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The dietary use and nutritional content of wild and domesticated plants from Burkina Faso and Niamey, Niger, were established by analyzing for their copper, iron, magnesium, manganese and zinc concentrations. The results were compared to those of imported and exotic reference foods found within the two regions. The study identified 33 wild and 16 cultivated plants commonly included in the diet. The edible wild plants exhibited high mineral values, particularly Adansonia digitata, Boerhavia diffusa, Cerathoteca sesamoides, Sclerocarya birrea and Xylopia sp. The latter species was also observed to have high zinc content.

Lysyl oxidase levels were estimated in rat tissues using an enzyme-linked immunosorption assay (ELISA) and a functional assay standardized against known amounts of purified lysyl oxidase. High concentrations of lysyl oxidase ([greater than or equal to]150 [[micro]gram]/g of tissue or packed cells) were detected in connective tissues, such as tendon and skin. Values for aorta, kidney, lung and liver ranged from 30 to 150 [[micro]gram]/g of tissue; values for skeletal muscle and diaphragm were 0.9). When egg white-based experimental diets containing 2 or 10 [[micro]gram]/g added copper were fed to weanling rats, values for skin lysyl oxidase functional activity in the group fed 2 [[micro]gram]/g added copper were one-third to one-half the values for skin lysyl oxidase functional activity in rats fed 10 [[micro]gram]/g copper. This reduction in lysyl oxidase activity, however, had minimal effect on indices of collagen maturation in rat skin, e.g., collagen solubility in neutral salt and dilute acid or the levels of acid stable cross-links. Moreover, copper deficiency did not influence the steady-state levels of lysyl oxidase specific mRNA in rat skin or the apparent amounts of lysyl oxidase in rat skin as determined by ELISA. These observations underscore that the concentration of lysyl oxidase is relatively high in dense corrective tissues, and although decreasing dietary copper influences functional activity, there is little apparent effect on the production of lysyl oxidase protein. INDEXING KEY WORDS: copper; lysyl oxidase; collagen; elastin; rats

The majority of studies of developmental zinc deficiency and behavior were conducted in laboratory animals, primarily rats and rhesus monkeys. Effects on food intake complicate interpretation of experiments using severe zinc deficiency. Severe zinc deficiency in rats during the period of rapid brain growth has similar effects to protein calorie malnourishment during this period, including altered emotionality and food motivation. When behavior is tested during a period of zinc deprivation in immature animals, lethargy (reduced activity and responsiveness) is a prominent characteristic, but learning, attention and memory are also affected. The few supplement studies available in children did not report effects on behavior. Although zinc has multiple roles in brain function, considerable brain sparing occurs in zinc deficiency, and peripheral mechanisms of altered behavior also need to be considered. INDEXING KEY WORDS: zinc deficiency; children; animals; behavior; development

We tested the hypothesis that tumor necrosis factor-[Alpha] (TNF-[Alpha]) would be teratogenic in mice due in part to its effects on zinc metabolism. In Experiment 1, nonpregnant mice were injected with a single dose of TNF-[Alpha] (40,000 U) or PBS and then received a 65Zn-labeled meal. Mice killed 10 h after TNF-[Alpha] treatment had high liver 65Zn and low plasma 65Zn, compared with controls. In Experiment 2, gestation day 8 (GD 8) mice were injected with PBS or TNF-[Alpha] and then received a 65Zn-labeled meal. Dams killed 10 h after TNF-[Alpha] treatment had higher liver and kidney 65Zn and lower plasma and embryonic 65Zn accumulation than controls. in Experiment 3, TNF-[Alpha] dosing from GD 7-12 was associated with high maternal liver Zn and metallothionein concentrations on GD 13 and a high frequency of exencephaly on GD 18. In Experiment 4, dams fed diets containing 4.5, 12.5 or 50.0 [[micro]gram] Zn/g were given PBS or TNF-[Alpha] on GD 7-12. Gross fetal defects were not observed in the PBS-treated litters evaluated on GD 18. In contrast, TNF-[Alpha]-treated litters were characterized by multiple defects, with the incidence and severity being highest in the low Zn diet group. In Experiment 5, embryos cultured in serum from TNF-[Alpha]-treated animals exhibited a high frequency of defects; the developmental toxicity of this serum was ameliorated when it was supplemented with Zn. Thus, the developmental toxicity of TNF-[Alpha] is due in part to its influence on Zn metabolism. INDEXING KEY WORDS: development; mice; zinc; tumor necrosis factor-[Alpha]; metallothionein

To investigate the effects of zinc deficiency on oxidative damage to testes proteins, lipids and DNA, weanling male rats were allowed free access to low (0.5 [[micro]gram] Zn/g) or adequate (25 [[micro]gram] Zn/g) zinc diets for 14 d. A third group was restricted intake of the adequate Zn diet to the amount consumed by the low Zn diet-fed group. Compared with ad libitum-fed controls, testes from rats fed the low zinc diet had lower glutamine synthetase activity, lower [Fe.sup.2+]-stimulated 2-thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) production, higher protein carbonyl concentrations (P < 0.05), and higher 8-oxo-2 [prime]-deoxyguanosine levels (P = 0.06). Glutamine synthetase activity in testes of the food-restricted controls was between the values for the ad libitum controls and zinc-deficient animals. Protein carbonyls were higher in the restricted controls compared with the ad libitum controls, whereas stimulated TBARS production was lower (P < 0.05). Levels of 8-oxo-2 [prime]-deoxyguanosine were lower in testes DNA of the restricted controls than in the zinc-deficient group (P < 0.05). Testes iron concentrations were higher in the zinc-deficient and restricted control rats than in ad libitum controls (P < 0.05). The oxidative damage observed may have occurred as a consequence of increased reactive oxygen species generation secondary to tissue iron accumulation and/or reductions in zinc-dependent antioxidant processes. INDEXING KEY WORDS: reactive oxygen species; zinc deficiency; oxidative damage; lipid peroxidation; rats

AbstractStrawberries provide a number of potential health promoting phytonutrients to include phenolics, polyphenols, fiber, micronutrients and vitamins. The objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive summary of recent human studies pertaining to the intake of strawberry and strawberry phytonutrients on human health. A literature search conducted through PubMed and Cochrane databases consolidated studies focusing on the effects of strawberry intake on human health. Articles were reviewed considering pre-determined inclusion and exclusion criteria, including experimental or observational studies that focused on health outcomes, and utilized whole strawberries or freeze-dried strawberry powder (FDSP), published between 2000–2023. Of the 60 articles included in this review, 47 were clinical trials, while 13 were observational studies. A majority of these studies reported on the influence of strawberry intake on cardiometabolic outcomes. Study designs included those examining the influence of strawberry intake during the postprandial period, short-term trials randomized with a control, or a single arm intake period controlling with a low polyphenolic diet or no strawberry intake. A smaller proportion of studies included in this review examined the influence of strawberry intake on additional outcomes of aging including bone and brain health, and cancer risk. Data support that the inclusion of strawberries into the diet can have positive impacts during the postprandial period, with daily intake improving outcomes of lipid metabolism and inflammation in those at increased cardiovascular risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two Hausa villages, in the Sahel of south-eastern Niger, were surveyed to study the activities and behavior of people in the process of food procurement in periods of drought and adequate rainfall. The 112 residents surveyed foraged for food in adjacent bushlands, fields, and in their compounds. More than 80 species of wild plants, some of which were rich in protein and others rich in copper, iron, calcium, and zinc, were consumed during periods of drought and adequate rainfall.

Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids alter the lipid composition and immune systems of mice. To date, most studies have been of short duration and focused on a particular immunologic assay. Adult female mice were therefore fed diets rich in 18:1(n-9) (olive oil), 18:2(n-6) (safflower oil), 18:3(n-3) (linseed oil) or 20:5(n-3) and 22:6(n-3) (fish oil-safflower oil, 9:1, wt/wt), for a 5-mo period, encompassing two breeding cycles. Offspring from the second breeding cycle were then fed these diets for 42 d, and a spectrum of immune functions was assessed. Dietary fat had a small effect on gestational weight gain and total and relative organ weights of the offspring. The relative amounts of splenic Ly-2 and gamma-delta receptor-expressing T cells were proportional to the concentration of 18:2(n-6), and inversely proportional to the concentration of long chain (n-3) polyenes in the diet. In contrast, Ly-1, immunoglobulin M, GM1+, and Ly-1 B suppressor inducer cells were not significantly affected by dietary fat. Splenic natural killer cell and lymphokine activated killer cell activities were attenuated by (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids, in contrast to superoxide production of stimulated macrophages which was increased. Those immune functions that were sensitive to dietary fat modulation will be the focus of continued research.

Super65zinc (65Zn) metabolism is assessed in streptozotocin-induced diabetic and nondiabetic pregnant rats. During organogenesis or on day 12 of gestation, less 65Zn was retained in the pancreas, spleen, erythrocytes, plasma and bone of untreated diabetic dams. At day 18 of gestation, there was decreased retention of 65Zn in many body parts of untreated diabetic dams as compared to controls. Less 65Zn was detected in the products of conception of untreated diabetic dams, which may be due to decreased placental transport or altered Zn-binding ligands in these dams and fetus. Administration of insulin significantly restores the Zn metabolism derangements caused by streptozocin.

Abstract Background Recommendations for daily dietary vegetable intake were increased in the 2005 USDA Dietary Guidelines as consumption of a diet rich in vegetables has been associated with lower risk of certain chronic health disorders including cardiovascular disease. However, vegetable consumption in the United States has declined over the past decade; consequently, the gap between dietary recommendations and vegetable intake is widening. The primary aim of this study is to determine if drinking vegetable juice is a practical way to help meet daily dietary recommendations for vegetable intake consistent with the 2005 Dietary Guidelines and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet. The secondary aim is to assess the effect of a vegetable juice on measures of cardiovascular health. Methods We conducted a 12-week, randomized, controlled, parallel-arm study consisting of 3 groups of free-living, healthy volunteers who participated in study visits at the Ragle Human Nutrition Research Center at the University of California, Davis. All subjects received education on the DASH diet and 0, 8 or 16 fluid ounces of vegetable juice daily. Assessments were completed of daily vegetable servings before and after incorporation of vegetable juice and cardiovascular health parameters including blood pressure. Results Without the juice, vegetable intake in all groups was lower than the 2005 Dietary Guidelines and DASH diet recommendations. The consumption of the vegetable juice helped participants reach recommended intake. In general, parameters associated with cardiovascular health did not change over time. However, in the vegetable juice intervention groups, subjects who were pre-hypertensive at the start of the study showed a significant decrease in blood pressure during the 12-week intervention period. Conclusion Including 1-2 cups of vegetable juice daily was an effective and acceptable way for healthy adults to close the dietary vegetable gap. Increase in daily vegetable intake was associated with a reduction in blood pressure in subjects who were pre-hypertensive at the start of the trial. Trial Registration Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01161706

Abstract Background Metabolic syndrome, a constellation of metabolic risk factors for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, is one of the fastest growing disease entities in the world. Weight loss is thought to be a key to improving all aspects of metabolic syndrome. Research studies have suggested benefits from diets rich in vegetables and fruits in helping individuals reach and achieve healthy weights. Objective To evaluate the effects of a ready to serve vegetable juice as part of a calorie-appropriate Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet in an ethnically diverse population of people with Metabolic Syndrome on weight loss and their ability to meet vegetable intake recommendations, and on their clinical characteristics of metabolic syndrome (waist circumference, triglycerides, HDL, fasting blood glucose and blood pressure). A secondary goal was to examine the impact of the vegetable juice on associated parameters, including leptin, vascular adhesion markers, and markers of the oxidative defense system and of oxidative stress. Methods A prospective 12 week, 3 group (0, 8, or 16 fluid ounces of low sodium vegetable juice) parallel arm randomized controlled trial. Participants were requested to limit their calorie intake to 1600 kcals for women and 1800 kcals for men and were educated on the DASH diet. A total of 81 (22 men & 59 women) participants with Metabolic Syndrome were enrolled into the study. Dietary nutrient and vegetable intake, weight, height, leptin, metabolic syndrome clinical characteristics and related markers of endothelial and cardiovascular health were measured at baseline, 6-, and 12-weeks. Results There were significant group by time interactions when aggregating both groups consuming vegetable juice (8 or 16 fluid ounces daily). Those consuming juice lost more weight, consumed more Vitamin C, potassium, and dietary vegetables than individuals who were in the group that only received diet counseling (p < 0.05). Conclusion The incorporation of vegetable juice into the daily diet can be a simple and effective way to increase the number of daily vegetable servings. Data from this study also suggest the potential of using a low sodium vegetable juice in conjunction with a calorie restricted diet to aid in weight loss in overweight individuals with metabolic syndrome.