Effects of High-Fat Diet Induced Obesity and Fructooligosaccharide Supplementation on Cardiac Protein Expression.

The mechanism by which high fat-diet induced obesity affects cardiac protein expression is unclear, and the extent to which this is modulated by prebiotic treatment is not known. These outcomes were assessed in rats initially fed a high-fat diet, then the top 40% weight gain group were randomly allocated to control (CON), high-fat (HF) and HF supplemented with fructooligosaccharide (32 g; HF-FOS) treatments for 12 weeks ( = 10/group). At sacrifice, left ventricles were either frozen or preserved in formalin.

A Protocol for the Study of Polymorphisms and Response to Metformin in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in Trinidad.

Background: Metformin is the drug of first choice in people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Most patients respond to metformin monotherapy, but many others remain uncontrolled even at maximal doses. Although non-adherence is a major contributor to non-response, genetic polymorphisms of organic cation transporters play an important role in clinical response.

Cafeteria-diet induced obesity results in impaired cognitive functioning in a rodent model.

Objectives: This study seeks to characterize the progressive course of physiological and behavioural outcomes in rodents following excessive caloric intake through the chronic consumption of a highly palatable diet, the cafeteria (CAF) diet.

Methods: Male Sprague Dawley rats were maintained on either CAF or chow (CON) diets for 20 weeks. Metabolic and physiological parameters were monitored throughout the feeding period.

Toward the Synthesis and Improved Biopotential of an -methylated Analog of a Proline-Rich Cyclic Tetrapeptide from Marine Bacteria.

An -methylated analog of a marine bacteria-derived natural proline-rich tetracyclopeptide was synthesized by coupling the deprotected dipeptide fragments Boc-l-prolyl-l--methylleucine-OH and l-prolyl-l--methylphenylalanine-OMe. A coupling reaction was accomplished utilizing ,'-Dicyclohexylcarbodidimde (DCC) and 1-Ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC·HCl) as coupling agents and Triethylamine (TEA) or -methylmorpholine (NMM) as the base in the presence of the racemization suppressing agent. This was followed by the cyclization of the linear tetrapeptide fragment under alkaline conditions.

Demographic and lifestyle factors that affect HbA1c awareness amongst type II diabetic patients in Trinidad.

Objectives: To determine the awareness of HbA1c values and correlate this with educational levels, dietary intake and physical activity in type II diabetic population of Trinidad.

Methods: Total of 222 type II diabetic subjects were assessed via questionnaire evaluating their demographics, type and duration of diabetes, type and frequency of glucose testing, dietary intake and physical activity. HbA1c data was coded as patients who were aware versus patients who were not aware.

Expression of cardiac insulin signalling genes and proteins in rats fed a high-sucrose diet: effect of bilberry anthocyanin extract.

Scope: Insulin resistance is associated with impaired cardiac function, but the underlying molecular abnormalities are largely unexplained. Bilberry anthocyanin (BAcn) may be protective, as it appears to potentiate insulin action.

Methods: Rats were randomly allocated to control, sucrose-fed (SF) or sucrose-fed + BAcn diets (SF-A) for 15 weeks.

Determinants of plasma triglyceride levels in a multiethnic working class Caribbean population: effect of ethnicity, diet and obesity.

Aims: Objective of the study is to identify the predictors of plasma triglycerides.

Materials And Methods: A stratified random sample of university staff categories underwent measurements of anthropometry, blood pressure, and fasting blood glucose, insulin, lipids, CRP and homocysteine. Dietary intakes were assessed using duplicate 24h recalls.

Risk factors preceding type 2 diabetes and cardiomyopathy.

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and its complications such as cardiomyopathy, contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality worldwide. Increased adoption of westernized diets and decreased physical activity are contributing to the obesity epidemic which, in turn, increases the risk for T2DM. Other risk factors for T2DM include insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and a genetic predisposition.

Protease activated receptors in cardiovascular function and disease.

Recent studies have shown that a novel class of protease activated receptors (PARs), which are composed of seven transmembrane G protein-coupled domains, are activated by serine proteases such as thrombin, trypsin and tryptase. Although four types (PAR 1, PAR 2, PAR 3 and PAR 4) of this class of receptors have been identified, their discrete physiological and pathological roles are still being unraveled. Extracellular proteolytic activation of PARs results in the cleavage of specific sites in the extracellular domain and formation of a new N-terminus which functions as a tethered ligand.

Protease activated receptors in cardiovascular function and disease.

Recent studies have shown that a novel class of protease activated receptors (PARs), which are composed of seven transmembrane G protein-coupled domains, are activated by serine proteases such as thrombin, trypsin and tryptase. Although four types (PAR 1, PAR 2, PAR 3 and PAR 4) of this class of receptors have been identified, their discrete physiological and pathological roles are still being unraveled. Extracellular proteolytic activation of PARs results in the cleavage of specific sites in the extracellular domain and formation of a new N-terminus which functions as a tethered ligand.