Ousa Thanangkul

Plasma somatomedin and growth hormone values in children with protein-calorie malnutrition.

This study was undertaken to define the interrelationships of somatomedin, growth hormone, and an inhibitor of SM in protein-calorie malnutrition. Twenty-seven patients, eight to 60 months of age, were studied. Twenty-one well-nourished children acted as controls. SM was significantly depressed at Days 2 and 8 (p less than 0.01) but was not different from controls at Day 29 and 50. In ten out of 27 Day 2 samples and six out of 27 Day 8 samples an inhibitor was identified. When SM values were compared to simultaneous hGH levels, there was an inverse relationship. The low SM levels in the face of markedly elevated hGH levels suggests a functional block in the synthesis and/or release of SM.

A study of the mechanism of weight gain in medroxyprogesterone acetate users

Twelve non-lactating Thai women using the injectable contraceptive medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) were studied in order to elucidate the mechanism of weight gain frequently seen among DMPA users. The study design included repeated estimations of body fluid compartments (total, extracellular and intravascular) and of nitrogen metabolism, as well as anthropometric measurements. The mean weight remained constant in this group of women after one year of treatment. But 25% of them demonstrated a mean weight gain of 6.05 kilograms, while another 25% showed a mean weight loss of 3.50 kilograms. None of the subjects (including those who gained and lost weight) showed significant changes in her fluid compartmental size, creatinine excretion rate, or nitrogen metabolism. However, skin-fold thicknesses were positively correlated to body weight changes. It can be concluded that medroxyprogesterone acetate when used as injectable contraceptive does not appear to have significant anabolic or fluid retaining properties, and that weight gain appears to be associated mainly with fat deposition.

alpha 2HS-glycoprotein serum levels in protein-energy malnutrition.

1. alpha 2HS-glycoprotein accumulates in bone and dentine and its plasma levels could vary in conditions in which the rate of bone formation is altered. 2. The plasma concentration of this protein was found to be lower in thirteen children suffering from protein-energy malnutrition compared with age-matched healthy preschool children. 3. This finding might be associated with the phenomenon of stunting in protein-energy malnutrition.

Vitamin and trace mineral metabolism in medroxyprogesterone acetate users.

The effect of one years continual use of medroxyprogesterone acetate as an injectable contraceptive (150 mg I.M. every 90 days) on vitamin (A, B-carotene, E, B-1, B-2, B-6, oral tryptophan load test, folate and B-12) and trace mineral metabolism (Na, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn and phosphorus) were assessed before and at the 3rd week, 3rd, 6th, 9th and 12th months after initiation of daily treatment with a vitamin-mineral supplement, in 12 non-lactating helathy Thai women. Neither vitamin nor trace mineral metabolism changed significantly as a result of treatment when compared to the pre-treatment control, suggesting that this form of hormonal contraceptive did not interfere with any of the parameters studied.

Iron and Folate Supplementation during Pregnancy

Nutritional anemia is still a major public health problem in developing countries. Prevalence varies from country to country depending on the state of nutrition, health and hygiene of the population, and is more pronounced during pregnancy. Reports from the World Health Organization (Baker and De Maeyer, 1979) have shown a high prevalence of anemia (hemoglobin levels below 11 g/dL) among third trimester pregnant women from various countries, ranging from 21.8% in Poland to 82% in Burma. In Thailand, the prevalence of anemia is between 31–51% in the central region (Areekul et al., 1976; Ministry of Health, Thailand, 1988), 39% in the northeast, (Valayasevi et al., 1974) and 21.4% in the north (Amatayakul et al., 1975).