Volume 1	January-February 2002	Number 1

High-Genistin Isoflavone Supplementation Modulated Erythrocyte Antioxidant Enzymes and Increased Running Endurance in Rats Undergoing One Session of Exhausting Exercise – A pilot study    [Abstract] [Full Text] Recent Advances in Minerals and Vitamins on Nutrition of Lactating Cows    [Abstract] [Full Text] Role of Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) in Food Preservation and Human Health – A Review     [Abstract] [Full Text] A Review on the Applications of Organic Trace Minerals in Pig Nutrition    [Abstract] [Full Text] Energy Balance in Faunated and Defaunated Sheep on a Ration High in Concentrate to Roughage (Good Quality) Ratio     [Abstract] [Full Text] Urbanisation and Food Selection for South Asian Children     [Abstract] [Full Text] Potential Intake of Lithium by the Inhabitants of Different Regions in Jordan    [Abstract] [Full Text] Determination of Pesticides Residues in Selected varieties of Mango    [Abstract] [Full Text] Isolation, Purification and Characterization of Fatty-Acid-Binding Protein from Milk Fat Globule Membrane: Effect of Bovine Growth Hormone Treatment    [Abstract] [Full Text] Effects of Estrogen and Prolactin on Bovine BRCA1 Gene Expression     [Abstract] [Full Text] Expression of Bovine Mammary Gland SMAD 4 and its Relationship to BRCA1     [Abstract] [Full Text] Cloning and Expression of Bovine BRCA1     [Abstract] [Full Text] Nutrition in Pakistan: Estimating the Economic Demand for Calories     [Abstract] [Full Text] Journal Selections; Let's Support our Students' Futures     [Abstract] [Full Text]

Pakistan Journal of Nutrition 1 (1): 1-7, 2002
© Asian Network for Scientific Information 2002

High-Genistin Isoflavone Supplementation Modulated Erythrocyte Antioxidant
Enzymes and Increased Running Endurance in Rats Undergoing
One Session of Exhausting Exercise – A pilot study

Chung Yen Chen¹, Golde I. Holtzman² and Raga M. Bakhit^3
1Antioxidants Research Lab.Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center
on Aging Tufts University Boston, MA 02111
²Department of Statistics 210B Hutcheson Hall Virginia Polytechnic Institute
and State University Blacksburg, VA 24061-0439
³Department of Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and
State University, Balcksburg, VA 24060 0430
email:bakhit@vt.edu

Abstract:
Genistein putatively acts as an antioxidant in vitro. To investigate the in vivo antioxidative activity of genistein, forty-eight male rats were divided into four groups and fed diets with or without 598 mg isoflavone extract per kg of diet for four weeks. On the final day of the study, twenty-four rats were exercised to exhaustion (22 meters/minute at 10% inclination on the treadmill) and then all the rats were sacrificed. The high-genistin isoflavone extract (HGI) diet significantly increased the running time (GE vs. CE: 54 vs. 48 min) and genistein concentrations in the plasma, liver, and gastrocnemius muscle (GE vs. GS: 730.3 vs. 348.5 ng/ml, 529.3 vs. 216.9, and 59.0 vs. 24.9 ng/g, respectively). Exercise doubled genistein concentrations in all tissues and significantly enhanced liver malondialdehyde (MDA). HGI supplementation did not prevent the increase of MDA; instead, it substantially increased MDA levels in muscle tissue (HGI vs. control: 0.46 vs. 0.29 mg/kg). HGI supplementation also maintained the activities of catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) decreased due to exercise (GE vs. GS: 0.113 vs. 0.101 unit/g RBC protein and 0.412 vs. 0.403 µmol/s/mg protein, respectively). It can be concluded that even though HGI modulates erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes against oxidative stress and increases endurance capacity, the supplemented level of HGI does not seem to be optimal for defending the liver and skeletal muscles against oxidative stress.

Key words: antioxidant enzymes, exercise, genistein, malondialdehyde, oxidative stress


Pakistan Journal of Nutrition 1(1) : 8-19, 2002
© Asian Network for Scientific Information

Recent Advances in Minerals and Vitamins on Nutrition of Lactating Cows

Lee R. McDowell
Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida,
P.O. Box 110910, Gainesville, FL 32611-0910, USA
E-mail: mcdowell@animal.ufl.edu

Abstract:
Highly productive lactating cows have much greater needs for minerals and vitamins than low-producing animals. The antioxidant vitamins, vitamin E and Beta-carotene are beneficial in reducing mastitis. Vitamins (D, E, C and Beta-carotene) and minerals (Cu, Zn, and Se) are needed for an optimum immune response. Vitamin E is effective in counteracting gossypol toxicity. New research suggests the need for supplemental biotin for dairy cattle. Milk fever is best prevented with anionic diets. There is environmental concern from use of excess P. Grazing lactating cows should have access to high quality free-choice mineral mixtures.

Ket words: Lactating cows, vitamins, minerals, nutritient values


Pakistan Journal of Nutrition 1(1): 20-24, 2002
© Asian Network for Scientific information 2002

Role of Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) in Food Preservation
and Human Health – A Review

Soomro, A.H., T. Masud and Kiran Anwaar^*
Department of Food Technology *Department of Bio-Chemistry,
University of Arid Agriculture, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Abstract:
Fermentation of various food stuffs by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) is one of the oldest forms of biopreservation practiced by mankind . Bacterial antagonism has been recognized for over a century but in recent years this phenomenon has received more scientific attention , particularly in the use of various strains of lactic acid bacteria One important attribute of many LAB is their ability to produce antimicrobial compounds called bacteriocins. In recent years interest in these compounds has grown substantially due to their potential usefulness as natural substitute for chemical food preservatives in the production of foods with enhanced shelf life and / or safety. There is growing consumer awareness of the link between diet and health. Recent scientific evidence supports the role of probiotic LAB in mediating many positive health effects.Traditional probiotic dairy strains of lactic acid bacteria have a long history of safe use and most strains are considered commensal microorganisms with no pathogenic potential.

Key words: Human health, food preservatin, lactic acid bacteria


Pakistan Journal of Nutrition 1 (1): 25-30, 2002
© Asian Network for Scientific Information 2002

A Review on the Applications of Organic Trace Minerals in Pig Nutrition

S. P. Acda¹ and B. J. Chae
¹Institute of Animal Science, University of the Philippines Los Banos, College, Laguna, Philippines
Division of Animal Resource Sciences, Kangwon National University, Chunchon 200-701, Korea

Abstract:
The purpose of this review is to provide an update on recent informations regarding application of organic trace minerals in pig nutrition. Understanding the efficacy of organic trace minerals has been increasingly important over the past few years as a result of increased customer awareness of their benefits and the increase in the number of commercial products available to the consumer. Organically bound trace minerals of interests in pig nutrition specifically include iron, copper, zinc, chromium and selenium. Organic iron, chromium and selenium have been shown to improve reproductive efficiency as measured by increased farrowing rate, reduced mortality, larger litter size and increased litter weight at birth and at weaning. Additional benefits derived from organic chromium supplementation include improved carcass quality and increased nitrogen retention. Reviews presented reveal no consistent effect of organic copper and zinc on growth performance but could provide the needs of pigs at lower inclusion rate without compromising performance of animals while maintaining serum concentration, and substantially reducing fecal excretions of these elements.

Key words: Organic sources, chelates, reproductive efficiency, growth performance


Pakistan Journal of Nutrition 1 (1): 31-33, 2002
© Asian Network for Scientific Information 2002

Energy Balance in Faunated and Defaunated Sheep on a Ration
High in Concentrate to Roughage (Good Quality) Ratio

Chandramoni^*1 , C. M. Tiwari², N. Haque, Murari Lal, S. B. Jadhao³ and M. Y. Khan
Energy Metabolism and Respiration Calorimetry Laboratory, Animal Nutrition Division,
Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar 243 122, (U.P.)
¹ Department of Animal Nutrition, Bihar Veterinary College, Patna 800 014
² Department of Animal Nutrition, Rajiv Gandhi College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,
Kurumbapeth, Pondicherry 600 009
³ Central Institute of Fisheries Education, 7 Bungalows, Versova, Mumbai - 400 061, India
E-mail: chandramoni@hotmail.com

Abstract:
Five faunated and five defaunated sheep were fed diet containing 70:30 concentrate to roughage (oat hay) ratio and energy balances were determined by carbon and nitrogen balance method.Intake and nutritive value of the diet did not differ between faunated and defaunated sheep. Loss of carbon in urine and methane as percent of intake was significantly (p<0.01) less in defaunated sheep but energy balance and efficiency of utilisation of ME for maintenance was similar in both faunated and defaunated animals. The energy cost per g protein and fat synthesis in defaunated sheep was 13.9 and 12.3 kcal ME, respectively. It was inferred that high concentrate to roughage ratio and maintenance type roughage like oat hay in ration of defaunated Muzaffarnagari sheep does not yield any additional benefit from energetic point of view, compared to faunated sheep.

Key words: Carbon-nitrogen balance, sheep, defaunation, high concentrate ration, protein and fat synthesis


Pakistan Journal of Nutrition (1) : 34-38, 2002
© Asian Network for Scientific Information 2002

Urbanisation and Food Selection for South Asian Children

Rubina Hakeem¹, Jane Thomas² and Salma H. Badruddin³,
¹Department of Food and Nutrition, RLAK Government College of Home Economics,
Stadium Road, Karachi-74800, Pakistan,
²Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Kings College, London UK,
³Department of Medicine/Community Health Sciences, The Aga Khan University,
Stadium Road, Karachi-74800, Pakistan
Email: hakeem@cyberaccess.com.pk

Abstract:
Changes in diet and activity are supposed to be responsible for the increased prevalence of urbanization related diseases. By comparing determinants of food choice among rural and urban south Asians we can assess the impact of urbanization on food selection process and this information can help in planning nutrition education strategies. This study was conducted to compare the determinants of food choice for South Asian children at different levels of urbanization.Among South Asian groups relative impact of males on family food choice and that of parents on children's food choice was more pronounced than it was among British Caucasians (BrC) but the influence decreased with urbanization rank (UR). With urbanization children's likeness for fatty snacks increased significantly. Gender bias in food choice was higher among all south Asian groups as compared to BrC but decreased with urbanization rank. Determinants of food selection for children differ with urbanization status. Influences of children's own preferences increase with UR. Influence of male family members on family food choice and gender bias in food preference decreases with UR.

Key Words: Food selection, food preference, food choice of male and female


Pakistan Journal of Nutrition 1 (1): 39-40, 2002
© Asian Network for Scientific Information 2002

Potential Intake of Lithium by the Inhabitants of Different Regions in Jordan

M.S.Y. Haddadin, S. Khattari Daniela Caretto, and *R.K.Robinson
Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
*School of Food Biosciences, University of Reading, Reading, Berkshire RG6 6AP, England

Abstract:
Although it is alleged that lithium is not toxic to humans below an intake of 500 mg day ^-1, test animals have been affected at levels as low as 50 mg kg^-1 of feed. This study sought to establish whether fruits grown in the Jordan Valley could accumulate sufficient lithium for consumers to reach a target of 50 mg day^-1. The mean soil levels of extractable lithium were 13.1, 20.3 and 25.4 mg kg^-1 in three different growing regions of the Valley, while the highest levels in citrus fruits were 51.3 mg kg^-1 in clementines (Citrus mitis) and 49.4 mg kg^-1 in the lemon (Citrus limon). As the latter values were on a dry weight basis, the risk of lithium toxicity would appear to be minimal but, equally important, deficiency syndromes should not be manifest either.

Key words: lithium, Jordan Valley, citrus fruits


Pakistan Journal of Nutrition 1 (1): 41-42, 2002
© Asian Network for Scientific Information 2002

Determination of Pesticides Residues in Selected varieties of Mango

Saqib Hussain, Tariq Masud and Karam Ahad*
Department of Food Technology, University of Arid Agriculture, Rawalpindi,
* Toxicology Research Center, NARC, Pakistan

Abstract:
The present study was undertaken to access the residue of commonly used pesticides viz Cypermethrin, Methamedophos, Monocrotophos, Cyfluthrin, Dialdrin and Methyl Parathian respectively in three varieties of Mango being collected from the grower fields in Multan division. The samples were treated with organic solvent Cyclohexane and ethylacetate (1:1), cleaned on Gel Permeation Chromatograph (GPC) and analyzed on auto system Gas Chromatograph (GC) with electron capture detector (ECD). All the samples were found to be contaminated with a degree of variation of pesticides residue studied. However, all the samples were within permissible limits being set by FAO/WHO with reference to public health.

Key Words: Pesticides, residue, mango varieties


Pakistan Journal of Nutrition 1(1) : 43-48, 2002
© Asian Network for Scientific Information 2002

Isolation, Purification and Characterization of Fatty-Acid-Binding Protein from Milk
Fat Globule Membrane: Effect of Bovine Growth Hormone Treatment

Vitaly L. Spitsberg¹ and R. C. Gorewit²,
¹BioVita Technologies, Inc., Ithaca, NY, ²Lactation Physiology Laboratory,
Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853

Abstract:
Fatty-acid-binding protein (FABP) was purified from bovine milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) by ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-Sepharose and by gel-filtration on Sephadex G-50. Purified FABP was similar to bovine mammary gland heart (H)-type FABP/ mammary derived growth inhibitor (MDGI). It inhibited growth of mammary epithelial cells at nanogram concentrations, had a relative molecular mass of 15 kDa, as determined by SDS-PAGE, had two isoforms with pI around 5.0 and cross-reacted with antibody to mammary gland H-FABP. The content of FABP in MFGM, obtained from growth hormone (GH)-treated cows, was not essentially different from that of MFGM obtained from untreated cows. However, the level of in vitro phosphorylated FABP of MFGM, obtained from GH-treated cows, was diminished in comparison to the sample of MFGM, obtained from untreated cows. The role of the insulin receptor in the phosphorylation of FABP in mammary gland secretory epithelial cells is suggested.

Key words: Milk fat, globule membrane, bovine growth, protein


Pakistan Journal of Nutrition 1(1) : 49-52, 2002
© Asian Network for Scientific Information 2002

Effects of Estrogen and Prolactin on Bovine BRCA1 Gene Expression

¹Yongji Chung and R.C.Gorewit
¹Department of Pathology, Northwestern University, Evanston Hospital Evanston, IL 60201
Department of Animal Science, Lactation Physiology Laboratory,
Cornell University Ithaca, New York 14853

Abstract :
Primary cultures of bovine mammary secretory epithelial cells and spontaneously transformed mammary secretory epithelial cells were treated with estradiol 17-ß or prolactin separately and in combination with both hormones. Both estradiol and prolactin induced BRCA1 expression in the cells. Hormone induced expression of BRCA1 was highest in transformed cells. Moreover, the induction of BRCA1 gene expression was highest when both estrogen and prolactin were in the culture medium. Gel shift assays showed that STAT5a antibody bound to a 20-bp double stranded oligonucleotide, containing a potential STAT5 response element (5'-acagtttctaaggaacactg-3', 3'-tgtcaaagattccttgtgac-5'). This is the first report showing that bovine mammary cells, in culture, are responsive to estrogen and prolactin in inducing expression of bovine BRCA1 and that BRCA1 may contain a STAT5 response element directing expression of the bovine BRCA1 gene. Further work is needed to examine the presence of estrogen response element(s) in estradiol induced BRCA1 expression. One must determine if PRL induced BRCA1 induction occurs after transfection of STAT5 -/- cells with STAT5a and STAT5a mutant constructs. This will give the strongest evidence of the direct involvement of a STAT5–BRCA1 signaling pathway.

Key words: BRCA1, estrogen, prolactin, mammary cells


Pakistan Journal of Nutrition 1(1) : 53-55, 2002
© Asian Network for Scientific Information 2002

Expression of Bovine Mammary Gland SMAD 4 and its Relationship to BRCA1

¹Yongji Chung and R.C.Gorewit
¹Department of Pathology, Northwestern University, Evanston Hospital Evanston, IL 60201
Lactation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Animal Science,
Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853

Abstract:
Little is known about the role of TGF-ß in ruminant mammary growth and development. The literature suggests that TGF-ß could play an active role in influencing early mammary development and involution. SMADs are proteins that function as intracellular signaling effectors for the TGF-ß super family of polypeptides. We cloned bovine SMAD 4 and examined its mRNA expression in the mammary gland at various developmental stages. Sequencing analysis showed that bovine SMAD 4 had 96 and 94% homology to human and rat SMAD 4, respectively. Therefore, SMAD 4 appeared to be a very conserved gene in these species. SMAD 4 mRNA expression was highest in early pregnancy and involution, and then decreased in late pregnancy and maintained a low level through lactation. We speculate that SMAD 4 is involved in induction of regulatory genes involved in mammary gland growth and apoptosis. BRCA1 is a breast and ovarian cancer-specific tumor suppressor protein, with properties of a transcription factor involved in cell cycle regulation, DNA repair and apoptosis. BRCA1 gene expression is induced by steroid hormones and its pattern of mRNA expression mimicks that for TGF-ß and SMAD 4. We thought it of interest to determine if various doses of TGF- ß would induce BRCA1 gene expression. TGF- ß1 treated bovine mammary cells showed a dose dependent increase in BRCA1 mRNA expression compared to control treatments. Our results suggest that TGF- ß1, SMAD 4 and BRCA1 may play important roles in regulating ruminant mammary cell proliferation, differentiation, and involution or apoptosis.

Key words: SMAD 4, BRCA1, mammary, development


Pakistan Journal of Nutrition 1(1) : 56-63, 2002
© Asian Network for Scientific Information 2002

Cloning and Expression of Bovine BRCA1

¹Yongji Chung and R.C.Gorewit
¹Department of Pathology, Northwestern University, Evanston Hospital, Evanston, IL 60201

Lactation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Animal Science,
Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853

Abstract:
Breast ovarian cancer susceptibility (BRCA) proteins appear to be involved in cell cycle regulation, DNA repair or genome integrity and induction of apoptosis in a variety of cells from humans and laboratory animals. The BRCA gene and protein have not been identified in cattle. The pattern of BRCA1 gene expression during normal mammary gland development and involution has not been examined in detail in any mammalian species. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to clone the BRCA1 gene in Holstein dairy cattle and determine if the BRCA1 gene is differentially expressed through various stages of mammary gland development. We also localized immunoreactive BRCA1 protein in bovine mammary cells and milk fat globule membrane. Bovine BRCA1 cDNA was highly conserved to the human. Five hundred base pairs of exon 11 (+3384/ + 3866, human BRCA1 cDNA position) and the C-terminus 1 kb were identical to the human. Seven hundred base pairs of the N-terminus, which contain two ring domains, showed 90 % homology to human BRCA1. In bovine tissues, the degree of BRCA1 gene expression, from highest to lowest , was as follows: liver, spleen, mammary tissues and kidney. The mammary tissues of early pregnancy heifers (3 months) showed much higher mammary gland BRCA1 mRNA expression than other mammary developmental stages. BRCA1 expression declined during the remainder of pregnancy and remained low for lactating cows. However, its expression increased when involution proceeded. Immunohistochemical studies showed that immunoreactive BRCA1 was localized in the nucleus and cytoplasm of mammary epithelial cells from lactating cows. It was not present in myoepithelial cells. The protein was also localized in the milk fat globule membranes. Our data suggest that BRCA1 is involved in bovine mammary gland development and/or differentiation, is specifically localized in secretary epithelial cells and is likely a secreted protein during normal lactation.

Key words: BRCA1, mammary, development, gene expression, cow, cells, involution


Pakistan journal of Nutrition 1(1) : 64-66, 2002
© Asian Network for Scientific Information 2002

Nutrition in Pakistan: Estimating the Economic Demand for Calories

P. J. Dawson
Department of Agricultural Economics and Food Marketing,
The University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK NE1 7RU
Email: P.J.Dawson@ncl.ac.uk

Abstract:
In the last four decades, per capita calorie intake in Pakistan has grown from 1750-2450 (kilo)calories with an average annual growth rate of 0.90%. Nevertheless, 20% of Pakistan's population is still undernourished.This paper has examined the long-run relationship between daily per capita calorie intake and per capita income for Pakistan using cointegration analysis. Using annual data for 1961-1998, there is strong evidence taht such a relationship exists, and that a 1% increase in real per capita income raises the daily per capita calorie intake by 0.19 per cent. Further, causality tests indicate a unidirectional relationship from income to calorie intake; we find no evidence of causality in the opposite direction. This result substantiates Engel's law and provides no support for the hypothesis that income generation is constrained by calorie intake. There are two caveats to the results. First, data limitations restrict the number of observations to 38. Whilst it is not uncommon to find such small samples used in analyses of this type, some caution is necessary in interpreting the results as a consequence of the low power exhibited in some of the tests employed. Second, an aggregation problem arises from the use of national data since we are implicitly adding-up across non-linear relationships at the micro, household level; further, distributional changes in income have not been accounted for in the model. The implications of our results for development policies which seek to alleviate inadequate calorie intake in Pakistan are clear. First, the estimate of the calorie-income elasticity albeit low supports the conventional wisdom that income growth can alleviate inadequate calorie intake. However, nutritional status, measured in terms of nutrient deficiency, may not improve: as income increases, individuals may diversify their diets from a taste perspective as they substitute more expensive sources of calories for less expensive ones. Further substitution may occur by consuming complements to good nutrition, such as clean water, good sanitation or women's time in child care.

Key words: Calories, per capita calorie consumption, nutrition in Pakistan.


Pakistan Journal of Nutrition 1(1) : 67-68, 2002
© Asian Network for Scientific Information 2002

Journal Selections; Let's Support our Students' Futures

Susan L. Meacham^1*, Lesley J. Johnson² and Eva D. Stowers^3
1*Department of Nutrition Sciences, ²Department of Food and Beverage Mgt.
³ Lied Library, University of Nevada Las Vegas,
4505 SO. Maryland Parkway Box 453026
Las Vegas, NV 89154-3026, USA
smeacham@ccmail.nevada.edu