Nutrition
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Preeclampsia is a low-grade systemic inflammatory condition in which oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction occurs. Plasma levels of soluble receptor for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFR)-1, also known as sFlt1 (soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1), an antiangiogenic factor have been reported to be elevated in preeclampsia. It was reported that pregnant mice deficient in catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) activity show a preeclampsia-like phenotype due to a deficiency or absence of 2-methoxyoestradiol (2-ME), a natural metabolite of estradiol that is elevated during the third trimester of normal human pregnancy. ⋯ Thus, PUFAs can prevent activation of angiotensin II receptor type 1 a (AT1 receptor). Patients with preeclampsia have decreased plasma phospholipid concentrations of arachidonic acid (AA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), the precursors of lipoxins (from AA), resolvins (from EPA and DHA), and protectins (from DHA) and prostaglandin E1 (PGE1 from DGLA: dihomo-γ-linolenic acid) and prostacyclin (PGI2 derived from AA). Based on these evidences, it is proposed that preeclampsia may occur due to deficiency of PUFAs and their anti-inflammatory products: lipoxins, resolvins, protectins, and maresins.
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Review Meta Analysis
Effects of supplementation with green tea catechins on plasma C-reactive protein concentrations: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Promising experimental and clinical trials suggest that green tea decreases the inflammatory process in cardiometabolic diseases, but evidence from epidemiologic studies about the effects on plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) seems inconsistent and ambiguous. Therefore, the aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of green tea supplementation on plasma CRP concentrations. ⋯ This meta-analysis of data from 11 RCT arms did not indicate a significant effect of supplementation with green tea catechins on plasma CRP concentrations. Furthermore, well-designed trials are necessary to validate these results.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of onion peel extract on endothelial function and endothelial progenitor cells in overweight and obese individuals.
Acute or chronic intake of polyphenol-rich foods has been reported to improve endothelial function. Quercetin, found abundantly in onion, is a potent antioxidant flavonoid. The aim of this study was to investigate whether consumption of onion peel extract (OPE) improves endothelial function in healthy overweight and obese individuals. ⋯ Medium-term administration of OPE an improvement in FMD and circulating EPCs.
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Comparative Study
Impact of intravenous lipid emulsions on liver function tests: Contribution of parenteral fish oil.
Lipids in parenteral nutrition (PN) have been linked to liver damage. The aim of this study is to 1) determine whether the incidence of alterations in liver function tests (LFTs) changes over time among hospitalized adult patients receiving PN; 2) evaluate whether the alteration in LFTs varies with the pattern of lipid administration; and 3) study the relationship between LFT alterations and fish oil (FO) emulsions. ⋯ GGT and AP increased throughout the clinical course of PN administration. These alterations had a multifactorial component. The administration of FO was associated with a significant decrease in the levels of GGT and AP.
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The aim of this study was to evaluate the longitudinal changes of C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations during pregnancy and to assess whether socioeconomic, anthropometric, dietary, behavioral, and biochemical factors are associated with these changes. ⋯ CRP concentrations increased throughout pregnancy. Parity and prepregnancy BMI were positively associated and dietary glycemic load was negatively associated with concentrations of CRP.