il6, Il12b, Nos2, and Emr1) in the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) of the epididymal white adipose tissue (WAT) was significantly reduced (37–56 %) in the cocoa-supplemented mice.

Conclusions

Dietary supplementation with cocoa ameliorates obesity-related inflammation, insulin resistance, and fatty liver disease in HF-fed obese mice, principally through the down-regulation of pro-inflammatory gene expression in WAT. These effects appear to be mediated in part by a modulation of dietary fat absorption and inhibition of macrophage infiltration in WAT.     

Associations of maternal folic acid supplementation and folate concentrations during pregnancy with foetal and child head growth: the Generation R Study

Purpose

Folic acid supplementation during pregnancy has been associated with a reduced risk of common neurodevelopmental delays in the offspring. However, it is unclear whether low folate status has effects on the developing brain. We evaluated the associations of maternal folic acid supplementation and folate concentrations during pregnancy with repeatedly measured prenatal and postnatal head circumference in the offspring.

Methods

Within a population-based prospective cohort, we measured maternal plasma folate concentrations at approximately 13 weeks of gestation (90 % range 10.5–17.2) and assessed folic acid supplementation by questionnaire (2001–2005). Up to 11 repeated measures of head circumference were obtained during foetal life (20 and 30 weeks of gestation) and childhood (between birth and age 6 years) in 5866 children (2002–2012).

Results

In unadjusted models, foetal head growth was 0.006 SD (95 % CI 0.003; 0.009, P < 0.001) faster per week per 1-SD higher maternal folate concentration. After adjustment for confounders, this association was attenuated to 0.004 SD per week (95 % CI 0.000; 0.007, P = 0.02; estimated absolute difference at birth of 2.7 mm). The association was independent of overall foetal growth. No associations were found between maternal folate concentrations and child postnatal head growth. Preconceptional start of folic acid supplementation was associated with larger prenatal head size, but not with prenatal or postnatal head growth.

Conclusions

Our results suggest an independent, modest association between maternal folate concentrations in early pregnancy and foetal head growth. More research is needed to identify whether specific brain regions are affected and whether effects of folate on foetal head growth influence children’s long-term functioning.

     

The effect of antioxidant vitamins E and C on cognitive performance of the elderly with mild cognitive impairment in Isfahan,Iran: a double-blind,randomized, placebo-controlled trial

Purpose

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of vitamins E and C on cognitive performance among the elderly in Iran.

Methods

About 256 elderly with mild cognitive impairment, aged 60–75 years, received 300 mg of vitamin E plus 400 mg of vitamin C or placebo daily just for 1 year.

Background

Demographic characteristics, anthropometric variables food consumption, cognitive function by Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and some of the oxidative stress biomarkers were examined.

Results

Antioxidant supplementation reduced malondialdehyde level (P < 0.001) and raised total antioxidant capacity (P < 0.001) and glutathione (P < 0.01). The serum 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine remained unchanged (P < 0.4). After adjusting for the covariates effects, MMSE scores following 6- (25.88 ± 0.17) and 12-month antioxidant supplementation (26.8 ± 0.17) did not differ from control group (25.86 ± 0.18 and 26.59 ± 0.18, respectively).

Conclusion

Despite significant improvement in most of the oxidative stress biomarkers, antioxidants’ supplementation was not observed to enhance cognitive performance. A large number of kinetic and/or dynamic factors could be suspected.     

Dietary conjugated α-linolenic acid did not improve glucose tolerance in a neonatal pig model

Purpose

There is an increased interest in the benefits of conjugated α-linolenic acid (CLNA) on obesity-related complications such as insulin resistance and diabetes. The aim of the study was to investigate whether a 1 % dietary supplementation of mono-CLNA isomers (c9-t11-c15-18:3 + c9-t13-c15-18:3) improved glucose and lipid metabolism in neonatal pigs.

Methods

Since mono-CLNA isomers combine one conjugated two-double-bond system with an n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) structure, the experimental protocol was designed to isolate the dietary structural characteristics of the molecules by comparing a CLNA diet with three other dietary fats: (1) conjugated linoleic acid (c9-t11-18:2 + t10-c12-18:2; CLA), (2) non-conjugated n-3 PUFA, and (3) n-6 PUFA. Thirty-two piglets weaned at 3 weeks of age were distributed among the four dietary groups. Diets were isoenergetic and food intake was controlled by a gastric tube. After 2 weeks of supplementation, gastro-enteral (OGTT) and parenteral (IVGTT) glucose tolerance tests were conducted.

Results

Dietary supplementation with mono-CLNA did not modify body weight/fat or blood lipid profiles (p > 0.82 and p > 0.57, respectively) compared with other dietary groups. Plasma glucose, insulin, and C-peptide responses to OGTT and IVGTT in the CLNA group were not different from the three other dietary groups (p > 0.18 and p > 0.15, respectively). Compared to the non-conjugated n-3 PUFA diet, CLNA-fed animals had decreased liver composition in three n-3 fatty acids (18:3n-3; 20:3n-3; 22:5n-3; p < 0.001).

Conclusions

These results suggest that providing 1 % mono-CLNA is not effective in improving insulin sensitivity in neonatal pigs.     

Iron deficiency and anemia in iron-fortified formula and human milk-fed preterm infants until 6 months post-term

Purpose

An iron intake of >2 mg/kg/d is recommended for preterm infants. We hypothesized that human milk (HM)-fed preterm infants require iron supplementation after discharge, whereas iron-fortified formulae (IFF; 0.8–1.0 mg iron/100 ml) may provide sufficient dietary iron until 6 months post-term.

Methods

At term age, 3 and 6 months post-term, ferritin (μg/l) was measured in 92 IFF-fed infants (gestational age (median (interquartile range)) 30.7 (1.4) weeks, birth weight 1,375 (338) gram) and 46 HM-fed infants (gestational age 30.0 (1.7) weeks, birth weight 1,400 (571) gram). Iron intake (mg/kg/d) between term age and 6 months post-term was calculated.

Results

Iron was supplemented to 71.7 % of HM-fed and 83.7 % of IFF-fed infants between term age and 3 months post-term and to 13 % of HM-fed and 0 % of IFF-fed infants between 3 and 6 months post-term. IFF-fed infants had an iron intake from supplements and formula of 2.66 (1.22) mg/kg/d between term age and 3 months post-term and 1.19 (0.32) mg/kg/d between 3 and 6 months post-term. At 3 and 6 months post-term, the incidence of ferritin <12 μg/l was higher in HM-fed compared to IFF-fed infants (23.8 vs. 7.8 % and 26.3 vs. 9.5 %, P < 0.02).

Conclusion

This observational study demonstrates that ferritin <12 μg/l is more prevalent in HM-fed infants until 6 months post-term. This may be due to early cessation of additional iron supplementation. We speculate that additional iron supplementation is not necessary in preterm infants fed IFF (0.8–1.0 mg iron/100 ml), as they achieve ferritin ≥12 μg/l without additional iron supplements between 3 and 6 months post-term.     

Red grape berry-cultured cells reduce blood pressure in rats with metabolic-like syndrome

Purpose

Cumulative evidence suggests that moderate red wine consumption protects the cardiovascular system. The effect of cultured cells derived from red grape berry (RGC) on blood pressure (BP) has not been investigated. We therefore studied the antihypertensive effects of oral consumption of RGC in experimental rat model of metabolic-like syndrome and assessed its effect on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

Methods

Forty male Sprague–Dawley rats were fed for 5 weeks with either a high fructose diet (HFD) (n = 10) or HFD supplemented, during the last 2 weeks, with different doses (200, 400 and 800 mg/kg/day) of RGC suspended in their food (n = 30). BP, plasma triglycerides, insulin and adiponectin levels were measured at the beginning and after 3 and 5 weeks of diet. RGC effect on vasodilatation was evaluated by its ability to affect endothelin-1 (ET-1) production and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression in HUVECs.

Results

BP, plasma triglycerides, insulin and adiponectin increased significantly in rats fed with a HFD. The increase in BP, plasma triglycerides and insulin was attenuated by RGC supplementation. Incubation of HUVECs with RGC demonstrated a concentration-dependent inhibition of ET-1 secretion and increase in the level of eNOS, signaling a positive effect of RGC on vasodilatation.

Conclusion

In rats with metabolic-like syndrome, RGC decreased BP and improved metabolic parameters. These beneficial effects may be mediated by the cell constituents, highly rich with polyphenols and resveratrol, reside in their natural state.     

Plasma homocysteine level and hepatic sulfur amino acid metabolism in mice fed a high-fat diet

Purpose

Obesity, a feature of metabolic syndrome, is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and elevated plasma homocysteine is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. However, little published information is available concerning the effect of obesity on homocysteine metabolism.

Methods

Hepatic homocysteine metabolism was determined in male C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat diet for 12 weeks.

Results

High-fat diet increased plasma homocysteine but decreased hepatic homocysteine levels. Hepatic S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase levels were down-regulated in the obese mice, which was in part responsible for the decrease in hepatic S-adenosylmethionine/S-adenosylhomocysteine, which served as an index of transmethylation potential. Despite the decrease in hepatic cysteine, hepatic taurine synthesis was activated via up-regulation of cysteine dioxygenase. Hepatic levels of methionine adenosyltransferase I/III, methionine synthase, methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase, and gamma-glutamylcysteine ligase catalytic subunit were unchanged. Obese mice showed elevated betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase and decreased cystathionine beta-synthase activities, although the quantities of these enzymes were unchanged.

Conclusion

This study suggests that plasma homocysteine level is increased in obesity-associated hepatic steatosis, possibly as a result of increased hepatic homocysteine efflux along with an altered sulfur amino acid metabolism.     

Impact of a functionalized olive oil extract on the uterus and the bone in a model of postmenopausal osteoporosis

Purpose

The Mediterranean diet rich in fruits, vegetables and olive oil has been related to a lower osteoporosis incidence and accordingly to a reduced fracture risk. These observations might be mediated by the active constituents of extra virgin olive oil, and especially polyphenols. In the context of exploring the features of olive oil active constituents on postmenopausal osteoporosis, an extra virgin olive oil total polyphenolic fraction (TPF) was isolated and its effect on the bone loss attenuation was investigated.

Methods

Female Lewis rats were ovariectomized and fed a diet enriched with a total phenolic extract of extra virgin olive oil in a concentration of 800 mg/kg diet.

Results

Oleocanthal, one compound of the polyphenolic fraction, showed a higher relative estrogen receptor binding affinity to the ERα compared to the ERβ. While the TPF only slightly induced the uterine wet weight (490.7 ± 53.7 vs. 432.7 ± 23, p = 0.058), TPF regulated estrogen response genes in the uterus (progesterone receptor, antigen identified by monoclonal antibody Ki67, complement C3). Comparing the quantified bone parameters, the oral TPF substitution did not attenuate the ovariectomy-induced bone loss.

Conclusions

The administration of extra virgin olive oil polyphenols regulated uterine estrogen response marker genes in an E2-agonistic manner. The bone loss induced by estrogen ablation was not mitigated by treatment with the polyphenolic extract.