Special chemistry Lecture 5

Nutritional markers Definition A nutritional biochemical marker means a nutrient (e.g., vitamin, fatty acid, trace element), a metabolite (e.g., homocysteine, methylmalonic acid), or a dietary indicator with potential health relevance (e.g., isoflavone, lignan) measured in blood or urine.

Biochemical indicators Biochemical indicator sections New biochemical indicators Water-soluble vitamins Vitamin B6 Fat-soluble vitamins and nutrients Vitamin C Trace elements (iron indicators and iodine) Fatty acids Isoflavones and lignans Iron status: Transferrin receptor and body iron

Calculi A calculus (plural calculi) is a stone (a concretion of material, usually mineral salts) that forms in an organ or duct of the body. Also known as lithiasis

Sites of stone formations renal system gastrointestinal tract nasal passages Salivary duct calculus Tonsillolith

Etiology (cause) From an underlying abnormal excess of the mineral, e.g. with elevated levels of calcium (hypercalcaemia) that may cause kidney stones, dietary factors for gallstones. Local conditions at the site that promote their formation, e.g. local bacteria action (in kidney stones) or slower fluid flow rate salivary duct calculus

Calcium oxalate is the most common type of the nephrolithiasis. Uric acid is the second most common type of the mineral

Diagnosis Diagnostic workup varies by the stone type Clinical history and physical examination Imaging studies are often needed. Some stone types (mainly those with substantial calcium content) can be detected on X-ray and CT scan. Many stone types can be detected by ultrasound. Factors contributing to stone formation are often tested: Laboratory testing can give levels of relevant substances in blood or urine. Some stones can be directly recovered (at surgery, or when they leave the body spontaneously) and sent to a laboratory for analysis of content