33 research outputs found
Nutritional status of Tajik children and women: transition towards a double burden of malnutrition
The double burden of malnutrition, an emerging concern in developing countries, can exist at various levels: individual, household, and population. Here, we explore the nutritional status of Tajik women (15-49 years) and children (5-59 months) focusing on overweight/obesity along with undernutrition (underweight, stunting, and micronutrient deficiencies). For this, nutritional markers (haemoglobin (Hb), transferrin receptor (TfR), serum ferritin (Sf), retinol binding protein (RBP), vitamin D, serum folate, and urinary iodine), height, and weight were assessed from 2,145 women and 2,149 children. Dietary intake, weaning, and breastfeeding habits were recorded using a 24-hr recall and a questionnaire. Overweight (24.5%) and obesity (13.0%) are increasing among Tajik women compared with previous national surveys (2003 and 2009). Prevalence of iron deficiency and anaemia was 38.0% and 25.8%, respectively; 64.5% of women were iodine deficient, 46.5% vitamin A deficient, and 20.5% had insufficient folate levels. Women in rural areas had significantly lower iron status and body mass index and higher iodine intake compared with urban areas; 20.9% of children were stunted, 2.8% wasted, 6.2% underweight, 52.4% iron deficient, and 25.8% anaemic; all more prominent in rural areas. Dietary diversity was higher among urban women. Intraindividual or household double burden was not seen. In summary, double burden of malnutrition constituted an increase in overweight among women, especially in urban areas, and persisting levels of undernutrition (stunting, iron, and vitamin A deficiency), predominately in rural areas. A holistic, innovative approach is needed to improve infant and young children feeding and advise mothers to maintain an adequate diet
Comparison of test performance of two commonly used multiplex assays to measure micronutrient and inflammatory markers in serum:results from a survey among pregnant women in South Africa
The combined sandwich-ELISA (s-ELISA; VitMin Lab, Germany) and the Quansys Q-Plexā¢ Human Micronutrient Array (7-Plex) are multiplex
serum assays that are used to assess population micronutrient status in low-income countries. We aimed to compare the agreement of five
analytes, Ī±-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin, retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) and soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR)
as measured by the 7-Plex and the s-ELISA. Serum samples were collected between March 2016 and December 2017. Pregnant women (n 249)
were recruited at primary healthcare clinics in Johannesburg, and serum samples were collected between March 2016 and December 2017.
Agreement between continuous measurements was assessed by BlandāAltman plots and concordance measures. Agreement in classifications of
deficiency or inflammation was assessed by Cohenās kappa. Strong correlations (r > 0Ā·80) were observed between the 7-Plex and s-ELISA for
CRP and ferritin. Except for CRP, the 7-Plex assay gave consistently higher measurements than the s-ELISA. With the exception of CRP (Linās
Ļ = 0Ā·92), there was poor agreement between the two assays, with Linās Ļ < 0Ā·90. Discrepancies of test results difference between methods
increased as the serum concentrations rose. Cohenās kappa for all the five analytes was < 0Ā·81 and ranged from slight agreement (vitamin A
deficiency) to substantial (inflammation and Fe deficiency) agreement. The 7-Plex 1.0 is a research and or surveillance tool with potential for use
in low-resource laboratories but cannot be used interchangeably with the s-ELISA. Further optimising and validation is required to establish its
interchangeability with other validated methods
Anthropometric nutritional status of children (0ā18 years) in South Africa 1997ā2022: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract
Objective:
To conduct a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of the available literature on the anthropometric nutritional status of South African infants and children, 0ā18 years old and to report on trends of changes in nutritional status over the period 1997ā2022.
Design:
Systematic review and meta-analysis.
Setting:
Review of the available literature on the anthropometric nutritional status of South African infants and children, 0ā18 years old, over the period 1997ā2022.
Participants:
South African infants and children, 0ā18 years old.
Results:
Only quantitative data from ninety-five publications that described the nutritional status in terms of anthropometry were included. Most recent studies applied the WHO 2006 and 2007 definitions for malnutrition among children 0ā5 years old and 5ā19 years old, respectively. Meta-analysis of all prevalence data shows the highest stunting prevalence of 25Ā·1 % among infants and preschool children, compared to 11Ā·3 % among primary school-age children and 9Ā·6 % among adolescents. Furthermore, the overweight and obesity prevalence was similar among children younger than 6 years and adolescents (19 %), compared to 12Ā·5 % among primary school-age children. In national surveys, adolescent overweight prevalence increased from 16Ā·9 % in 2002 to 23Ā·1 % in 2011. Meta-regression analysis shows a decrease in stunting among children 6ā18 years old and an increase in combined overweight and obesity in the 10ā19 years age group.
Conclusion:
The double burden of malnutrition remains evident in South Africa with stunting and overweight/obesity the most prevalent forms of malnutrition among children
Omega-3 Fatty Acid and Iron Supplementation Alone, but Not in Combination, Lower Inflammation and Anemia of Infection in Mycobacterium tuberculosis-Infected Mice
Progressive inflammation and anemia are common in tuberculosis (TB) and linked to poor clinical outcomes. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have inflammation-resolving properties, whereas iron supplementation in TB may have limited efficacy and enhance bacterial growth. We investigated effects of iron and EPA/DHA supplementation, alone and in combination, on inflammation, anemia, iron status markers and clinical outcomes in Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected C3HeB/FeJ mice. One week post-infection, mice received the AIN-93 diet without (control) or with supplemental iron (Fe), EPA/DHA, or Fe+EPA/DHA for 3 weeks. Mice supplemented with Fe or EPA/DHA had lower soluble transferrin receptor, ferritin and hepcidin than controls, but these effects were attenuated in Fe+EPA/DHA mice. EPA/DHA increased inflammation-resolving lipid mediators and lowered lung IL-1Ī±, IFN-Ī³, plasma IL-1Ī², and TNF-Ī±. Fe lowered lung IL-1Ī±, IL-1Ī², plasma IL-1Ī², TNF-Ī±, and IL-6. However, the cytokine-lowering effects in the lungs were attenuated with Fe+EPA/DHA. Mice supplemented with EPA/DHA had lower lung bacterial loads than controls, but this effect was attenuated in Fe+EPA/DHA mice. Thus, individually, post-infection EPA/DHA and iron supplementation lowered systemic and lung inflammation and mitigated anemia of infection in TB, but not when combined. EPA/DHA also enhanced bactericidal effects and could support inflammation resolution and management of anemia
Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids promote antibacterial and inflammation-resolving effects in Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected C3HeB/FeJ mice, dependent on fatty acid status
AbstractNon-resolving inflammation is characteristic of tuberculosis (TB). Given their inflammation-resolving properties,n-3 long-chain PUFA (n-3 LCPUFA) may support TB treatment. This research aimed to investigate the effects ofn-3 LCPUFA on clinical and inflammatory outcomes ofMycobacterium tuberculosis-infected C3HeB/FeJ mice with either normal or lown-3 PUFA status before infection. Using a two-by-two design, uninfected mice were conditioned on either ann-3 PUFA-sufficient (n-3FAS) or -deficient (n-3FAD) diet for 6 weeks. One week post-infection, mice were randomised to eithern-3 LCPUFA supplemented (n-3FAS/n-3+ andn-3FAD/n-3+) or continued onn-3FAS orn-3FAD diets for 3 weeks. Mice were euthanised and fatty acid status, lung bacterial load and pathology, cytokine, lipid mediator and immune cell phenotype analysed.n-3 LCPUFA supplementation inn-3FAS mice lowered lung bacterial loads (P= 0Ā·003), T cells (P= 0Ā·019), CD4+T cells (P= 0Ā·014) and interferon (IFN)-Ī³(P< 0Ā·001) and promoted a pro-resolving lung lipid mediator profile. Compared withn-3FAS mice, then-3FAD group had lower bacterial loads (P= 0Ā·037), significantly higher immune cell recruitment and a more pro-inflammatory lipid mediator profile, however, significantly lower lung IFN-Ī³, IL-1Ī±, IL-1Ī²and IL-17, and supplementation in then-3FAD group provided no beneficial effect on lung bacterial load or inflammation. Our study provides the first evidence thatn-3 LCPUFA supplementation has antibacterial and inflammation-resolving benefits in TB when provided 1 week after infection in the context of a sufficientn-3 PUFA status, whilst a lown-3 PUFA status may promote better bacterial control and lower lung inflammation not benefiting fromn-3 LCPUFA supplementation
The implementation of the molecular characterisation of 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase deficiency in South Africa
Thesis (M.Sc. (Biochemistry))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.The perception is that inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) are rare, but the reality is that more
than 600 lEMs are now recognized. The organic aciduria, 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase
(MCC) deficiency arises when 3-methylcrotonyl-Coenzyme A (CoA) carboxylase that
participates in the fourth step of the leucine catabolism is defective. Tandem mass
spectrometry (MS/MS) based screening programmes in North America, Europe and Australia,
showed that MCC deficiency is the most frequent organic aciduria detected, with an average
frequency of 1:50 000. Therefore MCC deficiency is considered an emerging disease in these
regions. The incidence of MCC deficiency in the Republic of South Africa (RSA) is not yet
known. However, one 48 year old male Caucasian individual (HGS) was diagnosed suffering
from mild MCC deficiency, since elevated levels of 3-hydroxyisovaleric acid, 3-
hydroxyisovalerylcarnitine, 3-methylcrotonylglycine was present in his urine.
Several groups are currently working on various aspects of this emerging disease with the focus
on the molecular characterisation of MCC deficiency. In the RSA no molecular based
diagnostic method which complements MS/MS screening programmes have yet been
implemented. Therefore, the aim of this study was to implement the necessary techniques for
the molecular characterisation of MCC deficiency, the determination of the sequence of the
open reading frame (ORF) of mccA and mccB subunits to determine which mutation(s) are
present in the South African MCC deficient patient.
For the implementation of the molecular characterisation, a two-pronged approached was used
to characterize MCC of a MCC non-deficient individual (CFC). This approach included the
reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) amplification of the ORFs of the
associated genes [mccA (19 exons) and mccB (17 exons] and the PCR amplification of selected
(genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (gDNA) regions (exons mccA8, mccA11 , mccB5, mccB6 and
mccB5-intron 5-6 exon 6 (mccB5-6) which have been found to have mutations associated with
MCC deficiency in Caucasians.
The sequence analyses produced surprising results of the amplified ORFs (CFCmccA and
CFCmccB) of the MCC non-deficient individual CFC. A non-synonymous single nucleotide
polymorphism (SNP) (1391CāA, H464P) associated with MCC deficiency (Gallardo et al.,
2001) was identified in the CFCmccA subunit. Another SNP (1368GāA, A456A) recently listed
in GenBank was observed in the amplified CFCmccB ORF. No significant novel variations or
described mutations were identified in the amplified genomic regions mccA8, mccA11 ,mccB5,
mccB6 and mccB5-6.
The implemented molecular approach was used to characterise MCC of our MCC deficient
patient (HGS). The patient did not have any mutation in the four selected exons mccA8,
mccA11, mccB5, mccB6 or the genomic region mccB5-6. The RT-PCR amplification of both
ORFs (HGSmccA and HGSmccB) resulted in multiple amplicons. Gel extracted amplicons of
the expected size were sequenced. Of the 36 exons, 34 exons were sequenced. This includes
all 19 exons of HGSmccA and 15 of 17 exons of HGSmccB (exons 1-6 and exons 9-17).
The non-synonymous SNP (1391CāA, H464P) detected in CFCmccA (MCC non-deficient
individual), seems to be present in the HGSmccA subunit of the MCC deficient individual, HGS.
The HGSmccB amplicons could not be entirely sequenced. However, the region exon 1-6 and
9-17 was sequenced but no described or novel mutations were identified. The lack of sequence
data of region exon 7-8 led to an incomplete molecular characterisation of the MCC deficiency
in HGS.
In conclusion, the basic methods and techniques for the molecular characterisation of MCC
deficient patients have been implemented locally. A few additional sequencing primers need to
be designed to cover mccB7 and mccB8 as well as the entire coding and non-coding strands of
each MCC gene (mccA and mccB). The primers for RT-PCR of both mccA and mccB need to
be further refined to ensure better specificity.Master
Gene interactions observed with the HDL-c blood lipid, intakes of protein, sugar and biotin in relation to circulating homocysteine concentrations in a group of black South Africans
Background
Elevated homocysteine (Hcy) is associated with several pathologies. Geneādiet interactions related to Hcy might be used to customize dietary advice to reduce disease incidence. To explore this possibility, we investigated interactions between anthropometry, biochemical markers and diet and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in relation to Hcy concentrations. Five SNPs of Hcy-metabolizing enzymes were analyzed in 2010 black South Africans.
Results
Hcy was higher with each additional methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T minor allele copy, but was lower in methionine synthase (MTR) 2756AA homozygotes than heterozygotes. Individuals harboring cystathionine Ī² synthase (CBS) 833 T/844ins68 had lower Hcy concentrations than others. No interactive effects were observed with any of the anthropometrical markers. MTHFR C677T and CBS T833C/844ins68 homozygote minor allele carriers presented with lower Hcy as high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) increased. Hcy concentrations were negatively associated with dietary protein and animal protein intake in the TT and TC genotypes, but positively in the CC genotype of CBS T833C/844ins68. Hcy was markedly higher in TT homozygotes of MTHFR C677T as added sugar intake increased. In CBS T833C/844ins68 major allele carriers, biotin intake was negatively associated with Hcy; but positively in those harboring the homozygous minor allele.
Conclusions
The HcyāSNP associations are modulated by diet and open up the possibility of invoking dietary interventions to treat hyperhomocysteinemia. Future intervention trials should further explore the observed geneādiet and geneāblood lipid interaction