beta-carotene and Streptococcal-Infections

The study included two experiments. In the first, 24 lactating Saanen dairy goats received low-energy diet without vitamin supplements. Twelve goats received a daily IV injection of 2,4- thiazolidinedione (TZD), others received saline injection. A week later, 6 goats from each treatment were challenged with intramammary infusion (IMI) of saline (CTRL) or Streptococcus uberis. In the second experiment, 12 Saanen lactating dairy goats received supplemental vitamins to reach NRC recommendation level. Six goats in each group were injected with TZD or saline daily, and 14 d later received Streptococcus uberis IMI in the right half of the udder. The hypotheses were (1) TZD does not affect the level of retinol in blood, and (2) the fatty acid profile is affected by the interaction between mammary infection and TZD in dairy goats. In the first experiment blood samples were collected on d -7, -2, 1, 2, 12 and milk samples were collected on d -8, 1, 4, 7, and 12, both relative to IMI. In the second experiment, blood samples were collected on d -15, 0, 1, and 10 relative to IMI. Milk and serum samples were analyzed for retinol, α-tocopherol and fatty acid profile. Serum retinol and β-carotene concentrations were higher in the second experiment compared to the first. Serum β-carotene and α-tocopherol were greater in TZD than CTRL and there was a TZD × time interaction in the first experiment. In addition, the TZD × time interaction showed that the milk fatty acid were reduced in C16 : 0 while C18 : 3 n3 while total omega 3 fatty acids were increased, as well as with minor effect on preventing a transient increase in α-tocopherol in milk. Overall, the TZD may affect the lipid-soluble vitamins and fatty acid profile, potentially altering immune responses, during mastitis in dairy goats.

Topics: alpha-Tocopherol; Animals; beta Carotene; Fatty Acids; Female; Goat Diseases; Goats; Hypoglycemic Agents; Mastitis; Milk; Streptococcal Infections; Streptococcus; Thiazolidinediones; Vitamin A

Group A beta haemolytic streptococcal (GABHS) infection induce an abnormal immune response in a susceptible host. Micronutrient deficiency may affect the immune response of an individual. The aim of this study was to determine whether antioxidant vitamins could improve the abnormal immune response in GABHS infected children in rural Bangladesh. A total of 516 GABHS infected school children aged 5 to 15 years were randomly assigned to two groups. Group 1 (N=258) was treated with phenoxymethyl penicillin V and group 2 (N=258) was treated with penicillin V plus antioxidant vitamins (beta carotene, alpha tocopherol and ascorbic acid). From each group two blood samples were drawn; the first sample at the beginning of the study and another one after eight weeks. Streptococcal antibodies and immunoglobulin levels were compared between the two samples. The mean age of the study population was 10.6 years. Equal number of boys and girls were included in both groups. After treatment, antistreptolysin O (ASO) and antideoxyribonuclease B (ADNase B) titres were decreased in both groups. Serum alpha tocopherol and beta-carotene levels were increased significantly in group 2. In group 1 immunoglobulin M and A levels decreased significantly (P =0.0001) whereas immunoglobulin G showed no change. To the contrary, concentration of three immunoglobulins decreased significantly (P=0.0001) in group 2. Least-square means of between-group differences showed highly significant results for ASO, ADNase B, immunoglobulins M, A and G (P=0.0001). Our data indicate that treatment by antioxidant vitamins plus penicillin is more effective in decreasing immunological abnormalities in GABHS infected children then penicillin alone.

Topics: Adolescent; alpha-Tocopherol; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antibodies, Bacterial; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Bangladesh; beta Carotene; Child; Child, Preschool; Dietary Supplements; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Immunoglobulins; Male; Penicillin V; Streptococcal Infections; Streptococcus pyogenes; Treatment Outcome

A study was done on school children infected with group A beta hemolytic streptococci to examine whether antioxidant vitamins play a role in improving the hemoglobin level. A total of 606 primary school children aged 5 to 15 years were randomly divided into two intervention groups. Group 1 (n=299) was treated with pehnoxymethyl penicillin V and group 2 (n=307) was treated with phenoxymethyl penicillin V plus antioxidant vitamins for eight weeks. From each group two blood samples were drawn in acute and convalescent (after eight weeks) states. Before treatment, mean hemoglobin values were 11.0 and 10.8 mg/dL in groups 1 and 2 respectively. After treatment hemoglobin values were 10.5 and 11.6 mg/dL respectively. Values were significantly decreased in group 1 (P=0.0001), whereas increased in group 2 (P=0.001). Adjustment for age and sex by ANCOVA confirmed the difference in hemoglobin levels between group (LS means-0.5 vs 0.8 in groups 1 and 2 respectively (P=0.0001). Hemoglobin level increases after antioxidant vitamin supplementation in children suffering from group A beta hemolytic streptococcal infection.

Topics: Adolescent; alpha-Tocopherol; Anemia; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; beta Carotene; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Hemoglobins; Humans; Male; Penicillins; Streptococcal Infections; Streptococcus pyogenes; Vitamins

Two groups of dairy herds (16 herds/group) were studied to determine the relationship between the prevalence of mastitis in a herd and mean herd blood concentrations of vitamins A and E, beta-carotene, and selenium (Se). One group had a Dairy Herd Improvement Association 12-month mean herd somatic cell count (SCC) of less than or equal to 150,000 cells/ml. The second group had a Dairy Herd Improvement Association 12-month mean herd SCC of greater than or equal to 700,000 cells/ml. Once for each herd, duplicate milk samples were collected from each quarter of the lactating cows, and blood samples were collected from 21 cows in various stages of lactation. Serum concentrations of vitamin A, beta-carotene, and vitamin E and whole blood concentrations of Se and Se-dependent glutathione-peroxidase (GSH-Px) were determined. Significant differences between the 2 groups were not found with respect to serum concentrations of vitamin A, vitamin E, or beta-carotene. However, the herds with the low SCC (less than or equal to 150,000 cells/ml) had significantly higher mean (+/- SEM) blood GSH-Px activity (35.6 +/- 2.95 mU/mg of hemoglobin) than did the herds with the high SCC (20.2 +/- 2.38 mU/mg of Hb). Whole blood concentrations of Se also were significantly higher in the herds with low SCC (0.133 +/- 0.010 microgram/ml of blood) than in the herds with high SCC (0.074 +/- 0.007 microgram/ml of blood). Significant negative correlations were found between the prevalence of intramammary infection with major pathogens and mean herd activity of GSH-Px (r = -0.62) and mean herd concentrations of Se (r = -0.66).

Topics: Animals; beta Carotene; Carotenoids; Cattle; Cell Count; Female; Glutathione Peroxidase; Mastitis, Bovine; Milk; Regression Analysis; Selenium; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus aureus; Streptococcal Infections; Streptococcus agalactiae; Vitamin A; Vitamin E