Nutrition
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Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a common cause of liver disease, and it may progress to fibrosis or cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of soy protein on hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance in NASH. ⋯ Soy protein may improve the liver function in patients with NASH by lowering lipid levels in the blood and liver, increasing the antioxidative capacity, and improving insulin resistance.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Associations between glutathione peroxidase-1 Pro198Leu polymorphism, selenium status, and DNA damage levels in obese women after consumption of Brazil nuts.
Alterations in selenium (Se) status may result in suboptimal amounts of selenoproteins, which have been associated with increased oxidative stress levels. The Pro198Leu polymorphism at the glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPx1) gene is supposed to be functional. The response of Se status, GPx activity, and levels of DNA damage to a Se supplementation trial between the genotypes related to that polymorphism was investigated. ⋯ Consumption of one unit of Brazil nuts daily effectively increases Se status and increases GPx activity in obese women, regardless of GPx1 Pro198Leu polymorphism. However, the evaluated biomarkers showed distinct results in response to the supplementation when the polymorphism was considered.
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The aim was to investigate whether pregnancy-induced changes in total homocysteine (tHcy) are associated with folate and vitamin B12 nutritional status, genetic C677T polymorphism in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) enzyme, and gestation outcome at a time when folic acid supplementation started to be recommended in the Spanish health system. ⋯ Although tHcy seems to be physiologically low in this Spanish population and unrelated to folate and B12 nutritional status, C677T MTHFR genotype, and some pregnancy complications, we support the statement that appropriate folate concentration may be important throughout pregnancy to prevent abnormalities associated with altered status (e.g., neural tube defects). According to our study, supplementation with folic acid seems to achieve this purpose because diet alone may be insufficient. In addition, a poor vitamin B12 status, as measured by plasma levels, may indicate that supplementation of both vitamins is needed.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A randomized cross-over study of the metabolic and hormonal responses following two preoperative conditioning drinks.
Preoperative conditioning with carbohydrate-based drinks attenuates postoperative insulin resistance and leads to clinical benefits. The use of metabolic conditioning agents such as glutamine and antioxidants, in addition to carbohydrate, may benefit patients undergoing major surgery, because glutamine and antioxidant supplementation have been shown to improve gastrointestinal perfusion, immune function, morbidity, and gluco-metabolic control in critically ill patients. We investigated the postprandial responses after ingestion of a clear carbohydrate drink (CCD) containing 50 g of carbohydrate (preOp, Nutricia, Trowbridge, UK) and that of another drink containing 50 g of carbohydrate, 15 g of glutamine, and antioxidants (ONS; Fresenius Kabi, Bad Homburg, Germany). ⋯ Peak insulin and glucose concentrations were higher after CCD ingestion; in contrast, responses after ONS ingestion were "blunted" and prolonged.
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To assess the association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) status and obesity, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), the metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in ethnic minorities. ⋯ Further research specific to migrant populations using randomized controlled trials are required to establish whether causal links between 25(OH)D and obesity-related chronic disease exist, and whether vitamin D supplementation could be valuable in the prevention or treatment of obesity-related diseases.