Daily energy expenditure in rats following structured exercise training is affected by dietary phosphorus content.

P ingestion has been found to alter energy balance, while regular physical exercise (E) was reported to be associated with energy compensation. However, it is not clear whether dietary P would affect energy compensation following structured E. Two experiments were performed, low P (LP) (0·1, 0·2 and 0·3 %P) and high P (HP) (0·3 , 0·6 and 1·2 %P) diets. In each experiment, male rats were randomly divided into three groups (n 8), in which a sedentary or a moderate-intensity exercise routine (30 min 5 d a week) was implemented. Energy intake (EI); efficiency and stores; body measures and total energy expenditure (TEEx) were monitored for 6 weeks. In the LP experiment, EI and weight gain were the lowest in the 0·1 and 0·2 %P as compared with the 0·3 %P. In the HP experiment, EI was highest in the high P (0·6 and 1·2 %P) groups, while weight gain was reduced. In both experiments, exercise was able to reduce body fat accumulation and to maintain a higher % lean body mass. In the LP diets experiment, the similarity in TEEx between the sedentary and exercising groups suggests the probability of a reduction in normal daily activities, which indicates the presence of compensation for the energy expended during exercise by a subsequent reduction in EE. In contrast, the elevated TEEx in the HP exercising groups (0·6 and 1·2 %P) argue against the presence of energy compensation. In conclusion, high dietary P decreases the body's capability to compensate for the energy deficit induced by E, consequently maintaining an elevated TEEx.

Ultrasonograph and clinical quantitative characterization of tendinopathy by modified splitting in a goat model.

A tendinopathy is a clinical condition characterized by activity-related pain, focal tendons tenderness, and intratendinous imaging changes. This study characterizes a surgically induced tendinopathy in a goat model with a noninvasive in vivo longitudinal followup based on physical examination and US. Cross-sectional area (CSA) is the most objective feature for the evaluation of tendinopathy in correlation with clinical findings. The deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) of the left hind limb of six goats was isolated and scarified by a modified splitting. Pain and lameness at walk and trot were evaluated. External width and thickness of tendon region were measured by calipers. CSA and the ratio lesion/tendon CSA were obtained at days 0, 7, 21, 42, and 84 by US. The highest value of global functional score was obtained at day 7, then decreased until day 40 and was not significantly different from day 0 at the end of the study. The external width recovered a normal value at the end of the study, but the external thickness was still significantly increased (P < 0.05). Peritendinous oedema was observed at day 7, but intratendinous lesions were visible only at day 21 as a focal hypo to anechoic area. At day 84, two tendons still presented visible lesions. US examination was reproducible, specific, and provided complementary information to the global functional score. A standardized focal tendinopathy was induced in goats. This experimental model of focal tendinopathy could be used to study the effect of different treatments.

High protein vs high carbohydrate hypoenergetic diet for the treatment of obese hyperinsulinemic subjects.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that hyperinsulinemic obese subjects would respond differently to changes in the composition of hypoenergetic diets. DESIGN: A 4-week randomized dietary intervention trial. SUBJECTS: Thirteen male obese hyperinsulinemic normoglycemic subjects were divided into two groups and fed hypoenergetic diets providing 80% of their resting energy expenditure (REE). One group received a high-protein diet (HP; 45% protein, 25% carbohydrates, and 30% fat as percent of dietary energy) and the other a high-carbohydrate diet (HC; 12% protein, 58% carbohydrates and 30% fat). MEASUREMENTS: Anthropometry, body composition, fasting serum insulin and lipids, and REE were performed before and after the feeding period. RESULTS: Weight loss was higher in the HP than HC group (8.3+/-0.7 vs 6.0+/-0.6 kg, P<0. 05). There was a decrease in body fat in both groups, whereas body water decreased significantly more in the HP group. REE decreased more in the HC than the HP group (-384.3+/-84.6 vs -132.3+/-51.0 kcal, P<0.05). Serum total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL cholesterol decreased significantly to a similar extent in both diet groups, while HDL cholesterol was decreased significantly only in the HP group. Mean fasting insulin decreased significantly in both diet groups and reached the normal range only in the HP group. CONCLUSION: A low-carbohydrate (LC), HP hypoenergetic diet could be the diet composition of choice for a weight-reducing regimen in obese hyperinsulinemic subjects.

Ultrasonography in the early diagnosis of hip joint involvement in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the value of ultrasonography in detection of early alterations and subsequent evolution of hip joint disease in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). METHODS: Hip joints of 53 patients were evaluated clinically, by conventional radiography and ultrasound. Ten children free of signs/symptoms related to rheumatic diseases were chosen as a control group. Nine patients were followed up 28 months after baseline examinations. The clinical, radiological, and ultrasound evaluations were repeated. RESULTS: Conventional radiography showed alterations in 10 patients (18.9%) who had shown clinical manifestations of advanced disease of the hip joint while ultrasound detected abnormalities in asymptomatic patients who had had normal radiographs. Ultrasound revealed the occurrence of 47.2% involvement in the hips of patients with JRA. Thus, ultrasound was apparently more sensitive than conventional radiographs in diagnosing changes in the hip joints of patients with JRA. Further, such involvement was found with greater frequency in the systemic and polyarticular types of JRA, in children less than 5 years of age, in those with longer duration of disease, and in those who belonged to a poorer functional class. In 3 of 9 patients who initially had normal radiographs and altered ultrasound, we found severe hip alterations upon reevaluation by radiography, after a period ranging from 21 to 39 months. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonography is a method of diagnosis that must be considered in hip joint evaluation of patients with JRA.

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis: report of two cases and comment on the literature.

Two cases of eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE) are reported. One recovered spontaneously, the other relapsed after bowel resection. Comments outline the immunological processes. They relate EGE to the hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) and other collagenous diseases. Bowel resection is discouraged in favor of more conservative treatment.