Assessment of nutritional folate status and selected vitamin status of women of childbearing age.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate folate and other selected vitamin status (ascorbic acid, tocopherol, retinol, vitamin B12), haematological indices and total homocysteine concentration of serum in women of childbearing age. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SETTING: Warsaw. SUBJECTS: Healthy women aged 18-30 y (n=78) not pregnant presently or previously, and not taking drugs. RESULTS: Haemoglobin and haematocrit values according to WHO criteria for 18 to 30-y-old women were normal. The optimal levels of serum tocopherol, >1.29 mg/dl (>29.9 micromol/l) to preventing civilization diseases, were found in 5.5% and serum retinol >71.6 mcg/dl (>2.5 micromol/l) in 6.4% of all studied persons. The analysis of serum folate concentration showed high-risk deficiency,<3 ng/ml (<6.8 nmol/l), in 6.4%, moderate and low risk together (7.0-14.9 nmol/l) in 61.6% and optimal folate levels (>14.9 nmol/l) in 32.0% of the studied group. Folate body stores were insufficient in almost all women. There was no high or moderate deficiency risk of vitamin B12 or ascorbic acid. None of the women under study had serum total homocysteine (tHcy) concentration >15 micromol/l, indicating hyperhomocysteinaemia. Serum total homocysteine concentrations in the range of 5-15 micromol/l were found in 71.8%, and serum tHcy >10 micromol/l in 7.7% of the studied group of women. SPONSORSHIP: The study was sponsored by the Polish Committee for Scientific Research.

Tobacco smoking and vitamin C concentration in gastric juice in healthy subjects and patients with Helicobacter pylori infection.

Low gastric juice total vitamin C concentration in the presence of Helicobacter pylori infection probably plays a role in gastric carcinogenesis. Vitamin C plays a role in the neutralization of various pathogenic factors connected with H. pylori infection, including the destruction of free radicals, which damage tissues and cell DNA, and inhibition of the formation of N-nitroso compounds, which have a strong carcinogenic activity. The aim of the study was to determine whether tobacco smoking had any effect on gastric juice vitamin C concentration in healthy subjects and in patients infected with H. pylori. Eighty-six patients with dyspeptic symptoms undergoing routine endoscopy entered the study after giving informed consent. In all patients plasma and gastric juice total vitamin C levels were measured by a spectrophotometric method. They were entered into four groups: group I (controls) - H. pylori-negative non-smokers (n = 17), group II - H. pylori-negative smokers (n = 16), group III - non-smokers with H. pylori infection (n = 21), and group IV - H. pylori-infected smokers (n = 32). In the control group (I) the mean gastric juice total vitamin C concentration was 17.1 microg/ml (range 5.3-40.0 microg/ml), which was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than in group II (12.6 microg/ml, range 5.1-21.0 microg/ml), group III (5.8 microg/ml range 2.1-13.7 microg/ml) and group IV (3.9 microg/ml, range 1.1-10.6 microg/ml) (P < 0.001). Statistically significant differences also were noted between groups II and III (P < 0.01) and groups II and IV (P < 0.001) and between groups III and IV (P < 0.05). These results demonstrate that the concentration of vitamin C in gastric juice is significantly lower in smokers than in non-smokers. This was observed in healthy subjects as well as H. pylori-infected patients. This phenomenon may be one of the mechanisms whereby smoking contributes to the production of gastric lesions, impairs healing of peptic ulcers and also increases the recurrence rate of peptic ulcers in cases with H. pylori infection.

[Changes of lipid profile in elderly people in light of longitudinal studies]. / Zmiany profilu lipidowego u ludzi w podeszlym wieku na podstawie dlugofalowych badan.

The purpose of the study was a retrospective assessment of the health state, dietary habits and nutritional status of elderly men and women. Particular attention was paid to changes in lipid profile of the elderly over 5 years of life in a big urban agglomeration. The first study was carried out in 1992 in a population sample of 154 people aged 70 years (73 men and 84 women). After five years the study was repeated in the same sample. In 1997 for the studies 103 persons came (43 men, 60 women). In the 5-year period 13 persons died. The study showed that over that time period the total cholesterol level, HDL and LDL cholesterol decreased. In the same time period there was a decrease in the consumption of fats and cholesterol in the diet. The fall of HDL cholesterol level caused an increase of the atherogenicity index in these people increasing thus the likelihood of ischaemic heart disease development in this group.

[The influence of vitamin C and e or beta-carotene on peroxidative processes in persons with myocardial ischemia]. / Wplyw witamin C i E oraz beta-karotenu na procesy peroksydacyjne u osób z niedorkrwienna choroba serca.

An increasing body of evidence suggests that beside hypercholesterolemia peroxidative processes and natural antioxidant defence system play important role in the development of atherosclerosis. Our earlier investigation showed the increased intensity of the peroxidative processes in the course of the acute myocardial infarction and unsatisfactory tocopherol, ascorbic acid and retinol status. The purpose of the present study was the evaluation of the effect of antioxidant vitamins supplementation by the period of 21 days on the peroxidative processes in patients after heart attack or after "bypass" admitted to the cardiological rehabilitation centre. Daily oral supplementation with vitamin C, E and beta-carotene decreased significantly plasma lipid peroxide concentration (TBARS). The highest drop in TBARS activity was found in the group after bypass. No significant effect of vitamin supplementation was observed on antioxidant enzymes activity.

Effects of high dose vitamin C treatment on Helicobacter pylori infection and total vitamin C concentration in gastric juice.

Low gastric juice total vitamin C concentration in the presence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection probably plays a role in gastric carcinogenesis. In vitro vitamin C has been shown to inhibit the growth of H. pylori. The aims of this study were to determine the effect of high dose vitamin C administration on H. pylori infection and on gastric juice total vitamin C concentration in patients with H. pylori related chronic gastritis. Sixty patients with dyspeptic symptoms and proven chronic gastritis and H. pylori infection, who were undergoing routine endoscopy, entered the study after giving informed consent. They were randomly coded into two treatment groups. Group 1 (controls, n = 28) were treated with antacids for 4 weeks and Group 2 (n = 32) received vitamin C 5g daily also for 4 weeks. Nine patients did not complete the study and were excluded. Plasma and gastric juice total vitamin C levels were measured at baseline, at the end of 4 weeks treatment and again 4 weeks after treatment cessation. In the control group H. pylori infection remained unchanged in all 24 patients throughout as did the mean gastric juice total vitamin C concentration. However, in the vitamin C treated group eight of 27 patients (30%) who completed the treatment course the H. pylori infection was eradicated (P = 0.01). In these patients the mean gastric juice total vitamin C concentration rose significantly from 7.2 +/- 1.6 micrograms/ml after 4 weeks treatment (P < M 0.001) and 19.8 micrograms/ml 4 weeks after treatment was discontinued (P < 0.001). In the remaining 19 patients with persistent H. pylori infection, the mean gastric juice total vitamin C concentration rose less than in those with successful H. pylori eradication; 6.3 +/- 1.7 micrograms/ml before treatment, 10.8 +/- 1.5 micrograms/ml after 4 weeks treatment (P < 0.05) and a return to pre-treatment levels (7.1 +/- 2.7 micrograms/ml) 4 weeks after vitamin C intake stopped. There were no side effects of vitamin C treatment. This study has shown that 4 weeks daily high dose vitamin C treatment in H. pylori infected patients with chronic gastritis resulted in apparent H. pylori eradication in 30% of those treated. In those patients there was also a highly significant rise in gastric juice total vitamin C concentration which persisted for at least 4 weeks after the treatment ceased. A significant, though less marked, gastric juice total vitamin C concentration increase was observed during vitamin C treatment even in subjects with persistent H. pylori infection, though this was not maintained after treatment ended. The mechanism whereby vitamin C treatment appeared to result in H. pylori eradication is unclear. Further confirmatory studies are indicated.

Effects of saturated and polyunsaturated fat enriched diet on the skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity in young rats.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of diets enriched with fat containing different amounts (30% or 60% total energy) of either saturated (SF) or polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on glucose tolerance in vivo and insulin sensitivity of glucose utilisation by the soleus muscle in vitro. Young rats were maintained for 28 days after weanling on diets containing either sunflower oil (PUFA), animal fat (butter+lard - SF) or the standard laboratory chow (controls). The sunflower oil added to a diet in moderate quantities (30% total energy) improved the total glucose tolerance, while the diets containing high percentage of PUFA (60%) and moderate or high contents of SF caused impairment of glucose tolerance. The diet with 30% of total energy derived from sunflower oil increased the in vitro sensitivity of glucose utilisation to insulin by the soleus muscle, while in contrast, higher proportions of energy given in a form of PUFA as well as the diets enriched with animal fat impaired the sensitivity of this process to insulin. It is also important to note that the synthesis of glycogen in muscles taken from the rats fed high percentage of saturated fatty acid was found unresponsible to insulin. It is concluded that composition of dietary fat has a profound effect on carbohydrate tolerance and the response of muscle glucose metabolism to insulin. It seems likely that this effect may be at least partly mediated by changes in locally produced prostaglandins.

Blood vitamin and lipid levels in overweight and obese women.

The study was carried out on 102 obese and overweight women, average age 41.5 years, and 33 control non-obese women matched for age. Fasting venous blood vitamins (ascorbic acid, tocopherol, retinol, carotenes, thiamin, riboflavin, folic acid, pyridoxine), lipids (total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, total lipids) and haematological indices were determined. Significantly lower serum antioxidant vitamin levels and a higher prevalence of vitamin deficiency were found in the study group. The study confirmed the high risk of dyslipoproteinaemia and the high frequency of elevated blood pressure in obese women. A correlation between ascorbic acid status, degree of obesity and the incidence of elevated blood pressure was demonstrated.

Effect of exogenous ascorbic acid on experimental hypertension and mineral balance in rats fed low- and high-fat diets.

The effects of exogenous ascorbic acid on the development of experimental hypertension and on calcium, sodium, and potassium metabolism have been studied. The investigation was carried out in 90 4-mo-old male Wistar rats fed high- and low-fat diets. Hypertension was induced by administering a 1.5% solution of NaCl orally. Some rats received 0.1% ascorbic acid in distilled water orally for the first 7 wk of the experiment, then 0.3% for the next 5 wk. The results showed that the amount of fat, NaCl, and ascorbate in the diet may play a role in the etiopathogenesis of hypertension. A high-fat high-NaCl diet increased blood pressure more than a low-fat high-NaCl diet. Additional intake of 0.3% ascorbate solution reduced experimentally induced hypertension by 4% with a low-fat diet and by 14% with a high-fat diet. Also, 0.3% ascorbate solution had a blood-pressure-lowering effect in rats fed a high-fat diet without NaCl. Supplementation with ascorbate diminished urine calcium output with a high-fat diet and increased the urine PGE2/PGF2 ratio with both low- and high-fat diets.

Ascorbic acid and tocopherol levels in the organs and serum of guinea pigs with experimentally induced atherosclerosis.

A 7-month experiment was carried out on guinea pigs to elucidate the effect of height-cholesterol diet containing various fats on the levels of ascorbic acid and to tocopherol in the organism. In the guinea pigs with experimentally induced atherosclerosis the retention of ascorbic acid and tocopherol was found to be greater than that in the control animals.

[Current recommendations concerning rational use of fats. II. Value of polyunsaturated fatty acids from the n-6 and n-3 groups and general recommendations]. / Aktualne zalecenia w zakresie racjonalnego spozycia tluszczów. Cz. II. Znaczenie wielonienasyconych kwasów tluszczowych z rodziny n-6 i n-3 oraz zalecenia ogólne.

The number of scientific proofs of a close correlation between health state and diet is increasing. The present suggestions on the consumption of fats and PUFA effect on the human organism are discussed on the basis of current literature and statements of the panel conference on "Fat and cholesterol". The survey of the pertinent literature seems to suggest the following conclusions. Blood lipid level decrease by low-fat diet depends more on the composition of fatty acids than on the total dietary fat content and on replacement of fats with carbohydrates. Long-chain n-3 fatty acids from seafish oil exert a beneficial effect on plasma lipid level. They participate in the mechanisms of blood clotting, inhibit atherosclerosis progression and reduce the arterial blood pressure. In the assessment of the effect of dietary fatty acids on lipid metabolism the dietary content of three groups of fatty acids must be considered: saturated (S), monounsaturated (M) and polyunsaturated (P). Diets containing the same P:S proportions but different amounts of saturated fatty acids produce various effects on the blood cholesterol level. The need is perceived of making the population aware of the importance of rational fat consumption and introduction of modifications of food processed by food product industry.

[Recommendations concerning the rational consumption of fats. I. Population and clinical studies on the role of monounsaturated fatty acids]. / Zalecenia w zakresie racjonalnego spozycia tluszczów. Czesc I. Badania populacyjne i kliniczne, rolá jednonienasyconych kwasów tluszczowych.

On the basis of world literature a review is presented of the achievements of the science and practice of the principles of rational nutrition concerning fats. A particular attention was paid to the amount of fat in the diet of healthy and ill people and the role of monounsaturated fatty acids. These acids present in high amounts in olive oil and repeseed oil may be very useful in replacing saturated fatty acids for decreasing the serum cholesterol level. In accordance with the results of recent investigations (Ziemlanski et al.) no-erucic acid repeseed oil shows a strong antiatheromatous action, and, similarly as sunflower oil, it reduces the serum level of cholesterol.

The effect of long-term selenium and vitamin E-enriched diet on the content of lipid peroxides and cholesterol in rats.

The effect of long-term diets enriched with natural antioxidants was studied on Wistar rats with average initial body weight 150 g. After enrichment of the diet with selenium (0.1 ppm of sodium selenite per 100 g of diet), with vitamin E (6 mg of alpha-tocopherol per 100 g of diet) and selenium and vitamin E together the following results were obtained: diets enriched with selenium or vitamin E given for 12 months reduced the production of lipid peroxides in the liver and serum of the rats. On the other hand, addition of both antioxidants to the diet had no effect on lipid peroxide levels in the animals. Diet enrichment for 12 and 18 months with selenium or vitamin E had no effect on the levels of total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol. The obtained results suggest that selenium and alpha-tocopherol exert an inhibitory action on the processes of ageing in the experimental animal model.

The effect of long-term enrichment of diet with selenium, vitamin E and B15 on the activity of certain enzymes in rat brain.

The aim of this study was tracing of changes in the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), glutathione transferase (GSH S-Tr), aspartate aminotransferase (AspAT) and alanine aminotransferase (A1AT) in the brain as a result of diet enrichment with antioxidants: selenium (Se), vitamin E and vitamin B15 (pangamic acid). The experiment was carried out on Wistar rats with initial body weight 150 g. Following prolonged enrichment of diet with Se (0.1 ppm of sodium selenite), vitamin E (6 mg/100 g of diet) and vitamin B15 (2.5 mg/100 g of diet) the following results were obtained. The activity of GSHPx in brain microsomes was not changed after one year of vitamin E administration when it was measured against hydrogen hydroxide and against cumene hydrochloride; vitamin E administration increased the activity of GSH S-Tr in the cytoplasmic fraction of brain cells. Diet enrichment with selenium increased after 12 and 18 months the activity of GSHPx measured against both substrates, and GSH S-Tr activity increased considerably. Presence of vitamin B15 in diet reduced GSHPx activity after one-year or longer administration, after 18 months the activity of GSH S-Tr was reduced also. No changes were noted in the activity of AspAT and A1AT.

Effect of dietary fats on experimental hypertension.

In an experiment on 95 Wistar rats weighing 330 g the effect was studied of partially hydrogenated marine oil and cod-liver oil as well as sunflowerseed oil and animal fat on arterial hypertension induced with administration of 1.5% NaCl in drinking water. During 5 weeks the animals received diets containing 37.8 kcal% derived from the studied fats. After the first week of 1.5% NaCl solution administration a significant rise of the systolic blood pressure and heart rate was observed in all animals without regard to the fat received by them with the diet. The rise of the blood pressure was greatest in the group of rats kept on the diet with animal fat, while in the groups of rats receiving diets with sunflowerseed oil or marine oils this rise was significantly smaller, especially with cod-liver oil. The hypotensive effect of marine oils, particularly cod-liver oil, was more pronounced than that of sunflowerseed oil. The hypotensive effect of partially hydrogenated fish oil was less pronounced than that of cod-liver oil. Our experiments demonstrated a significant effect of the amount of dietary fat on the development of experimental hypertension. Greater intake of salt and animal fats in human diet may be one of the causes of essential hypertension.

Effect of ageing process on the content of certain vitamins in rat serum and liver.

The contents of various vitamins were determined in rat liver and serum in animals at different age kept on a standard diet. The amounts of these vitamins in 1 g of liver tissue decreased with age and the levels of ascorbic acid, folacin and vitamin B6 were lower in rats aged two years than in those aged 10 weeks.

Effect of long-term diet enrichment with selenium, vitamin E and vitamin B15 on the degree of fatty infiltration of the liver.

In a two-year experiment on 190 Wistar rats the effects were studied of the aging process and diet enrichment with selenium, vitamin E and vitamin B15 (pangamic acid) on the degree of fatty infiltration of the liver determined histochemically with Oil Red O. The degree of fatty infiltration of the liver was assessed by the method of quantitative analysis using a computer image analyser Quantimet 720. System 30 (Cambridge Instruments). The process of aging of the animals was associated with increasing fatty infiltration of the liver. Selenium had a two-phase effect on the degree of fatty infiltration: in the first 12 months of selenium administration (0.1 ppm of sodium selenite per 100 g of the diet) fatty infiltration of the liver was decreasing, and after 18 months of the experiment this effect disappeared and the degree of fatty infiltration was not different from that in the control group. Contrary to this, vitamin E administration 6 mg/100 g of the diet increased the degree of fatty infiltration during the first 12 months. After 18 months a reverse effect appeared with inhibition of the progression of fatty infiltration. Thus the two-phase effect of vitamin E was a reverse of selenium effect. Addition of vitamin B15 to the diet (2.5 mg/100 g of diet) increased the degree of fatty infiltration of the liver which was maintained at a stable level throughout the whole experiment, i.e. 12-18 months.