scholarly journals Effect of Consumption of Cocoa-Derived Products on Uric Acid Crystallization in Urine of Healthy Volunteers

Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1516 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonia Costa-Bauza ◽  
Felix Grases ◽  
Paula Calvó ◽  
Adrian Rodriguez ◽  
Rafael Prieto
Keyword(s):  
Uric Acid ◽  
Healthy Volunteers ◽  
Urine Sample ◽  
Urine Volume ◽  
Urine Samples ◽  
Dark Chocolate ◽  
Milk Chocolate ◽  
Unrestricted Diet ◽  
Specific Diet

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of consumption of different cocoa-derived products on uric acid crystallization in urine of 20 healthy volunteers. Participants were requested to select the specific diet that they wished to follow during the 12 h prior to collection of urine. The only restriction was that the diet could not include any product with cocoa, coffee, or caffeine. On the first day, each volunteer followed their selected diet, and an overnight 12 h urine sample was collected as the baseline urine. After seven days on an unrestricted diet, each volunteer repeated the same diet with 20 g of milk chocolate, chocolate powder, or dark chocolate during breakfast and another 20 g during dinner. Overnight 12 h urine samples were then collected. Urine volume, pH, oxalate, creatinine, uric acid, theobromine, and a uric acid crystallization test were determined for each sample. The results for all 20 patients show that uric acid crystallization was significantly lower following the consumption of chocolate powder or dark chocolate relative to baseline or following the consumption of milk chocolate. The results indicated that increased concentrations of urinary theobromine reduced the risk of uric acid crystallization.

scholarly journals Fluctuation of Water Intake and of Hydration Indices during the Day in a Sample of Healthy Greek Adults

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 793 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adelais Athanasatou ◽  
Aikaterini Kandyliari ◽  
Olga Malisova ◽  
Maria Kapsokefalou
Keyword(s):  
Specific Gravity ◽  
Urine Sample ◽  
Water Intake ◽  
Urine Volume ◽  
Urine Osmolality ◽  
Urine Samples ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
Spot Urine ◽  
Spot Urine Sample ◽  
Food And Drink

Mild dehydration may occur during specific periods of the day because of poor hydration habits and/or limited access to a variety of beverages or foods, for example, in work environments. Measurement of hydration indices in spot or in 24 h urine samples may mask mild dehydration in specific periods of the day. Healthy subjects (n = 164; 74 females; age 38 ± 12 years) living in Athens, Greece were enrolled in the study. Subjects recorded their solid food and drink intakes and recorded and collected all urinations for three consecutive days. Water intake was analyzed in 24 h and 6 h periods from wake-up time and scored for variety. Urine hydration indices (osmolality, volume, color, specific gravity) were analyzed in 24 h samples, in morning urine samples and in samples collected in 6 h periods from wake-up time. Fluctuations during the day were significant for the intake of drinking water, hot beverages, milk, fruit and vegetable juices, and alcoholic drinks and for urine osmolality, volume, color, and specific gravity. The urine volume of the first 6 h period after wake-up time (557 ± 231 mL/day) reflects by 76% the 24 h urine collection (1331 ± 144 mL/day). Water intake from all beverages, with the exception of alcoholic beverages, was greater in the first 6h period (morning period) and decreased throughout the day. Hydration indices changed accordingly. The 6 h timed urine sample collected reflects indices in samples collected over 24 h better than any spot urine sample.

The influence of taurine and L-carnitine on 6 β-hydroxycortisol/cortisol ratio in human urine of healthy volunteers

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna A. Makhova ◽  
Eugenia V. Shikh ◽  
Tatiana V. Bulko ◽  
Zhanna M. Sizova ◽  
Victoria V. Shumyantseva
Keyword(s):  
Catalytic Activity ◽  
Healthy Volunteers ◽  
Human Urine ◽  
Biologically Active Compounds ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Metabolic Ratio ◽  
Urine Samples ◽  
Cyp3a4 Activity ◽  
Active Compounds ◽  
Cortisol Ratio

Abstract Background Cytochrome P450s (CYPs, EC 1.14.14.1) are the main enzymes of drug metabolism. The functional significance of CYPs also includes the metabolism of foreign chemicals and endogenic biologically active compounds. The CYP3A4 isoform contributes to the metabolism of about half of all marketed medicinal preparations. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of two biologically active compounds: 2-aminoethane-sulfonic acid (taurine) and 3-hydroxy-4-trimethylaminobutyrate (L-carnitine) on urinary 6β-hydroxycortisol/cortisol (6β-OHC/cortisol) metabolic ratio as a biomarker of the CYP3A4 activity of healthy volunteers. Taurine is used for the treatment of chronic heart failure and liver disease. Cardiologists, nephrologists, neurologists, gerontologists in addition to the main etiopathogenetic therapies, use L-carnitine. The quantification of the 6β-OHC/cortisol metabolic ratio as a biomarker of CYP3A4 activity in human urine was used for the assessment of CYP3A4 catalytic activity as a non-invasive test. Methods The study included 18 healthy male volunteers (aged from 18 to 35 years old). The volunteers took taurine in a dose of 500 mg twice a day or L-carnitine in a dose of 2.5 mL 3 times a day for 14 consecutive days. The test drug was given 20 min before meals. The collection of urine samples was performed before and after 3, 7, 10, and 14 days after taurine intake. The metabolic ratio of 6β-OHC/cortisol in morning spot urine samples was studied by the liquid chromatography/mass spectroscopy (LC/MS) method. Results The ratio of 6-6β-OHC/cortisol was used as a biomarker to study the taurine and L-carnitine influence on CYP3A4 metabolism of cortisol. The ratio of urinary 6β-OCH/cortisol in the morning urine samples of volunteers before the beginning of taurine therapy (baseline ratio) was 2.71 ± 0.2. Seven days after the administration of taurine in a dose of 500 mg twice a day, the 6β-OCH/cortisol ratio was 3.3 ± 0.2, which indicated the increased catalytic activity of CYP3A4 towards cortisol. As for the L-carnitine supplementation, analysis of the 6β-OCH/cortisol ratio in the urine for 14 days did not show any significant changes in this baseline ratio, indicating the lack of L-carnitine influence on the catalytic activity of CYP3A4 to cortisol. Conclusions The results obtained demonstrated the influence of taurine on 6β-OCH/cortisol metabolic ratio as a biomarker of CYP3A4 catalytic activity to cortisol. L-carnitine did not affect the activity of CYP3A4. The lack of a clinically meaningful effect of L-carnitine was established.

scholarly journals Breast Cancer Detection from a Urine Sample by Dog Sniffing: A Preliminary Study for the Development of a New Screening Device and a Literature Review

Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 517
Author(s):  
Shoko Kure ◽  
Shinya Iida ◽  
Marina Yamada ◽  
Hiroyuki Takei ◽  
Naoyuki Yamashita ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Screening ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Urine Sample ◽  
Urine Samples ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Blind Test ◽  
Preliminary Study ◽  
Detect Breast Cancer

Background: Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Several studies have demonstrated that dogs can sniff and detect cancer in the breath or urine sample of a patient. This study aims to assess whether the urine sample can be used for breast cancer screening by its fingerprints of volatile organic compounds using a single trained sniffer dog. This is a preliminary study for developing the “electronic nose” for cancer screening. Methods: A nine-year-old female Labrador Retriever was trained to identify cancer from urine samples of breast cancer patients. Urine samples from patients histologically diagnosed with primary breast cancer, those with non-breast malignant diseases, and healthy volunteers were obtained, and a double-blind test was performed. Total of 40 patients with breast cancer, 142 patients with non-breast malignant diseases, and 18 healthy volunteers were enrolled, and their urine samples were collected. Results: In 40 times out of 40 runs of a double-blind test, the trained dog could correctly identify urine samples of breast cancer patients. Sensitivity and specificity of this breast cancer detection method using dog sniffing were both 100%. Conclusions: The trained dog in this study could accurately detect breast cancer from urine samples of breast cancer patients. These results indicate the feasibility of a method to detect breast cancer from urine samples using dog sniffing in the diagnosis of breast cancer. Although the methodological standardization is still an issue to be discussed, the current result warrants further study for developing a new breast cancer screening method based on volatile organic compounds in urine samples.

scholarly journals Biochemical Assessment of Renal and Liver Function among Preeclamptics in Lagos Metropolis

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Oloruntoba Ayodele Ekun ◽  
Oluwatumininu Mary Olawumi ◽  
Christian Chigozie Makwe ◽  
Nkeiruka Ogochukwu Ogidi
Keyword(s):  
Uric Acid ◽  
Liver Function ◽  
Total Protein ◽  
Venous Blood ◽  
Urine Samples ◽  
Plasma Sodium ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Spot Urine ◽  
Specific Syndrome

Objectives. Preeclampsia is a pregnancy specific syndrome. Studies have shown that preeclampsia has multiorgan dysfunction effects. This study evaluated biomarkers of renal and liver function among preeclamptic Nigerian women. Study Design. This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 49 preeclamptic women and 50 normotensive healthy pregnant women. Method. The baseline data comprising age, gestational age, and blood pressure were obtained. Venous blood and spot urine samples were collected from each participant. Plasma obtained from blood samples taken into lithium heparinized vacutainer bottles was assayed for electrolytes, urea, creatinine, total protein, albumin, and uric acid, while sera samples from blood samples taken into serum separation tube- (SST-) gel vacutainer were assayed for aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase using ion selective electrode technique and Cobas autoanalyzer. Spot urine samples were assayed for protein and creatinine using Pyrogallol’s reagent and Jaffe’s methods, respectively. Microalbuminuria (protein/creatinine ratio) was generated from spot urine protein and creatinine data. Result. The plasma sodium, total protein, and albumin in preeclamptic group were significantly decreased (p<0.05) when compared with control. There was statistically significant increase (p<0.05) in microalbuminuria, plasma potassium, urea, creatinine, uric acid levels, serum AST, and ALT activities in preeclamptic group. A positive association (p<0.05) between alanine aminotransferase and biomarkers of renal function was observed. Conclusion. Preeclampsia has deleterious effects on renal and liver function as shown by alteration of these parameters.

Nephrolithiasis

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Luiz Nishiura ◽  
Ita Pfeferman Heilberg
Keyword(s):  
Uric Acid ◽  
Calcium Oxalate ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Stone Formation ◽  
Urine Volume ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Dietary Advice ◽  
Dietary Recommendations ◽  
Genetic Traits ◽  
Oxalate Precipitation

Nephrolithiasis is a highly prevalent condition, but its incidence varies depending on race, gender, and geographic location. Approximately half of patients form at least one recurrent stone within 10 years of the first episode. Renal stones are usually composed of calcium salts (calcium oxalate monohydrate or dihydrate, calcium phosphate), uric acid, or, less frequently, cystine and struvite (magnesium, ammonium, and phosphate). Calcium oxalate stones, the most commonly encountered ones, may result from urinary calcium oxalate precipitation on the Randall plaque, which is a hydroxyapatite deposit in the interstitium of the kidney medulla. Uric acid nephrolithiasis, which is common among patients with metabolic syndrome or diabetes mellitus, is caused by an excessively acidic urinary pH as a renal manifestation of insulin resistance. The medical evaluation of the kidney stone patient must be focused on identifying anatomic abnormalities of the urinary tract, associated systemic diseases, use of lithogenic drugs or supplements, and, mostly, urinary risk factors such as low urine volume, hypercalciuria, hyperuricosuria, hypocitraturia, hyperoxaluria, and abnormalities in urine pH that can be affected by dietary habits, environmental factors, and genetic traits. Metabolic evaluation requires a urinalysis, stone analysis (if available), serum chemistry, and urinary parameters, preferably obtained by two nonconsecutive 24-hour urine collections under a random diet. Targeted medication and dietary advice are effective to reduce the risk of recurrence. Clinical, radiologic, and laboratory follow-ups are needed to prevent stone growth and new stone formation, to assess treatment adherence or effectiveness to dietary recommendations, and to allow adjustment of pharmacologic treatment. This review contains 5 highly rendered figure, 3 tables, and 105 references.

scholarly journals Urinary Aquaporin 2 and Calciuria Correlate with the Severity of Enuresis in Children

2000 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 1873-1881
Author(s):  
GIOVANNA VALENTI ◽  
ANTONIA LAERA ◽  
GIUSEPPE PACE ◽  
GABRIELLA ACETO ◽  
MARIA L. LOSPALLUTI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urinary Excretion ◽  
Urine Sample ◽  
Western Blotting ◽  
Nocturnal Enuresis ◽  
Urine Samples ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Nocturnal Polyuria ◽  
Aquaporin 2 ◽  
Threefold Increase ◽  
Absorptive Hypercalciuria

Abstract. This study examined the hypothesis that nocturnal enuresis might be paralleled by aquaporin 2 (AQP2) urinary excretion. Eighty children who experienced nocturnal enuresis were studied and compared with 9 healthy children. The 24-h urine samples were divided into two portions: night collections and day collections. Creatinine equivalents of urine samples from each patient were analyzed by Western blotting. AQP2 levels were semiquantified by densitometric scanning and reported as a ratio between the intensity of the signal in the day urine sample versus the night urine sample (D/N AQP2 ratio). The D/N AQP2 ratio was 0.59 ± 0.11 (n = 9) in healthy children and increased to 1.27 ± 0.24 (n = 10) in a subpopulation of enuretic children who had low nocturnal vasopressin levels. In enuretic children who displayed hypercalciuria and had normal vasopressin levels, the D/N AQP2 ratio was 1.05 ± 0.27 (n = 8). These data indicate that reduced secretion of vasopressin and absorptive hypercalciuria are independently associated with an approximately twofold increase in the urinary D/N AQP2 ratio. When low nocturnal vasopressin levels were associated with hypercalciuria, a nearly threefold increase in the D/N AQP2 ratio was observed (1.67 ± 0.41, n = 11). In addition, in all enuretic patients tested, the urinary D/N AQP2 ratio correlates perfectly with the severity of the disorder (nocturnal polyuria). The findings reported in this article indicate that urinary AQP2 correlates with the severity of enuresis in children.

Comparative nephron function in reptiles, birds, and mammals

1980 ◽  
Vol 239 (3) ◽  
pp. R197-R213 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. H. Dantzler ◽  
E. J. Braun
Keyword(s):  
Uric Acid ◽  
Antidiuretic Hormone ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Volume Flow Rate ◽  
Urine Volume ◽  
Volume Flow ◽  
Acid Urine ◽  
Collecting Ducts ◽  
Tubular Absorption ◽  
Similarities And Differences

Volume and osmolarity of urine produced by kidneys of reptiles, birds, and mammals depend on anatomic relationships among nephrons, epithelial permeability to water controlled by antidiuretic hormone, and, for reptiles and birds, probably on volume flow rate through collecting ducts and excretion of uric acid. Urine volume and volume flow rate through collecting ducts in reptiles and birds depend on number of filtering nephrons controlled by antidiuretic hormone. Mammalian nephrons do not filter intermittently but control of nephron filtration rates in all three vertebrate classes may have important similarities and differences. Uric acid excretion by birds and many reptiles permits excretion of inorganic cations in excess of amounts permitted by osmolarity of urine. This process may require tubular absorption of water without sodium. Such absorption, which has been found in reptilian proximal tubules, may be very important for osmoregulation in all birds and uricotelic reptiles and may provide insight into the mechanism of fluid absorption in mammals. Urea excretion in mammals may be important for enhancing concentrating ability. Much more must be learned about these processes, but similarities and differences among them in the three vertebrate classes may help illuminate details of each.

Nephrolithiasis

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Luiz Nishiura ◽  
Ita Pfeferman Heilberg
Keyword(s):  
Uric Acid ◽  
Calcium Oxalate ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Stone Formation ◽  
Urine Volume ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Dietary Advice ◽  
Dietary Recommendations ◽  
Genetic Traits ◽  
Oxalate Precipitation

Nephrolithiasis is a highly prevalent condition, but its incidence varies depending on race, gender, and geographic location. Approximately half of patients form at least one recurrent stone within 10 years of the first episode. Renal stones are usually composed of calcium salts (calcium oxalate monohydrate or dihydrate, calcium phosphate), uric acid, or, less frequently, cystine and struvite (magnesium, ammonium, and phosphate). Calcium oxalate stones, the most commonly encountered ones, may result from urinary calcium oxalate precipitation on the Randall plaque, which is a hydroxyapatite deposit in the interstitium of the kidney medulla. Uric acid nephrolithiasis, which is common among patients with metabolic syndrome or diabetes mellitus, is caused by an excessively acidic urinary pH as a renal manifestation of insulin resistance. The medical evaluation of the kidney stone patient must be focused on identifying anatomic abnormalities of the urinary tract, associated systemic diseases, use of lithogenic drugs or supplements, and, mostly, urinary risk factors such as low urine volume, hypercalciuria, hyperuricosuria, hypocitraturia, hyperoxaluria, and abnormalities in urine pH that can be affected by dietary habits, environmental factors, and genetic traits. Metabolic evaluation requires a urinalysis, stone analysis (if available), serum chemistry, and urinary parameters, preferably obtained by two nonconsecutive 24-hour urine collections under a random diet. Targeted medication and dietary advice are effective to reduce the risk of recurrence. Clinical, radiologic, and laboratory follow-ups are needed to prevent stone growth and new stone formation, to assess treatment adherence or effectiveness to dietary recommendations, and to allow adjustment of pharmacologic treatment. This review contains 5 highly rendered figure, 3 tables, and 105 references.

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