Nik Shanita Safii

Low glycaemic index diets improve glucose tolerance and body weight in women with previous history of gestational diabetes: a six months randomized trial

BackgroundGestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) increases risks for type 2 diabetes and weight management is recommended to reduce the risk. Conventional dietary recommendations (energy-restricted, low fat) have limited success in women with previous GDM. The effect of lowering Glycaemic Index (GI) in managing glycaemic variables and body weight in women post-GDM is unknown.ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of conventional dietary recommendations administered with and without additional low-GI education, in the management of glucose tolerance and body weight in Asian women with previous GDM.MethodSeventy seven Asian, non-diabetic women with previous GDM, between 20- 40y were randomised into Conventional healthy dietary recommendation (CHDR) and low GI (LGI) groups. CHDR received conventional dietary recommendations only (energy restricted, low in fat and refined sugars, high-fibre). LGI group received advice on lowering GI in addition. Fasting and 2-h post-load blood glucose after 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (2HPP) were measured at baseline and 6 months after intervention. Anthropometry and dietary intake were assessed at baseline, three and six months after intervention. The study is registered at the Malaysian National Medical Research Register (NMRR) with Research ID: 5183.ResultsAfter 6 months, significant reductions in body weight, BMI and waist-to-hip ratio were observed only in LGI group (P<0.05). Mean BMI changes were significantly different between groups (LGI vs. CHDR: -0.6 vs. 0 kg/m2, P= 0.03). More subjects achieved weight loss ≥5% in LGI compared to CHDR group (33% vs. 8%, P=0.01). Changes in 2HPP were significantly different between groups (LGI vs. CHDR: median (IQR): -0.2(2.8) vs. +0.8 (2.0) mmol/L, P=0.025). Subjects with baseline fasting insulin≥2 μIU/ml had greater 2HPP reductions in LGI group compared to those in the CHDR group (−1.9±0.42 vs. +1.31±1.4 mmol/L, P<0.001). After 6 months, LGI group diets showed significantly lower GI (57±5 vs. 64±6, P<0.001), GL (122±33 vs. 142±35, P=0.04) and higher fibre content (17±4 vs.13±4 g, P<0.001). Caloric intakes were comparable between groups.ConclusionIn women post-GDM, lowering GI of healthy diets resulted in significant improvements in glucose tolerance and body weight reduction as compared to conventional low-fat diets with similar energy prescription.

Colostrum supplementation protects against exercise - induced oxidative stress in skeletal muscle in mice

BackgroundThis study examined the effects of bovine colostrum on exercise –induced modulation of antioxidant parameters in skeletal muscle in mice. Adult male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into four groups (control, colostrum alone, exercise and exercise with colostrum) and each group had three subgroups (day 0, 21 and 42). Colostrum groups of mice were given a daily oral supplement of 50 mg/kg body weight of bovine colostrum and the exercise group of mice were made to exercise on the treadmill for 30 minutes per day. Total antioxidants, lipid hydroperoxides, xanthine oxidase and super oxide dismutase level was assayed from the homogenate of hind limb skeletal muscle.ResultsExercise—induced a significant oxidative stress in skeletal muscles as evidenced by the elevated lipid hydroperoxides and xanthine oxidase levels. There was a significant decrease in skeletal muscle total antioxidants and superoxide dismutase levels. Daily colostrum supplement significantly reduced the lipid hydroperoxides and xanthine oxidase enzyme level and increased the total antioxidant levels in the leg muscle.ConclusionThus, the findings of this study showed that daily bovine colostrum supplementation was beneficial to skeletal muscle to reduce the oxidant-induced damage during muscular exercise.

The influence of fasting insulin level in post-gestational diabetes mellitus women receiving low-glycaemic-index diets.

Post-gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) women are recommended weight loss to manage increased cardio-metabolic risks. We investigated the effects of lowering diet glycaemic index (GI) on fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum lipids, body weight and composition of post-GDM women with varying fasting insulin levels (INS). Seventy-seven Asian, non-diabetic women with previous GDM (aged 20–40 years, mean BMI: 26.4±4.6 kg m−2) were recruited. At baseline, 20 subjects with INS <2 μIU ml−1 and 18 with INS ⩾2 μIU ml−1 received conventional dietary recommendations (CHDR) only. CHDR emphasised energy and fat intake restriction and encouraged increase in dietary fibre intakes. Twenty-four subjects with INS <2 μIU ml−1 and 15 with INS ⩾2 μIU ml−1, in addition to CHDR, received low-GI education (LGI). Changes in FBG, serum lipids, body weight and body composition were evaluated. Subjects with INS <2 μIU ml−1 had similar outcomes with both diets. After 1 year, subjects with INS ⩾2 μIU ml−1 who received LGI education had reductions in FBG and triglycerides. Subjects who received CHDR observed increase in both FBG and triglycerides (P<0.05). Among all subjects, diet GI was lower and dietary fibre intakes were higher in LGI compared with CHDR subjects (all P<0.05). Thus, in Asian post-GDM women with normal/higher INS, adding low-GI education to CHDR improved management of FBG and triglycerides.

Metabolic Syndrome, Abnormal Glucose Tolerance and High Sensitivity-C-Reactive Protein among Women with a History of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is a risk factor for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Early detection of cardio-metabolic risks is recommended for management. This study evaluated the associations between Metabolic Syndrome (MetS), abnormal glucose tolerance and cardiovascular risk factors in Malaysian women with prior GDM. Method: Seventy-seven, non-diabetic women post-GDM, aged 20-40 years (mean BMI: 26.4 ± 4.6kg/m2) with high type 2 diabetes risks, were evaluated at a median of four months postpartum. Their anthropometric and biochemical measurements were obtained. Results: The overall prevalence of MetS and dysglycaemia were 22% and 29% respectively. Dysglycaemic was predominantly impaired glucose tolerance (IGT: 77%).MetS was higher among dysglycaemic subjects although also detected in 13% of normo glycaemic subjects. Eighty percent of IGT subjects did not have MetS. Sixty-eight percent of subjects had intermediate or high CVD risks (hsCRP>1mg/L). hscRP increased with obesity and was not associated with glycaemic status. Infant birth weight, maternal age and triglycerides were independent predictors of dysglycaemia (p<0.05). Conclusion: Despite the low prevalence of MetS, elevated levels of hsCRP among these women with prior- GDM was highly prevalent. Normoglycaemic subjects with MetS demonstrated intermediate to high risk hsCRP levels. The findings also emphasize the importance of performing OGTT mainly in older post-GDM women, with higher triglycerides and infants who are large for gestational age.

Salivary immunoglobulin A (sIgA) responses to bovine colostrum supplementation during regular training in physically active young healthy adolescents

Immunoglobulin (Ig) is an essential soluble mediator of humoral immunity to prevent infectious agents that invades the host. Secretory IgA is the main effecter in mucosal immunity and acts as a first line of defence in the host immunity system. Exercise is known to modulate the production of specific antibody and it is anticipated that dietary intervention such as bovine colostrum may modulate the mucosal immunity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of nutritional supplementation of bovine colostrum on salivary immunoglobulin A (sIgA). The subjects comprise adolescent school boys from Bukit Jalil Sports School that are actively involved on regular physical training. The subjects were randomly assigned into experimental (colostrum; n=20) or control (skimmed milk; n=20) group. The experimental and control groups were not significantly different in terms of age and body mass index. The former consumed 20 g of bovine colostrum supplement, and the latter 20 g of skimmed milk, daily for 6 weeks. sIgA measurement was conducted pre- (day 0) and post-supplementation (day 42). Bovine colostrum supplementation significantly increase saliva IgA (p<0.001) in the experimental group as compared to the control group. It was concluded that 6 weeks of bovine colostrum supplementation increases sIgA concentration in active young adolescents during training. Further studies are needed to investigate the mechanistic basis of sIgA and colostrum interaction.