calcitriol and Diarrhea

One hundred two normal healthy males and females were given 0, 8, 20 or 32 g/d olestra to which had been added graded amounts of vitamins A, D and E for 8 wk in a parallel, double-blind study. The primary purpose of the study was to determine the amounts of vitamins D and E needed to offset the effect of olestra on the availability of these vitamins. Serum concentrations of retinol, carotenoids, 25-hydroxyvitamin D metabolites, alpha-tocopherol, phylloquinone, lipids, ferritin and total iron, iron-binding capacity and hematology parameters, plasma concentrations of des-gamma-carboxyprothrombin and prothrombin, and urinary gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla) excretion were measured biweekly. Clinical chemistry and urinalysis parameters, vitamin B12 absorption, and serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D concentration were measured at wk 0 and 8. Serum concentrations of alpha-tocopherol and 25-hydroxyergocalciferol were restored to control concentration by adding 2.1 mg d-alpha-tocopheryl acetate and 0.06 microg ergocalciferol per gram of olestra, respectively, to the diet. Olestra reduced serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyergocalciferol, carotenoids and phylloquinone in a dose-responsive manner but did not affect Gla excretion, plasma des-gamma-carboxyprothrombin and prothrombin concentrations, overall vitamin D status, vitamin B12 absorption or iron status. Laboratory evaluations showed no olestra-related effects. Subjects in all groups reported mild to moderately severe transient gastrointestinal symptoms. These symptoms did not affect study compliance or the integrity of the data.

Topics: 25-Hydroxyvitamin D 2; Adult; Calcifediol; Diarrhea; Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; Double-Blind Method; Fat Substitutes; Fatty Acids; Female; Humans; Iron; Male; Nutritional Status; Sucrose; Vitamin D; Vitamin E; Vitamin K 1

Ninety normal healthy adults were given 0, 8, 20 or 32 g/d olestra for 8 wk as part of a diet that provided 1 +/- 0.2 of the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of vitamins A, D, E and K, folate zinc, calcium and iron. In addition, a 20 microg/d supplement of vitamin D was supplied. The diet provided 15% of energy from protein, 35% from fat and 55% from carbohydrate. The purpose of the study was to determine the dose response of olestra on vitamins D, E and K, carotenoids, vitamin B12, folate and zinc. Circulating concentrations of retinol, carotenoids, tocopherols, 25-hydroxy- and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D metabolites, phylloquinone, des-gamma-carboxyprothrombin, prothrombin, folate and hematological parameters were measured biweekly, as were urine concentrations of zinc and gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla). Clinical chemistry, urinalysis and vitamin B12 absorption were measured at wk 0 and 8. Olestra reduced serum concentrations of carotenoids, alpha-tocopherol, 25-hydroxyergocalciferol and phylloquinone in a dose-responsive manner. Olestra did not affect Gla excretion, plasma des-gamma-carboxyprothrombin or prothrombin concentrations, prothrombin time, vitamin B12 absorption, overall vitamin D status or the status of folate or zinc. Laboratory evaluations showed no health-related effects of olestra. Subjects in all groups reported common gastrointestinal symptoms such as loose stools, fecal urgency and flatulence, which were transient and generally mild to moderate in severity. These symptoms did not affect protocol compliance or the ability to measure the potential for olestra to affect nutrient availability.

Topics: 25-Hydroxyvitamin D 2; Adult; beta Carotene; Calcifediol; Diarrhea; Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Double-Blind Method; Energy Intake; Fat Substitutes; Fatty Acids; Female; Folic Acid; Humans; Male; Nutritional Status; Sucrose; Vitamin D; Vitamin E; Vitamin K 1; Zinc

Over 23 months, zinc toxicosis was diagnosed in 35 baboons aged 5-12 months in one galvanized metal and concrete cage complex with conditions that led to excessive exposure to environmental zinc. Clinical signs included reduced pigmentation of hair, skin, and mucous membranes (whiteness), alopecia, dehydration, emaciation, cachexia, dermatitis, diarrhea and, in six cases, severe gangrenous dermatitis of extremities. The syndrome was characterized by pancytopenia, elevated zinc and low copper serum concentrations, low vitamin D and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase levels, and atypical myelomonocytic proliferation of bone marrow. This syndrome emphasizes the importance of proper husbandry and cage design and indicates the potential of infant baboons as a model to study the effects of excessive zinc on development. This is the first report describing the epidemiologic and clinical presentation of zinc toxicosis in infant baboons in captivity.

Topics: Alopecia; Analysis of Variance; Anemia; Animals; Bone and Bones; Copper; Dermatitis; Diarrhea; DNA-Binding Proteins; Environmental Exposure; Flow Cytometry; Housing, Animal; Karyotyping; Light; Monkey Diseases; Papio; PAX5 Transcription Factor; Pigmentation; Radiography; Radioimmunoassay; Syndrome; Transcription Factors; Vitamin D; Zinc