• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.23 no.12
• /
• pp.1639-1644
• /
• 2010

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) on growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality and lipid metabolism in broilers. A total of 240 one-day-old male Arbor Acres broilers were randomly allocated to 4 dietary treatments (0, 300, 600, and 900 mg/kg dietary ALC supplementation, respectively). Compared with the control treatment, addition of ALC resulted in lower (linear effect, p<0.05) ADG and AFI. Abdominal fat percentage decreased (linear effect, p<0.05) as dietary ALC was increased, but there was no effect on dressing percentage, breast muscle percentage or thigh muscle percentage. Breast muscle pH value 24 h post-mortem increased (linear effect, p<0.05), but there were no significant differences among treatments. However, thigh muscle pH value increased (linear effect, p<0.05) as dietary ALC was increased. Breast and thigh muscle $a^*$ values increased (linear effect, p<0.05), and breast and thigh muscle $b^*$ values decreased (linear effect, p<0.05) with increased ALC in the diet. In addition, breast and thigh muscle shear force value decreased (linear effect, p<0.05) as dietary ALC was increased. Total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and lipoprotein lipase decreased (linear effect, p<0.05) and free fatty acid and lipase in serum increased (linear effect, p<0.05) with increased ALC in diets.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.38 no.8
• /
• pp.626-636
• /
• 2005

This study was undertaken to examine effects of dietary intake of garcinia cambogia extract, soy peptide and L-carnitine mixture on body weight gain and obesity-related bio-markers in rats fed high-fat diet for 9 weeks with or without regular treadmill exercise. Forty 5-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups; sedentary control group (SC), exercised control group (EC), sedentary formula-fed group (SF), and exercised formula-fed group (EF). The SC and EC rats were fed high-fat control diet (fat comprises$40\%$ of total caloris), and SF and EF rats were fed high-fat formula (composed of garcinia cambogia, soy peptide and L-carnitine) supplemented diet. Statistical analyses by two-way ANOVA indicated that the regular treadmill exercise significantly lowered cumulative body weight gain, total visceral fat mass, and epididymal, perirenal and retroperitoneal fat pad weights, and serum concentrations of total cholesterol and LDL + VLDL cholesterol, insulin, c-peptide and leptin. Feeding the formula also resulted in significant reductions in cumulative body weight gain and visceral fat pad weights, along with other related parameters including serum total and LDL + VLDL cholesterol levels, and hepatic enzyme activities involved in fatty acid synthesis. Statistical analyses by one-way ANOVA revealed that the formula consumption significantly improved body weight gain ($18\%$ reduction), total visceral fat weight ($20\%$ reductions), and serum total ($43\%$ reduction) and LDL + VLDL cholesterol ($54\%$ reduction) levels, as well as serum levels of insulin ($49\%$ reduction), and c-peptide ($41\%$ reduction) in sedentary rats, but failed to exhibit significant reductions in these indices in animals under treadmill exercise program. Taken together, these results suggest that the treadmill exercise per n exhibited significant improvements in body fat reduction and other related bio-markers, and so the formula consumption did not achieve a further significant reductions in these bio-markers in exercised rats. Nevertheless, animals fed the formula with regular exercise showed the most efficient weight reduction compared to other groups either fed formula without exercise or received regular exercise without dietary supplementation.

• CELLMED
• /
• v.3 no.4
• /
• pp.29.1-29.11
• /
• 2013

Certain dietary contents, biological supplements might influence the occurrence or treatment of epilepsy. Some studies have found that the supplementation with individual nutrients reduced seizure frequency or improved other aspects of health in patients with epilepsy. Potentially beneficial dietary interventions include treating blood glucose dysregulations. Identifying and avoiding allergenic foods, and avoiding suspected triggering agents such as alcohol, aspartame, and monosodium glutamate. The Atkins diet (very low in carbohydrates) is a less restrictive type diet that may be effective in some cases. Nutrients that may reduce seizure frequency include vitamin B6, magnesium, vitamin E, manganese, taurine, dimethylglycine, and omega-3 fatty acids. Administration of thiamine may improve cognitive function in patients with epilepsy. Supplementation with folic acid, vitamin B6, biotin, vitamin D, and L-carnitine may be needed to prevent or treat deficiencies resulting from the use of anticonvulsant drugs. Vitamin K1 has been recommended near the end of pregnancy for women taking anticonvulsants. Melatonin may reduce seizure frequency in some cases, and progesterone may be useful for women with cyclic exacerbations of seizures. In most cases, nutritional therapy is not a substitute for anticonvulsant medications. However, in selected cases, depending on the effectiveness of the interventions, dosage reductions or discontinuation of medications may be possible. However, nutrient supplementation may be necessary to prevent or reverse the effects of certain deficiencies that frequently result from the use of antiepileptic drugs.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.21-27
• /
• 2022

Very long-chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase (VLCAD) deficiency (VLCADD) leads to a defective 𝛽-oxidation, specifically during prolonged fasting, infection, or exercise. Patients with VLCADD usually suffer from cardiomyopathy, hypoketotic hypoglycemia, hepatic dysfunction, exercise intolerance, muscle pain, and rhabdomyolysis, and sometimes succumb to sudden death. VLCADD is generally classified into three phenotypes: severe early-onset cardiac and multiorgan failure, hypoketotic hypoglycemia, and later-onset episodic myopathy. Diagnostic evaluation comprises acylcarnitine analysis, genetic analysis, and VLCAD activity assay. In the acylcarnitine analysis, the key metabolites are C14:1, C14:2, C14, and C12:1. A C14:1 level >1 mmol/L strongly suggests VLCADD. Various treatment recommendations are available for this condition. Dietary management includes decreasing fat content, increasing medium-chain triglyceride levels, and decreasing fasting periods. Supplementation with L-carnitine is controversial. Triheptanoin (a seven-carbon fatty acid triglyceride) treatment demonstrates improvement of cardiac functions. Bezafibrate may improve the quality of life of patients with VLCAD.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.49 no.2
• /
• pp.117-126
• /
• 2022

Objective: This study examined whether the addition of triple antioxidants (3A)-10 µM acetyl-L-carnitine, 10 µM N-acetyl-L-cysteine, and 5 µM α-lipoic acid-in freezing-thawing medium during human sperm cryopreservation using the sucrose vitrification (SuV) and liquid nitrogen vapor (Vapor) techniques could improve post-thaw survival of spermatozoa. Methods: We analyzed 30 samples from healthy human sperm donors. Each sample was allocated into one of five groups: fresh control, SuV, SuV+3A, Vapor, and Vapor+3A. The sperm motility, morphology, viability, intracellular and extracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) were evaluated. Results: The cryopreserved spermatozoa had significantly reduced percentages of motility (p<0.05) and viability (p<0.05). Antioxidant supplementation non-significantly improved these parameters (p>0.05). No significant differences were found in sperm morphology between the fresh and frozen-thawed groups (p>0.05). After freezing, the extracellular ROS levels in the frozen-thawed groups were significantly higher (p<0.05) than in the fresh group. However, we did not find any differences in intracellular ROS parameters among these groups (p>0.05). The SDF was higher in the SuV and Vapor groups than in the fresh group, but without statistical significance (p=0.075 and p=0.077, respectively). Conclusion: Cryopreservation had detrimental effects on sperm motility, viability, and extracellular ROS levels, without changing the morphology or intracellular ROS levels. Antioxidant supplementation was slightly effective in preventing SDF in frozen-thawed spermatozoa.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.37 no.5
• /
• pp.273-277
• /
• 2020

A 12-year-old, female Maltese was referred with uncontrolled hyperadrenocorticism (HAC). Despite well management of HAC through treatment with trilostane and serial monitoring with ACTH stimulation tests for over three years, stiffness of the neck and limbs progressively worsened over time. Neurological test was performed, which showed no abnormalities of cranial nerves. Proprioception was delayed but the cause appeared to be due to stiffness of limb muscles. Muscle tone had increased over time and stiffness had worsened to the extent where it made walking difficult. MRI scans showed no orthopedic or spinal diseases, and pituitary microadenoma was confirmed with pituitary gland measurement of 6 × 6.4 × 4.5 mm (H × W × L). Electromyography presented random discharges with fluctuating amplitude and frequency, which were consistent with myotonic discharges. There were no improvements of myotonic signs despite treatment for HAC with trilostane. Supplementation of L-carnitine and coenzyme Q-10 to mitigate muscle stiffness, following diazepam and methocarbamol to help with muscle rigidity, failed to show any positive effect and the dog died a sudden death, 1,182 days after the initial visit.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.31-38
• /
• 2019

Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) syndrome is a maternally inherited mitochondrial disorder of which m.3243A>G is the most commonly associated mutation, resulting in an inability to meet the energy requirements of various organs. MELAS poses a diagnostic challenge owing to its multiple organ involvement and great clinical variability due to its heteroplasmic nature. We report three cases from a family who were initially misdiagnosed with myasthenia gravis or undiagnosed. Although there is no optimal consensus treatment approach for patients with MELAS because of the disease's heterogeneity, our 21-year-long therapy regimen of ${\text\tiny{L}}-arginine$, ${\text\tiny{L}}-carnitine$, and coenzyme Q10 supplementation combined with dietary management appeared to provide noticeable protection from the symptoms and complications. Prompt early diagnosis is important, as optimal multidisciplinary management and early intervention may improve outcomes.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.51 no.2
• /
• pp.135-141
• /
• 2024

Objective: Recently, oral antioxidants in combined forms have been used to treat men with idiopathic infertility. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of treatment with vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, zinc, arginine, L-carnitine, and coenzyme Q10 on sperm quality parameters, DNA integrity, reproductive hormones, and pregnancy rates in men with infertility and idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT). Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 420 men with infertility and idiopathic OAT who took an oral supplement of antioxidant SP-Power tablets twice daily for 6 months. Semen quality, reproductive hormones, and the DNA fragmentation index (DFI) were evaluated at baseline and at 3 and 6 months after supplementation, using the World Health Organization 2021 guidelines. Results: No significant difference was observed in volume or the percentage of typical morphology during treatment. A significant improvement in sperm concentration was observed after supplementation (8.67±1.41, 12.17±1.91, and 19.01±0.86 at baseline, 3, and 6 months respectively, p<0.01). The total motility, progressive motility, and total motile sperm count also increased significantly (p<0.01), whereas the DFI decreased after 6 months. There was an increase in normal FSH levels and testosterone levels after 6 months of supplementation of antioxidant SP-Power but these differences were not statistically significant (p=not significant and p=0.06, respectively). Conclusion: Supplementation with SP-Power tablets improved sperm quality parameters, sperm DFI, some reproductive hormones, and pregnancy rates in men with infertility and idiopathic OAT, which could be attributed to the supplement's synergistic antioxidant action. Further studies are needed to determine the effects of supplementation on oxidative stress markers.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.1-14
• /
• 2021

Objectives We evaluated the improving effects of Taeksa-tang (TST) using 3T3-L1 cells and C57BL/6 mice were fed on a high-fat diet. Methods The anti-radical activities of TST were studied using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid). The content of total polyphenol was measured using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent, whereas aluminum chloride colorimetric method was used for the content of total flavonoid. Moreover, the factors related to lipid profile and the protein expressions such as 𝛽-oxidation and anti-oxidant enzyme were analyzed using serum and western blotting of 3T3-L1 cells. Additionally, we examined lipolysis through glycerol appearance in mouse adipose tissue. Results TST treatment showed strong free radical scavenging activities with half maximal inhibitory concentration and the presence of a amount of total polyphenol and total flavonoid. TST treatment significantly increased factors related to 𝛽-oxidation such as carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1 and uncoupling protein 2 via the phosphorlyation of liver kinase B1 (LKB1) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Moreover, the protein expressions of anti-oxidant enzyme and lipolysis were significantly elevated by TST administration. In addition, TST supplementation lowered serum malondialdehyde, triglyceride, and total cholesterol levels compared with the control group. Taken together, these data suggest that TST treatment regulated lipid parameters via the increase of 𝛽-oxidation by LKB1-AMPK signaling pathway. Conclusions TST may have a potential remedy in the prevention and treatment of obesity. Therefore, this study may provide the scientific basis for TST use.