Biomedical subjects

R Simoncic

Publications and source records attributed to R Simoncic.

35 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1994

[Lipid and pro-oxidative and antioxidative parameters in the blood of vegetarians].

The authors subdued 183 vegetarians to examination, the aim of which was to judge the state of health and nutrition of the vegetarian population. The examined group was composed of people with their age ranging from 19-60 years, out of which 102 were of younger (19-39 years) and 81 were of older age. Their average period of vegetarian food consumption was 4.2 years. One third of men and a half of women were lacto-vegetarians, the rest were lacto-ovo-vegetarians. The results were compared with 160 nonvegetarians (64 of younger and 96 of older age). The detected values of lipid parameters were evaluated as favourable for vegetarians (low values of cholesterol, triacylglycerols, atherogenic index, LDL-cholesterol, the share of HDL-cholesterol was 28-33% (vs 24-26% in nonvegetarians) with values converging to 1.4 mmol.l-1--i.e. reduced risk). Additional favourable factors in prevention of atherosclerosis include the absence of obesity in vegetarians and values of antisclerotic active substances in blood (high values of vitamin C, in comparison with nonvegetarians a significantly higher molar ratio of vitamin E/cholesterol and vitamin E/triacylglycerols--more effective protection against peroxidation of lipids). Vegetarian mode of food consumption may be favourably evaluated regarding prooxidative-antioxidative parameters which play an important role in the process of atherogenesis, and carcinogenesis. Significantly lower values of conjugated dienes in plasma of vegetarians and vice versa high values of antioxidant substances (vitamin C, vitamin E/lipid components, catalase activity) were detected. A more pronounced system of detoxication in vegetarians is important due to a possible risk of an increased intake of xenogenous substances. (Tab. 3, Ref. 27.)

Adult↗

PubMed1994

The effect of dietary protein and sucrose on the diabetic rat kidney.

The effect of 3 months feeding with diets of different protein and sucrose content (9% casein + 70% sucrose vs. 18% casein + 61% sucrose) on the development of diabetic nephropathy and changes in serum lipid spectrum was investigated in rats with insulin-dependent diabetes (streptozotocin 45 mg.kg-1). Metabolism of diabetic animals (before the nutritional regimen) was characterized by hyperglycaemia, moderate hyperlipidemia, lipid accumulation in the liver and elevated creatinine concentration in the blood. Kidney weight and protein content were not significantly changed. Histological picture of kidneys showed initial changes of glomerular structure. After three months hyperlipoproteinaemia was more accentuated in animals given either of the two diets, the kidneys were hypertrophic with a higher protein content and displayed morphological changes of diabetic nephropathy. Animals given the low-protein diet developed smaller morphological changes both in glomeruli and tubuli. The study indicates that dietary protein and not hyperlipoproteinaemia is the major factor, which may significantly influence the progress of diabetic nephropathy.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

[Biochemical and hematologic indicators in the blood of young vegetarians].

For the purpose of judgement of the vegetarian population state of health and nutrition 41 vegetarians were examined, namely university students in the age of 18-24 years, 36% of which were lacto-vegetarians and 64% lacto-ovo-vegetarians, 22 men and 19 women. Low values of cholesterol and triacylglycerols, content of HDL-cholesterol to 32% (close to the value 1.4 mmol per litre), low atherogenic index, low values of blood pressure and no case of obesity are favourable factors in the prevention of atherosclerosis. The only exception is represented by low values of vitamin C which neither in autumn period achieved the bottom value of the physiological range (low intake of fruit and vegetables). Saturation of organism with proteins is good (intake of full-value mixture of aminoacids in the form of plant and milk proteins), the values of glycemia were on the level of the bottom border of the physiological range. Low values of hematological parameters were detected. The erythrocyte count and levels of hemoglobin and hematocrit were on the bottom border of the physiological range; the values of serum iron in the bottom half of the physiological standard. The vegetarians consumed less fruit and vegetables (vitamin C facilities the conversion of the ferri-form into ferro-form), more cerials (linkage of iron with the phytic acid), and only scarcely the foliage vegetables. The incidence of anemias was equal with that in non-vegetarians in the age of 17-18 years (epidemiologic study of the institute). The supply of organism by vitamins B1,B2 and B6 were within the physiological standard.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

[Is fish oil supplementation (n-3 fatty acids) important for the diabetic?].

Since the 70-ties many investigators have studied the effects of fish oil supplementation in experimental and clinical medicine. Regarding to some perspective results (in healthy subjects, cardiovascular, autoimmune diseases, in disorders of lipid metabolism, in carcinogenesis a.o.), there were also expected favourable consequences in diabetic subjects. Taking into consideration the most controversial information in this field, the authors in this review article try to summarize all relevant questions. (Fig. 1, Tab. 1, Ref. 22.)

Diabetes Mellitus↗

PubMed1993

Lipid parameters in blood of vegetarians.

Lipid parameters (cholesterol CH, HDL-, LDL-cholesterol, triacylglycerols TG, atherogenic index AI) were estimated in four age groups of vegetarians, 82 males and 80 females, aged 15 to 60 years. The period of consumption of vegetarian food was 1.4 to 1.9 years for adolescents (15-18 years old) or 2.4 to 5.4 years for adults (age groups 19-29 years, 30-39 years and 40-60 years). Lacto-vegetarians constituted one half of females and one third of males. Vitamin C content, lipid peroxidation levels (conjugated dienes, CD) and the activities of catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were estimated in the oldest age group of males and females. Low levels of TG and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were estimated in the oldest age group of males and females. Low levels of TG and CH (in the lower half of the reference range), low calculated values of LDL-CH and AI, as well as values of HDL-CH in the upper region of the standard risk zone or over 1.4 mmol/l (reduced risk level) in males and females of all age groups are the positive factors of vegetarian nutrition in prevention of atherosclerosis. High levels of vitamin C in blood, absence of obesity and low blood pressure should be mentioned here as additional positive factors as well. When considered as a single isolated factor, the nearly significantly elevated values of CD (linked to increased intake of unsaturated fatty acids) could be a negative factor of vegetarian nutrition.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

PubMed1984