Beneficial effect of xylose consumption on postprandial hyperglycemia in Korean: a randomized double-blind, crossover design.

Background: Previous studies have reported that xylose selectively inhibited the activity of sucrase. Xylose supplementation may have a beneficial effect on the postprandial glycemic response. However, no studies have investigated patients with IFG or the effectivity of a dose of D-xylose less than 10 % (w/w).

Antihyperglycemic effect of short-term arginyl-fructose supplementation in subjects with prediabetes and newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes: randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: A previous study reported that arginyl-fructose may have great value as a functional food with antioxidant and antidiabetic activities. However, there have been few clinical studies on the efficacy of arginyl-fructose supplementation for blood glucose control.

Methods: In this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 60 Korean subjects with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes mellitus were randomly assigned to placebo or test groups.

Association between arterial stiffness and serum L-octanoylcarnitine and lactosylceramide in overweight middle-aged subjects: 3-year follow-up study.

Existing data on the association between being overweight and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality risk in adults are inconsistent. We prospectively and longitudinally investigated the effects of weight on arterial stiffness and plasma metabolites in middle-aged subjects (aged 40-55 years). A group of 59 individuals who remained within the range of overweight during repeated measurements over a 3-year period was compared with a control group of 59 normal weight subjects who were matched for age and gender.

Replacing with whole grains and legumes reduces Lp-PLA2 activities in plasma and PBMCs in patients with prediabetes or T2D.

To determine dietary effects on circulating lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) activity and enzyme activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), 99 patients with impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, or newly-diagnosed T2D were randomly assigned to either a control group (usual diet with refined rice) or the whole grain and legume group. Substitution of whole grains and legumes for refined rice was associated with the replacement of 7% of energy from carbohydrates with energy from protein (about 4%) and fat. After 12 weeks, the whole grain and legume group showed a significant decrease in fasting glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance, hemoglobin A1c, malondialdehyde, plasma Lp-PLA2 activity, and oxidized LDL (ox-LDL), and an increase in LDL particle size.

Effects of A379V variant of the Lp-PLA 2 gene on Lp-PLA 2 activity and markers of oxidative stress and endothelial function in Koreans.

A379V variant in the lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA 2) gene is known to be functional, but there are contradicting data concerning the A379V polymorphism, Lp-PLA2 activity and cardiovascular disease risk. We determined the interplay between A379V SNP, Lp-PLA2 activity, and markers of oxidative stress and endothelial function with and without the effect of V279F variant. 3,220 unrelated and healthy Koreans (40-79 years) were genotyped for the Lp-PLA 2 polymorphism (A379V and V279F).

Effects of black soy peptide supplementation on blood pressure and oxidative stress: a randomized controlled trial.

Black soy peptides have been shown to possess properties that may decrease blood pressure (BP). To examine the effects of black soy peptide supplementation on BP and oxidative stress in subjects with prehypertension or stage I hypertension, 100 participants with an initial untreated systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 130-159 mm Hg, diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 80-99 mm Hg or both were enrolled. Participants were randomly assigned to either a group ingesting supplement containing 4.

Beneficial effect of tagatose consumption on postprandial hyperglycemia in Koreans: a double-blind crossover designed study.

The present study determined the effect of tagatose supplementation on postprandial hyperglycemia in normal (n = 54) and hyperglycemic subjects [n = 40, impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes]. In a double-blind crossover designed study, study subjects were randomly assigned to consume a sucralose-erythritol drink (the placebo) or a tagatose-containing drink (the test) with a seven-day interval. Finally, 85 subjects completed the study (normal, n = 52; hyperglycemic, n = 33).

Mild weight loss reduces inflammatory cytokines, leukocyte count, and oxidative stress in overweight and moderately obese participants treated for 3 years with dietary modification.

Obesity-induced oxidative stress and inflammation are involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. We investigated whether diet-induced, long-term, mild weight loss improved proinflammatory cytokine levels, leukocyte count, and oxidative stress. Overweight/obese participants (25 ≤ body mass index < 34 kg/m(2), N = 122, 30-59 years) joined a 3-year-long clinical intervention involving daily 100-kcal calorie deficits.

Increased arterial stiffness in subjects with impaired fasting glucose.

Aims: The present study investigated the association between fasting glucose and arterial stiffness in subjects with normal fasting glucose (NFG) and impaired fasting glucose (IFG).

Methods: The study group consisted of 1043 subjects, including 683 subjects with NFG and 360 subjects with IFG (100≤fasting glucose <126 mg/dL). All subjects were evaluated for glucose, insulin, lipid profiles, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), malondialdehyde (MDA), 8-epi-prostaglandin F2α (8-epi-PGF2α) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (ba-PWV).

Effect of age on atherogenicity of LDL and inflammatory markers in healthy women.

Background And Aim: Since using LDL level alone is insufficient as a method to identify individuals with incident coronary artery disease (CAD), other factors may be implicated in the pathogenesis of CAD. Additionally, controversy still remains regarding whether there is an age-related increase in circulating cytokines in healthy individuals. We investigated the influence of age on atherogenicity of LDL and inflammatory markers in healthy women.

Dietary treatment with rice containing resistant starch improves markers of endothelial function with reduction of postprandial blood glucose and oxidative stress in patients with prediabetes or newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate whether 4-week of dietary treatment with rice containing resistant starch reduces blood glucose and oxidative stress as well as improves endothelial function.

Methods: Patients with impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (n = 90) were randomly assigned to either a group ingesting rice containing 6.51 g resistant starch daily or a control rice group for 4-weeks.

Beneficial immunostimulatory effect of short-term Chlorella supplementation: enhancement of natural killer cell activity and early inflammatory response (randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial).

Background: In vitro and animal studies have demonstrated that Chlorella is a potent biological response modifier on immunity. However, there were no direct evidences for the effect of Chlorella supplementation on immune/inflammation response in healthy humans.

Methods: This study was designed for an 8-week randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial: 5g of Chlorella (n=23) or Placebo (n=28) as form of tablets.

Association of age-related changes in circulating intermediary lipid metabolites, inflammatory and oxidative stress markers, and arterial stiffness in middle-aged men.

The relationships between age-related changes in circulating endogenous metabolites, inflammatory and oxidative stress markers, and arterial stiffness in 57 middle-aged (34-55 years), nonobese men were studied over the course of 3 years. Arterial stiffness was measured using brachial-ankle pulse wave velocities (ba-PWV). Plasma metabolomic profiling was performed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

Weight reduction effects of a black soy peptide supplement in overweight and obese subjects: double blind, randomized, controlled study.

The present study determined the effect of black soy peptide supplementation on body weight and body fat in overweight/obese subjects. In a double-blind controlled trial, participants (n = 80) were randomized to either soy peptide supplementation (the test group) or to a placebo (the placebo group). Sixty-four people completed the study, and anthropometric parameters, serum inflammatory markers, and leptin and lipid profiles were measured.

Supervised exercise program, BMI, and risk of type 2 diabetes in subjects with normal or impaired fasting glucose.

Objective: To determine the association of regular exercise, BMI, and fasting glucose with the risk of type 2 diabetes and to predict the risk.

Research Design And Methods: Korean subjects (n = 7,233; 40-79 years old) who were not diagnosed with diabetes at baseline were enrolled through the National Health Insurance Corporation. All participants underwent biennial examinations, and 1,947 of 7,233 subjects also underwent a 6-month program of moderate-intensity exercise (300 min/week) without dietary advice.

Circulating and PBMC Lp-PLA2 associate differently with oxidative stress and subclinical inflammation in nonobese women (menopausal status).

Background: This study aimed to determine the association of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A(2) (Lp-PLA(2)) activity in circulation and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in nonobese women and according to menopausal status. Lp-PLA(2) activity, a marker for cardiovascular risk is associated with inflammation and oxidative stress.

Methodology/principal Findings: Eighty postmenopausal women (53.

Arginase I and the very low-density lipoprotein receptor are associated with phenotypic biomarkers for obesity.

Objective: Obesity is a serious health problem implicated in many metabolic disorders (i.e., hypertension, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular disease).

Association of fatty acid composition in serum phospholipids with metabolic syndrome and arterial stiffness.

Background And Aim: We examined the association of fatty acid (FA) composition in serum phospholipids with the features of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and arterial stiffness.

Methods: Korean men (n = 593, 30-79 yrs) were categorized based on the number of MetS risk factors (RFs) and measured for the markers of MetS, serum phospholipid FA composition and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), an index for the severity of arterial stiffness.

Results: Insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), baPWV, LDL size, and adiponectin were significantly altered corresponding to the number of MetS RFs.

Influence of quercetin-rich onion peel extracts on adipokine expression in the visceral adipose tissue of rats.

We examined the effects of quercetin-rich onion peel extract supplementation on adipokine expressions from adipose tissues in a diet-induced obese animal model. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 24) were randomly assigned into control (n = 8), high fat diet (HF, n = 8) and high fat diet with onion peel extract (HFOE, n = 8). After 8 weeks, serum biochemical parameters, weights of adipose tissues (epididymal, perirenal and mesenteric fats) and adipokine mRNA levels (adiponectin, IL (interleukin)-6 and visfatin) along with PPAR (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor) γ2 from adipose tissues were measured.

Association of Lp-PLA(2) activity and LDL size with interleukin-6, an inflammatory cytokine and oxidized LDL, a marker of oxidative stress, in women with metabolic syndrome.

Objective: We investigated an association between lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A(2) (Lp-PLA(2)) activity, inflammation, and oxidative stress in women with metabolic syndrome (MS).

Methods: We performed a case-control study in MS women (n=368) and non-MS women (n=854). Lp-PLA(2) activity LDL particle size; leukocyte number; ox-LDL, LDL-cholesterol, TNF-α, IL-6, and CRP levels were measured.

Fatty acid desaturase (FADS) gene polymorphisms and insulin resistance in association with serum phospholipid polyunsaturated fatty acid composition in healthy Korean men: cross-sectional study.

Background: We investigated the relationship between fatty acid desaturase (FADS) gene polymorphisms and insulin resistance (IR) in association with serum phospholipid polyunsaturated fatty acid (FA) composition in healthy Korean men.

Methods: Healthy men (n = 576, 30 ~ 79 years old) were genotyped for rs174537 near FADS1 (FEN1-10154G>T), FADS2 (rs174575C>G, rs2727270C>T), and FADS3 (rs1000778C>T) SNPs. Dietary intake, serum phospholipid FA composition and HOMA-IR were measured.

Effects of aging and menopause on serum interleukin-6 levels and peripheral blood mononuclear cell cytokine production in healthy nonobese women.

Inappropriate interleukin-6 production is thought to play a role in the development of several age-related conditions including atherosclerosis. This study aimed to determine whether aging affects circulating interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels. Healthy, nonobese women (n = 208, 44.

Plasma ceruloplasmin as a biomarker for obesity: a proteomic approach.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate new biomarkers of obesity particularly in relation with inflammation-associated proteins using protein differential display techniques.

Design And Methods: Comparison of protein expression in plasma between non-obese (n=109, body mass index, BMI<25kg/m(2)) and obese (n=32, BMI≥25kg/m(2)) groups was carried out using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) analysis. ELISA was also performed for validation.

Effects of lycopene supplementation on oxidative stress and markers of endothelial function in healthy men.

Objective: The objective was to determine the effects of lycopene supplementation on endothelial function assessed by reactive hyperemia peripheral arterial tonometry (RH-PAT) and oxidative stress.

Methods: Healthy men (n=126) were randomized to receive placebo (n=38), 6 mg (n=41), or 15 mg (n=37) lycopene daily for 8-week.

Results: Serum lycopene increased in a dose-dependent manner after 8-week supplementation (P<0.

Cardiomyocytes from phorbol myristate acetate-activated mesenchymal stem cells restore electromechanical function in infarcted rat hearts.

Despite the safety and feasibility of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy, an optimal cell type has not yet emerged in terms of electromechanical integration in infarcted myocardium. We found that poor to moderate survival benefits of MSC-implanted rats were caused by incomplete electromechanical integration induced by tissue heterogeneity between myocytes and engrafted MSCs in the infarcted myocardium. Here, we report the development of cardiogenic cells from rat MSCs activated by phorbol myristate acetate, a PKC activator, that exhibited high expressions of cardiac-specific markers and Ca(2+) homeostasis-related proteins and showed adrenergic receptor signaling by norepinephrine.