Nutrition
-
Essential amino acids, especially l-leucine, initiate the signaling of the mammalian target of rapamycin complex-1 (mTORC1) and protein synthesis in skeletal muscle. Current information on the relation between amino acid transporter mechanisms and mTORC1 signaling is sparse. The objectives of this study were to determine whether an increase in leucine availability upregulates the gene transcription and translation of amino acid transporters and other amino acid members in an mTORC1-dependent pathway that control amino acid use (general control non-repressed-2 and activating transcription factor-4) and to measure the factors related to protein synthesis and proteolysis. ⋯ Our findings indicate that the mTOR is a component of the nutrient signaling pathway, which regulates system A and L amino acid transporters, the initiation factors involved in mRNA translation, and is downstream of forkhead box-O in L6 myotubes.
-
Resistant sugars, which have several desirable properties, are often used in food production and the pharmaceutical industry. We evaluated the effects of mannitol on the absorption and retention of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) in growing rats. ⋯ Absorption and retention of Ca and Mg are promoted by mannitol feeding through the fermentation of mannitol in the cecum.
-
Endovascular injury induced by balloon withdrawal leads to the increased activation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the vascular wall allowing the proliferated smooth muscle cells (SMCs) to digest the surrounding extracellular matrix and migrate from the media into the intima leading to the intimal thickening. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of Nelumbo nucifera leaf extract (NL) on intimal thickening of rat carotid artery injured by balloon catheter and on the proliferation and migration of cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) induced by tumor necrosis factor-α. ⋯ Thus, the results suggest that NL can be considered of therapeutic value in the prevention of atherosclerosis because restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty can be considered a model of "accelerated atherosclerosis."
-
Review Meta Analysis
Soy isoflavone supplementation could reduce body weight and improve glucose metabolism in non-Asian postmenopausal women--a meta-analysis.
The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review and a meta-analysis to confirm the effects of soy isoflavone supplementation on body weight, fasting glucose, and insulin level in non-Asian postmenopausal women. ⋯ This meta-analysis showed soy isoflavone supplementation could be beneficial for body weight reduction, glucose, and insulin control in plasma. Large and well-designed studies are recommended to confirm this conclusion.
-
Comparative Study
Comparison of eicosapentaenoic acid concentrations in plasma between patients with ischemic stroke and control subjects.
ω-3 fatty acids, including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), prevent ischemic stroke. However, the clinical importance of EPA for ischemic stroke and its subtype has not been fully elucidated. ⋯ In this study, the plasma EPA concentration and the EPA/AA ratio were potential predictive risk factors for ischemic stroke, especially for cardioembolism. Further prospective studies are necessary.