Josiane Arnaud

Increased lipid peroxidation in pregnant women after iron and vitamin C supplementation

Iron overload could promote the generation of free radicals and result in deleterious cellular damages. A physiological increase of oxidative stress has been observed in pregnancy. A routine iron supplement, especially a combined iron and vitamin C supplementation, without biological justifications (low hemoglobin [Hb] and iron stores) could therefore aggravate this oxidative risk. We investigated the effect of a daily combined iron supplementation (100 mg/d as fumarate) and vitamin C (500 mg/d as ascorbate) for the third trimester of pregnancy on lipid peroxidation (plasma TBARS), antioxidant micronutriments (Zn, Se, retinol, vitaminE, (β-carotene) and antioxidant metalloenzymes (RBC Cu-Zn SOD and Se-GPX). The iron-supplemented group (n=27) was compared to a control group (n=27), age and number of pregnancies matched. At delivery, all the women exhibited normal Hb and ferritin values. In the supplemented group, plasma iron level was higher than in the control group (26.90±5.52 mmol/L) and TBARs plasma levels were significantly enhanced (p<0.05) (3.62±0.36 vs 3.01±0.37 mmol/L). No significant changes were observed in plasma trace elements and red blood cell antioxidant metalloenzymes. Furthermore, the α-tocopherol plasma level was lowered in the iron-supplemented groups, suggesting an increased utilization of vitamin E.These data show that pharmalogical doses of iron, associated with high vitamin C intakes, can result in uncontrolled lipid peroxidation. This is predictive of adverse effects for the mother and the fetus. This study illustrates the potential harmful effects of iron supplementation when prescribed only on the assumption of anemia and not on the bases of biological criteria.

Analyzed dietary intakes, plasma concentrations of zinc, copper, and selenium, and related antioxidant enzyme activities in hospitalized elderly women.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of the study was to assess the actual dietary intakes of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and selenium (Se) intakes in relation with some indicators of trace element status in a selected group of hospitalized elderly patients. SUBJECTS 24 elderly women aged 76-99 years were recruited in the Geriatric Department of the Grenoble University Hospital. MEASURES OF OUTCOME Zn, Cu, and Se dietary intakes were estimated by duplicate portion analysis. Plasma trace element concentrations, Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu-Zn SOD) and Se glutathione peroxidase (Se GSH-Px) activities were determined in parallel. RESULTS Mean daily intakes of Zn (5.6 mg), Cu (0.67 mg), and Se (23 micrograms) were low, in relation with poor energy intake and nutrient densities. Zn and Se levels in plasma were lower and plasma Cu increased compared to reference values obtained from healthy younger subjects. Thirty-eight percent of the elderly patients had plasma Zn concentrations < 10.7 mumol/l, but Cu status appeared adequate as suggested by the lack of decline in Cu-Zn SOD activity. A high proportion of plasma Se concentrations < 0.76 mumol/l and the parallel decrease in erythrocyte and plasma GSH-Px activities suggest a Se deficiency in this population. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that French hospitalized elderly patients may be at risk of Zn and Se marginal status and present altered antioxidant defenses in relation with low dietary intakes. It underlines the interest of supplementation studies in this population.

Influence of Short-Chain Fructo-Oligosaccharides (sc-FOS) on Absorption of Cu, Zn, and Se in Healthy Postmenopausal Women

Objective: This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of short-chain fructooligosaccharides (sc-FOS) on the absorption of Cu, Zn, and Se among postmenopausal women who are potential candidates to subclinical trace element deficiencies. Design: A randomized double blind cross-over study. Setting: This study was carried out at the Human Nutrition Research Center, Clermont-Ferrand, France. Subjects: 11 postmenopausal women aged 53–70 y, not taking hormone replacement therapy were enrolled and completed the study. Interventions: Diets with 10 g/day sc-FOS or placebo were given for 5 weeks each in random order followed by a wash-out period of at least 3 weeks. At the end of each period, stable isotopes (3.19 mg 67Zn as ZnCl2, 2.06 mg 65Cu as CuCl2 and 52.3 μg 74Se as sodium selenite) and radiopaque pellets (as fecal excretion index) were administered during lunch. Stools were collected for the next 5–7 days. Isotopes were determined by ICP-MS (Cu and Zn) or GC-MS (Se). Results: Copper absorption was significantly enhanced (p = 0.042) by sc-FOS. No effect of sc-FOS was observed on Zn, and Se absorption. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first study on the influence of sc-FOS on trace element metabolism. The observed increase in copper absorption may be of interest regarding daily copper requirements in menopausal women. However, the relevance of this observation remains to be established.

Trace Element and Vitamin Deficiencies in French Pregnant Women

Until now the major trace element which was considered during pregnancy was iron and iron supplementation was quite systemic among clinical pratician. Our findings indicate that the proportion of pregnant women at risk of Zn deficiency is around 20 times more important than iron. Considering the role of zinc in the replication protein a particular attention to this trace element must be considered during pregnancy.