scholarly journals A Clinical Perspective of Low Carbohydrate Ketogenic Diets: A Narrative Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samir Giuseppe Sukkar ◽  
Maurizio Muscaritoli
Keyword(s):  
Case Reports ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Caloric Content ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Ketogenic Diets ◽  
Morbid Conditions

Low carbohydrates diets (LCDs), which provide 20–120 g of carbohydrates per day, have long been used as therapeutic options in the treatment of severe obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus and other morbid conditions, with good results in terms of weight loss and control of the main metabolic parameters, at least in the short and medium term. According to the caloric content and the macronutrient composition, we can classify LCDs in hypocaloric, normoproteic diets [such as the Very Low-Calorie Ketogenic Diet (VLCKD) or the protein-sparing modified fasting (PSMF)], hypocaloric, hyperproteic and hyperlipidic diets (e.g., Atkins, Paleo diets…) and normocaloric, normo-/hyperproteic diets (eucaloric KD), the latter mainly used in patients with brain tumors (gliomas) and refractory epilepsy. In addition to LCD diets, another interesting dietary approach which gained attention in the last few decades is fasting and its beneficial effects in terms of modulation of metabolic pathways, cellular processes and hormonal secretions. Due to the impossibility of using fasting regimens for long periods of time, several alternative strategies have been proposed that can mimic the effects, including calorie restriction, intermittent or alternating fasting, and the so-called fasting mimicking diets (FMDs). Recent preclinical studies have shown positive effects of FMDs in various experimental models of tumors, diabetes, Alzheimer Disease, and other morbid conditions, but to date, the scientific evidence in humans is limited to some opens studies and case reports. The purpose of our narrative review is to offer an overview of the characteristics of the main dietary regimens applied in the treatment of different clinical conditions as well as of the scientific evidence that justifies their use, focusing on low and zero-carb diets and on the different types of fasting.

Anti-atherosclerotic effects of fruit bioactive compounds: A review of current scientific evidence

2012 ◽  
Vol 92 (3) ◽  
pp. 407-419 ◽  
Author(s):  
Surangi H. Thilakarathna ◽  
H. P. Vasantha Rupasinghe
Keyword(s):  
Bioactive Compounds ◽  
Antioxidant Activities ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
Lipid Lowering ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Positive Effects

Thilakarathna, S. H. and Rupasinghe, H. P. V. 2012. Anti-atherosclerotic effects of fruit bioactive compounds: A review of current scientific evidence. Can. J. Plant Sci. 92: 407–419. Atherosclerosis is a condition which leads to a cascade of processes involved in thickening of arterial walls as a result of fatty deposition, which can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Among numerous remedies, the consumption of fruits is believed to have beneficial effects on atherosclerosis development. Various bioactive compounds are present in fruits and they have been found to be responsible for exerting these beneficial effects. Fruit flavonoids and certain terpenoids are among the most efficacious fruit bioactive compounds that have shown positive effects on different in vitro as well as in vivo research models of atherosclerosis. The mechanisms of actions of these compounds vary from exerting antioxidant activities to anti-atherogenic and lipid lowering activities, based on different experimental models. This review article briefly explains how some of the fruit bioactive compounds have affected atherosclerosis under experimental conditions.

scholarly journals Potential Implications of Quercetin and its Derivatives in Cardioprotection

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 1585 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristina Ferenczyova ◽  
Barbora Kalocayova ◽  
Monika Bartekova
Keyword(s):  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Ischemia Reperfusion ◽  
Cardiac Injury ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
Cardiac Effects ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Wide Range

Quercetin (QCT) is a natural polyphenolic compound enriched in human food, mainly in vegetables, fruits and berries. QCT and its main derivatives, such as rhamnetin, rutin, hyperoside, etc., have been documented to possess many beneficial effects in the human body including their positive effects in the cardiovascular system. However, clinical implications of QCT and its derivatives are still rare. In the current paper we provide a complex picture of the most recent knowledge on the effects of QCT and its derivatives in different types of cardiac injury, mainly in ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury of the heart, but also in other pathologies such as anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity or oxidative stress-induced cardiac injury, documented in in vitro and ex vivo, as well as in in vivo experimental models of cardiac injury. Moreover, we focus on cardiac effects of QCT in presence of metabolic comorbidities in addition to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Finally, we provide a short summary of clinical studies focused on cardiac effects of QCT. In general, it seems that QCT and its metabolites exert strong cardioprotective effects in a wide range of experimental models of cardiac injury, likely via their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and molecular pathways-modulating properties; however, ageing and presence of lifestyle-related comorbidities may confound their beneficial effects in heart disease. On the other hand, due to very limited number of clinical trials focused on cardiac effects of QCT and its derivatives, clinical data are inconclusive. Thus, additional well-designed human studies including a high enough number of patients testing different concentrations of QCT are needed to reveal real therapeutic potential of QCT in CVD. Finally, several negative or controversial effects of QCT in the heart have been reported, and this should be also taken into consideration in QCT-based approaches aimed to treat CVD in humans.

scholarly journals Accelerated fracture healing with teriparatide

2013 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 153-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
João Lindolfo C. Borges ◽  
Anderson Freitas ◽  
John P. Bilezikian
Keyword(s):  
Fracture Healing ◽  
Bone Repair ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
Major Surgery ◽  
Implant Fixation ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Callus Size

Satisfactory healing of the osteoporotic fracture is critically important to functional recovery, morbidity, and quality of life. Some therapies for osteoporosis may affect the processes associated with bone repair. For example, bisphosphonates in experimental models are associated with increased callus size and mineralization, reduced callus remodeling, and improved mechanical strength. Local and systemic bisphosphonate treatment may improve implant fixation. No negative impact on fracture healing has been observed, even after major surgery or when administered immediately after fracture. For the osteoanabolic agent teriparatide, case reports and a randomized trial have produced mixed results, but they are consistent with a positive impact of teriparatide on fracture healing. Some of the agents currently being developed for osteoporosis, notably sclerostin and DKK1 antibodies have shown a beneficial effect on fracture healing. At this point, therefore, there is no evidence that osteoporosis therapies are detrimental to fracture healing with some promising experimental evidence for positive effects on healing, notably for those agents whose actions are primarily anabolic.

scholarly journals The Effects of Cow-Milk Protein Supplementation in Elderly Population: Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 2548
Author(s):  
Barbara Zanini ◽  
Anna Simonetto ◽  
Matilde Zubani ◽  
Maurizio Castellano ◽  
Gianni Gilioli
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Mass ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Milk Proteins ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Protein Supplementation ◽  
Cow Milk ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Positive Effects

Background. To review currently available evidence on the effect of cow-milk proteins supplementation (CPS) on health in the elderly. Methods. Five electronic databases (Pubmed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov) were searched for studies about CPS among older people. All types of publications were included, with the exception of systematic reviews, meta-analyses, opinion letters, editorials, case reports, conference abstracts and comments. An additional search in Google Scholar and a manual review of the reference lists were performed. Results. Overall, 103 studies were included. Several studies explored the role of CPS in the preservation or improvement of muscle mass among healthy subjects (40 studies) and pre-frail, frail or sarcopenic patients (14), with evidence of beneficial effects. Other studies assessed the effect of CPS on bones (12), cardiovascular disease (8), inflamm-aging (7), chronic pulmonary disease (4), neurocognitive function (4), and vaccines (2), with weak evidence of positive effects. Seven studies in the field of protein metabolism investigated the role of CPS as an important contributor to nutritional needs. Other investigational areas are considered in the last five studies. Conclusions. The beneficial effects of CPS in achieving aged-related nutritional goals, in preserving muscle mass and in recovering after hospitalization may be particularly relevant in the elderly.

scholarly journals Effect of Microalgae and Macroalgae Extracts on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 2017
Author(s):  
Maitane González-Arceo ◽  
Saioa Gómez-Zorita ◽  
Leixuri Aguirre ◽  
María P. Portillo
Keyword(s):  
Liver Disease ◽  
Fatty Liver ◽  
Fatty Liver Disease ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Alcoholic Fatty Liver ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Preventive Effects ◽  
Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

The present review aims to gather scientific evidence regarding the beneficial effects of microalgae and macroalgae extracts on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The described data show that both microalgae and macroalgae improved this alteration. The majority of the reported studies analysed the preventive effects because algae were administered to animals concurrent with the diet that induced NAFLD. The positive effects were demonstrated using a wide range of doses, from 7.5 to 300 mg/kg body weight/day or from 1 to 10% in the diet, and experimental periods ranged from 3 to 16 weeks. Two important limitations on the scientific knowledge available to date are that very few studies have researched the mechanisms of action underlying the preventive effects of microalgae on NAFLD and that, for the majority of the algae studied, a single paper has been reported. For these reasons, it is not possible to establish the best conditions in order to know the beneficial effects that these algae could bring. In this scenario, further studies are needed. Moreover, the beneficial effects of algae observed in rodent need to be confirmed in humans before we can start considering these products as new tools in the fight against fatty liver disease.

scholarly journals Activation of Nrf2 by Natural Bioactive Compounds: A Promising Approach for Stroke?

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (14) ◽  
pp. 4875 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnese Gugliandolo ◽  
Placido Bramanti ◽  
Emanuela Mazzon
Keyword(s):  
Bioactive Compounds ◽  
Hemorrhagic Stroke ◽  
Redox Homeostasis ◽  
Antioxidant Response ◽  
Natural Compounds ◽  
Therapeutic Strategies ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Pathological Subtypes

Stroke represents one of the main causes of disability and death worldwide. The pathological subtypes of stroke are ischemic stroke, the most frequent, and hemorrhagic stroke. Nrf2 is a transcription factor that regulates redox homeostasis. In stress conditions, Nrf2 translocates inside the nucleus and induces the transcription of enzymes involved in counteracting oxidative stress, endobiotic and xenobiotic metabolism, regulators of inflammation, and others. Different natural compounds, including food and plant-derived components, were shown to be able to activate Nrf2, mediating an antioxidant response. Some of these compounds were tested in stroke experimental models showing several beneficial actions. In this review, we focused on the studies that evidenced the positive effects of natural bioactive compounds in stroke experimental models through the activation of Nrf2 pathway. Interestingly, different natural compounds can activate Nrf2 through multiple pathways, inducing a strong antioxidant response associated with the beneficial effects against stroke. According to several studies, the combination of different bioactive compounds can lead to a better neuroprotection. In conclusion, natural bioactive compounds may represent new therapeutic strategies against stroke.

scholarly journals State-of-the-art clinical results of growth hormone secretagogues, sarm and antagonists

2020 ◽  
pp. 37229-37237
Keyword(s):  
Growth Hormone ◽  
Growth Hormone Receptor ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Clinical Results ◽  
Growth Hormone Secretagogues ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Natural Ligand ◽  
Study Results

Introduction: The term growth hormone secretagogues (GHS) encompasses compounds that were developed to increase growth release of growth hormone (GH). GHSs include growth hormone receptor secretagogue agonists (GHS-R), whose natural ligand is ghrelin, and growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) agonists, to which GHRH binds as a native ligand. In the context of selective androgen receptor modulators (SARM), the presence of a Toll-IL-1 receptor domain (TIR) predicts a role for SARMs in innate immunity. SARMs are an emerging class of therapies aimed at cachexia, sarcopenia and hypogonadism or treatment of stress urinary incontinence, osteoporosis, breast cancer and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Objective: To present the state-of-the-art scientific evidence in humans on the use of growth hormone secretagogues, SARM and antagonists. Methods: Experimental and clinical studies were included (case reports, retrospective, prospective, randomized studies and systematic review) with qualitative and/or quantitative analysis. For further specifications, the description “Clinical Trail” for refinement was added during the research, following the rules of the systematic reviewPRISMA. Of 384 articles, a total of 80 articles were evaluated in full and 58 were included and discussed in this study. Results and conclusion: Several clinical trials have been conducted and completed to assess the safety and efficacy of GHS for the diagnosis and / or treatment of GH deficiency. Over the past two decades, scientists' efforts have focused on the discovery and biological characterization of new tissue-specific SARM to promote the beneficial effects of androgens with greatly reduced undesirable side effects. In this regard, numerous studies with SARM of different structures have been reported. Despite evidenced clinical and preclinical studies, no SARM has yet received full clinical approval.

The role of physical exercise in the development of breast cancer

Physiotherapy ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Agata Adasik
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Exercise ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Oncological Treatment ◽  
Beneficial Effects

AbstractBreast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer among women worldwide. Epidemiological and experimental studies confirm the beneficial effects of physical exercise both in patients who have suffered a relapse and in those who are in the course of a treatment. Researchers suggest that regular physical effort performed 3-5 times a week at 20-40 MET reduces the risk of development of breast cancer. Scientific evidence suggests that aerobic training can be safe and effective even during the oncological treatment, which, depending on the stage of the disease, may consist of surgical treatment combined with chemotherapy, radiotherapy or hormone therapy. In addition, it significantly improves the function of the circulatory and respiratory systems, reduces fatigue and improves the quality of life of patients struggling with the disease. There are many theories on the mechanisms that are triggered by aerobic workout. Despite the numerous studies on this subject, which have been conducted over the years, we still cannot say how physical activity reduces the risk of development of breast cancer. The most frequently mentioned biological mechanisms include the influence of oestrogen, metabolic hormones, growth factor, inflammatory markers, response from the immune system, insulin resistance and oxidative stress. Many studies into the process of carcinogenesis are carried out in laboratory conditions on animals. Due to application of different experimental models, the results of such studies are often ambiguous. Nevertheless, scientists see a huge potential in this kind of experiments, because some of them have already attested to the protective effects of physical exercise against the appearance of breast cancer, but also they have increased our understanding of the processes through which this risk is reduced. Perhaps, in the future physical activity will become a part of a cancer treatment thanks to the results of such studies.

scholarly journals Wind Instruments and their Influence on Oral Cavity: Systematic Review

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 180-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Bluj-Komarnitka ◽  
Iulian Komarnitki ◽  
Dorota Olczak-Kowalczyk
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Oral Cavity ◽  
Oral Mucosa ◽  
Orthodontic Treatment ◽  
Randomized Trials ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Wind Instruments ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Positive Effect

ABSTRACT Playing wind instruments is causing additional forces that influence dentition and may create malocclusions or escalate existing anomalies in the oral cavity. There are four types of wind instruments grouped according to the structure of the mouthpiece/ reed. Each group of wind instruments may influence the health of oral cavity, i.e. change occlusal conditions, irritate oral mucosa and cause temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. Under certain conditions a correctly chosen instrusment may support orthodontic treatment, causing a faster correction of the existing disorder. Aim The aim of this paper was to assess the influence of playing wind instruments on the oral cavity including the positive effect on the reduction of existing dental disorders. Special attention was paid to changes in teeth alignment measured by overbite and overjet. Materials and methods A systematic review was conducted after browsing Medline and Embase data bases. Results Seventeen studies proved eligible under the selection criteria. Selected papers included two randomized trials: review articles and case reports. Summary Wind instruments may favor the development of malocclusions, changes on oral mucosa and hamper the usage of prostheses. Playing wind instruments may help during orthodontic treatment but there are still no scientific evidence supporting their possible positive effects. How to cite this article Bluj-Komarnitka K, Komarnitki I, Olczak-Kowalczyk D. Wind Instruments and their Influence on Oral Cavity: Systematic Review. World J Dent 2014;5(3):180-183.

ACE2 as therapeutic agent

2020 ◽  
Vol 134 (19) ◽  
pp. 2581-2595
Author(s):  
Qiuhong Li ◽  
Maria B. Grant ◽  
Elaine M. Richards ◽  
Mohan K. Raizada
Keyword(s):  
Therapeutic Agent ◽  
Renin Angiotensin System ◽  
Peptide Hormone ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
Electrolyte Balance ◽  
Ang Ii ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Overwhelming Evidence ◽  
Future Challenges

Abstract The angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) has emerged as a critical regulator of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS), which plays important roles in cardiovascular homeostasis by regulating vascular tone, fluid and electrolyte balance. ACE2 functions as a carboxymonopeptidase hydrolyzing the cleavage of a single C-terminal residue from Angiotensin-II (Ang-II), the key peptide hormone of RAS, to form Angiotensin-(1-7) (Ang-(1-7)), which binds to the G-protein–coupled Mas receptor and activates signaling pathways that counteract the pathways activated by Ang-II. ACE2 is expressed in a variety of tissues and overwhelming evidence substantiates the beneficial effects of enhancing ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/Mas axis under many pathological conditions in these tissues in experimental models. This review will provide a succinct overview on current strategies to enhance ACE2 as therapeutic agent, and discuss limitations and future challenges. ACE2 also has other functions, such as acting as a co-factor for amino acid transport and being exploited by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronaviruses (SARS-CoVs) as cellular entry receptor, the implications of these functions in development of ACE2-based therapeutics will also be discussed.

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