Dietary inulin intake and age can significantly affect intestinal absorption of calcium and magnesium in rats: a stable isotope approach

BACKGROUND: previous studies have shown that non-digestible inulin-type fructan intake can increase intestinal mineral absorption in both humans and animals. However, this stimulatory effect on intestinal absorption may depend on experimental conditions such as duration of fermentable fiber intake, mineral diet levels and animals' physiological status, in particular their age. OBJECTIVES: the aim of this study was to determine the effect of inulin intake on Ca and Mg absorption in rats at different age stages. METHODS: eighty male Wistar rats of four different ages (2, 5, 10 and 20 months) were randomized into either a control group or a group receiving 3.75% inulin in their diet for 4 days and then 7.5% inulin for three weeks. The animals were fed fresh food and water ad libitum for the duration of the experiment. Intestinal absorption of Ca and Mg was determined by fecal monitoring using stable isotopic tracers. Ca and Mg status was also assessed. RESULTS: absorption of Ca and Mg was significantly lower in the aged rats (10 and 20 mo) than in the young and adult rat groups. As expected, inulin intake increased Ca and Mg absorption in all four rat groups. However, inulin had a numerically greater effect on Ca absorption in aged rats than in younger rats whereas its effect on Mg absorption remained similar across all four rat age groups. CONCLUSION: the extent of the stimulatory effect of inulin on absorption of Ca may differ according to animal ages. Further studies are required to explore this effect over longer inulin intake periods, and to confirm these results in humans

Nutritional Deficiencies and Phospholipid Metabolism

Phospholipids are important components of the cell membranes of all living species. They contribute to the physicochemical properties of the membrane and thus influence the conformation and function of membrane-bound proteins, such as receptors, ion channels, and transporters and also influence cell function by serving as precursors for prostaglandins and other signaling molecules and modulating gene expression through the transcription activation. The components of the diet are determinant for cell functionality. In this review, the effects of macro and micronutrients deficiency on the quality, quantity and metabolism of different phospholipids and their distribution in cells of different organs is presented. Alterations in the amount of both saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins A, E and folate, and other micronutrients, such as zinc and magnesium, are discussed. In all cases we observe alterations in the pattern of phospholipids, the more affected ones being phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and sphingomyelin. The deficiency of certain nutrients, such as essential fatty acids, fat-soluble vitamins and some metals may contribute to a variety of diseases that can be irreversible even after replacement with normal amount of the nutrients. Usually, the sequelae are more important when the deficiency is present at an early age

Honey, a Gift from Nature to Health and Beauty: A Review

Benefits of honey are contributed by the composition of its elements such as glucose, fructose, glucose oxidase, vitamins and phenolic compounds. For health, honey can be used to treat wounds due to the antibacterial activity conferred by the hydrogen peroxide produced by glucose oxidase in honey. Anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, deodorizing and tissue regeneration activities in honey also help in the wound healing process. It can also be an alternative sweetener for diabetic patients to ensure compliance to a healthy diet. Moreover, honey exerts several effects such as lowering low density lipids and increasing high density lipids, thus reducing risk of atherosclerosis. In terms of beauty, honey can be used on skin and hair. It moisturizes skin through its natural humectant properties contributed by high contents of fructose and glucose. Honey treats acne on the skin due to its antibacterial activity, anti-inflammatory action and tissue repair. The hair can benefit from honey in such a way that the hair has abundance, and becomes easier to comb. However, there have not been as many studies regarding the use of honey in skin in comparison to its use for health. Therefore, future studies on honey could research its use, action and benefits in both cosmetics and dermatology

Stratégie d’échantillonnage des lieux du REPHY Sanitaire et du REPHYTOX pour les départements de Charente-Maritime et de Sud Vendée - Version 09

Cette procédure a pour objet de décrire la stratégie d’échantillonnage des lieux de surveillance du REPHYTOX sur le territoire de compétence du LER-PC comprenant le département de la Charente-Maritime et la partie sud du département de La Vendée. Elle est produite par le LER-PC et référencée dans son système documentaire

Stratégie d'échantillonnage des lieux du REPHY Sanitaire et du REPHYTOX pour les départements de Charente-Maritime et de Sud Vendée - Version 10

Cette procédure a pour objet de décrire la stratégie d’échantillonnage des lieux de surveillance du REPHYTOX sur le territoire de compétence du LER-PC comprenant le département de la Charente-Maritime et la partie sud du département de La Vendée. Elle est produite par le LER-PC et référencée dans son système documentaire

Composition lipidique du foie chez la vache laitiere en debut de lactation en relation avec la steatose hepatique.

International audienc

Etude in vivo chez le rat de l'influence du glucose et du fructose sur le métabolisme intestinal et hépatique

International audienc

Effet d'un regime riche en fibres chez le rat Zucker genetiquement obese sur la lipemie et la fluidite des erythrocytes.

National audienc

Importance de la steatose hepatique chez la vache laitiere presentant des troubles metaboliques en debut de lactation.

International audienc