Nutraceutical supplements for weight loss: a systematic review.

Obesity is a global public health issue. Although the etiology of this global epidemic is multifactorial, most sufferers would be delighted to find a relatively effortless way to lose weight. Herbal "weight loss pills" can fit the bill. The authors systematically review the scientific evidence concerning various weight loss agents that are available over the counter or in food stores. The review provides a starting point to make informed choices among nutraceutical agents promoted for weight loss, as well as advice for incorporating healthy alternatives in the diet.

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy: ABCD1 de novo mutations and mosaicism.

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) is a progressive peroxisomal disorder affecting adrenal glands, testes and myelin stability that is caused by mutations in the ABCD1 (NM_000033) gene. Males with X-ALD may be diagnosed by the demonstration of elevated very long chain fatty acid (VLCFA) levels in plasma. In contrast, only 80% of female carriers have elevated plasma VLCFA; therefore targeted mutation analysis is the most effective means for carrier detection. Amongst 489 X-ALD families tested at Kennedy Krieger Institute, we identified 20 cases in which the ABCD1 mutation was de novo in the index case, indicating that the mutation arose in the maternal germ line and supporting a new mutation rate of at least 4.1% for this group. In addition, we identified 10 cases in which a de novo mutation arose in the mother or the grandmother of the index case. In two of these cases studies indicated that the mothers were low level gonosomal mosaics. In a third case biochemical, molecular and pedigree analysis indicated the mother was a gonadal mosaic. To the best of our knowledge mosaicism has not been previously reported in X-ALD. In addition, we identified one pedigree in which the maternal grandfather was mosaic for the familial ABCD1 mutation. Less than 1% of our patient population had evidence of gonadal or gonosomal mosaicism, suggesting it is a rare occurrence for this gene and its associated disorders. However, the residual maternal risk for having additional ovum carrying the mutant allele identified in an index case that appears to have a de novo mutation is at least 13%.

Magnetic resonance imaging detection of lesion progression in adult patients with X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy.

BACKGROUND: An inherited disorder, X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) is known to cause progressive inflammatory demyelination. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the adult pattern of disease progression in X-ALD. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: We retrospectively assessed magnetic resonance (MR) images obtained in adult patients who had developed cerebral disease between January 1, 1985, and December 31, 2005. We identified 103 adult patients with X-ALD with lesions on their MR images. Of these, 56 had serial MR examinations at least 1 year apart and were included in this study. Main Outcome Measure Progression of X-ALD lesions on MR images. RESULTS: On initial presentation, 17 patients with X-ALD had corticospinal tract lesions without splenium or genu involvement, 24 had symmetric corticospinal tract lesions with additional involvement of the splenium or genu, and 15 did not have corticospinal tract involvement but had other white matter lesions. In 18 of 21 patients with progressive lesions, corticospinal tract involvement preceded or occurred concurrently with progressive inflammatory demyelination. CONCLUSIONS: Brain MR imaging abnormalities in adults with X-ALD progress slower than those reported in childhood. The involvement of the corticospinal tracts is prominent and may at times represent a variant course of progressive inflammatory demyelination.

Follow-up of 89 asymptomatic patients with adrenoleukodystrophy treated with Lorenzo's oil.

OBJECTIVES: To identify asymptomatic boys with X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy who have a normal magnetic resonance image (MRI), and to assess the effect of 4:1 glyceryl trioleate-glyceryl trierucate (Lorenzo's oil) on disease progression. METHOD: Eighty-nine boys (mean +/- SD baseline age, 4.7 +/- 4.1 years; range, 0.2-15 years) were identified by a plasma very long-chain fatty acids assay used to screen at-risk boys. All were treated with Lorenzo's oil and moderate fat restriction. Plasma fatty acids and clinical status were followed for 6.9 +/- 2.7 years. Changes in plasma hexacosanoic acid levels were assessed by measuring the length-adjusted area under the curve, and a proportional hazards model was used to evaluate association with the development of abnormal MRI results and neurological abnormalities. RESULTS: Of the 89 boys, 24% developed MRI abnormalities and 11% developed both neurological and MRI abnormalities. Abnormalities occurred only in the 64 patients who were aged 7 years or younger at the time therapy was started. There was significant association between the development of MRI abnormalities and a plasma hexacosanoic acid increase. (For a 0.1-microg/mL increase in the length-adjusted area under the curve for the hexacosanoic acid level, the hazard ratio for incident MRI abnormalities in the whole group was 1.36; P = .01; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-1.72.) Results for patients aged 7 years or younger were similar (P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: In this single-arm study, hexacosanoic acid reduction by Lorenzo's oil was associated with reduced risk of developing MRI abnormalities. We recommend Lorenzo's oil therapy in asymptomatic boys with X-linked adrenoleukodystophy who have normal brain MRI results.

Adrenal insufficiency in asymptomatic adrenoleukodystrophy patients identified by very long-chain fatty acid screening.

OBJECTIVE: Plasma assay for very long-chain fatty acids has made it possible to perform large-scale screening of at-risk individuals to identify asymptomatic patients with X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD). We evaluated the burden of undiagnosed adrenal insufficiency in 49 such patients (age, 4.5 +/- 3.5 years). STUDY DESIGN: Serum adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and standard-dose ACTH stimulation test were performed at the baseline and followed prospectively until initiation of adrenal replacement therapy (follow-up, 2 +/- 1.7 years). RESULTS: At baseline, 39 (80%) patients had impaired adrenal function, serum ACTH levels were elevated in 34 (69%) patients, and ACTH stimulation test was abnormal in 21(43%) patients. There was a moderate association between Serum ACTH and age at baseline, ( r = 0.32, P = .05). By the end of follow-up, 86% of patients had borderline or overt adrenal insufficiency (age of onset, 4.8 +/- 3.7 years). CONCLUSIONS: We detected a high prevalence of unrecognized adrenocortical insufficiency in asymptomatic boys with X-ALD. It is known to be a frequent cause of morbidity and can be prevented by careful monitoring, early identification of impaired adrenal reserve, and timely initiation of therapy. It manifests early and before onset of neurologic symptoms, suggesting X-ALD as a candidate disorder for neonatal screening.