Metabolic defects caused by treatment with the tetrahydropyridine analog of haloperidol (HPTP), in baboons.

Mounting evidence suggests that compromised cellular energy production is a major contributor to idiopathic and drug-induced degenerative processes. Our interest in neurotoxins have prompted us to examine in the baboon the effects of HPTP, the tetrahydropyridine dehydration product of haloperidol, on urinary chemical markers that reflect defects in mitochondrial respiration. Urinary dicarboxylic acid and conjugate profiles, similar to those seen in humans with inborn errors of mitochondrial metabolism and toxin-induced Jamaican vomiting sickness (JVS) were observed in the treated baboons. We interpret these results as evidence that HPTP and/or HPTP metabolites inhibit mitochondrial respiration in the baboon and speculate that analogous effects may occur in haloperidol-treated individuals.

Failure to thrive and its relationship to serum vitamin A levels and diet.

Serum vitamin A and retinol-binding protein (RBP) levels were determined in a group of 34 children between 1 and 4 years of age with failure to thrive and in 34 age- and sex-matched controls. Both groups of children were also assessed in respect of anthropometry and diet. Vitamin A levels in patients (0-32.2 micrograms/100 ml; median 16.9 micrograms/100 ml) did not differ significantly from controls (6.4-47.2 micrograms/100 ml; median 16.1 micrograms/100ml). Fourteen patients (42%) and 4 controls (12%) had vitamin A levels below 10 micrograms/100 ml. RBP levels in patients (0.45-3.50 mg/100 ml; median 2.17 mg/100 ml) also did not differ significantly from those in controls (1.21-3.66 mg/100 ml; median 2.06 mg/100 ml). No clinical features of vitamin A deficiency were detected. Weight and height for age, weight for height, mid-upper arm circumference and head circumference differed significantly between patients and controls (P < 0.0001 in each instance). Although within the recommendations for intake, patients had a significantly lower intake of the essential fatty acid C 18:2 (N = 6) (linoleic acid) and vitamin A. In view of the current proposed relationship between vitamin A status and infectious diseases, the prevalence of biochemical vitamin A deficiency in children in the Cape Town community studied may contribute to the morbidity and mortality associated with infectious diseases in the area to a greater degree than has been suspected.

Nutritional status of primary school children with endemic goitre in Caprivi, Namibia.

The nutritional status of primary school children living in an endemic goitre area in eastern Caprivi, Namibia, was assessed by means of clinical, biochemical, anthropometrical and dietetic observations. An approximately 20 pc sample, consisting of 380 primary school children, aged six to 18 years and representing eight schools in the Cuando River area of eastern Caprivi, was included in the study. Their goitre prevalence of 34.5 pc has been reported earlier. A significantly lower mean thyroxine level in goitrous compared to non-goitrous children indicated that dietary iodine deficiency was the primary cause of the endemic goitre. The present paper focuses on the nutritional status of these primary school children. Anthropometrically, these children were severely undernourished, as indicated by a high prevalence of low (below the third NCHS percentile) weight and height for age values, ranging from 38.0 pc to 55.9 pc. Dietary analysis revealed a low energy intake as well as dietary deficiencies in folic acid (only girls), ascorbic acid, vitamin A, nicotinic acid, iron, riboflavin and calcium. A high percentage (43.9 pc of boys and 33.7 pc of girls) of the children were biochemically anaemic whilst less than one pc of the children showed clinical signs of anaemia. Nutritional intervention programmes in this area should not only treat and prevent the endemic goitre but also attend to the energy and micro-nutrient deficiencies in these children.

PIP: In Namibia, a nutrition survey was conducted among 380 children aged 6-18 years at 8 primary schools along the Cuando River over about a 100 km stretch, in eastern Caprivi. This is a goiter-endemic area. 34.5% of the children had a goiter, which was the most significant nutritional condition in primary school children. This high prevalence of goiter indicated a dietary iodine deficiency. Iodine deficiency disorder can cause neurological damage ranging from mild intellectual impairment to full-blown cretinism. 38% were underweight and 55.9% were stunted (i.e., 3rd percentile of the National Center for Health Statistics). 2% had clinical signs of either kwashiorkor or marasmus. 43.9% of boys and 33.7% of girls were biochemically anemic, but less than 1% were clinically anemic. Mean standard hemoglobin level was 12.46 for girls and 12.31 for boys. Maize made up most of the diet and was eaten 2.7 times/day/child. Few children ate bread. Caloric intake was poor (39% and 45% of WHO recommendations for boys and girls, respectively). The diet did not contain enough folic acid for girls. Nutritional deficiencies in the diet also included ascorbic acid, nicotinic acid, iron, vitamin A, riboflavin, and calcium. Adequate nutritional intakes were limited to protein, thiamin, and vitamin B12 and, for boys, folic acid. These findings suggest that subsistence farming does not provide these children enough energy to maintain normal growth in children. This goiter-endemic area along the Cuando River needs educational and agricultural intervention programs to reverse endemic goiter and poor nutritional status. They should include treatment and prevention of goiter but also treatment and prevention of energy and nutrient deficiencies.

Dietary patterns and nutritional status in free-living older white men with established vascular disease.

Thirty-nine white men aged 51-84 years with established vascular disease were studied to investigate the effect of fish oil capsules on the regression of these lesions. This article deals with the baseline data of the study. The subjects completed a 7-day dietary record, weight and height were measured and a fasting blood sample was analysed for proteins, haematological values and certain vitamins. Dietary analysis indicated that the mean energy intake was 8,552 kJ (SD = 2,095). The energy distribution was 15.5% protein, 33.6% fat and 46.4% carbohydrate. In the light of the recommended dietary allowances the diet was lacking in zinc, vitamin B6 and folic acid, which suggests that the subjects might be deficient in these micronutrients. Although the diets were lacking in these nutrients, no clinical stigmata were observed. The subjects averaged a body mass index of 26.1 and could therefore be classified as overweight. The mean haematological values as well as the plasma vitamins were within the normal range. In conclusion it can be said that the men consumed a diet that was too high in fat and that the diet lacked certain micronutrients.

Plasma lipids and fatty acids in urbanized Bushmen, Hereros and Kavangos of southern Africa (Namibia).

Thirty-nine urbanized ethnic Namibian people comprising 21 Bushmen (semi-urbanized), 7 Hereros and 11 Kavangos were assessed for plasma lipids and fatty acid (FA) composition. Total cholesterol and triacylglycerol concentrations were measured by enzymatic methods, and neutral lipid FA composition by gas-liquid chromatography. The results demonstrated that while total cholesterol concentrations were not significantly different, significant differences in triacylglycerol concentrations (P < 0.05) were seen between Bushmen and Kavangos. By comparing Bushmen with Hereros and Kavangos, significant differences between Bushmen and Kavangos were also observed in plasma triacylglycerol FA compositions, particularly 16:0 (32.73% vs. 25.05%), 16:1n-7 (7.00% vs. 5.06%), 18:2n-6 (9.30% vs. 22.25%) and 20:3n-6 (0.12% vs. 0.48%), while Kavangos had higher 20:4n-6 levels than Hereros (1.44% vs. 2.00%). In plasma cholesteryl esters, Bushmen were significantly different from Kavangos in 16:1n-7 (8.85% vs. 4.93%), 18:1n-9 (32.06% vs. 23.07%) and 20:4n-6 (6.91% vs. 10.00%). Significant differences were also observed between Bushmen and Hereros in 18:0 (1.08% vs. 1.29%) and 18:2n-6 (35.68% vs. 45.50%). The FA of Namibian groups were also compared with South African reference groups comprising urbanized whites and Xhosas and rural Vendas. The differences in blood lipid values can be explained primarily by excessive alcohol consumption. These results suggest that semi-urbanized Bushmen have changed their diets under urbanized conditions which may increase their risk of coronary heart disease.

Endemic goitre among undernourished schoolchildren in eastern Caprivi, Namibia.

A cross-sectional study on a 20% random sample of 380 children, aged 6-18 years, from 8 primary schools in the Cuando River area of eastern Caprivi, Namibia, was done to determine the prevalence of goitre and to investigate related hormonal and nutritional factors. Of the children 34.5% had goitre. Reduced plasma free thyroxine concentrations in the more severely goitrous children, compared with matched non-goitrous children (P = 0.0007), implicated dietary iodine deficiency as the causative factor. Their diet was inadequate in energy and most nutrients according to World Health Organisation criteria. Retarded growth, indicated by their low body weight and height in relation to age, were observed in a large proportion (45.6-73%) of the children. These findings suggest that dietary iodine deficiency was the most likely cause for the endemic goitre in these children, who were predisposed to nutritional disorders by long-term undernourishment.