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Oral Supplementation (oral + supplementation)
Selected AbstractsEffects of Three-month Oral Supplementation of ,-Carotene and Vitamin C on Serum Concentrations of Carotenoids and Vitamins in Middle-aged Subjects: A Pilot Study for a Randomized Controlled Trial to Prevent Gastric Cancer in High-risk Japanese PopulationCANCER SCIENCE, Issue 5 2000Satoshi Sasaki Prior to a randomized controlled trial to prevent gastric cancer by oral supplementation of ,-carotene and vitamin C in a high-risk Japanese population, we examined the serum response to threemonth oral supplementation of ,-carotene (0, 3, 30 mg/day) and vitamin C (0, 50, 1000 mg/day) by a three-by-three factorial design using 54 subjects (age range=40,69 years). Serum concentrations of carotenoids, ,-tocopherol, and ascorbic acid were examined at baseline, and one, two, and threemonth points. Both serum ,-carotene and ascorbic acid were significantly higher in high-dose groups than in each placebo group during the supplementation. The serum ,-carotene increased gradually (597,830% increase) during the study, whereas the serum ascorbic acid reached nearly a steady-state at the one-month point and remained stable thereafter (88,95% increase). No statistically significant interaction between ,-carotene and vitamin C supplementations was observed either for serum ,-carotene or for serum ascorbic acid. Among carotenoids and ,-tocopherol examined, serum lycopene in the high-dose ,-carotene group was significantly higher than in the placebo group at all points. No unfavorable change in carotenoids and ,-tocopherol was observed in any group. [source] Amelioration of Cadmium-Induced Oxidative Stress, Impairment in Lipids and Plasma Lipoproteins by the Combined Treatment with Quercetin and ,-Tocopherol in RatsJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 7 2010S. Milton Prabu Abstract:, Cadmium (Cd) exposure results in numerous pathological consequences including oxidative stress and dyslipidemia. The present study was designed to investigate the efficacy of combined treatment with quercetin (QE) and ,-tocopherol (AT) against Cd-induced oxidative stress and alterations in lipids and lipoproteins in the plasma and liver of rats. Oral administration of Cd (5 mg/kg bw/d) for 4 wk has shown a significant (P < 0.05) increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), lipid hydro peroxides (LOOH), total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), free fatty acids (FFA), phospholipids (PL), triglycerides (TGs), and the activity of hydroxyl-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoA reductase) in plasma with a significant (P > 0.05) reduction in the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and the activity of lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase (LCAT) in plasma. In addition, the levels of hepatic thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), LOOH, conjugated dienes (CD), protein carbonyls (PC), and the activity of HMG-CoA reductase, levels of cholesterol, FFA, and TGs were significantly (P > 0.05) increased and the level of PL is significantly (P > 0.05) decreased along with the decreased activity of LCAT in the liver of Cd-treated rats. Oral supplementation with QE (50 mg/kg bw/d) and AT (50 mg/kg bw/d) for 4 wk in Cd intoxicated rats significantly (P > 0.05) has reduced the plasma levels of TBARS, LOOH, GSH, cholesterol, FFA, TGs, VLDL-C, LDL-C, and the activity of HMG-CoA and significantly (P > 0.05) has increased the activity of LCAT and the plasma levels of HDL-C. The oral supplementation also significantly (P > 0.05) has reduced the hepatic oxidative stress markers, cholesterol, TGs, FFA, and significantly (P > 0.05) has increased the LCAT activity and the PL in liver. Our results indicate that the combined treatment with QE and AT has normalized all the previously mentioned biochemical parameters in Cd-intoxicated rats than the individual treatments. The combined treatment has provided remarkable protection against Cd-induced oxidative stress and alterations in lipid metabolism and, thereby, reduced the Cd-mediated cardiovascular diseases. [source] Iron Deficiency in Stabled Dutch Warmblood FoalsJOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 5 2001H. Brommer Forty-three Dutch Warmblood foals were divided at random into 3 rearing groups immediately after birth: a box-rest group, a box-rest with exercise group, and a pasture group. All stabled foals (box-rest and exercise groups) were fed freshly cut grass harvested from the same pastures on which the pasture group foals were grazing. Blood samples were obtained monthly for CBC and biochemical analyses. At 1,3 months of age, the foals at pasture were active but the foals in the box-rest and exercise groups were listless. Mean hemoglobin concentrations, PCVs, blood iron concentrations, and saturation of total iron binding capacity were significantly lower (P < .05) in the box-rest group (11.3 ± 1.2 g/dL, 33 ± 3%, 123 ± 67 ,g/dL, and 18 ± 9%) and the exercise group (11.6 ± 1.5 g/dL, 34 ± 4%, 101 ± 61 ,g/dL, and 15 ± 10%) compared with the pasture group (14.0 ± 0.8 g/dL, 42 ± 3%, 212 ± 67 ,g/dL, and 32 ± 10%). Oral supplementation of iron to all foals resulted in significant increases in the values of these variables in the box-rest group and exercise group at 4,5 months of age, and the stabled foals were as active as the foals at pasture. In the pasture group, no significant changes occurred. Management practices clearly influence the iron state in young growing foals from 1 to 3 months of age, and although not a frequent cause of anemia in the horse, an absolute deficit of body iron may occur in stabled foals fed freshly cut grass. [source] Antioxidants and narrow band-UVB in the treatment of vitiligo: a double-blind placebo controlled trialCLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY, Issue 6 2007M. L. Dell'Anna Summary Background., Vitiligo is an acquired depigmenting disease with uncertain aetiopathogenesis, possibly associated with oxidative stress. Narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy (NB-UVB) is the most widely used and effective treatment. Aim., To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of NB-UVB and the repairing of oxidative stress-induced damage, using oral supplementation with an antioxidant pool (AP). Methods., Patients (n = 35) with nonsegmental vitiligo were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicentre trial. The treatment group received, for 2 months before and for 6 months during the NB-UVB treatment, a balanced AP containing ,-lipoic acid, vitamins C and E, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. The area and number of lesions, as well as some parameters of the oxidation,reduction (redox) status of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were estimated at the beginning, after 2 months, and at the end of the trial. Results., In total, 28 patients completed the study. After 2 months of AP supplementation, the catalase activity and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were 121% and 57% of the basal values (P < 0.05 and P < 0.02 vs. placebo, respectively). The AP increased the therapeutic success of NB-UVB, with 47% of the patients obtaining >,75% repigmentation vs. 18% in the placebo group (P < 0.05). An increase in catalase activity to 114% (P < 0.05 vs. placebo) and decrease in ROS level of up to 60% (P < 0.02 vs. placebo) of the basal value was observed in PBMCs. Finally, the AP intake maintained the membrane lipid ratio (saturated : unsaturated fatty acids 1.8 : 3.1; P < 0.05), counteracting phototherapy-induced saturation. Conclusions., Oral supplementation with AP containing ,-lipoic acid before and during NB-UVB significantly improves the clinical effectiveness of NB-UVB, reducing vitiligo-associated oxidative stress. [source] Ascorbic acid oral treatment modifies lipolytic response and behavioural activity but not glucocorticoid metabolism in cafeteria diet-fed ratsACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 4 2009D. F. Garcia-Diaz Abstract Aim:, To analyse the effects of vitamin C (VC), a potent dietary antioxidant, oral supplementation on body weight gain, behavioural activity, lipolytic response and glucocorticoid metabolism in the early stages of diet-induced overweight in rats. Methods:, Food intake, locomotive activity and faecal corticosterone were assessed during the 14 day trial period. After 2 weeks, the animals were sacrificed and the body composition, biochemical markers and lipolytic response from isolated adipocytes from retroperitoneal white adipose tissue were examined. Results:, The intake of a high-fat diet by rats induced a significant increase in body weight, adiposity and insulin resistance markers as well as a decrease in faecal corticosterone levels compared with standard diet-fed rats. Interestingly, the animals fed on the cafeteria diet showed a significant increase in the isoproterenol-induced lipolytic response in isolated adipocytes. Furthermore, this cafeteria-fed group showed a reduced locomotive behaviour than the control rats. On the other hand, oral VC supplementation in animals receiving the high-fat diet restored the cafeteria diet effect in some of the analysed variables such as final body weight and plasma insulin to control group levels. Remarkably, increases in locomotive behaviour and a significant decrease in the lipolytic response induced by isoproterenol on isolated adipocytes from animals treated with VC were observed. Conclusion:, This work demonstrates that an oral ascorbic acid supplementation has direct effects on behavioural activity and on adipocyte lipolysis in early obesity stages in rats, which could indicate a protective short-term role of this vitamin against adiposity induced by chronic high-fat diet consumption. [source] Restoration of innate host defense responses by oral supplementation of branched-chain amino acids in decompensated cirrhotic patientsHEPATOLOGY RESEARCH, Issue 12 2007Ikuo Nakamura Aim:, It has been reported that host defense responses, such as phagocytic function of neutrophils and natural killer (NK) cell activity of lymphocytes, are impaired in cirrhotic patients. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of oral supplementation of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) on host defense mechanisms in peripheral blood of patients with decompensated cirrhosis. Methods:, Ten patients with decompensated cirrhosis received 12 g BCAA daily for 3 months. Phagocytic function of neutrophils and NK activity of lymphocytes as well as serum albumin levels and Fisher's ratios were determined before and at 1 and 3 months of BCAA supplementation. For quantification of phagocytic function, fluorescent intensities of cells in the neutrophil region in the cytogram were determined by flow cytometry after incubation of whole blood with fluorescent microspheres. NK activity was estimated by 51Cr release assay using K-562 cell line as target cells. Results:, Phagocytic function of neutrophils was significantly improved by 3-month BCAA supplementation (P < 0.01). Thechanges of NK activity were also significant at 3 months of supplementation compared with before supplementation (P < 0.01). Fisher's ratios were significantly increased at 3 months of BCAA supplementation compared with those before oral supplementation (P < 0.05), although the changes of serum albumin level were not statistically significant. Conclusions:, BCAA oral supplementation improved phagocytic function of neutrophils and NK activity of lymphocytes in cirrhotic patients. BCAA supplementation may reduce the risk of bacterial and viral infection in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. [source] Clinical and instrumental evaluation of a food supplement in improving skin hydrationINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE, Issue 4 2005G Primavera Synopsis Topically applied cosmetic products can be helpful in improving skin hydration. The study shows how oral supplementation could be helpful in improving and preventing the skin dehydration. A total of 32 healthy female volunteers entered the study. Of which, 16 were treated with a food supplement based on vegetable ceramides, amino acids, fish cartilage, antioxidants and essential fatty acids for 40 days and 16 with placebo. The results of the clinical and instrumental evaluations carried out in this study, have highlighted how the active treatment is effective in improving skin hydration and in reducing the cutaneous smoothness and roughness and the depth of furrows, in comparison to the placebo. In fact, concerning several important parameters, as stratum corneum hydration and skin roughness, the improvement measured exceeded 25%. We therefore suggest that a combination of treatments (oral and topical) can be more effective in improving skin hydration. Resume L'application topique de produits cosmétiques peut aider à l'hydratation de la peau. L'étude montre comment une supplémentation orale peut améliorer et empêcher la déshydratation de la peau. Trente deux femmes volontaires en bonne santé ont participéà cette étude. Seize ont été traitées pendant quarante jours avec un supplément alimentaire contenant des céramides végétaux, des aminoacides, du cartilage de poisson, des antioxydants et des acides gras essentiels, seize autres ont reçu un placebo. Les résultats des évaluations cliniques et expérimentales menées dans cette étude ont montré comment le traitement actif est efficace pour améliorer, par rapport au placebo, l'hydratation de la peau et réduire la douceur, la rugosité cutanée et la profondeur des rides. En fait, si l'on considère des paramètres importants comme l'hydratation du stratum corneum et la rugosité de la peau, l'amélioration mesurée dépasse 25%. Nous suggérons également qu'une combinaison de traitements (oral et topique) peut être encore plus efficace. [source] The effect of Pediococcus acidilactici on the gut microbiota and immune status of on-growing red tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 3 2010R.M.W. Ferguson Abstract Aim:, To assess Pediococcus acidilactici as a dietary supplement for on-growing red tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Methods and Results:, Tilapia were fed either a control diet or control diet supplemented with Ped. acidilactici at 107 CFU g,1 for 32 days. Ped. acidilactici colonized the intestinal tract and significantly affected the intestinal microbial communities. PCR-DGGE revealed direct antagonism of gastric Ped. acidilactici with an endogenous uncultured bacterium during a period of reverting to nonsupplemented feeding. Light microscopy revealed that gut integrity and leucocyte levels were unaffected by Ped. acidilactici; however, blood leucocyte levels and serum lysozyme activity were elevated after 14-days' feeding. No significant improvements in growth performance were observed at the end of the trial (day 32), but survival was significantly higher in the probiotic group. Conclusions:, The study demonstrates that oral supplementation of Ped. acidilactici modulates intestinal bacterial communities in on-growing red tilapia and also stimulates some aspects of the nonspecific immune response. Significance and Impact of the study:, To our knowledge this is the first study assessing the effects of probiotics on the gut microbiota of tilapia using culture-independent methods. Such methods are crucial to understand the mechanisms which underpin and mediate host benefits. [source] Effect of Teriparatide {rhPTH(1-34)} on BMD When Given to Postmenopausal Women Receiving Hormone Replacement TherapyJOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 2 2006Louis G Ste-Marie Abstract The effects of teriparatide when given in combination with HRT were studied in postmenopausal women with low bone mass or osteoporosis. The data provide evidence that the adverse event profile for combination therapy with teriparatide + HRT together is consistent with that expected for each treatment alone and that the BMD response is greater than for HRT alone. Introduction: Teriparatide {rhPTH(1-34)}, given as a once-daily injection, activates new bone formation in patients with osteoporosis. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) prevents osteoporosis by reducing bone resorption and formation. Combination therapy with these two compounds, in small clinical trials, increased BMD and reduced vertebral fracture burden. The purpose of this study was to determine whether teriparatide provided additional effect on BMD when given in combination with HRT. Materials and Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted in postmenopausal women with either low bone mass or osteoporosis. Patients were randomized to placebo subcutaneous plus HRT (n = 125) or teriparatide 40 ,g/day (SC) plus HRT (TPTD40 + HRT; n = 122) for a median treatment exposure of 13.8 months. Approximately one-half of the patients in each group were pretreated with HRT for at least 12 months before randomization. Patients received 1000 mg calcium and 400,1200 IU of vitamin D daily as oral supplementation. BMD was measured by DXA. Results: Compared with HRT alone, TPTD40 + HRT produced significant (p < 0.001) increases in spine BMD (14% versus 3%), total hip (5.2% versus 1.6%), and femoral neck (5.2% versus 2%) at study endpoint. BMD, in whole body and ultradistal radius, was higher, and in the one-third distal radius was lower, in the combination therapy but not in the HRT group. Serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase and urinary N-telopeptide/Cr were increased significantly (p < 0.01) in the women receiving TPTD40 + HRT compared with HRT. A similar profile of BMD and bone markers was evident in both randomized patients as well as in subgroups of patients not pretreated or pretreated with HRT. Patients tolerated both the treatments well. Nausea and leg cramps were more frequently reported in the TPTD40 + HRT group. Conclusions: Adding teriparatide, a bone formation agent, to HRT, an antiresorptive agent, provides additional increases in BMD beyond that provided by HRT alone. The adverse effects of teriparatide when added to HRT were similar to the adverse effects described for teriparatide administered alone. Whether teriparatide was initiated at the same time as HRT or after at least 1 year on HRT, the incremental increases over HRT alone were similar. [source] Open-labeled pilot study of cysteine-rich whey protein isolate supplementation for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis patientsJOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 6 2009Taned Chitapanarux Abstract Background and Aims:, Glutathione (GSH) depletion contributes to liver injury and development of steatohepatitis. Undenatured cysteine-rich whey protein isolate has been clinically proven to raise GSH in several patient groups. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of oral supplementation with whey protein on patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Methods:, In an open-labeled clinical trial, 38 patients (18 male, 20 female; mean age 48 ± 14 years) with NASH confirmed by computed tomography measurements and liver biochemistries were given with a daily dose of 20 g whey protein isolate for 12 weeks. Results:, A significant reduction in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (64 ± 72 vs 46 ± 36, P = 0.016) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (45 ± 49 vs 33 ± 18, P = 0.047) were observed. Plasma glutathione and total antioxidant capacity increased significantly at the end of study (53 ± 11 vs 68 ± 11, P < 0.05 and 1.26 ± 0.10 vs 2.03 ± 0.10, P < 0.05). Liver attenuation index improved from ,13.4 ± 11.1 to ,9.7 ± 13.1 (P = 0.048). Hepatic macrovesicular steatosis decreased significantly after 12 weeks of supplementation (33.82 ± 12.82 vs 30.66 ± 15.96, P = 0.046). Whey protein isolate was well tolerated. No serious adverse events were observed. Conclusions:, The results indicate that oral supplementation of cysteine-rich whey protein isolate leads to improvements in liver biochemistries, increased plasma GSH, total antioxidant capacity and reduced hepatic macrovesicular steatosis in NASH patients. The results support the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of this disease. [source] Impaired Terminal Differentiation of Pulmonary Macrophages in a Guinea Pig Model of Chronic Ethanol IngestionALCOHOLISM, Issue 10 2009Sheena D. Brown Background:, Alcoholic patients have an increased risk of respiratory infections, which is partially due to an impaired immune response of alveolar macrophages. The mechanisms by which alcohol impairs alveolar macrophage function are poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrated in a guinea pig model that chronic ethanol ingestion significantly impaired alveolar macrophage differentiation and function. Methods:, Isolated alveolar macrophages were separated into 4 different subpopulations with varying densities and levels of maturation. Results: Compared to control values, chronic ethanol ingestion decreased the percentage of alveolar macrophages in the mature fractions by ,60%. Alveolar macrophage function in each subpopulation was determined by measuring phagocytosis of fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled Staphylococcus aureus. Alveolar macrophages from ethanol-fed animals had ,80% decrease in the phagocytic index. Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis of the differential markers granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) receptor , (GM-CSFR-,), PU.1, CD11c, and CD11b verified that alcoholic macrophages displayed impaired terminal differentiation. While oral supplementation with the glutathione precursor S -adenosyl-methionine (SAM) did not alter the maturational status of control animals, SAM supplementation shifted the distribution of macrophages to more mature fractions, normalized the phagocytic index; as well as normalized expression of CD11c, CD11b, PU.1, and GM-CSFR-,. Chronic ethanol ingestion also impaired the differentiation status of interstitial macrophages which was normalized by SAM supplementation. Conclusion:, This improvement in the maturational status suggested that ethanol-induced oxidant stress is a central feature in impaired terminal differentiation of macrophages in the interstitial and alveolar space. Therefore, strategies targeting pulmonary oxidant stress may restore macrophage differentiation and function even after chronic ethanol ingestion. [source] Correcting poor vitamin D status: Do older adults need higher repletion doses of vitamin D3 than younger adults?MOLECULAR NUTRITION & FOOD RESEARCH (FORMERLY NAHRUNG/FOOD), Issue 8 2010Susan J. Whiting Abstract We conducted an examination of recent studies to determine whether older adults (,65 years) need higher levels of supplementary vitamin D than young adults when attempting to replete vitamin D status in deficient subjects, i.e. those with levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D less than 75,nmol/L. As data on repletion with vitamin D2 have recently been published, we restricted our discussion to the use of vitamin D3 from dietary supplements, prescriptions for large oral doses, and bolus dosing or injections. Most published dosing regimens failed to achieve 75,nmol/L in most all subjects, whether young adults (<65 years) or older adults (,65 years). Whether as daily or bolus oral supplementation, elderly subjects appeared to need more vitamin D3 compared with younger adults, however, baseline levels, endpoints, study duration, compliance, and other factors were different among studies. To ensure most subjects are replete in vitamin D, a daily dose of more than 50,,g (2000,IU) in younger and 125,,g (5000,IU) is required. Other strategies including bolus and loading doses are described. No study reported adverse effects of using oral intakes about the current upper level of 50,,g (2000,IU). [source] Vitamin D in health and diseasePHOTODERMATOLOGY, PHOTOIMMUNOLOGY & PHOTOMEDICINE, Issue 5 2010Matteo C. LoPiccolo Background/purpose: Investigations have revealed that vitamin D plays an important role in many areas of health and disease. Questions over whether sun avoidance and sunscreen use will decrease vitamin D levels may concern clinicians when counseling patients at risk for vitamin D insufficiency. A review of the role of vitamin D in health and disease, the impact of photoprotection and skin type on vitamin D levels, and recommendations for adequate vitamin D intake is provided to aid clinicians in counseling patients regarding these issues. Results: Review of the literature indicates that adequate vitamin D intake is associated with decreased risk of falls and bone fractures in the elderly, breast and gastrointestinal cancer risk, cardiovascular disease, and possibly all cause mortality, diabetes, and multiple sclerosis. While skin type does affect vitamin D levels, regular use of sunscreen is not associated with vitamin D insufficiency. Conclusions: Adequate intake of vitamin D is important for maintenance of good health, and may be achieved through diet and oral supplementation. Intentional or prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light should not be used as a means of obtaining vitamin D. [source] Protective value of Aloe vera against some toxic effects of arsenic in ratsPHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 1 2005Richa Gupta Abstract Concomitant oral supplementation of Aloe vera, (1, 2 or 5% w[sol ]v in drinking water) during arsenic exposure (0.2 mg[sol ]kg, intraperitoneally, once daily for 3 weeks) was investigated in rats for its protective value. Animals exposed to arsenic (III) showed a significant inhibition of , -aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity, a marginal decrease in glutathione (GSH) and an increase in zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) level in blood. White blood corpuscles (WBC) level decreased while most of the other clinical blood parameters like red blood cells count, haemoglobin, MCV, MCH, MCHC ratio and platelet number, etc. remained unaltered on arsenic exposure. Hepatic reduced GSH, oxidized glutathione (GSSG) level remained unaltered, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) level increased significantly while the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and catalase decreased on arsenic exposure. Renal GSH contents decreased while superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity decreased significantly on arsenic exposure. Concomitant administration of Aloe vera had remarkable protective action on inhibited blood ALAD activity and restored blood GSH level while most of the other blood biochemical parameters remained unchanged on Aloe vera supplementation. Interestingly, most of hepatic biochemical variables indicative of oxidative stress showed protection; no effect of Aloe vera on blood and liver arsenic concentration was noted. Also, no effect of Aloe vera on most of the altered renal biochemical parameters were noticed. The results thus lead us to conclude that simultaneous supplementation of Aloe vera protects against arsenic induced oxidative stress but does not influence the arsenic concentration in these organs. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Maternal medicine: Randomised trial of vitamin A supplementation in pregnant women in rural Malawi found to be anaemic on screening by HemoCueBJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 5 2006NR Van Den Broek Objective, To assess the effects of vitamin A supplementation in women with anaemia during pregnancy. Design, Single-centre randomised controlled trial. Setting, Rural community in southern Malawi, central Africa. Population, Seven hundred women with singleton pregnancies at 12,24 weeks measured by ultrasound scan and with haemoglobin <11.0 g/dl by HemoCue screening method. Analysis was by intention to treat. All received iron and folate, and sulphadoxine/pyrimethamine for antimalarial prophylaxis. Methods, Women were randomised to receive oral supplementation with daily 5000 or 10 000 iu vitamin A, or placebo. Main outcome measures, Anaemia, as assessed by Coulter counter, severe anaemia, iron status and indices of infection. Results, Vitamin A deficiency was, in this rural population, less common than predicted. Vitamin A supplementation had no significant impact on anaemia, severe anaemia, iron status and indices of infection. Vitamin A stores were less likely to be depleted at the end of pregnancy in supplemented groups. Conclusions, Vitamin A supplementation programmes to reduce anaemia should not be implemented in similar antenatal populations in rural sub-Saharan Africa unless evidence emerges of positive benefit on substantive clinical outcomes. Introducing public health interventions of unknown benefit and with unclear biological mechanisms can divert scarce resources from clinical and social interventions more likely to impact maternal mortality. [source] Effects of Three-month Oral Supplementation of ,-Carotene and Vitamin C on Serum Concentrations of Carotenoids and Vitamins in Middle-aged Subjects: A Pilot Study for a Randomized Controlled Trial to Prevent Gastric Cancer in High-risk Japanese PopulationCANCER SCIENCE, Issue 5 2000Satoshi Sasaki Prior to a randomized controlled trial to prevent gastric cancer by oral supplementation of ,-carotene and vitamin C in a high-risk Japanese population, we examined the serum response to threemonth oral supplementation of ,-carotene (0, 3, 30 mg/day) and vitamin C (0, 50, 1000 mg/day) by a three-by-three factorial design using 54 subjects (age range=40,69 years). Serum concentrations of carotenoids, ,-tocopherol, and ascorbic acid were examined at baseline, and one, two, and threemonth points. Both serum ,-carotene and ascorbic acid were significantly higher in high-dose groups than in each placebo group during the supplementation. The serum ,-carotene increased gradually (597,830% increase) during the study, whereas the serum ascorbic acid reached nearly a steady-state at the one-month point and remained stable thereafter (88,95% increase). No statistically significant interaction between ,-carotene and vitamin C supplementations was observed either for serum ,-carotene or for serum ascorbic acid. Among carotenoids and ,-tocopherol examined, serum lycopene in the high-dose ,-carotene group was significantly higher than in the placebo group at all points. No unfavorable change in carotenoids and ,-tocopherol was observed in any group. [source] Effect of oral vitamin E supplementation on oxidative stress in guinea-pigs with short-term hypothermiaCELL BIOCHEMISTRY AND FUNCTION, Issue 6 2007Leyla Aslan Abstract Effects of oral vitamin E supplementation on blood malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) and vitamin E levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) enzyme activities in acute hypothermia of guinea-pigs were investigated. Thirty male guinea pigs, weighing 500,800,g were randomly divided into one of three experimental groups: A (control, without cooling), B (hypothermic) and C (hypothermic with vitamin E supplementation). The guinea-pigs of group C received daily oral supplementation of 460,mg,kg,1 bw vitamin E for 4 days before inducing hypothermia. Twenty-four hours after the last vitamin E supplementation, the guinea-pigs of the B and C groups were cooled by immersion into cold water (10,12°C), and the control guinea-pigs were immersed into water of body temperature (37°C) up to the neck for 5,min without using any anaesthetic or tranquilizer. Rectal body temperatures of groups were measured and blood samples for biochemical analysis were collected immediately after the cooling. The body temperature, GSH and vitamin E levels and GSH-Px enzyme activity of hypothermic guinea-pigs were lower (p,<,0.05), but SOD enzyme activity was not different (p,>,0.05) from those of control animals. Although, the body temperature of hypothermic with vitamin E supplementation group was lower (p,<,0.05), all other parameters of this group were not different (p,>,0.05) from the controls. It was concluded that oral supplementation of vitamin E can alleviate the lipid peroxidation-induced disturbances associated with hypothermia by increasing the serum vitamin E level to normal. However, more studies are needed to prove whether this vitamin can improve quality of life during the cold seasons. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Antioxidants and narrow band-UVB in the treatment of vitiligo: a double-blind placebo controlled trialCLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY, Issue 6 2007M. L. Dell'Anna Summary Background., Vitiligo is an acquired depigmenting disease with uncertain aetiopathogenesis, possibly associated with oxidative stress. Narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy (NB-UVB) is the most widely used and effective treatment. Aim., To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of NB-UVB and the repairing of oxidative stress-induced damage, using oral supplementation with an antioxidant pool (AP). Methods., Patients (n = 35) with nonsegmental vitiligo were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicentre trial. The treatment group received, for 2 months before and for 6 months during the NB-UVB treatment, a balanced AP containing ,-lipoic acid, vitamins C and E, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. The area and number of lesions, as well as some parameters of the oxidation,reduction (redox) status of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were estimated at the beginning, after 2 months, and at the end of the trial. Results., In total, 28 patients completed the study. After 2 months of AP supplementation, the catalase activity and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were 121% and 57% of the basal values (P < 0.05 and P < 0.02 vs. placebo, respectively). The AP increased the therapeutic success of NB-UVB, with 47% of the patients obtaining >,75% repigmentation vs. 18% in the placebo group (P < 0.05). An increase in catalase activity to 114% (P < 0.05 vs. placebo) and decrease in ROS level of up to 60% (P < 0.02 vs. placebo) of the basal value was observed in PBMCs. Finally, the AP intake maintained the membrane lipid ratio (saturated : unsaturated fatty acids 1.8 : 3.1; P < 0.05), counteracting phototherapy-induced saturation. Conclusions., Oral supplementation with AP containing ,-lipoic acid before and during NB-UVB significantly improves the clinical effectiveness of NB-UVB, reducing vitiligo-associated oxidative stress. [source] | |||||||||||||