Increased Trimethylamine N-Oxide Is Not Associated with Oxidative Stress Markers in Healthy Aged Women.

Increased plasma trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) levels have been associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD). L-carnitine induces TMAO elevation in human blood, and thus, it has been suggested as developing atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to determine the relation between selected markers of oxidative stress and plasma TMAO concentration induced by L-carnitine supplementation for 24 weeks in healthy aged women.

L-Carnitine Supplementation Increases Trimethylamine-N-Oxide but not Markers of Atherosclerosis in Healthy Aged Women.

Background: L-carnitine can be metabolized to trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a molecule that promotes atherogenesis through its interaction with macrophages and lipid metabolism.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess whether L-carnitine supplementation may promote changes in selected serum biomarkers of atherosclerosis.

Methods: Before the start, in the mid-point and after completing the 24-weeks supplementation protocol, fasting blood samples were taken from the antecubital vein.

l-Carnitine Supplementation in Older Women. A Pilot Study on Aging Skeletal Muscle Mass and Function.

Skeletal muscle wasting, associated with aging, may be regulated by the inflammatory cytokines as well as by insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). l-carnitine possesses anti-inflammatory properties and increases plasma IGF-1 concentration, leading to the regulation of the genes responsible for protein catabolism and anabolism. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a 24-week l-carnitine supplementation on serum inflammatory markers, IGF-1, body composition and skeletal muscle strength in healthy human subjects over 65 years of age.

Medium-chain triglycerides/long-chain triglycerides versus long-chain triglycerides in treatment of cancer patients with major body mass loss. Survival in patients with refractory cachexia.

Introduction: Currently there are no established guidelines regarding the use of long-chain triglycerides (LCT) vs. medium-chain triglycerides medium-chain triglycerides (MCT)/long-chain triglycerides (LCT) in total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Severe malnutrition of patients with refractory cachexia (RC) often causes their disqualification from invasive methods of treatment thus decreasing their quality of life and survival time.

Obesity and diet awareness among Polish children and adolescents in small towns and villages.

Background: In addition to genetic predispositions and environmental factors, healthy lifestyle education is very important for children and adolescents. The purpose of this research was to estimate the number of overweight and obese children and adolescents from small towns and villages and to find out an association between health awareness in children and the risk of becoming overweight or obese.

Methods: The research was conducted in 1,515 healthy children aged 6-18 years from small towns and villages in Poland.

Evaluation of 12-lipoxygenase (12-LOX) and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) as prognostic markers in prostate cancer.

In carcinoma of prostate, a causative role of platelet 12-lipoxygenase (12-LOX) and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) for tumor progression has been firmly established in tumor and/or adjacent tissue. Our goal was to investigate if 12-LOX and/or PAI-1 in patient's plasma could be used to predict outcome of the disease. The study comprised 149 patients (age 70±9) divided into two groups: a study group with carcinoma confirmed by positive biopsy of prostate (n=116) and a reference group (n=33) with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Effect of aliskiren on proteinuria in non-diabetic chronic kidney disease: a double-blind, crossover, randomised, controlled trial.

Aim: To evaluate the proteinuria-lowering effect of a renin inhibitor (aliskiren), compared to placebo and to an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (perindopril), in patients with non-diabetic chronic kidney disease.

Methods: A randomised, double-blind, crossover trial was performed in 14 patients with nondiabetic chronic kidney disease with 24-h mean proteinuria of 2.01 g (95% CI, 1.

The concentration of 12-lipoxygenase in platelet rich plasma as an indication of cancer of the prostate.

Aim Of The Study: The aim of this study was to determine whether measuring concentrations of 12-LOX in platelet-rich plasma patients can:Differentiate between the group of patients with prostate cancer and healthy men.Correlate the degree of severity of the disease and the concentration of the enzyme.

Material And Methods: The study group comprised 88 men (40-88 years), including 54 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Association between intestinal and antioxidant barriers in children with cancer.

Objective: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a role in cancerogenesis processing and damage tissues. Furthermore, oncological treatment may impair proper function of the gut barrier. The aim of this study was to measure intestinal permeability in children in clinical remission for solid tumours and to search for a possible relationship between free radicals and the intestinal barrier.

L-carnitine and cancer cachexia. II. Effects of lipid emulsion used in total parenteral nutrition on parameters of hemostasis and inflammatory state in L-carnitine deficiency in myocytes.

Cancer cachexia (CC), a progressive loss of body mass, leads to malnutrition and deficiencies of essential substances including polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and L-carnitine (LC). The availability of these 2 compounds determines the rate of eicosanoid synthesis, which modulates inflammatory processes and hemostasis. We compared the effects of administration of emulsions containing long chain triglycerides (LCTs) relative to a 50:50 mix of medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) with LCTs on hemostasis and inflammatory reactions in patients with CC.

L-carnitine and cancer cachexia. I. L-carnitine distribution and metabolic disorders in cancer cachexia.

Cancer cachexia (CC), a progressive loss of body mass, is associated with decreased energy production. Abnormally low levels of L-carnitine (LC) in skeletal muscle means that mitochondrial β-oxidation of long-chain fatty acids (LCFA) does not occur efficiently in patients with CC. We assessed the influence of CC on LC distribution and the effects of parenteral lipid emulsions on plasma LC levels and urinary excretion.

Parameters of antioxidant barrier in different histopathologic types of pediatric cancers.

Aim Of The Study: The goal of this study was to evaluate the activities of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and the levels of glutathione (GSH) and ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), as potential markers in different histopathologic types of pediatric neoplasms. No studies on this subject have been reported to date.

Material And Methods: SOD, GSH-Px, GSH, and IMA were measured before oncologic treatment in 129 children with neuroblastoma (NB), soft tissue sarcomas (STS), brain tumors, Hodgkin's disease (HD), and acute leukemias, and in 30 healthy controls.

Influence of megestrol acetate on nutrition, inflammation and quality of life in dialysis patients.

Aim: Malnutrition is a common clinical problem in dialysis patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of megestrol acetate in malnourished dialysis patients. Thirty-two hypoalbuminemic dialysis patients took 160 mg of megestrol acetate daily for up to 6 months.

Diverse inhibition of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 by theaflavins of black tea.

Fruits, vegetables, spices and a variety of teas are suggested for the prevention of many diseases. They encompass active, non-nutritional ingredients called nutraceuticals which are defined as food products that provide health benefits. Many nutraceuticals have been tested to identify inhibitors of plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1).

The antioxidant status and response to therapy in children with soft tissue sarcomas and neuroblastoma.

Background: Antioxidant systems in cells maintain the proper homeostasis of reactive oxygen species, which at high concentrations can induce carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum levels of ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) as markers for prognosis in children with neuroblastoma (NB) and soft tissue sarcomas (STS), two cancer types for which reliable prognostic factors are needed.

Procedure: SOD, GSH-Px, and IMA were measured before and during responses to therapy assessment in 99 children with NB and STS and in 30 healthy controls.

Atorvastatin improves tubular status in non-diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease - placebo controlled, randomized, cross-over study.

Background: There is evidence that dyslipidemia is associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and it has been implicated in the progression of renal damage. Optimal management of dyslipidemia should therefore lead to renal benefits. A number of experimental models demonstrate a beneficial effect of statins in ameliorating renal damage.

Effects of renal-specific oral supplementation in malnourished hemodialysis patients.

Background: Protein-energy malnutrition is still a problem in patients with chronic renal failure, especially during replacement renal therapy. The chronic inflammatory status in these patients intensifies the malnutrition, as well as making treatment more complicated. The aim of the present study was to estimate the influence of oral supplementation on the nutritional status of malnourished hemodialysis (HD) patients depending on the existence of an inflammatory state.

Platelet 12-lipoxygenase and stem cells in Barrett's esophagus.

Esophageal adenocarcinoma has shown a significant increase in incidence in recent years. It is thought that the development of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), followed by columnar-lined esophagus and the development of dysplasia, leads to invasive adenocarcinoma. The exact pathogenesis of this process, the diagnosis and differentiation of the metaplastic and dysplastic esophageal lesions have yet to be determined.

Adipokines, endothelial dysfunction and nutritional status in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Objective: Adipokines such as leptin and adiponectin are adipocyte-specific secretory proteins that play important roles in the metabolic regulation of body weight, insulin resistance and cardiovascular complications. The relationship between the malnutrition-inflammation complex syndrome and high levels of some adipokines in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients is still unclear. An association between high body mass index (BMI) and improved survival in PD patients has also been proposed.

The effect of N-acetylcysteine on blood pressure and markers of cardiovascular risk in non-diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease: a placebo-controlled, randomized, cross-over study.

Background: Cardiovascular complications in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are frequent. They show increased cardiovascular mortality and morbidity attributable to accumulation of several risk factors; e.g.

Adipose tissue activity in relation to overweight or obesity.

Introduction: Obesity is associated with a number of diseases resulting from the excessive amount of adipose tissue. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between the quantity of adipose tissue and the prevalence of metabolic disturbances, and the concentration of adipokines and proinflammatory cytokines in obese or overweight patients.

Material And Methods: Fifty-five middle-aged subjects with body mass index (BMI) > 25 kg/m(2) took part in this study.

Effect of pentoxifylline on proteinuria, markers of tubular injury and oxidative stress in non-diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease - placebo controlled, randomized, cross-over study.

Background: Inhibition of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and/or angiotensin II subtype 1 receptor antagonists (ARB) is a common strategy used in the management of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, there is no universal therapy that can stop progression of CKD. Pentoxifylline (PTE) is a non-specific phosphodiesterase inhibitor with anti-inflammatory properties.

The serum profile of adipokines in overweight patients with metabolic syndrome.

Introduction: Obesity is a disease that brings several complications and increases the risk of other diseases like metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus type 2, or coronary heart disease. Disturbances in secretion of adipokines caused by obesity have an influence on the development of metabolic complications. The aim of this study was an investigation of adipokines profile in overweight or obese people with metabolic syndrome in comparison to overweight/obese patients without metabolic syndrome.

Influence of megestrol acetate on nutrition and inflammation in dialysis patients - preliminary results.

Malnutrition is a common clinical problem in dialysis patients. So far the management of malnutrition in this population has not been fully successful. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of use of megestrol acetate suspension in malnourished dialysis patients.