Nutrition
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect on immune indices of preoperative intravenous glutamine dipeptide supplementation in malnourished abdominal surgery patients in the preoperative and postoperative periods.
To determine if parenteral glutamine dipeptide supplementation given only in the preoperative period in malnourished patients after gastrointestinal surgery would sustain its effects into the first postoperative week, as shown by immune indices. ⋯ Parenteral glutamine supplementation in the preoperative period resulted in increased white blood cell, granulocyte, and lymphocyte counts, which was not sustained in the first week of the postoperative period, when supplementation was discontinued before surgery.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
A randomized controlled trial on the efficacy of synbiotic versus probiotic or prebiotic treatment to improve the quality of life in patients with ulcerative colitis.
Studies suggest that synbiotic therapy could prove more effective in the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) than therapies limited to probiotics or prebiotics. This study compared the effect of each of these therapies in the treatment of UC. ⋯ Patients with UC on synbiotic therapy experienced greater quality-of-life changes than patients on probiotic or prebiotic treatment. These data suggest that synbiotic therapy may have a synergistic effect in the treatment of UC.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Prospective analysis of serum carotenoids, vitamin A, and tocopherols in adults with short bowel syndrome undergoing intestinal rehabilitation.
Carotenoids, vitamin A, and tocopherols serve important roles in many key body functions. However, availability of these compounds may be decreased in patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS) due to decreased oral intake of fruits and vegetables and/or decreased intestinal absorption. Little information is available on serum concentrations of carotenoids, vitamin A, and tocopherols during chronic parenteral nutrition (PN) or during PN weaning. The aim of this study was to prospectively examine serum concentrations of a wide variety of carotenoids, vitamin A, and tocopherols in patients with SBS undergoing an intensive 12-wk intestinal rehabilitation program. ⋯ Patients with SBS are depleted in diet-derived carotenoids despite oral and intravenous multivitamin supplementation and dietary adjustment during intestinal rehabilitation and PN weaning. Reduction of PN lipid infusion may improve serum alpha-tocopherol concentrations.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Mental and physical fatigue-related biochemical alterations.
To confirm fatigue-related biochemical alterations, we measured various parameters just before and after relaxation and fatigue-inducing mental or physical sessions. ⋯ Some mental or physical fatigue-related biochemical changes were determined. Various biochemical alterations reflecting homeostatic perturbation and its responses might be shown. We believe that our results contribute to clarifying the mechanism of fatigue, developing evaluation methods, and establishing a basis for treatment.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Red blood cell metallothionein as an indicator of zinc status during pregnancy.
We describe the levels and patterns of change in red blood cell (RBC) metallothionein (MT) during pregnancy and the neonate and relate RBCMT to other indicators of zinc and iron status. ⋯ Changes in RBCMT throughout pregnancy were consistent with the hypothesized role of MT in regulating zinc homeostasis. RBCMT appears to not be responsive during pregnancy to changes in zinc status achieved with supplements.