Postprandial Glycaemic and Insulinaemic Responses after Consumption of Activated Wheat and Triticale Grain Flakes

Funding Information: We thank Vinita Cauce for her invaluable help with data analyses and interpretation. ,e present research leading to these results has received funding from the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2009–2014 under Project “Innovative approach to hull-less spring cereals and triticale use from human health perspective” (NFI/R/2014/011). Publisher Copyright: © 2019 Laila Meija et al.Increasing evidence shows that whole grain consumption is protective against metabolic disorders. Protective bioactive substances of whole grains include fibre and antioxidants. Activation of grains can increase the amount of phenolic compounds and their bioavailability, but there is little evidence about their effect on glycaemic and insulinemic responses. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate glycaemic and insulinemic responses after consumption of flakes made from activated wheat and activated triticale grains. Eighteen healthy subjects (7 men and 11 women) were given activated wheat or activated triticale flakes. As a reference, a standard glucose solution was used. Plasma glucose and serum insulin were measured during 120 minutes. Both, activated wheat and activated triticale flakes, show improved glycaemic profile, inducing a lower and more stable glycaemic response. However, statistically significant differences in insulin response were found only in the group who have taken activated triticale flakes and not in the group who have taken activated wheat flakes. Activated triticale flakes induced lower insulin response in all postprandial phases and a more stable concentration of insulin. Thus, activated triticale flakes could be beneficial for the prevention and treatment of metabolic disorders.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Low Carbohydrate Diet (SCD/GAPS) for Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder

Objective of the study was to investigate the potential of low carbohydrate diet (SCD/ and supplements in reducing some autistic spectrum disorder ASD symptoms in children.Sponsors: Lotos Pharma (Latvia), Innopharma (Denmark) and Veselības Piramīda (Latvia)

Changes in Health Behaviour and Emotional Well-Being of Pregnant Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Latvia

Publisher Copyright: © 2022 Roberta Rezgale et al., published by Sciendo.Pregnancy is a vulnerable period of life for changes in physical and mental health, which could be exacerbated by COVID-19. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of COVID-19 on health behaviour and emotional well-being among pregnant women in Latvia. The cross-sectional study included 269 women: pregnant women in the third trimester and women until the 7th day post-partum. The study was conducted between July and October 2020, performed by a trained interviewer. Information regarding demographic, anthropometric data, self-assessment of changes in nutritional habits, daily physical activities, and emotional well-being due to the COVID-19 pandemic was collected. 31.6% reported cooking at home more often and only 10.4% reported eating more often and/or larger portions, 23.2% were going on walks outdoors more often, 32.9% were feeling anxious, insecure about health of themselves and relatives, and 24.8% were lacking communication with friends and family. Latvian women were emotionally more affected than other nationalities (p = 0.015). Overall, women 30+ years of age were more often affected then women aged up to 30 years (p = 0.014). These results suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic had notable impact on health behaviour and emotional well-being in pregnant women in Latvia, especially on women 30+ years of age, who may need more careful counselling.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Glycaemic profile and insulin response after consuming triticale flakes

Funding Information: We thank Vinita Cauce for her help in data analysis and interpretation of the data. The present research leading to these results received funding from the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2009–2014 under Project “Innovative approach to hull-less spring cereals and triticale use from human health perspective” (NFI/R/2014/011). Publisher Copyright: © 2017 De Gruyter Open Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright: Copyright 2018 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.Daily intake of cereal fibre reduces incidence and progression of metabolic diseases. Very little is known on how triticale (Triticosecale) influences human health and its role in regulating carbohydrate metabolism. The aim of the study was to investigate glycaemic and insulin response in blood after consuming whole grain triticale cereal flakes. A group of twelve healthy, young people, aged from 18 to 30 years participated in the test. The participants in fasted state were given equivalent carbohydrate amounts of triticale cereal and reference food (glucose solution). Postprandial blood glucose and plasma insulin concentrations were measured according to Brouns et al. (2005). Whole grain triticale cereal flakes elicited lower metabolic responses compared to glucose solution. Intake of the triticale cereal flakes induced significantly lower incremental insulin area (iAUC 0-120 min) 1672.9 ± 619.85 than glucose solution 2646.65 ± 1260.56 and showed lower insulinemic indices (II) 68 ± 19.0 (p < 0.05). A low insulin incremental peak was associated with less severe late post-prandial hypoglycaemia. Our study showed that triticale cereal product caused low acute insulinemic response and improved glycaemic profiles, similarly to the rye products studied before. The results also suggested that the triticale cereal flakes could have beneficial appetite regulating properties. Thus, triticale flakes would be a wonderful option for functional breakfast cereal mixtures that might influence course of metabolic syndrome prevention.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Vitamin D Intake and Serum Levels in Pregnant and Postpartum Women

Publisher Copyright: © 2023 by the authors.Maternal vitamin D deficiency, which is highly prevalent in pregnant women in Europe, is linked to adverse health effects for both the mother and child. The objective was to assess vitamin D status in pregnant women by evaluating their dietary and supplemental vitamin D intake, serum vitamin D levels, parathyroid hormone levels, and lifestyle factors. This cross-sectional study, with a total of 735 participants (145 pregnant and 590 up to the seventh day postpartum), took place in Latvia. Blood samples, a food frequency questionnaire, and medical documentation were used for data collection. The median serum vitamin D concentration was 34.0 ng/mL, with pregnant women having higher levels (42.9 ng/mL) than postpartum women (31.8 ng/mL). There was no association between vitamin D serum concentration and dietary intake of vitamin D (p > 0.05), whereas there was a significant correlation with use of vitamin D supplements (r = 0.41; p 45 ng/mL), and diet had no significant impact on vitamin D levels. Thus, our proposed recommendation for vitamin D intake during pregnancy was 63 mcg (2500 IU) year-round for optimal levels in pregnant women in Northeastern Europe.Peer reviewe

Iron Status in Pregnant Women in Latvia : An Epidemiological, Cross-Sectional, Multicenter Study According to WHO and UK Criteria

Funding Information: The study was initiated by a WHO/Europe grant. Further investigations were funded by the Latvian Council of Science project “Excess weight, dietary habits and vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acid status in pregnancy, project No. lzp-2019/1-0335”. Publisher Copyright: © 2022 by the authors.Background and Objectives: During pregnancy, iron deficiency anaemia is a common problem associated with health risks for both the mother and her foetus/infant. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of iron deficiency, iron deficiency anaemia, and related dietary patterns in pregnant women in Latvia. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional, multicentre study included pregnancy data from 974 women. The sample selection was based on the stratification principle (population of women of childbearing age in regions of Latvia). Maternal demographic details, anthropometric measurements, iron status, dietary patterns, and supplementation information were obtained from maternal files and during interviews held in eight outpatient departments of medical institutions and maternity departments. The prevalence was assessed. Chi-square tests and logistic regression were used to identify associations between iron deficiency and sociodemographic characteristics, dietary patterns, and iron supplement intake during pregnancy. The criterion used for the diagnosis of iron deficiency anaemia is a Hb level < 110 g/L in the 1st and 3rd trimesters and <105 g/L during the 2nd trimester as recommended by the WHO. However, the UK guideline was used for borderline iron deficiency, which is an SF level < 30 μg/L in all trimesters. Results: The observed prevalence of anaemia was 2.8% in the first trimester, 7.9% in the second trimester, and 27.0% in the third trimester. The prevalence of iron deficiency was 46.7% in the first trimester, 78.1% in the second trimester, and 91.7% in the third trimester. No associations with dietary patterns were found. Single women had 1.85 times the odds (95% CI 1.07 to 3.18) of being anaemic than married women. Conclusions: Iron deficiency affects a large proportion of pregnant women in Latvia in all trimesters, with iron deficiency anaemia affecting pregnant women in the third trimester. Monitoring and intervention should be performed in a timely and more targeted manner.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Consumption of the whole-grain rye bread and progression of prostate cancer

Funding Information: This study was supported by the project framework of the European Regional Development Fund (ERAF) No. 2010/0273/2DP/2.1.1.0/10/APIA/VIAA/083 „Assessment of Local Origin Cereal Species’ Potential and Development of Varieties for Specific Dietary Foods Production”. Copyright: Copyright 2013 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.Whole-grain rye intake has been suggested to have anti-cancer effect, including changes in serum hormones and reduced prostate specific antigen (PSA) in animals and humans. In this study, we investigated the effect of high intake of whole-grain rye bread on prostate cancer progression as assessed by PSA concentration in men diagnosed with prostate cancer. Fifteen men with prostate cancer who did not receive prior therapy were randomised and given a daily supplement of 250 g refined wheat bread for two weeks and, afterwards, 250 g whole-grain rye bread for six weeks. Blood samples were taken from fasting men at baseline and after two and six weeks to measure the PSA and sex hormones. The dietary intake was: energy intake 3452 kcal; protein intake 166 g, carbohydrate intake 334 g, fat 149 g, saturated fat intake 52 g, and fibre intake 40 g. Plasma total PSA, free PSE, testosterone concentrations and free androgen index tended to be higher after refined white bread treatment and lower after whole-grain rye treatment. However, none of the differences were statistically significant. There were no significant changes in sex hormone binding globulin, luteinising hormone, and follicle stimulating hormone. In this intervention trial, whole-grain rye consumption did not result in significant changes in PSA and sex hormones, which may be related to high fat intake. Further prospective trials are indicated to evaluate the potential of whole-grain rye bread, taking into account other factors.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Body height affects the strength of immune response in young men, but not young women

Body height and other body attributes of humans may be associated with a diverse range of social outcomes such as attractiveness to potential mates. Despite evidence that each parameter plays a role in mate choice, we have little understanding of the relative role of each, and relationships between indices of physical appearance and general health. In this study we tested relationships between immune function and body height of young men and women. In men, we report a non-linear relationship between antibody response to a hepatitis-B vaccine and body height, with a positive relationship up to a height of 185 cm, but an inverse relationship in taller men. We did not find any significant relationship between body height and immune function in women. Our results demonstrate the potential of vaccination research to reveal costly traits that govern evolution of mate choice in humans and the importance of trade-offs among these traits

Food quality affects the expression of antimicrobial peptide genes upon simulated parasite attack in the larvae of greater wax moth

Predator-prey interactions are an important evolutionary force affecting the immunity of the prey. Parasitoids and mites pierce the cuticle of their prey, which respond by activating their immune system against predatory attacks. Immunity is a costly function for the organism, as it often competes with other life-history traits for limited nutrients. We tested whether the expression of antimicrobial peptides (AMP) of the larvae of the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) changes as a consequence of insertion of a nylon monofilament, which acts like a synthetic parasite. The treatment was done for larvae grown on a high-quality vs. a low-quality diet. The expression of Gloverin and 6-tox were upregulated in response to the insertion of the nylon monofilament. The expression of 6-tox, Cecropin-D, and Gallerimycin were significantly higher in the low-quality diet' group than in the high-quality diet' group. As food quality seems to affect AMP gene expression in G. mellonella larvae, it should always be controlled for in studies on bacterial and fungal infections in G. mellonella

Alkylresorcinol, Lignan Metabolites and Vitamin D in Prostate Cancer Patients. Summary of the Doctoral Thesis

Promocijas darbs izstrādāts: Rīgas Stradiņa universitātes (RSU) Iekšķīgo slimību katedrā un RSU Ķirurģijas katedrā. Aizstāvēšana: 2014. gada 11.jūnijā plkst. 15.00 Rīgas Stradiņa universitātes Medicīnas promocijas padomes atklātā sēdē Rīgā, Dzirciema ielā 16, Hipokrāta auditorijā.Uzturs ir nepieciešams visu cilvēka bioloģisko procesu normālai funkcionēšanai. Pilnvērtīgs uzturs šūnu līmenī nodrošina visu organismu ar uzturvielām, kas nepieciešamas audu struktūras un funkcijas saglabāšanai. Turklāt uzturs ir viens no ietekmējamiem onkoloģisko slimību riska faktoriem. Uzskata, ka ar uzturu var novērst trešdaļas vēžu veidošanos. Priekšdziedzera vēzis ir otra biežākā ļaundabīgā onkoloģiskā slimība vīriešiem visā pasaulē. Latvijā tas ir pirmais biežākais vēzis un otrs biežākais nāves cēlonis starp visiem vēža veidiem vīriešiem. Augstā slimības prevalence un bieži lēnā attīstība padara priekšdziedzera vēzi par ļoti piemērotu prevencijai. Par uzturu kā priekšdziedzera vēža risku ietekmējošo faktoru lika domāt zemā priekšdziedzera vēža incidence un prevalence Āzijas valstīs, kur protektīvo ietekmi saistīja ar fitoestrogēnu – sojas produktu – iespējamo iedarbību. Rietumvalstīs galvenie fitoestrogēnu avoti ir lignāni. Ziemeļvalstīs galvenais lignānu avots ir rudzu maize, kas ir arī bagāts šķiedrvielu avots. Šķiedrvielas maizē saistītas ar daudzām bioloģiski aktīvām vielām, tostarp lignāniem un alkilrezorcīniem. Cits iespējamais faktors, kas var ietekmēt priekšdziedzera vēža attīstību, ir D vitamīns, kam, iespējams, piemīt ne tikai imunitāti modulējošā, bet arī antikancerogēnā aktivitāte. Pētījuma mērķis bija izpētīt, kurš alkilrezorcīnu metabolīts ir vispiemērotākais, lai novērtētu rudzu maizes un rudzu maizes šķiedrvielu daudzumu uzturā, kā arī izvērtēt alkilrezorcīnu un lignānu metabolītu saistību ar priekšdziedzera vēža risku. Otrs mērķis bija novērtēt pilngraudu rudzu maizes iespējamo ietekmi uz priekšdziedzera vēža progresēšanu. Cits mērķis bija novērtēt D vitamīna iespējamo saistību ar priekšdziedzera vēža risku. Lai izpildītu izvirzītos mērķus, noteicām potenciāli bioloģiski aktīvo vielu – alkilrezorcīnu un lignānu – daudzumu Latvijas maizes veidos, novērtējām uzņemto uzturu, tostarp maizes, rudzu maizes, šķiedrvielu, alkilrezorcīnu, lignānu un D vitamīna daudzumu uzturā, kā arī alkilrezorcīnu metabolītu (DHPPA – 3-(3,5-dihidroksifenil) propānskābes un DHBA – 3,5-dihidroksibenzoskābes) un lignānu metabolīta (ENL – enterolaktona) daudzumu asins plazmā, 12 stundu dienas un 12 stundu nakts urīnā un D vitamīna līmeni serumā priekšdziedzera vēža un kontroles grupas pacientiem. Lai novērtētu rudzu maizes iespējamo ietekmi uz priekšdziedzera vēža progresēšanu, nozīmējām rudzu maizes lietošanu un veicām izmeklējumus pirms un pēc rudzu maizes iekļaušanas uzturā – noteicām priekšdziedzera specifisko antigēnu (PSA), alkilrezorcīnu un lignānu metabolītus plazmā, dzimumhormonus, kā arī tika veikti morfoloģiskie izmeklējumi. Mūsu pētījuma rezultāti parādīja, ka alkilrezorcīnu un lignānu daudzums Latvijas sēklu un rudzu maizē, kā arī uzturā kopumā ir augsts. Alkilrezorcīnu koncentrāciju maizē var izmantot par marķieri kliju un šķiedrvielu daudzumam maizē. Arī uzturā alkilrezorcīnu un lignānu daudzums ir augsts. Galvenie lignānu avoti uzturā bija sēklu un rudzu maize. Nebija atšķirību uzņemtā uztura datos, tostarp maizes daudzumā un veidā, kā arī alkilrezorcīnu un lignānu daudzumā starp priekšdziedzera vēža un kontroles grupas vīriešiem. Piemērotākais biomarķieris rudzu maizes un rudzu šķiedrvielu daudzuma uzturā novērtēšanai ir DHPPA 12 stundu nakts urīnā. Alkilrezorcīnu metabolītu koncentrācijas plazmā un urīnā saistība ar uztura datiem atšķīrās abās pētījuma grupās. Iespējamais atšķirības iemesls ir kavēts alkilrezorcīnu metabolisms priekšdziedzera vēža pacientiem. Analizējot lignānu metabolītu ENL, konstatējām, ka tā koncentrācija bioloģiskajos šķidrumos atspoguļo lignānu daudzumu uzturā tikai intervences pētījuma apstākļos. Konstatējām, ka rudzu maize, iespējams, kavē priekšdziedzera vēža pro- gresēšanu. Potenciālie darbības mehānismi – dzimumhormonu saistošā globulīna, enterolaktona un alkilrezorcīnu metabolītu koncentrācijas palielināšanās plazmā, kā rezultātā pazeminājās PSA un tika novērota apoptozes rādītāju pieauguma tendence. Jāturpina pētījumi ar lielāku dalībnieku skaitu, tie jāveic ilgākā laika periodā, un jāizmanto rudzu maize ar vēl augstāku rudzu šķiedrvielu daudzumu. Analizējot D vitamīna līmeni, konstatējām, ka D vitamīna deficīts un/vai nepietiekamība ir plaši izplatīta priekšdziedzera vēža grupā un kontroles grupas vīriešiem pēc 45 gadu vecuma. Atšķirības D vitamīna koncentrācijā serumā starp grupām netika konstatētas. Ar uzturu netiek nodrošināts nepieciešamais D vitamīna daudzums abās pētījuma grupās. Lai sasniegtu vēlamo D vitamīna koncentrāciju serumā un lai izvērtētu D vitamīna iespējamo protektīvo efektu priekšdziedzera vēža prevencijā, ieteicams lietot D vitamīna neaktīvās formas preparātus un uzturā vairāk lietot zivis. Iegūtie rezultāti izmantojami kā pamats turpmākiem padziļinātiem pētījumiem par pilngraudu produktu un D vitamīna lomu priekšdziedzera vēža prevencijā