The Mini Nutritional Assessment combined with body fat for detecting the risk of sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity in metabolic syndrome.

Malnutrition is a key factor in metabolic syndrome (MS) and sarcopenia, assessing the nutritional status of these patients is a pressing issue. The purpose of this study was to clarify sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity in patients with MS based on nutritional status. This was a case-control study between MS/non-MS. Body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Muscle function was assessed by handgrip strength, five times sit-to-stand test, gait speed test and short physical performance battery (SPPB). The Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) was performed to assess the nutritional status in the participants in this study. Overall, a total of 56 % and 13 % of participants suffered from possible sarcopenia and sarcopenia, respectively. There was a higher rate of possible sarcopenic obesity in the MS group than in the non-MS group (48·9 % v. 24·7 %, P < 0·01), and all the sarcopenia participants in the MS group had sarcopenic obesity. MNA score was significantly associated with sarcopenia status (P < 0·01). The MNA combined with body fat score showed better acceptable discrimination for detecting sarcopenic obesity and sarcopenia in MS (AUC = 0·70, 95 % CI 0·53, 0·86). In summary, there was a higher prevalence of possible sarcopenic obesity in MS, and all the MS patients with sarcopenia had sarcopenic obesity in the present study. We suggest that the MNA should be combined with body fat percentage to assess the nutritional status of MS participants, and it also serves as a good indicator for sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity in MS.

Using a neonatal rat model to explore the therapeutic potential of coenzyme Q10 in prematurity under hyperoxia.

Hyperoxia, is often used in preterm supportive care, leading to high oxygen exposure in neonates. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a free radical scavenger that has been studied in older children but never be investigated for its role in preterm care. We hypothesize that the administration of exogenous CoQ10 would raise serum concentrations of CoQ10 and mitigate the adverse effects of hyperoxia on the organs by reducing oxygen-free radicals and inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and survival in neonatal rats after CoQ10 treatment. Neonatal rats delivered from four pregnant Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: (a) control, (b) CoQ10, (c) hyperoxia (O2 group), and (d) treatment (CoQ10 + O2 ) groups. The dose of CoQ10 injected was 30 mg/kg. The CoQ9, CoQ10, cytokines, oxidative stress, and antioxidant enzyme activity were measured. Tissue samples were histologically examined and mortality was monitored for 16 days. The level of CoQ9 significantly increased in the liver, kidney, and plasma, while the level of CoQ10 significantly increased in most organ tissues in the CoQ10 + O2 group. Additionally, CoQ10 decrease oxidative stress in the liver, increase antioxidant enzyme activity in the heart, kidney, and brain, and reverse an inclined level of hematopoietic growth factors. However, CoQ10 had no effect on inflammation, organ damage, or mortality. Therefore, the use of CoQ10 in potential adjuvant therapy for neonatal hyperoxia requires further research.

The risks of ubiquinone and ß-carotene deficiency and metabolic disorders in patients with oral cancer.

BACKGROUND: Cancer development is mediated by oxidative stress and inflammation, which may correlate with metabolic disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate antioxidant vitamins status and metabolic parameters in patients with oral cancer according to tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stages. METHODS: A total of 194 patients with oral cancer were enrolled in this study. The patients were stratified for four groups according to cancer stages and that the statistics are comparisons across these groups. The levels of antioxidant vitamins (ubiquinone, ß-carotene, vitamin A and E), metabolic parameters, oxidative stress, antioxidant enzymes activity, and inflammatory markers were measured. RESULTS: More than half of the subjects had high blood pressure, central obesity, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia regardless of TNM stage. With regard to antioxidant vitamins status, 46 and 94% of patients had ß-carotene and ubiquinone deficiency, respectively. Patients in T3 and T4 stages had significantly lower antioxidant enzyme (catalase, p = 0.03) activity and higher inflammatory markers levels (high sensitivity C-reactive protein and interleukin-6, p < 0.01) than patients in the other stages. In addition, the level of ß-carotene was negatively associated with waist circumference, and ubiquinone was positively associated with the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.05). Higher ß-carotene and ubiquinone levels were negatively associated with hypertriglyceridemia and the risk of metabolic syndrome (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A high proportion of patients with oral cancer had ubiquinone or ß-carotene deficiency and metabolic disorders. The level of ubiquinone or ß-carotene was negatively associated with the risk of central obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, and metabolic syndrome. Since patients with oral cancer suffer from high oxidative stress and inflammation (particularly in the T3 and T4 stages), supplementation with antioxidant vitamins such as ubiquinone or ß-carotene could be preferentially applied.

Effect of liquid ubiquinol supplementation on glucose, lipids and antioxidant capacity in type 2 diabetes patients: a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial.

Ubiquinone is a lipid antioxidant, and a novel liquid ubiquinol (a hydro-soluble, reduced form of coenzyme Q10) supplement was recently developed. The purpose of this study was to examine the levels of glucose, lipids and antioxidant capacity of type 2 diabetes patients after liquid ubiquinol supplementation. This study was designed as a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. In all, fifty participants were randomly assigned to a placebo (n 25) or liquid ubiquinol (100 mg/d, n 25) group, and the intervention lasted for 12 weeks. Plasma coenzyme Q10, glucose homoeostasis parameters, lipid profiles, oxidative stress and antioxidative enzyme activities were measured during the study. After 12 weeks of supplementation, glyco Hb (HbA1c) value was significantly decreased in the liquid ubiquinol group (P=0·03), and subjects in the liquid ubiquinol group had significantly lower anti-glycaemic medication effect scores (MES) compared with those in the placebo group (P=0·03). The catalase (P<0·01) and glutathione peroxidase (P=0·03) activities were increased significantly after supplementation. Plasma coenzyme Q10 was correlated with the insulin level (P=0·05), homoeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (P=0·07), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (P=0·03) and the anti-hyperglycaemic agents' MES (P=0·03) after supplementation. Lipid profiles did not change after supplementation; however, the subjects in the placebo group had a significantly lower level of HDL-cholesterol after 12 weeks of intervention. In conclusion, oral intake of 100 mg/d liquid ubiquinol might benefit type 2 diabetes patients by increasing antioxidant enzyme activity levels, reducing HbA1c levels and maintaining HDL-cholesterol levels.

Effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on antioxidant capacity and inflammation in hepatocellular carcinoma patients after surgery: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that higher levels of oxidative stress and inflammation play a key role in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after surgery. Coenzyme Q10 is an endogenous lipid-soluble antioxidant. To date, no intervention study has investigated coenzyme Q10 supplementation in HCC patients after surgery. The purpose of this study was to investigate oxidative stress, antioxidant enzymes activity, and inflammation levels in HCC patients after surgery following administration of coenzyme Q10 (300 mg/day). METHODS: This study was designed as a single-blinded, randomized, parallel, placebo-controlled study. Patients who were diagnosed with primary HCC (n = 41) and were randomly assign to a placebo (n = 20) or coenzyme Q10 (300 mg/day, n = 21) group after surgery. The intervention lasted for 12 weeks. Plasma coenzyme Q10, vitamin E, oxidative stress antioxidant enzymes activity and inflammatory markers levels were measured. RESULTS: The oxidative stress (p = 0.04) and inflammatory markers (hs-CRP and IL-6, p < 0.01) levels were significantly decreased, and the antioxidant enzymes activity was significantly increased (p < 0.01) after 12 weeks of coenzyme Q10 supplementation. In addition, the coenzyme Q10 level was significantly negatively correlated with the oxidative stress (p = 0.01), and positively correlated with antioxidant enzymes activity (SOD, p = 0.01; CAT, p < 0.05; GPx, p = 0.04) and vitamin E level (p = 0.01) after supplementation. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, we demonstrated that a dose of 300 mg/d of coenzyme Q10 supplementation significantly increased the antioxidant capacity and reduced the oxidative stress and inflammation levels in HCC patients after surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials.gov Identifier: NCT01964001.

Effects of L-carnitine supplementation on lipid profiles in patients with coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: L-carnitine (LC) plays an important physiologic role in lipid metabolism. To date, no clinical study has been performed to examine the effect of LC supplementation on the lipid status of coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the lipid lowering effects of LC supplementation (1000 mg/d) in CAD patients. METHODS: CAD patients were identified by cardiac catheterization as having at least 50 % stenosis of one major coronary artery. Forty-seven subjects were recruited and randomly assigned to the placebo (n = 24) and to the LC (n = 23) groups. The intervention was administered for 12 weeks. The levels of LC, lipid profiles, and antioxidant enzyme activity (superoxide dismutase, SOD) were measured. RESULTS: The subjects in the LC group had significantly higher SOD activity (20.7 ± 4.2 versus 13.1 ± 2.9 U/mg of protein, P < 0.01), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (1.34 ± 0.42 vs. 1.16 ± 0.24 mmol/L, HDL-C, P = 0.03), and apolipoprotein-A1 (Apo-A1, 1.24 ± 0.18 vs. 1.12 ± 0.13 g/L, P = 0.02) than those in the placebo group at week 12. Triglyceride (TG) level was slightly significantly reduced (1.40 ± 0.74 vs. 1.35 ± 0.62 mmol/L, P = 0.06) and the level of LC was negatively correlated with TG and apolipoprotein-B (Apo-B), and positively correlated with HDL-C and Apo-A1 after LC supplementation. Additionally, SOD activity was significantly negatively correlated with lipid profiles (total cholesterol, TG, and Apo-B) after supplementation. CONCLUSION: LC supplementation at a dose of 1000 mg/d showed significantly increased in HDL-C and Apo-A1 levels and a slight decrease in TG levels but no other changes in other lipids in CAD patients, and this lipid-lowering effect may be related to its antioxidant ability. Further studies should be conducted to define an optimal dose of LC for lipid-lowering in patients with CAD. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials.gov Identifier: NCT01819701.

Anti-inflammatory effect of water extracts of Graptopetalum paraguayense supplementation in subjects with metabolic syndrome: a preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: Many studies have demonstrated that Graptopetalum paraguayense has good antioxidant ability; however, few studies have examined its anti-inflammatory effect. The study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of water extracts of G. paraguayense (WGP, 4 g day(-1)) in subjects with metabolic syndrome (MS). Intervention was administered for 12 weeks. Levels of inflammatory markers [high sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6)] and antioxidant enzymes activities were measured. RESULTS: Forty-two subjects completed the 12 week intervention study (placebo, n = 19; WGP, n = 23). After 12 weeks supplementation, subjects in WGP group had significantly lower levels of inflammatory markers than the baseline (P < 0.05) and the placebo group (CRP, P = 0.07; TNF-α, P = 0.04; IL-6, P = 0.03). The changes in levels of the inflammatory markers were significantly decreased in WGP group (CRP, P = 0.04; TNF-α, P = 0.06; IL-6, P = 0.01) compared to the placebo group. Levels of inflammatory markers were significantly negatively correlated with the antioxidant enzymes activities after supplementation. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated a significant reduction in inflammatory status in MS after WGP supplementation. WGP may exert an anti-inflammatory effect on MS in addition to its antioxidant ability.

Effects of L-carnitine supplementation on oxidative stress and antioxidant enzymes activities in patients with coronary artery disease: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Higher oxidative stress may contribute to the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of L-carnitine (LC, 1000 mg/d) on the markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant enzymes activities in CAD patients. METHODS: We enrolled 47 CAD patients in the study. The CAD patients were identified by cardiac catheterization as having at least 50% stenosis of one major coronary artery. The subjects were randomly assigned to the placebo (n = 24) and LC (n = 23) groups. The intervention was administered for 12 weeks. The levels of serum LC, plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), and erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes activities [catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx)] were measured before and after intervention. RESULTS: Thirty-nine subjects completed the study (placebo, n = 19; LC, n = 20). After 12 weeks of LC supplementation, the level of MDA was significantly reduced (2.0 ± 0.3 to 1.8 ± 0.3 µmol/L, P = 0.02) and the level of LC (33.6 ± 13.6 to 40.0 ± 12.0 µmol/L, P = 0.04) and antioxidant enzymes activities [CAT (12.7 ± 5.5 to 13.1 ± 5.8 U/mg of protein, P = 0.02), SOD (14.8 ± 2.9 to 20.7 ± 5.8 U/mg of protein, P < 0.01), and GPx (20.3 ± 3.4 to 23.0 ± 3.1 U/mg of protein, P = 0.01)] were significantly increased. The level of LC was significantly positively correlated with the antioxidant enzymes activities (CAT, ß = 0.87, P = 0.02; SOD, ß = 0.72, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: LC supplementation at a dose of 1000 mg/d was associated with a significant reduction in oxidative stress and an increase in antioxidant enzymes activities in CAD patients. CAD patients might benefit from using LC supplements to increase their anti-oxidation capacity. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials.gov Identifier: NCT01819701.

Effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation (300 mg/day) on antioxidation and anti-inflammation in coronary artery disease patients during statins therapy: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: High oxidative stress and chronic inflammation can contribute to the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD). Coenzyme Q10 is an endogenous lipid-soluble antioxidant. Statins therapy can reduce the biosynthesis of coenzyme Q10. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a coenzyme Q10 supplement (300 mg/d; 150 mg/b.i.d) on antioxidation and anti-inflammation in patients who have CAD during statins therapy. METHODS: Patients who were identified by cardiac catheterization as having at least 50% stenosis of one major coronary artery and who were treated with statins for at least one month were enrolled in this study. The subjects (n = 51) were randomly assigned to the placebo (n = 24) and coenzyme Q10 groups (Q10-300 group, n = 27). The intervention was administered for 12 weeks. The concentrations of coenzyme Q10, vitamin E, antioxidant enzymes activities (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase), and inflammatory markers [C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6)] were measured in the 42 subjects (placebo, n = 19; Q10-300, n = 23) who completed the study. RESULTS: The levels of the plasma coenzyme Q10 (P < 0.001) and antioxidant enzymes activities (P < 0.05) were significantly higher after coenzyme Q10 supplementation. The levels of inflammatory markers (TNF-α, P = 0.039) were significantly lower after coenzyme Q10 supplementation. The subjects in the Q10-300 group had significantly higher vitamin E (P = 0.043) and the antioxidant enzymes activities (P < 0.05) than the placebo group at week 12. The level of plasma coenzyme Q10 was significantly positively correlated with vitamin E (P = 0.008) and antioxidant enzymes activities (P < 0.05) and was negatively correlated with TNF-α (P = 0.034) and IL-6 (P = 0.027) after coenzyme Q10 supplementation. CONCLUSION: Coenzyme Q10 supplementation at 300 mg/d significantly enhances antioxidant enzymes activities and lowers inflammation in patients who have CAD during statins therapy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01424761.

The antioxidant status and concentrations of coenzyme Q10 and vitamin E in metabolic syndrome.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the levels of coenzyme Q10 and vitamin E and the antioxidant status in subjects with metabolic syndrome (MS). Subjects with MS (n = 72) were included according to the criteria for MS. The non-MS group (n = 105) was comprised of healthy individuals with normal blood biochemical values. The plasma coenzyme Q10, vitamin E concentrations, lipid profiles, and antioxidant enzymes levels (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase) were measured. The subjects with MS had significantly higher concentrations of plasma coenzyme Q10 and vitamin E than those in the non-MS group, but these differences were not significant after being normalized for triglyceride level. The levels of antioxidant enzymes were significantly lower in the MS group than in the non-MS group. The subjects with the higher antioxidant enzymes activities had significant reductions in the risk of MS (P < 0.01) after being adjusted for coenzyme Q10 and vitamin E. In conclusion, the subjects with MS might be under higher oxidative stress resulting in low levels of antioxidant enzyme activities. A higher level of antioxidant enzymes activities was significantly associated with a reduction in the risk of MS independent of the levels of coenzyme Q10 and vitamin E.

Plasma pyridoxal 5'-phosphate is not associated with inflammatory and immune responses after adjusting for serum albumin in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a preliminary study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Plasma pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) has been shown to be associated with inflammatory and immune responses.Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune and chronic systemic inflammatory disease and patients with RA have lower plasma PLP levels. We studied the relationship between plasma PLP and inflammatory or immune responses in patients with RA. METHODS: This study was designed as an observational cross-sectional study. Forty-three patients with RA were allocated to the adequate (PLP ≥20 nmol/l) (n = 30) or deficient vitamin B(6) (PLP <20 nmol/l) (n = 13) group according to their fasting plasma PLP concentration on the day blood was taken. Plasma PLP, inflammatory parameters [i.e. high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α] and immune parameters (i.e. white blood cells, total lymphocytes, neutrophils, T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, T helper cells and T suppressor cells) were measured. RESULTS: Patients with deficient plasma PLP concentration were mostly considered to have a systemic inflammatory status (hs-CRP >3 mg/l) and apparently had significantly higher mean hs-CRP levels and immune parameters than patients with adequate plasma PLP concentration. There was no significant association between plasma PLP levels and inflammatory parameters. The significantly inverse correlation of plasma PLP with the numbers of white blood cells, neutrophils, total lymphocytes, T lymphocytes and T helper cells remained after adjusting for serum hemoglobin concentration, but the significant correlation disappeared after serum albumin concentration was also considered. CONCLUSIONS: RA patients with deficient plasma PLP concentration had more severe inflammatory and immune responses than patients with adequate plasma PLP concentration. However, there was a lack of association of low plasma PLP concentration with inflammatory and immune parameters after serum albumin concentration was considered in patients with RA.

The relationship between coenzyme Q10, oxidative stress, and antioxidant enzymes activities and coronary artery disease.

A higher oxidative stress may contribute to the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD). The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between coenzyme Q10 concentration and lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzymes activities and the risk of CAD. Patients who were identified by cardiac catheterization as having at least 50% stenosis of one major coronary artery were assigned to the case group (n = 51). The control group (n = 102) comprised healthy individuals with normal blood biochemical values. The plasma coenzyme Q10, malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant enzymes activities (catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx)) were measured. Subjects with CAD had significant lower plasma coenzyme Q10, CAT and GPx activities and higher MDA and SOD levels compared to those of the control group. The plasma coenzyme Q10 was positively correlated with CAT and GPx activities and negatively correlated with MDA and SOD. However, the correlations were not significant after adjusting for the potential confounders of CAD with the exception of SOD. A higher level of plasma coenzyme Q10 (≥ 0.52 µmol/L) was significantly associated with reducing the risk of CAD. Our results support the potential cardioprotective impact of coenzyme Q10.

Identification of Coenzyme Q10 and Skeletal Muscle Protein Biomarkers as Potential Factors to Assist in the Diagnosis of Sarcopenia.

The aim of this study was to explore the use of coenzyme Q10 and skeletal muscle protein biomarkers in the diagnosis of sarcopenia. Subjects with or without sarcopenia were recruited. The anthropometric, muscle strength and endurance measurements were assessed. Muscle proteins (albumin and creatine kinase), myokines (irisin and myostatin), and the coenzyme Q10 level were measured. Approximately half of the subjects suffered from a low coenzyme Q10 concentration (<0.5 µM). The levels of creatinine kinase and irisin were significantly lower in subjects with sarcopenia (p ≤ 0.05). In receiver operating characteristic analyses, irisin and creatine kinase showed a better prediction capability for sarcopenia (area under the curve, irisin: 0.64 vs. creatinine kinase: 0.61) than other biomarkers. Additionally, a low level of irisin (<118.0 ng/mL, odds ratio, 6.46, p < 0.01), creatine kinase (<69.5 U/L, odds ratio, 3.31, p = 0.04), or coenzyme Q10 (<0.67 µM, odds ratio, 9.79, p < 0.01) may increase the risk for sarcopenia even after adjusting for confounders. Since the levels of coenzyme Q10 and muscle biomarkers, such as irisin and creatine kinase, are associated with sarcopenia, we suggest they could be used as candidate markers to assist in the diagnosis of sarcopenia.

Sarcopenic Obesity Tendency and Nutritional Status Is Related to the Risk of Sarcopenia, Frailty, Depression and Quality of Life in Patients with Dementia.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the nutritional status of dementia patients and examine the correlation with sarcopenia, frailty, depression, and quality of life. We enrolled patients aged 60 years and over with Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores ≤ 26 (Taiwan), and dementia diagnosed by a neurologist or psychiatrist. Nutritional status was assessed with the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Muscle mass was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Muscle strength and endurance were evaluated by handgrip, leg-back strength, dumbbell curls, sit to stand test, and gait speed. Quality of life, frailty, and depression status were measured by questionnaires. Patients with moderate dementia (MMSE ≤ 20) had a significantly lower MNA score, muscle function, and quality of life than patients with mild dementia (p < 0.01). A lower MNA score was significantly associated with the risk of frailty (odds ratio: 4.76, p < 0.01), depression (odds ratio: 3.17, p = 0.03), and poor quality of life (odds ratio: 2.73, p < 0.05), and sarcopenia (odds ratio: 3.97, p = 0.03) after adjusting for potential confounders. In conclusion, patients with dementia were at risk of malnutrition, and nutritional status was associated to the risk of sarcopenia, frailty, depression, and quality of life.

Investigation of coenzyme Q10 status, serum amyloid-ß, and tau protein in patients with dementia.

Objectives: Dementia is an oxidative stress-related disease. Coenzyme Q10 is a nutrient that occurs naturally in the human body and acts as an antioxidant. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships of coenzyme Q10 status, biomarkers for dementia (amyloid ß and tau protein), and antioxidant capacity in patients with dementia. Methods: Eighty dementia patients aged ≥60 years and with a mini mental state examination (MMSE) score ≤ 26 were enrolled. The levels of coenzyme Q10, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), amyloid ß, and tau protein were measured. Results: A total of 73% of patients had a low coenzyme Q10 status. Patients with low coenzyme Q10 status had a significantly higher level of serum amyloid ß-42 and amyloid ß-42/40 ratio (p < 0.05). Coenzyme Q10 status was significantly correlated with the values of TAC, MMSE score, amyloid ß-42, and amyloid ß-42/40 ratio (p < 0.05) but not with tau protein. Additionally, a high proportion of moderate dementia patients were found to have low coenzyme Q10 status (p = 0.07). Conclusion: Patients with dementia suffered from coenzyme Q10 deficiency, and the degree of deficiency was related to the level of amyloid-ß and antioxidant capacity. Since adequate level of coenzyme Q10 may delay the progression of dementia, monitoring coenzyme Q10 status in patients with dementia is necessary.

ß-Carotene Status Is Associated with Inflammation and Two Components of Metabolic Syndrome in Patients with and without Osteoarthritis.

This study was conducted to investigate the ß-carotene status in osteoarthritis (OA) patients and examine its relationships with the risk of inflammation and metabolic syndrome. OA patients were stratified by obesity based on body fat percentage (obese OA, n = 44; non-obese OA, n = 56), and sixty-nine subjects without OA or obesity were assigned as a non-obese control group. ß-carotene, metabolic parameters, and inflammation status were assessed. Obese OA patients exhibited a significantly higher rate of metabolic syndrome (p = 0.02), abdominal obesity (p < 0.01), and lower ß-carotene status (p < 0.01) compared with non-obese OA and non-obese controls. After adjusting for potential confounders, ß-carotene status (≥0.8 µM) was significantly inversely correlated with the risk of metabolic syndrome (odds ratio = 0.27, p < 0.01), abdominal obesity (odds ratio = 0.33, p < 0.01), high blood pressure (odds ratio = 0.35, p < 0.01), hyperglycemia (odds ratio = 0.45, p < 0.05), and inflammation (odds ratio = 0.30, p = 0.01). Additionally, subjects who had a high ß-carotene status with a low proportion of metabolic syndrome when they had a low-grade inflammatory status (p < 0.01). Obese OA patients suffered from a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome and lower ß-carotene status compared to the non-obese controls. A better ß-carotene status (≥0.8 µM) was inversely associated with the risk of metabolic syndrome and inflammation, so we suggest that ß-carotene status could be a predictor of the risk of metabolic syndrome and inflammation in patients with and without OA.

Phagocytosis activity of three sulfated polysaccharides purified from a marine diatom cultured in a semi-continuous system.

An efficient process has been developed for bioactive polysaccharide production and purification from a local diatom isolate, Halamphora sp. AQ4. First, a semi-continuous system with fixed harvesting frequency was employed to cultivate AQ4 for the production of cell mass and polysaccharides for more than 285 days with a high yield of biomass. Six cultivation sets are performed according to different harvesting volumes per 3 days with or without Na2CO3 supplement. The addition of Na2CO3 increases both cell mass and polysaccharide production. Furthermore, three different sulfated polysaccharides (PK1~PK3) were purified from the freshly-grown AQ4 diatoms following anion-exchange chromatography. Among them, polysaccharide PK3 not only has a high content of fucose and uronic acid, but also has a strong activity to stimulate murine macrophage cells and increase their phagocytosis rate up to 170%. This study demonstrates that diatom AQ4 is an important bioresource for the production of bioactive polysaccharides.

Coenzyme Q10 status, glucose parameters, and antioxidative capacity in college athletes.

BACKGROUND: Glycemia is related to energy production during exercise. Coenzyme Q10 is an antioxidant that participates in adenosine triphosphate synthesis in mitochondria. The aim of this study was to investigate the level of coenzyme Q10, glucose parameters, and antioxidant capacity in athletes. METHODS: This study was designed as a cross-sectional study. Well-trained college athletes (n = 43) and age-gender matched healthy subjects (n = 25) were recruited from a college. The levels of glucose parameters, oxidative stress, antioxidant enzymes activity, Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TAC), and coenzyme Q10 status were measured in the present study. RESULTS: The athletes had a significantly lower level of white blood cells (WBC) coenzyme Q10 than the healthy subjects (0.34 ± 0.24 vs. 0.65 ± 0.43 nmol/g, p < 0.01); however, no significant difference was detected in plasma coenzyme Q10 between the two groups. Regarding the glucose parameters, the athletes had significantly higher values for HbA1c (5.5 ± 0.3 vs. 5.3 ± 0.3%, p < 0.05) and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI, 0.37 ± 0.03 vs. 0.34 ± 0.03, p < 0.05), and lower homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR, 1.5 ± 0.8 vs. 2.9 ± 3.8, p < 0.05) than the healthy subjects. A higher level of TAC was found in the athletes (serum, 5.7 ± 0.3 vs. 5.4 ± 0.2 mM Trolox; erythrocyte, 10.5 ± 0.6 vs. 10.0 ± 0.5 mM Trolox, p < 0.05). In addition, WBC coenzyme Q10 status was significantly correlated with catalase activity (r = 0.56, p < 0.01), GPx activity (r = 0.56, p < 0.01), serum TAC (r = 0.54, p < 0.01), fasting glucose (ß = - 1.10, p < 0.01), HbA1c (ß = - 0.82, p < 0.01), HOMA-IR (ß = - 1.81, p < 0.01), and QUICK (ß = 0.08, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Athletes may suffer from a marginal coenzyme Q10 deficiency, and the level was related to glycemic control and antioxidant capacity. Further interventional studies are needed to clarify an adequate dose of coenzyme Q10 supplementation in athletes to optimize their coenzyme Q10 status and athletic performance or recovery during exercise.

An early moderate recommendation for energy intake based on nutritional status and clinical outcomes in patients with cancer: A retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the nutritional status and clinical outcomes of patients with cancer based on their energy intake after nutritional recommendations. METHODS: This study was a retrospective study. Body weight, nutritional status, dietary intake, and clinical outcomes were collected from medical records. We assessed the data according to energy intake: <50% of the recommended intake was insufficient energy intake (IEI group), 50% to 79% was moderate energy intake (MEI group), and ≥80% was adequate energy intake (AEI group). RESULTS: A total of 111 patients with cancer were enrolled in the present study. After nutritional recommendation, the number of subjects in the IEI and MEI groups were significantly decreased as patients shifted to the after-AEI group (P < 0.01). A significantly high proportion of patients had lower malnutrition universal screening tool and patient-generated subjective global assessment scores in the after-AEI group (P < 0.01). Subjects in the after-MEI and after-AEI groups showed slight gains in body weight (P = 0.07) and positively correlated with the energy (ß = 0.05; P = 0.07) and protein intake (ß = 0.04; P = 0.01). Significantly low proportions of patients with cancer died during hospitalization in the after-MEI and after-AEI groups, but significantly high proportions of patients with cancer in the after-MEI and after-AEI groups reached their ideal body weight (P = 0.03) compared with that in the after-IEI group. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with cancer who comply with a moderate energy intake recommendation (50%-79%) within at least 28 d may limit body weight decrease and improve nutritional status and clinical outcomes.

Ubiquinone Supplementation with 300 mg on Glycemic Control and Antioxidant Status in Athletes: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

The aim of this study is to investigate the glycemic profile, oxidative stress, and antioxidant capacity in athletes after 12 weeks of ubiquinone supplementation. It was a double-blinded, randomized, parallel, placebo-controlled study. Thirty-one well-trained college athletes were randomly assigned to ubiquinone (300 mg/d, n = 17) or placebo group (n = 14). The glycemic profile [fasting glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI)], plasma and erythrocyte malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and ubiquinone status were measured. After supplementation, the plasma ubiquinone concentration was significantly increased (p < 0.05) and the level of erythrocyte MDA was significantly lower in the ubiquinone group than in the placebo group (p < 0.01). There was a significant correlation between white blood cell (WBC) ubiquinone and glycemic parameters [HbA1c, r = -0.46, p < 0.05; HOMA-IR, r = -0.67, p < 0.01; QUICKI, r = 0.67, p < 0.01]. In addition, athletes with higher WBC ubiquinone level (≥0.5 nmol/g) showed higher erythrocyte TAC and QUICKI and lower HOMA-IR. In conclusion, we demonstrated that athletes may show a better antioxidant capacity with higher ubiquinone status after 12 weeks of supplementation, which may further improve glycemic control.