Adjuvant endocrine therapy effects on bone mineral density and microstructure in women with breast cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Although aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are typical drugs for cancer treatment-induced bone loss, their effects on the bone microstructure remain unclear. In this study, we evaluated changes in the bone mineral density (BMD) and bone microstructure associated with AI treatment using high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) in patients with early breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective, single-arm, observational study included non-osteoporotic, postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Patients underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), HR-pQCT, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-5b (TRACP-5b) or procollagen type-I N-terminal propeptide measurements at baseline and 6 and 12 months after AI therapy. The primary endpoint was changes in the total volumetric BMD (Tt.vBMD), trabecular vBMD (Tb.vBMD), and cortical vBMD (Ct.vBMD) longitudinally at the distal radius and tibia. RESULTS: Twenty women were included (median age 57.5 years; range 55-72 years). At 12 months, HR-pQCT indicated a significant decrease in the Tt.vBMD (median distal radius - 5.3%, p < 0.01; distal tibia - 3.2%, p < 0.01), Tb.vBMD (- 3.2%, p < 0.01; - 1.0%, p < 0.05, respectively), and Ct.vBMD (- 3.2%, p < 0.01; - 2.7%, p < 0.01, respectively). Estimated bone strength was also significantly decreased. The DXA BMD value in the total hip (p < 0.01) and femoral neck (p = 0.03), but not in the lumbar spine, was significantly decreased. The TRACP-5b levels was significantly negatively associated with changes in the Tt.vBMD in both the distal radius and tibia (r =  - 0.53, r =  - 0.47, respectively) CONCLUSION: Postmenopausal women who received AIs for early breast cancer experienced significant trabecular and cortical bone deterioration and a decrease in estimated bone strength within only 1 year.

Reduction of circulating FABP4 level by treatment with omega-3 fatty acid ethyl esters.

BACKGROUND: Fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4/A-FABP/aP2) mainly expressed in adipocytes is secreted and acts as an adipokine. Increased circulating FABP4 level is associated with obesity, insulin resistance and atherosclerosis. However, little is known about the modulation of serum FABP4 level by drugs including anti-dyslipidemic agents. METHODS: Patients with dyslipidemia were treated with omega-3 fatty acid ethyl esters (4 g/day; n = 14) containing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) for 4 weeks. Serum FABP4 level was measured before and after treatment. Expression and secretion of FABP4 were also examined in mouse 3T3-L1 adipocytes treated with EPA or DHA. RESULTS: Treatment with omega-3 fatty acid ethyl esters significantly decreased triglycerides and serum FABP4 level (13.5 ± 1.5 vs. 11.5 ± 1.1 ng/ml, P = 0.017). Change in FABP4 level by omega-3 fatty acids was negatively correlated with change in levels of EPA + DHA (r = -0.643, P = 0.013), EPA (r = -0.540, P = 0.046) and DHA (r = -0.650, P = 0.011) but not change in the level of triglycerides or other fatty acid composition. Treatment of 3T3-L1 adipocytes with EPA or DHA had no effect on short-term (2 h) secretion of FABP4. However, gene expression and long-term (24 h) secretion of FABP4 were significantly reduced by treatment with EPA or DHA. CONCLUSIONS: Omega-3 fatty acids decrease circulating FABP4 level, possibly by reducing expression and consecutive secretion of FABP4 in adipocytes. Reducing FABP4 level might be involved in suppression of cardiovascular events by omega-3 fatty acids.

Long-term oral feeding of lutein-fortified milk increases voluntary running distance in rats.

To evaluate the effects of lutein-fortified milk administration on running exercise, a voluntary wheel-running model was performed in rats. Four-week-old F344 rats were administered test milk (10 mL/kg) daily following a 4-h fasting period, and their running distances were measured each day for a 9-week period. Total weekly running distance significantly increased from the sixth week until the end of the test period in lutein-supplemented rats (lutein-fortified milk administered) compared with control rats (vehicle administered). This increase was not apparent in rats administered lutein alone. In the lutein-fortified-milk exercise group compared with the sedentary control group, carnitine palitroyltransferase 1 (CPT-1), total AMP-activated protein kinase (tAMPK), and phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (pAMPK) contents were significantly increased in the gastrocnemius muscle, with a concomitant decrease in triglyceride and total cholesterol levels in the blood and liver. Furthermore, the lutein level in blood of lutein-administered rats significantly decreased with exercise. These results suggest that lutein-fortified milk may enhance the effect of exercise by effective utilization of lipids when combined with voluntary running.

Increases in plasma lutein through supplementation are correlated with increases in physical activity and reductions in sedentary time in older adults.

Cross-sectional studies have reported positive relationships between serum lutein concentrations and higher physical activity levels. The purpose of the study was to determine whether increasing plasma lutein levels increases physical activity. Forty-four older adults (BMI, 25.3 ± 2.6 kg/m²; age, 68.8 ± 6.4 year) not meeting Australian physical activity guidelines (150 min/week of moderate to vigorous activity) were randomized to consume capsules containing 21 mg of lutein or placebo with 250 mL of full-cream milk per day for 4 weeks and encouraged to increase physical activity. Physical activity was assessed by self-report, pedometry and accelerometry (daily activity counts and sedentary time). Exercise self-efficacy was assessed by questionnaire. Thirty-nine participants competed the study (Lutein = 19, Placebo = 20). Lutein increased plasma lutein concentrations compared with placebo (p < 0.001). Absolute and percentage changes in plasma lutein were inversely associated with absolute (r = -0.36, p = 0.03) and percentage changes (r = -0.39, p = 0.02) in sedentary time. Percentage change in plasma lutein was positively associated with the percentage change in average daily activity counts (r = 0.36, p = 0.03). Exercise self-efficacy did not change (p = 0.16). Lutein increased plasma lutein, which was associated with increased physical activity and reduced sedentary time in older adults. Larger trials should evaluate whether Lutein can provide health benefits over the longer term.

Improvement of bone strength and dermal thickness due to dietary edible bird's nest extract in ovariectomized rats.

Oral administration of edible bird's nest extract (EBNE) improved bone strength and calcium concentration in the femur of ovariectomized rats. Dermal thickness was also increased by EBNE supplementation, whereas EBNE administration did not affect the serum estradiol concentration. These results suggest that EBNE is effective for the improvement of bone loss and skin aging in postmenopause all women.

Gastroprotective effect of red pigments in black chokeberry fruit (Aronia melanocarpa Elliot) on acute gastric hemorrhagic lesions in rats.

It has been reported that the fruits and leaves of berries such as the blackberry, raspberry, and strawberry contain a high level of scavenging activity for chemically generated active oxygen species. This study investigated the antioxidative activities of black chokeberry fruit (Aronia melanocarpa Elliot) both in vitro and in vivo using the DPPH stable radical and rats with ethanol-induced gastric injury, respectively. The red pigment fraction of the black chokeberry contained three main components, one of which was identified as cyanidin 3-O-beta-glucoside by HPLC analysis and (1)H NMR. The black chokeberry red pigment fraction scavenged >44% of DPPH radicals at a concentration of 25 microg/mL compared to the control solution. The black chokeberry extract and its hydrolysate administrated at 2 g/kg of body weight each had nearly the same protective effect as quercetin administrated at 100 mg/kg of body weight in suppressing the area of gastric mucosal damage caused by the subsequent application of ethanol to <30% compared to the control group. The black chokeberry red pigment fraction had a similarly significant protective effect on gastric mucosa in a dose-dependent manner when administered at 30-300 mg/kg of body weight, and the administration of 30 mg/kg of body weight could suppress ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage by approximately 50% (ID(50) = 30 mg/kg of body weight).

Antioxidative activity and protective effect against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage of a potato protein hydrolysate.

Antioxidative activity and protective effect against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage of potato protein hydrolysate (potato peptides, Po-P) were studied in vitro and in vivo. The Po-P obtained by proteolysis with Amano P and pancreatin inhibited linoleic acid oxidation either by 83%, at its coexistent 0.005% in a ferric thiocyanate assay system or by 32% at its coexistent 0.0002% in a beta-carotene decolorization assay system. Meanwhile Po-P were orally administered to male Wistar rats at doses of 12.5-100 mg/kg of body weight (BW) 30 min prior to ethanol injection. Consequently the ethanol-induced gastric damage was significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner in the Po-P administered rat. The highest effect was observed in the group dosed with 100 mg Po-P/kg BW; the inhibition ratio was 69.6%. The extent of antioxidation or protection against ethanol-induced gastritis was quite similar to those of the respective peptides from casein, corn protein and ovalbumin, suggesting that the potato protein hydrolysate could serve as a useful food ingredient in practical eating habits.