bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digestion and absorption of carotenoids in sheep given fresh red clover
Authors: Cardinault N. , Doreau M. , Poncet C. , Nozière P.
Published: February 2006

Digestion and absorption of carotenoids were studied in sheep given, twice daily, fresh red clover. Digestive fluxes were measured in six sheep cannulated in the rumen, duodenum and ileum using the double marker technique. Another five sheep were fitted with catheters allowing nutrient net flux measurements across the portal-drained viscera. Carotenoids in the red clover consisted of lutein (136 μg/g dry matter (DM)), epilutein (40 μg/g DM),trans-β-carotene (16 μg/g DM) and 13-cis-β-carotene (13 μg/g DM). Intake was 174, 52, 21 and 17 mg/day, and faecal excretion was 181, 25, 50 and 41 mg/day, for lutein, epilutein,trans- and 13-cis-β-carotene respectively, indicating net production of β-carotene in the digestive tract. The difference between duodenum and intake was positive for all carotenoids (30, 4, 43 and 37 g for lutein, epilutein,trans-β-carotene and 13-cis-β-carotene, respectively) suggesting net production and/or release of carotenes and xanthophylls by rumen microbes. Apparent digestibility in the small and large intestines was 0·18 and −0·05 for lutein, 0·30 and 0·29 for epilutein, 0·39 and 0·26 fortrans-β-carotene, 0·53 and 0·21 for 13-cis-β-carotene. Only lutein and epilutein were recovered in arterial plasma, at a concentration of 14·3 and 10·8 μg/l, respectively. Their portal net appearance was not different from 0, suggesting that absorption occurred mainly via the lymphatic system.
The efficiency of utilization of metabolizable energy for milk production: a comparison of Holstein with F1 Montbeliarde × Holstein cows
Authors: Aharoni Y. , Brosh A. , Kafchuk E.
Published: February 2006

The objectives were to demonstrate the potential of heat production measurements to characterize the gross and net efficiencies of dairy cows under commercial conditions and to compare the efficiencies of purebred Holstein and Montbeliarde × Holstein F1 dairy cows. The heat productions of seven Holstein (H) and seven Montbeliarde × Holstein (MH) cows were measured over two 10-day periods separated by a 75-day interval, during the summer of 2004, in a commercial high-yielding dairy herd in Israel. Energy expenditure was measured by monitoring heart rates and oxygen consumption per heart beat. Milk yield and composition were recorded for these cows and their investment of energy in the milk was calculated from the milk yield and composition. Live weight and body condition score were also recorded in parallel with these measurements. Metabolizable energy (ME) intake was estimated as the sum of heat production, energy in milk and body energy balance. The MH cows were heavier by 90 kg, had higher body condition scores by 0·9 units and secreted proportionately 0·19 and 0·38 less energy in their milk than H cows in the first and second periods, respectively. The gross energy efficiencies, expressed as the percentage of milk production plus body retention in ME intake were 48·3 and 43·4% in the first period and 45·6 and 32·8% in the second period, for H and MH cows, respectively. The milk production of MH cows in this study was lower than the potential of this cross, however, MH cows that expressed this potential would still be expected to require proportionately 0·10 greater intake of ME than H cows, per unit of energy in milk.
Genetic variation and responses in reproductive performance of sows in lines selected for growth rate under restricted feeding
Authors: Nguyen N. H. , McPhee C. P. , Wade C. M.
Published: February 2006

The objective of this study was to examine genetic changes in reproduction traits in sows (total number born (TNB), number born alive (NBA), average piglet birth weight (ABW) and number of piglets weaned (NW), body weight prior to mating (MW), gestation length (GL) and daily food intake during lactation (DFI)) in lines of Large White pigs divergently selected over 4 years for high and low post-weaning growth rate on a restricted ration. Heritabilities and repeatabilities of the reproduction traits were also determined. The analyses were carried out on 913 litter records using average information-restricted maximum likelihood method applied to single trait animal models. Estimates of heritability for most traits were small, except for ABW (0·33) and MW (0·35). Estimates of repeatability were slightly higher than those of heritability for TNB, NBA and NW, but they were almost identical for ABW, MW, GL and DFI. After 4 years of selection, the high growth line sows had significantly heavier body weight prior to mating and produced significantly more piglets born alive with heavier average birth weight than the low line sows. There were, however, no statistical differences between the selected lines in TNB or NW. The lower food intake of high relative to low line sows during lactation was not significant, indicating that daily food intake differences found between grower pigs in the high and low lines (2·71 v. 2·76 kg/day, s.e.d. 0·024) on ad libitum feeding were not fully expressed in lactating sows. It is concluded that selection for growth rate on the restricted ration resulted in beneficial effects on important measures of reproductive performance of thea sows.
Inclusion of oat hulls in diets for young pigs based on cooked maize or cooked rice
Authors: Mateos G. G. , Martín F. , Latorre M. A. , Vicente B. , Lázaro R.
Published: February 2006

An experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of the main cereal (cooked maize or cooked rice) and the inclusion of cooked and expanded oat hulls (0, 20 or 40 g/kg) in the diet on total tract apparent nutrient digestibility (TTAD) and productive performance of piglets weaned at 21 days. Each of the six treatments was replicated eight times (five piglets penned together) and the trial lasted for 33 days. From 21 to 41 days of age piglets were given their respective experimental complex diets that contained 530 g/kg cooked cereal and from 41 to 54 days they received a common starter diet based on maize, barley and soya-bean meal. Growth promoters were not included in the diets. The TTAD was determined at 27 and 37 days of age and pig performance was measured at 31, 41 and 54 days of age. Nutrient digestibility increased with age (P<0·001) and in general were higher for rice- than for maize-based diets (P<0·001 for dry matter, organic matter and gross energy andP<0·05 for ether extract). From 21 to 41 days of age piglets given rice had higher food intake (FI,P<0·05) and average daily gain (ADG,P<0·01) than piglets given maize but food conversion ratio was not affected. The differences observed were maintained until the end of the trial. The inclusion of oat hulls in the diet did not affect TTAD of the nutrients but tended to reduce the incidence of diarrhoea from 21 to 41 days of age (P<0·1). Oat hulls inclusion reduced FI and ADG in diets based on maize but had the opposite effect in diets based on rice, indicating that piglets might have a minimum requirement for dietary fibre. It is concluded that cooked rice is an ingredient of choice in pre-starter diets for weanling pigs. Also, the inclusion of moderate levels of fibre as oat hulls reduces the incidence of diarrhoea and might improve productive performance in low fibre diets.
Voluntary food intake, live-weight gain, carcass quality and food conversion in contrasting genotypes of weaned suckler-bred bulls finished intensively on a cereal-based diet
Authors: Hyslop J. J. , Keatinge R. , Chapple D. G.
Published: February 2006

A bull beef finishing experiment was conducted with the objective of comparing physical performance of constrasting genotypes of suckler-bred bull beef animals finished intensively on a cereal-based diet at approximately 12 to 13 months of age. Nine bulls per genotype were drawn from weaned, bull calves born to one of two dam types (Belgian Blue×Holstein/Friesian (BB) or Simmental×Holstein/Friesian (SIM)) and which had been sired by one of two contrasting sire types (Aberdeen Angus (AA) or Charolais (CH)). Bull calves were weaned at approximately 8 months of age and the finishing experiment ran from approximately 9 months of age until slaughter at 12 to 13 months of age. Cereal-based concentrate diets were offered to all bulls on an ad libitum basis throughout the experimental finishing period. Dry matter intake (DMI), live-weight gain (LWG), food conversion ratio (FCR), and carcass slaughter characteristics were quantified.

Average daily LWG was 2·07, 2·11, 2·34 and 2·65 kg/day, average FCR was 5·14, 5·06, 4·70 and 4·12 kg DMI per kg LWG and average age at slaughter was 387, 381, 374 and 366 days for the AA/BB, AA/SIM, CH/BB and CH/SIM bulls respectively. These figures showed that CH sired bulls grew faster ( P<0·001), finished at an earlier age ( P<0·01) and had better food conversion ratios ( P<0·01) than AA sired bulls. CH sired bulls also produced heavier carcasses (P<0·001) with better conformation ( P<0·001) than AA sired bulls. Average cold carcass weights (CCW) at slaughter were 309, 318, 348 and 365 kg and average conformation scores (15-point scale) at slaughter were 9·28, 10·28, 12·39 and 12·75 for the AA/BB, AA/SIM, CH/BB and CH/SIM bulls respectively. Finished bulls from SIM dams had higher LWGs (P<0·01) and produced heavier carcasses (P<0·05) than bulls from BB dams. No statistically significant differences in fat score (15-point scale) were seen between any of the breed combinations with fat scores of 7·50, 7·25, 6·75 and 6·75 for the AA/BB, AA/SIM, CH/BB and CH/SIM bulls respectively. No significant differences in average daily food intake were observed between breed combinations in the experiment with average daily DMI being 10·6, 10·6, 11·0 and 10·9 kg/day for AA/BB, AA/SIM, CH/BB and CH/SIM bulls respectively.

Overall, there was little evidence to suggest that the rate of bull LWG declined to bring about any meaningful reduction in productivity as average bull live weight increased from approximately 9 months of age until slaughter at 12 to 13 months of age. When finished on a nutrient-rich, cereal-based concentrate diet, excellent animal performance and commercially acceptable carcasses can be produced from the UK suckler herd using genetically superior sires of either traditional UK or continental beef cattle breeds. Results from this study indicate that CH sired bulls out-performed AA sired bulls, especially when produced from SIM cows.
Performance, slaughter characteristics and meat quality of young bulls from Belgian Blue, Limousin and Aberdeen Angus breeds fattened with a sugar-beet pulp or a cereal-based diet
Authors: Cuvelier C. , Cabaraux J. F. , Dufrasne I. , Clinquart A. , Hocquette J. F. , Istasse L. , Hornick J.-L.
Published: February 2006

Thirty-six young fattening bulls from three breeds (Belgian Blue, Limousin and Aberdeen Angus) were fattened over 5 months with fattening diets based either on sugar-beet pulp or on cereals. Fattening performance as well as carcass and meat characteristics were measured. There were few relevant effects of the diets on the parameters. The breeds also showed similar fattening features. However, the BB had higher killing-out proportion and their carcasses presented better scores in terms of conformation and fattening. The meat quality of the breeds differed, especially in terms of luminosity, redness and cooking losses. There were also significant influences of breed on the chemical composition of meat; fat content was lowest in Belgian Blue and highest in Aberdeen Angus. Such specificities could help to allocate breeds in appropriate niches in Belgium.
Effect of forage: concentrate ratio on ruminal metabolism and duodenal flow of fatty acids in beef steers
Authors: Lee M. R. F. , Tweed J. K. S. , Dewhurst R. J. , Scollan N. D.
Published: February 2006

The objective of this study was to determine the proportion of forage in the diet which would maximize duodenal flow of unsaturated fatty acids in beef steers supplemented with linseed oil. A second objective was to determine how diets differing in forage content, but equal in nitrogen (N), energy and lipid supply, would affect the duodenal flow of C18:1and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers. Eight Hereford×Friesian steers (533±13·6 kg), prepared with rumen and duodenal cannulae were offered one of four forage:concentrate (F:C) ratios: F80C20; F60C40; F40C60 and F20C80 on a dry-matter (DM) basis. All diets were offered at 0·013 body weight and designed to be isonitrogenous and isoenergetic with total lipid made up to 0·06 DM intake with linseed oil. The experimental design was a replicated incomplete 4×4 Latin square with three periods. Increasing the concentrate component in the diet from 0·20 to 0·60 reduced rumen pH from 6·58 to 6·37 and caused a small but significant shift in volatile fatty acid molar proportions, decreasing the non-glucogenic ratio. Rumen ammonia-nitrogen concentration was also significantly reduced with increasing concentrate, from 156·8 to 101·0 mg N per l on F80C20 and F20C80, respectively. Microbial nitrogen (MN) and the efficiency of microbial protein synthesis was significantly elevated as forage level decreased from 51·6 to 72·4 g/day and 17·2 to 27·3 g MN per kg organic matter apparently digested in the rumen, respectively for F80C20 and F20C80. Intake and duodenal flow of C18:1n-9 and C18:2n-6 were significantly higher with increasing concentrate level in the diet whereas C18:3n-3 intake and flow was not different, averaging 143·6 and 6·37 g/day, respectively. There were no differences in the flows of total C18:1transor CLA (47·7 and 1·79 g/day, respectively) across the diets. However, although not significantly different in duodenal flow there were trends (P<0·1) for an increasing proportion of trans-10 and a decreasing proportion oftrans-11 when increasing the concentrate in the diet. Biohydrogenation of C18:2n-6 decreased from 0·91 to 0·85 when increasing concentrate in the diet from 0·20 to 0·40 but further increases had no effect. F:C ratio had little effect on the flow of unsaturated fatty acids, C18:1transand CLA to the duodenum of beef steers, and this may relate to the ability of the rumen to buffer the large changes in concentrate intake.
Protein value for ruminants of a sample of whole cottonseed
Authors: González J. , Faría-Mármol J. , Rodríguez C.A. , Ouarti M. , Alvir M.R. , Centeno C.
Published: February 2006

The effective ruminal degradability (ED) of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and amino acids, and the effective intestinal digestibility (IED) of DM and CP of a sample of whole cottonseed was measured using in situ and rumen outflow rate techniques in three wethers cannulated in the rumen and duodenum. The microbial contamination of rumen incubated residues was corrected by a continuous rumen infusion of15NH3as microbial marker and rumen solid associated bacteria as reference sample. Microbial contamination resulted in an overestimation of the undegradable fraction of DM (0·291v. 0·275;P<0·05) and CP (0·071v. 0·037;P<0·01) and a small underestimation of ED of DM (0·500v. 0·512;P=0·09) and CP (0·755v. 0·779;P=0·052). A proportion of 0·1 of the ruminal undegraded CP was of microbial origin and for essential amino acids this proportion varied from 0·042 to 0·150. Differences in ED between amino acids modified the amino acid profile, with an important reduction (0·2;P<0·01) in the proportion of lysine. Apparent intestinal digestibility of the insoluble fraction of this food, measured with the mobile nylon bag technique, showed large reductions (P<0·001) with the increase of the ruminal incubation time between 0 and 72 h: from 0·392 to 0·026 for DM and from 0·851 to 0·099 for CP. These evolutions fitted an exponential function with a previous lag. The IED was estimated either by integration of these equations and those describing the ruminal degradation and rumen outflow or by incubation through the intestines of a sample pooled to be representative of rumen flow of the undegraded food. The two methods gave similar values for both DM (0·222v. 0·203) and CP (0·659v. 0·658).
Maintenance threonine requirement and efficiency of its use for accretion of whole-body threonine and protein in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) fry
Authors: Xavier Rollin , Wauters Jean-Baptiste , Bodin Noélie , Larondelle Yvan , Ooghe Wilfried , Wathelet Bernard , Abboudi Tarik
Published: February 2006

Eighteen groups of seventy Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) fry (initial mean body weight 0·8 (sd 0·01) g) were fed on semi-purified diets containing graded levels of l-threonine (Thr) in 15 litres aquaria at a temperature of 14·5±1°C. Doses of Thr represented 1, 31, 41, 51, 62, 72, 83 and 93% of its ideal level for optimumprotein deposition. Indispensable amino acids other than Thr were included in the same proportion (on a g/16g N basis) as in the Atlantic salmon fry whole-body carcass. Following 36d of feeding and a 36h fast, fry were killed for whole-body protein and amino acid analysis. Weight gain (r2 0·98), protein accretion (r2 0·97), and Thr accretion (r2 0·97) were linear (P<0·01) functions of Thr intake. Slope of the Thr accretion regression line showed that the efficiency of Thr utilisation above maintenance was 76%. At zero Thr intake, fry lost 5·4mg Thr/kg body weight0·75 per d. The Thr maintenance requirement was 7·2mg/kg body weight0·75 per d and the Thr requirement for growth was 66mg for 1g protein deposition. Increasing doses of Thr resulted in increased (P<0·05) concentrations of histidine and lysine, and decreased concentrations of isoleucine in whole-body protein. The maintenance need for Thr represented 13·4% of the total need for Thr. The data suggest that efficiency of Thr utilisation above maintenance is constant at all levels of Thr intake between 1 and 93% of the level required for optimum protein deposition.
Improvement of the human intestinal flora by ingestion of the probiotic strainLactobacillus johnsoniiLa1
Authors: Yamano Toshihiko , Iino Hisakazu , Takada Mamiko , Blum Stephanie , Rochat Florence , Fukushima Yoichi
Published: February 2006

To exert beneficial effects for the host, for example, improving the intestinal microflora, a probiotic must reach the intestine as a viable strain. These properties must be demonstrated byin vitroas well asin vivomethods. However, only a few well-designed human clinical studies have shown these properties.Lactobacillus johnsoniiLa1 has been shown to give many beneficial effects for the host, but it is unclear whether a viable strain ofL. johnsoniiLa1 has the effect of improving host intestinal microflora. In the present study, a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over trial was conducted to elucidate the effect ofL. johnsoniiLa1 on human intestinal microflora. Twenty-two young healthy Japanese women were randomly divided into two groups, and either received fermented milk withL. johnsoniiLa1 or a fermented milk withoutL. johnsoniiLa1 (placebo) daily for 21d. Consumption of the fermented milk: (a) increased totalBifidobacteriumandLactobacillus, and decreased lecithinase-positiveClostridiumin the faeces; (b) increased the faecal lactic acid concentrations; (c) decreased the faecal pH; (d) increased the defecation frequency. These changes were stronger than those observed with the placebo.L. johnsoniiLa1 was identified in all subjects only after the consumption of the fermented milk. These results suggest thatL. johnsoniiLa1 can contribute to improve intestinal microflora with probiotic properties.
Serum selenium determinants in French adults: the SU.VI.M.AX study
Authors: Arnaud J. , Bertrais S. , Roussel A. M. , Arnault N. , Ruffieux D. , Favier A. , Berthelin S. , Estaquio C. , Galan P. , Czernichow S. , Hercberg S.
Published: February 2006

The objective of the present work was to assess the relationship between serum Se concentrations and environmental determinants (i.e. lifestyle, social activity, geographic region, urban status, education, familial status, physical activity, BMI, tobacco, and food and alcohol consumption). Baseline results from 13017 subjects (7876 women aged 35–60 and 5141 men aged 45–60) who participated in the SU.VI.M.AX (Supplémentation en Vitamines et Minéraux Antioxydants) study were analysed. Fewer than 2% of the volunteers had a serum Se status under 0·75μmol/l, which has been quoted as the cut-off of biological Se sub-deficiency. Women had significantly lower serum Se concentrations than men (1·09 (sd 0·19) μmol/l (n 7423) and 1·14 (sd 0·20) μmol/l (n 4915), P<0·0001, respectively). Significant differences in serum Se concentrations were observed between geographic areas. In both sexes, the serum Se concentration increased with alcohol, meat and fish consumption, and decreased with smoking. In premenopausal women, the serum Se concentration was higher in contraceptive-pill users than in non-users. In women only, age was associated with increased serum Se concentrations, and obesity (BMI≥30kg/m2) was associated with decreased serum Se levels. In men, we observed a decrease in serum Se concentrations with increased consumption of vegetables and fruits. In conclusion, though few of the volunteers participating in the SU.VI.M.AX study had Se status in the sub-deficiency range, 83% of women and 75% of men had serum concentrations below the value considered optimal for glutathione peroxidase activity. The largest Se associations in both sexes were found with regions, smoking, alcohol, meat and fish consumption. Further studies are needed to understand the difference in Se status between genders.
Does nutrition have a role in peripheral vascular disease?
Authors: Carrero Juan J. , Grimble Robert F.
Published: February 2006

Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a manifestation of systemic atherosclerosis in the lower limbs, and PVD patients have a 3- to 5-fold increased risk of cardiovascular mortality compared with age-matched controls. Nevertheless, recent reports show how PVD patients are undertreated with regard to CVD risk-factor reduction and the use of lipid-lowering or antiplatelet drugs. There is appreciable evidence that demonstrates the beneficial effects of certain nutrients and dietary habits in the prevention of CVD, but there has been little attention paid to the role of nutrients in PVD. The purpose of the present review is to provide an overview of our understanding of how foods could possibly benefit PVD. In the last few decades, several nutrients have arisen as potentially health-promoting in PVD. While nutritional interventions in PVD show positive clinical effects for fish oil, carnitine or vitamin E, others such as olive oil or vitamin C seem to interact only at a biochemical level by decreasing risk factors. Moreover, only epidemiological associations exist for the potential role of fibre, folates or vitamin B6 in this disease. In all cases, the limited data available provide no clear-cut evidence in favour of the clinical benefit of nutritional interventions aimed at reducing risk factors and ameliorating symptoms in PVD patients. No practical recommendations can be given at this stage, and further studies are clearly needed.
‘Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool’ predicts mortality and length of hospital stay in acutely ill elderly
Authors: Stratton Rebecca J. , King Claire L. , Stroud Mike A. , Jackson Alan A. , Elia Marinos
Published: February 2006

Malnutrition and its impact on clinical outcome may be underestimated in hospitalised elderly as many screening procedures require measurements of weight and height that cannot often be undertaken in sick elderly patients. The ‘Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool’ (‘MUST’)has been developed to screen all adults, even if weight and/or height cannot be measured, enabling more complete information on malnutrition prevalence and its impact on clinical outcome to be obtained. In the present study, 150 consecutively admitted elderly patients (age 85 (sd 5·5) years) were recruited prospectively, screened with ‘MUST’ and clinical outcome recorded. Although only 56% of patients could be weighed, all (n 150) could be screened with ‘MUST’; 58% were at malnutrition risk and these individuals had greater mortality (in-hospital and post-discharge, P<0·01) and longer hospital stays (P=0·02) than those at low risk. Both ‘MUST’ categorisation and component scores (BMI, weight loss, acute disease) were significantly related to mortality (P<0·03). Those patients with no measured or recalled weight (‘MUST’ subjective criteria used) had a greater risk of malnutrition (P<0·002) than those who could be weighed and, within both groups, clinical outcome was worse in those at risk of malnutrition. The present study suggests that ‘MUST’ predicts clinical outcome in hospitalised elderly, in whom malnutrition is common (58%). In those who cannot be weighed, a higher prevalence of malnutrition and associated poorer clinical outcome supports the importance of routine screening with a tool, like ‘MUST’, that can be used to screen all patients.
Dietary inulin intake and age can significantly affect absorption of the faecal marker dysprosium in rats
Authors: Coudray Charles , Feillet-Coudray Christine , Rayssiguier Yves
Published: February 2006

It is believed that rare earth elements are not absorbed, and thus they are generally used in some mineral absorption studies as a faecal marker. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of inulin intake and age on dysprosium (Dy) absorption in rats. Eighty male Wistar rats of four different ages (2, 5, 10 and 20 months) were randomised into either a control group or a group receiving 3·75% inulin in their diet for 4d and then 7·5% inulin until the end of the study. The animals were fed fresh food and waterad libitumfor 30d. The intestinal absorption of Dy was determined from a 4d (day 21 to day 25) balance study. Mean faecal Dy recovery (%) in the eight groups (3 months control, 3 months inulin, 6 months control, 6 months inulin, 11 months control, 11 months inulin, 21 months control, 21 months inulin) was 94·0 (sd 8·6), 64·8 (sd 10·1), 95·8 (sd 9·4), 81·5 (sd 12·1), 98·4 (sd 9·8), 87·8 (sd 9·5), 97·8 (sd 6·2) and 84·9 (sd 10·9), respectively. Our results showed clearly that dietary inulin intake decreased faecal Dy recovery in all four rat groups, and faecal Dy recovery was significantly higher in the old rats (10 and 20 months) than in the young and adult rats. These results show that the faecal recovery (or intestinal absorption) of Dy may vary greatly with nutritional or physiological states such as inulin intake or age. The use of rare earth elements as a faecal marker should be thus validated under each nutritional or physiological state before being employed in mineral absorption studies.
Effects of orally administeredLactobacillus caseiDN-114 001 on the composition or activities of the dominant faecal microbiota in healthy humans
Authors: Rochet Violaine , Rigottier-Gois Lionel , Sutren Maléne , Krementscki Marie-Noëlle , Andrieux Claude , Furet Jean-Pierre , Tailliez Patrick , Levenez Florence , Mogenet Agnés , Bresson Jean-Louis , Méance Séverine , Cayuela Chantal , Leplingard Antony , Dore Joël
Published: February 2006

The composition and activities of the faecal microbiota in twelve healthy subjects analysed in a single open study were monitored before (1-week baseline step), during (10d supplementation step) and after (10d follow-up step) the ingestion of a fermented milk containingLactobacillus caseiDN-114001. Fluorescentin situhybridisation with group-specific DNA probes, real-time PCR usingL. paracaseigroup-specific primers and temporal temperature gradient gel electrophoresis (TTGE) using group-specific primers were carried out, together with bacterial enzyme activity and metabolite analyses to monitor the structure and activities of the faecal microbiota.L. caseiDNA was detected in the faeces of all of the subjects by TTGE after 10d supplementation. Its quantification by real-time PCR showed a 1000-fold increase during the test step compared with initial levels. No major modification in either the dominant members of the faecal microbiota or their activities was observed during the trial. In conclusion, the short-term consumption of a milk product containingL. caseiDN-114001 was accompanied by a high, transient increase in the quantity of this strain in the faeces of all of the subjects without markedly affecting biochemical or bacteriological factors.
Magnetic resonance imaging of the behaviour of oil-in-water emulsions in the gastric lumen of man
Authors: Marciani Luca , Wickham Martin S. J. , Bush Debbie , Faulks Richard , Wright Jeff , Fillery-Travis Annette J. , Spiller Robin C. , Gowland Penny A.
Published: February 2006

Pre-processed foods often contain a high percentage of lipid, present as emulsions stabilised with various surface-active agents. The acidic gastric environment can affect the behaviour of such emulsions, modifying the lipid spatial distribution and, in turn, the rate of gastric emptying and nutrient delivery to the gut. The aim of the present study was to use echo-planar magnetic resonance imaging (EPI) to determine the behaviour of model olive oil emulsions during gastric processing. Six healthy male volunteers were intubated nasogastrically on two separate occasions and fed 500ml 15% (w/w) olive oil-in-water, surfactant-stabilised emulsions designed to have identical droplet size distribution and which were either stable or unstable under gastric acid conditions. EPI was used to assess the oil fraction of the intragastric emulsions, gastric emptying and to visualise the spatial distribution of the oil at 10, 30 and 50min postprandially. The in vivo imaging measurements of the oil volume fraction of the emulsions correlated well (r 0·66, acid-stable; r 0·52, acid-unstable) with that assayed in the gastric aspirates. Compared with the acid-stable emulsion, the acid-unstable emulsion in the gastric lumen rapidly separated into lipid-depleted ‘aqueous’ and lipid layers. Phase separation in the acid-unstable meal allowed the oil-depleted component to empty first and more rapidly than the stable emulsion as determined by the gastric emptying curves. These pilot data suggest that gastric processing and emptying of high-fat foods could be manipulated by careful choice of emulsifier.
Oral immunoadjuvant activity ofLactobacillus caseisubsp.caseiin dextran-fed layer chickens
Authors: Ogawa Tomohiko , Asai Yasuyuki , Sakamoto Hiromi , Yasuda Kenji
Published: February 2006

We recently reported that synbioticLactobacillus caseisubsp.caseitogether with specific substrate dextran elicited an enhancement in humoral immune response against bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a model antigen in BALB/c mice. The present study was designed to evaluate the oral immunoadjuvant effects of the synbiotic in layer chickens. Using a PCR assay,L. caseisubsp.caseiwas detected specifically in the intestinal chyme of chickens (10d of age, Julia strain) fedad libitumon a diet supplemented with 75mg dextran/kg (dextran-supplemented diet, DSD) and administered orally with 107colony-forming units (CFU)L. caseisubsp.caseiin 0·1ml PBS with the aid of an intubation needle at 1, 2 and 3d of age. Furthermore, oral administration of 107CFUL. caseisubsp.caseiat 1–3d of age significantly enhanced the production of anti-BSA antibody in DSD-fed chickens (60d of age) administered orally with 1mg BSA at 32 and 33d of age and subcutaneously with 5μg BSA at 33d of age. In addition, among bacterial numbers tested, 106CFUL. caseisubsp.caseitogether with dextran induced an effective increase in humoral immune response to mixed inactivated vaccines against Newcastle disease and avian infectious bronchitis, and the treatment may be advantageous in protecting against these infectious diseases in chickens in actual application. These results suggest that dietary supplementation ofL. caseisubsp.caseiwith dextran leads to immunomodulation of humoral immune responses.
Menadione is a metabolite of oral vitamin K
Authors: Thijssen Henk H. W. , Vervoort Lily M. T. , Schurgers Leon J. , Shearer Martin J.
Published: February 2006

Phylloquinone is converted into menaquinone-4 and accumulates in extrahepatic tissues. Neither the route nor the function of the conversion is known. One possible metabolic route might be the release of menadione from phylloquinone by catabolic activity. In the present study we explored the presence of menadione in urine and the effect of vitamin K intake on its excretion. Menadione in urine was analysed by HPLC assay with fluorescence detection. Urine from healthy male volunteers was collected before and after administration of a single dose of K vitamins. Basal menadione excretion in non-supplemented subjects (n 6) was 5·4 (sd 3·2) μg/d. Urinary menadione excretion increased greatly after oral intake of the K vitamins, phylloquinone and menaquinone-4 and -7. This effect was apparent within 1–2h and peaked at about 3h after intake. Amounts of menadione excreted in 24h after vitamin K intake ranged, on a molar basis, from 1 to 5% of the administered dose, indicating that about 5–25% of the ingested K vitamins had been catabolized to menadione. Menadione excretion was not enhanced by phylloquinone administered subcutaneously or by 2′,3′-dihydrophylloquinone administered orally. In archived samples from a depletion/repletion study (Booth et al. (2001)Am J Clin Nutr74, 783–790), urinary menadione excretion mirrored dietary phylloquinone intake. The present study shows that menadione is a catabolic product of K vitamins formed after oral intake. The rapid appearance in urine after oral but not subcutaneous administration suggests that catabolism occurs during intestinal absorption. The observations make it likely that part of the menaquinone-4 in tissues results from uptake and prenylation of circulating menadione
Hyperglycaemia and reduced glucokinase expression in weanling offspring from dams maintained on a high-fat diet
Authors: Cerf Marlon E. , Muller Christo J. , Du Toit Don F. , Louw Johan , Wolfe-Coote Sonia A.
Published: February 2006

High-fat feeding reduces the expression of GLUT-2 and the glycolytic enzyme glucokinase (GK). The transcription factor, pancreatic duodenal homeobox-1 (Pdx-1), is important for β-cell maintenance. The aim of the present study was to determine, in weanling Wistar rats, the effect of a maternal high-fat diet (HFD) during defined periods of gestation and lactation, on body weight, circulating glucose and insulin concentrations, and the expression of GLUT-2, GK and Pdx-1. At postnatal day 21, weights were recorded and glucose and insulin concentrations were measured. The expression levels for mRNA were quantified by LightCycler PCR. Pancreatic sections, immunostained for GLUT-2, GK or Pdx-1, were assessed by image analysis. Weanlings from dams fed an HFD throughout gestation were lighter, with heavier weanlings produced from dams fed an HFD throughout gestation and lactation. Both these groups of weanlings were normoglycaemic, all the others being hyperglycaemic. Hypoinsulinaemia was evident in weanlings from dams fed an HFD throughout gestation only and also for either the first week of lactation or throughout lactation. GLUT-2 mRNA expression was reduced and GLUT-2 immunoreactivity was increased in most of the weanlings. GK mRNA expression and immunoreactivity was reduced in most of the offspring. Pdx-1 mRNA expression was increased in weanlings from dams fed an HFD throughout both gestation and lactation and reduced in those from dams only fed a lactational HFD. Normal Pdx-1 immunoreactivity was found in all of the weanlings. A maternal HFD induces hyperglycaemia in weanlings concomitant with reduced GK expression which may compromise β-cell function.
The hypotensive response to oral fat is comparable but slower compared with carbohydrate in healthy elderly subjects
Authors: Visvanathan Renuka , Horowitz Michael , Chapman Ian
Published: February 2006

The objective of the present study was to determine the comparative hypotensive responses to drinks containing predominantly fat and carbohydrate (CHO) in healthy elderly subjects. Using a randomised, cross-over study, the participants, twelve elderly subjects, six of them female (72·2 (sd 5·7) years), were investigated. On three separate days, blood pressure (BP) and heart rate were measured following ingestion of 300ml drinks containing: (1) CHO (75g glucose and 93g Polyjoule (CHO polymer) providing 2732kJ (653kcal)); (2) 88% fat (cream blended with milk providing 2732kJ (653kcal)); (3) water. Systolic BP decreased following the CHO drink (P<0·001) and the high-fat drink (P<0·001) but not water; there was no difference in the magnitude of the decrease between the CHO drink and the drink containing fat (13·4v. 15·6mmHg). However, the onset of the fall was slower after the fat-containing drink (13·0v. 26·5min (P=0·01); area under the curve for 0–30min for CHO drink −6·5v. fat-containing drink 125·4 mmHg×min (P=0·043)). We conclude that ingestion of a high-fat drink results in a comparable fall in BP to a CHO drink although the onset is relatively slower. These observations may have implications for the management of postprandial hypotension.
Beef conjugated linoleic acid isomers reduce human cancer cell growth even when associated with other beef fatty acids
Authors: Torre Anne De La , Debiton Eric , Juanéda Pierre , Durand Denys , Chardigny Jean-Michel , Barthomeuf Chantal , Bauchart Dominique , Gruffat Dominique
Published: February 2006

Although many data are available concerning anticarcinogenic effects of industrial conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), few studies have reported the antitumour properties of CLA mixtures originating from ruminant products. The aim of the present study was to investigate thein vitroantiproliferative effects of beef CLA mixtures on breast, lung, colon, melanoma and ovarian human cancer cell lines. For this purpose, four fatty acid (FA) extracts prepared from beef lipid and varying in their CLA composition, their corresponding purified CLA-enriched fractions, and mixtures of pure synthetic CLA, the composition of which reproduced that of the four selected beef samples, were tested on cancer cell lines. Cancer cells were exposed for 48h to medium containing 100μm-FA and their proliferation was determined by quantifying cellular DNA content (Hoechst 33342 dye). Compared with cells incubated without FA, the number of cancer cells was reduced from 25 to 67% (P<0·0001) following FA treatment. Antiproliferative effects of CLA mixtures varied in magnitude according to the source of FA, the CLA composition and the cell lines. CLA mixtures naturally present in beef inhibited the proliferation of human cancer cell lines, a high content incis-transisomers allowing the most important antiproliferative effect. Beef total FA exhibited a greater growth-inhibitory activity than their corresponding CLA-enriched fractions. These results suggested that either beef FA other than beef CLA could possess antiproliferative properties and/or the existence of complementary effects of non-conjugated FA and CLA, which could favour the antiproliferative properties of beef total FA.
Towards understanding of glycaemic index and glycaemic load in habitual diet: associations with measures of glycaemia in the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study
Authors: Mayer-Davis Elizabeth J. , Dhawan Ashish , Liese Angela D. , Teff Karen , Schulz Mandy
Published: February 2006

Epidemiologic studies have applied the glycaemic index (GI) and glycaemic load (GL) to assessments of usual dietary intake. Results have been inconsistent particularly for the association of GI or GL with diabetes incidence. We aimed to advance understanding of the GI and GL as applied to food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) by evaluating GI and GL in relation to plasma measures of glycaemia. Included were 1255 adults at a baseline examination (1994–6) and 813 who returned for the 5-year follow-up examination. Usual diet, at both examinations, was assessed by a validated FFQ. GI and GL were evaluated in relation to average fasting glucose (two measures at each examination) and 2h post-75g glucose load plasma glucose (baseline and follow-up), and glycated haemoglobin (A1c; follow-up only); using generalized linear models. Correlation coefficients (r) for GI and GL related to measures of glycaemia, adjusted for total energy intake, ranged from −0·004 to 0·04 (all NS) for both examinations. Adjustment for potential confounders, for fasting glucose in models for 2h glucose (to model incremental glucose) and for average fasting glucose in models for A1c (to account, in part, for overnight endogenous glucose production) also did not materially alter findings, nor did inclusion of data from both examinations together in linear mixed models. The present results call into question the utility of GI and GL to reflect glycaemic response to food adequately, when used in the context of usual diet. Further work is needed to quantify usual dietary exposures relative to glucose excursion and associated chronic glycaemia and other metabolic parameters.
Body composition changes in haemodialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism after parathyroidectomy measured by conventional and vector bioimpedance analysis
Authors: Peters B. S. E. , Jorgetti V. , Martini L. A.
Published: February 2006

Considering the negative effects of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF), the objective of the present study was to evaluate body composition changes using conventional and vector bioimpedance analysis in patients before and after parathyroidectomy (PTX). Twelve adult patients, mean age 43·4 (sd 12·7) years, were evaluated prior to and 6 months after PTX. Diets were assessed with 3d dietary records, and mean energy, protein, calcium and phosphorus intake were estimated from these inventories. Weight, height, BMI and bioelectrical impedance were measured; and biochemical markers of nutritional status (albumin and total protein) and bone metabolism (calcium, phosphorus and intact parathyroid hormone) were determined. No significant differences were observed in mean energy, protein and phosphorus after surgery. There was a significant increase in calcium intake after PTX (382·3 (sd 209·6) mg to 656·6 (sd 313·8) mg;P<0·05). Mean weight, BMI, conventional bioelectrical impedance measurements, total body fat, lean body mass and total body water were unaffected by surgery. However, the phase angle and reactance significantly increased after PTX (5·0° (sd 1·4) to 5·6° (sd 1·3); 44·1 (sd 15·6) Ω to 57·1 (sd 14·4) Ω, respectively). The high levels of intact parathyroid hormone before surgery had a negative effect on total body fat (r−0·69,P<0·05). After PTX, the mean albumin significantly increased (3·9 (sd 0·4) g/dl to 4·2 (sd 0·6) g/dl;P<0·05). PTX for SHPT is associated with certain changes in laboratory values, dietary intake and body composition. The latter is best seen with bioimpedance vector analysis.
Longitudinal associations between body mass index and serum carotenoids: the CARDIA study
Authors: Andersen Lene Frost , Jacobs David R , Gross Myron D. , Schreiner Pamela J. , Dale Williams O. , Lee Duk-Hee
Published: February 2006

Cross-sectional studies report an inverse association between BMI and serum carotenoid concentration. The present study examined the prospective association between BMI and the serum concentration of five carotenoids in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. Serum carotenoids (α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin/lutein, lycopene), BMI, dietary intake, physical activity and dietary supplement use were measured at years 0 and 7 in 3071 black and white male and female participants, who were either persistent smokers or non-smokers. Among non-smokers, year 0 BMI predicted year 7 serum carotenoid levels: obese subjects (BMI ≥30kg/m2) had an average concentration of the sum of four carotenoids (α-carotene +β-carotene + zeaxanthin/lutein +β-cryptoxanthin)that was 22% lower than the concentration among subjects with a BMI of less than 22kg/m2. In contrast, the sum of carotenoids among smokers was only 6% lower. Relationships between BMI and serum lycopene were weak. The change from year 0 to year 7 in serum carotenoids, except for lycopene, was inversely associated with the change in BMI among non-smokers but not among smokers. Parallel findings were observed for BMI and serum γ-glutamyl transferase level. In summary, the observation that BMI predicted the evolution of serum carotenoids during a 7-year follow-up among young non-smoking adults is consistent with the hypothesis that carotenoids are decreased in protecting against oxidative stress generated by adipose tissue, while smokers maintain a minimal level of serum carotenoids independent of adiposity. The results for lycopene were, however, discordant from those of the other carotenoids.
Soya phytonutrients act on a panel of genes implicated withBRCA1andBRCA2oncosuppressors in human breast cell lines
Authors: Caëtano Bertrand , Le Corre Ludovic , Chalabi Nassera , Delort Laetitia , Bignon Yves-Jean , Bernard-Gallon Dominique J.
Published: February 2006

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and a significant cause of death. Mutations of the oncosuppressor genesBRCA1andBRCA2are associated with a hereditary risk of breast cancer, and dysregulation of their expression has been observed in sporadic cases. Soya isoflavones have been shown to inhibit breast cancer in studiesin vitro, but associations between the consumption of isoflavone-containing foods and breast cancer risk have varied in epidemiological studies. Soya is a unique source of the phytoestrogens daidzein (4′,7-dihydroxyisoflavone) and genistein (4′,5,7-trihydroxyisoflavone), two molecules that are able to inhibit the proliferation of human breast cancer cellsin vitro. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of genistein (5μg/ml) and daidzein (20μg/ml) on transcription in three human breast cell lines (one dystrophic, MCF10a, and two malignant, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) after 72h treatment. The different genes involved in theBRCA1andBRCA2pathways (GADD45A, BARD1, JUN, BAX, RB1, ERα, ERβ, BAP1, TNFα, p53, p21Waf1/Cip1, p300, RAD51, pS2, Ki-67) were quantified by real-time quantitative RT-PCR, using the TaqMan method and an ABI Prism 7700 Sequence Detector (Applied Biosystems). We observed that, in response to treatment, many of these genes were overexpressed in the breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) but not in the dystrophic cell line (MCF10a).
Intake of micronutrients high in animal-source foods is associated with better growth in rural Kenyan school children
Authors: Grillenberger Monika , Neumann Charlotte G. , Murphy Suzanne P. , Bwibo Nimrod O. , Weiss Robert E. , Jiang Luohua , Hautvast Joseph G. A. J. , West Clive E.
Published: February 2006

Observational studies have shown that children in developing countries consuming diets containing high amounts of bioavailable nutrients, such as those found in animal-source foods, grow better. The present study investigated which specific nutrients from the diet of Kenyan school children predicted their growth. The children (n544, median age 7 years) participated in a 2-year long food supplementation study with animal-source foods. Height gain during the intervention period was positively predicted by average daily intakes of energy from animal-source foods, haem Fe, preformed vitamin A, Ca and vitamin B12. Weight gain was positively predicted by average daily intakes of energy from animal-source foods, haem Fe, preformed vitamin A, Ca and vitamin B12. Gain in mid-upper-arm muscle area was positively predicted by average daily intakes of energy from animal-source foods and vitamin B12. Gain in mid-upper-arm fat area was positively predicted by average daily intakes of energy from animal-source foods. Gain in subscapular skinfold thickness was not predicted by any of the nutrient intakes. Negative predictors of growth were total energy and nutrients that are contained in high amounts in plant foods. The study shows that growth was positively predicted by energy and nutrients that are provided in high amounts and in a bioavailable form in meat and milk, and their inclusion into the diets of children in developing countries should be part of all food-based programmes in order to improve micronutrient status and growth.