Maternal high-sodium intake alters the responsiveness of the renin-angiotensin system in adult offspring

Aims: The goal of the current study was to evaluate the impact of maternal sodium intake during gestation on the systemic and renal renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system (RAAS) of the adult offspring. Main methods: Female Wistar rats were fed high- (HSD-8.0% NaCl) or normal-sodium diets (NSD-1.3% NaCl) from 8 weeks of age until the delivery of their first litter. After birth, the offspring received NSD. Tail-cuff blood pressure (TcBP) was measured in the offspring between 6 and 12 weeks of age. At 12 weeks of age, the offspring were subjected to either one week of HSD or low sodium diet (LSD-0.1 6%NaCl) feeding to evaluate RAAS responsiveness or to acute saline overload to examine sodium excretory function. Plasma (PRA) and renal renin content (RRC), serum aldosterone (ALDO) levels, and renal cortical and medullary renin mRNA expression levels were evaluated at the end of the study. Key findings: TcBP was higher among dams fed HSD, but no TcBP differences were observed among the offspring. Male offspring, however, exhibited increased TcBP after one week of HSD feeding, and this effect was independent of maternal diet. Increased RAAS responsiveness to the HSD and LSD was also observed in male offspring. The baseline levels of PRA. ALDO, and cortical and medullary renin gene expression were lower but the RRC levels were higher among HSD-fed male offspring (HSDoff). Conversely, female HSDoff showed reduced sodium excretion 4 h after saline overload compared with female NSDoff. Significance: High maternal sodium intake is associated with gender-specific changes in RAAS responsiveness among adult offspring. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A Low-Protein, High-Carbohydrate Diet Increases Fatty Acid Uptake and Reduces Norepinephrine-Induced Lipolysis in Rat Retroperitoneal White Adipose Tissue

A low-protein, high-carbohydrate (LPHC) diet for 15 days increased the lipid content in the carcass and adipose tissues of rats. The aim of this work was to investigate the mechanisms of this lipid increase in the retroperitoneal white adipose tissue (RWAT) of these animals. The LPHC diet induced an approximately two- and tenfold increase in serum corticosterone and TNF-alpha, respectively. The rate of de novo fatty acid (FA) synthesis in vivo was reduced (50%) in LPHC rats, and the lipoprotein lipase activity increased (100%). In addition, glycerokinase activity increased (60%), and the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase content decreased (27%). Basal [U-C-14]-glucose incorporation into glycerol-triacylglycerol did not differ between the groups; however, in the presence of insulin, [U-C-14]-glucose incorporation increased by 124% in adipocytes from only control rats. The reductions in IRS1 and AKT content as well as AKT phosphorylation in the RWAT from LPHC rats and the absence of an insulin response suggest that these adipocytes have reduced insulin sensitivity. The increase in NE turnover by 45% and the lack of a lipolytic response to NE in adipocytes from LPHC rats imply catecholamine resistance. The data reveal that the increase in fat storage in the RWAT of LPHC rats results from an increase in FA uptake from circulating lipoproteins and glycerol phosphorylation, which is accompanied by an impaired lipolysis that is activated by NE.

Excessive iodine intake in schoolchildren

Inadequate iodine intake may result in iodine deficiency disorders (IDD). Thus, for more than 50 years, policies for the regulation of salt fortification with iodine have existed in Brazil. In 2003, a study on 6-14-year-old schoolchildren from regions of the state of So Paulo showed a median urinary iodine concentration of 360 mu g/L. The objective of the present study was to assess the iodine nutrition status among schoolchildren. The study was conducted on 828 schoolchildren aged 4-13 years from eight schools in the interior of the state of So Paulo. A casual urine sample was collected from each volunteer for iodine determination by the adapted method of Sandell-Kalthoff. Only 1.9% (n = 16) of the children evaluated had low values of urinary iodine (< 100 mu g/L), while 24.6% had urinary iodine excretion values between 200 and 300 mu g/L, and 67.1% had values above > 300 mu g/L. The results show that the iodine nutritional status of the schoolchildren studied is characterized by a high urinary iodine excretion, which might reveal an increase in iodine consumption by this population.

Precision of Usual Food Intake Estimates According to the Percentage of Individuals with a Second Dietary Measurement

Background Statistical methods for estimating usual intake require at least two short-term dietary measurements in a subsample of the target population. However, the percentage of individuals with a second dietary measurement (replication rate) may influence the precision of estimates, such as percentiles and proportions of individuals below cut-offs of intake. Objective To investigate the precision of the usual food intake estimates using different replication rates and different sample sizes. Participants/setting Adolescents participating in the continuous National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2008 (n=1,304) who completed two 24-hour recalls. Statistical analyses performed The National Cancer Institute method was used to estimate the usual intake of dark green vegetables in the original sample comprising 1,304 adolescents with a replication rate of 100%. A bootstrap with 100 replications was performed to estimate CIs for percentiles and proportions of individuals below cut-offs of intake. Using the same bootstrap replications, four sets of data sets were sampled with different replication rates (80%, 60%, 40%, and 20%). For each data set created, the National Cancer Institute method was performed and percentiles, Cl, and proportions of individuals below cut-offs were calculated. Precision estimates were checked by comparing each Cl obtained from data sets with different replication rates with the Cl obtained from original data set. Further, we sampled 1,000, 750, 500, and 250 individuals from the original data set, and performed the same analytical procedures. Results Percentiles of intake and percentage of individuals below the cut-off points were similar throughout the replication rates and sample sizes, but the Cl increased as the replication rate decreased. Wider CIs were observed at 40% and 20% of replication rate. Conclusions The precision of the usual intake estimates decreased when low replication rates were used. However, even with different sample sizes, replication rates >40% may not lead to an important loss of precision. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2012;112:1015-1020.

Sugar intake is correlated with adiposity and obesity indicators and sedentary lifestyle in Brazilian individuals with morbid obesity

Obesity is a chronic disease characterized by increased accumulation of body fat. We evaluated the socioeconomic aspects, body composition, risk of metabolic complications associated with obesity, eating habits and lifestyle in both women and men adults and elderly with body mass index (BMI) 40 kg/m(2). Among the subjects studied, 79% (n = 32) are female, 5% (n = 2) smokers, 39% (n = 16) use alcohol and only 24% (n = 10) are practitioners of physical exercise. The higher food intake was breads, followed by rice. The daily intake of fruits and vegetables is low. Positive correlation between consumption of sugar and BMI and abdominal circumference (AC) was observed. In summary, was found that morbidly obese patients that looking for nutritional counseling presents increased body fat, poor eating habits and sedentary lifestyle.

Effects of exogenous calcium or oxalic acid on Pinus taeda treatment with the white-rot fungus Ceriporiopsis subvermispora

Pinus taeda wood chips were treated with the biopulping fungus Ceriporiopsis subvermispora in calcium-or oxalic acid-amended cultures. The secretion of hydrolytic and oxidative enzymes was inhibited only in the cultures having the highest concentration of calcium (1400 mg kg(-1) wood). Calcium decreased the availability of free oxalic acid, inhibited fungal growth, and reduced lignin mineralization and transformations. Oxalic acid amendment in the cultures was found not to affect the lignin mineralization and transformations; however, it did inhibit the depolymerization reactions detectable in the residual lignin that was retained in the biotreated wood. C. subvermispora presented catabolic activity for oxalic acid in the cultures amended with 1660 mg acid kg(-1) wood, whereas oxalic acid was synthesized when it was amended at low amounts or initially absent in the cultures. These data suggest one ideal ratio of oxalic acid in C. subvermispora cultures and indicate that its exogenous addition does not necessarily accompany the further degradation of lignin. Crown Copyright (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Calcium and magnesium status is not impaired in pregnant women

Deficiencies in calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) are associated with various complications during pregnancy. To test the hypothesis that the status of these minerals is inadequate in pregnancy, a cross-sectional study was conducted of the dietary intake and status of Ca and Mg in pregnant women (n = 50) attending a general public university hospital in Brazil. Dietary intake was assessed from 4-day food records; levels of plasma Mg, erythrocyte Mg, and urinary Ca and Mg excretion were determined by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy; and type I collagen C-telopeptides were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Probabilities of inadequate Ca and Mg intake were exhibited by 58 and 98% of the study population, respectively. The mean levels of urinary Ca and Mg excretion were 8.55 and 3.77 mmol/L, respectively. Plasma C-telopeptides, plasma Mg, and erythrocyte Mg were within normal levels. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed positive relationships among urinary Ca excretion, Ca intake (P = .002) and urinary Mg excretion (P < .001) and between erythrocyte Mg and Mg intake (P = .023). It is concluded that the Ca and Mg status of participants was adequate even though the intake of Ca and Mg was lower than the recommended level. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Study of La2-xCaxCuO4 perovskites for the low temperature water gas shift reaction

The effects of small fractions of calcium (x = 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, and 0.20) on the structure and the catalytic properties of La2-xCaxCuO4 peroviskites have been investigated. The samples have been synthesized using the co-precipitation method. Perovskite-type oxides were characterized by XRD, TPR, XPS, XANES, SEM, and TEM. Catalytic tests for the water gas shift reaction (WGSR) were carried out in a tubular reactor at 290 degrees C. All samples showed a well-defined perovskite structure with surface areas between 6 and 18 m(2) g(-1). The partial substitution of La by Ca enhanced the stability of the perovskites and increased their reduction temperature. All catalysts were actives for WGSR, and the best catalytic performance was obtained for the La1.85Ca0.15CuO4 catalyst, but the samples with 5 and 10% of Ca had the best TOF values for reaction. These results can be associated to promoter effect of calcium, the high surface area, and the reducible species Cu-0 and Cu1+. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Antioxidant intake among Brazilian adults - The Brazilian Osteoporosis Study (BRAZOS): a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Antioxidant nutrient intake and the lesser formation of free radicals seem to contribute to chronic diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the intake profile of the main dietary antioxidants in a representative sample of the adult Brazilian population and discuss the main consequences of a low intake of these micronutrients on overall health. Methods The sample comprised 2344 individuals aged 40 years or older from 150 cities and was based on a probabilistic sample from official data. The research was conducted through in-home interviews administered by a team trained for this purpose. Dietary intake information was obtained through 24-h recall. The Nutrition Data System for Research software program was used to analyze data on the intake of vitamins A, C and E, selenium and zinc, which was compared to Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs). Differences in intake according to sex, anthropometrics, socioeconomic status and region were also evaluated. The SPSS statistical package (version 13) was used for the statistical analysis. P-values < 0.05 were considered significant. Results Higher proportions of low intake in relation to recommended values were found for vitamin E (99.7%), vitamin A (92.4%) and vitamin C (85.1%) in both genders. Intake variations were found between different regions, which may reflect cultural habits. Conclusion These results should lead to the development of public health policies that encourage educational strategies for improving the intake of micronutrients, which are essential to overall health and prevention of non-communicable diseases.

Dental fluorosis in the primary dentition and intake of manufactured soy-based foods with fluoride

Background & aims: To identify manufactured soy-based products more recommended by pediatricians and nutritionists; to determine fluoride concentrations in these products; to evaluate children concerning fluorosis in primary teeth and its association with the consumption of soy-based products. Methods: Pediatricians and Nutritionists answered a questionnaire about soy-based products they most recommended to children. Fluoride concentrations of the 10 products more cited were analyzed with the ion-specific electrode. Dental fluorosis exams were performed in 315 4e6-year-old children. Dean’s Index was used to assess fluorosis. Among the children examined, 26 had lactose intolerance. Their parents answered a questionnaire about children’s and family’s profile, besides permitting the identification of soy-based products use. Chi-squared and Multivariable Logistic Regression tests were used (p < 0.05). Results: Fluoride content in the analyzed products ranged from 0.03 to 0.50 mg F /mL. Dental fluorosis was detected in 11% of the children, with very mild and mild degrees. Dental fluorosis in primary teeth was associated with lactose intolerance (p < 0.05), but there was no significant association with the use of manufactured soy-based products. Conclusions: Isolated consumption of soy-based products recommended by health professionals to children do not offer risk of dental fluorosis in primary teeth, which had a low prevalence and severity.

Facilitation of sodium intake by combining noradrenaline into the lateral parabrachial nucleus with prazosin peripherally

Injections of noradrenaline into the lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPBN) increase arterial pressure and 1.8% NaCl intake and decrease water intake in rats treated with the diuretic furosemide (FURO) combined with a low dose of the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor captopril (CAP). In the present study, we investigated the influence of the pressor response elicited by noradrenaline injected into the LPBN on FURO+CAP-induced water and 1.8% NaCl intake. Male Holtzman rats with bilateral stainless steel guide-cannulas implanted into LPBN were used. Bilateral injections of noradrenaline (40 nmol/0.2 μl) into the LPBN increased FURO+CAP-induced 1.8% NaCl intake (12.2±3.5, vs., saline: 4.2±0.8 ml/180 min), reduced water intake and strongly increased arterial pressure (50±7, vs. saline: 1±1 mmHg). The blockade of the α1 adrenoceptors with the prazosin injected intraperitoneally abolished the pressor response and increased 1.8% NaCl and water intake in rats treated with FURO+CAP combined with noradrenaline injected into the LPBN. The deactivation of baro and perhaps volume receptors due to the cardiovascular effects of prazosin is a mechanism that may facilitate water and NaCl intake in rats treated with FURO+CAP combined with noradrenaline injected into the LPBN. Therefore, the activation of α2 adrenoceptors with noradrenaline injected into the LPBN, at least in dose tested, may not completely remove the inhibitory signals produced by the activation of the cardiovascular receptors, particularly the signals that result from the extra activation of these receptors with the increase of arterial pressure.

Oral leucine supplementation is sensed by the brain but neither reduces food intake nor induces an anorectic pattern of gene expression in the hypothalamus

Leucine activates the intracellular mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, and hypothalamic mTOR signaling regulates food intake. Although central infusion of leucine reduces food intake, it is still uncertain whether oral leucine supplementation is able to affect the hypothalamic circuits that control energy balance. We observed increased phosphorylation of p70s6k in the mouse hypothalamus after an acute oral gavage of leucine. We then assessed whether acute oral gavage of leucine induces the activation of neurons in several hypothalamic nuclei and in the brainstem. Leucine did not induce the expression of Fos in hypothalamic nuclei, but it increased the number of Fos-immunoreactive neurons in the area postrema. In addition, oral gavage of leucine acutely increased the 24 h food intake of mice. Nonetheless, chronic leucine supplementation in the drinking water did not change the food intake and the weight gain of ob/ob mice and of wild-type mice consuming a low- or a high-fat diet. We assessed the hypothalamic gene expression and observed that leucine supplementation increased the expression of enzymes (BCAT1, BCAT2 and BCKDK) that metabolize branched-chain amino acids. Despite these effects, leucine supplementation did not induce an anorectic pattern of gene expression in the hypothalamus. In conclusion, our data show that the brain is able to sense oral leucine intake. However, the food intake is not modified by chronic oral leucine supplementation. These results question the possible efficacy of leucine supplementation as an appetite suppressant to treat obesity

Interactions between calcium and heavy metals in Norway spruce : Accumulation and binding of metals in wood and bark

Waste products from the forest industry are to be spread in forests in Sweden to counteract nutrient depletion due to whole tree harvesting. This may increase the bioavailability of calcium (Ca) and heavy metals, such as cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in forest soils. Heavy metals, like Cd, have already been enriched in forest soils in Sweden, due to deposition of air pollutions, and acidification of forest soils has increased the bioavailability of toxic metals for plant uptake. Changes in the bioavailability of metals may be reflected in altered accumulation of Ca and heavy metals in forest trees, changes in tree growth, including wood formation, and altered tree species composition. This thesis aims at examining: A) if inter- or intra- specific differences in sensitivity to Cd occur in the most common tree species of Sweden, and if so, to study if these can be explained by the uptake and distribution of Cd within the plant: B) how elevated levels of Ca, Cd, Cu and Zn affect the accumulation and attachment of metals in bark and wood, and growth of young Norway spruce (Picea abies): C) how waste products from the forest industry, such as wood ash, influence the contents of Ca, Cd, Cu and Zn in wood and bark of young Norway spruce. Sensitivity to Cd, and its uptake and distribution, in seedlings of Picea abies, Pinus sylvestris and Betula pendula from three regions (southern, central and northern parts) of Sweden, treated with varying concentrations of Cd, were compared. Differences in root sensitivity to Cd both among and within woody species were found and the differences could to some extent be explained by differences in uptake and translocation of Cd. The root sensitivity assays revealed that birch was the least, and spruce the most, sensitive species, both to the external and to tissue levels of Cd. The central ecotype of the species tested tended to be most Cd resistant. The radial distribution, accumulation and attachment of, and interactions between Ca and heavy metals in stems of two-year-old Norway spruce trees treated with elevated levels of Cd, Cu, Zn and/or Ca, were investigated. Further, the influence of these metals on growth, and on root metal content, was examined. Accumulation of the metals was enhanced in wood, bark and/or roots at elevated levels of the metal in question. Even at low levels of the metals, similar to after application of wood ash, an enhanced accumulation was apparent in wood and/or bark, except for Cd. The increased accumulation of Zn and Cu in the stem did not affect the growth. However, Cu decreased the accumulation of Ca in wood. Higher levels of Cu and Cd reduced the stem diameter and the toxic effect was associated with a reduced Ca content in wood. Copper and Cd also decreased the accumulation of Zn in the stem. On the other hand, elevated levels of Ca increased the stem diameter and reduced the accumulation of Cd, Cu, Zn and Mn in wood and/or bark. When metals interacted with each other the firmly bound fraction of the metal reduced was in almost all cases not affected. As an exception, Cd decreased the firmly bound fraction of Zn in the stem. The influence of pellets of wood ash (ash) or a mixture of wood ash and green liquor dregs (ash+GLD), in the amount of 3000 kg ha-1, on the contents of Ca, Cd, Cu and Zn in wood and bark of young Norway spruce in the field was examined. The effect of the treatments on the metal content of bark and wood was larger after 3 years than after 6 years. Treatment with ash+GLD had less effect on the heavy metal content of bark and wood than treatment with ash alone. The ash treatment increased the Cu and Zn content in bark and wood, respectively, after 3 years, and decreased the Ca content of the wood after 6 years. The ash+GLD treatment increased the Ca content of the bark and decreased the Zn content of bark and wood after 3 years. Both treatments reduced, or tended to decrease, the Cd content in wood and bark at both times. To conclude, small changes in the bioavailability of Ca, Cu, Cd and Zn in forest soils, such as after spreading pellets of wood ash or a mixture of wood ash and green liquor dregs from the forest industry, will be reflected in an altered accumulation of metals in wood and bark of Norway spruce. It will not only be reflected in changed accumulation of those metals in which bioavailability in the soil has been enhanced, but also of other metals, probably partly due to interactions between metals. When metals interact the exchangeable bound fraction of the metal reduced is suggested to be the main fraction affected. The small alterations in accumulation of metals should not affect the growth of Norway spruce, especially since the changes in accumulation of metals are low, and further since these decrease over time. However, as an exception, one positive and maybe persistent effect of the waste products is that these may decrease the accumulation of Cd in Norway spruce, which partly may be explained by competition with Ca for uptake, translocation and binding. A decreased accumulation of Cd in Norway spruce will probably affect the trees positively, since Norway spruce is one of the most sensitive species to Cd of the forest trees in Sweden. Thus, spreading of waste products from the forest industry may be a solution to decrease the accumulation of Cd in Norway spruce. In a longer perspective, this will decrease the risk of Cd altering the tree species composition of the forest ecosystem. An elevated bioavailability of Ca in forest soils will, in addition to Cd, probably also decrease the accumulation of other less competitive heavy metals, like Zn and Mn, in the stem.

Dietary intake of environmentally persistent plaguicides in the european population

[EN] Global pollution has become one of the most important problems of the modern societies and pesticides play a major role among the chemical contaminants that are released to the environment every year. Organochlorine compounds have been widely used in the past all over the world as pesticides and some of them are still used for the control of vectors of infectious diseases. Due to their high lipophilicity, stability and resistance to degradation, most of them have been banned or strictly regulated but their levels remain high in the environment as persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Their presence in the environment leads to their introduction into the food chain, especially affecting food of animal origin with higher fat content. Due to their liposolubility, these substances tend to be bioaccumulated into the fat tissues of living beings along their entire lives, and to be biomagnificated across trophic levels in the food chain. Thus, the main human source of these pesticides comes from the daily intake of contaminated food from environmental sources. It has been established the role of many of the POPs as endocrine disruptors and even as carcinogenic agents, being thus considered as important risk factors for health. Moreover, chronic exposure to pesticides, even at very low levels, has been related with cancer, fertility problems, immunosuppression and other diseases. For this reason, it is important to know the level of POPs contamination and to identify the main sources contributing to it. Fish, meat and dairy products are the food groups with the highest levels of pollution. However, the residue levels vary by geographic area, and are influenced by several factors as food security policies, local pesticide use patterns, environmental practices, or the time when the study is conducted. Food habits, conditioned by different social and economic factors, as well as several biological factors (i.e. gender, sex and age), determine the levels of POPs exposure in the population. The purpose of this chapter is to give an overview of the dietary intake of environmentally persistent pesticides by the European population, and the potential adverse consequences of this exposure on human health.

Nanostructuring by templated synthesis of nanowires and controlled crystallization of calcium phosphate on self-assembled monolayers

The idea was to obtain nanowires in a chemical laboratory under convenient and simple conditions by employing templates. Thus it was possible to produce nanochains by interlinking of gold colloids synthesized by the two-phase-method of M. Brust with by making use of vanadiumoxide nanotubes as template. The length of the resulting nanowires is varying between 1100 nm and 200 nm with a diameter of about 16 nm. Due to a flexible linker the obtained nanowires are not completely rigid. These unique structural features could make them interesting objects for structuring and assembling in the nanoscale range. Another way to produce gold nanowires was realized by a two-step surface metallization procedure, using type I collagen fibres as a template. Gold colloids were used to label the collagen fibres by direct electrostatic interaction, followed by growth steps to enhance the size of the adsorbed colloidal gold crystals, resulting in a complete metallization of the template surface. The length of the resulting gold nanowires reaches several micrometers, with a diameter ~ 100 to 120 nm. To gain a deeper insight into the process of biomineralization the cooperative effect of self-assembled monolayers as substrate and a soluble counterpart on the nucleation and crystal growth of calcium phosphate was studied by diffusion techniques with a pH switch as initiator. As soluble component Perlucin and Nacrein were used. Both are proteins originally extracted from marine organisms, the first one from the Abalone shell and the second one from oyster pearls. Both are supposed to facilitate the calcium carbonate formation in vivo. Studies with Perlucin revealed that this protein shows a clear cooperative effect at a very low concentration with a hydrophobic surface promoting the calcium phosphate precipitation resulting in a sponge like structure of hydroxyapatite. The Perlucin molecule is very flexible and is unfolded by adsorbing to the hydrophobic surface and uncovers its active side. Hydrophilic surfaces did not have a deeper impact. Studies with Nacrein as additive have shown that the protein stabilizes octacalcium phosphate at room temperature on carboxylic self-assembled monolayer and at 34 °C on all other employed surfaces by interaction with the mineral. On the hydroxyl-, alkyl-, and amin-terminated self-assembled monolayers at room temperature the octacalcium phosphate get transformed to hydroxyapatite. Main analytical techniques which are used in this work are transmission electron microscopy, high resolution scanning electron microscopy, surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, Raman micro-spectroscopy and quartz crystal microbalance.