Nutrition
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L-Alanyl-glutamine (L-Ala-Gln) is a pharmaco-nutrient commonly used in nutrition regimens due to its immunomodulatory effects. In critically ill patients who are septic, L-Ala-Gln was associated with an increase in mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate whether L-Ala-Gln modulated heat shock protein (Hsp)-72, 90-α, T helper (Th)1, Th2, and Th17 cytokine expression in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of patients with severe sepsis. ⋯ High doses of L-Gln or L-Ala-Gln do not induce any of the Th1, Th2, and Th17 cytokines in either healthy or septic human PBMCs. High Gln doses suppress Hsp72 in septic and control PBMCs. Hsp90-α time-series expression declines, contrasting the increasing trend of Hsp72 in healthy controls. Hsp90-α sustains increased levels in septic supernatants, showing a characteristic longitudinal behavior needed further elucidation.
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The aim of this report was to elucidate the relation between pancreatitis and obesity in children. ⋯ Our experience suggests that obesity is associated with recurrence as well as severity of acute pancreatitis in children.
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To determine the possible utility of pomegranate extract in the management or prevention of Clostridium difficile infections or colonization. ⋯ Pomegranate extract may be a useful contributor to the management and prevention of C. difficile disease or colonization.
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Several metabolic pathways may be associated with obesity development and may be differentially modulated by dietary constituents. The aim of this study was to access the adipocyte metabolic pathways that lead to lipid accumulation in fat cells of mice fed a high-carbohydrate or high-fat diet. ⋯ The HC diet induces constitutive expression of lipogenic transcription factors during fasting, whereas the HF diet decreases lipolysis in adipocytes. Both pathways may contribute to increase fat stores and maintain an obese state.
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Partially purified hexane phase (HP) of Peucedanum japonicum Thunb (PJT) was identified as an antiobesity candidate. However, the compound responsible for the antiobesity activity remained unknown. Thus, in this study we isolated the active compound, to determine the mechanisms related to antiobesity activity in vitro. ⋯ Our study demonstrated that pteryxin in PJT plays the key role in regulating the lipid metabolism-related gene network and improving energy production in vitro. Thus, the results suggest pteryxin as a new natural compound to be used as an antiobesity drug in the pharmaceutical industry.