Progress Report on Iowa State University Burroughs Endowment Activities

Faculty in the Department of Animal Science initiated soliciting of funds in 1987 to establish a permanent endowment to recognize the distinguished career and major contributions of Dr. Wise Burroughs, a distinguished professor in animal science at Iowa State University. The endowment was established in the Iowa State University Foundation in 1991. The purpose of the fund is to support research and graduate education in the areas of fundamental factors regulating growth in food-producing animals, with emphasis on ruminants; to enhance growth of animals with the goal of improving the competitive position of ruminants as food-producing animals; and to develop innovative approaches to ruminant nutrition and/or growth enhancement as a means to improve desirability of meat produced by food animals. Dr. Burroughs’ research resulted in important and significant developments in technology for modern production systems for beef cattle. He was widely known for his ability to communicate complex ideas and research results for use by those involved in the animal industry. The current Burroughs Team has established three research projects: 1) Ghrelin--How does ghrelin affect blood and body composition in rats?; 2) Use of 25- hydroxyvitamin D3 to improve tenderness of beef; 3) Redesigning beef cattle to have a more healthful fatty acid composition.

Vitamin D time profile based on the contribution of non-genetic and genetic factors in HIV-infected individuals of European ancestry

BACKGROUND Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in HIV-infected individuals and vitamin D supplementation is proposed according to standard care. This study aimed at characterizing the kinetics of 25(OH)D in a cohort of HIV-infected individuals of European ancestry to better define the influence of genetic and non-genetic factors on 25(OH)D levels. These data were used for the optimization of vitamin D supplementation in order to reach therapeutic targets. METHODS 1,397 25(OH)D plasma levels and relevant clinical information were collected in 664 participants during medical routine follow up visits. They were genotyped for 7 SNPs in 4 genes known to be associated with 25(OH)D levels. 25(OH)D concentrations were analyzed using a population pharmacokinetic approach. The percentage of individuals with 25(OH)D concentrations within the recommended range of 20-40ng/ml during 12 months of follow up and several dosage regimens were evaluated by simulation. RESULTS A one-compartment model with linear absorption and elimination was used to describe 25(OH)D pharmacokinetics, while integrating endogenous baseline plasma concentrations. Covariate analyses confirmed the effect of seasonality, body mass index, smoking habits, the analytical method, darunavir/r and the genetic variant in GC (rs2282679) on 25(OH)D concentrations. 11% of the interindividual variability in 25(OH)D levels was explained by seasonality and other non-genetic covariates and 1% by genetics. The optimal supplementation for severe vitamin D deficient patients was 300000 IU two times per year. CONCLUSIONS This analysis allowed identifying factors associated with 25(OH)D plasma levels in HIV-infected individuals. Improvement of dosage regimen and timing of vitamin D supplementation is proposed based on those results.

Down-regulation of NF-kappa B protein levels in activated human lymphocytes by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3.

The effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2)D3], a steroid hormone with immunomodulating properties, on nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) proteins was examined in in vitro activated normal human lymphocytes by Western blot analysis. Over a 72-hr period of activation, the expression of the 50-kDa NF-kappa B, p50, and its precursor, p105, was increased progressively. When cells were activated in the presence of 1,25(OH)2D3, the levels of the mature protein as well as its precursor were decreased. The effect of the hormone on the levels of p50 was demonstrable in the cytosolic and nuclear compartments; it required between 4 and 8 hr and was specific, as 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 were ineffective. Besides p50, 1,25(OH)2D3 decreased the levels of another NF-kappa B protein, namely c-rel. In addition, 1,25(OH)2D3 decreased the abundance of a specific DNA-protein complex formed upon incubation of nuclear extracts from activated lymphocytes with a labeled NF-kappa B DNA binding motif. Further, 1,25(OH)2D3 inhibited the transcriptional activity of NF-kappa B in Jurkat cells transiently transfected with a construct containing four tandem repeats of the NF-kappa B binding sequence of the immunoglobulin kappa light chain gene linked to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene. These observations demonstrate directly that there is de novo synthesis of NF-kappa B during human lymphocyte activation and suggest that this process is hormonally regulated.

Relação entre adiposidade materna e do recém-nascido com concentrações de vitamina D materna e do cordão umbilical

Introdução - A vitamina D desempenha funções na regulação da homeostase do cálcio e fósforo, diferenciação celular, metabolismo de hormônios e regulação do sistema imune. Sua deficiência em crianças pode ocasionar raquitismo, convulsões e insuficiência respiratória. Objetivo - Determinar a relação entre adiposidade materna e do recém-nascido com as concentrações de vitamina D materna e do cordão umbilical. Metodologia - Foram envolvidas 101 mães e seus respectivos recém-nascidos selecionados no Hospital Maternidade Vila Nova Cachoeirinha, São Paulo. A concentração de vitamina D foi determinada por cromatografia líquida. A composição corporal materna foi determinada por bioimpedância segmentada (InBody®, Coréia do Sul) e a dos recém-nascidos obtida por pletismografia por deslocamento de ar (PEA POD®, USA). Para análise estatística, utilizou-se análise de regressão linear múltipla e coeficiente de correlação de Spearman. Valores de p <0,05 foram considerados significantes. Resultados - As médias das concentrações de vitamina D da mãe e do cordão umbilical foram de 30,16 (DP=21,16) ng/mL e 9,56 (DP=7,25) ng/mL, respectivamente. As médias das porcentagens de massa gorda das mães e dos recém-nascidos foram de 32,32 (DP=7,74) por cento e 8,55 (DP=4,37) por cento , respectivamente. Foi observada relação positiva entre concentração de vitamina D materna e do cordão umbilical (r=0,210; p<0,04). Não foi observada associação entre adiposidade do recém-nascido e concentração de vitamina D do cordão umbilical, nem entre adiposidade materna e concentrações de vitamina D materna e do cordão umbilical. Conclusão Neste estudo, original na literatura internacional, foi utilizado método de referência, validado, de alta precisão e imparcial na estimativa do percentual de gordura neonatal, nem sempre utilizado em outros estudos. Foi observada relação positiva entre concentração de vitamina D materna e do cordão umbilical. A ausência de associação entre as variáveis analisadas pode ser devido à alta prevalência de sobrepeso e obesidade entre as gestantes, baixas concentrações de vitamina D nas gestantes e recém-nascidos, alteração do metabolismo da vitamina D e da composição corporal no período da gestação e imaturidade do processo de sequestro da vitamina D pelo tecido adiposo 1 neonatal. Torna-se relevante o desenvolvimento de estudos prospectivos do tipo coorte para avaliar desde o início da gestação a influência da adiposidaidade materna nas concentrações de vitamina D materna e do cordão umbilical.

IL28B e vitamina D : preditadores da resposta terapêutica na hepatite C crónica

Trabalho Final do Curso de Mestrado Integrado em Medicina, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 2014

Combined prenatal and chronic postnatal vitamin D deficiency in rats impairs prepulse inhibition of acoustic startle

There is growing evidence that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-3 is involved in normal brain development. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of prenatal and postnatal hypovitaminosis D on prepulse inhibition (PPI) of acoustic startle in adult rats. We compared six groups of rats: control rats with normal vitamin D throughout life and normal litter size (Litter); control rats with normal vitamin D but with a reduced litter size of two (Control); offspring from reduced litters of vitamin D deplete mothers who were repleted at birth (Birth), repleted at weaning (Weaning) or remained on a deplete diet until 10 weeks of age (Life); or control rats that were placed on a vitamin D-deficient diet from 5 to 10 weeks of age (Adult). All rats were tested in acoustic startle chambers at 5 and 10 weeks of age for acoustic startle responses and for PPI. There were no significant group differences at 5 weeks of age on the acoustic startle response or on PPI. At 10 weeks of age, rats in the Life group only had impaired PPI despite having normal acoustic startle responses. We conclude that combined prenatal and chronic postnatal hypovitaminosis D, but not early life hypovitaminosis D, alters PPI. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Vitamin D supplementation during the first year of life and risk of schizophrenia: a Finnish birth cohort study

Objective: Based on clues from epidemiology and animal experiments, low vitamin D during early life has been proposed as a risk factor for schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to explore the association between the use of vitamin D supplements during the first year of life and risk of developing schizophrenia. Method: Subjects were drawn from the Northern Finland 1966 Birth Cohort (n = 9 114). During the first year of life, data were collected about the frequency and dose of vitamin D supplementation. Our primary outcome measures were schizophrenia, psychotic disorders other than schizophrenia, and nonpsychotic disorders as diagnosed by age 31 years. Males and females were examined separately. Results: In males, the use of either irregular or regular vitamin D supplements was associated with a reduced risk of schizophrenia (Risk ratio (RR) = 0.08, 95% CI 0.01-0.95; RR = 0.12, 95% CI 0.02-0.90, respectively) compared with no supplementation. In males, the use of at least 2000 IU of vitamin D was associated with a reduced risk of schizophrenia (RR = 0.23, 95% CI 0.06-0.95) compared to those on lower doses. There were no significant associations between either the frequency or dose of vitamin D supplements and (a) schizophrenia in females, nor with (b) nonpsychotic disorder or psychotic disorders other than schizophrenia in either males or females. Conclusion: Vitamin D supplementation during the first year of life is associated with a reduced risk of schizophrenia in males. Preventing hypovitaminosis D during early life may reduce the incidence of schizophrenia. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Developmental Vitamin D-3 deficiency alters the adult rat brain

There is growing evidence that Vitamin D-3 (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-3) is involved in brain development. We have recently shown that the brains of newborn rats from Vitamin D-3 deficient dams were larger than controls, had increased cell proliferation, larger lateral ventricles, and reduced cortical thickness. Brains from these animals also had reduced expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor. The aim of the current study was to examine if there were any permanent outcomes into adulthood when the offspring of Vitamin D-3 deficient dams were restored to a normal diet. The brains of adult rats were examined at 10 weeks of age after Vitamin D-3 deficiency until birth or weaning. Compared to controls animals that were exposed to transient early Vitamin D-3 deficiency had larger lateral ventricles, reduced NGF protein content, and reduced expression of a number genes involved in neuronal structure, i.e. neurofilament or MAP-2 or neurotransmission, i.e. GABA-(alpha 4). We conclude that transient early life hypovitaminosis D-3 not only disrupts brain development but leads to persistent changes in the adult brain. In light of the high incidence of hypovitammosis D-3 in women of child-bearing age, the public health implications of these findings warrant attention. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Influence du statut calcique et en vitamine D sur l'homéostasie calcique : répercussion sur le calcium intracellulaire et sur l'os

Thèse numérisée par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

Impact de l'insuffisance rénale sur le système endocrinien de la vitamine D₃ chez le rat

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

Rôle du système para-orphelin de la vitamine D dans l'intestin

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

Influence du statut calcique et en vitamine D sur l'homéostasie calcique : répercussion sur le calcium intracellulaire et sur l'os

Thèse numérisée par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

Impact de l'insuffisance rénale sur le système endocrinien de la vitamine D₃ chez le rat

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

Rôle du système para-orphelin de la vitamine D dans l'intestin

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.