Arvydas Kaminskas

Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids may account for higher low-density lipoprotein oxidation susceptibility in Lithuanian compared to Swedish men

Objectives: Mortality in coronary heart disease among middle-aged men is four times higher in Lithuania than in Sweden. Traditional risk factors cannot account for this difference. We earlier reported that low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in Lithuanian men showed a lower resistance to oxidation, measured as LDL lag time during copper oxidation, than that in Swedish men. Serum concentrations of several fat-soluble antioxidant vitamins were lower among Lithuanian men. The aim of this study was to investigate whether differences in LDL fatty acid composition could account for the difference in LDL oxidation susceptibility between men in the two countries. Methods: This cross-sectional study included randomly selected healthy 50-year-old men from Vilnius, Lithuania (n = 50) and Linköping, Sweden (n = 50). Main outcome measures were fatty acids in LDL, phospholipid (PL) and cholesterol ester (CE) fractions of LDL and LDL oxidation susceptibility. Results: The mean proportions of PL 20:5n3 (eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA) were higher in Vilnius men (2.09 - 1.05 vs. 1.53 - 0.58%, p = 0.004). LDL lag time was shorter in Vilnius men, mean - SD (75.4 - 13.6 vs. 89.5 - 13.1 mins, p < 0.0001) than in Linköping men. Mean serum n -tocopherol was lower in Vilnius men (0.07 - 0.05 vs. 0.12 - 0.04 w g/mmol, p < 0.0001) but f -tocopherol did not differ. In a multiple regression analysis controlled for city, high PL-EPA, low alpha-tocopherol, and high plasma triglycerides significantly contributed to a short LDL lag time, r 2 = 0.53. Conclusions: Fat quality, i.e. poly unsaturated fatty acids, especially LDL-EPA, plasma triglycerides and antioxidative vitamins may partly account for the increased LDL oxidation susceptibility found in Vilnius men compared with Linköping men.

Adipose tissue fatty acids in men from two populations with different cardiovascular risk - the LiVicordia study.

The LiVicordia study was set up to investigate possible causes for coronary heart disease mortality in middle-aged Lithuanian men being four times higher than in Swedish men. In a previous part of this study we found lower total and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the Lithuanian men in spite of them having a higher fat intake than in the Swedish men. Their LDL was also more susceptible to oxidation in vitro than was that of the Swedish men. Fat quality can influence LDL oxidation. In order to obtain data on long-term fat quality intake we measured the fatty acid composition of abdominal wall adipose tissue by gas chromatography in men aged 50 years from Vilnius, Lithuania (n=50) and Linköping, Sweden (n=50). Men from Vilnius had a significantly higher percentage of adipose tissue long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (20:4n6, 20:5n3, 22:5n5, 22:6n3) and lower percentage of saturated fatty acids, especially myristic acid (14:0), 3.4+/-0.7 versus 4.6+/-0.8, p<0.0001. The percentage content of adipose tissue linoleic acid (18:2n6) was 11.5+/-2.1 versus 11.0+/-1.4 (n.s.) and of linolenic acid (18:3n3) 0.7+/-0.3 versus 0.6+/-0.2 (n.s.) in men from Vilnius and Linköping, respectively. It is concluded that the adipose tissue content of essential fatty acids is similar in men from Vilnius and men from Linköping and therefore the intake is also likely to be similar. The higher contents of long chain highly unsaturated fatty acids in men from Vilnius may be of importance in the oxidation process of LDL.

Development of a functional whey beverage, containing calcium, vitamin D, and prebiotic dietary fiber, and its influence on human health

This study describes the development of a beverage made from curd whey with the addition of functional ingredients such as calcium, vitamin D3, prebiotic dietary fiber, and its influence on human health. Samples of beverages with added calcium phosphate or calcium lactate were analyzed for the selection of optimal calcium preparation. Quality attributes of beverages were evaluated in their fresh state and during storage at intervals of 15, 30, and 45 days. The beverage with calcium lactate was chosen as the one with most stable quality indices for evaluation of the effect on health status of volunteers (n=30). Five hundred milliliters of beverage were consumed daily by the volunteers over a period of 21 days. A significant decrease in low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol (P<0.01) and triglycerides (P<0.01) concentrations after consumption of functional whey beverage with calcium lactate, vitamin D3, and prebiotic dietary fiber was determined.

Population-Based Screening for Selective Immunoglobulin A (IgA) Deficiency in Lithuanian Children Using a Rapid Antibody-Based Fingertip Test

Background Selective immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency is the most common inherited immunodeficiency disorder world-wide. An early diagnosis is advocated because of the increased risk of infections, autoimmune diseases, and allergic reactions. We investigated the usefulness of a rapid point-of-care test in detecting for IgA deficiency in a population with a previously unknown prevalence. Material/Methods Altogether, 1000 children aged 11–13 years from randomly selected Lithuanian schools were enrolled. A point-of-care test with a fingertip sample was used to screen for the presence of IgA deficiency in children whose parents gave consent. Those with suspected IgA deficiency were referred to hospital for further clinical examination and confirmation of the diagnosis. In addition, their medical histories were compared with those of 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Results IgA deficiency was suspected in one girl and in three boys on the basis of the rapid test, and the diagnosis was confirmed for all four cases (prevalence 0.4%, 95% confidence interval 0.16–1.02%). There was no difference in disease history or complications between IgA-deficient children and healthy controls. Conclusions The rapid antibody test is a practical and accurate method to diagnose selective IgA deficiency in children. The prevalence of IgA deficiency among Lithuanian schoolchildren is 1:250.

An inulin-enriched soy drink and its lowering effect on oxidized low density lipoproteins in healthy volunteers.

Abstract Due to selection of appropriate ingredients and parameters, a microbiologically-safe drink enriched with soy protein isolate (SPI) and prebiotic dietary fiber inulin with high scores of acceptability was produced. The results of medical nutrition survey showed that on the 21 day of using drink the level of oxidized low density lipoproteins (LDL) significantly decreased while the other biochemical parameters of blood of healthy patients as compared to the control tests remained unchanged. As well there was no apparent impact on the intestinal microflora balance of recipients established.

Fermented Buttermilk-Based Beverage: Impact on Young Volunteers' Health Parameters

Liutkevicius A., Speicienė V., Alencikienė G., Mieželienė A., Narkevicius R., Kaminskas A., Abaravicius J.A., Vitkus D., Jablonskienė V., Sekmokienė D. (2016): Fermented buttermilk-based beverage: impact on young volunteers’ health parameters. Czech J. Food Sci., 34: 143–148. The technology of a functional fermented buttermilk-based beverage was developed and the impact of beverage con sumption on the health parameters of young volunteers was studied. Three functional beverages were made on the basis of buttermilk, which differed in the composition. The beverage containing the buttermilk-skimmed milk-milk protein concentrate (0.3%) as a product with the preferred quality characteristics (synaeresis, viscosity, sensory properties, and acceptability) was used for further studies regarding the impact on human health. The medical nutrition experi ments did not show any statistically significant effect on the biochemical blood parameters of 25 young volunteers after a 21-day period of the consumption of fermented buttermilk beverage with milk protein concentrate, although some of them (e.g. total, low- and high-density cholesterol, triacylglycerol concentrations, etc.) slightly decreased. The anthropometric and body composition, arterial blood pressure, and pulse evaluation indicators of recipients did not change significantly.