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Pesu H, Mbabazi J, Mutumba R, Savolainen O, Olsen MF, Mølgaard C, Michaelsen KF, Ritz C, Filteau S, Briend A, Mupere E, Friis H, Grenov B. Correlates of Plasma Citrulline, a Potential Marker of Enterocyte Mass, among Children with Stunting: A Cross-Sectional Study in Uganda. J Nutr 2024; 154:765-776. [PMID: 38135004 DOI: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2023.12.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) is associated with stunting. Citrulline, produced in mature enterocytes, may be a valuable biomarker of small intestinal enterocyte mass in the context of EED. OBJECTIVES We aimed to explore the correlates of plasma citrulline (p-cit) in children with stunting. METHODS In a cross-sectional study using baseline data from the community-based MAGNUS (milk affecting growth, cognition and the gut in child stunting) trial (ISRCTN13093195), we explored potential correlates of p-cit in Ugandan children with stunting aged 12-59 mo. Using linear regression in univariate and multivariate models, we explored associations with socioeconomics, diet, micronutrient status, and water, sanitation, and hygiene characteristics. The influence of covariates age, fasting, and systemic inflammation were also explored. RESULTS In 750 children, the mean ± standard deviation age was 32.0 ± 11.7 mo, and height-for-age z-score was -3.02 ± 0.74. P-cit, available for 730 children, differed according to time fasted and was 20.7 ± 8.9, 22.3 ± 10.6 and 24.2 ± 13.1 μmol/L if fasted <2, 2-5 and >5 h, respectively. Positive correlates of p-cit were age [0.07; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.001, 0.15 μmol/L] and log10 serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (8.88; 95% CI: 5.09, 12.67 μmol/L). With adjustment for systemic inflammation, the association with serum insulin-like growth factor-1 reduced (4.98; 95% CI: 0.94, 9.03 μmol/L). Negative correlates of p-cit included food insecurity, wet season (-3.12; 95% CI: -4.97, -1.26 μmol/L), serum C-reactive protein (-0.15; 95% CI: -0.20, -0.10 μmol/L), serum α1-acid glycoprotein (-5.34; 95% CI: -6.98, -3.70 μmol/L) and anemia (-1.95; 95% CI: -3.72, -0.18 μmol/L). Among the negatively correlated water, sanitation, and hygiene characteristics was lack of soap for handwashing (-2.53; 95% CI: -4.82, -0.25 μmol/L). Many associations attenuated with adjustment for inflammation. CONCLUSIONS Many of the correlates of p-cit are characteristic of populations with a high EED prevalence. Systemic inflammation is strongly associated with p-cit and is implicated in EED and stunting. Adjustment for systemic inflammation attenuates many associations, reflecting either confounding, mediation, or both. This study highlights the complex interplay between p-cit and systemic inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Pesu
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise, and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Joseph Mbabazi
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise, and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Medicine College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Rolland Mutumba
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise, and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Medicine College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Otto Savolainen
- Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden; Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Mette F Olsen
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise, and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Infectious Diseases, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christian Mølgaard
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise, and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kim F Michaelsen
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise, and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christian Ritz
- National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Suzanne Filteau
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - André Briend
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise, and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Tampere Centre for Child Health Research, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Ezekiel Mupere
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Medicine College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Henrik Friis
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise, and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Benedikte Grenov
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise, and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Holthuijsen DDB, van Roekel EH, Bours MJL, Ueland PM, Breukink SO, Janssen-Heijnen MLG, Keulen ETP, Gsur A, Kok DE, Ulvik A, Weijenberg MP, Eussen SJPM. Longitudinal associations of macronutrient and micronutrient intake with plasma kynurenines in colorectal cancer survivors up to 12 months posttreatment. Am J Clin Nutr 2023; 118:865-880. [PMID: 37923499 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2023.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The tryptophan-kynurenine pathway is increasingly recognized to play a role in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after cancer. Because tryptophan is an essential amino acid, and vitamins and minerals act as enzymatic cofactors in the tryptophan-kynurenine pathway, a link between diet and kynurenines is plausible. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to investigate the longitudinal associations of macronutrient and micronutrient intake with metabolites of the kynurenine pathway in colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors up to 12 mo posttreatment. METHODS In a prospective cohort of stage I-III CRC survivors (n = 247), repeated measurements were performed at 6 wk, 6 mo, and 12 mo posttreatment. Macronutrient and micronutrient intake was measured by 7-d dietary records. Plasma concentrations of tryptophan and kynurenines were analyzed using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS). Longitudinal associations were analyzed using linear mixed models adjusted for sociodemographic, clinical, and lifestyle factors. RESULTS After adjustment for multiple testing, higher total protein intake was positively associated with kynurenic acid (KA) (β as standard deviation [SD] change in KA concentration per 1 SD increase in total protein intake: 0.12; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.20), xanthurenic acid (XA) (standardized β: 0.22; 95% CI: 0.11, 0.33), 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (HAA) (standardized β: 0.15; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.27) concentrations, and the kynurenic acid-to-quinolinic acid ratio (KA/QA) (standardized β: 0.12; 95% CI: 0.02,0.22). In contrast, higher total carbohydrate intake was associated with lower XA concentrations (standardized β: -0.18; 95% CI: -0.30, -0.07), a lower KA/QA (standardized β: -0.23; 95% CI: -0.34, -0.13), and a higher kynurenine-to-tryptophan ratio (KTR) (standardized β: 0.20; 95% CI: 0.10, 0.30). Higher fiber intake was associated with a higher KA/QA (standardized β: 0.11; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.21) and a lower KTR (standardized β: -0.12; 95% CI: -0.20, -0.03). Higher total fat intake was also associated with higher tryptophan (Trp) concentrations (standardized β: 0.18; 95% CI: 0.06, 0.30) and a lower KTR (standardized β: -0.13; 95% CI: -0.22, -0.03). For micronutrients, positive associations were observed for zinc with XA (standardized β: 0.13; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.21) and 3-hydroxykynurenine (HK) (standardized β: 0.12; 95% CI: 0.03, 0.20) concentrations and for magnesium with KA/QA (standardized β: 0.24; 95% CI: 0.13, 0.36). CONCLUSIONS Our findings show that intake of several macronutrients and micronutrients is associated with some metabolites of the kynurenine pathway in CRC survivors up to 12 mo posttreatment. These results may be relevant for enhancing HRQoL after cancer through potential diet-induced changes in kynurenines. Further studies are necessary to confirm our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniëlle D B Holthuijsen
- Department of Epidemiology, CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Department of Epidemiology, GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - Eline H van Roekel
- Department of Epidemiology, GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Martijn J L Bours
- Department of Epidemiology, GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Stéphanie O Breukink
- Department of Surgery, GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, NUTRIM School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Maryska L G Janssen-Heijnen
- Department of Epidemiology, GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Department of Clinical Epidemiology, VieCuri Medical Centre, Venlo, The Netherlands
| | - Eric T P Keulen
- Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Zuyderland Medical Centre Sittard-Geleen, Geleen, The Netherlands
| | - Andrea Gsur
- Center for Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dieuwertje E Kok
- Division of Human Nutrition and Health, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Matty P Weijenberg
- Department of Epidemiology, GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Simone J P M Eussen
- Department of Epidemiology, CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Department of Epidemiology, CAPHRI School for Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Citrulline and kynurenine to tryptophan ratio: potential EED (environmental enteric dysfunction) biomarkers in acute watery diarrhea among children in Bangladesh. Sci Rep 2023; 13:1416. [PMID: 36697429 PMCID: PMC9876903 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-28114-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Two emerging biomarkers of environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) include plasma citrulline (CIT), and the kynurenine (KYN): tryptophan (TRP)/ (KT) ratio. We sought to investigate the plasma concentration of CIT and KT ratio among the children having dehydrating diarrhea and examine associations between concentrations of CIT and KT ratio with concurrent factors. For this analysis, we used cross-sectional data from a total of 102, 6-36 months old male children who suffered from non-cholera acute watery diarrhea and had some dehydration admitted to an urban diarrheal hospital, in Bangladesh. CIT, TRP, and KYN concentrations were determined at enrollment from plasma samples using ELIZA. At enrollment, the mean plasma CIT concentration was 864.48 ± 388.55 µmol/L. The mean plasma kynurenine, tryptophan concentrations, and the KT ratio (× 1000) were 6.93 ± 3.08 µmol/L, 33.44 ± 16.39 µmol/L, and 12.12 ± 18.10, respectively. With increasing child age, KYN concentration decreased (coefficient: - 0.26; 95%CI: - 0.49, - 0.04; p = 0.021); with increasing lymphocyte count, CIT concentration decreased (coef.: - 0.01; 95% CI: - 0.02,0.001, p = 0.004); the wasted child had decreased KT ratio (coef.: - 0.6; 95% CI: - 1.18, - 0.02; p = 0.042) after adjusting for potential covariates. The CIT concentration was associated with blood neutrophils (coef.: 0.02; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.03; p < 0.001), lymphocytes (coef.: - 0.02; 95% CI: - 0.03, - 0.02; p < 0.001) and monocyte (coef.: 0.06; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.11; p = 0.021); KYN concentration was negatively associated with basophil (coef.: - 0.62; 95% CI: - 1.23, - 0.01; p = 0.048) after adjusting for age. In addition, total stool output (gm) increased (coef.: 793.84; 95% CI: 187.16, 1400.52; p = 0.011) and also increased duration of hospital stay (hour) (coef.: 22.89; 95% CI: 10.24, 35.54; p = 0.001) with increasing CIT concentration. The morphological changes associated with EED may increase the risk of enteric infection and diarrheal disease among children. Further research is critically needed to better understand the complex mechanisms by which EED biomarkers may impact susceptibility to dehydrating diarrhea in children.
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Kewcharoenwong C, Sein MM, Nithichanon A, Khongmee A, Wessells KR, Hinnouho GM, Barffour MA, Kounnavong S, Hess SY, Stephensen CB, Lertmemongkolchai G. Daily preventive zinc supplementation increases the antibody response against pathogenic Escherichia coli in children with zinc insufficiency: a randomised controlled trial. Sci Rep 2022; 12:16084. [PMID: 36167891 PMCID: PMC9515173 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20445-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Zinc deficiency impairs the antibody-mediated immune response and is common in children from lower-income countries. This study aimed to investigate the impact of different zinc supplementation regimens (7, 10 or 20 mg/day elemental zinc)—therapeutic dispersible zinc tablets (TZ), daily multiple micronutrient powder (MNP), daily preventive zinc tablets (PZ) and placebo powder (control)—and compare between baseline and endline antibody production against pathogenic Escherichia coli in Laotian children (aged 6–23 months). Fifty representative plasma samples of each treatment group were randomly selected from 512 children to determine anti-E. coli IgG antibody levels and avidity. Of the 200 children, 78.5% had zinc deficiency (plasma zinc concentration < 65 µg/dL) and 40% had anaemia before receiving zinc supplementation. aAfter receiving the TZ, MNP or PZ regimen, the plasma anti-E. coli IgG levels were significantly increased compared with baseline; the effect on the antibody level was more pronounced in children with zinc deficiency. Interestingly, there was increased anti-E. coli IgG avidity in the control and PZ groups. This study suggests that PZ might be the optimal zinc supplementation regimen to increase both the quantity and quality of antibody responses in children with zinc deficiency. Clinical trial registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02428647 (NCT02428647, 29/04/2015).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Myint Myint Sein
- The Centre for Research & Development of Medical Diagnostic Laboratories, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Arnone Nithichanon
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Research and Diagnostic Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases (RCEID), Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Aranya Khongmee
- The Centre for Research & Development of Medical Diagnostic Laboratories, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - K Ryan Wessells
- Department of Nutrition, Institute for Global Nutrition, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Guy-Marino Hinnouho
- Department of Nutrition, Institute for Global Nutrition, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.,Helen Keller International, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Maxwell A Barffour
- Department of Nutrition, Institute for Global Nutrition, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.,Public Health Program, College of Health and Human Services, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, USA
| | - Sengchanh Kounnavong
- Lao Tropical and Public Health Institute, Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic
| | - Sonja Y Hess
- Department of Nutrition, Institute for Global Nutrition, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Charles B Stephensen
- Department of Nutrition, Institute for Global Nutrition, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.,Agricultural Research Service, Western Human Nutrition Research Center, USDA, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Ganjana Lertmemongkolchai
- Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand. .,The Centre for Research & Development of Medical Diagnostic Laboratories, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
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Sinha B, Sommerfelt H, Ashorn P, Mazumder S, More D, Taneja S, Bahl R, Bhandari N. Effect of Community-Initiated Kangaroo Mother Care on Fecal Biomarkers of Gut Function in Low Birth Weight Infants in North India: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2022; 106:945-952. [PMID: 34929667 PMCID: PMC8922485 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-0877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
This individually randomized trial was conducted to estimate the effect of promoting community-initiated Kangaroo Mother Care (ciKMC) in low birth weight (LBW) infants on gut inflammation and permeability. Participants included 200 stable LBW infants (weighing 1,500-2,250 g) in North India enrolled between May and October 2017. The ciKMC intervention included promotion and support of continuous skin-to-skin contact and exclusive breastfeeding through home visits. The mothers in the intervention arm were supported to practice ciKMC until 28 days after birth, i.e., the neonatal period, or till the baby wriggled out of KMC position, if earlier. Infant stool specimens were collected during the first week of birth, and within 1 week after end of the neonatal period. Concentrations of fecal neopterin (nmol/L), myeloperoxidase (ng/mL), and alpha-1-antitrypsin (μg/mL) were determined using ELISA, and composite enteric enteropathy (EE) score at the end of the neonatal period was calculated by principal component analysis. We did not find any substantial difference in means between the ciKMC and control arm infants in the log-transformed values of neopterin (0.03; 95% CI -0.15 to 0.21), myeloperoxidase (0.28; 95% CI -0.05 to 0.61) and alpha-1-antitrypsin (0.02; 95% CI -0.30 to 0.34). The mean (SD) composite EE score was 13.6 (7.5) in the ciKMC and 12.4 (8.3) in the control arm infants, and the adjusted difference in means was, 0.4 (95% CI -1.8 to 2.7). Our findings suggest that the promotion of ciKMC did not affect gut inflammation and permeability in our target population of LBW infants in North India.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bireshwar Sinha
- Centre for Health Research and Development, Society for Applied Studies, New Delhi, India;,Center for Child, Adolescent and Maternal Health Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, and Tampere University Hospital, Finland;,Clinical and Public health Fellow, DBT/Wellcome India Alliance, Hyderabad, India
| | - Halvor Sommerfelt
- Centre for Intervention Science in Maternal and Child Health, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway;,Cluster for Global Health, Division for Health Services, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway;,Address correspondence to Halvor Sommerfelt, Centre for Intervention Science in Maternal and Child Health, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, P.O. Box 7804, Bergen 5020, Norway. E-mail:
| | - Per Ashorn
- Center for Child, Adolescent and Maternal Health Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, and Tampere University Hospital, Finland
| | - Sarmila Mazumder
- Centre for Health Research and Development, Society for Applied Studies, New Delhi, India
| | - Deepak More
- Clinical and Research Laboratories, Society for Applied Studies, New Delhi, India
| | - Sunita Taneja
- Centre for Health Research and Development, Society for Applied Studies, New Delhi, India
| | - Rajiv Bahl
- Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Nita Bhandari
- Centre for Health Research and Development, Society for Applied Studies, New Delhi, India
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Keddy KH, Saha S, Okeke IN, Kalule JB, Qamar FN, Kariuki S. Combating Childhood Infections in LMICs: evaluating the contribution of Big Data Big data, biomarkers and proteomics: informing childhood diarrhoeal disease management in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. EBioMedicine 2021; 73:103668. [PMID: 34742129 PMCID: PMC8579132 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2021.103668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite efforts to reduce the global burden of childhood diarrhoea, 50% of all cases globally occur in children under five years in Low–Income and Middle- Income Countries (LMICs) and knowledge gaps remain regarding the aetiological diagnosis, introduction of diarrhoeal vaccines, and the role of environmental enteric dysfunction and severe acute malnutrition. Biomarkers may assist in understanding disease processes, from diagnostics, to management of childhood diarrhoea and the sequelae to vaccine development. Proteomics has the potential to assist in the identification of new biomarkers to understand the processes in the development of childhood diarrhoea and to aid in developing new vaccines. Centralised repositories that enable mining of large data sets to better characterise risk factors, the proteome of both the patient and the different diarrhoeal pathogens, and the environment, could inform patient management and vaccine development, providing a systems biological approach to address the burden of childhood diarrhoea in LMICs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen H Keddy
- Tuberculosis Platform, South African Medical Research Council, 1 Soutpansberg Rd, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa.
| | - Senjuti Saha
- Child Health Research Foundation, 23/2 Khilji Road, Mohammadpur, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh
| | - Iruka N Okeke
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | - John Bosco Kalule
- Biotechnical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Uganda
| | - Farah Naz Qamar
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health. Aga Khan University, Stadoum road Karachi, Pakistan 74800
| | - Samuel Kariuki
- Centre for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Off Mbagathi Road, Nairobi, Kenya
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Murphy T, Phan K, Irvine KN, Lean D. The Role of Micronutrients and Toxic Metals in the Management of Epidemics in Cambodia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:11446. [PMID: 34769963 PMCID: PMC8582812 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182111446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The illegal trade of wildlife in SE Asia has been identified as the likely cause of the COVID-19 pandemic. We reviewed 198 papers on the current COVID pandemic in Cambodia, diseases such as avian influenza and Nipah virus, most likely to develop into a new pandemic in Cambodia, and common features of disease that require mitigation. Artisanal goldmining uses pure mercury in the areas where wildlife is smuggled to China. Moreover, 30-40% of Cambodians are zinc deficient. High levels of arsenic in irrigation water (>1000 µg/L) are associated with very low levels of zinc in rice (5 µg/g) and rice is the primary staple food for the region. Brown rice from nine of 15 paddy fields in the arsenic zone of Cambodia had double the new guidelines of 100 µg/kg inorganic arsenic for children's food in the EU and USA. The combination of deficiencies of essential micronutrients like zinc and pervasive presence of arsenic and mercury has the potential to compromise the immunity of many Cambodians. Innovative solutions are suggested to improve micronutrient nutrition. Toxins that suppress the immune system must be better managed to reduce the virulence of pathogens. Cambodia was not likely the source of the COVID-19 but does have problems that could result in a new pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Murphy
- Faculty of Science and Technology, International University, Phnom Penh 12000, Cambodia;
| | - Kongkea Phan
- Faculty of Science and Technology, International University, Phnom Penh 12000, Cambodia;
| | - Kim Neil Irvine
- Faculty of Architecture & Planning, Rangsit Campus, Thammasat University, Khlong Nueng 12121, Thailand;
| | - David Lean
- Lean Environmental, Apsley, ON K0L1A0, Canada;
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Hinnouho GM, Wessells KR, Barffour MA, Sayasone S, Arnold CD, Kounnavong S, Hess SY. Impact of Different Strategies for Delivering Supplemental Zinc on Selected Fecal Markers of Environmental Enteric Dysfunction among Young Laotian Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 103:1416-1426. [PMID: 32618258 PMCID: PMC7543857 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-0106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to assess the impact of different strategies for delivering supplemental zinc on fecal myeloperoxidase (MPO), neopterin (NEO), and calprotectin (CAL) among young Laotian children. In a double-blind controlled trial, children aged 6-23 months were randomized to receive either daily preventive zinc (PZ) tablets (7 mg/day), daily micronutrient powder (MNP; containing 10 mg zinc and 14 other micronutrients), therapeutic zinc (TZ) supplements for diarrhea treatment (20 mg/day for 10 days), or daily placebo powder and followed for ∼36 weeks. Stool samples were collected at baseline and endline. Fecal MPO, NEO, and CAL concentrations were determined in a randomly selected subsample of 720 children using commercially available ELISA kits. At baseline, the mean age was 14.1 ± 4.9 months and prevalence of stunting was 39%. The endline prevalence of stunting was 43%; there was no overall treatment effect on physical growth in the parent trial. At endline, the mean (95% CI) MPO in the PZ group was 1,590 [1,396; 1,811] ng/mL and did not differ from that in the MNP (1,633 [1,434; 1,859] ng/mL), TZ (1,749 [1,535; 1,992] ng/mL), and control (1,612 [1,415; 1,836] ng/mL) groups (P = 0.749). Similarly, there was no overall treatment effect on NEO and CAL concentrations (P = 0.226 and 0.229, respectively). In this population, the provision of PZ or TZ supplements or MNP had no impact on growth or environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) as assessed by fecal MPO, NEO, and CAL. Additional research is needed to better understand the etiology and proposed mechanisms of EED pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy-Marino Hinnouho
- Helen Keller International, Washington, District of Columbia.,Department of Nutrition, Institute for Global Nutrition, University of California, Davis, Davis, California
| | - K Ryan Wessells
- Department of Nutrition, Institute for Global Nutrition, University of California, Davis, Davis, California
| | - Maxwell A Barffour
- Public Health Program, College of Health and Human Services, Missouri State University, Springfield, Missouri.,Department of Nutrition, Institute for Global Nutrition, University of California, Davis, Davis, California
| | - Somphou Sayasone
- Lao Tropical and Public Health Institute, Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic
| | - Charles D Arnold
- Department of Nutrition, Institute for Global Nutrition, University of California, Davis, Davis, California
| | - Sengchanh Kounnavong
- Lao Tropical and Public Health Institute, Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic
| | - Sonja Y Hess
- Department of Nutrition, Institute for Global Nutrition, University of California, Davis, Davis, California
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