High Lipid Intake Research Articles

Inhibitory effect of dietary lipids on chaperone-mediated autophagy

Cytosolic proteins can be selectively delivered to lysosomes for degradation through a type of autophagy known as chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA). CMA contributes to intracellular quality control and to the cellular response to stress. Compromised CMA has been described in aging and in different age-related disorders. CMA substrates cross the lysosomal membrane through a translocation complex; consequently, changes in the properties of the lysosomal membrane should have a marked impact on CMA activity. In this work, we have analyzed the impact that dietary intake of lipids has on CMA activity. We have found that chronic exposure to a high-fat diet or acute exposure to a cholesterol-enriched diet both have an inhibitory effect on CMA. Lysosomes from livers of lipid-challenged mice had a marked decrease in the levels of the CMA receptor, the lysosome-associated membrane protein type 2A, because of loss of its stability at the lysosomal membrane. This accelerated degradation of lysosome-associated membrane protein type 2A, also described as the mechanism that determines the decline in CMA activity with age, results from its increased mobilization to specific lipid regions at the lysosomal membrane. Comparative lipidomic analyses revealed qualitative and quantitative changes in the lipid composition of the lysosomal membrane of the lipid-challenged animals that resemble those observed with age. Our findings identify a previously unknown negative impact of high dietary lipid intake on CMA and underscore the importance of diet composition on CMA malfunction in aging.

Risk Factors for Adult Overweight and Obesity: The Importance of Looking Beyond the ‘Big Two’

Objective: To compare two traditional (high dietary lipid intake and non-participation in high-intensity physical exercise, namely the ‘Big Two’ factors) versus three nontraditional (short sleep duration, high disinhibition eating behavior, and low dietary calcium intake) risk factors as predictors of excess body weight and overweight/obesity development. Method: Adult participants aged 18–64 years of the Quebec Family Study were selected for cross-sectional (n = 537) and longitudinal (n = 283; 6-year follow-up period) analyses. The main outcome measure was overweight/obesity, defined as a BMI ≧ 25 kg/m². Results: We observed that both the prevalence and incidence of overweight/obesity was best predicted by a combination of risk factors. However, short sleep duration, high disinhibition eating behavior and low dietary calcium intake seemed to contribute more to the risk of overweight and obesity than high dietary lipid intake and non-participation in high-intensity physical exercise. Globally, the risk of being overweight or obese was two-fold higher for individuals having the three nontraditional risk factors combined (OR 6.05; 95% CI 4.26–7.88) compared to those reporting a high percentage of lipids in their diet together with no vigorous physical activity in their daily schedule (OR 2.95; 95% CI 2.18–3.73). Furthermore, the risk of overweight/obesity was also higher for the combination of any two of the nontraditional risk factors than for the combination of the ‘Big Two’ factors. Conclusion: These results are concordant with previous reports showing that obesity is a multifactorial condition, and emphasize the importance of looking beyond reported measures of the ‘Big Two’ factors.

Fospropofol: A New Sedative–Hypnotic Agent for Monitored Anesthesia Care

To summarize the published clinical data on fospropofol, critically review the safety and efficacy information, and provide pertinent information for formulary review. Data were collected from searches of MEDLINE (1966-June 30, 2009), EMBASE (1974-June 30, 2009), bibliographies of manuscripts, and www.fda.gov. Key search terms included fospropofol, Lusedra, Aquavan, sedative-hypnotic, and monitored anesthesia care. All Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3 clinical trials studying the safety and efficacy of fospropofol were reviewed. Fospropofol is a water-soluble prodrug of propofol, a potent sedative-hypnotic agent. Propofol is highly lipophilic and is formulated in lipid-containing solvents, which have known disadvantages, including pain on injection, narrow therapeutic window with the potential to cause deep sedation, high lipid intake during long-term sedation, and risk of infection resulting from bacterial contamination. Due to its water solubility, fospropofol eliminates some of the known lipid emulsion-associated disadvantages of propofol and provides a more predictable peak onset of activity and more gradual recovery to a full state of consciousness. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of fospropofol make it an attractive agent for sedation for procedures of short duration. Unfortunately, the number of patients studied has been relatively small and the amount of safety data is limited. Of concern are reports of hypoxemia and hypotension; these reports are limited in number, but the episodes are serious and may require acute intervention. Although fospropofol holds promise for procedural sedation, due to limited safety data, the Food and Drug Administration has limited approval of fospropofol to monitored anesthesia care in patients undergoing diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. Fospropofol is a viable addition to the class of sedative-hypnotic agents due to the minimization of unwanted adverse effects of propofol and maintenance of a favorable pharmacokinetic profile facilitating sedation, anxiolysis, and rapid recovery. However, there are limited safety data to justify its use without the presence of dedicated anesthesia personnel.

Risk Factors for Adult Overweight and Obesity in the Quebec Family Study: Have We Been Barking Up the Wrong Tree?

The aim of this study was to determine the independent contribution of previously reported risk factors for adult overweight and obesity. A cross-sectional (n=537) and a longitudinal (n=283; 6-year follow-up period) analysis was performed for nine risk factors for overweight and obesity assessed in adult participants (aged 18-64 years) of the Quebec Family Study (QFS). The main outcome measure was overweight/obesity, defined as a BMI>or=25 kg/m2. Using logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, and socioeconomic status, short sleep duration, high disinhibition eating behavior, low dietary calcium intake, high susceptibility to hunger behavior, nonparticipation in high-intensity physical exercise, high dietary restraint behavior, nonconsumption of multivitamin and dietary supplements, high dietary lipid intake, and high alcohol intake were all significantly associated with overweight and obesity in the cross-sectional sample. The analysis of covariance adjusted for age, socioeconomic status, and all other risk factors revealed that only individuals characterized by short sleep duration, high disinhibition eating behavior, and low dietary calcium intake had significantly higher BMI compared to the reference category in both sexes. Over the 6-year follow-up period, short-duration sleepers, low calcium consumers, and those with a high disinhibition and restraint eating behavior score were significantly more likely to gain weight and develop obesity. These results show that excess body weight or weight gain results from a number of obesogenic behaviors that have received considerable attention over the past decade. They also indicate that the four factors, which have the best predictive potential of variations in BMI, be it in a cross-sectional or a longitudinal analytical design, do not have a "caloric value" per se.

Dynamics of protein and lipid intake regulation of rainbow trout studied with a wide lipid range of encapsulated diets and self-feeders

Feed intake in fish is examined extensively but there is not much information about the dynamics of regulation i.e. how fish react to different diets, and how these reactions change, over a longer period of time. The present study was designed to evaluate the dynamics of food intake regulation in rainbow trout over a very wide range of dietary protein and lipid levels; from a very low lipid level (5%) to an extremely high level (55%). The study was conducted with three subsequent 40-day blocks of 20 fish and the intake dynamics of the lipid effect were studied by splitting the 40-day experimental period to shorter periods of 10 days. Depending on a diet the rainbow trout were more willing to ingest larger surpluses of both protein and lipid during the periods 0–10, 10–20 and 20–30 days if compared with the anticipated nutritional intake target of rainbow trout. A strong regulatory response against high lipid intake was seen during the last period (days 30–40) leading not only to a decrease in lipid intake but much more drastic decrease in protein intake. Thus, a significant nonlinear interaction between time and dietary protein and lipid was found indicating that the effect of protein and lipid was dynamic.

Metabolic Consequences of Diets with Varying Levels of Omega‐3 and Omega‐6 Fatty Acids in Zucker Rats

Typical western diets are higher in Omega‐6 (n‐6) than Omega‐3 (n‐3) fatty acids. This may be linked to the development of metabolic complications, e.g., diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. We evaluated the metabolic impact of varying the n‐3 and n‐6 fatty acid concentrations in the diets of male obese Zucker rats fed 5 different diets: Low fat (7 % fat) control diet (C); 4 high fat diets ‐ a saturated fat (25 % beef tallow, diet T), a 20% soy oil (50 % omega‐6 linoleic acid, diet S), a 20% fish oil (50 % omega‐3 fatty acids from eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA and docosahexaenoic acid, DHA, diet F) and a mixed diet (M) with 10% fish oil and 10 % soybean oil. High fat diets consist of 60 % fat calories relative to control diet (16 % fat calories). A total of eight animals were assigned to each treatment and animals were fed ad libitum for 8 weeks. We conducted oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and measured serum metabolites in the animals. Animals on the S diet had a higher (P < 0.05) area under the curve (AUC) for the OGTT relative to other groups, indicating delayed clearance of glucose. The animals on the S diet also had a higher total blood cholesterol, free fatty acid and insulin concentrations compared to other groups (P< 0.05). Adiposity, measured as percent visceral and epididymal fat pads, was significantly higher in the S group (P< 0.05). These animals also had increased basal phosphorylation level of AKT, perhaps as a result of the higher circulating insulin concentration. Animals on the fish oil diet had the lowest adiposity and circulating concentration of free fatty acids and total cholesterol. The 1:1 mixture of soybean oil and fish oil in diet M resulted in metabolic performances that were similar to the control diet. Thus, despite the high lipid intake of the M animals, the 1:1 balance of the n‐3 and n‐6 fatty acids offsets the negative effects of the high fat intake.

Consumo alimentar na gestação e no pós-parto segundo cor da pele no município do Rio de Janeiro

To assess dietary intake during pregnancy and postpartum according to skin color. A longitudinal prospective study was carried out comprising 467 postpartum women aged between 15-45 years in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Brazil, in 1999-2001. A food frequency questionnaire was administered at two weeks postpartum (intake covering the pregnancy period) and at six months postpartum (intake covering the postpartum period). Analysis of covariance was performed to evaluate differences in food intake among skin color groups, adjusted for educational level. During pregnancy, black and mulatto women had 13.4% and 9.1% higher energy intake (p=0.009 and p=0.028) and 15.1% and 10.5% higher carbohydrate intake (p=0.005 and p=0.014) than white women, respectively. Energy intake of black and white women exceeded the nutritional recommendations by 34% and 20%, respectively (p=0.035). During the postpartum period, black women had 7.7% higher energy intake (p=0.030) and 14.8% higher lipid intake (p=0.008) than white women, as well as 23.8% and 13% higher saturated fatty acids intake than white (p = 0.003) and mulatto (p = 0.046) women, respectively. The adequacy of lipid and saturated fatty acids intake was higher in black (p=0.024) than white women (p=0.011). The study suggests the need to revise nutritional interventions strategies in the prenatal period, and to implement nutritional guidance programs during the postpartum period in order to adjust food intake to adequate levels, taking into consideration racial differences identified.

Effect of amlodipine on blood and aortic tissue concentration of endothelin in male rabbits receiving atherogenic diet

<b>Background:</b> Different factors are involved in the induction and progress of atherosclerosis. One of these factors is endothelin-1. Since, in atherosclerotic vessels, there are certain obvious changes, with abnormality in the transfer of calcium ions, some researchers have suggested that calcium channel blockers can slow down the process of atherosclerosis. In this study, we evaluated the effects of amlodipine and/or a high cholesterol diet on the blood and aortic concentration of endothelin in rabbits.<br><b> Materials and Methods:</b> Thirty-six male New Zealand white rabbits were divided into four groups: the normal control group, normal diet plus amlodipine group, high-cholesterol diet group, and high-cholesterol diet plus amlodipine group. After 8 weeks all animals were anesthetized and blood or tissue samples were collected.<br><b> Results and Conclusions:</b> Eight weeks of amlodipine treatment significantly reduced total cholesterol, low density lipoproteins (LDL), and triglycerides (TG) in the hypercholesterolemic diet group. Although amlodipine treatment tended to enhance HDL/LDL and HDL/cholesterol ratios in the mentioned group, these effects were not statistically significant. The observed significant increase in plasma high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and decrease in TG is considered to be the main effect of amlodipine treatment on the serum lipid profile in the control group. The plasma level of endothelin-1 in the atherosclerotic model group was significantly increased as compared to the control group (<i> P</i> < 0.01). After treatment with amlodipine, the ET-1 level reduced significantly in the control and high-cholesterol diet rabbits (<i> P</i> < 0.01). A high-cholesterol diet induced atherosclerotic lesions and thickening of the intima in the thoracic aorta. Amlodipine consumption reduced atherotic injuries in high-cholesterol diet rabbits. There were no lesions in the normal diet groups or the normal diet with amlodipine group. High cholesterol causes increase in plasma and tissue endothelin. Amlodipine treatment reduced the levels of total cholesterol, LDL, and TG and, in a high lipid intake situation reduced endothelin levels in plasma and aortic tissue. Our data shows that amlodipine treatment may be considered as one of the important interventions for prevention and regression of atherosclerosis.

Patrón de ingesta en un grupo de pacientes con síndrome de intestino irritable: relación de la ingesta de fibra con los síntomas

The aim of our study was to evaluate the oral dietary intake of a group of patients with irritable bowel syndrome and to compare with international recommendations. A total of 53 patients with irritable bowel syndrome was enrolled in a non-propabilistic sample. Patients were diagnose with Roma II criteria. In all patients were determined, weight, height, body mass index, dietary intake of 3 days and a symptoms scoring system. The average age of 53 patients was 45.67+/-13.6 years with a distribution of sex (22 males/31 females). Caloric intakes was right in absolute terms and corrected by weight. Distribution of calories was 41.5% of carbohydrates, a 19.8% of proteins, and a 38.7% of lipids, showing a high intake of lipids and low of carbohydrates. A low intake of vitamin A and D was detected. High intake of vitamin B12, vitamin C and niacine was observed. A low intake of calcium, magnesium, yodo and zinc was detected. Intake of soluble fiber was lower than insoluble fiber (1.46+/-0.74 g/day) (19%) vs 6.21+/-2.67 g/day (71%). Intake of fiber corrected by calories was low 4.5+/-1.2 g/1000 calories. In correlation analysis, insoluble fiber (r=0.46; p < 0.05) and soluble fiber (r=0.42; p < 0.05) were inverse correlated with general symptoms. Patients with irritable bowel syndrome showed a deviation of mineral and vitamin dietary. Fiber intake is low, a correlation between fiber intake and general symptoms was detected.

Obesity and the polycystic ovary syndrome.

The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition characterized by hyperandrogenism and chronic oligo-anovulation. However, many features of the metabolic syndrome are inconsistently present in the majority of women with PCOS. Approximately 50% of PCOS women are overweight or obese and most of them have the abdominal phenotype. Obesity may play a pathogenetic role in the development of the syndrome in susceptible individuals. In fact, insulin possesses true gonadotrophic function and an increased insulin availability at the level of ovarian tissue may favour excess androgen synthesis. Obesity, particularly the abdominal phenotype, may be partly responsible for insulin resistance and associated hyperinsulinemia in women with PCOS. Therefore, obesity-related hyperinsulinemia may play a key role in favouring hyperandrogenism in these women. Other factors such as increased estrogen production rate, increased activity of the opioid system and of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, decreased sex hormone binding globulin synthesis and, possibly, high dietary lipid intake, may be additional mechanisms by which obesity favours the development of hyperandrogenism in PCOS. Irrespective of the pathogenetic mechanism involved, obese PCOS women have more severe hyperandrogenism and related clinical features (such as hirsutism, menstrual abnormalities and anovulation) than normal-weight PCOS women. This picture tends to be more pronounced in obese PCOS women with the abdominal phenotype. Body weight loss is associated with beneficial effects on hormones, metabolism and clinical features. A further clinical and endocrinological improvement can also be achieved by adding insulin-sensitizing agents and/or antiandrogens to weight reduction programmes. These obviously emphasize the role of obesity in the pathophysiology of PCOS.

Nutrition during pregnancy may be associated with allergic diseases in infants.

The prevalence of allergic diseases is high in Japan, even in infants. Their risk for developing allergies is influenced by the antigens in the mother's diet during pregnancy. We hypothesized that, apart from the antigens, hypersensitivity induced through high energy and nutrient intake by mothers during pregnancy may be a factor for allergic diseases in their babies. In this study, we tried to confirm our hypothesis. Allergy histories of parents and their infants, body characteristics and food and nutrient intake were measured by a questionnaire and a food frequency questionnaire, respectively. A total of 2,642 responses were obtained (return rate, 94.7%). The major allergic diseases in the infants were atopic dermatitis (6.0%), food allergy (3.7%) and bronchial asthma or asthmatic bronchitis (3.2%). About 60% of the infants with allergies had a family history of allergies. Family history of allergy, age of infant, order of birth, head and chest circumferences of infants, BMI of mothers before pregnancy and delivery and intake of lipids (fat and vegetable oil) and vegetables by mothers related positively, and the intake of protein, carbohydrates and milk and its products correlated negatively with allergic diseases in the infants (p < 0.05). The results, together with previous reports, suggest that a high intake of energy and lipids (fat and vegetable oil) during pregnancy may accelerate allergic diseases in infants.

Nutritionally Induced Changes in the Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-α Gene Expression in Liver of Suckling Rats Are Dependent on Insulinaemia

It was previously found that the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARα) was markedly augmented in the liver of suckling rats, in comparison to the fetuses and most notably to adult rats and it paralleled similar changes in hepatic lipid concentration. To determine whether these changes could be related to the high lipid content of the maternal milk and/or to hormonal status, the role of changes in nutrient availability and in plasma insulin concentration on liver expression during the perinatal stage in vivo in the rat was studied. When suckling rats were weaned on day 17, instead of on day 20, the level of hepatic PPARα mRNA decreased earlier than in rats weaned later. When 10-day-old rats were force-fed with either glucose or Intralipid or a combination of both diets, it was found that, at similar low levels of plasma insulin, a high level of FFA stimulated PPARα expression, whereas, at similar high plasma FFA concentrations, an elevated insulin level attenuated the increase in PPARα expression. It is proposed that both the high lipid intake and decreased plasma insulin level are responsible for the high PPARα expression detected in rat neonates.

Consumo de energia e macronutrientes por adolescentes de escolas públicas e privadas

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a adequação do consumo de energia e macronutrientes em adolescentes de escolas públicas (EPU) e privadas (EPR) do município de Florianópolis, SC. A amostra constou de 797 estudantes: 466 (228 meninas e 238 meninos) de EPU e 331 (175 meninas e 156 meninos) de EPR. Os dados foram obtidos através do método recordatório de 24 horas. Observou-se que aproximadamente 50% dos adolescentes apresentaram consumo energético insuficiente e mais da metade tiveram um consumo adequado de carboidratos. Entre os adolescentes do sexo masculino que apresentaram alto consumo de carboidratos, houve maior prevalência na rede pública (12,6% EPU e 3,8% EPR). Mais da metade dos estudantes apresentaram alto consumo de proteínas (54,3% EPU e 58,9% EPR), havendo maior prevalência entre os de sexo masculino (61,7% masculino e 50,6% feminino). Apenas 30,5% dos estudantes das EPU e 36,5% das EPR apresentaram consumo adequado de lipídios; ressalta-se o elevado percentual de adolescentes com alto consumo deste nutriente (33,9% EPU e 39,0% EPR). Entre os estudantes que apresentaram baixo consumo de lipídios, houve maior prevalência dos adolescentes do sexo masculino (35,3% masculino e 26,8% feminino), estudantes da EPU (41,6% EPU e 25,6% EPR). Pode-se concluir que o padrão alimentar apresentado por estes adolescentes pode estar associado a riscos para a saúde na vida adulta.

Blood pressure, serum cholesterol concentration and their related factors in urban and rural elderly of Ho Chi Minh City.

In Vietnam, information about blood pressure, serum lipids and their factors is limited. To obtain some of this information, a cross sectional nutrition survey was carried out in an urban and rural area of Ho Chi Minh City with 217 participants aged 60-69 y (148 females and 69 males). Anthropometry and blood pressure were measured. For three consecutive weekdays, 24 h dietary recalls were performed. Single 24 h urine was collected for sodium and potassium analysis. A fasting blood sample was taken and biochemical parameters were measured. Results indicate a high percentage of hypertension in urban (female: 35.5%, male: 43.8%) and rural areas (female: 22.2%, male: 35.1%). Blood pressure was correlated with body mass index (BMI) and 24 h urinary sodium-to-potassium (Na/K) ratio. A high prevalence of serum total cholesterol (TC) above 220 mg/dL (female: 55.3%, male: 31.3%) and overweight (female: 34.2%, male: 25.0%) were observed in urban residents. By contrast, 5.6% and 24.3% of rural females and males respectively had TC below 150 mg/dL and both genders had the same prevalence of underweight (32.4%). TC was positively correlated with body weight, BMI, dietary protein and dietary lipids. Overweight might be a major risk factor for hypertension in our urban elderly. A high Na/K intake ratio might be a risk factor for hypertension in both areas. The high prevalence of elevated TC in the urban area might to be related to the high lipid intake, and the high prevalence of low TC in the rural area might to be related to the low lipid intake.

Squalene, Olive Oil, and Cancer Risk: Review and Hypothesis

Epidemiologic studies of breast and pancreatic cancer in several Mediterranean populations have demonstrated that increased dietary intake of olive oil is associated with a small decreased risk, or no increased risk, of cancer, despite a high overall lipid intake. Experimental animal models in high dietary fat and cancer also indicate that olive oil either has no effect, or a protective effect, on the prevention of a variety of chemically induced tumors. As a working hypothesis, it is proposed that the high squalene content of olive oil, as compared to other human foods, is a major factor in the cancer-risk reducing effect of olive oil. Experiments in animal models suggest a tumor-inhibiting role for squalene. A mechanism is proposed for the tumor-inhibitory activity of squalene based on its known strong inhibitory activity of HMG-COA reductase catalytic activity in vivo, thus reducing farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) availability for "prenylation" of ras oncogene, which relocates this oncogene to cell membranes and is required for the signal-transducing function of ras. Reduction of mutated ras oncogene activation may be useful in breast and colon cancer and may be particularly applicable to pancreatic cancers that are strongly associated with ras oncogenes.

A High Dietary Lipid Intake during Pregnancy and Lactation Enhances Mammary Gland Lipid Uptake and Lipoprotein Lipase Activity in Rats

Rats fed a diet with high fat concentration produce larger amounts of milk with a higher lipid concentration than rats fed a lower fat diet. This investigation was designed to study the relationship between dietary fat intake, mammary gland lipid uptake and lipogenesis in rat dams fed, during pregnancy and lactation, one of two purified diets, with equal energy density, containing 2.5 (LL) or 20 g fat/100 g diet (HL). Milk lipid concentration and fatty acid composition were determined at d 14 of lactation. Mammary gland lipogenesis, lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity and the uptake of [1-14C]triolein by the mammary gland and its transfer to the pups was measured. The intestinal absorption of oral 14C-lipid, 14CO2 production and the amount of 14C-lipid transferred to the pups (milk clot + pups carcass) were significantly higher in the HL group than in the LL group (P < 0.05). Mammary gland lipogenesis was 75% lower and LPL activity was 30% higher in the HL group (P < 0.05). Medium-chain fatty acids (C6–C14) excretion was 46% lower and that of long-chain fatty acids was 142% (P < 0.001) higher in the HL group than in the LL group. The higher milk lipid excretion in the rats fed a high-fat diet resulted from a larger uptake of dietary lipid by the mammary gland, indicated by a larger transfer of 14C-lipid to the pups and by a higher LPL activity in the mammary gland.

Primary and secondary alterations of immune reactivity in the elderly: impact of dietary factors and disease.

The function of the immune system declines with age. It is the aim of the present review to demonstrate that it makes sense to distinguish between primary and secondary alterations of immune reactivity in the elderly. Primary changes occur as the result of an age-dependent intrinsic decline of immune responsiveness. They also occur in healthy persons, i.e. persons selected according to the criteria of the SENIEUR protocol of the European Community's Concerted Action Program on Aging (EURAGE). T lymphocytes are hereby more severely affected than B cells or antigen presenting cells, possibly due to the involution of the thymus, which is almost complete at the age of 60. Secondary immunological changes occur as the result of environmental factors including diet, drug intake, physical activity etc. or are alternatively due to underlying diseases. In this article, the effects of high lipid intake as well as the impact of diseases, such as for instance Alzheimer's disease and atherosclerosis, will be addressed. The results underline the complexity of immunological alterations to be expected in old age. Changes in the aging immune system represent an opportunity for increased frequency and severity of disease and endanger the protective effect of vaccination.

Nutritional evaluation of Chinese working women in the city of Tainan, Taiwan.

Nutritional survey was conducted in 1994 in Tainan City, southern Taiwan. Total food duplicate samples were collected from 52 women volunteers. Clinical examinations, anthropometry, hematology and serum biochemistry were also conducted. The intakes of nutrients were estimated from the weights of food items in reference to the standard food composition tables for Taiwanese. On average, the participants took 1,973 kcal energy, 69 g protein, 73 g lipid and 269 g carbohydrate per day. Animal-based foods accounted for 49% and 36% of protein and lipid sources, respectively, but fish and shellfish contributed only 11% for protein and essentially nil for lipid. Lunch was the most substantial meal of the day. When classified by age (i.e., 22-29, 30-39 and 40-66 year-old groups), no age-related difference was detected among the three groups in all nutrients except for crude fiber. Comparison with recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for Taiwanese, the insufficiency ratios were more than 50% for minerals (i.e., Fe and Ca) and vitamins (except for vitamin C). Excess in the lipid energy ratio (> 30%) was observed in 60% of the study population. In agreement with this high lipid intake, 17% of the participants had BMI of > 25, and triglyceride levels were elevated (> 150 mg/100 ml) in 27%. There were no anemic case despite the low Fe intake (14 mg/day).

Exploring the role of diet in modifying the effect of known disease determinants: application to risk factors of liver cirrhosis.

The analysis of the combined effects of nutritional factors with other putative disease determinants in log-linear or logistic models is methodologically complicated by the strong multicollinearity between nutritional factors, resulting in poor precision in estimating the parameters. Furthermore, the generally used multiplicative structure is not always the most appropriate for describing the resulting joint effect of two or more factors on the disease risk. The authors addressed such problems in a case-control study assessing the interactions between alcohol intake, chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, and nutrient intake on the risk of liver cirrhosis. During the period from November 1989 to May 1990, 282 patients admitted to the medical departments of the hospitals of the Province of L'Aquila (central Italy) were enrolled: 115 cirrhotic patients aged 24-82 years (78 of whom were males) hospitalized because of liver decompensation, and 167 control patients aged 25-84 years (100 of whom were males) admitted to the same hospitals for acute diseases unrelated to alcohol intake, infection with hepatotropic viruses, and nutrition. No dose-effect relation was found between the intake of any nutrient and the risk of cirrhosis using classical methods. The analysis of principal components showed, however, that a pattern of higher lipid but lower protein and carbohydrate intakes was significantly associated with the risk of cirrhosis. The Breslow and Storer parametric family of relative risk functions showed that a multiplicative structure was the most adequate to describe the joint effect of nutritional pattern with alcohol intake and/or chronic HCV infection, whereas an additive structure best described the joint effect of chronic HCV infection and alcohol intake. In conclusion, the analysis of principal components and the Breslow and Storer family are useful tools to explore the role of diet on disease risk when precise pathogenic knowledge is not available. As an original finding, the authors suggest that a higher lipid intake, combined with lower protein and carbohydrate intakes, modifies multiplicatively the risk of cirrhosis associated with alcohol intake and/or chronic HCV infection.

Bile acids: Antioxidants or enhancers of peroxidation depending on lipid concentration

Using three different assay systems, we have discovered a heretofore unrecognized antioxidant property of bile acids at physiological concentrations. Bile acids inhibit peroxidation of the polyunsaturated lipid, linoleic acid, and of the highly fluorescent protein phycoerythrin. In part, the antioxidant activity results from scavenging of peroxyl radicals by direct oxidation of the bile acids. The most abundant products of the reaction of cholate and chenodeoxycholate with peroxyl radicals were studied in detail and shown to be the keto derivatives formed by oxidation of the 7α-hydroxyl groups. Paradoxically, at linoleate concentrations higher than 1–2 m m, glycocholate up to ~10–14 m m enhances lipid peroxidation and inhibits only at higher concentrations. These findings may prove important in understanding the etiology of certain disease states of the biliary tract and intestine where lipid peroxidation may be involved and in providing a rationale for the positive epidemiological correlation between high lipid intake and higher fecal bile acid output and colon cancer.