The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of diet and 677 C®T mutation of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene on plasma homocyst(e)ine concentrations in an adolescent population (113 males, age: 14.2±2.4 years; 202 females, age: 14.9±2.1 years) from a region characterized by high cardiovascular mortality. Homocyst(e)ine levels did not differ between males and females (9.4±3.5 and 8.9±3.1 mmol/l, respectively). The homozygosity for the 677 C®T MTHFR mutation was found in 4.6 % of subjects. No differences in homocyst(e)ine levels were found between MTHFR genotypes. Analysis of the diet composition which was performed on a 24-hour daily recall basis and a food frequency questionnaire showed a low daily intake of vitamin B6 (males: 1.13 mg/66 % RDA; females: 0.92 mg/61 % RDA). Daily folic acid intake was 0.21 g/105 % RDA in males and 0.23 g/115 % RDA in females. The results of our study show that the high homocyst(e)ine levels in the adolescent population were not affected by the 677 C®T MTHFR mutation. We conclude that an insufficient dietary intake of vitamin B6 and folic acid is responsible for this finding. This is in accord with the recommendation that the dietary allowances for folate should be reset to the originally prescribed levels of 0.4 g/day which should be sufficient to control the homocysteine levels., K. Rašlová, A. Bederová, J. Gašparovič, P. Blažíček, B. Smolková., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Replacing SAFAs (saturated fatty acids) for vegetable PUFAs (polyunsaturated fatty acids) has a well documented positive effect on the lipoprotein pattern while the direct effect of dietary fatty acids composition on systemic inflammation remains to be proven. In well controlled randomised cross-over study with 15 overweight/obese postmenopausal women, the effect of dietary switch on systemic inflammation was investigated. A two 3 weeks dietary period either with predominant animal fat (SAFA, 29 caloric % SAFA) or vegetable fat (PUFA 25 % caloric % PUFA) were interrupted by wash-out period. The expected increasing effect on SAFA diet to LDL-C (low density cholesterol) and opposite effect of PUFA diet was documented following changes in fatty acid spectrum in VLDL (very low density cholesterol) particles. The switch from SAFA diet to PUFA diet produced a significant change of CRP (C-reactive protein) concentration (p<0.01) whereas similar trend of IL-18 did not reach statistical significance. In this study, previous in vitro results of different SAFA and PUFA proinflammatory effects with well documented molecular mechanisms were first proven in a clinical study. It could be stated that the substantial change of dietary fatty acid composition might influence proinflammatory effect in addition to traditional cardiovascular risk factors., I. Králová Lesná, ... [et al.]., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
Fatty acid composition of adipose tissue changes with weight loss. Palmitoleic acid as a possible marker of endogenous lipogenesis or its functions as a lipokine are under debate. Objective was to assess the predictive role of adipose triglycerides fatty acids in weight maintenance in participants of the DIOGENES dietary intervention study. After an 8-week low calorie diet (LCD) subjects with > 8 % weight loss were randomized to 5 ad libitum weight maintenance diets for 6 months: low protein (P)/low glycemic index (GI) (LP/LGI), low P/high GI (LP/HGI), high P/low GI (HP/LGI), high P/high GI (HP/HGI), and a control diet. Fatty acid composition in adipose tissue triglycerides was determined by gas chromatography in 195 subjects before the LCD (baseline), after LCD and weight maintenance. Weight change after the maintenance phase was positively correlated with baseline adipose palmitoleic (16:1n-7), myristoleic (14:1n-5) and trans-palmitoleic acid (16:1n-7t). Negative correlation was found with baseline oleic acid (18:1n-9). Lower baseline monounsaturated fatty acids (14:1n-5, 16:1n-7 and trans 16:1n-7) in adipose tissue triglycerides predict better weight maintenance. Lower oleic acid predicts lower weight decrease. These findings suggest a specific role of monounsaturated fatty acids in weight management and as weight change predictors., M. Kunešová, ... [et al.]., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
Diet composition and feeding habits of Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) living on three moors (Baláta, Nagyberek and Fehérvíz) in Hungary were studied over two years using spraint analysis (n = 199, 503 and 315 samples from the three moors, respectively). The food and presence of otters in the first moderate and second drought year, when the moors dried during the summer period, generally differed. Area-dependent variations in the diet were also found. The primary food source was fish (biomass estimation for the first and second year: Baláta 94.4% and 99.9%; Nagyberek 93.9% and 71.5%; Fehérvíz 66.4% and 82.1%). Most fish (mean: 94.6–99.9%) were small-sized (below 100 g in weight), and the most frequently taken species was Carassius spp. On moors, which are dependent on rainfall and ground-water only, during or after periods of drought otters temporarily changed their diet from optimal prey (fish) to sub-optimal prey (e.g., waterfowl) and they often left the habitat entirely. On moors with small canals, during periods of drought otters kept fish as the dominant food source, and weathered out extreme environmental local conditions.
The dietary habits of a population of the sand lizard Lacerta agilis
were studied in the Alpine valley Stura di Demonte, North-western Italy. The faecal contents of 33 adults (16 females and 17 males) and 8 juveniles were analysed. There were negligible sexual differences in terms of trophic diversity and of the overall diet based on taxonomic prey categories. Juveniles had a lower prey diversity value in comparison with females but not with males. There was a positive relationship between the total number of prey items found in individual faecal contents and lizard body size, and this result may explain the more diverse diet of adults in comparison to juveniles. When the adult trophic strategy was analysed by means of the
relativized electivity index, that takes into account prey availability, it was
observed that the main taxonomic prey groups were eaten according to their proportion in the environment, with the only exception of ants (Formicidae) that were highly avoided by lizards.
Diet compositions of the European polecat (Mustela putorius) and the stone marten (Martes foina) were studied through macroscopic and microscopic analyses of 69 polecat and 120 stone marten stomachs dissected between 2000 and 2006 in Southern Moravia (Czech Republic). The diets of both mustelid species included a wide variety of prey species but were dominated by mammals and birds. Frogs were consumed only in winter. No reptiles were found in the diet of either species. Invertebrates were rarely present in the polecat diet but very common in the stone marten diet. In summer, the most common food for the stone marten was fruit. The stone marten consumed significantly more rodent species, especially rats (Rattus norvegicus), and songbirds and the food niche of the stone marten was broader than that of the polecat. The trophic niche overlap of both species, based on Pianka’s index, was highest in winter. Stone martens appear to be an important food competitor of European polecats in the Czech Republic, mainly in winter when food resources are limited.
The feeding ecology of cormorants and grey herons were investigated at a fish farm in Arcachon Bay (southwest France) during both breeding and non-breeding season. Cormorants were mainly recorded during winter and grey herons during both breeding and wintering seasons. Adult cormorants and herons were the most abundant age clas at the fish farm. Adult cormorants and herons were more successful at feeding than first-years and although younger birds spent more time feeding and their biomass intake rates remained lower than those of adults birds. Cormorants and herons took the same biomass intake per feeding session at the fish farm during the non-breeding season, about 200 g. The impact of the two ichthyophagous birds (cormorant and grey heron) was estimated as 53.0% (average predation of cormorant per year) and 10.8% (mean predation of heron per year) of the annual yield of the fish farm. This imposed a significant economic loss due to low productivity of the farm.
The small mammal community of an air pollution affected area of the Beskydy Mts was studied over a seven-year period. Highest dominance and population density values were found in the field vole (Microtus agrestis) and its feeding ecology and negative impact on reforestation have been evaluated. The vegetative parts of plants, particularly those of monocotyledons, were dominant in vole diets, mainly as the area is largely occupied by the invasive plant genus Calamagrostis. In early spring (i.e. before the growing season started) grasses predominated in the field vole's food (74 % of volume, v). Bark was also consumed to some extent - its importance index value (I) was 4 %. In spring (i.e. after the growing season started) grasslike species were again preferred (v = 57 %) but flowers of Vaccinium myrtillus were also consumed (v = 20 %). Even in autumn grasslike species prevailed (v = 36 %), however, the diet was more diverse and seeds and fruits (v = 30 %) were also eaten. of these the basic food items were those of V. myrtillus (v = 16 %) and of herbs and ferns (v = 16 %) including Oxalis acetosella (v = 14 %). An increase in fungi in the diet was found in autumn. Diet availability and early spring and spring diets ere highly correlated, but this was not the case in autumn. The extent of vole damage to tree regeneration in 3,027 saplings was studied. The frequency of damage was significantly greater in deciduous tree species (15 %). Coniferous tree transplants were attacked only rarely (1.4 %), and usually when the tree was already in poor condition. The greater degree of damage caused to natural and artificial forest regenetarion can only be associated with high vole population densities.
In this paper we focused on the reconstruction of dietary behaviour and food culture in the population of the Corded Ware culture in Central Moravia. The data comes from sites at Ivanovice na Hané 3/2, Ivanovice na Hané 4 and Hoštice 4. The main aim of this study is to get data about diet and symbolic meals indicated in graves in the form of animal bones, and to compare our results with the common idea of sexual dimorphism in the societies of the Corded Ware culture. Buccal dental microwear analysis was performed in order to reconstruct the diet and the results were compared to the physical health of the whole population. The results indicate a mixed abrasive diet with a high ratio of meat intake. In any case, individual dietary behaviour varied and was most probably determined not just by nutritional needs, but also by rules, taboos and restrictions. and V předkládané studii jsme se zaměřili na rekonstrukci stravy a kultury jídla u populace kultury se šňůrovou keramikou na střední Moravě. Data pochází z lokalit Ivanovice na Hané 3/2, Ivanovice na Hané 4 a Hoštice 4. Cílem naší studie bylo získat údaje o konzumované stravě a stravě symbolické indikované v hrobech v podobě kostí zvířat a srovnat naše výsledky s běžně prezentovanou myšlenkou silného pohlavního dimorfismu ve společnosti kultury se šňůrovou keramikou. Reálná konzumovaná strava byla studována analýzou dentálních mikroabrazí, závěry byly následně srovnány s údaji o zdravotním stavu sledované populace. Výsledky ukazují na smíšenou abrazivní stravu s vysokým podílem masa. Strava jednotlivců se však lišila a pravděpodobně byla určována pravidly, tabu, zákazy či nutričními potřebami.
Increased plasma cholesterol levels are listed between the major
atherosclerosis risk factors. The final plasma cholesterol levels
result from the interplay between the genetic and environmental
(diet, physical activity) factors. Little is known, how dietary
factors influence epigenetics. We have analyzed, if an overgeneration feeding of rat with cholesterol influences total liverDNA methylation, and if total liver-DNA methylation differ
between the different rat strains (Prague hereditary
hypercholesterolemic rats, Prague hereditary hypertriglyceridemic
rats and Wistar Kyoto rats). The animals were feed with high fat
(additional 5 % over normal capacity) high cholesterol (2 %) diet
for 14 days. DNA methylation in the liver tissue in different
generations was analyzed using the liquid chromatography
coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. We have not observed
any significant changes in total liver-DNA methylation over the
9 generations of animals feed by fat/cholesterol enriched diet.
Additionally, there were no differences in DNA methylation
between different rat strains. In animal model, the dietary
changes (hypercholesterolemic diet) not significantly influence
the total DNA methylation status within the liver.