ascorbic-acid and Vitamin-A-Deficiency

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Avitaminosis; Breast Feeding; Child, Preschool; Cystic Fibrosis; Female; Humans; Hypervitaminosis A; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Rickets; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin B Complex; Vitamin D; Vitamin E; Vitamin K; Vitamins

Topics: Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Avitaminosis; Child; Cystic Fibrosis; Dietary Supplements; Humans; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin E Deficiency; Vitamin K Deficiency; Vitamins

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Cocarcinogenesis; Humans; Neoplasms; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin E; Vitamin E Deficiency

The list of vitamins recognized as essential in human nutrition is extensive. Only some of them, however, are attributed an important role in public health. The present paper deals with three of these selected because their deficiencies still prevail in important sectors of population in the Latin American Region: vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin D. For each vitamin the paper discusses the scientific bases for their requirements, as well as pragmatic considerations to be taken into account for the derivation of recommended dietary intakes. Reference is made to the logic of applying the concepts of nutrient density when developing guidelines for the design of diets for the family and the community. Adequate nutrient density means that when a diet is consumed in sufficient amounts to satisfy energy requirements, the needs for essential nutrients are also being met. For the above reasons, the principle of expressing the recommended levels of intake of vitamin A and C per 1,000 kilocalories has been followed. This is not the case with vitamin D which, in view of its special feature of being synthesized endogenously, is not really a vitamin in the strict sense of the term and, therefore, a rational and consistent relationship with the energy of the diet cannot be established.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Child; Child, Preschool; Diet; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Latin America; Male; Nutritional Requirements; Pregnancy; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin D; Vitamin D Deficiency

The effects of vitamins A, C, and E and of selenium on carcinogenesis are briefly summarized and updated. These vitamins and minerals were selected because they have been studied extensively in recent years with a variety of carcinogenesis models. The consumption of vitamin A and its precursors (carotenoids) has been negatively correlated with cancer at a number of sites, particularly the lung. Animal investigations on vitamin A involvement in carcinogenesis have generally been of three types: those assessing the effect of vitamin A deficiency, the effect of excess vitamin A, or the effect of supplementation with synthetic analogs of vitamin A. Vitamin A deficiency had no effect on salivary gland carcinogenesis, enhanced urinary bladder, lung, and liver carcinogenesis, and inhibited colon carcinogenesis. Excess of various forms of vitamin A enhanced or inhibited skin tumorigenesis, inhibited mammary carcinogenesis in rats (but not in mice), and carcinogenesis of the forestomach, liver, and urinary bladder (with one model, but not with another), or enhanced or did not influence lung carcinogenesis. Vitamin A analogs have enhanced or inhibited skin tumorigenesis, inhibited salivary gland, mammary, and urinary bladder carcinogenesis, enhanced tracheal and liver carcinogenesis, and either enhanced or inhibited pancreas carcinogenesis, depending upon the model employed. Although retinoids have been shown to inhibit carcinogenesis at many sites, numerous negative studies have been reported and some reports have indicated enhanced carcinogenesis. The most convincing evidence for the involvement of vitamin C in cancer prevention is the ability of ascorbic acid to prevent formation of nitrosamine and of other N-nitroso compounds. In addition vitamin C supplementation was shown to inhibit skin, nose, tracheal, lung, and kidney carcinogenesis, to either not influence or enhance skin, mammary gland, and colon carcinogenesis, and to enhance urinary bladder carcinogenesis, when given as sodium ascorbate, but not when given as ascorbic acid. Like vitamin C, vitamin E can inhibit nitrosation. Vitamin E was shown to inhibit skin, cheek pouch, and forestomach carcinogenesis, to enhance or inhibit colon carcinogenesis, and to have no effect on or to inhibit mammary gland carcinogenesis, depending upon the method of vitamin E administration or the level of dietary selenium or dietary fat. Selenium effects on carcinogenesis have been recently reviewed and the present discussi

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Carcinogens; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; Neoplasms, Experimental; Selenium; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin E

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Diet; Digestive System; Folic Acid Deficiency; Gonadal Steroid Hormones; Humans; Immunity; Lymphocytes; Nutrition Disorders; Obesity; Phorbol Esters; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin B Deficiency; Vitamin E; Zinc

Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Antibody Formation; Antigen-Antibody Reactions; Ascorbic Acid; Flavonoids; Folic Acid; Humans; Niacinamide; Pantothenic Acid; Pyridoxine; Riboflavin; T-Lymphocytes; Thiamine; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin D; Vitamin E; Vitamin K; Vitamins

As the second leading cause of death in the United States, cancer is a major public health problem today. Cancer incidence varies worldwide and tends to change with migration. These epidemiological observations have led to the concept that environmental factors may be important in carcinogenesis. Diet and nutrition are receiving increased attention and the National Cancer Institute, as mandated by the Nation Cancer Act Amendments of 1974, is playing a major leadership role in expanding research efforts in the areas of environmental carcinogenesis, and nutrition in relation to cancer. The subject of diet, nutrition, and cancer is complex. Different types of cancer are not necessarily affected by dietary components in the same manner. Although the development of certain neoplasms may be repressed by specific dietary deficiencies, other types, particularly those of the liver and upper gastrointestinal tract, are actually augmented or potentiated by such deficienceis. In extrapolating results from animal experiments to humans, caution must be exercised because of possible differences in species response to the same dietary stimulus and because spontaneous tumors may react differently from experimentally-induced tumors. Diet and nutrition are viewed more appropriately as modifiers, rather than initiators, of tumorigenesis. Caloric intake, type and amount of fat, protein, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other dietary constituents have been studied in regard to their influence on the development of neoplasms. Dietary components may have opposing effects on tumorigenesis, i.e., protective and predisposing, and the consequence to the host will depend on the balance between these opposing forces. Studies conducted to date indicate that the modifying effect of diet and nutrition may be exerted through specific effects on 1) intestinal bacteria and substrates for bacterial metabolism, 2) microsomal mixed-function oxidase system, 3) endocrine system, 4) immunological system, 5) availability of metabolites for cell proliferations, and 6) rate of carcinogen transfer and duration of exposure to the carcinogen. More research is needed to elucidate the interaction between diet and each of these factors and to test the validity of the mechanisms proposed to explain such interactions. These studies will lead not only to a better understanding of carcinogenesis itself but also to a new understanding of the influence of diet on human physiology and metabolism.

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Bile Acids and Salts; Cholesterol; Diet; Dietary Fats; Digestive System; Energy Metabolism; Forecasting; Humans; Hypercholesterolemia; Intestines; Neoplasms; Nutrition Disorders; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Polysaccharides; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin B Complex; Vitamin B Deficiency

Topics: Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Adrenal Gland Diseases; Adrenal Glands; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Male; Rats; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Child, Preschool; Deficiency Diseases; Female; Fever; Folic Acid; Humans; Infant; Infant Food; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Infant, Newborn; Infections; Kinetics; Male; Milk, Human; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Nutritional Requirements; Pyridoxine; Thiamine; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin D; Vitamin E; Vitamin K; Vitamins

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Drug Synergism; Eye Diseases; Fatty Acids, Essential; Flavonoids; Humans; Niacinamide; Pantothenic Acid; Pyridoxine; Riboflavin; Thiamine; Thiamine Pyrophosphate; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency; Vitamin B Complex; Vitamin D; Vitamin E; Vitamin K; Vitamins

Topics: Alcohols; Ascorbic Acid; Carbohydrate Metabolism; Chloroquine; Erythrocytes; Eye Diseases; Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency; Glucosephosphates; Glutathione; Histocytochemistry; Lens, Crystalline; Lipid Metabolism; Metabolism; Methanol; Phenothiazines; Retina; Retinal Pigments; Retinitis Pigmentosa; Toxicology; Vitamin A Deficiency

The present study was aimed at assessing the effect of zinc- and micronutrient-rich food supplementation compared with ayurvedic zinc tablets on the blood levels of zinc and vitamin A in adolescent girls.. One hundred eighty apparently healthy schoolgirls (12.5 ± 0.85 y old) were recruited for a 10-wk intervention trial. They were randomized to three groups: one group received a food supplement that was prepared using zinc- and micronutrient-rich foods and by adopting food-processing methods that increase zinc bioavailability; the second group received ayurvedic zinc (Jasad) tablets as a natural elemental zinc supplement; and the third group served as the control without any supplementation. Diet was assessed by 24-h recall on 3 non-consecutive days. Fasting blood samples were analyzed for plasma levels of zinc, β-carotene, retinol, vitamin C, and hemoglobin at baseline and the end of the study period.. Food supplementation showed a significant increase in plasma levels of zinc (9.9%), β-carotene (56.2%), and vitamin C (28.0%, P < 0.05) and a non-significant increase in hemoglobin (1.7%), although small, non-significant changes in blood micronutrient levels were observed in the control group (P > 0.1). Food supplementation decreased the prevalence of zinc deficiency (73% to 53.1%), β-carotene deficiency (31.1% to 17.4%), and mild anemia (32.2% to 23.7%). Ayurvedic zinc supplementation significantly improved plasma zinc (61.3%) and plasma retinol (38.2%) and decreased the prevalence of zinc deficiency (73.7% to 36.2%) and vitamin A deficiency (65.4% to 20.4%, P < 0.05).. Zinc- and micronutrient-rich food supplementation was effective in improving the zinc and vitamin A status of adolescent girls.

Topics: Adolescent; Anemia; Ascorbic Acid; beta Carotene; Biological Availability; Child; Dietary Supplements; Female; Hemoglobins; Humans; Micronutrients; Nutritional Status; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Zinc

Different supplementation schemes to build iron stores in female Indonesian adolescents were investigated. Subjects were 273 high-school girls allocated randomly to four treatment groups. During a 3-mo period one group received 60 mg Fe, 750 micrograms retinol, 250 micrograms folic acid, and 60 mg vitamin C per day; a second group received 60 mg Fe, 6000 micrograms retinol, 500 mg folic acid, and 60 mg vitamin C once a week; a third group received 120 mg Fe and the same amount of the other three micronutrients as the second group once a week; and a fourth group received only placebos. All subjects were dewormed and supplement allocation was double blind. Blood samples were collected at baseline, after 2 and 3 mo of supplementation, and 6 mo after the last supplement. After 2 mo of supplementation, groups supplemented weekly and daily showed similar significant improvements (P < 0.001) in hemoglobin and retinol concentrations, and supplementation for 3 instead of 2 mo did not significantly increase these two indicators. After 3 mo, the increase in ferritin was approximately equal to 27 micrograms/L in the daily and 14-15 micrograms/L in the weekly groups (P < 0.001), the latter having a final concentration of 42-45 micrograms/L. At 6 mo postsupplementation there were no significant differences among daily and weekly groups, but the ferritin concentration was still approximately equal to 10-12-micrograms/L higher (P < 0.001) than in the placebo group. The group supplemented weekly with 60 mg Fe complained less about side effects than the other supplemented groups (P < 0.05). Weekly supplementation with 60 mg Fe and 6000 micrograms retinol for 3 mo was optimal for improving the iron status of the adolescents for approximately equal to 9 mo.

Topics: Adolescent; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency; Ascorbic Acid; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Double-Blind Method; Female; Ferritins; Folic Acid; Food, Fortified; Humans; Indonesia; Iron; Iron Deficiencies; Nutritional Status; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency

Thirty elderly long-stay patients were randomly allocated to receive either placebo or dietary supplementation with vitamins A, C and E for 28 days. Nutritional status and cell-mediated immune function were assessed before and after the period of supplementation. Following vitamin supplementation, cell-mediated immune function improved as indicated by a significant increase in the absolute number of T cells (p less than 0.05), T4 subsets (p less than 0.05), T4 to T8 ratio (p less than 0.01) and the proliferation of lymphocytes in response to phytohaemagglutinin (p less than 0.01). In contrast, no significant changes were noted in the immune function of the placebo group. We conclude that supplementation with the dietary antioxidants vitamins A, C and E can improve aspects of cell-mediated immune function in elderly long-stay patients.

Topics: Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Diet; Geriatric Assessment; Geriatrics; Humans; Immunity, Cellular; Institutionalization; Leukocyte Count; Nutritional Status; Placebos; T-Lymphocytes; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin E; Vitamin E Deficiency

Children living in resource-limited settings often suffer from multiple micronutrient deficiencies (MMD). However, there lacks evidence on the correlates of MMD in young children. We investigated the role of diets, water, sanitation and hygiene practice, enteric infections, and impaired gut health on MMD in children at 24 months of age using data from the multi-country MAL-ED birth cohort study. Co-existence of more than one micronutrient deficiency (e.g., anemia, iron, zinc, or retinol deficiency) was considered as MMD. We characterized intestinal inflammation by fecal concentrations of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and neopterin (NEO) measured in the non-diarrheal stool samples. Bayesian network analysis was applied to investigate the factors associated with MMD. A total of 1093 children were included in this analysis. Overall, 47.6% of the children had MMD, with the highest prevalence in Pakistan (90.1%) and lowest in Brazil (6.3%). MMD was inversely associated with the female sex [OR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.54, 0.92]. A greater risk of MMD was associated with lower vitamin C intake [OR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.48, 0.94] and increased fecal concentrations of MPO [OR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.08, 1.51]. The study results imply the importance of effective strategies to ameliorate gut health and improve nutrient intake during the early years of life.

Topics: Anemia, Iron-Deficiency; Ascorbic Acid; Bayes Theorem; Birth Cohort; Child; Child, Preschool; Cohort Studies; Female; Humans; Infant; Inflammation; Malnutrition; Micronutrients; Prevalence; Vitamin A Deficiency

To investigate the relationship between peripheral blood micronutrient levels and 4 kinds of oral mucosal diseases (minor recurrent aphthous ulcer, angular cheilitis, cheilitis and geographic tongue) in children aged 0~14 years.. One hundred and fifty-two children with oral mucosal lesions (COML) and 65 healthy children (health control group, HC) were included. The clinical data of each group were recorded separately to compare whether there existed differences in the levels of serum water-soluble vitamins (vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12, C), serum fat-soluble vitamins [vitamins A, E, K, 25(OH)D2, 25(OH)D3], zinc and serum calcium. Whether peripheral blood micronutrients were risk factors associated with the onset of COML was analyzed through disorder multiclass logistic regression with SPSS 23.0 software package.. Peripheral blood micronutrients differed in children with minor recurrent aphthous ulcers, cheilitis, and geographic tongue (P＜0.05). Compared with HC group, children in minor recurrent aphthous ulcer group had significantly lower levels of vitamin B1, B6, B7, C, A, and 25(OH)D3 (P＜0.05), and relatively higher rates of vitamin B6 (50.00% vs 13.85%), vitamin B7 (36.76% vs 9.23%), 25(OH)D3 (64.71% vs 36.92%) deficiency and vitamin K excess (8.82% vs 0.00%)(P＜0.005). Multiclass logistic regression analysis showed that vitamin B1, vitamin C, vitamin A deficiency, vitamin B5, and vitamin K excess were risk factors for incidence in children with minor recurrent aphthous ulcer, and each element was independent for each other. Compared with HC group, the levels of vitamin B7 and 25(OH)D3 in children with cheilitis were significantly lower(P＜0.05), and the rate of vitamin B7 deficiency was significantly higher (P＜0.005). Multiclass logistic regression analysis showed that vitamin B7 and vitamin A deficiency were risk factors for cheilitis in children, and the two were independent for each other. Compared with the HC group, vitamin K excess rate was significantly higher in children with geographic tongue (7.14% vs 0.00%) (P＜0.005). Multiclass logistic regression analysis showed that vitamin C deficiency and vitamin K excess were risk factors for the incidence of geographic tongue, and the two were independent for each other. Compared with other groups, peripheral blood micronutrients had no correlation with the pathogenesis of angular cheilitis (P＞0.05).. The occurrence of COML is closely related to peripheral blood micronutrient levels, which suggests that children with COML need to monitor vitamin and mineral levels and supplement treatment when necessary.

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Calcium; Cheilitis; Child; Glossitis, Benign Migratory; Humans; Micronutrients; Minerals; Pantothenic Acid; Stomatitis, Aphthous; Thiamine; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin B 6; Vitamin K; Vitamins; Water; Zinc

The increasing incidence of metabolic diseases such as obesity or diabetes have made them a major public health problem. Increasing oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen species, which initiate the oxidative adverse changes in the cell, is mentioned, among other risk factors, to underlie these diseases. Vitamin A, C and E are listed among the non-enzymatic mechanisms counteracting this phenomenon. Vitamin D deficiency is also associated with cardiovascular diseases.. The aim of the study was to assess the risk of vitamin A, C, E and D deficit in the plasma of metabolic syndrome (MS) patients.. The study included 191 patients with MS and 98 subjects without MS. Loglinear analysis was used in the assessment of mutual interactions between the vitamin concentration and the analysis of classification by ROC curves to predict the frequency of vitamin deficiency in MS patients.. A correlation was found between the plasma level of vitamins in the group of MS patients. Vitamin A concentration correlated with that of vitamin C (r = 0.51, p = 0.0000), vitamin D (r = 0.49, p = 0.0000) and E (r = 0.32, p = 0.0001). The plasma level of vitamin D correlated with the level of vitamin E (r = 0.46, p = 0.00000) and vitamin C (r = 0.37, p = 0.0000). Regression analysis showed a correlation between the concentration of the tested vitamins in patients with MS. Interactions were observed between vitamins C and A and between C and D. HDL cholesterol level was lower in patients with vitamin A deficiency compared to patients with its normal level.. The plasma levels of vitamin A, C, E and D were significantly lower in patients with MS than in healthy subjects and they mutually correlated with each other. The normalization of glucose and HDL level may contribute to the regulation of the concentration of vitamin A in patients with MS.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Case-Control Studies; Cholesterol, HDL; Female; Humans; Male; Metabolic Syndrome; Middle Aged; Reactive Oxygen Species; Risk; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin D; Vitamin D Deficiency; Vitamin E; Vitamin E Deficiency

To describe the prevalence and determinants of gestational night blindness in pregnant women receiving care in a hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.. Cross-sectional study of pregnant and postpartum women receiving care in a public hospital in Rio de Janeiro from 1999 to 2001 (group I; n 225) or from 2005 to 2008 (group II; n 381). Night blindness was identified through a standardized and validated interview (WHO, 1996). The determinants of gestational night blindness were identified through a hierarchical logistic regression model.. Public maternity hospital in Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.. Adult pregnant and postpartum women (n 606), aged ≥20 years.. The prevalence of gestational night blindness was 9·9 %. The final model revealed that not living in the South Zone of Rio de Janeiro (distal level: adjusted OR=1·846; 95 % CI 1·002, 3·401), belonging to group I (intermediate level: adjusted OR=2·183; 95 % CI 1·066, 4·471) and for the proximal level, having a history of abortion (adjusted OR=2·840; 95 % CI 1·134, 7·115) and having anaemia during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy (adjusted OR=3·776; 95 % CI 1·579, 9·029) were determinants of gestational night blindness.. Gestational night blindness should be assessed for during the prenatal care of all pregnant women, especially those living in deprived areas of the city and/or who have a history of abortion or anaemia. Nutritional monitoring is recommended during pregnancy to control gestational night blindness.

Topics: Abortion, Induced; Adult; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency; Ascorbic Acid; Brazil; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dietary Supplements; Female; Folic Acid; Food, Fortified; Humans; Iron, Dietary; Logistic Models; Night Blindness; Postpartum Period; Pregnancy; Prenatal Care; Prevalence; Socioeconomic Factors; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Young Adult

A Japanese-style diet consists of meals that include grain (shushoku), fish and meat (shusai), and vegetable dishes (fukusai). Little is known about the association of such meals (designated well-balanced meals hereafter) with nutrient intake. We therefore examined the frequency of well-balanced meals required to prevent nutrient deficiency. Participants were Japanese people, ages 40 to 59 y, from Toyama, recruited for INTERMAP, in an international population-based study. Each person provided 4 in-depth 24-h dietary recalls (149 men, 150 women). The prevalence of risk ratios of not meeting the Dietary Reference Intakes for Japanese (2015) was calculated. Well-balanced diets were assessed by the Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top. We counted the frequencies of meals in which participants consumed 1.0 or more servings of all 3 dishes categories. We divided the frequency of consumption of well-balanced meals into the following 4 groups: <1.00 time/d, 1.00-1.49 times/d, 1.50-1.74 times/d, and ≥1.75 times/d. Compared with participants in the highest frequency group for well-balanced meals, those who consumed well-balanced meals less than once a day had a higher risk of not meeting the adequate intake for potassium and the recommended dietary allowance for vitamin A. Those who consumed well-balanced meals on average less than 1.50 times per day had a higher risk of not meeting the recommended dietary allowance for calcium and vitamin C. Our results suggest that individuals should on average consume well-balanced meals more than 1.5 times per day to prevent calcium and vitamin C deficiencies.

Topics: Adult; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Asian People; Body Mass Index; Body Weight; Calcium, Dietary; Diet, Healthy; Energy Intake; Female; Fishes; Humans; Japan; Male; Malnutrition; Meat; Mental Recall; Micronutrients; Middle Aged; Nutrition Assessment; Recommended Dietary Allowances; Seafood; Vegetables; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Whole Grains

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Bacteria; Biomass; Cell Cycle; Diabetes Mellitus; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Erythrocytes; Glucose; Humans; Obesity; Polyhydroxyalkanoates; Sewage; Starvation; United Kingdom; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency

Frequent or rare, minor or serious, numerous skin conditions exist. Allergic, inflammatory, infectious or bullous, dermatoses may also reveal underlying pathologies.

Topics: Acne Vulgaris; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Dermatomyositis; Erythema; Humans; Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous; Psoriasis; Skin Diseases; Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency

Ultra Rice grains are micronutrient-fortified, extruded rice grains designed to address specific nutritional deficiencies in populations where rice is a staple food. Vitamin A and some of the B vitamins, as well as iron and zinc, are target nutrients for fortification through Ultra Rice technology. Vitamin A is sensitive to degradation. Therefore, the original Ultra Rice formulations included stabilizers, some of which were not approved as food additives in all of the receiving markets.. To develop a new antioxidant system for improving vitamin A storage stability in Ultra Rice grains, while complying with international food regulations.. Ten formulations were prepared containing various combinations of hydrophilic and hydrophobic antioxidants, as well as moisture stabilizers. Accelerated vitamin A storage stability tests were conducted at 25 degrees, 35 degrees, and 45 degrees C with 70% to 100% relative humidity.. The most stable samples contained one or more phenolic antioxidants, a water-soluble antioxidant, and stabilizing agents. The best results were obtained by using butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) in combination with butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) as the hydrophobic antioxidants and ascorbic acid as the hydrophilic antioxidant. Citric acid and sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) were used to chelate metal ions and to stabilize moisture, respectively. The best formulations retained more than 85% and approximately 70% of the added vitamin A at 25 degrees and 45 degrees C, respectively, after 24 weeks storage.. The best antioxidant system, composed of generally accepted food additives, improved vitamin A stability while reducing the price, thus greatly improving the commercial viability of Ultra Rice grains for use as a ricefortificant.

Topics: Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Butylated Hydroxyanisole; Butylated Hydroxytoluene; Citric Acid; Food Additives; Food Handling; Food, Fortified; Metals; Oryza; Phenols; Polyphosphates; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Water

This investigation aims to explore the association among anemia and vitamins A, C, and folate deficiencies in a probabilistic sample of Mexican children.. Data on hemoglobin, serum vitamins A and C and folate concentrations and percent transferrin saturation (PTS) in children 0.5-11 years (n = 1,770) were extracted from the database of the probabilistic Mexican National Nutrition Survey 1999 (NNS-99).. Overall, 16.6% of children were anemic. Iron deficiency children with or without anemia had more frequent low serum retinol (40.6 vs. 16% and 27.7 vs. 11.9%, p < 0.05, respectively) and lower hemoglobin folate (11.5 vs. 22%, p < 0.05) than their non-iron deficiency counterparts. Mean concentrations of serum iron (p < 0.01), folate (p < 0.001) and retinol (p < 0.0001), but not ascorbic acid (p < 0.6), were significantly lower in anemic than in nonanemic children. In a linear regression model, 15% of hemoglobin variation in children was explained by retinol, folate and PTS, but not vitamin C (p <0.0001).. Anemia was mostly associated with iron deficiency and with a lesser proportion of folate and vitamin A deficiencies. Vitamin A deficiency might be overestimated since iron deficiency may lower serum retinol concentrations. Interventions aimed to reduce anemia in this population must consider interactions between those micronutrients in designing strategies.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Anemia; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; C-Reactive Protein; Child; Child, Preschool; Comorbidity; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Folic Acid; Folic Acid Deficiency; Hemoglobins; Humans; Infant; Iron; Iron Deficiencies; Male; Mexico; Micronutrients; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Sampling Studies; Transferrin; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency

The study was undertaken to determine the intake of vitamin A and C and plasma concentrations of these vitamins among in-school adolescents. The factors affecting the vitamin status of these adolescents were also determined. Data for this report were obtained from a cross-sectional survey of 600 in-school adolescents in Nsukka local government area (LGA) of Enugu State, Nigeria. Ninety and 45 of the adolescents were randomly selected for determining plasma concentrations of vitamin A and C and intake of these vitamins respectively. Dietary assessment was done using a three-day weighed food intake method. Venous blood samples were collected and used for determining plasma vitamin A using the trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) method, while plasma vitamin C was determined by the thiourea method. Values obtained were matched against standards. The intake of vitamin A by all the adolescents was adequate (126-137% of recommended intake), while the intake of vitamin C was inadequate (51-91% of recommended intake). The mean intake of vitamin C was higher among males (23.7 +/- 0.71-27.3 +/- 8.0) than among females (15.3 +/- 2.8-19.5 +/- 5.1). Despite the adequate intake of vitamin A, 40% of the male and 32% of the female adolescents had low plasma concentrations of the vitamin (< 20 microg/dL). On the other hand, concentrations of plasma vitamin C were low among about 47% of these adolescents. Using multiple regression analysis, the two most important variables influencing vitamin A status were household size (b = -0.629; p < 0.0 1) and nutrition knowledge (b = -1.372; p < 0.01), while for vitamin C status, these were household size (b = -0.110; p = 0.05) and age (b = 0.226; p < 0.05). The daytime students had a significantly (p < 0.05) better vitamin A and C status than the boarders. The prevalence of vitamin A and C deficiencies among the adolescents may be more than estimated due to inadequate intake and/or poor bioavailability. This may pose a serious health risk for adolescents. There is, therefore, a need for adequate nutrition education and awareness about healthy lifestyles among Nigerian adolescents.

Topics: Adolescent; Adolescent Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Adult; Age Distribution; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Male; Nigeria; Nutritional Status; Regression Analysis; Risk Factors; Sex Distribution; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency

To examine interrelationships between (1) dietary habits, (2) socioeconomic and (3) environmental factors, and their impact on plasma retinol and plasma ascorbic acid.. Cross-sectional study on adults from Western India.. Rural, semi urban, urban higher/middle/lower socioeconomic regions (HSE/MSE/LSE) having diverse dietary habits and environmental conditions.. A total of 214 men and 108 women (20-50 y), apparently healthy and non-anemic.. Food intake by food frequency questionnaire, weight, height, age, smoking, environmental score, education, income, plasma retinol and plasma ascorbic acid.. Mean plasma retinol in women (24.84+/-5.1 microg/dl) and men (24.75+/-4.53 microg/dl) were not significantly different and 21% had plasma retinol below 20 microg/dl. Mean plasma ascorbic acid in women (0.35+/-0.12 mg/dl) and men (0.30+/-0.12 mg/dl) was similar with 75% having plasma ascorbic acid below 0.4 mg/dl. Vitamin A intake (as retinol equivalent) and plasma retinol showed a significant dose response (P<0.05) but not vitamin C intake and plasma ascorbic acid. Plasma retinol showed significant correlation with income (rho=0.24), education (rho=0.27), and environment (rho=0.21; rho=0.0001). Similar correlations with plasma ascorbic acid were 0.29, 031, -0.23 respectively (P=0.0001). Logistic regression showed education, environment, green leafy vegetables (GLV) and milk intake as predictors of plasma retinol deficiency, while non-sweet fruit intake, education and passive smoking for plasma ascorbic acid deficiency (P<0.05).. Subnormal status of retinol and vitamin C emphasizes the need to increase consumption of fruit, GLV and milk products, and also better education and environment. Avoiding passive smoking demands attention in order to improve levels of these vitamins.. Department of Science and Technology, India (project no. SP/SO/B39/94).

Topics: Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dairy Products; Diet Surveys; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Educational Status; Female; Humans; India; Life Style; Male; Middle Aged; Nutritional Status; Smoking; Surveys and Questionnaires; Vegetables; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency

Vitamin C, E and A levels in maternal and cord blood sera were examined at delivery in two districts of the Czech Republic. Information on personal and social characteristics, health, ethnicity, and lifestyle was also collected. A highly significant correlation between ascorbate levels in maternal and cord blood was found. Vitamin C levels in cord blood were about 1.7 times those in maternal blood. This ratio was much higher for mothers deficient in vitamin C: it was about 3 for deficient nonsmokers and as high as 5 for deficient mothers who smoked cigarettes (p < 0.01). This finding may suggest a compensatory mechanism in fetuses that are endangered by oxidative stress. The mean maternal blood levels of vitamin A and E were higher than in fetal blood (both p < 0.001). The mean fetal/maternal ratios were 0.7 for vitamin A and 0.2 for vitamin E levels; these ratios were considerably higher for mothers deficient in a particular vitamin as compared with those for well-nourished mothers. Ascorbate levels were associated with maternal education and smoking. Significantly decreased vitamin C levels were observed in Gypsy mothers and their babies; this may be attributed to unfavorable diet and smoking habits: about 78% of Gypsy mothers admitted smoking as compared with 31% of Czech mothers.

Topics: Alcohol Drinking; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Czech Republic; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Educational Status; Ethnicity; Female; Fetal Blood; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Pregnancy; Roma; Smoking; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin E; Vitamin E Deficiency

The comparative study of influence of two biologically active food additives with the different contents of vitamins is carried out: a drink "Zolotoi Shar", the dose of vitamins in which makes 50-90% from recommended daily consumption, and "Vitabalance 2000", the contents of vitamins in which at 2-17 of time exceeds need of organism. The use of both additives within 3 weeks resulted in increase of levels of vitamins C, A, E, B2, B6 and carotenoids in blood serum. However if in case of consumption of a drink an authentic level was reached only for vitamin C and beta-carotene, in a case "Vitabalance 2000" for all investigated vitamins except vitamin A. Thus, if the consumption of a drink has lowered frequency of deficiency of 3-4 vitamins, but has not allowed to liquidate it completely, in case of "Vitabalance 2000" consumption the simultaneous deficiency 3-4 vitamins. The received data allow to believe the biologically active food additives containing vitamins in amounts exceeding recommended consumption, are convenient for fast liquidation of hypovitaminoses, and the preparations containing vitamins in doses making 30-50% from need of organism, are acceptable for daily filling of insufficient consumption of vitamins with a usual diet for a long time.

Topics: Adenine; Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Avitaminosis; beta Carotene; Beverages; Female; Food, Fortified; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Riboflavin; Time Factors; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin B Deficiency; Vitamins

Rats fed with either a sufficient-vitamin A or a vitamin A-free diet were pretreated with 750 mg/kg body weight of retinyl palmitate, alpha-tocopherol acetate, ascorbic acid or glutathione. Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) metabolism and BaP-induced mutagenesis in Salmonella typhimurium TA98 were investigated and related to lipid peroxidation activities in postmitochondrial (S9) liver fraction. The microsomal mixed-function oxidase activities were decreased by vitamin A deficiency and weakly affected by scavenger treatment. The rate of lipid peroxidation of microsomal membranes was unaffected by vitamin A deficiency because of decreased polyunsaturated fatty acids and increased vitamin E contents. However, lipid peroxidation was decreased by pretreatment with fat-soluble vitamins (chiefly vitamin E) and increased by ascorbic acid. Within each experimental group both BaP metabolism and BaP mutagenic activity were closely correlated with the rate of lipid peroxidation. In vitamin A deficiency, the increased BaP metabolism and mutagenicity could be related to a decrease in cytosolic contents of scavengers (vitamin A and glutathione). In Ames test conditions, the free radical pathway became a route for BaP metabolism and thus the BaP activation to mutagenic metabolites is related to the cellular status in free radical scavengers.

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Benzo(a)pyrene; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; Fatty Acids; Glutathione; Glutathione Transferase; Growth; Lipid Peroxidation; Liver; Male; Microsomes; Mutagenicity Tests; Organ Size; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin E

A study was made of the content of ubiquinone, vitamins A, E, ascorbic, dehydroascorbic and diketogulonic acids (DKGA), and malonic dialdehyde (MDA) in the liver, of the content of glutathione, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase in red blood cells, of the content of vitamins A, E and ubiquinone in the spleen of C57Bl/6jG mice with inoculated leukemia La. It was found that in red blood cells of the animals with leukemia, the content of vitamin E and DKGA reduced, the MDA level increased, and the content of glutathione dropped whereas SOD activity rose. Application of the antioxidant complex of vitamins A, E, C appreciably improved the characteristics of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant protection of the liver and red blood cells of the leukemic animals without exerting any noticeable effect on the content of vitamin E and ubiquinone in the leukemic spleen tissue.

Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Erythrocyte Membrane; Leukemia, Experimental; Lipid Peroxidation; Liver; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin E; Vitamin E Deficiency

Nutrition surveys suggest an association between the low intake of vitamin A, beta-carotene and cancer death. The prospective Basel study included as a part of its third investigation (1971-1973) the immediate analysis of all plasma vitamins. 2974 men were evaluated and all cancer deaths registered in a first phase until 1980 (n = 102) and in a second period until 1985 (total n = 204). In the completely analyzed seven years follow up we found a strong inverse relationship for beta-carotene and all cancers, lung cancer and stomach cancer (p less than .01). Vitamin A (p less than .01) and vitamin C (p less than .05) were both on the average lower in subsequent stomach cancer death cases compared to non cases. Vitamin E was lower in death by all cancers and by stomach cancer (p less than .05). The first results of the twelve years follow up confirm the significant association for beta-carotene, vitamin A and C and cancer death.

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; beta Carotene; Carotenoids; Humans; Male; Neoplasms; Nutrition Surveys; Prospective Studies; Switzerland; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin E; Vitamins

Vitamin A deficiency has been shown to enhance the mutagenicity of benzo[a]pyrene (Narbonne et al., 1985). Here we report that this is not a result of increased benzo[a]pyrene metabolism but might be a consequence of either a lack of vitamin A or a decreased level of scavengers (ascorbic acid and glutathione) in the liver. However, the addition of vitamin A in vitro in the form of retinyl palmitate strongly inhibits the benzo[a]pyrene mutagenicity. An enhancing effect on the mutagenicity of benzo[a]pyrene is observed with addition of ascorbic acid when incubated with high amounts of the precarcinogen. In vivo addition of high levels of glutathione also reduces the mutagenicity of benzo[a]pyrene.

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Benzo(a)pyrene; Biotransformation; Glutathione; Liver Extracts; Male; Mutagenicity Tests; Mutagens; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Salmonella typhimurium; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency

Biochemical analyses were conducted to evaluate the nutritional status of a high esophageal cancer risk population in Linxian, People's Republic of China. A study was conducted in September 1980 in which plasma levels of vitamins A, B2, and C were analyzed. In a second study in 1983, the plasma fat-soluble vitamins were analyzed with a newly developed high-performance liquid chromatography method that allowed the simultaneous determination of retinol, alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, and lycopene in 0.1 ml of plasma sample. The average plasma retinol levels ranged from 24 to 27 micrograms/dl among the population groups, with 20-35% of the individuals having levels under 20 micrograms/dl. Low plasma beta-carotene levels averaging 8-12 micrograms/dl were observed among the population groups. Low plasma alpha-tocopherol levels with average values around 700 micrograms/dl were also observed; about half the individuals were either low or deficient in vitamin E. After 4 months of supplementation with daily multivitamin tablets, the plasma contents of retinol and alpha-tocopherol were significantly increased. The plasma alpha-carotene and beta-carotene were also increased, possibly as a reflection of seasonal changes in the diet or a sparing effect of vitamins A and E on these carotenes. Low plasma ascorbate levels with an average of 567 micrograms/dl were observed, and about 23% of the individuals had values under 200 micrograms/dl. Riboflavin deficiency was prevalent, with about 90% of the subjects having an erythrocyte glutathione activation coefficient over 1.2. The study establishes the low nutritional status in vitamins of the population in Linxian and provides the background for further studies on the effects of nutritional deficiency on carcinogenesis.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Carotenoids; China; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Esophageal Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Riboflavin; Risk; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin E

Topics: Aflatoxin B1; Aflatoxins; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Female; Hydroxylation; Liver; Male; Rabbits; Species Specificity; Vitamin A Deficiency

The results of an epidemiological study using the case-control method on 150 oesophageal cancer cases, observed at the IIIrd Surgical Department in Padua and on 150 controls are presented. The results show that alcohol an maize flour (corn meal) are two aetiopathogenetic factors of verified statistical significance in oesophageal carcinoma in the Veneto population. This confirms other studies among populations with a high risk of oesophageal cancer.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Alcohol Drinking; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Esophageal Neoplasms; Feeding Behavior; Female; Humans; Italy; Male; Middle Aged; Smoking; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Zea mays; Zinc

In order to determine the effect of various doses of vitamin A and the interaction between vitamin A and ascorbic acid on cholesterol synthesis, male weanling rats were fed four levels of vitamin A as retinyl acetate (0, 20, 436 and 6,666 IU/g diet) and two levels of ascorbic acid (0 and 1 mg/g diet) for 28 days except the highest level of retinyl acetate which was fed for only 3 days. The incorporation of [2-14C]mevalonic acid into cholesterol intermediates, fatty acids and bile acids was determined in liver slices prepared from rats fed the above diets. The results may be summarized as follows: (a) ascorbic acid synthesis was reduced in both a deficiency and excess of vitamin A; (b) ascorbic acid in the diet prevented or blocked the decrease in liver ascorbic acid in vitamin A deficiency but not at the highest level of retinyl acetate (6,666 IU/g); (c) retinyl acetate inhibited the incorporation of [2-14C]mevalonic acid into cholesterol, lanosterol, dimethylallyl alcohol, geranol and farnesol, but had no inhibitory effect on the incorporation into squalene, nerolidol or bile acids, and (d) ascorbic acid had no inhibitory effect on cholesterol synthesis and no interaction between retinyl acetate and ascorbic acid was observed.

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Cholesterol; In Vitro Techniques; Liver; Male; Mevalonic Acid; Rats; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Child; Child, Preschool; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Scandinavian and Nordic Countries; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin D; Vitamin D Deficiency

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Avitaminosis; Child; Child, Preschool; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Scandinavian and Nordic Countries; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin D; Vitamin D Deficiency; Vitamins

The first section of this paper reviews some of the effects of fetal and postnatal nutritional status on central nervous system development. It is seen that early malnutrition can be an important determinant of visual performance in children. The second section described the key role of vitamin A in the visual process. The consequences of primary and secondary vitamin A deficiencies are considered. The third section discusses some effects of diet on vision, including the role of the B vitamins and vitamin C.

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Child; Diet; Female; Fetal Growth Retardation; Galactosemias; Humans; Nutrition Disorders; Optometry; Placenta Diseases; Pregnancy; Vision, Ocular; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin B Complex

112 patients in a medical ward were examined clinically and biochemically with regard to their vitamin status (plasma vitamin A, plasma vitamin C, blood glutathione reductase, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, N-methyl nicotinic acid amide and pyridoxic acid excretion). The nutritional habits were assessed by means of a questionnaire. The results of these two examinations were correlated with the clinical findings. The assessment of the vitamin B2 status showed a deficiency in 8 cases and a marginal vitamin B2 supply in a further 4 cases. The thiamine intake was insufficient in 43 cases and marginal in 42 cases. The biochemical assessment of vitamins C, B1 and PP indicated a deficiency of these vitamins. Dermatological signs pointed to a deficiency of vitamins A and B2. There was a significant correlation between the plasma vitamin A level and the serum iron level. The importance of milk and vegetables in the diet is stressed and also the association between milk consumption and the serum cholesterol level.

Topics: Aged; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Avitaminosis; Cholesterol; Feeding Behavior; Female; Glutathione Reductase; Humans; Iron; Male; Milk; Skin Manifestations; Vegetables; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin B Deficiency; Vitamins

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aging; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nicotinic Acids; Nutritional Requirements; Thiamine; Thiamine Deficiency; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency; Vitamin E; Vitamin E Deficiency; Vitamins

Topics: Amino Acids; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Diet; Dietary Proteins; Guinea Pigs; Male; Protein Binding; Protein Deficiency; Rats; Time Factors; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin D; Vitamin D Deficiency; Vitamins

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Breast Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Hydroxyproline; Lipid Metabolism; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neoplasms; Thiamine Deficiency; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency

A study of the nutritional vitamin status of older women included 46 patients in nursing homes and 24 residents of private homes. The age range was 62 through 99 years. Calculated values for the mean daily caloric and vitamin intakes indicated that vitamin A and thiamin were the vitamins that compared less favorably with the Recommended Dietary Allowances. Values for vitamin A and C in sera and for thiamin, riboflavin, and N-methyl nicotinamide excretion were compared with standards of adequacy, Vitamin A values in sera of 14% of all subjects were "deficient" or "low". All serum ascorbic acid levels were "acceptable". Thiamin and riboflavin concentrations in urine of 17 and 15% of the subjects, respectively, were "deficient" or "low". Except for one subject, all N-methyl nicotamide values were "acceptable". In general, values for caloric and vitamin intakes and for corresponding levels of vitamins in sera or urine of patients in nursing homes did not differ significantly from analogous values obtained for subjects in private homes. The effect of age and income and education level are discussed.

Topics: Age Factors; Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Carotenoids; Diet; Educational Status; Energy Intake; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Nicotinic Acids; Nursing Homes; Nutritional Requirements; Riboflavin; Socioeconomic Factors; Thiamine; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin B Deficiency; Vitamins

The case is reported of a 29-year-old previously healthy female patient who developed the typical clinical picture of scurvy eight months after changing to a diet exclusively containing cooked cereals. Serum levels of B12, folic acid, and calcium were lowered and the alkaline phosphatase was slightly raised due to the dietary lack of vitamins A, D, B12 and folic acid. No clinical signs of these deficiencies could be observed. Addition of vitamin C to this diet resulted in complete cure in a matter of days. Signs and symptoms of scurvy are discussed in the light of the recent literature. This rare disease is particularly worth considering if one of the following situations is encountered: hemorrhages in the skin, muscles, joints or mucous membranes without apparent cause; therapy-resistant ulcers of mucous membranes in elderly patients; Sicca syndrome and/or wounds exhibiting poor healing.

Topics: Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Diet Fads; Female; Humans; Scurvy; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency; Vitamin D Deficiency

Weanling rats were fed diets with and without the addition of retinyl palmitate at 6,500 units/kg. The supplemented groups were fed either ad libitum or food was restricted daily to that amount consumed by the group of rats receiving the unsupplemented diet. After a 10 week experimental period, signs of vitamin A deficiency were observed (growth plateau, xerophthalmia) and liver values as retinol were only 1% of control values. Relative to the two control groups, vitamin A deficiency resulted in approximately 30% lower liver, 50% lower blood and 40% lower urinary ascorbic acid. Vitamin A deficiency did not appear to result in significant and direct impairment of GAG sulfate metabolism. Although the total amount of GAG in rat skin was increased, the composition of GAG fractions did not appear to be altered by vitamin A deficiency. Studies regarding the incorporation and disappearance of 35S-sulfate in vivo into GAG fractions obtained from skin indicated no serious impairment in GAG turnover with vitamin A deficiency. Twenty-four hour urine samples were also collected for estimation of 35SO4 excreted in GAG and non-GAG fractions. Likewise, little change was observed with respect to radioactivity associated with sulfate fractions excreted in urine. Although many previous studies have directly linked vitamin A with sulfation of GAG, the results reported here suggest that if there is an alteration in GAG sulfate metabolism, it is probably an indirect consequence of vitamin A status.

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Glycosaminoglycans; Liver; Nutrition Disorders; Rats; Skin; Sulfates; Uronic Acids; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency

The sulfation of ascorbic acid by an ascorbic acid sulphotransferase was investigated using rat liver and colon homogenates. When Na2 35 SO4 or 3'-phosphoadenylyl [35S]sulfate (P-Ado-P-35S) and ascorbic acid were used as substrates, chromatographic behavior of the reaction products on thin-layer cellulose suggested that ascorbic acid 2-[35S]sulfate was formed. With Na2 35SO4 as the source of radioactive sulfate in the assay system, ATP was found to be an obligatory cofactor. Incorporation of [35S]sulfate frofrom Na2 35SO4 into ascorbic acid 2-[35S]sulfate was also decreased when ATP sulfurylase inhibitors were added to the system. P-Ado-O35S alone in the assay without ATP was an extemely effective sulfating agent. In addition, liver and colon homogenates from vitamin A deficient and sufficient rats were used in one of the studies. Vitamin A deficiency appeared to have little effect on ascorbic acid 2-sulfate formation.

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Colon; Kinetics; Liver; Organ Specificity; Rats; Sulfuric Acids; Sulfurtransferases; Vitamin A Deficiency

Previous work supporting the vitamin A dependency of adrenal function in rats neglected to take into account a secondary effect of the deficiency, a decrease in hepatic ascorbic acid biosynthesis. Vitamin A-depleted rats maintained on a diet free of ascorbate had a decrease in the activity of adrenal 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, and extensive adrenocortical degeneration. The use of an ascorbate supplement prevented the symptoms. The results suggest that previous evidence for direct involvement of vitamin A in steroidogenesis may have been due to the production of a secondary deficiency, a chronic scorbutic condition.

Topics: Adrenal Glands; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Corticosterone; Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; Male; Progesterone Reductase; Rats; Vitamin A Deficiency

Restriction of the total diet or the number of calories fed to rats and mice inhibits the formation of tumors in several tissues. Unless animals are fed equivalent levels of food, or attain equivalent body weights, it is difficult to assess the significance of the effect of other nutritional modifications on carcinogenesis. The effects of altering the levels of protein or fat are much less than those seen with dietary restriction. Feeding a protein-free diet is tolerated for a limited period and can alter the metabolism of carcinogens. It may thus affect the tumor incidence induced by one-shot carcinogens. Vitamins have specific effects on the activity of certain carcinogens, the fullest information being available for vitamin A, which has been shown to inhibit or enhance carcinogenesis, and vitamin C, which by reducing sodium nitrite, prevents nitrosation of secondary and tertiary amines occurring in acidic conditions of the stomach. Inorganic substances, such as iodine (thyroid) and copper (liver), may affect the tumor incidence in specific tissues. The metabolic activation of carcinogens is modified by enzyme induction and the administration of antioxidants. The relevance of these results to the induction of cancer in humans is briefly discussed.

Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Copper; Diet; Dietary Fats; Dietary Proteins; Enzyme Induction; Iodine; Lipotropic Agents; Mice; Neoplasms, Experimental; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Rats; Selenium; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B 6 Deficiency; Vitamin B Deficiency; Vitamins

Topics: Animal Feed; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Cat Diseases; Cats; Dietary Proteins; Meat; Nutrition Disorders; Nutritional Requirements; Osteogenesis Imperfecta; Plant Proteins, Dietary; Riboflavin Deficiency; Rickets; Thiamine Deficiency; Urinary Calculi; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin B 6 Deficiency; Vitamin D Deficiency; Vitamin E Deficiency

Current knowledge concerning the metabolism and requirements of thiamine, riboflavine, vitamin B6, vitamin A, and vitamin C in the human is reviewed. The requirements of these nutrients appear to be the results of their excretory losses in the urine and faeces and through metabolic degradations. Although influenced by numerous factors, the catabolism appears in general to be the result of actions by degradative pathways unrelated to the biochemical or physiological functions of the vitamins. As a consequence, these excretory and catabolic losses cause continuous obligatory requirements for the vitamins that must be provided by dietary means.

Topics: Alcohol Oxidoreductases; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Contraceptives, Oral; Female; Horses; Humans; Liver; Male; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Nutritional Requirements; Pregnancy; Pyridoxine; Rats; Riboflavin; Thiamine; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamins

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Black or African American; Black People; Botswana; Carotenoids; Diet; Humans; Mining; Mozambique; Occupational Medicine; Serum Albumin; South Africa; Time Factors; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency

Topics: Adrenal Cortex; Adrenal Glands; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Blood Glucose; Corticosterone; Diet; Ethyl Ethers; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; Male; Methods; Organ Size; Rats; Stress, Physiological; Vitamin A Deficiency

Topics: Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Humans; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin B Deficiency; Vitamins

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Alcoholism; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Avitaminosis; Female; Hair; Hemoglobins; Hospitalization; Humans; Liver Diseases; Male; Middle Aged; Nutrition Disorders; Peptic Ulcer; Protein Deficiency; Proteins; Rehabilitation, Vocational; Serum Albumin; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin E; Vitamin E Deficiency

Topics: Administration, Oral; Adrenal Glands; Animal Feed; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Blood Glucose; Body Weight; Carbohydrate Metabolism; Chickens; Corticosterone; Female; Glycogen; Male; Organ Size; Poultry Diseases; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency

Topics: Aged; Aging; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Avitaminosis; Germany, West; Humans; Quackery; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B Deficiency; Vitamin E; Vitamin E Deficiency; Vitamins

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adrenal Glands; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Atrophy; Body Weight; Deoxyribonucleases; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; Hyaluronoglucosaminidase; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Hydrolases; Liver; Male; Organ Size; Rats; Testicular Diseases; Testis; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Male; Rats; Testis; Vitamin A Deficiency

Topics: Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Black People; Dental Caries Susceptibility; Fatty Acids; Gingivitis; Health Surveys; Humans; Keratosis; Male; Middle Aged; Nicotinic Acids; Pellagra; Riboflavin Deficiency; Rural Population; Skin Diseases; South Africa; Urban Population; Vitamin A Deficiency

Topics: Adult; Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Cholesterol; Czechoslovakia; Deficiency Diseases; Diet; Dietary Fats; Female; Humans; Iron; Male; Middle Aged; Seasons; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Blood Glucose; Carbohydrate Metabolism; Carbohydrates; Chickens; Liver; Liver Glycogen; Male; Poultry Diseases; Vitamin A Deficiency

Topics: Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Adrenal Glands; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Chickens; Poultry Diseases; Riboflavin Deficiency; Vitamin A Deficiency

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Blood Proteins; Carotenoids; Child; Child, Preschool; Food; Food Supply; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Iodine; Middle Aged; Mortality; Nicotinic Acids; Nutrition Disorders; Nutrition Surveys; Philippines; Population; Riboflavin; Thiamine; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin B Deficiency

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Blood Glucose; Blood Proteins; Bone Diseases; Celiac Disease; Cholesterol; Esophageal Diseases; Fats; Feces; Female; Gastrectomy; Gastrointestinal Motility; Glucose Tolerance Test; Hemostasis; Humans; Intestinal Absorption; Iodine; Jejunum; Malabsorption Syndromes; Male; Nitrogen; Radiography; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin K; Water-Electrolyte Balance; Xylose

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Liver; Male; Poultry Diseases; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency

Topics: Alkalies; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Chemical Precipitation; Chromatography; Guinea Pigs; Injections, Intraperitoneal; Kidney; Liver; Male; Rats; Solvents; Spectrophotometry; Sterols; Ubiquinone; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency

Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; Animals, Newborn; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Diet; Skin Diseases; Swine; Swine Diseases; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Blood; Chlorobutanol; Kidney; Liver; Microsomes; Oxidoreductases; Phenylalanine; Rats; Threonine; Tyrosine; Urine; Vitamin A Deficiency

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; In Vitro Techniques; Liver; Mevalonic Acid; Rats; Squalene; Ubiquinone; Vitamin A Deficiency

Topics: Adaptation, Ocular; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Dark Adaptation; Humans; Riboflavin; Riboflavin Deficiency; Thiamine; Thiamine Deficiency; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Carbohydrate Metabolism; Rats; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamins

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Avitaminosis; Humans; Thiamine; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin B Deficiency; Vitamins

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Diet; Humans; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamins

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Avitaminosis; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Humans; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamins

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Rabbits; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamins