G. Ferns

Natural Honey and Cardiovascular Risk Factors; Effects on Blood Glucose, Cholesterol, Triacylglycerole, CRP, and Body Weight Compared with Sucrose

It has been found that honey ameliorates cardiovascular risk factors in healthy individuals and in patients with elevated risk factors. The present study investigated the effect of natural honey on total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triacylglycerole, C-reactive protein (CRP), fasting blood glucose (FBG), and body weight in overweight individuals. There were 55 patients, overweight or obese, who were randomly recruited into the study and assigned into two groups: control group (17 subjects) and experimental group (38 subjects). Patients in the control group received 70 g of sucrose daily for a maximum of 30 days and patients in the experimental group received 70 g of natural honey for the same period. In the control and experimental groups, body weight, body mass index, body fat weight, total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, triacylglycerole, FBG, and CRP were measured before treatment and at day 31 after the commencement of treatment. Results showed that honey caused a mild reduction in body weight (1.3%) and body fat (1.1%). Honey reduced total cholesterol (3%), LDL-C (5.8), triacylglycerole (11%), FBG (4.2%), and CRP (3.2%), and increased HDL-C (3.3%) in subjects with normal values, while in patients with elevated variables, honey caused reduction in total cholesterol by 3.3%, LDL-C by 4.3%, triacylglycerole by 19%, and CRP by 3.3% (p < 0.05). It is our conclusion that consumption of natural honey reduces cardiovascular risk factors, particularly in subjects with elevated risk factors, and it does not increase body weight in overweight or obese subjects.

Serum hs-CRP varies with dietary cholesterol, but not dietary fatty acid intake in individuals free of any history of cardiovascular disease

The objective of this study was to investigate whether serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) concentration varies with dietary fatty acid intake in Iranian adults free of any history of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This cross-sectional study involved 8105 adults (3142 men) aged 35–65 years. Dietary intake was assessed using 24-h dietary recalls. The relationship between anthropometric, cardiometabolic risk factors and dietary data and serum hs-CRP was assessed using SPSS software. Median crude dietary saturated fat decreased across hs-CRP quarters (P =0.009 for linear trend), whereas energy-adjusted total fat (P =0.017), trans-fat (P =0.016), monounsaturated fatty acids (P =0.030) and cholesterol (P =0.005) monotonically increased, with some evidence of statistical interactions by gender. In conclusion, serum hs-CRP concentrations were associated with some components of dietary fatty acid intake in our population of individuals without CVD, suggesting that dietary fat intake could be associated with subclinical inflammation.

The Effects of Wet Cupping on Coronary Risk Factors in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial

High serum cholesterol is an important risk factor for cardiovascular events. It has been reported that regular blood donation is associated with a reduction in serum cholesterol. This study aimed to determine the effects of wet cupping on lipid profiles and anthropometric characteristics of patients with metabolic syndrome. One hundred and thirty-six patients aged 18 65 years with metabolic syndrome were recruited to participate in this trial. Ten patients were excluded due to exclusion criteria. Patients (n = 126) were randomly assigned into the control (n = 63) and experimental (n = 63) groups. Patients in the experimental group were treated with wet cupping combined with dietary advice. The controls were given dietary advice only. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were assessed at baseline and at six and 12 weeks after treatment. The significance of the data was analyzed using a repeated measure ANOVA. The lipid profile status did not differ significantly between the two groups (p > 0.05) whereas there was a significant difference between the two time points within each group (p < 0.05). In addition, several anthropometric parameters improved in both groups, but this did not differ significantly between subject groups. Wet cupping does not have a significant effect on anthropometric or biochemical indices compared to the effect of dietary advice alone

The effects of wet cupping on serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and heat shock protein 27 antibody titers in patients with metabolic syndrome

INTRODUCTION It has previously been reported that increased level of serum heat shock proteins (Hsps) antibody in patients with metabolic syndrome. It is possible that the expression of Hsp and inflammatory markers can be affected by cupping and traditional Chinese medicine. There is a little data investigating the effects of cupping on markers of inflammation and Hsp proteins, hence, the objective of this study was evaluation of the effects of wet cupping on serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and Hsp27 antibody titers in patients with metabolic syndrome. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Serum Hs-CRP and Hsp27 antibody titers were assessed in samples from 126 patients with metabolic syndrome (18-65 years of age) at baseline, and after 6 and 12 weeks after treatment. One hundred and twenty-six patients were randomly divided into the experimental group treated with wet cupping combined with dietary advice, and the control group treated with dietary advice alone using a random number table. Eight patients in case group and five subjects in control groups were excluded from the study. Data were analyzed using SPSS 15.0 software and a repeated measure ANCOVA. RESULTS Serum hs-CRP titers did not change significantly between groups (p>0.05) and times (p=0.27). The same result was found for Hsp27 titers (p>0.05). CONCLUSION Wet-cupping on the interscapular region has no effect on serum hs-CRP and Hsp27 patients with metabolic syndrome.

The effect of electro-acupuncture on pro-oxidant antioxidant balance values in overweight and obese subjects: a randomized controlled trial study

Abstract Objective To undertake a randomized controlled trial in 196 obese subjects to examine the effect of electro-acupuncture on serum pro-oxidant antioxidant balance (PAB) values. Methods Subjects received authentic acupuncture (cases) or sham acupuncture (controls) for 6 weeks in combination with a low-calorie diet. In the following 6 weeks, they received the low-calorie diet alone. Serum PAB was measured at baseline, and 6 and 12 weeks later. Results We found that serum PAB values decreased significantly in the group receiving the authentic acupuncture compared to the sham treatment (p<0.001) at week 6, and whilst serum PAB increased significantly (p<0.05) in the second phase of the study, a significant difference between two groups remained at 12 weeks (p<0.05). Conclusions Electro-acupuncture in combination with a low-calorie diet was more effective at reducing serum PAB values in obese subjects compared to diet alone. Further work is required to determine the mechanism by which electro-acupuncture has this effect.

The effects of wet cupping on coronary risk factors in patients with metabolic syndrome: A randomized controlled trial

High serum cholesterol is an important risk factor for cardiovascular events. It has been reported that regular blood donation is associated with a reduction in serum cholesterol. This study aimed to determine the effects of wet cupping on lipid profiles and anthropometric characteristics of patients with metabolic syndrome. One hundred and thirty-six patients aged 18-65 years with metabolic syndrome were recruited to participate in this trial. Ten patients were excluded due to exclusion criteria. Patients (n = 126) were randomly assigned into the control (n = 63) and experimental (n = 63) groups. Patients in the experimental group were treated with wet cupping combined with dietary advice. The controls were given dietary advice only. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were assessed at baseline and at six and 12 weeks after treatment. The significance of the data was analyzed using a repeated measure ANOVA. The lipid profile status did not differ significantly between the two groups (p > 0.05) whereas there was a significant difference between the two time points within each group (p < 0.05). In addition, several anthropometric parameters improved in both groups, but this did not differ significantly between subject groups. Wet cupping does not have a significant effect on anthropometric or biochemical indices compared to the effect of dietary advice alone.

C_REACTIVE PROTEIN ASSOCIATED WITH CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE IN IRANIAN PATIENTS WITH ANGIOGRAPHICALLY DEFINED CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE

INTRODUCTION Several cross-sectional and cohort studies have reported an association between serum markers of inflammation such as C-reactive protein, and coronary heart disease in Caucasian populations. We aimed to investigate the relationship between levels of serum C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in Iranian patients undergoing coronary angiography. METHODS Serum hs-CRP, fasting lipid profile and blood glucose levels were measured in 110 patients (61 males and 49 females) undergoing routine coronary angiography. Anthropometric features including blood pressure were determined using standard procedures. Demographic characteristics, including post-menopausal status and smoking habit were assessed by questionnaire. RESULTS Of the 110 subjects undergoing angiography, 74 (67.28%) had significant CAD (CAD+) and 36 (32.72%) were classified as having insignificant CAD (CAD-). Mean age (p<0.01), waist circumference (p<0.01) and LDL (p<0.05) and median values of hs-CRP (p<0.01) and triglycerides (p<0.05) were higher in the patients CAD+ than in the subjects CAD-. The proportion of women who were postmenopausal was also significantly higher in the CAD+ group. Age (p<0.01), waist circumference (p<0.05) and hs-CRP (p<0.05) were significant CAD predictive factors from logistic regression analysis. Serum hs-CRP concentrations were significantly higher in smokers compared to non-smokers (p<0.05), low density lipoprotein (LDL) (r=0.31, p<0.001), and serum triglycerides (r=0.191, p<0.05) correlated with serum hs-CRP. The median value of serum hs-CRP increased with the severity of the disease, but failed to reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION Serum hs-CRP is an independent predictor of angiographically defined CAD in an Iranian population. Measurement of the serum hs-CRP level may improve risk stratification among patients suspected of having CAD. The strong correlations between serum hs-CRP with LDL and smoking may be due to the putative pro-inflammatory effects of these two parameters. The association with serum triglycerides may be indirect and related to insulin resistance and adiposity.