Resveratrol supplementation improves glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Resveratrol is a naturally occurring polyphenolic compound. Numerous animal studies have been reported on its wide-ranging beneficial effects in the biological system including diabetes mellitus (DM). We hypothesized, therefore, that oral supplementation of resveratrol would improve the glycemic control and the associated risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The present clinical study was therefore carried out to test the hypothesis. Sixty-two patients with T2DM were enrolled from Government Headquarters Hospital, Ootacamund, India, in a prospective, open-label, randomized, controlled trial. Patients were randomized into control and intervention groups. The control group received only oral hypoglycemic agents, whereas the intervention group received resveratrol (250 mg/d) along with their oral hypoglycemic agents for a period of 3 months. Hemoglobin A_1c, lipid profile, urea nitrogen, creatinine, and protein were measured at the baseline and at the end of 3 months. The results reveal that supplementation of resveratrol for 3 months significantly improves the mean hemoglobin A_1c (means ± SD, 9.99 ± 1.50 vs 9.65 ± 1.54; P < .05), systolic blood pressure (mean ± SD, 139.71 ± 16.10 vs 127.92 ± 15.37; P < .05), total cholesterol (mean ± SD, 4.70 ± 0.90 vs 4.33 ± 0.76; P < .05), and total protein (mean ± SD, 75.6 ± 4.6 vs 72.3 ± 6.2; P < .05) in T2DM. No significant changes in body weight and high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein cholesterols were observed. Oral supplementation of resveratrol is thus found to be effective in improving glycemic control and may possibly provide a potential adjuvant for the treatment and management of diabetes.     

Feeding silk protein hydrolysates to C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice improves blood glucose and lipid profiles

The hypothesis for the research is that hydrolyzed silk protein has an antidiabetic effect by reducing plasma glucose levels. To investigate this potential antidiabetic activity of hydrolyzed silk protein by protease-N (silk protein hydrolysate E5K6) in vivo, male C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice were separated into 3 groups: control group, db/db mice treated with vehicle (distilled water); SP-1 group, db/db mice treated with silk protein hydrolysate E5K6 at 0.1 g/kg body weight; and SP-2 group, db/db mice treated with silk protein hydrolysate E5K6 at 0.2 g/kg body weight. After 4 weeks of treatment, plasma glucose levels were lower in the SP-1 (177.3 ± 20.8 mg/dL) and SP-2 (151.8 ± 9.2 mg/dL) groups as compared to those in the control group (236.0 ± 31.2 mg/dL). Furthermore, blood glycated hemoglobin was significantly reduced in the SP-2 (6.6% ± 0.1%) compared to that in the control mice (7.7% ± 0.1%). The SP-2 group also had significant reductions in plasma concentrations of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and the atherogenic index by 11%, 27%, and 26%, respectively, compared to the control group. Insulin levels on plasma concentrations were significantly increased in the silk protein hydrolysate E5K6 groups (SP-1, 4.2 ± 1.1 ng/mL; SP-2, 4.8 ± 0.4 ng/mL) compared to those in the control group (2.9 ± 0.9 ng/mL). The silk protein hydrolysate E5K6-treated db/db mice (SP-1, 62.8 ± 1.6 arbitrary units [AU]; SP-2, 63.0 ± 4.0 AU) displayed pancreatic islets with significantly enhanced (P < .05) insulin staining as compared to the intensity of staining of those from the control group (55.8 ± 2.5 AU). The results suggest that silk protein hydrolysate E5K6 has insulin-releasing activity through the induction of β-cell activity in the pancreatic islets.     

White button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) lowers blood glucose and cholesterol levels in diabetic and hypercholesterolemic rats

Agaricus bisporus (white button mushroom; WBM) contains high levels of dietary fibers and antioxidants including vitamin C, D, and B₁₂; folates; and polyphenols that may provide beneficial effects on cardiovascular and diabetic diseases. The objective of this study was to examine the hypothesis that intake of the fruiting bodies of WBM regulates anticholesterolemic and antiglycemic responses in rats fed a hypercholesterolemic diet (0.5% cholesterol; 14% fat) and rats with type 2 diabetes induced by injection of streptozotocin (STZ) (50 mg/kg body weight), respectively. The STZ-induced diabetic male Sprague-Dawley rats fed the Agaricus bisporus powder (ABP; 200 mg/kg of body weight) for 3 weeks had significantly reduced plasma glucose and triglyceride (TG) concentrations (24.7% and 39.1%, respectively), liver enzyme activities, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase (11.7% and 15.7%, respectively), and liver weight gain (P < .05). In hypercholesterolemic rats, oral feeding of ABP for 4 weeks resulted in a significant decrease in plasma total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (22.8% and 33.1%, respectively) (P < .05). A similar significant decrease in hepatic cholesterol and TG concentrations was observed (36.2% and 20.8%, respectively) (P < .05). Decrease in TC, LDL, and TG concentrations was accompanied by a significant increase in plasma high-density lipoprotein concentrations. It was concluded that A bisporus mushroom had both hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity in rats.     

Intake of brown rice lees reduces waist circumference and improves metabolic parameters in type 2 diabetes

Intake of whole grains has been associated with lower risks of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Brown rice is unrefined whole grain and is produced by removing the outermost layers containing the germ and bran, which are rich in nutrients including dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other unmeasured dietary constituents. The lees of brown rice (LB) are by-products of its fermentation in the process of manufacturing takju, a Korean turbid rice wine. In this study, we hypothesized that intake of LB would reduce waist circumference, a strong risk factor for cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetic patients. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was scheduled for 12 weeks. Thirty subjects were randomly assigned to receive a supplement prepared from the LB or from a mixed-grain dietary product (MG). Body weight, waist circumference, body composition, lipid profiles, and other laboratory parameters were measured. The LB group showed greater reduction in waist circumference (LB: 87.9 ± 8.8 to 85.1 ± 9.0 cm; MG: 86.9 ± 8.8 to 86.0 ± 9.3 cm; P = .032). In addition, the consumption of LB resulted in a significantly greater decrease in the level of aspartate transaminase (LB: 25.4 ± 8.5 to 21.0 ± 5.1 IU/mL; MG: 22.5 ± 5.3 to 22.4 ± 5.7 IU/mL; P = .044) and alanine transaminase (LB: 28.6 ± 11.3 to 21.9 ± 8.2 IU/mL; MG: 24.4 ± 7.5 to 24.5 ± 9.9 IU/mL; P = .038). Consumption of the LB was associated with a decreased waist circumference in type 2 diabetic patients. Further study is required to evaluate the metabolic effect of the extract of the LB in type 2 diabetes.     

Combined extractives of red yeast rice,bitter gourd,chlorella, soy protein,and licorice improve total cholesterol,low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,and triglyceride in subjects with metabolic syndrome

In this study, we aimed to examine the effects of a plant-extractive compound on lipid profiles in subjects with metabolic syndrome. We hypothesized that extractives from red yeast rice, bitter gourd, chlorella, soy protein, and licorice have synergistic benefits on cholesterol and metabolic syndrome. In this double-blinded study, adult subjects with metabolic syndrome were randomized to receive a plant-extractive compound or a placebo treatment for 12 weeks. Both total cholesterol (5.4 ± 0.8 to 4.4 ± 0.6 mmol/L, P < .001) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (3.4 ± 0.7 to 2.7 ± 0.5 mmol/L, P < .001) were significantly reduced after treatment with the plant extractives, and the magnitudes of reduction were significantly greater than in the placebo group (−1.0 ± 0.6 vs 0.0 ± 0.6mmol/L, P < .001; −0.7 ± 0.6 vs 0.0 ± 0.6 mmol/L, P < .001). The reduction in the fasting triglycerides level was significantly greater in the plant-extractive group than in the placebo group (−0.5 ± 0.8 vs −0.2 ± 1.0 mmol/L, P = .039). There was also a significantly greater reduction in the proportion of subjects with hypertensive criteria in the plant-extractive group than in the placebo group (P = .040). In conclusion, the plant extractives from red yeast rice, bitter gourd, chlorella, soy protein, and licorice were effective in reducing total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The plant extractives also showed potential for reducing triglyceride and normalizing blood pressure.     

Prognostic association of HbA1c and fasting plasma glucose with reduced kidney function in subjects with and without diabetes mellitus. Results from a population-based cohort study from Germany

Objective

To determine the risk for incident reduced kidney function (RKF) of subjects with pre-diabetes (impaired fasting glucose (IFG, 5.6–6.9 mmol/L)) or HbA_1c-defined pre-diabetes (5.7%–6.4%) and to determine dose–response relationships of fasting glucose and HbA_1c with RKF in subjects with manifest diabetes mellitus.

Method

In a German population-based cohort, recruited 2000–2002 with ages 50–74 years, log-binomial regression was used to estimate relative risks (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) and restricted cubic splines to plot dose–response relationships.

Results

During 8 years of follow-up, 678 of 3538 study participants developed primary RKF. Although RKF risk factor prevalences and RKF incidences were higher in subjects with pre-diabetes than in subjects with normal FPG and/or HbA_1c levels, an increased risk did not persist after adjusting for established cardiovascular risk factors (RR(IFG): 0.97 (95% CI: 0.75–1.25) and RR(HbA_1c-defined pre-diabetes): 1.03 (95% CI: 0.86–1.23)). In subjects with manifest diabetes, RKF risk increased linearly to a more than three-fold risk with increasing fasting glucose and HbA_1c levels (at HbA_1c > 6.4%).

Conclusion

This study provides further evidence that pre-diabetes may not directly contribute to the development of kidney disease. Subjects with pre-diabetes might nevertheless profit from preventive efforts reducing their cardiovascular risk profile because cardiovascular and kidney disease share common risk factors.     

Low levels of arsenic in drinking water and type 2 diabetes in Middle Banat region,Serbia

Arsenic in drinking water presents a serious public health problem in Serbia, but its relationship with diabetes has not been studied previously. The aim of this study was to explore the association between exposure to arsenic in drinking water and the occurrence of type 2 diabetes in Middle Banat region, Serbia.     

诺和龙对糖尿病患者餐后血糖、血脂及对糖化血红蛋白的影响

目的探讨诺和龙对糖尿病患者餐后血糖、血脂及对糖化血红蛋白的影响。方法分析该院187例初诊2型糖尿病患者,随机分为治疗组96例给予诺和龙,对照组91例给予二甲双胍。比较两组餐后2h血糖(hPG)、糖化血红蛋白(HbA1c)、TC(血清总胆固醇),TG(血清甘油三酯)变化情况。结果治疗前两组2hPG、HbA1c、TC,TG水平变化无显著性意义(P>0.05)。治疗后两组2hPG、HbA1c、TC,TG水平变化具有显著性意义(P<0.05)。结论诺和龙治疗糖尿病疗效确切,值得临床推广使用。     

自然人群糖尿病空腹血糖和糖化血红蛋白筛查效果评价

目的 评价空腹血糖（FPG）和糖化血红蛋白（HbA1c）在自然人群中糖尿病（DM）的筛查效果,为DM流行病学调查中DM筛查方法的选择提供参考依据。方法 于2010年10-12月采用多阶段分层随机整群抽样方法抽取云南省6个国家级死因登记报告县/区的3 489名≥18岁自然人群进行FPG、服糖后2 h血糖（2hPG）和HbA1c实验室检测,并应用受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线获得FPG、HbA1c与DM的最佳临界点及其灵敏度、特异度和曲线下面积。结果 按照世界卫生组织1999年标准,云南省3 489名≥18岁自然人群中正常血糖、空腹血糖受损（IFG）、糖耐量减低（IGT）和DM者分别为2 975人（85.3%）、230例（6.6%）、176例（5.0%）和108例（3.1%）;FPG诊断DM的最佳临界点为6.4 mmol/L,灵敏度和特异度分别为86.1%和96.5%,曲线下面积为0.926（95%CI=0.887~0.965）,阳性似然比为24.60,阴性似然比为0.14,约登指数为0.83;HbA1c诊断DM的最佳临界点为6.15%,灵敏度和特异度分别为66.7%和87.1%,曲线下面积为0.814（95%CI=0.762~0.867）,阳性似然比为5.18,阴性似然比为0.38,约登指数为0.53。结论 在DM流行病学调查中采用FPG筛查DM效果优于HbA1c。     

血浆促肾上腺皮质激素、皮质醇水平与1型糖尿病患儿糖化血红蛋白水平的相关性研究

目的 分析促肾上腺皮质激素(ACTH)、皮质醇(CORT)与1型糖尿病(T1DM)患儿糖化血红蛋白(HbA1c)水平的相关性,为T1DM的临床诊断提供科学依据。 方法 选择2014年1月—2018年12月在唐山市妇幼保健院内分泌科就诊的T1DM患儿105例为T1DM组,另选同期在本院健康体检儿童105例作为对照组,采用酶联免疫吸附法检测各观察对象在1 d内各时间点(8:00、16:00、24:00)的血浆ACTH、CORT水平,Pearson相关分析法分析T1DM患儿血浆ACTH、CORT日平均水平与空腹血糖(FPG)、HbA1c等指标相关性,Logistic回归分析影响T1DM发病的因素。 结果 与对照组比较,T1DM组患儿甘油三酯(TG)、总胆固醇(TC)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、FPG与HbA1c水平显著升高,高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)水平降低,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);T1DM组患儿血浆ACTH、CORT在8:00、16:00、24:00表达水平和日平均水平显著高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05);相关性分析显示,T1DM患儿血浆ACTH、CORT日平均表达水平与血浆FPG、HbA1c呈正相关(r_ACTH=0.717、0.585、r_CORT=0.636、0.696,P<0.01);Logistic回归分析显示ACTH、CORT是T1DM患儿发病的独立危险因素。结论 ACTH、CORT在T1DM患儿血浆中高表达,其与HbA1c有一定相关性,是T1DM患儿发病的独立危险因素,可作为T1DM血糖控制好有效的评价指标。     

Fermented garlic protects diabetic, obese mice when fed a high-fat diet by antioxidant effects

This study examined the bioactivity of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae)-fermented aged black garlic (FBG) on obese mice supplied a high-fat diet (HFD) and its in vitro antioxidant activity. Aged black garlic (BG) exhibits potent antioxidative effects and has been subjected to extensive research. In addition, the bioactivity of some natural products is increased by fermentation. In a preliminary test, this study found that the antioxidant activity of FBG is stronger than that of BG. Therefore, it was hypothesized that the bioactivity of BG would be increased by yeast fermentation and would be a good candidate as a nutraceutical product for improving the oxidative defense systems in older patients or patients affected by various oxidative stresses, for example, diabetes and diabetic complications. To test this hypothesis, the bioactivities of FBG in diabetic and obese mice as well as the antioxidant activity in vitro were examined. After 91 days of continuous HFD supply, the mice showed marked obesity, hyperglycemia, hyperlipemia, and liver and kidney damages. Black garlic and all 3 different doses of FBG showed favorable hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, hypolipidemic, and antiobesity effects compared with the HFD control, but no hypoglycemic effects. In particular, more favorable bioactivity against all 4 HFD-induced diabetic complications was detected in the FBG-treated groups compared with the group given equivalent doses of BG. These findings suggest that the bioactivities of BG can be improved by yeast fermentation.     

空腹血糖长期变异性与2型糖尿病患者死亡风险的前瞻性队列研究

目的探讨空腹血糖(FPG)长期变异性与2型糖尿病(T2DM)患者全因死亡风险的关联。方法以江苏省常熟市纳入国家基本公共卫生服务管理的7 174名T2DM患者作为观察队列。基于≥3次随访的FPG值, 计算并使用其标准差(SD)、变异系数(CV)、平均真实变异(ARV)和独立于均值的变异系数(VIM)评价长期FPG变异性。死亡信息主要通过江苏省居民死因监测系统获取。利用Cox比例风险回归模型分析4个变异性指标与T2DM患者全因死亡风险比(HR)及其95%CI。结果截至2021年12月31日, 研究人群累计随访55 058.50人年, 平均随访7.67年, 随访期间发生死亡898名。在调整混杂因素后, Cox比例风险回归分析显示, 与T1组相比, SD、CV、ARV和VIM的T3组发生全因死亡的HR值(95%CI)分别为1.24(1.03～1.49)、1.20(1.01～1.43)、1.28(1.07～1.55)和1.20(1.01～1.41)。SD、CV、ARV和VIM每增加1个单位SD, T2DM患者发生全因死亡的HR值(95%CI)分别为1.13(1.06～1.21)、1.08(1.0...     

初发1型糖尿病患儿的血脂情况及与糖化血红蛋白水平的关系研究

目的 观察初发1型糖尿病(T1DM)儿童血脂水平, 并分析其与患儿糖化血红蛋白(HbA1c)水平的相关关系。方法 回顾性分析保定市儿童医院于2018年1月-2019年6月期间收治的168例T1DM患儿的临床资料, 并以同期内100例健康儿童作为对照组。比较两组儿童血总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)等血脂指标的差异。采用Pearson分析及多元回归方法分析T1DM患儿血脂水平与HbA1c水平的相关性。结果 T1DM组儿童TC、TG和LDL-C水平均显著高于对照组(t=4.691、7.705、4.119, P<0.001), HDL-C水平显著低于对照组(t=3.845, P<0.05)。血脂异常组患儿HbA1c水平显著高于血脂正常组患儿[(13.09±2.71)% vs.(11.78±2.56)%, t=3.209, P<0.05]。Pearson相关性分析结果表明, T1DM患儿TC、TG和LDL-C水平与HbA1c水平具有显著正相关关系(r=0.547、0.514、0.438, P<0.05), HDL-C与HbA1c水平无显著相关性(r=0.109, P>0.05)。多元回归分析结果表明, TC和TG与HbA1c显著正相关(β=0.008, 0.045, P＜0.05)。结论 T1DM患儿中血脂异常比例较高, HbA1c水平越高合并血脂异常风险越高, 临床应予以重视。     

老年2型糖尿病糖化血红蛋白、血脂水平与颈动脉粥样硬化关系

目的:探讨老年2型糖尿病(T2DM)糖化血红蛋白(HbA1C),血脂水平与颈动脉粥样硬化(AS)的关系。方法:彩色多普勒超声测定颈总动脉中层厚度(IMT),66例老年T2DM分为T2DM-AS组和单纯T2DM组,测定HbA1C、甘油三脂(TG)、总胆固醇(TC)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)及脂蛋白a[Lp(a)]。同时与40例老年健康对照组比较。结果:T2DM-AS组和单纯T2DM组的HbA1C均高于对照组(P<0.05),T2DM-AS组HbA1C高于单纯T2DM组(P<0.05)。T2DM-AS组TC,TG,LDL-C,Lp(a)较单纯T2DM组和对照组升高(P<0.01)。但单纯T2DM组与对照组间上述指标无明显统计学差异(P>0.05)。T2DM-AS组IMT与HbA1C,TC,TG,LDL-C,Lp(a)水平正相关,与HDL-C水平负相关。结论:HbA1C可能促进了老年T2DM患者AS的发生,控制HbA1C,血脂水平有助于减少老年T2DM患者AS形成。     

Combination treatment in the management of type 2 diabetes: focus on vildagliptin and metformin as a single tablet

Vildagliptin is a potent and selective inhibitor of dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-4), orally active, that improves glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) primarily by enhancing pancreatic (alpha and beta) islet function. Thus vildagliptin has been shown both to improve insulin secretion and to suppress the inappropriate glucagon secretion seen in patients with T2DM. Vildagliptin reduces HbA(1c) when given as monotherapy, without weight gain and with minimal hypoglycemia, or in combination with the most commonly prescribed classes of oral hypoglycemic drugs: metformin, a sulfonylurea, a thiazolidinedione, or insulin. Metformin, with a different mode of action not addressing beta-cell dysfunction, has been used for about 50 years and still represents the universal first line therapy of all guidelines. However, given the multiple pathophysiological abnormalities in T2DM and the progressive nature of the disease, intensification of therapy with combinations is typically required over time. Recent guidelines imply that patients will require pharmacologic combinations much earlier to attain and sustain the increasingly stringent glycemic targets, with careful drug selection to avoid unwanted adverse events, especially hypoglycemia. The combination of metformin and vildagliptin offers advantages when compared to currently used combinations with additive efficacy and complimentary mechanisms of action, since it does not increase the risk of hypoglycemia and does not promote weight gain. Therefore, by specifically combining these agents in a single tablet, there is considerable potential to achieve better blood glucose control and to improve compliance to therapy.     

Aqueous extract of tamarind seeds selectively increases glucose transporter-2, glucose transporter-4, and islets' intracellular calcium levels and stimulates β-cell proliferation resulting in improved glucose homeostasis in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus

Tamarindus indica Linn. has been in use for a long time in Asian food and traditional medicine for different diseases including diabetes and obesity. However, the molecular mechanisms of these effects have not been fully understood. In view of the multidimensional activity of tamarind seeds due to their having high levels of polyphenols and flavonoids, we hypothesized that the insulin mimetic effect of aqueous tamarind seed extract (TSE) might increase glucose uptake through improvement in the expression of genes of the glucose transporter (GLUT) family and sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBP) 1c messenger RNA (mRNA) in the liver. Daily oral administration of TSE to streptozotocin (STZ)–induced (90 mg/kg intraperitoneally) type 2 diabetic male Wistar rats at different doses (120 and 240 mg/kg body weight) for 4 weeks showed positive correlation with intracellular calcium and insulin release in isolated islets of Langerhans. Tamarind seed extract supplementation significantly improved the GLUT-2 protein and SREBP-1c mRNA expression in the liver and GLUT-4 protein and mRNA expression in the skeletal muscles of diabetic rats. The elevated levels of serum nitric oxide (NO), glycosylated hemoglobin level (hemoglobin _A1c) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) decreased after TSE administration. Immunohistochemical findings revealed that TSE abrogated STZ-induced apoptosis and increased β-cell neogenesis, indicating its effect on islets and β-cell mass. In conclusion, it was found that the antidiabetic effect of TSE on STZ-induced diabetes resulted from complex mechanisms of β-cell neogenesis, calcium handling, GLUT-2, GLUT-4, and SREBP-1c. These findings show the scope for formulating a new herbal drug for diabetes therapy.     

Improvements of mean body mass index and body weight in preobese and overweight Japanese adults with black Chinese tea (Pu-Erh) water extract

Water-soluble black Chinese (Pu-Erh) tea extract (BTE), which contains high gallic acid content, has been demonstrated to elicit antiobese effects in animals. Because gallic acid is related with the reduction of visceral fat and cholesterol contents and improvement of obesity in animals, we investigated the effects of BTE intake on 36 preobese Japanese adults (body mass index [BMI], >25- <30 kg/m²) in a 12-week double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled group comparison study using powdered barley tea with or without (placebo) BTE. A follow-up 4-week period after BTE intake termination was monitored to observe the withdrawal effect. All subjects ingested barley tea with or without BTE (333 mg) before each of the 3 daily meals. In the BTE-treated group, the mean pretreament values of body weight and BMI significantly decreased after intake and after BTE withdrawal. However, the corresponding values scored significant differences only from 8 weeks after intake (vs the placebo-treated group). The mean values of the waist circumference indicated a similar tendency. Furthermore, coronal navel section (same anatomical position) images of computed tomography of all BTE- and non-BTE-treated subjects revealed that the visceral fat areas (cm²) were significantly (P < .05) less in the former 12 weeks after BTE ingestion. Measured biochemical parameters did not indicate significant differences, and BTE-treated subjects did not complain of any adverse effects (abdominal distension, etc). Ingestion of BTE exhibited significant effects in reducing the mean waist circumference, BMI, and visceral fat values and might be useful for weight control and prevention of obesity development (or metabolic syndrome) in humans.     

Green tea extract reduces blood pressure,inflammatory biomarkers,and oxidative stress and improves parameters associated with insulin resistance in obese,hypertensive patients

Green tea (GT) consumption is known to be associated with enhanced cardiovascular and metabolic health. The purpose of this study is to examine the hypothesis that supplementation with GT alters insulin resistance and associated cardiovascular risk factors in obese, hypertensive patients. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 56 obese, hypertensive subjects were randomized to receive a daily supplement of 1 capsule that contained either 379 mg of GT extract (GTE) or a matching placebo, for 3 months. At baseline and after 3 months of treatment, the anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, plasma lipid levels, glucose levels, creatinine levels, tumor necrosis factor α levels, C-reactive protein levels, total antioxidant status, and insulin levels were assessed. Insulin resistance was evaluated according to the homeostasis model assessment–insulin resistance protocol. After 3 months of supplementation, both systolic and diastolic blood pressures had significantly decreased in the GTE group as compared with the placebo group (P < .01). Considerable (P < .01) reductions in fasting serum glucose and insulin levels and insulin resistance were observed in the GTE group when compared with the placebo group. Serum tumor necrosis factor α and C-reactive protein were significantly lower, whereas total antioxidant status increased in the GTE group compared with the placebo (P < .05). Supplementation also contributed to significant (P < .05) decreases in the total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides, but an increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. In conclusion, daily supplementation with 379 mg of GTE favorably influences blood pressure, insulin resistance, inflammation and oxidative stress, and lipid profile in patients with obesity-related hypertension.     

Curcumin ingestion and exercise training improve vascular endothelial function in postmenopausal women

Vascular endothelial function is declines with aging and is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Lifestyle modification, particularly aerobic exercise and dietary adjustment, has a favorable effect on vascular aging. Curcumin is a major component of turmeric with known anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects. We investigated the effects of curcumin ingestion and aerobic exercise training on flow-mediated dilation as an indicator endothelial function in postmenopausal women. A total of 32 postmenopausal women were assigned to 3 groups: control, exercise, and curcumin groups. The curcumin group ingested curcumin orally for 8 weeks. The exercise group underwent moderate aerobic exercise training for 8 weeks. Before and after each intervention, flow-mediated dilation was measured. No difference in baseline flow-mediated dilation or other key dependent variables were detected among the groups. Flow-mediated dilation increased significantly and equally in the curcumin and exercise groups, whereas no changes were observed in the control group. Our results indicated that curcumin ingestion and aerobic exercise training can increase flow-mediated dilation in postmenopausal women, suggesting that both can potentially improve the age-related decline in endothelial function.