Nutrition
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The use of probiotics to reduce mortality of sepsis was supported by a series of clinical research subjects. However, the exact mechanisms underlying protective effects of probiotic in sepsis has not been elucidated clearly. The aim of this study was to explore the therapeutic effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) prophylaxis on the host co-microbiota and metabolism in mice with sepsis-induced colon microbiota dysbiosis. ⋯ Probiotic LGG may has a positive effect on reducing mortality of sepsis through rebalancing the metabolic profiles and gut microbiota.
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Anorexia represents a common and debilitating clinical problem in patients with several forms of cancer, in particular lung cancer, but its mechanisms are not completely understood. Recently, the caseinolytic-protease-B (ClpB) homologue protein, produced by common gut bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, was identified as an antigen-mimetic of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), an anorexigenic neuropeptide. ClpB was previously detected in human plasma and displayed satietogenic properties; however, its possible relevance to cancer anorexia has not yet been investigated. ⋯ Taken together, the results revealed a reduced humoral immune response to ClpB in patients with cancer and anorexia, which may lead to an enhanced satietogenic effect of this enterobacterial protein contributing to the mechanisms of reduced appetite.
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The aim of this overview of systematic reviews was to synthesize, appraise, and present all systematic review (SR) evidence on the clinical efficacy of glutamine administration to severely ill patients. ⋯ Glutamine could demonstrate a beneficial role in critical care patients of diminishing the rate of infectious complications and hospital and ICU LOS. However, future studies with better quality would confirm this finding.
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Flavonoids modulate tight junction barrier functions in hyperglycemic human intestinal Caco-2 cells.
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease requiring lifelong medical attention. With hundreds of millions suffering worldwide and a rapidly rising incidence, diabetes mellitus poses a great burden on health care systems. Recent studies investigating the underlying mechanisms involved in disease development in diabetes point to the role of the dysregulation of the intestinal barrier. Hyperglycemia-mediated tight junction deformity is known to contribute to leaky gut in various metabolic disorders. The present study aimed to investigate the role of oxidative stress on intestinal epithelial tight junction (TJ) barrier functions in hyperglycemia. Because many flavonoids are known to influence the cellular redox state, exploring these flavonoids may help to understand the role of TJ barrier in hyperglycemia-mediated oxidative stress, which in turn might unfold the association of oxidative stress and dysfunction of barrier-forming TJs. ⋯ These findings indicate that flavonoids confer protection against hyperglycemia-mediated oxidative stress and enhance intestinal barrier functions by modulating underlying intracellular molecular mechanisms.
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Impaired phagocytic function has been established in uremic patients. Chemotaxis, particle ingestion, and free radical and metabolic activity were all found to be disturbed in dialysis patients. Malnutrition is common among hemodialysis (HD) patients, with an estimated prevalence of 40% to 70%. Malnutrition-Inflammation Score (MIS) appears to be a useful tool for risk stratification of chronic HD patients. We assessed the correlation between MIS and phagocyte function in HD patients. ⋯ Impaired phagocytic function was identified in chronic HD patients. The severity of the impairment was associated with nutrition and inflammation parameters, as well as Malnutrition-Inflammation Score.