jpans
Abstract : Association between Visceral Fat and Body Mass Index in Patients with Cirrhosis
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Abstract: Obesity has recently become a critical problem in patients with cirrhosis in Japan; however, its true prevalence and prognosis remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated abdominal fat areas, including subcutaneous and visceral fat areas (VFA), in 49 cirrhotic patients and analyzed the association between VFA and body mass index (BMI). Fat areas were examined by computed tomography. Patients were classified as somatometric obesity and visceral obesity based on their BMI (cut-off value: 25 kg/m2) and VFA (cut-off value: 100 cm2), respectively. The mean BMI was 23.5±3.3 kg/m2 (<25 kg/m2, 35 cases; ≥25 kg/m2, 14 cases) and mean VFA was 108.5±118.8 cm2 (<100 cm2, 25 cases; ≥100 cm2, 24 cases). Thirteen out of 14 patients with BMI ≥25 kg/m2 had a VFA ≥100 cm2, and 11 of 35 patients with BMI <25 kg/m2 had a VFA ≥100 cm2. Thus, almost half of the cirrhotic patients in this study had visceral obesity, including a high proportion of patients with BMI <25 kg/m2. These results suggest that visceral obesity, as well as BMI, should be considered in patients with cirrhosis, and individual nutritive management regimes should be designed according to the results. Keywords: Liver cirrhosis, abdominal fat, visceral obesity, chronic hepatitis, malnutrition, overnourishment.Download Full Article |
Abstract : Inhibitory Effects of Brazilian Propolis on Lipid Accumulation in 3T3-L1 Cells
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Abstract: We here investigated the inhibitory effect of Brazilian propolis on intracellular lipid accumulation. Seven ethanolic extracts of Brazilian propolis were tested for their inhibitory effect on intracellular lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells. Among the seven Brazilian propolis, the extracts AF-08 and AF-18 had inhibitory effects on intracellular lipid accumulation. In particular, the Brazilian propolis AF-08 exhibited a potential inhibitory effect on intracellular lipid accumulation.Thus, these results suggest that the Brazilian propolis AF-08 contributes to the prevention of metabolic syndrome. In addition, five known triterpenoids were isolated from the Brazilian propolis AF-08: betulonic acid, moronic acid, 3-oxo oleanolic acid, masticadienonic acid, and anwnweizonic acid. Four of the triterpenoids exhibited an inhibitory effect on intracellular lipid accumulation. Thus, these triterpenoids may be important as antiobesity agents that inhibit the metabolic syndrome. Keywords: Brazilian propolis, 3T3-L1 cells, lipid accumulation, triterpenoids.Download Full Article |
Abstract : Effect of Fermentation Process on Ashgourd Juice
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Abstract: Ashgourd (Benincasa hispida) is valued for its nutritive and medicinal properties and further value addition is being attempted by fermentation process. In the present study, effect of fermentation was studied by using ashgourd as a substrate for nutrients and flavour components formation. Ashgourd fermented beverage was developed by using commercially available wet yeast and the changes in vitamins profile and flavouring compounds were evaluated after the fermentation process and it was compared with the raw ashgourd juice. Fermentation showed positive response indicating that, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine and vitamin C were increased by 76µg, 7µg, 171µg, 459µg and 1.5mg respectively per 100 ml of the beverage in comparison to fresh juice. Fermentation showed many flavour components development in comparison to raw ashgourd juice and the fermentation process had a positive response on volatile component formation. Therefore fermentation improved the formation of nutritional and flavour components. Keywords: Ashgourd, fermentation, vitamins, flavour compounds.Download Full Article |
Abstract : Evaluation of Antitumor and Antioxidant Potential of a Polyherbal Extract on Ehrlich’s Ascites Carcinoma Xenografted Mice
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Abstract: Objective: Indigenous herbs alone or in combination are widely used in Indian system of medicine to treat innumerable ailments since time immemorial. Many strategies has been adopted to enhance anticarcinogenic responses and to establish therapeutic benefits. Poly herbal extracts (PHE), one of the emerging trends of modern medicine, where the assorted active principles work vibrantly to produce a maximum therapeutic activity with minimal toxicity by virtue of its additive, potentative, synergistic, agonistic or antagonistic effects. Though, Withania somnifera, Oroxylum indicum and Calotropis gigentia are independently established as potent antineoplastic agents, their antitumor and antioxidant perspective in combination is yet to be studied. The proposed study ascertains the assorted antineoplastic and antioxidant potential of the said potent herbs in PHE. Method: The antitumor potency of the PHE at a dose of 400 mg/kg body weight was screened on Ehrlich’s ascites carcinoma (EAC) xenografted swiss albino mice. The in-vivo anti-oxidant activity was investigated on the basis of hepatic anti-oxidant enzymes’ levels. Result: The PHE at the aforementioned dose showed a restoring effect on altered hematological parameters (***P< 0.05 considered to be significant), down turn in ascitic tumor volume and increase in mean survival time. A significant improvement in biochemical parameters (Enzymic antioxidants) was too observed. Conclusion:The study epitomizes the PHE (400 mg/kg body weight) as a potent anti tumor and anti-oxidant preparation with synergistic effects on EAC bearing mice. Keywords: Anti-oxidant activities, polyherbal extract (PHE), antitumor activity, EAC.Download Full Article |
Abstract : Evaluation of Supplementation of Bittergourd Fermented Beverage to Diabetic Subjects
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Abstract: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic endocrine diseased condition reflected by higher level of blood glucose which is due to less insulin production, insulin action or both. Bittergourd juice consumption is being traditionally practiced for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in developing country such as India, but not supported through clinical data and highly bitter juice is difficult to drink. Therefore bittergourd fermented beverage with improved nutritional strength and taste was developed and supplemented to diabetic subjects and the evaluation was carried out. The evaluation of the bittergourd fermented beverage, in the first stage was carried out by supplementing the beverage to 30 diabetic subjects as an early morning drink in fasting conditionand the control group was asked to drink water. The fasting and post prandial blood sugar levels were studied and diabetic symptoms were noted. The impact of supplementation of bittergourd fermented beverage on diabetic subjects showed that subjects had significant improvement in reducing the symptoms of diabetes, as well reduced the fasting and post prandial glucose levels by 31% and 25% respectively when compared with the control group. Further 16 diabetic subjects who expressed their consent were given the bittergourd fermented beverage for a period of 5 months and the results of the long duration supplementaion indicated that there was a reduction of fasting blood glucose by 43% and post prandial blood glucose by 41% reflecting advantage of continued consumption of the beverage. In order to understand the direct action of the beverage on blood lipid profile–serum cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol as measured before and after supplementation showed the changes by 4-7% which is not considerable. However the glycoslated haemoglobin indicated encouraging results after the supplementation showing good control from fair control. Therefore, the study clearly reflected the positive effect of bittergourd fermented beverage in reducing and controlling blood sugar levels. Keywords: Bittergourd fermented beverage, diabetes, supplementation, biochemical parameters.Download Full Article |