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Journal Article 2007; 28(4): 470-472 PubMed PMID: 17627273 Citation  Keywords:  Administration, Oral, Albinism:genetics, Alloxan, Animals, Ballota, Blood Glucose:metabolism, Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental:blood, Female, Hypoglycemic Agents:administration & dosage, Insulin:blood, Male, Plant Extracts:administration & dosage, Rats, Ra.   

: The hypoglycemic effect of Ballota nigra extract on albino rats was investigated. Alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus was accompanied by several fold increases in plasma glucose. Administration of aqueous extract of B. nigra extract significantly reduced glucose in both healthy and diabetic rats. These results suggest that B. nigra possess hypoglycemic effects in rats and therefore, can be useful for the treatment of diabetes mellitus....

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Journal Article 2007; 28(4): 473-476 PubMed PMID: 17627272 Citation  Keywords:  Administration, Oral, Alanine Transaminase:blood, Albinism:genetics, Animals, Aspartate Aminotransferases:blood, Ballota, Bilirubin:blood, Blood Glucose:metabolism, Cholesterol:blood, Creatine Kinase:blood, Female, Insulin:blood, Male, Plant Extracts:admi.   

: Ingestion of aqueous 70% ethanol extract of Ballota nigra (400 mg/kg body weight for 7 days) by albino rats (n=10) was investigated to study its effects on glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), troponin I (TnI), serum creatine kinase (CK), total protein, total bilirubin and blood urea. Ballota nigra extract caused a significant decrease in blood glucose, total serum cholesterol and CK levels. Blood levels of TnI, AST, ALT, triglycerides, total bilirubin, total protein and blood urea were unchanged. The hypoglycemic effect of Ballota nigra extract on albino rats was further investigated by conducting a glucose tolerance test intraperitoneally (IPGTT). Healthy rats that were fasting for 18 hours followed by administration of a dose of 400 mg/kg body weight of the crude extract of Ballota nigra, orally. A significant decrease in blood glucose levels (after 15, 30, and 45 minutes) with a significant increase in serum insulin level (after 15 and 30 minute) was noted. These results suggest that, the crude extract of Ballota nigra have hypoglycemic, insulin-releasing and cholesterol lowering effects in rats....

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Journal Article 2006; 27(4): 459-464 PubMed PMID: 16891995 Citation  Keywords:  Adolescent, Biomarkers:blood, Blood Glucose, Blood Pressure:immunology, C-Reactive Protein:metabolism, Child, Endothelium, Vascular:immunology, Female, Humans, Inflammation:epidemiology, Insulin:blood, Insulin Resistance:immunology, Intercellular Adhesion.   

OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of low-grade, systemic inflammation and endothelial activation in the modulation of blood pressure (BP) independently of other traditional risk factors in obese children and adolescents.

DESIGN: We surveyed 281 obese subjects, aged 6-18 years to investigate the relationship of serum inflammation and endothelial activation markers and blood pressure.

MEASUREMENTS: Clinical variables, indices of obesity, ambulatory 24-h blood pressure and serum concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), glucose and insulin. HOMA IR was used as a marker of insulin resistance (IR).

RESULTS: CRP, IL-6, IL-1 beta, and ICAM-1 correlated significantly with mean 24-h systolic BP, whereas CRP and IL-6 was positively correlated with mean 24-h diastolic BP. Multiple regression analysis showed that serum IL-6 (P < .001) concentration, HOMA IR (P < .01), and waist to hip ratio (P < .05) were the significant determinants of systolic BP, whereas CRP (P < .05) level was the only predictor of diastolic BP. There were no significant associations of cell adhesion molecules with BP.

CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that low-grade inflammation may play a role in the modulation of arterial BP relatively early in life....

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Comparative Study 2006; 27(4): 493-500 PubMed PMID: 16891987 Citation  Keywords:  Adiponectin:blood, Adipose Tissue:metabolism, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging:metabolism, Blood Pressure, Body Mass Index, Cholesterol, HDL:blood, Cholesterol, LDL:blood, Energy Metabolism:physiology, Female, Humans, Insulin:metabolism, Insulin Resi.   

OBJECTIVES: Adipose tissue secretes proteins which regulate energy metabolism and insulin sensitivity. Adiponectin possesses anti-diabetic, anti-atherogenic and insulin-sensitizing properties. To assess the prognostic factors in prolonged survival and the potential protective role of adiponectin in aging, we examined the release of adiponectin in relation to the metabolic status of centenarians, compared with young, early elderly and obese subjects.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was carried out on 122 women: 22 centenarians aged 100-102 yrs, 45 younger women aged 20-43 yrs, 19 early elderly women aged 64-67 yrs, and 36 obese women aged 26-54 yrs. Anthropometric data, clinical features and blood samples were obtained. Plasma adiponectin and insulin concentrations were measured by RIA methods. Fasting plasma glucose levels, lipid profile and creatinine concentrations were determined using routine laboratory procedures.

RESULTS: In centenarians we found that adiponectin concentrations were significantly increased, compared with young, early elderly and obese women. Insulin concentrations were lower than those in young and obese subjects. HOMA-IR was significantly lower than in obese women. Positive correlations were found between adiponectin and HDL, and negative correlations between adiponectin and HOMA-IR, total cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides, blood pressure and BMI.

CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that adiponectin may play a protective role that contributes to longevity....

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Letter 2006; 27(1-2): 70-72 PubMed PMID: 16648802 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Diabetes Mellitus:physiopathology, Hypothalamus:physiology, Insulin:physiology, Mice, Mice, Obese, Neuropeptide Y:physiology, Pro-Opiomelanocortin:physiology,.   

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Journal Article 2006; 27(1-2): 277-280 PubMed PMID: 16648799 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Carbohydrate Metabolism:physiology, Diabetes, Gestational:blood, Diet, Diabetic, Fatty Acids, Nonesterified:blood, Female, Fetal Blood:chemistry, Fetal Development:physiology, Humans, Hypoglycemic Agents:therapeutic use, Insulin:therapeutic use, Pr.   

AIM OF THE STUDY: The investigation of the influence of maternal serum free fatty acids (FFA) levels on the course of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

MATERIAL AND METHODS: On the basis of GDM diagnosis 52 diabetic and 39 non-diabetic pregnant women were recruited to the study. Treatment modalities for diabetic group included diet alone (GDM1; n-36) or a combination of insulin and diet (GDM2; n-16). Maternal serum free fatty acids were measured before treatment, after 4 weeks therapy, during delivery and in umbilical cord blood.

RESULTS: Plasma levels of FFA were higher in GDM pregnant women treated later only by diet compare with GDM patients required later insulin and non-diabetic gravidas. In GDM diet treated group plasma FFA levels progressively decreased with treatment duration. The plasma FFA levels in umbilical cord blood did not differ between the study groups. We found a positive correlation between maternal venous and umbilical cord blood concentration of free fatty acids. Maternal FFA levels positively correlated with neonatal births weight.

CONCLUSION: Elevated plasma FFA levels are associated with GDM and can influence fetal growth. Early and intensified GDM treatment may decrease the level of circulating fatty acids....

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Comparative Study 2005; 26(6): 675-679 PubMed PMID: 16380708 Citation  Keywords:  Adolescent, Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors:therapeutic use, Adult, Analysis of Variance, Appetite Depressants:therapeutic use, Appetite Regulation:drug effects, Cyclobutanes:therapeutic use, Female, Humans, Insulin:blood, Leptin:blood, Neuropeptide Y:blood,.   

OBJECTIVE: Some neuropeptides and monoaminergic neurotransmitters may affect hypothalamic feeding centres, sympathetic activity and thermogenesis. Sibutramine (BTS54524; N-[1-[1(4-chloro phenyl) cyclobutyl]-3methyl N,N-dimethylamine hydrochloride monohydrate) is a new 5-HT serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), antiobesity drug. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the sibutramine therapy on plasma neuropeptide Y (NPY), insulin, leptin and beta-endorphin concentrations in obese patients.

METHODS: Sibutramine, serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake antiobesity drug was administered for 6 months in a dose of 10 mg daily in 60 obese women (BMI 30-40 kg/m2) (mean 34 kg/m2). Plasma NPY, leptin, beta-endorphin and insulin concentrations were measured with RIA methods using commercial kits (Peninsula Lab, Linco, Peninsula Lab, Swierk respectively). The above neuropeptides levels were evaluated before and after the 6 month sibutramine therapy in 60 obese women as well as in 30 obese women on low caloric diet and in 30 of the control group.

RESULTS: In 85% obese patients a decrease of body weight was found after 6 month therapy with sibutramine. A decrease in total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides and an increase in HDL were observed after the sibutramine treatment. We have demonstrated that the sibutramine therapy leads to the decrease of plasma NPY, beta-endorphin, insulin and leptin concentrations in obese patients. After low diet therapy we have observed a decrease in plasma leptin levels, however we did not find significant changes in plasma leptin, NPY, beta-endorphin and insulin concentrations.

CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that the effects on the disturbed activity of NPY, beta-endorphin, insulin and leptin may be involved in the mechanism of sibutramine action....

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Journal Article 2005; 26(4): 293-296 PubMed PMID: 16135994 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Energy Metabolism:physiology, Female, Humans, Insulin:blood, Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins:blood, Leptin:blood, Middle Aged, Neuropeptide Y:blood, Neuropeptides:blood, Obesity:blood, Orexins, Radioimmunoassay,.   

OBJECTIVE: It has been reported that the peptides such as orexins, neuropeptide Y (NPY) and leptin may play an important role in the regulation of appetite and energy metabolism. The interaction between leptin, orexins and NPY, as well as between peptides and insulin and cortisol in the different nutritional states have been investigated in animals. However, at present this relationship is poorly understood in humans.

RESEARCH METHODS: Material consisted of 36 obese women and 16 lean women. Plasma orexin A, orexin B, neuropeptide Y (NPY), leptin, insulin concentrations were measured with RIA methods.

RESULTS: Plasma orexin A concentrations were significantly lower in obese women as compared with control group. Plasma orexin A was significantly lower in severe obesity (BMI > 40 kg/m2) than that in moderate obesity (BMI < 40 kg/m2). Plasma orexin B concentrations did not change. However, plasma NPY, leptin and insulin levels were markedly higher in obese women, especially in severe obesity.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirmed the thesis that orexin A, NPY, leptin play an important role in the regulation of energy metabolism in humans. In obesity the activity of these peptides is disturbed....

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