Uric acid and obesity-related phenotypes in postmenopausal women.

The aim of this study was to find the genetic, metabolic, and nutritional risk factors, which can be associated with uric acid (UA) level. The risk factors related to uricemia were assessed among 271 postmenopausal women without cardiometabolic disorders and hypolipidemic/hypoglycemic treatment selected from a cohort of 1423 obese postmenopausal women. The bioimpedance analysis and biochemical and genetic analyses were performed in two groups characterized by serum UA ≥ 4 mg/dL (238 µmol/L) and < 4 mg/dL. The TaqMan-based real-time PCR method was applied to assess the role of Pro12Ala of peroxisome proliferation-activated receptor (PPAR)gamma-2 and Trp64Arg of beta-3-adrenergic receptor (ADRB) polymorphisms. Women with UA level ≥ 4 mg/dL were characterized by larger body mass, triceps skinfold, waist circumference, body fat amount, and serum insulin, glucose, and triglyceride levels. There was no difference in dietary habits between the analyzed groups. Body mass, waist circumference, body fat amount, diastolic blood pressure, and serum insulin, glucose, high-density lipoprotein, and triglyceride levels, Homeostasis Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance, and energy from the dietary fat influence the UA level ≥ 4 mg/dL; however, the serum UA was not determined by Pro12Ala and Trp64Arg polymorphism analyses. The model of linear regression revealed that the group characterized by body mass index  ≥ 25 kg/m2 and glucose ≥ 100 mg/dL has 4 times increased risk of UA level (p = 0.0009); after adding triglycerides ≥ 150 mg/dL, the risk of UA increased 7 times (p = 0.0216). Increasing the level of UA ≥ 4 mg/dL is associated with overweight, hyperglycemia, and hypertriglyceridemia in women without a history of cardiometabolic disorders. A better management of metabolic factors could help prevent further increase in UA levels.

The Gene-Diet Associations in Postmenopausal Women with Newly Diagnosed Dyslipidemia.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between polymorphisms of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor - PPAR gamma-2 (Pro12Ala, C1431T) and beta 3-adrenergic receptor - ADRB3 (Trp64Arg) and dietary habits in a group of postmenopausal women who were not under hypolipidemic treatment. DESIGN: Genetic, nutritional and anthropometric parameters were measured in 213 dyslipidemic (LDL ≥115 mg/dL) and 58 normolipidemic (LDL<115) postmenopausal women. The PCR-RFLP method were used to determine the distributions of selected alleles and genotype frequencies. Dietary intake of basic components and fatty acids was obtained from a 7-day weighed food record and the bio-impedance method was used to determine nutritional status. RESULTS: Nearly 79% of analyzed women were in the first-time-diagnosed dyslipidemic state. The dyslipidemic subjects were characterized with higher intake of energy, fat, and saturated fatty acids (SFA). The analysis of the same polymorphisms showed association at the P value <0.05 with nutrients (fat, SFA, and polyunsaturated fatty acid - PUFA and saccharose) and elevated LDL level. Higher PUFA intake in a group of women with the protective Ala12/X polymorphism did not increase the risk of dyslipidemia even though they were characterized by visceral distribution of fat. The Arg64/X polymorphism and higher intake of energy, fat, and arachidic acid intake (C20:0) were associated with dyslipidemic state. CONCLUSION: Both nutritional and genetic factors are related to lipid profile. The identification of gene-diet associations is likely to provide useful information about the etiology of postmenopausal dyslipidemia and help in effective treatment.

[Occupational exposure to xylene of workers employed in paint shops]. / Ocena narazenia zawodowego na ksylen robotników zatrudnionych w lakierniach.

The paper presents results of evaluation of exposure to xylene of workers employed in paint workshops of the Agricultural Machines Factory "Rofama". The evaluation has been made basing on the measurements of urinary methylhippuric acid. It was found that spray painting exerts the most harmful effect on the health of workers exposed to xylene.

[Comparative analysis of certain nutritional parameters of fat in food rations of various population groups. II. Composition of fatty acids]. / Analiza porównawcza wybranych parametrów zywieniowych tluszczu wystepujacego w racjach pokarmowych róznych grup ludnosci. Cz. II. Sklad kwasów tluszczowych.

Daily food rations showed a high content of saturated fatty acids, especially in males and females employed in white collar work. The content of monounsaturated acids was lower, and the per cent of energy from these acids complied with the present nutritional suggestions. The per cent of energy from polyunsaturated acids was below these suggestions. The studied food rations contained high amounts of fatty acids with properties favouring hyper-cholesterolaemia and platelet aggregation, while those causing hypocholesterolemia (unsaturated acids) were present in insufficient amounts. This was noted particularly in the food rations of working people and retired workers. The variance analysis showed statistical. Significance of the differences between the mean values of the studied parameters of fats of various population groups.

[Comparative analysis of certain nutritional parameters of fat in food rations of various population groups. III. Use of correlation and regression analysis for assessment of the nutritional quality of fat]. / Analiza porównawcza wybranych parametrów zywieniowych tluszczu wystepujacego w racjach pokarmowych róznych grup ludnosci. Cz. III. Wykorzystanie metod analizy korelacji i regresji do oceny jakosci zywieniowej tluszczu.

Correlation and regression analysis demonstrated a high degree of correlation between saturated and monounsaturated fats, on the one hand, and the absolute fat content, and lower correlation with polyunsaturated fats. The increase of fat content raised the saturated fat content in the daily food rations of mental and physical workers with the lowest rise of polyunsaturated fatty acids. The rise of the per cent share of saturated fatty acids was always at the expense of monosaturated fatty acids whose content decreased. A similar change was observed in polyunsaturated fatty acids. From the standpoint of nutrition another unfavourable finding was the demonstrated negative correlation between monosaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids.

[Comparative analysis of selected nutritional parameters of fat in daily food rations of various population groups. I. General characteristics of fats]. / Analiza porównawcza wybranych parametrów zywieniowych tluszczu wystepujacego w racjach pokarmowych róznych grup ludnosci. Cz. I. Charakterystyka ogólna tluszczu.

The reported study demonstrated differences of the energy value and fat content between daily food rations. The recommended energy values of daily rations were generally complied with in all groups, but the groups of mental workers and retired workers these values were exceed. The per cent of energy from fat in food rations in all groups was evidently too high exceeding the recommended value by 30%, on average.

[Nutritive value of fats in 3 basic meals of university students]. / Wartosc zywieniowa tluszczów wystepujacych w trzech podstawowych posilkach mlodziezy akademickiej.

The nutritional value of assessed of fat consumed by a selected group of university students. The assessment showed that although the intake of fat with the diet was adequate, its nutritional value might arouse objections. The predominant group constituted monounsaturated fats, saturated fats were present in about one-third lower amount, while polyunsaturated fats accounted for only one fourth of the amount of monounsaturated fats. The percent of energy derived from unsaturated fatty acids in the daily food ration differed from one ration to another, but its mean value was 4.34% while the percent of energy from hypercholesterolaemia-producing fatty acids was higher--10.6%. In the analysed meals the content of erucic acid was relatively low.

[Evaluation of organochlorine pesticides in prepared daily food rations of employed and unemployed workers]. / Zawartosc weglowodorów chlorowanych w odtworzonych calodziennych racjach pokarmowych robotniczych i nierobotniczych.

Determination was made of the contamination degree of the daily food rations illustrating the overall mean food intake per head in households of manual workers and in other households. The residues of DDT and of its metabolites as well as of alpha, gamma and beta isomers of HCH were determined. The results indicate that the contamination degree of the different food rations depended on the locality where the ration was prepared, on the kind of ration and kind of organochlorine pesticides. Food rations of manual workers' families, as compared with other families, were more contaminated with organochlorine pesticides their metabolites. The degree of contamination with DDT, DDE and DDD, as compared with HCH isomers, was from several to 10-20 times higher (manual workers' rations). DDT (concentration range between 2.95-124 micrograms/CRP) and gamma-isomer of HCH (concentration range between 0.512-3.0 micrograms/CRP) were dominant. Evaluation, according to ADI, of the yearly uptake of DDT and HCH with food indicates that the contamination degree of food rations (both--rations reproduced on the basis of reports of the Chief Census Bureau, and representative rations characterizing the degree of exposure of the Wielkopolska population to organochlorine derivatives) creates no health hazard to humans, and remains below the admissible concentrations.

Five-year prospective analysis of dietary intake and clinical status in malnourished cystic fibrosis patients.

BACKGROUND: Poor growth and malnutrition still pose a problem in cystic fibrosis (CF). The aim of the present study was to assess nutrition, as well as clinical status, of malnourished CF patients during a nutritional care programme. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study comprised 38 CF patients, aged 1-18 years old. The prospective annual assessment of dietary intake and clinical status was carried out during 1994-98. RESULTS: The energy intake increased, in comparison with recommended daily allowances, from 83.6 +/- 4.8% in 1994 to 107.9 +/- 4.9% in 1998. A similar tendency was observed for the percentage of energy derived from fat (30.3 +/- 0.8% versus 35.1 +/- 0.8%) and protein (11.4 +/- 0.4% versus 13.8 +/- 0.4%). In subsequent years of the study, an improvement in the fat profile of the diet (with a higher consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids) was observed. The observed increase of vitamin A and E consumption was related chiefly to changes in the doses of supplementation. During these 5 years, an improvement in nutritional status (Z-score: height -1.34 +/- 0.13 versus -1.08 +/- 0.14 and weight -1.40 +/- 0.09 versus -1.12 +/- 0.08) and lung function (forced expiratory volume in 1 s: 75.5 +/- 2.0% versus 77.8 +/- 2.2%) was observed. CONCLUSION: The nutritional care programme resulted in stable quantitative and qualitative changes in dietary intake. Although the diet does not reach the recommended level of high-energy intake, the positive impact of increasing nutrient intake on the nutritional and clinical status of malnourished CF patients was documented.

Faecal elastase-1 test is superior to faecal lipase test in the assessment of exocrine pancreatic function in cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Direct tests are characterized by the highest sensitivity and specificity. However, their practical use, especially in children, is limited. Among the indirect tests, the highest sensitivity and specificity was documented for faecal elastase-1 test, yet the value of faecal lipase test in cystic fibrosis (CF) has not been defined. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare the sensitivity and the specificity of the faecal lipase test to the faecal elastase-1 test in the assessment of exocrine pancreatic function in children with CF. METHODS: The study comprised 90 CF patients and 95 healthy subjects (HS). In all subjects, faecal elastase-1 concentrations (ELISA) and lipase activities (ELISA) were measured. The presence of pancreatic insufficiency was documented by the determination of faecal fat excretion in 78 pancreatic insufficient and by the secretin-cholecystokinin test in 12 CF patients without steatorrhoea. Sensitivity and specificity of the faecal elastase-1 test and faecal lipase test were analysed and, in 50 HS, sample-to-sample and day-to-day variations were determined. RESULTS: With cut-off levels providing the same specificity for both tests (95.8%), the sensitivity of the faecal elastase-1 test (91.1%) was significantly higher (p < 0.0036) than that of the faecal lipase test (76.7%). Sample-to-sample (mean +/- SEM: 13.2 +/- 1.2% vs 23.4 +/- 2.2%) and day-to-day variations (mean +/- SEM: 16.3 +/- 1.2% vs 32.5 +/- 2.6%) were significantly lower (p < 0.0001) for elastase-1 than for lipase measurements. CONCLUSION: Among indirect tests, faecal elastase-1 test is superior to faecal lipase test in the assessment of exocrine pancreatic function in cystic fibrosis.