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Objective To teach the intellectuals how to adapt psychological stress and improve health by rational nutrition and health education. Method The propaganda and education on the role of nutrients in increasing the adaptive ability to psychological stress and ameliorating related diseases were used, mainly in the way of seminar and consultation, and the psychological status was evaluated by testing A-type behavior, anxiety and depression, and determining the concentration of saliva cortisol, serum homocysteine and lipid peroxides. Results After education, A type behavior, SDS total scores and the concentration of saliva cortisol, serum homocysteine and lipid peroxides were decreased dramatically, indicating that the psychological stress of intellectuals was effectively reliveved. Conclusion Nutritional propaganda and education can significantly improve intellectuals’ psychological health status.
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Objective: To investigate the dietary nutritional status of the intellectuals in three cities in China. Methods: The intellectuals aged over 45, with senior academic title, working in universities or research institutes in Tianjin, Guangzhou and Chengdu, were selected as volunteers. Food frequency questionair was used to conduct the diretary survey. And the results were compared between the intellectuals of nutrition and non-nutrition speciality. Results: Compared with Dietary Guideline and Balance Diet Pagoda for Chinese Residents, the intakes of cereals, milk, fruits,and egg of the vulunteers were adequate, but the intakes of meat and oils were more, while those of fish and shrimp, legume,and vegetables were less than the suggested levels in Pagoda. The food pattern of the intellectuals in nutrition speciality was more advantageous than that in non-nutrition. Conclusion: The dietary pattern of the intellectuals should be improved, according to the Dietary Guideline and Balanced Diet Pagoda for Chinese Residents.
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Objective:To study the effects of zinc deficiency on bone histomorphometric parameters of femoral distal diaphysis in rats. Methods:Thirty Wistar rats were randomly allocated into three groups:the zinc-deficient group(ZD), the control group(Cont),and the pair-fed group(ZP). After the rats had been fed for eight weeks, the histomorphometric and dynamic parameters of the rats were analysed using bone histomorphometric method. Results:The number, volume and connectivity of trabecular bone, and the mean trabecular plate density of ZD rats were significantly decreased, but their mean trabecular plate space was significantly increased. In addition, the data showed that ZD animals had significantly decreased trabecular osteoid surface, reduced velocity of bone formation as compared with Cont and ZP animals. The results showed that in ZD rats the mineral deposit rate was significantly slow, while the mineralization lag and osteoid maturation period were obviously prolonged. Conclusion: Zinc deficiency reduces velocity of bone formation and prolongs bone mineralization and destroys bone structure.
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Objective To examine the possibility that homocysteine(Hcy) may augment ?-amyloid(A?) neurotoxicity.Method Cultured hippocampal neurons were treatd with Hcy and/or A?42 and it's apoptosis,calcium influx,DNA damage and oxidative injury were examined.Results Combined treatment with 250?mol/L Hcy and 10?mol/L A?42 increased the apoptosis rate of hippocampal neurons significantly more than either agent alone,and even the sum of each agent treated alone.The combined treatment significantly exceeded the cytosolic calcium accumulation and MDA obtained with either alone or the sum of each agent.A significant increase in DNA damage also occurred in neurons exposed to A?42 in the presence of Hcy,but the magnitude of the increase was not greater than that seen with either treatment alone.Conclusion Hcy could potentiate A? neurotoxicity by neuron exitotoxicity,oxidative stress and inducing apoptosis.
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Objective To observe the effects of psychological stress on the levels of Hcy and folate in rats. Method The Wistar rats were randomly assigned to three groups as follows:control,stress and stress with folate supplement. The animal model of psychological stress was developed by restraint. Results The levels of Hcy both in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid were increased and not only the level of folate in plasma but also in cortex,hippocampus,liver and mucous membrane epithelium of small intestine were decreased under restraint stress. Folate supplement could improve the depletion of folate and the increase of Hcy induced by restraint. Conclusion The depletion of folate may be one of the important factors of high Hcy level induced by psychological stress.
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Objective: To explore the effects of different doses of Zn on the expression of metallo- thionein(MT) isoforms in hippocampus, olfactory bulb, diencephalon and cortex in stress rats. Method: The animal model of psychological stress was developed by restraint for 4w. Wistar rats were randomly assigned to 8 groups: control group, Zn-deficient group, pair-fed group, Zn -supplemented group and their corresponding stress groups. The expressions of MTs and their mRNAs were detected by Western blot and RT-PCR respectively. Results: In Zn-deficient group, plasma zinc content was decreased, while in Zn -supplemented group slightly increased. Compared with Zn-deficient group, the stress Zn -deficient group had higher expressions of MTs and MT-1 mRNA, MT-3 mRNA in hippocampus, olfactory bulb, diencephalon and cortex. Expressions of MTs in Zn-supplemented group were increased, and much more in corresponding stress group. In addition, the levels of plasma cortisol, IL-6 and IL-1 were increased clearly in Zn-deficient group and stress groups. Moreover, MTs’ productions were different in four brain domains,the highest in hippocampus and the lowest in diencephalon. Conclusion: Zn may affect the expressions of MTs and MT-1 mRNA, MT-3 mRNA in different regions of brain in stress rats. The higher production of MTs in hippocampus may be related to its role in body’s adaptation to stress. Cortisol, IL-6 and IL-1 may be involved in the modulation of expression of MTs.
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Objective: To observe the effects of vitamin A (VA)-fortified edible oil on improving the immune function of children. Method: The marginally VA-deficient children were selected as volunteers in four cities of China. Nutritional intervention was conducted in the children with edible oil fortified with VA 7500?g/kg for five months. The VA level, the contents of IgA,IgG,IgM and complement C3 in sera of the volunteers were detected at the end of intervention. Results: The levels of VA, IgA,and C3 in sera of the intervention group were significantly higher than those of the control group, but no differences of IgG and IgM were observed. Conclusion:The VA status and immune function of the AD children could be effectively improved with vitamin A-fortified edible oil.
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Objective: To study the effects of different niacin nutritures on behaviors of stressed rats. Methods: 100 Wistar male rats were assigned into 10 groups:control, pair-fed, nicotinamide (NAM) deficiency (ND), low-dose NAM supplement (LNS 40 mg/kg diet) and high-dose NAM supplement (HNS 500 mg/kg diet), and the corresponding restrained groups. 24 h urinary excretion of N1-methylnicotinamide (NMN), body weight changes, behaviors in the open-field test, plasma cortisol, nitric oxide(NO) and liver nitric oxide synthase(NOS) were determined. Results: Compared with the control group, restrained rats had relatively lower urinary NMN. Both ND and restrainted stress retarded the body weight gains . Rats in the control and LNS groups had relatively shorter latency time in the open-field test. Restrained rats had higher plasma cortisol and NO than those in the corresponding control group. However, rats with HNS had the lowest plasma cortisol concentrations. Dietary supplement of NAM increased liver NOS . Conclusions: Restraint stress may increase niacin depletion and appropriate NAM supplement has positive effects on stress adaptation in rats.
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Objective:[WT5BZ]To explore the molecular mechanism of protection of zinc against hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury(HIRI). [WT5HZ]Methods:[WT5BZ]The expression of hepatic metallothionein 1(MT 1)gene and regulation by zinc were determined by RT PCR(reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction)in HIRI rats. [WT5HZ]Results:[WT5BZ]1.Hepatic MT 1 mRNA was expressed in all groups;2.The level of hepatic MT 1 mRNA in HIRI group(ischemia 30 min,reperfusion 90 min)was significantly lower than control.After zinc supplementation,the content of hepatic MT 1 mRNA was increased significantly;3.The hepatic MT 1 expression was also enhanced by zinc in normal rats. [WT5HZ]Conclusion:[WT5BZ]The results of our studies suggest that the regulation of hepatic MT 1 genes by zinc is one of the main ways contributed to the mechanism of protection by zinc in HIRI.
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The effects of zinc on collagen synthesis and wound healing were observed in 124 rats. The animals were divided into three groups. ZD--zincdeficient, SP--pair fed with zinc supplemented and SF---ad lib withzinc supplemented, each receiving 0.07, 0.82 and 0.84 mg Zn per rat per day respectively. An 8 cm long surgical incision was made on one side of the back of each animal and 3 pieces of sponge were implanted subcutaneous