Ingestion of a moderate high‐sucrose diet results in glucose intolerance with reduced liver glucokinase activity and impaired glucagon‐like peptide‐1 secretion

Aims/Introduction: Excessive intake of sucrose can cause severe health issues, such as diabetes mellitus. In animal studies, consumption of a high‐sucrose diet (SUC) has been shown to cause obesity, insulin resistance and glucose intolerance. However, several in vivo experiments have been carried out using diets with much higher sucrose contents (50–70% of the total calories) than are typically ingested by humans. In the present study, we examined the effects of a moderate SUC on glucose metabolism and the underlying mechanism. Materials and Methods: C57BL/6J mice received a SUC (38.5% sucrose), a high‐starch diet (ST) or a control diet for 5 weeks. We assessed glucose tolerance, incretin secretion and liver glucose metabolism. Results: An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) showed that plasma glucose levels in the early phase were significantly higher in SUC‐fed mice than in ST‐fed or control mice, with no change in plasma insulin levels at any stage. SUC‐fed mice showed a significant improvement in insulin sensitivity. Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) secretion 15 min after oral glucose administration was significantly lower in SUC‐fed mice than in ST‐fed or control mice. Hepatic glucokinase (GCK) activity was significantly reduced in SUC‐fed mice. During the OGTT, the accumulation of glycogen in the liver was suppressed in SUC‐fed mice in a time‐dependent manner. Conclusions: These results indicate that mice that consume a moderate SUC show glucose intolerance with a reduction in hepatic GCK activity and impairment in GLP‐1 secretion. (J Diabetes Invest, doi: 10.1111/j.2040‐1124.2012.00208.x , 2012)     

Seroprevalence of seven high-risk HPV types in The Netherlands

Background

To obtain insight into the age-specific seroprevalence for seven high-risk human papillomavirus (hr-HPV) serotypes (HPV16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58) among the general population in the pre-vaccination era in The Netherlands.

Methods

From a cross-sectional population-based study (ISRCTN 20164309) performed in 2006/2007 6384 sera of men, women and children were tested for seven hr-HPV specific antibodies using a fluorescent bead-based multiplex immunoassay with virus-like particles of the seven HPV serotypes.

Results

An increase in seroprevalence was observed in adolescents, especially for the most prevalent HPV type 16 (up to 11.3%). The increase was most pronounced in women, but was less clear for the other six HPV serotypes. Relatively stable seroprevalences were found in the middle aged cohorts and a slight decrease in the elderly. For the age cohorts >14 years, the seroprevalence among women (25.2%) was higher compared with men (20.3%) (p = 0.0002). We found that 10.1% of the population was seropositive for multiple HPV serotypes.

Conclusions

The HPV vaccination program is targeted at preadolescents as is justified by the results in this study in which a step-up in HPV seroprevalence is observed at ages of sexual debut. Although direct interpretation of seroprevalence data are hampered by cross-reactivity and seroconversion rate, these data are useful as baseline to evaluate long-term population effects of the HPV16/18 vaccination program.     

Impact of personal and ambient-level exposures to nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter on cardiovascular function

This work explored the association between nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and PM_2.5 components with changes in cardiovascular function in an adult non-smoking cohort. The cohort consisted of 65 volunteers participating in the US EPA's Detroit Exposure and Aerosol Research Study (DEARS) and a University of Michigan cardiovascular sub-study. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP), heart rate (HR), brachial artery diameter (BAD), brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and nitroglycerin-mediated arterial dilatation (NMD) were collected by in-home examinations. A maximum of 336 daily environmental and health effect observations were obtained. Daily potassium air concentrations were associated with significant decreases in DBP (?0.0447 mmHg/ng/m³ ± 0.0132, p = 0.0016, lag day 0) among participants compliant with the personal monitoring protocol. Personal NO₂ exposures resulted in significant changes in BAD (e.g., 0.0041 mm/ppb ± 0.0019, p = 0.0353, lag day 1) and FMD (0.0612 ± 0.0235, p = 0.0103, lag day 0) among other findings.     

Improvement of Colonic Healing by Preoperative Rectal Irrigation With Short-Chain Fatty Acids in Rats Given Radiotherapy

BACKGROUND We investigated the effect of preoperative rectal irrigation with short-chain fatty acids on irradiated colonic anastomosis in rats.METHODS Sixty male Wistar rats were divided into four groups. Group I (control group, n = 15) underwent left colon resection and primary anastomosis. Group II (Short-chain fatty acids pretreatment group, n = 15) had short-chain fatty acids rectal irrigation for five days preoperatively. Group III (preoperative radiotherapy group, n = 15) underwent irradiation to the whole pelvis eight and four days before the operation, for a total dose of 20 Gy. Group IV (preoperative radiotherapy group + short-chain fatty acids pretreatment group, n = 15) had rectal irrigation with short-chain fatty acids for five days after the second irradiation. Within each group, animals were anesthetized to assess the clinical, mechanical, histologic, and biochemical parameters of anastomotic healing on either the third or seventh postoperative days.RESULTS The mean bursting pressure was significantly low in Group III on Day 3 and was significantly high in Group IV on Day 7 (P = 0.001, P = 0.021). The burst occurred at the anastomoses in all animals tested on the third postoperative day, and outside of the anastomoses in all animals tested on the seventh postoperative day. The histologic parameters of anastomotic healing, such as epithelial regeneration and formation of granulation tissue, were significantly improved by use of preoperative rectal irrigation with short-chain fatty acids on Day 7. The amount of total and salt-soluble collagen concentrations significantly increased in Group IV compared with the control group on Day 3 (P = 0.008, P = 0.004).CONCLUSION Some mechanical and histologic aspects of colonic anastomotic healing can be adversely affected by preoperative radiotherapy, but rectal irrigation with short-chain fatty acids may improve anastomotic healing.Supported by The Turkish Surgical Society, as funded by a grant from the Sanofi Pharma.     

Iron deficiency: a concise review

Iron deficiency is a major worldwide health problem. There is recent evidence that the anemia is only the last manifestation of the syndrome and that symptoms occur before the anemia is manifest. Advances in outlining the physiology of iron deficiency have been made, gaps remain in the current understanding. While oral iron supplement remains the mainstay, some indications for the intravenous administration have developed. This review will highlight the epidemiology, physiology, clinical presentation, and treatment options.     

慢性充血性心力衰竭患者心率变异性与病情的相关性分析

目的：为探讨心力衰竭（心衰）患者心率变异性与病情的关系。方法：本文采用时域及频域２种分析方法，对９２例心衰患者和５１例对照组健康人进行了心率变异性对比分析，并对部分患者（ｎ＝１０）及对照组健康人（ｎ＝２０）进行血浆儿茶酚胺（去甲肾上腺素、肾上腺素）浓度测定及心率变异性随访。结果：心衰患者的心率变异性显著低于对照组健康人；并且与病情及心功能明显相关（Ｐ＜０．０５～０．００１）；心衰患者中近期死亡者心率变异性进一步降低（Ｐ＜０．０５～０．００１）；心衰患者血浆去甲肾上腺素及肾上腺素浓度明显高于健康组（Ｐ＜０．０２～０．０１）。结论：心衰患者心率变异性降低提示，心衰患者心率变异性的数量变化，反应患者病情变化。高的血浆儿茶酚胺浓度间接说明了心衰患者心脏自主神经功能受损是神经激素系统持续激活的结果     

蔗糖铁注射液治疗维持性血液透析肾性贫血疗效分析

目的分析蔗糖铁注射液治疗维持性血液透析肾性贫血的临床疗效。方法将收治的维持性血液透析后发生肾性贫血的120例患者纳入研究,随机分组。在促红细胞生成素基础上对照组口服铁剂治疗,试验组静脉注射蔗糖铁治疗。连续治疗8w,对比两组患者Hb、Hct、SF、TSAT等指标的变化和不良反应的差异。结果与治疗前对比,治疗后患者Hb、Hct、SF、TSAT等指标均有所上升,其中试验组各指标上升幅度明显大于对照组,组间差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。与对照组对比,试验组患者治疗期间不良反应发生率较低,组间差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论采用蔗糖铁注射液治疗维持性血液透析肾性贫血,可明显改善贫血症状,且不良反应轻微,可在临床推广应用。     

Pharmacokinetics of Different Formulations of Tioctic (Alpha-Lipoic) Acid in Healthy Volunteers

This study was designed to evaluate in healthy volunteers plasma and cellular (in erythrocytes) of three formulations of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) available in Italy with different rates of absorption, two with a claimed high absorption rate (Byodinoral 600 QR, Tiocronal 600 HR) and one with a claimed prolonged absorption rate (Tiobec 600 retard). These formulations were compared with the registered ethic formulation of the compound (Thioctacid 600 mg HR), available in Germany. Area under the curve from time 0 to last measured time (AUC_t), peak plasma concentration (C_max) of ALA, and time (T_max ) at which C_max was observed were the plasma kinetic parameters measured. Concentration of ALA at different sampling times was the only parameter assessed for erythrocytes. The AUC_t values were similar for the four formulations of ALA tested. C_max was significantly higher for Byodinoral 600 QR, Tiocronal 600 HR compared to Thioctacid 600 mg HR or Tiobec 600 retard, whereas T_max value was significantly shorter for Byodinoral 600 QR in the order by Tiocronal 600 HR, Thioctacid 600 mg HR, and Tiobec 600 retard. ALA concentrations that accumulated in erytrocytes after the administration of the different formulations of the antioxidant are directly proportional to the plasma levels of each formulation. Because antioxidant capabilities of ALA depend on the glutathione regeneration the compound induces in cells, the most rationale approach for eliciting antioxidant activity at the cellular level is probably in the use of a formulation allowing the compound to reach its target at highest concentrations and in the shortest time.     

Systematic Reviews Published in the January 2013 Issue of the Cochrane Library

ABSTRACT

The Cochrane Library of Systematic Reviews is published quarterly as a DVD but monthly online (http://www.thecochranelibrary.com). The January 2013 issue (1st DVD for 2013) contains 5328 complete reviews, 2291 protocols for reviews in production, and almost 19,600 short summaries of systematic reviews published in the general medical literature. In addition, there are citations of 681,000 randomized controlled trials, and 15,700 cited papers in the Cochrane methodology register. The health technology assessment database contains some 12,000 citations. One hundred and twenty-two new reviews have been published in the previous 3 months, of which five have potential relevance for practitioners in pain and palliative medicine. The impact factor of the Cochrane Library stands at 5.715. Readers are encouraged to access the full report for any articles of interest as only a brief commentary is provided.     

AMITRIPTYLINE FOR NEUROPATHIC PAIN AND FIBROMYALGIA IN ADULTS

ABSTRACT

The Cochrane Library of Systematic Reviews is published quarterly as a DVD but monthly online (http://www.thecochranelibrary.com). The January 2013 issue (1st DVD for 2013) contains 5328 complete reviews, 2291 protocols for reviews in production, and almost 19,600 short summaries of systematic reviews published in the general medical literature. In addition, there are citations of 681,000 randomized controlled trials, and 15,700 cited papers in the Cochrane methodology register. The health technology assessment database contains some 12,000 citations. One hundred and twenty-two new reviews have been published in the previous 3 months, of which five have potential relevance for practitioners in pain and palliative medicine. The impact factor of the Cochrane Library stands at 5.715. Readers are encouraged to access the full report for any articles of interest as only a brief commentary is provided.