Nutrition and Metabolic Insights最新文献

Background and objective: The antisecretory factor (AF) exerts antisecretory and anti-inflammatory properties in the bowel. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of exogenous AF (Salovum) or cereals stimulating the endogenous AF (SPC-Flakes), given alone or in combination, in patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS).

Methods: Patients received Salovum alone at T₀ -T₁, Salovum plus SPC-Flakes at T₁ -T₂, and SPC-Flakes alone at T₂ -T₃. At T₀ and T₃, water balance, weight, lean mass (FFM), total body water (TBW), extracellular water (ECW), and nutritional and inflammatory biochemical parameters were evaluated. The water balance was also measured at T₁, T₂, and 30 days (T_S) from the end of treatment.

Results: Among the 7 patients enrolled, 2 discontinued treatment due to side effects and 1 was excluded after a cancer was diagnosed. Salovum alone or with SPC-Flakes did not improve the intestinal absorption in patients with SBS, while the administration of SPC-Flakes alone lead towards a trend of increased faecal volume. Weight, FFM, TBW, and ECW, as well as nutritional and inflammatory status, did not statistically change at the end of treatment (T₃) as compared with T₀. At T_S water balance was restored.

Conclusion: The administration of exogenous AF or the stimulation of endogenous AF seems to be unable to offer an effective therapy in patients with SBS. On the contrary, their administration appears to aggravate fluid loss and induce side effects.

Fish oil, rich in the very-long chain omega (ω)-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), has been found to have immunomodulatory effects in different groups of critically ill patients. In addition, its parenteral administration seems to attenuate the inflammatory response within 2 to 3 days. The activation of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway has been suggested to mediate such immunoregulatory effects. As different experimental studies have convincingly illustrated that enhanced vagal tone can decrease pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion, novel monitoring tools of its activity at the bedside could be developed, to evaluate nutritional manipulation of immune response in the critically ill. Heart rate variability (HRV) is the variability of R-R series in the electrocardiogram and could be a promising surrogate marker of immune response and its modulation during fish oil feeding, rich in ω-3 PUFAs. Heart rate variability is an indirect measure of autonomic nervous system (ANS) output, reflecting mainly fluctuations in ANS activity. Through HRV analysis, different "physiomarkers" can be estimated that could be used as early and more accurate "smart alarms" because they are based on high-frequency measurements and are much more easy to get at the bedside. On the contrary, various "biomarkers" such as cytokines exhibit marked interdependence, pleiotropy, and their plasma concentrations fluctuate from day to day in patients with sepsis. In this respect, an inverse relation between different HRV components and inflammatory biomarkers has been observed in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock, whereas a beneficial effect of ω-3 PUFAs on HRV has been demonstrated in patients with cardiovascular diseases. Consequently, in this article, we suggest that a beneficial effect of ω-3 PUFAs on HRV and clinical outcome in patients with sepsis merits further investigation and could be tested in future clinical trials as a real-time monitoring tool of nutritional manipulation of the inflammatory response in the critically ill.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the implementation of a nutrition module and activities (Go, Slow, Whoa) in a literacy environment through an active learning approach. Second graders (N = 85) from diverse socioeconomic status (SES) areas completed the 12-week program. The participants' perceptions of healthy food choices were measured both pre- and post-intervention. Students met for 30 minutes twice a week, to complete 5-lessons from a Coordinated Approach to Child Health (CATCH) nutrition module and activities (Go, Slow, Whoa). Measures were taken both pre- and post-intervention (Food Fury Quiz) to distinguishing between healthy and unhealthy foods (images). There was a statistically significant improvement (t = 12.16, df =84, P = .000) from pretest (M = 19.06, SD = 3.13) and posttest (M = 23.34, SD = 0.48) scores. Administering a healthy food choice curriculum through literacy and active learning provides an alternative approach to improving health knowledge among second grade students.

Differences in monolayer and three-dimensional (3D) culture systems have been recognized for several years. Despite the recognized importance of 3D systems, low cost and convenience of monolayer culture are still readily used for metabolic and nutritional studies. Here, we present part 1 of a 2-part series that will highlight (1) a novel and cost-effective model for culturing 3T3-L1 preadipocytes in 3D agarose as well as (2) an initial study showing the successful use of this 3D model for experimental analysis of these cells treated with cinnamon extract while suspended in agarose. In part 1, we provide a full characterization of the model system for the 3T3-L1 cells that demonstrate the functionality and convenience of this system. Importantly, we note spontaneous differentiation to adipocytes while cultured under these methods, independent of chemical induction. We present a 2.5-week time course with rounded cells forming vacuoles as early as 24 hours and accumulation of lipid detectable by Oil Red O stain at 0.5 weeks. Serum selection, lipid volume determination, and cell size are characterized. We conclusively demonstrate adipogenesis based on a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) detection using immunohistochemistry (IHC) of sections from these 3D cultures. Methods, materials and recommendations are described as well as proposed benefits to the use of this culture system for 3T3-L1 cells.

Adults with developmental disabilities face barriers to making healthy lifestyle choices that mirror the barriers faced by the direct support professionals who serve them. These two populations, direct support professionals and adults with developmental disabilities, are likely to lead inactive lifestyles, eat unhealthy diets, and be obese. Moreover, direct support professionals influence the nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and health behaviors of the adults with developmental disabilities whom they serve. We piloted a cooking-based nutrition education program, Cooking Matters for Adults, to dyads of adults with developmental disabilities (n = 8) and direct support professionals (n = 7). Team-taught by a volunteer chef and nutrition educator, Cooking Matters for Adults uses an active learning approach to teach food preparation safety skills and nutrition knowledge to inform healthy food and beverage choices. We assessed healthy food preparation, intake of a balanced diet, healthy food and beverage choices, and cooking confidence and barriers at pre-test, post-test, and 6-months after the intervention. Among both adults with developmental disabilities and direct support professionals, positive trends in healthy food preparation, eating a balanced diet, and reduction in cooking barriers were observed at post-test and 6-months. We also qualitatively assessed knowledge of and attitudes toward healthy eating, frequency of food and beverage intake, knowledge about kitchen skills and safety, as well as overall satisfaction, cooking confidence, and acceptability of the dyad approach. Participants with developmental disabilities and direct support professionals reported that they learned about healthy food and beverage choices and various cooking skills. Participants reported confidence in skills learned and were satisfied with the intervention and approach of including adults with developmental disabilities and direct support professionals in the intervention together.

Background and aims: A worldwide increase in childhood overweight (OW) and obesity (OB) has been reported. OB is an inflammatory state which affects iron metabolism and the sensibility of the tests to detect iron deficiency (ID). Our aim was to evaluate the adequacy of current ferritin cut-offs to define ID in children with OW/OB.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 152 children (54% girls) aged (median [Q1-Q3]) 11 (8-13) years with OW/OB. Complete blood count and iron metabolism were evaluated. Low ferritin, transferrin saturation (TSat), and anemia were defined by age- and sex-specific cut-offs recommended by National Guidelines. Iron intake was assessed in a subgroup (n = 80) by a 24-hour dietary recall. Analyses were made according to pubertal development and ferritin tertiles.

Results: The overall prevalence of low ferritin, TSat, and anemia was 2.6%, 23.8%, and 5.2%, respectively. Among pre-pubertal children (n = 87), the frequency of low TSat rose across ferritin tertiles (P < .05), whereas it decreased among pubertal children (n = 65; P < .005). Cases of anemia among pre-pubertal children were found in the highest ferritin tertile, whereas 4/6 anemia cases in pubertal children were found in the lowest ferritin tertile (<39 µg/L). Pubertal children within the lowest ferritin tertile + low TSat (n = 11) showed lower hemoglobin (-9%; P < .005) and hematocrit (-8%, P < .01) than those in the same tertile + normal TSat (n = 16). The overall prevalence of children with ferritin < 39 µg/L + low TSat was 9.2%.

Conclusions: Higher ferritin cut-off values are required to define ID in children with OW/OB. Such cut-off remains to be validated in larger, multi-ethnic cohorts of children with OW/OB.

Background: This study was conducted to identify major dietary patterns and their association with level of asthma control among patients with asthma in Gaza Strip, Palestine.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among a representative sample of Palestinian patients with asthma (both sex, aged 19-64 years) receiving care in chest department at Al-Shifa Medical Complex. Asthma control level was obtained using asthma control test. Data regarding other variables were obtained using an interview-based questionnaire and a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20.

Results: Two major dietary patterns were identified including (1) Prudent pattern characterized by a high intake of whole grains, beans and legumes, fish and shellfish products, vegetables, tomatoes, fruits, and vegetable oils, and (2) Western pattern characterized by a high intake of refined grains, red meat, poultry, fast foods, eggs, low-fat dairy product, high-fat dairy products, hydrogenated fats, olive, sugar, sweets, desserts, and snacks. After adjustment for confounding variables, patients in the lowest tertile (T1) of Prudent pattern had a lower odds for poorly controlled asthma (odds ratio [OR] = 0.044, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.002-1.316], P value < 0.05), whereas patients in the lowest tertile (T1) of Western pattern had a higher odds for poorly controlled asthma (OR = 2.499, 95% CI = [1.288-4.850], P value < 0.05), compared with those in the highest tertile (T3).

Conclusion: A Prudent pattern may be associated with a lower prevalence of poorly controlled asthma, whereas a Western pattern may be associated with a higher prevalence of poorly controlled asthma.

Nutritional considerations of many chronic diseases are not fully understood or taken into consideration in everyday clinical practice. Therefore, it is not surprising that high proportion of hospitalized patients with cardiovascular diseases remains underdiagnosed with malnutrition. Malnourished patients have increased risk of poor clinical outcomes, complications rate, prolonged hospital stay, more frequent rehospitalizations, and lower quality of life. The purpose of this review is to recapitulate recent data on nutritional considerations in cardiovascular medicine.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a biologically complex condition characterized by chronic, relapsing inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The relative incidence of this debilitating condition is increasing and sociologically damaging outcomes are a continued reality. Several etiological theories for UC are currently under investigation, spanning between genetic and environmental determinants. From an environmental perspective, previous literature reviews have demonstrated the independent effectiveness of specific diet and exercise patterns in modifying UC immuno-pathophysiology. This article explores the synergistic role of diet and aerobic exercise in the prevention, pathogenesis, and management of UC in the context of recent immunological research. Through a unifying mechanism-that is, microbial influence of colonic inflammation and immuno-pathophysiology-the simultaneous reduction of pro-inflammatory dietary sulfurous amino acid intake (ie methionine, cysteine, homocysteine, and taurine) and the upregulation of aerobic exercise frequency (which spurs the colonization of anti-inflammatory butyrate, acetate, and propionate producing microbial taxa) demonstrate the clinical efficacy of incorporating both diet and exercise modifications for UC prevention and management through pathogenic alterations.