Lower Serum Cholesterol Levels Research Articles

HIF-P4H-2 inhibition enhances intestinal fructose metabolism and induces thermogenesis protecting against NAFLD

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) parallels the global obesity epidemic with unmet therapeutic needs. We investigated whether inhibition of hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl 4-hydroxylase-2 (HIF-P4H-2), a key cellular oxygen sensor whose inhibition stabilizes HIF, would protect from NAFLD by subjecting HIF-P4H-2-deficient (Hif-p4h-2gt/gt) mice to a high-fat, high-fructose (HFHF) or high-fat, methionine-choline-deficient (HF-MCD) diet. On both diets, the Hif-p4h-2gt/gt mice gained less weight and had less white adipose tissue (WAT) and its inflammation, lower serum cholesterol levels, and lighter livers with less steatosis and lower serum ALT levels than the wild type (WT). The intake of fructose in majority of the Hif-p4h-2gt/gt tissues, including the liver, was 15–35% less than in the WT. We found upregulation of the key fructose transporter and metabolizing enzyme mRNAs, Slc2a2, Khka, and Khkc, and higher ketohexokinase activity in the Hif-p4h-2gt/gt small intestine relative to the WT, suggesting enhanced metabolism of fructose in the former. On the HF-MCD diet, the Hif-p4h-2gt/gt mice showed more browning of the WAT and increased thermogenesis. A pharmacological pan-HIF-P4H inhibitor protected WT mice on both diets against obesity, metabolic dysfunction, and liver damage. These data suggest that HIF-P4H-2 inhibition could be studied as a novel, comprehensive treatment strategy for NAFLD.Key messages• HIF-P4H-2 inhibition enhances intestinal fructose metabolism protecting the liver.• HIF-P4H-2 inhibition downregulates hepatic lipogenesis.• Induced browning of WAT and increased thermogenesis can also mediate protection.• HIF-P4H-2 inhibition offers a novel, comprehensive treatment strategy for NAFLD.

Low Serum Cholesterol Level Among Patients with COVID-19 Infection in Wenzhou, China

Background: A recent cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan, China, was caused by a novel coronavirus COVID-19. Meanwhile, as the infection progressed, a large number of cases were also diagnosed in Wenzhou, China. The objective of the study is to describe the clinical laboratory features, especially lipid profile of the patients with COVID-19 infection in Wenzhou.Methods: All cases were in a designated hospital in Wenzhou, and confirmed by positive virial nucleic acid detection through PCR assay. All clinical laboratory data were from the first test results after their admission. The unpaired t test was used for data analysis.Findings: The absolute value of white blood cells, neutrophils and lymphocytes were lower than healthy controls ( P ＜0.05), more significantly, the patients had sharply decreased total cholesterol (TC), HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels ( P ＜0.001), 3.70±0.09mmol/L, 1.18±0.03 mmol/L and 1.82±0.08 mmol/L respectively, and increased monocyte/HDL-cholesterol ratio (0.37±0.02 vs 0.28±0.01 in healthy control). Among the patients, the primary infection cases showed the lower HDL-cholesterol levels (1.10±0.04 mmol/L) and higher monocyte/HDL-cholesterol ratio (0.43±0.03) than the secondary infection cases by person-to-person transmission ( P ＜0.05). Compared with the female patients, the male patients had higher levels of monocytes [(0.46±0.02) ×10 9 /L], M/HDL-C ratio (0.44±0.02), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH, 257.6±12.32 U/l).Interpretation: Low serum cholesterol level in the patients with COVID-19 in Wenzhou, China. Altered serum cholesterol provide important information, and is meaningful to understand the disease.Funding Statement: This work is funded by Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province (LQ18H020005). Declaration of Interests: The authors declare no competing interests.Ethics Approval Statement: This study was authorized by Ethics Commission of Wenzhou Central Hospital.

Daisaikoto Prevents Post-dieting Weight Regain by Reversing Dysbiosis and Reducing Serum Corticosterone in Mice.

Weight loss is often temporary and is generally followed by recurrent weight gain and a relapse of metabolic complications, whose severity may be even greater upon recurrence. Preventing recurrent obesity, understanding the control of the energy balance subsequent to weight loss, and reversing the predisposition to obesity are critical factors that warrant an in-depth study. Several Kampo medicines, including daisaikoto, have traditionally been used to manage obesity, but their mechanisms of action are not well studied and their effects on weight regain are unknown. Here, we investigated the therapeutic potential and mechanism of action of daisaikoto in a mouse model of recurrent obesity. The mouse model was established by feeding mice a high-fat diet, followed by a normal chow, and a second course of the high-fat diet. Daisaikoto inhibited not only obesity and regaining of weight post-dieting, but also dysbiosis, thereby overcoming the predisposition to obesity. Furthermore, we found that recurrent obesity or long-term consumption of the high-fat diet elevated serum glucose, insulin, and corticosterone levels, and that daisaikoto lowered serum cholesterol and free fatty acid levels. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that this medication may inhibit lipid absorption by inhibiting pancreatic lipase. However, daisaikoto had no effect on the body weight of lean mice fed a normal chow, suggesting that although this medicine prevents lipid absorption, it does not cause excessive weight loss. In conclusion, our results elucidate the mechanisms underlying daisaikoto activity, and suggest that it may serve as a safe and effective anti-obesity drug.

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.

The Role of Cholesterol in Assessing the Condition of the Surgical Patients

Summary Cholesterol is a white, waxy substance that always takes part in building each cell in the human body. The role of cholesterol in the normal functioning of the human body has been known for a long time, however, it is mainly due to its elevated levels and the health risk of it. It is less well known that low serum cholesterol levels are associated with serious health problems. When it comes to intensive care unit (ICU) patients, hypocholesterolemia may indicate infectious complications, impaired hepatic synthesis, significant bodily injury. Surgical patients are judged for operative trauma and perioperative stress, as well as for the resuscitation process.

The History of the WHHL Rabbit, an Animal Model of Familial Hypercholesterolemia (II) - Contribution to the Development and Validation of the Therapeutics for Hypercholesterolemia and Atherosclerosis.

A number of effective drugs have been developed through animal experiments, contributing to the health of many patients. In particular, the WHHL rabbit family (WHHL rabbits and its advanced strains (coronary atherosclerosis-prone WHHL-CA rabbits and myocardial infarction-prone WHHLMI rabbits) developed at Kobe University (Kobe, Japan) contributed greatly in the development of cholesterol-lowering agents. The WHHL rabbit family is animal models for human familial hypercholesterolemia, coronary atherosclerosis, and coronary heart disease. At the end of breeding of the WHHL rabbit family, this review summarizes the contribution of the WHHL rabbit family to the development of lipid-lowering agents and anti-atherosclerosis agents. Studies using the WHHL rabbit family demonstrated, for the first time in the world, that lowering serum cholesterol levels or preventing LDL oxidation can suppress the progression and destabilization of coronary lesions. In addition, the WHHL rabbit family contributed to the development of various compounds that exhibit lipid-lowering and anti-atherosclerotic effects and has also been used in studies of gene therapeutics. Furthermore, this review also discusses the causes of the increased discrepancy in drug development between the results of animal experiments and clinical studies, which became a problem in recent years, and addresses the importance of the selection of appropriate animal models used in studies in addition to an appropriate study design.

Low serum cholesterol level as a risk factor for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests: a case-control study

Background: The hypercholesterolemia is the well-known risk factor of the out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). However, several recent studies showed that high cholesterol is not the predictor of mortality of elderly population. The aim of this study is to identify the risk of dyslipidemia on incidence of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Hypolipidemic effects of barley-β-glucan in experimentally induced hyperlipidemic rats

Hyperlipidemia is one of the major risk factors for heart disease. One way to reduce the risk of developing the disease is to lower serum cholesterol levels by making dietary changes. Beta-glucan are glucose polymers present in cereal grains as barley,consumption of the whole grain or concentrated β-glucan preparation has been shown to lower blood lipid profile and atherogenic ratios. Fifty male albino rats were assigned into five groups. The control groupreceived standard diet, the hyperlipidemic group fed 1% cholesterol and 20% coconut oil in the dietfor 8 weeks. The β-glucan treated group received high fat diet for 4 weeks then high fat diet plus barley β-glucan 10 mg/rats given orally for more 4 weeks. The β-glucan protected group received standard diet +10 mg/rat barley β-glucan for 2 weeks then high fat diet + barley β-glucan 10 mg/rat for another 8 weeks. The β-glucan group received standard diet + barley β-glucan 10 mg/rat for 8 weeks. The hyperlipidemicrats showed an increase in lipid profile, total lipid, phospholipids, atherogenic ratios, liver enzymes, kidney functions and glucose and a decrease in HDL-C and albumin compared with the control group. Moreover histological examination of liver tissue of hyperlipidemic rats showed fatty hepatocytes compared with the control. Administration of barley β-glucan 10 mg/rat in treated and protected groups ameliorated the levels of lipids, atherogenic ratios, liver functions, kidney functions and glucose. In addition, the liver tissues showed improved pathological alterations.

Association of Serum Cholesterol Levels With Peripheral Nerve Damage in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

Lowering serum cholesterol levels is a well-established treatment for dyslipidemia in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, nerve lesions in patients with T2D increase with lower serum cholesterol levels, suggesting that lowering serum cholesterol levels is associated with diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) in patients with T2D. To investigate whether there is an association between serum cholesterol levels and peripheral nerve lesions in patients with T2D with and without DPN. This single-center, cross-sectional, prospective cohort study was performed from June 1, 2015, to March 31, 2018. Observers were blinded to clinical data. A total of 256 participants were approached, of whom 156 were excluded. A total of 100 participants consented to undergo magnetic resonance neurography of the right leg at the Department of Neuroradiology and clinical, serologic, and electrophysiologic assessment at the Department of Endocrinology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany. Quantification of the nerve's diameter and lipid equivalent lesion (LEL) load with a subsequent analysis of all acquired clinical and serologic data with use of 3.0-T magnetic resonance neurography of the right leg with 3-dimensional reconstruction of the sciatic nerve. The primary outcome was lesion load and extension. Secondary outcomes were clinical, serologic, and electrophysiologic findings. A total of 100 participants with T2D (mean [SD] age, 64.6 [0.9] years; 68 [68.0%] male) participated in the study. The LEL load correlated positively with the nerve's mean cross-sectional area (r = 0.44; P < .001) and the maximum length of a lesion (r = 0.71; P < .001). The LEL load was negatively associated with total serum cholesterol level (r = -0.41; P < .001), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (r = -0.30; P = .006), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (r = -0.33; P = .003), nerve conduction velocities of the tibial (r = -0.33; P = .01) and peroneal (r = -0.51; P < .001) nerves, and nerve conduction amplitudes of the tibial (r = -0.31; P = .02) and peroneal (r = -0.28; P = .03) nerves. The findings suggest that lowering serum cholesterol levels in patients with T2D and DPN is associated with a higher amount of nerve lesions and declining nerve conduction velocities and amplitudes. These findings may be relevant to emerging therapies that promote an aggressive lowering of serum cholesterol levels in patients with T2D.

Effect of cinnamaldehyde and 1, 8-cineole on performance, egg quality and some blood parameters of laying hens

This study was aimed at determining the effects of the addition of cinnamaldehyde and 1, 8-cineole to laying hen rations on performance, egg quality and some blood parameters. For this purpose, 96 (48-week-old and initial body weight average 1,773.19 g) laying hens of the Bovans White lineage were used. Birds were fed on a standard basal ration (PC) and basal rations were added with 500 mg/kg of antibiotic (NC); 100 mg/kg of cinnamaldehyde (T1); and 100 mg/kg of 1, 8-cineole (T2) for 60 days. While the feed consumption levels of groups T1 and T2 were significantly lower than that of group PC, their egg production was significantly lower than that of groups PC and NC. When compared to groups PC and NC, it was observed that the feed additive given to group T2 had significantly reduced the feed conversion rate. All of the feed additives used in this study were determined to have decreased egg weight, eggshell strength and eggshell thickness, in comparison to the measurements of group PC. Furthermore, when compared to groups PC and NC, groups T1 and T2 were ascertained to have lower serum glucose and cholesterol levels. However, when compared to the other 3 groups, group T1 presented with significantly higher serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels and group T2 displayed a significantly higher rate of defective eggs. In result, the addition of cinnamaldehyde and 1, 8-cineole to the ration was observed to show a positive impact on serum glucose and cholesterol levels, and a negative impact on other performance parameters and eggshell quality. It was concluded that further more detailed investigation is required in this added to laying hen rations.

EXERCISE AND SEX IMPACT HEPATIC BILE ACID METABOLISM AND FECAL EXCRETION

Exercise can improve metabolic outcomes associated with obesity including hepatic steatosis, however, precise mechanisms are not fully established, nor is the impact of sex. In this study we tested the hypothesis that exercise (via voluntary wheel running (VWR)) would increase expression of hepatic genes controlling cholesterol (Chol) and bile acid (BA) synthesis, and increase fecal BA excretion in male and female C57BL/6 mice providing a mechanism for diverting hepatic acetyl‐CoA away from de novo lipogenesis and towards fecal excretion. A time restricted feeding paradigm was also examined because nutrient availability (fed vs. fasting) impacts the Chol/BA pathway and may impact the capacity for VWR to modulate liver metabolism. Male and female, eight‐week old mice were randomly assigned to one of the following treatment groups (n = 8/group) while consuming a chow diet: sedentary plus ad libitum access to food (SED‐AL), sedentary plus overnight food restricted (SED‐OFR), voluntary wheel running ad libitum access to food (VWR‐AL), and voluntary wheel running plus overnight food restricted (VWR‐OFR) for a period of 4 weeks. Additionally, half of the mice in each group were either fed or fasted immediately prior to tissue collection. Females displayed across the board higher fecal bile acid concentration and higher hepatic gene expression for ACLY, CYP7A1, HMGCR, and FXR compared to males regardless of treatment condition. VWR only increased fecal BA concentration in fed females (VWR‐AL) while the effects of VWR and feeding status on hepatic expression of ACLY, CYP7a1, and HMGCR were mixed and largely insignificant compared to the male vs. female differences. Females had lower serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Exercise reduces susceptibility for hepatic steatosis, and female rodents are known to be protected against steatosis and these results suggest that these effects are associated with increased fecal BA excretion and/or an upregulation of Chol/BA synthesis gene expression.Support or Funding InformationVA Merit Review grant (1I01BX002567‐01) (JPT)This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Policosanols: Chemistry, Occurrence, and Health Effects

Overwhelming evidence indicates that reduction of blood low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), ratio of LDL-C/HDL-C, and TG/HDL-C ameliorate the occurrence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Long-chain alcohols and aldehydes known generically as policosanol (PC) and policosanal have attracted attention from researchers and scientists due to their cholesterol-lowering health benefits. Many researchers reported that PC decreased serum cholesterol, while others failed to reproduce this effect. The objective of this investigation was to update research data and establish the optimal future research direction of PC as a cholesterol-lowering alternative for use in food, dietary supplements, and pharmaceutical industries. PC distribution differs in individual plants and maturity stage affects composition. PCs are considered as limiting nutraceuticals. Regular food sources for humans include rice bran oil, olive oil especially cold-pressed extraction, and non-centrifugal sugar products from sugarcane. Waste products discarded from rice bran oil are considered as good sources of policosanol. Most human clinical trials found PC to be effective in reducing serum cholesterol, whereas others reported no effect, especially for PC extracted from dietary sources. Inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase as the rate-controlling enzyme of the mevalonate pathway has been proved as the cellular mechanism which lowers serum-cholesterol levels. This review offers ideas for the direction of future PC research. PC is a limited nutraceutical which offers promise for the prevention of hypercholesterolemia. Further studies are required to determine an effective PC composition for cholesterol reduction which will benefit the food, dietary supplement, and pharmaceutical industries.

Effect of Simvastatin on Thrombopoiesis in Porcine Bone Marrow.

IntroductionStatins are pharmacological agents commonly used to lower serum cholesterol level. The aim of the experiment was to investigate the effect of the statin simvastatin on thrombopoiesis in the porcine model because it is the closest to the human one regarding physiological and genetic similarities.Material and MethodsThe study was conducted on a group of 32 pigs randomly divided into two equal groups: control and experimental. The pigs were treated for 28 and 56 days with simvastatin in a dose of 40 mg per day per animal. Cytological evaluation of bone marrow smears was performed to assess the average number of all types of cells during thrombopoiesis as was analysis of haematological parameters to assess PLT and MPV.ResultsDuring the course of the experiment statistically significant changes in the number of promegakaryocytes were observed. Other parameters also showed some fluctuations during the study. However, these changes were not statistically significant.ConclusionThe obtained results clearly indicate a toxic influence of simvastatin on the process of thrombopoiesis and prove that statins reduce mean platelet volume, thus affecting the process of clot formation through the period of administration in a duration-dependent manner.

Refined cottonseed oil as a replacement for soybean oil in broiler diet.

With the shortage of common vegetable fat sources, such as soybean oil (SBO), it is urgent to find alternative oil sources for broiler producers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of refined cottonseed oil (CSO) as a replacement for SBO in broiler diets. A total of 180 chickens at 1 d of age were randomly assigned to five treatments of six replicates. One treatment was the basal diet (control), and the other four experimental diets were formulated from the basal diet by replacing (w/w) 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of the SBO with refined CSO (only containing 0.2% cyclopropenoid fatty acids, and no free gossypol was detected). At the end of week 6, blood samples were obtained from the jugular vein and the breast muscle was aseptically isolated from two birds per replicate. The results showed that substitution of CSO for low‐level SBO had no significant effect (p > 0.05) on broiler performance during the starter period (week 1–3), while 50% level of CSO inclusion significantly increased (p < 0.05) ADG and improved FCR compared with the control group during the finisher period (week 4–6). Broilers fed 100% CSO diets had lower (p < 0.05) levels of serum total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), cholesterol (CHO) concentrations, and serum alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activity than that of the control broilers. Furthermore, the serum antioxidant status appeared to be enhanced by CSO. Additionally, high levels of CSO (75 and 100%) significantly increased the proportions of C14:0 and C18:0 but decreased the proportions of C18:1n9t, C18:2n6c, and ∑ n‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in breast muscles of broilers. Overall, the SBO could be replaced with refined CSO up to 50% in diets for broilers without adversely affecting the performance, liver functions, and breast muscle fatty acid composition of these broilers.

Growth Performance, Blood Biochemical Constituents, Antioxidant Status, and Meat Fatty Acids Composition of Lambs Fed Diets Supplemented with Plant Essential Oils

The aim of this study was to evaluate the growth performance, antioxidant status, meat fatty acid composition, antioxidant status, and health of sheep received diets supplemented with plant essential oils. Growing lambs (n= 20) were randomly allotted into four groups: control (CON) group received a fattening standard diet with no additive, the second group received the CON diet supplemented with 5g/kg DM of black cumin seed oil (CUMO), the third group received the CON diet supplemented with 5g/kg DM of cinnamon oil (CINO), and the fourth group received the CON diet supplemented with 5 g/kg DM of pomegranate seed oil (POMO) for a period of 8 weeks. The body weights of lambs were greater in the CUMO group than the other groups (P = 0.03). Bodyweight gain and daily feed intake of lambs fed diets supplemented with plant oils were not different from those fed the control diet. Lambs fed the diets supplemented with CUMO had improved FCR (P = 0.005) compared to other groups. The experimental diet containing CUMO, POMO, and CINO significantly decreased blood MDA levels (P < 0.001). Lambs fed the diet supplemented with CUMO had greater blood GPx values (P < 0.001) than other groups. Lambs fed CUMO, POMO, and CINO supplemented diets had greater serum total protein and globulin concentrations (P < 0.001), while lower serum cholesterol levels than those fed the CON diet. The ALT concentration was lower (P < 0.001) in the serum of lambs fed essential oils supplemented diets. The POMO lambs had lower serum AST levels (P < 0.01) compared to other treatments. Lower proportions of SFA (P < 0.001) and MUFA (P < 0.001) were observed in the CUMO, POMO, and CINO supplemented groups compared to CON. Dietary CUMO supplementation increased PUFA (P < 0.01) and n6-PUFA proportions (P < 0.05) compared to other groups. The CUMO and CINO groups had greater n3-PUFA (P < 0.05) than other groups. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of CUMO, CINO, and POMO was a good approach to improve antioxidant status, health, and meat nutritive value of feedlot lambs.

Are lipid profile, body mass index, waist circumference, and blood pressure of depressed elderly patients different from healthy subjects?

Background:Depression and obesity are among the increasingly publicized health problems, both being related to critical complications, and increasing the risk of substantial morbidity and mortality. An increasing number of documents indicate that obesity affects mental status, low serum cholesterol levels, and is related to depressive symptoms. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the possible significant difference in lipid profile levels, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and blood pressure (BP), between depressive and nondepressive older adults.Methods:This was a case–control study where 107 patients, over 65-year-old, were enrolled in this study. Serum total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG), BP, and fasting blood sugar were measured. Data were analyzed using the statistical SPSS software version 22. Independent t-test was used to compare the results between the two groups and the Chi-square test was used to compare categorical variables. In addition, nonparametric Mann–Whitney test was used to evaluate the data.Results:The depressive group showed significant lower BMI, WC, LDL-C, and TG (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.016, and P < 0.014). Furthermore, the findings showed significantly higher systolic and diastolic BP in participants who had shown depressive symptoms (P < 0.035 and P < 0.024).Conclusions:The findings suggest that a low BMI, serum LDL-C, and TG are related to depressive symptoms the Iranian elderly.

Correlation between serum lipid fractions and radiological severity in patients with drug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis: A cross-sectional pilot study

Background: We aimed to determine if serum cholesterol and body mass index (BMI), which are important in maintaining immunity, have any impact on the radiological severity in patients with drug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis (DR-TB). Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional pilot study was conducted over 2 years in adults with newly diagnosed DR-TB. The radiological severity of the disease was determined using a chest X-ray (CXR) scoring formula. Correlation between the lipid fraction levels, BMI, and the CXR scores was determined using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: Thirty-three patients were included in the study. A significant negative correlation was seen between the CXR severity scores and total cholesterol (r = −0.546,P = 0.001), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (r = −0.479,P = 0.005), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (r = −0.431,P = 0.012), and BMI (r = −0.352,P = 0.044). Conclusions: Low serum cholesterol levels and low BMI were associated with an increased radiological severity which, in turn, could result in increased infectivity. Adequate nutritional supplementation in the diet of patients to increase BMI, and serum cholesterol levels, could potentially decrease the severity, and also consequently, transmission, and incidence of DR-TB.

The Clinical Spectrum of Fibrocalculous Pancreatic Diabetes in Kashmir Valley and Comparative Study of the Clinical Profile of Fibrocalculous Pancreatic Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Background:Fibrocalculous pancreatic diabetes (FCPD) is a secondary form of diabetes, described from several tropical countries, including India. We described the existence of this entity in the subtropical region-the Kashmir valley of the Indian subcontinent and compared the clinical characteristics of these patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients.Aim:The present study aimed to compare the clinical characteristics of patients with FCPD and those with T2DM to identify the characteristics distinctive of FCPD.Materials and Methods:A total of 124 patients with FCPD were compared with 124 patients with T2DM matched for age and duration of diabetes. Biochemical parameters and microvascular and macrovascular complications were assessed in all patients. Multivariate regression analyses were performed to study the determinants of microvascular complications in both groups.Results:FCPD patients had significantly lower serum cholesterol, serum triglyceride, and serum calcium levels but higher glycosylated hemoglobin levels compared to T2DM patients. FCPD participants were significantly leaner. The prevalence of retinopathy, neuropathy, and nephropathy was similar between the two. Five T2DM patients had documented cardiovascular disease compared to one in FCPD patients (P < 0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed glycosylated hemoglobin and duration of diabetes to be significantly associated with retinopathy and nephropathy in T2DM. Among FCPD patients, glycosylated hemoglobin showed a strong association with retinopathy as well as nephropathy. BMI showed a significant negative association with nephropathy in FCPD patients. Age and age at onset showed a strong association with neuropathy in FCPD patients while the duration of diabetes showed the association with neuropathy (P = 0.015) in T2DM.Conclusion:There are several differences in the phenotype, biochemical parameters, and prevalence of diabetic complications between patients with FCPD and T2DM.

Consortia of bioactives in supercritical carbon dioxide extracts of mustard and small cardamom seeds lower serum cholesterol levels in rats: new leads for hypocholesterolaemic supplements from spices.

Melatonin-rich and 1,8-cineole-rich extracts have been successfully obtained from yellow mustard (YM) and small cardamom (SC) seeds, respectively, employing green technology of supercritical CO2 (SC-CO2) extraction. Chemical profiling confirmed the presence of melatonin and 1,8-cineole and co-extractants in the respective extracts. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy attested strong antioxidant activities of the extracts foregoing pan-assay interference compounds involved in spectroscopic analysis. These extracts also exhibited synergistic efficacies greater than unity confirming antioxidant synergy among the co-extracted bioactives therein. To ascertain hypocholesterolaemic efficacies, these extracts were co-administered orally with Triton X (at the pre-optimised dose of 175 mg/kg body weight (BW)) to Wistar albino rats at doses of 550, 175 and 55 mg/kg BW. Serum total cholesterol levels in the rats were monitored on days 3, 7, 15 and 21. On day 21, total cholesterol level reduced appreciably by 49·44 % in rats treated with YM seed extract and by 48·95 % in rats treated with SC seed extract, comparable with atorvastatin-administered rats (51·09 %). Either extract demonstrated inhibitory effects on hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase activity. A molecular docking exercise identified specific compounds in the extracts which possessed binding affinities comparable with therapeutically used HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. In silico and in vivo studies concertedly concluded that the consortium of bioactive components in the extracts cannot be considered as invalid metabolic panaceas and therefore these 'green' extracts could be safely subjected to clinical studies as preventive biotherapeutics for hypercholesterolaemia. These extracts could be consumed per se as hypocholesterolaemic supplements or could be ingredients of new spice-based therapeutic foods.

Development technology of functional drinks made from ginger extracts as products model for developing small-medium enterprises

As society’s awareness of processed products comes from natural ingredients, research on the development of functional beverages that focussing on the antioxidant capacity of the mixture of ginger rhizome extractive products with other spices’extractive products is also growing. In accordance with the expansion of the utilization of extractive ginger products, this paper will described some research result that focuses on technology development of functional drinks based on ginger extract as a model of small - medium enterprise development products, such as (1) Composition of health drink from spices in the form of a mixtures of 17 kinds of spices that having certain active compounds and nutritious for health; (2) syrup contains ginger and lemongrass extracts and also honey; and (3) Antioxidant-rich drink of mixture red mangosteen and ginger emprit extracts as basic formula, and then development of basic formula by adding spices extracts mixture of cinnamon and cloves. These three types of functional drinks are made from natural ingredients, especially ginger extracts (essential oil), not only has a distinctive flavour and aroma favoured by consumer, as well as attractive colors appearance, but also effective enough for lowering serum cholesterol levels and regularly consumption can contributed in prevention of coronary heart disease. Therefore the technology of health drink development based on ginger extract through its diversification products can be increased the economic value of ginger and other spices, improve the image of traditional food products, products price are able to compete with the types of energy drink, reduce the import of nutritional supplement product, and support the government programmes in the field of public health using natural materials.