Acute effects of mustard, horseradish, black pepper and ginger on energy expenditure, appetite, ad libitum energy intake and energy balance in human subjects.

Chilli peppers have been shown to enhance diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT) and reduce energy intake (EI) in some studies, but there are few data on other pungent spices. The primary aim of the present study was to test the acute effects of black pepper (pepper), ginger, horseradish and mustard in a meal on 4 h postprandial DIT. The secondary aim was to examine the effects on subjective appetite measures, ad libitum EI and energy balance. In a five-way placebo-controlled, single-blind, cross-over trial, twenty-two young (age 24·9 (SD 4·6) years), normal-weight (BMI 21·8 (SD 2·1) kg/m²) males were randomly assigned to receive a brunch meal with either pepper (1·3 g), ginger (20 g), horseradish (8·3 g), mustard (21 g) or no spices (placebo). The amounts of spices were chosen from pre-testing to make the meal spicy but palatable. No significant treatment effects were observed on DIT, but mustard produced DIT, which tended to be larger than that of placebo (14 %, 59 (SE 3) v. 52 (SE 2) kJ/h, respectively, P=0·08). No other spice induced thermogenic effects approaching statistical significance. Subjective measures of appetite (P>0·85), ad libitum EI (P=0·63) and energy balance (P=0·67) also did not differ between the treatments. Finally, horseradish decreased heart rate (P=0·048) and increased diastolic blood pressure (P= 0·049) compared with placebo. In conclusion, no reliable treatment effects on appetite, EI or energy balance were observed, although mustard tended to be thermogenic at this dose. Further studies should explore the possible strength and mechanisms of the potential thermogenic effect of mustard actives, and potential enhancement by, for example, combinations with other food components.

Long-term oral refeeding of patients with cirrhosis of the liver.

A previous study has shown that malnourished, clinically stable patients with liver cirrhosis are in protein and energy balance at their spontaneous dietary intake and that an improvement in nutritional status cannot be anticipated at this intake (Nielsen et al. 1993). In the present study we examined to what extent oral intake could be increased by nutritional support, and to what extent dietary protein would be retained with increased intake. The techniques used for balance studies were also validated since this information is not available for patients with liver cirrhosis. Fifteen malnourished patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis were given increasing amounts of a balanced ordinary diet for 38 (SE 3) d. Intakes of protein and energy were recorded by weighing servings and leftovers on food trays. Protein intake was calculated from food tables. Total N disposal was calculated after measurement of urinary N excretion, and protein balance was calculated from the N balance. A validation study of protein balance in a subgroup of patients (analysis of N in food by the duplicate portion technique, correction for incomplete recovery of urine by measurement of urinary para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) after administration of PABA tablets, and measurement of faecal N) did not change protein balance values. Protein intake increased from 1.0 (SE 0.1) g/kg per d to 1.8 (SE 0.1) g/kg per d. With increasing protein intake, 84 (SE 8)% of the increase in intake was retained. The rate of protein retention was not saturated at the intakes obtained in this study. Protein intolerance was only encountered in one patient. Available evidence indicates that the requirement for achieving N balance is increased in these patients but protein retention is highly efficient with increased intake. Protein retention is dependent on energy balance. Energy intake was calculated from food tables and total energy expenditure was calculated by the factorial method. A validation study was performed in a subgroup of patients. The energy contents of food sampled by the duplicate portion technique, and of urine and faeces were measured by bomb calorimetry. Resting energy expenditure (REE) was measured by indirect calorimetry before and at the end of the study, and O2 uptake during bicycle exercise was measured before and at the end of the study. The measured intake of metabolizable energy was on average 13% lower than the value given in food tables. Calculated energy expenditure was not changed by the validation study.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of Solcoseryl on cadaveric split-skin oxygen consumption during 4 degrees C storage and in frozen biopsies.

Oxygen consumption rate in cadaveric split-skin biopsies was investigated. Biopsies were harvested at different times postmortem and stored at different temperatures in either Solcoseryl (a protein-free bovine hemodialysate) or placebo-containing media. During the first week of storage Solcoseryl had no influence on oxygen consumption. However, in the second and third weeks the oxygen consumption was improved by Solcoseryl.

Patterns of the first lymph node metastases in patients with cutaneous malignant melanoma of axial localization.

At the Finsen Institute, Copenhagen, from 1971 to 1981, 134 patients were treated for lymph node metastases from primary cutaneous malignant melanoma of axial localization (e.g., in the head and neck and trunk), where metastases to regional lymph node groups were the first sign of dissemination. Due to the lack of sufficient clinical data, 27 patients were excluded from the study. Median time from excision of primary tumor to diagnosis of node metastases was 11 months. In 42 of 85 (49%) patients with truncal melanoma, the primary tumor was placed in the lymphatic water-shed areas. Two patients among this group showed bilateral simultaneous metastases to two different node groups. In the remaining 43 patients with truncal tumors located outside water-shed areas, node metastases developed in unexpected groups in seven (16%) patients. Of 22 patients with head and neck tumors, two (9%) patients demonstrated metastases to distant lymph node groups without metastases to the regional node basins.

In vitro suppression of the epidermal Langerhans' cells in necro split skin.

The effect of ultraviolet light B irradiation and glucocorticosteroid incubation on the epidermal Langerhans' cell density and tissue viability was investigated, in vitro, on human thin necro split skin.