Assessing beans as a source of intrinsic fiber on satiety in men and women with metabolic syndrome.

Dietary fiber is well-known for its satiety inducing properties. Adding fibers to mixed dishes is one way to increase fiber intake. However, adding fibers to foods versus including foods inherently containing fiber may reveal differing effects on satiety.

Black Beans, Fiber, and Antioxidant Capacity Pilot Study: Examination of Whole Foods vs. Functional Components on Postprandial Metabolic, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammation in Adults with Metabolic Syndrome.

Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) contain bioactive components with functional properties that may modify cardiovascular risk. The aims of this pilot study were to evaluate the ability of black beans to attenuate postprandial metabolic, oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses and determine relative contribution of dietary fiber and antioxidant capacity of beans to the overall effect. In this randomized, controlled, crossover trial, 12 adults with metabolic syndrome (MetS) consumed one of three meals (black bean (BB), fiber matched (FM), and antioxidant capacity matched (AM)) on three occasions that included blood collection before (fasting) and five hours postprandially.

Potatoes, glycemic index, and weight loss in free-living individuals: practical implications.

Background: The role of glycemic index (GI) and foods with negative attributes related to GI as part of a weight loss regimen has not been thoroughly assessed in free-living individuals. This study examined the effects of a dietary prescription for energy intake modification, GI, and potato consumption on weight loss, dietary prescription adherence, body composition, and glucose control in a free-living, self-selecting overweight population.

Methods: Ninety overweight (body mass index [BMI] 29.

Exercise and heart failure in the elderly.

In this review, we will examine the physiological responses to exercise in elderly populations (age > 65 years) with and without evidence of heart failure. Aging per se in both men and women is associated with a ~40% lower maximum oxygen consumption in sedentary subjects. In trained individuals, this value is 25-32% lower.

Aspirin for primary prevention of myocardial infarction: what is the evidence?

Background: Aspirin has been advocated as a primary prevention measure for myocardial infarction (MI) for more than 2 decades. While several meta-analyses have supported this view, others have differed. All these analyses have focused on data from 6 major clinical trials.

Attenuation of meal-induced inflammatory and thrombotic responses in overweight men and women after 6-week daily strawberry (Fragaria) intake. A randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Aim: A pro-thrombotic, pro-inflammatory diet can play a causative role in atherosclerotic-cardiovascular diseases. Dietary intervention studies provide insight into their pathophysiological manifestations and opportunities for prevention and management. We previously showed in an acute-meal setting that a beverage containing polyphenolic- and antioxidant-rich strawberry (Fragaria) vs placebo attenuated postprandial (fed-state) increases in biomarkers of oxidative and inflammatory stress, and insulin concentrations, induced by a high carbohydrate/fat (HCF) meal.

Strawberry modulates LDL oxidation and postprandial lipemia in response to high-fat meal in overweight hyperlipidemic men and women.

Background: Elevated levels of lipids, such as total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), and triglycerides (TG), are widely recognized as risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Oxidized LDL (OxLDL) is an emerging risk factor considered relevant in oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction, which is implicated in the progression of CVD. Consumption of a diet rich in polyphenols may be cardioprotective through its impact on oxidative stress and protecting LDL from oxidation.

Another look at the results of the JUPITER trial.

Justification for the Use of Statins in Prevention: An Intervention Trial Evaluating Rosuvastatin (JUPITER) was a placebo-controlled trial undertaken on "apparently healthy" subjects selected primarily on the basis of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein concentrations >or=2.0 mg/L. JUPITER showed that rosuvastatin reduced the incidence of cardiac events compared to a control group.

Assessment of risk for developing coronary heart disease in asymptomatic individuals.

The assessment of risk for developing coronary heart disease (CHD) in asymptomatic individuals continues to be an important challenge for clinicians. We suggest that the Framingham risk score provides a pragmatic basis for assessing global 10-year CHD risk in this population. The Framingham risk score should be supplemented with additional information pertaining to diabetes, metabolic syndrome, family history, and peripheral arterial disease before a final decision is made with respect to individual risk.

Effect of grape seed extract on blood pressure in subjects with the metabolic syndrome.

This study was undertaken to determine whether grape seed extracts (GSE) that contain powerful vasodilator phenolic compounds lower blood pressure in subjects with the metabolic syndrome. The subjects were randomized into 3 groups-(a) placebo, (b) 150 mg GSE per day, and (c) 300 mg GSE per day-and treated for 4 weeks. Serum lipids and blood glucose were measured at the beginning of the study and at the end.

Rapidly adapting receptors in acute heart failure and their impact on dyspnea.

Acute heart failure is associated with dyspnea that is usually defined as difficulty in breathing that is accompanied by an element of distress. It is commonly associated with an increase in the rate of ventilation, wheezing, an increase in airway secretions and cough. This review examines the reflexes which generate these responses with particular reference to the role of rapidly adapting receptors (RAR) in the airways.

Strawberry extract caused endothelium-dependent relaxation through the activation of PI3 kinase/Akt.

Polyphenolic compounds are vasodilators and help to lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases. We hypothesized that a freeze-dried strawberry powder that is rich in polyphenolic compounds would cause an endothelium-dependent relaxation (EDR) through the activation of phosphatidylinositol-3 (PI3)-kinase/protein kinase B (Akt) in rabbit aorta. The powder was prepared by freeze drying a homogenate of ripe California strawberry fruits.

Left ventricular dysfunction and extravascular fluid in the lung: physiological basis for symptoms.

The essential feature of left ventricular dysfunction is an increase in left atrial pressure and pulmonary venous congestion leading to a fluid flux across the pulmonary microvasculature. Small acute increases (< 10 mmHg) in left atrial pressure enhance the extravascular fluid volume in the airways and activate the rapidly adapting receptors (RAR). With larger increases in left atrial pressure (approximately 25 mmHg) both the RAR and the C-fiber receptors in the airways and the alveoli are activated.

Mechanism of the endothelium-dependent relaxation evoked by a grape seed extract.

GSEs (grape seed extracts) which contain polyphenolic compounds cause an endothelium-dependent relaxation of blood vessels. The aim of the present study was to examine the mechanisms involved in this response. A well-characterized GSE was applied to rabbit aortic rings suspended in organ baths containing Krebs-Henseleit buffer maintained at 37 degrees C.

Cardiac event rate in a lifestyle modification program for patients with chronic coronary artery disease.

Background: Several clinical trials have shown that intensive lifestyle modification programs have a significant impact on cardiovascular risk factors.

Hypothesis: This paper is a retrospective analysis to determine the effect of participation in a 2-year lifestyle management program on long-term clinical outcome in patients outside the setting of a clinical trial.

Methods: Patients with angiographically confirmed coronary artery disease (CAD) enrolled in a 2-year program of exercise training, dietary counseling, stress management, and therapeutic education.

The rapidly adapting receptors in mammalian airways and their responses to changes in extravascular fluid volume.

In this short review, we shall focus on some recent findings on the physiological stimulus for the rapidly adapting receptors (RAR) of the airways. They are readily activated by a sustained inflation of the lungs and they are usually identified by their rapid adaptation to this stimulus. They are also activated by both tactile stimuli and irritant gases applied to the epithelium of the airways.

Effect of fatty acids on endothelium-dependent relaxation in the rabbit aorta.

The metabolic syndrome, Type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes and obesity are associated with endothelial dysfunction and increased plasma concentrations of NEFAs (non-esterified fatty acids; free fatty acids). The present study was undertaken to define the inhibitory effects of saturated NEFAs on EDR (endothelium-dependent relaxation). Experiments were performed in rings of rabbit aorta to establish (i) dose-response relationships, (ii) the effect of chain length, (iii) the effect of the presence of double bonds, (iv) reversibility and time course of inhibition, and (v) the effect on nitric oxide production.

Counterpoint: carotid ultrasound-an essential investigation in the prevention of coronary artery disease?

The accompanying article asserts that measurement of carotid plaque area by ultrasonography adds a vital, new dimension to the investigation and management of patients at risk of developing coronary artery disease. The author contends also that traditional risk factors for coronary artery disease have failed to provide a basis for either predicting cardiovascular events or guiding effective therapy. Carefully acquired epidemiological data have established beyond reasonable doubt that traditional risk factors identify individuals who are likely to develop coronary artery disease.

Low-carbohydrate-high-protein diets: is there a place for them in clinical cardiology?

Since the last meeting of the American Heart Association, a great deal of media attention has been focused on low-carbohydrate-high-protein diets (LC-HP) and their potential impact on the practice of cardiology. It has been suggested that these diets, which were introduced originally as weight-loss regimens, also have a significantly beneficial effect on a variety of cardiovascular risk factors. It is clear that people who consume such diets have a reduced intake of calories, resulting in a predictable degree of weight loss.

Responses of bronchial C-fiber afferents of the rabbit to changes in lung compliance.

Rapidly adapting receptors (RAR) in the lung are stimulated when the lung compliance is reduced. The present investigation was undertaken to determine whether bronchial C-fibers are also activated when lung compliance is decreased since both RAR and bronchial C-fibers are influenced by extra-vascular fluid in the airways. Action potentials (AP) were recorded from bronchial C, pulmonary C, RAR and slowly adapting receptor (SAR) afferents in the cervical vagus in open chest New Zealand White rabbits ventilated at a constant rate and tidal volume.