Nutrition
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Chemoprevention or intervention of cancer by means of natural dietary components has shown great promise in controlling malignancy. This study was conducted to investigate the chemopreventive effects of grape seeds (GSE) combined with grape skin (GSK) in mice that were inoculated with Ehrlich ascites carcinoma, and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. ⋯ The results of this study clearly showed that the combination of GSE and GSK represents a potent chemopreventive and anticancer agent in a mice model of Ehrlich carcinoma. The mechanisms that underlie the effects of these agents include cell cycle arrest, induction of apoptosis, and inhibition of cell proliferation. These findings suggest that GSE + GSK may represent a natural, novel, adjuvant therapeutic strategy for chemoprevention of the growth of solid tumors.
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Eccentric contraction (ECC) is a contraction in which skeletal muscles are stretched while contracting. The aim of this study was to determine how ingestion of soy protein isolate (SPI) or animal-based proteins affect force deficit, calpain activation, and proteolysis of calcium ion (Ca2+)-regulatory proteins in rat fast-twitch muscles subjected to ECC. ⋯ These results suggest that SPI ingestion inhibits ECC-elicited force deficit and proteolysis of Ca2+ regulatory proteins, which is caused by inhibited activation of calpain-1 via increased nitric oxide production.
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Review Meta Analysis
The healthy Nordic dietary pattern has no effect on inflammatory markers: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials.
The Nordic diet (ND) is regarded as a healthy dietary pattern that might beneficially affect systemic chronic inflammation; however, the results of published studies are conflicting. The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarize the published evidence by randomized controlled clinical trials with regard to the effect of the ND pattern on circulating inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). ⋯ Adherence to the ND pattern does not seem to affect circulating CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α levels. Clinical trials with longer follow-up periods and including participants in other regions are highly recommended.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of alpha-linolenic acid in combination with the flavonol quercetin on markers of cardiovascular disease risk in healthy, non-obese adults: A randomized, double-blinded placebo-controlled crossover trial.
Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and quercetin are characteristic compounds in plant-based diets. Cardioprotective effects have been described for both substances, although a possible benefit of combining ALA and quercetin has not, to our knowledge, been evaluated yet. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential independent and additive effects of ALA and quercetin on blood pressure (BP) and lipid and glucose metabolism, as well as on biomarkers of inflammation, oxidative stress, and antioxidant status in healthy, non-obese men and women. Another aim was to examine whether chronic supplementation of supranutritional doses of quercetin would result in an accumulation of plasma quercetin concentration over time. ⋯ Although dietary supplements of 3.6 g/d ALA over an 8-wk period improved lipid profiles in healthy adults, antioxidative and oxidative status, inflammation, and BP remained unchanged. No evidence was seen for an additive or synergistic effect of ALA plus quercetin on markers of cardiovascular disease risk.
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The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of preoperative cachexia on postoperative length of stay (LOS) in elderly patients with gastrointestinal cancer. ⋯ Our results suggested that preoperative cachexia prolongs postoperative LOS in elderly patients with gastrointestinal cancer, implying that cachexia should be assessed and treated before surgery.