Role of Maca (Lepidium meyenii) Consumption on Serum Interleukin-6 Levels and Health Status in Populations Living in the Peruvian Central Andes over 4000 m of Altitude

Lepidium meyenii (Maca) is a plant that grows at over 4,000 m above sea level in the central Peruvian Andes. The hypocotyls of this plant are traditionally consumed for their nutritional and medicinal properties. The aim of this study was to determine the health status based on a health related quality of life (HRQL) questionnaire (SF-20) and serum levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) in subjects that are maca consumers. For this, a cross-sectional study was designed to be performed in 50 subjects from Junin (4,100 m): 27 subjects were maca consumers and 23 were non-consumers. The SF-20 survey is used to obtain a summary measure of health status. The stand up from a chair and sit down (SUCSD) test (to assess lower-extremity function), hemoglobin measurement, blood pressure, sexual hormone levels, serum IL-6 levels and the score of chronic mountain sickness (CMS) were evaluated. Testosterone/estradiol ratio (P?<0.05), IL-6 (P?<?0.05) and CMS score were lower, whereas the health status score was higher, in maca consumers when compared to non-consumers (P?<?0.01). A greater proportion of maca consumers successfully completed the SUCSD test compared to non-consumers (P?<?0.01), showing a significant association with lower values of serum IL-6 (P?<?0.05). In conclusion, consumption of maca was associated with low serum IL-6 levels and in turn with better health status scores in the SF-20 survey and low chronic mountain sickness scores.     

红茶及其发花红砖茶对高血糖模型小鼠的降血糖作用

以相同鲜叶加工而成的红茶及其发花红砖茶为原料,在应用链脲佐菌素腹腔注射并成功建立高血糖模型小鼠方法的基础上,将90只KM雄性小鼠按每组10只,随机分为正常组、模型组、红茶及发花红砖茶高、中、低剂量组和盐酸二甲双胍片组,连续灌喂28天,探讨了红茶及其发花红砖茶对高血糖模型小鼠的降血糖作用。结果表明,与正常组相比,模型组小鼠体重、饮水、饮食、血糖水平均有极显著差异(P<0.01),且血糖水平达到高血糖标准,说明造模成功;与模型组相比,红茶及发花红砖茶高剂量组的肝脏指数显著下降(P<0.05)、胰腺指数显著上升(P<0.05);中、高剂量组的总胆固醇显著下降(P<0.05),过氧化氢酶、超氧化物岐化酶显著上升(P<0.05);各剂量组的血糖、甘油三酯、丙二醛含量水平显著下降(P<0.05),口服耐糖量、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活性及胰岛素含量水平则显著上升(P<0.05),除红茶低剂量组外各剂量组肝糖原含量水平均显著上升(P<0.05),同时可修复受损胰岛;与红茶组相比,发花红砖茶高剂量组在改善胰岛素水平、血糖水平、口服耐糖量、丙二醛水平及肝糖原水平上显著优于红茶高剂量组(P<0.05),中、高剂量组在提高过氧化氢酶、超氧化物岐化酶及谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶的酶活性上显著优于红茶中、高剂量组(P<0.05)。由此表明,红茶及其发花红砖茶均具有降低高血糖模型小鼠血糖的作用,且在作用效果上发花红砖茶优于红茶,但其机制有待进一步探究。     

玛咖块根流化床干燥特性及动力学研究

本试验采用流化床工艺干燥玛咖块根,考察了不同进气温度、空气流量、物料粒径3个主要因素对玛咖块根湿基含水率、失水速率曲线的影响,得到了玛咖块根流化床干燥各因素条件下的失水变化规律。并根据得到的实验数据建立了玛咖块根流化床干燥的动力学模型,并对得到的模型进行统计检验及验证。结果表明：玛咖块根流化床干燥的最佳模型为Page模型,拟合方程为：ln（-lnMR）＝-6.499+0.014 3T+0.0154V+0.708L+(1.556-0.001 46T-0.003 11V-0.185 L）lnt。该拟合方程能较好地描述玛咖块根流化床干燥过程,并能准确预测各阶段玛咖块根的含水率及失水速率。     

红茶对高脂饮食小鼠血脂的调节作用研究

采用脂代谢紊乱模型法—预防性给予不同地区不同剂量的红茶（剂量为成人每日饮用量的5倍、10倍和20倍3种）,观察小鼠体重、血脂、相关酶及肝脏形态的变化。结果表明：与高脂模型对照组相比,红茶剂量组能极显著（P<0.01）降低血清总胆固醇（TC）、低密度脂蛋白（LDL-C）、肝脏丙二醛（MDA）、肝脏指数;极显著（P<0.01）升高血清载脂蛋白A₁（apoA₁）、脂蛋白脂酶（LPL）、肝脂酶（HL）、总脂酶、肝脏超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）及谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GPX）,血清高密度脂蛋白（HDL-C）有所上升,小鼠体重也得到了一定的抑制,肝脏病变程度得到了相应的减轻,说明红茶具有一定的调节血脂及减小肝脏因高脂饮食所带来的损伤。     

Biochemical response in rats to the addition of curry leaf (Murraya koenigii) and mustard seeds (Brassica juncea) to the diet

Three groups with 12 weanling male albino rats were group fed for 90 days on a standard laboratory rat diet plus 20% coconut oil either without a supplement or with the addition of 10% curry leaf or 10% mustard seeds. Feed was offered at a level of 10% body weight. At the end of the trial, measurements were made on the total serum cholesterol, high density lipoproteins, low density lipoproteins, and very low density lipoproteins fractions, release of lipoproteins into the circulation, lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase activity and lipoprotein lipase activity. Feed intake and mean body weight of the rats on each treatment was not significantly different. Both spices resulted in a reduction in total serum cholesterol and LDL+VLDL, an increase in the HDL, lower release of lipoproteins into the circulation and an increase in the LCAT activity.     

绿茶多糖抗血浆脂蛋白脂质过氧化作用的研究

研究绿茶多糖体外清除氧自由基与抗脂蛋白氧化作用。采用化学发光法测定绿茶多糖对ROO·、O₂^-·及OH·的清除作用,采用比色法测定对H₂O₂的清除作用。给20名健康受试者空腹食用绿茶多糖前和2βh后抽取静脉血,采用序列超速离心法分离血浆极低密度脂蛋白（VLDL）、低密度脂蛋白（LDL）和高密度脂蛋白（HDL）,并观察各血浆脂蛋白过氧化程度以及氧化易感性的变化。结果表明,绿茶多糖对ROO·、O₂^-·、OH·及H₂O₂均有清除作用;食用绿茶多糖后受试者血浆及VLDL、LDL和HDL过氧化脂质水平明显降低;在体外进行氧化修饰时,LDL氧化延滞时间明显延长,提示LDL氧化易感性下降。研究结果提示,绿茶多糖可增强血浆及脂蛋白抗氧化能力,能够起到预防心血管疾病和延缓衰老的积极作用。     

Antioxidant Effect of Dietary Supplement Withania somnifera L. Reduce Blood Glucose Levels in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

The phenolic compounds and flavonoids were determined from the extracts of Withania somnifera root (WSREt) and leaf (WSLEt). The WSREt has 28.26 mg/g total phenolic compounds and 17.32 mg/g flavonoids, whereas WSLEt has 5.4 mg/g total phenolic compounds and 5.1 mg/g flavonoids. The WSREt, WSLEt and glibenclamide were orally administered daily to diabetic rats for 8 weeks. After the treatment, the levels of urine sugar, blood glucose, liver glycogen, and antioxidants like vitamin C and E in plasma and superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and reduced glutathione (GSH) in liver, kidney and heart were determined. Diabetic rats showed a significant (p < 0.05) elevation in glucose and TBARS and a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in glycogen, vitamin C and E, SOD, CAT, GPx, GST, and GSH levels when compared to normal control rats. Administration of WSREt, WSLEt and glibenclamide to diabetic rats restored the levels to normal. In the light of aforesaid facts, it is suggested that the presence of phenolic compounds including flavonoids in W. somnifera root and leaf extracts and their antioxidant activity may play a vital role in reduction of blood glucose level in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.     

Antihyperglycemic Effects of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Platycodon grandiflorum</Emphasis> (Jacq.) A. DC. Extract on Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Mice

The root of Platycodon grandiflorum (Jacq.) A. DC has been reported to have a wide range of health benefits in oriental food. This study examined the hypoglycemic effects of Platycodon grandiflorum (Jacq.) A. DC aqueous-ethanol extract (PGE) in streptozotocin (STZ) -induced diabetic ICR mice (STZ diabetic mice) for the first time. The effects of PGE on blood glucose, plasma insulin levels and body weight were investigated. A significant decrease in blood glucose levels was observed after single administration of PGE. Furthermore, Glibenclamide and PGE significantly suppressed the rise in blood glucose after 30 min in the acute glucose tolerance test. Treatment with glibenclamide and PGE resulted in a reduction in blood glucose levels from the 2nd week, and this reduction was maintained until the 4th week of treatment. The body weight changed slightly in glibenclamide and PGE treated mice in comparison with the STZ control group. Plasma insulin levels were increased with glibenclamide treatment in STZ diabetic mice, whereas such effect was not observed with PGE. These results indicated that PGE could induce hypoglycemic effects without stimulating insulin secretion.     

安吉白茶多糖对实验性糖尿病小鼠的降血糖作用研究

通过制备去甲肾上腺素致糖尿病小鼠模型及四氧嘧啶致高血糖小鼠模型,给正常小鼠、去甲肾上腺素致高血糖小鼠及四氧嘧啶致糖尿病小鼠连续灌胃安吉白茶多糖14 d后,取血测定血糖水平,以探讨安吉白茶多糖对正常小鼠、去甲肾上腺素致高血糖小鼠及四氧嘧啶致高血糖小鼠血糖水平及糖耐量（GT）的影响。结果显示,灌胃2周后,安吉白茶多糖对正常小鼠血糖水平影响较小,低、中、高剂量组与正常对照组相比均无显著意义(P>0.05);安吉白茶多糖能明显降低去甲肾上腺素所致糖尿病小鼠的血糖水平,低、中、高剂量组的血糖值与肾上腺素模型组比较,差异极显著(P<0.01)。且高剂量组降血糖效果优于低剂量组;安吉白茶多糖明显降低四氧嘧啶所致高血糖小鼠的血糖水平,三剂量组的血糖值与四氧嘧啶模型组比较,差异极显著(P<0.01)。三剂量均能降低实验性高血糖小鼠血糖,且随剂量增大,降血糖作用增强,以高剂量降糖作用最强。安吉白茶多糖在缓解糖尿病小鼠糖耐量降低方面作用显著,达到了药物组的治疗水平,但并不影响正常小鼠的血糖和糖耐量。     

Therapeutic effects of biguanide vs. statin in polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized clinical trial

Various classes of medication are currently being used in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) patients including the biguanides and the statins. However, their efficacies are rarely compared. This study aimed to compare efficacy ofa biguanide and a statin in treating PCOS. In a randomized double-blind clinical trial, 400 women with PCOS were recruited within 15 months in Taleghani Hospital. They randomly received either a biguanide (metformin 500 mg three times daily) or a statin (simvastatin 20 mg daily) for three consecutive months. Changes of clinical and laboratory variables were compared. In the biguanide group the serum glucose status (abnormal fasting and non-fasting sugar and insulin levels and percentage of hyperinsulinemic cases) and menstrual abnormalities improved significantly after treatment (p < 0.05). In the statin group the lipid profile status (abnormal total cholesterol, high and low density lipoproteins), C-Reactive Protein (CRP), serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, hyperinsulinemia, severity of acne and menstrual abnormalities improved significantly after treatment (p < 0.05). Comparing the two groups, the improvements in fasting blood sugar and serum insulin levels were significantly better in the biguanide group (p = 0.04 for both parameters); whereas the improvements in serum total cholesterol (p < 0.001), low density lipoprotein (p < 0.001), CRP (p < 0.001) and acne status (p = 0.04) were significantly superior in the statin receivers. Based on these results, each medication is only effective on some aspects of the disease. Overall, the simvastatin was superior to metformin with regard to the number of beneficial effects.     

Protective Effect of Maize Silks (Maydis stigma) Ethanol Extract on Radiation-Induced Oxidative Stress in Mice

Maize silks, dried cut stigmata of maize female flowers, are a traditional medicinal plant. This study was conducted to investigate the antioxidant effect of maize silks ethanol extract (MSE) against oxidative damage in vivo. γ-radiation was employed to induce oxidative stress in mice and the variation of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione/glutathione disulfide ratio (GSH/GSSG), blood cells, NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and related antioxidant enzymes were examined. The results showed that radiation elevate levels of MDA, induce hematological abnormalities and decrease levels of GSH/GSSG and Nrf2 expression in liver and kidney. MSE administration significantly abolished elevation of MDA levels in liver, maintained hepatic GSH/GSSG ratio and ameliorated hematological abnormalities dose dependently. Moreover, MSE up-regulated the hepatic protein expression of Nrf2 dose dependently and the activities as well as protein expression of Nrf2-related antioxidant enzymes were also increased. However, the antioxidant ability of MSE seemed not to be as effective in kidney as in liver. These findings firstly proved the protective role of MSE against oxidative stress, which was in part via up-regulation of Nrf2 and seemed to be tissue specific.     

Dynamics of phytate-zinc balance of fungi fermented cassava products (gari and flour)

Parsley is one of the medicinal herbs used by diabetics in Turkey. It has been reported to reduce blood glucose levels. In this study the effects of feeding parsley on diabetes-induced free radical mediated injury in rat aorta and heart tissues were investigated. Swiss albino rats were divided into six groups: Control, diabetic, parsley, diabetic + parsley, glibornurid, and diabetic + glibornurid. Rats were subjected to i.p. streptozotocin (STZ, 65 mg/kg) to induce diabetes. On the fourteenth day of the study, either parsley (2 g/kg) or glibornurid (5 mg/kg) were given for 28 days to the diabetic rats. Aorta and heart tissue lipid peroxidation and glutathione levels as well as blood glucose levels were determined. The results of the present study indicate that lipid peroxidation was increased and glutathione levels were decreased in both aorta and heart tissue of the diabetic rats. However, treatment of the diabetic rats with either parsley or glibornurid reversed the effects of diabetes on blood glucose, and tissue lipid peroxidation and glutathione levels.     

Amelioration of Hexachlorocyclohexane-Induced Oxidative Stress by Amaranth Leaves in Rats

The effect of prefeeding dehydrated amaranth leaves (AL), at 10 and 20% levels on hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH)-induced free radical stress in rat liver was evaluated. The HCH-induced raise in malonadialdehyde (MDA), conjugated dienes and hydroperoxides was diminished by AL. The effect of AL was highly effective with respect to reduction in these cytotoxic products, especially at 20% level. AL intake resulted in a significant increase in hepatic vitamin A and glutathione (GSH). However, the AL consumption reduced hepatic tocopherols. Feeding of AL at 10%level increased the hepatic glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH) activity while that at 20% level increased the hepatic glutathione reductase (GSSGR) as well, in addition to G-6-PDH. Amaranth leaves at 10 and 20% levels of feeding reduced the hepatic superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities. The pre-feeding of AL resulted in the reversal of HCH-induced alteration in GSH-Px and G-6-PDH activities. The significant reduction in the level of glutathione S-transferase brought about by HCH was restored to control level by feeding 20% AL. It is concluded that the consumption of AL at 20% level produces reduction in the HCH-induced impairment of antioxidant status in rat liver.     

Anti-Diabetic Effects of CTB-APSL Fusion Protein in Type 2 Diabetic Mice

To determine whether cholera toxin B subunit and active peptide from shark liver (CTB-APSL) fusion protein plays a role in treatment of type 2 diabetic mice, the CTB-APSL gene was cloned and expressed in silkworm (Bombyx mori) baculovirus expression vector system (BEVS), then the fusion protein was orally administrated at a dose of 100 mg/kg for five weeks in diabetic mice. The results demonstrated that the oral administration of CTB-APSL fusion protein can effectively reduce the levels of both fasting blood glucose (FBG) and glycosylated hemoglobin (GHb), promote insulin secretion and improve insulin resistance, significantly improve lipid metabolism, reduce triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels and increase high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, as well as effectively improve the inflammatory response of type 2 diabetic mice through the reduction of the levels of inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Histopathology shows that the fusion protein can significantly repair damaged pancreatic tissue in type 2 diabetic mice, significantly improve hepatic steatosis and hepatic cell cloudy swelling, reduce the content of lipid droplets in type 2 diabetic mice, effectively inhibit renal interstitial inflammatory cells invasion and improve renal tubular epithelial cell nucleus pyknosis, thus providing an experimental basis for the development of a new type of oral therapy for type 2 diabetes.     

Beta cell protective effects of sodium tungstate in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats: glycemic control, blockage of oxidative stress and beta cell histochemistry

Background: Diabetes is a major public health problem. The development of new therapies that are able to improve glycemia management and even to cure diabetes is of great interest. In this study, protective effects of sodium tungstate against STZ-induced beta-cell damages were investigated. Methods: Sixty rats were divided into six groups: control, diabetic, sodium tungstate treated diabetic rats from one week before STZ injection (TDB), food-restricted diabetic (FRD), tungstate treated control, sodium tungstate treated diabetic rats from one week after STZ administration (TDA). We evaluated serum insulin, glucose and glucose tolerance; liver glycogen content, glucokinase (GK) activity; blood and pancreas antioxidant power, lipid peroxidation; and fuchsin-aldehyde histochemical staining of beta-cells. Results: Blood glucose levels of TDB group were lower than other diabetic groups (P<0.01). Blood insulin levels of all diabetic groups were lower than controls (P<0.01). Glucose intolerance improved in TDB animals. Blood and pancreas antioxidant power, liver glycogen contents and GK activities and granulated beta cells increased in TDB rats in comparison with other diabetic groups (P<0.01). Likewise, lipid peroxidation decreased significantly in TDB rats (P<0.01). Conclusions: Results suggested that sodium tungstate if administrated before STZ injection improves glycemic state by a direct effect on pancreatic beta-cells and preserves them by reducing the activity of these cells at the time of STZ injection, reducing STZ-induced oxidative stress, reducing insulin secretion, or all of the above mentioned.     

普洱茶水提物与吡格列酮联合应用降糖功效研究

选取链脲佐菌素（Streptozotocin,STZ）致糖尿病大鼠模型,研究普洱茶水提物与吡格列酮联合应用对糖尿病大鼠的降糖作用,以明确普洱茶水提物是否对降糖药物具有协同作用,在控制血糖前提下能否减少降糖药用量。根据血糖水平按照普洱茶水提物与吡格列酮联合用药和单独用药的方式将动物分成不同的组别,包括对照、模型、吡高、吡低、吡高+PTE低、吡高+PTE高、吡低+PTE低、吡低+PTE高各实验组,每天灌胃给药2次,连续给药4周。在试验期间观察动物状态,每周大鼠尾部静脉针刺取血,测定动物的空腹血糖值;于给药第4周测定大鼠葡萄糖耐量并检测血清中糖化血清蛋白（Glucosylated serum proteins,GSP）和胰岛素（Insulin,INS）含量并计算胰岛素敏感指数。结果发现普洱茶水提物与吡格列酮混合用药能显著抑制空腹血糖的升高,下调灌胃葡萄糖后30、60、120βmin血糖的升高,显著抑制葡萄糖负荷血糖曲线下面积（Area under concentration-time curve,AUC）;给药各组能显著降低大鼠血清GSP含量。在服用吡格列酮的同时辅助饮用普洱茶水提物,可以减少服用吡格列酮的用药量而不减弱吡格列酮的降糖效果。     

Renal Protective Effects of Extracts from Guava Fruit (Psidium guajava L.) in Diabetic Mice

This study analyzed the content of phenolic acids and flavonoids in extracts of guava fruit (Psidium guajava L.), and examined the renal protective effects of guava aqueous extract (GAE) and ethanol extract (GEE) in diabetic mice. GAE had more caffeic acid, myricetin, and quercetin; and GEE had more cinnamic, coumaric and ferulic acids. GAE or GEE at 1 and 2?% was supplied in diet for 12?weeks. GAE or GEE intake at 2?% significantly reduced glucose and blood urea nitrogen levels, increased insulin level in plasma of diabetic mice (p?相似文献   

Study on the Mechanism of the Blood-Glucose-Lowering Effect of Collagen Peptides from Sturgeon By-Products

In a previous study, we found that the collagen peptides prepared from the by-products of Bester sturgeon had an inhibitory effect on elevated blood glucose levels in a glucose tolerance test with ICR mice. In the present study, we examine the mechanism of the effect of sturgeon collagen peptides (SCPs) in detail. When glucose was orally administered to mice along with the SCPs, it was found that the glucose remained in the stomach for a longer time. In the above tests, the amount of glucose excreted in the feces of mice also increased. On the contrary, it was revealed that the SCPs have a dipeptidyl-peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) inhibitory ability in an in vitro test. In subsequent oral and intravenous glucose administration tests, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and insulin levels in the blood of mice were maintained at high levels. These results suggested the following three mechanisms: SCPs slow the rate of transportation of glucose from the stomach into the small intestine, resulting in delayed glucose absorption; SCPs suppress the absorption of glucose in the small intestine and excrete it from the body; SCPs inhibit DPP-IV in the blood and maintain a high GLP-1 level in blood, which in turn stimulates insulin secretion.     

几种茶多糖降血糖活性的研究

研究和对比白茶多糖（White tea polysaccharide,WTP）、绿茶多糖（Green tea polysaccharide,GTP）和红茶多糖（Black tea polysaccharide,BTP）的成分、降血糖效果及机理。分别选取寿眉、龙井、白琳工夫作为白茶、绿茶和红茶的代表,测定分析茶多糖提取物的成分和分子量。以链脲佐菌素诱导小鼠糖尿病模型,二甲双胍作为阳性对照,研究茶多糖降血糖效果,qPCR测定小鼠肝脏中相关基因表达水平。结果表明,所选白茶、绿茶和红茶多糖的绝对重均分子量分别为18 180、19 470、8 745 Da。所选茶多糖提取物均具有降血糖功效,白茶、绿茶和红茶多糖干预组小鼠的血糖下降率分别为53.2%、52.8%及61.6%。茶多糖均可改善小鼠葡萄糖耐量,调节糖代谢相关基因表达,并且存在一定差异。     

Antihyperglycemic, Antihyperlipidemic and Antiglycation Effects of Byrsonima crassifolia Fruit and Seed in Normal and Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

The hypoglycemic effects of hexane, chloroform and methanol extracts from fruits and seeds of Byrsonima crassifolia were evaluated by oral administration to normoglycemic and streptozotocin-induced severe diabetic rats (SD). The anti-diabetic effect was examined by blood glucose, triglycerides, lipid peroxidation, total cholesterol levels in the serum, glycogen content of liver and skeletal muscles, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) levels. The most active extracts were obtained with hexane. Hexane and chloroform extracts from fruits and seeds of Byrsonima crassifolia increased the levels of SOD, GSH, GSSG and CAT, hepatic glycogen content, glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) and the plasma insulin levels. They also decreased glucokinase (GK) and TBAR (thiobarbituric acid assay). In conclusion, Byrsonima crassifolia possesses significant antihyperglycemic properties after 4 h of a single oral dose. It can also improve hyperlipidemia and hyperinsulinemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Both extracts exhibited significant inhibitory activity against AGEs (advanced glycation end products) formation with IC₅₀ values ranging from 94.3 to 138.7 μg/ml. Therefore, B. crassifolia can be considered as a potential safe anti-diabetic agent.