Carmen Di Palo

Long-term effect of mediterranean-style diet and calorie restriction on biomarkers of longevity and oxidative stress in overweight men.

We report the effects of a Mediterranean-style diet, with or without calorie restriction, on biomarkers of aging and oxidative stress in overweight men. 192 men were randomly assigned to either a Mediterranean-style diet or a conventional diet. The intervention program was based on implementation of a Mediterranean dietary pattern in the overweight group (MED diet group), associated with calorie restriction and increased physical activity in the obese group (lifestyle group). Both groups were compared with participants in two matched control groups (advice groups). After 2 years, there was a significant difference in weight loss between groups, which was −14 kg (95% CI −20 to −8) in lifestyle groups and −2.0 kg (−4.4 to 0) in the advice groups, with a difference of −11.9 kg (CI −19 to −4.7 kg, P < .001); moreover, there was a significant difference between groups at 2 years for insulin (P = .04), 8-iso-PGF2α (P = .037), glucose (P = .04), and adiponectin (P = .01). Prolonged adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet, with or without caloric restriction, in overweight or obese men is associated with significant amelioration of multiple risk factors, including a better cardiovascular risk profile, reduced oxidative stress, and improved insulin sensitivity.

Characterization of a novel polymorphism in PPARG regulatory region associated with type 2 diabetes and diabetic retinopathy in Italy.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma polymorphisms have been widely associated with type 2 diabetes, although their role in the pathogenesis of vascular complications is not yet demonstrated. In this study, a cohort of 211 type 2 diabetes, 205 obese, and 254 control individuals was genotyped for Pro12Ala, C1431T, C-2821T polymorphisms, and for a newly identified polymorphism (A-2819G). The above-mentioned polymorphisms were analyzed by gene-specific PCR and direct sequencing of all samples. A significant difference was found for -2819G frequency when patients with type 2 diabetes—particularly diabetic women with the proliferative retinopathy—were compared with healthy control individuals. In conclusion, we identified a novel polymorphism, A-2819G, in PPARG gene, and we found it to be associated with type 2 diabetes and proliferative retinopathy in diabetic females. In the analyzed population, this variant represents a genetic risk factor for developing the diabetic retinopathy, whereas Pro12Ala and C1431T do not.

ORIGINAL RESEARCH—WOMEN'S SEXUAL HEALTH: Adherence to Mediterranean Diet and Sexual Function in Women with Type 2 Diabetes

INTRODUCTION There are no reported studies assessing the relation between diet and sexual function in women with diabetes. AIM In the present study, we explored the relation between consumption of a Mediterranean-type diet and sexual function in a population of type 2 diabetic women. METHODS Patients with type 2 diabetes were enrolled if they had a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes for at least six months but less than 10 years, age 35-70 years, body mass index (BMI) of 24 or higher, HbA1c of 6.5% or higher, treatment with diet or oral drugs. All diabetic patients were invited to complete a food-frequency questionnaire and self-report measures of sexual function. A total of 595 (90.2%) of the 659 women completed both questionnaires and were analyzed in the present study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Adherence to a Mediterranean diet was assessed by a 9-point scale that incorporated the salient characteristics of this diet (range of scores, 0-9, with higher scores indicating greater adherence). The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was used for assessing the key dimensions of female sexual function. RESULTS Diabetic women with the highest scores (6-9) had lower BMI, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio, a lower prevalence of depression, obesity and metabolic syndrome, a higher level of physical activity, and better glucose and lipid profiles than the diabetic women who scored <3 points on the scale. The proportion of sexually active women showed a significant increase across tertiles of adherence to Mediterranean diet (from 54.2% to 65.1%, P = 0.01). Based on the FSFI cutoff score for female sexual dysfunction (FSD) of 23, women with the highest score of adherence had a lower prevalence of sexual dysfunction as compared with women of lower tertiles (47.6%, 53.9%, and 57.8%, higher, middle, and lower tertile, respectively, P = 0.01). These associations remained significant after adjustment for many potential confounders. CONCLUSIONS In women with type 2 diabetes, greater adherence to Mediterranean diet is associated with a lower prevalence of FSD.

ORIGINAL RESEARCHORIGINAL RESEARCH—WOMEN'S SEXUAL HEALTH: Adherence to Mediterranean Diet and Sexual Function in Women with Type 2 Diabetes

INTRODUCTION There are no reported studies assessing the relation between diet and sexual function in women with diabetes. AIM In the present study, we explored the relation between consumption of a Mediterranean-type diet and sexual function in a population of type 2 diabetic women. METHODS Patients with type 2 diabetes were enrolled if they had a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes for at least six months but less than 10 years, age 35-70 years, body mass index (BMI) of 24 or higher, HbA1c of 6.5% or higher, treatment with diet or oral drugs. All diabetic patients were invited to complete a food-frequency questionnaire and self-report measures of sexual function. A total of 595 (90.2%) of the 659 women completed both questionnaires and were analyzed in the present study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Adherence to a Mediterranean diet was assessed by a 9-point scale that incorporated the salient characteristics of this diet (range of scores, 0-9, with higher scores indicating greater adherence). The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was used for assessing the key dimensions of female sexual function. RESULTS Diabetic women with the highest scores (6-9) had lower BMI, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio, a lower prevalence of depression, obesity and metabolic syndrome, a higher level of physical activity, and better glucose and lipid profiles than the diabetic women who scored <3 points on the scale. The proportion of sexually active women showed a significant increase across tertiles of adherence to Mediterranean diet (from 54.2% to 65.1%, P = 0.01). Based on the FSFI cutoff score for female sexual dysfunction (FSD) of 23, women with the highest score of adherence had a lower prevalence of sexual dysfunction as compared with women of lower tertiles (47.6%, 53.9%, and 57.8%, higher, middle, and lower tertile, respectively, P = 0.01). These associations remained significant after adjustment for many potential confounders. CONCLUSIONS In women with type 2 diabetes, greater adherence to Mediterranean diet is associated with a lower prevalence of FSD.

Dietary glycemic index and glycemic load are associated with metabolic control in type 2 diabetes: The CAPRI experience.

BACKGROUND The role of low-glycemic-index diets in the treatment of diabetes mellitus remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between the dietary glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) with metabolic control in type 2 diabetic patients. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional analysis in 901 outpatients with type 2 diabetes attending diabetes clinics located in the area of the Campania County, South Italy, who provided complete home blood glucose profiles and centralized glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). Dietary information was obtained using semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaires. HbA1c was assessed in the centralized laboratory while blood glucose profiles were assessed at home. RESULTS After adjustment for age, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, medication use, prevalence of metabolic syndrome, hypertension, energy and fiber intake, dietary GI and GL were positively associated with HbA1c in a dose-dependent fashion (P for trend, 0.007 for GI and 0.02 for GL). Diabetic patients with the highest GI and GL had the highest HbA1c levels (difference 1%, P = 0.001). The difference in 1-h postmeal glucose levels at home between the highest and the lowest quintile of GI was 37 (15) [mean and standard deviation (SD)] mg/dL (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Diets low in GI and GL are associated with lower HbA1c and postmeal glucose levels in the everyday life of type 2 diabetic patients.

Effects of surgical menopause and estrogen replacement therapy on atrio-ventricular conduction and ventricular repolarization

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of surgical menopause and estrogen replacement therapy on atrio-ventricular conduction and ventricular repolarization in women. METHODS In a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial 50 women underwent hystero-salpingo-oophorectomy. Twenty-five women were treated with 50 microg/die of transdermal estradiol and the other 25 were treated with placebo patches. The duration of the treatment was 12 cycles. Before surgery and after 12 cycles of treatment, a standard electrocardiogram was performed to evaluate atrio-ventricular conduction time and cardiac repolarization time. RESULTS No significant variations in atrio-ventricuar conduction time and cardiac repolarization time were detected between the two groups at entry, nor was there any difference in both groups after 12 cycles of treatment with transdermal estradiol. CONCLUSIONS Surgical menopause and estrogen replacement therapy do not modify atrio-ventricular conduction and ventricular repolarization in women.