PSIV-B-20 A fecal arsenic excretion pattern in pigs fed arsenic-containing rice bran

Rice bran is a common feed/food stuff for animals and humans; however, it usually contains a substantial amount of arsenic that is a class-I, non-threshold carcinogen to humans. This study was to investigate the fecal arsenic excretion pattern from the pigs fed an arsenic-containing rice bran. Twenty growing gilts (26.3 kg) were randomly assigned to 3 dietary treatments (n = 6 or 7) with Diets I, II, and III containing 0, 36.7, and 73.5% rice bran, and 0, 306, and 612 ppb arsenic, respectively. The feeding trial lasted 6 weeks, and fresh fecal samples were collected on Days 0, 14, 28, and 42 post-treatments. Fecal arsenic concentrations were analyzed using an ICP-MS protocol standardized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Tobit statistical model was employed for data analysis because some censored values were obtained from the laboratory sample analysis. Results (Table 1) showed that there were no differences in fecal arsenic concentrations from Day 0 through 42 post-treatment in pigs fed Diet I (a control diet). Nevertheless, the fecal arsenic concentration was increased significantly (P < 0.05) on Days 14 and 28 when compared to Day 0 post-treatment with Diet II (a moderate level of rice bran inclusion), and it was further increased (P < 0.05) on Day 42 post-treatment. The fecal arsenic excretion pattern in pigs fed Diet III (a high level of rice bran inclusion) was the same as that in pigs fed Diet II. The dietary treatment effects on fecal arsenic excretion were already reported previously. In short, the results of this study suggest that the fecal arsenic excretion is increased in the first 4 weeks and then further increased around the 6th week since the start of feeding arsenic-containing rice bran. This further increase may be due to the saturation of arsenic retention in pig body.

Urinary androgens excretion pattern and prostate cancer in Mexican men

Epidemiological studies related to androgens and prostate cancer have focused on serum determination of testosterone, androstenedione, and dehydroepiandrosterone, with inconsistent results. Herein, we hypothesized that differences in androgen biosynthetic and metabolic pathways, rather than differences in specific androgen concentrations, are associated with prostatic carcinogenesis. Therefore, spot urine samples from 111 incident prostate cancer cases with Gleason score at diagnosis and 227 healthy population controls, were analyzed. Urinary androgen concentrations (ng/mg creatinine) were determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Using a factor analysis, we identified three androgen urinary excretion patterns. In a subsample, we evaluated a modification effect of the androgen receptor CAG polymorphism. Pattern I, characterized by androstenedione and testosterone hydroxylated metabolites (11β-OHT; 2β-OHT; 15β-OHT; 2α-OHT; 6β-OHT), was associated with high prostate cancer odds among carriers of androgen receptor gene (CAG)>19 repeats (OR: 3.67 95% CI: 1.23-11.0; p for interaction=0.009). Conversely, higher testosterone excretion (pattern III), was marginally associated with lower (OR: 0.35 95% CI:0.12-1.00, p for trend=0.08) poorly differentiated prostate cancer (Gleason ≥8). No clear association was observed with pattern II (dehydroepiandrosterone; 16α and 16β-OHT). Our results were consistent with the previous evidence which suggests that the C11-oxy backdoor pathway is important for prostatic carcinogenesis. Androgen urine excretion analysis could be useful for prostate cancer diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis; however, further studies with a larger number of samples and the urinary determination of 11-ketoandrogens are necessary.

Urinary Calcium Excretion Pattern in Preeclampsia

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the urinary calcium excretion pattern in preeclampsia and to establish the relation between severity of preeclampsia and urinary calcium excretionMethods: This was a case-control study conducted at Paropakar Maternity and Women’s Hospital, Kathmandu from January to June 2015. There were 88 patients equally divided in each group. 24 hours urine calcium was analyzed by ortho-cresophthalin-complexone method (OCPC) and urinary proteinuria was analyzed bedside by sulphosalicylic acid. Results were analyzed using SPSS 17. P value of < 0.05 was considered as significant.Results: Preeclampsia was found to occur commonly among the nulliparous patients (59%). The patients with MAP with ≥ 110mmHg excreted less calcium in their urine in comparison to the patient with MAP < 110mmHg (73.55mg/24 hrs VS 92.79 mg/24 hr). Daily calciuria was decreased with the increase in proteinuria (91.43 mg, 76.19mg and 54.02mg in 1+, 2+ and 3+ respectively). The 24 hours urine calcium excretion in term preeclamptic patient was significantly reduced in compared to the normotensive term pregnant women (77.92 mg ± 48.61mg VS 117.66mg ±69.21 mg, p <0.001).Conclusion: Preeclamptic patients excrete significantly lower amounts of calcium in urine and it may be a marker of the severity of preeclampsia.