British Journal of Nutrition - Current Issue

Volume 99 Issue 06

Sat, 31 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT

British Journal of Nutrition, Volume 99 Issue 06

British Journal of Nutrition is a leading international peer-reviewed journal covering research on human and clinical nutrition, animal nutrition and basic science as applied to nutrition. The Journal recognises the multidisciplinary nature of nutritional science and includes material from all of the specialities involved in nutrition research, including molecular and cell biology and the emerging area of nutritional genomics.

Sugar-sweetened beverages, weight gain and nutritional epidemiological study design

Article Commentary
Mark A. Pereira, David R. Jacobs,
British Journal of Nutrition, Volume 99 Issue 06 , pp 1169-1170

Abstract

Abundant sunshine and vitamin D deficiency

Article Commentary
Inez Schoenmakers, Gail R. Goldberg, Ann Prentice,
British Journal of Nutrition, Volume 99 Issue 06 , pp 1171-1173

Abstract

Assessing changes in composition of intestinal microbiota in neonatal BALB/c mice through cluster analysis of molecular markers

In Brief
Reiko Fujiwara, Jun Watanabe, Kei Sonoyama,
British Journal of Nutrition, Volume 99 Issue 06 , pp 1174-1177

Abstract
The present study introduced a molecular biological approach to demonstrate changes in the composition of intestinal microbiota in neonatal mice. Female BALB/c mice were fed either a control diet or a diet supplemented with fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) at 50 g/kg diet, and then mated to male mice. A cultivation-independent approach, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of the PCR-amplified 16S rRNA gene, was performed to characterise changes in intestinal microbial populations in pups at 0, 7, 14 and 21 d old and their dams. Comparisons of DGGE profiles were performed using the Dice similarity coefficient and the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) cluster analysis based on numbers, positions and intensities of bands. DGGE profiles differed between dams fed control and FOS-supplemented diets. Although profiles in pups on the day of birth showed a high similarity with dams, profiles in 7-d-old pups differed from dams and showed high similarity to littermates. In 14- and 21-d-old pups, profiles again showed high similarity with dams. DGGE profiles in pups were divided into two large clusters of control and FOS-supplemented diet groups in the range of 0- to 21-d-old, suggesting modulation of intestinal microbiota in infants by manipulation of microbiota in dams. The present study shows a useful technique for demonstrating changes in intestinal microbiota and provides a mouse model for modulation of intestinal microbiota in neonatal life.

Amniotic fluid iodine concentrations do not vary in pregnant women with varying iodine intake

In Brief
Eduardo García-Fuentes, Manuel Gallo, Laureano García, Stephanie Prieto, Javier Alcaide-Torres, Piedad Santiago, Inés Velasco, Federico Soriguer,
British Journal of Nutrition, Volume 99 Issue 06 , pp 1178-1181

Abstract
Iodine deficiency is an important clinical and public health problem. Its prevention begins with an adequate intake of iodine during pregnancy. International agencies recommend at least 200 0 (sd 94 g/l and of amniotic fluid 15 09) 01 and P = 0 004, respectively). The urinary iodine levels were not significantly different in the women who took a multivitamin supplement compared with those who did not take this supplement, independently of iodine concentration or multivitamin supplement. The concentrations of iodine in the amniotic fluid were similar, independent of the dietary iodine intake. Urine and amniotic fluid iodine concentrations were weakly correlated, although the amniotic fluid values were no higher in those women taking a KI supplement. KI prescription at recommended doses increases the iodine levels in the mother without influencing the iodine levels in the amniotic fluid.

Green tea catechin enhances cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase gene expression in HepG2 cells

In Brief
Mak-Soon Lee, Ju-Yeon Park, Hedley Freake, In-Sook Kwun, Yangha Kim,
British Journal of Nutrition, Volume 99 Issue 06 , pp 1182-1185

Abstract
Green tea catechins are known to have hypocholesterolaemic effects in animals and human subjects. In the present study, we investigated the effects of green tea catechins on the mRNA level and promoter activity of hepatic cholesterol 7 )-epicatechin gallate (ECG), ( )-epigallocatechin (EGC) and ( 5-, 4 9- and 1 1312/+358 bp of the CYP7A1 promoter was subcloned into the pGL3 basic vector that includes luciferase as a reporter gene. ECG or EGCG significantly increased CYP7A1 promoter activity by 6 0-fold, respectively, compared with the control. Also, EGCG stimulated CYP7A1 at both mRNA level and promoter activity in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that the expression of the CYP7A1 gene may be directly regulated by green tea catechins at the transcriptional level.

Serum fatty acid composition and indices of stearoyl-CoA desaturase activity are associated with systemic inflammation : longitudinal analyses in middle-aged men

Rapid Communication
Helena Petersson, Samar Basu, Tommy Cederholm, Ulf Risérus,
British Journal of Nutrition, Volume 99 Issue 06 , pp 1186-1189

Abstract
Altered fatty acid (FA) composition is related to insulin resistance and CVD. One possible mediator may be inflammation, but longitudinal data relating FA composition to inflammation taking insulin resistance into account are limited. We investigated the long-term association between FA composition and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations in a large population-based cohort study in 767 men followed for 20 years. The association between FA composition in serum cholesteryl esters at age 50 and CRP concentrations at age 70 was investigated using linear regression. In addition, desaturase activities (stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD-1), 6-desaturase) were estimated using FA product-to-precursor ratios. Insulin resistance was measured directly at follow-up by euglycaemic clamp. After adjusting for confounders (smoking, physical activity, alcohol intake, obesity and erythrocyte sedimentation rate) CRP concentrations were inversely associated with the proportion of 18 : 2n-6 (P = 0 008), 18 : 1n-9 (P = 0 04) and estimated SCD-1 (P = 0 6-desaturase (P = 0 02) activities. After adding insulin resistance to the model, 18 : 1n-9, 18 : 2n-6 and SCD-1 remained significant predictors of CRP. A FA composition indicating low intake of 18 : 2n-6, high intake of SFA and high SCD-1 activity is, in a Swedish population of middle-aged men, associated with CRP concentrations 20 years later, even independently of obesity and insulin resistance.

Effect of long-term selenium yeast intervention on activity and gene expression of antioxidant and xenobiotic metabolising enzymes in healthy elderly volunteers from the Danish Prevention of Cancer by Intervention by Selenium (PRECISE) Pilot Study

Research Articles
Gitte Ravn-Haren, Britta N. Krath, Kim Overvad, Søren Cold, Sven Moesgaard, Erik H. Larsen, Lars O. Dragsted,
British Journal of Nutrition, Volume 99 Issue 06 , pp 1190-1198

Abstract
Numerous mechanisms have been proposed to explain the anti-carcinogenic effects of Se, among them altered carcinogen metabolism. We investigated the effect of Se supplementation on activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) in different blood compartments, and expression of selected phase 1 and phase 2 genes in leucocytes (GPX1, 3 (sd 4 g, 200 g Se as Se-enriched yeast (SelenoPrecise ). Blood samples were collected after 5 years of intervention. When all four groups were compared we found no effect of Se supplementation on plasma GPX or GR, on erythrocyte GPX, GR or GST, or on thrombocyte GR or GST. We found increased thrombocyte GPX activity at the two highest dosage levels in women only, but not in men. No effects on GPX1, NQO1 or AhRR gene expression were found. When all Se-supplemented groups were pooled we found significant down regulation of the expression of some phase 2 genes (GCLC, Fra1). A significant increase in AhRR gene expression with smoking was found but was independent of Se supplementation. Down regulation of phase 2 genes could increase the risk of cancer. However, further studies are needed to establish whether the observed effect in leucocytes reflects a similar expression pattern in target tissues.

Effect of resveratrol, tyrosol and β-sitosterol on oxidised low-density lipoprotein-stimulated oxidative stress, arachidonic acid release and prostaglandin E 2 synthesis by RAW 264.7 macrophages

Research Articles
Marta Vivancos, Juan J. Moreno,
British Journal of Nutrition, Volume 99 Issue 06 , pp 1199-1207

Abstract
Oxidation of LDL is hypothesised as an early and critical event in atherogenesis. Oxidised LDL (oxLDL) favour the transformation of macrophages into foam cells, an important cell involved in atherosclerosis. Furthermore, oxLDL cause multiple changes in macrophage functions. Thus, oxLDL induces certain genes, suppresses others and alters cell lipid metabolism. Consumption of a Mediterranean diet is associated with a low incidence of atherosclerotic disease, but data about the specific dietary constituents involved and mechanisms conferring cardioprotection are still sparse. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of representative minor components of wine and olive oil on reactive oxygen species and eicosanoid synthesis induced by oxLDL-stimulated macrophages. We observed that exposure to non-toxic oxLDL concentrations leads to the production of H2O2 by RAW 264.7 macrophages and this effect was reverted by apocynin, a NADPH oxidase inhibitor. Moreover, oxLDL induced arachidonic acid (AA) release, cyclo-oxygenase-2 overexpression and subsequent PGE2 release. We observed that resveratrol and tyrosol revert H2O2 production induced by oxLDL as well as AA release and PGE2 synthesis and that these effects were not as a consequence of these compounds interfering with the oxLDL binding to their receptors. Interestingly, -sitosterol of olive oil led to the modulation of the effects of oxLDL on oxidative stress and PGE2 synthesis.

Effects of green tea on insulin sensitivity, lipid profile and expression of PPARα and PPARγ and their target genes in obese dogs

Research Articles
Samuel Serisier, Veronique Leray, Wilfried Poudroux, Thierry Magot, Khadija Ouguerram, Patrick Nguyen,
British Journal of Nutrition, Volume 99 Issue 06 , pp 1208-1216

Abstract
As in man, canine obesity is associated with insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia and other chronic diseases. This study was designed to examine the effects of a nutritional supplement (green tea) on insulin sensitivity and plasma lipid concentrations in an obese insulin-resistant dog model. We also determined mRNA expression of two transcription factors, PPAR , and some of their target genes, including GLUT4, lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and adiponectin. Obese dogs were divided into two groups: a green tea group (n 6); a control group (n 4). Dogs in the green tea group were given green tea extract (80 mg/kg per d) orally, just before their single daily meal, for 12 weeks. Insulin sensitivity (using a euglycaemic 05) and TAG concentration 50 (sem 10) % lower (P 0 , GLUT4, LPL and adiponectin expression were significantly higher in both adipose tissues, whilst PPAR and LPL expression were significantly higher in skeletal muscle, compared with baseline. These findings show that nutritional doses of green tea extract may improve insulin sensitivity and lipid profile and alter the expression of genes involved in glucose and lipid homeostasis.

Addition of oat hulls to an extruded rice-based diet for weaner pigs ameliorates the incidence of diarrhoea and reduces indices of protein fermentation in the gastrointestinal tract

Research Articles
Jae Cheol Kim, Bruce P. Mullan, David J. Hampson, John R. Pluske,
British Journal of Nutrition, Volume 99 Issue 06 , pp 1217-1225

Abstract
An experiment was conducted to determine whether adding oat hulls to weaner pig diets based on extruded rice or unprocessed wheat influenced post-weaning diarrhoea (PWD) and protein fermentation in the large intestine. Ninety-six male piglets (5 08) kg) were allocated to (i) extruded rice plus animal proteins (RAP); (ii) RAP with added oat hulls (20 g/kg); (iii) wheat plus animal proteins (WAP); (iv) WAP with added oat hulls (20 g/kg). Blood and faecal samples were collected on days 7 and 14 after weaning at about age 21 d. Pigs fed RAP had more PWD than pigs fed WAP (P 0 05). The total-tract digestibility of DM, starch and energy was higher in rice-based diets than in wheat-based diets (P 0 001). Pigs fed RAP had higher plasma creatinine concentrations (P 0 -haemolytic Escherichia coli scores after weaning (R2 0 015). Addition of oat hulls decreased plasma urea concentrations only in pigs fed RAP (interaction; P 0 001). Oat hull supplementation tended to decrease total biogenic amine concentrations (P = 0 103). These data indirectly suggest that a mostly insoluble dietary fibre source such as oat hulls can decrease PWD in dietary situations where there may be a misbalance of carbohydrate to protein entering the hindgut.

The association between serum copper and anaemia in the adult Second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES II) population

In Brief
Mary Ann Knovich, Dora Il'yasova, Anastasia Ivanova, István Molnár,
British Journal of Nutrition, Volume 99 Issue 06 , pp 1226-1229

Abstract
Though common in older adults, anaemia is unexplained in about one-third of cases. As a rare cause of anaemia and neutropenia, Cu deficiency could account for some cases of unexplained anaemia. We examined the relationship between serum Cu and unexplained anaemia among 11 240 participants in the Second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES II): 638 (5 7 %) were not explained by deficiencies of vitamin B12, folate or Fe, chronic illness or renal disease. Spline regression showed a U-shaped relationship between serum Cu levels and unexplained anaemia, indicating that both high and low serum Cu levels are associated with unexplained anaemia in adults. Chronic inflammation and mild Fe deficiency could account for the association between unexplained anaemia and elevated Cu levels. On the other hand, the finding of hypocupraemia in a subset of adults with unexplained anaemia suggests that Cu deficiency may be a common reversible cause of anaemia in adults.

The effect of dietary fish oil-supplementation to healthy young men on oxidative burst measured by whole blood chemiluminescence

Research Articles
Stine Bartelt, Michael Timm, Camilla T. Damsgaard, Erik W. Hansen, Harald S. Hansen, Lotte Lauritzen,
British Journal of Nutrition, Volume 99 Issue 06 , pp 1230-1238

Abstract
Dietary long-chain n-3 PUFA (n-3 LCPUFA) are thought to have immune-modulating effects, but the specific effects and mechanisms are not fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to determine whether dietary n-3 LCPUFA could affect ex vivo oxidative burst in healthy young men. The study had a randomised 2 9 g n-3 LCPUFA/d) or olive oil (control). Subjects were also randomly assigned to household use of oils and fat spreads with a high or a low 18 : 2n-6 content. At baseline and at the end of the intervention, the fatty acid composition of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was analysed by GLC and oxidative burst was studied in whole blood stimulated with zymosan using luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence. The PBMC content of n-3 LCPUFA was markedly increased by the fish oil-supplementation (P 0 03) compared to the olive oil groups. The fat intervention did not in itself affect oxidative burst neither did it change the effect of the fish-oil intervention. The measures of oxidative burst at the end of the intervention period were found to be associated with the DHA content of PBMC (r 0 016), suggesting a dose response relationship. These results indicate that n-3 LCPUFA may have immuno-stimulating effects.

Fatty acid composition of serum lipid classes in mice following allergic sensitisation with or without dietary docosahexaenoic acid-enriched fish oil substitution

Research Articles
Ralph Rühl, Christin Koch, Tamás Marosvölgyi, Johanna Mihály, Florian J. Schweigert, Margitta Worm, Tamás Decsi,
British Journal of Nutrition, Volume 99 Issue 06 , pp 1239-1246

Abstract
Dietary fatty acids have been shown to influence allergic sensitisation. Both n-3 and n-6 PUFA are involved in targeted mediation of inflammatory responses during allergic sensitisation and manifestation of atopic diseases. In the present experiments we investigated whether supplementation of DHA-enriched fish oil partly substituting dietary sunflower-seed oil, in comparison with sunflower-seed oil, supplemented to mice influences fatty acid composition of serum lipid classes. The effects of the two different diets were also investigated depending on allergic sensitisation. Supplementation of DHA and EPA in doses of 2 and 0 12 % (w/w) to non-sensitised and sensitised mice resulted in significantly increased percentile contributions of DHA to all lipid classes. In contrast, serum values of the n-6 PUFA arachidonic acid (AA) were significantly lower, both in non-sensitised and sensitised mice fed the DHA-enriched diet. The fatty acid composition of serum lipids also reflected allergic sensitisation: the EPA:AA ratio in TAG, cholesteryl esters and phospholipids in non-supplemented animals fell to 23, 29 and 29 % respectively of the original value after allergic sensitisation, whereas it decreased to 70, 80 and 76 % respectively only in the animals supplemented with DHA. In summary, allergic sensitisation alone decreased significantly the EPA:AA ratios in serum TAG, while concomitant supplementation of DHA-enriched fish oil ameliorated this decrease. We postulate from the present results that the amelioration of the severity of allergic sensitisation after DHA supplementation may be linked to altered ratios of the eicosanoid precursors EPA and AA as well as DHA needed for further metabolic activation to pro- or anti-inflammatory bioactive lipids.

γ-Tocotrienol-induced apoptosis in human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells is associated with a suppression in mitogen-activated protein kinase signalling

Research Articles
Wenguang Sun, Qi Wang, Bingqing Chen, Jiaren Liu, Huikun Liu, Weili Xu,
British Journal of Nutrition, Volume 99 Issue 06 , pp 1247-1254

Abstract
Tocotrienols have been shown to inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in cancer cells. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in tocotrienol-induced apoptosis are still unclear. In the present study, -tocotrienol-induced apoptosis was accompanied by down regulation of Bcl-2, up regulation of Bax, activation of caspase-3, and subsequent poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage. These results indicated that up or down regulation of Bcl-2 family proteins play a major role in the initiation of -Tocotrienol also down regulated the activation of the Raf-ERK signalling pathway, and down regulated c-Myc by decreasing the expressions of Raf-1 and p-ERK1/2 proteins. The results suggest that key regulators in tocotrienol-induced apoptosis may be Bcl-2 families and caspase-3 in SGC-7901 cells through down regulation of the Raf-ERK signalling pathway.

Nutritional level and energetic source are determinants of elevated circulatory lipohydroperoxide concentration

Research Articles
B. Löhrke, M. Derno, H. Hammon, C. Metges, J. Melcher, T. Viergutz, W. Jentsch, H. Zühlke,
British Journal of Nutrition, Volume 99 Issue 06 , pp 1255-1265

Abstract
Dietary energetic impact on oxidative stress is incompletely understood. Therefore, effects of diets on oxidative stress were studied using a crossover block design. In Expt 1, intake of metabolizable energy (ME) was restricted or ad libitum. In Expt 2, isoenergetic and isonitrogenic diets were fed, replacing carbohydrate energy by energy of fatty acids. Circulatory lipohydroperoxides (LOOH), markers of acute oxidative stress, were expressed absolutely and in terms of cholesterol or TAG levels. In Expt 1, plasma (jugularis vein) LOOH was assayed in combination with whole-body oxidative metabolism using gas exchange and heart rate (HR) during feeding periods and at rest. In Expt 2, LOOH was assayed in plasma from portal and a large udder vein and a mesenteric artery. In Expt 1, intake increased VO2, HR and LOOH following overnight fast with higher values (P 0 05), indicating adaptation of the heart to higher activity. Transient HR responses evoked by an antidiabetic drug (levcromakalim) revealed a linear positive correlation with relative LOOH (r2 0 79), supporting the relationship between oxidative metabolic rate and lipoperoxidation. Evidence for exogenous lipids as LOOH source provided the vessel-specific rise in LOOH through replacing carbohydrate ME by lipid ME (Expt 2). Thus, dietary energy level and energetic source are important for circulatory LOOH with a role of vascular activity in production of oxidant.

The development and evaluation of a novel computer program to assess previous-day dietary and physical activity behaviours in school children: The Synchronised Nutrition and Activity Program TM (SNAP TM )

Research Articles
Helen J. Moore, Louisa J. Ells, Sally A. McLure, Sean Crooks, David Cumbor, Carolyn D. Summerbell, Alan M. Batterham,
British Journal of Nutrition, Volume 99 Issue 06 , pp 1266-1274

Abstract
Self-report recall questionnaires used to measure physical activity and dietary intake in children can be labour intensive and monotonous and tend to focus on either dietary intake or physical activity. The web-based software, Synchronised Nutrition and Activity ProgramTM (SNAPTM), was developed to produce a novel, simple, quick and engaging method of assessing energy balance-related behaviours at a population level, combining principles from new and existing 24 h recall methodologies, set within a user-friendly interface. Dietary intake was measured using counts for twenty-one food groups and physical activity levels were measured in min of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). A combination of the mean difference between methods, type II regression and non-parametric limits of agreement techniques were used to examine the accuracy and precision of SNAPTM. Method comparison analyses demonstrated a good agreement for both dietary intake and physical activity behaviours. For dietary variables, accuracy of SNAPTM (mean difference) was within 1 count ranged from 0 99. For min of MVPA, there was no substantial fixed or proportional bias, and a mean difference between methods (SNAPTM 9 min. SNAPTM provides a quick, accurate, low-burden, cost-effective and engaging method of assessing energy balance behaviours at a population level. Tools such as SNAPTM, which exploit the popularity, privacy and engagement of the computer interface, and linkages with other datasets, could make a substantial contribution to future public health monitoring and research.

Assessment of nutrient and water intake among adolescents from sports federations in the Federal District, Brazil

Research Articles
Eliene F. de Sousa, Teresa H. M. Da Costa, Julia A. D. Nogueira, Lúcio J. Vivaldi,
British Journal of Nutrition, Volume 99 Issue 06 , pp 1275-1283

Abstract
Adolescents aged 11 001) following their higher training time (P 0 05). Protein intake of males was above the guidelines established by the ACSM for all sports groups. All male sport groups fulfilled the intake levels of carbohydrate per kg body weight but only females engaged in endurance sports fulfilled carbohydrate guidelines. Intakes of micronutrients with low prevalence of adequate intake were: vitamins B1, E and folate, magnesium and phosphorus. Few adolescents ( 5 %) presented adequate intake for calcium, fibre, drinking water and beverages. For micronutrients, prevalence of adequacies were lower for females than males, except for liquids and water. Nutrition guidance is needed to help adolescents fulfil specific guidelines of macronutrient intake for their sports and to improve their intake of micronutrients and water. Special attention should be given to female adolescent athletes.

The effect of a dietary supplement of potassium chloride or potassium citrate on blood pressure in predominantly normotensive volunteers

Research Articles
Alessandro Braschi, Donald J. Naismith,
British Journal of Nutrition, Volume 99 Issue 06 , pp 1284-1292

Abstract
Blood pressure (BP) shows a continuous relationship with the risk of CVD. There is substantial evidence that dietary potassium exerts an anti-pressor effect. Most clinical trials have used KCl. However, the chloride ion may have a pressor effect and in foods potassium is associated with organic anions. In a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial we explored the effect on BP of two salts of potassium, KCl and potassium citrate (K-cit), in predominantly young healthy normotensive volunteers. The primary outcome was the change in mean arterial pressure as measured in a clinic setting. After 6 weeks of supplementation, compared with the placebo group (n 31), 30 mmol K-cit/d (n 28) changed mean arterial pressure by 22 mmHg (95 % CI 85, 53) which did not differ significantly from that induced by KCl (n 26), 70 mmHg ( 56, 84). The changes in systolic and diastolic BP were 69 (95 % CI 85, 43) and 26 (95 % CI 31, 21) mmHg with K-cit and 24 (95 % CI 43, 06) and 30 (95 % CI 39, 20) mmHg with KCl, and did not differ significantly between the two treatments. Changes in BP were not related to baseline urinary electrolytes. A greater treatment-related effect was observed in those with higher systolic BP. Increasing dietary potassium could therefore have a significant impact on the progressive rise in BP in the entire population.

Long-term strict raw food diet is associated with favourable plasma β-carotene and low plasma lycopene concentrations in Germans

Research Articles
Ada L. Garcia, Corinna Koebnick, Peter C. Dagnelie, Carola Strassner, Ibrahim Elmadfa, Norbert Katz, Claus Leitzmann, Ingrid Hoffmann,
British Journal of Nutrition, Volume 99 Issue 06 , pp 1293-1300

Abstract
Dietary carotenoids are associated with a reduced risk of chronic diseases. Raw food diets are predominantly plant-based diets that are practised with the intention of preventing chronic diseases by virtue of their high content of beneficial nutritive substances such as carotenoids. However, the benefit of a long-term adherence to these diets is controversial since little is known about their adequacy. Therefore, we investigated vitamin A and carotenoid status and related food sources in raw food diet adherents in Germany. Dietary vitamin A, carotenoid intake, plasma retinol and plasma carotenoids were determined in 198 (ninety-two male and 106 female) strict raw food diet adherents in a cross-sectional study. Raw food diet adherents consumed on average 95 weight% of their total food intake as raw food (approximately 1800 g/d), mainly fruits. Raw food diet adherents had an intake of 1301 retinol activity equivalents/d and 16 1 mol/l) and 63 % had 0 mol/l). In 77 % of subjects the lycopene status was below the reference values for average healthy populations ( 0 mol/l). Fat contained in fruits, vegetables and nuts and oil consumption was a significant dietary determinant of plasma carotenoid concentrations ( 284; P 0 168; P = 0 -carotene concentrations as recommended for chronic disease prevention, but showed low plasma lycopene levels. Plasma carotenoids in raw food adherents are predicted mainly by fat intake.

Dietary flaxseed lignan extract lowers plasma cholesterol and glucose concentrations in hypercholesterolaemic subjects

Research Articles
Wei Zhang, Xiaobing Wang, Yi Liu, Haimei Tian, Brent Flickinger, Mark W. Empie, Sam Z. Sun,
British Journal of Nutrition, Volume 99 Issue 06 , pp 1301-1309

Abstract
Lignans, derived from flaxseed, are phyto-oestrogens being increasingly studied for their health benefits. An 8-week, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted in fifty-five hypercholesterolaemic subjects, using treatments of 0 (placebo), 300 or 600 mg/d of dietary secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) from flaxseed extract to determine the effect on plasma lipids and fasting glucose levels. Significant treatment effects were achieved (P 0 001) for the decrease of total cholesterol (TC), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) and glucose concentrations, as well as their percentage decrease from baseline. At weeks 6 and 8 in the 600 mg SDG group, the decreases of TC and LDL-C concentrations were in the range from 22 38 % respectively (all P 0 5 56 and 24 015 and P = 0 128 302; P 0 001). In conclusion, dietary flaxseed lignan extract decreased plasma cholesterol and glucose concentrations in a dose-dependent manner.

Relationship between women's occupational work and bone health: a study from India

Research Articles
Veena Shatrugna, Bharati Kulkarni, P. Ajay Kumar, N. Balakrishna, K. Usha Rani, G. Chennakrishna Reddy, G. V. Narasimha Rao,
British Journal of Nutrition, Volume 99 Issue 06 , pp 1310-1315

Abstract
Physical activity is known to influence the bone mass of an individual. Few studies have examined the effect of occupational activities on bone health. The present study investigated the relationship between occupational activities and the bone parameters measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 158 women from a low-income group in India. Women involved in three occupations with different bone-loading patterns (beedi (cigarette) makers, sweepers and construction workers) were included in the study. Anthropometric parameters, parity and percentage of menopausal women did not differ significantly between the three groups and dietary intake of Ca was low in all the groups. Bone mineral density (BMD) values of the overall group at all the sites were much lower than those reported from developed countries, possibly due to different body sizes in these regions. Femoral neck and hip BMD were not different in the three groups in spite of marked differences in activity patterns. However, bone area in the femoral neck was higher in the beedi makers compared with sweepers probably due to the squatting position adopted by beedi makers. Lumbar spine BMD was significantly lower among the sweepers when compared with the beedi makers and the groups performing walking and weight-bearing activities (sweepers and construction workers) had a higher prevalence of osteoporosis in the lumbar spine. However, weight-bearing effects of the upper body due to a squatting position were associated with better lumbar spine BMD in the beedi makers. The present study thus indicates that undernutrition might affect the relationship between occupational activities and bone parameters.

Acute effects on metabolism and appetite profile of one meal difference in the lower range of meal frequency

Research Articles
Astrid J. Smeets, Margriet S. Westerterp-Plantenga,
British Journal of Nutrition, Volume 99 Issue 06 , pp 1316-1321

Abstract
A gorging pattern of food intake has been shown to enhance lipogenesis and increase body weight, which may be due to large fluctuations in storage and mobilisation of nutrients. In a state of energy balance, increasing meal frequency, and thereby decreasing inter-meal interval, may prevent large metabolic fluctuations. Our aim was to study the effect of the inter-meal interval by dividing energy intake over two or three meals on energy expenditure, substrate oxidation and 24 h satiety, in healthy, normal-weight women in a state of energy balance. The study was a randomised crossover design with two experimental conditions. During the two experimental conditions subjects (fourteen normal-weight women, aged 24 1) years, underwent 36 h sessions in energy balance in a respiration chamber for measurements of energy expenditure and substrate oxidation. The subjects were given two (breakfast, dinner) or three (breakfast, lunch, dinner) meals per d. We chose to omit lunch in the two meals condition, because this resulted in a marked difference in inter-meal-interval after breakfast (8 5 h v. 4 h). Eating three meals compared with two meals had no effects on 24 h energy expenditure, diet-induced thermogenesis, activity-induced energy expenditure and sleeping metabolic rate. Eating three meals compared with two meals increased 24 h fat oxidation, but decreased the amount of fat oxidised from the breakfast. The same amount of energy divided over three meals compared with over two meals increased satiety feelings over 24 h. In healthy, normal-weight women, decreasing the inter-meal interval sustains satiety, particularly during the day, and sustains fat oxidation, particularly during the night.

Vitamin D deficiency and low bone status in adult female garment factory workers in Bangladesh

Research Articles
Md Zahirul Islam, Abu Ahmed Shamim, Virpi Kemi, Antti Nevanlinna, Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman, Marika Laaksonen, Atia H. Jehan, Khurshid Jahan, Habib Ullah Khan, Christel Lamberg-Allardt,
British Journal of Nutrition, Volume 99 Issue 06 , pp 1322-1329

Abstract
The manufacture of garments is the main industry in Bangladesh and employs 1 36 years) were randomly selected. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (S-25OHD), serum intact parathyroid hormone (S-iPTH), serum calcium (S-Ca), serum phosphate (S-P) concentration and serum alkaline phosphatase activity (S-ALP) were measured from fasting samples. Bone indexes of hip and spine were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The mean S-25OHD (36 5 %) of vitamin D insufficiency (S-25OHD 50 nmol/l) as well as a significant inverse relationship between S-25OHD and S-iPTH (r 25, P 001). A decrease in S-25OHD ( 38 nmol/l) and an increase in S-iPTH ( 21 ng/l) was associated with progressive reduction in bone mineral density at the femoral neck and lumbar spine. According to the WHO criteria, the mean T-score of the femoral neck and lumbar spine of the subjects were within osteopenic range. We observed that subjects with a bone mineral density T-score 5 had a trend of lower values of BMI, waist hip circumference, mid-upper-arm circumference, S-25OHD and higher S-iPTH and S-ALP. The high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D and low bone mineral density among these subjects are indicative of higher risk for osteomalacia or osteoporosis and fracture.

Very high rates of vitamin D insufficiency in women of child-bearing age living in Beijing and Hong Kong

Research Articles
Jean Woo, Christopher W. K. Lam, Jason Leung, Winny Y. Lau, Edith Lau, Xu Ling, Xiaoping Xing, Xi He Zhao, C. Murray Skeaff , Catherine J. Bacon, Jennifer E. P. Rockell, Aaron Lambert, Susan J. Whiting, Timothy J. Green,
British Journal of Nutrition, Volume 99 Issue 06 , pp 1330-1334

Abstract
We aimed to describe the vitamin D status of young women living in two Chinese cities in the spring north) and Hong Kong (latitude 22 40 years (n 441) were recruited between February and June. Fasting blood was collected and dietary intakes were assessed using 5 d food records. Mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration was lower in Beijing than Hong Kong women (29 v. 34 nmol/l; P 0 25 nmol/l) was indicated in 40 % of Beijing and 18 % of Hong Kong women, and over 90 % of women in both cities were insufficient ( 0 0 001; R 0 26), with no apparent threshold. There was no influence of Ca intake on the relationship between 25-hydroxyvitamin D and PTH concentration. Vitamin D deficiency is common and insufficiency is very common in non-pregnant women in Hong Kong and Beijing during spring. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D was inversely associated with PTH with no apparent threshold. Strategies such as vitamin D fortification or supplementation may be required.

Urine pH is an indicator of dietary acid–base load, fruit and vegetables and meat intakes: results from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)-Norfolk population study

Research Articles
Ailsa A. Welch, Angela Mulligan, Sheila A. Bingham, Kay-tee Khaw,
British Journal of Nutrition, Volume 99 Issue 06 , pp 1335-1343

Abstract
Evidence exists that a more acidic diet is detrimental to bone health. Although more precise methods exist for measurement of acid base balance and is readily measurable but has not been related to habitual dietary intake in general populations. The present study investigated the relationship between urine pH and dietary acid 78 years living in Norfolk (UK) with casual urine samples and dietary intakes from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)-Norfolk FFQ. A sub-study (n 363) compared pH in casual samples and 24 h urine and intakes from a 7 d diary and the FFQ. A more alkaline diet (low PRAL), high fruit and vegetable intake and lower consumption of meat was significantly associated with a more alkaline urine pH before and after adjustment for age, BMI, physical activity and smoking habit and also after excluding for urinary protein, glucose, ketones, diagnosed high blood pressure and diuretic medication. In the sub-study the strongest relationship was found between the 24 h urine and the 7 d diary. In conclusion, a more alkaline diet, higher fruit and vegetable and lower meat intake were related to more alkaline urine with a magnitude similar to intervention studies. As urine pH relates to dietary acid base load its use to monitor change in consumption of fruit and vegetables, in individuals, warrants further investigation.

Estimation of typical food portion sizes for children of different ages in Great Britain

Research Articles
Wendy L. Wrieden, Patricia J. Longbottom, Ashley J. Adamson, Simon A. Ogston, Anne Payne, Mohammad A. Haleem, Karen L. Barton,
British Journal of Nutrition, Volume 99 Issue 06 , pp 1344-1353

Abstract
It is often the case in dietary assessment that it is not practicable to weigh individual intakes of foods eaten. The aim of the work described was to estimate typical food portion weights for children of different ages. Using the data available from the British National Diet and Nutrition Surveys of children aged 1 4 1993) and young people aged 4 3- and 4 10-, 11 18-year age groups. The number of foods recorded by fifty or more children was 133 for each of the younger age groups (1 6 years) and seventy-five for each of the older age groups. The food portion weights covered all food groups. All portion sizes increased with age with the exception of milk in tea or coffee. The present study draws on a unique source of weighed data on food portions of a large sample of children that is unlikely to be repeated and therefore provides the best possible estimates of children's food portion sizes in the UK.

Coffee consumption and mortality in a 14-year follow-up of an elderly northern Finnish population

Research Articles
Pertti Happonen, Esa Läärä, Liisa Hiltunen, Heikki Luukinen,
British Journal of Nutrition, Volume 99 Issue 06 , pp 1354-1361

Abstract
The present study assessed the relationship between coffee consumption and mortality in a home-dwelling elderly population. A population-based cohort of 817 men and women born in 1920 or earlier and living in northern Finland provided complete data on daily coffee consumption and other variables at the baseline examination in 1991 5 years of follow-up, 623 deaths occurred. The total mortality rate was inversely related to the number of cups (average volume, 125 ml) of coffee consumed daily. After adjustment for age, sub-period of follow-up, sex, marital status, basic educational level, previous occupational group, current smoking, BMI, history of myocardial infarction, self-rated health and presence of diabetes, cognitive impairment or physical disability, the estimated relative risk reduction of total mortality per an increment of one more cup of coffee per d reported at baseline was 4 (95 % CI 0, 8) %. The observed associations between coffee consumption and mortality from CVD, cancer, and other or unknown causes, respectively, were qualitatively similar to that of total mortality but the estimates were less precise. The effect of coffee consumption at baseline appeared to attenuate after 10 years since the start of follow-up. The present study provides evidence for daily (caffeine-containing) coffee intake being inversely associated with mortality in the elderly.

The level of carbonation of a sugar-sweetened beverage preload affects satiety and short-term energy and food intakes

Research Articles
S. Anne Moorhead, M. Barbara E. Livingstone, Adrian Dunne, Robert W. Welch,
British Journal of Nutrition, Volume 99 Issue 06 , pp 1362-1369

Abstract
The consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is associated with increased incidence of overweight and obesity, and a factor underlying this putative link could be the relatively low levels of satiety that may be induced by these beverages. Although many sugar-sweetened beverages are carbonated, little attention has been given to the potential effects of level of carbonation on satiety and subsequent intakes. We hypothesized that increasing the level of carbonation in a sugar-sweetened beverage would increase satiety and decrease intakes in the short term. Using a randomized, within-subject cross-over design, thirty non-obese subjects (fifteen women, fifteen men) participated on three occasions, 1 week apart. Following a standard breakfast, subjects consumed a beverage preload 10 min before consuming a lunch ad libitum. Preloads were the same sugar-sweetened beverage (400 ml, 639 kJ) with three levels of carbonation, which were low (1 5 volumes) and high (3 05) higher satiety until lunch, when intakes of food and energy were significantly (P 0 05) lower. There were no significant effects on satiety following lunch or on intakes for the rest of the day. This short-term study suggests that the level of carbonation may need to be taken into account when assessing potential effects of beverages on satiety and intake.

Pattern of beverage consumption and long-term association with body-weight status in German adolescents – results from the DONALD study

Research Articles
Lars Libuda, Ute Alexy, Wolfgang Sichert-Hellert, Peter Stehle, Nadina Karaolis-Danckert, Anette E. Buyken, Mathilde Kersting,
British Journal of Nutrition, Volume 99 Issue 06 , pp 1370-1379

Abstract
In the present study the relationship between the consumption of different beverage groups and body-weight status in 5 years of study participation in German adolescents was investigated. We used anthropometric and dietary data from 3 d weighed records of 244 subjects between 9 and 18 years of age participating in the Dortmund Nutritional and Anthropometric Longitudinally Designed (DONALD) study. Only subjects with at least four out of six possible weighed dietary records were considered. A repeated-measures regression model (PROC MIXED) was used to analyse the effect of beverage consumption on body-weight status. BMI standard deviation scores (BMI-SDS) and body fat percentage (%BF) were chosen as the dependent variables. In boys, energetic beverage consumption was not associated with BMI-SDS or %BF, neither cross-sectionally nor prospectively. In girls, baseline consumption of energetic beverages did not predict baseline BMI-SDS, baseline %BF, or change in either variable over the study period. However, an increase in energetic beverage consumption over the study period was associated with an increase in BMI-SDS (+0.070 SDS/MJ increase in energetic beverage consumption; P = 0 096 SDS/MJ increase in fruit juice consumption; P = 0 055 SDS/MJ increase in regular soft drink consumption; P = 0 08). In conclusion, these results suggest that an increase in energetic beverage consumption may result in weight gain, at least in adolescent girls.

Effect of two doses of a mixture of soluble fibres on body weight and metabolic variables in overweight or obese patients: a randomised trial

Research Articles
Jordi Salas-Salvadó, Xavier Farrés, Xavier Luque, Silvia Narejos, Manel Borrell, Josep Basora, Anna Anguera, Ferran Torres, Mònica Bulló, Rafel Balanza, for the Fiber in Obesity-Study Group null,
British Journal of Nutrition, Volume 99 Issue 06 , pp 1380-1387

Abstract
The aim of the study was to compare the effect of the administration of a mixture of fibres on body weight-loss, satiety, lipid profile and glucose metabolism. We included 200 overweight or obese patients in a parallel, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, who were randomised to receive, in the context of an energy-restricted diet for a period of 16 weeks, a mixed fibre dose (3 g Plantago ovata husk and 1 g glucomannan) twice (b.i.d. group) or three times daily (t.i.d. group) or placebo. Weight change was the primary efficacy endpoint. Satiety, dietary compliance, lipid profile, glucose tolerance, insulin resistance and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were secondary endpoints. Weight loss tended to be higher after both doses of fibre ( 52 (sd 0 4 55) kg) than placebo ( 79 (sd 0 03), with greater reductions in the two fibre-supplemented groups ( 38 (sd 0 0 09) mmol/l in the b.i.d. and t.i.d. groups v. 06 (sd 0 09) mmol/l in placebo group). A similar pattern was observed for changes in total cholesterol:HDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol:LDL-cholesterol ratios. Interventions were well tolerated and had no effects on HDL-cholesterol, glucose and insulin concentrations, glucose tolerance or high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. In conclusion, a 16-week dietary supplement of soluble fibre in overweight or obese patients was well tolerated, induced satiety and had beneficial effects on some CVD risk factors, the most important of which was a significant decrease in plasma LDL-cholesterol concentrations.

Effects of repeated administration of intradermal skin test by Mantoux method on delayed-type hypersensitivity responses in healthy young and elderly subjects

Letter
Tanvir Ahmed, Davidson H. Hamer, Simin Nikbin Meydani,
British Journal of Nutrition, Volume 99 Issue 06 , pp 1388-1390

Abstract

Perinatal nutrition and obesity

Letter
Undurti N. Das,
British Journal of Nutrition, Volume 99 Issue 06 , pp 1391-1392

Abstract

Gregory D. Miller, Judith K. Jarvis and Lois D. McBean. Handbook of Dairy Foods and Nutrition 3rd ed. Boca Raton, FL : CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group. £63.64 (hardback) pp. 432 ISBN-10: 0849328284

Book Reviews
Anne M. Minihane,
British Journal of Nutrition, Volume 99 Issue 06 , pp 1393-1393

Abstract

Briony Thomas and Jacky Bishop (editors). Manual of Dietetic Practice , 4th ed. Oxford, UK : Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 2007, £69.50, pp. 912, ISBN 978-1-4051-3525-2

Book Reviews
Cora F. Jonkers,
British Journal of Nutrition, Volume 99 Issue 06 , pp 1394-1394

Abstract

V. Shaw and M. Lawson (editors). Clinical Paediatric Dietetics , 3rd ed. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing, 2007. £59.50 (hardback). pp. 604 ISBN 9781405134934

Book Reviews
Mary F.-F. Chong,
British Journal of Nutrition, Volume 99 Issue 06 , pp 1395-1395

Abstract