La accidentada historia del descubrimiento de la vitamina D, en su primer centenario / The checkered history of the discovery of vitamin D, in its first centenary

El año 2022 marca el primer centenario del descubrimiento de la vitamina D, hallazgo que recompensó la prolongada búsqueda de la causa del raquitismo, su prevención y tratamiento. Al mismo tiempo puso en marcha importantes investigaciones relaciona-das con su biotransformación y el mecanismo de su acción antirraquítica, además de estudios sobre diversos efectos biológicos sin relación directa con su papel en la salud ósea. Esta breve revisión se limitará a delinear la prehistoria de la vitamina D y los diversos estudios, básicos y clínicos, que condujeron a su descubrimiento y caracterización química. (AU)

The year 2022 marks the centenary of the discovery of vitamin D, a breakthrough that rewarded the long search for the cause of rickets, its prevention and treatment. At the same time, it launched important investigations related to its biotransformation and the mechanism of its antirachitic action, as well as studies on various biological effects without direct relation to its role in bone health. This brief review will be limited to an outline of the prehistory of vitamin D and the various basic and clinical studies that led to its discovery and chemical characterization. (AU)

Night blindness and ancient remedy

The aim of this article is to briefly review the history of night blindness and its treatment from ancient times until the present. The old Egyptians, the Babylonians, the Greeks and the Arabs used animal liver for treatment and successfully cured the disease. The author had the opportunity to observe the application of the old remedy to a patient. Now we know what the ancients did not know, that night blindness is caused by Vitamin A deficiency and the animal liver is the store house for Vitamin A

Effect of water flow rate and feed training on "pacamã" (Siluriforme: Pseudopimelodidae) juvenile production / Efeito do fluxo de água e do condicionamento alimentar na produção de juvenis de pacamã (Siluriforme: Pseudopimelodidae)

The effects of different water flow rates and feed training on the production of "pacamã" Lophiosilurus alexandri juveniles were evaluated. In the first experiment, nine day post-hatch larvae (n= 2,400) were stocked at a density of 5 larvae/L. Different water flow (F) rates were tested: F1 = 180; F2 = 600; F3 = 1,300; and F4 = 2,600mL/min. Artemia nauplii were offered as food during the first 15 days of active feeding. In the second experiment for feed training, 720 juveniles (total length of 22.2mm) were stocked at a density of 1.5 juveniles/L. A water flow rate similar to F1 was used. The use of extruded dry diet was tested, and feed training was done with and without other enhanced flavors (Artemia nauplii or Scott emulsion). The water flow rates did not influence the survival or growth of L. alexandri. Cannibalism occurred during feed training. The worst survival, specific growth rate and high mortality were found with the use of extruded dry diet, while similar values were registered with the different feed training diets used. Reduced water flow rate can be used to lower water consumption during larviculture and feed training of L. alexandri.

Avaliaram-se os efeitos de diferentes fluxos de água e do condicionamento alimentar sobre a produção de juvenis de pacamã Lophiosilurus alexandri. Larvas com nove dias pós-eclosão (n=2.400) foram estocadas na densidade de 5 larvas/L. Diferentes fluxos (F) de água foram testados: F1 = 180; F2 = 600; F3 = 1.300; e F4 = 2.600mL/min. Náuplios de Artemia foram usados como alimento nos primeiros 15 dias de alimentação ativa. No segundo experimento, para o condicionamento alimentar, 720 juvenis (comprimento total de 22,2mm) foram estocados na densidade de 1,5 juvenis/L. Fluxo de água similar a F1 foi utilizado. Foram testados o uso de dieta extrusada e o condicionamento alimentar adicionado ou não de náuplios de Artemia ou emulsão Scott. Os diferentes fluxos de água não afetaram a sobrevivência e o crescimento de L. alexandri. Durante o condicionamento alimentar foi registrada a ocorrência de canibalismo. Pior sobrevivência, taxa de crescimento específica e maior mortalidade foram registradas para o uso da dieta comercial, enquanto valores similares foram verificados para as diferentes dietas usadas no condicionamento alimentar. Fluxo de água reduzido pode ser empregado durante a larvicultura e condicionamento alimentar de L. alexandri.

Effect of shark liver oil on renal cortical structure in hypercholesterolemic rats

Numerous studies reported the association between hypercholesterolemia and renal damage. Elevated plasma cholesterol is involved in the onset and progression of renal diseases. Shark liver oil is reported to be an antioxidant and hypolipidemic. This study was conducted to investigate the possible effects of two different doses of shark liver oil in reducing renal cortical changes associated with high cholesterol diet feeding in correlation with serum lipids. Forty rats were divided into two groups: control group [group 1 = 1 0 rats] and high cholesterol diet-fed group [group 2 = 30 rats]. Group 2 was further subdivided into three subgroups: group 2a, nonsupplemented with shark liver oil; group 2b, supplemented with 1 0% shark liver oil; and group 2c supplemented with 20% shark liver oil. Kidney samples were processed for general histological, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural study of the renal cortex. Blood samples were collected for assessment of serum lipids. High cholesterol diet-fed group showed prominent podocyte injury characterized by de novo desmin staining and flattening and fusion of foot processes. Some renal corpuscles exhibited thickening and distortion of the glomerular basement membrane. Renal tubular cells showed intracellular vacuoles and mitochondrial degeneration. These structural changes were associated with altered serum lipids. Shark liver oil dietary supplement noticeably ameliorated renal cortical damage and corrected the changes in serum lipids with better improvement in the 20% shark liver oil-supplemented group. This study reveals the beneficial effect of shark liver oil, as a health supplement, in ameliorating the structural renal cortical damage and hypercholesterolemia associated with high cholesterol diet feeding

Interventional effect of vitamin A supplementation on re-vaccination to hepatitis B virus among rural infants and young children in China / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The objective of this study was to observe the interventional effect of cod liver oil supplementation on re-vaccination to hepatitis B virus (HBV) among infants and young children.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>All 7-36 months old infants and young children, who had been vaccinated with obligatory HBV vaccines routinely by the national technical and administrative procedures for HBV vaccination on children of China, were convened among villages in Linyi, Shandong province, from October 2008 to March 2009. After detection of serum anti-HBV, one hundred children with lower serum anti-HBV were picked out for the randomized, double blinded, placebo controlled vitamin A supplementation study. The children in the intervention group (50 subjects) took 0.5 g condensed cod liver oil (containing 25 000 IU vitamin A and 2500 IU vitamin D(2)) every 15 days for six times. The children in the control group (50 subjects) were given corn oil with same volume. All children were re-vaccinated at the 30th and the 60th day of the experiment. The serum samples were collected from each child at the 90th day of the experiment. Retinol concentration in serum samples was analyzed with HPLC method before and after the intervention. The levels of serum anti-HBs were detected by the electro-chemi-luminescence immunoassay (ECLIA).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Total 74 children finished the supplemental experiment and blood collection, 37 subjects in each group, respectively. After intervention, the serum retinol level in the experimental and control group were (404.1 ± 123.1) and (240.8 ± 92.8) µg/L (t = 6.441, P < 0.01), respectively. The serum anti-HBs levels in the experimental and control group were (2737.2 ± 2492.6) and (1199.7 ± 2141.6) U/L (t = 2.846, P < 0.01), respectively. The rate of weak or no-answer case in experimental and control groups was 0.00% (0/37) and 10.81% (4/37) (χ(2) = 4.229, P = 0.040), respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results showed that vitamin A supplementation might enhance the re-vaccination reaction against HB vaccine in infants and young children.</p>

Omega-3 fatty acid content in various tissues of different Persian Gulf fish

To investigate the level of omega-3 fatty acids in different kind of fish head, muscle and liver from 30 species of fish collected from Persian Gulf. In this experimental study, the fish were collected by hunting from Boushehr and Hormozgan sea ports. Their head, muscle and liver fatty acids were determined on their methylated fatty acids dissolved in N-hexin. Quantitative analysis of fatty acids was performed by gas chromatography [GC] with methylmyristate used as the reference material in this analysis and the qualitative analysis of fatty acids was done by gas chromatography and mass spectrometer [GC- mass] and cod liver oil which contained all of omega-3 fatty acids used as standard. Our study showed that some fish were good sources of omega-3 fatty acids and Trout [Ghezel-ALA], Bartail flathead [Zaminkan-e-domnavari], Malabar blood snapper [Sorkhoo malabari] had maximum levels of omega-3 in all body tissues. Other types of fish were rich in omega 3 fatty acids in separate organs, such as liver in Bartail flathead [Zaminkan-e-domnavari], head in Sillago Sihama [Shoort] and muscle in Trout [Ghezel-ALA]. In contrast, lesser amount of omega 3 fatty acids is found in tissues of other species of fish such as Silver pomfret [Halva sefid], Longfin trevally [Gish-e-derazbale] and Xiphophorus Hellerii [Dom-shamshiri]. This research showed that the liver of fish had the highest level of omega-3 fatty acids and fish muscle contained more omega-3 fatty acids than the head and all fish tissues can be served

Phenotypic alterations, immunohistochemical expression of p-53 and p glycoprotein and their possible modulation with oral shark liver oil in hepatic carcinogenesis

Hepatocellular carcinoma is likely to become an increasingly significant challenge to health care industry in the coming decades. Hepatocarcinogenesis represents a linear and progressive process in which successively more aberrant monoclonal populations of hepatocytes evolve. This study was conducted to; I-Investigate the effectiveness of shark liver oil extract on rat liver during chemical- induced hepatocarcinogenesis for its possible protective effect against carcinogenesis, P- Glycoprotein expression and deterioration in liver function. 2- Evaluate morphological changes of the liver during hepatocarcinogenesis before and after treatment with of shark liver oil extract, and 3- Evaluate the pathogenetic role of p53 in liver carcinogenesis. The material of the present study constituted ninety male albino rats at the age of 2 months. Ten rats were used as controls. Carcinogenesis was induced in eighty rats by the administration of single dose of Diethyl Nitrosamine followed by three doses of 2-acetylaminofluorine and single dose of carbon tetrachloride. Rats were then divided into two equal groups; untreated, and treated with shark liver oil. Liver function tests were evaluated for all test rats. Livers of sacrificed animals were examined for morphological abnormalities, and were immunohistochemically stained for P-Glycoprotein [multi-drug resistance molecule] and p-53 [tumour suppressor gene] using avidin-biotin method. Statistical analysis was performed to compare the liver function tests, morphological alterations in the tested rat's liver and P-glycoprotein expression before and after administration of shark liver oil. Liver function tests were impaired in carcinogen-injected untreated rats, and then showed statistically significant improvements in shark liver oil -treated rats. Histological evaluation of carcinogen-injected untreated rat's liver, revealed number of combined liver cell changes in the form of; steatosis [86%], nodular regenerative hyperplasia [79%], liver cell dysplasia [71%], micronodular cirrhosis [7%], and different cholangiocellular changes [7-40%]. Hepatocellular carcinoma was not noted in any of tested groups. These morphological abnormalities and P-Glycoprotein expression showed statistically significant improvements in SLO-treated rats in comparison to untreated group. P53 was negative in all tested groups. Conclusion: Hepatocarcinogenesis evolutes through multistep process including many preneoplastic changes as liver cell dysplasia, and regenerative nodular hyperplasia as vell as cholangiolar cell abnormalities, and steatosis that are of indefinite significance. p53 has no role in early stages of hepatocarcinogenesis. Shark liver oil administration has protective effect against the process of chemical hepatocarcinogenesis verified by the improvement of deteriorated liver function tests, reduction of the preneoplastic features in tested livers. Shark liver oil administration reduces the expression of multidrug resistance molecule P-Glycoprotein

Study of the marker for a neuronavigation system / 中国医疗器械杂志

<p><b>UNLABELLED</b>With different ratios, Omnipague mixed with cod liver oil and Meglumine Diatrizoate mixed with cod liver oil are compared with the stardard marker under the scanning of CT and MR in order to find the better ratio and materials for the marker. The experimental results show that the performances of both Omnipague mixed with cod liver oil and Meglumine Diatrizoate mixed with cod liver oil are better than the stardard marker.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Omnipague mixed with cod liver oil and Meglumine Diatrizoate mixed with cod liver oil can be used in making marker for neuronavigation system.</p>

Effect of cod liver oil supplementation on plasma lipids, lipoproteins, lipase activity and platelet aggregation in normotensive and hypertensive volunteers.

No significant change in plasma levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides, phospholipids, very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), lipase activity and TC/HDL-C ratio could be observed in both normotensive and hypertensive individuals after cod liver oil supplementation. Measure of platelet aggregation rates did not also show any significant change after cod liver oil ingestion in both normotensive and hypertensive individuals. The results suggest that supplementation of normal diets with 600 mg cod liver oil per day for 50 days neither affects plasma lipids, lipoproteins and lipase activity nor affects platelet aggregation in both normotensive and hypertensive individuals.

Profilaxia da arteriosclerose com lípidios marinhos: efeitos de uma curta suplementaçäo com óleo de figado de bacalhau em voluntários normais e revisäo de literatura / Prophylaxis of atherosclerosis with marine lipids: effects of a short supplementation with cod liver oil in healthy voluntects and a review of the literature

Numerosos estudos epidemiológicos e experimentais sugerem existir uma relaçäo inversa entre o consumo de peixe e a mortalidade por doenças aterotrombóticas. Esses efeitos protetores devem-se, provavelmente, aos lipídios encontrados nos peixes e outros animais marinhos, particularmente os ácidos eicosapentaenóico e decosahexaenóico. O presente estudo foi estruturado com o objetivo de avaliar que efeitos uma curta suplementaçäo à dieta ocidental com óleo de fígado de bacalhau poderá exercer sobre o tempo de sangramento e o padräo lipídico plasmático em voluntários normais. O autor também faz uma revisäo de estudos recentes e discute seus resultados

Efectos antilipidémicos de un preparado de aceite de hígado de bacalao en 40 pacientes con dislipidemias

Estudiamos el efecto de un preparado nacional de aceite de hígado de bacalao a dosis de 14G. por día, en 40 pacientes con dislipidemias, y comparamos con un placebo en un estudio simple ciego abierto durante dos meses de tratamiento. El efecto sobre los lípidos plasmáticos se documentó luego de un mes de una dieta estándard tipo II de la AHA. El colesterol disminuyó en el grupo tratado solamente en 3%, en tanto que los triglicéridos se redujeron en un 28%. El colesteroL HDL aumentó 15% con el tratamiento. Estos resultados se obtuvieron luego dela reducción que produjo la administración de la dieta, la cual también provocó disminuciones que variaron entre un 6-15% para el colestero y los triglicéridos respectivamente. La tolerancia al preparado administrado en forma de suspensión fue excelente en la mayoría de los pacientes

Efectos del aceite de hígado de bacalao como fuente de ácidos grasos n-3 sobre las lipoproteínas y la viscosidad sanguínea en pacientes con hiperlipoproteinemias primarias / Effects of cod liver oil as a source of fatty acids n-3 on lipoproteins and blood viscosity in patients with primary hyperlipoproteinemia

Las dietas ricas en AG-n-3 se consideran antiaterogénicas. El aceite de hígado de bacalao (AHB) contine 19 g/dl de AG-n-3 y 850 mg de colesterol, por lo cual estudiamos su efecto sobre las lipoproteínas plasmáticas y la viscosidad sanguínea en pacientes con hiperlipoproteinemias primas (clasificados según la OMS) y/o B-VLDL elevada, que se definió por la relación col-VLDL/TG > 0,35, beta ancha en el lipidograma electroforético y test de precipitación con heparina-MgCl2-NaCl. El grupo A, compuesto por pacientes de tipos IIa (n = 4), IIb (4), IV (2) y B-VLDL elevada, 1) recibió 50 ml/día de AHB. El grupo B, compuesto por pacientes por tipo IIa (4), IIb (9), IV (4), B-VLDL elevada (5) y V (2) recibió 25 ml/día. Un mes antes del tratameitno y durante éste dieta de los pacientes era baja en hidratos de carbono refinados, con menos de 300 mg de colesterol al día y supresión de etanol. en las muestras basales y a los 21 días de tratamiento se midieron TG, Col-en VLDL, LDL, HDL2 y HDL3, apo A1 y apo B, viscosidades sanguíneas, sérica y plasmática. En el grupo A disminuyeron TG (p < 0,05), pero col-VLDL/TG aumentó (p < 0,01) y apreció B-VLDL en 6 de 11 pacientes. En el grupo B, bajaron TG y col-VLDL (p < 0,02 y p < 0,05, respectivamente) pero los 5 pacientes con B-VLDL basal no mejoraron. Apo A1 aumentó (p < 0,05). El col-LDL no disminuyó en níngún grupo. El AHB no tiene efecto en pacientes con B-VLDL basal o hiperlipémicos de tipos IIa o IIb, en cambio los pacientes de tipo IV mejoraran. El AHB disminuye la viscosidad sanguínea (p < 0,05) pero no afecta la plasmática