Effect of supplemental L-arginine on the function of T lymphocytes and the formation of advanced glycosylated end products in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

Objective: We investigated the effect of supplemental L-arginine on lymphocyte function in diabetes and its association with suppressed formation of advanced glycosylated end products (AGEs).

Methods: For the in vivo study, rats with streptozotocin-induced (65 mg/kg of body weight, intravenously) diabetes were treated with or without 2% L-arginine or glycine (as a positive control) in drinking water for 8 wk. We then measured serum fructosamine concentrations and concanavalin A-induced proliferative ability of lymphocytes from these animals.

Simultaneous measurements of serum insulin-like growth factor-I and leptin reflect the postoperative nutrition status of oral tumor patients.

Objective: Recent evidence has shown that circulating levels of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and leptin are regulated by nutrition support. Our objective was to investigate the reliability of IGF-I and leptin in monitoring the efficacy of nutrition support and nutrition status in oral tumor patients.

Methods: Fifty-one male patients scheduled to receive resection operation for oral tumor were recruited.