A 14C-Iabelled plant cell wall preparation (I4C-PCW) produced from spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) cell culture exhibits uniform labelling of the major polysaccharide groups (%): pectins 53, hemicellulose 13, cellulose 21, starch 3. This 14C-PCW preparation has been used in rat studies as a marker for plant cell wall metabolism. Metabolism of the 14C-PCW occurred largely over the first 24 h. This was due to fermentation in the caecum. The pectic fraction of the plant cell walls was degraded completely in the rat gastrointestinal tract, but some [14C-]cellulose was still detected after 24 h in the colon. Of the 14C,22% was recovered in the host liver, adipose tissue and skin, 26% excreted as 14CO2 and up to 18%was excreted in the faeces. There was no urinary excretion of 14C. In vitro fermentation using a caecal inocuium showed reduced 14CO2 production, 12% compared with 26% in the intact rat. 14C-PCW is auseful marker to investigate the fate of plant cell wall materials in the gastrointestinal tract. These studies show both bacterial fermentation of the 14C-PCW and host metabolism of the 14C-labelled fermentation products.

Zn deficiency has been shown to reduce host defence drastically. It was of interest to determine the capacity of the residual lymphocytes from Zn-deficient mice to proliferate and produce lymphokines in response to stimulation since there are many Zn-dependent metalloenzymes that might be altered by the deficiency. To address this question, young adult A/J mice were provided Zn-deficient or Zn-adequate diets or restricted amounts of a Zn-adequate diet for 30 d. Splenocytes from moderately or severely Zn- deficient adult A/J mice gave normal proliferative responses and generated adequate interleukin II (IL- 2) activity when stimulated with the mitogen Concanavalin A. However, splenocytes from deficient mice exhibited a higher degree of proliferation (about 150%) and production of IL-2 in response to foreign target cells compared with T-cells prepared from mice provided a Zn-adequate diet. B-cells from deficient mice stimulated in vivo with sheep erythrocytes produced fewer total numbers of plaque-forming cells (PFC) per spleen. Nevertheless, the proportion or number of PFC/106 viable splenocytes and the amounts of IgM and IgG antibody produced per PFC were equivalent to those of adequately-fed and restricted-fed controls. The previously described responses were not significantly affected by whether the level of Zn in the culture medium was adequate or limiting. Based on these tests it appeared that the residual splenic lymphocytes of Zn-deficient mice were able to carry out many fundamental immune processes.

Six sedentary to moderately active men with biochemical signs of riboflavin deficiency were studied under metabolic ward conditions to examine the effects of physical activity on riboflavin status. All participants were subjected to additional exercise (EXER) for an 18 d period between two maintenance (Ml and M2) periods (16 and 13 d respectively) of habitual physical activity. Energy balance and riboflavin intake were maintained throughout the study. Riboflavin status, as judged by a significant reduction in erythrocyte glutathione reductase (EC 1.6.4.2) activation coefficient (EGR-AC), improved on changing from home (1.53 (SD 0.14)) to period M1 (1.36 (SD 0.21)) diets. The exercise period, however, resulted in a significant deterioration in riboflavin status (1.57 (SD 0.31)) which persisted in the subsequent period M2 (1.54 (SD 0.15)). There was a concomitant fall in the urinary excretion of riboflavin only in the EXER period, when results were expressed as a percentage of the dietary intake of riboflavin. These results suggest an increased demand for the vitamin for selective biochemical functions during exercise. However, the energy cost of walking (treadmill 4 km/h), 50 W and 100 W work-loads (bicycle ergometer) as well as delta mechanical efficiency (DME) did not change during the three metabolic periods. The urinary excretion of riboflavin was inversely related to DME (r — 0.49; P < 0.05) and directly correlated with haemoglobin levels (r 0.63; P < 0.005). The present study suggests that riboflavin status further deteriorates during a short period of increased physical activity in individuals whose riboflavin status is marginal.

A continuous in vitro method for the estimation of the bioavailability of minerals and trace elements is presented. This in vitro method is believed to be more representative of in vivo physiological conditions than in vitro methods based on equilibrium dialysis, because dialysable components are continuously removed from the pancreatic digestion mixture. The continuous in vitro method is compared with the equilibrium in vitro method with respect to the dialysability of Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu and Zn from eight different types of bread (varying in phytic acid content). The results show a pronounced effect of continuous removal of dialysable components from the pancreatic digestion mixture on the dialysability of minerals and trace elements. Furthermore, removal of dialysable components influences the effect of phytic acid on the bioavailability of minerals and trace elements. For these two reasons the importance of removal of dialysable components in vitro for the estimation of bioavailahility in vivo needs further investigation. The bioavailability of minerals and trace elements from bread samples is not related to the phytic acid content only. Therefore, the effect of phytic acid on the bioavailability of minerals and trace elements cannot be studied separately from the effects of other components on bioavailability.

The purpose of the present study was to determine if the inclusion of whole-grain wheat or wheat bran in the diet or the addition of Zn to the diet affects the absorption and accumulation of Cd. Five groups of six rats each were fed deionized water and one of five diets composed of one part basic diet and one part wheat crispbread for 6 weeks. The accumulation of Cd in the liver and kidneys was measured using atomic absorption spectrometry and estimated by measuring the absorption and retention of 109Cd from a single meal after 3 weeks on the diets. The fractional accumulation of Cd in the liver and kidneys was lower in rats fed on whole-wheat and bran diets than in those fed on wheat-endosperm diets. As adding Zn or Cd to endosperm diets to approximate the bran and whole-wheat diet levels had no effect on the fractional Cd absorption, the reduced absorption from the whole-wheat and bran diets is probably not due to their higher Zn and Cd concentrations but may be due to their higher fibre or phytate concentrations. The amount of Cd concentrations.

The effect of riboflavin deficiency on gastrointestinal Fe distribution and loss was studied in weanling rats. Riboflavin deficiency was associated with a significant increase in crypt depth in the upper and mid small intestine and a twofold increase in the rate of crypt cell production compared with weight-matched and ad lih.-fed control rats. The rate of loss of endogenous Fe, measured as faecal 59Fe after intraperitoneally administered 59Fe, was twice that from riboflavin-deficient rats compared with weightmatched controls. We suggest that while there may be a contribution from turnover of enterocytes with an enhanced Fe content, enhanced Fe loss associated with riboflavin deficiency is due predominantly to an accelerated rate of small-intestinal epithelial turnover.

The relationship between vitamin C intake and status was investigated in a group of adolescents (13–14 years old). Dietary intakes were assessed using a 7 d weighed dietary record method, coupled with the collection of duplicate diets. Vitamin C intakes calculated using food composition tables were compared with values obtained by direct analysis of duplicate diets. Vitamin C status was judged via measurement of plasma ascorbic acid (AA) concentration in blood samples taken after a 12–15 h fast. The relationship between calculated and analysed vitamin C intake and plasma AA concentration was examined. Average daily calculated vitamin C intakes, for the group (n 54) as a whole over a 7 d period, gave a good estimate of intake, as judged by prompt analysis of duplicate diets. However, analysed v. calculated intakes were significantly different for approximately one-third of subjects when data were examined on an individual basis. Large discrepancies between analysed and calculated values could not be accounted for on a food group basis. In all but two individuals, calculated vitamin C intake was in excess of the new reference nutrient intake (RNI, part of the new daily reference values (Department of Health and Social Security, 1991)) of 40 mg and all plasma AA concentrations were well above those used to indicate even a moderate risk of deficiency. A relationship between vitamin C intake and plasma AA was observed for both males (n 19) and females (n 35). However, the relationship was much stronger for males who showed a wider range of both intake and plasma AA values.

The effect of lactose on the urinary excretion of Mg and Ca, as an index of absorption, was studied in a double-blind, crossover study during three 1-week periods. Twenty-four healthy, lactose-tolerant, adult volunteers maintained their habitual diets with the exception that all lactose-containing dairy products in the diet were replaced by 600 g/d of three specially prepared dairy products. These products were based on either lactose-enriched cow's milk or lactose-enriched, lactase (EC 3.2.1.23)-treated cow's milk, with or without added Mg, and were given in turn during 1 week. Lactose intake was increased by 127 mmol/d (46 g/d) while taking the lactose-enriched products. While taking the Mg-enriched products, Mg intake was increased by 2.8 mmol/d (69 mg/d) which was equivalent to 17% of the habitual Mg intake. Apart from the lactose and Mg intake, nutrient intake was comparable during the three dietary periods. Urinary excretions of Mg and Ca were used as indicators for their absorption. Mg supplementation significantly increased urinary Mg excretion by 0.97 mmol/d (equivalent to an increase of 18%, P < 0.001), indicating that urinary Mg excretion is a valid indicator for intestinal Mg absorption. Hydrolysis of lactose did not affect urinary excretion of Mg and Ca, which implies that lactose intake does not affect the absorption of Mg and Ca in healthy adults.

The bioavailability of intrinsic minerals in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) meal was studied in growing, fistulated pigs. Furthermore, the effect on mineral availability of an extrinsic Ca supply to this diet, high in phytate, was observed. Comparisons between small intestinal and total gastrointestinal absorption were accomplished for minerals and other dietary components. N retention increased as the dietary Ca intake increased, but dropped, in general significantly, throughout the experimental period, indicating that factors other than protein were limiting for growth. The highest dietary Ca level increased the absorption and retention of Ca and Mg. In contrast, addition of CaCO3 did not influence the apparent absorption and retention of P, Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn. The majority of observed blood variables was not affected by the Ca content of the diet. Zn status-related variables were, however, thoroughly depressed by duration of the experiment and it seems probable that the amount of absorbed Zn was a factor limiting growth. Total gastrointestinal balances showed a Zn retention of 4.7 mg/d, which accounted for 13.6 % of that ingested. This low absorption of Zn may have been due to the high intrinsic content of phytate. Apparent absorption of organic matter, ash, N and S was significantly greater calculated from faecal contents than from ileal contents, indicating a disappearance of material in the caecum–colon section of the gastrointestinal tract. The minerals which were studied showed the opposite pattern: apparent small intestinal absorption was larger than total intestinal absorption, suggesting that the caecal–colon region takes part in mineral turnover.

To determine the relationship between plasma and tissue α-tocopherol concentrations during vitamin E depletion, weaned lambs were placed on a vitamin E-deficient diet for 0, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks. α-Tocopherol was measured in plasma, erythrocytes, liver, adrenal, adipose tissue, three different skeletal muscles and heart muscle. The α-tocopherol concentration in plasma fell at the same rate as the α-tocopherol concentration in skeletal muscles, heart muscle, adrenal and adipose tissue. The α-tocopherol concentration in liver and erythrocytes fell at a faster rate than that of plasma and all muscle tissues. There were significant correlations between α-tocopherol concentration in plasma and α-tocopherol concentrations in all the tissues measured. Different skeletal muscles had significantly different concentrations of α-tocopherol which may relate to their differing susceptibility to nutritional myopathy. The increase in malondialdehyde in oxidatively-stressed muscle tissue and the correlation with α-tocopherol concentration in most muscle tissues indicated that the muscles had reduced antioxidant capacity in vitro as a result of vitamin E depletion. It was concluded that during vitamin E depletion in sheep α-tocopherol concentration in plasma was a good index of vitamin E status under the experimental conditions employed.

Thirty-three New Zealand women aged 18–23 years received daily for 32 weeks, 200 μg Se as Seenriched yeast (selenomethionine), or brewer's yeast mixed with selenate, or no added Se (placebo) in a double-blind trial. Se supplementation raised (P = 0.001), platelet glutathione peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.9; GSHPx) activity, and also Se and GSHPx in whole blood, erythrocytes and plasma. Selenomethionine was more effective in raising blood Se concentrations than selenate, but both were equally effective in raising GSHPx activities in whole blood, erythrocytes and plasma, indicating a similar bioavailability for the two forms. These observations and those of gel filtration studies of erythrocytes and plasma proteins reported elsewhere (Butler et al. 1991) are consistent with the incorporation of Se from selenomethionine into a general tissue protein pool while selenate is directly available for GSHPx synthesis, and explain the poorer correlation between Se and GSHPx in individuals with higher Se status. However, selenate raised platelet GSHPx activities to a greater extent than did selenomethionine suggesting some other effect of selenate on platelets which needs further investigation. A response of GSHPx activity in these New Zealand subjects indicates that their dietary Se intake is insufficient to meet recommended intakes based on the criterion of saturation of GSHPx activity, and could reflect a marginal Se status. The level of blood Se necessary for saturation of GSHPx of about 100 ng Se/ml whole blood confirms observations in earlier studies.

An increase in dietary intake of B from 0.25 to 3.25 mg/d has been reported to increase plasma oestradiol and testosterone and decrease urinary Ca excretion in postmenopausal women. Consequently, it is suggested that the higher level of B intake could reduce bone loss associated with the menopause and cessation of ovarian function. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of a B supplement on bone mineral absorption and excretion, plasma sex steroid levels and urinary excretion of pyridinium crosslink markers of bone turnover in healthy postmenopausal volunteers. The women were accommodated in a metabolic unit, given a low-B diet (LBD; 0.33 mg/d) for 3 weeks and were asked to take a B supplement of 3 mg/d in addition to the LBD for a further 3 weeks. Changing B intake from 0.33 to 3.33 mg/d had no effect on minerals, steroids or crosslinks. However, the LBD appeared to induce hyperabsorption of Ca since positive Ca balances were found in combination with elevated urinary Ca excretion. This phenomenon may have inhibited or obscured any effect of B.

Naked mole rats (Heterocephalus glaber) lead a strictly subterranean existence and appear to be naturally deficient in cholecalciferol (D3). Oral supplementation with D3 (Ds) led to a 1.8-fold increase in food intake and the associated enlargement (1.4-fold) of the caecum. The effect of Ds, and the concomitant increase in food intake, on caecal fermentation efficiency when animals were fed on a carrotbased diet was determined by measuring the rate of both gas production and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production. Microbial-controlled fermentation processes in the caecum were enhanced with Ds when compared with animals not receiving a D3 supplement (Dn). Both the rates of gas production (Dn 10.76 (SE 0.77), Ds 15.20 (SE 1.77) ml/g dry matter (DM) per h) and SCFA production (Dn 463.0 (SE 33.7), Ds 684.3 (SE 74.8) μmol/g DM per h) increased more than 1.4-fold per g DM caecal substrate. These factors contributed to the higher digestibility of the food in Ds animals. The larger quantity of energy available to D3-replete naked mole rats was not used in anabolic processes, for these animals maintained mass. These findings suggest that metabolic rate in D3-replete animals was elevated. Thus, despite improved gut function, D3-replete animals may be disadvantaged by their higher energy and food requirements in their natural milieu.

In ad lib.-fed rats the epithelium of the small intestine, like the liver, contains large quantities of glutathione, 17.0 and 32.4 nmol/mg protein respectively. Following 24 h food restriction the glutathione content in both tissues fell 53 and 69% respectively. Unlike the liver, however, the glutathione content of the intestinal mucosa is not regulated to a diurnal rhythm, suggesting that the liver may provide glutathione or glutathione precursors to maintain intestinal glutathione levels. Intestinal epithelial cell preparations obtained from 24 h food-deprived rats had depleted glutathione stores (50%) and as a consequence were more susceptible to the oxidizing effects of cumene hydroperoxide. These results suggest that if glutathione plays a major role in the defence of the intestinal mucosa from ingested toxins then depletion of this defence during periods of food restriction could significantly increase the susceptibility of the individual to toxins present in the diet.

The Ca and P intakes of 148 pregnant and lactating women in a rural village in The Gambia. West Africa, have been estimated by direct weighing of food on a total of 4188 d. The Ca and P contents of local foods were determined by analysis of raw ingredients, snack foods and prepared dishes. Information about the contribution of mineral-rich seasonings was obtained. Efforts were made to discover unusual sources of Ca that might not be perceived as food by subject or observer. The main contributors to daily Ca intake were shown to be leaves, fish, cereals, groundnuts and local salt. Cow's milk accounted for only 5 % of Ca intake. Unusual sources of Ca were discovered, namely baobab (Adansonia digitata) fruit and selected earths, but these were consumed infrequently and their contributions to Ca intakes were small. Cereals and groundnuts were the main sources of P. Ca and P intakes (mg/d) were shown to average 404 (SD 110) and 887 (SD 219) respectively. Seasonal changes in the availability of leaves, cereals and groundnuts resulted in variations in Ca and P intakes. The rainy season was associated with increased Ca intakes (by 16%) but decreased P consumption (by 15%). No difference was observed in Ca intake between pregnant and lactating women but P intake in lactation was 11 % higher than that in pregnancy during the post-harvest season. The implications of these low Ca intakes require investigation.

The present study tested the hypothesis that inadequate Zn intake might be responsible for failure to thrive and impaired catch-up growth in young rural Gambian children, and that Zn supplements might be beneficial. Gambian children might be deprived of Zn because of its poor availability from their predominantly plant-based diet. Rural Gambian children (110; fifty boys, sixty girls) aged between 0.57 and 2.30 years were divided into two matched groups, one to receive 70 mg Zn twice weekly for 1.25 years, and the other a placebo. Growth and mid-upper-arm circumference were measured at weekly intervals throughout the study and illnesses were monitored. Capillary blood and urine samples were collected at 0, 2 and 8 weeks. Body weights and arm circumferences showed a linear increase, plus a seasonal effect (rainy season faltering). For body weight there was no significant overall effect of the supplement. For arm circumference, a very small (2 %) but significant (P < 0.01) difference favoured the supplemented group. Plasma thymulin was much lower at the first clinic than at the second and third clinics, and in vitro Zn stimulation was greater at the first clinic. There was, however, no effect of Zn in vivo. Likewise, Zn did not significantly benefit T-cell numbers or ratios, secretory IgA in urine, circulating hormone levels or biochemical indices of Zn status. One index of intestinal permeability, i.e. lactulose: creatinine, was improved (P < 0.02) by the supplement, but the lactulose: mannitol value was not; this requires further investigation. Dietary Zn deficiency is, thus, unlikely to be of major overall importance for rural Gambian children's ability to thrive, and blanket Zn supplementation is not justified. There may, however, be vulnerable sub-groups who would benefit from Zn supplements.

Xanthan gum (15 g/d) was given for 10 d to eighteen normal volunteers. In vivo measurements of stool output, transit time, frequency of defaecation and flatulence were compared with a preceding control period of 10 d. At the end of the control and test periods fresh faecal homogenate from each subject was anaerobically incubated with xanthan gum and control solutions to assess the ability of the bacteria to break down the gum. Xanthan gum was found to be a highly efficient laxative agent causing significant increases in stool output (P < 0.01), frequency of defaecation (P < 0.05) and flatulence (P < 0.01) whilst having variable effects on transit time. Before feeding xanthan gum, faecal samples from twelve of the eighteen subjects could reduce the viscosity of the gum in vitro. This rose to sixteen of the eighteen with significantly greater amounts (P < 0.05) of hydrogen and short-chain fatty acids also being produced, indicating bacterial adaptation in the presence of the substrate. Correlations between the in vivo and in vitro findings did not substantiate claims that the in vivo effect of a given polysaccharide can be predicted from its fermentation characteristics in vitro.

Experiments in rodent models of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) suggest that destruction of pancreatic p cells can be both initiated and inhibited by certain environmental factors such as dietary constituents. We studied nutritional impact of certain protein sources of natural-ingredient, non-purified (NP) rodent diet on diabetes incidence and insulitis severity in the spontaneous diabetic, non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse. Long-term ad lib. feeding of diets containing wheat flour (800 g/kg), and to a lesser extent soya-bean meal (400 g/kg), were associated with relatively high diabetes incidence (65 and 45% respectively), whereas a diet based on hydrolysed casein (HC; 200 g/kg) as the only source of protein significantly (compared with the wheat-flour diet) inhibited expression of diabetes (22 YO). Feeding a hypo-allergenic soya-bean-protein hydrolysate resulted in diabetes incidence and insulitis severity similar to that of the soya-bean-meal-fed group. This may indicate that protein hydrolysis per se may not be necessary for dietary modification of diabetes in the NOD mouse. The window of vulnerability to diabetogenic diets was found to be between weaning and about 70 d of age. In the diabetic mice insulitis was less frequent in the HC-fed group when compared with those fed NP (P = 0.04), soya- bean meal (P = 0.03), soya-bean-protein hydrolysate (P = 0.012) or wheat flour (P = 0.0002). In the non-diabetic mice the wheat-flour diet was associated with a high insulitis severity in comparison with the HC group (P = 0.004). Early avoidance of NP diet was associated with lower degree of insulitis in both diabetic (P = 0.00003) and non-diabetic mice (P =0.001) when compared with the mice fed on the HC diet later in life. These findings are contributing to further clarification of diabetes-promoting dietary constituents, which may have some nutritional implications for IDDM-susceptible children.

A stratified goitre survey was conducted on 35635 schoolchildren and 19158 household members in all Regions of Ethiopia except Eritrea and Tigrai. The gross goitre prevalence (mean of male and female values) among schoolchildren and household members was 30.6 and 18.7% respectively, while that of visible goitre was 1.6 and 3.2% respectively. Prevalence was higher in females (27.3% in household members and 36.1% in schoolchildren) than in males (10.1% in household members and 25.1% in schoolchildren) and increased with age more in females than in males. The prevalence rates at higher altitudes were higher than those at lower altitudes in both schoolchildren and household members. Using an epidemiological model the consequences of iodine deficiency, including cretinism and maternal wastage, have been estimated.

The purpose of the present paper was to study the effects of a dietary undigestible carbohydrate and intestinal microflora on mucin distribution (neutral, acid, sulphonated), glycolytic activities: η-D-galactosidase (EC 3.2.1.23), N-acetyl-η-D-galactosaminidase ( Ec 3.2.1.43), N-acetyl-η-D-gluco-saminidase (EC 3.2.1.30), β-L-fucosidase (EC 3.2.1.51) and bacterial metabolism (gas production, short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and lactic acid caecal concentration) in germ-free (GF), conventional (CV) and heteroxenic (HE) rats (GF rats associated with a human flora). Rats were fed on either a control diet or a diet containing 40 g trans-galactosylated oligosaccharide (TOS)/kg. In GF rats fed on the control diet caecal pH was almost neutral and glycolytic activities negligible. The number of mucus- containing cells increased from the caecum to the colon for the three types of mucin. TOS had no effect in the caecum but it modified mucin cell repartition in the colon. In CV and HE rats fed on the control diet caecal pH was similar (6.8), but caecal SCFA and lactic acid concentrations (μmol/g) and gas production (m1/24 h) were higher in CV (70, 5.9 and 2.3 respectively) than in HE rats (32, 4.6 and 0.4 respectively). In CV, as in HE rats, acid-mucin-containing cells increased from the caecum to the colon and glycolytic activities were similar. TOS reduced acid-mucin-containing cells in the caecum of CV rats by twofold but had no effect in either the caecum or the colon of HE rats. TOS strongly increased η- galactosidase activity and slightly modified the other glycolytic activities. Its effect on bacterial metabolites depended on bacterial status. However, comparison between CV and HE rats showed no evident relationship between the number of mucus-containing cells and measured bacterial metabolites. Differences between CV and HE rats might be due to bacterial microflora specificity. TOS had an intrinsic effect on mucus cell distribution in the colon of GF rats. In CV and HE rats the presence of the flora abolished this effect.