Metabolism, influential factors

As mentioned earlier that sesame lignans, especially sesamin and epi-sesamin, could influence the metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acid and the production of prostaglandins. As prostaglandin is one of the most influential factors for mammary carcinogenesis, Hirose et al. (99) studied the effect of sesamin on dimethylbenz-anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary cancer. Their results showed that sesamin at a dietary level of 0.2% considerably reduced the cumulative number and mean number of mammary cancer the effectiveness of sesamin was similar to a-tocopherol. 

Over the past 50 yr, there has been an increase in diabetes, heart disease and cancer, thoughtto be caused, in part, by changes in environmental factors. The nutrients we eat may be the most influential environmental stimuli, and fat is a strong determinant of cell differentiation, growth, and metabolism. Although the effects of n-3 PUFAs on several behavioral indices have been widely reported, there is still much work to be done if we are to understand the mechanism by which this family of fatty acids exerts its many actions. 

Many attempts have been made to determine whether medications were influential as a risk factor. Although use of a prescription or nonprescription medication did not differ substantially between case patients and controls, it appeared that the use of an antidepressant or psychotropic medication (any antipsychotic, antidepressant, benzodiazepines, and/or other anxiolytic) could increase the risk of developing EMS.22-67 It is of interest that a number of medications, such as corticosteroids, oral contraceptives, and estrogen, which can alter tryptophan metabolism, have not been determined to have an effect on the development of EMS. Actually, some clinicians have postulated that EMS itself may be caused by or related to abnormal tryptophan metabolism.42 68... 

Etiology - In the study of the causes of atherosclerosis. the factors found most likely to be present in the living system prior to death, in relation to the proven presence of coronary atherosclerosis at autopsy, are advanced age, elevated serum cholesterol, and elevated blood pressure, with elevated blood lipids and the presence of diabetes appearing influential. Other measurable metabolic parameters found to correlate as coronary heart disease risk factors are elevated serum uric acid, , lowered serum albumin levels, lowered lipoprotein lipase and lowered endogenous heparin. Of these factors, "cholesterol" continues as a favorite research topic. 

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