Effects of high potassium iodate intake on iodine metabolism and antioxidant capacity in rats.

BACKGROUND: KIO3 and KI are the most common salt iodization agents. Coincidentally, iodine exists naturally in high-iodine drinking water in the form of iodide (I-) or iodate (IO3-). As an oxidizing substance, IO3- should be reduced to I- before it can be effectively used by the thyroid. However, there is a lack of systematic studies on the metabolic process of high dose KIO3in vivo. METHODS: The iodine metabolism processes in the thyroid and serum of rats after high KIO3 intake were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (HPLC/ICP-MS) and arsenic cerium catalytic spectrophotometry. The changes of redox activity in the serum, thyroid, liver, and kidneys were observed by detecting total antioxidative activity (TAA). RESULTS: High doses of IO3- were completely reduced to I-in vivo within 0.5 h. The level of organic bound iodine in the serum was stable, while the organic bound iodine in the thyroid increased to a plateau after intake of high-dose KIO3. The levels of total iodine and I- in serum and thyroid increased quickly, then all decreased after reaching the maximum absorption peak, and I- had two absorption peaks in serum. The thyroid blocking dose of I- was 0.5 mg/kg in rat. Additionally, high KIO3 intake did not influence the TAA in serum and other tissues. CONCLUSION: The body is able to reduce and utilize high doses of KIO3 ingested through the digestive tract. The metabolism of high KIO3in vivo is characterized by two absorption process of I- in serum and the thyroid blocking effect. Moreover, a single intake of high-dose KIO3 does not affect TAA in vivo. The results suggest that such excess IO3- may have be reduced in the digestive tract before I- enters the blood.

Retrospective study of the efficacy of oral potassium supplementation in cats with kidney disease.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of three oral potassium supplements (potassium gluconate tablets [PGT], potassium gluconate granules [PGG] and potassium citrate granules [PCG]) on hypokalemia and serum bicarbonate in cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD). METHODS: Medical records (2006-2016) were retrospectively searched for cats that had been prescribed an oral potassium supplement for management of their CKD-associated hypokalemia. For inclusion, laboratory work had to be available at the time of hypokalemia diagnosis, and at recheck within 1-6 weeks. Treatment response was defined in three ways: any increase in potassium, an increase in potassium to within the normal reference interval, and an increase to >4 mEq/l. RESULTS: Thirty-seven cats met inclusion criteria (16 PGT, 11 PGG, 10 PCG). Dosing ranged from 0.21 to 1.6 mEq/kg/day for PGT, from 0.25 to 1.48 mEq/kg/day for PGG and from 0.04 to 1.34 mEq/kg/day for PCG. After supplementation, 36/37 cats had an increase in potassium, 34/37 increased to within the reference interval and 24/37 had an increase in potassium to >4 mEq/l. There was a statistically significant difference in serum potassium post-supplementation for all three treatments: PGT (P = 0.0001), PGG (P = 0.001) and PCG (P = 0.002). There was a positive correlation between PGT dose and change in potassium concentration (P = 0.04), but there was no significant correlation for PGG or PCG. In cats that had data available, serum bicarbonate increased >2 mEq/l in 1/6 PGT, 1/6 PGG and 3/4 PCG cats. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: All three potassium supplements were effective in treating hypokalemia secondary to CKD in the majority of cats despite variable dosing. Data were limited to assess the alkalinizing effect and prospective studies are needed.

Potassium phosphate and potassium carbonate administration by feed or drinking water improved broiler performance, bone strength, digestive phosphatase activity and phosphorus digestibility under induced heat stress conditions.

Potassium phosphate (K2HPO4) and potassium carbonate (K2CO3) administration by feed or water were evaluated on broiler performance, bone strength, alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP), and phosphorus digestibility under heat stress and high chloride condition. Experimental groups include control; 15 cc/kg K2HPO4; 30 cc/kg K2HPO4; 15 cc/l K2HPO4; and 3.7 g/kg K2CO3. Body weight (BW), feed and water consumption, plasma potassium, phosphorus, and calcium concentration along with plasma and digestive ALP and intestinal digesta pH were measured during the trial. Tibia ash, calcium and phosphorus content, and breaking strength were measured on days 21 and 42 and phosphorus digestibility on day 36 of age. As a result of this, study feed and water consumption was increased by supplementation of the feed or water with K2HPO4 (P ≤ 0.001). K2HPO4 increased body weight at 42 days of age (P ≤ 0.001). Tibia ash and phosphorus content was increased by K2HPO4 supplementation (P ≤ 0.004; P ≤ 0.003). K2CO3 did increased tibia ash but not changed tibia phosphorus content significantly. Tibia shear force, shear energy, extension, and length were improved by K2HPO4 administration at 42 days of age (P ≤ 0.001). Administration of either feed or water with K2HPO4 increased plasma potassium, phosphorus, and calcium concentration at 21 days of age, whereas K2CO3 reduced plasma potassium at 21 days of age (P ≤ 0.05). Plasma ALP reduced by addition of 15 cc K2HPO4 and K2CO3 to diets at 42 days of age, whereas digestive ALP was increased by inclusion of K2HPO4 and not by K2CO3. Supplementation of either feed or water with K2HPO4 increased phosphorus digestibility, whereas K2CO3 reduced phosphorus digestibility (P ≤ 0.003). Jejunum and ileum pH was reduced by K2HPO4 or by K2CO3 at 21 and 42 days of age (P ≤ 0.006; (P ≤ 0.05). Over all, results of current study revealed that K2HPO4 can be a suitable potassium salt choice instead of KCL in hot weather conditions especially when the water or diet contains high levels of chloride.

Acute interaction between oral glucose (75 g as Lucozade) and inorganic nitrate: Decreased insulin clearance, but lack of blood pressure-lowering.

AIMS: Dietary inorganic nitrate (NO3- ) lowers peripheral blood pressure (BP) in healthy volunteers, but lacks such effect in individuals with, or at risk of, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Whilst this is commonly assumed to be a consequence of chronic hyperglycaemia/hyperinsulinaemia, we hypothesized that acute physiological elevations in plasma [glucose]/[insulin] blunt the haemodynamic responses to NO3- , a pertinent question for carbohydrate-rich Western diets. METHODS: We conducted an acute, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover study on the haemodynamic and metabolic effects of potassium nitrate (8 or 24 mmol KNO3 ) vs. potassium chloride (KCl; placebo) administered 1 hour prior to an oral glucose tolerance test in 33 healthy volunteers. RESULTS: Compared to placebo, there were no significant differences in systolic or diastolic BP (P = 0.27 and P = 0.30 on ANOVA, respectively) with KNO3 , nor in pulse wave velocity or central systolic BP (P = 0.99 and P = 0.54 on ANOVA, respectively). Whilst there were significant elevations from baseline for plasma [glucose] and [C-peptide], no differences between interventions were observed. A significant increase in plasma [insulin] was observed with KNO3 vs. KCl (n = 33; P = 0.014 on ANOVA) with the effect driven by the high-dose cohort (24 mmol, n = 13; P < 0.001 on ANOVA; at T = 0.75 h mean difference 210.4 pmol/L (95% CI 28.5 to 392.3), P = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: In healthy adults, acute physiological elevations of plasma [glucose] and [insulin] result in a lack of BP-lowering with dietary nitrate. The increase in plasma [insulin] without a corresponding change in [C-peptide] or [glucose] suggests that high-dose NO3- decreases insulin clearance. A likely mechanism is via NO-dependent inhibition of insulin-degrading enzyme.

Chronic Ingestion of Sodium and Potassium Bicarbonate, with Potassium, Magnesium and Calcium Citrate Improves Anaerobic Performance in Elite Soccer Players.

Anaerobic power and anaerobic capacity significantly influence performance in many sport disciplines. These include prolonged sprints in athletics, swimming, or cycling, and other high intensity intermittent sports, such as soccer or basketball. Considering the association of exercise-induced acidosis and fatigue, the ingestion of potential buffering agents such as sodium bicarbonate, has been suggested to attenuate metabolic acidosis and improve anaerobic performance. Since elite soccer players cover from 200 to 350 m while sprinting, performing 40⁻60 all out sprints during a game, it seems that repeated sprint ability in soccer players is among the key components of success. In our experiment, we evaluated the effectiveness of chronic supplementation with sodium and potassium bicarbonate, fortified with minerals, on speed and speed endurance in elite soccer players. Twenty-six soccer players participated in the study. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group was supplemented with sodium bi-carbonate and potassium di-carbonate fortified with minerals, while the control group received a placebo. The athletes were tested at baseline and after nine days of supplementation. Anaerobic performance was evaluated by the Repeated Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST) protocol which involved 6 × 30 m max sprints, separated by 10 s of active recovery. Resting, post ingestion and post exercise concentrations of HCO3- and blood pH were measured as well as lactate concentration. The current investigation demonstrated a significant increase in RAST performance of elite soccer players supplemented with sodium and potassium bicarbonate along with calcium phosphate, potassium citrate, and magnesium citrate ingested twice a day over a nine-day training period. The improvements in anaerobic performance were caused by increased resting blood pH and bicarbonate levels.

WITHDRAWN: Iodine supplementation for preventing iodine deficiency disorders in children.

BACKGROUND: Iodine deficiency is the main cause of potentially preventable mental retardation in childhood, as well as causing goitre and hypothyroidism in people of all ages. It is still prevalent in large parts of the world. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of iodine supplementation overall, and of different forms and dosages of iodine supplementation separately, in the prevention of iodine deficiency disorders in children. SEARCH METHODS: The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE and reference lists, databases of ongoing trials and the Internet were searched. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials and prospective controlled trials not using randomisation of iodine supplementation in children living in areas of iodine deficiency. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers did the initial data selection and quality assessment of trials independently. As the studies identified were not sufficiently similar and not of sufficient quality, we did not do a meta-analysis but summarised the data in a narrative format. MAIN RESULTS: Twenty-six prospective controlled trials were related to our question, assessing a total of 29613 children. Twenty of them were classified as being of low quality, six of moderate quality. Most studies used iodised oil as a supplement, but other supplements were also used. The intervention groups were compared to a non-supplemented control group, different doses or different forms of iodine supplementation.There was a clear tendency towards goitre reduction with iodine supplementation; this was significant in several studies. Significant differences in physical development were not seen, except in one study. Results for differences in cognitive and psychomotor measures were mixed, with only few studies showing a positive intervention effect. One study suggested that infant mortality was lowered after iodine supplementation.Most studies showed a significant increase in urinary iodine excretion and levels recommended by the WHO were reached in most cases after supplementation. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were significantly reduced in one study. In 1.8% of the children investigated, adverse effects were found, most of them were minor and transient. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Despite most of the included studies being of low quality, the results suggest that iodine supplementation, especially iodised oil, is an effective means of decreasing goitre rates and improving iodine status in children. Indications of positive effects on physical and mental development and mortality were seen, although results were not always significant. Adverse effects were generally minor and transient. Insufficient evidence was available on non-oil supplements. High quality controlled studies investigating relevant long term outcome measures are needed to address the question of the best form of iodine supplementation in different population groups and settings.

Pilot Study Examining the Influence of Potassium Bicarbonate Supplementation on Nitrogen Balance and Whole-Body Ammonia and Urea Turnover Following Short-Term Energy Restriction in Older Men.

With aging there is a chronic low-grade metabolic-acidosis that may exacerbate negative protein balance during weight loss. The objective of this randomized pilot study was to assess the impact of 90 mmol∙day-1 potassium bicarbonate (KHCO3) versus a placebo (PLA) on 24-h urinary net acid excretion (NAE), nitrogen balance (NBAL), and whole-body ammonia and urea turnover following short-term diet-induced weight loss. Sixteen (KHCO3; n = 8, PLA; n = 8) older (64 ± 4 years) overweight (BMI: 28.5 ± 2.1 kg∙day-1) men completed a 35-day controlled feeding study, with a 7-day weight-maintenance phase followed by a 28-day 30% energy-restriction phase. KHCO3 or PLA supplementation began during energy restriction. NAE, NBAL, and whole-body ammonia and urea turnover (15N-glycine) were measured at the end of the weight-maintenance and energy-restriction phases. Following energy restriction, NAE was -9.8 ± 27.8 mmol∙day-1 in KHCO3 and 43.9 ± 27.8 mmol∙day-1 in PLA (p < 0.05). No significant group or time differences were observed in NBAL or ammonia and urea turnover. Ammonia synthesis and breakdown tended (p = 0.09) to be higher in KHCO3 vs. PLA following energy restriction, and NAE was inversely associated (r = -0.522; p < 0.05) with urea synthesis in all subjects. This pilot study suggests some benefit may exist with KHCO3 supplementation following energy restriction as lower NAE indicated higher urea synthesis.

Humic acid and enzymes inclusion in canola-based diets generate different responses in growth performance, protein utilization dynamics, and hemato-biochemical parameters in broiler chickens.

The current study was conducted to investigate the effect of a humic acid and enzymes on growth performance, protein utilization, and blood parameters in broilers fed canola-based diets. Canola meal (CM) is characterized as low protein compared to soybean meal. Two-hundred-twenty broiler chickens were randomly allotted to the following 5 dietary treatments: 1. Control (commercial broiler diet); 2. CM (17.5% canola meal inclusion); 3. CMEnz (CM + 0.3 g/kg enzymes [Axtra XAP]); 4. CMPh (CM + 1.5% potassium humate, PH) and 5. CMEnzPh (CM + 1.5% PH + 0.3 g/kg Axtra XAP). Each treatment was replicated 4 times with each pen holding 11 birds as the experimental unit. The feeding trial was conducted over a grower (15 to 28 d) and a finisher phase (29 to 42 d). Diet did not affect (P > 0.05) feed intake across either grower or finisher phase but affected average daily gain (ADG) in the grower phase. In the grower phase, broilers fed CM had the highest ADG (71± 1.08 g/d), while the control (63.75 ± 1.08 g/d) had the lowest. However, control chickens had the highest feed conversion ratio (FCR) (1.65), while those fed CM (1.47) had the lowest. Diet significantly affected total white blood cell and white blood cell differential, which were consistently high in broilers fed CMEnzPh. With regard to serum metabolites, CM had the highest levels (P < 0.05) of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (406.86 ± 38.07 IU/L), while CMEnzPh (254.17 ± 41.11 IU/L) had the lowest levels. Additionally, broilers fed CMPh had the highest (P < 0.05) serum sodium content (150.57 ± 0.69 mmol/l). Overall, canola meal, in the presence of enzymes and humic acid, was shown to have great potential as an alternative replacement of soybean meal in broiler diets. The findings from the study can, therefore, contribute to the design of low-cost canola-based feed formulations that will improve growth performance and health status in poultry farming systems in the future.

Discrete physiological effects of beetroot juice and potassium nitrate supplementation following 4-wk sprint interval training.

The physiological and exercise performance adaptations to sprint interval training (SIT) may be modified by dietary nitrate ([Formula: see text]) supplementation. However, it is possible that different types of [Formula: see text] supplementation evoke divergent physiological and performance adaptations to SIT. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of 4-wk SIT with and without concurrent dietary [Formula: see text] supplementation administered as either [Formula: see text]-rich beetroot juice (BR) or potassium [Formula: see text] (KNO3). Thirty recreationally active subjects completed a battery of exercise tests before and after a 4-wk intervention in which they were allocated to one of three groups: 1) SIT undertaken without dietary [Formula: see text] supplementation (SIT); 2) SIT accompanied by concurrent BR supplementation (SIT + BR); or 3) SIT accompanied by concurrent KNO3 supplementation (SIT + KNO3). During severe-intensity exercise, V̇o2peak and time to task failure were improved to a greater extent with SIT + BR than SIT and SIT + KNO3 ( P < 0.05). There was also a greater reduction in the accumulation of muscle lactate at 3 min of severe-intensity exercise in SIT + BR compared with SIT + KNO3 ( P < 0.05). Plasma [Formula: see text] concentration fell to a greater extent during severe-intensity exercise in SIT + BR compared with SIT and SIT + KNO3 ( P < 0.05). There were no differences between groups in the reduction in the muscle phosphocreatine recovery time constant from pre- to postintervention ( P > 0.05). These findings indicate that 4-wk SIT with concurrent BR supplementation results in greater exercise capacity adaptations compared with SIT alone and SIT with concurrent KNO3 supplementation. This may be the result of greater NO-mediated signaling in SIT + BR compared with SIT + KNO3. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We compared the influence of different forms of dietary nitrate supplementation on the physiological and performance adaptations to sprint interval training (SIT). Compared with SIT alone, supplementation with nitrate-rich beetroot juice, but not potassium [Formula: see text], enhanced some physiological adaptations to training.

Phosphorus application reduces aluminum toxicity in two Eucalyptus clones by increasing its accumulation in roots and decreasing its content in leaves.

Under acidic conditions, aluminum (Al) toxicity is an important factor limiting plant productivity; however, the application of phosphorus (P) might alleviate the toxic effects of Al. In this study, seedlings of two vegetatively propagated Eucalyptus clones, E. grandis × E. urophylla 'G9' and E. grandis × E. urophylla 'DH32-29'were subjected to six treatments (two levels of Al stress and three levels of P). Under excessive Al stress, root Al content was higher, whereas shoot and leaf Al contents were lower with P application than those without P application. Further, Al accumulation was higher in the roots, but lower in the shoots and leaves of G9 than in those of DH32-29. The secretion of organic acids was higher under Al stress than under no Al stress. Further, under Al stress, the roots of G9 secreted more organic acids than those of DH32-29. With an increase in P supply, Al-induced secretion of organic acids from roots decreased. Under Al stress, some enzymes, including PEPC, CS, and IDH, played important roles in organic acid biosynthesis and degradation. Thus, our results indicate that P can reduce Al toxicity via the fixation of elemental Al in roots and restriction of its transport to stems and leaves, although P application cannot promote the secretion of organic acid anions. Further, the higher Al-resistance of G9 might be attributed to the higher Al accumulation in and organic acid anion secretion from roots and the lower levels of Al in leaves.

NaK alloy-induced in vivo tumor ablation therapy.

PURPOSE: Alkali metal ablation is newly emerging as an effective, economic and minimally invasive ablation therapy. This study is dedicated to demonstrate the high efficiency of NaK alloy ablation on in vivo tumors with different stages in mice. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Panc02 tumor cells were injected into 21 female C57B/L mice, which were divided into three groups. Two experimental groups of mice received the same percutaneous NaK alloy injection for a week apart. The inner temperature response and surface temperature distribution were measured using a thermal couple and an infrared camera. After each ablation experiment, two mice in each group were chosen randomly to make pathological sections. The tumor volumes were measured once every two days. At the end, all tumors were cut off to calculate the tumor inhibition rates. RESULTS: The NaK alloy-induced ablation therapy produced an obvious temperature increase (85 °C) in the ablation region and the high temperature distribution was relatively concentrated. The histopathology sections showed that developing stage tumors received incomplete destruction of the malignant cells compared with early stage tumors. The tumor inhibition rate in the early and developing tumor treatment groups were 88.5% and 67.6%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This technology provides a nearly thorough ablation treatment for early stage tumors and also a palliative treatment for developing tumors.

Consumption of a Double-Fortified Salt Affects Perceptual, Attentional, and Mnemonic Functioning in Women in a Randomized Controlled Trial in India.

Background: Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia have been shown to have negative effects on aspects of perception, attention, and memory.Objective: The purpose of this investigation was to assess the extent to which increases in dietary iron consumption are related to improvements in behavioral measures of perceptual, attentional, and mnemonic function.Methods: Women were selected from a randomized, double-blind, controlled food-fortification trial involving ad libitum consumption of either a double-fortified salt (DFS) containing 47 mg potassium iodate/kg and 3.3 mg microencapsulated ferrous fumarate/g (1.1 mg elemental Fe/g) or a control iodized salt. Participants' blood iron status (primary outcomes) and cognitive functioning (secondary outcomes) were assessed at baseline and after 10 mo at endline. The study was performed on a tea plantation in the Darjeeling district of India. Participants (n = 126; 66% iron deficient and 49% anemic at baseline) were otherwise healthy women of reproductive age, 18-55 y.Results: Significant improvements were documented for iron status and for perceptual, attentional, and mnemonic function in the DFS group (percentage of variance accounted for: 16.5%) compared with the control group. In addition, the amount of change in perceptual and cognitive performance was significantly (P < 0.05) related to the amount of change in blood iron markers (mean percentage of variance accounted for: 16.0%) and baseline concentrations of blood iron markers (mean percentage of variance accounted for: 25.0%). Overall, there was evidence that the strongest effects of change in iron status were obtained for perceptual and low-level attentional function.Conclusion: DFS produced measurable and significant improvements in the perceptual, attentional, and mnemonic performance of Indian female tea pickers of reproductive age. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01032005.

Increasing alkali supplementation decreases urinary nitrogen excretion when adjusted for same day nitrogen intake.

We examined whether escalating doses of potassium bicarbonate (KHCO3) supplements alter urinary nitrogen excretion expressed as a ratio to same day nitrogen intake (measure of muscle-protein breakdown). The ratio declined significantly from placebo to low to high dose of KHCO3 supplementation in older adults over 3 months, suggesting muscle-sparing. INTRODUCTION: Neutralization of dietary acid load with alkali supplementation (i.e., KHCO3) has been hypothesized to have muscle protein-sparing effects. In controlled feeding studies with fixed nitrogen (N) intake/day, 24-h urinary N excretion is a good marker of muscle breakdown. However, in studies with self-selected diets, changes in 24-h urinary N excretion can be influenced by shifts in N intake. METHODS: We evaluated changes in 24-h total urinary N excretion as a ratio of N excretion to concurrent N intake in 233 older men and women who participated in an 84-day KHCO3 supplementation randomized placebo-controlled trial. RESULTS: After adjustment for relevant cofactors, escalating doses of KHCO3 (1 mmol/kg/day [low] or 1.5 mmol/kg/day [high]) resulted in a progressive decline in urinary N excretion/N intake compared to placebo (overall P for trend = 0.042). The 84-day change in urinary N excretion/N intake in the high-dose KHCO3 group was statistically significantly lower compared to placebo (P = 0.012) but not compared to the low-dose KHCO3 group (P = 0.276). The 84-day change in urinary N excretion/N intake in the low-dose KHCO3 group did not differ significantly from placebo (P = 0.145). CONCLUSIONS: Urinary N excretion expressed as ratio to same day N intake declined steadily with increasing doses of KHCO3 supplementation from low 1 mmol/kg/day to high 1.5 mmol/kg/day, suggesting a nitrogen-sparing effect. Compared to urinary N excretion alone, this ratio could be a more reasonable measure of muscle protein metabolism in large-scale long-term human studies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT1475214.

The effect of six days of dietary nitrate supplementation on performance in trained CrossFit athletes.

BACKGROUND: While it is well established that dietary nitrate reduces the metabolic cost of exercise, recent evidence suggests this effect is maintained 24 h following the final nitrate dose when plasma nitrite levels have returned to baseline. In addition, acute dietary nitrate was recently reported to enhance peak power production. Our purpose was to examine whether chronic dietary nitrate supplementation enhanced peak power 24 h following the final dose and if this impacted performance in a heavily power-dependent sport. METHODS: In a double-blind, randomized, crossover design, maximal aerobic capacity, body composition, strength, maximal power (30 s Wingate), endurance (2 km rowing time trial), and CrossFit performance (Grace protocol) were assessed before and after six days of supplementation with nitrate (NO) (8 mmol·potassium nitrate·d-1) or a non-caloric placebo (PL). A 10-day washout period divided treatment conditions. Paired t-tests were utilized to assess changes over time and to compare changes between treatments. RESULTS: Peak Wingate power increased significantly over time with NO (889.17 ± 179.69 W to 948.08 ± 186.80 W; p = 0.01) but not PL (898.08 ± 183.24 W to 905.00 ± 157.23 W; p = 0.75). However, CrossFit performance was unchanged, and there were no changes in any other performance parameters. CONCLUSION: Consuming dietary nitrate in the potassium nitrate salt form improved peak power during a Wingate test, but did not improve elements of strength or endurance in male CrossFit athletes.

Inorganic Nitrate Supplementation in Young and Old Obese Adults Does Not Affect Acute Glucose and Insulin Responses but Lowers Oxidative Stress.

BACKGROUND: Aging and obesity are associated with raised oxidative stress and a reduction of nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability, with subsequent decline in insulin sensitivity and endothelial function. Inorganic nitrate is converted into NO via a 2-step reduction process and may be an effective nutritional intervention to modify vascular and metabolic functions. OBJECTIVES: This study tested whether inorganic nitrate supplementation improved glucose disposal and attenuated the acute effects of hyperglycemia on oxidative stress, inflammation, and vascular function in young and old obese participants. METHODS: Ten young (aged 18-44 y) and 10 old (aged 55-70 y) obese participants consumed 75 g glucose followed by either potassium nitrate (7 mg/kg body weight) or potassium chloride (placebo) in a randomized, double-blind crossover design. Resting blood pressure (BP), endothelial function, and blood biomarkers were measured for 3 h postintervention. Biomarkers included plasma nitrate/nitrite (NOx), glucose, insulin, cyclic GMP, interleukin 6, 3-nitrotyrosine, E- and P-selectins, intercellular adhesion molecule 3 (ICAM-3), and thrombomodulin, as well as superoxide in freshly isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). RESULTS: Inorganic nitrate supplementation did not affect plasma glucose (P = 0.18) or insulin (P = 0.26) responses. The increase in plasma NOx concentrations 3 h after the administration of inorganic nitrate was significantly higher in young than in old participants (234% increase compared with 149% increase, respectively, P < 0.001). Plasma 3-nitrotyrosine concentrations declined significantly after inorganic nitrate supplementation compared with placebo (3 h postdose, 46% decrease compared with 27% increase, respectively, P = 0.04), and a similar nonsignificant trend was observed for superoxide concentrations (3 h postdose, 16% decrease compared with 23% increase, respectively, P = 0.06). Plasma cyclic GMP, ICAM-3, and thrombomodulin concentrations differed between young and old participants (P < 0.01). Inorganic nitrate supplementation did not improve BP or endothelial function. CONCLUSIONS: Oral supplementation with inorganic nitrate did not improve glucose and insulin responses but reduced oxidative stress in old individuals during acute hyperglycemia. This trial was registered at www.controlled-trials.com as ISRCTN42776917.

Whey protein with potassium bicarbonate supplement attenuates the reduction in muscle oxidative capacity during 19 days of bed rest.

The effectiveness of whey protein plus potassium bicarbonate-enriched diet (WP+KHCO3) in mitigating disuse-induced changes in muscle fiber oxidative capacity and capillarization was investigated in a 21-day crossover design bed rest study. Ten healthy men (31 ± 6 yr) once received WP+KHCO3 and once received a standardized isocaloric diet. Muscle biopsies were taken 2 days before and during the 19th day of bed rest (BR) from the soleus (SOL) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscle. Whole-body aerobic power (V̇o2 max), muscle fatigue, and isometric strength of knee extensor and plantar flexor muscles were monitored. Muscle fiber types and capillaries were identified by immunohistochemistry. Fiber oxidative capacity was determined as the optical density (OD) at 660 nm of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH)-stained sections. The product of fiber cross-sectional area and SDH-OD (integrated SDH) indicated the maximal oxygen consumption of that fiber. The maximal oxygen consumption supported by a capillary was calculated as the integrated SDH in its supply area. BR reduced isometric strength of knee extensor muscles (P < 0.05), and the fiber oxidative capacity (P < 0.001) and V̇o2 max (P = 0.042), but had no significant impact on muscle capillarization or fatigue resistance of thigh muscles. The maximal oxygen consumption supported by a capillary was reduced by 24% in SOL and 16% in VL (P < 0.001). WP+KHCO3 attenuated the disuse-induced reduction in fiber oxidative capacity in both muscles (P < 0.01). In conclusion, following 19 days of bed rest, the decrement in fiber oxidative capacity is proportionally larger than the loss of capillaries. WP+KHCO3 appears to attenuate disuse-induced reductions in fiber oxidative capacity.

Anti-plaque and antimicrobial efficiency of different oral rinses in a 3-day plaque accumulation model.

The idea of incorporating a mouthrinse with normal tooth brushing could be a useful adjunct to oral hygiene. Despite the principle nature of the toothpaste vehicle, most alcohol-based chemical plaque-control agents have been evaluated and later formulated in the mouthrinse vehicle. The current study was aimed to investigate the persistence of antimicrobial action and plaque inhibitory properties of a new alcohol-free mouthrinse when compared with positive control, chlorhexidine 0.12% and placebo control, physiologic saline solution mouthrinses. The evaluation of the antimicrobial activity was performed by saliva samples collected during the 3 days of usage. The results of this study indicate that this new oral rinse has an equivalent plaque inhibitory action to chlorhexidine, and the plaque inhibitory action of the rinse appears to be derived from a persistence of antimicrobial action in the mouth. Furthermore, no side effects were reported during the study, and the additional benefit of no alcohol presence in the rinse solution.

Enteral administration of monosodium phosphate, monopotassium phosphate and monocalcium phosphate for the treatment of hypophosphataemia in lactating dairy cattle.

Hypohosphataemia is a frequent finding in early lactating and anorectic dairy cows. Sodium phosphate is commonly used for oral phosphorus (P) supplementation, although other phosphate salts may present useful treatment alternatives. Objectives of this study were to compare the efficacy of monopotassium phosphate (KH2PO4) and monocalcium phosphate (Ca(H2PO4)2) to monosodium phosphate (NaH2PO4) in P-depleted cows. Furthermore, the effect of concentrated NaH2PO4 on the reticular groove reflex was studied. Six healthy but P-depleted dairy cows underwent four treatments in randomised order. Treatments consisted of intraruminal administration of NaH2PO4, KH2PO4 and Ca(H2PO4)2 providing the equivalent of 60 g P. A fourth treatment consisting of concentrated NaH2PO4 combined with acetaminophen as a marker substance was administered orally to determine whether the reticular groove reflex could be induced. Intraruminal administration of NaH2PO4 and KH2PO4 resulted in similar increases in plasma Pi concentrations ([Pi]) while intraruminal Ca(H2PO4)2 resulted in lower increases in plasma [Pi]. Oral and intraruminal administration of NaH2PO4 resulted in similar times to peak plasma [Pi] and acetaminophen concentration, indicating that concentrated NaH2PO4 administered orally did not trigger the reticular groove reflex. These results suggest that oral administration of KH2PO4 is equally effective as NaH2PO4. Oral administration of Ca(H2PO4)2 in contrast has a less pronounced effect on the plasma [Pi].