Utjecaj ketogene dijete na rast i preživljavanje tumorskih stanica kod životinja

Neoplasms are one of the biggest health problems worldwide and are a common cause of animal deaths. There is still a lack of methods to significantly increase the effect of standard anticancer therapies. The term ketogenic diet means a high fat intake, a low carbohydrate intake and a moderate protein intake. Consequently, the intake of macronutrients in these proportions, there are changes in energy metabolism: a state of ketosis and hypoglycemia is achieved. The state of ketosis can be achieved by periods of fasting or restriction of carbohydrates in the diet. Metabolic dysfunctions that occur in tumor cells represent potential therapeutic strategies in the treatment of tumor diseases. Tumor cells use glycolysis instead of oxidative phosphorylation to generate ATP even under anaerobic conditions. Increased glycolysis is a compensatory response to a disorder in mitochondrial cellular respiration therefore the application of a ketogenic diet, limiting glucose consumption, would stimulate oxidative mitochondrial metabolism and thus expose tumor cells to metabolic oxidative stress. Some tumors do not have the ability to use ketone bodies for energy, so the purpose of a ketogenic diet is to reduce the concentration of glucose and increase the concentration of ketone bodies so that tumor cells run out of energy and healthy ones use ketone bodies as a source of energy. Previous research indicates a beneficial effect of ketogenic diet as an adjuvant therapy in the treatment of tumors, but also in the treatment of other pathological conditions. Despite good results, some studies also indicate certain short-term and long-term side effects such as gastrointestinal disorders, hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, nephrolithiasis, cardiomyopathy, low blood albumin and carnitine levels, increased risk of infection, deficiency of certain vitamins and minerals and rare fatal pancreatitis. Given the different metabolic needs, an individual approach by clinicians and dietitians is required to achieve the maximum therapeutic effect of the ketogenic diet in each individual patient. More preclinical and clinical research is certainly needed to determine calorie intake, precise diet (composition and ratio), and optimal blood glucose and ketone body concentrations, taking into account metabolic differences between species. The diet for oncology patients should become specific to a particular tumor type and stage of the disease through further research.