High-protein Low-fat Diet Research Articles

Dietary L-carnitine supplementation affects flesh quality through modifying the nutritional value and myofibers morphological characteristics in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)

The increase of dietary fat content is becoming prevalent in aquaculture practices, however, the increased dietary fat content is associated with undesirable impacts such as growth inhibition, increased feed conversion ratio, and deteriorated flesh quality. L-carnitine has been used as a feed additive to alleviate severe fat accumulation-induced metabolic disorders, however, its effects on flesh quality remain largely unexplored. In the present study, the effects of L-carnitine on flesh quality were examined by feeding triplicate groups of largemouth bass juveniles (10.75 ± 0.1 g) with three experimental diets including a control diet (CD), a high-fat low-protein diet (HFLPD), and HFLPD supplemented with 0.5 g kg− 1 of L-carnitine for 8 weeks. The results showed that L-carnitine supplementation does not significantly influence final body weight, body length, specific growth rate and carcass ratio. Whole body lipid and muscle triglycerides (TG) contents significantly increased in fish fed the HFLPD compared to the CD group, and L-carnitine supplementation decreased their values. In addition, expression of lipid catabolism related genes such as CPT and ACOX3 were significantly upregulated by L-carnitine application. The fish fed L-carnitine containing diet exhibited markedly higher monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) contents, and lower saturated fatty acids (SFA) content than the HFLPD-fed fish. Moreover, the texture qualities such as hardness, gumminess and chewiness remarkably decreased in the HFLPD + Car group compared to the HFLPD group. Most specifically, the percentage of medium-diameter fibers (60–120 µm diameter) was significantly decreased in the HFLPD group compared to the CD group, while this was notably reversed by L-carnitine addition. In summary, the present study demonstrated that dietary L-carnitine supplementation enhances nutritional value, alleviates HFLPD-induced metabolic disorders and flesh quality changes in largemouth bass.

A Low-Protein High-Fat Diet Leads to Loss of Body Weight and White Adipose Tissue Weight via Enhancing Energy Expenditure in Mice.

Obesity has become a worldwide health problem over the past three decades. During obesity, metabolic dysfunction of white adipose tissue (WAT) is a key factor increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes. A variety of diet approaches have been proposed for the prevention and treatment of obesity. The low-protein high-fat diet (LPHF) is a special kind of high-fat diet, characterized by the intake of a low amount of protein, while compared to typical high-fat diet, may induce weight loss and browning of WAT. Physical activity is another effective intervention to treat obesity by reducing WAT mass, inducing browning of WAT. In order to determine whether an LPHF, along with exercise enhanced body weight loss and body fat loss as well as the synergistic effect of an LPHF and exercise on energy expenditure in a mice model, we combined a 10-week LPHF with an 8-week forced treadmill training. Meanwhile, a traditional high-fat diet (HPHF) containing the same fat and relatively more protein was introduced as a comparison. In the current study, we further analyzed energy metabolism-related gene expression, plasma biomarkers, and related physiological changes. When comparing to HPHF, which induced a dramatic increase in body weight and WAT weight, the LPHF led to considerable loss of body weight and WAT, without muscle mass and strength decline, while it exhibited a risk of liver and pancreas damage. The mechanism underlying the LPHF-induced loss of body weight and WAT may be attributed to the synergistically upregulated expression of Ucp1 in WAT and Fgf21 in the liver, which may enhance energy expenditure. The 8-week training did not further enhance weight loss and increased plasma biomarkers of muscle damage when combined with LPHF. Furthermore, LPHF reduced the expression of fatty acid oxidation-related genes in adipose tissues, muscle tissues, and liver. Our results indicated that an LPHF has potential for obesity treatment, while the physiological condition should be monitored during application.

Saroglitazar, a novel dual PPAR-α/γ agonist, reverses high fat-low protein diet-induced metabolic and cognitive aberrations in C57BL/6J male mice

AimsInsulin resistance (IR) has become one of the major causative factors for the pathogenesis of various metabolic and neurometabolic diseases. The sedentary lifestyle in association with the consumption of protein-deficient and high-calorie diet results in IR development. This study was aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of Saroglitazar (SGZ), a dual peroxisome-proliferator activated receptor (PPAR-α/γ) in a high fat-low protein diet (HFLPD) fed mouse model of MetS and associated cognitive deficits. MethodsAdult male C57BL/6J mice were fed with HFLPD plus 15% oral fructose solution for 16 weeks. Starting at the 13th week, SGZ (5 & 10 mg/kg; p.o.) was administered along with HFLPD for four weeks, i.e., the 12th to 16th week of the study groups. Various physiological, serum metabolic, neurobehavioral, neuroinflammatory, and oxidative stress parameters were assessed. The brain histopathology and mRNA expression of diverse genes in specific brain regions were also estimated. ResultsThe treatment with SGZ at both doses have significantly reversed various HFLPD-induced metabolic and cognitive alterations by improving the glucose and lipid profile in the periphery in addition to the enhanced cerebral glucose homeostasis, BBB integrity, reduced oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation. Furthermore, the SGZ improved locomotion and memory retention while reducing the HFLPD-induced anxiety-like behaviors in the mice. ConclusionsSGZ treatment showed significant metabo-neuroprotective effects in mice fed with HFLPD, possibly through peripherally mediated activation of PPAR-α/γ and insulin downstream signaling in the cortex and hippocampus.

Bioenergetic growth model for the yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi)

The culture of Seriola species is well established in Japan and is an emerging industry in many other temperate regions around the world. Despite many studies on the growth, physiology and nutritional requirements of yellowtail kingfish, the complex interactions between nutrition and environmental impacts are still being investigated. Here, we present a theoretical bioenergetic model for yellowtail kingfish bringing together the current knowledge of this species growth, metabolism and other aspects of its physiology. We solve the energy budget of yellowtail kingfish using existing theoretical equations to represent all energy gains and all metabolic costs and parameterising them with published data obtained when rearing yellowtail kingfish. Our model predicts growth as a function of suitable temperatures for yellowtail kingfish (18–27 °C) and estimates the rate of feed ingestion as well as the effect of diet on feed conversion ratio (FCR). Our model can be used to estimate energy and protein retention, nutrients loads into the ecosystem, and how these outputs change through diet manipulation at specified weight classes. We demonstrate how to use our model to predict improvements to FCR and include a simulation example showing results from shifting from a high protein-low fat diet for juveniles (0 to 500 g) to a low protein-high fat diet for adult fish (500–1000 g). Excretion of dissolved nitrogen and the consumption of oxygen through fish respiration are highest at the optimum temperature for growth. When fed a diet of 45% protein and 20% fat, our simulation shows that a constant biomass of 1000 kg of fish at a constant optimum temperature of 22.8 °C, excretes 153.1 kg of nitrogen year -1. For the same diet composition and temperature, oxygen consumption decreases from 19.9 to 10.2 kg day−1 for 1000 kg of fish weighing 50 g and 1.5 kg, respectively. Our model is useful to investigate complex interactions of metabolism for the culture of yellowtail kingfish in a commercial setting and allows predictions for changes that could improve production.

High fat-low protein diet induces metabolic alterations and cognitive dysfunction in female rats.

Approximately one-third of the world population is suffering from MetS, and the same is expected to rise in the years to come. Worldwide, most of the staple diets contain high amounts of carbohydrates, fats and comparatively low quantities of proteins. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of high fat-low protein diet in the development of the metabolic syndrome and associated cognitive deficits in the female rats. The rats fed with high fat-low protein diet (HFLPD) and 15% oral fructose solution for 24weeks. Body weight, food intake, water intake, fasting blood glucose, oral glucose tolerance, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C), and serum lipid profile weremeasured after every 4weeks. Serum insulin, HOMA-IR index, rectal temperature, and systolic blood pressure were measured to confirm the manifestation of the hallmarks of metabolic syndrome. Behavioral tests for locomotion, anxiety, learning, and spatial memory were performed from the 12th week to till the end of the study. At the 24th week, oxidative stress assays and histopathology of liver, kidney, brain, and WAT werealso performed. HFLPD significantly altered the physiologic and metabolic parameters which contributed to the manifestation of MetS. HFLPD also impaired the cognitive functions along with significant structural changes in the liver, kidney, WAT, and brain. The findings of this study reveal that HFLPD has the potential to induce the physiological, metabolic and histological alterations in rats, which eventually led to the development of MetS and also disrupted the cognitive functions in female rats.

Metabolomics Research Reveals the Mechanism of Action of Astragalus Polysaccharide in Rats with Digestive System Disorders.

With the diversity of modern dietary lifestyles, digestive system disorders (DSD) have become a frequently occurring disease in recent years. Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) is a homogeneous polysaccharide extracted from Astragalus, which might ameliorate the digestive and absorptive functions. However, the treatment mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, rats with DSD were fed a high-fat–low-protein diet and subjected to weight-bearing swimming until exhaustion. When body weight and autonomous activities of the rats decreased, they were administered APS. After two weeks, serum metabolomics analysis based on LC-MS was performed to validate the therapeutic effect of APS and explore its mechanism. APS pharmacodynamics was determined in this study, and serum metabolomics analysis discovered and identified 16 significant, differentially produced metabolites involved in energy, amino acid, and lipid metabolism, including citric acid, lactic acid, alanine, phosphatidylcholine, phenylalanine. After treatment with APS, the levels of the above small-molecule metabolites were reversed. Our results show the efficacy of APS in DSD treatment through the regulation of perturbed metabolic pathways related to energy, amino acid, and lipid metabolism.

FGF21 Is a Hormonal Mediator of the Human "Thrifty" Metabolic Phenotype.

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) regulates energy expenditure (EE) and influences weight change during low-protein overfeeding in rodent models. The change in EE after a low-protein overfeeding diet is a predictor of weight change in humans and a feature of the "thrifty" metabolic phenotype. However, there are no studies showing an association between circulating FGF21 and diet-related EE in humans. We assessed the changes in plasma FGF21 concentrations after 24 h of seven dietary interventions with different macronutrient content while in a whole-room indirect calorimeter in 64 healthy subjects with normal glucose regulation. Plasma FGF21 concentration consistently increased by threefold only after the two low-protein (3%) overfeeding diets, one high in carbohydrate (75%) and the other high in fat (46%), with larger increases in FGF21 being associated with greater increases in 24-h EE. Subjects with smaller increases in FGF21 after the low-protein high-fat diet gained more weight after 6 months in free-living conditions. Therefore, the individual predisposition to weight gain over time can be assessed by 24-h overfeeding a low-protein diet and measurements of plasma FGF21 concentrations. Individuals with a blunted FGF21 response to a low-protein diet have a thrifty metabolism and are at risk for future weight gain.

Nutrient Intakes in Early Life and Risk of Obesity.

There is increasing evidence that environmental factors in early life predict later health. The early adiposity rebound recorded in most obese subjects suggests that factors promoting body fat development have operated in the first years of life. Birth weight, growth velocity and body mass index (BMI) trajectories seem to be highly sensitive to the environmental conditions present during pregnancy and in early life (“The first 1000 days”). Particularly, nutritional exposure can have a long-term effect on health in adulthood. The high protein-low fat diet often recorded in young children may have contributed to the rapid rise of childhood obesity prevalence during the last decades. Metabolic programming by early nutrition could explain the development of later obesity and adult diseases.

Low protein and high-energy diet: a possible natural cause of fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome in caged White Leghorn laying hens

Fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome (FLHS) is a metabolic condition of chicken and other birds caused by diverse nutritional, hormonal, environmental, and metabolic factors. Here we studied the effect of different diet composition on the induction of FLHS in single comb White Leghorn (WL) Hy-line laying hens. Seventy six (76) young WL (26 wks old) laying hens and 69 old hens (84 wks old) of the same breed were each divided into 4 treatment groups and provided 4 different diet treatments. The diet treatments included: control (C), 17.5% CP, 3.5% fat (F); normal protein, high fat (HF), 17.5% CP, 7% F; low protein, normal fat (LP), 13% CP, 3.5% F; and low protein, high fat (LPHF), 13% CP, 6.5% F. The diets containing high fat also had a higher ME of 3,000 kcal/kg of feed while the other 2 diets with normal fat had a regular lower amount of ME (2750 kcal/kg). Hen-day egg production (HDEP), ADFI, BW, egg weight, plasma enzymes indicating liver damage (alkaline phosphatase [ALP], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], gamma-glutamyl transferase [GGT]), liver and abdominal fat weight, liver color score (LCS), liver hemorrhagic score (LHS), liver fat content (LFC), liver histological examination, lipid peroxidation product in the liver, and genes indicating liver inflammation were evaluated. HDEP, ADFI, BW, and egg weight were significantly decreased in the LPHF diet group, while egg weight was also decreased in the LP diet group. In the young hens (LPHF group), ALP was found significantly higher at 30 d of diet treatment and was numerically higher throughout the experiment, while AST was significantly higher at 105 d of treatment. LCS, LHS, and LFC were significantly higher in young hens on the LPHF diet treatment. A liver histological examination shows more lipid vacuolization in the LPHF treatment diet. HF or LP alone had no significant effect on LFC, LHS, or LCS. We suggest that LP in the diet with higher ME from fat can be a possible natural cause for predisposing laying hens to FLHS.

Decreased beige adipocyte number and mitochondrial respiration coincide with increased histone methyl transferase (G9a) and reduced FGF21 gene expression in Sprague–Dawley rats fed prenatal low protein and postnatal high-fat diets

We have shown that prenatal low-protein (LP) followed by postnatal high-fat (HF) diets result in a rapid increase in subcutaneous adipose tissue (subc-AT) mass in the offspring, contributing to development of obesity and insulin resistance. Studies have shown that a key transcription factor, PR domain containing 16 (PRDM16), and fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) are involved in conversion of precursor cells into mitochondria (mt)-enriched beige adipocytes (BA). Our hypothesis is that a maternal LP and postnatal HF diets increase the risk of obesity and insulin resistance in offspring, in part, by reducing the conversion of precursor cell into BA in the subc-AT of offspring. Using obese-prone Sprague–Dawley rats fed 8% LP or 20% normal-protein (NP) diets for 3 weeks prior to conception and throughout pregnancy and lactation followed by 12 weeks of 10% normal-fat (NF) or 45% HF diet feeding, we investigated whether prenatal LP and postnatal HF diets affect BA number and oxidative respiratory function in subc-AT. Results showed that subc-AT and liver FGF21, PRDM16 and BA marker CD137 mRNA increase with postnatal HF diet in maternal NP group rats. In contrast, rats fed maternal LP and postnatal HF diets showed no increase in subc-AT mt copy number, oxygen consumption rate, FGF21, PRDM16 and CD137 mRNA, whereas protein expression of an inhibitor for FGF21 transcription (histone methyltransferase, G9a) increased. These findings suggest that LPHF diets cause offspring metabolic alterations by reduced BA and FGF21 mRNA and increased G9a protein expression in subc-AT.

High-protein, low-fat, short-term diet results in less stress and fatigue than moderate-protein moderate-fat diet during weight loss in male weightlifters: a pilot study.

Athletes risk performance and muscle loss when dieting. Strategies to prevent losses are unclear. This study examined the effects of two diets on anthropometrics, strength, and stress in athletes. This double-blind crossover pilot study began with 14 resistance-trained males (20-43 yr) and incurred one dropout. Participants followed carbohydrate-matched, high-protein low-fat (HPLF) or moderate-protein moderate-fat (MPMF) diets of 60% habitual calories for 2 weeks. Protein intakes were 2.8g/kg and 1.6g/kg and mean fat intakes were 15.4% and 36.5% of calories, respectively. Isometric midthigh pull (IMTP) and anthropometrics were measured at baseline and completion. The Daily Analysis of Life Demands of Athletes (DALDA) and Profile of Mood States (POMS) were completed daily. Outcomes were presented statistically as probability of clinical benefit, triviality, or harm with effect sizes (ES) and qualitative assessments. Differences of effect between diets on IMTP and anthropometrics were likely or almost certainly trivial, respectively. Worse than normal scores on DALDA part A, part B and the part A "diet" item were likely more harmful (ES 0.32, 0.4 and 0.65, respectively) during MPMF than HPLF. The POMS fatigue score was likely more harmful (ES 0.37) and the POMS total mood disturbance score (TMDS) was possibly more harmful (ES 0.29) during MPMF than HPLF. For the 2 weeks observed, strength and anthropometric differences were minimal while stress, fatigue, and diet-dissatisfaction were higher during MPMF. A HPLF diet during short-term weight loss may be more effective at mitigating mood disturbance, fatigue, diet dissatisfaction, and stress than a MPMF diet.

Effect of low fat high protein diets in the presence of Arabic gum on weight loss of obese rats.

Obesity is considered a serious disease affecting a large population worldwide. The present work was conducted to study the effect of low fat high protein diets in the absence or presence of Arabic gum on weight loss, some nutritional and biochemical parameters of obese rats. Normal male's albino rats (49) of Sprague Dawley Strain weighted 130 ± 5 g. were used in this study. The rats were divided into two main groups. The first main group (7 rats) fed on basal diet as a control negative group. The second main group (42 rats) were fed on high fat diet (HFD) for four weeks to induce obesity. After this period, the mean values of serum cholesterol, triglycerides and body weight gain were determined in the first and second main group to ensure obesity induction. The rats in the second main group was divided into seven subgroups (n=7rats) as follow: Subgroup (1) were fed on HFD as a control positive group, subgroup (2) were fed on HFD containing 5% Arabic gum AG, subgroups (3 and 4) were fed on low and very low caloric diets respectively [through the replacement of some dietary fat (saturated fat) with protein], subgroups (5 and 6) were fed on low fat high protein diets respectively and containing the same amount of AG used in subgroup (2),. The results in this study revealed that, the mean value of feed intake, body weight gain relative, liver weight decreased in all treated groups, as compared to obese groups. The mean values of serum glucose, leptin hormone, all lipid fractions (cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-c, the ratio between LDL-c/HDL-c and VLDL-c), kidney functions (uric acid, urea nitrogen and creatinine) and liver enzymes (aspartate amino transferase AST, alanine amino transferase ALT and alkaline phosphatase ALP) decreased significantly p<0.05 in all tested groups, while HDL-c increased in all treated groups, as compared to the obese group (control +ve group). The best results recorded for the groups treated with low and very low fat high protein diets containing AG. It is concluded supplemented rat high protein low fat diet with Arabic gum improvedthe nutritional and biological parameters of obese rats.

Application of Supercritical Fluid Extraction on Food Processing: Black-eyed Pea (Vigna Unguiculata) and Peanut (Arachis Hypogaea)

This present study investigates application of supercritical fluid carbon dioxide extraction (SCFE-CO2) for removing fats from black-eyed pea (Vigna unguiculata) and peanut (Arachis hypogaea) to produce high protein-low fat diet products. SCFE-CO2 process used Taguchi's orthogonal array at three parameters in three levels: pressures between 25-35MPa, temperatures between 40-60°C and CO2 flowrates between 10-20g/min. The results of the experiment showed that the optimum conditions of SCFE- CO2 process were 25MPa, 60°C, 10g/min for black-eyed pea and 35MPa, 60°C, 15g/min for peanut. The highest yield for black-eyed pea and peanut were 5.4% and 48.5%, respectively.

Comparing Effects of a Low-energy Diet and a High-protein Low-fat Diet on Sexual and Endothelial Function, Urinary Tract Symptoms, and Inflammation in Obese Diabetic Men

Comparing Effects of a Low-energy Diet and a High-protein Low-fat Diet on Sexual and Endothelial Function, Urinary Tract Symptoms, and Inflammation in Obese Diabetic Men

A high-protein low-fat diet is more effective in improving blood pressure and triglycerides in calorie-restricted obese individuals with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes

There is controversy over dietary protein's effects on cardiovascular disease risk factors in diabetic subjects. It is unclear whether observed effects are due to increased protein or reduced carbohydrate content of the consumed diets. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of two diets differing in protein to fat ratios on cardiovascular disease risk factors. A total of 17 obese (body mass index (BMI) ranging from 31 to 45 kg/m(2)) volunteers with type 2 diabetes (DM2), aged 46+/-3 years, consumed two diets, each for 4 weeks, with 3 weeks of washout period in a random, blind, crossover design. The diets were: (1) a high-protein low-fat diet (HP-LF, with 30% protein, 50% carbohydrates and 20% fat) and (2) a low-protein high-fat diet (LP-HF, with 15% protein, 50% carbohydrates and 35% fat). Their effects on fasting glycemic control, lipid levels and blood pressure, and on postprandial glucose and insulin responses after a standard test meal at the beginning and end of each dietary intervention were analyzed. Both diets were equally effective in promoting weight loss and fat loss and in improving fasting glycemic control, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, but the HP-LF diet decreased to a greater extent triglyceride (TG) levels (P=0.04) when compared with the LP-HF diet. HP-LF diet improved significantly both systolic and diastolic blood pressure when compared with the LP-HF diet (P<0.001 and P<0.001, respectively). No differences were observed in postprandial glucose and insulin responses. A protein to fat ratio of 1.5 in diets significantly improves blood pressure and TG concentrations in obese individuals with DM2.

Changes in body composition during weight loss in obese client-owned cats: Loss of lean tissue mass correlates with overall percentage of weight lost

Obesity is one of the most common medical diseases in cats, but there remains little information on success of weight loss regimes in obese client-owned cats. No information currently exists on body composition changes during weight loss in clinical cases. Twelve obese client-owned cats undertook a weight loss programme incorporating a high-protein low fat diet. Body composition was quantified by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, before and after weight loss. Mean (+/-standard deviation) weight loss was 27+/-6.8% of starting weight, and mean rate of weight loss was 0.8+/-0.32% per week. Mean energy allocation during weight loss was 32+/-7.0 kcal/kg target weight. Mean composition of tissue lost was 86:13:1 (fat:lean:bone mineral). The proportion of lean tissue loss was positively associated with overall percentage of weight loss (simple linear regression, r(2)=44.2%, P=0.026). Conventional weight loss programmes produce safe weight loss, but lean tissue loss is an inevitable consequence in cats that lose significant proportions of their starting body weight.

Inhibitory effect of Huangqi Zhechong decoction on liver fibrosis in rat.

To assess the inhibitory effect of Huangqi Zhechong decoction on hepatic fibrosis in rats induced by CCl(4) plus alcohol and high fat low protein diet. Male SD rats were randomly divided into hepatic fibrosis model group, control group and 3 treatment groups consisting of 12 rats in each group. Except for the normal control group, all the rats were subcutaneously injected with CCl(4) at a dosage of 3 mL/kg. In 3 treated groups, either high-dose group (9 mL/kg), or medium-dose group (6 mL/kg), or low-dose group (3 mL/kg) was daily gavaged with Huangqi Zhechong decoction, and saline vehicle was given to model and normal control rats. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and biochemical examinations were used to determine the changes of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN), type-III-procollagen-N-peptide (PIIIP), and type IV collagen content in serum, and hydroxyproline (Hyp) content in liver after sacrificing the rats. Pathologic changes, particularly fibrosis were examined by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Van Gieson staining. Compared with the model control group, serum ALT, AST, HA, LN, PIIIP and type IV collagen levels dropped markedly in Huangqi Zhechong decoction groups, especially in the medium-dose Huangqi Zhechong decoction group (1 954+/-576 U/L vs 759+/-380 U/L, 2 735+/-786 U/L vs 1 259+/-829 U/L, 42.74+/-7.04 ng/mL vs 20.68+/-5.85 ng/mL, 31.62+/-5.84 ng/mL vs 14.87+/-1.45 ng/mL, 3.26+/-0.69 ng/mL vs 1.47+/-0.46 ng/mL, 77.68+/-20.23 ng/mL vs 25.64+/-4.68 ng/mL, respectively) (P<0.05). The Hyp content in liver tissue was also markedly decreased (26.47+/-11.24 mg/mgprot vs 9.89+/-3.74 mg/mgprot) (P<0.01). Moreover, the stage of the rat liver fibrosis in Huangqi Zhechong decoction groups was lower than that in model group, and more dramatic drop was observed in medium-dose Huangqi Zhechong decoction group (P<0.01). Huangqi Zhechong decoction can inhibit hepatic fibrosis resulted from chronic liver injure, retard the development of cirrhosis, and notably ameliorate the liver function. It may be a safe and effective therapeutic drug for patients with fibrosis.

Therapeutic implications of impaired hepatic oxygen diffusion in chronic liver disease

Therapeutic implications of impaired hepatic oxygen diffusion in chronic liver disease

Effects of maternal dietary protein content on cerebral ketone body-metabolizing enzymes in the progeny of rats

The effect of maternal dietary protein content on blood glucose and ketone bodies and on cerebral ketone body-metabolizing enzymes in the rat progeny was investigated. Four different diets having either 15.5% (adequate) or 5.4% (low) calories from protein with 12.2% or 47.1% calories from fat (AP-HC, adequate protein-high carbohydrate diet; AP-HF, adequate protein-high fat diet; LP-HC, low protein-high carbohydrate diet; and LP-HF, low protein-high fat diet) were fed to females starting at 2 weeks prior to mating and continued throughout pregnancy and lactation. Compared to the pups of mothers on the diets with adequate levels of protein, the pups of mothers on the low protein diets had stunted growth and also had significant reductions in brain weight gains in the postnatal period. Undernutrition due to maternal low protein diets (LP-HC and LP-HF) resulted in significantly higher activities of brain d-3-hydroxybutarate dehydrogenase and 3-oxoacid CoA-transferase in the pups on day 18 than the corresponding values for pups in adequate protein (AP-HC and AP-HF) groups. The results show that the reduction in protein content in the maternal diet increases the activity levels of cerebral ketone body-metabolizing enzymes in suckling rats.

Hepatic adenine nucleotide metabolism measured in vivo in rats fed ethanol and a high fat-low protein diet.

Rats fed a diet high in fat and low in protein continuously infused by intragastric cannula were given ethanol for 2 to 6 months in order to examine the response of liver adenine nucleotides to changes in systemic PO2. Hepatic adenine nucleotides were measured in vivo monthly using liver obtained by biopsy from rats while a high blood alcohol level was maintained. Ethanol decreased hepatic ATP and the total adenylate pool, but did not change the levels of ADP and AMP. Adenylate energy charge showed only a tendency to be decreased. Carotid arterial PO2 was mildly but significantly lower in ethanol-fed rats compared to the pair-fed controls. Pure O2 inhalation for 3 min increased the PO2 four times in the ethanol and control-fed rats, and tended to increase ATP and decrease ADP in ethanol-fed rats as well as pair-fed controls. It restored the energy charge to a normal level in the ethanol-fed rats. Ten per cent O2 + 90% N2 inhalation for 3 min decreased the PO2 to 40 mm Hg in both the ethanol-fed and control rats, and this rapidly decreased ATP. This effect was significantly greater in the ethanol-fed rats compared to the controls. The total adenylate pool and the energy charge were decreased only in ethanol-fed rats. The results show that the reduced energy stores in the rat liver induced by ethanol are rapidly responsive to changes in PO2. Thus, the livers of ethanol-fed rats were more vulnerable to transient hypoxia than were controls.