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M Van Caillie-Bertrand

Publications and source records attributed to M Van Caillie-Bertrand.

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Do thickening properties of locust bean gum affect the amount of calcium, iron and zinc available for absorption from infant formula? In vitro studies.

Locust bean gum acts as a milk thickener in infant formula because of its high apparent viscosity. The effects of such thickening agents on metabolic and physiologic responses during infancy have not been clarified sufficiently. Due to the increased volume of the digest and the bulking and trapping effects, digestion and absorption of nutrients may be influenced in presence of locust bean gum. The central question addressed in this paper is whether the thickening properties of locust bean gum affect the availability of calcium, iron, and zinc. Increasing amounts of powdered locust bean gum were homogenised with infant formula and samples were diluted to 0.14, 0.27, 0.42 and 0.71 g/100 ml. Viscosity of the samples was measured by a Carrie-Med CSL100 rheometer. Available amounts of calcium, iron, and zinc were evaluated using a continuous-flow dialysis model with preliminary digestion. Elemental contents of samples and dialysates were analysed with atomic absorption spectrometry. The first set of experiments showed that addition of locust bean gum to infant formulas increased the viscosity of the luminal contents. Correlations between the locust bean gum concentration and the viscosity of the samples before and after gastric or intestinal digestion were highly significant (0.97). In the second set of experiments, the correlations between the locust bean gum concentration and the amounts of calcium trapped by the locust bean gum fraction also showed high significance (0.93). In the third experimental design, again strong correlations were found between the viscosity of the intestinal digest and the amounts of calcium trapped by the fibre fraction (0.90). For iron and zinc, no such relationships were found. From this experimental set-up it appears that locust bean gum influences calcium availability in infant formulas by means of its physical properties to act as thickening agent, rather than its chemical ability to form complexes as demonstrated earlier with respect to iron and zinc.

Biological Availability↗

In vitro availability of zinc from infant foods with increasing phytic acid contents.

An in vitro method was used to determine the availability of Zn from infant foods containing increasing amounts of phytate, and to quantify the effect of the phytate:Zn molar ratio on the availability. During the in vitro assay, digestive conditions of infants, younger and older than 4 months of age, were carefully simulated since the solubility of phytate-Zn complexes during digestion is pH dependent. Availability was measured with a continuous flow dialysis in vitro procedure with previous intralumen digestive stage. Zn concentrations were determined with flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Phytic acid content was measured with HPLC. Adding phytate to infant formula lowered Zn availability to 2.84 (sd 0.17) % when the phytate:Zn molar ratio increased to 2.2 as compared with cows' milk-based formula (6.65 (sd 0.55) %). Availability from vegetables (23.83 (sd 2.17) %) significantly decreased at a ratio > 7.9 (15.12 (sd 1.63) %). Zn availability from soyabean-based formula (2.26 (sd 0.36) %) was lower compared with cows' milk-based formula (6.65 (sd 0.55) %). Availability between soyabean- and cows' milk-based formula was similar when a phytate:Zn ratio of 2.2 (2.84 (sd 0.17) %) was obtained in the cows' milk formula. The negative effect of phytic acid on Zn availability was dependent on the type of the food and the phytate content, and should be considered when using soyabean-based formulas during early infancy.

Analysis of Variance↗

A method for in vitro determination of calcium, iron and zinc availability from first-age infant formula and human milk.

A method for in vitro determination of available calcium, iron and zinc content from infant food after digestion was evaluated. This method introduced an intraluminal digestive phase, adapted to the gastrointestinal conditions of infants younger than 6 months of age, prior to continuous flow dialysis of the resultant gastric digest. Precautions handling the method were discussed and enzymatic parameters were defined. Ruggedness of the method was determined from the availability of calcium, iron and zinc at different gastrointestinal conditions. Availability of all three elements was higher at gastric pH of 2 (20.0 +/- 1.1% for calcium, 4.06 +/- 0.66% for iron and 17.5 +/- 1.3% for zinc), than from the normal procedure (pH 4) (15.6 +/- 1.2% for calcium, 1.18 +/- 0.26% for iron and 8.2 +/- 0.9% for zinc). At pH 5, however, calcium availability appeared to be lower (11.7 +/- 1.0%) (P < 0.05). The intestinal pH also had a major influence on the availability. At low intestinal pH (5.5), availability was 40.5 +/- 2.3% for calcium, 3.01 +/- 0.58% for iron and 26.8 +/- 1.8% for zinc, which was higher compared with the normal procedure (P < 0.05). Moreover, other factors, such as digestion time, mixing and filtration pressure, also affected the availability. Recovery tests yielded mean values of 94 +/- 3% for calcium, 109 +/- 9% for iron and 106 +/- 4% for zinc. Mean intra- and inter-batch precision of the availability procedure was 4.1 CV% and 6.6 CV% for calcium, 14.5 CV% and 19.2 CV% for iron, and 4.0 CV% and 13.6 CV% for zinc. The method provides adequate accuracy, acceptable precision and good recovery. It offers the advantage of being simple, rapid and inexpensive, since it takes only 1 day to run the whole availability procedure (including four replicates per sample), and the low costs of the dialysis equipment. It can therefore be considered as suitable for predicting the availability of essential elements from foods used during the first months of infancy.

Analysis of Variance↗

In vitro availability of calcium, iron, and zinc from first-age infant formulae and human milk.

BACKGROUND: Variation in the bioavailability of calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) occurs because of interactions of food components in the gastrointestinal microenvironment. Bioavailability is preferably determined by in vivo tests, but these are expensive, labor-intensive, time consuming, and often unethical. As an alternative, in vitro methods can be used to predict bioavailability of nutrients from foodstuffs. METHODS: A continuous-flow dialysis model with preliminary intraluminal digestive phase, adapted to the gastrointestinal conditions of infants younger than 6 months, was used. Human milk was the reference standard. Ca, Fe, and Zn content of samples and dialysates after digestion were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry. RESULTS: Ca availability is similar in human milk (13.1%+/-0.8%), whey (13.3%+/-1.2%), and soy-based formulae (13.0%+/-1.2%; P > 0.05), and higher in casein-predominant formula (21.2%+/-0.6%; P < 0.05). Availability of Fe is highest in human milk (8.12%+/-0.27%: P < 0.05). Fe availability in whey (1.28%+/-0.28%) and soy formulae (1.48%+/-0.28%) is similar (P > 0.05), but availability is lower in casein-predominant formula (0.48%+/-0.22%; P < 0.05). Zn availability is also highest in human milk (13.1%+/-0.7%; P < 0.05). However, Zn availability is similar in whey (6.7%+/-0.6%) and casein formulae (8.5%+/-1.6%; P > 0.05), but lower in soy formula (2.3%+/-0.4%; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our observations are in agreement with previous data from in vivo studies in term infants. This in vitro procedure is an inexpensive, simple, rapid, and reliable method that predicts the bioavailability of Ca, Fe, and Zn in foods.

Biological Availability↗

Binding of mineral elements to locust bean gum influences availability in vitro.

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the extent to which element binding of locust bean gum (LBG) affects the availability of calcium, iron, and zinc in the gut. Infant formula was supplemented with increasing amounts of LBG and subjected to an intraluminal digestion procedure. Element binding was measured by eliminating the complexes by twofold centrifugation. Availability of the elements was determined using a validated continuous-flow dialysis technique. Elemental content of the samples, supematants, and dialysates was analyzed with validated atomic absorption spectrometry. LBG provided small amounts of intrinsic calcium (1.13+/-0.02 mg/g) and trace amounts of iron (0.02+/-0.00 mg/g) and zinc (0.01+/-0.00 mg/g), which were strongly bound to the LBG molecule (respectively: 76.6+/-3.3%, 83.4+/-1.2%, 96.7+/-6.6%). Correlation analysis, between percent element bound by LBG after centrifugation and percent trapped after dialysis, yielded significant correlation only for the data of zinc (r = 0.93). For calcium and iron, no correlation could be demonstrated; however, for iron a similar trend was observed. These findings suggest that element binding of LBG has a major influence on the availability of zinc and maybe of iron. For calcium, other factors might also be involved, affecting availability.

Biological Availability↗

Thickening infant formula with digestible and indigestible carbohydrate: availability of calcium, iron, and zinc in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Regurgitation is common in infants and is usually due to gastroesophageal reflux. Often parental reassurance and dietary management by feeding thickened formulas are the only therapeutic steps necessary. Adding fibers may interfere with the absorption of micronutrients. METHODS: A continuous-flow dialysis in vitro method with a preliminary intraluminal digestive phase, modified to simulate the conditions of infants less than 6 months of age and children from 6 months of age on, was used to study the availability of calcium, iron, and zinc from thickened and nonthickened first-and second-age infant formulas. Pooled mature human milk was used as the reference standard. The elemental content of the samples and dialysate fractions of calcium, iron, and zinc after digestion was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. RESULTS: In human milk, calcium, iron, and zinc were highly available for absorptive processes. Availability of calcium, iron, and zinc from nonthickened first- and second-age infant formulas tends to be significantly better than in the corresponding products thickened with locust bean gum. Thickening infant formulas with pregelatinized rice starch, however, does not affect the availability of calcium, iron, and zinc. CONCLUSIONS: It appears that human milk provides optimal conditions for the availability of calcium, iron, and zinc. Availability of calcium, iron, and zinc seems to lower when infant formulas are thickened with indigestible carbohydrates, whereas it does not by adding digestible carbohydrates.

Biological Availability↗

Thyroid function parameters during a selenium repletion/depletion study in phenylketonuric subjects.

Phenylketonuric (PKU) subjects have a limited supply of selenium (Se) in their phenylalanine-restricted diet. A Se repletion (1 microgram Se/kg/day)/depletion study was conducted in PKU children to determine the effect of Se on thyroid function parameters. The initial plasma Se concentration (mean +/- SD: 0.26 +/- 0.12 mumol/L, p < 0.00003, n = 10) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity (140 +/- 58 U/L, p < 0.00003, n = 10) were significantly lower compared to age-matched controls. After 14 weeks of supplementation, the plasma Se concentration (mean +/- SD: 0.74 +/- 0.20 mumol/L) normalized (normal range: 0.57-1.15 mumol/L, mean +/- SD: 0.76 +/- 0.13 mumol/L, n = 32) and remained stable thereafter during repletion. Plasma GSH-Px activity reached normal values after 18 weeks of supplementation (312 +/- 57 U/L; normal range: 238-492 U/L, mean +/- SD: 345 +/- 54 U/L, n = 32) and increased significantly for up to eight weeks thereafter (332 +/- 52 U/L). Individual and mean thyroid parameters were initially normal in all cases. The mean concentrations of plasma thyroxine (T4: p < 0.025), free T4 (FT4: p < 0.01) and reverse triiodothyronine (rT3: p < 0.005) decreased to 75% of their initial value within three weeks of Se supplementation and remained stable thereafter, within a normal physiological range during selenium supplementation. They increased back to their initial values three weeks (T4: p < 0.05, FT4: p < 0.05) and six weeks (rT3: p < 0.025) respectively, after the end of the supplementation. In conclusion, Se supplementation modifies thyroid function parameters in Se-deficient PKU subjects most likely by an increase in activity of type I 5'-deiodinase (5'-DIase I).

Adolescent↗

Capillary whole blood selenium determination in assessing selenium status of children.

Selenium levels in venous and capillary whole blood of children were assessed by direct graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Selenium data obtained for both blood samples did not differ statistically (p > 0.05). Capillary blood may therefore be used as an alternative to venous blood, which is more difficult to obtain from children. Whole-blood selenium data for children in the Antwerp region (Belgium) were compared with literature data for children from other countries.

Belgium↗

Gastroesophageal reflux in infants with a history of near-miss sudden infant death.

From January 1984 through August 1986, 130 infants were referred to our department with a history of apnea, hypotonia, and cyanosis or pallor, suggesting near-miss sudden infant death syndrome. Protocol consisted of medical history, clinical examination, overnight polygraphic recording, and cardiologic, gastrointestinal, metabolic, neurologic, and toxicologic workups. In 49 of these infants who needed vigorous stimulation or mouth to mouth resuscitation, the event occurred shortly after feeding. Combined, continuous esophageal pH monitoring and polygraphic recording in these 49 infants showed pathologic gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in 34 patients. An abnormal overnight polygraphic recording was observed in 8 of 34 infants with pathologic GER. Other investigations led to etiologic diagnoses in 42 of the remaining infants. Severe GER was frequently found in children with apnea after feeding but clearly is not the only mechanism involved. Infants with a history of apnea after a feeding should be investigated for GER and appropriately treated.

Apnea↗

Daily intake of selenium by bottle-fed infants in Belgium.

The selenium content of commercial infant formulae, processed milk and beikost was measured by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry after previous wet acid digestion. The median daily intake by infants (1-6 months) fed milk, soya or cereal-based infant formulae was 3.0-7.8 micrograms/day; lower than the mean daily intake by Belgian breast-fed infants (6.1-8.6 micrograms/day) and cow's milk bottle-fed infants (7.6-10.8 micrograms/day).

Animals↗

Wilson's disease: assessment of D-penicillamine treatment.

Serum copper and zinc concentrations and 24 hour urinary copper and zinc excretion were determined serially from the beginning of treatment with D-penicillamine in four children with Wilson's disease. The data show a progressive decrease in both serum copper and zinc concentrations in all. Urinary copper excretion gradually levelled off to approximately 50% of initial values, but zinc excretion increased. Urinary zinc:copper ratios therefore increased with the duration of treatment. Copper elimination was considered adequate as soon as challenge with a test dose of D-penicillamine did not result in an increase in copper excretion. Urinary zinc excretion was increased further by the test dose. Zinc depletion was suspected clinically in one patient on D-penicillamine maintenance treatment. Lowering the dose alleviated the symptoms, urinary zinc loss decreased from 64 to 34 mumol/24 hours, and copper excretion remained largely unchanged. Data obtained indicate that D-penicillamine alters the metabolism of both copper and zinc. The extent of this is not only dose dependent but is also related to the efficacy of copper elimination. Both copper and zinc concentrations must by monitored to assess the benefits of treatment and the risks of inducing manifest or subclinical zinc deficiency.

Child↗

Oral zinc sulphate for Wilson's disease.

After initial promotion of copper excretion with D-penicillamine, the effect of oral zinc sulphate (3 X 150 mg/day, loading dose; 3 X 100 mg/day, maintenance dose) in two children with clinically stable Wilson's disease was evaluated after completion of three years' treatment. The course, judged by clinical, biochemical, and histological parameters was satisfactory in both. The urinary copper concentration reverted to less than 1.26 mumol/24 hours; and the serum copper concentration decreased further during zinc sulphate treatment. In one child the rise in 24 hour urinary copper excretion observed after a challenge dose of D-penicillamine (+/- 20 mg/kg) remained constant throughout the period of observation while the liver copper content fell from 1460 micrograms/g dry weight to 890 micrograms/g dry weight. In the other patient, however, the liver copper content as well as the 24 hour urinary copper excretion increased after D-penicillamine challenge during the third year of treatment. We conclude that zinc sulphate is a low toxic and well tolerated alternative for D-penicillamine. The dosage depends, however, on individual factors not yet well understood, and we recommend restriction of its use to patients who do not tolerate D-penicillamine well. We suggest monitoring of treatment with yearly D-penicillamine challenge and a liver biopsy if liver function deteriorates.

Administration, Oral↗

Selenium status of infants on nutritional support.

We investigated the selenium status of 5 infants while on nutritional support. After 4 weeks of parenteral nutrition a significant fall in plasma selenium concentrations was observed (mean +/- SD: 0.8 +/- 0.5 micrograms/dl; normal for this age: 3.6 +/- 0.9 micrograms/dl). In 1 infant the decline in selenium value occurred simultaneously with a transient rise in transaminases. A parallel but delayed decrease in red blood cell-glutathione peroxidase activity was seen in 3 patients. After reintroduction of enteral foods, the selenium levels increased progressively to and reached control values after 6 weeks, 4 and 5 months respectively in 3 patients, suggesting that the selenium requirement on TPN was not met. We consider it essential to provide longterm TPN patients with physiological amounts of selenium in order to prevent the progressive development of a deficiency state.

Erythrocytes↗

Effects of selenium supplementation on thyroid hormone metabolism in phenylketonuria subjects on a phenylalanine restricted diet.

Type I 5'-deiodinase was recently characterized as a selenocysteine-containing enzyme in humans and other mammals. Up to now, the effect of selenium (Se) supplementation on thyroid hormone metabolism in humans has only been reported in the very peculiar nutritional environment of Central Africa, where combined severe iodine and Se deficiency occurs. In this study, a group of phenylketonuria subjects with a low selenium status, but a normal iodine intake were supplemented with selenium to investigate changes in their thyroid hormone metabolism. After 3 wk of selenium supplementation (1 microgram/kg/d), both the concentrations of the prohormone thyroxine (T4) and the metabolic inactive reverse triiodothyronine (rT3) decreased significantly. Clinically, the phenylketonuria subjects remained euthyroid before and after selenium supplementation. The individual changes of plasma Se and glutathione peroxidase activity were closely associated with individual changes of plasma T4 and rT3.

Adolescent↗

Effect of thickening agents, based on soluble dietary fiber, on the availability of calcium, iron, and zinc from infant formulas.

Although it is accepted that dietary fiber probably is not needed in the diets of infants younger than 1 y, babies suffering from regurgitation are often fed with infant formulas thickened with considerable amounts of fiber. The effect of increasing amounts of alginic acid, locust-bean gum, and guar gum was studied from casein and whey-based infant formulas. A dialysis in vitro method with preliminary intraluminal digestion, adapted to the conditions of infants younger than 6 mo, was used. Human milk was used as the reference standard. Elemental contents of samples and dialysates were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. Soluble dietary fiber inhibited mineral availability more in casein than in whey-based formulas. Mineral availabilities from casein- and whey-based formulas supplemented with 0.42 g of locust-bean gum/100 mL were 9.4% (0.7) and 10.4% (0.6) for calcium (P < 0.05), 0.32% (0.08) and 1.45% (0.17) for iron (P < 0.05), and 3.2% (0.2) and 5.6% (0.5) for zinc (P < 0.05), respectively. Calcium availability from the whey formula decreased in the presence of each fiber source, especially guar gum and alginic acid. Supplementing 2 g of alginic acid-based agents per 100 mL depressed calcium availability from 13.3% (1.2) to 5.3% (0.3; P < 0.05). With respect to iron and zinc, availabilities increased from 1.28% (0.28) to 6.05% (0.96; P < 0.05) and from 6.7% (0.6) to 10.2% (1.0), respectively, with the addition of 2 g of alginic acid (P < 0.05). Both gums lowered iron and zinc availabilities, and guar gum affected iron availability more severely than locust-bean gum did. Iron availabilities were 1.45% (0.17) from formula thickened with locust-bean gum (0.42 g/100 mL) and 0.92% (0.15) from formula thickened with guar gum (P < 0.05). Adding thickening agents based on soluble dietary fiber to traditional infant formulas probably affects calcium, iron, and zinc availability in various ways.

Alginates↗