The dominant diseases of modernized societies as omega-3 essential fatty acid deficiency syndrome: Substrate beriberi

About 1900, modern food selection and processing caused widespread $\text{epidemics}$ of the B vitamin deficiency diseases of beriberi and pellagra which, for genetic reasons, often expressed as different diseases ranging from bowel and heart disease to dermatoses and psychoses. But the B vitamins merely help convert essential fatty acids (EFA) into the prostaglandin (PG) tissue regulators and it now turns out that, through hydrogenation, milling and selection of w3-poor southern foods, we have also been systematically depleting, by as much as 90%, a newly discovered trace Nordic EFA (w3) of special importance to primates and sole precursor of the PG3(4) series, even as a concurrent fiber deficiency increases body demand for EFA. Since substrate EFA is processed by many B vitamin catalysts, an EFA deficiency will mimic a $\text{panh}$ypovitaminosis B, i.e., a mixture of $\text{substrate}$ beriberi and $\text{substrate}$ pellagra resembling vitamin beriberi and pellagra but exhibiting as even more diverse $\text{endemic}$ disease. This would consitute a second stage of the Modern Malnutrition and explain why some workers now hold the dominant diseases of modermized societies to be new, nutritionally based, pellagraform yet lipid-related and to range, once again, from heart disease to psychosis. It is an assumption that our dominant diseases are unrelated to each other or are merely revealed by our diagnostic acumen and therapeutic success; and that hydrogenating millions of tons of food oils annually, to destroy the rancidity producing w3-EFA, is safe for $\text{primates}$. Extensive beriberiform disease is reported here in 32 typical cases taken from medical practice which responds strikingly to linseed oil supplements (60% w3-EFA) in confirmation of identical results in Capuchins.     

Effect of the stage of lactation in humans on carotenoid levels in milk,blood plasma and plasma lipoprotein fractions

Summary. In mammals the composition of milk changes during early lactation, with a rapid decline of fat-soluble vitamins and a continuous increase in total lipids. The mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are not well understood, but might involve selective mechanisms related to mammary uptake or secretion into the milk. Since carotenoids are specifically distributed among the lipoprotein fractions in plasma, the simultaneous determination of carotenoids in plasma, lipoprotein fractions and milk might offer an opportunity to gain insight into this phenomenon. In 21 healthy mothers carotenoids in plasma and lipoprotein fractions were investigated at day 2 and 19 and milk on day 4 and 19 after delivery. Plasma levels of -tocopherol and cholesterol as well as lutein, zeaxanthin and cryptoxanthin were significantly lower later in lactation (day 19) than shortly after birth (P < 0.01). The stage of lactation had no effect on the distribution of carotenoids and -tocopherol among the plasma lipoprotein fractions. In milk, triacylglycerol increased (P < 0.01). In contrast, levels of carotenoids, -tocopherol and vitamin A were highest in colostrum and declined (P < 0.01). Because the magnitude of decrease was not the same in all carotenoids, the carotenoid pattern changed substantially. In colostrum the carotenoid pattern resembled those of plasma and the low-density lipoprotein fraction. In mature milk it was similar to the pattern found in the high density lipoprotein fraction. Based on these observations a selective mechanism might be responsible for the transfer of these components in milk involving different lipoprotein fractions at specific times of lactation.     

Malnutrition in institutionalized seniors: the iatrogenic component

OBJECTIVES: To provide practitioners with benchmarks for micronutrient supplementation policies for older residents of long-term care (LTC) facilities, based upon residents' usual energy intake. DESIGN: Retrospective secondary analysis of nutrient intake and delivery data, obtained from 21 consecutive collection days. SETTING: A fully accredited geriatric teaching facility, affiliated with the University of Toronto's Medical School, that includes a chronic care hospital and a home for the aged, housing more than 800 senior residents. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-three cognitively impaired residents who retained the ability to feed themselves. MEASUREMENTS: Average daily micronutrient (vitamin and mineral) content of two common diet types--unrestricted diet as tolerated and lactose-free--were evaluated based upon all foods served during a 28-day cycle of menus, providing an estimate of total possible micronutrient intake. Energy intake needed to meet recommended intakes for each of the micronutrients was then determined and compared with actual dietary intakes. RESULTS: Even if entirely consumed, neither diet (providing approximately 2,000 kcal/d) supplied sufficient quantities of vitamins (vitamin E, pantothenic acid) and minerals (calcium, zinc, copper and manganese) to enable residents to meet recommended intakes, making these deficiencies iatrogenic in nature. As projected intake levels fell to reflect ranges more consistently observed in LTC residents (1,000-1,500 kcal/d), the number and severity of risk nutrients increased. Similar predictions, based upon actual intake measurements, were made and confirmed. CONCLUSIONS: The traditional approach of developing LTC menus using resources such as Canada's Food Guide or the Food Guide Pyramid of the United States results in iatrogenic malnutrition. New guidelines are needed that are targeted toward the special needs of older adults who have low food intakes. In the interim, all older LTC residents require full-spectrum vitamin and mineral supplements.     

Culture of one-cell hamster embryos with water soluble vitamins: pantothenate stimulates blastocyst production

The effects of water-soluble vitamins, singly or in combinations, on development of hamster 1-cell embryos were examined in a protein-free, chemically defined culture medium, HECM-6. Pantothenate significantly stimulated blastocyst development compared to the vitamin-free control and to every other single vitamin, except thiamine. Ascorbic acid, biotin, choline, folic acid, inositol, niacinamide, pyridoxal, riboflavin and thiamine had no detectable stimulation or inhibition on cleavage stage development or morula/blastocyst formation. When combinations of vitamins were tested, embryo development was either unchanged or significantly greater than in the control, but never significantly greater than development with pantothenate alone. A dose response to pantothenate indicated that 3 micromol/l was the optimum concentration. After embryo transfer, the percentage of live fetuses recovered per 100 1-cell embryos cultured in HECM-6 plus pantothenate (now designated HECM-9) was 24%, significantly higher than the 11% recovered from 100 1-cell embryos cultured in HECM-6 alone. This is the first report to show a stimulatory effect of a single vitamin on in-vitro development of preimplantation embryos in any mammalian species.     

武汉市475名大学生矿物质与维生素摄入水平调查

目的了解武汉市大学生矿物质与维生素的摄入水平,为开展高校健康教育及改善食堂膳食工作提供科学依据。方法采用记帐法结合24h膳食回顾法对475名大学生进行连续3d的膳食调查,回收有效调查表400份。结果除女大学生的维生素A实际摄入量达推荐摄入量(RNI)外,被调查大学生钙、铁、锌、维生素B1、维生素B2、烟酸、维生素C的摄入量均达不到RNI或适宜摄入量(AI),且维生素A、钙、铁、锌的摄入均以植物性食物为主。结论被调查大学生矿物质与维生素的摄入明显偏低,应引起相关部门的重视,采取综合措施,开展多种形式的营养知识宣传教育和营养干预。     

人血清水溶性维生素B1、B2、B6和B9高效液相色谱串联质谱联用技术测定方法的建立和验证

目的：建立测定人血清中水溶性维生素B₁、B₂、B₆和B₉的高效液相色谱串联质谱联用法。方法：常规送检患者血清经乙酸乙酯萃取,经反相高效液相色谱分离,采用电喷雾离子化四级杆串联质谱多反应监测模式测定维生素B₁、B₂、B₆和B₉浓度。结果：维生素B₁、B₂、B₆、B₉线性范围分别为1~200,5~40,1~80,5~40 ng·mL^-1;R²值分别为0.991 6,0.996 8,0.992 2,0.991 4;最低定量限分别为1,5,1,5 ng·mL^-1;日内、日间RSD均小于8.5%。结论：所建立方法可用于常规送检患者血清水溶性维生素B₁、B₂、B₆和B₉测定。     

Effect of clinical condition and mycophenolate mofetil on plasma retinol, α-tocopherol and β-carotene in renal transplant recipients

Introduction

Plasma antioxidant vitamins (retinol, α-tocopherol, β-carotene) were measured to establish the influence of clinical condition and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) treatment on the nutritional status of renal transplant recipients.

Material and methods

In 106 adult patients plasma vitamins were measured and 24-h diet history questionnaires were conducted. The MMF influence on plasma vitamins was verified in 61 patients.

Results

The current dietary intakes of vitamins in daily food rations were lower than recommended. Plasma retinol was lower in patients suffering from gastrointestinal disorders (1.25 ±0.48 mg/l vs. 1.55 ±0.70 mg/l) and inversely associated with aminotransferases activity (p = 0.019) and creatinine clearance (p = 0.021). Retinol concentrations were positively associated with plasma creatinine (p = 0.027) and pharmacokinetic parameters of MMF phenyl glucuronide. β-Carotene concentrations were higher in women (0.39 ±0.46 mg/l vs. 0.28 ±0.23 mg/l; p = 0.041) and when MMF was co-administered with cyclosporine vs. tacrolimus (0.45 ±0.62 mg/l vs. 0.25 ±0.19 mg/l). Plasma α-tocopherol correlated negatively with the mycophenolic acid pre-dose concentration (p = 0.027) and was significantly lower in patients treated with calcineurin inhibitors (8.90 ±5.23 mg/l vs. 12.25 ±5.62 mg/l). A positive correlation was observed between α-tocopherol levels and aspartate aminotransferase (p = 0.006). In multivariate regression aspartate aminotransferase and MMF treatment significantly influenced retinol (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The MMF treatment was associated with significantly lower retinol concentrations. The gastrointestinal disorders occurrence in MMF-treated patients may cause a decrease in retinol absorption. Diet adjustment and/or vitamin A supplementation should be considered.     

明党参根中维生素及其水煎膏中无机元素的分析

目的:考察明党参根中营养元素的种类及含量,探讨其补益功效的物质基础.方法:采用高效液相色谱法、荧光分光光度法及扫描电子微量分析法,测定明党参根中维生素的含量和水煎膏中无机元素的含量.结果:明党参根含脂溶性维生素E、K分别为259.2、64.1μg/kg,水溶性维生素C、B1、B2分别为78.5、0.6、0.7 mg/kg.明党参水煎膏中含丰富的钾和钙离子.结论:明党参富含人体必需的有益元素,作为食用中药是有其物质基础的.     

超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法同时快速检测微量血清中6种脂溶性维生素

目的 建立超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法（UPLC-MS/MS）同时快速检测微量血清中维生素A、维生素D（25-OH-VD2 、25-OH-VD3 ）、维生素E（α-、β-和γ-生育酚）的方法。方法 血清中脂溶性维生素经甲醇-乙腈（50:50, v/v)沉淀蛋白、正己烷萃取,以Phenomenex Kinetex F5色谱柱为分离柱,2.5 mmol/L甲酸铵-0.1%甲酸水溶液和甲醇为流动相,梯度洗脱,电喷雾电离（ESI+ ）、多反应监测（MRM）模式下检测,同位素内标法定量。结果 血清中6种脂溶性维生素线性范围内线性关系良好,相关系数 r >0.995;6种脂溶性维生素的检测限为0.20~1.25 ng/ml,定量限为0.39~3.88 ng/ml;加标回收率为86.6%~107.7%,日内精密度<9.6%,日间精密度<9.3%。NIST标准参照品SRM 968f验证方法准确度,结果偏差均在5%以内。结论 本方法准确度高、重现性好、用血量少,适于婴幼儿等采血困难者微量血样中多种脂溶性维生素的同时快速检测。