Studies In Brief 30586

Studies In Brief

A randomized, double blind placebo-controlled, crossover study showed short-term ingestion of Ginkgo biloba extract does not alter whole-body insulin sensitivity in non-diabetic, pre-diabetic or type 2 diabetic subjects (Clin Nutr, 25, 1:123-34, 2006). Researchers from the National Food Research Institute in Japan found naringenin increases hepatic fatty acid oxidation, and noted this may account for the propensity of this compound to lower serum lipid levels (Nutrition, 22, 5:546-52, 2006). Iron deficiency may affect thyroid hormone status in iron-deficient adolescent girls (Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 15, 1:50-5, 2006). Soy isoflavones reduced hypercholesterolemia as well as cholesterol content in atherosclerotic lesions in rabbits fed a casein-based atherogenic diet (Eur J Nutr, 45, 3:178-86, 2006). Supplementation with 800 mcg/d of folic acid for two weeks increased the serum and red blood cell folate concentrations and decreased the plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations in healthy young male subjects; riboflavin supplementation may have blunted the effect of folic acid, which resulted in a diminished reduction of tHcy in test subjects (Eur J Clin Nutr, 60:573-79, 2006). Higher intake of omega-6 (but not omega-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) increased fasting triglycerides, remnant-like particle concentrations, and very low density lipoprotein size, suggesting omega-6 PUFA-rich diets are related to a more atherogenic lipid profile in these subjects (Circulation, 113:2062-70, 2006). Partial substitution of dietary protein for carbohydrate or fat may promote longer-term postprandial ghrelin suppression and satiety (Ann Nutr Metab, 50, 3:260-269, 2006). Supplementation withfolic acid reduced the efficacy of long-term methotrexate treatment in the control of psoriasis (Br J Nutr, April 7, 2006 [ePub before print]). Drinking tea is associated with lower plasma total homocysteine in older women (Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 15, 2:253-8, 2006). Chronic smoking is associated with lower systemic status of several B vitamins, reduced oral folate, and changes in folate form distribution in the mouth (Am J Clin Nutr, 83, 4:835-41, 2006). At the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games, 69 percent of Canadian athletes used some form of dietary supplements, and 74 percent of Canadian athletes used dietary supplements at the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000; popular supplements taken included vitamins, minerals, creatine and amino acids (Clin J Sport Med, 16, 1:27-33, 2006). Rats given a high (10-percent) fish oil diet burned less protein and more fat than rats given a control diet (Ann Nutr Metab, 50, 3:184-92, 2006). Administration of yogurt containing a riboflavin-producing strain of Propionibacterium freudenreichii improved riboflavin status of deficient rats (Nutrition, March 13, 2006 [ePub before print]). A Bifidobacterium Longum probiotic strain from Morinaga (www.morinaga.co.jp) inhibited influenza in elderly patients, according to new research presented at the Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology and Agrochemistry in March. In the Framingham Offspring Study, higher intakes of dietary choline and betaine were related to lower tHcy concentrations independent of other determinants, including intake of folate and other B vitamins (Am J Clin Nutr, 83, 4:905-11, 2006). Intake of 50 mg/d vitamin E reduced the risk of pneumonia by 50 percent in a cohort of 16,804 male smokers (aged 50 to 69 years) drawn from the Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention (ATBC) Study (Int J Sports Med, 27:336-41, 2006). A study on the Mediterranean diet found an inverse association between fiber or fruit and vegetable consumption and weight gain (Nutrition, 22, 5:504-11, 2006). Higher serum folate is linked to lower tHcy levels in HIV patients (Ann Nutr Metab, 50, 3:247-52, 2006). Phytosterol and phytostanol esters are effectively hydrolyzed in the gut and do not affect fat digestion in ileostomy subjects (Eur J Nutr, 45, 3:165-70, 2006). Research performed on the effect of creatine supplementation on swimming performance indicates creatine supplementation may benefit repeated interval swim set performance and improves power as measured on a swim bench ergometer (J Sports Sci Med, 5:10-24, 2006). Four weeks of vitamin C and vitamin E supplementation in healthy men did not counter increased plasma lipid peroxides induced by hyperbaric oxygen (Ann Nutr Metab, 50, 3:173-6, 2006). Researchers found no evidence that coffee consumption increases risk of CHD (Circulation, 113:2045-53, 2006). High intake of branched-chain amino acids in the presence of an optimal profile of other essential amino acids acutely increased muscle protein synthesis and glutamine flux from skeletal muscle in cancer patients after surgery (Nutrition, 22, 5:475-82, 2006). Patients consecutively admitted to a psychiatric hospital were examined for serum cobalamin and folate levels; approximately 30 percent of patients had low folate values compared to 2.5 percent in the control group, and a positive correlation was found between low folate levels and depression (Clin Nutr, 25, 1:60-7, 2006). Maximum viability and counts of probiotics (L. acidophilus and Bifidobacterium spp.) delivered in milk were observed when the milk was heated at 95° C for 15 minutes and incubated at 37° C for approximately six hours (Int J Dairy Tech, 59:8, 2006). Repeated ingestion of glutamate (30 mg/kg/20 minutes) can increase glutamate availability in healthy elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (Nutrition, 22, 5:496-503, 2006). Choline is critical during fetal development, when it influences stem cell proliferation and apoptosis, thereby altering brain structure and function, as evidenced by permanent enhancement of memory in rodents exposed to choline during the latter part of gestation (Nutr Rev, 64, 4:197-203, 2006). Endurance athletes given an isoenergetic diet high in whey protein had significantly better cycling performance than those administered a moderate carbohydrate diet (Int J Sport Nutr Exercise Metab, 16, 1, 2006). Compared with no consumption, a low consumption of coffee during pregnancy may not promote preterm birth (Eur J Clin Nutr, 60:610-13, 2006). Low-dose leucine supplementation increases body fat loss and improves liver protein status and the capacity of muscle protein synthesis in rats subjected to restricted food intake (Nutrition, 22, 5:520-27, 2006). Folate deficiency may affect expression of key genes related to cell cycle control, DNA repair, apoptosis and angiogenesis in a cell-specific manner (Carcinogenesis, 27, 5:916-924, 2006). trans-10, cis-12-conjugated linoleic acid induced expression of a pro-apoptotic gene, inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in human colorectal cancer cells (Carcinogenesis, 27, 5:972-81, 2006). A study from Pennsylvania State University (University Park) provides new longitudinal evidence that intake of calcium, especially from dairy foods, can have a favorable effect on girls' total body bone mineral content during middle childhood (J Nutr, 136, 5:1,281-86, 2006). Omega-3 PUFAs modulate antioxidant status in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes and their macrosomic offspring (Int J Obes, 30:73950, 2006). Stanol esters reduce body weight gain through decreased energy absorption in hamsters (Int J Obes, 30:751-57, 2006). At pharmacologic concentrations, zinc affects cytokine expression and induces apoptosis of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (Nutrition, 22, 5:465-74, 2006). A combination of valerian and lemon balm was effective in the treatment of restlessness and dyssomnia in children (Phytomedicine, Feb. 17, 2006 [ePub before print]). A Japanese study found no association between intakes of calcium and dairy products and body mass index in a cohort of women aged 18 to 20 years (Nutrition, 22, 5:490-95, 2006). Prebiotic oligosaccharides enhance intestinal calcium absorption and enhance bone mineralization during pubertal growth in adolescents nine to 13 years of age (Nutr Rev, 64, 4:189-96, 2006). Researchers found no excess risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) or acute myocardial infarction within the highest tertile of non-transferrin-bound iron status, compared with the lowest tertile, but rather seem to demonstrate a decreased risk (Circulation, 113:1942-49, 2006). A study in cystic fibrosis patients showed omega-3 PUFAs are incorporated into neutrophil membranes, causing neutrophils to produce fewer pro-inflammatory mediators from the acid arachidonic pathway (Clin Nutr, May 3, 2006 [ePub before print]). In pregnant rats fed a low-protein diet, folate supplementation improved maternal vascular function and restored offspring cardiovascular function (Hypertension, 47:982, 2006). Ingestion of a liquid carbohydrate and essential amino acid supplement during a short-term bout of resistance exercise suppressed myofibrillar protein degradation in muscle (Metabolism, 55, 5:570-77, 2006). Soy powder inhibited atherothrombosis mainly by inhibiting the atherosclerotic process (Nutrition, March 29, 2006 [ePub before print]). Folic acid and vitamin B12 are capable of reducing arsenic-induced cellular oxidative and inflammatory toxic changes, possibly indicating them as nutritional strategy against arsenic-induced toxicity (J Nutr Biochem, 17, 5:319-327, 2006). Treatment with omega-3 PUFAs improves recovery, whereas administration of omega-6 PUFAs worsens outcome, after spinal cord injury in the rat, with omega-3s producing neuroprotective effects and omega-6s producing damage (J Neurosci, 26, 17:4672-80, 2006). Certain ginsenosides in Panax ginseng may have a major radioprotective effect in mice irradiated with high and low doses of radiation (Phytotherapy Res, 20, 5:392-95, 2006). Older adults who supplement with creatine during a strength training program may enhance their strength and lean mass gains, according to a new study (J Sports Sci Med, 5, 1:60-9, 2006). Consumption of dietary fiber may protect against disease-causing inflammation (Am J Clin Nutr, 83, 4:760-6, 2006). Vitamin D may lower inflammation in congestive heart failure (CHF) by suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines while encouraging anti-inflammatory cytokines, according to new research from the University of Bonn and the German Medical Association (Am J Clin Nutr, 83, 4:754-59, 2006). Providing diabetic rats with oil or grain from amaranth, an ancient grain, helped control the lipid profiles in the animals (Ann Nutr Metab, 50, 3:277-81, 2006). Consuming caffeine via green tea or coffee appears to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in Japanese adults (Ann Intern Med, 144, 8:554-62, 2006). Vitamin B6 combined with the tetracyclic antidepressant drug mianserin can provide some relief of symptoms associated with neuroleptic-induced akathisia, a state of agitation, stress or restlessness (Clin Neuropharmacol, 29, 2:68-72, 2006). Intake of red wine protects the brain and kidneys from oxidative stress caused by a high-cholesterol diet (Clin Nutr, 25, 1:146-53, 2006). Omega-3 PUFAs lower resting heart rate (HR) and improve HR recovery in patients with a history of myocardial infarction (Am J Cardiol, 97, 8:1127-30, 2006). High consumption of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) inhibited bone loss in an animal model of postmenopausal osteoporosis (J Nutr Biochem, 17, 4:282-89, 2006). An oil extract of garlic may have the ability to preserve bone mineral loss induced by ovarian hormone deficiency (Phytotherapy Res, 20, 5:408-15, 2006). A multicenter trial coordinated out of the University of Adelaide found supplementation with vitamin E and vitamin C did not reduce the risk of preeclampsia and perinatal complications (NEJM, 354, 17:1796-1806, 2006). A single dose of resveratrol could produce neuroprotective effects on cerebral ischemia-induced neuron damage through free radical scavenging and cerebral blood elevation due to nitric oxide (NO) release (J Agric Food Chem, 54, 8:3126-31, 2006). Supplementation of calcium-deficient pregnant women with calcium may attenuate preeclampsia and lowers incidence of preterm delivery, maternal morbidity and neonatal mortality, according to a study from the World Health Organization (Am J Obstet Gynecol, 194, 3:639-49, 2006).