Suboptimal biochemical riboflavin status is associated with lower hemoglobin and higher rates of anemia in a sample of Canadian and Malaysian women of reproductive age

Background: Riboflavin is required for several redox reactions. Clinical riboflavin deficiency occurs mainly in low-income countries, where it is associated with anemia. The functional significance of suboptimal riboflavin status in different populations and its role in anemia is not well understood. Objectives: We assessed the biomarker status of riboflavin and its association with hemoglobin concentration and anemia in women living in Vancouver, Canada, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Methods: Healthy nonpregnant, nonbreastfeeding women (19-45 y) were recruited from Canada ( n = 206) and Malaysia (n = 210) via convenience sampling. Fasting blood was collected to assess riboflavin status [erythrocyte glutathione reductase activity coefficient (EGRac)], hematological indicators, soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), ferritin, vitamin A, folate, and vitamin B-12 concentrations. Linear and logistic regression models were used to assess the association of riboflavin status with hemoglobin concentration and anemia. Results: EGRac (mean ± SD) values were higher, indicating poorer riboflavin status, in Malaysian compared with Canadian women (1.49 ± 0.17 compared with 1.38 ± 0.11). Likewise, riboflavin biomarker deficiency (EGRac ≥1.40) was significantly more prevalent among Malaysians than Canadians (71% compared with 40%). More Malaysian than Canadian women were anemic (hemoglobin <120 g/L; 18% compared with 7%). With use of linear regression (pooled sample; n = 416), EGRac values were negatively associated with hemoglobin concentration (r = -0.18; P < 0.001). This relation remained significant (P = 0.029) after adjusting for age, parity, ethnicity, vitamin B-12, folate, sTfR, ferritin, and vitamin A. Women with riboflavin deficiency (EGRac ≥1.40) were twice as likely to present with anemia (adjusted OR: 2.38; 95% CI: 1.08, 5.27) compared with women with EGRac <1.40. Conclusions: Biochemical riboflavin deficiency was observed in Canadian and Malaysian women, with higher rates of deficiency among Malaysian women. Deficient biomarker status of riboflavin was a weak but significant predictor of hemoglobin and anemia, suggesting that the correction of riboflavin deficiency may potentially play a small protective role in anemia, but this requires further investigation

Programming of hepatic gene expression by maternal folic acid and vitamin B12 imbalance

Folate is a B-vitamin required for cell growth and division, and its metabolism is linked to vitamin B12 (B12). Food fortification with folic acid (FA) has improved folate status but approximately 5% of Canadian adults, including pregnant women, are B12 deficient. This is concerning because an association between gestational exposure to high maternal folate and low B12 status and greater adiposity and insulin resistance in children has been reported. My thesis examined the effect of developmental exposure to maternal FA/B12 imbalance on programming of liver gene expression in adult offspring using an animal model. Female C57BL/6 mice were fed a high FA/adequate B12 (HFA+B12), high FA/no B12 (HFA-B12), or control diet 6 weeks prior to mating and through pregnancy and lactation. At weaning, offspring mice from each maternal diet group were randomly assigned to receive the control diet or a Western diet (45% fat, 35% carbohydrate) for 20 weeks (n=6 male mice/group) or for 40 weeks (n=6 female mice/group). Serum folate and B12 concentrations were quantified by microbiological assays. Relative mRNA expression of key enzymes in methyl metabolism in liver from adult offspring was quantified by real-time PCR. Male offspring mice from dams fed the HFA-B12 diet had lower Cbs and Mthfr mRNA expression and this was unaffected by post weaning diet. Male offspring mice fed the Western diet had higher Mtr mRNA expression compared to control-fed offspring mice, regardless of maternal diet. Female offspring from dams fed the HFA-B12 diet had lower Mtr mRNA expression and this was not affected by post weaning diet. Moreover, female offspring from dams fed the HFA-B12 diet had higher Mthfr mRNA expression when they were fed the Western diet. No effect of maternal and post weaning diets was observed for serum folate and B12 concentrations. In summary, developmental exposure to maternal FA/B12 imbalance was found to program expression of genes involved in folate and methionine metabolism in the liver of adult offspring mice. The functional consequences of this effect requires further investigation in order to consider B12 screening of pregnant women and to inform the debate on whether B12 fortification should be considered.Land and Food Systems, Faculty ofGraduat

Riboflavin : intake, status, and relation to anemia among women of reproductive age

Riboflavin is a B-vitamin that is essential for redox reactions. Erythrocyte glutathione reductase activity coefficient (EGRac) is a biomarker of riboflavin status; ratios ≥1.40 are commonly interpreted as indicating biochemical deficiency. Biochemical riboflavin deficiency may contribute to anemia; however, little is known about the riboflavin status and relationship to anemia in reproductive-aged women. The objective of my thesis was to determine riboflavin status and relationship with anemia in women of reproductive age in Canada, Malaysia, and Cambodia. The first study determined riboflavin status and its association with hemoglobin and anemia in women (19-45y) living in Canada (n=206) and Malaysia (n=210). Riboflavin deficiency (EGRac ≥1.40) was more prevalent in Malaysian than Canadian women (71% vs. 40%). A negative association between EGRac and hemoglobin (r= -0.18; P<0.001) was observed (pooled sample; n=416). After adjusting for confounders, this association remained significant, but EGRac explained only 1% of the variance in hemoglobin. Women with riboflavin deficiency were twice as likely to have anemia (hemoglobin <120 g/L) compared to women with EGRac <1.40. Inadequate dietary riboflavin intakes (<0.9 mg/d) were observed in 7% of Canadian women; no association between dietary riboflavin intake and EGRac was observed (B= -0.03, 95%CI: -0.07, 0.01). The second study was a secondary analysis of an intervention trial to determine the effect of a daily multiple micronutrient supplement (MMN) (1.4 mg of riboflavin), iron (60 mg), iron+MMN, or placebo for 12 weeks on riboflavin status and on hemoglobin concentrations in Cambodian women (18-45y; n=226) with anemia. At 12 weeks, the women who received MMN (n=112), with or without iron, had lower EGRac than the women who did not (mean difference= -0.39, 95%CI: -0.48, -0.31). The improvement in riboflavin status was not predictive of the change in hemoglobin concentration at 12 weeks. Biochemical riboflavin deficiency was common in the Canadian and Malaysian women, but the contribution of riboflavin status to hemoglobin was small. The high prevalence of apparent biochemical deficiency in Canadian women, despite adequate dietary intakes, suggest that the EGRac cut-offs may need re-evaluation. Supplementation with MMN for 12 weeks lowered EGRac in Cambodian women, but did not increase hemoglobin concentration.Land and Food Systems, Faculty ofGraduat

Stress during Home Confinement Is Associated with Eating Misalignment among Adults during COVID-19 Lockdown

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic forced Saudi Arabia to implement several measures including mandatory home confinement, banning entry to many cities, and suspending religious activities. Studies have reported inconsistent findings of the effect of home confinement on lifestyle factors. This study aims to assess the psychological impact of COVID-19 during home confinement and explore its association with dietary habits and weight change. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among Saudi adults using an online survey between May and June 2020. Data on dietary habits, sleep quality, and stress were collected. Results: A total of n = 503 participants responded. Of 254 analyzed, 87% were females, 49% were overweight/obese (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2), and 79% were under lockdown for >40 days. In multiple linear regression, higher stress scores during confinement were associated with higher stress scores before confinement and poorer sleep quality. In multiple logistic regression, those who did not eat at the same time had higher stress scores compared to those who always ate at the same time, whereas consuming ≥three meals was associated with lower stress scores than consuming one–two meals. The odds of gaining weight during confinement were higher among married adults, those with lower sleep quality, and consuming ≥three meals. Conclusions: Stress during home confinement was associated with eating misalignment and the number of meals consumed. Although this study was limited by its cross-sectional design and reliance on self-reported data, it provides valuable insights into the dietary habits and weight-gain associated factors that need to be further explored and addressed in any future restrictions for improved well-being

Comparison of a New Multiplex Immunoassay for Measurement of Ferritin, Soluble Transferrin Receptor, Retinol-Binding Protein, C-Reactive Protein and α1-Acid-glycoprotein Concentrations against a Widely-Used s-ELISA Method

Recently, a multiplex ELISA (Quansys Biosciences) was developed that measures ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), retinol-binding protein (RBP), C-reactive protein (CRP), α1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), thyroglobulin, and histidine-rich protein 2. Our primary aim was to conduct a method-comparison study to compare five biomarkers (ferritin, sTfR, RBP, CRP, and AGP) measured with the Quansys assay and a widely-used s-ELISA (VitMin Lab, Willstaett, Germany) with use of serum samples from 180 women and children from Burkina Faso, Cambodia, and Malaysia. Bias and concordance were used to describe the agreement in values measured by the two methods. We observed poor overall agreement between the methods, both with regard to biomarker concentrations and deficiency prevalence estimates. Several measurements were outside of the limit of detection with use of the Quansys ELISA (total n = 42 for ferritin, n = 2 for sTfR, n = 0 for AGP, n = 5 for CRP, n = 22 for RBP), limiting our ability to interpret assay findings. Although the Quansys ELISA has great potential to simplify laboratory analysis of key nutritional and inflammation biomarkers, there are some weaknesses in the procedures. Overall, we found poor comparability of results between methods. Besides addressing procedural issues, additional validation of the Quansys against a gold standard method is warranted for future research.Medicine, Faculty ofOther UBCNon UBCPediatrics, Department ofReviewedFacult

Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction, LC–MS/MS Analysis, Anticholinesterase, and Antioxidant Activities of Valuable Natural Metabolites from <i>Astragalus armatus</i> Willd.: In Silico Molecular Docking and In Vitro Enzymatic Studies

The Astragalus armatus Willd. plant’s phenolic constituent extraction and identification were optimized using the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) method and the LC–MS/MS analysis, respectively. Additionally, cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), beta carotene, reducing power, DMSO alcalin, silver nanoparticle (SNP)-based method, phenanthroline, and hydroxyl radical tests were utilized to assess the extract’s antioxidant capacity, while the neuroprotective effect was examined in vitro against acetylcholinesterase enzyme. This study accurately estimated the chemical bonding between the identified phenolic molecules derived from LC–MS/MS and the AChE. The extract was found to contain sixteen phenolic substances, and rosmarinic, protocatechuic, and chlorogenic acids, as well as 4-hydroxybenzoic, hyperoside, and hesperidin, were the most abundant substances in the extract. In all antioxidant experiments, the plant extract demonstrated strong antioxidant activity and a significant inhibitory impact against AChE (40.25 ± 1.41 μg/mL). According to molecular docking affinity to the enzyme AChE, the top-five molecules were found to be luteolin, quercetin, naringenin, rosmarinic acid, and kaempferol. Furthermore, these tested polyphenols satisfy the essential requirements for drug-like characteristics and Lipinski’s rule of five. These results highlight the significance of the A. armatus plant in cosmetics, as food additives, and in the pharmaceutical industry due to its rosmarinic and chlorogenic acid content