L-carnitine plays an essential role in the beta-oxidation of fatty acids by transporting long chain acyl-coenzyme A into the mitochondrial matrix.Carnitine deficiency may lead to various diseases,including lipid storage myopathies,systemic carnitine deficiency syndrome,cardiomyopathy,obesity,and infertility.This article summarizes the causes of carnitine deficiency and elucidates the clinical features and treatment strategies of its related diseases.

Magnesium deficiency is common in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM);meanwhile,it may in crease the risk of the occurrence and development of T2DM.Adequate supplementation of magnesium may be helpful for the prevention and treatment of T2DM.

non-skeletal actions,including immunoregulation,anti-tumor effect,and protecting from central nervous system diseases and metabelie syndrome.

Calcium, as a crucial signal molecule, plays an important role in the development process of immune cells and their functions. After T cell receptors or B cell receptors are stimulated or co-stimulated, the signaling pathways lead to Ca2+ influx and induce the increase of Ca2+ level in cells. Ca2+ signals have different short-time and long- term functions on T and B lymphocytes. Many immune deficiency disorders are resulted from the decrease of Ca2+ influx. This article reviewed the effects of calcium on the functions of T and B lymphocytes and its relationship with some immune deficiency disorders.

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the progression of diabetes mellitus. As a potent antioxidant, alpha-lipoic acid is able to clear free radicals and alleviate oxidative damages and therefore has been widely applied in the clinical management of diabetes mellitus. This article summarizes the clinical application of alpha-lipoic acid in alleviating diabetes mellitus-related oxidative damages, protecting vascular lesions, treating diabetic polyneuropathies, and modulating insulin sensitivity.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) have become a major cause of death in urban Chinese residents.Numerous studies have found correlations between the occurrence and development of CVD and copper deficiency or excess. As an enzyme activator or inhibitor, copper regulates the metabolism and plays an especially important role in the process of CYD-related metabolism. In this paper, the relationship between copper and CVD will be reviewed.

Alpha-lipoic acid is a potent antioxidant.Its protective effects on oxidative stress induced by diabetes and othe factors are mainly achieved via its antioxidant property.Such effects have been observed in cardiovascular system,kidney,and liver.This article reviews the recent advances in the anti-oxidation mechanisms and protective effects of alpha-lipoic acid in peripheral organs.

Monascus-fermented rice is a natural food and traditional Chinese medicine. Besides its wellknown effectiveness in lowering blood lipids, Monascus-fermented rice is also beneficial for decreasing blood pressure, preventing osteoporosis, and lowering blood sugar. This article reviews recent advances in its non-anti-hyperlipemic effects and their potential mechanisms.

cancer,and prostatic cancer has been reported.

Objective To evaluate the role of lutein in preventing and slowing down age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods Literatures concerning lutein and AMD were collected by computerized search, manual search, expert consultations. The quality of included studies was evaluated. RevMan software 4.2was used for meta-analysis. Results Totally 9 studies were included, with a total OR of 0. 81 (range: 0. 71-0.92). Conclusion Lutein can, to some extent, prevent or slow down AMD.