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Whey proteins (WP) are known to contain more cysteine than casein (CAS), so it is suggested that they should ameliorate the oxidative equilibrium in the organisms. To evaluate the influence of a WP-based diet on liver glutathione (GSH) content, male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed for 3 weeks a balanced liquid diet containing either WP or CAS as main source of protein. Liver GSH content was evaluated at the end of the treatment by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), both in basal conditions and after oxidative stress induced by CCl4 acute intoxication. In basal conditions, WP diet significantly increased hepatic GSH in comparison to CAS diet. After CCl4 intoxication, hepatic GSH was negligibly increased in CAS group, while its increase was much more marked in WP group, so that the difference between the two diets was significant; this suggests that WP provided rats with better ability to increase their GSH synthesis in case of need. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of the experience was a case-control evaluation of the role of biological impedance assessment (BIA) for estimating resting energy expenditure (REE) instead of indirect calorimetry (IC) in cancer patients., Methods: Thirteen patients with gastric cancer (GK) were studied vs 18 control (C) patients. GK patients were depleted in fat free mass (FFM) (33+/-3 vs 44+/-5 kg; p<0.0001) and in body cell mass (BCM), (19+/-1 vs 26+/-3 kg; p<0.0001)., Results: The REE, calculated with the Harris-Benedict formula (REE-HB) was higher in C than in GK (1,443+/-149 vs 1,196+/-109 Kcal/day; p<0.0001) despite that, when evaluated by means of Indirect Calorimetry (REE-IC), it showed similar values in both groups (1,456+/-157 vs 1,353+/-210 Kcal/day; p=NS; C vs GK), a remarkable decrease of BCM in GK notwithstanding. The REE-IC/actual weight ratio was 21+/-2 Kcal/kg/day in C and 25+/-3 Kcal/kg/day in GK (p<0.005) and the REE-IC/BCM ratio was 55+/-4 Kcal/kg/day in C, and 68+/-8 Kcal/kg/day, in GK (p<0.0001), with a significant correlation between BCM and REE-IC in controls vs GK., Conclusions: The group of gastric malnourished cancer patients showed an increase in REE-IC in comparison with REE-HB; the increase in REE-IC was not related to the size of the remaining BCM; it is impossible to get a satisfying linear regression function expressing REE in terms of body composition measures obtained by means of BIA instead of indirect calorimetry; the IC is more appropriate to evaluate REE in cancer malnourished patients because in the present experience the Harris-Benedict formula underestimates this parameter by more than 10% (11.06%).

As a complex syndrome, cachexia has different clinical manifestations; anorexia appears to be one of the most frequent findings, together with weight loss. Anorexia is the cause and partly the consequence of metabolic changes and of progressive undernourishment. In cancer cachexia, weight loss is associated with a marked decrease of food intake and severe alteration of body composition. Malnourished cancer patients show a marked loss of adipose tissue and protein mass with BIA evidence of decreased body cell mass and expansion of extracellular water. The mechanisms of anorexia and cachexia are still a matter of debate, but the possible involvement of cytokines in the pathogenesis of this syndrome has opened up new possibilities for its understanding and treatment. As a result of the multifactorial etiology of cancer cachexia/anorexia, therapies that stimulate appetite and promote greater food intake, coupled with factors that influence metabolism and cytokine production may be an optimal therapeutic strategy. Of particular interest appears to be the possible role played by fish oil in antagonizing the negative effects of cytokines. Future research in this field will help clinicians develop new methods to treat patients who have disease-induced starvation and wasting.