Evolution of Serum 25OHD in Response to Vitamin D3-Fortified Yogurts Consumed by Healthy Menopausal Women: A 6-Month Randomized Controlled Trial Assessing the Interactions between Doses, Baseline Vitamin D Status, and Seasonality.

BACKGROUND: Adequate vitamin D status contributes to bone fragility risk reduction and possibly other pathological conditions that occur with aging. In response to pharmaceutical vitamin D3 supplements, several studies have documented the influence of doses, baseline status, and seasonality on serum 25-hydroyvitamin D (s25OHD). OBJECTIVE: Using fortified yogurt, we investigated in one randomized controlled trial how both baseline status, as assessed by measuring s25OHD prior the onset of the trial, and the season of enrollment quantitatively influenced the response to the supplemented (Suppl.) of vitamin D3 (VitD3) in healthy community-dwelling women. METHODS: A 24-week controlled trial was conducted in menopausal women (mean age: 61.5). Participants were randomized into 3 groups (Gr): Gr.Suppl.0, time controls maintaining dietary habits; Gr.Suppl.5 and Gr.Suppl.10 consuming one and two 125-g servings of VitD3-fortified yogurts with 5- and 10-µg daily doses, respectively. The 16 intervention weeks lasted from early January to mid-August, the 8 follow-up weeks, without product, from late August to mid-October. Before enrollment, subjects were randomized into 2 s25OHD strata: low stratum (LoStr): 25-50 nmol/L; high stratum (HiStr): >50-75 nmol/L. RESULTS: All enrolled participants adhered to the protocol throughout the 24-week study: Gr.Suppl.0 (n = 45), Gr.Suppl.5 (n = 44), and Gr.Suppl.10 (n = 44). Over the 16 intervention and 8 follow-up weeks, s25OHD increased in both supplemented groups, more in Gr.Suppl.10 than in Gr.Suppl.5. At the end of the intervention, the subject proportion with s25OHD ≥ 50 nmol/L was 37.8, 54.5, and 63.6% in Gr.Suppl.0, Gr.Suppl.5, and Gr.Suppl.10, respectively. The constant rate of s25OHD per supplemental VitD3 microgram was greater in LoStr than HiStr. The s25OHD increase was greater with late (mid-March) than early (mid-January) inclusion. CONCLUSION: This randomized trial demonstrates (1) a dose-dependent s25OHD improvement related to fortified yogurt consumption; (2) an inversely baseline-dependent increase in s25OHD; and (3) a seasonal effect that highlights the importance of VitD3-fortified foods during winter, even at 5 µg/d, in healthy menopausal women.

Consumption of vitamin D-and calcium-fortified soft white cheese lowers the biochemical marker of bone resorption TRAP 5b in postmenopausal women at moderate risk of osteoporosis fracture.

The prevention of increased bone remodeling in postmenopausal women at low 10-y risk of osteoporotic fractures essentially relies on reinforcement of environmental factors known to positively influence bone health, among which nutrition plays an important role. In institutionalized women in their mid-eighties, we previously found that consumption of fortified soft plain cheese increased vitamin D, calcium, and protein intakes, reduced bone resorption biochemical markers, particularly the serum bone specific acid phosphatase tartrate resistant acid phosphatase, isoform 5b (TRAP 5b) that reflects osteoclast activity, and stimulated the serum bone anabolic factor insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). Whether these effects occur in much younger women was tested in a prospective control study. Seventy-one healthy postmenopausal women aged 56.6 ± 3.9 y (mean ± SD) with low spontaneous supply of both Ca and vitamin D were randomized to consume daily (treated, n = 36) or not (controls, n = 35) two servings (2 × 100 g) of skimmed-milk, soft plain cheese for 6 wk. The vitamin D and Ca-fortified dairy product provided daily: 661 kJ, 2.5 µg vitamin D, 400 mg calcium, and 13.8 g protein. At the end of the intervention, the decrease in TRAP 5b and the increase in IGF-I were greater in the treated than in the control group (P < 0.02). The changes in serum carboxy terminal crosslinked telopeptide of type I collagen did not differ significantly between the two groups. In conclusion, like in elderly women, consumption by healthy postmenopausal women of a vitamin D and calcium-fortified dairy product that also increases the protein intake, reduces the serum concentration of the bone resorption biomarker TRAP 5b. This response, combined with the increase in serum IGF-I, is compatible with a nutrition-induced reduction in postmenopausal bone loss rate.

Structural analysis of alfa grass (Stipa tenacissima L.) lignin obtained by acetic acid/formic acid delignification.

Alfa grass lignin obtained by the acetic acid/formic acid/water CIMV pulping process was characterized by FTIR and (1)H, (13)C-(1)H 2D HSQC, and (31)P NMR spectroscopies. Lignin samples purified by further dissolution/precipitation or basic hydrolysis steps were also analyzed. The CIMV alfa lignin is a mixture of low molar mass compounds (M(n) = 1500 g/mol) of SGH type with ß-O-4 ether bonds as the major interunit linkage. The crude lignin contains fatty acids and residual polysaccharides. It also contains large amounts of acetate and hydroxycinnamates, mostly in the γ-position of ß-O-4 interunit linkages. Although partial acetylation induced by the process cannot be excluded, the absence of aromatic acetates and acetylated polysaccharides in crude lignin demonstrates the mildness of the process. By combining smooth alkaline hydrolysis and dissolution/precipitation steps to the CIMV pulping, it is possible to produce a purified lignin with a composition and a structure quite analogous to that of the native polymer in the plant.

Inhibition of markers of bone resorption by consumption of vitamin D and calcium-fortified soft plain cheese by institutionalised elderly women.

Acceleration of bone remodelling increases the risk of fragility fractures. The objective of the present study was to explore in elderly women whether a vitamin D and Ca-fortified dairy product providing about 17-25 % of the recommended intakes in vitamin D, Ca and proteins would reduce secondary hyperparathyroidism and bone remodelling in a way that may attenuate age-related bone loss in the long term. Thirty-seven institutionalised women, aged 84.8 (sd 8.1) years, with low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (5.5 (sd 1.7) ng/ml) were enrolled into a multicentre open trial to consume during 1 month two servings of soft plain cheese made of semi-skimmed milk providing daily 686 kJ (164 kcal), 2.5 microg vitamin D, 302 mg Ca and 14.2 g proteins. The primary endpoint was the change in serum carboxy terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX), selected as a marker of bone resorption. Thirty-five subjects remained compliant. Mean serum changes were: 25-hydroyvitamin D, +14.5 % (P = 0.0051); parathyroid hormone (PTH), - 12.3 % (P = 0.0011); CTX, - 7.5 % (P = 0.01); tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase isoform 5b (TRAP 5b), - 9.9 % (P < 0.0001); albumin, +6.2 % (P < 0.0001); insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I),+16.9 % (P < 0.0001); osteocalcin, +8.3 % (P = 0.0166); amino-terminal propeptide of type 1 procollagen (P1NP),+19.3 % (P = 0.0031). The present open trial suggests that fortified soft plain cheese consumed by elderly women with vitamin D insufficiency can reduce bone resorption markers by positively influencing Ca and protein economy, as expressed by decreased PTH and increased IGF-I, respectively. The rise in the bone formation marker P1NP could be explained by a protein-mediated increase in IGF-I. Thus, such a dietary intervention might uncouple, at least transiently, bone resorption from bone formation and thereby attenuate age-related bone loss.

Effects of Vitamin D and Calcium Fortified Yogurts on Gait, Cognitive Performances, and Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations in Older Community-Dwelling Females: Results from the GAit, MEmory, Dietary and Vitamin D (GAME-D2) Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D3 fortified food may improve serum vitamin D level, suggesting that the prevention of adverse consequences of hypovitaminosis D is possible with food fortification. The aim of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) was to examine the effects of vitamin D and calcium fortified yogurt on spatiotemporal gait parameters, cognitive performance, handgrip strength, and serum 25OHD levels in healthy older females. METHODS: Forty older community-dwelling females were recruited in a single-blind, randomized, controlled, superiority clinical trial in two parallel groups (20 participants in the intervention group and 20 in the control group) with intent-to-treat. The intervention group took fortified yogurts daily (i.e., 400 UI of vitamin D3 and 800 mg calcium) for 3 months. The non-fortified yogurts contained similar proteins, carbohydrates and lipids, as well as a lower dose of calcium (300 mg) and no vitamin D3 supplementation. Spatiotemporal gait parameters (mean value and coefficient of variation) were assessed using a computerized walkway. Handgrip strength was measured with hydraulic dynamometers. Cognitive performances, including global cognitive functioning assessed with the Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE) were recorded. All the outcomes were assessed at baseline and at the end of follow-up. The primary outcome was the coefficient of variation of stride time. RESULTS: The intervention group maintained its global cognitive performance and serum 25OHD concentrations, whereas these outcomes decreased (i.e., worst performance) in the control group. The changes in the MMSE score (p = 0.022) and serum 25OHD concentrations were different (p ≤ 0.001) with better values reported in the intervention group compared to the control group. There was no significant change in gait parameters (p ≥ 0.518) and handgrip strength (p ≥ 0.600). CONCLUSIONS: Fortified yogurts with vitamin D (i.e., 200 IU) and calcium (i.e., 400 mg) twice a day maintained global cognitive performance and vitamin D status in older females, but not gait performances, signifying that they mainly prevent hypovitaminosis D-related extra-skeletal disorders.

Moderate amounts of vitamin D3 in supplements are effective in raising serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D from low baseline levels in adults: a systematic review.

There is controversy surrounding the designation of vitamin D adequacy as defined by circulating levels of the metabolite 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D). Depending on the cutoff level chosen, dietary intakes of vitamin D may or may not provide sufficient impact upon vitamin D status measured as improvement in serum levels of 25(OH)D. We sought to examine whether modest daily doses (5-20 µg) as found in fortified foods or multivitamin supplements had a measureable impact on vitamin D status, defined as moving from below to above 50 nmol/L, or from less than 30 nmol/L to above 30 nmol/L. Published literature was searched for relevant articles describing randomized controlled trials. Exclusion criteria were: studies not involving humans; review articles; studies lacking blood level data pre- and post-treatment; no control group; bolus treatments (weekly, monthly, yearly); vitamin D < 5 µg or > 20 µg; baseline 25(OH)D ≥ 75 nmol/L; subjects not defined as healthy; studies < 8 weeks; and age < 19 years. Of the 127 studies retrieved, 18 publications with 25 separate comparisons met criteria. The mean rate constant, defined as change in 25(OH)D in nmol/L per µg vitamin D administered, was calculated as 2.19 ± 0.97 nmol/L per µg. There was a significant negative correlation (r = -0.65, p = 0.0004) between rate constant and administered dose. To determine impact of the dose reflecting the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) of 10 µg administered in nine studies (10 comparisons), in every case mean 25(OH)D status rose either from "insufficient" (30-50 nmol/L) to "sufficient" (> 50 nmol/L) or from "deficient" (< 30 nmol/L) to "insufficient" (> 30 but < 50 nmol/L). Our study shows that when baseline levels of groups were < 75 nmol/L, for every microgram of vitamin D provided, 25(OH)D levels can be raised by 2 nmol/L; and further, when groups were deficient or insufficient in vitamin D, there was significant value in providing additional 10 µg per day of vitamin D.

Purification, structural characterization, and modification of organosolv wheat straw lignin.

Biolignin, a wheat straw lignin produced by acetic acid/formic acid/water hydrolysis, was characterized by (31)P and (13)C-(1)H 2D NMR spectroscopy and by size-exclusion chromatography. Biolignin is a mixture of low molar mass compounds (Mn = 1660 g/mol) made up of S, G, and H units and of coumaric and ferulic acid units. ß-5 and ß-O-4 interunit linkages are partially acylated in the γ-position by acetate and p-coumarate groups. Deacylated samples with a low content of contaminants were obtained by combining alkaline hydrolysis and solvent extraction. The high phenolic OH content found by (31)P NMR reflects the presence of condensed aromatic units, such as 5-5 units. Reaction of purified lignin with ethanol and ethane-1,2-diol yielded esterified lignins much more soluble than Biolignin in common organic solvents. During this reaction, the secondary OH of ß-O-4 linkages was simultaneously etherified. Phenol hydroxyethylation by 2-chloroethanol yielded samples containing only aliphatic hydroxyl groups.

Protein quality affects bone status during moderate protein restriction in growing mice.

Adequate protein intake during development is critical to ensure optimal bone gain and to attain a higher peak bone mass later on. We hypothesized that the quality of the dietary protein is of prime importance for bone physiology during moderate protein restriction. The target population was growing Balb/C mice. We compared two protein restricted diets (6% of total energy as protein), one based on soy (LP-SOY) and one based on casein (LP-CAS). For comparison, a normal protein soy-based control group (NP-SOY) and a low protein group receiving an anabolic daily parathyroid hormone (PTH) 1-34 injection (LP-SOY+PTH) were included in the protocol. After 8weeks, LP-SOY mice had reduced body weights related to a lower lean mass whereas LP-CAS mice were not different from the NP-SOY group. LP-SOY mice were characterized by lower femoral cortical thickness, bone volume, trabecular number and thickness and increased medullar adiposity when compared to both the LP-CAS and NP-SOY groups. However, the dietary intervention had no effect on the vertebral parameters. The negative effect of the LP-SOY diet was correlated to an impaired bone formation as shown by the reduced P1NP serum level as well as the reduced osteoid surfaces and bone formation rate in the femur. PTH injection in LP-SOY mice had no effect on total weight or lean mass, but improved all bone parameters at both femoral and vertebral sites, suggesting that amino acid deficiency was not the primary reason for degraded bone status in mice consuming soy protein. In conclusion, our study showed that under the same protein restriction (6% of energy), a soy diet leads to impaired bone health whereas a casein diet has little effect when compared to a normal protein control.

Direct Poly(ß-alanine) Synthesis via Polycondensation in Ionic Liquids.

Poly(ß-alanine) was successfully synthesized by an alternative method, which is the direct polyamidation of ß-alanine in ionic liquids with triphenylphosphite as a condensing agent. It was found that 1,3-dimethylimidazolium dimethylphosphate was the most suitable reaction medium, in which a number-average degree of polymerization up to 49.5 was obtained. It was shown that the method is also applicable to the direct synthesis of polypeptides, for example, poly(l-valine) and poly(l-isoleucine).