scholarly journals SNP rs6564851 in the BCO1 Gene Is Associated with Varying Provitamin a Plasma Concentrations but Not with Retinol Concentrations among Adolescents from Rural Ghana

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1786
Author(s):  
Sophie Graßmann ◽  
Olga Pivovarova-Ramich ◽  
Andrea Henze ◽  
Jens Raila ◽  
Yaw Ampem Amoako ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Dietary Factors ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Provitamin A ◽  
Rural Ghana ◽  
Provitamin A Carotenoids ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Plasma Retinol

In sub-Saharan Africa, vitamin A deficiency constitutes a severe health problem despite various supplementation and food fortification programs. Given that the intake of preformed vitamin A from animal products remains low in these countries, an efficient metabolization of plant-based provitamin A carotenoids is essential. Previously, adolescents in rural Ghana have shown high total plasma carotenoid concentrations, while 36% had a vitamin A deficiency (defined as plasma retinol < 0.7 µmol/L). Hence, the aim of this cross-sectional study was to identify the relationships between variants in the β-carotene 15,15’-oxygenase (BCO1) gene and plasma carotenoid concentrations among 189 15-year-old girls and boys in rural Ghana. BCO1 rs6564851, rs7500996, rs10048138 and PKD1L2 rs6420424, and rs8044334 were typed, and carotenoid concentrations were compared among the different genotypes. G allele carriers of rs6564851 (53%) showed higher plasma carotenoid concentrations than T allele carriers (median (interquartile range): 3.07 (2.17–4.02) vs. 2.59 (2.21–3.50) µmol/L, p-value = 0.0424). This was not explained by differences in socio-demographic or dietary factors. In contrast, no differences in plasma retinol concentrations were observed between these genotypes. Pending verification in independent populations, the low conversion efficiency of provitamin A carotenoids among rs6564851 G allele carriers may undermine existing fortification and supplementation programs to improve the vitamin A status in sub-Saharan Africa.

scholarly journals Content and Retention of Provitamin A Carotenoids Following Ripening and Local Processing of Four Popular Musa Cultivars from Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatrice Nakhauka Ekesa ◽  
Judith Kimiywe ◽  
Inge Van den Bergh ◽  
Guy Blomme ◽  
Claudie Dhuique-Mayer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Palm Oil ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Provitamin A ◽  
Local Processing ◽  
Dietary Intakes ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
Provitamin A Carotenoids

<p>Changes in the concentrations and retention levels of total and individual provitamin A carotenoids (pVACs) during ripening and local processing of the four most popular <em>Musa</em> cultivars of Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo were established through HPLC analysis. The predominant pVACs were all <em>trans</em> ?- and ?-carotene, together constituting about 90% of total pVACs content in raw and processed <em>Musa</em> fruit pulp. The proportion of ?- and ?-carotene was not significantly different in the tested East African Highland Bananas (AAA-EAHB) (‘Nshikazi’ and ‘Vulambya’); in the plantains (‘Musilongo’ and ‘Musheba’), proportion of ?-carotene was almost twice that of ?-carotene. An increase in total pVACs was observed during ripening, with highest levels at ripening stage 3 in all four cultivars. Total pVACs values were as high as 1081µg/100gfw in ‘Vulambya’ and 1819µg/100gfw in ‘Musilongo’. Boiling of the AAA-EAHB and AAB-Plantains resulted to retention of between 40-90% and &gt;95% respectively. Plantains deep-fried in fully-refined palm oil and crude red palm oil for 2 minutes did not seem to lose any pVACs, the levels of total pVACs observed after frying were 100% of what was observed when the fruit was raw. Retinol Activity Equivalents (RAE), in boiled products varied between 22.3 and 173 RAEµg/100gfw, whereas deep fried products had &gt;190 RAEµg/100g edible portion. These results show that the tested AAA-EAHBs and the plantains could meet at least 14% and 30 % of Vitamin A recommended dietary intakes respectively. The findings can therefore guide consumer consumption patterns to maximize vitamin A intake for improved health in these regions and also direct researchers in the selection of <em>Musa</em> cultivars to be incorporated within existing farming systems in the fight against vitamin A deficiency (VAD).</p>

scholarly journals High-Dose Neonatal Vitamin A Supplementation to Bangladeshi Infants Increases the Percentage of CCR9-Positive Treg Cells in Infants with Lower Birthweight in Early Infancy, and Decreases Plasma sCD14 Concentration and the Prevalence of Vitamin A Deficiency at Two Years of Age

2020 ◽  
Vol 150 (11) ◽  
pp. 3005-3012
Author(s):  
Shaikh M Ahmad ◽  
M Nazmul Huda ◽  
Rubhana Raqib ◽  
Firdausi Qadri ◽  
Md Jahangir Alam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Low Birthweight ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Systemic Exposure ◽  
Treg Cells ◽  
Early Infancy ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Gut Development ◽  
Plasma Retinol

ABSTRACT Background Vitamin A (VA) stores are low in early infancy and may impair development of the immune system. Objective This study determined if neonatal VA supplementation (VAS) affects the following: 1) development of regulatory T (Treg) cells; 2) chemokine receptor 9 (CCR9) expression, which directs mucosal targeting of immune cells; and 3) systemic endotoxin exposure as indicated by changed plasma concentrations of soluble CD14 (sCD14). Secondarily, VA status, growth, and systemic inflammation were investigated. Methods In total, 306 Bangladeshi infants were randomly assigned to receive 50,000 IU VA or placebo (PL) within 48 h of birth, and immune function was assessed at 6 wk, 15 wk, and 2 y. Primary outcomes included the following: 1) peripheral blood Treg cells; 2) percentage of Treg, T, and B cells expressing CCR9; and 3) plasma sCD14. Secondary outcomes included the following: 4) VA status measured using the modified relative dose-response (MRDR) test and plasma retinol; 5) infant growth; and 6) plasma C-reactive protein (CRP). Statistical analysis identified group differences and interactions with sex and birthweight. Results VAS increased (P = 0.004) the percentage of CCR9+ Treg cells (13.2 ± 1.37%) relative to PL (9.17 ± 1.15%) in children below the median birthweight but had the opposite effect (P = 0.04) in those with higher birthweight (VA, 9.13 ± 0.89; PL, 12.1 ± 1.31%) at 6 and 15 wk (values are combined mean ± SE). VAS decreased (P = 0.003) plasma sCD14 (1.56 ± 0.025 mg/L) relative to PL (1.67 ± 0.032 mg/L) and decreased (P = 0.034) the prevalence of VA deficiency (2.3%) relative to PL (9.2%) at 2 y. Conclusions Neonatal VAS enhanced mucosal targeting of Treg cells in low-birthweight infants. The decreased systemic exposure to endotoxin and improved VA status at 2 y may have been due to VA-mediated improvements in gut development resulting in improved barrier function and nutrient absorption. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01583972 and NCT02027610.

scholarly journals Use of biomarkers of sub-clinical infection, nutrition and neonatal maturity to interpret plasma retinol in Nigerian neonates

2003 ◽  
Vol 90 (2) ◽  
pp. 353-361 ◽  
Author(s):  
Delana A. Adelekan ◽  
Christine A. Northrop-Clewes ◽  
Joshua A. Owa ◽  
Adesola O. Oyedeji ◽  
Adedayo A. Owoeye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Surrogate Marker ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
World Health ◽  
Plasma Retinol

Using the World Health Organization criterion, the prevalence of sub-clinical vitamin A deficiency can be assessed using plasma retinol concentrations <0·7 μmol/l. However, plasma retinol can be depressed by infection; thus, the use of this criterion alone may overestimate deficiency. In the present study, we investigated the usefulness of the acute-phase proteins (APP) α1-antichymotrypsin (ACT) and α1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), plasma carotenoids and anthropometric and gestational indices to interpret plasma retinol in the blood of 192 apparently healthy Nigerian neonates collected randomly during days 1–20 postpartum. The mean weight (2·64 kg) and length (0·458 m) of the neonates and plasma concentrations (geometric mean, μmol/l) of retinol (0·54), α-carotene (0·072), ß-carotene (0·076) and lutein (0·080) were low. The prevalence of vitamin A deficiency was 72 %, indicating a severe public health problem. Babies who were of low birth weight (P<0·003) or premature and low birth weight (P<0·023) had significantly lower retinol concentrations than full-term normal weight babies. Thirty-two neonates had abnormal ACT and forty-four abnormal AGP concentrations. Positive correlations between retinol and ACT (r0·186,P=0·05) and AGP (r0·31,P=0·0001) during days 1–5 may be due to the increasing plasma retinol from maternal milk and a coincidental increasing capacity to synthesise APP. Subsequently, negative correlations between retinol and ACT (r−0·28,P=0·02) and AGP (r−0·29,P=0·018) from day 6 onwards reflected the continuing increase in plasma retinol, but no further increase in the APP. Overall, weight, ACT, lutein and age explained 30 % of the variance in retinol, but lutein was the most significant (r20·18,P<0·0001). Hence, the distribution of plasma retinol concentrations in this group of neonates was more strongly linked with nutrition (via the surrogate marker lutein) than infection.

scholarly journals Nutritional Properties of Ogi Powder and Sensory Perception of Ogi Porridge Made From Synthetic Provitamin: A Maize Genotype

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Omololami Tolulope Akinsola ◽  
Emmanuel Oladeji Alamu ◽  
Bolanle Omolara Otegbayo ◽  
Abebe Menkir ◽  
Busie Maziya-Dixon
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Sensory Perception ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Provitamin A ◽  
Carotenoid Content ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Phytic Acid Content ◽  
Need To Evaluate ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Phytate Content

Provitamin-A maize (PVA) with increased carotenoid content obtained through conventional breeding techniques has been largely successful in sub-Saharan Africa. This resulted in a need to evaluate their susceptibility, retention, and nutritional content during processing into local foods. This study evaluated the chemical, carotenoid composition, and retention of PVA, the phytic acid content in ogi powder, and the sensory perception of ogi porridge produced traditionally from the three novel PVA maize genotypes (PVA SYN HGAC0 Maize 1; PVA SYN HGBC0 Maize 2; and PVA SYN HGBC1 Maize 3) and one yellow maize variety (control). Chemical composition analyses showed significant differences (p &lt; 0.05) in all parameters. The PVA ranged from 5.96 to 8.43 μg/g in Maize 2 and 3 before processing while the true percentage retention after processing into ogi powder ranged from 20.25 to 37.54% in Maize 1 and 2, respectively. In addition, there was a reduction in the phytate content of ogi powder, and Maize 2 contained the lowest (2.78 mg/g from 4.09 mg/g). Maize 2 genotype had the highest vitamin A contribution; it can meet 18.3% of the vitamin A requirements in children while in adult males and females (&gt;19 years), 6.2 and 7.7%, respectively. Sensory evaluation showed that the ogi 3 porridge (Maize 3) was the most acceptable, followed by Maize 2. In conclusion, Maize 2 had the highest PVA, true retention of carotenoid, vitamin A contributions, and the second most acceptable ogi porridge with the lowest phytate content.

scholarly journals Screening of Provitamin-A Maize Inbred Lines for Drought Tolerance Using β-carotene Content: Morphophysiological and Biochemical Traits

Agronomy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 692 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleck Kondwakwenda ◽  
Julia Sibiya ◽  
Rebecca Zengeni ◽  
Cousin Musvosvi ◽  
Samson Tesfay
Keyword(s):  
Drought Tolerance ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Inbred Lines ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Provitamin A ◽  
Biochemical Traits ◽  
Carotene Content ◽  
Maize Productivity ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Β Carotene

Provitamin A maize (Zea mays L.) biofortification is an ideal complementary means of combating vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in sub-Saharan Africa where maize consumption is high coupled by high VAD incidences. However, drought remains a major abiotic constraint to maize productivity in this region. Comprehensive drought screening of initial breeding materials before advancing them is important to achieve genetic gain. In this study, 46 provitamin-A inbred lines were screened for drought tolerance in the greenhouse and field under drought and optimum conditions using β-carotene content (BCC), grain yield (GY), and selected morphophysiological and biochemical traits. The results revealed that BCC, morphophysiological and biochemical traits were effective in discriminating among genotypes. Number of ears per plant (EPP), stomatal conductance (Gs), delayed leaf senescence (SEN), leaf rolling (RL), chlorophyll content (CC) and free proline content (PC) proved to be ideal traits to use when indirectly selecting for GY by virtue of having relative efficiency of indirect selection values that are greater than unity and considerable genetic variances under either or both conditions. The findings of this study form the basis of initial germplasm selection when improving provitamin A maize for drought tolerance.

scholarly journals Grain Quality, Provitamin A Carotenoid Profiles, and Sensory Quality of Provitamin A-Biofortified Maize Stiff Porridges

Foods ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1909
Author(s):  
Daniso Beswa ◽  
Muthulisi Siwela ◽  
Eric O. Amonsou ◽  
Unathi Kolanisi
Keyword(s):  
Sensory Quality ◽  
Grain Quality ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Kernel Weight ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Provitamin A ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Grain Colour ◽  
Β Carotene

Provitamin A-biofortified maize could contribute to the alleviation of vitamin A deficiency (VAD), which is prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa due to a high consumption of starchy, maize-based diets. Four varieties of provitamin A biofortified maize were studied for grain colour, grain texture, thousand kernel weight, and hectolitre mass. Provitamin A biofortified maize stiff porridges were prepared and their retained provitamin A was determined using lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, and β-carotene (all-trans and cis isomers) as standards. Provitamin A concentration in the biofortified porridges ranged from 2.24 to 3.18 µg/g and retention from 91–105%. Descriptive sensory analysis and the 5-point facial hedonic test were used to evaluate the sensory quality of the porridges. The biofortified maize porridges were described as sticky, fine, with high intensity residual grain, and having a slightly bitter aftertaste with a cooked maize flavour and aroma, whereas the intensities of these attributes were insignificant in white maize porridge. About 33% of the consumer sample (N = 60) liked the porridges and 28% disliked the porridges, whilst approximately 38% of the consumers were neutral. The findings suggest that biofortified maize stiff porridge can deliver a significant amount of provitamin A to targeted consumers, but the acceptance of biofortified maize still needs to be improved on.

scholarly journals Tackling vitamin A deficiency with biofortified sweetpotato in sub-Saharan Africa

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 23-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan W. Low ◽  
Robert O.M. Mwanga ◽  
Maria Andrade ◽  
Edward Carey ◽  
Anna-Marie Ball
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Sub Saharan

scholarly journals Status of Retinoids and Carotenoids and Associations with Clinical Outcomes in Maternal-Infant Pairs in Nigeria

Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corrine Hanson ◽  
Elizabeth Lyden ◽  
Ann Anderson-Berry ◽  
Nicholas Kocmich ◽  
Amy Rezac ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Nigerian Women ◽  
Plasma Retinol ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
The Impact

Vitamin A is an essential nutrient in pregnancy, and other carotenoids have been independently associated with maternal-infant outcomes. The objective of this study was to quantify the status of vitamin A and carotenoids in Nigerian maternal-infant pairs at delivery, compare these to a cohort from a developed nation, and determine the impact on clinical outcomes. Maternal and cord blood samples were collected in 99 Nigerian mother-infant pairs. Concentrations of lutein + zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, α- and β-carotenes, and retinol were measured using HPLC. Descriptive statistics were calculated and Spearman coefficients were used to assess correlations between maternal and cord measurements; Mann-Whitney tests were used to compare median plasma values between dichotomous variables. Linear regression models were used to adjust for relevant confounders. A p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Thirty-five percent of mothers had plasma retinol concentrations ≤0.70 µmol/L; 82% of infants had plasma retinol concentrations ≤0.70 µmol/L at delivery. Maternal and infant concentrations of vitamin A compounds were highly correlated and were associated with newborn growth and Apgar scores. Despite plasma concentrations of pro-vitamin A carotenoids higher than those reported in other populations, pregnant Nigerian women have a high prevalence of vitamin A deficiency. As vitamin A related compounds are modifiable by diet, future research determining the clinical impact of these compounds is warranted.

scholarly journals Characterization of cassava ORANGE proteins and their capability to increase provitamin A carotenoids accumulation

PLoS ONE ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. e0262412
Author(s):  
Angélica M. Jaramillo ◽  
Santiago Sierra ◽  
Paul Chavarriaga-Aguirre ◽  
Diana Katherine Castillo ◽  
Anestis Gkanogiannis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Protein Characterization ◽  
Provitamin A ◽  
Carotenoid Content ◽  
Dietary Vitamin ◽  
Crystal Formation ◽  
Biosynthesis Pathway ◽  
Provitamin A Carotenoids

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) biofortification with provitamin A carotenoids is an ongoing process that aims to alleviate vitamin A deficiency. The moderate content of provitamin A carotenoids achieved so far limits the contribution to providing adequate dietary vitamin A levels. Strategies to increase carotenoid content focused on genes from the carotenoids biosynthesis pathway. In recent years, special emphasis was given to ORANGE protein (OR), which promotes the accumulation of carotenoids and their stability in several plants. The aim of this work was to identify, characterize and investigate the role of OR in the biosynthesis and stabilization of carotenoids in cassava and its relationship with phytoene synthase (PSY), the rate-limiting enzyme of the carotenoids biosynthesis pathway. Gene and protein characterization of OR, expression levels, protein amounts and carotenoids levels were evaluated in roots of one white (60444) and two yellow cassava cultivars (GM5309-57 and GM3736-37). Four OR variants were found in yellow cassava roots. Although comparable expression was found for three variants, significantly higher OR protein amounts were observed in the yellow varieties. In contrast, cassava PSY1 expression was significantly higher in the yellow cultivars, but PSY protein amount did not vary. Furthermore, we evaluated whether expression of one of the variants, MeOR_X1, affected carotenoid accumulation in cassava Friable Embryogenic Callus (FEC). Overexpression of maize PSY1 alone resulted in carotenoids accumulation and induced crystal formation. Co-expression with MeOR_X1 led to greatly increase of carotenoids although PSY1 expression was high in the co-expressed FEC. Our data suggest that posttranslational mechanisms controlling OR and PSY protein stability contribute to higher carotenoid levels in yellow cassava. Moreover, we showed that cassava FEC can be used to study the efficiency of single and combinatorial gene expression in increasing the carotenoid content prior to its application for the generation of biofortified cassava with enhanced carotenoids levels.

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