Abstract
From a nutritional standpoint, saturated triglycerides with a medium (6 to 12) carbon chain length (MCT) have traditionally been regarded as biologically inert substances, merely serving as a source of fuel calories that is relatively easily accessible for metabolic breakdown compared with long chain triglycerides (LCT). This quality of MCT has been shown to offer both benefits and risks depending on the clinical situation, with potential positive effects on protein metabolism in some studies on one side, and an increased risk for ketogenesis and metabolic acidosis on the other. At another level, studies regarding lipid effects of MCT on the immune system, as with LCT, so far have yielded equivocal results, although there is a recent experimental evidence to suggest that MCT posses immune modulating properties and should in fact be regarded as bioactive mediators. Most of this information comes from studies where effects of MCT have been compared with those of LCT in lipid emulsions, as part of parenteral (intravenous) nutrition formulations. Unfortunately, the relevance of these observations for clinical practice remains largely unclear because adequately powered trials that clearly point out the position of MCT in relation to structurally different lipids have not been performed. In the present paper we review the experimental and clinical evidence for cellular and physiological effects of nutritional MCT. In addition, studies describing possible mechanisms behind the observed effects of MCT will be discussed.
Keywords: medium-chain triglycerides, biologically inert substances, long chain triglycerides, ketogenesis, metabolic acidosis
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry
Title: Cellular and Physiological Effects of Medium-Chain Triglycerides
Volume: 4 Issue: 8
Author(s): Geert J. Wanten and Anton H. Naber
Affiliation:
Keywords: medium-chain triglycerides, biologically inert substances, long chain triglycerides, ketogenesis, metabolic acidosis
Abstract: From a nutritional standpoint, saturated triglycerides with a medium (6 to 12) carbon chain length (MCT) have traditionally been regarded as biologically inert substances, merely serving as a source of fuel calories that is relatively easily accessible for metabolic breakdown compared with long chain triglycerides (LCT). This quality of MCT has been shown to offer both benefits and risks depending on the clinical situation, with potential positive effects on protein metabolism in some studies on one side, and an increased risk for ketogenesis and metabolic acidosis on the other. At another level, studies regarding lipid effects of MCT on the immune system, as with LCT, so far have yielded equivocal results, although there is a recent experimental evidence to suggest that MCT posses immune modulating properties and should in fact be regarded as bioactive mediators. Most of this information comes from studies where effects of MCT have been compared with those of LCT in lipid emulsions, as part of parenteral (intravenous) nutrition formulations. Unfortunately, the relevance of these observations for clinical practice remains largely unclear because adequately powered trials that clearly point out the position of MCT in relation to structurally different lipids have not been performed. In the present paper we review the experimental and clinical evidence for cellular and physiological effects of nutritional MCT. In addition, studies describing possible mechanisms behind the observed effects of MCT will be discussed.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Wanten J. Geert and Naber H. Anton, Cellular and Physiological Effects of Medium-Chain Triglycerides, Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry 2004; 4 (8) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389557043403503
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389557043403503 |
Print ISSN 1389-5575 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5607 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Bioprospecting of Natural Products as Sources of New Multitarget Therapies
According to the Convention on Biological Diversity, bioprospecting is the exploration of biodiversity and indigenous knowledge to develop commercially valuable products for pharmaceutical and other applications. Bioprospecting involves searching for useful organic compounds in plants, fungi, marine organisms, and microorganisms. Natural products traditionally constituted the primary source of more than ...read more
Drugs and mitochondria
Mitochondria play a central role in the life and death of cells. They are not merely the center for energy metabolism but are also the headquarters for different catabolic and anabolic processes, calcium fluxes, and various signaling pathways. Mitochondria maintain homeostasis in the cell by interacting with reactive oxygen-nitrogen species ...read more
Mitochondria as a Therapeutic Target in Metabolic Disorders
Mitochondria are the primary site of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production in mammalian cells. Moreover, these organelles are an important source of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in virtually any nucleated cell type. The modulation of a myriad of cellular signaling pathways depends on the mitochondrial physiology. Mitochondrial dysfunction is observed ...read more
Natural Products and Dietary Supplements in Alleviation of Metabolic, Cardiovascular, and Neurological Disorders
Metabolic disorders like diabetes, obesity, inflammation, oxidative stress, cancer etc, cardiovascular disorders like angina, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure etc as well as neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Epilepsy, Depression, etc are the global burden. They covered the major segment of the diseases and disorders from which the human community ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte Ratio, Platelet-to-lymphocyte Ratio, C-reactive Protein to Albumin Ratio, and Albumin to Fibrinogen Ratio in Axial Spondyloarthritis: A Monocentric Study
Current Rheumatology Reviews The Architectural Organization of Human Stem Cell Cycle Regulatory Machinery
Current Pharmaceutical Design Selenium-Rich Foods: a Promising Approach to Colorectal Cancer Prevention
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Pulmonary Hypertension and Right Ventricular Dysfunction in Chronic Lung Diseases: New Pathobiologic Concepts
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews Hypoxia-Inducible Factors and Sphingosine 1-Phosphate Signaling
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Fat and Aging: A Tale of Two Tissues
Current Aging Science Mucosal Healing and anti TNFs in IBD
Current Drug Targets Nutraceuticals and Diet-based Phytochemicals in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: From Whole Food to Components with Defined Roles and Mechanisms
Current Diabetes Reviews Application of Molecular Topology to the Search of Novel NSAIDs: Experimental Validation of Activity
Letters in Drug Design & Discovery The Contribution of Mannose Binding Lectin to Reperfusion Injury after Ischemic Stroke
Current Neurovascular Research Acute and Chronic Stress-Induced Disturbances of Microglial Plasticity, Phenotype and Function
Current Drug Targets Hematopoietic Stem Cells Therapies
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy The Matrix Metalloproteinases Panel in Multiple Sclerosis Patients Treated with Natalizumab: A Possible Answer to Natalizumab Non- Responders
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Hypoxia Activated Prodrugs: Factors Influencing Design and Development
Current Medicinal Chemistry Prostaglandin E2: From Clinical Applications to Its Potential Role in Bone- Muscle Crosstalk and Myogenic Differentiation
Recent Patents on Biotechnology On the Genetics of Innate Immunity in Crohns Disease
Current Genomics Current Concepts Underlying Benefits of Exercise Training in Congestive Heart Failure Patients
Current Cardiology Reviews Naturalistic Studies of Second Generation Antipsychotics in the Treatment of Schizophrenia
Current Medicinal Chemistry Bioactive Compound Containing Hepatoprotective Activity
Current Bioactive Compounds Genomic Characterization of Emerging SARS-CoV-2: A Systematic Review
Current Bioinformatics