Short communication: Changes under low ambient temperatures in the milk lipodome and metabolome of mid-lactation cows after dehorning as a calf.

Horns are living tissue and cows can use their horns for thermoregulatory purposes. We investigated the effect of the presence of horns on the metabolome of milk serum and lipidome of milk fat, to assess the physiological effect of dehorning. Milk sampling took place at low ambient temperatures of -6 to 2°C. Horned and dehorned cows were kept in a mixed herd of Holstein Friesian and Brown Swiss cows. The hypothesis was that horned cows needed to increase their metabolism to compensate for additional heat loss through the presence of their horns. No differences were observed in milk yield, milk solids, and somatic cell counts between horned and dehorned cows. For the milk metabolome, horned cows showed an upregulation of several glucogenic AA that could be transformed into glucose for energy supply and a downregulation of sugar intermediates and γ-glutamylcysteine compared with dehorned cows. The fatty acid (FA) composition in horned cows showed a shift toward decreased odd medium-chain FA (C7:0, C9:0, and C11:0) and increased cis-vaccenic acid (C18:1n-7 cis-11) and stearidonic acid (C18:4n-3). The changes in milk composition related to additional heat loss in horned cows indicate a competition in C3 metabolism for glucose synthesis and de novo FA synthesis under cold stress.

Docosahexaenoic acid in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized cross-over study with microalgae vs. sunflower oil.

The potential of fish or fish oil as supplier for eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5n3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6n3) for reducing cardiovascular risk factors and supporting therapy of chronic inflammatory diseases, has been investigated intensively, but our knowledge about the physiological effects of the individual compounds EPA and DHA are limited. STUDY DESIGN: In this double-blind pilot study, thirty-eight patients with defined RA were allocated to consume foods enriched with microalgae oil from Schizochytrium sp. (2.1 g DHA/d) or sunflower oil (placebo) for 10 weeks (cross-over), maintaining the regular RA medication during the study. RESULTS: In contrast to placebo, the daily consumption of DHA led to a decline in the sum of tender and swollen joints (68/66) from 13.9 ± 7.4 to 9.9 ± 7.0 (p = 0.010), total DAS28 from 4.3 ± 1.0 to 3.9 ± 1.2 (p = 0.072), and ultrasound score (US-7) from 15.1 ± 9.5 to 12.4 ± 7.0 (p = 0.160). The consumption of placebo products caused an increase of the n-6 PUFA linoleic acid and arachidonic acid (AA) in erythrocyte lipids (EL, p < 0.05). The amount of DHA was doubled in EL of DHA-supplemented patients and the ratios of AA/EPA and AA/DHA dropped significantly. We speculate that the production of pro-inflammatory/non-resolving AA-derived eicosanoids might decrease in relation to anti-inflammatory/pro-resolving DHA- and EPA-derived lipid mediators. In fact, plasma concentrations of AA-derived thromboxane B2 and the capacity of blood to convert AA to the pro-inflammatory 5-lipoxygenase product 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid were significantly reduced, while levels of the DHA-derived maresin/resolvin precursors 14-/17-hydroxydocosahexaenoic acid significantly increased due to DHA supplementation. CONCLUSION: The study shows for the first time that supplemented microalgae DHA ameliorates disease activity in patients with RA along with a shift in the balance of AA- and DHA-derived lipid mediators towards an anti-inflammatory/pro-resolving state.

Fetuin A is a Predictor of Liver Fat in Preoperative Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and steatohepatitis (NASH) are frequent comorbidities in perioperative patients. However, the predictive role of the hepatokine fetuin A was not evaluated in this collective. OBJECTIVE: To study fetuin A as predictor of NAFLD/NASH in preoperative patients. METHODS: 58 subjects were included. Fetuin A was studied in patients undergoing open abdominal surgery and in a subset with acute liver failure. Blood and liver specimens were sampled. NAFLD was histologically evaluated. Liver fat was additionally analyzed by an enzymatic approach, circulating fetuin A by enzyme linked-immunosorbent assay, fetuin A mRNA by reverse-transcription PCR. RESULTS: Univariate correlation studies linked fetuin A to liver steatosis (r = 0.40, p = .029) and hepatocellular ballooning degeneration (r = 0.34, p = .026). Compared to non-NAFLD subjects fetuin A was increased in NAFLD (p = .009) and in NASH (p = .029). However, when corrected for main confounders by linear modeling, fetuin A remained related to hepatic steatosis, but not to ballooning degeneration or other NAFLD features. In support of this, biochemically analyzed liver lipids correlated with fetuin A in plasma (r = 0.34, p = .033) and with hepatic fetuin A mRNA (r = 0.54, p < .001). In addition, plasma fetuin A was related to hepatic mRNA (r = 0.32, p = .036), while circulating levels were reduced by 64% with acute liver failure (p < .001), confirming the liver as main fetuin A source. CONCLUSION: Fetuin A is suggested as noninvasive biomarker of hepatic steatosis in preoperative settings.

Saturated fatty acids are not off the hook.

A recent meta-analysis by Chowdhury et al. (2014) has disclaimed the association between coronary artery diseases and either circulating blood levels or the intake of total saturated fatty acids (SFA). Scrutiny revealed that two of the eight studies included in the meta-analysis focused on the proportion of pentadecanoic acid (C15:0) and heptadecanoic acid (C17:0) and their impact on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. These odd-chain fatty acids are markers for milk or ruminant fat intake. Both studies indicated inverse associations between milk-fat intake and first-ever myocardial infarction. Neither of the two studies described the association between total circulating blood SFA on coronary outcomes. In contrast to the cardioprotective effects of dairy consumption, we expected that an elevated intake of palmitic acid (C16:0) and stearic acid (C18:0) de novo may raise CVD risk. Thus, it is of particular importance to differentiate the effects of individual circulating SFA on cardiovascular outcomes. Excluding the studies that evaluated the association of fatty acids from milk fat and cardiovascular outcomes revealed a positive association of total SFA blood levels and coronary outcome (RR 1.21, CI 1.04-1.40). Therefore, results obtained from studies of C15:0 and C17:0 cannot be mixed with results from studies of other SFA because of the opposite physiological effects of regular consumption of foods rich in C16:0 and C18:0 compared to high intake of milk or ruminant fat. In our opinion, it is vital to analyze the impact of individual SFA on CVD incidence in order to draw prudent conclusions.

Influence of roasting conditions on health-related compounds in different nuts.

Due to their health-beneficial ingredients the consumption of nuts can contribute to a healthy diet. The composition of hazelnuts, almonds, macadamia nuts, pistachios and walnuts regarding health-promoting and potentially harmful compounds was examined before and after roasting under different time and temperature conditions. Fatty acid compositions were not affected by roasting. Malondialdehyde increased with higher roasting temperatures (17-fold in walnuts). Levels of tocopherol isomers were reduced after roasting (α-T: 38%, ß-T: 40%, γ-T: 70%) and hydrophilic antioxidant capacity decreased significantly in hazelnuts (1.4-fold), macadamia nuts (1.7-fold) and walnuts (3.7-fold). Increasing roasting temperatures supported the formation of significant amounts of acrylamide only in almonds (1220 µg kg(-1)). In general, nuts roasted at low/middle temperatures (120-160°C) exhibited best sensory properties. Therefore, desired sensory quality along with a favourable healthy nut composition may be achieved by roasting over a low to medium temperature range.

Effects of conjugated linoleic acids fed to dairy cows during early gestation on hematological, immunological, and metabolic characteristics of cows and their calves.

The aim of the present experiment was to test the stimulation ability of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) expressed as stimulation index (SI) of newborn calves and of their dams fed a control fat supplement (CON, n=6) or 50 and 100g/d of a CLA-containing fat supplement (CLA50, n=5, and CLA100, n=6, respectively) during the preceding lactation period for 182 d after calving. The total intake of cis-9,trans-11 and trans-10,cis-12 CLA by groups CLA50 and CLA100 amounted to 4 and 8 g/d each, respectively. For this purpose, blood was collected immediately after parturition from calves before and after colostrum intake, and from cows after parturition and 21 d later. The SI was related to the fatty acid composition of erythrocyte and milk lipids and to various hematological and clinical-chemical parameters. Retrospective evaluation revealed that depletion time (i.e., the individual period elapsed between the day of terminating the feeding of the experimental diet in the preceding lactation period and the day of calving) ranged from 190 to 262 d, which corresponded to fetal exposure times of 19 to 102 d. The SI from cows increased significantly by 77 and 55%, within 21 d after calving according to the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and Alamar Blue assays, respectively. However, feeding of 50 g of the CLA product failed to demonstrate this increase in the MTT assay. Moreover, SI was significantly lower for calves whose dams belonged to the CLA50 group, whereas stimulation ability was comparable for the PBMC from calves whose mothers were treated with CON and CLA100. Plasma metabolites (total bilirubin, total cholesterol, glucose, nonesterified fatty acids, 3-ß-hydroxybutyrate, total protein, and albumin) and hematological parameters (hematocrit, white blood cell profile) were not significantly influenced by dietary treatments of the cows in the preceding lactation period. Although the fatty acid pattern of erythrocyte lipids of cows remained uninfluenced, that of calves showed alterations due to the feeding type of their dams. For example, C16:0 increased significantly from 14.4 to 16.9% of total fatty acid methyl esters, whereas cis-9,trans-11 CLA increased slightly from 0.11 to 0.15% at the same time in calves when their mothers were fed the CLA100 instead of the CON diet. Fatty acid profile of colostrum was significantly different from that of milk after 3 wk for most of the detected fatty acids, but was not influenced by diet type. In conclusion, feeding a CLA-containing fat supplement during the preceding lactation and gestation period exerted effects on the stimulation ability of PBMC from cows and calves for the subsequent parturition. However, CLA dose effects were inconsistent and require further investigation.

The effect of probiotics on faecal microbiota and genotoxic activity of faecal water in patients with atopic dermatitis: a randomized, placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Colonic microbiota is involved in the etiology of colon cancer according to several reports. Studies also indicate that the microbiota differs between atopic patients and healthy subjects. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether a probiotic mix containing Lactobacillus paracasei Lpc-37, Lactobacillus acidophilus 74-2, and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis DGCC 420 can affect the microbiota and its genotoxic activity in healthy subjects and patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). METHODS: A placebo-controlled cross-over study was conducted. Fifteen healthy adults and 15 adult AD patients consumed 2×100 ml/d of either a probiotic or a placebo drink for 8 weeks followed by a wash out period of 2 weeks before crossing the intervention. Faecal water was isolated from stool samples collected at the end of each period. HT29c19a cells incubated with faecal water were measured for DNA damage using single-cell gel electrophoresis ("comet assay"). Bacterial species were determined by qPCR and concentrations of short-chain fatty acids were measured by means of gas chromatography. RESULTS: Probiotic supplementation resulted in a significant increase in lactobacilli, whereas numbers of Bifidobacteria and Bacteroidetes remained unchanged. Clostridium perfringens cluster I-II was significantly reduced in healthy subjects. Genotoxic potential (expressed as tail intensity) of faecal water, was not affected. However, tail intensity decreased significantly in the probiotic period compared to placebo (23.5 vs. 16.7%) in AD patients. Although faecal concentrations of short-chain fatty acids were not affected, faecal pH was significantly reduced (7.0 vs. 6.6) in AD patients after probiotics. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that probiotics lower the genotoxic potential of faecal water in AD patients. The faecal C. perfringens cluster I-II levels remained unaffected suggesting either a change in their activity, or the fact that other bacterial species are responsible for the reduced genotoxic activity of faecal water.

The immune system in healthy adults and patients with atopic dermatitis seems to be affected differently by a probiotic intervention.

BACKGROUND: Probiotic bacteria are proposed to alleviate atopic dermatitis (AD) in infants. There are few indications about the effect of probiotics on AD in adults. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the influence of a probiotic drink containing a combination of the probiotics Lactobacillus paracasei Lpc-37, Lactobacillus acidophilus 74-2 and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis DGCC 420 (B. lactis 420) in healthy volunteers and in patients with AD on clinical and immunological parameters and their detection in feces. METHODS: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized cross-over study was conducted in 15 healthy adults and 15 patients with AD. The probiotic product or placebo was given over 8 weeks. A 2-week washout period was interconnected before the intervention was crossed. At the end of each period, blood and stool samples were collected. In patients, the severity of AD was evaluated using the Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD). RESULTS: L. paracasei and B. lactis were recovered in high numbers in feces after supplementation, whereas L. acidophilus marginally increased. In patients, the SCORAD tended to decrease by 15.5% (P=0.081). Major lymphocyte subsets were not affected by the probiotic intervention. However, CD57(+) increased significantly (P=0.034) in healthy subjects after probiotic intake and was not changed in patients, whereas CD4(+)CD54(+) decreased significantly (P=0.031) in patients with AD and remained uninfluenced in healthy subjects. The expression of CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells was similar in healthy subjects and AD patients. The phagocytic activity of monocytes and granulocytes was significantly increased in healthy subjects after probiotic intervention (P=0.014). CONCLUSION: L. paracasei Lpc-37 and B. lactis 420 are able to colonize the intestine transiently. This study reveals that the probiotics differently modulate peripheral immune parameters in healthy subjects and patients with AD.

Lactobacillus acidophilus 74-2 and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp lactis DGCC 420 modulate unspecific cellular immune response in healthy adults.

OBJECTIVE: It was determined whether a combination of Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus) 74-2 and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp lactis DGCC 420 (B. lactis 420) affect the faecal microbiota as well as immunological parameters and blood lipids in healthy adults. DESIGN: A placebo-controlled, double-blinded, randomized crossover trial was conducted. SUBJECTS: Twenty-six healthy volunteers (mean age 25 years) were recruited by advertising in academical buildings. All of them completed the study. METHODS: After 3-week run-in period, half of the volunteers consumed 300 g/day of yoghurt supplement containing probiotic strains L. acidophilus 74-2 and B. lactis 420, and the other half received the placebo product for a period of 5 weeks. The two groups were crossed during the following 5-week period. Blood and faecal samples were collected at the end of each period. The faecal content of probiotic bacteria, faecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), serum lipids and plasma immune system biomarkers were evaluated. RESULTS: Faecal proportions of L. acidophilus and of B. lactis increased significantly from 0.02 to 0.19 and 0.4 to 1.4% (P<0.05), respectively. Percentages of granulocytes and monocytes showing phagocytic activity were significantly elevated from 92 to 95% during probiotic intervention, whereas their oxidative burst activity and specific immune parameters remained unaffected. Fecal SCFA and serum cholesterol levels were not influenced by the probiotics. However, serum concentrations of triacylglyceroles decreased significantly by 11.6% (P<0.05) in the probiotic supplementation period. CONCLUSIONS: L. acidophilus and B. lactis were recovered in faeces in significantly elevated numbers after supplementation. They are able to modulate unspecific cellular immune response indicated by the increased phagocytic activity.

Assessment of DNA damage and its modulation by dietary and genetic factors in smokers using the Comet assay: a biomarker model.

Methods are needed to assess exposure to genotoxins in humans and to improve understanding of dietary cancer prevention. The Comet assay was used to detect smoking-related exposures and dietary modulations in target tissues. Buccal scrapings, blood and faeces were collected from 38 healthy male volunteers (smokers and non-smokers) during a dietary intervention study with bread supplemented with prebiotics+/-antioxidants. GSTM1-genotype was determined with PCR. Buccal and peripheral lymphocytes were analysed for DNA damage using the Comet assay. Genotoxicity of faecal water (FW) was assayed in human colon HT29 clone 19A cells. 'Tail intensity' (TI) was used as a quantitative indicator of DNA damage in the Comet assay. Intervention with bread reduced DNA damage in lymphocytes of smokers (8.3+/-1.7% TI versus 10.2+/-4.1% TI, n=19), but not of non-smokers (8.6+/-2.8% TI versus 8.3+/-2.7% TI, n=15). Faecal water genotoxicity was reduced only in non-smokers (9.4+/-2.9% TI versus 18.9+/-13.1% TI, n=15) but not in smokers (15.5+/-10.7% TI versus 20.4+/-14.1% TI, n=13). The Comet assay was efficient in the detection of both smoking-related exposure (buccal cells) and efficacy of dietary intervention (faecal samples). Smokers and non-smokers profited differently from the intervention with prebiotic bread+/-antioxidants. Stratification of data by genotype enhanced specificity/sensitivity of the intervention effects and contributed important information on the role of susceptibility.

Effect of L-methionine supplementation on plasma homocysteine and other free amino acids: a placebo-controlled double-blind cross-over study.

OBJECTIVE: The essential amino acid L-methionine is a potential compound in the prophylaxis of recurrent or relapsing urinary tract infection due to acidification of urine. As an intermediate of L-methionine metabolism, homocysteine is formed. The objective was to study the metabolism of L-methionine and homocysteine, and to assess whether there are differences between patients with chronic urinary tract infection and healthy control subjects. DESIGN: A randomized placebo-controlled double-blind intervention study with cross-over design. SETTING: Department of Nutritional Physiology, Institute of Nutrition in cooperation with the Department of Internal Medicine III, Friedrich Schiller University of Jena, Germany. SUBJECTS: Eight female patients with chronic urinary tract infection and 12 healthy women (controls). INTERVENTIONS: After a methionine-loading test, the volunteers received 500 mg L-methionine or a placebo three times daily for 4 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Serum and urinary concentrations of methionine, homocysteine, cystathionine, cystine, serine, glycine and serum concentrations of vitamin B12, B6 and the state of folate. RESULTS: Homocysteine plasma concentrations increased from 9.4+/-2.7 micromol/l (patients) and 8.9+/-1.8 micromol/l (controls) in the placebo period to 11.2+/-4.1 micromol/l (P=0.031) and 11.0+/-2.3 micromol/l (P=0.000), respectively, during L-methionine supplementation. There were significant increases in serum methionine (53.6+/-22.0 micromol/l; P=0.003; n=20) and cystathionine (0.62+/-0.30 micromol/l; P=0.000; n=20) concentrations compared with the placebo period (33.0+/-12.0 and 0.30+/-0.10 micromol/l; n=20). Simultaneously, renal excretion of methionine and homocysteine was significantly higher during L-methionine intake. CONCLUSIONS: Despite an adequate vitamin status, the supplementation of 1500 mg of L-methionine daily significantly increases homocysteine plasma concentrations by an average of 2.0 micromol/l in patients and in control subjects. An optimal vitamin supplementation, especially with folate, might prevent such an increase.

Pilot study: tendency of increasing iodine content in human milk and cow's milk.

The iodine supply in Germany has improved throughout the last decade, albeit with enormous differences between individuals and regions. In the Thuringian city of Jena, analyses of the iodine content of human milk have been undertaken regularly since 1982. Significantly increasing iodine concentrations in human and cow's milk have been found. Therefore, the current situation and the effectiveness of measures to prevent iodine deficiency demands re-evaluation. The iodine content of human milk from 32 lactating mothers was analysed on the 5th day (mean) postpartum and mothers' dietary iodine intake during the last two months of pregnancy was assessed by means of a food frequency questionnaire. To corroborate the assumption that the increasing iodine levels of cow's milk are one of the main reasons for the improved iodine supply, the iodine concentration of 34 cow's milk bulk-samples was also determined. Both human and cow's milk samples were analysed by the ICP-MS method. Twenty women took iodine supplements (mean daily intake = 175 microg). The average daily iodine intake of the 20 supplemented and 12 non-supplemented women was 258 microg and 116 microg, respectively. Daily iodine intake from food and beverages was significantly lower in supplemented women (83 microg/day). The average iodine content of human milk was 169 +/- 88 microg/l with a range of 33 - 348 microg/l. This content is two times higher than levels from 1994 in the same area. There was no difference in the human milk iodine content between mothers taking supplements and those who did not. Cow's milk samples showed a mean iodine concentration of 178 +/- 131 microg/l (range 48 - 661 microg/l).

Effect of dietary conjugated linoleic acids on the distribution of fatty acids in serum lipoprotein fractions and different tissues of growing pigs.

The effect of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on blood lipids [total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and triacylglycerols (TAG)] and the fatty acid distribution of the lipoprotein fractions, backfat, muscle fat, and liver lipids were examined in an experiment with two groups of 40 pigs [Pietrain x (Landrace x Large White)] each. The 20 female and 20 male castrated pigs of each group were fed with isoenergetic and isonitrogenous diets supplemented with either 20 g/kg rapeseed oil (control) or 20 g/kg CLA-TAG. The CLA preparation contained 54.2% pure CLA consisting of approximately two-thirds cis,trans/trans,cis-isomers and one-third trans,trans-isomers. The fatty acids of lipoproteins, backfat, muscle lipids and liver lipids were analysed by gas chromatograph (GC). CLA supplementation did not significantly influence blood lipids and the LDL to HDL ratio. In the CLA-fed pigs the very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) contained higher saturated fatty acid (SFA) concentrations at the cost of the monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA). The percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) remained unchanged. The highest CLA content was analysed in VLDL (4.00%) followed by LDL (2.78%) and HDL (1.45%). The ratio of cis,cis to trans,trans isomers increased from VLDL over LDL to HDL. The content of SFA, probably in backfat and muscle lipids, increased whereas the part of MUFA decreased as a result of reduced Delta9-desaturase activity. The percentage of PUFA (without CLA) was higher in backfat of the control group in accordance with the dietary PUFA supply. This shift in the fatty acid distribution was not observed in the liver lipids. In all the three tissues analysed, the CLA-fed pigs had a significantly increased CLA content: the highest increase was in the backfat (5.65%), followed by liver lipids (2.41%), and muscle lipids (1.47%). An isomer-specific accumulation was observed for cis,cis-CLA isomers in muscle, and for trans,trans-CLA isomers in backfat. We conclude that CLA supplementation results in a higher SFA content in backfat and muscle lipids but not in liver lipids. There is a discrimination of the trans-10, cis-12 isomer and the trans,trans isomers in the formation of the cell membranes.

Long-term consumption of fermented dairy products over 6 months increases HDL cholesterol.

OBJECTIVE: Assessment of the hypocholesterolaemic effect of yoghurt supplemented with Lactobacillus acidophilus 145 and Bifidobacterium longum 913 in women. DESIGN: The cross-over study consisted of three periods (7 weeks each): first period, control yoghurt for all 29 women; second period, probiotic yoghurt for 18 women, control yoghurt for 11 women; third period, the reverse of that in the second period. SETTING: Department of Nutritional Physiology, Institute of Nutritional Science, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena. SUBJECTS: Twenty-nine healthy women, aged 19-56 y. Fifteen of these were normocholesterolaemic and 14 women were hypercholesterolaemic. INTERVENTION: Yoghurt (300 g) daily containing 3.5% fat and starter cultures of Streptococcus thermophilus and L. lactis. Probiotic yoghurt was the control yoghurt enriched with L. acidophilus 145, B. longum 913 and 1% oligofructose (synbiotic). RESULTS: The mean serum concentration of total cholesterol and the LDL cholesterol was not influenced by the synbiotic (P>0.05). The HDL concentration increased significantly by 0.3 mmol/l (P=0.002). The ratio of LDL/HDL cholesterol decreased from 3.24 to 2.48 (P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The long-term daily consumption of 300 g yoghurt over a period of 21 weeks (control and synbiotic) increased the serum concentration of HDL cholesterol and lead to the desired improvement of the LDL/HDL cholesterol ratio.

Influence of a conjugated linoleic acid mixture on growth, organ weights, carcass traits and meat quality in growing pigs.

Grain soybean meal diets, either with 2% of a conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) preparation or with 2% rapeseed oil (control), were tested in 2 x 40 pigs, Pietrain x (Landrace x Large White), each group with 20 female in the live weight range 23.5-117.0 kg and 20 male-castrated pigs in the live weight range 23.5-110.6 kg. The CLA-content of the preparation amounted to 54.0% cis/trans + trans/cis, 8.7% cis/cis and 32.7% trans/trans isomers. Daily weight gain, feed intake and feed : gain ratio were not influenced by the diets tested. The carcass lean increased significantly from 57.2% of the control group to 58.7% in the CLA group (p < 0.05). The male-castrated showed a stronger CLA effect than the female pigs - not only was the carcass lean significantly increased by 2%, but backfat thickness was significantly decreased by 2.8 mm, i.e. minus 11% (as compared with barrows of the control). The meat of CLA-fed pigs had a higher conductivity. A CLA effect on further meat quality characteristics (pH 45 min post-mortem, impedance, colour criteria, intramuscular fat, drip loss, frying loss, shear force, sensory attributes) could not be detected. There were some significant correlations between the meat quality attributes.

Purification of soluble and membrane-bound proteases with substrate-analogous inhibitors by affinity chromatography.

Specific modified substrate-analogous amino acids and peptides have been used as affinity ligands in the affinity chromatography of proteases. Alanine methyl ketone-Sepharose (AMK-Sepharose) is introduced as affinity support for the purification of a bacterial alanyl aminopeptidase (AAP) from a membrane protein extract and Arginine-Agarose as support for the preparation of a membrane-bound proteinase of myeloma cells (MP-1). Peptidyl methyl ketones as affinity ligands have been used to separate subtilisin enzymes and the cysteine proteases cathepsin B, L, and S. As a new type of ligands, spacer-bound peptidyl chloromethyl ketones are presented for a specific and oriented immobilization of proteinases. Oriented-immobilized cathepsin B was used to isolate antibodies against this enzyme.

Intrachromosomal genomic instability in human sporadic colorectal cancer measured by genome-wide allelotyping and inter-(simple sequence repeat) PCR.

We have used genome-wide allelotyping with 348 polymorphic autosomal markers spaced, on average, 10 cM apart to quantitate the extent of intrachromosomal instability in 59 human sporadic colorectal carcinomas. We have compared instability measured by this method with that measured by inter-(simple sequence repeat) PCR and microsatellite instability assays. Instability quantitated by fractional allelic loss rates was found to be independent of that detected by microsatellite instability analyses but was weakly associated with that measured by inter-(simple sequence repeat) PCR. A set of seven loci were identified that were most strongly associated with elevated rates of fractional allelic loss and/or inter-(simple sequence repeat) PCR instability; these seven loci were on chromosomes 3, 8, 11, 13, 14, 18, and 20. A lesser association was seen with two loci flanking p53 on chromosome 17. Coordinate loss patterns for these loci suggest that at least two separate sets of cooperating loci exist for intrachromosomal genomic instability in human colorectal cancer.

Bioavailability of iodine from normal diets rich in dairy products--results of balance studies in women.

During the last decade the iodine supply in Germany has increased significantly, but there is still a high frequency of goitre. Therefore the question of iodine bioavailability has arisen. In a two-period study 12 women were given a mixed diet of ordinary foods with milk and milk products of different batches. None of the volunteers suffered from an iodine deficiency according to WHO-criteria. Each period ended with a 9-day balance-study protocol in which all foods were provided. Food and fluid intake were registered, and urine and faeces were quantitatively collected. The iodine content was determined by ICP-MS. The mean intake in the form of solid food amounted to 175 +/- 10 micrograms I/d and to 27 +/- 15 micrograms I/d in fluid form. Milk and dairy products represented the main source of iodine (37%). Iodine was predominantly excreted in the urine (89%, 171 +/- 45 micrograms I/d) and the faeces 11% (20 +/- 11 micrograms I/d). The resulting iodine balance was approximately . In one case an iodine-rich erythrosine preparation with a low iodine bioavailability was used. Between the two periods of consuming different batches of milk and milk products no differences were observed concerning the high bioavailability of iodine.

Rapeseed glucosinolates and iodine in sows affect the milk iodine concentration and the iodine status of piglets.

I in the chain sow diet --> blood serum of sow --> sow milk --> piglet serum was investigated in two experiments with a total of eighty-one sows and their piglets. In experiments conducted during the last trimester of gravidity and the 28 d of lactation, diets with glucosinolates (1.9 mmol/kg diet via 100 g ground rapeseed/kg diet (Expt 1) and 2.1 and 4.2 mmol/kg diet via 75 and 150 g rapeseed press cake/kg diet (Expt 2)) were compared with control groups without rapeseed products. From 0 to 600 microg I/kg was added to sow diets during lactation. Diets without supplementary I decreased the I concentration particularly in milk and piglet serum. The presence of rapeseed and rapeseed press cake were indicated by a thiocyanate concentration increase, mainly in sow serum. The diets with glucosinolates decreased the milk and piglet serum I concentration. Spot urine and faeces samples from sows eating the rapeseed-press cake diets had increased I concentration. The sows' serum I and thyroxine did not respond to glucosinolates (Expt 1) or these diets caused an increase in concentration (Expt 2). Both these criteria seem unsuitable for the diagnosis of I status of adult animals. Glucosinolates and their degradation compounds may affect the thyroid and the mammary glands resulting in lower I milk transfer and higher renal and intestinal I excretion.

High phosphorus intake only slightly affects serum minerals, urinary pyridinium crosslinks and renal function in young women.

OBJECTIVE: Assessment of the physiological effects of a diet rich in phosphorus in young women. DESIGN: Control period I--commercial basic diet containing 1700 mg P and 1500 mg Ca/day for 4 weeks. Supplementation period--a 6 week high-phosphorus period of 3008 mg P and 1995 mg Ca/day. Control period II--4 weeks washout with basic diet as in period I. SETTING: Institute of Nutritional Science, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena. SUBJECTS: Ten healthy women, aged 20-30y. INTERVENTIONS: Orange juice and tablets, containing supplements of Ca5(PO4)3OH and NaH2PO4, totalling 1436 mg elemental phosphorus per day. RESULTS: There was an increase of 10.7+/-13.7 pg/ml in serum PTH, a decrease of 0.6+/-0.6 ng/ml in serum osteocalcin, an increase of 73.6+/-136.6 nmol/mmol creatinine in urinary pyridinoline and of 19.3+/-36.0 nmol/ mmol creatinine in urinary deoxypyridinoline, and a decrease of 2.6+/-9.3 mg/l in urinary microalbumin. All changes were insignificant. There were no changes in serum levels of Ca, PO4 or Zn, in serum concentration of 1,25-(OH)2D3, and in urinary beta-2-microglobulin excretion. Phosphorus supplementation caused intestinal distress, soft stools or mild diarrhoea. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of a high phosphorus supplementation no significant changes in bone-related hormones, pyridinium crosslinks as markers of bone resorption and parameters of renal function in young women were found.