Nazma Shaheen

Presence of heavy metals in fruits and vegetables: Health risk implications in Bangladesh.

The presence of toxic heavy metals such as As, Cd, Pb, Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, and Zn in nationally representative samples of highly consumed fruits and vegetables was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Their concentrations exceeded the maximum allowable concentration (MAC) set by FAO/WHO for Pb in mango and Cd in tomato among the analyzed fruits and vegetables. Pb content in mango was found to be six times higher than the safe limit at production level. Health risks associated with the intake of these metals were evaluated in terms of estimated daily intake (EDI), and carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic risks by target hazard quotient (THQ) and hazard index (HI). EDI values of all the metals were found to be below the maximum tolerable daily intake (MTDI). The THQs of all metals were <1, suggesting no health hazards for adult population. However, total THQs of Mn and Cu were >1 through consumption of all vegetables, indicating significant health risks. HI was found to be <1 (0.825) for consumption of fruits; however, it was >1 (3.727) for vegetable consumption, suggesting adverse health effects from vegetable consumption only. The total carcinogenic risk (CR) of As was below the threshold level (10(-6)) and 9.82E-05 for Pb, suggesting no potential CR from As consumption, but indicating the risk of Pb-induced carcinogenesis. The findings of this study reveal the health risks associated with the consumption of heavy metals through the intake of selected fruits and vegetables in adult population of Bangladesh.

Dietary intake of trace elements from highly consumed cultured fish (Labeo rohita, Pangasius pangasius and Oreochromis mossambicus) and human health risk implications in Bangladesh.

Concentrations of fourteen trace elements (essential and toxic) in the composite samples (collected from 30 different agro-ecological zones for the first time in Bangladesh) of three highly consumed cultured fish species (Labeo rohita, Pangasius pangasius and Oreochromis mossambicus) were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The estimated daily dietary intake (EDI) of all the studied elements was estimated on the basis of a calculation of the amount of fish consumed by Bangladeshi households (mean fish consumption of 49.5 g person(-1) d(-1)). The studied fish species pose no risk with respect to the EDI of Cd, Pb, Cr, Ni, Zn, Se, Cu, Mo, Mn, Sb, Ba, V, and Ag. Among the three studied fishes O. mossambicus showed higher content of dietary arsenic (1.486 mg kg(-1)). From the human health point of view, this study showed that the inhabitants in the arsenic-contaminated area, who consume arsenic-contaminated water with fish (especially for O. mossambicus), are exposed chronically to arsenic pollution with carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks.

Trace elements in two staple cereals (rice and wheat) and associated health risk implications in Bangladesh.

Concentrations of fourteen trace elements (Cd, As, Pb, Cr, Ni, Zn, Se, Cu, Mo, Mn, Sb, Ba, V and Ag) in the composite samples of most frequently consumed two staple foods, i.e. rice and wheat (collected from 30 different agroecological zones for the first time in Bangladesh) were measured by ICP-MS. The mean concentrations (mg/kg fresh weight) of Cd, As, Pb, Cr, Ni, Zn, Se, Cu, Mo, Mn, Sb, Ba, V and Ag were found as 0.088, 0.321, 0.713, 0.183, 0.213, 13.178, 0.0256, 1.985, 0.102, 4.654, 0.0033, 0.144, 0.081 and 0.007 and 0.011, 0.281, 0.221, 0.352, 0.145, 15.472, 0.245, 1.894, 0.209, 22.077, 0.0012, 3.712, 0.023 and 0.0013 in rice and wheat samples, respectively. Dietary risk of human health (non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks) was assessed by USEPA deterministic approaches. Total target hazard quotient (THQ) values for As and Pb were higher than 1, suggesting that people would experience significant health risks from consuming rice and wheat. However, the THQ of other metals were all less than 1. Also, the estimation showed that the target carcinogenic risk (TR) of As and Pb exceeded the accepted risk level of 1 × 10−6. Moreover, concerning the nutritional requirements of essential elements for a sound health, the recommended doses for the daily intake of Mn was conveniently supplied by the studied cereals; however, Cr, Zn, Se, Cu and Mo were below the recommend daily allowances (RDAs). Thus, the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk of As and Pb with lower supplementation of essential elements via staple foods for Bangladeshi people is a matter of concern.

A comprehensive assessment of arsenic in commonly consumed foodstuffs to evaluate the potential health risk in Bangladesh

Arsenic (As), particularly of its inorganic form (iAs) is highly toxic, and its presence in food composites is a matter of concern for the public health safety, specifically in Bangladesh which is regarded as the most arsenic affected country throughout the world. This study was carried out to investigate the levels of As in the composite samples of commonly consumed foodstuffs collected from 30 different agro-ecological zones for the first time in Bangladesh. Most of the individual food composites contain a considerable amount of As which was, as a whole, in the range of 0.077-1.5mg/kg fw which was lower than those reported from Spain, EU, France, Korea, whereas higher than those of Mexico, Chile, Japan, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Serbia, respectively. Cereals, vegetables, milk, and fish contribute about 90% to the daily intake of inorganic arsenic. Human health risk of dietary iAs was assessed separately for both the rural and urban adults. The estimated daily dietary intakes (EDI) of iAs for the exposed rural (3.5) and urban residents (3.2 μg/kg-BW/day) clearly exceeded the previous provisional tolerable daily intake (PTDI) value of 2.1 μg/kg-BW/day, recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). From the health point of view, this study concluded that both the rural and urban residents of Bangladesh are exposed to carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks who consume As-contaminated water and foodstuffs.

Antioxidant capacity and total phenolic contents in hydrophilic extracts of selected Bangladeshi medicinal plants

OBJECTIVE To evaluate hydrophilic extracts from edible portions of fifteen plants for total phenolic content (TPC) and anti-oxidant capacity (AC) as an effort to find possible sources for future novel antioxidants. METHODS Folin-Ciocalteau and DPPH radical scavenging assays were employed to determine TPC and AC, respectively. RESULTS Among the assayed plants, TPC (mean±SD), expressed as gallic acid equivalent, varied from 0.04±0.01 (Amaranthus spinosus) to 6.01±0.04 (Zanthoxylum rhetsa) mg gallic acid equivalent/g fresh weight. AC (mean±SD), expressed as trolox equivalent, ranged from 0.14±0.00 (Alternanthera philoxeroides) to 7.54±0.00 (Zanthoxylum rhetsa) μmol trolox equivalent/g fresh weight. A significant and positive linear relationship (R(2)=0.99) was observed between TPC and AC of Zanthoxylum rhetsa, Oxalis corymbosa, and Alternanthera sessilis. CONCLUSIONS The results of the present study implies that the analyzed plants possess varying degree of antioxidant capacity and, therefore, the antioxidant potency of these underused plants may be utilized to prevent oxidative damage and oxidative stress related disorders.

Pregnant Women Diet Quality and Its Sociodemographic Determinants in Southwestern Bangladesh

Background: Diet diversity of pregnant women is associated with nutrition sufficiency, micronutrient adequacy, and pregnancy outcomes. However, the sociodemographic determinants of diet diversity among pregnant women in low-income countries are not well studied. Objective: The analysis was undertaken to study the determinants of high dietary diversity and consumption of micronutrient-rich foods by pregnant women from rural Bangladesh. Methods: Pregnant women (508) were randomly selected from southwestern Bangladesh and interviewed to collect data about diet and sociodemographic characteristics. A 24-hour recall was used to collect information about diet. Diet diversity score was calculated for 9 major food groups. All analyses were conducted using STATA SE 12. Result: The overall mean diet diversity score was low at 4.28 and was significantly high among pregnant women who have higher educational achievement, whose husbands’ occupation was business, who live in households of 4 or more family members, and who were dwelling in a house with more than 1 room. Highest gap on knowledge and consumption was reported for 3 food groups including dairy foods, eggs, and dark green leafy vegetables. Consumption of dairy and eggs was lower among women from low socioeconomic status, but no significant association was found between sociodemographic characteristics and consumption of leafy vegetables. Conclusion: Our analysis has shown that diet quality of pregnant women was poor and intake of micronutrient-rich foods was low despite having knowledge about the importance of these foods, underscoring the need for promoting the diet quality in developing countries through behavior change communication programs.

Heavy metals content of selected key foods in Bangladesh

T epidemic of metabolic syndrome, including a marked increase in the prevalence of obesity and gestational diabetes mellitus among pregnant women, represents a significant public health problem. Both weight gain and body mass index are major predictors of diabetes; for every 1 kg increase in adult weight, the risk of diabetes increases by 4.5 to 9%. Although genetic factors may contribute to selected cases of obesity, environmental and epigenetic factors are likely more important. There is increasing recognition that the risk of adult obesity is clearly influenced by prenatal and infant environmental exposures. This tenet is the fundamental basis of developmental programming. Low birth weight, together with infant catch-up growth, is associated with a significant risk of adult obesity and type II diabetes. As an index of the public health significance, a striking 57% of type II diabetes can be attributed to programmed metabolic syndrome. Animal models have replicated human epidemiologic findings and elucidated potential programming mechanisms that include altered organ development, cellular signaling responses, and epigenetic modifications. Adipose tissue is one of the principal targets of programming that predisposes to offspring obesity. Our studies show that newborns of obese/high fat diet mothers and low birth weight newborns of maternal under-nutrition both exhibit programmed adipocytes that contribute to the development of obesity. These adipocytes have intrinsic trait of increased cell proliferation and enhanced propensity for fat storage. Knowledge of the mechanisms of fetal adipocyte programming will enable the development of novel therapeutics to prevent obesity and glucose intolerance.O is associated with increased classically activated M1 adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) and reduced alternatively activated M2 ATMs, which contributes to insulin resistance. Epigenetic mechanisms play important roles in complex diseases including obesity and insulin resistance. We find that the expression of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) is significantly induced in macrophages exposed to the saturated fatty acid (SFA) stearic acid and the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNFα, is higher in ATMs isolated from obese mice, but is significantly lower in M2 than in M1 ATMs. Inhibiting DNA methylation pharmacologically by 5-aza-2’-deoxycytidine (5-azadC) or genetically using macrophages from myeloid-specific DNMT1 knockout mice (MD1KO) results in M2 macrophage polarization, evidenced by up-regulation of M2 marker, such as arginase 1 (ARG1), mannose receptor, Dectin-1, programmed cell death 1 ligand 2, interleukin 1 receptor antagonist, interleukin 10, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ1 (PPARγ1), key regulator of M2 macrophage activation; whereas overexpressing DNMT1 profoundly suppresses interleukin 4-induced ARG1 and PPARγ1 expression. PPARγ1 promoter is enriched with CpG sites. Inhibiting DNA methylation in macrophages by 5-azadC or in MD1KO mice significantly decreases, whereas stearic acid and TNFα significantly increase PPARγ1 promoter DNA methylation. Finally, MD1KO mice have lower adipose tissue inflammation and significantly improved insulin sensitivity without altering body weight. In summary, DNA methylation plays an important role in regulating macrophage polarization. Inhibiting DNA methylation at PPARγ1 promoter promotes M2 macrophage polarization; whereas in obesity, elevated SFAs and pro-inflammatory cytokines enhance PPARγ1 promoter DNA methylation, which contributes to deregulated ATM polarization, inflammation and insulin resistance.D is known cause of endothelial dysfunction that leads to microvascular complications and end organ damage. The molecular mechanisms of these changes are poorly understood, but there is evidence that oxidative stress plays a role. (+)-Catechin (CTN), a polyphenolic compound abundantly found in grapes, wine, and tea, might serve as a supplemental therapy to alleviate impact of high ambient glucose. CTN belongs to a group of polyphenolic compounds, which are believed to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties. Our recent study showed that the effects of CTN are comparable with enalapril for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. CTN decrease urinary albumin excretion, improved creatinine clearance, lowered serum concentrations of endothelin-1 and lipid peroxidation markers. Diabetes is a stage of low grade chronic inflammatory process. CTN has been shown significantly decrease levels of inflammatory cytokines. Double blinded ongoing study scrutinizes the effects of flavonoids on endothelial function and inflammatory markers in type 1 diabetic adolescents. Patients between the ages of 1221 years are eligible for the study and are given flavanoid rich supplement or placebo. A non-invasive measurement of endothelial function is analyzed using an Endo-Pat2000 device. The preliminarily data showed that there is significant differences in reactive hyperemia before and after flavanoid treatment. The concentration of TNFα and IL6 in urine is significantly decreased after flavonoid treatment. Flavanols and particularly (+)-catechin, are powerful food supplements with significant impact of endothelial function and might be used to prevent microvascular complications in patients with diabetes.Medical practice is not exempted from complications. This is particularly relevant in the critical care setting. Decisions bearing on patients lives have to be taken amidst tensions dictated by windows of opportunity, progression of the disease, and availability of technological equipment and staff. In spite of all of these factors, medical errors can arise. Critical care medicine has gone through an evolutionary threshold in the last few decades, thanks to the works of dedicated researchers such as Amato, Van de Bergher, and Rivers, among others. The international community has developed several initiatives to implement their findings and recommendations. It is however disturbing that nutritional support has not received equal attention as the advances in medical science. This is also reflected in the education of medical students in some countries where nutrition as a specialist subject is rather brief. All this should be considered with respect to evidence-based data which strengthens the notion that nutritional support generates superior medical care outcomes. To ensure optimal care of the patient, a quality control system relating to nutritional support should be designed and put into effect. This involves the documentation around the nutritional support protocol, which must be strengthening harmoniously integrated into programs. Proper documentation also serves to evaluate the continuing education effectiveness of nutritional and metabolic interventions and has a potential impact on hospital management. In this regard, educative and organizative interventions must be conducted on three levels: (1) increasing the knowledge base of medical and paramedical personnel about current nutritional support practices in the intensive care unit, (2) better documentation and recording practices, and (3) continuous training and education. Adopting these aforementioned procedures will result in a higher fulfillment of nutritional prescriptions, an increased coverage of patients prescribed with nutritional support, and a higher proportion of patients receiving the prescribed energy. List of Abbreviations ICU Intensive care unit International Organization for Standardization Nutritional support ISO NS PN Parenteral nutrition Food, Nutritional, and Metabolic Intervention Program Subjective Global Assessment Standard PRINUMA SGA SOP Operating ProcedureT pattern of human growth is used throughout pediatric science to establish the state of health and wellbeing of children. The pattern of normal growth is described by a decaying polynomial curve during infancy and childhood and a sigmoidal curve during adolescence. On an individual level this pattern may vary depending on environmental factors, the most important of which during infancy and early childhood, is nutrition. However, evidence has been accumulating for the last three decades to demonstrate the importance of growth rate during intrauterine life and the long term consequences of the magnitude of subsequent birth weight combined with infant growth rates. Low birth weights and rapid early growth, sometimes referred to as catch-up growth; result in increased risk for obesity, CVD, CHD and the metabolic syndrome. Considerable uncertainty exists about the timing, duration and magnitude of infant growth rates in weight and length that maximize later risk and the magnitude of risk in different ethnic groups. This paper reviews evidence from birth cohort studies in South Africa (Birth to Twenty) and the UK (ALSPAC and Born in Bradford) that relates size at birth to early, nutritionally dependent, infant growth rates and the subsequent appearance of risk factors for the metabolic syndrome and obesity. It stresses the importance of accurately assessing infant and child growth and the subsequent analysis of the pattern of growth in relation to appropriate growth charts, both references and standards, in order to accurately monitor child health and wellbeing.C in diet pattern and lifestyle have resulted in a dramatic increase in the prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome in western countries and many Asian countries. This has resulted in a significant increase in the incidence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is considered to be a hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome. NAFLD has become an important public health issue because of its high prevalence. NAFLD consists of 2 clinical entities: simple steatosis, which generally follows a benign non-progressive clinical course, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which may progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The development of cirrhosis in NAFLD is 5% to 8% during 7-21 year follow-up periods. Survival in NASH is lower than the expected survival of the matched general population due to the higher incidence of cardiovascular and liver-related death. In patients with cirrhotic NASH, HCC and liver failure are the main causes of morbidity and mortality (5-year cumulative HCC development rate 11.3%, 5-year survival rate 75.2%, respectively). Recently, obesity and diabetes have been revealed as risk factors for HCC by clinical studies and experimental studies. The risks of obesity and diabetes for HCC are likely conferred by two factors: the increased risk of development of NAFLD and the carcinogenic potential of themselves. It is conceivable that the nutritional habit play a key role in the development of NAFLD and treatment for it. Further study is needed to define the pathogenesis of NAFLD and to develop effective treatment. Etsuko Hashimoto, J Nutr Food Sci 2013, 3:4 http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/2155-9600.S1.010F more than fifteen years, serious efforts have been made to make a dent towards reducing the high infant and high maternal mortality rates in Nigeria. According to the National Demographic Survey (NDHS), the infant mortality rate in Nigeria in 1992 stood at 114/1000 live births which has come down to 86/1000 as shown in a survey carried out in 2010.This statistics is considered very high and Nigeria can certainly do better if the right approach and strategy using a combination of Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) and promotion of Infant and Young Child Feeding Programs to tackle the problem are adopted. The most recent NDHS statistics in Nigeria (2009) shows that under-5 mortality was 138/1000 live birth which is considerably high and according to the Paediatric Association of Nigeria, 90% of child deaths in Nigeria are preventable! The underlying cause of high infant and child mortality figures is poor nutritional practice which has become exacerbated by the fast degradation of Nigeria’s health facilities. It has been globally established that 53% of child deaths is as a result of preventable malnutrition. Until a few years ago, the high prevalence of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) in Northern Nigeria was not reported. Studies carried out in Kebbi, Katsina, Gombe, and Jigawa states have revealed the existence of a silent nutritional emergency that threatens the attainment of the UN Millennium Development Goal number 4 in Nigeria. SAM prevalence in many of the Local Government Areas in Gombe state was as high as 7% and all these happening in the absence of emergencies such as natural disaster (drought, famine, earthquake, or war). This silent emergency in Northern Nigeria is being tackled by the efforts of UNICEF through the supply of plumpy nuts and basic medicines.T major causes of death in industrialized countries are the chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancers, diabetes which all have to do with lifestyle choices. The majority of these chronic diseases could be prevented if wise choices were made beginning at an early age. Education is critical in terms of providing people access to this information so that they will be able to make informed choices to promote wellness and prevent chronic diseases from developing. In order for education to be successful it has to be multi-faceted and have a positive, engaging and fun angle. Schools are therefore an ideal place in which to launch a comprehensive program that will motivate people to make positive lifestyle choices for wellness. Dr. Demas will discuss her work in the public schools and some of her research results that clearly demonstrate that the most effective way to promote positive behavior change regarding nutrition is to educate students who will bring the message home and will educate their families.G epithelium provides a physical barrier against external environment. Barrier defects resulting in the permeation of luminal inflammatory substances induce an abnormally robust inflammatory response. The barrier integrity depends on the coordinated expression and interaction of proteins in cell-cell junctional complexes, including the tight junctions (TJs). Recently, we have demonstrated that some dietary polyphenols have potentials to regulate the intestinal TJ barrier. Among the polyphenols tested, a citrus polyphenol, naringenin, promotes and protects the intestinal TJ barrier in human epithelial Caco-2 cells and a murine model of colitis. In Caco-2 cells, naringenin enhances the intestinal TJ barrier, indicated by epithelial electrical resistance and dextran permeability. Immunoblot analysis and confocal microscopy demonstrate that naringenin increases the assembly of TJ proteins, ZO-2, occludin, claudin-1, and claudin-4, at TJs. The increased claudin-4 by naringenin is mediated by its transcriptional regulation. Luciferase reporter assays with mutagenesis and pharmacological inhibitors show that the naringenin-mediated claudin-4 up-regulation occurs in part through a transcriptional factor, Sp-1. The naringenininduced occludin assembly correlates with its phosphorylation, indicating the important role of the occludin phosphorylation. In a murine model of colitis, the naringenin ingestion suppresses the colon damage and inflammation, indicated by clinical score, colon shortening, and inflammatory cytokine expression. This naringenin-mediated suppression occurs simultaneously with protection of TJ barrier in colons. Taken together, some polyphenols such as naringenin have roles in intestinal barrier regulation and that the supplemental feeding might provide us with an alleviative effect on diseases associated with the intestinal barrier defect.T ReninAngiotensin System (RAS) is one of the most important biological systems involved in cardiovascular and hydroelectrolytic balance regulation. ClassicallyAngiotensin II acting through AT1 receptor produces vasoconstriction and proliferative effects while Angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)] acting through Mas receptor produces vasodilation and antiproliferative effects. Recently was demonstrated that Ang-(1-7)/Mas axis also can improve lipid and glycemic profile preventing and reversing diabetes and obesity. Sirtuins are the most known enzymes activated by caloric restriction, which also can be activated for natural compounds such as Resveratrol. Recent studies showed that both RAS and Sirtuins could be modulated by diet composition. Our group recently demonstrated that high-fat diet produces RAS unbalance and increases Sirt4 expression in adipose tissue. Furthermore, our recent study showed that high-fat feed mice treated with resveratrol and (or) an oral formulation of Ang-(17) associated to the food, present an improved metabolic profile with reduced body-fat and improved glucose metabolism. The same study pointed out for a cross talk between RAS and Sirtuins in adipose tissue, once one system was able to modulate each other in adipocytes. In conclusion we recently demonstrated that RAS and Sirtuins are key biological enzymes modulated by dietcomposition and able to improve metabolism when selectively activated.