1.
Dietary intervention causes redistribution of zinc in obese adolescents.
Freire, SC, Fisberg, M, Cozzolino, SM
Biological trace element research. 2013;(2):168-77
Abstract
Obese people tend to have low zinc circulation levels; this is not always related to zinc intake but can reflect the distribution of zinc in relation to the proportion of body fat and factors related to the inflammatory processes that cause obesity. The purpose of this study was to assess zinc distribution in 15 obese adolescent girls before and after a nutritional orientation program. Participants ranged from 14 to 18 years old (postpubescent) and had a body fat percent (BF%) of >35 %. Zinc nutritional status and other zinc-dependent parameters, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and insulin levels, were assessed by biochemical analysis of plasma and erythrocytes, salivary sediment, and urine. Samples were collected before and after 4 months of dietary intervention. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to verify BF% both at the beginning and at the end of the study. Food consumption was assessed in ten individual food questionnaires throughout the study; food groups were separated on the questionnaires in the same way as suggested by some authors to develop the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) but with the addition of zinc. After 4 months of nutritional orientation, 78 % of the participants showed a decrease in BF%. Intraerythrocytic zinc increased over the study period, while salivary sediment zinc, SOD, insulin, and Zn urinary24 h/creatinine all decreased (pā<ā0.05). There was no difference in zinc intake throughout the study but participants did increase their consumption of fruits, dairy, and meats during the study (pā<ā0.05). There were inverse and statistically significant correlations between the increased levels of intraerythrocytic zinc and decreased levels of SOD. There was also a statistically significant correlation between BF% and Zn urinary 24h/creatinine, and SOD. All these parameters were diminished at the end of the study. The dietary intervention for obese adolescent girls is effective with decrease of BF that led to the redistribution of zinc in the body as shown by the changes in erythrocytes, plasma, salivary, urine zinc, as well as the complementary parameters of insulin and SOD. These changes were not affected by zinc intake.
2.
Salivary cortisol monitoring: determination of reference values in healthy children and application in asthmatic children.
Nagakura, T, Tanaka, T, Arita, M, Nishikawa, K, Shigeta, M, Wada, N, Matsumoto, T, Hiraba, K, Fukuda, N
Allergy and asthma proceedings. 2012;(4):362-9
Abstract
Venipuncture testing of adrenocortical function in asthmatic infants and young children receiving inhaled corticosteroids can raise cortisol levels and mask physiological responses. This study aimed to establish reference ranges for salivary cortisol levels and evaluate the safety and effects of jet-nebulized budesonide inhalation suspension (BIS) on salivary cortisol levels and patient outcomes in infants and young children with mild or persistent asthma. Reference salivary cortisol levels were determined in healthy children aged 6 months to 4 years old. A 12-week multicenter, randomized, parallel-group, open-label study was performed involving 53 age-matched asthmatic children who received either 0.5 mg/day of BIS or 40-60 mg/day of cromolyn sodium inhalation suspension (CIS) via compressor nebulizer. The effective measuring range of salivary cortisol concentration in asthmatic children was 0.12-3.00 micrograms/dL. The upper and lower limits of the reference range were 0.827 and 0.076 micrograms/dL, respectively. No significant difference was seen from baseline through week 12 in the CIS and BIS groups. BIS was safe in these patients, with no inhibitory effects on adrenocortical function. Salivary cortisol measurement offers a useful and accurate tool for testing adrenocortical function in infants and young children. Longer-term studies that incorporate testing of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis are warranted to confirm our findings.
3.
Changes in salivary prostaglandin levels during menstrual migraine with associated dysmenorrhea.
Durham, PL, Vause, CV, Derosier, F, McDonald, S, Cady, R, Martin, V
Headache. 2010;(5):844-51
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To measure prostaglandin levels in the saliva of individuals during menstrual migraine associated with dysmenorrhea (MMaD) and in response to treatment with a single tablet combination of sumatriptan succinate and naproxen sodium. BACKGROUND Prostaglandins are thought to play a role in MMaD as elevated serum prostaglandin levels have been reported during attacks of menstrual migraine and are increased in the menstrual fluid of women with dysmenorrhea. While triptans are the primary line of migraine treatment, nonsteriodal anti-inflammatory drugs are the most commonly prescribed therapy for dysmenorrhea symptoms. Data from recent clinical studies have provided evidence that treatment with a single tablet combination of sumatriptan and naproxen sodium is an effective abortive therapy for attacks of MMaD. METHODS Women diagnosed with MMaD were treated with a sumatriptan succinate and naproxen sodium single tablet combination or placebo at time of migraine attack. Saliva samples were collected at time of attack as well as 2 and 4 hours after treatment. PGD(2), PGE(2), PGF(2), PGI(2), and TXA(2) levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS Elevated levels of PGD(2), PGF(2), and TXA(2) at 2 and 4 hours and PGE(2) at 4 hours were found in saliva obtained from placebo subjects when compared with onset of attack levels. However, in subjects treated with a single tablet combination of sumatriptan and naproxen sodium, the levels of PGD(2), PGF(2), and PGE(2) were not elevated at either time point while TXA(2) levels were still elevated at 4 hours. CONCLUSIONS Data from this pilot study provide evidence that saliva levels of several prostaglandins increase during attacks of MMaD and that treatment with a single tablet combination of sumatriptan and naproxen sodium prevents elevation of prostaglandin levels.