Changes in serum calcium, magnesium and inorganic phosphorus levels during different phases of the menstrual cycle

Dietary calcium is inversely associated with hepatitis B virus infection: an analysis of US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2020

BACKGROUND

There have been studies on the relationship between hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and diet. We hypothesized HBV infection is related to dietary calcium intake, but the evidence is limited. This study aimed to examine whether dietary calcium intake is independently related to HBV infection in the United States population.

METHODS

A total of 20,488 participants aged over 20 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), conducted from 2007 to 2020, were included in this study. Pearson correlation was used to test the association between dietary calcium and serum calcium. The relationships of HBV infection with dietary calcium and serum calcium were assessed by logistic regression models.

RESULTS

There was a weak correlation between dietary calcium and serum calcium (r = 0.048). Logistic regression models indicated that HBV infection had a linear negative correlation with dietary calcium (OR 0.37; 95%CI 0.19, 0.76). For each additional 10 mg dietary calcium, the possibility of HBV infection was reduced by 63%. Hepatitis B positive participants had lower serum calcium content than negative participants. Stratified analysis shown the linear relationship between calcium and HBV infection varied among sex, race/ethnicity, and body mass index.

CONCLUSION

Our findings demonstrated HBV infection was linearly and inversely correlated with dietary calcium. The current study is expected to offer a fresh perspective on reducing HBV infection.

Sex differences in serum trace elements and minerals levels in unmedicated patients with major depressive episode: The role of suicidal ideation

BACKGROUND

We aimed to examine the influence of gender on serum trace elements and minerals levels in depression, as well as the impact of suicidal ideation (SI) on these gender dimorphisms.

METHODS

A total of 260 unmedicated patients with a current major depressive episode were enrolled. The Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation was utilized to evaluate SI. The serum levels of copper, zinc, iron, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium were quantified.

RESULTS

Within the non-SI (NSI) group, females exhibited higher levels of copper (p = 0.001) and phosphorus (p = 0.008), and lower levels of zinc (p = 0.022) and calcium (p = 0.008) compared to males. Conversely, no discernible gender disparities were observed in the SI group (all p > 0.05). Also, no group differences in these trace elements/minerals were observed between the SI and NSI groups (all p > 0.05). Notably, serum iron levels exhibited a significant group-by-sex interaction effect (p = 0.024). Further analysis revealed that iron levels were higher in the SI group than in the NSI group among females (p = 0.048), but lower in females than in males within the NSI group (p < 0.001). Moreover, a positive association between the fourth quantile of serum iron and SI was detected in females (odds ratio [OR] = 2.88, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.08-8.11).

CONCLUSIONS

Gender effects on serum trace element/mineral levels were different in depressed patients with and without SI. Female patients were susceptible to SI when serum iron was at the upper end of normal.

Elevated C-Reactive Protein Levels Modify the Effect of Magnesium on Depressive Symptoms: A Population-Based Study

Depression is a profound public health concern, yet its etiology remains unclear. A body's magnesium status and low-grade systemic inflammation are associated with depression. However, the interaction of magnesium status and inflammation on depression/depressive symptoms is unknown. We assessed the association between serum magnesium levels and depressive symptoms by analyzing data from the Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan 2005-2008. In total, 2196 participants aged ≥20 years were included. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 5-item Brief-Symptom Rating Scale. We performed logistic regression and multiple linear regression analyses to examine the association. A dose-response analysis was performed using restricted cubic spline models, and stratification by chronic inflammation was also performed. We found that higher serum magnesium levels were associated with lower depression scores and a lower risk of depression. In the subgroup analysis, serum magnesium levels were inversely associated with depressive symptoms more prominently among people with higher CRP levels, with a threshold at 5 mg/L (≥5 vs. <5) showing a greater difference than at 3 mg/L (≥3 vs. <3). Conclusions: Serum magnesium levels were inversely associated with depressive symptoms. This inverse association was affected by inflammation level. A dose-response relationship was also observed.

The Association of Serum and Dietary Magnesium with Depressive Symptoms

Depression is a leading cause of the global burden of disease and has a multifactorial etiology that includes nutrients. Magnesium status has been associated with depression with inconclusive results. The impact of chronic latent magnesium deficiency (CLMD, 0.75 ≤ serum magnesium < 0.85 mmol/L) on depression has not yet been investigated. We assessed the association between serum magnesium levels/dietary magnesium intake and depressive symptoms by analyzing nationally representative data from Taiwan (Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan, NAHSIT). We used the 5-item Brief Symptom Rating Scale to measure depressive symptoms. Subgroup analysis by sex was also performed. Serum magnesium levels had a low correlation with dietary magnesium intake. Higher serum magnesium levels were associated with lower depressive scores and a lower risk of depressive symptoms, but dietary magnesium intake showed no association. Sex differences were found. Compared with subjects with serum magnesium <0.75 mmol/L, those with ≥0.85 mmol/L had lower depressive scores. In conclusion, serum magnesium was inversely associated with depressive symptoms, but dietary magnesium intake was not. Subjects with CLMD showed similar depressive scores and were at a similar risk of depressive symptoms to those with serum magnesium < 0.75 mmol/L. CLMD should be considered while assessing the association between magnesium status and depressive symptoms.

Dietary, Psychological and Lifestyle Factors Associated with Premenstrual Symptoms

Purpose

To measure the associations of diet, psycological distress, and lifestyle factors with premenstrual symptoms (PMSx) in women in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Patients and Methods

An interview-based, cross-sectional study was conducted on 1831 women aged 18-50 years seen in primary healthcare centers and teaching institutes in Riyadh from December 2015 to June 2016. Question topics included sociodemographics, physical activity, smoking, and dietary habits information. PMSx were assessed using a symptom checklist with 6 domains: anxiety/mood changes; abdominal/back/joint pain; increased appetite/weight gain, breast pain/tenderness, severe headache, and ≥3 PMS symptoms (any). Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to provide adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for factors associated with each PMSx domain.

Results

Except for breast pain, drinking >5 cups of Arabic coffee was associated with increased odds of anxiety/mood [aOR 2.44 (95% CI 1.44, 4.12)], pain [1.83 (1.13, 2.98)], appetite/weight gain [1.66 (1.10, 2.50)], headache [1.57 (1.00, 2.56)] and ≥3 symptoms [1.50 (1.07, 2.11)]. A significant association was noted between sugar intake and anxiety/mood symptoms [1.53 (1.07, 2.19)] and abdominal/back pain symptoms [1.84 (1.17, 2.88)]. Increased severity of psychological distress was associated with all symptom domains: anxiety/mood [2.75 (1.92, 3.94)]; pain [1.45 (0.92, 2.28)]; appetite/weight gain [2.01 (1.53, 2.65)]; breast pain [2.19 (1.68, 2.88)]; headache [1.86 (1.37, 2.54)] and ≥3 symptoms [3.52 (2.49, 4.95)]. Low physical activity was significantly associated with odds of breast pain symptoms [1.29 (1.04, 1.59)]. Smokers were 3.41 (1.19, 9.77) times as likely to report any ≥3 symptoms compared to nonsmokers.

Conclusion

Several potentially modifiable factors, such as diet and stress, were positively associated with PMSx. Thus, we suggest that increasing women's awareness of healthy lifestyles, particularly diet and stress reduction, may help to reduce the occurrence of premenstrual symptoms.

Osteoblast-activating peptide exhibits a specific distribution pattern in mouse ovary and may regulate ovarian steroids and local calcium levels

Osteoblast-activating peptide (OBAP) is a novel protein affecting osteoblast proliferation and differentiation, but its ovarian expression is yet to be reported. Osteoporosis is a common disease, caused mainly by low estrogen levels in females. We investigated whether OBAP regulates estrogen synthesis and osteoporosis. Using immunohistochemical analyses, we studied the distribution of OBAP in different parts of the mouse ovary. We also attempted to clarify the correlation of OBAP with ovarian steroids and calcium-regulating factors in the same ovarian tissues, including aromatase (CYP19), 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD), estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB (RANK), calmodulin, calbindin, and calcium-sensing receptor. The ovarian interstitial endocrine cells (IC) showed the greatest localization of OBAP, followed by the mature corpus luteum and the oocytes of mature Graafian follicles (MGF), while there were strong negative correlations of OBAP with CYP19. Strong positive correlations with 3β-HSD (except MGF), RANK (except IC), and calmodulin (except MGF and IC) were demonstrated. OBAP also showed partially positive correlations with ER and PR in the corpus luteum and with IC and calbindin in the MGF. We conclude that OBAP might be related to estrogen synthesis and calcium homeostasis.

Effects of supraphysiological vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) supplement on normal adult rat ovarian functions

This study measured the sequelae of cholecalciferol (VD₃) therapy on ovarian functions in adult VD-replete rats (n = 48). The animals were distributed into the control and VD groups following estrous cycle synchronisation. The VD group received VD₃ injections for 4 weeks (600 IU/Kg; 3 times/week). Vaginal cytology and cycle durations were recorded throughout the study. Serum VD (25-OH VD), Ca²⁺, gonadotrophins (FSH & LH) and sex steroids (E2 & progesterone) were measured following euthanasia. Follicles and corpora lutea were counted in ovarian tissue sections. VD receptor, binding protein, Ca²⁺-sensing receptor and retinoid X receptor-α genes and proteins were measured by quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Serum VD, LH, E2 and progesterone levels were significantly higher, whereas FSH declined, in the VD group than controls. VD₃ therapy was also associated with markedly higher rates alongside shorter durations of estrous cycles than controls. While serum Ca²⁺ levels were equal between the study groups, they correlated directly with serum 25-OH VD. The numbers of small and medium size ovarian follicles were equal in both study groups, whereas large follicles and corpora lutea counts were significantly higher in the VD group. The mRNAs and proteins of targeted molecules also increased substantially in the VD group than controls. In conclusion, treating VD-sufficient female rats with supraphysiological VD₃ supplements was not associated with hypercalcaemia, and could contribute to ovarian functions by regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian hormones and ovarian VD-related molecules. However, further studies are still needed to illustrate the clinical significance of VD₃ in female reproduction.

Determination of reference intervals for common chemistry and immunoassay tests for Kenyan adults based on an internationally harmonized protocol and up-to-date statistical methods

Background

Due to a lack of reliable reference intervals (RIs) for Kenya, we set out to determine RIs for 40 common chemistry and immunoassay tests as part of the IFCC global RI project.

Methods

Apparently healthy adults aged 18–65 years were recruited according to a harmonized protocol and samples analyzed using Beckman-Coulter analyzers. Value assigned serum panels were measured to standardize chemistry results. The need for partitioning reference values by sex and age was based on between-subgroup differences expressed as standard deviation ratio (SDR) or bias in lower or upper limits (LLs and ULs) of the RI. RIs were derived using a parametric method with/without latent abnormal value exclusion (LAVE).

Results

Sex-specific RIs were required for uric acid, creatinine, total bilirubin (TBil), total cholesterol (TC), ALT, AST, CK, GGT, transferrin, transferrin saturation (TfSat) and immunoglobulin-M. Age-specific RIs were required for glucose and triglyceride for both sexes, and for urea, magnesium, TC, HDL-cholesterol ratio, ALP, and ferritin for females. LAVE was effective in optimizing RIs for AST, ALT, GGT iron-markers and CRP by reducing influence of latent anemia and metabolic diseases. Thyroid profile RIs were derived after excluding volunteers with anti-thyroid antibodies. Kenyan RIs were comparable to those of other countries participating in the global study with a few exceptions such as higher ULs for TBil and CRP.

Conclusions

Kenyan RIs for major analytes were established using harmonized protocol from well-defined reference individuals. Standardized RIs for chemistry analytes can be shared across sub-Saharan African laboratories with similar ethnic and life-style profile.

Serial gene co-expression network approach to mine biological meanings from integrated transcriptomes of the porcine endometrium during estrous cycle

The estrous cycle is a complex process regulated by several hormones. To understand the dynamic changes in gene expression that takes place in the swine endometrium during the estrous cycle relative to the day of estrus onset, we performed RNA-sequencing analysis on days 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18, resulting in the identification of 4495 differentially expressed genes (DEGs; Q ≤ 0.05 and |log₂FC| ≥ 1) at various phases in the estrous cycle. These DEGs were integrated into multiple gene co-expression networks based on different fold changes and correlation coefficient (R²) thresholds and a suitable network, which included 899 genes (|log2FC| ≥ 2 and R² ≥ 0.99), was identified for downstream analyses based on the biological relevance of the Gene Ontology (GO) terms enriched. The genes in this network were partitioned into 6 clusters based on the expression pattern. Several GO terms including cell cycle, apoptosis, hormone signaling, and lipid biosynthetic process were found to be enriched. Furthermore, we found 15 significant KEGG pathways, including cell adhesion molecules, cytokine-cytokine receptor signaling, steroid biosynthesis, and estrogen signaling pathways. We identified several genes and GO terms to be stage-specific. Moreover, the identified genes and pathways extend our understanding of porcine endometrial regulation during estrous cycle and will serve as a good resource for future studies.

Endogenous progesterone and its cellular binding sites in wheat exposed to drought stress

Progesterone is a basic hormone that regulates the metabolism in mammals. The presence of this compound has also been found in certain plants. It is believed that progesterone can regulate growth processes and resistance to stress, however, its precise role in plants remains unknown. The research conducted in this study was aimed at analyzing the content of endogenous progesterone and its cellular binding sites in the leaves of spring wheat exposed to drought. Changes were studied in two cultivars of wheat - a cultivar sensitive to drought (Katoda) and tolerant cultivar (Monsun). Plants had undergone periodic droughts during the seedling stage or in the phase of heading. The occurrence of free progesterone as well as its conjugated forms was observed in wheat studied. The amount of progesterone ranged from 0.2 to 5.8pmolgFW(-1) and was dependent on the cultivar, age of the plants, stage of development and fluctuated as a result of the exposure to drought. Cv. Katoda responded to a water deficit by lowering the amount of progesterone and cv. Monsun by increasing its level. Progesterone in plants grown in limited water conditions occurred primarily in a free form. While in the optimal watering conditions, some of its pool was found in the form of conjugates. In the spring wheat the occurrence of binding sites for progesterone was detected in cell membranes, cytoplasm and nuclei in the range of 10-36fmol/mg of protein. The wheat cultivars tested, Monsun and Katoda, differ in their concentration of cellular binding sites for progesterone. This number varied in the individual fractions during different stages of plant development and due to the effect of drought stress. The number of binding sites for progesterone located in the membrane fraction of seedlings and flag leaves increased significantly under drought in the cv. Katoda (35-46%), but did not change in the cv. Monsun. Whereas the number of cytoplasmic progesterone binding sites increased during the drought in the cv. Monsun (about 50%), they did not change in the cv. Katoda. Changes in the amount of progesterone and its binding sites in the cell under the influence of drought were then different depending on whether the cultivar was tolerant or sensitive to drought. The possibility of utilizing these changes as markers of drought resistance is discussed. The results obtained suggest that progesterone is a part of wheat response to stress factors (drought).

Influence of gene variants related to calcium homeostasis on biochemical parameters of women with polycystic ovary syndrome

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the associations between polymorphisms in vitamin D receptor (VDR), parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium sensing receptor (CASR), insulin receptor (INSR), and adiponectin (ADIPOQ) genes and biochemical characteristics of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

METHODS

Serum levels of LH, FSH, estradiol, testosterone, prolactin, SHBG, glucose, IGF-1, IGFBP-1, calcium, phosphorus, PTH, 25(OH)D, and 1,25(OH)(2) D were measured in 56 women with PCOS. Furthermore, genotyping five, one, one, two, and two polymorphisms of the VDR, PTH, CASR, INSR, and ADIPOQ genes, respectively, were performed.

RESULTS

The VDR TaqI "CC" genotype was associated with elevated serum levels of LH (p = 0.011). There were significant associations between decreased levels of SHBG and both VDR BsmI "GG" (p = 0.009) and ADIPOQ BsmI "CC" (p = 0.016) genotypes. Furthermore, patients with CaSR Hin1I "TG" genotype showed higher HoMA-IR (p = 0.008). All these associations remained significant after Bonferroni correction. In addition, phosphorus correlated negatively with estradiol (r =  -0.298, P = 0.026) and positively with glucose (r = 0.287, P = 0.032).

CONCLUSIONS

These data indicated for the first time that it is possible that the VDR and CASR gene variants through their effects on LH and SHBG levels, and insulin resistance are involved in pathogenesis of PCOS.