Nutrition
-
Dysregulation of the endocannabinoid system can lead to the development of obesity and metabolic disorders. Endogenous endocannabinoids act on two cannabinoid receptor subtypes, type 1 (CB1) and type 2 (CB2), to exert their biological actions. The aim of this study was to determine whether CB1 and CB2 receptors modulate feeding behavior. ⋯ We demonstrated that the endogenous CB2 receptor plays a role in inhibiting food intake in the satiated state, whereas the CB1 receptor promotes food intake in the fasted condition. The induction of feeding by central acyl ghrelin is a CB1 receptor-dependent mechanism. Differentially nibbling CB1 and CB2 receptor subtypes may provide a new avenue to treating eating and metabolic disorders.
-
Transgenic (Tg) mice, which possess an amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene mutation, develop extracellular amyloid β (Aβ) deposition in the brain, and severe memory and behavioral deficits with age. These mice serve as an important animal model for testing the efficacy of novel drug candidates for the treatment and management of symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Several reports have suggested that oxidative stress is the underlying cause of Aβ neurotoxicity in AD. Pomegranates contain very high levels of antioxidants and several medicinal properties that may be useful for improving quality of life in individuals with AD. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of Omani pomegranate extract on memory, anxiety, and learning skills in an AD mouse model possessing the double Swedish APP mutation (APPsw/Tg2576). ⋯ Our results suggest that dietary supplementation with pomegranates may slow the progression of cognitive and behavioral impairments in AD.
-
The aim of this study was to understand the mechanism of action of vitamin K1 against streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. ⋯ This work shows, to our knowledge for the first time, the mechanism of action of vitamin K1 against type 1 diabetes and the possible therapeutic use of this vitamin in stimulating islet cell proliferation/regeneration.
-
The inability of current recommendations to control the epidemic of diabetes, the specific failure of the prevailing low-fat diets to improve obesity, cardiovascular risk, or general health and the persistent reports of some serious side effects of commonly prescribed diabetic medications, in combination with the continued success of low-carbohydrate diets in the treatment of diabetes and metabolic syndrome without significant side effects, point to the need for a reappraisal of dietary guidelines. The benefits of carbohydrate restriction in diabetes are immediate and well documented. Concerns about the efficacy and safety are long term and conjectural rather than data driven. ⋯ The insistence on long-term randomized controlled trials as the only kind of data that will be accepted is without precedent in science. The seriousness of diabetes requires that we evaluate all of the evidence that is available. The 12 points are sufficiently compelling that we feel that the burden of proof rests with those who are opposed.
-
Meta Analysis
Association between processed meat and red meat consumption and risk for glioma: a meta-analysis from 14 articles.
Epidemiologic studies evaluating the association between processed meat and red meat consumption and glioma risk have produced inconsistent results. Thus, the aim of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis to test the hypothesis that high levels of processed meat consumption could increase the risk for glioma. ⋯ Our analysis indicated that high levels of processed meat consumption might increase the risk for glioma, and findings are consistent with the hypothesis. No association was found between red meat consumption and glioma risk.