J. E. Campillo

Hypoglycemic action of an oral fig-leaf decoction in type-I diabetic patients

The effect of a decoction of fig leaves (Ficus carica), as a supplement to breakfast, on diabetes control was studied in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) patients (six men, four women, age 22-38 years, body mass index (BMI): 20.8 +/- 3.0 kg/m2, HbA1c 7.6 +/- 0.9% with a mean duration of diabetes of 9 +/- 6.3 years). The patients were managed with their usual diabetes diet and their twice-daily insulin injection. During the first month, patients were given a decoction of fig leaves (FC) and during the next month a non-sweet commercial tea (TC). The patients were divided into two groups (n = 5) with random allocation and cross-over design. A standard breakfast was given at the beginning and end of each month-run. C-peptide, 2 h pre- and post-prandial glycemia, HbA1c, cholesterol, lipid fractions and hematology data, were analyzed during each visit. Glycemic profiles (7/day per week) were recorded by patients. Only two patients had intolerance dropout. Post-prandial glycemia was significantly lower during supplementation with FC 156.6 +/- 75.9 mg/dl versus TC 293.7 +/- 45.0 mg/dl (P < 0.001) without pre-prandial differences 145.0 +/- 41.5 and 196.6 +/- 43.2 mg/dl, respectively. Medium average capillary profiles were also lower in the two sub-groups of patients during FC 166.7 +/- 23.6 mg/dl, P < 0.05 and 157.1 +/- 17.0 mg/dl versus TC 245.8 +/- 14.2 mg/dl and 221.4 +/- 27.3 mg/dl. Average insulin dose was 12% lower during FC in the total group. The addition of FC to diet in IDDM could be of help to control postprandial glycemia.

Hypotriglyceridaemic activity of Ficus carica leaves in experimental hypertriglyceridaemic rats.

A model of hypertriglyceridaemia in rats is described, which was used to investigate the hypolipidaemic effect of an intraperitoneal (i./p.) administration of a Ficus carica leaf decoction.

Individual housing influences certain biochemical parameters in the rat

Individual housing has been reported to modify animal behaviour. The present study compares the plasma levels of glucose, triglycerides and total cholesterol, weight, and food and water intake in two groups of female rats. Group A: 10 rats who remained grouped in two cages for 21 days; and Group B: 10 rats housed in two cages for 7 days, then isolated in individual cages from day 8 to day 15, and finally grouped together again for the last 7 days of the study. The results showed that the plasma values of glucose declined (P<0.05) in the Group B rats when they had been returned to group condition (4.79±0.72 mM) than when they had been isolated (5.45±0.94 mM). Plasma triglyceride levels were lower (P<0.05) in isolated rats (0.70±0.26 mM) than in any determination of the grouped rats. Group B: 1st week 1.21±0.21 mM, 3rd week 0.88±0.20 mM; and Group A: 1.22±0.20, 0.96±0.16, and 0.96±0.36 mM, in the first, second, and third week, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in total cholesterol values as a function of the individual housing of animals. While there was no weight difference between the two groups of rats that could be ascribed to individual housing, there was a statistically significant increase (P<0.05) in the food intake of isolated rats (17.5±3.2 g) with respect to values in the same Group B animals when they were housed together (1st week, 16.6±2.8 g; 3rd week, 16.8±3.1 g). These results therefore confirm that individual housing of female rats provoke variations in certain biochemical parameters, and that if this is not taken into account in performing different scientific studies, it could give rise to unreliable or even dubious results.

A study on the glycaemic balance in streptozotocin-diabetic rats treated with an aqueous extract of Ficus carica (fig tree) leaves

The hypoglycaemic effect of an aqueous extract of Ficus carica leaves was studied in streptozotocin‐diabetic rats. The extract induced a significant hypoglycaemic effect after either oral‐ or intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration. Body weight loss was prevented in treated diabetic rats and the survival index was significantly affected by plasma insulin levels. Results show that Ficus carica aqueous extract has a clear hypoglycaemic activity in treated versus non‐treated diabetic rats. The mechanism involved in such an effect is not elucidated.

Hypolipidaemic Activity of Ficus carica Leaf Extract in Streptozotocin‐diabetic Rats

A decoction of Ficus carica significantly lowered plasma triglyceride levels in rats with insulin‐dependent diabetes (streptozotocin 80 mg/kg body weight) when it was administered orally (357±206 mg/dL before administration and 81±81 mg/dL 3 weeks after administration, p<0.01, n=11). The plasma triglyceride levels in diabetic rats were also lower when the Gicus carica extract was administered intraperitoneally (608±391 mg/dL before administration; 444±310 mg/dL 90 min after administration; and 106±129 mg/dL 48 h after administration; p<0.005, n=7). The cholesterolaemia remained unchanged.

Etiologic and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Obese Children From Extremadura in Spain. Their Relationship With Insulin Resistance and Plasma Adipocytokine Levels

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES The aim was to investigate etiologic and cardiovascular risk factors in obese children from Extremadura, Spain, and their relationship with insulin resistance and plasma adipocytokine levels. METHODS The study included 373 children (age, 3-13 years) who were randomly selected from schools in the city and province of Badajoz and from two health centers in the Spanish autonomous community of Extremadura. RESULTS Some 9.5% of children were obese. Compared with normal weight children, obese children exhibited a greater weight gain in the first year of life (7.3+/-1.5 kg vs. 6.3+/-0.8 kg), were less physically active (9.6+/-7.2 h/week vs. 13.1+/-8.1 h/week), and had more screen time (18.0+/-12.4 h/week vs. 12.8+/-8.2 h/week), a lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (46.0+/-11.4 mg/dL vs. 64.6+/-22.9 mg/dL), higher arterial systolic pressure (102.3+/-8.5 mmHg vs. 89.9+/-13.4 mmHg), increased insulin resistance (6.2+/-3.6 vs. 4.6+/-4.5), a higher level of leptinemia (24.8+/-13.8 ng/mL vs. 12.9+/-10.8 ng/mL) and a lower level of adiponectinemia (8.4+/-5.7 microg/mL vs. 15.6+/-7.9 microg/mL). CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate that there is a relationship between a sedentary lifestyle and the development of insulin resistance and altered adipocytokines levels in obese children, and that these changes are related to a number of cardiovascular risk factors.

Experimental Type 2 Diabetes Induces Enzymatic Changes in Isolated Rat Enterocytes

Diabetes in humans and in experimental animals produces changes in the function and structure of the small intestine. The authors determined the activity of intestinal disaccharidases (maltase and sucrase) and of 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase (PFK-1) in enterocytes isolated from the small intestine of male Wistar rats (2.5 to 3 months old) with experimental nonobese type 2 diabetes, induced by streptozotocin (STZ) injection on the day of birth (n0-STZ) or on the 5th day of life (n5-STZ), with different degrees of hyperglycemia and insulinemia (n0-STZ and n5-STZ models). The glycemia (mmol/L) of the diabetic rats (n0-STZ: 8.77 ± 0.47; n5-STZ: 20.83 ± 0.63) was higher (P < .01) than that of the nondiabetic (ND) rats (5.99 ± 0.63); on the contrary, the insulinemia (ng/mL) was significantly lower in both n0-STZ (1.74 ± 0.53; P < .05) and n5-STZ (1.12 ± 0.44; P < .01) diabetic rats than in normal rats (3.77 ± 0.22). The sucrase and maltase activities (U/g protein) in diabetic rats (n0-STZ: 89 ± 9 and 266 ± 12; n5-STZ: 142 ± 23 and 451 ± 57) were significantly higher than those in the ND group (66 ± 5 and 228 ± 22). The PFK-1 activities (mU/mg protein) in the diabetic models (n0-STZ: 14.89 ± 1.51; n5-STZ: 13.35 ± 3.12) were significantly lower (P < .05) than in ND rats (20.54 ± 2.83). The data demonstrated enzymatic alterations in enterocytes isolated fromthe small intestine of n0-STZ rats that are greater (P < .05) than in the more hyperglycemic and hypoinsulinemic n5-STZ animals. The results also show that nonobese type 2–like diabetes in the rat produces modifications that favor an increase in glucose absorption rates.

The mechanism of the antioxidant effect of smoked paprika from La Vera, Spain

This study aimed at further investigating the antioxidant effect of smoked paprika (Pimentón La Vera, Spain) in healthy subjects. Crossover study included male students (age 20.6 ± 1.7 years) who consumed smoked or non-smoked paprika (2 g/day, 20 times, over 30 days). After ingestion of smoked paprika, plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly (p < 0.01) reduced versus basal and non-smoked paprika ingestion values. Reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were increased and oxidised glutathione (GSSG) levels reduced significantly (p < 0.05) in paired subjects after consumption of smoked paprika. Smoked paprika significantly increased mRNA levels of glutathione peroxidase and cytochrome c oxydase versus non-smoked paprika ingestion. The low dose of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) contained in the smoked paprika could cause an activation of antioxidant defences as increasing activity of the GSH cycle and activating some antioxidant enzyme such as glutathione peroxidase and cytochrome c oxidase.

Efecto antioxidante e hipolipemiante del pimentón ahumado en individuos sanos Antioxidant and hypolipidaemic effect of smoked paprika in healthy subjects

The healthy properties and antioxidant activity of smoked paprika in healthy male non-smoking students (age 20.6 ± 1.7 years), from Universidad de Extremadura (Spain), who consumed (2 g/day, 20 times, over 30 days) smoked (La Vera, Extremadura, Spain) or non-smoked (Novelda, Alicante, Spain) paprika were investigated. Anthropometric and cardiovascular measurements and blood and urine samples were taken from overnight fasted subjects for biochemical, hematological, and immunological measurements. The ingestion of smoked paprika increased the urinary excretion of 1-hydroxypyrene (from 38.6 ± 24.9 to 109.2 ± 85.6 nmol/mol; p < 0.05). Plasma triglyceride and total cholesterol levels were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced after the consumption of either smoked or non-smoked paprika. Plasma lipoperoxidation levels measured both as thiobarbituric acid (3.1 ± 0.5 versus 2.7 ± 0.5 μmol/L; p < 0.05) and as malonaldehyde (0.9 ± 0.4 versus 0.6 ± 0.3 μmol/L; p < 0.01) were reduced after consuming smoked paprika. Plasma levels of carotenoids, lycopenes, vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium were similar after the ingestion of smoked or non-smoked paprika. The smoked paprika from La Vera seems to produce an antioxidant effect by enhancing the activity of the endogenous antioxidant defenses.

Desayuno, glucosa y beta-hidroxibutirato plasmaticos, índice de masa corporal y rendimiento académico en niños de Extremadura, España

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of trematode Aspidogastrea in the freshwater mussels in the Yangtze River basin within Anhui province, China. Methods: We initially harvested the freshwater mussels living in the Yangtze River running through Anhui area, and labeled them with corresponding number. Then the samples were dissected for isolating the flukes, which were identified by conventional staining. Results: Infection rate of trematode Aspidogastrea in freshwater mussels in the Yangtze River basin within the territory of Anhui province was 30.38℅(103/339)in general, and a total of 912 flukes of Aspidogastrea were detected in the 103 mussels, with average infection rate of 8.85 for each mussel. Conclusion: Trematode Aspdogastrea is prevalent in the freshwater bivalves living in the Yangtze River basin running through Anhui area, and the treamatode was identified as Aspidogaster sp. belong to Aspidogaste under Aspidogastridae of Aspidogastrea.Objective: to assess the use of oral nutritional supplements analyzing the reason for prescription and its implication in caloric-protein intake. Setting: study performed at a university hospital of 350 beds with medical and surgical specialties. Subjects, patients: Patients inclusion was done by selecting all starting oral nutritional supplement prescription. Exclusion criteria were being younger than 18 years, being admitted to the Intensive Care Unit, having cognition or communication impairments, being on concomitant parenteral nutrition or requiring complete enteral diet, and/or using nasogastric tube for feeding. We also excluded special enteral diets, specifically designed for certain conditions. Interventions: One-year long prospective study on prescription of oral nutritional supplements. Through clinical chart review and personal interview, we recorded demographic data, nutritional parameters, characteristics of the diet and supplement, and caloricprotein intake prescribed and ingested. The data were introduced in an Access97 database and processed by means of SPSS software for Windows®. We performed a descriptive study of quantitative and qualitative variables, a χ2 analysis between qualitative variables, and a comparative analysis between means of all paired data by means of the student’s t test, and variance analysis between quantitative variables. The significance level was set at p < 0.05. Results: we were only able to analyze 77 out of 130 prescriptions for nutritional supplements since we could not adequately interview the remaining patients, mainly due to neurological impairments. Mean age was 74.8 years (SD = 12) and 50.6% were women. The departments prescribing the highest number of supplements were hematology (22.1%) and internal medicine (20.8%). GI neoplasm was the most frequent diagnosis at admission (27.3%). The most frequent indication was kwashiorkor (45.5%), with 15.6% of patients being well nourished. Mean therapy duration was 11 days (SD = 11.1), and the main reason for termination was hospital discharge (70.1%). The supplement was concomitantly prescribed with the meals in 70.6% of the cases, and more than halfMaterial y metodos: Estudio retrospectivo de 55 pacientes de 65,4 ± 14,7 anos, 35,7% mujeres y 64,3% varones con un IMC 27,87 ± 5,56 kg/m (0% con IMC 30 kg/m ) en tratamiento con NPT con una duracion de 28 ± 5 dias (mas de 20 dias en el 75% de los casos). El 16,1% presentaba Diabetes Mellitus previa al inicio de NPT. En el 64,3% de los pacientes, la fistula ocurria tras cirugia reciente: en un 38.8% tras reseccion de colon, 16,6% de intestino delgado y 13,9% de estomago. La NPT se planificaba para aportar diariamente 1,5 × Gasto Energetico Basal, 1,5 g/kg/dia de proteinas, 6 mg de vitamina B 12 y 414 μg de acido folico. Ninguna solucion contenia hierro.Objective. To assess the impact of weight loss in clinical progression of the comorbidities in a group of morbid obese patients submitted to surgical treatment with the duodenal switch technique. Study setting. Between 2001-2006, we have operated by the duodenal crossing technique a total of 118 morbid obese patients (97 women and 21 men), mean age 42.6 years. Average pre-surgical BMI was 49.7, with average overweight of 69.1 kg. After surgical intervention, we have prospectively assessed the progression of the main comorbidities (arterial hypertension, diabetes, OSAS, osteoarticular pathology, dyslipidemia), according to the subscale of the BAROS scoring system. Postsurgical controls are done at months 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 and annually thereafter. We have followed-up 110 patients, of whom 90 presented comorbidities, being the ones studied. Results. At 3 months post-surgery, we observed a decrease in the mean value of %WL to 31%, and a mean BMI value of 41.3, the percentage of lost BMI being 40.3%. Most of the weight loss occurred within 2 years, with %WL of 74.8% and a percentage of lost BMI of 97.7%. In 68 patients (75.5%) there was resolution of their comorbidities, 14.4% having improvement, and 10% with no improvement in spite of the surgery. Of patients achieving complete resolution, almost all of them achieved it within two years after surgery. Cure rates correlate with weight loss, so that at 3 months, with a mean weight loss of 25 kg (BMI decrease of 8.4 points) the comorbidity resolution rate is 45.5%. At 12 months, with a mean decrease in BMI of 16.4 points, %WL of 61.6% and % of lost BMI of 70.4%, the comorbidity resolution rate is 89.7%. At two years, by the time most of the main comorbidities resolved (68 patients), the BMI decreased by 22.4 points, the %WL 74.8% and the % of lost BMI 97.9%. Conclusion. The aim of bariatric surgery is weight loss and overweight-associated comorbidities improvement. In our study, most of the comorbidities improvement started at the third month, with the highest improvement rate occurring within two years, verifying that there is a direct relationship between post-surgical weight loss comorbidities improvement and resolution in most of the cases.Objective: To investigate the breeding rate and breeding density of Carpoglyphus lactis in stored Fructus Jujubae in Anhui, China in order to provide a scientific basis for prevention of Carpoglyphus lactis(C. lactis) from spoiling the dried fruit of such category. Methods： By the breeding nature of C. lactis, we collected samples of Fructus Jujubae, which were kept over 6 months in general, from the dried fruit shop and (or) Chinese herbal medicine warehouse, and isolated C. lactis from those samples. The mite specimens were prepared, and microscopically and morphologically identified. Species classification was done in accordance with Hughes (1976). Result:C. lactis was identified in 19 of the 300 samples, with breeding density and breeding rate of 6.52 heads/g and 6.33%. Constitute ratio at distinct developmental phase was associated with adult (including nymph, 85.71%), larva(12.27%), hypopus (0.56%) and egg(1.45%), respectively. The richness index, diversity index and evenness index was1.644, 1.644 and 0.923, respectively. Conclusion： Carpoglyphus lactis appears infesting in large quantity in the Fructus Jujubae stored in the above places in Anhui province, and the density is higher. Therefore, it is urgent to take effective measures to prevent C. lactis from spreading over other dried products stored in the same room and potential human intestinal acariasis as a result of the biological contamination.Objective: To determine possible associations between the risk of breast cancer in Brazilian women and demographic, social and economical variables, and past dietary intake. Methods: A case-control study was conducted in Joinville, Santa Catarina, Brazil, between june and november 2003 involving a group of 33 women recently diagnosed with breast cancer and a control group of 33 healthy women volunteers. Personal details, health history and past dietary intake were obtained via questionnaires and interviews. Data between groups were compared using χ2, Fisher, and Student’s t test, whilst associations were evaluated using a non-conditional logistic regression method and odds ratio (OR). Results: Statistically significant differences between the two groups were revealed with respect to age distribution (P = 0.007), family income level (P = 0.02), educational level (P 45 years), low family income (<