Effect of Decaffeinated Green Tea Polyphenols on Body Fat and Precocious Puberty in Obese Girls: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Obesity has been reported to be an important contributing factor for precocious puberty, especially in girls. The effect of green tea polyphenols on weight reduction in adult population has been shown, but few related studies have been conducted in children. This study was performed to examine the effectiveness and safety of decaffeinated green tea polyphenols (DGTP) on ameliorating obesity and early sexual development in girls with obesity. Design: This is a double-blinded randomized controlled trial. Girls with obesity aged 6-10 years old were randomly assigned to receive 400 mg/day DGTP or isodose placebo orally for 12 weeks. During this period, all participants received the same instruction on diet and exercise from trained dietitians. Anthropometric measurements, secondary sexual characteristics, B-scan ultrasonography of uterus, ovaries and breast tissues, and related biochemical parameters were examined and assessed pre- and post-treatment. Results: Between August 2018 and January 2020, 62 girls with obesity (DGTP group n = 31, control group n = 31) completed the intervention and were included in analysis. After the intervention, body mass index, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio significantly decreased in both groups, but the percentage of body fat (PBF), serum uric acid (UA), and the volumes of ovaries decreased significantly only within the DGTP group. After controlling confounders, DGTP showed a significantly decreased effect on the change of PBF (ß = 2.932, 95% CI: 0.214 to 5.650), serum UA (ß = 52.601, 95% CI: 2.520 to 102.681), and ovarian volumes (right: ß = 1.881, 95% CI: 0.062 to 3.699, left: ß = 0.971, 95% CI: 0.019 to 1.923) in girls with obesity. No side effect was reported in both groups during the whole period. Conclusion: DGTP have shown beneficial effects of ameliorated obesity and postponed early sexual development in girls with obesity without any adverse effects. Clinical Trial Registration: [https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03628937], identifier [NCT03628937].

Primary intestinal lymphangiectasia in children: Twelve years of experience in the diagnosis and management.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Primary Intestinal Lymphangiectasia (PIL) is a rare congenital and digestive disease, which could present through a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, diagnostic and treatment management. The aim of this study was to introduce the diagnosis and nutrition treatment of children with PIL through the twelve years of experience. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: The patients diagnosed with PIL admitted to the Department of Gastroenterology and Nutrition in Xinhua Hospital from June 2006 to September 2017 were included in the study. RESULTS: Ten patients were found to have PIL, and 5 of them were male. The mean age was 66 months at the time of diagnosis and 11 months at onset. The main clinical manifestations were diarrhea, edemas and abdominal distention. Marked dilatation of the intestinal lymphatic vessels was the characteristic of the endoscopic. All the patients presented with hypoproteinemia and hypoimmunoglobulinia. Six of them were treated with parenteral nutrition, and 9 of them were treated with a low-long-chain triglycerides (LCT), high-protein diet supplemented with medium-chain triglycerides (MCT). The clinical symptoms of the patients have improved after the MCT diet therapy. CONCLUSIONS: PIL should be considered first when there are clinical manifestations of chronic diarrhea, edema and abdominal distention, and biochemical results indicated the hypoproteinemia and hypoimmunoglobulinia, and the general treatment is invalid. Gastroscopy and E-colonoscopy with biopsies are the preferred method of diagnosis. Diet intervention (MCT diet) is the cornerstone and longtime medical treatment, which can improve the nutritional status and promote the survival quality of patients with PIL.

Choline Protects Against Intestinal Failure-Associated Liver Disease in Parenteral Nutrition-Fed Immature Rats.

BACKGROUND: Deficiency of choline, a required nutrient, is related to intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IFALD). Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effects of choline supplementation on IFALD and the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (4 weeks old) were fed AIN-93G chow and administered intravenous 0.9% saline (control), parenteral nutrition (PN), or PN plus intravenous choline (600 mg/kg) for 7 days. We evaluated body weight, hepatic histology, biochemical indicators, triglycerides, oxidative status, methylation levels of peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) gene promoter, expression of PPARα and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1), and levels of choline metabolites. RESULTS: The PN + choline group exhibited improved body weight compared with the PN group. PN impaired hepatic function, increased hepatic triglycerides, induced dyslipidemia, enhanced reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde, and reduced total antioxidant capacity. The PN group had higher pathologic scores than the control group. These results were prevented by choline administration. Compared with the control group, PN increased PPARα promoter methylation and hepatic betaine concentration, reduced hepatic choline and phosphatidylcholine (PC) levels, decreased plasma choline and betaine concentrations, and downregulated PPARα and CPT1 mRNA and protein expression. Choline supplementation elevated hepatic choline and PC levels and enhanced plasma choline, betaine, and PC concentrations but reduced hepatic betaine level, reversed PPARα promoter hypermethylation, and upregulated PPARα and CPT1 mRNA and protein expression in PN-fed rats, compared with rats receiving PN alone. CONCLUSION: Choline addition to PN may prevent IFALD by reducing oxidative stress, enhancing hepatic fat export, and promoting fatty acid catabolism in immature rats receiving PN.

Effects of early parenteral iron combined erythropoietin in preterm infants: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUD: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of early parenteral iron supplementation combined erythropoietin for prevention of anemia in preterm infants. METHODS: In total, 96 preterm infants were randomly assigned to 3 groups: a control group receiving standard parenteral nutrition (group 1: n = 31), an iron-supplemented group (group 2: IS, n = 33), and an iron-supplemented combined erythropoietin group (group 3: IS+EPO, n = 32). The primary objective was to assess hemoglobin (Hb) levels. The secondary objectives included assessment of red blood cell counts (RBC), mean cell volume (MCV), serum iron, ferritin, percentages of reticulocyte (RET), total iron binding capacity (TIBC) and oxidative stress, which was assessed by measuring plasma levels of malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase at baseline and at 2 weeks. The blood routine indices including Hb, RBC, MCV, and percentages of RET were measured at corrected age of 1 and 3 months. RESULTS: At 2 weeks of life, the percentages of reticulocyte in group 2 and group 3 were significantly higher than those in group 1 (2.1±0.4, 2.5±0.3, and 1.7±0.3, respectively, P < 0.001, P<0.001), whereas TIBC were significantly lower than those in group 1 (36.7±4.6, 36.0±4.7, and 41.6 ±â€Š5.2 respectively, P = 0.011, P = 0.006). There were no significant differences in RBC counts, the levels of hemoglobin, ferritin, malondialdehyde, and superoxide dismutase among the 3 groups at 2weeks of life. RBC, Hb, MCV, body weight, body length, and head circumference at a corrected age of 1 month did not differ among 3 groups. At corrected age of 3months, more infants in the control group had abnormal Hb and MCV levels (Hb levels: 114.3 ±â€Š21.3, 123.7 ±â€Š31.6, and 125.1 ±â€Š21.2, P = 0.021, P = 0.034, respectively; MCV: 74.1 ±â€Š3.5, 78.3 ±â€Š4.7 and 79.1 ±â€Š5.2, P = 0.017, P = 0.012, respectively), whereas cases of oral iron, cases of breastfeeding, RBC, body weight, body length, and head circumference were not different among 3 groups. CONCLUSION: Early parenteral iron supplementation combined erythropoietin in preterm infants improved the percentages of reticulocyte, decreased total iron binding capacity, and improved the Hb and MCV levels at 3 months of age. Early parenteral iron supplementations with EPO were beneficial for the preterm infants.

Effect of an Olive Oil-Based Lipid Emulsion Compared With a Soybean Oil-Based Lipid Emulsion on Liver Chemistry and Bile Acid Composition in Preterm Infants Receiving Parenteral Nutrition: A Double-Blind, Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of parenteral nutrition (PN)-associated liver dysfunction is multifactorial. Lipid emulsions may be one of the putative mechanisms. Our aim was to comparatively assess the effect of parenteral olive oil- and soybean oil-based lipid emulsions on liver chemistry and bile acid composition in preterm infants. METHODS: We performed a double-blind, randomized clinical study in which 103 preterm infants were randomly assigned to PN using either soybean oil-based lipid emulsion (SO; n = 51) or olive oil (OO)-based lipid emulsion (OO; n = 52). The primary end point was liver chemistry. The secondary end point was the plasma bile acid composition. RESULTS: One hundred infants completed this study. In the SO group, the serum direct bilirubin was significantly higher after PN for 7 days compared with the OO group. Bile acids increased over time in both treatment groups. However, specific differences in the change in bile acid composition over time were noted between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in direct bilirubin and bile acid composition were observed over time between the 2 groups. Considering the long-term use of lipid emulsions in higher risk babies, these findings might be useful for understanding the pathogenesis of PN-associated liver dysfunction.

Choline Alleviates Parenteral Nutrition-Associated Duodenal Motility Disorder in Infant Rats.

BACKGROUND: Parenteral nutrition (PN) has been found to influence duodenal motility in animals. Choline is an essential nutrient, and its deficiency is related to PN-associated organ diseases. Therefore, this study was aimed to investigate the role of choline supplementation in an infant rat model of PN-associated duodenal motility disorder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three-week-old Sprague-Dawley male rats were fed chow and water (controls), PN solution (PN), or PN plus intravenous choline (600 mg/kg) (PN + choline). Rats underwent jugular vein cannulation for infusion of PN solution or 0.9% saline (controls) for 7 days. Duodenal oxidative stress status, concentrations of plasma choline, phosphocholine, and betaine and serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were assayed. The messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression of c-Kit proto-oncogene protein (c-Kit) and membrane-bound stem cell factor (mSCF) together with the electrophysiological features of slow waves in the duodenum were also evaluated. RESULTS: Rats on PN showed increased reactive oxygen species; decreased total antioxidant capacity in the duodenum; reduced plasma choline, phosphocholine, and betaine; and enhanced serum TNF-α concentrations, which were reversed by choline intervention. In addition, PN reduced mRNA and protein expression of mSCF and c-Kit, which were inversed under choline administration. Moreover, choline attenuated depolarized resting membrane potential and declined the frequency and amplitude of slow waves in duodenal smooth muscles of infant rats induced by PN, respectively. CONCLUSION: The addition of choline to PN may alleviate the progression of duodenal motor disorder through protecting smooth muscle cells from injury, promoting mSCF/c-Kit signaling, and attenuating impairment of interstitial cells of Cajal in the duodenum during PN feeding.

The effects of different lipid emulsions on the lipid profile, fatty acid composition, and antioxidant capacity of preterm infants: A double-blind, randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Olive oil (OO), medium-chain triglycerides (MCT)/long-chain triglycerides (LCT) mixture and soybean oil (SO) lipid emulsions are currently used for preterm infants in China. The aim of our study was to compare the lipid profile, fatty acid composition, and antioxidant capacity of preterm infants administered OO, MCT/LCT, or SO lipid emulsions. METHODS: In this study, 156 preterm infants (birth weight < 2000 g and gestational age < 37 weeks) received parenteral nutrition (PN) containing OO, MCT/LCT, or SO lipid emulsions for a minimum of 14 d. On days 0, 7, and 14, the lipid profile, fatty acid composition and antioxidant capacity were analyzed. RESULTS: On day 7, HDL levels in the MCT/LCT group were significantly lower than in the OO (1.06 ± 0.40 mmol/L) or SO groups. LDL levels were higher in the OO group than in the MCT/LCT or SO groups on day 7. A-I/B was higher in MCT/LCT than in OO or SO groups. Myristic acid (C14:0) levels on days 7 and 14 increased in MCT/LCT compared to the OO and SO groups. The OO group had higher oleic acid (C18:1n9) levels than the two other groups. Linoleic acid (C18:2n6), linolenic acid (C18:3n3), and eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n3) were significantly lower in the OO group than in MCT/LCT or SO groups. Monounsaturated fatty acid levels decreased, and ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid and essential fatty acids levels increased in MCT/LCT and SO groups. No significant differences were obtained in SOD, MDA, GSH-Px, and T-AOC among the groups. CONCLUSION: The three lipid emulsions were safe and well tolerated in preterm infants. Oleic acid (C18:1n9) levels increased and LA (C18:2n6), ALA (C18:3n3), and EPA (C20:5n23) levels decreased in OO compared to MCT/LCT or SO. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01683162, https://register.clinicaltrials.gov/.

The effects of choline on hepatic lipid metabolism, mitochondrial function and antioxidative status in human hepatic C3A cells exposed to excessive energy substrates.

Choline plays a lipotropic role in lipid metabolism as an essential nutrient. In this study, we investigated the effects of choline (5, 35 and 70 µM) on DNA methylation modifications, mRNA expression of the critical genes and their enzyme activities involved in hepatic lipid metabolism, mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in C3A cells exposed to excessive energy substrates (lactate, 10 mM; octanoate, 2 mM and pyruvate, 1 mM; lactate, octanoate and pyruvate-supplemented medium (LOP)). Thirty five micromole or 70 µM choline alone, instead of a low dose (5 µM), reduced hepatocellular triglyceride (TG) accumulation, protected Δψm from decrement and increased GSH-Px activity in C3A cells. The increment of TG accumulation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and Δψm disruption were observed under LOP treatment in C3A cells after 72 h of culture, which were counteracted by concomitant treatment of choline (35 µM or 70 µM) partially via reversing the methylation status of the peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) gene promoter, upregulating PPARα, carnitine palmitoyl transferase-I (CPT-I) and downregulating fatty acid synthase (FAS) gene expression, as well as decreasing FAS activity and increasing CPT-I and GSH-Px activities. These findings provided a novel insight into the lipotropic role of choline as a vital methyl-donor in the intervention of chronic metabolic diseases.

Enteral supplementation of bovine lactoferrin improves gut barrier function in rats after massive bowel resection.

Previous studies have shown that bovine lactoferrin (bLF) exerts antibacterial, immune-modulating and anti-inflammatory effects. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of enteral bLF supplementation on intestinal adaptation and barrier function in a rat model of short bowel syndrome (SBS). Male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 4 weeks were randomised into three groups (n 10 per group): Sham group (rats submitted to bowel transection and reanastomosis); SBS group (rats submitted to 80 % small-bowel resection); SBS-bLF group (rats submitted to 80 % small-bowel resection plus treatment with bLF (0·5 g/kg per d) by oral administration from day 2 to day 20). Despite similar food intake, both the SBS and SBS-bLF groups exhibited significantly lower body weight gain, but increased villus height and crypt depth and a higher intestinal epithelial cell proliferation index (P< 0·05) when compared with the Sham group. Compared with that in the SBS group, in the SBS-bLF group, bacterial translocation to regional organs was low and intestinal permeability was significantly reduced. The SBS-bLF group also had increased secretory IgA (sIgA) concentrations in ileal contents (29·9 (23·8-33·0) ng/ml), when compared with the other two groups having similar sIgA concentrations (17·5 (12·6-29·1) and 19·3 (11·5-27·0) ng/ml, respectively). The relative expression levels of two tight junction (TJ) proteins, occludin and claudin-4, in the SBS-bLF group were significantly higher than those in the SBS group (P< 0·05), but did not exhibit any significant differences when compared with those in the Sham group. In conclusion, enteral bLF supplementation up-regulates small-bowel sIgA concentrations and TJ protein expression and reduces intestinal permeability and could thus support intestinal barrier integrity and protect against bacterial infections in SBS.

Glutamine supplementation in preterm infants receiving parenteral nutrition leads to an early improvement in liver function.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of study was to confirm the protective effects of parenteral glutamine supplementation on liver injury in premature infants and determine how quickly effects became evident. METHODS: We performed a double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical study to assess the effect of parenteral nutrition (PN) supplemented with glutamine in premature infants. Thirty infants from two children's centers, were randomly assigned to either a control group (Standard PN; n=15) or a glutamine-supplemented group (GlnPN; n=15). The primary endpoint was hepatic function. The secondary endpoints were total duration of PN, weight and head circumference gain, length of hospitalization, and days on a ventilator. RESULTS: The serum level of alkaline phosphatase (AKP) after parenteral nutrition for 14 days was significantly higher (p<0.05) in the control group. But in the glutamine-supplemented group, the serum concentration of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) significantly decreased after PN for 7 days and 14 days (p<0.05), and the level of alkaline phosphatase (AKP) showed no increase. The levels of AKP and GGT were significantly different with time by group interaction. Levels of AKP was higher in control group than glutamine-supplemented group, and GGT level was lower in glutamine-supplemented group compared with controls. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of total duration of PN, weight gain (g/d), increase in head circumference (cm/w), length of hospitalization, and duration of mechanical ventilation. CONCLUSION: The longer the duration of parenteral nutrition, the more severe hepatic dysfunction became. Parenteral glutamine supplementation suggested a hepatoprotective effect.

Food nutrition labelling practice in China.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to scrutinize the food nutrition labelling practice in China before the Chinese Food Nutrition Labeling Regulation (CFNLR) era. DESIGN: Nutrition information of pre-packaged foods collected from a supermarket between December 2007 and January 2008 was analysed and compared with findings from a survey conducted in Beijing. SETTING: Information collected from a supermarket in Shanghai. SUBJECTS: A total of 850 pre-packaged foods. RESULTS: In the Shanghai survey, the overall labelling rate was 30·9 %, similar to that found in the Beijing study (29·7 %). While only 20·5 % of the snacks in Shanghai had nutrition labelling, the percentage of food items labelled with SFA (8·6 %), trans fatty acid (4·7 %) or fibre (12·1 %) was very low. Of those food items with nutrition labels, a considerable proportion (7-15 %) did not label energy, fat, carbohydrate or protein. Food products manufactured by Taiwan and Hong Kong companies had a lower labelling rate (13·6 %) than those manufactured by domestic (31·6 %) or international manufacturers (33·8 %). CONCLUSIONS: The very low food nutrition labelling rate among products sold in large chain supermarkets in major cities of China before CFNLR emphasizes the need for such critical regulations to be implemented in order to reinforce industrial compliance with accurate nutrition labelling.

Carbohydrate-to-fat ratio affects food intake and body weight in Wistar rats.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of carbohydrate-to-fat ratio on body weight and appetite regulation in Wistar rats. Twenty-four Wistar rats were randomized to three dietary groups (n = 8): normal carbohydrate diet (NC), low-carbohydrate diet (LC) and high-carbohydrate diet (HC) for 12 weeks. Body weight and food intake were recorded. Circulating leptin and insulin levels were measured by radioimmunoassay method. The expression levels of leptin receptor, insulin receptor, orexin, neuropeptide Y (NPY), agouti-related protein (AgRP) and melanocortin-4 receptor (MC-4R) in the hypothalamus were also measured by realtime polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In the LC group, food intake reduced while body weight increased significantly compared with the NC and HC groups. Plasma leptin levels increased in the LC (18.5 +/- 8.2 ng/mL) group compared with the NC (8.6 +/- 3.8 ng/mL, P < 0.001) and HC (6.6 +/- 1.9 ng/mL, P < 0.001) groups. Realtime reverse transcription-PCR revealed a decrease in the hypothalamic expression level of only leptin receptor in the LC (0.764, 0.471-4.648 copy/mL) and HC (0.357, 0.129-0.781 copy/mL) groups compared with the NC (1.323, 0.616-2.392 copy/mL; P = 0.01) group, and that there was no significant change in those of insulin receptor, AgRP, Orexin, NPY and MC-4R. Low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet raised body weight, which led to a rising of circulating leptin levels and a reduced expression of leptin receptor in the hypothalamus.

Vitamin E regulates adipocytokine expression in a rat model of dietary-induced obesity.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the antioxidant vitamin E (VE) on adiponectin and leptin expression in obese rats. Thirty weaning male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups as follows: (1) a control group, fed with normal chow; (2) a diet-induced obesity group (DIO), fed with a high-fat diet and (3) an intervention group, fed with a high-fat diet supplemented with VE (350 mg/kg). After 10 weeks of being fed according to these group assignments, rats were weighed and euthanized. Blood and adipose tissues were then immediately collected; mRNA and protein levels of leptin and adiponectin were measured by realtime reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. Biomarkers of oxidative stress, including serum levels of 8-epi-prostaglandin-F(2)alpha (8-epi-PGF(2)alpha) and glutathione peroxidase activity, were also examined. Adiponectin and leptin levels were lower in the DIO group than in the control group. VE intervention increased the expression of both leptin and adiponectin (P values < 0.05). Association analysis showed that serum leptin levels correlated positively with body fat mass (r = 0.601, P < 0.05). Both serum leptin and adiponectin levels were associated with the presence of serum 8-epi-PGF2 alpha (leptin, r = 0.513, P < 0.05; adiponectin, r = -0.422, P < 0.05). Administration of VE decreases leptin and adiponectin expression in obese rats. This finding is consistent with the view that antioxidants can play an important role in the treatment of obesity-related diseases.

Protective effect of parenteral glutamine supplementation on hepatic function in very low birth weight infants.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Hepatic dysfunction is one of the most frequent complications of parenteral nutrition. Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants are more sensitive to liver injury due to physiological immaturity. Our studies in animals showed that glutamine supplementation could attenuate TPN-associated liver injury. The aim of study was to investigate whether parenteral glutamine supplementation can improve hepatic tolerance in VLBW infants. METHODS: We performed a double-blind, randomized, and controlled clinical study to investigate whether parenteral glutamine supplementation can improve hepatic tolerance in VLBW infants. Thirty VLBW infants at two children's centers were randomly assigned to either a control group or a glutamine-supplemented group. The primary endpoints were hepatic function and mortality. The secondary endpoints were the time to achieve full enteral nutrition, episodes of gastric residuals, duration of parenteral nutrition, weight and head circumference gain, length of hospitalization, and days on ventilator. RESULTS: The serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and total bilirubin (Tbi) were decreased after PN in the glutamine-supplemented group (P < 0.05). No deaths occurred in this study. Four infants assigned to the control group and two infants in the glutamine-supplemented group were withdrawn from the study, according to intention to treat: relative risk [RR]: 1.182; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.937-1.490. CONCLUSIONS: Parenteral glutamine supplementation can improve hepatic tolerance in very low birth weight infant, suggesting a hepato-protective effect.

Bifidobacterium adolescentis supplementation ameliorates parenteral nutrition-induced liver injury in infant rabbits.

BACKGROUND: Parenteral nutrition (PN)-induced liver injury is associated with gut atrophy, and probiotics have demonstrated the ability to stabilize the intestinal microecosystem and offer protection against bacterial translocation from the gut to the liver. Therefore, we hypothesized that enteral Bifidobacterium supplements could alleviate PN-associated liver injury. METHODS: Three-week-old New Zealand rabbits were divided into three groups: control, PN, and PN + Bif group (PN plus enteral feeding 0.5 × 10(8) Bifidobacterium adolescentis per day). After 10 days, serum levels of liver enzyme and endotoxin were measured, and histology of liver and ileum were performed. Blood and homogenized samples of tissue from the mesenteric lymph nodes, lung, and spleen were cultured for detecting bacteria translocation. Intestinal permeability was determined by sugar absorption test. RESULTS: Serum levels of total bilirubin and bile acid were found to be lower in the PN + Bif group, with considerably improved ileum and liver histology (vs. the PN group). The bacterial translocation rate (15.6%), serum endotoxin level (0.11 ± 0.03 EU/ml), and lactulose/mannitol ratio (0.02 ± 0.004) in the PN + Bif group were obviously lower than those of PN group (77.5%, 0.60 ± 0.09 EU/ml, and 0.038 ± 0.008, respectively) and similar to those of the control group (2.8%, 0.09 ± 0.03 EU/ml, and 0.019 ± 0.005, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Enteral probiotic supplementation could reduce gut permeability, bacterial translocation and endotoxemia, and thus attenuate PN-associated gut and liver injuries in infant rabbits.

Effect of vitamin E supplementation on oxidative stress in a rat model of diet-induced obesity.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of vitamin E on the level of oxidative stress in diet-induced obese Sprague-Dawley rats. METHODS: Thirty weaning male rats were placed into three groups with 10 animals each: a control group with normal chow, a diet-induced obesity group (DIO) with high-fat diet, and an intervention group with high-fat diet supplemented with vitamin E (VE, 350 mg/kg). Blood and adipose tissue were collected from rats after 10 weeks. Biomarkers of oxidative stress were detected for plasma 8-epi-prostaglandin- F(2)alpha (8-epi-PGF(2)alpha), thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), total anti-oxidative capacity (TAOC), alpha-tocopherol, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and glutathione peroxidase activity (GPx). Lipid and glucose metabolism parameters such as plasma glucose, insulin, and triacylglycerol (TG) were also analyzed. RESULTS: After 10 weeks, all obese rats (both the DIO and VE groups) had higher plasma 8-epi-PGF(2alpha) and TBARS levels than the controls. Their plasma-adjusted alpha-tocopherol, SOD, and GPx activities were lower than the control levels but insulin was higher (p<0.01). The VE intervention increased plasma SOD, GPx, and T-AOC, and decreased 8-epi-PGF(2alpha) (p<0.05). VE intervention also decreased plasma glucose, insulin, and TG levels (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Increased oxidative stress could be an important target for the prevention of obesity-related diseases. Vitamin E has moderate effects for improvement of oxidative stress status and glucose metabolism in the animal model of diet-induced obesity.

[Assessment of serum micronutrients in children with short bowel syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To assess micronutrients level in children with short bowel syndrome. METHODS: Clinical data of 17 children with short bowel syndrome from April 2004 to July 2006 were collected. They received the measurement of serum vitamin A, E and - carotene by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). RESULTS: There were 9 boys and 8 girls with age range of 3 months to 18 years. Eleven children did not need parenteral nutrition (PN), and 6 still depended on PN. Six cases were free of ileocolic valve and 11 cases had ileocolic valve. The length of remaining intestine was more than 75 cm in 5 patients and less than 75 cm in 12 patients. Among 11 cases without PN, 9 were tested for serum iron, zinc and copper levels. Their incidences of below the reference value of vitamin A, E and beta - carotene were 23.5%, 35.3% and 58.8%, respectively. The incidences of below the reference value of vitamin A and beta - carotene were higher in patients with weaned PN, less than 75 cm remaining intestine and without ileocolic valve. The patients with more than 75 cm remaining intestine and still with PN had a higher incidence of below the reference of vitamin E, but the incidence was similar in the patients with or without ileocolic valve. Serum zinc was lower than normal level in 3 cases and serum iron was low in 1 case. CONCLUSION: Supplement of extra micronutrients is essential for short bowl syndrome patient whatever they receive the PN or have normal diets, and follow- up is recommended.

Glutamine attenuates TPN-associated liver injury in infant rabbits.

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of parenteral alanyl-glutamine dipeptide (Ala-Gln) on TPN-associated liver injury. Forty-three New Zealand rabbits (6-8 days old) were divided into three groups: 12 in the control group (maternal fed); 18 in the TPN group (TPN for 10 days); 13 in the Gln-PN group (TPN+Ala-Gln 400 mg kg(-1) day(-1) for 10 days). At the end of the experiment, liver function and histology were evaluated; MDA content of liver tissues and hepatocyte apoptosis by TUNEL assay were also determined. The serum concentration of direct bilirubin and bile acid in the Gln-PN group was significantly lower than TPN group (P < 0.05), but showed no difference compared with the control group. AST level of the Gln-PN group was lower than the other two groups. The light microscopy (LM) features in the TPN group included cholestasis or diffuse steatosis, while in the Gln-PN group, inflammatory infiltration and mild hydropic degenerative changes were mainly found without obvious cholestasis or proliferation of bile ducts. The electron microscopy appearances corresponded with LM findings. The liver MDA content in the Gln-PN group was clearly lower than the TPN group (P < 0.05), and was lower without statistical significance compared with control group. TUNEL assays showed the ratio of apoptotic hepatocytes in the TPN group was the highest among all the groups (44.59 +/- 6.68 vs. 0.92 +/- 0.85 in the control group, P < 0.01; 44.59 +/- 6.68 vs. 4.14 +/- 2.76 in the Gln-PN group, P < 0.01). There were significantly fewer apoptotic hepatocytes in the Gln-PN group. From this study, we found that glutamine dipeptide supplementation could attenuate TPN-associated liver injury in infant rabbits, and could also decrease liver MDA production and hepatocyte apoptosis during total parenteral nutrition.