bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Haematological studies on pre-menopausal Indian and Caucasian vegetarians compared with Caucasian omnivores
Authors: Reddy Sheela , Sanders T. A. B.
Published: September 2005

Full blood counts, serum ferritin, vitamin B12 and folate, erythrocyte folate concentrations and nutrient intakes were estimated in twenty-three Indian vegetarian, twenty-two Caucasian omnivores and eighteen Caucasian vegetarian women aged 25–40 years. Energy and copper intakes were lower in the Indian women than in the Caucasians. Intakes of dietary fibre, vitamin C and folate were greater and the proportion of energy derived from fat was lower in the vegetarians than in the omnivores. Vitamin B12 and protein intakes were lower in both vegetarian groups than in the omnivores. Fe intake was similar in all the groups but haem Fe provided one-quarter of the Fe intake of the omnivores. Haemoglobin concentrations were generally inside the normal range in all groups, but were lower in the Indians as were mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH). Higher MCV, MCH and lower erythrocyte (RBC) counts were observed in Caucasian vegetarians compared with the Caucasian omnivores. In both groups of vegetarians, concentrations of serum vitamin B12 and ferritin were markedly lower than in the omnivores. RBC folate concentrations were lower in the Indians than in either of the Caucasian groups when subjects taking supplements were excluded. It is concluded that vegetarians need to ensure they have adequate intakes of Fe and vitamin B12.
The effect of methylxanthines on milk volume and composition, and growth of rat pups
Authors: Hart Alexandra D. , Grimble R. F.
Published: September 2005

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of differential dose levels of methylxanthines on lactational performance, with respect to milk volume and composition and pup growth. The methylxanthines; caffeine, theophylline and theobromine, were administered via drinking water in the proportions occurring in tea, at a dose of 50, 1 and 2 mg/kg body-weight respectively to Wistar albino rats throughout pregnancy and for up to the 14th day of lactation. A fourth group received a mixture of all three methylxanthines. Maternal food and fluid intake and weight changes, as well as weight gain in the litter were monitored thrice weekly. Milk samples were collected from the dams on days 7 and 14 of lactation, while milk volume was measured on days 12–13 by a method using tritiated water. Results showed that caffeine and theobromine significantly enhanced litter weight (P< 0.01 and 0.05 respectively). In the caffeine group, enhanced litter growth was due to a significant increase (P< 0.05) in milk volume, consequent to increased maternal food intake (P< 0.05). In the theobromine group there was only a weak association between increased litter weight and milk volume. Theophylline had no effect on the volume or composition of milk, or litter weight. The combination of all three methylxanthines also failed to produce any of the positive effects observed with separate drug treatments.
Effect of vitamin A supplementation on haemoglobin and vitamin A levels during pregnancy
Authors: Panth Meena , Shatrugna Veena , Yasodhara P. , Sivakumar B.
Published: September 2005

About 450 pregnant women from a low-income group were recruited to study the effect of vitamin A supplementation on plasma vitamin A levels in the mother and cord and on the birth weights of the neonates. Results showed that supplementation with 1800 μg vitamin A/d for more than 12 weeks prevented the decline in plasma vitamin A that otherwise occurs during the last few weeks of pregnancy. This improvement in maternal values for vitamin A at a critical time of development favourably affected availability to the fetus, as reflected by the marked elevation in cord levels. Supplementation for a period of 12 weeks was found to be sufficient, since subsequent discontinuation did not alter the beneficial response. Apart from increasing maternal and cord vitamin A levels, vitamin A supplementation along with iron prevented, in this study, the significant decline in haemoglobin occurring at 26–28 weeks of gestation. The birth weights were not altered by vitamin A supplementation.
The effect of the level of dietary protein, carbohydrate and fat on urea kinetics in young children during rapid catch-up weight gain
Authors: Jackson Alan A. , Doherty J. , de Benoist M.-H. , Hibbert J. , Persaud C.
Published: September 2005

The kinetics of urea metabolism were measured in children recovering from severe malnutrition. For a period of up to 10 d they received one of four diets which provided 711 kJ (170 kcal)/kg per d. Two groups received a diet with a high protein: energy (P:E) ratio of 10.6% (HP), enriched with either fat (HP/F) or maize starch and sucrose (HP/C). Two groups received a diet with a low P:E ratio of 8.8% (LP), enriched with either fat (LP/F) or maize starch and sucrose (LP/C). The rate of weight gain on the HP diets was significantly greater than on the LP diets. There was no difference in urea production between any of the four diets: HP/F 1.23 (SE 0.12), HP/C 1.37 (SE 0.14), LP/F 1.64 (SE 0.22), LP/C 1.15 (SE 0.15) mmol nitrogen/kg per h. On the HP diets urea excretion was 0.77 (SE 0.07) mmol N/kg per h. 61 % of production. There was significantly less urea excreted in the urine on diet LP/C than on LP/F (0.36 (SE 0.05) and 0.64 (SE 0.04) mmol N/kg per h respectively). A significantly greater percentage of the urea production was hydrolysed on the LP diets (61 %) compared with the HP diets (39 %), with the consequence that 50% of urea-N produced was available for synthetic activity on the LP diets compared with 30% on the HP diets. The increase in the urea hydrolysed on the LP diets was equivalent in magnitude to the decreased intake of N, so that overall intake plus hydrolysis did not differ between the LP and the HP diets. Crude N balance was similar on diets HP/F, HP/C and LP/C, but was significantly reduced on diet LP/F. These results show that there is an accommodation in urea kinetics during rapid catch-up weight gain, which becomes evident when the P:E ratio of the diet falls to 8.8%. It is proposed that, for a P:E ratio of 8.8%, protein is limiting for catch-up growth. When the intake has a P:E ratio of 8.8% the pattern of urea kinetics can be modified by the relative proportions of fat and carbohydrate in the diet. The measurement of urea kinetics provides a useful approach to the definition of the adequacy of the protein in the diet.
The effect of dietary nitrate on nitrate and nitrite excretion in man
Authors: Florin T. H. J. , Neale G. , Cummings J. H.
Published: September 2005

Dietary nitrate and nitrite may affect colonic pathophysiology. These anions influence fermentation, and nitrite has been shown to augment sodium absorption by the colon and participate in the formation ofN-nitroso compounds. There is, however, no general agreement as to how much dietary nitrate and nitrite reaches the colon. To help resolve this question, balance studies were performed on six healthy ileostomy subjects who were given diets that varied in nitrate content from 0.83 to 5.20 mmol/d. Nitrate and nitrite excretion in ileal effluent and urine were measured by anion-exchange chromatography with conductivity detection. There was no significant nitrite in the diets, urine, or ideal effluent. Dietary nitrate was largely excreted in urine (1.31–4.25 mmol/d). The urinary excretion findings indicated net synthesis of nitrate at low dietary intakes and net catabolism of nitrate at high intakes. Nitrate losses in ileal effluent were very low (0.03–0.05 mmol/d, 0.03–0.06 mmol/kg) and unrelated to intake for all the diets. It is concluded that dietary nitrate and nitrite do not enter the colon from the small intestine in amounts that would affect fermentation and mucosal metabolism in man. The possibility of significant amounts of nitrate reaching the colon via blood in normal subjects has not been excluded.
The effects of underfeeding for 7 d on the thermogenic and physiological response to glucose and insulin infusion (hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic clamp)
Authors: Gallen I. W. , Macdonald I. A.
Published: September 2005

The effect of underfeeding for 7 d (at 60 kJ/kg ideal body-weight) on the thermic and physiological responses to glucose and insulin infusions (hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic clamp) was studied in six healthy women. Underfeeding had no significant effect on baseline metabolic rate, heart rate, forearm blood flow, diastolic blood pressure, blood intermediary metabolites, plasma insulin or catecholamines, but reduced both respiratory exchange ratio (RER; control (C) 0.86 (SE 0.02), underfed (U) 0.75 (SE 0.01)P< 0.01) and systolic blood pressure (by approximately 10 mmHg,P< 0.01). Baseline forearm glucose uptake and oxygen consumption were similar in both states. During the final 30 min of the glucose and insulin infusion, metabolic rate rose by 0.43 (SE 0.05) kJ/min in the C state, but no rise was seen in the U state (P< 0.01). Glucose disposal rate (C 47.9 (SE 1.8), U 47.3 (SE 4.1) μmol/kg per min) and storage rate (C 27.5 (SE 2.4), U 31.6 (SE 3.6) μmol/kg per min) were similar in both states, but glucose oxidation rate was reduced in the U state (C 20.5 (SE 1.7), U 15.4 (SE 0.7) μmol/kg per min;P< 0.05). RER rose to a higher value in the C state than in the U state (C 0.97 (SE 0.2), U 0.80 (SE 0.01);P< 0.01). During hyperinsulinaemia, the forearm glucose uptake and O2consumption rose in both states. No significant differences were seen in the cardiovascular responses to hyperinsulinaemia in either state. Thus underfeeding abolishes the rise in thermogenesis and reduces glucose oxidation during glucose and insulin infusions in healthy women, but does not affect the glucose disposal or storage rates or the other measured responses.
Glucose partitioning in the pregnant ewe: Effects of undernutrition and exercise
Authors: Leury B. J. , Bird A. R. , Chandler K. D. , Bell A. W.
Published: September 2005

Maternal whole-body glucose entry rate and uterine and umbilical net uptakes of glucose and oxygen were measured in single-pregnant ewes which were either well-fed throughout, or fed at 0.3–0.4 predicted energy requirement for 7–21 d during late pregnancy. All ewes were studied while standing at rest and then while walking on a treadmill at 0.7 m/s on a 10° slope for 60 min. Underfed ewes suffered significant decreases in live weight and had lower fetal, but not placental, weights at 140–144 d gestation. Undernutrition also caused large decreases in maternal glycaemia and glucose entry rate, which were associated with equally large decreases in uterine and umbilical net uptakes and O2quotients of glucose, and with a decrease in placental glucose transfer capacity. Exercise caused increases in maternal blood concentration, entry rate and uterine net uptake of glucose, the magnitudes of which were not significantly affected by plane of nutrition. Umbilical glucose uptake and placental glucose transfer capacity increased during exercise in underfed but not fed ewes. The fractional distribution of maternal glucose to the pregnant uterus, and of uterine glucose uptake to the fetus, were unaltered by undernutrition; during exercise, a disproportionately small fraction of the increased maternal glucose supply went to the uterus. The results confirm that the ovine conceptus responds to nutritional reduction in maternal glucose availability in a manner similar to non-uterine maternal tissues. Major reductions in glucose supply appear to override putative glucose-sparing mechanisms which may operate to favour the conceptus in better-nourished animals.
Long-term adaptation of pancreatic response by dogs to dietary fats of different degrees of saturation: Olive and sunflower oil
Authors: Ballesta M. C. , Mañas M. , Mataix F. J. , Martínez-victoria E. , Seiquer I.
Published: September 2005

Mongrel dogs were fed, from weaning to 9 months of age, on one of two diets that differed only in the type of fat content (virgin olive oil or sunflower oil) to compare the composition of exocrine pancreatic secretion in the basal period and in response to food. In resting pancreatic flow, electrolytes and the specific activities of amylase, lipase and chymotrypsin were similar in both experimental groups. However, lipase and amylase outputs, and amylase and protein concentrations were significantly higher in the group fed on the diet rich in sunflower oil. Food intake was not followed by any change in flow-rate or electrolyte or protein content in the group given the diet rich in olive oil. Amylase activity and output were also lower in this group, as was lipase output, whereas activity and specific activity of chymotrypsin were lower in dogs fed on the diet containing sunflower oil. The differences traceable to the composition of the two types of dietary fat supplied may be related to the balance between factors that stimulate and inhibit pancreatic secretion.
Lipid absorption and intestinal tumour incidence in rats fed on varying levels of calcium and butterfat
Authors: Behling A. R. , Kaup S. M. , Choquette L. L. , Greger J. L.
Published: September 2005

The purpose of the 2 × 2 factorial study was to determine the effect of varying levels of dietary calcium (2.5 and 10 g/kg) and butterfat (50 and 200 g/kg) on lipid utilization and on development of colon tumours in animals initiated with 1,2-dimethylhydrazine dihydrochloride. Among rats fed on 200 g butterfat/kg, the fourfold increase in Ca intake induced more than a sevenfold increase in faecal excretion of total lipids and almost a fortyfold increase in faecal excretion of acid-extractable lipid. Among rats fed on 50 g butterfat/kg, the ingestion of supplemental Ca had a less dramatic effect and induced only a twofold increase in faecal excretion of total lipids and a threefold increase in acid-extractable lipid. The volume of intestinal adenocarcinomas was correlated with the excretion of acid-extractable lipid in faeces (R0.369,P< 0.02). Caecal enzymic activity was not correlated with tumour incidence or size or faecal lipid excretion. Overall, the fourfold increase in Ca intakes decreased total lipid absorption significantly but by less than 6%.
Improvement of phosphorus availability by microbial phytase in broilers and pigs
Authors: Simons P. C. M. , Versteegh H. A. J. , Jongbloed A. W. , Kemme P. A. , Slump P. , Bos K. D. , Wolters M. G. E. , Beudeker R. F. , Verschoor G. J.
Published: September 2005

Techniques have been developed to produce microbial phytase for addition to diets for simple-stomached animals, with the aim to improve phosphorus availability from phytate-P in plant sources. The activity of the crude microbial phytase showed pH optima at pH 5.5 and 2.5. The enzyme was able to degrade phytate in vitro in soya-bean meal, maize and a liquid compound feed for pigs. When microbial phytase was added to low-P diets for broilers the availability of P increased to over 60% and the amount of P in the droppings decreased by 50%. The growth rate and feed conversion ratio on the low-P diets containing microbial phytase were comparable to or even better than those obtained on control diets. Addition of microbial phytase to diets for growing pigs increased the apparent absorbability of P by 24%. The amount of P in the faeces was 35% lower.
The effects of sugar-beet fibre and wheat bran on iron and zinc absorption in rats
Authors: Fairweather-Tait Susan J. , Wright A. J. A.
Published: September 2005

The addition of 1 g sugar-beet fibre (Beta Fibre) to 3 g semi-synthetic diet resulted in a 54% increase in iron and a 39% increase in zinc absorption in rats. The same amount of non-starch polysaccharides fed as wheat bran (1.9 g) had no effect on Fe absorption but reduced Zn absorption by 9%. The inhibitory effect of wheat bran is probably due to its high phytate content, but there is, as yet, no explanation for the enhancement of Fe and Zn absorption caused by Beta Fibre. If the effect also occurs in man, it will have important implications for high-fibre diets and mineral nutrition.
The effect of resistant starch on colon function in humans
Authors: Tomlin J. , Read N. W.
Published: September 2005

Starch that is resistant to human amylases forms during the cooking and subsequent cooling of some foods, and may therefore be a substrate for the bacterial flora of the colon. It is thus possible that resistant starch (RS) will affect colon function in a similar manner to non-starch polysaccharides. To test this theory, a group of eight volunteers took two diet supplements for 1 week each in a random order with a 1 week separation. One supplement comprised mainly 350 g Cornflakes/d and the other 380 g Rice Krispies/d, providing 10.33 and 0.86 g RS/.d respectively. The amounts of amylase-digestible starch, non-starch polysaccharides, total carbohydrate, energy, protein and fat were balanced between the two periods by giving small amounts of Casilan, wheat bran, butter and boiled sweets. The volunteers made faecal collections during day 3 to day 7 of each period. Whole-gut transit time was calculated using the continuous method. Stool consistency and ease of defaecation were assessed by the volunteers. All episodes of flatulence noticed were recorded in a diary, along with food intake. Serial breath hydrogen measurements were made at 15 min intervals for 8 h on day 1 of each supplement. Questionnaires regarding colon function were completed at the end of each dietary period. There were no significant differences in the stool mass, frequency or consistency, ease of defaecations, transit time or flatulence experienced during the two supplements (P > 0.05). Significantly more H2 (area under curve) was produced while eating Cornflakes than Rice Krispies (P < 0.05). The difference of 9.47 g RS/d between the two diets was over three times the calculated normal daily RS intake of 2.76 g/d. As the only significant difference observed was in the breath H2 excretion on day 1, we suggest that either RS is rapidly and completely fermented to end-products including H2 gas, which is subsequently excreted via the lungs and has little influence on colon function, or that bacterial adaptation removed any observable effect on faecal mass and transit time by day 3.
Collection of food intake data: a reappraisal of criteria for judging the methods
Authors: Borrelli Renato
Published: September 2005

The relationship between diet and the development of chronic disease still remains a controversial area. One major difficulty is to obtain a valid estimate of habitual pattern and level of food consumption for each individual. There is, in fact, a voluminous and largely negative literature on the validity of dietary assessment methods. In the present paper the utility of the most frequently used dietary assessment method in epidemiological studies is discussed in terms of precision and accuracy.
The utilization of raw and autoclaved faba beans (Vicia faba L., var. minor) and faba bean fractions in diets for growing broiler chickens
Authors: Rubio Luis A. , Brenes Agustin , Castaño María
Published: September 2005

The effects of the inclusion of raw and autoclaved whole faba beans (Vicia faba; RFB and AFB respectively) or faba bean fractions (cotyledons and hulls) in diets for growing broiler chickens (0–4 weeks of age) on performance, intestinal physiology and jejunal histological structure have been studied in three experiments. Significant decreases in body-weight as well as lower food consumption and higher food intake:weight gain ratio were observed in those animals fed on diets containing 250, 350 and 500 RFB'kg in the diet. Birds fed on AFB diets (500 g/kg) had significantly greater body-weights than chicks fed on RFB or raw faba bean cotyledons (RC). Significant increases in the relative lengths of duodenum, jejunum, ileum and caeca, pancreas relative weight, and intestinal transit time of birds fed on diets containing 250,350 and 500 g RFB/kg compared with control birds were observed. Including AFB (500 g/kg) in the diet significantly increased body-weight and significantly decreased pancreas weight compared with RFB (500 g/kg)-fed birds. The inclusion of RFB hulls had no effect on these variables. Dehulling or autoclaving of faba beans, or both, proved to have no significant effect on relative lengths of duodenum, jejunum, ileum and caeca, nor on caecal volatile fatty acid concentration in birds fed on 500 g faba beans/kg diet. Electron microscopy of the jejunal mucosa revealed discrete hyperplasia of polysomes and mitochondria1 swelling in those animals fed on AFB (500g/kg) or AC (4264g/kg). Pronounced strangulations were also observed along the microvilli, whose length was similar to that of control birds. The inclusion of RFB hulls, either autoclaved or raw, led to no ultrastructural changes in the enterocytes, as detected by electron microscopy. Birds fed on diets containing the cotyledons of RFB (RC, 426 4 g/kg) rather than whole RFB showed the same ultrastructural disorders as RFB (500 g'kg)- fed birds. The present study shows that factors other than those usually claimed, i.e. protease inhibitors, phytates, tannins and lectins, may be contributing to the low nutritional value of V. faba seeds for growing chickens.
Growth, body composition, hormonal and metabolic status in lambs treated long-term with growth hormone
Authors: Pell J. M. , Elcock C. , Harding R. L. , Morrell D. J. , Simmonds A. D. , Wallis M.
Published: September 2005

The effect of long-term (10 weeks) treatment with growth hormone (GH) was investigated in twin lambs, one sibling being a control and the other treated with GH (0.1 mg/kg live weight per d). The lambs were fed on a concentrate-grass cube (9: 1 w/w) diet at a daily rate of 40 g fresh weightlkg Live weight. The average daily live-weight gain of the GH-treated lambs was 36% greater than that of the controls (307 v. 225 g/d, P < 0.01). The carcass composition of the GH-treated lambs changed: fat content was decreased (P < 001) and protein content was increased (P< 0.05) when expressed relative to carcass dry matter. The absolute weights and the weights when expressed relative to fleece-free empty body of some muscles were significantly increased in GH-treated lambs. The mean retention times of both particulate- and liquid-phase components of the digesta were unchanged by GH treatment, when calculated for the rumen or for the entire gastrointestinal tract. The feed conversion ratio was significantly greater (P < 0.01) in GH-treated lambs compared with controls. Nitrogen retained per g N intake was also significantly increased (P < 0.05) by GH treatment. Plasma urea concentrations were decreased (P < 005) and glucose concentrations were increased (P< 001) in GH-treated lambs, whereas non-esterified fatty acid concentrations were unchanged. Plasma insulin and total insulin-like growth factor-1 concentrations progressively increased in GH-treated lambs as treatment time continued. They were significantly correlated after week 4 of treatment. Two types of hepatic GH- binding site were detected, with high and low affinities for GH. The capacities of both binding sites were significantly increased (P < 0.05) in GH-treated lambs when expressed per unit microsomal protein but, when expressed per liver, only the capacity of the high-affinity site was increased.
Effect of dexfenfluramine on gastric emptying of a mixed solid-liquid meal in obese subjects
Authors: Horowitz Michael , Maddox Anne , Wishart Judith , Vernon-Roberts Jane , Chatterton Barry , Shearman David
Published: September 2005

Recent studies suggest that dexfenfluramine (D-fenfluramine), because of its pure serotonergic effect, may be a more potent anti-obesity agent, associated with fewer side-effects than the racemate DL-fenfluramine. The effect of dexfenfluramine on gastric emptying of a mixed solid and liquid meal was assessed with a double-isotope scintigraphic technique in eleven obese patients. Each subject took a placebo capsule on the morning and evening of the day before, and on the morning of the first gastric emptying measurement. Dexfenfluramine was then taken at a dose of 15 mg twice daily and gastric emptying measurements were performed at 5 and at 29 d after the initiation of active treatment. Dexfenfluramine significantly slowed gastric emptying of the solid meal at both 5 and 29d when compared with the placebo (P < 0.05) and also delayed emptying of solid food from the proximal stomach (P < 0.01), but no significant effect on liquid emptying was observed. No significant side-effects were reported and there was a marginal weight loss (P< 0.005) during treatment. We conclude that inhibition of gastric emptying may contribute to the efficacy of dexfenfluramine in the treatment of obesity.
The effect of size and density on mean retention time of particles in the gastrointestinal tract of sheep
Authors: Kaske M. , Engelhardt W. V.
Published: September 2005

The selective retention of particles in the reticulo-rumen and in the gastrointestinal tract distal to the reticulo-rumen was studied in fistulated sheep maintained on a roughage diet. Polyethylene glycol and plastic particles of different lengths (1 and 10 mm) and densities (092, 1.03, 1.22 and 1.44 g/ml) were either fed or were introduced into the omasum. The mean retention time in the reticulo-rumen (MRTRR) of 1 mm long particles with a density of approximately 1.0 g/ml was about 67 h, that is eight times longer than the MRTRR of fluid; the heavier particles were retained only three times longer than fluid. Particles with a length of 10 mm were retained in the reticulo-rumen 19–28 h longer than 1 mm long particles of the same density. Particles with a length of 10 mm were reduced to smaller particles (0.5–4 mm) due to rumination. Multiple regression analysis indicated that particle density and particle size accounted for 59 and 28% of the total variation of MRTRR respectively. The mean retention time distal to the reticulo- rumen (MRTGut) of 1 and 10 mm long particles with a density near 1.0 g/ml was 18–19 h, similar to that of fluid (16 h). The heavier particles were retained about 3–8 h longer.
Energy balance and energy values of α-amylase (EC 3. 2. 1. 1)-resistant maize and pea (Pisum sativum) starches in the rat
Authors: Livesy G. , Davies I. R. , Brown J. C. , Faulks R. M. , Southon S.
Published: September 2005

Apparent and partial digestible energy values for α-amylase (EC 3. 2. 1. 1)-resistant, retrograde starches, isolated from cooked maize and pea starches (RMS and RPS respectively), were determined in male Wistar rats (about 180 g) during a 28–29 d balance period with ten animals per treatment. The starches were provided as supplements (100 g/kg diet) to a semi-synthetic basal diet (B), and their effects on the apparent digestibilities of nitrogen and fat, and on gains of live weight, fat and lean tissue were examined. Diet B alone was the control; sucrose (Su) and Solka-floc cellulose (SFC) were also examined for reference. Apparent digestibilities for Su, SFC, RMS and RPS were 1.0, 0.16, 0.98 and 0.89 respectively. Whereas the apparent digestibilities of gross energy, N and fat in the diet were unaffected by supplementation with Su, each was decreased by supplementation with SFC, RMS and RPS. Partial digestible energy values calculated from the intakes and faecal losses of energy in the basal and supplemented diets were 15, 12.4 and 0.8 kJ/g for RMS, RPS and SFC respectively. These values were smaller than corresponding apparent digestible energy values calculated from the apparent digestibility of the supplement and its gross energy value. Only the Su and starch supplements increased the intake of apparent digestible energy and the gain of live weight. Both starches and Su increased total energy (and fat) deposition to almost similar extents. It is concluded that the resistant starches contribute significant dietary energy, enhance growth and elevate fat deposition to extents almost similar to Su.
Lysine requirements and whole-body protein turnover in growing pigs
Authors: Salter D. N. , Montgomery A. I. , Hudson Anna , Quelch D. B. , Elliott Rosemary J.
Published: September 2005

The influence on protein accretion and whole-body protein turnover of changing dietary protein quality while maintaining constant energy intake was studied by varying the degree of lysine supplementation of a lysine-deficient barley-based diet given to growing pigs. Measurements of nitrogen metabolism and whole-body protein turnover, using both classical and 15N end-product methods following a single dose of lsqb;15N]glycine, were made in 49-kg male pigs given diets containing 109 g lysine-deficient protein/kg supplemented to make them (1) 'deficient', (2) 'adequate' and (3) 'in excess' with respect to lysine. The 15N dose and protein intake values used to calculate amino N flux from the cumulative urinary excretion of 15N in urea and ammonia were corrected respectively for apparent digestibilities of [15N]glycine and total N determined in a separate experiment in pigs fitted with simple ileal cannulas. N retention and biological value were significantly increased by lysine supplementation of the deficient diet to the 'adequate' level, but were not further increased by the higher level of supplementation. Rates of growth paralleled these changes. The poorer biological value of the unsupplemented diet 1 was shown also in a significantly higher excretion of urea N compared with diets 2 and 3. N digestibility was not markedly influenced by the level of lysine supplementation. Both whole-body protein synthesis and degradation increased markedly on 'adequate' supplementation of the diet with lysine, but did not increase further with an excess of lysine. It is concluded that the increase in protein accretion rate observed on supplementation of the diet with lysine was due to a greater increase in the rate of protein synthesis than of degradation, rather than a decrease in degradation rate.
Liberation ofI4CO2from [14C]adipic acid and [14C]octanoic acid by adult rats during riboflavin deficiency and its reversal
Authors: Bates C. J.
Published: September 2005

The purpose of the present study was to test the hypothesis that the already well-established mitochondria1 lesion in fatty acid oxidation in riboflavin-deficient experimental animals, might be accompanied by an alteration in vivo in the kinetics of oxidation of labelled adipic acid. This dicarboxylic acid was chosen for testing as a metabolic probe because a block in its oxidation was already apparent from urine analysis of riboflavin-deficient animals, whereas the oxidation of medium- or long-chain monocarboxylic acids seemed to be little affected by deficiency in vivo. Female adult Norwegian hooded rats fed on purified diets containing either 15 mg riboflavin/kg diet (controls) or about 0.4 mg/kg (riboflavin-deficient) received an intragastric dose of either [l,6-I4C] adipic acid or [l-'4C] octanoic acid. Expired carbon dioxide was then collected in an alkaline trap over 3 h, for determination of radioactivity.This test was repeated at intervals for up to 2 weeks following riboflavin repletion of the deficient animals, and in riboflavin-dosed controls. Whereas the rate and extent of ['4C]octanoic acid oxidation was not significantly affected by the deficiency or repletion, the extent of [I4C]adipic acid oxidation was markedly and significantly increased during repletion of the deficient animals. The time-course indicated a temporary overshoot, followed by a slow return to the control values over 1–2 weeks. Adipate oxidation was also much less affected by a preceding period of overnight starvation, than was octanoate oxidation. Thus, adipic acid (or a related metabolic probe) may have appropriate properties for the design of a functional test of fatty acid oxidation efficiency, during riboflavin deficiency or allied metabolic conditions in human subjects.
Lipid metabolism of liquid-associated and solid-adherent bacteria gin rumen contents of dairy cows offered lipid-supplemented diets
Authors: Bauchart D. , Legay- Carmier F. , Doreau M. , Gaillard B.
Published: September 2005

The lipid distribution and fatty acid (FA) composition of total lipids, polar lipids and free fatty acids (FFA) were determined in liquid-associated bacteria (LAB) and solid-adherent bacteria (SAB) isolated from the rumen contents of seven dairy cows fitted with rumen fistulas. Two experiments, arranged according to a 4 x 4 and 3 x 3 Latin Square design, were performed using two basal diets consisting of one part hay and one part barley-based concentrate, and five lipid-supplemented diets consisting of the basal diet plus (g/kg dry matter): 53 or 94 rapeseed oil, 98 tallow, 87 soya-bean oil or 94 palmitostearin. For all diets used, total lipids were 1.7–2.2 times higher in SAB than in LAB (P < 005); this probably resulted from a preferential incorporation of dietary FA adsorbed onto food particles. Addition of oil or fat to the diets did not modify the polar lipid content but increased the FFA content of SAB and LAB by 150%. Lipid droplets were observed in the cytoplasm in SAB and LAB using transmission electron microscopy, which suggested that part of the additional FFA was really incorporated into the intracellular FFA rather than associated with the cell envelope by physical adsorption. Linoleic acid was specifically incorporated into the FFA of SAB, which emphasized the specific role of this bacterial compartment in the protection of this acid against rumen biohydrogenation.
The effectiveness of various iron-supplementation regimens in improving the Fe status of anaemic rats
Authors: Wright A. J. A , Southon Susan
Published: September 2005

Less frequent iron supplementation may be equally as beneficial to Fe-deficient subjects as routine daily supplementation because of the short-term suppressive effect of oral dosing with large amounts of Fe on subsequent Fe absorption. In the present study, the possibility that the administration of an Fe supplement every 2nd or 3rd day may be as effective in improving Fe status as a daily supplement was investigated in anaemic rats. Anaemic rats were given a 4 mg Fe supplement every day, on alternate days or every 3rd day, as a single dose with a midday meal or as a multiple dose with a morning, midday and evening meal. A low-Fe diet (13 mg/kg) was given at all other times. After 7 d, erythrocyte count, packed cell volume, mean cell volume, haemoglobin concentration and total liver Fe were measured and compared with those of meal-fed rats which had not been given any supplemental Fe. Rats which received a supplement every 3rd day, a total supplement of 12 mg, had a similar Fe status to those receiving a daily supplement, a total supplement of 28 mg. Administration of the supplement as a multiple, rather than as a single dose did not improve recovery from the Fe deficiency. It is suggested that less frequent supplementation with a smaller total amount of Fe, should be considered in human subjects. Such a regimen would minimize unpleasant side-effects of oral Fe therapy, decrease the risk of adverse effects of Fe on the absorption of other essential minerals and substantially cut the cost of supplementation programmes.
Effect of EDTA on the bioavailability to rats of fortification iron used in Egyptian balady bread
Authors: Whittaker Paul , Vanderveen John E.
Published: September 2005

The effectiveness of EDTA compounds on iron fortificants for potential use in Egyptian balady bread was tested in sixty SpragueDawley weanling male rats by the haemoglobin regeneration efficiency (HRE) method. To confirm HRE-derived findings, eight groups of ten animals were repleted with a modified American Institute of Nutrition (1977; AIN) 76A diet, fortified with ferric phosphate, electrolytic Fe, carbonyl Fe or ferrous sulphate, with and without ascorbic acid. Results without ascorbic acid were comparable to findings of a human study by Forbes et al. (1989). Bioavailability of EDTA-enhanced fortificants, FeSO4 + Na2EDTA and NaFe(III)EDTA, was compared with that of FeSO4 in six groups of ten animals repleted with a ground Egyptian bread meal or a casein-based AIN diet fortified with one of the three compounds. Addition of either EDTA compound significantly increased bioavailability of Fe in Egyptian balady bread. When present in the less inhibitory casein meal, however, FeSO4 + Na2EDTA fortification was significantly less effective than NaFe(1II)EDTA or the reference FeSO4. Results indicate that NaFe(I1I)EDTA may be the fortificant of choice in a mixed diet. Further study of EDTA- enhanced Fe fortificants is needed.
The effect of moderately increased intakes of complex carbohydrates (cereals, vegetables and fruit) for 12 weeks on iron and zinc metabolism
Authors: Manson Pamela M. , Judd Patricia A. , Fairweather-Tait Susan J. , Eagles John , Minski Margret J.
Published: September 2005

Fifteen adult women were given diets in which the intake of complex carbohydrates was increased from 20 to 30 g over a 12 week period. Metabolic balances were carried out, iron and zinc absorption tests performed using stable isotopes, and Fe and Zn status monitored. Although effects on bowel function were observed, the changed diet had no influence on any of the previously described variables. It was concluded that a moderate increase in cereals, fruit and vegetables did not have an adverse effect on Fe or Zn nutrition.
Placental zinc in normal and intra-uterine growth-retarded pregnancies
Authors: Malhotra Ashok , Fairweather-Tait Susan J. , Wharton P. A. , Gee H.
Published: September 2005

The zinc concentration of placental tissue and cord blood in sixteen mothers who gave birth to normal babies was measured. The blood volume of each placenta was estimated from measurements of haemoglobin concentration of placental homogenate and cord blood, and, by deduction, the Zn content of blood-free placental tissue was calculated. Results were compared with eleven mothers whose fetuses showed a low biparietal diameter velocity between 17 and 28 weeks gestation and with ten mothers who gave birth to intra-uterine growth-retarded (IUGR) babies. As expected, placental weight was significantly correlated with infant birth weight. Blood-free placental tissue contained about four times xmore Zn (approximately 10 µg Zn/g) than cord blood (approximately 2.5 µg Zn/ml). Concentrations of Zn in blood-free placental tissue were similar in all three groups, but the cord blood Zn of mothers producing IUGR babies was significantly lower than that of the other two groups. Results of the present study suggested that fetal growth retardation in the mothers studied could not be explained by differences in blood-free placental Zn concentration, but that there may be some association between lower cord blood Zn levels and intra-uterine growth retardation.
Effects of extracts of high- and low-chromium brewer's yeast on metabolism of glucose by hepatocytes from rats fed on high- or low-Cr diets
Authors: Holdsworth E. S. , Neville E.
Published: September 2005

Brewer's yeast was grown on a defined medium containing glucose, ammonia, salts and vitamins plus tracer 51Cr without (low-Cr) or with (high-Cr) carrier Cr. The two batches of yeast differed by more than 100-fold in Cr content, containing 80 ng and 10 7mu;g Cr/g dry yeast respectively. Extraction and fractionation procedures were designed to isolate Cr complexes with properties similar to those reported for glucose tolerance factor. After weaning, rats were reared on rat cubes (normal diet) or on a diet containing less than 0.1 μg Cr/kg (low-Cr diet), or on the low-Cr diet supplemented with Cr (1 mg Cr/kg). Hepatocytes from these rats were incubated with [U-14C]glucose and incorporation of 14C into glycogen was measured. Incorporation of glucose-C into glycogen was enhanced by some yeast fractions in the presence of insulin, but had less effect in the absence of insulin. No difference could be detected between the responses to fractions from high- or low-Cr yeast extracts, or between responses by hepatocytes from animals fed on normal or low-Cr diets with or without Cr upplementation. Glycogen synthetase (EC 2.4.1.11) activity (total and percentage in the a form) was similar in hepatocytes isolated from animals on the normal and low-Cr diets. Those yeast fractions which enhanced the response to insulin in the 14C-incorporation experiments also enhanced the percentage of the enzyme in the a form in the presence of insulin, but not in the absence of insulin. The presence in yeast extracts of material which enhances the response to insulin by hepatocytes may help to explain the reported beneficial effects of dietary yeast supplements on glucose tolerance.
Time course of vitamin E repletion in the premature infant
Authors: Kelly Frank J. , Rodgers Wendy , Handel Jeffrey , Smith Susan , Hall Michel A.
Published: September 2005

Plasma and erythrocyte (RBC) tocopherol-isomer concentrations were determined serially in forty-two premature infants (25–35 weeks gestation) from birth to 8 weeks of age. For comparison purposes vitamin E status was also determined in six term infants over the first 8 d following birth and in a group of thirteen adult volunteers. Vitamin E intakes in term and preterm infants were calculated from recorded food intakes and blood transfusions. In term infants plasma vitamin E concentration rose from 1.9 mg/l (day 1) to 8 2 mg/l by day 8. In comparison preterm plasma vitamin E concentration, 0.3 mg/l (day I), did not change appreciably by day 8 (0.7mg/l). Likewise RBC vitamin E concentration increased in term infants from 1.3 mg/l (day 1) to 2.7 mg/l (day 8), while in preterm infants it remained unchanged, 1.5 mg/l (day 1) v. 1.3 mg/l (day 8). Over the 3 weeks following birth, RBC vitamin E concentrations in the premature infants increased to adult values, while plasma vitamin E concentration did not reach the adult range until 8 weeks post-term. These slow changes in plasma vitamin E status occurred even though the vitamin E intake of these infants was similar to that proving adequate for term infants.
Anthropometric and dietary survey of elderly Chinese
Authors: Side X. , Mingtang S. , Shuquan Z. , Zhaomei M. , Yinzhi X. , Yujun L. , Jun W. , Kui J.
Published: September 2005

The study was conducted to provide reference values of anthropometry and dietary intakes of elderly Chinese aged ≥ 70 years and to investigate differences between urban and rural groups. A total of 441 subjects comprising 260 urban elderly (126 men and 134 women) and 181 rural elderly (83 men and 98 women) participated in the anthropometric study. One hundred subjects (50 men and 50 women) from both urban and rural locations were selected randomly from the anthropometric cohort for dietary survey using the method of diet recall. For both men and women, the urban elderly had significantly higher intakes of protein, fat, calcium, iron, retinol, thiamin, riboflavin and nicotinic acid than did the rural elderly. Significant sexual differences were also observed: men had higher intakes of total energy and three macronutrients than women. Both regional and sexual differences in anthropometry (but not blood pressure) seemed to be consistent with the results of the dietary survey. Positive correlations were found between systolic blood pressure and the ratio waist:hip circumference for both men and women. As a marker of adipose tissue distribution, it seemed that this ratio was more predictive of high blood pressure than body-weight.
Blood glucose, plasma insulin and sensory responses to guar-containing wheat breads: effects of molecular weight and particle size of guar gum
Authors: Ellis Peter R. , Dawoud Fathy M. , Morris Edwin R.
Published: September 2005

The effectiveness of guar gum in reducing post-prandial blood glucose and plasma insulin levels in human subjects seems to depend mainly on its ability to increase the viscosity of digesta in the small intestine. However, the precise relationship between the rheological properties of guar gum (either in vitro or in vivo) and the changes in blood metabolites and hormones is unknown. The aim of the present study, therefore, was to investigate the effects of wheat breads containing guar gum samples varying in molecular weight (Mw) and particle size (characteristics that strongly influence the rheological properties of guar gum) on post-prandial blood glucose and plasma insulin levels in healthy subjects. The sensory qualities of breads containing guar-gum flours of different Mw were also evaluated using a hedonic scoring technique. No significant differences in the post-prandial blood glucose responses were found between the control and guar breads. However, all the guar breads elicited significant (P < 0.05) decreases in the post-prandial rise in plasma insulin, an effect that did not appear to be influenced by large variations in Mw or particle size of guar gum. Moreover, the sensory qualities of guar bread were markedly improved by using low Mw grades of guar gum.
Effect of dietary tryptophan on muscle, liver and whole-body protein synthesis in weaned piglets: relationship to plasma insulin
Authors: Cortamira N. O. , Seve B. , Lebreton Y. , Ganier P.
Published: September 2005

Two experiments were carried out with piglets, 3–5 kg live weight, to evaluate the effects of feeding a tryptophan (TRP)-deficient diet for 2 weeks on protein synthesis rates measured in vivo 2 h after a meal. In the first experiment on twenty piglets fed on 250 g protein/kg diets, TRP deficiency (0.77 g/16 g nitrogen) as compared with adequacy (1.17 g/16 g N) significantly decreased feed intake, growth performance and fractional protein synthesis rates (FSR), without variation of RNA in longissimus dorsi (LD) and with parallel increases in RNA in semitendinosus (ST) muscle and liver. In the second experiment thirty-two piglets were tube-fed deficient and adequate diets at the two feeding levels (LF) previously achieved. Both TRP and LF significantly increased growth performance and FSR, but not RNA, in LD and ST muscle, with a trend to a synergy between the two factors (TRP x LF interaction). In another muscle, trapezius (TR), the same interaction was only apparent in RNA content. Among the three muscles it was in LD that FSR was the most responsive to dietary TRP (significant muscle x TRP interaction). In the liver the TRP x LF interaction on FSR and not RNA was the major significant effect, indicating that higher TRP and higher LF were both required to get the maximum protein synthesis rate. At 30 min after a meal the same significant interaction effect was shown on plasma glucose, whilst the higher LF increased plasma insulin with both diets. After a further 30 min the appearance of a similar significant effect of the TRP x LF interaction on plasma insulin resulted from its abatement when the deficient diet had been fed at high LF. These results suggest that dietary TRP deficiency decreased muscle and liver protein synthesis rates in relation to a decrease in the post-prandial release of insulin following a decreased rate of nutrient absorption.