Oral L-Arginine Supplementation Effects on Cardiometabolic Factors in Hypertensive Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and its Relationship with Body Mass Index
Pages 41-49
Olexandr Kuryata and Oksana Sirenko

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1929-5634.2015.04.02.2

Published: 31 July 2015

Abstract: Hypertension and rheumatoid arthritis are regarded as a conditions associated with higher risk for cardiovascular disease. As known endothelial dysfunction is an early pathophysiological feature and an independent predictor cardiovascular disease. L-arginine is the amino acid with potential to improve endothelial function and is expected to play a role in the prevention or treatment of cardiovascular disease.In addition, data exists that L-arginine aspartate can reduce insulin resistance.We aimed to evaluate the effects of oral L-arginine supplementation on cardiometabolic factors by determining endothelial function, insulin resistance, adiponectin level in hypertensive patients combined with rheumatoid arthritisand its relationship with body mass index.69 females with mean age – 54 [50,3; 61,5] years were enrolled. The 1^st group made up 29 patients with hypertension combined with rheumatoid arthritis, 2^nd group – 20 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, 3^rd group – 20 patients with hypertension. In the endpoint patients were randomized to study subgroups patients, which received L-Arginine aspartate 30 ml/day during 4 weeks in addition to standard treatment, and control subgroups – received only the standard treatment. The levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, C-reactive protein, serum creatinine, body mass index, body area index were determined. Insulin resistance, adiponectin level, endothelial-dependent flow mediated vasodilatation of brachial artery were measured at baseline and after 4 weeks. In patients with hypertension combined with rheumatoid arthritis identified a significant increase in insulin levels, insulin resistance, adiponectin, which were associated with cardiovascular risk, abdominal obesity, inflammatory activity levels. Oral supplementation of L-arginine causes multiple beneficial effects on the complex of cardiometabolic factors including: endothelial dysfunction, peripheral insulin resistance, adiponectin level in hypertensive patients with rheumatoid arthritis,mainly in obesity case. With the correction of endothelial function were established more significantly changes in the investigated parameters.

Accuracy and Applicability of Resting Metabolic Rate Prediction Equations Differ for Women Across the Lifespan
Pages 50-63
Kathleen Woolf, Shirley Miller, Christine Reese, Leah Beaird and Maureen Mason

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1929-5634.2015.04.02.3

Published: 31 July 2015

Abstract: Background: Nutrition clinicians need accurate and reliable resting metabolic rate (RMR) assessments to determine energy needs and an appropriate nutrition care plan.

Material/Methods:This cross-sectional study compared the accuracy of eight RMR prediction equations (Harris-Benedict, Robertson and Reid, Cunningham 1980, FAO/WHO/UNU, Owen, Mifflin-St. Jeor, Cunningham 1991, and Nelson) to measured RMR by indirect calorimetry among young (n=57; age: 25±3 years), midlife (n=57; age: 44±3 years), and older (n=46; age: 68±5 years) women. Paired t-tests examined differences between predicted and measured RMR. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS (version 21), with significance defined as p<0.05. Bland-Altman plots displayed prediction bias and agreement. Prediction accuracy was defined when predicted RMR was ±10% of measured RMR. Serum thyroid stimulating hormone and follicle stimulating hormone concentrations were measured to assess thyroid function and ovarian reserve, respectively.

Results:The difference between predicted and measured RMR ranged from +0.6% (Owen) to +17.7% (Cunningham 1980) for the young, -2.8% (Nelson) to +18.1% (Cunningham 1980) midlife, and +2.8 (Nelson) to +26.7% (Cunningham 1980) older women. For the young women, only the Owen equation predicted RMR similar to measured RMR (p=0.905). For the older women, only the Nelson equation predicted RMR similar to measured RMR (p=0.051). All estimates using prediction equations were significantly different from measured values for midlife women.

Conclusion: Many RMR prediction equations have limited applicability for women at difference stages of the lifespan, thus impacting patient outcomes. Additional research is necessary to determine the appropriateness of RMR prediction equations among women of all ages.

Keywords: Resting metabolic rate (RMR), indirect calorimetry, RMR prediction equation, women, lifespan.

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Nutraceuticals as Functional Foods
Pages 64-72
Somya Gupta, Nayyar Parvez and Pramod Kumar Sharma

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1929-5634.2015.04.02.4

Published: 31 July 2015

Abstract: Nutraceuticals are considered to be fortified or enriched foods providing all the essential nutrients required for maintaining the optimal health. A numerous studies have suggested the potential association of nutraceuticals with diet and health. This article gives a brief review on the classification of nutraceuticals on the basis of the availability of the nutraceutical from the natural sources which is further being processed and proving its medical health benefits in the market. The review also summarizes about the functional nutraceuticals acting as dietary supplements, suggested to have the capacity to significantly contribute to the modulation of the complex mechanisms of disease pathology with a view being that they may be essential in optimizing in vivo defences and help in maintaining wellness. Nonetheless, several more clinical and biological studies are needed to support guidelines for the intake of nutraceutical for the prevention and treatment in specific diseases and its medical benefits.

Nutritional Status of Female Adolescents and Early Adults in Aseer Region, Abha District
Pages 73-75
Vedavalli Sachithananthan and Nusreth Jehan

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1929-5634.2015.04.02.5

Published: 31 July 2015

Abstract: The nutritional status of adolescents and early adults is ‘at risk’ because of the booming up of the fast food industry and decline in physical activity. An attempt was made in this study to understand the nutritional status of female adolescents and early adults in Aseer region of Abha district. Using a structured and validated questionnaire, the age, height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference income and education of parents and physical activity were assessed. The anthropometric profile (Mean) indicates that almost all parameters were within normal range. However 36.6 percent of the subjects fell in the ‘at risk’ category of waist hip ratio. With respect to the body mass index, a majority of the subjects were normal weight (68.3%), followed by 16.8 percent who were overweight and 14.9 percent underweight. In conclusion it can be stated that the overweight and underweight subjects should be brought to the normal weight category by consuming a nutritionally balanced diet and adequate physical activity to prevent malnutrition problems and chronic diseases for the underweight and overweight adolescents and early adults in the long run.

Isovaleric Acidemia: A Novel Mutation with Mild Phenotype
Pages 24-27
K. Matalon, R. Lombardo, K. Fuller and R. Matalon

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1929-5634.2015.04.01.5

Published: 30 April 2015

Abstract: Isovaleric Acidemia (IVA) is considered a severe metabolic disorder with significant morbidity and mortality. It is caused by deficiency of the enzyme Isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase (IVD). Early treatment with carnitine and glycine reduces the episodes of the severe metabolic crises. With the advent of neonatal screening, IVD deficiency has shown a spectrum of severity. We describe a novel homozygous mutation, R332L, in the IVD enzyme with a benign phenotype.

Keywords: IVA, IVD, Isovalerylcarnitine, Isovalerylglycine, newborn screen.