Total Serum Calcium Concentration Research Articles

Restless legs syndrome in patients with distal diabetic polyneuropathy

Introduction/Objective. An association between restless legs syndrome (RLS) and etiologically different polyneuropathies is well established. However, the investigations about the prevalence of RLS in diabetic polyneuropathy (DP) have led to controversy. Our study objective was to determine the frequency of RLS in patients with distal symmetrical polyneuropathy in patients with diabetes and identify possible risk factors for its occurrence in this group of patients. Method. We investigated 101 consecutive patients with distal DP. RLS was diagnosed according to the International RLS Study Group diagnostic criteria. The distal symmetrical polyneuropathy was confirmed by the electromyoneurographic study performed in each patient. Results. Overall RLS was present in 27 (26.73%) patients. The comparison between patients with and without RLS revealed that the RLS+ group included more women than men (14.85/9.90% vs. 35.64/37.62%, non-significant), patients were significantly younger (60.58 ? 10.54 vs. 65.57 ? 10.94 years, p ? 0.05), sensory polyneuropathy was significantly more common (17/27 vs. 34/74, p ? 0.05); the average level of the total serum calcium concentration was higher in the RLS + group than in non-RLS (2.43 ? 0.26 vs. 2.28 ? 0.39; p ? 0.05). However, multivariate logistic regression analysis did not demonstrate these as significant independent risk factors for RLS in DP. Conclusions. RLS is common in DP and occurs in more than a quarter of these patients. Though sensory forms and higher total serum calcium concentration were associated with RLS, neither of these has been identified as a significant single risk factor for the development of RLS in DP.

Effect of postparturient oral calcium administration on serum total calcium concentration in Holstein cows fed diets of different dietary cation-anion difference in late gestation

Minimizing the severity of post parturient hypocalcemia and the incidence of subclinical hypocalcaemia in multiparous dairy cows are important goals of the transition period. The primary objective of this study was to determine whether feeding an acidogenic ration in late gestation combined with oral CaCl2 administration after parturition improved calcium homeostasis when compared to feeding an acidogenic ration prepartum or oral CaCl2 administration postpartum alone. Forty-two Holstein dairy cows were randomly assigned to one of three groups of 14 cows. Group L were fed a low DCAD ration. Groups L+Ca and M+Ca were fed a low or moderate DCAD ration, respectively, and administered 50g Ca as a CaCl2 solution at calving and 12h later by ororuminal intubation in 500mL of water. Mean serum [calcium] was lower immediately after parturition in group M+Ca (7.1mg/dL) than group L+Ca (8.2mg/dL). Oral CaCl2 administration increased mean serum [calcium] at 6h after treatment in groups M+Ca (8.0mg/dL) and L+Ca (8.7mg/dL), but most of this increase had disappeared at 12h after treatment. Group L+Ca had a higher serum [calcium] at time=6h and 12h than the other two groups, and a higher serum [calcium] than group M+Ca at 1 and 2days after treatment. We conclude that feeding an acidogenic ration in late gestation combined with oral CaCl2 administration provided a higher serum [calcium] at 6 and 12h after parturition than feeding an acidogenic ration prepartum or oral CaCl2 administration postpartum alone.

Hungry bone syndrome.

In the United States, the number of parathyroidectomies among patients with chronic dialysis has remained stable in the last decade. A fall in serum calcium concentration is common postparathyroidectomy in patients with hyperparathyroidism, which usually resolves in 2-4 days. A severe drop in serum total calcium concentration less than 2.1 mmol/L and/or prolonged hypocalcemia for more than 4 days postparathyroidectomy is called hungry bone syndrome (HBS). Concomitant hypophosphatemia, hypomagnesemia, and hyperkalemia can be seen. Hypocalcemia and hypophosphatemia can persist for months to years. In contemporary clinical practice, HBS may be more commonly seen in patients with secondary compared to primary hyperparathyroidism. Preoperative radiological changes in bone, elevated serum alkaline phosphatase and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels, and high numbers of osteoclasts on bone biopsy may identify patients at risk. Treatment consists of high-dose oral calcium and calcitriol supplementation. A low-dose pamidronate infusion 1-2 days prior to surgery may prevent HBS. Recent in-vitro studies reported net calcium movement into bone because of a sudden fall in serum PTH level after a prolonged period of elevation. This supports a previous hypothesis that a sudden drop in serum PTH level after surgery results in the unopposed action of osteoblasts and influx of calcium into bone. Incidence of HBS and its association with morbidity and mortality remains unclear in contemporary clinical practice. It is more common to encounter HBS in chronic dialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism than those with primary hyperparathyroidism that undergo parathyroidectomies. Use of bisphosphonates to prevent HBS should be explored in future studies.

Serum magnesium and calcium levels in infertile women during a cycle of reproductive assistance.

Magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) are essential cations for women's preconception health. It is well known that, in blood, the concentration of ionized form of these two cations is temporally altered during menstrual cycle, suggesting a correlation between sex steroid hormones and serum calcium and magnesium levels. Evidence from literature suggests that in assisted reproductive technology increasing estrogens during ovarian hyperstimulation may also modulate serum magnesium and calcium levels. Therefore, we first examined total serum magnesium and calcium levels during follicular phase in a large population of infertile patients who underwent intrauterine insemination (IUI). The results were compared to a group of fertile women. Successively, we studied the total serum magnesium and calcium concentrations in infertile patients before and after ovarian hyperstimulation for in vitro fertilization (IVF). Results highlight that total serum concentration of magnesium and calcium does not seem altered in infertile women. During stimulation with gonadotropins, the values of the two cations do not change significantly in ovarian-stimulated women. However, we found a downward trend in the total magnesium and calcium levels in relation to the rising estrogens.

Clinical and pathophysiologic features of cerebral hypertensive crisis

Aim. To specify clinical and pathophysiologic features and prognostic significance of cerebral hypertensive crisis.Methods. The study involved 44 patients with cerebral hypertensive crisis, 53 people with coronary artery disease and 14 healthy volunteers. All patients underwent complete blood count and biochemical blood tests, vegetative status determination using questionnaire survey and recording heart rate variability parameters. In patients with cerebral hypertensive crisis systemic inflammation parameters (concentration of interleukin-6 and -8, C-reactive protein in the blood plasma) were determined. Catamnesis was specified by telephone interview.Results. In cerebral hypertensive crisis, in contrast to coronary artery disease, the parasympathetic autonomic nervous system tone decreases, which is combined with inflammatory changes in the blood (increase in segmented leukocytes number and erythrocyte sedimentation rate), and an increase in the level of systemic inflammation markers: interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein. Vegetative regulation changes closely correlated with the inflammation level and the latter correlated with the clinical symptoms severity and determined poor prognosis in terms of recurrent transient episode. 90-day risk of ischemic stroke after cerebral hypertensive crisis was 2.3%.Conclusion. In patients with cerebral hypertensive crisis the autonomic nervous system parasympathetic tone reduction combined with increased levels of inflammation markers in blood were revealed; adverse prognostic significance for recurrent ischemic attacks occurrence were leukocytes rate increase, band shift in leukocyte blood count, serum total calcium concentration reduction and blood plasma total protein level decrease.

Factors associated with outcome in 94 hospitalised foals diagnosed with neonatal encephalopathy.

Neonatal encephalopathy is the most common neurological abnormality identified in neonatal foals, but its clinical course has been rarely characterised. To describe factors associated with nonsurvival in a population of foals diagnosed with neonatal encephalopathy. Retrospective cross-sectional clinical study. Cases were selected from equine neonatal (≤14 days of age) admissions between 1996 and 2007. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify clinical parameters, laboratory variables and therapeutic interventions associated with nonsurvival. A total of 94 foals were included in the study. Median age at admission was 12 h (range 0-96 h). The most frequently identified clinical signs included abnormal udder seeking (59%), abnormal suckle (55%), inability to stand (42%), abnormal gastrointestinal motility (37%), abnormal consciousness (34%) and seizure activity (22%). Overall, 75 (79.8%) foals survived to be discharged from the hospital and 19 foals died or were subjected to euthanasia. Variables significantly associated with nonsurvival in the multivariable model were serum total calcium concentration, serum activity of alkaline phosphatase, recumbency, number of concurrent diseases, and use of vasopressors/inotropes. The model correctly classified 92.0% of cases. Overall survival was good and similar to previous reports. Vasopressors/inotropes were the only therapeutic intervention associated with nonsurvival, suggesting that persistent hypotension is associated with nonsurvival in the current population. Foals with concurrent disease, high total calcium and low alkaline phosphatase at admission, and that were recumbent or required treatment with vasopressors/inotropes during hospitalisation, were significantly less likely to survive.

Comparison of some serum biochemical parameters between lactating and non-lactating dairy cows in selected dairy farms of Chittagong district of Bangladesh

Physiological status-related changes in serum biochemical values are known to occur in many species. The aim of the current study was to evaluate total serum protein, albumin, glucose, calcium and phosphorus concentration and these parameters were measured by the serum analyzer for lactating (n=50) and non-lactating (n=50) dairy cattle in selected dairy farms of Chittagong district. The results (mean ± standard deviation) of the study showed that among serum biochemical parameters total protein (82.3 ± 2.15 gm/l), albumin (27.45 ± 5.06 gm/l), calcium (12.97±6.67 mg/dl) and phosphorus (7.26 ± 0.41 mg/dl) level in non-lactating cows were higher than the value of lactating cows as (81.28 ± 2.41 gm/l), (14.09 ± 2.05 gm/l), (10.05 ± 2.51 mg/dl) and (6.52 ± 0.30 mg/dl) respectively. Only glucose level in lactating cows (63.01 ± 6.67 mg/dl) was found higher than the non lactating cows (58.47 ± 3.84 mg/dl). In case of parity-wise parameters insignificant variation was noticed. It may be concluded that biochemical variation present between lactating cow and non lactating cow is important for interpretation of laboratory data and also for physiological diagnosis.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. June 2015, 1(2): 259-264

FeedingSolanum glaucophyllumto preparturient multiparous cows prevents postparturient hypocalcemia

Solanum glaucophyllum (SG) contains 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3) glycosides. We investigated the effect of SG on hypocalcemia in cows. Serum levels of 1,25-(OH)2D3, total calcium and phosphorus dose-relatedly increased after feeding with SG, while serum magnesium and chloride levels fell (P < 0.05). We also performed an ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) infusion to induce artificial hypocalcemia. Cows that had been fed 4.0 mg/kg body weight of SG daily for 2 weeks had a higher serum concentration of total calcium at the end of EDTA infusion than those not fed SG (P < 0.05). In a field trial, multiparous cows were assigned to one of four groups: (1) no SG, (2) 1.3 g or (3) 2.6 g of SG daily from 14 days before the estimated calving day until 3 days after calving, or (4) a single feed of 35.75 g SG at 3 days before the estimated calving day. The concentrations of serum total calcium after the calving in each treatment group were (1) 7.4, (2) 7.9, (3) 8.0 and (4) 8.9 mg/dL and higher for (4) than for (1) (P < 0.05). The data suggests that feeding a high dose of SG before the calving may maintain higher concentrations of serum calcium after the calving.

Characterization of feline serum-cobalt binding.

Oxidative stress inhibits albumin's ability to complex with cobalt. Feline serum-cobalt binding has not been described. The objective was to develop a cobalt binding test for use with feline serum, and correlate the results with other biochemical and cellular constituents in blood, and with clinical diseases of cats. A colorimetric test of cobalt binding, based on the oxidation-reduction reaction of Co(+2) and dithiothreitol, was developed using feline serum. The test was used to measure cobalt binding in stored serum from 176 cats presented to the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital for a variety of disease conditions. Time-matched hematology and biochemical data, and clinical information, were obtained from the medical record of each cat and correlated with the serum-cobalt binding results. Serial dilution of feline serum with phosphate-buffered saline resulted in a highly linear decrease in serum-cobalt binding (r(2) =.9984). Serum-cobalt binding of the clinical samples also correlated with albumin concentrations in a stepwise linear regression model (r(2) =.425), and both cobalt binding and albumin were significantly decreased in cases of inflammation. Albumin and cobalt binding also shared significant correlations with several erythron variables, and serum concentration of total calcium and bilirubin. The correlation of cobalt binding measured by a colorimetric test with albumin concentration in the clinical samples and with serum dilution is consistent with feline albumin-cobalt complex formation. Hypoalbuminemia is the likely cause of reduced serum-cobalt binding in inflammation and the correlations observed between cobalt binding and other variables.

Cinacalcet normalizes serum calcium in a double-blind randomized, placebo-controlled study in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism with contraindications to surgery.

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is diagnosed by the presence of hypercalcemia and elevated or nonsuppressed parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels. Although surgery is usually curative, some individuals fail or are unable or unwilling to undergo parathyroidectomy. In such individuals, targeted medical therapy may be of value. Cinacalcet normalized calcium level and lowered PTH in patients with PHPT in several phase 2 and open-label studies. We compared cinacalcet and placebo in subjects with PHPT unable to undergo parathyroidectomy. Phase 3, double-blind, multi centere, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Sixty-seven subjects (78% women) with moderate PHPT were randomized (1:1) to cinacalcet or placebo for ≤28 weeks. Achievement of a normal mean corrected total serum calcium concentration of ≤10.3 mg/dl (2.575 mmol/l). Baseline median (quartile 1 (Q1), Q3) serum PTH was 164.0 (131.0, 211.0) pg/ml and mean (s.d.) serum Ca was 11.77 (0.46) mg/dl. Serum Ca normalized (≤10.3 mg/dl) in 75.8% of cinacalcet- vs 0% of placebo-treated subjects (P<0.001). Corrected serum Ca decreased by ≥1.0 mg/dl from baseline in 84.8% of cinacalcet- vs 5.9% of placebo-treated subjects (P<0.001). Least squares mean (s.e.m.) plasma PTH change from baseline was -23.80% (4.18%) (cinacalcet) vs -1.01% (4.05%) (placebo) (P<0.001). Similar numbers of subjects in the cinacalcet and placebo groups reported adverse events (AEs) (27 vs 20) and serious AEs (three vs four). Most commonly reported AEs were nausea and muscle spasms. These results demonstrate that cinacalcet normalizes serum calcium in this PHPT population and appears to be well tolerated.

The association of subclinical hypocalcemia, negative energy balance and disease with bodyweight change during the first 30 days post-partum in dairy cows milked with automatic milking systems

In a prospective cohort study, the daily bodyweight (BW) and milk production of 92 cows were recorded using automatic milking systems. The objectives were to characterize calcium serum concentration variability on days 1–3 post-partum and to evaluate the association between subclinical hypocalcemia (SHPC) and change in BW over the first 30 days in milk (DIM) in Holstein dairy cows, while controlling for concurrent disease and negative energy balance (NEB). SHPC was defined as total serum calcium concentration between 6 and 8 mg/dL, NEB was defined as non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) > 0.7 mEq/L or β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) ≥ 1.2 mmol/L.The peak incidence of SHPC was at 1 DIM for all groups (11%, 42% and 60% for parities 1, 2, and ≥3, respectively). All parity groups lost weight (21, 33, and 34 kg) during the first 30 DIM. Parity 1 animals with disease compared with those without disease lost the most weight (2.6 kg/day BW loss vs. <1.9 kg/day, respectively). Normocalcemic parity 2 animals with either NEB or disease lost the most weight (>5 kg/day) compared with those in the SHPC group (≤4.5 kg/day). In parity ≥ 3 animals, SHPC was an important factor for BW loss; SHPC animals lost the most weight (>3.7 kg/day) vs. normocalcemic cows (≤3.3 kg/day) regardless of NEB or disease status. Even though all animals lost weight during early lactation the effect of disease, NEB, and SHPC on BW loss was different in each parity group.

Changes in Bone Metabolism and Antioxidant Status with Combined Exercise and Honey Supplementation in Young Female Rats

Purpose: To investigate the effects of combined jumping exercise and honey supplementation on bone metabolism and antioxidant status in female rats. Methods: Forty eight 12-week old Sprague Dawley female rats were divided into four groups: control group (C), honey group (H), jumping group (J), and combined jumping and honey group (JH). Jumping exercise consisted of 40 jumps/day for 5 days/week at a height of 40 cm. Honey was given to the rats at a dosage of 1 g/kg body weight/rat/day via force feeding for 7 days/week. At the end of the study, tibial proximal volumetric total Bone Mineral Density (BMD) and volumetric trabecular BMD, serum total calcium, serum Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) (bone formation marker), serum C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 procollagen (1CTP) (bone resorption marker), serum F 2 -isoprostanes (oxidative stress marker) and serum Total Antioxidant Status (TAS) were measured. Results: There were no significant differences in tibial proximal volumetric total BMD and volumetric trabecular BMD among all the groups. Eight weeks of jumping exercise and honey supplementation resulted in statistically significant higher serum total calcium concentration in JH group as compared to C, H and J groups (p < 0.05). Serum ALP was significantly higher in J group as compared to C group (p < 0.05). On the other hand, serum 1CTP was significantly lower in JH as compared to the other three experimental groups. The concentration of F2-isoprostanes was not statistically different among all the groups. Serum TAS was significantly higher in JH and H groups as compared to C group (p < 0.05) respectively. Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that 8 weeks of jumping exercise and honey supplementation significantly reduced bone resorption and enhanced antioxidant status, but did not seem to elevate oxidative stress marker.

Hypercalciuria is an important cause of urinary tract infection in children

Urinary tract infection is a common disease in paediatric practice and an important cause of morbidity. Recurrence is frequent and occurs in approximately 40% in female and 32% in male. The association of hypercalciuria and UTI has been pointed out by several authors from different countries during the last 7-10 years. This prospective case control study was designed to evaluate the association between hypercalciuria and UTI in children in the department of Biochemistry, DMC and National Institute of Kidney Diseases and Urology (NIKDU) from July 2007- June 2008 on 30 cases of diagnosed UTI and 40 age-sex matched apparently healthy control. Blood samples of all study subjects were analyzed for serum total calcium concentration to exclude hyper or hypocalcaemia. Random urine samples were analyzed for urinary calcium creatinine ratio to screen hypercalciuria. In this study, urinary calcium creatinine ratio ? 0.20 was considered as hypercalciuria. Hypercalciuria were reported in 46.7% cases whereas only in 20.0% controls which was significantly higher in cases (p&lt;0.05). Among the cases, 76.7% had recurrent UTI and 23.3% had first time UTI. Hypercalciuria were reported in 52.2% cases with recurrent UTI and only in 28.6% cases with first time UTI. Hypercalciuria in cases with recurrent UTI were also found significantly higher compared to controls (p&lt;0.05). It was therefore concluded that hypercalciuria is associated with UTI and is an important cause of UTI in children. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bmj.v43i1.21369 Bangladesh Med J. 2014 January; 43 (1): 9-12

Effects of honey supplementation combined with different jumping exercise intensities on bone mass, serum bone metabolism markers and gonadotropins in female rats

BackgroundThe effects of high and low jumping exercise intensities combined with honey on bone and gonadotrophins were investigated in eighty four 9 week-old female rats.MethodsThe experimental groups were 20 or 80 jumps per day combined with or without honey supplementation (HJ20, HJ80, J20 and J80), honey supplementation (H), sedentary without supplementation control (C), and baseline control (C0) groups.ResultsStudy results showed that HJ80 elicited greatest beneficial effects on tibial and femoral mass, serum total calcium and alkaline phosphatase concentrations. There were significantly (p < 0.05) lower levels of serum follicle stimulating hormone concentrations in H, J20, J80 compared to C, with exception of HJ20 and HJ80. Serum luteinizing hormone concentrations were significantly (p < 0.05) greater in HJ20, HJ80 and J20 compared to J80.ConclusionsIt appears that high intensity jumping exercise combined with honey supplementation resulted more discernable effects on bone. Meanwhile, honey may protect against the adverse effects induced by jumping exercise on gonadotropins in female rats.

English

Background and objective: Cigarette smoke is a leading preventable cause of many diseases and death, because it contains a complex mixture of chemical compounds. Few studies about the relation between cigarette smoking and glycoconjugate were found in literature, while no study was observed regarding passive smokers. Thus this relation is obscure till now. Therefore this work was designed to study the effect of cigarette smoking on serum glycoconjugates levels. Methods: One hundred twenty one completely healthy males from different areas of Duhok governorate were included in this study. Their age was ranged between 20 and 50 years. They were classified according to the number and duration of cigarette smoking into: heavy smokers (31), moderate smokers (26), passive smokers (30) and non-smokers (control). Fasting blood was withdrawn from all groups and used for determination of serum fucose and its related parameters. Results: The results showed that there was a significant decrease in serum total protein in heavy smoker groups when compared to non-smokers. The levels of serum total fucose and protein bound fucose significantly increased in smoker groups, while the results indicated that there was a significant increase in serum lipid associated fucose levels in heavy and passive smoker groups comparing to non-smoker group. A significant decrease in serum protein bound hexoses was observed in both heavy and moderate smokers. The result also showed that serum total calcium concentration, Ca/TP and Mg/TP ratios significantly decreased in all smoker groups.Regarding to serum Manganese (Mn) and Mn/TP ratio, their values increased significantly in case of passive smokers only. Conclusion: The results revealed that cigarette smoking had significant effects on glycoconjugates status (expressed in serum fucose and its related parameters).

Successful Detection and Removal of a Functional Parathyroid Adenoma in a Pony Using Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi Scintigraphy

Successful Detection and Removal of a Functional Parathyroid Adenoma in a Pony Using Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi Scintigraphy

Effect of sex and seasons of the year on hematologic and serum biochemical variables of captive brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira)

The Brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira) is the most common free-living and captive deer in South America, especially in Brazil, and has great ecological and scientific significance. However, data on hematological and biochemical parameters in brown brocket deer are scarce. The goal of this study was to establish reference ranges for hematological and biochemical parameters of Mazama gouazoubira, comparing differences during the seasons of the year and between sex. Blood samples from ten adult healthy brown brocket deer (6 female and 4 male) were collected during daytime, monthly, during 12 months. The animals were maintained in individual stable, protected from noise and fed ad libitum with commercial ration and green fodder. For blood collection, animals were submitted to physical restrain for no longer than 2 minutes. The following parameters were determined: red blood cell count (RBC), haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), white blood cell count (WBC), platelet count, enzyme activity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatine kinase (CK), total protein (TP), albumin, cholesterol, total calcium, ionic calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, triglycerides, creatinine and urea. Values were compared according to season and sex. RBC count, WBC count and MCV suggested seasonal influence. Haemoglobin concentration, PCV and MCV were influenced by sex. Serum concentration of total calcium, ionic calcium, sodium, potassium and magnesium were influenced by season. Serum magnesium was also influenced by sex. The blood parameters herein reported may be useful as reference values for diagnostic and prognostic purposes in captive brown-brocket deer.

Effects of supplementing Leucaena leucocephala and conserved forages from natural pasture on the performance of grazing calves

Twelve white Fulani × N'dama cross-bred calves weighing 83.79 ± 1.16 kg were used in an 84-day experiment to investigate the utilization of forage resources from natural grazing land. The experimental diets were sole grazing, grazing + hay, grazing + silage and grazing + Leucaena leucocephala leaves. The calves were divided into four groups of three animals each and were randomly assigned to the four experimental diets. Crude protein (CP) contents of the forages ranged from 59 to 171 g/kg dry matter (DM). Neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) contents of the forages ranged from 560 to 705 g/kg DM and 363 to 440 g/kg DM, respectively. Significantly (P < 0.05) higher values in mineral contents (Ca, K, P and Mg) were recorded for L. leucocephala leaves compared to other forage resources. Variations (P < 0.05) were observed in the average daily gain. Animals on grazing + L. leucocephala leaves diet had the highest (113 g/day) average daily gain, while those on sole grazing showed the least value (26.2 g/day). Packed cell volume (PCV), total serum protein, urea and calcium concentration showed significant differences (P < 0.05). Effective utilization of forage resources from the natural pasture by the calves was attained on supplementation with conserved forages and L. leucocephala leaves without any deleterious effects on the haematological and serum parameters.

Serum Calcium Concentration and Prostate Cancer Risk: A Multicenter Study

This study sought to further evaluate the possible effects of serum calcium level on prostate cancer (PC) risk, with considering the age, body mass index (BMI), and sex steroid hormones. Using data from a prospective multicenter study, serum calcium concentration, as well as thorough demographic and medical characteristics, were determined in 194 cases with newly diagnosed, clinicopathologically confirmed PC and 317 controls, without any malignant disease, admitted to the same network of hospitals. Serum total and ionized calcium levels were categorized into tertiles. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) after adjustment for major potential confounders, including age, BMI, smoking, alcohol, education, occupation, marital status, family history of PC, and sex hormones level. The mean serum calcium level (±SD) in case and control groups was 9.22 (±0.46) mg/dl and 9.48 (±0.51) mg/dl, respectively (P < 0.001). After adjustment for mentioned confounders, a significant trend of decreasing risk was found for serum total calcium concentration (OR = 0.27, 95% CI = 0.12–0.59, comparing the highest with the lowest tertile) and ionized calcium (OR = 0.25, 95% CI = 0.10–0.58). An increase of 1 mg/dl in serum calcium level was associated with a significant decrease in PC risk (OR = 0.52; 95% CI = 0.34–0.76). Our findings reveal the inverse association between serum total and ionized concentrations and PC risk, which supports the hypothesis that calcium may protect against PC. Furthermore, no evidence was found regarding age, BMI, and sex steroid hormones to modify the association between serum calcium and PC risk.

Feeding 5-hydroxy-l-tryptophan during the transition from pregnancy to lactation increases calcium mobilization from bone in rats

An increasing demand for calcium during pregnancy and lactation can result in both clinical and subclinical hypocalcemia during the early lactation period in several mammalian species, in particular the dairy cow. Serotonin (5-HT) was recently identified as a regulator of lactation and bone turnover. The purpose of this study was to determine whether supplementation of the maternal diet with a 5-HT precursor would increase maternal bone turnover and calcium mobilization to maintain appropriate circulating maternal concentrations of ionized calcium during lactation. Female Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 30) were fed either a control diet (n = 15) or a diet supplemented with the 5-HT precursor 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP, 0.2%; n = 15) from day 13 of pregnancy through day 9 of lactation. Maternal serum and plasma (day 1 and day 9 of lactation), milk and pup weight (daily), mammary gland and bone tissue (day 9 of lactation) were collected for analysis. The 5-HTP diet elevated circulating maternal concentrations of 5-HT on day 1 and day 9 of lactation and parathyroid hormone related-protein (PTHrP) on day 9 of lactation (P < 0.033). In addition, 5-HTP supplementation increased total serum calcium concentrations on day 1 of lactation and total milk calcium concentration on day 9 of lactation (P < 0.032). Supplemental 5-HTP did not alter milk yield, maternal body weight, mammary gland structure, or pup litter weights (P > 0.05). Supplemental 5-HTP also resulted in increased concentrations of mammary 5-HT and PTHrP, as well as increased mRNA expression of rate-limiting enzyme in 5-HT synthesis, tryptophan hydroxylase 1, and Pthrp mRNA on day 9 of lactation (P < 0.028). In addition, supplementation of 5-HTP resulted in increased mRNA expression of maternal mammary calcium transporters and resorption of bone in the femur, indicated by increase osteoclast number and diameter as well as mRNA expression of classical markers of bone resorption on day 9 of lactation (P < 0.048). These results show that increasing 5-HT biosynthesis during the transition from pregnancy to lactation could be a potential therapeutic target to explore for prevention of subclinical and clinical hypocalcemia.