Nutrition
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Changes in endothelial function and depression scores are associated following long-term dietary intervention: a secondary analysis.
Cross-sectional studies show associations between depression and endothelial function (as measured by endothelium-dependent brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation [FMD]); but it is not known whether changes in these parameters are associated following dietary management. We have previously reported that compared with consumption of a high-carbohydrate (HC) diet, despite comparable weight loss, a very low-carbohydrate (LC diet) impaired FMD and increased depression. The purpose of this study was to conduct a secondary analysis to examine whether there was an association between changes in FMD and depression. ⋯ Over time, impairments in FMD were independently associated with increased depression, independent of diet composition, or changes in weight and insulin resistance. This data supports a mechanistic association between depression and endothelial function, which may influence long-term health.
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The aim of this study was to estimate the concentration of cholecalciferol and 13-cis-retinoic acid (RA) in the plasma and pleural fluid of patients with tuberculosis (TB) against controls. ⋯ It was observed that in patients with TB there is a combined deficiency of cholecalciferol and 13-cis-RA compared with healthy volunteers. Because cholecalciferol and 13-cis-RA are in equilibrium with active ingredients of vitamins A and D, we feel that there is a combined deficiency of these vitamins in patients with TB. There is an evidence that concomitant vitamin A and D supplementation can kill intracellular Mycobacterium tuberculosis in vitro. Therefore, the observations made in this study can pave the path for a trial of combined supplementation of available formulations of vitamin A and D (cholecalciferol and 13-cis-RA) for novel anti-tubercular drug therapy. Because such an approach is host-based it has potential to treat even multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant forms of TB.
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The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of octreotide on the expression of intestinal fat absorption-associated apolipoproteinB48 (apoB48), microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) and apolipoproteinAIV (apoAIV) in a high-fat diet-induced obesity rat model. ⋯ High-fat diet-induced obesity is associated with increased expression of apoB48, MTP, and apoAIV in the intestine. Octreotide intervention inhibited the overexpression of apoB48 and MTP, and consequently brought about reduced fat absorption and weight loss.