[Quality of the diet of a population of young people of Guadalajara]. / Calidad de la dieta de una población de jóvenes de Guadalajara.

INTRODUCTION: The population of Guadalajara traditionally has consumed a Mediterranean diet with the typical variations of the central zone of the peninsula, but the acquisition of erroneous habits of life they can be translated, specially in the young people, in a not healthful nourishing conducts. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quality of the diet, by means of an index of healthy nourishment (IAS) and percentage of adhesion to the Mediterranean diet (% ADM), of a teen population (n = 467) and their relation with different physiological parameters and sociodemográficos. METHOD: A nutritional study has been realized on the quality of the diet in a teen population of Guadalajara of 467 young people (12-17 years) by means of questionnaires of frequency of consumption of seven days. Likewise, there has determined the ingestion of nutrients and the index of healthy nourishment (IAS) using the program of nutrition DIAL(c). RESULTS: The results show that the average of the population takes a diet with an acceptable IAS (62.78), though with trend towards low qualities, with high ingestions of saturated fats (38.90 +/- 6.58 g), cholesterol (384.69 +/- 74.24 mg) and sodium (3,395.43 +/-729.57 mg). Respect to % MDA there has been obtained an average value of 42.86 +/- 15.52%. These values differ depending on the age (improves with the age), the sex (better quality of the diet consumed by the girls). Likewise, all the factors sociodemográficos and the way of life considered, they influence the quality indicators used.

Plasma mineral content in type-2 diabetic patients and their association with the metabolic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome is a clinical disorder that is becoming more prevalent in Spain. The syndrome encompasses a set of metabolic disorders such as type-2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and obesity, which may be associated with variations in serum levels and poor delivery of certain mineral elements. METHODS: This study attempted to ascertain whether metabolic syndrome might be linked to alterations in serum levels of the mineral elements magnesium, copper, zinc, chromium, and nickel in a population of 92 diabetic subjects, some suffering from certain conditions associated with the metabolic syndrome, and 72 control subjects (Hospital Príncipe de Asturias, Alcalá de Henares, Spain). RESULTS: The results indicated that as a group the alterations implicated in metabolic syndrome were indeed associated with variations in blood levels of the mineral elements considered, though statistically significant differences were recorded only in the case of copper. Still, trends in mineral levels for each of the separate components contributing to the syndrome tended to increase. CONCLUSION: Metabolic complications appear to be associated with alterations in the levels of some minerals, especially copper.

Ingesta diaria de níquel entre jóvenes españoles. Valoración del riesgo toxicológico / Dietary nickel intake by spanish children. Risk assessment

El níquel es un elemento mineral presente en la mayoría de Resumen: los alimentos que puede producir diferentes tipos de trastornos clínicos. Objetivo: El objetivo del presente trabajo es conocer la ingesta de este elemento en población juvenil de Guadalajara y evaluar el riesgo que tienen de sufrir alguno de sus efectos deletéreos ya que los jóvenes, por sus hábitos, constituyen una población de riesgo. Para ello se ha realizado una encuesta de frecuencia de consumo de 7 días cuantitativa. Para el cálculo de la ingesta de nutrientes se ha empleado el programa informático DIAL. Asimismo, se han determinado parámetros antropométricos mediante técnicas validadas. La ingesta media de níquel en la población estudiada es de 160,46±66,75ìg/día, siendo mayor el consumo de este elemento en la población masculina que en la femenina (161,60±65,78 vs 159,63±68,13 ìg/día). Esta ingesta representa un 51,4% y un 59,4%, respectivamente, de la Ingesta Diaria Tolerable (IDA). La ingesta de níquel está correlacionada con nutrientes como vitamina D, biotina, vitamina B1, fibra, fibra, calidad de la grasa, Mg, P, K, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, F y Cr. El Ni puede interaccionar con algunos de estos nutrientes como el Fe, Mg, Cu, Zn o Mn con las consiguientes repercusiones fisiológicas. El consumo de Ni está asociado, asimismo, a una disminución de determinados parámetros antropométricos, especialmente con el IMC y el contenido corporal graso. En conclusión la ingesta de níquel en estos jóvenes no entraña ningún riesgo en principio para su salud siempre y cuando no sean personas ya sensibilizadas por este metal. Asimismo, se advierte una ligera acción a nivel de la composición corporal (AU)

Nickel is a ubiquitous mineral responsible of different clinical actions. The of this work es knowledge of the nickel intake by children and to evaluate the risk that they have of suffering some of their deleterious effects since the youths, for their habits, they constitute a population of risk. For this dietary intake was assessed with a quantitative food frequency questionary of 7 days and the DIAL program. The anthropometric parameters were measured by validated techniques. The average nickel intake in studied population was of 160.46±66.75ìg/d, being greater the consumption of this element in the male that in female (161.60±65.78 versus 15.63±68.13 ìg/d). These intakes represent 51.4% and 59,4%, respectively, of TDI. The nickel intake was correlated with other nutrients like vitamin D, biotine, vitamin B1, fiber, fat quality, Mg, P, K, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, F and Cr, with the physiologic risks. The consumption of Ni it is associate, also, to a decrease of certain anthropometric parameters like BMI and corporal fat. In conclusion, the nickel intake in these children people no involves no risk for his health as long as they are not people already sensitivited by this metal. Also, a slight action is noticed at level of the corporal composition (AU)

[Repercussions of chromium picolinate in the protein metabolism based on the age]. / Repercusiones del picolinato de cromo en el metabolismo proteico en función de la edad.

ANTECEDENTS: Commercialized like dietetic supplement, chromium picolinate has been promoted to favour the increase of muscle mass and the loss of weight, due to its' effect on the action of insulin. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of supplementation of the diet with chromium (500 microg/kg) in the form of chromium picolinate (CrPic) (12 days) on growth and protein turnover in rats at different growth stages (infantile and puberal). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: No significant effect of CrPic on bodyweight gain, feed intake and feed conversion rate was observed at any of the stages of development studied. CrPic seems to increase the muscle mass, either by stimulating protein anabolism due to the involution of the insulin by chromium, or by reducing protein catabolism. CONCLUSIONS: Since the use of chromium picolinate could jeopardize the correct renal function and its' beneficial effects are not evident, it should always be consumed with caution.

Peligros y beneficios potenciales de la suplementación con picolinato de cromo a ratas en edad puberal: efecto sobre el crecimiento y metabolismo proteico / Dangers and potential benefits of the suplementation with chromium picolinate to rats in puberal age: effect on the growth and protein metabolism

El cromo, un popular pero controvertido micronutriente, puede incrementar el músculo esquelético cuando se administra en forma de suplemento, presumiblemente debido a su acción sobre la insulina. Este estudio se ha realizado con el fin de evaluar los efectos de tres niveles diferentes de cromo dietético (100, 200 y 500 µg/Kg) en forma de picolinato de cromo (Pic-Cr) sobre el crecimiento y utilización proteica de ratas en edad puberal, durante doce días. La suplementación de la dieta de estos animales no ejerce un efecto significativo sobre el crecimiento, ingesta de alimento, aprovechamiento de alimento y utilización de nutrientes, especialmente de proteínas. El efecto del PicCr sobre la masa corporal, además de no ser significativo, sería totalmente marginal y atribuible, más que a su acción sobre la activación de la insulina, a su capacidad para disminuir el catabolismo proteico. El consumo de este compuesto, además, podría comprometer el buen funcionamiento renal, por lo que debería realizarse con mucha precaución (AU)

Consumo de cereales de desayuno en universitarios de estudios sanitarios. Contribución a la ingesta de cromo / Breakfast cereals intake of students of Health Faculties. Chronium intake

Objetivos: Estudiar el consumo de cereales de desayuno entre la población universitaria de Alcalá, pertenecientes a estudios sanitarios; el contenido de cromo en los cereales de mayor consumo del mercado nacional para poder valorar la proporción de la ingesta adecuada y de ESADDI del Cr que es cubierta por este grupo de alimentos, así como analizar la influencia de distintos factores. Materiales y métodos: Para el estudio epidemiológico se ha realizado una encuesta sobre frecuencia de consumo (7 días) y hábitos de vida sobre una población de estudiantes (n=250) de ambos sexos (76,76 por ciento mujeres y 23,24 por ciento hombres) y con edades comprendidas entre 18-25 años. Respecto a la determinación del contenido de cromo se ha realizado, tras mineralización ácida, con EAA electrotermal. Resultados: El contenido de cromo entre los cereales ha oscilado entre 0,12 ñ 0,01 µg/g de los cereales ricos en fibra y 0,28 ñ 0,09 µg/g de los cereales chocolateados. Cereales que son consumidos por un 56,70 por ciento de la población encuestada, con una ingestión de 24,38ñ4,54 g/día. Con estos valores de consumo se cubre un 20 por ciento, aproximadamente, de la Ingesta adecuada. En el estudio epidemiológico se ha obtenido que el consumo de cereales está influido por los distintos factores estudiados. Conclusiones: Nuestro estudio pone de manifiesto que con pequeños cambios en nuestros hábitos alimentarios supondría un aumento de la ingesta de cromo suficiente no sólo para cubrir las necesidades diarias sino también para formar depósitos necesarios en edades futuras en la prevención de determinadas patologías crónicas (AU)

Cerebrospinal fluid levels of selenium in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

We compared CSF and serum selenium levels, measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, in 27 patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) (13 females, 14 males, mean +/- SD age 73.6 +/- 7.4 years) without major clinical signs of undernutrition, and 34 matched controls (18 females, 16 males, mean +/- SD age 70.7 +/- 7.8 years). CSF and serum selenium levels did not differ significantly between AD-patient (11.4 +/- 7.8 ng/ml and 28.5 +/- 13.0 ng/ml, respectively) and control groups (13.3 +/- 7.0 ng/ml and 22.5 +/- 17.5 ng/ml). These values were not correlated with age, age at onset, duration of the disease, and scores of the MiniMental State Examination in the AD group. Weight and body mass index were significantly lower in AD patients than in controls. These results suggest that CSF selenium concentrations are apparently unrelated with the reported oxidative stress processes in patients with AD.

Effect of diabetes on the tissular Zn/Cu ratio.

One of the parameters related to the development of coronary disease in diabetic patients is the tissular Zn/Cu ratio. We evaluated the levels of Zn and Cu, and the Zn/Cu ratio in insulin target tissues in diabetic and normoglucemic growing Wistar rats in order to determine the influence of diabetes and the disease evolution period. Diabetes was induced chemically by administration of streptozotocin. In order to determine the influence of the duration of diabetes on the Zn/Cu ratio, three time periods were studied: 7, 21 and 60 days. The animals were subsequently sacrificed and the target tissues (liver, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle) were removed. Zn and Cu levels were measured by AAS after wet mineralization. STZ-induced diabetes modified the tissular Zn and Cu content. There was a significant decrease (p < 0.01) in liver and adipose tissue, but not in skeletal muscle. The in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle, but not in liver, effects were dependent on the duration of diabetes. The Cu content was higher in the liver of diabetic rats (p < 0.1) and lower in adipose tissue (p < 0.1) and skeletal muscle (NS). Tissular Cu levels also were affected significantly by the duration of diabetes. The Zn/Cu ratio showed a generalized decrease, except in skeletal muscle. This decrease was dependent on the presence of diabetes mellitus and the duration of the disease (p < 0.01).

Cerebrospinal fluid levels of transition metals in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

We compared CSF and serum levels of iron, copper, manganese, and zinc, measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, in 26 patients patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) without major clinical signs of undernutrition, and 28 matched controls. CSF zinc levels were significantly decreased in AD patients as compared with controls (p < 0.05). The serum levels of zinc, and the CSF and serum levels of iron, copper, and manganese, did not differ significantly between AD-patient and control groups. These values were not correlated with age, age at onset, duration of the disease, and scores of the MiniMental State Examination in the AD group. Weight and body mass index were significantly lower in AD patients than in controls. Because serum zinc levels were normal, the possibility that low CSF zinc levels were due to a deficiency of dietary intake seems unlikely. However, it is possible that they might be related to the interaction of beta-amyloid and/or amyloid precursor protein with zinc, that could result in a depletion of zinc levels.

Cerebrospinal fluid levels of transition metals in patients with Parkinson's disease.

We compared CSF and serum levels of iron, copper, manganese, and zinc, measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, in 37 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and 37 matched controls. The CSF levels of zinc were significantly decreased in PD patients as compared with controls (p < 0.05). The serum levels of zinc, and the CSF and serum levels of iron, copper, and manganese, did not differ significantly between PD-patient and control groups. There was no influence of antiparkinsonian therapy on CSF levels of none of these transition metals. These values were not correlated with age, age at onset, duration of the disease, scores of the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale of the Hoehn and Yahr staging in the PD group, with the exception of CSF copper levels with the duration of the disease (r = 0.38, p < 0.05). These results suggest that low CSF zinc concentrations might be related with the risk for PD, although they could be related with oxidative stress processes.

Cerebrospinal fluid selenium and chromium levels in patients with Parkinson's disease.

We compared CSF and serum levels of selenium and chromium, measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, in 28 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and 43 matched controls. The CSF and serum levels of these trace metals did not differ significantly between PD patients and controls. CSF selenium and chromium levels were not correlated with age, age at onset, duration of the disease, scores of the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale of the Hoehn and Yahr staging in the PD group. Although antiparkinsonian therapy did not influence significantly the CSF levels of selenium, PD patients not treated with levodopa had significantly higher CSF selenium levels than controls (p < 0.01). It is possible that increased CSF selenium levels could indicate an attempt of protection against oxidative stress. The normality of CSF and serum chromium levels suggest that these values are not related with the risk for PD.

Effects of arsenic (V)-chromium (III) interaction on plasma glucose and cholesterol levels in growing rats.

Recent studies have demonstrated interaction between arsenic (As) and chromium (Cr) affecting absorption and/or protein catabolism. In the present study the possible effects of As(V)/Cr(III) interaction on growth rate, organ weight, and the two main organic functions of Cr, i.e., regulation of plasma glucose levels and total plasma cholesterol levels, was examined in weaned male Wistar rats. The diet of 20 rats was supplemented with 5 micrograms of As(V) and/or Cr(III) per gram of food for 10 weeks. As/Cr interaction did not significantly affect growth rates on organ weight:body weight ratios but did decrease total plasma cholesterol levels, though the decrease was not as pronounced as in the group supplemented with Cr alone (p < 0.1). Since supplementation with As(V) produced the opposite effect (96.83 vs. 47.27) (p < 0.01), the combined use of As and Cr may prove beneficial in cases of chronic As(V) intoxication. Supplementation treatment with As(V) and Cr(III) combined had no significant effect on glucose levels, because though As(V) affects Cr tissue levels and thus alters the effect of Cr on plasma cholesterol levels, individual effects of As(V) and Cr(III) are similar, and hence basal glucose levels are unaffected.

[The effect of chromium picolinate on the liver levels of trace elements]. / Efecto del picolinato de cromo en los niveles hepáticos de algunos elementos traza.

Chromium picolinate has been implicated as a lipid and carbohydrate reducing agent, and therefore it may be a valuable adjunct to the treatment and prevention of diabetes and heart disease. This compound is inexpensive and apparently nontoxic. In this work, we have determined the influence of its administration (100, 200, 500 micrograms Cr/ml, for 7 and 21 days) on hepatic content of Zn, Mn, Cu and Fe of male Wistar rats. The results show a variation of the levels of these elements after the administration of chromium picolinate, although the differences are only significantly (p < 0.01) in the case of Mn. This influence is dose-dependent, occurring a decrease of 72% in the group treated with 500 micrograms/ml (Pic-500) respect to the content of control group.

Gastrointestinal absorption of inorganic arsenic (V): The effect of concentration and interactions with phosphate and dichromate.

The absorption of inorganic pentavalent arsenic (As) by the rat small intestine was investigated using 2 different procedures: In vivo determination of overall extent of gastrointestinal absorption; and an intestinal perfusion technique. The aim was to determine the effect of concentration and the interaction with phosphate and dichromate anions on gastrointestinal absorption of As to understand the mechanism of As absorption at intestinal level. The results indicate there is a direct relationship, although not proportional, between the received dose and the absorbed amount of As. Intestinal absorption of As appears carried out by a saturable transport process. The phosphate produces a pronounced decrease in the intestinal absorption of As due to the fact that phosphate and As can share the same transport mechanism which is an active secondary carrier-mediated system depending on Na+ and H+ gradient. Addition of dichromate to perfusion buffers significantly (p > 0.05) increased As absorption. Several hypothesis may explain this fact: Dichromate produces pH modifications at the intracellular level, providing an adequate H(+)-gradient for As absorption; dichromate exerts a caustic effect, which damages the intestinal wall at the microvilli level. This allows free diffusion of As through the resulting openings.

Decreased serum selenium concentrations in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Selenium is an essential component of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase. The activity of this enzyme is reduced in the substantia nigra of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), but the results of studies on erythrocytes are controversial. We compared the serum levels of selenium and the 24 h urinary selenium excretion (measured by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrophotometry) in 29 PD patients and 30 matched controls. Serum selenium levels were significantly lower in PD patients than in controls (34.6 ± 2.35 and 45.2 ± 3.83 µg/l, p < 0.05) while urinary excretion was similar for both groups (47.1 ± 6.25 and 45.5 ± 5.38 µg/24 h). These values were not influenced by antiparkinsonian drugs, and they did not correlate with age, age at onset and duration of the PD, scores of the Unified PD Rating Scale or the Hoehn and Yahr staging in the PD group. These results might suggest a possible role of low serum selenium levels in the risk for, or a consequence of the oxidative stress in PD.