The effect of an endogenous antioxidant glabridin on oxidized LDL.

Oxidative stress is thought to play a central role in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation, and the oxidative modification of LDL is thought to be a key factor during early atherogenesis. Therefore, the prevention of LDL oxidation by antioxidants might arrest the progression of atherosclerosis. This study was conducted to determine the effect of glabridin, a natural polyphenolic isoflavone antioxidant isolated from licorice root, on LDL oxidation. The determination of the extent of LDL oxidation was accomplished by measuring the formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). The oxidative stress level was assessed using a FORM system/CR 3000 instrument. After the oral administration of a glycyrrhizin-free licorice-root methanol extract (containing glabridin 60 mg) to healthy subjects for 6 months, the subjects' oxidative stress level as well as plasma LDL oxidation decreased by 20%. We conclude that the dietary consumption of glabridin can partially protect LDL from oxidation.

Usefulness of electronic databases for the detection of unrecognized diabetic patients.

BACKGROUND: Even mild hyperglycemia is associated with future acute and chronic complications. Nevertheless, many cases of diabetes in the community go unrecognized. The aim of the study was to determine if national electronic patient records could be used to identify patients with diabetes in a health management organization. METHODS: The central district databases of Israel's largest health management organization were reviewed for all patients over 20 years old with a documented diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (DM) in the chronic disease register or patient file (identified diabetic patients) or a fasting serum glucose level of >126 mg/100 ml according to the central laboratory records (suspected diabetic patients). The family physicians of the patients with suspected diabetes were asked for a report on their current diabetic status. RESULTS: The searches yielded 1,694 suspected diabetic patients; replies from the family physicians were received for 1,486. Of these, 575 (38.7%) were confirmed to have diabetes mellitus. Their addition to the identified patient group raised the relative rate of diabetic patients in the district by 3.2%. CONCLUSION: Cross-referencing existing databases is an efficient, low-cost method for identifying hyperglycemic patients with unrecognized diabetes who require preventive treatment and follow-up. This model can be used to advantage in other clinical sites in Israel and elsewhere with fully computerized databases.