Honey ameliorates influence of hemorrhage and food restriction on renal and hepatic functions, and hematological and biochemical variables

The objectives were to assess the effects of various diets, including total food restriction with 50% honey feeding, total food restriction with 50% dextrose feeding or adlibitum (control group) commercial regular diet, on the hematology and biochemical variables, and to assess the effects of the various diets on the influence of acute blood loss on the same parameters. Thirty Sprague-Dawley albino rats were divided into three groups, 10 rats each: group A, fed a commercial regular diet; group B, total food restriction with 50% dextrose feeding; and group C, total food restriction with 50% honey feeding. After 8 days of feeding, rats were subjected to acute blood loss (6 ml/kg) and blood investigations were performed. After acute blood loss, the same feedings were continued for a further 8 days and the blood tests were repeated at day 8 post-bleeding. Total food restriction with 50% dextrose feeding compared with commercial regular diet reduces hematological and biochemical variables. Total food restriction with 50% honey feeding compared with total food restriction with 50% dextrose feeding causes a greater reduction in fasting blood glucose, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and triacylglycerol. Acute blood loss causes elevation of white blood cells, lymphocyte percentage, fasting blood sugar, blood urea nitrogen, alkaline phosphatase and triacylglycerol, and a reduction in serum albumen, protein, cholesterol, AST, serum creatinine and hemoglobin; the results are significant (P<0.05) concerning fasting blood glucose, AST, alkaline phosphatase, serum albumin and protein. A significant reduction in fasting blood glucose, white blood cells, BUN, AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase and triacylglycerol, and a significant elevation of hemoglobin and serum albumin are obtained after acute blood loss in rats on total food restriction with 50% honey feeding as compared with the other two groups. Total food restriction with 50% honey feeding increases serum albumin, serum protein, fasting blood glucose, and causes lower reduction in hemoglobin as compared with the other groups. Conclusively, honey feeding during total food restriction significantly modifies and ameliorates biochemical and hematological changes observed after acute blood loss. This will pave the way to use honey as part of bleeding management and during a food restriction regimen.     

Antidiabetic effect of probiotic dahi containing Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus casei in high fructose fed rats

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effect of low-fat (2.5%) dahi containing probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus casei on progression of high fructose-induced type 2 diabetes in rats. METHODS: Diabetes was induced in male albino Wistar rats by feeding 21% fructose in water. The body weight, food and water intakes, fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, oral glucose tolerance test, plasma insulin, liver glycogen content, and blood lipid profile were recorded. The oxidative status in terms of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and reduced glutathione contents in liver and pancreatic tissues were also measured. RESULTS: Values for blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, glucose intolerance, plasma insulin, liver glycogen, plasma total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and blood free fatty acids were increased significantly after 8 wk of high fructose feeding; however, the dahi-supplemented diet restricted the elevation of these parameters in comparison with the high fructose-fed control group. In contrast, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased slightly and was retained in the dahi-fed group. The dahi-fed group also exhibited lower values of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and higher values of reduced glutathione in liver and pancreatic tissues compared with the high fructose-fed control group. CONCLUSION: The probiotic dahi-supplemented diet significantly delayed the onset of glucose intolerance, hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, dyslipidemia, and oxidative stress in high fructose-induced diabetic rats, indicating a lower risk of diabetes and its complications.     

Intravenous and intrapulmonary administration of honey solution to healthy sheep: effects on blood sugar, renal and liver function tests, bone marrow function, lipid profile, and carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury

Safety of intravenous (i.v.) or intrapulmonary administration of different concentrations of honey and their effects on blood sugar, renal and liver function tests, bone marrow function, lipid profile, and carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced liver damage were studied. Healthy sheep of either sex, 6-8 months old, were assigned randomly into the following groups: sheep received i.v. infusion of 5% honey in normal saline at 10-day intervals for 50 days and were compared with sheep that received 5% dextrose; sheep received higher doses of honey (50 g of honey) by i.v. infusion daily for 10 days; sheep received four higher doses of honey (80 g each dose) for 2 weeks; sheep received subcutaneous injection of CCl(4) after four doses of i.v. infusion of 80 g of honey, and estimations of serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (SGGT), serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) were performed daily for 10 days postinjection; sheep received i.v. infusion of 40 g of honey, and blood sugar estimation was performed for 3 h at 30-min intervals after infusion and compared with sheep that received 5% dextrose; sheep received rapid i.v. injection of 40% honey or 40% dextrose, and blood sugar was estimated before and after injection; sheep received various concentrations of honey in distilled water (0.5 mL/1.5 mL, 0.75 mL/1.75 mL and 1.2 mL/2.2 mL), and blood sugar estimation was performed before and after inhalation. Results showed that i.v. or intrapulmonary administration of honey did not cause any adverse effect. Intravenous delivery of honey by slow infusion caused improvement of renal and hepatic function, bone marrow function, and lipid profile. It reduced SGOT, SGPT, triglyceride, cholesterol, blood urea nitrogen, and blood sugar and elevated serum protein, serum albumin, hemoglobin, white blood cell, and neutrophil percentage. Similar results were obtained with the use of higher doses of honey. CCl(4) caused mild elevation of SGPT and SGGT and lowering of SGOT in sheep that received repeated i.v. administration of honey before administration of CCl(4), whereas in control sheep CCl(4) caused significant elevation of all the liver enzymes. Intravenous infusion of 40 g of honey caused elevation of blood sugar for 90 min postinfusion, whereas it decreased blood sugar at 2 and 3 h postinfusion as compared with fasting blood sugar. Dextrose caused significant elevation of blood sugar at all time intervals. Similar results were obtained with the use of 10% dextrose or 80 g of honey. Addition of honey to dextrose caused less hyperglycemia as compared with dextrose alone. Acute injection of 20 mL of 40% dextrose significantly elevated blood sugar for 3 h postinjection, whereas little elevation in blood sugar was obtained after injection of 40% honey; the difference between honey and dextrose was significant. Inhalation of honey caused significant lowering of blood sugar during and after inhalation as compared with fasting blood sugar and water inhalation. The effect was greater with a higher concentration of inhaled honey. It might be concluded that slow i.v. infusion or rapid i.v. injection of honey in different concentrations was safe and could lower blood sugar and improve renal, hepatic, and bone marrow functions and lipid profile. Intravenous honey had a hepatoprotective effect against CCl(4)-induced liver injury. Inhaled honey was safe and reduced blood sugar significantly.     

Effects of daily consumption of honey solution on hematological indices and blood levels of minerals and enzymes in normal individuals

Seven men and three women (mean age, 31.2 years; range, 20-45 years) received a strictly controlled regular diet during a 2-week control period, followed by the regular diet supplemented with daily consumption of 1.2 g/kg body weight honey dissolved in 250 ml of water during a 2-week test period. At the end of each period, overnight fasting blood samples were withdrawn for assays of blood glucose, blood minerals, vitamin C, beta-carotene, uric acid, glutathione reductase, immunoglobulin E, hemoglobin, blood indices and cells, serum ferritin, serum iron, and iron-binding capacity. Results showed that honey increased antioxidant agents. It increased blood vitamin C concentration by 47%, beta-carotene by 3%, uric acid by 12%, and glutathione reductase by 7%. Honey increased serum iron by 20% and decreased plasma ferritin by 11%. It increased the percentage of monocytes by 50%, and increased lymphocyte and eosinophil percentages slightly. Honey reduced serum immunoglobulin E by 34% and increased serum copper by 33%. It decreased aspartate transaminase by 22% and alanine transaminase by 18%. Honey markedly reduced lactic acid dehydrogenase by 41%, decreased creatinine kinase by 33%, and reduced fasting blood sugar by 5%. It caused slight elevations in blood zinc and magnesium, hemoglobin, and packed cell volume. It may be concluded that honey increased antioxidant agents, serum iron and blood indices, and trace elements and decreased immunoglobulin E, liver and muscle enzymes, and fasting blood sugar in healthy subjects.     

Neither dietary fructose, dextrose nor starch modifies in vitro glycerol release by adipocytes from streptozotocin-diabetic rats.

Because we found previously that fructose feeding could alter lipolytic responses to isoproterenol and insulin in normal rats, we studied the effects of the same diet in neonatal, streptozotocin-diabetic rats. Twenty-seven 5-wk-old diabetic Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a diet containing 57% carbohydrate as either fructose, dextrose or starch for 6 wk. At the end of the nutritional period, plasma glucose and insulin concentrations in fed rats were similar in the three diabetic groups. Plasma triacylglycerol concentrations were higher in the fructose-fed group than in the other two groups (P < 0.05). Neither the maximal adipocyte lipolytic response (fructose = 1147 +/- 165%, starch = 1823 +/- 329% and dextrose = 1287 +/- 239% of basal values) nor the sensitivity to isoproterenol (ED50) was changed by the dietary carbohydrate exchange. The maximal antilipolytic action of insulin (starch = 68 +/- 10%, dextrose = 41 +/- 13%, fructose = 95 +/- 29% of stimulated lipolysis values) was comparable in the three diet groups. Thus, 6 wk of fructose feeding in diabetic rats increased plasma triacylglycerol concentrations, but had no detectable effect on plasma glucose or insulin concentrations, isoproterenol-induced lipolysis or the antilipolytic action of insulin.     

Interaction of Vasopressin and Splenda on Glucose Metabolism and Long-term Preferences under Ad-libitum and Food-restricted Conditions

Previous research has demonstrated that vasopressin-containing rats are capable of adapting to the stress of food restriction; whereas, vasopressin-deficient rats cannot adapt to this stressor. In the present study, the value of using a low-calorie (Splenda) or no-calorie (Equal) artificial sweetener to reverse the deleterious effects of food restriction in vasopressin-deficient rats was examined. In association with this effect, the role of vasopressin in long-term preferences for the two artificial sweeteners was studied. Vasopressin-deficient, Brattleboro (DI) rats and vasopressin-containing, Long-Evans (LE) rats underwent an habituation phase during which they had ad-libitum access to food. This was followed by an experimental phase during which the rats were divided into four groups. (1) DI rats continued with ad-libitum feeding, (2) LE rats continued with ad-libitum feeding, (3) DI rats subjected to 23 h of food restriction, and (4) LE rats subjected to 23 h of food restriction. All rats had ad-libitum access to an 8% Splenda solution, a 1% Equal solution, and water throughout both phases of the experiment. The deleterious effects of food restriction were completely reversed in DI rats, including survival, no stomach pathology, and normal plasma levels of glucose and urea nitrogen.     

Honey promotes lower weight gain, adiposity, and triglycerides than sucrose in rats

Various dietary carbohydrates have been linked to obesity and altered adipose metabolism; however, the influences of honey vs common sweeteners have not been fully explored. We hypothesized that in comparison with sucrose, a honey-based diet would promote lower weight gain, adiposity, and related biomarkers (leptin, insulin, and adiponectin) as well as a better blood lipid profile. Thirty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats (228.1 ± 12.5 g) were equally divided by weight into 2 groups (n = 18) and provided free access to 1 of 2 diets of equal energy densities differing only in a portion of the carbohydrate. Diets contained 20% carbohydrate (by weight of total diet) from either clover honey or sucrose. After 33 days, epididymal fat pads were excised and weighed, and blood was collected for analyses of serum concentrations of lipids, glucose, and markers of adiposity and inflammation. Body weight gain was 14.7% lower (P ≤ .05) for rats fed honey, corresponding to a 13.3% lower (P ≤ .05) consumption of food/energy, whereas food efficiency ratios were nearly identical. Epididymal fat weight was 20.1% lower (P ≤ .05) for rats fed honey. Serum concentrations of triglycerides and leptin were lower (P ≤ .05) by 29.6% and 21.6%, respectively, and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was higher (P ≤ .05) by 16.8% for honey-fed rats. No significant differences in serum total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, adiponectin, C-reactive protein, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, glucose, or insulin were detected. These results suggest that in comparison with sucrose, honey may reduce weight gain and adiposity, presumably due to lower food intake, and promote lower serum triglycerides but higher non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations.     

高糖高脂饲料对Wistar大鼠生长和糖脂代谢的影响

目的观察高糖高脂饲料对Wistar大鼠生长及糖脂代谢的影响。方法雄性Wistar大鼠20只,按体重和空腹血糖随机分为2组(n=10):对照组和实验组,分别以普通饲料和高糖高脂饲料喂养6周,观察大鼠的生长曲线、食物利用率,测定大鼠的糖脂代谢指标。结果喂养6周后,实验组大鼠的体重、食物利用率、内脏脂肪占体重百分比、血清总胆固醇和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇均显著高于对照组(P<0.05),血清高密度脂蛋白胆固醇显著低于对照组(P<0.01)。两组的空腹血糖(FPG)无显著差异。实验组大鼠的糖耐量降低,葡萄糖曲线下面积显著高于对照组。结论正常血糖状态下,高糖高脂饲料可引起Wistar大鼠中心型积聚的体脂增加,血清总胆固醇增加,导致葡萄糖耐量能力减退,为2型糖尿病进程中的重要危险因素。     

Effects of natural honey consumption in diabetic patients: an 8-week randomized clinical trial

Objectives We investigated the effect of natural honey on body weight and some blood biochemical indices of diabetic subjects.

Methods Forty-eight diabetic type 2 patients were randomly assigned into two groups: the honey group received oral natural honey for 8 weeks, and the control group did not take honey. Before the onset of the study (week 0) and after 8 weeks, weight measurements were taken and fasting blood samples were drawn.

Results After adjustment for the baseline values, there were no significant differences in the fasting blood sugars between the two groups. Body weight, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and triglyceride decreased (P = 0.000), and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol increased significantly (P < 0.01) in honey group. The levels of hemoglobin A_1C increased significantly in this group (P < 0.01).

Conclusion The results of this study demonstrate that 8-week consumption of honey can provide beneficial effects on body weight and blood lipids of diabetic patients. However, since an increase in the hemoglobin A_1C levels was observed, cautious consumption of this food by diabetic patients is recommended.     

Effects of experimental diabetes and food intake on rat intestine and serum alkaline phosphatase

Alkaline phosphatase activity of rat serum was reduced 50% by fasting the animal for 24 hours. Diabetes, induced by alloxan or streptozotocin, increased serum alkaline phosphatase 3- to 5-fold in fed rats and the elevated activity was reduced by insulin administration. In the absence of insulin, fasting alone was able to reduce the serum alkaline phosphatase of diabetic rats to control values. The elevated serum isozyme was found to be of intestinal origin by the use of appropriate inhibitors and electrophoretic mobility following neuraminidase treatment. It is concluded that food intake, particularly the hyperphagia of diabetes, plays a major role in regulating the concentration of intestine and serum alkaline phosphatase in the rat.     

Glucose can reverse the effects of acute fasting on mouse ovulation and oocyte maturation

Food deprivation suppresses ovulation. Although nutritional elements are responsible for this suppression, it is not clear whether energy metabolism has any effect on oocyte development under these circumstances. The aim of the present study was to determine which nutritional element is responsible for the effect of acute fasting on mouse ovulation and how oocyte development is affected. The results demonstrate that 64 h food deprivation blocks mouse ovulation. This was reversed by glucose feeding, oil feeding or short-term feeding, all of which elevated serum glucose levels. Furthermore, 48 h food deprivation inhibited follicle-stimulating hormone-induced oocyte maturation in vitro. However, 48 h glucose feeding increased serum glucose levels and restored oocyte maturation. Food deprivation increased serum progesterone levels and decreased serum oestradiol levels. Food deprivation also impaired follicle development, caused the death of oocytes and attenuated glucose consumption by cumulus-oocyte complexes. Taken together, the results indicate that: (1) the suppression of ovulation by acute fasting may be due to the control of oocyte development; and (2) maintaining serum glucose concentrations at a certain level is important for normal ovulation.     

Effects of a low-fat diet compared with those of a high-monounsaturated fat diet on body weight, plasma lipids and lipoproteins, and glycemic control in type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND: An important therapeutic goal for patients with type 2 diabetes is weight loss, which improves metabolic abnormalities. Ad libitum low-fat diets cause weight loss in nondiabetic populations. Compared with diets higher in monounsaturated fat, however, eucaloric low-fat diets may increase plasma triacylglycerol concentrations and worsen glycemic control in persons with type 2 diabetes. OBJECTIVE: We investigated whether, in type 2 diabetes patients, an ad libitum low-fat diet would cause greater weight loss than would a high-monounsaturated fat diet and would do this without increasing plasma triacylglycerol concentrations or worsening glycemic control. DESIGN: Eleven patients with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to receive an ad libitum low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet or a high-monounsaturated fat diet, each for 6 wk. The diets offered contained 125% of the estimated energy requirement to allow self-selection of food quantity. The response variables were body weight; fasting plasma lipid, lipoprotein, glucose, glycated hemoglobin A(1c), and fructosamine concentrations; insulin sensitivity; and glucose disposal. RESULTS: Body weight decreased significantly (1.53 kg; P < 0.001) only with the low-fat diet. Plasma total, LDL-, and HDL-cholesterol concentrations tended to decrease during both diets. There were no interaction effects between diet and the lipid profile response over time. Plasma triacylglycerol concentrations, glycemic control, and insulin sensitivity did not differ significantly between the 2 diets. CONCLUSION: Contrary to expectations, the ad libitum, low-fat, high-fiber diet promoted weight loss in patients with type 2 diabetes without causing unfavorable alterations in plasma lipids or glycemic control.     

Influence of Ramadan-type fasting on enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism and brush border membrane in small intestine and liver of rat used as a model

During Ramadan, Muslims the world over abstain from food and water from dawn to sunset for a month. We hypothesised that this unique model of prolonged intermittent fasting would result in specific intestinal and liver metabolic adaptations and hence alter metabolic activities. The effect of Ramadan-type fasting was studied on enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism and the brush border membrane of intestine and liver from rat used as a model. Rats were fasted (12 h) and then refed (12 h) daily for 30 d, as practised by Muslims during Ramadan. Ramadan-type fasting caused a significant decline in serum glucose, cholesterol and lactate dehydrogenase activity, whereas inorganic phosphate increased but blood urea N was not changed. Fasting resulted in increased activities of intestinal lactate (+34%), isocitrate (+63%), succinate (+83%) and malate (+106%) dehydrogenases, fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase (+17%) and glucose-6-phosphatase (+22%). Liver lactate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase activities were also enhanced. However, the activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and malic enzyme fell significantly in the intestine but increased in liver. Although the activities of alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and sucrase decreased in mucosal homogenates and brush border membrane, those of liver alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and leucine aminopeptidase significantly increased. These changes were due to a respective decrease and increase of the maximal velocities of the enzyme reactions. Ramadan-type fasting caused similar effects whether the rats fasted with a daytime or night-time feeding schedule. The present results show a tremendous adaptation capacity of both liver and intestinal metabolic activities with Ramadan-type fasting in rats used as a model for Ramadan fasting in people.     

尿酸排泄分数与原发性痛风的相关性研究

目的探讨尿酸排泄分数与原发性痛风患者血尿酸、体质量指数（BMI）、血压、血糖以及血脂等代谢因素的相关性。方法选择62例原发性痛风患者为痛风组和32例健康体检者为对照组,痛风组患者按尿酸排泄分数水平分为尿酸排泄减少组29例（尿酸排泄分数〈7％）、混合组25例（7％≤尿酸排泄分数≤12％）和尿酸生成增多组8例（尿酸排泄分数〉12％）。抽取患者空腹血,检测血肌酐、血尿酸、血糖、糖化血红蛋白及血脂水平,留取24h尿,测得24h尿尿酸、尿肌酐,根据公式计算尿酸排泄分数并进行相关性分析。结果痛风组BMI、平均动脉压、血尿酸、糖化血红蛋白、总胆固醇、餐后2h血糖明显高于对照组,高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、尿酸排泄分数明显低于对照组,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;两组年龄、空腹血糖、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、三酰甘油比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。尿酸排泄减少组、混合组、尿酸生成增多组年龄、血尿酸、空腹血糖、餐后2h血糖、糖化血红蛋白、总胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）;三组BMI、平均动脉压、三酰甘油、尿酸排泄分数比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。对照组和痛风组,尿酸排泄分数与血尿酸均呈负相关（r=一3．900,一0．476,P〈0．05）。痛风组尿酸排泄分数与24h尿尿酸呈正相关（r=0．465,P=0．001）,与三酰甘油水平呈负相关（r=一0．304,P〈0．05）。痛风组Pearson相关分析显示尿酸排泄减少组（尿酸排泄分数〈7％）尿酸排泄分数与血尿酸呈负相关（r=一0．392,P〈0．05）,非尿酸排泄减少组（尿酸排泄分数≥7％）尿酸排泄分数与血尿酸呈正相关（r=0．437,P〈0．05）,而24h尿尿酸与血尿酸无相关性（P〉0．05）。多元logistic回归分析提示血?     

Effect of dietary sucrose and genotype on metabolic parameters of a new strain of genetically obese rat: LA/N-corpulent

A new strain of genetically obese rat, LA/N-corpulent (cp) was studied. Homozygous (cp/cp) corpulent and heterozygous (cp/+) and homozygous (+/+) lean young male rats were fed for 4 weeks diets containing 54% carbohydrate as either sucrose or starch. A genotype effect between corpulent and lean rats (corpulent > lean) was observed with food intake, weight gain, total fat pad weight and size, liver weight and size, activities of liver lipogenic enzymes, fasting levels of serum triglyceride, free fatty acid, total cholesterol and insulin, and response levels of serum insulin and glucose. Levels of insulin and triglyceride were 6 to 8 times greater in corpulent than lean rats. The magnitude of metabolic responses in lean rats was similar except for total fat pad weight and size which was greater in cp/+ than +/+ rats. A sucrose effect (sucrose > starch) was observed with weight gain, total fat pad weight and size, liver weight and size, activities of liver lipogenic enzymes, fasting level of serum triglyceride and response levels of serum insulin and glucose. The data demonstrate that corpulent (cp/cp) rats have metabolic characteristics similar to type IV hyperlipoproteinemia in humans and that these characteristics are magnified by feeding of sucrose.     

妊娠期糖尿病合并高水平的甘油三脂对围产结局的影响

目的:探讨妊娠期糖尿病合并高水平的甘油三脂对围产结局的影响。方法:对在2005年5~10月在北京妇产医院接受营养治疗的44例妊娠糖尿病患者(均为单胎)进行血糖、胰岛素、C肽、甘油三脂的检测,将甘油三脂测得值转化为中位数的倍数,甘油三值大于1.0 MOM作为研究组,甘油三值小于或等于1.0 MOM作为对照组。结果:研究组孕前体重指数、空腹血糖、空腹胰岛素、C胎、胰岛素抵抗指数明显高于对照组,有显著性差异;研究组大于胎龄儿、妊娠高血压疾病的发生高于对照组,有统计学差异。结论:孕前高体重指数增加妊娠糖尿病孕妇发生高脂血症的危险;脂代谢紊乱增加了胰岛素抵抗的程度及不良妊娠结局的发生。     

Effect of fasting on vascular contractility in lean and obese Zucker rats

We compared the effects of fasting (36 h) on blood pressure and aortic contractile responsiveness in lean and obese Zucker rats. Fasting of lean animals resulted in a significant loss in body weight (-9.1 +/- 0.1%) and reduction in systolic blood pressure (-11.4 +/- 1.9 mmHg). Fasting plasma triacylglycerols (-76%) and beta-hydroxybutryic acid (beta-HBA) (+ 218%) were significantly decreased and increased, respectively. The fasting plasma concentrations of insulin (-72%) were significantly decreased, whereas glucose and epinephrine (Epi) were not changed in lean rats. The fasting of obese rats also resulted in weight loss (-5.6 +/- 1.3%) but did not cause a significant reduction of blood pressure. The plasma total cholesterol (+18%) was increased, triacylglycerols (-42%) were decreased and beta-HBA levels were unchanged in fasted obese rats. Similar to lean animals, the insulin levels of fasted obese rats were significantly decreased (-85%), whereas glucose and Epi concentrations were not significantly changed. Fasting of lean animals had no effect on the maximal contractile response of aortae to high K(+) and phorbol 12, 13 dibutyrate (PDBu) but significantly reduced the response to norepinephrine (NE) (% reference: fed, 61.1 +/- 11.0; fasted, 45.6 +/- 4.5). In addition, the concentration for half-maximal response (ED(50)) to NE was increased in fasted lean rats (fed, 1.8+/-0.2 x 10(-8)M; fasted, 3.0+/-0.3 x 10(-8)M). By comparison, fasting of obese rats had no significant effect on the contractile response to K(+), NE, or PDBu. The results show that short-term food withdrawal induces significant changes in vascular contractile properties of lean but not obese rats. Because fasting-induced changes were variable depending on the agonist, the results further suggest that the mechanism did not involve a general loss or enhancement in functional status.     

Response of adult lean and obese female Zucker rats to food restriction and refeeding

Lean and obese female Zucker rats were either fed ad libitum (ad libitum-fed lean and ad libitum-fed obese), food-restricted (restricted lean and restricted obese) at 50% of ad libitum intake for 3 weeks from 19–20 weeks of age, or food-restricted and then refed ad libitum for 1 week (restricted-refed lean and restricted-refed obese). Following food restriction, body weights of restricted rats were significantly lower than ad libitum-fed rats within genotype. Body weights of restricted-refed rats were not different from either ad libitum-fed or restricted rats within genotype. Restricted-refed lean rats returned to their previous ad libitum food intake, whereas restricted-refed obese rats ate significantly more food. Both restricted and restricted-refed lean rats had lowered serum insulin levels compared to ad libitum-fed lean rats, whereas there was no effect on serum insulin levels in obese rats. Liver weights and hepatocyte conversion of glucose to fatty acids, glyceride-glycerol and CO₂ were not affected by food restriction or refeeding in lean rats. Among obese rats, restricted obese rats had the smallest liver weights, and restricted-refed obese rats had the highest. Restricted-refed obese rats had greater rates of hepatic glucose metabolism compared to all other groups. Ad libitum-fed lean and restricted-refed lean rats had similar fat pad weights that were significantly greater than those of restricted lean rats. Dietary intervention had no effect on fat pad weight in obese rats. There was no effect of food restriction or refeeding on adipocyte glucose metabolism except for higher glucose conversion to CO₂ for restricted lean rats in comparison to values for all other groups. These results demonstrate that body weight changes of adult female obese rats in response to food restriction and refeeding are similar to those of lean rats; but the effects of liver and adipose tissue weights are different.     

Natural honey lowers plasma glucose, C-reactive protein, homocysteine, and blood lipids in healthy, diabetic, and hyperlipidemic subjects: comparison with dextrose and sucrose

This study included the following experiments: (1) effects of dextrose solution (250 mL of water containing 75 g of dextrose) or honey solution (250 mL of water containing 75 g of natural honey) on plasma glucose level (PGL), plasma insulin, and plasma C-peptide (eight subjects); (2) effects of dextrose, honey, or artificial honey (250 mL of water containing 35 g of dextrose and 40 g of fructose) on cholesterol and triglycerides (TG) (nine subjects); (3) effects of honey solution, administered for 15 days, on PGL, blood lipids, C-reactive protein (CRP), and homocysteine (eight subjects); (4) effects of honey or artificial honey on cholesterol and TG in six patients with hypercholesterolemia and five patients with hypertriglyceridemia; (5) effects of honey for 15 days on blood lipid and CRP in five patients with elevated cholesterol and CRP; (6) effects of 70 g of dextrose or 90 g of honey on PGL in seven patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus; and (7) effects of 30 g of sucrose or 30 g of honey on PGL, plasma insulin, and plasma C-peptide in five diabetic patients. In healthy subjects, dextrose elevated PGL at 1 (53%) and 2 (3%) hours, and decreased PGL after 3 hours (20%). Honey elevated PGL after 1 hour (14%) and decreased it after 3 hours (10%). Elevation of insulin and C-peptide was significantly higher after dextrose than after honey. Dextrose slightly reduced cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) after 1 hour and significantly after 2 hours, and increased TG after 1, 2, and 3 hours. Artificial honey slightly decreased cholesterol and LDL-C and elevated TG. Honey reduced cholesterol, LDL-C, and TG and slightly elevated high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C). Honey consumed for 15 days decreased cholesterol (7%), LDL-C (1%), TG (2%), CRP (7%), homocysteine (6%), and PGL (6%), and increased HDL-C (2%). In patients with hypertriglyceridemia, artificial honey increased TG, while honey decreased TG. In patients with hyperlipidemia, artificial honey increased LDL-C, while honey decreased LDL-C. Honey decreased cholesterol (8%), LDL-C (11%), and CRP (75%) after 15 days. In diabetic patients, honey compared with dextrose caused a significantly lower rise of PGL. Elevation of PGL was greater after honey than after sucrose at 30 minutes, and was lower after honey than it was after sucrose at 60, 120, and 180 minutes. Honey caused greater elevation of insulin than sucrose did after 30, 120, and 180 minutes. Honey reduces blood lipids, homocysteine, and CRP in normal and hyperlipidemic subjects. Honey compared with dextrose and sucrose caused lower elevation of PGL in diabetics.     

Frequency of soup intake is inversely associated with body mass index, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio, but not with other metabolic risk factors in Japanese men

Several previous studies have shown that the intake of soup negatively correlates with the body mass index (BMI), serum cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels, and blood pressure, suggesting that soup intake reduces metabolic risk. However, the correlation between soup intake and various metabolic risk factors has not been well-established. Especially, it has not been investigated in Asian countries. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of the frequency of soup intake and metabolic risk factors such as BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, serum cholesterol, serum triacylglycerol, blood glucose, and glycated hemoglobin. A cross-sectional study of 103 Japanese men aged 24 to 75 years was conducted. The intake of soup and other food was investigated by semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires. The correlation between the frequency of soup intake and metabolic risk factors was analyzed by multiple regression analysis with a linear model. The median value of frequency of soup intake was 7.0 times per week. After adjusting for confounding factors such as age, energy intake, energy from alcohol intake, current smoking, and estimated energy expenditure, the frequency of soup intake was found to have a significant inverse association with BMI (P=0.040), waist circumference (P=0.024), and waist-to-hip ratio (P=0.001). However, no significant associations with other metabolic risk factors were found. Frequency of soup intake is negatively correlated with obesity-related physical parameters in Japanese men.