Association of insulin-like growth factor-1 [IGF-1], dietary intake and cognitive functions in normal school age children

Insulin-like growth factor I [IGF-I] is a hormone that mediates the effects of growth hormone and plays a critical role in somatic growth regulation and organ development. It is hypothesized that it also plays a key role in human brain development. The dietary determinants of circulating levels of components of the IGF system are of interest, as these may mediate some of the effects of diet on later health. However, few studies have examined the relationship between diet and IGF-1 levels in children, as well as the relationship between IGF-1 and mental development. To investigate the role of diet on levels of IGF-I and their relationships with measures of IQ in a group of healthy children. The study included 222 apparently healthy children [113 boys and 109 girls], their height for age and weight for age were between 10[th]-90[th] percentiles according to World Health Organization [WHO] growth standards, their age ranged 8-11 years and all were prepubescent. They were chosen randomly from primary schools located in urban Giza Governorate. Nutritional status was assessed by 24-hours dietary intake history and anthropometric measurements [weight, height]. Plasma IGF-1 was evaluated by radioimmu-noassay technique, growth hormone [GH] was determined by immuno-enzymatic assay. Intelligence quotient [IQ] was measured with the Arabic version of the revised-Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children. Familial background was investigated through structured questionnaire. IGF-1 levels [mean +/- SD] were 142.6 +/- 43.3 ng/mL for girls and 139.4 +/- 39.6ng/mL for boys. GH level was within normal range. IQ scores [mean +/- SD] were 101.03 +/- 17.4 and 103.11 +/- 19.8 for boys and girls, respectively. IGF-1 levels were associated positively with IQ [r=0.81, p

Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and lipid profile in children with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and their relation to lipid peroxidation

Type-1 diabetes is one of the major chronic illnesses during childhood. In this study, levels of glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1], lipoproteins and the major groups of polyunsaturated fatty acids in plasma were studied in 30 diabetic patients and compared with 20 non diabetic children. Malondialdhyde, a lipid peroxidation end product was also assayed. In the present work, the parent essential fatty acid, lenoleic acid [LA] was found to be higher in the DM-1 patients than in controls. However, values of the long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids [LCPUFAs] namely [dohom-gamma-Linolenic acid C20:3w6 [DHGLA], arachidonic acid C20:5w6 [AA] and Docosapentanoic acid C20:5w6 [DPA], from omega 6 series as well as docosahexaenoic acid C22:6w3 [DHA] from omega 3 series in diabetic children were found to be significantly lower than non diabetics. This pattern of plasma PUFAs is compatible with a reduced conversion rate of the essential fatty acids [EFA] to their respective longer chain metabolites in DM-1 children. As regards lipoprotein pattern abnormalities could be found except for triglycerides levels. A positive correlation was found between Hb-A1 and each of cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C/Cholesterol, LDL-C/HDL-C and a reversed correlation was encountered between HbA1 and HDL-C. This result emphasizes the relation between poor metabolic control in hyperglycemic patients and increased CVD risk. There is an enhanced lipid peroxidation in DM-1 with affected plasma lipoproteins pattern. Under insulin insufficiency, there is reduced formation of long chain omega 6 PUFA from parent EFA together with a decreased level of omega-3 fatty acids

Polyunsaturated fatty acids and lipid profile in asthmatic Egyptian Children

The profile of polyunsaturated fatty acids [PUFAs] as well as other lipid parameters were studied in 53 Egyptian children [32 males and 21 females], their ages ranged from 4-10 years. The children were divided into 2 groups: asthmatic group [n=33] and non asthmatic healthy group [n=20]. The asthmatic group was subdivided according to the new GINA guidelines into 2 groups: children with mild persistent asthma [n=16] and children with moderate and severe asthma [n=17]. Mean levels of both serum IgE and malondialdehyde showed significant increase in asthmatic children above that of the normal control children. Also, lipid profile showed significantly increased mean levels of each of total cholesterol, LDL, and phospholipids in asthmatics above those of the non asthmatic control group. However the results of triglycerides and HDL mean levels were almost similar to those of the control group. Although results of polyunsaturated fatty acids showed an increase in the mean level of omega 6 fatty acids [Linoleic and Arachidonic] in plasma of asthmatic children as compared to those of the non asthmatics, however, this increase was not significant [p=0.661]. On the other h and, omega 3 series mean levels were reduced in the asthmatic children as compared to those of the non asthmatics. The reduction was not significant [p=0.341] despite the significant reduction of docosahexaenoic acids alone. Ratios between total omega 6 [C18:2 6 + C20:4 6/total omega 3 [C18:3 3 + C22:6 3] as well as ratios between [C20:4 6]/C22:6 3] showed that the ratios were reduced for asthmatic children as compared to those of the non asthmatics; but the difference was not significant [p>0.05]. It is concluded from this study that Omega-6 fatty acids and Omega-3 fatty acids patterns may contribute to symptoms of asthma. So, dietary modification may help patients manage their asthma as well as improving their overall health. Moreover, in view of the current drug treatment regimes which are mainly palliative rather than curative, it appears logical to provide asthmatics with non-harmful approaches as an adjunct to their st and ard asthma care. Antioxidant supplementation may be a promising adjuvant therapy