酒精性脂肪肝患者血清酶、血脂检测及其意义

目的 :检测酒精性脂肪肝患者血清酶及血脂的含量 ,以探讨其变化与酒精性脂肪肝损伤的关系和早期诊断的价值。方法 :采用RA - 10 0 0型全自动生化分析仪和国产试剂盒测定γ-谷氨酰转肽酶 (GGT)、丙氨酸转氨酶 (ALT)、天冬氨酸转氨酶 (AST)、总胆固醇 (Tch)、甘油三脂(TG)等含量。结果 :脂肪肝组血清ALT、AST、Tch、TG尤其是GGT含量〔(6 8.2 3± 6 3.0 2 )U·L- 1〕 ,明显高于对照组的〔(2 4 .6 2± 9.0 0 )U·L- 1,(P <0 .0 1)〕。高脂血脂肪肝患者的GGT〔(80 .6 5±76 .92 )U·L- 1〕较无高脂血患者的GGT〔(5 5 .76± 4 1.83)U·L- 1〕增高更为明显 (P <0 .0 1)。GGT且与ALT、AST呈正相关 (r分别为 0 .6 1、0 .6 9,P <0 .0 1)。结论 :血清GGT是诊断酒精性脂肪肝较为敏感且具有一定特异性的指标。过量饮酒可造成血脂代谢紊乱 ,进而加重肝细胞的损伤     

酒精性脂肪肝临床流行病学调查及病因量化标准探讨

目的探讨饮酒与脂肪肝的关系 ,以及酒精性脂肪肝病因的量化标准。方法将连续性体检人群分成非饮酒组、白酒组 (按日均饮酒量下分 <5 0g、5 0～ 1 0 0g及 >1 0 0g白酒组 )和啤酒组 (按日均饮酒量下分 <2 5 0mL、2 5 0～ 5 0 0mL及 >5 0 0mL啤酒组 ) ,对各组脂肪肝检出率及脂肪肝患者饮酒至发病时间进行流行病学调查。结果 5 0～ 1 0 0g及 >1 0 0g白酒组 ,2 5 0～ 5 0 0mL及>5 0 0mL啤酒组脂肪肝检出率分别为 4 3.6 % ,5 0 .0 % ,6 4.5 % ,6 6 .7% ,较非饮酒组的 2 5 .0 %明显增高 (P <0 .0 1 )。各组中脂肪肝患者饮酒时间显著高于同酒量非脂肪肝者 (P <0 .0 1 )。以日均饮白酒 80g、时间 9.0年 ,或日均饮啤酒 4 0 0mL、时间 5 .0年作为各自酒精性脂肪肝病因量化标准 ,分别具有 82 .6 %、88.6 %敏感性 ,72 .2 %、78.3%特异性。结论饮酒与脂肪肝的发生具有量效和时效关系 ,日均饮白酒 80g、时间 9.0年 ,以及日均饮啤酒 4 0 0mL、时间 5 .0年为其各自酒精性脂肪肝较好的病因量化诊断标准。     

饮食诱导雄性肥胖大鼠生长激素轴变化

目的　探讨饮食诱导雄性肥胖大鼠生长激素 (GH)轴〔GH/胰岛素样生长因子 -I(IGF -I)〕的轴性变化。方法　建立高脂饮食诱导肥胖的大鼠模型 ,实验 12周末处死大鼠 ,采用放射免疫分析方法检测大鼠血清GH、IGF -I、胰岛素水平 ,用免疫组化方法检测肝脏IGF -I的含量。结果　饮食诱导肥胖后高脂组大鼠血清GH水平下降 (P <0 0 5 ) ;游离IGF -I水平升高 (P <0 0 1) ;血清胰岛素水平升高 (P <0 0 5 ) ;肝脏IGF -I的积分光密度值和阳性面积百分比均显著低于对照组 (P <0 0 1) ,肝脏的IGF -I合成分泌下降。结论　在饮食诱导肥胖的雄性大鼠体内 ,可能并不存在真正意义上的GH/IGF -I轴性变化损伤。     

牛磺酸对大鼠酒精性肝损伤保护作用的研究

目的 :　通过观察牛磺酸对大鼠酒精性肝损伤的保护效果 ,为预防及治疗酒精性肝损伤提供理论及实验依据。方法 :　通过白酒灌胃建立大鼠酒精性肝损伤模型 ,治疗组分别给予高低两种剂量的牛磺酸 ,对照组 0 .9%生理盐水 ,实验末测血压、血清甘油三酯 (TG) ,并对大鼠肝脏进行病理及量化分析。结果 :　与模型组相比 ,高低两种浓度的 (2 %和 5 %)牛磺酸均可以显著降低酒精性肝损伤大鼠血清甘油三酯 (P<0 .0 5 ) ;高剂量组牛磺酸还能降低酒精性肝损伤大鼠血压(P<0 .0 5 ) ;肝脏病理切片量化分析显示 ,高低两种剂量牛磺酸均可显著降低酒精对肝脏的损伤 (P<0 .0 5 ) ,且高低剂量组的保护效果无显著性差异 (P>0 .0 5 )。结论 :　牛磺酸能够有效保护酒精对大鼠肝脏的损伤。     

微波辐射对大鼠睾丸StAR、P450scc基因表达影响

目的　研究微波暴露后大鼠睾丸组织类固醇合成急性调节蛋白(steroidogenicacuteregulatoryprotein ,StAR) ,细胞色素P4 5 0胆固醇侧链裂解酶(cytochromeP4 5 0Cholesterosidechainlyase ,P4 5 0scc)mRNA表达的变化和对睾酮分泌的影响,探讨微波暴露对成年雄性大鼠性功能影响的机制。方法　观测微波暴露后大鼠性功能,以扑捉潜伏期(capturelatentperiod ,CLP)和扑捉次数(capturetimes,CT)作为判别指标;采用RT PCR方法和放射免疫方法分别测定微波暴露后3,6 ,2 4 ,72h睾丸组织中StAR、P4 5 0sccmRNA水平及血清睾酮含量。结果　微波暴露后3h ,观测到雄性大鼠CLP明显延长(P <0 . 0 1) ,CP明显减少(P <0 .0 1) ,在观测的72h内,大鼠的性行为都较对照组明显下降。血清睾酮含量和睾丸组织StRA、P4 5 0sccmRNA变化有一致性,即在微波暴露后3h ,分别较对照降低83 .1% ,5 7. 3% ,5 3. 6 % (P <0. 0 1) ,6h略有回升,但仍明显低于对照组,2 4h恢复到正常水平,72h再次出现明显降低,分别较对照组降低5 7 .6 % ,39. 5 % ,5 3 .5 % (P <0 . 0 1)。结论　微波暴露可影响睾丸间质细胞StAR、P4 5 0sccmRNA表达而降低睾酮的合成,进而对雄性大鼠性行为造成影响。     

营养素对酒精性脂肪肝大鼠的干预作用

目的研究复合营养素对酒精性脂肪肝大鼠的干预作用及其机制.方法用高脂饲料 乙醇灌胃建立酒精性脂肪肝大鼠模型,干预组在造模同时给予营养素,实验4周后处死,做病理切片,测定转氨酶、脂类和脂质过氧化.结果营养素干预可明显降低血清谷草转氨酶(AST)、谷丙转氨酶(ALT)和γ-谷氨酰转肽酶(γ-GT)水平;对血清和肝脏的甘油三酯(TG)、总胆固醇(TC)和游离脂肪酸(FFA)也有明显的降低作用;同时肝脏氧化型谷胱甘肽(GSSG)和脂质过氧化物(LPO)明显降低.结论营养素干预对酒精性脂肪肝大鼠有明显的改善作用.     

冷习服机体内氨基酸和矿物质含量的变化

目的 :研究冷习服机体血清必需氨基酸、14种矿物质含量的变化 ,为指导寒区部队的膳食结构 ,营养配餐 ,做好卫勤保障工作提供的依据。方法 :检测寒冷血管反应指数 (VRCI) ,评价冷习服能力 ;采用电感耦合等离子体光谱分析 (ICP)和原子吸收光谱分析 (AAS)方法检测血清中矿物质的含量 ;采用自动氨基酸分析仪测定血清中氨基酸的含量。结果 :(1)冷习服过程中小鼠血清氨基酸和矿物质含量的变化 :冷暴露 10d ,多数呈下降趋势 ;冷暴露 2 0d ,则明显升高(P <0 .0 5 ,P <0 .0 1) ;冷暴露 30d ,多数恢复正常 ,但Ca、Mg、Zn、Al的含量明显降低 (P <0 .0 5 ,P<0 .0 1) ,Cu含量明显升高 (P <0 .0 1)。 (2 )人体实验结果表明 ,新兵经过 1个月的耐寒锻炼 ,VR CI由 10 .0 5± 1.6 6增加到 11.76± 2 .2 9(P <0 .0 5 ) ;冷习服后血清必需氨基酸中VAL、LEU、ILE、THR明显升高 (P <0 .0 5 ,P <0 .0 1) ,而矿物质Cu、Fe、Mn、Pb含量明显下降 (P <0 .0 5 ,P <0 .0 1)。结论 :寒区部队膳食结构和组成使血清中大多数矿物质和必需氨基酸含量正常 ,但Cu、Fe、Mn含量明显下降。Cu、Fe是体内易缺乏的必需元素 ,应增加补充     

应激对同型半胱氨酸关键代谢酶活性的影响

目的观察慢性束缚应激大鼠肝脏和肾脏内同型半胱氨酸甲基代谢途径中重要代谢酶活性的变化,探讨应激所致机体同型半胱氨酸代谢障碍的作用。方法采用慢性束缚应激方法建立大鼠应激模型;HPLC法检测血浆同型半胱氨酸、肝脏及肾脏甲硫氨酸合成酶和亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶的活性;采用氨基酸自动分析仪检测甜菜碱高半胱氨酸甲基转移酶的活性。采用ELISA试剂盒测定血浆叶酸、维生素B6、维生素B12水平。结果束缚应激大鼠肝脏和肾脏细胞内同型半胱氨酸甲基化代谢途径中的甲硫氨酸合成酶,亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶及甜菜碱高半胱氨酸甲基转移酶活性比对照组呈现总体下降的趋势。其血浆辅酶含量与对照组比呈现减低趋势。结论慢性应激所引起的肝脏细胞和肾脏细胞内同型半胱氨酸甲基化途径重要代谢酶活性降低,是引起应激机体高同型半胱氨酸血症的重要原因。     

槲皮素对高同型半胱氨酸血症大鼠甲基代谢相关酶活性的影响

目的研究槲皮素对高同型半胱氨酸血症(HHcy)大鼠甲基代谢相关酶活性的影响。方法 48只Wistar大鼠,按照血清Hcy水平将动物分成4组,分别为对照组(AIN-93饲料)、1%蛋氨酸组(1%Met)、0.5%槲皮素组(0.5%Q)、1%蛋氨酸+0.5%槲皮素组(1%Met+0.5%Q),每组12只,雌雄各半,单笼饲养。用相应饲料喂养6周后,乙醚麻醉,球后静脉丛采血,离心取血清,处死后取肝脏。检测血清同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)、S-腺苷蛋氨酸(SAM)、S-腺苷同型半胱氨酸(SAH)、血清和肝脏槲皮素及其甲基化产物含量以及肝脏儿茶酚-O-甲基转移酶(COMT)、蛋氨酸合成酶(MS)、5,10-亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶(MTHFR)、丝氨酸羟甲基转移酶(SHMT)、二氢叶酸还原酶(DHFR)活性。采用RT-PCR法检测肝脏COMT mRNA的表达情况。结果 1%Met组血清Hcy水平显著升高;0.5%Q组血清SAM水平显著升高,肝脏COMT活性和mRNA表达显著降低;1%Met+0.5%Q组血清Hcy水平与对照组无统计学差异,MS、MTHFR和SHMT活性显著增强。结论槲皮素可增强HHcy大鼠肝脏MTHFR和SHMT的活性,这可能是槲皮素降低Hcy的重要靶点。     

氯乙烯染毒大鼠代谢酶活性的动态变化和肝损伤

目的　研究氯乙烯 (VCM)染毒大鼠代谢酶活性和肝损伤生化指标的动态变化 ,以及大鼠肝脏的病理改变 ,探索血清、肝组织VCM代谢酶活性变化与肝脏损伤间的关系。方法　大鼠染毒 12周 ,分别在第 3、6、9和 12周处死动物 ,代谢酶活性测定采用分光光度法 ;肝功能生化指标用自动生化分析仪测定 ;光镜、电镜检测染毒大鼠肝组织病理改变。结果　VCM代谢酶ALDH、CYP2E1和GSTs活性随染毒时间和剂量的增加发生改变 ,差异具有统计学意义。ALP与血清ADH的活性呈负相关 (r=- 0 6 4 9) ;血清GSTs、ADH的活性分别与肝组织中GSTs、ADH活性呈正相关 (r- =0 4 39、0 5 0 8,P <0 0 5 )。结论　VCM致肝损伤程度可能与代谢酶活性有关 ,肝脏代谢酶变化是VCM引起机体损害的早期较敏感指标。     

Effect of ursodeoxycholic acid on prostaglandin metabolism and microsomal membranes in alcoholic fatty liver.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) on prostaglandin and fatty acid metabolism and the possible relation of these substances to the development of alcoholic fatty liver in rats. The effects of UDCA (40 mg/kg/day, 30 days) were studied in rats pair-fed a high-fat diet (52% of calories as fat) with daily ethanol (4 g/kg/day, 30 days) intragastric intubation. The livers of ethanol-treated animals were characterized by fatty dystrophy. Liver triglyceride and cholesterol ester contents and the activities of serum marker enzymes, alanine aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyltransferase, were significantly increased. Ethanol enhanced phosphoinositol and sphingomyelin content in liver microsomes and lowered prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) concentration in the liver. An increase in the percentage of monoenoic fatty acids and a decrease in the n-6 acid family in liver phospholipids, linoleoyl-CoA desaturase, and PGE(2) synthase activities in liver microsomes were observed in ethanol-treated rats. Treatment with UDCA improved liver morphologic characteristics, decreased triglyceride and cholesterol ester contents, increased the PGE(2) level, and normalized linoleoyl-CoA desaturase and PGE(2) synthase activities, as well as phospholipid and fatty acid patterns in the liver. The activities of the serum marker enzymes were decreased in the ethanol- and UDCA-treated group. Ursodeoxycholic acid lowered the viscosity of the microsomal membrane, as assessed by both fluorescence probe techniques and the saturated/unsaturated fatty acid ratio. We propose that the hepatoprotective effect of UDCA in alcoholic fatty liver is related to the stabilization of microsomal membranes, the prevention of a decrease in essential fatty acids and PGE(2) in the liver, and, probably, an improvement in biochemical processes controlled by PGE(2).     

酒精性肝病患者血清m-AST的变化及临床意义

目的 探讨酒精性肝病（ALD）患者血清天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶线粒体同工酶（m-AST）活性的变化及临床意义。方法 采用m—AST免疫比浊法测定63例ALD患者，30例健康人血清中m—AST活性水平，并计算出与天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶（L-AST）活性的比值及m—AST升高百分比。结果 ALD患者血清m—AST活性水平显著高于正常人（P〈0．01），人院2周酒精性脂肪肝（AFL）患者病情好转者，血清m—AST水平下降（P〈0．01），酒精性肝炎（AH））及酒精性肝硬化（AC）患者下降不显著（P〉0．05）。结论 血清m—AST活性的测定及m—AsT／L—AST比值可作为ALD的早期诊断及判断病情和预后的良好指标。     

Consumption of mate tea (Ilex paraguariensis) decreases the oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids in mouse liver

Mate (Ilex paraguariensis) is rich in polyphenolic compounds, which are thought to contribute to the health benefits of tea. Mate tea was administered orally to mice at a dose of 0.5, 1.0 or 2.0 g/kg for 60 d, and changes both in serum lipid concentration and fatty acid composition of liver and kidney were examined. The effects of mate tea on serum and tissue lipid peroxidation were assessed by the evaluation of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS). In tea-consuming mice, both MUFA (18:1n-9) and PUFA (18:2n-6 and 20:4n-6) were increased (P<0.05) in the liver lipid (approximately 90 and 60%, respectively), whereas only MUFA (approximately 20%) were increased in the kidney lipid. The most altered PUFA class was n-6 PUFA, which increased by approximately 60-75 % (P<0.05). This difference in the fatty acid profile in the liver is reflected in the increased PUFA:SFA ratio. Consistent with these results, mice fed with mate tea had much lower TBARS in the liver. No differences (P>0.05) were found in the levels of serum cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and TAG under the conditions of the present study. These results suggest that treatment with mate tea was able to protect unsaturated fatty acids from oxidation and may have selective protective effects within the body, especially on the liver.     

高蛋白膳食对限食大鼠血清和肠粘膜氨基酸谱的影响

目的探讨高蛋白膳食对限食大鼠血清和肠粘膜氨基酸谱的影响。方法 Wistar雄性大鼠,按体重随机分成五组,分别为正常对照组,喂15%酪蛋白合成饲料,自由摄食;限食1组和2组分别按正常对照组摄食量的50%和30%对喂15%酪蛋白合成饲料;补蛋白1组和2组分别按正常对照组摄食量的50%和30%对喂30%酪蛋白合成饲料。实验2w后处死大鼠,取血和小肠组织检测游离氨基酸含量。结果限食组和补蛋白组的大鼠血清游离氨基酸浓度均低于正常对照组,并且除了甘氨酸和胱氨酸外均有统计学意义(P<0.05),其中苯丙氨酸、酪氨酸、亮氨酸、异亮氨酸、缬氨酸、谷氨酸下降最为明显(P<0.01);而补蛋白组的大鼠血清游离氨基酸浓度又高于相应的限食组,其中苯丙氨酸、酪氨酸、亮氨酸、异亮氨酸、缬氨酸、精氨酸、谷氨酸有显著性差异(P<0.05)。限食组和补蛋白组的大鼠肠粘膜游离氨基酸含量均低于正常对照组,其中苯丙氨酸、酪氨酸、亮氨酸、异亮氨酸、缬氨酸、精氨酸、谷氨酸有显著性差异(P<0.05);而补蛋白组的大鼠肠粘膜游离氨基酸含量又高于相应的限食组,其中亮氨酸、异亮氨酸、缬氨酸、精氨酸、谷氨酸有显著性差异(P<0.05)。结论提高膳食中的蛋白质比例能降低限食对大鼠血清和肠粘膜氨基酸谱的影响,改善血清氨基酸代谢。     

缺乏赖氨酸对大鼠血清氨基酸含量和肠道氨基酸通透性的影响

目的通过饲喂大鼠赖氨酸(L-lysine,Lys)缺乏日粮,研究其对血清氨基酸(amino acid,AA)含量及对空肠和回肠上皮组织Lys及其它AA吸收的影响。方法体重240±20g的成年SD大鼠16只,随机分为2常规日粮(对照)和玉米醇溶蛋白日粮(Lys缺乏试验日粮)2组,试验期21d。实验末大鼠称重采血,断头处死,采集空肠和回肠样品,测定血清AA含量,尤斯灌流系统(Ussing Chamber)测定肠道转运AA变化及Lys的转运能力。结果试验组大鼠生长呈负增长,血清Lys、精氨酸(Arg)含量较对照组分别降低61.93%和33.08%(P<0.01),亮氨酸(Leu)和酪氨酸(Tyr)分别提高111.48%和63.43%(P<0.05),其他AA含量受Lys缺乏的影响不明显;试验组由扩散池经空肠或回肠向接收室的转运过程中Lys的消耗比率达到46.55%或51.28%,与对照组相比,分别显著增加了28.06%(P=0.006)或51.74%(P=0.001);在一定时间(60min)内,对照组和试验组Lys的转运经回肠吸收的累计透过量显著高于空肠(P<0.05),并伴随有其他AA的变化。结论日粮缺乏Lys导致大鼠生长性能降低,同时使空肠Lys通透率降低,而回肠Lys通透率提高。该结果为研究Lys等内源性AA的代谢机制提供了基础。     

Effects of simultaneous dietary fish oil ingestion and sulfur amino acid supplementation on the lipid metabolism in hepatoma-bearing rats with hyperlipidemia

The effects of simultaneous dietary fish oil ingestion and sulfur amino acid (L-methionine and L-cystine) supplementation on serum lipid concentrations and various parameters related to the lipid metabolism were studied in Donryu rats subcutaneously implanted with an ascites hepatoma cell line, AH109A. A diet containing 10% fish oil was found to reduce serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, (very-low-density lipoprotein plus low-density lipoprotein)-cholesterol, phospholipid and nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations in these animals, and dietary supplementation of 1.2% L-methionine and L-cystine also suppressed these serum lipid concentrations. Hepatic fatty acid synthesis and the availability of serum NEFA were decreased, and epididymal adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity was elevated by dietary fish oil, while LPL activity in various tissues and hepatic fatty acid oxidation were increased by dietary sulfur amino acids, resulting in a reduction in the serum triglyceride concentration by dietary fish oil and sulfur amino acids, respectively. Dietary fish oil suppressed the hepatoma-induced increase in cholesterogenesis in the host liver, and dietary methionine and cystine enhanced bile acid excretion into feces, which were the causes of the hypocholesterolemic effect. In these serum lipid concentrations, there were significant effects of fish oil ingestion and sulfur amino acid supplementation, but no significant interaction between these two factors was seen. These results indicate that dietary fish oil and sulfur amino acid, L-methionine and L-cystine, have hypolipidemic effects in cancer-related hyperlipidemia, and that the effects of these two factors on the decrease in these serum lipid concentrations are additive; these two factors may affect the lipid metabolism via different pathways and mechanisms.     

Effects of Scandinavian caviar paste enriched with a stable fish oil on plasma phospholipid fatty acids and lipid peroxidation

OBJECTIVE: To study the possibility of increasing the very long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), in humans by means of consumption of a common food product, Scandinavian caviar paste, suitable for strategic enrichment with a high concentration of these fatty acids, and to measure the potential inducement of lipid peroxidation. DESIGN: A randomized double blind repeated measures experiment. SUBJECTS AND INTERVENTIONS: In total, 16 healthy, nonsmoking subjects (eight men and eight women, age 42+/-12 y) were included in the study. Eight consumed 25 g ordinary caviar paste daily for 3 weeks, and eight the same amount of caviar paste enriched with a very stable fish oil (7%, wt/wt). Blood lipids, plasma phospholipid fatty acids and lipid peroxidation were measured. RESULTS: alpha-Linoleic acid was significantly decreased after intake of both ordinary (-8%, P<0.05) and fish oil caviar (-10%, P<0.05), as was the sum of all n-6 fatty acids (-6%, P<0.05 and -8%, P<0.001, respectively). The fatty acids EPA and DHA, as well as the sum of all n-3 fatty acids, increased significantly in both caviar groups but more in the group given fish oil caviar paste (EPA: +51%, P<0.05 and +100%, P<0.001, respectively; DHA: +24%, P<0.01 and +29%, P<0.001, respectively; sum of n-3:+27%, P<0.05 and +40%, P<0.001, respectively). Lipid peroxidation, measured as the thiobarbituric acid-malondialdehyde adduct, was increased by 26% (P<0.05) after intake of ordinary caviar paste, but was unchanged after intake of fish oil-enriched caviar paste. CONCLUSION: Scandinavian caviar paste is a spread naturally enriched with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids that can be included in the diet to achieve an increase in these fatty acids. However, changing to caviar paste enriched with stable fish oil will lead to a considerably greater increase in EPA and DHA. SPONSORSHIP: Swedish Medical Research Council; Cardinova AB, Uppsala, Sweden.     

Effects of dietary conjugated linoleic acid on fatty acid composition and cholesterol content of hen egg yolks

The main objectives of the present study were to determine the effect of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers on the fatty acid composition and cholesterol content of egg-yolk lipids. Forty-five 25-week-old laying hens were randomly distributed into five groups of nine hens each and maintained in individual laying cages, throughout 12 weeks of the experiment. They were assigned to the five treatments that consisted of commercial layer diets containing 0, 5, 10, 15 or 20 g pure CLA/kg. Feed intake of hens varied little and insignificantly. Egg mass was uniformly lower (P<0.05) in the hens fed the CLA-enriched diets. Feed conversion efficiency, when expressed per kg eggs, was impaired (P<0.05), although without obvious relation to the dietary CLA concentration. Feeding the CLA-enriched diets resulted in gradually increasing deposition of CLA isomers (P<0.01) in egg-yolk lipids. Saturated fatty acids were increased (P<0.01) and monounsaturated fatty acids decreased (P<0.01). Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), when expressed as non-CLA PUFA, were also significantly decreased (P<0.01). The most striking effects (P<0.01) were observed for palmitic (16 : 0) and stearic (18 : 0) acids, which increased from 23.6 to 34 % and from 7.8 to 18 %, respectively. On the other hand, oleic acid (18 : 1n-9) decreased from 45.8 to 24.3 %. Among non-CLA PUFA, linoleic (18 : 2n-6) and alpha-linolenic (18 : 3n-3) acids were strongly (P<0.01) decreased, from 14.2 to 7.7 % and from 1.3 to 0.3 %, respectively. The same was true for arachidonic (20:4n-6) and docosahexaenoic (22 : 6n-3) acids. The cholesterol content of egg yolks, when expressed in mg/g yolk, was not affected by the dietary CLA concentrations. In conclusion, unless the adverse effects of CLA feeding to laying hens on the fatty acid profile of egg yolks are eliminated, the CLA-enriched eggs cannot be considered functional food products.     

Abdominal vs buttock adipose fat: relationships with children's serum lipid levels

OBJECTIVE: To explore the extent to which the reported unfavorable fatty acid content of abdominal depots in adults is also true for children. In addition, the present study aims to assess the relative importance of abdominal vs buttock adipose tissue fat in the prediction of serum lipid levels in children. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study of children from the island of Crete. SETTING: The study was conducted between October 1999 and January 2000 in the Municipality of St Nikolas, Crete. SUBJECTS: A total of 475 children (aged 11-18) participated in the study. Data were obtained on children's anthropometry, serum lipids, physical activity and abdominal and buttock adipose tissue fatty acids. In total 138 children (aged 11-16) had complete data in all of the variables studied. RESULTS: Abdominal depots have elevated proportions of saturated fatty acids (P<0.001) and trans fatty acids (P<0.001), and reduced proportions of monounsaturated (P<0.001) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (P<0.001) in comparison to buttock depots. Buttock adipose tissue monounsaturated fat correlated negatively to serum LDL-C (P<0.05). Abdominal adipose tissue polyunsaturated fat had negative correlations with serum total cholesterol (P<0.05) and LDL-C (P<0.05). Regression analyses indicated that children's serum total cholesterol (P<0.05) and LDL-C (P<0.05) were inversely related to abdominal adipose tissue polyunsaturated fat. Body mass index was positively related to serum triglycerides (P<0.01) and LDL-C (P<0.01), and negatively to serum HDL-C (P<0.05). Age was negatively related to serum HDL-C (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It appears that, similar to adults, children's fatty acid composition of abdominal adipose tissue is less favorable than that of the buttock. Abdominal depots have elevated proportions of saturated fatty acids and reduced proportions of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat in comparison to buttock depots. Moreover, children's abdominal depots appear to have higher trans fatty acid contents than buttock depots. Children's adipose polyunsaturated fat, a biomarker of long-term polyunsaturated fatty acid intake, is inversely related to serum total cholesterol and LDL-C. It appears that abdominal adipose tissue fatty acids are more strongly related to serum lipids than buttock adipose tissue fatty acids. This may be attributed to the reported higher lipolysis rates in abdominal as opposed to buttock depots. SPONSORSHIP: Funding was provided by the Municipality of St Nikolas, Crete, Greece.     

Hog millet (Panicum miliaceum L.)-supplemented diet ameliorates hyperlipidemia and hepatic lipid accumulation in C57BL/6J-ob/ob mice

Dietary intake of whole grains reduces the incidence of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. In an earlier study, we showed that Panicum miliaceum L. extract (PME) exhibited the highest anti-lipogenic activity in 3T3-L1 cells among extracts of nine different cereal grains tested. In this study, we hypothesized that PME in the diet would lead to weight loss and augmentation of hyperlipidemia by regulating fatty acid metabolism. PME was fed to ob/ob mice at 0%, 0.5%, or 1% (w/w) for 4 weeks. After the experimental period, body weight changes, blood serum and lipid profiles, hepatic fatty acid metabolism-related gene expression, and white adipose tissue (WAT) fatty acid composition were determined. We found that the 1% PME diet, but not the 0.5%, effectively decreased body weight, liver weight, and blood triglyceride and total cholesterol levels (P < 0.05) compared to obese ob/ob mice on a normal diet. Hepatic lipogenic-related gene (PPARα, L-FABP, FAS, and SCD1) expression decreased, whereas lipolysis-related gene (CPT1) expression increased in animals fed the 1% PME diet (P < 0.05). Long chain fatty acid content and the ratio of C18:1/C18:0 fatty acids decreased significantly in adipose tissue of animals fed the 1% PME diet (P < 0.05). Serum inflammatory mediators also decreased significantly in animals fed the 1% PME diet compared to those of the ob/ob control group (P < 0.05). These results suggest that PME is useful in the chemoprevention or treatment of obesity and obesity-related disorders.