Creatine supplementation protects against diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver but exacerbates alcoholic fatty liver.

AIMS: This work investigated the effects of creatine supplementation on different pathways related to the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and alcoholic liver disease. MAIN METHODS: To induce alcoholic liver disease, male Swiss mice were divided into three groups: control, ethanol and ethanol supplemented with creatine. To induce non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, mice were divided into three groups: control, high-fat diet and high-fat diet supplemented with creatine. Each group consisted of eight animals. In both cases, creatine monohydrate was added to the diets (1 %; weight/vol). KEY FINDINGS: Creatine supplementation prevented high-fat diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease progression, demonstrated by attenuated liver fat accumulation and liver damage. On the other hand, when combined with ethanol, creatine supplementation up-regulated key genes related to ethanol metabolism, oxidative stress, inflammation and lipid synthesis, and exacerbated ethanol-induced liver steatosis and damage, demonstrated by increased liver fat accumulation and histopathological score, as well as elevated oxidative damage markers and inflammatory mediators. SIGNIFICANCE: Our results clearly demonstrated creatine supplementation exerts different outcomes in relation to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and alcoholic liver disease, namely it protects against high-fat diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease but exacerbates ethanol-induced alcoholic liver disease. The exacerbating effects of the creatine and ethanol combination appear to be related to oxidative stress and inflammation-mediated up-regulation of ethanol metabolism.

Resistance Exercise Counteracts Tumor Growth in Two Carcinoma Rodent Models.

PURPOSE: Although resistance exercise (RE) is now recognized as an adjuvant in cancer treatment because of its capacity to prevent muscle wasting, weakness, and cachexia, it is unknown whether RE can mitigate tumor development. Two solid adenocarcinoma models (Walker-256 and Ehrlich) were used to investigate the effects of RE on tumor cell proliferation, growth, and aggressiveness parameters in tumor-bearing animals' life span. METHODS: Walker-256 tumor-bearing rats and Ehrlich tumor-bearing mice were subjected to RE, which consisted of climbing a ladder apparatus with loads tied to their tails. After 4 wk, animals were euthanized, and tumors were excised and assessed for tumor microenvironment evaluation such as cell proliferation and apoptosis determination, collagen deposit, and presence of malignant tumor morphology. RESULTS: Our data demonstrate that RE mitigated tumor growth and favored tumor end points such as lower Scarff-Bloom-Richardson histological grade tumor, denoting slow cell aberrant form and division, decreased tumor cell proliferation (evaluated by nucleus marked with antigen ki-67), and lower viable tumor area in both types of tumors studied. In addition, RE stimulated tumor microvessel density in Walker-256 tumor-bearing rats, but there was no change in their life span. CONCLUSION: RE may mitigate tumor growth and tumor malignancy parameters such as lower histopathological grade, assuming less nuclear pleomorphism and mitotic cells, smaller viable tumor area, and decreased tumor cell proliferation in both adenocarcinomas. In addition, RE induced tumor vascularization.

Solid Ehrlich carcinoma reproduces functional and biological characteristics of cancer cachexia.

AIMS: Well-characterized animal tumor models of cancer cachexia are warranted to elucidate underlying mechanisms and provide a better approach to the human scenario. We aimed to investigate whether solid Ehrlich carcinoma reproduces clinical, functional and biological conditions of tumor-induced cachexia in mice. METHODS: Eight-week old female Swiss mice were subcutaneously inoculated with Ehrlich tumor cells (tumor-bearing, TB group) or vehicle (sham) into the right flank and monitored for 28days. Tumor histopathological features and tumor-host interaction, including tissue weight, muscle structure, strength and biochemical parameters were carried out. KEY FINDINGS: Tumor growth curve demonstrated a linear pattern with no difference in final carcass weight between groups. A well-defined capsule composed by connective tissue infiltrated by inflammatory and neoplastic cells surrounded the tumors. The TB group had reduced handgrip strength, aside from lower cross sectional area (CSA) and critically reduced parametrial fat pads. Plasma parameters of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were higher in the TB group, suggesting predominance of catabolic and pro-inflammatory activities. Conversely, food intake and tissue weight did not differ between groups. SIGNIFICANCE: Our data elucidated that the solid Ehrlich tumor model is feasible and effective in reproducing some of the relevant issues experienced by cancer patients with cachexia. The solid Ehrlich carcinoma emerges as an alternative tool against more aggressive cancer cachexia models during preclinical research.