Controlling Fasting Blood Glucose Levels Research Articles

Carbohydrate and Fiber Intake on Fasting Blood Glucose Levels In Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus after Intervention of Brown Rice Diet

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia that occurs due to a decrease in insulin secretion by pancreatic beta cells and insulin resistance. One of the pillars in the management of T2DM is medical nutrition therapy in the form of a balanced diet. A good intake of carbohydrates and fiber can help control fasting blood glucose levels of diabetic patients. This study aims to determine the relationship between carbohydrate and fiber intake on fasting blood glucose levels in patients with T2DM after the intervention of brown rice diet. The type used in this study was pre-experimental without control variables and the sample was not selected randomly. The design was one-shot case study by looking at the post-test results. The number of samples was 18 people aged 48–60 years. Data analysis used the Shapiro Wilk normality test and Spearman correlation test. The results showed that most of the respondents had normal carbohydrate intake (88.9%) and all respondents had good fiber intake (100%). Most of the respondents had uncontrolled fasting blood glucose levels (55.6%). There is no relationship between carbohydrate and fiber intake on fasting blood glucose levels after the intervention of a brown rice-based diet menu.

Antiobesity Activity of Two Polyherbal Formulations in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese C57BL/6J Mice.

Obesity and overweight have posed a severe threat to humanity, needing urgent efforts for the development of safe and effective therapeutic interventions. In this research work, we have developed two polyherbal formulations A and B basically consisting of Helianthus tuberosus root powder (also called inulin of synanthrin) along with other herbs for the treatment of obesity. Evaluation of the antioxidant activity of both formulations using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) free radical scavenging assays showed good antioxidant potentials. Both formulations A and B showed good antiobesity activity on a diet-induced obesity (DIO) model of mice by effectively lowering the body weight of mice compared to the high-fat diet (HFD) control mice, mainly by reducing the food efficiency ratio (FER). Furthermore, both formulations ameliorated lipoprotein misbalances induced by obesity and thus decreased the atherogenic index. Treatment with both formulations significantly decreased the liver and epididymal white adipose tissue (WAT) weight. This was supported by the improvement in steatosis of the liver and reduced hypertrophy in WAT on histological examination. In addition, formulations A and B have been seen as effective in controlling fasting blood glucose levels probably by alleviating HFD-induced insulin resistance. All of these results collectively suggest that formulations A and B serve as potentially safe and effective herbal interventions to control obesity and its comorbidities.

FOSHU-approved Fibersol®-2 product review

Fibersol®-2 is manufactured by Matsutani Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. and is sold as a tasteless powder or liquid to be added to foods or beverages. It is approved by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare as a “Standardized FOSHU (Food for Specified Health Uses)” ingredient that contains the bioactive compound, digestion-resistant maltodextrin. Its current designated functions under FOSHU are as a dietary fiber for improving intestinal regularity and for controlling postprandial blood glucose and triglyceride levels. Furthermore, clinical trials have been done in human and animal subjects to investigate other potential health benefits. This product review focuses on English-language publications of studies that tested Fibersol-2 on human subjects. From these studies, there is evidence that Fibersol-2 plays a role in controlling fasting blood glucose levels, improving intestinal function and metabolic syndrome, and increasing satiety in human subjects. However, more studies are needed to draw definite conclusions about the amounts of Fibersol-2 that are needed to observe each health benefit and to confirm the efficacy and significance of Fibersol-2’s benefits in the larger population, particularly the benefits that aren’t designated under FOSHU.Keywords: Fibersol-2, FOSHU, glucose control, metabolic syndrome, intestinal benefit, microbiome, dietary fiber, satiety

Magnoflorine prevent the skeletal muscle atrophy via Akt/mTOR/FoxO signal pathway and increase slow-MyHC production in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Ethnopharmacological relevanceTinospora cordifolia (TC) is being used as a blood purifier in Ayurveda since ancient time. It is a very popular immunomodulator and holds anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative potential, hence anti-aging properties. Therefore, it is also known as ‘Amrita’ in Ayurveda and is widely used to treat diabetes mellitus type II (T2DM) and its secondary complications; however, its underlying mechanism was not expedited to date. Aim-To explore the in vivo therapeutic efficiency and mechanism of action of TC and its secondary constitute magnoflorine on the skeletal muscle atrophy in the rat model of T2DM. MethodAnimal model of T2DM was developed using streptozotocin (STZ) injection followed by intervention with TC, metformin, and magnoflorine for three weeks. Confirmation of T2DM and abrogation of atrophic markers and possible mechanisms on supplementation of TC and magnoflorine were explored using histology, bio-assays, Western blotting, and q-PCR. ResultTC and Magnoflorine supplementations significantly (p ≤ 0.05) decreased the fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels in T2DM rats. Both treatments prevented the lean body, individual skeletal muscle mass, and myotubes diameter loss (p ≤ 0.05). Magnoflorine significantly reduced the degradation of the protein indicated by biochemical markers of atrophy i.e. decreased serum creatine kinase (CK) levels and increased myosin heavy chain-β (MyHC-β) levels in muscles. Q-PCR and western blotting supported the findings that magnoflorine significantly increased the mRNA and protein abundances (~3 fold) of MyHC-β.TC and magnoflorine efficiently decreased the expression of ubiquitin-proteasomal E3-ligases (Fn-14/TWEAK, MuRF1, and Atrogin 1), autophagy (Bcl-2/LC3B), and caspase related genes along with calpains activities in T2DM rats. Both TC and magnoflorine also increased the activity of superoxide dismutase, GSH-Px, decreased the activities of β-glucuronidase, LPO, and prevented any alteration in the catalase activity. In contrast, magnoflorine increased expression of TNF-α and IL-6 whereas TC and metformin efficiently decreased the levels of these pro-inflammatory cytokines (p ≤ 0.05). However, magnoflorine was found to increase phosphorylation of Akt more efficiently than TC and metformin. ConclusionTC, and magnoflorine are found to be effective to control fasting blood glucose levels significantly in T2DM rats. It also promoted the Akt phosphorylation, suppressed autophagy and proteolysis that might be related to blood glucose-lowering efficacy of magnoflorine and TC. However, increased muscle weight, specifically of the soleus muscle, expression of IL-6, and slow MyHC indicated the increased myogenesis in response to magnoflorine and independent from its hypoglycemic activity.

Pathophysiology of STZ-induced pancreatic β cell injury and dysfunction: traditional role of Boswellia ovalifoliolata Bal. & Henry on diabetes and dyslipidemia

Streptozotocin induces diabetic pathophysiology that results in systematic apoptosis in pancreas that ultimately leads to diabetes characterized by abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism. The severity of diabetes increases along with life-threatening complications and side effects associated with oral hypoglycemic drugs. So, there is a need for traditional medicines with less or no side effects. Boswellia ovalifoliolata is a traditionally used medicinal plant. This study was aimed to investigate the antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic activities of aqueous extract of stem bark of Boswellia ovalifoliolata (AESBBO). The phytochemical analysis of various extracts revealed the presence of flavonoids, glycosides, steroids, triterpenes, saponins, carbohydrates, alkaloids, and tannins. Either hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol extracts did not produce any antidiabetic activity but aqueous extract showed that a significant antidiabtic activity could be due to presence of phytoconstituents like flavonoids, tannins, carbohydrates, and saponins in aqueous extract. The diabetic rats were treated with aqueous extract at a dosage of 200 mg/kg bw for 40 days. At the end of the study, the rats were dissected; blood and pancreas samples were collected to investigate the long-term effects. AESBBO exhibited antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic potential effects by controlling fasting blood glucose levels, glycosylated hemoglobin, and lipid profiles with improved levels of plasma insulin. Histopathological investigation of pancreatic islets also confirmed that AESBBO efficiently ameliorated pancreatic alterations by improving damaged islets. Finally, it was concluded that the aqueous extract of stem bark of Boswellia ovalifoliolata at a dose of 200 mg/kg bw has significant antidiabetic and hyperlipidemic activities without causing any toxic effects.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to investigate the anti-diabetic effect of Citrus junos Tanaka peel

The effect of ethanol extracts of Citrus junos Tanaka (yuja) peel (YE) on glucose control in subjects with impaired fasting glucose was evaluated. In this double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled study, the participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups, placebo control or YE intervention group. We determined fasting plasma glucose (FPG), postprandial glucose (PPG), and fasting plasma insulin (FPI) concentrations; homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR); and safety before and after the 8-week supplementation with YE or placebo. After 8 weeks of intervention, the YE group showed significantly lower FPG levels, FPI, and HOMA-IR compared to the placebo group. PPG and c-peptide were slightly reduced in the YE groups. There was no significant difference between the groups in safety parameters. Thus, these results suggest that YE may be effective for controlling fasting blood glucose levels and may serve as a useful supplement in subjects with prediabetes.

Black Soy Peptide Supplementation Improves Glucose Control in Subjects with Prediabetes and Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

The present study aimed to determine the effect of black soy peptide supplementation on glucose control in subjects with prediabetes (impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance) and newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). In this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, subjects with prediabetes and type 2 DM were randomly assigned to the placebo control group or the black soy peptide intervention group. We determined fasting serum concentrations of glucose, hemoglobin A1c, insulin, and free fatty acids, performed a 2-hour postload glucose (2-hour PG) test, and compared serum lipid profiles before and after the 12-week supplementation. In particular, subjects with fasting glucose ≥ 110 mg/dL who consumed black soy peptides tended to have lower fasting glucose levels (two-tailed test, P = .098; one-tailed test, P = .049) and had a significant reduction in 2-hour PG level (two-tailed P = .012, one-tailed P = .006), compared with baseline levels. The changes in 2-hour PG levels were also statistically significant in the intervention group (-41.25 ± 13.67 mg/dL) compared with the placebo group (12.42 ± 9.80 mg/dL; two-tailed P = .015, one-tailed P = .008). In contrast, hemoglobin A1c levels were not significantly improved by the dietary intervention. In conclusion, black soy peptide supplementation may be beneficial for controlling fasting blood glucose levels and 2-hour PG levels.

Elevation of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β and interleukin-6 levels in aortic intima of Chinese Guizhou minipigs with streptozotocin-induced diabetes

Large animal models with toxin-mediated pancreatic damage have been used extensively in researches with respect to diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diabetic complications. The present study aimed to establish Chinese Guizhou minipig models with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes and characterize the animal models by analyzing inflammatory cytokine levels in aortic wall, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Twenty-two male Chinese Guizhou minipigs (age, 4 to 6 months; weight, 20 kg to 30 kg) were divided into STZ-induced diabetic group (n = 12) and control group (n = 10). STZ (125 mg/kg) was administrated to induce hyperglycemia and afterwards insulin was used to control fasting blood glucose levels below 10 mmol/L. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed before and one month after STZ administration and serum concentrations of alanine transaminase, asparagine transaminase, albumin, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, lipids and white blood cell count were measured before and six months later. Animals in both groups were euthanized after six months and pancreas was examined immunohistochemically for islet beta cells. Aortic intima of diabetic minipigs and controls was analyzed for TNF-alpha level in tissue conditioned medium by Western blot. TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6 mRNA levels in aortic intima were assayed by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Significant elevation in serum glucose levels was observed one month and six months after STZ induction (P < 0.001) and markedly increased OGTT values were noted, compared with baseline data. The normal pancreas had many irregular sized islets and small clusters of islet beta cells, while in pancreas of diabetic minipigs islet beta cells almost disappeared. No statistical difference was notified in serum concentrations of biochemical examinations before and six months after STZ induction. Western blot demonstrated dramatically increased TNF-alpha level in aotic intima conditioned medium, and significant elevation of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6 mRNA levels was revealed by RT-PCR. The present study has established Chinese Guizhou minipig models with STZ-induced diabetes. Inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6) significantly elevated in aortic intima of diabetic minipigs.