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It has been reported that medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) have various physiological functions, such as anti-obesity and hypolipidemic effects. They can also elicit increased disaccharidase activity and intestinal cell proliferation. However, a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, comparing the effects of MCT on weight loss and body composition, detected commercial bias. Additional research on the physiological functions is needed in order to have conclusive evidence. Thus, we sought to evaluate the various functions of MCT by conducting a feeding study in rats. Rats fed a diet containing 15% (w/w) MCT, had significantly lower visceral fat weight, plasma and liver lipid concentrations; they had significantly higher intestinal maltase and glucoamylase activities; and they had a greater number of Ki-67 positive cells/crypt, compared to the rats fed a diet containing 15% (w/w) lard. The effects of a diet containing 5% (w/w) MCT was observed only for plasma cholesterol levels and the number of Ki-67 positive cells/crypt; in which some results were found to be inconsistent with previous reports. These results indicate that physiological functions of MCT are numerous and need to be confirmed by additional research.

A case of 25-year-old woman with glycogen storage myopathy is reported here. She was hospitalized for acute heart failure after alcohol drinking. The electrocardiogram on admission showed marked ST elevation. Laboratory data showed elevated levels of serum myogenic enzymes but no rise in cardiomyogenic enzyme: CK 3862 IU/l CK-MB 35 IU/l, LDH 427 IU/l, GOT 203 IU/l. After several days, she recovered from acute heart failure and could walk without supporting. ST elevation in ECG and elevated myogenic enzymes were also normalized. The occurrence of acute myocardial infarction was ruled out because a coronary angiogram and 99 Tcm scintigram were normal. Physical examination revealed proximal muscular weakness and mental retardation (WAIS, total 72). Venous lactate response was normal after semi-ischemic forearm exercise. PAS staining of muscle specimen showed an excess deposit of glycogen. Ragged-red fibers were not seen on Gomori-trichrome stain. By electron microscopy, a large amount of glycogen particles were demonstrated in the subsarcolemma, but there were no abnormal mitochondrial changes. Biochemical analysis showed accumulation of glycogen in muscles: 28.7 mg/g muscle (normal 11.4 +/- 4.2 mg/g muscle). The activities of enzyme in the pathway of glycogen and glycogenosis (alpha-glucosidase, amylo-1,6-glucosidase, phosphorylase a, phosphorylase kinase, phosphofructokinase, etc.) were within normal limits. The spectrum of glycogen iodine complex was normal. Our case was different from any type of muscle glycogen storage disease previously reported. The etiology of an excess of glycogen deposit in muscles is unknown.

The activities of lysosomal maltase in the serum, bile and liver were determined in intrahepatic cholestasis rats induced by alpha-naphtylisothiocyanate (ANIT, 200 mg/kg, i.p.), and compared with changes in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. Moreover, the influences of endogenous bile acids on the release of maltase activity from the liver in intrahepatic cholestasis rats were studied. The maltase activities in the serum and bile significantly increased from 4 and 8 h after the intraperitoneal administration of ANIT, respectively. Conversely, a significant decrease in liver maltase activity was observed from 4 h after the injection of ANIT. On the other hand, total bile acid concentrations in the serum and bile significantly increased immediately after the treatment of ANIT, when biliary bile acid, exogenous bile acid or Triton X-100 was added to lysosomal fraction in the liver, the maltase activity in the supernate after the reaction significantly increased in proportion to the concentration of each substance added to the liver lysosome. These results suggested that maltase might be released from liver lysosomal membrane by surface active-action of bile acid accumulated in the liver after the administration of ANIT. Moreover, the changes in ALP activities in the serum, bile and liver after the administration of ANIT were almost similar to those in maltase activity.