Pendrin, encoded by Slc26a4, is a Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchanger expressed in the apical region of type B and non-A, non-B intercalated cells, which regulates renal NaCl excretion. Dietary Cl(-) restriction upregulates total pendrin protein expression. Whether the subcellular expression of pendrin and whether the apparent vascular volume contraction observed in Slc26a4 null mice are Cl(-) dependent,...

BACKGROUND Protein-calorie malnutrition (PCM) is the most common type of malnutrition. PCM leads to immunodeficiency and consequent increased susceptibility to infectious agents. In addition, responses to prophylactic vaccines depend on nutritional status. This study aims to evaluate the ability of undernourished mice to mount an immune response to a genetic vaccine (pVAXhsp65) against tubercul...

Restriction of nutrients in the adult diet extends lifespan across a diverse range of species, but less is known about the long-term effects of developmental dietary restriction. In particular, it is not known whether adult lifespan is influenced by developmental caloric restriction or macronutrient balance. We used the nutritional geometry approach to independently manipulate protein and carbo...

In Japan, the number of low weight birth babies is increasing. The increase in the number of slim young women is considered to be associated with the rising number of low birth weight babies in Japan. In 1993, Barker et al. published highly influential findings indicating a relationship between low birth weight and increased risk of developing symptoms of metabolic syndrome. Here, we report on ...

Generalized malnutrition results in inhibition of tumorigenesis and tumor growth in experimental animal models. Neither the specific nutrient deficiency nor the mechanism has been definitely elucidated. We have shown previously that dietary sodium deprivation in rapidly growing rats retards protoplasmic growth. This effect was correlated to the extracellular fluid (ECF) volume expansion which i...

It is well known that caloric restriction leads to an increased longevity by forestalling age-related diseases. Dietary restriction of methionine also renders similar benefits. In this review, we report studies on the effect of methionine restriction on epithelial barrier function in a renal epithelial LLC-PK1 cell, a rodent gastrointestinal model and a clinical trial using Crohn’s patients. In...

Epigenetic changes may be causal in the ageing process and may be influenced by diet, providing opportunities to improve health in later life. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of several areas of research relevant to this topic and to explore a hypothesis relating to a possible role of epigenetic effects, mediated by sirtuin 1, in the beneficial effects of dietary restriction, i...

The role of the gut microbiota in understanding the onset and development of obesity is gaining importance. Dietary strategies are the main tool employed to counteract obesity, and nowadays they are focused on a wide range of different aspects of diet and not only on calorie restriction. Additionally, diet is known to be a major factor influencing modification of the gut microbiota. Therefore t...

Abstract The present study aimed at determining the effects of dietary DL-methionine supplementation on water quality, bioflocs composition and Nile tilapia juvenile’s (initial body weight = 2.76 ± 0.06 g) growth performance in BFT rearing tanks (18 fish/100-L tank). Fish were or not subjected to artificial feed restriction. experimental treatments consisted two control groups: 1 - no restricti...

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to examine the association of cigarette smoking and weight concerns in adolescents, given that adolescents may begin smoking or have difficulty quitting because of their expectancies of the effects of smoking on body weight. METHODS This study used data from a cross-sectional survey of 4523 Connecticut high school adolescents to assess the influence o...