High-protein Weight-loss Diets: Are They Safe and Do They Work? A Review of the Experimental and Epidemiologic Data

Recommendations for increased consumption of protein are among the most common approaches of popular or fad diets. This review summarizes the effects of dietary protein on satiety, energy intake, thermogenesis, and weight loss, as well as its effect on a variety of health outcomes in adults. In short-term studies, dietary protein modulates energy intake via the sensation of satiety and increases total energy expenditure by increasing the thermic effect of feeding. Whereas these effects did not contribute to weight and fat loss in those studies in which energy intake was fixed, one ad libitum study does suggest that a high-protein diet results in a greater decrease in energy intake, and therefore greater weight and fat loss. In terms of safety, there is little long-term information on the health effects of high-protein diets. From the available data, however, it is evident that the consumption of protein greater than two to three times the U.S. Recommended Daily Allowance contributes to urinary calcium loss and may, in the long term, predispose to bone loss. Caution with these diets is recommended in those individuals who may be predisposed to nephrolithiasis or kidney disease, and particularly in those with diabetes mellitus.     

Preparation and evaluation of temperature sensitive liposomes containing adriamycin and cytarabine

Temperature sensitive liposomes (TSL) containing adriamycin (ADM) and cytarabine (Ara-C) were prepared. ADM and Ara-C were selected as model compounds of amphiphilic and hydrophilic drug, respectively. Encapsulation efficiency of ADM entrapped into TSL was about twice greater than that of Ara-C. It might be due to different polarity of the drugs. Lipid compositions of TSL had no effect on the encapsulation efficiency of drugs. Thermal behavior of TSL using a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was also investigated. Phase transition temperature (T_c) of TSL was dependent on the lipid compositions of TSL.ADM broadened thermogram of TSL but Ara-C did not. However, T_c of TSL was not changed by any drug. Release rate of drugs was highly dependent on temperature. The release profile of ADM was similar to that of Ara-C. The maximum release rate of drugs from TSL was occurred at the near T_c and observed at 39–41°C for DPPC (Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine) only, 52–54°C for DSPC (Distearoylphosphatidylcholine) only, 41–43°C for DPPC and DSPC (3∶1), and 43–45°C for DPPC and DSPC (1∶1), respectively. Effect of human serum albumin (HSA) on the release rate of ADM was investigated. HSA had no significant effect on the release of ADM below T_c. However, ADM release from TSL was increased at the near and above T_c. The HSA-induced leakage of drug may result from the interaction of liposomal constituents with HSA structure at the near T_c. From the fact that the release profiles of ADM from freshly prepared TSL and stored TSL for 1 week at 4°C was not changed, the TSL was considered to be stable for at least 1 week at 4°C. Based on these findings, TSL may be useful to deliver drugs to preheated target sites due to its thermal behaviors.     

Natural history of parathyroid function and calcium metabolism after kidney transplantation: a single-centre study.

BACKGROUND: The natural history of parathyroid function after successful renal transplantation (RT) and the factors predisposing to persistent hyperparathyroidism (HPT) are not well established. A better knowledge of these data may be helpful in the development of algorithms for optimal surveillance and treatment of HPT after successful RT. Our aim was to evaluate the post-transplant natural history of parathyroid function and calcium metabolism in patients with a functional renal graft and to identify risk factors for persistent HPT. METHODS: Charts of 1165 allograft kidney recipients transplanted between 1989 and 2000 were reviewed. Patients with an intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) level available at the time of transplantation were identified. The charts of the latter patients were checked for a variety of demographic and clinical data, and all determinations of the iPTH concentration available since transplantation were recorded. Serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatases and creatinine, concurrently determined, were also registered. RESULTS: After an initial fall, iPTH levels showed a slow but steady decline towards the upper normal limit. The prevalence of persistent HPT, defined as an iPTH level > or =2.5 times the upper normal limit or the need for parathyroidectomy following transplantation, remained stable at approximately 17% up to 4 years after transplantation. Patients with persistent HPT had significantly elevated serum levels of iPTH, calcium and phosphorus at the time of RT, and had spent a longer time on dialysis. Post-transplant iPTH levels correlated significantly with transplant kidney function. CONCLUSION: Kidney transplant recipients with a high iPTH and calcium x phosphate product at the time of transplantation are at risk for persistent HPT especially when renal function is suboptimal. Therapy for persistent HPT, if considered, should be initiated 3 months post-transplantation since further spontaneous improvement of parathyroid function thereafter is limited.     

Is dietary counselling effective in increasing dietary calcium,protein and energy intake in patients with osteoporotic fractures? A randomized controlled clinical trial

To determine the feasibility of increasing the calcium, protein and calorie intake of osteoporotic fracture patients by repeated dietary counselling delivered by a dietitian, a randomized controlled trial was conducted. Among 189 patients presenting with osteoporotic fractures to an Orthopaedics and Traumatology Department of a large regional hospital, 98 patients were randomized to the intervention group and 91 were randomized to the control group (with usual care). Intervention group received three sessions of dietary counselling with tailored made recommendations over a period of 4 months, while the control group only received dietary assessment and pamphlets on the prevention of osteoporosis. Almost all subjects in both intervention and control groups had calcium intake below the recommended level of 1000 mg at baseline. Half and 60% of subjects in both groups had total energy and protein intake below recommended levels respectively. The mean weights of control and intervention groups at baseline were 51.5 and 50.9 kg respectively, while the body mass index (BMI) were 22.6 (kg m(-2)) and 22.6 (kg m(-2)) respectively. After dietary intervention, significant increase of intake was seen in calcium intake (P = 0.0095 by t-test) in the intervention group. No significant increase was seen in protein or calorie intake. No significant change was observed in the body weight or BMI although there was a positive trend in the intervention group for all these parameters. We concluded that there was general malnutrition in Chinese elderly who presented with osteoporotic fractures. Dietary calcium could be increased by repeated professional dietary counselling. Future studies with longer duration and more objective clinical outcomes will be helpful to further demonstrate the long-term effects of dietary intervention on osteoporosis and other chronic diseases.     

Biological characterization of glutaraldehyde-modified Parietaria judaica pollen extracts

BACKGROUND: Allergoids are widely used in specific immunotherapy (SIT) for the treatment of IgE-mediated allergic diseases, but all techniques for standardization of conventional allergic extracts may not be appropriate for standardization of a glutaraldehyde (GA)-modified extract because of the unique characteristics of these extracts. OBJECTIVE: To assess an accurate methodology for standardization of chemically modified extracts. METHODS: GA-modified extracts from Parietaria judaica pollen were purified by diafiltration. Biochemical properties were investigated by determination of amino groups, chromatography, and SDS-PAGE. The IgE-binding activity was determined by skin prick test, enzyme allergosorbent test inhibition, basophil activation, and histamine release tests. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from P. judaica pollen-allergic subjects were stimulated with either native or allergoid extracts, and proliferation was measured. RESULTS: Biochemical data indicated a high degree of allergen polymerization resulting in extract components higher than 100 kDa. IgE-binding activity, both in vivo and in vitro, was reduced by more than 99.8%. Both allergen and allergoid induced PBMC proliferation and synthesis of blocking IgG antibodies at similar rates. Moreover, no evidence of introduction of new determinants by chemical modification was found. CONCLUSIONS: The preparation of GA-modified extracts by diafiltration is faster and more reliable than previous chromatographic methods. These modified extracts have drastically reduced their allergenicity while maintaining their immunogenicity, and therefore they can be used in safer and shortened schedules of SIT.     

大豆蛋白影响肾损害模型钙摄入和钙排出的实验研究

[目的]研究大豆蛋白对肾损害大鼠钙平衡的影响。[方法]选择3月龄断乳雄性SD大鼠40只．按体质量从小到大排序，采用完全随机化原则分为4组。每组10只。标准饲料对照组：喂食含有14％酪蛋白饲料；大豆蛋白饲料组：喂食含有14％大豆分离蛋白饲料；混合饲料1组：喂食含有7％酪蛋白加7％大豆分离蛋白饲料；混合饲料2组：喂食含有7％酪蛋白加14％大豆分离蛋白饲料。实验期用腺嘌呤灌胃共21d，建立肾损害大鼠模型，各组大鼠喂养相应饲料6周，测饲料消耗量、24h尿蛋白、尿钙、钙表观吸收率、储留钙量。[结果]4组实验大鼠饲料摄入量1d～30d无统计学差异，大豆蛋白饲料组和混合饲料1组实验结束时与另外两组相比，尿钙排泄量低，钙表观吸收率和储留钙量高，差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。[结论]蛋白质含量水平在14％条件下，含大豆蛋白的两种饲料对肾损害大鼠钙吸收、钙排泄的影响无统计学差异，有利于促进钙吸收，减少钙排泄。     

汉防己甲素抑制三种神经递质引起的新生大鼠脑细胞内游离钙的升高

应用Ｐｕｒａ－２技术测定游离新生大鼠脑［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ浓度的技术、研究了Ｔｅｔ对静息脑［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ和３种递质引起的脑［Ｃａ２］ｉ变化的影响。Ｔｅｔ（１，１０和２０μｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１）对静息脑［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ无明显影响。Ｔｅｔ（１０μｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１）可降低Ｌ－Ｇｌｎ（０．１、１．０和１０μｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１）引起的脑（Ｃａ２＋）ｉ的升高。在Ｈａｎｋ＇ｓ液Ｃａ２＋为１．３ｍｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１时，Ｔｅｔ１０μｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１可降低Ｈｉｓ（５０和１００μｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１）和５－ＨＴ（０．１、１．０、１０和１００μｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１）引起的脑［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ的升高。但不能降低Ｈａｎｋ＇ｓ液无Ｃａ２＋时Ｈｉｓ和５－ＨＴ引起的脑［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ的升高。研究表明Ｔｅｔ可阻滞Ｌ－Ｇｉｎ、Ｈｉｓ和５－ＨＴ受体调控的钙通道。但对Ｈｉｓ和５－ＨＴ引起的细胞内贮存钙的释放并无明显影响。Ｔｅｔ的这种降低脑［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ的作用可能是其治疗脑缺血性疾病的机理之一。Ｐ＜０．０１在Ｔｅｔ１０μｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１作用下，相同浓度的细胞外液钙和Ｈｉｓ（０、５０和１００μｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１），脑［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ分别是２２１±５、２４５±５和３０２±６ｎｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１。增加了１１．８?     

氨氯地平与尼群地平治疗高血压的多中心平行对照研究

采用多中心、随机、单盲、组间、平行对照的方法对488例原发性高血压患者进行氨氯地平或尼群地平4周治疗观察，显示氨氯地平的降压有效率为90．4％，较尼群地平显著为高。不良反应较少，安全性好。每日只需服药1次，剂量5～10mg，方便病人。     

甘草甜素和甘草酸单铵促进IL-2增强NK活性的研究

本实验采用乳酸脱氢酶释放法研究甘草甜素和甘草酸单铵对人外周血NK细胞活性的影响。结果表明,甘草甜素和甘草酸单铵本身无增强NK细胞活性的作用,但可明显促进IL-2增强NK活性,这种增强作用与甘草甜素和甘草酸单铵的浓度有关。     

一阶导数光谱法测定丙吡胺尿药浓度及其缓释片的相对生物利用度

本文报道了用导数光谱法测定磷酸丙吡胺的尿药浓度,本方法能消除尿中杂质干扰,测定结果准确。6名受试者交叉口服磷酸丙吡胺缓释片和普通片,测得尿药浓度计算消除速度常数K,排泄速率(Δx/Δt)_(max) 所需时间,证明缓稀片药物排泄慢,药效维持时间长,且缓释片的相对生物利用度与普通片基本相同。