Effects of three medical nutrition therapies on nutritional metabolism and intestinal flora in overweight/obese with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Observational studies have shown that energy restriction could be beneficial for controlling bodyweight in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). We aim to compare the effects of a high-protein diet (HPD), a high-protein and high-dietary fiber diet (HPHFD), and a calorie-restricted diet (CRD) on metabolic health and gut microbiota in overweight/obese PCOS patients. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: We will enroll a total of 90 overweight/obese PCOS patients into this eight-week open-label randomised controlled trial. Participants will be randomly assigned to three groups: CRD group (energy coefficient 20 kcal/kg.day, water ≥1500 mL, 0.8-1.2 g/kg protein, carbohydrate energize 55-60%, and fat energize 25-30%), HDP group (energy coefficient 20 kcal/kg.day, water ≥1500 mL, and 1.5-2.0 g/kg protein) and HPHFD group (based on the high protein diet with 15 g more dietary fiber supplement). The primary outcome is body weight, body fat percentage, and lean body mass. The secondary outcomes will include changes in blood lipids, inflammation, glucose tolerance, blood pressure, and gut microbiota compositions. Between-group differences in adiposity measurements at baseline will be compared using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) or Kruskal-Wallis test when appropriate. Within-group difference after 8-week intervention will be compared using paired t-test or Wilcoxon signed rank test. Between-group differences in adiposity measurements after 8-week diet intervention will be compared using linear mixed model and ANCOVA. The gut microbiota will be analyzed using 16S amplicon sequencing and the sequencing data will be analyzed using the standardized QIIME2 piperline.

Effects of cow's milk beta-casein variants on symptoms of milk intolerance in Chinese adults: a multicentre, randomised controlled study.

BACKGROUND: A major protein component of cow's milk is ß-casein. The most frequent variants in dairy herds are A1 and A2. Recent studies showed that milk containing A1 ß-casein promoted intestinal inflammation and exacerbated gastrointestinal symptoms. However, the acute gastrointestinal effects of A1 ß-casein have not been investigated. This study compared the gastrointestinal effects of milk containing A1 and A2 ß-casein versus A2 ß-casein alone in Chinese adults with self-reported lactose intolerance. METHODS: In this randomised, crossover, double-blind trial, with a 3-day dairy washout period at baseline, subjects were randomised to consume 300 mL of milk containing A1 and A2 ß-casein (ratio 58:42; conventional milk) or A2 ß-casein alone; subjects consumed the alternative product after a 7-day washout period. Urine galactose was measured at baseline after a 15 g lactose load. Subjects completed 9-point visual analogue scales for gastrointestinal symptoms (borborygmus, flatulence, bloating, abdominal pain, stool frequency, and stool consistency) at baseline and at 1, 3, and 12 h after milk consumption. RESULTS: A total of 600 subjects were included. All six symptom scores at 1 and 3 h were significantly lower after consuming A2 ß-casein versus conventional milk (all P<0.0001). At 12 h, significant differences remained for bloating, abdominal pain, stool frequency, and stool consistency (all P<0.0001). Symptom scores were consistently lower with A2 ß-casein in both lactose absorbers (urinary galactose ≥0.27 mmol/L) and lactose malabsorbers (urinary galactose <0.27 mmol/L). CONCLUSION: Milk containing A2 ß-casein attenuated acute gastrointestinal symptoms of milk intolerance, while conventional milk containing A1 ß-casein reduced lactase activity and increased gastrointestinal symptoms compared with milk containing A2 ß-casein. Thus, milk-related gastrointestinal symptoms may result from the ingestion of A1 ß-casein rather than lactose in some individuals. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02878876 , registered August 16, 2016. Retrospectively registered.

[Sodium content and energy of 47 commercial dishes in four restaurants in Beijing].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the sodium content and energy of commercial dishes in 4 Chinese restaurants in Beijing. METHODS: From June to August of 2011, 4 medium-sized restaurants were selected by convenience sampling method. Overall, 47 commercial dishes (including 9 cold dishes and 38 cooked dishes) consumed at least 6 times by consumers and provided by at least 2 restaurants were selected. One complete serving was selected for each dish to investigate its energy and sodium content, and calculate its sodium density. RESULTS: The median value of sodium content in cold dishes and cooked dishes were 580, 522 mg/100 g (Z = 0.83, P > 0.05) or 1427, 2301 mg/serving (Z = 2.03, P < 0.05); the median sodium density for cold and cooked dishes were 1902 and 670 mg/1000 kJ (Z = 2.81, P < 0.01); the median value of energy in cold dishes and cooked dishes were 514, 717 kJ/100 g (Z = 2.15, P < 0.05) or 1113, 3492 kJ/serving (Z = 4.03, P < 0.05). Of the 47 dishes, 46.8% (22/47) exceeded the daily recommendation of sodium content for Chinese residents (2200 mg). CONCLUSION: The commercial dishes in medium-sized Chinese restaurants provide a relatively higher energy and sodium. Cold dishes contain less energy but have high sodium density, so the sodium from these dishes could not be ignored.

[Comparison of the dietary phytosterols intake and serum lipids content in elderly women from three cities of China].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the dietary phytosterol intake of elderly women in three different cities of China, and to compare the main dietary sources, so that to discuss the relationship of dietary phytosterol intake and serum lipids. METHODS: Based on the dietary pattern, women more than 50 years old from Beijing, Hefei and Urumchi were chosen as testers, 80 - 100 people for each city respectively. The dietary survey was done by continues 24 hours review of two days, the plant food were collected and the phytosterol content (include beta-sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol, sitostanol) were analyzed by GC methods, the total phytosterols content were calculated. The dietary phytosterol intake were calculated and serum lipids were also analyzed in all the testers. RESULTS: Testers from Beijing, Hefei and Urumchi were 100, 101 and 84 respectively. The average dietary phytosterol intake of people in Beijing and Hefei were 340.3 mg/d and 313.5 mg/d, the main sources were plant oil and cereals, while the average dietary phytosterol intake of people in Urumchi were 550.4 mg/d, higher than the other two cities (t values were 9.369, 10.420, respectively, both P values < 0.01), the main source in Urumchi was cereal (provide 53.1% of the total phytosterol intake). The laboratory results showed, testers in Urumchi had significantly lower serum TC content ((4.04 +/- 0.78) mmol/L) than that in Beijing ((4.89 +/- 0.91) mmol/L) and Hefei ((4.71 +/- 0.83) mmol/L) (t value were 6.766 and 5.401 respectively, both P values < 0.01); serum TG content in Urumchi((1.01 +/- 0.48) mmol/L) was also lower than that in Beijing ((1.31 +/- 0.53) mmol/L) and Hefei ((1.66 +/- 0.75) mmol/L) (t values were 3.343 and 7.293 respectively, both P values < 0.01); the serum glucose is also lower in testers in Urumchi ((5.02 +/- 2.18) mmol/L) compared with testers in Beijing ((5.69 +/- 1.53) mmol/L, t = 2.561, P < 0.05) and Hefei ((5.78 +/- 1.53) mmol/L, t = 2.934, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Different dietary pattern result in significantly different dietary phytosterol intake in elder women in three cities, higher, phytosterol intake seemed to contribute to lower serum lipids.

Pharmacokinetics and metabolism of icaritin in rats by UPLC-MS/MS.

Icaritin (ICT) has distinct bioactivities, especially known for its beneficial effects on bone-related degenerative disorders; however, its pharmacokinetic properties remain unknown. A novel developed UPLC-MS/MS method for the determination of ICT and its main metabolite glucuronidated icaritin (GICT) was firstly applied to pharmacokinetic and metabolism studies of ICT in female rats, which were intraperitoneally given 40 mg/kg ICT. Following the protein precipitation of plasma samples with acetonitrile, ICT and GICT were separated on a C18 column using gradient elution mode and quantified in the multiple reaction monitoring mode. The linearities were acceptable for ICT (r = 0.9960) and GICT (r = 0.9968), and the lower limit of quantification values was 0.5 and 5 ng/ml, respectively. The accuracy fell in the range of 92.0%-103.1% and precisions were within 9.5%. Good linearity, accuracy, precision, and recovery were achieved for the UPLC-MS/MS method. ICT was predominantly and rapidly biotransformed to GICT which was slowly eliminated in vivo with a terminal half-life value of 4.51 hr. Pharmacokinetics of pure ICT eliminated biotransformation interference of Epimedium extract and disclosed genuine pharmacokinetic manner of ICT, as well as firstly elucidated low concentration and bioavailability of ICT in rat plasma.

Therapeutic potential of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 in autoimmune diseases.

Introduction: Autoimmune diseases (ADs) are idiopathic and heterogeneous disorders with contentious pathophysiology. Great strides have been made in epigenetics and its involvement in ADs. Zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) has sparked extensive interest because of its pleiotropic roles in distinct pathologic contexts.Areas covered: This review summarizes the epigenetic functions and the biological significance of EZH2 in the etiology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), type 1 diabetes (T1D), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), multiple sclerosis (MS), and systemic sclerosis (SSc). A brief recapitulation of the therapeutic potential of EZH2 targeting is provided.Expert opinion: There are questions marks and controversies surrounding the feasibility and safety of EZH2 targeting; it is recommended in RA and SLE, but queried in T1D, IBD, MS, and SSc. Future work should focus on contrast studies, systematic analyses and preclinical studies with optimizing methodologies. Selective research studies conducted in a stage-dependent manner are necessary because of the relapsing-remitting clinical paradigms.

Effect of a fermented milk containing Bifidobacterium lactis DN-173010 on Chinese constipated women.

AIM: To investigate the effect of a fermented milk containing Bifidobacterium lactis DN-173010 and yogurt strains (BIO(R)) on adult women with constipation in Beijing. METHODS: A total of 135 adult females with constipation were randomly allocated to consume for 2 wk either 100 g of the test fermented milk or 100 g of an acidified milk containing non-living bacteria (control). Stool frequency, defecation condition scores, stool consistency and food intake were recorded at baseline and after 1 and 2 wk in an intention-to-treat population of 126 subjects. In parallel, safety evaluation parameters were performed. RESULTS: At baseline, no differences were found between groups. Following consumption of test product, stool frequency was significantly increased after 1 wk (3.5 +/- 1.5 vs 2.4 +/- 0.6, P < 0.01) and 2 wk (4.1 +/- 1.7 vs 2.4 +/- 0.6, P < 0.01), vs baseline. Similarly, after 1 and 2 wk, of test product consumption, defecation condition (1.1 +/- 0.9 vs 1.9 +/- 1.2, P < 0.01 and 0.8 +/- 1.0 vs 1.9 +/- 1.2, P < 0.01, respectively) and stool consistency (1.0 +/- 0.8 vs 1.5 +/- 1.1, P < 0.01 and 0.6 +/- 0.8 vs 1.5 +/- 1.1, P < 0.01, respectively) were significantly improved. Compared with the control group, stool frequency was also significantly increased (3.5 +/- 1.5 vs 2.5 +/- 0.9, P < 0.01 and 4.1 +/- 1.7 vs 2.6 +/- 1.0, P < 0.01, respectively), and defecation condition (1.1 +/- 0.9 vs 1.6 +/- 1.1, P < 0.01 and 0.8 +/- 1.0 vs 1.6 +/- 1.1, P < 0.01, respectively) and stool consistency (1.0 +/- 0.8 vs 1.4 +/- 1.0, P < 0.05 and 0.6 +/- 0.8 vs 1.3 +/- 1.0, P < 0.01, respectively) significantly decreased after 1 and 2 wk of product consumption. During the same period, food intake did not change between the two groups, and safety parameters of the subjects were within normal ranges. CONCLUSION: This study suggests a beneficial effect of a fermented milk containing B. lactis DN-173010 on stool frequency, defecation condition and stool consistency in adult women with constipation constipated women after 1 and 2 wk of consumption.

Contents of phytosterols in vegetables and fruits commonly consumed in China.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify five specific dietary phytosterols and phytostanols in vegetables and fruits commonly consumed in China. METHODS: A total of 34 different kinds of vegetables and 33 kinds of fruits were chosen according to the consuming habit of Chinese people. All the samples were purchased from two shops in Beijing. The contents of phytosterols (beta-sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol, beta-sitostanol, and campestanol) were analyzed by GLC method which was established by our laboratory, and the total phytosterols were calculated. RESULTS: The total phytosterol content in vegetables ranged 1.1-53.7 mg/100 g edible portion. The highest concentration was found in pea, cauliflower, broccoli, and romaine lettuce. The phytosterol contents in fruits ranged 1.6-32.6 mg/100 g, the highest concentration was found in navel orange, tangerine, and mango. CONCLUSION: The phytosterol contents in vegetables and fruits are not as high as those in edible oils, but because of the large amount of consumption, they also play an important role in increasing the people's phytosterols intake, indicating that increased intake of vegetables and fruits with higher phytosterol contents helps increase the phytosterol intake in China.

[Genotyping and polymorphism analysis of Plasmodium falciparum isolates by nest-PCR and PCR-RFLP].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the efficiency and specificity of MSP2 alleles genotyping for Plasmodium falciparum isolates by Nest-PCR and PCR-RFLP. METHODS: MSP2 alleles from Plasmodium falciparum isolates of Yunnan and Hainan were genotyped by Nest-PCR and PCR-RFLP, respectively, and the efficiency and specificity of the two methods were analyzed. RESULTS: The conventional Nest-PCR method could detect 79.8% (166/208) alleles of MSP2, and 65.7% (65/99) for 3D7 family, but could not identify the type of any allele. While PCR-RFLP showed 25.3% higher genotyping efficiency than Nest-PCR. Moreover, this method could identify the allele types. CONCLUSION: PCR-RFLP genotyping technique is more efficient and specific than conventional Nest-PCR, and it is a convenient tool in the study on molecular epidemiology of malaria.

New Chinese dietary guidelines: healthy eating patterns and food-based dietary recommendations.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The Chinese Dietary Guidelines (CDGs) were first released to the public in 1989 by the Chinese Nutrition Society (CNS). In 2016, the Ministry of Health commissioned the CNS to revise and publish new CDGs. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: The CNS convened an expert committee of leaders in the fields of nutrition, epidemiology, public health, preventive medicine, and food science. The CDGs were revised according to the World Health Organization Handbook for Guideline Development procedures. The expert committee recommended key inclusions for the CDGs on the basis of the current status of public health and priority health challenges affecting the Chinese population, as well as the quality of scientific evidence. RESULTS: The CDGs (2016) provide six key dietary recommendations for the general Chinese population aged 2 years and above. In addition to a newly revised Chinese Food Guide Pagoda, both the Chinese Food Guide Plate and Chinese Food Guide Abacus are newly created pictorial models in the CDGs (2016); the Chinese Food Guide Abacus is specifically designed for children. Seven additional dietary guidelines targeting specific populations are included; these guidelines emphasize the different physiological and nutritional requirements of particular populations, including dietary guidelines for vegetarians for the first time. CONCLUSIONS: The CDGs (2016) is an official document published by the National Health Commission of China. Its content highlights the current status of public health and offers advice to address health concerns faced by the Chinese population. The CDGs (2016) have been widely disseminated and accepted in the Chinese population; the National Nutrition Week is a major national event in which the CDG are used as its core to increase public awareness towards a healthy diet and lifestyle.

NLRP3: A promising therapeutic target for autoimmune diseases.

NLRP3, a member of nucleotide-binding domain-(NOD) like receptor family, can be found in large varieties of immune and non-immune cells. Upon activation, the NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC) and pro-caspase-1 would assemble into a multimeric protein, called the NLRP3 inflammasome. Then the inflammasome promotes inflammation (through specific cleavage and production of bioactive IL-1ß and IL-18) and pyroptotic cell death. Previous studies have indicated the importance of NLRP3 in regulating innate immunity. Recently, numerous studies have revealed their significance in autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic sclerosis (SSc) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In this review, we will briefly discuss the biological features of NLRP3 and summarize the recent progression of the involvement of NLRP3 in the development and pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, as well as its clinical implications and therapeutic potential.

[Effects of resistant starch on insulin resistance of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of resistant starch (RS) on insulin resistance (IR) in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. METHODS: All 40 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were randomly divided into two groups: Group A and Group B. Cross-design of two stages (I, II) was used during observation. Group A received RS 30 g/d as an intervention group for ahead of 4 weeks ( I stage) , while group B as a control group. Group B was given RS in late 4 weeks (II stage), while Group A as served control group. Blood was taken the first day and on the latest day in each stage. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), post blood glucose (PBG), fructosamine (FMN), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceridemic (TG), insulin sensitive index (ISI), and body mass index (BMI) were measured, respectively. RESULTS: As Compared with the control group, ISI was higher and FBG, PBG, TC, TG, FMN and BMI were significantly lower in intervention group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: RS should be effective in improving IR of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

Glycemic index of cereals and tubers produced in China.

AIM: To determine the GI of some cereals and tubers produced in China in an effort to establish the database of glycemic index (GI) of Chinese food. METHODS: Food containing 50 g carbohydrate was consumed by 8-12 healthy adults after they have been fasted for 10 h and blood glucose was monitored for 2 h. Glucose was used as reference food. GI of food was calculated according to a standard method. RESULTS: GI of 9 types of sugar and 60 kinds of food were determined. CONCLUSION: Food GI is mainly determined by nature of carbohydrate and procession. Most of cereals and tubers produced in China have similar GI with their counterparts produced in other countries.

Comparison of ileal digested production of parental rice and rice genetically modified with cowpeas trypsin inhibitor.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the ileal digestibility of protein and amino acids in parental rice and rice genetically modified with sck gene. METHODS: Six experimental swines were surgically fixed with a simple T-cannula at the terminal ileum and fed with parental rice and rice genetically modified with sck gene alternately. The ileum digesta were collected and analyzed for determination of apparent and true digestibility of protein and amino acids. RESULTS: The apparent and true digestibility of protein was similar in these two types of rice. Except for the apparent digestibility of lysine, there was no difference in the apparent and true digestibility of the other 17 amino acids. CONCLUSION: The digestibility of protein and amino acids is not changed by the insertion of foreign gene, so it can meet the request of "substantial equivalence" in digestibility of protein and amino acids.

[Factors and regulation of postprandial blood glucose response].

Failing to maintain normal blood glucose is a common phenomenon shown in various chronic diseases, also it is a risk factor to these diseases. Glycemic index (GI) is an item coined to character the blood glucose response of carbohydrate. GI is useful in developing dietary guideline, management of diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease. Available evidences suggest that many factors contribute to blood glucose response, including properties of food and the conditions of human body. Exploring the factors and mechanisms underlying the blood glucose response of carbohydrate will help to promote the applying of GI and improving health of human being, especially people with chronic diseases including obesity and diabetes. Factors and mechanisms related to the blood glucose response of carbohydrate are reviewed in this paper.

[Determination of galactooligosaccharide in syrups by high performance ion exchange chromatography method].

OBJECTIVE: The gradient procedure was developed based on AOAC 2001.02 to determine galactooligosaccharide (soluble dietary fiber with low molecular weight) by high performance ion exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection. METHODS: In the present study, the modified gradient procedure was used to separate the mixed standard on a CarboPac PA1 (2mm x 250mm) anion exchange column. The galactooligosaccharide in syrups were quantified and the repeatability and reproducibility of the modified method were also evaluated. RESULTS: Galactose, glucose, sucrose, fructose and lactose were successfully separated. The galacto oligosaccharides contents in syrups of intra-assay were (49.59 +/- 3.34), (46.55 +/- 2.61) and (56.26 +/- 3.13)g/100g, RSD value were 6.73%, 5.62% and 5.56% respectively. RSD value for galactooligosaccharide of inter-assay in syrup 1 was 4.73%. CONCLUSIONS: Galactose and glucose were separated well and galactose was determined more accurately. the repeatability and the reproducibility of the modified method were excellent. This method can be used for GOS determination.

[Evaluation on analysis of six minerals in ten biologic materials].

The study is to evaluate the content of Mn, Cu, Fe, Zn, Mg and Ca in 10 sorts of biological material. The standard methods (GB/T5009.13,14,90,92 - 2003) were taken to measure. Two standard reference materials were used to control the accuracy of analyses. And chemical uncertainty was used to evaluate 6 minerals content. The results described the six minerals contents for the ten biologic materials. The study provided the necessity conditions to be used as standard reference materials for these 10 biological materials.

[Effects of phytosterol ester on serum lipid level in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observed the effects of phytosterol ester (PSE) on serum lipid level in rats. METHODS: (1) Under high-fat fed model, rats were oral administrated either no PSE (model), 4.0, 16.0 or 32.0 mg/kg bw PSE dissolved in oil. After 30 days of this treatment serum was obtained for lipid determination. (2) Ovariectomized rats were randomly assigned to model group, or treated with diethyl stilbestrol (E2, 22.5 microg/kg bw), PSE (32.0 mg/kg bw) or free phytosterol (FPE, 500 mg/kg bw). After fed for 60 days, body weight, liver and uterus weight, serum lipid and estrogen level were measured. In both experiments, another group of normal rats were taken as control. RESULTS: High-fat fed rats administrated with 3 doses of PSE had significantly lower triglyceride (TG) following 30 days of treatment compared to model group. A significant decrease in total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was observed in 32.0 mg/kg bw PSE group, while a significant increase in high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and ratio of HDL-C/TC was observed in the same group ( P < 0.05). For ovariectomized rats treated with PSE or FPE, a significant lower body and liver weight with lower TC and TG level were observed in comparison with model group (P < 0.05). A little increased uterus weight by PSE and FPE was also observed, though no significant elevation in estrogen was reported. CONCLUSION: Phytosterol ester have potential to decrease hyperlipidemia.

An unusual case of anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive large B-cell lymphoma in an elderly patient: A case report and discussion.

We present an unusual case of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive large B-cell lymphoma, with rapid clinical progression, which occurred in a 90-year-old male patient. The patient presented with numerous enlarged lymph nodes in the neck and mediastinum. Histopathological analysis of a single lymph node detected diffuse large immunoblastic- or plasmablastic-like tumor cells, which were strongly immunoreactive for ALK in a granular cytoplasmic distribution, but negative for the expression of CD20 and CD79a. In addition, polymerase chain reaction assays were unable to detect clonal rearrangements of the T cell receptor-γ and immunoglobulin heavy chain genes in the tumor lesion, and in situ hybridization tested negative for infection with Epstein-Barr virus. The patient underwent a single cycle of chemotherapy using the cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone, and etoposide (E-CHOP) regimen; however, the patient developed pleural effusions with respiratory distress, associated with clinical deterioration. The patient succumbed to the disease within 4 months of initial presentation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the eldest patient with this type of lymphoma to be reported in the literature.

Effects of yogurt supplementation on the growth of preschool children in Beijing suburbs.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of yogurt supplementation on the growth of preschool children in Beijing suburbs. METHODS: Four hundred and two preschool children (217 males, 185 females), aged 3-5 years, whose height for age and/or weight for age were less than the reference level, were selected as subjects from 7 kindergartens in Beijing Fangshan District. The subjects were divided randomly into control group (CG, 201) and yogurt supplemented group (YG, 201). Each subject in YG was given one serving of yogurt (125 g) for 5 days a week from March to December in 2001, while nothing additional was provided to CG. All subjects kept their usual diet during the study. Anthropometry (body height and weight and upper-arm circumference) and the bone mineral density (BMD) of forearm were measured every 3 months. Disease status and dietary intake were also recorded and assessed. RESULTS: The intake of calcium, zinc, and vitamin B2 in YG was significantly higher than that in CG. The incidence and duration of upper-respiratory infection and diarrhea of children in YG were significantly less than those in CG. The height gain of children in YG was significantly higher than that in CG after yogurt was supplemented for 3, 6, and 9 months (P<0.05) (1.90+/-0.49 cm vs 1.77+/-0.54 cm, 3.83+/-0.57 cm vs 3.64+/-0.66 cm and 5.43+/-0.69 cm vs 5.24+/-0.76 cm, respectively). The weight gain of children in YG was significantly higher than that in CG after yogurt was supplemented for 3, 6, and 9 months (P<0.05) (0.70+/-0.43 kg vs 0.49+/-0.35 kg, 0.98+/-0.62 kg vs 0.80+/-0.60 kg and 1.42+/-0.76 kg vs 1.20+/-0.67 kg, respectively). The BMD of children in YG was significantly higher than that in CG after yogurt was supplemented for 9 months (P<0.05) (0.415+/-0.058 g/cm2 vs 0.400+/-0.065 g/cm2). CONCLUSION: Yogurt is beneficial to the improvement of calcium, zinc, and vitamin B2 intake, the decreasing of the incidence and duration of upper-respiratory infection and diarrhea, and the promotion of the health and the growth and development of preschool children.