1. Twenty-seven energy and protein balances were done using nine cross-bred (Brown Swiss × Sahiwal) mature bullocks in a series of three balance trials. The bullocks were fed 75, 100 and 125 % of the metabolizable energy (ME) and digestible crude protein standard values recommended by the (US) National Research Council (1966). Heat production was estimated by indirect calorimetry, by collection and analysis of respiratory gases

2. Utilization of energy for maintenance and fat production was estimated by computing regression of energy balance v. digestible energy (DE) and ME separately on a metabolic body size (kg body-weight (W)0·75) basis. Maintenance energy requirements and efficiency of utilization of ME for lipogenesis were estimated using multiple regression of ME intake, also. Heat production (and thus energy balance) was corrected for excess nitrogen intake

3. An attempt was made to measure basal heat production of bullocks so that the net energy requirements for maintenance could be estimated. Extrapolation of the regression line of energy balance v. ME intake below maintenance on a W0·75 basis gave a basal metabolism of 348·09 kJ/W0·75 per d

4. Energy requirements for maintenance were (kJ/kg W0·75 per d): 539·43 DE, 448·81 ME and 348·09 net energy. The results of multiple regression gave a requirement of 432·15 kJ ME/kg W0·75 per d for maintenance

5. The efficiency of utilization of ME for maintenance was 81·34% while for lipogenesis it was 54·5 %.

The susceptibility to develop hepatic steatosis is known to differ between duck species, especially between Muscovy and Pekin ducks. This difference could be explained by either differential responses of species to overfeeding or genetic differences in hepatic lipid metabolism. The aim of the present study was to compare the intensities of the different hepatic pathways (oxidation, lipogenesis, esterification, secretion, etc.) of the two main nutrients (glucose and linoleic acid (LA)) reaching the liver of ad libitum-fed Muscovy (n 6) and Pekin (n 6) ducks using the ex vivo method of liver slices incubated for 16 h with [U-14C]glucose, [1-14C]LA and [35S]methionine added to the survival medium. In such experimental conditions, the lipogenesis pathway from glucose was 2-fold higher (P < 0·05) in the liver of the Muscovy duck than in that of the Pekin duck. Furthermore, the hepatic uptake of LA was 2-fold higher (P < 0·05) in the Muscovy duck than in the Pekin duck leading to a 2-fold higher (P < 0·05) esterification of this fatty acid in the liver of the Muscovy duck. The hepatic secretion of VLDL was higher (P < 0·01) in the Muscovy duck than in the Pekin duck but insufficient to prevent lipid accumulation in the liver of the Muscovy duck. In conclusion, these results show the influence of the species on the hepatic metabolism of ducks in relation to their susceptibility to develop fatty liver. These results should shed light on the metabolic regulations that might underlie susceptibility to hepatic steatosis in the the human liver.

Prevention of retinoic acid-induced craniofacial abnormalities by folinic acid, and endothelin-1 (ET-1)/dHAND protein and mRNA expression were investigated in mouse embryos using the whole embryo culture, streptavidin–biotin peroxidase complex method, and whole-mount in situ hybridization. In the whole embryo culture, 1·0 and 0·1mm-folinic acid dose dependently prevented branchial region malformations and decreased defects by 93% and 77%, respectively. Folinic acid at concentrations of 1·0 and 0·1mm significantly increased ET-1 and dHAND protein expression levels compared to retinoic acid-exposed values in embryonic branchial areas. Folinic acid also increased ET-1 and dHAND mRNA levels in the same region. The present results suggest that folinic acid may prevent retinoic acid-induced craniofacial abnormalities via increasing ET-1 and dHAND levels in the branchial region during the organogenic period.

Measurements of body composition are crucial in identifying HIV-infected patients at risk of malnutrition. No information is available on the validity of indirect body composition methods in African HIV-infected outpatients. Our first aim was to test the validity of fifteen published equations, developed in whites, African-Americans and/or Africans who were or not HIV-infected, for predicting total body water (TBW) from bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) in HIV-infected patients. The second aim was to develop specific predictive equations. Thirty-four HIV-infected patients without antiretroviral treatment and oedema at the beginning of the study (age 39 (sd 7) years, BMI 18·7 (sd 3·7) kg/m2, TBW 30·4 (sd 7·2) kg) were measured at inclusion then 3 and 6 months later. In the resulting eighty-eight measurements, we compared TBW values predicted from BIA to those measured by 2H dilution. Range of bias values was 0·1–4·3 kg, and errors showed acceptable values (2·2–3·4 kg) for fourteen equations and a high value (10·4) for one equation. Two equations developed in non-HIV-infected subjects showed non-significant bias and could be used in African HIV-infected patients. In the other cases, poor agreement indicated a lack of validity. Specific equations developed from our sample showed a higher precision of TBW prediction when using resistance at 1000 kHz (1·7 kg) than at 50 kHz (2·3 kg), this latter precision being similar to that of the valid published equations (2·3 and 2·8 kg). The valid published or developed predictive equations should be cross-validated in large independent samples of African HIV-infected patients.

In the USA, infant formulas contain long-chain PUFA arachidonic acid (ARA) and DHA in a ratio of 2:1 and comprise roughly 0·66 g/100 g and 0·33 g/100 g total fatty acids (FA). Higher levels of dietary DHA appear to provide some advantages in visual or cognitive performance. The present study evaluated the effect of physiologically high dietary ARA on growth, clinical chemistry, haematology and immune function when DHA is 1·0 g/100 g total FA. On day 3 of age, formula-reared (FR) piglets were matched for weight and assigned to one of six milk replacer formulas. Diets varied in the ratio of ARA:DHA as follows (g/100 g FA/FA): A1, 0·1/1·0; A2, 0·53/1·0; A3-D3, 0·69/1·0; A4, 1·1/1·0; D2, 0·67/0·62; D1, 0·66/0·33. A seventh group was maternal-reared (MR) and remained with the dam during the study. Blood collection and body weight measurements were performed weekly, and piglets were killed on day 28 of age. No significant differences were found among any of the FR groups for formula intake, growth, clinical chemistry, haematology or immune status measurements. A few differences in clinical chemistry, haematology and immune function parameters between the MR pigs and the FR groups probably reflected a difference in growth rate. We conclude that the dietary ARA level up to 1·0 g/100 g total FA is safe and has no adverse effect on any of the safety outcomes measured, and confirm that DHA has no adverse effect when ARA is at 0·66 g/100 g FA.

1. Guinea-pig dams were fed on purified diets containing high (5 g/kg diet plus 1 g/l drinking water) or moderate (0.5 g/kg diet) levels of ascorbic acid, in combination with high (1 g/kg diet) or moderate (0.043 g/kg diet) levels of iron, during pregnancy and suckling. Their offsprings' diets contained 0.1 g ascorbic acid/kg and 0.04 g Fe/kg.

2. High ascorbic acid intake clearly enhanced both tissue ascorbate and Fe storage in the dams, and high Fe intake increased both the dams' and the pups' tissue Fe stores.

3. In the animals receiving high Fe intake, a co-existing high ascorbate intake by the dams reduced the growth rate of the offspring, but only during the early stages of development, not during the later stages of post-weaning growth. All the pups' tissue ascorbate levels fell after weaning, but those born of the dams receiving the high ascorbic acid diets did not fall to levels lower than those of the other pups.

4. Thus, although certain disadvantages to the offspring resulting from very-high ascorbic acid intake by pregnant guinea-pig dams were detected, these did not include permanently increased ascorbate requirements, and hence a progression to scurvy as the pups grew and matured.

1. Four groups of weanling rats were maintained on diets containing either 0.12% or 0.24% of both calcium and phosphorus, in the presence and absence of added ergocalciferol. 2. Increase in mineral intake or the provision of vitamin D increased the final body-weight, with a significant interaction between the two factors. 3. Serum Ca and P concentrations were raised significantly by both the vitamin and the increase in mineral intake without signi ficant interaction. 4. Measurements were made of bone and tooth weights and ash values and of the length of the humeri. For only two measurements was there any interaction between the effect of vitamin D and increase in mineral intake, namely the length of the humeri, and their ash values expressed as a percentage of the dry fat-free weight. 5. It is concluded that in relation to the amount of mineral deposited, the incisor tooth is more resistant to nutritional stress than is the bone.

A future sustainable dietary pattern for Japanese is yet undefined. This study aimed to explore more sustainable Japanese diets that are nutritious, affordable and with low greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) and particular emphasis on cultural acceptability. A newly developed data envelopment analysis (DEA) diet model was applied to 4-d dietary record data among 184 healthy Japanese men and 185 women volunteers aged 21–69 years. Alternative diets were calculated as the linear combinations of observed diets. Firstly, for each individual, four modelled diets were calculated that maximised cultural acceptability (i.e. minimise dietary change from observed diet), maximised nutritional quality assessed by the Nutrient-Rich Food Index (NRF), minimised monetary diet costs or minimised diet-related GHGE. The final modelled diet combined all four indicators. In the first four models, the largest improvement was obtained for each targeted indicator separately, while relatively small improvements or unwanted changes were observed for other indicator. When all indicators were aimed to optimise, the NRF score and diet-related GHGE were improved by 8–13 % with the lower monetary cost than observed diets, although the percentage improvement was a bit smaller than the separate models. The final modelled diets demanded increased intakes for whole grains, fruits, milk/cream/yogurt, legumes/nuts, and decreased intakes for red and processed meat, sugar/confectioneries, alcoholic and sweetened beverages, and seasonings in both sexes. In conclusion, more sustainable dietary patterns considering several indicators are possible for Japanese, while total improvement is moderate due to trade-offs between indicators and methodological limitation of DEA diet model.

The objectives of the study were to determine: (1) daily energy expenditure (EE) of athletic and non-athletic adolescents of both sexes in free-living conditions; (2) day-to-day variations in daily EE during 1 week; (3) energy costs of the main activities; and (4) the effect of usual activity on EE during sleep, seated and miscellaneous activities. Fifty adolescents (four groups of eleven to fifteen boys or girls aged 16–19 years) participated in the study. Body composition was measured by the skinfold-thickness method, and VO2max and external mechanical power (EMP) by a direct method (respiratory gas exchanges) on a cycloergometer. Daily EE and partial EE in free-living conditions were computed from heart-rate (HR) recordings during seven consecutive days using individual prediction equations established from the data obtained during a 24 h period spent in whole-body calorimeters with similar activities. Fat-free mass (FFM), VO2max, EMP, daily EE and EE during sleep were significantly higher in athletic than in non-athletic subjects. After adjustment for FFM, VO2max, EMP, daily EE and EE during exercise were still higher in athletic than in non-athletic adolescents (P<0·001). However, adjusted sleeping EE was not significantly different between athletic and non-athletic adolescents. Increases in exercise EE were partly compensated for by significant reductions in EE during schoolwork and miscellaneous activities. Thus, the differences in daily EE between athletic and non-athletic subjects resulted mainly from increases in FFM and EE during exercise (duration and energy cost).

Factors associated with relapse among children who are discharged after reaching a threshold denoted ‘recovered’ from moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) are not well understood. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with sustained recovery, defined as maintaining a mid-upper-arm circumference≥12·5 cm for 1 year after release from treatment. On the basis of an observational study design, we analysed data from an in-depth household (HH) survey on a sub-sample of participants within a larger cluster randomised controlled trial (cRCT) that followed up children for 1 year after recovery from MAM. Out of 1497 children participating in the cRCT, a subset of 315 children participated in this sub-study. Accounting for other factors, HH with fitted lids on water storage containers (P=0·004) was a significant predictor of sustained recovery. In addition, sustained recovery was better among children whose caregivers were observed to have clean hands (P=0·053) and in HH using an improved sanitation facility (P=0·083). By contrast, socio-economic status and infant and young child feeding practices at the time of discharge and HH food security throughout the follow-up period were not significant. Given these results, we hypothesise that improved water, sanitation and hygiene conditions in tandem with management of MAM through supplemental feeding programmes have the possibility to decrease relapse following recovery from MAM. Furthermore, the absence of associations between relapse and nearly all HH-level factors indicates that the causal factors of relapse may be related mostly to the child’s individual, underlying health and nutrition status.

Diet is important in the prevention of CVD, and it has been suggested that a diet high in MUFA is more cardioprotective than a low-fat diet. We hypothesised that the thrombotic risk profile is improved most favourably by a high-MUFA diet compared with a low-fat diet. This was tested in a parallel randomised intervention trial on overweight individuals (aged 28·2 (sd 4·6) years) randomly assigned to a diet providing a moderate amount of fat (35–45 % of energy; >20 % of fat as MUFA) (MUFA diet; n 39), to a low-fat (LF; 20–30 % of energy) diet (n 43), or to a control diet (35 % of energy as fat; n 24) for 6 months after a weight loss of about 10 %. Protein constituted 10–20 % of energy in all three diets. All foods were provided free of charge from a purpose-built supermarket. Fasting blood samples were collected before and after intervention and analysed for factor VII coagulant activity (FVII:c), fibrinogen, prothrombin fragment 1+2 (F1+2), D-dimer and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI). The fibrinogen concentration was significantly lowered by the LF diet, but not by the MUFA diet. Changes in fibrinogen differed significantly between diet groups. BMI and PAI concentration increased and D-dimer concentrations were reduced irrespective of the diets. No changes were observed for FVII:c and F1+2. Our findings suggest that in overweight subjects after weight loss the thrombotic risk profile is improved most favourably by the LF diet compared with the MUFA diet based on the reduction in fibrinogen concentrations.

Colonic effects of extruded whole-grain sorghum diets were evaluated using a model of growing rats. In all, twenty-four male Wistar rats were fed control (C), extruded white sorghum (EWS) or red sorghum (ERS). Consumption of sorghum diets showed satiety properties, with reduction of caecal pH, and lower activity of β-glucosidase and β-glucuronidase enzymes. Decreased copper zinc superoxide dismutase and manganese superoxide dismutase and increased catalase and glutathione peroxidase levels were observed in colonic mucosa. The induction of antioxidant enzymes occurred through the activation of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 protein and its subsequent translocation into the nucleus. ERS was able to decrease the proliferation of proximal mucosa of colon, demonstrating a possible effect against colorectal tumourigenesis. EWS increased proliferation and also apoptosis, ensuring the re-establishment of homoeostasis of the colonic mucosa. No antioxidant systemic effect (serum or hepatic level) was observed. It is likely that despite the extrusion the low bioavailability of the phenolic compounds of sorghum diets caused them to exert mainly acute effects at the colon level. Extruded whole-grain sorghum is a good functional ingredient that might be promising in dietary prevention of intestinal diseases.

1. Cellular and humoral immune responses were studied in guinea-pigs fed on zinc-deficient (ZnD), Zn-adequate (control) and Zn-replete diets containing 1·25, 50 and 100 mg Zn/kg diet respectively.

2. It was found that the ZnD guinea-pigs had significantly decreased ability to elicit delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response against sheep erythrocytes as compared with controls on the 9th day of immunization. This was further substantiated by histological examination of DTH-positive skin sections.

3. A significant reduction in direct splenic plaque-forming-cell response and haemagglutinating-antibody titre was also observed in ZnD guinea-pigs.

4. Serum electrophoretic studies revealed a highly disordered protein profile with a significantly depressed value for γ-globulin.

5. Zn repletion of the previously ZnD group resulted in marked, though incomplete, restoration of immunological responses.

Lead is a ubiquitous heavy metal and its toxicity remains an important public health issue. In previous work, we reported that ingestion of rhamnogalacturonan-II dimer (dRGII), a pectic polysaccharide, may decrease intestinal absorption and status of Pb in rats. Here, we evaluated the potential detoxifying effect of different doses of dRGII after chronic oral Pb exposure in rats. For this purpose, six groups of ten male Wistar rats weighing 150 g were treated as follows: group A received a semi-purified control diet for 6 weeks; groups B, C, D, E and F received the same diet plus 3 mg Pb (as acetate) for 3 weeks. Group B was then killed. Groups C, D, E, and F continued to receive the semi-purified control diet containing 0, 2, 6 or 18 g dRGII/kg diet for 3 additional weeks. During the last 5 d, a Pb conventional balance study was performed. Rats were then anaesthetized and tissues were sampled for Pb and essential minerals assay. The results showed that residual Pb in the added dRGII was not available for absorption. However, the added dRGII failed to induce any significant increase in faecal or urinary Pb excretion. Consequently, at the end of the study the intestinal Pb absorption and balance remained unchanged in the animals receiving the different doses of dRGII. In line with this, we showed that dRGII administration was not effective in decreasing tibia or kidney Pb levels in rats. In conclusion, Pb complexed by dRGII in fruits and vegetables and fruit juice is thus mostly unavailable for intestinal absorption. However, the addition of dRGII after chronic Pb exposure does not help Pb detoxification.

1. Rats were made severely iron-deficient by feeding with Fe-deficient diets, which contained adequate amounts of zinc.

2. Ten days after an oral dose of 250 μg65Zn the Fe-deficient rats had retained 17% whereas control rats had retained only 8% of the dose.

3. When unlabelled Zn was given intravenously to the Fe-deficient and control rats there was a reduction in retention of the orally administered 65Zn. This effect was not produced when Fe was given before the oral dose of 65Zn.

4. Total body Zn, whole blood Zn and plasma Zn concentrations of the rats were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Both the Fe-deficient rats and the control rats had the same total body Zn calculated as a proportion of body-weight. The plasma Zn concentrations were normal in all the animals. Blood cell Zn concentrations in the Fe-deficient animals were raised.

5. The blood cell Zn concentration was directly related to the reticulocyte count in all the rats.

6. It was concluded that Fe and Zn are absorbed by different metabolic pathways, and that there is an increased turnover of Zn in the Fe-deficient rats, possibly related to the short lifespan and increased Zn concentration of Fe-deficient rat erythrocytes. In the rat abnormalities of Zn concentration can only be considered significant if Fe status is also known.

1. Five male cross-bred lambs at the age of 3 weeks were starved for a period of 4 days. The utilization of nitrogen, energy and minerals was compared with the pre-starvation and post-starvation periods, when the lambs were given reconstituted dried whole cow's milk.

2. The mean loss in weight during starvation was 253 g/24 h. The gain in weight during realimentation was significantly greater than that in the pre-starvation period, when adjusted for differences in energy intake.

3. The urinary loss of N during starvation was 478 mg N/kg live weight 24 h. During realimentation the urinary N loss was greater than during the pie-starvation period. A higher urea excretion during realimentation was responsible for the increased urinary N.

4. Excretion of ammonia, creatine, amino acid and purine base N increased during starvation. Excretion of creatinine N remained constant.

5. The increase in total sulphur excretion during starvation was due mainly to an increase in the inorganic sulphate fraction. The ratio of N to S of 27: 1 during starvation was much greater than would be expected from the katabolism of muscle tissue alone (ratio N to S = 16.2:1).

6. The titratable acidity and acetone excretion in the urine increased during starvation.

7. There was a marked reduction in the urinary excretion of chloride, potassium and sodium during starvation, an increase in the excretion of phosphorus, but little change in the excretion of calcium and magnesium. The loss of minerals was not closely related to the losses predicted from muscle tissue alone.

8. Pulse rate, respiratory rate, and rectal temperature all decreased during starvation. Heat production decreased after 1 day of starvation, but was relatively constant thereafter.

9. Blood urea concentrations did not change significantly during starvation.

10. The results for the lamb were in reasonable agreement with published results for the calf, except for the marked ketone acidosis and considerable increase in the excretion of purine N. The losses during starvation differed from those with the adult sheep in showing a relatively greater loss of body protein.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe muscle disease that affects afflicted males from a young age, and the mdx mouse is an animal model of this disease. Although new drugs are in development, it is also essential to assess potential dietary therapies that could assist in the management of DMD. In the present study, we compared two diets, high-MUFA diet v. high-PUFA diet, in mdx mice. To generate the high-PUFA diet, a portion of dietary MUFA (oleic acid) was replaced with the dietary essential n-3 PUFA α-linolenic acid (ALA). We sought to determine whether ALA, compared with oleic acid, was beneficial in mdx mice. Consumption of the high-PUFA diet resulted in significantly higher n-3 PUFA content and reduced arachidonic acid content in skeletal muscle phospholipids (PL), while the high-MUFA diet led to higher oleate content in PL. Mdx mice on the high-MUFA diet exhibited 2-fold lower serum creatine kinase activity than those on the high-PUFA diet (P< 0·05) as well as a lower body fat percentage (P< 0·05), but no significant difference in skeletal muscle histopathology results. There was no significant difference between the dietary groups with regard to phosphorylated p65 (an inflammatory marker) in skeletal muscle. In conclusion, alteration of PL fatty acid (FA) composition by the high-PUFA diet made mdx muscle more susceptible to sarcolemmal leakiness, while the high-MUFA diet exhibited a more favourable impact. These results may be important for designing dietary treatments for DMD patients, and future work on dietary FA profiles, such as comparing other FA classes and dose effects, is needed.