The influence of dietary carbohydrate and fat on kidney calcification and the urinary excretion of N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase (EC 3.2.1.30).

1. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed on diets containing either sucrose or starch as the carbohydrate component. In one experiment, the diets also contained 200 g either butter or polyunsaturated margarine/kg; in a second experiment, the diets contained less fat in the form of 20 g maize oil/kg. 2. Over a period of 11 months assays were made in the urine of several ions and of the activity of the enzyme N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase (β-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-D glucoside acetamidodeoxygluco-hydrolase; EC 3.2.1.30); at 13 months, examination was made of some of the abdominal viscera, especially of the kidneys. 3. In rats fed on the higher amount of fat, dietary sucrose produced a higher activity of the enzyme than did dietary starch, and a greater excretion of inorganic phosphate. 4. With both the higher and lower amounts of dietary fat, sucrose led to an increase in the weight of the liver and of the kidneys, and an increase in the concentration of calcium and of phosphate in kidney tissue. With the higher amount of fat, sucrose also produced an increase in the concentration of magnesium in the kidney. There was no difference in the concentration of any of the ions assayed in the plasma or, apart from inorganic phosphate, in the urine. 5. The kidneys of the sucrose-fed rats showed nephrocalcinosis, mostly in the cortico-medullary region, and basophilic deposits in the tubules. Attention is drawn to this unusual occurrence of nephrocalcinosis in male rats

Reduced levels of S-nitrosothiols in plasma of patients with systemic sclerosis and Raynaud's phenomenon.

S-Nitrosothiols (RSNOs) are bioactive forms of nitric oxide which are involved in cell signalling and redox regulation of vascular function. Circulating S-nitrosothiols are predominantly in the form of S-nitrosoalbumin. In this study plasma concentrations of S-nitrosothiols were measured in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) where NO metabolism is known to be abnormal

Vitamin C is not associated with coronary heart disease risk once life course socioeconomic position is taken into account: prospective findings from the British women's heart and health study

The reason why prospective cohort studies have found that plasma vitamin C concentration, or dietary intake of vitamin C, is protective against coronary heart disease (CHD) risk1 but randomised controlled trials have found no effect of vitamin C on CHD2 is unclear. We have previously suggested that this difference is caused by confounding.3 Our hypothesis is that high adult concentrations of vitamin C reflect a number of characteristics, including advantageous socioeconomic circumstances in childhood and adulthood, and that it is these characteristics, not vitamin C, that protect against CHD. The aim of this study is to examine whether the association between plasma vitamin C and CHD is confounded by life course socioeconomic position. METHODS Data from the British Women’s Heart and Health Study were used. Full details of the selection of participants and measurements used in the study have been previously reported.4 Between 1999 and 2001, 4286 British women aged 60–79 . . . [The reason why prospective cohort studies have found that plasma vitamin C concentration, or dietary intake of vitamin C, is protective against coronary heart disease (CHD) risk1 but randomised controlled trials have found no effect of vitamin C on CHD2 is unclear. We have previously suggested that this difference is caused by confounding.3 Our hypothesis is that high adult concentrations of vitamin C reflect a number of characteristics, including advantageous socioeconomic circumstances in childhood and adulthood, and that it is these characteristics, not vitamin C, that protect against CHD. The aim of this study is to examine whether the association between plasma vitamin C and CHD is confounded by life course socioeconomic position. METHODS Data from the British Women’s Heart and Health Study were used. Full details of the selection of participants and measurements used in the study have been previously reported.4 Between 1999 and 2001, 4286 British women aged 60–79 . . .