Molecular evidence that oral supplementation with lycopene or lutein protects human skin against ultraviolet radiation: results from a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover study.

BACKGROUND: Increasing evidence suggests photoprotection by oral supplementation with ß-carotene and lycopene. OBJECTIVES: To examine the capacity of lycopene-rich tomato nutrient complex (TNC) and lutein, to protect against ultraviolet (UV)A/B and UVA1 radiation at a molecular level. METHODS: In a placebo-controlled, double-blinded, randomized, crossover study two active treatments containing either TNC or lutein were assessed for their capacity to decrease the expression of UVA1 the radiation-inducible genes HO1, ICAM1 and MMP1. Sixty-five healthy volunteers were allocated to four treatment groups and subjected to a 2-week washout phase, followed by two 12-week treatment phases separated by another 2 weeks of washout. Volunteers started either with active treatment and were then switched to placebo, or vice versa. At the beginning and at the end of each treatment phase skin was irradiated and 24 h later biopsies were taken from untreated, UVA/B- and UVA1-irradiated skin for subsequent reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis of gene expression. Moreover, blood samples were taken after the washout and the treatment phases for assessment of carotenoids. RESULTS: TNC completely inhibited UVA1- and UVA/B-induced upregulation of heme-oxygenase 1, intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and matrix metallopeptidase 1 mRNA, no matter the sequence (anova, P < 0·05). In contrast, lutein provided complete protection if it was taken in the first period but showed significantly smaller effects in the second sequence compared with TNC. CONCLUSIONS: Assuming the role of these genes as indicators of oxidative stress, photodermatoses and photoageing, these results might indicate that TNC and lutein could protect against solar radiation-induced health damage.

Yeast nitrogen catabolite repression is sustained by signals distinct from glutamine and glutamate reservoirs.

Nitrogen catabolite repression (NCR) is a wide transcriptional regulation program enabling baker's yeast to downregulate genes involved in the utilization of poor nitrogen sources when preferred ones are available. Nowadays, glutamine and glutamate, the major nitrogen donors for biosyntheses, are assumed to be key metabolic signals regulating NCR. NCR is controlled by the conserved TORC1 complex, which integrates nitrogen signals among others to regulate cell growth. However, accumulating evidence indicate that the TORC1-mediated control of NCR is only partial, arguing for the existence of supplementary regulatory processes to be discovered. In this work, we developed a genetic screen to search for new players involved in NCR signaling. Our data reveal that the NADP-glutamate dehydrogenase activity of Gdh1 negatively regulates NCR-sensitive gene transcription. By determining the total, cytoplasmic and vacuolar pools of amino acids, we show that there is no positive correlation between glutamine/glutamate reservoirs and the extent of NCR. While our data indicate that glutamine could serve as initial trigger of NCR, they show that it is not a sufficient signal to sustain repression and point to the existence of yet unknown signals. Providing additional evidence uncoupling TORC1 activity and NCR, our work revisits the dogmas underlying NCR regulation.

Densitometric kneecap changes after unilateral knee arthroplasty.

PURPOSE: To assess bone density of kneecaps in subjects with femoro-tibial prosthesis before and after surgery by means of DEXA examination. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We examined 34 patients with unilateral femoro-tibial prosthesis, 20 healthy subjects of the same age and non-carriers of knee replacement and 14 healthy young adult subjects. All the data sets were analysed by two radiologists (AS and AM). The coincidence of the results between the two specialists was evaluated by means of Cohen's Kappa index and the results were considered statistically significative if p value is < of 0.05. RESULTS: The values of patellar BMD in the group of 34 patients, were: a minimum of 0.386 g/cm(2) (K = 0.879, p = 0.0012), a maximum 1.707 g/cm(2) (K = 0.886, p = 0.0016). The comparison between the left and right knee showed the following data: minimum difference 0.034 g/cm2 (K = 0.901, p = 0.0015), maximum difference of 0.622 g/cm(2) (K = 0.908, p = 0.0017), the average was found to be of 0.277 g/cm(2) (K = 0.894, p = 0.0018). But this difference tends to decrease 6 months after surgery. In the group of healthy young adults, we obtained the following values: a minimum of 0.782 g/cm(2) (K = 0.907, p = 0.0025), maximum 1.503 g/cm(2) (K = 0.932, p = 0.0012). Between both knees, the difference was minimal 0.006 g/cm(2) (K = 0.951, p = 0.0035) and maximum 0.096 g/cm(2) (K = 0.926, p = 0.0007) with an average difference of 0.058 g/cm(2) (K = 0.954, p = 0.0026). In the group of healthy subjects of the same age and non-carriers of knee replacement the values were average higher. A maximum value of 1.134 g/cm(2) (K = 0.894, p = 0.0028) and a minimum value of 0.944 g/cm(2) (K = 0.892, p = 0.0023) were found; between both knees a minimum difference of 0.010 g/cm(2) (K = 0.918, p = 0.0047) and a maximum of 0.090 g/cm(2) (K = 0.937, p = 0.0017) were found, with an average difference of 0.052 g/cm(2) (K = 0.956, p = 0.0024). CONCLUSIONS: DEXA examination of the patellar is recommended as a supplementary study to the clinical and radiological standard exams because it is able to provide additional information to determine when to intervene surgically, on the basis of patellar bone density values.

Pycnogenol® effects on skin elasticity and hydration coincide with increased gene expressions of collagen type I and hyaluronic acid synthase in women.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: In recent years there has been an increasing interest in the use of nutritional supplements to benefit human skin. Molecular evidence substantiating such effects, however, is scarce. In the present study we investigated whether nutritional supplementation of women with the standardized pine bark extract Pycnogenol® will improve their cosmetic appearance and relate these effects to expression of corresponding molecular markers of their skin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For this purpose 20 healthy postmenopausal women were supplemented with Pycnogenol for 12 weeks. Before, during and after supplementation, their skin condition was assessed (i) by employing non-invasive, biophysical methods including corneometry, cutometry, visioscan and ultrasound analyses and (ii) by taking biopsies and subsequent PCR for gene expression analyses related to extracellular matrix homeostasis. RESULTS: Pycnogenol supplementation was well tolerated in all volunteers. Pycnogenol significantly improved hydration and elasticity of skin. These effects were most pronounced in women presenting with dry skin conditions prior to the start of supplementation. The skin-physiological improvement was accompanied by a significant increase in the mRNA expression of hyaluronic acid synthase-1 (HAS-1), an enzyme critically involved in the synthesis of hyaluronic acid, and a noticeable increase in gene expression involved in collagen de novo synthesis. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides skin-physiological and for the first time molecular evidence that Pycnogenol supplementation benefits human skin by increasing skin hydration and skin elasticity. These effects are most likely due to an increased synthesis of extracellular matrix molecules such as hyaluronic acid and possibly collagen. Pycnogenol supplementation may thus be useful to counteract the clinical signs of skin aging.

[Beauty from the inside. Does it really work?]. / Schönheit von innen. Funktioniert das wirklich?

Skin functions and healthy appearance depend on a sufficient supply of essential nutrients. The relationship between nutrition and skin has become a hot topic that is exciting researchers and clinicians worldwide. Intervention studies indicate that it is in fact possible to manipulate and to delay skin aging and to improve skin conditions through supplementation with selected nutritional supplements. It has been shown that diet-based anti-aging strategies are most effective when directed against extrinsic skin aging. New insights into the effects of orally-administered, biologically active molecules on skin functions have stimulated a continuously growing interest in the development of nutritional supplements and functional food products to benefit human skin. This article attempts to provide a briefly overview to some of the healthy and protective substances used as functional food.

CoQ10 plasmatic levels in breast-fed infants compared to formula-fed infants.

BACKGROUND: Coenzyme Q10 has been recognized as an important antioxidant factor besides its main role in bioenergetic metabolism. CoQ10 tissue levels depend both on exogenous dietetic intake and on endogenous biosynthesis, as this compound can be partly synthesized in human cells. Q10 plasma levels reflect the tissue content of the coenzyme and can be used to evaluate the presence of this compound in the human organism. DESIGN/METHODS: Aim of the study was to measure CoQ10 plasmatic levels in a newborn breast-fed population and to compare them to CoQ10 levels in a newborn formula-fed population in order to verify whether changes in CoQ10 plasmatic contents could be related to a different dietetic intakes. We measured CoQ10 plasmatic levels in 25 healthy term neonates with different dietetic intakes: 15 breast-fed and 10 bottle-fed with a common infant formula. These infants were evaluated prospectively during the first month of life. The analyses were performed on the mothers' blood samples and cord blood samples at the time of delivery, then on infants at 4 and 28 days of age. RESULTS: Our results showed markedly reduced Q10 levels in cord blood samples compared to maternal Q10 plasmatic levels at the time of delivery, suggesting placental impermeability towards this molecule or increased fetal utilization during labor and delivery. At 4 days of age Q10 levels had increased in both groups of neonates, but significantly more in breast-fed infants compared to formula-fed babies (p <0.05). At 4 weeks of age no significant changes occurred in breast-fed infants, while values increased significantly in formula-fed infants (p <0.05). The content of Q10 in breast milk samples was lower than in infant formula. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that CoQ10 plasmatic levels are at least partly influenced by the exogenous dietetic supply.

Influence of different types of post-discharge feeding on somatic growth, cognitive development and their correlation in very low birthweight preterm infants.

UNLABELLED: The influence of appropriate post-discharge nutrition on somatic growth and cognitive development of very low-birthweight infants in the first year of life is currently a major topic in infant nutrition. Appropriate intakes of proteins, iodine and the addition of LC-PUFAs (arachidonic acid (AA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)) in the "right" quantities improve cognitive development and are conducive to a good correlation between somatic growth and neurodevelopment. CONCLUSION: When mother' milk is not available post-discharge, in addition to more proteins and minerals, formula for low-birthweight infants should contain AA and DHA, since the endogenous production of these important compounds from the precursors can be reduced in the first months of life, chiefly in the very low-birthweight infants.

Oligosaccharides might stimulate calcium absorption in formula-fed preterm infants.

UNLABELLED: Among other components of human milk, oligosaccharides might contribute to the high efficiency of calcium absorption of breastfed infants. In adults, it can be shown that dietary oligosaccharides can improve calcium absorption. The present analysis was performed to evaluate a possible influence of dietary oligosaccharides on parameters of calcium metabolism in preterm infants. The concentrations of calcium and phosphorus in plasma and in spot urine samples as well as the plasma activity of the alkaline phosphatase were measured in preterm infants fed either a standard formula (n = 15) or a formula supplemented with dietary oligosaccharides (n = 15) at the end of a 4-wk feeding period. CONCLUSIONS: There was no influence of the different diets on the plasma concentration of calcium and phosphorus or on the plasma activity of alkaline phosphatase. In urine, there was a tendency towards higher calcium concentrations in the group fed the supplemented formula compared concentrations in the group fed the standard formula. The concentrations of phosphate were not significantly different and, as a consequence, there was a tendency towards a higher Ca/P molar ratio in the group fed the supplemented formula. The data indicate that the calcium absorption might be influenced by the dietary oligosaccharides. Thus, the possible effect of dietary oligosaccharides on calcium homeostasis should be included in the discussion concerning the consequences of the use of dietary oligosaccharides in preterm infant nutrition.

Supplementation of a bovine milk formula with an oligosaccharide mixture increases counts of faecal bifidobacteria in preterm infants.

BACKGROUND: The establishment of a balanced intestinal microflora which may protect against infection is desirable for the preterm infant. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of a preterm formula milk supplement consisting of oligosaccharides in similar proportions to human milk on the faecal flora and stool characteristics of preterm infants. STUDY DESIGN: To resemble the effect of human milk, an oligosaccharide mixture consisting of 90% galacto-oligosaccharides and 10% fructo-oligosaccharides was used to supplement a standard preterm formula at a concentration of 10 g/l. This supplemented formula was studied in 15 preterm infants, and the results were compared with those found in 15 infants fed a formula supplemented with maltodextrin as placebo. A group fed fortified mother's milk was investigated as a reference group (n = 12). On four days during a 28 day feeding period (1, 7, 14, and 28), the faecal flora was investigated, and stool characteristics, growth, and possible side effects were recorded. RESULTS: During the study period, the number of bifidobacteria in the group fed the oligosaccharide supplemented formula increased to the upper range of bifidobacteria counts in the reference group. The difference between the supplemented and non-supplemented groups was highly significant (p = 0.0008). The stool characteristics were also influenced by the supplement: the stool frequency after 28 days was significantly lower in the control group than in the oligosaccharide supplemented group (p = 0.0079) and the reference group (p < 0.0001). Over the study period, the stool consistency in the control group became harder, but remained fairly stable in the other two groups. There was no effect of the different diets on the incidence of side effects (crying, regurgitation, vomiting) or on weight gain or length gain. CONCLUSION: Supplementing preterm formula with a mixture of galacto- and fructo-oligosaccharides at a concentration of 10 g/l stimulates the growth of bifidobacteria in the intestine and results in stool characteristics similar to those found in preterm infants fed human milk. Therefore prebiotic mixtures such as the one studied may help to improve intestinal tolerance to enteral feeding in preterm infants.

Recovery of left ventricular function following early reperfusion in acute myocardial infarction: a potential role for the calcium antagonist nisoldipine.

The purpose of the present study was to test whether the administration of a vascular-selective organic calcium antagonist (nisoldipine) at the onset of early mechanical reperfusion (by coronary angioplasty) in acute myocardial infarction could prevent or attenuate postischemic stunning and enhance the recovery of left ventricular function in these patients. The study included 36 patients with anterior acute myocardial infarction who underwent an early and successful primary coronary angioplasty within 3 hours of the onset of chest pain (mean time to reperfusion = 113 +/- 37 minutes). The infarct-related artery was the left anterior descending artery in all patients. All had single-vessel disease. Baseline coronary arteriography was completed by left ventriculography. When the infarct-related artery was identified, a guidewire was placed into the target vessel and a balloon catheter was positioned in the artery. At this point all patients were administered 0.8 mg of intracoronary nitrates through the guiding catheter. Patients were then randomized. Seventeen patients (the NIT group) did not receive further treatment during the procedure, while the other 19 patients (the NIS group) received an additional 0.05 mg of intracoronary nisoldipine. Postprocedure treatment consisted of oral nitrates (80-120 mg/day) plus enalapril (10-20 mg/day) in the NIT group patients, and oral nisoldipine (20 mg/day) plus enalapril (10-20 mg/day) in the NIS group patients. The same treatment was maintained during the 6-month follow-up period. An echocardiographic study was performed at 1, 7, 30, 90, and 180 days following the procedure. Left ventriculography and coronary angiography were repeated at 1 and 180 days after the mechanical reperfusion. An exercise test was performed at 30, 90, and 180 days following primary angioplasty. Left ventriculograms and two-dimensional echocardiograms were analyzed by a computerized system that evaluated left ventricular volumes, ejection fraction, segmental wall motion, and diastolic function (from the left ventricular volume curve). Under baseline conditions, the clinical and angiographic characteristics of the patients were similar in both treatment groups. The results showed a significantly earlier recovery of left ventricular systolic and diastolic function in the NIS group patients compared with those of the NIT group. Also, exercise capacity was significantly better at 30 days in the NIS group. The findings of the present study provide further evidence that early reperfusion in acute myocardial infarction is likely to be followed by myocardial stunning. The vascular-selective organic calcium antagonist nisoldipine, administered at the onset of reperfusion, seems to attenuate postischemic stunning and to enhance the recovery of left ventricular function in this clinical subset.

Synthesis and evaluation of aminoadamantane derivatives for in vitro anti-HIV and antitumor activities.

The synthesis of a series of 2-aminobenzimidazole and indole amide derivatives containing the adamantyl moiety is described. The compounds, evaluated for in vitro anti-HIV and antitumor activities, were found to be moderately active or inactive, versus drug-treated controls, used for comparison purposes.

Clinical and therapeutic implications of chronic left ventricular dysfunction in coronary artery disease.

In patients with myocardial ischemia, left ventricular dysfunction (LV) may arise from irreversible damage (cell death), myocardial stunning (postischemic dysfunction), or myocardial hibernation (persistent myocardial dysfunction at rest due to underperfusion). Chronic LV dysfunction usually refers to hibernating myocardium. However, stunning might also become chronic, producing persistent myocardial dysfunction. Clinical studies have demonstrated that many patients with coronary artery disease have subsequent recurring ischemic (symptomatic or silent) episodes at short intervals in the same area and that each episode may be followed by myocardial stunning. In these patients the myocardium may not recover fully between episodes and function may remain reversibly depressed for long periods or may even be clinically depressed. The recognition of both stunning and hibernation is very important clinically and therapeutically, since chronic LV dysfunction may have a negative effect on mortality and morbidity in patients with coronary artery disease. Moreover, both clinical states are potentially correctable. Pharmacologic intervention with beta blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, or calcium antagonists might improve or protect hibernating myocardium. The acute hemodynamic effects of the dihydropyridine calcium antagonist nisoldipine have been investigated in patients with chronic LV dysfunction probably arising from hibernating myocardium. Nisoldipine was found to improve both left ventricular systolic and diastolic function without activating the adrenergic system. The improvement in systolic function may be due to a redistribution of coronary blood flow and to a slight reduction in afterload induced by nisoldipine. On the other hand, nisoldipine may improve diastolic function in these patients by an intrinsic mechanism, Reducing intracellular calcium overload or balancing intracellular calcium homeostasis in the ischemic areas.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Hemodialysis with regenerated cellulosic membranes does not reduce plasma selenium levels in chronic uremic patients.

Selenium (Se) is considered an essential and very important trace element for humans. Se blood levels are frequently low in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients, but very little has been established concerning the mechanisms that could modify Se status in uremia, including a supposed dialysis-mediated Se depletion. In order to verify whether hemodialysis (HD) can induce a loss of Se, thereby leading or contributing to a low plasma Se concentration, we investigated the effect of HD procedure with the most commonly used regenerated cellulosic membrane (Cuprophan) on plasma Se levels in 20 uremic patients on HD for 62.5 +/- 49.4 months. Plasma Se levels were also determined in 15 chronic renal failure (CRF) nondialyzed patients and in 28 age-matched healthy controls. Se concentration was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Plasma Se levels of both HD patients (61.3 +/- 8.5 micrograms/L) and CRF nondialyzed patients (56.4 +/- 10.1 micrograms/L) were significantly lower than in normal subjects (78.3 +/- 9.7 micrograms/L, p < 0.001). In CRF nondialyzed patients, a significant (p < 0.05) negative correlation was found between the plasma Se concentration versus serum creatinine values. Within the HD group, plasma Se levels significantly increased after the HD procedure (72.8 +/- 17.2 micrograms/L, p < 0.02) together with hematocrit and total plasma protein values (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

MK-801 and memantine protect cultured neurons from glutamate toxicity induced by glutamate carboxypeptidase-mediated cleavage of methotrexate.

Cleavage of methotrexate into glutamate and diaminomethylpteroate by intrathecal glutamate carboxypeptidase is a new approach to the treatment of acute methotrexate neurotoxicity. The simulation of glutamate carboxypeptidase rescue from high-dose methotrexate in neuron astrocyte cocultures of rat cerebellum or cerebral cortex resulted in a selective, concentration-dependent neurotoxicity. The neurotoxicity was caused by the enzymatic release of glutamate from methotrexate at lower concentrations of methotrexate, and by both glutamate and diaminomethylpteroate at concentrations of methotrexate exceeding 200 microM. The good neuroprotection afforded by MK-801 and memantine suggested that glutamate toxicity was mediated by N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors. Methotrexate alone was not toxic to astrocytes, neurons, or the neurite networking. [3H]thymidine and [3H]deoxyuridine incorporation studies showed that astrocyte proliferation in the presence of methotrexate was maintained by the reutilization of pyrimidine bases for DNA synthesis. N-methyl-D-asparate receptor antagonists should be coadministered in future experimental and clinical trials examining intrathecal glutamate carboxypeptidase rescue of methotrexate toxicity.

Left ventricular dysfunction following transient ischaemia induced by transluminal coronary angioplasty. Beneficial effects of calcium antagonists against post-ischaemic myocardial stunning.

Acute and severe ischaemia is followed by depression of myocardial contractility during reperfusion; return to full recovery might take a long time. This phenomenon, termed myocardial stunning, has been extensively demonstrated in experimental studies and in different clinical settings. The beneficial effects of calcium antagonists in preventing post-ischaemic myocardial stunning have been tested in experimental studies, showing that when administered before or during ischaemia, they inhibit post-ischaemic myocardial dysfunction. The present study was undertaken to verify the possible occurrence of myocardial stunning following transient ischaemia induced by coronary angioplasty. The aim was also to evaluate the possible protective effects of calcium antagonists (nisoldipine) and nitrates against myocardial stunning in patients with coronary artery disease undergoing routine coronary angioplasty (PCTA) with prolonged inflation. The study included 25 patients, aged between 40 and 69 years, with exercise-induced angina and single vessel disease. The stenosis was severe (80% to subtotal occlusion), localized on the left anterior descending artery, but without collaterals at coronary angiogram. All patients had normal left ventricular (LV) overall function and normal systolic thickening of the anterior wall supplied by the diseased artery. Our data suggest that post-ischaemic myocardial stunning is not only an experimental curiosity, but that it does occur in different clinical settings. Calcium antagonists (i.e. nisoldipine), when added before or during ischaemia, seem to prevent myocardial stunning. These findings confer a potential role to these agents in the treatment of post-ischaemic myocardial dysfunction.

Zinc, a neurotoxin to cultured neurons, contaminates cycad flour prepared by traditional guamanian methods.

We have used cultured ventral mesencephalic and cerebellar granule cells to test the toxicity of extracts of cycad seeds (genus Cycas) and cycad-derived flours traditionally prepared in Guam. There was no significant difference in the toxicity of extracts prepared from the female gametophyte tissue of C. circinalis, C. revoluta, and C. media, common wheat flour, and 13 of 17 cycad flour samples. However, extracts prepared from 4 of 17 Guamanian flour samples exhibited marked dose-dependent neurotoxicity to mesencephalic and granule cell cultures. There was no correlation between toxicity and 2-amino-3-(methylamino)-propanoic acid (BMAA) content, and the concentration of BMAA in the medium arising from these extracts was far below that required to be neurotoxic. Toxicity of extracts was not blocked by the NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 or the non-NMDA receptor antagonist 6-cyano-7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione, indicating that toxicity was not mediated by excitatory amino acid receptors. Analysis of the four toxic processed flour samples indicated high zinc content. Zinc produced a concentration-dependent neurotoxic response in mesencephalic and granule cell cultures that paralleled the calculated concentrations of zinc in the cultures derived from the four toxic flour samples. When sliced C. circinalis gametophyte tissue was "processed" in our laboratory by soaking in a galvanized container, there was a time-dependent increase in zinc content.

Myocardial stunning following coronary angioplasty: protective effects of calcium-channel blockers.

The beneficial effects of calcium-channel blockers against myocardial stunning have been tested in experimental studies, showing that, when added before or during ischemia, a protective effect against postischemia stunning is achieved. The present study was undertaken to test and compare the protective effect of calcium antagonists [nisoldipine (NIS) and nifedipine (NIF)] and nitrates (NIT) against myocardial stunning in patients with coronary artery disease undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) with prolonged inflation as PTCA represents a model of induced acute and severe ischemia for a brief period and might cause myocardial stunning. The study included 30 patients between the ages of 42 and 67 years, all with exercise-induced angina and single-vessel disease, with severe stenosis (80% to subtotal occlusion) localized on the left anterior descending artery and with the absence of collaterals on the coronary angiograms. Moreover, all patients had normal left ventricular (LV) overall function, as well as normal systolic thickening of the anterior wall, supplied by the diseased artery. Patients were randomized to a pre-PTCA treatment with NIT, 80-120 mg/day (10 patients), NIF, 40-60 mg/day (10 patients), and NIS, 10-20 mg/day (10 patients). Pre-PTCA treatment was initiated 7 days before the procedure and continued after. During the PTCA, at the first balloon inflation, an additional dose of 300 micrograms of NIT was injected into the left anterior descending artery through the balloon catheter in the patients in the NIT group, as well as 0.2 mg of NIF in NIF group patients and 0.05 mg of NIS in NIS group patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of two levels of intake of chloride, potassium, and calcium on mineral and acid-base metabolism in premature infants.

Growth (weight, length, mid-upper arm circumference), acid-base status, serum electrolyte levels, and selected parameters of urine (creatinine and electrolyte levels, urine pH, renal net acid excretion, levels of metabolites of aldosterone) were determined serially from the 10th to the 32nd days for 4 weeks in 21 premature infants (birth weight, 1,100-2,000 g) fed either formula A or formula B (formula B was formula A supplemented with chloride, potassium, and calcium). Premature infants fed formula B showed a higher weight gain (31 versus 28.2 g/day), a higher increment of middle-upper arm circumference (0.31 versus 0.24 cm/week), and a decreased renal net acid excretion (1.24 versus 1.92 mEq/kg/day). Almost all premature infants fed formula A and some with a high growth rate receiving formula B showed hypochloruria corresponding to chloride deficiency. Premature infants fed unsupplemented humanized formulas may have an inadequate intake of minerals.