Increased Serum HDL Cholesterol Research Articles

Dietary supplementation with barley sprouts and d-aspartic acid improves reproductive hormone concentrations, testicular histology, antioxidant status, and mRNA expressions of apoptosis-related genes in aged broiler breeder roosters

The objective was to determine effects of dietary supplementation of barley sprouts (BS) and/or d-aspartic acid (DA) on the reproductive potential of aged broiler roosters. Birds (n = 32, 50 wk old) were randomly allocated to receive dietary supplements of BS powder (2 % of basal diet), and DA (200 mg/kg BW), both, or neither, for 12 wk. Roosters were housed individually, with 14-h light/10-h dark, ad libitum feed and water, and euthanized after 12 wk. Mean (±SEM) total phenolic compounds and IC50 in methanol extract of sprouted barley were 302.8 ± 10.9 mg GAE/g and 600.8 ± 50.5 mg TE per 100 g, respectively. In weekly semen collections, sperm total and progressive motility, plasma membrane integrity, sperm concentration, and sperm production were higher (P < 0.05) in both the DA + BS and BS groups compared to the Control, but sperm abnormalities were unaffected. Feeding DA increased right, left, and combined testicular weights (P < 0.05, P < 0.05, and P < 0.01, respectively) and, the testicular index (P = 0.01). Feeding BS increased seminiferous tubule diameter (P < 0.01), whereas BS + DA increased seminiferous epithelium thickness (P < 0.01). There were more spermatogonia (P < 0.01) and Leydig cells (P < 0.05) in BS-fed roosters but Sertoli cells were highest in BS + DA (P < 0.01). Serum MDA concentrations were lowest in BS (P < 0.01), whereas serum testosterone and LH were highest in DA (P < 0.05) and BS + DA (P < 0.01), respectively. Feeding BS reduced serum total cholesterol (P < 0.05) and increased serum HDL-cholesterol (P < 0.01), with decreases in serum LDL (P < 0.01) and the LDL/HDL ratio (P < 0.01) for BS + DA compared to Control. Relative expression of glutathione peroxidase mRNA was increased by BS (P < 0.01) or DA (P < 0.05), whereas relative mRNA expression of SOD was highest in BA (P < 0.01). Control roosters were highest for both BAX (P < 0.01) and the relative expression of the BAX/BCL-2 ratio (P < 0.01), whereas BS + DA increased BCL-2 (P < 0.05). In conclusion, feeding BS, and/or DA significantly improved reproductive potential in aged broiler roosters.

Assessment of the Anti-hypertensive and Hyperhomocysteinemic Activity of Aqueous Extracts of Tomato (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Lycopersicon esculentum MILL&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;) Grown in Ivory Coast

The tomato (<i>Lycopersiconesculentum</i> Mill) is a herbaceous plant of the Solanaceae family widely cultivated for its fruit. It is one of the most consumed fruits in the world because of its nutritional potential. Indeed, tomato is rich in secondary metabolites and compounds with antioxidant power known for their beneficial effects on health. This study aims to evaluate the antihypertensive and antihyperhocysteinemic activity of two varieties of tomatoes grown in Côte d'Ivoire, namely <i>Locale côtelette</i> and <i>Cobra F1</i>. To do this, rats made hypertensive and hyperhomocysteinemic were treated at a dose of 50 and 100 mg/kg bw for 8 days with the extracts of these tomatoes. At the end of this treatment, the results indicate a decrease in the serum level of LDL-cholesterol and creatinemia respectively of 79.92% and 18.82% in comparison with those of hypertensive rats which did not undergo any treatment. In addition, serum homocysteine level decreased by 35% compared with untreated hyperhomocysteinemic rats. Moreover, a 13.33% increase in serum HDL-cholesterol was observed. In view of the results obtained, regular consumption of tomatoes could help fight against high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, renal failure and prevent cardiovascular complications such as thromboembolic diseases.

Physical Activity and Gallstone Disease

Аim: to present data of Russian and foreign studies about association between physical activity (PA) and gallstone disease (GSD).Key point. A low PA level is one of the four major risk factors for chronic non-infectiuos diseases. The frequency of low PA in men and women of the Russian Federation (according to the medical examination in 2016) is 19 %. The global prevalence of GSD is up to 20 % among adults. Many systematic reviews and meta-analyses have confirmed an inverse association between GSD and PA in the world, regardless of potential risk factors for GSD, with a clear dose-dependent effect — the relative risk (RR) of GSD was 0.87 (95 % CI 0.83–0.92) per 20 metabolic equivalents (MET) of PA per week. According to our results of an epidemiological survey in the framework of the WHO MONICA program in Novosibirsk (n = 870) among women aged 25–64 with low total PA (less than 800 MET/min/week), as well as with the first class of PA in leisure-time, GSD occurred much more often (class 1 — 33 %, classes 2–4 — 8.7–11.0 %, p &lt; 0.01). PA favorably affects almost all mechanisms of gallstone formation: improves cholesterol metabolism in bile, increases serum HDL cholesterol, bile acid synthesis, stimulates the release of cholecystokinin, reduces mucin hypersecretion, increases the diversity and richness of the intestinal microbiota. Daily PA serves as a preventive measure for GSD: the risk of GSD is reduced by 66 % (95 % CI 0.18–0.86).Conclusion. EASL has recognized PA as a protective agent against gallstone formation.

The effects of N-acetylcysteine administration on metabolic status and serum adiponectin levels in patients with metabolic syndrome: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

• NAC administration to patients with MetS improved antioxidative defense system and inflammatory status. • NAC administration to patients with MetS ameliorated glycemic control and serum HDL-cholesterol levels. • NAC prescription may be a new strategy for the amelioration of metabolic parameters in patients with MetS. This study examined the impact of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) administration on metabolic parameters and serum adiponectin levels in individuals with metabolic syndrome (MetS). This randomized clinical trial included 76 people with MetS, aged 25–75 years. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either 1800 mg/day NAC (n = 38) or matched placebo (n = 38) for 12 weeks. Fasting blood samples were collected at the onset and at the end of 12-week intervention to quantify metabolic parameters. NAC significantly reduced fasting plasma glucose (P = 0.02), fasting serum insulin (P = 0.006), insulin resistance index (P = 0.005), and serum C-reactive protein (P = 0.003), and increased serum HDL-cholesterol (P = 0.001) and plasma total glutathione (P < 0.001) versus the placebo group. NAC administration did not alter adiponectin, blood pressure, other lipid indices, malondialdehyde, and total antioxidant capacity. Overall, 1800 mg/day NAC consumption for 12 weeks in MetS subjects had positive impacts on the parameters of glycemic homeostasis, HDL-cholesterol, inflammatory status, and body antioxidative defense system. NAC prescription may be a new strategy for the amelioration of metabolic parameters in individuals with MetS. Clinical Trial Registration: This clinical trial was prospectively registered in the Iranian website for registration of clinical trials ( https://www.irct.ir/trial/44284 ).

Effects of Resveratrol Administration in Liver Injury Prevention as Induced by an Obesogenic Diet: Role of Ruminococcaceae.

Gut microbiota dysbiosis has been described in several metabolic disruptions, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Administration of resveratrol has been claimed to elicit benefits against NAFLD along with modulating gut microbiota composition. This investigation aims to study the putative mediating role of gut microbiota in the potential hepato-protective effects of resveratrol in a diet-induced NAFLD rat model. The involvement of bacteria from the Ruminococcaceae family in such effects was also addressed. Resveratrol administration resulted in lowered liver weight and serum total and non-HDL cholesterol concentrations, as well as in increased serum HDL cholesterol levels. The administration of this polyphenol also prevented obesogenic diet-induced serum transaminase increases. In addition, histopathological analysis revealed that resveratrol administration ameliorated the dietary-induced liver steatosis and hepatic inflammation. Gut microbiota sequencing showed an inverse relationship between some bacteria from the Ruminococcaceae family and the screened hepatic markers, whereas in other cases the opposite relationship was also found. Interestingly, an interaction was found between UBA-1819 abundance and resveratrol induced liver weight decrease, suggesting that for this marker resveratrol induced effects were greater when the abundance of this bacteria was high, while no actions were found when UBA-1819 abundance was low.

Growth pattern, lipid composition, oxidation status, and serum biochemical profile of broiler chicken fed flaxseed meal for different durations

This research studied the effects of flaxseed meal (FSM) feeding for different durations on growth performance, fatty acid profile, oxidative stability of meat, and serum biochemical profile of broiler chicken. In basal diet 100 g FSM replaced soybean meal. The FSM based diet was fed for different durations resulting in six dietary treatments viz. T1 (0-5 weeks), T2 (1-5 weeks), T3 (2-5 weeks), T4 (3-5 weeks), T5 (4-5 weeks), and T6 (without FSM). The results revealed significant negative effects of FSM feeding beyond 3 weeks duration (2-5 weeks) on the weight gain, feed efficiency, production efficiency factor, protein efficiency ratio, and energy efficiency ratio of broiler chicken. Significant improvement of fatty acid profile of chicken meat was observed by FSM feeding up to 3 weeks only. Increasing the FSM feeding beyond 1 week in case of thigh meat and 2 weeks in case of breast meat significantly decreased the antioxidant capacity of broiler chicken meat. The lipid oxidation of broiler chicken meat increased significantly by feeding FSM beyond 2 weeks. Increase in the duration of FSM feeding has significantly decreased the serum triglyceride, cholesterol, cardiac risk ratio, atherogenic coefficient, and atherogenic index of plasma, though, the decline was not significant beyond the 2 weeks (3-5 weeks) feeding duration. The progressive increase in serum HDL cholesterol, serum antioxidant enzyme activities, and MDA concentration was observed with increase of FSM feeding duration. Thus, the 100 g FSM feeding for 2 weeks duration (3-5 weeks) has no negative effect on the growth performance with better health indices and serum biochemical profile of broiler chicken. However, increasing the duration of feeding beyond 1 week (4-5 week) exerts negative effects on the oxidative stability of meat and serum antioxidant enzyme profile.

The Effect of Banana Pseudostem Flour and Food Bar of Edible Canna Substituted with Banana Pseudostem Flour on Lipid Profile of Hypercholesterolemia Mice

Cavendish Jepara 30 banana pith (EBP J30) flour and canna starch-based food bar, which was substituted with EBPJ30 Flour, were reported to contain dietary fiber and resistant starch so that it has the potential to improve the lipid profile. However, there has been no reference, research related to the effects of both on the lipid profile, and their ability to bind bile acids. The study aims to analyze the effect of EBP J30 flour diets and canna starch-based food bar, which was substituted with EBPJ30 Flour on hypercholesterolemia Sprague Dawley's lipid profile mice and its ability to bind bile acids. Thirty male mice, aged two months, divided into six groups, namely groups that were given a standard diet including normal mice, negative controls, and positive controls, hypercholesterolemia mice fed the natural EBP J30 flour, blanched EBP J30 flour, and food bar. The 4-week diet intervention and lipid profile analysis were done once a week, and lipid profile analysis was carried out regularly every week. Diet intervention on blanched EBP J30 flour and food bar reduced total cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides, and increased serum HDL cholesterol levels in mice. The results of in vitro studies suggested that the diet of blanched EBP J30 flour and food bar could increase bile acid-binding capability. Both diets can improve the lipid profile of hypercholesterolemia mice suspected due to the bile acids' binding capacity in the blood.

Association of serum HDL-cholesterol and apolipoprotein A1 levels with risk of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection

Individuals with features of metabolic syndrome are particularly susceptible to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a novel coronavirus associated with the severe respiratory disease, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Despite considerable attention dedicated to COVID-19, the link between metabolic syndrome and SARS-CoV-2 infection remains unclear. Using data from the UK Biobank, we investigated the relationship between severity of COVID-19 and metabolic syndrome-related serum biomarkers measured prior to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Logistic regression analyses were used to test biomarker levels and biomarker-associated genetic variants with SARS-CoV-2-related outcomes. Among SARS-CoV-2-positive cases and negative controls, a 10 mg/dl increase in serum HDL-cholesterol or apolipoprotein A1 levels was associated with ∼10% reduced risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, after adjustment for age, sex, obesity, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and coronary artery disease. Evaluation of known genetic variants for HDL-cholesterol revealed that individuals homozygous for apolipoprotein E4 alleles had ∼2- to 3-fold higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection or mortality from COVID-19 compared with apolipoprotein E3 homozygotes, even after adjustment for HDL-cholesterol levels. However, cumulative effects of all evaluated HDL-cholesterol-raising alleles and Mendelian randomization analyses did not reveal association of genetically higher HDL-cholesterol levels with decreased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. These results implicate serum HDL-cholesterol and apolipoprotein A1 levels measured prior to SAR-CoV-2 exposure as clinical risk factors for severe COVID-19 infection but do not provide evidence that genetically elevated HDL-cholesterol levels are associated with SAR-CoV-2 infection.

Impact of supplementation of moringa olifera and emblica officinalis powder on atherosclerosis patients

Moringa oleifera and Emblica officinalis is used in Indian traditional medicine contains nitrile glycosides and thiocarbamate glycosides which are anti-hypertensive and anti hyperlipidemic activity. Impact of supplementation of Moringa oleifera and Emblica officinalis on anti hyperlipidemic activity of Atherosclerosis patients in Vijayawada hospitals. 60 subjects in the age group of 30-70 years were selected for present study. The drumstick leaves and amla powder was supplemented with meal 10gm for 50subjects per day respectively for a period of 40 days and remaining 10 subjects treated as control. The results showed that administration drumstick leaf and amla powder of 10gm for forty days produces significant (P?0.001) reduction in anthropometric measurements and serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL cholesterol and increase serum HDL cholesterol in experimental and no significant reduction in control group. Moringa olifera leaf and amla powder containing a variety of compounds and greater nutritional significance in the disease condition of atherosclerosis. Keywords: Moringa oleifera, Anti hyperlipidemic, Atherosclerosis, Anthropometric.

Phenol-Enriched Virgin Olive Oil Promotes Macrophage-Specific Reverse Cholesterol Transport In Vivo.

The intake of olive oil (OO) enriched with phenolic compounds (PCs) promotes ex vivo HDL-mediated macrophage cholesterol efflux in humans. We aimed to determine the effects of PC-enriched virgin OO on reverse cholesterol transport (RevCT) from macrophages to feces in vivo. Female C57BL/6 mice were given intragastric doses of refined OO (ROO) and a functional unrefined virgin OO enriched with its own PC (FVOO) for 14 days. Our experiments included two independent groups of mice that received intragastric doses of the phenolic extract (PE) used to prepare the FVOO and the vehicle solution (saline), as control, for 14 days. FVOO intake led to a significant increase in serum HDL cholesterol and its ability to induce macrophage cholesterol efflux in vitro when compared with ROO group. This was concomitant with the enhanced macrophage-derived [3H]cholesterol transport to feces in vivo. PE intake per se also increased HDL cholesterol levels and significantly promoted in vivo macrophage-to-feces RevCT rate when compared with saline group. PE upregulated the expression of the main macrophage transporter involved in macrophage cholesterol efflux, the ATP binding cassette a1. Our data provide direct evidence of the crucial role of OO PCs in the induction of macrophage-specific RevCT in vivo.

Short-term Effect of Garlic Extract on Patients with Dyslipidemia

Dyslipidemia is a metabolic abnormality leading to a persistent increase in the plasma concentration of cholesterol and triglycerides. Dyslipidemia is known to promote atherosclerosis. It is a complex disease and is a major risk factor for adverse cardiovascular events. Allium sativum commonly known as garlic has been found to have several medicinal value including, lipid-lowering property, blood pressure decreasing, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer and anti-oxidant activity. It was a double-blind, two-parallel-group, prospective interventional clinical trial. Total no of 112 patients were enrolled in the study and divided into two equal groups (56 in each group) viz; Group 1 (Lasuna TM) and Group 2 (placebo). Lipid profile was measured at day 0 and 90. Independent–sample‘t’ test was applied to find out the significant difference between the two groups, P-value being 0.05. The mean difference Total Serum Cholesterol, Serum Triglyceride, Serum LDL Cholesterol and Serum VLDL cholesterol on day 0 was nonsignificant with p being 0.539, 0.811, 0.230, 0.770 and 0.811 and on 90th day was significantly lower in group taking garlic with p being 0.001, 0.014, 0.003 and 0.008 respectively whereas Serum HDL cholesterol on 90th day was significantly higher in group taking garlic with p being 0.001. Garlic, when given as supplement decreases Total Serum Cholesterol, Serum Triglycerides, Serum LDL Cholesterol and Serum VLDL Cholesterol and on the other hand it increases Serum HDL Cholesterol.

Identification of a novel cholesterol-lowering dipeptide, phenylalanine-proline (FP), and its down-regulation of intestinal ABCA1 in hypercholesterolemic rats and Caco-2 cells

There has been no report about in vivo active cholesterol-lowering dipeptide in any protein origin, despite their potential health benefits. Cattle heart protein hydrolysate ultra-filtrate (HPHU, molecular weight < ca. 1,000 Da peptide mixture) exhibits cholesterol-lowering activity in hypercholesterolemic rats, but the active peptide in HPHU that lowers serum cholesterol levels and its molecular mechanism are unknown. In this study, we separated and purified HPHU to identify a novel cholesterol-lowering dipeptide (phenylalanine-proline, FP) and characterized the mechanism underlying its effects in vivo and in vitro. We identified FP as an active peptide from HPHU by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. FP significantly decreased serum total and non-HDL cholesterol and hepatic cholesterol levels in rats. FP significantly increased serum HDL cholesterol, accompanied by a significant decrease in the atherogenic index. FP also significantly increased fecal cholesterol and acidic steroid excretion. Moreover, FP significantly decreased ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) expression in the rat jejunum and reduced cholesterol absorption in Caco-2 cells. We found a novel cholesterol-lowering dipeptide FP that could improve cholesterol metabolism via the down-regulation of intestinal ABCA1. The cholesterol-lowering action induced by FP was disappeared in PepT1KO mice. FP-induced cholesterol-lowering action is mediated via PepT1 in mice.

Rare P376L variant in the SR-BI gene associates with HDL dysfunction and risk of cardiovascular disease

BackgroundScavenger receptor class B type 1 (SR-BI) encoded by SCARB1 gene serves as a multifunctional HDL receptor, facilitating the uptake of cholesteryl esters from HDL to the liver. Recent studies have identified the association between the P376L missense mutation of the SCARB1 gene with increased serum HDL-Cholesterol level. However, the contribution of this variant to the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains unclear. ObjectiveWe have investigated the association between the P376L polymorphism with the properties of HDL and CVD outcomes in a population sample recruited as part of the Mashhad-Stroke and Heart-Atherosclerotic-Disorders (MASHAD) cohort. MethodsSix hundred and fifteen individuals who had a median follow-up period of 7 years were recruited as part of the MASHAD cohort. Anthropometric, biochemical parameters and HDL lipid peroxidation (HDLox) were assessed. Genotyping was performed using TaqMan-real-time-PCR based method. The association of P376L-rs74830766 with cardiovascular-risk-factors and CVD events were evaluated. ResultsCarriers of the P376L variant were significantly more likely than non-carriers to develop CVD using multivariate analyses adjusted for traditional CVD risk factors defined as: age, sex, BMI, presence of diabetes, or hypertension, positive smoking habit, and total cholesterol (OR: 3.75, 95%CI: 1.76–7.98, p = 0.001). In an adjusted model, there was a two fold increase in cardiovascular endpoints among individuals who were heterozygous for the P376L variant (hazard ratio, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.12-to 3.84, p = 0.02). Although there was no association between the presence of the P376L variant and HDL-C level, serum HDLox, measured as dysfunctional HDL, was 13% higher among carriers of the P376L variant than non-carriers. ConclusionWe have found that carriers of the P376L variant possessed higher HDLox and were at increased risk of CVD in a representative population-based cohort, as compared to non-carriers.

2347-PUB: Relationship between Aging and Effects of SGLT2 Inhibitors on Glucose and Lipid Metabolisms and Hepatic Function in Japanese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

SGLT2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) have been found to improve blood glucose, HbA1c and triglyceride levels and also hepatic dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, scarcely any studies have examined whether there are differences in the effects of SGLT2is according to patient age. In this study, we stratified the patients into 3 groups according to the age and investigated whether age influences the effects of SGLT2is on glucose and lipid metabolisms and hepatic function in these patients. The patients were stratified into the following 3 age groups: &amp;lt;50, 50 to 64, and ≥65 years. Five SGLT2is were administered for 6 months at the following doses: 2.5 mg/day luseogliflozin, 5 mg/day dapagliflozin, 20 mg/day tofogliflozin, 10 mg/day empagliflozin, and 100 mg/day canagliflozin. Blood samples were collected before and after the treatment to measure biochemical parameters. Significant decreases, compared to the baseline, of HbA1c, serum glucose and insulin, and HOMA-R were observed after the treatment with the SGLT2is in the &amp;lt;64 years age groups, but not the ≥65 years age group. With regard to the effects on lipid metabolism, increase in serum HDL cholesterol and decrease in LDL cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio were observed in the ≥65 years age group. In addition, hepatic function parameters improved significantly in the &amp;lt;64 years age groups, but to a lesser degree in the ≥65 years age group. The effects on BMI were not affected. The results revealed that some effects of SGLT2is were affected by aging. The SGLT2is improved glucose metabolism in the patients aged &amp;lt;64 years, but this effect was weaker in those aged ≥65 years. However, the SGLT2is led to a more anti-atherogenic serum lipid profile in patients aged ≥65 years than in those aged &amp;lt;65 years. In addition, it appears that the hepatic function-improving effect of SGLT2is decreases with age, especially in patients aged ≥65 years. The effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on BMI were not affected. Disclosure M. Kusunoki: Other Relationship; Self; Kaken Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Taisho Toyama Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Y. Natsume: Other Relationship; Self; Kaken Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Taisho Toyama Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Y. Oshida: None. T. Miyata: Research Support; Self; Bayer AG, Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited.

Shotgun proteomic analysis reveals proteome alterations in HDL of patients with cholesteryl ester transfer protein deficiency

We previously reported that the patients with cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) deficiency (CETP-D) show marked changes in the size and lipid compositions of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and that they are not protected from atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases, despite increased serum HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. HDL particles carry a variety of proteins, some of which are known to have antiatherogenic functions. This study aimed to investigate the protein composition of HDL particles in patients with CETP-D. Eight patients with complete deficiency of CETP and 8 normolipidemic healthy subjects were enrolled. We performed shotgun proteomic analysis to investigate the proteome of ultracentrifugally isolated HDL. We identified 79 HDL-associated proteins involved in lipid metabolism, protease inhibition, complement regulation, and acute-phase response, including 5 potential newly identified HDL-associated proteins such as angiopoietin-like3 (ANGPTL3). Spectral counts of apolipoprotein (apo) E were increased in patients with CETP-D compared with controls (60.3±6.9 vs 43.7±2.5, P<.001), which is concordant with our previous report. Complement regulatory proteins such as C3, C4a, C4b, and C9 were also significantly enriched in HDL from patients with CETP-D. Furthermore, apoC-III and ANGPTL3, both of which are now known to associate with increased atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases, were enriched in patients with CETP-D compared with normolipidemic subjects (35.9±5.3 vs 27.1±3.7, 2.3±1.1 vs 0.4±1.1, respectively; P<.01). We have characterized HDL-associated proteins in patients with CETP-D. We identified a significant increase in the amount of apoE, apoC-III, ANGPTL3, and complement regulatory proteins. These proteomic changes might be partly responsible for the enhanced atherogenicity of patients with CETP-D.

Effects of arm swing exercise training on cardiac autonomic modulation, cardiovascular risk factors, and electrolytes in persons aged 60–80 years with prehypertension: A randomized controlled trial

Background/ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the effect and carry-over effect of arm swing exercise (ASE) training on cardiac autonomic modulation, cardiovascular risk factors, and blood electrolytes in older persons with prehypertension. MethodsSubjects were 50 individuals with prehypertension (aged 66.90 ± 5.50 yr, body mass index 23.84 ± 3.65 kg/m2). They were randomly assigned into ASE group and control group. Subjects in the ASE group underwent an ASE training program for 3 months at a frequency of 30 min/day, 3 days/week. Subjects in the control group maintained their daily routine activities minus regular exercise. Blood pressure, heart rate variability (HRV), cardiovascular risk factors including blood glucose, lipid profile, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and electrolytes were evaluated on 3 occasions: before and after the 3-month intervention, and 1 month after intervention ended. ResultsFollowing the 3-month intervention, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and serum hsCRP concentration were significantly lower, while serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, potassium (K+), magnesium (Mg2+) concentrations, standard deviation of normal R-R intervals (RMSSD) and high frequency (HF) power values were higher in the ASE group when compared with the control group (p < 0.05). At the 1-month follow-up interval, SBP and serum hsCRP concentration remained lower while serum HDL-cholesterol and K+ concentrations remained higher in the ASE group as compared to the control group (p < 0.05). ConclusionASE training decreased SBP and serum hsCRP concentration, increased serum HDL-cholesterol, K+, and Mg2+ concentrations and increased RMSSD and HF power values in older persons with prehypertension. In addition, there were carry-over effects of ASE training i.e. decreased SBP and serum hsCRP concentration as well as increased serum HDL-cholesterol and K+ concentrations.

The effects of vitamin D supplementation on healthy and hypercholesterolemic rabbits on levels of OSI and paraoxonase

Abstract Objective Conflicting data are available in literature regarding the effects of vitamin D (VitD) supplementation diet on lipid panel. Therefore, we had the purpose to evaluate the effects of VitD supplementation on lipid panel by a controlled experimental study, and those of VitD supplementation on oxidative stress index (OSI) and paraoxonase-1 (PON1) values in healthy and hypercholesterolemic male rabbits. Methods Thirty New Zealand rabbits were randomly separated into control, VD, HC+VD and HC groups. Control and VD groups were fed with standard chow, whereas HC+VD and HC groups were fed with 0.5% cholesterol chow a period of 8 weeks. During this period, VD and HC+VD groups were orally administered with 300 IU/kg/day VitD. Results The increase in serum total cholesterol (TC) and OSI level of HC group were significant compared to those in HC+VD group. Decreases in serum HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) and TC levels of VD group were significant within the groups. Conclusion Without any doubt it is important that applied VitD level should be in the ideal range for healthy living. However, it is also necessary to increase the serum HDL-C level (and hence PON1), which is decreases as a result of VitD supplementation. Therefore, we believe that during VitD supplementation, regular physical activity should be performed to increases serum HDL-C.

Effect of cooking treatments on the phytochemical composition and antidiabetic potential of Vernonia amygdalina.

The present study aimed at evaluating the effects of domestic culinary treatment on phytochemical contents (phenolic content and dietary fiber), and the antidiabetic potential of Vernonia amygdalina in type 2 diabetic rats. The culinary forms implied boiling leaves of V. amygdalina directly and eliminating the leaves’ bitterness before boiling. Seventy wistar rats were artificially induced with type 2 diabetes using streptozotocin and high‐fat diet. They then received by oral intubation powders of different culinary forms of leaves extract or suspensions of V. amygdalina at a dose of 500 mg /kg for a period of 4 weeks. The crude fiber, total phenol contents and the DPPH scavenging ability of these culinary forms were also measured and the results showed that values of these parameters were higher in the unwashed form than the washed form. The washed and unwashed forms of V. amygdalina significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the blood glucose, the total cholesterol, triglyceride, transaminases, urea and creatine levels. Aqueous extract has the highest ability to reduce the blood glucose level (75.76%) followed by the unwashed form (61.17%) which was greater than that of the washed form. Also, these forms significantly increased serum HDL cholesterol and total protein level, with the highest activity obtained with the unwashed form. Washing the V. amygdalina leaves (that consists of multiple trituration of leaves with water) contributes to the reduction of antidiabetic and antioxidant properties.

Avocado consumption and risk factors for heart disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Nutrients in avocados are associated with cardiovascular benefits. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of avocado intake on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk with the use of a systematic review and meta-analysis. MEDLINE, Cochrane Central, and Commonwealth Agricultural Bureau abstracts were searched from 1946 through September 2017 for publications on avocado intake and CVD risk. All designs except for cross-sectional studies that evaluated avocado intake were included. Two investigators independently screened citations and extracted data. Random-effects models meta-analysis was used when ≥3 studies reported the same outcome. Of 18 eligible studies (481 subjects), 7 studies compared avocado intake with no intake, 3 studies compared avocado plus monounsaturated fat intake with a control, and 8 studies reported data for qualitative synthesis. In 7 studies, avocado intake significantly increased HDL cholesterol (summary net change: 2.84 mg/dL; 95% CI: 0.18, 5.49 mg/dL), with significant heterogeneity. This remained consistent in sensitivity and subgroup analyses. There was no significant difference between avocado intake and the control for the outcomes of serum total cholesterol (TC), LDL cholesterol, triglycerides (TGs), ratios of TC to HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol to HDL cholesterol, and body weight. In qualitative synthesis, there was no significant difference between groups for blood glucose (2 studies), homeostasis model assessment (1 of 2 studies), oxidized LDL (2 studies), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (2 studies), or apolipoprotein B (2 studies) or, in 1 study each, for body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, arterial compliance, fibrinogen, interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor α, and serum nitric oxide. No studies reported incident clinical outcomes of CVD, including myocardial infarction, stroke, and other clinical endpoints. Avocado intake resulted in no difference in serum TC, LDL-cholesterol, and TG concentrations, but it did increase serum HDL-cholesterol concentrations, with significant heterogeneity. The association between avocado intake and CVD risk should be confirmed by well-conducted prospective observational studies or long-term trials.

Borago officinalis seed oil (BSO), a natural source of omega-6 fatty acids, attenuates fat accumulation by activating peroxisomal beta-oxidation both in C. elegans and in diet-induced obese rats.

Obesity is a medical condition with increasing prevalence, characterized by an accumulation of excess fat that could be improved using some bioactive compounds. However, many of these compounds with in vitro activity fail to respond in vivo, probably due to the sophistication of the physiological energy regulatory networks. In this context, C. elegans has emerged as a plausible model for the identification and characterization of the effect of such compounds on fat storage in a complete organism. However, the results obtained in such a simple model are not easily extrapolated to more complex organisms such as mammals, which hinders its application in the short term. Therefore, it is necessary to obtain new experimental data about the evolutionary conservation of the mechanisms of fat loss between worms and mammals. Previously, we found that some omega-6 fatty acids promote fat loss in C. elegans by up-regulation of peroxisomal fatty acid β-oxidation in an omega-3 independent manner. In this work, we prove that the omega-6 fatty acids' effects on worms are also seen when they are supplemented with a natural omega-6 source (borage seed oil, BSO). Additionally, we explore the anti-obesity effects of two doses of BSO in a diet-induced obesity rat model, validating the up-regulation of peroxisomal fatty acid β-oxidation. The supplementation with BSO significantly reduces body weight gain and energy efficiency and prevents white adipose tissue accumulation without affecting food intake. Moreover, BSO also increases serum HDL-cholesterol levels, improves insulin resistance and promotes the down-regulation of Cebpa, an adipogenesis-related gene. Therefore, we conclude that the effects of omega-6 fatty acids are highly conserved between worms and obesity-induced mammals, so these compounds could be considered to treat or prevent obesity-related disorders.