Dietary Intake and Food Sources of Niacin, Riboflavin, Thiamin and Vitamin B6 in a Representative Sample of the Spanish Population. The Anthropometry, Intake, and Energy Balance in Spain (ANIBES) Study †.

Thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin B6 are essential micronutrients that are mainly involved in energy metabolism; they may prevent the occurrence of developmental abnormalities and chronic degenerative and neoplastic diseases. The aim was to analyze dietary intake and food sources of those four nutrients in subjects (n = 2009) aged 9⁻75 years old from the Spanish ANIBES (Anthropometry, Intake, and Energy Balance in Spain) study. Dietary data were collected by means of a validated, photo-based three-day dietary food record. Underreporting was analysed according to the European Food and Safety Authority (EFSA, Parma, Italy) protocol. Mean (max⁻min) reported intake for the whole population of thiamin was 1.17 ± 0.02 mg/day, (0.30⁻3.44 mg/day), riboflavin 1.44 ± 0.02 mg/day, (0.37⁻3.54 mg/day), niacin 29.1 ± 0.2 mg/day (6.7⁻109 mg/day), and vitamin B6 1.54 ± 0.01 mg/day (0.28⁻9.30 mg/day). The main sources of intake for thiamin, niacin, and vitamin B6 were meat and meat products, and for riboflavin were milk and dairy products. An elevated percentage of the Spanish ANIBES population meets the EFSA recommended intakes for thiamin (71.2%), riboflavin (72.0%), niacin (99.0%), and vitamin B6 (77.2%).

Iron Intake and Dietary Sources in the Spanish Population: Findings from the ANIBES Study.

BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutritional problems in the world. It is frequent in both developed and developing countries and mainly affects women of childbearing age and children. METHODS: Results were derived from the ANIBES cross-sectional study using a nationally-representative sample of the Spanish population (9-75 years, n = 2009). A three-day dietary record, collected by means of a tablet device, was used to obtain information about food and beverage consumption and leftovers. RESULTS: Total median dietary iron intake was 9.8 mg/day for women and 11.3 mg/day for men. Highest intakes were observed among plausible adolescent reporters (13.3 mg/day), followed by adults (13.0 mg/day), elderly (12.7 mg/day), and children (12.2 mg/day). Prevalence of adequacy for iron intakes as assessed by EFSA criteria was higher than for the Spanish Recommended Iron Intake values in all age groups. Females had lower adequacy than males for both criteria, 27.3% and 17.0% vs. 77.2% and 57.0% respectively. Cereals or grains (26.7%-27.4%), meats and derivatives (19.8%-22.7%), and vegetables (10.3%-12.4%) were the major iron contributors. CONCLUSION: Higher iron intakes were observed in adolescents and were highest for non-heme iron. The prevalence of adequate iron intake according to EFSA criteria was higher than compared to national recommendations, and women had the lowest intakes. Therefore, there is a need to define standard dietary reference intake to determine inadequate iron intakes in the Spanish population.

Fatty acid status and antioxidant defense system in mothers and their newborns after salmon intake during late pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to assess the maternal and newborn status of erythrocyte fatty acids and the antioxidant defense system after the intake of two portions of salmon per week during late pregnancy. METHODS: Pregnant women (N = 123) were randomly assigned to continue their habitual diet, which was low in oily fish (control group, n = 61) or to consume two 150-g salmon portions per week (salmon group, n = 62) beginning at 20 wk of gestation and lasting until delivery. Fatty acids, selenium, and glutathione concentrations and antioxidant defense enzyme activities were measured in maternal erythrocytes at 20, 34, and 38 wk of pregnancy, and in cord erythrocytes collected at birth. Plasma concentrations of antioxidant molecules were measured. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, consuming salmon had little effect on erythrocyte fatty acids in either mothers or newborns. Components of the antioxidant defense system did not differ between groups. Glutathione peroxidase activity and the concentrations of tocopherols, retinol, and coenzyme Q10 were significantly lower in cord blood compared with maternal blood at week 38 in both groups. CONCLUSION: Maternal and newborn erythrocyte fatty acids are not strongly affected by the intake of two portions of salmon per week during the second half of pregnancy, although erythrocyte docosahexaenoic acid might be increased in newborns. Maternal and newborn antioxidant defense systems are not impaired by intake of salmon from 20 wk gestation.

Inflammatory Response Using Different Lipid Parenteral Nutrition Formulas in Children After Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

Nutritional support is an integral part of the supportive care of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) patients. Omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 FA) emulsions in parenteral nutrition (PN) may modify the inflammatory response. The purpose of this study is to compare plasma cytokine levels in children after HSCT using an n-3 FA-containing lipid emulsion (LE) and a soybean oil-based formulation in PN. A randomized double-blind controlled trial was conducted on 14 children following HSCT. Children were randomized to receive either a fish oil or a soybean oil LE. Blood samples were drawn at baseline, on Day 10 and after completion of PN to analyze plasma interleukin 1 beta (IL-1ß), 2 (IL-2), 6 (IL-6), 8 (IL-8), 10 (IL-10), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). After 10 days of PN, there were no significant changes in interleukins levels when comparing the two groups or time points (baseline vs. Day 10 of PN). In children requiring PN >21 days, IL-10 and TNF-α levels (P ≤ 0.05) were lower in the fish-oil-containing LE group. Fish oil- and soybean oil-supplemented PN administered for at least 10 days does not cause inflammatory changes. Prolonged PN based on fish oil LE may modulate the inflammatory response.

Role of Exercise in the Activation of Brown Adipose Tissue.

BACKGROUND: The energy-burning capacity of brown adipose tissue (BAT) makes it an attractive target for use in anti-obesity therapies. Moreover, due to its ability to oxidize glucose and lipids, BAT activation has been considered a potential therapy to combat type 2 diabetes and atherogenesis. SUMMARY: BAT is mainly regulated by the sympathetic nervous system (SNS); yet, recent findings have shown a group of novel activators that act independently of the stimulation of the SNS such as cardiac natriuretic peptides, irisin, interleukin-6, ß-aminoisobutyric acid and fibroblast growth factor 21 that could influence BAT metabolism. Several strategies are being examined to activate and recruit BAT with no side effects. In this review, we postulate that exercise might activate and recruit human BAT through the activation of SNS, heart and skeletal muscle. KEY MESSAGES: Epidemiological and well-designed exercise-based randomized controlled studies are needed to clarify if exercise is able to activate BAT in humans.

A Continuous Metabolic Syndrome Score Is Associated with Specific Biomarkers of Inflammation and CVD Risk in Prepubertal Children.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We aimed to evaluate the use of a continuous metabolic syndrome (MetS) score and to assess the associations of this score with risk biomarkers of inflammation, endothelial damage and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in prepubertal children. METHODS: A total of 677 prepubertal children (295 obese, 146 overweight, and 236 normal-weight) were recruited. MetS traits, markers of inflammation, endothelial damage and CVD risk were measured, and a continuous MetS score was calculated, consisting of the sum/5 of the standardised scores of the MetS components. RESULTS: The continuous MetS score was significantly associated with active plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (r = 0.406, p < 0.001), adiponectin (r = -0.212, p < 0.001), resistin (r = 0.263, p < 0.001), C-reactive protein (r = 0.254, p < 0.001), tumour necrosis factor alpha (r = 0.120, p = 0.003), myeloperoxidase (r = 0.188, p < 0.001) and sE-selectin (r = 0.278, p < 0.001). Children in the normal-weight, overweight and obese groups with MetS totalled 0 (0%), 1 (0.7%) and 24 (8.7%), respectively, whereas the at-risk children identified using the continuous MetS score in each group totalled 2 (0.85%), 17 (11.6%) and 167 (56.6%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The association of the continuous MetS score with specific risk biomarkers of inflammation, endothelial damage and CVD supports its use in the early identification of children at increased risk of metabolic dysfunction.

A gene variant in the transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) is associated with an increased risk of gestational diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: Adipokines play an important role in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance during pregnancy. We studied the association of genetic variants linked with type 2 diabetes in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) subjects and its influence on maternal adipokines. STUDY DESIGN: We recruited 25 healthy pregnant women (Controls) and 45 women with GDM at 24-28 weeks of gestation. Maternal blood samples were collected at recruitment and delivery. Adipokines were determined at both sampling times. Genomic DNA was extracted from recruitment samples and FTO rs9939609, TCF7L2 rs4506565, rs7901695, rs12243326, rs12255372 and rs7903146, INSIG2 rs7566605, SREBF1 rs114001633, rs45535737 and rs12941356 and FATP4 rs2003560 genotyped. RESULTS: Serum adiponectin was significantly lower in GDM than Controls at recruitment and showed a similar trend at delivery (p=0.060). In contrast, resistin tended to higher levels in GDM only at recruitment. TCF7L2 rs4506565 (OR=2.31, 95% CI: 1.97-5.01; p=0.031) and FTO rs9939609 (OR=2.17, 95% CI: 1.07-4.41; p=0.039) were associated with GDM risk. Women carrying the T allele of TCF7L2 rs4506565 had increases in plasma resistin of 9.38 µg/L (95% CI 1.39-17.37; p=0.022) per allele; this association remained significant after adjusting for pre-gestational body weight. CONCLUSION: TCF7L2 rs4506565 variant (T/T) is associated with increased risk of GDM and plasma resistin concentrations in women with GDM.

Changes in plasma adipokines in prepubertal children with a history of extrauterine growth restriction.

OBJECTIVE: Because nutritional support in perinatal life has been associated with metabolic programming, children with a history of extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) might display alterations in the adipocyte and in the secretion of adipokines. The aim of this study was to assess adiponectin, resistin, and leptin concentrations in prepubertal children with a history of EUGR, and to determine the potential correlation between these adipokines and metabolic parameters. METHODS: This case-control study sample included 38 prepubertal children with a history of EUGR and a control group of 123 healthy children of similar age and sex. Anthropometric measures and blood pressure were assessed. Biochemical markers and blood adipokine concentrations (adiponectin, resistin, and leptin) were evaluated. RESULTS: Adiponectin concentration was significantly lower in the EUGR group compared with controls (EUGR: 11.49 ± 6.07 versus control: 25.72 ± 10.13 µg/mL), and resistin concentration was higher (EUGR: 20332.95 ± 6401.25 versus control: 8056.31 ± 3823.63 pg/mL), even after adjustment for gestational age, weight, and size at birth. Systolic blood pressure was associated with adipokines concentrations in the EUGR group (P < 0.001). In EUGR children adiponectin was associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P = 0.042), whereas resistin was associated with carbohydrate metabolism parameters (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Early postnatal malnutrition in EUGR children could program adipose tissue. Plasma adipokines can be measured in childhood to identify precocious changes that may be associated with a higher risk for metabolic syndrome or cardiovascular disease later in life.

Influence of variants in the NPY gene on obesity and metabolic syndrome features in Spanish children.

Variants in the neuropeptide Y (NPY) gene have been associated with obesity and its traits. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the NPY gene with obesity, metabolic syndrome features, and inflammatory and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk biomarkers in Spanish children. We recruited 292 obese children and 242 normal-body mass index (BMI) children. Height, weight, BMI, waist circumference, clinical and metabolic markers, adipokines, and inflammatory (PCR, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α) and CVD risk biomarkers (MPO, MMP-9, sE-selectin, sVCAM, sICAM, and PAI-1) were analyzed. Seven SNPs in the NPY gene were genotyped. The results of our study indicate that anthropometric measurements, clinical and metabolic markers, adipokines (leptin and resistin), and inflammatory and CVD risk biomarkers were generally elevated in the obese group. The exceptions to this finding included cholesterol, HDL-c, and adiponectin, which were lower in the obese group, and glucose, LDL-c, and MMP-9, which did not differ between the groups. Both rs16147 and rs16131 were associated with the risk of obesity, and the latter was also associated with insulin resistance, triacylglycerols, leptin, and HDL-c. Thus, we confirm the association of rs16147 with obesity, and we demonstrate for the first time the association of rs16131 with obesity and its possible impact on the early onset of metabolic syndrome features, mainly triacylglycerols, in children.

Postprandial glucose, insulin and gastrointestinal hormones in healthy and diabetic subjects fed a fructose-free and resistant starch type IV-enriched enteral formula.

BACKGROUND: Reducing the dietary glycaemic response has been proposed as a means of reducing the risk of diabetes. AIM: To evaluate the effects of a new diabetes-specific formula (DSF) enriched with resistant starch type IV and fructose-free on postprandial glycaemia, insulinaemia and gastrointestinal hormones in healthy volunteers and in outpatient type 2 diabetics. METHODS: (1) Twenty-four healthy volunteers were divided into two groups: Group 1 ( n = 10) was provided 50 g of the carbohydrate (CHO) constituent of the new product and 50 g of glucose separated by 1 week; Group 2 ( n = 14) was provided 400 ml of the new DSF (T-Diet Plus(®) Diabet NP) and 400 ml of a control product separated by 1 week. (2) Ten type 2 diabetic patients received 400 ml of the new DSF and two other commercially available DSF (Glucerna(®) SR and Novasource(®) Diabet) on three occasions separated by 1 week. Venous blood samples were drawn at time 0 and at different times until 120 min. Glucose, insulin and gastrointestinal hormones were determined. Glycaemic and insulinaemic indices and glycaemic load were calculated. RESULTS: The CHO constituent and the new DSF showed low glycaemic index and glycaemic load. In healthy subjects, insulin and C-peptide release were lower after administration of the CHO constituent as well as after the new DSF (P < 0.001). Ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) production were lower after intake of the CHO constituent (P ranging from <0.001 to 0.019) compared with glucose, and GIP was lower after ingestion of the new DSF (P = 0.002) than after the control product. In type 2 diabetic patients, glucose AUC was lower after the administration of the new DSF (P = 0.037) compared with the others. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that this new product could be beneficial for diabetic patients.

Myeloperoxidase is an early biomarker of inflammation and cardiovascular risk in prepubertal obese children.

OBJECTIVE: Obesity is associated with a state of chronic low-grade inflammation. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) plays an important role in the initiation and progression of acute and chronic inflammatory diseases, such as cardiovascular disease (CVD). The objectives of the current study were to evaluate plasma MPO levels in prepubertal obese children and to determine whether MPO could be an early biomarker of inflammation and CVD risk. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In a prospective multicenter case-control study paired by age and sex of 446 Caucasian prepubertal children ages 6-12 years, 223 normal-weight and 223 obese children were recruited. Blood pressure, waist circumference, weight, and height were measured. In addition to MPO, glucose, insulin, metabolic lipid parameters, oxidized low-density lipoproteins, adiponectin, leptin, resistin, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor α, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 were determined. RESULTS: We found that MPO was elevated in prepubertal obese children and that this enzyme was associated with such proinflammatory and cardiovascular risk biomarkers as CRP, MMP-9, and resistin. Insulin resistance calculated by the homeostatic assessment model was the best predictor of MPO. CONCLUSIONS: MPO is an early biomarker of inflammation associated with CVD risk in obese children at the prepubertal age.

Does consumption of two portions of salmon per week enhance the antioxidant defense system in pregnant women?

Salmon is a rich source of marine n-3 fatty acids, which may increase oxidative stress and, in turn, could affect the antioxidant defense system in blood plasma and erythrocytes of pregnant women. The Salmon in Pregnancy Study provided two meals of salmon per week to pregnant women from week 20 of gestation; the control group maintained their habitual diet low in oily fish. Higher selenium and retinol plasma concentrations were observed after dietary salmon supplementation. Besides, a concomitant increase in selenium and glutathione concentration as well as glutathione peroxidase and reductase activities were detected as pregnancy progressed. However, tocopherols, retinol, ß-carotene, and coenzyme Q(10) decreased in late pregnancy. Collectively, our findings lead to the hypothesis that increased farmed salmon intake may increase antioxidant defenses during pregnancy. Clinical trials identifier NCT00801502.