Providing with vitamins of different population groups in Sverdlovsk]

The investigation on providing with vitamins of varying population groups: preschool children, schoolchildren, students of trade schools and higher schools, workers and employees was conducted in Sverdlovsk. Low levels of vitamin C were detected in the blood of 40-92%, folic acid--in 10-76%, vitamin A--in 4-28%, carotene--in 8-60%, tocopherol--in 4-50% of the examinees. Vitamin B1 deficiency was noted in 36-68%, vitamin B2--in 17-71%. The highest deficiency of ascorbic acid was recorded in workers and students of trade schools and higher schools, of folic acid--in workers and adolescents of 15-18 years, of vitamins B1, E, A and carotene--in children and adolescents, vitamin B1--in employees. The mass character of vitamin deficiencies and their negative effects on the health of the population have necessitated broad-scale prophylactic measures: production of vitamin-enriched foods, regular use of multivitamins.     

Provision of workers and employees of Kuzbass industrial enterprises with vitamins C, E, A and beta-carotene

The content of vitamins C, E, A and beta-carotene was studied in the blood serum of 404 workers and employees of the Kuzbass industrial enterprises. Insufficient providing of the body with ascorbic acid, tocopherol and beta-carotene has been revealed. The number of workers and employees with vitamin C deficiency comprises at an average 95%, with vitamin E deficiency--9%, and with beta-carotene deficiency--34%. Industrial enterprises characterized by hard physical labor and occupational health hazard have been found to be most unfavourable with respect to providing with vitamins. The results of the investigations conducted have evidenced the necessity of correcting the vitamin nutrition of the subjects studied.     

Vitamin D and calcium metabolism in relation to different levels of vitamins B6 and D]

The influence of vitamin B6 deficiency on some vitamin D-dependent processes was studied in animals. The following parameters changing in relation to the level of vitamin D providing were investigated: activity of alkaline phosphatase in the serum and small intestine mucosa, the levels of Ca, P and parathormone, concentration of vitamin D metabolites and enzyme activity; and only 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OVD) concentration in the blood serum, under conditions of combined vitamin B6 and D deficiency was significantly lower as compared to cases with vitamin D deficiency alone. In the presence of vitamin B6 deficiency recovery of 25-OVD level in the blood serum, after vitamin D administration to the animals, had a tendency to delay as compared to that in the animals provided with vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 deficiency produced similar effect on 25-OVD 1-hydroxylase activity. The data obtained have evidenced a possibility of vitamin B6 influence on vitamin D metabolism.     

Providing with vitamins of river transport workers of the Western and Eastern Siberia and oil men of the Tyumen Region]

The investigation of providing with vitamins of river transport workers in Western and Eastern Siberia and of oil men in the Tyumen Region conducted in the summer period of 1984-1986 has revealed significant deficiencies of vitamins C, E, B1, B2, B6, A and carotene in them. Vitamin administration to the workers with "Undevitum" resulted in a significant improvement of their vitamin status that was expressed in elevation of their biochemical parameters and in diminution of the percentage of subjects with vitamin deficiencies.     

The vitamin allowance of the pupils in a rural vocational and technical school and their prophylactic vitaminization]

The actual nutrition and providing with vitamins C and B1 was studied in boys aged 16-17 years, students of a rural trade school (Volsk of Saratov Province). Although the caloric value of their ration was high enough the content of animal proteins was only 42-48 g/day. The content of ascorbic acid in the ration comprised 48%, in the spring of 1987 it was 17%, and of 1988-29% of the recommended standard, vitamin B1 levels did not show seasonal differences. Vitamin C and B1 deficiencies in the spring were proved by their low excretion levels in urine, and by a low concentration of vitamin C and decreased activity of B1-dependent enzyme transketolase in the blood. Intake of "Undevitum" (1 dragee/day) during 4 months was conductive to the improvement of the student providing with vitamins.     

Vitamin status of workers in steel-smelting departments of the Karaganda Metallurgy Plant]

The author investigated the vitamin status of workers engaged in steel-smelting at the Karaganda Metallurgy Plant. It was found that the workers of the main occupational groups at the plant were insufficiently provided with vitamins A, C and B due to their low content in the food. The system of medico-prophylactic vitamin administration used for steel workers is ineffective.     

Vitamin status of workers in the chromium industry

The content of A, E, C, B2 and PP vitamins and their metabolites in the blood and urine as well as microsigns of vitamin deficiency were studied in workers engaged in chrome industry. Microsigns of vitamin deficiency were observed along with low levels of vitamins. This appears to be associated with increased physiological requirements in vitamins due to specific work of chrome industry personnel.     

Effect of dietary correction and administration of multivitamin preparations on providing rural technical school students with vitamin C and B 1

Actual nutrition and providing with vitamins C and B1 were studied in students of rural trade school (youths aged 16-17 years) in the town of Volsk, the Saratov region. The actual nutrition was corrected by inclusion of curds and other milk and vegetable products into the ration. The content of ascorbic acid in the usual and corrected rations, estimated analytically, during spring comprised 17 and 29%, and vitamin B1--49 and 75% of the recommended standard. The insufficient providing of the students with vitamins C and B1 in spring was confirmed by their low level of excretion with urine, and by lowered vitamin C concentration and activity of vitamin B1-dependent enzyme transketolase in the blood of the investigated students. The ration correction improved to a certain extent the values of providing with vitamins C and B1 but could not eliminate vitamin deficiency. Administration of "Undevitum" in a dose of 1 dragee/day during 4 months eliminated the vitamin deficiency in the ration and provided optimum vitamin levels for the students.     

Body vitamin allowance of vegetable growers working on sheltered soil

The providing of hothouse workers with vitamins B1, B2, B6, PP, C and E was comprehensively evaluated basing on the study of their actual nutrition and biochemical parameters of their vitamin status--daily excretion of vitamins and their metabolites with urine, vitamin concentration in the blood serum and activity of erythrocytic vitamin-dependent enzymes with calculation of their activation coefficients. Multiple hypovitaminosis detected in the vegetable growers working in hothouses who received normal amounts of these essential nutrients with food, as well as the relationship noted between the vitamin-providing level and the length of working in the hothouse, evidence a possible influence of the occupational factors--the character of work attended by the action of toxic chemical compounds under conditions of the hothouse microclimate. Further investigations should be conducted to determine the vitamin requirements of hothouse workers.     

The vitamin allowance and vitamin requirements of the operators of a chemical plant in the city of Rustavi

Excretion of thiamine, riboflavin, N1-methyl nicotinamide and ascorbic acid with urine, TDP-effect, ascorbic acid and vitamin A content in the blood have shown higher vitamin requirements in the operators, as compared to subjects of the control group, this was caused by unfavourable effects of the chemical factors of the production environment. The levels of the biochemical parameters characterizing normal providing of the operators with vitamins could be achieved by additional vitamins administered to the workers (2 dragees of "Hexavitum").     

Vitamin levels in workers in the main departments of the coke-processing industry]

Providing with vitamins was studied in workers of the main shops of coal-tar chemical industry at the Karaganda Metallurgic Plant. Insufficient providing of workers with vitamins A, C, P and B was recorded. The results of the study have necessitated measures aimed at correcting vitamin-deficiency among these workers with due account for the data obtained.     

The vitamin B6 allowance of hypertension patients and the effect of dietotherapy

A total of 111 patients with essential hypertension (the II stage) and obesity (the II degree) were investigated for providing with vitamin B6. The functional methods used for the vitamin assay (ACT activity of red blood cells and pyrodoxale-5-phosphate effect) have revealed significant vitamin B6 deficiency in 81.1% of the patients. Vitamin B6 deficiency was intensified in the course of the dietotherapy. Correction of vitamin B6 deficiency with a therapeutic dose of pyridoxine (20 mg/day) during 20-22 days, in the presence of the diet, has promoted optimization of providing with vitamin B6: normalization of pyrodoxale-5-phosphate effect. The hypotensive effect and decrease of excessive body mass in patients who received dietotherapy and pyridoxine (20 mg/day) were more pronounced than in those who received the same diet and the multivitamin "Undevitum".     

Correlation of the actual vitamin B1, B2 and B6 consumption with the biochemical indices of their body allowance

Correlation of actual consumption of vitamins B1, B2 and B6 with biochemical parameters of their utilization has been studied in two groups of workers (one group was engaged in the synthetic leather industry, the second one in the diamond treatment industry). It is shown that the actual utilization of vitamins B1, B2 and B6 correlated well with the stimulation coefficients (SC) of the basal activity of the corresponding erythrocytic enzymes. This correlation can be expressed in an equation of linear regression with a preset SC. Solution of this equation gives the values that can be used in the diagnosis of changes in the vitamins B1, B2 and B6 requirement in certain population groups. The results of the study evidence that vitamin B1 and B6 are especially necessary for workers whose activity is associated with manifest nervous-emotional stress, while the workers engaged in the synthetic leather industry being exposed to dimethyl formamide are in need of vitamin B2.     

Late complications in patients having undergone a gastric resection

A total of 37 patients who had undergone partial gastrectomy for duodenal or gastric ulcers, were investigated. The postoperative periods ranged from 5 to 28 years. All the patients were subjected to comprehensive clinical and neurologic examinations. The content of vitamin B12 and folic acid in the blood serum was studied by radioimmunoassay in 29 gastrectomized patients, hematological parameters (hemoglobin, serum iron, red blood cell morphology, proteinogram) were estimated in 19 patients. The mean content of vitamin B12 in the blood serum of patients was lower than in normal subjects. The mean level of folic acid in the blood of patients was also lower than in the control, however, this difference was insignificant. Nine patients had subnormal content of vitamin B12, eight of them showed manifest neurologic complications, such as myelopathy and polyneuropathy. Only 3 patients had subnormal content of folic acid in the blood serum. Weakly pronounced anemic syndrome was detected only in 2 out of 19 patients. The role of vitamin B12 deficiency in the development of neurologic symptoms has been considered.     

Therapeutic and preventive diet and various indicators of health and work capacity of workers at the industrial plant "Sintez"

Anthropometric investigations conducted have shown that 28.1% of the workers have excessive body mass. At the same time energy expenditure of workers at some departments and bays is within the range of 164 +/- 1.6-188.89 +/- 3.5 kcal/h. Natural resistance parameters (lysozyme activity, virus persistence) in the workers of the enterprise were lower than in the control group. Physical working capacity of 15% of the workers was rather low. Optimal providing of the body with ascorbic acid, thiamine and riboflavin was recorded only in 30-40% of the examined workers. Ration N 5 that was given to the workers was characterized by excessive energy value, low content of animal protein and vegetable fat deficiency; the content of simple sugars was 2-fold higher than the value recommended. The components of the ration are not sufficiently balanced, it does not meet the physiological needs of the workers.     

Metabolism of B group vitamins in rats, receiving rations with various amounts of protein and amino acids under conditions of chronic aniline poisoning

The influence of the isocalorific rations with decreased (10%) or increased (32%) protein content, and addition of cystine, methionine and glutamic acid (100 mg/kg) on metabolism of vitamins B2, B6 and PP was studied in rats under conditions of experimental chronic aniline intoxication. Increased protein amount in the diet and addition of amino acids sharply raise vitamin B6 requirement; vitamin B2 requirement grows with the increase of protein fraction and methionine and glutamic acid addition. Providing with vitamin PP under these conditions rises. Chronic aniline intoxication negatively influences the vitamin status of the test animals. Providing with vitamin B6 is most sharply decreased. Glutamic acid shows "saving" influence with respect to vitamin B2. The effect of chronic aniline intoxication on providing with vitamin PP is most manifested in the redistribution of oxidized and reduced nicotine amide coenzymes in the liver in the direction of a relative growth of reduced NAD and NADP concentrations.     

Increasing the effectiveness of thiamine by its administration together with methionine and vitamin E]

The influence of methionine and vitamin E, compounds intensifying thiol metabolism, on thiamine-phosphate level and thiamine-dependent dehydrogenase activity was studied in the liver of rats with varying thiamine providing: in case of its alimentary deficiency, and intensified thiamine consumption due to rat feeding with high-carbohydrate food. Methionine administration to vitamin B1-deficient rats led to a significant rise in thiamine-phosphate content and normalized alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase acidity and non-protein SH-group level. Combined administration of thiamine with methionine and vitamin E increased the level of parameters studied. Methionine and vitamin E administered with thiamine intensified the regulatory action of thiamine on pyruvate dehydrogenase activity in the animals fed high-carbohydrate ration.     

Enzymatic activity of the microsomal fraction of the mucosa of the small intestine in guinea pigs with vitamin D and C deficiencies

The influence of vitamin D and C deficiency on the kinetic parameters of sucrase and alkali phosphatase activities was studied in the microsomal fraction of the small intestinal mucosa of guinea pigs. It was found that Km values for these enzymes did not depend on the animal providing with these vitamins. Deficiency of one of these vitamins did not influence sucrase activity, however, simultaneous elimination of vitamins D and C resulted in the activity rise by 92%. Alkali phosphatase and Ca-ATPase activities proved to be similarly dependent on providing with vitamin D in the presence of vitamin C in the ration, while in the absence of vitamin C this dependence was not observed.     

Biochemical indicators of vitamin provision to Orenburg's schoolchildren and effectiveness of prophylactic vitamin administration]

The study of providing with vitamins of schoolchildren in Orenburg conducted in the spring of 1985-1986 has revealed decreased content of ascorbic acid in 92%, vitamin E in 62%, vitamin A in 39%, folic acid in 38%, vitamin B12 in 14% of the children, the incidence rate of vitamin deficiency among the children in the senior forms was higher as compared to that in the junior forms and in boys it was more frequent than in girls. Additional intake of multivitamin "Undevitum" by schoolchildren during 2-4 months led to a significant improvement of their providing with vitamins that was expressed in normal vitamin levels and elimination of cases of deep vitamin deficiency.     

The effect of various levels of chitosan in rat diet on vitamins assimilation under their combined deficiency

he effect of chitosan inclusion in the semi-synthetic diet of rats at a dose of 0,24 and 0,9% of dry weight on vitamin assimilation under combined moderate and deep deficiency has been studied. Four-week introduction of chitosan did not have a significant effect on levels of vitamins C, B1, B2 and A in the liver of animals, on vitamin B2 blood plasma concentration and thiamine and riboflavin urinary excretion regardless of the degree of vitamin deficiency intensity. The significantly decrease of vitamin E blood plasma concentration has been observed at high dose of chitosan in the diet under moderate vitamin deficiency, whereas under deep deficit such reduction has been detected even at a low dose. Thus, long-term chitosan inclusion in the diet under existing polyhypovitaminosis can lead to the deterioration of the sufficiency with fat-soluble vitamins.