Establishing a proof of concept for the effects of low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet (LCHFD) and physical activity on body composition in type 2 diabetes.

Overweight and obesity are both a risk factor for developing and exacerbating type 2 diabetes (T2D). While the most common diet used to treat overweight and obesity focus on high-carbohydrate, low-fat, energy deficit diets, recently, low-carbohydrate, high-fat diets (LCHFD) have become popular in targeting obesity. This proof-of-concept study attempted to determine if an LCHFD could improve body composition variables, or if a concurrent treatment of LCHFD and physical activity would create an interference effect in individuals with T2D.

In vivo anti-hyperlipidemic activity of the triterpene from the stem bark of Protorhus longifolia (Benrh) Engl.

Background: Hyperlipidemia, a metabolic disorder of lipids, is a well known risk factor of cardiovascular events and metabolic syndrome. In this study, the in vivo lipid-lowering activity of the triterpene (Methyl-3β-hydroxylanosta-9,24-dien-21-oate), isolated from the stem bark of Protorhus longifolia, in high fat diet (HFD)-induced hyperlipidemic rats was investigated.

Methods: Structure of the isolated compound was established and confirmed based on spectral (NMR, HRMS, IR) data analysis.

Influence of combined oral contraceptives on the onset of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

The study focuses on the effects of combined oral contraceptives (COCs) on the onset of cervical dysplasia among Zimbabwean women. Women who had used COCs for at least 2 years and were in continued use were compared to non-users of COCs (control group). It was difficult to establish the average period of contraceptive use because in most instances there was no proper documentation on the exact dates as to when the subjects started using COCs.