Long‐term high‐physiological‐dose growth hormone reduces intra‐abdominal fat in HIV‐infected patients with a neutral effect on glucose metabolism

Objectives

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of long‐term high‐physiological‐dose recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) therapy on fat distribution and glucose metabolism in HIV‐infected patients.

Methods

Forty‐six HIV‐infected Caucasian men on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), with an age range of 21–60 years and no significant comorbidity, were included in this randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind, single‐centre trial. Twenty‐eight subjects were randomized to 0.7 mg/day rhGH, and 18 subjects to placebo, administered as daily subcutaneous injections between 1 and 3 pm for 40 weeks. Endpoints included changes in visceral adipose tissue (VAT), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), limb fat mass, percentage of limb fat, plasma lipids, insulin resistance and glucose tolerance.

Results

VAT and trunk fat mass decreased significantly in the GH group compared with the placebo group [−19 cm² (−11%) vs. 12 cm² (6%), P=0.03, and −548 g (−9%) vs. 353 g (6%), P<0.01, respectively]. The beneficial fat redistribution in the GH group occurred without concomitant changes in subcutaneous fat at the abdomen or extremities. rhGH therapy was well tolerated. Insulin resistance, glucose tolerance, and total plasma cholesterol and triglycerides did not significantly change during intervention.

Conclusions

Daily 0.7 mg rhGH treatment for 40 weeks reduced abdominal visceral fat and trunk fat mass in HIV‐infected patients. This treatment appeared to be safe with respect to glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity.

     

Comparative evaluation of gustatory function between postmenopausal women and age‐matched men

Oral Diseases (2010) 16 , 469–475 Objective: The aim of the study was to compare the gustatory function between postmenopausal women and age‐matched men. Subjects and methods: During a period of 4 months, 30 postmenopausal women and 30 age‐matched men were prospectively evaluated for gustatory function. Each subject was given a symptoms questionnaire for self‐assessment of taste function. Then, whole mouth taste test was performed in which the quality identification and intensity ratings of taste solutions were measured. Results: Regarding correct quality identification, the results were statistically non‐significant (P > 0.05). As far as the intensity judgments are concerned, significant difference exists between postmenopausal women and age‐matched men. Intensity of taste perception for sucrose was significantly lower in postmenopausal women than intensity of taste perception for other tastes (P < 0.05). One of the noticeable findings is that 15 (50%) postmenopausal women reported a change in dietary habits; all expressed liking for sweeter food. Conclusion: Postmenopausal women appeared to have a reduced perception of sucrose, which can alter eating habits, such as intake of more sweet foods, whereas no significant difference is observed in taste perception of NaCl, citric acid and quinine hydrochloride between postmenopausal women and age‐matched men. Fifteen (50%) postmenopausal women stated fondness for sweet taste.     

CARDIOPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF l-GLUTAMATE IN OBESE TYPE 2 DIABETIC ZUCKER FATTY RATS

• 1 Because diabetic hearts have an increased threshold for cardioprotection by ischaemic preconditioning (IPC), we hypothesized that protection by l ‐glutamate during reperfusion is restricted in Type 2 diabetic hearts. Previously, we found that l ‐glutamate‐mediated postischaemic cardioprotection mimics IPC.
• 2 Rat hearts were studied in a Langendorff preparation perfused with Krebs’–Henseleit solution and subjected to 40 min global no‐flow ischaemia, followed by 120 min reperfusion. l ‐Glutamate (0, 15 and 30 mmol/L) was added to the perfusate during reperfusion of hearts from non‐diabetic (Wistar‐Kyoto) and diabetic (Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF)) rats, studied at 16 weeks of age. The infarct size (IS)/area‐at‐risk (AAR) ratio was the primary end‐point. Expression of l ‐glutamate excitatory amino acid transporter (EAAT) 1 (mitochondrial) and EAAT3 (sarcolemmal) was determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting.
• 3 The ISS/AAR ratio did not differ between control hearts from Wistar‐Kyoto and ZDF rats (0.52 ± 0.03 and 0.51 ± 0.04, respectively; P = 0.90). l ‐Glutamate (15 mmol/L) significantly reduced the IS/AAR ratio in non‐diabetic hearts, but not in diabetic hearts, compared with their respective controls. The higher concentration of l ‐glutamate (30 mmol/L) reduced infarct size in diabetic hearts to the same degree as in non‐diabetic hearts (IS/AAR 0.35 ± 0.03 (P = 0.002) and 0.34 ± 0.03 (P = 0.004), respectively). The mitochondrial l ‐glutamate transporter EAAT1 was downregulated in hearts from ZDF rats at both the mRNA and protein levels (P < 0.0005 and P < 0.0001, respectively). However, there was no change in EAAT3 expression at the protein level. Myocardial l ‐glutamate content was increased by 43% in diabetic hearts (P < 0.0001).
• 4 Hearts from obese diabetic rats have an elevated threshold for metabolic postischaemic cardioprotection by l ‐glutamate. These findings may reflect underlying mechanisms of inherent resistance against additional cardioprotection in the diabetic heart.

     

家兔动脉成形术后血管内膜增殖与普伐他汀联合阿司匹林的干预效应

目的:观察普伐他汀、阿司匹林联用对家兔颈动脉血管成形术后内膜增殖进展的影响及其作用机制。方法:实验于2002-03/12在北京中医药大学教育部中医内科学重点学科实验室完成。雄性日本大耳白兔30只,体质量1.8～2.0kg,动物适应性喂养1周后随机数字表法分为正常对照组(n=9)、假手术组(n=6)、模型组(n=9)、治疗组(n=6)。模型组和治疗组动物氯胺酮、速眠新混合肌注麻醉,沿气管正中切开皮肤,剥离颈总动脉,给予电刺激。术后第2天开始饲喂高脂饲料(胆固醇:0.7%,猪油:3%,普通饲料96.3%);正常对照组无任何干预措施;假手术组仅剥离颈总动脉,不做电刺激,喂高脂饲料;动物连续喂养8周后超声评价颈总动脉,根据B超选择颈总动脉有斑块或血流明显改变者作颈总动脉球囊扩张术。正常对照组、模型组、假手术组喂普通饲料,治疗组喂普伐他汀与阿司匹林含药饲料(普伐他汀5.046mg/kg,阿司匹林2.268g/kg),4周后测血脂和C-反应蛋白浓度、血清一氧化氮及转化生长因子β水平,观察颈动脉组织病理形态学改变,半定量分析增生内膜中胶原含量的变化,免疫组织化学方法分析增生内膜中巨噬细胞和平滑肌细胞阳性百分率。结果:纳入大耳白兔30只,正常对照组中途死亡1只,死因为牙齿畸型影响进食;模型组1只因电刺激8周时超声评价颈动脉未形成斑块及血流无明显改变而剔出实验,进入分析28只。与模型组比,普伐他汀与阿司匹林联用4周后,治疗组胆固醇及三酰甘油水平明显下降[(4.12±2.30),(0.74±0.17)mmol/L;(0.47±0.27),(0.39±0.14)mmol/L;P<0.05],血清C-反应蛋白水平和转化生长因子β水平均降低[(0.86±0.27),(0.57±0.30)mg/L;(3.45±0.77),(3.23±0.34)ng/L;P<0.05],一氧化氮水平升高[(41.79±35.78),(90.14±32.54)mmol/L;P<0.05],动脉内膜增殖程度明显减轻,管腔狭窄率降低,内中膜厚度及内中膜面积比降低[(71.91±14.90)%,(47.20±18.74)%;(0.41±0.17),(0.26±0.04)mm;1.66±0.63,0.78±0.34;P均<0.05],动脉内膜胶原含量减少(30.92±10.05,21.93±5.81,P<0.01),动脉内膜巨噬细胞阳性百分率降低[(13.94±4.91)%,(7.29±7.28)%,P<0.05],平滑肌细胞含量无明显差异(38.37±5.67,35.79±10.68,P>0.05)。结论:普伐他汀与阿司匹林联用具有抑制内膜增生和减少新生内膜胶原含量的作用,其机制与两药抑制炎症反应、保护内皮功能及抑制细胞外基质生成等有关。