A case-control study on the association of mineral elements exposure and thyroid tumor and goiter.

Thyroid tumor and thyroid goiter are prevalent disease around the world. In this case-control study, we investigated the association between exposure to a total of twelve mineral elements and thyroid disease as well as thyroid functions. Participants with thyroid tumor or goiter (N = 197) were matched with a healthy population (N = 197) by age (± 2 years old) and same sex. Questionnaires were used to collect data about the demographic characteristics and information of subjects. Serum and urine samples were collected simultaneously for each of the subjects. Mineral elements, iodine level of urine and levels of the total seven thyroid function indexes in serum were detected respectively. Conditional logistic regression was applied to estimate the associations between mineral elements and the risk of thyroid tumor and goiter through single-element models and multiple-element models. Multiple linear regression was used to evaluate relationships between mineral elements and percentage changes of thyroid functions. Higher concentrations of mineral elements in the recruited population were found in this study than other comparable studies, and the levels of chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), selenium (Se), antimony (Sb), thallium (Tl) and lead (Pb) in the case group were lower than the control group. According to the single-element models, Cr, Mn, Ni, Sb and Tl showed significant negative associations with the risk of thyroid tumor and goiter, and, Cd showed nonmonotonic dose response. Cd and mercury (Hg) showed a nonmonotonic percentage change with T4, while Tl was associated with the increased FT4 in the control group. Therefore, Cd, Hg and Tl may disturb the balance of thyroid function to some extent, and Cr, Mn, Ni, Cd, Sb, and Tl may become potential influencing factors for the risk of thyroid tumor and goiter.

Dexlansoprazole and Esomeprazole Do Not Affect Bone Homeostasis in Healthy Postmenopausal Women.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Epidemiological studies have associated proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy with osteoporotic fractures, but it is not clear if PPIs directly cause osteoporosis. We evaluated the effect of dexlansoprazole and esomeprazole on bone turnover, bone mineral density (BMD), true fractional calcium absorption (TFCA), serum and urine levels of minerals, and levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) in healthy postmenopausal women. METHODS: We performed a prospective, multicenter, double-blind study of 115 healthy, postmenopausal women (45 to 75 years of age) from November 4, 2010, through August 7, 2014. Women were randomly assigned to groups given dexlansoprazole (60 mg), esomeprazole (40 mg), or placebo daily for 26 weeks. We measured plasma levels of procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide (P1NP) and C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX) at 0 (baseline), 13, and 26 weeks. Primary outcomes were percent change in P1NP and CTX between weeks 0 and 26. We also measured changes in serum and urine levels of mineral, BMD, PTH (all subjects), and TFCA (n = 30). RESULTS: Between baseline and week 26, there were no significant within-group differences in markers of bone turnover; there was a nonsignificant increase in CTX levels in the dexlansoprazole group (0.12 ng/mL). The esomeprazole and dexlansoprazole groups had significantly increased levels of P1NP (18.2% and 19.2%, respectively) and CTX (22.0% and 27.4%, respectively) at week 26 compared with the placebo group, although these values remained within normal ranges. There were no statistically significant differences between groups in serum or urine levels of minerals, BMD, or PTH at week 26. PPI therapy did not reduce TFCA. CONCLUSIONS: In a prospective study of postmenopausal women, we found significant increases in markers of bone turnover in women given PPI therapy compared with women given placebo, but levels remained within the normal reference range. We found no significant differences among groups in changes in BMD, PTH, serum or urine levels of minerals, or TFCA. Our findings indicate that 26 weeks of treatment with a PPI has no clinically meaningful effects on bone homeostasis. Clinicaltrials.gov no: NCT01216293.

Application of Market Basket Analysis for the Visualization of Transaction Data Based on Human Lifestyle and Spectroscopic Measurements.

With the innovation of high-throughput metabolic profiling methods such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), data mining techniques that can reveal valuable information from substantial data sets are constantly desired in this field. In particular, for the analytical assessment of various human lifestyles, advanced computational methods are ultimately needed. In this study, we applied market basket analysis, which is generally applied in social sciences such as marketing, and used transaction data derived from dietary intake information and urinary chemical data generated using NMR and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry measurements. The analysis revealed several relationships, such as fish diets with high trimethylamine N-oxide excretion and N-methylnicotinamide excreted at higher levels in the morning and produced from a protein that was consumed one day prior. Therefore, market basket analysis can be applied to metabolic profiling to effectively understand the relationships between metabolites and lifestyle.

Effect of calcium and vitamin D on growth, rickets and Kashin-Beck disease in 0- to 5-year-old children in a rural area of central Tibet.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of calcium (15 mmol/day) and vitamin D (625 µg/month), as single supplement or in combination, vs. no supplement on growth, clinical signs of rickets and Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) and dental health. METHODS: Prospective controlled trial involving children aged 0-5 years living in four groups of villages in a KBD-endemic rural area of central Tibet who received either calcium and/or vitamin D or no supplement. The cohort was followed over 3 years. Primary outcome was the impact of the different supplementation regimes on KBD, rickets and growth; secondary outcomes were impact on urinary levels of calcium and phosphorus, biomarkers of bone and cartilage turnover, and dental health. RESULTS: No difference was observed between the four groups with regard to anthropometric data, rickets, KBD, urinary levels of CrossLaps(®) and CartiLaps(®) . Weight for height or age, mid-upper arm circumference and skinfold thickness decreased in the four groups. Height for age increased and the prevalence of KBD fell in the four groups. Dental health was better in the group receiving calcium and vitamin D. Urinary calcium levels increased after 3 years of follow-up in all groups; the group receiving vitamin D had a higher increase (P-value: 0.044). The same global increase was observed for urinary phosphorus levels; the group receiving calcium had a higher increase (P-value: 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Calcium and vitamin D failed to improve growth and bone metabolism of children living in a KBD-endemic rural area. Calcium and vitamin D supplementation improved dental health.

[Long-term effect of environmental cadmium exposure on human body's mineral metabolic balance].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of long-term exposure to environmental cadmium on eight mineral element's metabolic balance of human body. METHODS: To choose a high cadmium area polluted by smelting and mining north of Guangdong province and a cadmium-free area with a similar economic level, and living and eating habit of residents as a contrast from April 2011 to August 2012. Stratified random sampling and clustered sampling method were adopted to choose the non-occupationally cadmium-exposed respondents who have lived in local area for more than 15 years, older than 40 years, having local rice and vegetable as the main dietary source, with simple and relatively stable diet, and without diabetes, kidney disease, thyroid disease, liver disease or other history of chronic disease. This study included 298 respondents, of whom 155 were in cadmium exposure group and 143 in control group. Questionnaires was used to acquire their health status and their morning urine samples were collected. Electrolytically coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to test the concentrations of sodium(Na), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and iodine (I). The Mann-Whitney U test method was used to compare the differences of concentrations of urinary cadmium, Na, Mg, P, K, Ca, Cu, Zn, I, and the ratio of Na to K (Na/K), Ca to P (Ca/P) between exposed group and control group.χ(2) test was used to compare the abnormal rate of urinary cadmium between exposed group and control group. Pearson correlation and multiple regression method were used to investigate the relationship between urinary cadmium levels, gender, age, smoking, passive smoking, and minerals. RESULTS: The urinary cadmium level P50 (P25-P75) in exposed group was 5.45 (2.62-10.68) µg/g·cr, which was higher than that of the control group, which was 1.69 (1.22-2.36) µg/g·cr (Z=-10.49,P<0.001). The abnormal rate of urinary cadmium was 51.6% (80/155), which was higher than that of the control group (2.8 %(4/143)) (χ(2)= 87.56, P<0.001). The urinary Ca, Cu, Zn, and I level P50 (P25-P75) of exposed group were 173.80 (114.40-251.70), 20.55 (14.95-28.44), 520.23 (390.25-647.15), and 246.94 (203.65-342.97) µg/g·cr, which were higher than those in control group (142.42 (96.87-179.11), 15.44 (12.26-20.98), 430.09 (309.85-568.78) and 213.85 (156.70-281.63) µg/g·cr, respectively) (Z values were-4.33,-5.04,-3.47 and-4.24, all P values <0.001). The urinary P, K level P50 (P25-P75) of exposed group were 582.50 (463.20-742.8), 890.10(666.00-1 305.40) µg/g·cr, which were lower than control group (694.50 (546.20-851.17), 1 098.58(904.53-1 479.18) µg/g·cr) (Z values were-3.36,-4.02, all P values <0.001). on Based the results of Pearson correlation analysis, urinary cadmium was positively correlated with urinary Ca, Cu, Zn, and I, and the correlation coefficients were 0.31, 0.61, 0.38, and 0.25, respectively (all P values <0.05). Based on the results of multiple regression analysis, urinary cadmium levels contributed most to the metabolic balance of urinary Ca, Cu, Zn and I. The standardized regression coefficients were 0.31, 0.59, 0.39, and 0.24, respectively (all P values<0.001). CONCLUSION: Long-term environmental exposure to cadmium affected the metabolic balance of Ca, Cu, Zn and I in human body.

Evaluation of mineral status in hypertensive patients undergoing pharmacotherapy.

BACKGROUND: The widespread and increasing occurrence of obesity, hypertension and associated disease has necessitated serial testing in order that risks of contracting such conditions become minimised through appropriate therapy and prevention. Many studies report that nutritional factors significantly affect the aetiology of hypertension and obesity that include mineral uptake. There are only a few studies however which are focused on the body's changing mineral content during pharmaco-therapeutic treatment. OBJECTIVES: To determine concentrations of minerals in the hair and urine of hypertensive patients in conjunction with assessing their nutrition. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Subjects were 17 patients presenting with essential hypertension and 18 healthy controls. Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) was used to measure Mg, Ca, Fe, Zn and Cu in the hair and urine on a Zeiss AAS-3 instrument. Dietary mineral intakes were assessed by interview over 24 hours prior to the analysis. RESULTS: The hypertensive group had significantly lower urine concentrations of Ca and Mg as well as Mg and Zn in hair. Urinary zinc excretion was significantly increased in this group compared to controls, but dietary intakes of Cu were reduced. The dietary mineral intakes were found to be unrelated to the concentrations of such minerals in the hair and urine. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to controls, excretion of Ca and Mg were reduced in hypertensive subjects, whereas Zn excretion was higher, and Mg and Zn were relatively low in the hair. Daily dietary intakes of Cu were also reduced in the hypertensive.

[Effects of lead exposure on 18 elements in blood and excretions in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of lead exposure on lead and other metal elements contents in rats. METHODS: SD rats were randomly divided into control group and several experiment groups of different doses. The rats were exposed to lead acetate through intragastric administration every other day for 5 times. The whole blood, urine and feces of all the rats were collected. The concentrations of lead and 18 metal elements in these samples were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma atom emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). RESULTS: No significant difference among the groups was found for body weight and organ-body ratios of the rats after lead exposure (P>0.05). With the increase of exposure dose, lead content in blood, total lead in urine and feces tended to increase, while the total lead in urine no longer increased in the high dose group. Significant differences among the groups (P<0.05) were observed for the sodium, magnesium, potassium, strontium, antimony, thallium and bismuth contents in the whole blood, the potassium, iron and antimony contents in the urine, and the calcium, iron, zinc, copper, thallium, bismuth and rare earth elements contents in the feces. CONCLUSION: The effect of lead on the metabolism of divalent metal ions, namely calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper and strontium ion, may be due to the competition of lead with the ions for common delivery carrier. Lead exposure induces the excretion of light rare earth elements and toxic elements (thallium and bismuth), and changes the antimony, sodium and potassium contents in rats. But there is no effect of lead on molybdenum and cadmium in rats.

Assessment of trace element and mineral levels in students from Turkmenistan in comparison to Iran and Russia.

THE OBJECTIVE: Of the present study was to assess essential trace element and mineral levels in serum, hair, and urine of healthy first-year students from Turkmenistan (n = 73) in comparison to students from Iran (n = 78) or Russia (n = 95). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Examination of foreign students was performed within two days after arrival to Russia during medical examination prior admission to RUDN University. Serum, hair, and urine trace element and mineral levels were assessed with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). RESULTS: The data demonstrate that the levels of trace elements and minerals in students from Turkmenistan share high similarity to elemental profiles of students from Iran. In comparison to students from Russia, subjects originating from Iran and Turkmenistan are characterized by lower serum cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), selenium (Se), vanadium (V), zinc (Zn) levels, higher urinary Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, V, and Zn, lower urinary Co and hair Mo, Se, and Zn content. Concomitantly, students from Turkmenistan were characterized by lower urinary Cr and Cu, serum Cu and V levels, higher circulating Zn concentration, as well as the lower hair Cr, Cu, iodine (I) and magnesium (Mg) content in comparison to Iranian subjects. The discriminant analysis demonstrated that hair, serum, and urinary trace element and mineral levels contributed to complete discrimination between the groups of students from different countries. CONCLUSIONS: The high similarity of trace element and mineral status of students from Turkmenistan and Iran is expected to be mediated by similar geochemical conditions in the bordering countries.

Urinary minerals excretion among primary schoolchildren in Dubai-United Arab Emirates.

INTRODUCTION: Urinary excretion of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), iodine and fluoride is used to assess their statuses and/or the existence of metabolic abnormalities. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the urinary concentration of these minerals among children have not been documented. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study, including 593 subjects (232 boys and 361 girls), was conducted among healthy 6 to 11-year-old Emirati children living in Dubai. Non-fasting morning urine samples and anthropometrical measurements were collected and analyzed. Results were expressed as per mg of creatinine (Cr). RESULTS: On average, estimated Cr excretion was 17.88±3.12 mg/kg/d. Mean urinary Ca/Cr, Mg/Cr and P/Cr excretions were 0.08±0.07 mg/mg, 0.09±0.04 mg/mg, and 0.57±0.26 mg/mg respectively. Urinary excretion of Ca, Mg and P were found to decrease as age increased. Urinary excretion and predicted intake of fluoride were lower than 0.05 mg/kg body weight per day. Surprisingly, more than 50% of the children were found to have urinary iodine excretion level above adequate. CONCLUSION: The Emirati schoolchildren had comparable levels of urinary Ca, Mg and P excretion to other countries. The 95% percentile allows the use of the current data as a reference value for the detection of mineral abnormalities. Fluoride excretion implies that Emirati children are at low risk of fluorosis. The level of urinary iodine excretion is slightly higher than recommended and requires close monitoring of the process of salt iodization to avoid the harmful impact of iodine overconsumption.

Trace Element and Mineral Levels in Serum, Hair, and Urine of Obese Women in Relation to Body Composition, Blood Pressure, Lipid Profile, and Insulin Resistance.

The objective of this study was to evaluate serum, hair, and urinary trace element and mineral content in normal-weight and obese women in relation to metabolic risk factors. A total of 80 women aged 30-70 y.o. were enrolled in the obese group (n = 40) and normal-weight group (n = 40). Serum, hair, and urinary trace element and mineral levels were assessed using inductively coupled plasma spectrometry. Body fat percentage was evaluated using bioimpedance. Obese subjects were characterized by significantly higher body fat percentage, blood pressure, serum triglyceride concentration, and insulin resistance. Serum Ca, Fe, Mg, Se, V, Zn levels, hair Fe, Mg, V content, and urinary Se and V concentrations were found to be lower in obese subjects as compared to lean controls. In turn, serum Cu and urinary Fe levels in obese women were characterized by a significant increase. In multiple regression models serum Cu, Se, and Zn levels were significantly associated with BMI even after adjustment for blood biochemistry, body composition, and blood pressure. Serum trace element and mineral levels also significantly contributed to group discrimination. These findings allow to propose that obesity-associated disturbances in trace element and mineral status may at least partially contribute to metabolic risk in obese subjects.

Transcriptional regulation of the claudin-16 gene by Mg2+ availability.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Renal tubular Mg(2+) reabsorption is mediated predominantly by the tight junction channel protein claudin-16 which is encoded by the gene CLDN16. Hypermagnesemia decreases, whereas hypomagnesemia increases Mg(2+) reabsorption. This study examines the role of claudin-16 in the adaptive response of the kidney to Mg(2+) availability. METHODS/RESULTS: Mice received a low-, normal- or high Mg(2+) diet for up to 3 days. Mg(2+)-loaded animals displayed hypermagnesemia with increasing urine Mg(2+)/Ca(2+) levels paralleled by a decrease in claudin-16 protein and mRNA in the kidney. Mg(2+)- deprived animals developed hypomagnesemia with decreasing urine Mg(2+)/Ca(2+) levels associated with an increase in claudin-16 protein and mRNA abundance. Mg(2+) depletion markedly increased and Mg(2+) load decreased endogenous claudin-16 mRNA levels in calcium-sensing receptor-transfected HEK293 cells compared with native HEK293 cells. The effect of Mg(2+) availability on the human CLDN16 (hCLDN16) gene promoter was examined. Using a 2.5kb hCLDN16 5'-flanking DNA sequence, we show that magnesium depletion increases and Mg(2+) load decreases hCLDN16 promoter activity in transfected HEK293 cells. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in Mg(2+) availability may influence claudin-16 mediated Mg(2+) transport at the transcriptional level. The possible involvement of the cell membrane bound Ca(2+)/Mg(2+) sensing receptor or the potential role of a hypothetical Mg(2+) response element on the CLDN16 promoter in the Mg(2+)-induced response remains to be explored.

Comparative effect of green tea, chokeberry and honeysuckle polyphenols on nutrients and mineral absorption and digestibility in rats.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Natural polyphenols are chemically and biologically active. This study aimed at examining the physiological effects of high doses of polyphenol extracts from green tea and new polyphenol-rich sources (chokeberry and honeysuckle fruits) on nutrient absorption. METHODS: 32 male Wistar rats were divided into four groups and fed a diet supplemented with one of the three polyphenolic extracts (at 0.4%) or a control diet for 4 weeks. A perfusion technique was used to study the effects at intestinal level. Pure polyphenols from the three sources were introduced into perfusion fluid at a concentration of 0.4% and allowed to cross the intestinal tract in 1.5 h. RESULTS: In the perfusion experiment, addition of the extracts caused a strong and statistically significant reduction in absorption of the selected nutrients (water, glucose, cholesterol, amino acids and minerals) compared to control animals. In the nutritional experiment, we recorded a slight decrease in diet utilization and growth in rats on polyphenolic diets relative to control group. In the same experiment, we observed a reduction of Zn and Cu absorption, but this was not accompanied by diminished concentrations in the bone femur. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of the polyphenolic extracts in the perfusion liquids significantly reduced absorption from the small intestine, but the nutritional experiment did not confirm deleterious consequences of the consumption of high extract doses.

Effects of dietary lipid composition and inulin-type fructans on mineral bioavailability in growing rats.

OBJECTIVE: This study reports the effects of feeding with a combination of inulin-type fructans (ITF) and fish oil (FO) on mineral absorption and bioavailability as part of a semipurified diet offered to rats. METHODS: Male Wistar rats (n = 24) were fed a 15% lipid diet (soybean oil [SO] or a 1:0.3 fish:soybean oil mixture [FSO]) and diets containing the same sources of lipids supplemented with 10% ITF (Raftilose Synergy 1) ad libitum for 15 d. Feces and urine were collected for mineral analyses during the last 5 d of the test period. Fatty acid composition was determined in liver and cecal mucosa homogenates. Liver and bone mineral analyses were performed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Bone biomechanical analyses were evaluated by a 3-point bending test. RESULTS: Compared with the controls, ITF-fed rats had enlarged ceca and a significant decrease in cecal content pH (P < 0.001). The apparent mineral absorption was improved in these rats, and this effect was enhanced by dietary combination with FO for all minerals except for magnesium. Addition of ITF to the diet resulted in higher bone mineral content (calcium and zinc) and bone strength, but increased bone mineral content was only statistically significant in FO-fed animals. A decrease in liver iron stores (P = 0.015) was observed in rats fed FO, considering that ITF consumption returned to levels comparable to the SO control group. CONCLUSION: These findings confirm the positive influence of ITF on mineral bioavailability, which was potentiated by addition of FO to the diet.

Effect of dietary ratio of Na:K on feed intake, milk production, and mineral metabolism in mid-lactation dairy cows.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of altering the dietary ratio of Na:K while keeping the dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) constant, on dry matter (DM) intake, milk production, and mineral metabolism in lactating dairy cows. Fifteen mid-lactation Holstein cows averaging 160 d in milk were used in a replicated 3 x 3 Latin square design with treatments varying in the molar ratio of Na:K (0.21, 0.53, and 1.06). Diets contained A) 0.25% Na and 2.00% K, B) 0.50% Na and 1.60% K, or C) 0.75% Na and 1.20% K (on a DM basis), and all contained the same DCAD of 33 mEq (Na + K - Cl - S)/100 g of DM. There was a quadratic effect of the ratio of Na:K on DM intake (28.4, 27.5, and 28.3 kg/d for diets A, B, and C, respectively). The ratio of Na:K did not affect milk yield (average 39.2 kg/d), milk composition (average 3.60% fat; 3.01% protein; and 8.62% solids-not-fat), or coccygeal venous plasma concentrations of HCO(3)(-) (average 29.3 mEq/L), Na(+) (average 136.7 mEq/L), K(+) (average 4.53 mEq/L), Cl(-) (average 97.5 mEq/L), Ca (average 10.06 mg/dL), and Mg (average 2.49 mg/dL), and urinary pH (average 8.38) and ratio of Cl(-):creatinine (average 4.35). The ratios of urinary Na(+):creatinine (1.80, 4.21, and 7.42), Ca:creatinine (0.035, 0.041, and 0.064), and Mg:creatinine (0.53, 0.60, and 0.77) increased linearly with increasing ratios of Na:K, whereas the ratio of urinary K(+):creatinine decreased linearly as the ratio of Na:K increased (22.4, 15.9, and 10.3). Milk production and composition of mid-lactation cows was similar among dietary ratios of Na:K with the same DCAD of 33 mEq/100 g of DM.

[Impact of the mineral composition of drinking water on children's health].

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of highly mineralized drinking water on children's health. To reveal a relationship of children's health to the chemical composition of portable water, two Kazan districts differing in the conditions of water supply and the mineral composition of the water were selected. A total of 833 schoolchildren aged 7-9 years underwent a questionnaire survey and their objective status was examined. Special methods were used to determine the urinary content of trace elements, such as copper, zinc, cadmium, and gross elements, such as calcium and magnesium, by performing atomic absorption spectrophotometry on an AAS-SA 10 MP apparatus.

Urinary ionomic analysis reveals new relationship between minerals and longevity in a Han Chinese population.

Human longevity involves genetic, nutritional, environmental and many other factors playing a key role in healthy aging. Previous studies have shown that mineral metabolism and homeostasis are associated with lifespan extension. However, the majority of them have focused on a limited number of elements and ignored the complex relationship between them. In this study, we carried out a network-based approach to investigate the urinary ionome of nonagenarians and centenarians (longevity group) when compared with their biologically unrelated and younger family members (control group) from a Han Chinese population. Several differentially changed elements were identified, almost all of which showed an elevated level in the longevity group. Correlation analysis of the ionome revealed significant element-element interactions in each group. We then divided each group into distinct subgroups according to age ranges, and built the elemental correlation network for each of them. Significant elemental correlations and correlation changes involving all examined elements were identified within or between different subgroups, implying a highly dynamic and complex crosstalk among the elements during human life. Finally, more similar elemental patterns were observed between extremely old and middle-aged people. Overall, our data reveal new relationship between urinary minerals and human longevity, which may extend our understanding of the mechanism of healthy aging.

Electron probe micro-analysis reveals the complexity of mineral deposition mechanisms in urinary stones.

Urinary stones are complex mineralogical formations in the urinary system often impairing the kidney function. Several studies have attempted to understand the mechanisms of stone formation and growth; however, it remains to be fully explored. Here, we present a detailed investigation on the morphological and mineralogical characterizations of urinary stones. Structural properties of different types of urinary stones were done by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) analyses. X-ray maps of major and the trace elements were obtained using electron microprobe (EPMA) technique. Basic metabolic panel and urinary parameters of the patients were used for comparing mineral compositions among stone types. The study included five major types of stones identified based on the FTIR spectra. FTIR and XRD helped in identifying the major components of these stones. FE-SEM images revealed distinct microstructure and morphology of the stones among the stone types. EPMA analysis showed the presence of many metals other than calcium and certain non-metals within the urinary stone matrix at measurable levels, sometimes with distinct distribution patterns. The study demonstrates the characteristic micro-structure, morphology, distribution, and composition of elements in different stone types. Findings of the study provide scope for understanding the complex mechanisms involved in the urolithogenesis and association of trace elements in it.

Dietary calcium affects body composition and lipid metabolism in rats.

Calcium (Ca) intakes may affect cardiovascular disease risk by altering body composition (body weight and fat) and serum lipid profile, but results have been inconsistent and the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. The effects of dietary Ca on body composition and lipid metabolism were examined in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed high-fat, high-energy diets containing (g/kg) low (0.75Ca, 0.86 ± 0.05; 2Ca, 2.26 ± 0.02), normal (5Ca, 5.55 ± 0.08) or high (10Ca, 11.03 ± 0.17; 20Ca, 21.79 ± 0.15) Ca for 10 weeks. Rats fed the lowest Ca diet (0.75Ca) had lower (p < 0.05) body weight and fat mass compared to other groups. Rats fed the high Ca diets had lower serum total and LDL cholesterol compared to rats fed normal or low Ca. Liver total cholesterol was lower in rats fed high compared to low Ca. In general, liver mRNA expression of genes involved in cholesterol uptake from the circulation (Ldlr), cholesterol synthesis (Hmgcr and Hmgcs1), fatty acid oxidation (Cpt2) and cholesterol esterification (Acat2) were higher in rats fed higher Ca. Apparent digestibility of total trans, saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids was lower in rats fed the high compared to the low Ca diets, with the largest effects seen on trans and saturated fatty acids. Fecal excretion of cholesterol and total bile acids was highest in rats fed the highest Ca diet (20Ca). The results suggest little effect of dietary Ca on body composition unless Ca intakes are very low. Decreased bile acid reabsorption and reduced absorption of neutral sterols and saturated and trans fatty acids may contribute to the better serum lipid profile in rats fed higher Ca.

Fetal and postnatal bone development: reviewing the role of mechanical stimuli and nutrition.

Fetal and postnatal bone development is by tradition viewed as a process of bone mineral accretion or an increase in bone mass. Accordingly, previous approaches to bone development in neonatology and early childhood have emphasized the determinants of peak bone mass and their relationship to osteopenia, osteoporosis and fractures in later life. This suggests that the neonatal period and early childhood is an important period for bone mineral accrual, and that peak bone mass may be correlated with subsequent skeletal health. Nevertheless, describing fetal and postnatal bone development just in terms of changes in mass or density means looking at bones as if they were amorphous heaps of calcium and phosphorus. In reality, of course, bones are complex three-dimensional structures. It is therefore important to create conditions that stimulate bones to become more stable. We suggest that functional bone physiology can be used to explain fetal and postnatal bone development and to devise strategies for improved bone development in both premature infants and neonates.

Effects of long-term cholecalciferol supplementation on mineral metabolism and calciotropic hormones in chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: Data on the efficacy and safety of long-term vitamin D supplementation in chronic kidney disease (CKD) are scarce. We assessed the effects of the 12-month vitamin D(3) treatment on mineral metabolism and calciotropic hormones in patients with CKD stages 2-4. METHODS: Eighty-seven patients (mean age 66 years, men/women 33/54) were randomized to cholecalciferol treatment with either 5,000 or 20,000 IU/week. Serum calcium, phosphate, 25(OH)D(3), 1,25(OH)(2)D(3), PTH and urinary mineral concentrations were obtained at baseline and after 4, 8 and 12 months. RESULTS: The median serum mineral concentrations were normal and not changed throughout the study. The number of hypercalciuric patients slightly increased with higher dose, but no sustained rise in calciuria was present. Vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency was revealed in 72 (83%) patients at baseline and 37 (43%) at month 12. The 25(OH)D(3) levels increased more with higher dose; a rise in 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) was less impressive. The parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations were reduced, but the number of subjects with PTH below the lower limit for CKD stage 3 increased equally with both doses. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency in CKD significantly improved after the 12-month cholecalciferol treatment, with higher dose being more effective and equally safe. Further studies of vitamin D(3) effects on bone metabolism are warranted.