No abstract

BackgroundObesity is associated with low-grade inflammation and impaired immune response. Caloric restriction (CR) has been shown to inhibit inflammatory response and enhance cell-mediated immune function. Curcumin, the bioactive phenolic component of turmeric spice, is proposed to have anti-obesity and anti-inflammation properties while piperine, another bioactive phenolic compound present in pepper spice, can enhance the bioavailability and efficacy of curcumin. This study sought to determine if curcumin could potentiate CR’s beneficial effect on immune and inflammatory responses in obesity developed in mice by feeding high-fat diet (HFD).MethodsMice were fed a HFD for 22 wk and then randomized into 5 groups: one group remained on HFD ad libitum and the remaining 4 groups were fed a 10% CR (reduced intake of HFD by 10% but maintaining the same levels of micronutrients) in the presence or absence of curcumin and/or piperine for 5 wk, after which CR was increased to 20% for an additional 33 wk. At the end of the study, mice were sacrificed, and spleen cells were isolated. Cells were stimulated with T cell mitogens, anti-CD3/CD28 antibodies, or lipopolysaccharide to determine T cell proliferation, cytokine production, and CD4+ T cell subpopulations.ResultsCompared to HFD control group, all CR mice, regardless of the presence of curcumin and/or piperine, had lower body weight and fat mass, lower levels of blood glucose and insulin, and fewer total spleen cells but a higher percentage of CD4+ T cells. Additionally, they demonstrated lower production of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α, a trend toward lower IL-6, and lower production of PGE2, a lipid molecule with pro-inflammatory and T cell-suppressive properties. Mice with CR alone had higher splenocyte proliferation and IL-2 production, but this effect of CR was diminished by spice supplementation. CR alone or in combination with spice supplementation had no effect on production of cytokines IL-4, IL-10, IFN-γ, and IL-17, or the proportion of different CD4+ T cell subsets.ConclusionCR on an HFD favorably impacts both metabolic and immune/inflammatory profiles; however, the presence of curcumin and/or piperine does not amplify CR’s beneficial effects.

CYSTIC DISEASE OF LU4NGS BRITISH~~M EDICAL JOURNAL When fully established the disease is grossly disabling. Earlier recognition should lead to the more frequLent use of surgery in appropriate cases. ADDENDUM.-Since writing this account another patient has had-operative treatment-a successful pneumonectomy. He was one of the three extensive left-sided cases. My thanks arc duc to the Cumberland County Council for permission to undertake this work. I am indebtetd to Dr. R. Hambridge, chest physician to West Cumberland, for driawing my attention to these cases, advising me on this paper, and putting me in touch with the patients and their clinical and x-ray records. REFERENCES

SUMMARY The pattern of virus isolation and illness was studied in 64 children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) during periods of apparent infection and when the children were well. The virus isolation rate of 2.2 viruses per child a year is similar to that previously found in normal children. In only 32% of children with symptoms were viruses found and 14.5% had viruses isolated when asymptomatic. The children with ALL appear to be more vulnerable to multiple virus infections and to excrete the virus for longer periods. This may be due to failure of production of both local and systemic antibodies. The failure in the past to recognise the true importance of virus infections in ALL may have been due to inadequate diagnostic techniques.Infections are playing an increasingly important role in the death of children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and viruses are emerging as important pathogens . While it is recognised that varicella zoster and measles may be particularly severe in the immunosuppressed host (Feldman and Cox, 1976), it has been suggested that the common upper respiratory virus infections are neither more frequent nor more severe in children with ALL (Levine et al., 1974). However, there has been little systematic study of virus infections in this disease. In the present investigation viruses were studied in children with ALL, both when an infection was suspected and when the children were well. The results are presented in the light of locally acquired experience of virus infections in normal children. Patients and methods 64 children with ALL, 34 boys and 30 girls, were followed for at least 2 months, some for as long as 33 months. Their ages at diagnosis ranged from 1 1 to 14 years. All were being treated with conventional combination chemotherapy and prophylactic cranial irradiation and most were on a modified ALGB 6801 regimen . During the initial phase of the investigation children were studied only when they were suspected of having an infection. 31 such children were followed for a total of 468 patient months. The remaining 33 children were investigated when they were infected and also routinely at monthly intervals. They were followed for a total of 397 patient months. When an infection was suspected a specimen of nasopharyngeal secretion was investigated by the fluorescent antibody technique (FAT) (Gardner and McQuillin, 1974