Effects on cardiometabolic risk factors after reduction of artificially sweetened beverage consumption in overweight subjects. A randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The consumption of artificially sweetened beverages (ASBs) has been linked to metabolic alterations. The effect of reducing the regular consumption of these beverages on the metabolism is currently unknown. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of reducing consumption of ASBs on the metabolism in overweight young adults. DESIGN: A randomised, single-blind, controlled, 12-week, clinical trial was performed in overweight young adults who regularly consume ASBs. The 45 subjects who participated in the study were randomly divided into two groups: (1) control group (n=21) and (2) intervention group (no intake of ASBs, n=24). Body weight and composition, fasting plasma concentrations of glucose, triglycerides, insulin, cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins and high-density lipoproteins were measured at the beginning and end of the study. and the HOMA-IR was calculated. RESULTS: At the end of 12 weeks, the intervention group showed a significant decrease (as opposed to an increase in the control group) in the percentage of change in body weight (-1.22% vs 1.31%, p<0.004), body fat (-6.28% vs 6.15%, p<0.001) and insulin resistance index (-12.06 vs 38.21%, p<0.00002), as well as in levels of glucose (-4.26% vs 0.51%, p<0.05), triglycerides (-14.74% vs 19.90%, p<0.006), insulin (-8.02% vs 39.23%, p<0.00005), cholesterol (-8.71% vs 0.77%, p<0.01) and LDL (-9.46% vs 9.92%, p<0.004). CONCLUSION: A reduction in habitual consumption of ASBs in overweight young adults decreases biochemical measurements, body weight and composition, suggesting a participation in the metabolic processes.

Effects on cardiometabolic risk factors after reduction of artificially sweetened beverage consumption in overweight subjects. A randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The consumption of artificially sweetened beverages (ASBs) has been linked to metabolic alterations. The effect of reducing the regular consumption of these beverages on the metabolism is currently unknown. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of reducing consumption of ASBs on the metabolism in overweight young adults. DESIGN: A randomised, single-blind, controlled, 12-week, clinical trial was performed in overweight young adults who regularly consume ASBs. The 45 subjects who participated in the study were randomly divided into two groups: (1) control group (n=21) and (2) intervention group (no intake of ASBs, n=24). Body weight and composition, fasting plasma concentrations of glucose, triglycerides, insulin, cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins and high-density lipoproteins were measured at the beginning and end of the study. and the HOMA-IR was calculated. RESULTS: At the end of 12 weeks, the intervention group showed a significant decrease (as opposed to an increase in the control group) in the percentage of change in body weight (-1.22% vs 1.31%, p<0.004), body fat (-6.28% vs 6.15%, p<0.001) and insulin resistance index (-12.06 vs 38.21%, p<0.00002), as well as in levels of glucose (-4.26% vs 0.51%, p<0.05), triglycerides (-14.74% vs 19.90%, p<0.006), insulin (-8.02% vs 39.23%, p<0.00005), cholesterol (-8.71% vs 0.77%, p<0.01) and LDL (-9.46% vs 9.92%, p<0.004). CONCLUSION: A reduction in habitual consumption of ASBs in overweight young adults decreases biochemical measurements, body weight and composition, suggesting a participation in the metabolic processes.

Valproate-dependent transcriptional regulation of GLAST/EAAT1 expression: involvement of Ying-Yang 1.

Valproate, a widely used anti-epileptic drug also employed in the treatment of neurological diseases such as bipolar disorder and migraine, regulates the glutamatergic and GABAergic systems, although its effects in cell physiology have not been thoroughly characterized. High concentrations of glutamate reached during abnormal neurotransmission if not removed properly, become neurotoxic. Glutamate clearance is carried out by high affinity Na(+)-dependent glutamate transporter systems. The glutamate/aspartate transporter GLAST/EAAT1 plays the major role in glutamate removal and is regulated at different levels: transcription, post-translational modifications and cytoplasmic trafficking. The aim of this work was to gain insight into a plausible effect of valproate in GLAST function. Using cultured Bergmann glia cells from chick cerebellum we demonstrate here that valproate exposure elicits a dual regulatory effect on GLAST. In the short-term, valproate increases its Na(+)-dependent [(3)H]-d-aspartate uptake activity in a cytochalasin B-sensitive manner. Interestingly, a synergism between valproate and a histone deacetylase inhibitor was observed. Long-term valproate treatment up-regulates chglast promoter activity, GLAST mRNA levels, GLAST molecules at the plasma membrane and its uptake activity. Furthermore, valproate induces histone 3 lysine 14 acetylation and regulates Ying-Yang 1 (YY1) transcriptional repression on the chglast promoter. These results suggest that valproate elicits its effect through its histone deacetylase inhibitor properties.