Hypoglycemic and hypocholesterolemic activities in vivo of polyphenols - popular components of dietary supplements

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of using different dietary levels of fenugreek seeds (0 , 1 , 2 & 3 %) on broiler performance, glucose and cholesterol levels in blood plasma. One hundred and eighty, one-day old broiler chicks were allocated into four treatment groups with three replicates each one (15chicks/replicate). Result showed a significant decrease in body weight and weight gain of chicks at 28 and 49 days of age, while a feed consumption increased sighificantly (p<0.05)with raising of the levels of fenugreek. Feed efficiency improved with decreasing fenugreek levels in the ration. The best efficiency was attained in the control group. There were no significant differences among treatment groups in percent weight of carcass pecies (thigh , drum stick , back and neck) but there were a significant decrease in the percent weights of breast and wings when using different fenugreek levels . Glucose and cholesterol levels in blood plasma (mg/100ml plasma) decreased significantly with increasing fenugreek levels in rations. It was concluded that using 1% fenugreek in broiler rations would warrant good performance and decrease glucose and cholesterol levels in blood plasma.

Objective: Cymbopogon citratus extract has been reported to have hypoglycemic properties but not much is known about its hypolipidemic effects. In this study it was aimed to demonstrate the hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic potentials of Cymbopogon citratus extract on alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Methods: Eighteen male albino rats of weights between 106-118 g were used for the study and divided into three groups of six rats each. The rats of the non-diabetic control group were given 1 ml of distilled water daily. Two other groups induced with diabetes using alloxan by a single dose administration of 120 mg/kg body weight (BW); one of these diabetic rat groups were treated with Cymbopogon citratus extract daily at 1.5 ml/100 g BW for 4 weeks while the other group was left untreated. Blood samples were collected and total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and glucose levels were assayed. Results: After four weeks of treatment, data indicated significant reductions in BW, blood glucose, TG, TC and LDL levels of diabetic rats treated with Cymbopogon citratus extract compared to the non-treated group. The treated diabetic rats also indicated significantly higher HDL levels compared to the non-treated group. Conclusion: Treatment of diabetic rats with the Cymbopogon citratus extract lowered blood glucose, TG, TC and LDL levels and increased the HDL level. This shows that the extract has both hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects.

This report summarizes our current understanding of how monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) affect risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). This is a topic that has attracted considerable scientific interest,1 2 3 in large part because of uncertainty regarding whether MUFA or carbohydrate should be substituted for saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and the desirable quantity of MUFA to include in the diet. MUFAs are distinguished from the other fatty acid classes on the basis of having only 1 double bond. In contrast, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have 2 or more double bonds, and SFAs have none. The position of the hydrogen atoms around the double bond determines the geometric configuration of the MUFA and hence whether it is a cis or trans isomer. In a cis MUFA, the hydrogen atoms are present on the same side of the double bond, whereas in the trans configuration, they are on opposite sides. The American Heart Association Nutrition Committee recently published a scientific statement regarding the relationship of trans MUFA to CVD risk,4 and the present statement, therefore, will be limited to a discussion of dietary cis MUFAs, of which oleic acid ( cis C18:1) comprises ≈92% of cis MUFAs. In the United States, average total MUFA intake is 13% to 14% of total energy intake, an amount that is comparable to (or slightly greater than) SFA intake. In contrast, PUFAs contribute less (ie, 7% of energy). The major emphasis of current dietary guidelines involves replacing SFAs with complex carbohydrates to achieve a total fat intake of ≤30% of calories. There is evidence suggesting that the substitution of MUFA instead of carbohydrate for SFA calories may favorably affect CVD risk.5 6 7 The American Heart Association dietary guidelines for healthy American adults recommend a diet that provides <10% of calories from SFA, up …

The very low density lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR), low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), and low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) are the three main apolipoprotein E-recognizing endocytic receptors involved in the clearance of triglyceride (TG)-rich lipoproteins from plasma. Whereas LDLR deficiency in mice results in the accumulation of plasma LDL-sized lipoproteins, VLDLR or LRP deficiency alone only minimally affects plasma lipoproteins. To investigate the combined effect of the absence of these receptors on TG-rich lipoprotein levels, we have generated unique VLDLR, LDLR, and LRP triple-deficient mice. Compared with wild-type mice, these mice markedly accumulated plasma lipids and lipases. These mice did not show aggravated hyperlipidemia compared with LDLR and LRP double-deficient mice, but plasma TG was increased after high-fat diet feeding. In addition, these mice showed a severely decreased postprandial TG clearance typical of VLDLR-deficient (VLDLR-/-) mice. Collectively, although VLDLR deficiency in LRP- and LDLR-/- mice does not aggravate hyperlipidemia, these triple-deficient mice represent a unique model of markedly delayed TG clearance on a hyperlipidemic background.

Background: The rising incidence of insulin resistance to epidemic proportions has closely paralleled the surge in the prevalence of diabetes and outpaced therapeutic advances in diabetes prevention and treatment. Thiazolidinediones and glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists are insulinotropic peptides and are being evaluated for the regulation of lipid profile in diabetes mellitus (DM). Thiazolidinedione and glucagon-like peptide-1 antagonists have anti- insulinotropic effects. Objectives: Evaluating the possible effects of thiazolidinediones and glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists, and their antagonists in lipoststic function in diabetic male albino rats. Materials and Methods: Seventy adult male albino rats were divided into seven equal groups: Group I served as a normal control group, group II was diabetic control, group III was diabetic group treated with thiazolidinedione agonist (pioglitazone), group IV was diabetic group treated with glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists (exendin-4), and group V was diabetic group treated with both pioglitazone and exendin-4, group VI was diabetic group treated with thiazolidinedione antagonist [Bisphenol A diglycidyl Ether (BADGE)], and group VII was diabetic group treated with glucagon-like peptide-1 antagonist (Exendin- 9-39). At the end of the experimental period, blood samples were collected for measuring of fasting blood glucose, insulin level, total cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), low density lipoproteins (LDL), high density lipoproteins (HDL), aspartate transaminase (AST), and alanine transaminase (ALT). Body weights at the beginning and at the end of the study were determined. Results: Alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus was associated with significant higher levels of serum blood glucose, total cholesterol, TG and LDL-C, AST, and ALT, with significant lower levels of insulin, and HDL-C as compared to the control normal group. Pioglitazone, exendin-4 or both showed significant lower levels of blood glucose, total cholesterol, TG, LDL-C, AST, and ALT, and significant higher levels of insulin and HDL-C as compared with the control diabetic rats. BADGE and exendin-9-39 revealed significant higher levels of serum blood glucose, total cholesterol, TG, LDL-C, AST, and ALT, and significant lower levels of insulin and HDL-C as compared with the control normal group. As regards the differences between pioglitazone (group III) with exendine-4 group (group IV), the obtained data showed insignificant changes in all parameters. There were insignificant changes also between groups VI and VII in all parameters. Conclusion: Thiazolidinediones and glucagon- like peptide-1 agonists therapy has a marked effect on improvement of blood glucose, lipid profile and liver enzymes, while their antagonists blocked insulin secretion and impaired liver enzymes.

Reduced plasma HDL cholesterol concentration has been associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease. However, a low HDL cholesterol concentration is usually not observed as an isolated disorder because this condition is often accompanied by additional metabolic alterations. The objective of this study was to document the relevance of assessing HDL particle size as another feature of the atherogenic dyslipidemia found among subjects with visceral obesity and insulin resistance. For that purpose, an average HDL particle size was computed by calculating an integrated HDL particle size using nondenaturing 4-30% gradient gel electrophoresis. Potential associations between this average HDL particle size versus morphometric and metabolic features of visceral obesity were examined in a sample of 238 men. Results of this study indicated that HDL particle size was a significant correlate of several features of an atherogenic dyslipidemic profile such as increased plasma TG, decreased HDL cholesterol, high apolipoprotein B, elevated cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio, and small LDL particles as well as increased levels of visceral adipose tissue (AT) (0.33 < or = absolute value of r < or = 0.61, P < 0.0001). Thus, men with large HDL particles had a more favorable plasma lipoprotein-lipid profile compared with those with smaller HDL particles. Furthermore, men with large HDL particles were also characterized by reduced overall adiposity and lower levels of visceral AT as well as reduced insulinemic-glycemic responses to an oral glucose load. In conclusion, small HDL particle size appears to represent another feature of the high TG- low HDL cholesterol dyslipidemia found in viscerally obese subjects characterized by hyperinsulinemia.

To investigate the tolerability, efficacy, and mode of action of Caiapo, an extract of white sweet potatoes, on metabolic control in type 2 diabetic patients. A total of 61 type 2 diabetic patients treated by diet were given 4 g Caiapo (n = 30; mean age 55.2 +/- 2.1 years; BMI 28.0 +/- 0.4 kg/m(2)) or placebo (n = 31; mean age 55.6 +/- 1.5 years; BMI 27.6 +/- 0.3 kg/m(2)) once daily for 12 weeks. Each subject underwent a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at baseline and after 1, 2, and 3 months to assess 2-h glucose levels. Additionally, fasting blood glucose, HbA(1c), total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were measured. After treatment with Caiapo, HbA(1c) decreased significantly (P < 0.001) from 7.21 +/- 0.15 to 6.68 +/- 0.14%, whereas it remained unchanged (P = 0.23) in subjects given placebo (7.04 +/- 0.17 vs. 7.10 +/- 0.19%). Fasting blood glucose levels decreased (P < 0.001) in the Caiapo group (143.7 +/- 1.9 vs. 128.5 +/- 1.7 mg/dl) and did not change in the placebo group (144.3 +/- 1.9 vs. 138.2 +/- 2.1 mg/dl; P = 0.052). A decrease in body weight was observed in both the placebo group (P = 0.0027) and in the Caiapo group (P < 0.0001), probably due to a better- controlled lifestyle. In the Caiapo group, body weight was related to the improvement in glucose control (r = 0.618; P < 0.0002). Two-hour glucose levels were significantly (P < 0.001) decreased in the Caiapo group (193.3 +/- 10.4 vs. 162.8 +/- 8.2 mg/dl) compared with the placebo group (191.7 +/- 9.2 vs. 181.0 +/- 7.1 mg/dl). Mean cholesterol at the end of the treatment was significantly lower in the Caiapo group (214.6 +/- 11.2 mg/dl) than in the placebo group (248.7 +/- 11.2 mg/dl; P < 0.05). No significant changes in triglyceride levels or blood pressure were observed, and Caiapo was well tolerated without significant adverse effects. This study confirms the beneficial effects of Caiapo on plasma glucose as well as cholesterol levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. For the first time, the long-term efficacy of Caiapo on glucose control was demonstrated by the observed decrease in HbA(1c). Thus, the neutraceutical Caiapo seems to be a useful agent in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

BackgroundThe prevalence of obesity is increasing in industrialized countries. Obesity increases the risk of coronary artery disease, stroke, cancer, hypertension, and type-2 diabetes. Unfortunately, conventional obesity drug treatment is often associated with adverse effects. The objective of this study was to evaluate a novel natural formula, Weight loss herbal intervention therapy (W-LHIT), developed from traditional Chinese medicine, for weight control in a high-fat-diet (HFD) induced obesity murine model.MethodsTwo sets of experiments were performed. In experiment 1, 14-week-old C57BL/6 J male mice were fed with HFD for 21days and then separated into 3 weight-matched groups. One group continued on the HFD as obese-controls. Two groups were switched from HFD to normal fat level diet (NFD) and sham or W-LHIT treated. In experiment 2, 25-week-old obese mice, following 2weeks acclimatization, received either W-LHIT or sham treatment while maintained on HFD. In both sets of experiments, NFD fed, age matched normal weight mice served as normal controls. Body weight and food intake were recorded. Epididymal fat pad weight, serum glucose and cholesterol levels, as well as PPARγ and FABP4 gene expression in epididymal fat tissue were analyzed at the end of the experiment.ResultsIn experiment 1, W-LHIT treated obese mice lost body weight 12.2 ± 3.8% whereas sham treated mice lost 5.5 ± 2.8% by day 10 after switching from the HFD to the NFD, without reduction of chow consumption. In experiment 2, W-LHIT treated obese mice maintained on the HFD had significantly lower body weight (8 fold less) than the sham treated mice. W-LHIT treatment also reduced epididymal fat pad weight, blood cholesterol and glucose levels versus sham treated mice without reduced chow consumption. In addition, significantly increased PPARγ (peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ) and FABP4 (fatty acid binding protein 4) gene expression were found in epdidymal fat tissues. Liver and kidney function and hematology testing results of W-LHIT treated mice were within the normal range.ConclusionsW-LHIT significantly and safely reduced body weight, normalized glucose and cholesterol levels in obese mice, without suppression of appetite, and increased adipocyte PPARγ and FABP4 gene expression.

Calpain-10 is a component of the obesity-related quantitative trait locus Adip1

Effect of bromocriptine on lipid plasma levels in rats

Obesity is known as a main cause of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. However, the relationship between blood glucose and cholesterol levels among the obese subjects who are diagnosed as pre-diabetic is indistinct and still undergoing. Thus, this study is mainly focused on finding the linkage between blood glucose and cholesterol levels in the pre-diabetic subjects as to explain the cause of diabetes and cardiovascular. 90 subjects (42 male and 48 female; age between 22–58 years old) were recruited in Universiti Malaysia Pahang to undergo oral glucose tolerance test which typically being used to diagnose pre-diabetes and diabetes. The blood test results indicate the glucose level and lipid profile (i.e. the cholesterol levels) of the subjects. Results obtained from pathology lab were analyzed using decision tree to show the difference of blood glucose and cholesterol levels along with their age, systolic blood pressure and body mass index. Overall, older people, high systolic blood pressure, cholesterol and BMI levels have higher probability to be detected as pre-diabetic. Thus, further analyses need to be conducted to prevail the relationship of diabetes and cardiovascular disease among aging and obese subjects.

Dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus have been appropriately highlighted as established predictors of cardiovascular disease. These risk factors have become preeminent targets for influencing cardiovascular risk; their assessment, treatment, and monitoring are major emphases of clinical care, research investigation, treatment guidelines, organization position papers, and measures of physician and hospital performance. Notably, lifestyle risk factors, including dietary habits, physical inactivity, smoking, and adiposity, strongly influence the established cardiovascular risk factors and also affect novel pathways of risk such as inflammation/oxidative stress, endothelial function, thrombosis/coagulation, and arrhythmia. Furthermore, modest alterations of these lifestyle risk factors are achievable and have substantial effects on cardiovascular risk. Thus, basic lifestyle habits should be considered fundamental risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Although efforts to combat established and novel risk factors with pharmacological treatments are important and should continue, we call for a systematic rebalancing of current research, clinical care, and policy efforts to focus more on lifestyle. The rising costs of healthcare and the epidemics of overweight and obesity highlight the inadequacies of our current strategy. Substantially more resources should be directed toward research on lifestyle risk factors, their determinants, and effective interventions to change them. The clinical evaluation and treatment of dietary, physical activity, and smoking habits must become as routine and familiar as assessment of blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose levels. Major policy initiatives and reimbursement guidelines must also be rebalanced to emphasize lifestyle risk factors. Cardiovascular diseases are leading causes of death and disability among men and women in nearly all nations.1 Identification of persons at higher or lower risk for cardiovascular events is important to facilitate effective use of resources and interventions to reduce disease burden among individuals and in society. Each of the established risk factors for cardiovascular disease—age, gender, dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and smoking—have been appropriately highlighted …

The Saesaengmyung Diet (SD) is a newly developed dietary product to help control weight. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether SD combined with a high-fat (HF) diet could influence body weight, fat accumulation, and glucose levels in blood. C57BL/6J mice were fed for 8 weeks with a standard diet, an HF diet, and an HF + 10% or HF + 20% SD diet. Body weight was recorded weekly, and plasma levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and glucose were analyzed at the end of the study. Weight increases in the 10% or 20% SD group were significantly less than in the HF diet group (p < 0.05). Plasma total cholesterol level significantly decreased by 33.5% in the 10% SD group and 38.8% in the 20% SD group, but the LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and glucose levels in the SD groups were not significantly changed. Our findings indicate that SD may be beneficial to overweight individuals in the reduction of weight gain induced by an HF diet.

D-pinitol (3-O-methyl-chiroinositol), an active principle of the traditional antidiabetic plant, Bougainvillea spectabilis, is claimed to exert insulin-like effects. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of D-pinitol on lipids and lipoproteins in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic Wistar rats. Rats were made type II diabetic by single intraperitoneal injection of STZ at a dose of 40 mg/kg body weight. STZ-induced diabetic rats showed significant (p < 0.05) increase in the levels of blood glucose and total cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids, and phospholipids in serum, liver, kidney, heart, and brain. The levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol were significantly increased, and the level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was significantly decreased in diabetic rats Oral administration of D-pinitol to STZ-induced diabetic rats showed significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the levels of blood glucose and total cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids, and phospholipids in serum, liver, kidney, heart, and brain. The D-pinitol also lowered significantly (p < 0.05) LDL and VLDL cholesterol levels and increased significantly (p < 0.05) HDL cholesterol levels in the serum of diabetic rats. Thus, the present study clearly showed the antihyperlipidemic effect of D-pinitol in STZ-induced type II diabetic rats.

The association of hyperglycemia and hypercholesterolemia with use of atypical antipsychotics has been documented in case reports and uncontrolled studies. The authors' goal was to assess the effects of clozapine, olanzapine, risperidone, and haloperidol on glucose and cholesterol levels in hospitalized patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder during a randomized double-blind 14-week trial. One hundred fifty-seven patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who were inpatients at four hospitals were originally included in the study. The 14-week trial consisted of an 8-week fixed-dose period and a 6-week variable-dose period. Planned assessments included fasting glucose and cholesterol, which were collected at baseline and at the end of the 8-week period and the following 6-week period. One hundred eight of the 157 patients provided blood samples at baseline and at least at one point after random assignment to clozapine, olanzapine, risperidone, or haloperidol during the treatment trial. Seven of these patients had diabetes; their glucose levels were >125 mg/dl at baseline. Data from 101 patients were used for statistical analyses. During the initial 8-week period there was an overall significant increase in mean glucose levels. There were significant increases in glucose levels at the end of the 8-week fixed-dose period for patients given clozapine (N=27) and those given haloperidol (N=25). The olanzapine group showed a significant increase of glucose levels at the end of the 6-week variable-dose period (N=22). Fourteen of the 101 patients developed abnormal glucose levels (>125 mg/dl) during the trial (six with clozapine, four with olanzapine, three with risperidone, and one with haloperidol). Cholesterol levels were increased at the end of the 8-week fixed-dose period for the patients given clozapine (N=27) and those given olanzapine (N=26); cholesterol levels were also increased at the end of the 6-week variable-dose period for patients given olanzapine (N=22). In this prospective randomized trial, clozapine, olanzapine, and haloperidol were associated with an increase of plasma glucose level, and clozapine and olanzapine were associated with an increase in cholesterol levels. The mean changes in glucose and cholesterol levels remained within clinically normal ranges, but approximately 14% of the patients developed abnormally high glucose levels during the course of their participation in the study.