Reduced Plasma Short-Chain Fatty Acid (SCFA) Concentrations Are Not Associated With Markers of Muscle Health in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Objectives Cancer patients were shown to have an altered intestinal microbiota composition and lower fecal concentrations of the bacterial metabolites short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), which among others serve as energy source to muscle. We previously described an association between reduced plasma SCFA concentrations and muscle dysfunction in chronic wasting diseases and now examined whether this relationship exists in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Methods We recruited 13 male patients with advanced NSCLC (stage 3–4) without anticancer therapy or surgery in the previous 4 weeks (age: 65.8 [62.2, 69.5] yo, BMI: 27.7 [25.2, 30.2] kg/m2), and 11 healthy male, age-matched controls (age: 68.5 [64.0, 73.0] yo, BMI: 26.5 [24.0, 28.9] kg/m2). Venous plasma was collected in the postabsorptive state to determine SCFA concentrations (in μM) by GC-MS. Nutritional depletion was assessed by unintended weight loss >5% in the past 3 months, muscle mass by DXA, handgrip strength and endurance by dynamometry, and maximal expiratory and inspriratory pressure using a hand-held mouth pressure device. Statistics are by ANCOVA and Pearson's correlation adjusting for age and BMI. Data are mean [95% CI]. Results Acetate (−54.1 [−105.0, −3.1] μmol/L, P = 0.039), propionate (−0.72 [−1.29, −0.16] μmol/L, P = 0.015), and butyrate (−0.52 [−0.92, −0.12] μmol/L, P = 0.014) concentrations were reduced in NSCLC compared to controls. While a higher propionate concentration correlated with a higher life expectancy (P = 0.037), SCFA concentrations were not associated with disease severity (stage 3 vs. 4), presence of nutritional depletion, or cancer type (adenocarcinoma vs. squamous cell carcinoma) (all P > 0.05). We observed no differences in muscle mass, strength or endurance between cancer and healthy participants and SCFA concentrations did not correlate with muscle function and endurance in NSCLC patients (all P > 0.05). Conclusions Our data suggest that the reduced SCFA play a role in overall outcome but not in muscle health in NSCLC patients. Funding Sources AICR, NIH, National Center for Research Resources, Sydney and J.L. Huffines Institute for Sports Medicine and Human Performance.

Nutritional depletion of total mixed rations by red-winged blackbirds and projected impacts on dairy cow performance

This Research Communication describes an investigation of the nutritional depletion of total mixed rations (TMR) by pest birds. We hypothesized that species-specific bird depredation of TMR can alter the nutritional composition of the ration and that these changes can negatively impact the performance of dairy cows. Blackbirds selected the high energy fraction of the TMR (i.e., flaked corn) and reduced starch, crude fat and total digestible nutrients during controlled feeding experiments. For Holsteins producing 37·1 kg of milk/d, dairy production modeling illustrated that total required net energy intake (NEI) was 35·8 Mcal/d. For the reference TMR unexposed to blackbirds and the blackbird-consumed TMR, NEI supplied was 41·2 and 37·8 Mcal/d, and the resulting energy balance was 5·4 and 2·0 Mcal/d, respectively. Thus, Holsteins fed the reference and blackbird-consumed TMR were estimated to gain one body condition score in 96 and 254 d, and experience daily weight change due to reserves of 1·1 and 0·4 kg/d, respectively. We discuss these results in context of an integrated pest management program for mitigating the depredation caused by pest birds at commercial dairies.

Treatment of Chemotherapy-induced Nausea in Cancer Patients

For over 30 years, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting have been the most severe and troublesome symptoms for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Unresolved chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting can lead to metabolic disorders, dehydration, nutritional depletion and oesophageal tears, and can reduce the daily functioning and quality of life of and interfere with treatment schedules. Despite the widespread use of antiemetics, chemotherapy-induced nausea continues to be problematic. Unlike vomiting, nausea is a subjective and unobservable phenomenon, making it extremely difficult to accurately assess and treat. Current research suggests that management of chemotherapy-induced nausea should focus on treating the symptoms before they occur rather than after they develop. This article highlights evidence-based interventions for the treatment of chemotherapy-related nausea.