Past and current trends in soy supplementation: a bibliographic study.

The aim was to determine in what areas the therapeutic application of soy predominates in clinical trials and to assess the emerging fields of its use by means of an analysis of bibliographic resources. A search was performed in the MEDLINE database up to 31 december 2004, limited to the Title/Abstract field, and Clinical Trials as the type of publication. The abstracts from the publications selected (n=86) were reviewed and different variables were assessed. A total of 3280 subjects were included: 15% men and 59% women (71% postmenopausal). The studies were performed basically in healthy individuals (71%). Twenty five percent of the studies investigated plasma levels of different metabolites and 21% determined hormone or lipid profiles. After the year 2000 a new population focus was detected, with the publication of two studies in elite gymnasts and judoists, with positive results. The present observations indicate that soy supplementation in the competitive sports elite may be an emerging application.

Aporte dietético de suplementos en pacientes ancianos hospitalizados / No disponible

Fundamentos La prevalencia de la malnutrición hospitalaria y la edad hace que los pacientes ancianos sometidos a cirugía mayor sea un colectivo de alto riesgo con una evolución clínica adversa asociada a una mayor mortalidad. El objetivo del estudio es valorar el aporte nutricional dela dieta hospitalaria más suplementos, en pacientes ancianos con riesgo de desnutrición, durante siete días de ingreso en el hospital. Material y métodosSe estudiaron dos grupos: A, pacientes hospitalizados desnutridos o en riesgo de desnutrición (n=74) con una edad media de74,8±12,2 años (varones 53%) y B, un grupo control (n=70) con una edad media de60,8±10,8 años (50% varones). Los macronutrientes se prescribieron y contabilizaron del nomenclátor del Código de dietas del hospital. La ingesta real se estimó cualitativamente después de la entrevista con el paciente y los resultados cuantitativos se estimaron mediante el software DietSource 1.2. Al cálculo obtenido se le añadió el aporte proveniente del suplemento nutricional administrado (1-3 veces/día). Las dietas administradas fueron: basal(n=20), blanda III (n=19), líquida (n=14),blanda II (n=6), diabética (n=6), hiperproteica(n=5) y dietas de progresión (n=4). Resultados El suplemento más utilizado fue ClinutrenDessert® (n=48). Basalmente la comparación del aporte nutricional entre los grupos A y B, mostró niveles inferiores en los pacientes ingresados, con diferencias significativas en todas las variables excepto los carbohidratos. El incremento del aporte energético después de dar suplementos presentó una gran variabilidad individual (6.9-84.1%) pero incrementó el aporte de todos los nutrientes (coeficientes de correlación: r=0.926 a r=0.984; p<0.05).Conclusiones En pacientes ancianos hospitalizados, el aporte de nutrientes provenientes de la dieta es inferior al definido en las RDA internacionales pero con la administración de suplementos se consigue mejorar el aporte nutricional y aproximarse a los requerimientos teóricos (AU)

Background and aim The prevalence of hospital malnutrition together with advanced age makes elderly patients undergoing major surgery a high-risk population with an adverse clinical evolution and greater associated mortality. The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional supply provided by a hospital dietplus supplements in elderly patients at risk of malnutrition during seven days of hospitalization. Material and methods Two groups were studied: A) hospitalized patients who were undernourished or at risk of malnutrition (n=74) with a mean age of74.8±12.2 years (53% men) and B) a control group (n=70) with a mean age of 60.8±10.8 years(50% men). Macronutrients were prescribed and quantified according to the nomenclature of the hospital diet code. Ingestion was estimated qualitatively following an interview with the patient, and quantitative results were estimated using the DietSource software (1.2). The nutrients provided by the nutritional supplement administered (1-3 times per day) were added to this calculation. The following diets were administered: baseline (n=20), bland III (n=19), liquid(n=14), bland II (n=6), diabetic (n=6), hyperproteic(n=5) and progression diets (n=4).Results The supplement most frequently used was ClinutrenDessert® (n=48). In the baseline comparison of the nutritional contribution between groups A and B, lower levels were observed in the hospitalizedpatients, with significant differences in all the variables except carbohydrates. The increase in energy supply following supplementation showed wide individual variability (6.9%-84.1%), but it increased the supply of all the nutrients (correlation coefficients: r=0.926 to r=0.984; P<0.05).Conclusions In elderly hospitalized patients the nutritional supply provided by the diet is inferior to that defined in the international RDA. Nevertheless, with administration of dietary supplements, nutrition improves and approaches the theoretical requirements (AU)

Plasma urea-cycle-related amino acids, ammonium levels, and urinary orotic acid excretion in short-bowel patients managed with an oral diet.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The small intestine contains several enzymes involved in arginine synthesis and converts glutamine to citrulline, the major compound for endogenous arginine synthesis. This study was conducted to assess the plasma status of urea-cycle intermediates and orotic urinary excretion in short-bowel patients. METHODS: Thirteen stable short-bowel syndrome patients (7 men; 60.2+/-15.2 years) were studied. Patients were divided into moderately resected (Group A; n=6) and severely resected (Group B; n=7) according to their remnant bowel length (Group A: 61-150 cm; Group B: < or =60 cm). All subjects were consuming an oral diet plus dietetic supplements. Plasma urea-cycle amino acids, ammonium and urinary orotic acid were determined. RESULTS: Plasma glutamine levels were significantly higher in both patient groups than in the control group (P<0.001). Regarding citrulline, Group B levels were significantly lower vs. controls (P<0.001). Comparisons between patient groups showed higher arginine in Group A (P<0.05) and non-statistically lower citrulline in Group B. Blood ammonium and orotic urinary excretion were normal. CONCLUSIONS: Although plasma citrulline and glutamine alterations were found, patients showed no hyperammonemia or orotic aciduria, which suggests a certain degree of adaptation in arginine and related amino acid metabolism, when an adequate dietary supply of arginine is provided.

Effects of taurine on polymorphonuclear phagocytosis activity in burned patients.

This study determines the effects of taurine (Tau) on phagocytosis of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) isolated from normal subjects (n = 41) and severely burned patients (n = 20). Phagocytosis was measured by nitroblue of tetrazolium (NBT) reduction in samples with and without latex bead stimulation. Taurine was added at doses of 0.2, 0.4, 0.8 and 1.6 mM to stimulated samples. In control cells there were statistically significant increases in phagocytosis after addition of Tau 0.8 mM and 1.6 mM to as compared to samples without Tau addition (295 +/- 23% and 330 +/- 35% vs. 248 +/- 18%; mean +/- S.E.; p < 0.05). A statistically significant increase in phagocytosis was observed in cells from the burned population after addition of Tau 1.6 mM (288 +/- 38% vs. 198 +/- 13%; mean +/- S.E.; p < 0.05). No changes in phagocytosis were found in cells from a subgroup of burn patients (n = 13) followed over 7, 15 and 21 days. These results indicate that taurine supplementation in vitro at doses of 0.8 to 1.6 mM improves the phagocytic capacity of neutrophils in healthy subjects and in patients with severe burn injury, mainly when neutrophil function is unaltered.

Modification of organ protein synthesis after surgical stress by low energy diets with different supplements.

We have studied the effects of hypocaloric diets with different supplements on liver and jejunal mucosa protein synthesis. The supplements assayed were medium chain triglycerides (diet MCT, with 50% carbohydrates: 25% long chain triglycerides (LCT): 25% medium chain triglycerides (MCT), standard amino acids), branched-chain amino acids (diet BCA, identical to control diet L50, with 15.3% of nitrogen replaced by branched-chain amino acids) and glutamine (diet GLN, identical to diet L50, with 15.3% of nitrogen replaced by glutamine). The control diet (L50) had 50% carbohydrates: 50% LCT and standard amino acids. The diets were assayed on 86 rats with femoral fracture immobilized by Kirschner pin insertion. Nutrition was administered for 4 days. On the fifth day, liver and jejunal mucosa protein synthesis was determined. A branched-chain amino acid supply in a proportion higher than 21.2% of amino acid nitrogen significantly decreased liver and jejunal mucosa protein synthesis, while the same amount of glutamine did not modify it. MCT had no effect on jejunal mucosa protein synthesis, while it was decreased significantly in the liver.

Evaluation of immune markers in asymptomatic AIDS patients receiving fish oil supplementation.

The effects of oral fish oil (FO) supplementation (8 g/day, capsules) on nutritional status and selected immune markers (CD4/CD8 ratio, IL-1beta, erythrocyte MDA release, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate [DHEA-S]) were studied in a homogeneous group of asymptomatic HIV-infected patients during 6 weeks. All subjects were classified clinically as A2 according to the CDC revised criteria (mean CD4 count 290 +/-123 cells/mm(3)) and were receiving zidovudine retroviral treatment. The calculated mean energy intake was 3437 +/- 372 Kcal/d, composed of 14% protein, 38% lipids and 48% carbohydrates, and was not modified during the study. The anthropometric parameters, and hematological and plasma biochemistry data showed non-significant changes after FO supplementation. Mean malonyldialdehyde (MDA) release before treatment was: unstimulated 71.5 +/- 37 and stimulated 350.9 +/- 79.8 nmol/g Hb. After FO supplementation (T(6)) MDA release showed unstimulated values of 96.1 +/- 62, and a significant increase after stimulation of 614.1 106.4 nmol/g Hb, which was, however, within the normal range. In the patient's samples, IL-1beta levels in the unstimulated blood culture showed a statistical increase with respect to the normal range before (T(0)) and after (T(6)) FO supplementation with a slight decrease after (mean 49.8 vs 40.9 pg/ml). The stimulated IL-1beta levels after treatment showed a statistically significant decrease that was maintained within the normal range (T(0): 797.7 vs T(6): 535.6 pg/ml). Taken collectively, these results suggest a tendency toward improvement in immune function.

[Epidermal growth factor: is its application in nutrition feasible?]. / Epidermal growth factor: es factible su aplicación en nutrición?

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) was isolated in 1969 by Stanley Cohen in the submaxillary gland of the rat, and its structure was described by Taylor and Cohen in 1972. EGF is a 53-residue polypeptide, weighing 6372 daltons. It is synthesized in a precursor form, as Prepro-EGF, and is secreted into the saliva, intestine and urine. The degradation of EGF takes place primarily in the liver and secondarily in the digestive tract and kidney. EGF is a powerful mitogen, acting upon several types of cells. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) is a 170,000 dalton glycoprotein which binds equally to EGF and transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha), a constituent closely homologous to EGF. Presently, published studies concerning the use of EGF in parenteral and enteral nutrition are limited to experimental animals, in which clear effects on cellular proliferation have been observed. It has an important function in the digestive tract, protecting the gastric mucosa from stress and necrotizing agents. Thus, it might be useful in a new nutritional strategies, serving to combine the clearly beneficial effects provided by protein intake (non amino acid with those of the intestinal trophic and growth factors, in both parenteral and enteral nutrition.

Inhibition of visceral protein synthesis by certain amino acid supplements.

This study was focused on the effects produced by diets with different amino acid proportions on visceral protein synthesis (liver and jejunal mucosa). Eight groups of rats received an enteral modular diet supplemented with different amino acids (Group 1: Ile, Leu, Val; Group 2: Phe, Met, Gly; Group 3: Glu, Arg, Gly; Group 4: Gly, Group 5: Orn-Asp, Cys, Pro; Group 6: Lys, Ser, Thr; Group 7: Tyr, His, Ala). Group 8 was the control group. Rats were fed for four days. At the end of this period a flooding dose of 14C-Leu was injected and animals were killed. Liver and jejunal mucosa were removed and protein synthesis rate was determined. Results show a decreased liver protein synthesis in group fed with aromatic amino acids (53.8 +/- 8.4 vs. 88.6 +/- 12.1) and Glu-Arg (68.6 +/- 10.9). In jejunal mucosa there was a decrease of protein synthesis in groups fed with aromatic amino acids (98.7 +/- 16 vs 160.5 +/- 49). These changes seem to be related to the intracellular amino acid pool size and its influence on protein metabolism.