Intervention Study on Iodine Biofortification Vegetables ( Nutri-I-Food

Several human pathologies are caused by deficiencies of some mineral elements. These deficiencies can be overcome through careful dietary diversification and mineral supplementation. An alternative or even complementary way is represented by the intake of bio-fortified foods. In the field of mineral deficiency increasing the bioavailable mineral concentration in vegetables intended for human consumption; can be a useful tool to prevent many harmful pathologies. Therefore, in this scenario, it appears very important to identify the right dosages and the most effective methods of administration to bio-fortify vegetables with a strong nutritional-health connotation. The present project aim to investigate the benefits of fortified food intake in a cohort of healthy individuals. Specifically, healthy individuals received lettuce enriched with iodine and after 10 days plasma and urine samples were collected . Each subject was subjected to two venous blood samples taken at the beginning of the observation and at the end (after 10 days). The samples thus obtained were transported in certified containers for the safe transport of biological samples, and, subsequently, processed by the laboratories of the Molecular Biology section of the University of Palermo. Serum and plasma will be obtained from each blood sample. All information thus obtained will be recorded in a database in which each person will be identified with a numerical code, in order to comply with current privacy regulations. Body weight, Barefoot standing height, Body mass index, Body composition will be measured in the different groups of study. Samples will be analyzed and compared for glucose, albumin, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid, creatinine, AST, ALT, γ-GT, ALP, bilirubin, Ferritin, free Iron, transferrin, total proteins, Magnesium, Calcium, insulin, osteocalcin,TSH, FT3, FT4, hematocrit, hs-CRP, Bone metabolism (Osteocalcin, parathyroid hormone, CTX, Calcitonin), Vitamin D Calcium, Phosphate, Potassium, gastric hormones ( GIP, GLP1, GLP2, ghrelin, glucagon, PYY, CCK) oxidative stress markers (LDL-ox, AGE, urinary 8-iso-prostaglandin F (PGF)2alpha) and inflammatory markers(IL-1, TNF, IL-6, IL-10)