Quantification of 10 B vitamins in mouse colon by LC-MS/MS: Application on breast cancer mice treated with doxorubicin.

B vitamins play important roles in various physiological processes, including cell metabolism and DNA synthesis. The intestine is critical for the absorption and utilization of B vitamins, but few analytical methods for detecting intestinal B vitamins are currently available. In this study, we developed a novel liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the simultaneous quantification of 10 B vitamins in mouse colon tissue, including thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), nicotinic acid (B3), niacinamide (B3-AM), pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6), pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (B6-5P), biotin (B7), folic acid (B9), and cyanocobalamin (B12). The method was thoroughly validated following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines and yielded good results in terms of linearity (r2 > 0.9928), lower limit of quantification (40-600 ng/g), accuracy (88.9-119.80 %) and precision (relative standard deviation ≤ 19.71 %), recovery (87.95-113.79 %), matrix effect (91.26-113.78 %), and stability (85.65-114.05 %). Furthermore, we applied our method to profile B vitamins in the colons of mice with breast cancer after doxorubicin chemotherapy treatment, which revealed that the doxorubicin treatment led to significant colon damage and accumulation of several B vitamins including B1, B2 and B5. We also confirmed the capability of this method for quantifying B vitamins in other intestinal tissues like the ileum, jejunum, and duodenum. The newly developed method is simple, specific, and useful for targeted profiling of B vitamins in mouse colon, with a potential for future studies on the role of these micronutrients in healthy and diseased states.

Pharmacopuncture with a low dosage of B complex vitamins in the Da Zhui acupoint (Governing Vessel 14) for controlling gastrointestinal parasitism in periparturient ewes / Farmacopuntura com dose baixa de vitaminas do complexo B no acuponto Da Zhui (Vaso Governador 14) para o controle da parasitose gastrintestinal em ovelhas no periparto

Gastrointestinal parasites are a significant challenge in sheep farming, and periparturient ewes are one of the most susceptible categories in sheep flocks. This study aimed to verify whether the injection of B vitamins at the acupuncture point governing vessel 14 (GV14) can influence the parasitic load or host-parasite interaction in naturally infected ewes during the peripartum period. Four weeks before parturition, 25 ewes were divided into five treatment groups: (1) Dose Control: 0.2 mL of B complex via IM; (2) Drug Control: 2 mL Complex B via IM; (3) Acupoint Control: 0.2 mL of Water at GV14 point; (4) Control; (5) Test group: 0.2 mL of B complex at the GV14 point. Treatments were performed at weeks -3, -1, 2, 4, and 6 about the parturition time. Fecal samples to estimate the parasitic load by fecal egg counts (FEC) and total blood samples for hemogram examination were performed seven days after the treatment, coinciding with weeks -2, 3, 5, and 7 about the parturition time. The number of peripheral eosinophils was higher in group 3 than in group 1 (p <0.05). Although groups 3 and 5 had lower mean values of FEC and higher hematological values at the time of weaning, these differences were not statistically significant (p> 0.05) according to the F test. However, all animals in groups 3 and 5 maintained low parasitism levels until the end of the experiment. Further studies should be performed with larger sample sizes and minor changes to the experimental protocol to elucidate the role of GV14 acupoint stimulation in the host-parasite relationship.(AU)

A parasitose gastrointestinal é o principal desafio sanitário para a criação de ovinos a pasto, e as ovelhas no periparto são uma das categorias mais susceptíveis a esta infeção no rebanho. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar se a injeção de vitaminas do complexo B no acuponto Vaso Governador 14 (VG14) poderia influenciar a carga parasitária ou modular a interação hospedeiro-parasito em ovelhas naturalmente infectadas no período de periparto. Quatro semanas antes da data prevista para o parto, 25 ovelhas foram divididas em cinco grupos de tratamento (1) Controle da dose: 0,2 mL de vitaminas do complexo B via IM; (2) Controle do fármaco: 2mL complexo B via IM; (3) Controle do Ponto: 0,2 mL de água destilada no ponto VG14; (4) Controle sem tratamento; (5) Grupo teste: 0,2 mL de complexo B no pontoVG14. Estes tratamentos foram realizados nas semanas -3; -1; 2; 4 e 6 em relação à data do parto. Amostras de fezes para contagem de ovos por grama de fezes (OPG), assim como amostras de sangue para realizar o hemograma, foram obtidas dos animais sete dias após os tratamentos, coincidindo com as semanas -2, 3, 5 e 7 do parto. O número de eosinófilos periféricos foi superior no grupo 3 se comparado ao grupo 1 (p <0,05). Os animais dos grupos 3 e 5 tiveram menores valores de OPG e maior hematócrito, mas estas diferenças não foram consideradas significativas pelo teste F (p> 0,05). No entanto, todas as ovelhas dos grupos 3 e 5 se mantiveram com níveis baixos de parasitismo durante todo o experimento. Sugere-se que novos estudos sejam realizados com algumas modificações deste protocolo a fim de aprofundar o conhecimento do potencial imunomodulador do acuponto VG14.(AU)

Dietary B vitamin and methionine intakes and risk for colorectal cancer: a case-control study in China.

B vitamins (including folate, vitamin B2, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12) and methionine are essential for methylation reactions, nucleotide synthesis, DNA stability and DNA repair. However, epidemiological evidence among Chinese populations is limited. The objective of this study was to evaluate B vitamins and methionine in relation to colorectal cancer risk in a Chinese population. A case-control study was conducted from July 2010 to April 2019. A total of 2502 patients with colorectal cancer were recruited along with 2538 age- (5-year interval) and sex-matched controls. Dietary data were collected using a validated FFQ. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess OR and 95 % CI. The intake of folate, vitamin B2, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 was inversely associated with colorectal cancer risk. The multivariable OR for the highest quartile v. the lowest quartile were 0·62 (95 % CI 0·51, 0·74; Ptrend < 0·001) for folate, 0·46 (95 % CI 0·38, 0·55; Ptrend < 0·001) for vitamin B2, 0·55 (95 % CI 0·46, 0·76; Ptrend < 0·001) for vitamin B6 and 0·72 (95 % CI 0·60, 0·86; Ptrend < 0·001) for vitamin B12. No statistically significant association was found between methionine intake and colorectal cancer risk. Stratified analysis by sex showed that the inverse associations between vitamin B12 and methionine intake and colorectal cancer risk were found only among women. This study indicated that higher intake of folate, vitamin B2, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 was associated with decreased risk of colorectal cancer in a Chinese population.

Determination of active vitamin B12 (cobalamin) in dietary supplements and ingredients by reversed-phase liquid chromatography: Single-laboratory validation.

Vitamin B12 dietary supplement can be critical to the alleviation strategies against micronutrient malnutrition and food insecurity. An HPLC-DAD method has been developed and validated, per AOAC SMPR 2016.017 (Standard Method Performance Requirements), for the quantitation of four bioactive forms of vitamin B12 (adenosylcobalamin, cyanocobalamin, hydroxocobalamin, methylcobalamin) from dietary ingredients and supplements. The method achieves chromatographic baseline resolution of vitamin B12 forms on a modern column platform without the expensive requirement of an ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography and/or mass spectrometry. The method has a wide analytical range (0.0005%w/w-85%w/w), high precision (reproducibility relative standard deviations ranged from 1.43% to 4.67%), and high accuracy (>96% spike recovery rate for 11 out of 12 accuracy testing data points). The method detection and quantification limits are less than 0.16 and 0.52 µg/mL, respectively. To our best knowledge, it is simpler, less time-consuming, and more economical than other published methods for its intended uses.

Association of Folate and Vitamins Involved in the 1-Carbon Cycle with Polymorphisms in the Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase Gene (MTHFR) and Global DNA Methylation in Patients with Colorectal Cancer.

Folate, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, choline, and betaine are nutrients involved in the 1-carbon cycle that can alter the levels of DNA methylation and influence genesis and/or tumor progression. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the association of folate and vitamins involved in the 1-carbon cycle and MTHFR polymorphisms in global DNA methylation in patients with colorectal cancer gene. The study included 189 patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma answering a clinical evaluation questionnaire and the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) validated for patients with colon and rectal cancer. Blood samples were collected for evaluation of MTHFR gene polymorphisms in global DNA methylation in blood and in tumor. The values for serum folate were positively correlated with the equivalent total dietary folate (total DFE) (rho = 0.51, p = 0.03) and global DNA methylation (rho = 0.20, p = 0.03). Individuals aged over 61 years (p = 0.01) in clinicopathological staging III and IV (p = 0.01) and with + heterozygous mutated homozygous genotypes for the MTHFR A1298C gene had higher levels of global DNA methylation (p = 0.04). The association between dietary intake of folate, serum folate, and tumor stage were predictive of global DNA methylation in patients' blood. The levels of serum folate, the dietary folate and the status of DNA methylation can influence clinicopathological staging.

Water-Soluble Vitamins in Human Milk Factors Affecting Their Concentration and Their Physiological Significance.

Most B vitamins and vitamin C are among the nutrients in milk most strongly affected by maternal status and/or dietary intake. Recent analytical methods are more efficient and valid, revealing major differences in water-soluble vitamins across population groups. An inadequate supply in milk can be detrimental to the breastfed infant's health and development although cutoff points below which risk is increased are often uncertain, and little attention has been paid to adverse effects of low milk water-soluble vitamins on infant health and function. Concentrations change during lactation: thiamine, niacin, and pantothenic acid increase; B6, B12, and ascorbic acid gradually decrease; while riboflavin concentrations are stable, as is choline after an initial increase. Folate fluctuates until stabilizing in late lactation. Water-soluble vitamin concentrations in milk are also influenced by maternal supplementation, and, for some, by parity, preterm delivery, smoking, and maternal illness. However, there is relatively little change in concentrations during a feed nor is diurnal variation a major influence. Reported concentrations are used to set adequate intakes for infants and incremental requirements for lactation. However, the status of available data is poor due to the small number of participants in most studies, uncertainties about maternal nutritional status, and variable times of milk collection postpartum.

Chemopreventive Potential of Raw and Roasted Pistachios Regarding Colon Carcinogenesis.

Pistachios are rich in health-promoting bioactive compounds such as B vitamins, γ-tocopherol, polyphenols and dietary fiber, which could contribute to the reduction of colon cancer risk in terms of chemoprevention (Fischer, S.; Glei, M. Health-Potential of Nuts. Ernaehrungs Umsch. Int. 2013, 60, 206-215.). Since pistachios are often consumed roasted, the present study aims at investigating the influence of different roasting conditions (RC) on potential chemopreventive effects of pistachios in colon adenoma cells such as growth and apoptosis, genotoxic- and anti-genotoxic effects and modulation of gene expression of detoxifying enzymes (CAT, SOD2, GPx1, and GSTP1). Fermentation supernatants (FS) were obtained from raw and roasted (RC1 = 141 °C/25 min, RC2 = 160 °C/15 min and RC3 = 185 °C/21 min) pistachios after in vitro fermentation. FS of pistachios significantly reduced LT97 cell growth in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Compared to the blank control, pistachio FS (2.5%) led to a significant average reduction of H2O2-induced DNA damage (1.5-fold). Levels of CAT mRNA were significantly increased (1.3-fold, on average for 5% FS). Pistachio FS (5%) significantly increased the number of early apoptotic cells (up to 2.1-fold) and levels of caspase-3 activities (up to 6.9-fold). The present results confirm a chemopreventive potential of pistachios, which is mediated by growth inhibition, induction of apoptosis and anti-genotoxic effects, as well as induction of CAT. These effects remain mostly unaffected by roasting.

Cognitive decline, dietary factors and gut-brain interactions.

Cognitive decline in elderly people often derives from the interaction between aging-related changes and age-related diseases and covers a large spectrum of clinical manifestations, from intact cognition through mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Epidemiological evidence supports the hypothesis that modifiable lifestyle-related factors are associated with cognitive decline, opening new avenues for prevention. Diet in particular has become the object of intense research in relation to cognitive aging and neurodegenerative disease. We reviewed the most recent findings in this rapidly expanding field. Some nutrients, such as vitamins and fatty acids, have been studied longer than others, but strong scientific evidence of an association is lacking even for these compounds. Specific dietary patterns, like the Mediterranean diet, may be more beneficial than a high consumption of single nutrients or specific food items. A strong link between vascular risk factors and dementia has been shown, and the association of diet with several vascular and metabolic diseases is well known. Other plausible mechanisms underlying the relationship between diet and cognitive decline, such as inflammation and oxidative stress, have been established. In addition to the traditional etiological pathways, new hypotheses, such as the role of the intestinal microbiome in cognitive function, have been suggested and warrant further investigation.

Lower concentrations of B-vitamin subgroups in the serum and amniotic fluid correlate to cleft lip and palate appearance in the offspring of A/WySn mice.

PURPOSE: The pathogenesis and prevention of cleft lip and palate (CL/P) have been studied mainly in clinical and animal experiments. A prophylactic poly-B-vitamin substitution during the first months of pregnancy has provided the most encouraging results for the prevention of CL/P recurrence in families at risk. In vitro studies of the palatal organ in an A/WySn mouse model have confirmed the positive influence of B-vitamins on palatal development. The present animal study was performed to analyze different B-vitamin concentrations in the serum and amniotic fluid of A/WySn mice according to the appearance of CL/P in their offspring. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Concentrations of different B-vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and folic acid) in serum and amniotic fluid were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatographic detection. Immunohistochemical staining against thiamin-1 receptor was performed on histologic midface sections of A/WySn fetuses with (n = 12) and without (n = 14) CL/P. RESULTS: Vitamin B5 (P < .001) and folic acid (P < .004) concentrations in the amniotic fluid of dams with CL/P were significantly lower than in dams without CL/P. Serum concentrations of folic acid (P = .5) and B5 (P = .4) showed no difference between the 2 groups. Dams with CL/P had significantly lower thiamine concentrations in serum (P = .01) and amniotic fluid (P < .001). Histologic midface sections presented high thiamin-1 receptor expression in the palatal shelf of fetuses with CL/P. CONCLUSION: A decreased use or uptake of some B-vitamin subgroups (B1, B5, and folic acid) in amniotic fluid and serum (vitamin B1) was correlated to an increased cleft appearance in A/WySn mice. The high thiamin-1 receptor expression in the palatal tissue of mouse fetuses with CL/P may be caused by a decreased availability of vitamin B1.

Natural variation in grain composition of wheat and related cereals.

The wheat grain comprises three groups of major components, starch, protein, and cell wall polysaccharides (dietary fiber), and a range of minor components that may confer benefits to human health. Detailed analyses of dietary fiber and other bioactive components were carried out under the EU FP6 HEALTHGRAIN program on 150 bread wheat lines grown on a single site, 50 lines of other wheat species and other cereals grown on the same site, and 23-26 bread wheat lines grown in six environments. Principal component analysis allowed the 150 bread wheat lines to be classified on the basis of differences in their contents of bioactive components and wheat species (bread, durum, spelt, emmer, and einkorn wheats) to be clearly separated from related cereals (barley, rye, and oats). Such multivariate analyses could be used to define substantial equivalence when novel (including transgenic) cereals are considered.

Composition of fingermark residue: a qualitative and quantitative review.

This article describes the composition of fingermark residue as being a complex system with numerous compounds coming from different sources and evolving over time from the initial composition (corresponding to the composition right after deposition) to the aged composition (corresponding to the evolution of the initial composition over time). This complex system will additionally vary due to effects of numerous influence factors grouped in five different classes: the donor characteristics, the deposition conditions, the substrate nature, the environmental conditions and the applied enhancement techniques. The initial and aged compositions as well as the influence factors are thus considered in this article to provide a qualitative and quantitative review of all compounds identified in fingermark residue up to now. The analytical techniques used to obtain these data are also enumerated. This review highlights the fact that despite the numerous analytical processes that have already been proposed and tested to elucidate fingermark composition, advanced knowledge is still missing. Thus, there is a real need to conduct future research on the composition of fingermark residue, focusing particularly on quantitative measurements, aging kinetics and effects of influence factors. The results of future research are particularly important for advances in fingermark enhancement and dating technique developments.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of pasteurization on milk vitamins, and evidence for raw milk consumption and other health-related outcomes.

Pasteurization of milk ensures safety for human consumption by reducing the number of viable pathogenic bacteria. Although the public health benefits of pasteurization are well established, pro-raw milk advocate organizations continue to promote raw milk as "nature's perfect food." Advocacy groups' claims include statements that pasteurization destroys important vitamins and that raw milk consumption can prevent and treat allergies, cancer, and lactose intolerance. A systematic review and meta-analysis was completed to summarize available evidence for these selected claims. Forty studies assessing the effects of pasteurization on vitamin levels were found. Qualitatively, vitamins B12 and E decreased following pasteurization, and vitamin A increased. Random effects meta-analysis revealed no significant effect of pasteurization on vitamin B6 concentrations (standardized mean difference [SMD], -2.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], -5.40, 0.8; P = 0.06) but a decrease in concentrations of vitamins B1 (SMD, -1.77; 95% CI, -2.57, -0.96; P < 0.001), B2 (SMD, -0.41; 95% CI, -0.81, -0.01; P < 0.05), C (SMD, -2.13; 95% CI, -3.52, -0.74; P < 0.01), and folate (SMD, -11.99; 95% CI, -20.95, -3.03; P < 0.01). The effect of pasteurization on milk's nutritive value was minimal because many of these vitamins are naturally found in relatively low levels. However, milk is an important dietary source of vitamin B2, and the impact of heat treatment should be further considered. Raw milk consumption may have a protective association with allergy development (six studies), although this relationship may be potentially confounded by other farming-related factors. Raw milk consumption was not associated with cancer (two studies) or lactose intolerance (one study). Overall, these findings should be interpreted with caution given the poor quality of reported methodology in many of the included studies.

Role of L-carnitine in male infertility.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that the free L-camitine helps in maintaining normal fertility. METHODS: The present descriptive study was designed to show comparison of seminal free L-carnitine and sperm quality. Case controlled convenient sampling was used to assess infertile male subjects from fertile. A total of 61 adult males were selected by consent, and were categorized as fertile and infertile on the basis of history and semen analysis. Subjects were selected from Infertility Clinic, Reproductive Health Services Centre of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi. Subject's with history of pelvic surgery, or suffering from diabetes mellitus, thyroid diseases or using steroids, antihypertensives and antipsychotics drugs were excluded from the study. Groups were compared using student's t-test and p < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: The mean values of sperm count, total motility and normal morphology of asthenospermic and oligoasthenoteratospermic were found significantly (p < 0.05) lower when compared with fertile (control). When levels of seminal free L-carnitine were compared among groups, the result showed that infertile subjects had significantly lower (P < 0.001) when compared to fertile subjects with lowest concentration in azoospermic group. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggested that L-carnitine level in seminal plasma plays an essentialrole in maintaining male fertility. However larger studies on Pakistani population with this approach are warranted.

The role of physical activity level and B-vitamin status on blood homocysteine levels.

UNLABELLED: Exercise increases methionine metabolism, which also increases its amino acid metabolic intermediate, homocysteine (Hcy). High Hcy levels increase cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, whereas B-vitamins (folate, vitamins B6, and B12) can reduce Hcy. Research exploring the relationship between exercise and Hcy is equivocal. PURPOSE: To determine whether plasma Hcy values, independent of plasma B-vitamin concentrations, are higher in active (HighPA; > 420 min x wk(-1)) than less active (LowPA; < or = 420 min x wk(-1)) males (M = 38) and females (F = 38). METHODS: Subjects were healthy, young (26 +/- 5 yr), used no B-vitamin supplements in last 30 d, and reported being physically active for the last 5 yr. Physical activity (PA) groups were based on moderate- to high-intensity PA (min x wk(-1)) using 7-d PA records. Dietary intakes of B-vitamins were assessed using 7-d weighed food records. The differences of Hcy between PA and gender were examined using ANCOVA, with plasma B-vitamins as covariates. RESULTS: Mean PA was 220 min x wk(-1) for LowPA (n = 36; VO2max = 42.8 +/- 8.8 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1)) and 652 min x wk(-1) for HighPA (n = 40; VO2max = 54.2 +/- 9.7 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1)). Hcy (micromol x L(-1)) was not different between PA levels (LowPA = 7.5 +/- 1.6; HighPA = 7.7 +/- 1.6, P = 0.36) or sex (M = 7.8 +/- 1.7; F = 7.4 +/- 1.1; P = 0.13). Plasma folate was the only significant covariate (P<0.001). However, secondary analysis revealed that Hcy levels were significantly higher in the most active and fit (ExHighPA; range = 758-1085 min x wk(-1); n = 11; > 90% VO2max) compared with the sedentary ones (ExLowPA; range = 9-130 min x wk(-1); n = 9; < 70% VO2max; 8.6 +/- 1.8 vs 6.7 +/- 1.5 micromol x L(-1); P = 0.007, respectively). CONCLUSION: Hcy, independent of plasma B-vitamin levels, was not different between PA levels in nonsupplementing young adults, unless PA was high (> 758 min x wk(-1)).

Plant metabolites and nutritional quality of vegetables.

Vegetables are an important part of the human diet and a major source of biologically active substances such as vitamins, dietary fiber, antioxidants, and cholesterol-lowering compounds. Despite a large amount of information on this topic, the nutritional quality of vegetables has not been defined. Historically, the value of many plant nutrients and health-promoting compounds was discovered by trial and error. By the turn of the century, the application of chromatography, mass spectrometry, infrared spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance allowed quantitative and qualitative measurements of a large number of plant metabolites. Approximately 50000 metabolites have been elucidated in plants, and it is predicted that the final number will exceed 200000. Most of them have unknown function. Metabolites such as carbohydrates, organic and amino acids, vitamins, hormones, flavonoids, phenolics, and glucosinolates are essential for plant growth, development, stress adaptation, and defense. Besides the importance for the plant itself, such metabolites determine the nutritional quality of food, color, taste, smell, antioxidative, anticarcinogenic, antihypertension, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, immunostimulating, and cholesterol-lowering properties. This review is focused on major plant metabolites that characterize the nutritional quality of vegetables, and methods of their analysis.

Oxidant stress and B vitamins status in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

In this study, we examined oxidative stress and B vitamins status in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients at different stages. NSCLC patients were divided into 2 groups, stage III (IIIA + IIIB, n = 27) and stage IV (n = 23). A total of 16 healthy control subjects were included for comparison. Plasma levels of alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene, vitamin C, Se, Cu, Zn, reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), lipid oxidation and the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and xanthine oxidase (XO) were determined for evaluating oxidative status in these subjects. B vitamins (B(1), B(2), B(6), B(12), folate) in blood and plasma ghrelin level in these subjects were analyzed. Results showed that plasma level of ghrelin and lipid oxidation in NSCLC patients were significantly greater than control groups (P < 0.05). The activity of GPX, SOD, or catalase was significantly reduced, but XO activity was significantly elevated in NSCLC patients (P < 0.05). Plasma level of GSH was significantly lower, but GSSG level was significantly increased in NSCLC patients (P < 0.05). Vitamins B(2) and B(6) levels in red blood cells (RBC) from NSCLC patients were significantly lower (P < 0.05), and both were negatively correlated with plasma ghrelin. The correlation coefficients were -0.788 and -0.752, respectively. These data suggest that plasma GSH level may be a proper biomarker for evaluating oxidation status for NSCLC patients. RBC levels of vitamins B2 and B6 were reduced in NSCLC patients; thus, the importance of vitamins B(2) and B(6) for NSCLC patients could not be ignored.

[Pernicious anemia: a teenager with an unusual cause of iron-deficiency anemia]. / La maladie de Biermer: une cause possible d'anémie microcytaire chez l'adolescent.

A teenager was admitted with an iron-deficiency anemia. The gastroscopy found an atrophic body gastritis, which revealed a pernicious anemia. This diagnosis is rare in paediatric patients, the frequency of pernicious anemia increasing with age. Iron-deficiency anemia is mainly described in young people.

[Folate and folic acid intake estimation and food enrichment requirements]. / Estimació de la ingesta y necesidades de enriquecimiento de folatos y ácido fólico en alimentos.

The term "folate" is a generic way to name the different forms derived from folic acid, one of the B vitamins (specifically B9 vitamin). They are essential in the metabolism when they act as cofactors in the transfer reactions of one carbon. However, only plants and microorganisms are able to synthesize them de novo, in such a way that both animals and human beings have to intake them through their diet. Folic acid is widely spread in nature, mainly in vegetables, liver ans cereals. However, nowadays, the lack of folates in the diet is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies in the world, and it has serious consequences on human health. There is evidence that even in developed countries folate intake is usually low; and even, is some cases, below optima levels. The authorities in several countries have adapted different norms related to folic acid, fortifying staple food such as dairy products or cereals, mandatory (U.S.A., Canada or Chile) or voluntary (most of the European countries).

Meat and meat products consumption in Italy: contribution to trace elements, heme iron and selected B vitamins supply.

This study was undertaken to estimate the contribution of meat and meat products consumption to the daily intakes of trace elements (Fe, Zn, Cu, Se), heme iron, and selected B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin) in Italy. Meat and meat products were selected on the basis of their consumption frequency reported by the most recent nationwide dietary individual survey carried out in Italy (INN-CA study). The daily intakes of total iron and heme iron were 1.65 and 1.13 mg/person/day. Zinc intake was 3.65 mg/person/day. Beef made the main contribution to iron, heme iron, and zinc daily intakes. Copper daily intake was 107.3 microg/person/day, with meat products provided the highest contribution (40 microg/person/day). Daily intake of selenium (7.14 microg/person/day) was provided mainly by poultry consumption. Thiamine intake was 228 microg/person/day, and meat products were the main source (110 microg/person/day). Riboflavin intake was 136 microg/person/day, with both beef and meat products as the main contributors (40 microg/person/day). Niacin intake was 7.53 mg/person/day, and poultry was the main source (2.28 mg/person/day). Meat and meat products were a valuable source of micronutrients, supplying 47, 48, and 24% of zinc, niacin, and thiamin daily requirements, respectively, and over 10% of iron, copper, selenium, and riboflavin daily average requirement values of the italian RDAs calculated for the population involved in the survey (INN-CA study).

Estado nutricional de vitaminas del complejo b en 2 grupos de trabajadores industriales de ciudad de La Habana / Nutritional status of vitamin B complex in 2 groups of industrial workers in Havana City

Para continuar la vigilancia nutricional de adultos, grupo de población más afectado por la epidemia de neuropatía, se evaluó el estado nutricional de vitaminas del complejo B en 100 y 94 adultos supuestamente sanos en marzo y noviembre de 1995, respectivamente. Se realizaron determinaciones bioquímicas de vitaminas B1, B2 y B6, encuestas dietéticas por registro de frecuencia de consumo de alimentos por 1 mes, y mediciones de peso y talla para el cálculo del índice de masa corporal. Más del 70 porciento de los sujetos tenía niveles subóptimos de vitamina B1 y B2 en ambos grupos. El 86 porciento de los sujetos del primer grupo y el 50 porciento de los del segundo grupo estaban en bajo riesgo de deficiencia de vitamina B6. No se halló diferencias entre las medias de los niveles de vitaminas según la edad, ni entre fumadores y no fumadores. No se encontró correlación entre los niveles de vitaminas y la ingestión dietética de éstas. Las medias del índice de masa corporal fueron similares para los 2 grupos. Las medias de ingestión diaria de las vitaminas B1 y B2 fueron significativamente diferentes en las 2 estaciones del año. El porcentaje de individuos con déficit de vitaminas B1 y B2 fue más alto en el grupo no suplementado