Nutrition
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An abnormal fatty acid pattern in patients with advanced liver cirrhosis (LC) has been reported in plasma phospholipids and some other tissues. To elucidate the significance of arachidonic acid deficiency on the clinical pathophysiology of LC and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we analyzed the fatty acid compositions of mononuclear cell phospholipids, plasma alpha-tocopherol, and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in cirrhotic patients infected with the hepatitis C virus with and without HCC. ⋯ These results suggested that arachidonic acid in mononuclear cells may have an important role in the pathophysiology of hepatitis C virus associated with cirrhosis and that nutritional management preventing arachidonic acid deficiency may have some beneficial effects on the progression of LC.
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We investigated the effect of gastrointestinal surgery on bone metabolism with special reference to nutrition status and the systemic inflammatory response (SIR). ⋯ Because the amount of excreted D-Pyr reflects the loss of the bone matrix, these results may indicate that bone resorption increases after gastrointestinal surgery. The extent of resorption was parallel to the degree of SIR and nutrition status.
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We investigated the peroxidation potential of fat emulsions in all-in-one solutions (AIOs). ⋯ In AIO bags, LPX occurred within 24 h after the addition of the lipid emulsion and seemed to be directly related to the PUFA content and inversely related to the alpha-tocopherol:PUFA ratio of the emulsion.
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Lycopene, a nutritional antioxidant, was evaluated for its anticataract potential to further establish its role in cataract prevention. ⋯ Lycopene protects against experimental cataract development by virtue of its antioxidant properties, and it may be useful for prophylaxis or therapy against cataracts.
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We assessed which factors contribute to the high level of nutritional risk detected by the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) test in institutionalized older women. To this end, we undertook a complete nutritional assessment. ⋯ This high prevalence of risk of malnutrition detected by the MNA test in healthy institutionalized older women was due mainly to risk situations and self-perception of health and did not depend on age. Inadequate micronutrients intake may contribute to the development of malnutrition in this population.