Fasting Plasma Insulin Levels Research Articles

Peach gum polysaccharides improve the spermatogenesis of KKAy mice with impaired reproduction system.

Peach gum polysaccharides (PGPs) exhibit antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Nevertheless, the effect of PGPs on the spermatogenesis of KKAy mice with impaired reproduction system remains undetermined. PGPs were extracted with hot water. KKAy mice were randomly divided into two groups, namely, control and PGPs (treated with 100mg/kg PGPs). Oral administration of PGPs decreased the levels of serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, plasma insulin, and nitrate nitrogen level in the testes of KKAy mice. Moreover, treatment with PGPs increased the sperm density, sperm movement, rate of normal sperm morphology, protein expression level, and superoxide dismutase activity. PGPs can effectively protect the spermatogenesis of KKAy mice with impaired reproduction system.

Vitamin D status is not related to insulin resistance in different phenotypes of moderate obesity

Low plasma 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25OHD) and high levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) are associated with obesity and could play a role in the occurrence of complications such as insulin resistance. The objective of the study was to evaluate whether the relationship between 25OHD status and phosphocalcic parameters differs between metabolically healthy obese (MHO) and insulin-resistant obese (IRO). This cross-sectional study included 158 consecutive adults (121 females) with obesity (body mass index (BMI) 35.15 ± 2.8 kg/m2), aged 43.21 ± 13.6 years. Serum 25OHD, calcemia, phosphatemia, PTH, plasma lipids, fasting plasma glucose, insulin levels, and body composition were measured. Participants were classified as MHO (n = 65) or IRO (n = 93) based on homeostatic model assessment insulin-resistance value. IRO patients had a higher BMI (p = 0.001), waist circumference (p = 0.03), and trunk fat mass (p = 0.007) than MHO patients. Mean HbA1c (p = 0.03), triglycerides (p = 0.02), and hsCRP (p = 0.04) plasmatic levels were increased in the IRO group. No between-group difference was found on 25OHD, PTH, calcium, or phosphorus plasmatic levels. Only age-predicted 25OHD levels were identified among IRO participants, whereas no factors were identified in MHO. No predictive factors of PTH plasmatic level were identified in the IRO and MHO groups. Although MHO and IRO patients have different metabolic profiles, we did not detect any difference regarding either 25OHD or PTH. Insulin resistance was not a predictive factor of vitamin D status. Our results confirm the absence of link between vitamin D status and insulin resistance in moderate obesity.

Association of Plasma Ghrelin Levels with Insulin Resistance in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus among Saudi Subjects.

BackgroundAlthough the exact mechanism of insulin resistance (IR) has not yet been established, IR is the hallmark characteristic of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between plasma ghrelin levels and IR in Saudi subjects with T2DM.MethodsPatients with T2DM (n=107, cases) and non-diabetic apparently healthy subjects (n=101, controls) from Saudi Arabia were included in this study. The biochemical profiles and plasma insulin levels of all subjects were analyzed, and IR was estimated using the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index. Active ghrelin levels in plasma were measured using the radioimmunoassay technique.ResultsOnly 46.7% (50 of 107) of the T2DM subjects had IR, including 26% (28 of 107) with severe IR (HOMA-IR ≥5), while 5.9% (six of 101) of the controls had moderate IR (3 ≤HOMA-IR <5). HOMA-IR values were not associated with age, disease duration, or gender. Importantly, T2DM itself and the co-occurrence of IR with T2DM were significantly associated with low plasma ghrelin levels. However, ghrelin levels were inversely correlated with the HOMA-IR index, body weight, and fasting plasma insulin levels, mainly in the control subjects, which was indicative of the breakdown of metabolic homeostasis in T2DM.ConclusionThe prevalence of IR was relatively low, and IR may be inversely associated with plasma ghrelin levels among Saudi patients with T2DM.

Improvement of Insulin Secretion and Pancreatic β-cell Function in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats Treated with Aloe vera Extract.

Background:Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia. Plant extracts and their products are being used as an alternative system of medicine for the treatment of diabetes. Aloe vera has been traditionally used to treat several diseases and it exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing effects. Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced Wistar diabetic rats were used in this study to understand the potential protective effect of A. vera extract on the pancreatic islets.Objective:The aim of the present study was to evaluate the A. vera extract on improvement of insulin secretion and pancreatic β-cell function by morphometric analysis of pancreatic islets in STZ-induced diabetic Wistar rats.Materials and Methods:After acclimatization, male Wistar rats, maintained as per the Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals guidelines, were randomly divided into four groups of six rats each. Fasting plasma glucose and insulin levels were assessed. The effect of A. vera extract in STZ-induced diabetic rats on the pancreatic islets by morphometric analysis was evaluated.Results:Oral administration of A. vera extract (300 mg/kg) daily to diabetic rats for 3 weeks showed restoration of blood glucose levels to normal levels with a concomitant increase in insulin levels upon feeding with A. vera extract in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Morphometric analysis of pancreatic sections revealed quantitative and qualitative gain in terms of number, diameter, volume, and area of the pancreatic islets of diabetic rats treated with A. vera extract when compared to the untreated diabetic rats.Conclusion:A. vera extract exerts antidiabetic effects by improving insulin secretion and pancreatic β-cell function by restoring pancreatic islet mass in STZ-induced diabetic Wistar rats.SUMMARY Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and insulin levels were restored to normal levels in diabetic rats treated with Aloe vera extractIslets of pancreas were qualitatively and quantitatively restored to normalcy leading to restoration of FPG and insulin levels of diabetic rats treated with Aloe vera extractMorphometric analysis of pancreatic sections revealed quantitative and qualitative gain in terms of number, diameter, volume, and area of the pancreatic islets of diabetic rats treated with Aloe vera extract when compared to the untreated diabetic rats. Abbreviations Used: A. vera, FPG: Fasting plasma glucose, STZ: Streptozotocin, BW: Body weight

Tanı Almamış Tip 2 Diyabet İçin Bir Tarama Metodu Olarak Fin Diyabet Risk Anketi (FINDRISK) Uygulanabilir mi?

Objective:In this study, we aimed to investigate the applicability of the Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISC) as a screening tool for undiagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Methods: This cross-sectional analytic study was carried out on 479 persons referred to the Outpatient Clinic of Family Medicine. The risk of developing Type 2 diabetes mellitus was assessed using the FINDRISC.LDL-c, HDL-c, total cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose and insulin levels were measured in the blood of the patients taken after 10-12 hours of fasting.For insulin resistance, HOMA IR (Homeostasis Model Assessment) was calculated by using fasting plasma glucose (FBG) and insulin levels. Results: In all the participants, 73.9% (n=354) were female, 26.1% (n=125) were male, the mean age was 35.14±10.77. The Diabetes risk was increasing with low education level, marriage, unemployment, obesity and sedentary lifestyle. Age, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly higher in the high and very high risk group than other groups (p<0.001). A significant positive correlation were found between the FINDRISC score and FBG, insulin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-c, as well as a negative correlation with HDL-c level (p<0.001). The frequency of insulin resistance were higher in the moderate risk group, this difference was statistically very significant (p<0.001). Conclusion: Type 2 diabetes is a major health problem in our country as well as all over the world. FINDRISC can be used as a simple and noninvasive screening tool to identify individuals at high risk for diabetes in the adults.

Aegle marmelos impedes onset of insulin resistance syndrome in rats provided with drinking fructose from weaning to adulthood stages of development - a mechanistic study.

In this study, we explored the effect of aqueous extract of leaves of Aegle marmelos (AM) on hepatic carbohydrate metabolism and insulin downstream signalling in rats given fructose (15%) in drinking water from weaning to adulthood. Wistar albino rats (4 weeks old) were randomly divided into normal control (NC), fructose control (FC), and treatment (AMT) groups and were fed for a period of 8 weeks the following diets: chow + water, chow + fructose (15%), and chow + fructose (15%) + AM (500 mg/kg per day, p.o.), respectively. Compared with the NC group, the FC group was found to have significantly (p < 0.05) raised levels of fasting blood glucose, lipid, visceral mass, plasma insulin and leptin, glycogen, and gluconeogenesis enzyme but decreased glycolytic enzyme activity. Raised levels of glucose transporter 2 protein but decreased activity of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K/Akt) and Janus kinase - signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (JAK-STAT3) in hepatic tissue indicate a state of insulin and leptin resistance in the FC group. A significant (p < 0.05) lowering of physical and glycemic parameters, strengthening of the hepatic glycolytic pathway over the gluconeogenic pathway, and upregulation of the PI3K/Akt and JAK-STAT3 pathways was observed in the AMT group, as compared with the FC group. For the first time, the mechanism underlying the development of insulin resistance syndrome is delineated here, along with the potential of A. marmelos to impede it.

Complex association of serum alanine aminotransferase with the risk of future cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetes

Background and aimsWe aimed to determine the prospective association between baseline serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and the incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) in people with type 2 diabetes. MethodsIn an open cohort setting, people with type 2 diabetes were followed for their first ever CVD presentation from 1995 to 2015. Statistical methods included Cox regression analysis for reporting of hazard ratios (HRs), artificial neural network modelings, and risk reclassification analyses. ResultsWe found a nearly constant CVD hazard with baseline serum ALT levels below the 30 IU/L mark, whereas baseline serum ALT levels ≥ 30 IU/L remained an independent predictor of lower CVD rates in patients with type 2 diabetes in the final multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model (HR: 0.204, 95%CI [0.060–0.689], pfor trend value = 0.006). Age, male gender and fasting plasma insulin levels independently predicted baseline serum ALT ≥ 30 IU/L among the population cohort. Augmentation of serum ALT into the weighted Framingham risk score resulted in a considerable net reclassification improvement (NRI) of coronary heart disease (CHD) risk prediction in the study population (NRI = 9.05% (8.01%–10.22%), p value < 0.05). ConclusionsSerum ALT could successfully reclassify about 9% of the population with type 2 diabetes across the CHD-affected and CHD-free categories. Overall, our findings demonstrate a complex and nonlinear relationship for the risk of future CVD by baseline serum ALT levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Further studies are warranted to confirm whether this complex association could be translated into a clearly visible U or J-shaped figure.

Piracetam Facilitates the Anti-Amnesic but not Anti-Diabetic Activity of Metformin in Experimentally Induced Type-2 Diabetic Encephalopathic Rats.

Piracetam exhibits anti-amnesic activity in several animal models of dementia. However, its anti-amnesic potential has yet to be evaluated in type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)-induced encephalopathy. Therefore, in the present study, piracetam (25, 50 and 100mg/kg) was screened for anti-amnesic and anti-diabetic activity in T2DM-induced encephalopathic male rats. Subsequently, anti-amnesic and anti-diabetic activities were evaluated for piracetam, metformin and their combination in T2DM-induced encephalopathic animals. Rats received streptozotocin (45mg/kg) and nicotinamide (110mg/kg) injections on day-1 (D-1) of the experimental schedule and were kept undisturbed for 35days to exhibit T2DM-induced encephalopathy. All drug treatments were continued from D-7 to D-35 in both experiments. Piracetam (100mg/kg) attenuated loss in learning and memory in terms of increase in escape latency on D-4 (D-34) and decrease in time spent in the target quadrant on D-5 (D-35) of Morris water maze test protocol, and spatial memory in terms of reduced spontaneous alternation behavior in Y-maze test of encephalopathic rats. Additionally, piracetam attenuated altered levels of fasting plasma glucose and insulin, HOMA-IR and HOMA-B in encephalopathic animals, comparatively lesser than metformin. In the next experiment, combination of piracetam and metformin exhibited better anti-amnesic but not anti-diabetic activity than respective monotherapies in encephalopathic rats. Further, the combination attenuated reduced acetylcholine level and increased acetylcholinesterase activity, increased glycogen synthase kinase-3β level and decreased brain-derived neurotropic factor level in hippocampus and pre-frontal cortex of encephalopathic animals. Thus, piracetam could be used as an adjuvant to metformin in the management of dementia in T2DM-induced encephalopathy.

PS 14-74 EVALUATION OF INSULIN SENSITIVITY AND SECRETION IN PRIMARY ALDOSTERONISM

Objective: Primary aldosteronism (PA) is a clinical syndrome characterized by hypokalemia, hypertension, and impaired glucose tolerance. Diabetes in PA is characterized by the impairment of both insulin secretion and sensitivity, but the degree of contribution of these two factors is varied. Therefore, we evaluated insulin sensitivity and secretion in patients with PA using homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) and the insulinogenic index (IGI). Design and Method: We analyzed 32 patients with PA. OGTT was performed before adrenalectomy in all patients, and also after the surgery in a subset of patients. Indices for insulin action, evaluated by HOMA, QUICKI and IGI, were calculated and were compared to those of essential hypertensive (EH) patients. Results: EH group consisted of 21 EH patients. Several parameters, such as age, BMI and blood pressure, were matched between PA and EH groups. Fasting glucose and plasma insulin levels of PA patients were higher than those of EH patients. In addition, PA patients had significantly higher stimulated plasma glucose levels after 120 min and lower plasma insulin levels after 30 min compared to EH patients. Insulin sensitivity was more impaired in patients with PA compared to EH patients, and IGI in PA patients was significantly lower than that of EH patients. On the other hand, HOMA-β was similar between PA and EH patients. Serum potassium correlated inversely with HOMA-IR and positively with QUICKI in PA patients. In 5 PA patients, OGTT was performed after unilateral adrenalectomy. In these patients, serum potassium level was normalized and HOMA-IR was significantly improved after operation. Conclusions: Insulin actions in patients with PA was characterized by insulin resistance associated with hypokalemia in addition to the impairment of early-phase secretory response to glucose. Therapeutic intervention aimed at correcting both potassium and aldosterone levels might improve insulin actions in patients with PA.

Nervous System Expression of PPARγ and Mutant PPARγ Has Profound Effects on Metabolic Regulation and Brain Development.

Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPARγ) is a nuclear receptor transcription factor that regulates adipogenesis and energy homeostasis. Recent studies suggest PPARγ may mediate some of its metabolic effects through actions in the brain. We used a Cre-recombinase-dependent (using NestinCre) conditionally activatable transgene expressing either wild-type (WT) or dominant-negative (P467L) PPARγ to examine mechanisms by which PPARγ in the nervous system controls energy balance. Inducible expression of PPARγ was evident throughout the brain. Expression of 2 PPARγ target genes, aP2 and CD36, was induced by WT but not P467L PPARγ in the brain. Surprisingly, NesCre/PPARγ-WT mice exhibited severe microcephaly and brain malformation, suggesting that PPARγ can modulate brain development. On the contrary, NesCre/PPARγ-P467L mice exhibited blunted weight gain to high-fat diet, which correlated with a decrease in lean mass and tissue masses, accompanied by elevated plasma GH, and depressed plasma IGF-1, indicative of GH resistance. There was no expression of the transgene in the pancreas but both fasting plasma glucose, and fed and fasted plasma insulin levels were markedly decreased. NesCre/PPARγ-P467L mice fed either control diet or high-fat diet displayed impaired glucose tolerance yet exhibited increased sensitivity to exogenous insulin and increased insulin receptor signaling in white adipose tissue, liver, and skeletal muscle. These observations support the concept that alterations in PPARγ-driven mechanisms in the nervous system play a role in the regulation of growth and glucose metabolic homeostasis.

Raised FGF-21 and Triglycerides Accompany Increased Energy Intake Driven by Protein Leverage in Lean, Healthy Individuals: A Randomised Trial.

A dominant appetite for protein drives increased energy intake in humans when the proportion of protein in the diet is reduced down to approximately 10% of total energy. Compensatory feeding for protein is apparent over a 1–2 d period but the mechanisms driving this regulation are not fully understood. Fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21) has been identified as a candidate protein signal as levels increase in the circulation when dietary protein is low. The aim of this randomised controlled trial was to assess whether changes in percent dietary protein over a 4 d ad libitum experimental period in lean, healthy participants influenced energy intake, metabolic health, circulating FGF-21 and appetite regulating hormones including ghrelin, glucagon like peptide-1 and cholecystokinin. Twenty-two lean, healthy participants were fed ad libitum diets containing 10, 15 and 25% protein, over three, 4 d controlled, in-house experimental periods. Reduced dietary protein intake from 25% to 10% over a period of 4 d was associated with 14% increased energy intake (p = 0.02) as previously reported, and a 6-fold increase in fasting circulating plasma FGF-21 levels (p<0.0001), a 1.5-fold increase in serum triglycerides (p<0.0001), and a 0.9-fold decrease in serum total cholesterol (p = 0.02). Serum HDL cholesterol was reduced with a reduction in dietary protein from 15% to 10% (p = 0.01) over 4 d but not from 25% to 10% (p = 0.1) and the change from baseline was not different between diets. Plasma fasting insulin levels following the 4 d study period were significantly lower following the 25% ad libitum study period compared to the 15% protein period (p = 0.014) but not the 10% protein period (p = 0.2). Variability in interstitial glucose during each study period increased with a decrease in dietary protein from 25% to 15% and 10% (p = 0.001 and p = 0.04, respectively). Ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide-1 and cholecystokinin were unchanged. Increases in energy intake, plasma FGF-21 and serum triglycerides were associated with reductions in percent dietary protein from 25% to 10% energy over a 4 d ad libitum in-house feeding period and may be important in regulation of dietary protein intake.Trial RegistrationAustralia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12616000144415

ANTIDIABETIC AND HYPOLIPIDEMIC EFFECT OF METHANOL EXTRACT OF STEREOSPERMUM COLAIS FRUIT IN STREPTOZOTOCIN INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Objective: To assess the antidiabetic and hypolipidemic properties of Stereospermum colais Fruit. Methods: Acute toxicity test was done to check the toxicity of Stereospermum colais Fruit methanol extract at three dose levels was administered orally to streptozotocin (STZ) (40 mg/kg bw) induced diabetic rats for 15 days. The various parameters were studied including body weight, fasting blood glucose levels, plasma insulin, lipid profile, glycogen content, glycoslylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and serum marker enzymes levels in normal, treated and diabetic rats. Histochemical analysis of pancreas was also carried out in normal treated and diabetic rats. Results: The treatment group with the extract at three dose levels showed a significant increase in the liver, muscle glycogen and serum insulin level and a significant decrease in fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin levels and serum marker enzyme levels. The total cholesterol and serum triglycerides levels were also significantly reduced and the high density lipoprotein level was significantly increased upon treatment with the Stereospermum colais Fruit methanol extract. Histochemical study of pancreas also confirmed the biochemical findings. Acute toxicity studies revealed the non-toxic nature of the Stereospermum colais Fruit methanol extract. Conclusions: The results of the experiments presented here suggest that methanol extract of Stereospermum colais Fruit exerts significant antidiabetic and hypolipidaemic effect in STZ induced diabetic rats. Keywords: Stereospermum colais , Antidiabetic, Hypolipidemic, Fruit, streptozotocin.

Increased Skeletal Muscle GLUT4 Expression in Obese Mice After Voluntary Wheel Running Exercise Is Posttranscriptional.

Exercise promotes glucose clearance by increasing skeletal muscle GLUT4-mediated glucose uptake. Importantly, exercise upregulates muscle GLUT4 expression in an insulin-independent manner under conditions of insulin resistance, such as with type 2 diabetes. However, the insulin-independent mechanism responsible for rescued muscle GLUT4 expression is poorly understood. We used voluntary wheel running (VWR) in mice to test the prevailing hypothesis that insulin-independent upregulation of skeletal muscle GLUT4 protein expression with exercise is through increased Glut4 transcription. We demonstrate that 4 weeks of VWR exercise in obese mice rescued high-fat diet-induced decreased muscle GLUT4 protein and improved both fasting plasma insulin and hepatic triacylglyceride levels, but did not rescue muscle Glut4 mRNA. Persistent reduction in Glut4 mRNA suggests that a posttranscriptional mechanism regulated insulin-independent muscle GLUT4 protein expression in response to exercise in lean and obese mice. Reduction of GLUT4 protein in sedentary animals upon treatment with rapamycin revealed mTORC1-dependent GLUT4 regulation. However, no difference in GLUT4 protein expression was observed in VWR-exercised mice treated with either rapamycin or Torin 1, indicating that exercise-dependent regulation on GLUT4 was mTOR independent. The findings provide new insight into the mechanisms responsible for exercise-dependent regulation of GLUT4 in muscle.

The role of obestatin in Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery in the obese, type 2 diabetes Zucker rat

AimsRoux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is a novel therapy for diabetes and the exact mechanisms of this procedure remain unclear. Obestatin is an important gut hormone. We aimed to explore the role of obestatin in the therapeutic mechanism of RYGB. MethodsTwenty obese Zucker rats and twenty Wistar rats were randomly assigned to two groups: RYGB and sham surgery. We evaluated plasma obestatin and insulin levels pre- and post-RYGB. Additionally, obestatin expression levels in the gastrointestinal tract were assessed using immunohistochemical staining. ResultsIn Zucker rats, plasma obestatin and insulin levels gradually increased after RYGB. At post-operation week 7, plasma levels of obestatin were higher in the RYGB group than the sham operation group, and fasting plasma insulin levels were significantly increased the in RYGB group compared with the sham operation group. Furthermore, we observed a positive relationship between obestatin and insulin plasma levels. Among 10 zucker rats, high expression of obestatin was only seen in the jejunum of 2 rats before the operation; however, high expression of obestatin was seen in the Roux limb of 8 rats and in the ileum of 7 rats after RYGB. The expression of obestatin was significantly higher in the intestine in the RYGB group than the sham operation group postoperatively. ConclusionsWe propose that obestatin maybe a potential mediator to improve glucose homeostasis after RYGB. The increase of obestatin secretion may be an important mechanism through which RYGB alleviates obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Effects of Astragalus polysaccharides on memory impairment in a diabetic rat model.

ObjectiveAstragalus polysaccharides (APS) are active constituents of Astragalus membranaceus. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of APS on memory impairment in a diabetic rat model and their mechanisms.MethodsA diabetic model was established in 50 male Wistar rats with streptozotocin intra-peritoneal injection. A blood glucose level higher than 16.7 mmol/L obtained 72 hours after the injection was regarded as a successful diabetic model. The modeled rats were divided into model group, high, medium, and low doses of APS, and piracetam groups (positive control). A group of ten rats without streptozotocin-induced diabetes were used as a normal control. After respective consecutive 8-week treatments, the levels of blood fasting plasma glucose, insulin, hemoglobin A1c, memory performance, hippocampal malondialdehyde, and superoxide dismutase were determined.ResultsAfter the 8-week APS treatment, serum fasting plasma glucose, hemoglobin A1c, and insulin levels were decreased compared with those of the model group (P<0.05). Importantly, memory impairment in the diabetic model was reversed by APS treatments. In addition, hippocampal malondialdehyde concentration was lowered, whereas that of superoxide dismutase was higher after APS treatments.ConclusionAPS are important active components responsible for memory improvement in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. The potential mechanism of action is associated with the effects of APS on glucose and lipid metabolism, and antioxidative and insulin resistance. APS are constituents of A. membranaceus that are potential candidate therapeutic agents for the treatment of memory deficit in diabetes.

A Study on Correlation Between Acanthosis Nigricans And Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) in Indian Adult Women Population

Objective: To find the correlation of the clinical and biochemical parameters in Indian adult women with PCOS with and without AN. Materials and Methods: 98 adult women (20-35years) with PCOS as per Rotterdam 2003 criteria were studied. Clinical parameters recorded - Body mass index (BMI), abdominal circumference (AC), blood pressure (BP), hirsutism score (modified Ferriman- Gallwey score m FG ≥ 6), presence of acne and acanthosis (AN). Transabdominal ultrasonography (USG) was done in each case. Hormonal parameters studied - Serum total testosterone (TT) level, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) level. Free androgen index (FAI) was calculated. Metabolic parameters studied – fasting plasma glucose (FG) and insulin (FI) levels. Glucose: insulin (G:I) ratio and HOMA (homeostasis model assessment) were calculated. Studied women were divided into two groups Group A: With acanthosis nigricans - 30 cases. Group B: Without acanthosis nigricans- 68 cases. Observations: Statistically significant differences between the means of groups with and without AN were found in the following variables - BMI (p value=0.0001); AC (p value=0.0001); SBP (p value=0.0001); DBP (p value= 0.01); FG (p value=0.12); SHBG (p value=0.0001); FAI (p value=0.0009); GI ratio (p value=0.0003) and HOMA (p value=0.0001). Bivariate positive Correlation with AN was observed between AC, BMI, SBP, DBP, Testosterone, FAI, and HOMA. Bivariate negative correlation with AN was observed with FG, SHBG and GI ratio. In terms of correlation coefficients, AN has the highest correlation with AC, followed by BMI and SHBG.

Influence of cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity levels on cardiometabolic risk factors during menopause transition: A MONET study

To determine the influence of cardiorespiratory fitness (hereafter “fitness”) and physical activity levels on cardiometabolic risk factors in premenopausal women going through the menopause transition. An ancillary study including 66 premenopausal women who participated to a 5-year observational, longitudinal study (2004 to 2009 in Ottawa) on the effects of menopause transition on body composition and cardiometabolic risk factors. Women underwent a graded exercise test on treadmill to measure peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak) at year 1 and 5 and physical activity levels were measured using accelerometers. Cardiometabolic risk factors included: waist circumference, fasting plasma lipids, glucose and insulin levels, HOMA-IR score, c-reactive protein, apolipoprotein B (apoB) and resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Change in fitness was not associated with changes in cardiometabolic risk factors. The changes in total physical activity levels on the other hand showed a significant negative association with apoB levels. Three-way linear mixed model repeated measures, showed lower values of waist circumference, fasting triglycerides, insulin levels, HOMA-IR score, apoB and diastolic blood pressure in women with a fitness ≥ 30.0 mlO2 kg− 1 min− 1 compared to women with a fitness < 30.0 mlO2 kg− 1 min− 1 (P < 0.05). However, only fasting triglycerides was lower in women with physical activity levels ≥ 770.0 Kcal/day (P < 0.05). Between fitness and physical activity levels, fitness was associated with more favorable values of cardiometabolic risk factors in women followed for 5 years during the menopause transition.

Antioxidant, antilipidemic and antidiabetic effects of ficusin with their effects on GLUT4 translocation and PPARγ expression in type 2 diabetic rats

In this study, the antioxidant, antilipidemic and antidiabetic effects of ficusin isolated from Ficus carica leaves and their effects on GLUT4 translocation and PPARγ expression were evaluated in HFD-STZ induced type 2 diabetic rats. Ficusin (20 and 40 mg/kg b. wt.) lowered the levels of fasting blood glucose, plasma insulin and body weight gain, in HFD-STZ induced diabetic rats. Ficusin also significantly lowered the serum antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT and GPx) and lipids (TC, TG and FFA) levels to near normal. Ficusin significantly enhanced the PPARγ expression and improved the translocation and activation of GLUT4 in the adipose tissue. Molecular docking analysis exhibited promising interactions of GLUT4 and PPARγ into their active sites. This study suggests that ficusin improved the insulin sensitivity on adipose tissue and it can be used for the treatment of obesity related type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The rs10401670 variant in resistin gene improved insulin resistance response and metabolic parameters secondaries to weight loss after a hypocaloric diet

The SNP 3'UTR C/T (rs10401670), it is a polymorphism that has been associated with diabetes mellitus and it has been scarcely studied before. As far as we know, no studies on interaction among diet intervention, rs10401670 variant of RETN and metabolic response has been realized. Our aim was to analyze the effects of the rs10401670 RETN gene polymorphism on insulin resistance response and metabolic changes secondary to weight loss after 3 months of a hypocaloric diet in adults obese patients without diabetes mellitus. A Caucasian population of 135 obese patients without diabetes mellitus was analyzed. Before and after 3 months on a low fat hypocaloric diet, an anthropometric evaluation, an assessment of nutritional intake and a biochemical analysis were performed. The statistical analysis was performed for the combined CT and TT as a group (minor allele group) and wild type CC as second group (major allele group) (dominant model). Forty nine patients (36.3%) had the genotype CC (major allele group) and 86 (63.7%) patients had the next genotypes; CT (67 patients, 49.6%) or TT (19 patients, 14.1%) (minor allele group). After dietary treatment and in major allele group, weight, BMI, fat mass, systolic blood pressure and waist circumference decreases were similar than minor allele group. In T allele carriers, fasting plasma glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels decreased significantly. In non T allele carriers and after dietary treatment, only LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol decreased. In non T Allele carriers, the decrease in total cholesterol was-15.1±18.3mg/dl (decrease in T Allele carriers-18.3±15.7mg/dl: p>0.05), LDL-cholesterol was-14.3±18.5mg/dl (decrease in T Allele carriers-17.3±10.1mg/dl:p>0.05), fasting glucose plasma-2.2±1.5mg/dL (decrease in T Allele carriers-4.8±1.2mg/dL: p=0.02), insulin-1.1±2.0 mUI/L (decrease in T Allele carriers-6.3±1.9 mUI/L: p=0.001) and HOMA-IR-0.2±1.0 (decrease in T Allele carriers-1.8±1.4: p=0.005). Leptin levels decrease in both genotypes after dietary treatment (-21.1±8.5ng/dL in nonT Allele carriers vs-16.2±10.2ng/dL in T Allele carriers:p>0.05). Resistin remained unchanged in both groups. In our study in non-diabetic obese subjects, we describe an association of rs10401670T allele with a better metabolic response (glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR) secondary to weight loss with a hypocaloric diet.

Low birth weight leads to obesity, diabetes and increased leptin levels in adults: the CoLaus study.

BackgroundLow birth weight is associated with increased rates of obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, but the precise mechanisms for this association remain unclear. We aimed to assess the relationships between birth weight and markers of glucose homeostasis or obesity in adults.MethodsCross-sectional population-based study on 1458 women and 1088 men aged 35–75 years living in Lausanne, Switzerland. Birth weight was self-reported and categorized into ≤2.5, 2.6–3.5, 3.6–4.0 and >4.0 kg. Body composition was assessed by bioimpedance. Leptin and adiponectin levels were measured by ELISA.ResultsWomen with low birth weight (≤2.5 kg) had higher levels of fasting plasma glucose, insulin, HOMA, diabetes and metabolic syndrome; a non significant similar trend was seen in men. In both genders, height increased with birth weight, whereas a U-shaped association was found between birth weight and body mass index, waist circumference and body fat percentage. After adjusting for age, smoking status, physical activity and fat mass, an inverse association was found between leptin and birth weight categories: adjusted mean ± standard error 17.3 ± 0.7, 16.2 ± 0.3, 15.6 ± 0.5 and 14.0 ± 0.8 ng/dL for birth weight categories ≤2.5, 2.6–3.5, 3.6–4.0 and >4.0 kg, respectively, in women (p < 0.05) and 9.8 ± 0.8, 9.1 ± 03, 7.8 ± 0.4 and 7.7 ± 0.5 ng/dL in men (p < 0.05). An inverse association was also found between reported birth weight and leptin to fat mass ratio: mean ± standard error 0.77 ± 0.04, 0.73 ± 0.02, 0.69 ± 0.03 and 0.62 ± 0.04 in women (p < 0.05); 0.46 ± 0.05, 0.45 ± 0.02, 0.39 ± 0.02 and 0.38 ± 0.03 in men (p < 0.05). No differences in adiponectin levels were found between birth weight groups.ConclusionsMiddle-aged adults born with a low weight present a higher prevalence of diabetes and obesity and also higher leptin levels and leptin to fat mass ratio than adults born with a normal weight. The higher leptin levels and leptin to fat mass ratio among adults born with a low weight might be related to nutritional factors during childhood or to the development of leptin resistance and/or higher leptin production by body fat unit. Subjects born with a low weight should be counselled regarding the risks of developing diabetes and/or cardiovascular disease.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12933-016-0389-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.