A well-functioning immune system is essential for human health and well-being. Micronutrients such as vitamins A, C, D, E, and zinc have several functions throughout the immune system, yet inadequate ...nutrient intakes are pervasive in the US population. A large body of research shows that nutrient inadequacies can impair immune function and weaken the immune response. Here, we present a new analysis of micronutrient usual intake estimates based on nationally representative data in 26,282 adults (>19 years) from the 2005-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES). Overall, the prevalence of inadequacy (% of population below estimated average requirement EAR) in four out of five key immune nutrients is substantial. Specifically, 45% of the U.S. population had a prevalence of inadequacy for vitamin A, 46% for vitamin C, 95% for vitamin D, 84% for vitamin E, and 15% for zinc. Dietary supplements can help address nutrient inadequacy for these immune-support nutrients, demonstrated by a lower prevalence of individuals below the EAR. Given the long-term presence and widening of nutrient gaps in the U.S.-specifically in critical nutrients that support immune health-public health measures should adopt guidelines to ensure an adequate intake of these micronutrients. Future research is needed to better understand the interactions and complexities of multiple nutrient shortfalls on immune health and assess and identify optimal levels of intake in at-risk populations.
Objectives This study was designed to assess whether the reinforcement of the antioxidant system, through n-3 fatty acids plus antioxidant vitamin supplementation, could reduce the incidence of ...post-operative atrial fibrillation. Background Therapy to prevent post-operative atrial fibrillation remains suboptimal. Although oxidative stress plays a key role in the pathogenesis of this arrhythmia, antioxidant reinforcement has produced controversial results. Methods A total of 203 patients scheduled for on-pump cardiac surgery were randomized to placebo or supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (2 g/day) (eicosapentaenoic acid:docosahexaenoic acid ratio 1:2), vitamin C (1 g/day), and vitamin E (400 IU/day). The primary outcome was the occurrence of post-operative atrial fibrillation. Secondary outcomes were the biomarkers related to oxidative stress and inflammation. Results Post-operative atrial fibrillation occurred in 10 of 103 patients (9.7%) in the supplemented group versus 32 of 100 patients (32%) in the placebo group (p < 0.001). Early after surgery, placebo patients presented with increased levels of biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress, which were markedly attenuated by antioxidant supplementation. The activity of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase in atrial tissue of the supplemented patients was 24.0%, 17.1%, and 19.7% higher than the respective placebo values (p < 0.05). The atrial tissue of patients who developed atrial fibrillation showed NADPH oxidase p47-phox subunit protein and mRNA expression 38.4% and 35.7% higher, respectively, than patients in sinus rhythm (p < 0.05). Conclusions This safe, well-tolerated, and low-cost regimen, consisting of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids plus vitamins C and E supplementation, favorably affected post-operative atrial fibrillation, increased antioxidant potential, and attenuated oxidative stress and inflammation. (Prevention of Post-Operative Atrial Fibrillation: Pathophysiological Characterization of a Pharmacological Intervention Based on a Novel Model of Nonhypoxic Pre-Conditioning; ISRCTN45347268 )
ABSTRACT Background: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) regulate glucose metabolism (GM) in skeletal muscle by improving the translocation of GLUT4. Antioxidant supplementation could block this ...physiological effect, altering glucose signaling during exercise. However, there is limited evidence in humans on whether antioxidant intake affects GM. Therefore, we aimed to determine the effect of an antioxidant cocktail (AOC) on GM at rest and during metabolic challenges. Methods: Ten healthy male subjects received AOC supplementation (1000 mg of Vitamin C, 600 IU of Vitamin E, and 600 mg of α-lipoic acid) or placebo (2.000 mg of talc) before two trials conducted 7 days apart. Trial 1: AOC 120 and 90 minutes before an endurance exercise (EEX) bout at 60 % of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max); Trial 2: AOC 120 and 90 minutes before an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT; 75 g glucose). Measurements of gas exchange and capillary blood samples were collected every 15 minutes during both trials. Results: AOC supplementation increased resting glucose levels (p<0.05). During Trial 1 (EEX), the AOC increased carbohydrate oxidation (CHOox) (p= 0.03), without effect in glucose blood levels. During Trial 2 (OGTT), the AOC supplementation had no significant effect on GM parameters. Conclusion: Acute supplementation with AOC increased resting glucose levels and CHOox during EEX in healthy subjects, with no effect on GM during the OGTT.
Latar belakang: aktivitas fisik maksimal (AFM) memicu ketidakseimbangan antara produksi radikal bebas dengan antioksidan dalam tubuh diketahui sebagai stres oksidatif. Vitamin C dan E berperan ...sebagai antioksidan eksogen dapat menghentikan reaksi berantai dari radikal bebas. Tujuan penelitian memberikan informasi kepada masyarakat tentang pengaruh pemberian suplementasi vitamin C dan E terhadap tingkat stres oksidatif setelah melakukan aktivitas fisik maksimal. Metode: studi eksperimental dengan rancangan posttest only control design. Sampel penelitian menggunakan tikus putih jantan galur wistar sebanyak 30 ekor, dibagi menjadi 5 kelompok yaitu kontrol, perlakuan I adalah AFM, perlakuan II adalah AFM dan 1,8 mg vitamin C, perlakuan III adalah AFM dan 1,44 mg vitamin E, dan perlakuan IV adalah AFM dan 1,8 mg vitamin C + 1,44 mg vitamin E. Intervensi dilakukan selama 14 hari. Semua kelompok dilakukan pemeriksaan malondialdehid di laboratorium pada akhir perlakuan. Data dianalisis menggunakan Uji One Way Anova. Kadar malondialdehid (MDA) secara signifikan menurunkan tingkat stres oksidatif (p<0,05). Kelompok suplementasi vitamin C dan E menurunkan kadar MDA secara signifikan 95,5 % setelah melakukan aktivitas fisik maksimal. Kesimpulan: suplementasi vitamin C dan E menurunkan tingkat stres oksidatif setelah melakukan aktivitas fisik maksimal. Konsumsi vitamin C dan E disarankan ketika tubuh mengalami stres oksidatif.
The assessment and validation of reliable analytical methods for the determination of vitamins in sugar-based matrices (e.g. honey) are still scarcely explored fields of research. This study proposes ...and fully validates a simple and fast RP-HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of five water-soluble vitamins (vitamin B
2, riboflavin; vitamin B
3, nicotinic acid; vitamin B
5, pantothenic acid; vitamin B
9, folic acid; and vitamin C, ascorbic acid) in honey. The method provides low detection and quantification limits, very good linearity in a large concentration interval, very good precision, and the absence of any bias. It has been successfully applied to 28 honey samples (mainly from Sardinia, Italy) of 12 different botanical origins. While the overall amount of the analytes in the samples is quite low (always below 40
mg
kg
−1), we have observed a marked dependence of some of their concentrations (i.e. vitamin B
3 and vitamin B
5) and the botanical origin of the honey. This insight might lead to important characterization features for this food item.
AIM: To investigate the effects of dietary vitamin C and foods containing vitamin C on gastric cancer risk.METHODS: Our study included 830 control subjects and 415 patients. Data regarding ...demographics, medical history, and lifestyle, including dietary and nutrient intake, were collected using reliable selfadministered questionnaires. Dietary intake information was collected from the participants using a food frequency questionnaire that has been previously reported as reliable and valid. A rapid urease test and a histological evaluation were used to determine the presence of Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) infection. Twenty-three vitamin C-contributing foods were selected, representing over 80% of the cumulative vitamin C contribution. RESULTS: In analyses adjusted for first-degree family history of gastric cancer, education level, job, household income, smoking status, and regular exercise, an inverseassociation between vitamin C intake and gastric cancer risk was observed for the highest(≥ 120.67 mg/d) vs the lowest(< 80.14 mg/d) intake category OR(95%CI): 0.64(0.46-0.88), with a significant trend across the three intake categories(P = 0.007). No protective effect of vitamin C was detected after stratification by gender. No effect of vitamin C intake on the gastric cancer incidence was found in either men or women infected with H. pylori. Vitamin C-contributing foods, including cabbage 0.45(0.32-0.63), 0.50(0.34-0.75), 0.45(0.25-0.81), strawberries 0.56(0.40-0.78), 0.49(0.32-0.74), 0.52(0.29-0.93), and bananas 0.40(0.29-0.57), 0.41(0.27-0.62), 0.34(0.19-0.63), were protective factors against the risk of gastric cancer based on the results of the overall adjusted analyses and the results for men and women, respectively.CONCLUSION: A protective effect of vitamin C and vitamin C-contributing foods against gastric cancer was observed. Further studies using larger sample sizes are required to replicate our results.
Ambient aerosol fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is associated with male reproductive toxicity in experiments and may have adverse effects in the female. However, studies evaluating the protective ...effects and precise mechanisms of aspirin, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, or ozone against toxic effects of PM2.5are sparse. This study was conducted to investigate the possible protective effects and mechanisms of aspirin, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, or ozone on fertility in female mice treated with PM2.5.
Eighty-four ICR mice were divided into six groups: control group, PM2.5group, PM2.5 + aspirin group, PM2.5 + Vitamin C group, PM2.5 + Vitamin E group, and PM2.5 + ozone group. PM2.5was given by intratracheal instillation every 2 days for 3 weeks. Aspirin, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E were given once a day by oral gavage for 3 weeks, and ozone was administered by intraperitoneal injection once a day for 3 weeks. The levels of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Western blotting analysis was used to analyze the expressions of Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3 in ovaries. Changes in histological structure were examined by light microscope and electron microscopy was used to detect ultramicrostructure.
The results demonstrated that PM2.5 decreased AMH levels (P < 0.001); however, aspirin (P < 0.001), Vitamin C (P < 0.001), Vitamin E (P = 0.001), and ozone (P = 0.002) alleviated the decrease. Changes of IL-6, TNF-α, 8-OHdG, Bax/Bcl-2, and caspase-3 in PM2.5group were increased compared to control group (P < 0.001), while in PM2.5 + aspirin, PM2.5 + Vitamin C, PM2.5 + Vitamin E, and PM2.5 + ozone groups, they were statistically decreased compared to PM2.5group (P < 0.001 or P< 0.05).
PM2.5cause the damage of ovaries, and aspirin, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and ozone antagonizes the damage. The protective mechanism is probably due to its ability to blunt the inflammatory and oxidative stress caused by PM2.5, which subsequently suppressing the expression of apoptotic regulatory protein and reducing the incidence of ovary apoptosis.
Introduction: Increasing usage of chemical fertilizers imposes irreparable damages to the environment. Disadvantages of chemical fertilizers has led to more attention to the application of organic ...fertilizers and manures. The use of organic fertilizers and livestock, especially in nutrient poor soils, it is necessary to maintain soil quality. Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) occupy the rhizosphere of many plant species and have beneficial effects on the host plant. They may influence the plant in a direct or indirect manner. A direct mechanism would be to increase plant growth by supplying the plant with nutrients and hormones. Indirect mechanisms on the otherhand, include, reduced susceptibility to diseases, and activing a form of defese referred to as induces systematic resistance. Examples of bacteria which have been found to enhance plant growth, include Pseudomonas, Enterobacter and Arthrobacter. Biofertilizers contain organic compounds that increase soil fertility either directly or as a result of their decay (9, 10). Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) belongs to the nightshade family, Solanaceae. The plant typically grow 1-3 meters in height and a weak stem. It is a perennial in its native habitat, although often grown outdoors in temperate climates as an annual. An average common tomato weighs approximately 100 grams. Tomatoes contain the carotene lycopene, one of the most powerful natural antioxidants. In some studies, lycopene, especially in cooked tomatoes, has been found to help prevent prostate cancer. Lycopene has also been shown to improve the skin’s ability to protect against harmful UV rays. Tomatoes might help in managing human neurodegenerative diseases. The lycopene has no effect on the risk of developing diabetes, but may help relieve the oxidative stress of people who already have diabetes. The purpose of this study was the possibility of replacing chemical fertilizers with biofertilizers, reducing production costs and increasing product quality. Materials and Methods: In order to study the effects of different fertilizers on the quantity and quality characteristics of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.), a split plot experiment based on RCBD design with three replications was conducted in 2009-10 growing season in research farm of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran. Two levels of poultry manure (zero and 20 ton ha-1) and five different fertilizers (nitroxin (A), phosphate solubizing bacteria (B), A+B, nitrogen and phosphorous chemical fertilizers and control) were considered as the main and sub factors, respectively. Studied traits were fruit number and weight per plant, total yield, marketable yield, spad number, brix index, c vitamin and lycopene content. Results and Discussion: The results showed that poultry manure increased total yield of tomato compared with control. Chemical fertilizers led to the production of highest total yield. Biophosphorous+nitroxin and biophosphorous increased marketable yield by 17 and 11 percent compared to control, respectively. The highest and the lowest contents of vitamin C were observed in nitroxin and chemical fertilizer, respectively. Biofertilizers and chemical fertilizers increased lycopene content compared with control, so that the maximum content of lycopene was obtained in the biophosphorous with 2.38 mg per 100 g sample, Also, the fruit yield of tomato was more in the first stage of harvesting rather than the second stage. It seems organic fertilizers and biofertilizers increased morphological characteristics and yield of tomato due to provide better conditions to absorption and transportation of nutrient to the plant. It has been reported that this ecological inputs provide favorable conditions for plant growth and development through improvement of physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil, therefore, it can be concluded that improvement of most of studied traits in the present study were due to use of organic fertilizers and biofertilizers. Conclusions: The cost of this study has been funded by Research and Technology Deputy of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Faculty of agriculture, the financial supports is appreciated.
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