302 Vitamin and Mineral Supplementation and Rate of Gain in Beef Heifers: Effects on Fetal Trace Mineral Reserves at Day 83 of Gestation

Thirty-five crossbred Angus heifers (body weight = 359.5 >± 7.1 kg) were randomly assigned to a 2 × 2 factorial design to evaluate the effects of vitamin and mineral supplementation [VMSUP; supplemented (VTM) vs. unsupplemented (NoVTM)] and rate of gain [GAIN; low gain (LG), 0.28 kg/d vs. moderate gain (MG), 0.79 kg/d] during the first 83 d of gestation on trace mineral concentrations in fetal liver, muscle, and allantoic (ALF) and amniotic (AMF) fluids. The VTM treatment (113 g supplement•heifer-1•d-1) was initiated a minimum 71 d before breeding. At breeding, heifers were either maintained on the basal diet (LG) or received the MG diet by adding a protein/energy supplement to the basal diet. On d 83 of gestation, samples of fetal liver, muscle, ALF, and AMF were collected and analyzed for trace mineral concentrations. In fetal liver, Se, Cu, Mn, and Co concentrations were greater (P ≤ 0.04) for VTM than NoVTM, while Mo and Co greater (P ≤ 0.04) for LG than MG. In fetal muscle, VTM increased (P ≤ 0.02) concentrations of Se and Zn, whereas LG increased (P < 0.01) Zn. In ALF, Mo concentrations were affected (P = 0.03) by a VMSUP × GAIN interaction, with VTM-MG greater than NoVTM-MG; while VTM increased (P < 0.01) concentrations of Se and Co. Trace mineral concentrations were not affected (P ≥ 0.13) in AMF. In conclusion, VTM increased fetal liver Se, Cu, Mn, and Co concentrations; fetal muscle Se and Zn; and ALF Se and Co; while LG increased fetal liver Mo and Co concentrations and fetal muscle Zn. Our results confirm that managerial decisions associated with vitamin and mineral supplementation and rate of gain can alter fetal reserves of trace elements during early pregnancy.

PSVIII-22 Maternal vitamin and mineral supplementation affect fetal hepatic expression of genes underlying mineral homeostasis and lipid metabolism in early pregnancy

Vitamins and minerals play critical roles in functions such as hormone production, DNA synthesis, regulation of gene expression, and lipid metabolism. However, the impact of vitamin and mineral supplementation on fetal programming and the interplay with gene expression of fetal organs remains unclear. We used a differential gene expression analysis to determine effects of maternal vitamin and mineral supplementation (from pre-breeding to d 83 post-breeding) on fetal hepatic gene expression and the pathways underlying liver function and metabolism at 83 d of gestation. Crossbred Angus beef heifers were supplemented (VTM, n = 7) or not (CON, n = 8) with 113 g•heifer-1•d-1 of mineral premix (Purina® Wind & Rain Storm All-Season 7.5 Complete) from a minimum d 71 before breeding through d 83 of gestation. After breeding, heifers were fed to gain 0.79 kg/d. All heifers were surgically ovariohysterectomized on d 83 and fetal liver collected. Total RNA was isolated from the fetal liver (n = 15) and gene expression measured with RNA-Seq. After library quality control and read mapping, differential expression was performed using edgeR. We identified 53 genes upregulated and 37 downregulated in the VTM group (adj.Pval < 0.1). Genes involved with mineral homeostasis, such as MT1A, MT1E, and MT2A, were among those differentially expressed underlying the mineral absorption pathway. ABCA1 and ABCA6, which are involved in cholesterol and metal ion transport across the plasma membrane, and PPARG and SDR16C5, that act on lipoprotein transport and metabolism, were upregulated in the VTM group. Also upregulated in the VTM group, the CUBN gene plays a role in vitamin and iron metabolism. In summary, maternal vitamin and mineral supplementation from pre-breeding to d 83 of gestation leads to upregulation of fetal hepatic genes acting on mineral homeostasis, lipid transport, and metabolism.

The role of micronutrients in the rehabilitation of patients after acute cerebrovascular accident

The broad benefits of vitamin and mineral supplementation can improve rehabilitation outcomes in patients with stroke. In this aspect, the most compelling evidence exists for vitamin C, vitamin E, potassium, and magnesium. Individualized nutritional counseling was also associated with positive outcomes.

Compliance to mineral supplementation among pregnant women at a public health clinic in Malaysia

Background Prenatal supplementation has been introduced to pregnant women during early pregnancy to prevent complication to both mother and fetus. The complications include anaemia, postpartum haemorrhage, low birth weight and fetal defects. Aim To assess compliance with vitamin and mineral supplementation in pregnant women. Methods A cross-sectional design with simple random sampling was used in this study with 100 respondents who attended the maternal and child clinic in Selangor, Malaysia. Findings The findings showed that 86 respondents (86%) were compliance towards vitamin and mineral supplementation, whereas 35 respondents (35%) were non-compliance mainly due to forgetfulness. The result indicated a significant association between compliance with race (p=0.02), occupation (p<0.01), household income (p=0.02), education (p<0.01), parity (p<0.01) and trimester (p=0.02). Conclusion Majority of the respondents acknowledge that side effects and forgetfulness were the main influencing factors towards non-compliance.

The effects of vitamin and mineral supplementation on women with gestational diabetes mellitus

Background The effects of vitamin and mineral supplementation on women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have not been well established. We conduct a meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of vitamin and mineral supplementation on glycemic control, inflammation and oxidative stress for women with GDM. Methods A systematic search of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library up to July, 2020. Various results were pooled by using Review manager 5.3 and Stata 12.0. Mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was estimated. Heterogeneity between studies was assessed by I-squared (I2) tests. Results Six hundred ninety-eight patients from 12 trials were included in our meta-analysis. Magnesium, zinc, selenium, calcium, vitamin D and E (alone or in combination) were found to significantly improve glycemic control in women with GDM compared to those receiving placebos: fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (MD = - 9.02; 95% CI: - 12.09, - 5.96; P < 0.00001), serum insulin (MD = - 4.33; 95% CI: - 5.35, - 3.32; P < 0.00001), homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (MD = - 1.34; 95% CI: - 1.60, - 1.07; P < 0.00001), and homeostasis model of assessment for β cell function (HOMA-B) (MD = - 15.58; 95% CI: - 23.70, - 7.46; P = 0.0002). Vitamin and mineral supplementation was found to attenuated inflammation and oxidative stress through decreasing high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (MD = - 1.29; 95% CI: - 1.82, - 0.76; P < 0.00001), malondialdehyde (MDA) (MD = - 0.71; 95% CI: - 0.97, - 0.45; P < 0.00001), and increasing total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (MD = 45.55; 95% CI: 22.02, 69.08; P = 0.0001). Conclusions This meta-analysis shows that vitamin and mineral supplementation significantly improved glycemic control, attenuated inflammation and oxidative stress in women with GDM.

Potential Immunomodulatory Effects from Consumption of Nutrients in Whole Foods and Supplements on the Frequency and Course of Infection: Preliminary Results

A diet rich in nutrients should be implemented in order to boost the immune system and prevent infections. To investigate which nutrients are commonly consumed, an anonymous survey was given to 120 individuals and their responses were collected. The respondents answered questions relating to their health status, and their consumption of nutrients and supplements that produce immunomodulating effects. The participants were also asked about any prior viral, bacterial or fungal infections experienced, and in particular, infection frequency, course, and duration. The data collected were subjected to a statistical analyses to assess the relationship between the reported frequency of infections and nutrients consumed including vitamins D3, A, C, E, selenium, zinc, iron, β-carotene, omega-3 fatty acids as well as live active probiotic bacteria. The findings show that vitamin and mineral supplementation did not positively affect the duration, frequency, or course of infections in the surveyed sample. An exception was vitamin D3 supplementation that was correlated to sporadic incidence of viral infections. Conversely, immunity was positively affected by consumption of natural nutrients contained in whole food (vitamin C, iron, selenium, omega-3 fatty acids), evidenced by lower incidences and milder courses of infection.

Maternal Vitamin and Mineral Supplementation and Rate of Maternal Weight Gain Affects Placental Expression of Energy Metabolism and Transport-Related Genes

Maternal nutrients are essential for proper fetal and placental development and function. However, the effects of vitamin and mineral supplementation under two rates of maternal weight gain on placental genome-wide gene expression have not been investigated so far. Furthermore, biological processes and pathways in the placenta that act in response to early maternal nutrition are yet to be elucidated. Herein, we examined the impact of maternal vitamin and mineral supplementation (from pre-breeding to day 83 post-breeding) and two rates of gain during the first 83 days of pregnancy on the gene expression of placental caruncles (CAR; maternal placenta) and cotyledons (COT; fetal placenta) of crossbred Angus beef heifers. We identified 267 unique differentially expressed genes (DEG). Among the DEGs from CAR, we identified ACAT2, SREBF2, and HMGCCS1 that underlie the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway. Furthermore, the transcription factors PAX2 and PAX8 were over-represented in biological processes related to kidney organogenesis. The DEGs from COT included SLC2A1, SLC2A3, SLC27A4, and INSIG1. Our over-representation analysis retrieved biological processes related to nutrient transport and ion homeostasis, whereas the pathways included insulin secretion, PPAR signaling, and biosynthesis of amino acids. Vitamin and mineral supplementation and rate of gain were associated with changes in gene expression, biological processes, and KEGG pathways in beef cattle placental tissues.

Could Vitamins Help in the Fight Against COVID-19?

There are limited proven therapeutic options for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. The role of vitamin and mineral supplementation or “immunonutrition” has previously been explored in a number of clinical trials in intensive care settings, and there are several hypotheses to support their routine use. The aim of this narrative review was to investigate whether vitamin supplementation is beneficial in COVID-19. A systematic search strategy with a narrative literature summary was designed, using the Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Trials Register, WHO International Clinical Trial Registry, and Nexis media databases. The immune-mediating, antioxidant and antimicrobial roles of vitamins A to E were explored and their potential role in the fight against COVID-19 was evaluated. The major topics extracted for narrative synthesis were physiological and immunological roles of each vitamin, their role in respiratory infections, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and COVID-19. Vitamins A to E highlighted potentially beneficial roles in the fight against COVID-19 via antioxidant effects, immunomodulation, enhancing natural barriers, and local paracrine signaling. Level 1 and 2 evidence supports the use of thiamine, vitamin C, and vitamin D in COVID-like respiratory diseases, ARDS, and sepsis. Although there are currently no published clinical trials due to the novelty of SARS-CoV-2 infection, there is pathophysiologic rationale for exploring the use of vitamins in this global pandemic, supported by early anecdotal reports from international groups. The final outcomes of ongoing trials of vitamin supplementation are awaited with interest.