Genetically predicted circulating B vitamins in relation to digestive system cancers.

BACKGROUND: Folate, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 have been associated with digestive system cancers. We conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomisation study to assess the causality of these associations. METHODS: Two, one and 14 independent single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with serum folate, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 at the genome-wide significance threshold were selected as genetic instruments. Summary-level data for the associations of the vitamin-associated genetic variants with cancer were obtained from the UK Biobank study including 367,561 individuals and FinnGen consortium comprising up to 176,899 participants. RESULTS: Genetically predicted folate and vitamin B6 concentrations were not associated with overall cancer, overall digestive system cancer or oesophageal, gastric, colorectal or pancreatic cancer. Genetically predicted vitamin B12 concentrations were positively associated with overall digestive system cancer (ORSD, 1.12; 95% CI 1.04, 1.21, p = 0.003) and colorectal cancer (ORSD 1.16; 95% CI 1.06, 1.26, p = 0.001) in UK Biobank. Results for colorectal cancer were consistent in FinnGen and the combined ORSD was 1.16 (95% CI 1.08, 1.25, p < 0.001). There was no association of genetically predicted vitamin B12 with any other site-specific digestive system cancers or overall cancer. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide evidence to suggest that elevated serum vitamin B12 concentrations are associated with colorectal cancer.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of B Vitamin Supplementation on Depressive Symptoms, Anxiety, and Stress: Effects on Healthy and 'At-Risk' Individuals.

A systematic review and meta-analysis was undertaken to examine and quantify the effects of B vitamin supplementation on mood in both healthy and 'at-risk' populations. A systematic search identified all available randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of daily supplementation with ≥3 B group vitamins with an intervention period of at least four weeks. Random effects models for a standardized mean difference were used to test for overall effect. Heterogeneity was tested using the I2 statistic. Eighteen articles (16 trials, 2015 participants) were included, of which 12 were eligible for meta-analysis. Eleven of the 18 articles reported a positive effect for B vitamins over a placebo for overall mood or a facet of mood. Of the eight studies in 'at-risk' cohorts, five found a significant benefit to mood. Regarding individual facets of mood, B vitamin supplementation benefited stress (n = 958, SMD = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.02, 0.45, p = 0.03). A benefit to depressive symptoms did not reach significance (n = 568, SMD = 0.15, 95% CI = -0.01, 0.32, p = 0.07), and there was no effect on anxiety (n = 562, SMD = 0.03, 95% CI = -0.13, 0.20, p = 0.71). The review provides evidence for the benefit of B vitamin supplementation in healthy and at-risk populations for stress, but not for depressive symptoms or anxiety. B vitamin supplementation may particularly benefit populations who are at risk due to (1) poor nutrient status or (2) poor mood status.

Multiple vitamin deficiencies additively increase the risk of incident fractures in Japanese postmenopausal women.

The associations of multiple vitamin deficiencies on incident fractures were uncertain, the relationships between serum vitamin markers and incident bone fractures were investigated in Japanese postmenopausal women. The number of deficiencies was additively associated with incident fracture after adjustment for possible confounding factors including the treatment of osteoporosis. INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the associations of multiple vitamin deficiencies on incident fractures, the relationships between serum vitamin markers and incident bone fractures were investigated in Japanese postmenopausal women. METHODS: This analysis used a subset of the ongoing cohort maintained by a primary care institution. Inclusion criteria of the present study were postmenopausal women aged ≥ 50 years, without vitamin supplementation and secondary osteoporosis. Baseline serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), undercarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC), and homocysteine (Hcy) were measured to assess vitamin D, vitamin K, and vitamin B, respectively. Since 25(OH) D positively relates to vitamin D, ucOC and Hcy negatively relate to vitamin K and vitamin B nutrients, respectively, the subjects with lower (25(OH)D) or higher (ucOC or Hcy) values than each median value was defined as subjects with the corresponding vitamin deficiency. Subjects were divided into four groups according to the number of deficiency: no deficiency, single deficiency, double deficiencies, and triple deficiencies. Relationships between the vitamin deficiencies and incident fractures were evaluated by Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 889 subjects were included in this analysis; their mean and SD age was 68.3 ± 9.5 years, and the follow-up period was 6.3 ± 5.1 years. The numbers of subjects in the four groups were 139 (15.6%), 304 (34.2%), 316 (35.5%), and 130 (14.6%) for the groups with no, single, double, and triple deficiencies, respectively. Incident fractures were observed in 264 subjects (29.7%) during the observation period. The number of deficiencies was significantly associated with incident fracture (hazard ratio 1.25, 95% confidence interval 1.04-1.50, P = 0.018) after adjustment for possible confounding factors including the treatment of osteoporosis. CONCLUSION: Accumulation of vitamin deficiencies was related to incident fractures.

B vitamins for stroke prevention.

Supplementation with B vitamins (vitamin B9(folic acid), vitamin B12 and vitamin B6) lowers blood total homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations by about 25% and reduces the relative risk of stroke overall by about 10% (risk ratio (RR) 0.90, 95% CI 0.82 to 0.99) compared with placebo. Homocysteine-lowering interventions have no significant effect on myocardial infarction, death from any cause or adverse outcomes. Factors that appear to modify the effect of B vitamins on stroke risk include low folic acid status, high tHcy, high cyanocobalamin dose in patients with impaired renal function and concurrent antiplatelet therapy. In regions with increasing levels or established policies of population folate supplementation, evidence from observational genetic epidemiological studies and randomised controlled clinical trials is concordant in suggesting an absence of benefit from lowering of homocysteine with folic acid for prevention of stroke. Clinical trials indicate that in countries which mandate folic acid fortification of food, folic acid supplementation has no significant effect on reducing stroke risk (RR 1.05, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.23). However, in countries without mandatory folic acid food fortification, folic acid supplementation reduces the risk of stroke by about 15% (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.77 to 0.94). Folic acid alone or in combination with minimal cyanocobalamin (≤0.05 mg/day) is associated with an even greater reduction in risk of future stroke by 25% (RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.66 to 0.86), whereas the combination of folic acid and a higher dose of cyanocobalamin (≥0.4 mg/day) is not associated with a reduced risk of future stroke (RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.86 to 1.05). The lack of benefit of folic acid plus higher doses of cyanocobalamin (≥0.4 mg/day) was observed in trials which all included participants with chronic kidney disease. Because metabolic B12 deficiency is very common and usually not diagnosed, future randomised trials of homocysteine-lowering interventions for stroke prevention should probably test a combination of folic acid and methylcobalamin or hydroxocobalamin instead of cyanocobalamin, and perhaps vitamin B6.

Suboptimal Vitamin B Intakes of Zambian Preschool Children: Evaluation of 24-Hour Dietary Recalls.

BACKGROUND: Hidden hunger affects individuals who chronically consume an inadequate intake of at least 1 micronutrient and is associated with low dietary diversity. Little data are available on dietary intake or status assessment of B vitamins among preschool children in Zambia. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess 24-hour dietary recall records obtained from Zambian children aged 3 to 7 years for B vitamin intake in relation to adequacy and change over time in the same community. METHODS: Twenty-four-hour dietary recalls were collected from 2 studies that were 2 years apart in the same district of Zambia. Data were retrospectively analyzed for B vitamin intake, that is, biotin, vitamin B12, folate, niacin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, riboflavin, and thiamin. The estimated average requirement (EAR) cut point method was used to assess inadequacy prevalence for EARs established by the Institute of Medicine in the United States. RESULTS: For all B vitamins, mean values were below the EARs established for children 4 to 8 years old. Relative to the EAR, children had the highest intakes of vitamin B6 with inadequacies of 77.9% and 60.1% in 2010 and 2012, respectively. The highest prevalence of inadequate intake was associated with folate, where ≥95% of the children had intakes below the EAR in both studies. CONCLUSIONS: All median vitamin B intakes were inadequate among these young children in rural Zambia. Future researchers and policy makers may need to consider B vitamin status in resource-poor areas of the country.

Neurologic Manifestations of Vitamin B Deficiency after Bariatric Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to assess the incidence, clinical presentation, and outcomes of neurologic disorders secondary to vitamin B deficiencies following bariatric surgery. METHODS: Patients at a single academic institution who underwent bariatric surgery and developed neurologic complications secondary to low levels of vitamins B1, B2, B6, and B12 between the years 2004 and 2015 were studied. RESULTS: In total, 47 (0.7%) bariatric surgical patients (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass n = 36, sleeve gastrectomy n = 9, and duodenal switch n = 2) developed neurologic manifestations secondary to vitamin B deficiencies. Eleven (23%) patients developed postoperative anatomical complications contributed to poor oral intake. Median duration to onset of neurologic manifestation following surgery was 12 months (IQR, 5-32). Vitamin deficiencies reported in the cohort included B1 (n = 30), B2 (n = 1), B6 (n = 12), and B12 (n = 12) deficiency. The most common manifestations were paresthesia (n = 31), muscle weakness (n = 15), abnormal gait (n = 11), and polyneuropathy (n = 7). Four patients were diagnosed with Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS) which was developed after gastric bypass (n = 3) and sleeve gastrectomy (n = 1). Seven patients required readmission for management of severe vitamin B deficiencies. Overall, resolution of neurologic symptoms with nutritional interventions and pharmacotherapy was noted in 40 patients (85%). The WKS was not reversible, and all four patients had residual mild ataxia and nystagmus at the last follow-up time. CONCLUSIONS: Nutritional neurologic disorders secondary to vitamin B deficiency are relatively uncommon after bariatric surgery. While neurologic disorders are reversible in most patients (85%) with vitamin replacements, persistent residual neurologic symptoms are common in patients with WKS.

Obesity, related diseases and their relationship with vitamin D deficiency in adolescents.

INTRODUCTION: The rise in prevalence of obesity has occurred concomitantly to that of vitamin D deficiency (VDD). The aim of this narrative review was to describe the relationship between obesity and such related diseases as VDD in adolescents, in an effort to warn of the risks of this deficiency during this period of growth and development. METHODS: We searched the electronic databases PubMed, Medline, Scielo, Science Direct and Lilacs for articles from between 2000 and 2015 on the topics obesity and obesity-related diseases and VDD in adolescents. We included articles written in English, Spanish and Portuguese of the analytical variety (transverse and longitudinal), systematic reviews, meta-analysis and controlled clinical trials on humans, and excluded studies that were done on animals, inconclusive or with undefined methodology. RESULTS: We produced an overview of VDD in obesity, in cardiovascular diseases, in diabetes mellitus, in systemic hypertension, and in dyslipidemia. The prevalence of VDD was considered high in obese adolescents and their relationship with the obesity and related diseases was found in adolescents. These findings forewarn of possible clinical repercussions in the health of the adolescents, foremost because of how essential vitamin D is to growth and development, and for its interaction with obesity and obesity-related diseases. CONCLUSION: The worldwide rise in the obesity rate alongside the progressively increasing of vitamin D deficiency in adolescents is alarming. This relationship of VDD with the obesity and related diseases was found in adolescents. Vitamin D supplementation is considered promising measure to take with obese adolescents.

Vitamin D Levels in Infants With Biliary Atresia: Pre- and Post-Kasai Portoenterostomy.

OBJECTIVES: Infants with biliary atresia (BA) are at high risk of vitamin D deficiency. We aimed to determine the prevalence and factors influencing vitamin D levels at presentation and post-Kasai portoenterostomy (KPE). METHODS: Single-centre retrospective review of infants with BA who underwent KPE. Pre- and postoperatively 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHVD), liver and bone biochemistry data were collected. 25-OHVD levels <10 and 10 to 20 ng/mL were defined as vitamin D "deficiency" and "insufficiency," respectively. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-nine infants with BA (isolated n = 101, developmental n = 28, and white n = 79; non-white n = 50) were included in this study. At presentation, 75 of 92 (81%) were vitamin D deficient and only 1 infant had a level >20 ng/mL. Median 25-OHVD levels were 5(2-23), 17(2-72), 15(2-80), 17(2-69), and 23(2-98) ng/mL at pre-KPE, 1, 4, 6, and 12 months postoperation. There was no difference in 25-OHVD levels between the isolated and developmental groups with BA. Pre-KPE, white infants had significantly higher levels than non-white infants (6[2-23] vs 3[2-14] ng/mL, P = 0.01). Post-KPE 25-OHVD levels correlated well with liver and bone biochemical variables (eg, at 6 months: bilirubin rs = -0.34; P < 0.001, alkaline phosphatase rs = -0.46; P < 0.00001, and phosphate rs = 0.49; P < 0.00001). CONCLUSIONS: 25-OHVD deficiency is invariable at presentation in infants with BA, irrespective of its likely aetiology, and is more severe in non-white infants. Despite routine parenteral and enteral supplementation, low 25-OHVD levels persist post KPE especially in icteric infants. More aggressive vitamin D supplementation and monitoring in this population is paramount.

Dietary Sources of Vitamin B-12 and Their Association with Vitamin B-12 Status Markers in Healthy Older Adults in the B-PROOF Study.

Low vitamin B-12 concentrations are frequently observed among older adults. Malabsorption is hypothesized to be an important cause of vitamin B-12 inadequacy, but serum vitamin B-12 may also be differently affected by vitamin B-12 intake depending on food source. We examined associations between dietary sources of vitamin B-12 (meat, fish and shellfish, eggs, dairy) and serum vitamin B-12, using cross-sectional data of 600 Dutch community-dwelling adults (≥65 years). Dietary intake was assessed with a validated food frequency questionnaire. Vitamin B-12 concentrations were measured in serum. Associations were studied over tertiles of vitamin B-12 intake using P for trend, by calculating prevalence ratios (PRs), and splines. Whereas men had significantly higher vitamin B-12 intakes than women (median (25th-75th percentile): 4.18 (3.29-5.38) versus 3.47 (2.64-4.40) µg/day), serum vitamin B-12 did not differ between the two sexes (mean ± standard deviation (SD): 275 ± 104 pmol/L versus 290 ± 113 pmol/L). Higher intakes of dairy, meat, and fish and shellfish were significantly associated with higher serum vitamin B-12 concentrations, where meat and dairy-predominantly milk were the most potent sources. Egg intake did not significantly contribute to higher serum vitamin B-12 concentrations. Thus, dairy and meat were the most important contributors to serum vitamin B-12, followed by fish and shellfish.

Vitamin D Deficiency and Hashimoto's Thyroiditis in Children and Adolescents: a Critical Vitamin D Level for This Association?

OBJECTIVE: Vitamin D has been suggested to be active as an immunomodulator in autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). The goal of the present study was to investigate the vitamin D status in HT patients. METHODS: This prevalence case-control study was conducted on 90 patients with HT (of ages 12.32 ± 2.87 years) and 79 age-matched healthy controls (11.85 ± 2.28 years). Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D3] levels were measured in all 169 subjects. RESULTS: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in HT patients (64 of 90; 71.1%) was significantly higher than that in the control group (41 of 79; 51.9%) (p=0.025). Mean serum 25(OH)D3 level in the HT group was significantly lower compared to the control group (16.67 ± 11.65 vs. 20.99 ± 9.86 ng/mL, p=0.001). HT was observed 2.28 times more frequently in individuals with 25(OH)D3 levels <20 ng/mL (OR: 2.28, CI: 1.21-4.3). CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency is associated with HT in children and adolescents. Levels lower than 20 ng/mL seem to be critical. The mechanism for this association is not clear.

[Interactions between markers of endothelial damage (homocysteine and asymmetric dimethylarginine) and antioxidants and B-vitamins in preeclamptic women]. / Interacción entre los marcadores de daño endotelial (homocisteóna y dimetilarginina asimétrica) con las vitaminas antioxidantes y del grupo B en pacientes con preeclampsia.

BACKGROUND: Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-related pathological condition triggered by an abnormal placentation which produces endothelial dysfunction (ED). ED, in turn, is associated with an increase in homocysteine (hcy) and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA); these molecules are also increased when some of the B-vitamins are deficient. It is unclear whether increases in hcy and ADMA during preeclampsia are the result of ED, or the consequence of a B-vitamin deficiency. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate hcy, ADMA, folic acid (FA), vitamin B6 and B2 concentrations in patients with preeclampsia. METHODS: In a cross-sectional design 19 patients with severe preeclamp- sia (preeclampsia) and 57 with normal pregnancy (no-preeclampsia), paired by gestational age and body mass index, were studied. Plasma hcy, ADMA, FA and vitamins B6 and B12 were determined. Non-parametric statistics was used for between-groups comparisons and regression analyses to evaluate interactions among molecules. RESULTS: 72% of women were vitamin B deficient, 40% were deficient of B12 and 4% of FA. Preeclamptic patients presented hcy and ADMA concentrations higher than no-preeclamptic ones. Inferential analyses demonstrated that: hcy and ADMA are increased during preeclampsia independently from vitamins blood concentration; that the risk for pre- eclampsia is associated with high hcy but not with vitamins deficiency; and that the ratio L-arginine:ADMA decreases the preeclampsia risk. CONCLUSION: In patients with preeclampsia, increases of hcy and ADMA are associated with ED, but not with deficiency of the vitamins involved in their metabolism.

Serial determinations of asymmetric dimethylarginine and homocysteine during pregnancy to predict pre-eclampsia: a longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of serial determinations of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and homocysteine (Hcy) concentrations during pregnancy to predict pre-eclampsia, taking into account maternal obesity and B vitamin status. DESIGN: Longitudinal study. SETTING: Two obstetric referral hospitals. SAMPLE: Two hundred and fifty-two of 411 women invited to participate in the study. METHODS: The women made monthly visits from ≤20 weeks of gestation until delivery for measurements of plasma ADMA, Hcy, and vitamins B6 , B12, and folic acid, and for the recording of clinical information. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Early elevations in plasma ADMA and Hcy related to the development of pre-eclampsia. RESULTS: Of the 252 women who completed the study, 179 had no complications, 49 developed pre-eclampsia, and 24 presented with complications other than pre-eclampsia. ADMA and Hcy increased gradually throughout pregnancy in the pre-eclampsia group, independent of maternal B-vitamin status and obesity, but remained constant in women with no complications. Relative to the preceding month, ADMA and Hcy levels increased 1 month prior to the onset of pre-eclampsia: 124 ± 27 nmol (P < 0.001) and 1177 ± 278 nmol (P = 0.001), respectively, in the pre-eclampsia group. The group of women with no complications did not show any significant changes. Increases of 80 nmol ADMA and 1000 nmol Hcy at 1 month prior to the onset of pre-eclampsia demonstrated the best potential for prediction. CONCLUSIONS: Increased ADMA and Hcy levels precede clinical manifestations of pre-eclampsia. Therefore, serial determinations of their concentrations may be helpful in identifying women at risk. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Increased ADMA and Hcy precede clinical pre-eclampsia and may identify women at risk.

Hyperhomocysteinemia: Impact on Neurodegenerative Diseases.

Neurodegenerative diseases are the diseases of the central nervous system with various aetiology and symptoms. Dementia, Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD) and autism are some examples of neurodegenerative diseases. Hyperhomocysteinemia (Hhcy) is considered to be an independent risk factor for numerous pathological conditions under neurodegenerative diseases. Along with genetic factors that are the prime cause of homocysteine (Hcy) imbalance, the nutritional and hormonal factors are also contributing to high Hcy levels in the body. Numerous clinical and epidemiological data confirm the direct correlation of Hcy levels in the body and generation of different types of central nervous system disorders, cardiovascular diseases, cancer and others. Till now, it is difficult to say whether homocysteine is the cause of the disease or whether it is one of the impacts of the diseases. However, Hhcy is a surrogate marker of vitamin B deficiency and is a neurotoxic agent. This Mini Review will give an overview of how far research has gone into understanding the homocysteine imbalance with prognostic, causative and preventive measures in treating neurodegenerative diseases.

The key role of government in addressing the pandemic of micronutrient deficiency conditions in Southeast Asia.

Micronutrient deficiency conditions are a major global public health problem. While the private sector has an important role in addressing this problem, the main responsibility lies with national governments, in cooperation with international agencies and donors. Mandatory fortification of basic foods provides a basic necessary intake for the majority and needs to be supported by provision of essential vitamin and mineral supplements for mothers and children and other high risk groups. Fortification by government mandate and regulation is essential with cooperation by private sector food manufacturers, and in the context of broader policies for poverty reduction, education and agricultural reform. Iron, iodine, vitamin A, vitamin B complex, folic acid, zinc, vitamin D and vitamin B12 are prime examples of international fortification experience achieved by proactive governmental nutrition policies. These are essential to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and their follow-up sustainable global health targets. National governmental policies for nutritional security and initiatives are essential to implement both food fortification and targeted supplementation policies to reduce the huge burden of micronutrient deficiency conditions in Southeast Asia and other parts of the world.

[Tuberculosis: plasma levels of vitamin D and its relation with infection and disease]. / Infección y enfermedad tuberculosa en relación con concentraciones plasmáticas de vitamina D.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Vitamin D (vitD) is involved in the phosphor-calcium metabolism and bone pathology, but also in inflammatory and infectious processes such as tuberculosis. The present study evaluates the clinical and epidemiological aspects of active tuberculosis cases and latently infected contacts in whom plasma concentrations of vitD were obtained to determine whether the deficiency of vitD is a risk factor to develop active tuberculosis, especially the more severe forms. METHOD: Observational, retrospective study that included 86 tuberculosis patients and 80 contacts with latent infection in a 2-year period. RESULTS: When comparing active tuberculosis cases with latent infection contacts, deficiency of vitD (vitD levels <10 ng/mL, odds ratio [OR]: 2.02, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04 to 3.93), male sex (OR: 1.9, 95% CI: 0.96 to 3.71) and non-white race (OR: 0.7, 95% CI: 0.34 to 1.42) were factors independently associated with the diagnosis of tuberculosis. CONCLUSION: Despite the limited number of subjects studied, there was a association between severe deficit of vitD and the presentation of tuberculosis.

Serum estradiol associates with blood hemoglobin in elderly men: the MrOS Sweden study.

CONTEXT: Blood hemoglobin (Hb) declines with age in healthy elderly men, in whom decreasing T has been regarded as part of normal aging. However, the association between Hb and serum estradiol is incompletely known. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether estradiol is associated with anemia/Hb and established determinants of Hb in elderly men without prostate cancer. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: The MrOS (Osteoporotic Fractures in Men) is a population-based study (n = 918; median age, 75.3 y; range, 70-81 y). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We evaluated total estradiol in relation to Hb and adjusted for potential confounders (ie, age, body mass index [BMI], erythropoietin [EPO], total T, cystatin C, and iron and B-vitamin status). RESULTS: Estradiol correlated negatively with age (r = -0.14; P < .001). Hb correlated (age adjusted) positively with estradiol (r = 0.21; P < .001) and T (r = 0.10; P < .01). Independent predictors for Hb in multivariate analyses were estradiol, EPO, BMI, transferrin saturation, cystatin C, and free T4, but not T. After exclusion of subjects with Hb <130 g/L and/or T < 8 nmol/L (n = 99), the correlation between Hb and T was no longer significant, whereas the associations between Hb and estradiol remained. After adjusting for age, BMI, and EPO, men with lower estradiol levels were more likely to have Hb in the lowest quartile of values (odds ratio per SD decrease in estradiol = 1.61 [95% confidence interval, 1.34-1.93]). Anemic subjects (Hb < 130 g/L) had lower mean estradiol than nonanemic subjects (67.4 vs 79.4 pmol/L; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Estradiol correlated positively and independently with Hb. Decreased estradiol might partly explain the age-related Hb decline observed in healthy elderly men.

Plasma homocysteine and folate levels and dietary folate intake in adolescents and young adults who underwent kidney transplantation during childhood.

BACKGROUND: Hyperhomocysteinemia (hyper-Hcy) is an important and reversible cardiovascular disease risk factor. We examined the prevalence of hyper-Hcy, plasma folate levels, and dietary folate intake in adolescents and young adults who had undergone kidney transplantation during childhood to assess the necessity for managing dietary folate. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed in 89 kidney transplant recipients (age at kidney transplantation: 12.6 ± 4.1 years; age during study: 21.2 ± 5.5 years). Hyper-Hcy and plasma folate deficiency were defined as plasma homocysteine (Hcy) >15 nmol/ml and plasma folate <3.0 ng/ml, respectively. RESULTS: Of the patients, 60 (67.4 %) had hyper-Hcy and 14 (15.7 %) had plasma folate deficiency. Plasma homocysteine levels correlated negatively with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; r = -0.565, p < 0.01) and plasma folate levels (r = -0.434, p < 0.01). For determinants of plasma homocysteine levels, a priori selected variables included kind of calcineurin inhibitor, age at kidney transplantation, pretransplant duration of dialysis, time since transplantation, age at examination, eGFR, and plasma folate. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis revealed eGFR and plasma folate levels as significant independent variables influencing plasma homocysteine levels. Dietary folate intake in 11 of 16 patients (66.8 %) with eGFR ≥ 60 ml/min/1.73 m(2) was below the recommended dietary allowance for Japanese. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of hyper-Hcy and plasma folate deficiency, as well as the low dietary folate intake, suggest that dietary management of folate is necessary for adolescents and young adults who have undergone kidney transplantation during childhood.

Laboratory testing for and diagnosis of nutritional deficiencies in pregnancy before and after bariatric surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Bariatric surgery can reduce the risk of obesity-related complications of pregnancy, but may cause essential nutrient deficiencies. To assess adherence to laboratory testing guidelines, we examined frequency of testing for and diagnosis of deficiency during preconception and pregnancy using claims data in women with a delivery and bariatric surgery. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of claims from seven Blue Cross/Blue Shield plans between 2002 and 2008. We included women with a delivery and bariatric surgery within the study period. We used common procedural terminology (CPT) and ICD-9 codes to define laboratory testing and deficiencies for iron, folate, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and thiamine. Using Student's t-test and chi-square testing, we compared frequency of laboratory tests and diagnoses during 12 months preconception and 280 days of pregnancy between women with pregnancy before versus after surgery. We used multivariate logistic regression to evaluate for predictors of laboratory testing. RESULTS: We identified 456 women with pregnancy after bariatric surgery and 338 before surgery. The frequency of testing for any deficiency was low (9%-51%), but higher in those with pregnancy after surgery (p<0.003). The most common deficiency was vitamin B12 (12%-13%) with pregnancy after surgery (p<0.006). Anemia and number of health provider visits were independent predictors of laboratory testing. CONCLUSION: Women with pregnancy after bariatric surgery were tested for and diagnosed with micronutrient deficiencies more frequently than those with pregnancy before surgery. However, most laboratory testing occurred in less than half the women and was triggered by anemia. Increased testing may help identify nutrient deficiencies and prevent consequences for maternal and child health.

5-Methyltetrahydrofolate and thiamine diphosphate in cord-blood erythrocytes of preterm versus term newborns.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: A low folate or low thiamine status may be associated with the risk of preterm delivery, small for gestational age (SGA) offspring and adverse pregnancy outcomes. SUBJECTS/METHODS: 5-Methyltetrahydrofolate (5MTHF) and thiamine diphosphate (TDP) were measured directly in cord-blood erythrocytes (CBEs) of early preterm (n=26; <32 weeks gestational age; including 50% multiple births), late preterm (n=38; 32 to <37 weeks; including 24% multiple births) and term newborns (n=60, 37-42 weeks) via high-performance liquid chromatography and fluorescence detection. Associations between 5MTHF and TDP with gestational age, newborn anthropometrics (birth weight, newborn's length and head circumference) and risk of being SGA were explored. RESULTS: Group comparison as well as multivariate linear regression analysis of cord-blood vitamins revealed that 5MTHF was significantly lower in late preterms compared with terms but did not differ between singletons and multiples. TDP tended to be higher in preterms than in terms and lower in multiples than in singletons in both early and late preterms. Multivariate analysis on birth outcomes showed that 5MTHF was significantly positively associated with gestational age, birth weight and newborn's length. 5MTHF, increasing gestational age and parity were associated with a significantly reduced risk for being SGA, while TDP, multiple births and gender were not associated with the risk for being SGA. CONCLUSIONS: Higher CBE concentrations of 5MTHF were associated with improved birth outcomes. Lower TDP concentrations were observed in multiple births. Future studies evaluating cord-blood vitamin concentrations and their associations with birth outcomes should additionally include dietary intakes and maternal blood concentrations at different stages of pregnancy.

Micronutrient deficiency and cognitive and physical performance in Indian children.

Several micronutrient deficiencies affect functional, particularly cognition and physical performance of children. Identifying and preventing sub-clinical deficiencies may be important so that adverse effects on functional performance by these deficiencies, particularly of iron and the B vitamins, are prevented. There is also the potential for childhood micronutrient deficiencies to have long-term effects that affect health and productivity in adulthood. This is especially relevant in a developing country such as India, which faces the dual burden of malnutrition and where the prevalence of these deficiencies is high. This review highlights the extent of micronutrient deficiencies in Indian children and focuses on the effect of deficiencies of the B vitamins and iron on cognitive and physical performance in children. Most studies on multiple micronutrient supplementation or fortification in Indian school children show modest effects on cognitive and physical performance, and it is relevant to point out that these studies have largely been conducted on urban children with mild deficiency at most; children with moderate or severe deficiency have not been studied. However, diets of rural children indicate large deficits in micronutrient intake, particularly of folic acid, riboflavin and iron, and their consequences have not been studied. With the limited evidence available, a short term but economical solution to ensure adequate micronutrient intakes could be through the fortification of staple cereals taken throughout the day. As increasing household incomes translate into an increase in food expenditure and diet diversification, it may become necessary to define upper limits of intake for nutrients in India, particularly as many commercial foods are fortified.