RESUMO
SCOPE: Phaseolus vulgaris L. is rich in alpha-amylase inhibitor and has been used for reducing glycemia and calories absorption through preventing or delaying the digestion of complex carbohydrate. A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study was conducted on obese volunteers to evaluate the degree of significate weight loss by regular intake Phaseolus vulgaris cultivated from Southwestern region of China. METHOD: The volunteers were divided into two groups, homogeneous for age, gender, and body weight. Phaseolus vulgaris extract or placebo was given 2,400 mg per day before each daily meal for 35 consecutive days. Each subject's body weight, fat mass, body mass index, blood biochemical parameters, skinfold fat thickness, and waist/hip circumferences were monitored and analyzed. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: As a result, the average amount of weight lost by the Phaseolus vulgaris extract group was 2.24 kg (average of 0.448 kg per week), compared with a 0.29 kg weight loss (average of 0.058 kg per week) in placebo group after 35 days. The differences between groups were significant (p < .01). The body mass index decreased by an average of 0.79, and the body fat decreased by 1.53% on average compared to baseline (p < .05). The thickness of subcutaneous fat was significantly reduced at the four measurement points, and the decrease of waist circumference and hip circumference was significant as well. No adverse or side effects were observed during the trial period. The results indicate that Phaseolus vulgaris extract can significantly induce weight loss in a short time period.
RESUMO
PURPOSE: To construct a three-dimensional (3D) culture model of adenovirus in vitro using the nanoself-assembling peptide RADA16-I as a 3D cell culture scaffold combined with virology experimental technology to provide a novel research method for virus isolation and culture, pathogenesis research, antiviral drug screening and vaccine preparation. METHODS: The nanoself-assembling peptide RADA16-I was used as a 3D scaffold material for 293T cell culture, and adenovirus was cultured in the cells. The growth, morphological characteristics and pathological effects of 3D-cultured 293T cells after adenovirus infection were observed with an inverted microscope and MTS. The proliferation of adenovirus in 293T cells was observed by TEM and detected by qPCR. The levels of TNF-α and IL-8 secreted by adenovirus-infected 293T cells in the RADA16-I 3D culture system were detected by ELISA. RESULTS: The 293T cells grew well in the RADA16-I 3D culture system for a prolonged period of time. The adenovirus infection persisted for a long time with multiple proliferation peaks, which closely resembled those of in vivo infections. The adenovirus virions amplified in the 3D system remained infectious. There were multiple secretion peaks of TNF-α and IL-8 secretion levels in adenovirus-infected 293T cells cultured in 3D culture systems. CONCLUSION: The nanoself-assembling peptide RADA16-I can be used as a 3D scaffold for adenovirus isolation, culture and research. The 3D culture system shows more realistic in vivo effects than two-dimensional (2D) culture.