Diet induced thermogenesis, older and newer data with emphasis on obesity and diabetes mellitus - A narrative review.

Obesity is a major public health problem with a prevalence increasing at an alarming rate worldwide. There is an urgent need for efficient approaches to weight management. Diet induced thermogenesis (DIT) is the process by which the body increases its energy expenditure in response to a meal.

Non-Classical Aspects of Obesity Pathogenesis and Their Relative Clinical Importance for Obesity Treatment.

Obesity is a chronic disease and a major public health problem due to its association with non-communicable diseases and all-cause mortality. An increased energy intake and decreased physical activity have been long recognized as the classical parameters that contribute to the development of obesity. However, several other, non-classical factors have also been associated with obesity through various complex mechanisms.

Ketone bodies and the heart.

Ketone bodies are low chain organic substances with four carbon atoms, with β-hydroxybutyric acid and acetone being the main ketone bodies in blood circulation. Under physiological conditions their levels are low while during conditions of oxidative stress, such as exercise, fasting state and acute illness, ketone body levels are increased. Recent findings have shown that in patients with heart failure their plasma concentration is increased.

Effect of Long-Term Hydroxytyrosol Administration on Body Weight, Fat Mass and Urine Metabolomics: A Randomized Double-Blind Prospective Human Study.

Hydroxytyrosol (HT) is a natural antioxidant found in olive products and characterized by well-documented beneficial effects on human health. Several research studies are ongoing that aim to investigate its potency and molecular mechanism of action. The present study aimed to investigate the potential effect of HT on human obesity through a randomized double-blind prospective design.

Early left ventricular systolic dysfunction in asymptomatic patients with type 1 diabetes: a single-center, pilot study.

Aims: Prevalence and risk factors of pre-symptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) in individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D) have not been adequately studied. The present cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence of early LVSD in asymptomatic patients with type 1 diabetes and investigated potential risk factors.

Methods: Consecutive patients with T1D, free of cardiovascular disease and significant evident microvascular complications were examined.

The association of diabetic microvascular and macrovascular disease with cutaneous circulation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Aims: To study the impact of diabetic neuropathy, both peripheral sensorimotor (DPN) and cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN), on transcutaneous oxygen tension (TcPO) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: A total of 163 participants were recruited; 100 with T2DM and 63 healthy individuals. Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) was defined as ankle-brachial index (ABI) values ≤0.

Plasma Irisin Levels in Subjects with Type 1 Diabetes: Comparison with Healthy Controls.

Irisin is a myokine that increases energy expenditure. In this cross-sectional study, we examined for differences in plasma irisin concentrations between subjects with type 1 diabetes mellitus and healthy individuals and searched for associations between plasma irisin levels and clinical and biochemical characteristics as well as self-reported physical activity. A total of 79 subjects with type 1 diabetes [age 38.

Beneficial health effects of Chios Gum Mastic and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors: indications of common mechanisms.

For thousands of years, Chios Gum Mastic (CGM), the resin produced by the trunk of Pistachia lentiscus var Chia, has been used for culinary and medicinal purposes and several therapeutic properties have been attributed to it. CGM has been used in traditional medicine of various nations in the eastern Mediterranean area. This survey was carried out to identify biological mechanisms that could explain traditional usage and recent pharmacological findings.

Evaluation of Chios mastic gum on lipid and glucose metabolism in diabetic mice.

Chios mastic gum (MG), a resin produced from Pistacia lentiscus var. Chia, is reported to possess beneficial cardiovascular and hepatoprotective properties. This study investigated the effect of crude Chios MG on metabolic parameters in diabetic mice.

"Is obesity linked to aging?": adipose tissue and the role of telomeres.

Obesity is a condition in which excess or abnormal fat accumulation may present with adverse effects on health and decreased life expectancy. Increased body weight and adipose tissue accumulation amplifies the risk of developing various age-related diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, musculoskeletal disorders, respiratory diseases and certain types of cancer. This imbalance in body composition and body weight is now recognized as a state of increased oxidative stress and inflammation for the organism.

Changes in dietary habits and their association with metabolic markers after a non-intensive, community-based lifestyle intervention to prevent type 2 diabetes, in Greece. The DEPLAN study.

Aims: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact on dietary and activity habits of a non-intensive, community based lifestyle intervention for type 2 diabetes prevention, in high-risk Greek individuals.

Methods: A total of 191 high-risk persons were invited to participate in a one-year lifestyle intervention program, consisting of six bi-monthly sessions with a dietician. The dietary aims of the intervention were: reduction of saturated fat, sugars and refined cereals intake and at least five servings of fruits and vegetables, daily.

Heart rate variability in advanced chronic kidney disease with or without diabetes: midterm effects of the initiation of chronic haemodialysis therapy.

Background: Previous studies in different clinical settings have established heart rate variability (HRV) as a significant independent risk factor for higher mortality and cardiac death. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of chronic haemodialysis therapy on time- and frequency-domain parameters of HRV in diabetic and non-diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods: We studied 25 patients with stage 4 CKD and type 2 diabetes mellitus (CKD4+DM), 25 patients with stage 4 CKD without diabetes (CKD4), 25 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and 25 healthy subjects (HS).

Rates of glucose uptake in adipose tissue and muscle in vivo after a mixed meal in women with morbid obesity.

Background And Aims: Although whole-body insulin resistance in obesity is established, information on insulin action in peripheral tissues, especially adipose tissue (AD), is limited. This study was undertaken in morbid obesity to investigate insulin action on glucose disposal in AD and muscle (M).

Subjects And Methods: A meal was given to 30 obese (age 34 +/- 1 yr, body mass index 47 +/- 1 kg/m(2)) and 10 nonobese women (age 39 +/- 4 yr, body mass index 23 +/- 1 kg/m(2)).

Effect of sibutramine on regional fat pads and leptin levels in rats fed with three isocaloric diets.

Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate: a) the differential effect of the three main macronutrients on food intake, fat depots and serum leptin levels and b) the impact of sibutramine on the above parameters in rats fed ad libitum with three isocaloric diets.

Methods: Three groups of male Wistar rats (n = 63) were fed with a high fat diet (HFD), a high carbohydrate diet (HCD) or a high protein diet (HPD) for 13 weeks. In the last three weeks, each group was divided into three subgroups and received sibutramine (S) either at 5 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg, or vehicle.

Oxcarbazepine as monotherapy of acute mania in insufficiently controlled type-1 diabetes mellitus: a case-report.

Background: Type-1 diabetes mellitus (DM) is a lifelong serious condition which often renders the application of standard treatment options for patients' comorbid conditions, such as bipolar disorder I, risky - especially for acute manic episodes. We present such a case whereby the application of standard anti-manic treatments would have jeopardized a patient whose physical condition was already compromised by DM.

Methods: We report the case of a 55-year-old female with a history of type-1 DM since the age of 11, and severe ocular and renal vascular complications thereof.

Chronic administration of an angiotensin II receptor antagonist resets the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and improves the affect of patients with diabetes mellitus type 2: preliminary results.

Diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM type 2) is associated with depressive symptomatology and intermittent hyperfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. DM type 2 is also accompanied by increased tissue levels of angiotensin II (Ang II), which stimulates the HPA axis through the Ang II type 1 receptors (AT1). We investigated the effect of candesartan, an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) that crosses the blood brain barrier, on the activity of the HPA axis and on the affect of 17 patients with DM type 2, aged 40-65 years, who were treated with 4 mg/day candesartan per os for at least 3 months.

Enterobacteriaceae bloodstream infections: presence of integrons, risk factors, and outcome.

A prospective observational study was conducted to identify factors associated with bloodstream infections (BSIs) caused by integron-carrying Enterobacteriaceae and to evaluate the clinical significance of integron carriage. Consecutive patients with Enterobacteriaceae BSIs were identified and followed up until discharge or death. Identification of blood isolates and susceptibility testing were performed by the Wider I automated system.

QT dispersion: comparison between diabetic and non-diabetic individuals and correlation with cardiac autonomic neuropathy.

Introduction: The QT interval on the resting electrocardiogram (ECG) expresses the myocardial depolarisation and repolarisation time. Elevated values of QT dispersion (QTd) are associated with cardiovascular mortality in diabetics. Cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is a common complication of diabetes that is also associated with increased morbidity and mortality.

Prediction and prevention of type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is one of the most costly and burdensome chronic diseases of our time and a condition that is increasing in epidemic proportions worldwide. Its complications are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality and a tremendous economic burden to the society. Effective prevention programs are therefore urgently needed.

Short-term effect of orlistat on dietary glycotoxins in healthy women and women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Exogenous advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs, known atherogenic molecules) abundant in everyday precooked, rich in fat, overheated meals can possibly contribute to the increased risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of a lipase inhibitor on absorbed food glycotoxins in healthy women and those with PCOS. A 2-day protocol was followed.

High glucose protects embryonic cardiac cells against simulated ischemia.

In the present study we investigated whether acute glucose administration could be protective against hypoxic stress. H9c2 cells were exposed to either 4.5 mM or 22 mM of glucose for 15,min and then were submitted to simulated ischemia.

Combination of cyclosporine and leflunomide versus single therapy in severe rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: This study assessed the efficacy and safety of combination (COMB) of cyclosporine (CSA) and leflunomide (LEF) versus each drug alone, in the treatment of severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: One hundred six patients with active RA refractory to at least one disease modifying antirheumatic drug (methotrexate obligatorily) were entered into a 12-month open, prospective trial and were randomly allocated to receive either CSA 2.5 to 5 mg/kg/day, or LEF 20 mg/day, or the combination of both at the same initiating dose.