Search

We previously demonstrated that the castration of male rats profoundly increases hepatic lycopene compared with intact controls. Here we further characterized the role of testosterone in modulating hepatic lycopene accumulation and isomer patterns in male rats. Furthermore, because castration significantly decreases ad libitum food consumption, we investigated the influence of food restriction on lycopene metabolism. Forty male F344 rats 8 wk of age were randomly assigned to one of four treatments (n = 10/group): 1) intact, free access to food, 2) castration, free access to food, 3) castration plus testosterone implants, free access to food and 4) intact, 20% food restricted. All rats were fed an AIN-based diet with 0.25 g lycopene (as 10% water-soluble beadlets)/kg diet for 3 wk. Serum testosterone was 5.31 +/- 1.46 nmol/L in intact controls allowed free access to food, reduced in castrated animals (0.52 +/- 0.10, P < 0.0001 versus controls) and intact, food-restricted rats (1.53 +/- 0.49 nmol/L, P < 0.0001 versus controls) and greater (17.23 +/- 3.09 nmol/L) in castrated rats administered testosterone (P < 0.0001 versus controls). Castrated rats accumulated approximately twice as much liver lycopene (74.5 +/- 8.5 nmol/g; P < 0.01 versus controls) as intact rats allowed free access to food (39.5 +/- 5.0) despite 13% lower dietary lycopene intake (P < 0.001; 3.38 +/- 0.07 versus 3.95 +/- 0.06 mg lycopene/d). Testosterone replacement in castrated rats returned liver lycopene concentrations (32.5 +/- 5.5 nmol lycopene/g with 3.76 +/- 0.05 mg dietary lycopene/d) to those observed in intact rats. Food restriction resulted in a 20% decrease in lycopene intake but significantly increased liver lycopene by 68% (66.3 +/- 7.9 nmol lycopene/g with 3.38 +/- 0.00 mg lycopene/d) compared with controls and castrated rats administered testosterone. These results suggest that androgen depletion and 20% food restriction increase hepatic lycopene accumulation. We hypothesize an endocrine and dietary interaction, where higher androgen concentrations and greater energy intake may stimulate lycopene metabolism and degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diets rich in lycopene from tomato products as well as greater concentrations of blood lycopene have been associated with a decreased risk for prostate cancer in epidemiologic studies. However, little is known about factors modulating lycopene absorption, metabolism and tissue distribution in humans and animal models of prostate cancer. A 2 x 4 factorial design was used to measure the effects of androgen status (castrated vs. intact), dietary lycopene concentration (0.00-5.00 g/kg lycopene) and their interaction on tissue lycopene accumulation and isomer patterns in male F344 rats. Male F344 rats ( 14 wk old; 44 castrated, 44 intact) were randomly assigned to one of four diets containing total lycopene concentrations of 0.00, 0.05, 0.50 or 5.00 g/kg as beadlets and fed for 8 wk. Tissue total lycopene and cis/trans lycopene profiles were determined by HPLC. Tissue and serum lycopene concentrations increased significantly (P < 0.01) as dietary lycopene levels increased between 0.00 and 0.50 g/kg. No further increases in serum or tissue concentrations were seen in rats fed dietary lycopene between 0.50 and 5.00 g/kg. As dietary lycopene increased, so did the percentage of cis lycopene in the liver (P < 0.05), due primarily to an increase in the 5-cis isomer. Castrated rats accumulated twice (P < 0.01) the liver lycopene as compared to intact controls, with no effect of castration on serum lycopene or adrenal, kidney, adipose, or lung tissue concentration. Livers from castrated rats had a greater proportion of cis-lycopene than those of intact rats (P < 0.05). A significant interaction between dietary lycopene concentration and androgen status was seen for liver lycopene concentration (P < 0.01). We conclude that serum and tissue lycopene reaches a plateau between 0.05 and 0.50 g/kg dietary lycopene, the tissue cis/trans lycopene ratio increases with greater dietary lycopene and androgens modulate hepatic lycopene metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epidemiologic and animal studies provide support for a relationship between high intakes of carotenoids from fruits and vegetables with reduced risk of several malignancies including prostate cancer. The highly controlled environments of in vitro systems provide an opportunity to investigate the cellular and molecular effects of carotenoids. The effects of beta-carotene (BC) on in vitro growth rates, p21(WAF1) and p53 gene expression, as well as the conversion of BC to retinol were investigated in three human prostate adenocarcinoma cell lines: PC-3, DU 145 and LNCaP. In these experiments, media concentrations of 30 micromol BC/L for 72 h significantly (P < 0.05) slowed in vitro growth rates in all three cell lines, independently of p53 or p21(WAF1) status or expression. (14)C-labeled retinol was detected in prostate tumor cells incubated with (14)C-labeled BC, suggesting metabolic conversion of BC to retinol. Conversely, no (14)C-labeled retinol was detected in media incubated without prostate cancer cells. These studies support a hypothesis that in vitro biological effects of BC on prostate cells may result in part from the conversion of BC to retinol or other metabolites. The possibility that prostate cancer cells in vivo locally metabolize provitamin A carotenoids to retinol and other related metabolites may have implications for our understanding of prostate cancer etiology and the design of future prevention studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foods containing provitamin A carotenoids are the primary source of vitamin A in many countries, despite the poor bioavailability of carotenoids. In addition, epidemiologic studies suggest that dietary intake of carotenoids influences the risk for certain types of cancer, cardiovascular disease and other chronic diseases. Although it would be ideal to use humans directly to answer critical questions regarding carotenoid absorption, metabolism and effects on disease progression, appropriate animal models offer many advantages. This paper will review recent progress in the development of animal models with which to study this class of nutrients. Each potential model has strengths and weaknesses. Like humans, gerbils, ferrets and preruminant calves all absorb beta-carotene (betaC) intact, but only gerbils and calves convert betaC to vitamin A with efficiency similar to that of humans. Mice and rats efficiently convert betaC to vitamin A but absorb carotenoids intact only when they are provided in the diet at supraphysiologic levels. Mice, rats and ferrets can be used to study cancer, whereas primates and gerbils are probably more appropriate for studies on biomarkers of heart disease. No one animal model completely mimics human absorption and metabolism of carotenoids; thus the best model must be chosen with consideration of the specific application being studied, characteristics of the model, and the available funding and facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Bifidobacteria and lactobacilli are among the early and important colonizers of the gastrointestinal tract and are generally considered to be part of a normal, healthy microbiota. It is believed that specific strains within the microbiota can influence host immune-reactivity and may play a role in protection from infection and aberrant inflammatory activity. One such strain, Bifidobacterium animalis AHC7, has been previously shown to protect against Salmonella typhimurium infection in mice and helps resolve acute idiopathic diarrhea in dogs. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential molecular and cellular mechanisms underpinning the Bifidobacterium animalis AHC7 protective effect. Results Following 4 hours of infection with Salmonella typhimurium, NF-κB activation was significantly elevated in vivo in placebo and Enterococcus faecium-fed animals while Bifidobacterium animalis AHC7 consumption significantly attenuated the NF-κB response. In vitro anti-CD3/CD28 stimulated Peyer's patch cells secreted significantly less TNF-α and IFN-γ following Bifidobacterium animalis AHC7 consumption. Stimulated cells released more IL-12p70 but this difference did not reach statistical significance. No alteration in mucosal IL-6, IL-10 or MCP-1 levels were observed. No statistically significant change in the cytokine profile of mesenteric lymph node cells was noted. In vitro, Bifidobacterium animalis AHC7 was bound by dendritic cells and induced secretion of both IL-10 and IL-12p70. In addition, co-culture of CD4+ T cells with Bifidobacterium animalis AHC7-stimulated dendritic cells resulted in a significant increase in CD25+Foxp3+ T cell numbers. Conclusion Bifidobacterium animalis AHC7 exerts an anti-inflammatory effect via the attenuation of pro-inflammatory transcription factor activation in response to an infectious insult associated with modulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine production within the mucosa. The cellular mechanism underpinning Bifidobacterium animalis AHC7 mediated attenuation of NF-κB activation may include recognition of the bacterium by dendritic cells and induction of CD25+Foxp3+ T cells.

Background: Fruit intake, including consumption of 100% fruit juice, is generally associated with a better diet quality and overall health. However, fruit and vegetable intakes are below recommendations in many countries., Methods: The present study examined fruit juice intake and total energy and nutrient intakes according to juice consumption or non-consumption in participants in the National Dietary and Nutrition Survey Rolling Programme 2014-2016 in the UK (n = 2723) and the Individual and National Study on Food Consumption 2006-2007 (n = 4079) in France. Total energy and nutrient intakes were also estimated for scenarios in which orange juice with pomace was either added to the daily diet or replaced 100% orange juice or beverages containing fruit juice., Results: Fruit juice consumers had higher intakes of fruits and vegetables than non-consumers, were more likely to reach 5-a-day targets for fruit and vegetable consumption, and had significantly higher intakes of folate, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, and fibre. Juice consumers also had higher total energy and sugar intakes, but lower body mass index than non-juice consumers. Modelling consumption of orange juice with pomace increased fibre and potassium intakes in orange juice consumers, and also increased fibre, most micronutrients, and 5-a-day achievements in non-juice consumers., Conclusions: These national survey results demonstrate that fruit juice consumers in the UK and France had higher intakes of fruits and vegetables than fruit juice non-consumers, and significantly higher intakes of several micronutrients and fibre. Furthermore, modelling of consumption of orange juice with pomace increased fibre and select micronutrient intakes, particularly among fruit juice non-consumers., (© 2022 The British Dietetic Association Ltd.)

The goal of the present study was to determine the impact of the addition of enzyme-treated orange pomace to orange juice on postprandial glycemic response. Ten healthy subjects (aged 27.9 ± 7.7 years, body mass index 22.1 ± 1.1 kg m -2 ) participated in a randomized, 2-arm, cross-over clinical trial to test the glycemic response to 100% orange juice (OJ) or 100% orange juice with 5 g of enzyme-treated orange pomace fiber (OPF). Blood samples were collected and glucose and insulin concentrations were measured at fasting (0 min) and every 15 min for 2 h after consuming the study juice products. Analysis of the 2 h incremental area under the curve (iAUC 0-2h ) indicated a significant reduction in blood glucose after ingesting the OPF juice compared to the OJ, p = 0.02. Peak glucose concentrations were also lowered after the OPF juice compared to the OJ, p < 0.05. No significant difference was observed in insulin responses between treatments, p > 0.05. Overall, this study demonstrated that adding 5 g of fiber from orange pomace into a serving of OJ attenuated the postprandial glucose response.

Background: Although the frequency of pneumonia has decreased over time, an increase in pleural empyema has been observed in different settings worldwide. This study assessed the epidemiology of community-acquired pediatric pleural empyema in the province of Quebec through validation of cases found in a hospitalization discharge database., Methods: We used the national administrative database of hospitalization to identify children (6 months-14 years) hospitalized for pleural empyema or pleural effusion with drainage from January 1990 until December 2007 and reviewed their medical charts. Patients with pleural effusion secondary to chest trauma, thoracic surgery, malignancies, cardiac failure, or metabolic disorders were excluded., Results: Predictive positive value (PPV) of empyema code in any position among discharge diagnostics in the administrative database was 86.5% (95% confidence interval: 81.9%-90.3%). After chart revision, 292 met the inclusion criteria. Age-adjusted incidence of pleural empyema in the pediatric population increased from 0.23 in 1990 to 4.01/100,000 person-years in 2007. A bacterial pathogen was identified in 46.5%; Streptococcus pneumoniae (Sp) (42%) and S pyogenes (30%) were most frequent. There was no obvious change in the PPV and proportions of children with chronic disease or asthma and in identified pathogens over time, but an increase in pre-admission respiratory symptoms duration (from 3.8 days to 5.7) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use (from 0% to 19%) was observed., Conclusions: From 1990 to 2007, we observed a 10-fold increase in the incidence of pediatric hospitalizations associated with pleural empyema. This increase preceded the introduction of a pneumococcal conjugated vaccine program in Quebec. Sp remained the major pathogen identified., (© The Author 2013. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

The impact of oligofructose (OF) intake on stool frequency has not been clearly substantiated, while significant gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms have been reported in some individuals. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of OF on stool frequency and GI symptoms in healthy adults. In an 8-week, randomised, double-blind, parallel-arm study, ninety-eight participants were provided with 16 g OF in yogurt and snack bars (twenty male and thirty female) or matching control foods (seventeen male and thirty-one female), to incorporate, by replacement, into their usual diets. Participants completed a daily online questionnaire recording stool frequency and rating four symptoms: bloating, flatulence, abdominal cramping and noise, each on a Likert scale from '0' for none (no symptoms) to '6' for very severe, with a maximum symptom intensity score of 24 (sum of severities from all four symptoms). Online 24 h dietary recalls were completed during pre-baseline and weeks 4, 6 and 8 to determine fibre intake. When provided with OF foods, fibre intake increased to 24·3 (sem 0·5) g/d from pre-baseline (12·1 (sem 0·5) g/d; P < 0·001). Stool frequency increased with OF from 1·3 (sem 0·2) to 1·8 (sem 0·2) stools per d in males and 1·0 (sem 0·1) to 1·4 (sem 0·1) stools per d in females during intervention weeks compared with pre-baseline (P < 0·05),but did not change for control participants (males: 1·6 (sem 0·2) to 1·8 (sem 0·2); females: 1·3 (sem 0·1) to 1·4 (sem 0·1)). Flatulence was the most commonly reported symptom. Mean GI symptom intensity score was higher for the OF group (3·2 (sem 0·3)) v. control (1·7 (sem 0·1)) (P < 0·01), with few participants reporting above moderate symptoms. No change in symptom intensity occurred over time. Consuming yogurt and snack bars with 16 g OF improves regularity in young healthy adults. However, GI symptoms, resulting from an increase in oligofructose intake, may not diminish with time.

The intake of whole-grain (WG) foods by adolescents is reported to be approximately one-third the recommended intake of 48 g/d. This 6-wk randomized interventional study determined the effect of replacing grains within the diet with refined-grain (RG; n = 42) or WG (n = 41) foods/d on gastrointestinal and immune health in adolescents (aged 12.7 ± 0.1 y). A variety of grain-based foods were delivered weekly to participants and their families. Participants were encouraged to eat 3 different kinds of study foods (e.g., bread, cereals, snacks)/d with goals of 0 g/d (RG) and 80 g/d (WG). Stool samples were obtained during the prebaseline and final weeks to measure bifidobacteria and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) using qPCR. Stool frequency was recorded daily. Blood was drawn at baseline and at final visits for immune markers. Across groups, total-grain intake increased by one serving. The intake of WG was similar at baseline (18 ± 3 g) between groups but increased to 60 ± 5 g in the WG group and decreased to 4 ± 1 g in the RG group. Fecal bifidobacteria increased from baseline with both interventions, but LAB increased (P < 0.05) from baseline [2.4 ± 0.2 log(10) genome equivalents (eq)] to wk 6 (3.0 ± 0.2 log(10) genome eq) in the WG group but not in the RG group (baseline: 2.9 ± 0.2 log(10) genome eq; wk 6: 3.0 ± 0.1 log(10) genome eq). There was no difference in stool frequency, serum antioxidant potential, or in vitro LPS-stimulated mononuclear cell production of inflammatory cytokines between groups. However, across both groups the number of daily stools tended to increase (P = 0.08) by 0.0034 stools/g WG or by 0.2 stools with 60 g WG, mean antioxidant potential increased by 58%, and mean production of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 decreased by 24, 22, and 42%, respectively, between baseline and wk 6. Overall, incorporating either WG or RG foods increased serum antioxidant concentrations and decreased inflammatory cytokine production; however, WG study foods had more of an effect on aspects of gastrointestinal health.

Historically, measurement of gastrointestinal transit time has required collection and X-raying of faecal samples for up to 7 d after swallowing radio-opaque markers; a tedious, labour-intensive technique for both subjects and investigators. Recently, a wireless motility capsule (SmartPill®), which uses gut pH, pressure and temperature to measure transit time, has been developed. This device, however, has not been validated with dietary interventions. Therefore, we conducted a controlled cross-over trial to determine whether the device could detect a significant difference in transit time after ten healthy subjects (five men and five women) consumed 9 g of wheat bran (WB) or an equal volume, low-fibre control for 3 d. A paired t test was used to determine differences in transit times. Colonic transit time decreased by 10·8 (sd 6·6) h (P = 0·006) on the WB treatment. Whole-gut transit time also decreased by 8·9 (sd 5·4) h (P = 0·02) after the consumption of WB. Gastric emptying time and small-bowel transit time did not differ between treatments. Despite encouraging results, the present study had several limitations including short duration, lack of randomisation and unusable data due to delayed gastric emptying of the capsule. With minimal participant burden, the SmartPill technology appears to be a potentially useful tool for assessing transit time after a dietary intervention. This technology could be considered for digestive studies with novel fibres and other ingredients that are promoted for gut health.

Background: Bifidobacteria and lactobacilli are among the early and important colonizers of the gastrointestinal tract and are generally considered to be part of a normal, healthy microbiota. It is believed that specific strains within the microbiota can influence host immune-reactivity and may play a role in protection from infection and aberrant inflammatory activity. One such strain, Bifidobacterium animalis AHC7, has been previously shown to protect against Salmonella typhimurium infection in mice and helps resolve acute idiopathic diarrhea in dogs. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential molecular and cellular mechanisms underpinning the Bifidobacterium animalis AHC7 protective effect., Results: Following 4 hours of infection with Salmonella typhimurium, NF-κB activation was significantly elevated in vivo in placebo and Enterococcus faecium-fed animals while Bifidobacterium animalis AHC7 consumption significantly attenuated the NF-κB response. In vitro anti-CD3/CD28 stimulated Peyer's patch cells secreted significantly less TNF-α and IFN-γ following Bifidobacterium animalis AHC7 consumption. Stimulated cells released more IL-12p70 but this difference did not reach statistical significance. No alteration in mucosal IL-6, IL-10 or MCP-1 levels were observed. No statistically significant change in the cytokine profile of mesenteric lymph node cells was noted. In vitro, Bifidobacterium animalis AHC7 was bound by dendritic cells and induced secretion of both IL-10 and IL-12p70. In addition, co-culture of CD4+ T cells with Bifidobacterium animalis AHC7-stimulated dendritic cells resulted in a significant increase in CD25+Foxp3+ T cell numbers., Conclusion: Bifidobacterium animalis AHC7 exerts an anti-inflammatory effect via the attenuation of pro-inflammatory transcription factor activation in response to an infectious insult associated with modulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine production within the mucosa. The cellular mechanism underpinning Bifidobacterium animalis AHC7 mediated attenuation of NF-κB activation may include recognition of the bacterium by dendritic cells and induction of CD25+Foxp3+ T cells.

The gastrointestinal environment is a complex interactive system involving the host, ingested dietary components, and numerous microbial species. We hypothesized that isolation and screening of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria adherent to healthy canine gastrointestinal tissue would yield strains with commensal activity in canines. The aims of this study were (1) to isolate a bank of commensal organisms from the canine gastrointestinal tract; (2) to screen these novel microbial isolates for potential probiotic effects; (3) to select one organism from these screens and test its impact on the canine microbiota. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were isolated from resected canine gastrointestinal tissue and screened in vitro for putative probiotic activities. Murine studies examined gastrointestinal transit and inhibition of Salmonella typhimurium translocation. One strain was progressed to a canine study where its impact on the gastrointestinal microbiota was determined. Of the 420 isolates from the canine gut, 62 strains were characterised as LAB. Following assessment of the strain bank with regard to pH sensitivity, bile resistance, pathogen inhibition and survival following freeze-drying, four Lactobacillus strains and two Bifidobacteria strains were selected for further examination. Bifidobacterium animalis AHC7 adhered to epithelial cells, transited the murine gastrointestinal tract to high numbers and significantly reduced S. typhimurium translocation. B. animalis AHC7 consumption significantly reduced the carriage of Clostridia, in particular Clostridium difficile, in dogs. This study describes the isolation and screening of canine-derived bacterial strains with commensal traits. The results demonstrate that B. animalis AHC7 has significant potential for improving canine gastrointestinal health.

This study evaluated the effect of supplementation with canine-derived probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis strain AHC7 (lams Prostora, Procter & Gamble Pet Care) on the resolution rate of acute idiopathic diarrhea in dogs randomly assigned to receive a placebo (n=18) or the probiotic (n=13). Nutritional management with the probiotic fed at 2 x 10(10) CFU/day significantly reduced the time to resolution (3.9 +/- 2.3 versus 6.6 +/- 2.7 days; P < .01) and reduced the percentage of dogs that were administered metronidazole (38.5% versus 50.0%) compared with placebo. Probiotic B. animalis AHC7 may provide veterinarians another tool for management of acute diarrhea in dogs.

Cell culture systems provide an opportunity to evaluate the effects of carotenoids on molecular and cellular processes involved in proliferation and differentiation of prostate cancer cells. The stability and cellular uptake of beta-carotene (BC) by prostate cancer cells were investigated in vitro by use of various delivery methods and three human prostate adenocarcinoma cell lines: PC-3, DU 145, and LNCaP. Recovery of BC from the media (prepared from water-dispersible BC beadlets) significantly (p < 0.05) decreased after 12 hours in culture and continued to significantly decrease (p < 0.05) after 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours, an observation primarily attributed to BC degradation rather than isomerization, metabolism, or cellular uptake. The uptake of BC by prostate cancer cells was compared when delivered by tetrahydrofuran, BC-enriched bovine serum, water-dispersible BC beadlets, and artificial liposomes. Recovery of BC after three days in culture from enriched bovine serum medium was significantly (p < 0.05) greater than recovery from medium prepared by beadlets, tetrahydrofuran, or artificial liposomes. We conclude that BC is relatively unstable in vitro and that degradation products may contribute to biological responses. Furthermore, our studies indicate that enriched bovine serum provides a stable and physiological approach to carotenoid treatment of cells in culture.

Objectives: To compare the practice patterns of female pediatricians in Quebec with those of their male counterparts and to identify specific factors influencing these practice patterns., Design: Matched cohort questionnaire survey., Setting: Primary, secondary and tertiary care pediatric practices in Quebec., Participants: All 146 female pediatricians and 133 of the 298 male pediatricians, matched for age as well as type and site of practice; 119 (82%) of the female and 115 (86%) of the male pediatricians responded., Main Outcome Measures: Demographic and family data as well as detailed information about the practice profile., Results: The two groups were comparable regarding demographic data, professional work and patient care. Compared with the male respondents, the female pediatricians were younger and saw more outpatients. The mean number of hours worked per week, excluding on-call duty, was 40.5 (standard deviation [SD] 12.4) for the women and 48.9 (SD 12.0) for the men (p < 0.001). The female pediatricians were more likely than their male counterparts to have spouses who were also physicians (40%) or in another profession (45%). The female pediatricians without children worked significantly fewer hours than the male pediatricians with or without children (p < 0.001). Children (p = 0.006), but not the number of children (p = 0.452), had a significant effect on the number of hours worked by the female pediatricians., Conclusion: The duality of the role of female physicians as mothers and professional caregivers must be considered during workload evaluations. If the same style of practice and the increase in the proportion of female pediatricians continue, about 20% more pediatricians will be needed in 10 years to accomplish the same workload.

Measurements of concentrations for drugs from plasma or biological fluids taken together with the clinical status of the newborn infant may provide better assurance of avoiding potentially dangerous over- or underdosing. They are also useful as guidelines in requisite clinical trials and study designs. To the developmental biologist and pharmacologist, they serve as potent biological probes for various events underlying biochemical differentiation or maturation in the human fetus and newborn infant. Future research developments in neonatal drug monitoring should include improvement of micro-methods for drug assays and refinement of noninvasive techniques for monitoring drug concentrations from biological fluids and for evaluation of drug effects.