0000000000018467
AUTHOR
Lorena Bellod
A single acute dose of pinitol from a naturally-occurring food ingredient decreases hyperglycaemia and circulating insulin levels in healthy subjects.
A limited amount of research suggests that oral ingestion of pinitol (3-O-methyl-d-chiro-inositol) positively influences glucose tolerance in humans. This study assessed the effects of different doses of pinitol supplementation on glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity and plasma pinitol concentrations. Thirty healthy subjects underwent two one-day trials in which they consumed a nutritive beverage (Fruit Up®) containing 2.5, 4.0 or 6.0g of pinitol and a corresponding placebo equivalent in both energy and carbohydrates. Blood samples were collected frequently over the 240-min test period. The pinitol-enriched beverage reduced serum glucose and insulin at 45 and 60min, but only at a dose of …
Serum lipid responses to phytosterol-enriched milk in a moderate hypercholesterolemic population is not affected by apolipoprotein E polymorphism or diameter of low-density lipoprotein particles
Background/Objectives: The importance of both low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) size and the apolipoprotein E (Apo E) in the atherogenic process is known, but there is little information with regard to the effect of phytosterols (PS) on these parameters. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of PS on lipid profile and LDLc size according to Apo E genotype. Subjects/Methods: This was a randomized parallel trial employing 75 mild-hypercholesterolemic subjects and consisting of two 3-month intervention phases. After 3 months of receiving a standard healthy diet, subjects were divided into two intervention groups: a diet group (n = 34) and a diet+PS group (n = 41) that re…
Effect of weight loss on C3 and C4 components of complement in obese patients
Eur J Clin Invest 2012; 42 (5): 503–509 Abstract Background Circulating C3 levels are elevated in obese patients, but how this factor is affected after weight loss through diet is a question that is yet unanswered. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of weight loss on lipid and hydrocarbonated metabolism parameters and on the levels of C3 and C4 components of complement in obese patients. Design This is a longitudinal intervention study based on a 6-week very low-calorie diet (VLCD), a liquid formula of 603 kcal/day. A total of 131 middle-aged patients were distributed among grades II, III and IV of obesity. Anthropometric parameters, total cholesterol, triglyceri…
Comparability of two different polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis methods for the classification of LDL pattern type
Abstract Background The measurement of small dense low-density lipoprotein (sdLDL) particles is relevant when assessing cardiovascular risk. However, there is as yet no referenced method for the determination of LDL subfractions or a standardized comparison of the methods currently available. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the pattern of LDL particles measured by polyacrylamide tube gel electrophoresis (PTGE) and polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis (PGGE) and to correlate the results with triglyceride concentration. Materials and methods Serum samples were collected from 177 patients. Lipid profile and LDL particle size were assessed using PTGE and PGGE. Results Pea…
Association of Serum Retinol Binding Protein 4 with Atherogenic Dyslipidemia in Morbid Obese Patients
Retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4) is an adipokine that may contribute to the development of insulin resistance. However, how this adipokine is affected and its possible involvement in lipid metabolism in obese patients with varying degrees of insulin resistance is yet to be determined. A total of 299 middle-aged morbid obese patients (BMI>40 kg/m(2)) were divided in euglycemic, metabolic syndrome or type 2 diabetic. Anthropometric measurements, biochemical variables and systemic RBP4 levels were determined. RBP4 levels were significantly higher in patients with metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes than in euglycemic subjects (42.9±14.6; 42.3±17.0 and 37.4±11.7 µg/ml, respectively) and corr…
Human leukocyte/endothelial cell interactions and mitochondrial dysfunction in type 2 diabetic patients and their association with silent myocardial ischemia.
OBJECTIVE Diabetes is associated with oxidative stress and increased mortality, but a possible correlation between leukocyte-endothelium interactions, oxidative stress, and silent myocardial ischemia (SMI) is yet to be confirmed. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Mitochondrial dysfunction and interactions between leukocytes and human umbilical vein endothelial cells were evaluated in 200 type 2 diabetic patients (25 with SMI) and 60 body composition– and age-matched control subjects. A possible correlation between these parameters and the onset of SMI was explored, and anthropometric and metabolic parameters were also analyzed. RESULTS Waist, levels of triglycerides, proinflammatory cytokines (i…
Low intestinal cholesterol absorption is associated with a reduced efficacy of phytosterol esters as hypolipemic agents in patients with metabolic syndrome
Summary Background & aims Phytosterols (PS) lower LDLc, but their effect on metabolic syndrome (MetS) remains unknown. We evaluated whether low-fat milk enriched with PS improves cardiovascular risk factors in these patients. Methods A randomised parallel trial employing 24 moderate-hypercholesterolaemic MetS patients and consisting of two 3-month intervention phases. After a 3-month healthy diet, patients were divided into two intervention groups: diet (n = 10) and diet + PS (n = 14) (2 g/day). A control group of 24 moderate-hypercholesterolaemic patients without MetS (matched in age and BMI) underwent the same procedure. Results Neither dietary intervention nor enrichment of PS induced an…