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The acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a clinical disorder caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that induced severe immunosuppression, rendering the body highly susceptible to opportunistic infection. As HIV-infected persons survive previously life-threatening infection through the use of effective medical therapies, malnutrition has become central issues in the health care plan of long-term survivors. Nutrition is a fundamental intervention in the early and ongoing treatment of HIV disease. Nutrition therapy, in coordination with other medical interventions, can extend and improve the quality and quantity of life in individuals infected with HIV and living with AIDS. A murine AIDS (MAIDS) model, induced by LP-BM5 murine leukemia virus, has been an effective tool to investigate mechanisms of retrovirus-induced immunodeficiency. The MAIDS animal model displays a number of the features of human AIDS, including progressive lymphoproliferation and increasing severe immunodeficiency. The present studies suggested that micronutrient deficiency resulted in premature death and immune dysfunction beyond immune suppression induced by LP-BM5. Chronic EtOH consumption in murine retrovirus-infected mice caused deleterious effects on host defense, immune response, cytokine release, oxidative stress, and nutritional status. This immune dysfuction happened more severely with aging. Supplementation with antioxidants prevented retrovirus-induced suppression of immune response and prolonged the survival of retrovirus-infected mice. It maintained nearly normal cytokine production. This occurred simultaneously with restoration of tissue vitamin E and T- and B-cell proliferation. DHEAS accentuated the effects of antioxidants and maintained cytokine production, T- and B-cell proliferation, and hepatic vitamin E close to the activity level of the uninfected mice.

The effects of dietary saturated versus polyunsaturated fat (7.5%; w/w) on sterol balance and lipoprotein metabolism were studied in guinea pigs. The polyunsaturated diet significantly reduced plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels by 34% and 40%, respectively. Polyunsaturated dietary fat significantly reduced the percentage of cholesteryl ester in low density lipoprotein (LDL) while the relative proportion of LDL-phospholipids was increased. The ratio of LDL surface to core components in the polyunsaturated fed animals was significantly higher (P .02). Dietary fat quality had no effect on either sterol balance or hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase activity. Hepatic free and esterfield cholesterol levels were significantly higher in the polyunsaturated fat fed group (P .01). Feeding polyunsaturated fat caused a significant (1.9-fold) increase in hepatic membrane LDL (apo B/E) receptor binding. The data indicate that the hypocholesterolemic effect of polyunsaturated fat is not attributable to changes in cholesterol metabolism but rather to a redistribution of plasma cholesterol to tissues due to increased tissue LDL receptor binding.

Studies were conducted to determine the conditions in which alterations in cholesterol and lipoprotein metabolism can be induced by copper deficiency in male and female hamsters. Three week old animals were placed on either a copper-deficient or copper-adequate diet. The hematocrit and hepatic copper content were significantly reduced in the treatment animals, and the plasma volume was enlarged. These changes, however, were small in comparison to the findings of previous studies using copper-deficient rats. The hamsters, therefore, appeared to be only marginally deficient. There was no treatment effect on the composition of the lipoprotein fractions, except for decreases in HDL protein concentration and pool size in the plasma of females fed the copper-deficient diet. It was concluded that the copper status of the treatment animals was not sufficiently diminished to affect lipoprotein profiles and plasma cholesterol, and that dietary treatment should begin earlier than the third week of age.

A physiologically-based multi-compartment model has been developed which makes a priori predictions of the chylomicron cholesterol distribution in the body of a rat. The model considers each organ to be a separate compartment which interacts with all the other organs/compartments through the blood stream. A particle approach has been used since chylomicron cholesterol distribution is regulated more by the particle concentrations than cholesterol concentrations. The chylomicron cholesterol distribution is coupled to the triglyceride contents of the particle. Unsteady nonlinear differential equations have been developed by making mass balances over all the compartments, and the numerical solution of these dynamic model equations is outlined. Finally, this multi-compartment model was used to predict the distribution of chylomicron cholesterol after a bolus injection of chylomicrons or their continuous infusion into the blood. The model results were then compared with the existing literature data points for such systems.

This study examined the effectiveness of a low-fat nutrition health promotion program. A descriptive design was implemented based on Nola J. Pender's Health Promotion Model. Sixteen subjects completed questionnaires before the nutrition program began and 30 days after the nutrition program ended. Data analysis revealed that low-fat nutrition habits improved significantly after participation in the low-fat nutrition program, which provided written and verbal information. Subjects improved their eating habits by eating more low fat foods and avoiding too many snacks. More subjects were ordering low fat foods when dining out and requesting to have them prepared using low fat cooking methods. Shopping habits improved, indicating more of the participants were buying a variety of low fat foods and reading food labels for fat content. Because of the improvement in the subjects' nutrition behaviors the major implication for nursing is supporting the use of a combination of written and verbal information in health education programs.

The Breastfeeding Education Support Team (BEST) is a pilot project to promote breastfeeding in WIC clients in Tucson, Arizona. In this study, the control group breastfed their infants significantly longer than the intervention group (p < .006). Ethnicity and perceived support were shown to positively affect breastfeeding longevity in the control group. The intervention did increase the probability that a client receiving it would initiate breastfeeding (p < 0.06). The trimester a client attended the BEST class did significantly affect the longevity of breastfeeding in the intervention group (p < 0.016). The control group appeared to be influenced by cultural norms that favor breastfeeding. The intervention group seems to be functioning under transitional influences that do not favor breastfeeding. Strategies that include the BEST class, homevisiting a new breastfeeding mother, and the formation of breastfeeding support groups could increase the initiation and longevity of breastfeeding in this population.

Although the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) have operated for years, little is known about utilization of program foods by participants. Using ethnographic interviews, this study examined food use, factors affecting use, and satisfaction among WIC and CSFP clients. WIC foods were consumed by most participants, but frequently not in the total amount. Four of seven WIC foods were found to be substitutions for foods previously consumed. CSFP foods were consumed less frequently, and in smaller amounts, than WIC foods. Intra-household sharing, but not substitution, was prevalent. Major factors affecting food use were taste preference, food habit, convenience, amount and knowledge. Clients expressed greater satisfaction with WIC versus CSFP foods. The results indicate that provision of supplemental foods does not guarantee use, and that significant barriers to use exist. Nutrition education is recommended as a means of increasing food use.

A descriptive study was conducted to explore diet and exercise patterns of 30 males 20-30 years old who exercised regularly. Data was collected from exercise facilities in Pima County using a three day food and physical activity record, a validated exercise attitude questionnaire, a demographic/exercise and health questionnaire, and a modified food frequency questionnaire. The group's breakdown of calories was 58% from carbohydrate, 25% from fat, 15% from protein, and 3% from alcohol. The mean values of the micronutrients measured for the group were 80% or higher compared to the RDAs. The average fruit and vegetable consumption for the group was low with only three servings per day. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans were followed in this population. Ninety percent of participants exercised an hour or more each day and there was no sign of exercise dependence in this population. It was concluded that this population has adequate diet and exercise patterns.