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The purpose of this research was to investigate the prophylactic effects of glutamine on muscle protein synthesis and degradation in rats with ethanol-induced liver injury. For the first 2 weeks, Wistar rats were divided into two groups and fed a control (n = 16) or glutamine-containing diet (n = 24). For the following 6 weeks, rats fed the control diet were further divided into two groups (n = 8 per group) according to whether their diet contained no ethanol (CC) or did contain ethanol (CE). Rats fed the glutamine-containing diet were also further divided into three groups (n = 8 per group), including a GG group (glutamine-containing diet without ethanol), GE group (control diet with ethanol), and GEG group (glutamine-containing diet with ethanol). After 6 weeks, results showed that hepatic fatty change, inflammation, altered liver function, and hyperammonemia had occurred in the CE group, but these were attenuated in the GE and GEG groups. Elevated intestinal permeability and a higher plasma endotoxin level were observed in the CE group, but both were lower in the GE and GEG groups. The level of a protein synthesis marker (p70S6K) was reduced in the CE group but was higher in both the GE and GEG groups. In conclusion, glutamine supplementation might elevate muscle protein synthesis by improving intestinal health and ameliorating liver damage in rats with chronic ethanol intake.

BACKGROUND Poor sleep duration and quality were previously reported to increase the risk of obesity. This study was aimed to evaluate the impact of sleep quality and duration on leptin, appetite, and adiposity in Indonesian adults. METHODS This cross-sectional study recruited adults in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, in 2016. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh sleep quality index, appetite was evaluated using the community nutrition appetite questionnaire, and dietary intake was assessed by interviews using the semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Sleep duration was also asked. Obesity indices were measured using the body mass index (BMI), waist-hip circumference, and percentage of body fat. Leptin was analyzed using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A Spearman analysis was done to evaluate the correlation between sleep quality, sleep duration, anthropometric measures, dietary intake, appetite, and leptin. RESULTS 244 adults participated in this study. This study showed that lower sleep quality and duration was significantly correlated with higher body weight (r = 0.129, p = 0.043 and r = −0.228, p<0.001), BMI (r = 0.176, p = 0.006 and r = −0.202, p = 0.001), and waist circumference (r = 0.179, p = 0.005 and r = −0.254, p<0.001). There was a correlation between poor sleep quality and higher leptin concentration (r = 0.186, p = 0.004). Sleep quality and duration were not associated with appetite (r = 0.109, p = 0.109 and r = −0.043, p = 0.500). CONCLUSIONS This study found that lower sleep quality was correlated with higher BMI, higher leptin concentration, but not appetite.

Background: The UCP2 gene variation has been associated with the increased risk for obesity and lower response to an energy-restricted diet.Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effect of intermittent fasting diet (IFD) and low-calorie diet with exercise (LCD-ex) based on UCP2 gene variations. Methods: Subjects were adult men and women (n = 125) with body mass index between 25-40 kg/m 2 . During IFD, subjects were abstained from eating and drinking for 13 hours. During LCD-ex, subjects received dietary counseling for low-calorie diet and group exercise program. Anthropometric changes were compared after 4 weeks. The -866 G/A (rs659366) UCP2 gene variation was analyzed and subjects were separated into 2 groups: GG and AA+GA. Results: In GG genotype, IFD was associated with a higher weight reduction compared to LCD-ex (-1.7 ± 0.2 vs. -0.7 ± 0.3 kg, p = 0.016). In AA+GA genotypes, there were no differences in weight loss between IFD and LCD-ex (-1.7 ± 0.3 vs. -1.7 ± 0.3 kg, p = 0.967). No differences in energy intake between genotypes (all p > 0.05). Conclusions: This study shows that GG genotype of -866 G/A UCP2 was associated with a better response towards IFD compared to LCD-ex.