Nutrition
-
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia is the most common chronic lung disease of infancy and is associated with pulmonary hypertension (PH). Inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3 β has been shown to attenuate lung injury and PH in hyperoxia-exposed newborn rats. Genipin has been widely used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to show that genipin decreased the expression of GSK-3 β in lung tissues of hyperoxia-exposed rat pups. ⋯ Overall, genipin may provide a novel therapeutic option for preventing and treating infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
-
To our knowledge, minimal research exists on the effects of diets differing in carbohydrate restriction on symptoms of carbohydrate withdrawal and mood, and the achievement of nutritional ketosis (NK). The aim of this study was to compare ketonaemia, symptoms of carbohydrate withdrawal, and mood. We hypothesized that a moderate carbohydrate restriction would result in fewer symptoms and a reduced effect on mood. ⋯ In 75 of 77 initial participants included for analysis, mean serum levels of β-hydroxybutyrate (βOHB) were increased by 0.27 ± 0.32, 0.41 ± 0.38, and 0.62 ± 0.49 mmol/L for MCD, LCD, and VLCKD, respectively (P = 0.013). The achievement of NK was consistent for both VLCKD and LCD groups and sporadic for the MCD group. Only the VLCKD group exhibited 95% confidence interval levels that were consistently ≥0.5 mmol/L. The overall mean change in sum of symptoms scores (SOSS) from baseline was 0.81 ± 2.84 (P < 0.001). Changes in SOSS were highest in the VLCKD group (1.49 ± 2.47), followed by LCD (0.65 ± 2.70) and MCD (0.18 ± 3.3; P = 0.264). Small, statistically significant increases were seen for headache severity, constipation, diarrhea, halitosis, muscle cramps and muscle weakness, and light-headedness, whereas intestinal bloating and craving for sugar and starch improved from baseline. Only halitosis (P = 0.039) and muscle weakness (P = 0.005) differed significantly between the groups. Mood improved significantly from baseline overall, but there was no significant difference between groups (P = 0.181) CONCLUSIONS: Diets containing 5% TE from carbohydrates are ketogenic, but diets containing between 15% and 25% TE from carbohydrates can also result in mean βOHB ≥0.5 mmol/L. There was no meaningful difference in symptoms of carbohydrate withdrawal between diets that contain 5% to 25% TE from carbohydrate, and mood was improved overall, with no significant difference between interventions. Our conclusion, therefore, is that reduced carbohydrate diets should be prescribed by need rather than the desire to mitigate symptoms of carbohydrate withdrawal.
-
Perioperative malnutrition reportedly increases postoperative morbidity and mortality rates after abdominal surgery, including pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). However, few studies have focused on the association between preoperative nutritional variables and the incidence of postoperative complications. The present study aimed to evaluate preoperative nutritional parameters to predict the incidence of postoperative complications after PD. ⋯ Low cholinesterase concentrations were significantly associated with a higher incidence of postoperative morbidity in patients undergoing PD. Preoperative nutritional variables can be used as predictors of postoperative complications after PD.
-
Increased malnutrition risk has been identified in >30% of hospitalized adults in Israel. Because orange has been identified as an appetite stimulant, orange napkins were considered a low-cost enhancement of the meal context. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of an orange napkin on the meal tray on food intake and satisfaction with food service among adults hospitalized in an internal medicine department. ⋯ The addition of an orange napkin to the meal tray of patients hospitalized in internal medicine departments can increase dietary intake and improve satisfaction with hospital food services. At about 5 cents per piece, the orange napkin is a low-cost, easily implemented strategy to address malnutrition risk in hospitalized adults.
-
Angiotensin (Ang)-(1-7) has preventive effects on metabolic syndrome (MetS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of oral Ang-(1-7) on mean arterial pressure (MAP), insulin resistance (IR), inflammatory process, and remodeling of white adipose tissue (WAT) in rats with established MetS. ⋯ Data from the present study demonstrated that oral Ang-(1-7) treatment is effective in restoring biochemical parameters and hypertension in established MetS by improving hypertrophy and hyperplasia in WAT and inflammation in adipose tissue, and regulating metabolic processes in the gastrocnemius muscle and BAT.