Energy Metabolism In Patients Research Articles

Influence of diabetes mellitus on energy metabolism in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis.

The objective was to explore the characteristics of energy metabolism in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC) and diabetes mellitus (DM). Thirty-four male patients with ALC and DM, 30 male patients with ALC without DM and 10 male healthy controls (HC) were enrolled in this study. Resting energy expenditure (REE), respiratory quotient (RQ) were measured by indirect calorimetry. Data were analyzed using the Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney U-test and χ2 tests between two groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the risk factors for hypermetabolism. Measured REE was significantly higher in patients with ALC and DM (1740 ± 338 kcal/d) than in patients with ALC (1400 ± 304 kcal/d, P < 0.01). Fasting blood glucose was an independent factor predicting hypermetabolism in all of the patients with ALC (P = 0.005). RQ was lower in patients with ALC and DM (0.80 ± 0.06) than in patients with ALC (0.83 ± 0.05, P = 0.027) and the HC (0.86 ± 0.03, P = 0.001). In the ALC and DM group, measured REE as percentage of predicted REE by Harris-Benedict formula was higher in patients with HbA1c ≥ 7.5% than in those with HbA1c < 7.5% (126.36 ± 15.19% vs. 109.48 ± 23.89%, P = 0.040). REE was increased and RQ was significantly decreased in patients with ALC and DM. These changes were associated with poor glucose control. HbA1c less than 7.5% may reduce the risk of hypermetabolism.

Energy metabolism in patients with diabetes and heart failure

The heart has a very high energy demand, which is mostly met by mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and, to a lesser extent, by glycolysis. In heart failure, there are substantial alterations in myocardial energy metabolism that lead to an “energy-deficient” state. This includes a marked reduction in overall mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and an uncoupling between high glycolysis rates and low glucose oxidation, which together contributes to the energy deficit and deteriorates contractile dysfunction. Cardiac ketone oxidation is also increased in heart failure, although it has yet to be determined whether this is an adaptive or maladaptive alteration. Diabetes is a major risk factor for heart failure development. It induces alterations in myocardial energy metabolism and is often associated with ventricular dysfunction. Similar to heart failure, a major change in myocardial energy metabolism in diabetic patients is a reduction in glucose oxidation, which negatively influences cardiac function. In both heart failure and diabetes, a growing body of evidence suggests that targeting myocardial energy metabolism by optimizing cardiac energy substrate preference could be a potential therapeutic approach to improve patient outcomes.

SUN-PO192: Changes in Resting Energy Metabolism in Patients on Total Parenteral Nutrition Versus Energy Supply

SUN-PO192: Changes in Resting Energy Metabolism in Patients on Total Parenteral Nutrition Versus Energy Supply

Liver function and energy metabolism in hepatocellular carcinoma developed in patients with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis

Energy metabolism in patients with Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accompanying by hepatitis B cirrhosis is unknown.To compare the differences in liver functions and energy metabolism between patients with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis and patients with HCC.This was a retrospective study of patients with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis (LC group, n = 75) and patients with HCC accompanying by hepatitis B cirrhosis (HCC group, n = 80) treated in Beijing You’an Hospital between January 2013 and June 2017. The resting energy expenditure (REE), respiratory quotient (RQ), carbohydrate oxidation rate (CHO%), fat oxidation rate (FAT%), and protein oxidation rate (PRO%) were measured using a metabolic cart. Liver function, renal function, blood coagulation, etc. were collected.Compared to the LC group, patients with HCC had normal metabolism, but RQ (0.83 ± 0.07 vs 0.85 ± 0.08, P = .073) and CHO% (35.5% vs 49%, P = .013) were lower and FAT% was higher (41% vs 33%, P = .030). Compared with patients with LC group, albumin (ALB), γ-glutamyltranspeptadase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and prothrombin time activity (PTA) were elevated in the HCC group, while total bilirubin (TB), total bile acid (TBA), and international normalized ratio (INR) were reduced (P < .05). Cholinesterase (CHE) was positively correlated with RQ, CHO, and CHO% (P < .05), while negatively correlated with FAT and FAT% (P < .05). AKP was negatively correlated with RQ, CHO, and CHO% (P < .05), while positively correlated with FAT and FAT% (P < .05). TBA was negatively correlated with RQ and CHO (P < .05), while positively correlated with FAT (P < .05).HCC leads to increased liver synthetic function and improve the liver functions of patients with LC, at least to some extent, but the nutritional metabolism was poor.

Reduced hepatocellular lipid accumulation and energy metabolism in patients with long standing type 1 diabetes mellitus

The prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome increases in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). In the general population this is linked with ectopic lipid accumulation in liver (HCL) and skeletal muscle (IMCL), representing hallmarks in the development of insulin resistance. Moreover, hepatic mitochondrial activity is lower in newly diagnosed patients with T1DM. If this precedes later development of diabetes related fatty liver disease is currently not known. This study aims to investigate energy metabolism in liver (kATP) and skeletal muscle (kCK) and its impact on HCL, IMCL, cardiac fat depots and heart function in 10 patients with long standing T1DM compared to 11 well-matched controls by 31P/1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy. HCL was almost 70% lower in T1DM compared to controls (6.9 ± 5% vs 2.1 ± 1.3%; p = 0.030). Also kATP was significantly reduced (0.33 ± 0.1 s−1vs 0.17 ± 0.1 s−1; p = 0.018). In T1DM, dose of basal insulin strongly correlated with BMI (r = 0.676, p = 0.032) and HCL (r = 0.643, p = 0.045), but not with kATP. In the whole cohort, HCL was significantly associated with BMI (r = 0.615, p = 0.005). In skeletal muscle kCK was lower in patients with T1DM (0.25 ± 0.05 s−1vs 0.31 ± 0–04 s−1; p = 0.039). No significant differences were found in IMCL. Cardiac fat depots as well as heart function were not different. Our results in patients with long standing T1DM show that HCL is lower compared to matched controls, despite reduced energy metabolism in liver and skeletal muscle.

Complex spa treatment of patients after removal of the gallbladder (medical technology)*

Medical technology consists in the complex application of natural (drinking mineral water and mineral baths) and preformed (magnetotherapy to the liver and right hypochondrium) physical factors in the rehabilitation treatment of patients in the early stages after removal of the gallbladder. The technology improves the efficiency of treatment by correcting impaired digestion and energy metabolism in patients with a removed gallbladder in the new anatomical and physiological conditions that have developed after the operation. The technology is intended for physicians of restorative medicine, gastroenterologists, balneologists and physiotherapists of health resorts and other medical institutions.

Consistency study of indirect calorimetry and HB equation for measuring energy expenditure of patients with multiple injury receiving mechanical ventilation

To evaluate the difference and correlation of 24-hour energy expenditure in patients with multiple trauma receiving mechanical ventilation predicted by indirect calorimetry (IC) and HB formula. 140 patients with multiple trauma receiving mechanical ventilation admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) of the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from December 1st, 2016 to August 31st, 2017 were enrolled. The 24-hour energy expenditure of patients was repeatedly measured at 1, 3, 5, and 7 days after ICU admission by IC method, and the 24-hour energy expenditure measured by IC method was used as the "gold standard" to calculate the 24-hour kilogram body weight energy expenditure. The 24-hour energy expenditure value measured by IC method was compared with the 24-hour energy expenditure predicted value calculated by HB formula method, the consistency of the two measurement methods was detected by Bland-Altman method, and the correlation between the two measurement methods was analyzed by Pearson method and the linear equation was fitted. The 24-hour energy expenditure of patients at 1, 3, 5 and 7 days after ICU was repeatedly measured by IC method for 501 times, and there was no significant difference in 24-hour energy expenditure (kJ/d: 8 163.1±1 599.4, 8 221.1±1 694.7, 8 445.8±1 756.4, 8 707.0±1 820.7, respectively, F = 2.451, P = 0.063) and 24-hour kilogram body weight energy expenditure (kJ×kg-1×d-1: 120.5±18.9, 121.4±19.7, 122.7±19.3, 121.4±19.3, respectively, F = 0.252, P = 0.860) at each time point, indicating that the first week of multi-injury patients had no significant changes in energy metabolism. The consistency between the 24-hour energy expenditure measured by IC method on the first day [(8 163.1±1 599.4) kJ/d] and that predicted by HB formula method [(6 568.8±782.0) kJ/d] was analyzed. The results showed that there was significant bias between the two methods, with an average bias of -(1 591.8±121.4) kJ/d, but the correlation analysis showed that there was a linear correlation between them (r = 0.439, P = 0.000), using one-way regression, the fitted linear equation was Y = 2 270.5+0.897X (X was 24-hour energy expenditure predicted by the HB formula). The energy metabolism of patients with multiple trauma receiving mechanical ventilation is not obvious within 1 week. The HB formula method underestimates the 24-hour energy expenditure of patients. The prediction formula can be used to correct the HB formula and further to improve the accuracy of predicting the 24-hour energy consumption of patients.

Investigating Muscle Function After Stroke Rehabilitation with 31P-MRS: A Preliminary Study

BackgroundNew evidence reveals significant metabolic changes in skeletal muscle after stroke. However, it is unknown if 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P-MRS) can evaluate these metabolic changes. Our objective here was to investigate: (a) if muscle energy metabolism changes in the affected side; (b) if muscle energy metabolism changes after rehabilitation; and (c) if energy metabolism measured by 31P-MRS can reflect changes in the Modified Modified Ashworth Scale (MMAS) and Fugl-Meyer assessment-lower extremity (FMA-LE) scores after rehabilitation.Material/MethodsWe enrolled 13 patients with stroke symptoms and hemiplegia. Lower-limb motor status on the affected side was evaluated by FMA-LE and MMAS. The 31P-MRS measures included phosphocreatine (PCr), inorganic phosphate (Pi), PCr/Pi, and pH. We statistically compared these measures in the affected and unaffected lower leg muscles before rehabilitation and after rehabilitation on the affected side. Spearman correlational analyses was performed to determine correlations between change in energy metabolism and change in FMA-LE score and MMAS score after rehabilitation.ResultsPCr and PCr/Pi were significantly lower in the affected muscle compared to the unaffected muscle; however, there were no significant differences in Pi or pH. After rehabilitation, PCr, Pi, PCr/Pi, and pH did not significantly change. However, FMA-LE and MMAS score improved significantly after rehabilitation. Changes in energy metabolism measured by 31P-MRS had no correlation with FMA-LE change after rehabilitation. However, changes in PCr and PCr/Pi were correlated with change in MMAS score after rehabilitation.Conclusions31P-MRS can evaluate changes in muscle energy metabolism in patients with stroke. PCr measured by 31P-MRS can reflect changes in MMAS after rehabilitation.

The effects of home oxygen therapy on energy metabolism in patients with COPD.

BackgroundCOPD is preventable and treatable and is characterized by completely nonreversible airflow obstruction. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of long-term oxygen therapy on patients with stage 4 COPD who were followed up and treated at the polyclinic or clinic service. We evaluated the effects of oxygen therapy on energy metabolism and physical activity in patients with COPD.MethodsNineteen patients with COPD (16 male/3 female), treated with oxygen therapy for the first time, were included in this study. Analysis of arterial blood gases and pulmonary function test was performed. Metabolic Holter device (SenseWear® Armband) was placed pre- and post-oxygen therapy on the patients’ arm for at least 3 days. This device captures Holter data in a digitized electronic system, and the daily average value was calculated from the data.ResultsPost-oxygen treatment showed a significant increase in energy expenditure by patients with COPD (pretreatment, 1,497±596 joule; posttreatment, 2,977±5,985 joule; P=0.044). Moreover, number of steps during walking (pretreatment, 2,056±256; posttreatment, 2,120±195; P=0.03), resting (pretreatment, 6.36±3.31 hours; posttreatment, 3.47±2.19 hours; P<0.03), and sleeping (pretreatment, 4.23±2.13 hours; posttreatment, 2.33±1.42 hours; P<0.00) showed significant differences. Increased daily energy expenditure in patients with respiratory failure was detected with long-term oxygen therapy. In addition, the immobility of patients decreased and duration of physical activity increased in patients with COPD.ConclusionIn this study, positive effects of long-term oxygen therapy have been demonstrated with respect to energy metabolism and physical activity of patients with COPD. Thus, we recommend that medication adherence and long-term oxygen therapy should begin early in patients with COPD.

Metabolic Dysfunctions in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Pathogenesis and Potential Metabolic Treatments.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease primarily characterized by loss of motor neurons in brain and spinal cord. The death of motor neurons leads to denervation of muscle which in turn causes muscle weakness and paralysis, decreased respiratory function and eventually death. Growing evidence indicates disturbances in energy metabolism in patients with ALS and animal models of ALS, which are likely to contribute to disease progression. Particularly, defects in glucose metabolism and mitochondrial dysfunction limit the availability of ATP to CNS tissues and muscle. Several metabolic approaches improving mitochondrial function have been investigated in vitro and in vivo and showed varying effects in ALS. The effects of metabolic approaches in ALS models encompass delays in onset of motor symptoms, protection of motor neurons and extension of survival, which signifies an important role of metabolism in the pathogenesis of the disease. There is now an urgent need to test metabolic approaches in controlled clinical trials. In addition, more detailed studies to better characterize the abnormalities in energy metabolism in patients with ALS and ALS models are necessary to develop metabolically targeted effective therapies that can slow the progression of the disease and prolong life for patients with ALS.

Statin-induced changes in mitochondrial respiration in blood platelets in rats and human with dyslipidemia.

3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins) are widely used drugs for lowering blood lipid levels and preventing cardiovascular diseases. However, statins can have serious adverse effects, which may be related to development of mitochondrial dysfunctions. The aim of study was to demonstrate the in vivo effect of high and therapeutic doses of statins on mitochondrial respiration in blood platelets. Model approach was used in the study. Simvastatin was administered to rats at a high dose for 4 weeks. Humans were treated with therapeutic doses of rosuvastatin or atorvastatin for 6 weeks. Platelet mitochondrial respiration was measured using high-resolution respirometry. In rats, a significantly lower physiological respiratory rate was found in intact platelets of simvastatin-treated rats compared to controls. In humans, no significant changes in mitochondrial respiration were detected in intact platelets; however, decreased complex I-linked respiration was observed after statin treatment in permeabilized platelets. We propose that the small in vivo effect of statins on platelet energy metabolism can be attributed to drug effects on complex I of the electron transport system. Both intact and permeabilized platelets can be used as a readily available biological model to study changes in cellular energy metabolism in patients treated with statins.

SUN-P058: Effect of Hepatectomy on Energy Metabolism in Patients with Liver Cancer and Cholangiocarcinoma by the Difference of Resection Volume

SUN-P058: Effect of Hepatectomy on Energy Metabolism in Patients with Liver Cancer and Cholangiocarcinoma by the Difference of Resection Volume

Pioglitazone Improves Aerobic Capacity and Skeletal Muscle Energy Metabolism in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome

Pioglitazone Improves Aerobic Capacity and Skeletal Muscle Energy Metabolism in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome

Branched-Chain Amino Acids as New Biomarkers of Major Depression - A Novel Neurobiology of Mood Disorder.

BackgroundThe proteinogenic branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) valine, leucine and isoleucine might play an unrecognised crucial role in the development of depression through their activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTor) pathway. The aim of this research project is to evaluate whether BCAAs are altered in patients with major depression and might thus be appropriate biomarkers for major depression.MethodsThe concentrations of valine, leucine and isoleucine were determined in 71 in-patients with major depression and 48 healthy controls by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Psychiatric and laboratory assessments were obtained at the time of in-patient admittance.ResultsThe BCAAs are significantly decreased in patients with major depression in comparison with healthy subjects (valine: Mann-Whitney-U: 968.0; p <0.0001, leucine: Mann-Whitney-U: 1246.5; p = 0.013, isoleucine: Mann-Whitney-U: 1252.5; p = 0.014). Furthermore, as shown by Spearman's rank correlation coefficients, there is a significant negative correlation between valine, leucine and isoleucine concentrations and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) as well as Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) scores.ConclusionsOur study results are strong evidence that in patients with major depression, BCAAs might be appropriate biomarkers for depression. Reduced activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTor) due to a reduction of BCAAs might play a crucial unrecognised factor in the etiology of depression and may evoke depressive symptomatology and lower energy metabolism in patients with major depression. In the future, mTor and its up- and downstream signalling partners might be important targets for the development of novel antidepressants.

Characteristics of energy metabolism in patients with acute liver failure and subacute liver failure

Objective To study the characteristics of energy metabolism in patients with acute liver failure (ALF) and subacute liver failure (SALF). Methods Thirteen ALF patients, 23 SALF patients, 20 cases of liver cirrhosis (LC) caused by hepatitis B virus admitted to Beijing Youan Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University from March 2008 to December 2014, as well as 30 healthy controls (HC) were included in this study. Energy metabolism indexes were measured, including resting energy expenditure (REE), predict resting energy expenditure (pREE), respiratory quotient (RQ), carbohydrate oxidation rate (CHO), fat oxidation rate (FAT) and protein oxidation rate (PRO). Comparison between two groups were conducted by t test. Comparisons among groups were conducted by univariate variance analysis. The qualitative data were analyzed by χ2 test. Results REE in HC group, LC group, ALF group and SALF group were (6 180.05±1 434.68), (5 584.38±1 180.14), (7 107.01±1 641.22) and (6 530.31±1 306.92) kJ/d, respectively (F=3.557, P=0.018). REE/pREE (%) in four groups were (96.77±18.77)%, (88.80±17.71)%, (114.69±29.19)% and (112.48±17.33)%, respectively (F=7.389, P=0.000). RQ in four groups were 0.87±0.04, 0.83±0.06, 0.84±0.06 and 0.79±0.04, respectively (F=10.499, P=0.000). CHO in four groups were (51.53±13.00)%, (39.30±19.09)%, (41.15±20.35)% and (25.04±13.45)%, respectively (F=1.234, P=0.303). FAT in four groups were (37.00±13.99)%, (45.60±19.12)%, (43.85±21.01)%, and (59.39±15.94)%, respectively (F=2.125, P=0.103). PRO in four groups were (11.47±3.47)%, (15.10±4.83)%, (15.00±4.55)% and (15.57±6.88)%, respectively (F=2.338, P=0.080). The onset time of SALF group was (38.17±11.16) days, which was significantly longer than the ALF group of (8.85±3.21) days (t=-11.768, P=0.000). Conclusions REE and REE/pREE both increase in ALF and SALF patients, showing a hypermetabolic status. Nutrient metabolic disorder in SALF patients is more severe compared to ALF patients, characterized as a reduced RQ, decreased CHO and increased FAT, which may be associated with a longer onset time of disease. Key words: Liver failure; Resting energy expenditure; Respiratory quotient; Carbohydrate oxidation rate

Effect of L-Carnitine in Patients With Liver Cirrhosis on Energy Metabolism Using Indirect Calorimetry: A Pilot Study.

BackgroundL-carnitine supplementation has been suggested to show several favorable effects on patients with liver cirrhosis (LC). However, there have been no reports regarding the effect of L-carnitine on energy metabolism in patients with LC using indirect calorimetry which is a well-established method for assessing the degree of liver malnutrition. We examined the effect of L-carnitine in patients with LC on energy metabolism using indirect calorimetry.MethodsA total of 13 LC patients who are scheduled to be treated with L-carnitine (1,800 mg/day) were analyzed in this study. None of the patients previously received L-carnitine. An evaluation of the nutritional status was performed at the initiation of L-carnitine therapy and after 4 weeks of L-carnitine therapy. We evaluated the effect of L-carnitine on the nutritional status and energy metabolism by comparing various clinical variables at these two time points. In addition, the changes in the nutritional status of the patients were also evaluated using indirect calorimetry.ResultsAfter 4 weeks of L-carnitine treatment, for all cases, the mean substrate oxidation rates of carbohydrate (%C) increased from 37.6% to 48.2%, the mean substrate oxidation rates of fat (%F) decreased from 40.2% to 31.9% and the mean substrate oxidation rates of protein (%P) decreased from 22.2% to 19.9%. In a subgroup analysis of patients with baseline non-protein respiratory quotient (npRQ) < 0.85, the mean %C increased from 15.3% to 34.2%, the mean %F decreased from 59.9% to 45.1%, and the mean %P decreased from 24.8% to 20.6%. After 4 weeks of L-carnitine treatment, for all cases (n = 13), the mean value of npRQ increased in comparison with the baseline levels, although the difference was not significant (0.868 ± 0.060 vs. 0.838 ± 0.097, P = 0.19). Conversely, in patients with baseline npRQ < 0.85, the npRQ value significantly increased after 4 weeks treatment of L-carnitine compared with the baseline levels (0.827 ± 0.030 vs. 0.760 ± 0.043, P = 0.016).ConclusionL-carnitine supplementation can be useful for improving energy metabolism, especially in patients who have an advanced LC status and lower baseline npRQ values.

Genotype-Dependent Brown Adipose Tissue Activation in Patients With Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma.

Patients with pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PGLs) may have brown adipose tissue (BAT) activation induced by catecholamine excess. (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) can be used for the localization of both PGLs and BAT. It is unknown whether BAT is specifically affected by altered cellular energy metabolism in patients with SDHx- and VHL-related PGLs. The objective of the study was to determine endocrine and paracrine effects of catecholamine excess on BAT activation in patients with PGLs as detected by (18)F-FDG PET/CT, taking into account genetic variation. Patients with PGLs who were fully genetically characterized underwent presurgical (18)F-FDG PET/CT imaging for tumor localization and to quantify BAT activation. The study was conducted at a single Dutch tertiary referral center. Seventy-three patients, aged 52.4 ± 15.4 years, with a body mass index of 25.2 ± 4.1 kg/m(2), mean ± SD, were grouped into sporadic, cluster 1 (SDHx, VHL) and cluster 2 (RET, NF1, MAX) mutations. (18)F-FDG mean standard uptake values were assessed in predefined BAT locations, including perirenal fat. Twenty-one of 73 patients (28.8%) exhibited BAT activation. BAT activation was absent in all six patients with nonsecreting PGLs. No difference in (18)F-FDG uptake by perirenal fat on the side of the pheochromocytoma and the contralateral side was observed (mean standard uptake value of 0.80 vs 0.78, respectively, P = .42). The prevalence of BAT activation did not differ between sporadic (28.9%), cluster 1 (40.0%), and cluster 2 patients (15.4%, P= .36). Patients with PGLs exhibit a high prevalence of BAT activation on (18)F-FDG PET/CT. This is likely due to systemic catecholamine excess. BAT activation is not associated with specific germline mutations.

31P Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in Patients With Various Genesis of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy

to assess status of myocardial energy metabolism in patients with different etiology of left ventricular hypertrophy by phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) compared with healthy individuals. The study included 94 people: 30 healthy volunteers (group 1), 35 patients with arterial hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy (group II), 29 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (group III). All persons underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and MRS on high field MR scanner. Energy metabolism index (ratio of phosphocreatine and adenosine triphosphate concentrations [Pcr/ATP]) was used for evaluation of myocardial energy metabolism. Values of Pcr/ATP were 2.11 ± 0.29, 1.65 ± 0.12, and 1.32 ± 0.16 in groups I, II, and III, respectively (p < 0.05). 31P MRS is an effective tool of detection of disordered energy metabolism in hypertrophic myocardium. Combined use of MRI and MRS can become an effective method of comprehensive study of the heart.

Characteristics of energy metabolism in patients with chronic hepatitis C

Characteristics of energy metabolism in patients with chronic hepatitis C

Triheptanoin improves brain energy metabolism in patients with Huntington disease

Based on our previous work in Huntington disease (HD) showing improved energy metabolism in muscle by providing substrates to the Krebs cycle, we wished to obtain a proof-of-concept of the therapeutic benefit of triheptanoin using a functional biomarker of brain energy metabolism validated in HD. We performed an open-label study using (31)P brain magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to measure the levels of phosphocreatine (PCr) and inorganic phosphate (Pi) before (rest), during (activation), and after (recovery) a visual stimulus. We performed (31)P brain MRS in 10 patients at an early stage of HD and 13 controls. Patients with HD were then treated for 1 month with triheptanoin after which they returned for follow-up including (31)P brain MRS scan. At baseline, we confirmed an increase in Pi/PCr ratio during brain activation in controls-reflecting increased adenosine triphosphate synthesis-followed by a return to baseline levels during recovery (p = 0.013). In patients with HD, we validated the existence of an abnormal brain energy profile as previously reported. After 1 month, this profile remained abnormal in patients with HD who did not receive treatment. Conversely, the MRS profile was improved in patients with HD treated with triheptanoin for 1 month with the restoration of an increased Pi/PCr ratio during visual stimulation (p = 0.005). This study suggests that triheptanoin is able to correct the bioenergetic profile in the brain of patients with HD at an early stage of the disease. This study provides Class III evidence that, for patients with HD, treatment with triheptanoin for 1 month restores an increased MRS Pi/PCr ratio during visual stimulation.