Dioxins and furans maternal transfer: A study of breast milk and cord serum levels among Lebanese mothers and associations with newborn anthropometric measurements.

Dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs) are anthropogenic pollutants that persist in the environment for long years, bioaccumulating in food & contaminating humans. In pregnancy, they can transfer through the placenta and reach the fetus, which negatively affects fetal growth. They can also reach newborns through breastfeeding. In this study, we focused on this critical subpopulation and identified the presence of PCDD/Fs among pregnant women in breast milk (n = 41) and cord serum (n = 49); we assessed the correlation between different matrices, evaluated the predictors and associations with newborn anthropometric measurements. Over 70.7 % of PCDD/Fs were detected in breast milk and 46.9-55.1 % in cord serum. Cord/maternal serum and breast milk to maternal serum ratios were > 1 with a significant positive Spearman correlation (0.669-0.729). Breast milk & maternal serum PCDD/Fs were associated inversely with age and positively with red meat intake. Cord serum PCDD/Fs were inversely associated with pre-pregnancy weight loss and passive smoking. Parity and gestational weight gain showed positive associations with Z-scores at birth. Z-score differences showed negative and positive associations with passive smoking and pre-pregnancy BMI respectively.

Assessment of prerequisite programs implementation at food packaging manufacturing companies and hygiene status of food packaging in a developing country: Cross-sectional study.

Food packaging has a critical role in all food types and along the food chain from product preservation to transportation, distribution, storage, retailing, and end-use. However, it can become a source of contamination and transfer of microorganisms to the packed food when its hygienic status is not well maintained. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Prerequisite programs (PRPs) implementation in 5 food packaging companies across Mount Lebanon through on-site inspections and to assess the compliance of contact surfaces, employee hands and packaging materials to microbiological specifications. Following on-site inspection, none of the companies achieved a full total score of 100% and scores ranged from 25 to 62%. Regarding the assessment of hygienic status of contact surfaces, non-conforming results (acceptable limit ≤0.6 log colony forming units (CFU)/cm2) were observed in 50% (5/10) of the surfaces for total viable count (TVC). For the employee hands, none of the hand swab samples (10/10) was conforming for TVC that was present in all samples above the acceptable limit. Highest and lowest reported values were 4.4 and 1.7 log CFU/hands respectively. For packaging samples collected during on-site inspections, TVC and yeasts and molds were detected in 20% (2/10) of the samples. However, the samples collected from the retail market, had higher contamination rates of 95% (19/20) and 65% (13/20) for TVC and yeasts and molds, respectively. As for Enterobacteriaceae, it was not detected in all tested contact surfaces, employees' hands, and packaging samples. PRPs assessment and related verification activities showed the need for companies to strengthen their hygienic programs and highlighted the importance of food safety management systems (FSMS) implementation not only in food companies but also in food packaging companies. Additionally, the effectiveness of PRPs implementation should be assessed on planned routine basis.

Maternal Serum, Cord and Human Milk Levels of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), Association with Predictors and Effect on Newborn Anthropometry.

BACKGROUND: The understanding of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) health effects is rapidly advancing among critical populations. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess PFAS serum levels among Lebanese pregnant women, cord serum and human milk levels, their determinants, and effects on newborn anthropometry. METHODS: We measured concentrations of six PFAS (PFHpA, PFOA, PFHxS, PFOS, PFNA and PFDA) using liquid chromatography MS/MS for 419 participants, of which 269 had sociodemographic, anthropometric, environmental and dietary information. RESULTS: The percentage of detection for PFHpA, PFOA, PFHxS and PFOS was 36.3-37.7%. PFOA and PFOS levels (95th percentile) were higher than HBM-I and HBM-II values. While PFAS were not detected in cord serum, five compounds were detected in human milk. Multivariate regression showed that fish/shellfish consumption, vicinity to illegal incineration and higher educational level were associated with an almost twice higher risk of elevated PFHpA, PFOA, PFHxS and PFOS serum levels. Higher PFAS levels in human milk were observed with higher eggs and dairy products consumption, in addition to tap water (preliminary findings). Higher PFHpA was significantly associated with lower newborn weight-for-length Z-score at birth. CONCLUSIONS: Findings establish the need for further studies, and urgent action to reduce exposure among subgroups with higher PFAS levels.

Serum levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans in a sample of Lebanese pregnant women: The role of dietary, anthropometric, and environmental factors.

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) are unintentionally produced, toxic environmental chemicals that persist for long years and bioaccumulate along the food chain, contaminating humans through diet. A particularly critical population subgroup is pregnant women given the adverse health effects on fetuses and newborns. Several anthropogenic sources of exposure to PCDD/Fs exist in Lebanon. Therefore, the aim of the present cross-sectional study is to measure the levels of PCDD/Fs in a sample of pregnant women in Lebanon and to explore potential associated factors. In this study, we measured serum concentrations of seven dioxins and ten furans, among 423 pregnant women recruited at delivery, using gas chromatography MS/MS. Among 269 participants, maternal sociodemographic information was collected including vicinity to landfills, incineration, pesticide use, industrial activity, and smoking. Anthropometric data were registered regarding pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), pre-pregnancy weight loss from restrictive diet, and gestational weight gain. Intake of major food groups generally related to PCDD/Fs was reported (fish, red meat, poultry, and dairy). Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify associations. PCDD/Fs were detected in 0 to 56.1% of the sample. Geometric mean concentrations were 75.5 (2.35) pg/g lipid and 2.25 (1.39) TEQ2005 pg/g lipid for total dioxins, and 2.66 (1.76) pg/g lipid and 0.34 (1.78) TEQ2005 pg/g lipid for total furans. Levels were relatively lower than levels previously observed in France, Germany, Mexico, Ghana, and Japan. Red meat consumption was the most consistently associated factor with a 2.38-2.57 fold increase in PCDD/F levels. Pre-pregnancy weight loss showed inverse associations with PCDD/F congeners. Vicinity to illegal incineration was also associated with a 2.32-2.43 fold increase in PCDD/F levels. In conclusion, results showed the importance of dietary, anthropometric, and environmental factors in the present sample's exposure to PCDD/Fs, in a region that contains anthropogenic sources of contamination.

Pediatric Health Risk Assessment for Exposure to Aluminum from Infant Formulas and Children under the Age of Five's Food Products among Arab Infants: Experience from Lebanon.

Chronic dietary aluminum (Al) exposure can have various negative effects on health. The aim of our study is to (1) assess the contamination level of Al in infant formulas (n = 41) and baby food products (n = 76) available in the Lebanese market, and to (2) evaluate the margin of exposure of Al through the consumption of these foods among children under the age of five in Lebanon. Flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) was used to evaluate all of the samples. Al levels in all tested children's food items were below the limit of detection. The highest Al level was detected in cornflakes (0.361 ± 0.049 mg/kg) and pureed foods (0.362 ± 0.079 mg/kg). Among infants aged 0−23 months, the average Al exposure due to the daily intake of infant formulas and baby foods was 0.01 and 0.0104 mg/kg BW/day for males and females, respectively. Babies aged 8−10 and 3−5 months had the highest and lowest levels of Al exposure, respectively. Additionally, the toxicological contribution of Al exposure determined for several age groups to a provisional tolerated weekly intake (PTWI) set by JECFA was <6% and <7% for males and females, respectively. The total Al exposure through the consumption of infant formulas and complementary foods among all ages in both males and females was below the values of weekly tolerable intakes (2 mg/kg/BW/W) set by JECFA. However, the values of hazard quotient (HQ) exceeded 1 in both male and female Lebanese infants. As a result, the risk of infants being exposed to Al in baby foods needs to be continuously considered.

Association between dietary quality indices and serum polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides levels among Lebanese adults.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) remain a global concern in both developed and developing countries. Given that diet constitutes the major route of exposure to these pollutants, the objective of the current study is to investigate PCBs and OCPs serum levels in relation to dietary quality indices in a sample of Lebanese adults. Sociodemographic, nutritional, and anthropometric data were obtained from 302 participants in face-to-face interviews. Nutritional intakes from a previously validated quantitative 164-item food frequency questionnaire were used to calculate six a priori dietary indices: Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2015), alternate Healthy Eating Index (aHEI), Diet Quality Index-International (DQI-I), Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (Med-DQI), Med-DQIf, Mediterranean Diet Scale (MDS), and Mediterranean Diet Score (MedDietScore). Serum levels of six indicator PCBs (PCBs 28, 52, 101, 138, 153, 180) and four OCPs (HCB, ß-HCH, DDT, and DDE) were investigated in relation to diet quality indices. Individuals with a higher adherence to the HEI-2015 and to the Mediterranean diet assessed by the Med-DQI/Med-DQIf displayed increased levels of OCPs (HCB, ßHCH, DDT, and DDE). An inverted U-shaped association was observed between DQI-I and PCBs serum levels (PCBs 138, 153, 180, and Æ©PCBs). This is the first study in the Middle East and North Africa region to investigate the association between POPs serum levels and a substantial number of a priori dietary indices. The impact of different food combinations and nutrient interactions on pollutants body burden and toxicity remains to be established in future studies.

Maternal and cord serum levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) among Lebanese pregnant women and predictors of exposure.

In this study, the six indicator non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls NDL-PCBs (PCB28, PCB52, PCB101, PCB138, PCB153, PCB180), as well as four organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), ß-hexachlorocyclohexane (ß-HCH), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), and dichlorodiphenyldichlorethylene (DDE) were measured in 98 maternal and 49 cord sera samples of a group of Lebanese women who gave birth in three hospitals in Greater Beirut, between March and July 2018. Results showed that the levels of these persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in maternal serum were below critical limits as well as those in other countries (Tunisia, France, Portugal, Spain, Poland, Greenland, Canada, Brazil, and China). The ratios of cord serum concentrations to maternal serum concentrations of analyzed POPs were higher than 1. PCB maternal serum concentrations were found to be linked to illegal incineration (OR = 5.78; p = 0.004) as well as eggs (OR = 4.68; p = 0.027) and fruits and vegetables consumption (OR = 3.92; p = 0.016). OCP concentrations were linked to red meat and cold cuts intake (OR = 3.67-4.59; p = 0.001-0.004). While PCB levels were not correlated to newborns anthropometric measurements, OCP levels in cord serum were found to be positively linked to the birth length of newborns (p = 0.014-0.027).

Nutritional value of the Middle Eastern diet: analysis of total sugar, salt, and iron in Lebanese traditional dishes.

Background: The expanding burden of diet-related non-communicable diseases in the Eastern Mediterranean Countries requires urgent public health vigilance and actions. This study aimed at establishing a database analysis of total sugar, salt and iron content in Lebanese foods, focusing on traditional dishes. Methods: The collection of food samples was done using stratified sampling techniques. These samples were classified into five strata, taking into account variation by geographical area (Mount Lebanon, Bekaa, Beirut, Tripoli, and Saida). The number of samples per governorate was estimated to be 30 according to the variability in the dishes' composition. Food samples were chemically analyzed for total sugar, salt, and iron. Results: Among all the governorates, all the tested traditional Lebanese dishes contained little total sugar. More than 60% of the samples tested were rich in sodium. The sodium content ranges were 120-720 mg/100 g in Mount Lebanon, 240-960 mg/100 g in Bekaa, 80-520 mg/100g in Beirut, 252-1952 mg/100g in Tripoli and 40-680 mg/100 g in Saida. The highest mean amount of sodium was observed in the dishes Fatayer Sabanikh and Malfouf Mehche (≥ 600 mg/100 g). Furthermore, more than 80% of the samples had poor amounts of iron in all governorates. Conclusion: This study emphasizes the need for multi-cultural education and awareness on food sources of salt and iron, and the health effects regarding high intake of salt and low intake of iron. This study is a stepping stone for further research exploring total sugar, salt and iron content of traditional dishes, as well as potential intake by individuals in the Lebanese population.

Zinc, aluminium, tin and Bis-phenol a in canned tuna fish commercialized in Lebanon and its human health risk assessment.

One of the drawbacks of canning is the migration of various chemicals from the package into the food product. This work aimed at analyzing the concentrations of Bisphenol A (in 137 samples) and heavy metals (in 51 samples) of canned tuna commercialized in Lebanon while evaluating the variability across different brands, packing media, layer, and proximity to the expiry date. Accordingly, BPA was detected in 12 samples out of the 137 samples, run in duplicates. The estimated daily intake of BPA for the selected samples (n = 274) was lower than the tolerable daily intake of BPA, 0.004 mg/kg/day. Therefore, there is no health risk associated with BPA as a result of consuming canned tuna commercialized in the Lebanese market. Besides, the study has shown that 66 samples out of 102 were contaminated with Zn whereas 100% of the samples were contaminated with Aluminum and Tin. However, the calculated Health Risk Index of all the considered heavy metals are all within the safe limits as defined by EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) and Codex Alimentarius.

Muscular Maximal Strength Indices and Bone Variables in a Group of Elderly Women.

The aim of the present study was to explore the relations between muscular maximal strength indices and bone parameters (bone mineral density [BMD], hip geometry indices, and trabecular bone score [TBS]) in a group of elderly women. This study included 35 healthy elderly women whose ages range between 65 and 75 yr (68.1 ± 3.1 yr). BMD (in gram per square centimeter) was determined for each individual by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at the whole body, lumbar spine (L1-L4), total hip (TH), and femoral neck (FN). L1-L4 TBS and hip geometry indices were also evaluated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Maximal muscle strength of bench press (1-repetition maximum [RM] bench press), maximal muscle strength of leg press (1-RM leg press), and handgrip were measured using validated methods. 1-RM bench press was positively correlated to TH BMD (r = 0.40; p < 0.05), FN BMD (r = 0.41; p < 0.05), FN section modulus (r = 0.33; p < 0.05), and FN cross-sectional moment of inertia (r = 0.35; p < 0.05). 1-RM leg press was positively correlated to TH BMD (r = 0.50; p < 0.01), FN BMD (r = 0.35; p < 0.05), FN cross-sectional area (r = 0.38; p < 0.05), and TBS (r = 0.37; p < 0.05). Handgrip was correlated only to FN cross-sectional moment of inertia (r = 0.43; p < 0.01). This study suggests that 1-RM bench press and 1-RM leg press are positive determinants of BMD in elderly women.

Optimization of enzymatic analytical method for poultry meat.

Chilling and freezing are essential for poultry meat preservation. Fresh poultry, visually indistinguishable from frozen-thawed poultry, presents an attractive target for adulteration. Activity levels of the mitochondrial enzyme ß-hydroxyacyl-CoA-dehydrogenase (HADH) can indicate previous freezing. This study aims to optimize the analysis method and determine a more sensitive cut-off limit distinguishing fresh from frozen poultry. 125 chicken breasts were sampled from the Lebanese market. Two sets of chilled breasts were analyzed before and after freezing at -22 °C for 5 days, with/without defrosting at 4 °C for 24 h. Frozen breasts samples were studied before and after refreezing at -22 °C. HADH activity was measured by spectrophotometry and found to be significantly higher for frozen samples. Using a cut off limit of 0.3, resulted in the correct identification of all frozen poultry samples instead of 93%. Greater control over incorrectly labelled poultry meat and increased consumer protection can be achieved using the modified thermal identification method.

Patterns of PCBs and OCPs exposure in a sample of Lebanese adults: The role of diet and physical activity.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the general population is 90% from food intake. Dietary patterns provide a global estimation of exposure to POPs, taking into account multiple food sources of environmental contaminants. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association of dietary, socio-demographic, anthropometric, and lifestyle-related variables with clusters of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), in a sample of students and employees of Saint Joseph University of Beirut. METHODS: A total of 302 participants were randomly recruited. Questionnaires covering dietary, socio-demographic, and lifestyle-related characteristics were administered. Anthropometric measurements were obtained. Serum concentrations of six indicator PCBs (PCB 28, 52, 101, 138, 153 and 180) and four OCPs, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), ß-hexachlorocyclohexanes (ß-HCH), p,p'-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolite p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) were measured, and cluster analysis was applied. We evaluated the association of dietary intake with PCBs/OCPs exposure using two different approaches: food consumption categories and dietary patterns retrieved from principal component analysis (PCA). RESULTS: Three clusters of PCBs/OCPs were obtained: middle-level, high-level, and low-level. Practicing physical activity was associated with a three times higher risk of having high-level PCBs/OCPs, after adjustment for confounding variables (ORa = 2.97; CI = 1.23-7.19; p < 0.05). The highest tertile of fish and shellfish consumption increased by three-folds the odds of having high-level PCBs/OCPs (ORa = 3.41; CI = 1.07-10.84; p < 0.05). PCA revealed six dietary patterns. A "cereals, fats and oils, and eggs" dietary pattern was associated with 50% increase in the risk of having high-level PCBs/OCPs (ORa = 1.48; CI = 1.03-2.13; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The present results offer a valuable contribution to the understanding of the factors increasing exposure to POPs, namely fish consumption and the "cereals, fats and oils, and eggs" dietary pattern. We also demonstrated that physical activity was positively associated with a higher risk of exposure to PCBs and OCPs, knowing that data on this matter are scarce.

Effects of selenium supplementation on lung oxidative stress after exposure to exhaust emissions from pyrolysis oil, biodiesel and diesel.

The exposure to exhaust emissions from fuels as diesel and pyrolysis oil may result in adverse effects on human lungs. This study investigated the effects of exposing mice to the exhaust emissions from diesel, biodiesel or pyrolysis oil, for 1 hour/day for 3 days, on lung oxidative stress and whether selenium administration into these mice affects the oxidative stress. The levels of lung malondialdehyde and nitric oxide were increased after exposure to pyrolysis oil exhaust. The intraperitoneal injection of 1.78 µg selenium/kg body weight 15 minutes before the exposure to the pyrolysis oil exhaust (pyrolysis oil + selenium group) restored the normal levels of malondialdehyde and nitric oxide. The catalase and SOD activities were decreased in the groups of the mice exposed to the exhaust emissions from pyrolysis oil, biodiesel or diesel. Selenium pretreatment of these groups showed no significant change in the activities of both enzymes. In conclusion, the increased lung levels of malondialdehyde and nitric oxide after the exposure to the exhaust emission from pyrolysis oil were restored to normal by selenium administration.

Simultaneous migration of bisphenol compounds and trace metals in canned vegetable food.

For the very first time, this study investigates the simultaneous migration of several metals and bisphenol compounds from coated tinplate cans into vegetable foods highly consumed worldwide. The role played by heat treatment, food type and brand, storage conditions, can denting and cooking food directly in cans is also assessed. Migration of bisphenol compounds (only BPA and BADGE·2H2O detected) was mainly affected by sterilization, whereas metal release was greatly influenced by storage. Based on a Principal Component Analysis different migration pattern groups were highlighted: BPA and Zn (and Pb to a lesser extent) showed similar migration trends, with dependence on food type, brand and storage temperature. Cd, Ni and Cu were similarly influenced by food type and can brand. Fe has a particular trend, with clear influence of storage time, and to a lesser extent of food type. Overall Fe and BADGE·2H2O migration were favored in acidic food.

Bone Geometric Properties of the Femoral Neck in Underweight Eumenorrheic Women.

The aim of this study was to describe femoral neck (FN) geometry among eumenorrheic underweight women around the age of peak bone mass. Proximal femur geometry and body composition were assessed in 12 underweight women and in 24 healthy controls using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The Hip Structural Analysis program was used to determine bone geometry at the FN. The cross-sectional area (CSA) and the cross-sectional moment of inertia (CSMI) were significantly lower in underweight women than in controls (p < 0.05). There was a trend toward lower sectional modulus (Z) and strength index in underweight women (p < 0.15). Body weight, body mass index, and lean mass (LM) were positively correlated with CSA, CSMI, Z, and neck-shaft angle (r = 0.428-0.611, p < 0.05). After controlling for body weight, body mass index, and LM, the differences in CSA, CSMI, Z, and neck-shaft angle were no more statistically significant between the 2 groups. The multivariate analysis retained LM as the main predictor of CSA, CSMI, and Z in the whole population. The present study suggests that thinness is associated with low resistance to axial forces (CSA) and bending load (Z and CSMI) in adult eumenorrheic women. LM seems to be a key determinant of FN geometry in underweight women.

The relationships between bone variables and physical fitness across the BMI spectrum in young adult women.

In this cross-sectional study we aimed to evaluate the relationship between physical fitness and bone variables across the body mass index (BMI) spectrum in women aged 20-35 years. The study included 13 underweight women (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2), 24 normal weight women (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m2), and 20 overweight/obese women (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) aged between 20 and 35 years. Bone mineral density (BMD) and content (BMC) at the whole body, lumbar spine, and femoral neck, lumbar spine trabecular bone score, femoral neck geometry were assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Cardiorespiratory fitness and lower limb muscle power were estimated using the 20-m shuttle run test and the Sargent jump test, respectively. The associations between bone variables and physical fitness were different according to BMI categories. Correlations between physical fitness and bone parameters are particularly significant in normal BMI and less significant in low and high BMI. Multivariate ANCOVA regression models demonstrated that absolute VO2max (L/min) is a strong determinant of all the bone parameters regardless of BMI. Implementing strategies for increasing VO2max (L/min) by increasing lean mass and promoting resistance and/or high-intensity interval training could be effective to optimize bone health in underweight and overweight young adult women.

Positive Correlations Between Free Vitamin D and Bone Variables in a Group of Young Lebanese Women.

Optimizing bone mass in adulthood is of great importance to prevent the occurrence of osteoporosis in later age. Vitamin D is an essential component of bone health. Low-serum vitamin D is associated with low bone mineral density (BMD), which is an important predictor of fracture risk. However, most cells, apart from renal tubular cells, are exposed to free rather than to total 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Whether free vitamin D would be a better marker than total vitamin D is still under debate. The aim of the present study was to explore the relationships between serum total vitamin D, vitamin D-binding protein (BP), free vitamin D, and bone parameters in a group of young Lebanese women. This study included 88 young female adults aged between 18 and 35 yr. Body composition and BMD were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and the lumbar spine trabecular bone score was derived. Bone mineral content (BMC) and BMD were measured at the whole body (WB), the lumbar spine (L1-L4), the total hip (TH), and the femoral neck (FN). To evaluate hip bone geometry, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans were analyzed at the FN, the intertrochanteric region, and the femoral shaft by the Hip Structure Analysis program. The cross-sectional area, the index of axial compression strength, and the section modulus (Z), as well as index of bending strength, were measured from bone mass profiles. Composite indices of FN strength (compressive strength index [CSI], bending strength index, and impact strength index [ISI]) were calculated as previously described. Direct measurement of free 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations was performed by immunoassay, which detects free vitamin D by ELISA on a microtiter plate. Serum vitamin D BP was measured using a Quantikine ELISA kit, which employed the quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay technique. Serum free vitamin D was positively correlated with WB BMC (r = 0.26, p < 0.05), WB BMD (r = 0.29, p < 0.05), L1-L4 BMD (r = 0.28, p < 0.05), TH BMD (r = 0.34, p < 0.01), FN BMD (r = 0.29, p < 0.05), CSI (r = 0.24, p < 0.05), and ISI (r = 0.28, p < 0.05). No positive correlations were detected between the total vitamin D level, the vitamin D BPs, and BMD. The positive associations between free vitamin D and several bone variables (WB BMC, WB BMD, L1-L4 BMD, TH BMD, FN BMD, CSI, bending strength index, and ISI) remained significant after adjustment for weight. In conclusion, the current study suggests that the free vitamin D serum level is a stronger positive determinant of bone parameters and hip bone strength indices in young female adults than total serum vitamin D.

Vitamin D and Trabecular Bone Score in a Group of Young Lebanese Adults.

The relationship between vitamin D and trabecular bone score (TBS) in young adults remains unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] serum levels and TBS in a healthy adult population. A total of 54 men and 61 women whose ages range from 18 to 35 participated in the present study. Participants with 25(OH)D insufficiency (between 21 and 29 ng/mL) were 55.7%, and those with 25(OH)D deficiency (≤20 ng/mL) were 11.4%. TBS positively correlated with 25(OH)D in men (r = 0.393; p <0.05) and women (r = 0.324; p < 0.05). In both genders, TBS was significantly higher in 25(OH)D-sufficient participants (≥30 ng/mL). The present study provides evidence that vitamin D positively affects bone health and suggests that maintaining adequate vitamin D status may be essential for optimal TBS values.

Serum concentrations of selected organochlorine pesticides in a Lebanese population and their associations to sociodemographic, anthropometric and dietary factors: ENASB study.

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were banned by the Stockholm Convention many years ago; however, they are still detected in the environment due to their high persistence, their current illegal use, and their import from countries where they have not been banned. We evaluated the serum concentrations of selected OCPs (hexachlorobenzene (HCB), ß-hexachlorocyclohexanes (ß-HCH), p,p'-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolite p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) in a sample of Lebanese adults using gas chromatography coupled to an ion trap mass spectrometer detector. The mean concentrations of HCB, ß-HCH, DDT, and DDE were 7.1, 8.6, 2.1, and 18.9 ng/g of lipids, respectively, and the major contributor among the four OCPs was DDE. The OCP levels in the present study were in general lower than the values observed in several countries worldwide and their concentrations at the 95th percentile were lower than the biomonitoring equivalents (BEs) excluding any appreciable health risk. We observed an inverse association between HCB concentrations and body mass index (BMI) as well as HCB, ß-HCH, and DDE levels, and smoking habits. Milk consumption however was positively associated with an increased serum level of ß-HCH. This study, which was the first to investigate OCP serum levels in a Lebanese population, provides a baseline to which future measurements can be compared.