The association between lipid parameters and obesity in university students.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal obesity is associated with high plasma triglyceride and with low plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. AIM AND METHODS: Objective of the study was to find an association between plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels and anthropometric parameters in abdominal obesity in Slovakian university students. Lipid profile and anthropometric parameters of obesity were studied in a sample of 419 probands, including 137 men and 282 women. RESULTS: Males had higher values of non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG) and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) than females, but these differences were not significant. Females had significantly (P < 0.05) higher TC and HDL-C (P < 0.001) than males. In comparison, all anthropometric parameters in the males were significantly (P < 0.001) higher than in the females. A positive correlation between non-HDL-C, TG, VLDL-C and anthropometric parameters (BMI, WC, WHR, WHtR) was found at P < 0.001. LDL was positively correlated with BMI, WCF, WHtR and TC with BMI, WHtR at P < 0.001. We also observed a correlation between TC-WCF and LDL-WHR at P < 0.01. A negative correlation was found between HDL and all monitored anthropometric parameters at P < 0.001. On the other hand, no correlation between TC and WHR was detected. CONCLUSION: This study shows an association between plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels and anthropometric parameters in abdominal obesity in young people, predominantly university students.

[Is there a relationship between inflammatory markers, oxidative stress and postoperative atrial fibrillation?]. / Existuje vztah medzi zápalovými markermi, oxidacným stresom a pooperacnou fibriláciou predsiení?

INTRODUCTION: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common complications following heart surgery. The aim of this work was to verify the relationship between inflammatory markers, oxidative stress and postoperative arrhythmia. METHODS: 45 patients with ischemic heart disease (12 women and 33 men, mean age 62.3 ± 9.4 years) underwent surgical myocardial revascularization. The extracorporeal circulation (ECC) was used in 30 patients, without ECC was 15 patients. During the first 3 postoperative days was determining the incidence and duration of the AF, laboratory markers of inflammation (CRP, leukocytes, TNFα), malondialdehyde (MDA). RESULTS: Demographic data and associated disease were in this patients similar. The incidence of AF we documented in 30 patients (66.7%). In patients with postoperative AF were significantly higher levels of inflammatory markers (leukocytes 13.6 ± 3.6 vs 11.3 ± 3.6; 14.7 ± 3.9 vs 12.5 ± 2.9; 13.7 ± 4.1 vs 11.4 ± 13.7; p 0.05; CRP 138.1 ± 41.1 vs 69.9 ± 25.8; p 0.001; TNFα 11.3 ± 14.3 vs 8.7 ± 3.6; 12.1 ± 14.5 vs 8.7 ± 3.1; p 0.05) compared with patients who were free from AF. Values of MDA were not significantly different. CONCLUSION: Patients with post-operative atrial fibrillation were higher levels of inflammatory markers compared with patients with sinus rhythm but no significant differences in the levels of oxidative stress.

Improved efficacy of prebiotic by flaxseed oil and horse chestnut in experimental colon cancer.

OBJECTIVES: This experimental work was designed to investigate the efficacy of prebiotic by itself and in combination with Hyppocastani extractum siccum, and Lini oleum virginale on selected parameters in rats with dimethylhydrazine induced colon cancer. METHODS: Rats were randomly divided into 5 experimental groups of 12 rats each. Rats were fed with high fat (HF) diet containing 10 % of fat, supplemented by prebiotic at a dose of 2 % of HF diet itself and in combination with Hyppocastani extractum siccum at a dose of 1 % of diet and Lini oleum virginale at a dose of 2 % of diet. Two weeks after the start of the diet dimethylhydrazine injections in dose 20 mg/kg b.w. were applied (DMH, Merck, DE), two times at week interval. The activity of beta-glucuronidase, concentration of lipid parameters, bile acids and short chain fatty acids were determined. RESULTS: Prebiotic and its combinations with selected substances significantly decreased the activity of bacterial enzyme beta-glucuronidase (p<0.001). Bile acids concentration was significantly decreased (p<0.01) excepting combination of prebiotic with Horse chestnut. Self applied prebiotic decreased (p<0.001) lipids parameters (total cholesterol and triacylglycerols), and enhanced short chain fatty acids production. CONCLUSION: Prebiotics have protective effect and may be the useful candidate agents for colon cancer prevention and treatment. The application of selected bioactive food components supported the effect of prebiotics (Tab. 2, Fig. 1, Ref. 16). Full Text in free PDF www.bmj.sk.

The effect of probiotic microorganisms and bioactive compounds on chemically induced carcinogenesis in rats.

Diet interventions and natural bioactive supplements have now been extensively studied to reduce risks of colon cancer, which is one of the major public health problem throughout the world. The objective of our investigation was to study the effects of probiotic, prebiotic, nutritional plant extract, and plant oil on selected biochemical and immunological parameters in rats with colon cancer induced by N,N dimethylhydrazine (DMH). Male and female Wistar albino rats were were fed by a high-fat (HF) diet (10% fat in the diet) and were divided into 9 groups: Control group; PRO group - HF diet supplemented with probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum to provide 3 x 109 c.f.u. of strain/1 ml of medium; PRE group - HF diet supplemented with inulin enriched with oligofructose (2% of HF diet); HES group - HF diet supplemented with plant extract of Aesculus hippocastanum L. (1% of HF diet); OIL group - HF diet comprised Linioleum virginale (2% of HF diet); and combination of probiotic microorganisms and bioactive compounds in the groups - PRO-PRE, PRO-HES, PRO-OIL, PRE-OIL. Carcinogenesis was initiated with subcutaneous injection of DMH (20 mg/kg) two times at week interval and dietary treatments were continued for the six weeks. Application of probiotic microorganisms and bioactive compounds in all treated groups significantly decreased the activities of bacterial enzymes (p<0.001), the fecal bile acids concentration (p<0.01; p<0.001) and significantly increased serum TNFalpha level (p<0.001) in comparison to the control rats. The number of coliforms was reduced in PRO, PRO-PRE, PRO-OIL and PRE-OIL groups and significantly higher count of lactobacilli (p<0.05) was observed in PRO-PRE, PRO-OIL and PRE-OIL groups in compare with the controls. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that probiotic microorganisms and bioactive compounds could exert a preventive effect on colon carcinogenesis induced by DMH.

Prebiotic foodstuffs and their health benefits in experiment.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present experimental study was to evaluate the effect of prebiotic on chemically induced carcinogenensis in rats fed with high fat diet (HF). METHODS: Wistar albino rats were divided into control and experimental groups. In experimental group rats were treated with prebiotic at the dose of 2% of HF diet. N,N-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) injections were applicated in dose 20 mg/kg b.w., two times at week interval. In the end of eight weeks experimental period blood samples and feaces were taken from the rats and used for laboratory analysis. RESULTS: Treatment with prebiotic inulin significantly (p < 0.001) decreased enzymatic activity of bacterial enzymes in feaces. Similar tendency was noticed in concentration of bile acids and lipid parameters. Prebiotic undergo fermentation in the colon and enhanced short chain fatty acid production. CONCLUSION: Prebiotics may have potential health implications for protection against colon cancer (Tab. 2, Fig. 1, Ref. 14).

The risk of cancer in relationship to diet.

Globally, colorectal cancer is the leading cause of mortality due to malignant diseases. Probiotics are live microbial food supplements or functional foods containing specific nonpathogenic organisms that beneficially affect the host by improving the intestinal microbial balance. Therefore they can be used as an innovative tools to alleviate intestinal inflammation, normalize gut mucosal dysfunction, and down-regulate hypersensitivity reactions. In the past decade, there has been a dramatic increase of experiments and studies documenting prophylactic and therapeutic benefits of probiotics and prebiotics in order to reduce the risk of chronic civilization diseases. The current knowledges on probiotics qualify them as the pivotal components of self-care and complementary medicine (Ref. 27).

Short chain fatty acids and colonic health.

Recently, colonic health has been linked to the maintaining overall health status and reducing the risk of diseases by changes in lifestyle. Functional foods, such as "prebiotics" and "probiotics", dietary fibers, and other dietary components that target the colon and affect its environment enhancing short fatty acid (SCFA) production have been at the forefront. The topic of this review is the key end products of colonic fermentation, the SCFA butyric, acetic, and propionic acids. SCFA are readily absorbed. Butyrate is the major energy source for colonocytes. Propionate is largely taken up by the liver. Acetate enters the peripheral circulation to be metabolized by peripheral tissues. Specific SCFA may reduce the risk of developing gastrointestinal disorders, cancer, and cardiovascular disesase (Fig. 1, Ref. 30). Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk.