Dietary vitamin D and cancers of the oral cavity and esophagus.

BACKGROUND: Data on the association between vitamin D and upper digestive tract neoplasms are limited. METHODS: In two case-control studies in Italy, we examined the relation between dietary vitamin D intake and squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus (SCCE; 304 cases) and oral/pharyngeal cancer (804 cases). Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Adjusted ORs for SCCE and oral/pharyngeal cancer were 0.58 (95% CI 0.39-0.86) and 0.76 (95% CI 0.60-0.94), respectively, for the highest tertile of vitamin D intake. Using a reference group of those in the highest tertile of vitamin D who were never/former smokers, ORs were 8.7 (95% CI 4.1-18.7) for SCCE and 10.4 (95% CI 6.9-15.5) for oral/pharyngeal cancer among heavy smokers in the lowest vitamin D tertile; similarly, compared with those in the highest tertile of vitamin D who drank <3 alcoholic drinks/day, corresponding ORs were 41.9 (95% CI 13.7-128.6) for SCCE and 8.5 (95% CI 5.7-12.5) for oral/pharyngeal cancer, among heavy alcohol drinkers in the lowest vitamin D tertile. CONCLUSION: We observed inverse associations between dietary vitamin D intake and risk of SCCE and, perhaps, oral/pharyngeal cancer, which were most pronounced among heavy current smokers and heavy consumers of alcohol.

Effects of dietary vitamin A concentration of roasted soybean inclusion on marbling, adipose cellularity, and fatty acid composition of beef

A feedlot trial was conducted to determine the effect of dietary vitamin A concentration and roasted soybean (SB) inclusion on carcass characteristics, adipose tissue cellularity, and muscle fatty acid composition. Angus-crossbred steers (n = 168; 295 +/- 1.8 kg) were allotted to 24 pens (7 steers each). Four treatments, in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement, were investigated: no supplemental vitamin A, no roasted soybeans (NANS); no vitamin A, roasted SB (20% of the diet on a DM basis; NASB); with supplemental (2,700 IU/kg) vitamin A, no roasted SB (WANS); and with supplemental vitamin A, roasted SB (WASB). Diets included high moisture corn, 5% corn silage, 10 to 20% supplement, and 20% roasted SB in the SB treatments on a DM basis. The calculated vitamin A concentration in the basal diet was < 1,300 IU/kg of DM. Blood samples (2 steers/pen) were collected for serum vitamin A determination. Steers were slaughtered after 168 d on feed. Carcass characteristics and LM composition were determined. Fatty acid composition of LM was analyzed, and adipose cellularity in the i.m. and s.c. depots was determined. No vitamin A x SB interactions were detected (P > 0.10) for cattle performance, carcass composition, or muscle fatty acid composition. Low vitamin A diets (NA) did not affect (P > 0.05) ADG, DMI, or G:F. Quality grade tended (P = 0.07) to be greater in NA steers. Marbling scores and the percentage of carcasses grading > or = Choice(-) were 10% greater for NA steers, although these trends were not significant (P = 0.11 and 0.13, respectively). Backfat thickness and yield grade were not affected (P > 0.26) by vitamin A supplementation. Composition of the LM was not affected (P > 0.15) by vitamin A or SB supplementation. Serum retinol at slaughter was 44% lower (P < 0.01) for steers fed NA than for steers supplemented with vitamin A (23.0 vs. 41.1 microg/dL). A vitamin A x SB interaction occurred (P < 0.05) for adipose cellularity in the i.m. depot; when no SB was fed, vitamin A supplementation decreased cell density and increased cell size. However, when SB was fed, vitamin A supplementation did not affect adipose cellularity. Adipose cellularity at the s.c. depot was not affected (P > 0.18) by vitamin A or SB treatments. Fatty acid profile of the LM was not affected by vitamin A (P > 0.05), but SB increased (P < 0.05) PUFA (7.88 vs. 4.30 g/100 g). It was concluded that feeding NA tended to increase marbling without affecting back-fat and yield grade. It appeared that NA induced hyperplasia in the i.m. but not in the s.c. fat depot.

Effect of dietary vitamin A restriction on marbling and conjugated-linoleic acid (CLA) content in Holstein steers

To determine the effect of duration of dietary vitamin A restriction on site of fat deposition in growing cattle, 60 Holstein steers (BW = 218.4 ± 6.55 kg) were fed a diet based on high-moisture corn with 2,200 IU supplemental vitamin A/kg DM (C) or no supplemental vitamin A for a long (243 d; LR) or short (131 d; SR) restriction prior to harvest at 243 d. The SR steers were fed the C diet for the first 112 d. Steers were penned individually and fed for ad libitum intake. Jugular vein blood samples for serum retinol analysis were collected on d 1, 112, and 243. Carcass samples were collected for composition analysis. Subcutaneous fat samples were collected for fatty acid composition. Fat samples from the i.m. and s.c. depot were collected to measure adipocyte size and density. Feedlot performance (ADG, DMI, and G:F) was not affected (P > 0.05) by vitamin A restriction. On d 243, the i.m. fat content of the LM was 33% greater (P < 0.05) for LR than for SR and C steers (5.6 vs. 3.9 and 4.2% ether extract, respectively). Depth of back fat and KPH percentage were not affected (P = 0.44 and 0.80, respectively) by vitamin A restriction. Carcass weight, composition of edible carcass, and yield grade were similar among treatments (P > 0.10). Liver retinol (LR = 6.1, SR = 6.5, and C = 44.7 µg/g; P < 0.01) was reduced in LR and SR vs. C steers. On d 243, LR and SR steers had similar serum retinol concentrations, and these were lower (P < 0.01) than those of C steers (LR = 21.2, SR = 25.2, and C = 36.9 µg/dL). Intramuscular adipose cellularity (adipocyte/mm2 and mean adipocyte diameter) on d 112 and d 243 was not affected (P > 0.10) by vitamin A restriction. Restricting vitamin A intake for 243 d increased i.m fat percentage without affecting s.c. or visceral fat deposition, feedlot performance, or carcass weight. Restricting vitamin A intake for 131 d at the end of the finishing period appears to be insufficient to affect the site of fat deposition in Holstein steers.

Dietary vitamin E modulates differential gene expression in the rat hippocampus: potential implications for its neuroprotective properties

A wide range of cell culture, animal and human epidemiological studies are suggestive of a role of vitamin E (VE) in brain function and in the prevention of neurodegeneration. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. In the current investigation Affymetrix gene chip technology was utilised to establish the impact of chronic VE deficiency on hippocampal genes expression. Male albino rats were fed either a VE deficient or standard diet (60 mg/kg feed) for a period of 9 months. Rats were sacrificed, the hippocampus removed and genes expression established in individual animals. VE deficiency showed to have a strong impact on genes expression in the hippocampus. An important number of genes found to be regulated by VE was associated with hormones and hormone metabolism, nerve growth factor, apoptosis, dopaminergic neurotransmission, and clearance of amyloid-beta and advanced glycated endproducts. In particular, VE strongly affected the expression of an array of genes encoding for proteins directly or indirectly involved in the clearance of amyloid beta, changes which are consistent with a protective effect of VE on Alzheimer's disease progression.

Dietary vitamin C down-regulates inflammatory gene expression in apoE4 smokers

The deleterious impact of cigarette smoking on cardiovascular health may be in part attributable to a free radical mediated proinflammatory response in circulating monocytes. In the current investigation, the impact of vitamin C supplementation on monocyte gene expression was determined in apoE4 smokers versus non-smokers. A total of 10 smokers and 11 non-smokers consumed 60 mg/day of vitamin C for four weeks and a fasting blood sample was taken at baseline and post-intervention for the determination of plasma vitamin C and monocyte gene expression profiles using cDNA array and real time PCR. In apoE4 smokers, supplementation resulted in a 43% increase in plasma vitamin C concentrations. Furthermore, a number of genes were differentially expressed more than 2-fold in response to treatment, including a downregulation of the proinflammatory mediators tumor necrosis factor (TNF) beta, TNF receptor, neurotrophin-3 growth factor receptor, and monocyte chemoattractant protein I receptor. The study has identified a number of molecular mechanisms underlying the benefit of vitamin C supplementation in smokers. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Dietary vitamin or mineral mix removal during the finisher period on broiler chicken performance

The effect of dietary vitamin (VS) and mineral (MS) mix withdrawal between 42 and 49 d of age on broiler chicken performance was evaluated. The diets were formulated based on corn and soybean meal, and the experiments were conducted in floor pens using wood shavings as litter. Trial I evaluated withdrawal of VS and MS mix at 42, 45, and 49 d. The results of this trial showed that VS and MS mix withdrawal at 42 d of age did not impair feed intake (FI) or weight gain (WG), but feed conversion (FC) was improved (P = 0.043) when both mixes were maintained in the diets until 49 d of age. Trial 2 assessed the withdrawal of VS or MS mix at 42 d of age. FI and WG were not affected by withdrawal, but FC was poorer (P = 0.035) for the broilers fed the diet without VS. The relative liver weight was reduced by VS or MS mix withdrawal (P = 0.014 and P = 0.001, respectively). Carcass, breast, and leg yields were not affected by VS or MS mix withdrawals in either trial. The findings of the study suggested that VS mix withdrawal during the final period of broiler chicken growth was more deleterious than the withdrawal of MS mix, because it affected FC ratio. VS or MS withdrawal during this period did not affect carcass yield.

The influence of dietary vitamin C and E supplementation on the physiological response of pirarucu, Arapaima gigas, in net culture

This study evaluated the efficacy of dietary vitamin C (ascorbic acid or AA), vitamin E (α-tocopherol or α-T), and C + E supplementation on the blood parameters of Arapaima gigas grown in net cages for 45 days. Four treatments were tested: control (commercial feed); C800; E500 and C + E (800 + 500) with supplementation of 800 mg AA kg- 1, 500 mg α-T kg- 1 and 800 + 500 mg AA + α-T kg- 1, respectively. Hematocrit (Ht), red blood cells (RBC), and hemoglobin concentration (Hb) (oxidative status indicators), thrombocytes and leukocytes (immunological indicators), plasma protein and glucose were evaluated. Fish fed vitamin C and C + E supplemented diets showed greater weight gain and survival. Dietary vitamin C and C + E diet supplementation resulted in increased Ht, Hb, RBC, MCHC, total leukocytes, total proteins, thrombocytes and eosinophils compared to the control and α-T. The α-tocopherol-supplemented diet reduced the number of total thrombocytes, lymphocytes and neutrophils and increased glucose and eosinophils relatively to the control. In general, leukocytes and thrombocytes were good indicators of the efficiency of vitamin on the defense mechanism of the A. gigas reared in cages. Results indicate that high α-T diet supplementation provides no benefit for the maintenance of the oxidative or the immunological status of A. gigas. However, it was demonstrated that high dietary AA improves A. gigas immunological status. Red blood cell indices and immune system indicators showed no synergistic effect between the vitamins after supplementing the A. gigas diet with α-T + AA. © 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Interaction of dietary vitamin D-3 and sunlight exposure on B. indicus cattle: Animal performance, carcass traits, and meat quality

Attempts to improve beef tenderness through supplementation with dietary vitamin D-3 have been challenged by null results and negative impacts on animal performance and carcass traits. Because vitamin D-3 is also synthesised by the animal via ultraviolet radiation from sunlight, the effectiveness of supplementation with dietary vitamin D-3 may be modulated by the degree of exposure of the animal to sunlight. Hence, this work aimed to verify whether dietary vitamin D-3 modifies meat quality without negatively affecting animal performance and carcass traits in B. indicus beef cattle that were either exposed to or protected from natural sunlight. Forty-two (411 +/- 38 kg) Nellore-type castrated males were fed a high-concentrate diet for 45 days after assignment to a treatment group. The treatments comprised combinations of three levels of vitamin D3 [ViTD - none (V0) or 2 x 10(6) IU of vitamin D-3 administered for either 2 (V2) or 8 (V8) consecutive days pre-slaughter] and two shading conditions (SHADE - unshaded or shaded). The post-mortem (pm) measurements were taken in the Longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle. The animal performance and carcass traits were unaffected by ViTD or SHADE The V2 treatment increased the Myofibrillar Fragmentation Index in shaded animals compared to unshaded ones. Animals under shade had higher muscle calcium concentration. There was no effect of either ViTD or SHADE on the shear force. The L* values were higher at 24 h pm than at 0 and 1 h pm, with no differences among the animals in the ViTD or SHADE groups. Higher a* values were observed among animals in the V8 group than in the V0 group, and higher b* values were observed among animals in the V8 group than in the V2 or V0 groups, which were not different. In conclusion, ViTD and SHADE did not affect animal performance, carcass traits or shear force, whereas animals receiving a lower ViTD dosage and SHADE exhibited altered myofibrillar fragmentation. ViTD affected the colour parameters, and changes in the lightness of the beef related to the time pm were found in meat from animals under SHADE. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Enhancement of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) and sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) larval growth by dietary vitamin E en relation to diffetent levels of essential fatty acids

[EN]Most marine fish larvae require high amounts of n-3 HUFA (highly unsaturated fatty acids) such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (Watanabe, 1982; Izquierdo, 1996). Fish larvae tissue lipids are also very high in n-3 HUFA, what implies a higher risk of peroxidation (Sargent et al. 1999) and cellular damage (Kanazawa, 1991), requiring then antioxidants to protect them intra- and extra-cellularly from free radical compounds. Vitamin E (Vit E) functions as a chain breaking antioxidant, reacting with the lipid peroxide radical produced and preventing the further reaction with a new PUFA. Hence their requirements are related with the dietary and tissue PUFA contents. The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of dietary Vit E on gilthead sea bream and sea bass survival, growth and stress, at different n-3 HUFA levels.

Dietary supplementation with vitamin E modulates avian intestinal immunity

The effect of dietary vitamin E on immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibody production, which acts as the first line of defence at the intestinal mucosa, has not been evaluated in chickens. In the present study the impact of the inclusion of supplementary levels of vitamin E to the diet, on total and antigen-specific IgA antibody titres, T-cell subsets and Ia+ cells, was assessed. From hatching, chickens received a maize-based diet which was supplemented with either 25, 250, 2500 or 5000 mg dl-alpha-tocopherol acetate/kg. Primary immunisation with tetanus toxoid (T. toxoid) emulsified in a vegetable oil-in-water adjuvant was administered by the intraperitoneal route at 21 d of age. At 35 d of age all birds received an oral booster vaccination of T. toxoid. Significantly higher total IgA antibody titres were present in the day 42 intestinal scrapings of birds receiving the 5000 mg/kg vitamin E-supplemented diet (VESD) (P=0.05) and a notable increase was observed in birds receiving the 250 mg/kg VESD (P=0.06). At days 21 and 42 total serum IgA antibody titres of birds receiving the 250 mg/kg VESD was significantly higher (P

Dietary supplements of whole linseed and vitamin E to increase levels of alpha-linolenic acid and vitamin E in bovine milk

The potential to increase the concentrations of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in milk fat was investigated by studying the effects of feeding a xylose-treated, whole cracked linseed supplement ( rich in alpha-linolenic acid) to dairy cows. Also the effect of increasing the dietary intake of vitamin E on the vitamin E status of milk was investigated. The effect of pasteurisation on milk fatty acid composition was also examined. Using a 3 x 2 factorial design, a total of 60 Holstein dairy cows were fed a total mixed ration based on grass silage supplemented with one of three levels of whole cracked linseed (78, 142 or 209 g . kg(-1) diet dry matter (DM); designated LL, ML or HL, respectively) in combination with one of two levels of additional dietary vitamin E intake ( 6 or 12 g vitamin E . animal(-1) . day(-1); designated LE or HE, respectively). Increasing lipid supplementation reduced (P < 0.01) diet DM intake and milk yield, and increased (P < 0.001) the overall content of oleic, vaccenic, alpha-linolenic and conjugated linoleic acids, and total PUFAs and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA). Myristic and palmitic acids in milk fat were reduced ( P < 0.001) through increased lipid supplementation. While α-linolenic acid concentrations were substantially increased this acid only accounted for 0.02 of total fatty acids in milk at the highest level of supplementation (630 g α-linolenic acid &BULL; animal(-1) &BULL; day(-1) for HL). Conjugated linoleic acid concentrations in milk fat were almost doubled by increasing the level of lipid supplementation (8.9, 10.4 and 16.1 g &BULL; kg(-1) fatty acids for LL, ML and HL, respectively). Although milk vitamin E contents were generally increased there was no benefit (P > 0.05) of increasing vitamin E intake from 6 to 12 g . animal(-1) . day(-1). The fatty acid composition of milk was generally not affected by pasteurisation.

Effects of dietary supplementation with synthetic vitamin D-3 and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol on blood calcium and phosphate levels and performance in laying hens

We investigated the effects of different dietary vitamin D regimen on selected blood parameters in laying hens. Supplementation with vitamin D-3 only was compared with a combination of vitamin D-3 and its metabolite 25-hydroxy-cholecalciferol (25(OH)D-3). Blood concentrations of total calcium, phosphate and 25 (OH)D-3 were determined. Four thousand one-day-old LSL chicks were split in two treatment groups and distributed to eight pens. The control group was given a commercial animal diet containing 2800 IU synthetic vitamin D-3 in the starter feed and 2000 IU synthetic vitamin D-3 in the pullet feed. The experimental group was fed the same commercial diet in which half the synthetic vitamin D-3 content had been substituted with 25(OH)D-3 (Hy center dot D (R)). At 18 weeks of age, pullets were transferred to the layer house. At the ages of 11, 18 and 34 weeks, between 120 and 160 blood samples were collected from both the control and the experimental groups, respectively. The experimental group had higher levels of 25 (OH)D-3 than the control group at all three ages. Serum calcium levels did not differ between the treatment groups at any age. With the onset of laying, calcium levels rose significantly. Whereas blood serum concentration at 18 weeks was 3 mmol/L in both treatment groups, it increased to 8.32 mmol/L in the control group and to 8.66 mmol/L in the experimental group at week 34. At weeks 11 and 34, phosphate was significantly lower in the experimental group. In conclusion, HyD (R) significantly affected serum phosphate and 25(OH)D-3 levels. No effects of (25(OH)D-3 supplementation on performance, shell quality and fractures of keelbones were found.

Dietary supplementation with vitamin C but not vitamin E reduces constitutive expression of ICAM-1 in peripheral blood monocytes of normal subjects with low plasma vitamin C levels

Monocytes play a central role in inflammatory responses through systemic antigen presentation and cytokine secretion. Regulation of monocyte adhesion molecule and inflammatory gene expression is via redox sensitive transcription factors. Therefore we have investigated the hypothesis that dietary antioxidant supplementation with vitamins C (250mg/d) or E (400iU/d) for six weeks can modulate monocyte ICAM-1 expression in healthy male subjects with low plasma vitamin C at baseline. In a randomised, double-blind, crossover study, ICAM-1 mRNA and protein was analysed using quantitative RTPCR with ELISA measurement of PCR products and by flow cytometry and ELISA respectively. Monocyte numbers were unaltered by supplementation. Subjects with low plasma vitamin C (<50uM) prior to supplementation expressed higher levels of monocyte ICAM-1 mRNA, and showed a significant (50%) reduction in ICAM-1 mRNA expression after 6 weeks of 250mg/d vitamin C supplementation compared to subjects with normal plasma vitamin C. This was paralleled by a reduction in plasma sICAM-1. Vitamin E supplementation had no effect on ICAM-1 expression. For the first time, these results show that dietary vitamin C can modulate monocyte ICAM-1 gene expression in vivo, where regulation of gene expression represents a novel mechanism for benefit from dietary antioxidants.