Alterations in glucose metabolism proteins responsible for the Warburg effect in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the most frequent esophageal tumor in the world. ESCC presents late diagnosis, highly aggressive behavior and poor survival. Changes in tumor cell energy metabolism appear to have a prominent role in malignant transformation. Tumor cells consume glucose avidly and produce lactic acid, even under normoxia. Among the factors that may contribute to the stimulation of glycolysis in tumor cells, there are changes in the glycolytic pathway enzymes such as: pyruvate kinase M1 and M2 (PKM2 and PKM1), hexokinase II (HKII), glucose transporter isoform 1 (GLUT-1), and transcription factor induced by hypoxia (HIF1α), responsible for the transcription of proteins cited. The objective of this study is to evaluate the alterations of these proteins and their association with clinicopathological data in ESCC. We performed immunohistochemistry to determine HIF-1α, GLUT-1, PKM1, PKM2, HK2 and Ki67-expression in ESCC patients and controls. Also, we used RT-qPCR to evaluated mRNA expression of GLUT-1 in esophageal mucosa of individuals without cancer, but are alcohol drinkers and tobacco smokers. Our results showed the exclusively expression of GLUT-1 in tumors cells and dysplastic samples. We also observed a compartmentalization of the expression of PKM1 and PKM2 in relation to tumor cells and stroma associated to tumor areas. All of the proteins evaluated, excepted GLUT-1, were frequently detected in normal mucosa. No correlations between clinicopathological features and protein expressions were observed. GLUT-1 expression appears in initial tumor lesions and is maintained through ESCC evolution. We reported for the first time PKM1 staining in normal esophagus and ESCC, being mostly present in more differentiated cells.

Nutritional status, lipid profile and HOMA-IR in post-liver transplant patients.

INTRODUCTION: A high prevalence of overweight, obesity, diabetes and dyslipidemia has been reported following liver transplantation (LT). Although these conditions are known to induce an increased risk for cardiovascular events, which are among the major causes of death in post-LT patients, much debate remains in the literature regarding the applicability of different nutritional assessments methods to this population. OBJECTIVE: To assess the nutritional status, lipid profile, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and dietary intake adequacy in the post-LT period. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of patients after a maximum of 2 years post-LT, involving the assessment of body mass index (BMI), percent weight loss, arm (AC) and arm muscle circumference (AMC), triceps skinfold (TSF), neck (NC) and waist (WC) circumference, lipid profile, HOMA-IR and percent adequacy of dietary intake. RESULTS: In the group of 36 patients, 61.1% were male, mean age 53.2 years (± 10.6). Severe weight loss was noted in 66.7% of patients. Most individuals were eutrophic according to BMI, AC and AMC, while TSF showed malnutrition, NC demonstrated overweight and WC showed metabolic risk. Dyslipidemia was diagnosed in 87.5% of patients, and insulin resistance in 57% of the patients. Most patients had adequate dietary intake, although the time since transplant was positively correlated with AC (r = 0.353; p = 0.035) and negatively correlated with vitamin A intake (r = - 0.382; p = 0.022), with the caloric adequacy (r = -0.338; p = 0.044) and vitamin A adequacy (r = -0.382; p = 0.021). CONCLUSION: Although anthropometry provided somewhat variable nutritional diagnoses, when combined with biochemical tests, findings showed the prevalence of cardiovascular risk. As such, patients should be provided with transdisciplinary assistance, and strategies should be developed so as to reduce the risk factors recorded in this population.

Introducción: En el postransplante hepático (TH) hay un aumento de prevalencia de sobrepeso, obesidad, diabetes y dislipidemia. Esos factores están asociados al riesgo de enfermedades cardiovasculares, una de las principales causas de mortalidad en el post-TH. Sin embargo, no se han establecidos cuáles son los mejores métodos de evaluación nutricional de esta población. Objetivo: Evaluar el estado nutricional, perfil lipídico, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) y adecuación de ingestión dietética en el post-TH. Métodos: Estudio transversal, incluidos pacientes hasta con 2 años de TH evaluándose por el índice de masa corporal (IMC), porcentaje de pérdida de peso, circunferencia del brazo (CB) y muscular del brazo (CMB), pliegue tricipital (PT), circunferencia del cuello (CP) y de la cintura (CC), perfil lipídico, HOMA-IR y porcentaje de adecuación de ingestión dietética. Resultados: De los 36 pacientes, 61,1% eran de sexo masculino, con un promedio de edad de 53,2 años (± 10,6). En 66,7% de los evaluados, hubo pérdida severa de peso. Hubo predominio de eutrofia por el IMC, CB y CMB, desnutrición por el PT, sobrepeso por la CP y CC muy alta. Se constató dislipidemia en el 87,5% de los pacientes y resistencia a la insulina en el 57%. La mayoría presentó adecuación de la ingestión dietética, pero el tiempo de TH se correlacionó positivamente a la CB (r = 0,353; p = 0,035) y negativamente a la ingestión de vitamina A (r = - 0,382; p = 0,022), adecuación calórica (r = -0,338; p = 0,044) y de vitamina A (r = -0,382; p = 0,021). Conclusión: Aunque la antropometría indicó variabilidad en el diagnóstico nutricional, cuando se combina con la evaluación bioquímica, los resultados mostraron la prevalencia de riesgo cardiovascular. Los pacientes deben recibir acompañamiento transdisciplinario, y se deben desarrollar estrategias para reducir los factores de riesgo de la población.

Basal energy expenditure measured by indirect calorimetry in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus.

BACKGROUND: Determination of Basal Energy Expenditure (BEE) is essential for planning nutritional therapy in patients with esophageal cancer. AIMS: The objective of this study was to determine BEE through indirect calorimetry (IC) in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus (SCC). METHODS: Cross-sectional study involving 30 patients admitted with a diagnosis of SCC who underwent IC before starting cancer therapy. The BEE was evaluated using IC and also estimated by means of the Harris-Benedict Equation (HBE). Nutritional assessment was conducted using anthropometric parameters (body mass index, arm circumference, triceps skinfold thickness, arm muscle circumference, and weight loss), biochemical parameters (albumin, transferrin and C-reactive protein) and tetrapolar bioimpedance to assess body composition (fat free mass). Additionally, lung capacity was measured and clinical staging of the cancer established by the TNM method. RESULTS: The mean of the BEE for IC and Harris-Benedict Equation were 1421.8 ± 348.2 kcal/day and 1310.6 ± 215.1 kcal/day, respectively. No association was found between BEE measured by IC and clinical staging (p=0.255) or the Tiffeneau Index (p=0.946). There were no significant associations between BEE measured by IC and altered dosages of transferrin, albumin and C-reactive protein (p=0.364, 0.309 and 0.780 respectively). The factors most associated with BEE were BMI and fat free mass. CONCLUSION: The BEE of patients with SCC was underestimated when using the HBE, and the result overestimated when incorporating an injury factor with the HBE. Therefore, despite the practical difficulties of implementing IC, its use should be considered.

Antecedentes: La determinación del gasto energético basal (GEB) es esencial para la planificación de la terapia nutricional en pacientes con cáncer de esófago. Objetivos: El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar GEB por calorimetría indirecta (CI) en pacientes con carcinoma de células escamosas del esófago (CCS). Métodos: Estudio transversal con 30 pacientes ingresados con el diagnóstico de CCS que se sometieron CI antes de iniciar la terapia contra el cáncer. La abeja se evaluó con CI y estimó por medio de la ecuación de Harris-Benedict (EHB). La evaluación nutricional se realizó utilizando los parámetros antropométricos (índice de masa corporal, circunferencia del brazo, el pliegue del tríceps, circunferencia muscular del brazo y pérdida de peso), parámetros bioquímicos (albúmina, transferrina y la proteína C-reactiva) y bioimpedancia tetrapolar para evaluar la composición corporal (grasa masa). Además, la capacidad pulmonar se midió y la estadificación clínica del cáncer establecido por el método TNM. Resultados: La media de la abeja para la ecuación CI y Harris-Benedict fueron 1421,8 ± 348,2 kcal / día y 1310,6 ± 215,1 kcal / día, respectivamente. No se encontró asociación entre GEB medido por CI y la estadificación clínica (p = 0,255) o el índice Tiffeneau (p = 0,946). No se encontraron asociaciones significativas entre GEB medidos por dosis de CI y alteración de la transferrina, albúmina y proteína C reactiva (p = 0,364, 0,309 y 0,780, respectivamente). Los factores más asociados con GEB fueron el IMC y la masa libre de grasa. Conclusión: La abeja de los pacientes con CCS fue subestimada cuando se utiliza el EHB, y el resultado sobreestimado cuando se incorpora un factor de d2013 con el EHB. Por lo tanto, a pesar de las dificultades de aplicación práctica de CI, su uso debe ser considerado.