The urinary excretion of 4-pyridoxic acid (PIC), the principle end-product of vitamin B₆ metabolism found in human urine, was measured in two populations in whom altered vitamin B₆ metabolism has been reported: in women who use oral contraceptives and in mental retardates with and without Down's syndrome. In the first study 4 women who had been taking an oral contraceptive for 2 to 12 months served as experimental subjects; two women who did not use an oral contraceptive pill served as control subjects. They were placed on a constant diet that met the requirements for all essential nutrients. The study lasted for 11 days. During this period five 24-hr urine specimens were collected from each subject and were analyzed for 4-pyridoxic acid as well as for total creatinine. The urinary excretion of PIC by the subjects using an oral contraceptive was similar to that by the control group in this study and that by normal women subjects reported in the literature. The results of this study suggest that the alteration in vitamin B₆ metabolism observed in women using steroid contraceptives is not reflected by any change in urinary excretion of PIC. In general all subjects excreted more PIC during the latter part of the study than the initial stage, probably reflecting an adjustment to the higher intake of the vitamin supplied by the diet. Also, there was an inverse relationship between the urinary excretion of PIC and the body weight of the participants. In another study the excretion of PIC before and after pyridoxine (PIN) loading was studied in 12 patients with Down's syndrome and 12 mentally retarded controls without Down's syndrome. Three mongoloids and three non-mongoloids of the same sex and matched for age and weight were studied at a time for 6 days. They received a constant diet that was adequate in all essential nutrients for man. PIC was determined in urines collected on days 1, 5, and 6, 50 mg of pyridoxine being orally administered on day 5. Data show that the basal urinary excretion of PIC is similar in the mongoloid and control subjects. The total increase in PIC excretion by patients with Down's syndrome during the two days following the ingestion of the test dose of pyridoxine averaged 22.03 mg, while the excretion by the controls averaged 19.34 mg. The larger excretion of PIC by Down's syndrome patients compared with controls following pyridoxine loading was significant (P < 0.05). An explanation for this greater excretion by mongoloids is proposed. / Graduation date: 1973

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health problem worldwide, and particularly in South Africa. Micronutrient deficiency (malnutrition) is caused by insufficient supply of vitamins and minerals for normal cell function in the body. Nutritional deficiencies in minerals, vitamins and diets rich in carbohydrates have been implicated in the pathogenesis of oral candidal infections. Malnutrition and wasting are associated with TB, and HIV/TB co-infection may potentially worsen the wasting that occurs in TB or HIV infection alone. Aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between micronutrient deficiency and Oral Candidiasis (OC) in adult TB patients. The prevalence of OC and its association with malnutrition in terms of Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe), Albumin, Selenium (Se),Vitamin A (Vit A) and Vitamin D (Vit D) deficiencies were evaluated in a cross sectional study among eighty eight (n=88) TB adult patients. Patients underwent a complete oral examination for presence and type of OC and blood collection was done for serum nutritional assessment for levels of the micronutrients (Zn, Fe, Albumin, Se, Vit A and Vit D). Results: The mean age was 36 years of age, with the majority being females (60%) and HIV positive (69.3%). The prevalence of OC was 60% with pseudomembranous OC (48%) being the most common. Serum concentrations for Zn deficiency (< 8.2 μmol/L) was 69.4%, Vit A deficiency (< 1.05 μmol/L) was 52.3%, Albumin deficiency (< 35 g/L) was 69%, Se deficiency (< 46 μg/L) was 93.2%, Fe deficiency (< 9 μmol/L) was 53.7% and Vit D deficiency (< 49 nmol/L) was 45.1%. OC was prevalent in 40% (Zn deficiency), 25% (Vit A deficiency), 32% (Albumin deficiency), 33% (Se deficiency), 31% (Fe deficiency) and 36% (Vit D deficiency). However, there was no significant association between micronutrient deficiency and OC (p > 0.05). Conclusion: These data demonstrate that OC in TB adult patients is not associated with micronutrient malnutrition. Longitudinal studies are required to investigate the relationship between micronutrient deficiency and OC in adult TB patients further.

No description available.

No description available.

Thesis (M.A.)--B.Y.U. Dept. of Communications. / Electronic thesis. Also available in print ed.

published_or_final_version / abstract / English / Master / Master of Philosophy

Graduation date: 1974

Thesis (MEd)--University of South Australia, 1994

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 1975. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 64-65). Also issued in print.

Thesis (Th. D.)--Concordia Seminary, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 324-340).