Time of ingestion relative to meal intake determines gastrointestinal responses to a plant sterol–containing yoghurt drink

Purpose

Plant sterol (PS)-enriched food products are known to reduce plasma cholesterol concentrations by inhibiting the absorption of dietary and biliary cholesterol. The physiological responses induced by food intake in the gastrointestinal tract are all important factors in determining the overall effect of PS. The aim of this study was therefore to assess the effect of timing of consumption of a plant sterol (PS)–containing yoghurt drink relative to meal ingestion on gastric emptying (GE) of the drink and gallbladder (GB) volume.

Methods

This is a randomized, single-centre, controlled study with crossover design in 12 healthy male volunteers. Three treatments were tested; a 100 mL PS yoghurt drink (labeled with 1,000 mg acetaminophen) was consumed 45 min prior to, during and 45 min after a solid meal. Plasma samples were taken, and gallbladder volumes were measured at baseline and at regular intervals during a 6-h study period.

Results

When consumed before the consumption of a meal, the yoghurt drink exhibited fast GE. The solid meal intake caused a significant contraction of the gallbladder. Consumption of the PS drink before the meal had no significant effect on GB volume as compared to baseline and compared to during and after meal consumption.

Conclusions

The PS-containing drink, which empties fast from the stomach, does not sufficiently trigger gallbladder contraction without co-ingestion of a solid meal and in consequence does not induce the necessary physiological changes needed to allow PS to exhibit their effect on inhibiting cholesterol absorption.     

Blueberry anthocyanins at doses of 0.5 and 1 % lowered plasma cholesterol by increasing fecal excretion of acidic and neutral sterols in hamsters fed a cholesterol-enriched diet

Purpose

The present study investigated the underlying mechanism associated with the hypocholesterolemic activity of blueberry anthocyanins by examining its effect on fecal sterol excretion and gene expression of major receptors, enzymes, and transporters involved in cholesterol metabolism.

Methods

Hamsters were divided into three groups and fed a 0.1 % cholesterol diet containing 0 % (CTL), 0.5 % (BL), and 1.0 % (BH) blueberry anthocyanins, respectively, for six weeks. Plasma total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerols (TAG), and non-high-density lipoproteins cholesterol (non-HDL-C) were measured using the enzymatic kits, and the gene expression of transporters, enzymes, and receptors involved in cholesterol absorption and metabolism was quantified using the quantitative PCR. GC analysis was used to quantify hepatic cholesterol and fecal acidic and neutral sterols.

Results

Dietary supplementation of 0.5 and 1.0 % blueberry anthocyanins for 6 weeks decreased plasma TC concentration by 6–12 % in a dose-dependent manner. This was accompanied by increasing the excretion of fecal neutral and acidic sterols by 22–29 % and 41–74 %, respectively. Real-time PCR analyses demonstrated that incorporation of blueberry anthocyanins into diet down-regulated the genes of NPC1L1, ACAT-2, MTP, and ABCG 8. In addition, blueberry anthocyanins were also able to down-regulate the gene expression of hepatic HMG-CoA reductase.

Conclusion

The cholesterol-lowering activity of blueberry anthocyanins was most likely mediated by enhancing the excretion of sterols accompanied with down-regulation on gene expression of intestinal NPC1L1, ACAT-2, MTP, and ABCG 8.     

Milk phospholipid and plant sterol-dependent modulation of plasma lipids in healthy volunteers

Purpose

Hypolipidemic and/or hypocholesterolemic effects are presumed for dietary milk phospholipid (PL) as well as plant sterol (PSt) supplementation. The aim was to induce changes in plasma lipid profile by giving different doses of milk PL and a combination of milk PL with PSt to healthy volunteers.

Methods

In an open-label intervention study, 14 women received dairy products enriched with moderate (3 g PL/day) or high (6 g PL/day) dose of milk PL or a high dose of milk PL combined with PSt (6 g PL/day + 2 g PSt/day) during 3 periods each lasting 10 days.

Results

Total cholesterol concentration and HDL cholesterol concentration were reduced following supplementation with 3 g PL/day. No significant change in LDL cholesterol concentration was found compared with baseline. High PL dose resulted in an increase of LDL cholesterol and unchanged HDL cholesterol compared with moderate PL dose. The LDL/HDL ratio and triglyceride concentration remained constant within the study. Except for increased phosphatidyl ethanolamine concentrations, plasma PL concentrations were not altered during exclusive PL supplementations. A combined high-dose PL and PSt supplementation led to decreased plasma LDL cholesterol concentration, decreased PL excretion, increased plasma sphingomyelin/phosphatidyl choline ratio, and significant changes in plasma fatty acid distribution compared with exclusive high-dose PL supplementation.

Conclusion

Milk PL supplementations influence plasma cholesterol concentrations, but without changes of LDL/HDL ratio. A combined high-dose milk PL and PSt supplementation decreases plasma LDL cholesterol concentration, but it probably enforces absorption of fatty acids or fatty acid-containing hydrolysis products that originated during lipid digestion.     

Serum and lipoprotein sitostanol and non-cholesterol sterols after an acute dose of plant stanol ester on its long-term consumption

Purpose

Chronic inhibition of cholesterol absorption with large doses of plant stanol esters (staest) alters profoundly cholesterol metabolism, but it is unknown how an acute inhibition with a large staest dose alters the postprandial serum and lipoprotein cholesterol precursor, plant sterol, and sitostanol contents.

Methods

Hypercholesterolemic subjects, randomly and double-blind divided into control (n?=?18) and intervention groups (n?=?20), consumed experimental diet without and with staest (plant stanols 8.8?g/day) for 10?weeks. Next morning after a fasting blood sample (0 h), the subjects had a breakfast without or with staest (4.5?g of plant stanols). Blood sampling was repeated 4?h later. Lipoproteins were separated with ultracentrifugation, and sterols were measured with gas–liquid chromatography.

Results

In 0-h chylomicrons and VLDL, plant sterols were lower in staest than in controls. Postprandially, cholestenol (cholesterol synthesis marker) was reduced in chylomicrons in staest compared with controls (?0.13?±?0.04?μg/dL vs. 0.01?±?0.08?μg/dL, P?P?Conclusions Chronic cholesterol absorption inhibition with large amount of plant stanol esters decreases plant sterols in triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. Acute plant stanol ester consumption increases sitostanol content in triglyceride-rich lipoproteins but suggests to decrease the risk of plant sterol and plant stanol accumulation into vascular wall by chylomicrons.     

Chronic cranberry juice consumption restores cholesterol profiles and improves endothelial function in ovariectomized rats

Purpose

Postmenopausal women experience higher risks for cardiovascular diseases than age-matched men and pre-menopausal women. There is a need for better treatment strategy for estrogen-deficient-related cardiovascular complications. We and others have recently reported that activated renin–angiotensin system and the associated oxidative stress impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation in ovariectomized rat, while angiotensin receptor blocker rescues endothelial dysfunction. Dietary supplements and lifestyle modifications provide an alternative way to improve cardiovascular health. The present study tests the hypothesis that chronic cranberry juice consumption improves cholesterol profiles and vascular functions in estrogen-deficient animal model. The effect of cranberry consumption on expression and activity of renin–angiotensin system in the vasculature will be determined.

Methods

Ovariectomized rats were treated daily with commercial cranberry juice at 7 mg/kg for 8 weeks, a dosage comparable to recent clinical studies. Serum was collected for measuring cholesterol levels while aorta was isolated for isometric force assay and expression studies.

Results

Cranberry juice consumption reduced circulating levels of total cholesterol, triacylglycerols, HDL, nHDL, and nHDL/HDL ratio. Meanwhile, cranberry juice consumption improved endothelium-dependent relaxation in aorta of ovariectomized rats by restoring p-eNOS level (endothelial nitric oxide synthase phosphorylated at ser-1177), reversing the up-regulated levels of renin–angiotensin system markers (angiotensin-converting enzyme, angiotensin II, and angiotensin II type 1 receptor), and normalizing the elevated NAD(P)H oxidase expression and oxidative stress.

Conclusions

Our data demonstrate the novel cardiovascular benefits of cranberry juice consumption in improving both vascular functions and cholesterol profiles, providing insight into developing cranberry products into useful dietary supplements for postmenopausal women.     

Green tea catechins and blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Purpose

Although previous literature has reported that regular green tea consumption may improve blood pressure, the evidence from these studies is not consistent. The present study systematically reviewed randomised controlled trials and examined the effect of green tea consumption on blood pressure using meta-analysis.

Methods

Search of ProQuest, PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane Library (CENTERAL) was conducted, to identify eligible articles. Articles from 1995 to 2013 were included. A random-effect model was chosen to calculate the effect of combined trials.

Result

Thirteen studies were included in the meta-analysis. Green tea consumption significantly changed systolic blood pressure, by ?2.08 mm Hg (95 % CI ?3.06, ?1.05), and diastolic blood pressure, by ?1.71 mm Hg (95 % CI ?2.86, ?0.56), compared to the control. Changes in lipid profile, blood glucose and body mass index were also assessed in the meta-analysis. A significant reduction was found in total cholesterol (?0.15 mmol/L [95 % CI ?0.27, ?0.02]) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (?0.16 mmol/L [95 % CI ?0.22, ?0.09]). Changes in other parameters did not reach statistical significance. Subgroup analysis suggested a greater reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in studies that included participants with a baseline mean systolic blood pressure of ≥130 mm Hg, and studies involving consuming green tea as an extract.

Conclusion

The present meta-analysis suggests that green tea and its catechins may improve blood pressure, and the effect may be greater in those with systolic blood pressure ≥130 mm Hg. The meta-analysis also suggests that green tea catechins may improve total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.     

Increased physical activity combined with more eating occasions is beneficial against dyslipidemias in children. The Healthy Growth Study

Purpose

To identify lifestyle patterns associated with blood lipid levels in children.

Methods

A representative sample of 2,043 schoolchildren (9–13 years) participated in a cross-sectional epidemiologic study conducted in 77 primary schools in four large regions in Greece. Dietary intakes, breakfast patterns and eating frequency, physical activity levels, sleep duration, anthropometric and physical examination data, biochemical indices and socioeconomic information (collected from parents) were assessed in all children. Principal component analysis was used to identify the lifestyle patterns.

Results

A lifestyle pattern of more screen time, shorter sleep duration and higher sugar-sweetened beverage consumption was inversely associated with HDL cholesterol (β = ?0.077; P < 0.001) and positively associated with total/HDL cholesterol ratio (β = 0.049; P = 0.025). Furthermore, a lifestyle pattern of more eating occasions and higher moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels was inversely associated with total cholesterol (β = ?0.064; P = 0.006), LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol (β = ?0.065; P = 0.004) and total/HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol ratio (β = ?0.043; P = 0.049) in multivariate models. Finally, children with MVPA levels and eating frequency higher than that corresponding to the second quartile of this lifestyle pattern (i.e., > 44.8 min of MVPA per day and > 4.7 meals per day) were 29.7, 32.6 and 43.1 % less likely of having abnormal levels of total cholesterol, LDL and total/HDL cholesterol ratio, respectively, according to the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) cutoff points.

Conclusions

A lifestyle pattern of more than approximately 45 min of MVPA and 5 eating occasions per day was significantly associated with reduced likelihood of dyslipidemias in schoolchildren (9–13 years).     

Serum sterol responses to increasing plant sterol intake from natural foods in the Mediterranean diet

Background

Phytosterols in natural foods are thought to inhibit cholesterol absorption. The Mediterranean diet is rich in phytosterol-containing plant foods.

Aim of the study

To assess whether increasing phytosterol intake from natural foods was associated with a cholesterol-lowering effect in a substudy of a randomized trial of nutritional intervention with Mediterranean diets for primary cardiovascular prevention (PREDIMED study).

Methods

One hundred and six high cardiovascular risk subjects assigned to two Mediterranean diets supplemented with virgin olive oil (VOO) or nuts, which are phytosterol-rich foods, or advice on a low-fat diet. Outcomes were 1-year changes in nutrient intake and serum levels of lipids and non-cholesterol sterols.

Results

Average phytosterol intake increased by 76, 158 and 15 mg/day in participants assigned VOO, nuts and low-fat diets, respectively. Compared to participants in the low-fat diet group, changes in outcome variables were observed only in those in the Mediterranean diet with nuts group, with increases in intake of fibre, polyunsaturated fatty acids and phytosterols (P < 0.020, all) and significant (P < 0.05) reductions of LDL-cholesterol (0.27 mmol/l or 8.3%) and the LDL/HDL-cholesterol ratio (0.29 mmol/l or 11.5%). Variations in saturated fat, cholesterol or fibre intake were unrelated to LDL-cholesterol changes. In the whole group, changes in serum sitosterol-to-cholesterol, which reflect those of dietary phytosterol intake and absorption, correlated inversely to LDL-cholesterol changes (r = ?0.256; P = 0.008). In multivariate analyses, baseline LDL-cholesterol, increases in serum sitosterol ratios and statin use were independently associated with LDL-cholesterol reductions.

Conclusions

Small amounts of phytosterols in natural foods appear to be bioactive in cholesterol lowering.     

Maternal and paternal family history of type 2 diabetes differently influence lipid parameters in young nondiabetic Japanese women

Objectives

We assessed the association of family history of type 2 diabetes (T2D) with parameters used for health checkups in young Japanese women.

Methods

The subjects were 497 nondiabetic women aged 19–39 years. Among them, the mothers of 34 subjects and fathers of 50 had T2D (MD group and PD group, respectively). The subjects were assessed for levels of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglyceride (TG).

Results

TC and LDL-C level showed a tendency to increase in the MD group compared with subjects without family history of T2D. LDL-C/HDL-C ratio ≥2.14 was found in 32.4 and 18.0 % of subjects in the MD and PD groups, respectively. When adjusted for differences in age, body mass index, smoking status, and drinking habits, the MD group was found to have a higher risk of abnormal TC and LDL-C levels than the PD group. LDL-C/HDL-C ratio was independently associated with maternal family history but not with paternal family history (odds ratio 3.44 [99 % confidence interval 1.11–10.6] and 1.21 [0.38–3.89], respectively). There was no association between TG/HDL-C ratio and family history type of T2D.

Conclusions

Maternal family history of T2D had a more pronounced effect on the lipid parameters generally evaluated during health checkups than did paternal family history of T2D. Therefore, we recommend systematic screening for early detection and appropriate healthcare guidance for Japanese women, particularly those with maternal family history of T2D.     

Changes in physical activity and heart rate variability in chronic neck–shoulder pain: monitoring during work and leisure time

Objectives

Neck–shoulder pain (NSP) is a common work-related musculoskeletal disorder with unclear mechanisms. Changes in physical activity and autonomic nervous system regulation may be involved in the pathogenesis of chronic NSP. The aim of the current study was to investigate autonomic regulation in relation to physical activity and perceived symptoms during work and leisure time among workers with chronic NSP (n = 29) as compared to a healthy control group (CON, n = 27).

Methods

Physical activity was objectively monitored for 7 days using accelerometry. Beat-to-beat heart rate was collected continuously for 72 h, with simultaneous momentary ratings of pain, stress, and fatigue. Duration of sitting/lying, standing and walking, number of steps, and energy expenditure were used as measures of physical activity. Heart rate variability (HRV) indices were extracted in time and frequency domains as reflecting autonomic regulation. Data were divided into work hours, leisure time, and sleep.

Results

The NSP group rated higher levels of stress and fatigue at work and leisure, and reduced sleep quality as compared to CON. Elevated heart rate and reduced HRV were found in NSP compared with CON, especially during sleep. The NSP group demonstrated a different pattern of physical activity than CON, with a lower activity level in leisure time. Higher physical activity was associated with increased HRV in both groups.

Conclusion

Changes in HRV reflected an autonomic imbalance in workers with chronic musculoskeletal pain. This can be explained by reduced physical activity in leisure time. Intervention studies aimed at increasing physical activity may shed further light on the association between autonomic regulation and physical activity in work-related NSP.     

Comparable reduction in cholesterol absorption after two different ways of phytosterol administration in humans

Purpose

Consumption of phytosterols is a nutritional strategy to reduce cholesterol absorption, but the efficacy of various phytosterol intake modalities remains uncertain. The main objective was to investigate the effects of phytosterol esters (PE) provided either as a spread (dispersed in fat) during a mixed meal or as a minidrink (micro-dispersed in liquid form) after a meal.

Methods

In a randomized, single-blinded crossover design, 12 healthy intubated volunteers tested three different liquid meal sequences with and without PE. The liquid meal (500 mL, Fortisip) contained an oral dose (80 mg) of deuterium-enriched cholesterol (D7C). The intubation was stopped at 240 min, and the fate of sterols was determined in the different phases of duodenal content samples as function of time. A second solid fat-containing meal without sterols was consumed at 270 min. D7C was quantified in chylomicrons and plasma for 8 h. The conditions tested were as follows: (1) no PE added (control), (2) PE in a spread added into a liquid meal (PE-spread meal) and (3) PE given 30 min after a liquid meal as 100-g yoghurt drink (PE-minidrink meal).

Results

Addition of PE decreased the incorporation of cholesterol into the duodenum aqueous phase including micelles. PE added as a spread or as a minidrink significantly and comparably lowered meal cholesterol occurrence in chylomicrons (?40 % for PE-spread and ?54 % for PE-minidrink, p < 0.0001) compared with the control meal.

Conclusions

PE either dispersed in fat during a meal or micro-dispersed in a liquid form after a meal resulted in a markedly reduced occurrence of meal-derived cholesterol in the circulation at a comparable extent.     

Effect of thiamine administration on metabolic profile,cytokines and inflammatory markers in drug-naïve patients with type 2 diabetes

Purpose

To evaluate the effect of thiamine administration on metabolic profile, cytokines and inflammatory markers in drug-naïve patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, pilot-scale clinical trial was carried out in 24 patients with T2DM. Twelve subjects received thiamine orally (150 mg), once daily during a fasting state for 1 month. An additional 12 patients (control group) were given placebo for the same period of time. Before and after the intervention, fasting glucose, A1C, creatinine, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, very low-density lipoprotein, high-sensitive C-reactive protein, interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, leptin and adiponectin levels were estimated. Wilcoxon’s signed-rank and Mann–Whitney U test were used for statistical analyses.

Results

There were significant decreases in glucose (6.7 ± 1.0 mmol/l vs. 6.0 ± 1.0 mmol/l, p = 0.024) before and after the intervention, respectively, and leptin concentrations (32.9 ± 13.3 ng/ml vs. 26.9 ± 12.8 ng/ml, p = 0.027) before and after the intervention, respectively, with thiamine administration. There were no changes with the rest of the measurements.

Conclusions

Thiamine administration for 1 month decreased glucose and leptin concentrations in drug-naïve patients with T2DM.

     

Isolation of a novel amylase and lipase-producing Pseudomonas luteola strain: study of amylase production conditions

Background

Patients with mixed hyperlipidemia usually are in need of combination therapy to achieve low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) target values for reduction of cardiovascular risk. This study investigated the efficacy and safety of adding a new hypolipidemic agent, coenzyme A (CoA) to stable statin therapy in patients with mixed hyperlipidemia.

Methods

In this multi-center, 8-week, double-blind study, adults who had received ≥8 weeks of stable statin therapy and had hypertriglyceridemia (TG level at 2.3-6.5 mmol/L) were randomized to receive CoA 400 U/d or placebo plus stable dosage of statin. Efficacy was assessed by the changes in the levels and patterns of lipoproteins. Tolerability was assessed by the incidence and severity of adverse events (AEs).

Results

A total of 304 patients with mixed hyperlipidemia were randomized to receive CoA 400 U/d plus statin or placebo plus statin (n?=?152, each group). After treatment for 8 weeks, the mean percent change in TG was significantly greater with CoA plus statin compared with placebo plus statin (-25.9% vs -4.9%, respectively; p?=?0.0003). CoA plus statin was associated with significant reductions in TC (-9.1% vs -3.1%; p?=?0.0033), LDL-C (-9.9% vs 0.1%; p?=?0.003), and non- high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-13.5% vs -5.7%; p?=?0.0039). There was no significant difference in the frequency of AEs between groups. No serious AEs were considered treatment related.

Conclusions

In these adult patients with persistent hypertriglyceridemia, CoA plus statin therapy improved TG and other lipoprotein parameters to a greater extent than statin alone and has no obviously adverse effect.

Trial registration

Current Controlled Trials ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT01928342.     

Is the cardiovascular risk profile of people living in Roma settlements worse in comparison with the majority population in Slovakia?

Objectives

Roma constitute a large minority in several Central European countries, with a mostly disadvantaged societal and health position. The aim of this study was to assess biological and other cardiovascular diseases (CVD) risk factors in people living in Roma settlements and to compare them with non-Roma.

Methods

We used data from the cross-sectional Hepa-Meta study conducted in Slovakia. The sample consisted of 452 Roma (mean age = 34.7, 35.2 % men) and 403 non-Roma (mean age = 33.5, 45.9 % men). The effect of ethnicity was analysed using logistic regression adjusted for age and stratified by gender.

Results

Roma were more likely to have obesity, low HDL cholesterol, normal total cholesterol, and to smoke than non-Roma. Moreover, Roma women were more likely to have abdominal obesity and Roma men to have normal LDL cholesterol than non-Roma. No significant differences by ethnicity were found regarding hypertriglyceridaemia, hyperglycaemia and hypertension.

Conclusions

Our study confirmed higher rates of some CVD risk factors in Roma compared with non-Roma. Our findings call for interventions aiming at decreasing CVD risks and improving health literacy among Roma, to reduce CVD morbidity and premature mortality.     

Screening for coronary heart disease and diabetes risk in a dental setting

Objectives

Diabetes mellitus (DM) and heart disease, among the most prevalent chronic conditions worldwide, are increasing among younger adults who are unaware of their risk status. Previous studies in the United States have shown the efficacy of screening for risk of heart disease and diabetes in a dental setting. A screening strategy was applied to facilitate early identification of individuals at increased disease risk in a single Indian dental institute.

Methods

158 patients >30 years old, with no reported heart disease or diabetes, and unaware of any increased disease risk were enrolled. Blood pressure, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein levels and body mass index were collected. The Framingham Risk Score (FRS) was calculated as an indication of global risk of developing a coronary heart disease (CHD) event within 10 years; hemoglobin A1c level was used to determine DM risk.

Results

Eleven percent had increased risk of heart disease (FRS >10 %) and 32 % had abnormal A1c levels (>5.7 %). At least one risk factor was present in 61 and 39 % presented with two or more risk factors. Hypertension and obesity were the most common risk factors.

Conclusions

The use of a dental setting in a developing country could serve as a resource for early identification of patients at increased risk of developing CHD and DM, yet unaware of their increased risk. The dental setting can also serve as an entry point into the medical care system by identifying asymptomatic patients at increased risk of disease and referring these individuals to a primary care provider.     

Ferrous ammonium phosphate (FeNH4PO4) as a new food fortificant: iron bioavailability compared to ferrous sulfate and ferric pyrophosphate from an instant milk drink

Purpose

The main purpose of this study was to establish bioavailability data in humans for the new (Fe) fortification compound ferrous ammonium phosphate (FAP), which was specially developed for fortification of difficult-to-fortify foods where soluble Fe compounds cannot be used due to their negative impact on product stability.

Methods

A double-blind, randomized clinical trial with cross-over design was conducted to obtain bioavailability data for FAP in humans. In this trial, Fe absorption from FAP-fortified full-cream milk powder was compared to that from ferric pyrophosphate (FPP) and ferrous sulfate. Fe absorption was determined in 38 young women using the erythrocyte incorporation dual stable isotope technique (⁵⁷Fe, ⁵⁸Fe).

Results

Geometric mean Fe absorption from ferrous sulfate, FAP and FPP was 10.4, 7.4 and 3.3 %, respectively. Fe from FAP was significantly better absorbed from milk than Fe from FPP (p < 0.0001). Fe absorption from FAP was significantly lower than Fe absorption from ferrous sulfate, which was used as water-soluble reference compound (p = 0.0002). Absorption ratios of FAP and FPP relative to ferrous sulfate as a measure of relative bioavailability were 0.71 and 0.32, respectively.

Conclusions

The results of the present studies show that replacing FPP with FAP in full-cream milk could significantly improve iron bioavailability.     

Impact of hypoalphalipoproteinemia on quality of life in Taiwanese women with central obesity

Purpose

To investigate the relationship between health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and different cutoff value of low level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in Taiwanese women with different definition of obesity.

Methods

Prospective observational study in women with central obesity was conducted in Taipei City Hospital. A total of 572 women were screened at our clinic, and 227 of them with a body mass index ≧27 kg/m² defined by the Department of Health in Taiwan and weight circumference ≧80 cm were eligible for the study. We defined two groups as group A-low HDL (HDL-C < 40 mg/dL) and group B-high HDL (HDL-C < 50 mg/dL) according to different definition of hypoalphalipoproteinemia in obese women.

Results

Significantly reduced HRQoL score was noted in group A-low HDL compared to group A-high HDL (HDL-C ≧ 40 mg/dL), but not between group B-low HDL and group B-high HDL (HDL-C ≧ 50 mg/dL). Positively correlation was noted between HDL-C level and physical domain of HRQoL score. HDL-C contributes independently to physical domain of HRQoL score after controlling for other factors. Decreased leptin and adiponectin level were noted in hypoalphalipoproteinemia groups.

Conclusion

Taiwanese obese women with hypoalphalipoproteinemia have adverse impact on HRQoL, especially when the HDL-C level is lower than 40 mg/dL. Both hypoalphalipoproteinemia and hypertension accounted for a great variance to lower scores of physical domain of HRQoL with positively correlation with HDL-C level observed. Decreased leptin and adiponectin were also observed in hypoalphalipoproteinemia group, which implied increased cardiovascular risk. HDL-C level may deem as another indicator for HRQoL in women with central obesity.     

Postnatal high-fat diet enhances ectopic fat deposition in pigs with intrauterine growth retardation

Objectives

Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and postnatal nutrition are risk factors for adult metabolic syndrome. However, the influences of long-term high-fat diet (HFD) intake on ectopic fat deposition in non-adipose tissues in IUGR pigs remain unclear. The present study was to determine whether HFD consumption would enhance ectopic fat deposition in IUGR pigs.

Methods

At day 28, IUGR and control pigs were fed ad libitum to either a regular diet or a HFD. Lipid store, enzymatic activities and mRNA expression of lipid metabolism-related factors in liver and semitendinosus muscle (SM) were quantified at postnatal day 178.

Results

Feeding a HFD to IUGR pigs but not to control pigs significantly increased daily weight gain, carcass fat mass, plasma leptin level and lipid content and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity and mRNA abundances of LPL and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) in liver and SM, but decreased daily feed intake and mRNA expression of hormone-sensitive lipase (LIPE) and carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1 (CPT-1) in liver and SM (P < 0.05). Compared with control pigs, IUGR pigs had a lower body weight but higher plasma levels of total cholesterol (TC) and insulin (P < 0.05). HFD-fed pigs exhibited greater body weight, plasma concentrations of triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), regardless of birth weight (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Our results suggested that IUGR increased the vulnerability of HFD-fed pigs to ectopic fat deposition via enhanced fatty acid flux toward ectopic sites and reduced lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation.

     

Protective effects of garlic extract on cardiac function,heart rate variability,and cardiac mitochondria in obese insulin-resistant rats

Purpose

Garlic has been shown to exhibit antioxidant effects and cardioprotective properties. However, the effects of garlic extract on the heart in insulin resistance induced by long-term high-fat-diet consumption are not well defined. Therefore, we sought to determine the effects of garlic extract in the obese insulin-resistant rats.

Methods

Male Wistar rats (180–200 g) were divided into two groups: normal-diet or high-fat-diet (n = 24/group) fed for 12 weeks. Rats in each groups were divided into three subgroups (n = 8 each): vehicle or garlic extract (250 or 500 mg/kg/day, respectively) treated for 28 days. At the end of the treatment, the metabolic parameters, heart rate variability (HRV), cardiac function, and cardiac mitochondrial function were determined.

Results

Rats that received a high-fat-diet for 12 weeks had increased body weight, visceral fat, plasma insulin levels, total cholesterol, oxidative stress levels, depressed HRV, and cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction. Garlic extract at both concentrations significantly decreased the plasma insulin, total cholesterol, homeostasis model assessment index, and oxidative stress levels. Furthermore, garlic extract at both doses restored the HRV, cardiac function, and cardiac mitochondrial function.

Conclusion

We concluded that garlic extract at both concentrations exerted cardioprotective effects against cardiac dysfunction and mitochondrial dysfunction in obese insulin-resistant rats.