Nutrition
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Medium-term effect of sublingual l-glutathione supplementation on flow-mediated dilation in subjects with cardiovascular risk factors.
Supplementation of glutathione (GSH) may be a positive strategy to improve the endogenous antioxidant defense required to counteract many acute and chronic diseases. However, the efficacy of GSH treatment seems to be closely related to type of administration, degree of absorption, and increase of its concentrations. The aim of this study was to test a new sublingual formulation of L-GSH, which enters directly the systemic circulation, to assess its efficacy on circulating biochemical markers of hepatic metabolism, lipid profile, and oxidative stress and on peripheral vascular function compared with placebo in patients with cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF). ⋯ Supplementation of L-GSH compared with placebo influences the lipid profile of patients with CVRF. Sublingual L-GSH may represent a valid prevention of vascular damage in patients with CVRF and endothelial dysfunction.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Impact of high-dose vitamin D3 on plasma free 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations and antimicrobial peptides in critically ill mechanically ventilated adults.
High-dose vitamin D3 increases plasma total 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] in critically ill, ventilated patients; however, to our knowledge, the effect on plasma levels of free (nonprotein-bound) 25(OH)D has not been investigated in critical illness. Moreover, the relationship of free 25(OH)D and the regulation of endogenous antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) remains unknown. The aims of this study were to determine in critically ill adults with respiratory failure the effect of previous high-dose regimens of vitamin D3 on free 25(OH)D concentrations, the relationship of free 25(OH)D with circulating cathelicidin (LL-37) and human beta-defensin-2 (hBD-2), and the associations between plasma levels of free 25(OH)D and these AMPs to alveolar macrophage phagocytosis function. ⋯ The present study found a dose-related increase in plasma free-25(OH)D levels, which was associated with increasing circulating mRNA expression of hCAP18 over time. There were no correlations between changes in total and free 25(OH)D against plasma LL-37 and hBD-2 concentrations. Larger studies appear warranted to determine the impact of high-dose vitamin D3 administration on endogenous AMPs.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Orange juice allied to a reduced-calorie diet results in weight loss and ameliorates obesity-related biomarkers: A randomized controlled trial.
Assumptions have linked orange juice (OJ) consumption with weight gain and adverse effects on health due to its sugar content; however, epidemiologic studies have not shown increased risk for overweight or obesity with the consumption of 100% OJ. The aim of this study was to verify whether the combination of a reduced-calorie diet (RCD) and 100% OJ contribute to weight loss, promote changes in glucose and lipid metabolism, and improve diet quality in obese individuals. ⋯ When consumed concomitantly with an RCD, OJ does not inhibit weight loss; ameliorate the insulin sensitivity, lipid profile, or inflammatory status, or contribute nutritionally to the quality of the diet.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Tolerance and efficacy of a polyamine-deficient diet for the treatment of perioperative pain.
Polyamines have been identified as pain agonists and interact with N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors. A prospective, randomized, multicenter, and blinded phase II clinical trial was conducted to evaluate a polyamine-deficient diet for the treatment of perioperative pain in patients during spinal surgery. ⋯ Suppression of polyamines from the diet offers a nutrition-based treatment option for perioperative pain reduction independent of and complementary to typical analgesic approaches.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Enriched enteral nutrition may improve short-term survival in stage IV gastric cancer patients: A randomized, controlled trial.
The aim of the study was to determine whether the postoperative use of enteral nutrition enriched with arginine, glutamine, and omega-3 fatty acids influences survival in patients diagnosed with stomach cancer. For the purpose of the study, the second wave of the trial performed in 2003 to 2009 was done. ⋯ The study does not support the beneficial effect of enriched enteral nutrition in long-term survival; however, the positive impact on the stage IV patients suggests the need for further, more detailed studies.