Evidence-Based Recommendations for an Optimal Prenatal Supplement for Women in the U.S., Part Two: Minerals.

The levels of many essential minerals decrease during pregnancy if un-supplemented, including calcium, iron, magnesium, selenium, zinc, and possibly chromium and iodine. Sub-optimal intake of minerals from preconception through pregnancy increases the risk of many pregnancy complications and infant health problems. In the U.S., dietary intake of minerals is often below the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), especially for iodine and magnesium, and 28% of women develop iron deficiency anemia during their third trimester. The goal of this paper is to propose evidence-based recommendations for the optimal level of prenatal supplementation for each mineral for most women in the United States. Overall, the evidence suggests that optimal mineral supplementation can significantly reduce a wide range of pregnancy complications (including anemia, gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, hyperthyroidism, miscarriage, and pre-eclampsia) and infant health problems (including anemia, asthma/wheeze, autism, cerebral palsy, hypothyroidism, intellectual disability, low birth weight, neural tube defects, preterm birth, rickets, and wheeze). An evaluation of 180 commercial prenatal supplements found that they varied widely in mineral content, often contained only a subset of essential minerals, and the levels were often below our recommendations. Therefore, there is a need to establish recommendations on the optimal level of mineral supplementation during pregnancy.

Late-life Cardiac Injury in Rats following Early Life Exposure to Lead: Reversal Effect of Nutrient Metal Mixture.

Early-life exposure to lead (Pb) can lead to health effects in later life. The neurotoxic effects of Pb have been well documented but its effects on the heart are poorly elucidated. We examined the late life cardiac impairments resulting from developmental exposure to Pb. Further, we investigated the protective effect of the nutrient metal mixture containing calcium (Ca), zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) against Pb-induced long-term effects on cardiac functions.Male albino rats were lactationally exposed to 0.2% Pb-acetate or 0.2% Pb-acetate together nutrient metal mixture as 0.02% in drinking water of the mother from PND 1 to PND 21. The results showed increased levels of serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity at postnatal day (PND) 28 [young], 4 months [adult] and 18 months [old] age group rats. Most notably, exposure to Pb decreased the activities of mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (SOD), thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), aconitase (Acon), isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH), xanthine oxidase (XO) and total antioxidant status while the MDA levels increased in all selected age groups of rats. The histological findings showed an age-dependent response to Pb exposure evidenced by extensive degeneration and necrosis in cardiac muscle, disruption in muscle connectivity, hemorrhage, and mononuclear cell infiltration. Co-administration of nutrient metal mixture reversed the Pb-induced cardiac impairments as reflected in the recovery of the chosen sensitive markers of oxidative stress, reduced Pb levels and cardiac tissue changes. In conclusion, the data demonstrate that early-life exposure to Pb continuously influence the cardiac mitochondrial functions from early life to older age and further suggesting that adequate intake of nutrient metals may be potential therapeutic treatment for Pb intoxication.

Clinically Relevant Herb-Micronutrient Interactions: When Botanicals, Minerals, and Vitamins Collide.

The ability of certain foods to impair or augment the absorption of various vitamins and minerals has been recognized for many years. However, the contribution of botanical dietary supplements (BDSs) to altered micronutrient disposition has received little attention. Almost half of the US population uses some type of dietary supplement on a regular basis, with vitamin and mineral supplements constituting the majority of these products. BDS usage has also risen considerably over the last 2 decades, and a number of clinically relevant herb-drug interactions have been identified during this time. BDSs are formulated as concentrated plant extracts containing a plethora of unique phytochemicals not commonly found in the normal diet. Many of these uncommon phytochemicals can modulate various xenobiotic enzymes and transporters present in both the intestine and liver. Therefore, it is likely that the mechanisms underlying many herb-drug interactions can also affect micronutrient absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. To date, very few prospective studies have attempted to characterize the prevalence and clinical relevance of herb-micronutrient interactions. Current research indicates that certain BDSs can reduce iron, folate, and ascorbate absorption, and others contribute to heavy metal intoxication. Researchers in the field of nutrition may not appreciate many of the idiosyncrasies of BDSs regarding product quality and dosage form performance. Failure to account for these eccentricities can adversely affect the outcome and interpretation of any prospective herb-micronutrient interaction study. This review highlights several clinically relevant herb-micronutrient interactions and describes several common pitfalls that often beset clinical research with BDSs.

Effect of nutritional supplement on bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells from aplastic anaemia.

Aplastic anaemia (AA) is characterised by pancytopenia resulting from a marked reduction in haemopoietic stem cells (HSC). The regulation of haemopoiesis depends on the interaction between HSC and various cells of the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment, including BM-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSC). The purpose of this study was to analyse the biological effect of nutritional supplement (NS), a dietary supplement consisting of thirty-six compounds: amino acids, nucleotides, vitamins and micronutrients on the BMSC of AA rats. The AA rat model was established by irradiating X-ray (2·5 Gy) and intraperitoneal injections of cyclophosphamide (35 mg/kg; Sigma) and chloramphenicol (35 mg/kg; Sigma). Then AA rats were fed with NS in a dose-dependent manner (2266·95, 1511·3, 1057·91 mg/kg d) by intragastric administration. The effect of NS on the BMSC of AA rats was analysed. As compared with AA rats, NS treatment significantly improved these peripheral blood parameters and stimulated the proliferation of total femoral nucleated cells. NS treatment affected proliferative behaviour of BMSC and suppressed BMSC differentiation to adipocytes. Furthermore, NS treatment of AA rats accelerated osteogenic differentiation of BMSC and enhanced bone mineral density. Co-incubation of HSC with mesenchymal stromal cells and serum from AA rats subjected to high-dose NS markedly improved the yield of CD34+cells. Protein microarray analysis revealed that there were eleven differentially expressed proteins in the NS group compared with the AA rat group. The identified specific NS might be implicated in rehabilitation of BMSC in AA rats, suggesting their potential of nutritional support in AA treatment.

Somatoform and neurocognitive syndromes after HPV immunization are not associated to cell-mediated hypersensitivity to aluminum.

Vaccines against human papilloma virus (HPV) have been demonstrated to be very effective to prevent infection-related neoplasms. However, several reports describing heterogeneous post-vaccination phenomena have been published in last few years. The spectrum of these disorders includes both immune-mediated neurological diseases and neuropsychiatric functional disorders. Some researchers speculated about a genetic predisposition, but others hypothesized a role of adjuvants, including some metals and, particularly, aluminum. Here, we tested sixteen young girls developing somatoform and neurocognitive syndromes after the HPV immunization, through MELISA® test, detecting cell-mediated hypersensitivity to several metals. We found no association between these neurocognitive disorders and the results provided by this test; importantly, no patients showed hypersensitivity to aluminum, which is the inorganic adjuvant included in HPV vaccines. Thus, if aluminum played a role in the pathophysiology of musculoskeletal and neurocognitive disturbances occurring in some young girls after HPV immunization, that should recognize other mechanisms than the activation of aluminum-specific lymphocytes.

Evaluation of the impact of multivalent metal ions on the permeation behavior of Dolutegravir sodium.

Interactions between active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and polyvalent cations are an important factor within drug absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. Dolutegravir sodium, as a second-generation integrase stand transfer inhibitor for the treatment of HIV was investigated regarding chelation with Al(3+), Ca(2+), Fe(3+), Mg(2+ )and Zn(2+) ions at three different molar ratios. Furthermore, the influence of drug-ion chelates on the permeability of the drug across two intestinal membrane models was analyzed. For this purpose, Caco-2 monolayer model and Ussing chamber technique utilizing freshly excited rat intestinal mucosa were chosen and a buffer system without additional Mg(2+) and Ca(2+) ions was tested regarding cell detachment. The addition of polyvalent cations in an equal molar ratio to the drug solution decreased the dissolved drug by at least 11%. An increased multivalent cation concentration in a ratio of 1:10 afforded an API drop in the solution of at least 88% with the exception of Mg(2+). In particular, Dolutegravir sodium was chelated with iron ions to nearly 100%. Overall, the higher the amount of metal ions in the solution, the lower was the detected amount of the drug. The permeation experiments across the Caco-2 monolayer and the rat intestinal mucosa pointed out that the addition of AlCl3, CaCl2 and ZnCl2 in a molar ratio of 10:1 to the drug led to significantly decreased drug permeation. According to these results the co-administration of Al(3+), Ca(2+ )or Zn(2+ )as well as of supplementary medications containing these polyvalent ions is in case of oral Dolutegravir delivery not recommended.

Intake of Vitamin and Mineral Supplements and Longitudinal Association with HbA1c Levels in the General Non-Diabetic Population--Results from the MONICA/KORA S3/F3 Study.

BACKGROUND: Lower levels of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) are associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular complications in diabetic and non-diabetic individuals. The aim of the study was to longitudinally investigate the association between the use of 11 vitamins and minerals (vitamins E, C, D, B1, folic acid, carotenoids, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, and selenium) and change in HbA1c levels over 10 years in non-diabetic individuals drawn from the general population. METHODS: Baseline data were available from 4447 subjects included in the population-based "Monitoring of Trends and Determinants in Cardiovascular Diseases" (MONICA) Augsburg S3 survey (1994/95). Follow-up data were derived from 2774 participants in the follow-up survey named "Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg" (KORA) F3 (2004/05). Vitamin/mineral intake from supplements and medications was assessed in a personal interview, where participants were asked to bring product packages of preparations that had been ingested during the last 7 days prior to the examination. Associations between regular vitamin/mineral intake amounts and HbA1c levels measured at baseline and follow-up were investigated using generalized estimating equation models. For carotenoids, analyses were stratified by smoking status. RESULTS: None of the investigated nutrients except for carotenoids was significantly associated with changes in HbA1c levels after 10 years. Regular intake of carotenoids from supplements and medications in amounts > 6.8 mg/d (upper tertile) was associated with an absolute -0.26% (95% CI: -0.43 to -0.08) lower increase in HbA1c levels compared with no intake of carotenoids. An inverse association was observed in those who never smoked but not in (former) smokers. CONCLUSION: Larger prospective and intervention studies in non-diabetic/non-smoking individuals are needed to confirm the results and to assess whether the observed associations between carotenoid intake and change in HbA1c levels are causal. If our results are confirmed, high carotenoid intake could be one strategy for the prevention of cardiovascular complications in non-diabetic people.

Effect of dietary organic zinc, manganese, copper, and cobalt supplementation on milk production, follicular growth, embryo quality, and tissue mineral concentrations in dairy cows.

This study evaluated potential effects of organic trace mineral supplementation on reproductive measures in lactating dairy cows. Cows were blocked by breed and randomly assigned at dry-off to receive inorganic trace mineral supplementation (control; n = 32) or to have a portion of supplemental inorganic Zn, Cu, Mn, and Co replaced with an equivalent amount of the organic forms of these minerals (treatment; n = 31). Trace minerals were provided through control or treatment premixes fed at 100 g·cow(-1)·d(-1). Premixes were fed to dry cows (range = 40 to 72 d before calving) in 1.8 kg·cow(-1)·d(-1) concentrate pellets through a computer feeder to provide 40, 26, 70, and 100% of supplemented Zn, Mn, Cu, and Co, respectively, and to lactating cows (range = 69 to 116 d after calving) in a total mixed ration to provide 22, 14, 40, and 100% of supplemented Zn, Mn, Cu, and Co, respectively. Treatment increased milk production at wk 14 (P = 0.047) postcalving, milk urea N content (P = 0.039), and BW loss from calving to 1 mo postcalving (P = 0.040), and decreased milk fat percentage (P = 0.045) and BCS (P = 0.048). Treatment tended to increase milk production at wk 13 (P = 0.089) postcalving and endometrial tissue concentrations of Fe (P = 0.070), BW at mo 1 (P = 0.056), and milk protein percentage (P = 0.064). Treatment did not affect (P > 0.1) DMI, health events, first-wave follicular dynamics, first cycle luteal measures, embryo quality, liver trace mineral concentrations, or luteal trace mineral concentrations. Cows with a rectal temperature ≥39°C at the time of AI had a smaller percentage of fertilized entities (P < 0.001). However, of the entities that were fertilized, the percentage of viable embryos, embryo quality, accessory sperm number, and embryo cell number were not affected (P > 0.1) by treatment. We conclude that replacing a portion of inorganic supplemental trace minerals with an equivalent amount of these organic trace minerals (Zn, Mn, Cu, and Co) increased milk production in mid-lactation, but did not affect postpartum follicular dynamics, embryo quality, or liver and luteal trace mineral concentrations.

Molecular cloning, characterization and mRNA expression of selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase from abalone Haliotis discus hannai Ino in response to dietary selenium, zinc and iron.

A novel selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase (Se-GPX) was cloned from abalone Haliotis discus hannai Ino (HdhGPx) by homology cloning with degenerate primers and RACE techniques. The full length of HdhGPx cDNA was 963bp with a 669bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding 222 amino acids and a 101bp eukaryotic selenocysteine insertion sequence (SECIS) in 3' untranslated region (UTR). It was showed that HdhGPx has a characteristic codon at (235)TGA(237) that corresponds to selenocysteine (SeC) as U(72). Sequence characterization revealed that HdhGPx contains a characteristic GPx signature motif 2 ((96)LGLPCNQF(103)), an active site motif ((179)WNFEKF(184)). In addition, two potential N-glycosylation sites ((112)NGTE(115) and (132)NLTQ(135)) were identified in HdhGPx. 3D modeling analysis showed that the overall structure of HdhGPx monomer had more similarity to human GPx3 than human GPx1. Relatively higher-level mRNA expression was detected in hepatopancreas, mantle and gonad by real-time PCR assays. The relative expression levels of HdhGPx mRNA in hepatopancreas and haemocytes were detected by real-time PCR in abalone fed with nine different diets containing graded levels of selenium (0.15, 1.32 and 48.7mgkg(-1)), zinc (6.69, 33.85 and 710.63mgkg(-1)) and iron (29.17, 65.7 and 1267.2mgkg(-1)) for 20weeks, respectively. The results showed that the expressions of HdhGPx mRNA were statistically higher at adequate dietary selenium (1.32mgkg(-1)), zinc (33.85mgkg(-1)) and iron (65.7mgkg(-1)) than those in low dietary minerals, respectively. But HdhGPx mRNA expression levels were down-regulated by high contents of dietary selenium (48.7mgkg(-1)), zinc (710.63mgkg(-1)) and iron (1267.2mgkg(-1)), respectively. These results indicated that adequate dietary minerals could increase the mRNA expression of HdhGPx, and then to increase the total antioxidant capacities in abalone.

Antimicrobial activities of pomegranate rind extracts: enhancement by addition of metal salts and vitamin C.

BACKGROUND: Punica granatum L. or pomegranates, have been reported to have antimicrobial activity against a range of Gram positive and negative bacteria. Pomegranate formulations containing ferrous salts have enhanced although short-term, antibacteriophage activities which are rapidly diminished owing to instability of the ferrous combination. The aim of this study was to determine the antimicrobial activities of combinations of pomegranate rind extracts (PRE) with a range of metals salts with the added stabiliser vitamin C. METHODS: PRE solutions, prepared by blending rind sections with distilled water prior to sterilisation by autoclaving or filtration, were screened with a disc diffusion assay using penicillin G as a control. Suspension assays were used to determine the antimicrobial activities of PRE alone and in combination with salts of the following metals; Fe (II), Cu (II), Mn (II) or Zn (II), and vitamin C, against a panel of microbes following exposure for 30 mins. The test organisms included Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus mirabilis. RESULTS: The screening assay demonstrated that PRE exhibited activity against the Gram positive organisms at 24 h with no observable effect on any of the Gram negative bacteria. However, after 12 h, zones of inhibition were only observed for Ps. aeruginosa. In contrast, using the suspension assay, addition of Cu (II) salts to PRE solutions extended the activities resulting in no detectable growth being observed for the PRE/Cu (II) combination against E. coli, Ps. aeruginosa and P. mirabilis. Minimal antimicrobial activity was observed following incubation with Fe (II), Mn (II) or Zn (II) salts alone or in combination with PRE against any of the organisms in the test panel. The addition of vitamin C markedly enhanced the activities of both PRE/Fe (II) and PRE/Cu (II) combinations against S. aureus. CONCLUSION: This is the first report demonstrating the enhanced efficacy of PRE/metal salt combinations in the presence of the stabilising agent vitamin C, to which all isolates were sensitive with the exception of B. subtilis. This study has validated the exploration of PRE along with additives such as metal salts and vitamin C as novel antimicrobial combinations.

Effects of metal ions, catechins, and their interactions on prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is threatening human health heavily, for its causes are related to diet, genetic factors, and lifestyle. Metal ions, which are necessary to our health, are important factors inducing many diseases including prostate cancer in the condition of absence or excess. Epidemiological and laboratory studies provide convincing evidence that green tea prevents and cures prostate cancer. Practically, interactions of catechins, which are the main bioactive components in green tea or GTP, with metal ions have a new aspect to investigate their mechanism in preventing and curing prostate cancer. In the present paper, we summarize some research about the effects of catechins with metal ions related to prostate cancer and their interactions on prostate cancer.

Hinokitiol, a metal chelator derived from natural plants, suppresses cell growth and disrupts androgen receptor signaling in prostate carcinoma cell lines.

Hinokitiol (beta-thujaplicin), a troplone-related compound found in the heartwood of cupressaceous plants, strongly inhibits the proliferation of a broad range of tumor cell lines. This is the first report to demonstrate that hinokitiol, a metal chelator derived from natural plants, suppresses cell growth and disrupts AR signaling in prostate carcinoma cell lines. Our present studies indicate that hinokitiol suppresses androgen/AR-mediated cell growth and androgen-stimulated DNA synthesis by [(3)H]thymidine incorporation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Hinokitiol simultaneously suppresses the intracellular and secreted PSA levels, a marker for the progression of prostate cancer. Hinokitiol significantly represses the AR mRNA and protein expression in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Additionally, the ligand-binding assay shows that hinokitiol blocks binding of the synthetic androgen [(3)H]R1881 to AR in LNCaP cells. These findings collectively suggest that hinokitiol is potentially effective against prostate cancer in vitro, and thus it might become a novel chemopreventive or chemotherapeutic agent for prostate cancer.

Coadministration of gatifloxacin and multivitamin preparation containing minerals: potential treatment failure in an elderly patient.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of probable treatment failure in a patient receiving gatifloxacin and a multivitamin preparation containing minerals. CASE SUMMARY: A 77-year-old white woman was prescribed gatifloxacin for hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia. She was also receiving calcium carbonate 500 mg twice daily and a multivitamin preparation containing minerals once a day. Three days after gatifloxacin was started, the patient was still febrile, coughing, and not responding clinically. It was noted that nurses were administering the gatifloxacin tablet at the same time as the multivitamin tablet. The time of administration for gatifloxacin was changed to 6 hours after the patient received her multivitamin preparation. Two days later, she clinically improved. DISCUSSION: Studies have shown that the bioavailability of gatifloxacin is decreased with concurrent administration of antacids containing aluminum or magnesium; dietary supplements containing zinc, magnesium, and iron; multivitamin preparations containing minerals; and sucralfate. An objective causality assessment revealed that the adverse drug effect was probable. CONCLUSIONS: This case illustrates the need to recognize this potential interaction and to know how to avoid possible treatment failure.

Effects of dietary restriction and metal supplementation on the accumulation of iron-laden glial inclusions in the aging rat hippocampus.

The mechanisms responsible for the pathological deposition of iron and other redox-active metals in the aging and degenerating mammalian CNS remain poorly understood. We previously demonstrated that normal aging and pharmacological (oxidative) stressors promote the transformation of astroglial mitochondria to iron-laden, diaminobenzidine (DAB)-positive cytoplasmic inclusions in sub-cortical regions of the rat brain. In the current study, we demonstrate that (1) numbers of DAB-positive glial granules in the rat dorsal hippocampus, an area implicated in learning and memory, progressively increase between 3, 12 and 22 months of age; (2) dietary restriction (40%), a manipulation that attenuates many mammalian aging processes, has no effect on the age-related accumulation of these gliosomes in the rat hippocampus; and (3) the latter can be accelerated by dietary supplementation of iron and copper. Our data support the view that dietary exposure to iron and/or copper in adult life can impact the sequestration of redox-active metals in aging hippocampal astroglia.

The role of antioxidant micronutrients in the prevention of diabetic complications.

Diabetes mellitus is associated with an increased production of reactive oxygen species and a reduction in antioxidant defenses. This leads to oxidative stress, which is partly responsible for diabetic complications. Tight glycemic control is the most effective way of preventing or decreasing these complications. Nevertheless, antioxidant micronutrients can be proposed as adjunctive therapy in patients with diabetes. Indeed, some minerals and vitamins are able to indirectly participate in the reduction of oxidative stress in diabetic patients by improving glycemic control and/or are able to exert antioxidant activity. This article reviews the use of minerals (vanadium, chromium, magnesium, zinc, selenium, copper) and vitamins or cofactors (tocopherol [vitamin E], ascorbic acid [vitamin C], ubidecarenone [ubiquinone; coenzyme Q], nicotinamide, riboflavin, thioctic acid [lipoic acid], flavonoids) in diabetes, with a particular focus on the prevention of diabetic complications. Results show that dietary supplementation with micronutrients may be a complement to classical therapies for preventing and treating diabetic complications. Supplementation is expected to be more effective when a deficiency in these micronutrients exists. Nevertheless, many clinical studies have reported beneficial effects in individuals without deficiencies, although several of these studies were short term and had small sample sizes. However, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial showed that thioctic acid at an oral dosage of 800 mg/day for 4 months significantly improved cardiac autonomic neuropathy in type 2 diabetic patients. Above all, individuals with diabetes should be educated about the importance of consuming adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals from natural food sources, within the constraints of recommended sugar and carbohydrate intake.

The possible role of gradual accumulation of copper, cadmium, lead and iron and gradual depletion of zinc, magnesium, selenium, vitamins B2, B6, D, and E and essential fatty acids in multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) has a much higher incidence among caucasians that in any other race. Furthermore: females are much more susceptible than males and white females living in colder, wetter areas are much more susceptible than those living in warmer areas. On the other hand, menstruating women have increased copper (Cu) absorption and half-life, so they tend to accumulate more Cu than males. Moreover, rapidly growing girls have an increased demand for zinc (Zn), but their rapidly decreasing production of melatonin results in impaired Zn absorption, which is exacerbated by the high Cu levels. The low Zn levels result in deficient CuZnSuperoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD), which in turn leads to increased levels of superoxide. Menstruating females also often present with low magnesium (Mg) and vitamin B6 levels. Vitamin B6 moderates intracellular nitric oxide (NO) production and extracellular Mg is required for NO release from the cell, so that a deficiency of these nutrients results in increased NO production in the cell and reduced release from the cell. The trapped NO combines with superoxide to form peroxinitrite, an extremely powerful free radical that leads to the myelin damage of MS. Iron (Fe), molybdenum (Mo) and cadmium (Cd) accumulation also increase superoxide production. Which explains MS in males, who tend to accumulate Fe much faster and Cu much less rapidly than females. Since vitamin D is paramount for Mg absorption, the much reduced exposure to sunlight in the higher latitudes may account for the higher incidence in these areas. Moreover, vitamin B2 is a cofactor for xanthine oxidase, and its deficiency exacerbates the low levels of uric acid caused by high Cu levels, resulting in myelin degeneration. Finally Selenium (Se) and vitamin E prevent lipid peroxidation and EPA and DHA upregulate CuZnSOD. Therefore, supplementation with 100 mg MG, 25 mg vit B6, 10 mg vit B2, 15 mg Zn and 400 IU vit D and E, 100 microg Se, 180 mg EPA and 120 mg DHA per day between 14 and 16 years of age may prevent MS.

Digital characteristics in commercial dairy herds fed metal-specific amino acid complexes.

Five commercial dairy herds in Central New York fed metal-specific amino acid complexes were selected to evaluate digital characteristics. During the first year (period 1), herds were evaluated by a specific procedure by one individual. Three herds were not supplemented and two herds were supplemented with zinc methionine. During the subsequent year (period 2) all herds were switched to a combination of zinc methionine, copper lysine, manganese methionine, and cobalt glucoheptonate and evaluated in the same way as during period 1. There was no effect of period on incidence of heel erosion and interdigital dermatitis. During period 2, there was a reduced incidence of double soling, white line separation, sole hemorrhages, sole ulcers, and papillomatous digital dermatitis, and the incidence of wall ridges tended to be reduced compared with period 1. There was no effect of period on the incidence of abaxial wall lesions, digital arthritis, or foot rot, although the overall incidence of these disorders was low. During period 2, when cows were fed a combination of complexed trace minerals, there was a general reduction in the incidence of digital disorders associated with the laminitis syndrome complex compared with period 1; however, other time-related differences existed that may confound interpretation.

The rhamnogalacturonan-II dimer decreases intestinal absorption and tissue accumulation of lead in rats.

The rhamnogalacturonan-II dimer (dRG-II) forms strong complexes in vitro with lead (Pb) and other selected cations. We examined the in vivo bioavailability of Pb complexed with dRG-II and the effect of unleaded dRG-II on the intestinal absorption and tissue retention of Pb in rats. Forty male Wistar rats were divided into four groups. Each group consumed a purified control diet for 3 wk or the same diet supplemented with: i) 3 mg of Pb/kg, ii) 0.5 g of leaded dRG-II/kg, or iii) 0.5 g of leaded dRG-II/kg and 4.5 g of unleaded dRG-II/kg. The leaded dRG-II provided approximately 3 mg of Pb/kg of diet. A chemical balance study was conducted during the last 5 d of the 3-wk study, and blood and organs were sampled for Pb and mineral analyses. The apparent intestinal absorptions of Pb were 62.3, 15.2, 11.8 and -0.1%, and Pb balances were 1.9, 9.6, 5.6 and -0.2 microg/d for the control and the three experimental groups, respectively. The Pb complexed with dRG-II was less available than Pb acetate, as reflected by significantly lower blood and tissue Pb levels. The addition of unleaded dRG-II decreased the intestinal absorption and the tissue retention of Pb significantly. We further found that the apparent absorption and status of magnesium, zinc and iron were unaffected by Pb treatment or dRG-II addition. We conclude that dRG-II may be useful in decreasing toxicity related to chronic Pb exposure. Human studies will be necessary however, to further evaluate the clinical utility of this beneficial effect.

Effects of neocortical implants of cobalt and other seizure-inducing metals on brain C-14 2-deoxyglucose uptake.

Nine days after insertion of a pure cobalt metal rod into the visual cortex, regions of increased 2-DG uptake are observed both in relatively normal Nissl-staining tissue lying around the implant site and in the connecting dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of the thalamus. These hypermetabolic regions have been claimed to be the metabolic 'signatures' of tissue made epileptogenic by the cobalt. The present study showed, however, that while the 'dark patches' develop following posterior cortex implants, they do not appear after anterior cortex cobalt implants. Moreover, the dark patches were not detectable after cortical implants of other seizure-inducing metals such as antimony and nickel. These new findings indicate that the dark patches occur too idiosyncratically to make them the metabolic 'signatures' of tissue made epileptic by cobalt.