Combined effects of a dietary portfolio of plant sterols, vegetable protein, viscous fibre and almonds on LDL particle size.

Studies conducted in the last 20 years have led to the identification of small dense LDL as an important risk factor for CVD. Consumption of plant sterols, soyabean proteins, viscous fibre and nuts are known to modulate the risk of CVD favourably through their cholesterol (Chol)-lowering properties, both independently and more recently in combination. Nevertheless, their combined impact on the LDL particle size phenotype has never been tested.

Postprandial glucose regulation and diabetic complications.

Atherosclerotic disease accounts for much of the increased mortality and morbidity associated with type 2 diabetes. Epidemiological studies support the potential of improved glycemic control to reduce cardiovascular complications. An association between glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)) level and the risk for cardiovascular complications has frequently been reported.

Decreasing, null and increasing effects of eight popular types of ginseng on acute postprandial glycemic indices in healthy humans: the role of ginsenosides.

Background: It is unclear whether other ginseng sources can replicate the glycemic-lowering efficacy observed previously with American ginseng and whether ginsenosides are mediators. We assessed the effect of eight popular ginseng types on postprandial plasma glucose (PG) and insulin (PI) indices, linking effects to ginsenoside profiles.

Methods: Using a double-blind, randomized, multiple-crossover design, 12 healthy participants (gender: 6M:6F, age: 34 +/- 3 y, BMI: 25.

Statistical evaluation of possible factors affecting the sagittal position of the first permanent molar in the maxilla.

A cephalometric analysis was designed to evaluate several factors that may affect the sagittal position of the maxillary first permanent molar. A total of 184 Class II and Class I malocclusion patients were randomly selected before orthodontic treatment. The mandibular and palatal planes were related to Frankfort Horizontal and used to create the interjaw or B angle.

Null and opposing effects of Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) on acute glycemia: results of two acute dose escalation studies.

Objective: We have repeatedly reported that a batch of American ginseng with a specific ginsenoside (glycosidal saponin) profile decreases acute postprandial glycemia. We investigated whether Asian ginseng is able to replicate this glycemia-lowering efficacy in two separate acute dose escalation studies.

Methods: Each study was conducted in a separate sample of 11 healthy subjects (gender: 8M:3F and 6M:5F, age: 29 +/- 2y and 27 +/- 3y, BMI: 28.

The effect of combining plant sterols, soy protein, viscous fibers, and almonds in treating hypercholesterolemia.

Reductions in low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) result from diets containing almonds, or diets that are either low in saturated fat or high in viscous fibers, soy proteins, or plant sterols. We have therefore combined all of these interventions in a single diet (portfolio diet) to determine whether cholesterol reductions could be achieved of similar magnitude to those reported in recent statin trials which reduced cardiovascular events. Twenty-five hyperlipidemic subjects consumed either a portfolio diet (n=13), very low in saturated fat and high in plant sterols (1.

Clinical use of ezetimibe.

Despite advances in pharmacological therapies to treat and prevent cardiovascular disease, it remains the leading cause of death in Canada. There now exists a large body of evidence demonstrating that reduction of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) effectively reduces cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Despite this, a large proportion of patients who would benefit from this intervention are still not achieving the recommended LDL-C levels.

Statin therapy and the management of acute coronary syndromes.

The pathophysiology of acute coronary syndromes is related to erosion or rupture of vulnerable plaque leading to intracoronary thrombosis as a result of activation of the coagulation cascade and platelet aggregation. Potential benefit of hypolipidemic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibition may be related to the pleiotropic effects such as endothelial function improvement, stabilization of the plaque in relation to reduced macrophage activity and smooth muscle cell proliferation, as well as other anti-inflammatory effects that have been demonstrated in animal models. With the publication of the Myocardial Ischemia Reduction with Aggressive Cholesterol Lowering (MIRACL) study, early initiation of statin therapy within 24 to 96 h has been recognized as an important addition to the therapeutic armamentarium in the management of patients with acute coronary syndromes.

Effects of a dietary portfolio of cholesterol-lowering foods vs lovastatin on serum lipids and C-reactive protein.

Context: To enhance the effectiveness of diet in lowering cholesterol, recommendations of the Adult Treatment Panel III of the National Cholesterol Education Program emphasize diets low in saturated fat together with plant sterols and viscous fibers, and the American Heart Association supports the use of soy protein and nuts.

Objective: To determine whether a diet containing all of these recommended food components leads to cholesterol reduction comparable with that of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins).

Design: Randomized controlled trial conducted between October and December 2002.

Conditional calcineurin knockout mice exhibit multiple abnormal behaviors related to schizophrenia.

Calcineurin (CN), a calcium- and calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase, plays a significant role in the central nervous system. Previously, we reported that forebrain-specific CN knockout mice (CN mutant mice) have impaired working memory. To further analyze the behavioral effects of CN deficiency, we subjected CN mutant mice to a comprehensive behavioral test battery.

Variable effects of American ginseng: a batch of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) with a depressed ginsenoside profile does not affect postprandial glycemia.

Background: We have repeatedly reported that American ginseng (AG) with a specific ginsenoside profile significantly decreases postprandial glycemia. Whether this effect is reproducible using AG with a different profile is unknown. We therefore investigated the effect of a different batch of AG on glycemia following a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).

A dietary portfolio approach to cholesterol reduction: combined effects of plant sterols, vegetable proteins, and viscous fibers in hypercholesterolemia.

Plant sterols, soy proteins, and viscous fibers are advised for cholesterol reduction but their combined effect has never been tested. We therefore assessed their combined effect on blood lipids in hyperlipidemic subjects who were already consuming a low-saturated fat, low-cholesterol diet before starting the study. The test (combination) diet was 1 month in duration and was very low in saturated fat and high in plant sterols (1 g/1,000 kcal), soy protein (23 g/1,000 kcal), and viscous fibers (9 g/1,000 kcal) obtained from foods available in supermarkets and health food stores.

Acarbose in the treatment of elderly patients with type 2 diabetes.

Aims: To study the effect of acarbose, an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, on glycemic control in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: Elderly patients with type 2 diabetes treated with diet alone were randomly treated in a double-blind fashion with placebo (n=99) or acarbose (n=93) for 12 months.

Results: After 12 months of therapy, there was a statistically significant difference in the change in glycated haemoglobin (HbA(1c)) (-0.

Lipids and diabetes mellitus: a review of therapeutic options.

Diabetes mellitus ia very common disease with a high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This articles reviews the types of lipid disorders that can accompany diabetes mellitus and the evidence that treatment of dyslipidaemia improves primary and secondary endpoints, i.e.

An iron-responsive element type II in the 5'-untranslated region of the Alzheimer's amyloid precursor protein transcript.

Iron-responsive elements (IREs) are the RNA stem loops that control cellular iron homeostasis by regulating ferritin translation and transferrin receptor mRNA stability. We mapped a novel iron-responsive element (IRE-Type II) within the 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR) of the Alzheimer's amyloid precursor protein (APP) transcript (+51 to +94 from the 5'-cap site). The APP mRNA IRE is located immediately upstream of an interleukin-1 responsive acute box domain (+101 to +146).

Effect of wheat bran on glycemic control and risk factors for cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetes.

Objective: Cohort studies indicate that cereal fiber reduces the risk of diabetes and coronary heart disease (CHD). Therefore, we assessed the effect of wheat bran on glycemic control and CHD risk factors in type 2 diabetes.

Research Design And Methods: A total of 23 subjects with type 2 diabetes (16 men and 7 postmenopausal women) completed two 3-month phases of a randomized crossover study.

Effects of high- and low-isoflavone soyfoods on blood lipids, oxidized LDL, homocysteine, and blood pressure in hyperlipidemic men and women.

Background: Many of the benefits of soy have been attributed to soy isoflavones.

Objective: The objective was to determine the effects of high- and low-isoflavone soy-protein foods on both lipid and nonlipid risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: Forty-one hyperlipidemic men and postmenopausal women participated in a study with three 1-mo diets: a low-fat dairy food control diet and high- (50 g soy protein and 73 mg isoflavones daily) and low- (52 g soy protein and 10 mg isoflavones daily) isoflavone soyfood diets.

Effect of orlistat in overweight and obese patients with type 2 diabetes treated with metformin.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of orlistat, a gastrointestinal lipase inhibitor, on body weight, glycemic control, and cardiovascular risk factors in metformin-treated type 2 diabetic patients.

Research Design And Methods: A 1-year multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 120 mg orlistat t.i.

A comparison of pravastatin and gemfibrozil in the treatment of dyslipoproteinemia in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

The effects of pravastatin (pravachol) compared with gemfibrozil on cholesterol-rich and trigylceride-rich lipoproteins were evaluated in this multi-centered trial. Following an 8-12 week prerandomization phase, 136 patients with NIDDM and hypercholesterolemia were randomized to receive either pravastatin 40 mg or gemfibrozil 1200 mg daily for 16 weeks. The reduction of total cholesterol (TC), betaquant LDL and LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) was significantly greater in patients treated with pravastatin than with gemfibrozil.

Konjac-Mannan and American ginsing: emerging alternative therapies for type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Despite significant achievements in treatment modalities and preventive measures, the prevalence of diabetes has risen exponentially in the last decade. Because of these limitations there is a continued need for new and more effective therapies. An increasing number of people are using dietary and herbal supplements, even though there is a general lack of evidence for their safety and efficacy.

High-protein diets in hyperlipidemia: effect of wheat gluten on serum lipids, uric acid, and renal function.

Background: The metabolic effects of diets high in vegetable protein have not been assessed despite much recent interest in the effect of soy proteins in reducing serum cholesterol.

Objective: We assessed the metabolic effects of diets high in vegetable protein (specifically, wheat gluten) on serum lipids, uric acid concentrations, and renal function.

Design: Twenty hyperlipidemic men and women consumed isoenergetic test (high-protein) and control metabolic diets for 1 mo in a randomized crossover design.

Diabetes Screening in Canada (DIASCAN) Study: prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes and glucose intolerance in family physician offices.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes and glucose intolerance in individuals > or =40 years of age who contacted their family physician for routine care.

Research Design And Methods: The study used a stratified randomized selection of family physicians across Canada that was proportional to provincial and urban/rural populations based on Statistics Canada Census data (1996). Consecutive patients > or =40 years of age were screened for diabetes.

American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) attenuates postprandial glycemia in a time-dependent but not dose-dependent manner in healthy individuals.

Background: We previously showed that 3 g American ginseng administered 40 min before an oral glucose challenge significantly reduces postprandial glycemia in subjects without diabetes. Whether this effect can be replicated with doses <3 g and administration times closer to the oral glucose challenge is unclear.

Objective: Our objective was to study the dosing and timing effects of American ginseng on postprandial glycemia.

Simple skinfold-thickness measurements complement conventional anthropometric assessments in predicting glucose tolerance.

Background: Skinfold-thickness measurements are considered to have limited clinical utility.

Objective: To assess whether skinfold-thickness measurements may be a useful adjunct to conventional anthropometric assessments in predicting glucose and insulin regulation, we studied responses to replicate 75-g oral-glucose-tolerance tests (OGTTs) and performed simple anthropometry in a cross section of subjects.

Design: Thirty-five subjects completed the study: 11 lean [mean (+/-SEM) age: 33 +/- 3.