com/ISRCTN90543844). The combination of resveratrol and CF has beneficial effects in subjects with stable angina pectoris and the outcome of this study supports the use of these products as dietary supplements for improving quality of life. This trial is a starting point for studying the action of a resveratrol and CF mixture in patients with stable angina. “
“The management of obesity has become
a primary goal for health care practitioners in response to the rising epidemic of obesity-related chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Pharmaceutical approaches that alter appetite, metabolism, or fat absorption include antidepressants, central nervous system stimulants, or peripherally acting antiobesity drugs, and all SB203580 purchase have been associated with adverse effects (reviewed by Kaplan [1]). Many people seek natural therapies as
an alternative to pharmaceuticals for Galunisertib manufacturer weight management. Yerba mate, yohimbe, aloe, pyruvate, St. John’s wort, dandelion, and herbal diuretics have been used for weight loss, although significant clinical studies supporting their efficacy are lacking (reviewed by Pittler et al. [2]). Iso-α acids derived from the hop plant (Humulus lupulus L.) have been found to decrease plasma triacylglycerol and free fatty acid (FA) levels in mice [3] and [4]. C57BL/6N mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) exhibited improved glucose tolerance after 14 d and decreased insulin resistance after 10 d of administration of
iso-α acids. Furthermore, in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled pilot study, diabetic subjects receiving iso-α acids for 8 wk had an average 10.1% decrease in blood glucose levels and a 6.4% decrease in glycated hemoglobin levels [4]. Iso-α acids are not particularly stable compounds, although the reduced derivatives have been found to exhibit a greater stability [5]. Furthermore, reduced iso-α acids have recently shown a greater bioavailability than iso-α acids in humans [6]. Previous work in our laboratory to screen various botanical extracts for lipogenic activity has resulted in the identification of a family of reduced iso-α acids [7]. One of the reduced iso-α acids, META060, Sclareol has exhibited anti-inflammatory activity in vitro, mediated by the inhibition of the nuclear factor-κB pathways [8] and [9]. Several reports have suggested a link between obesity-induced inflammation and related metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance (reviewed by Hummasti and Hotamisligil [10] and Olefsky and Glass [11]). The objectives of the present study were to determine the effects of META060 compared with rosiglitazone, a commonly used drug in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, on body weight, energy metabolism, glucose tolerance, and insulin sensitivity in HFD-induced obese mice. Wild-type C57Bl/6J male mice were purchased from Charles River (Maastricht, The Netherlands). The mice were housed under standard conditions with access to water and food ad libitum.