ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Abnormal lipid metabolism and excess accumulation of lipid in non-adipose tissues are defining characteristics of obesity and its comorbidities. Expression and/or activity of stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD1), a major regulator of lipid metabolism, is increased with obesity and the reduction/ablation of this enzyme is associated with an improved metabolic profile. Sterculic oil (SO), obtained from the seeds of the Sterculia feotida tree, contains a high concentration of cyclopropenoic fatty acids which are known inhibitors of SCD1. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of SO supplementation on the development of obesity and insulin resistance in hyperphagic, obese Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats. DESIGN & METHODS: Rats received either an AIN-93G diet (control) or an AIN-93G diet containing 0.5% SO for 10 weeks. RESULTS: SO did not alter body weight or body composition. Importantly, the desaturase indices, a proxy for the activity of SCD1, were reduced in the liver and adipose tissue of SO supplemented animals. This reduction in SCD1 activity was associated with a reduction in fasting blood glucose concentrations and improved glucose tolerance. In addition, SO reduced intra-abdominal fat mass and adipocyte size and resulted in a â¼3-fold increase in GLUT1 gene expression in intra-abdominal fat. Liver triglyceride content and lipogenic gene expression were reduced by SO. Consistent with an improved metabolic phenotype, SO also improved plasma cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglyceride concentrations. CONCLUSION: Overall, our data demonstrate an improved metabolic phenotype with SO supplementation and suggest further studies are required to better understand the therapeutic potential of SO.
Subject(s)
Dietary Supplements , Lipid Metabolism/drug effects , Plant Oils/pharmacology , Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase/metabolism , Sterculia/chemistry , Adipocytes/drug effects , Adipocytes/metabolism , Animals , Blood Glucose/analysis , Body Composition/drug effects , Body Weight/drug effects , Cholesterol, LDL/blood , Diet , Insulin Resistance , Intra-Abdominal Fat/drug effects , Intra-Abdominal Fat/pathology , Liver/drug effects , Liver/metabolism , Male , Obesity/drug therapy , Obesity/metabolism , Rats , Rats, Inbred OLETF , Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase/antagonists & inhibitors , Triglycerides/bloodABSTRACT
PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To explore whether healthcare professionals influence the level of hope in patients with cancer and, if so, how they influence their hope. DESIGN: Descriptive, qualitative design. SETTING: An adult hematology/oncology unit in the upper midwestern United States. SAMPLE: Thirty-two men and women receiving active or supportive treatment or palliative care for cancer. METHODS: Semistructured interviews conducted in the participants' hospital rooms. Ten investigators and two consultants transcribed and analyzed the interview data using content analysis. They identified themes and subthemes that described healthcare professionals' roles. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Healthcare professionals' contributions to hope as described by patients with cancer. FINDINGS: Healthcare professionals positively and negatively influenced hope in this sample. Hope was facilitated by being present, giving information, and demonstrating caring behaviors. Negative influences on hope primarily concerned the way in which healthcare professionals gave information. CONCLUSION: Healthcare professionals do influence patients' perceptions of their hope. Although most nursing actions are hope enhancing, nurses can reduce a patient's sense of hope if information provided or attitude toward the patient is insensitive or disrespectful. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Nurses can increase patients' hope by being present, taking time to talk, and being helpful. They must provide information and answer questions in a compassionate, positive, honest, and respectful manner. Caring behaviors such as thoughtful gestures, showing warmth and genuineness, and being friendly and polite also increase patients' hope.
