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
Computational Frontiers in Medicinal Chemistry
The thematic issue "Computational Frontiers in Medicinal Chemistry" provides a robust platform for delving into state-of-the-art computational methodologies and technologies that significantly propel advancements in medicinal chemistry. This edition seeks to amalgamate top-tier reviews spotlighting the latest trends and breakthroughs in the fusion of computational approaches, including artificial intelligence (AI) ...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
Natural Products in Drug Discovery
Natural products have always been one of the important ways of drug discovery due to their novel skeleton and diverse functional group characteristics. According to statistics, between 1981 and 2019, the FDA approved a total of 1,394 small molecule drugs for marketing, of which 930 marketed drugs originated from the ...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
-
Functional Characterization of Chitin and Chitosan
Current Chemical Biology Neuroimmune Dysregulation in Prepubertal and Adolescent Individuals Affected by Klinefelter Syndrome
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets Editorial [Hot topic: Stroke as a Target in Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Discovery (Guest Editor: Antonino Tuttolomondo)]
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Pleiotropic Effects of 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A Reductase Inhibitors: Candidate Mechanisms for Anti-Lipid Deposition in Blood Vessels
Current Medicinal Chemistry - Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents Sex-Genetic Interaction in the Risk for Cerebrovascular Disease
Current Medicinal Chemistry Role of Nitric Oxide in the Modulation of Angiogenesis
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Multiple Aspects of Stroke and Stem Cell Therapy
Current Molecular Medicine Cardiac and Renal Nitric Oxide in the Adaptation to Hypovolemic Shock
Current Enzyme Inhibition Enzyme Mediated Baeyer-Villiger Oxidations
Current Organic Chemistry Interleukin Receptor Antagonists and Janus Kinase Inhibitors Repurposed for Treatment of COVID-19
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Hereditary Haemorrhagic Telangiectasia: A Rare Disease As A Model for the Study of Human Atherosclerosis
Current Pharmaceutical Design Human N-Acetyltransferases and Drug-Induced Hepatotoxicity
Current Drug Metabolism Adenosine in the Central Nervous System: Effects on Neurotransmission and Neuroprotection
Immunology, Endocrine & Metabolic Agents in Medicinal Chemistry (Discontinued) Genomic Instability and Cancer
Current Molecular Medicine Benzimidazole Derivatives as Potential Anticancer Agents
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Nitric Oxide as a Marker for Levo-Thyroxine Therapy in Subclinical Hypothyroid Patients
Current Vascular Pharmacology Virtual Screening for Novel Staphylococcus Aureus NorA Efflux Pump Inhibitors From Natural Products
Medicinal Chemistry Targeting Epigenetics through Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Current Cancer Drug Targets Ocular Inflammatory Diseases: Molecular Pathogenesis and Immunotherapy
Current Molecular Medicine Brain Drug Delivery: Overcoming the Blood-brain Barrier to Treat Tauopathies
Current Pharmaceutical Design