Food seasoning spices mixture improves glucose metabolism and lipid profile in fructose-fed hyperinsulinemic rats

Fructose feeding has been shown to induce insulin resistance in rats, associated with hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia, and hypertriglyceridemia. We have investigated the effect of administering food seasoning spices mixture (SM) on glucose, insulin, and lipids in circulation and carbohydrate enzymes in the erythrocytes of high fructose-fed rats. Additionally, we also measured the protein glycation status by assaying the levels of glycated hemoglobin, fructosamine, and plasma protein glycation. Male Wistar rats received a daily diet containing either 60% fructose or 60% starch (control). The rats were administered SM at three different doses (10, 30, or 50 mg/day per rat) orally 15 days later. At the end of the 45-day experimental period, fructose-fed rats showed significantly higher levels of plasma glucose and insulin, dyslipidemia, and alterations in enzyme activities. Treatment with SM significantly reduced plasma glucose and insulin levels and brought about a favorable lipid profile. In these rats, the activities of enzymes of glucose metabolism were normal. These effects were observed at all three doses of SM. High homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) values indicated insulin resistance in fructose-fed rats, while the HOMA values in SM-treated fructose-fed rats were comparable to those of control rats. We conclude that administration of SM improves glucose metabolism and plasma lipid profile in fructose-fed rats, possibly through improved insulin-sensitizing actions of the active constituents.     

Effect of food seasoning spices mixture on biomarkers of oxidative stress in tissues of fructose-fed insulin-resistant rats

High fructose feeding in normal rats induces insulin resistance and also facilitates oxidative damage. The present study examines the effects of a spices mixture (SM) on oxidative stress markers and antioxidant potential in tissues of high fructose-fed insulin-resistant rats. Male Wistar rats received a semisynthetic diet containing either 60% fructose or 60% starch. SM administration at three different doses (10, 30, and 50 mg/day per rat) was initiated orally 15 days later and continued for the next 30 days. After the total experimental period of 45 days, peroxidation of lipids and antioxidant status in liver and kidney were quantified. Fructose-treated rats showed increased levels of peroxidation indices such as thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and lipid hydroperoxides in tissues. The condition was associated with an inadequate antioxidant system. Administration of SM along with fructose diet reduced the levels of peroxidation markers in tissues and improved the antioxidant status. The positive effect of SM on the oxidant-antioxidant balance could be attributed to the active constituents of the different spices present in the mixture.     

Dietary phospholipids ameliorate fructose-induced hepatic lipid and metabolic abnormalities in rats

Overconsumption of fructose results in hepatic dyslipidemia, which has a documented correlation with metabolic syndrome. We examined whether the ingestion of phospholipids (PL) from soybeans prevents fructose-induced metabolic abnormalities. Rats were fed either a fructose-free diet (C), a 60% fructose diet (F), or a 60% fructose plus 3% PL diet (F-PL) for 10 wk. At wk 8, plasma glucose concentrations after glucose loading were significantly higher in rats fed the F diet than in rats fed the C and F-PL diets, which did not differ from one another. The concentrations of hepatic TG, diglycerides, ceramides, and oleates in rats fed the F diet for 10 wk was significantly higher than those in rats fed the C diet. The increases were prevented by concurrent PL ingestion; concentrations did not differ between the F-PL and C groups. Dietary fructose increased the mRNA expression of SREBP1, ChREBP, and genes related to lipogenesis. PL completely inhibited these increases. Furthermore, reflecting the difference at the mRNA level, lipogenic enzyme activities were greater in rats fed the F diet than in rats fed the C diet, and PL ingestion suppressed the increased activities by fructose feeding. Treatment of cultured Hep-G2 cells with fructose for 24 h increased the levels of SREBP1 and ChREBP nuclear proteins, which were suppressed by culture with purified PL components, especially phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylinositol. These findings indicate that PL prevents fructose-induced metabolic abnormalities in association with alterations of the hepatic lipid profile by inhibiting de novo lipogenesis.     

Effect of spices on lipid metabolism in 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced rat colon carcinogenesis

Colon cancer is the second most common cancer among men and women worldwide. We investigated the effect of red chilli (Capsicum annum L.), cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.), and black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) on colon cancer induced in rats by a colon-specific carcinogen, 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH). Colon cancer was induced by subcutaneous injection of DMH at a dosage of 20 mg/kg of body weight (15 doses, at 1-week intervals). The rats were continued with the standard pellet diet and supplemented red chilli [C. annum L., 0.015% (wt/wt) mixed with the diet], cumin seeds [C. cyminum L., 1.25% (wt/wt) mixed with the diet], and black pepper (P. nigrum L., 0.5% (wt/wt) mixed with the diet] throughout the experimental period. After the total experimental period of 32 weeks (including 2 weeks of acclimatization) the incidence and number of tumors in the colon were observed to be significantly higher in the rats administered DMH and/or red chillis, as compared with the cumin + DMH and black pepper + DMH groups. No tumors were observed in the control, cumin + DMH, or black pepper + DMH groups. The levels of fecal bile acids and neutral sterols in 24-hour fecal samples were significantly decreased in DMH + chilli-administered rats, while the excretion of fecal bile acids and neutral sterols was significantly increased in cumin + DMH- and black pepper + DMH-administered rats. In DMH-, chilli-, and chilli + DMH-administered rats the levels of cholesterol, cholesterol/phospholipid ratio, and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase activity were decreased in cumin + DMH- and black pepper + DMH-treated rats. The phospholipid levels were reduced in the DMH, chilli, and chilli + DMH groups as compared with the cumin + DMH and black pepper + DMH groups. Our results show that chilli supplementation promotes colon carcinogenesis, whereas cumin or black pepper suppresses colon carcinogensis in the presence of the procarcinogen DMH.     

A mutagenic screening of various herbs,spices, and food additives

Chloroform and methanol extracts of various herbs and spices as well as food additives were screened for mutagenicity using the Salmonella/microsome assay of Ames and the Salmonella typhimurium strains TA100 and TA98. The results of this general screening, however, did not provide sufficient information to fully assess the mutagenic potential of certain herbs and spices since the assay of their respective extracts was accompanied by a growth inhibition of the bacterial tester strain. These findings were attributed to the effects of toxic compounds that were presumably contained within the complex mixtures that comprise both herbs and spices. An apparent reduction in the effects of toxicity was observed when separation methods were used as a means to obtain fewer compounds in each of the samples assayed for mutagenicity.

Following a separation by column chromatography of the chloroform and methanol extracts of cumin, a dose related response of weak mutagenicity was demonstrated toward TA100 but not TA98 with one of the 17 fractions collected. Positive responses to mutagenicity in the absence of toxicity were obtained when chloroform and methanol extracts and food additives were fed to rats, and the metabolites present in ether extracts of 24‐hour urine samples were subsequently assayed for mutagenicity. Weak mutagenic activities toward TA100 but not TA98 were observed with each of the urine extracts of rats fed the following samples: β terpineol, camphene, two separate combinations of the methanol fractions of cumin, a chloroform fraction of cumin, the combined chloroform and methanol fraction of star anise and either the chloroform or methanol fractions of tarragon. With the exception of the chloroform fraction of cumin, the extracts and food additives administered to rats appeared to require an in vivo metabolic activation to detect their mutagenic forms. Mutagenicity was only detected when the ether extracts of urinary metabolites were assayed, even though tests preceding the rat feedings were performed in the presence of the rat liver microsome fraction S9.     

Preventive action potential of the primary care physician

Resume Jusqu'ici, le médecin généraliste n'a pas beaucoup ou n'a pas pu intégrer la prévention comme un aspect important de sa pratique. Il y a là un besoin de sensibilisation à une action préventive, pour laquelle le médecin de famille occupe une place privilégiée, dans la mesure où il entretient une relation durable avec ses patients et connaît leur milieu de vie. Il a un rôle pédagogique, qu'il doit accepter et exercer notamment en accordant la référence et le soutien nécessaires au patient pour que ce dernier envisage des changements d'habitudes.Des exemples sont donnés de situations pratiques où un tel rôle est important: l'excès de poids, le tabagisme, le dépistage gynécologique, une campagne d'éducation pour la santé dans la collectivité. L'auteur propose aussi un formulaire d'auto-évaluation de l'état de santé que le praticien ou l'assurance (-maladie ou -vie) pourraient remettre périodiquement à chacun.

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Prevention potential of the primary care physician

Summary Until now, general practitioners have not integrated prevention as an important component of their work. There is a need to sensitize them to a preventive outlook. The family physician is in a privileged position for such activity, as he maintains a lasting relationship with his patients and knows their environment. He has a pedagogical role, to be accepted and fulfilled, especially in providing the necessary reference and support for the patient to envisage a behavior change.Examples are given of practical situations where such a role is important: overweight, smoking, gynecological screening and a communitywide health education campaign. The author proposes also a self evaluation questionnaire, which practitioners or sickness funds could periodically hand out.

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Die praeventivmedizinischen Moeglichkeiten inder Allgemeinpraxis

Zusammenfassung Bisher war es dem Allgemeinpraktiker kaum möglich, präventivmedizinisches Denken und Handeln in seinen täglichen Praxisablauf zu integrieren. Er verfügt aber über oft langjährige Beziehung zu den Patienten und evt. zu dessen ganzer Familie, und somit eine gute Voraussetzung für präventivmedizinisches Handeln. Dem Allgemeinarzt kommt eine pädagogigsche Aufgabe zu, welche vor allem zum Ziel haben sollte, die Gesundheit schädigende Verhaltensweisen zu beeinflussen.Einige Beispiele erläutern Situationen, in welchen solche Interventionen durchgeführt werden können: bei Tabakmissbrauch, Uebergewicht, gynäkologischen Vorsorgeuntersuchungen, sowie Mitarbeit in einem pluridisziplinären Gesundheitserziehungprogrammin der Gemeinde. Schliesslich wird vorgeschlagen, die Patienten in regelmässigen Abständen einen Fragebogen zur Selbsbeurteilung ihres Gesundheitszustandes ausfüllen zu lassen. Ein solcher Fragebogen könnte entweder durch den Praktiker oder durch die Krankenkasse verteilt werden.

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Président du Groupement fribourgeois de médecine générale     

Plant foods in the management of diabetes mellitus: spices as beneficial antidiabetic food adjuncts

Diet has been recognized as a corner stone in the management of diabetes mellitus. Spices are the common dietary adjuncts that contribute to the taste and flavour of foods. Besides, spices are also known to exert several beneficial physiological effects including the antidiabetic influence. This review considers all the available information from animal experimentation as well as clinical trials where spices, their extracts or their active principles were examined for treatment of diabetes. Among the spices, fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenumgraecum), garlic (Allium sativum), onion (Allium cepa), and turmeric (Curcuma longa) have been experimentally documented to possess antidiabetic potential. In a limited number of studies, cumin seeds (Cuminum cyminum), ginger (Zingiber officinale), mustard (Brassica nigra), curry leaves (Murraya koenigii) and coriander (Coriandrum sativum) have been reported to be hypoglycaemic.     

In vitro action of quartz on alveolar macrophage lipid peroxides.

The in vitro effects of quartz particles on the lipid peroxide rate were measured on guinea pig pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAMs). As controls, either PAMs alone or exposed to inert dust were used. The amount of lipid peroxide resulting after one-hour incubation was determined by means of the thiobarbituric acid test (TBA). The results showed that quartz induced a substantial increase of lipid peroxide in PAMs compared with both samples (dust-free or exposed to corundum). The influence of pretreatment of quartz by polyvinylpyridine-N-oxide (PVPNO) and by mineral water containing carbonate and chloride ions was also studied.     

某保健食品辅助降血脂的人体试食试验研究

目的 评价某保健食品辅助降血脂的人体试食试验效果.方法 本试验采用自身和组间两种对照设计,将符合标准的112例自愿受试者,按试验前的血脂水平,同时考虑年龄、性别、饮食等因素,根据双盲法的要求,随机分为试验组(服用某保健食品软胶囊)和对照组(不服用任何产品),每组56例,进行人体试食试验研究.结果 服用某保健食品软胶囊30 d后,试验组血清总胆固醇、甘油三脂分别平均下降了0.37和0.43mmol/L,试验前后自身比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01),试验后与对照组比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);高密度脂蛋白平均上升了0.16 mmol/L,试验前后自身比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01),试验后与对照组比较,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);试验组降总胆固醇的有效率为27.8%(15/54);降甘油三脂的有效率为50.0%(27/54);降血脂的总有效率为79.6%(43/54),与对照组的有效率比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论 受试保健食品软胶囊具有辅助降血脂作用.     

Inhibitory effects of spices and herbs on iron availability

Spices and herbs are extensively used in indigenous diets in tropical regions where prevalence of iron deficiency is still high. They are rich in polyphenolic compounds that are expected to inhibit iron absorption by forming iron complexes in the intestine, making dietary iron less available for absorption. The effects of six spices and herbs (chili pepper, garlic, 'Pak kyheng' (Thai leafy vegetable), shallot, tamarind, turmeric) and one mixture of spices (curry paste) on iron availability were determined by measuring the percentage dialyzable iron after addition of spices and herbs to a rice meal after simulated digestion. All tested spices and herbs contained from 0.5 to 33 mg polyphenol per meal and were potent inhibitors of iron availability (20-90%), reducing iron availability in a dose-dependent manner--with the exception of tamarind, which at 11 mg polyphenol per meal enhanced iron availability. Our findings demonstrate that culinary spices and herbs can play an important role in iron nutrition.     

Prevalence of lipid abnormalities before and after introduction of lipid modifying therapy among Swedish patients with dyslipidemia (PRIMULA)

Background  

Data on the prevalence of dyslipidemia and attainment of goal/normal lipid levels in a Swedish population are scarce. The objective of this study is to estimate the prevalence of dyslipidemia and attainment of goal/normal lipid levels in patients treated with lipid modifying therapy (LMT).