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Biomedical subjects

Bengt Vessby

Publications and source records attributed to Bengt Vessby.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Conjugated linoleic acid increased C-reactive protein in human subjects.

We previously showed that conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) increases 15-keto-dihydro-prostaglandin F2alpha, a marker for cyclooxygenase-mediated lipid peroxidation and thus an indicator of cyclooxygenase-mediated inflammation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of CLA on other indicators of inflammation in human subjects, including C-reactive protein, TNF-alpha, TNF-alpha receptors 1 and 2, and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, fifty-three human subjects were supplemented with a mixture (4.2 g/d) of the isomers cis-9,trans-11 CLA and trans-10,cis-12 CLA or control oil for 3 months. CLA supplementation increased levels of C-reactive protein (P=0.003) compared with the control group. However, no changes in TNF-alpha, TNF-alpha receptors 1 and 2, and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 were detected.

Adult↗

Serum selenium predicts levels of F2-isoprostanes and prostaglandin F2alpha in a 27 year follow-up study of Swedish men.

Low concentrations of selenium (Se) predict mortality and cardiovascular diseases in some populations. The effect of Se on in vivo indicators of oxidative stress and inflammation, two important features of atherosclerosis, in human populations is largely unexplored. This study investigated the longitudinal association between serum selenium (s-Se) and a golden standard indicator of oxidative stress in vivo (8-iso-prostaglandin F2alpha, a major F2-isoprostane), an indicator of cyclooxygenase (COX)-mediated inflammation (prostaglandin F2alpha), high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and serum amyloid A protein (SAA) in a follow-up study of 27 years. The s-Se was measured in 615 Swedish men at 50 years of age in a health investigation. The status of oxidative stress and inflammation was evaluated in a re-investigation 27 years later by quantification of urinary 8-iso-PGF2alpha and 15-keto-dihydro-PGF2alpha (a major metabolite of PGF2alpha) and serum hsCRP, SAA and IL-6. Men in the highest quartile of s-Se at age 50 had decreased levels of 8-iso-PGF2alpha compared to all lower quartiles and decreased levels of PGF2alpha compared to all lower quartiles at follow-up. These associations were independent of BMI, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, smoking, alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene at baseline. The s-Se was not associated with hsCRP, SAA or IL-6 at follow-up. In conclusion, high concentrations of s-Se predict reduced levels of oxidative stress and subclinical COX-mediated (but not cytokine-mediated) inflammation in a male population. The associations between Se, oxidative stress and inflammation, respectively, might be related to the proposed cardiovascular protective property of Se.

Aged↗

Type 1 diabetes is associated with increased cyclooxygenase- and cytokine-mediated inflammation.

OBJECTIVE: The extent of involvement of cyclooxygenase (COX)-mediated inflammation in type 1 diabetes is unknown, and the association between the COX- and cytokine-mediated inflammatory responses in type 1 diabetes is not fully understood. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Plasma high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), 24-h urinary and plasma 15-keto-dihydro-prostaglandin F(2alpha) (a metabolite of prostaglandin F(2alpha) [PGF(2alpha)] and an indicator of COX-mediated inflammation), serum amyloid protein A (SAA), and interleukin (IL)-6 (indicators of inflammation) were measured in 38 subjects with type 1 diabetes and 41 healthy age- and sex-matched control subjects. RESULTS: The inflammatory indicators (urinary 15-keto-dihydro-PGF(2alpha), P < 0.01; IL-6, P < 0.04) were increased in men with diabetes. CRP and SAA did not show any significant difference between the diabetic and the control subjects. Urinary levels of 15-keto-dihydro-PGF(2alpha) correlated with the degree of glycemic control, HbA(1c) (r = 0.42, P < 0.0005). No correlation was found between the duration of diabetes and the inflammatory biomarkers or metabolic measurements. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that an early low-grade inflammatory process reflected by elevated levels of PGF(2alpha) and IL-6 is involved in type 1 diabetes. Thus, both COX- and cytokine-mediated inflammatory pathways are significantly related to type 1 diabetes.

Adult↗

Risk factors for coronary heart disease among immigrant women from Iran and Turkey, compared to women of Swedish ethnicity.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to compare a group of immigrant women from the Middle East living in Sweden to Swedish-born controls regarding the prevalence of certain cardiovascular risk factors. DESIGN: Health survey of randomly selected foreign-born women and women native in Sweden. SETTING: Uppsala, Sweden. SUBJECTS: A total of 107 immigrant women aged 35-64 years from the Middle East (Iran [N=71] and Turkey [N=36]) living in Uppsala and residents in Sweden for at least three years and a control group of ethnic Swedish women (N=50). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A questionnaire and a clinical examination specially directed towards measuring cardiovascular risk factors and prevalence of obesity, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. RESULTS: A less beneficial cardiovascular risk profile was found among immigrant women than among ethnic Swedish women. Turkish women had substantially higher body mass index (BMI), larger waist, higher waist/hip ratio and sagittal abdominal diameter, higher levels of serum triglycerides, and lower HDL cholesterol concentration compared with Swedish-born women. A similar tendency was seen also for Iranian women. CONCLUSION: The present study shows important ethnic differences in cardiovascular disease risk factor pattern. Immigrant women from Iran and Turkey are heavier than women born in Sweden and have a higher prevalence of abdominal obesity, an unfavorable lipid profile, and a high degree of physical inactivity during leisure time, which may predispose for a higher incidence of diabetes and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Adult↗

Supplementation with vitamins C and E inhibits the release of interleukin-6 from contracting human skeletal muscle.

Contracting human skeletal muscle is a major contributor to the exercise-induced increase of plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6). Although antioxidants have been shown to attenuate the exercise-induced increase of plasma IL-6, it is unknown whether antioxidants inhibit transcription, translation or translocation of IL-6 within contracting human skeletal muscle. Using a single-blind placebo-controlled design with randomization, young healthy men received an oral supplementation with either a combination of ascorbic acid (500 mg day(-1)) and RRR-alpha-tocopherol (400 i.u. day(-1)) (Treatment, n= 7), or placebo (Control, n= 7). After 28 days of supplementation, the subjects performed 3 h of dynamic two-legged knee-extensor exercise at 50% of their individual maximal power output. Muscle biopsies from vastus lateralis were obtained at rest (0 h), immediately post exercise (3 h) and after 3 h of recovery (6 h). Leg blood flow was measured using Doppler ultrasonography. Plasma IL-6 concentration was measured in blood sampled from the femoral artery and vein. The net release of IL-6 was calculated using Fick's principle. Plasma vitamin C and E concentrations were elevated in Treatment compared to Control. Plasma 8-iso-prostaglandin F(2alpha), a marker of lipid peroxidation, increased in response to exercise in Control, but not in Treatment. In both Control and Treatment, skeletal muscle IL-6 mRNA and protein levels increased between 0 and 3 h. In contrast, the net release of IL-6 from the leg, which increased during exercise with a peak at 3.5 h in Control, was completely blunted during exercise in Treatment. The arterial plasma IL-6 concentration from 3 to 4 h, when the arterial IL-6 levels peaked in both groups, was approximately 50% lower in the Treatment group compared to Control (Treatment versus Control: 7.9 pg ml(-1), 95% confidence interval (CI) 6.0-10.7 pg ml(-1), versus 19.7 pg ml(-1), CI 13.8-29.4 pg ml(-1), at 3.5 h, P < 0.05 between groups). Moreover, plasma interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), C-reactive protein and cortisol levels all increased after the exercise in Control, but not in Treatment. In conclusion, our results show that supplementation with vitamins C and E attenuated the systemic IL-6 response to exercise primarily via inhibition of the IL-6 protein release from the contracting skeletal muscle per se.

Adult↗

Association of type 2 diabetes with cyclooxygenase-mediated inflammation and oxidative stress in an elderly population.

BACKGROUND: Involvement of cyclooxygenase (COX)-mediated inflammation in type 2 diabetes has not been studied, and the association between cytokine-mediated inflammation and diabetes is not fully clarified. METHODS AND RESULTS: 15-Keto-dihydro-prostaglandin F2alpha (a metabolite of prostaglandin F2alpha and an indicator of COX-mediated inflammation), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid protein A (SAA), 8-iso-PGF2alpha (a nonenzymatic, free radical product of arachidonic acid and an indicator of oxidative stress), and alpha-tocopherol were measured in a population-based sample of 77-year-old men (n=765), in which 112 men had type 2 diabetes. The inflammatory indicators were increased in men with diabetes (urinary 15-keto-dihydro-PGF2alpha, P<0.001, CRP and SAA, P<0.05). However, when adjusted for body mass index, waist circumference, or fasting insulin, no association was found between diabetes and CRP or SAA. The oxidative stress indicator 8-iso-PGF2alpha in urine was increased (P<0.01) in men with diabetes. Patients who were newly diagnosed with diabetes (<7 years since diagnosis) had increased urinary 15-keto-dihydro-PGF2alpha and decreased alpha-tocopherol, but 8-iso-PGF2alpha was unaltered. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to show that type 2 diabetes in elderly men is related to COX-mediated inflammation, reflected by enhanced prostaglandin formation. The high levels of cytokine-mediated acute-phase proteins observed in men with diabetes appear to be related to obesity and increased fasting insulin. The results further suggest that the appearance of chronic inflammation is an early process in the pathogenesis of diabetes, whereas oxidative injury may be a later process, possibly related to inflammation.

Aged↗

PASSCLAIM--body weight regulation, insulin sensitivity and diabetes risk.

BACKGROUND: Insulin sensitivity is a key function in human metabolism because it has a crucial role in the development of disease that are increasingly common in modern society. Impaired insulin sensitivity is an important determinant of type 2 diabetes; moreover, it has been proposed as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Thus, reduced insulin sensitivity is strongly associated with the metabolic syndrome, which represents a cluster of metabolic abnormalities and cardiovascular risk factor. Insulin sensitivity can be modulated by different environmental factors, including dietary habits. Obesity, especially if associated with abdominal adiposity, impairs insulin-sensitivity while physical activity can improve it; however, the composition of the habitual diet is clearly an important regulator of this function. AIM: To evaluate methodologies and markers that can be used to substantiate existing and potential claims of beneficial effects of foods on relevant functions connected with body fat deposition, insulin sensitivity and blood glucose regulation. RESULTS: We have reviewed the scientific basis for existing and potential claims, based not only on modifications of the target functions (body fat deposition, insulin sensitivity and blood glucose regulation) but also on modifications of other relevant associated functions (energy intake, energy expenditure, fat storage and oxidation, lipotoxicity, body fat composition, inflammation, oxidative stress, vascular function, glucose production and utilization). In this context we have identified a number of markers and evaluated appropriate method to measure and validate them. CONCLUSIONS: Relevant functions contributing to overweight, the metabolic syndrome and diabetes have been identified. The evidence reviewed indicates that in this field the link between nutrition, biological responses and diseases is clearly established. Therefore, there is a strong potential to develop functional food science. The major gap in the evidence continues to be the lack of diet based intervention trials of sufficient duration to be relevant for affecting the natural history of these conditions.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Cardiovascular risk factors for stable angina pectoris versus unheralded myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Ischemic heart disease can vary substantially in its clinical presentation. Some patients have acute myocardial infarction (MI) without any previous signs of myocardial ischemia, whereas other patients may have stable angina pectoris for years without periods of acute unstability. This study compared baseline risk factors between subjects in whom stable angina pectoris developed and subjects in whom unheralded fatal or nonfatal MI developed during the follow-up period. METHODS: In 1970 to 1973, all 50-year-old men in Uppsala, Sweden, were invited to participate in a health survey aimed at identifying risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The present study is a nested case-control study of subjects who were free of coronary heart disease (CHD) at baseline and who then underwent revascularization (percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty or coronary artery bypass grafting) because of angina pectoris without preceding MI (n = 70) or in whom fatal or nonfatal MI developed without prior known CHD (n = 372) during the period until 1998. RESULTS: In multivariate Cox proportional hazard models, low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein levels (protective) were significant independent risk factors for stable angina pectoris demanding revascularization, whereas smoking, diastolic blood pressure, serum proinsulin levels, and serum lipid levels were significant independent predictors of subsequent unheralded MI. When comparing hazard ratios (HR), significantly higher HR for diastolic blood pressure (1.40 vs 1.00, for 1 SD increase) and serum proinsulin (1.82 vs1.20, for 1 SD increase) were found in the group in which unheralded MI developed than in the group with stable angina pectoris. CONCLUSIONS: Serum lipid levels were important risk factors for the development of both stable and acute coronary heart disease. In addition, proinsulin levels and blood pressure were independent predictors of unheralded MI only, which suggests that these factors are involved in thrombosis, plaque rupture, or both.

Angina Pectoris↗

Comparative evaluation of simple indices of insulin resistance.

Various surrogate methods for the quantification of insulin sensitivity have been proposed. A comparative evaluation is lacking and is relevant for the standardization of investigative methods and comparability of results. The aims of the study were to perform a comparative validation of fasting insulin, homeostasis model assessment (HOMA), Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI), and revised-QUICKI (R-QUICKI) against minimal model derived estimates of insulin sensitivity (SI(MM)) in nondiabetic people and to carry out a comparative evaluation of the ability of these indices as means for the identification of individuals with the metabolic syndrome (MS) on a population basis. We used 2 data sets defined as "validation sample" and "prevalence sample". Validation sample: a total of 162 healthy men and women aged 30 to 65 years were studied by frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIVGTT). SI(MM) was calculated with the Minmod program. Prevalence sample: a total of 2,731 nondiabetic men and women aged 35 to 65 years were studied. In both samples, anthropometry, blood pressure, fasting glucose, insulin, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and free fatty acid (FFA) were measured. HOMA, QUICKI, and R-QUICKI were calculated. The MS was defined according to the Adult Treatment Panel III. Validation sample: insulin, HOMA, QUICKI, and R-QUICKI significantly correlated with SI(MM) (r = -0,53, -0.52, 0.41, 0.33; all P < .001). The finding was confirmed in obese (body mass index [BMI] > or =25 kg/m(2)), but in the normal weight, the correlation coefficient for QUICKI was significantly smaller than for the other indices. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis performed with SI(MM) below or above the lowest 25th percentile (ie, insulin resistance yes, no) as the outcome variable and each of the 4 indices as the test variable showed no significant differences in the areas under the curve. Prevalence sample: prevalence of the MS progressively increased across quartiles of insulin resistance as evaluated by any of the 4 indices, with no significant differences between them. The novel indices QUICKI and R-QUICKI do not perform better than HOMA and fasting insulin as surrogate measures of insulin resistance or means for the identification of people with MS in the general population.

Adult↗

Isomer-specific effects of conjugated linoleic acid on lipid peroxidation in humans: regulation by alpha-tocopherol and cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitor.

We have found previously that supplementation with conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) induces lipid peroxidation and inflammation in humans as indicated by an increase of 8-iso-prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) and 15-keto-dihydro-PGF2alpha respectively. The present study was undertaken firstly to study the regulatory mechanisms behind these effects, and secondly to see if these effects are specific to different isomers of CLA. Sixty healthy men and women, divided into six groups, were given a cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitor (rofecoxib; 12 mg/day), alpha-tocopherol (200 mg/day) or neither treatment (control group) over a period of 6 weeks. During the last 4 weeks, three groups were given a CLA preparation (3.5 g/day) mainly containing the isomers cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12 (CLA mix), and the three other groups a CLA preparation mainly containing the isomer trans-10, cis-12 (CLA 1012; 4.0 g/day). Treatment with alpha-tocopherol or COX-2 inhibitor did not alter the basal urinary levels of either 8-iso-PGF2alpha or 15-keto-dihydro-PGF2alpha. Both CLA preparations induced an increase in 8-iso-PGF2alpha and 15-keto-dihydro-PGF2alpha in the urine, with a larger increase being found in the CLA 1012 group. Treatment with the COX-2 inhibitor suppressed the increase in urinary 15-keto-dihydro-PGF2alpha in the CLA 1012 group, but not in the CLA mix group. Neither the COX-2 inhibitor nor alpha-tocopherol had any effect on 8-iso-PGF2alpha levels after supplementation with CLA. The CLA-induced production of PGF2alpha metabolites is probably partially mediated by COX-2. Levels of the induced lipid peroxidation may be dependent on the isomeric property of CLA.

Adult↗

Estimated intake of milk fat is negatively associated with cardiovascular risk factors and does not increase the risk of a first acute myocardial infarction. A prospective case-control study.

Milk fat is high in saturated fatty acids (SFA) and high intakes of SFA are associated with cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the present study was to prospectively evaluate the potential risk of a first-ever acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in relation to the estimated milk-fat intake, reflected as the proportions of pentadecanoic acid (15 : 0) and heptadecanoic acid (17 : 0) in serum lipid esters. This was evaluated in a study population selected within the Västerbotten Intervention Program and the northern Sweden 'Monitoring of Trends and Determinants in Cardiovascular disease' survey populations. A prospective case-control design was used. The proportions of the biomarkers were lower in the cases (n 78) than in the controls (n 156), who were matched for age, sex, sampling time and geographical region. The standardised odds ratios of becoming an AMI case were between 0.7 and 0.8 for the biomarkers. The proportions of 15 : 0 and 17 : 0 in serum phospholipids were significantly and negatively correlated to serum concentrations of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, tissue-type plasminogen activator, triacylglycerols, insulin, specific insulin, pro-insulin and leptin (all P<0.0001), suggesting a negative relationship to the insulin-resistance syndrome and the risk of CHD. Adjustment for BMI did not materially change the relationships. Although there seems to be a negative association between milk-fat intake as mirrored by the proportions of 15 : 0 and 17 : 0 in serum lipid esters and a first-ever AMI, adjustment for clinical risk factors removed this relationship.

Adult↗

Dietary secoisolariciresinol diglucoside and its oligomers with 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaric acid decrease vitamin E levels in rats.

Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) is an important dietary lignan that is found at very high levels in flaxseed (1-4 %, w/w). Flaxseed lignans have received much research interest in recent years because of reported phyto-oestrogenic, anticarcinogenic, and anti-atherogenic effects. Previously, flaxseed feeding has been shown to decrease vitamin E concentrations in rats despite the antioxidant potential of SDG in vitro. Sesamin, a sesame lignan, on the other hand has been shown to increase vitamin E concentrations in rats. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of dietary SDG and its oligomers on vitamin E and cholesterol concentrations in rats. SDG was extracted from defatted flaxseed flour with a dioxane-ethanol mixture and purified by silica column chromatography. The major oligomers with 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaric acid, containing a high ratio of SDG to p-coumaric and ferulic acid glucosides, were purified from the extracts by reversed-phase liquid chromatography. When fed to rats at 0.1 % in the diet for 27 d, both SDG and its oligomers had no effect on animal performance but caused an increase in liver cholesterol and a 2-fold reduction in the levels of alpha- and gamma-tocopherols in rat plasma and liver. It is notable that a phenolic antioxidant, such as SDG, causes a vitamin E-lowering effect in rats. This cannot be explained at present, but warrants further investigations with respect to the magnitude, mechanism, and significance of the observed effect for human nutrition.

Animals↗

Polymorphisms in glutathione-related genes affect methylmercury retention.

Methylmercury is eliminated from the human body as glutathione (GSH) conjugates. GSH production is mediated by glutamyl-cysteine ligase (GCL) and conjugation by glutathione S-transferases (GST). In this study, the authors tested whether polymorphisms in GCL and GST genes modify methylmercury retention. Erythrocyte mercury concentration (EryHg), plasma polyunsaturated fatty acids (PPUFA), and genotype for GCLC, GCLM, GSTA1, GSTM1, GSTP1, and GSTT1 were determined in 365 individuals. A general linear model was developed for analyzing whether genotype modified the regression of EryHg on PPUFA. The presence of one variant allele for either GCLC-129 or GSTP1-114 was associated with higher EryHg and steeper regression slope. No similar trends were shown for GCLM, GSTA1, GSTM1, or GSTT1. These findings indicate that GCLC polymorphisms that affect GSH production also affect methylmercury retention, and that GSTP1 may play a role in conjugating methylmercury with GSH.

Adult↗

Isoprostanes, prostaglandins and tocopherols in pre-eclampsia, normal pregnancy and non-pregnancy.

This study is designed to evaluate whether oxidative stress and inflammation are involved in severe pre-eclampsia compared to normal pregnancy and non-pregnancy. We have measured plasma and urinary levels of 8-iso-PGF2alpha, a major isoprostane as an indicator of oxidative stress; plasma and urinary 15-keto-dihydro-PGF2alpha, a major metabolite of cyclooxygenase-catalysed PGF2alpha as an indicator of inflammatory response, and plasma -alpha-and -gamma-tocopherol in 18 pre-eclamptic, 19 normal pregnancy and 20 non-pregnant women. Pregnant women had significantly higher levels of 8-iso-PGF2alpha and PGF2alpha metabolite as compared to the non-pregnancy. Levels of 8-iso-PGF2alpha in the pre-eclamptic women did not differ from the normal pregnancy but PGF2alpha metabolite levels were significantly higher in normal pregnancy. On the other hand, gamma-tocopherol levels were significantly lower in pre-eclampsia than normal pregnancy. In contrast, the concentration of alpha-tocopherol was very similar between the groups. alpha-and gamma-tocopherol levels were significantly lower in pregnancy compared to non-pregnancy. Although no direct evidence of oxidative stress and inflammatory response was observed in severe pre-eclampsia, a reduction of gamma-tocopherol suggests the possible precedence of oxidative stress in this condition. Higher levels of isoprostanes and prostaglandin metabolite in late pregnancy suggest the importance of both free radicals and cyclooxygenase-catalysed oxidation products in normal biological processes of pregnancy.

Adult↗

Effects of cis-9,trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid supplementation on insulin sensitivity, lipid peroxidation, and proinflammatory markers in obese men.

BACKGROUND: We recently showed that trans-10,cis-12 (t10,c12) conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) causes insulin resistance in obese men. However, metabolic effects of the c9,t11 CLA isomer are still unknown in obese men. Because c9,t11 CLA is the predominant CLA isomer in foods and is included in dietary weight-loss products, it is important to conduct randomized controlled studies that use c9,t11 CLA preparations. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effects of c9,t11 CLA supplementation on insulin sensitivity, body composition, and lipid peroxidation in a group at high risk for cardiovascular disease. DESIGN: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 25 abdominally obese men received 3 g c9,t11 CLA/d or placebo (olive oil). Before and after 3 mo of supplementation, we assessed insulin sensitivity (hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp), lipid metabolism, body composition, and urinary 8-iso-prostaglandin F(2alpha) (a major F(2)-isoprostane) and 15-keto-dihydro-prostaglandin F(2alpha), markers of in vivo oxidative stress and inflammation, respectively. RESULTS: All subjects completed the study. Compared with placebo, c9,t11 CLA decreased insulin sensitivity by 15% (P < 0.05) and increased 8-iso-prostaglandin F(2alpha) and 15-keto-dihydro-prostaglandin F(2alpha) excretion by 50% (P < 0.01) and 15% (P < 0.05), respectively. The decreased insulin sensitivity was independent of changes in serum lipids, glycemia, body mass index, and body fat but was abolished after adjustment for changes in 8-iso-prostaglandin F(2alpha) concentrations. There were no differences between groups in body composition. CONCLUSIONS: A CLA preparation containing the purified c9,t11 CLA isomer increased insulin resistance and lipid peroxidation compared with placebo in obese men. Because c9,t11 CLA occurs in commercial supplements as well as in the diet, the present results should be confirmed in larger studies that also include women.

Administration, Oral↗

Cereal alkylresorcinols elevate gamma-tocopherol levels in rats and inhibit gamma-tocopherol metabolism in vitro.

Alkylresorcinols (AR) are a class of amphiphilic phenolic lipids present in high amounts in wheat and rye bran. They have been reported to be both growth retarding and innocuous when fed to rats, and to have a broad range of bioactivities in vitro, suggested to be related to their ability to bind to proteins and modify membranes. This study was designed to test the effects of AR (purified from rye bran) on growth, tocopherol levels, and cholesterol levels in rats. Rats were fed 1 of 4 different levels of AR for 4 wk: 0 (control), 1, 2, and 4 g/kg diet. AR did not affect final body, liver, or lung weights. The AR diets increased the levels of gamma-tocopherol in liver and lungs (P < 0.05). To investigate whether AR could have increased gamma-tocopherol levels via inhibition of tocopherol-omega-hydroxylase, HepG2 cells were incubated with AR and the metabolism of gamma-tocopherol measured. AR significantly inhibited the conversion of gamma-tocopherol to its water-soluble hydroxychroman metabolite in vitro, indicating that AR may increase gamma-tocopherol levels via inhibition of tocopherol metabolism in vivo. The 4 g AR/kg diet decreased liver cholesterol (P < 0.001), but did not affect plasma lipids. AR were detected in the perirenal adipose tissue samples of rats fed AR, indicating that they can accumulate in the fatty tissues of rats. High levels of dietary AR moderately affect gamma-tocopherol, possibly via inhibition of tocopherol metabolism, and decrease liver cholesterol in rats.

Animals↗

Yeast-leavened oat breads with high or low molecular weight beta-glucan do not differ in their effects on blood concentrations of lipids, insulin, or glucose in humans.

Increased intestinal viscosity appears to be the major mode of action by which dietary oat beta-glucan increases the fecal excretion of bile acids and thereby lowers blood cholesterol concentrations. The objective of this experiment was to investigate whether there is a difference in effects on blood lipids between two yeast-leavened oat bran breads containing beta-glucan (6 g/d) of low or high average molecular weight (HMW) (217 or 797 kDa, respectively). The breads were fed to 22 volunteers (women, n = 11; men, n = 11) in a randomized, double-blind, crossover design. The participants ate one bread for 3 wk as part of their normal diet and switched breads after a 2-wk washout period. Blood samples were drawn from fasting subjects and analyzed for lipids, insulin, glucose, and alpha- and gamma-tocopherol. The two experimental oat breads did not differ in their effects on any of the variables measured. Compared to baseline, however, consumption of HMW bread increased serum insulin by 22.6% (P < 0.03) and decreased blood glucose concentrations by 3.4% (P < 0.05). These results suggest that the molecular weight, when beta-glucan is consumed in oat bran breads as part of the habitual diet, does not play an important physiological role in moderately hypercholesterolemic humans.

Adult↗