The effect of low dose zinc supplementation to serum estrogen and progesterone levels in post-menopausal women

The objective of the present study is to investigate how low-dose zinc supplementation for 2 weeks in the post-menopausal period influences levels of estrogen and progesterone in the serum. The study registered 32 natural menopause patients, who were allocated to four groups with equal number of patients. Group 1, control group, which was not subjected to any procedure. Group 2, the group that was supplemented with 15 mg/day zinc sulfate for 2 weeks. Group 3, the group that was given hormone replacement therapy (0.625 mg estrogen + 5 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate/day) for 2 weeks. Group 4, the group that received hormone replacement therapy (0.625 mg estrogen + 5 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate/day) and zinc sulfate (15 mg/day) for 2 weeks. Blood samples were collected twice from each subject, once at the beginning of the study, and once at the end of the 4-week procedure to determine estrogen (E2) and progesterone levels. Variance analysis was employed in the statistical evaluation of data. Level of significance was set at p < 0.05. No significant difference was found between the estrogen and progesterone levels of groups 1 and 2. Groups 3 and 4 had higher estrogen and progesterone levels than groups 1 and 2 (p < 0.05). Estrogen and progesterone levels in groups 3 and 4 were not different. Results of the study show that low-dose zinc supplementation to post-menopausal women for 2 weeks does not have a significant effect on the concerned parameters.     

Effects of Aluminum and Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Radiation on Oxidative Stress and Memory in Brain of Mice

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of aluminum and extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) on oxidative stress and memory of SPF Kunming mice. Sixty male SPF Kunming mice were divided randomly into four groups: control group, ELF-MF group (2 mT, 4 h/day), load aluminum group (200 mg aluminum/kg, 0.1 ml/10 g), and ELF-MF?+?aluminum group (2 mT, 4 h/day, 200 mg aluminum/kg). After 8 weeks of treatment, the mice of three experiment groups (ELF-MF group, load aluminum group, and ELF-MF?+?aluminum group) exhibited firstly the learning memory impairment, appearing that the escaping latency to the platform was prolonged and percentage in the platform quadrant was reduced in the Morris water maze (MWM) task. Secondly are the pathologic abnormalities including neuronal cell loss and overexpression of phosphorylated tau protein in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. On the other hand, the markers of oxidative stress were determined in mice brain and serum. The results showed a statistically significant decrease in superoxide dismutase activity and increase in the levels of malondialdehyde in the ELF-MF group (P?<?0.05 or P?<?0.01), load aluminum group (P?<?0.01), and ELF-MF?+?aluminum group (P?<?0.01). However, the treatment with ELF-MF?+?aluminum induced no more damage than ELF-MF and aluminum did, respectively. In conclusion, both aluminum and ELF-MF could impact on learning memory and pro-oxidative function in Kunming mice. However, there was no evidence of any association between ELF-MF exposure with aluminum loading.     

The Effect of Iron–Vitamin C Co-supplementation on Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress in Iron-Deficient Female Youth

There is no study that assessed the effect of co-supplementation of iron and vitamin C on biomarkers of oxidative stress in non-anemic iron-deficient females. We investigated the effects of iron vs. iron?+?vitamin C co-supplementation on biomarkers of oxidative stress in iron-deficient girls. In a double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial, performed among 60 non-anemic iron-deficient girls, participants were randomly assigned to receive either 50 mg/day elemental iron supplements or 50 mg/day elemental iron?+?500 mg/day ascorbic acid for 12 weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline, weeks 6 and 12 for assessment of biomarkers of oxidative stress. Compared with the baseline levels, both iron and iron?+?vitamin C supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (P _time?<?0.001) and remarkable elevation in serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC; P _time?<?0.001) and vitamin C levels (P _time?=?0.001); however, comparing the two groups we failed to find an additional effect of iron?+?vitamin C supplementation to that of iron alone on serum TAC and MDA levels (P _group was not statistically significant). Iron?+?vitamin C supplementation influenced serum vitamin C levels much more than that by iron alone (P _group?<?0.01). We also found a significant interaction term between time and group about serum vitamin C levels while this interaction was not significant about serum TAC and MDA levels. In conclusion, we found that iron supplementation with/without vitamin C improve biomarkers of oxidative stress among non-anemic iron-deficient females and may strengthen the antioxidant defense system by decreasing reactive oxygen species. Co-supplementation of iron?+?vitamin C has no further effect on oxidative stress compared with iron alone.     

Testosterone Levels in Athletes at Rest and Exhaustion: Effects of Calcium Supplementation

The effects of 4 weeks of calcium supplementation on free- and total testosterone levels were established in active and sedentary adult males at rest and exhaustion. Thirty healthy male athletes were equally divided into three study groups, as follows: Group 1—non-exercising subjects receiving 35 mg calcium/kg body weight; Group 2—subjects receiving 35 mg calcium/kg body weight undergoing training routines for 90 min/day, 5 days a week and Group 3—subjects undergoing training routines for 90 min/day, 5 days a week. The testosterone levels were determined before and after supplementation, at rest and following a hard training routine. The plasma free- and total testosterone levels increased at exhaustion before and after supplementation relative to resting values (p?<?0.05). This was also true when active subjects were compared to inactive subjects (p?<?0.05). Our results show that training results in increased testosterone levels in athletes and that the increase is greater if accompanied by calcium supplementation, which may be useful for increasing overall athletic performance.     

The effect of estradiol and progesterone application on leptin concentration in ovariectomized rats

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of estradiol and progesterone application on leptin secretion in ovariectomised rats. The study included 30 adult female Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats were divided into three groups as follows: Group 1; Sham ovariectomy group (n=10), Group 2; Ovariectomy group (n=10), Group 3; Ovariectomized and estradiol propionate (450 microg/kg rat) and medroxyprogesterone acetate (15 mg/kg rat) supplemented group (n=10). One week after ovariectomy, rats in Group 3 were injected estradiol and progesterone for 4 weeks. Twenty-four hours after the last injection, rats were decapitated and blood samples were collected for leptin analysis. Serum leptin levels in Group 2 were found significantly higher than those in Groups 1 and 3 (p<0.01), while those in Group 3 were significantly lower when compared to Group 1 (p<0.0 1). The findings of the present study have shown that ovariectomy led to a significant increase in leptin levels. However, administration of estradiol and progesterone in combination following ovariectomy inhibites increases of leptin levels.     

Glutathione Peroxidase 1, Selenoprotein K,and Selenoprotein H May Play Important Roles in Chicken Testes in Response to Selenium Deficiency

The current study was designed to determine the beneficial effects of zinc supplementation on expressed levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) and glucose transporter type 1 (GLUT1) genes in newborns of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed among 40 women with GDM. Patients were randomly allocated to intake either 233 mg zinc gluconate (containing 30 mg zinc) (n?=?20) or a placebo (n?=?20) for 6 weeks. PPAR-γ and GLUT1 mRNA levels were quantified in umbilical cord blood of newborns of women with GDM. After 6 weeks of intervention, the change in serum zinc levels was greater in women consuming zinc than in the placebo group (+11.1?±?13.4 vs. ?4.8?±?17.3 mg/dL, P?=?0.002). Quantitative results of RT-PCR demonstrated that compared with the placebo, zinc supplementation resulted in a significant increase of expressed levels of PPAR-γ mRNA (P?<?0.001) and GLUT1 mRNA (P?<?0.001) in umbilical cord blood of newborns of women with GDM. Taken together, the current study demonstrated that zinc supplementation for 6 weeks among GDM women increased the mRNA levels of PPAR-γ and GLUT1 in their newborns compared with the placebo group.     

Effect of dietary arginine supplementation on reproductive performance of mice with porcine circovirus type 2 infection

The objective of this study was to investigate whether supplemental dietary arginine increases reproductive performance in mice infected with porcine circovirus type2 (PCV2). A total of 50KM female mice were allotted randomly to the arginine group (0.6% arginine?+?gestation diet) and control group (1.22% alanine?+?gestation diet). All the mice began to mate after 14?days of treatment with our prepared feed and challenged with PCV2 at the dose of 100 TCID₅₀ (50% tissue culture infection dose, TCID₅₀) after 7?days of pregnancy. Abortion rate, litter number, litter birth weight, the daily weight gain in the first 7?days and survival rate in the first 2?weeks of the neonates were calculated. The serum progesterone, estrogen, nitric oxide and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) on the 14th day of pregnancy were measured. Arginine supplementation decreased the abortion rate of pregnant mice and mortality of neonates caused by PCV2 infection. Further, litter number, litter birth weight and the daily weight gain of neonates increased in the arginine group compared to the control group. Arginine supplementation increased significantly the serum progesterone (P?<?0.01) and nitric oxide levels (P?<?0.05), but had little effect on the serum estrogen level. SOD activity and T-AOC in the arginine group were significantly higher (P?<?0.01) than the control group. In conclusion, arginine supplementation partially reversed the reproductive failure in mice caused by PCV2 infection.     

The flavonoid chrysin attenuates colorectal pathological remodeling reducing the number and severity of pre-neoplastic lesions in rats exposed to the carcinogen 1,2-dimethylhydrazine

Phenolic compounds are naturally occurring, bioactive substances with marked antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential. The flavonoid chrysin, found in high levels in honey bee propolis, inhibits the activity of enzymes involved in carcinogenesis. We have investigated the effect of chrysin on pre-neoplastic colorectal lesions (ACF, aberrant crypt foci) in a rat model of chemical carcinogenesis induced by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH). Female Wistar rats weighing 137.2?±?24.3 g received weekly one subcutaneous injection of DMH (20 mg/kg) for 10 weeks. The animals were divided into five groups each with seven animals: Group 1, 0.9% saline; Group 2, DMH+0.9% saline; Group 3, DMH+chrysin (10 mg/kg); Group 4, DMH+chrysin (100 mg/kg); Group 5, DMH+chrysin (200 mg/kg). Groups 2 and 3 showed a significant increase in ACF number, nucleolus organizer regions per enterocyte nucleus and nitrite/nitrate serum levels compared with Group 1. Groups 4 and 5 presented a significant reduction in all these parameters compared with Group 2. The levels of antioxidant minerals (copper, magnesium, selenium, zinc) and the number of enteroendocrine and mucin-producing cells were significantly reduced in Groups 2 and 3 but were similar in Groups 4 and 5 compared with Group 1. Chrysin, at 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg, was effective in attenuating pathological colorectal remodeling, reducing the number of pre-neoplastic lesions in rats exposed to DMH. Some of these effects might be attributable to the recovery of antioxidant mineral levels, a reduction in systemic nitrosative stress and an inhibition of the cellular proliferation induced by this flavonoid.     

Moderate Zinc Supplementation During Prolonged Steroid Therapy Exacerbates Bone Loss in Rats

The present study was conducted to understand the influence of zinc on bone mineral metabolism in prednisolone-treated rats. Disturbance in bone mineral metabolism was induced in rats by subjecting them to prednisolone treatment for a period of 8 weeks. Female rats aged 6–8 weeks weighing 150 to 200 g were divided into four treatment groups, viz., normal control, prednisolone-treated (40 mg/kg body weight orally, thrice a week), zinc-treated (227 mg/L in drinking water, daily), and combined prednisolone?+?zinc-treated groups. Parameters such as changes in mineral levels in the bone and serum, bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), and bone 99m-technetium-labeled methylene diphosphonate (^99mTc-MDP) uptake were studied in various treatment groups. Prednisolone treatment caused an appreciable decrease in calcium levels both in the bone and serum and also in bone dry weight, BMC, and BMD in rats. Prednisolone-treated rats when supplemented with zinc showed further reduction in calcium levels, bone dry weight, BMD, and BMC. The study therefore revealed that moderate intake of zinc as a nutritional supplement during steroid therapy could enhance calcium deficiency in the body and accelerate bone loss.     

The Effects of Zinc Treatment on the Blood–Brain Barrier Permeability and Brain Element Levels During Convulsions

We evaluated the effect of zinc treatment on the blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability and the levels of zinc (Zn), natrium (Na), magnesium (Mg), and copper (Cu) in the brain tissue during epileptic seizures. The Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups, each as follows: (1) control group, (2) pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) group: rats treated with PTZ to induce seizures, (3) Zn group: rats treated with ZnCl₂ added to drinking water for 2 months, and (4) Zn?+?PTZ group. The brains were divided into left, right hemispheres, and cerebellum?+?brain stem regions. Evans blue was used as BBB tracer. Element concentrations were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. The BBB permeability has been found to be increased in all experimental groups (p?<?0.05). Zn concentrations in all brain regions in Zn-supplemented groups (p?<?0.05) showed an increase. BBB permeability and Zn level in cerebellum?+?brain stem region were significantly high compared to cerebral hemispheres (p?<?0.05). In all experimental groups, Cu concentration decreased, whereas Na concentrations showed an increase (p?<?0.05). Mg content in all the brain regions decreased in the Zn group and Zn?+?PTZ groups compared to other groups (p?<?0.001). We also found that all elements’ levels showed hemispheric differences in all groups. During convulsions, Zn treatment did not show any protective effect on BBB permeability. Chronic Zn treatment decreased Mg and Cu concentration and increased Na levels in the brain tissue. Our results indicated that Zn treatment showed proconvulsant activity and increased BBB permeability, possibly changing prooxidant/antioxidant balance and neuronal excitability during seizures.     

Protective effect of resveratrol against doxorubicin-induced cardiac toxicity and fibrosis in male experimental rats

The possible effectiveness of resveratrol, a polyphenol present in different plants comprising berries, grapes and peanuts, on the prevention of doxorubicin-induced cardiac toxicity and fibrosis was investigated. Forty adult male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups. Group I received normal saline, group II gavaged with resveratrol (20 mg/kg, daily for 4 weeks), group III received doxorubicin (2.5 mg/kg i.p. in six injections for 2 weeks; accumulative dose of 15 mg/kg), and group IV received doxorubicin?+?resveratrol (starting resveratrol intake 2 weeks before doxorubicin administration). Resveratrol significantly alleviated the increase in left ventricular lipid peroxidation, hydroxyproline, and tumor necrosis factor alpha levels as well as serum creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB) activity and prevented the decrease in body and heart weights in doxorubicin-treated group. However, a marked protection against reduced glutathione content depletion and superoxide dismutase activity reduction was observed in the left ventricles of rats pretreated with resveratrol in combination with doxorubicin. Resveratrol also ameliorated the up-regulation of left ventricular caspase-3 and transforming growth factor-beta1 gene expression as well as left ventricular histopathological changes including necrosis and fibrosis induced by doxorubicin. Collectively, our results suggest that resveratrol provides a significant protection against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity and fibrosis in rats. Therefore, it may be used as a promising cardioprotective agent in patients treated with doxorubicin due to malignant diseases. So, further clinical trials are required to confirm these findings.     

Effect of Zinc Supplementation on Inflammatory Markers and Adipokines in Young Obese Women

Obesity is a chronic inflammatory state characterized by altered adipokine production and increased levels of inflammatory cytokines. The study explored the effect of zinc supplementation on inflammatory markers and adipocyte hormones in young obese women. Twenty five non-obese women and forty obese women (body mass index ≥25 kg/m²) aged 19–28 years were recruited for this study. Twenty obese women of the study group took 30 mg/day of supplemental zinc as zinc gluconate for 8 weeks and 20 obese women of control group took placebo. Usual dietary zinc intake was estimated from 3-day diet records. Serum zinc and urinary zinc concentration were measured by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Inflammatory markers such as high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin (IL)-6 and adipocyte hormones such as lepin and adiponectin were measured by enzyme immunoassay. Inflammatory markers and leptin were significantly higher, but adiponectin was significantly lower in obese women than non-obese women. Zinc supplementation increased serum zinc by 15 % and urinary zinc by 56 % (P?<?0.05). The levels of hs-CRP (P?=?0.03) and IL-6 (P?=?0.006) significantly decreased with zinc supplementation, but not in placebo group. Serum leptin and plasma adiponectin concentration did not differ with either zinc supplementation or placebo. The levels of IL-6 and leptin were inversely associated with dietary zinc intake. These results suggest that zinc may have a favorable effect on obesity-related inflammation in young adults.     

Synergistic cardioprotective effects of rAAV9-CyclinA2 combined with fibrin glue in rats after myocardial infarction

The present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of rAAV9-CyclinA2 combined with fibrin glue (FG) in vivo in rats after myocardial infarction (MI). Ninety male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomized into 6 groups (15 in each group): sham, MI, rAAV9-green fluorescent protein (GFP)?+?MI, rAAV9-CyclinA2?+?MI, FG?+?MI, and rAAV9-CyclinA2?+?FG?+?MI. Packed virus (5?×?10¹¹vg/ml) in 150 µl of normal saline or FG was injected into the infarcted myocardium at five locations in rAAV9-GFP?+?MI, rAAV9-CyclinA2?+?MI, and rAAV9-CyclinA2?+?FG?+?MI groups. The sham, MI, and FG?+?MI groups were injected with an equal volume of normal saline or FG at the same sites. Five weeks after injection, echocardiography was performed to evaluate the left ventricular function. The expressions of CyclinA2, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and phospho-histone-H3 (H3P), vascular density, and infarct area were assessed by Western blot, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and Masson staining. As a result, the combination of rAAV9-CyclinA2 and FG increased ejection fraction and fractional shortening compared with FG or rAAV9-CyclinA2 alone. The expression level of CyclinA2 was significantly higher in the rAAV9-CyclinA2?+?FG?+?MI group compared with the rAAV9-CyclinA2?+?MI and FG?+?MI groups (70.1?±?1.86% vs. 14.74?±?2.02%, P?<?0.01; or vs. 50.13?±?3.80%; P?<?0.01). A higher expression level of PCNA and H3P was found in the rAAV9-CyclinA2?+?FG?+?MI group compared with other groups. Comparing with other experiment groups, collagen deposition and the infarct size significantly decreased in rAAV9-CyclinA2?+?Fibrin?+?MI group. The vascular density was much higher in the rAAV9-CyclinA2?+?FG?+?MI group compared with the rAAV9-CyclinA2?+?MI group. We concluded that fibrin glue combined with rAAV9-CyclinA2 was found to be effective in cardiac remodeling and improving myocardial protection.     

Influences of Copper/Zinc-Loaded Montmorillonite on Growth Performance,Mineral Retention,Intestinal Morphology,Mucosa Antioxidant Capacity,and Cytokine Contents in Weaned Piglets

The effects of copper/zinc-loaded montmorillonite (Cu/Zn-Mt) on growth performance, mineral retention, intestinal morphology, mucosa antioxidant capacity, and cytokine contents in weaned piglets were investigated in the present study. One hundred eight piglets weaned at 21?±?1 days of age (Duroc × Landrace× Yorkshire; average initial weight of 6.36 kg) were allotted to three treatments for 2 weeks. The three treatments were as follows: (1) control group: basal diet; (2) Cu/Zn-Mt group: basal diet?+?39 mg/kg Cu and 75 mg/kg Zn as Cu/Zn-Mt; (3) Cu?+?Zn?+?Mt group: basal diet?+?mixture of CuSO₄, ZnSO₄, and Mt (equal amount of Cu, Zn, and Mt to the Cu/Zn-Mt group). Each treatment had six pens of six piglets. The results showed that as compared with the control group and the Cu?+?Zn?+?Mt group, Cu/Zn-Mt supplementation increased (P?<?0.05) the average daily gain and the gain/feed ratio; Cu/Zn-Mt supplementation increased (P?<?0.05) the Cu and Zn concentrations in serum, jejunum, and ileum mucosa, villus height, the ratio of villus height to crypt depth, and the activities of SOD, GSH-Px, and IL-10 levels, and decreased the malondialdehyde concentrations in the jejunum and ileum, and intestinal IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels. Moreover, supplementation with the mixture of CuSO₄, ZnSO₄, and Mt had no effect on the growth performance, but increased the mucosa Cu and Zn concentrations, intestinal morphology, antioxidant capacity, and immune function in the duodenum, while it had no effect on the above indexes in the jejunum and ileum. The results indicated that Mt could be used as a controlled carrier for Cu and Zn, which made Cu/Zn-Mt have better biological activities in the intestine than the mixture of Cu, Zn, and Mt.     

Oral Treatment of Pressure Ulcers with Polaprezinc (Zinc L-carnosine Complex): 8-Week Open-Label Trial

Polaprezinc (zinc L-carnosine complex) is a tablet commonly prescribed for gastric ulcers in Japan. Recently, we reported the effects of polaprezinc on pressure ulcer healing at 4-week follow-up. We aimed to further evaluate the efficacy and safety of polaprezinc in 8-week treatment for chronic pressure ulcers. Patients with stage II–IV pressure ulcers for ≥8 weeks received 150 mg/day polaprezinc (containing 116 mg L-carnosine and 34 mg zinc) per os for a maximum of 8 weeks. We measured the severity of pressure ulcers weekly using the Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing (PUSH) score and monitored blood biochemistry. Fourteen patients (nine men; 68.4?±?11.8 years) were enrolled. Pressure ulcer stages were II (one patient; 7 %), III (nine; 64 %), and IV (four; 29 %). The PUSH score improved significantly from 8.1 [95 % CI, 6.0–10.3] at baseline to ?1.4 [?4.0 to 1.1] after 8 weeks (P?<?0.001). Differences from baseline were significant after 1 week (P?<?0.05). The mean weekly improvement in PUSH score was 2.0. Eleven patients healed within 8 weeks and none dropped out. Serum zinc levels increased significantly (P?<?0.001), whereas serum copper levels (P?=?0.001) and copper/zinc ratios (P?<?0.001) decreased significantly. In one patient, preexisting copper deficiency deteriorated. These preliminary data suggest that polaprezinc may be effective and well-tolerated in 8-week treatment of pressure ulcers and could be a candidate for their oral treatment.     

Crocin Inhibits Apoptosis and Astrogliosis of Hippocampus Neurons Against Methamphetamine Neurotoxicity via Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Mechanisms

Methamphetamine (METH) is a stimulant drug, which can cause neurotoxicity and increase the risk of neurodegenerative disorders. The mechanisms of acute METH intoxication comprise intra-neuronal events including oxidative stress, dopamine oxidation, and excitotoxicity. According to recent studies, crocin protects neurons by functioning as an anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic compound. Accordingly, this study aimed to determine if crocin can protect against METH-induced neurotoxicity. Seventy-two male Wistar rats that weighed 260–300 g were randomly allocated to six groups of control (n?=?12), crocin 90 mg/kg group (n?=?12), METH (n?=?12), METH?+?crocin 30 mg/kg (n?=?12), METH?+?crocin 60 mg/kg (n?=?12), and METH?+?crocin 90 mg/kg (n?=?12). METH neurotoxicity was induced by 40 mg/kg of METH in four injections (e.g., 4?×?10 mg/kg q. 2 h, IP). Crocin was intraperitoneally (IP) injected at 30 min, 24 h, and 48 h after the final injection of METH. Seven days after METH injection, the rats’ brains were removed for biochemical assessment using the ELISA technique, and immunohistochemistry staining was used for caspase-3 and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) detection. Crocin treatment could significantly increase superoxide dismutase (P?<?0.05) and glutathione (P?<?0.01) levels and reduce malondialdehyde and TNF-α in comparison with the METH group (P?<?0.05). Moreover, crocin could significantly decline the level of caspase-3 and GFAP-positive cells in the CA1 region (P?<?0.01). According to the results, crocin exerts neuroprotective effects on METH neurotoxicity via the inhibition of apoptosis and neuroinflammation.     

Effects of oral deoxynivalenol exposure on immune-related parameters in lymphoid organs and serum of mice vaccinated with porcine parvovirus vaccine

Mice were exposed to deoxynivalenol (DON) via drinking water at a concentration of 2 mg/L for 36 days. On day 8 of treatment, inactivated porcine parvovirus vaccine (PPV) was injected intraperitoneally. The relative and absolute weight of the spleen was significantly decreased in the DON-treated group (DON). Antibody titers to parvovirus in serum were 47.9?±?2.4 in the vaccination group (Vac), but 15.2?±?6.5 in the group treated with DON and vaccine (DON?+?Vac). The IgA and IgG was not different in the DON, Vac an,d DON?+?Vac groups. IgM was significantly lower only in the DON?+?Vac group. However IgE was significantly increased in the Vac and DON?+?Vac group, but no change was observed between the Vac and DON?+?Vac groups. The concentrations of IL-2, IL-4, GM-CSF, MCP-1 and Rantes in serum, and IL-1α in mesenteric lymph node and MIP-1β in spleen were significantly increased by DON treatment compared to control. The concentrations of IL-2, IL-5, IL-6, IL-9, IL-12, IL-13 and Rantes in thymus, of IL-2 in spleen, and of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-3, IL-5, IL-10, IL-17, G-CSF, GM-CSF and MCP-1 in mesenteric lymph nodes were significantly decreased in mice compared to those in the Vac group, while concentrations of IL-1α, IL-2, IL-9, IL-13,G-CSF, GM-CSF, IFN-γ, MCP-1, MIP-1α and TNF-α were significantly increased in serum compared to the Vac group. In conclusion, the results presented here indicate that exposure to DON at 2.0 mg/L via drinking water can disrupt the immune response in vaccinated mice by modulating cytokines and chemokines involved in their immune response to infectious disease.     

Dietary and Non-dietary Factors Associated with Serum Zinc in Indian Women

Women in low-income settings, common in India, are at risk of inadequate zinc intake due to poor diet quality and low consumption of flesh foods rich in zinc. The aims of this study were to assess the prevalence of zinc status of non-pregnant rural and tribal women living in central India and to identify dietary and non-dietary factors associated with the biochemical zinc status of these women. Rural and tribal non-pregnant women 18–30 years of age were selected using proportion to population sampling near Nagpur, Maharashtra, India. Sociodemographic, biochemical (serum zinc), clinical, and dietary data (1-day interactive 24-h recall) were collected. The mean age of women (n?=?109; rural?=?52; tribal?=?56) was 23.2 years and mean BMI was 17.9 kg/m². The majority of the participants identified as being non-vegetarian (72 %). The mean?±?SD serum zinc concentration was 10.8?±?1.6 μmol/L, and 52 % of participants had a low serum zinc concentration according to the International Zinc Nutrition Consultative Group (IZiNCG). The median (first and third quartile) energy, zinc intake, and phytate/zinc molar ratio was 5.4 (4.2, 6.7)?MJ/day, 5.3 (3.8, 7.0)?mg/day, and 26 (22, 28), respectively. Zinc intakes were well below IZiNCG recommendations for dietary zinc of 9 mg/day for non-pregnant women aged 14–18 years and 7 mg/day for non-pregnant women aged ≥19 years. Using linear regression analysis to identify non-dietary and dietary factors associated with serum zinc, a significant association was only found for current lactation (p?=?0.012) and energy intake (p?相似文献   

Association Between Zinc, Copper, and Iron Concentrations in Breast Milk and Growth of Healthy Infants in Tabriz, Iran

The aims of this study were to determine the effect of breast milk zinc, copper, and iron concentrations on infants’ growth and their possible correlations with maternal dietary intake. Milk samples and information on food intake were collected from 182 lactating women. Concentrations of zinc, copper, and iron in milk were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The infant’s weight for age Z-score (WAZ) and height for age Z-score (HAZ) were calculated. The mean milk zinc, copper, and iron concentrations were 1.85?±?0.5, 0.53?±?0.3, and 0.85?±?0.2 mg/l, respectively. Only zinc mean level was lower than the recommended range. Association between zinc, copper, and iron concentrations of milk and WAZ or HAZ of infants were not significant. However, the WAZ of infants whose mothers' milk zinc was more than 2 mg/l was significantly (P?<?0.039) higher than for others. The mean dietary zinc (5.31?±?2.3 mg/day) and copper (1.16?±?0.7 mg/day) intake of mothers was significantly less than the required daily intake (RDA) recommendations (P?<?0.05). The mean dietary iron intake (11.8?±?8.2 mg/day) was significantly higher than RDA recommendation (P?<?0.001). No significant association was found between maternal mean dietary zinc, copper, and iron intakes with their concentrations in milk. Dietary consultation or/and zinc supplementation is suggested for lactating women and infants.     

Effects of Oligoelements Se,Zn, and Mn plus Lachesis Muta Venom in Experimental Scleroderma

Scleroderma, sclerosis of the skin, is a severe autoimmune disease refractant to all kind of treatments. To study the in vivo effects of a combination of three oligoelements selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn) plus Lachesis muta venom (O-LM) on the bleomycin (BLM)-induced scleroderma mouse experimental model. C3H mice were randomly divided into four groups: control (phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)), O-LM, BLM, and BLM?+?O-LM. All administrations were performed subcutaneously into the back of mice. BLM was injected 5 days per week for three consecutive weeks and O-LM was administered simultaneously with BLM from the beginning of the experiments and lasted for 3 weeks after the final BLM or PBS injection (for O-LM and BLM?+?O-LM groups), when animals were sacrificed and histopathological, immunohistochemical, thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) evaluation, and autoantibodies detection were determined. O-LM significantly reduced BLM-induced enhanced dermal thickness (605?±?47 vs. 956?±?59 μm, P?<?0.01), collagen deposition, and mast cells infiltration (43.1?±?1.0 vs. 102?±?14.1 mast cells, P?<?0.05). O-LM administration significantly blocked BLM-induced oxidative damage and the enhanced immunoreactive fibroblasts for α-smooth muscle actin while reduced BLM-induced autoantibodies that strongly react mainly with skin and spleen. O-LM significantly reduced BLM-induced scleroderma through the modulation of antioxidant and immunological pathways.