Orally administered whey proteins have comparable effect on C-peptide secretion in healthy subjects as standard C-peptide stimulation tests.

Our study compared total C-peptide secretion after administration of whey proteins and whey proteins in combination with glucose with results of classical tests assessing beta cell function in the pancreas of healthy individuals. Eight young, healthy (7 males, 1 female; aged 20-26 years), non-obese (BMI: 17-25.9 kg/m²) participants with normal glucose tolerance underwent six C-peptide secretion tests. Three secretion tests measured C-peptide response to orally administered substances: whey proteins only (OWT), whey proteins with glucose (OWGT) and glucose only (OGTT); while three secretion tests measured C-peptide response to intravenously administered substances: arginine (AST), glucagon (GST) and glucose (IVGTT). OWT stimulated a greater (93 %, p<0.05) C-peptide response than AST and a 64 % smaller response (p<0.05) than OGTT. OWT also showed lower variability (p<0.05) in C-peptide responses compared to OWGT and OGTT. The greatest total C-peptide response was induced by OWGT (36 % higher than glucose). OWT consistently increased C-peptide concentrations with lower individual variability, while insignificantly increasing glucose levels. Results of this study suggest that both dietology and beta-cells capacity testing could take advantage of the unique property of whey proteins to induce C-peptide secretion.

Higher content of C18:1 trans fatty acids in early human milk fat of Roma breast-feeding women.

AIM: The purpose of our study was to determine the content of trans fatty acids in early human breast milk as an indicator of dietary exposure in a sample of Roma breast-feeding women and in a sample of women from the general Czech population. METHODS: We collected samples of early human milk from 43 Prague women from the general population and 21 Roma women. After lipid extraction, the fatty acids were converted into methyl esters (FAMEs). Finally, gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC-FID) analysis on a CP-Sil 88 column was used to determine C18:1 trans monoenic fatty acid levels and total trans isomers fatty acid levels in human milk. RESULTS: A significantly higher content of C18:1 trans fatty acid isomers was detected in human milk fat from Roma mothers than in women of the general population (2.73 vs. 2.09%, p < 0.05). Both groups monitored did not differ in the representation of total fatty acid trans isomers. Differences in the frequency of consumption of certain TFA sources (butter, fried crisps) were established. CONCLUSIONS: The study proved a higher fatty acid trans isomers content in Roma breast-feeding mothers in the Czech Republic, and this is probably related to their bad eating habits.

Iodine saturation of Roma neonates in prague is not at an optimum level.

AIM: The purpose of our study was to determine urinary iodine as an indicator of iodine supplementation in Roma (Gypsy) neonates compared to majority population neonates. METHODS: The groups studied were formed by 30 full-term Roma neonates and 151 majority population neonates. Iodine was determined from samples of urine collected on the 4th day after delivery, after alkaline ashing, using the Sandell-Kolthoff method. RESULTS: The median of urinary iodine in Roma neonates was 92.15 microg/l urine and in neonates from majority population mothers it was 109.20 microg/l urine. The mean of urinary iodine in Roma neonates was 114.55 microg/l urine (SD 71.68 microg/l) and in neonates from majority population mothers it was 141.86 microg/l urine (SD 87.42 microg/l). The difference was not statistically significant. Majority population mothers more frequently consumed nutrition supplements containing iodine as well as fish. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to older data, supplementation of neonates with iodine is higher. However, it does not reach optimum levels. The urinary iodine median in Roma neonates lies in the mild iodine deficiency band.

Higher content of 18:1 trans fatty acids in subcutaneous fat of persons with coronarographically documented atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries.

AIM: To identify the total content of trans fatty acid (TFA) isomers and C18:1 trans isomers in subcutaneous fat samples from persons with atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries, as an indicator of dietary exposure. METHODS: Using capillary gas chromatography, the authors determined total content of TFA isomers and C18:1 trans isomers in the subcutaneous fat of 34 patients with ischemic heart disease who had undergone aortocoronary bypass surgery and in 46 patients with no sign of coronary disease. RESULTS: On average, the total TFAs in cardiac patients were 2.88 +/- 1.19% of all fatty acids, in noncardiac patients 2.56 +/- 0.89%. However, the difference is not statistically significant. The average concentration of C18:1 trans in cardiac patients (2.31 +/- 1.09%) was statistically significantly higher (p = 0.05) than in the noncardiac group (1.95 +/- 0.77%). CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained indicate a lower TFA load in comparison with previous studies in other countries. A higher concentration of 18:1 TFAs in the subcutaneous fat of patients with coronary disease might be an impulse to correct the dietary habits of this very high-risk population.