Effect of a mixture of GOS/FOS® on calcium absorption and retention during recovery from protein malnutrition: experimental model in growing rats.

INTRODUCTION: During growth, protein deprivation impairs epiphyseal growth plate (EGP) height, bone volume (BV) and endochondral ossification. During catch-up growth, Ca availability becomes essential to ensure the extra amount needed to achieve optimal peak bone mass and strength. GOS and FOS improve mineral absorption in the colon. PURPOSE: The effect of a mixture of GOS/FOS® 9:1 added to a 0.5 %Ca (NCa) and a 0.3 %Ca (LCa) diets on Ca, P and Mg absorptions and bone mineralization, density and structure using an experimental model of growing rats recovering from early protein malnutrition was investigated. METHODS: To induce protein malnutrition, rats were fed a low protein diet: 4 % (LPD) during 1 week and then were randomly assigned to recovery groups (R) until day 50 (T = 50) as follows: R0.5 %: NCa; RP0.5 %: NCa + 5.3 % GOS/FOS®; R0.3 %: LCa and RP0.3 %: LCa + 5.3 % GOS/FOS®. Control groups received the 0.5 %Ca or 0.3 %Ca diet from weaning until day 40 or 50. RESULTS: Body weight and length increased in C groups throughout the study; both were arrested in all R during LPD consumption and increased immediately after re-feeding. Independently of dietary Ca content, LS counts, ß-glucosidase and Ca, P and Mg absorption increased, whereas cecum pH, ß-glucuronidase, urease and tryptophanase decreased in RP0.5 %: and RP0.3 %: as compared to the other studied groups (p < 0.01). Prebiotic consumption decreased CTX levels and increased femur Ca, Mg and P contents, total skeleton bone mineral content, proximal tibia and spine BMD, BV, EGP height and hypertrophic zone thickness, stiffness and elastic modulus as compared to recovery groups fed the prebiotic-free diets. CONCLUSION: Under the present experimental conditions, GOS/FOS® mixture induced colonic positive effects, which increased Ca, P and Mg absorption. Thus, consuming the prebiotic-containing diet resulted in an extra amount of minerals that improved bone development in growing rats recovering from protein malnutrition.

Effect of a combination GOS/FOS® prebiotic mixture and interaction with calcium intake on mineral absorption and bone parameters in growing rats.

AIM: Increasing calcium intake is the most effective strategy for avoiding Ca deficit. However, if intake remains inadequate, improving Ca absorption becomes an important tool to optimize Ca homeostasis and bone health. PURPOSE: The effect of a mixture of GOS/FOS(®) 9:1 added to a normal- or low-Ca diets on Ca absorption and bone mineralization, density and structure was investigated, in a model of growing rats. Several colonic parameters to help support the findings were also evaluated. RESULTS: Weanling Wistar rats received one of the four experimental AIN-93G diets: C5: 0.5% Ca; C3: 0.3% Ca; P5: 0.5% Ca + 5.3% GOS/FOS(®); P3: 0.3% Ca + 5.3% GOS/FOS(®) until 50 days (T = 50). At T = 50, lactobacillus and cecum weights were higher, whereas cecum pH was lower in P5 and P3 versus C5 and C3 (p < 0.001). At T = 50, fecal Ca, Mg and P were lower and their absorptions (mg/dL) were higher in P5 and P3 versus C5 and C3, respectively (p < 0.05). Ca, Mg and P absorption % was higher in P5 and P3 versus C5 and C3 (p < 0.001). Femur Ca and P content, bone mineral content, trabecular bone mineral density, tibia length, bone volume, osteoblast surface, stiffness and elastic modulus were higher in P5 and P3 versus C5 and C3 (p < 0.05). Despite the lower Ca content, P3 group reached similar values than C5 in all these latter parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Supplementing diets with the GOS/FOS(®) mixture increased bone mineralization, density and structure due to an increase in Ca, P and Mg absorptions. Thus, this prebiotic mixture may help to improve bone development in a period of high calcium requirements.

Low dietary calcium and obesity: a comparative study in genetically obese and normal rats during early growth.

PURPOSE: A low calcium intake (LCaI) may predispose to obesity, and excessive fat mass may be detrimental to bone. The impact of Ca inadequacy would be greater in subjects predisposed to obesity. LCaI effect on obesity development during the rapid growth period was compared in two strains of rats: spontaneously obese IIMb/ß (O) and Wistar (W). Pregnant rats were fed 0.5% (N) or 0.2% (L) of Ca (OLCa, ONCa, WLCa and WNCa). Male pups were fed the maternal diet until day 60. METHODS: Body composition, lipid profile, glucose homeostasis, 25 hydroxyvitamin D, Ca-phosphorus, and bone metabolism were evaluated. RESULTS: BW and body fat were higher, whereas body protein was lower in OLCa versus ONCa (p < 0.05). OLCa presented the highest body fat, glucose, non-HDL and total cholesterol, TGL, insulin levels, and HOMA-IR, liver weight, and adipose perigonadal plus retroperitoneal pads (p < 0.05). WLCa did not exhibit an increase BW and only showed a slight change in body composition with minor biochemical alterations compared to WNCa (p < 0.05). Osteocalcin, CTX, and proximal tibia and lumbar spine BMDs were lower in O than in W rats fed the same Ca diet (p < 0.05). Body ash and Ca content, and total skeleton BMC/BW were lower in OLCa and WLCa versus their corresponding NCa groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The negative effect of a low Ca diet on fat mass accumulation and lipid profile may be more evident in rats predisposed to obesity. Nevertheless, low CaI interferes with the normal glucose homeostasis leading to an increase in insulin resistance. Low CaI during early growth may be an obesogenic factor that may persist into adult life and may account for the development of obesity and some of its co-morbidities.

Comparative 25-OH-vitamin D level in institutionalized women older than 65 years from two cities in Spain and Argentina having a similar solar radiation index.

OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluated and compared vitamin D nutritional status and calcium-phosphorus metabolism in institutionalized women >65 y from two cities that have a similar sun irradiation index (heliophany). METHODS: The study was carried out in women living in similar social-status institutions from geographic cities having a similar solar radiation index (Lleida, Spain, n=49, and suburban Buenos Aires, Argentina [BA], n=48) at the end of summer. RESULTS: Fish consumption was higher in the Lleida group, as was red-meat consumption in the BA group. In both groups mean calcium intake was 800 mg/d. The daily intake of vitamin D was higher in the BA group (P<0.001). A total of 90% in Lleida and 86% in BA had 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels <20 ng/mL. A significant inverse correlation between individual 25OHD and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels was observed in the two groups of women (r=-0.329, P=0.035). PTH levels >100 pg/mL were found in 24% and 20% of women in Lleida and BA, respectively. There was a marked increase in carboxy-terminal telopeptide cross-links of type I collagen levels and a decrease in 25OHD with an increase in PTH levels (P<0.05). Conversely, bone alkaline phosphatase increased significantly only when the PTH concentration duplicated the reference range. CONCLUSION: Even at the end of summer, vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency was prevalent in the two studied institutionalized elderly women. In the narrow range of the dietary calcium intake (close to 800 mg/d) of both studied groups, secondary hyperparathyroidism was absent when 25OHD levels were >17 ng/dL, indicating changes in the regulation control of serum PTH and consequently the changes in this threshold. As a result, vitamin D deficiency must be reversed to avoid the increment in bone turnover and to ensure the endocrine and paracrine functions of vitamin D for overall health and well-being.

[Pica during pregnancy: a frequently underestimated problem]. / La pica durante el embarazo: un trastorno frecuentemente subestimado.

Pica is the compulsive intake of non-nutritive substances such as earth, clay, chalk, soap and ice. The most common forms of pica are geophagia or the intake of earth and pagophagia or the intake of ice. The description of this peculiar phenomenon dates back to the Greco-Roman civilization. Its prevalence during pregnancy is generally underestimated. Published data reveal a prevalence of between 8% and 65%. Investigations from Latin America indicate a prevalence of 23% to 44%. It is not clear yet which are the causes that predispose to pica, but they are frequently associated with anemia or iron deficiency during pregnancy. Its diagnosis, which only consists in questioning pregnant women, is generally omitted during prenatal care, probably because health professionals have no knowledge about this disorder. The identification of pica in pregnant women could contribute to the detection of a risk group where it is necessary to implement strategies as regards both the evaluation and the nutritional education.

Consumo de alimentos e ingesta de algunos nutrientes en la población de la Universidad Nacional de Luján, Argentina / Food comsumption and intake of several nutrients of Luján University's population, Argentina

Se llevó a cabo en la población de la Universidad Nacional de Luján una encuesta dietética de recordatorio de 24 hs. Para evaluar: a) el consumo de alimentos y el aporte energético efectuado por el grupo de cereales, y b) la adecuación de la ingesta de proteínas, calcio, hierro, vitaminas A, B1, B2, C y niacina. La muestra (16 por ciento de la población y 4 por ciento en cada una de las estaciones del año) estuvo compuesta por: 189 varones (G1V) y 209 mujeres (G1M) de 18 a 24 años; y 189 varones (G2V) y 240 mujeres (G2M), entre 25 y 50 años. El aporte energético de los cereales (90 por ciento trigo) fue 32 por ciento en las mujeres jóvenes, entre el 40 por ciento y 48 por ciento en los otros tres grupos. El consumo promedio diario de carne vacuna osciló entre 90,5 y 128,7 g en las mujeres y fue superior a 140,0 g en los varones. El consumo de productos lácteos, así como el de frutas y verduras fue muy bajo en todo los grupos. La ingesta promedio de proteínas fue superior a 1,25 g/kg/día en el 50 por ciento de la población total. La ingesta de calcio fue inferior a la ingestas recomendadas en el 71 por ciento de G1M. 62 por ciento de G2M, 64 por ciento de G1V y 65 por ciento de G2V. Las ingestas promedio de hierro oscilaron entre 16,4 y 20,8 mg/día en las mujeres y 17,5 y 19,2 mg/día en los varones, siendo aportado por las carnes: G1M 16 por ciento, G2M 21 por ciento, G1V 34 por ciento y G2V 26 por ciento (lo que implica una biodisponibilidad elevada), y por las infusiones, fundamentalmente el mate (56 por ciento en G1M, 12 por ciento en G1V, 25 por ciento G2V y 29 por ciento G2M). La ingesta de vitamina A superó las ingestas recomendadas entre el 26 por ciento y el 41 por ciento en los diferentes grupos. La ingesta promedio de vitamina B1 representó el 89 por ciento de las ingestas recomendadas en los varones jóvenes y las superó en los demás grupos. La ingesta promedio de vitamina B2 superó las ingestas recomendadas en todos los grupos, con una gran disposición de valores. Este comportamiento se repitió en el caso de la vitamina C y la niacina. Los resultados expresados muestran un elevado consumo de proteínas, bajo consumo de láteos, lo que trae aparejado una insuficiente ingesta de calcio y vitamina A, y bajo consumo de frutas, verduras y hortalizas. Además, desde el punto de vista toxicológico, el predominio del consumo de alimentos derivados del trigo alerta...

Indicadores bioquimicos e ingesta de hierro en un grupo de gestantes de gran Buenos Aires / Biochemical iron status and intake in a population of pregnant women of Buenos Aires

Se estudió la relación entre ingesta de Fe (IFe) e indicadores bioquímicos (IB) en 113 gestantes clinicamente sanas (edad: 24,8 + 6,1 años), assistidas en el Htal. Paroissien (La Matanza, Buenos Aires). Al comienzo del segundo trimestre del embarazo (edad gestacional: 16,9 + 3,8 semanas) se realizó una encuesta dietética, por recordatorio de 24 hs, calculando la ingesta de hierro (IFe) en base a Tablas de Composición de Alimentos latinoamericanas y alemanas; el mismo día se determinó: en sangre entera, Hematocrito, Hemoglobina (Hb) y Protoporfirina Eritrocitaria (PE); en suero: ferritina (FERR). La IFe (X + DE) mg/día) fue: 10,8 + 4,6. El porcentaje de mujeres con IB inadecuados fue: Hb (g/dl) < 10.5: 2 por ciento; PE > 70 mug/dl de glóbulos rojos: 6,5 por ciento; FERR (ng/ml) < 12: 6 por ciento; 12 - 20: 16 por ciento. Según el Instituto Americano de Medicina, sólo en las gestantes con FERR < 20 ng/ml (22 por ciento) seria aconsejable la suplementación con Fe, haciéndose necesario en las restantes realizar el seguimiento bioquímico del estado de los depósitos, antes de la administración de suplementos de Fe.

Indicadores bioquimicos e ingesta de hierro en un grupo de gestantes de gran Buenos Aires / Biochemical iron status and intake in a population of pregnant women of Buenos Aires

Se estudió la relación entre ingesta de Fe (IFe) e indicadores bioquímicos (IB) en 113 gestantes clinicamente sanas (edad: 24,8 + 6,1 años), assistidas en el Htal. Paroissien (La Matanza, Buenos Aires). Al comienzo del segundo trimestre del embarazo (edad gestacional: 16,9 + 3,8 semanas) se realizó una encuesta dietética, por recordatorio de 24 hs, calculando la ingesta de hierro (IFe) en base a Tablas de Composición de Alimentos latinoamericanas y alemanas; el mismo día se determinó: en sangre entera, Hematocrito, Hemoglobina (Hb) y Protoporfirina Eritrocitaria (PE); en suero: ferritina (FERR). La IFe (X + DE) mg/día) fue: 10,8 + 4,6. El porcentaje de mujeres con IB inadecuados fue: Hb (g/dl) < 10.5: 2 por ciento; PE > 70 mug/dl de glóbulos rojos: 6,5 por ciento; FERR (ng/ml) < 12: 6 por ciento; 12 - 20: 16 por ciento. Según el Instituto Americano de Medicina, sólo en las gestantes con FERR < 20 ng/ml (22 por ciento) seria aconsejable la suplementación con Fe, haciéndose necesario en las restantes realizar el seguimiento bioquímico del estado de los depósitos, antes de la administración de suplementos de Fe. (AU)