Nanoparticles Loaded with a Carotenoid-Rich Extract from Cantaloupe Melon Improved Hepatic Retinol Levels in a Diet-Induced Obesity Preclinical Model.

The study evaluated the effect of the carotenoid-rich extract from cantaloupe melon (CE) nanoencapsulated in porcine gelatin (EPG) on hepatic retinol concentration and liver damage scores in Wistar rats with obesity induced by high glycemic index and high glycemic load diet (HGLI diet). For 17 days, animals were fed the HGLI diet. They were divided into three groups and treated for 10 days [HGLI diet + water, HGLI diet + CE (12.5 mg/kg), and HGLI diet + EPG (50 mg/kg)]. The groups were evaluated for dietary intake, retinol, weight variation, hematological parameters, fasting glucose, lipid profile, hepatic retinol concentration, AST/ALT ratio, FIB-4 (Fibrosis-4 Index for Liver Fibrosis), and APRI (AST to Platelet Ratio Index) scores to evaluate the effects on the liver. Animals treated with EPG showed a lower dietary intake (p < 0.05). No significant weight change was detected in the evaluated groups (p > 0.05). The EPG-treated group had significantly higher concentrations (p < 0.05) of hepatic retinol [266 (45) µg/g] than the untreated group [186 (23.8) µg/g] and the one treated with CE [175 (8.08) µg/g]. Liver damage assessment scores did not show significant differences, but the lowest means were observed in the group treated with EPG. The nanoencapsulation of the extract rich in beta-carotene promoted reduced food consumption and increased hepatic retinol without causing significant changes in liver damage scores. Thus, EPG is a candidate for future clinical studies to evaluate the beneficial effects of treating diseases involving vitamin A deficiencies.

Association between Palliative Performance Scale and nutritional aspects in individuals with cancer in exclusive palliative care.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Palliative care in incurable cancer should be focused on symptom control, especially those impacting nutrition. This study aims to verify associations between functional performance using the Palliative Performance Scale Version 2 (PPS2) and nutritional and clinical aspects in cancer patients in exclusive palliative care (EPC). METHODS: Through a cross-sectional study, twenty-seven patients recently referred to the EPC outpatient clinic were evaluated. PPS2 was used to define functional performance, while nutritional aspects were obtained using the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA). Fisher's Exact test and correspondence analysis were used with a 5% level of significance. RESULTS: Of 27 eligible patients, a higher frequency of PPS2 levels 50% and 40% (70.3%) was observed, reflecting important functional impairments. The sample was mainly composed of severely malnourished patients (70.4%), polysymptomatic, and in critical need of nutritional intervention (96.3%). Regarding the primary diagnosis, gastrointestinal (37%) and lung (26%) cancer were the most prevalent. No associations between PPS2 and nutritional and clinical aspects were observed; however, the correspondence analysis demonstrated proximity between low PPS2 levels and worse nutritional markers. CONCLUSIONS: PG-SGA and PPS2 tools combined are suggested due to their importance in guiding assistance to cancer patients in EPC.

Safety and bioactive potential of nanoparticles containing Cantaloupe melon (Cucumis melo L.) carotenoids in an experimental model of chronic inflammation.

The safety and bioactive potential of crude carotenoid extract from Cantaloupe melon nanoencapsulated in porcine gelatin (EPG) were evaluated in a chronic inflammatory experimental model. Animals were fed a high glycemic index and high glycemic load (HGLI) diet for 17 weeks and treated for ten days with 1) HGLI diet, 2) standard diet, 3) HGLI diet + crude carotenoid extract (CE) (12.5 mg/kg), and 4) HGLI diet + EPG (50 mg/kg). General toxicity signals were investigated, considering body weight, food intake, hematological, biochemical parameters, relative weight, morphology, and histopathology of organs. The biochemical parameters indicated the low toxicity of EPG. Acute hepatitis was observed in animals' livers, but CE and EPG groups presented improved tissue appearance. Chronic enteritis was observed in animals, with villi and intestinal glands preservation in the EPG group. The results suggest the safety and the bioactive effect of EPG, possibly related to its anti-inflammatory potential.

Induction chemotherapy reduces extracellular heat shock protein 72 levels, inflammation, lipoperoxidation and changes insulin sensitivity in children and adolescents newly diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is associated with higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress. Recently, the levels of extracellular heat shock protein 72 (eHSP72) were found to be elevated in ALL, and its elevation associated with poor prognosis. Therefore, considering the possible role of eHSP72 as a modulator of the immunological system and metabolism, the aim of this study was to describe the response of eHSP72 to the induction phase of chemotherapy, along with metabolic, inflammatory and oxidative stress markers, in children and adolescents newly diagnosed with ALL. METHODS: Nineteen patients were recruited and analysed before and after the induction phase of chemotherapy (with 28 days of duration). Blood samples were taken for the analysis of C-reactive protein (CRP), levels of lipoperoxidation, insulin (and HOMA-IR), cortisol, glucose, lipid profile and eHSP72. RESULTS: We found that induction phase of chemotherapy leads to a drop in glucose levels (from 101.79±19 to 75.8±9.7 mg/dL), improvements on inflammation (CRP levels, p<0.01) and oxidative stress (TBARS levels, p<0.01), reduction on eHSP72 (p=0.03) and improved insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IR, p=0.02). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that eHSP72 may have an immune and metabolic role and could be used as a marker of the treatment success and metabolic changes in children with ALL.