Nutrition
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This study assessed the iron status of Korean male lead workers by measuring the dietary iron intake and biochemical indices, and tested the hypothesis that a high blood lead level is associated with impaired iron function, which results in higher prevalence of iron deficiency when the route of exposure is not the gastrointestinal tract. ⋯ This study confirmed the adverse effects of high blood lead levels on hematologic pathways and the effectiveness of dietary iron intake as a secondary preventive intervention against lead toxicity. To promote health and to prevent toxic effects of lead exposure in Korean lead workers, an adequate intake of dietary iron is strongly recommended.
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Central obesity is implicated in the development of insulin resistance by increasing insulin demand and eventually leading to hyperinsulinemia. Anthropometric measurements have been helpful in determining the risk factors in developing diabetes mellitus type 2. In this study we investigated whether anthropometric measurements differ among diabetics of different races. We also evaluated whether nutrient intake of these individuals was related to anthropometric measurement changes. ⋯ The type of fat consumed may be as important as the total fat consumption in the development of insulin resistance. The diet analysis can provide valuable information about the dietary habits of an individual and the possible causes of metabolic problems leading to a disease state. However, genetic factors must be considered when looking at diabetes incidence in different ethnic groups. For example, even though the black diabetic group consumed less fat in comparison with the other groups, their body fat percentages were higher. Therefore, we cannot conclude that high fat intake is primarily responsible for increased body fat percentage. Although anthropometric measurements are a useful tool in risk assessment, researchers should consider anatomic differences among different racial groups as covariables. Diet analysis when used in conjunction with anthropometric measurements can serve as a useful tool to detect whether metabolic alterations are related to dietary habits.
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The aim of the study was to characterize the metabolic changes in non-weight-losing patients with cancer of the bladder and to investigate the effect of tumor stage. The kinetics of glucose, glycerol, and urea metabolism were assessed in 22 weight-stable patients with non-metastatic bladder cancer (tumor stage p = T2, n = 8; tumor stage p > T2, n = 14) and 10 patients with benign uterine myoma (controls). ⋯ Patients with bladder cancer had a lower rate of glucose clearance than did control subjects. Lipid metabolism was not affected, whereas urea synthesis rate was elevated in cancer patients. However, when expressed per kilogram of fat-free body mass, no difference in protein breakdown could be observed. The tumor stage had no effect on glucose, lipid, or protein metabolism.
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The present study investigated the effects of phytosterols (PS) in combination with diacylglycerol (DAG) versus PS in combination with triacylglycerol (TAG) on serum lipids and atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits. ⋯ These findings suggested that PS in combination with DAG as opposed to TAG prevents the development of atherosclerosis via a decrease in total cholesterol exposure level and might be useful as a dietary oil for the prevention of atherosclerosis.
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Comparative Study
Histopathologic effects of lipid content of enteral solutions after pulmonary aspiration in rats.
We compared the pulmonary histopathologic effects of different enteral formulas with various lipid contents during the subacute period of aspiration in rats. ⋯ The pulmonary histopathologic effects of aspiration of Impact were severe peribronchial inflammatory cell infiltration (greater than aspiration of Biosorb and Pulmocare), abundant alveolar histiocytes, and alveolar edema in comparison with aspiration of saline, even though Impact had the lowest lipid content of all studied formulas. We concluded that the tissue damage occurring after pulmonary aspiration of Impact is more severe than after aspiration of Pulmocare.