Additional Vitamin Supplements Research Articles

The Role of Vitamins in Mitigating the Effects of Various Stress Factors in Pigs Breeding.

Good practices in farm animal care are crucial for upholding animal well-being, efficiency, and health. Pigs, like other farm animals, are exposed to various stressors, including environmental, nutritional, chemical, psychological, physiological, and metabolic stressors, which can disrupt their internal balance and compromise their well-being. Oxidative stress can adversely affect animal performance, fertility, and immunity, leading to economic losses for farmers. Dietary considerations are hugely important in attaining these objectives. This paper reviews studies investigating the impact of additional vitamin supplementation on stress reduction in pigs. Vitamin A can be beneficial in counteracting viral and parasitic threats. Vitamin B can be a potential solution for reproductive issues, but it might also be beneficial in reducing the effects of inappropriate nutrition. Vitamin C plays a vital role in reducing the effects of heat stress or exposure to toxins in pigs. Vitamin D proves to be beneficial in addressing stress induced mostly by infections and weaning, while vitamin E has been shown to mitigate the effects of toxins, heat stress, or transport stress. This review highlights the potential benefits of these dietary antioxidants in maintaining pig health, enhancing productivity, and counteracting the adverse effects of various stressors. Understanding the role of vitamins in pig nutrition and stress management is vital for optimising farm animal welfare and production efficiency.

Effects of Breeding Practices on Reproductive Efficiency of Ewes and Fattening Performance of Lambs

In this study, the data obtained by questionnaire from small ruminant farms in Tekkeköy district of Samsun province were evaluated. Among the enterprises in the study, 50% of them breed Karayaka sheep, and 33.4% of them breed Bafra sheep. It was determined that 95.8% of the farmers applied flushing before ram siring, 83.3% of the farmers applied feed supplements to the ewes after birth, 95.8% of the farmers applied additional vitamin supplements to the lambs, and 83.3% of the farmers used salt-containing licking stones for the lambs. In the study, internal and external parasites were applied to the lambs to be fattened in all of the farms, and all of them were not released to pasture until sale. Winter lambs were fattened in 91.7% of the farms. The average age of the breeders is 50, and 1.08 rams are sired in an average year in the farms. The average age of lambs sent to slaughter is 4 months, and the average carcass weight at slaughter is 19.15 kg. Feed supplementation to the ewes after birth and application of salt-containing licking stones to the lambs had a positive effect on the average carcass weight of the fattened lambs. In this study, it was determined that winter lambs were preferred more than summer lambs. According to this result, by fattening winter lambs in this period when there is no pasture opportunity, both seasonal meat needs can be met, and it provides the opportunity to sell at high prices in the winter period. In this case, the breeder will earn more income.

The analysis of the clinical effectiveness of preventive therapy in pregnant women with moderate obesity and disorder of vitamin D metabolism

Annotation. Obesity during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of serious adverse perinatal outcomes. The aim of our clinical prospective study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of preventive therapy in pregnant women with obesity and vitamin D deficiency. Pregnant patients with obesity were divided into clinical subgroups, depending on the dose of vitamin D preparation at the beginning of preventive therapy in accordance with the initial serum level of 25(OH)D. The first subgroup of the clinical group of the prospective study - 24 women who had a level of 25(OH)D in blood serum less than 22.0 ng/ml, in addition to low dose (100 mg per day) of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) received vitamin D (4000 IU per day), the II-nd clinical subgroup consisted of 26 pregnant women who received ASA (100 mg per day) and vitamin D (2000 IU per day) with an initial serum concentration of 25(OH)D 22.1-28.0 ng/ml and III-d subgroup – 25 patients who received the low dose ASA and vitamin D (1000 IU per day), who had a serum 25(OH)D content of more than 28.1 ng/ml. Practically healthy pregnant women from the control group received 600 IU of vitamin D per day. The prescription of the drugs began at 10-12 weeks of pregnancy, and ended at 36 weeks of gestation. Variational and statistical processing of the research results was performed using the "STATISTICA 10" Enterprise Portable program. According to analysis of the clinical effectiveness of complex preventive therapy we found that a more positive effect was achieved with additional supplementation of vitamin D to pregnant women in a dose of 4000 IU (100 μg) per day with prior – the established level of 25(OH)D <20 nmol/l (12 ng/ml), against the appointment of 2000 IU of vitamin D (50 μg) to patients with a level of 25(OH)D of 20-30 nmol/l (8-12 ng/ml). The clinical effectiveness of the aforementioned preventive strategy was primarily a significant reduction in perinatal pathology cases (by 2 times), de novo hypertensive disorders (by 3.7 times), placental dysfunction (by 5.5 times) and fetal growth restriction (by 4.6 times), fetal distress (3.1 times), uterine subinvolution (3.7 times), postpartum septic complications (7.3 times), early neonatal adaptation disorders (2.5 times), newborn asphyxia (3, 2 times), as well as a significant decrease in cases of anomalies of labor activity (р=0.04), bacterial vaginosis (р=0.03). During and after using the proposed prophylactic therapy, there were no cases of side effects of the drugs, both on the part of the mother, and on the part of the fetus and newborn child.

Vitamin C Intervention for Critical COVID-19: A Pragmatic Review of the Current Level of Evidence.

Severe respiratory infections are characterized by elevated inflammation and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which may lead to a decrease in antioxidants such as vitamin C and a higher requirement for the vitamin. Administration of intravenous vitamin C to patients with pneumonia and sepsis appears to decrease the severity of the disease and potentially improve survival rate. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection causes pneumonia, sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in severe cases, and is referred to as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Patients with COVID-19 infection also appear to have depleted vitamin C status and require additional supplementation of vitamin C during the acute phase of the disease. To date there have been 12 vitamin C and COVID-19 trials published, including five randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and seven retrospective cohort studies. The current level of evidence from the RCTs suggests that intravenous vitamin C intervention may improve oxygenation parameters, reduce inflammatory markers, decrease days in hospital and reduce mortality, particularly in the more severely ill patients. High doses of oral vitamin C supplementation may also improve the rate of recovery in less severe cases. No adverse events have been reported in published vitamin C clinical trials in COVID-19 patients. Upcoming findings from larger RCTs will provide additional evidence on vitamin supplementation in COVID-19 patients.

Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation in Disease Activity, Activity-Related Markers, Inflammatory Marker and Serum Calcium of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patiens: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Effect of additional supplementation of vitamin D toward Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease activity still differ in results obtained between studies being conducted. The current meta-analysis systematically analyzed the effect of vitamin D supplementation on SLE disease activity with updated literature, also its effect toward other parameters.
 Material and Methods: Relevant literatures were obtained from PubMed database and Google Scholar. The obtained studies were analyzed using fixed effect model or random effect model.
 Results: Five eligible studies with a total of 318 participants were included. Vitamin D supplementation did not affect the total SLEDAI score in SLE patients with pooled mean difference of -0.96 (p =0.09; 95% CI: -2.06 to 0.14). Serum vitamin D level increased after administration of vitamin D with pooled mean difference of 12.67 (p =0.001; 95% CI: 5.04 to 20.29). vitamin D supplementation increase serum calcium levels, with pooled difference of 0.07 (p = 0.006; 95% CI: 0.02 to 0.12). Pooled results from two studies obtained vitamin D supplementation did not affect ESR, C3 and C4.
 Conclusions: Current meta-analysis obtained no significant changes in SLEDAI scores due to vitamin D supplementation. In contrast, serum vitamin D and serum calcium levels were increased.

Vitamin D does not improve lung function decline in COPD: a meta-analysis.

Vitamin D deficiency plays an important role in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the effects of vitamin D supplementation on lung function decline in COPD were inconsistently reported and a meta-analysis is thus needed. Eligible cohort and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were searched from databases including PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. Pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated in a random or fixed effects model. Eight studies reaching the inclusion criteria and involving 687 COPD patients were included. Pooled effect size showed vitamin D treatment resulted in no significant improvements in FEV1 (SMD: 0.38, 95% CI: -0.13 to 0.88, p= 0.144), FVC (SMD: 0.55, 95% CI: -0.49 to 1.58, p=0.299), and FEV1/FVC (SMD: 0.00, 95% CI: -0.27-0.27, p=0.995) in COPD patients. Subgroup analysis revealed neither short-term (<6 months) (SMD: 0.10, 95% CI: -0.17 to 0.37, p=0.479) nor long-term (≥6 months) (SMD: 0.52, 95% CI: -0.23 to 1.27, p=0.172) vitamin D exposure could significantly benefit lung function decline in COPD. This meta-analysis shows neither short-term nor long-term additional supplementation of vitamin D can benefit the lung function decline in COPD. Moreover, large scale RCTs focusing on COPD smokers with low level of vitamin D should be considered.

The effect of additional supplementation of vitamin E and zinc on endocrine and metabolic changes in dairy cows during peripartal period

The effect of additional supplementation of vitamin E and zinc on endocrine and metabolic changes in dairy cows during peripartal period

SUPPRESSING VITAMIN D AND CALCIUM IN PREGNANT WOMEN

The aim of this study was to evaluate the sufficiency of vitamin D and calcium intake for pregnant women according to the survey performed among pregnant women to determine their unfulfilled needs.Materials and methods. The survey was conducted among 60 pregnant women at 23-38 weeks of gestation, treated at the Ternopil municipal hospital No 2. The goal was to determine the amount and sources of vitamin D and calcium in the women’s body.Results. The average age of pregnant women was 23,4 ± 4,03 years, most of them (45,0%) had a higher education. Over half (51,7%) of the women under survey were first time mothers. Based on the women’s weekly diet, it has been found that the largest amount of vitamin D intake occurred with egg yolk (85,7 ± 18,1 IU), sea fish (65,1 ± 13,4 IU), animal products/meat (45,0 ± 2,1 IU). Calcium intake was predominant with meat (680,8 ± 8,2 mg) and dairy products: cottage cheese (153,3 ± 13,1 mg), milk (112,6 ± 11,3 mg) and hard cheese (102,1 ± 7,7 mg). The average daily intake of vitamin D with food was 324,7 ± 38,0 IU, calcium - 1468,5 ± 78,3 mg. Also, half of the pregnant women under the survey confirmed they intake fish oil. Multivitamin supplements including vitamin D of 400 IU were taken by 49 (81,7%) of pregnant women.Conclusions. Survey results show insufficient vitamin D dietary intakes, while there is a sufficient supply of calcium, mainly due to the consumption of dairy and meat products. Additional supplementation of vitamin D should be considered.

PENGARUH SUPLEMENTASI VITAMIN D TERHADAP NILAI PENGUKURAN FEV1/ FVC PADA PENDERITA ASMA TERKONTROL SEBAGIAN

Background:Airflow resistance in asthma caused by changes in the airways that is bronchoconstriction,airway edema, airway hyperresponsiveness and airway remodeling. Vitamin D supplementation is expectedto raise the value of the measurement of FEV1/ FVC in patients with asthma controlled in part through therole of vitamin D in terms of antiviral effects, atopic response, response improvement steroid and preventairway remodeling process.Objective:Comparing the measurement values of FEV1/ FVC in patients withasthma controlled most of which do not get supplemental vitamin D than getting supplemental vitaminD.Methods:This study is a randomized experimental simple study. This research was conducted in drSoetomo Hospital from June to July 2015. The sampling technique using consecutive sampling. Sampleswere divided into two groups each consisting of 14 samples which have earned a combined therapy ofinhaled corticosteroids and LABA. The control group that was not given additional vitamin Dsupplementation and the treatment group were given supplements of vitamin D for 1 month. Measurementand main result:Testing of data distribution using the ShapiroWilk method because the sample size is lessthan 50. The result of the difference in FEV1 / FVC with a paired sample t - test is known that in the controlgroup (not given additional vitamin D supplements) did not occur significant difference (p = 0.219&gt; 0.05),while the treatment group (given additional vitamin supplements D) proved significant difference (p = 0.020&lt;0.05) where the value of FEV1 / FVC after being given additional vitamin D supplements increased to96.071% of the initial conditions is 84.786%.Conclusions:The measurement values of FEV1/ FVC in patientswith asthma controlled most of which get vitamin D supplementation are the most significant increasecompared to the control group who did not receive supplementation ofvitamin D.

Вплив згодовування плідникам райдужної форелі ганаміновіту на виживання заплідненої ікри та передличинок

The aim of research was a study the effect of influence of feeding by feed supplement of Ganaminovit the breeding stock of rainbow trout on the state of fertilized eggs and pre-larvae. The task of research was to study influence of Ganaminovit on the survival of fertilized eggs and on the productive effect of larvae in the conditions of the closed water-supply. The breeding stock of rainbow trout were fed by the extruded mixed fodders with Ganaminovit in 2015 during two months to and after spawning and in 2016 before spawning. The influence of feeding rainbow trout breeding stock, along with extruded feed vitamin supplements – Ganaminovit on the survival rate of fertilized eggs and pre-larvae for the mass of 0.3 g. It is established that in conditions of closed water system in the pre-spawning and after-spawning periods of the breeding stock of rainbow trout requires additional vitamin supplements, other than those included in the modern extruded food. The introduction supplements for two months, before incubation, promotes more rapid recovery of the body in after-spawning period and enhances immunity and high survival rates of eggs and of pre-larvae for the mass of 0.3 g. Mortality of eggs in the control group of breeding stock at the stage of the eye was 61.7%, and the increase of weight of the larvae during transition to active feeding in 2015–0,041 g. In 2016, these figures were higher and amounted to respectively 79.4% of and 0.052 g.

Vitamin D Supplementation in the Treatment of Chronic Heart Failure: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

In recent years, there has been growing evidence that vitamin D deficiency is associated with the development and progression of chronic heart failure (CHF). Additional supplementation of vitamin D may have protective effects in patients with CHF. We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases through June 2015 and included 7 randomized controlled trials that investigated the effects of vitamin D on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with CHF. Then, we performed a meta-analysis of clinical trials to confirm whether vitamin D supplementation is beneficial in CHF patients. The weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using fixed- or random-effects models. Our pooled results indicated that additional supplementation of vitamin D was not superior to conventional treatment in terms of left ventricular ejection fraction, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, and 6-minute walk distance. Moreover, vitamin D supplementation was associated with significant decreases in the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (WMD: -2.42 pg/mL, 95% CI: -4.26 to -0.57, P < 0.05), C-reactive protein (WMD: -0.72 mg/L, 95% CI: -1.42 to -0.02, P < 0.05), and parathyroid hormone (WMD: -13.44 pg/mL, 95% CI: -21.22 to -5.67, P < 0.05). Vitamin D supplementation may decrease serum levels of parathyroid hormone and inflammatory mediators in CHF patients, whereas it has no beneficial effects on improvement of left ventricular function and exercise tolerance.

Association Between Vitamin D Deficiency and Primary Cesarean Section

Rickets (rachitic pelvis) was a common cause of death in childbirth in industrialized nations at the turn of the 20th century and associated with a steep rise in cesarean section rates. The addition of vitamin D to milk caused the virtual disappearance of rickets, but recent reports suggest that vitamin D deficiency is now widespread in industrialized nations. In 2 previous studies, a high incidence of vitamin D deficiency was found in pregnant and lactating women. Another study reported that 50% of mothers and 65% of newborns infants were severely vitamin D deficient (25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D: <30 nmol/L]) at the time of birth despite drinking vitamin D fortified milk and taking a prenatal vitamin D supplement. It is possible that deficiency of this vitamin may play a role in the nearly 50% increase in primary cesarean sections in the last decade. This study investigated the association between serum concentrations of maternal vitamin D (serum 25(OH)D) at birth and the frequency of primary cesarean section among 253 women enrolled at an urban teaching hospital. Demographic and medical data were obtained from maternal medical records. Maternal serum 25(OH)D was measured within 72 hours of delivery. Serum 25(OH)D was a proxy for vitamin D status. Maternal vitamin D deficiency was defined as serum 25(OH)D less than 37.5 nmol/L (15 ng/mL). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to adjust the data for several variables, including race, age, education level, insurance status, and alcohol use. Of the 253 study subjects, 43 (17%) had a primary cesarean section. The frequency of cesarean section and levels of serum 25(OH)D had an inverse association. In unadjusted analysis, more than twice as many women with serum 25(OH)D less than 37.5 nmol/L had a primary cesarean section compared to those with 25(OH)D 37.5 nmol/L or greater (P = 0.012). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that a primary cesarean section in women with vitamin D deficiency was nearly 4 times more likely compared to women without deficiency (adjusted OR, 3.84; 95% CI, 1.71-8.62). These findings show a clear association between vitamin D deficiency and increased likelihood of primary cesarean section and suggest the need for a randomized trial to determine whether additional vitamin supplementation could reduce the cesarean section rate.

Vitamin Status of High Altitude (3660 m) Acclimatized Human Subjects During Consumption of Tinned Rations

To find out the nutritional status of sea-level residents acclimated to an altitude of 3660 m with respect to vitamin and nutrient requirements while consuming fresh and tinned rations. Initially, high altitude acclimatized human subjects (n = 40) were evaluated for their general nutritional status along with energy intake and expenditure and physical fitness score while they were on fresh rations. Thereafter, subjects were fed tinned rations in two groups of 20 each. Of the two groups, one group had vitamin supplementation and the other was without any vitamin supplementation for 30 days. Thereafter, all the variables were studied once again. Daily total energy intake when subjects consumed fresh and tinned rations was 19.087 +/- 0.347 MJ and 19.417 +/- 0.342 MJ, respectively, whereas the total energy expenditure was 15.705 +/- 1.054 MJ per day for both the groups. After consuming tinned rations for 30 days, the placebo group showed a significant (P < .01) decrease in levels of plasma vitamin A and erythrocyte trans-ketolase activity (a marker of thiamin status) in comparison to the status when subjects were on fresh rations. However, levels of these variables were well within acceptable range. Subjects maintained their body weights and physical fitness scores. No clinical deficiency was seen after consuming tinned rations for 30 days. The study indicates that no additional vitamin supplementation is required at high altitude after acclimatization when consuming fresh rations and at least for 30 days when consuming tinned rations.

Serum vitamin A concentration in dogs with experimentally induced exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.

Serum concentration of Vitamin A was determined in dogs with experimentally induced exocrine pancreatic insufficiency following oral administration of vitamin A, or pancreatic enzyme and vitamin A. In dogs receiving vitamin A alone, serum vitamin A concentration was significantly lower than that of dogs supplemented with pancreatic enzyme and vitamin A. In dogs with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, serum vitamin A concentration was lower than in healthy dogs. In healthy dogs, the normal range of serum vitamin A concentration is high in comparison with other species, and humans. It is concluded that in dogs with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, additional supplementation of vitamin A may be needed.

Cost-effectiveness of vitamin therapy to lower plasma homocysteine levels for the prevention of coronary heart disease: effect of grain fortification and beyond.

A high homocysteine level has been identified as an independent modifiable risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD) events and death. Since January 1998, the US Food and Drug Administration has required that all enriched grain products contain 140 microg of folic acid per 100 g, a level considered to decrease homocysteine levels. To examine the potential effect of grain fortification with folic acid on CHD events and to estimate the cost-effectiveness of additional vitamin supplementation (folic acid and cyanocobalamin) for CHD prevention. Cost-effectiveness analysis using the Coronary Heart Disease Policy Model, a validated, state-transition model of CHD events in adults aged 35 through 84 years. Data from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) were used to estimate age- and sex-specific differences in homocysteine levels. Hypothetical comparison between a diet that includes enriched grain products projected to increase folic acid intake by 100 microg/d with the same diet without folic acid fortification; and a comparison between vitamin therapy that consists of 1 mg of folic acid and 0.5 mg of cyanocobalamin and the diet that includes grains fortified with folic acid. Incidence of myocardial infarction and death from CHD, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) saved, and medical costs. Grain fortification with folic acid was predicted to decrease CHD events by 8% in women and 13% in men, with comparable reductions in CHD mortality. The model projected that, compared with grain fortification alone, treating all patients with known CHD with folic acid and cyanocobalamin over a 10-year period would result in 310 000 fewer deaths and lower costs. Over the same 10-year period, providing vitamin supplementation in addition to grain fortification to all men aged 45 years or older without known CHD was projected to save more than 300 000 QALYs, to save more than US $2 billion, and to be the preferred strategy. For women without CHD, the preferred vitamin supplementation strategy would be to treat all women older than 55 years, a strategy projected to save more than 140 000 QALYs over 10 years. Folic acid and cyanocobalamin supplementation may be cost-effective among many population subgroups and could have a major epidemiologic benefit for primary and secondary prevention of CHD if ongoing clinical trials confirm that homocysteine-lowering therapy decreases CHD event rates.

Premature infants require additional folate and vitamin B-12 to reduce the severity of the anemia of prematurity

One hundred eighty-four premature infants, < 1800 g at birth and < 36 wk gestation, were entered into a study investigating the role of additional folate and vitamin B-12 supplementation of the anemia of prematurity. All patients initially received vitamin E and iron in accordance with accepted standards. Patients were randomly assigned to four groups to receive orally 0.1 mg folate/d for 4 mo, 100 micrograms vitamin B-12 intramuscularly monthly for 4 mo, both supplements, or neither. All other activities including parenteral nutrition were carried out according to established practices, irrespective of study group. By 10-12 wk, infants treated with vitamin B-12 alone or combined with folate had higher hemoglobin values than the untreated (P < 0.0005) or solely folate-treated (P < 0.01) groups. These findings held true irrespective of wide variations in treatment and feeding practices. The only uncontrolled hematologic nutritional factor, selenium, showed a similar pattern of decline for 10-12 wk in all study patients, whether or not they received additional vitamin supplements.

Nutrition and Aging

Aging is multifactorial and is dependent on genetic, life-style, and environmental factors. Successful aging relies upon a nutritionally complete diet and adequate exercise to counteract some of the physiologic changes related to age. A nutritionally sound diet for wellness in normal elderly is outlined which usually does not require additional vitamin supplements. Protein-calorie malnutrition is very prevalent in older patients with chronic disease, living alone, and receiving low income. Nutritional assessment and early intervention in the hospitalized elderly patient is extremely important to reduce the morbidity associated with this disease.

EFFECT OF THIOUREA ON BODY FAT AND LIVER GLYCOGEN OF RATS

NUMEROUS PAPERS have been published in the past few years showing that thiourea suppresses the formation of thyroxin by the thyroid gland, although the exact mechanism has not been fully explained. Since thyroxin is such an important metabolic stimulant, the experiments here reported were started to determine whether this suppression of thyroxin formation affected the neutral fat and cholesterol content of the animal's bodies, skins, and livers. Studies are also reported on the possible inhibiting action of the feeding of dried thyroid gland on the changes from the thiourea administration. In one experiment liver glycogen was also determined since the histological picture of the liver indicated a high glycogen content of the livers of the thiourea fed animals. Young Albino rats of the Wister strain were used in all the experiments. In experiment 1 the animals were fed Rockland rat diet without additional vitamin supplements. Diets of known composition were used in experiments 2-10.