The effects and predictive value of calcium and magnesium concentrations on nutritional improvement, inflammatory response and diagnosis in patients with Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND: Crohn's disease (CD) is a progressive inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract associated with malnutrition, high levels of inflammation and calcium and magnesium deficiencies. However, the relationships between these symptoms are poorly defined. METHOD: Seventy-six adult CD patients who had not yet started treatment and 83 healthy volunteers were recruited. The dietary intakes, serum calcium and magnesium levels, nutritional indicators and biochemical markers of disease activity were measured. RESULTS: Most participants had inadequate magnesium and calcium intake. The serum magnesium and calcium levels, as well as nutritional and inflammatory indicators, differed significantly between CD patients and controls, especially in the active phase. Serum levels of magnesium and calcium correlated with both nutritional status and inflammation. The cut-off values for CD development were 0.835 mmol/L (magnesium) and 2.315 mmol/L (calcium), whereas those for the active phase were 0.785 and 2.28 mmol/L, respectively. CONCLUSION: Adequate intake of magnesium and calcium may both improve the nutritional status of CD patients and reduce inflammation, benefiting disease relief. As both magnesium and calcium reflect CD status, they may be useful markers for CD diagnosis and disease activity.

A Co-Encapsulation of Coenzyme Q10 and Curcumin in Liposomes Coated with Chitosan (Q10-Cur-Lip-Chi) with Enhanced Solubility and Stability for Good Release Performance and Antioxidative Activity.

BACKGROUND: Coenzyme Q10 (Q10) is a powerful lipophilic antioxidant with poor solubility in aqueous media. Curcumin (Cur) is a natural polyphenolic phytochemical molecule with poor aqueous solubility. The liposome is an improved administration of drugs because it is biocompatible and permeable for nutraceutical delivery. Chitosan, a hydrophilic polymer, is often used as a polymer coating for its good biocompatible and biodegradable properties, and its relatively low toxicity level. METHODS: Q10 and Cur co-loaded liposomes coated with chitosan (Q10-Cur-Lip-Chi) were constructed. The co-encapsulation of Q10 and Cur in liposomes coated with chitosan was verified by TEM, DLS, DSC, FT-IR, and XRPD. The release profile and antioxidant activity of Q10-Cur-Lip-Chi were accessed. RESULTS: The particle size of Q10-Cur-Lip-Chi was about 1440 nm with narrow particle distribution. A satisfactory encapsulation efficiency (EE) of Q10 was about 98%, and 25% for that of Cur. Q10-Cur- Lip-Chi showed higher solubility and better pH resistance with 98.5% of Q10 and Cur retention at pH 7.0 - 9.0. Q10-Cur-Lip also showed great salt stability with a vesicle size change of less than 5%. PSof Q10-Cur-Lip-Chi changed less than 10% at 4°C of storage. Q10-Cur-Lip-Chi also exhibited a good controlled release profile with its accumulative release of less than 34% for Q10 and 30% for curcumin after 24 h. The Q10-Cur-Lip-Chi performed a synergistic effect on antioxidant activity reaching 41.86±1.84%, which was 5.9 times higher than that of Q10, 2.5 times higher than that of Cur, and 1.7 times higher than that of the mixture. CONCLUSION: The co-encapsulation Q10-Cur-Lip-Chi improves the solubility and stability of Q10 and Cur for good release performance and antioxidative activity.