Iron intake of infants: the importance of infant cereals.

Since 1976 many baby foods have been reformulated and the iron used to fortify infant cereals has been changed to a more bioavailable form. Therefore, the dietary intake of iron by infants from 1 to 18 months of age was assessed in a longitudinal survey conducted in Toronto and Montreal between 1977 and 1979. Except in the 1st and 18th months the mean daily iron consumption of the infants was above that recommended in the Dietary Standard for Canada. The main source of this nutrient was infant cereals. Examination of the diets of the infants who did not have the recommended daily intake of iron showed that they did not consume sufficient amounts of infant cereals and other iron-rich foods. These results indicate that without such cereals it is difficult to provide infants with the amount of iron they need. Therefore, infants should receive these cereals during the first 2 years of life.     

Rice <Emphasis Type="Italic">NICOTIANAMINE SYNTHASE 2</Emphasis> expression improves dietary iron and zinc levels in wheat

Key message

Iron and zinc deficiencies negatively impact human health worldwide. We developed wheat lines that meet or exceed recommended dietary target levels for iron and zinc in the grains. These lines represent useful germplasm for breeding new wheat varieties that can reduce iron and zinc deficiency-associated health burdens in the affected populations.

Abstract

Micronutrient deficiencies, including iron and zinc deficiencies, have negative impacts on human health globally. Iron-deficiency; anemia affects nearly two billion people worldwide and is the cause of reduced cognitive development, fatigue and overall low productivity. Similarly, zinc deficiency causes stunted growth, decreased immunity and increased risk of respiratory infections. Biofortification of staple crops is a sustainable and effective approach to reduce the burden of health problems associated with micronutrient deficiencies. Here, we developed wheat lines expressing rice NICOTIANAMINE SYNTHASE 2 (OsNAS2) and bean FERRITIN (PvFERRITIN) as single genes as well as in combination. NAS catalyzes the biosynthesis of nicotianamine (NA), which is a precursor of the iron chelator deoxymugeneic acid (DMA) required for long distance iron translocation. FERRITIN is important for iron storage in plants because it can store up to 4500 iron ions. We obtained significant increases of iron and zinc content in wheat grains of plants expressing either OsNAS2 or PvFERRTIN, or both genes. In particular, wheat lines expressing OsNAS2 greatly surpass the HarvestPlus recommended target level of 30 % dietary estimated average requirement (EAR) for iron, and 40 % of EAR for zinc, with lines containing 93.1 µg/g of iron and 140.6 µg/g of zinc in the grains. These wheat lines with dietary significant levels of iron and zinc represent useful germplasm for breeding new wheat varieties that can reduce micronutrient deficiencies in affected populations.

     

Daily supplementation with iron increases lipid peroxidation in young women with low iron stores

The aim of this study was to determine whether women with low iron stores (plasma ferritin 相似文献   

Hemorrhage-Adjusted Iron Requirements,Hematinics and Hepcidin Define Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia as a Model of Hemorrhagic Iron Deficiency

Background

Iron deficiency anemia remains a major global health problem. Higher iron demands provide the potential for a targeted preventative approach before anemia develops. The primary study objective was to develop and validate a metric that stratifies recommended dietary iron intake to compensate for patient-specific non-menstrual hemorrhagic losses. The secondary objective was to examine whether iron deficiency can be attributed to under-replacement of epistaxis (nosebleed) hemorrhagic iron losses in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT).

Methodology/Principal Findings

The hemorrhage adjusted iron requirement (HAIR) sums the recommended dietary allowance, and iron required to replace additional quantified hemorrhagic losses, based on the pre-menopausal increment to compensate for menstrual losses (formula provided). In a study population of 50 HHT patients completing concurrent dietary and nosebleed questionnaires, 43/50 (86%) met their recommended dietary allowance, but only 10/50 (20%) met their HAIR. Higher HAIR was a powerful predictor of lower hemoglobin (p = 0.009), lower mean corpuscular hemoglobin content (p<0.001), lower log-transformed serum iron (p = 0.009), and higher log-transformed red cell distribution width (p<0.001). There was no evidence of generalised abnormalities in iron handling Ferritin and ferritin² explained 60% of the hepcidin variance (p<0.001), and the mean hepcidinferritin ratio was similar to reported controls. Iron supplement use increased the proportion of individuals meeting their HAIR, and blunted associations between HAIR and hematinic indices. Once adjusted for supplement use however, reciprocal relationships between HAIR and hemoglobin/serum iron persisted. Of 568 individuals using iron tablets, most reported problems completing the course. For patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, persistent anemia was reported three-times more frequently if iron tablets caused diarrhea or needed to be stopped.

Conclusions/significance

HAIR values, providing an indication of individuals’ iron requirements, may be a useful tool in prevention, assessment and management of iron deficiency. Iron deficiency in HHT can be explained by under-replacement of nosebleed hemorrhagic iron losses.     

Melatonin reduces phenylhydrazine-induced oxidative damage to cellular membranes: evidence for the involvement of iron

Phenylhydrazine and iron overload result in augmented oxidative damage and an increased likelihood of cancer. Melatonin is a well known antioxidant and free radical scavenger. The aim of this study was to determine whether melatonin would protect against phenylhydrazine-induced oxidative damage to cellular membranes and to evaluate the possible role of iron in this process. Changes in lipid peroxidation and microsomal membrane fluidity were estimated after the treatment of rats with phenylhydrazine (15 mg/kg body weight, daily, 7 days) alone and melatonin or ascorbic acid (15 mg/kg body weight, two times daily, 8 days), or their combination. Additionally, lipid peroxidation was measured in liver homogenates from untreated and melatonin or ascorbic acid-treated rats in vivo and exposed to iron in vitro. Melatonin, but not ascorbic acid, reduced phenylhydrazine-induced lipid peroxidation in vivo in spleen (3.16+/-0.06 vs. 3.83+/-0.12 nmol/mg protein, P<0.05) and plasma (7. 73+/-0.52 vs. 9.96+/-0.71 nmol/ml, P<0.05) and attenuated the decrease in hepatic microsomal membrane fluidity (1/polarization, 3. 068+/-0.007 vs. 3.027+/-0.008, P<0.05). In vitro exposure to iron significantly enhanced the lipid peroxidation in liver homogenates from untreated (3.34+/-0.75 vs. 1.25+/-0.28, P<0.05) or ascorbic acid-treated rats (2.72+/-0.39 vs. 0.88+/-0.06, P<0.05) but not from melatonin-treated rats (1.49+/-0.55 vs. 0.68+/-0.20, NS). It is concluded that free radical mechanisms are involved in the toxicity of phenylhydrazine and that the antioxidant melatonin, but not ascorbic acid, reduces the toxic affects of phenylhydrazine in vivo and of iron in vitro in cell membranes. Therefore, melatonin co-treatment in conditions of iron overload may prove beneficial.     

Norepinephrine as a growth stimulating factor in bacteria--mechanistic studies

Catecholamines (norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine) enhance the growth of several species of gram-negative bacteria. Since catechol rings are known siderophores in bacteria, the administration of catecholamines may enhance growth by improving iron uptake in growth-limiting media, serving as auxiliary siderophores. We have tested the iron content in bacterial growth media which are known to support rapid growth and "slow growth" media. Additionally, we have examined the uptake of 3H-norepinephrine, to determine whether the catecholamine is actually taken into the bacteria or is merely adsorbed to the outside of the bacteria. Finally, we have been examining the supernatants produced by culturing bacteria with norepinephrine. These supernatants have been shown to have the capacity to enhance growth of naive cultures of bacteria, and are suggested to contain an "autoinducer of growth". We have found that both fast-growth and slow-growth media contain similar concentrations of iron, and that these levels do not change in most supernatants from NE-supplemented bacterial cultures. Examination of culture supernatants from NE-supplemented bacteria under different temperature conditions reveals some interesting differences. First, culture supernatant from NE-treated Escherichia coli, cultured at 37 degrees C, when examined by HPLC, exhibits a change in the norepinephrine content over time which is not seen in supernatant from 21 degrees C cultures or other media treatments. Second, the 37 degrees C culture NE-supplemented E. coli supernatant was significantly more effective in enhancing growth of three bacterial species than any other culture method other than NE-supplementation itself (this includes supernatant from NE-supplemented cultures of the other two species as well as supernatants from unsupplemented cultures of all three species).     

Neuroleptic-Induced Supersensitivity and Brain Iron: I. Iron Deficiency and Neuroleptic-Induced Dopamine D2 Receptor Supersensitivity

Previous studies have shown that nutritional iron deficiency in rats reduces brain iron content, resulting in dopamine D2 receptor subsensitivity, as indicated by a decrease in [3H]spiperone binding in caudate nucleus and in behavioral responses to apomorphine. Both phenomena can be reversed by iron supplementation. The possibility that neuroleptic-induced dopamine D2 receptor supersensitivity involves an alteration in brain iron content was investigated in nutritionally iron-deficient and control rats chronically treated with haloperidol (5 mg/kg daily for 14 or 21 days). Neuroleptic treatment was initiated either (a) concurrently with iron deficiency or (b) 2 weeks after the start of iron deficiency. The results show that dopamine D2 receptor subsensitivity, a feature of iron deficiency, is absent in haloperidol-treated, iron-deficient groups. On the contrary, these animals demonstrated biochemical and behavioral dopamine D2 receptor supersensitivity that is relatively greater than that observed with control, haloperidol-treated animals. Haloperidol (5 mg/kg daily for 21 days) as well as chlorpromazine (10 mg/kg daily for 21 days) caused a significant reduction (20-25%) in liver nonheme iron stores as compared with values in control rats. However, in iron-deficient rats, in which liver iron stores were almost totally depleted, haloperidol had no effect. The ability of chronic haloperidol treatment to prevent the reduction of dopamine D2 receptor number during iron deficiency may be associated with alteration of body iron status. Thus, less iron may result in an increase in free haloperidol available to the dopamine D2 receptor.     

A Comparison of Levels of Select Minerals in Scalp Hair Samples with Estimated Dietary Intakes of These Minerals in Women of Reproductive Age

The objective of this study was to evaluate daily intake of minerals and concentrations of minerals in hair in women of reproductive age. The study included 77 menstruating women, aged 35.9?±?9.7?years. Subjects were divided into three groups according to age. All women were healthy. Hair samples were taken from several points of the occipital scalp. The content of minerals in hair samples was determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Dietary intake of the analysed minerals was assayed on the basis of dietary intake interviews from three preceding days and evaluated using the dietetic computer programme. It was shown that calcium and iron daily intake by the women was below the recommended value. Only few women had low concentrations (below reference values) of magnesium, copper and zinc in hair. Statistically significant differences were shown between age groups. Generally, the concentrations of minerals in hair in the younger (19-30?years) and the older women (41-50?years) were higher than in hair of middle-aged women (31-40?years). The content of calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc in daily diets of women correlated inversely with copper level in their hair. Food products with good bioavailability of iron and calcium should be recommended for women of childbearing age in all age groups.     

SOME OBSERVATION ON AIR-ION-ENHANCED IRON CHLOROSIS IN BARLEY (HORDEUM VULGARIS) SEEDLINGS

The air ion effects on "active" and "residual" iron distributionin barley seedlings were studied in the course of the developmentof ironchlorosis in an iron-free culture medium. "Active" or"acid soluble" iron plays an important role for chlorophyllbiosynthesis and is extractable with 1.0 N HCl from dried tissues,and "residual" or "acid insoluble" iron does not participatein this chlorophyll formation process and is not extracted with1.0 N HCl. Ions of either charge induced a significant decrease in activeiron content which was associated with a decrease in chlorophyllcontent. Concomitantly, there occurred an increase in both theresidual iron and the cytochrome c fractions. The increase inresidual iron content may involve not only cytochrome c butalso other cytochromes and ironcontaining enzymes as well. Theauthors have proposed a hypothesis that the site of air ionaction in the experiments reported may be the regulatory systemscontrolling iron metabolism in the seed and young seedling.Through this action air ions apparently divert more endogenousfree-state iron to residual iron (consisting of cytochromesand Fe-containing enzymes) than to active iron. Tracer experiments showed that air ions enhanced the uptakeof exogenous iron by early germinating barley seeds. The increasedincorporation of iron was not influenced by light. (Received December 10, 1964; )     

Pre-Altitude Serum Ferritin Levels and Daily Oral Iron Supplement Dose Mediate Iron Parameter and Hemoglobin Mass Responses to Altitude Exposure

Purpose

To investigate the influence of daily oral iron supplementation on changes in hemoglobin mass (Hb_mass) and iron parameters after 2–4 weeks of moderate altitude exposure.

Methods

Hematological data collected from 178 athletes (98 males, 80 females) exposed to moderate altitude (1,350–3,000 m) were analysed using linear regression to determine how altitude exposure combined with oral iron supplementation influenced Hb_mass, total iron incorporation (TII) and blood iron parameters [ferritin and transferrin saturation (TSAT)].

Results

Altitude exposure (mean ± s: 21 ± 3 days) increased Hb_mass by 1.1% [-0.4, 2.6], 3.3% [1.7, 4.8], and 4.0% [2.0, 6.1] from pre-altitude levels in athletes who ingested nil, 105 mg and 210 mg respectively, of oral iron supplement daily. Serum ferritin levels decreased by -33.2% [-46.9, -15.9] and 13.8% [-32.2, 9.7] from pre-altitude levels in athletes who supplemented with nil and 105 mg of oral iron supplement daily, but increased by 36.8% [1.3, 84.8] in athletes supplemented with 210 mg of oral iron daily. Finally, athletes who ingested either 105 mg or 210 mg of oral iron supplement daily had a greater TII compared with non-supplemented athletes (0 versus 105 mg: effect size (d) = -1.88 [-2.56, -1.17]; 0 versus 210 mg: effect size (d) = -2.87 [-3.88, -1.66]).

Conclusion

Oral iron supplementation during 2–4 weeks of moderate altitude exposure may enhance Hb_mass production and assist the maintenance of iron balance in some athletes with low pre-altitude iron stores.     

A Simple and Rapid Method for the Determination of "free" Iron in Biological Fluids

We present a convenient method for determining "free" or non-protein-bound iron in biological fluids. The new method is based on the bathophenantroline method for determination of total serum iron, and comprises binding of iron by a chromogenic chelator (bathophenantroline-disulphonate, BPS), which is specific for ferrous iron. The ferrous complex of BPS absorbs strongly at 535 nm, and the detection limit is less than 1 &#119 M in a sample size of 50 &#119 l. The chelator does not liberate iron from either haemoglobin or transferrin. Interference from copper or zinc in concentrations up to 50 &#119 M does not significantly disturb measurements. The main problem when measuring in blood plasma, the high and fluctuating background in the region around 535 nm, has been overcome through filtering techniques. Data from measurements of ferrous iron in microdialysate, cerebrospinal fluid, and blood plasma in different animal models and clinical conditions are presented as illustrative examples of the usefulness of the method. The method allows the determination of ferric, as well as ferrous, iron in the same sample.     

A simple and rapid method for the determination of "free" iron in biological fluids

We present a convenient method for determining "free" or non-protein-bound iron in biological fluids. The new method is based on the bathophenantroline method for determination of total serum iron, and comprises binding of iron by a chromogenic chelator (bathophenantroline-disulphonate, BPS), which is specific for ferrous iron. The ferrous complex of BPS absorbs strongly at 535 nm, and the detection limit is less than 1 μM in a sample size of 50 μl. The chelator does not liberate iron from either haemoglobin or transferrin. Interference from copper or zinc in concentrations up to 50 μM does not significantly disturb measurements. The main problem when measuring in blood plasma, the high and fluctuating background in the region around 535 nm, has been overcome through filtering techniques. Data from measurements of ferrous iron in microdialysate, cerebrospinal fluid, and blood plasma in different animal models and clinical conditions are presented as illustrative examples of the usefulness of the method. The method allows the determination of ferric, as well as ferrous, iron in the same sample.     

Improvement of the Vietnamese Diet for Women of Reproductive Age by Micronutrient Fortification of Staples Foods and Condiments

Background

A micronutrient survey carried out in 2010 among randomly selected Vietnamese women in reproductive age indicated that anemia and micronutrient deficiencies are still prevalent. The objective of this study was thus to analyze the dietary micronutrient intakes of these women, to select the food vehicles to be fortified and to calculate their contributions to meet the recommended nutrient intake (RNI) for iron, zinc, vitamin A and folic acid.

Main Findings

Consumption data showed that the median intake was 38.4% of the RNI for iron, 61.1% for vitamin A and 91.8% for zinc. However, more than 50% of the women had daily zinc consumption below the RNI. Rice and vegetable oil were consumed daily in significant amounts (median: 320.4 g/capita/day and 8.6 g/capita/day respectively) by over 90% of the women, making them suitable vehicles for fortification. Based on consumption data, fortified vegetable oil could contribute to an additional vitamin A intake of 27.1% of the RNI and fortified rice could increase the intake of iron by 41.4% of the RNI, zinc by 15.5% and folate by 34.1%. Other food vehicles, such as fish and soy sauces and flavoring powders, consumed respectively by 63% and 90% of the population could contribute to increase micronutrient intakes if they are properly fortified and promoted. Wheat flower was consumed by 39% of the women and by less than 20% women from the lowest socioeconomic strata.

Conclusion

The fortification of edible vegetable oils with vitamin A and of rice with iron, zinc and folic acid are the most promising fortification strategies to increase micronutrient intakes of women in reproductive age in Vietnam. While rice fortification will be implemented, fortification of fish and soy sauces with iron, that has been proven to be effective, has to be supported and fortification of flavouring powders with micronutrients investigated.     

Hierro intravenoso,recuperación funcional y delirium en pacientes con fractura de cadera. Estudio FEDEREF. Ensayo clínico unicéntrico aleatorizado,controlado con placebo,doble ciego. Número EudraCT: 2014-001923-53

Introduction

There are no previous studies evaluating the effect of intravenous iron therapy on functional and cognitive status of patients with hip fracture (HF).

Nutritional Value of Midday Meals of Senior Schoolchildren

A survey of 565 senior schoolchildren showed that 41% took the school meal. It provided 27% of the daily recommended energy intake and 35% of the daily protein intake set by the Department of Health and Social Security. Of the children who did not take the school meal 4% had a meal which compared favourably with it, though an equal number ate no lunch at all. The remainder either brought snacks from home or bought foods which were found to be both low in protein, iron, and calcium, and high in sugar. Sweets and chips provided the main source of energy for 9% of the subjects.     

Specification of the effect of chelating complex of iron ions in androgenesisin vitro by means of cation-free minimal medium

The addition of Na₂EDTA to a minimal medium (agar, sucrose) deprived of cations produces no morphoregulatory effect. This effect is induced only by the addition of iron. Traces of iron present in the agar are sufficient for the development of globular embryoid into a complete plant. The traces of iron in distilled water and sucrose (p. a.) are insufficient for the morphoregulation. The marked difference between the necessary limiting amount of chelate and necessary limiting amount of iron in non-modified media is explained by the presence of other cations, which saturate and thereby inactivate a greater part of Na₂EDTA. It is recommended to decrease the amount of iron and leave the commonly used amount of chelate in the prepared media. Simultaneously with optimal morphoregulatory effect in androgenesis and somatic embryogenesis, vitality of tissue culture will be lengthened and ageing as well as necrosis of the cultures be decreased.     

The use of inference strategies in the differential diagnosis of microcytic anemia

A new expert system developed on a Macintosh personal computer using a commercially available artificial intelligence shell was compared with four different discriminant functions (DFs) for the differentiation of microcytic anemia into etiologic categories. Several databases were used with a different composition but all contained at least some samples from thalassemic individuals and from patients with iron deficiency anemia. The DFs analyzed were those proposed by England and Fraser, Green and colleagues, Mentzer, and by Shine and Lal. None of the databases performed satisfactorily when used singly, whereas very high false-positive rates were obtained by one of them. The diagnostic efficiency was somewhat improved by combining several DFs. An expert system using an artificial intelligence "shell" with an "interference engine" was developed using cluster analysis and a set of learning examples. The input necessary for the system to achieve a conclusion consists of MCV, RBC, and RDW as well as a statement as to whether the patient has anemia. Based upon the values of these parameters, the expert system will give an "advice" regarding the probabilities for thalassemia, iron deficiency, and/or other probabilities such as previous transfusions, anemia of chronic disease, laboratory error, etc. In a prospective trial, the system functioned with an accuracy of better than 85%.     

A proposed nomenclature for bile acids.

A proposal is made for a system of nomenclature of the more common unconjugated and conjugated bile acids. Acceptable trivial names for bile acids are tabulated, and guidelines are proposed for using these existing trivial names as roots to create acceptable semi-systematic names for other bile acids, as well as for new natural bile acids that will be discovered in the future. The term alpha-hyocholic is recommended to replace hyocholic, and beta-hyocholic to replace omega-muricholic. The term murideoxycholic acid is recommended for 3 alpha,6 beta-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholan-24-oic acid. Proposals are also made for bile acids with epimeric hydroxy groups, for unsaturated bile acids, and for bile acids with oxo- and/or hydroxy-oxo- substituents on the nucleus and/or on the side chain. For conjugated bile acids, the term "aminoacyl amidates" is recommended to replace "amidates" for bile acids conjugated in N-acyl linkage with amino acids. Nomenclature for other types of conjugates (sulfates, glucuronides, glucosides) is included as well as abbreviations. It is recommended that the historic tradition of naming a newly discovered bile acid after the species from which it was isolated be abandoned, and that in the future such a bile acid should be named using the principles contained in this paper.     

The Effect of Intermittent Antenatal Iron Supplementation on Maternal and Infant Outcomes in Rural Viet Nam: A Cluster Randomised Trial

Background

Anemia affects over 500 million women, and in pregnancy is associated with impaired maternal and infant outcomes. Intermittent antenatal iron supplementation is an attractive alternative to daily dosing; however, the impact of this strategy on infant outcomes remains unclear. We compared the effect of intermittent antenatal iron supplementation with daily iron supplementation on maternal and infant outcomes in rural Viet Nam.

Methods and Findings

This cluster randomised trial was conducted in Ha Nam province, Viet Nam. 1,258 pregnant women (<16 wk gestation) in 104 communes were assigned to daily iron–folic acid (IFA), twice weekly IFA, or twice weekly multiple micronutrient (MMN) supplementation. Primary outcome was birth weight. Mean birth weight was 3,148 g (standard deviation 416). There was no difference in the birth weights of infants of women receiving twice weekly IFA compared to daily IFA (mean difference [MD] 28 g; 95% CI −22 to 78), or twice weekly MMN compared to daily IFA (MD −36.8 g; 95% CI −82 to 8.2). At 32 wk gestation, maternal ferritin was lower in women receiving twice weekly IFA compared to daily IFA (geometric mean ratio 0.73; 95% CI 0.67 to 0.80), and in women receiving twice weekly MMN compared to daily IFA (geometric mean ratio 0.62; 95% CI 0.57 to 0.68), but there was no difference in hemoglobin levels. Infants of mothers who received twice weekly IFA had higher cognitive scores at 6 mo of age compared to those who received daily IFA (MD 1.89; 95% CI 0.23 to 3.56).

Conclusions

Twice weekly antenatal IFA or MMN did not produce a clinically important difference in birth weight, when compared to daily IFA supplementation. The significant improvement in infant cognitive outcomes at 6 mo of age following twice weekly antenatal IFA requires further exploration, and provides additional support for the use of intermittent, rather than daily, antenatal IFA in populations with low rates of iron deficiency.

Trial registration

Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry 12610000944033 Please see later in the article for the Editors'' Summary