Nutrition
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The potential relation between metabolic activity within the central nervous system and retention of cognitive functioning capacity was assessed. ⋯ Maintenance of redox balance within the central nervous system can forestall cognitive decline and promote cognitive longevity.
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The effect of zinc and glutamine on brain development was investigated during the lactation period in Swiss mice. ⋯ We conclude that glutamine or zinc protects against malnutrition-induced brain developmental impairments.
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Associations between dietary glycemic load (GL) and cardiovascular disease risk factors, including plasma lipoprotein/lipid levels, blood pressure, and glucose metabolism factors, in the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study were examined. ⋯ Among these generally healthy postmenopausal women, GL was associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triacylglycerols. Suggestive effects of race/ethnicity and body mass index on these associations need to be confirmed in larger studies.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
High-dose selenium for critically ill patients with systemic inflammation: pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of selenious acid: a pilot study.
Systemic inflammatory response syndrome is characterized by increased urinary excretion of selenium and low serum concentration. Repletion by parenteral selenite is the most efficacious form of supplementation. However, the optimum safe dose and mode of administration remain controversial. We aimed to determine pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of selenite and estimate a safe dose to optimize selenium status. ⋯ A bolus loading dose of selenite providing 2000 microg of selenium (25.30 micromol) followed by a CIV of 1600 microg/d (20.24 micromol/d) for 10 d is most effective at returning serum selenium to physiologic levels and safely maximizing glutathione peroxidase activity.
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The endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor, ghrelin, is a 28-amino-acid peptide acylated with an octanoyl group at the serine in position 3. Most of the circulating ghrelin results from its synthesis and secretion by the X/A-like endocrine cells from the stomach and proximal small intestine. Besides its potent growth hormone secretory action, ghrelin is a highly pleiotropic hormone, contributing significantly to the regulation of appetite and food intake control, gastrointestinal motility, gastric acid secretion, endocrine and exocrine pancreatic secretions, cell proliferation, glucose and lipid metabolism, and cardiovascular and immunologic processes. The purpose of this review is to consider the orexigenic effects of ghrelin on short-term regulation of food intake and long-term regulation of body weight, the implications of genetic ghrelin and growth hormone secretagogue receptor polymorphism, and the use of antagonists and agonists of ghrelin in pathophysiological conditions.