Nutrition
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Comparative Study
Comparison of the anticatabolic effects of leucine and Ca-β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate in experimental models of cancer cachexia.
Loss of skeletal muscle is the most debilitating feature of cancer cachexia, and there are few treatments available. The aim of this study was to compare the anticatabolic efficacy of L-leucine and the leucine metabolite β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (Ca-HMB) on muscle protein metabolism, both in vitro and in vivo. ⋯ These results favor the clinical feasibility of using Ca-HMB over high doses of leucine for the treatment of cancer cachexia.
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Acute and chronic consumption of alcohol can alter intestinal barrier function thereby increasing portal endotoxin levels subsequently leading to an activation of toll-like receptor (TLR) 4-dependent signaling cascades, elevated levels of reactive oxygen species and induction of tumor necrosis factor α in the liver. Recent studies suggest that chicoric acid found in Echinacea pupurea, chicory, and other plants, may possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of the present study was to determine if chicoric acid can reduce acute alcohol-induced liver damage. ⋯ These data suggest that chicoric acid may reduce acute alcohol-induced steatosis in mice through interfering with the induction of iNOS and iNOS-dependent signaling cascades in the liver.
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Broad bean (Vicia faba L.), a common vegetable, belongs to the family Fabaceae and is consumed worldwide. Limited studies have been done on allergenicity of broad beans. The aim of this study was to determine if broad bean proteins have the ability to elicit allergic responses due to the presence of clinically relevant allergenic proteins. ⋯ This study inferred that broad bean proteins have the ability to elicit allergic responses due to the presence of clinically relevant allergenic proteins.
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Resveratrol (RSV) is the most studied natural compound that activates sirtuins, which produce beneficial metabolic effects on lipid and glucose metabolism. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of resveratrol in preventing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and expression of liver inflammatory markers in mice treated with a high-fat diet. ⋯ We observed that treatment with resveratrol improved lipid metabolism, and decreased NAFLD and pro-inflammatory profile in liver of mice with obesity-inducible diets. These data suggest an important clinical application of RSV in preventing liver diseases.