Multi-strain probiotic supplement attenuates streptozotocin-induced type-2 diabetes by reducing inflammation and ß-cell death in rats.

Probiotics are health beneficial bacterial populations colonizing the human gut and skin. Probiotics are believed to be involved in immune system regulation, gut microbiota stabilization, prevention of infectious diseases, and adjustments of host metabolic activities. Probiotics such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium affect glycemic levels, blood lipids, and protein metabolism. However, the interactions between probiotics and metabolic diseases as well as the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We used streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic animal models to study the effect of ProbiogluTM, a multi-strain probiotic supplement including Lactobaccilus salivarius subsp. salicinius AP-32, L. johnsonii MH-68, L. reuteri GL-104, and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CP-9, on the regulation of physiochemical parameters related to type-2 diabetes. Experimental rats were randomly assigned into five groups, control group, streptozotocin (STZ)-treated rats (STZ group), STZ + 1× ProbiogluTM group, STZ + 5× ProbiogluTM group, and STZ + 10× ProbiogluTM group, and physiological data were measured at weeks 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8. Our results indicate that supplementation with ProbiogluTM significantly improved glucose tolerance, glycemic levels, insulin levels, and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Furthermore, we observed reduction in urea and blood lipid levels, including low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides (TG), and total cholesterol (TC). ProbiogluTM administration increased the ß-cell mass in STZ-induced diabetic animal models, whereas it reduced the levels of proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1ß. In addition, the enhancement of oxidative stress biomarkers and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities was associated with a decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. We conclude that ProbiogluTM attenuates STZ-induced type-2 diabetes by protecting ß-cells, stabilizing glycemic levels, and reducing inflammation. Among all probiotic treating groups, the 10×ProbiogluTM treatment revealed the best results. However, these experimental results still need to be validated by different animal models of type-2 diabetes and human clinical trials in the future.

Electrothermal bipolar vessel sealing device (LigaSure™) versus conventional diathermy in laparoscopic myomectomy: A propensity-matched analysis.

The purpose of this study was to compare the safety and efficacy of an electrothermal bipolar vessel sealing device (LigaSure™) and traditional electrical cauterization in laparoscopic myomectomy (LM). A total of 756 patients with symptomatic uterine myomas who underwent LM were reviewed retrospectively. A total of 225 cases of LM using LigaSure™ (LML group) were compared with a control group treated with traditional electrical cauterization (LME group) under propensity-matched analysis. Outcome measures for both groups were compared, such as operative time, blood loss (BL), complications, need for blood transfusion, hospital expenses, and hospital stay. Six subgroups were divided according to main myoma size and energy source. No cases required switching to abdominal myomectomy. The number of myomas removed, BL, need for blood transfusion, and complications were not significantly different, whereas hospital stay was longer in the LME group than in the LML group and total hospital expenses were higher in the LML group (p < 0.001). The overall operation duration was significantly longer in the LML group but was not significantly different for main myoma >10 cm (LML vs LME, 121.58 ± 41.77 vs 121.69 ± 44.95, p = 0.99); this likely reflects the operative efficiency on using LigaSure™ to manage large tumors. Significant linear correlations between myoma weight and operative time and BL were seen in both groups. Conventional diathermy is more effective for small-to-medium myomas. Use of the LigaSure™ was efficient for myomas >10 cm.

Clinical evaluation of insulin resistance and beta-cell function by the homeostasis model assessment in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

The aim of this preliminary study was to evaluate insulin resistance and secretion using homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The fasting glucose and insulin concentrations, HOMA insulin resistance (IR), HOMA beta-cell, antidouble-stranded DNA antibodies (anti-dsDNA), C3, C4, and SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) were determined in a total of 58 female SLE patients. All patients were classified into subgroups according to the presence of anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL+ vs. aCL-) and SLEDAI scores (SLEDAI < 3 vs. SLEDAI > 3). Results showed that SLE patients with and without aCL had significantly higher fasting insulin levels, HOMA IR, and HOMA beta-cells than controls. Similar results were also found in SLE patients with different disease activities. Pearson's correlation analysis showed that there was a highly significant correlation of HOMA IR with fasting insulin concentration in the SLE patients and SLE subgroups overall. However, HOMA beta-cells were positively correlated with HOMA IR and fasting insulin level, but negatively correlated with fasting glucose concentration in SLE patients overall. In conclusion, SLE patients, regardless of the presence of aCL and different disease activities, had a higher risk of insulin resistance and abnormal insulin secretion than age-matched healthy controls, based on fasting insulin concentration, HOMA IR, and HOMA beta-cells.