Nutrition
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Comparative Study
Effects of low carbohydrate diets on energy and nitrogen balance and body composition in rats depend on dietary protein-to-energy ratio.
Truly ketogenic rodent diets are low in carbohydrates but also low in protein. The aim of this study was to differentiate effects of ketosis, low carbohydrate (LC) and/or low-protein intake on energy and nitrogen metabolism. ⋯ These results suggest that truly ketogenic LC diets in growing rats are LC diets that are also deficient in protein for growth.
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Gln223 Arg polymorphism of the leptin receptor (LEPR) gene is one of the most frequently examined polymorphisms of this gene and has been suggested to be associated with energy expenditure (EE). The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of this variant on indicators of EE-resting metabolic rate (RMR), postabsorptive and postprandial respiratory quotient (RQ), and food-induced thermogenesis (FIT)-in obese children. ⋯ The significantly lower post-absorptive and postprandial RQ in the group of Gln223 Gln genotype children indicates that the fat oxidation of these children maybe increased before and subsequent to food consumption, which can be important in the planning of diet of these children.
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Comparative Study
Artemisia supplementation differentially affects the mucosal and luminal ileal microbiota of diet-induced obese mice.
The gut microbiome has been implicated in obesity and metabolic syndrome; however, most studies have focused on fecal or colonic samples. Several species of Artemisia have been reported to ameliorate insulin signaling both in vitro and in vivo. The aim of this study was to characterize the mucosal and luminal bacterial populations in the terminal ileum with or without supplementation with Artemisia extracts. ⋯ Marked differences in bacterial communities exist depending on the biogeographic compartment in the terminal ileum. Future studies testing the effects of Artemisia or other botanical supplements require larger sample sizes for adequate statistical power.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Bifidobacteria supplementation: effects on plasma lipid profiles in dyslipidemic children.
Preclinical investigations support the use of probiotics in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia, but clinical evidence is often contrasting. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a probiotic formulation containing three Bifidobacterium strains on lipid profiles in children affected by primary dyslipidemia. ⋯ Treatment with a Bifidobacterium probiotic formulation was well tolerated and useful in combination with to diet therapy. Children with dyslipidemia benefited from this approach, although the results need to be confirmed by larger controlled studies.