Role of vitamin-zinc interactions on in vitro zinc uptake by human erythrocytes

In vitro zinc uptake by human erythrocytes was studied under a range of zinc concentrations representing three different plasma zinc levels i.e., zinc deficient [0.35–0.61 ppm], zinc normal [0.74–1.59 ppm], and zinc excess [1.65–2.3 ppm]. Further, interactions of physiological levels of riboflavin, flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), nicotinic acid, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), thiamine, thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP), folic acid, and ascorbic acid with zinc uptakes were studied in independent experiments. In control experiments, as compared to the normal zinc state, the rate of change of zinc uptake over change in zinc levels was 1.6 times in the excess state and 0.12 times in the deficient state, indicating three distinct patterns. Under the zinc-deficient state, thiamine significantly enhanced the zinc uptakes (p<0.05), whereas ascorbic acid and riboflavin inhibited zinc uptakes (p<0.05). The percent hemolysis of the cells was also significantly lower in the presence of thiamine (p<0.05). Under normal and excess zinc states, the vitamin-zinc interactions were not significant. The results suggest that with erythrocytes as the vehicles, thiamine might be playing an enhancer role in uptake of zinc, whereas the action of ascorbic acid might be inhibitory for zinc uptakes under deficient zinc states.     

Effect of nicotinic acid on zinc and iron metabolism

Nicotinic acid has functional groups capable of forming complexes with trace metals. The present study examines the effect of nicotinic acid supplementation on absorption and utilization of zinc and iron. In vitro zinc uptake by human erythrocytes was studied using blood samples of 10 healthy subjects. It was found that 8 moles nicotinic acid or NADP increased ⁶⁵Zn uptake by 38.9% and 43.1% in fasting, and by 70.9% and 28.1% in postprandial conditions. In animal experiments, nicotinic acid supplementation to finger millet based diet resulted in significant enhancement of percent zinc absorption, liver zinc and growth of weanling mice (P < 0.05). When mice were fed with nicotinic acid-deficient, -adequate and -excess synthetic diets for four weeks it was observed that, in comparison with the nicotinic acid-deficient diet, percent zinc absorption, intestinal zinc, percent haeomoglobin and liver iron increased significantly under nicotinic acid-adequate and -excess conditions. The results obtained suggested that nicotinic acid, in addition to its known effect on growth and metabolism, may be playing an important role in enhancing zinc and iron utilization.     

Effect of water soluble vitamins and their analogues on growth of candida albicans. III. Para-aminobenzoic acid,nicotinic acid,inositol and their analogues

Summary By using high concentrations of vitamins in biotin basal synthetic mineral medium,Candida albicans was shown to possess a partial dependency forp-aminobenzoic acid, nicotinic acid and inositol. Sodium gantrisin [N¹-3,4-dimethyl-5-isoxazolyl sulfanilamide)] was growth inhibitory in the absence ofp-aminobenzoic acid and its effect was reversed byp-aminobenzoic acid. Similarly, pyridine-3-sulfonic acid was growth inhibitory to the organism in the absence of nicotinic acid and its effect was reversed by nicotinic acid. Additions of biotins, thiamine, vitamin B₁₂, nicotinic acid,p-amino-benzoic acid and inositol to basal synthetic medium showed clear-cut growth stimulation for each vitamin. Parallel omission type experiments on the other hand, demonstrated a masking effect of one vitamin on another. Ascorbic acid, riboflavin, calcium pantothenate choline, folic acid and thioctic acid were without effect. A new procedure for the determination of microbial vitamin requirements was outlined.     

Level of vitamins B in yeasts of the Saccharomyces species depending on the composition of culture media

The qualitative and quantitative composition of water-soluble vitamins B in Saccharomyces yeasts cultivated on various nutrient media was studied by high-performance liquid chromatography. New strains of Saccharomyces oviformis Y-2635 and Saccharomyces vini F-5 yeasts grown in the nutrient medium with geothermal water differed in great biological value due to high intracellular concentrations of riboflavin, thiamine, nicotinic acid, and folic acid.     

Levels of Water-Soluble Vitamins in Methanogenic and Non-Methanogenic Bacteria

The levels of seven water-soluble vitamins in Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum, Methanococcus voltae, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron were compared by using a vitamin-requiring Leuconostoc strain. Both methanogens contained levels of folic acid and pantothenic acid which were approximately two orders of magnitude lower than levels in the nonmethanogens. Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum contained levels of thiamine, biotin, nicotinic acid, and pyridoxine which were approximately one order of magnitude lower than levels in the nonmethanogens. The thiamine level in Methanococcus voltae was approximately one order of magnitude lower than levels in the nonmethanogens. Only the levels of riboflavin (and nicotinic acid and pyridoxine in Methanococcus voltae) were approximately equal in the methanogens and nonmethanogens. Folic acid may have been present in extracts of methanogens merely as a precursor, by-product, or hydrolysis product of methanopterin.     

Comparative evaluation of the vitamin composition of unicellular algae and higher plants grown under artificial conditions

The vitamin composition of representatives of green (Chlorella vulgaris, Platimonas viridis), blue-green (Synechococcus elongatus, Coccopedia, Spirulina platensis, Cyanidium caldarium), red (Porphyridium cruentum) unicellular algae and higher plants (wheat, chufa, beet, carrot, turnip, radish, cucumber, dill, Welsh onion, potato) grown under artificial conditions was examined. The content of B complex vitamins (thiamine, riboflavine, nicotinic and folic acids), ascorbic acid and carotene was measured. Among the algae studied Chlorella vulgaris and Spirulina platensis showed the highest vitamin activity. The red alga Porphyridium cruentum contained the lowest quantity of thiamine, riboflavine and carotene and larger amounts of nicotinic acid. Comparison of the content of vitamins C, B1, B2, PP, folic acid and carotene in unicellular algae and higher plants, that are natural and traditional sources of the vitamins, demonstrated that the above green and blue-green algae contain greater than higher plants amounts of thiamine, riboflavine, folic acid and carotene, when calculated per g dry matter. All algae, except for Platimonas viridis and Cyanidium caldarium, are superior to beet and carrot in their content of ascorbic acid and inferior to green vegetables (radish, cabbage, dill and Welsh onion) in that parameter.     

Concentrations of copper, zinc and various elements in serum of patients with bronchial asthma.

In this study, serum copper, zinc, magnesium, iron and calcium concentrations were investigated in 40 patients with bronchial asthma (BA) and in 43 healthy subjects. Copper and calcium levels were found to be increased in patients with BA compared to the control group (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001 respectively). On the other hand, the serum zinc level was significantly lower in healthy subjects (p < 0.01). No changes were found in serum magnesium and iron levels in patients with BA compared to controls. In addition to various elements, certain serum proteins such as albumin, transferrin and ferritin were also assessed to determine whether there was a relationship between the elements and proteins in patients with BA. There was only a significant decrease in albumin concentration in patients with BA (p < 0.05).     

Levels of water-soluble vitamins in methanogenic and non-methanogenic bacteria

The levels of seven water-soluble vitamins in Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum, Methanococcus voltae, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron were compared by using a vitamin-requiring Leuconostoc strain. Both methanogens contained levels of folic acid and pantothenic acid which were approximately two orders of magnitude lower than levels in the nonmethanogens. Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum contained levels of thiamine, biotin, nicotinic acid, and pyridoxine which were approximately one order of magnitude lower than levels in the nonmethanogens. The thiamine level in Methanococcus voltae was approximately one order of magnitude lower than levels in the nonmethanogens. Only the levels of riboflavin (and nicotinic acid and pyridoxine in Methanococcus voltae) were approximately equal in the methanogens and nonmethanogens. Folic acid may have been present in extracts of methanogens merely as a precursor, by-product, or hydrolysis product of methanopterin.     

Effects of folic acid and amino acids supplementation on zinc intestinal absorption in the progeny of ethanol-treated rats

This study was designed to examine the effects of supplementation with folic acid and amino acids in dams that consumed ethanol during gestation and lactation to see whether there is an improvement in the intestinal absorption of zinc in pup rats on the 21st day after birth. The rats were randomized into two groups: Ethanol-rats (EG) were administered ethanol during the pregnancy and lactation periods; the ethanol-folic acid group (EFG) received a folic acid and amino acid supplement concomitantly with ethanol administration during pregnancy and lactation. The dams were mated to obtain the first offspring. Two sets of experiments were performed on the offspring at 21 days after birth. In general, in the first set, jejunal zinc absorption in the offspring of EG and EFG groups showed a gradual increase along with increased perfusion time at all assayed concentrations. Jejunal zinc absorption expressed as nmol/intestinal surface was higher in the ethanol-folic acid group than in ethanol animals at all assayed concentrations except at 25 microM concentration. In the second set of experiments, distal ileum zinc absorption in the offspring of ethanolfolic acid dams showed a significant increase at all concentrations tested. These results indicate that supplementation of folic acid and amino acids to dams that consume ethanol during gestation and lactation increase serum and milk zinc levels, although the zinc ingestion is lower. In pups of the supplemented dams, the jejunal and ileal absorption of zinc increased; as a consequence, the serum zinc levels increased. The activity of alcohol dehydrogenase, a metaloenzyme dependent on zinc levels, also increased.     

Effects of nutrition on zinc, folic acid, and vitamin B12 levels during pregnancy

In this article, we report the results of a case control study carried out on 290 Turkish pregnant women at 5–24 wk of gestation to determine their zinc, folic acid, and vitamin B₁₂ levels in relation to their nutritional and socioconomic status. The women were divided into two groups (n=145 each), depending on the stage of gestation. Group I consisted of women in the first trimester of gestation; those in the second trimester were allocated into group II. Twenty-five age-matched, healthy nonpregnant women were selected as controls. The nutritional status of the subjects was determined by means of a survey. Based on this, the women were subdivided into three subgroups: malnourished (PN), moderately nourished (MN), and well nourished (WN). Also from the survey, the socioeconomic status was classified as good (G) or bad (B). A statistically significant decrease on zinc and folic acid was observed in group I women, as their socioeconomic status worsened. In group II, zinc decreased only in the PN and MN subgroups, p<0.001. The folic acid and vitamin B₁₂ levels did not change significantly during the second trimester of gestation in all subgroups. Regarding zinc, nutrition, or dietary habits are more relevant than socioeconomic status, but poor nutrition affects folic acid levels only during the first trimester of gestation.     

Interaction of Zinc, Ascorbic Acid, and Folic Acid in Glycation with Albumin as Protein Model

Using albumin as model, we conducted series of in vitro glycation experiments to examine role of zinc in glycation using glucose at 4–100 mg/ml, incubations at 37°C or 60°C, duration of 2 or 4 weeks and in presence of zinc or ascorbic acid (AA) or folic acid (FA). Modifications of bovine serum albumin (BSA) were examined by using fluorescence of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and dityrosine, UV, and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy. Adding zinc (0 to 768.5 μmol/l) resulted in significant inhibition of albumin glycation by glucose with a linear fit, $ y = - 0.0{895}x + {23}0.{99}\left( {{R^2} = 0.{7676},p = 0.0{13}} \right) $ . The glycation by fructose was greater than that of glucose with stronger inhibitory effect by zinc in fructose–glycation (t?=??5.8, p?=?0.002). Addition of zinc significantly decreased fluorescence as seen in Zn?+?FA or Zn?+?AA sets as compared to sets of FA alone (p?=?0.00056) or AA alone (p?=?0.037). The fluorescence for dityrosine and AGE had a correlation of 0.897 (p?<?0.01). The data from fluorescence, UV, and FTIR spectra collectively suggested inhibitory effect of zinc in BSA glycation alone or in presence of FA and AA, showing new dimension for the protective action of zinc in hyperglycemic conditions.     

Efficient pyruvate production by a multi-vitamin auxotroph of Torulopsis glabrata: key role and optimization of vitamin levels

A multi-vitamin auxotroph, Torulopsis glabrata strain WSH-IP303, which can use ammonium chloride as a sole nitrogen source for pyruvate production, was selected. To optimize pyruvate yield and productivity, a simple but useful, orthogonal design method, was used to investigate the relationship between thiamine, nicotinic acid, pyridoxine, biotin, and riboflavin. Thiamine was confirmed to be the most important factor affecting pyruvate production. When the concentration of thiamine was 0.01 mg/l or 0.015 mg/l, glucose consumption was improved by increasing the nicotinic acid concentration. When the concentrations of nicotinic acid, thiamine, pyridoxine, biotin, and riboflavin were 8.0, 0.015, 0.4, 0.04, and 0.1 mg/l, respectively, pyruvate concentration and yield reached 52 g/l and 0.52 g/g, respectively, in a 48-h flask culture. By employing a combination of the optimum vitamin concentrations, a batch culture was conducted in a 2.5-l fermentor with an initial glucose concentration of 112 g/l; and the pyruvate concentration reached 69 g/l after 56 h (yielding 0.62 g/g).     

Vitamin and Amino Acid Requirements of Pediococcus soyae and Pediococcus acidilactici Kitahara’s Strain

Nutritional requirements of three strains of Ped. soyae, one strain of Ped. acidilactici (Kitahara’s strain) were determined from a complete synthetic medium. Upon inspection by the single omission method, Ped. soyae required glycine-betaine, uracil, riboflavine, pyridoxine or pyridoxal, pantothenic acid, nicotinic acid, leucovorin, biotin, glutamic acid, arginine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, phenyl alanine, valine, tryptophane, methionine, cystine and serine with exception of the P-factor. In addition to the above mentioned nutrients, a representative strain of the organism required xanthine, folic acid, thiamine, aspartic acid and threonine for the minimum synthetic medium. Ped. acidilactici Kitahara’s strain required riboflavine, pyridoxine, pantothenic acid, nicotinic acid, biotin and all components of the basal medium consisting of amino acids except methionine, but it did not require leucovorin, glycine-betaine and organic bases. Nutritional requirements of Ped. pentosaceus, Kitahara’s strain was proved to be quite identical with Ped. cerevisiae Pederson (= Ped. pentosaceus Mees).     

Correlations between activated charcoal, Fe-EDTA and other organic media ingredients in cultured anthers of Anemone canadensis

The effects of activated charcoal and organic substances on embryogenesis in anther cultures of Anemone canadensis L. were studied. Embryogenesis was independent of the presence in the culture medium of glycine, nicotinic acid, pyridoxine, thiamine, folic acid, d -biotin or myoinositol. Absence of Fe-EDTA totally inhibited embryogenesis. Activated charcoal (AC) adsorbed Fe-EDTA, pyridoxine, folic acid and nicotinic acid in a double-layer medium almost completely within 24 h. If petri dishes according to the souble-layer method were stored overnight or more, embryogenesis was totally inhibited, probably due to adsorbtion of Fe-EDTA by AC. It was shown that AC itself released some yet unidentified substance(s) that stimulated embryogenesis. The addition of polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP) to the culture medium stimulated embryogenesis, but PVPP was not as efficient as AC. Embryogenesis was totally inhibited when AC and PVPP were applied together. Minor additions of ethanol to the culture medium stimulated embryogenesis when AC was present, but no such effect was obtained when AC was absent.     

A study of zinc distribution in human serum.

The partition of zinc in human serum between two major zinc-binding proteins, albumin and alpha2-macroglobulin, was studied in 28 control subjects and in 156 hospitalized patients. Albumin-bound zinc was both the major and the more dynamic of the serum zinc components. Over a wide range of values the concentrations of albumin-bound zinc and total serum zinc were highly correlated (r=0.91) with each other, as were concentrations of albumin and albumin-bound zinc (r=0.69). alpha2-Macroglobulin-bound zinc was not strongly correlated either with total serum zinc or with the serum concentration of alpha2-macroglobulin. Twenty-four hour urinary excretion of zinc was not correlated with any of the serum zinc parameters. To a large extent it appears that total serum zinc concentration reflects serum albumin concentration.     

Comparative studies on the effect of vitamins on sporulation in Fusarium oxysporum schlecht. ex. Fr. and Fusarium moniliforme V. subglutinans Wr. & Rg.

On the basis of sporulation (total output of all the three spore forms taken together) and fungal mat production bothF. oxysporum Schlecht ex.Fr. andF. moniliforme v.subglutinans Wr. &Rg. are auxoheterotrophic for thiamine, biotin, inositol, riboflavin and pyridoxine. The first three vitamins are selective in accelerating macro-conidial production also inF. moniliforme, which otherwise shows decrease with advance in days of incubation.F. moniliforme is an auxo-autotroph for nicotinic acid, Ca-pantothenate and folic acid and auxoheterotroph for ascorbic acid. Auxoautotrophy for Ca-pantothenate, folic acid, l-ascorbic acid and p-aminobenzoic acid cannot be suggested forF. oxysporum. Whereas nicotinic acid is a depressent of sporulation inF. oxysporum, inF. moniliforme another vitamin p-aminobenzoic acid depresses sporulation. As the two species ofFusarium show differences in preference as well as inhibition to at least five of the vitamins studied and also varied trends of pH changes exists there is full justification for their separate taxonomic placements.     

Uptake of Zn as Influenced by B-vitamins, Hydrogen Ion Concentration and EDTA in Cyamopsis tetragonolobTaub and Brassica nigra

Vitamins of the B-group viz., thiamine, riboflavin, pantothenicacid, pyridoxine and folic acid significantly increased theuptake of zinc by clusterbean and mustard plants. Vitamin inducedabsorptive capacity for zinc was greater in clusterbean thanin mustard. Uptake of Zn was maximum in leaves of pyridoxinetreated clusterbean and thiamine treated mustard plants. Zincuptake was found to be maximum at pH 9.0 and minimum at pH 6.0in both these two plants. The chelating agent (EDTA) was moreeffective in increasing Zn uptake in mustard than in clusterbean.A possible interaction between EDTA and vitamins is envisaged. Clusterbean, mustard, Zn uptake, B-vitamins, pH, EDTA     

Carbohydrate Metabolism by the Acetic Acid Bacteria

Vitamin requirements for the growth of the acetic acid bacteria were investigated extensively on a. taxonomical viewpoint and the following new findings were pointed out. Neither Acetobacter nor Intermediate strain required vitamin for the growth.

Gluconobacter required generally pantothenic acid. And some strains belonging to it did moreover somewhat of thiamine, nicotinic acid and p-aminobenzoic acid, although there was a difference of requirements between strains even in the same species. Riboflavin, pyridoxine, vitamin B₁₂, folic acid, biotin and inositol were unnecessary for the growth of the acetic acid bacteria. A taxonomical division of the acetic acid bacteria based on the vitamin requirements agreed well with that on basis of the oxidative activities for carbohydrates.     

Movement of C-compounds from Maternal Tissue into Maize Seeds Grown in Vitro

Uptake from nutrient media into the cob and translocation of various ¹⁴C-compounds from maternal tissue (cob) into developing maize seeds was examined by using caryopsis cultures. Based on relative ¹⁴C concentrations in the cob and the endosperm, it was concluded that the relative efficiencies of movement of amino acids (leucine, phenylalanine, proline), vitamins (thiamine HCl, nicotinic acid), and nucleic acid bases (adenine, thymine) from the cob to the endosperm were 11 to 250 times lower than that of sucrose. Thiamine was unique in that it was concentrated in the embryo at a level that was almost 10 times higher than in the endosperm. The absence of auxotrophic mutants requiring an organic supplement in higher plants (other than thiamine auxotrophs) may be explained by inadequate translocation of these essential metabolites into the mutant zygotes (embryos) to enable their development to mature seeds.