Aspirin Effects on Trace Minerals and Heart Disease Risk
Genetically obese mice, which have risk factors for coronary heart disease, were used to investigate effects of chronic ingestion of different amounts of chromium (Cr), iron (Fe) and aspirin. A three factor response surface experimental design was used. None of the treatments significantly affected weight gain or circulating glucose, insulin, or cholesterol. However, serum uric acid was significantly affected by dietary Cr, Fe, and aspirin. The significant effect of dietary Fe on Cr will be investigated further, because both Fe and Cr are transported by transferrin, and competition between them may have detrimental effects on trace mineral status.
Sponsor: Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology
PI: Barbara J. Stoecker
Drug, Nutrient, and Physiological Interactions Affecting Chromium
The effects of interleukin-1 (IL-1) on the absorption of chromium were investigated using rats and 5lCr. IL-1 is an acute phase protein that contributes to the pathological processes often seen in the elderly. Rats were injected intraperitoneally with IL-1 or the control carrier. Two hours after dosing with the IL-1, animals were fed 200 uCi of 51CrCl3 orally. IL-1 significantly decreased 51Cr in blood, urine, and selected tissues compared to control. The interrelationship between cytokines such as IL-1 and trace minerals such as chromium may be of significance in the pathology and treatment of some diseases.
Sponsor: Agricultural Experiment Station
PI: Barbara J. Stoecker
Eating Habits and Nutrient Adequacy
The objective of this research project is to quantify dietary habits associated with consumption of red meat by adults by determining the relationship between meal patterns and specific food choices; how meal patterns and meat intake relate to nutrient intake and adequacy; and how meal patterns relate to biochemical, antropometric, and psychosocial measurements of health and fitness.
Sponsor: Oklahoma Beef Industry Council
PI: Christa Hanson
Effects and Interactions of Trace Minerals on Plasma Lipids and Bone Metabolism
This study investigated the effects of eight weeks supplementation with either chromium, copper, or zinc on indicators of bone metabolism in adults over the age of 50. The 30 volunteer subjects were randomly assigned to one of the four treatment groups.
There were eight subjects in the placebo group, eight in the chromium group, eight in the copper supplement group, and six in the zinc supplement group. Twice each day for eight weeks, subjects consumed either a lactose placebo, 15.2 mg zinc as zinc sulfate, 1.7 mg copper as copper carbonate, or 120 uq chromium as chromium chloride.
Subjects were instructed to take one capsule each morning and one each evening with meals. Twelve hour fasting blood samples were obtained at baseline, after four weeks supplementation, after eight weeks supplementation, and four weeks after supplementation ended.
Fasting blood samples were used to measure serum parathyroid hormone, serum alkaline phosphatase, and serum osteocalcin concentrations. Changes in alkaline phosphatase, parathyroid hormone, and osteocalcin concentrations after eight weeks chromium, copper, or zinc supplementation were compared to changes in the placebo group.
Data were analyzed using the Statistical Analysis System. At baseline, there were no significant differences in serum parathyroid hormone, serum alkaline phosphatase, or serum osteocalcin concentrations between supplement groups (placebo, chromium, copper, or zinc). Eight weeks chromium supplementation significantly decreased serum osteocalcin concentration compared to the placebo group (p=0.0044). No significant changes were observed in serum alkaline phosphatase or parathyroid hormone concentrations after eight weeks chromium supplementation compared to the placebo. Eight weeks copper supplementation significantly decreased serum alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin concentrations compared to the placebo group (p=0.0001 and 0.0073, respectively). No significant effect was observed in serum parathyroid hormone concentration after eight weeks copper supplementation compared to the placebo. Eight weeks zinc supplementation had no significant effect on any of the three indicators of bone metabolism compared to the placebo group.
Sponsor: Agricultural Experiment Station
PI: Janice Hermann
Effects of Beef Fat on Lifespan of Animals
The objective of this project is to evaluate the effect of source of fat on energy availability and digestibility in animals throughout the life cycle. Specific levels of beef fat (tallow) and vegetable fat (corn oil), fed with diets of various compositions, are being used to determine how the level of fat and other nutrients affect fat digestion and body composition during growth and aging.
Sponsor: Oklahoma Beef Industry Council
PI: Christa Hanson
Effects of Dietary Fiber, Fat, and Calcium on Body Composition
The focus of this project is to examine the impact of fat, fiber, and calcium source and level on intake of total calories, body composition, digestibility, and utilization of dietary fat. Objectives include: to compare the digestibility and utilization of saturated versus polyunsaturated fats; to examine the impact of added calcium and fiber on the digestibility of fat, body composition, and blood lipids; and to determine the relative metabolizable and net energy values of fat when provided to growing and adult animals.
Sponsor: Agricultural Experiment Station
PI: Christa Hanson
Effects of Trace Elements Supplementation on Measures of Nutritional Status
Effects of supplementation with zinc (30.4 mg/d), copper (3.4 mg/d), and chromium (241 ug/d) on alkaline phosphatase, serum ferritin, hemoglobin, and plasma and erythrocyte copper, iron, and zinc were examined in apparently healthy adults over the age of 50. Differences were found between males and females within supplement groups. Serum ferritin decreased significantly during and following zinc supplementation in males. Total hemoglobin increased significantly from baseline to four weeks post supplementation in chromium and copper supplemented females. Alkaline phosphatase decreased from baseline to four weeks post supplementation in all groups. The decrease was significant in the mineral supplement groups except for females receiving zinc--but not in the placebo group. Plasma zinc increased significantly in zinc supplemented males and during supplementation and in copper supplemented females from the end of supplementation to four weeks post supplementation. In the copper group, plasma copper decreased during supplementation in females but was not significantly different over time in males, while in the chromium supplemented females plasma copper increased at eight weeks of supplementation. These results support the importance of examining the interactive effects of minerals in both males and females.
Sponsor: Agricultural Experiment Station
PI: Andrea Arquitt
Enhanced Capacity for Assessing Effects of Micronutrients
A Cobas FARA II chemistry analyzer was purchased. Frozen samples from human and animal studies were analyzed to provide a more complete evaluation of the effects of trace minerals on biochemical markers of nutritional status. The ability to analyze very small samples enabled expanded analyses, particularly in studies using mice and other small animal models. Currently, wet chemistry procedures for analyses of enzymes not available in manufactured kits are being developed.
Sponsors: U.S. Department of Agriculture and Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
PIs: Andrea Arquitt and Barbara J. Stoecker
Fortification of Pasta from Hard Red Winter Wheat
Researchers in the College of Human Environmental Sciences have developed a pasta made of hard red winter wheat. The pasta is fortified with protein and calcium and was designed specifically for frail elderly persons to help meet their nutritional needs. In order to determine the opinions of operators of Oklahoma nursing homes and long term health care centers, a survey was taken, by mail, of all the nursing homes registered in the State of Oklahoma. The results of the survey were that the operators perceived a need for such a product and overwhelmingly accepted pasta as a vehicle for fortification since most served pasta up to three times weekly. However, they also reported a reluctance to pay very much more for the fortified product than for their currently used pastas. The researchers concluded that there was a need and a demand for the fortified product, but it would only find a strong market if the cost could be held to about 50% more than regular pasta prices.
Sponsors: Oklahoma Wheat Commission and the Oklahoma Wheat Research Foundation
PI: Sue Knight
New Processing Technologies for Improving Pecan Qualities
This research explores the use of super critical carbon dioxide to extract oil from pecans. The goal for the first year of the project was to determine the effect if any on shelflife of pecans. Since pecans are very high in unsaturated oil, rancidity has been a problem that severely inhibits marketing of pecans. However, it was not known whether a partial extraction of oil from intact pecan halves would have an effect on shelflife. The College of Human Environmental Sciences researchers have trained a taste panel and conducted sensory evaluations during time intervals, rating several appearance, flavor, and textural characteristics of the pecans and monitored changes during the course of the study. The pecans, extracted and non-extracted controls, were stored in controlled conditions designed to represent room temperature storage. The panelists detected few textural changes over time but found significant flavor changes, in that the unextracted control pecans deteriorated in flavor much more quickly, particularly in the flavors associated with rancidity than did the partially extracted nuts. This perceived rancidity parallelled chemical tests for rancidity.
Sponsor: Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology
PI: Sue Knight
Nutrition Issues and Their Relationship to Muscle Meat
The objective of this education project was to develop educational materials to help the consumer better understand the usefulness of red meat in the diet. Cooperative Extension publications on the need for vitamins, minerals, and protein and the Cooperative Extension Family Wellness Program, "Nutrition Issues and Their Relationship to Red Meats" were developed.
Sponsor: Oklahoma Beef Industry Council
PIs: Christa Hanson and Barbara Brown
Evaluation of World Feeder and Gordon's Gift Bermuda
The purpose of this project was to investigate the human nutritional adequacy of Bermuda grass flours from experimental and standard Bermuda grasses: World Feeder, Gordon's Gift, and Tifton. Experiments were conducted using Bermuda grass as grain products.
Sponsor: Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology
PI: Lea Ebro
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