Riboflavin status and its association with serum hs-CRP levels among clinical nurses with depression.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of present study was to assess the relationship between the dietary intake and blood status of riboflavin and the prevalence of systemic inflammation among both depressed and nondepressed nurses. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study on 98 female clinical nurses (45 depressed and 53 nondepressed subjects). Depression status was assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory. We assessed dietary intake of riboflavin using 3-day 24-hour recalls. The serum concentrations of high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were also measured. Riboflavin status was assessed as the erythrocyte glutathione reductase activity coefficient (EGRAC). RESULTS: Marginal riboflavin deficiency was more prevalent in depressed subjects (P = 0.028). The results of the dietary intake and status of riboflavin were classified to 3 tertiles of serum hs-CRP levels. In both nondepressed and depressed subjects, there was no significant difference between hs-CRP tertiles in dietary intakes of riboflavin, EGRAC, or riboflavin deficiencies. CONCLUSION: This study showed a higher prevalence of marginal riboflavin deficiency in depressed subjects. We found no association between dietary intake and status of riboflavin with low-grade systematic inflammation in nondepressed and depressed clinical nurses.

Relationship between lactose digestion, gastrointestinal transit time and symptoms in lactose malabsorbers after dairy consumption.

BACKGROUND: The relationship of symptoms with objective measurements, as well as some of the mechanisms involved in lactose tolerance after yoghurt consumption, remain unclear. METHODS: The trial had a double-blind design in which 22 lactose malabsorbers received 25 g daily lactose in fresh (living bacteria > 108 cfu/g) yoghurt or heated (< 102 cfu/g) yoghurt for 15 days, followed by a cross-over (15 days) after a wash-out period (14 days). The lactose digestion was determined by the breath H2 test, the gastric emptying (GE) with a 13C-acetate breath test and the revealed transit time (OCTT) by 15N-lactose-ureide test. Subjects reported their gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS) in a validated questionnaire. RESULTS: Breath H2 test indicated more effective lactose digestion after fresh yoghurt intake. The OCTT was shorter after heated yoghurt ingestion as compared with the fresh. There was lower severity of GIS (P < 0.05) after fresh yoghurt intake, and this showed an inverse correlation with OCTT (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Delayed orocoecal transit time was associated with fewer gastrointestinal symptoms. The improved lactose digestion and tolerance of fresh yoghurt should be mainly attributed to the presence of living bacteria.