Publications by authors named "Mindy Kurzer"

Research suggests that adiponectin, leptin, and genetic polymorphisms such as catechol--methyltransferase () genotype may play an integral role in blood pressure status and thereby cardiovascular health. This is an area especially important for women who are post-menopause; however, the current literature investigating these associations is limited. This study was a cross-sectional secondary analysis of baseline data ( 237) from the Minnesota Green Tea Trial (MGTT).

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Green tea extract (GTE) is a potential mitigator of oxidative stress, and F-isoprostanes are a reliable biomarker of oxidative stress. Genetic polymorphisms in the catechol-o-methyltransferase (COMT) gene may modify tea catechin metabolism, prolonging exposure. We hypothesized that GTE supplementation would decrease plasma F-isoprostanes concentrations compared with placebo and that participants with the COMT genotype polymorphisms would experience a more significant expression of this outcome.

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The predominant catechin in green tea, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), may be hepatotoxic in high doses. Our objective was to investigate the influence of () and () genotypes on changes in liver injury biomarkers in response to long-term, high-dose green tea extract (GTE) supplementation among postmenopausal women. A secondary analysis was conducted using data from the Minnesota Green Tea Trial ( = 1,075), in which participants were randomized to consume high-dose GTE (843 mg/day EGCG) or placebo capsules for 12 months.

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Objectives: The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in enzymes that metabolize sex steroid hormones were associated with the blood levels of these hormones in postmenopausal women and if the use of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) could modify this association.

Methods: Baseline data were collected from 932 postmenopausal women enrolled in the Minnesota Green Tea Trial. Participants filled out a questionnaire about their demographics, lifestyle factors, and medical and reproductive history.

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This compilation includes the stories of 5 Native American and First Nation elders, in which they share their wisdom, experience, and opinions on Indigenous food systems and health. Each of these elders participated in the Fourth Annual Conference on Native American Nutrition, held in September 2019 at Mystic Lake Center on land of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community in Prior Lake, Minnesota.

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The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine the relationship between diet and anthropometric measures in postmenopausal women. Data collected from 937 women enrolled in the Minnesota Green Tea Trial (NTC00917735) were used for this analysis. Dietary intake and health-related data were collected via questionnaires.

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Soybeans are a rich source of isoflavones, which are classified as phytoestrogens. Despite numerous proposed benefits, isoflavones are often classified as endocrine disruptors, based primarily on animal studies. However, there are ample human data regarding the health effects of isoflavones.

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Concerns that the phytoestrogens (isoflavones) in soy may feminize men continue to be raised. Several studies and case-reports describing feminizing effects including lowering testosterone levels and raising estrogen levels in men have been published. For this reason, the clinical data were meta-analyzed to determine whether soy or isoflavone intake affects total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (FT), estradiol (E), estrone (E), and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG).

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Background: Consumption of green tea has been associated with reduced risk of breast cancer. Hormonal modulation has been suggested as one of the potential underlying mechanisms; however, it has yet to be fully elucidated in large, long-term human clinical trials.

Objective: We investigated the effects of decaffeinated green tea extract (GTE) on circulating sex hormones and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) proteins.

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The present study was carried out to determine whether the consumption of epigallocatechin (EGCG), the major bioactive green tea catechin, exerts a positive effect on lowering lipid peroxidation, a measure of oxidative stress, in healthy postmenopausal women. Urinary excretion of secondary lipid peroxidation products, a measure of lipid peroxidation, was determined in 40 participants randomly assigned to consume a green tea catechin extract (843.0 ± 44.

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Previous data from this group demonstrate that the murine lung metabolizes estrogen. Production of the putative carcinogen 4-hydroxyestrogen (4-OHE) is elevated within the lungs of female vs. male mice and accelerated by tobacco smoke.

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Background: Postmenopausal symptomatology has not been elucidated in large, long-term human clinical trials. Our objective was to measure quality of life in postmenopausal women aged 50-70 years.

Methods: A Menopause-Specific Quality of Life-Intervention (MENQOL) questionnaire was completed by women enrolled in the Minnesota Green Tea Trial (n=932) to assess vasomotor, physical, sexual, and psychosocial symptoms in the years following menopause.

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Epidemiologic and animal studies suggest a protective role of green tea against breast cancer. However, the underlying mechanism is not understood. We conducted a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled phase II clinical trial to investigate whether supplementation with green tea extract (GTE) modifies mammographic density (MD), as a potential mechanism, involving 1,075 healthy postmenopausal women.

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Liver injury effects of green tea-based products have been reported in sporadic case reports. However, no study has examined systematically such adverse effects in an unbiased manner. We examined the potential effects of a high, sustained oral dose of green tea extract (GTE) on liver injury measures in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded phase II clinical trial, which enrolled 1,075 women with the original aim to assess the effect of daily GTE consumption for 12 months on biomarkers of breast cancer risk.

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Dietary factors, such as antioxidant nutrients, contribute significantly to the maintenance of an appropriate balance between antioxidant defense and free radical production in the body. The objective of this study was to examine the relation between oxidative stress as assessed by plasma F-isoprostane (IsoP) concentration, glycemic load (GL), glycemic index (GI), intake of antioxidant nutrients, dietary fiber, and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). This study was a cross-sectional secondary analysis of baseline data collected from a random sample of 269 postmenopausal women participating in the Minnesota Green Tea Trial.

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Background: Weight gain often occurs after breast cancer (BC) diagnosis and obesity along with sedentary behavior are associated with increased risk of BC recurrence and mortality. The primary objective of this study was to determine whether a significant weight loss, of approximately 10%, would lead to beneficial changes in biomarkers associated with cancer and/or cancer recurrence, and quality of life (QOL) in overweight and obese BC survivors.

Methods: This parallel-arm study took place in Minneapolis, Minnesota, from January 2009 until March 2010.

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Background: Green tea has been suggested to improve cardiovascular disease risk factors, including circulating lipid variables. However, current evidence is predominantly based on small, short-term randomized controlled trials conducted in diverse populations.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy and impact of green tea extract (GTE) supplementation high in epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on blood lipids in healthy postmenopausal women.

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2-Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), a natural product found as a conjugate in watercress and other cruciferous vegetables, is an inhibitor of the metabolic activation and lung carcinogenicity of the tobacco carcinogen 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) in F344 rats and A/J mice. We carried out a clinical trial to determine whether PEITC also inhibits the metabolic activation of NNK in smokers. Cigarette smokers were recruited and asked to smoke cigarettes containing deuterium-labeled [pyridine-D4]NNK for an acclimation period of at least 1 week.

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Background: Green tea extract (GTE) consumption has been linked to favorable changes in adiposity and bone mineral density (BMD), although it is unknown if these effects are due to green tea catechins or caffeine. The catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) genotype may also modify these associations.

Objective: We examined the impact of decaffeinated GTE on body composition (using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) and obesity-associated hormones.

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Nutritional and body weight recommendations for cardiovascular diseases are well established, yet there are no equivalent guidelines for peripheral arterial disease (PAD). This cross-sectional study measured the prevalence of cardiovascular-related nutritional and body composition risk factors in sixty PAD patients and their association with PAD severity. A diet that exceeds daily recommended intake of fat and that falls short of recommended intakes of fiber, folate, and vitamin D was associated with increased leg pain and walking difficulty.

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Background: Green tea consumption has been associated with favorable changes in body weight and obesity-related hormones, although it is not known whether these changes result from green tea polyphenols or caffeine.

Objective: We examined the impact of decaffeinated green tea extract (GTE) containing 843 mg of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate on anthropometric variables, obesity-associated hormones, and glucose homeostasis.

Methods: The Minnesota Green Tea Trial was a 12-mo randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of 937 healthy postmenopausal women assigned to either decaffeinated GTE (1315 mg total catechins/d) or a placebo, stratified by catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) genotype.

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Unlabelled: Medical and surgical interventions for elevated breast cancer risk (e.g., BRCA1/2 mutation, family history) focus on reducing estrogen exposure.

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Objective: To assess the relationship between SHBG and 18 other hormonal and metabolic parameters in well characterized, normally cycling premenopausal women.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: University general clinical research center.

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