Albumin Urinary Excretion Is Associated with Increased Levels of Urinary Chemokines, Cytokines, and Growth Factors Levels in Humans

The aim of the present study was to study the associations between urine albumin excretion, and a large number of urinary chemokines, cytokines, and growth factors in a normal population. We selected 90 urine samples from individuals without CVD, diabetes, stroke or kidney disease belonging to the Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors Study (41 males and 49 females, all aged 75 years). Urinary cytokine levels were analyzed with two multiplex assays (proximity extension assays) and the cytokine levels were correlated with urine albumin. After adjustment for sex, body mass index (BMI), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), smoking and multiplicity testing, 11 biomarkers remained significantly associated with urine albumin: thrombospondin 2, interleukin 6, interleukin 8, hepatocyte growth factor, matrix metalloproteinase-12 (MMP-12), C-X-C motif chemokine 9, tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 11B, osteoprotegerin, growth-regulated alpha protein, C-X-C motif chemokine 6, oncostatin-M (OSM) and fatty acid-binding protein, intestinal, despite large differences in molecular weights. In this study, we found associations between urinary albumin and both small and large urine proteins. Additional studies are warranted to identify cytokine patterns and potential progression markers in various renal diseases

Iodine intake and excretion from sheep supplemented with macroalgae (Laminaria hyperborea) by-product

Macroalgae, or seaweeds, have potential for use as feed ingredients and are currently unexploited despite their content of vitamins, minerals, and protein. Brown species can accumulate iodine from seawater and there are strict limits set by the European Food Safety Authority and the FDA regarding iodine content in animal feeds. Iodine can cause health problems for consumers if over or under-consumed and its presence in end food products is strictly regulated. The aim of the present experiment was to gain knowledge on intake, distribution, and excretion of iodine in sheep supplemented with Laminaria hyperborea by-product known to contain iodine. Twelve Norwegian White Sheep male lambs, four months of age, were blocked according to initial live weight (average 37.8 kg) and randomly allocated to two diet groups. Animals were fed gras silage and concentrate, without (CTR) and including the alga by-product at a 6% inclusion rate (HYP). The iodine concentrations were 4.1 and 476 mg/kg dry matter in the CTR and HYP concentrate, respectively. After 26 days of adaptation in a barn, animals were placed in metabolism crates for three consecutive days (Period 1) with collection of rumen fluid (via esophagus), grass silage, feces, urine, and blood for iodine content. After 5 weeks in the barn, animals returned to the metabolism crates for a subsequent three consecutive day sampling and iodine analyzes (Period 2). Data were analyzed via ANOVA using a repeated measure mixed model procedure. Dry matter intake (P = 0.001) and live weight (P = 0.001) increased from Period 1 to Period 2. Lambs fed CTR had higher daily growth rate than those fed HYP (P = 0.001). Iodine intake and excretion in feces and urine increased from Period 1 to Period 2 (P < 0.001, P = 0.010, P = 0.007, respectively). Iodine excreted in feces was 37% and 67% for lambs in fed the CTR and HYP diets, respectively. None of the animals showed signs of iodine poisoning during ten the experiment. We found that most of the iodine excreted from lambs fed the HYP diet was in feces

Effect of supplementing sheep diets with macroalgae species on in vivo nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation and blood amino acid profile

In this study, a brown macroalgae species, Saccharina latissima, processed to increase its protein concentration, and a red macroalgae species, Porphyra spp., were used to evaluate their in vivo digestibility, rumen fermentation and blood amino acid concentrations. Four castrated rams were used, whose diets were supplemented with a protein-rich fraction of S. latissima, a commercial Porphyra spp. and soybean meal (SBM). Our results show that the protein digestibility of a diet with S. latissima extract was lower (0.55) than those with Porphyra spp. (0.64) and SBM (0.66). In spite of the higher nitrogen (N) intake of diets containing Porphyra spp. and SBM (20.9 and 19.8 g N/day, respectively) than that with S. latissima (18.6 g N/day), the ratio of N excreted in faeces to total N intake was significantly higher in the diet with S. latissima than those with Porphyra spp. and SBM. This reflects that the utilization of protein in S. latissima was impaired, possibly due to reduced microbial activity. The latter statement is corroborated by lower volatile fatty acid composition (25.6, 54.8 and 100 mmol/l for S. latissima, Porphyra spp. and SBM, respectively) and a non-significant tendency for lower ammonia concentration observed in diets with S. latissima and Porphyra spp. compared to SBM. It is important to note that the S. latissima used in this trial was rinsed during processing to remove salt. This process potentially also removes other water-soluble compounds, such as free amino acids, and may have increased the relative fraction of protein resistant to rumen degradation and intestinal absorption. Furthermore, the phlorotannins present in macroalgae may have formed complexes with protein and fibre, further limiting their degradability in rumen and absorption in small intestines. We recommend that further studies explore the extent to which processing of macroalgae affects its nutritive properties and rumen degradability, in addition to studies to measure the intestinal absorption of these macroalgae species

Jod i tang og tare – er det et problem for bruk i norsk husdyrproduksjon?

Dyrking av makroalger (tang og tare) som ingrediens i fôr til husdyr har stor oppmerksomhet verden over. Produksjon av alger skjer i havet og ikke i konkurranse med arealer for produksjon av mat. Makroalger finnes i mange ulike former, størrelse og farger, og sammensetningen avhenger av art, hvor de vokser og årstid. Det tilgjengelige næringsinnholdet er høyere i røde (for eksempel fjørehinne og søl) og grønne (for eksempel havsalat) arter enn brune arter (for eksempel sukkertare og butare). Sammenlignet med røde og grønne arter, har brune arter generelt høy biomasse, men et lavere proteininnhold, og karbohydratene er ufordøyelige for enmaga dyr. Brunalgene har et høyt mineralinnhold, i tillegg til sekundære metabolitter som er interessante. Phlorotanniner er eksempler på slike sekundære metabolitter.publishedVersio

Prevalence and significance of sexually transmitted diseases among Ethiopian women attending antenatal clinics in Addis Ababa

Abstract: To determine the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and the risk for (i) the mother regarding pregnancy wastage and puerperal sepsis and (ii) the child with regard to congenital and neonatal infection, 342 routine antenatal clinic (ANC) at tenders were investigated. The prevalence of antibodies showing exposure to specific STD pathogens in pregnant women attending ANC was: syphilis (TPHA) 27%, (VDR:) 28%, gonorrhoea 43%, genital chlamydiae 54%, HBV 37%, HSV-2 35 %, H ducreyi 10%. High titre seropositivity suggestive of active infection was: gonorrhoea 10%, genital chlamydiae 31 %, HSV2 19%; with HBV SAg 5% -all of which are likely to be transmitted to the foetus in utero or during delivery. Only 10% of ANC at tenders had no serological evidence of any STD: 72% had serological evidence for two or more STDs. Among conditions requiring treatment vaginitis was the most important, 20% having a severe trichomonal infection. Despite the frequency of this condition it was noted that few women (4%) complained of vaginal discharge. Thus women attending the ANC revealed a high prevalence of STD. Consequently the foetus and neonate are put at risk because of intrauterine or intrapartum transmission of infection. The high prevalence among ANC at tenders also reflects the relative prevalence of STDs in the community. Measures such as screening at ANC and information and education regarding prevention are required to reduce STDs in pregnant women and their sexual partners. Prophylaxis for the neonate can be considered until this goal is achieved. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 1995;9(1):31-40

A sociological and serological study of at tenders of family planning clinics in Addis Ababa

Abstract: A study of 542 women attending family planning clinics (FPC) and 1568 women attending obstetric and gynaecologic clinics in Addis Ababa showed utilisation of FPC was highest in those with a family income of 100-500 EB per month (36%), in women who were: Tigrawi (33%) or Amara (31 %), aged 20-34 years (30%), age 16 or older at first marriage/coitus (28%), parity of 2... 2 children (35%), > 5 lifetime husbands/sexual partners (39%), or were bargirls (73%) or prostitutes (43%). FPC attendance was lowest among the nulliparous (2.3%), women from rural areas (10%), the Guragie (10%) and Oromo women (19%), Moslem women 14(%), those of subsistence income ( < 10EB per month) (14%). The seroprevalence rates indicative of exposure to STD pathogens were high as was the prevalence of essentially asymptomatic pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Only 4% of FPC at tenders had no serological evidence of STD: 64% had 3 or more different STD. Specific present or active STD infection prevalence for syphilis (VDRL) 28%, Neisseria gonorrhoea 31 %, genital chlamydia 46% and HSV-2 21% was higher in FPC at tenders than among women attending other clinics. Clinical evidence of PID was also more common in the FPC at tenders (54%), 37% having evidence of salpingitis. Thus FPCs provide a useful setting for screening women particularly at risk. Because of lack of symptoms, these women are unlikely to attend either an STDs clinic or a hospital for routine check up, and as such are not treated and represent a population from which STDs can spread into the population. Measures to screen, treat and educate FPC at tenders, their partners and their clients, are recommended in an attempt to Control STDs and ultimately HIV in the community. [Ethiop. J. Hea/th Dev. 1995;9(1):19-30

New genetic loci implicated in fasting glucose homeostasis and their impact on type 2 diabetes risk.

Levels of circulating glucose are tightly regulated. To identify new loci influencing glycemic traits, we performed meta-analyses of 21 genome-wide association studies informative for fasting glucose, fasting insulin and indices of beta-cell function (HOMA-B) and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in up to 46,186 nondiabetic participants. Follow-up of 25 loci in up to 76,558 additional subjects identified 16 loci associated with fasting glucose and HOMA-B and two loci associated with fasting insulin and HOMA-IR. These include nine loci newly associated with fasting glucose (in or near ADCY5, MADD, ADRA2A, CRY2, FADS1, GLIS3, SLC2A2, PROX1 and C2CD4B) and one influencing fasting insulin and HOMA-IR (near IGF1). We also demonstrated association of ADCY5, PROX1, GCK, GCKR and DGKB-TMEM195 with type 2 diabetes. Within these loci, likely biological candidate genes influence signal transduction, cell proliferation, development, glucose-sensing and circadian regulation. Our results demonstrate that genetic studies of glycemic traits can identify type 2 diabetes risk loci, as well as loci containing gene variants that are associated with a modest elevation in glucose levels but are not associated with overt diabetes

Total Zinc Intake May Modify the Glucose-Raising Effect of a Zinc Transporter (SLC30A8) Variant

Objective: Many genetic variants have been associated with glucose homeostasis and type 2 diabetes in genome-wide association studies. Zinc is an essential micronutrient that is important for β-cell function and glucose homeostasis. We tested the hypothesis that zinc intake could influence the glucose-raising effect of specific variants. Research Design and Methods: We conducted a 14-cohort meta-analysis to assess the interaction of 20 genetic variants known to be related to glycemic traits and zinc metabolism with dietary zinc intake (food sources) and a 5-cohort meta-analysis to assess the interaction with total zinc intake (food sources and supplements) on fasting glucose levels among individuals of European ancestry without diabetes. Results: We observed a significant association of total zinc intake with lower fasting glucose levels (β-coefficient ± SE per 1 mg/day of zinc intake: −0.0012 ± 0.0003 mmol/L, summary P value = 0.0003), while the association of dietary zinc intake was not significant. We identified a nominally significant interaction between total zinc intake and the SLC30A8 rs11558471 variant on fasting glucose levels (β-coefficient ± SE per A allele for 1 mg/day of greater total zinc intake: −0.0017 ± 0.0006 mmol/L, summary interaction P value = 0.005); this result suggests a stronger inverse association between total zinc intake and fasting glucose in individuals carrying the glucose-raising A allele compared with individuals who do not carry it. None of the other interaction tests were statistically significant. Conclusions: Our results suggest that higher total zinc intake may attenuate the glucose-raising effect of the rs11558471 SLC30A8 (zinc transporter) variant. Our findings also support evidence for the association of higher total zinc intake with lower fasting glucose levels

Total zinc intake may modify the glucose-raising effect of a zinc transporter (SLC30A8) variant: a 14-cohort meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Many genetic variants have been associated with glucose homeostasis and type 2 diabetes in genome-wide association studies. Zinc is an essential micronutrient that is important for β-cell function and glucose homeostasis. We tested the hypothesis that zinc intake could influence the glucose-raising effect of specific variants. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We conducted a 14-cohort meta-analysis to assess the interaction of 20 genetic variants known to be related to glycemic traits and zinc metabolism with dietary zinc intake (food sources) and a 5-cohort meta-analysis to assess the interaction with total zinc intake (food sources and supplements) on fasting glucose levels among individuals of European ancestry without diabetes. RESULTS: We observed a significant association of total zinc intake with lower fasting glucose levels (β-coefficient ± SE per 1 mg/day of zinc intake: -0.0012 ± 0.0003 mmol/L, summary P value = 0.0003), while the association of dietary zinc intake was not significant. We identified a nominally significant interaction between total zinc intake and the SLC30A8 rs11558471 variant on fasting glucose levels (β-coefficient ± SE per A allele for 1 mg/day of greater total zinc intake: -0.0017 ± 0.0006 mmol/L, summary interaction P value = 0.005); this result suggests a stronger inverse association between total zinc intake and fasting glucose in individuals carrying the glucose-raising A allele compared with individuals who do not carry it. None of the other interaction tests were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that higher total zinc intake may attenuate the glucose-raising effect of the rs11558471 SLC30A8 (zinc transporter) variant. Our findings also support evidence for the association of higher total zinc intake with lower fasting glucose levels