Two studies were conducted to determine the effect of varying vitamin B-6 (B- 6) status on lymphocyte mitogenic response and pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) concentration in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in young women. In the first study, women were fed 1 mg/d for the first week and 1.5, 2.1 and 2.7 mg/d during 2 weeks of each of the subsequent 3 experimental periods. Plasma PLP and urinary 4: pyridoxic acid (4-PA) were increased with increasing B-6 intake. B-6 intake > 2.1 mg significantly enhanced lymphocyte proliferation, and non-significantly increased plasma interleukin-2 concentration. Lymphocyte proliferation was significantly correlated with B-6 intake, erythrocyte aminotransferase activity coefficients and plasma PLP. PBMC PLP tended to increase after 2 weeks of 2.7 mg B-6 intake, and was significantly correlated with plasma PLP. In the second study, women consumed their normal diets whose estimated mean dietary B-6 intake was 0.9 mg for 27 d. For the last 20 d, all subjects were given a multivitamin supplement containing 1.8 mg B- 6, and half of the subjects were given an additional 50 mg of B-6 supplement. Plasma PLP and urinary 4-PA were significantly higher in the group with 50 mg B-6, but lymphocyte proliferation did not significantly differ between the groups. After 10 d of supplementation, lymphocyte proliferation was significantly higher than the other time points. A significant increase in PBMC PLP was observed after 3 days and 20 days following 50 mg and multivitamin supplementation only, respectively. After 20 days of supplementation, there was no significant difference of mean PBMC PLP between the groups. PBMC PLP was significantly correlated with plasma PLP, PL and 4-PA. In both studies, no strong relationship was found between PBMC PLP and lymphocyte proliferation. The findings from these studies demonstrate no further benefit of a higher B-6 intake than 2.1 mg on lymphocyte mitogenic response, once the response was significantly enhanced with B-6 intake 0.8 mg higher than the current recommendation. Finally, results from two studies suggest that the current recommendation of vitamin B-6 for young women may not be adequate to maximize lymphocyte mitogenic response and PLP concentration in PBMC. / Graduation date: 2002

This study examined the effect of vitamin B-6 supplementation and exhaustive submaximal exercise on plasma catecholamine concentrations, and the relationship between plasma catecholamines and fuel use, heart rate and oxygen consumption. Five trained men (age= 18-35 years; V0₂max=53 ml 0₂/kg/min.) participated in two controlled dietary periods that were identical except for the addition of 20 mg/d pyridoxine (PN) supplementation during the second period. On the seventh morning of each period, fasted subjects exercised to exhaustion on a cycle ergometer at 74.5% ± 7.8 V0₂max. Blood was drawn pre-exercise (twice), 60 minutes into exercise, immediately post-exercise and 60 minutes post-exercise. Plasma was analyzed for norepinephrine, epinephrine, glucose, pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP), lactic acid, glycerol and free fatty acids (FFA). Heart rate and oxygen consumption were measured pre-exercise and at 10-minute intervals during exercise. Mean plasma PLP concentration was significantly higher during the supplemented versus the nonsupplemented trial at all time points. There were no statistically significant differences in mean plasma catecholamine concentrations or mean plasma fuel concentrations between the nonsupplemented and supplemented trials at any of the time points examined. There were significant changes in the mean plasma concentrations of norepinephrine, lactic acid, glycerol and FFA over time in both trials. Respiratory exchange ratios (R) were higher during the supplemented trial compared to the nonsupplemented trial, but the differences did not attain statistical significance. There were no significant differences in mean exercise times to exhaustion or mean heart rates between the trials. The overall mean oxygen consumption during exercise was consistently higher during the supplemented versus the nonsupplemented trial and the difference attained significance (p=0.016) at one time point (10 min.). The mean oxygen consumption during rest was lower during supplementation versus nonsupplementation, but the difference was not statistically significant. The percent plasma volume change (PVC) was significantly greater at post-exercise, relative to pre-exercise, during the supplemented versus the nonsupplemented trial. The percent PVC also increased significantly over time during the supplemented but not the nonsupplemented trial. These results suggest that 20 mg/d of vitamin B-6 supplementation does not effect plasma catecholamine concentrations, fuel utilization or heart rate at rest or during submaximal exercise to exhaustion. The results may suggest a higher oxygen consumption during exhaustive exercise after PN supplementation. / Graduation date: 1996

Trained male cyclists (6 in study 1, 5 in study 2) cycled to exhaustion (EXH) at 75% of VO₂ max twice; once in the non-supplemented (NS) state and once in the vitamin B-6 (B-6)(20 mg PN) supplemented (S) state. The diet contained 2.3 mg B-6 in study 1 and 1.9 mg B-6 in study 2. Urine was collected during each dietary period. During each exercise (EX) test, blood was drawn prior to (PRE), one hour during (DX), immediately after (POST) and one hour after (POST 60) EX and sweat was collected. Compared to baseline (PRE) levels, plasma pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) and vitamin B-6 (PB-6) concentrations increased at DX, decreased at POST, and decreased below PRE at POST 60 in the NS and S states. EX to EXH in the S state resulted in a greater increase in PLP DX in study 1 (31% increase vs. 16%) and PB-6 in study 2 (25% increase vs. 11%) as compared to the NS state. Red blood cell (RBC) PLP significantly increased from POST to POST 60 in the S state in study 2. The excretion of urinary 4-pyridoxic acid (4-PA) and urinary B-6 (UB-6) was not significantly altered by EX to EXH. The mean excretion of 4-PA was significantly greater in the NS state in study 2 (7.98 ±1.83 mmol/d) as compared to the excretion in study 1 (6.20 ±0.93 mmol/d), whereas the excretion was significantly greater in the S state in study 1 (92.2 ±8.69 mmol/d) compared to the excretion in study 2 (82.7 ±6.16 mmol/d). The percent of B-6 intake excreted as UB-6 (6% in study 1 and 10% in study 2) was significantly different between the studies in the NS state. Vitamin B-6 supplementation did not significantly alter the rise in growth hormone (hGH) concentration seen with EX to EXH. The loss of B-6 in sweat with EX to EXH was not altered by B-6 supplementation. The loss of B-6 in sweat ranged from 0.0011 mmol to 0.0039 mmol. Therefore, EX to EXH in the B-6 S state resulted in a greater increase in plasma PLP and PB-6 DX as compared to the NS state. The decrease in PB-6 and PLP at POST 60 in the S state coincided with a significant increase in RBC PLP, suggesting the movement of B-6 from the plasma into the RBC at POST 60. EX to EXH and B-6 supplementation did not alter the excretion of 4-PA or UB-6 suggesting that B-6 metabolism was unchanged. The loss of B-6 in sweat was comparable to previously reported values and was not altered by B-6 supplementation. B-6 supplementation did not alter the changes in hGH resulting from EX to EXH alone. / Graduation date: 1995

Current dietary recommendations have placed increasing emphasis on dietary fat as an important element to decrease risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Although total fat and the fatty acid composition of diets influence the risk of CVD, the optimal amounts of different fatty acids are not well defined, especially if n-6 and n-3 fatty acids are considered. Despite the fact that postmenopausal women are at increased risk of CVD, few studies have investigated the influence of dietary fatty acids on this risk. Therefore, this study was designed to determine the effect of supplementation with different fatty acids on risk factors of CVD in postmenopausal women. Sixteen healthy, postmenopausal women were randomly assigned in a three-period crossover trial to treatments of 15 g/d supplements of oleic acid-rich sunflower oil (TS), linoleic acid-rich safflower oil (SO), and eicosapentaenoic acid- and docosahexaenoic acid-rich fish oil (FO). Each treatment period lasted 5 weeks followed by a 7-week washout interval. When the women were supplemented with FO compared to supplementation with either TS or SO, the concentration of high density lipoprotein cholesterol tended to increase (p=0.07 and 0.05, respectively) as did the size of the low density lipoprotein (LDL) particle (P=0.03 in both instances) while the concentration of triacylglycerol (p=0.0001 and 0.02, respectively) and apolipoprotein B (apo B) (P=0.005 and P=0.01, respectively) decreased. The concentration , i.e., total cholesterol, cholesterol ester, free cholesterol, phospholipids, α- and γ-tocopherol, of the two LDL subfractions was not influenced by any of the oil supplements but was greater in the large (L) subfraction than the small (S). When the oxidation of the two subfractions was measured by monitoring the formation of conjugated dienes, the lag time was shorter in both fractions after supplementation with FO compared to supplementation with SO (P=0.0001) or TS (P=0.0001) but the effect was greater in the L subfraction. The rate of formation of conjugated dienes, which was slower after FO supplementation than supplementation with either TS (P=0.02) or SO (P=0.001), was faster in the L compared to the S subfraction. When oxidation was measured by monitoring the increase in negative charge on apo B over 23 hr, only the 1 hr time point differed. The increase was greater in the FO-supplemented group than either the TS- or SO-supplemented groups (P=0.001 in both instances). The change was greater in S LDL (P=0.007). These findings demonstrate a greater potential antiatherogenic property of dietary n-3-rich oil than n-6- or n-9-rich ones as indicated by changes to plasma lipids, lipoproteins, apo B, and particle size but the influence of the oxidative susceptibility of L and S subfractions is less conclusive. / Graduation date: 2000

Twenty-one women, lifelong residents of Xichang County, Sichuan Province, China, an area of very low soil selenium (Se), received tablets containing either 100 μg Se daily as Se-enriched yeast (+Se) or no additional Se (-Se), throughout the last trimester of pregnancy and the first three months of lactation. Diet was analyzed using diet recalls and proximate analysis of mixed diet samples. Milk and plasma samples were analyzed for Se content, glutathione peroxidase activity, and fatty acid profile and plasma alone was analyzed for vitamin E content and lipid peroxidation. At parturition and three months after delivery, milk and plasma Se levels and plasma GPx activities were significantly higher in the +Se women than the -Se women. Milk GPx activity did not change significantly with supplementation. Plasma vitamin E was not different between the treatment groups at either time. Plasma lipid peroxidation levels (TBARS) were significantly higher in the supplemented women at both time points. Fatty acid profiles at delivery and three months after delivery were similar in both plasma and milk between the two groups. The data suggest that this level and length of supplementation, when given to pregnant women of very low Se status, are not adequate to influence the fatty acids in milk. / Graduation date: 2000

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of parent education on increasing parental awareness of vegetable servings needed by preschool children, lowering barriers to increase vegetable consumption in their children's diets, increasing confidence in their ability to increase vegetables in their children's meals, and promoting parent-child interaction to increase vegetable consumption by preschool children. The study was conducted with parents enrolled in the Kid-co Head Start program in Albany and Corvallis. The study protocol consisted of an experimental (n=10 parents) and control (n=4 parents) group. Parents in the experimental group attended a family night event about vegetables on February 13th of 2003. This event was followed by an in-school activity and a delivery of reinforcement material about vegetables, one week after family night event took place. Parents in the control group attended a family night event about healthy snacking on February 13th of 2003. Parents from both groups participated in a follow-up phone interview. A high proportion of participants (75%) of the control group were Hispanics. In the experimental group, 70% were whites and 30% were Hispanics. Levels of education of participants of both groups ranged from 6 years of school up to college degrees. Findings revealed vegetable availability in participants' homes. Fresh vegetable availability in control and experimental group combined ranged from 2 to 7 types of vegetables, before the intervention, and 2 to 5 types after the intervention. Seventy one percent of participants of combined experimental and control groups had frozen vegetables and 85.7% had canned vegetables (before and after the intervention). Daily vegetable consumption was reported by 64.3% of the parents from both experimental and control groups combined. A high proportion of parents (71.4%) from combined experimental and control groups reported that their children eat vegetables every day. Dinner, lunch and snacks are meals in which children eat most vegetables. No significant difference was found about parents' awareness of the daily recommended number of vegetable servings needed by young children between experimental and control group. Similarly, no significant difference was found in experimental group responses before and after the intervention. Findings before the intervention indicate that 50% of participants in the experimental group didn't know the recommendation needed by young children. After the intervention 10% of participants responded that they didn't know the recommendation. No significant difference was found about parents' confidence in their ability to increase vegetables in their children's diets between control and experimental groups responses (before and after the intervention). Similarly, no significant difference was found in experimental group responses before and after the intervention. However, high levels of confidence were reported in both groups. Before the intervention, 75% and 50% of parents in the control and experimental group respectively, reported they felt "very confident." After the intervention, 75% and 40% of parents in the control and experimental group respectively, reported they still felt "very confident." Before the intervention most participants in both groups reported they have barriers to increase the amount of vegetables in their children's diets at least sometimes. The barrier "My child doesn't like vegetables" was reported by 60% of parents in the experimental group and by 100% in the control group, at least sometimes. "Too much time to prepare vegetables" was reported by 25% and 10% of participants in the control and experimental group, respectively. Fifty percent of parents in the control group indicated they have lack of preparation skills, while only 10% of parents in the experimental group reported the same barrier. None of participants in the control group considered "cost of vegetables" a barrier. However, 50% in the experimental group reported the barrier "cost of vegetables." I can't get satisfactory vegetables" was reported by 25% and by 40% of participants in the control and experimental group, respectively. After the intervention, 25% and 30% of parents in the control and experimental group reported that "Nothing" is consider a barrier. However, "My child doesn't like vegetables" was a barrier for 50% of parents in the control group and 10% in the experimental group. Not enough time and energy to cook were barriers reported by 30% and 20% of participants in the experimental group only. Lack of preparation skills was reported by 25% of participants in the control group and by 10% in the experimental group. Only 20% of parents in the experimental group tried the vegetable recipes provided in the handouts. However, 90% of parents in the experimental group reported they tried to give more vegetables to their child since the family event. Ninety percent of parents reported preparing vegetables with their children. Letting their children choose a vegetable in the store was another parent-child interaction activity practiced by 60% of parents from the experimental group. All parents from the experimental group agreed that our educational material helped them to interact with their children. Ninety percent of parents agreed it helped to save money and 70% agreed it helped to prepare more vegetables for their child. Forty percent of parents reported that their child ate more vegetables after the family event. / Graduation date: 2004

The purpose of the present study is to determine the calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium content of the composite food, mid-morning fruit juice, fluid milk, and "seconds" of nursery school lunches.

Vitamin B-6 status was examined in a group of 46 elderly subjects who were selected from nursing home residents, hospital patients, and free living individuals in Denton County. Subjects were limited to men and women over 60 years of age. Erythrocyte aspartate aminotransferase stimulation with pyridoxal phosphate (in-vitro) was studied as the biochemical criterion of vitamin B-6 status. The pyridoxine status of these 46 subjects (the reference group) was measured in order to be able to identify people with a relatively poor B-6 status. A sub-group of the reference group was composed of 4 subjects who took B-6 supplements (supplemented group). There was no significant difference (0.05 level) in the basal activity, stimulated activity, percentage stimulation, or body weight, after treatment with 10 mg pyridoxine hydrochloride for 4 weeks, even though all 4 subjects had an improved B-6 status (based on percentage stimulation) after taking the supplement. The data indicated that of the 4 subjects tested, 2 showed a large change in the basal activity, stimulated activity, and percentage stimulation. The lack of significant difference (0.05 level) was probably due to a small sample size. One subject reported an increased appetite and body weight after treatment with pyridoxine.

Esse estudo pretendeu fazer uma análise custo-eficácia de duas estratégias de tratamento de hiperlipidemia em pacientes HIV/AIDS, uma de carácter nutricional e a outra de carácter medicamentosa, mais precisamente com pravastatina e bezafibrato, respectivamente para casos de colesterol e triglicérides elevados, num horizonte entre 3 e 12 meses. Os dados foram coletados no CRT-AIDS de São Paulo. Encontraram-se resultados similares em termos de eficácia no caso da hipercolesterolemia, a um custo menor via abordagem nutricional. As dosagens iniciais em ambos os grupos se revelaram similares. No caso da hipertrigliceridemia, verificou-se o mesmo efeito proporcional, apesar de que se deve considerar que as dosagens iniciais eram bastante diversas, apresentando os pacientes medicados níveis mais altos de triglicérides. Essa maior custo-eficácia da abordagem nutricional aqui encontrada, deve ser ponderada, também, com as limitações encontradas no estudo, quanto à abordagem de questões como a adesão dos pacientes aos tratamentos, e características do próprio processo diagnóstico. Apesar disso, os resultados do trabalho sugerem uma especial atenção com questões ligadas à dieta e estilo de vida, não num sentido competitivo, mas complementariamente em relação às terapias medicamentosas, quando estas se fizerem necessárias. / This study intended to make a cost-efficacy analysis of 2 options for the treatment of dyslipidemia in HIV/AIDS patients, the nutritional and the medical one, more strictly with pravastatin and bezafibrate, respectively for cases of raised cholesterol and triglycerides leveis, within 3 and 12 months. The data were collected at the CRT/AIDS de São Paulo. The study found similar results in terms of effectiveness in the hypercholesterolemia groups, with a smaller cost through the nutritional strategy. The initial leveis of cholesterol In both groups were similar. In the case of the hypertriglyceridemic groups the same proportional effect was verified,although it must be considered that the initial dosages were significantly diverse, presenting the medicated patients higher leveis of serum triglycerides. The higher cost-efficacy of nutritional strategies must be weighed with the limitations of this study, as the question of compliance to the treatments and even the diagnostic processo The criteria to choose the appropriate prices were basic to the differentiation between the options and they are a point of permanent discussion by themselves. In spite of these problems the study suggests that a special attention should be given to aspects linked with diet and life style in general, not in a competitive sense, but with complementary objetives in relation with the pharmacologic therapy, if the latter be necessary.

O presente estudo avalia o Programa de Aquisição de Alimentos - PAA como instrumento de segurança alimentar que garante o acesso aos alimentos em quantidade, qualidade e regularidade necessárias às populações em situação de insegurança alimentar e como instrumento de inclusão social no campo. Para tanto, são apresentados, em um primeiro momento, conceitos de agricultura familiar e Política de Segurança Alimentar, além do conhecimento das modalidades, objetivos e execução de cada instrumento do PAA. Na seqüência é descrita a evolução dos principais instrumentos utilizados na Política Agrícola e na Política de Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional no Brasil, a fim de identificar as características desses instrumentos em cada período e analisá-los em relação ao Programa de Aquisição de Alimentos. Por último, o PAA é analisado em duas dimensões: inclusão social no campo e segurança alimentar. / This study evaluates the \"Programa de Aquisição de Alimentos- PAA\" (foodstuff acquisiton program of family agriculture) as a tool for food security. Granting the access to food in quantity, quality and regularity basis to population in need and also as an instrument of social inclusion in rural areas. To do so, in the first instance, concepts of family farming and the Policy for Food Security will be presented, as well as the whole methodologies, goals and benchmarks for each instrument of PAA . Therefore proceeds the description of the evolution of the main instruments used in Agricultural and Food Security Policy in Brazil in every period with the corresponding analysis in regard to the Food Procurement Program. At last the PAA will be analyzed in two dimensions : the social inclusion and food security.