Fw: Weekly Update - April 20, 2009

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Weekly Update - April 20, 2009

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Clinical Pearls Nutrition Research Updates for the Week of April 20,

2009

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Quote of the Week

If you don't go after what you want, you'll never have it.

If you don't ask, the answer is always no.

If you don't step forward, you're always in the same place.

-Nora

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New Expert Interviews (more...) :

a.. Alzheimer's Disease and Vitamin/Nutraceutical Supplementation,

B. Shea, Ph.D., USA

b.. Diabetes Mellitus, Microalbuminuria and Vitamin B1, Professor

J. Thornalley, United Kingdom

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Summary# 47137

Topic: Vitamin D Insufficiency Linked to Frailty in Men

Keywords: AGING, FRAILTY SYNDROME - Vitamin D, 25(OH)D

Reference: " Association of low vitamin D levels with the frailty

syndrome in men and women, " Shardell M, Hicks GE, et al, J Gerontol A Biol

Sci Med Sci, 2009; 64(1): 69-75. (Address: Department of Epidemiology and

Preventive Medicine, University of land School of Medicine, Baltimore,

MD 21201, USA. E-mail: mshardel@... ).

Summary: In a study involving 444 elderly men and 561 elderly

women, men with 25(OH)D levels less than 50 nmol/L were found to have a

greater odds of frailty than men with 25(OH)D above or equal to 50 nmol/L

(OR=4.94). Frailty was defined as having at least 3 of the following 5

criteria: weakness, slowness, low energy expenditure, exhaustion, and weight

loss. In women, the adjusted OR for frailty was 1.43. No significant

difference was found after controlling for PTH, however, when 'low energy

expenditure' was excluded from the frailty definition, the adjusted OR for

frailty in men was 2.18, and controlling for PTH attenuated this OR by 32%.

While both vitamin D insufficiency and frailty syndrome was more prevalent

in women than in men, the results of this study show that vitamin D

insufficiency is significantly associated with frailty in men, and that,

" PTH mediates the relationship between 25(OH)D and nonenergy expendi ture

aspects of frailty. "

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Summary# 47134

Topic: Vitamin E Reduces Oxidative Stress in Beta Thalassemia

Intermedia Patients

Keywords: BETA-THALASSAEMIA INTERMEDIA, BETA-THALASSEMIA,

OXIDATIVE STRESS - Vitamin E

Reference: " Vitamin E supplementation reduces oxidative stress

in beta thalassaemia intermedia, " Pfeifer WP, Degasperi GR, et al, Acta

Haematol, 2008; 120(4): 225-31. (Address: Sara T.O. Saad, Rua Chagas

480, Cidade Universitária Zeferino Vaz, Barão Geraldo, CEP 13083-970,

Campinas-SP, Brazil. E-mail: sara@... ).

Summary: In a study involving 9 beta-thalassemia intermedia

patients (5 females, 4 males, between 15 and 74 years of age; median: 39

years) undergoing occasional transfusions, supplementation with 400 IU/d

vitamin E for a period of 3 months was found to reduce oxidative damage. At

baseline, patients with beta-thalassemia were found to have statistically

significantly different levels of red blood cell reactive oxygen species,

reduced glutathione, and serum TBARS, compared to healthy controls. After

supplementation with vitamin E, reductions in erythrocyte red blood cell

reactive oxygen species and serum TBARS, and increases in reduced

glutathione were found. After vitamin E treatment, reductions in ROS in

peripheral mononuclear cells and T lymphocytes and a significant reduction

in reticulocyte number were also found. No significant effect on levels of

hemoglobin or AHSP mRNA expression were found. The authors state,

" Therefore, after treatment, no significan t differences were detected

comparing patients and normal controls. Three months after treatment

completion, all measurements showed a tendency of returning to basal

values. " They conclude that vitamin E, " .could be useful for reducing

oxidative damage in other target organs of beta-thalassaemic patients. "

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Summary# 47139

Topic: Curcumin Shows Potential in Blocking Brain Tumor

Formation

Keywords: BRAIN TUMOR, CANCER - Curcumin, Turmeric, Herbal

Medicine, Botanical Medicine, Spice, Polyphenols, Antioxidant,

Diferuloylmethane

Reference: " Curcumin Blocks Brain Tumor Formation, " Purkayastha

S, Berliner A, et al, Brain Res, 2009 Feb 10; [Epub ahead of print].

(Address: Department of Chemistry; The College of Staten Island (CUNY),

Staten Island, NY 10314; The CSI/IBR Center for Developmental Neuroscience;

The College of Staten Island (CUNY), Staten Island, NY 10314, USA. E-mail:

banerjee@... ).

Summary: In this study, a solubilized formulation of curcumin -

a major polyphenolic compound found in the popular curry spice, turmeric -

was found to block the formation of brain tumors and eliminate brain tumor

cells in mice and in vitro. Brain tumor formation was found to be blocked in

mice who had received an intracerebral bolus of mouse melaonoma cells after

the mice received a solubilized formulation of curcumin into the tail vein

and even more effectively when the curcumin was administered through an

intracerebral injection through a cannula. The in vitro aspects of the study

found that solubilized curcumin led to activation of pro-apoptotic enzymes

caspase 3/7 in human oligodendroglioma and lung carcinoma cells, as well as

mouse tumor cells N18 (neuroblastoma) GL261 (glioma), and B16F10. The

authors conclude, " .judicious application of such injectable formulations of

curcumin could be developed into a safe therapeutic strategy for treating

brain tu mors. "

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Summary# 47128

Topic: Supplementation With Nattokinase May Decrease Plasma

Levels of Fibrinogen, Factor VII and Factor VIII

Keywords: CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE - Nattokinase, Fibrinogen,

Factor VII, Factor VIII

Reference: " Nattokinase decreases plasma levels of fibrinogen,

factor VII, and factor VIII in human subjects, " Hsia CH, Yang NC, et al,

Nutr Res, 2009; 29(3): 190-6. (Address: Division of Cardiovascular Medicine,

Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua 500, Taiwan).

Summary: In a study involving 45 participants (healthy

volunteers, patients with cardiovascular risk factors, and patients

undergoing dialysis), results indicate that supplementation with nattokinase

may decrease plasma levels of fibrinogen, factor VII, and factor VIII. The

subjects received 2 capsules of nattokinase per day (2000 fibrinolysis units

per capsule) for a period of 2 months. At intervention end, plasma levels of

fibrinogen, factor VII and factor VIII decreased similarly in all subjects

(fibrinogen 7-10%, factor VII 7-14%, factor VIII 17-19%). Thus the authors

conclude, " In summary, this study showed that oral administration of

nattokinase could be considered as a CVD nutraceutical by decreasing plasma

levels of fibrinogen, factor VII, and factor VIII. "

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Summary# 47136

Topic: Vitamin C May Aid in the Prevention of Cataracts

Keywords: CATARACT, CATARACTS, EYE HEALTH, VISION, SENILITY,

SENILE, AGING - Vitamin C, Ascorbic Acid, Antioxidants

Reference: " Comparative study of plasma ascorbic acid levels in

senile cataract patients and in normal individuals, " Jalal D, Koorosh F,

Fereidoun H, Curr Eye Res, 2009; 34(2): 118-22. (Address: Department of

Ophthalmology, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zabjan, Iran).

Summary: In a study involving 50 senile patients with cataracts,

plasma ascorbic acid (vitamin C) was found to be significantly lower (0.96

mg/dl) among cataract patients as compared to levels found in healthy

controls (1.12 mg/dl). These results suggest that increasing intake of

vitamin C in order to increase plasma ascorbic acid levels may help in the

prevention of cataracts. Additional research is warranted.

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Summary# 47129

Topic: Dietary Supplementation With Phytosterol Glycosides May

Reduce Cholesterol Absorption

Keywords: CHOLESTEROL - Phytosterols, Phytosterol Glycosides,

Phytosterol Esters

Reference: " Phytosterol glycosides reduce cholesterol absorption

in humans, " Lin X, Ostlund RE Jr, et al, Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver

Physiol, 2009; 296(4): G931-5. (Address: Division of Endocrinology,

Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington Univ. School of Medicine, 660

South Euclid Ave., Campus box 8127, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA. E-mail:

rostlund@... ).

Summary: In a randomized, controlled, crossover design study

involving 11 healthy subjects, results indicate that dietary supplementation

with phytosterol glycosides (extracted and purified from soy lecithin) may

reduce cholesterol absorption. The subjects received 3 single-meal test

breakfasts (with 2 week intervals between them) containing 30 mg

cholesterol, supplemented with or without 300 mg added phytosterols in the

form of phytosterol glycosides or phytosterol esters. Consumption of test

breakfast supplemented with phytosterol glycosides and esters was associated

with 37.6% and 30.6% reduction in cholesterol absorption, respectively,

compared with consumption of control test breakfast. Thus, the results of

this study suggest that dietary supplementation with phytosterol glycosides

and esters may reduce cholesterol absorption.

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Summary# 47138

Topic: Vitamin D Deficiency in Children with Chronic Kidney

Disease

Keywords: CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE, BONE HEALTH - Vitamin D,

25(OH)D

Reference: " Vitamin D deficiency in children with chronic kidney

disease: uncovering an epidemic, " Ali FN, Arguelles LM, et al, Pediatrics,

2009; 123(3): 791-6. (Address: Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern

University, Children's Memorial Hospital, 2300 Children's Plaza, Box 37,

Chicago, IL 60614, USA).

Summary: In a study involving children with chronic kidney

disease (stages 1-5) who were followed over a 10 year period, a significant

trend towards decreasing 25(OH)D levels over the course of 10 years was

found, with a 39% prevalence of vitamin D deficiency at the end of the 10

years, with an even higher prevalence found in Black and Hispanic patients,

as compared to White patients. Considering the key importance of vitamin D

in terms of bone development and mineralization in children, the results of

this study are significant, and " .support the recent pediatric Kidney

Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative guidelines for measurement of 25(OH)D

levels in children with chronic kidney disease and secondary

hyperparathyroidism. " Additional research is needed to assess the effects of

vitamin D supplementation in children with chronic kidney disease.

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Summary# 47132

Topic: Nutritional Factors and Depressive Symptoms in the

Elderly: Vitamin C, Carbohydrates, Carotene

Keywords: DEPRESSION, AGING - Vitamin C, Ascorbic Acid,

Carotene, Carotenoids, Vitamin E, Carbohydrates, Nutrition

Reference: " Nutrition and depressive symptoms in

community-dwelling elderly persons in Japan, " Oishi J, Doi H, Kawakami N,

Acta Med Okayama, 2009; 63(1): 9-17. (Address: Department of Epidemiology,

Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical

Sciences, Okayama 700-8530, Japan. E-mail: junko@... ).

Summary: In a cross-sectional study involving 279 elderly

persons between the ages of 65 and 75 years of age, higher intakes of

vitamin C, carotene, and carbohydrates were found to be associated with

lower odds of depressive symptoms. Intakes of 17 different dietary factors

were assessed. Among males, subjects in the highest tertiles of vitamin C,

carotene, and carbohydrates were found to have the following odds ratios for

depressive symptoms: 0.33, 0.36, and 0.33, respectively. Subjects in the

medium tertile of vitamin E intake were found to have a 0.33 odds ratio of

depressive symptoms. Similar, but not as statistically significant, results

were found in females. The authors conclude, " .carbohydrate, carotene, and

vitamin C intakes are associated with lowering depressive symptoms among

elderly persons dwelling in communities in Japan. "

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Summary# 47131

Topic: Glycine Propionyl-L-carnitine Enhances Exercise

Performance and Reduces Lactate Accumulation in Healthy Resistance Trained

Males

Keywords: EXERCISE PERFORMANCE - Glycine Propionyl-L-carnitine

Reference: " Glycine propionyl-L-carnitine produces enhanced

anaerobic work capacity with reduced lactate accumulation in resistance

trained males, " s PL, Goldstein ER, et al, J Int Soc Sports Nutr, 2009;

6(1): 9. (Address: L. s, Department of Exercise Science and

Health Promotion, Florida Atlantic University, Davie, FL, 33314, USA.

E-mail: pjacobs4@... ).

Summary: In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study

involving 24 healthy male resistance trained subjects (average age: 25

years), supplementation with 4.5 grams glycine propionyl-L-carnitine (GPLC)

90 minutes prior to participating in an exercise testing protocol, was found

to enhance peak power production and significantly reduce accumulation of

blood lactate (16% less blood lactate production 14 minutes post-exercise),

as compared to ingestion of a placebo. The authors state, " These findings

indicate that short-term oral supplementation of GPLC can enhance peak power

production in resistance trained males with significantly less LAC

accumulation. "

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Summary# 47135

Topic: Balance and Falls in the Elderly: Role of Folate and

Other Nutritional Factors

Keywords: FALLS, BALANCE, GAIT, ELDERLY, BONE HEALTH, FRACTURES,

NUTRITIONAL STATUS, DEPRESSION - Folate, Vitamin D, Vitamin B12

Reference: " Nutritional status in relation to balance and falls

in the elderly: a preliminary look at serum folate, " Shahar D, Levi M, et

al, Ann Nutr Metab, 2009; 54(1): 59-66. (Address: S. Abraham

International Center for Health and Nutrition and Department of Epidemiology

and Health Services Evaluation, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev,

Beer-Sheva, Israel. E-mail: dshahar@... ).

Summary: In a study involving 100 elderly subjects (65-91 years

of age), out of whom 29 fell at least once during the past year, serum

folate levels were found to be significantly lower among fallers (9.5

ng/ml), as compared to non-fallers (16.2 ng/ml). For every 1 ng/ml increase

in serum folate, the occurrence of falls was found to decrease by 19%.

Depression was found to be more prevalent among fallers, as compared to

no-fallers (depression score: 4.0 vs. 2.5). Vitamin D status was linked to

various functional and balance measurements (timed get up and go; Berg

balance test; overall functional score; lower extremity score and limitation

score). The authors conclude, " Serum folate was highly and negatively

associated with the number of falls and with prescribed medications and was

the only protective factor against falls in a multivariate analysis. "

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Summary# 47125

Topic: Fibromyalgia Patients With Mild to Moderate Vitamin D

Deficiency May Benefit From Vitamin Supplementation

Keywords: FIBROMYALGIA, VITAMIN D DEFICENCY - Vitamin D3,

Cholecalciferol

Reference: " Correlation of symptoms with vitamin d deficiency

and symptom response to cholecalciferol treatment: a randomized controlled

trial, " Arvold DS, Sjoberg RJ, et al, Endocr Pract, 2009; 15(3): 203-12.

(Address: St Luke's Internal Medicine Associates, Duluth, Minnesota 55802,

USA. E-mail: DArvold@... ).

Summary: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

involving 100 fibromyalgia patients with mild to moderate vitamin D

deficiency, results indicate that supplementation with vitamin D3

(cholecalciferol) may improve fibromyalgia symptoms. The patients were

randomized to 50,000 units of vitamin D3 or placebo weekly for 8 weeks.

Patients in the vitamin D3 group reported significant improvement in

fibromyalgia assessment scores, compared to patients in the placebo group.

Thus, the authors of this study conclude, " Compared with participants in the

placebo group, patients in the treatment group showed mild short-term

improvement in the overall fibromyalgia impact score. "

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Summary# 47126

Topic: Alpha-Tocopherol Supplementation May Improve Lipid

Profile In Hemodialysis Patients

Keywords: HEMODIALYSIS - Alpha-Tocopherol, LDL Cholesterol,

Electronegative LDL Cholesterol, Total Cholesterol

Reference: " Alpha-tocopherol supplementation decreases

electronegative low-density lipoprotein concentration [LDL(-)] in

haemodialysis patients, " Mafra D, Santos FR, et al, Nephrol Dial Transplant,

2009; 24(5): 1587-92. (Address: Department of Clinical Nutrition, Federal

Fluminense University (UFF), Niterói, Brazil. E-mail: dmafra@... ).

Summary: In a study involving 19 stable hemodialysis patients

(mean age = 50 years old), results indicate that supplementation with

alpha-tocopherol may decrease electronegative low-density lipoprotein

[LDL(-)], total and LDL cholesterol levels. The patients received 400 IU/day

alpha-tocopherol for 120 days. At intervention end, mean concentration of

LDL(-) decreased from 570.9 microg/mL to 169.1 microg/mL. Additionally,

alpha-tocopherol supplementation was associated with a reduction in total

cholesterol (-56 mg/dL) and LDL cholesterol (-15 mg/dL). Thus, the authors

of this study conclude, " The oral administration of alpha-tocopherol in HD

patients resulted in a significant decrease in the LDL(-), total cholesterol

and LDL-C levels. This effect may favour a reduction in cardiovascular risk

in these patients, but a larger study is required to confirm an effect in

this clinical setting. "

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Summary# 47133

Topic: Vitamin D Deficiency and Physical Inactivity: Preventable

Risk Factors for Hip Fractures

Keywords: HIP FRACTURE, BONE HEALTH, DIABETES - Vitamin D,

25(OH)D, Physical Activity, Exercise, BMI, PTH

Reference: " Hip fractures in the elderly in Israel-possible

impact of preventable conditions, " Segal E, Raichlin V, et al, Arch Gerontol

Geriatr, 2009; 48(2): 182-5. (Address: Sophia Ish-Shalom, The Bruce

Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology,

Haifa 31096, Israel. E-mail: s_ish_shalom@... ).

Summary: In a study involving 142 elderly hip fracture patients

and 96 community-dwelling elderly subjects without a history of hip

fracture, subjects with hip fracture were found to be less physically

active, to have lower 25(OH)D(3) levels, to have higher PTH levels, and to

have higher rates of vitamin D insufficiency during winter-spring as

compared to summer-autumn. The ratio of bone alkaline

phosphatase/deoxypyridinoline was found to be 1.5 in controls, as compared

to 0.53 in hip fracture patients. The researchers also found that diabetics

had a threefold increased risk of hip fracture (OR=3.9), and age and female

gender were the strongest predictors of hip fracture. These results suggest

that, " Vitamin D deficiency and physical inactivity are important

preventable risk factors for hip fracture. "

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Summary# 47130

Topic: Higher Carotenoid Levels Linked to Reduced Risk of

Metabolic Syndrome in Men

Keywords: METABOLIC SYNDROME, CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE,

TRIGLYCERIDES - Carotenoids, Beta-carotene, Alpha-carotene,

Beta-Cryptoxanthin, Lycopene, Lutein, Zeaxanthin, Antioxidants

Reference: " Dietary carotenoid intake is associated with lower

prevalence of metabolic syndrome in middle-aged and elderly men, " Slujis I,

Beulens JW, et al, J Nutr, 2009; 139(5): 987-92. (Address: Julius Center for

Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3508 GA

Utrecht, The Netherlands. E-mail: i.sluijs-2@... ).

Summary: In a population-based, cross-sectional study involving

374 men between the ages of 40 and 80 years, total carotenoid intake and

lycopene intake were found to be inversely associated with presence of the

metabolic syndrome. Of the study population, 22% were found to have the

metabolic syndrome. Compared to the lowest quartile, subjects in the highest

quartile of total carotenoid intake were found to have a 0.42 relative risk

of the metabolic syndrome, and those in the highest quartile of lycopene

intake were found to have a 0.55 relative risk of the metabolic syndrome.

Lycopene intake was also found to be associated with lower triglyceride

concentrations. In addition, higher intakes of total carotenoids,

beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, and lycopene were found to be associated with

lower waist circumference and lower visceral and subcutaneous fat mass.

These results suggest that intake of carotenoids may help to protect against

the metabolic syndrome.

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Summary# 47127

Topic: Vitamin Use During Early Pregnancy May Be Associated With

Reduced Risk of Miscarriage

Keywords: MISCARRIAGE, PREGNANCY - Vitamins

Reference: " Self-reported Vitamin Supplementation in Early

Pregnancy and Risk of Miscarriage, " Hasan R, Hartmann KE, et al, Am J

Epidemiol, 2009 Apr 16; [Epub ahead of print]. (Address: Department of

Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina-Chapel

Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7435, USA. E-mail: reem_hasan@... ).

Summary: In a prospective study involving 4,752 pregnant women,

results indicate that vitamin supplementation during early pregnancy was

associated with a reduced risk of miscarriage. Approximately, 95% of the

participants reported vitamin use during early pregnancy. 524 of the women

had a miscarriage. After adjusting for confounders, any use of vitamins

during early pregnancy was associated with a 57% reduced risk of

miscarriage, compared with no use of vitamins. Thus, the results of this

study suggest that use of vitamins during early pregnancy may reduce the

risk of miscarriage.

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