Daily Cr Research Articles

Randomised controlled trial of intermittent calorie restriction in people with multiple sclerosis

BackgroundCalorie restriction (CR) ameliorates preclinical models of multiple sclerosis (MS) via multiple mechanisms. These include decreased leptin, a proinflammatory adipokine, but mechanistic studies in humans are lacking. Tests of daily...

INFLUENCE OF GEOMAGNETIC DISTURBANCE ON THE PSYCHOLOGICALSTATE OFTHEINHABITANTS OFTHE N

The aim of the work was to determine the influence of geomagnetic disturbance on the psychoemotional status of residents of polar and Subpolar latitudes. Materials and methods. 44 male and female volunteers with an average age of 49.2 (41.7; 55.4) years, living in auroral and sub – auroral latitudes were examined using tests of Ch. Spielberger-Yu. Hanin, E. Khaimah and psychosomatic techniques. The daily CR index (Computed Radiography) was used as an integral indicator of geomagnetic disturbance. Results. The volunteers were divided into two groups: psychologically sensitive to changes in space weather (I) and-not having such sensitivity (II) (based on the presence or absence of certain coincidences of the peak values of reactive anxiety and the CR index). The groups had an equal number of persons. It was found that the most problematic area of stress-overcoming behavior in both groups was behavioral, the most effective for group I — cognitive, for group II — emotional sphere. Individuals with psychological sensitivity to geomagnetic disturbances were significantly more anxious than those who did not have this sensitivity. Conclusion. Thus, despite the fact that all the inhabitants of the Northern latitudes observed by us were not sufficiently effective in constructing the actual stressovercoming behavior, the risk of developing psychosomatic diseases was higher in the owners of psychological sensitivity to geomagnetic disturbance, taking into account their tendency to suppress emotions and significantly higher anxiety.

A low-fiber diet requires a longer adaptation period before collecting feces of pigs compared with a high-fiber diet in digestibility experiments using the inert marker method

The objective was to determine a minimum adaptation period in total tract digestibility experiments using the inert marker method for pigs fed a low- or high-fiber diet. Eight barrows with an initial body weight of 81.5 kg (standard deviation = 5.1) were assigned to 2 dietary treatments in a crossover design. A low-fiber diet was formulated based on ground corn, cornstarch, and soybean meal to contain 50 g/kg amylase-treated neutral detergent fiber. A high-fiber diet was prepared based on ground corn, corn distillers dried grains with solubles, and corn cobs to contain 296 g/kg amylase-treated neutral detergent fiber. In both diets, chromic oxide was included at 5 g/kg as an indigestible inert marker. Daily feed allowance was approximately 2.4% of initial body weight. Equal meals were provided at 0800 and 1700 h. After feeding diets without supplemental chromium (Cr) for 4 days, experimental diets with supplemental Cr were provided to pigs for 8 days. Total fecal collection was conducted during the 8 days with 24-h intervals. Daily Cr concentrations in feces increased linearly and quadratically (P < 0.001) in both low- and high-fiber diet groups as the collection days passed. The break point for fecal Cr concentration in the low-fiber diet group and high-fiber diet group was day 5.46 (SE = 0.145, P < 0.001) and day 3.49 (SE = 0.098, P < 0.001), respectively, based on a one-slope broken-line analysis. Coefficient of apparent total tract digestibility values of energy and nutrients (dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein) on day 3 and day 4 were lower (P < 0.001) than those on day 6–8 in the low-fiber diet. In pigs fed the high-fiber diet, the coefficient of apparent total tract digestibility of energy and nutrients on day 3 was lower (P < 0.001) than those on day 4–8. In conclusion, the minimum adaption period to achieve a constant inert marker concentration in feces is longer in a low-fiber diet compared with a high-fiber diet. We suggest an adaptation period of at least 6 days before grab sampling of feces when dietary fiber concentration is low.

EFFECT OF TRIVALENT CHROMIUM ON GROWTH HORMONE AND INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR-I IN OVARIOHYSTERECTOMIZED RATS

Changes in sex hormones following neutering appear to influence development of obesity by directly affecting satiety and metabolism, and indirectly affecting cell metabolism and hormone regulation. Trivalent chromium (Cr[Formula: see text]), an essential trace element in humans and animals, plays an important role in the metabolism and regulation of hormones such as growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). This study is to observe whether the effect of Cr[Formula: see text] on body weight gain and regulation of GH and IGF-1 after estradiol deprivation in rat model. All 8-week-old Sprague Dawley (SD) female rats were divided into four groups ([Formula: see text]): control, ovariohysterectomy (OHE), chromium (Cr) and OHE with Cr groups. GH and IGF-1 were determined at 14-, 18- and 22-week-old, respectively. In results, the body weights of ovariohysterectomized rats had been significantly higher ([Formula: see text]0.05) than that of intact rats since 12-week-old. The GH levels in OHE with Cr[Formula: see text] supplement group were decreased gradually and even reached to significantly lower in comparison to control group at 22 week-old. The IGF-1 levels in both OHE groups were significantly higher ([Formula: see text]0.05) than that in control group at 14- and 18-week-old, respectively. The results of this study did not provide the evidence concerning that the daily Cr[Formula: see text] supplement can regulate the GH and IGF-1 levels due to estradiol deprivation in ovariohysterectomized rats.

Determination of hexavalent chromium in ambient air: A story of method induced Cr(III) oxidation

Abstract The accuracy of the determination of Cr(VI) in ambient particulate matter remains a challenge from the point of view of minimal Cr species interconversion. Knowledge of this method induced oxidation and reduction is particularly relevant for the determination of Cr(VI) in ambient particulate matter, as the level of observed Cr(III) oxidation (average of 1.7% in this study) can contribute significantly to the monitored range of measured Cr(VI) in PM 10 . For Cr concentrations in PM 10 > 10 ng Cr m −3 , this method induced oxidation could lead to false positive exceeding of an air quality guideline value of 0.2 ng Cr(VI) m −3 in PM 10 . The median daily Cr(VI) concentration in PM 10 measured over a monitoring period of more than 2 months at two locations close to a stainless steel factory amounted to 0.9 ng Cr(VI) m −3 and 0.27 ng Cr(VI) m −3 . Average daily Cr(VI)/Cr ratios in PM 10 of 3.5% and 2.6% were measured at these locations. The described monitoring for the determination of Cr(VI) in ambient air via alkaline impregnated filters is sensitive (method detection limit of 0.015 ng Cr(VI) m −3 ) and reproducible (precision of the method ∼25%). The average Cr(VI) recovery of 75% strongly indicates the effects of ambient sampling conditions and ambient particles on the Cr(VI) recoveries. The stability of the Cr(VI) and the Cr(III) spike on 0.12 M NaHCO 3 impregnated filters observed with XANES, indicates that the alkaline extraction of the filter in combination with the sampled air matrix is likely to induce the Cr conversions. The XANES spectra shows further that a Cr-spinel is the predominant component of Cr in ambient air PM 10 at the monitored locations.

Food chromium content, dietary chromium intake and related biological variables in French free-living elderly

Trivalent chromium (Cr3+) is an essential trace element involved in insulin function. Cr deficiencies result in decreased insulin sensitivity, glucose intolerance and an increased risk of diabetes. Cr status decreases with age suggesting that the elderly may be at high risk of Cr deficiency. This study aimed to provide information about the Cr content of foods in France and the Cr intake in French free-living elderly. We measured the food Cr content and daily Cr intake of freely chosen diets for 3 d in twelve French free-living elderly people and their Cr excretion and plasma hormonal related variables, leptin, insulin and cortisol. Considering the relationship between insulin resistance and oxidative stress, we also determined plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substance, thiol groups and total and reduced glutathione. Although these subjects had well-balanced diets, their daily Cr intakes did not reach the French recommendations. The low Cr intakes were due to the low Cr density of the foods. We found a negative correlation between Cr intakes and insulin, BMI and leptin.

Long-Term Follow-Up Confirms the Benefit of All-Trans Retinoic Acid (ATRA) and Arsenic Trioxide (As2O3) as Front Line Therapy for Newly Diagnosed Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL).

PURPOSE: To further confirm the benifit of front-line use of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) combined with arsenic trioxide (As2O3) in patients with newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), we observed the long-term survival of the current group (median follow-up: 48 months) and compared it with our historical control.PATIENTS AND METHODS: There were two groups of patients with newly diagnosed APL enrolled in this analysis. The current cohort of patients includes 60 patients since April 2001. The historical cohort of patients included 56 patients from May 1998 to March 2001. No statistically significant differences were found between these two groups in terms of clinical characteristics including sex and age distribution or hematological data before treatment. For the current cohort of patients, all patients received 25mg/m2 ATRA orally and 0.16mg/kg As2O3 intravenously per day till CR. Once CR achieved, they were given 3 courses of consolidation chemotherapy and then 5 cycles of sequential treatment of ATRA, As2O3 and 6-MP/MTX. For the historical group, ATRA was given either 25mg/m2 daily till CR, chemotherapy was added in case of leukocytosis. The post-remission therapy consists of chemotherapy with or without ATRA. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RQ-RT-PCR) measurements of PML-RARa mRNA were retrospectively assessed before treatment, after CR, after consolidation, after maintenance and during follow-up period. The efficacy of these two protocol in terms of remission induction, molecular response and long-term survival were compared with our historical control. RESULT: In the current group, 56 (93.3%) patients achieved CR, and the median time to CR was 27 days. Compared with the historical group, the combined therapy induced an early hematological response. Till the last follow-up at April 2006, two patients underwent extramedullary relapse, one of them also relapsed in marrow thereafter, one patient died from CNS leukemia, and all the other patients were alive and remained in hematological remission. With a median follow-up of 48 months (25 to 60 months), the 4-year OS and EFS was estimated 98.1%±1.8% and 94.2%±3.3%. For the historical group, after a median follow-up of 56 months (12 to 79 months), the 4-year OS and EFS was estimated 83.4%±5.4% (P=0.012) and 45.6%±7.6% (P<0.00001). For the current group, PML-RARa normalized dose was more significantly decreased after remission induction and after consolidation as compared with the historical cohort. In the last follow-up, all of the available event-free patients of the current group remain in molecular remission (PML-RARa DoseN undetectable). CONCLUSION: These 4-year data of follow-up demonstated a benefit of front-line combination of ATRA and As2O3 regarding long-term survival (OS or EFS) of patients with newly diagnosed APL. With prolonged follow-up, we might be able to find a better chance of curing the disease.

Effects of long-term creatine feeding and running on isometric functional measures and myosin heavy chain content of rat skeletal muscles

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether creatine (Cr) supplementation during 12 weeks of phasic high-frequency voluntary wheel running would result in a faster myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform profile in the rat mixed fast-twitch plantaris and alter its corresponding isometric contractile properties. The fast-twitch extensor digitorum longus and medial gastrocnemius and slow-twitch soleus were also studied. Forty weanling Sprague-Dawley male rats were assigned to one of four groups: creatine-sedentary (Cre-Sed); creatine-voluntary running (Cre-Run); control-sedentary (Con-Sed); control-voluntary running (Con-Run). Daily running distance was similar between Cre-Run and Con-Run. Average daily Cr ingestion was also similar being 2.4+/-0.17 and 3.0+/-0.14 g/kg in Cre-Sed and Cre-Run, respectively. Total creatine (TCr) content was elevated (P<0.03) in the plantaris of Cre-Run [211.4+/-16.9 mmol/kg dry weight (dw)], compared with Con-Run (175.1+/-5.69). In the plantaris, MHCIIb was 13% greater (P<0.00001) in Cre-Run compared with Con-Run, while MHCIId/x and MHCIIa were lower in Cre-Run by 7 and 6% (P<0.0002), respectively. No differences were observed in twitch force, time-to-peak tension, half-rise time or half-fall time. Greater tetanic force production (P<0.05) in Cre-Sed compared with Con-Sed corresponded to a 12% increase in MHCIId/x (P<0.0001) and a 12% decrease in MHCIIb (P<0.0006). The fatigue index of the plantaris at 10 s (FI(10s)) was reduced only after running (Cre-Run vs Con-Run), while in all other muscles the FI(10s) was lower only in the Cre-Sed group. In conclusion, Cr supplementation had differential effects on MHC isoform content and fatigability that depended on the level of contractile activity. Cr feeding combined with running exercise resulted in a faster MHC-based phenotype in the rat plantaris but the impact on associated isometric contractile properties was minimal.

A 3-Year Follow-Up of All-Trans Retinoic Acid (ATRA) and Arsenic Trioxide (As2O3) as Front Line Therapy for Newly Diagnosed Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL).

PURPOSE: To confirm the potential benefit of front-line use of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) combined with arsenic trioxide (As2O3) in patients with newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) with prolonged follow-up to median of 3-year and compared with historical control.PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two groups of newly diagnosed patients with APL were included in the analysis. The study group received combination therapy of ATRA and As2O3 includes 56 patients since April 2001. The historical control groups included 56 patients from May 1998 to March 2001. No statistically significant differences of clinical characteristics such as sex, age and hematological data were documented between two groups. For the study group groups, all patients received 25mg/m2 ATRA orally and 0.16mg/kg As2O3 intravenously per day till CR. Once CR achieved, they were given 3 courses of consolidation chemotherapy and then 5 cycles of sequential treatment of ATRA, As2O3 and 6-MP/MTX. For the historical group, the induction therapy was ATRA given at 25mg/m2 daily till CR and chemotherapy was added in case of leukocytosis. The post-remission therapy consists of chemotherapy with ATRA.RESULT: In study group, 52 (92.9%) patients achieved CR and the time to CR was 26.4±4.5 days. At last follow-up at February 2005, only two patients underwent extramedullary relapse and one died from CNS leukemia while all other patients were alive and remained in hematological remission. With a median follow-up of 34 months (21 to 46 months), the 3-year OS and EFS were estimated as 97.4% and 93.5%. For the historical control groups, the median follow-up was 56 months (12 to 79 months). The 3-year estimated OS and EFS was 83.2% and 57.7% (P=0.069 and 0.00001 respectively). Of notice, in the last follow-up, all evaluable patients in clinical remission maintained a complete molecular response (undetectable PML-RARa via both regular and real-time RT-PCR).CONCLUSION: Our 3-year follow-up data demonstrate a solid clinical benefit of front-line combination of ATRA and As2O3 in terms of EFS. There was also a trend toward improvement in OS which might translate into better chance of curing the disease.

Clinical Observation on the Efficacy of All-Trans Retinoic Acid (ATRA) Combined with Arsenic Trioxide (As2O3) in Newly Diagnosed Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL).

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy of front-line use of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) combined with arsenic trioxide (As2O3) in patients with newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL).PATIENTS AND METHODS: Since 2001, 61 patients have received ATRA (25mg/m2) and As2O3 (0.16mg/kg) daily till CR and all patients received 3 consolidation chemotherapy and then received 5 cycles of sequential treatment of ATRA, As2O3 and 6-MP/MTX. The efficacy of treatment protocol in induction remission, molecular response and relapse-free survival were compared with our historical control.RESULT: 58 (95.1%) patients achieved CR and all remain relapse free with the current protocol. Though ATRA/As2O3 duet did not improve the hematological/molecular remission rate and reduced the early mortality after induction, it did induce an early hematological response (26.1±4.1 days). During limited follow-up (20 to 39 months), both RFS and OS are significantly increased in patients who received the ATRA/As2O3/chemotherapy triad as post-remission therapy compared to the historical control. PML-RARa mRNA was retrospectively assessed by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RQ-RT-PCR) before treatment, after CR, after consolidation and during follow-up period in 36 patients with ATRA and As2O3 combination treatment. PML-RARa normalized dose was found to be more significantly decreased after remission induction (median fold reduction: 335.8), and after consolidation (median fold reduction: 358362.2), as compared with ATRA or As2O3 mono-therapy. The addition of As2O3 into post-remission therapy can further increase the post-remission molecular response through either qualitative or quantitative RT-PCR measurement.CONCLUSION: Our current follow-up data suggested a potential benefit of front-line combination of ATRA and As2O3, which might translate into better chance of curing the disease.

Pesticide exposure and creatinine variation among young children.

Pesticide exposure may differentially impact young children; they live closer to the ground and take in greater amounts of food relative to body mass than older children or adults. We are using an organophosphate (OP) urinary biomarker screen (gas chromatography with flame photometric detection, GC/FPD) to evaluate pesticide exposure among 154 children < or = 6 years of age living in a heavily farmed border (US-Mexico) community. The screen detects diethylphosphates (DEPs) and dimethylphosphates (DMPs) above a reference range of 1000 non-occupationally exposed individuals (DL=25 microg/g creatinine, Cr). At least one metabolite was detected for 33% of the subjects; many samples contained multiple biomarkers. DEP was detected in 5% of the subjects. DMP and DMTP were frequently measured (25% and 26%, respectively). Biomarker concentrations are adjusted by the body's metabolism of Cr as an indicator of urine dilution. Cr concentrations were examined separately to evaluate their effect on internal dose measures. Cr concentrations were significantly different by season (K-W=0.83, P=0.022). Significant differences exist between the autumn:spring (P=0.038) Cr concentrations and between summer:autumn (P=0.041) Cr concentrations based on Mann-Whitney U=1070.5, z=-2.041, (P=0.041). Our analysis of NHANES III data did not reflect seasonal Cr differences for 6 year olds. No younger children were included. Absorbed daily dose (ADD) estimates were calculated for children with the highest concentrations of metabolite. Calculations are theoretical values assuming that the entirety of a given metabolite was metabolized from a single pesticide. Several class appropriate pesticides were evaluated. For the children with the highest levels, almost all estimated ADDs exceeded the RfD. Although the actual metabolite concentrations dropped appreciably, ADD were still exceeded RfDs at the 95th percentile. The urinary OP screen was effective in identifying subjects with atypical internal doses. Daily Cr yield is a critical component in ADD calculations. Cr variability produces differences in internal dose measurement and estimates of ADD independent of exposure. Cr variability among young children needs to be examined, and caution should be applied when evaluating Cr adjusted internal doses for children.

High-dose cytarabine dose modification reduces the incidence of neurotoxicity in patients with renal insufficiency.

To determine the impact of high-dose cytarabine (ARA-C) (HDAC) dose modification, based on renal function, on the incidence of neurotoxicity (NT). We retrospectively analyzed the records of 256 patients treated with HDAC (> or = 2.0 g/m2 per dose) for acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). From 1985 to 1994, a total of 358 cycles of HDAC were administered, using either a twice-daily schedule (n = 208) or a once-daily regimen (n = 48). In 1989, a dose-modification algorithm was initiated at our institution, which reduced ARA-C doses in the setting of renal insufficiency (RI). For patients with a serum creatinine (Cr) level of 1.5 to 1.9 mg/dL during treatment, or an increase in Cr during treatment (deltaCr) of 0.5 to 1.2 mg/dL, ARA-C was decreased to 1 g/m2 per dose. For patients with a Cr > or = 2.0 mg/dL or a deltaCr greater 1.2 mg/dL, the dose was reduced to 0.1 g/m2/d. Overall, the incidence of NT was 16% (34 of 208) for patients treated with twice-daily HDAC and 0% (none of 48) for patients treated with daily HDAC (P = .003). NT occurred more often in patients treated on a twice-daily schedule with 3 g/m2 per dose compared with 2 g/m2 per dose (25% v 8%; P = .009). NT occurred in 55% of the twice-daily-treated patients with RI, compared with 7% of those with normal renal function (P = .00001). In patients with RI, NT occurred in none of 11 dose-modified cycles versus five of 11 (45%) total unmodified cycles (P = .01). None of 14 patients treated with once-daily HDAC given during RI developed NT, compared to 55% of patients (23 of 42) receiving twice-daily HDAC during RI (P = .009). By univariate analysis, NT was not associated with patient age or serum alkaline phosphatase, but NT was significantly increased in patients treated with twice-daily HDAC when the serum bilirubin was > or = 2.0 mg/dL compared with twice-daily HDAC given when the total bilirubin was less than 2.0 mg/dL (33% v 14%; P = .017). Multivariate analysis confirmed that RI was the most significant risk factor associated with the development of NT. HDAC NT is strongly associated with RI. The risk of HDAC NT can be reduced by the following: (1) routinely reducing the ARA-C dose from 3 to 2 g/m2 per dose; (2) modifying the ARA-C dose based on daily Cr values; and (3) administering HDAC on a once-daily rather than twice-daily schedule.

Chromium, selenium, and other trace element intakes of a selected sample of Canadian premenopausal women

Daily Cr, Se, Ag, Cs, Rb, Sb, and Sc intakes of 84 Canadian women aged 30.3±6.1 yr (mean±SD) living in a University community and consuming self-selected diets were determined by analyses of 1-d food composites collected by the subjects. Aliquots of the homogenized food composites were freeze-dried and then analyzed by instrumental neutron activation procedures following irradiation for 72h. In all cases, trace element concentrations in the food composites were non-Gaussian. Median daily intakes were: Cr, 47 μg; Se, 74 μg; Ag, 7.1 μg; Cs, 4.4 μg; Rb, 1.5 mg; Sb 2.0 μg; and Sc, 0.38 μg. Sixty percent and 24% of the subjects received daily Cr and Se intakes, respectively, below the US Food and Nutrition Board safe and adequate range. High Cr density diets were associated with a significantly higher consumption of cheese and dry legumes and nuts (p<0.05). In the high Se density diets, intakes of grain products and breakfast cereals were significantly higher (p<0.05), and intakes of potatoes, table fats, total fat, saturated fat, and oleic acid were significantly lower (p<0.05) compared to the low Se density diets. The low daily Cr intakes evident in this study may be cause for concern in view of the increasing evidence that women may be at greater risk for deficiency of Cr than men because of Cr depletion during pregnancy.