Nutrition
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Perioperative synbiotic therapy in elderly patients undergoing gastroenterological surgery: a prospective, randomized control trial.
Enteral administration of synbiotics has been reported to be beneficial during various types of surgery, but its clinical value in elderly surgical patients remains unclear. The aim of this study was to quantitatively evaluate the changes in gut microbiota and environment induced by perioperative synbiotic therapy, and to investigate whether it is possible to reduce infectious complications in elderly patients undergoing gastroenterological surgery. ⋯ Synbiotic therapy improved the intestinal microbial environment, and might decrease the incidence of infectious complications in elderly surgical patients.
-
Review
Branched-chain amino acids and ammonia metabolism in liver disease: therapeutic implications.
The rationale for recommendation of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA; valine, leucine, and isoleucine) in treatment of liver failure is based on their unique pharmacologic properties, stimulatory effect on ammonia detoxification to glutamine (GLN), and decreased concentrations in liver cirrhosis. Multiple lines of evidence have shown that the main cause of the BCAA deficiency in liver cirrhosis is their consumption in skeletal muscle for synthesis of glutamate, which acts as a substrate for ammonia detoxification to GLN and that the BCAA administration to patients with liver failure may exert a number of positive effects that may be more pronounced in patients with marked depression of BCAA levels. ⋯ In treatment of hepatic encephalopathy, simultaneous administration of the BCAA (to correct amino acid imbalance and promote ammonia detoxification to GLN) with α-ketoglutarate (to inhibit GLN breakdown to ammonia in enterocytes) and/or phenylbutyrate (to enhance GLN excretion by the kidneys) is suggested. Attention should be given to the type of liver injury, gastrointestinal bleeding, signs of inflammation, and the dose of BCAA.
-
The aim of this study was to evaluate the energy balance (EB) of patients on the waiting list for liver transplantation, using total energy expenditure (TEE) assessment and total caloric intake (TCI). ⋯ Negative EB was highly prevalent among patients on the waiting list for liver transplantation, and was associated with the severity of liver disease. Negative EB was primarily affected by low food intake. The food intake data were characterized by low overall energy and protein intake and inadequate composition of the patient's diet plan, which tended to be characterized by specific nutrient deficiencies and excesses.
-
The relationship between various anthropometric parameters and mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients is conflicting. Recently a new anthropometric parameter emerged, namely, body shape index (BSI). BSI is based on waist circumference (WC) but is independent of height, weight, and body mass index in predicting mortality in the general population. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between BSI and mortality in HD patients. ⋯ In conclusion, BSI is not independently associated with mortality in HD patients.
-
Observational Study
Vitamin D status and body fat measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in a general population of Japanese children.
For a general population of children, data on the relationship between vitamin D status and adiposity are limited. The aim of this study was to assess the relationships between the serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D) and body fat variables measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in a general population of Japanese children, including underweight, normal, and overweight children. ⋯ Vitamin D deficiency was associated with higher total and trunk adiposities in a general population of Japanese children, particularly boys.