Effects of intensive lifestyle changes on erectile dysfunction in men.

Introduction: Limited data are available supporting the notion that treatment of lifestyle risk factors may improve erectile dysfunction (ED).

Aim: In the present study, we analyzed the effect of a program of changing in lifestyle designed to improve erectile function in subjects with ED or at increasing risk for ED.

Methods: Men were identified in our database of subjects participating in randomized controlled trials evaluating the effect of lifestyle changes.

Role of adipokines in the obesity-inflammation relationship: the effect of fat removal.

During the past 10 years, there has been a dramatic increase in the prevalence of obesity in the United States and other developed nations. Recent studies indicate that adipose tissue is an endocrine organ producing numerous proteins, collectively referred to as adipokines, with broad biological activity, that play an important autocrine role in obesity-associated complications. Adipose tissue in general and visceral fat in particular are thought to be key regulators of inflammation.

Recombinant human erythropoietin improves angiogenesis and wound healing in experimental burn wounds.

Objective: Erythropoietin interacts with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and stimulates endothelial cell mitosis and motility; thus it may be of importance in the complex phenomenon of wound healing. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) on experimental burn wounds.

Design: Randomized experiment.

Lipid peroxidation inhibition by raxofelast improves angiogenesis and wound healing in experimental burn wounds.

We investigated the effects of raxofelast, a lipid peroxidation inhibitor, in an experimental model of burn wounds. C57BL/6 male mice of 25-30 g were immersed in 80 degrees C water for 10 seconds to achieve a partial-thickness scald burn. Animals received intraperitoneally either raxofelast (20 mg/kg/day for 14 days in 100 microL) or its vehicle alone (100 microL/day for 14 days).

Effect of a mediterranean-style diet on endothelial dysfunction and markers of vascular inflammation in the metabolic syndrome: a randomized trial.

Context: The metabolic syndrome has been identified as a target for dietary therapies to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease; however, the role of diet in the etiology of the metabolic syndrome is poorly understood.

Objective: To assess the effect of a Mediterranean-style diet on endothelial function and vascular inflammatory markers in patients with the metabolic syndrome.

Design, Setting, And Patients: Randomized, single-blind trial conducted from June 2001 to January 2004 at a university hospital in Italy among 180 patients (99 men and 81 women) with the metabolic syndrome, as defined by the Adult Treatment Panel III.

Effect of lifestyle changes on erectile dysfunction in obese men: a randomized controlled trial.

Context: Healthy lifestyle factors are associated with maintenance of erectile function in men.

Objective: To determine the effect of weight loss and increased physical activity on erectile and endothelial functions in obese men.

Design, Setting, And Patients: Randomized, single-blind trial of 110 obese men (body mass index > or =30) aged 35 to 55 years, without diabetes, hypertension, or hyperlipidemia, who had erectile dysfunction that was determined by having a score of 21 or less on the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF).

Sympathovagal balance, nighttime blood pressure, and QT intervals in normotensive obese women.

Objective: We describe associations among the heart-rate-corrected QT (QTc) interval, QTc dispersion (QTc-d), circadian BP variation, and autonomic function in obese normotensive women and the effect of sustained weight loss.

Research Methods And Procedures: In 71 obese (BMI = 37.14 +/- 2.

Effect of weight loss and lifestyle changes on vascular inflammatory markers in obese women: a randomized trial.

Context: Obesity is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which may be mediated by increased secretion of proinflammatory cytokines by adipose tissue.

Objective: To determine the effect of a program of changes in lifestyle designed to obtain a sustained reduction of body weight on markers of systemic vascular inflammation and insulin resistance.

Design And Setting: Randomized single-blind trial conducted from February 1999 to February 2002 at a university hospital in Italy.

Association of low interleukin-10 levels with the metabolic syndrome in obese women.

The potential role of anti-inflammatory cytokines in human obesity is unknown. We tested the hypothesis that low serum IL-10 concentrations associate with the metabolic syndrome in obese women. Compared with 50 matched nonobese women, the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (>/=3 of the following abnormalities: waist circumference, >88 cm; triglycerides, >1.

Effect of dietary antioxidants on postprandial endothelial dysfunction induced by a high-fat meal in healthy subjects.

Background: Persons following current dietary guidelines have a lower risk of mortality from coronary heart disease.

Objective: The objective was to compare the short-term effect of a high-fat meal and a high-carbohydrate meal, with and without dietary antioxidants, on vasomotor, antiplatelet, and hemostatic functions of the endothelium in healthy subjects.

Design: In an observer-blinded, randomized crossover study, 25 (13 men and 12 women) healthy subjects were given each of 3 meals in random order at 1-wk intervals: a high-fat meal (760 kcal), an isoenergetic high-carbohydrate meal, and a high-fat meal with dietary antioxidants from vegetables (865 kcal).

Inflammatory cytokine concentrations are acutely increased by hyperglycemia in humans: role of oxidative stress.

Background: Circulating levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) are elevated in diabetic patients. We assessed the role of glucose in the regulation of circulating levels of IL-6, TNF-alpha, and interleukin-18 (IL-18) in subjects with normal or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), as well as the effect of the antioxidant glutathione.

Methods And Results: Plasma glucose levels were acutely raised in 20 control and 15 IGT subjects and maintained at 15 mmol/L for 5 hours while endogenous insulin secretion was blocked with octreotide.

FFAs and QT intervals in obese women with visceral adiposity: effects of sustained weight loss over 1 year.

We evaluated 66 obese patients grouped by waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) into group A (WHR > 0.85, n = 30) and group B (WHR < or = 0.85, n = 36), before and after 1 yr of diet-induced weight loss compared with 25 nonobese women.

Postprandial endothelial activation in healthy subjects and in type 2 diabetic patients: role of fat and carbohydrate meals.

Objectives: To compare the effect of a high-fat meal and a high-carbohydrate meal (pizza), with and without antioxidant vitamins, on endothelial activation in healthy subjects and in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: The postprandial state is becoming increasingly acknowledged to affect some early events of atherogenesis.

Methods: In a randomized, observer-blinded, crossover study, 20 newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients and 20 age- and gender-matched healthy subjects received two meals at one-week intervals: a high-fat meal (760 calories) and an isoenergetic high-carbohydrate meal (non-cheese pizza).

Reduction of inflammatory cytokine concentrations and improvement of endothelial functions in obese women after weight loss over one year.

Background: Visceral fat is a key regulator site for the process of inflammation, and atherosclerotic lesions are essentially an inflammatory response.

Methods And Results: Fifty-six healthy premenopausal obese women (age range 25 to 44 years, body mass index 37.2+/-2.