Inactivation of NF-κB p65 (RelA) in Liver Improves Insulin Sensitivity and Inhibits cAMP/PKA Pathway.

The transcription factor nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) mediates inflammation and stress signals in cells. To test NF-κB in the control of hepatic insulin sensitivity, we inactivated NF-κB in the livers of C57BL/6 mice through deletion of the p65 gene, which was achieved by crossing floxed-p65 and Alb-cre mice to generate L-p65-knockout (KO) mice. KO mice did not exhibit any alterations in growth, reproduction, and body weight while on a chow diet.

Effects of Ghrelin on the Proteolytic Pathways of Alzheimer's Disease Neuronal Cells.

Ghrelin is an orexigenic hormone with a role in the onset and progression of neurodegenerative disorders. It has been recently associated to Alzheimer's disease (AD) for its neuroprotective and anti-apoptotic activity. In the present study, we dissected the effect of ghrelin treatment on the two major intracellular proteolytic pathways, the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) and autophagy, in cellular models of AD (namely SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells stably transfected with either the wild-type AβPP gene or the 717 valine-to-glycine AβPP-mutated gene).

Acute Effects of a Spinach Extract Rich in Thylakoids on Satiety: A Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial.

Objective: By retarding fat digestion, thylakoids, the internal photosynthetic membrane system of green plants, promote the release of satiety hormones. This study examined the effect of consuming a single dose of concentrated extract of thylakoids from spinach on satiety, food intake, lipids, and glucose compared to a placebo.

Design: Sixty overweight and obese individuals enrolled in a double-blind randomized crossover study consumed the spinach extract or placebo in random order at least a week apart.

Blueberries improve endothelial function, but not blood pressure, in adults with metabolic syndrome: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Blueberry consumption has been shown to have various health benefits in humans. However, little is known about the effect of blueberry consumption on blood pressure, endothelial function and insulin sensitivity in humans. The present study investigated the role of blueberry consumption on modifying blood pressure in subjects with metabolic syndrome.

Effect of 6-month caloric restriction on Cu bound to ceruloplasmin in adult overweight subjects.

In a randomized clinical trial of calorie restriction (CR), we demonstrated that important cardiovascular disease (CVD) biomarkers were favorably influenced by CR alone and in conjunction with physical exercise. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of CR with or without exercise on copper bound to ceruloplasmin (CuCp), a well-known biomarker for CVD, in overweight men and women enrolled in the CALERIE phase 1 study. Forty-six individuals were randomized to one of four groups for 6 months: control, healthy weight maintenance; CR, 25% CR from baseline energy requirements; CR+exercise, 12.

An extract of Artemisia dracunculus L. stimulates insulin secretion from β cells, activates AMPK and suppresses inflammation.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Artemisia dracunculus L. (Russian tarragon) is a perennial herb belonging to the family Compositae and has a history of medicinal use in humans, particularly for treatment of diabetes.

Aim Of The Study: In this study a defined plant extract from A.

Induction of Energy Expenditure by Sitagliptin Is Dependent on GLP-1 Receptor.

Sitagliptin (SG) increases serum GLP-1 (Glucagon-like peptide-1) through inhibition of the hormone degradation. Resistant starch (RS) induces GLP-1 expression by stimulating L-cells in the intestine. Sitagliptin and resistant starch may have a synergistic interaction in the induction of GLP-1.

Dietary Fat Intake Modifies the Effect of a Common Variant in the LIPC Gene on Changes in Serum Lipid Concentrations during a Long-Term Weight-Loss Intervention Trial.

Background: Hepatic lipase (HL) plays a pivotal role in the metabolism of HDL and LDL. Recent genome-wide association studies have identified common variants in the HL gene (LIPC) associated with HDL cholesterol.

Objective: We tested the effect of a common variant in LIPC on changes in blood lipids in response to weight-loss diets in the Preventing Overweight Using Novel Dietary Strategies Trial.

Interventions to Slow Aging in Humans: Are We Ready?

The workshop entitled 'Interventions to Slow Aging in Humans: Are We Ready?' was held in Erice, Italy, on October 8-13, 2013, to bring together leading experts in the biology and genetics of aging and obtain a consensus related to the discovery and development of safe interventions to slow aging and increase healthy lifespan in humans. There was consensus that there is sufficient evidence that aging interventions will delay and prevent disease onset for many chronic conditions of adult and old age. Essential pathways have been identified, and behavioral, dietary, and pharmacologic approaches have emerged.

Association between Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Health-Related Quality of Life among Patients at Risk for Cardiovascular Disease in Uruguay.

Purpose: To examine the association between objectively measured CRF and physical and mental components of HRQoL in a Uruguayan cohort at risk for developing CVD.

Methods: Patient data records from 2002-2012 at the Calidad de Vida Center were examined. To assess CRF, participants performed a submaximal exercise test.

Physiological adaptations to weight loss and factors favouring weight regain.

Obesity is a major global health problem and predisposes individuals to several comorbidities that can affect life expectancy. Interventions based on lifestyle modification (for example, improved diet and exercise) are integral components in the management of obesity. However, although weight loss can be achieved through dietary restriction and/or increased physical activity, over the long term many individuals regain weight.

Sex Differences in the Effects of Weight Loss Diets on Bone Mineral Density and Body Composition: POUNDS LOST Trial.

Context: Weight loss is associated with reduction in bone mineral density (BMD).

Objective: The objective was to address the role of changes in fat mass (FM) and lean mass (LM) in BMD decline in both sexes.

Design: A 2-year randomized controlled trial, the Preventing Overweight Using Novel Dietary Strategies (POUNDS-LOST).

Meta-analysis of the relation of body mass index to all-cause and cardiovascular mortality and hospitalization in patients with chronic heart failure.

Clinical studies have indicated the existence of an "obesity paradox" in patients with chronic heart failure (HF), that is, reduced mortality in patients who have elevated body mass index (BMI) scores compared with normal-weight reference groups. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation of BMI with all-cause and cardiovascular (CV) mortality and hospitalization in patients with chronic HF though a systematic review and meta-analysis of published research. PubMed, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Cochrane Central, Scopus, web of science and Embase were searched for studies reporting rates of total mortality, cardiac mortality, and risk for hospitalization in patients with HF in various BMI categories (<20 kg/m(2) [low], 20 to 24.

Modulation of sphingolipid metabolism with calorie restriction enhances insulin action in skeletal muscle.

This study sought to investigate the effect of calorie restriction (CR) on skeletal muscle sphingolipid metabolism and its contribution to improved insulin action in rats after a 6-month feeding study. Twenty nine (29) male Fischer 344 rats were randomized to an ad libitum (AL) diet or 30% CR. Dietary intake, body weight and insulin sensitivity were monitored.

Dietary Fat Modifies the Effects of FTO Genotype on Changes in Insulin Sensitivity.

Background: The common variants in the fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene have been associated with obesity and insulin resistance. Recently, studies also linked FTO variants with macronutrient intakes.

Objective: We aimed to investigate whether diet interventions varying in macronutrients modified the effects of FTO genotypes on changes in insulin resistance.

The effect of an egg breakfast on satiety in children and adolescents: a randomized crossover trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of an egg breakfast on lunchtime energy intake in children (age 4-6 years) and adolescents (age 14-17 years).

Methods: In 2 randomized crossover trials, participants received either an egg breakfast or an isocaloric bagel breakfast. In both trials, subsequent lunchtime energy intake was the primary outcome.

A count model to study the correlates of 60 min of daily physical activity in Portuguese children.

This study aimed to present data on Portuguese children (aged 9-11 years) complying with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) guidelines, and to identify the importance of correlates from multiple domains associated with meeting the guidelines. Physical activity (PA) was objectively assessed by accelerometry throughout seven days on 777 children. A count model using Poisson regression was used to identify the best set of correlates that predicts the variability in meeting the guidelines.

Gene expression in salivary glands: effects of diet and mouse chromosome 17 locus regulating macronutrient intake.

Dcpp2, Prrt1, and Has1 are plausible candidate genes for the Mnic1 (macronutrient intake-carbohydrate) locus on mouse chromosome 17, based on their map positions and sequence variants, documented expression in salivary glands, and the important role of saliva in oral food processing and taste. We investigated the effects of genotype and diet on gene expression in salivary glands (parotid, submandibular, sublingual) of carbohydrate-preferring, C57BL6J.CAST/EiJ-17.

Long-term quality of life in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with robotic stereotactic ablative radiation therapy.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate the quality of life (QoL) and pulmonary function of patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer treated with robotic stereotactic ablative radiation therapy (SABR).

Methods And Materials: Eligible patients all had histologically confirmed stage I non-small cell lung cancer and were not surgical candidates because of poor pulmonary function, comorbidities, or refusal of surgery. SABR was delivered at a median dose of 60 Gy in 3 fractions for peripheral tumors and 50 Gy in 4 or 5 fractions for central tumors.

Appetite and body weight regulation after bariatric surgery.

Bariatric surgery continues to be remarkably efficient in treating obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus and a debate has started whether it should remain the last resort only or also be used for the prevention of metabolic diseases. Intense research efforts in humans and rodent models are underway to identify the critical mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects with a view towards non-surgical treatment options. This non-systematic review summarizes and interprets some of this literature, with an emphasis on changes in the controls of appetite.

Meditation and coronary heart disease: a review of the current clinical evidence.

Background: Chest pain from coronary heart disease (CHD) accounts for more than 8 million emergency department visits every year in the United States, emphasizing the need for cardiovascular (CV) interventions to help reduce this high number. Meditation--a state of contemplation, concentration, and reflection--has the potential to help decrease CV disease.

Methods: This article reviews the available data regarding the effects of meditation on various aspects of CV health.