[Metabolic studies under administration of oral contraceptives. A review]

Association of dietary mineral mixture with depressive symptoms: A combination of Bayesian approaches

The relationships between mixtures of multiple minerals and depression have not been explored. Therefore, we analyzed the relationship between the mixture of nine dietary minerals [calcium (Ca), phosphorus, magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), zinc, copper (Cu), sodium, potassium (K), and selenium (Se)] and depressive symptoms in the general population. We screened 20,342 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2018. We fitted the general linear regression, Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR), and Bayesian semiparametric regression models to explore associations and interactions. We obtained the relative importance of dietary minerals by calculating posterior inclusion probabilities (PIPs). The dietary intakes of minerals were obtained using the 24-h dietary recall interview, and depressive symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). The linear analysis showed that nine minerals were negatively associated with PHQ-9 scores. The BKMR analysis showed a negative association between the dietary mineral mixture and PHQ-9 scores, with Se having the largest PIP at 1.0000, followed by K (0.7784). We also observed potential interactions between Ca and Fe, Se and Fe, and K and Mg. Among them, the interaction of Ca and Fe had the largest PIP of 0.986. In addition, the overall effect was more pronounced in females than males, and Cu's PIP (0.8376) was higher in females. Two sensitivity analyses showed that our results were robust. Our study provides a basis for formulating nutritional intervention programs for depression in the future.

[Effect of the trace element supply on element dependent enzymes in man]

Whole blood samples from 40 male and 40 female individuals were analyzed for zinc, copper, selenium and iron, and in part also for cadmium and lead. Correlations were established between the element contents and the activities of blood enzymes (carbo-anhydrase, leucine aminopeptidase, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, glutathione peroxidase). The zinc-copper ratio exerted no effect on the zinc-dependent enzymes. There was a correlation between the glutathione peroxidase activity and the selenium content in whole blood (r greater than 0.73). A cluster analysis was performed. In women, the authors stated a significant effect of oral contraceptives especially on the zinc and copper balance. It was evidenced that detectable (more marked) changes in the mineral equilibrium are not produced in all cases by the contraceptives. Nevertheless, changes in the mineral equilibrium are likely to occur in 25% of all women. In the present study further changes (for example in enzymes) were observed in 50% of all women. The results obtained from the male individuals were indicative of certain relationships between the zinc-copper ratio and the content of total lipids or lipid fractions in human blood.